GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS - STRESS FREE WAY

Halloween is here and there is lots to do to get ready for the next 8 weeks.  Hill Spirit would like to share the series of blog posts to help you have a fantastic holiday season and still remain sane.  

Thanksgiving planning time is now upon us in week 5 of this series. Follow these steps for a stress free Thanksgiving with your family. 

This week we're are in the mode of planning for Thanksgiving, although we will also deal with a little Christmas preparations too this week.

 LINK: Stress Free Holidays
 
Here are the previous challenges:

• Week 1: Reducing Holiday Stress Through Planning
• Week 2: Experience Holiday Stress Relief With These Steps
• Week 3 - More Simple Steps To A Stress Free Holiday Season
• Week 4 - Final Preparations And Halloween Planning Tasks

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - GHOST LIGHTS

In the early 1900's, my Grandma raised four boys and sharecropped on a cotton farm on Crooked Branch owned by the Dave Maples family. The farm is north of the Elk River Bridge off of Hwy 127. There is a large Indian cemetery on the farm and the story is a light was seen many nights going back and forth to the cemetery. It remains on the land in a wooded area and many arrowheads were found on the land. When I was growing up people would come and dig for arrowheads. 

Elinor Lawson

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - GOLDEN ORBS

As you walk north from downtown Elkmont along the trail, you will find a tree lined path and see a white house sitting on a hill slightly to the right. This is Compton Hill but at one time it was called Hyde House Hill and stories of the supernatural swirl around it.  Stories of buried treasure and ghosts. 

However, stories of golden orbs of light that appear and disappear are also common.  These lights have been said to chase people who don't belong from the area.  One sighting was in the 1930s.  A man was walking home along the railroad tracks from Elkmont.  As he approached the Hyde House hill, he saw one of these orbs floating a few feet from the ground.  As he drew closer, it still remained.  When he got close, he took his gun from his pocket and fired at it.  The orb quickly shot straight up into the evening air and disappeared.  

 

OLD HYDE PLACE

Another orb was sighted in the 1950s as two teenage girls were walking up to the old two story house.  As they rounded the corner, a golden orb hovered in front of them.  As they looked at it more closely, they realized two faces could be seen within the ball of light. The girls raced down the hill, leaving the hovering faces. However, on certain nights, light can be seen in the trees.  Those who get too close will see the golden glow suddenly disappear ... Do the balls of light still haunt Hyde Hill? 

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? Hill Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows...

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - MORE HYDE HILL

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? Hill Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows... 

The old house was torn down in 1980 but strange things still occur on "the hill".  One of the two houses that have been built there seems to be where the unexplained still happens from time to time.  Sometimes when the night is still and the Comptons are in the family room, they will hear the car port door open and then close.  Footsteps come up the wood staircase.  Thinking that family members or good friends have arrived, they call down a greeting but... no one answers.  They go to check and... no one is there.  

There are stories of more than mysterious visitors who have come to call on the Comptons.  When the boys were still at home, there are several stories told of when the fireplace crackled during cold weather.  Who doesn't like to lie in front of a fire?  

The boys were no different but there were times when others enjoyed the fire as well. Several nights when the boys were by the flickering flames, they would see faces in the fire who watched them for a time. As the startled boys would get up, the faces would slowly rise up into the chimney and disappear. 

Does more than the living still share the Comptons' home? Is Doctor Hyde still making house calls?  One never knows what may happen on "the hill"

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - THE SILVER OF HYDE HILL

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? HIll Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows....

As you walk north from downtown Elkmont along the trail, you will walk out of the tree lined path and see a white house sitting on a hill slightly to the right.  Located on Compton Road, this is not the first house to be built here.  There was once another and stories of the supernatural swirl around it.  Many of the stories of buried treasure and ghosts in the area all center around this hill.

OLD HYDE PLACE

What became the Hyde place was built about 1860.  It was used as a hospital during the Civil War.  Soldiers' blood covered hands stained the woodwork in the second story and the those hand
prints remained until the house was torn down in 1980. 

After the General Forrest and those he
commanded took the nearby fort at Sulphur Creek, the items found were taken by the soldiers as they left the Elkmont area and moved north.  One of those things was rumored to be a chest of silver (the fort's payroll).  Two soldiers found the money but they couldn't

take it with them since they had orders to move out the next day. 

A tale is told that the money was buried at the bottom of the hilltop for safe keeping until they could return.  In a battle some weeks later, both men were killed and the silver was never recovered.  Many have searched with modern tools as well as divining rods.  These all point to the same location but when you start to dig, the signal moves.  Is it the spirits of those two soldiers still guarding the silver?

MORE BOO AT THE BOSS

Boo at the Boss will be October 27 from 5:45 - 7:30 pm at the high school football stadium.  The Elkmont football program, Quarterback Club, cheerleaders, and the other fall sports teams give back to the community each year during its annual “Boo at the Boss” night is held around Halloween every year.  This event has grown to include our community businesses, police department and service organizations such as the Elkmont Lions Club.


 
Not only do the younger children look forward to this wonderful event every year, so do the student athletes and faculty as well.  The athletes and faculty staff the different candy stations, all dressed in their Halloween attire. 

This wonderful community activity was suggested by former football Coach Don Jacobs and his wife Jodi as a positive event where young children from the community could interact with athletes.  


 
Not only do the younger students enjoy the act of trick or treating, but this night teaches all involved the importance of giving to others. 
  

