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Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Meeting Minutes
Friday, July 18, 2014

 

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, July 18, 2014, at 12 pm. Present at the meeting were Joan Short, Ron Short, Bob McConnell, Margaret Crouch, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Jim Addington, Mary Jane Erwin, Joe Brown, Megan Krager (NTSP), Joe Fuller.

Approval of Minutes from May meeting:
Bob McConnell moved that the minutes be approved as written. Joy Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Summary Report:
Joe Fuller delivered the Treasurer’s Report. A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive. Margaret Crouch moved to approve the treasurer’s report as reported. John Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Blockhouse Report:
Megan Krager reminded the group there are still some slots available for the second half of the year. She also reported visitor counts at the Blockhouse and its Interpretive Center as follows:

May —
Blockhouse: 420 (312 visitors plus an additional 108 in 3 school groups)
Inter. Ctr: 124 visitors

June –
Blockhouse: 352 visitors
Inter. Ctr: 589 visitors

Megan reported that the Nature Trek students had spent a full day at the Blockhouse, and good weather during the second week meant an additional 40 visitors at the Blockhouse.

Megan advised that Railroad Day would be held Saturday July 19. No trains will go through the tunnel between 10 and 3, so visitors will be able to enter the tunnel and look at the railroad-related exhibits and artifacts. Joan told the group that Association volunteers are scheduled at the blockhouse and the Carter Cabin for most of the day.

Tribute to Herman Stainbrook:
The group honored Herman Stainbrook with a moment of silence, and several members shared stories and memories of “Captain Ebenezer Titus.” He will be missed by all who knew him.

Miscellaneous Updates:
Bob McConnell gave the group an update on the new Interpretive Center at Kane Gap.

Joan and Ron shared their visit to Sycamore Shoals for the Liberty! outdoor drama.

Ron Short described a possible National Historic Area to include Lewis and Clark’s “Return Trail” (and thus our portion of the Wilderness Road).

Bob advised the group that the City of Kingsport is planning to erect signs along the trail portion from Bristol to Kingsport, marked as Tennessee’s Heritage Migration Route with the same design as the portions in Virginia (marked as Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route).

There was a discussion about listing the blockhouse site on “History Here” (an app from the History Channel).

Adjournment
Bob McConnell moved to adjourn.

 

 

 

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, March 21, 2014

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 12 pm.  Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Patti Blackwell, Scott Bowen, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Margaret Crouch, Larry Fleenor, Joe Fuller, Megan France, Grant Hardin, Bob McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Wendy Mullen, Joan Short, Ron Short, John Stafford, Anne Sturgill, and Dale Taylor.

 

President Joan Short introduced special guest Wendy Mullen, daughter of John and Joy Mullen, and welcomed her to the meeting.

 

Report from Nominating Committee and Election of Officers:

Gretchen Cope announced that the nominated officers and directors for 2014 were as follows:

Officers

President:                    Joan Short

Vice President:            Dale Taylor

Secretary:                    Open

Treasurer:                    Joe Fuller

Historian:                    Dr. Larry Fleenor

Directors

Jim Addington, Charlie Allen, Erwin Forrest, Jean Hood, John Mullen, Ron Short, John Stafford, and Jim Stallard.

 

John Stafford moved to accept the nominations. Patti Blackwell seconded that motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Approval of Minutes from March meeting:

Ron Short moved that the minutes be approved as written.  John Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Summary Report:

Joe Fuller delivered the Treasurer’s Report.  A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.

 

Audit Committee Report:

Ron reported that the books were in order. Jim Addington moved that the audit be approved. Ron Short seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman reported that the park was getting ready for the summer and in the process of opening the campgrounds. He also announced that Railroad Day had been set for July 19 and asked that, if possible, the Carter Cabin be staffed for that event.

 

Robert also informed those in attendance that the Secretary of Natural Resources, Molly Ward would be visiting the park on May 25 and would be touring the park as well as the site of the new Interpretive Center and then ending the day with a dinner at the Cove Ridge Center. He let everyone know that the dinner was scheduled to begin at 7pm and that they were all welcome to attend.

