What's Going On in Athens? (Huntsville, Madison: hotel, home, buy)

[A&M Bulldawg]

What's Going On in Athens? There is so much going on in Huntsville and Madison. What about Athens?

[caution]

"Things such as a “weenie roast,” horseback riding and hayrides are common entertainment for Americans, especially in rural areas such as Limestone County. Most likely, one would not be able to walk down a street in Athens and find a person who has not done all three.

However, a small group of Korean children have chosen to spend their four-week school holiday to fly to North Alabama to participate in these “American” events."

- So there's that.

- They also have a "newspaper" located on the interwebs at - Homepage

- You should also know by now that the Athens area was the home of William Wyatt Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama, and of its second Governor, his brother Thomas Bibb, who succeeded him in office when he died in a fall from his horse.

[gsp4ever]

Originally Posted by caution

You should also know by now that the Athens area was the home of William Wyatt Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama, and of its second Governor, his brother Thomas Bibb, who succeeded him in office when he died in a fall from his horse.

Was he going to the weenie roast or was he pulling the hayride?

[caution]

I just wonder if they put the horse down, and if it was a conspiracy possibly involving other farm animals. I never did buy in to that whole "lone-horse" theory. I hear there are secret daguerreotype plates of a pig *AND* a goat on the grassy knoll near where the horse supposedly rared up, causing the governor to fall-- back and to the *left*.

[LuluBelle25]

I don't believe anything is going on in that town. Skip it and go to Huntsville.

[gsp4ever]

Originally Posted by LuluBelle25

I don't believe anything is going on in that town. Skip it and go to Huntsville.

Or Elkmont. Now there's a party town.

[A&M Bulldawg]

No, I'm talking development wise!

[malbot]

Well I am a fairly new Athens resident (less than 2 yrs), previously living in Madison/Harvest areas...so I guess that makes me qualified to give this a serious answer. As a disclaimer...I don't do weenie roasts, have only been horseback riding once(on a beach), and have only been on a hayride at a pumpkin patch in the fall so I guess I am blowing that theory. As far as what is going on in Athens,I will try to give that a good summary from what I've seen around. First of all, the downtown area is in the process of being "revived" and there are some nice shops, an awesome little art gallery(check out Carole Foret online), a yogo center, and a few little eateries including Village Pizza(very good), the Clubhouse, and LuVici's(haven't tried these yet but have heard good things). There is a new large campus being built for Athens Bible School out by the sportsplex, Athens high school has a new addition being built, and Lindsay Lane Baptist will start a k-6th(I think) school in the fall. Of course, there is also Faith Christian Academy who has recently expanded into Madison(but cheaper at the Athens campus).Oh..and I recently noticed a large addition going up at the Athens State University campus. A new large public library is supposedly in the works for the near future. Many nice subdivisions popping up(mostly on the east side towards Madison). Also, there is a brand new fire station and medical plaza off Lindsay Lane. I have been hearing rumors of Sam's and Target coming in the near future...hoping that is true. The new publix is open with several other stores in the shopping center to come. I noticed a new hotel coming up last month...next to a couple others off the interstate that were already fairly new. No real nightlife for singles...at least not that I'm aware of..other than a little sportsbar(new) across from the Cinemagic theatre(fairly new). So...basically..there is Growth...spreading from Huntsville and Madison towards Athens. Athens still has more of a small town feel but that is changing...to the dismay of some of the old time residents I'm sure(I overheard a man this week saying he came to Athens from California looking for a small town but he's afraid it's not going to last as long as he hoped). Although I do enjoy the historic downtown charm. However, to many new residents Athens is just an extension of the Huntsville area. For example...
I have two engineers for neighbors that work in Huntsville, one of my daughter's friend's dad is a scientist at NASA and my other daughter's new school friends both moved here in the last 2 yrs too..from other states. So, in a word....GROWTH..is happening in Athens..spreading from Huntsville and Madison.

[FCEddie]

Hadn't heard about LuVici's?

I've been here 5 months and liking it more every day.

Where is the Cinemagic?

[harry chickpea]

On 72 going west, take a left after the railroad underpass. The Cinemagic is a thousand feet or so down the road on the right side, before you get to the Steelcase plant.