This quote from the Native American faith tradition strikes a chord deep inside me. This is what my life, and hopefully our lives, is about each and every day. I believe God's presence still walks strongly here in Valle Crucis and has done so for over 150 years. We have had our ups and we have had our downs through the years, but by putting God at the center and rejoicing in God's creation which surrounds us in this sacred valley, we have made wonderful progress here in this place. My staff and I are trying hard to put Christ at the center of our everyday lives and in all that we do for you our treasured friends and guests. We thank you for coming back each year and giving us a reason to rejoice with you in this special place.

In May the Conference Center hosted young people and adults from all over the Southeast attending our first (hopefully annual) African Drum & Dance workshop. The workshop was led by Tom Harris, assisted by Chuck Cogliandro and Mohamed Diaby. The weekend was a huge success, with all attending having a great time learning to play African drums and to enjoy the intricacies of African dance as taught by Mohamed. This weekend did sell out early so we encourage you to sign up early for next year’s event.

• Drum & Dance Workshop, May 4 - 6, 2001
• Honey in the Heart: Drum Building Workshop, April 27 - 29, 2001

Keep up to date on all of the happenings at the Valle Crucis Conference Center with our Schedule of Events.

In the first few weeks in my job as Director I found an old altar in the basement of the Inn. From our photographic archives we've determined that it was the original altar used by the Mission School in the Chapel which was located in what is now the ping pong room in the Inn. Refinishing this beautiful altar made from burly maple became my winter project. It is now installed in Crab Orchard Hall for use by groups using that space for their worship services.

This summer two very special employees reached a milestone in their careers here at the Center. Mildred Tester, one of our kitchen staff, has worked here for 23 years, with only one break of 3 years to care for her mother. Debbie Rupard, our housekeeping supervisor, has worked here for 20 years. Both Debbie and Mildred are well-known to many of our guests as VCCC employees who always take the time to make your stay with us special. Hats off to these two fine women!

In June we purchased and installed a new 10' x 14' walk-in cooler/freezer behind the kitchen. Our old wooden walk-in cooler was not able to keep up with the increases in business that we have experienced. The kitchen crew has been celebrating ever since they received word of this new purchase.

In June Pipe Major Sandy Jones brought his North American Academy of Piping and Drumming back to Valle Crucis as he has been doing for the past 21 years. He actually started out at the Crossnore School 29 years ago but moved to Valle Crucis after 8 years at that location. We have been blessed to have these fine people in our community each summer for 4 weeks as they study the intricacies of this amazing instrument. Over the years they have supported our programs and all of our requests for funds with generosity and a cheerful vision for our future.

In May Board member Jaan Ferree and Tom Eshelman laid out a seven circuit labyrinth in the meadow down by Dutch Creek. This labyrinth will be available to our guests and other friends in the area all year. Please come by the office for a simple instruction sheet on walking a labyrinth and directions to the site.

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In May a group of student leaders from Davidson College came to VCCC for a retreat. While here they did a number of service projects for the Center among which were painting the horse barn red, picking up trash, taking rocks out of the garden and cleaning up the waterfall trail. Thanks for all their hard work.

One of the participants during our Holy Week retreat was Rebecca "Becky" McCarthy. Becky and her husband Joe were the caretakers in residence at VCCC from 1971-1972 and lived in room 208-210 in the Inn. Becky also did the bookkeeping (she was trained by Mary Burnham), was a kitchen helper and housekeeper. She also played the organ at Holy Cross Church on Sundays for $5 per Sunday when Dr. Billy Burns was the Vicar of the Church and Director of the Conference Center. It was great to have Becky back and to hear wonderful stories from her time here in the valley.

We hope that each of you, our friends and readers, will continue to support the many programs here at VCCC. Your gifts keep us alive and able to provide the services we do at the low rates we offer. You can contribute to our sewer fund, our Apple Barn Restoration Fund, our landscape fund, our general fund, our rocking chair fund, our scholarship fund or create a special fund of your own. Thank you for your generosity. We appreciate each gift both large or small.

In his spare time you'll find director Tom Eshelman riding the Center's mower around the perimeter of all the hayfields, keeping the cross country running and walking trail in great shape. Many guests and local friends have discovered this trail as a way to keep in shape and/or walk off those delicious meals served in our dining room. The trail winds around each hayfield and along Dutch Creek providing a wonderful glimpse of local flora and fauna.

Our special thanks to these individuals and organizations for their generosity in giving to the Center in recent months:

The mission of the Valle Crucis Conference Center is to inspire, by loving example and service, those who break bread with us and share in the quest for spiritual renewal, Christian community, and stewardship of the sacred place.

The Right Reverend Robert H. Johnson
Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina

David Yates, President
Diana White, Vice President
Billy DuBose, Treasurer
Ann Holtz, Secretary

The Rev. Ken Asel
The Rev. Brian Cole
Tom Eshelman (ex officio)
Jaan Ferree
John Huie
The Rev. Tim McRee
Nina-Jo Moore
Judy Teele
Ralph Tilden