Old Sign at Cowee Bald
The Cowee Community Development
Organization's (CCDO) Mission:
Organization's (CCDO) Mission:
Working to preserve the heritage, quality of life, and beauty of Cowee Township. |
CCDO's History:
| Originally founded in the early 1950's to support the growing Cowee community, CCDO celebrates over 50 years of community activities. During this period the organization has grown, not only in size, but also in it's importance to the Cowee Community. Cowee Community Development Organization is a 501(C) (3) Non-Profit Organization. More than 20 years of community fund raising efforts went into the start of the Cowee Volunteer Fire Department. The community received their first truck in 1982, and the Department began meeting Thursday nights at the Cowee School. By the fall of 1990, the community was committed to the building of a firehouse and community center, and began with a formal ground breaking. In July of 1991 Cowee Volunteer Fire Department met county and state certification, and in 1992 the upstairs Community building facility was finished and temporary power was given to the Firehouse. The official Firehouse ribbon cutting came on June 22, 1996 marking the completion of a six year building project. CCDO continues to work closely in support of the Cowee Volunteer Fire Department as it has for many years. In addition, we continue to support local community interests in the Cowee School, as well as ongoing beautification efforts throughout the township. We have undertaken many projects throughout the years, including the restoration of Pleasant Hill AME Church and cemetery. CCDO has a long term working relationship with the highway department supporting regular roadside trash pickups throughout the Cowee Community. Over the 2007-2008 winter a committee of CCDO members and prior officers met and developed new By-laws that amended the CCDO organizational structure. The new By-laws were presented to the membership, voted on and adopted at the January 2008 meeting by a 2/3+ majority vote. CCDO is now led by a Board of Directors comprised of nine (9) members including: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and 5 elected members. The newly chosen board is made up of the following CCDO members: Eric Moberg; Chairman Brent Martin; Vice-Chairman Tal Murphy; Secretary Claudette Dillard; Treasurer Frankabelle Scruggs Bob Apsey Elena Carlson Leon Ditch Susan Ditch |
| Latest News: |
| Cowee Community Development Organization |
About Cowee Community Development Organization
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| Our View From Above the Clouds!! |
The beautiful Little Tennessee
(Photo by Ralph Preston)
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
Pleasant Hill AME Church
Local Wild Turkey
Cowee Photo Album
We are proud to share the photography of Ralph Preston. Ralph has done an
extraordinary job of capturing the beauty of Cowee. You can visit Ralph's website by
clicking on his link on our Links page.
We would also like to add photography you may have that helps to depict the beauty and
history of Cowee. If you have some photos to share please contact us, or simply email
the photos to info@coweenc.com. You can also mail your pictures, we will scan them,
and return the originals undamaged.
extraordinary job of capturing the beauty of Cowee. You can visit Ralph's website by
clicking on his link on our Links page.
We would also like to add photography you may have that helps to depict the beauty and
history of Cowee. If you have some photos to share please contact us, or simply email
the photos to info@coweenc.com. You can also mail your pictures, we will scan them,
and return the originals undamaged.
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
| (Photo by Ralph Preston) |
West's Mill Historic District
Information Kiosk located in
the heart of West's Mill was
dedicated in February 2007.
Cutting the ribbon is Beth
Moberg, , along with Vern
Davis , and Brent Martin
representing The Little
Tennessee Land Trust who
partnered with CCDO, and
The Friends of Mountain
History in the Grant process
to fund the signs for the
Kiosk.
Very special thanks to
Goshen Timberframe for
building and donating the
Kiosk, and to Goodhew
Roofing Metals for providing
the roof.
Information Kiosk located in
the heart of West's Mill was
dedicated in February 2007.
Cutting the ribbon is Beth
Moberg, , along with Vern
Davis , and Brent Martin
representing The Little
Tennessee Land Trust who
partnered with CCDO, and
The Friends of Mountain
History in the Grant process
to fund the signs for the
Kiosk.
Very special thanks to
Goshen Timberframe for
building and donating the
Kiosk, and to Goodhew
Roofing Metals for providing
the roof.
| IN RETROSPECT: June '07 |
After almost 10 years of
volunteer restoration effort by
CCDO and The Land Trust for
the Little Tennessee, the
Pleasant Hill AME Church was
re-dedicated on June 3rd.
Almost 200 people attended,
including many who have long
family histories in the Cowee
area, and who attended the
church during it's many active
years.
Memories were shared by
many, and a salute was given
by the VFW Honor Guard in
memory of the veterans
buried in the church cemetery.
Tears could be seen in many
eyes as the color guard's
bugler played "Taps".
The service held in the church
for the first time in many years
was delivered by Rev. Lloyd
Fish from Cowee Baptist to a
standing room only crowd.
Claudette Dillard played the
piano that was donated by
Cowee Baptist Church.
volunteer restoration effort by
CCDO and The Land Trust for
the Little Tennessee, the
Pleasant Hill AME Church was
re-dedicated on June 3rd.
Almost 200 people attended,
including many who have long
family histories in the Cowee
area, and who attended the
church during it's many active
years.
Memories were shared by
many, and a salute was given
by the VFW Honor Guard in
memory of the veterans
buried in the church cemetery.
Tears could be seen in many
eyes as the color guard's
bugler played "Taps".
The service held in the church
for the first time in many years
was delivered by Rev. Lloyd
Fish from Cowee Baptist to a
standing room only crowd.
Claudette Dillard played the
piano that was donated by
Cowee Baptist Church.
| February '07 |
| 2007... A Banner Year For CCDO Cowee continued to be recognized as a leader among Community Organizations, and received a grant at the Western North Carolina Communities Honors and Awards luncheon held November 17, 2007 at the Grove Park Inn. |
| Vist the Calendar Page for Upcoming Events |
Mountain
Landscapes
Initiative
After several months of
information gathering,
interviews with citizens of
Cowee, a "Charrette"
designed and executed
especially for us here in
Cowee, The Lawrence Group
presented their initial findings
to CCDO on Monday June
23rd.
A large group listened as
Craig Lewis of the Lawrence
Group presented the initial
"Tool Box" items. The final
written Tool Box document
should be in our hands by
the end of July.
Please visit the Landscapes
Initiative website to view
videos and read more about
the initiative
Mountain Landscapes
Initiative
In addition to the opening
video, make sure you page
down to the Macon County;
Cowee: Cultural Landscape
Analysis
Landscapes
Initiative
After several months of
information gathering,
interviews with citizens of
Cowee, a "Charrette"
designed and executed
especially for us here in
Cowee, The Lawrence Group
presented their initial findings
to CCDO on Monday June
23rd.
A large group listened as
Craig Lewis of the Lawrence
Group presented the initial
"Tool Box" items. The final
written Tool Box document
should be in our hands by
the end of July.
Please visit the Landscapes
Initiative website to view
videos and read more about
the initiative
Mountain Landscapes
Initiative
In addition to the opening
video, make sure you page
down to the Macon County;
Cowee: Cultural Landscape
Analysis