 

Reports from other Parks:

Wilderness Road State Park

Scott Bowen reported that they had been working on their reservation procedures for the Karlan Mansion and the theater inside the Visitor Center. He announced that they had finished their calendar of events for the rest of the year and had several new events planned. He also announced that Secretary Ward was planning to visit Wilderness Road on April 26.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel State Park Educational Specialist:

Joan Short announced that Megan had recently completed training in Anniston, Alabama and was now a Black Powder Site Safety Officer.

 

Megan France reported that there were several programs planned for the summer. She announced that there were several schools coming to the park within the next few weeks as well as one school that they would be visiting themselves.

 

Report from DBWT Interpretive Center:

Joan reported that progress was being made and that they were still on schedule.

 

President’s Annual Report:

Joan Short reported that over the past year there had been several happenings. She explained that their Signature event was changed to be called the Frontier Muster and Trade Faire and to have more of a workshop format. Joan announced that, thanks to the grant that was secured, they were able to bring in Native American and Slave re-enactors. Joan explained that it takes a lot of work and a lot of volunteers to coordinate their events and she urged members to pitch in and help out in any way possible. She also announced that they had gone to several Public events, such as the Meadowview Farm Show and Home Craft Days, and had ordered new banner stands to help out with similar events in the future.

 

Blockhouse Report and 2014 Volunteer Schedule:

Joan announced that Dale Taylor had done a wonderful job coordinating the weekend Blockhouse Schedule and that the Blockhouse Volunteer Schedule was being passed around for everyone who wished to sign up to assist with keeping the Blockhouse staffed on weekends. Joan also announced that Dale Taylor had done a wonderful job coordinating the weekend Blockhouse Schedule and that the Blockhouse Volunteer Schedule was being passed around for everyone who wished to sign up to assist with keeping the Blockhouse staffed on weekends.

 

Frontier Muster and Trade Faire:

Joan announced that Buster Whitt, Patti, and Gretchen would be re-enacting at the Frontier Muster and Trade Faire for the first time. She also let everyone know that the Swimmers would not be able to make it to this year’s program due to a National Pow Wow that they would all be attending with Tahtahyeh. Joan stated that several of the regulars would not be able to make it, but that there were others who were willing to step in and that the event was going to be a great one.

 

Ron Short explained that several volunteers come from Sycamore Shoals, Cumberland Gap, and Wilderness Road to help out with the event. He also pointed out that several of the re-enactors are paid in order to help compensate for travel and other expenses. He explained that volunteers and funding were running low and asked that everyone keep that in mind and help out in any way that they might be able.

 

Old Business:

Website

Joan showed those in attendance a draft of the new website. She explained that some of the site would still change quite a bit before the site went live, but that it was a good preview.

 

New Business:

There was no new business.

 

Announcements:

Joan announced that both Wanda McConnell and Joy Nihil were dealing with serious health issues and asked everyone to keep them in their thoughts.

 

Adjournment:

Joan moved to adjourn.  John Stafford seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, November 15, 2013

 

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 12 pm.  Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Scott Bowen, Joe Brown, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Pam Cox, Margaret Crouch, Gretchen Cope, Larry Fleenor, Erwin Forrest, Megan France, Randell Jones, Bob McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Chris Phillips, Joan Short, Ron Short, John Stafford and Jim Stallard.

 

Joan Short introduced Chris Phillips from Cumberland Gap National Park and Scott Bowen from Wilderness Road State Park.

 

Approval of Minutes from September meeting:

John Mullen moved that the minutes be approved as written.  Bob McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Summary Report:

Joan delivered the Treasurer’s Report in Joe Fuller’s absence.  A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.

 

NEA Grant Report:

Ron Short reported that the grant money that was received enabled the Association to provide educational programs to the public. He added that all of the programs that were provided were very well received. He then announced that another $6,000 would be received shortly and that since the grant had already been satisfied it could be spend however the Association deemed appropriate.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman reported that the park was busy preparing for the Christmas Lighting programs which would take place the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving as well as every Friday and Saturday in December. He also announced that the park had hosted a few managed hunts and had been able to harvest 12 deer thus far.

