03/03/2023
Good Afternoon, friends.
As you know, Dianne Maclean, Proprietor of The Art Room, touched each of our lives in a special way, whether through a compliment, words of encouragement, just lending an ear or making something beautiful at The Art Room.
I thought it would be a nice gesture to have Dianne's memory live on in the Town that she Loved, and on Main Street, where she had her business for many years, and where many of these memories happened.
Spending a lot of time on Main Street over the years, I noticed a need for more park benches, especially during Town functions like Pickin' on the Square, Pumpkinfest, welcoming AT Hikers, tourist season, Christmas Parade, etc.
I contacted the Town Manager and Streets of Franklin to inquire about making a donation of this kind. The Town Manager advised me that all benches in the Town had to be exactly the same. In return for the monetary donation, the Town would agree to take the donations collected, purchase the item on our behalf, receive the bench, cover the cost of installation, provide maintenance from that day forward and assume all liability. They would also install a memorial plaque with sentiments of our choosing. The cost of this industrial bench would be $2000.00, based upon a recent purchase of the same.
Dianne's sons and Keller also expressed interest in making a donation to Hospice in memory of Dianne.
I would like to move forward with these endeavors and ask anyone who is interested in this memorial bench and donation to Hospice, make a check PAYABLE to "The Town of Franklin" and either drop it off at Gregg and Pauletta's store "Lost in Time Apothecary and Bootique" on Main Street during open hours, bring a check with you to the Celebration of Life which is forthcoming at McTernan Manor, or Mail the check, payable to "the Town of Franklin" to Sue Miller who has agreed to see this project through and keep track of the funds, at her mailing address which is 306 CR CABE ROAD, Franklin NC 28734. If at least 40 donations of $50 were made, (less than the cost of a large spray of flowers), it would cover the purchase of the bench and installation. Any and all additional funds received would be donated to Hospice at the wishes of Dianne's family. A card listing the donations, etc will be made and presented to the family at the time of dedication to the Town. I'm confident that Dianne had more than enough acquaintances, friends and suppliers to help this project come to fruition.
An announcement containing the installation info and date will be made to this group once we are notified by the Town of the delivery of the bench.
I hope you will join us in keeping Dianne's memory alive by donating to this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Sue Miller
Pauletta Clark
friends of Dianne MacLean and
The Art Room
cc: Robin Parker
MacLean family & Keller
Town Manager, Town of Franklin
