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Congratulations to Heather Stanley, director of the historic Rylander Theatre, for her hard work in keeping the almost a century-old building in good shape. A check in the amount of $50,000 from the Fox Theatre Institute of Atlanta designated for preservation was presented to Stanley by Leigh Burns, director of the Fox Institute, at the theat45 Wednesday afternoon. Accompanying Burns was Carolyn Willis, veteran board member of the Fox Theatre Institute and Beth Smith, both of Atlanta. An entertaining 2019-2020 season has been booked by Stanley and will be announced soon.

A brief reminder: today is the final day of the first-ever Great Georgia Pollinator Census sponsored by the University of Georgia. I mentioned the Pollinator Census previously but I want to refresh your memory so you can “bee” a counter. Researchers will use the information reported to get a snapshot of the pollinator health in the state. All you have to do is choose a blooming pollinator plant in your garden and count the pollinators that visit that plant. During those 15 minutes, count the number of carpenter bees, bumble bees, honey bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies or others that you see. The project website, https://GGaPC.org, contains all the information you need to participate and to upload your count. With that said, please go outdoors and start counting.

Meanwhile, I’m going to let you in on the best kept secret in town but don’t keep what I tell you secret. Tell everyone.

The Art Gallery at 117 W. Forsyth St. is brimming with beautiful art work from local artists and I can’t wait for you to view. The Gallery is open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and I’ll be there to show you around. So, come on down.

The Gallery will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. on First Friday, Sept. 6, and Main Street selected Back to School for the theme. Brooks Nettum, president, and the board of directors, have some fun plans for First Friday. See you there.

Then on Saturday, Sept. 7 the ever-popular Arts at Rees Park will be in full swing from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Rees Park. The event, which has been a major attraction for more than 20 years, will feature scores of vendors with all sorts of art-related items: live music, food, and entertainment for the children from face painting to a puppet show and storytelling. Bring your pets, but on a leash, because they enjoy the outing, too! There will be more information soon. See you there.

Then the annual Empty Bowls event will be on Saturday, Nov. 2 at First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

Now it’s confession time. For more than two years I’ve practically ignored a regular exercise program and as a result everything went bye-bye, too. I was experiencing muscle loss. Through the years I participated in yoga classes, Pilates with my special trainer Sissy Ledbetter, group exercise, or working out at a local gym. Then I stopped. Big mistake.

But now I’m committed to begin again and Marysol Pomeroy, who specializes in reflexology, stretch and flexibility training, yoga, and sports massage, gave me a kick start with some personal training that I continued at home, but now I’ve joined the Wellness Center at Magnolia Manor.

And I must say I am enjoying it. Last Monday was my first day — and yes, my muscles said, “whoa.” The trainers Jenni, Kyle, and Ivey put me through a prescribed course that includes water aerobics.

So, come join me. It’s lots of fun and good for you, too. The rewards are countless — even a Wendy’s chocolate frosty.

Sorority rush is over at the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern. Anslee Barnes, daughter of Russ and Jarrett Barnes, pledged Delta Zeta at UGA and at Georgia Southern, Laura Leigh McMichael, daughter of Brian and Chris McMichael. pledged Kappa Delta, and Mary Catherine Dean, daughter of John and Tiffany Dean, pledged Zeta Tau Alpha.

John and Tiffany celebrated his birthday over a long weekend, traveling to Buffalo, N.Y., and also visiting Niagara Falls, Canada.

Happy birthday to Charlene Hayes, Lydia Shivers, Emily Barr, Jackie Merriman, and Meg Goodin.

 

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.