About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 14, 2020)
Shannon Casas Editor in Chief | 770-718-3426 | life@gainesvilletimes.com S'hc firms gainesvilletimes.com Midweek Edition - October 14-15, 2020 History on Elvis’ home, Graceland When Ruth Moore’s daughter, Ruth Marie Cobb, sold the Colonial Revival house her parents had built on a piece of land named after her great aunt — who bequeathed the land to Moore — she surely never con sidered the possibility that it would become the most famous home in America. Moore had inherited the 13.8 acres from her aunt, Grace, for whom the property was named Graceland. Nine miles from downtown Mem phis, it was in the rural countryside when Elvis Presley bought it in 1956 for $102,500. As part of the deal, Elvis paid down $10,000 and traded the family’s nice home at 1034 Audubon Drive to the real estate company for an additional $55,000 toward the sale. Interestingly, two factors played in Cobb selling the property to Elvis: The YMCA was planning on buying it, so Elvis upped his offer. Also, Moore had previously donated a piece of the acreage to Graceland Christian Church — now known as the Dis ciples of Christ and located across the state line from Graceland in South Haven, Mississippi. Elvis agreed that the church could stay where it was, and the deal was done. The king of rock ‘n’ roll was like most Americans: He took out a 25-year mortgage loan to pay the remaining $37,500. If he did not pay off the loan, then it outlived him by four years. Later, when the church moved across the state line, Elvis bought the property where the offices of Elvis Presley Enterprise are now located. Incredibly, every home in which Elvis lived is either designated as a landmark or has special handsome markers. Graceland was first desig nated in the National Register of His toric Places followed in 2006 by the strongest honor of all — a national historic landmark. The state of Mississippi designated his birth home - a tiny, shotgun house in Tupelo - as a historic landmark. Additionally, the projects - Lau derdale Court - where he spent his teenage years (a place that is still handsomely maintained and is located near St. Jude’s hospital) has a substantial marker noting that Elvis and his family lived in apartment 328 from October 1949, to January 1953. A little-known fact is that the apart ment can be rented by the night for fans who want to sleep where Elvis’ music dreams first began. The apart ment is duplicated as much as possi ble to when the Presleys lived there. Within walking distance is Elvis’ high school, Humes, which too, is proudly marked. In 1956, Elvis, using proceeds from his million-dollar sell ing song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” bought 1034 Audubon Drive and moved him and his parents there. It soon proved too accessible to fans, which sent the Presleys to the large, gated property with acreage and a Colonial Revival style mansion. It would become Elvis’ heart and home for the rest of his life. It is the most popular residence in America, rivaled only by the White House in numbers of visitors annu ally. Close to 750,000 people file through to see the white living room, the dining room with the original china that Elvis used daily and, of course, the famous Jungle Room. Music Executive Mike Curb bought the Audubon property to preserve the history, while Graceland’s honors as a national historic landmark and spot on the National Register of Historic Places make it the first rock ‘n’ roll site to garner such distinctions. The first time that Tink and I vis ited together, it was Christmas Eve, and few people were there which made the experience more enjoy able. By the time Tink had moved from the front door to the living room, and then the dining room, I knew that Elvis had a new and devoted fan. “You’re right,” Tink admitted after we visited Elvis’ grave near the pool and meditation garden. “This is really a riveting look at history and one man’s life.” He said that even before he toured the Lisa Marie, Elvis’ plane. This is the second in a five-part series on Elvis Presley and the places he loved. Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of “Let Me Tell You Something.” Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her free weekly newsletter. Photos by LINDSAY HOWARD I The Times Mateo, 1, is dressed as a dinosaur to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night 2019 in Gainesville. Although many Halloween events have been cancelled, there are still places left for kids to get their candy fix. Candy, BY KELSEY P0D0 kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com Pandemic or no pandemic, many kids have one thing on their minds this Halloween season — candy. To bring back a sense of normalcy to families, several churches in Hall County are hosting trunk-or-treat events. However, as with most activi ties planned this year, they’ll look a little different. Assembly of Praise Cars will line Carter and Charlotte Streets in Lula for Assembly of Praise’s Hallelujah Harvest trunk or treat from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Adam Reynolds, pastor of the church, said instead of children walk ing past open trunks and grabbing handfuls of candy, the event will transform into a drive-thru to limit the spread of COVID-19. Staying inside their vehicles, kids will hold their buck ets or bags out the window for volun teers and other participants to fill with treats. Reynolds said the first 100 cars will receive a gift, which includes a chil dren’s Bible and a personal devotional. “Our job as a church is to reach the ■ Please see TRUNK, 8B Several trunk-or-treat events still happening Trick-or-treaters walk down the sidewalk on Halloween night 2019 in Gainesville. 4 hit country songwriters, 1 night, lots of good causes FEATURING HIT SONGWRITERS BOB M LEE THOMAS ■ I I II II I I III | DiPIERO MILLER MOBLEY VASSAR Screenshot of video via John Jarrard Foundation From 8-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, people will be able to tune in for free to watch an online concert featuring live performances from No. 1 hit songwriters Phil Vassar, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley. BY KELSEY P0D0 kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com The John Jarrard Foundation is changing its 19th annual songwriter show this year by going virtual. From 8-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, people will be able to tune in for free to watch an online concert featuring live performances from No. 1 hit songwriters Phil Vassar, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley. The whole show will be livestreamed from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, which has gained a reputation for hosting shows from both up-and-coming and renown songwriters. The foundation’s concert was previously held in-person on Brenau University’s front lawn in Gainesville. Jody Jackson, executive director of the John Jarrard Foundation, said people can expect to hear songs written for country art ists such as Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney and more. “In the past 19 years it has gotten bigger and better,” Jackson said. “It’s a disappoint ment to go virtual, but this year we decided it would be the safest and best thing to do. The good news is we’re going to be able to capture people who have never heard of the Jarrard Foundation.” The concert honors the memory of John Jarrard, a Gainesville native who died in 2001 after a long battle with Type 1 diabe tes. Before his death, Jarrard wrote hit songs performed by country musicians like Don Williams, Alabama, George Strait and Tracy Lawrence. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Jackson said DiPiero, one of the songwrit ers in this year’s concert, wrote a couple of hit songs with Jarrard, including “Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait. “We’re very fortunate to get him to do this,” he said. “He knew and loved John.” People will be able to view the concert for free by visiting johnjarrardfoundation.com or the John Jarrard Foundation’s Facebook page on Oct. 23. 19th Annual John Jarrard Foundation Concert What: Online concert with performances from songwriters Phil Vassar, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley to benefit Northeast Georgia charities When: 8-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Online at johnjarrardfoundation. com or the foundation’s Facebook page How much: Free to view More info: johnjarrardfoundation.com Online auction: Monday, Oct. 19 to Friday, Oct.23, at johnjarrardfoundation.com While people watch the show, Jackson said they will have an option to donate, which will appear with the video. All contributions from the concert will be distributed among North east Georgia charities including Good News Clinics, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Good News at Noon Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier and Sisu Integrated Early Learning. People can also sign up for sponsorships on the foundation’s website, which range in price from $600 to $2,500. Jackson said the North east Georgia Health System recently stepped up as the concert’s No. 1 sponsor. Around $108,000 was raised during the 2019 event. This year, Jackson said he hopes to reach at least $150,000 in donations. “It’s just been amazing the money we’ve raised and the people who support it year after year,” he said. Before the concert, the foundation will hold an online auction from Monday, Oct. 19 to Friday, Oct.23, which will also benefit the five nonprofits. Some of the items are an all- inclusive trip to Nashville and several pieces of artwork from local artists. People will be able to participate and view the auction list at the foundation’s website. For more information about the upcoming songwriter concert, visit johnjarrardfounda- tion.com.
