ChristyFest™ 2009 paid homage to the real-life events which inspired the novel, Christy. In 1909, Leonora Whitaker left her home to teach at a mission school near Del Rio, TN. She is the mother of Catherine Marshall, and Christy [the novel] is inspired by Leonora's experiences teaching in rural Appalachia. ChristyFest™ 2009 featured special programming to commemorate this event.

Registration

Early on a bright, warm Wednesday attendees began assembling at the Valley View Lodge. It was wonderful to see old friends greet each other, and new folks begin to mingle in with the crowd. Attendees had time to chat or browse the store and mingle with the ChristyFest™ Planning Team.

Welcome to ChristyFest™

Attendees were welcomed to the 2009 ChristyFest™ by the Chairperson, Dee Jellicorse. Jeanie Hilten, representative of the Smoky Mountain Convention and Tourist Bureau greeted attendees and gave an overview of the area. After an introduction to the events of the day as well as to Townsend, everyone eased into the morning and awaited Bill Lea's presentation.

Cades Cove

Presented by Bill Lea

No one has captured Cades Cove in images quite the way Bill Lea has done for many years. He speaks of the Cove almost as if it were an old friend. He knows its light, and angles - at times speaking of lost trees, or changed landscape with fond recollection. During his talk, Bill shared some of his breathtaking images amidst much acclaim from the audience. With many of his images came a story of the early inhabitants of the Cove. He wove stories of these earlier people in with his imagery. Millions visit the Cove each year but few are aware of the hidden historical basis of some of the areas. Click here to view a slideshow of Bill's stunning work - featuring some of the images from his presentation. [Slideshow will open in a new window]. After his fascinating talk, Bill answered questions and signed items, spending time one-on-one with attendees.

Swappin' Howdies Luncheon

Many of the attendees chose to join the crowd at Miss Lily's for lunch. They filled tables and the air was full of their laughter and chatter.

Leonora Whitaker: Grit, Grace, and Gumption

Presented by Marilyn Mitchem

Ebenezer Mission Historian Marilyn Mitchem then took the floor, to share with attendees some aspects of her exhaustive and wonderful research. While many are familiar with the fiction aspects of Christy Marilyn strives to discover the real-life inspirations and figures behind the work well known by fans today.

Marilyn first compared the fictional Christy Huddleston to her real life counterpart, Leonora Whitaker:

Christy:
1. Was born to middle class parents in Asheville.
2. Shopped at the Bon Marche Department Store.
3. Attended First Presbyterian Church.
4. Enjoyed tea parties and dances.
5. Was the most famous fictional graduate of Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina.

Leonora
1. Was born on a farm near Dillingham.
2. Knew the working end of a cow.
3. Attended Dillingham Presbyterian Church, a mountain mission church.
4. Knew how to gather eggs.
5. Graduated from Weaverville College.

Elaborating on the real-life origins of Christy, Marilyn reminded the audience that Alice Henderson and Dr. Neil MacNeill are fictional characters. Leonora had no such mentors while at Ebenezer Mission and said so herself.

As the result of eighteen months of work, Marilyn found and presented two segments of a taped interview Leonora gave in 1985. To the delight of the audience, they heard Leonora herself tell of her trip to Ebenezer Mission in late December 1909. Marilyn showed period maps and photographs to illustrate the people and places important to Ebenezer Mission.

In the second segment, Leonora describes leading three religious services on one Sunday in March 1910. This responsibility fell on her shoulders because John Wood was conducting a monthly service at the Seminary of the Great Smokies, some seventeen miles from Ebenezer Mission.

Despite Marilyn's warning that she wouldn't be speaking about a particular fictional doctor, the audience immediately recognized that Leonora's fall off a mule into the creek forms the opening scene of Chapter Ten of Christy. However, instead of a pretty dress and the hot drink like Christy received at Dr. MacNeill's cabin, a mountain woman gave Leonora an old skirt to wear. Despite being wet and uncomfortable, Leonora completed her responsibilities for leading Sunday School and evening worship.

In doing so, Leonora chose duty over dignity; calling over comfort; a choice she would make over and over during the two and one-half years she served Ebenezer Mission. Her grit, grace, and gumption endeared her to John Wood and the couple married less than five months after meeting at Ebenezer.

Marilyn's presentation was fascinating from beginning to end and a wonderful event for all attendees! Marilyn spent time answering questions before the next event.

Meet Miss Emma and The Reverend Peter Marshall

Emma Wood Hoskins and Reverend Peter Marshall both spoke to attendees as part of the Wednesday activities. First, Peter Marshall briefly touched upon his experience with his grandmother, Leonora Whitaker Wood. Leonora was the inspiration for the character of Christy, and mother to Catherine Marshall. Peter inherited a quest for knowledge, and a passion for teaching. He also spoke of his own work as well and graciously took questions from attendees.

Miss Emma shared a few words with attendees. Simply put and with a smile on her face she commented with affection that in the midst of the 100th Anniversary of her mother's arrival in Del Rio - the very start of this long legacy - Emma wanted to take a few moments to remember her father. Warmly and graciously she paid homage, to her father, John Wood. It was a loving tribute to an important man.

Afterwards, attendees were able to speak to Peter Marshall and Miss Emma, as well as mingle before departing for the day.