McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Nine: Issue One xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx January 2024

Accepting Summer Internship Applications Now

Calling college students! Are you studying a field associated with natural resources management, environmental science, or construction and looking for a summer internship? If so, we welcome you to apply for our six-week paid internship sponsored by a local foundation.

This past summer, our interns built a popular boardwalk, and next summer they will tackle another similar project. They will also work on invasives removal and other grounds improvements. We incorporate field trips and visits with many professionals working in the fields of our interns' career interests.

To apply, students should email a cover letter and resume to Paul Ensminger at ensming@comcast.net by January 15.

Front Driveway Restoration

A memorial established in memory of Joe Robbins, Sr. is funding the restoration of the front driveway of the Bachman McCoy House. After studying historic photos, oak leaf hydrangeas have been selected to recreate the continuous border. Paul Lang, of Lang-Scapes, sourced and is tending the dozens of shrubs until we can plant them this winter. The bed preparation began in the fall by a committee led by Beth Myers, Audrey Workman, and Andy Jones. The tedious process of removing ivy, bittersweet, and many other weeds is well underway thanks to the leaders and Caroline Woerner, Mary Jane Dominick, and Tony Wheeler. If you are interested in helping with this gratifying and important restoration project, please contact Beth at bethmyers05@yahoo.com. Their next workday will be Saturday, January 20, at 10 AM.

Photos of the Bachman McCoy home from the 1940s (above) and 1980s (below) informed the selection of plants for the current driveway restoration. The pyramidal-shaped trees seen in the black-and-white photo are the majestic sweetgum trees we enjoy today.

Rob Johnson Selected as Event Director

We are pleased to introduce Rob Johnson as our new Event Director. A mountain native, Rob has many years of experience in the wedding and event business and has served on our event team since 2021, most recently as Event Facilities Manager.

McCoy offers a unique blend of historic and natural beauty for weddings, church gatherings, company parties, baby showers, retirement, birthday, and anniversary parties, and celebrations of life. From elegant and sophisticated weddings to a fun and festive company picnic, Rob is looking forward to working with renters to help them create memories at McCoy. You may reach him at 423-661-1474 or rob@mccoywalden.org to schedule a tour and start planning your next celebration.

Winter Apple Orchard Care

If you are interested in helping with winter pruning of the APPLE TREES, please join us on Saturday, January 20 at 9:00 AM in the orchard. Call Karen Stone at 423-886-4568 or email karenstone@waldenhouse.com for more information.

If you have no experience but would like to learn about caring for very old apple trees, you are welcome. Please wear work gloves and come dressed appropriately for the weather.

Annual Fund Thank You

We extend hearty appreciation to all our generous annual fund supporters. Together we will continue to restore and improve the buildings and grounds and further develop programming in 2024. As a result of your generosity with your financial gifts and volunteering, we have fulfilled Martha McCoy's charge for the property to serve "as an arboretum, a park, and for recreational purposes" to a degree that almost certainly exceeds her expectations.

Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens

at events@mccoywalden.org

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

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

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.