Tuesday, June 27, 2017 1:54 pm

By Richard Stickney

In 2008 I sold everything that I owned and bought the place of my dreams. A seventeen acre farm on Hurricane Creek Road. I love Cannon County. I always have.

December fourth 2009 I married Rae Lynn standing in the middle of Hurricane Creek and I was blessed with a wife and a James and a Sharon. We became a family that day.

All of us are writers, musicians, artists, dancers and actors. Rae Lynn has the most experience. She has been active in the arts since she was a child. Now James and Sharon can say the same thing. I have been a working musician since I was thirteen. Also I am a published artist and writer.

The Arts Center of Cannon County (ACCC) quickly became a passion for all of us. To this day we think that it is just great that you can go audition and possibly win a part. Everyone is included and no one is excluded. We have been in thirty three productions, helped with set building, with the box office and anything else that was needed.

All of the people at The Arts Center of Cannon County encourage and support each other. Especially so with James, Sharon and all the other young people. The result of that is that each event or play gets better and better. It is great to win a part and learn from our directors and great to just come and enjoy first class entertainment and wonderful music.

ACCC is the source of our friends. All of us artists are family. Rae Lynn and I have watched James and Sharon grow into two very talented pros. They are active in every event. James was instrumental in building the billboard in front of the Center.

The Arts Center of Cannon County is a tie that keeps us close. Something that we all share and talk about and agree on. Rae Lynn, James, Sharon, and I are most grateful to be a part of such a community of artists and we are proud to be named with all the rest of those who perform, direct, stage manage and build sets.

Our musicians are second to none and our directors, coaches and music directors are all gifted artists.

Our leadership and staff are always on top of everything and always ready for anything.

One of the many things that we enjoy is viewing and even purchasing the one of a kind hand made works of art that are created by our local masters. One of these days I am going to buy or trade for that hand made guitar that hangs on the wall. I would put it to work.

We are most grateful for Wilma Adams and all our other sponsors. The contributions that they have made keep us going. It is money that is very well spent, appreciated and something that will lasts forever.

Editor's Note:

The Arts Center initiated a $1 million endowment goal in 2016. Revenues from the endowment will fund the 18,000 square foot facility's overhead. ACCC has raised $100,000 so far towards the $1 million goal. Since only the income from an endowment gift is spent, the benefits of contributing to the endowment are forever.

The Stickney family contributed to the endowment as a way to thank the community for providing the Arts Center and as a way to help ensure that the Arts Center will be open and available for other families for its next 25 years of service.