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.

National Leader in Sustainable Communities and Preservation Named First President of National Main Street Center, Inc.

Patrice Frey, a national leader in community development at the intersection of preservation and sustainability, has been named the first president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, Inc. Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and National Main Street Center, Inc., board chair Barbara Sidway made the announcement today. Frey, who currently heads the National Trust’s Sustainable Communities priority, will lead the newly formed subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Main Street Center, Inc., is an extension of the 33-year old Main Street program of the National Trust, which uses historic preservation as a tool for economic development in downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. More than 2,000 communities have participated in the Main Street program since its inception, leading to more than 235,000 building rehabilitation projects and the creation of nearly 475,000 jobs in those cities and towns. As the National Trust’s director of sustainability, Frey has conceived and grown the National Trust’s work around Sustainable Communities, which includes the Seattle-based Preservation Green Lab as well as offices in Chicago and Phoenix. “Her entrepreneurial skills in building an effective program with national impact led the National Main Street Center board of trustees after a long national search to unanimously and enthusiastically choose Patrice to lead Main Street in a similar way to the next level,” said Barbara Sidway, chair of the National Main Street Center. “As a private business owner, I am impressed by Patrice’s ability to build an organization.” “With her outstanding track record in preservation, sustainability, community revitalization, research, and nonprofit leadership, Patrice brings the skills we need to launch this new subsidiary and expand the Main Street program,” added National Trust president Stephanie Meeks. “Through the development of cutting-edge research, innovative policy solutions and technical tools that make it easier for people to reuse and green older buildings in our Sustainable Communities priority, Patrice has demonstrated that she has the vision and leadership skills to take Main Street to new heights.” Frey, a graduate of Scripps College and the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Masters degree in historic preservation with a concentration in Real Estate Design and Development at the Wharton Business School — has been active in the field of preservation, community development, and sustainability for almost 15 years. In her most recent position, she provides thought leadership in the sustainable communities field and has served as lead author on a number of papers and studies, including The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse. “Patrice has shown a strong leadership sense and an ability to connect historic preservation with new and non-traditional partners that we believe will help us shape the future of the Main Street movement,” said Ms. Sidway, in making the announcement. “We were looking for someone who understood the new directions in community revitalization and sustainability, where Main Street has been an important player over the past three decades. In addition, we were seeking a strong leader who possessed the communication, fundraising, finance, and networking skills required to launch a new venture, and we believe we have found those in Patrice.” Frey will meet with the Main Street community at the annual National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans in April, and will join the National Main Street Center staff on May 1. She will lead the National Main Street Center organization from Chicago, where the program began more than three decades ago. Click here to read press release.

Revitalization Expert Storm Cunningham to Kick-off Strategic Planning for Downtown Middlesboro

Storm Cunningham

Middlesboro, Kentucky, March 21, 2013 – Downtown Middlesboro will host internationally recognized revitalization expert Storm Cunningham on April 19 and 20, 2013. Mr. Cunningham is author of the Restoration Economy and ReWealth, and CEO of ReCitizen, L3C.  His website ReCitizen.org is transforming the way people revitalize places by utilizing “crowd” technologies.

Storm will kick off a strategic plan for downtown Middlesboro on Friday, April 19, at 6 p.m. with a one-hour talk at Lincoln Memorial University, in the Math and Science Building Room 100. During his talk and the question and answer session to follow, he will share the potential of crowdmapping (to perceive opportunities), crowdsourcing (to design projects), and crowdfunding (to launch projects) to put tools into the hands of citizens to revitalize their own communities.

The following day, the strategic planning will begin with a community leaders workshop facilitated by Mr. Cunningham. In the following months faculty and students from Lincoln Memorial University School of Business will analyze feedback and conduct additional research to prepare the formal strategic plan. The plan is expected to be completed around September.

Middlesboro will be one of just a few pilots nationally to use the new technology that Mr. Cunningham has developed at ReCitizen.org.  Subsequent to the planning exercise Mr. Cunningham has also agreed to use Middlesboro as an example of successful community-led revitalization efforts nationally.

In addition to using ReCitizen.org in preparation of the strategic plan, upon completion of the plan ReCitizen.org will help with implementation of projects people have identified as priorities for them.

This event is made possible through the generous financial support of the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Other partners include Appalachian Regional Healthcare – Middlesboro, Bell County, Bell County Chamber of Commerce, Bell County Historical Society, City of Middlesboro, Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky League of Cities, Kentucky Main Street Program, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, Lincoln Memorial University, Preservation Kentucky, and TourSEKY.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc.

