Digital Photography workshop

This photo is copyright by Harold Jerrell. Back by popular demand, he will be teaching another Digital Photography workshop at Rose Hill Community Library computer center on Tuesday, December 16th from 6PM - 8PM. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Christmas Light Displays

There's Christmas light displays happening again this year at both Cumberland Bowl Park in Jonesville and Leeman Field in Pennington Gap. One year not too long ago, my kids toured the light display at Bristol Motor Speedway and the light display at Cumberland Bowl Park in Jonesville. They both liked the Cumberland Bowl Park display better than the one at the big race track in Bristol! We all enjoyed the refreshments at the senior center. Can't beat those cookies and warm cider in such a warm hometown friendly environment.

Here's a few details -

Lights in the Park Christmas display will open in Cumberland Bowl Park in Jonesville on December 4th at 6PM, and will coincide with the Jonesville Christmas Parade at 6PM. The display will continue through December 31st, opening 6-9PM Sundays through Thursdays, and 6-10PM Fridays and Saturdays. Refreshments (including hot chocolate, coffee, and warm apple cider) will be served each night in the Senior Citizens building.

The 10th Annual Leeman Christmas Fantasy light display in Pennington Gap includes more than 200 display groups. Gates open at 6PM each evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Gates close at 9:30PM Sundays through Thursdays and at 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. A brighter-than-ever ball will be dropped at the stroke of New Year in Leeman Field this year.

The Rose Hill Christmas lights are up. I like those snowflakes. If I can get a decent photo of them (I'm not too good at night-time photos), I'll post it on the blog. It's snowed more than once this year already. Been down to 19 degrees at night some already. The snowflakes are shining brightly downtown. In Rose Hill, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas.

Now on to Ewing, where they've got that Christmas tree farm running (you pick one and they cut it fresh for you). That's always a fun little adventure. Seems like the trees look little when they're out in the field, but as soon as you bring it through the front door, suddenly, it's a HUGE tree!
Joan

More local December events

There's always lots to do around here, even way out here in "God's Country" during the cold month of December --

As I was looking on the Internet for 2009 events to list on the web page... I ran into several current happenings worthy of mention -

Happy Turkey Day!!
Joan

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Date/Hours: Friday, November 28, 2008 and Saturday, November 29, 2008
Festival of the Mountain Masters

Over 60 artisans and craftsmen will gather in Harlan County, Kentucky to demonstrate their skills and showcase their handcrafts at the 23rd annual Festival of the Mountain Masters. The festival offers a unique celebration of Appalachian art and culture. The festival is held at the Village Center Mall in Harlan, Kentucky. Thousands of original, hand-crafted pieces will be offered for sale. Festivities include a photography contest, quilt show, live demonstrations, live music, cloggers, and storytelling.

Location: Village Center Mall, Harlan (Harlan County) KY
For more information visit www.festivalofthemountainmasters.net

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Date/Hours: December 1, 2008 ~ 7:30PM
Christmas from Dublin starring the Three Irish Tenors

Pro-Art Association has been bringing quality fine arts programs from all over the world into the far southwest Virginia coalfields region continuously since 1976. Brought to you by Pro-Art Association, come celebrate the holidays with a genuine Irish Christmas! Filled with songs of the season such as “Little Drummer Boy”, “Silent Night”, “Saviour’s Day” and “O Holy Night”, “Christmas from Dublin” is full of warmth, charm, and music, direct from the Emerald Isle, that continues to enchant audiences throughout the world.

Location: Mountain Empire Community College - Goodloe Center, Big Stone Gap (Wise County) VA
For more information visit www.pro-art-va.org or call (276) 376-4520


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Date/Hours: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 ~ 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Fall 2008 Humanities and Fine Arts Symposium

The Fall 2008 Humanities and Fine Arts Symposium will be held in the Arnold Auditorium at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. Admission is free.

Location: Lincoln Memorial University campus – Arnold Auditorium, Harrogate (Claiborne County) TN
For more information visit www.lmunet.edu

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Date/Hours: Thursday, December 4, 2008 ~ 7:30PM
Knoxville Symphony

Following the evening’s Lighting of the Tree ceremony on Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) campus, the Knoxville Symphony will present a Christmas Performance in LMU’s Duke Hall.

