Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.  Oh what fun it is to be in Headstart & Pre-K-Hey!  We are having so much fun getting ready for three Christmas programs this year. That means we have a total of 21 classes or 420 children presenting Christmas cheer to their families this December. 

The Polar Express is coming to Gilmer County Headstart & Pre-K. Don't dress up, pajamas only!  I can't wait to see each child as the Conductor (from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway) stamps their ticket before boarding the train. Each child has invited their family to share in songs, dances, and holiday cheer led by Mrs. Amanda and Mrs. Kim. The Craddock Center provided The Polar Express books to each of the 11 classes. It appears to be loved by the young and the, little older. Who could recognize the music room after it was transformed into the North Pole by the teacher’s and kid’s beautiful artwork? To top it all off, there is plenty of hot chocolate for everyone. What a wonderful place to be!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Frosty the Snowman is as alive as he can be at the Fannin County Headstart & Pre-K Winter Wonderland. It is truly amazing!  As always, the teachers and kids did a fantastic job on the decorations. We even have a cozy fireplace with mittens, scarves, and hot chocolate.   As the children begin to sing and dance for their families, precious holiday memories are being made. The Craddock Center provided Frosty the Snowman books to each of the 7 classes which were led by Mrs. Kim.  After all this excitement, the party is just beginning. More activities are being planned in each classroom for the kids and their families. 

Who has a beard that's long and white? Santa has a beard that's long and white! That's right; it must be Santa at the Murphy Headstart & Pre-K Center. The kids have waited for such a long time to see Santa. Excitement and anticipation of the season is peaking. Christmas trees are blinking, kids are singing, and families are smiling. What a joyful experience for all. The teachers and kids made wonderful decorations to fill the room with holiday cheer. Mrs. Connie is doing a great job leading the kids in stories and songs this year. 

Thank you for believing in the Craddock Center's programs. As one of the arts specialists, I see each week the impact this program has on each child. Thanks for letting me be a part of such a wonderful program. 
Have a very merry Christmas! - KLC
 

COINS FOR CRADDOCK’S KIDS

Just keep on rolling in and we are indeed grateful.  Tammy, Dr. Craddock and I have great fun guessing how much is in the interesting containers that arrive.  I won't tell you who usually wins!!!  I would offer a few suggestions for dealing with the problem of loose change in the coming year-- that change that you find on the ground, that mounts up on your dresser or behind the cushions in your chairs and sofas.  Keep a large coffee can or pickle jar handy to throw your loose change in at the end of the day.  When the container is full, either bring it to us or the bank will be happy to help you. 

Recently a wonderful donation came in from one of the friends of the Craddock Center in Texas after a miracle occurred!  He had searched for coins on the ground as he walked his dog.  He had collected coins found on the ground in parking lots at quick stop stores.  When he went to the bank, seven coins turned out to be bent so badly they could not be in circulation.  After explaining to the teller what they were for, she looked in a drawer and found a quarter to replace the seven bent pennies.  Then when this friend got his checkbook out to send the Craddock Center the amount of the coins, lo and behold he FOUND more money in his bank account which he added to the amount of the FOUND coins.  Just look how loose change multiplies and likewise the blessings for the Craddock kids in these mountain schools! - TLS
 

FOURTH ANNUAL  HELEN LEWIS LECTURE

On Friday, March 7, the Craddock Center will welcome Dr. Barbara Ellen Smith as guest lecturer. Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized authority on gender and race issues currently on the faculty at Virginia Tech. She will speak on the New Appalachians and the impact of Latino immigration on the region.

The event will be held at the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (old Fannin County Courthouse) in Blue Ridge, GA. Sonny Houston and the Blue Velvet Band will begin playing at 7:00 p.m. and the lecture will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free and no reservations are necessary. –TLS


I AM GOING TO VENTURE A GUESS

And say that Trisha Senterfitt is going to do a great job as Executive Director of the Craddock Center. I am impressed by her evident care for others, her enthusiasm, her experience and track record in programs serving those in need, and her hard work. I am impressed that she is taking time to know the staff, friends of the Center, past and potential supporters, the community, the network of service organizations, and the needs of those we serve. I am impressed by her deep faith in God and hope for the future.

