PAGE 8 · THE NEWPORT PLAIN TALK, Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Also PAGE 5 · THE TENNESSEE STAR JOURNAL, Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Local Artisan Group Looking
Good For Grant Money
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COSBY -- On July 14th, representatives of Treasures Of Appalachia met with Paul Rader of the Self Development Of People fund to discuss their qualification to receive a grant from the fund to develop and build their organization.
Mr. Rader toured the Treasures Of Appalachia gallery with Marie Bittinger, Varena Landrum and Doug Bittinger, three of the co-managers of the gallery and commented that he was impressed by the quality and variety of pieces presented. He then met with the larger group inside Holloway's Quilters Inn for about two hours to discuss what the group is, what it's objectives are, and it's needs.
Mr. Rader stated, "I'm impressed with the level of organization that this group displays. Not only do you have a list of goals and objectives, but you have them prioritized. You have some good leadership here, you know where you're going and how to get there. You'd doing a good thing here and you've convinced me that this group is worthy of funding."
"On the evening of July 16th," states Doug Bittinger, bookkeeper for the group, "Mr. Rader called me at home to tell me that he had met with the S.D.O.P. Grant Committee and presented our grant application. During his presentation he told them that we had even found a way to get our people on the NBC Nightly News in New York. One of the committee members said, 'I saw that, it was great, I think we should give it to them!'
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Well, there was considerably more discussion, but the end result was a decision to recommend a line-item grant of $11,000.00 toward specific projects in our budget."
The S.D.O.P. Grant Committee will take their recommendations before the Presbyterian Church General Assembly, who underwrite the Self Development of People fund, in September.
Rader states, "While I can't guarantee anything until the check is signed, it's very rare that the General Assembly overturns a Grant Committee decision for funding. I'd say you should start lining up your contractors."
Treasures of Appalachia is a quality Art & Craft Gallery that offers the works of 46 Cocke County artisans. Everything in the store is locally made, and hand crafted. They also host monthly Art & Craft Gatherings that are open to all artists, crafters, performers and food vendors. You may reach the gallery at (423) 487-3111 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except Wednesday and Sunday. Or you may contact Len and Varena Landrum at (423) 487-5448 or Doug & Marie Bittinger at (423) 623-9692 or log onto www.TreasuresOfAppalachia.com for details about the group, an event schedule, and news clippings.
More information on the Self Development Of People grant may be obtained from their web site at http://www.pcusa.org/sdop or by calling 1 (888) 728-7228
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Members of Treasures Of Appalachia meet with Paul Rader of the Self Development Of People grant foundation. From the left are: Rev. Michael Chamberlain, Joyce Jones, Ovaleen Andersen, Anne Stafford, Pam Knudson, Paul Rader, and Marie Bittinger. Also present but not photographed were Joy O'Hare, Pat O'Hare, Pat Trautman, Lynn Andersen, Phil Seidenschwartz, Maria Holloway and Doug Bittinger.
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