Whippoorwill Farewell: Jocassee Remembered

My Personal Blog

 


Lake Jocassee


Debbie Fletcher

I never thought I'd say THANK YOU to Duke Power, but here goes . . .
There is a beautiful, pristine peninsula on Lake Jocassee, the fate of which has been of great concern to me and others over recent years.  It was in grave jeopardy of being swallowed up by Anthony's developers, due to its proximity to the other Cliffs communities scattered throughout Eastoee . . . but not any more!  Yesterday, the State of SC announced that it has purchased this 63-acre beauty as an addition to the protected Jocassee Gorges!!!  The unspoiled view to the left as you look off Jumping Off Rock is preserved forever.  I'll admit - I was certain that it would end up in the hands of the developers - rumored to be sold at $1,000,000 an acre.  For once, Duke Power (and their subsidiary Crescent Resources) has done the right thing.  Their promise to NEVER DEVELOP LAKE JOCASSEE has been upheld (at least on this part of the lake).  Development of that magnitude (potentially 60 homesites) would have devastated the water quality and solitude of that stunning lake.  I'm grateful that justice has prevailed, and this land will be preserved for my grandchildren - and yours!!!

Thank you, Duke Power and the State of SC, for finally making us proud.

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 7/4/2008 4:26 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Diver Down - A Tribute to Joel Tubbs
I am very sad to report that Joel Tubbs, 41, died Sunday, June 8th, while diving in Blue Springs, Florida.  Joel was a very close friend of Jackie Smith, who also died while diving a couple of years ago.  Joel was a very experienced, careful diver.  A heart attack is suspected.  My heart goes out to his wife, Christy, and to all his friends he left behind.  The diving community has suffered a great loss. 

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 6/14/2008 1:57 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Author Day at Table Rock State Park Sunday, 8-12-07
I'd love to meet some of you at the Authors Day at Table Rock State Park on Sunday, August 12th.  Lots of local authors will be around and will be happy to sign books!  Here is the link.  Hope to see you there!

http://www.birchwoodcenter.org/bookfair7-16.html

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 8/3/2007 7:11 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
The Fanciful World of Beatrix Potter
I have just finished watching the movie "Miss Potter."  I didn't know what to expect, for I am sorry to say I have had very little exposure to her books, a matter which I intend shortly to rectify.  As an author, I very much related to her excitement over her first publication.  I was quite amused at her initial insistance that her first book be published in black and white because "printing in color will cause the book to cost 4 times as much!"  (Well, some things haven't changed!)  However, I was more struck by her love of the land - and the fact that she used her resources to preserve the land against "the developers" - quite the villains at the end of the story. Anyone who knows me knows that I vehemently oppose the creeping development on Lake Jocassee.  Such unspoiled beauty should remain - well, unspoiled.

Watch the movie.  It's sweet and inspiring. 

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 7/7/2007 7:07 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Little Joshua Dorchak is found!
Below is a link to read about the end to this tragic search. 

Bill, I told you once you are my hero . . . looks like I was right.  You still are.  Deb

http://www.whns.com/Global/story.asp?S=6699749
 (here is full story in case link expires);

Jocassee Tragedy Comes To A Close

June 22, 2007 11:46 PM EDT

Divers spent two weeks searching this Lake for Joshua Dorchak...each day that went by hope for finding him diminished.   But Friday morning during a memorial service there was a breakthrough.

Emergency Services Director Rodney Burdette says Bill Routh located the boat and notified Natural Resources divers that were here on the scene.

Burdette also says the moment they called for radio silence during the memorial service is the exact moment the bowie popped up from the water signaling the boat and baby Dorchak  had been found.

"I just broke down it was very emotional.   It's been a lot of hard work by a lot of people," says Bill Routh, Off The Wall Charters.

A lot of hard work that consisted of 40 different dive organizations from as far away as Texas.  Each person spending hours a day searching this Lake Jocassee.

"They have put in 10, 12, 14 hour days on the water and lost that much sleep trying to figure out what they can try different," says Routh.

-- Finally a breakthrough that can bring closure to the family after such a tradgic loss.

"They were releived and sad.  There's been a lot of mixed emotions.   It's been two weeks," says Routh.

The boat was found half a mile from where it went under in 120 feet of water.

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 6/23/2007 8:45 PM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
THIS ENTIRE WEBSITE IS COPYRIGHTED!

I have had 2 instances in the last couple of days where either a photo or video clip from my website has been used on other websites.  Please resist the temptation to use any portion.  If you want to use something, please contact me, and we'll discuss what you would like to use and for what purpose.  These images are one-of-a-kind and have all been published in my book.  Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

Debbie

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 6/14/2007 8:05 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Missing Boy in Lake Jocassee
My prayers and sympathies go out to the Dorchak family whose 3-year-old boy is missing in Lake Jocassee.  I cannot imagine the grief they are experiencing.  Many of my diver friends send their sympathies, as well.  It is such a tragedy, and we send our love to them.

Sudden storms are not uncommon at Jocassee.  I have heard that it's a combination of storms moving in over the mountains, along with the wind whipping up over the dam.

Such a beautiful lake . . . such a tragic event.  We should all take a moment and count our blessings.

Debbie

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 6/10/2007 6:37 PM | View Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
In the beginning . . .
Hi, there.  I see you have found my newfound toy . . . the blog.  Admittedly, this is my hubby's doing, as he is my webmaster, and I guess he figured I need another outlet to talk about Jocassee .

There are a couple of upcoming articles you might be interested in reading:  one will be published in this month's Jocassee Journal about diving in Lake Jocassee (I'm told I'm a centerfold - haha); the other is an article by a freelance writer for South Carolina Alive! about Attakulla Lodge.  I will post a link on my website to both articles.

I love to talk about Jocassee - past and present - so please feel free to join the blog with any questions or comments.

Dave and I are leaving on June 7th for Beaufort and Tybee Island to celebrate our 33rd anniversary.  I'm guessin' that Tybee is one of my favorite places, second only to Jocassee.

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Posted by Jocasseegirl at 6/6/2007 1:20 PM | View Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)