Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Inc. Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Inc.

Our Vision: The Overmountain Victory Trail Association shall forever preserve & Our Mission: The Overmountain commemorate the route and the story of the volunteer army whose victory at the Battle Victory Trail Association will protect, of King's Mountain was a turning point in the struggle for America's independence. preserve and interpret the route of the The OVTA will ensure the trail will provide the opportunity to experience a deep sense Overmountain Men to the Battle of Kings of these events, the lands on which they occurred, and of the people who lived them. Mountain.

OVTA, Inc., PO Box 242421, Charlotte, NC 28224 www.OVTA.org September 2003 Grab Your Partner OVNHT has over 70 partners helping build the Trail

or some 25 years OVTA was Here are some examples of what is Readin’, Writin’ and the principal organization that happening all along the OVNHT: Revolution F kept alive the story of the Overmountain Men of 1780. Through • The Commemorative Motor Route OVTA helps create curricula- its annual reenactment march it called is being properly marked and based education program attention to The Story and the places maintained in along the historic route taken by these conjunction with the Patriot militiamen. OVTA has done Virginia Department of its job well. Today, more people than Transportation and the ever know about The Story; and, what Town of is most encouraging, dozens of Abingdon through a organizations are working together newly signed (August across four states to build the 2003) Cooperative commemorative Overmountain Agreement between the Victory National Historic Trail state and the National (OVNHT). In fact, today the Trail has Park Service (NPS) . 4th grade teachers from Kings Mountain District Schools over 70 partners! (Continued on page 4, Column 1) with their map of The Story. Photo—Randell Jones

President Bush may s we go to press, OVTA has learned that his fall OVTA President Bush may attend ceremonies at join us at Sycamore will add a A Sycamore Shoals on September 25. Tcurricula-based Shoals, September 25 Senator Lamar Alexander, R- education program to its TN, has already committed. efforts to help share The Other national elected officials Story of the and members of the Cabinet Overmountain Men of may attend as well. 1780 with students, at least in North Carolina. OVTA will present a special Using $6,000 provided award to the president to honor by the National Park his ancestor, James Weir, who Service through its mustered at Sycamore Shoals in Challenge Cost Share 1780 and fought at the Battle of Program, OVTA is Kings Mountain. The award Senator Alexander teaming with four will be fashioned from wood teachers from Kings collected from the Pemberton Oak which fell Mountain District August, 2002. Check the OVTA website for later (Continued on page 5, Column 2) details about this presidential visit to the OVNHT.

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Heaton Creek Trail to Yellow Mountain Gap Trail partners come together to develop a new part of the OVNHT

