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Triangles and tambourines, big and small, captivated students in Lisa Henderson and Kim Callihan's class at Fannin County Head Start. Making music are, from left, front, Logan Burkett, Dalton Ross, John Moler, Daniel Espinoza, back, Gentry Clore.

Wednesday is a day that children at Fannin County Head Start and Pre-K Children at Copper Basin Elementary wouldn't dream of missing.

For 30 minutes each Wednesday, these 3- and 4-year olds sing songs, play instruments, listen to stories or dance with arts specialists who teach in the Children's Enrichment Program offered through the Craddock Center in Cherry Log.

The program serves 65 classes - about 1,300 children - in nine counties in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee each week. Five arts specialists spend 200 hours in classrooms every month, Craddock Center Executive Director Dr. Trisha Senterfitt said.

The Children's Enrichment Program costs the center over $75,000 a year, which is provided by donations from all over the United States. "It's our gift--it costs the schools nothing and Head Start programs get matching funds because they offer the enrichment program," she said.

The arts enrichment program began in 2002 when a teacher in Gilmer County invited center founder and preacher Dr. Fred Craddock to observe her Head Start class, hoping he'd be enticed to share some of the stories for which he is famous with the children. "He really believes that storytelling opens the imagination," Senterfitt said.

When Craddock visited the class, "he noticed a boy off in his own world. He had very sad eyes," she said. Craddock wasted no time in calling Betsy Doty, a storyteller in the area, and asked her to visit the class once a month. And the program was off and running.

Soon, musician Pam Lindsey visited the class with Doty. The program then moved to Fannin County and during the following three years expanded to Pickens, Union, Towns, Lumpkin and Dawson counties in Georgia, as well as to Cherokee County, N.C., and Polk County, Senterfitt said.

What Craddock thought would happen, happened. "He realized that these kids with tough situations at home had to go to school so troubled from the cares of home."

"The Craddock Center teachers got kids immediately into songs and stories. It took them away from their hardships," she said.

The kids wake up and do better the rest of the day after the program, Senterfitt said. A Union County teacher told her that "the children learn the days of the week because they want to know when Wednesday comes and the Craddock Center comes."

Teachers take old, traditional instruments like spoons, tin cans and rhythm makers for the children to play. Each kid gets a turn at singing or playing into the microphone.

"By the end of a few months, you can see them grow taller as they stand and sing. The program builds self esteem," Senterfitt said. One Head Start teacher told her of a girl who was fearful of any loud noise and wouldn't participate in any new activities.

"After participating in the program, she was not only singing all the songs, she became the loudest singer and played her musical instrument louder than any other student," the teacher told her.

Research shows that practice through music acquisition helps increase literacy skills and repetition helps young children, Senterfitt said. "They can't read, but they learn the words to the songs," she said.

Every month, Head Start teachers are given a new CD of songs made by the Craddock Center. It also provides new books for classrooms and every December and May, each child is given a book from the Story Express, the center's brightly painted bookmobile.

But the Craddock Center wants Head Start children in nine counties to have more than 30 minutes a week of arts enrichment, Senterfitt said. "We'd like to have all four of the arts - music, dance, storytelling and the visual arts - covered in every county every week," she said.

Two additional schools in North Carolina were added to the program last month, and the requests just keep on coming. "We cannot say 'yes' to every request," Craddock said.

When asked why new schools were added since the center had to cut back last year due to lack of funds, he said, "We found it easier to work at finding more money than to try to explain to the children why we couldn't come."

Children in Cindy Gilbson's Pre-K class at Copper Basin Elementary School sang "Short'nin' Bread" while playing "London Bridge" during their children's enrichment class. Arts specialist Connie Chancey, from left, is shown with Skyler Nipper, Brianna Walker and Easton Collins. Walker, who had to tell her favorite food while she was caught in the "bridge."

"Six little ducks that I once knew, fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones, too," sang Janessa Nipper's Pre-K class during their children's enrichment class on March 5. Singing - and occasionally quacking - while working duck puppets were, standing, from left, Adam Ferguson, Hunter Coleman, Caleb Stillwell, Sierra Bevilheimer, Emma Dillard and Mason Pritchett. Seated in front are Coleson Youmans, Micah Johnson and Baylee Ballew.

After singing, "I love you, I love you. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, please remember, I love you," at the end of their children's enrichment class, the children at Fannin County Head Start got a sunflower stamped on their hands. Angela Wooten was all smiles about having a flower on her hand.

Children in Scott Bryant and Kristen Mathis' class at Fannin County Head Start went to town playing the new castanets and wooden rhythm makers recently purchased by the Craddock Center for the children's enrichment program. It was hard not to get up and dance to the music made by Lucas Carroll, from left, Laeleigh Woody, Faith Payne, Mason Rice and Hope Payne.

