About that Facebook Page…
By Jeremy Migner (Maney Branch resident)
A few years ago, our neighbor Eric created the Friends of Beech Community Facebook page and website as a way for us to stay better connected—sharing events, celebrations, and community news more easily. The site was designed to support the community, has always advocated for positive community engagement, and over time became a part of what we now call the Beech Community Hub.
The Hub really took shape after Hurricane Helene, when neighbors from all walks of life—longtime residents and newcomers alike—came together to support one another. That experience showed us how much we can accomplish when we work side by side, and many of us wanted to carry that spirit forward.
At its heart, the Hub began from a small group of about ten Beech Community residents who met to share ideas and organize events for strengthening neighborhood connections. We chose the name “Hub” because it symbolizes neighbors coming together—not because we’re trying to replace or impersonate the Community Center.
We want to be clear:
The Beech Community Hub is not the same as the Community Center.
The Hub is simply a group of neighbors volunteering their time to encourage connection and engagement.
The Facebook page is real and is run by local residents—not outsiders.
The site has always welcomed content from residents, and encourages contributions. To date, every event submitted for posting has been posted.
We have heard a few people say in public meetings and on Facebook postings that the Beech community hub is fake and run by imposters and that is what prompted us to speak up.
If you have questions about the Facebook page, we encourage you to look back through the posts yourself. Ask: What do these posts represent? Are they true? What is their intention? Do they cause any harm, or are they simply efforts to bring people together and increase community connection and engagement? We believe the answer speaks for itself.
Looking ahead, the Hub hopes to help organize different gatherings for the community—some hosted at the Community Center and some in other spots around Beech.
One example is the monthly Saturday potluck. After Hurricane Helene, when so many of us shared meals together at the Community Center, I (Jeremy) wanted to carry on that tradition of neighbors breaking bread together. We started every week after Helene and then shifted to once a month. I chose Saturday because that day that worked well for me and many folks who gathered during Helene said that worked for them. I also was unable to attend the Thursday potluck due to my personal schedule.
Today, there are two regular potlucks each month at the Beech Community Center:
First Saturday Potluck – organized by members of the Beech Community Hub, with a focus on casual conversation and spending time together as neighbors.
Third Thursday Potluck – followed by the Community Center board meeting (open to the public and often focused on community business).
These potlucks are not in competition. They’re simply two different opportunities to gather, eat, and connect. We encourage everyone to attend whichever fits their schedule (or both!).
The Community Center remains an important part of our neighborhood, and the Hub and its organized events are simply another way for us as neighbors to connect, celebrate, and support the place we all call home.
Have something you'd like to share with the community on the Hub Facebook page? Send us a message. We'd love to connect. We hope to continue to meet more of our neighbors at potlucks and other future community events.
