Published: October 18, 2007 06:22 am      

ABACKUS COLUMN: Rosie the Riveter and Downtown Crossville Inc. (DCI)

Rosie the Riveter became a cultural icon during World War II. The famous renderings of Rosie and the slogan, "We can do it!" endure to this day as a popular image of American women's economic power and can-do ability. A few weeks ago the Fairfield Glade Lion's Club hosted three women who personify the modern-day Rosie. The three women, Tonya Hinch, Brenda Hinch and Francis Carson, came to tell the Lions members about their experience thus far, as driving forces behind a revitalized committee of the City of Crossville, titled Downtown Crossville, Inc. (DCI). These three are not alone; there are a number of "Rosies" involved, such as Carol Darling, Sue Patton, Valerie Hale, Corey Legare, Beth Sherrill, Sandy Harrison, and many more. There is male support including Rob Patton, Larry Doster, Jack and Ken Chadwell, James and William Mayberry, Terry Ashburn, Eric Buechel, and many more.

There are a few Glade residents that are also members of this energetic group. They probably have a less than universal conviction that what is good for Crossville is good for Fairfield Glade and what is good for Crossville and Fairfield Glade is good for Cumberland County and visa-versa. DCI is a relatively small group of citizens with progressive ideas about what Crossville should be and a clear idea of how to make a reality of the vision. The group has six sub-committees that include Grants and Financial Development, Economic and Residential Development, Hardscape Enhancements, Activities and Events, Public Relations and Membership, and Web Site Development. If you have expertise in these areas or would like to be a part of DCI, merely call or send an e-mail and I will have a "Rosie" get in touch to answer all your questions. If you would like to invest in Downtown Crossville you definitely need to talk to this group.

Downtown Crossville, Inc., as you might surmise, is all about the revitalization of downtown Crossville in order to improve the economic base and increase the aesthetic charm of the city. Early this year the plan was a glimmer, today it is being endorsed and adopted by business and property owners who are investing in the vision proposed by DCI. The popular Lunch Express will soon relocate from West Ave. to a newly renovated location on Main St. The Triangle Building across Main St. from historic Mitchell's Drug Store is being renovated by Larry and Laurie Kessie. DCI is actively recruiting home décor, antique and gift shops, to add to an existing concentration of Ruthie's, Sinards, Bella Butik, the Depot, Heartland Candles, and the newest addition, E. M. Sherrill. E. M. Sherrill (the E. stands for Elizabeth) has opened her new shop of gifts and interiors on Main St., between Crossville Trophy and French's Boots. The engaging Mrs. Sherrill has maintained shops in Crossville, Cookeville and Knoxville, but was enticed back to Main St. by DCI. Another Rosie, Carol Darling, has spent more than a year leading the effort for the new county-funded library. The library will add greatly to the destination attraction of downtown Crossville and make the dreams of the Art Circle Library and Friends of the Library a reality.

The DCI newsletter, Volume I-Issue 1, was published the first week of October. It gives an excellent overview of the achievements and future plans of DCI. You can also access information at www.freewebs.com/downtowncrossvilleinc/. In August, Frances Carson, President of DCI, led a contingent of supporters to city hall as she addressed Crossville City Council. Outlining DCI's impressive accomplishments and detailed plans for the future, she concluded her perceptive presentation with a request for another meeting with city council and the straight-forward statement, "Of course you know we will be requesting funding at our next meeting." At the next meeting city council approved "seed money" of $15,000 this year, and will consider another $50,000 in 2008 to support Downtown Crossville, Inc. As my wife would say about these Rosies, "You go girl!"

Kudos, gripes, suggestions? E-mail dfbackus@aol.com.