News Observer photo/Dub Joiner

Matt Long holds up the book he was given as he got off the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train after a ride from Cherry Log to Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway sponsored the trip for the children served by the Children’s Enrichment Program of the Craddock Center in Cherry Log and other children in the area. The trip began in Tate with students and adults getting on and off in Jasper, Talking Rock, Ellijay, and Cherry Log before it ended in Blue Ridge. At each stop staff members with The Craddock Center gave the children a free book. Helping the children get off the train were railway employees Jo Dekker, left, and Pat Ellie. Long is a student at Pleasant Hills Montessori School in Ellijay and the son of Randy and Lynn Long of Ellijay.

The first time a child gets to ride a train is generally a memorable occasion. For several hundred preschool and head start children, that first train ride came Thursday thanks to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.

The trip was free to the children served by the Children’s Enrichment Program of the Craddock Center, their parents and guests which included civic leaders from Jasper, Talking Rock, Ellijay, Cherry Log and Blue Ridge.

Wilds Pierce, president of Georgia Northeastern Railroad Company Inc., that operates the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, said he thought the train ride would be especially fun for children who have never ridden a train.

As the children were helped off the train in Blue Ridge, expressions such as, “it was fun,” “a great time,” and “let’s do it again,” were heard.

The trip began in Tate with stops in Jasper, Talking Rock, Ellijay, and Cherry Log, before ending in Blue Ridge with head start and preschool children boarding and getting off at each location.

At each stop, children who got off the train were met by the Craddock Center’s Story Express van and given a free book.

On the train, Pam Lindsey and Kim Cheves, members of the Children’s Enrichment Program, and story teller Betsy provided songs, music and stories.

Pierce said his company worked with some great people in all the communities in planning the trip.

“I am thankful for their help and the trip is a way of saying thanks to the wonderful people in the communities along the route,” Pierce said.

In giving away the new books to the children, Story Express Coordinator Tammy Blair said, “This may be one of the few brand new items they receive in their young lives.”

“One of the goals of The Story Express is to encourage parents to spend more time reading to their children,” Blair said.

Pam Lindsey was especially touched by the five-year-old orphan she met while on a trip to the Ukraine. The child had rejected all the gifts he was offered, but enjoyed the time he had strumming the guitar.

What a wonderful adventure I experienced this summer thanks to many members of our communities in the North Georgia area and beyond.

As you may know, I work with The Craddock Center which provides The Children's Enrichment Program for Head Start and Pre-School children in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. This summer I was able to extend my love of music with over 1,000 orphans in the Ukraine.

I traveled with a wonderful group of dedicated individuals through HopeHouse International Inc. We traveled by plane, bus, and boat throughout the Ukraine and traveled over 15,000 miles in 10 days. We visited a different city each day and spent time at two orphanages in each location.

We sang with the children, danced with the children and loved the children, most of whom have been abandoned. We carried 50 pound duffle bags full of gifts for all the different ages, but the human touch and love we offered seemed to be most cherished by all.

There was one particular little boy about 5 years old lying in a hospital bed with his leg in traction. The attendants wheeled the hospital beds out into the dirt yard for us to visit the children since we were not permitted to go inside the orphanages. Of all the children we saw, this one little boy rejected all our gifts--Polaroid photos, stickers, toys, everything. When we approached him, he would shrug his shoulders, give a quick negative nod and grimace.

I was sad to see how hard his heart had become at such a tender age. This tugged at my heart the whole visit. In a final attempt to reach him before we left, I stood by his bed and played the guitar and sang to him. I offered for him to strum the guitar as I played the chords. Without a change in expression he took one small finger and strummed and strummed--until a blister began to appear. When I gave him a plastic spoon to use to continue strumming, I saw a faint little smile come upon his face.

Our group learned to sing and sign the song, "Please Remember God Loves You," in Russian. We taught it to all the children each day before we left. When I got back home I looked at the video of the trip. I saw the children singing and signing "God love you."

I hope when the toys, socks and other gifts are worn out or lost, that the children will still have the song, and the message, in their hearts.

On Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m., the Sunny D Children's Theater is presenting a free children's concert by children's entertainer Pam Lindsey at the Blue Ridge Community Theater in Hampton Square in Blue Ridge. Joining Ms. Pam, as she is known, will be artistic associates, Amanda Galloway, Kim Cheves and Connie Chancey.

Children from age 3 to 8 will enjoy music, movement, and storytelling. Following the concert, there will be a free pizza snack by Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta Restaurant.

Over 80 Pre-K Copper Basin students and teachers attended a concert of music, movement and storytelling at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

All enjoyed the professional interactive program led by Pam Lindsey with theatrical support from Kim Cheves, Connie Chancey and Tracy Walker.

