Bicentennial plans for Oconee County




Watkinsville Bicentennial planning
Jan. 31, 2005
Oconee Living Section
Athens Banner-Herald

Watkinsville prepares for bicentennial celebration

By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent

A couple of dozen Oconee County residents joined all five members of the Watkinsville City Council and the Mayor Jim Luken in plotting, planning and scheming the myriad ways the city can celebrate its 200th birthday this year Tuesday evening.

This informal session was a free flowing exchange of ideas and plans. Several separate committees were formed including one for projects, special events, mementos, others and a steering committee to help focus and finalize the creative committees.

Council member Samantha Purcell promised to head the projects committee, with some possible planting of a live Christmas tree. Watkinsville resident Kathleen McQuiston suggested planting 200 trees to commemorate the birth of the city once known as Big Springs.

Other ideas included an upgrade of the community center, to beautify the entrance and exit signs of the city to include the new municipal slogan “the Artland of Georgia.”

Charles Grimes of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce commented that the Rotary Club would volunteer to paint the Community Center.

Council member John Walsh, Jr. will head the committee in charge of special events, which may include OCAF facilities or Rocket Field. Peggy Holcomb volunteered to help organize a dinner-dance of a formal nature with a special guest of honor. Council member Mike Link suggested having a “big old barbecue blow-out on Rocket Field.” Walsh lives adjacent to both areas.

Council member Joe Walter was selected to head up the memento portion of the celebration, with ideas ranging from license plates to t-shirts to spoons, bowls, flags and commemorative coins. The idea of selling photo postage stamps of various Watkinsville landmarks appealed to resident Jeannette Howell, who also has many newspaper clippings she hopes to put into a book someday.

Council member Brian Brodrick will serve as the liaison on the coordination committee, which will include publicity efforts from Kate McDaniel. This committee would try to coordinate all the activities so they do not conflict or overlap.

Link will head up the “other” activities that might include a possible bicentennial bike ride, 5K-road race, reenactments and a proclamation from Governor Sonny Perdue.

Luken also mentioned the existing events including the Fall Festival scheduled for Oct. 21 and the Christmas parade as events to cap the yearlong celebration.
Members of the community are encouraged to participate in any way possible.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jeff Dantzler's arrests may be the best thing that ever happened to him

THis has next to nothing to do with Oconee County with the possible exception of the location of his former office, but a former colleague of mine on the radio got popped today for four counts. Any one who has listened to 960 the Ref AM sports talk radio or heard the UGA Lady Dawgs or men's baseball team has surely heard the encyclopedic knowledge of one Jeff Dantzler. Jeff and I are pretty much diametrically opposed poltically, but today he was arrested on four counts including DUI. I hope he gets the help he needs following his incarceration. I work for a lawyer who could help him out if he does not having someone already representing him. This man is a great broadcaster and I hope this arrest serves as a wake-up call for him and his rock and roll lifestyle. I live a far from perfect life myself but long ago and far away I learned how and when not to drink. Now we will be without he dulcet tones on Lady Bulldog broadcasts as well as on Georgia baseball games and also on the after...
Read more

A deep wound waiting to be healed - restoring order and dignity in the city cemetery

Image
The Watkinsville City Cemetery is an oasis amidst the houses on the east side of the municipality, near the neighborhood once called Sidney. There is a large section of the cemetery that remains a mystery, but perhaps we can work together to dignify the eternal resting spot somewhat better than the current neglected and forgotten (not to mention unmarked) graves of 70 people, more than likely of African-American descent. They deserve to be honored as well. An effort has been undertaken to repair the graves with fill dirt to stop the continued erosion amongst the graves. The most recent grave and bench belong to Larry Sheats,  and as any one who played basketball at Herman C. Michael Park or knew him otherwise  can attest, he was among the best people this county has ever seen. Larry was always ready to help. Now it is our turn to help. Do it for someone you knew there, maybe the Hardens, or the Downs, or any number of other people, but allow me to reminisce about how L...
Read more

I strongly disagree with the impending demolishing of the iconic Watkinsville Water Tower

Image
I know the Watkinsville Water Tower near where the "Big Spring" of what was one called Big Springs, Georgia serves no functional purpose anymore. I know it is a hazard. I know it is rusty and old and past its usefulness for the most part. I see a purpose beyond the aesthetic and instead as a possible financial benefit.  I know there is a way to keep it and make money for our municipality. I wonder who is doing the seemingly shoddy job of removing it (or at least preparing to raze it) and who stands to make money off that?  The dismantling of the Watkinsville Water Tower has already caused one gas leak and I can only imagine what problems await the demolition of the dinosaur.  If it is only because a group of kids have been crawling up it, then build a fence around it. I would think the City of Watkinsville would benefit and making monthly lease fees if they would instead do what about 90% of these abandoned water towers do and that is become a cellular telephone tow...
Read more