CCCRA's 2008 Accomplishments; 2009 Plans

Thanks to local governmental agencies, community organizations and individuals, 2008 was a most productive year. Over 150 volunteers were involved in helping with CCCRA projects. Approximately $30,000 was raised through events and donations to help with our three major projects: Jackrabbit Hiking/Biking Trails, Nelson Heritage Park and Courthouse restoration. In addition we received grants from the Rural Economic Development Center, Towns County Board of Tourism, and Clay County Board of Travel and Tourism. The Hinton Center provided housing for the Heritage Park Design Corps architect Ella Scheuer and Don Meyer donated office space at Tom Day Mall.

Early in 2008, North Carolina State University faculty and graduate students from the College of Design and community members came together for the Design Charrette. After receiving input from residents, who focused on enhancing our town’s economic viability while preserving local culture, the team developed designs for our by-passes, entry way signage, Nelson Heritage Park, Peacock Playhouse, Courthouse, library and town square. Truett Baptist Church provided work space, Copper Door and Master Gardener volunteers assisted with meals. As a result of the Charrette and with assistance from the Town of Hayesville, two entry way signs were installed on Hwy 64 and another is nearing completion. Recommendations from the team will continue to guide our planning for future projects.

Partnering with the Southern Appalachian Biking Association resulted in the completion of the trails at Jackrabbit during 2008. A covered bridge has been completed. Work on the parking lot is underway with Scotty Fain’s employees providing time and equipment. The Forest Service completed an official trail map and provided grass seed for areas near the parking lot. Approximately 830 volunteer hours were provided during the year for this project. With adequate funding and consistent work by volunteers, the project should be completed during 2009.

The Nelson Heritage Park project made progress with collaboration of County government, Historical and Arts Council, Master Gardener volunteers, CCCRA, Tighe White and other individuals from the community. During 2008 the site was expanded due to a donation made by the Auberry family. The Cherokee Nation provided approval of the designs for the Cherokee portion of the Park. The retention wall was built and painted. The property was surveyed, site preparation begun, sewer lines replaced, a site plan and model were developed and grants written to obtain funding. During 2009, site prep work will continue, plants will be relocated, the retention wall mural completed, and the Cherokee summer house and winter house built. A volunteer project manager will be needed to oversee progress on the project.

County Commissioner Harry Jarrett formed a committee to focus on the Courthouse restoration. Clay County’s architect has been developing plans and funding will need to be obtained in order to proceed with the project. CCCRA will provide assistance with writing grants.

The CCCRA Appearance Committee conducted trash pick-ups throughout the county and cleaned up the square on several occasions. The Car B Que, Concert in the Park and Family Fun Fest brought visitors into our community and residents to the down town. Local businesses, schools and corporate sponsors made these events possible.

Our goals for the coming year are to focus on economic prosperity, cultural preservation and protection of the environment. Our three main projects will continue to be the Jackrabbit Trails, Nelson Heritage Park and restoration of the Courthouse. Our Car B Que is scheduled for June 13 and the Family Fun Fest will be August 8. Working with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, and Clay County Historical and Arts Council, Concerts in the Park are scheduled for May 16, June 27, July 3, August 1 and September 4.

We invite you to participate with CCCRA and other organizations in our community …To stimulate, to promote and to serve…” Clay County.

CCCRA Board Members Meet to Plan Future

January 11 2009 Here are photos of the members of the CCCRA board who gathered to plan the future of the organization. Faye Hobbs facilitated the planning meeting.


