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 Brent Holler, of Hendersonville, is making a public plea for a kidney donor. For 10 years Holler has been dealing with polycystic kidney disease and is now facing end-stage renal disease.

“What they would be doing is giving the gift of life,” Holler said of a donor. “I would be so grateful. One healthy kidney is all you need. God gave us two to have a spare.”

Holler said when he was diagnosed in 2014, he was at 50% kidney function.

"I am now at 4%," Holler said.

Holler is on dialysis 10 hours a day with a machine set up by his bed, a situation that has severely curtailed his life. The retired engineer can't take trips because he must stay close to home.

“Right now, I’m so limited physically," Holler said. "I can’t do the things I used to enjoy.”

He loves to ski and loves the outdoors. He and his wife Ava have been married 44 years.

“He remains optimistic and positive,” Ava said. “It helps me because if he were to fall apart, I would fall apart. There’s people out there that will do this. We hear about it all the time at the transplant centers.”

Lyn Ellen Burkett, an assistant music professor at Western Carolina University, gifted a kidney to a friend a decade ago.

“Today is my 10th transplant-a-versary,” Burkett said. “Ten years ago today, I was in surgery having my left kidney removed, and it was given to my friend Debby. I knew her because we were both church musicians in the same community.”

Burkett said they both played the organ. She had a chance run-in with Debby who mentioned she had to retire because her kidneys were failing. Burkett's donation changed Debby’s life.

“It was a need that I felt was something I could do for her. And I was happy to do it," Burkett said.

Burkett feels great joy in the gift she gave her friend.

"I went through a lot of tests to make sure I was healthy enough to donate. My health is great,” she said.

Lauren Fieldman is a living transplant coordinator for Duke University School of Medicine.

“I have the best job in the world,” Fieldman said. “I work with the kindest, most giving people. You know, it’s a big ask. How does someone say, ‘Hey, you know, can I have your kidney?’ But it only takes one person to answer.”

The ideal candidate to be a donor for Holler must be in good physical health and have Type O blood.

“I’m currently working with Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, but I haven’t found a donor," Holler said. "If someone contacts me and wants to be considered as a donor, I will give them the information to contact the transplant center.”

“He’s very generous,” Ava said of her husband. “If someone needs him to do something, he does it."

She wants anyone reading this story to know that.

"This gift would mean a world of difference to our family," Ava said.

Holler may be reached by phone at 828-808-5553 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click here to learn more about Wake Forest: Atrium Health Living Kidney Donor Program.

Duke Living Donor Transplant Coordinator Lauren Fieldman may be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville man makes plea for kidney donor amid end-stage renal disease | WLOS

 

 
It is with utmost sadness that we share the loss of Cliff Freeman, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all. Cliff passed away, surrounded by family, on December 24, 2023, after a brief stay at Pardee Hospital.
Coleman Freeman Auto Sales is a small family business, knowing how to move forward without the leader of our family who loved serving his customers and community for nearly 50 years is almost unimaginable. His customers were family to him, we were always amazed at his ability to remember each of you, the car you bought, the car you traded in, and all the specifics of the trade. His genuine love of cars was second only to his love for his family, especially his grandchildren.
To help us remember and celebrate his life, we invite you to post pictures and/or share stories you had with him. Or post about the favorite automobile you bought from him. As he died on Christmas Eve, we ask that instead of flowers, you consider the gift of an ornament to be displayed on "Papaw's Tree" for years to come.
You may bring/send ornaments to Coleman Freeman Auto Sales, located at 1216 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville, or bring with you to his memorial service, which is scheduled for Sunday, December 31st at First Baptist Hendersonville. Visitation will begin at 2:00pm, the service will begin at 3:00pm.
Please accept our most sincere appreciation for all the love and support that so many have already shown to us during this devastating time. We are grateful to each of you.
With love,
The Freeman Family

The Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville is brimming with activity for two new retailers to occupy the old JC Penney space,

Ross Dress for Less and Home Goods, the sister company of TJ Maxx.

There is currently a "Coming Soon" sign within the shopping center area of the mall.

Home Goods is expected to open along with Ross in the coming new year of 2024. 

 

STORY BY WHKP'S TYLER SAMS.

 The Hendersonville Fire Department celebrated the achievements of two members at its annual awards ceremony earlier this month. Fire Engineer Ian Hill was presented with the Firefighter of the Year Award and Assistant Fire Marshal Greg Lamb was presented with Officer of the Year. 

“These awards are important, because they’re voted on by our team,” shared Hendersonville Fire Chief D. James Miller. “Getting recognized by your brothers and sisters is special. It’s not just about making a difference in the community; it’s about cheering on your fellow firefighters too.” 

Fire Engineer Ian Hill, a member of the department since October 2020, also volunteers with the Junaluska Fire Department in Haywood County. Previously Engineer Hill served for five years as a Firefighter and Engineer for the Town of Canton. His peers recognized him for being reliable and for being extremely thorough in daily truck checks. When talking about Engineer Hill, a fellow firefighter said, “To him it’s not just a paycheck; it’s about getting to help others, train with some cool equipment, drive a fire truck, be a part of the brotherhood, and ultimately fight fires.” 

