TAGS: PMSS publications, Notes from the Pine Mountain Settlement School, Notes 1997 Spring, fundraising

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NOTES – 1997 Spring

[WINTER issue is missing]

GALLERY

“…[I]n this issue of our Notes we want to mention a few of the members of Uncle William’s family who have helped, and are helping, his dreams, his hopes for Pine Mountain Settlement School, and his dedication to the good of this community, live on.“

TRANSCRIPTION: NOTES – 1997 Spring

P. 1

PINE MOUNTAIN
SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

PINE MOUNTAIN * HARLAN  COUNTY * KENTUCKY
Telephone: 606-558-3571

Spring            Mildred Mahoney, Acting Director         1997

[Photograph]
Uncle William
and
Aunt Sal Creech
on their
50th Wedding Anniversary
(1916)

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Pine Mountain Settlement School, from its beginning, has had a part in the realization of Uncle William’s hopes for a “bright and intelligent people.”

Uncle William’s own wisdom and practical ideas, together with Aunt Sal’s pioneer skills and common sense, were merged with the aspirations of Katherine Pettit and Ethel DeLong as Pine Mountain Settlement School was established. Their adult children helped enlist community support — labor, logs and money — as the School was established. Their grandchildren were among the students, and some returned as staff members, to be part of the life and work during succeeding periods in the School’s history.

Uncle William’s words have served as a “statement of purpose” for Pine Mountain Settlement School, and have guided our choices as program decisions have been made over the years. We have occasionally reported evidence of individual bright, intelligent and caring persons who have been influenced by their Pine Mountain experience. We can’t begin to name the many individuals from the Creech family, from the Pine Mountain and Southeastern Kentucky neighborhoods, and from “far places,” who have been part of the Pine Mountain story. Nevertheless, in this issue of our Notes we want to mention a few of the members of Uncle William’s family who have helped, and are helping, his dreams, his hopes for Pine Mountain Settlement School, and his dedication to the good of this community, live on.

Henry C. Creech, a lifelong Pine Mountain community resident, wrote letters for his father, escorted visitors over the mountain, raised neighborhood money for, and helped to construct, the first PMSS buildings. In 1949, when the boarding high school program gave way to a consolidation of one-room schoolhouses into the Pine Mountain elementary school, he worked with Harlan County officials, PMSS staff, and educators at Berea College. He was elected to the PMSS Advisory Board, and then became the first Creech to be elected a Pine Mountain Trustee, continuing his support until his death in 1960.

[Photograph: “Henry C. Creech”]

Today great-grandchildren of William and Sally Creech are taking their part in the life of Pine Mountain Settlement School and Pine Mountain community, as helpful neighbors, teachers, school bus drivers, leaders in the Northside Community Council, the Pine Mountain Clinic Committee, the Pine Mountain Fire Department, and the effort to insure a safe and adequate water system. In the traditional Pine Mountain Christmas Nativity Play they help to decorate the chapel, take part in the pageant, sing in the angel choir, and welcome guests to the Laurel House reception.

P. 3

Debra Callahan, a Creech great-granddaughter, is our capable and resourceful office secretary. Paul Leach, a great-grandson who is a microbiologist with Procter and Gamble, secured donations of computer equipment for PMSS, and regularly spends work holidays keeping it updated and functioning.

[Photograph: A man and woman sitting at a desk with a computer]

Sue Parrott, another great-granddaughter, is the PMSS staff member involved with community projects, such as helping the Homemakers’ Club with quilt-making.

[Photograph: A group of people, standing and working on a quilt.]

Kermit Creech, Jr. who as a PMSS student portrayed Uncle William in an anniversary pageant, was the second Creech, and the second local community resident, to be elected to the Board of Trustees. He is a leader in the Pine Mountain community, a minister serving the church that his grandfather helped start, and a work crew leader at the electrical cooperative serving Pine Mountain. Early in his term as Trustee, Kermit was asked to lead the devotions that start every Board meeting. His text was Biblical, and his talk focused on the many people-workers, students, visitors, supporters, friends near and far, who have a role in shaping Pine Mountain. All these people have contributed time, energy, thought, prayers, encouragement, suggestions and money to the School because they believed in its sense of mission to reach beyond this community to help others.

Aunt Sal once referred to the Pine Mountain students as “all Uncle William’s little children.” Today Pine Mountain alumni, neighbors, and distant friends work hand in hand with the Creech kin. In reality, all are members of the Pine Mountain family, sharing the proud heritage, and commitment to the good of the community, which motivated Uncle William and Aunt Sal. All these people have been touched by an old man’s craving for his people to do better. Their accomplishments, sense of purpose, and service bring credit to the School, its programs, its supporters and workers all of those who have come before.

It was surprising to the present-day staff to learn recently that Pine Mountain is on the Internet (with two entries, under Bledsoe, KY). How amazed Uncle William and Aunt Sal would be, but how well today’s generation of Pine Mountain people fulfill Uncle William’s statement:

“We want to teach them books and agriculture and machinery and all kind’s of labor and to learn them to live up as good American citizens….. to be a help to the poor and to the generations unborn.”

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A year ago an architect’s sketch of the planned Far House appeared in our Notes. We’re delighted to feature a photo of our new pre-cut log house in this issue. It’s on the site of the first Far House, and seems at home in that spot. We must find additional funds to complete the interior and furnish this beautiful building, as well as to continue our regular PMSS program services. Once again we are asking our faithful donors to help as generously as possible. Thank you so much!

In the spirit of Pine Mountain,
[Signed] William M. Leach
William M. Leach, Pine Mountain Trustee

[Photograph: Far House II]

Calendar of Events 1997

Wildflower Weekend April 18-20, 199
Black Mountain Weekend May 2-4, 1997
Elderhostel June 15-21, 1997
1949-71 School Reunion July 5, 1997
Homecoming August 9, 1997
Fair Day September 6, 1997
Elderhostel September 7-13, 1997
Fall Color Weekend October 17-19, 1997
Nativity Play December 14, 1997

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Previous:
NOTES – 1997 Winter [missing]

Next:
NOTES – 1997 Summer and Fall

See Also:
HISTORY PMSS Summary 1996-1997
HISTORY PMSS Summary 1997-1998

Return To:
NOTES Index