We have just experienced one of the worst natural disasters in the history of our country and are attempting to cope with the aftermath. And certainly 9/11 was one of the worst hostile acts ever committed against our homeland. And in both cases, emergency services personnel have been at the forefront of the relief efforts risking their personal health and safety.
In view of that fact, Dan Gimbel is planning an "Emergency Services Day" in Veterans Park this Sunday on the anniversary of 9/11 to recognize those emergency services personnel. (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM).. Gimbel hopes to have two (2) emergency evacuation helicopters here along with ambulances, police, fire, and rescue personnel and vehicles. That's a great idea and as I have written many times in the past, we greatly appreciate the contributions of our emergency services personnel and we certainly appreciate them when we personally require their assistance.
Everyone is reminded of the annual Candle Light Vigil to be held in Veterans Park to commemorate 9/11.. Since September 11th this year falls on Sunday, the observance will be held with the onset of darkness after most evening church services have been concluded. And area churches are asked to announce the observance during their services and to also invite worshipers
What happened on 9/11 needs to be remembered in relation to the War on Terrorism just as we remember Lexington, Concord and Valley Forge in relation to the American Revolution; Fort McHenry and the "Star Spangled Banner" when the flag continued to fly during the War of 1812; the Alamo and the conflict with Mexico; Fort Sumpter and the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War; the Japanese sneak attack upon Pearl Harbor and our entry into World War II, and many, many other similar crucial turning points in our country's history..
I have not discussed the program with Tourism Director Jake Bennett and the Tourism Commission but I am sure that as always, they will have a meaningful observance planned..
We are getting closer and closer to our now annual Old Fashioned Fall Fest (Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st) with what promises to be some truly outstanding entertainment. Guitarist RAY CUMMINS who will perform that Friday evening, has a remarkable resume' to include being called by Al Hirt, "the greatest guitarist I ever heard".
And no less than Chet Atkins himself labeled Cummins as "one of the best finger pickers around:." But possibly the greatest compliment he has received came from the legendary Les Paul of the once extremely popular duo of "Les Paul and Mary Ford" with their string of hit songs and their monster hit "Love is Strange". That song will be around for many years to come and was just recently re-released by other recording artists. Paul, who is still regarded as one of the world's greatest guitarists, calls Cummins "one of the best" and the two of them recently performed together at the "Iridium" in New York City.
Cummins has been featured in over 500 shows with the late Kenny Price; made 50 solo appearances on television shows including "Hee Haw"; appeared on the "Grand Ole Opry"; and made appearances with Atkins, Ernest Tubb, Bill Anderson, Don Gibson, Cybil Shepherd, Roy Clark, Merl Travis, Leon Redbone and others.
But Cummins is in great demand for the symphonic Pops circuit - as well as being an accomplished guitarist in the fields of Classical, Flamenco, Rock and Jazz. But he readily admits that his favorite is Country and especially old-timey, down home religious music. In fact he takes time from his schedule of appearances to perform gospel music in concerts and churches.
We are extremely fortunate that Cummins' schedule will allow him to appear here and we certainly look forward to hearing him that Friday evening. It's going to be good entertainment for the entire family.
And it's more of the same on Saturday night - but with music from a different vein. Anyone who loves a saxophone (who doesn't including former President Bill Clinton who plays the sax very well?) and can remember such songs as "My Girl", "Surfin ' USA", "Brown Eyed Girl", "Josephine", "Shake Rattle and Roll" and the haunting "Unchained Melody" is going to love KLASSYC TYMES that can perform a three hours concert without repeating a single song. (Although I'll bet some of us will want a bunch of them repeated.) The music will certainly appeal to those who remember the '50's, '60's, '70's. etc.. But Klassyc Tymes concerts are very well attended by the younger generations who love the music as well.
Saxophonist Ken Creekmore, known as "KC the horn tooter" is a throwback to yesteryears and those great saxophonists that we listened to away back then. And according to Creekmore, "You can't get enough saxophone!" (I wholeheartedly agree with that! A real nostalgia trip!)
All members of the seven man group identify themselves as Christians, are extremely talented, experienced as individual entertainers and/or in musical groups and known for their harmony - harmony acquired during their younger days when most if not all sang gospel.. And all of their music is performed to sound like the original hits. The energy they produce on stage will bring any crowd to its feet including the young folks.
