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Letters to the editor: 06/13/02

Children's programs are available

To the Editor:

I would like to address the "call to action" issued by a Cullowhee resident in the June 6 issue. As the parent of a 6-year-old and a 20-month-old, I understand it is sometimes difficult to find all the resources you need in the immediate area.

However, there may be some activities you have overlooked. The Jackson County Public Library has a summer reading program that is dynamic and fun. By the time this is printed, you will have missed the kick-off with a storyteller in the park, but you can still enjoy the weekly programs and the closing celebration. Call Sandy Molin at 586-2016 for more details.

Kindermusik of Cullowhee has a Summer Music Program in Cullowhee for children aged birth to 7. Lori Richards, the Kindermusik instructor, does a wonderful job of creating rich musical experiences for young children; you can contact her at 293-5600.

Smart Start sponsors Early Learning Groups, which provide children with activities designed to support learning in all areas of development. These groups have traditional play groups beat hands down by bringing families together and connecting them to many supports (especially each other!). Emma Miller, 586-0661, will be happy to give you information on existing groups or help you develop a new group close to home.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service offers 4-H programs during this summer for many age groups. Danna Stanberry will give you all the details at 596-4009.

Joy Abshire, an intern with the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department, is offering N.C. Project Wild environmental education activities every other Saturday (alternating with women's day hikes). She would love to give you details, call 631-4587.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia is planning a theater experience day camp to involve all aspects of production. They plan to offer the camp the week of July 8. Call Amy Garza at 631-4587.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce has a wonderful website, www.nc-mountains.com, which lists many activities and festivals happening in our area. The Jackson County Family Resource Center has a full schedule of family activities in July involving educational fun and games. Call 586-2845 and they will be happy to help.

This is not an exhaustive list; I hope the folks I missed will chime in and respond to this letter.

I want to applaud the Cullowhee writer for finding her voice and being willing to say, "Hey! I don't see what I need for my family!" I hope her call to action will inspire others to speak out as well.

While I'm up on my soapbox, let me suggest some ways community members can make a difference. If parents aren't seeing the activities they want, they should get together and organize. Many of the groups I mentioned (and those I didn't) would love to work with a parent group to fill in the needs of the community. I believe you will find most organizations are quite responsive, especially if you have time to volunteer to the planning process.

Smart Start is working right now with the Kellogg Foundation to identify ways to build on resources in our area. They are doing this through open community meetings. See www.regionakids.org (click on SPARK) to find a meeting near you or call the number above.

Many of the organizations families in this region depend on for support, activities and services are facing devastating budget cuts in the coming months. Another way to truly make an impact is to contact your legislators and tell them that you don't want funding cuts made to Smart Start, the state aid to public library system, adolescent pregnancy prevention programs, family preservation and support, the cooperative extension service or the schools.

The list goes on and you have to pick your battles, but please let your voice be heard.

Lindley Myers

Sylva

Faculty scholarships help deserving students

To the Editor:

I am writing to publicly commend the dedicated and altruistic faculty and staff at Smoky Mountain High School. For the past two years this generous group has set aside money, which they could have accepted as a personal bonus, to sponsor two $500 scholarships for two deserving seniors each year.

I think they deserve a nice pat on the back for their commitment to providing Faculty Scholarships for deserving students. Next time you talk to one of these faculty or staff, please let them know you appreciate them.

We are truly blessed here in Jackson County with extraordinary teachers in our public school system.

Sincerely,

Annette Sutton

Sylva

Calling on our friends

To the Editor:

Consider the following scenario: You are at the beach and decide to go for a swim. You misjudge, find yourself in trouble, and yell for the lifeguard. The lifeguard answers your call for help by swimming out and placing a concrete block on your chest!

Fortunately, friends on shore are watching and swim to the rescue. You are saved, but not by the person whose duty it was to protect you. Which brings me to your local public library.

The libraries in the Fontana Regional Library system (Macon, Jackson and Swain counties) are in trouble. The state budget crisis is having a negative impact on libraries throughout North Carolina. Drastic cutbacks in levels of tax support could drive libraries under or barely keep them afloat. In light of the situation, the library is doing the only thing it can to survive - calling on its friends.

That's where you come in. We want to maintain quality service, avoid layoffs and not cut back on hours; therefore, what we have to do is raise some of our fees. Not all, mind you, just some. For other library services that the public has come to expect and enjoy, we will ask for donations. These new fees and increases will take effect at all system libraries on June 17. (For detailed information please contact your local library or see the story on page 6A of this issue.)

We hope you understand.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to discuss them with the librarian at your location or contact Gail Findlay, our regional director. Thanks for your help.

Michael Cartwright

Jackson County

Librarian

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