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.downtownmiddlesboro.org

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Local Communities Benefit from $44,029,000 Generated by Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’s Tourism

Local Communities Benefit from $44,029,000 Generated by Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’s Tourism
Part of $30 Billion Impact Which Supports 252,000 Jobs Nationwide

A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2011 shows that the 828,947 visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park spent $44,029,000.00 in communities surrounding the park. This spending supported 602 jobs in the local area.

Visitors from Barbados learn about Cumberland
Gap during a ranger program.
Courtesy: Cumberland Gap NHP

“With its mosaic of splendid scenery and vistas, rich history, varied recreational opportunities and almost 85 miles of trails, Cumberland Gap is a wonderful place to learn about America’s story,” articulated Park Superintendent Mark Woods. “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the park and then spend time and money enjoying the quality and diverse services provided by our neighboring communities in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia and getting to know this amazing part of the country so proudly known as Appalachia. The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America’s most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state, and national economy.”

The information on Cumberland Gap is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by Michigan State University for the National Park Service. For 2011, that report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide.

Most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent).

To download the report visit www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation, 2011. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia and how the National Park Service works with communities to preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide local recreation opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/kentucky,
www.nps.gov/tennessee or www.nps.gov/virginia.

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.

DDM Announces Acquisition of Elks Home and Other Major Projects at Annual Meeting

Middlesboro, Kentucky, February 21, 2013 – Over sixty people filled a packed room in the Alexander Arthur Museum for the Annual Meeting of Discover Downtown Middlesboro last Thursday night.

President Keith Nagle kicked off the festivities by welcoming the standing room only crowd, and acknowledged special guests including Mayor Bill Kelley as well as several members of City Council in attendance. Officials from the Bell County Chamber of Commerce were also present and recognized.

Mayor Bill Kelley accepting an award for the Middlesboro Street Department
from DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer at the Annual Meeting. Photo credit: Frank Smith.

Three Directors were elected to new three-year terms by the membership. These included Jay Shoffner, Donna Smith, and Penny Smith.

Secretary Carolyn O'Boyle and Treasurer Philip Ball also acknowledged and welcomed guests. It was reported that member contributions to DDM in the previous month have exceeded all of member giving from the previous six years combined. This fact was celebrated by applause from all of those in the audience.

DDM follows the Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization as established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This approach calls for grassroots citizen-led action in the areas of Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring.

Organization chair Donna Smith set the tone for the evening asking everyone in the room to think of “one thing they can do to help the downtown.” She then stated her goal to double the number of DDM members in the year to follow.

Other committee chairs made their presentations too including Promotion Chair, Penny Smith; Economic Restructuring Chair, Larry Grandey; and Design Chair, Jay Shoffner.

Architect James K. Piper, Jr. and Mr. Jon Rollins were both recognized. Their firm GRW, Inc. is one of DDM’s newest members, and the two of them traveled all of the way from Lexington to be present for the meeting.

DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer then addressed the crowd. He too welcomed those in attendance and underscored the importance of the community coming together and how "nights like this matter."

Historical photo of the Elks Home in Middlesboro. Photo credit:  Middlesborough History website.

Kremer began by stating that DDM has acquired the 27,000 square foot Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Home (formerly the old hospital). The building was donated to DDM in December 2012 by lifelong Middlesboro resident Dallas Shackleford. James Madison, Executive Director of the Bell County Historical Society was called forward and presented DDM a check to assist with bringing in a structural engineer to help evaluate the building. This news was greeted with great enthusiasm by the members and guests in attendance.

Kremer reported that DDM expects to be the recipient of a $10,000 grant to assist in the development of a strategic plan for the downtown. A national expert will be brought in to facilitate a weekend workshop in April or May. Dr. Jack McCann, Dean of the Lincoln Memorial University Business School that is a partner in the project spoke briefly about the strong bond between LMU and downtown Middlesboro.

View of the existing Canal Walk with recently installed Tour SEKY sign. Photo Credit: DDM, 2013.

A vision to connect the downtown and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park via an upgraded and expanded Canal Walk was also shared. This walk has the potential to promote tourism, economic development, and to provide a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike. When the audience was asked to raise hands if they supported the concept – the show of support was unanimous.

The meeting was closed by sharing a new Mission Statement for DDM that goes as follows:

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. is a non-profit organization that encourages citizen participation in the revitalization of Cumberland Avenue between 10^th and 24^th Street and several mixed-use walkable blocks to the north and south. We seek to improve the physical appearance of the downtown while maintaining its historic integrity; to retain existing businesses and to attract new ones; and to make downtown Middlesboro the center of the economic, civic, and social life of the Tri-State area.

