Reporter Fred Brown's article in the Monday, September 19th edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel citing the progress that we are now making in Jellico really sparked interest among former Jellico residents and former Jellico area residents. I have had numerous positive calls and contacts from out-of-towners as well as locals concerning that article. And I actually received a telephone call to my Boston Elementary School principal's office at 6:30 AM that very morning from an early rising out-of-town reader who was extremely happy to see Jellico now receiving such positive coverage in the media. (And as reported earlier Channel 10 TV has become aware of our now annual Fall Fest and has committed to be here to cover that activity as well.)
Webmaster's note: There is a link to the Sept. 19 Knoxville News Sentinel article about Jellico at the bottom of this column.
In the News-Sentinel article I was quoted as saying that I once was very discouraged in launching efforts to bring Jellico back but that I feel much better about the prospects now. And that is certainly an accurate statement! During my years in the military, attending graduate school and serving as a school administrator, I have attended a multitude of leadership courses and all emphasize that accomplishing anything of value generally involves encountering and dealing with obstacles. Leadership always includes preparing for the worst case scenario.
But few times in my life have I been more disappointed than I was very early in my first administration when the City Council refused my request for a relatively very small amount of money for some awnings and a community bulletin board to place on the new public building that is now utilized by so many, many individuals, groups, organizations, etc.. (In fact there was even talk of stopping construction on that facility - but thank heavens it was carried through to completion). Fortunately we were able to get the awnings and bulletin board purchased through private donations and Tourism Director Jake Bennett tells me that there is almost always a waiting list of requests for community announcements to be placed on the board.
That initial disappointment was soon followed by the Council's refusal to even accept a $ 5,000.00 "mini grant" from the office of the then Tennessee governor who reportedly had been informed of our drive to plant trees in our downtown. He wanted us to have one of the very first maximum grants of $ 2,000.00 - $ 5,000.00 to assist us in our efforts. But following the Council's refusal to accept the funds, we were again forced to ask our citizens to privately purchase gratings and trees which they did. And they are beautiful when they bloom each spring..
I do not rehash those troubles for any reason other than reminding folks that we sometimes do have to step over obstacles to make progress. Thankfully I see far less obstacles being thrown down now than I did seven and one-half years ago. And by far the most important development to me is the obviously growing positive attitude on the Council and among our citizens that we can improve our town through our own initiative. The News-Sentinel reporter stated that he could detect that developing positive attitude among the folks he talked with while he was in Jellico and he reported that new attitude in his article. We need to keep that attitude growing!
(And while still on the subject I want to mention the work of Vice-Mayor and Street Commissioner Alvin Evans, the members of the Street Department Committee and the entire Council for all of the effort that has been done to find financing and to accomplish all of the work done on our streets. We will all be paying on it for a spell but it is well worth the expenditure.)
The new awnings placed on the Bucks' building sure add to the appearance of that structure and as I have written several times in the past, we are all anxious to see those buildings when they are all completely renovated. And as I have also written on more than one occasion, since those buildings sit right in the center of town, they are keys to getting our entire downtown looking much better.
The idea of a "museum of local history" to be placed in one of those structures has also taken off as well. Folks are bringing in old relics of interest from our town's past and one extremely interesting item that I understand might be displayed is the piano once used by Homer Rodeheaver, the gospel song writer and song director for Evangelist Billy Sunday. Sunday was a great major league baseball player who was converted while almost totally under the influence of alcohol and went on to became the forerunner of Billy Graham. Those two traveled around the world three times conducting revivals and Rodeheaver may also have been one of the forerunners of the USO tours that became so prevalent during World War II - since he traveled to many of our military installations during World War I to entertain our troops and was not only a songwriter and great singer but a trombonist as well. (Robert McGhee has offered the piano for display.)
