Help Middlesboro Win $500 in the CommunityMatters Listening Party, Aug 22, 3pm

Downtown Middlesboro will be among a handful of communities nationally to participate in the CommunityMatters Listening Party next Thursday, August 22, 2013, at 3pm. Community leaders and our partners will come together at that time to discuss how we can translate all of our ideas for our community into real and concrete action.

The timing for this national event could not be better. Middlesboro is just finishing a Strategic Plan to guide improvements in the downtown area for the next five years. Similarly, a Historic Preservation Plan is being completed. Finally, through the Appalachian Rural Development Philanthropy Initiative work is being done to encourage community philanthropy in Bell County. The CommunityMatters Listening Party will help to bring all of these ideas into focus as we go about translating our vision into real improvements downtown.

Ed McMahon, Urban Land Institute

Ed McMahon will be the featured speaker for the event. He is an attorney, community planner, lecturer and author. McMahon is currently Senior Resident Fellow at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C., where he holds the Charles Fraser Chair on Sustainable Development. During the past 25 years Ed has helped communities in all 50 states with a wide variety of community planning and economic development issues. Also joining us will be leaders from the University of Kentucky Landscape Architecture Department and the Community & Leadership Development Program; and faculty and students from Lincoln Memorial University.

Ed has found that every successful community shares some common characteristics – these are the secrets he’ll share on the CommunityMatters call. Ed’s secrets aren’t quick fixes or silver bullets, but instead recommendations for how every city and town can capitalize on distinctive assets to be successful.

1. Have a vision for the future
2. Inventory community assets and build on them
3. Use education and incentives, not just regulation
4. Pick and choose among development projects
5. Cooperate with neighbors for mutual benefit
6. Pay attention to community aesthetics
7. Have strong leaders and committed citizens

Following the Listening Party we will have just over a week to submit a photograph of our Listening Party and a one-page drawing illustrating the vision we have for downtown. This will make Middlesboro eligible to compete for a $500 prize against more than a dozen other communities across the U.S.

Mike Lydon, Principal,
Street Plans Collaborative

Later that night at 7pm, Middlesboro will be participating in a conference call with Mike Lydon from Street Plans Collaborative based in New York and Miami. Mike will guide us through the planning for a Build a Better Block event in October. This event will transform a single block in downtown Middlesboro through performing two dozen improvements for $1,000 in a 48 hour period. These short-term improvements are hoped to plant the seeds for long-term change.

The location for both the Listening Party and the later Conference Call will be in the Distance Learning Lab in the J. Frank White Academy of Lincoln Memorial University. This is right behind the President's House. Please leave adequate time before the event to find parking on campus.

For those who want to participate in either call, please contact Discover Downtown Middlesboro at (606) 248-6155 or via our website at www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. We are also on Facebook and Twitter at "DDMBoro."

About CommunityMatters
CommunityMatters® equips cities and towns to strengthen their places and inspire change. As an alliance of leaders in the community building field, CommunityMatters champions the notion that people have the power to solve their community’s problems and shape its future. We facilitate  connections, provide education and infuse inspiration at the local level.

Ducky Dash Returns to Downtown Middlesboro on August 24

Middlesboro, Kentucky, August 10, 2013 – Downtown Middlesboro will be your place for family friendly fun and excitement on Saturday, August 24. Starting at 4pm there will be inflatables in Fountain Square, retail and food vendors, games where kids can win prizes, and our ever popular duck race in the Canal. Live music from Jerry Davis and Stone Mountain will be another highlight.

Keith Nagle, President of Discover Downtown Middlesboro said, “The money raised from the event goes right back into our programs to help improve the physical appearance, business environment, and to support other downtown events throughout the year.”

The highlight of the event each year is when several hundred ducks are dropped into the Canal. People line the Canal on both sides and watch to see which duck first crosses the finish line. For $5 you can buy a ticket with a number that corresponds with one of the hundreds of ducks for your chance to win cash and prizes. Tickets are on sale at businesses downtown. Look for a big duck out front.

Then immediately after the race starting at 7pm there will be the first-ever Dancing in the Street event at Cumberland Ave and 20^th Street.  Bring a chair and enjoy!

A special thank you to our sponsors including Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, Coca-Cola, GRW, Home Federal Bank, Mikel's Pharmacy, and World Wide Gap.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Discover Downtown Middlesboro at (606) 248-5603 or www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. We are also on Facebook and Twitter @DDMBoro.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.discoverdowntownmiddlesboro.org

###

Labor Day Concert to Commemorate Labors of our Nation During the Civil War

"Privates by Choice" to perform at Cumberland Gap NHP

Middlesboro, Kentucky - The origin of Labor Day may rarely be thought of as much more than a welcome respite for the working masses.  Likewise, our personal celebrations on Labor Day probably do not reflect the effect work has had upon our whole history as a nation. 

On Saturday, August 31^st, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will host the band “Privates by Choice” as they perform original musical scores that will highlight the labors of our nation during the Civil War.  To commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the war, the group will perform a unique selection of newly composed acoustic/folk songs during this free concert at the Wilderness Road Campground Amphitheater. 

