0325-GCG-FoothillsConservancy_ESG25_12-18 (2) - Flipbook - Page 42
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Sweet Lucy’s Affair
Sweet Lucy’s Affair began in 2013 with eight Lake James
families gathered around Richard Turner’s barbeque
smoker, affectionately named Sweet Lucy. But its roots
reach further back, to the community’s battle in the
1990s and early 2000s to “Save Lake James” from a
proposed 2,000-home suburban-style development.
What could have been a threat to clean water and
As one longtime supporter put it, these contributions
forest cover, instead gave rise to a different vision:
are “an investment in preserving the essence and
sustainable development paired with conservation.
natural character of this region.” What began as a
That vision shaped communities like Dry Creek,
neighborhood gathering has become a cornerstone
Old Wildlife Club, and 1780, and ultimately brought
of FCNC’s story, and proof that when these inspiring
about a dramatic expansion of public lands in Burke
neighbors come together, their impact ripples far
County through new trails, a county park, and the
beyond the lake.
growth of Lake James State Park. Yet, in those early
years, local support for FCNC remained modest,
even with gifts of memberships to new property
owners in these developments.
To change that, Ava and Richard Turner and their
neighbors, Ann and George Costello, approached
then-Executive Director Susie Hamrick Jones about
hosting a gathering where their neighbors could
learn more about FCNC’s mission. From that idea,
Sweet Lucy’s Affair was born; not your average house
party, but a lively community tradition run entirely by
passionate volunteers.
Hosted at Camp Lake James and fueled for years by
Lake James State Park Picnic Pavilion
The newly dedicated Picnic Pavilion at
Lake James State Park honors the vision
and perseverance of Paul Braun and Susie
Hamrick Jones. In the late 1990s, Paul
helped launch Citizens to Save Lake James
after witnessing unchecked development at
Lake Norman and fearing the same fate for
the beloved Lake James area. By walking
into Susie’s of昀椀ce at FCNC more than
20 years ago, he sparked a partnership
Richard Turner’s signature barbecue, the event grew
that—together with thousands of local
from eight Leadership Circle host couples to dozens
community voices, petition signatures, and
of families representing ten lake communities. Today,
state advocates—secured the protections
Sweet Lucy’s Affair brings together supporters from 16
that shaped Lake James State Park as we
neighborhoods on or near the lake, with sponsorship
know it today.
from KW Lake James Team, Lake James Custom
Homes, Benthos, and Camp Lake James itself.
Like Sweet Lucy’s Affair, this pavilion
came to life through the dedication of
In 2025, Sweet Lucy’s Affair celebrated a remarkable
FCNC board members and Friends of
milestone: over $1 million raised since 2013 to support
Lake James, who organized and provided
FCNC’s land and water conservation mission. Thanks
funding support to make this recognition
to the dedication of the Lake James community, FCNC
possible. Their leadership ensures that
has been able to leverage that $1 million eightyfold,
Paul and Susie’s legacy of conservation
raising more than $80 million in funding since 2013 to
continues to inspire generations to come.
protect forests, streams, and farms across Western
North Carolina.
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