The Valley Voice, News From the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond!

VALLEY VOICE NEWS

Volume I Issue 15

1. Hugh Myers and Cades Cove Riding stables end 42 years of Service to National Park
   Transfer of Concession to Florida Chain signals end of an era
   
   In a recent press release issued by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, National Park Service Southeast Regional Director David Vela has announced that Florida Based National and State Park Concessions Riding Stables, Inc. has been selected to operate the Cades Cove Riding Stables under the terms of a new 7-year concession contract, effective January 1, 2009.
   With the award of this new concession contract, the Cades Cove Riding Stables, Inc., managed by Hugh Myers, President, will conclude 42-years of service to Park visitors. Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson noted, "Hugh Myers and his family have provided quality services at Cades Cove Riding Stables since 1967 and the Myers family also has a unique role in the history of Cades Cove as residents of the Cove prior to the Park's establishment. We greatly appreciate the services that Hugh Myers has provided to several generations of visitors who have benefited from his operation over the years. The National Park Service has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Myers family." Two interesting "enhancements" mentioned by The same park issued release included the future use of non-motorized or horse-drawn equipment to do most of the trail maintenance as well as some pasture maintenance duties. "Barbed wire fencing will be removed and will be replaced by barbless wire fencing and fencing will be moved further from streams to help protect water quality".
   Jack E. Bobo, Jr., the President of National and State Park Concessions Riding Stables, Inc., is also managing the Cades Cove Campground Store operation since last April under the terms of a new contract awarded in February of this year.
2. Fairs and Bears. Fifty cents an issue?
   
   Lot of both around. Last weekend was BUSY. In Townsend alone we had the Heritage centers Country Fair, The Townsend Fall festival, and the Craft fair. All had huge attendances. It appears that Townsend is being fairly successful in their attempts to attract tourist dollars without becoming Pigeon Forge. In Wears Valley this last weekend The Honeysuckle Rose Gift Shop had a great Grand opening. Mark your calendars for the 1st annual Wears Valley Oktoberfest being held October the 25th . behind East Tennessee Realty Group. Can any reader tell me why there are so many bears out this season? Ive seen several in and around Metcalf Bottoms and there have been quite a few seen around the Valley and Townsend. Check out the picture we are showcasing in this issue by local photographer Mona Lisa. Her work is exclusively available at Wears Valley General Store, Wears Valley Farmers Market and Wears Valley Gallery. For the last 15 issues the Valley Voice has been available free of charge. We want everyone to enjoy the VOICE but we cannot, realistically continue to give them away. By May of 2009 we will only be delivering the paper to subscribed readers. Everyone else will have to pick them up at a retail outlet. Don't worry we still have several months of free delivery. A postcard will be sent out as a reminder closer to that time. We hope the community will continue its outstanding support. Well keep the story ideas and comments flowing I love to hear from you all.
3. Work resumes on The Foothills Parkway in Wears Valley
   
   Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson has announced that the next phase of construction of the Foothills Parkway "Missing Link" in Blount County, Tenn., will begin on Monday, September 22. Over the next eight months a Kentucky contractor will construct 1,200 feet of new roadway which will run westward from the end of the partly-finished Parkway segment off U.S. 321 in Wears Valley.
   The work will be performed by Hinkle Construction Corporation, Inc. of Lexington, KY under a $3,783,268 contract with the Federal Highway Administration. The contract calls for construction of a reinforced earth section of fill across a shallow ravine. Additional work includes repairing damage to an overpass that carries the partly-completed Parkway over Happy Valley Road so that it can support heavy construction equipment.
   In the interest of visitor safety, the unopened section of the Parkway off Wears Valley Road will be closed to all visitors use including hiking, cycling and horse-back riding during construction activities, effective Monday. The nine mile-long section of partly-finished Parkway from U.S. 321 in Walland to the "Missing Link" remains open to those non-motorized recreational uses.
   Construction on the 16.1 mile section of the Parkway that will eventually run from Wears Valley to Walland began in the 1970's when seven miles were partly-completed before funding ran out. Work resumed in the mid-80's with one project extending east from the Walland end and another project building westward from Wears Valley. Those two jobs were halted in the early 1990's after encountering numerous slides and erosion problems, leaving a 1.6 mile "Missing Link" uncompleted.
   Between 1998 and 2008 a series of three bridges which span a total of 1,675 feet were completed on the Walland end of the "Missing Link". Park and Federal Highway Administration officials expect to award a contract in the fall of 2009 to construct another 1,800 feet of Parkway to extend east from the three new bridges on the Walland end of the "Missing Link". Contact: Bob Miller, (865) 436-1207
4. WearWood Celebrates community With "Wears Valley Day"
   Writing Contest winners recognized
   