by Bob Hardin people of this very special place. This Southern Appalachian Highlands is the trail that the very earliest Conservancy (SAHC) and was then ellow Mountain Gap at 4600 settlers from North Carolina took transferred to State of Tennessee to feet above sea level is the when they first came into what is ensure perpetual protection. The Y highest point on the today Tennessee. This is a trail that SAHC is dedicated to protecting land Overmountain Victory National was used by the Cherokee and before around Roan Mountain. Paul and I Historic Trail. It is a place of pristine, them it was a migratory route for elk then started making calls to people natural beauty and historical and buffalo. This trail could well be such as Judy Murray, Allan Trently, significance. This is where the considered to be the most historically and Denton Birchfield of SAHC to Overmountain Men of 1780 paraded see if it would be possible to develop in “snow, shoe-mouth deep.” This is a trail through the Hampton Creek where they learned that two of John Cove property that would tie in with Sevier’s men, Chambers and the OVNHT at Yellow Mountain Crawford, were missing and were Gap. suspected of going ahead to warn Ferguson of the approaching Patriot A Meeting of the Minds militia. They reacted positively to the idea and a meeting was scheduled on July In 2002, the rain was unrelenting as 22 with these folks as well as Mike we made our way up Heaton Creek Dahl *, Glen Hatfield from Roan on our way to the Yellow Mountain Mountain State Park and Terry Gap. On this September 27, I was (l to r) Matthew Bailey, Alan Bowen, Ran- Bowerman of the Cherokee National climbing with Leigh Van Blarcom, dell Jones, and Bob Hardin enjoy the view Forest. A couple of days before the Randell Jones, Alan Bowen, Matthew from the approach to Yellow Mountain Gap. meeting, I spent a day with Denton Photo—Leigh Vanblarcom Bailey and Dennis Voelker—all Birchfield exploring the area. Mr. members of OVTA. The spirit of the Birchfield has lived in the area all of Overmountain Men was certainly significant trail in Tennessee. This is his life and had already mapped out a with us. I’m sure at this point on a trail that should be open and trail that would lead from the their march in 1780, the Patriot accessible to everyone. We shouldn’t trailhead on Hampton Creek Rd. militiamen knew they were leaving have to ask permission to cross across State of Tennessee and the familiar and would soon cross private property to walk this portion Cherokee National Forest land to tie into the unknown that lay on the other of the Overmountain Victory in with the trail going to Yellow side of the mountain. As they National Historic Trail. Mountain Gap. This could be glanced back and looked down into accomplished without crossing the tranquil valley, there must have This past spring Paul Carson, private property. been an unspoken question as to National Park Service Trail Manager whether they would ever return to see for the Overmountain Victory At our meeting on July 22nd, this friends and family. National Historic Trail, and I walked rough plan was presented and it was toward the top from the North decided that the winter be spent We left the paved road and found the Carolina side of Yellow Mountain; defining more exactly where the trail original trail. For the first time on the and, then we drove over to the should go and that the group be reenactment, I felt as if I were there Tennessee side. Coming back down reconvened early next year to see if on this date in 1780. Almost to Hampton Creek, Paul spotted the the proposed trail would be agreeable immediately I wanted others to be trailhead for the Hampton Creek to everyone. The Tennessee able to feel how special it is to be Cove area. This is a tract of land that Department of Environment and walking in the footsteps of those who is owned by the Tennessee Conservation as well as the Forrest had bravely gone on to determine the Department of Environment and Service could then conduct a survey future of this great country. Conservation and is under the in the spring to ensure that no management of Lisa Huff, endangered species are in the path of Taking the Initiative Stewardship Ecologist for the State of the proposed trail. If all goes well we Since our crossing the Yellow Tennessee. This property was could potentially begin trail Mountain Gap I have told numerous acquired a few years ago by the (Continued on page 3)

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torical Society Heritage Mu- Thank you, seum occupies the last remain- Bill Stronach, Jr. ing building from Davenport College (originally Davenport OVTA presents memorial to Female College, a post-Civil Caldwell County Historical War institution that ceased to Society Heritage Museum operate in 1933.) The museum was developed in five phases over 10 years with Bill Stro- o honor the work of Bill nach acting as Stronach, Jr. in the Volunteer T helping form Director. The the Overmountain Vic- museum has tory National Historic several per- Trail, OVTA has pre- Museum director John Hawkins holds OVTA’s manent exhib- plaque honoring Bill Stronach, Jr. in front of the sented a small plaque its about the Overmountain Men display. Photo—Randell Jones to the museum in Le- county’s his- noir that Stronach also tory as well as helped found. OVTA cases that host tem- president Randell Jones porary exhibits. One Thank you, Bill. presented the plaque to section of the mu- John Hawkins, museum seum tells the story director, in a private of the Overmountain ceremony on August Men of 1780. Haw- 16. kins plans to display OVTA’s memorial “He was the museum’s plaque in that ex- first director. He served hibit. for ten years until De- cember 31, 2000,” said The plaque reads: Hawkins. “Bill was the Bill Stronach, Jr., Oct. 7, 1999 Photo—Randell Jones “In honor and mem- director of the parks de- ory of Bill Stronach, partment for years. He Jr. (1917-2002) one was known in the community as quite of the founders of the Overmountain a character. He was dedicated to Victory Trail Association in 1975, whatever he was working on. Some whose pride in heritage, commitment might say he was obstinate; but eve- to purpose, and hard work helped pre- ryone knew him as somebody who serve forever knew how to get what he wanted. He the legacy of the Campaign to the was particularly effective at getting Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 that grants to help build this museum.” helped win America’s independ- Caldwell County Historical Society Since 1990, the Caldwell County His- ence. - OVTA, 2003” ● Heritage Museum Photo—Randell Jones

