Newsletter Links
2024
January
“I remember when” by Julia Stephens Mays; thoughts and updates from Board Treasurer Danny Stanley; request for historic photographs; how to donate; and more https://mailchi.mp/96a4ed46e08c/agsf-january-2024-newsletter
February
Welcome from Board member Cyndy Vaughan Chamblee; “I remember when” by Jo Linda Blakey Craig; Valentine’s Day in 1936; a romantic song by Eddie Dunchin from 1936; and more https://mailchi.mp/e568ea61274b/agsf-february-2024-newsletter
March
New research about Atlanta-Miller Grade School has been uncovered by Architexas; and we share an interim progress report about our work to restore the historic school https://mailchi.mp/ac1febee34c6/agsf-march-2024-newsletter
April
WPA work training poster and National Register update; a history lesson from 1936 and words of wisdom from Dale Carnegie; request for formal letters of endorsement; and more https://mailchi.mp/db3afb336315/agsf-april-2024-newsletter
May
The last day of the school year recalls summer vacation and the importance of play; scholarly educator and author Vivien L. Geneser shares her research on play; request for formal endorsement letters; GuideStar and the importance of nonprofit transparency; and more https://mailchi.mp/50837895c2d2/agsf-may-2024-newsletter
June
We share family and community history preservation updates from Atlanta Public Library; information about the East Texas Historical Association and the annual New Deal conference; ask for letters of endorsement; and more https://mailchi.mp/c68b24baeb7d/agsf-june-2024-newsletter
July
“Once Upon a Time” by Lee Ellen Benjamin; new yard sign in the works for Atlanta-Miller Grade School; thanks to our fire sprinkler system donors; Blast from the Past is October 5; and more https://mailchi.mp/736b83f421ac/agsf-july-2024-newsletter
August
“The Air Conditioned Space” by Cathey Cannon Foreman; our new sign has been installed; “Early Historic American Buildings Survey in East Texas” by Amy Bertsch; upcoming event announcements; and how to connect with us about, “The Three R’s: Restore, Renovate, and Revitalize a Historic Icon” https://mailchi.mp/2fa90f2f03c8/agsf-august-2024-newsletter
September
September greetings and an outstanding letter of endorsement from the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce; “Blast From the Past” open house is October 5; and more https://mailchi.mp/atlantagradeschoolfriends/september-2024-newsletter
October
We are pleased to provide a school restoration report from JuanRaymon Rubio of Architexas; a Halloween WPA- era poster; a video “thank you” to our Blast from the Past volunteers; and more https://mailchi.mp/atlantagradeschoolfriends/october-2024-newsletter
November
In this issue, we focus on Atlanta Brick Company, which provided the bricks that face Atlanta-Miller Grade School (thanks go to the Atlanta Public Library for its help conducting research); we share how the public can acquire commemorative bricks; shed light on, “The Seven Sisters”; and thank our supporters for Thanksgiving https://mailchi.mp/atlantagradeschoolfriends/november-2024-newsletter
December
Jane Cook Barnhill shares a heartfelt poem by David Gravelle, we post our Year in Review for 2024 (a lot of work has been going on), a conversation with City of Atlanta representatives about future uses of the restored Atlanta-Miller Grade School, and more https://mailchi.mp/atlantagradeschoolfriends/december-2024-newsletter
2023
January
Digital mapping of Atlanta-Miller Grade School by Architexas, Real Places 2023 Conference, Year in Review 2022 link to ISSUU, Candid GuideStar gold seal for 2023 https://tinyurl.com/2m9p2cam
February
Donor recognition 2022 to the present, new video recap of the work of Atlanta Grade School Friends 2002-2022, new Bessie Coleman Barbie, Leon’s Lone Star Cowboys, and a progress report https://tinyurl.com/ch9s228v
March
Women’s History Month celebrates two stellar people born in Atlanta, Texas, sign up for Walmart Spark Good, GuideStar gold for 2023, request for GreatNonprofits reviews and more https://tinyurl.com/4zn2xu8d
April
Montana and Caleb Whatley and the house next door, Conor Herterich and Preservation Texas, help us obtain the Top Rated Nonprofit seal for 2023, and “round up” with Walmart
https://tinyurl.com/ytt6wvv5
May
“I remember when” by Edward Ray Stanley, in praise of teachers, mission of Atlanta Grade School Friends and how you can donate, your opinion matters on GreatNonprofits, and more https://tinyurl.com/342ka4p6
June
Nancy Coe shares her memories about Atlanta, Texas, Preservation Texas conference set for September, future use survey needs your response and more https://tinyurl.com/35kkxbc9
