Note: These posts are cross-posted from another blog where I am blogging daily about my trip. I was slow to realize that non-KSDAR folks might be interested to learn more about my trip, or the DAR, so I am posting a couple a day until I catch up! Read about Day One of the trip here, and Day Two here.
Day Three, October 10, 2010--The Crossnore School
Greetings!
I simply cannot express sufficiently how awed I was by our day today. The day started with a 4.5 hour drive from Roanoke, Virginia, to Crossnore, North Carolina, by way of east Tennessee. We enjoyed many beautiful vistas from our bus windows, and enjoyed getting to know that ladies sitting around us a little better.
We arrived at the Crossnore School at 11:30 and enjoyed a “red carpet welcome” from students and staff before entering the chapel for their Sunday morning service. Executive Director Dr. Phyllis Crain shared with us her experience fighting cancer, for which she had spine and liver surgery earlier this year. The connections she drew between her homesickness while receiving treatment at M.D. Anderson for the hills of North Carolina and the desire she has for her heavenly home were striking and their were few dry eyes in the chapel.
Following chapel, we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon and then enjoyed an update on activities at Crossnore and enjoyed a musical presentation by the choir and two drama students. I was struck by how impressive and confident the members of the choir were—these young ladies could hold their own against any high school choir I’ve seen. This is truly a testament to the work Dr. Crain and the staff does at Crossnore, as the circumstances in the lives of the approximately 70 students who live at the school are not those that lend themselves to confidence and success in teenagers.
After the program, we were free to tour the campus grounds, including their wonderful equine therapy program (I got up close and personal with “Willow”, a miniature horse), the cottages where the residential students live, and of course the Crossnore Weavers! This evening, we moved on to the Broyhill Inn at Appalachian State University, where we enjoyed dinner and a fashion show of Crossnore Weavers fashions. Mrs. Withers and I were both asked to “model” in the show, and we had a great time doing so! I have asked the Crossnore staff member who took a picture of us to send me a copy, and I will share that with you when I receive it!
Tomorrow, we head to Kentucky, and Hindman Settlement School! I am looking forward to getting to see you all, and to introduce our Kentucky Daughters to some of the wonderful friends we’re making on the tour!
Title: America the Beautiful
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