McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter | |
Volume Eight: Issue Six xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx June 2023 | |
Memorial Day Picnic 2023 in Pictures | |
The Memorial Day celebration began with a pledge to the flag of the United States of America. Left to right on the porch are Rob Johnson, Rev. Bill Dudley, Walden Mayor Lee Davis, Rebecca Clark, Betty Julian, Co-chair Annette Wildman, Scouts from Troop 116 Kyran Alverson and Magnus Troute who posted the colors, and Co-chair Mary Catherine O'Kelley. Children from elementary schools on the mountain salute the flag in the foreground. | |
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The audience applauds the opening ceremony as shown in the inserts:
Above, Alix Parks of Happinest Rehabilitation and Rescue, places a red-tailed hawk named Amber into the hands of Ralph Mann to release. Lion Mann is a Vietnam veteran who was wounded in the war.
Below, Rebecca Clark and Betty Julian lead students from Signal Mountain elementary schools in patriotic songs.
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Thank You Sponsors
McCoy Farm & Gardens is very grateful to the supportive businesses and individuals who sponsored the Memorial Day picnic. We appreciate you very much!
Geoff Ramsey Realtor Group
Summit Realty, Hamilton Group
Anonymous Donor honoring Mickey and Eloise Robbins
Lee Davis and Heather Ott
Alexian Village
Baker Donelson
Elder’s Ace Hardware
First Horizon Bank
Powell and Associates
Pruett’s Market
Southern Star
The Trust Company
Todd Henon Properties
Walden Self Storage
Brody Jewelers
Mountain City Realtors, Lois Killebrew
Robbins and Bohr
Signal Mountain Athletic Club
Farmers Insurance, Steve Eddinger
Signal Mountain Veterinary Clinic
Truist Bank
Mountain Top Toys
Accents
Waldenhouse Publishers
Webbco Graphics
At right, the crowd waits for the delicious hamburgers and hotdogs prepared by members of the Lions Club.
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The Bride's Boutique was a new feature of the picnic made possible by the generous donation by Matthew Wildman of several sets of fine china. Pictured above with the display are Annette, Matthew and Fred Wildman. | |
On right, professional photographer Charlie Stone captures an action shot of kids playing. Stone has taken record pictures of the Memorial Day picnics every year since the first celebration in 2015. | |
New Branded Merchandise & Logo | |
Now you can show your support for McCoy Farm & Gardens by wearing a logo T-shirt or carrying a logo water bottle. | |
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We are proud to offer these great products emblazoned with a new logo that features the Bigleaf Magnolia flower and leaf. Magnolia macrophylla https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-macrophylla/
You can see dozens of these rare native magnolia trees towering over your head if you walk the perimeter trail. They are easily identified by their very large leaves which can be as large as 3 feet long by 1 foot wide. The large fragrant flowers bloom in spring but are so high up they are difficult to see. In the fall and winter season, the leaf litter on the ground is quite noticeable and looks like tobacco leaves.
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The new items were unveiled at the Memorial Day picnic and were a big success. Patrons purchased T-shirts, water bottles, bluebird houses made by Terry Knox, and cards featuring the artwork of Emma Bell Miles
The shirts come in green, cream, and blue and sell for $20. They are 100% cotton, sizes S-2X. The stainless steel, insulated water bottle has a powder-coated finish of forest green. It holds 25 ounces and is priced at $25. Both products are available by contacting Melissa Nimon at 423-598-1658 or melissa@mccoywalden.org.
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Fix-up, Paint-up an Ongoing Process | |
Board Member and Maintenance Committee Chair, Fred Wildman, and Annette Wildman, Activities Committee Co-chair, paint pickets newly installed by them in the screened porch. The couple, who live in the Town of Signal Mountain, are pleased to offer their time and talents to "Walden's jewel." You are welcome to volunteer as well, and you can sign up by using the request form at the bottom of this page. | |
Heirloom Furniture Donated | |
Jarrell and Barby Wilson Reeves have donated two handsome pieces of furniture for the McCoy House. Pictured below as the furniture is readied for the move are, left to right, intern Vito Knoop, board member Fred Wildman, Jarrell Reeves, Barby Reeves, and intern Lottie Miller. | |
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A chest-of-drawers from Barby features contrasting wood banding and inlay. The chest goes beautifully in the Reading Room, the area with bookcases where Martha McCoy worked on her farm records. The lockable 5-drawer chest will provide welcome storage for archives.
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Placed in the dining room is a family heirloom from Jarrell, a tall display cabinet featuring curved glass. This fine piece will safely house treasured items and historic photographs. Thank you very much, Jarrell and Barby. | |
Intern Program to Continue
The generous local foundation that initiated the internship program in 2022 is again sponsoring six summer interns. Blake Eberhart (Cleveland State), Vito Knoop (UAH), Lottie Miller (UGA), Mary Claire Nimon (Samford), Mitch Shakespeare (Sewanee), and Sophie Stinnett (UTK) are the 2023 participants.
Watch future newsletters for the interesting tasks they will perform and to learn about the good work they will accomplish, thanks to the generosity and foresight of the local foundation.
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Cathy Pearson recently captured the Carriage House in acrylics. and has donated the painting to MFG. Mostly self-taught, Cathy has been painting with acrylic for the past few years. Now she is exploring and painting landscapes, barns and older buildings locally. | |
Cathy Pearson Gives Painting
Pearson moved to the mountain thirty years ago with her family, and she started walking at MFG when it was first opened. She says, "I fell in love with all the flowers, trees and beautiful buildings. The work the volunteers have done is amazing. I was inspired by the way the light and shadows fall at different times of day and seasons. The hometown atmosphere is so special and has brought the community together as we celebrate Memorial Day. I’m so excited you have accepted my painting and plan to share it at a fund raiser."
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Sightings at the Spring Bird Walk | |
This photograph of a barred owl was captured by Kevin Schrumpf on an evening prior to the spring bird walk. The owl is an example of the many birds to be seen at McCoy Farm & Gardens. Another walk will be held in the fall, so watch the newsletter for the date and time. | |
Kent DuBois led a spring bird walk on Saturday, May 13. There were eight birders in attendance. In addition to more familiar birds, they saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler, an American Restart, and Scarlet Tanagers. | |
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Noticing New Trees?
If you have noticed some new trees planted recently, watch the newsletter for an announcement about the Arboretum in the July issue. The new trees supplement and enhance our collection.
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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? | |
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Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens Event Director Cynthia Pennington
at cynthia@mccoywalden.org
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. | |
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Karen Stone newsletter@mccoywalden.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORSMxxxMxM WALDEN OFFICIALS:
Mickey Robbins, President xxxxxx Mayor: Lee Davis
Joe Davis, Vice President xxxxxxx Alderman: Lizzy Schmidt
Larson Mick, Secretary xxxxxxxxx Alderman Angela Cassidy
Leanna Jones, Treasurer xxxxxxxxEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Collins, Grants xxxxxxxxxxxMelissa Nimon
Elizabeth Hamilton, Gardens xxxx 423- 598-1658
Earl Hereford, Projects xxxxxxxxx melissa@mccoywalden.org
Andy Jones, Grounds xxxxxxxxxxx EVENT DIRECTOR
Anne Leonard, House xxxxxxxxxxxCynthia Pennington
Anne Hayes Pearce, Volunteers xx 423-619-8959
Susan Snow, Policies, Events XxxXcynthia@mccoywalden.org
Karen Stone, Publicity
Fred Wildman, Property Maintenance
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