NEW Mt. Opry Performances

Carolyn Longphre helps a customer while Hilda Horton serves coffee at the Walden's Ridge Civic League concession area. If you look closely, you can see the musicians on stage flooded with blue lights.
     The NEW Mt. Opry returns the 4th Saturday of the month, July through October. Come prepared for a good time.

      Players on stage at the Walden's Ridge Civic League on June 19th.

      The NEW Mt. Opry is welcomed to present programs on July 24, August 28, September 25, and October 23.

      To celebrate Independence Day, the Board of Directors of the Walden's Ridge Civic League decorated a truck and participated in the Signal Mountain parade. Here Andy Brockman drives with Cole Petty beside him, as Roxie Thornton, Carolyn Longphre, Hunter Petty, Karen Stone and Hilda Horton ride to the line up point. 

      The parade is an example of the traditional and new activities that ever

      The parade in Signal Mountian left at 9:00 from Alexian Village on Signal Moutain Boulevard. Here the Walden's Ridge Civic League entry travels along the parade route with many spectators enjoying the candy and other treats our group threw to them.

      Participating in the parade is one of the fun activities the Board of Directors enjoys as we reintroduce the Civic League to all the residen

      At the Birthday Bash on June 26th, there were  places designated for "pickers" to play together. Here several gather under a banner that indicates the NEW Mountain Opry will be sponsoring performers on the Auditorium stage on the 4th Saturday nights of the coming months.

      Plan to come on July 24, August 28, September 25, and October 23. The music starts at 6:00 PM. A donation of at least

     The audience enjoys Bluegrass plus Ragtime and Blues Music at the Birthday Bash June 26. Here headliner Lone Mountain performs at the covered pavilion. 

    The audience is seated in the area where the old Fairmount School used to be 100 years ago. The building was torn down after Bachman School was built, but the Auditorium was constructed by the local people before then, and it has survived

      Birthday cake and ice cream were a big hit at the Birthday Bash. Here Kristy Sanders arranges some of the 200 cupcakes she baked. She is placing them in a pattern that forms the numeral 100 to reflect the centennial anniversary. 

    Helium filled balloons were also very popular, and children lined up for them while their parents registered at the next table. If you did not add your name to t

     To her left and behind Rita Smith Irvin is the table where she exhibits bits of history about the Auditorium and the Civic League. Joining her are Brenda Harker, standing, with John Wynne and Ray Fox, seated. Dr. Fox is one of the founders of the original Mountain Opry, which performed every Friday night in the Auditorium for over 40 years. 

      The New Mt. Opry is now bringing music to the 

      David Dolan directs one of the vehicles of our visitors. We now are able to offer many spaces in our newly expanded parking areas. Thanks to the Wayside Presbyterian Church and their kind cooperation is sharing their parking lots. We are proud and grateful for our good relationship with the church.

      Boy Scouts from Troop 116 assisted to keep our visitors safe by guiding drivers and helpi

      Some arrived as early as 4:00 to get a front row seat for the music performance that started at 5:00. Even a brief rain shower did not deter them. They simply tipped their chairs over so the droplets would not collect and went into the Auditorium. In a few minutes they were able to resume their seats and the music began.

      The Devil Makes Three was first up on the agenda. Originally billed as Just US Gals, a last minute health emergency necessitated a change, and the Master of Ceremonies, Steve Daugherty, stepped in to play with Peggy Douglas and  Marilyn Rippond. "The show must go on!"

      Steve is President of the Southeast Bluegrass Association, which meets every third Sunday afternoon in the Civic League 

      The soccer field makes a great place for children to play, and they had wonderful things to play with. We owe many thanks to the generous participation of Mountain Top Toys who provided many of the fun games and activities.

      Parents were pleased that they could safely leave their children with Roxy Thornton who took responsibility for them while the adults visited the vendor area or stoo

      Among the activities enjoyed by big and little, was the hay wagon pulled by Andy Brockman. Even small children could ride safely in the low cart with high sides. The trip took them down Lyness and back. The hay wagon was very popular and was full for every trip from 5:00 PM till dusk.

      Some members of the Walden's Ridge Civic League will be riding in the hay wagon to celebrate in the Sig

      Have you ever seen dancers using a light-as-a-feather parachute in a performance? Tossing it in the air and running, jumping and dancing underneath is a great experience. Here a little girl learns all about it from her mom and dad. Lots of kids and adults enjoyed using the colorful fabric in creative ways and experiencing something new. Thank you to dancer Elizabeth Longphre for providing th

      Children were not the only ones who wanted to pet Molly, the pony. Hilda Horton and Molly walked to the Walden's Ridge Civic League from their home about a mile away. Molly seemed to enjoy the reward of good grass, and she was very friendly and gentle with all those who visited her - even a few dogs. 