(Continued from page 2, Heaton Creek) along Sugar Creek for a number of Editor’s note: Mike Dahl is an independent construction be the fall of 2004. years and we all owe him a debt of contractor to OVTA and a member; he is gratitude. gathering information about possible An additional trip up the mountain remnants of the original route of the was made on August 3 from the Further hikes through the winter Overmountain Men of 1780. (See July 2003 newsletter.) Since these initial meetings, Tennessee side of the mountain and hopefully will lead those involved to Bob Hardin has chosen to disassociate further trail markings were made in a consensus on where the trail should himself from OVTA so that he may spite of heavy rain. Lisa, Denton, be located. All those interested in continue partnering with all those interested Alan, Bob Harvey (also of SAHC) building this trail are heartily in building this section of the trail (i.e., and I were present on this hike. By welcomed to join the effort. ● NPS, National Forest Service, State of the way, Mr. Harvey has been Tennessee, SAHC) without the maintaining the reenactment route encumbrances of OVTA’s interests.

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What’s That? Weaving a connection for visitors

-by Dennis & Lorraine Voelker piece of wood. It’s purpose is to poorer sort, who couldn’t afford weave a string or yarn into a strong buckles. I have also used a lucetted ne of the things that we enjoy cord. This cord has about 7 times the cord for the tension rope on a frame most about re-enacting is strength of the starting string. The saw. making and demonstrating cords are used primarily in clothing. O th household items from the 18 Many women’s garments have The lucet has been found in many century. This activity opens many sewing baskets of the time. Children doors for interpretation: as young as three learned to use the -It’s a great ice-breaker. lucet, so that they might contribute to -Visitors get to touch the items, and the household. No idle hands in an in some cases, watch them being 18th century household! Lorraine has used. taught scores of visitors as well as re- -They get to ask questions about enactors how to use the lucet, and in- things that interest them. person instructions are part of the -It’s a bridge between the tangibles package. and the intangibles. The re-enactor gets to make the connection to the Lucets are used to weave cords for many The lucet has two forms, with or universal concepts that will stick with purposes. without a handle. Dennis makes the the visitor. Historical interpretation kind without handles, since Lorraine takes place when we put the item into drawstrings at the waist, cuffs, or prefers that kind. Any strong wood context for the visitor. necklines. Men use the cords for capable of taking a smooth finish is neck stocks (forerunner of the bowtie) suitable. We’ve used maple, walnut, One of our most popular items is the and to lace up the seat of the cedar, oak, poplar, and, our favorite lucet. This is an ancient weaving breeches. Both sexes can use the because of the beautiful grain, device, known to the Vikings. The cord for shoelaces—yes, shoelaces rhododendron. ● lucet is a horn-shaped, palm-sized were in use then, primarily among the

(Continued from page 1, Trail Partners) Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Committee of Cherokee County, and OVTA. South Carolina. • The Sutherland family in Marion, Virginia has agreed to allow year- • Fourteen different landowners in • An agreement to allow the use of round public access to William Elkin, North Carolina have agreed to the easement for the Colonial Pipeline Campbell's grave through NPS allow year-round public access to a Company for trail-routing purposes Certification of the area as an total of 3-1/2 miles of the Trail (all of has been tentatively reached between associated site of the Trail. the eligible mileage in Surry County) that business, the NPS, and the through NPS Certification. Overmountain Victory Trail • Sycamore Shoals State Park is Committee. hosting a daylong celebration of the • Historic Burke Foundation, Inc. will Trail on September 25th in be overseeing an archaeological Each month more communities are conjunction with various local survey of the historic McDowell becoming aware of the potential for supporters, the NPS, and the OVTA house at Quaker Meadows by Wake developing the OVNHT in their which will feature national Forest University with joint funding region and more partners are joining dignitaries. by NPS. in the collective effort. If you are looking for a way to help build the • An extension of the Trail through • A trailhead on the eastern end of Trail in your community, consider Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Cowpens National Battlefield is being contacting one of these partners (see Area in Tennessee is being designed and constructed through the list) and asking how you can help. coordinated through the work of the efforts of NPS staff from that park Working together, we’ll build the NPS, the U.S. Forest Service, various and the OVNHT, as well as assistance Trail for all to use and learn. state agencies, the Southern from the Overmountain Victory Trail (Continued on page 6)

