Meet the shining stars who bring the stories and songs to the children in the Children’s Enrichment Program:

Pam Lindsey was born into a musical family, she learned first-hand the joys of music and the life benefits of being introduced to and involved in music as a young child. She has shared her love of music with children in concerts and classes for 20 years throughout the Southeast.  In 2002 she collaborated with The Craddock Center to provide weekly music classes for Head Start/Pre-K children.  Since 2005 she has coordinated the activities for The Children's Enrichment Program and provided the music curriculum. Pam is a wife of 37 years, mother of four grown children and grandmother of two.

Betsy Doty discovered the power of storytelling in 1990 in her work with homeless children, taking books and story times into Atlanta area family shelters. She has a deep wish to share sacred stories from many traditions with messages common to us all, in the belief that the age-old tales help us to make connections and expand visions. With 20 years experience in live broadcast production, and a degree in theater and rhetoric, she particularly enjoys the spontaneity and interaction of story audiences. The Lumpkin County kids love Betsy’s stories.

Amanda Galloway has loved music, instruments, and stories since childhood. She shares her enthusiasm with the Pre-K & HS children through songs, movement, and stories weekly in Pickens, Gilmer, & Union Counties. Her passion does not stop there, she’s also a church pianist and children’s/youth choir director as well as piano teacher. She uses her talents in schools, churches, and her community. The Sunny D Community Theater featured her in Godspell. Amanda is native to Fannin County, is a wife of 5 years, and a new mommy to Adia Lauren born in August 2007.

Kim Cheves has a passion to help kids get up and move. Whether it be songs, stories or dance she shares the importance of a healthy lifestyle and creates a positive experience that enables children to stay active while having fun. She serves Appalachian children in Fannin, Gilmer, & Towns Counties. Kim is the Preschool Coordinator/Director at her church and leads Kiddie Camps during the summer. Kim provides storytelling to libraries, elementary schools, and community events. She choreographs routines for the CEP program, for recreational cheerleading halftime shows, and for fit kid and adult programs. She’s a member of the Blue Ridge Mountain Storytellers. Kim is a wife of 10 years and has 2 children.

Connie Chancey loves working with kids. She shares stories and music with children in her church, other churches, and her community. She brings such joy and encouragement to the Appalachian children in Polk Co., TN and Cherokee Co, NC weekly through the Craddock Center. Connie is also a professional photographer and has a studio in her home. Family pictures, school pictures, weddings, sports events, special events, community events are among her portfolio. Connie is native to Cherokee Co, NC, married to Shawn, mother of four, and grandmother of three.

Tracy Walker is the children's librarian for the Dawson County Public Library. She began storytelling through the Craddock Center under the guidance of storyteller Betsy Doty. Tracy is a member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers and the Southern Order of Storytellers. Her favorite stories are those that reflect the Southern Appalachian region in which she works. Tracy also shares stories through the library, special events, community events, and national storytelling events. Tracy’s unique style is loved by all. The Dawson County kids look so forward to seeing Tracy each week.
 

IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION

That I have not yet contributed to the Birthday Fund for the work of the Center. The reminder of my neglect was totally uncalled for. I am very much aware that I have given nothing to the fund. I am the honoree, for goodness sake! The Center is using the occasion of my 80th birthday (April 30) to ask friends and supporters to make a special gift, and, as I understand it, their names will be on a giant birthday card given to me at the appropriate time. I have taken no part in this effort, except to remind two donors that their gifts were not in memory of me but in honor of me. I’m still here, for goodness sake!

And so I have stayed out of it, so to speak. I must confess that I have once or twice asked Tammy if any one had sent anything and she reported a generous flow of gifts. For that I am, of course, immensely grateful. But otherwise, I have not intruded myself, confident that such an intrusion would be a gross discourtesy, inappropriate in every way. After all, I am the honoree, for goodness sake!

Wrong, said the reminder. Didn’t you grow up in Sunday School? Well, yes, but what has that to do with it? Then you must remember, said my reminder, that in the opening exercises of Sunday School the leader asked if any one has a birthday that week. If so, while the group sang “Happy Birthday”, the birthday boy or girl went to the front and dropped money into a special box, usually in the shape of a church. You see, said my reminder, you learn in church that on your birthday you do not receive; you give.
I stand corrected. I now remember. I also remember from Sunday School that we gave a penny for each year.

A ten-year old would give ten cents, et cetera.

Anyone have change for a dollar? - (FBC)
 

30 MORE DAYS TIL B-DAY!!!

Excitement is building at The Craddock Center as the birthday box begins to bulge with greetings from all over the country. We have saved room for the rest of you to send your checks and cards during the next 30 days. It’s getting tough for the honoree to contain himself. However, as far as we know, he has not peeped in the birthday box marked in big letters, DO NOT OPEN TIL APRIL 30th! It’s a good thing he’s been traveling frequently during the last weeks. Otherwise, we might have had to keep the box locked up. There’s no reason we couldn’t have two birthday boxes on this very special birthday, is there?!? - (TLS)


NETTIE AND I HAVE JUST RETURNED

From Emory and Henry College in Virginia where I led a Preaching Workshop. Beautiful country, warm hospitality, a gratifying experience.

On the walls of the room in which the event was held were black and white photos of life in that community in “the good old days”. The photos were evidence that the good old days were not so good: tired mules, tired adults, tired children. Appropriate texts accompanied the photos.

Nettie called my attention to the text beside the photo of two young girls, sisters, probably about eight and ten. The text was in the words of the younger who reported the times and ways in which the older sister was “mean to me”. Then the older sister became ill with diphtheria. “I knew she was bad sick”, wrote the younger, “because she started being nice to me. Just before she died, she gave me a present. She gave me her book.”

“She gave me her book.” What a sadly beautiful ending to the story.

And what a gift! - (FBC)


WHAT I’VE BEEN HEARING

After Winged for the Heart, folks who were there said it was the best ever. And folks who weren’t able to make it have been sad ever since. But now you are in luck...Georgia Public Broadcasting was there recording the stories and songs which can be hear on line at GPB.org.

After the March Preaching Workshop many preachers were saying with gratitude that they had gotten to celebrate Easter sitting at Dr. Craddock’s feet. We were almost to capacity at this workshop so get your reservations in early for the next workshop Oct. 6, 2008.

After the March Helen Lewis Lecture with Dr. Barbara Ellen Smith on Latino immigration to the Appalachian mountain area. Only the strong showed up that night due to forecasts of threatening weather. But afterwards I overheard hope-full conversations about creative ways to be better neighbors and ways to encourage more dialogue. -(TLS)

FYI

Appalachian Weekend will be October 4 this year. Now you may be thinking, “How do you get a weekend in a day?” Well, in Cherry Log we don’t pay much attention to the clock. Anyway, you know how time flies when you are having fun. We can guarantee that you’ll have fun when you come to the Cherry Log Fall Festival this year. It actually happens the first three weekends in October at the Cherry Log Community Center across from the Post Office and down Cherry Log Street from Little G’s Mountain Garden Center and the Pink Pig. Now that you’ve got directions, please plan to come October 4. The Craddock Center Board decided this year to focus on one of the things we do best, storytelling, at our end of Cherry Log Street while the music, crafts and food is offered at the other end.

You will be able to hear all The Craddock Center storytellers and some of the kids from the Children’s Enrichment Program will also be showcased. So you can come for the weekend and experience Cherry Log at its best. -(TLS)