      Molly raised funds to help the Walden's Ridge Civic League by donating her shoes that 

      When the Walden's Ridge Civic League Auditorium was built 100 years ago, the residents of the mountain saw  few cars. A family was very fortunate to own one, and many relied on a mule or a horse for transportation. Roads were  made of dirt, and early members of the Civic League worked hard to improve them.

      Charles Adams generously agreed to display his beautifully restored 1934 Studebak

      There were 12 vendors who set up booths selling all sorts of beautiful, useful and interesting things. One of the vendors who attracted the most attention was 11-year-old Tristan Sanders, The Travelling Swordsman. 

      He offered long and short wooden swords for children, and leather bound journals for everyone. His booth was a big attraction, and he sold most of his wares. Kids enjoyed pla

      There was a place for everyone to enjoy the party - from kids on the slide and swings to adults propping their feet up to enjoy a cool drink. The grounds were manicured by volunteers, and looked great. The Auditorium was open for folks to explore.
      A new regulation sized horseshoe pit was recently constructed in the southwest corner near the white building. Come and try it out. The soc

Many people brought their own picnic baskets, blankets and chairs. Here they spread out in the shade of one of the big oak trees. Across the field the tents of vendors can be seen. Over 300 people enjoyed the afternoon and  evening together.

Close to the Auditorium is a good vantage point to see the bands and greet passing friends. In the middle is Charles Adams' 1934 Studebaker on display. In the background the tantalizing smoke rises from the grills where members of New Beginnings Baptist Church are cooking hamburgers and hotdogs. All are within an easy stroll from one to the other.

      Steve Daugherty, of The Folk Music Store, and  Al Kaschimer, pagpipes, are members of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association, and they enjoyed playing together at the June meeting. Afterwards, they gave a helping hand by replacing light bulbs in the ceiling fixtures - a task that required a very big ladder.  

     Randy Henry of Henry Electric donated his time to install modern EXIT signs equipped with LED emergency lights. Bill Trohanis had asked Randy to volunteer, and he came to help with the installation.

    YAY! Summer is here and everyone is ready to get outside and explore! In STEM camp you will have the time of your life building rockets, making slime, experimenting with water and MUCH MORE! 

    Monday-Thursday from 9am-noon, July 19-22. Snacks will be provided. The cost is $175 per session (10% sibling discount) with all materials and experiments included. Sessions . Jennifer Cisto 423

     These fine paint-spattered boys, Blevin Johnson,  Hutton Whatley, Sanders Turley and William Cross  recently painted the soccer goals behind the Walden's Ridge Civic League, with help from Lloyd and Henley Turley.
     The Town of Walden is paying for new soccer nets to be installed soon. The field, walking track, swings, slide, and covered pavilion are all available for use by everyone, on

      On May 21, the students of Signal Mountain Christian School held their Field Day at the Walden's Ridge Civic League. All sorts of games allowed the members of the Blue, White and Green Teams to complete and show off their talents. 

      Especially exciting were the races around the track. Many of the games were more for fun that for demonstrating skills. In the pictures at right, kids are pa

      The Walden's Ridge Civic League has a community soccer field behind the auditorium. These members of the  Signal Mountain 2021 Grey Lightning Boys  were practicing there in early May, even though the soccer goals had no nets. 

      When Mayor Lee Davis learned that the boys had attempted to patch up the old net with duct tape and shoestrings, he recommended that the Town of Walden purchase n

      Mary  Catherine O'Kelley, Treasurer of the Walden's Ridge Guild, presents a check for $300 to WR Civic League, President, Karen Stone, while WRCL Treasurer, Rita Smith Irvin. looks on.

      The  Guild and the Civic League have a long relationship, since it was the ladies of the Civic League who founded the Guild in about 1956. The  Guild's traditional home, known as the Women's Building, is 

      Boy Scouts from Troop 116 work at cleaning up the neglected parking area to provide better parking options for the upcoming Birthday Bash and other events. Shown from left to right, are Andy Brockman, Elbert Stubblefield, David Magyar, Kyran Alverson, Jake Stubblefiled, Hank Stubblefield, Mitch Stubblefield, and Bo Chamberlain.