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ceremony. September 27 is the New Blood, New Life, New Trail historic date in 1780 when New Wilkes-Surry Chapter plans big celebration for September militiamen from the northern Carolina Piedmont mustered along am proud to see such be a historic remnant, follows the the Yadkin River and began their trek progress on the trail right in Yadkin River upstream from Elkin to toward Quaker Meadows. Those 350 “I my own backyard,” said the Wilkes County line. With its militiamen were under the command Randell Jones, OVTA president and a certification, Surry County, NC of Major Joseph Winston and Colonel resident of Winston-Salem, NC. The becomes the first county in the four- Benjamin Cleaveland. recent interest shown for the ‘eastern leg’ of the On August 16, at it OVNHT is noteworthy regular meeting, OVTA’s because some of the early Board of Directors proponents (circa 1975- received the Wilkes- 1980) of a commemorative Surry group’s petition for trail were from this area, chapter status. At 3:00 P. including then- M. (the hour at which the Congressman James T. Battle of Kings Mountain Broyhill of Lenoir. began), the board voted unanimously to establish “Thanks to the efforts of and to recognize the new Paul Carson, OVNHT Some of the 18 charter members of the new Wilkes-Surry Chapter . chapter. Chapter superintendent,” Jones Photo—Randell Jones members met the continued, “the community following week to elect of Elkin has made tremendous strides state trail corridor to have certified officers and to continue planning the this year in building more local the entire length of the OVNHT in its Sept. 27 celebration. The all-day interest in the story of the jurisdiction. event will include a living history Overmountain Men of 1780. They encampment and militia muster have worked hard to have more RG Absher, a past president of conducted by the Backcountry walkable trail established with the OVTA, has been instrumental in Militia, a volunteer group connected cooperation of private landowners. organizing the new Wilkes-Surry with Kings Mountain National This is the type of collaborative and Chapter. Along with Brent Military Park. Absher and Jones will cooperative partnership that OVTA is Cornelison, Elkin’s director of Parks join the recently new OVTA proud to champion and to support. and Recreation, Teresa Howell, members of the area in representing The National Park Service and the Elkin’s Main Street Program OVTA during this event which is part citizens of Wilkes County and Elkin manager, and others, Absher is of OVTA’s 2003 annual reenactment. are to be congratulated.” The new helping plan the September 27 ● section of trail, believed by some to celebration and trail certification

th (Continued from page 1, Trail Remnants) Schools will engage their 4 grade standard curricula. Schools (Cleveland County, NC) to students in the creative exploration of create and pilot test an educational The Story. They will use OVTA’s Board member and Rutherford program for 4th graders. “Footsteps for Freedom” episodes County teacher Roger Byers points and some of the exercises they out, “The new NC standard course of The teachers met with OVTA created with Jones during the three- study for American history (11th president Randell Jones for a three- day workshop in a pilot test. grade) starts with President George day workshop in June. Together they Afterwards, at least 16 of the Washington. The entire American reviewed the NC Standard Course of activities will be published jointly by Revolution is absent from the Study and The Story. The teachers OVTA and NPS to make this curricula.” Perhaps OVTA can play a suggested activities and exercises that curricula-based program available to needed role in sharing this important tie in with several elements of North other teachers for use in other NC part of American history with today’s Carolina’s standard curricula. communities along the trail. Future students. ● During 11 school days in September efforts in Virginia, Tennessee and and October, these four teachers and South Carolina could produce similar others in the Kings Mountain District education programs tied to a state’s