The program featured songs and stories from Southern Appalachia to traditional American.

The Copper Basin High School technology students, with teacher Steve Tompkins, captured the program, along with the children, on film.

This concert was a result of a community partnership led by Pam Lindsey. The collaborative event included the Blue Ridge Community Theater, the Sunny D Children's Theater, Pam Lindsey's HeARTsongs, The Blue Ridge Mountain Storytellers, Dr. Kathleen Thompson, The Craddock Center's "Story Express," Copper Basin Elementary School, Copper Basin High School technology students and teacher Steve Tompkins, and the performers who volunteered their time.

The program featured songs and stories from Southern Appalachia to traditional American tales. The children were engaged in singing, movement, drama and storytelling. The concert concluded with the children playing a unique collection of homemade musical instruments creating a homemade band.

Following the concert, the children had a picnic in Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park where each child received a free book donated by the Craddock Center's Story Express.

Students from Becky Millsaps' class at Fannin County Head Start pose on a model of the Polar Express. Students pictured are, from left, front, Hernan Mares, Cody Odom and Larrisa Hughes; middle, Raygan Dilbeck, Gentry Clore, Kolton Mull, Dalton Ross, blake Allen, Lesley Salas, John Moler, Wyatt Rogers, Morgan peel, Jadeyn Holloway, Evie Webb and Chase Sanders; back, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway conductor Jack Warren, Steven (last name unavailable), Craddock Center music instructor Pam Lindsey and Craddock Center dance instructor Kim Cheves. The model train was crafted by volunteers Justin Foster and David Gutherie, both are fathers of students who attend the school.

Students from Fannin County Head Start in Melissa Chastain's class on a model of the Polar Express are, from left, front, Rachel Brooks, Emily Beavers, Alyssa Crane, Brooke Crowder, Alyssa Rhodes, Kadynn Rich and Coren Bailey; middle, Gayge Guy, Chandler Foster, Vanessa Miller, Gabriel Kendrick, Omar Rzmirez, Kyra Harvey, Billy Mitchely, Hannah Green, Alexis Ware, Carley Crawford and Mason Rice; back, Tristen Dills, Fannin Head Start director Katherine Suit, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway conductor Jack Warren, founder of the Craddock Center Dr. Fred Craddock, Craddock Center music instructor Pam Lindsey and Craddock Center dance instructor Kim Chesves. The students anticipate din singing and dancing during a Polar Express program at the school to celebrate the holiday season.

Four storytellers from the Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment Program recently attended the Wildacres Storytelling Retreat in Little Switzerland, N. C. Pam Lindsey, Bill and Sue Canady and Tracy Walker took part in the week long learning experience organized and hosted by Southeastern story teller Dianne Hackworth. She was assisted in leading classes by David Novak. The techniques learned during the retreat will aid in bringing storytelling and its benefits to the Head Start centers in Georgia (including Fannin County Head Start), Tennessee and North Carolina served by the Craddock Center. Shown are, from left, David Novak, Pam Lindsey, Bill Canady, Sue Canady, Tracy Walker and Dianne Hackworth.

Members of the Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment Program recently provided an outdoor concert including songs, dance and storytelling for the children and parents attending Copper Basin Elementary's preschool open house. Coordinator Pam Lindsey (seated), along with Kim Cheves (with microphone) and Connie Chancey arrived in the Story Express - a special vehicle designed to bring the arts and literacy-related activities to communities in southern Appalachia. The Children's Enrichment Program offers free arts education in the form of music, dance and storytelling to over 1,200 Head Start students throughout the region. The program is conducted in Gilmer, Pickens, Fannin, Union, Lumpkin and Dawson counties in Georgia, Polk County, Tenn.; and Cherokee County, N.C. The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization located in Cherry Log. For more information, visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Fannin County Head Start hosted an end of the year celebration together with a Reading is Fundamental "Read into Summer" community awareness day on May 18. A music and dance presentation showcased the children's Enrichment Program sponsored weekly by the Craddock Center. The children in Becky Millsaps' and Linda Gibbs' Class D are shown singing and dancing to "Everybody Says Hello," in which they sang "hello" in English, Spanish and French. Shown performing to parents and friends are, from left, front, Gayle Guy, Mason Rice, Braylee Deal, Savannah Magallanes, Kyra Harvey, Carley Crawford, Gavin Clore, Alexis Ware, Tristen Dill, back, Cole Bolling, Mikayla Davis, Billy Mitchely, Rachel Brooks, Brooke Crowder, Omar Ramirez-Velasco and Jerritt Holloway. The musical presentation was conducted by The Craddock Center's Pam Lindsey, Kim Cheves, dance, and Connie Chancey, storyteller.

