Staff writer
Marion PRIDE established committees Monday at its monthly meeting.
Improving the aesthetics of Marion’s downtown was a major topic of conversation Monday; Sally Hannaford and Karen Williams will lead that committee. The first project on their list is painting flag poles, which is already in the works. Possible planters for corners, awnings to unify Main Street businesses, and a plan for the empty lot located centrally downtown were also discussed.
PRIDE members also speculated about establishing a welcome wagon for incoming businesses. Members agreed to speak with Marion city officials before making this step. Carol Laue had an idea to provide a welcome wagon option on the utility connection form every resident must fill out on arrival to Marion.
Jeanice Thomas will head the events committee. PRIDE is hosting a Celtic Celebration on March 3 and members ironed out planning details. Thomas spent Saturday scraping paint from the windows at the former Duckwalls building. She is planning to place seasonal designs on the Duckwalls windows. For the upcoming flower tour, Judy Mills has agreed to showcase gardens at both Doyle Creek Mercantile and her home for the event.
Laue and Shana Thornhill will lead the committee for the farmer’s market. PRIDE members briefly discussed vendor possibilities for the market days of Wednesday and Saturday during the summer.
Jackie Volbrecht was selected to head the poverty committee as part of PRIDE’s role in the Mad About Poverty campaign, which includes planning for Circles of Hope. Part of the fund raising effort Volbrecht has concocted, in order to raise $2,700 for the program includes selling t-shirts at the Marion County Lake marshmallow roast in late March. The shirts will read, “Marion County Lake: where marshmallows come home to roast.”