Our History
Our Mission
In 1991, a small group began discussing their mutual interest in initiating a continuing education program in the area. The group organized in 1992 and offered its first series of courses in the summer of 1993. Since then, the organization's audience has grown from a small group to a membership base of over 500 enthusiastic supporters.
Our mission is to provide life enriching opportunities through educational lectures and to stimulate curiosity and creativity by offering art workshops and culinary/nature programs to residents and visitors to the Highlands-Cashiers plateau.
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CLE Welcomes You in 2025!
2024 was a fantastic year for CLE. Membership levels and program sponsorships continued to increase, and thanks to our outstanding curriculum, CLE history was made with record-breaking attendance. Our fourth annual Porchfest music festival was hugely successful, with over 40 participating musicians across 15 venues. All of these accomplishments were made possible by the generosity of our members and the Highlands community.
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Membership dollars are the key to CLE’s success. Without your generous support of CLE through your membership, CLE could not exist and provide over 100 outstanding programs to the residents and visitors of the Highlands-Cashiers communities each year. Memberships are the lifeblood of CLE and provide the funds to cover basic operating expenses and, most importantly, speaker fees and travel expenses. CLE’s board and staff continue to be good stewards of your membership dollars. Please renew or upgrade your membership for 2025 before year end.
Looking forward to an amazing 2025 season!
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Martha Pearson, President
Our Board of Directors and Staff
Martha Pearson
President
Rick Shackelford
Vice President/Curriculum Chair
Karen Price
Treasurer
Lee Garrett
Director/Past President
Terry Adamson
Director
Al Pearson
Director
Jill Nelson Granger
Director
Bill Hoffman
Director
Clif Pannell
Director
Mary Cavaioli
Director
Scott Bendzlowicz
Director
Stephanie Reeves
Director
Claudia Barnett
Director
Millie Coleman
Director
Stephanie Reeves
Director
Bobby Salerno
Director
Mary Beth Allen
Director
Dan Evans
Director
Staff
Meg Stevens
Executive Director
Audra Bullard
Program & Communications Director