One final appeal was made for those who are not members already to join. Everyone in attendance was also encouraged to serve on at least one committee. A membership form as well as a volunteer sign-up form are both available on the new Discover Downtown Middlesboro website at:  http://www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. 

President Keith Nagle adjourned the meeting around 7:45pm. Several of those in attendance opted to stay for well over an hour afterwards to enjoy good company, tasty food, and most importantly great conversation about the future of downtown Middlesboro.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc.

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.downtownmiddlesboro.org

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DDM Annual Meeting this Thursday, 2/21 at 7pm

When:Thursday, February 21 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where:Alexander Arthur Museum, 2215 Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965

Join Discover Downtown Middlesboro for our Annual Meeting. We will announce our new mission statement and vision for the downtown. We will also publicly announce several large-scale projects that will have a transformative impact on the downtown in the years to follow. The meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

We also welcome all past and present members of DDM to complete a quick online survey. Responses will help us as we work to further improve our programs and services. Thank you for your feedback in advance.

2013 DDM Member Survey

www.surveymonkey.com

For more information or to become a member, please visit: http://downtownmiddlesboro.org/.

White-Nose Syndrome Confirmed in Bats at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a condition deadly to bats, has now been confirmed at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (NHP) according to Park Superintendent Mark Woods.  Woods details that laboratory histopathology tests on three bats, from three of the park’s more than 30 caves, tested positive for the disease; two of these bats also showed visible signs of WNS.    

White-nose syndrome is known to be transmitted primarily from bat to bat, but spores of Geomyces destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, may be inadvertently carried between caves by humans on clothing, footwear, and caving gear.  White-nose syndrome is not known to affect people, pets, or livestock but is harmful or lethal to hibernating bats, killing 90 percent or more of some species of bats in caves where the fungus has lasted for a year or longer, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

White-nose syndrome was first detected in New York State in 2006 and has killed more than 5.5 million cave-dwelling bats in the eastern third of North America as it has spread south and west.  The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been confirmed in 21 states; white-nose syndrome has been confirmed in 19 states.  It has also been confirmed in four Canadian provinces.  A map of the current spread of white-nose syndrome can be found at http://whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map.

Decontamination procedures to prevent spread of the fungal spores by human beings were adopted more than three years ago as white-nose syndrome was decimating bat populations in the northeast.  Cumberland Gap NHP implemented such procedures years ahead of any actual finding of white-nose syndrome in the park in an effort to delay its arrival and to be fully prepared should it appear.  Visitors on Gap Cave tours were being interviewed before cave tours to see if they had items that had been in other caves or mines since 2006.  If so, they were asked to leave those items out of the cave or if needed, their footwear was decontaminated before tours.  Researchers working in park caves followed current national guidance for decontamination before and after their visits.  Woods explains that “Ranger led tours of the park’s Gap Cave, attended annually by almost 5000 visitors, will continue.”    

Park staff has been working closely with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in cooperation with other federal and Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee state agencies (while the park is located in these three states, most of the caves are located within the Virginia section of the park), universities, and other non-government organizations which have been monitoring the spread of the WNS fungus since first discovered in Bath County, Virginia in February 2009.  Because the fungus grows at temperatures below 70^oF, the hibernation season (November through March) is the best time of year to detect the growth on bats.  This limits the survey areas to the mountainous regions of the state where bats hibernate in caves and mines.  The Lower Powell Valley drainage was the last area in the state where WNS had not been detected.  With the discovery of WNS at Cumberland Gap NHP, the disease has now been observed in all the major mountain drainages of the state.  Virginia’s focus is now on determining the impacts of WNS on the different cave bat species and determining if individuals can persist over time in the face of infection.

Six species of cave-dwelling bats, including the endangered Indiana bat, are found at Cumberland Gap NHP.  All six species are at risk from WNS.  Three species of tree-dwelling bats are also found in the park.  Some bats spend both the summer and winter at Cumberland Gap.  However, other bats are much more mobile, wintering at the park but spending the summer in other areas or vice-versa.  Bats play a crucial role in the environment.  Bats are the only major predator of night-flying insects.  A single big brown bat can eat between 3,000 and 7,000 mosquitos in a night, with large populations of bats consuming thousands of tons of potentially harmful forest and agricultural pests annually.

"The mission of the National Park Service,” spells out Woods “is to preserve natural treasures and to provide a way for people to enjoy them.  Our response to challenges such as white-nose syndrome applies the best available science and research to find the proper balance between those roles, and a sustainable future for our parks."

An eastern pipistrelle bat found at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park shows visible signs of white-nose syndrome. 

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.