From the Director

From the CEO

Jim Swinkola, Chief Executive Officer

April 11, 2008

Wildcat Lake dam is being rebuilt!

A clear path to restoring life and water to Wildcat Lake began on March 20 when Ed Hardin signed a contract to rebuild the dam. Large trucks are running up and down Hickory Nut Gap Road carrying what will eventually be 30,000,000 pounds of rock to secure the dam for the next 100 years. The contract cost is just shy of $1,000,000. Funds are provided by the Edgar Tufts Memorial Association (ETMA).

According to local history, an unprecedented drought in 1932 threatened the lives and safety of the Tufts institutions in Banner Elk. God already had created the perfect location for a dam that would create a permanent water supply. By August of 1933, the Wildcat Lake dam, near Grandfather Home property, was completed at a cost of $5,000. The resulting lake was not only practical, but also a source of beauty and pleasure.

The Tufts institutions and Avery County citizens enjoyed Wildcat Lake over the decades. The Tufts Park eventually became a premier recreational destination for picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing. Families, church youth groups and tourists came by the droves.

All went well until ETMA asked an engineer to conduct a risk assessment in the fall of 2005. The conclusion was alarming: “The Wildcat Lake dam needs to be repaired to prevent catastrophic failure which would result in potential property and environmental damage, and the potential loss of life. The immediate damage would be to the Grandfather Home for Children Campus; that would result in almost total destruction of the campus buildings and loss of life to anyone who is occupying the buildings at the time of catastrophic failure…The failure would be sudden and without warning.” The resulting decision called for the lowering of the lake level in November of 2005. Over two years of effort, by ETMA and an engineering firm, resulted in permission from the state to rebuild the dam. Immediately after the long-awaited permit was issued, the contract was signed. Please say a special prayer that the work will go smoothly and the state will, after a final safety inspection, permit water to again fill the lake.

In other news, I’m pleased to report that over 200 community guests enjoyed the Easter Sunrise Service on the Hayes Campus and about 165 of those folks stayed for a breakfast in the Anne Bryan Recreation Building. The outside Easter service is now an established tradition. Work continues on our newest group home—Grandfather Home—Raleigh. I hope to announce soon that all permits and inspections have been issued, so that we can begin our task of caring for children.

Next week, David Passmore will begin duties as Managing Director of the Hayes Campus. I have known David for two decades and have a high opinion of his skills. The Hayes Campus currently hosts the programs of Grandfather Academy and Grandfather Home for Children.

On a personal note, Kiera Blaine Swinkola is spending her spring break in Banner Elk. This serves to give her parents some time alone with one-month old Ashlin Kate—and also reminds her grandparents of the energy needed to supervise a three-year old!

2008 Update



                    Jim, Kiera and baby Ashlin



                    Making apple cake!



                          A package for me!                                   Now I'm 3!







                                                         Now Listen up!





                                                           Dance Diva!

2008 Update Jim, Kiera and baby Ashlin Making apple cake! A package for me! Now I'm 3! Now Listen up! Dance Diva!

Jim, Kiera and baby Ashlin Making apple cake! A package for me! Now I'm 3! Now Listen up! Dance Diva!

2008 Update

Jim, Kiera and baby Ashlin

Making apple cake!

A package for me! Now I'm 3!

Now Listen up!

Dance Diva!

Jim, Kiera and baby Ashlin

Making apple cake!

A package for me! Now I'm 3!

Now Listen up!

Dance Diva!