 

Joan added that the Association would again be staffing the Carter Cabin during the Christmas Lightings and that Gretchen had a sign-up sheet on hand if anyone would like to volunteer. She reminded those in attendance that volunteers are not required to dress in period clothing.

 

Reports from other Parks:

Wilderness Road State Park

Scott Bowen reported that Wilderness Road would host Frontier Christmas on December 7 from 5-7pm and also Christmas at Karlan on December 14 from 4-7pm.

 

 

 

Cumberland Gap National Park

Chris Philips reported that Mark Woods, the previous Superintendant of Cumberland Gap National Park, had been promoted to Superintendant of the Blue Ridge Parkway. He added that hopefully a Superintendant would be selected for Cumberland Gap by January.

 

Daniel Bonne Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center:

Bob McConnell reported that he was very optimistic about the interpretive center and the possibility that construction on the center could begin as early as mid-2014. He informed the Association that Thompson and Litton had been selected for the project and that the VA Army National Guard had agreed to do all of the site preparation at no charge.

 

Scott County Tourism:

Pam Cox reported that the bicentennial of Scott County would be celebrated during the year 2014. She informed everyone that the Tourism Committee would need all the help they could get, and that if anyone was interested in helping out, they would be more than welcome.

 

Events Committee:

Upcoming events were announced and are as follows:

 

• Frontier Harvest Festival: October 26, 12-5pm
• Old Christmas: January 4, 2014, 5-7pm
• Frontier Muster and Trade Fair: April 26, 2014, 10am-9pm and April 27, 11am-3pmProgram: Randell Jones. Although he lives several hours away, we were very fortunate that Randell was in our area and able to attend the meeting. We were especially grateful that he took the time to discuss his latest writing projects with us.Old Business:
• New Business
• There was no old business

Joan announced that the website was still a work in progress, but that there is a Facebook page presently up and running.

 

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment:

Bob moved to adjourn.  John Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, July 19, 2013

 

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 12 pm.  Present at the meeting were Willis Grimm, Cecil & Phyllis Carter (guests of the association), Joan Short, Ron Short, James Stallard, Jim Addington, Margaret Crouch, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Pam Cox, Joe Brown, Robert Chapman, Megan France, Joe Fuller.

 

Approval of Minutes from May meeting:

Jim Addington moved that the minutes be approved as written.  John Mullin seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Summary Report:

A copy of the Treasurer’s report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.

 

Blockhouse Report:

Dale Taylor was unable to attend the meeting; in his absence, Joan Short reported that there were still some slots available for the second half of the year and that attendance so far had not been bad.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman reported that the July 13 Railroad Day had been a success and thanked the DBWTA volunteers for their time at the blockhouse and the Carter cabin.  He shared some details: the park had over 3,000 visitors that day, the campground and pool were full to capacity, and all picnic shelters were reserved.  He also announced the next upcoming event at the park (the Papa Joe Smiddy concert) and told us that several photos of the park will be part of the display at the         BCMA Museum in Bristol.

 

Megan France reported on Nature Trek, a 3-day overnight event held in July for rising 4^th through 6^th graders, and Travel through Time, two days of hands-on field trips to sites along the Wilderness Trail for teachers and other interested adults.  Both these programs involve DBWTA volunteers and Megan thanked those who contribute.

 

Presentation:

Joan Short thanked Cecil Curtis for his gift of two wooden buckets and a wooden piggen he made; he donated them to the blockhouse for use with the recently acquired yoke.  Joan presented the Curtis’s with a framed photo of the yoke and buckets being used at this year’s Nature Trek program, and Megan France presented them with a certificate of appreciation from Natural Tunnel State Park.

 

Old Business

Joan reported that the Tree Top Advantage print donated by Doug Hall and previously auctioned as a fundraiser has been returned to hang at Cover Ridge, thanks to donations by DBWTA members, especially John Stafford.  Joe Fuller announced that donations are still being accepted.

