As Athens embarks on its 200th birthday in 2018, local artists have examined ways to express the theme “Old Roots, New Beginnings” for a quarterly art contest that high school students conduct.

The Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission oversees the Share the Art Contest, which includes developing themes, deciding which artwork will be on display at Athens City Hall and choosing a grand prizewinner. The Youth Commission utilizes funds from Dekko Foundation to create the Share the Art Contest. 

Horton’s home once was the site of City Hall. He oversaw the retrial of Scottsboro Boys defendant Haywood Patterson, one of a group of black boys falsely accused of rape by two white women in the 1930s. He received threatening letters and letters of support during the trial.  Horton valued justice more than his political career and on June 22, 1933, and set aside the jury’s guilty verdict and death sentence of Mr. Patterson. He lost his re-election bid to the bench in 1934 and retired from politics. The Horton family moved the Maclin-Hobbs-Horton home from Athens to Greenbrier in 1939 and gifted the City of Athens the land at the corner of Hobbs and Marion streets for public use. Horton lived by a phrase often repeated in his family, “Let justice be done though the heavens may fall.”

In addition, a group of citizens created the Judge Horton Monument Committee to raise awareness about the significance of Horton’s actions, and to raise funds to commission a bronze statue of Horton for the Courthouse entrance on Jefferson Street. A sculptor is working on the statue. 
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“The Youth Commission learned the story of Judge Horton and encouraged the art students to learn the story in order to be inspired to create artwork to reflect that history,” Youth Commission mentor Holly Hollman said.

The grand prizewinner is Allison Lovell of Athens High, who created a rendering of the Limestone County Courthouse where Horton overturned the verdict. Lovell included a tree showing its deep roots. Lovell will receive $15 from the Youth Commission.

The other art students whose artwork is on display at City Hall are:
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•    Breann Shelton, Athens High, Courthouse
•    Kolton Romine, Athens High, Courthouse during fire
•    Wyesha Bolding, Athens High, collage of Courthouse and icons
•    John Hooker, Athens High, map with Judge Horton, and Courthouse
•    Hayley Malone, Athens High, hands interlocking over Scottsboro Boys headlines
•    Ashlee Roberts, Athens High, Judge Horton’s home
•    Rachael Autrey, Athens High, tree with roots and Horton family’s motto “Let justice be done though the heavens fall; and the lard bucket Horton’s family kept trial correspondence in.
•    Chastity Shores, Athens High, tree with roots

The public can view the Art Corner during City Hall hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is planning a special 40th anniversary celebration at Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO!

Athens-Limestone Clean Community, Inc.  became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB) on April 15, 1977.  The organization’s name was changed to Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful (KALB) in 2002 to reflect affiliation with the KAB national organization.  The organization was born out of the Clean Community System developed by KAB, and it’s focus was litter abatement and education. 

Later in 1977, KALB took over a recycling program started by an Athens High School science club.  The program grew and the club could no longer manage it.  Since that time, the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center, a dvision of KALB, has grown to process over 4 million pounds of materials each year.

Soon after, the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board was added to the KALB family.  This board has focused on green space and doing their part to add touches of beauty to the community.  They also encourage businesses and individuals to add warm and welcoming landscapes to their properties.

On Saturday, April 29th, KALB will celebrate this milestone at their Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Friendship Church in Athens.  At 1:00 p.m., KALB will share a bit of history and then surprise their mascot, Sparky, with a birthday party.  Nestle cookies will be given out and children will be invited to frost their cookies at the Nestle Tollhouse Café booth.

Children will, again this year, be given a “Passport” to have stamped at the 17 Education Stations throughout the event.  When at least 10 stamps have been collected, the passport may be turned in for a gift.

The Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO is free to the public and offers something for everyone.  Games, hands-on activities, craft-making, and live animals will keep the children busy.  There will also be lots of organizations with information on outdoor activities and vendors with crafts and personal care items for sale.  The Master Gardeners will answer gardening questions and the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board will share plant cuttings while they last.

TIMED ACTIVITIES:

 7:30 a.m.  Guided Walking Tour – Marbut Bend Walking Trail
10:00 a.m.  Opening Ceremony
11:00 a.m.  Wings to Soar Live Raptor Program
  1:00 p.m.  Surprise 40th Birthday Party for Sparky
  1:30 p.m.  Wings to Soar Live Raptor Program

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

>> Kids Korner: Ages 12 and under.  Make and take recycled crafts and painting with the Athens Arts League.
>> Face Painting:  By Beth Haney – complimentary
>> Tennessee Valley Zoo: A variety of animals to pet and feed.
>> K.I.N. Stables:  Jim Swanner and his horse, Rosie, demonstrating Natural Horsemanship
>> Healthsource of Athens: $1/minute massages with all proceeds returned to KALB.
>> Hot Dogs and Pepsi: Complimentary

Door Prizes:  Receive complimentary door prize tickets by testing your environmental knowledge.  Must be present to win.

