Nine members of the Polk County Extension Community Associates recently toured Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, N.C.

The tour was in honor of the late Fran Suttle, who helped plan the visit earlier in the year. Suttle, member of ECA for 50 plus years, was an alumnus of the Asheville Normal and Teaching College, which was affiliated with Warren Wilson College.

Upon the group’s arrival, the college chaplain gave a brief but touching memorial service in memory of Fran Suttle. Afterwards, the extension associates were given an informative tour of the campus where they were educated on the history of the college, which initially was known as the Asheville Farm School in 1894.

The visitors learned about the college’s three objectives: academics, community service and work study, all of which each student is expected to fulfill. In addition, the group discovered that most of the food served in the college’s dining hall is raised on the Warren Wilson farm.

The group dined with students and dignitaries from the college. They all commented on how delicious the food tasted.

The folks that attended were Aurelia Mayes, Nancy Johnson, Sue Mathers, Rosa Bush, Wilda Corley Eloise Guggenheim, Anita Summey, Margie Derwort and Pearl Suber. Accompanying the group was Jimmi Buell and John Vining of the Polk County Extension Center.

All agreed it was a beautiful day and a special tour in memory of a lovely person, Fran Suttle.

– article submitted by Sandi Bodi and Sue Maters