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| Downtown News and Events |
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We're LIVE! Check out our new website!
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Our new website is packed full of smart features for visitors, locals, and business owners!
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We are happy to announce the launch of Apalachicola Main Street’s new website,DowntownApalachicola.com! As a non-profit organization dedicated to downtown economic development and historic preservation, our goal for this site is to provide the most comprehensive source of information to promote our downtown, for both visitors and locals.
The site features free business listings, sites to see, things to do, interactive maps, an expanded events calendar, fresh photos, and more. I hope you’ll check it out and contact us with any feedback. Special thanks to Tana and Sterling Kendrick of 2K Web Group for their talents in website design and development.
Business listings include a photo of the front of each business, and rotate so that everyone gets a turn at the top of the list. If your business operates in our downtown district, and you’d like to add or edit your complimentary business listing, please contact me. We’re continuing to load content and would love to hear from you.
The expanded events calendar has a link that allows businesses and non-profits to submit their event information online. This allows for faster uploading of all sorts of events, including live music schedules, classes and workshops.
Coming soon: a webcam that will stream live video of Riverfront Park...Stay tuned!
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Tell us what you think about downtown Apalachicola!
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Announcing the
Friends of Downtown Campaign!
Support our non-profit organization and receive exclusive discounts at your favorite downtown businesses!
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In addition to the time and efforts of people, we require funds to make our programs work. With yourcontribution of a little as $35 a year, you become a Friend of Downtown.
With your tax-deductible gift, you’ll receive:
• An invitation to our annual Friends event (details to be announced).
• Knowledge that you are helping to build Downtown Apalachicola’s future and preserving our heritage!
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Historic Markers Available at Reduced Cost
We are launching a new program that will make interpretive plaques available to downtown building owners at a reduced cost. The purpose of the plaques is to provide continuous education to walking tourists and locals as to the historical background, architecture, and cultural significance of structures more than 50 years old. This is a project of our Design Committee.
Plaques will include QR (Quick Response) codes to give those with smart phones access to enhanced, online features, giving us the opportunity to present a wealth of information via our website.
Both the project and the design of the plaques were modeled after the well-known plaque program administered by the Preservation Society of Charleston, South Carolina, one of the nation’s preeminent destinations for cultural and heritage tourism, which since 1959 has erected over 100 historic markers.
This program represents a partnership between the City; the Apalachicola Area Historical Society; and Main Street, for which economic development through historic preservation is at the core its mission.
The City of Apalachicola produced two prototypes for the last remaining cotton warehouses which now house City Hall and the Center for History, Culture, and Art. The Visit Florida grant allows Main Street to continue and promote what the City started with these prototypes.
The design was updated to include a more prominent appearance, and will be constructed out of durable locally-sourced cypress. Local resident Pete Olson is constructing the wooden structure. The plaques will show an historic photo of the property, when available.
Remember, the first 12 applicants get a $300 discount!
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Historical Trivia: Did You Know...?
by Tom Fugate, Ranger at the John Gorrie Museum State Park
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Markings give clues as to the cannon's age and origin.
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That the two cannon on display in the roundabout at Gorrie Square were originally located at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola? The guns were part of a group of nine that were moved here for display at Battery Park early in the Twentieth Century.
The gun on the right bears the cartouche of King George II, indicating that it was manufactured in England during his reign, sometime between 1727 and 1760. The one on the left bears the British Broad Arrow, indicating that it was also manufactured in England, but it is date stamped 1817, which tells us it was cast during the reign of King George III.
Apparently, the seven other companion guns were scrapped during a metal drive and these were moved to their current location following the loss of the water tower that was toppled during Hurricane Kate on November 21, 1985.
These historical cannon are located in the roundabout at the instersection of Avenue D and 6th Street.
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850, The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida, is now accepting your nominations for the 2016 Pinnacle Awards. These awards honor the women in our region who exhibit exceptional leadership abilities in their field, are active in their communities and serve as outstanding mentors to others. Winners will be featured in the October/November 2016 issue. Nominations close June 15.
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Lighting up the Night Sky!
Save the Date for our 5th Annual Independence Celebration on July 3rd! Plans are underway for our best fireworks show and celebration yet. Click here to learn more.
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Get Involved...Volunteer!
Apalachicola Main Street is proud of its dedicated volunteers who give freely of their time and talents to drive projects and events that help make Downtown Apalachicola and our community the best it can be. Without them, we cannot exist. We invite you to be part of this exciting and fun program! Learn more about getting involved at www.ApalachicolaMainStreet.org or contact us at 844-272-2523 orawest@ApalachicolaMainStreet.org.
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About Apalachicola Main Street
Our mission is to enhance downtown Apalachicola through sound economic development which promotes our future while preserving our past. We work to enhance the vitality of Downtown Apalachicola as the social, cultural and economic heart of our community. We are a public-private partnership affiliated with the City of Apalachicola. We are a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Downtown Apalachicola is defined as Ten Foot Hole to Scipio Creek, and Water Street to Sixth Street.
Main Street is a nationwide program supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the National Main Street Center in Chicago. The Florida Department of Historic Resources' Florida Main Street Program brings State guidance and support to our local Main Street organization.
Main Street is is a trademarked Four Point Approach supported by eight guiding principles. As a unique economic development tool, the Main Street Four-Point Approach is the foundation for local initiatives to revitalize downtown districts by leveraging local assets—from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride.
We aim to protect our historic character, strengthen our business community, promote gathering places for friends and family, hold outstanding events, and honor our history.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, please click here to view a PDF document.
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Our Board, Committees, and Staff
Our Board of Directors includes Jim Bachrach (Chair), Gary Joiner (VP), Lowell Thomas (Treasurer), Sandi Garrett Little (Secretary), Jody Rosenbaum , Lynn Wilson, Sam Gilbert, Frank Cook, Ed Springer, Lee Mathes, Torben Madson, and Heath Galloway.
Serving on the Design Committee are Jim Bachrach (Chair), Sam Gilbert, Tom Daly, Lynn Wilson, Ed Springer, Tom Fugate, and Constance Peck.
Our Promotions Committee includes Sandi Garrett-Little (Chair), Jody Rosenbaum, Cindy Clark, Paulette Moss, Margene Off, Lisa Johnston, Valentina Webb, Debi Case. and Barb Ward.
Serving on the Economic Vitality Committee are Sam Gilbert (Co-Chair), Heath Galloway (Co-Chair) Lynn Wilson, Cindy Clark, and David Adlerstein.
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Our Executive Director is Augusta West.
She is a 1997 graduate of the University of Georgia and brings several years of non-profit experience to the job, as well as a passion for historic downtowns.
She is a resident of Apalachicola and the recipient of a 2015 Pinnacle Award, which honors women in northwest Florida who have made outstanding contributions as leaders in business and in their communities.
If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback, please feel free to contact her via email or by phone at 850-274-1321.
We'd love to hear from you.
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