Welcome
To The Spring 2004 Newsletter!
We are excited to offer our new and improved
KAHT newsletter online to keep you up to date with news, issues, events
and stories from the trails. We hope that it will be informative and provide
you with important resource tools for use in your business. We encourage
you to visit KAHT participants and foster a strong network among one another
that will improve and promote cultural heritage tourism in our state.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new layout and design
of the newsletter. There are several new additions that we would like
to point out. In each newsletter, we will be offering a helpful business
tip for you to use in your business. We will also keep you informed of
the latest KAHT news and offerings. As we continue to add new participants,
we will provide you with links to their pages so you will know who they
are and the amazing talents that they offer. We think that it is important
for you to know where we are expanding the trails and in what counties
we are currently working. Lastly, we have made several online training
tools available for you to use and encourage you to click on them for
more helpful information.
Introduction
First, let me say that Kentucky is a beautiful state with an abundance of talented individuals. Having grown up in Kentucky (Woodbine, if you really know your geography), I thought I had a decent understanding of the tourist attractions in our state. I also thought I was fairly knowledgeable about our local artisans. WRONG!
Since taking the position of Program Manager for the KAHT
Program, I realize that I have only scratched the surface of what truly
lies within this state. That’s a hard pill to swallow, especially
for someone from Kentucky. That got me to thinking though….
If I have lived here my whole life and didn't know what was really here,
how do we expect a tourist from outside the area to find these hidden
gems? Then it hit me like an iron skillet and it made sense to me that
the real role and benefit of the Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trails is education.
Not only do we strive to improve, enhance, and promote the cultural heritage
tourism of our region, but we educate people on the unique attributes
that often go undetected. We educate tourists about our history and our
heritage, but we also educate one another about the skills and talent
we have.
I have been introducing myself to every KAHT member that
I can and I will eventually get around to everyone, but I am amazed at
the passion they have for their craft and the enthusiasm they spread when
I am around them. This program has given me a new appreciation for the
state I call home, but more importantly, it gives our artisans a lasting
impression in the minds of those who visit and carry on their stories
in the products they purchase and take back home.
I look forward to meeting each of you as I travel the back roads and explore
the trails. I encourage you to tell your friends and family about our
website and our program. As we move into new counties, you may know of
people who would also benefit from participating with us. Send me an email
or call me and let me know how I can meet them. If I can be of further
assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached
by phone at 859.622.8439 or by email at chris.cathers@eku.edu.
Thank you for your support!
Chris Cathers
KAHT Program Manager