Location: Lincoln Memorial University campus – Duke Hall, Harrogate (Claiborne County) TN
For more information visit www.lmunet.edu

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Date/Hours: Saturday, December 6, 2008 ~ 2:00PM
Rose Hill Christmas Parade

The Rose Hill Christmas Parade has been scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00PM. Sue Rosenbalm has been chosen to serve as Grand Marshal. This year's theme is "A White Christmas." First place will receive $100, second place $75, and third place $50 for floats featuring the White Christmas theme.

Location: Downtown Rose Hill, Rose Hill (Lee County) VA
For more information, call Wade Wilson, Secretary of the Thomas Walker Civic Club, at 445-4683.

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Date/Hours: Sunday, December 7, 2008 ~ 7:30PM
LMU Concert Choir and the Tri-State Community Chorus in Concert

The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Concert Choir and the Tri-State Community Chorus concert music will include “Gloria” by John Rutter and the “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham accompanied by brass and percussion. The concert will be presented in the Middlesboro Fine Arts Auditorium.

Location: Middlesboro Fine Arts Auditorium, Middlesboro (Bell County) KY
For more information visit www.lmunet.edu or call (423) 869-6449

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Date/Hours: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5-7PM
Christmastide at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse

This small living history event allows the visitor to see and participate in activities connected with Christmas on the frontier of Virginia in 1775. Captain Anderson, his good wife Rebecca, their friends and neighbors invite the public for sweetcakes and cider in a boisterous celebration. A prodigious bonfire will provide a grand illumination. Members of the Holston Militia fire their guns in a feu de joie. Period music and activities for children are also part of the entertainment. The famous Captain Daniel Boone and his good wife drop in to join in the jollification. Visitors should dress warmly. Other activities in the Natural Tunnel State Park are also available that evening. See the lighting of the tunnel, ride the lantern-lit chairlift, and enjoy carols, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Also drive through the park to enjoy the lighted displays.

Location: Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield (Scott County) VA
For more information, go to www.danielboonetrail.com

yep, snow on the mountain again

It is cold and overcast outside today, drizzling rain off and on. So, I didn't even step off my front porch to take today's "snow on the mountain again" photo.

Accordingly, there's a bunch of wires/cables in the forefront of the photo. Let's see, that's one for electricity, another for a phone, another for cable TV, and another for the fiberoptic Internet. Eventually, maybe it will down to just 1 for electricity and 1 for voice/TV/internet --- even in little Rose Hill, Virginia. They're working on that.

2009 Dulcimer Gathering

I learned last week that the date has been set for the annual Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering, hosted by Terry and Pam Lewis at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park campground (you know, where KY, TN, & VA meet). A weekend and more of music, fun and relaxing, it is the third annual gathering located in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Campground. Jamming, sharing tunes and mini workshops will occur throughout the weekend. Campfire jams happen each night. Workshops, concerts, and jams are FREE. For more information visit www.terrylewisdulcimer.com or call (276) 861-2925. There's lots of great photos from previous annual gatherings on that website - this is one of them.

The 2009 Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering will be held on May 9-10, 2009. That's Mother's Day weekend - bring your Mom!

winter fun!

It appears we're moving a bit away from Fall weather and it's about to feel like Wintertime. brrrrr. The forecast says it'll be down near 30 degrees tonight and down near 20 degrees by Tuesday night. It might even snow a bit tonight?? surely not.

Even though cold weather is setting in upon us here in the mountains, there's still places to go, sights to see, and things to do.

In particular, two nearby tourist destination places that I would like to visit, and haven't yet made time for, come to mind: The Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap and Gap Cave (the old Cudjo's Cavern) located inside the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (right down the road). Except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, both of these excellent attractions (the museum and the cave) are open through December 31.


SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM

The Southwest Virginia Museum is currently open Tuesday - Thursday from 10AM - 4pm; Fridays from 9AM - 4PM; Saturdays from 10AM - 5PM; and Sundays from 1-5PM. The museum will close December 31st for the season and re-open on March 1st.

