Growing up, I didnt realize the importance of appreciating and knowing my family's history. As I got older, I began to realize the importance of it, and I soon began to research it. I began to try and put the pieces of the puzzle together. Through the many hours at the library, courthouse, and walking downtown and talking to different people, I was soon and often told about a man by the name of Frasier Mountain.
My grandparents are no longer here on Earth, so I dont have many living resources to talk to about the knowledge of the old brooksville. As I would soon learn, Mr. Mountain would be the man to talk to if you wanted to know anything about Hernando county. I kept telling myself that one day, I wanted to meet Mr. Mountain. I came across a DVD at the library that they made with the help of Mr. Mountain. As I watched it, I thought that that was going to be as close as I was gonna get to meeting him. But I was wrong.
As a 7th generation "Brooksvilllian", I am extremely proud of where my family and I have come from. So when I heard about the Hernando County Preservation Society, I decided to join them. Unbeknownst to me at a meeting one night, I had no idea who was about to walk through the door as we were waiting for the meeting to begin. I saw someone, and had to take a double look....I couldnt believe my eyes....after almost 10 years of wishing I could meet the man who was the center of so much history and information, that there he was just a few seats away from me...it was Mr. Mountain. I gasped with excitement....I couldnt believe that my wish had came true.
My mom happened to come with me to the meeting that night. And at the end of it, as everyone was saying their goodbyes, and conversating, she snuck away....I had no idea where she was going, and didn't pay any mind to it. A few minutes later, she called me to come over to where she was, and after I meandered my way through the group of people, I couldnt believe my eyes as to who was just a few feet in front of my face....it was the person who I had always looked so foward to meeting. My mother said to me "Nichole, I'd like you to meet Frasier Mountain." I felt like I was the happiest girl in the room. As I shook his hand, and said hello, I felt as though I was meeting a celebrity. We talked about numerous things within our conversation we had that night...about his life growing up, his job as a pilot, his children. I soon discovered that his family once owned property within walking distance of where I live, and that he was friends with my Uncle Henry Jackson. He welcomed me to come and look through his pages and pages of pictures and information about brooksville and such. When he told me that, I felt like I had just won the brooksville heritage and history lottery! For the rest of the evening, nothing could wipe the smile off of my face after I met Mr. Mountain. That will be a memory that I will cherish forever.
Brooksville lost a great man this week. My deepest, and sincerest condolences go to his family and friends. Those who got the blessing to have met him will be forever lucky. I will miss my friend. Rest in Peace Mr. Mountain. Sincerely, Nichole Chapman