by Scotty Wampler
News Editor
  The Board of Supervisors last week was asked to provide funding assistance for a new after-school program.
  Youth Outreach of Buchanan County Director Belinda Honaker, who is leading the campaign for the Playing Instruments Changes Kids (PICK) program, informed the board a $20,000 grant had been secured by the group to partially fund the effort. Honaker originally approached the board in May requesting up to $37,812.
  Honaker again asked the board to consider funding the project last Monday, explaining the group estimates $57,812 will be needed for PICK's 2007-08 budget, if the program gets off the ground. Minus the grant amount, $37,812 is still required in order for the program to be fully funded.
  PICK aims to teach students in grades 3-12 about Appalachian music heritage through the use of musical instruments. The program's estimated budget is based on an enrollment of approximately 200 students.
  In May, the board expressed concerns of whether PICK would would conflict with other after-school programs already in place in the county. Honaker reiterated last week PICK would be a countywide program, different than most existing after-school activities.
  Knox Supervisor Pat Justus questioned whether such a program was needed in his community, citing the fact that a music program currently exists on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Hurley Park. That program is not a school-sponsored activity, he said.
  "The chance of us reaching them and helping them is far greater if we have these programs in our schools," Honaker countered, claiming programs such as PICK are proven to combat activities such as drug use, as well as contribute to better overall grades in school.
  South Grundy Supervisor Roger Rife asked whether Honaker had considered soliciting volunteers for the program. She said volunteers are already in place, and PICK advisory board members will be hand-selecting music instructors. Approximately $28,000 of the total program budget would go toward instructor salaries, she added.
  "It's already a proven success," said Steve Hamro, III, Garden School Board Member, attending the meeting to voice his support of the program. "I think it deserves a chance. It's something for every community."
  Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller asked Hamro whether PICK was a project the School Board could take on. Hamro said he felt confident the board would support it, but funding for the program would still have to be sought from the Board of Supervisors.
  Honaker said the $20,000 grant would be awarded to the group if a match is found soon, but that they risk losing the funds altogether if the county opts against supporting the program or if they are forced to wait and ask the School Board for help instead.
  "It's a possibility we will lose that grant," Honaker said.
  The board took no action regarding Honaker's request at the meeting.
  Also at the meeting, Steve Stacy addressed the board, explaining this year's Rally in the Coalfields event at Poplar Gap Park was a success. Riders from multiple states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and the Carolinas, among others, were in attendance for the weekend. Around $1,700 in prizes were awarded to children during the event, he said, and the event itself broke even for the weekend as more attendance was recorded than previous years.
  One of the highlights of the weekend, he added, was watching a 93-year-old woman take her very first ride on a motorcycle.
  Stacy also presented a check for $300 to the board to cover any electricity used during the May 25-27 event.

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