A First for Oconee?

There are landmark moments for communities. Times when you know you have made it from the backwoods to the big time. From the outhouse to the big house. It appears as if one of those is tomorrow.


Yes, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile will be in greater Watkinsville at the Athens Area Humane Society tomorrow. The Humane Society recently moved to Oconee from Athens-Clarke to reduce costs and in the wake of a split with the ACC government over their desire to become a no-kill shelter. Details are below; you can also keep up with the Wienermobile at its blog and via twitter at @wienermobile.

>Please join us THIS Thursday, November 5th from 10 AM - 4 PM, and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. There will be prizes, giveaways, adoptions, games, AAHS merchandise for sale, and of course, HOT DOGS!!!

Show your support, visit the animals, and tour the Wienermobile at the AAHS Center at 1781 Mars Hill Road in Watkinsville. All donations will go directly to the animals at AAHS.

Special Events

This is a great time of year in Northeast Georgia for those who enjoy being outdoors. In case you missed it, the weather is great and there's something going on for everyone. Here's my recommended itinerary for the next few weekends in greater Watkinsville (which includes Athens):

This Saturday: Kick off the morning with a brisk run or walk at the Scarecrow 5K and 1 mile/run walk at Watkinsville First UMC. This is the kick off for the annual Oconee County Fall Festival. Then take your family to the festival, which is one of the classic Oconee County events -- go early if you want to see the Dawgs kick off against Vandy or go late if you want to avoid the crowds. If you have kids, park at Harris Shoals Park and ride the old fashioned tractors downtown. And if you're so inclined, check out the Don Smith exhibition at OCAF while you are in the area.

This Sunday: While the weather is perfect, take a hike or enjoy a walk at Harris Shoals Park, The State Botanical Gardens, Heritage Park, or on the Birchmore trail in Athens. If you have kids, let them splash around in the "big creek" or try the big slide at Harris Shoals park -- my kids love it!

Next Saturday: Dust off your bike and take part in the Jittery Joe's Metric Century ride from the Watkinsville Jittery Joe's, which benefits the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. Depending on which distance you choose, recharge with a nice late breakfast at the Big Easy or lunch at the Krimson Cafe. If you prefer a more low key start to the day, check out Art in the Garden at the Botanical Gardens. Then enjoy watching the Dawgs beat LSU from the comfort of your own home (time TBD).

Next Sunday: Oenophiles will enjoy the OCAF Wine Fest at Ashford Manor from 3 to 6 p.m. Endurance athletes will enjoy the 4-mile Jack-o-Lantern Jog at Sandy Creek Park in Athens at 2:30; kids under 10 can participate in a costume contest at 1:45 and then jump in the kids race.

Don Smith Exhibition Coming to OCAF

Artwork of the late Don Smith, one of this region's most talented local artists, will be on display at OCAF starting on Friday. Don's son Kirk is a good friend of mine (Kirk is also probably mortified to be mentioned in a post so close to one about David Brooks), and I love his Dad's stuff -- eclectic, classy, and often truly emblematic of the unique culture of Athens and the surrounding community. Don also collaborated with Watkinsville artist Roy Ward on Churches, one of several great local books that Dr. Ward has been involved with.

Anyway, find out more information here, and be sure to stop by and check it out. There is an opening reception Friday night.

Ode to a Great Retailer

We have a lot of small businesses open – and sometimes close – in Watkinsville. One of the most innovative to come to town in recent years has been Circa Antiques, located downtown.

Delores Schofill, the owner of Circa, brought a high level of energy and creativity to the downtown retail scene. Her first shop was rented at the end of the block between the courthouse and Sunshine Village. She later bought a standard small brick storefront on the same block, tore out the sheetrock walls and drop ceiling and unveiled a wonderful historic structure that was different than most others in town. She even removed the mansard roof outside, revealing a wonderful brick façade with the name “McRee 1918” etched in (see picture).

Her goods were eclectic – rare books, original local art, agricultural antiques, other farm implements, containers, furniture, benches. She kept art, sculptures, and planters along the sidewalk in front of her story, making for a changing and interest-building scene. She participated religiously in Watkinsville’s various festivals and events, kept late hours that could accommodate those of us who work late or needed a last minute gift, and knew her customers by name. All this built wonderful community awareness and loyalty.

Her approach inspired others, including John Byram, to see the great potential in their old buildings and to take them back to their bones, often yielding higher rents and property values for owners. Today, several of our historic buildings downtown are closer to their original look than they have been for many years.

Last weekend marked the end of an era as Delores retired and closed Circa. She will still keep some stuff at another store in town, but Delores, I wanted to take a minute and say thanks for what you have done for our community and for the lessons you have passed along to other retailers in Watkinsville (and elsewhere) about running a classy, successful business. The Circa website says "we search for the unique." Well, we do the same in Watkinsville -- and Delores, you're one of a kind! Good luck!

Public Art

As the Artland of Georgia, one thing Watkinsville needs more of is visible public art. We have a concentration of public art near OCAF, but I'd like to see sculpture or other public art downtown and at the entry points to Watkinsville. Just as Athens' new bus stops have been incredible conversation starters, public art would no doubt have a similar effect in Watkinsville while also helping the traveling public slow down and understand that we are a center for the arts.

Imagine the impact if, instead of just the Welcome to Watkinsville signs (which we plan to relandscape once the drought ends and are being repainted by Councilman Walsh), we also had dramatic works of art at the entrances to town and at both ends of downtown on Main Street? It seems like this would be a logical partnership with OCAF and other local arts organizations.