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so a local person told me today after the Save Arrowmont Rally that the original papers between the families who owned the land and the Pi Beta Phi farternity stated that the property was always to be used for education, and under no circumstances was it to be used for profit, and that if the terms were violated the property was to revert back to the original owners.
sounds like that old deed needs to be searched for.
There is a rumor – and it MIGHT just be a rumor- that the money is Saudi.
Bev – I have seen the original deed and it did say exactly what you said but the time limit was only 10 years… sigh….
Dear A Pi Phi,
Take a second to consider the following: Grand Council says the developer interested in purchasing the property is local to the area and has a proven track record of successful projects (or something to that extent).
Who in the Sevier County area has pockets deep enough to build a $500 million complex AND has a successful local venture under their belt? Seems to point to Dolly Parton and her buddies at Herschend Family Entertainment (www.hfecorp.com) as they not only possess the money to undertake a project of this magnitude but they also have the nonexistent conscience necessary to make it happen.
Think about it…
Lisa Aronow
Nashville, TN
2008 Arrowmont Alumna
I would say that you are on the right track LR – considering the lastest article here:
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=62877&catid=2
It looks like local interests are being served, even if the ‘investors’ have garnered funding from an outsourced location/locations. I do know from craftsmen that moved here from Pigeon Forge that the crafts village Dolly set up looks at Arrowmont as competition. So it would not surprise them at all if her corporation was involved in this type of developement and for the Herschend Family Entertainment Corp., it would take care of two issues in one swack – a foothold in Gatlinburg and elimination of Arrowmont.
So sad…..
http://www.dollywood.com/heritage-crafts/
need i say more….
I don’t know…I think Dolly has actually tried to promote arts & crafts in the area…not take it away. And since Arrowmont doesn’t have any roller coasters or shows, there isn’t really any competition between the two. There are more differences in them than there are similarities. Plus, don’t know if ya’llsaw the local news last night at 6pm but they mentioned who the local connection is…Twin Falls, LLC. At least that’s a FACT & not speculation that the WBIR & WVLT reporters dug up…I say good for them!!
I meant good for WBIR & WVLT for digging up some info…NOT good for Twin Falls, LLC for helping this travesty occur.
I agree with Save A. Mont above…it seems to me that Arrowmont trains and creates the crafters that Dollywood needs to hire, so that seems unlikely. I think the developers are the issue…not Dolly. In fact, I’ve heard she’s been contacted about helping Arrowmont, but that might be a rumor dunno
Don’t count on the local media to get the facts correct. I searched the Tennessee .gov website for; “Twin Falls, LLC” and “Gatlinburg Twin Falls, LCC.” Neither is listed as businesses doing business in Tenn. Verifying the facts instead of being the first on breaking news would help control rumors.
For the developer to be doing official business in TN, wouldn’t the company have to have all the contracts signed and in hand? The deals aren’t signed yet according to what has been made public by Pi Phi.
They are being represented by an Indiana firm, so they would have to register their LLC there I would imagine. Signed contracts do not a corporation make, one must register the limited liability corporation (LLC) or whatever they might be. A search in Indiana finds these three possibilities, my bet is on the Twin Falls Farm LLC registered only in April 2008:
https://secure.in.gov/sos/bus_service/online_corps/name_search_results.aspx?search_name=Twin+Falls&search_type=exact&client_id=&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=submit&search_mode=search
I still think further research would show Ms. Parton (or one of her corporations) has ties to either Twin Falls or one of the other developers of this property.
If Dolly would be a strong advocate for the school – then maybe it is time to put a serious proposal together for her parent corporation and see if she and her inverstors would come on board and buy the property for Arrowmont. Her company could easily convert those holdings into a 501c3 foundation for the perpetual care and health of Arrowmont. This would forever protect the land the school is on so that 10 years from now Arrowmont would not be faced with this again. The foundation could provide Dollywood with a taxable offset that would greatly benefit the corporation. Tax deductions are a good thing! And Ms. Parton would have taken another huge step toward perserving the heritage of her area.
Ms. Parton has been contacted
PI Phi is having its officer’s workshop Sept 4-7 at the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport, 9801 Natural Bridge Road, St Louis MO 63134 (314) 429-1100- everyone is there.
Grand Council met with officers late last night attempting to spin the sale -some common themes – THEY were being shut out of the process by Arrowmont (are they surprised?) Arrowmont knew since January (any knowledge by DW and CH was very limited- and not known to BOG) they were surprised by the response (wow- dim and arrogant) they wanted the money for extension – money for the housing to be built and “Arrowmont was hard to sell” (wondering how selling off your heritage will play in extension) – They claimed this is only an issue to “Arrowcraft -era Pi Phis” and no one else cares – Saddest was their attempt to protray this as an issue of loving Pi PHi or loving Arrowmont – they are refusing to acknowledge members are complainig because they LOVE PI PHI and believe this council is destroying everything good about it. They acted as if the deal could go in the next 2 weeks. People were stunned by the condescension shown by some council members.