Exhibitors and Vendors:   Interactive activities, lots of information, and a variety of vendors with crafts and personal care items for sale.

Men and women of Limestone County’s past who shaped the political and industrial scene will stand among the headstone of Athens City Cemetery on April 23rd to recount the stories that shaped not only Alabama but the United States and perhaps, even the world.

These are just a few of the re-awakened spirits that will be joining the living on the earthly plane from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

Luke Pryor, portrayed by Dr. Robert Glenn, shaped the railroad that pierced the heart of Alabama.  He’ll share with you tales of his life and even how he could stop a train at his desire.

Clarissa Sloss, portrayed by Karen Middleton, was the mother of James Sloss with tales of the man credited with “building Birmingham”, creating the famed Sloss Furnace, and being one of Alabama’s most important industrialists.

George S. Houston, portrayed by Jimmy Hill, stood against Alabama’s secession and then had to be the very architect of its withdrawal from the Union while a U.S. Legislator.  He’ll share his tale of torn allegiances and defeating corruption as Alabama Governor.

W.P. Tanner, portrayed by Doug Logan, was the son of the first Mayor of Athens and eventually won the office for himself.  He held pro-Union sentiment until one incident of the Civil War changed his mind. 

Judge Horton, Sr., portrayed by Shane Black, was the father of Judge James Horton Jr. who sat in judgment of the “Scottsboro Boys’ re-trial.  He’ll share the family history and tales of his famed son.
 
Each actor has painstakingly made efforts to research their “spirit” and may even entertain a question or two from the public about life in the “olden days”.  This public and free event is sure to entertain history buffs, enjoyers of theatre, and lovers of storytelling.

The Athens Cemetery Stroll is a bicentennial event celebrating 200 years of Alabama and Limestone County history, lore, people and heritage.  Over the next three years – 2017-2019 – the State of Alabama, Limestone County, Mooresville, Athens as well as all of our communities will mark their anniversaries of incorporation, moments in history and citizens’ contributions.  In 2017, communities celebrate places.  In 2018, communities honor their people.  In 2019, communities celebrate the stories. 

The event is presented by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Order of the Confederate Rose and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.  Historical prints of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association depicting moments in history, Battle of Athens; Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle; Fort Hampton; Hobbs Farewell; and the picturesque Richard Martin Rails to Trails will be under the Order of the Confederate Rose refreshment tent during the daylong event for purchase.  Soft Dulcimer music will waif through the air as the Athens Dulcimers strum a variety of songs to add to the antiquity of the day.
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For more information, contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, or by phone 256-232-5411

“I’m a cancer survivor. I’m a breast cancer survivor. Men get that, too,” one fisherman remarked at the sixth annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament held Saturday, April 8 at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur.

​According to the American Cancer Society, male breast cancer is rare, accounting for approximately 1 percent of breast cancer cases in the U.S. However, due to the infrequency of male breast cancer, much less is known about the disease, and men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer.

​“Each year at this tournament, our team is reminded of why we continue to fight cancer,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Captain Holly Hollman. “One year when it was held on Mother’s Day weekend, a mother who bragged about her son and grandson fishing in our tournament because of breast cancer in the family.”

In addition, the late Al Dutton with Limestone Lunkers, a local fishing club, helped start the tournament and died from cancer the weekend of the second annual event.

“And just recently, one of our team members was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she started her chemo treatments a couple of days before the tournament,” Hollman said. “She loves volunteering at the tournament but could not be with us physically this year. She was definitely with us in spirit.”
​The tournament raised the most to date for Relay for Life, netting $9,060. That is made possible through sponsorships.

​This year’s top team was Gary Thacker and Winston Jackson, who caught 22.05 pounds of bass. The duo also had the biggest fish weighing 5.51 pounds. They won $1,500 for first place and $530 from the big fish pot.
 

​The Calhoun Community College Bass Fishing team ranked number eight in the country by The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA). The ACA manages the multifaceted Cabela's School of the Year, which is presented annually by the Abu Garcia program. 

​The program is designed to reward and recognize Collegiate teams that compete on the water in numerous national level trails such as the ACA Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, as well as select national College B.A.S.S. and FLW events in order to truly crown a school of the year champion based on performance.

Calhoun’s Bass Fishing Team recently competed against 80 two- year college and four-year University teams at the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open on March 17-18 at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas. Calhoun student Mitchell Gowin was the winner of the “big bass” of day 2 with a 6.5 lb. catch.