From November 16th through December 31, view a winter wonderland at the museum's 13th annual Festival of Trees. Over 80 trees and other decorations will be on display throughout the museum. Every Saturday night from 7-9PM the museum offers Night Viewing. See the trees in the magical atmosphere of an evening.

The Southwest Virginia Museum is housed in a mansion built in the 1880s by Rufus Ayers, a Virginia attorney general. The museum was bequeathed to the commonwealth in 1946 by C. Bascom Slemp, private secretary to President Calvin Coolidge and a member of the U. S. Congress. The museum was officially dedicated by the state in 1948. It features a collection comprised of more than 20,000 pieces, about one third of which is on display at any given time. The museum chronicles the exploration and development of the region during the 1890s coal boom, as well as the pioneer period. It offers activities for kids, scout and school programs, workshops, an annual Festival of Trees program, a quilt show, a music festival and outdoor exhibits. The museum sells archival supplies and offers the opportunity to have pictures of collection pieces copied, as well as copies of reference files. Also offered is a unique gift shop and a Victorian Parlor Conference Room available for rent by calling the museum.

for more information, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sou.shtml
or visit the Friends of the Museum website at www.swvamuseum.org


GAP CAVE

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park hosts guided Gap Cave tours on weekdays at 10AM and on weekends at 10AM and 2PM, through December 31st. Between January 1st and March 31st, the guided Gap Cave tours will be held on weekends only at 10Am and 2PM.

for more information, go to www.nps.gov/cuga/planyourvisit/guidedtours.html


DANIEL BOONE WILDERNESS TRAIL

In addition, as long as it's not pouring the snow or some such weather, you can drive the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail road. I'm pretty sure it's about a 4-hour driving tour. You just guide yourself with this CD going in your car that tells you driving directions and interesting historical information along the way. It's sounds fun, educational, and interesting to me. I see those Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail signs all over the place around here.

for more information, go to www.danielboonetrail.com

Digital Photography workshop Nov 20th

This photo is copyright by Harold Jerrell. He will be teaching a workshop on Digital Photography at Rose Hill Library on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 6:00PM. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Rose Hill Christmas Parade

The Rose Hill Christmas Parade has been scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00PM. Sue Rosenbalm has been chosen to serve as Grand Marshal. This year's theme is "A White Christmas." First place will receive $100, second place $75, and third place $50 for floats featuring the White Christmas theme. For more information, call Wade Wilson, Secretary of the Thomas Walker Civic Club, at 445-4683.

unofficial vote count

On Wednesday, November 5, 2008, the Powell Valley News printed the following "Unofficial Returns -- Lee County General Election -- November 4, 2008."

It appears to this reader that there are five voting districts in Lee County, and each of them have 3-5 "subdistricts." For example, District 1 has three "subdistricts": Elydale, Ewing, and Rose Hill. okay, now looking at my Voter Registration Card, the correct term for these "subdistricts" is precincts.

So, here's the unofficial vote counts for the Rose Hill precinct:

President:
Obama - 272
McCain - 525
Baldwin - 2
Barr - 4
McKinney - 2
Nader - 6

U.S. Senator:
Warner - 455
Gilmore - 320
Parker - 11
Redpath - 0

U.S. Delegate:
Boucher - 632

Accordingly in the Rose Hill precinct, a total of 811 votes were cast for President; 786 votes were cast for Senator; and 632 votes were cast for Delegate.

It appears (assuming on my part that every person who voted, DID cast a ballot in the presidential election - which may not be the case) that over 77% of ALL the Rose Hill precinct folks (regardless of any political party affiliations)who showed up to vote at the elementary school on Tuesday, cast a vote of support for Congressman Rick C. Boucher.

While I was attending grad school in NC once upon a time, my political science professor reported in class that our Congressman Boucher was leading the nation in bringing telecommunications to rural America. I know he helped get broadband to Rose Hill and I am certainly tickled pink to have it here!! Makes a world of difference to me and many others around me.

