The Beginning		Rosa helping volunteers heat up some lunch.
Old house meets new addition	Rosa taking a puppy break	The windows are in and the roof is on!
Rosa and Ted pleased with inside running water	Ted, Rosa and Leonard - dry wall is up and painting almost done	The new entrance - siding is ready for paint
Ted heading up the hill for trip to Boone, NC for dialysis

Do you want to help?

Barry Neally, the director of The Three Forks Baptist Association in Boone, NC is helping to coordinate volunteers. To volunteer, email Barry - barrynealy@hotmail.com or call 828-264-4482. Or sign up on the National Storytelling Network web site or email NSN director, Karen Dietz.

We encourage this as a project for civic groups and churches as well as individuals. People do not have to have special skills - just a willingness to work hard and follow directions! The Hicks homeplace is a beautiful setting with the mountains of TN and NC in the distance . . . so everyone will have a good view! We will also need some people to bring up lunches for the workers - maybe restaurants and fast food places would like to donate a meal or two for the workers.

Check back for updates and construction progress:

• February 10, 2005 - The linoleum flooring is being installed today, so the room is ALMOST ready for Ted and Rosa to move in. They have been able to use it some - but workers are still there so 'it doesn't feel quite like home,' Rosa says.
• January 20, 2005 - The cabinets are on the wall.
• January 3, 2005 - It is going to be a Happy New Year! The washer, dryer, and stove were all donated and delivered. Such generosity this project has seen!
• December 23, 2004 - Oil heater is installed - looks like it is going to be a warm Christmas.
• December 9, 2004 - septic and well are in - a big job to get all that done. We are moving along.
• November 15, 2004 - The walls are up, and they are working on the framing. Rosa said - "looking like it might be a building soon." Rosa said someone told her they are hoping to have them in it by Christmas, but she told 'em, "I'd just as soon have it by Thanksgiving!"
  We are still in much need of volunteers! Please contact Barry Neally - barrynealy@hotmail.com or call 828-264-4482.
• October 25, 2004 - Footings are dug, poured and block work is almost finished.
• October 11, 2004 - Backhoe work started for septic system and foundation
• September 8, 2004 - Septic and building permits applied for.

Oldest son, Leonard Hicks, with family friend Nancy, Ted Hicks and Rosa on Ray's front porch.

"There is a rusting mailbox, rows of potato plants, vivid wildflowers and a fine view from the outhouse. Most important, there is a porch - where Ray Hicks told stories older than America, about ghosts, witches and a trickster named Jack." -- New York Times

A heartfelt thanks from the Hicks family to:

Lowes Home Improvement Corporation

Three Forks Baptist Association for coordinating the volunteers and the construction.

International Storytelling Center for their enormous support and help including the design of this beautiful web site and overseeing The Ray and Rosa Hicks Fund.

National Storytelling Network for organizing helping hands from the storytelling community.

Fresh Air Photographics for their generosity over the years

Hillhouse Graphic Design and NovakGroup for the design and development of this web site.

Great-Out-Doors Building Products in Statesville, NC

New River Building Supplies in Boone and Banner Elk, NC.

And to all those who have already given their time, contributions and good wishes to help the Hicks family.