Kathy Baker, GRI Tennessee Realtor

We here in Fentress County Tennessee are blessed to have a dedicated group of tireless volunteers who rescue and rehabilitate abandoned and neglected cats and dogs, with the emphasis on dogs. As a group, they are known as The Best Friends Sanctuary, a 5013C organization based in Jamestown Tennessee. Donna Kiser, a retired administrative assistant with the Marathon Corp. is the 2005 President elect. She loves her work, but states it is the single most stressful job she has ever had! She is never-the-less, devoted to helping these neglected and abandoned animals. Her husband Ken in her words, is a "wonderful and supportive partner." Over the last 2 1/2 years, more than 1,600 dogs have been rescued. This endeavour would not have been possible without the help of many local volunteers and community support, in the way of food, equipment, fostering and cash donations.

The first few months of Donna's tenure at Best Friends was harrowing. She was running from Knoxville to Nashville taking 1-2 pups at a time, to the Tn. Valley Humane Society and The Humane Society respectively. Although these organizations were tremendously helpful, they simply did not have the capacity to take the volume of animals needing to be housed and adopted. Donna had run out of options; there was no where to take all of these animals, and there became just too many to keep up.

Donna said the Lord worked a miracle for her in April of 2006, when she met a man in Daytona Beach at a NASCAR event. Just so happened he had recently opened a no-kill shelter in Ohio. Since April of 2006, over 2,010 dogs from Fentress County have been sent to Ohio for adoption. This no-kill facility accepts dogs from Best Friends Sanctuary that are 5 years or younger, no more than 50 lbs. They must be well behaved, non biters and non aggressive. The dogs must all be healthy and have health certificates before transporting. Donna cautions, that Best Friends is not a dumping ground for unwanted pets. She encourages all pet owners to be responsible and spay or neuter animals, to prevent anymore unwanted animals from being turned out into the street.

Another need of Best Friends are foster parents. Best Friends owns a small transport van and space is precious. While some dogs are being moved, others must wait. Foster parents are desperately needed to feed and house these dogs while they await transport to Ohio. Foster parents who can provide a safe haven from the elements, food, love, and can handle teaching basic skills, such as walking quietly on a leash and not jumping, are welcome to contact Best Friends for details on how they can help. 931 752-8817.

Locally, Veterinarians Dr. Cindy Johnson and Dr. Jack Upchurch provide discounted spay and neuter services. Without their services, Best Friends could not operate.

Each year in September, Best Friends Sanctuary hosts a horse show at East Fork Stables in Jamestown. 2010 will be the 5th year for this event. Concession stands are all staffed by volunteers and there are always adorable puppies ready to be adopted. This show has quickly become a crowd favorite, and all proceeds fund the continuing work of this great organization. Best Friends Sanctuary asks that if you own a cat or dog, PLEASE have your pet spayed or neutered and don't forget to come out to the show Sept. 11!!!

This is a wonderful love story. It began 41 years ago at the George Hotel, Stamford Lincolnshire England. Reg was a certified master chef at this famous hotel, and Julia provided guest services. Julia and Reg spent one day and one night together, and the rest is history. They were no children, their entire lives have been devoted to the hospitality industry and to each other.

Reginald Clinton Johnson, born in 1946 to Linda Freeman from England, and Kenneth Johnson from Moodyville Tennessee. Reg's parents divorced shortly after the end of the war. Reg never knew his father, as he was "in the womb" when his father's unit was sent back to the U.S. following the war; his mother remained in England. Many years later, Reg attended an event celebrating the 40 year end of the war, held in Peterborough in the Fenlands of England. As fate would have it, Reg met a man who knew his father, and knew how to find him. 3-4 months following the celebration, this same man contacted Reg with his father's phone number and a picture. Reg and his father spoke for the first time.

It was a wonderful reunion 25 years ago, the tears flowed and the relationship blossomed between father and son. Reg's father and step mother, along with 9 step brothers and sisters still live in the Oak Ridge area of Tennessee.

