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Volume Eight: Issue One
January 2023
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Christmas at the McCoy Home
Fog and rain did not hinder the citizens of Signal Mountain, Walden, and the unincorporated areas of Walden’s Ridge from coming together to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree at McCoy Farm & Gardens on December 8.
A happy crowd of over 100 began to assemble at 5:30 pm as they followed the driveway marked
with little lanterns. Some had not been in the Bachman-McCoy house before, and they enjoyed
exploring. Many greeted old friends and
made new ones as they admired the beautiful
decorations. The kids and the dogs enjoyed the excitement even as a mist began to
turn to droplets.
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At the Christmas Tree in the McCoy House are, left to right, Elizabeth Burton behind her daughter Chandler; Forrest Prescott; Trip Riles; William Swanson; and Karen Fortuno standing behind her daughter Maggie, and son William. | |
From left, Signal Mountain Vice Mayor Elizabeth Baker, Walden Vice Mayor Lizzy Schmidt, Walden Alderman Angela Cassidy, and Signal Mountain Town Council Members Andrew Gardner, Clay Crumbliss, and Vicki Anderson serve the crowd at the Tree Lighting on December 8. | |
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Members of the Signal Mountain Town Council, the Mayor and Aldermen of Walden, and each town's staff bustled back and forth to the kitchen with carafes of hot chocolate. From a table on the side porch, they served the crowd. Others handed out music booklets for caroling. Betty Julian on accordion, Bill Pankey on guitar, and the Saunders Family Band played traditional music in the background.
To a countdown from ten, Walden Mayor Lee Davis and Signal Mountain Vice Mayor Elizabeth Baker threw the switches for the multicolored lights that had been hung by the Signal Mtn. Fire Department. We are happy to bring back the Bachman McCoy family tradition of lighting a large tree for the community to enjoy and plan to make it an annual event.
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Four Seasons at McCoy Farm & Gardens
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Thank you to Julie Hogue for sharing these photos of the Pinetum through the seasons. | |
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Remembering Elizabeth Akins
We all lost a friend when Elizabeth Akins passed away December 10, 2022, at the age of 91. Almost everyone is aware of her 20 plus years as Recorder for the Town of Walden from its incorporation in 1975 and of her service as Mayor for several terms. She prepared Walden’s budget, set up Walden’s court system, and Walden’s computerized accounting and budgeting system satisfying state guidelines. She was staff and board member of the Regional Metro Planning Organization and board member of Southeastern Tennessee Development District.
Elizabeth was an active community volunteer, serving as secretary of Walden’s Ridge Civic League and president of both the Women of Wayside Church and Walden’s Ridge Guild. She was instrumental in securing McCoy Farm & Gardens for the Town of Walden through her close friendship and cooperation with Martha McCoy.
But did you know she had a degree in chemistry from Auburn University? Karen Stone says, "For years she helped me monitor the water at Mabbitt Spring under the auspices of the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy. Without her knowledge of chemistry, I would have been lost in determining that the spring water still proves potable." We will miss Elizabeth and are grateful that she and many family members and friends were with us in October to celebrate the newly reconstructed barn.
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Above, Elizabeth Akins and her dog, Toby, in the living room at the McCoy House.
Below, Elizabeth with Slim at the Barn, summer 2022.
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Apple Tree Legacy Continued
On November 3, a group who love the McCoy Farm & Gardens apple orchard met to plant six new trees that were placed in close proximity to one another so it will be easy to care for them. In the future, consistent watering and monitoring will be necessary. To protect the saplings from predation by deer, the team constructed wire cages that are taller than the little trees. Bob Gray, a retired forest ranger, taught the others how to bend and wrap the wire and how to drive the t-post supports for the cages.
| Because of possible pathogens left in the ground after an old tree dies, new trees should not be planted in the same place until considerable time has gone by. | |
Larry Mick and Beth Meyers, at left, listen to Bob Gray as he explains how to remove the packaging from the roots of an apple tree. Karen Stone, at right, examines the surprisingly small box in which the little trees were shipped from Century Farm Orchard. | |
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In the McCoy orchard, the new trees are replacements for old trees and will fill in vacant spots. By studying aerial photos shown on Google Earth since 2002, the committee was able to see when trees were lost and to determine when it was safe to plant new ones. Six sites were selected where at least 4-5 years has passed since an apple tree was standing. Using our Bobcat, Andy Jones scraped away the grass from the future planting hole areas. Bob Gray tilled the earth and added lime and phosphorus. Andy then amended the soil with topsoil removed for the welcome structure foundation, and the ground was allowed to rest for six weeks. This preparation was required to give the baby trees a chance for a healthy start.
Nature dictates the season for planting, and early winter is ideal. Taking each of the six sites, teams of Mickey and Winston Robbins, Beth Meyers, Bob Gray, Karen Stone, Larry Mick, Susan Snow, Tom Voychehovski, Andy Jones, Rob Johnson, and JoDe Estes smoothed the planting sites with shovels and garden rakes. They carefully planted one each of these heritage apple varieties: Blacktwig (Mammoth), Grimes Golden, Kinnaird's Choice, Newtown (Albemarle) Pippin, Royal Limbertwig, and Stayman Winesap.
It is not too late to join the Apple Orchard committee and help with pruning, watering, insect and disease watch, removing fallen apples and leaves, etc. If you are interested, please contact Karen Stone, newsletter@mccoywalden.org.
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Interested in Volunteering? | |
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Volunteers are essential to McCoy Farm & Gardens.
When you sign up, tell us about how you'd like to help. Volunteer opportunities include: Grounds, House, Gardens, Communications, History, Events, and Administration. If you don't see your particular interest, tell us how you'd like to volunteer. Sign up below to receive information about regular volunteer days and events.
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Interested in Scheduling an Event at McCoy? | |
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Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens Event Director
Cynthia Pennington 423-619-8959
to learn more about renting space at McCoy for your next event.
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Or mail your check to McCoy Farm & Gardens, P.O. Box 443, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 | |
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We are now able to receive your contribution of securities.
If you would like to support McCoy in this tax-advantaged way,
please contact our office at
423-598-1658.
McCoy Farm & Gardens is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All contributions are charitable and tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.
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McCoy Farm & Gardens covers thirty-eight acres and features the Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings including the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop. The perimeter walking trail is 1.1 miles. | | | | |
