By: KEITH STRANGE / Staff Writer, Coalfield Progress
August 29, 2008
Sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s, a small group of World War II veterans did what many young men their age do — they stood on the corner of Norton’s Park Avenue and 7th Street and decided they were bored.
“We came back from the war and were sort of adrift,” one of those men, Jack Hatcher, said during a Wednesday phone interview from his Tennessee home. “We wanted to have a good time, so we started having parties.”
That fateful day on the corner, the Texas Club was formed.
Called the Texas Club because all of the founding members had served in Texas during the war, the group grew over time.
“As time went by, we started getting married, getting jobs and going to college, but we always kept the club intact,” Hatcher said. “We always got together every year or two to have a party.”
With other veterans, wives and children welcomed into the group, the ranks soon swelled to a gathering of 150-200 people at the event. They came from around the nation to attend the Friday-Sunday parties.
“These were good people having good, clean fun,” Hatcher said. “There was a bond among us folks.”
And much of that bond revolved around a place many of the group remembered well — the High Knob observation tower.
“As we were teenagers and young men growing up in the shadow of High Knob, we used to hike and camp up there and it became a very special place for us,” Hatcher said. “Our group revolved around High Knob.”
When he heard that the tower was destroyed by arson on Halloween 2007, his heart sank.
“I just couldn’t imagine it was gone, and the only thing I could think of for several days was that High Knob tower must be rebuilt,” he said.
Hatcher decided to turn to those he knows best.
Wanting to do something tangible, he called on the members of the Texas Club for donations toward the effort.
“It means so much to our members, I got the idea that I could collect money and send it toward the rebuilding effort.”
So far, he has sent out letters to 200 members and former members, and has raised about $800.
With a goal of raising $2,000, he is hoping some of his friends in Wise County will join in the effort.
He has set a Sept. 9 deadline to receive donations, and has set up an account at his home bank in Nashville to accept donations.
“We’re hoping that some people will remember the club and the good times we had at High Knob and open their hearts and wallets,” Hatcher said.
Anyone wishing to make donations can make checks payable to The Texas Club.
Donations may be sent to Jack C. Hatcher, 2124 Fairfax Ave., Condo 205, Nashville, Tenn. 37212. Donations received so far range from $25-$100, but Hatcher said every penny will help. For more information, call Hatcher at 615/383-8333.
“I want everyone to know that every penny collected will be sent to the rebuilding effort,” he said. “That place is so special to us that we don’t want to take anything away from getting the tower rebuilt.”
His voice got quiet.
“To us, it was an icon that meant something,” Hatcher said. “I don’t know whether we’ll ever be able to have another party or not, but we can rebuild the tower so future young men can enjoy it.”
Friday, August 29, 2008
Help needed on High Knob effort
By: KEITH STRANGE / Staff Writer, Coalfield Progress
August 29, 2008
NORTON — Ask anyone in the county how they feel about the High Knob tower and you’re likely to get the same answer:
“What a shame it was destroyed. I hope they can build it back.”
But organizers say now is the time the “they” in that sentence becomes “we.”
Fundraising committee chairman Rita McReynolds said a notice earlier this week that a six-figure donation from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority will not be happening has seriously hurt efforts to raise the necessary $572,000 to rebuild the tower.
To date, $63,000 has been donated toward the rebuilding effort, she said.
“We were really, really hoping and praying from a very large donation from VCEDA,” she said Tuesday. “Finding out that they wouldn’t be able to give us any money was very disappointing.”
State budget cuts have made it impossible for the organization to donate to the effort, McReynolds said. “They still fully support the project and wanted to donate, but they just don’t have the money right now.”
It’s time for the public to put its money where its mouth is, she said.
“All we hear is how everyone wants to see the tower rebuilt,” McReynolds said. “Now is the time for them to step up and make their donations.
“The High Knob tower belongs to us,” she added. “It is the people’s tower and we need the people in order to rebuild it.”
She noted that federal officials have pledged some funding, but the money for the effort needs to be on hand before the government gets involved with enhancement efforts at the tower site.
Although she is still seeking corporate donations, McReynolds said that without individual donations, it is unlikely the tower will be built.
“Every penny helps,” she pleaded. “Please donate even if it’s $5 or $10.”
WHERE TO SEND MONEY
McReynolds noted that confusion about where to send in donations could have kept some people from donating.
She said organizers of the rebuilding effort have secured 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the federal government, allowing checks to be written to the organization.
Anyone wishing to donate to the rebuilding effort can make their checks payable to the High Knob Enhancement Corporation, P.O. Box 125, 16542 Russell Street, St. Paul, Va., 24283.
“Please help us,” McReynolds said. “If you remember special moments on High Knob, if you liked to go up there and hike or just liked having the tower there, help us rebuild it.
“I’m not disappointed with the money we have now, but now is the time for everyone to step forward,” she added.
August 29, 2008
NORTON — Ask anyone in the county how they feel about the High Knob tower and you’re likely to get the same answer:
“What a shame it was destroyed. I hope they can build it back.”
But organizers say now is the time the “they” in that sentence becomes “we.”
Fundraising committee chairman Rita McReynolds said a notice earlier this week that a six-figure donation from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority will not be happening has seriously hurt efforts to raise the necessary $572,000 to rebuild the tower.
To date, $63,000 has been donated toward the rebuilding effort, she said.
“We were really, really hoping and praying from a very large donation from VCEDA,” she said Tuesday. “Finding out that they wouldn’t be able to give us any money was very disappointing.”
State budget cuts have made it impossible for the organization to donate to the effort, McReynolds said. “They still fully support the project and wanted to donate, but they just don’t have the money right now.”
It’s time for the public to put its money where its mouth is, she said.
“All we hear is how everyone wants to see the tower rebuilt,” McReynolds said. “Now is the time for them to step up and make their donations.
“The High Knob tower belongs to us,” she added. “It is the people’s tower and we need the people in order to rebuild it.”
She noted that federal officials have pledged some funding, but the money for the effort needs to be on hand before the government gets involved with enhancement efforts at the tower site.
Although she is still seeking corporate donations, McReynolds said that without individual donations, it is unlikely the tower will be built.
“Every penny helps,” she pleaded. “Please donate even if it’s $5 or $10.”
WHERE TO SEND MONEY
McReynolds noted that confusion about where to send in donations could have kept some people from donating.
She said organizers of the rebuilding effort have secured 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the federal government, allowing checks to be written to the organization.
Anyone wishing to donate to the rebuilding effort can make their checks payable to the High Knob Enhancement Corporation, P.O. Box 125, 16542 Russell Street, St. Paul, Va., 24283.
“Please help us,” McReynolds said. “If you remember special moments on High Knob, if you liked to go up there and hike or just liked having the tower there, help us rebuild it.
“I’m not disappointed with the money we have now, but now is the time for everyone to step forward,” she added.
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