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John L. Dilbeck's News Archive
John L. Dilbeck's Ramblings
Whatever strange and wonderful ideas tickle this big brain of mine.
ISSN: 1533-8193
Being a voracious reader, I go through lots of news and stories. When I find one of interest that I think will benefit you, I write about it here. Your feedback is always welcome.
News Archives
(See menu at left for the old archives.)
February 2005
USDA Rural Development Home Loans and Grants -- Cherokee County, NC
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 11:13 PM
Category: news
USDA Rural Development offers home ownership loans and home improvement loans and grants designed to help rural Americans improve the quality of their lives.
The Section 502 Rural Housing Loans may be used by moderate-, low-, and very-low-income families to buy, build, improve, or repair rural homes. Eligible applicants must be without decent, safe and sanitary housing, unable to obtain necessary credit from other sources, have a good credit history and have stable and dependable income to support house payments, taxes, insurance and necessary living expenses.
The Section 502 Rural Housing Loan may be subsidized based upon financial need in order to assist repayment capacity.
Loans may be made for up to 100% of the appraised value of the property. The only fees would be those associated with closing the loan, such as appraisal fee, attorney fees, etc. Closing costs can be included in the loan amount if supported by market value and repayment ratios.
Rural Development Section 504 Repair and Rehabilitation Loans and Grant are designed for very-low-income individuals who own their own homes, have a reasonable credit history, and are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.
Funds can be used for basic repairs, installing essential features, or to remove existing health and safety hazards. Loans may be made up to $20,000 at a fixed interest rate of 1% and a maximum term of 20 years.
To qualify for grant funds, the applicants must be at least 62 years of age and be unable to repay the low interest loan. The maximum lifetime grant amount is $7,500. There are no application fees associated with this program.
If you are interested in becoming a homeowner or are in need of assistance to repair your home, USDA Rural Development may be able to help. To file an application, or for further information concerning the housing or any other Rural Development programs, please contact Betty Thompson at 828-837-2721, ext. 4, or via email at betty.thompson@nc.usda.gov .
Economic Grants Applications Deadline -- Murphy, NC 28906 -- April 15, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 11:00 PM
Category: nonprofits
The Office of Economic Opportunity of Catholic Social Services is accepting applications for its Growing Opportunities Small Grants Program.
Grants are awarded from $500 - $3000 for the purpose of supporting sustainable economic development and/or systemic change.
Grants are available to community-based groups, non-profits, church groups, and organizations supporting business development in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain counties.
The deadline for applications is April 15, 2005.
Sustainable economic development is defined as "using existing community resources to maximize the cultural and economic health of the region for current and future generations." Systemic change is defined as permanently altering those structures which perpetuate unjust economic conditions or removing the existing barriers to equal opportunity.
Previous grant rounds have awarded 42 grants throughout the four-county region.
Call the Office of Economic Opportunity in Murphy, NC, at 828-835-3535 for a full application and guidelines. Applicants with questions concerning the application and review process may call or email the office at oeocss@charlottediocese.org .
Multi-cultural Women's Conference -- Western North Carolina -- April 8-9, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 10:44 PM
Category: nonprofits
One Dozen Who Care, Inc., a community development corporation in Andrews, NC, will sponsor the sixth annual Multi-cultural Women's Development Conference on Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, 2005, at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC 28904.
The conference is an opportunity for a diverse group of women from far western North Carolina and adjoining mountain states to discuss issues of concern to mountain women, including health and nutrition, education, community development, and women in politics, business and literature.
Two keynote speakers will address the conference: Dr. Bettie Sellers of Young Harris College and Sandra K. Barnhill of Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers from Atlanta.
Barnhill, an attorney and former defense attorney, has worked with children and women in prison for 18 years. She works to promote self development, responsibility, and a better way of life for troubled families.
Sellers, former Poet Laureate of Georgia and professor of English at Young Harris College, will speak on women writers from the South.
Other speakers include Dr. Patricia Beaver and a group of graduate students from Appalachian State University, who will report on an oral history project about the Allen School, a Methodist school of black women in Asheville, and talk about its impact on women in the region.
The conference is an opportunity for women to learn, network, and meet and talk with an ethnically diverse group of women about community problems and regional issues. it is a way to build bridges between cultures and races in the region.
Paula Nelson, singer and musician from Cherokee, will present a program of Cherokee culture and music and host the entertainment Friday evening.
Cynthia Brown, a community organizer, will lead a session on women's leadership.
