Carroll McMahan, Special Projects Facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and the coordinator and contributing writer of the Upland Chronicles, which is published weekly in the Sunday edition of the Mountain Press, spoke Tuesday evening March 22nd to the Sevierville Lions Club meeting at the King Family Library.
McMahan explained how he and Ron Rader conceived the idea for the Upland Chronicle series, which celebrates the heritage and past of Sevier County. The two regularly interview longtime Sevier County residents for the series, relying on their knowledge, memories and photos. He stated, “Each time a longtime community member passes on, it is like a library burning down, so we want to preserve as much of that knowledge as we can.”
During the presentation, McMahan displayed historic photographs used in the articles he has authored and provided interesting stories about individuals who have been profiled in his columns. “Due to the limited space allowed in the paper, I usually gather more information than there is room to print,” McMahan said before relaying some interesting details which were not included in the articles.
While relaying the story of Central Hotel, he mentioned the fact that the Sevierville Lions Club charter banquet took place in the storied old hotel almost seventy two years ago to the day, on March 24, 1939 . McMahan further added that the cost for the meal was 60 cents and 120 members were present. McMahan also told the Lions Club that he had received numerous comments on the article about the Little Smoky Bowl, an annual event the club initiated and sponsored for many years.
McMahan thanked other contributors: Ron Rader, Theresa Williams, Brandon Barnes, Robert Allen, John Waters, Jr. and Justice Gary Wade for the great articles they have submitted since last June as well as thanking Jimmie Temple, who has been a Lion since 1949, for all he has contributed to the heritage and history of the community through the Upland Chronicle articles.
