Not all of the great linemen were warming up on the field in Tampa for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Wet snow fell in the Upper Cumberland overnight Saturday, causing tree limbs to break and power lines to fall under the weight. UCEMC members in Buck Mountain, Silver Point, Rocky Point, Hawkins Crawford, and Shipley School Road were among the areas experiencing outages of 4 hours or more. UCEMC linemen worked in the snow, ice, and fog to replace the lines and restore power to members in plenty of time to warm up their homes and enjoy Sunday activities. UCEMC reminds members that after a storm, stay far away from downed power lines and call us immediately to report the location of your outage. UCEMC would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to provide you with safe, reliable, power even in a storm like this. 

Local People. Local Power.

Not a vaccine, but a slice of the “good life” awaits you on the shores of the Cumberland.

What keeps the owner of a boutique tourist destination awake at night these days? Not what you might think for UCEMC member John Deane, the owner of Granville’s new Wildwood Resort and Marina with his wife, Natasha. John no longer worries about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tourism to the Cumberland River’s hidden jewel. Attention to the staff’s strict safety guidelines, recent rave reviews, and repeat business from boaters across the country have eased that fear. The word that Wildwood holds the cure for cabin fever has gone, well, viral, and that’s why counting parking spaces instead of sheep is keeping John awake. Wildwood is gaining momentum in the travel world for its welcoming up-scale but friendly atmosphere. It’s a creative marriage of sophistication and beachy, wear-your-flip-flops charm about fifteen miles off 1-40 in Jackson County.

“COVID causes cabin fever; cabin fever drives our business,” John explains. “Here, you’re either safely in your four-star accommodations – luxuriating in 400-thread-count linens – or you’re on the lake kayaking, paddle-boarding, or strolling the boardwalk, and outside is where everybody wants to be. We’ve been a great answer to the cabin fever caused by stay-at-home orders and travel bans, but when this pandemic lifts, I think we’ll be faced with a parking problem. That’s my up-at-night issue, honestly!” Luckily, many tourists from Knoxville, Atlanta, Nashville, and beyond have discovered Wildwood the same way John and Natasha did – not by car – but by boat. “We have 132 Brazilian hardwood boat slips, and we’re 90 percent occupied now. Our houseboat slips provide 30/50 amp service as well as internet and cable TV access. We expect boat traffic to grow even more now that Chef is here. He’s a game-changer for us, and it’s made the dining experience alone worth the trip.”

Chef Evan Babb’s farm-to-table plan includes a vegetable garden on the Wildwood property.“Chef” is Evan Babb, who came to Wildwood from Georgia in June. Guests are already addicted to Chef’s sophisticated, southern spin on French and Mexican food, vegan dishes, and anything a hungry guest can think of in-between. If farm-to-table is your thing, Evan comes by that naturally. He’s even planning a garden on the Wildwood property. “I grew up with great cooks around me, and every year we had a garden,” Evan says. “We canned for the winter, and we loaded our plates with veggies, eggs, and meats. Fresh-from-the-garden food is essential to me, and I plan on incorporating the garden fare into each dish.” 

Evan’s hunter-gatherer instincts will be well-honed by the time Wildwood opens March 5 – the prime season for hunting his favorite game – mushrooms. Certified to forage and sell 32 different wild mushrooms, he’s already searching the woods around the resort for edible specimens. “I’ve been eager for March when we open – that’s Morrell season,” Evan says. “I’d like to organize a little educational tour package and take people out to do some mushroom foraging in the area.”

Fresh-from-the-garden vegetables co-star with wild caught salmon at Wildwood Resort and Marina.The romance of food is why Evan is in love with his career. “I think each culture has its own type of comfort food and being able to express love to someone through food, whether it’s Southern, Italian, Mexican, or French, that’s pure joy for me.” A beautiful morning at Wildwood can begin with a brunch of Stuffed French Toast, Chicken and Waffles, Warm Cinnamon Rolls, or a Bacon and Egg Cheeseburger. Evan dishes up his famous Fried Deviled Eggs or Creole peel-and-eat shrimp to those docking their boats out front, and the courtship begins. It doesn’t end until everyone at the table has enjoyed precisely the tasty morsels they crave. Evan provides vegan options. With his fresh garden harvests, “Chef” can prepare anything you like for your particular diet, even if it isn’t on the menu. That’s love. You had me at cinnamon rolls.