Pre-kindergartners in Becky Millsaps' and Linda Gibbs' Class D in Fannin County Head Start in Mineral Bluff sang "Everybody Says Hello, I Love You," with great feeling at their end of the year celebration on May 18. Shown, from left front, are Kyra Harvey, Carley Crawford, Gavin Clore, Alexis Ware, back, Mikayla Davis, Rachel Brooks, Brooke Crowder, Omar Ramirez-Velasco and Jerritt Holloway.

Christopher Payne, left, had his great-grandfather T.W. Burke help him pick out his free book at Fannin Head Start's Reading is Fundamental celebration on May 18. Christopher selected "My Friend Rabbit" as his book to take home and read. Reading is Fundamental special events are to promote literacy and actively involve parents and families in their child's education.

The Fannin Head Start Center in Mineral Bluff was teeming with proud parents and grandparents on May 18, there to celebrate what their pre-kindergarten children had accomplished this year.

A sign in the entrance hall proclaiming "Hurrah! The Pre-K sunshine parents read 1,258 books to their children" set the tone for the gala end of the school year reading and musical celebration.

The children launched the event with a musical and dance performance showcasing what they learned during their weekly classes conducted by the Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment program.

All of the classes performed "Please Remember I love You." Classes A and B sang the western song, "Yippee Yee," Class H sang "Rags," Class G sang "Tarzan," Class C sand the echo song, "Tootie Ta," Class F sang "Pony Fair" and Class D sang "Everybody Says Hello."

Children and their families had lunch on the playground and then were invited to select a book to take home and read.

The books were provided by Reading is Fundamental, a program that donates books to children at the center three times a year, said Head Start Director Kathryn Suit.

The program sponsors special events to promote literacy at home and actively involve parents and guardians.

Storytellers from the Craddock Center recently told tales at the Patchwork Storytelling Festival in South Carolina. Shown, from left, are storytellers Betsy Doty, Pam Lindsey, Sue Canady, Bill Canady, Tracy Walker and Debbie Weston From.

Six storytellers from the Craddock Center in Cherry Log were recently invited to take part in the Patchwork Storytelling Festival in Rock Hill, S.C., from March 30 to April 2. Telling a variety of tales to second grade students in Rock Hill and the surrounding areas, the Craddock Center's tellers joined other storytellers from around the country to take part in this festival which was celebrating its 11th year.

Betsy Doty, Pam Lindsey, Debbie Weston From, Bill and Sue Canady and Tracy Walker are all storytellers with the Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment Program, which brings music, storytelling and dance into Head Start classrooms on a weekly basis. Currently, the Children's Enrichment Program serves Head Start Centers in Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Lumpkin and Dawson counties in Georgia, Polk County, Tenn. and Cherokee County, N.C.

The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization located in Cherry Log. It exists to serve the needs of people in Southern Appalachia. For more information, visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Fannin County Head Start/Pre-K celebrated “The Week of the Young Child” with a “Jungle Safari” music program. Pam Lindsey and Kim Cheves of the Craddock Center organized the program with the help of teachers and staff members at Head Start. From left, front, are Jerritt Holloway, Cheves, Tristen Dills, Billy Mitchely, Omar Ramirez-Velasco, Mason Rice, Kyra Harvey and Brooke Crowder; back, lead teacher Becky Millsaps, Braylee Deal, Cole Bolling, Savannah Magallanes, Rachel Brooks, Zachary Nelson, Mikayla Davis, Gayge Guy and assistant teacher Linda Gibbs.

Fannin County Head Start Pre-K held its holiday celebration on Dec. 19. Students rode the "Polar Express," enjoyed song and dance as well as the "Polar Express" movie and hot chocolate and cookies. Frm left, front, are Billy Mitcheley, Zachary Nelson, Gayge Guy, Mason Rice, Alexis Ware, Braylee Deal, Carley Crawford, Jerritt Holloway, Tristan Dills, Cole Bolling, Omar Ramirez; back, Craddock Center dance teacher Kim Cheves and Craddock Center music teacher Pam Lindsey.

Tracy Walker, left, Connie Chancey, middle, and Debbie From are new arts specialists with The Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment Program.

The Craddock Center, located in Blue Ridge, provides free arts classes for children in Head Start programs in north Georgia (including Dawson County), Polk County, Tenn., and Cherokee County, N. C., through its Children's Enrichment Program. Because of the success and growth of the program, the center has added three new instructors for the upcoming school year.

The additions of Tracy Walker, Debbie From and Connie Chancey will increase the number of children The Craddock Center is able to serve through its Children's Enrichment Program.

