The panes created for the “Tarheel Roots Project” made their Skagit County debut at our November luncheon meeting.  Vicky Young applied for and received funding for them from a National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People grant.  They are part of a larger exhibit exploring where we as Washingtonians come from. The Museum of History and Industry felt the significance of the migration that took place in the early 1900’s when a large number of North Carolinians traveled to the Skagit Valley looking for work and a better life. Today over 17,000 descendants of this great migration live and make significant contributions to business and industry.   It is part of what makes Sedro-Woolley so special.  I urge you to take to view these panels when they make their way to the S-W Museum.  I am sure you will recognize faces and names.  Kathy Reim, Lincoln Theater board member, S-W resident and Tarheel descendant worked closely with Young on the research for the panels.  She explains:  “This is a rich part of our history in Skagit County, and I believe we learn to respect others when we respect our own roots.  It is great to find the places where history and hearts can connect.”

I am thankful for the people of Sedro-Woolley who contribute to the Mission and Vision of the Sedro-Woolley chamber of commerce.  One of those persons is Billie Stormont of Express Personnel.  Billie thanked me for asking her to help when she agreed to chair the Magic of Christmas committee for 2007. 
  
Stephanie Lokkebo is another. She saw the community angst last year when there was no Community Thanksgiving dinner and decided to do something about it.