      BSA Troop 116 is partnering with the Walden's Ridge Civic 

      Officers Carolyn Longphre, Rita Smith Irvin,  Karen Stone and Bo Chamberlain with the newly planted Christmas tree. The tree is a Norway Spruce now only 5 feet tall but expected to grow to 30 feet at maturity. The tree is a gift from Bruce and Laura McCormick. In the background are lights at the Hanging of the Greens Festival.

      Neighbors came together to decorate the auditorium with ever

      Members of the Garden Committee, Hilda Horton, Jeannie Siegel and Jacque  Lyons, place weights on a weed barrier in the garden, while president Karen Stone looks on. The weed barrier was covered with leaf mulch to prepare the ground for spring planting. The Civic League is proud to participate in Mayor Lee Davis'  Walden Native Plant Initiative, designed to support native plants and pollinat

      Third graders from Signal Mt. Christian School help move and spread leaf mulch as part of a service day on January 18, 2021. The kids traditionally enjoy use of the Civic League grounds and buildings.

      The garden is marked with a plaque dedicating the area to Nell Lesslie who lead efforts to create the playground and garden in the 1970s. Mrs. Lesslie was a member of the Walden's Ridge Gu

      Ken Holloway and his wife, Thelma, served as primary stewards of the Civic League grounds and buildings for 40+ years. Officially, Ken was President of the Walden's Ridge Civic League and on the Board of the Mt. Opry. These titles really meant that Ken and Thelma opened and closed the doors for all the Opry performances every Friday night, year after year.

    In October 2020, President Karen

      An As Isaac and Friends Family Christmas was December i6 and 17, 2020 with original songs by artists mixing folk, hip-hop, indie, singer-songwriter,  classic, jazz, and traditional Christmas music. In front: Matt Murr, Aidan Hartman, Zia Shirai, Nathan Shirai, Marv Hudgins; standing: Meleah Smith, Rachel Blackmon, Hannah Smith, Zachary Smith, Daniel Nelson, Stephen Humphries, Laud Vaught, Ti

      At Christmastime, the Civic League offered families an opportunity to have their pictures taken before the beautiful backdrop of a bright red 1934 Plymouth convertible or on the decorated front porch of the Women's Building.

      Thanks to the generous cooperation of Charles Adams. and of McCoy Farm & Gardens, the fundraiser was a success and was enjoyed by everyone involved. 

      Several lighted tents flanked the drive-through Hanging of the Greens Festival. The Pavilion was festooned with light waterfalls. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and other characters added to the festive display.

      Following COVID-19 precautions, guests did not leave their cars. Instead, volunteers gave them kits for a Christmas craft, and for hot chocolate to be made a

   As the cars moved through the line, Santa Claus waited expectantly at the porch. He hoped to collect the letters the children had brought him. 

      At dark, the lighting of the Christmas tree by Mayor Davis was live-streamed so everyone could participate from the safety and comfort of their own homes. 

      Decorations were to remain on display for everyone to enjoy until Christmas... Then....

     THE AFTERMATH. Late on the night of the Hanging of the Greens Festival, a terrific wind storm blew through the site. All of the carefully placed tents, tables, lights, nativity scene, and other decorations were blown down and destroyed.
     It was a terrible disappointment to all who had worked so hard to create a holiday atmosphere. Instead of hosting a neighborhood display, we had a 

      The Walden's Ridge Civic League invites everyone on Walden's Ridge to find a space that suits needs.

      The Signal Mountain High School Mock Trial Team enjoys having private rooms where opposing groups can practice their legal arguments. Left to right are: Wade McLemore, Hanna Morton, Lydia Miller, Milo Newton and Ethan Bullock. Alexia Apalbaza and Tess Pope are partially hidden.

      To show their appreciation for use of the auditorium, track, field and playground, students of Signal Mountain Christian School came to help make the place sparkle. Here they pose on stage with their brooms and dust pans. Left to right are: Eliana Galvani, Franklin Johnson, Sienna Jentzen, Adelaide Gonzales, Jaxson Tester, Zoe Dine, Jacob Stark, Lily Peppers and Jensen Bishop 

      Andy Brockman drives the beautiful antique tractor loaned by Dave Evans to pull the hay wagon at the Walden's Ridge Civic League October Bonfire & Wiener-roast. Liam Brockman signals his father, "safe to go." 

      The Bonfire is one of the events that fits the mission of the Walden's Ridge Civic League to preserve its history and to continue traditional and new activities.