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The Craddock Center Calendar of Events.  Click here to see what is happening with the Story Express.

GA HEAD START ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES THE CRADDOCK CENTER’S CEP

You have been hearing stories about the positive impact of the Children's Enrichment Program on the lives of young children for the seven years it has been offered. In fact, you participate as partners in bringing this enrichment to 1340 children in the southern Appalachian mountains. The classroom teachers tell us their children start the morning by

asking, “Is this the day Ms. Amanda comes with her keyboard, or Ms. Connie with her puppet, or will we see Ms. Kim today with her bells, is Mr. Jose bringing his guitar, when is Mr. John coming with his funny stories, and isn't it about time for Ms. Tracy to come with surprises?” Can you imagine having a job in which the goal is to promote literacy and self-esteem among three and four-year-olds by delivering songs, stories and creative movement, in other words, HAVING FUN?

The Georgia Head Start Association recently recognized The Craddock Center with the 2009 Corporate Award for modeling an outstanding community partnership promoting literacy and self-esteem in Early Childhood Education.

This award has brought to the attention of Head Start Directors across Georgia how the Children's Enrichment Program model could be implemented in their schools. In fact, after Kim Cheves and Connie Chancey presented a storytelling workshop for a group of Georgia Head Start teachers and Directors in August, they were asked by many if the CEP could be brought to their schools. Of course, the Directors are very aware that the Children's Enrichment Program could not exist without the generous support of partners like you. On behalf of the children whose lives are enriched by this program, we say thank you. Know that each day as the Children's Enrichment Arts Specialists enter the classrooms they are delivering happiness and hope to each child while building self-esteem and the foundation for literacy by HAVING FUN with stories, songs, and creative movement! Congratulations to the CEP Arts Specialists: Kim Cheves, Amanda Galloway, Connie Chancey, Tracy Walker, John Beavin, and Jose Illingworth for this well-deserved recognition!--TLS 

What we hope you will be doing on January 30, 2010, is heading to Blue Ridge for this performance. We have found the best dulcimer player in the southern Appalachian area, Bob Thomason, who happens also to be a gifted storyteller. Bob and his wife, Melody, live in Sautee, Georgia, where he also makes beautiful dulcimers and together they record CDs (click here to listen to some of their music). They have been delighting audiences with their songs and stories of the Appalachian

Mountains for almost thirty years. Bob is a native of Oconee County, S.C. and was raised in a mill village with his mountain-born relatives.

He plays mountain dulcimer, old time banjo and guitar. Melody is from Homestead, Florida, and adds her wonderful clear voice to the music. They met at Clemson University, where both graduated. Bob was the Southeastern regional dulcimer champion in 1989 and has taught workshops for schools, colleges, and Elderhostels from Maine to Florida. When I first heard them at the National Homiletics Conference in Atlanta, I was so deeply moved by their music, I wanted all of you to hear them. Then I learned that Bob is also a master storyteller; just the combination we want for Songs & Stories in January. I have heard from folks who have experienced Bob leading an Elderhostel that they were not ready for it to end after five days! So make your plans to join us for a wonderful evening of Songs & Stories Appalachian Style at Fannin County High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.--TLS

This spring I was given one of the best books I have read in a long time about contemporary life in the mountains of southern Appalachia. Clay’s Quilt, the first novel written by Silas House, is full of music, religion and celebration of God and life. He writes about family and the land in such a compelling way that I felt I had made a visit to Eastern Kentucky when I finished the book. A day or two later Helen Lewis called to talk about who we might invite to be the lecturer at the March 2010 event. And to my surprise she said Silas House, an Appalachian author, musician, and Eastern Kentucky activist.

I should have known Helen Lewis would know this young writer with such immense gifts. Not only does she know Silas House who was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, but he also received the Helen Lewis Community Award in 2008 for his environmental activism from the Appalachian Studies Association.

Silas House will be an exciting lecturer speaking about mountaintop coal removal and his writing. He will also bring his band for the 2010 Helen Lewis Lecture. This is something you won’t want to miss! — TLS

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This page was last updated 12/14/2009