First and foremost, Brian Bockhahn resigned from the position of president of the B W Wells Association. That has been a great loss as Brian operated with zeal and energy, and did so much to revive the Association. The Association's board of directors, confirmed that as vice-president, I should take on the office of president until the next annual meeting.
Brian's resignation was not voluntary, but came about because his superior officers pointed out that it was inappropriate for a Park ranger to be an officer in a friends group, as there is a potential for conflict of interest. In retrospect, that opinion was a portent of things to come, as we have indeed had some conflicts between the Park administration and the Association, that would have put Brian into difficult situations. Brian is still at Falls Lake where he now has responsibility for Sandling Beach and for Highway 50 Boat Ramps.
Another noteworthy event was the appointment in March of Scott Kershner as Superintendent of Falls Lake S.R.A. (State Recreation Area). Scott had been in charge of the Goose Creek State Park, in Washington County, for the past seven years, and prior to that had been a ranger at Kerr Lake S.R.A. We hope that Scott will have success in this position and will enjoy his years at Falls Lake.
We started out this past spring with a bang. The old oak tree that stood beside the Wells farmhouse fell down. Fortunately it fell away from the house, and across the stone wall. It became a problem to get that cleared before Heritage Day, and Brian did yeoman's work in moving logs and brush off the grassy area and into the edge of the woods, so that area looked presentable for the big Day. But alas, we had an "oops". We thought it would be a good idea to convert a log into mementos, such as walking sticks, to sell as a fundraiser. When we applied to the Park administration, we were sternly informed that that is not permissible. It is a violation of state law to remove material from state property. Fortunately the log in question was still on state property and has now been consigned along with the other logs, to the microbes and termites.
This incident also brought into question, the relationship between the Association and the Park administration. Although the Association, founded in 1978, is older than both Falls Lake and the S.R.A., the relationship has never been formalized by a written contract. There is abundant archival evidence of the activities of the Association, including a copy of a letter written by Ray Noggle to then-Governor Jim Martin, but we have no modern legal contract of the form known as a Memorandum of Agreement, or MOA, between the Association and the N.C. Division of the Environment and Natural Resources, which is the parent organization for the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Your board of directors has initiated negotiations to obtain such an agreement. We hope to have a positive report on the status of the MOA by the time of our annual meeting.
- Hughen Nourse
Boy Scout Troop 5 showed up for their fifth straight year to clear all the trails. Needing little instruction or direction, they quickly pruned, cut, raked and inspected all the trails at Rock Cliff.
Association members were free to follow along with the bio blitz. The naturalists were split into three groups containing specialists in wildflowers, grasses, insects, liverworts, lichens and more. Several specimens still await identification, but a master list should be finalized soon.
The areas of interest were the shore line rock outcrops around Zeagle’s Rock and soapstone point. Birds and dragonflies were tallied as they zoomed by on the lakeshore. Up in the fields butterflies and other insects were keyed out with care.
The data will be added to the current park list and the February trip report from the Duke Natural History Society. This should be a near complete list of the flora and fauna at Rock Cliff.
- Brian Bockhahn
David moved out to Rock Cliff Farm in 1950 from Durham, just before the Wells bought the property. They welcomed David and his family in the front house on the property and there he stayed for over fifty years! David had six kids while at Rock Cliff. The three oldest moved out, the three youngest stayed and helped around the farm and referred to the Wells’ as Uncle Bert and Aunt Maude.
David and his family were instrumental to the Wells’ retirement. They kept up the grounds and took care of the farm animals. For about a decade David cared for over a hundred hogs!
After a long family life, David spent most of the last two decades alone on the farm. Kids would return to visit and park staff would drop by to chat, and to buy uniforms from him! Always the country businessman, David would get old tires and uniforms from the Highway Patrol and turn them into profit. Before leaving David sold me a pocket knife for a dollar.
