Bent Tree Friday News

The Board of Directors is happy to announce that Jim Pryor will be coming to Bent Tree as our new general manager.

For the past eight years Jim has been director of parks and recreation in Forsyth County, Ga., overseeing close to 90 fulltime and 170 parttime employees, and leading a department that has been recognized nationally for its excellence.

His Forsyth department has a $16 million operating budget, and Jim is leading the planning for $97 million in future projects to serve that county’s 260,000 residents. He previously was head of parks and recreation departments in two North Carolina communities. His Forsyth department manages 26 parks, four recreation centers and more than 2,700 acres of parkland. In 2019 he was tabbed as one of the 11 most influential people in Forsyth County.

Jim recently spent two days in Bent Tree, touring the community and meeting with board members, department heads and other staff members. All reported strong positive impressions. He has an outgoing personality, enjoys interacting with people and is an advocate for involving the community in future planning.

During his interviews here he checked all boxes the search committee and Board of Directors were looking for. He has strong planning skills and has already advocated for preparation of a comprehensive plan for Bent Tree. His ability to match plans with funding sources was especially attractive. In touring Bent Tree he independently came up with ideas for raising funds and cutting costs, ideas the board will explore.

While he does not come from the community association field, Jim has been president of two HOAs where he resided.

He is originally from Peachtree Corners, Ga., and played baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis and ran cross country at Greater Atlanta Christian School. He played baseball at the University of North Carolina where he graduated with a degree in business, then received a masters degree from Appalachian State University in sports management.

He holds two certifications in the parks and recreation industry and in 2005 received the Robert W. Crawford Award as the top young professional in that field.

Before entering the parks and recreation field he worked at the University of North Carolina Athletic Department, the Jeep Aloha Bowl and the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers.
(And for those really curious about Jim, his favorite restaurant is Rico’s World Kitchen in Buford, his favorite TV show is Yellowstone, his favorite singer is Jason Aldean, his favorite football team is the UNC Tar Heels, and his dream car is the Acura NSX.)
And, by the way, he’s a fan of professional wrestling and acknowledges that Roman Reigns is the “Head of the Table.”

Jim and his wife Margaret Ann live in Cumming and she works in the Forsyth County planning department. Their two children both are graduates of Shorter University.
Jim is expected to be on the job in Bent Tree in January and events will be scheduled to introduce him to our community.

Winter Weather Alert and Precautions

Single digit temperatures with strong winds have been forecasted for this Friday 12/23 and Saturday 12/24. After that, low temperatures will be in the teens and low 20s until Wednesday 12/28. Please see vital tips to keep your family, pets, and home safe through this frigid Christmas weekend on the Bent Tree website at the following link: Winter Weather Alert

Waste and Recycling Center Reminder

With the holidays, comes an increase in household garbage. Please see an important reminder regarding our Waste and Recycling Center on the Bent Tree website at the following link: Waste and Recycling Center

It's that time of year again when we offer our "Presents for Paws" campaign. This is a campaign to solely benefit our Animal Care Fund. As you probably know, the Foundation covers the veterinary bills of our resident cats as well as any stray dog or cat that is found within Bent Tree. Therefore, our fund is always in need of replenishment.

If you would like to honor a friend or family member with a donation to the Foundation or donate in someone's memory, both can be accomplished via our "Presents for Paws" campaign. We will send those honored a special Christmas card indicating that you have made a donation in their honor. If you would like to donate in someone's memory, we will send a special Christmas card to the names of individual(s) you provide indicating you have made a memorial donation. When you send in your check, please make sure to provide the name and postal address of the person(s) you wish to honor or the name and postal address of those individuals whom you would like to have notified of a memorial donation. Checks, along with the required pertinent information, may be left at the Administration Building to the attention of Colin Thompson or mailed to the address below. If you choose to use PayPal for your donation, you will need to indicate "Animal Care". Additionally, you will also need to send the required names and addresses to sthompson20455@gmail.com.

Won't you help us spread the Christmas spirit of giving while helping the Foundation maintain our record of excellent care of stray animals and those awaiting adoption in our Shelter? Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Explore all the L&W content on the new Bent Tree web site!

For kids, grandkids, and adults alike! Take the BearWise Challenge to learn more about how to keep everyone, including the bears, safe during the holidays!

L&W Post on the BearWise Challenge

You are invited to relive 2022 in pictures and enjoy the great music! 2022 Year in Pictures Review on You Tube.

If you would like to provide input to help shape L&W programs and priorities going into 2023, please complete a 2023 Partner Feedback Form which can be downloaded from the Bent Tree web site. Pre-printed ones can be picked up at Admin or the mail center. Return your input to benttreelw@gmail.com, the Admin building, the admin mailbox at the mail center, or inside the mail center (under L ) by Dec 31.