"HISTORIC CORNER"
The Oliver Springs Public Library is located in the historic old Southern Railway Depot. Located near the heart of the old Oliver Springs Historic Business District, the library is managed under the care of Kelly Ayers. You can access the library website by clicking the link below. I should tell you that clicking it will take you from the Oliver Springs Historical Society website; however, what with you being brilliant and all (after all, you found us THIS time) you should have not trouble getting back here.
http://oliverspringscity.com/library/
Below are some legacy tidbits from earlier years of the library's operation.
Things sure have been buzzing down at the Oliver Springs Library. Director Lisa Duggins has really pulled out all the stops in bringing the Summer Reading Program to fruition. Rather than bore you with a bunch of talent, (;-D) I will proceed directly headfirst down the well, so to speak, and present you with pictures and brief synopsis of the events of the last three weeks.
Three weeks ago Mrs. Lisa kicked off the Rompin' Stompin' Summer Reading Program with a very special guest, Mr. Woody Underwood.
(as always, click on the images to enlarge)
Woody is well versed in Cherokee traditions and
handiwork, being schooled by his father George Underwood who was half Cherokee. Woody has
an exhaustive knowledge of indian herbs, both ceremonial and medicinal.
He also makes a wide variety of stone
arrowheads, from bird points to war points and spears. Woody does some of the most
exquisite carvings in bone, crafting thunderbirds and various birds of prey; wolves, etc. 
The children really got into this program,
listening intently as Woody gave a brief overview of Cherokee history in this area. He
then segued into how various stone tools and weapons are crafted, demonstrating how flint
can be fractured and worked with a much softer deer antler.
We just had to get a photo of some of the kids with Woody....
I should mention to you that I suggested Woody to Lisa when she was in the early stages of planning the summer program.. See, it turns out he's my ol' dad. Now that might seem at first listen that I just found that out, but in fact I know Woody from my early childhood...I watched him build a fiddle when I was nine years old... brought home a few spruce orange crates, then with no more than a coping saw, pocket knife, and a shard of a pop bottle to shave the wood with, he made a most lovely fiddle before my eyes. It beat all I ever saw.. after he strung it up and played it (!!) , I KNEW my dad could do ANYTHING, because I had SEEN him DO it.
After Woody's presentation, Mrs. Lisa had a variety of crafts in keeping with the Cherokee theme for the kids to participate in.
Two weeks ago Lisa hatched up a combination program that included Mrs. Mimi Brock, who we all know and love, imparting wisdom on the subtler nuances of the proper telling of the "Tall Tale".
And then.. out to the wide open spaces we went, for who can resist the lure of the open range and days spent sittin' tall in the saddle, Ridin' and ropin', punchin' them dogies... Just looky at all the trailhands we got around here...
If'n you have any dogies you need punched, just give us a call.....
Now... on to this past week.. Everybody knows
Ronald McDonald.. but how many of you know Ronald "Cowboy" McDonald?
I didn't think so....
Ronald came and absolutely delighted the
young'uns with a mix of reading and tricks that had the kids rolling with laughter.
The program was interactive, to say the least,
and most were all too eager to jump in and take part
.
All the while Ronald was inside regaling the kids with his clownish pomp and ceremony, the volunteers were busy making all the fixin's for shaved ice treats. Look closely and observe their happy and carefree demeanor, the fact that we pay them absolutely nothing notwithstanding.. We thought the least we could do was to pay them what I was being paid, so that's what we did... I really want to mention right 'bout here that speaking as a volunteer, I watch Lisa put sooo much into these programs that it makes me ashamed not to hunker down and do what I can to help....
Coming up this week is a huge bash put on by
the brainiacs from the American Museum of Science and Energy. I have had the privilege of
touring that fine museum more than once, and I am certain it will be an event to remember.
I aim to be there with camera flashin' so as to keep you fine folks posted on the
gargantuan goings-on at the "Mightiest Little Library in These Parts" as it just
continues to get better and better under the vision of our Director Lisa Duggins. We sure
are proud of her around here....
(By the way, she hates this picture)...
Update 6-1-07 We are really excited around here these days......
