WHAT WAS, WHAT IS AND WHATEVER SHALL BE

'Speck & Spot'

‘WHAT WAS, WHAT IS AND WHATEVER SHALL BE’
Reflections of Hurricane Helene
 
Cristy Dunn, Director of Johnson County Center for the Arts, like everyone affected by Hurricane Helene, deeply felt the pain of so much damage to the mountains we call home and most of all the people. She had the vision to offer an art show in May 2025 to give an opportunity for artists to express some of what was in their hearts and for the community and beyond to process and heal from all that has changed. 

We have had flooding and a couple of tornadoes in our area but nothing compared to the devastation of Helene. Six months after and people are still cleaning up, finding homes and roads, grieving losses of lives, homes and places that are forever changed.


I think everyone in the South and even farther reaching has a story to tell. You may have been affected personally, your friends and family had damage or just seeing people hurting and struggling has touched your heart. I hope you will share some art and share your story. Here is mine…

September 27, 2024 was my dad’s birthday. As I remembered him on that early morning, the storm, never to be forgotten, was heading towards our mountains. Our granddaughter called and was frightened but safe. We set out to get her and bring her to our house and were blocked in by a large fallen tree. We were able to reach her again by phone and she was in her basement and ok. We got back to our house in time to watch tops twist out of large trees, massive wind and rain as we headed to our own basement. Through a window, we watched trees falling beside our house and the constant cracking of trees breaking off and the thud of them hitting the ground. It was very scary and of course, we were worried about everyone else. 

After the storm passed, we were able to contact some of our family and they were alright. It was later before we were able to get a message from my brother, Darren, to tell me that my mom and family in Elk Mills were ok, they were just trapped..for days. They had no electricity, no bridges and roads were impassable. When my sister Marie and her husband Jerry were finally able to cut their way to walk out, the devastation was unbelievable. The Fire Department was gone, the little store where I lived as a child, gone, our childhood church was flooded, cars were in trees, the local store and gas station were irreparable. I can only imagine the grief they felt.

 At this point, people were still missing and houses were being washed into the nearby lake. Many people came to help. My sons Kenny, John and his family, fire department members, medical teams and so many neighbors and groups from different states came to help. My brother, Earnie had a medical emergency during this time and they were able to treat him and get him help. Months without electricity and traveling unsafe roads to get to doctors and grocery stores made for a challenging time for them. Six months later and the store has been torn down, emergency help has left and many roads are still impassable. Only neighbors have worked on the road where my Mom lives and a group of volunteers built a bridge for them. They have been courageous, strong, took care of each other and have been grateful even through the devastation.

Back at our home, after the storm passed, we worked to clear about two feet of limbs and leaves from our driveway, cut out one tree that blocked us in and  we were finally able to get out and check on our neighborhood and our farm. Trees were down all over and some were on fences at the farm. We worked to clear fences temporarily as best we could and all the cows were accounted for, except one. The wind and possibility of more trees falling made it dangerous to stay so we returned home. 

The next day, we returned to the farm and I walked over fields and around fallen trees and found the missing ‘teenage bull calf’. He was still alive and Mike managed to get the tractor to the back field and pull the tree off of him to find a large limb had pierced his side. We called the veterinarian but because he was busy with farmers who had lost cattle and roads were impassable, it would be a while before he could come. We did what we could but Speck didn’t make it. We only had one cow out of 30 that we ‘petted’ and named and it was ‘Spot’. There were some plans for our granddaughter to show her in 4-H so I had worked with her some. She had a first calf and it wouldn’t eat so we bottle fed him. Grandkids bottle fed him also. He finally started eating and Mom ‘Spot’ took great care of him and he grew up strong and healthy..this was her baby, Speck. She was sad. We heard of farmers losing several cattle, fences, barns and so much of their land. We felt grateful that we had no more damage than we did.
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During this time, the Center for the Arts was not damaged at all and we were in the process of a Plein Air Show Opening. We decided to go forward since the show was about our county and it's beautiful cultural heritage places.  People had come from Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Abingdon and other places to paint only days before the hurricane. Cristy, Lewis, myself and others worked to get the show judged and online and it ended up being a great blessing. Lori McNee judged the adult competition from Idaho while my internet capability was very limited to send everything to her. She was great to help us and we are forever grateful. People came to the Art Center to use the internet and get some encouragement and other needs met. Arrowmont and Trudy Hughes sent things for children and we had water and lots of support for our community. People were so kind and caring.

So many roads were closed and are still closed six months later. Companies have worked around the clock to build back roads and bridges and have done a great job. Neighbors have helped neighbors everywhere. 

Our children and grandchildren were all ok with very little damage but my granddaughter, Lillian’s high school was flooded and closed permanently. They will never forget the scene of their school under raging waters. They weren’t even able to get back into the school to get their belongings. Many of them had damage at their homes as well. They temporarily moved the school to an older school building that had been used for county offices and are trying to continue learning as best they can. 

In the same area of Hampton in Carter County, TN the streets and roads were under water. My daughter-in-law April’s Mamaw’s house was vacant but in that flooded area. She and my son, John and volunteers tore the house down during Helene cleanup. They were able to save some shingles and boards for their home as well as many memories. Like many old homeplaces, it was dear to their hearts. They worked in their neighborhood and beyond, taking food, water and necessities and invited people to stay at their home during this time.

Many things deeply touched my heart during Helene and we still see damage everyday but this old home place was what I chose to paint for my entry in…
What Was, What Is and Whatever Shall Be. It was painted in oils on 18 x 24 linen in a course by a Tennessee girl who helped others during and after Helene, Kathie Odom.
You will see my style combined with her unique style in this work. I used a reference photo from April Andrews.
I hope "Mamaw's House" Is a blessing to you.

My prayers for you and everyone continue, especially for those who have lost loved ones, still have someone missing and are struggling to get back to normal. 

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” Isaiah 40:31

Many blessings to you,
Temple
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