Instruments featured will be guitar, mandolin, violin, hammered dulcimer, cello, mountain dulcimer, bass and some light percussion in various combinations.  Within the crying of the violin and the steady drumbeat of the dulcimer, one will be able to hear the groans of soldiers as they scuffled up these mountains.  Ranger Pam Eddy shares “The song entitled ‘Biscuits of Manassas’ literally sends a shiver down my spine every time I listen to it! I was excited to hear the tune recently played on the radio and am thrilled to invite everyone from the region to see this fabulous group in person over Labor Day weekend!”  The ensemble's writers and musicians all have Kentucky roots, except for one Missouri boy.  The band members are well-seasoned musicians with credits and recordings gracing many public radio station programs. 

The concert will offer an interesting opportunity for reflection on the connections between Labor Day and the Civil War.  In the 19^th century, our nation was experiencing an age of tremendous growth.   However, a great fundamental economic difference was emerging between the country’s northern and southern regions.  In the north, labor focused essentially around manufacturing and industry and small scale farms.  For the south, the bulk of the economy rested upon a system of large-scale farming dependent on slave labor to grow major crops such as cotton and tobacco. 

Among other things, these fundamental differences in the types of labor performed in separate regions of America would eventually lead to Civil War.  Likewise, the preservation of the nation would rest upon the efforts of American men, women and children during the war.  Our nation owes our very existence to work - as Americans have toiled in sweat and persevered in earnest to sustain America’s liberty and unification throughout the years. 

The Wilderness Road Campground is located in Virginia, two miles east of the Hwy 25E and Hwy 58 intersection.  Visitors should proceed to the amphitheater, located at the end of loop C where parking is available.  In case of rain, the program will be held at the national park visitor center, located on Hwy 25E, just south of Middlesboro, KY.  This program is being co-hosted by the Friends of Cumberland Gap and park partner Eastern National.  For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, please call (606) 248-2817 or visit www.nps.gov/cuga..  For more info on the Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and how to become involved, please visit www.friendsofcumberlandgap.org or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofcumberlandgap..  Learn how Eastern National supports the interpretive and educational mission of the National Park Service by visiting www.easternnational.org

Discover Downtown Middlesboro Volunteers Clean Up Downtown

Before and after photos of 103 N 19th St 

Middlesborough, Kentucky, July 29, 2013 – On Saturday, July 27, thirty volunteers were organized by Discover Downtown Middlesboro, in an effort to clean up Downtown in preparation for the Vietnam Wall coming August 2 – August 5, and the Annual DDM Ducky Dash on August 24.

“We focused mainly on the City Hall Parking Lot, the Canal Walk from 20^th Street to Cumberland Avenue, and Cumberland Avenue from 19^th Street to the Arthur Museum. We also took down two awnings and cleaned Dr. McGeorge’s awning,” stated Jarryd Boster who along with the DDM Design Committee organized the event. “We were extremely pleased by the turn out of volunteers. They were all hard workers and they did a tremendous job.”

“Our hope is that this will become an annual event that brings attention and pride to our Downtown Area. We have such a picturesque community that we want to take care of. The overwhelming volunteer turnout is evidence of the importance the citizens of Middlesboro place on a clean and well maintained downtown,” explained Becky Bowling, another Design Committee member.

In total they collected 32 large trashbags, 3 grocery carts, a computer monitor, 3 tarps that were swimming in the canal, 623 cans and bottles, 2 large pipes, a large bundle of sharp wire, and 2,109 cigarette butts.

“We would like to think that this might make our citizen’s a little more mindful of putting their trash in a garbage can, rather than littering,” said Boster.

DDM would also like to give a special thanks to Food City of Middlesboro for donating trash bags, Bowling Law Office for donating trash bags and gloves, KFC for donating lunch to all the volunteers, and People’s Choice Pharmacy for donating drinks.

Before and after photos of 1907 Cumberland Ave

Downtown Middlesboro Executive Director Isaac Kremer said afterwards, “I felt this event was a huge success, and reflected well on the quality of volunteers we have in the organization and their strong desire to improve their community for the better.”  The Design Committee is made up of Jay & Kelly Shoffner, Jarryd & Stephanie Boster, Steven & Ashley Cambron, Adam & Becky Bowling, and Evelyn Farmer.  

For those who would like more information about downtown revitalization or to get involved, please contact (606) 248-6155 or visit www.downtownmiddlesboro.org.

Contact:

Becky Bowling

(606) 248-8383

becky.dedman@gmail.com

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.discoverdowntownmiddlesboro.org

###

Leaders Discuss Economic Development and Historic Preservation in Middlesborough, Kentucky

Some meeting participants in front of the Elks Home in Middlesborough. Front row (left to right):
Jen Williamson, Vicki Birenberg, Craig Botts. Back row: Kitty Dougoud, Same Coleman,
and Isaac Kremer. Credit: DDM, 2013.

