Copyright © 2006 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

By Jeannine McKamey
Grace Point ETE Correspondent

Grace Point in winter ... no sounds of children’s splashes, no echoes of campfire songs. Seemingly, the place is asleep. But listen carefully and you likely will hear other intriguing life sounds emerging from the sepia-toned fields, waterways and woods.

Familiar with the call of the southern leopard? No, not the famed “panther” of Southern Appalachian lore. This noisemaker is one of several varieties of calling frogs identified at Grace Point in an extensive wildlife and tree species inventory that is part of the recently completed “Land Management Plan for Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center.” Requested by the diocese and prepared by members of a UT Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Planning class, the 50-page study examines the teeming wildlife, lush forests and recreational opportunities of the retreat center. The plan team makes recommendations for the best use of these and other resources in meeting Grace Point’s missions of recreation and education for children and adults.

The Rev. A.D. “Bo” Lewis, Grace Point’s director, said the study “pretty much backs up what we’ve already been doing in terms of preservation and has some good suggestions for the future,” and that the inventories of trees, birds, frogs and other wildlife “show that our environment is healthy.”

Trees

Oaks rule throughout the 255 forested acres, but a total of 30 tree species can be observed for educational opportunities. They range from American beech, dominant in the “understory” of the forest, to the 115-foot red oaks that soar above other “overstory” trees. The least dominant species overall is the hickory, but persistent arborists can find several varieties including mockernut, pignut and shagbark. In season, flowering trees such as dogwood and southern magnolia accent the greenery. The study suggests placing identification markers at the trees near the tree house area on the Lodge Trail.

Also recommended is a self-guided tour brochure paired with color and number coded signs identifying forest cover and wildlife habitats along trails.

Wildlife

Observations were made February through May, 2006, and located wildlife by sight, sound or sign. The students recommend continuing study to provide more extensive sampling and surveys throughout the year.

Mammals: White-tailed deer are are easily spotted throughout the area. For the past three years, Grace Point has been planting oats and wheat in previously eroded areas, including the Deer Draw Trail. “That has really attracted the deer. We’ve got a real game plot up there,” said Lewis. “We’ll also follow other recommendations for wildlife enhancement.”

Wild coyotes prowl Grace Point. This native of the American West has extended its range over most of the East during the past 20 years. The students and Grace Point staff have observed tracks and other evidence, including scat, of this elusive predator.

Eastern gray squirrels are the third group of mammals who make good use of the center’s natural environment.

Birds: Surveys conducted during winter months recorded 20 species, and a May “breeding season” survey documented 32 species. Judging by 2006 observations, visitors this winter can expect sightings of wild turkeys, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, eastern bluebirds, northern cardinals and many more in addition to the well-known population of wood ducks. (This population has grown so much that there are now seven wood duck houses around the pond, several contributed by members of St. Thomas, Knoxville.)

Birds that flew in for spring nesting included tufted titmice, Cooper’s hawks, scarlet tanagers and blue-gray gnatcatchers.

Amphibians: Cope’s gray tree frogs, pickerel frogs, spring peepers and deep-throated American bullfrogs are among the seven species of amphibians to be heard calling from their watery habitats.

Lewis said that in addition to those animals noted in the study, staff and visitors also have spotted raccoons, possums, ground hogs, rabbits and red foxes, and seen evidence of bobcats.

Recreation

Trails: Currently, between three and five miles of trails exist at the center; the plan team proposes adding another two miles. They suggest the area near the duck pond as a “very good” location for a self-guided wildflower trail. A trail brochure could list wildflowers by season, habitat type and peak season and could include a color photo identification guide. Trailhead signs are recommended, and some of those already are in place at the center. New trails that loop back to their starting point also are encouraged by the planners.

One trail improvement recommendation already has been partially accomplished, Lewis reported. “They said we should reroute the Deer Draw Trail because of erosion. We have done that with the first part, which essentially ran along a creek bed. But we’ll leave the second part as is because it has the most interesting array of wildflowers of any of the trails.” He said people can still hike the old top half of Deer Draw, “but I tell them to wear suitable footgear.”

Tyler Deierhoi, a member of the board’s Environmental Preservation Committee, concurs with Lewis about the chronic muddy conditions on that trail section. But, he added, “the others seem in good shape and are pretty user friendly. I’m not an experienced hiker, and in fact I’ve had two hip replacements, but I would recommend Grace Point hiking to most people.”

The plan suggests having printed trail maps available for hikers. At the present time, a PDF map may be downloaded from the diocesan Grace Point home page at etdiocese.net/gracepoint/.

Shelter: A lean-to shelter modeled after those on the Appalachian Trail could be constructed near the duck pond with an adjacent stone fire ring, the plan says.

Fishing pier: While a small dock already exists on the lakeshore, serious anglers and others will like the plan’s suggested construction of a fishing pier to “allow kids to experience nature firsthand.” The cost of the pier is estimated at between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on size. “This is a good idea, but may be way down the line because of cost. And the one we have now is very serviceable,” Lewis commented.

Other objectives

The plan’s recommendations will be subject to board decision and financial constraints. Other suggestions:

• Make trails handicapped-accessible by adhering to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, even though as a privately held property, Grace Point is not required to do so.
• Enhance the center’s aesthetic appearance by placing telephone and power lines underground.
• Have an ongoing education program about the environment.
• Preserve the land for future generations.

Camp and Retreat Center availability

Did you know anyone may reserve facilities for their use at Grace Point, the camp and retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee?

In addition to events such as vestry and youth group retreats, Grace Point has hosted study and hobby groups, family weekends and day meetings.

