April 2013 - Northeast Georgia History Center

Now You Know
April 2013 Edition
Spring into History!
The days are getting longer and the weather
is warmer. It is a great time to get out and
visit the History Center.
Hear moving and rousing music at the upcoming History
Forum and Family Day. Watch the progress of the
Victory Garden as the Master Gardeners plant and
nurture crops. Visit the “presidential” exhibit before it is
gone—Amongst the People: Chief Executives Visit
Gainesville/Hall County will be open through April 30.
April Calendar of Events
5
9 a.m.—noon
BULLI Hikers Meeting
9
9:30 a.m.
Executive Committee of History Center Board Meeting
7 p.m.
History Forum: Making Music in Northeast Georgia
13
Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration Dinner
14
1—4 p.m.
Family Day: Make a Joyful Noise I—Northeast Georgia’s Musical Heritage
17
10 a.m.
Sycamore Elementary 2nd grade Field Trip
18
10 a.m.
Lakeview Academy 4th grade Field Trip
11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. History Center Board of Directors Meeting and Lunch
19
8 a.m.—5 p.m.
Northeast Georgia Health Systems Meeting
21
1:30—3:30 p.m. Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition Tea
Register now for History Center Summer Camp,
Life Among the Cherokee.
June 10-14 & June 17-21, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. daily
Suggested for students in grades 3, 4, & 5
$100 for members (Family level)
 $120 for non-members
770-297-5900 for more information
History Forum, 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9
Northeast Georgia is home to many musicians of various genres and
the music business is growing. Bruce Burch, renowned in the music business,
will present the forum program, Making Music in Northeast Georgia.
Bruce has had success in many facets of the music business, including
being a hit songwriter (Does the name Reba McIntire ring a bell?), operating
his own publishing companies of hit songs, working for a major music
publishing company, as well as being an artist manager.
Bruce founded the music business program at the University of
Bruce Burch
Georgia and established the Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business
Program at Kennesaw State University.
He has served on the national and regional boards of the National Academy of
Recording Arts and Sciences, the national board of the Music and Entertainment Industry
Education Association, and he cofounded and serves on the board of the John Jarrard
Foundation.
Bruce is currently an Executive in Residence at Brenau University in Gainesville.
Make plans to attend this forum and learn more about Bruce and about the thriving music
industry. Admission is free for members and $3 for non-members.
Family Day, 1—4 p.m. on Sunday, April 14
Make a Joyful Noise I: Northeast Georgia’s Musical Heritage continues the music theme
begun with the history forum on April 9. Our musical heritage is rich and varied, too many
genres to address all of them in one Family Day, so this month, we will begin with traditional
music—mountain music, popular oldies but goodies, and blue grass.
The afternoon will feature performances, participatory singing, and music making, plus
our usual hands-on activities. Visitors will have opportunities to examine traditional
“homemade” mountain musical instruments and to make their own instruments. The first
scheduled event on the program is Chris Worl demonstrating The Science of Sound at 1:15 p.m.
Her demonstration will be repeated later in the afternoon. The first musical presentation is by
an award-winning quartet from an area high school chorus. The next performance is by
volunteer Doc Johnson and young musicians Dawson Dyer and Mary Lynn Sinisi. They will
play a combination of traditional and Irish tunes. The afternoon rounds out with a performance
by Fred Mulkey, Chuck Nations, and Johnny Thomas performing blue grass, oldies, and
contemporary music.
Admission to Family Day is free, courtesy of North Georgia Eye Clinic and Laser Center.
Note: Due to circumstances beyond our control, the performance times may change. Prior to
April 14, please visit our website, www.negahc.org, click on Events, and then on Family Day
for an updated schedule of events.
To All History Center Volunteers:
Join us at a drop-in reception honoring our volunteers.
Sunday, April 21, 1:30—3:30 p.m. * Recognition Program at 2:30 p.m.
Refreshments served.
RSVP to Julie Carson by April 16
770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu
Volunteer Spotlight: Gainesville High School Key Club
When she was younger, Amalie Miller didn’t have much choice
when her mother insisted that she accompany her to the History
Center.
That’s because her mother is Julie Carson, the center’s
education and volunteer coordinator.
But now that she’s a junior in high school, Amalie can
beg off if she has a good reason. Fortunately, Amalie and a
left to right-Amalie Miller, Hayden
number of other Key Club members of Gainesville High School
Reynolds, & Anthony Divinigracia
show up on a regular basis to help the History Center with such
activities as Family Day, the Ghost Walk and Summer Camp.
