Our last meeting of the Jellico Tourism Commission was a very productive one and extensive planning was done for the upcoming spring, summer, fall and winter events. Tourism Director Jake Bennett announced that although there had been some concern that the rock crawling competition could be moved from our area, that has not happened and there will be the usual schedule of that sport's competition here again this year.
During the meeting, Tourism Commission Chairman Alvin Evans discussed the grant application that if approved, could result in the construction of a Community/Recreation Center for our town. We are one of the very few towns without such a facility and the Mayor/Council unanimously strongly endorsed the idea during its last meeting.. Many details would be involved including the required matching funds and the location for the proposed building. Much of the $ 200,000 match can be furnished through supplying the property, labor, some construction materials, etc.. This seems to be our best opportunity in a long time to obtain such a center.
It was my suggestion that we might want to finish building up the city owned property in the flood plain just across the railroad tracks below the Rescue Squad Building and consider it for that purpose.. I requested the United States Army Corps of Engineers to do an evaluation concerning that property when I first became mayor and the Corps conducted a very thorough study to insure that we would not interfere with greatly increased water flow during periods of flooding. They gave their stamp of approval upon building it up above flood level and utilizing it for some useful purpose. And placing the community center there could make a great contribution toward the goal of revitalizing our downtown due to the number of folks of all ages that it would attract. There could be some parking room created there to go along with limited street parking that is already available.
And both the Veterans Park and the baseball/softball parking areas would only be a short walking distance should they be required. (A short blacktopped walking trail from the ball fields to the community center to include a small arched bridge over the wet-weather stream in that area could provide walking exercise as well as greatly adding to the appearance of the area.)
Other possibilities include the parking area (concrete foundation of the old Jellico Hardware) next to the municipal building presently utilized for parking by city and utilities employees. And the rear portion of Veterans Park Annex might also be suitable. But studies will need to be conducted to determine the best location for the Center if the grant application for that purpose is approved by the applicable agency.
July 4th falls on Tuesday this year which means of course, that most folks will have to work on Monday and Wednesday and that will greatly limit the extent of the activities. But the Cupp family that now enjoys such an outstanding reputation among gospel groups that reside all around the country and record in Nashville, promises to have a great line-up ready again this year - starting around noon on the Fourth and continuing until our fireworks display begins at 10:00 PM. There is also the possibility that we could have singing that Monday evening but no definite decision has been made as yet. (An announcement will be made later.)
Our fireworks display is rated by many out-of-towners as the best of any small town around. And we will have some even larger rockets, etc. added to the grand finale this year. We always wind up the display with a spectacular final burst that will be enhanced even further. We are always concerned with the safety aspects and the area where we expend our fireworks has been approved for even larger rockets if we desire them in the future.. And we are fortunate to have city employees who have now reached a level of training and experience that they are more than capable of handling the firing including the increased volume and size..
And talk about outstanding entertainment for our Fall Fest. The two most popular groups that we have had during the past years of the event will both be here for this year's Fest. The very popular Eddie Barber must have had 200 or more young people packed in front of the stage during his last performance here - dancing and singing along with him. They were almost unanimous in their request that he be invited back. He has been invited and has accepted and will be here on Friday night, October 6th.
No group that we have had to date has been as well received by folks of all ages as was the group "Klassyc Tymes". Although every one of those fellows began public singing as members of gospel groups, they have adapted to play and sing all types of music. And they play and sing them very, very well. We had never before had as much participation of the "more mature" generations during any type of activity as we did for those folks last fall. Almost all in the very large audience said that they had had a "blast" and I believe that Tourism Director Jake Bennett's health and safety would have been in jeopardy if he had not announced that very evening that they would be asked back again this year.. They too have agreed to be here on Saturday night, October 7th. Both the Friday and Saturday night performances will begin at 7:00 PM and conclude at 10:00 PM..
The Commission also agreed that we need more floats in our annual Christmas Parade and a push will be made in November to get more churches, organizations, etc. to enter floats..