O.K., so Trisha is a Presbyterian. What do you want from me? We advertised the position, conducted an open search, and her name rose quickly to the top. What were we to do? Around the Center several expressed the conviction that God sent her to us. What do you do – send a gift back to God? Besides, I have known several Presbyterians that were decent folk, not bad as neighbors and all that. Very few of us are perfect and we have to be careful.

Our plan in this: keep Trisha until every Presbyterian in the world has sent a generous donation to our program. Then we will trade her in on and Episcopalian. I’m told those people are loaded.—FBC


HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE VALENTINE BOX?

I need to. The fact that it still troubles me is proof enough. Friends who know about such things have long urged me – “Out with it, Fred.” The telling may be painful, they say, but the relief which follows is nothing short of pure freedom.

I wanted to. Who knows the number of times that the experience of the Valentine Box rose from the deepest recesses of my memory, reaching my throat but not my lips. I couldn’t. I made excuses to myself: this is not the right time, the right place, the right audience.

I am going to. The time, the place, the audience are right. The time is 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2008. The place is the Performing Arts Center in Blue Ridge, GA. The audience is you, in attendance at our annual evening of Folk Songs and Stories with Steve Darsey and Fred Craddock.

I am going to tell about the Valentine Box. Honest. Cross my heart.—FBC
 

HANDS ALL AROUND” QUILT SQUARE

Went up on the south side of the Cherry Log Community Center at the end of November. This colorful wooden quilt square was painted during Appalachian Weekend at the end of October. There are two other quilt squares still to go on barns in the area. This will put Cherry Log back on the map – that is the Quilt Square Trail maps that are located in welcome centers and heritage sites. Many thanks to Sharon Meek, the Craddock Center treasurer, for organizing the Quilt Square project.—TLS
 

A BIG THANK YOU

To all who have been so generous this year. From furniture to books, jars of coins to toys, stocks to checks, and your time and talents have made this corner of God’s world a better place. In the short time I have been here, I have seen children’s eyes light up as Santa entered their classrooms bearing gifts. I have seen parents and grandparents swell with pride and joy as their precious kids sang and danced in the Children’s Enrichment Program Christmas programs. I have seen happy children leave the Story Express clutching the book given them. I have seen and heard relief come over persons as they learned we could help with winter heat because of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Week of Compassion Fund. I have seen preachers on the edge of their seats feasting on every word shared by Dr. Craddock at the October Preaching Workshop. I have seen the staff, Board and many volunteers working diligently to enrich lives through service. I have seen God at work bringing healing and justice. There’s no telling where all we’ll be led to serve others next year. I look forward to the epiphanies we will share in our future journey together.

Blessings of Advent and the Peace of God to each and every one of you.—TLS


NOTE FROM PAM LINDSEY...

The Children's Enrichment Program is in full swing as we begin our fifth year of music, dance and stories for children in Southern Appalachia.  We have much excitement and anticipation of our winter holiday programs which will involve parents and siblings during the month of December.  In case you were wondering where everyone is teaching this year, here's the line-up:  Amanda Galloway - Gilmer, Pickens and Union Counties Headstart & Pre-K;  Kim Cheves - Gilmer, Fannin and Towns Counties Headstart & Pre-K and Connie Chancey - Polk County, TN and Cherokee County, NC Headstart & Pre-K.—PTL



Mark Your Calendar

The Craddock Center will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan.1 for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Jan. 26, 2008— “Winged for the Heart: Folk Songs & Stories” 7:30 pm at Fannin County High School Performing Arts Center. Dr. Fred Craddock and Dr. Steven Darsey.

March 3, 2008– Spring Preaching Workshop, Cherry Log Christian Church 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dr. Fred Craddock.

March 7, 2008—Helen Lewis Lecture 7:00 pm at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (Old Fannin County Courthouse, downtown Blue Ridge).