A town with a past ...

City of Summerville

...a city with a future.

Farm Day provides glimpse of yesteryear

By Nell W. Farrar

               Crowds from northwest Georgia and across the country gathered at J. R.“Dick”Dowdy Park in Summerville on June 6th for the sixth annual Down Home Farm Day.  Organized by the Summerville Better Hometown Program, the event entertained at least 300 children and hosted all ages with an estimated 1200 people in attendance.  With the arrival of the historic #610 Baldwin Steam locomotive from the Tennessee Valley Railroad, another 140 tourists from Chattanooga and across the country poured into town and were greeted by the heritage event.

               Depicting scenes of farm life in the 20^th Century, Down Home Farm Day filled the creek-side park with scenes of yesteryear.  Exhibits were both fun and educational and included tractors, farm animals, honeybees and more.

               Antique tractors were a favorite of men and little boys. Some youngsters delighted in sitting in the driver’s seat just for fun. Billy C. Goforth brought a 1946 A FarmAll and a 1948 G Allis Chalmers.  Even older, a 1939 F 14 FarmAll was brought by Melvin Dawson along with a 1945 John Deere. Ronnie Winters shared his all steel FarmAll with the event and Jerry Braden brought a1962 D17 Allis Chalmers.

               In the afternoon, the tractors cranked up and took a lap around the park for the annual tractor parade.

               Added to the tractor exhibit was a collection of antique hit-and-miss engines brought by Burl McFry. The small motors were used to power gristmills, generators, saws or whatever electric motors are used for today. They were beautifully restored and fully operational.

               Another interesting machine was the antique Companion treadle-powered scroll saw and wood lathe which was brought and operated by Bill Moll. Detailed carvings and wood shapes were made and given to onlookers.

               Once again, farm animals were provided by members and leaders of the Chattooga County 4-H Club. Cows, sheep, and one lazy pig were exhibited. Chattooga County Agent Rebecca Brewer Thomas also represented RBT Farms and shared her knowledge with the crowds. The 4- H tent was the favorite gathering spot for teens and supervised by Program Assistant Susan Locklear. 

               The historic Hutchins Farm of Chattooga County delighted many children who were able to pet the bottle-fed calf and pigmy goats brought by Angela Hutchins and her daughter.

               Summerville Boy Scout Troop #7 started the morning early with a campfire and Dutch oven cooking. Free samples of biscuits, sausage, stew, and fruit cobbler were provided throughout the day. Scout Master Steven Driggers along with Committee Chairman Randy McDonald and Committee Member Debbie Driggers led the effort with scouts who had earned the rank to cook. Other scouts assisted by making homemade ice cream in the afternoon. Boys participating in the Down Home Farm Day cookout included Ryan McDonald, Benji McDonald, Mason Driggers, Dillon Thorson, John Fiolich, Logan Walker and Bode Brooks.

               Children’s games were once again organized and sponsored by the Chattooga County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. Tabatha Fowler, office manager for Farm Bureau, along with the women’s committee spread the games beside Town Creek for events such as the sack race and the three-legged race.  Mother Goose, Marilyn Davis, read stories to children.  A favorite spot was the wading pool where children could pick up colorful toy ducks.

               Under the shade of an old oak tree, the blacksmith stood.  At a distance from the burning coals, crowds gathered and watched as Dallas Williams practiced his skills forming hot metal into useful objects.  Other blacksmiths in attendance were Gene Hass, Mike Brown and Robert Whitt.

               A sweet addition to Down Home Farm Day was the honeybee exhibit manned by Leonard Barrett with the assistance of Phillip Barrett.  A live honeybee frame was behind glass so all could view the very the busy bees. Philip enjoyed placing his finger on a space where the bees could “tickle” it.  Numerous people were educated about the life of the honeybee and how to start and mange a hive.  Honey straws were freely provided as well as recipes and bee facts.

               Chattooga County’s own “Mr. Bluebird,” Derrell Rush, educated folks about attracting bluebirds and building bluebird houses or boxes.  Rush offered kits to complete as well as the finished houses for these small birds that “carry the sky on their back.”

               An added surprise this year was the exhibit of a prize winning Walker fox hound by J.R. Hicks.  On the farm many years ago, this breed was used to chase gray foxes which were then put in the corn crib to rid it of rodents.

               Domestic heritage arts included basket weaving with lessons throughout the day provided by Kay Worsham and Joyce Myers.  Butter churning was attempted by volunteers of the Better Hometown committee as many old timers stopped by the give advice. Antiques added to the ambience and were provided by Sarah John Durham and Frances Stewart with the assistance of Clara Warren.

Antique and hand hammered jewelry was offered by Sherry Helton.

               In addition to the free food offered by the boy scouts, other food favorites from the past filled the park. Corn on the cob, barbecued ribs and sandwiches, rib eye steak sandwiches, and fresh squeezed lemonade were sold by local vendors and clubs.

               Bluegrass, country and gospel music filled the park with sound provided by Joseph Crowe.  A quartet was formed by Tony Campbell, Dennis Greene, Howard Hughes and Dave Hoitt.  Recognition of the day being the 65^th anniversary of D-Day and all United States veterans was led by Tony Campbell.           

               History lessons were provided at the Summerville Better Hometown tent with historic preservation fact sheets from the National Register of Historic Places.  Downtown Summerville is eligible for listing in this register. Old photos of the Chattooga County Courthouse during the 1930’s were displayed along with facts about the building which will celebrate its centennial anniversary this September.  Information was provided about the Better Hometown Program and about the Chattooga County Historical Society.

               At the conclusion of the day, Better Hometown volunteers presented original Down Home Farm Day white and blue bandanas to thank all participants and workers.  Organizers of the event were the Summerville Better Hometown Board of Directors including Andrea Hall Hayes, Bill Moll, Gail Rush, and Nell Farrar plus community leaders including Rebecca Thomas and Tabatha Fowler.

               For further information about the Summerville Better Hometown Program or Down Home Farm Day, contact 706-857-4317 or visit www.summervillega.org.

120 Georgia Avenue - P.O. Box 180 - Summerville, Georgia  30747

City Hall Phone: 706-859-0900

ctysvillega@windstream.net