Rodeheaver from Newcomb/Jellico did not write "The Old Rugged Cross", one of the best known hymns of all time, but he owned all rights to that song... And one of his compositions, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" many years ago was considered an anthem by many churches throughout the world. (I once attended church in Los Angeles, California and the first hymn that we sung during the service was written by Rodeheaver.) Some of the song books in local churches when I was still in high school included over thirty very popular hymns - either written, owned or published (or all three) by his publishing firm, "Rodeheaver Publishing" that was one of the largest in this country during his lifetime and for years thereafter.
And in going through the long unused second floor of the old "Tibbie's Restaurant", the original awning from the "City Café" was found. (I'm not sure if Tibbie's was known by the name of City Café when it was located in that building or if it was a restaurant that preceded. Maybe someone can recall.) That original awning will be displayed in the museum as well.
The positive publicity that we are receiving concerning what we are trying to do to improve Jellico has led to my receiving both e-mail and personal contacts asking why we don't have more civic clubs. And a couple of ladies have expressed the opinion that we need an active ladies garden club as we once had in Jellico and I can't agree more.
I am gratified that folks are getting interested in what is taking place but like everything else, somebody has to take the initiative to get things done and I hope that some lady or ladies will do just that and organize a garden club. We badly need one since there are so many areas of Jellico that could be improved immensely by planting flowering trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. with a ladies' touch. But again, it won't get done unless we have folks willing to get involved and to work.
It's finally here and we have the Fall Fest this Friday and Saturday. Vendors and exhibitors can claim spots in Veterans Park starting at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 29th.. As cited on several previous occasions, the crowds grow larger with each passing year and we certainly expect a large turnout this year due to some outstanding entertainment that is planned.
A survey has been completed concerning possible problems with traffic and the North Main Street traffic will be re-routed for at least part of each of the two days so folks need to be aware of that fact. (North Main will be closed from the central traffic signal to the traffic signal at the Post Office and possibly beyond depending upon the volume of vehicles. Traffic will not be affected on South Main/Fifth Street.)
We will have students from Boston Elementary attending Friday and I understand that Jellico Elementary and possibly some other area Campbell County Schools may bring their students as well. Having schools involved provides both an educational as well as entertaining experience for students and it will help our Fest to continue to grow.
All businesses are reminded that there will again be judging of the best window displays (Fall, Original, Overall). We had some great displays last year!
PARTIAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
(FRIDAY Starting at 10:00 AM)
***Jellico police officers will be given explicit instructions that they are not to arrest any old timers for disorderly conduct who may decide to "bebop" a little bit in front of the stage (If any can still remember any of the steps and their joints aren't too stiff to carry them out.) But in any case, it will be great listening music so bring a lawn chair and enjoy.
At the time these notes were being prepared, no word had yet been received from Lieutenant Colonel Scott Cuel concerning the requested fly by in his A-10 jet fighter on Saturday evening. But hopefully the flight will still be approved by the Department of Defense by that time.
I have been informed that SSgt George A. Stephens who has been awarded the "Army Commendation Medal w/Valor Device" for heroism in Iraq will be returning home on October 7th for two weeks of Rest and Rehab.. Welcome home SSgt. Stephens and thanks for your service.
Since Grace Moore left Jellico many years ago to become a star on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and opera houses and concert halls all over Europe, we haven't been exposed to an awful lot of cultural things of a classical nature around here.
But Leah Creekmore has opened a Ballet Dance Center on South Main Street next to Jellico Drug where she will teach ballet to children ages 4 years to 12 years. Classes will be offered to beginners ages 4 -7 and 8-12 and a more advanced offering will be available, also for ages 4-7 and 8-12.. A Christmas Dance Recital is planned with the date to be announced later. Leah says the recital will not be a requirement but will be a good experience for the kids who participate.. For more information call her at 423/871-2524..
(Leah says that she is also considering offering a class in ball room dancing for adults and don't be surprised to see this old-timer right in the middle. I love ball room and especially the waltz although I am totally uncoordinated - and I may be the first to flunk out of her class.)
Read the Knoxville News Sentinel article about Jellico
E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us
Visit the Archives of the Mayor's Column .
Visit the City of Jellico's Web Site at: www.jellico.tn.us