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Proposal Letter |
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Evaluations of Accomplishments Biographies by Homemakers Clubs |
TO: Harnett County
Council of the Extension Homemakers Association As
President of the Friends of the Harnett County Library, I would like to
relay a fund raising proposal to the Harnett County Council of the
Extension Homemakers Association. In brief, the proposal calls for the
creation of a historical quilt. The
proposal is two-pronged. First, it is designed to focus attention on the
history of Harnett County, and if your council sees fit, be handled by
the Cultural Arts Committee of your council and the executive committee
of the Friends. Secondly, the idea is to raise some much needed money
for both organizations. The
plan envisions a queen-sized quilt that would be made with every one of
the 16 extension homemaker clubs being responsible for one or more
squares, using whatever stitchery they favor. The center square would be
a replica of the banner designed for Harnett County that was carried in
a parade at Manteo in 1987 and helped mark the celebration of the 400th
anniversary of the first English colony in the New World. Mary Jane
Matthews of Mamers, wife of Alvis Matthews, a member of the board of
directors of the Friends, has volunteered to embroider a replica of this
for the center. A
few experts from the Home Extension Clubs would also have to do the
final quilting. The Friends do not have that kind of expertise. The idea
is to have every section of the county commemorated with some reference
to an historical landmark or event. Tickets
would be sold for $1.00 on the quilt. A drawing would be held, possibly
next May, giving time to make the quill one in which to take pride. The
Friends, many of whom are also extension club members, would be asked to
help with sale of tickets. The Friends Executive Board, if all agree,
would pay for quilt materials, for printing the tickets, help with
promotion and publicity. Profits would be divided between the Friends
and the Council, half and half. We
would like to think that the quilt could be entered in area and state
Cultural Arts contests sponsored by the N.C. Extension Homemakers
Association. Perhaps, it could be displayed at the State Fair. We would
like to have it shown at the three Harnett High Schools next spring,
prior to the drawing. Many
details would have to be worked out: color and materials for the
background, number of squares, and above all, the historical places and
events to be featured and the manner in which they would be depicted. I
hasten to add the money making idea is not mine. It was the suggestion
of Colonel Bayred Vermiilion of Lillington, a member of our Friends
Executive Board. He and his wife, Vallie, have recently returned from
Joplin, Missouri where the Colonel attended the reunion of the first
graduating class of Joplin Junior College. The school has grown into the
now very large Missouri Southern University. Vermillion, as a member of
the first football team, received the VIP treatment, but he was most
impressed with the excellent promotion of the anniversary that covered
several months. One of the features was an historical quilt made by
college secretaries at the lunch hours. The sale of chances on the quilt
raised $5,000 for scholarships and was a popular project. Vermillion
suggested that The Friends of the Library, in conjunction with the
extension homemakers clubs, try something similar in Harnett. Mrs.
Vermillion is a skilled crafts person, and is available for consultation
on the quilt. We
appreciate sincerely the support extension club members have given the
Friends. We are sure their efforts helped persuade county commissioners
to purchase a new bookmobile and to move ahead with the library. Our new
long-desired library is now a fact. We expect vastly increased
patronage, and with it will continue the need for" extras" the
county budget does not cover. The Friends seek to grow and meet those
needs, concentrating first on the local meeting room. Please
feel free to discuss this proposal, seek comments of your club officers
and report on favorable and unfavorable reactions. Very Cordially Yours, Lois Byrd
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