"At the close of this past school year, there were five teachers in the Children's Enrichment Program - Pam Lindsey, Betsy Doty, Sue Canady, Amanda Galloway and Kim Cheves. As we approach the next school year there will be eight teachers," said Fred Craddock, director. These eight instructors will teach music, dance and storytelling to over 1,200 Head Start and Pre-K children.

Connie Chancey is the mother of four and is experienced in children's music. She lives in Copperhill and will work with Head Start and Pre-school children in Polk County and Cherokee County.

Debbie From, mother of one, is a graduate of the University of Florida. An experienced communicator, community volunteer and teacher, she lives in Cleveland, Ga., and will work with children primarily in Lumpkin and Dawson counties.

Tracy Walker is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and North Georgia College. She is experienced in music, theater, and communications, and lives in Cumming, Ga. Walker will be working with classes in Dawson and Pickens counties.

The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization in Cherry Log which enlists professionals, from across the country and mobilizes talented people within the community to offer programs to address basic physical needs, encourage self-improvement and career enhancement, and nourish cultural enrichment. For more information, call (706) 632-1772 or visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Kim Cheves, dance specialist for The Craddock Center, dances to "Boogie Woogie Rock" with children at Fannin Head Start/Pre-K.

Betsy Doty, The Craddock Center's professional storyteller, tells stories to the delight of children at Fannin Head Start.

Three representatives from The Craddock Center in Cherry Log, participated in the opening session for Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. Head Start Pre-service Training Conference at the Gwinnett Civic Center in Duluth, Ga.

Pam Lindsey, coordinator of the Craddock Center's Children's Enrichment Program, and Kim Cheves, dance choreographer for the children's dance classes, presented music, art, dance and drama to more than 500 Head Start staff and family partners in the opening session held July 25.

In addition, professional storyteller Betsy Doty - who provides leadership, storytelling and teacher training for The Craddock Center - presented two workshops at the conference on storytelling with young children.

"It was an honor to be invited to participate in the opening session," said Lindsey. "The Craddock Center has been serving children in Head Start, the majority of who are in the Ninth District facilities, for over three years."

The Children's Enrichment Program provides music, dance classes and storytelling to over 1,200 children in Southern Appalachia. The program serves Head Start and Pre-K children in eight counties within the states of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

"We have a very strong team of individuals dedicated to enriching children's lives" said Lindsey, "and all of our programs include children with special needs."

Heather Talton, a special education teacher at Lumpkin County Head Start recently said, "I must say these women are great. They may not have been able to see the joy they brought to my students. They may not have seen that they made an impression on their lives. They may not have seen that they made their days a little brighter, but they did. It was amazing to see how these precious children were treated, to see that it challenged them, to see the looks on the faces of their parents when their child would respond to the music and dance. Thank you for allowing this program to be part of my students' lives. Your teachers' selfless love and education of these children will never be forgotten."

The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization located in Cherry Log. It exists to serve the needs of people in Southern Appalachia. For more information, call (706) 632-1772 or visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Dr. Fred Craddock, director of the Craddock Center, announces the appointment of Pam Lindsey, shown with children, as coordinator of the Children's Enrichment Program. Lindsey has worked with The Craddock Center for over three years with her HeARTSongs program (Helping Encourage the Arts Through Songs). "With the growth and expansion of our programs for children, we saw the need to create this position," said Dr. Craddock. "The program of music and dance will not change and the people providing it will remain the same. This is merely an organizational change." HeARTSongs will now fall under the umbrella of the Children's Enrichment Programs. The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization in Cherry Log which enlists professionals from across the country and mobilizes talented people within the community to offer programs that address basic physical needs, encourage self-improvement and career enhancement, and nourish cultural enrichment. For more information, call (706) 632-1772 or visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Fannin Heat Start program students, led by HeARTSongs music program coordinator Pam Lindsey, sand songs for Dr. Fred Craddock on Wednesday. The Craddock Center of Cherry Log sponsors the HeARTSongs Head Start music, dance and story telling programs. Pictured from left are Daniel Henderson, Lindsey, Craddock, Dylan Millsaps, Jeremiyah Hogsten, Destiny Eaton and Brooklyn Bearden.

Fannin Head Start/Pre-K program students sang songs for Dr. Fred Craddock on Wednesday, showing off what they learned in the music program.

The Craddock Center of Cherry Log sponsors the Head Start HeARTSongs music, dance and story telling programs.

HeARTSongs coordinator Pam Lindsey led the students in singing several songs, including "Matilda the Gorilla," "Ugga Bugga Bugga," and "Five Fish."

"The program is great because Pam chooses songs that reinforce letters and counting," said Head Start Center Director Katherine Suit. "The kids get so excited about the programs and they don't even realize that they are learning."

