As the CCPA begins our 7th year as an organization, it’s appropriate that we pause to evaluate our accomplishments relative to our organizational mission. To simplify, that mission is the preservation of the cultural history of Cades Cove. Under our excellent prior leadership and the efforts of our membership and supporting friends, the execution of our mission has embraced several approaches.During our formative period, which occurred in January 2001, former Cades Cove residents, descendants and other supportive individuals expressed concerns about the deterioration of remaining Cove structures and features caused by time, weather and pedestrian traffic and actions. A relationship was established with staff of the GSMNP to communicate those concerns and to define projects which the CCPA could perform, in partnership with the GSMNP, to address such issues. Our relationship with the GSMNP has enabled the CCPA to address issues at church and family cemeteries in the Cove, to clean Cove churches on a weekly basis and to provide a visible signature of the Cades Cove CCC Camp site. With mixed emotions, the CCPA was permitted to salvage materials from the former home of the Kermit Caughron family and from the former barn of Dave Sparks. Maintenance activities with the Cove cemeteries and churches are continuing efforts of the CCPA. Another concern of the CCPA charter membership was the erosion and loss of Cove history due to the inevitable passing of those knowing the Cove best…those who were born and raised in the Cove. Lifetime memberships were provided to such individuals, both to acknowledge their unique heritage and to facilitate access to their knowledge of Cove cultural history. The CCPA currently benefits from approximately 50 such members. We have sadly experienced the passing of many former residents over the last six years but have immeasurably benefited from our association with them. Former residents have contributed history, encouragement, effort and other services to the CCPA. We are indebted to them.The CCPA has also elected to document, preserve and communicate Cove history in various methods. Our cookbook, Recipes, Remedies and Rumors, has documented a portion of that history as well as provided a much needed source for operating revenue. Calendars, maps and other publications have been developed for similar purposes. We have established a Cades Cove Museum, an archive of Cove information and a “home” at the Alnwick Community Center in Maryville. Our members have donated time, knowledge and skills to represent Cove history at a variety of venues and events focusing on heritage preservation. The CCPA, through our members’ efforts, has established a legacy of service to other individuals and organizations which value heritage preservation. We in turn have received value and support from them. We communicate activities and heritage through a quarterly newsletter and through our web site.The CCPA has been privileged to exhibit and recognize ancestral values within Cades Cove through church services and through participation at Old Timers’ Day events. Participation at festivals in Townsend and in various community parades and events has provided other communication opportunities. We have provided significant effort needed for maintenance of the historic Myers Cemetery in Townsend and have enabled easier access to the cemetery. Outstanding contributions were most recently provided by CCPA members and friends to contribute to a very successful Winter Heritage Festival with the Cades Cove cultural history a prominent theme.CCPA accomplishments have been recognized formally by organizations such as the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Blount County Historic Trust. We have established effective partnerships with many organizations and businesses in pursuit of our mission objectives.It is very appropriate that our membership pause and appreciate what has been accomplished through tremendous dedication, effort, talent and sacrifice. The CCPA has accomplished much…much more remains to be addressed.The CCPA is challenged to maintain our legacy of accomplishments in Cades Cove and the community at large while addressing new opportunities in pursuit of our organizational mission. Our future endeavors are critically dependent on valuable contributions and services which may be provided by our membership and partnering organizations. There are priorities and circumstances which justifiably limit the nature and extent of our individual contributions. But those contributions, whatever the extent and nature, are extremely valuable and very much appreciated. We can individually accomplish little but collectively have a significant ability to preserve the cultural history of Cades Cove.The CCPA will be addressing new publications supportive of our mission and will be advertising and providing visits to historical sites within Cades Cove as two areas of emphasis during the next year. We will also be continuing the many important activities which have been embraced in the past. Perhaps the major challenge and opportunity is relocation of our active Cades Cove Museum to the historic Thompson Brown House in Maryville during 2007. The CCPA is very appreciative that sacrifices are required from several Blount County organizations to enable CCPA occupancy and encouraged by our partnerships with the Blount County Historic Trust, Blount County and other organizations to provide the opportunity. Your accomplishments have enabled the CCPA to be considered for a role at this historic site. We will be challenged to positively and accurately communicate our Cades Cove heritage and to provide needed staffing for our operation.I am honored and privileged to serve as CCPA President in 2007 and 2008. We have a great leadership team and excellent support and guidance from our Board of Directors. We remain a “grass-roots” organization which values the contributions, ideas and critique from our membership. Many of our membership, both descendants and non-descendants, continue to provide critical leadership and support roles. We have matured to an organization of accomplishment and purpose with membership qualifying the CCPA as a national organization.Please share your thoughts, ideas, service and other valuable considerations with us as we move forward. Collectively, we will benefit from all contributions. Together, we can accomplish much.Thank you for your support of the CCPA.