Athens-Henderson County Now

Athens Job Fair set for March 23

Workforce Solutions press release

The time is closing in on our Athens Job Fair, set for 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 23. The Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to be partnering with the Athens Economic Development Corporation to bring this premier event at no cost to you.

Due to our extensive marketing initiatives, i.e., radio, mail-outs and a large labor pool from our Workforce Solutions centers, we anticipate a large turnout of job seekers therefore please bring your job descriptions, paper applications or information on how to apply with your company. A good estimate will be around 200 to 350 job seekers.

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AMWA to hold election; City and school district likely to cancel

By Michael V. Hannigan

While the Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA) gears up for an election cycle, the City of Athens and Athens ISD will likely get to cancel their elections.

Filing for the May 7 municipal elections closed Friday with both the City and the school district adding new members, but no contested races.

Athens ISD has three seats available, and filing are incumbents Eric Smith and Bob Spears. Also signed up is Renda Garner, who will replace incumbent David Freeman, who chose not to seek reelection.

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Athens High School choir program spreads the joy of music

Athens High School Choir Director Bridget Scott (front row, center) stands with a few of the 80 students in the school’s choral program. The choir program is growing by leaps and bounds. “I’d love to have even more students … experience this joy,” said Scott. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Bridget Scott was born to be a music teacher. The daughter of music teachers and a gifted singer and musician herself, Scott spent years educating fourth- and fifth-grade students at Athens ISD about the beauty and possibilities of music.

“My main job was to get them excited about it,” she said. Then two years ago, Scott took over the program at Athens High School and began to work with some of the very same students she had taught as youngsters. “The seniors who graduated last year were the first class of fifth-graders I had taught.”

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Thrilled to be an Artist in Athens

By Carolyn Ellis

When I first started exhibiting artwork in Athens in 2012, I was struck by how much local interest and support there was for art in what I saw as quite a small town (Remember I’m from Washington, DC!). Here in 2016, I find myself even more amazed by how active and thriving the art scene is here in Athens! If you’d love to be an artist, perhaps even an artist in Athens were it’s greatly appreciated, taking this alcohol ink art course may be in your best interest.

Here are some examples of what I’m talking about: In just this one month of February, abstract artist Sky Copeland has opened Copeland Gallery at 217 N.Palestine and local fiber artist Sherry Searcy has begun showing her gorgeous hand dyed scarves and fabrics (Wearable Art!) at the Robin Clark Collection at 215 N.Palestine!

Right next door to these two newest art venues, of course, is well established Gallery 211 (211 N.Palestine), which continues to attract a growing number of artists, and mount totally intriguing shows – including the totally fun and wildly varied 1960s themed exhibit showing right now at 211!

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Athens ISD hosts a celebration of Black History Month this Saturday

Beloved storyteller Decee Cornish (shown here speaking to Athens ISD students last year) will be included among a variety of entertainers who will inspire the crowd during a celebration of Black History Month on Saturday, 6 p.m. at the Athens High School auditorium. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Athens ISD is pleased to present “A Celebration of Black History Month,” and the community is encouraged to come and enjoy the festivities. The free and entertainment-loaded event will be held this Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. at the Athens High School auditorium.

“We hope to have a diverse audience,” said Bel Air Elementary Principal and event organizer Kelye Garcie. “The intention is to celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans past and present and to inspire our future leaders.”

To accomplish that goal, the program has a wide variety to offer, including a much-loved professional storyteller of traditional African tales, an interpretive dance group, a band, a children’s choir and inspirational oratory.

“This is the school district’s gift to the community,” said Garcie. “We want people to leave there having learned something and having been inspired.”