Plott historical marker to be unveiled
By Steve Fielder
6/2/2009 8:24:27 AM
Persistence pays. Plott Historical Marker to be dedicated.
Bob Plott, (shown in photo) author of the popular and most definitive work on the Plott breed, Strike and Stay, The Story of the Plott Hound, had to display some of the tenacity for which the breed bearing his family’s name is known in order to realize his dream, a lofty goal of literal historical proportions.
Plott wouldn’t take no for an answer when he, along with other North Carolinians attempted to have a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker erected to honor his family and the Plott breed. Plott and other like-minded souls lobbied for the installation of a marker in Haywood County, North Carolina, home of the Plott family and launching pad for the breed’s eventual universal popularity as a big game dog. Plott’s efforts were to no avail until the success of his book created the pulpit from which his pleadings would fall upon receptive ears.
In Bob Plotts words, “After my book came out, I sent the NC Historical Association a book and it made its way to a research historian there named Ansley Wegner. It turns out that being a vegetarian and of an anti-hunting persuasion she was not thrilled with reading the book, but did so as part of her job. After reading it she called me in March 2008. She said she was prepared to dislike the book, but loved it, saying the story was like a good movie or soap opera. She became a huge supporter.”
Plott and Wegner became good friends and worked closely together for several months to get the marker details done—where was it going to located, why should it be there, and worst of all, trying to put 250 years of Plott dog history into 20 words—the maximum amount for the marker. After all that, it had to be approved by a panel in Raleigh in December—and it was. As a result the marker will be installed on Thursday or Friday of this week, and unveiled Monday June 8th.
It goes without saying that this writer is humbled to have been invited to participate in the ceremony on behalf of the American Kennel Club and of my late father who bred and loved the Plott dog for nearly sixty years. Here is the schedule of the day’s events:
The ceremony will be held at the Hazelwood Elementary School in Waynesville on Plott Creek Road. The school can literally be seen from the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway and is very easy to access. The program will begin at 10 AM with a reception to follow at 11 AM. Bob Plott will be doing a special program for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at the school at 9:00 AM to which the public is not invited. Then Plott will lead the unveiling ceremony with brief introductions of the participants in the program. There will be a ten-minute portion prior to the unveiling to briefly review the story of the Plott breed. The program is slated to last approximately one hour with the reception to follow.
All lovers of the Plott dog are invited to attend this historical occasion. What a proud day for the Plott family and for our beloved Plott dog. Please make plans to attend.
PLOTT HOUND MARKER DEDICATION PROGRAM
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009, 10:A.M.
HAZELWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Welcome: Bob Plott
Invocation: John Jackson
Introduction of, and Comments From, Honored Guests: Bob Plott
- Mayor Gavin Brown
-Principal Sherri Arrington and Steve Brown of Haywood County School System
-Letter from Congressman Heath Shuler
-Ansley Wegner, N.C. Office of Archives and History
- Senator Joe Sam Queen
-American Kennel Club Executive Field Director Steve Fielder
-American Plott Association President Rodney Burris
-George Ellison
-Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center
-Plott Family Members, Plott Dog Owners and Bear Hunters
Program: Bob Plott
Marker Unveiling and Dedication:
Guests representing various branches of the Haywood County Plott family – Dr. Wayne Battle, Helen Luckadoo, Ernestine Upchurch, Bart Campbell, Madeline Plott Dammonn, Ruth Plott, Johnny Plott, Marty Moody, and David Plott.
Reception: In School Media Room From 11:A.M. until Noon.
For more information on the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker program, try this link:
http://www.ncmarkers.com/Home.aspx
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