HEAD START/PRE-K BELLS ARE RINGING AGAIN
Nearly a month has passed since the new
three-year-olds arrived at Head Start. Their teachers like to get them
acclimated to the classroom and the rhythm of the school day before the
Children’s Enrichment Program rolls in. So next week the big
four-year-olds in Pre-K and the little tykes in Head Start are in for a
wonderful surprise as The Craddock Center’s Arts Specialists arrive with
bells, books and other fun props for music, story and creative movement.
This program of bringing the arts to 15 schools in nine counties would
not be possible without your generous support. As we begin the 2009-2010
school year we are hoping to hear from those of you who have not yet
responded to the Scholarship Program to sustain the Children’s
Enrichment Program. The program costs $140 per child.
Research shows that being emotionally connected with adults and people
in communities is significant in helping nearly 70% of young people in
even the worst conditions thrive. “We know that a song is the most
personal, powerful, pleasurable and permanent agent for putting across
many educational concepts,” according to Dr. Al Balkin of the Tune Up to
Literacy Program. We hear repeatedly from classroom teachers that on the
days the CEP Arts Specialists visit, the class is much more attentive
and alert the rest of the day. Storytelling goes hand in hand with music
increasing language and vocabulary while developing strong listening
skills, imagination and conceptual skills. Many of the children we serve
enter the Head Start program without ever having been read a story or
having access to books in their homes. Our goal is to not only to fill
that gap, but to make sure they have effective skills for reading by the
time they go to kindergarten. Please help these children coming from
difficult circumstances grow into resilient children full of hope and
all the skills they need to thrive, not only in kindergarten, but
throughout their years of education.—TLS
MEET JOSE ILLINGWORTH
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Our newest Arts Specialist on the Children’s Enrichment Program
staff. Jose was born and educated in Mexico, receiving his B.S.
in Music Education from the University of Montemorelos. Jose and
his wife have a four-year-old son and a four-month-old daughter
and live in Cumming.
The Head Start/Pre-K students are going to love being introduced
to many instruments they have never seen or heard. Jose plays
and teaches cello, violin, guitar, clarinet, recorder, piano and
harmonica. In addition to teaching music, Jose will be able to
translate parent handouts into Spanish, which will be a great
help for communicating with the Hispanic parents. Jose will be
bringing music to the Head Start/Pre-K classes in Dahlonega and
Dawsonville. Welcome, “Mr. Jose”!!!!!—TLS |
SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE ASKED AGAIN
For directions to the Preaching Workshop on October 5. It will be held
right in the middle of downtown Cherry Log at Cherry Log Christian
Church. From the south, go north on Hwy. 515 to mile marker 20, about 9
miles north of Ellijay. Turn right at that mile marker onto Cherry Log
Street, just pass one field and one house, then you will see the church
on the right. From the north, go south on Hwy. 515 about 6 miles south
of Blue Ridge and at mile marker 20 turn left onto Cherry Log Street. A
good landmark is Club 515 on the right just before you turn left onto
Cherry Log Street. If you are coming from the east or west just get to
Hwy 515 as fast as you can and follow the directions above.
We are grateful to Cherry Log Christian Church for hosting the Preaching
Workshop and also for allowing The Craddock Center to have our offices
rent-free in a building the church owns. Because the Cherry Log
Christian Church is a generous supporter of The Craddock Center,
sometimes folks think we are a part of the church. We are not. The
Craddock Center is a totally separate 501(c)3 organization with the
mission of “Enriching Lives Through Service.” Grants and gifts fund the
Children’s Enrichment Program in nine counties of North Georgia,
Tennessee, and North Carolina (1350 Head Start and Pre-K children), the
Preaching Workshops, the Helen Lewis Lecture, a storage facility for
receiving and giving furniture, the Rainbows grief program for children
and families, as well as supporting programs by social services agencies
in the area.--TLS
THERE’S NO BETTER TIME
To spend a little R & R in the mountains than while you are here for the
October 5 Preaching Workshop. There are signs of Fall all around with
the sweet smell of apples in the air, the animals busily getting their
stashes in for the winter, the propane trucks are out in force, and the
days are getting shorter and shorter. Just imagine what it would do for
your soul to hike in the woods where no one was calling your name and no
one could reach you by cell phone even if you couldn’t bring yourself to
turn it off. (No cell towers in the National Forest) Or if you aren’t up
for a hike, the apple houses are loaded with goodies: muscadine slushies,
apple cider, fried apple pies. If it’s made with apples, you name it,
they’ve got it.
