On April 13, DAR members from across the state joined Augusta area DAR
members, elected officials, representatives from the tourism industry, and interested citizens for the groundbreaking ceremony and lunch at Sacred Heart. Guests included State Senator Randy Hall, District 22; Augusta-Richmond County Commissioner Barbara Sims, District 3; Jim Hussey representing United States Senator Saxby Chambliss; Nancy Bobbitt, District Director, representing United States Congressman Max Burns, Kathleen Black, Director of Constituent Services representing United States Congressman Charlie Norwood.
Also attending were Bill Thompson, President, SunTrust Bank, Augusta; Dan Blanton, President, Georgia Bank & Trust; Erick Montgomery, Executive Director of Historic Augusta, Sandra Fenstermacher, Executive Director of Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Jennifer Bowen, Public Relations Director for the Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau; Dianne King, Marketing Director, Georgia Golf Hall of Fame; and Rebecca Rogers, Director of Marketing & External Affairs, Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.
Beverly Marnell, trumpeter and 8 members of the Georgia SAR Color Guard made this "moment in history" a very special event. Mayor Bob Young joined us at Meadow Garden for the actual groundbreaking at 1:30 pm. The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF-6 covered the event at Sacred Heart! Dana Lynn McIntyre put together a fabulous story that aired at 6 pm and again at 11 pm. Watch for the story in the Chronicle!
Meadow Garden will be participating in the "Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown" project during National Tourism Week, May 9 - 15. On May 13, Meadow Garden and other participating sites will be open until 6 pm. This project is sponsored by the Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Special "Be a Tourist" badges will be available at the Visitors Center in the Augusta History Museum on May 10. Hours are Mon. - Sat. 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm.
