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August 21-27, 2013 Smoky Mountain News
BY ANDREW KASPER soul of the building has not changed much from STAFF WRITER when it was a school serving the community. f n old closed-down elementary school in “The community still treats this place like the rural Cowee community in Macon they’ve always treated it,” Guffey said. “And County will soon reclaim its role as a that’s as place to gather and have fun.” community focal point and gathering place. Macon County Historical Society has plans The former school is being remade and to use the space for local history exhibits. transformed into an Appalachian cultural The school’s alumni organization wants center, a space where community groups and to showcase the school’s history. And even nonprofits can hold meetings, programs, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is planworkshops and performances. ning an exhibit depicting the native heritage “There are a whole mix of uses on the of the region. The Cowee area along the Little table right now,” said Stacey Guffey, the cen- Tennessee River, dotted with ancient burial ter’s coordinator named by the county. mounds and campsites, was once an epicenGardeners have already laid out small, ter of Cherokee civilization. raised-bed plots for willing horticulturalists. Cowee fTextiles, a fiber arts group, will soon be putting on weaving and quilting classes there. A pottery club has also reserved a room for studio space and hands-on demonstrations. But those are only some of the organized pursuits. Guffey said the campus of the old school is usually hustling and bustling with impromptu doings. “I try to never forget to mention that there are Stacey Guffey, one of the organizers behind the re-purposing always people using the of the old Cowee School, surveys an classroom during renovatrack, playing ball on the tion work. Andrew Kasper photo ball field and using a picnic shelter,” Guffey said. A kick-off party celebrating a soft opening But the details are still being worked out for the Cowee community center was held by the tribe. last Saturday, featuring mountain music and “Tribal members are going through a dinner prepared onsite. process to decide how to use the room,” Guffey The school has undergone a slew of said. “The ideas on the table are for educationimprovements since the county commission- al displays on the Cherokee in river valley.” ers got behind the project last fall. With nearThe old library will be left open for a public ly $70,000 pledged by the county for renova- lounge, meeting area, a book exchange and tions last year and another $120,000 this even movie nights. The school’s gymnasium year, the building is shaping up, Guffey said. will feature ping-pong, basketball, badminton, The classroom trailers out front have been volleyball and other types of recreation. hauled away; there is new audio equipment; Concerts, though, may turn out to be the lighting and seats for concerts; holes in the big draw. The school is also a designated stop roof were patched up; old carpeting torn out; on the Blue Ridge music trail. and the handicapped access fixed. Balsam Range, a local bluegrass group, The school has also been rigged with wireless was set to be the first band to fill the 200Internet access and the cafeteria outfitted with a capacity gymnasium last weekend for the commercial grade stove and new stainless steel kick-off event. But they overfilled it, and the table for food preparation. As one of its many concert had to be moved outside. uses, Guffey said the kitchen will be used for This fall, Guffey has scheduled a music classes on canning and cooking put on by the series, including Buncombe Turnpike, to play Macon County Cooperative Extension Service. in the auditorium. He plans to start the series This year, a large chunk of the county cap- again in the spring with monthly sets in the ital funding will go to upgrade the old oil fur- auditorium and a big event in August nace to an electrical heat pump. Guffey said “I think we’re going to try to do one big the upgrades will pay off in the long run and yearly event,” Guffey said. “Where we try to save $22,000 per year in fuel costs. pull the community together and try to pull But even with all the upgrades, the heart and school alumni together, outside.”
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news
One door closed, but many more opened with rebirth of Cowee School
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OUTDOOR 76 & OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Join us August 28 from 5pm–8pm at Outdoor 76 to benefit Land Trust for the Little Tennessee. Enjoy Oskar Blues beer, Highlands Smokehouse pork and the pickin’ of Frogtown Four. www.ltlt.org Outdoor 76 is located at 35 E. Main Street Franklin, NC 28734
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