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(Continued from page 4, Trail Partners)

Here are some of the trail’s partners:

Virginia Two Private Landowners VDOT Virginia Department of Tourism Virginia Department of Historical Resources (highway markers) Town of Abingdon Washington County Historical Society Washington County

Tennessee One Private Landowner TDOT Tennessee Department of Tourism Roan Mountain State Park Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area Rocky Mount State Historic Site Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Town of Gaffney Area City of Morganton Carolina Backcountry Alliance Cherokee National Forest – U.S. City of Kings Mountain The Palmetto Conservation Forest Service Town of Elkin Foundation Southern Appalachian Highlands Town of Rutherfordton Colonial Pipeline Company Conservancy Town of Ruth Cherokee County Historical Society Appalachian National Scenic Trail County of Burke Appalachian Trail Club Old Wilkes All States Piedmont Land Conservancy Overmountain Victory Trail North Carolina Foothills Land Conservancy Association, Inc. Numerous Private Landowners Mountain to the Sea Trail Federal Highway Administration NCDOT Kings Mountain Gateway Committee American Hiking Society NC Department of Cultural Betchler Development Corporation HistoryAmerica Tours Resources (highway markers) (rails to trails) American Battlefield Protection NC Department of Tourism Daughters of the American Program Pisgah National Forest – U.S. Forest Revolution (various chapters) Eastern National Monument Service Sons of the American Revolution Association Blue Ridge Parkway – NPS (various chapters) The Altapass Foundation W. Kerr Scott Reservoir – U.S. Army With so many interested parties Brittain Church Corps of Engineers working together on the OVNHT, we McDowell County Historical Society Foothills Nature Science Society should not be surprised to see major Historic Burke Foundation, Inc. elements of the Trail becoming a Wilkes County Historical Society South Carolina reality every year. It is indeed an Surry County Historical Society One Private Landowner exciting time to be involved with Rutherford County Historical Society SCDOT building the Overmountain Victory Lake James State Park SC Department of Tourism National Historic Trail. ● Fort Defiance Historic Site Cowpens National Battlefield – NPS Yadkin River Greenway Kings Mountain NMP – NPS Catawba River Greenway Kings Mountain State Park Duke Power Company SC Department of Parks (statewide Crescent Land Corp. MOU w/NPS) Unimin Corporation Overmountain Victory Trail Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Committee Coalition Cherokee County Council

