Monday, September 15, 2014

Movie on the Square


Last Saturday, Downtown Scottsboro, a group of individuals interested in bringing a little more energy to Jackson County's historic square, hosted a movie night on the courthouse lawn.

The grass on the north side of the square was filled with blankets and chairs and hundreds of people gathered to watch Madagascar.

This was a really cool idea...something most people don't think of when they think of Scottsboro. 

Hopefully this is just the beginning and more family friendly events like this one are in store!













*I employed my ten year old nephew to take a lot of these pictures

Friday, September 5, 2014

An ode to a favorite tree of mine

What is it about a tree that makes people so sentimental?

I have always had a special affection for different trees I noticed. I grew up climbing a tree in my grandmother's front yard and so "Birches" is one of my favorite poems of all.

If you don't already know, the Jackson County Commission is considering cutting down the beautiful Maple tree in front of the courthouse, and even though I really feel like they wouldn't cut the tree down unless there was a real concern (especially since the Tree Commission approved it, because those guys are really serious about trees) I can't help but be really really sad about it.

When I worked at the paper I frequented the courthouse. I didn't really notice the tree much during the summer months, but when cooler weather came along the tree took on a whole new life as thousands of leaves began to change color.  By the time it was cool enough to wear a coat they were the most beautiful yellow color you could ever imagine.  As winter went on, nothing could compare to its beauty.  The other trees dropped their simple brown leaves and those covered the courthouse yard, but many of the gold maple leaves held strong until harsh winds and snow finally brought them all down.

I can't tell you how many Monday evenings I told myself I needed to take a picture of the tree and its gorgeous leaves. I always thought there would be another chance...when I had more time or when the lighting was better. And then last weekend I realized that I may never ever get to see that tree and its majestic fall beauty ever again.

They say it is 150 years old. I like to think of all of the other people who have witnessed the beauty of that tree. My grandparents? My great grandparents? How many people over 150 years have sought shade from the hot summer sun under it? Did Clarence Norris or Charlie Weems notice it?

A specialist from Washington state has offered to see if there is a solution to save the tree, and I really hope he finds one.  I, as much as anyone else, really don't want anyone to get bonked in the head by a huge tree limb... but I also really really really want to see those gold leaves again.

Something about a tree is magic. That tree has seen 150 years...something neither you nor I will ever do. It's heartbreaking to think of it as something else...furniture...paper...firewood...what do they do with beautiful trees when they are cut down?

I'm happy the tree will live a little longer. I took these pictures last weekend at First Monday because I thought it would be the last time I ever got to see the tree.

I didn't want it to end like that, with its gaudy summer leaves. I wanted so badly to see it again in its season of loveliness.

Maybe I will get to after all.











The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Labor Day Weekend in Scottsboro

Labor Day weekend is kind of a big deal in Scottsboro and it draws a pretty big crowd.
On Sunday the Three Arts Club held its 41st Art in the Park at King Caldwell Park. Each year at this event dozens of artists set up spaces to display and sell their work and you can usually find some pretty cool things.  Here are a few of my snapshots of people and art from Art in the Park. I tried to get cards with names and websites for the photos I took...I apologize to the ones I missed (forgot my notebook!)

L
These sweet ladies worked the library's book sale. Paperbacks for a quarter, hardbacks for a dollar. I was in heaven and bought a ton of books!






This lady's candles smell amaaazing and she has a ton of scents. If you missed her at Art in the Park, dont fret. You can find her selling her candles each Sunday at the Taco-Bet.





Kristen, Stratton and Jacob Foster

This is Katelyn from HomeGrownFabrics. She had some really pretty hand painted scarfs! Here is a link to her etsy shop....you can also find HomeGrownFabrics on Facebook.

Mike and Debbie Ashburn






Amy Guthrie from Not Too Shabby. That really cool rocker above belongs to her!






Daniel, Meagen and Landen Pence




Madd Dog Bowtique....so cute!




Coyote Cove: Handcrafted soap, herbal bath and beauty products.


Ciara Herberholz of C Marie Design



John Warr. His booth is probably one of my favorites because a lot of his art is very local and historical.



Each year here is a huge amateur photo contest!

On the left is my buddy Riley Hambrick... I didn't catch his friends names,sorry haha!

I didn't get these girls names either, all I know is they played a mean Gavroche in Les Miserables.




First Monday is a monthly thing at the square in downtown Scottsboro, but I would venture to say that Labor Day weekend sees the biggest turn out. I snapped these shots of the streets and a few of the things I thought were cool finds.














Until next time....