John Dilbeck Musings

Agenda: final input on comprehensive plan update (meeting #3 of 3)

Facilitator: Ron Ruehl, NC State Heritage Development Officer, western NC region

Saturday, February 28
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Andrews Community Center*

*please note the change in location (the old furnace died at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, and total heating system replacement is now in progress there)

Important Note: for organizations based in Cherokee County with an emphasis on the arts, history, cultural and historic resources, and the natural environment: the updated heritage development plan will be used by a variety of regional and state entities to identify and find ways to support Cherokee County’s heritage development initiatives and achieve the economic benefits of heritage and eco-tourism. It will serve as the reference for Cherokee County’s priority initiatives being undertaken by local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, community clubs and associations, and other community development oriented entities.

If your organization has any role to play in heritage development, please make sure it’s actively represented in the process. The resulting plan document will be the authoritative reference for Cherokee County, and will include:

(1) a roster of contact and other important information about heritage development related organizations based in Cherokee County;

(2) an inventory of sites and attractions;

(3) a calendar of major annual events;

and most important:

(4) summaries of priority projects requiring funding support now, or in the future (”brick and mortar” as well as other program or development funds).

If your organization has not received the input forms package, Gabby Hudson says call her at the Chamber of Commerce (828-837-2242) and she’ll be happy to oblige.

Questions? Contact Heritage Partners of Cherokee County, NC.

Yesterday, for the first time in a couple of months, I attended the monthly Heritage Tourism Roundtable meeting in Andrews, NC. This meeting is held the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am until approximately 2:00 pm at the St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

I enjoyed seeing friends and catching up on what’s happening in the four western-most counties of North Carolina and on the progress we’re making for promoting heritage tourism in our area.

One of the guests at the meeting was Ben Utley, a lifelong educator who is now residing in western North Carolina.

He announced the upcoming debut of NCMtnMade.com, “A Heritage Database of authentic music, authors, storytellers, and handmade arts/crafts of Western North Carolina.”

If you’d like to be informed of what’s happening at this site, there is a preview page up and running and you can subscribe to their mailing list to be informed when it goes live.

Ben has some great ideas about promoting our heritage of fine art, crafts, toys, music and food, and I’d like to send my best wishes for success with this project.