TRAILS AND GREENWAYS UPDATE
Another scenic walking trail is coming to Hayesville! We are deeply pleased by the following encouraging development:
Early in 2011 CCCRA proposed a walking trail in a grant application to the NC DENR Recreational Trails Program. In January 2012 we were notified that our project had been awarded a matching grant. This connector trail will allow visitors, students and residents alike to have a pleasant walk from the newly constructed Cherokee Homestead Exhibit to an existing trail at the Veterans Recreation Park that leads to the Cherokee Spike Buck Mound.
WORK DAY—We’re looking for help! Is this something you’d like to do?
Most of the trail will be built on green space school property following Town Creek below the bus garage. In a matching grant the community must provide 25% of the cost. Much of that support can be as in-kind volunteer labor needed to clear the trail route. CCCRA members and residents can help us build this amenity to our town for our tourist visitors and residents to enjoy. Work will involve cutting small undergrowth using ordinary yard care hand tools. CCCRA volunteers will be working in conjunction with college students under the direction of Tony Ward with the Hiwassee River Water Shed Coalition, to clear the banks along Town Creek on Wednesday, March 28 from 9:00 am -2:30 pm. To volunteer please contact Ron Guggisberg at 389 0993 or e mail at guggis2@frontier.com. You will need to wear long pants, boots or high-top shoes, leather gloves and long sleeves. You may bring loppers if you have them. This is a great way to get outdoors and meet folks who have a like interest in building our community.
AND ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION…….
CHEROKEE HOMESTEAD EXHIBIT: Details for ongoing projects, workshops and a performance are given below. Rob Tiger and Sandy Nicolette recently welcomed members from the Exploring Joara Foundation to the exhibit. This foundation plans to build an archeological interpretive exhibit in Morganton, NC. Representatives from the foundation attended our "Developing a Cultural Heritage Attraction in your Small Town" workshop held in October.
The educational documentary produced by Western Carolina University students, "Building an Authentic Cultural Heritage Site" is nearing completion. We look forward to sharing this documentary with you and others via the internet when it is completed. UNCA student Jacky Starky has completed a photo essay on the exhibit which will soon be available to the general public. Next steps at the Exhibit will be the building of a Cherokee log cabin. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Rob Tiger at 828-389-6531
Also on April 14: Peacock Playhouse 4:30- 6:00 PM Byna: " Life Songs of a Southern Woman of Cherokee Descent"
Byna's life story as a part-Cherokee outdoorswoman unfolds through her Life Songs: unbounded love for the people, heritage, traditions and beauty of the mountains. The character Byna was based on Lura Ledford, who served as midwife for a number of families in the Shooting Creek area. Darry Wood used Lura as the model for the basket weaver he created and which now resides in the Clay County Historical Museum.
Tickets: Adult $15 Student $8
Dr. Jane Eastman and WCU students will be participating in a dig at the site near Spike Buck Mound during May and June again this year. The public is always invited to talk with Jane and her students while they are working at the dig site. We look forward to providing a workshop at the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit for the students while they are in Hayesville.
CALENDAR
Work day along Town Creek Wednesday, March 28 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Cherokee workshop, Performance at Peacock Playhouse (see above) April 14
Concerts in the Park will be held on the following Fridays:
April 27, May 25, June 29, July 20, July 27, August 24, August 31, September 28
Cherokee Heritage Festival: Saturday, October 20
Annual Meeting: Thursday, October 25
