Fannin County and the Copper Basin have seen dramatic outward changes over the past 12 months. A tremendous amount of out with the old and in with the new has taken place.
This continuing transformation has attracted both cheers and jeers.
But thankfully, what exists inside the huge majority of the people of these mountains has not changed. The Christmas season was proof positive.
Just like every Christmas season before, the spirit of giving was all around. People stepped up to help their neighbors, from making annual efforts even bigger to answering the call in emergencies. Countless stories were told of help offered with nothing expected in return.
This caring, this character, must never change. If it does, the true identity of the mountains is gone for good.
In a recent Blue Ridge Planning Commission meeting, the statement was made that Blue Ridge is losing its “Mayberry” feel. The truth is most of that feel left town a long time ago. What’s left is hanging on by a thread and that’s sad because that feel has always been the town’s true attraction. It set Blue Ridge apart. If folks want Pigeon Forge or Gaitlinburg, they’ll go there.
But the spirit of giving here is second to none. And it’s that spirit that will always make these mountains “Mayberry,” just the way we like them.