| Sources |
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 17 Oct 1976.
Clyde Manis obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 22 Feb 2004.
The Feb. 15 death of Donald R. Manis, the operator of Sugarlands Riding Stables in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, may prevent opening the concession for business this year.
Manis took over operation of the horseback riding concession in 2003 after longtime operator Pete McCarter lost it in the bidding process.
Before Manis could begin operations in 2003, he had to erect temporary horse stalls, which were then dismantled at the end of the season in preparation for construction this year of two permanent horse barns, a hay shed and an office.
Park Spokesman Bob Miller said Friday that under the terms of his contract, Manis was required to spend up to $100,000 on the new facilities.
Following an Environmental Assessment, including a public comment period during which only about five people responded, Miller said the park service was working with Manis on refining preliminary designs to get the barns within the $100,000 price range.
Site preparation work had already begun, but Miller said all work will stop now.
"The Park's construction crews were doing the site preparation because our crews can do it more sensitively - it's easier to do it ourselves than try to explain how to do it to someone else," said Miller, explaining that 80 percent of the franchise fees paid by concessioners here stay here and must be used by the park service for concession-related improvements like water and sewer service upgrading, road or access improvements, and signage.
Concessioners pay the park service a percentage of their profit, which is based on the size of their concession and their expected revenues.
"Concessioners are allowed to make a reasonable profit, but they do have a monopoly. The proceeds the park service gets are targeted to supporting the cost of having a concession in the Park," said Miller.
While Park officials hope to have the facility back in place for the spring operating season, Miller said that is doubtful given the death of Manis.
There are a number of things that may happen as a result of Manis' death. Depending upon which of three options occur, Miller said it may not be possible for the stable to open at any time during this year.
"First is that the current operation can be reincorporated under the name of a family member of Manis.' That transfer of management must be approved by the regional office in Atlanta and is based on the financial and experiential capability of the offerer to take over service," said Miller, adding that possibility is now being discussed with Manis' heirs.
The second option is for Manis' family to sell or transfer ownership of the stable concession to another operator, which has happened in the past with Mt. LeConte Lodge.
However, Miller said that too would need to be approved by the National Park Service because the park service would want to be sure of the experience and capabilities of the proposed operator.
The third possibility, according to Miller, is that the contract for the concession could be advertised all over again.
"That would be a slow process. Because of the required time frames for advertising and the need to validate and check out the qualifications of any offerers, it would be very hard to get someone in there this season," said Miller.
Mid-March is typically when park riding concessions open for weekend rides.
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 2 Jul 2004.
HOOFING IT:
Sugarlands Horseback Riding Stables reopens
By: CANDICE GRIMM, Staff Writer July 02, 2004
Photo by Greg Wilkerson
Sophie Wong, 13, rides at Sugarlands Riding Stables Wednesday followed by her mother, Jedda, both of Miami.
Horse lovers are back in the saddle again following the reopening last Saturday of the Sugarlands Horseback Riding Stables in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Although operations got off to a soggy start, horses have been carrying riders on one-hour trips up the mountain all week and stable managers plan to start offering two-hour trips beginning July 5. A third trail, offering a four-hour ride, is expected to be in use by Aug. 1.
Opening of the stables was delayed this year due to the Feb. 17 death of Donald Manis, who held the concession contract last year. Manis had asked National Park Service (NPS) approval last year to change assignment of his contract from him as an individual to Sugarlands Horseback Riding Stables, Inc., with him as the sole stockholder. The NPS approved the assignment on Jan. 13.
After Manis' death, ownership of stock in the corporation fell under the control of the Estate of Donald Manis. Personal representatives of the estate are Manis' daughter Donna Manis, his sister Katherine King and his brother Bill Manis, who comprise the board of directors and control all activities of the corporation.
Manis' family members elected to hire James McMillan as general manager for operation of the stables and Gary Deaton as the on-site manager.
McMillan holds a doctoral degree from Ohio State University with a major in marketing and was employed as a marketing professor at The University of Tennessee from 1970 to 1993, according to information supplied by Park officials.
Deaton's background includes a lifelong association with the horse industry as a buyer, trainer and supplier of horses for riding camps in the Midwest and East Tennessee. Deaton also operated carriage rides and formerly operated a horseback riding concession in Dayton, Ohio.
Acting as a consultant until the stables are up and running smoothly is longtime Manis friend David Wilkinson, operator of a 250-acre boarding facility in Knox County and a livestock contractor.
Wilkinson said some positive changes have been made in regard to the care of the 48 horses owned by the stable.
"There are more knowledgeable horse people operating the facility this year," said Wilkinson, adding, "I can assure you the health of these animals is our utmost concern - you won't see any horses on the trail with open sores or injuries."
McMillan said in addition to keeping the corporation's finances in order and making sure the horses are healthy, his concern will be that "the operation is well run, including keeping the litter picked up and the restrooms clean."
McMillan said the cost for a one-hour ride is $20, a two-hour ride is $39 plus tax and a four-hour ride is $70 plus tax. Hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
For more information call 436-5020.
* cgrimm@themountainpress.com
- [S112] Census, 1940.
Name: Donald Manis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Civil District 4, Scott, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Marital Status: Single
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Tennessee
Birth Year (Estimated): 1933
Last Place of Residence: Rural, Sevier, Tennessee
District: 76-11
Family Number: 148
Sheet Number and Letter: 10B
Line Number: 51
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 3932
Digital Folder Number: 005461374
Image Number: 00381
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Clyde Manis M 29 Tennessee
Wife Effie Manis F 29 Tennessee
Son Blaine Manis M 8 Tennessee
Son Donald Manis M 7 Tennessee
Son Delmar Lee Manis M 5 Tennessee
Son Billie Raye Manis M 2 Tennessee
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 17 Feb 2004.
MANIS, DONALD R. (CHIEF) — age 70 of Knoxville passed away Tuesday February 17, 2004 at U.T. Hospital. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War & owner of Easy Money Pawn Shop.
Preceded in death by parents: Clyde & Effie Manis; brothers: Blaine & Wendell Manis.
Survivors: children & spouses: Connie & Ronnie Wagner, Donna Manis, Donald Wayne Manis all of Knoxville Kathy & Charles Burton of Va.; grandchildren: Tina, Misty & Todd Wagner, Maranda & Brandi Manis, Chris & Heather Burton; great grandchildren: Ben Archer, Destin & Dillin Burton; brothers & sisters-in-law: Delmer & Sue Manis of Ind, Bill & Sally Manis of IL, Melvin Manis of Knoxville, Dwight & Ruth Manis of Las Vegas; sisters & brother-in-law: Katherine & Jack King of Seymour, Bonnie Williams of White Pine; brother in law, Buddy Ann Day; father in law, Clinton Robertson; several cousins, nieces & nephews.
Funeral service 8:00 P.M. Thursday Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel with Rev Tony McAfee & Rev Dallas Gibson officiating. Family & friends will meet at Mt Zion Cemetery in Sevier Co. 10:45 A.M. Friday for interment at 11:00 A.M. with full military honors by Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers: Wayne Manis, Todd Wagner, Ronnie Wagner, Dewey Brown, Pockets Lamb, John Wilkinson. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
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