One Dozen Who Care, Inc., was founded by Ann Miller Woodford, a community leader who was born and raised in Cherokee County, NC. She recruited a group of black women from western North Carolina who formed the organization to empower women in the region and build bridges of communication and understanding between people of different racial and cultural backgrounds. More than 100 women gather for the conference to explore their personal and professional development.
Hinton Rural Life Center is on Lake Chatuge. A limited number of scholarships are available.
To register, contact One Dozen Who Care, Inc., online at www.odwc.org or call 828-321-2273.
Humane Society Seeks Sponsors -- Marble, NC 28905
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 10:29 PM
Category: nonprofits
The Valley River Humane Society recognized Bruce Moore and Joe Walp on February 2, 2005, with an engraved plaque that reads, "In honor of your hard work in replacing all the fencing material on the kennel doors. We love you, The Shelter Animals."
Moore and Walp worked hard on the task of replacing the fencing material on the kennel doors at the shelter. These upgrades were important to ensure the safety of small puppies. They were dedicated to this project, and in recognition of their hard work, each plaque will be placed on one kennel to honor them.
The humane society is also looking for kennel sponsors to sponsor a kennel for $100 a year. Individuals are welcome to sponsor a kennel in honor of a loved one or beloved pet. Businesses can sponsor one with their names.
Call Cinde Taylor at 828-837-9687 if you're interested in supporting the Valley River Humane Society by sponsoring a kennel door. This sponsorship will help with the maintenance for each kennel, Taylor said.
A Folk Experience -- Murphy, NC 28906 -- March 3, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 10:18 PM
Category: arts_and_crafts
Dr. Jan Davidson, director of John C. Campbell Folk School, will present the special feature at the upcoming "A Folk Experience" luncheon from noon until 1:45 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2005, in the fellowship hall of Murphy First Baptist Church.
The luncheon is sponsored by Tri-County Christian Women's Club.
Davidson, a native of Murphy, has a doctorate in history and folklore. He will tell about the work and history of the Folk School upon its 80th anniversary, and how it was created by local people and others.
Suzanne West Major and Cody Golden will present special music.
June Johnson from Franklin, NC, will share her story, "When Doing Your Best Is Not Enough."
Reservations and cancelations for the luncheon and child care must be made by noon on Monday, February 28, 2005. Reservations not canceled will require payment.
Admission is $8.50 inclusive and child care is free. Door prizes will be given.
Call Martha at 828-837-2694 or email fepalmer@dnet.net for reservations and details.
Area women are invited to attend this special luncheon and bring a friend.
Heritage Alive 2005 Festival -- Asheville, NC -- May 28-29, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Monday, February 28 2005 at 8:53 PM
Category: arts_and_crafts
The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) is planning a first annual Heritage Festival on Saturday and Sunday May 28th and 29th, 2005 in Asheville.
The Heritage Alive 2005 Festival will feature regional traditions, history, and culture from the 19th Century and will take place in and around the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Community College. Parking and admission will be free to the public, and because of a donated 30-second public service announcement from Charter Media and Charter Communications and future publicity, we expect a good crowd.
The Festival will also feature military encampments, a children's area offering period games and story telling, music, entertainment, food and refreshments. The public will experience "living history" with tours of the beautifully restored rooms of the 1840s Smith-McDowell House Museum.
We invite you to set-up a 10' x 10' booth for both days to feature and to sell your craft. Ideally you would be demonstrating your skills as you displayed and sold your craft items. Hopefully your craft would be from the period and would feature crafts such as chair caning, quilting, woodcarving, weaving, blacksmithing, stone carving, jewelry making and others.
A booth space at the Festival rents for $50.00 for the two days and we ask that you provide your tent, table and chairs. If you need Festival Committee to provide the tent, table, and chairs, arrangements will be made and the rent would include those costs. Set-up will occur on Saturday, May 28th beginning at 8am and must end fifteen minutes prior to the 11am start time. Please contact Ann McMartin at 828-674-9722 for more information or e-mail at:
annmcmartin@hotmail.com
We look forward to working with you on the first Heritage Alive Festival.
Sincerely,
Ann McMartin
Event Coordinator
New niche marketing link added to directory at JohnDilbeck.com
Posted by johndilbeck on Friday, February 25 2005 at 1:13 AM
Category: marketing
I just added a link to a marketing site on the Marketing Resources page in my directory.
In the Niche Marketing section, I added:
NicheHunt.com -- Make More Money Marketing to Niches - Niche marketing strategies for small and home-based businesses. Succeed online by finding and marketing to a small, prosperous niche market.
