DDM President Keith Nagle Wins Prestigious Preservation Award

Keith Nagle accepting the Ida Lee Willis Award.

  

Ida Lee Willis Memorial Preservation Awards are presented each May, which is National Historic Preservation Month. The awards recognize those who have demonstrated an understanding of and appreciation for the value of preserving and reusing Kentucky’s historic resources, whether through the rehabilitation of an important structure or community resource, or lifetime commitment to encouraging and promoting historic preservation. The awards are named for the late Ida Lee Willis, a former Kentucky first lady who was appointed first executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission (now the Kentucky Heritage Council) in 1966.

IDA LEE WILLIS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award is presented to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of historic preservation in the Commonwealth. The 2013 recipient is Stephen L. Collins, of Shelbyville, vice chairman of the Kentucky Heritage Council, chairman of the Kentucky Historic Properties Advisory Commission, and longtime chairman of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. His fellow board members chose to honor him this year for his lifetime of service to preservation.

Preservation Project Awards recognize outstanding examples of restoration or rehabilitation of historic buildings, or other types of projects that have had a positive impact on Kentucky’s built environment. 2013 recipients are:

·         The Cox Building, Maysville

·         Rockcastle River Historic Truss Bridge, advocate Jim Hayes and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

·         Sadieville Rosenwald School

Service to Preservation Awards honor those who have furthered historic preservation activities or have had a positive impact in their communities, including individuals, organizations, public officials, financial institutions, news media, and/or volunteers. 2013 recipients are:

·         Nancy Adams, Pine Mountain Settlement School

·         Keith Nagle, Discover Downtown Middlesboro

·         Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation deTours Committee, led by board member sponsor Pamela Perlman

New this year, the awards selection committee voted to give special awards to two groups for their personal commitment to taking up a local preservation cause, and going above and beyond to engage others in their efforts. Recipients of Grassroots Preservation Awards are:

·         Obie Fardo, Frank Hussung, Billie Newman and Charlie Pyles, for rehabilitation of Bethel Church and Cemetery in Pendleton County

·         Friends of Sherman Tavern, Dry Ridge

Additional information about recipients and projects will be posted following the ceremony. For questions, contact Diane Comer, 502-564-7005, ext. 120 or email diane.comer@ky.gov.

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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of archaeological resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, jobs creation, affordable housing, tourism, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life.  www.heritage.ky.gov

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Kicks Off a Summer Full of History, Nature and Music with the Melodies of “Wild Blue Yonder!”

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is especially known for its exciting schedule of free programs that highlight the area’s amazing wildlife, history and Appalachian music! On Saturday evenings during the summer, special weekly campfire programs are held at the park’s outdoor amphitheater located at the Wilderness Road Campground. This year’s summer campfire program schedule will kick off on May 25th with the folk/Americana band “Wild Blue Yonder!”

This musical group, a regional favorite since 2001, has broken into the realm of “newgrass.” Two top-selling CD releases have helped “Wild Blue Yonder” receive airplay on more than 60 stations in the U.S. and abroad. Their performances have spanned the southern states including North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and eastern Tennessee.

Sisters Cindy Wallace and Laura Knight, who both contribute fiddle and a variety of percussion to the band, began performing while still in their teens with their family in North Carolina. As the Wallace sisters, they have graced well known music venues including Dollywood and the Music Mansion in Sevierville, Tennessee. “Love So True,” their self-penned tale of lasting love, was among selections featured on a special 2010 CD celebrating Mast General Store’s 125th anniversary.

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.

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 more involved please visit www.friendsofcumberlandgap.org or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofcumberlandgap.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 395 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Armed Forces Day, May 18 at 2pm in Downtown Middlesboro, KY

Flier for the event.

Middlesboro will have our annual Armed Forces Day Celebration this Saturday, May, 18 at  2:00 pm at the City Hall Parking lot. In case of rain the location will be the Middlesboro Community Center at 705 N Petersborough.  The theme this year is "Celebrate Freedom."

The 149th Mountain Warriors Delta Company will have equipment on display for inspection.  Also for the first time we will have reenactors dressed in Civil War garb. Middlesboro High School and Bell County High School Bands will perform.

This is the fourth year for this event and it is getting bigger each year. Bring your lawn chairs sit back and enjoy.  Turn it into a picnic.  This year there will be a pig roast.  So all you need to bring is what would go well with a "roasted pig."

The Armed Forces Day Celebration is generously sponsored by Bowling Law Office, DR Alexander Garage Corp., Hinkle Contracting Company, and Home Federal Bank.