Unique cocktails complement Evan’s fare on the menu at the Lakeside Libations bar. Sounds ironic, but relax with an Absolute Stress; a blend of vodka, coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple, cranberry, and orange juices. Well-heeled clientele who demand a quality wine list won’t be disappointed. End the day with a Wildwood Sunset – if you dare.

The popular “Saltboxes” are spacious and set at the shoreline with views of woods and water.

 Floor-to-ceiling windows and ship lap walls offer guests a sophisticated mountain retreat experience.

Visitors may flock to Wildwood for the food, but they’re staying for the atmosphere that gives them a home-away-from-home feeling. Only better. Chilling is tough these days when the office is at the house. The accommodations have upped the luxury ante with room service and your choice of six lodging options – all with views of the woods and water. The shore-hugging Saltboxes are spacious and set in the woods with ship-lap walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and those sumptuous linens. The 14-room inn provides 4-star hotel-style lodging, in-suite bath, and king or twin beds. An open, spacious 4-room lodge faces the marina and sports a solar cell array. The large porch is suitable for a gals’ safely-distanced weekend away. The floating harbor cottage on the end of the dock has a commanding view of the Cumberland River and surrounding wilderness. “Glamping” is what you’ll find in The Woods, where five iconic, vintage Airstreams have been given the luxury treatment. Six “Village Cabins” will have you making s’mores around a giant fire pit. With the high-quality linens and appointments that the owners demand on this property, the rustic Legacy Cabins aren’t so rustic and prove to be popular with families. All provide free WiFi, and pet-friendly rooms are available.

Tennessee’s longest boardwalk beckons guests to enjoy life on the river any time of day. More than 100 lights illuminate the path from the campground to the Sunset Pavilion across the river.

While the river is the main draw at Wildwood, you won’t have to stick a toe in the water to enjoy time on the Cumberland. The state’s longest boardwalk offers duck watching and a breathtaking, unobstructed view as it takes you from the campground, over the water, to the sunset pavilion. More than one hundred lights ensure that your boardwalk sunset selfies are spectacular. “Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation gets a big shout-out from us. The co-op has been a huge partner with us on this construction project,” John says. “We’ve buried most of our electric lines, taken down poles to beautify the area, and UCEMC helped us get solar on the lodge. We had the boardwalk lights on for the first time last night, and it was exciting!”

March 5 is the date to give cabin fever the heave-ho and make Wildwood fever something you’ll want to come down with every weekend. Check out Visitwildwood.com for more information.

Christmas Past: It was a holiday to remember when light snow fell on Livingston Square on December 20, 1966.

Christmas Present: This photo was taken 54 years later – December 20, 2020, from the same vantage point. The LED streetlights are new, the buildings remodeled, but the charm remains.

Photos by Carl Ledbetter.

2021 will usher in a new era for The Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation. Jennifer Brogdon is the new CEO and General Manager, effective January 4, 2021. Jennifer will be taking over for Jimmy Gregory, who has been serving as GM since 2009 and is retiring in January 2021.

“Jennifer brings more than 28 years of experience in the electric utility industry”, said Board President Morris “Moose” Tyree. “Her technical background plus her extensive leadership experience positions her well to lead us into the future.”

Before joining UCEMC, Jennifer held leadership roles at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in marketing, innovation, and regulatory areas. Recently, she served as TVA’s director of regulatory assurance, providing regulatory oversight of 153 local power companies that distribute TVA power. She has strong partnerships with municipal and cooperative power companies and statewide associations. TVA is the operator of the nation’s most extensive public power system and power supplier to a population of approximately 10 million people.

“UCEMC makes a real difference in the quality of life for the Upper Cumberland region,” Jennifer said. “I look forward to working with leadership and staff to provide our members with the best service possible.”