Assistant Fire Marshal Greg Lamb joined the Hendersonville Fire Department in May of 2020, bringing 26 years of service with the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue as a Lieutenant/Paramedic. During his tenure, he also played a role with the South Carolina HazMat Cobra Team. Known for his ‘can do’ attitude, Lamb earned the respect of his colleagues for his unwavering commitment and readiness to assist whenever needed. Assistant Fire Marshal Lamb shows a commitment to continuous learning, recently receiving his Fire Inspector 2 certification. 

Congratulations to Firefighter Hill and Assistant Fire Marshal Lamb for their outstanding achievements. Their names will be added to the Firefighter and Officer of the Year plaques showcased at Fire Station 2.  

The City of Hendersonville has taken an important step towards enhancing the City’s pedestrian infrastructure with the adoption of the “Walk Hendo” Pedestrian Plan. This new pedestrian plan aims to transform Hendersonville into a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly community by establishing a vision that supports multimodal goals, guides developer participation, and positions the City for future funding and partnership opportunities. Following a presentation at their December 7, 2023, meeting, Hendersonville City Council unanimously voted to adopt the plan. 

 

“The Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan is important because having the option to safely and efficiently walk in Hendersonville becomes more critical as our community grows,” said Hendersonville’s Strategic Projects Manager Matthew Manley. “Pedestrian improvement projects typically take many years to plan and to secure the necessary funding. Having an updated guiding document is a crucial step in making Hendersonville more walkable for all.” 

 

The Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan Process kicked off in April 2022 and was led by the Walk Hendo Steering Committee, Traffic Planning & Design, Hendersonville City Staff and NCDOT in collaboration with community members who provided input in online surveys and public meetings. The plan was funded through a Multimodal Planning Grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Integrated Mobility Division.  

 

The plan includes the following goals: 

 

Connect People to Places 

Walk Hendo prioritizes the creation of a seamless pedestrian network by linking sidewalks, greenways, and street crossings to key destinations and transit hubs. By fostering connectivity, the plan aims to facilitate easier access for residents and visitors. 

 

Build Safer Streets 

Ensuring safety for pedestrians of all ages is a cornerstone of the Walk Hendo plan. The City will focus on developing comfortable connections that prioritize safety, making streets safer for everyone. 

 

Address Policy 

To support the expansion of the pedestrian network, Walk Hendo emphasizes the importance of aligning City policies to enhance pedestrian access. The plan aims to integrate pedestrian-friendly considerations into the land development code and other City policies, ensuring that future development supports the creation of a more walkable community. 

 

Promote a Culture of Walking 

This plan seeks to create a culture where walking is not only encouraged but celebrated. By enhancing the comfort and safety of walking in Hendersonville, these elements will play a pivotal role in creating an environment that encourages and enables people to choose walking as a viable mode of transportation.  

 

In collaboration with NCDOT, Hendersonville has demonstrated its commitment to pedestrian-friendly urban planning through a series of improvements.  

 

A new pedestrian crossing has been completed at the intersection at South Grove Street and 176. The following projects with updated pedestrian signals and crossings are underway with estimated completions in Spring of 2024:  

·         Pedestrian improvements to Thompson St./US 64 intersection 

·         Pedestrian improvements to Orr’s Camp/US 64 intersection 

·         Pedestrian improvements to Howard Gap/US 64 intersection 

·         Pedestrian improvements to Fruitland/US 64 intersection 

 NCDOT has submitted for funding for improvements to the US 64 W/N. Oak St. intersection. 

 

In addition to physical improvements, Hendersonville has introduced Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) at select intersections. LPIs give pedestrians a head start in the crosswalk before traffic receives a green signal, enhancing safety for those on foot.   

 

Most large cities in North Carolina have implemented LPIs on a widespread scale, such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Asheville. Hendersonville is the first small city in the state to implement LPIs to the degree with which Hendersonville has according to Multimodal Engineer Ian Pike from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. 

 

The City continues to actively pursue pedestrian-centric projects and looks forward to building upon these achievements in the years to come. 

 

To view the presentation or check out the Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan, visit https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/projects/walk-hendo.

 UNC Health Pardee says it's the first health care organization in Western North Carolina to administer a newly FDA-approved drug to treat Alzheimer's disease.

The hospital says Dr. Joel Callahan, chief of staff with UNC Health Pardee, and medical director, Pardee Neurology Associates, administered the first dose of Lecanemab on Dec. 1, 2023, to an 81-year-old woman from Hendersonville.

According to UNC Health Pardee, the patient, who had a confirmed Alzheimer's disease diagnosis earlier this summer, said she was cautiously optimistic about the medication.

While we would rather have a proven remedy, we're doing the best we can with a horrible situation," the patient's husband said in a written statement.

The couple said they would have traveled anywhere to access this medication, so getting it in their community was a welcome benefit. They expressed they're hopeful for positive outcomes and glad to be a part of something that is a step toward a cure.

