CRANK OFF Ice Cream Making Contest Rules and Registration

Spirit of Athens Homemade Ice Cream Crank-Off

On Saturday, August 21, from 10:30 AM - 12 PM, visitors to the downtown square can share in all the free Homecoming activities, and sample refreshing, homemade ice cream made right there on the spot in a "Crank Off."  The Spirit of Athens sponsored competition will be held in conjunction with the Athens Homecoming Celebration downtown and open to the public. Don’t miss your chance to take the title for having the best homemade ice cream recipe and claim your place in the history books of Athens! 

The public gets to sample the ice cream beginning at 10:30 AM and will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite. Bring your family, co-workers, friends, Sunday School classes and all Ice Cream Experts to cast a vote for the BEST HOMEMADE ICE CREAM IN ATHENS!

Awards and prizes will be presented to the Grand Prize Winner and Best Booth.  Two reasons to get in the Ice Cream Spirit!  There will be a publicity photo distributed to the local media and posted on SOA’s website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter, and any other place we can post it.

OFFICIAL RULES & REGISTRATION

There is a $15.00 fee to participate, and you MUST pre-register.  You can call, email, snail mail, send by pony express if you like, just make sure we have it by August 18th.  

Email: rnbullit@aol.com Phone: 256-656-6588 Mail: Spirit of Athens Offices, 107 N. Jefferson, Athens, AL, 35611.

Although we would prefer participants to use a good, old-fashioned Manual Ice Cream Maker (Come on, it’s a CRANK-OFF!), limited spots with electricity will be available.  We must know if you need access prior to event.  Please provide your own heavy-duty extension cord.

Booth size is limited to 12X12.  Plan to arrive by 9am with an ice cream freezer, and enough pre-mixed ingredients for 2 Gallons. We also need your recipe written on an index card to verify its safety. NO Raw Eggs, No Way!!  Pasteurized milk and pasteurized eggs only.

Remember any fruit used must be thoroughly washed ahead of time. All contestants will have hand sanitizer provided. All ingredients must be kept in an iced cooler. Ice will be furnished by Spirit of Athens.

Hungry folks will be tasting from 10:30-12pm (or till the ice cream runs out!)
Make sure to give your Ice Cream a snazzy, fun name. Why do you think Ben & Jerry’s Chunky-Monkey ice cream is so popular??   Just because it tastes good??? 

Return entry form along with check payable in the amount of $15 to:

Spirit of Athens
107 North Jefferson Street
Athens, AL  35611



Name_______________________________________________________

Organization Name (if applicable)__________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________

Phone number____________________Email_________________________

Name of Ice Cream______________________ (Be creative)

Need electricity?   Y    or    N

SOA Board Elects New Executive Committee

The SOA Board of Directors recently selected its 2010 Executive Committee.  President-Derrick Young, Vice President-Teresa Todd, Secretary-Shane Black, and Treasurer-Wyn Heisler.  Board members are Diane Lehr, Milly Caudle, Tony McCormack, Lana Boyer, Jeb Lovvorn, Elizabeth McClary, Mac Martin, Carole Foret, Pat Lewis and Shannon Bryant.

Pictured from left to right Wyn Heisler-Treasurer, Teresa Todd-Vice President, and Derrick Young-President. Not pictured Shane Black-Secretary.

 

February Board meeting

Spirit of Athens Announces Revitalization Award Winners

At the annual meeting last Thursday, Spirit of Athens announced the winners of the following awards:

“Friend of Downtown” Award - Athens Storytelling Festival
Goes to an individual or group that took an active role in making the downtown better.

 

Charlie Hughes accepts award on behalf of the Athens Storytelling Festival committee.  Also pictured, Carole Foret, SOA Board Member.

Athens Storytelling Festival took an active role in downtown beautification in 2009.  This committee is responsible for the beautiful fall decorations that are placed around the square in October.  They also commissioned Travis Fleming to make the new trash receptacles, and have already purchased the four containers seen downtown.  Last year, they hired an architect to create five artist renderings of a revitalized downtown. 

“Downtown Revitalization” Award - Limestone County Commission
Goes to property owner that has invested in his facade.

 

Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert

Last year, the Limestone County Commission invested in extensive cleaning and painting the Washington Street Annex and Limestone County Courthouse.  Additionally, they invested in the sound system and brought the sound of the clock chimes back to the square.  The interior of the courthouse has also received a facelift - with a lot of “hands on” work done by Commission Chairman David Seibert. 

“Spirit of Giving” Award - 100.3 the River
Goes to a corporation or business that goes above and beyond “regular" sponsorships or normal cooperation to assist the Program and/or the downtown.

 

Maize Eaton accepts award on behalf of 100.3 the River.

The radio station donated extensive promotion of the “Cruise In.”  The monthly event was advertised on the station’s website, via email campaign, and cross promoted on WTAK.  The station also provided live remotes during the event.  The station’s listening audience extends through Southern Tennessee and North Alabama.  