   The ominous rain clouds last week didn't put a damper on Wearwood Elementary's annual "Wears Valley Day". Last Friday, September 26 the parking lot behind WearWood Elementary School served as a temporary venue for the games, Contests, and concessions put on by the school as a fundraiser. It's a half-day of school for the kids, who get to enjoy the activities from 12:45 till the end of the school day. "Every one is pretty worn out" laughs Principal Bruce Wilson.
   Some of the Afternoons activities included a bake sale by the 3rd and 4th grades, Mrs. Ogles Kindergarten class sold snow-cones, while the 6th grade class under Mrs. Edge provided the essential classic, bobbing for apples. Probably the days biggest hits were the Water Balloon toss-at beloved teachers etc, and the "jail", run by the 8th grade class. "Jail", as in real life, is an ingenious way to raise money. Anyone can pay .50, and have anyone else "locked up". Bail is set at another .50. Don't have it? Well then you're looking at 5-10. Minutes, that is.
   The afternoon was highlighted by the Recognition of four students who had taken part in a writing contest themed "Why do we need a playground at Wearwood elementary? [At present there is a severely limited amount of playground equipment at WearWood School. An outside, Non-Profit group of concerned parents and neighbors is seeking to raise $60,000 in order to build a modern, large safe, play space for the children, as well as adding on to and modernizing the schools ball field.] There were different age categories for the contest and the winners included 5th Grader Caleb Wilkinson, 4th grader riley Scott, 2nd Grader Trista Ogle, and 1st grade student Gage Bull. Cash prizes were also awarded.
   Several people expressed that while the turnout is great every year, previous years events had a much larger community presence. "When the sign was next to the road" says School resource Officer Kevin Daniels " that helped get the word out a lot". Grey skies overhead, bright smiles in the school yard. For those that missed this years event, mark your calendars for next year. Those wishing to make a donation to the playground effort may do so by visiting any branch of Tennessee State Bank, and making a deposit into the WearWood Elementary Playground fund, an account specially set up for this purpose.
   
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5. Church Celebrates Homecoming, Traces Past to Elkmont
   Local Hero Recognized
   
   Valley View Baptist Church celebrated it seventh year as a church by coming home on Sunday, September 21st. The celebration included prayer and praise with lots of special music from members, recognition of charter members, message by a former pastor, and a special presentation for a lifesaving effort.
   
   Valley View Baptist Church, located in Wears Valley, is a church with a rich heritage whose Smoky Mountain influence continues to be felt through the descendants who gather for worship today.
   
   The church was established in 1938 when three families felt God leading to build another church in Wears Valley. On June 15, 1934, Congress authorized establishment of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, making it necessary for some of the residents to leave their homeland and move to Wears Valley.
   
   The church they left was Elkmont Baptist Church, whose membership declined as the United States Government bought more land, until the building stood alone and silent. Meanwhile, a church was coming alive in Wears Valley. People met in a home in January and February of 1938, and made plans to organize and build a church. Thirty members met the following month in an abandoned store-apple-storage house which was converted into a meeting house. The church was constituted April 17, 1938 and Valley View Baptist Church was officially organized. The church became a member of the Sevier County Baptist Association that same year.
   
   Long-time member and minister of music for more than thirty years, Calvin Joslin, led the congregation in singing some of the great hymns of the past such as "Brethren We Have Met to Worship," a favorite of the early church and one used often in Old Harp singings. Special music was presented by a number of church members, and former pastor Rev. W. A. Galyon, who served as pastor in the early 1990s, preached the homecoming message.
   
   A life-saving award was presented to Mr. Doyle Clabo for saving the life of Mr. Cletius Murray at the 2007 Homecoming. A plaque was presented to Mr. Clabo from Valley View Baptist Church recognizing his heroic efforts.
   
   A proclamation was given to Mr. Clabo, signed by the Honorable Larry Waters, Mayor of Sevier County. The Proclamation read, "Doyle Clabo is hereby recognized for his selfless and heroic act and is declared a Sevier County Hero, and all citizens are encouraged to give recognition to Mr. Doyle Clabo for his life-saving efforts."
   
   During the fellowship meal held immediately following Homecoming Day services, September 16, 2007, Murray was seated and eating his meal when Clabo sat down beside him. As Clabo was enjoying his meal Murray stood up and began gasping for breath. As he struggled for balance he grabbed hold of Clabo, at the same time someone yelled that Mr. Murray was chocking. Mr. Clabo said, "I immediately reached around him from behind and gave a pull. When that did not work I did it a second time with great force. At that moment a piece of meat was dislodged from his throat and the man began to breathe."
   
   Valley View Baptist Church has grown spiritually and in every other way. A new sanctuary and fellowship hall was constructed and held its first worship service Christmas Day, 1995. They purchased a church bus in 2006 that has been used by all ages for mission trips to local events. An audio and video system was installed in 2007 to provide enhanced worship opportunities. Most recently, a children's worship service was included to meet the specific needs of the younger generation.
   
   The current pastor is Dr. Preston Joslin, since 2005. He and his wife, Kathleen, were reared in Valley View Baptist Church. Following their retirement from the International Mission Board in 2005, they returned to Wears Valley and were soon called to serve the church. Valley View Baptist Church continues to be faithful with a vision of what God can and will do as they continue to serve the Lord in the twenty-first century.