Steve Kagan, Ron Guggisberg , George Schaaf, Louise Lorentzen, Wayne Smith, Rob Tiger


Ron Guggisberg, Louise Lorentzen, George Schaaf


Wayne Smith, Rob Tiger


Steve Kagan, Wayne Smith, Margie Weathers, Rob Tiger, Sandy Nicolette, Louise Lorentzen


Sandy Nicolette, Margie Weathers, Wayne Smith, Lou Lanwermeyer


George Schaaf, Joanna Atkisson, Faye Hobbs

Faye Hobbs, John Bayne, Gail Criss, Dorothy Ethridge

Ron Guggisberg, George Schaaf, Wayne Smith, Rob Tiger, Louise Lorentzen

Joanna Atkisson, Ron Guggisberg, Rob Tiger, George Schaaf, Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith


Joanna Atkisson, John Bayne, Gail Criss, Dorothy Ethridge


Faye Hobbs, John Bayne


Margie Weathers, Sandy Nicolette, Rob Tiger, Louise Lorentzen


Steve Kagan, Sandy Nicolette, and Lou Lanwermeyer


Rob Tiger, Louise Lorentzen, Wayne Smith, Margie Weathers, Steve Kaagan

Sandy Nicolette, Rob Tiger, Louise Lorentzen

Steve Kagan , Louise Lorentzen, Ron Guggisberg

Dorothy Ethridge, Gail Criss

Work Progresses on Nelson Heritage Park

Thanks to local volunteers, the Native American section of the Nelson Heritage Park has moved closer to completion. The Nelson Heritage Park is a cultural heritage tourism destination located in downtown Hayesville. The Native American section of the park will display a Cherokee winter house and summer house. In late November and early December 2008, volunteers cut and collected donated locust poles that will be used for the construction of the Cherokee structures. Locust is a hard, durable wood that was widely used in construction by the Cherokees prior to European settlement in the region. Volunteers included Tighe White and Ian White, Bill Clement, Glen Love, and Rob Tiger. Ella Scheuer also helped. Bruce Cheek and Charlie and Barbara Kissling donated the locust poles, the trunks of locust trees grown on their land.

In addition to the Cherokee houses, the Native American part of the Nelson Heritage Park will also include a series of murals mounted on an existing retaining wall. The murals will serve as the backdrop to the park and present an artist’s depiction of Cherokee patterns and artifacts. This project involves close collaboration with the Eastern Band of the Cherokees.

The Nelson Heritage Park is a joint project of the Clay County Historical and Arts Council (http://www.clayhistoryarts.org) and the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (http://www.cccra.net/).

The donors of the locust poles -- Bruce Cheek (828-389-6813) and Charlie and Barbara Kissling (828-389-8931) operate cattle farms. The Kisslings run Walnut Hollow Ranch, where they raise commercial Black Angus cattle and Simmental crosses. They also run livestock sales of Paso Fino and other gated horses.

Tighe White, who coordinates construction on the Nelson Heritage Park site, is a developer of Hayesville’s Riverwalk of Hayesville community. In November 2008, the community was the scene of Hayesville’s first annual “Punkin’ Chuckin” contest in which the objective was to hurl a pumpkin the farthest using a home-made medieval siege machine. Mr. White and his son build custom homes, commercial buildings, and churches. See http://www.tighewhite.com/ or contact at tighe@tighewhite.com or 828-389-8102 (office phone) or 828-361-1232 (cell phone).

Bill Clement, one of the volunteers, is the owner of Shrimps Seafood Market (828-361-4479) on highway 69 near the Hayesville rotary. Glen Love, another volunteer and a retired aerospace engineer, provided a chain saw.

Ella Scheuer (570-362-3277) was the project architect for the Nelson Heritage Park and the Clay County Historical and Arts Council. Ms. Scheuer served as a Design Corp fellow in Hayesville for one year, after which she continued to work on various design and funding components of the project until the end of 2008. Rob Tiger, owner of Tiger’s / Chinquapins on the Square in Hayesville, is the president of CCCRA (http://www.cccra.net/).

In addition to the Native American section, the Nelson Heritage Park will also include various historic pioneer buildings donated by a local family. These buildings will be divided into two destinations within the park; a farm homestead which will display buildings such as a corncrib, outhouse and a smokehouse, and a village which will display public buildings such as a post office, schoolhouse and general store.