The reason I am showing you all of the following is to clue you in on some of the delightful and educational stuff that just flows like a stream from the mind of Library Director Lisa Duggins. This past week during National Library Week she has had program after program.. almost every day. Guest readers, fun and frolic on the grounds, primary school classes in the mornings, "Leaders Are Readers" shindigs and "Pajama-Rama" reading celebrations in the evenings.
As an added note for all you history buffs, Mrs. Lisa has given tours of our treasured Museum and Archives to the school groups. I have been sneaking and eavesdropping on her tours, and am amazed at how much knowledge of and appreciation for our area history she imparts.. all with this kind and caring persona that the kids and adults alike just soak up. Lisa's sisters (who are all teachers or nurses or engineers) pitched in with many other volunteers to make all this week's dreams and plans a reality. My granddaughter Madeline nearly drove me bonkers this past week calling, emailing, and text messaging me begging me not to let her miss any of the events. Our Library has such an exquisite "Buzz" surrounding it these days... So I give credit where it is due, and tip my hat to academic and creative excellence. Thanks so much, Lisa.
"Leaders Are Readers"
Dr. Steve Smith shows off his recently acquired skills of word comprehension.
(Actually, I went to school with Dr. Steve, and he has a truly brilliant mind.. not to mention that he is one of the funniest fellows I have ever known.. Only problem is that he always cracks me up when I am in his chair with his 30,000 rpm drill mining deep, his foot on my forehead and I can't properly reply, but only snort and choke..... I've tried to out-funny him, but I am not up to the task... a true civic leader..)
Preacher Walls from Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church reading a priceless moral lesson to the kids.....
Mayor Chris Hepler proving that mother Joyce's expenditures on school books were not in vain....
Hon. Judge Joe Van Hook waxing eloquent on the merits of Swindlemeister vs. Swizzlehonker 1932... (just kidding)
I went to school with Judge Van Hook as well, and after seeing him burn down the barn for the mighty Bobcats in basketball, I knew he was destined for greatness...
Pajama-Rama
Hist. Society member Martha Walls is seen on left above after just getting out of the shower.... Actually Martha was in fine form for the "Pajama-Rama" readathon. Martha is one of our volunteers that shows up time after time.. no glory, no pay, just doing it for the right reasons.
Mayor Chris Hepler with his beautiful child bride Jennifer. The Heplers are two of the most real and genuinely nice folks you would hope to meet.. Chris has a true passion to make our town better, and he has never turned me down on any truly worthy project. (In truth I wear it as kind of a badge that Jennifer actually speaks to me in public).....
I count them both as my friends (as I also do Chris's mom, Joyce Hepler Fox,)
who
is cooler than sliced bread, and such a friend of the Historical Society and our precious
little town. Janice and I count her as a true friend and scholar. I should tell you in
passing that I don't think I have ever known Joyce to offer a tidbit of historical trivia
that didn't stand the test of research. They used to count folds in a brain to calculate
the intelligence of a person.. if that's the case, Joyce's must surely be fold-y in the
extreme. She's married to councilman Paul Fox, one of the nicest.. but shucks, what am I
saying? the whole family's that way...
Erstwhile librarian Mimi Brock enthralls the young card-carriers with a vigorous round of frolic that had them cackling with glee. Mimi loves the kids, and they obviously love her back.. I think she's priceless.. just couldn't do without her. She is a true reader among readers, as well as a skilled raconteur.. she tells a mean ghost story...
(Click on photo to enlarge)
I was proud to be asked by Mayor Chris Hepler to be a part of the team that interviewed
from the swarm of candidates applying for the position. While interviewing Lisa I saw her
combined G.P.A. for the time she was in college, and all I can say is don't try and be
smarter than her, because it won't work out well for you, Kimosabe...
Lisa has a dual connection to our town and history, coming from the line of Griffiths that we know so well, and Lisa is also married to Keith Duggins of the Duggins family whose name intertwines down throughout the years that make up the chronicle of life in Oliver Springs. Keith has put in a lot of time lately as a volunteer to he Library and Archives. What an asset this family is to our town and our Historical Society!!
Folks, don't change that dial. Stay tuned for more great stuff.. I don't think she's even
hit her stride yet...
 |
Two brothers try out new computers--they are descendants of area pioneer, Daniel Rather-first coroner in Roane County. Click for larger view |
 |
|
|
||
 |
Old waiting room in depot |
 |