ATHENS-The Spirit of Athens won eight Main Street Alabama awards today, Tuesday, Aug. 25, for fundraising efforts, downtown events, renovation projects and leadership.
One of those awards went to Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black, who received the Leadership Award for her efforts to promote the Main Street approach at a local and state level.
Spirit of Athens and Black received the awards at the annual Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence Luncheon in Montgomery.
Mayor Ronnie Marks with Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black, who won the Leadership Award from Main Street Alabama. Included in the photograph are the other seven awards SOA won.
“I commend the Spirit of Athens for bringing together volunteers, business leaders and civic organizations to promote and grow our downtown as a tourist, retail and family-friendly destination,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said.
The other seven awards the Spirit of Athens and its partners received were:
Community Award โ T.R.A.I.L, a group of students who work to beautify downtown Athens and volunteer at downtown events.
Excellence in Fundraising โ Dinner in the Orchard with Alabama Shakes hosted by Isom’s Orchard to benefit the Athens Arts League, a committee of Spirit of Athens, and High Cotton Arts non-profit art incubator.
Excellence in Volunteer Development โ Spirit of Athens Award Luncheon held annually to recognize those who contribute to downtown efforts.
The Spirit of Athens won eight awards from Main Street Alabama. Accepting awards Tuesday were Randall Peek, Athens Saturday Market manager; Diane Lehr, Athens Arts League chairwoman; Lauire McGuire, local business woman; Mayor Ronnie Marks; Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black; Holly Hollman, Spirit of Athens Promotions Committee chairwoman; and Betsy Hyman, Spirit of Athens Board member.
Excellence in Public Private Partnerships โ High Cotton Arts, a collaboration with H.C. Blake Co. where owner Jim Batson has allowed the renovation of a downtown building to turn it into the non-profit art incubator operated by Athens Arts League, a committee of Spirit of Athens.
Excellence in Promotion โ Athens Saturday Market, a state certified market at the Green Street pavilion, which is held every Saturday during the growing season to promote local growers, artisans and musicians.
Excellence in Business Promotion โ Sippinโ Cider, held every December to boost holiday sales at downtown businesses, provide activities for children and encourage friendly competition among merchants to see who can create the best cider concoction.
Excellence in Architectural Design โ 17th Block Renovation, a project by
Laurie McGuire won an award for renovating rundown historic buildings into thriving downtown businesses. She is with Mayor Marks and SOA Executive Director Trisha Black
local businesswoman Laurie McGuire, who purchased rundown historic buildings on East Market Street, and used Spirit of Athens grants and loan and other resources to turn them into thriving businesses.
Black thanked the volunteers who give thousands of hours to Spirit of Athens.
“This is not a one-person effort,” Black said. “Our volunteers have bought in to the Main Street program and the importance that downtown Athens holds in our community.”