In fact, Julie said, “If it hadn’t been for them, I don’t think we
would have had enough volunteers for the Ghost Walk last year.” About
10 Key Clubbers were what Julie calls “ghost guides,” people who walk
with the groups touring ghost sites nearby, while four or five others
helped at the center.
And when someone was needed to cook fried apple pies at the
September 2012 Family Day, John Stenzel stepped up — and cooked for
about three hours.
John Stenzel preparing
fried apple pies.
“It was so fun,” said John, this year’s president of the Key Club.
“You know, there was hot oil splattering everywhere. You put all the pies
together with canned biscuit dough, put apple filling in there and put ’em
in to fry. They just kept coming out.”
About 300 people showed up for Family Day that Sunday, and Julie believes there was a
pie for every person.
John said Family Day is his favorite activity. “It’s nice to see people bring their families
in,” he said. “They can have fun, but also learn something about North Georgia while they’re
doing it.”
Amalie enjoyed making Christmas ornaments from the fresh-smelling materials of
nature—that is, until a bug crawled out of one of the ornaments.
Hayden Reynolds also helped with making crafts, but didn’t mention seeing any bugs.
Anthony Divinigracia liked the hands-on activities during Summer Camp for which the theme
was World War II.
People should know the history of the region, the Key Clubbers agreed. “It’s important
to remember the past and to honor the veterans,”Amalie said.
But there are not a lot of activities that pique the interest of students their age, Hayden,
Anthony and Amalie agreed. Are you listening, program planners?
Other Key Club members who have participated include Yosahandy Bautista, Hope
Griffin, Katherine Jones, and Diana Vela, who helped with Ghost Walk and some Family Days;
Charles Caulkins, who assisted on Family Days; and Morgan Mercer, also a Family Day helper.
Others who volunteered for Ghost Walk are Madeline Harr, Ahn Nguyen, John Schmid, and
Katie Schmid. John Stenzel and Diana Vela also cover the volunteer desk as subs.
Shannon Faile is the Key Club’s teacher-sponsor, and Dave McConnell also works with
the students.
By the way, the Key Club’s mission, President Stenzel said, is “service to home, school
and community.”
And, we are delighted that the History Center — certainly an important institution of
the community, we think — is one of the club’s beneficiaries.
Thanks, students, for your help.
Attention Educators: We are still accepting
reservations for Field Trips, both before the
school year ends, and through the summer.
Call Julie Carson or e-mail at
jcarson@brenau.edu to schedule a day and
time. We offer a variety of field trip
options, and a very reasonable admission.
These Sardis students found their
grandfather, Mike “Moonpie” Wilson, in
the Sports Hall of Fame during a recent
field trip.
Victory Garden Corner
This is a new feature appearing in our newsletter, beginning this
month. The Victory Garden Committee of the Hall County Master
Gardeners now has its own column. The History Center appreciates the
efforts of the VGMG (Victory Garden Master Gardeners) and wants to
share information about the Victory Garden and the VGMG with our
members.
First, a little history behind the Victory Garden: Work to create
the Victory Garden began in late 2010, as part of the Faces of Freedom
Taste of History, through the generosity of the Fockele Garden
Company and Brenau University, and the efforts of the Hall County
Master Gardener program. 2013 marks the third spring planting of the Victory Garden, located
adjacent to the History Center parking lot, and across Academy Street from the Burd Center.
Dr. William Helms, orthodontist, generously provides access to use of his water, essential for
the garden to grow and thrive.
Our pioneer Victory Garden Master Gardeners were Joan and Dr. Ed Rigel. In 2012, the
Rigels passed the torch, or in this case, the shovel, to a new group of Master Gardeners from the
class of 2012, led by Toby Blackwell and assisted by Martine Olsen. Their group included six to
eight enthusiastic and dedicated Master Gardeners. The same group of Master Gardeners, now
led by Vicky Ginn and Sid Manning, co-presidents, continue to nurture and maintain the
Victory Garden in 2013. Present VGMG committee members are Toby Blackwell, Don Linke,
Bill McMahan, Jill Momper, Martine Olsen, Connie Propes, and Melissa Rhamstein. The Master
Gardener program is sponsored by the Hall County Extension Service under the leadership of
Wanda Cannon.
The Victory Garden group began the 2013 planting season with several of the members
shoveling two trailer loads of amendments into the existing soil, giving it an infusion to
improve the quality and produce better vegetables. The amendment loosens and aerates the
soil, promoting the establishment of deep roots by better managing the moisture.
