Whippoorwill Farewell

About the Book

Jocassee Valley, peacefully tucked in the arms of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Oconee County, was finally laid to rest in 1973. Duke Power Company's multi-million dollar Keowee-Toxaway project abruptly choked the natural flow of four wild rivers: Whitewater, Toxaway, Horsepasture, and Keowee, inundating the Valley under a chilling shroud, in some places over 300 feet deep. The idyllic sights and sounds of Jocassee are forever lost...except in the hearts of those of us who lived and played there.

So, let's get to the bottom of it--Lake Jocassee, that is. Inside these covers are rare--perhaps one-of-a-kind--photographs of this beautiful Valley. Some were taken as early as 1914, long before dynamite carved out its cruel facade.

Whippoorwill Farewell: Jocassee Remembered is my collection of childhood and family memories and rare photographs which I hope will make you laugh--perhaps cry--as you take a trip back through your own memories and remember the family times that warm your heart.

The word "remember" means "to put back together; to re-member." It is my hope that in these pages...

Jocassee will be remembered.

About the Author

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Debbie Fletcher spent the summers of her youth in Jocassee Valley. She and Dave, her husband of 36 years, live in Columbia, where Debbie is the Controller/HR Manager of CDA Architects. She and Dave have two married daughters, Melissa (Greenville, South Carolina) and Pamela (Columbia, South Carolina), four precious granddaughters, one adorable grandson, one grandchild on the way, 3 dogs, and numerous fish! God is good to us!