“To say I am proud of our bass fishing team is an understatement”, commented Meg Graham, Bass Fishing Team sponsor. “The enormous amount of support from the college and our community has been extremely motivational for the team and encourages them to push harder”, stated Graham.”

Calhoun’s bass fishing team member Meagan Thompson also won the Calhoun team derby on Saturday, April 1, at Wilson Lake in Florence, AL. She also won big fish with a 5.01 lb. bass.

​To learn more about Calhoun’s Bass Fishing Team, visit their Facebook page 

 
If you crest the hill of Athens City Cemetery on April 23rd you’ll step into a world of wonder as the spirits come alive with tales of history, heritage, family and community.  Nearly 40 actors in period dress, many of them descendants of the very people they are portraying, will either stand beside “their” headstones or wander between the headstones as visiting spirits of people not buried there that have contributed to Limestone’s history, heritage and culture.
 
The day’s storytelling and history begins at 2:00 p.m. with tales woven from family history and speckled with tales of the community, work, Civil War and more.  Each actor has painstakingly made efforts to research their “spirit” and may even entertain a question or two from the public about life in the “olden days”.  This public and free event will run until 5:00 p.m.

The Athens Cemetery Stroll is a bicentennial event celebrating 200 years of Alabama and Limestone County.  Over the next three years – 2017-2019 – the State of Alabama, Limestone County, Mooresville, Athens as well as all of our communities will mark their anniversaries of incorporation, moments in history and citizens’ contributions.  In 2017, we celebrate our places.  In 2018, we honor our people.  In 2019, we share our stories. The Athens Cemetery Stroll does all of these simultaneously – and will each year as part of the bicentennial activities.

Many locally, well-known faces will be partaking in the storytelling during the day’s event including Billy Ward, Dr. Robert Glenn, Karen Middleton, Rebekah Davis, Deborah Kohlase, Glenn Hall, Peggy Allen Towns, Frank Travis and many more.  Citizens throughout north Alabama have answered the call to bring Limestone County’s history to life.

The event is presented by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Order of the Confederate Rose and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.  Historical prints of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association depicting moments in history, Battle of Athens; Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle; Fort Hampton; Hobbs Farewell; and the picturesque Richard Martin Rails to Trails will be under the Order of the Confederate Rose refreshment tent during the daylong event for purchase.  Soft Dulcimer music will waif through the air as the Athens Dulcimers strum a variety of songs to add to the antiquity of the day.

For more information, contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, or by phone 256-232-5411

The weather may have been fooling us all week - alternating between blustery Spring, smoldering Summer and bristly Fall chills but Athens and Mooresville pulled out the stops on April Fool's Day for the initial walk marking an April full of Saturday Historic Walks.

In Mooresville, a group of 14 gathered at Alabama's oldest continually operating post office on Lauderdale Street at 10:00 a.m. before winding through the tiny village's tree covered streets and enjoy the almost door-to-door history, heritage and architecture.  The paused before homes with charming gardens, stood in the shadow of the Brick Church, and enjoyed tales of local lore including the XYZ Preacher, visits of U.S. Presidents and tales of yester-year.

Mooresville's small businesses - Lyla's Little House, Java.Mooresville, Mooresville Mercantile, Hen House Arts and Southern Carnage - welcomed the tour groups and invited them back following the tours for a little shopping and dining.

Athens offered four of its six tours on this inaugural April Fool's Day start to the State of Alabama organized event hosted by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association.  Fifty-two intrigued guest set out from the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 10:00a.m.  with local guides Rebekah Davis to tour the Houston Historic District; Buzz Estes and William Pepper to tour Downtown Athens Historic District; Anna Gibbs to tour Athens College Historic District; and Billy Ward to tour the Beaty Historic District.
The walks wound their respective historic districts sharing tales of families, history, architecture and occasional bit of forelorned tragedy or legend with tour participants.

Both Mooresville and Athens Saturday Walk Tours continue the entire month of April.  The walks are free and open to the public.  The walks take between one to two hours to complete.

Two upcoming Bicentennial activities add to the journey of the April Historic Walks in both Mooresville and Athens this month.  Mooresville will be breaking ground on April 10th at 10:00 a.m. of a Bicentennial Park next to the historic Red Brick Church with featured guest Senator Arthur Orr.  Athens Cemetery Stroll will take place on Sunday, April 23rd from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Athens City Cemetery with over 35 actors dressed in period styles offering tales of history, families and more that celebrates the 200 years of Alabama, Limestone County, Mooresville and Athens.   Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, by phone 256-232-5411,