The evening of Friday, September 22, 2023, saw the north side of the Square of Elkton transformed into an event arena that offered over 200 folks the abilities to enjoy an evening under the stars and under the watchful eye of the 1835 Historic Courthouse.
That notable evening also provided those 200 folks a delicious meal honoring agriculture as well as an enjoyable evening enhanced by the musical talents of the Cumberland Winds Jazz Trio. Proceeds from that event included monies gleaned from the silent auction and other fundraisers provided by Historic Todd County, Inc. (HTC) as well as monies donated from the City of Elkton to HTC from the profits of the City of Elkton’s first Hometown Harvest. Those figures tallied almost $6,446 from that Friday’s activities. HTC was also blessed with a substantial donation for its efforts with rehabilitating the 1835 Courthouse.
Thursday evening, October 17, 2023, saw the officers and directors of the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. host a reception honoring scholarship sponsors for 2023 as well as providing an event for several individuals who have expressed interest in sponsoring scholarships for the Foundation for the current school year. As most are aware, the alumni group provided $52,000 in scholarships to the TCCHS Class of 2023 with $23,000 of that amount provided to honor TCCHS’s 60th year of existence. Thursday evening’s reception also saw several new scholarships mapped out for the TCCHS Class of 2024 as well as a substantial donation to the Foundation to generate scholarship monies for several more years.
Monday evening, October 23, 2023, saw the officers and directors of the Green River Academy Preservation Society host their annual meeting at the Green River Academy located at 204 Goebel Avenue. Several citizens were in attendance, and a tour of the building provided those present an opportunity to “connect” to the GRA and learn more about its history and about the continuing efforts for its rehabilitation. Several annual memberships were added at that meeting, and another citizen in attendance and her husband provided a generous donation to support the efforts of the GRA. In recent months, the building itself has seen the addition of eight new windows on its front façade, a testament to the success of the sale of Notables of Todd County as well as other support and fundraisers the GRA has received and generated.
An extraordinary blessing that arose out of these three events was the unfathomable donation of a combined $72,000 to the three non-profits – to Historic Todd County, Inc. and its rehabilitation of the 1835 Courthouse; to the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc.’s sustained efforts providing scholarships to the graduating classes of TCCHS; and to the GRA Preservation Society to continue its work to rehabilitate the GRA, a building believed to be the beginning of formal education in Todd County.
That donation was from a couple with close connections to Todd County. That couple, George and Vicki Hall Kennedy of Clarksville, chose to support these local non-profits in their efforts, their donations revealing once more the love so many have for not only the historic Courthouse but for Elkton and Todd County and its many landmarks as well. In an earlier message from Mrs. Kennedy, she explained, “We look forward to working with these three groups. We are so proud of our hometown and grateful for all who work tirelessly to renovate our treasures.” Mrs. Kennedy, who is the daughter of the late Billy Vick and Harriet Holland Hall, and Mr. Kennedy, a native of the Hermon community and a brother to the late Jim Kennedy, both value the roots they cherish from their beloved Todd County.
In earlier conversations with Mrs. Kennedy, she explained both she and her husband have strong backgrounds as educators with Mrs. Kennedy tallying up 40 years as an educator and her husband also having devoted several years in the classroom. She also shared she has a daughter who was an educator, and her mother and two siblings were also educators. Several of her relatives are also involved in education. Ms. Anna Jo Parmley, president of the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc., messaged, “It is so heartwarming to have Todd Countians, both those who live here and those who have moved to other locations, give back to the next generation of TCCHS graduates. How exciting it is that they desire to focus on others who are just beginning their lives after high school.”
Mrs. Tiffany Groves, president of the GRA, messaged, “The Green River Academy Historic Site is a fascinating and unique part of Todd County’s history, both architecturally and culturally. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy’s generous gift, which will greatly advance the restoration efforts of this remarkable Todd County treasure.” Of interest is that Mrs. Kennedy actually lived in an apartment in the GRA when she was a few months old, and upon touring the building the other night, she speculated the apartment her parents rented must have been on the second or third floor. At that time, the GRA was owned by the late Mrs. Mallye Mansfield.
Laura Brock, treasurer of HTC and immediate past president of the GRA, messaged, “In speaking with George and Vicki Kennedy the last few months, you can truly feel their love for Elkton and Todd County, and it is inspirational to me. I am also so appreciative of their support and kindness in giving back to the community.” Of interest, too, is the fact that in recent weeks the Courthouse has seen the installation of a custom South American mahogany door on the south side, the removal of the gas pipeline that ran vertically on the south side of the building, and the removal of two non-functioning gas heaters on the second floor, heaters that had been in the building for many decades. HTC members are hopeful in early January to begin cleaning out stored items on the second floor so more progress can be made in its rehabilitation.
Anyone desiring to provide a donation, whether it ranges from a few dollars to hundreds or to thousands of dollars, to these three organizations may send checks to Historic Todd County, Inc. at P.O. Box 101, Elkton; to the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 611, Elkton; or to the Green River Academy Preservation Society at P.O. Box 869, Elkton. Please note the three organizations all have a non-profit 501(c)(3) status, thus making donations to the organizations tax-exempt donations.
Yes, the abilities to look to the future are talents so important in our lives. Sitting Bull, one who united the Indian nation and was credited with several acts of bravery, stated years ago, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” That philosophy of “putting our minds together” resonates strongly in Todd County as many individuals pool their financial resources, their skills, their talents, their knowledge, and their commitment to maintain the history of Todd County as well as the success of its people, making those paramount objectives in the tasks they complete, many of those tasks being ones of a volunteer nature!
Story by Carolyn Wells