July
Community survey results, Danny and Carolyn to speak during Preservation Texas conference on September 7, please share your review on GreatNonprofits, and kudos to our volunteers https://tinyurl.com/mphun7bb
August
“I remember when” by Ricky Draper, Atlanta Grade School Friends receives 2023 Honor Award from Preservation Texas and the Top Rated Nonprofit seal from GreatNonprofits, and more https://tinyurl.com/bddf8dav
September
“I remember when” by Janet Adams (part I), recap of 2023 Honor Award ceremony and the Northeast Texas Preservation Summit in Tyler, thanks for helping us secure the 2023 Top Rated Nonprofit seal and more https://tinyurl.com/ynmcweyc
October
“I remember when” continues with Janet Adams, we share new historical facts about Atlanta-Miller Grade School, we learn about children’s magazines over the centuries, welcome the RRN: Rabbit News Network, and share holiday updates https://tinyurl.com/2p8k2rsn
November
“I remember when” by Debra Castell Sparks, Thanksgiving greetings, the history of turkeys in East Texas, update about the sprinkler system installation, new video on YouTube https://tinyurl.com/mr42buje
December
Year-end letter of thanks from Jane Cook Barnhill, “I remember when” by Bogie Price and Nalga Price Mebane, our annual report for 2023, we hope you will consider a year-end donation, and more http://tinyurl.com/yc7tz483
2022
January
Year-end fundraising thanks, project update by Danny Stanley
https://tinyurl.com/bd8jkt7t
February
Lynne Spivey, one of our earliest champions, shares her thoughts in a guest article, donor thanks and other announcements
https://tinyurl.com/ypkthsyy
March
Online giving has arrived, commendation from Sidney Harrist, request for testimonials and recipes for the 2022 cookbook
https://tinyurl.com/2kpskvuv
April
National Volunteer Month and a report from Kevin Stingley, organizational update from Danny Stanley and condolences regarding Angela Heath Barnes
https://tinyurl.com/mtzark6d
May
Summer letter and request from Jane Cook Barnhill, East Texas railroad history, condolences on the loss of Robert William (Bob) Grabarschick https://tinyurl.com/mr45wb8t
June
Thoughts on the New Deal and “Atlanta Grade School” by architectural historian Jim Steely, GuideStar gold seal attained https://tinyurl.com/bdzyaza6
July
Economic impact of historic preservation by Carolyn M. Appleton, Founders Day and cookbook updates
https://tinyurl.com/ysbnew4n
August
Gary Endsley joins the Board, cookbook kudos and order information, Nancy Coe painting donation, flagpole dedication recap https://tinyurl.com/bdhj3bnx
September
Founders Day recap and photos, tour of Atlanta Middle School, Real Places THC conference update, Top Rated Nonprofit seal secured for 2022 https://tinyurl.com/4n3j7tj3
October
Grant from The Summerlee Foundation, Stanley O. Graves joins as architect, painted chair benefit https://tinyurl.com/2he5vs27
November
Thank you letter from Jane Cook Barnhill, President, Leigh Stanley receives Distinguished Alumni Award, Cookbook and Chair-ish silent auction notices, how to donate online https://tinyurl.com/3et97ace
December
Q&A with Stanley O. Graves, year-end giving appeal, our Board of Directors, in memoriam for Mary Nell Tyson, and Chair-ish auction recap with photos https://tinyurl.com/2xea35xj
Atlanta Grade School Friends
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 851, Atlanta, Texas 75551
Physical address: 106 ½ West Miller Street, Atlanta, Texas 75551
atlantagradeschoolfriends@gmail.com
The mission of Atlanta Grade School Friends is to restore the historic WPA-era Atlanta-Miller Grade School in Atlanta, Texas. From 1936 to 1974 the school provided a safe and welcoming environment for Atlanta's children and their dedicated teachers. In addition to renovation of the building and the continued maintenance thereof, Atlanta Grade School Friends oversees the development and management of educational programs and related activities for all ages that enhance the building's usefulness. Once restored, we hope to convert the school to a community center, hosting a variety of educational programs for people of all walks of life
Did you know? Maroon was the official Miller Grade School color, and the rabbit was its mascot. These newsletters are designed and published by Carolyn M. Appleton on MailChimp as a donation to Atlanta Grade School Friends.
Website: https://atlantagradeschoolfriends.org/ GuideStar: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-0492043 Sign up for email: http://tinyurl.com/6w7h873n