Association Meeting Minutes – May 19, 2017
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Meeting Minutes
Friday, May 19, 2017
A meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, May 19, 2017. Present at the meeting were Joan Short, Dale Taylor, Gretchen Cope, Grace Bradshaw, Larry Fleenor, Jean Hood, Edgar Hood, Leighton Harding, Margaret Crouch, Mary Ruth Lassiter, Eunice Lassiter, Joe Fuller, Ron Short, Cory Gardner, Ryan Teague, Rubal Taylor, Randy Rauch, Robert Chapman, John Mullen, and Joy Mullen, as well as guests, the Warriors of Anikituhwa.
Joan Short welcomed and introduced the guests.
Minutes
The minutes of the March 17, 2017 meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Joe Fuller reported monies received in the Operation Account as $2,021.17 for the April 1 through May 15 period. This included $1,697 earned at the Muster Auction. He reported expenditures of $1,252.04 for the period and an ending balance for $18,704.63 in the Operations Account. The Contingency Account remained virtually the same, ending at $13,902,80. The Grants Account had an ending balance of $4,521.23. Jean Hood moved to approve the treasurer’s report. Jim Stallard seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Joan then invited the Warriors of Anikituhwa to describe themselves and tell what they do and why they do it. Sonny Ledford explained the history of the group and how they had learned their
wisdom and cultural practices from their elders. He referred to the mountain Cherokee territory in North Carolina near Bryson City as the Quallah Boundary, and explained that “Anikituhwa” means “I come from the Mother Town.” Their home place is in the center of a great bowl of mountains. He explained that their tattoos were marks earned and conferred upon them by their elders for works they have done for their people. He also explained that they consider themselves modern day warriors, fighting for the preservation of their culture. Micah Swimmer explained how he was teaching Cherokee language to both the very young and to their parents, so that they may become fluent in their native language. They will perform Saturday, May 10th at 7 p.m. in the amphitheater.
President’s Report
Joan reported that the Warrior’s Program had been presented to Rye Cove Middle School, Rye Cove High School, and Duffield Elementary School students. She invited all members to attend on Saturday night and to wear their DBWTA shirts to identify themselves and to be helpful as ushers. She reported that she and Gretchen would be demonstrating flax breaking and spinning at Sycamore Shoals on Saturday. She praised the group for their participation in the Muster and reported the $1,697 earned at the auction. She also expressed a need for volunteers at the block house and asked members to consider which weekends they would be available to help out.
Natural Tunnel Report – Robert Chapman
Robert Chapman reported that as of May 16th the new cabins were open and were all rented for the weekend. The yurts are also now open. Staff training has been proceeding apace. They have hired 60-65 new staff for the summer. The pool opens May 20th.
Partner Parks
Ryan Teague reported that the Raid at Martin’s Station was a success with 3,000 visitors and 400 re-enactors. He also reported that Bizarre Foods filmed at Wilderness Road and that Bonnie did some cooking on the program. He said they have many nature programs planned and that they have opened a new Fishing Trail along Indian Creek. They raffled five period reproductions to earn more money to fund the Indian Village which is still in development. Joan reminded him that DBWTA has $1,000 set aside for the Indian Village which they can request when they have a need for it.
There being no further business, Ron Short moved and Jean Hood seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 1:30 p.m. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace C. Bradshaw, Secretary
