Julie Wagner

The best picnic tables Saturday at the Great American Brass Band Festival were: Sousa Award for Best of Show: Table that stands out above all others - "Fishing For Brass," Martha and John Caywood. Celebrating 20 years: The table that reflects something special or memorable for the past 20 years - "The Way We Were," Bill Grimes. Brass Band Festival Theme: The table that reflects the spirit of the Great American Brass Band Festival - "The Beat Goes On," Eben and Jan Henson Off Centre: The table that displays the most humor in decorations - "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk," Kelly Brown Speilberg Award: The table exhibiting the most creativity and novel idea - "Magrite American Brass Band," Mary Beth Touchstone's Community Arts Center table Judges Picks: Tables that are excellent but do not fall into a given award category: "Recycle Curbside," Clay Albright; and "Casino Royal Robert," Robert and Julie Wagner and Jeanie Collier.

Donations are coming in for the Save the Log House Project, said Julie Wagner, executive director of Heart of Danville. She also has an application prepared for an emergency grant seeking help from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The project committee is asking for a $5,000 grant and also wants to raise another $5,000 in public funds for a match. The cost of the first phase of the project that includes marking, cleaning, disassembling the logs and completing the demolition of the house will cost more than $18,000, she said.

Dear Editor, Last Saturday, the campus of Boyle County High School was filled to the brim with musicians and fans for the second annual Boyle County Marching Band Festival. The band contest was a tremendous success as we welcomed in several thousand to our campus. Thank you to all the parents, alumni, school staff and students who contributed their time toward the planning and implementation of this event. We must also recognize the strong support we received from the businesses who gave financially toward this event.

Dear Editor: At this special season of Thanksgiving, we at historic Penn's Store wish to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to all in central Kentucky who attended the 2004 Great Outhouse Blowout. You were a terrific crowd! And, especially to the following whose assistance and contributions made the event possible, we salute you! The Advocate -Messenger, Bob Allen Motor Mall, Central Kentucky Federal, Century 21, Danville Bike & Footwear, Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inter-County Energy, J&J Auto, McGlone Construction Co., Papa Johns Pizza, Slusher Enterprises, Southern States, Stith Funeral Home, Stuart Powell Ford, Wild Turkey Distillers, John "Muff" Adams, Ken Ansted, Josh Ayoroa, Jeremy Brown, Joe Cissell, Ed Cinnamond, John Coffey, Modine Ellis, Sen. Dan Kelly, Ed Lanham, Jr., Pat Moddrelle, King Pruitt, James Rogers, Larry Sanders, and Mr. and Mrs. Josh Stinnett.

Julie Wagner wasn't even in town when the good news arrived. Instead, The Heart of Danville director had to learn over the phone that Danville was awarded $273,000 to complete Phase III of the city's streetscape plan. The Transportation Enhancement funds will be used to enhance an area of Third Street running between Broadway and Main Street. Wagner said the funds will go toward a number of items, including granite curbs, new street lights and benches if the budget allows.

Dear Editor: The Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted 12 travel writers and two photographers on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. These writers from across the nation were very impressed with our community and the warm welcome they received. We've already heard positive feedback from their visit, which means we're sure to receive national recognition over the course of the next year. There is no way to put a price-tag on the value of this free publicity. These visitors, and the stories they write, will represent thousands of dollars of advertising equivalency and are likely to have a tremendous economic impact on Danville and Boyle County.

When the dust cleared from the state high school semi-final band competition Saturday afternoon, both the Boyle County and Mercer County bands were among those still standing. Boyle was among the top four finishers in the Class 3-A contest, while Mercer ranked among the top four in Class 2-A. Both squads were competing for state championships Saturday night at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Results will appear in Monday's paper. The Marching Rebels competed Saturday afternoon at Franklin-Simpson High School and their fans were elated when it was announced they would be heading to the finals.

The log cabin on Third Street that generated headlines in the fall will be preserved. "While we are still short on funds to complete the project, we have enough to proceed forward with the removal of the logs and at least get them protected," said Julie Wagner, executive director for The Heart of Danville, which has been accepting donations on behalf of the project. Area historians have concluded that the structure, owned by Pat and Ed Hays, is situated on what was known as the 400-acre Settlement Grant of John Crow dating back to 1775.

Danville's Community Education program will need a new home soon, and business and industry leaders have been asked to help. Julie Wagner, executive director of the Heart of Danville, told members of the Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership on Wednesday that the program soon will have to leave its home on the Kentucky School for the Deaf campus or come up with money for rent. Wagner said KSD and the Boyle County and Danville school systems are partners in Community Education and KSD provides space for the program at no charge.

When is a door not a door? When it's ajar. Or, as local artists and community members have found, even when it's torn completely off its hinges - as a freestanding piece of art that can bring charm to an ever-changing downtown. "Doors symbolize a sort of walking through, a transition," said Julie Wagner, executive director of the Heart of Danville Main Street Program. "Since we're entering a new phase in construction downtown, the doors show that transition for Danville.