During the meeting, Jake announced that he is now serving on the newly organized Campbell County Tourism Commission along with fifteen (15) other representatives from around the county. The organization is intended to be non-political in nature and to work to increase the number of tourists and visitors to our entire county each year.. We have long needed such an organization that is willing to help our Jellico area to attract more tourists - for as I have written several times before, they provide a boost to our economy with little overhead expenses involved.. (A Campbell County Tourism Commission "summit" is planned for next month with Tennessee State Tourism Coordinator Susan Whittaker scheduled to attend..)
As we work to renovate and revitalize our downtown, every improvement that we can make is important toward reaching that goal. And during the Tourism Commission meeting, Commission member Mark Tidwell who is also our Jellico Public Librarian, announced that grant funds have been approved with a fifty/fifty match that will enable him to totally automate the system once those funds are received.
The State of Tennessee also will provide the library with a grant requiring no matching funds for purchasing four or five totally new computers to replace the outmoded existing desk tops.. According to Mark, the computers are almost always in constant use.
An appealing, well organized and well administered library is valuable to any town. And we are fortunate that our library falls under those categories. Having such a well run facility is just another attraction to help draw folks to the downtown where they can meet, socialize, shop, etc..
I have never personally bought anything from the Internet but I have always heard that you can purchase about any items from that source.. And a recent purchase made by Gail Garrett convinces me of the accuracy of that statement..
I have several times in the past written about the Yellow Row days when that area (now a part of Indian Mountain State Park) hummed with activity that during its long history included our Jellico Electric Plant, Jellico Water Plant, a dairy, ice cream plant, ice plant, possibly a soft drink bottling works, a stove factory, coal tipples, a laundry, etc. as well as several residences. Today there is no trace of any of those things - unless you count the memories of those by-gone days that some of us still retain. The name Yellow Row came from the Tanning Factory that once occupied most of North Myrtle Street and gave Tannery Hollow its name. That large company constructed homes painted alike for management and employees that ran along South Main Street (Green Row), Florence Avenue (Red Row) and Dairy Avenue (Yellow Row)..
Gail always reads these articles including what I have written about Yellow Row. She too loves to learn about Jellico's history and surprise, surprise!!! She recently saw post cards with photos of Jellico's Yellow Row for sale on E-Bay. (The owner offering them for sale lives in Illinois.) She jumped at the chance to get her hands on those photos that include the ice cream plant and the ice plant. (Maybe Linda Meadows, Skeez Housley, Ruth Arnold and I along with any other Yellow Row alumni need to get together and see if we can identify any individuals.)
Do you believe that it is already March? The first day of spring March 20th is now only a little under three weeks away. And it's only a month until we get to "spring forward" one hour with our clocks. Spring is my favorite season and I love it when the redbuds, dogwoods, azaleas, etc. are in full bloom.. The poet once wrote, "What is so rare as a day in June?' Around here there is nothing rarer than beautiful spring days that usually arrive in April and May. .
And it's time for a "feast" for local sports fans as NCAA Tournament "March Madness" is starting up for both the women and men's basketball teams. Vol spring football practice is getting underway and it's soon going to be warm enough to attend some of the baseball games at Lindsay Nelson Stadium. Southeastern Conference baseball is very good and certainly entertaining and we have lot of locals who regularly make several Vol games. However with our team now rated so highly in the national rankings, it's going to be harder to get a ticket for some games - just as it was virtually impossible to get tickets to the NCAA tournament games last May.. I watched one entire NCAA game standing up but it was well worth it!
And it's almost time for our local "boys of summer" uh "ole timers of summer", to kick of their season. Every time I see Gene Tye, he is foaming at the mouth to get back on the diamond for some ole timer baseball.. Likewise organizer Bob Daniel and all of the others. (There's going to be a lot of sore backs and aching muscles around here for days and weeks to come!)
And speaking of spring events, the past and present residents of Wooldridge had a great time together last summer and they have scheduled their second annual Homecoming for May 13th at Indian Mountain State Park. I received notification of the event from Bonnie Thompson Kenyon who now lives in Illinois (630/960-9344 or 630/248-4228). Locals Barbara Thompson NcNealy (423/78407826), Lucille Brooks Hicks (784-8908) and Shirley Brooks Miller (784-7826)..
(As I wrote prior to last year's event, I never lived in Wooldridge but went there as a young man attending wiener roasts and trying to impress the girls - with no success. But I figure that makes me at least a former part time resident of that community and eligible to attend.)
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