October 2007          

(Click on buttons above to download   "Legacy" Newsletter)

Where does the time go? ...... No, I really want to know, so say something smart. Space-time continuum stuff or something like that...

Here it is April already, and you folks are just in from planting the potatoes or some such as that. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check in on what is going on here in the loveliest little burg west of Gatlin.

We have been busy trying to further the Oliver Springs Historical Society project along. When we last spoke, I told you about the Hist. Society acquiring the old Daugherty Garage property. Our intent is to turn it into the town archives and museum as well as a meeting place for the community replete with soundstage and projection capabilities.  I wanted to show you some pictures of the building in its current state of disrepair as a point of reference... partly to show you just how much work is needed to make this renovation happen. Of course, I also tend to post pictures because I know how much you like bright shiny lights and colorful objects.....

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We have already done a lot of advance work to get the project along. Several of us met with a team from Middle Tennessee State University that works with local groups to facilitate renovations such as this one, working with such disciplines as grant applications, inclusion in the National Registry of Historic Buildings, et al. Our building should certainly fall under that category, having been such a pivotal fixture in the early life of the community. Movie theatre, bus station, garage. bowling lanes.. this building has seen more than most could lay claim to.

I also met with a team from the Morgan County Regional Prison that oversees the prison work crews. They were guardedly optimistic that we could obtain work crews to help further the project along. One issue is the current state of the roof support trusses. Several are damaged due to extensive water intrusion over the years. These will have to be shored up with beams and cribbing while repairs are effected so workers can safely address the rotted beams and trusses. We are getting a good handle on how to go forward, and realize that safety is the watchword....

I hope you were able to come by during the Christmas in the City festivities. We put a lot of work into creating a display that would honor the season, as well as getting people's attention that we were serious about this project.

(Click to enlarge)

While I'm on the subject of the renovation project, I should announce to you that our folks are planning a huge auction to be held on Saturday May 24th at 2:00 P.M.. If you have anything to donate to the cause, please contact me at 865-924-7237. Victor Bunch, who owns Bunches 'o' Barns out on Tri-County Blvd. has graciously loaned us a building to store all the items as they are collected for the auction. Thanks, Victor....

The city will be having a Memorial Day festival on that day, with street vendors lining the streets throughout the old city. The Historical Society will also be having their second Annual Cemetery Tour. If the last one was any indicator, it should be a blast.. The last one was hugely successful.

I will be posting much more about this noble effort. Oh.. did I mention donations?.... If you love this town and thiml this project to be worthy, please respond as you can. We need money to accomplish it, and a separate fund has been established to handle any donations that come in.

Oh.. I should say that no donation is too small.. (For that matter, no donation is too large, so don't worry about being gaudy or anything..)  :-)

The 2008 calendars are ready for purchase. It seems like each year's offering is harder to come together than the year before. I think one reason that seems to be the case is that I try to make each succeeding year better than the one before. I am pleased with this year's Historical Society calendar. The paper is better, thereare more pictures, bigger and more comprehensive articles, and we still only charge ten bucks for them. There are surely more lucrative ways to make money.. say, weaving socks out of dryer lint or some such as that. I will get a picture of the calendar up here in a day or three, but I'm all out of "artsy" right now.....

Much more to come.......