New home business link added to directory at JohnDilbeck.com
Posted by johndilbeck on Friday, February 25 2005 at 12:22 AM
Category: home_business
I just added links to two sites related to working at home on the Small Business page in my directory.
In the Home Business section, I added:
Work at Home -- Biz-whiz.com is a community website for work at home related information and resources. Includes articles, directory, a very busy forum, and more.
21st Century Sales -- home business hints, tips, opportunites, and resources.
New links added to the directory at JohnDilbeck.com
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, February 24 2005 at 11:24 PM
Category: websites
I just added links to three sites I've recently discovered that are related to writing, publishing and self-publishing on the books page in my directory.
In the Blogs about Writing section, I added the following:
Learning About Writing is a blog written by Dennis Mellersh. This is a new blog, but it is one that is worth your attention. I've spoken with Dennis extensively and I look forward to learning more about writing from him.
In the Places to Sell Your Writing section, I added:
Lulu.com -- offers great resources for authors, including print on demand and online sales. They have an active forum where authors are helping would-be-authors learn the ropes and succeed. They offer a free blog and a web page where you can list all the publications you sell through their site.
In the Self Publishing Websites section, I added:
Self Publishers Club -- The purpose of the self publishers club is to support, encourage and educate writer/publishers.
David Sumpter Appointed Oasis Guard -- Murphy, NC 28906
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, February 19 2005 at 9:58 AM
Category: ramblings
On January 8, 2005, in Charlotte, NC, Noble David Sumpter, III, was appointed Oasis Outer Guard by Illustrious Sir Rolla Rogers at the 110th Oasis installation of officers.
An attorney, David Sumpter practices in the area of real estate, criminal, civil, and family law in Murphy, NC. He is a member and Past Master of Cherokee Lodge No. 146 and president of the Western North Carolina Shrine Club. He is also on the ethics committee and authorized practice of law committee for the North Carolina State Bar (State Bar Counselor, 30th Judicial District).
Sumpter is past president of the United Way in Murphy and the Murphy Rotary Club, and a board member of the Hiwassee Valley Recreation Committee.
He is a graduate of the University of the South and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee.
Sumpter and his lady, Sandra Norris Sumpter, have five children -- Duncan, Allison, Thomas, Troy and Susan. They have one granddaughter, Whitley.
The Sumpters are members of Murphy First Methodist Church.
Summertime Kids Grants Available -- Western North Carolina
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, February 19 2005 at 9:56 AM
Category: nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is offering "Summertime Kids" grants of up to $2,000 for nonprofit organizations to provide programs for children in need this summer.
Nonprofit organizations in the 18-county mountain region are encouraged to apply for 2005 Summertime Kids grants before the Monday, March 14, 2005. deadline.
The Community Foundation is interested in funding creative summer programs with an emphasis on teaching children of low-income families, living in remote areas, with disabilities or who have suffered from neglect or abuse.
"Each year more than 1,000 local children depend on the program funded by Summertime Kids grants," said Pat Smith, president of the foundation.
"These grants provide enriching activities for children who are without financial resources, have physical disabilities or don't have transportation or services because they live in rural areas. The charitable organizations offering summer programs to these children provide an invaluable service, and we are pleased to support them."
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has served the mountain region since 1978 by professionally managing charitable funds created by individuals and families and using those funds to make grants to local charitable organizations.
A person may establish a fund at The Community Foundation using many different types of assets, and they can designate their fund to benefit a certain geographic area, specific nonprofit, or broad area of charitable interest, such as helping children in need.
The Community Foundation has awarded more than $70 million in grants since 1978.
For more information, or to apply for a Summertime Kids grant, visit www.cfwnc.org online or call Spencer Butler at The Community Foundation at 828-254-4960.
Do you want to self-publish your book, music, calendar, or some other publication?
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, February 19 2005 at 9:54 AM
Category: ramblings
Lulu.com offers a way to self-publish your work in printed format using their print on demand service.
You can also publish downloadable publications, if you want.
They offer a complete set of step-by-step directions on how to get started.
If you offer electronic downloads of your work, you can choose to offer it for free or to get paid a royalty (that you select) for your work. Lulu.com adjusts the price so they get a 20% commission for their services.
If you offer print on demand versions, they get their commission and an additional printing fee.
They offer several additional services such as ISBN and ISBN Plus, in case you want to sell through bookstores.
I'll be spending quite a bit of time looking through this site and testing it over the coming months.
Angel Food Ministries Deadline -- Murphy, NC 28906 -- February 14, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Friday, February 11 2005 at 8:54 PM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
Orders are being taken for the Angel Food Ministries' menu for February, 2005.
