THE VALLEY VOICE

The Snow...OH...The Snow

2007-02-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

We finally got the snow. Here in Tennessee we don't get a lot of snow so it is a treat to wake up in the morning and peer out the door to the freshly fallen snow. The snow will not stay for long. It appears for a brief moment in time and then the tempature climbs high enough to melt it away pretty quickly.

The kids have been enjoying the snow and have found an old plastic sled in the barn that they share with one another for those bone chilling rides down the hills. It is such joy to see their rosey red faces complete with ear-to-ear smiles as they come into the house to warm up for a minute and then head back out for some more fun.

The camp is located in a valley (thus "Valley View") so it is always a challenge, during snow fall, to get off of the property. The exit of the camp is a wicked upward slope so getting onto the road presents its own adventure. Then there is the climb, on the road itself, out of the valley. Tennessee is NOT prepared to clear the roads when the snow falls. They try to stay ahead of the snowfall and spray brine on the roadways which allows for quicker melting. If the weather forcast is incorrect...welll...you get snow-packed roads...period. But...it is Tennessee and like I said the snow doesn't stay around long.

I am starting to get cabin fever already. Give me the warm weather and bring on the campers!

First Lady of Valley View Camp

2007-01-03T23:04:00.000-05:00

I just couldn't resist. I want to share with you a couple of members of our Valley View family. The lovely lady on the left is The First Lady of Valley View Camp and the love of my life, Dana. The precious lady on the right is my first-born pride, Alyssa. I really admire these two fabulous women with all my being.

Dana and I will celebrate 19 years of marriage in April this year. I still think of her as my high school babe! She continues to make me 'puff-up' with pride when she hangs on my arm. I love to show her off in public! I mean, come on, why me? Well, I don't really care "why" I am just glad she said "yes" to my proposal way back then and that she has been by my side for the last 19 years!!

Alyssa is 16 now. She drives, she has a job, she is pretty much "Ms. Independent"! I am so proud of her. She always floors me with how kind, respectful, and brilliant she is! Her heart is tremendous and she loves God. What more could a father want? Alyssa's beauty is indescribable. Most guys are intimidated by her beauty and her brains (and sometimes intimidated by daddy). There is no doubt, in this proud daddy's mind, that she will succeed in anything she sets her heart and mind to do. If you ever get the privilege to spend time with Alyssa you will be blessed.

I will be posting more pictures of the rest of the family. Oh yes, there is more. I know this blog is about Valley View Camp and it is. Trust me when I say "If it wasn't for my family...I couldn't do what I do here at Valley View".

Till next time,

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

We are wishing you all a very Happy New Year! We are so excited about what God has in store for Valley View Camp this year. We are awaiting His blessing.

A Bit of History

2006-12-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

Here are a few interesting pics from the early 1970's. Can you name any/all of the people in these pictures? I personally know just a couple of these people and I recognize a few from old church directories. Please comment if you can put names with these faces. Have fun.

I believe that these photos were taken during a dedication ceremony at Valley View Christian Camp. If anyone can remember this day and the events and people of the day, please share with the rest of us. I have a few more older photos I may be able to put up at a later date.

Eagle Scout Project - "The Grill"

2006-12-15T16:50:00.000-05:00

Grilling hamburgers and hot dogs at Valley View Camp used to be done on multiple grilling sources. We have gone through several different charcoal type grills in order to accomplish this feat year after year, group after group. We still have a couple of rusted out remnants of what used to be very nice Weber charcoal grills sitting in the old barn. They really don't last long when your cooking up a meal for 100 people several times a week all summer long.

The Boy Scouts identified the need for a more permanent and substantial outdoor grilling area and met that need in style. This rather large charcoal grilling monster has served many groups over the past couple of years and with the added roof structure it should be around for many years to come. It takes no time at all to grill up a killer batch of burgers and dogs and clean-up is a breeze! I am getting cabin fever already and my stomach is growling just thinking about the next cookout.

I have done a little more research into the troop numbers and so far I have confirmation of one particular troop that has been involved in several of these projects here at Valley View Camp. Troop #74 from the Madison Church of Christ should be sending some pictures soon of their involvement here. Hey guys, grab a Boy Scout and say "Thanks" when you see them.

Eagle Scout Project - "The Entrance"

2006-12-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

Valley View Camp (current location) has been in operation since the early 70's. I am not for sure on the exact installation date for this sign, but I know that it stood at the entrance of the camp for many years. Please make note of the the size of the pine tree behind the sign. The photograph that follows will show you the growth the tree has had since then. This sign was crafted by a skilled workman and was no doubt a welcomed addition to the camp at that time. Through the years the weather had taken its toll on this sign and it became apparent that a new updated entrance to the camp was needed. The Boy Scouts, under the direction of Ron Nimmo (camp board member), took on the challenge and used the new entrance as an Eagle Scout project.

I believe that this entrance may have actually counted as two different Eagle Scout projects. The new sign, and landscaping around it, were completed as one Eagle Scout project a couple of years ago. This last year the Boy Scouts elongated the landscaping and added the Flag pole, complete with flag and proper lighting, which was used as the second Eagle Scout project. The Boy Scouts have been such a blessing to this facility!

To Those Who Give

2006-12-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

There are so many people who have been a part of Valley View Camp. I want to take some time and use this Blog to highlight some of those people/organizations that have helped bring VVC to where it is today. Of course there are pictures to take or find and then the blogs to write so I will have something creative to do while the weather is cold.

I think I will start with the Boy scouts. Wow, what a fine group of tremendous young men, and their leaders, who have so unselfishly given their time, talent, and resources to add great elements to our facilities. I really don't remember the troop name and number (I will have to research this and get back to you) but they are associated with the Madison Church of Christ.

There have been several projects that the boy scouts have completed here at VVC. I want to highlight the projects, that I know about, in which the troop has completed in order to help a fellow Boyscout earn his Eagle Scout status.

Look for upcoming posts for info and pictures of these projects.
Keith

A Fall Look At The Lake

2006-12-07T20:31:00.000-05:00

Winter Time...SOON!

2006-12-07T20:15:00.000-05:00

Boy it sure does feel like winter already down here in the valley! We awoke this morning to snow flurries and the kids wondering if school was going to be cancelled or not. There wasn't quite enough snow on the ground to keep those big heavy buses from making their rounds so off to school they went and I wasn't looking forward to being outside in that brisk wind today.

We have been battling water issues this month...go figure. The well has been shut down for the season, and drained, so we are operating only on the Spring system. We have shut off the water supply to the camp and are only servicing water to the house. BUT...we seem to be losing water somewhere. Every other morning, or so, for the past couple of weeks we have been waking up to NO WATER! The ladies of the house have learned to store water the night before, just in case, so at least we can sponge bathe and brush teeth to start the day. I usually have to wait several hours for the Spring tank to become full enough before I can reset the float and once again pump water to the house. I have been walking the grounds and poking the grounds trying to find a soft/wet spot that would indicate a leak...no progress yet.

We still live on the most beautiful 68 acres of land in Tennessee...so we don't complain...we make do. I am hopeful for some warmer weather so that I can locate this nagging leak! If any of you know how to find water leaks I would be forever grateful for any advice!

Until next time,
Keith