The list of Jefferson fires is a long one: McCoy Press, Bowling Greene, McAtee Tire, the P.M. Gore residence and many more.
“Fires of Jefferson’s Past” will be the Greene County Historical Society program on Friday, Aug. 1, at the First United Methodist Church, 307 S. Wilson Ave., Jefferson.
The program features Rolfe Blaess, Eldon Cunningham, David John and Jed Magee. Lunch will be served at noon and costs $12. The free program follows at 12:45.
As David John says, “I was talking to Rolfe Blaess, and he was telling me how Safeway burned twice. Then I thought about other fires like the Pizza Ranch.” John immediately recognized a good story, and he has wanted to do a program on it ever since.
Eldon Cunningham will contribute his experiences. He has served 57 years on Jefferson’s fire department (24 years as fire chief), and he remembers the Jefferson Hotel fire as an outstanding fire. Historical Society board secretary Jed Magee rounds out the panel.
Lunch, prepared by members of the church, will be served at noon. Cost is $12. To get a seat at the table, call 515-386-4408 or a Historical Society community contact by Tuesday, July 29. No need to RSVP to attend the program at 12:45.