 

Joan Short reported that Jim Dahlman, who visited the association meeting in May, successfully completed his hike of the Wilderness Trail.  He began at Sycamore Shoals, visited with several DBWTA members and friends in the area of Kane Gap, and ended at Boonesborough.

 

New Business:

There was no new business.

 

Announcements:

Pam Cox had two announcements:  (1) Megan France received the Scott County Tourism Customer Service Award for June, and (2) the theme for this months’ issue of Shenandoah (a new magazine) is the Wilderness Road; the issue includes an editorial Pam wrote and photos she took at the blockhouse site.

 

Joan Short reminded the group of plans for future workshops in 18^th-century skills such as Cherokee cooking, moccasin-making, natural dyeing, basket-making (with Gary Carroll).

 

Joe Fuller announced that Virginia State Parks have been named a finalist for the 2013 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.  Virginia State Parks received the National Gold Medal Award in 2001.

 

Adjournment:

Ron Short moved to adjourn.  John Mullin seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, March 15, 2013

 

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12 pm.  Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Bill Albright, Charlie Allen, Joe Brown, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Margaret Crouch, Jim Dahlman, Larry Fleenor, Megan France, Joe Fuller, Willis Grimm, Jean Hood, Sally Kelly, Bob McConnell, Wanda McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Barbara Reed, Benny Reed, Ishmael Richardson, Joan Short, Ron Short, John Stafford, Steven Starnes, Anne Sturgill, Dale Taylor, and Jon Tustin.

 

Introduction of Visitors:

President of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association Joan Short introduced Jim Dahlman. Jim informed those in attendance that he was in the process of writing a book about the Wilderness Road.

 

Approval of Minutes from November meeting:

John Stafford moved that the minutes be approved as written.  Charlie Allen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Summary Report:

Joe Fuller delivered the Treasurer’s Report.  A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.  Dale Taylor moved that the report be approved as reported. Wanda McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Report from Nominating Committee:

Bob McConnell announced the nominated officers and directors for 2013 were as follows:

Officers

President:                    Joan Short

Vice President:            Dale Taylor

Secretary:                    Open

Treasurer:                    Joe Fuller

Historian:                    Dr. Larry Fleenor

Directors

Jim Addington, Charlie Allen, Erwin Forrest, Willis Grimm, John Mullen Ron Short, John Stafford, and Jim Stallard.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman reported that the park had been very busy throughout the winter and that he was looking forward to the even busier high season. Megan France announced that a there was a young man doing some period-appropriate upgrades to the Carter Cabin as an Eagle Scout project.

 

Reports from other Parks:

Jon Tustin reported that Wilderness Road State Park was doing well and keeping busy. He reminded everyone that the Raid was scheduled for May 11-13.

 

Charlie Allen reported on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the absence of Mark Woods. He informed everyone that the park was doing well but was also affected greatly by the limitations posed on part-time employees.

 

President’s Annual Report:

Joan Short thanked everyone who was involved with putting in the sidewalk pavers as well as the Blacksmith Shop. She also thanked everyone else who had helped get the Association through the busy year. Joan added that their educational initiatives were still moving along, but with expected ups and downs and that a new initiative was the Kane Gap Trail project.

 

Blockhouse Report:

Dale Taylor reported that there were about 375 visitors in October and about 1,200 for the entire year. Dale encouraged other members to volunteer at the blockhouse as much as possible.

 

Program:

Our Big Event in April: The Frontier Muster and Trade Faire

 

Election of Officers/Board of Directors members:

Charlie Allen moved that the officers that had been nominated be elected by acclamation. Bob McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Larry Fleenor moved that the directors that had been nominated be elected by acclamation. Wanda McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Note: Gretchen Cope has agreed to continue to be the secretary according to her current contract with the DBWTA.

 

Old Business

There was no old business.

 

New Business:

Bob McConnell announced that he had been contacted by the West Virginia Division of State Parks regarding the plans for the Blockhouse. The Association agreed to send them a copy of those plans.

 

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment:

Ron Short moved to adjourn.  Jean Hood seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.