PH audience treated to music, glimpse into past

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Pleasant Hill's first mayor, Professor Warren Wheeler (Al Dwenger), welcomes all to the Steve Boyce concert "A Love Affair with History."

February 20, 2012

By Jean Clark Chronicle contributor The Crossville Chronicle Mon Feb 20, 2012, 01:43 PM CST

Last week’s audience at the Steve Boyce concert was not only treated to scintillating vocal music, but also a glimpse into Pleasant Hill’s past.

Pleasant Hill’s present mayor, Al Dwenger, as Professor Warren Wheeler, welcomed everyone to “A Love Affair with History.” Wheeler was not only the first mayor of Pleasant Hill, but also Pleasant Hill Academy principal and pastor of the First Congregational Church of Pleasant Hill (now Pleasant Hill Community Church, UCC). In addition to those duties, Wheeler was the superintendent of schools for all of Cumberland County. It is interesting that both the first and the present mayors are ordained ministers.

Other visitors from the past at the concert were Leola and Bill Boyce, Steve’s mother and father, and Dr. May Wharton, who invited everyone to “afternoon tea” during the concert intermission. Pioneer Museum curator Sharon Weibel carried on a conversation with Leola Boyce about conditions in her early years as nurse helper with Doctor May. Tables of artifacts from those early years were set up in Boyce Hall of the Church.

The present Pleasant Hill Mayor, Al Dwenger, presided over the February town council with its modern-day problems. I suspect that many of the tribulations plaguing today’s Pleasant Hill council are probably not much different than those that Mayor Wheeler had to deal with. A town hall heating system, lightning strikes that ruined the garage light fixtures, improvements in the town cemeteries, praise for exceptional teachers at the school, town road conditions, stray dogs, loose chickens and pigs, the Pleasant Hill Post Office and how to enforce town ordinances occupied the council’s attention.

A bright note in the reports lifted up the Pleasant Hill Spring Festival to be held May 5 on the grounds of the Pleasant Hill Community House. A planning committee is hard at work, chaired by Ziggy Stampfl. Many other volunteers besides the committee members will be needed. The council will provide a list of jobs where help will be needed at the next meeting. Keep the date open and be prepared for music, fun, raffles, games, crafts, food and a bounce house, surprises and fun for all.

As it appeared that lightning took out the garage lights and heating unit, the town’s insurance paid for all but $800 for the cost of replacing some. Appreciation was expressed to Bob Ahrendt for the two small bridges put in place to keep mourner’s feet dry during funerals or visits at the “new” cemetery. The town will patch holes on Church St. until that section can be repaved after the Community Church expansion. The enforcement of the town ordinances will be explored with the county sheriff and a lawyer.

***

Pleasant Hill Elementary School teachers recently cast votes for their Teacher of the Year candidates for the county. Dr. Ina Maxwell was selected in the lower grades, and Mrs. Brandy Lowe in the upper grades. The entire PHS family is very proud of these two extraordinary teachers who teach daily with great enthusiasm.

Lady Hornet dances were held at different times Feb. 10 for all grades. The yearbook staff sold beanie babies as a yearbook fundraiser, delivering them with appropriate notes on Valentine’s Day. Students enjoyed a long weekend from Feb. 17-20 because of an in-service staff development day and Presidents’ Day observance. PHS student Micah Abner, who is the Cumberland County spelling bee champion, will compete in the 2012 News Sentinel Southern Appalachian Regional Spelling Bee March 10 at the UT campus. This is the fourth year in a row that a PHS student won first place in the county spelling bee.

Now that the basketball season has ended, volleyball begins the week of Feb. 20. The second annual Lady Hornet Cornhole Tournament will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the school. All classes are observing Black History month with appropriate activities throughout February. It is fitting that this month’s Continuity of Character Word is “respect” – show tolerance and empathy.

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