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2003 CAMPAIGN Showers and restroom available. tion. Restroom facilities only TO KINGS MOUNTAIN Friday, September 26, 2003 September 23, through October 7, 2003 Depart Sycamore Shoals for Roan Mountain State Wednesday, October 1, 2003 Park Campsite, Roan Mountain, TN Depart McDowell House for Dysartsville Commu- Carter County, TN marshal Sam Lloyd (423) 282- nity Center, Dysartsville, NC Campaign Commander: Fran Dahl, 2517 Shipe Road 5266 Southern McDowell County, NC marshal: Albert Knoxville, TN, (865) 933-0883 home (865) 850-1807 6:00 up and breakfast on your own Dale (828) 287-4338 Safety Marshal: Alan Bowen 8:00 Reverend Doak Sermon; depart immediately 6:00 Wake up and breakfast following 8:00 Certification at Quaker Meadow Cemetery This is not a backpacking experience. All marchers Morning: cemetery ceremonies at William Hall 9:00 Certification of additional trail Catawba River must be ready to leave at 8:00 each morning. The grave site and Mary Patton grave site; Greenway Safety Marshal must be obeyed at all times as safety Look at trail rements along Gap Creek Road and the 11:00 Ceremony at Hugh Bennett Memorial is key for getting from point A to point B safely. Overmountain Monument. Noon lunch You will need money and a vehicle. Some meals Noon lunch on you own possibly at Bob’s Dairy- 6:00 Supper and interpretative program for the Dy- will be provided but others will need to be bought land sartsville Community Club individually. Everyone will need to carry water 1:00 Shuttle and walk Railroad Gage Road Restroom facilities at the Community Club; Show- while walking. The group will provide interpreta- 6:00 provided by Roan Mountain Citizens Club ers and laundry facilities available tive programs during the walk and at campsites Camp in the park campground. Shower and rest- most night. rooms available. Thursday, October 2, 2003 Continue stay at Dysartsville Community Center Again this year, there will not be an organized Saturday, September 27, 2003 Day of rest and laundry. No official activities march on the Wilkes-Surry segment of the trail but Depart Roan Mountain for Buck Hill Campground, planned yet. there will be certification activities and other en- Plumtree, NC 7:00 OVTA Annual meeting campment activities the weekend of September 27th No Avery County, NC Marshal and 28th 6:00 wake up Friday, October 3, 2003 7:00 Breakfast provided by George Shoemaker at Depart Dystarsville Community Club for Cane The grand marshal (campaign commander) and the campground shelter Creek Community Club safety marshal are in command of the reenactment. 8:00 Gather at OVT monument at park visitor center Rutherfordton, NC county marshal: Roger Byers Their instructions and directions must be followed. Walk Historic route up to Yellow Mountain Gap; (828) 425-4369 Each evening around 7:00, the next days activities muster at top 6:00 Wake up; breakfast on your own will be announced. Schedule is subject to change 6:00 Supper 8:00 Trail through Boy Scout camp due to day to day developments and requests. Lunch at house in the woods Sunday, September 28, 2003 Pot luck supper or on your own Tuesday, September 23, 2003 Depart Buck Hill Campground for the Mineral Mu- Restroom facilities only; possible showers Meet at Dunn’s Meadow, Abingdon, VA seum on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Spruce Pine, NC Washington County, VA Marshal: Blair Keller Mitchell County, NC marshal Bill Carson (828) Saturday, October 4, 2003 (276) 628-3070 765-9314 Depart Cane Creek for Gilbertown Light supper will be provided by the county marshal 6:00 Wake and breakfast on own in Spruce Pine Rutherfordton, NC county marshal: Roger Byers or supper on your own Gather outside Unimin. Possible walk to Sunny (828) 425-4369 Brook Store. 6:00 Wake up; breakfast on your own or in Ruther- Wednesday, September 24, 2003 9:00 Walk out to and ceremony at Robert Sevier fordton Depart Abingdon, VA to encamp at Rocky Mount Grave 8:00 Walk to Centennial Church for lunch State Historic Area in Piney Flats Continue out behind prison up the Yellow Mountain 6:00 Supper and interpretative program Sullivan County, TN marshal: Paige McClelland Road to Spring Maid Possible restroom facilities; showers will be made (423) 538-8486 6:00 Supper provided by Bill Carson and interpre- available 6:00am Up and breakfast (usually at Diary Queen) tative program to follow 8:00 Depart Dunn’s Meadow for the Water plant for Possible shower and restroom facilities Sunday, October 5, 2003 Certification of a segment of the Trail Depart Gilbertown for Gray’s Chapel 10:00am Certification of William Campbell’s Monday, September 29, 2003 No county marshal gravesite Depart Mineral Museum for North Cove Elemen- 6:00 Wake up and breakfast on your own Noon lunch at Cleveland Presbyterian Church tary School campsite, Mitchell County, NC marshal 8:00 Walk the railroad 2:00 Visit Pemberton Home Bill Carson (828) 765-9314 Supper on your own 3:00 Cemetery ceremony at grave of Lester Carrier, 6:00 Wake up call Bluff City, TN 7:00 Breakfast at Herman Bakers Monday, October 6, 2003 4:00 Ceremony at Robert Young Grave site, John- 8:00 Assemble at the monument at the Mineral Mu- Depart Gray’s Chapel for Cowpen’s son City, TN seum for walking Cherokee County, SC: Jane Waters (864) 489-7043 6:00 Supper and program, city park in Bluff City, 10:00 possible programs at The Apple Orchard at 6:00 Wake up and breakfast conference. TN Altapass 8:00 Motor to Cowpens Camp at Rocky Mount Historic Site. No showers. Noon lunch Motor back to the Water Tower for walking back to Restrooms available. 1:00 on the trail Cowpens Supper on your own 6:00 Supper and interpretative program Thursday, September 25, 2003 Restroom facilities only Restroom and showers facilities available Depart Rocky Mount for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, TN Tuesday, September 30, 2003 Tuesday, October 7, 2003 Carter County, TN marshal Sam Lloyd (423) 282- Depart North Cove Elementary School for McDow- Depart Cowpens for Kings Mountain 5266 ell House at Quaker Meadows, Morganton, NC Cherokee County, SC marshal: Jane Waters (864) 6:00 up and breakfast No county marshal 489-7043 8:00 Start walking 6:00 Wake up; breakfast on your own (possible at 6:00 Wake and breakfast 11:30 lunch at Watauga City Hall and Senior Cen- Western Sizzlin in Marion) 8:00 Motor to Gaffney ter. Cars need to be out of the schoolyard before 7:00 9:00 Certification of Col Williams Grave site 2:00 Cross the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga when the school buses roll 10:00 Tour of Knuckles Plantation, Pacolet, SC River 9:00 School program at North Cove Elementary Lunch at Antioch Church Possible gravesite ceremony in Johnson City after School 3:00 Enter Kings Mountain Amphitheater the crossing 10:00 start walking William Campbell’s route; carry Supper at Town & Country BBQ Restaurant, Kings 5:00 Supper your own lunch Mountain, NC ● 6:00 The Wataugan’s play 6:00 Supper provided by Historic Burke Founda-

