Sifting Through Our Visions of a Brighter Future

Enclosed with this issue of Black Diamond Press is a six-page survey that may appear a bit threatening, but hopefully will spark your new year’s energy to participate in the life of our microregion. After the initial fear of a time-consuming job passes, pour a cup of your favorite winter beverage and be amazed by the plethora of ideas for the future that have been generated in this document. The survey’s intent is to help the Council set priorities for action, and to discover who might be willing to help in carrying out the dozens of opportunities on the horizon for making the Little Cities microregion a more interesting and prosperous place to live and a destination for geotourists as the second decade of the century unfolds. Where did all the ideas come from that are contained in this document? From you! On a cold snowy Saturday morning last January, about 25 Council members gathered for breakfast at Dunkle’s Hall in New Straitsville to reflect upon the past 15 years of Council activity and to contribute ideas for the future of the Council. The response was rich, rewarding, and like the survey document, a bit overwhelming for folks like John Winnenberg, Cheryl Blosser and Susan Mingus who only spend part of their working days on Council programs and projects The input gathered a year ago suggested new themes of work ranging from youth heritage initiatives, to taking geotourism business development more seriously. Exciting stuff, but where did we put our superman/superwomen capes??? “Priorities will have to be set!” said Mingus in her wise voice of reason. So, the idea of a survey was decided upon, began and then tabled as the “event season” took over the Council’s agenda for 2009. With that season past, we’ve come to grips with the task and now are asking you to answer the question, “What is most important?” The answer needs to include the consideration of the many things that the LCBD Council already does annually and assigning importance to these activities alongside new initiatives. Of equal importance is an answer, “How might you and/or others help?” Might you lead an effort, or serve on a work group for another? Very few new initiatives can be launched without a strong voluntary working group with leadership in place to support it. So as you take on the task of filling out this survey, remember these simple things: • The survey needs returned by Februrary 28, 2010. • Give each item a rating of importance, with 10 be ing the highest and 1 the lowest. • Don’t rate everything high, try to spread out your scores. The idea is to begin with the highest rated and as the next five years pass, work down the list to items not as immediate. • Let us know if you might lead an effort or where you will help. If we have an idea of who might lead or where there is a group of people who want to help, it is more likely to happen and be included in annual work plans. • Don’t understand something? Give us a call or e- mail. We all work from home in January and February. Cheryl’s number is 740-394-1014 (cherylllblosser@yahoo.com); Susan 740-767-3463 (HickoryHillBB@aol.com) and John is 740-767-2213 (jwin nenb54@gmail.com). • Don’t want to fill out this survey by yourself? Call us and we can organize a coffee or lunch in mid to late Janu- ary where a group can gather to fill out the survey, asking clarifying questions and kicking around ideas as they figure out their responses. Thank you in advance for your participation in this survey! Together we can do more for the Little Cities! Results will be published on-line at www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org and result in a planning document to guide the organization toward 2015, when the organization will celebrate its 20th Anniversary, as well as an annual work plan for 2010. Expanded Appalachian Spring Work Group Forms Eighteen volunteers gathered for food and discussion as the future of the Appalachian Spring Festival was considered at the restored Eclipse Company Store in Novebmer. Focus was placed on forming working groups to carry out different functions, rather than depending on one small committee to deal with all aspects of the festival. Other ideas under consideration are a special youth area and schedule of programs; morning workshops; and a silent auction on Saturday. Though organizers were pleased with the turn out, there is a need for more volunteers to play roles in making the festival a success. Watch this web site for dates of upcoming meetings. Little cities Learning community Will Analyze and Research Local History First Gathering February 25 Ohio University Professor Dr. Frans Doppen is organizing a Little Cities Study Group, named Little Cities Learning Community, which will meet for the first time on February 25 at the Little Cities Archive/Office in Shawnee. The topic of research will be the region’s nationally significant role in the nation’s labor union history with a particular emphasis on the Ohio Legislature’s 1885 hearings on the Hocking Valley Coal Strike, which resulted in a breakthrough for miner’s rights in the nation. The group