“Volunteer of the Year” Award - Diane Lehr
Awarded to a volunteer that devoted over 40 hours and serves as a role model for Spirit of Athens.

 

Diane Lehr, Volunteer of the Year

Diane donated 245 hours of volunteer time to Spirit of Athens in 2009.  She is currently the chair of the Organization committee and incoming board member for 2010.  She attended the Main Street sessions at Alabama Preservation Conference in Auburn last October and strives to learn more about SOA and the Main Street program.  She has proven to be a role model for the program.

Volunteer Recognition of Service
Certificates were given to volunteers that reported over 40 hours during 2009.

Those volunteers are Bland Allen, Regina Crawford, Wyn Heisler, Brent Hobbs (webmaster and graphic designer), Diane Lehr, Amanda Romine, Teresa Todd, Patti Whitaker, and the members of T.R.A.I.L.

 

Landon Boggs, T.R.A.I.L. member

Amanda Romine, Membership Coordinator

 

 

For a copy of the SOA's annual report, email mailing address to tblack@athensal.us.

Start of a New Year

Welcome 2010!

Despite this dreadful weather, SOA is kicking off 2010 in a big way.

First by spreading the news of downtown businesses reporting increased and in some cases record sales during the holidays. I wish I could indulge percentages--it would blow your mind--but I was told by some of the businesses not to flaunt actual numbers. (Southern grace, you can't beat it). You can read what businesses had to say in an article in today's News Courier.

Also, the Organization Committee met last week and has a lot going on. This month, the Organization committee will launch the first printed newsletter, S.O.A.P (Spirit of Athens publication). This will be a great tool to communicate with more people in the community. Hopefully, it will be printed and inserted in the local paper quarterly. So be checking out the News Courier or looking in your mailbox. (If you are not a member and would like to have a copy mailed to you, email me at tblack@athensal.us). Other projects planned for this committee is organizing the annual meeting January 28, and kicking off a "healthy downtown" campaign due to kick off this Spring. Organization committee members include Diane Lehr (Chair), Amanda Romine (Membership Coordinator), Pamela Hartmann (Volunteer Coordinator), Wyn Heisler (SOA Treasurer), Teresa Higgins, and Lisa Milby. This is a hard working group and I am grateful to their dedication to SOA.

Also this month, you'll see a "Park it Free" campaign kicked off. You often hear that there isn't enough parking, well Brent Hobbs (webmaster and graphic design guru) has designed post cards showing all available downtown parking spaces and lots. This is due to launch in the next few weeks.

So much...and it's only JANUARY. Stay tuned...

Trisha

Downtown Athens' Future is Bright with Organized Efforts

Encouraging economic development, redevelopment and improvement of the historic downtown area is Spirit of Athens’ mission.

A mission that, along with the guidance of Main Street, will become a reality. Main Street, a part of the National Trust of Historic Preservation, works by implementing an incremental, comprehensive strategy focusing on Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.

Main Street teaches us that all four points need to be working to have successful results. It’s a balancing act to keep all energy from focusing on just one area.

Design focuses on decorations, lighting, offering design assistance, and keeping the overall look or image of Athens in the forefront. Organization involves keeping the program sustainable. Promotion deals with making downtown a tourist destination, while economic restructuring helps to retain existing businesses and recruiting new businesses.

Main Street has successfully guided nearly 2000 communities nationwide in their revitalization efforts.

Spirit of Athens was formed in 2006 without the guidance of a state Main Street program. During the past year, SOA has been working with the Alabama Historic Commission to meet the qualifications of becoming a certified program when Alabama Main Street launches in January 2010. Qualifications include an extensive inventory of the downtown area, city/county support, active board of directors, working committees, and a strategic work plan.

This will be a great opportunity to tell Athens’ story along with the other 13 communities being considered for participation in Alabama Main Street. Communities not already involved in the process will not be considered into the program until the end of 2010.

There have been organized efforts in the past, but without community support, revitalization won’t happen. Now the momentum is changing, and the community sees the importance of having a vibrant retail mix, safe walkable streets, preserving historic characteristics, and promoting downtown Athens as a destination.

To become a member of Spirit of Athens, call 256-278-6436 or email tblack@athensal.us. For more information, please visit the website at www.spiritofathens.com.

Check out the latest version of Downtown News

Enjoy the latest Downtown News E-newsletter. Sign up to subscribe to receive the newsletter in your inbox.

ALABAMA HISTORICAL COMMISSION AWARDS SPIRIT OF ATHENS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) has awarded a 2009 Distinguished Service Award to Spirit of Athens. The Distinguished Service Award is awarded annually to individuals and groups whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation.

Alabama’s Main Street organizations are demonstrating that historic preservation plays a key role in downtown revitalization and economic development, in tourism, and in overall community health. At the same time, these volunteer led organizations are saving hundreds of downtown commercial buildings, with ripple effects that extend to nearby historic homes and neighborhoods, and outlying farmhouses and former plantation homes. The volunteer leadership of these organizations have persevered in the face of the economic downturns, profound demographic changes, and shifting political winds at the local level. The work they do is not only helping use historic buildings as assets, but is helping to make Alabama a better place to live and visit.