The students also presented Craddock with an invitation to this year's end of year "Blast into Summer" event on May 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Head Start students will each get to choose two new books at the event, courtesy of the Reading is Fundamental program and the Craddock Center. There will also be activities, games, face painting and karaoke for the students.

"We do this every year and the kids have so much fun with the different games and activities," Suit said.

THE STORY EXPRESS TO DELIVER BOOKS, MUSIC TO CHILDREN

By Jennifer Lansing, Staff Writer

Fred Craddock, left of the Craddock Center receives The Story Express van's keys from Brad Rose of Mountain Valley Motors. The Story Express Van, a program of the Craddock Center, will bring stories, music and art to children in North Georgia and parts of Tennessee. Mountain Valley Motors was among the businesses that helped the Craddock Center purchase the van.

The Story Express van will bring books and music to children all over North Georgia and parts of Tennessee.

The van is part of a program from the Craddock Center in Cherry Log. So far, the program has served 1,000 children in three years by bringing volunteer teachers to read to children in Head Start programs and preschools.

The Story Express van will allow the program to reach more children in different areas.

"The van will go to parks, schools and just about anywhere there are children," said Fred Craddock of the Craddock Center. "We want to be able to reach children who may not have enough money for books and give each of those children a brand new book."

The van will be carpeted on the inside with book shelves so that children can sit and read. It will also be equipped with amplifiers so that children outside the van can hear the stories and music. Certified teachers will travel with the van to read and coordinate music, art and dance activities.

"We want kids to recognize the van. We won't be passing out ice cream, but I think this will have more of an effect on them," Craddock said.

Pam Lindsey, Amanda Galloway, Yvonne Daves, Kim Cheeves and Laura Lindsey are in charge of music, art and dance. Nationally recognized story teller Betsy Doty and her assistant Sue Canady are also involved in the project.

Brad Rose and Doug Leman of Mountain Valley Motors helped find and order the Dodge van, which is currently being outfitted with carpet and shelves.

Craddock would like to thank Emergency Alert Network, Coldwell Banker High Country Realty, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Mountain Valley Motors and Fireside Log Homes for contributions that helped fund The Story Express.

Pam Lindsey (third from left), founder of HeARTSongs, a musical education program for preschool age children, assembled an impromptu rhythm band consisting of (from left) Byron Wyndham playing a tin can, Betty Doty on washboard, Dr. Fred Craddock on washtub bass and Sue Canady playing the plastic bag, to demonstrate how her program works. Lindsey's program was featured at an Appalachian Weekend arts and crafts festival at the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Fairgrounds Sept. 25, sponsored by the Craddock Center, which also sponsors HeARTSongs. The van in the background was dedicated during the program as "The Story Van," to be used to further the center's work with young children, Craddock said.

The 'HeARTSongs' program is adding three specialists to its weekly childhood arts sessions for Head Start and PreK children. Shown are (left to right) Yvonne Daves, new music specialist; Amanda Galloway, music specialist since 2003; Laura Lindsey, new dance specialist. Not pictured is Kim Cheves, new dance specialist.

Five North Georgia non-profit organizations have been awarded over $7,500 in capacity-building grants from the North Georgia Community Foundation's 2004 Discretionary Fund. The grants are designed to help nonprofits attain organizational and financial stability, improve program quality and/or expand activities. The grant recipients were selected by the community foundation's board of directors from among 30 applications.

The Craddock Center, a non-profit philanthropic organization based in Cherry Log, received one of the grants in the amount of $1,300. The grant will be used to support the addition of three arts specialists for the "HeARTSongs" Early Childhood Arts Program which is directed by Pam Lindsey under the auspices of The Craddock Center.

The "HeARTSongs" program is a music-based curriculum, which exposes young children to music, dance, drama and art. The program is currently provided at no charge to more than 800 children in Head Start and Pre-K programs in Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, and Union counties in Georgia, Polk County, Tenn., and Cherokee County, N.C.

At the June Meeting of the Craddock Center Board of Directors, the decision was made to expand the "HeARTSongs" program into Lumpkin and Cherokee Counties in Georgia and to increase the number of arts specialists from one to four, including one dance specialist.

The program expansion will now enable approximately 1,000 Head Start and Pre-K children to experience weekly arts education, in which they would otherwise have little or no opportunity to participate, a spokesperson said.

The Craddock Center receives no federal funding, and its programs are supported through grants and the generosity of individual and corporate donations. Additional information may be obtained by calling (706) 632-1772 or visiting www.craddockcenter.org.

