On the Sunday after Thanksgiving creative and generous snow enthusiasts gather to support local charities and celebrate the season. For 25 years White Grass, a local cross country ski farm and cafe has been hosting a wreath making event open to the public. This year the event raised funds for the renovation of Cottrill’s Opera House in Thomas. Mozark Mountain Tree Farm in Hendricks WV and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI) joined forces to provide the fresh locally sourced greenery. White Grass staff and volunteers offered a cozy workspace and rings and wire for wreath construction. Just under a 100 participants arrived with snips, donations, and seasonal ornaments to make wreaths to take home. Every year the proceeds from this event go directly back to the community. This year they are helping Alpine Heritage Preservation, owner of Cottrill’s at an exciting time. “We are pursuing several grants that require we have local match money, now. We also have a local challenge grant active right now. The combination of applied matching funds results in every donated dollar providing four dollars in spending capacity for our renovation”Dave Esch, President of the APH board explains. The results of the fund raising will accomplish the following:
The restoration and return to use of one of North/Central West Virginia’s most important Historic structures, preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
Hosting programs that bring dollars into the local community and the surrounding region, thereby strengthening the local economy. Enriching the cultural opportunities available to local residents, while also offering programming attractive to visitors, and in general supporting the Performing Arts in all of its forms.
Providing programming that offers educational enrichment to all of the students of Tucker County, at TVHS, DTEMS, and TVEMS.
Find out more about the great opportunities these businesses and organizations offer our community as we all celebrate the season of giving that builds community. https://whitegrass.com/ https://www.cottrillsoperahouse.org/ https://restoreredspruce.org/ https://www.facebook.com/mozarkmtnxmastrees/.
