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Thank You Letter to Governor Blunt for the FY'09 MAC Folk Arts Grant

July 24, 2008

Dear Governor Blunt:

On behalf of the Dallas County Betterment Association and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank you for your generous support and unwavering patronage for the arts in the State of Missouri. The recent Missouri Arts Council grant award of $8,265 for the 6th Annual Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival and Highland Games will go a long way towards improving our festival and helping to make this the biggest and best event to date.

I grew up in Polk County - just next door to Dallas County - and my childhood dream was to become a world-champion highland bagpiper someday. However at the time, having access to a bagpipe teacher - or even Celtic music - was simply not available locally. While that adolescent goal became tempered with the pragmatism of adulthood, I have remained a proud piper to this day. In hindsight, I realize that I have benefitted tremendously from the mentorship and opportunities from playing traditional music. These opportunities and this mentorship are what I hope help facilitate with the MAC grant.

The mission of the Dallas County Betterment Association (DCBA) is to build partnerships between the cities of Buffalo, Urbana and Louisburg and all other unincorporated villages in Dallas county, its residents and other organizations that can provide support in the community's development efforts. The DCBA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents of Dallas County by assuring access to available resources and services to all. This event helps to improve the lives of the residents of Dallas County, surrounding areas and from across the state and beyond by expanding access to the arts and paying recognition to the Celtic culture and roots of the area.

This year, evidence of community support include cash and in-kind donations such as $700.00 from Citizens Memorial Hospital, $500.00 from O'Bannon Bank, and in-kind donations from Bryant Business Graphics and the Buffalo Reflex for $2,000 and $1,500 respectively, as well as in-kind donations from private donors too numerous to mention.

We would like to invite you personally to the festival, which will take place on September 5th and 6th, 2008 at the Buffalo Old City Park. It would be our pleasure to host you as a guest of honor.
Most Cordially and Respectfully,

J. Beau Buffington, Principal Grant Writer and Entertainment Director
on behalf of Kathy Kesler, Director for Buffalo Chamber of Commerce