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Daily Updates
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From "NOAC Notes," edited by Fred Swartz:
"A big marquee just outside the main entrance to Lake Junaluska Assembly displayed a big welcome to the fifth Church of the Brethren National Older Adult Conference as nearly 1,100 participants again convened at this beautiful retreat nesled in the western Carolina mountains.
The 1,200-acre facility is the conference center for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. In addition to the 200-acre lake, the environs include a wide variety of lodging and conference facilities to accommodate groups from five to 2,000, and approximately 700 private residences. It is a popular retirement place for many Methodist bishops, pastors, and other leaders.
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| Maxine and Glenn Mulligan of Fort Wayne, Ind., browse books for sale after registering Monday. |
Lake Junaluska is named after the heroic Chief Junaluska of the Cherokee Indians. Translated in English, his name means "tried and failed." Although he saved General Jackson during the War of 1812, he failed to save his own people from being forced from their land in North Carolina and deported to Oklahoma.
The Methodist assembly grounds were established in 1910 by two Methodist men, James Atkins and George Stuart, who both had vacationed at Methodist assemblies in the North and believed one was needed in the South.
The first Lake Junaluska Methodist assembly was held June 25, 1913, with 4,000 people and an offering exceeding $150,000!
Some other interesting facts about the Assembly--Stuart Auditorium holds 2,000 people; the walking trail around the lake (using the dam and footbridge) is 2.6 miles; the lighted cross above the lake is 25 feet high and uses 200 bulbs; and there actually is a vending machine at the ground-level entrance to Harrell Center that dispenses duck food!
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| Milton Ewert of Modesto, Calif., right, heads a long line of NOACers receiving free ice cream from Brethren Homes staff and volunteers. |
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National Older Adult Conference
