Cherokee County NC Blog

In its ongoing effort to bring practical courses to the community, One Dozen Who Care, Inc. announces the return of its Creative Writing series, and the new Internet and email class, both set to begin in June, 2007.

The four-week Internet and email class will be offered from 6-8 pm on Mondays and 2-4 pm on Wednesdays during June.

This class will focus on the principles of navigating the Web, using popular search engines, customizing Internet options, and security issues. Beginners are encouraged to register.

The third installment of the Creative Writing series will focus on convincing dialogue.

Classes will meet at the One Dozen Who Care office at 65 Wilson St, Suites 6 and 7, in Andrews, NC 28901.

One Dozen Who Care, Inc. is located between the Pizza Place and Dollar General.

To register, or to get more information about other course offerings, call Yakini Cooley at 828-321-2273.

One Dozen Who Care is a non-profit community development corporation.

I want to thank my friend, Jerry Chautin, for alerting me to an article in the New York Times, A Basket Case in North Carolina, written by David Rakoff, and published on May 20, 2007.

In this article, the author talks about taking a week-long class at the John C Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, NC.

Originally, like most men, he wanted to experience the thrill of blacksmithing, of smiting hot steel and shaping it into new forms with fire, hammer, and anvil, but (for reasons he details in the article) he changed to taking a basket weaving class.

As a true lover of the Folk School and all that goes on there, I felt the resonance of reading what I know to be true about the Folk School experience, not just what happens when taking a class and learning a new skill, or improving your ability to create pieces of art in your chosen craft.

Mr. Rakoff talks about the unexpected moments of silence and “getting into the zone” that artists strive for while transforming the vision in our minds into the item in our hands.

This is one of the best articles I’ve read about the Folk School, and I recommend it to you. I don’t know how long the New York Times keeps these articles archived, so maybe you should read A Basket Case in North Carolina, now.

(For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.)