Memories of Obed -- Previous Speakers

Below, is a list of previous Memories of Obed speakers. We hope you'll join us for the next one.

 
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Dr. Liane Russell

Dr. Liane Russell, geneticist & conservation pioneer

Dr. Russell shared memories of the earliest days of fighting to preserve the Obed's spectacular gorges from a planned dam-building project. Dr. Russell also shared the stories behind the initial efforts to preserve the Obed and the Big South Fork as units of the National Park System.

 
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Tanner's Cafe
Nick Tanner, long-time Wartburg resident and second generation owner of Tanner's Café, Sundries & Antiques.

Memories to be shared include childhood adventures at Potter's Falls, fishing adventures on the Emory and Obed Rivers, raccoon hunting, and log cabin construction.
 
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Michael R. O'Neal

Mr. Sonny Human & Judge Mike Davis, long-time residents of the area.

Memories to be shared include logging in the park area, fishing and hunting, and life in general along the Obed River in years gone by.
 
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Bill Harper, chemist
William Lyle Harper, long-time Wartburg resident, World War II veteran, & retired Oak Ridge chemist

He will spend time sharing memories that will include a glimpse of life in Wartburg, during the1940s, childhood adventures at Potters Falls, school times, experiences during wartime and his professional career as a chemist for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
 
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Early image of Wartburg
George Dagley, Jr., hometown local and World War II veteran

Mr. Dagley is the son of George Dagley, Sr., who was the Morgan County mayor during the 1930s. Memories to be shared include a glimpse of life in Wartburg, during the 1930s, including childhood adventures at Potters Falls, school times and his experiences during wartime.
 
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Dick Gammage, and Grimes Slaughter
Oak Ridge National Lab chemist, Dick Gammage, & retired Oak Ridge National Lab nuclear physicist, Grimes Slaughter.

These long-time friends were among the earliest whitewater paddlers who ventured down the streams in the area that is currently known as the Obed Wild and Scenic River. During their river trips, they discovered the beauty, ruggedness and solitude of the Obed river system which helped them escape the demands from their professional livelihoods.

Mr. Slaughter, and Mr. Gammage will share their experiences with the grassroots efforts to preserve this river system. They will also discuss some of the earliest whitewater boating trips down the park's streams and how early kayakers fabricated fiberglass kayaks from their own homes. Tales of adventures and misadventures that resulted from challenging serious whitewater rapids in a $20 rubber canoe, braving snow storms and paddling the river in flood stage will also be shared.
 
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Image of damage from the the Flood of 1929
Leo Nelson

Mr. Nelson has lived for almost 100 years in the immediate vicinity of Nemo Bridge. Stories to be shared include working as a night watchman for the railroad at Nemo, an account of the once-bustling community of Catoosa, and first hand memories of the great Flood of 1929.
 
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Roy and Juanita Guinn (and daughter) paddle a canoe along a section of the Obed Wild & Scenic River, circa 1974.

From the collection of Juanita Guinn

Roy & Juanita Guinn

Last updated: May 28, 2015

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 429
Wartburg, TN 37887

Phone:

423 346-6294

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