Main Street is a community-driven program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that is used to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts throughout the United States.

The AHC presented the award on Friday, October 9 during this year’s Alabama Preservation Conference in Auburn.

Visit Spirit of Athens website for more information on the organization.

To protect, preserve, and interpret Alabama’s historic places is the mission of the Alabama Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office.

Paint Night to support Spirit of Athens!

On Thursday night, November 12th is a special Carole Foret Fine Art Paint Night! Join in and have a great time painting our beloved downtown Courthouse while supporting The Spirit of Athens! For Carole's normal tuition fee of $75 per person, half the proceeds that night will support SOA and the downtown revitalization efforts.

All you do is call Carole's Studio with your tuition fee, then show up at her downtown studio at 5:30 that night! Bring nothing! Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and mingle, then we'll begin painting at 6 and paint till 8. We'll shoot a group photo, then you leave with your own Courthouse masterpiece! Absolute fun! Reserving NOW: 256.232.2521

The Community Restoration and Revitalization Act: Eight Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit

The Community Restoration and Revitalization Act: Eight Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit

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Small Business Strategies: How to keep the revenue coming - USATODAY.com

Small Business Strategies: How to keep the revenue coming - USATODAY.com

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Athens to host 43rd Old Time Fiddler's Convention - WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-

Athens to host 43rd Old Time Fiddler's Convention - WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-

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The Tours Are Sold Out-but you can still enjoy the stories in the "Spirits of Athens" available later this month

Wanna hear (and see) a good ghost story?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

By Victoria Cumbow

Times Staff Writer victoria.cumbow@htimes.com

Wanna hear (and see) a good ghost story? Take a walk in October

Many years ago, an opera singer was given red roses following a performance at McCandless Hall at Athens State University. Tragically, she was killed on her way home when the buggy she was riding in crashed.

Late at night, she can sometimes still be seen in the upstairs windows of the hall, carrying a red rose.

The McCandless ghost story is one of dozens known around Athens. During October, the annual Athens Historic Haunts Walks will feature eight stops around the Athens Historical District full of old ghost stories about the town and its buildings.

"It's about two or three blocks off the square, and it starts at Houston Memorial Library," said Jeanette Dunnavant, tourism director for the Athens Chamber of Commerce. "It takes an hour and a half to walk it with stops and stories."

Shane Black, the city attorney, is the storyteller for the Haunts Walks.

"They all have a lot of variety," he said. "You can't tell a story without telling the history of the town."

Another story, and one of Black's favorites, is set in the Houston Library. The library was once home to a former Alabama governor, and the tale says a grandfather clock can still be heard chiming upstairs. There's no clock in the building, and it's unclear why it chimes.

The walks will be Tuesday and Oct. 8, 13, 20 and 22. Each walk will start at 7 p.m. and take about an hour and a half to complete. On Oct. 8, there will be a driving tour at 5:30 p.m. for the physically impaired.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the chamber office on Beaty Street. Dunnavant said the walks are limited to 25 people, and they sell out every year.

People should come about 15 minutes early to enjoy refreshments courtesy of the library.

The Haunts Walks started when Black and Dunnavant wanted to come up with a family-friendly event near Halloween. There are other things in the area, but many of them scare children, so the tour was created.

This year, Black wrote a book compiling the stories. In addition to the stories from the trail, it will include other stories from different parts of Athens. All of the proceeds of the book will go to Spirit of Athens, a downtown revitalization group.

"We do not jump out and scare people, but we tell the tales," Dunnavant said. "We don't want kids to have nightmares. We just want them to have fun."

For more info, call the chamber at 232-5411.

Life is Short and so Was this Campaign

The Southern Shorts Film Festival "Fill er Up" campaign was a success. Thanks to all that contributed!!

Bill Hunt,* Diane Lehr, Dick Chittam,* Penne Laubenthal,* Carole Foret, Shannon Bryant, Tony McCormack, Victoria Black, Shane Black, Jennifer Rosso, Why Heisler, Beverly Henley,* Samantha Banks, Naomi Dubuois, and a few anonymous

*Southern Shorts VIPs

Films are coming in and party plans are being made. Purchase premiere tickets soon as seats are limited. This is a "must see," "can't miss" event.

October 16 - 7 PM to 10:30PM
Premiere Party, the Clubhouse
Enjoy complimentary food, beverages and get a sneak peak of the winning entries
October 17 - Noon to 10 PM
Film Festival,
McCandless Hall, Athens State University

Southern Shorts VIP Announced

Penne Laubenthal was selected as the first Southern Shorts Film Festival VIP. She will receive 2 premiere party tickets and be recognized on a video during the festival. For every $250 received, a winner will be randomly selected. Only 5 days left, so donate today. You can contribute as little as $10! Every little bit helps and you just might be the next VIP. All donations are tax-deductible.