ATHENS – In 1938 Thornton Wilder wrote about the fictional village of Grover’s Corners in his play “Our Town.” In three acts he describes the ups and downs of small-town life through a narrator.
Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning will pay homage to Mr. Wilder by offering a series of seven monthly narrative discussions featuring city leaders to discuss the ups and down of our town of Athens and Limestone County.
As an added slice of Americana, the Center for Lifelong Learning will be featuring
a pie tasting in conjunction with each of the sessions. Each month a different pie recipe will be featured and served to those attending. The events will occur on the third Tuesday of each month for the seven month series.
“The topics are pertinent, timely and important,” states Center for Lifelong Learning Director Dr. Diane Sauers. “….and pie is delicious, flaky and filling. When you bring these two things together something good will happen, I’m sure of it.”
Mayor Ronnie Marks
On January 21 Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks and Athens State’s Professor of Political Science and Justice Studies Dr. Jess Brown will offer the topic, “What you didn’t know about annexation.”
On February 18 Mayor Marks will be once again be joined by Dr. Jess Brown to discuss “What redistricting means for Athens.”
Financial Administrator for the City of Athens Annette Barnes will be featured on March 18 to explain “Where does your tax money go?”
April 15 will offer a discussion with Athens City Planner Mac Martin’s entitled “Planning for the City’s Future.”
“New Ways to Protect and Serve” will be discussed on May 20 by Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson.
On June 17 Athens City Fire Chief Tony Kirk will lead a discussion on “Fire Prevention and Safety.”
The last Our Town session will be held on July 15 and will feature Athens Communications Specialist Holly Hollman with a media discussion entitled “A Social City.”
There is a $5 admission price to each session that includes a slice of pie. Registration is encouraged by calling the Center for Lifelong Learning at 256-233-8260. Any available seats for each session will be offered to non-registered attendees on a first come first served basis.
MEDIA RELEASE GUY MCCLURE ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY
