Volume 1, Number 1 of the Janice Holt Giles and Henry Giles Foundation, Inc. Newsletter, made its debut in January, 1997, full of exciting news, including,

-A brief account of the history of the foundation, from its founding in May, 1996. Clara Metzmeier, President of the foundation, reported that $14,000 of the $75,000-by-March-98 goal has been met.

-A report from JHG&HG Foundation treasurer Barbara Petersen that the Internal Revenue Service has declared the foundation to be tax exempt.

-A progress report on the property at Spout Springs, with special thanks to Travis and Clifford Giles, Clara Metzmeier, Evelyn McCloud, Barbara Petersen, Steve Flinchum, and Whitney & Whitney and others for the repairs.

The newsletter contains a moving "Memories of a Day at Henry and Janice Giles' Old Log House," from Mrs. Giles daughter, Libby Hancock.

Dianne Watkins gets acclaim at Hawley-Cooke

Martha Neal Cooke, co-owner of Hawley-Cooke Bookstores in Louisville, lauded the Dianne Watkins presentation at the Shelbyville Road Hawley-Cooke on October 24. "It is a pure pleasure to sit and listen to Dianne talk about Giles and the history surrounding her." Mrs. Cooke told of becoming interested in Mrs. Giles' work through the enthusiasm of authors Wade Hall and Byron Crawford. "Wade is always pointing out things I should know," Mrs. Cooke said in the newsletter, and added that Mr. Hall induced her to come to a committee meeting. "After spending time with that wonderful committee and Wade's telling me that I needed to get back to my roots, I went to the meeting in Columbia and was hooked." Mrs. Cooke added, "I would hope that the Society can not only preserve the physical structure of Giles' life through the restoration of the house, but also provide a place for future writers to explore their writings."

The newsletter highlighted Louisville activities, including the Manual High School visit to Spout Springs. The students, led by Manual High teacher and Gradyville native Judy Baker Morris, are now raising money to give for the preservation of the house, the newsletter said.

The first newsletter said that two Campbellsville University science professors will be developing the pond at Spout Springs, emphasizing rare Kentucky water plants. The report said that the work will take two to three years.

Work started to put Spout Springs on National Register

In addition, the newsletter gave an account of the efforts, now underway, to have Spout Springs put on the National Register of Historic Places.

The newsletter is sent to friends of the foundation. Those wishing to support the foundation and receive the newsletter should write to: Janice Holt Giles Society, P.O. Box 918, Columbia, KY 42728. Checks should be made to: The Janice Holt Giles and Henry Giles Foundation, Inc.