will be informal, teaching and sharing research methods, while analyzing and adding to the collection of materials already gathered. A potluck supper will begin at 6PM, followed by If you are interested in joining the group call Cheryl Blosser at the Council Office at 740-394-3011 or Dr. Doppen at 740-593-0254 or stop by his office at 210B McCracken Hall on the Athens campus. Little Cities Christmas Has Successful Season If the towns of the Little Cities wish to benefit economically from geotourism, outlets for the sale of local products is essential. A group of Miller High School students, led by adult leader Courtney Rittgers and supported by the Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs (SPICE) and Sunday Creek Associates, operated the Little Cities Christmas Shop on weekends from Thanksgiving through Christmas in the first floor of the Tecumseh Theater Building in Shawnee. Sales exceeded $1,600. Products sold included the work of local artists, forest cut Christmas trees, local foods and books and souvenirs developed by the Little Cities Council and the Little Cities of the Forest Collaborative. Little Cities Sprit Award Goes to Dedicated Trio Dedication to the redevelopment of the Little Cities region via understanding and promotion of the region’s historical, cultural and environmental assets was enveloped in this year’s trio of recipients for the Little Cities Spirit Award given at Little Cities Day in October. Awardees Dr. Frans Doppen, Don McGathey and Susan Mingus clearly prove that actions speak louder than words as they have made significant contributions to the region’s well-being. Dr. Frans Doppen, a professor in Social Studies Teacher Preparation at Ohio University’s College of Education , became intrigued with the story of the Little Cities after participating in a tour of the microregion in the summer of 2005. Since then he has engaged his students in hands-on learning in the region, touring with his social studies methods class several times each year, and engaging them in learning projects ranging from lesson plan development to community service projects. For the past two summers Doppen has led a week-long summer course here featuring the history, culture, education and environment of the region. Doppen embraces the Little Cities As A Classroom concept, which calls for visitors to tread lightly, and contribute to the well being of the place while learning here. His students most recently raised over $1,500 for a historic marker in Rendville. This effort was complimented by their clearing the 110 steps to the former Rendville School site of brush, cleaning up an abandoned house and placing a small exhibit in the Rendville Town Hall. Among project students in his summer Appalachian Studies courses have completed, are painting playground equipment and buildings, developing exhibits, clearing hiking trail and building learning aides for the Sunday Creek Watershed Group. Doppen, a native of The Netherlands, has focused on ethnic issues including Rendville and the life of African American Union Organizer Richard L. Davis. His interest in Rendville has given new life to keeping alive the nationally significant story of this community. His involvement with the Little Cities region has been a role model for others at Ohio University who have followed his lead by engaging in learning projects that benefit the region. Don McGathey, of Laurel Run Rd. near Haydenville, is retired as a typesetter with the Columbus Dispatch. Since his return to the hills, he has been an active member of the Haydenville Preservation Committee and New Straitsville Local History Group. In both groups, his volunteer efforts have resulted in improvement to historic sites in both communities. Don is best known for his love of cement work, including the construction of the stairs to the Robinson’s Cave site in New Straitsville. A man of few words, Don is always ready to get to work on the next project. He is not only generous of his time, but also makes financial contributions regularly to the organizations he joins. Susan Mingus operates the Hickory Hill B&B at the Athens-Perry-Morgan line near Burr Oak Lake. Susan returned to her family’s property after a career as a fiscal analyst with Hughes Aircraft in California. Susan became involved with the Little Cities during the start of the Little Cities Summer Tours in 2004 and has been our organization’s most active volunteer ever since. Susan manages food services each year at the Appalachian Spring Festival, and for tours and special events throughout the year. When outside the kitchen, Susan manages the sale of souvenirs for the Council, ordering products, keeping inventory and distributing it to local stores. In addition Susan keeps the books for the organization, analyzing fiscal trends and assuring an accurate set of financial records is kept. Susan plays an important role in leadership of the Council, participating in leadership planning meetings each month and assisting with various work projects of the Council. Much like McGathey, Susan is quiet, but extremely focused and effective in anything that she undertakes.