NOTES – 1984

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 17: PUBLICATIONS PMSS
Notes 1984
Spring and Fall

NOTES – 1984

“Notes from the Pine Mountain Settlement School”
Spring and Fall 1984

GALLERY: NOTES – 1984 Spring

As I was writing a letter to gratefully acknowledge [a 91-year-old gentleman’s] gift I noted that he has given to Pine Mountain every year for the past 67 years! – James Urquhart

TAGS: Notes 1984 Spring, drawings, Sammy Fong, Joseph Fort Newton, photographs, Laurel House, fundraising suppers, Harlan Boys Choir, Berea College Country Dancers, youth country dance group, workshops, costume parties, West Wind, snow party, playground, PMSS needs

TRANSCRIPTION: NOTES – 1984 Spring

P. 1

NOTES FROM THE
PINE MOUNTAIN
SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

PINE MOUNTAIN * HARLAN COUNTY * KENTUCKY 40810
Telephone: 606 / 558-4361

SPRING              James Urquhart, Director               1984

[Image: Creech Cabin, “Sketch by SAMMY FONG, Intern Spring 1984″]

WHEN IS A MAN EDUCATED?                     Joseph Fort Newton

“When he can look out upon the Universe — now lucid and lovely, now dark and terrible — with a sense of his own littleness in the great scheme of things, and yet have unfaltering faith and courage.

When he knows how to make friends and keep them and when he can keep friends with himself.

When he can be high-minded amid the drudgeries of life.

When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something besides mud, and into the face of the most forlorn mortal and see something beyond sin.

When he knows how to live, how to love, how to hope, how to pray — glad to live and not afraid to die, in his hands a sword for evil, and in his heart a bit of lifting song.”

P. 2

Community at Pine Mountain

Pine Mountain community people have put on two suppers at Laurel House serving over 400, to raise funds for a new community center to replace Burkham. More are planned!
[Image: Photograph of community members at work in Laurel House.]

The Harlan Boys Choir annual concert and retreat at Pine Mountain. The choir donated their proceeds this year to aid in replacing Burkham.
[Image: Photograph of Harlan Boys Choir singing in the Chapel.]

The Berea College Country Dancers participated in Pine Mountain community life with several workshops with local youth and adults. Out of these workshops has started a youth country dance group already grown to 35 members.
[Image: Photograph of students performing a country dance.]

“Thanks a lot for opening up your Pine Mountain to us and sharing your community and yourselves with the Country Dancers (Berea)” — a student

P. 3

Many community children and adults joined the fun of Halloween, Christmas and Valentine costume parties held at West Wind this winter.
[Image: Photograph of two children in costume.]

The staff took time out during one snowfall to have a winter sledding and skiing party with hot chocolate ending the day.
[Images: Two photographs of staff activities on a snowy day.]

Together community children explore the worlds of water and play.
[Images: Two photographs of children playing.]

“…but there is beauty in learning here. Every waking moment spent at Pine Mountain is a learning experience.” – a student

P. 4

There are many special needs at Pine Mountain. Many of you, as longtime friends of Pine Mountain, have people resources and business contacts not directly available to Pine Mountain Settlement School. With this in mind I am presenting a list of special items which you may be able to help us acquire. If you have an idea or the item itself, or a means to help us get the item, please contact me at 606-558-4361, or write Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY 40810.

–New 15-passenger (or more) van for our Environmental Education program. The current 1973 Dodge Sportsman Van is wearing out and is no longer dependable except on very short trips.

–Backhoe with front end loader. We currently have to borrow from neighbors, and the installation of the water distribution system and other physical plant improvements create an ever-increasing need. 

–Video equipment — VCR camera and playback equipment. There are many outstanding resource people involved in the ongoing Pine Mountain program, and we would like to be able to record them for future teaching opportunities.

–Synchronized slide-tape equipment — to be used both in fundraising activities and teaching.

–A number of belt first aid kits to use on trail walks.

–A piano dolley suitable for the grand piano in Laurel House. — West Wind renovation needs. As we attempt to modernize our dorm and bring it up to safety and plumbing codes, we need plumbing supplies (sinks and modular shower stalls), electrical wiring and lighting, as well as sponsors for individual room renovations. Each room will cost about $500-$1000 for new beds (we are making them), hand-woven rugs (we are weaving them), curtains, and wall repairs and lighting. We would welcome your sponsorship. We also need pictures and anecdotes of life at Pine Mountain Settlement School for use on the walls throughout the dorm.

–Floor looms in good repair for our classes with school and community groups, as well as weaving supplies and yarns.

–Hand tools as well as power tools for both maintenance, 4-H and continuing education classes.

–Heavy duty air compressor.

–Electric typewriter.

–Modern kitchen equipment such as commercial sinks, rinsing faucet apparatus, walk-in cooler.

–Riding lawnmower.

–Plowing equipment in working order for use with a horse.

These gifts are tax deductible, but should be thought of as over-and-above your regular contribution which helps run our on-going programs.

P. 5

A SPECIAL INVITATION

Message from the Director

As Pine Mountain Settlement School begins its 71st year of community service and [commitment] to the standard of educational excellence established by our founders, we are increasingly aware of the great trust we place in your support, care, and concern through your contributions. This creative relationship was highlighted recently by the receipt of a contribution from a gentleman celebrating his 91st birthday later this spring. As I was writing a letter to gratefully acknowledge his gift I noted that he has given to Pine Mountain every year for the past 67 years! It is just this sort of total [commitment] which enables Pine Mountain to meet the challenges before us. Each day brings new demands, new challenges, and your financial support allows us to meet them head on. Help us meet the challenge and renew our strength in this spring season as we work to heighten environmental awareness and offer new opportunity for mountain students, young and old, through continuing education and service.

