To the Editor:
Early Friday evening, the end of summer celebration for the Summer Enrichment Program at Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center was held at the Haywood Area Regional Theatre (HART).
Far more interesting and challenging than summer day care, children who attend the SEP at PCMDC participate in activities such as learning to play and read music, conducting science experiments and preparing to perform in front of an audience at the end of the season. Ms. Tausha Forney develops a different theme for each week, along with a variety of activities supporting that theme, selected for each age group of students. Volunteers assist in reading or math buddy sessions, and writing skills are well emphasized.
During the performance at HART, the children demonstrated courage, and those who fell silent with stage fright were gently accompanied off-stage. Though the younger performers occasionally needed a little script assistance, the older students presented rather lengthy memorized passages about history, people to admire or scientific discoveries.
Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend was celebrated on the grounds of the Shelton House, now home to the newly renamed Museum of North Carolina Craft and History. Vendors on the grounds, music on the porch and free self-guided tours of the museum drew visitors to the area as well as local residents who had never been inside the historic property.
The area is rich with history and fortunate to have these local resources to help preserve it.
Third, though its contributions to local culture are probably more well known, is the HART theater. Located on the Shelton House grounds, it offers great entertainment in two fantastic spaces, as well as training for performers, young and old. Every show I have seen there has been outstanding. Well-cast and acted, gracefully choreographed and musically delightful performances are offered, and each one deserves our support.
My husband and I recently celebrated the three-year mark of claiming local residency, and we are grateful every day for the opportunity to participate in local programs and to support the community.
Susan Lannan Hicks
Waynesville