In a time when teenagers are often accused of thinking only of themselves, on this night the thoughts of our high school athletes are about providing enjoyment for Elkmont’s children. 

 

 

 

Due to Covid, there will be restrictions for this year's event.  These are listed below... 

 

 

 

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - ROBINSON ROAD

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? Hill Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows...

On Robinson Road, off Veto Road and north of Elkmont, a family from the Civil War ride through the hollow in the darkness of the night.

During the Civil War, a Southern officer was captured by the Yankees and they cut off his head in front of his wife and young daughter. On many nights, the woman rides through the hollow over a small bridge. She is on a white horse and the little girl is sitting behind her. The grieving wife holds her husband in front of her. 

It is told that she is looking for his head. I don't know if that is true but I do know there is something mysterious that can be seen on that road. I couldn't make out everything but it sure does look like a woman on a horse when you go through there late at night. When she rides into your car it gets really cold, even in summer, and stays cold for a while. It's really weird. 

submitted by Robinson Road Resident

                     

HOLIDAY CHALLENGE WEEK #4

 

Halloween is coming and you should be well on your way to being ready for the little ghosts and goblins. However, we will also continue on with some additional Christmas planning and preparations, to keep things moving along for Christmas too.

Can you believe we are already into week 4 of this series? That means that there are only 9 weeks left until Christmas! Time is sure flying by.

I hope you are doing well with your preparations. I know this series is motivating me, and I have gotten more accomplished this year so far and have had some fun times already.

WEEK FOUR LINK 

WHAT IS BOO AT THE BOSS?

This year's Boo at the Boss is October 27. If you are wondering what "Boo at the Boss" is, Hill Spirit is sharing a blast from the the past so you can see all the fun. It starts at 5:45 pm but due to Covid, there are restrictions. 

...........................................................................
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME
The annual Boo at the Boss 2014 Halloween, an Elkmont's community event, is over but so many cute pictures to share.  Over 1000 trick or treaters (sixth grade and under) were at the football field last night to enjoy the festivities.  

Established during the "Don and Jodie

Jacobs" football program years, this event has grown since it began in 2008 as a "give back" activity to the people of Elkmont from the football team and cheerleaders.  It has now become a tradition that many of the high school sports and clubs participate in; joined by other groups in the community. If you missed it, be sure to make plans to attend next year.

Facebook Thoughts:

Amazing "Boo at the Boss"!! Yet another reason Elkmont is the best place in the world to live!! Thanks to all who helped make it great!

I'm speechless at all the kids who showed up for "Boo at the Boss" tonight! Elkmont is such a wonderful community to live in! A HUGE thank you to everyone who had a hand in getting it ready this year! 

Boo at the Boss was a success!! Great night was had by all. Great to see all of our Elkmont families last night. Hoping to see everyone again at the Harvest Festival!!!!

2014 BOO at the BOSS was THE BEST EVER! Thank you to all who made this night possible. It takes a lot of work and planning for this event and your willingness to paint and carve pumpkins, donate money for candy, assist with setup, or just devote your time.. it is all appreciated. I love that

this has become an EHS tradition. A HUGE thanks to MaryJane Hobbs for her contribution. To Jodie Johns Jacobs and Crystal Mizell Newsom, thanks for starting this event that the ELKMONT community has come to enjoy year after year. WE have the BEST student athletes, cheerleaders, and band at EHS!!

Boo at the Boss was a success for Thorne...He hasn't stopped talking about it! Love our town...Proud to be an ELKMONT DEVIL!

ELKMONT GHOST STORIES - WANDERING SAW BLADE

These have been sent in from Elkmont residents or from published sources. Do you have one from the Elkmont area to share? Hill Spirit has not experienced any of these but one never knows...

In downtown Elkmont, a row of brick buildings has stood for many years.  One building close to the trail and used to be the home of Sugar Bucket Mercantile was built before 1936. It has been the site of several businesses over the years and many people have passed through its door.  Perhaps a few or perhaps just one, may have decided to stay.....

Two sisters (Rhonda Buelow and Tona Underwood) who had a passion for all things rustic and primitive decided a business, the Sugar Bucket, was just what was needed.  The old store front was perfect to share their collection of treasures with others.  As they worked to create a place that was a little touch of home to welcome those who also loved a simpler time, a curious presence was felt.  It was there when paint touched up the walls, as windows and floors were cleaned and as the furnishings and quilts added beauty and interest.  It seemed content and all was well.

However, tucked away behind a wall is a stairway that goes down into a cellar, one with the original stone walls and low ceilings, a place where the old water heater sat. A red, rusty circular saw blade snuggled down in the dirt floor beside it. This blade looked like it has been there for many years.  As the cellar was rearranged and decluttered, the saw blade was moved around but by the next morning, it always was in its place next to the heater.  After several weeks of the mysterious moving blade, Rhonda had enough of the invisible prankster, she had started to call Jasper.  She put the blade in a box of trash and threw it outside in the dumpster. It was finally gone and good riddance or so she thought.

The next morning when she went down the stairs to the cellar, she turned the corner and there the red saw blade was, nestled in the dirt next to the hot water heater.  She told Jasper, "I'm sorry I threw it away and since you evidently want this saw blade here than it will stay and nobody will bother it." ..... So...... if you dare the creaky, old stair down to the cellar, you will find the wandering red blade still there.