Linda grew up in New Canaan, Conn., and spent summers on Nantucket, as well as living on the island year round for a time. Linda and her husband, Mike, moved to Lookout Mountain 16 years ago from Atlanta, and she quickly developed a fondness for the community, seeing many sweet similarities between living on the mountain and Nantucket.
As Linda shared, “Nantucket is primarily a summer island, much like the original community of Lookout Mountain, which started as a collection of summer cottages to escape the heat of the city. Nantucket and Lookout Mountain are both tourist destinations for their natural beauty and history. Linda admires that “the community of Lookout Mountain is proud and dedicated to maintaining its haven, much like the islanders of Nantucket covet their oasis 30 miles off the Cape.”
Linda has served on the boards at Lookout Mountain School and Love Lookout, and she is a renowned cook and hostess who throws the best parties.
Quarterboards are an integral part of the Cape and islands off Massachusetts. These boards were originally created for the ships whose names they bore and were hung on the stern of the boat and along the quarter panel of the bow, hence the name “quarterboard.” All Nantucket cottages have them - some are whimsical or make a clever statement; others are historical or simply bear the family name. Linda shared that one long and rambling home on Nantucket was aptly named “Haphazard,” while another cottage had a quarterboard that said “Nestled In” due to its cozy location hidden in the brush. Reminiscing about these special signs gave birth to an exciting idea that could benefit the communities of Lookout Mountain: Quarterboards for a Cause.
Quarterboards For A Cause was born out of Linda’s desire to create this nonprofit to benefit our community and, at the same time, add to its existing charm. This nonprofit is a 501(c)(3), has no paid employees, and runs on volunteer time of the board members.
While most quarterboards are made in New England, Linda discovered the skillful work of Lookout Mountain, Ga., resident Bob Guth. Bob and his wife, Vicki, have a woodworking business that initiated from their favorite hobby. Bob spent time creating quarterboards in the past for U.S. Coast Guard cutter ships and leisure boats, along with other specialty signs that he sends around the world. Bob and Vicki quickly embraced the idea of Quarterboards For A Cause, and they will now graciously turn their attention to crafting custom quarterboards for mountain residents.
Over many dinner parties, Linda shared this idea with her guests and these initial supporters now make up the board. Linda is the incorporator and president of Quarterboards For A Cause, Mike Kitzman serves as vice chair, and Kate Boschi is the secretary. Her husband, Rich, treasurer, and Ted Alling is auditor. Kelly Alling, Hannon Doody and Cameron Doody are also on the board of directors.
The group hopes that the quarterboards will be a sign of community support. If you buy a quarterboard for your home, half of the proceeds will be designated to a fund that will support our entire Lookout Community by helping our police force, firemen, town workers, emergency response teams, and schools in both Georgia and Tennessee. The board will distribute funds yearly by supporting the areas with the most need at that particular time.
Linda and Mike’s quarterboard aptly names their home “Eagles Nest” because they are perched on Scenic Highway near the Commons where they often see the activity and comings and goings of mountain friends.
Quarterboards are ideally displayed on the outside of a home, but can be hung inside a home, sit on a bookshelf, or hang in a garage.
Signs can be customized with three different styles of edges and are available in multiple sizes, from 24 inches to 42 inches. They can be painted in a variety of paint colors or finished with a stain. Carved motifs of any kind can be added to the ends of the quarterboard - such as a fairy, the Tennessee state star, a gnome or others. Every home or family has a story, and this is a way to share it! If you would like to support this worthy cause and give back to our community, you can order your quarterboard at www.quarterboardsforacause.com. for any questions, please contact Linda Kitzman at [email protected].
By Ann Henley Perry