Nacoochee School memories

More than 45 former students of the Nacoochee School reunited on Saturday, August 20, continuing an annual tradition, first started in 1989. It had been temporarily suspended after 2019, due to Covid-19.

Some folks were joined by spouses, children and friends.

The group gathered at the Sautee Nacoochee Center’s community hall.

Skeet (Richard) Cathey, chairman of the Nacoochee reunion committee, welcomed the alums.

Mel Whitehead, the new executive director of the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, also greeted the former students.

“This place has an amazing history,” he said. “I learn listening to your stories. When I am the first one in each morning, I hear the floors creek. Then I stand in the halls and listen. It’s amazing the voices I hear.”

The group enjoyed visiting with each other during a potluck lunch.

Following lunch, Mary Geidel and Joyce Etheridge led two story-circle groups on the porch.

Each storyteller’s five-minsute remembrance was recorded by cell phone. After everyone had finished, they enjoyed jumping in with group stories. These recordings will be archived in SNCA’s history museum.

Allen Davis told about his daddy and his Uncle Don’s moonshine antics. “Moonshiners always had a dog,” Davis said. “If the dog barked, they’d split up and take off so the revenuers couldn’t find them.”

Barbara Windham remembered her family’s first party-line telephone. “It had five families on one line,” she said. “Mr. Fred Stovall liked to listen in.”

Ann Banke remembered playing hooky. “Nearly all of the class skipped school one day,” she said. “Richard Tinius had a big truck at school and as soon as the kids got off the bus, they got on his truck. We went somewhere up on the side of Tray Mountain. We got back on time for everyone who rode the bus to get back home. Next day, we were given a lecture about irresponsible behavior and D’s in deportment for the grading period.”

In addition to the stories, earlier in the program, the group was treated to a performance by singer Casey Tanksley and her guitarist, Dylan Tonogan. Casey is the daughter of alum Frances Stovall McKay.

Cathey thanks the Nacoochee Reunion Committee for all their work.

Attendees in alphabetical order: Jon and Paulette Anderson, Ann New Banke, Joy Threlkeld Brown, Wayne and Roberta Cantrell, Sharon Elrod Carroll, Jeff and Zulene Cathey, Richard and Beth Cathey, Barbara Chambers, Marilyn McCay Chastain, Lee Roy Clark, Ruth Hillton Connor and Bill Connor, Allen Davis, Peggy Brock English, Jim and Terry Glen, Barbara Allison Henry, Bobby Hilton, Carol Bryant Johnson, Geraldine Brock Lord, Danny McCay, Francis Stovall McCay, Linda Wilson McClure, Linda Hood McMillan, Bobby Minish, Bruce and Ethelene Minish, Margie York O’Malley, Hoyal and Judy Vandiver Presley, Vivian Dyer Rider, Cathy Carolyn Sexton, Mollie Wilson Soule, Donna Henry Staton, Ike Stovall, Casey Tanksley, Cathey Turner, Dylan Tonogan, Gilmer and Brenda Vandiver, Jerry and Cheryl Burke Vandiver, Kenneth and Jane Vandiver, Linda Bristol Watson, Paul Watkins, Morgan Wheeler, Carolyn Wilson, Dan and Barbara Kimbrell Windham, Willie Nell York and Dixie Cook.

The Nacoochee School ran from 1928 through 1974. It was established as a public school by the White County Board of Education, with grades 1-11. The last graduating class was 1959. Nacoochee Grade School continued until 1974. The Sautee Nacoochee Community Association was formed in 1981.