German Pioneers and the Sons of German Pioneers

Did you know that there was a strong German immigrant influence on the early years of Holly Hill? There were several German organizations that financially supported the home. The German Pioneers and the Sons of German Pioneers both had fund raisers to support Holly Hill in its early years. In the archives of Holly Hill we have a letter from Betty Rummel, a Lady Board member, who in 1915 lived in Germany during WWI but she still sent her annual dues and a donation to the Lady Board.

The German organizations that supported Holly Hill in the early years died out during WWI because of anti German feelings. It was also during this time that the "Home" stopped publishing anything in German. Prior to this time, the home would print almost everything in English and German.

Holly Hill Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Did you know that the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner goes back at least to 1947? In a document for the newsletter and the newsletter "Our Home" from 1947, there is a blurb about the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in a list of "Coming Activities". In 1947 the dinner was sponsored by the Board of Directors and a group called "War Dads".

Holly Hill's First Golf Outing

Did you know that the very first Golf Outing for the benefit of Holly Hill was held July 11, 1962? The first golf outing was called an "All Day Invitational Golf Outing" and was held at Devou Park in Covington, Kentucky. Walter Berkemeyer was president of the Board of Directors for Holy Hill with William Grimm, Arthur Sierevel, Victor Brown, Albert Keeler and Fred Rauch serving on the Golf Tournament Committee.

It was an all day event attended by 200 participants. The first golfer teed off at 6:30 AM after having coffee and donuts and the last golfer in the late evening. (Were the last golfers given flash lights or possibly candles?) There was a mid-day dinner provided, accompanied by a "string band". For the entertainment of the participants a golf exhibition was provided by Bill Kaiser, a Kentucky Golf Pro and nine year old Denny Hurley of Covington, winner of the National Pee Wee Golf Championship.

Source: Lady Board Scrapbook Enquirer, Post and Times-Star Articles 1962

The First Holly Hill Home

Did you know that the first Holly Hill home was located on 6 acres on top of "Hoofer's Hill" in what is now South Newport?. At the time, this was an unincorporated area of the county, later to be called Clifton. The estate belonged to George R. Fearon and included a house, a barn and a "small dwelling". The property was purchased by The Campbell County Protestant Children's home on May 7,1886 and was transferred on July 7, 1886 at 1:00 PM. The board decided to insure the house for $10,000, the barn for $1,000 and the "small dwelling" for $500. The Campbell County Protestant Children's Home was officially dedicated August 1,1886.

Mr. Jacob Heilman and his wife were hired to be Superintendent and matron respectively on October 8,1886 at a joint salary of $20.00 a month with room and board. It was decided that the children of"members" (any one who donated at least $2.00 a year or a $50.00 donation which made them "life members") could be admitted free. The children of nonmembers would be charged $75.00 a year.

The first child, Clarence Harris from Claryville ,KY. (near present day Alexandria), was placed in the home March 4th, 1887 . The board also approved the purchase of one cow and two chickens to help feed the children.Two additional children were place at the home on May 19,1887.

Source: Board minutes from 1886-1887