Art on the Square Merges with Spirit of Athens

Art On The Square Art League is merging with Spirit of Athens, the downtown revitalization organization in Athens. Art on the Square will become an arts committee under the umbrella of the SOA organization.

The Art On The Square and Spirit of Athens boards saw this merger as an opportunity to focus on the arts in community year-round, rather than primarily during an annual festival. This union will provide more opportunities to host art events at various times throughout the year and to work toward establishment of an arts incubator in Athens. Art On the Square has been in existence for over seven years providing a fine arts festival for the community around The Square.

Diane Lehr, president of Art On the Square Arts League states, “This is a great opportunity for both organizations to work for the good of the City. Our mission remains the same even though our focus will change. We seek to strengthen our community by promoting art education, supporting the work of artists, and bringing cultural events to the area. The vast majority of our current AOTS board will serve on the SOA arts committee. We look forward to this new chapter.” 

Craftsman Cottage Opens Downtown

Pam Hertenstein and Sandra Marks

Two local business owners join together and relocate in Downtown Athens.   Kindred Spirits and Simply Yesterday Antiques are now under one roof named the Craftsman Cottage at 100 North Clinton Street.
   
Pam Hertenstein, owner of Kindred Spirits, and Sandra Marks, Simply Yesterday Antiques & More owner talked about the prospect of finding a place together in October. Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black recommended the building that would be a perfect fit for their business model and their doors opened on December 1.

“We felt our businesses complimented each other and would also fit in nicely with other stores and activities downtown,” said Hertenstein. “We are thrilled to be downtown. The exposure is incredible and we look forward to being a part of the community.”

Prairie Child Designs

Mudd Puddles Pottery

Kindred Spirits showcases locally made items from 40 different artisans across the Tennessee Valley.  Shoppers can find Sheer Pleasures products, artwork by DeAnna McNiell, Prairie Child Designs, work by internationally acclaimed Mark Moore, “Who, What, Where” art, Mudd Puddles Pottery, and much more.
   
“The handcrafted items carried in the cottage are made with quality materials just as the antiques were made many years ago,” adds Marks.
   
Marks has been buying and selling antiques for approximately ten years and she opened Simply Yesterday Antiques & More approximately one year ago. Simply Yesterday Antiques and More has eight dealers with their own speciality. Antiques include furniture, depression era glassware, and advertising memorabilia.
   
Marks and Hertenstein both emphasize the importance to shopping locally and supporting small businesses.
   
The Craftsman Cottage joins Shoe Gallery 2, 109 South Marion Street, that opened downtown in September and Little Texas Pizza Buffet, 202 South Jefferson Street, that opened December 20.  Casa Blanca Mexican Cantina and Inez’s Soul Food Restaurant will be opening downtown soon.
   
The Craftsman Cottage is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 256-998-2486.

DeAnna McNeill's mixed media

U.G.WHITE GENERAL MERCANTILE WINS THE CIDER CUP

Dawn Furline and Pete Woodward with the 2012 Cider Cup

Dawn Furline and Pete Woodward, U.G. White General Mercantile manager, accepts the 2012 Cider Cup for the winning recipe at the Sippin’ Cider Festival.  Second place winner with less than a point difference was CEI Books, followed by Crawford’s Gifts in third place.
   
The second annual Sippin’ Cider Festival which was held in Downtown Athens on December 8, 2012 and was sponsored by Spirit of Athens and Limestone Chapel Funeral Home.

“The Sippin’ Cider event is a way for us to thank downtown businesses by supporting Spirit of Athens with their annual contribution,” said Letisha Brinkley, SOA Promotion chair and event organizer.  “Successful retail and dining is one of the biggest draws to downtown and we want to celebrate the hard work they put into their business.”

Attendees were able to shop from 5-8 PM in participating businesses, take advantage of store specials, and rate the cider in each business. Those customers that voted on at least five recipes were entered into win a door prize donated by each business. 

Door prize winners are; Jack Warner of Athens won Luvici’s shirt and bottle of Big Jim's bbq sauce, Tyler Coggin of Gurley, a frame from Trinity’s, Alice Whitt of Rogersville, Scarves from Bennett's Clothing, Julie Shelton of Athens, won a necklace set from Claborn Specialties, Dwight Billions of Athens, Frame from Pimentos, Pam Hester of Athens, a Village Pizza certificate for a free large one topping pizza, Peggy Wright, Melissa & Doug toys from Belles and Beaus, Clint Coggin of Madison, Pablos on Market $15 gift certificate, Jonathan Colwell of Athens, Case knife from U.G. White General Mercantile, Brenda Jackson of Athens, CEI Books’ Tote filled with holiday items, and Davidson Crooks of Athens, Gray & Holt $25 gift certificate.

Entertainment during Sippin’ Cider included a live performance by Trey Morgan, train rides by the Athens Lions Club, visit from Santa, appearance by Scrooge and Dickens characters, marshmallow roasting fire pit and children’s crafts. 

The third annual Sippin’ Cider Festival will be held on December 14, 2013.

Kathyrn Flynn, Mac McAlister and Miranda Hudleston, members of the Mayor's Youth Commission, dress up as Dicken's characters.

SOA Volunteers help roast marshmallows

Athens Grease Festival: Just another day for these greasers!