Many of you have already asked about renting cabins or nearby motels. So
Tammy has put together the following list of great possibilities:
Blue Ridge Lodge & Spa by Comfort Inn Suites
www.ComfortInnofBlueRidge.com 1-888-223-7776
Serenity in the Mountains Luxury Suites
www.serenityluxurysuites.com 706-258-2244
Black Bear Cabin Rentals www.blackbearcabinrentals.com 1-888-902-2246
Best Western Mountain View Inn—Ellijay
www.bestwestern.com
706-635-7545
Camp Cherry Log (RV Park and Campground) 983 Little Rock Creek Rd.,
Cherry Log 706-635-5006
If you would like more information about the area, you may contact the
Fannin County Chamber of Commerce in Blue Ridge: 706-632-5680;
www.blueridgemountains.com
or the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce in Ellijay: 706-635-7400;
www.gilmerchamber.com. If you
would like more information about Cherry Log, due to no Chamber of
Commerce, I guess you’ll just have to come see for yourself! – TLS
“EMPTY YOUR POCKETS”
When I remembered those words I shuddered as though a possum had run
over my grave. The security guard probably thought he was the cause of
my apparent anxiety, but he was not. Airport security is child’s play
compared to the drill of Miss Fannie Harris, principal of the grammar
school where I was a second grader.
Someone had shot off a firecracker on the playground at recess. Miss
Harris went on alert. Who brought firecrackers to school? Boys were
summoned to her office. Not all boys; only the usual suspects. Why I was
among them remains a mystery to me.
“Empty your pockets,” she said, and we did. I began by rather
selectively placing on her desk the objects which constituted my
identity as a human being. First a yellow pencil; I thought to impress
her with my scholarship. She was not impressed. Next a pocket knife,
proof of my manhood, but my trembling gave me away. Then my magnifying
glass. She had no clue what a powerful weapon it was. Held one way, the
glass magnified; held another, it intensified, drawing the rays of the
sun to a hot point, burning paper, or someone’s arm. Poor Miss Harris,
she never even suspected. Next, my marbles, three of them, and
beautiful, the color of butter and molasses. She didn’t even touch them,
out of respect, I guess. Marbles were as good as money. “I would throw
that away,” she said, looking at my rabbit’s foot. “There’s no such
thing as luck, good or bad.” I did not respond, but I figured if it will
get me out of this mess I will carry it forever. “And that, too” she
said, referring to my half-eaten cookie. True, it was soiled and had
gathered a bit of lint, but you have to leave it unwrapped for easy
access during class. “Well, I never” was all she said about my chicken
foot. Obviously she had never heard the girls go screaming when I
sneaked up on them and pulled the tendon that made the toes move. That
foot was the envy of the town boys. As of my ball of string, no comment.
Everybody carries string; that is, everybody with any religion at all.
Miss Harris knew what I know and you know, that string was the first
thing God created. How else could God hang the sun and moon and stars?
“Is that all?” “Yes, ma’m.” “You may go.” I did.
No firecrackers.
I learned later that one of the older students (a third grader)
confessed to shooting the firecracker, but the confession was not
accepted. You see, the one confessing was a girl, and in those days
there was a lot of prejudice against girls. They never got credit for a
lot of the fun stuff that happened at school. — FBC
ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT
For the October 5th Preaching Workshop in Cherry Log.
Remember only an email to
craddockcenter@tds.net or phone call to 706-632-1772 reserves your
seat. Even if you have been to all 25 of the last Preaching Workshops,
you still need to email or call. Tammy’s memory is great but her
computer’s memory is not that long. – TLS
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Children’s Enrichment Program of The Craddock Center
I will give _______ scholarships of $140.00 per year for 3 years.
I will pay this pledge _____ monthly, _____ semiannually,
_____ annually
Signed ________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________
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