Editorials - 05/01/03

Variety of activities abound in county

To say there was something for everyone is an understatement, and the crowds flocked here to take advantage of what's in our backyard.

For starters, there was the sixth annual Greening up the Mountains festival in downtown Sylva.

From the time the activities began with a morning 5K race until booths were dismantled in early evening, action was non-stop on Main Street.

The Parade of Many Colors helped kick things off for those not involved in the race. Musical entertainment, unique shopping opportunities and festival grub were all available throughout the day. Activities for the kids abounded, and the safety of downtown allowed parents and children to go their separate ways and find their own niche.

Coinciding with the festival was the 19th annual Tuckaseigee River Cleanup, sponsored by Western Carolina University. Volunteers worked throughout the day to clean the river from East LaPorte to Barkers Creek. In doing so, they were helping preserve one of our county's most vital natural resources.

The river is traditionally the site of the annual Ducks on the Tuck, but this year the fund-raiser was moved to Cullowhee Creek. The location may have been different but the spirit was the same.

Each year volunteers work together to put on the rubber duck derby to raise money for the New Century Scholars Program, a partnership between the county school system, Southwestern Community College and WCU. The winners are area children who are encouraged to stay in school as New Century Scholars and further their education for free at SCC and WCU.

Speaking of volunteering, the folks associated with Habitat for Humanity got a big boost Saturday from construction management students at WCU. They joined forces to work on Habitat's latest project, a house on Hampton Street in Sylva that will provide a home for a local family.

Finally, there was Sunday's 11th annual banquet and induction ceremony for the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame. Like Ducks on the Tuck, the location was moved to Cullowhee, but the purpose remained unchanged.

Jackson County's rich athletic history was celebrated with the addition of Jamie Extine, Beth Hamilton Gorman and the late Daniel Bryson into the hall. They join 58 others who have been enshrined through the years.

All these activities have one thing in common: They require the hard work of countless volunteers to be successful. We're lucky to have those kind of people in Jackson County. That's just one more reason why we're glad we live here.

Back to Archive: 05/01/03.