Finally for a “non Middle eastern” development company – they touted the fact that the company has done work in DUBAI. HHMMMM…
just go to the design company’s website- thinkwelldesign.com. They have 3 offices- burbank, barcelona and dubai. be sure to check out their las vegas design- sounds an awful lot like what they are planning for downtown gatlinburg.
I heard that the property is being sold for upwards of $65 million, which makes the $9 million offer from the not-so-Grand Council seem dreadfully insulting.
I also heard that Ms. Parton (or a corporate entity ultimately reporting to her) is one of the major investors. So… does anyone know if Ms. Parton has responded to efforts to reach out to her? Has she given any kind of statement?
Either way, shame shame shame on her for not even making a gesture of standing up for Arrowmont!
http://www.metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/17/talk-about-passion/
new story about arrowmont’s plight – with interesting comparison’s to penland…
For what it’s worth – At the officers workshop -Grand Council demonized those members who have posted here and elsewhere anonymously. According to them, the “non loyal, unsisterly” posters are the reason the Fraternity is in its situation right now (not GC selling our heritage) and we are also being blamed for them and their families receiving threats. Seriously, my fellow posters and I have not seen any of these threats in any of the articles comments, blogs etc. and would never have taken part in anything like that.
As for the “remaining anonymous issue”-They control the internal communication in Pi Phi, and left parties in opposition to the sale no other option but to communicate information in more public forums. This is an attempt to draw attention away from the real issue – GC unilaterally selling the Arrowmont Campus and all the horrible baggage that comes with it. How disapointing.
so I still want to do a kids protest parade!
I am thinking some Sunday afternoon about 2PM would be perfect. Have a rally at the top of the hill, paint faces make banners and posters and then march down past the front of Arrowmont to the area where we last protested.
If some one will help me, I will be an organizer. I know a lot of kids and they are sad and hurting over this. It would make them feel like they are doing something!
Thanks
Bev Jones
overheard while in line at Food City:
“[x] says the Gatlinburg waterpark thing fell through and was a scam….”
“Really?”
“Yeah, someone made off with the money or something….”
Oh one can only wish…that would be too rich.
Everyone’s thoughts are rather humorous, however some are correct. I know exactly who is involved and what has happened, and all I can say is that all of you are wrong in thinking that Arrowmont is to be lost. So before you accuse, get your facts straight first.
Problem is that those of you who are “involved” have not been very forth-coming with the “facts”. Let us know specifically how we are all wrong and how Arrowmont is not to be lost.
I agree with laurel…TELL us the “facts” you know – set us straight.
And I am saddened to hear you think our thoughts are “humorous.” I can PROMISE you no one who has spent time at Arrowmont & has absorbed the wonderful, warm & enriching atmosphere there thinks this is funny. I think people speaking in cryptic generalizations are “humorous.”
I’m not in any position to tell you everything, however when the facts are to come out, they will. Arrowmont is still in existence and will continue to be. That’s the issue with you here, and that’s what I’ve clarified. Nothing else is your concern at the moment.
Also, Arrowmont is to be moved, not destroyed. That has been brought to the public.
Moved…where?
I heard the “local” developer got ripped off & the deal has fallen though. There’s some karma for ya!
In response to Involved:
“Also, Arrowmont is to be moved, not destroyed. That has been brought to the public.”
Moved? Where? When? Brought to the public? In what parallel universe? There have been no publicly announced open meetings. The public receives its information from the newspapers, and I’m pretty certain it would have come up had journalists known this information. Don’t toy with people, it’s not nice.
I wasn’t aware that the public knows that Arrowmont “is to be moved.” Who will pay for that? Will there be enough room for all the studios? Will there be galleries? dorms? When will Arrowmont be moving? If you aren’t in the position to tell the facts, then don’t criticize people for not knowing the facts that you CAN’T TELL or won’t tell.
That is why it is not funny, humorous, or kind. What if someone told you that the place where you have spent your life is going to be moved, but not where or if anything would be the same?
What if you came home and there was a FOR SALE sign in your front yard and all you were told was that you were moving, but nothing else? How would YOU feel? Would that be funny? Bet you would be concerned and upset that no one really cared about how you felt and even blamed you for not knowing the facts.
Involved-
Everything is our concern at the moment.