Athens Grease Festival: Just another day for these greasers!: Pete Woodward, Merchant Liason, Diane Lehr, Sponsorship Chair, Tiffany Seibert, Kid Activities Chair, Christy Hubbard, Festival Chair, T...

Thanks to the Athens Rotary Club for sponsoring the downtown banners. In addition to the Square banners, Athens Rotary Club sponsored 16 new Christmas banners that will use another image created during the city branding campaign. 

Three new bike racks should be in place soon. Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful sponsored two racks and West End Outdoors sponsored one.  The racks will be placed near Village Pizza, Limestone Drug, and the Center for Lifelong Learning.  

Spirit of Athens appreciates these sponsors. These improvements improve our downtown.

  

Volunteer Spotlight
Pam Hartmann, SOA Organization Committee and Downtown Fan!

"Even though I live on the river and teach Retrobics Dance and Fitness classes at The Rec Center,I love to come downtown to do my shopping, lunching,and volunteering.I am originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I understand the importance of preserving culture and history. The Square is the center of the culture and history in this community."

Married to her husband,John,who works for TVA, Pam loves to bring their adult children to downtown Athens, after a day on the river. According to Pam, one cannot find the same sort of unique downtown experience anywhere else. Pam enjoys the sense of place and belonging to the community that she feels in downtown Athens on ' The Square.'

She says that her love for community is only made larger by the passion she has witnessed in other volunteers with Spirit of Athens. " I have met some wonderful people working with Spirit of Athens. Having this challenge has given me fuller days when I get homesick for my kids and my homestate of Louisiana. Right now,the Organization Committee, is focused and working hard on the upcoming Athens Grease Festival; and although this is the first year,we are excited to see everyone having fun planning the Greek activities and the Southern fried foods."

Pam credits Trisha Black- S.O.A  Director with keeping her challenged and engaged in the Spirit of Athens projects. She enjoys the Organization Committee, which is tasked with attracting volunteers and resources to SOA. "Working with Spirit of Athens, I have been asked to write articles, choreograph dances, ask people to be major sponsors of events, encourage volunteers, and help set up a huge annual meeting and luncheon. I know that I am contributing toward making my immediate community a better place to live," Pam says. 

"Revitalizing a downtown district is important work. I encourage everyone to get involved with Spirit of Athens, in order to see the downtown lit up, literally and metaphorically."

Downtown Buildings Awarded SOA Facade Funding

The buildings at 107 and 109 East Market Street recently received a facelift. SOA awarded the property owner through the facade grant and loan program for the submitted designs and completed facade renovation.  SOA encourages restoring buildings to the appropriate period and enhancing the historic characteristics. 

Gayle Black, Design Committee Chair, Lynne Hart, KALB Director and Design member, and Trisha Black, SOA Director admire renovated facades.

Please email for leasing information on these properties.

 

Before

Check out this article  that we received from a nine year old Athenian.  He's doing his homework for the Athens Grease Festival...love it!!  Remember to get creative with your fried items.  Vendors can enter into one or more categories; "best fried vegetable," "best fried meat," "best fried dessert," and the "most outrageous."

Food vendor applications are now available online!!

This could be Athens Grease Festival's theme song!!

Athens Grease Festival: Local volunteer to chair festival that will celebr...

Athens Grease Festival: Local volunteer to chair festival that will celebr...: Local volunteer to chair festival that will celebrate all things fried ATHENS, Ala. – Christy Hubbard has volunteered at fundraisers that ...

Fried pie recipe...check out Momma Shirley's  recipe on the Athens Grease Festival blog.

Yum!

 Email us if you'd like to be notified of volunteer opportunities for the Athens Grease Festival.  We are looking for committee chairs, committee members, and workers the day of the event.

Be sure to also check out the festival website for updates.

We had a great turnout for the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Open House on April 6.  Hundreds of children stampeded the courthouse lawn looking for prize eggs and businesses were hopping with customers looking for those last minute Easter treats.

Volunteers stuff 2000 eggs!

Special thanks to participating businesses; Bennett's Clothing, Pablos on Market, Center for Lifelong Learning, Claborn Specialties, Pimentos, Hyatt and Sims, Crawford's Gifts, LuVicis, UG White and Trinitys.

To see more photos, visit AthensPlus.  

 

Members of the Organization committee Kay Kime, Deborah Daws and Diane Lehr, promote being healthy and walking downtown.  Spirit of Athens distributing walking route information, iWalk tshirts, and pedometers courtesy of Westside Jiffy Pharmacy.

Residents will soon see 16 new banners downtown made possible by a donation from Athens Rotary Club.  The "Square" banner was designed by Arnett Muldrow & Associates during the city branding campaign conducted last fall.  The 30 x 30 banners will replace the current banners downtown.  When asked during focus group work sessions, the attendees said they referred the downtown area as "The Square."  Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates, said the new image "embraced the local vernacular." 

The Athens Rotary Club is also funding 16 new Christmas banners that will use another image created during the city branding campaign. 

Three new bike racks should be in place in the next 6-8 weeks.  Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful sponsored two racks and West End Outdoors sponsored one.  The racks will be placed near Village Pizza, Limestone Drug, and the Center for Lifelong Learning.   

Spirit of Athens appreciates these sponsors in making these improvements projects possible in our downtown.