Students at Fannin Head Start/Pre-K had a field day Wednesday, kicked off by students performing several songs under the leadership of Pam Lindsey and the HeARTSongs program. Here, students perform a hip-hop version of "Five Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." After the songs, students went to the playground for a variety of activities, including T-ball, a dunking booth and other games. The day's activities included a book fair where each also celebrated a resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives commending the state's pre-K program, which, according to a survey by the National Institute for Early Education Research of Rutgers University, has one of the top three preschool programs in the nation. Fannin County's state representatives, Jack White and David Ralston, were present for the activities. White is a member of the House Education Committee.

News Observer photo/Jason D. Queen
Pam Lindsey sings "Pony Fair" to Fannin Headstart students as they wave their specially made ponies in the air. The song is part of the HeARTSong program. Shown are Headstart students.

Adding value to area Headstart and pre-K programs is the theme and goal of HeARTSongs Early Childhood Arts Program.

"It's great to know we have a program like this. It adds value to the Headstart and pre-K programs by having a structured arts education program for these age groups," said program director and founder Pam Lindsey.

HeARTSongs allows children to experience all of the disciplines of the arts including music, drama, dance and visual arts, giving them a variety of ways to use multiple skills in defining their talents and stimulating learning, she said.

"It desires art learning. As kids become more involved in the program, they get more involved as young people and adults. It leads to success academically and in SAT scores," Lindsey said.

The program's structure features a high quality curriculum, Lindsey said. It includes traditional children's songs, folk songs and music from a variety of cultures, styles and time periods. "Every effort is made to ensure that the music program is sued as an avenue for cultural literacy," Lindsey said.

The program uses CDs made by Lindsey. They are given to children. The class format is a 30-minute block at local pre-schools. Lindsey said the songs are taught, learned and performed before parents and others at workshops, special days and end of the year carnivals. These performances feature singing, displaying visual art about the songs and dramatic interpretations.

"We work in conjunction with the teachers, we don't replace them," Lindsey said.

The students create visual art to mirror the songs and children even dress up as costume characters to tell the story with the song, she said.

"This creates a broad spectrum of collaboration within the local community, which expands the traditional boundaries of education for making the arts a meaningful part of the children's lives.

"Many of these preschool children continue their interest in the arts by taking more classes or becoming involved in the community theater program," Lindsey said.

Katherine Suit of Fannin Pre-K said the program is one of the best things to happen to the program.

"The children learn through music. They are able to be more expressive and helps with literacy. It helps the children interact with one another. It is perfect for our program," she said.

HeARTSongs serves Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens and Union counties in Georgia, Polk County, Tenn. and Cherokee County, N.C. Lindsey and assistant Amanda Galloway teach 40 classes a week.

It began in the fall of 2002 with 140 students from Fannin and Gilmer counties. In June 2003, the program had reached 800 children.

"I did a television pilot called HeARTSongs, but it didn't make the schedule, so I started teaching it at different places such as Studio One. We started the program officially up here during the Week of the Young Child in 2002. Thanks to an article in the paper, Fred Craddock approached me about sponsoring the program through the Craddock Center in Cherry Log," said Lindsey. The center serves as the headquarters of HeARTSongs.

The Craddock Center, located on the campus of Cherry Log Christian Church, serves physical needs, encouraging self improvement, career enhancement and nourishes cultural enrichment.

The Center sponsors the Appalachian Weekend of music, crafts, stories and history. It also holds semi-annual preaching workshops for area ministers.

The center generates its own funds and provides money to the program. HeARTSongs is a free service to the schools.

In three years, Lindsey sees the program booming. The program gets evaluated each year and has gotten positive remarks by all expert boards, Lindsey said. The program is looking for state grants to fund the program.

"Georgia School Superintendent Kathy Cox is pushing to have more grants for arts based programs. We hope it works out," said Lindsey.

Lindsey also hopes to have an after-school program. "It would be wonderful to take a program like this into the schools."

Lindsey said she loves working with the kids and being a part of it is rewarding. "For me to share in helping the kids is what I love about it."

The Heartsong Kids performed at the Light Up Blue Ridge festivities on Nov. 22. Singers included (left to right, back) Brittney McCord, Alex Matheson, Kelsey Kinnebrew, Grace Little, Michael Smith, Kevin Peery, (fornt) Judah Romano, Megan Little, Bobby Whitley, Rebekah Romano, Skyler Martin, Mariyah Martin and Megan Foster.

Pam Lindsey directs rehearsal of an ensemble number for the Sunny D Children's Summer Theater Workshop
(News Observer photo/Brian K. Finnicum)

Jean Allen directs a trio of (from left) Grace Little, Rebekah Romans and Michael Smith. Camp participants
are from Georgia, Tennesses, North Carolina and Florida. (News Observer photo/Brian K. Finnicum)

Participants in the second annual Sunny D Children's Summer Theater Workshop sponsored by the Blue Ridge Community Theater rehearse for a production of "The Journey of Sir Douglas Fir," a full-cast, Broadway-style readers' musical for children. The 51 participants in the two-week camp will perform the musical at the group's Hampton Square theater on Friday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, at 3:30 p.m. The performances, including sound and lighting, will be entirely by the participants, who range in age from 5 to 14. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. The Sunny D workshop is directed by Pam Lindsey, Liz Frias and Peg Clow, with Jean Allen as assistant music director.