Grace Point overlooks Watts Bar Lake near Kingston, Tenn. Nearly 270 acres of woods, hills, fields and two miles of shoreline offer plenty of space for activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, games, sports, reflection, meditation and worship.

Rates are as follows:

• Diocesan/parish groups, day rate: $50 minimum for 10 or fewer guests; $5 for each additional guest. Overnight: $20 per person, per night, with a minimum fee of $160 per group. Full payment is due upon departure.
• Non-diocesan/private groups, day rate: $50 minimum for five or fewer guests; $10 for each additional guest. Overnight: $30 per person, per night, with a minimum fee of $240 per group. Full payment is due upon departure.
• Rate for diocesan youth events/parish youth groups in the diocese, overnight: $10 per person per night. Full payment is due upon departure.

A $50 deposit is required within 10 business days of making a reservation.

To make your reservation, contact Rosemary Davenport at rdavenport@etdiocese.net. or 865-966-2110.

Grace Point pages on the Web include more facilities information and directions to the camp and retreat center: etdiocese.net/gracepoint/index.php

Retreat House welcomes Peace Fellowship members

More than a dozen members of Episcopal Peace Fellowship chapters based at St. Joseph, Sevierville, and St. James, Knoxville, met at Grace Point on Nov. 10-11 to talk about their mission and goals and to get to know one another.

Friday night, as they discussed the resolution passed at the 2004 diocesan convention to support the Millennium Development Goals, they talked about ways in which their members might support this work around the diocese. Russ Henley of St. Joseph’s led the discussion, and on Saturday morning she reviewed the results for those who had stayed overnight and for members of the diocesan Peace and Justice Commission who had arrived that morning.

Four ideas had surfaced: to inventory what parishes are doing toward the MDGs; to send EPF members to assist parishes in learning about causes of poverty and ways to address it; to encourage parishes to mark the ecumenically celebrated Peace Sunday each year in early November; and to continue a presence at diocesan convention through an exhibit and other means.

Commission members shared their excitement about the convention’s focus on “grace and peace” in its theme, and how the convention planning committee was weaving those elements into the worship and business of the convention.

In a morning reflection, those present in turn took a candle and lit it, describing those blessings for which they gave thanks. “I’m thankful for these little candles and for the light they show,” said Kitty Manscill of St. Joseph’s, “and that we’re getting this light to go out around the world.”

Later, Commission and diocesan staff members who were present withdrew to continue their work on the “peace” aspect of convention plans. The two groups rejoined for lunch and conversation before adjourning the meeting.

For more about Episcopal Peace Fellowship in this diocese or for a link to the Web site of the churchwide organization, please go to etdiocese.net/meetings/EPF.php.

The woods at night

By Michael Keene
Grace Point Summer Camps Director

Until last summer, youth campers at Grace Point have stayed in the “Commons” – two stories high, essentially without windows in the sleeping areas. Boys were on one floor, girls on the other, and all were on folding cots.

My overwhelming memory of those nights is the sounds. To be in the Commons at any time in the summer is to hear the continuous roaring of several big window-unit air conditioners, all night and all day, nonstop. Once in a while a brave counselor or summer camp director would try to turn the things off, or at least away from the “frigid/roar” level, only to be overridden by everyone else in the room. All night every night, we had the roar of those machines.

All that began to change last summer, with the completion of the first “tree house,” logically identified by its location, snuggled up in the trees. There are two of them now, so this summer the boys will get one and the girls the other.

Each has lots and lots of windows, porches on each end, great bathroom facilities and even ceiling fans! Last summer we didn’t turn the air conditioning on in that first tree house until late July. The rest of the time, what the campers heard was the sounds the woods make at night – creepers, peepers, croakers, scritchers, strange thumps, the wind (!), birds, the occasional tree limb falling – the whole glorious nighttime choir.

Today too many of us have lost our sense for night sounds. At my new house we hear the cars going through the intersection out front. Rarely do we hear those great train whistles from down the hill or the mules across the street, and in two months I have yet to hear any night bird calls at all.

But starting this summer, when you or your child come to Grace Point for summer camp, you’ll be in the woods at night, with all the sights, sounds and smells the Creator fills the world with, over and over again, night after night, world without end. Amen!

For more about Grace Point summer camps, including forms for 2007, please go to etdiocese.net/gracepoint/camps/index.php.

Letter sent to editor recalls growing up on the Point

I was reading an article [the editor] wrote about the history of Grace Point [seen online at etdiocese.net/ETE/2005/dec05jan06/campnews.htm]. 

I am dismayed that there is not the first mention of the contribution that James Giles Morgan made. The house on Grace Point that the Shoosters lived in for 25 years was my childhood home.

My father purchased the land you call Grace Point in 1957. When he first moved out to the land there was no road, no house, no barn, only sage fields and pine trees. It was what was left when the lumber companies had finished with it.

He had a road cut in to the property. He built his dream home and then the barn. We spent many years developing the property. Dad worked at X-10 and commuted to Oak Ridge every day to work. 

The house … was where Dad and Mom raised three sons and a daughter. That land, the woods, fields, lake, the home are in our blood. It is where my dreams at night often go back to my childhood. …

I do not diminish the contributions of the people who have built on the foundation my father laid. The Manleys, the Shoosters and then those in the church have worked fine and good works on that site. But the history of that place does not start with Mr. Manley or the Shoosters. Some acknowledgment is deserved that before them the Morgans were putting their love, sweat and toil into the land at Grace Point. 

My father died in 1996. My younger brother died of cancer in 2005. My mother is 80 years old. [She] suddenly had a strong urge to see the old place again. We were invited to come visit [it] last year at Thanksgiving.

We miss our old home but are glad you are putting it to such a noble purpose.

— James Giles Morgan III