Mary's Monologue: My hometown

Those who know me, know that my all time favorite tv show is The Gilmore Girls...love it...miss it, own all years on DVD...watch it over and over...actually Madeline and I often fight over who gets to watch them. We love the girls and we love Stars Hollow, their adorable fictional town. Well this week, Jacksonville was Stars Hollow!!
So, in 1997 a movement began to undo the "urban renewal" that had changed the face of our downtown square. This weekend, we celebrated years of hard work, dedication, determination and drive as Jacksonville celebrated our downtown turnaround. Our square has re-opened. Vibrancy and excitement has returned!!! The Clydesdales came to town on Tuesday, and we all spent hours visiting them in their temporary stables on the square. The excitement was palpable!

My friend Sue and I paid a visit as they arrived.

Finley fell in love..we visited ALOT

She loved King!

The ferris wheel returned to the town where it was built..in the 1930's.

The Three Legged Dog Concession trailer arrived...

Joey, Papa Joe, Jake and Dave got to work.

Shops decorated...

Special guests arrived...for the YMCA Pavilion, courtesy of Bound To Stay Bound Books

Maggie, Henry, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Transportation Ray LaHood, me, Millie and Finley

Congressman Aaron Schock, check out the current cover of Men's Health to see more! Cole is going to his 30th birthday party this Wednesday.

Saturday....and the day of celebration begins....