McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Nine: Issue Four xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx April 2024

Emma Bell Miles Open House & Walking Tour

On Sunday, April 14th, we will host our monthly docent-led tour of the McCoy House which will feature information on the life and works of Emma Bell Miles. The House will be open from 2pm until 4pm with a guided walking tour leaving the front porch on the half hour to the site of the Bell family home where Emma lived as a child and in her early marriage. The remains of their home's foundation are near the northeast corner of the property, almost visible from Anderson Pike and just off of the Main Loop along the aptly named Emma Bell Miles Trail.

In addition to McCoy's Gaston collection of Emma Bell Miles art, many privately held pieces will be loaned and displayed for the day.

Emma Bell Miles lived a fascinating but short life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly on Walden’s Ridge. She became a self-taught naturalist through her explorations all over the mountain. An author and artist as well, many of her works grace the walls of the Bachman McCoy house. Visitors can tour the house, view works of art, and speak with docents about the life and impact of Emma.

Reproduction prints of select Emma Bell Miles paintings will be available for sale along with other McCoy merchandise.

Second Annual McCoy Egg Roll

The Second Annual Egg Roll was held on Sunday, March 24 with an estimated 800 people in attendance. More than a dozen of our canine friends joined the first McCoy Mutts Easter Parade to the delight of the crowd. Special thanks to Community Events Co-Chairs, Mary Catherine O’Kelley and Annette Wildman, and board member Anne Leonard for planning the fun event.

Weed Wrangle Success

Over 30 people turned out on a misty March morning for Weed Wrangle Chattanooga. The goal of this annual, volunteer-led Chattanooga area event is to reclaim our public parks and spaces from invasive plants. Participants included Signal Mountain Middle High School students, Hamilton County Master Gardeners, and Walden’s Ridge residents. The group cleared a large area of honeysuckle, privet, burning bush, and English ivy northeast of the House along the stone "serpentine" wall. This area will be replanted with native and non-invasive ornamental plants as part of our new woodland garden.

We appreciate everyone who came out to participate and are amazed at how much we accomplished in a single morning! We particularly want to thank teacher Riki-Lynne Willmon, the Beta Club, and other Signal Mountain Middle High School students for their enthusiasm and hard work.

SMMHS teacher Riki-Lynne Willmon recruited many of her students to volunteer at the March 2 Weed Wrangle.

Students loaded container after container of pulled ivy and other invasive plants to prepare the area for our new woodland garden.

Eagle Scout and SMMHS student Caleb Quisenberry used a weed wrench to pull privet out by the roots.

Community Event Co-Chairs Annette Wildman, left, and Mary Catherine O'Kelley, right, our first Volunteers of the Month, install part of the Egg Roll Obstacle Course for the second annual event.

The Board of McCoy Farm & Gardens is grateful to have this dynamic duo taking our community events to new heights.

From left to right, Mary Catherine O'Kelley, Annette Wildman, and McCoy board member Anne Leonard plan the next community event.

Volunteer Spotlight

McCoy Farm & Gardens is fortunate to have two outstanding women in charge of our community events. In 2023, Mary Catherine O’Kelley and Annette Wildman, in addition to continuing to serve on the McCoy House Committee, took on the added responsibilities of planning and overseeing annual public events such as the McCoy Egg Roll, Memorial Day Picnic, the holiday Tree Lighting, and last year’s Fiddles & Vittles. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and energy inspire us all.

Mary Catherine says, “The fun of volunteering at McCoy is getting to know the other volunteers who are dedicated to sharing this beautiful space with our community. The Egg Roll was a great example of how much folks in Walden, and beyond, enjoy coming to McCoy and appreciate this wonderful piece of our heritage.”

Before Annette made her way to the House Committee and co-chairing Community Events, she rolled up her sleeves and helped prepare the barn for restoration. She says, “Upon retiring from my job at Signal Crest, I was looking for somewhere to volunteer. My first volunteer work at McCoy was helping with the barn cleanout. I enjoyed it so much that I knew I had found my place.”

Important Dates Coming Up

Emma Bell Miles Open House and Walking Tour, Sunday, April 14 from 2-4pm. Guided walks to the original location of the Bell home begin on the half hour from the front porch. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor conditions.

Next Driveway Planting, Saturday, April 20 at 9am. For more information, contact Beth Myers at bethmyers05@yahoo.com.

Our next Docent Orientation will be held on Monday, April 29 at 1pm in the McCoy House. Anyone interested in serving as a docent is invited to attend. Contact Anne Hayes Pearce annehayespearce@yahoo.com for more information.

Join us on Saturday, May 4th at 8am for the Spring Migratory Bird Walk led by Kevin Calhoon, the Assistant Curator of Forests at the Tennessee Aquarium. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Welcome Station at the parking lot.

Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteers are essential to McCoy Farm & Gardens.

When you sign up, tell us about how you'd like to help. Volunteer opportunities include: Grounds, House, Gardens, Communications, History, Events, and Administration. If you don't see your particular interest, tell us how you'd like to volunteer. Sign up below to receive information about regular volunteer days and events.

The next Docent training will take place in April, so do not miss out on that if you are interested!

Interested in Scheduling an Event?

Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens

at rob@mccoywalden.org

to learn more about renting space at McCoy for your next event.

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Donate Today

Or mail your check to McCoy Farm & Gardens, P.O. Box 443, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

We are now able to receive your contribution of securities.

If you would like to support McCoy in this tax-advantaged way,

please contact our office at

423-598-1658.

McCoy Farm & Gardens is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All contributions are charitable and tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.

McCoy Farm & Gardens covers 38 acres and features the Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings including the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop. The perimeter walking trail is 1.1 miles.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Karen Stone newsletter@mccoywalden.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mickey Robbins, President

Joe Davis, Vice President

Larson Mick, Secretary

Leanna Jones, Treasurer

Linda Collins, Grants

Elizabeth Hamilton, Gardens

Andy Jones, Grounds

Anne Leonard, House

Anne Hayes Pearce, Volunteers

Susan Snow, Policy