 The FDA fully approved Lecanemab in July 2023 for patients with early or mild memory issues related to Alzheimer's disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lecanemab works by reducing clumps of proteins called amyloid-beta proteins that play a key role in Alzheimer's. Reducing amyloid-beta proteins in the brain modestly slows memory and thinking decline from the disease.
"The approval of Lecanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's is an exciting and important first step," Dr. Callahan said in a written statement. "Despite some of the risks, drawbacks, and limitations of this new treatment, the progress made after decades of failed advancement remains a reason for optimism in the treatment and, perhaps one day, cure of this disease."
 

A historic section of Hendersonville will soon get a $3.5 million makeover.

Earlier this month, city officials opened bids for the Seventh Avenue Streetscape project and then authorized the spending for it. Work will include paving, landscaping, demolition and new traffic signals.

Seventh Avenue was the original commercial district in Hendersonville.

The renovation project was first proposed in 2017, but the COVID-19 pandemic and supply-chain problems have caused delays.

According to the city's website, the Seventh Avenue Streetscape project is an investment into pedestrian and stormwater infrastructure and landscaping in the business district, and work is slated to start in early 2024.

City documents show that since 2020, 11 businesses have opened in the Seventh Avenue district, and $1.5 million in private investments have been used for improvements and acquisitions.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville's historic Seventh Avenue set for a $3.5 million revamp in 2024 | WLOS

 

 

A decades-long tradition begins its Christmas Day preparations on Tuesday -- the Bounty of Bethlehem’s 40th annual Christmas dinner.

Tuesday kicks off the turkey and ham gathering and closer to Christmas they will be asking for dessert donations.

You can bring those donations to the Hendersonville Salvation Army, located at 239 3rd Ave East, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year they were able to feed around 2,500 people and this year they hope to match that number.

Bounty of Bethlehem director Annamarie Jakubielski tells us more about this tradition.

“Bounty of Bethlehem is a community Christmas dinner," she says. "We come together to make sure that no one is alone on Christmas. This happens on Christmas Day but like I said, it’s a little bit of hard work in the dates leading up to it.”

Like last year, the dinner will we held at the Salvation Army of Hendersonville from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25.

They are also looking for volunteers and monetary donations. CLICK HERE if you would like to contribute.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS'No one should be alone on Christmas Day' Bounty of Bethlehem prepares for 40th meal | WLOS

Christmas is God’s Extraordinary Opportunity

Dr. Glenn Mollette

Christmas was bleak when I was fourteen years old. My father had fallen off the roof our barn while trying to make a repair. He was severely injured. His hospital and home recovery rook months. As a coal mining family, we lived financially tight in the best of times. Although farming and gardening often got us over the hump. With no paycheck coming into our household for several months, I have no clue how my mother and father kept the lights burning.

My mother worked only briefly outside of the home and it wasn’t during this critical time.

Christmas came and my father was recuperating but was still on crutches. We had a Christmas tree but there weren’t any packages. I understood. I didn’t even think about Christmas gifts or packages or a Santa coming around. I knew it was not the best of times.

We did have food and the furnace was on and the fact that my dad was getting well gave us all a sense of optimism that things would eventually return to normal.

On Christmas Eve my mother surprised me by handing me a tiny package. “Thank you,” came from my lips, but I know I barely mumbled in disbelief. Ripping off the paper I beheld a watch. It was my one and only Christmas gift. It was a simple gift but it was thrilling to me at that time. I knew it came with sacrifice and love. I remember the blessing I felt.

A year later I would celebrate Christmas as a new Christian. I would even share in my church family’s Christmas program. Two other teenagers and I sang, “We three kings of orient are bearing gifts we’ve traveled so far.” We walked down the aisle of our church in bathrobes and weird looking crowns as we approached Mary, Joseph and the Christ child in the manger. It was all so simple but filled the greatest need of my heart. I remember that simple Christmas program. I remember the fellowship and love of the church. I remember the delight I felt in my Christian infancy. I remember that my dad was physically healed and doing well. I thought about how great life really was. I remember the blessings.

Today, I continue to count the blessings. The greatest blessing of all is God’s gift to us, his Son.

We celebrate his birthday once again. Hopefully, we won’t lose sight of what Christmas is about. We never really know just how God may work in our lives during this season. So often it’s in unexpected ways and in unexpected places and sometimes through unexpected people.

May we all be at peace this season of the year and try to look up higher than ourselves to God who has given us Christmas. Christmas is God’s extraordinary opportunity to do something special in our lives.

FFind books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon.com Learn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette.Com

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Once again this year WHKP and Mark White Auctions and Real Estate will be giving away free toys to ages newborn to 12. The free toy give away will be this Saturday, December 23rd from 11 am till 2 pm.

Santa will be on hand for this drive through toy give away.

Its all free.....so just stop by the Mark White office  - 233 White Street - this Satlurday to meet Santa \and get some free toys,and local apples too.