The Cherokee winter house and summer house will be built on the area where the farm implement shed now stands. Plans call for relocating the shed and its tools plus the old smoke house. The latter is currently being used for storage by the Historical and Arts Council. The project has applied for grant money to finance the move and the new construction. If the application is approved, construction will begin in early 2009.

At the base of the park will be a small visitor’s center to orient the guests and provide educational support for children. Maps and information about the park and all other Clay County tourist attractions and parks will be available as well. There will be public restroom facilities, indoor exhibition space, office and archive space, classroom/meeting space and additional storage space for any overflow from the museum.




Ian White, Tighe White, Ella Scheuer, and Glen Love
stand in front of the locust poles.






Rob Tiger and Tighe White unload locust poles.

Faye Hobbs Assists CCCRA to Plan for the Future

On January 11, 2009, members of the board of the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (www.cccra.net) will gather to plan their activities for 2009 and beyond. For the first time, the board will use a professional human resources consultant to facilitate this process. Faye Hobbs of Hayesville, who will serve as facilitator, is the president of Transformational Learning, Inc. (www.TransformationalLearning.com). Ms. Hobbs specializes in providing assessments, coaching, and mentoring. In her work for the CCCRA board, she will help board members understand their own communication styles, identify common objectives, and formulate a practical plan for reaching these goals. She has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Ms. Hobbs has experience serving both the business community and nonprofit world. This blend of experience will provide a valuable resource for the CCCRA board, which includes representatives from both arenas. In addition to her current business, Ms. Hobbs was co-founder and marketing director of the Spring Mountain Resort & and Wellness Center in Murphy. Before that, she served as the director of training and development for ChoiceHire Company in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In the nonprofit area, she has worked as director of community relations and training for the Hospice of Central Florida. She was also an internship coordinator for a displaced homemaker program run by Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida. Contact Ms. Hobbs at 828-361-8498 or fayehobbs@earthlink.net.

Volunteers Clear Heritage Village Site

On November 14, volunteers from five civic groups in Hayesville worked together to clear underbrush from the site of the Nelson Heritage Village:

• Clay County Community Revitalization Association
  
• Friends of the Library
  
• Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association
  
• Historical and Arts Council
  
• Master Gardeners

Glen Love provided the heavy equipment used in the clean-up and then took all the debris to the dump. Other volunteers participating in the clean-up:

Wayne and Sara Smith, Dorothy and Julian Ethridge, Margie and Cliff Weathers, Nancy and Mike Brewster, Pricilla and Lynn Richardson, Ella Scheuer, Steve Sutherlin, Candy Carlyle, Chuck Kraus, Linda and Chet Westergard, Jake Ehrhart, Bill Aherns, John and Ginny Urani, and Steve Zimmerman.


Here are some photos of the volunteers hard at work:

Wayne and Sara Smith


Julian Ethridge


Candy Carlyle and Chuck Kraus


Chuck Krause

Three Local Women Join CCCRA Board

At the recent annual meeting of CCCRA, three local women joined the board of the organization: Gail Criss, Kathy Mercer, and Louise Lorentzen.

Gail Criss, shown below, retired from her 15-year stint as Hayesville High School Principal, continues to teach on a part-time basis and now has time for volunteer activities, such as the Friends of the Library Bookstore.

Kathy Mercer owns “All Tucked In,” a shop featuring bedding, linens and more, an elegant addition to the square.

Louise Lorentzen runs a thriving garden center just off the square, after refurbishing an existing building.

These busy women were elected to the CCCRA Board of Directors at the November 2008 annual meeting.

Possible New Uses for the Courthouse Explored

The Clay County Board of Commissioners held a public meeting on November 13 with Smithson Mills of Mars Hill College to receive suggestions about possible uses for the courthouse. With the help of Caroline Cunningham, a graduate student at UNC Chapel Hill, Mr. Smithson will submit a feasibility study to the county outlining the most promising possible uses of the courthouse building.