Julia and Reg at Home

Julia and Reg have lived together since 1965, they married in 1970 and emigrated from England in 1985. In 1990, they purchased an Inn in Jamestown Tennessee, that they renamed the Wildwood Lodge. According to Julia, it was a bit decrepit, so they began to rebuild. They now have a beautiful 10 room lodge, all rooms are individual and unique, each with it's own separate bath. Reg built the beautiful library/sitting room stocked with books, cozy stuffed sofas and other creature comforts. He was a wonderful self taught carpenter, and got great satisfaction out of accomplishing something on his own. Julia claims that Reg was the most determined man she had ever met, he would not start anything that he could not finish. He even taught himself the art of whittling, and sold many of his creations at craft shows.

Julia and Reg enjoyed their lives together. They loved to dance, enjoy great food and wines and entertaining guests. Reg as a master chef, specialized in the cuisine of atleast 5 countries. Julia says Reg particulary enjoyed cooking foods of the orient. Reg was never pretentious or boastful of his culinary skills, Julia was always talking him up. In her words, "I was always pumping up his attributes, he was an amazingly accomplished man"

It is the 3rd anniversary of Reg's passing. This beautiful garden is a tribute to Reg's life. Julia says "it is a thing of beauty and he was a beautiful man" "He was kind and thoughtful and had the ability to see the good in everything and in everyone."

This garden is a labor of love. The spring and summer bulbs were donated by friends and family. The annuals are renewed by keeping the seedheads and using the following years. This beautiful tribute to this "beautiful man" is in it's full summer glory now!! Come and visit The Wildwood Lodge & Stables, in The Big South Fork, Jamestown Tennessee.

Innkeepers Julia and her sister Clare, are wonderful and funloving hosts, they will charm you with their dry English wit, and they will make you feel right at home. Call for reservations at 931 879-9454. The lodge with it's 10 private rooms are available, as are separate cabins and an immaculate and well-laid stable for your horses. Come visit The Wildwood Lodge and Stables in the heart of The Big South Fork, Jamestown Tennessee. Tell Julia and Clare that Kathy sent you!

This is the 4th annual Fentress County Pleasure and Games Horse Show, sponsored by the Fentress County Fair Association. Class sponsors pay for ribbons, trophies and gift baskets. There are gaited and non-gaited classes, english and western, barrels and games. This show is created for the local pleasure and trail riders. There is a huge contingent of trail and pleasure horses in the area. We have plenty of rated horse shows here at the Fairgrounds in Jamestown, but this one is for fun!

My friend Donna Farmer is the Chair woman of this great event. Donna has a volunteer committee of 15, but there is always a need for more! Each year Donna and her committee choose a charity and accept donations on it's behalf. This year they selected The American Cancer Society.

Two of our local beauty queens awarding the blue ribbon and trophy to our Pairs winners.

Judge Bradley Bottoms and our ringmaster at the secretary's stand. Judge Bottoms is a 3rd generation walking horse trainer, who operates Bottoms Stables in Crossville Tennessee. At this point. our judge is trying to retain his cool. It feels like it is 100 degrees outside, and it is about 11:00 pm. He is now judging the waterglass contest. Yes, fill up a glass with a blue liquid, ask for any type of gait at any speed (usually fast), and see who ends up with the most water left in the glass. This year it was very close!

In addition to all of the fun classes, Judge Bottoms also had the opportunity to use his skills to judge regular classes. Here is the winner of the Adult Pleasure class. Beautiful horse, with his talented rider. Winners of the blue ribbon, trophy and gift basket (which weighed a ton)

At the secretary's stand are my husband Kevin with our Pastor, Jason Kerr, and Barry Farmer, committee member...and yes ladies, that is our Pastor!

A great time was had by all. Many local business people were involved in this show. Tina Brown, a local salon owner and her kids showed, Anthony, owner of the Truck and Tractor shop in town supplied the barrels and poles, our announcer, Todd Burnett, is a general sessions court judge here in Fentress County, and a long time breeder of quality Tennessee Walking horses. The Allred family, owners of Saddle Brook Stables here in town, were also part of the fun.

For more information on the area, call Kathy first!

I asked Mike Archambault if he worked at Cedar Creek Cattle Company, his response was, "I am Cedar Creek Cattle Company". Within his ranch, located in Clarkrange Tennessee, he has established the New Beginnings Youth Ranch for high risk kids. Mike believes that in these troubled times, virtually all kids are high risk. He has a group of local kids, as well as 8 from another youth ranch, that are involved in his East Tennessee youth and yearling mustang challenge.

