“A community is only as strong as it’s people,” is a common adage, and it rings true in Roan Mountain where the Roan Mountain Citizens Club has played a vital role in the town and area since 1946.

“The Citizens Club is so instrumental in getting things for Carter County and Roan Mountain,” said Club President Brian Tipton. “When you look back at the history of the Citizens Club, there is just so much they have done for the community.”

Two of the more notable achievements the Citizens Club has helped produce is the establishment of the Roan Mountain State Park and the construction of Highway 143 that leads up to Carver’s Gap and the world famous Rhododendron Gardens.

Today, the Citizens Club is still very active in the Roan Mountain community.

“Essentially, we raise money for various things for the community,” said Tipton.  “One of the biggest things that we do is a scholarship program that’s four thousand dollars a year for four students each year for four years of college.

“We also give back to the community through donating to the state park,” added Tipton.  “We sponsor projects like the development of the new Happy Trails Park that is being formed. We also do beautification projects. We help the fire department and a variety of other local organizations when we are able too.”

The biggest event the Citizen’s Club holds each year is the Rhododendron Festival. This year, the event drew in several thousand people from all over to Roan Mountain State Park and featured over 130 vendors.

According to Tipton, who has been with the Citizen’s Club for roughly nine years, civic groups play a crucial role in every community, and the Roan Mountain Citizens Club is no exception.

“I think it helps bring the community together,” said Tipton. “It also helps create a bond between the people and the community. It helps them see the work that is being done in their community. It strengthens all those bonds that a community needs to prosper.”

This past Thursday, the club members met at Roan Mountain State Park for their annual picnic. The group uses events like the picnic a couple of times a year to catch up with one another, said Tipton.

“We have to have a little bit of fun too,” said Tipton. “We always have two annual events for clubs members. One of them is the picnic. We also have a Christmas dinner. They are light-hearted and fun. It is a good way for us to reconnect with each other.”

Club membership can be attained through invitation by a current club member. For more information, visit the Citizens Club online at www.roanmountain.com.