The cost for each box is $25.
The deadline to place an order and make payment is Monday, February, 14, 2005. Distribution of the food will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2005.
If you are picking up food orders, please bring a large box with you.
Send checks for February food items to:
First United Methodist Church
Attention: Roger Williams
Angel Food Ministries
PO Box 86
Murph, NC 28906
For more information, call Williams at 828-837-5921, the church at 828-837-2718, or see the website at www.AngelFoodMinistries.com.
Blood Drive at TCCC -- Peachtree Community -- February 17, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Friday, February 11 2005 at 8:51 PM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
A blood drive will be in progress from 11:30 am until 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 17, 2005, at Tri-County Community College.
To make an appointment, call 828-837-6810.
Transportation Maps Available -- North Carolina
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, February 10 2005 at 7:11 PM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
The N.C. Department of Transportation's official 2005 State Transportation Map is available.
The map is larger this year and features more information to help improve motorist safety in North Carolina, including 511, the state's new toll-free travel information system.
To order a free copy of the state map, call the NCDOT Customer Service Office toll-free at 1-877-DOT-4YOU from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Maps may also be ordered online by visiting www.ncdot.org/public/publications.
Chamber of Commerce Fundraiser -- Murphy, NC 28906 -- February 24, 2005
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, February 10 2005 at 7:03 PM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is expanding its offices and visitors' center -- its first facelift in almost 30 years.
Chamber board members have already raised $13,000 towards the estimated price tag of $60,000 - $70,000 for the project. Plans are to add a conference room, office, restroom, and kitchennete to the existing building. The conference room will be used for meetings, seminars, and educational programs for chamber members.
Along with the building additions, the existing restrooms will be upgraded to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the existing parking area will be improved.
"The board and staff are eager to get started on this project to better serve our members and visitors to Cherokee County," said Sande Kimball, chamber executive director.
Board members include Marvin Raper, president; Larry Kernea, vice president; Kay Tew, secretary; Bill Vespasian, treasurer; Barbara Cook, Jan Davidson, David Hilton, Betsy Lane, Tom O'Brien, Jeff Taylor, Charles West Jr., Kevennie Westmoreland, and Bill Forsyth.
An auction of donated items to help raise funds will be held at The Ballroom in downtown Murphy on Thursday, February 24, 2005 (time unknown -- estimated at 7:00 pm until further information is available). Admission is $15 per person or $20 per couple and includes hors d'oeuvres, punch, coffee or water. Wine bar will be extra.
Tickets are limited and available from any board member or at the chamber office.
Jan Weeks of Cash Auctions will conduct the auction portion of the event. Members and friends of the chamber are donating items for the auction. Terms of the auction will be cash or check only.
The benefit will also serve as a social and networking opportunity in the community.
For more information on the mardi gras auction, call the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 828-837-2242.
Disabled American Veterans Van Service to Asheville -- Andrews, NC 28901
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, February 10 2005 at 6:49 PM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
Andrews, NC, resident Pam Carman is the keeper of the Disabled American Veterans van that carries anywhere from one to a half-dozen veterans back and forth the 100 miles or so to Asheville, NC, about 15 times per month.
For more information on the veterans van service to Asheville or how to become a driver, call 828-321-4172.
For more information about Disabled American Veterans volunteer services, visit the web site at www.dav.org.
CPC awarded the North Carolina Peace Prize
Posted by johndilbeck on Wednesday, February 9 2005 at 4:45 AM
Category: cpc
The North Carolina Peace Corps Association will present its eighth annual North Carolina Peace Prize to the Center for Participatory Change of Asheville. The award will be given on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at the Sheraton Capital Center Hotel (421 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, 919-834-9900). A reception will start at 7:00 PM with the presentation to follow. Sarah Parker, Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and returned Peace Corps volunteer, will present the prize, which is a vase from Turn & Burn Pottery in Seagrove. The prize also includes $750. The public is invited to the award reception and presentation.
The presentation is part of the winter board meeting of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). Jody Olson, Deputy Director of Peace Corps, will be attending the NPCA meeting and will make a speech at the peace prize presentation. Kevin Quigley, NPCA President, will also speak.
NCPCA is very proud to have been asked to host the NPCA board meeting because it is a recognition of the vitality of our group among the many RPCV groups that are affiliated with NPCA. We want to demonstrate our vitality by a good turnout of our membership at the reception. If you have time available on that evening, please make plans to join other NCPCA and NPCA members at the reception. Please send your RSVP to Emily Coble at csmith9899@aol.com or 919-231-6874.
