Second Annual Treasure Sale and more to benefit the Rickman Store on April 25
Thursday, 23 April 2009

Josh Lynch third grade class visits the Rickman Store to present their contribution for the preservation of the store.
The traditional spring cleaning of attics, basements, and barns in Cowee is having a more meaningful purpose for some neighbors this year; they are gathering old treasures and reusable items for a sale on April 25 that will support the purchase of the historic Rickman General Store.

On a festive Saturday that will include live music, guided tours and more, visitors will be able to support the purchase of this historic building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phil Myers and Dave Stewart will provide “porch music” for the entertainment and delight of the buyers. Refreshments will be available so visitors can enjoy a good time visiting and making friends in a place that traditionally has been the heart of the Cowee Community.

This year, the spring event will include the special support of new, young friends. The third grade classes of Cowee Elementary School will join the Friends of the Rickman Store by leading a scavenger hunt and by providing guided tours of the historic building where they are learning about history and community life. “They are ready to give back to the Store for the wonderful experiences they have had in this place,” said Josh Lynch, teacher of one of the classes who will participate next Saturday.

Lynch and his partner third grade teacher, Robin Mason, have been discussing with the students various projects to support the preservation of the Rickman Store. After receiving a box of unfinished wooden toys made by the late Walton Smith, the students decided to finish them and place them for sale at the Rummage Sale. Each wooden car will be accompanied by the biography of the child who adopted the project.

Finished wooden cars donated by the family of the late Walton Smith and completed by the students of Mr. Lynch and Ms. Mason’s classes. Cars will be available for purchase at the Treasure Sale on Saturday.
This Treasure Sale is one of many events that the Friends of the Rickman Store are launching this spring. On Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m., they are starting the series “Gardening in Cowee” to share with the community practical information on how to produce and preserve their own food. The lectures, workshops and visits to gardens will continue every two weeks until the end of the summer. Cooperative Extension specialist Alan Durden will present the program on April 23. On May 1, they will open the store to local growers and crafters for a tailgate market and on May 9 the doors of the store will open again for the “Swing the Spring Dance.” “All these ideas have been proposed by the neighbors and visitors, and we want to make sure the store continues serving the needs of the community,” said Elena Carlson who invites residents and visitors to join the Treasure Sale on April 25 and to take the opportunity to admire the old screen doors of the Store that are back in place thanks to Bobbie and Mike Contino.

The historic T.M. Rickman General Store was purchased by the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee in August of 2007 as part of the efforts to preserve and restore the Cowee-West Mill Historic District. It is located on Cowee Creek Road next to Cowee Elementary School, seven miles north of Franklin by Hwy. NC 28. Parking is available at the school from where visitors should walk the flagged path to the store. For more information about these events and about how to become involved, please call (828) 369-5595.