Clinch Powell RC&D's 15th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of New Offices.

The Clinch-Powell RC&D held its 15th anniversary celebration on Oct. 21st, 2004 at our new office at the Historic Bryan House in Rutledge. Roughly 150 visitors came to celebrate the event. The ceremony began at 10:30am. Speakers included Congressman Zach Wamp, James Ford, State Conservationist for Tennessee, Jerry Amonett, Director of the Rural Development Field Office in Knoxville, RC&D Board Chairman Dave Lietzke, Barbara Smith, and Sistie and Dr. Bryan Sharpe, the daughter and grandson of Doc Bryan. Afterwards, attendees had the opportunity to walk around the home and learn about the RC&D's plans to make the home into a community center for job and small business training.

David Lietzke, RC&D Chairman remarked, "Today we celebrate 15 Years of Service to our communities in the Clinch-Powell region. Our basic mission remains the same. Build strong communities. Care for people. Protect our natural resources. Thanks to the vision and leadership of dozens of volunteer board members and the countless hours of hard work by volunteers and partnering agencies, Clinch-Powell RC&D is recognized as an organization that gets things done. Where there is a will, there is a way might best describe the attitude of this organization. But perhaps our crowning achievement is that we are still an organization led by volunteers with vision and passion for all the things that are possible when we work together as a region."


Congressman Zach Wamp presents an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Doc Bryan's honor to the RC&D.

Looking back over 15 years, Chairman Lietzke went on to comment on some impressive accomplishments of the Clinch-Powell RC&D Council. Over the past four years, Clinch-Powell RC&D has returned $64 for every $1 of Congressional appropriations. Clinch-Powell RC&D has:

  • touched the lives of 44,000 children with tutoring, service-learning and environmental education
  • restored and protected 20 miles of streams
  • attracted more than $3.5 million in new firefighting gear and equipment to 25 volunteer fire departments
  • attracted $95 million in new investments through the Enterprise Community
  • aided dozens of low income families in their quest for homeownership
  • assisted utility districts to expand public water to hundreds of new homes

Congressman Zach Wamp congratulated the RC&D on 15 years of service to their region and honored the Bryan family for allowing the historic home to be used for the RC&D's community service. He then presented to the RC&D chairman Dave Lietzke an American flag. The Congressman pledged to follow through on issues of concern to the RC&D Council.

James Ford, NRCS State Conservationist recognized the Clinch-Powell RC&D for their accomplishments, particularly those is Agri-Tourism and affordable housing. Mr. Ford described the RC&D as a leader in the state and across the nation.

Jerry Amonett, Rural Development Area Director talked about the value of RC&D as a community service organization that plays an important role in equalizing the disparity of services between urban and rural communities.



The Ceremony was held in the yard on east side of the house.

The Bryan House

The downstairs hallway of the house has been developed into a Hall of Honor for Doc Bryan. Doc Bryan served as a doctor in the Grainger County community from 1927 to 1994 - over 67 years- retiring at age 93. During this time, he delivered 3,424 babies, until he stopped practicing obstetrics in 1968. The RC&D has begun the process of restoring some of the original elements of the house, which had changed drastically over its 135 years existence.

The house was built in 1869 for Michael Goldman, a local merchant and County Clerk from 1865-1872.

Members of the Family of Doc and Mary Bryan. From left Sistie Sharpe, Dr. Bryan Sharpe, Ann Bryan and Mary Jo Cherry.

Doc and Mary Bryan purchased the home in 1937, after it had been abandoned for many years, and lived there for the remainder of their lives. Mary passed away in 2000 at age 90. Doc passed in 2003 at age 102.

Speakers


RC&D Board Member Barbara Smith

Jerry Amonett, Rural Development Regional Director

NRCS State Conservationist James Ford

Dr. Bryan Sharpe

RC&D Chairman Dave Lietzke

Sistie Sharpe

Renovations

While Doc Bryan had kept the house in good shape,the home has not been renovated since 1937 and needed work if it was to become a community center and business office.

The RC&D has worked to renovate the home over the last 8 weeks. Renovations included rewiring the home, plaster repair, bathroom renovation, removing carpet and refinishing the wood floors, replacing all the plumbing, adding a handicap accessible restroom and converting the garage into a kitchen.

Clinch-Powell Construction Company served as contractor for the inside renovations. A combination of subcontractors, construction workers, volunteers, board members and staff provided the labor for construction and interiors.

Staff member Ronald Lambert applies wood siding to the newly renovated Kichten.

Board Members Cherry Acuff and Barbara Smith prune bushes in front of the house.

Opal Waller (above), a volunteer and Erin Evans (right), a staff member, made all the drapes for the 17 windows.

Rick McGuire and Mike Jordan hang ceiling tiles.

Candy Barbee paints the trim in the new kitchen.

Our new office sign is installed.

Board Chair Dave Lietzke pressure washes the front walkway.

The Doc Bryan Hall of Honor is open to the public during normal business hours. The Conference room can be reserved at 865-828-5927. Visitors are welcome!


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