I met up with Mike this past week at a horse show in town. He had brought with him, 9 of 19 mustang yearlings, that he had bought from the BLM, or Bureau of Land Management. These horses are all tattooed, and come from Nevada. Mike had spent only 2 weeks with them, and had gotten them in halters, which I found amazing. He said none had ever been handled, and that they were completely wild when they arrived at the ranch.

Mike tells me that he bought these horses for a 90 day mustang youth challenge, to be held here in the Jamestown area of Tennessee. He says he has had many nay-sayers who have called him downright crazy. Why you say??? Well, Mike wants to pair up these wild horses with 19 at risk youth, with little to no, horse knowledge. These kids will be gentling these horses, teaching them manners, and ground handling skills. They will then show their horses and demonstrate the skills they have taught them. The best all around will win great prizes. and be able to keep their horse if they choose.

But back to the beginning...Mike says people were telling him he was crazy and frankly, Mike questiond his own sanity. So, being a Christian man, he set a bucket, up side down out in the paddock with these 19 untamed youngsters, sat down and started to pray. He was startled when one of these yearlings came out of now where, and licked him on the cheek. Mike felt that this was his validation.

The horses arrived at Cedar Creek on July 18, the youth challenge is Oct. 10, to be held at East Fork Stables, here in Jamestown. All the horses have been paired with their "handlers" and the work has begun.

Horses have an uncanny ability to mirror behavior, both good and bad. Treat them fairly and they will respond favorably, treat them unkindly and they will resist. Life's lessons for these kids, on how to show kindness, patience, grace and understanding. All part of the process of getting along in this world. Horses are wonderful teachers.

New beginnings is a Christian based organization, offering hope, life's lessons, and values that these at risk youth will carry with them for a lifetime.

For more information, to visit the ranch, or donate your time for this worthy cause, call Mike at (931) 260-1650. You can also check out New Beginnings on line at www.newbeginningsyouthranch.com.

Ask for Mike and tell him Kathy sent you!

Welcome to Spruce Creek Stables and Campground in the heart of The Big South Fork, Jamestown Tennessee!!

Meet my neighbors, and your hosts, Pam and Gary. This great couple has owned and operated Spruce Creek Stables and Campground since 2004. It located in the Spruce Creek Subdivision, on 4 beautiful acres. Pam and Gary pride themselves on their southern hospitality, and it has served them well. Most all of their customers are repeat visitors. As Gary says, "customers come here as friends and leave as family". Hey, who wouldn't love a home away from home, where your hosts "leave the light on." These are fun people to hang out with, come and visit soon!!!

There are 9 campsites that can accomodate any size rigs. Every campsite has a dump station and 220 with 30 and 50 amp service. Direct and Dish satellite are also available, if you bring your own box from home.

The bath house is centrally located on the property, and is sparkling clean. There is one for ladies and one for men.

Bunkhouse

If you prefer the comfort of a bunkhouse, or perhaps you have additional guests that can not be accomodated in your rig; Pam and Gary have just completed this terrifiic bunk house in the barn. It has heat and air, and sleeps 4. The bunkhouse rents for $45.00/night

Another view of campsites with electric meters. Campsites rent for $20.00/night and there are also 4 - 10x10 portable corrals available for your horses, if you prefer them over the stalls. They rent for $5.00/night

The barn has 12 - 10x10 stalls, each with it's own fan and water bucket. It is set up with shavings for your arrival. If you require more bedding, shavings are available for $4.00/bag. Stalls rent for $10.00/night.

Spruce Creek Stables and Campground is located directly across the street from one of the 5 trailheads in Spruce Creek. They all lead right into the Big South Fork, where you can ride 125,000 acres of breathtaking trails.

Autumn is coming along with all of it's fall color, so make sure you book your reservations now.

Spruce Creek Stables and Campground is located at 532 Evergreen Lane in the Spruce Creek Subdivision. You can reach Pam or Gary at (931) 879-5328. Come see what you have been missing, I promise it will be worth the trip. Tell Pam and Gary that Kathy sent you!