The flood, one year later -- a remembrance

     The relentless rains that turned the Harpeth River into a rampaging torrent, devastating much of the county, also opened floodgates of fellow feeling, generosity, heroism and self-sacrifice on the part of its citizens.

   While the waters ravaged and sometimes swept away whole houses, forced the closing of businesses, upended lives and claimed several, and touched just about every individual in the community in one way or another, the disaster shined a light on the very best in the human spirit.

   “On the Monday after the flood, Kingston Springs was an island,” said Amy Bruce, co-owner with her sister, Katie Conley, of Red Tree Coffee on Main Street. “We were open, and people were wandering in and out, stunned, looking for information and wanting to help out.

   “By Tuesday morning, we said ‘We have to do something.’”

   The sisters sent out an email blast and Facebook message telling everyone to come to Red Tree. “Within two hours we had over 100 people.” 

   Beginning that day, the café began fielding calls for help and sending out crews of volunteers, while dispatching other volunteers on assessment runs around the community.

   Across town, The Ark anchored at Harpeth Middle School, which became a makeshift shelter from the storm. A nonprofit that provides physical and spiritual support to South Cheatham County citizens, The Ark lived up to its name, helping people stay afloat with food, supplies and information, and identifying those in need of ongoing assistance.

   “We needed to be there,” said The Ark’s director, Missy Bolt. “People were taking refuge there, or coming in and asking what they could do.”
   The school’s teachers pitched in, and every day more volunteers showed up.

   “We had volunteers work until they couldn’t walk,” said HMS teacher/coach Jimmy Mitchell. “It’s made me proud to be part of this community.”
   “I’ve never seen anything like the effort,” said Adair Schippers, an Ark volunteer who spent most days helping take victims in and connecting them with resources. “The generosity was incredible. I’ll be on a high until I die.”

   The Ark worked closely with Red Tree, which commandeered the volunteer part of the operation.

   “Our gift is to take charge,” Amy Bruce said. “And we were raised to help people—to do the right thing.

   “This community has a big, deep heart, and a deep faith. It’s an active faith—we put our hands and our feet to work.”

   Bruce noted that there were people of all ages among the tireless volunteers, and that some didn’t miss a day.        

Kingston Springs was rebuilt,
one brick at a time

   Elsewhere, on every street, in every pocket of the community there were innumerable acts of kindness, small and large, reflecting the fervor to be of use. Neighbors helped neighbors—and strangers—dig out, clean up, begin to dry out, salvage what could be salvaged, and, above all, cope with the physical and emotional toll wrought by the flood.     

   The disaster may have done its utmost to put us under, but in the end it brought forth the qualities that lift us up.

About Kingston Springs

       Kingston Springs is a “bedroom” community just a few kangaroo springs west of Bellevue, but it’s far from the sleepy little burg you might imagine.    

  
      The town has four distinct residential neighborhoods, and an overall population in the neighborhood of 3,000. It has three schools, half-a-dozen churches, two banks, a cozy library, a fabulous city park, three night clubs, two liquor stores, a handful of convenience stores and fast-food outlets, a Mexican restaurant, a coffee shop, a couple of bustling canoe-rental outlets, a jewelry store, and a beautiful Barking Lot but no ugly parking lots.   

   The high-school/middle-school campus offers football, softball, soccer and a track. The city is friendly to walkers and bikers, with sidewalks all along both sides of Main Street.

   Kingston Springs City Park, on the banks of the Harpeth River, sprawls for 23 acres. A railroad bridge in the park is supported by pilings built during the Civil War. The bridge is part of a Civil War driving tour of the Nashville-New Johnsonville railroad. There’s a softball field in the park, a picnic area with a pavilion, the above-mentioned Barking Lot for dogs, a canoe ramp, and a one-mile walking trail through woods along the river. Special community events are held here throughout the year. The park is open from sunrise to 11 p.m. (Call 615.952.9885.)

   The town’s other park, L.L. Burns Park, is right across the river. It has trails, gardens, picnic shelters, four soccer fields, a playground, a lake and a wildlife habitat area, as well as more accesses to the Harpeth. The Splashground facility is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

   The Challenge Trail, adjacent to Burns Park, provides users the challenge of a half-mile uphill climb with 12 exercise stations, culminating in a 600-foot overlook area over the Harpeth. Hours vary and are posted at the facility. 

   (For more info, call City Hall at 615.952.2110 or the Parks Department at 615.952.9885.)   

The beautiful, log cabin-style library is the
hub of the Kingston Springs community.

   Several notable events mark the community's social calendar. The Annual CATFISH RODEO is held at Burns Park the first or second Saturday in June.  TWRA stocks the lake at the park for a morning of catfish fishing for kids; there are lots of prizes and trophies. The event, open to ages 4-12, is free. After 10 a.m., adults are allowed to fish for the remaining catfish. (No fishing license needed on that day only.)

   The Annual EGG HUNT is held on Saturday the weekend before Easter. There are thousands of eggs to be found, lots of prizes and no charge for a child to participate. There is a separate hunting field for toddlers. The frenzy starts promptly at 10 a.m. and is over quickly. Bring your own basket!

   THE annual ART IN THE PARK (first Sunday in October) is a competition and show for artists 16 and older. Visitors stroll from tent to tent to the strains of live music. There is no charge to participate and competitors are allowed to set up an optional booth for sales of their art. No admission charge or parking fees for spectators.

   MOVIES UNDER THE STARS at City Park run May-Sept. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and watch stars cavort under the stars.  

   For more info about this lovely village on the Harpeth, visit http://www.kingstonsprings.net/.

About Pegram

   PEGRAM, a mere eight miles as the crow drives from Bellevue (head out Highway 70 West, or take I-40 one exit west past Bellevue), is a small (8 square miles in area, about 2,300 in population) town with a bustling social life.

   Pegram and Kingston Springs are the sister cities of South Cheatham County. Pegram has an elementary school, a bank, a flock of churches, a grocery, hair and tanning salons, a pizza parlor (takeout only), a catfish restaurant, an ice-cream store, a barbecue place on the way, and a doggie hotel, all serving the living, and a cremation and funeral services office, serving the others. 
   Fiddle & Pick  is home to the Musical Heritage Society of Middle Tennessee, which boasts some of Middle TN’s most renowned artists in concert as well as tutelage from accomplished professionals in all areas of music. (Coupon available - click here)  And next door is the Harpeth Art Center & Gallery (formerly Mud Puddle Pottery), which draws students and customers from far and wide.
  

     At the heart of the community is beautiful and sprawling Pegram Park, which hosts many of the town’s biggest events, including the annual Pegram Independence Day Celebration, the annual Halloween in the Park and the annual Christmas in Pegram Park. The park includes walking tracks, three ball fields, a batting cage, a covered picnic area with shelter and fireplace, two stage areas, numerous picnic tables and grills, three different children's playgrounds, and lighted basketball & tennis courts. In spring and summer the park is humming every night.