The new co-op leader is a Knoxville native but has strong local ties. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University (TTU) with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. She also completed a leadership program at Vanderbilt University. Jennifer’s two young adult children, Adam (B.S. Business 2019) and Gracie (a junior) are also TTU Golden Eagles.

Ken Holmes’s executive search team facilitated the UCEMC Board’s search for the new CEO.

Jennifer will be relocating to Carthage from her current home in Chattanooga and plans to take an active, visible role in the community.

Welcome to UCEMC, Jennifer!

 Rich and Linda Roherty pose for the cameras at the Overlook near Carthage. The Brush Creek newcomers are pitching for The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association.

     He rides a Harley Street glide. She rides a Harley Softail Deluxe. Together, Rich and Linda Roherty have the best, safely-distanced seats for leaf-peeking as they cruise the Upper Cumberland on their bikes each weekend. It’s a favorite past time they could comfortably enjoy for only a few months in the brutal winds of their native Chicago. Their travels brought them to Tennessee on vacation in 2018, and just as it was when they met at Northwestern 31 years ago, it was love at first sight. They sold their home, packed their belongings, and headed south.

     Hearing them talk about why they relocated to Brush Creek is what tourism commercials are made of. “We talked about good places to retire, central location, weather, activity, and lower taxes, and we decided on Tennessee,” says Linda. “We wanted a healthy location and beautiful scenery. The ridge tops sold me in Brush Creek. The beauty of the area is amazing!” Southern hospitality and an easygoing lifestyle sold Rich on the permanent move. “The surprise was the charm of the people,” he explains. When strangers start talking to you from the Chicago area, you get a little cautious, however here in Tennessee, friendliness is commonplace, and we love it.”

Photographer Hal Harder gets the perfect angle for the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association commercial shoot with Rich and Linda Roherty of Brush Creek.

New Neighbors Connect the Dots

      The unbridled enthusiasm of these tourists-turned-residents was not lost on Upper Cumberland Tourism Director Ruth Dyal. The search for motorcyclists to star in the commercials prompted Ruth’s friends to arrange a meeting with Ruth and the Rohertys. It turns out they were a perfect choice. They were experienced riders and knowledgeable tourists. Central Casting in Hollywood couldn’t have done a better job. “They’re fit, they’re an attractive couple with those gorgeous bikes, and they truly love the area,” says Ruth. “We’re so glad that their unique tourism experience led them to make their home here in the Upper Cumberland.”

      The commercials, billboards, and web ads feature the couple riding their motorcycles along the scenic winding roads and steep grades near the Overlook and Cordell Hull Dam, among other locations. A tourism grant provided funds for production through the federal government’s Cares Act – a stimulus bill passed at the beginning of the pandemic – with the stipulation that the ads include a safety and health message.
      A crisp, sunny day, brightly colored leaves, and calm winds gave the production crew a chamber of commerce backdrop. But working outside in the sun means shooting various angles to get everything in exactly the right light on camera. As Linda and Rich learned the hard way, those takes took a toll. “That evening, we were sore and cold,” says Linda. “We had to move the motorcycles for the still shots many times to different positions without the engine on. Moving 700 pounds around can make your legs ache after a while.” Rich was thankful that the professional photographers got many of the shots they needed on the first attempt. ”We had fun, but positioning the heavy motorcycles on an incline wore this guy out,” he adds. “Luckily, we didn’t have many re-takes.”   

     Starring in a commercial can now be checked off the Rohertys’ bucket list. Still, their promotion of the Upper Cumberland as an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle continues for this couple. “If you want to visit or move to the Upper Cumberland and genuinely enjoy a simple, rural life, this is the place to be,” Rich says. “Hiking, fishing, kayaking, and exploring unique towns in the area can be done every weekend.”

     Linda says her lifestyle pitch for tourism in the Upper Cumberland can be summed up with one sentence. “This is heaven on earth!”

    We agree, Linda and Rich. Welcome to the area, and thank you for your UCEMC membership. Happy trails! The commercials will be featured on the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association website once they’re completed.