Pam Lindsey leads Fannin County Head Start children in song. Each child was presented with a T-shirt,
identifying them as participants in "Pam Lindsey's HeARTSongs Program" sponsored by The Craddock Center.

The 3- and 4-year-old children enrolled in the Head Start and Pre-K programs in Fannin County presented songs they have learned throughout this year as part of Pam Lindsey's HeARTSongs Program during the recent Reading Is Fundamental Carnival held at the Fannin Head Start Center.

HeARTSongs is sponsored by The Craddock Center. The center, a non-profit organization based in Cherry Log is dedicated to enriching the lives of the Southern Appalachian community through service.

The children's program began in the fall of 2002 under the direction of Lindsey, longtime Fannin County resident.

It now serves approximately 400 Head Start and Pre-K children in both Fannin and Gilmer counties.

Negotiations are currently under way to expand the program for the coming academic year to benefit children in Head Start programs in Pickens and Union counties. Classes may also be held in Andrews and Murphy, N. C.

Fannin Head Start Pre-K received guitars and electric keyboards on March 25, donated by the Craddock Center of Cherry Log. The instruments were presented by Pam Lindsey and her HeARTSongs program, which is sponsored by the Craddock Center. HeARTSongs, which stands for Helping Encourage the Arts Through Songs, is an early childhood music program developed by Lindsey that is taught weekly to 3- and 4-year-olds at head start. Here, from left, Lindsey helps head start students Roxie, Matthew, Dillon and Jordan of Sandy Russell, Lisa Jarrett and Candy Taylor's Classroom G try out the new instruments.

The Craddock Center will provide money for supplies, expenses and a small stipend to enable Pam Lindsey to volunteer her time and talents by conducting weekly music programs for all nine Head Start classes in Fannin and Gilmer counties.

She designed an early childhood arts program with the hope that visual art, dance and drama will be added when additional funding is available.

Lindsey created and developed a music enrichment program named HeARTSongs, an acronym for helping encourage the arts through songs. The purpose is to create an enduring love of music in children. It was used successfully for more than ten years in Georgia and South Carolina.

As a children's music specialist, Lindsey taught her program to over 500 children in classes for private and public schools in the Central Savannah River Area. She was the preschool music consultant at the Medical College of Georgia's Child Development Center in Augusta for five years.

In response to the Children's Television Act of 1990, which urged business leaders to develop local partnerships to promote high-quality television programming for young children, Lindsey and her husband, Craig, conceived and produced a HeARTSongs television pilot with an Augusta television station.

After moving to Blue Ridge six years ago, the Lindseys opened a restaurant named Lindsey's Malt Shop. She was busy operating the restaurant until it sold last September making it possible for her to resume working with young children.

She recently worked with the Gateway Mountain Players' Children's Theater Camp for two weeks as musical director. Additionally, she has taught her HeARTSongs program in Blue Ridge at Studio One Performing Arts School

People familiar with Lindsey describe her as well-qualified, experienced and caring.

The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization committed to community service, education and enrichment. It was created by Cherry Log Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is named for Fred and Nettie Craddock.

In addition to subsidizing the program described above, it also sponsors Betsy Doty's storytelling project with Gilmer County Head Start and Pre-kindergarten classes. During the past ten months, the center sponsored two preaching workshops and an Appalachian Weekend, featuring "An Evening of Folk Stories and Songs" and "Jazz and the Gospel." The next preaching workshop is scheduled for Oct. 7 and the next Appalachian Weekend will be Oct. 12 and 13.

Pam Lindsey took her HeARTSongs program to Fannin Head Start Pre-K on April 9 as a part of Head Start's observance of Week of the Child, April 7-13. HeARTSongs, which stands for Helping Encourage the Arts through Songs, is a early childhood music program developed by Lindsey, which is designed to create an enduring love of music in children. The head start students participated in singing, rhythmnics, performance and playing homemade instruments as part of the program. Here, Lindsey leads the group in a song with accompanying actions. Head start Director Katherine Suit said HeARTSongs is being used as a pilot program in early childhood music at the school.

Media Coverage of HeARTSongs

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Copyright © 2003 HeARTSongs

Media Coverage of HeARTSongs

Send mail to sandy@sandysweb.biz with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2003 HeARTSongs

Send mail to sandy@sandysweb.biz with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003 HeARTSongs