From all accounts they are very, very good and have quite a following of fans that have driven for hours to see and hear them perform in the past! And just as importantly - they too will provide great family entertainment..
Don't forget your lawn chairs and be prepared to relax and enjoy!
In addition to RAY CUMMINS and KLASSYC TIMES appearing at our Fest, we will have BILL RIGNEY, LARRY MEADORS and possibly other individuals and groups.. Rigney is becoming so area popular that he now has to arrange his schedule to be here for our events.
If the weather is good that weekend, we should be in for a real treat! Note: Knoxville Channel 10 TV has indicated that it plans to be here for some coverage of the Fest and there is a good possibility that the Knoxville News-Sentinel will also do a story on the Fest and other activities now being held in Jellico - to include the renovation and revitalization of our downtown currently taking place.
I hope that all of that favorable coverage and publicity materializes. The more positive news coming out of Jellico, the better. For years it seems that the media has had a tendency to focus on all the negatives related to our town and its great to see a possible turnaround starting to develop..
The Fall Fest will have many interesting and educational aspects and has the potential to grow into a truly outstanding activity if given sufficient local support. One only has to go to Corbin's NIBROC Festival or Barbourville's Daniel Boone Festival to see what such Fests can do for a town by attracting very, very large crowds. And both started out on a small scale.
In most instances, the local schools get involved and we need their involvement here as well.
We usually bring one or two bus loads from Boston Elementary to our Fest on Fridays and it would be good if all Jellico area schools would do the same.. Seeing the old time skills displayed before they completely disappear from our culture can certainly be educational.
Ronnie Buck says that replacement of some sections of glass and erection of the awning on their building should be taking place within the next few days. Several have commented to me that they are eagerly awaiting completion of the renovations being done by the Bucks on all of their buildings in the center of town. And you can put me in that group!
At the time these notes were being prepared, equipment was in place and the work required to close the ditch on South Main Street was beginning. According to Councilman Alvin Evans, that work must be completed before the walking trail can be constructed that will run from the caboose in Veterans Park, along South Main Street, turn right on to London Avenue and then to the baseball fields. As I have written before, hopefully that trail can be somehow connected to the trails planned by Jerome Cummins for Indian Mountain State Park.
Johnny Baird has informed me that he is having the property around the old Coca Cola bottling plant surveyed to help him determine how much of that structure should be saved and how much should be taken down to possibly make room for additional parking. He presently is looking at the possibility of removing the section known for the tree growing on the roof and renovating the other section. (Will Jellico be the same without that sycamore tree that has been there for so long? Some even discussed the idea last Christmas of decorating it complete with lights.)
A parent told me recently at Boston Elementary that she grew up in Jellico and now lives in the Boston community. But she says that Jellico is still "town" to her and that our downtown is beginning to look the best that she can ever remember. And she also stated that she has seen more life in Jellico in the past seven or eight years than she saw throughout all of her growing up years.. That is exactly what we are working to accomplish and we're steadily getting there!
Nobody could explain our poor performance last Saturday against UAB unless you accept the explanation of one wag following the game, "It's every bit President George Bush's fault.". To say that we were all disappointed would be the understatement of the year. But we are reminded of the fact that both Oklahoma and Auburn were upset and only a very close (and even questionable) call kept big underdog Kentucky from a possible huge upset win over Louisville.
After beginning the renovation of their newly purchased buildings, the Bucks found a very old poster advertising a "Hillbilly Circus" to be held at the Jellico City School on October 19th with no year given. The year was probably sometime around the mid-1920's due to some references that were made on the poster. (The advent of radio was mentioned and the Jellico City School was located next to the First Baptist Church at that time when we still had a city school system.)
For the .20 cents admission for adults and .10 cents for children, you could see "Indian and Cowboy Pastimes, Magic, Ventriloquism, Music and Punch and Judy".. And even "Old Chief Wahoo" was to be there along with "Chief Eagle Eye - a full blooded Shoshoni Indian in Indian songs, Indian dances, Indian yells, Indian blanket signals, and with his bow and arrow". And "Dr. Cue in Magic" was on the program as well, "making things disappear and reappear right before your very eyes".
But the star performers of the show were to be "Kate and Joe - two 'wooden headed children' in funny songs and jokes and many other features". (Honestly I wasn't around away back then to see Kate and Joe and their wooden heads - but it seems as if I might have met several reincarnations of Kate and Joe during my long years as a school principal.)
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