Middlesborough, Kentucky, July 29, 2013 – Just over a week ago this small Southeast Kentucky town hosted a number of state and regional leaders to discuss the economic development benefits of historic preservation. The meeting was convened by Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc., a local non-profit organization that follows the Main Street Four Point Approach ® to downtown revitalization.

Officials from the Kentucky Heritage Council joined with the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) and the Southeast Kentucky Small Business Development Center to discuss how historic preservation might help to create jobs, revitalize the historic downtown, and reinvigorate the local and regional economy.

Craig Potts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Heritage Council and recently appointed State Historic Preservation Officer said of the trip, “It was nice getting to know everyone during our recent visit. We’re excited about the vision for historic preservation in Middlesborough and look forward to supporting community efforts.”

Other officials visiting from the Kentucky Heritage Council included Jen Williamson, Staff Architect and administrator of the Preservation Tax Credit program. Kitty Dougoud represented the Kentucky Main Street program and Vicki Birenberg represented the Certified Local Government program. Middlesborough is a Designated Main Street program and a Certified Local Government.

State Historic Preservation Officer Craig Potts and Jen Williamson, Architect
on the 4th floor of the Elks Home in Middlesborough. Credit: DDM, 2013.

Also participating was Paul Wright, Enterprise Development Director for MACED. Afterwards he said, “It was a pleasure meeting with leaders in Middlesborough and seeing all the great economic development, preservation and community development opportunities there.”

During the visit, participants had a chance to see firsthand several of the historic preservation projects that have recently been completed or that are in the works. In the completed category are the Nagle Law Office, 1910 Cumberland Ave, and the National Bank Building at Cumberland and N 20^th Street. In progress is the Pinnacle Building at 2010 Cumberland Avewhere Dr. Lovie Stallworth recently opened a pediatric practice. This project has been brought to fruition under the careful watch of Sam Coleman with the Small Business Development Center at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College.

 Elks Home historically and today. Credit: DDM, 1910's and 2013.

Another project in the works is the $10 million restoration of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Home. This building was donated to DDM in December 2012. Since then the organization has worked with numerous federal, state, and regional partners on formulating plans for the restoration. At four stories and with nearly 27,000 square feet, the building has enormous revitalization potential. Envisioned as a catalyst project, various uses are being considered including apartments on the upper floors with restaurant and retail on the ground floor. One visitor commented how the building layout lent itself to a hotel use with a light filled main staircase leading to public rooms on the second floor. Another vision is to take this building that once served as the Middlesborough Hospital and reuse it as an assisted living facility.

Recently, a local non-profit, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc., secured $40,000 in grants for community planning activities. These grants from a variety of national, state, and regional sources will assist in the preparation of a strategic plan for the downtown, formulating a historic preservation plan, performing a market analysis, and then finally putting all of these ideas into action around mid-October with a Build a Better Block event led by Mike Lydon from the Street Plans collaborative.

For those who would like more information about downtown revitalization or to get involved, please contact (606) 248-6155 or visit www.downtownmiddlesboro.org.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.discoverdowntownmiddlesboro.org

###

Evening Walk through the Cumberland Gap to Unveil the Hidden Stories of America’s Great Legacy

Staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park eagerly heralds the third annual “Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk” being held Saturday, August 3^rd, 2013.  Each year, some of the lesser-known people in the Gap’s history - from geologists to politicians, from scalp buyers to ancestors of presidents - are showcased.  This year, visitors will encounter seven short plays along the Wilderness Road that may surprise even those who think they know all about the Cumberland Gap! 

“We tend to think of people such as Daniel Boone and Civil War generals at the Cumberland Gap, but there were thousands of other people who traveled through this historic passageway” explained park historian Martha Wiley.  “This is our chance to share with park visitors and neighbors some of these ‘hidden history’ stories.  It’s a lot of fun for park staff and volunteers to be able to portray some of these riveting characters from our past!” 

Rangers will be leading three hikes along the Wilderness Road with the first one beginning at 6:00 p.m., the next at 6:30, and the final at 7:00 p.m.  Each hike will take approximately 90 minutes traversing 1.5 miles on a dirt trail with hilly sections; good walking shoes are required.  This popular event is free, but each tour is limited to 30 people, so reservations are recommended by calling the park visitor center at (606) 246-1075.   

Visitors should be at the Daniel Boone Visitor Information Center above the town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee 30 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time, as shuttles will take visitors to the starting point at the Thomas Walker parking area.  In case of heavy rain the event will be cancelled. 

This program is being co-hosted by the Friends of Cumberland Gap and park partner Eastern National.  For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, please call (606) 248-2817 or visit www.nps.gov/cuga.  For more information on the Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and how to become involved, please visit www.friendsofcumberlandgap.org or find them on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/friendsofcumberlandgap.  Learn how Eastern National supports the interpretive and educational mission of the National Park Service by visiting www.easternnational.org.  

Small Business Development Center Holding Training Classes, August 2013