Morning Registration

Opening day, June 18th, couldn't come soon enough for those of us who had eagerly awaited ChristyFest™ 2008. Attendees assembled at the Valley View Lodge, the venue for the day. The door was literally thrown open to the warm summer day, a lovely blend of sunshine and a slight breeze, that was a perfect companion to an already bright morning.

The attendees were greeted at the registration table by Sonla T, CF Registrar, and other members of the Planning Team. As more attendees arrived the cheerful din increased. For some, the morning was a reunion of dear friends not seen since the previous year; for others, they were soon enveloped by smiles and warm greetings from Team members and attendees alike. All received their Welcome Packets, chatted, and perused the ChristyFest™ General Store, the Family Book Outlet book table, and sampled the coffee and Danishes.

Welcome to ChristyFest™

Around 9:30 a.m. everyone took a seat as Dee J, Chair of ChristyFest™, welcomed all ChristyFest™ participants and introduced the members of the Planning Team. She turned the microphone over to Jeanie Hilten of the Townsend Visitors Center who welcomed us and expressed her pleasure at having ChristyFest™ in Townsend. She encouraged us to take advantage of all that the town and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have to offer. Her warm welcome provided a wonderful start to the Festival.

The Road Less Traveled - Presented by Dwight McCarter

Before departing, Jeanie introduced Dwight McCarter. Dwight, a retired back country ranger and native of Townsend, brought with him a passel load of stories and just as many grins. At ease and in his element, Dwight quickly warmed the room with his engaging smile and stories of his childhood. He recalled his younger days when the bus still drove the Cades Cove circuit and sometimes was the main entertainment of the day. In particular, he recalled vividly, the beauty of those early morning rides, and memories of a certain young lady whose company he could share along the route. He had attendees in stitches telling of the more rural toys and games he and his pals thought up, and just what entertainment value could be found in road kill. Dwight also spoke of his professional work as a ranger in the Smokies and more specifically his work as a backwoods tracker and rescuer. He told stories of rescuing damsels [and sometimes dudes!] in distress - and Dwight even does all the voices. He is indeed a man of much experience and many talents.

Lunch Break

Already it was time for lunch. Attendees had the opportunity to go along to a group lunch at either Miss Lily's or Little River BBQ. Whichever was chosen, there was fun chat and good food - an opportunity for attendees to get to know each other.

Remembering Catherine: Author and Friend

Sated, attendees returned to the Valley View eager for Elizabeth Sherrill's presentation. Elizabeth was a friend and colleague of the extraordinary Catherine Marshall. Tall and elegant, Sherrill's presence soon had the room quiet and in rapt attention. Her delivery was thoughtful and passionate as she brought the person of Catherine to life. She shared her relationship with Catherine as an editor and as a friend.

Long before the conception of Christy Elizabeth and Catherine had a working relationship via Guideposts Magazine. As their professional relationship evolved, and business was largely conducted by phone and letters. After working together for some time, the two finally met in person. Elizabeth recalled finally meeting Catherine in person and being impressed by her beauty, claiming photographs do not do Catherine justice.She also noted Catherine's shyness, and as her editor and friend considered Catherine to be a perfectionist when it came to writing. Catherine, Elizabeth explained, was often hurt by criticism of her manuscripts. It was, however, that same perfectionism which made her go back and revise and improve the work. Elizabeth also talked about the times in Catherine's life when she struggled with her faith - times so devastating she nearly lost her faith in God and her writing, but came back that much stronger. It was an open, honest look into a close friendship which helped attendees better understand the complicated, and exceptionally talented, Catherine Marshall.

After a short break Elizabeth talked to us about Breakthrough an organization that was started by Catherine and herself. It was born out of letters Catherine received due to her status as a writer. She received many letters that contained prayer requests and requests for advice. She also received letters from many who wanted to make a difference in their life and the lives of others, but didn't know how. The idea evolved to pair those in need of prayer with those who would pray. Elizabeth also shared her time with an aunt of Dolly Parton's who had come to hear her speak but added in her own story of healing. Additionally, a secretary of Catherine's was also in the audience, happy to hear and speak with Elizabeth, a contemporary who had also known Catherine.

Elizabeth finished her presentation and graciously signed her books as well as copies of Christy [she is listed in the acknowledgements] and posed for pictures. Attendees were also able to meet her son, John Scott, an accomplished country music song writer from Nashville and Elizabeth's travel companion to Townsend. In a while, folks filtered out into the sunshine to explore the area until the evening activities commenced.

Pizza and Pizzazz

That evening ChristyFest™ put on their last event of the day, Pizza and Pizzazz! Pizza filled the plates [temporarily] as attendees mingled and chatted over their food. Satiated, we gathered in groups [after a fair amount of planned confusion] in order to make our teams. Much laughter resulted from the showing of outtakes, bloopers and deleted scenes taken from the series dailies and compiled by ChrisAnn G. This was interspersed by rounds of trivia that included a smattering of questions from all aspects of not only Christy but history and even a bit of schooling. Led by Veronica W, the teams struggled, giggled, and groaned on the way to correct answers. First place went to the team named, "Twitter witted." The social time was a great conclusion to a wonderful first day of ChristyFest™. Attendees wandered out to get a good night's rest in preparation for the next day's trip to Del Rio.