Inserting fabric and soaker hoses in the soil will not only help retain moisture, but also
encourage stronger growth of the roots. The goal of the group is to reduce the amount of
watering, since it only seeps beyond the reach of the weaker roots, taking nutrients with it and
discouraging healthy growth.
Members of the group also leveled the soil in the beds to prevent water runoff and built
an attractive mini-bed just for herbs in the shape of a V.
Visitors to the History Center during the days the Victory Garden Team was getting the
Garden looking her best for Family Day, might have been treated
to our Team Leader Extraordinaire’s (Sid’s) tractor and trailer
hanging out in the History Center’s Rotunda.
The VGMG participated in the World War II Family Day
on March 10, teaching visitors about the history of World War II
Victory Gardens and how to plant seeds in peat pots. Each child
who stopped by the Victory Garden left with either a watermelon
or cantalope seed planted in a peat pot, plus the instructions for
Sid Manning, left, & Don Linke,
right, demonstrate how to plant seeds
in peat pots.
care and transplanting.
For the April 14 Family Day projects, the following items are needed:
Please drop items by the History Center by April 10 or call Julie Carson regarding the bamboo.
Delights from the Gift Shop
The Gift Shop continues to offer current and older editions of books by local and area
authors. A new-to-the-Shop book that is flying off the shelves is Millikids: It Took a Mill to Raise
a Village. Memories of growing up in the mill village known as New Holland are shared in an
entertaining, story-telling way by author Vic Wilson. Millikids is priced at $14.95 plus tax.
Perennials, the perennially popular cookbook edited by the Junior League of Gainesville/Hall
County, is back on the shelves. The Mountains and Waterfalls of Northeast Georgia, by John T.
Anthony, Jr., continues to be a Gift Shop best seller.
Congratulations Are in Order
History Center members are active in our area, serving our community in many ways,
through the History Center and other organizations, as well as making their mark in history in
other areas, too.
Congratulations to Helen Martin who was presented the Colonial Dames of the XVII
Century State Community Service Award on March 8. She was honored for her work in the
Gainesville School System, Northeast Georgia History Center, Central Baptist Church, and
other community organizations.
Congratulations to Deborah Mack, honored as the Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia 2013
Woman of Distinction on March 12, 2013. The Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction award honors
a woman who reflects the values in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and who serves as an
excellent role model for girls.
Congratulations to Dr. Pat Burd, recognized by Centerpoint on March 21. A new
volunteer award has been created in her honor, the Pat Burd Community Commitment Award,
so-named because she exemplifies ongoing involvement in our community, both professionally
and personally. The Pat Burd Community Commitment Award will be presented annually to
a Centerpoint volunteer who demonstrates ongoing professional and personal involvement in
our community. The first recipient of the award was Jim Sargent, retired Hall County educator
and administrator.
2013 marks the 40th anniversary of Tommy Aaron’s win at the Master’s. Tommy was
honored with a reception at Gainesville High School on March 28. And, yes, The Green Jacket
was displayed during the reception. Not only is Tommy an outstanding golfer, he continues to
be a community philanthropist as well. (The Tommy Aaron Tribute exhibit is located in the
Sports Hall of Fame within the History Center galleries.)
Do you know of a History Center member who has received recognition or honors recently?
Please send information to jcarson@brenau.edu.
Honoring and Remembering
Welcome New Members
In memory of Minter Wells by Kay Scoville
Frances and Thomas Stokes
SAVE THE DATE:
2013 Taste of History Dinner *
History of Auto Racing
Friday, August 30, 7:00 p.m.
World War II Family Day
Approximately 200 vistors and 30 volunteers took part in the many activities comprising
the World War II and Northeast Georgia Family Day on March 10. From re-enactors to actual
WWII veterans and WWII gaming to Victory Gardens, there were activities and exhibits to
pique a wide variety of interests. The History Center extends our “thank you’s” to guest
volunteers Paul Geurtner and Civil Air Patrol volunteers, Frank Hoell, Dr. Stephen Nicklas,
Dan Rado, Dr. Clayton Teem, Francis Turner, Victory Garden Master Gardeners—Vicky Ginn,
Don Linke, Sid Manning, Bill McMahan, and Stephanie Mills, Beth Woodward, and the World
War II Re-enactors.
Dr. Clayton Teem explains wargaming
World War II re-enactors
World War II era Jeep
Visitors look at 1940's magazine & other artifacts
from WWII Travel Trunk
Northeast Georgia History Center
322 Academy Street, NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5900
www.negahc.org