Donations will be accepted for the Friends of Thailand’s Project Restore to rebuild two rural elementary schools in Thailand that are in need of assistance as one school begins the task of rebuilding its facility and the other works to restore the lives of 148 children orphaned by the tsunami. The Friends of Thailand is affiliated with NPCA and is a group of returned Peace Corps volunteers who served in Thailand.
The North Carolina Peace Prize was established to honor small North Carolina community-based non-profit groups that demonstrate the ideals of the Peace Corps – helping people to help themselves and promoting peace and cross-cultural understanding. Previous prize winners are High Country Amigos (Boone, 2003), Durham- San Ramón Sister Communities (Durham, 2002), North Carolina Partners of the Americas (Raleigh, 2001), El Centro Hispano (Durham, 1999); SEEDS (South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces) (Durham, 1998), Friends of the Glenwood Library (Greensboro, 1997), and Student Action for Farm Workers (Durham, 1996).
The Center for Participatory Change (CPC) was founded in 1999 to support grassroots groups in western North Carolina. Its mission is to help people recognize their own power to work together to transform their communities. Its geographic target includes 18 western counties and it is supporting more than 25 groups in 12 of these counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These groups focus on economic justice, racial justice, and community support. CPC helps rural people make improvements in their communities through projects that they plan, implement, and evaluate themselves. The projects involve grassroots organizing, leadership development, capacity building, networking and a self-development fund.
Justice Sarah Parker has served in the North Carolina Supreme Court since 1993 and was recently reelected to that position. Previously, she served in the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 1985 to 1993 and was in private legal practice earlier. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ankara, Turkey from 1964 to 1966. NCPCA is honored to have her as the presenter of the 2005 North Carolina Peace Prize.
North Carolina Peace Corps Association, 201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. For information about the peace prize, contact Tom Elkins at 919-855-3867 or 919-571-7881 or at tomam@bellsouth.net or Tom.Elkins@ncmail.net
Center for Participatory Change (www.cpcwnc.org), P.O. Box 9238, Asheville, NC 28815. For more information, contact CPC at 828-299-9437 or info@cpcwnc.org.
National Peace Corps Association, 1900 L Street, NW, Suite 205, Washington, D.C. 20036-5002. For more information, contact NPCA at (202) 293-7728 or npca@rpcv.org.
Jeannette Butterworth
Program Coordinator
Center for Participatory Change
PO Box 9238
Asheville, NC 28815
Email: jeannette@cpcwnc.org
Web: www.cpcwnc.org
Phone: 828.280-8122
Fax: 828.694-0792
CPC works to help people across Western North Carolina recognize their own power, work together, and transform their communities.
The Murphy River Walk -- Murphy, NC 28906
Posted by johndilbeck on Wednesday, February 9 2005 at 4:09 AM
Category: cherokee_county_nc
The Murphy River Walk -- Murphy, NC 28906
Phase 2 of the Murphy River Walk was completed last week, extending from the pedestrian bridge at Konehete Park to the Cherokee County Health Department. Having obtained the necessary clearances from TVA and the Town of Murphy in January, Heritage Partners' project officer Edwin Manchester wasted no time in organizing volunteers and other contributors to complete construction. Phase 2 adds another 900 feet to the River Walk, and features a 10' wide, compacted gravel surface (per environmental specifications).
Special thanks go to project team volunteers Carl Auvil, Lonnie Maize, Rosie and Don Stillwagon, Ernie Wilson for their whirlwind efforts on the project last week. Construction activities were also assisted by the Konehete Park crew as well as county prison labor. The project team appreciated Western Materials' donation of some of the gravel, and the community-spirited cooperation of Kenny Phillips, P&R paving. As a result of Edwin Manchester's leadership and the team effort, Phase 2 has been completed at a fraction of its estimated cost.
Following a master plan completed last year, future phases of The Murphy River Walk will extend the trail along the Valley & Hiwassee Rivers, surrounding the historic town center to the Old L&N Depot complex. Pre-construction and funding activities for Phase 3 are expected to get underway soon. The Murphy River Walk project is sponsored by Heritage Partners of Cherokee County, and stands as a remarkable example of what public and private partnerships can accomplish. Funded by grants, contributions and donated labor and materials, the River Walk has been a welcomed enhancement to the community's recreational facilities and historic town center.
For More Information, Contact the Project Manager:
Edwin Manchester
E-mail Address: ehm1@webworkz.com
Phone: 644-5988
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