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W-W Arts Foundation gives thanks to so many who made music festival weekend big success TO THE EDITOR: The very first WW Festival of Music, Steve deShazo said, "music is the commonality of the soul." It was in Washington-Wilkes as we all came together and saw and heard and FELT the music of our own, in hopes of giving our children a hand up in pursuing their own exploration of music. From the first notes played by honored middle schoolers, John Pope and Haley Colvard, to the final notes by Carnegie Hall-bound musicians playing with a local high school pianist, with the amazing Hillary Lindsey in between, it felt like a Divine Hand was guiding us. It was certainly more than just two concerts. It was what makes Washington Washington, there is nowhere else in the world more special and I am humbled to have been a part of it. When I was growing up, I was taught to write a thank you note for even the smallest gesture. But how do I even begin to write a thank you note to an entire community for a gesture this huge? I will name but a few of the many who contributed to the success of the 2007 Festival: To the sponsors who gave generously as soon as they heard about what we were going to do, thank you! Jack Harvey - The Farmers and Merchants Bank; April and George Dyson - Dycom; Billy Gibbs - Washington Cellular; Mike Reese and family; Deanne Crook - Griggs Ficklen; Mike and Christy Todd at the Fitzpatrick Hotel; and Southern Distinction magazine. Because of your generosity we were able to secure great sound equipment and technicians and provide tenting, staging, and security that the night deserved. James Callaway, you are a strategic genius! The bus drivers and parking attendants at the Primary School, Darla and Mark Ward, Chief Davis, and the City police. Shelton West, I cannot believe y'all set up every chair (all 647of them) under the tent and then came back on Sunday afternoon so that they would be back in place for the school children Monday morning. Bob Haughey - use of crane and generator! Blake Thompson and your EMS crew - your knowledge and expertise enabled us to be secure. The vendors, Tignall Baptist Youth Group, Southern Elegance, First Methodist Preschool, The Band Boosters, and the high school flag corps. A huge thank you to Michael Horgan and Lou Riccutti, who did what folks said can't be done, orderly parking at the country club. It took many to handle that, Buddy Lindsey and the Interact Club, John Overstreet, George Thorpe, Dr. Lester Johnston, Bill Amis and crew, Rev. Gale Seibert, Bill Bennett, and Joey Fievet. Carol McTier, owner of the Garden Party. Ashley Barnett chaired the publicity. We couldn't have an event without publicity, so kudos to our own "Town Criers" Mel Stovall and Carol Cartledge of WXLT and WLOV Radio Stations. And thanks for your outstanding coverage in The News-Reporter. How great was it to see posters made by school children in windows all over town? Thank you to Dawn Pickens for coordinating the poster contest. Thank you to the winners Ashley West and Ansley Newsome, great work! Another huge thank you goes to Anne Fievet Lamb and Catherine Fievet Blount, for the design of the brochures, CD cover, and t-shirts. Anita Darden creator of the WWAF website. Chamber of Commerce, Ashley, Donna, Elaine, and the other volunteers. Chris Hughes and Pete Bragg provided the wonderful preconcert music on Saturday evening. Washington-Wilkes Country Club Board and Florene Cobb, Jimmy Harkins, Buck Dawson, and Lisa and to those golfers that gave up their last two holes Saturday. Lee and Jay Durham, Jim and Heather Baston, Angie Strother and Pam McCarty thank you for selling CDs and T-shirts. Mike Sisson and the Wilkes County Sheriff 's Department, Mayor Burns and your security company thank you! We are grateful to the Washington Little Theater for donating their space, Nora Dukes and the Board for all the work that went into making that venue the place it should be as the last stop before Carnegie Hall. To hear soul stirring classical music by world class performers, was exactly what we all needed on Sunday afternoon. To Skeet and Ginny who hosted the musicians, took care of every little detail, and were the reason Washington could partake of this musical greatness, we are all grateful. Emily Wasson, Erin and Brian Horner, Peyson Moss, who would have believed the four of you had not been together for years? I am so grateful to Jeff Thomas and Ryan Dukes, our band directors. I appreciate our school superintendent, Joyce Williams. What a fine lady who lent support every step of the way. The Festival committee worked long, hard, and unselfishly and I want to thank these friends. Susan Pope, Linda Anthony, Mary Craven, Polly Fievet, Evelyn Bennett, Kathy Lindsey, Lou and Barbara Ricciuti, a very special thank you for taking on any and everything. KERMIT; no last name is needed. He worked tirelessly from the beginning, and brought us a grand "pig pickin,'" glorious decorations, and he was the last one there Monday afternoon making sure everything was back where it should be. He has sold tickets, wristbands, CDs, Tshirts, fixed food, flowers, moved tables and chairs, hung stage backdrop, moved and rehung banners, worried, cheered, and is the best friend Washington has in a dozen ways. Thank you is not adequate Kermit, for all you do! In addition to the individuals on the committee their families played a big part and mine certainly did so, thank you Melanie and Tom Wells and Tommy for your willingness always. It is invaluable to me. Each member of Hillary's family helped in many ways, Rodney and Lauren Fowler, Taylor, and of course Ricky and Kathy, they not only worked tirelessly and housed and fed many, they financially supported our efforts. They also contributed to Hillary's outlook on life, which is no small thing, especially to us here in Washington. The biggest thank you of all goes to Hillary, who gave us her time, of which she has so little, who gave of her talent, of which she has so much. You have taken your gifts and given back, what a role model you are. To be part of an event that features Hillary Lindsey is inspiring, extraordinary, rewarding, uplifting, humbling, and just plain fun! Thanks to all who helped in every way! DEBBIE WELLS Washington Wilkes
Arts Foundation
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