To the end David took care of the Farm, and at 86 years of age, I guess it took care of him too. Before this spring’s Heritage Day David and I stood side by side raking up sweet gum balls and clearing the yard of debris. We talked while we worked and I asked about how they built the chimney in the studio. Though I’ve heard the story twenty times already, the way he spun the tale of dynamite and rock, and the way he pronounced chimney, made it one of those cherished memories. And secretly I knew he would be leaving soon, and it may be the last time I would hear him tell it while on the farm.
David is now at an assisted living facility in Louisburg. I’m sure he’s missing farm life, and after visiting the now empty farm, I can guarantee you he is missed there.
- Brian Bockhahn
So, we cancelled the canoe tour, and didn’t set up all the displays and games. All the guest tour leaders and new booth help waited with us in the rain. Too wet to worry, Hughen decided to led them on a wet guided tour of the grounds and trails.
Just as hope was being lost and some volunteers left early, the clouds parted and the sun came out. And just like last year, advertise it and they will come! We jump started the Geology Hike, history tour, wildflower games and more. Quickly we set out the membership brochures and displays.
Several tours were conducted one right after the other. People came, they saw, took pictures, chatted with members and enjoyed Margaret’s snacks!
Then as quickly as the sky cleared, it turned dark again. The wind picked up as the last tours were still out on the trail and a storm was evident. Under a barrage of falling pine cones, we packed up the booths and brought the day to a close. The last hiking tour had a tree fall across the trail quite close to them, and yours truly took a pine cone to the face.
The winds slowed as it began to rain lightly. Two last intrepid visitors armed with umbrellas were anxious to see the land hiding behind the locked gate. So with socks still wet from the morning, we walked through rain drops together on the last tour of the day.
All told over 130 people showed up before, during and after the rain. Imagine how many would have shown up if the weather report was good! Parking did become a problem and the parking areas got pretty muddy and difficult.
With new booths and tours, our Heritage Day should continue to be a success. Look for new tours, activities, props and displays next year.
Thanks to all the volunteers, members and attendees for another inspiring day at Rock Cliff Farm.
-Brian Bockhahn
Davyd did a lot of research on the past ownership of the property, and took photos of every room in every building, for presentation to the selection committee. The hearings are scheduled on a quarterly basis, and we expect the presentation for the B. W. Wells farmstead to be made at the meeting on October 13th, 2005 at the North Carolina Museum of History.
-Hughen Nourse
I am happy to see the Association becoming a group capable of full blown fund raising and political maneuvers, so it is probably for the best that I step down now.
I will still be there for Heritage Day, National Trails Day and hopefully many, many more guided tours and outings. You haven’t seen Zeagle’s Rock until you see if from canoe, so join me on the next canoe tour! It’s also time for more archiving and a trip to the NC State Archives! Keep the reports of BW’s paintings coming, have camera will travel.
It has been great serving as your president and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I am glad I have a motivated and zealous successor, and am ready to serve in several other capacities to benefit the Association. See you out at Rock Cliff Farm!
- Brian Bockhahn
As we’re growing we are in need of help on each of our project committees. Many of these are a committee of one, and will need any help that is out there.
Archiving: help is needed on various work days cleaning and preserving historical materials and heirlooms.
Buildings: could use anyone with architectural experience or contacts with a construction company.
Grounds: if you can use a chainsaw or even a garden hoe, you can lend a hand with the ongoing projects.
Public Relations: Help with various promotions and events outside the park.
Education: field trip leaders and researchers are needed.
Ways and Means: anyone with contacts or experience working with non-profit organizations are sought.
Membership: it’s not just licking stamps, we need help with membership drives and recruitment.
Please consider helping in one or more areas, thank you!
Many thanks to Benson Kirkman and Ken Moore who will be stepping down from the Board, but remain as advisors to the board. Thanks also to Alice Zawadski who has completed her board appointment.
If you have any information about the following please contact Brian Bockhahn at 676-1027, or email Brian.Bockhahn@ncmail.net
Naming of Ziegle’s Rock
Moonshine Trail rock markers
History of John Davis
History of Wyatt Mangum
Lowery home sites
Pet Cemetery information
PO Box 1901
Wake Forest NC 27587