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Minutes: Henry’s Bend Chapel Association Meeting — August 15, 2026

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Kelly Rebmann

Aug 17, 2026, 8:19 AM

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Dear Henry’s Bend Community,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our final general meeting of the 2026 season. We are grateful for the continued participation, ideas, volunteerism, and generosity that make Henry’s Bend such a special community. Below is a summary of the key updates, decisions, and plans discussed.

Our beloved treasurer, Kathy Harvey, reported that the Association currently has $8,178.39 in checking, approximately $8,503 in the CD, and $500 in petty cash, for total available assets of approximately $16,681. We are in a good position to begin addressing several property-improvement priorities identified through community feedback. The major improvement priorities currently under consideration are basement floor painting, electrical improvements, a permanent dusk-to-dawn exterior light, and repairs to the retaining wall. The board is continuing to gather bids and determine the best sequencing and funding approach. No capital expenditures were formally approved at this meeting; those decisions will be brought forward once costs are clearer.

Our next major community event will be the September Music Festival on Saturday, Sept 5. Food will begin around 5:30 p.m. with hot dogs, mac and cheese, and Kathy Karg’s famous baked beans. Water will be available. Attendees should bring their own chairs and alternate beverages of choice. Music is planned from approximately 6:00 to 8:00 p.m with 3 acts performing- Jacob Burris, Anna Lehnortt, and Nat Licht.   

We also shared plans for a possible fall gathering. Based on community interest in having an event later in the season, we are exploring a soup competition or event with a tentative date of Saturday, October 31. The current thought is to hold it late morning or early afternoon at the Chapel, potentially with an outdoor fire. We will share more details as the plan develops.

On the merchandise front, fall hooded sweatshirts are in development and will be offered by pre-order. We will need at least 15 committed orders before moving forward. Watch your email for designs and ordering information from Gina. We are also exploring a fun future fundraiser: a Henry’s Bend pet calendar, featuring Bender dogs and furry companions! 

Looking ahead to 2027, we are already planning some new activities. Based on community feedback requesting more activities for children, we intend to add a kid’s carnival to the Fourth of July celebration. The concept includes simple games, prizes, with some opportunities for older youth and adults to volunteer. More information will come as planning progresses. There was also strong interest in holding a community-wide yard sale in 2027. The preliminary idea is to use the ball field, charge a small fee such as $5 to rent a chapel table, advertise beyond Henry’s Bend to draw shoppers, and potentially offer concessions as an additional fundraiser. The response in the room was very positive, so we will continue developing the idea for next year.

We spent some time discussing how neighbors might communicate about matters that fall outside the official business of the Chapel Association. There appears to be interest in having a separate place for general Henry’s Bend communications—  things such as items for sale, pet sitting, neighborhood information, or other community needs. Because those topics do not really belong to Chapel Association communications, we are considering a separate opt-in email group or community Facebook group. The challenge is that such a forum needs someone willing to administer it. We will explore an experimental approach and welcome anyone who might be interested in helping coordinate it. Stay tuned. 

Membership was another important topic. Going forward, Chapel Association communications will only be sent to active members in good standing. Individuals who have not paid dues for an extended period will receive a reminder before being removed from the regular email list. There will be no expectation to pay missed dues retroactively; anyone can simply renew from the current year forward. Also, current annual dues remain just $5. However, there was also favorable discussion about increasing annual dues to $10, although no formal change was approved at this meeting. We will also consider a more intentional membership drive next season and perhaps an increase to manage the needed building and grounds improvements and community needs.

Another suggestion was to consider whether the Association’s name should more clearly reflect its broader community role—perhaps something along the lines of the “Henry’s Bend Chapel Community Association.” The intent would be to communicate that the organization serves the entire community, not only Chapel activities. At the same time, we need to consider the Association’s bylaws, purpose, and organizational structure before making any change. The board will take this back for further discussion.

Finally, concern was raised about vehicles driving through the playground and ball field area as a shortcut around rough portions of the private road. Considerable volunteer time and community money have been invested in those spaces, and we ask everyone to please help protect them by discouraging vehicle traffic through the grounds. However, there is some good news regarding the road conditions. Scott Gracie is planning to bring equipment and gravel to work on portions of the upper and side roads, with possible assistance from Dan O’Brien and others. We are extremely appreciative of community members who volunteer their time, equipment, and labor to help maintain Henry’s Bend.

Although this was our final general meeting of the season, there is clearly no shortage of ideas for the future! Over the coming months, the board will continue working on the capital-improvement plan, membership strategy, the Fall event, and plans for the 2027 season. Thank you again to everyone who participated this year, volunteered, attended events, paid dues, donated, offered ideas, and helped strengthen our community. We look forward to building on that momentum next season!

 

Following our community meeting, we gathered for a Community Worship Service and Potluck, and the Chapel was jumping with more than 50 friends and neighbors celebrating together in faith and fellowship.

Pastor Curt Brenheiser brought many wonderful members of his congregation to share the day with us and delivered a beautiful sermon on God’s gift of nature—a perfect celebration of faith and of the special place we are blessed to call Henry’s Bend. Melanie Brenheiser accompanied us on piano, graciously leading our enthusiastic (if occasionally off-key!) voices in song.  The service was dedicated to those in our community we have lost this year—Dell & Kathy Ziegler, Barney Lastoria, Gayle Royer, Joey Lacasiac, and Jackson Dewayne “Jack” Deets—while also remembering all those who have been part of Henry’s Bend and are no longer with us.

After the service, we gathered for some community photos and then headed downstairs for an absolutely outstanding potluck. We are fairly certain there were no calories in anything because the food was eaten in celebration of Jesus.  

Special thanks to Vicki Stubler and Vicky Fussel for creating our event signage. It’s a wonderful example of community members sharing their talents to make Henry’s Bend a little more special. And finally, a HUGE thank-you to Beth, who put so much work, care, and heart into bringing this wonderful day together. A Gold Star in God’s Big Book for you, Bethie!

Thank you to everyone who worshipped, sang, cooked, ate, visited, laughed, helped, and simply showed up. Days like this are what community is all about.

See everyone at the Music Festival….


Warmly,
Henry’s Bend Chapel Association Board

 

Upcoming Dates

August

September

October

 

Henry’s Bend Chapel Association Board Contact Info

Scott Karg                            President            scott.karg@cavco.com

Beth O’Brien                       Vice President     bethiebabe24@me.com

Kathy Harvey                          Treasurer            kjharvey123@gmail.com

Kelly Rebmann                  Secretary           kelly.rebmann@sanofi.com

Linda King                           Director              Linda.King@ExigentMedEd.com

Erika Fischer                  Director               erikafischer24@live.com

Gina Burris                          Director              ginamarie1006@gmail.com 

 



Kelly