The old Clay County Courthouse is 8,000 square feet, with 4,000 square feet on the ground floor. The second floor holds the courtroom. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Commissioner Harry Jarrett reported that he and 8-10 volunteers have met monthly over the past year to discuss the building. The County successfully applied for a predevelopment grant of $25,000 from the state and added $5,000 of county funds to hire Ellen Harris from Brevard, a restoration expert. It spent another $45,000 stripping the courthouse and hiring a structural engineer, who examined the building and found that it is sound.

Ms. Cunningham described what three other counties in North and South Carolina have done with their old courthouses:

• The Old Wilkes Courthouse in Wilkesboro, NC. This building now houses a heritage museum. It has also become a popular venue for weddings. The county owns the building and leases it to a nonprofit organization. It has an annual operating budget of $200,000, part of which is devoted to marketing the building to potential users.
• The Robert Mills Courthouse in Camden, SC. The county owns this building but leases it to the chamber of commerce, which manages the building. Chamber dues contribute to its upkeep. The building used for weddings and fund raisers.
• The Old Cabarrus Courthouse in Concord, NC. This building is owned by the county and has a budget of $650,000 per year. It houses an arts council, an art gallery, and a theater. The art gallery generates revenue of about $20,000 a year.

According to Mr. Smithson, Clay County will need to decide who manages the courthouse, specifically whether it will be the county or an existing community organization. The courthouse will need an income stream and a budget that will be separate from normal county operations. If the courthouse serves as an event center, it will require staffing. In many cases, breaking even is a challenge. Renting out at least some of the space will generate a continuing revenue stream. The goal will be to have a self-sustaining operation.

Participants in the meeting suggested that the old Clay County Courthouse might be used to do the following:

• Operate a branch office of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.
• Serve as a welcome center for Clay County.
• Provide a base for transportation to and from public land.
• Enhance the Saturday farmers market so that it is a festival.
• Provide retail outlets for local crafts people and artists.
• Support the local heritage.
• Serve as a center for special events.
• House selected county offices or community organizations.
• Serve as a venue for a summer drama like "Unto These Hills" in Cherokee.
• Allow demonstrations of local crafts such as blacksmithing.
• Post a map of Hayesville indicating all of the local sites worth visiting.
• Provide instruction in how to make ethanol.
• Promote the Hiawassee River Basin and the chain of TVA lakes.
• Provide a memorial to the Cherokees who were removed on the Trail of Tears.
• Serve as an attraction for hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
• Serve as a wedding venue.
• Hold fiddling contests like the one in Blairsville.
• Allow rotating exhibits sponsored by various local organizations such as Communities in Schools.
• Integrate into the various festivals on the square that are already being held.

Mr. Smithson is continuing to accept suggestions for possible uses of the building. Contact the county offices to have suggestions forwarded to him. He plans to submit a final report in the spring. The report will incorporate both architectural and funding recommendations.

Jackrabbit Trail News - A Good Link

We've made great progress this year at Jackrabbit and hope to start construction of the final parking lot in the near future. Check out the news about the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails at the website of the Southern Appalachian Trail Association.

CCCRA Celebrates 10th Anniversary

November 6, 2008: CCCRA celebrated 10 years of operations with a pot luck supper held at the First United Methodist Church. Here are some of the results of our work:

• Hayesville's historic courthouse has been rescued from further deterioration, and plans are in place to complete the interior renovation.
• 15 miles of the Jack Rabbit hiking/biking trail, created in partnership with SABA.
• New sidewalks in the town of Hayesville.
• A playground accessible to all children, including the handicapped, created in partnership with Communities in Schools.
• New plantings on Highway 64 East among the boxwoods that have stood for decades as the entry way to Hayesville.
• The first stages in the construction of Nelson Heritage Villiage, in partnership with the Historical and Arts Council.