☆

Your contributions are tax deductible

[Image: Small sketch of two pine trees in a mountainous landscape.]

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Wildflower Weekend  April 13-15, 1984
Black Mountain Weekend  May 4-6, 1984
Alumni Work Weekend  May 25-28, 1984
Edible Plants Workshop  June 15-17, 1984
Elderhostel  July 15-21, 1984
Medicinal Plants Workshop  August 3-5, 1984
Homecoming  August 11-12, 1984
Fall Color Weekend  October 19-21, 1984
Nativity Play  December 16, 1984

GALLERY: NOTES – 1984 Fall

…[W]hat makes our [Environmental Education] program unique are the staff, who bring to the program their excitement, and help to convey a sense of wonder in each of the lessons they teach.

TAGS: Notes 1984 Fall, Environmental Education, photographs, drawings, Asbel Browning, Mary Waid, “Griz” Miller, Afton Garrison, Sarah Bailey

TRANSCRIPTION: NOTES – 1984 Fall

P. 1

NOTES FROM THE
PINE MOUNTAIN
SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

PINE MOUNTAIN * HARLAN COUNTY * KENTUCKY 40810
Telephone: 606 / 558-4361

FALL            James Urquhart, Director            1984

“TO BE USED FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES AS LONG AS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES STANDS. HOPIN’ IT MAY MAKE A BRIGHT AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AFTER I’M DEAD AND GONE.”

Pine Mountain Settlement School has, since 1972, had an environmental education center here on campus. What impact has it had in the past 12 years? How is it carrying on the legacy that William Creech left to Pine Mountain?

Believing that education for the future must instill in people an awareness of the complete interdependence of all aspects of the natural world and the need for stewardship of this earth and all its systems, including humanity, Pine Mountain environmental education center uses educational strategies to help people of all ages realize their ties to air, water, soil, rocks, plants and animals, as well as civilizations.

[Images: Small sketches of Mary Rogers.]

In essence all of Pine [Mountain] Settlement School staff have worked to make our environmental education program an all-encompassing concept, that includes not only scientific subjects such as trees, birds, conservation, and recycling, but also social studies, art and humanities, music, story telling, Appalachian heritage, mountain crafts, and history. The program works to bring in local craftspersons, storytellers and other persons of expertise who live nearby. But what makes our program unique are the staff, who bring to the program their excitement, and help to convey a sense of wonder in each of the lessons they teach.

P. 2

[Image: Photograph of Browning demonstrating chair bottoming to students.]
It’s Asbel Browning passing on the skill of chair bottoming to students.

[Image: Photograph of a group of students engaged in an activity.]
It’s Mary Waid exciting children to the wonders of Fall.
Photo courtesy of the Harlan Daily Enterprise.

[Images: Handwritten phrase: “How do we live in the dea…?”; Sketch of a group of people.]

It’s “Griz” Miller…stand the fragile…

“This is a settlement school — a community in which [people work together, eat together; a community dedicated to educating each person to become more aware of his or her environment, internal as well as external. Each day is sacred, whereas on the outside only Sunday is sacred. — from a journal of a Pine Mountain student.

P. 3

…helping people under…nature of existence.
[Image: Sketch of a standing man and a seated woman writing.]

[Image: Photograph of Garrison demonstrating use of a vintage tool.]
It’s Afton Garrison using board riving to excite young and old in the learning of how early settlers existed in our mountains.

[Image: Photograph of Sarah Bailey at a spinning wheel.]
It’s community person Sarah Bailey sharing her skills with us.

P. 4

A SPECIAL INVITATION

Pine Mountain Settlement School is continuing to move ahead in its commitment to the people of southeastern Kentucky. As we seek to find more ways in which to be effective and further our standard of excellence in environmental education and community service we find that increasing costs remain a significant item on the agenda. Buildings that are service worn, replacement of our water distribution system, expense to maintain and enhance a quality staff and increased demand for extended community education and service all place a significant burden on the general budget. Pine Mountain has a vital role to play in this region. We intend to play that role, and with your financial support we can make a difference.

Please join us and accept the challenge to give opportunity to mountain students young and old, who might also make a difference.

✩

Your contributions are tax deductible

[Images: Small sketch of two pine trees in a mountainous landscape.]

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Harlan Boys Choir Christmas Concert  Dec. 2, 1984
Nativity Play  Dec. 16, 1984
January Term  Jan. 3-30, 1985
Winter Botany Weekend  Feb. 8-10, 1985
Elderhostel  March 3-9, 1985
Plant Photography Weekend  April 12-14, 1985
Wildflower Weekend  April 19-21, 1985
Black Mountain Wildflower Weekend  May 3-5, 1985
[Alumni] Work Weekend  May 24-27, 1985
Edible Plants Workshop  May 31-June 2, 1985
Appalachian Family Week  July 7-13, 1985
Elderhostel  July 14-21, 1985

Previous:
NOTES – 1983
Next:
NOTES – 1985

See Also:
HISTORY PMSS Summary 1983-1984
HISTORY PMSS Summary 1984-1985

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NOTES Index