In response to Involved,
“I’m not in any position to tell you everything, however when the facts are to come out, they will. Arrowmont is still in existence and will continue to be. That’s the issue with you here, and that’s what I’ve clarified. Nothing else is your concern at the moment.”
I have other concerns in addition to Arrowmont’s future. I am deeply concerned about the environmental impact of the proposed development of the land in question. (Do you have any idea how overtaxed the county’s water resources are currently, sans development?) I am troubled about the loss of historic buildings should Arrowmont relocate. I am worried that there will very likely be down time while Arrowmont moves to it’s new home.
You have told us NOTHING. You have clarified NOTHING. And your snarky tone (“Nothing else is your concern”) is arrogant, contemptuous and insulting.
To Involved -
Posting anything on this blog under an anonymous name gives you and your comments no credibility or credence in this community. If you are so ‘involved’ and know so much, and feel capable enough to make these types of claims online, then you need to do so under your real name.
Hiding behind a secret identity makes you and your postings indistinct. About like the underbelly of a gnat.
Mountain Press online has a new story stating the development may be dead.
Hallelujah!
We had heard rumors that Brownlee was saying he expected to have the Howard Johnson’s property back in a few weeks……
Now if the Pi Phi’s will put pressure on their Grand Council and bring it to their convention, I am sure many ‘interesting’ things will come of that.
Ladies of Pi Phi, please keep up the insistance that all things having to do with Arrowmont be kept in the sunshine. And also consider running for Grand Council on an ‘open door’ policy.
I agree that this is exiting news, but lets not breathe a sigh of relief until Arrowmont is safely owned by a non proffit who cares about the land or a Land Trust organization like the Foothills Land Conservancy. Than I’ll be comfortable that the school, its buildings, its inhabitants and the greenspace are protected.
Bev, I just read your idea. Lets have a big protest with kids and all during a busy weekend in October to bring this out to the public. I’ll help. Call me, I’m Tara’s goddess mom:) 865-436-8283
What has happened? Did the land sell? I have searched the web to try and see how to help support Arrowmont but cannot tell what has happened?
Please leave a comment and let me know.
I cannot believe this could happen.
I am sure there are many artists with similar stories to mine. Over the last 30 years I have met incredible people at Arrowmont starting in 1974. I always come back to Arrowmont for more inspiration. No this is not rumor, this is a fact.
Arrowmont changed my life and all my fellow graduate students lives as well. As a master’s degree student back in the 70’s I don’t know how else we would have learned as much as we did with the access we had to the school.
I cannot imagine putting a financial value on those experiences. So many of us for so many years studied there with incredible nationally known artists.
Later I was invited to teach Elderhostlle, twice, and they loved it as well.
Marion Heard and Sandy Blain were incredible mentors and positive influences to so many of us.
I have a 36 year pottery career thanks to Arrowmont.
I live in Oklahoma now and I cannot tell what has happened. Has it really sold? Is it going to be another waterslide? Do they know how hard it is to “move” kilns, clay, studio equipment, glass, libraries etc.?
Over the years I have been invited to speak to Pi Phi’s here in the midwest. They have always been warm, inviting and supportive as I explained not only how much it meant to me personally but also to thousands of other artists of all levels as well. I ask them now to come to our rescue. Please help explain to the boards etc. how important Arrowmont really is. It is not just another school. The quality of learning there is incredible. The library is like no other. I like Penland also but they have no library like Arrowmont.
Please let me know what has happened. Please tell me Arrowmont will continue in its present location.
IT’S OVER! The KNS reports today, 10/31/08, that the deal is indeed DEAD!
Hallelujah!
Don’t forget that everything could change once the market rebounds. This council has shown its hand, and will reshop the property now that the cat is out of the bag – they have nothing to lose. Pi Phis need to be looking for a Grand Council that shows more respect for its heritage and the views of its members.
I’m betting the attorneys killed this deal. What was the Grand Council thinking when they agreed to sell without clearing the long term leases. They made a public announcement to sell without even talking to the tenants who legally have long term leases.
What developer would pay millions for parcel of property with a tenant leasing the land for one dollar a year. I understand that Sevier County has 14 years remaining and Arrowcraft has 39 years remaining. That’s a long time to wait before developing the property.
To Nov 3 “a Pi Phi” We are looking for a NEW Grand Council! We want ALL of them replaced and we do not want the next Grand President to be in the mold of Emily Tarr! We do not want K.P. who is just a clone. Take action, Pi Phis! They are still rubbing their hands together over the prospect of dollars.
They sold out our philanthropic efforts to First Book which, in turn, is selling out to Disney and even advertising for Disney products while Pi Phi is paying them money for what? We need to get rid of F.B. as well. Long live Arrowmont!