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Parting Words Ballot for Election of Officers and Directors t has been an honor to serve as presi- Ident of OVTA for the last 16 months. I t is time to pay your dues and to vote. Amend the bylaws so that the took over when president Allen Ray was IBallots returned with dues payment for annual membership meeting can no longer able to serve. I wrote FY2004 by Sept 22 will be counted in the elec- be scheduled by the Board of “Footsteps for Freedom,” the 12-episode tion. Those members who have joined since May Directors “during September, serial for classroom use. I am still work- 31, 2003, are already paid for FY 2004 (i.e., Oct. October but no later than the third ing with teachers to develop a curricula- 2003-Sept. 2004). Saturday of November.” Only the based education program for NC. I have timing is a change. This will written, edited, and published the last five Vote for these 2-year positions. (Only Region 4 is enable an annual meeting to be issues of this newsletter which many peo- contested.) The Board will fill 1-year slots created scheduled other than during the ple have been kind enough to applaud. In by vacancies and resignations.) reenactment march. April, I applied for a $10,000 grant from President – Alan Bowen______the National Endowment for the Humani- Randell Jones (withdrawn) _____Yes; _____ No ● ties to jump-start several projects to help Region 1 VA – Ina Stephenson (withdrawn) celebrate the 225th anniversary of Kings Region 1 TN – Charlie Zwergel______Mountain in 2005. OVTA did not get the Bob Hardin (withdrawn) Schedule of Dues grant to write a guide to the trail and to Region 2 NC – Beth Silvers ______through 10/2/2003 pursue other educational projects. That Region 3 NC – R.G. Absher ______Individual—$20 hurt our cause, but not our spirit. Region 4 NC – Albert Dale ______Family—$25

Evelyn Carswell ______I am sure the next administration will in- Region 5 SC – Jane Waters (withdrawn) troduce itself and its focus for OVTA in Buck Jolley (withdrawn) For those joining or renewing future newsletters it may produce. I wish Region 6 GA— (no candidate) after October 2, 2003: you all the very best. Good luck and God- Individual—$30 speed. Each candidate was invited to submit a statement. Family—$40 Only one responded. That seat is uncontested so Sustaining—$150 Your most humble and obedient servant, no information to differentiate is needed. Life—$500.

Randell Jones, president ●

Charlotte, NC 28224 28224 NC Charlotte,

PO Box 242421 242421 Box PO

Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Inc. Inc. Association, Trail Victory Overmountain OVTA Newsletter Newsletter OVTA

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