Fun in May and June

Watch out!!! Happiness and Fun are right around the corner

We love to call it the Car-B-Que. It’s going to be on June 12 this year. For the four people who are not up to speed on the event, let me mention what happens. We have our annual Red Cross Blood Drive from 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM. We always make our goal because of great people like you. (We do need help here.)

How about food? This year we have partnered with the American Legion Post 532 of Hayesville; they will be cooking and serving some fine chicken, hot dogs and all the fixings.

You know, I don’t want to forget to tell you about all the family games, great 50-60’s music, demonstrations and a special treat of John Cassady creating portrait sketches. Wow!!! And it all happens in the “yesteryear” time zone with 60 + antique vehicles parked on the square. Your CCCRA is even going to present 25 awards to the most desirable entries. We surely could use your sharp eye with non-technical help judging, as the CCCRA is responsible for the judging. If you are a member and would like to help, please come to the gazebo to sign up when you arrive.

This is our 10th year and with a well-oiled team, I will tell you, we do it right. “Cousin Tom” will be here from Bakersville, NC again this year, spinning his selection of “Dusty Oldies” and with our corporate sponsors providing support, it is smooth sailing. Corporate Sponsors include: Computer Connection, Jacky Jones Ford, Murphy Movers, Advanced Spinal Correction, Signs Fast, Jacky Jones Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, and Mountain Air Heating & Cooling.
And get this……….Other than the food………it’s all FREE to the public! I hope to see you and yours June 12th. (rain date - June 13)

Chuck Krauz and Candy Carlyle, Event Coordinators

An Outstanding Opportunity

Some Clay County people remember that, as the news of the end of WWII spread, joyful residents flocked to the courthouse square--jubilant, thankful--to share in the celebration with their neighbors. The old courthouse is still the heart of the county, a beautiful building, testament to the creativity and artistry of mountain people who fashioned loveliness from the materials at hand. Today, though, sitting as an empty shell, it needs help from the community to live again as a gathering place.

On 22 May 33 of us, including community leaders and with the support of the County Commissioners, met to think about the future of our courthouse. CCCRA presenters reviewed the findings of a feasibility study commissioned by the county about a reuse plan for a renovated interior. There is a possibility for funding through the Golden Leaf Foundation for an ADA-compliant restored structure with retail, exhibit, and meeting space. A sound plan in place makes funding more likely.

The feasibility study report identifies CCCRA as the likely organization to spearhead the project. We would help to form an organization of community leaders to bring back to life one of our major county assets. If you have a passion for the preservation of a historic structure and can see the economic benefit for all of us, particularly local businesses, come to the 5 June (Saturday) meeting, 10:00 a.m. at the United Community Bank meeting room. We need all the talent we can get to launch this ambitious and thrilling project. Questions: Lou Lanwermeyer 389-1089, Rob Tiger 389-6531 or John Bayne 389-9427.

Gnarly Fingers Play Again on Friday, 28 May 7:00 – 9:00

What a terrific group of Clay County guys, a band everybody loves to hear! They make beautiful music with those gnarly ole fingers, and you’ll enjoy being in the park on the square next to Chinquapin’s this Friday night. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, but do not, DO NOT, eat before you come. Wait and have some delicious food with the Hayesville Junior Varsity Cheerleaders, led by Yvette McQuade. They’ll have hot dogs, chili dogs, frito pies, homemade cupcakes and brownies, sodas and water – each for $1, except the cupcakes, which are only 50 cents. They’re a great bunch of girls and use the money to buy uniforms and pay for camp for the girls who can’t otherwise afford them.

You Are Invited To Attend

Renowned storyteller Diamond Brown will be sharing Cherokee stories and legends with Hayesville 4th and 8th graders on Friday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the amphitheater at the Hayesville Schools Outdoor Classroom. A quote from Diamond appears on a retention wall panel at the Cherokee Exhibit located next to the Clay County Museum. Diamond is on the Cherokee Tribal Council and has provided information for the exhibit.

Diamond's performance is serving as a kick-off to the students' visits to the exhibit. Although the lesson plan is incomplete, we wanted to try it out before the end of the school year in anticipation of the students’ visits in the fall. CCCRA and community volunteers will serve as presenters in various locations at the exhibit. Drop by the exhibit on Tuesday, June 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon during the presentations. CCCRA is funding Diamond Brown's performances this year. For further information, contact Sandy Nicolette, 389-3045.

CCCRA-sponsored archaeological dig at Spikebuck/Quanassee Town

Dr. Jane Eastman with 9 students and an assistant began the dig May 10, and it will end around June 4. It is open for visitors, and there will be open house at the site the last week. The dig is part of the overall plan connected to the exhibit to provide outdoor classroom opportunity for Hayesville schools as well as surrounding school systems.