Survey Results In (to be deleted)

December 7, 2009: Here are the results of CCCRA's membership survey: You considered our big projects--courthouse restoration, the Heritage Park, continuing beautification, the Jack Rabbit biking and hiking trail—of major importance, and you thought they were done well. The array of events including Concerts in the Park, the Car-B-Que, Family Fun Fest got high marks. We enjoy a reputation for good governance in fulfilling our mission, use of volunteer time, and financial stewardship.

Another conclusion is that we need to increase the diversity of our membership, to recruit more members, and to access the talents of more of our current members. Importantly, most of you gave economic development issues here in Clay County a high priority

Work Continues on Cherokee Summer House

November 22, 2009. Local volunteers worked with students from Dr. Jane Eastman's archeology and bioanthropology class at Western Carolina University to construct the walls of the Cherokee summer house adjacent to the Hayesville town square. Clay County Communities Revitalization Association and the Clay County Historic and Arts Council supplied the local volunteers.


Locust poles support the roof of the summer house





Volunteers strip the leaves from cane that will be woven among the wall posts to create walls for the summer house. Volunteers include Ella Scheuer and Drew Holzemer of Atlanta, Hal Farren of the Historic and Arts Council, Amanda Grippe from Dr. Eastman's class, and John Adkins of CCCRA.

Barbara Bussolari of the Historic and Arts Council, Kevin Welch of Western Carolina University join Drew Holzemer of Atlanta, Amanda Grippe of Western Carolina University and John Adkins of CCCRA in stripping cane.

Ella Scheuer of Atlanta and Hal Farren of the Historic and Arts Council strip cane.

Brittany Starnes and Sarah Jane Jacobs of Western Carolina University cut leather that will be used to hold the cane in place after it has been woven to create the summer house's walls.


Dr. Jane Eastman, Eric Crowe, and Casey Edwards of Western Carolina University weave cane.



Dr. Jane Eastman, Tina Crowe, and Eric Crowe of Western Carolina University weave cane.


Eric Crowe, Tina Crowe, and Casey Edwards weave cane.

Interior Views of the Completed Winter House

The interior of the completed Cherokee winter house

The smoke hole at the top of the Cherokee winter house


Another view of the smoke hole of the winter house

Bike Ride Fills Jackrabbit Parking Lot

November 7, 2009. Glorious weather brought out dozens of bike riders to the Jackrabbit parking lot next to the Jackrabbit off-road biking trail. Most riders were members of the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA) and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). Clay County Communities Revitalization Association provided much of the funding for construction of the parking lot and trail. These facilities have attracted hundreds of visitors to Clay County. Such visitors provide an important boost to the local economy.

Heritage Park Cherokee Houses Nearing Completion

On Saturday, October 24, Clay County Communities Revitalization Association volunteers worked to finish the Cherokee winter house and to strip cane for the roof of the Cherokee summer house at Hayesville's Heritage Park:







John Humphrey and Gordon Ottinger stir mud to be used to fill in the cracks on the Cherokee winter house. Rob Tiger fills the cracks in the walls of the house. The mud coats honeysuckle vines woven around the posts that support the roof.

David Lang, Sandy Nichols, Fanny Watson, and Pam Nichols strip leaves off of cane that will be used for the roof of the Cherokee summer house.

The frame of the Cherokee summer house next to the soon-to-be completed Cherokee winter house.

Family Fun Fest Provided Entertainment at the Square

Games, prizes, live entertainment, Pet Parade, free popcorn and delicious food were enjoyed by several hundred people who attended the Family Fun Fest coordinated by the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association on Saturday August 8. The Square was alive with 56 enthusiastic pets and their owners who performed for the public at the Pet Parade hosted by Carolyn Molder, owner of HeadStart Obedience School.


Many budding artists enjoyed creating their own works of art at the art pavilion.



Hula hoop jump rope and limbo contests were a hit.



Local youths provided entertainment

Children and adults went home smiling after winning prizes at the free games, which included Ring the Prize, Hit the Bottle, Moon Pie Walk, Lucky Duck, Fish, Balloon Stomp, Ladder Golf, and Bucket Toss. Competition was keen during the Hoola Hoop, Jump Rope, Limbo and Water Balloon Toss contests. The children enjoyed having their faces painted and creating their own works of art at the Art Pavilion. The public was entertained by local youth including Kyle Moss, Tiny Tarts, Sweet Tarts, Brett Walker, Singing Starts for a Better World, and In Motion.

CCCRA thanks the following sponsors who made this event possible: Computer Connections and Bank of Hiawassee. Sponsors of the games, activities and services included United Community Bank, All Tucked In, Katie Bugs, Proflame, Hendrix & Hendrix, Bowar & Associates, Inc., Parker Law Firm, Molly & Me, Tri-County Office Supply, Ingles, Hayesville Printing, Take A Break Portables, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Cinquapins, The Rustic Rose, Signs Fast, The Market, Cinquapins, Hayesville Elementary School, Art Works, McDonalds, Nantahala Bank, Fun World and Clay County Progress.

Look forward to another Family Fun Fest next August where more games, prizes and fun-filled activities will be on tap for all ages.

Photos from the Car-B-Que

The annual Car-B-Que held on the Hayesville Town Square is a popular event in Clay County. It was held this year on June 13.

We hope you enjoy the pictures in this little gallery.


Joanna Atkisson, CCCRA board member




Tighe White and his grandson

Construction of the Cherokee Winter House Begins

On May 20, construction of a Cherokee Winter House began at the Nelson Heritage Park adjacent to downtown Hayesville. Tighe White of Tighe White Construction provided earth moving equipment and grading. Jane Eastman, associate professor of anthropology and sociology and director of Cherokee studies at Western Carolina University, provided advice on design and construction. A group of students from Professor Eastman's partical archeology course assisted in construction. Rob Tiger of CCCRA participated. A first step was to burn the bark off of the bases of the locust poles that provide the vertical supports of the winter house. CCCRA played a major role in securing grants to fund construction.

Digging holes for vertical supports

Organizing the locust poles

Professor Eastman and a colleague observe construction

Burning bark off the locust poles

Students from Western Carolina University

Preparing the locust poles

Tighe White Construction truck

The mural that provides a backdrop to the Cherokee exhibits

Gnarly Fingers Band Plays on the Square in Hayesville

On Saturday afternoon, May 16, the Gnarly Fingers Band performed a concert on the square in downtown historic Hayesville. Concert goers enjoyed barbeque while they listened to music and chatted with friends. CCCRA was a sponsor of the concert, the first in a series of musical events that will be held on the square this summer.