Athens-Henderson County Now

LETTER: Vivian Anderson Castleberry remembers a special weekend

Note: Vivian Anderson Castleberry is a 1940 graduate of Athens High School who was inducted into the inaugural class of the Hornet Hall of Fame during a Sept. 15, 2016, gala. During her 28 years as an editor at the Dallas Times Herald, she revolutionized how women’s news was covered. She retired in 1984 and started Peacemakers Incorporated, which continues to this day to promote the pursuit of peaceful resolution and women’s empowerment globally. She is a member of the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame and the namesake of the University of North Texas Castleberry Peace Institute.

Dear Athens,

I have been re-experiencing all the lovely things that happened to me in Athens over the weekend. From the moment I signed in with Stephanie at Holiday Inn Thursday until my daughters Cathy and Chanda and I signed out Saturday morning at 11, it could not have been a more perfect experience. My appreciation to Toni Clay who looked after me from the first invitation through the final good-bye is boundless, and I am enriched by everyone who touched my life during the 43 hours I was “back home.”

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AISD September Teachers of the Month

Athens ISD’s Teachers of the Month for September are (from left) Audrey Thurston, Central Athens Elementary; Brandi Spencer, South Athens Elementary; Ryan Reeves, Athens Middle School; Ken Walker, Athens High School; Julie Patterson, AHS Career and Technical Education; and (not pictured) Antonia Moreno, Bel Air Elementary. The AISD Operations Center Employee of the Month (far right) is Virginia Patterson. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Uncle Fletch Festival this Saturday

Uncle Fletch Festival press release

Fire up the grills, it’s Uncle Fletch time again!

The Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, on the square in Athens.

“We are honored again to be a major sponsor of this year’s Uncle Fletch Festival,” said Athens attorney Jeff Weinstein of Weinstein Law. “Celebrating Athens as the Home of the Hamburger is such a great opportunity for us to show off our wonderful city and the folks that live here. I truly look forward to this event every year. ”

Other major sponsors include: McDonalds, Whataburger, Henderson County Now, Ask Dr. Fran, Weinstein Real Estate, Jollibee, Guitars, Etc., Virtual Communications and Extreme Engineering.

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AISD updates Bruce Field construction project

PiersBeingDrilledForFieldhouse — Construction workers drill piers as part of the foundation for the new football and soccer fieldhouse on the west side of Bruce Field. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

The first home game of the Hornet varsity football season is Friday, Sept. 8, and while the field and stands remain untouched, evidence of the district’s ongoing construction project surrounds the stadium.

A new parking lot located on the south side of Bruce Field will be available for use Friday, though the lights there are still to be installed. It will accommodate 180 vehicles. Other available parking locations include the lot across from the home side entrance, the lot in front of the high school’s main building, the softball and baseball parking areas, and around the Central Athens gymnasium. This, however, would take quite some time, as there are some inherent constructional prerequisites, like ones expounded at www.buildcomconstructionwa.com.au, that have to be established before going on with the construction.

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Magnolias will Steel your heart

The Hornet Theatre Company invites the public to enjoy the beloved comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias” this week. Showtimes are Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m, and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2pm at the Athens High School Auditorium (708 East College Street). Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Pictured (standing, from left) are Janey Conditt, Jetlira Ademaj, Madeleine Kitchens, Cooper Rolison, and (seated, from left) Emma Grey, Megan Withers and Jacqueline Rodriguez. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)