Other unofficial vote counts -- Looking at the county as a whole, Warner beat Gilmore in every single precinct.

McCain beat Obama in 16 of the 19 precincts. The three precincts where Obama won were St. Charles, Stone Creek, and Keokee. Am I just imagining things (as a Lee County newcomer), or might those three precincts be considered as Lee County's "coalfield" precincts? Who can answer that question??

Are there coal mines located in the St. Charles, Stone Creek, and Keokee voting precincts - but NOT located in the remaining precincts? (That'd be Elydale, Ewing, Rose Hill, Blackwater, Flatwoods, N. Jonesville, S. Jonesville, Ben Hur, W. Pennington, Woodway, Stickleyville, Jasper, Seminary, Dryden, E. Pennington, and Robbins Chapel.)

Winning coaches in action

Here's the two coaches (Sheila Williams and Kristy Lee) who pulled us to a victory today. First year either of them has coached elementary basketball. Considering the same team won only one game all season last year (and that game had been won by only one point), these two coaches have sure gotten off to a great start beating JONESVILLE during the first game of the season!!

Rose Hill - the winner!!

Basketball season has begun for Rose Hill Elementary School. There's four teams, a big boys team, a big girls team, a little boys team, and a little girls team. So there' were four games running back to back today. We were playing against Jonesville, a formidable opponent, on their court.

I only saw one of the games (the one my son was playing in), but what an exciting game it was. Jonesville had scored first, but then we had caught up by the end of the first quarter - with the score tied at 4-4. We gained the lead early in the second quarter, as the score reached 6-5. We had risen to a score of 12-5 with one minute left in the 2nd quarter. By the end of the first half, we were still ahead at 12-8. The score was up to 18-14 by the end of the 3rd quarter. With only 2 minutes left in the game, we were up to 26-20, at which point our starting line-up returned to the court. Once we'd gained the lead in the 2nd quarter, we managed to maintain the lead for the rest of the game. The final score was 28-22. Rose Hill beat Jonesville! what a hoot!

workshops: Quilting, Grant Writing & Melungeons

FREE DOOR PRIZES!! FREE REFRESHMENTS!!

YOU’RE INVITED
to Rose Hill Library workshops

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Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 6:00PM
Quilting Demonstration
Instructor: Pat Houck

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 6:00PM
Learn to Write $ Grant $ Proposals
Instructor: Joan Minor

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 10:00AM
Do YOU have Melungeon Heritage?
Instructor: Joan Minor

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 6:00PM
Dulcimer Demonstration
Instructors: Terry and Pam Lewis

More information below --

QUILTING, GRANT WRITING & MELUNGEON WORKSHOPS
AT ROSE HILL LIBRARY

ROSE HILL ----- Free workshops at Rose Hill Community Library during the month of November will provide information and Internet resources about quilting, grant writing, and Melungeons.

A workshop on “Quilting Demonstration and Online Quilting Information” will be provided on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 6:00PM at Rose Hill Community Library. This workshop presents a demonstration for small quilting projects and provides tips on quilting information available on the Internet. Rose Hill resident Pat Houck will teach the quilting workshop.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 6:00PM, a free workshop titled, “Learn to Write Grant Proposals” will be provided at Rose Hill Community Library. This workshop presents free information available on the Internet that teaches how to write grant proposals to foundations and government funding sources. Rose Hill resident Joan Minor will teach the grant writing workshop.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 10:00AM, Rose Hill resident Joan Minor will teach a workshop entitled, “Do YOU have Melungeon Heritage?” This workshop presents online information for tracing Melungeon genealogy and stories about the area’s Melungeon heritage.

The workshops are free and open to the public. No registration is required. Seating is limited to 12 computer stations. The workshops are for beginners, who have little or no computer or website design experience. The funding for this workshop has been provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Community Connect grant program for the LENOWISCO Connect Rose Hill project .

For more information, contact Joan Minor at 445-4600

fall colors on Election Day

Well, the colors are nicer in real life than I was able to capture in this photo, taken today. It's blue skies and 70 degrees today in Rose Hill. A great day for voters to get out and vote.