Downtown Marshall NCThe Creative Life on the River

Dog Daze was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!  Everyone that I have talked to that night and since then has said how much fun they had and how well it went. 

KUDOS to the committee for all their hard work.  The primary members were:  Diane Van Helden, Lois Simbach, Danni Iosello, Randi Howell, and Virginia Schmidt.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Also, a huge thanks to the maker’s of dog beds for the silent auction!  (Bucky Parker wins the prize for being the first to turn his in, Tim Hurley, Mike Stevenson, Richard McCracken, Lois Simbach, Lee Walker and yours truly spent many hours making a wide variety of beds).  The proceeds from the auction brought roughly $850 to Friends (yay!) and the flea boutique brought in another $150, so it was a nice, $1,000 fundraiser for the local non-profit.

Marshall Family Pharmacy really got into the Dog Daze event!

Pictures:  Several people took pictures at the event - as good ones come in, I’ll get them uploaded here as well.  I had my camera with me, but didn’t get too many pictures as I was busy handing out 25 prizes for the various winners and 60 bandanas for all dogs that were entered into a contest.  Debbie from Marshall Family Pharmacy had one dog dressed as a hot dog (not a daschund) and another as a hamburger. 

Banjo Austin seemed very non-chalant about winning the floppiest ears contest!

Dog Contest prizes were provided by Mountain Tails Pet Supplies, Weaverville Pet Pantry, TJ’s Mountain Market, Fiddlestix, Ponder Cove B&B and Madison Dry Cleaners. 

I don't think he'll forgive me for this!!

I’m not sure if Joe Penland knew what he was getting into when he agreed to serve as the emcee for the dog contests but he certainly did a great job!!

 There were a lot of people with dogs all sitting in a nice semi-circle with the dog contests area in the middle (might be nice when we get the stage, eh?).  Anyway, my husband (Rick) always gets the “fun jobs” like when I handed him the camera and asked that he go up to the second floor to get a picture to show the crowd of people (sorry about thos trees in the way!).

Several people participated in the “paint your own pottery” opportunity.  The raw bisque pieces were brought up to Marshall from Fired Up! of Asheville.  Emily Reason glazed and fired the pieces and they can be seen and/or picked up at Zuma (I loved the bobble-head dog one!)

Pooch parade pictures – - need to find some!  Marshall Family Pharmacy decorated their truck and led the parade with Mayor Lawrence Ponder following with a FABULOUS wolf hat on (I saw him the next day and I think he was still wearing it!!)

Looking for a special dog bed?  Come to Downtown Marshall!

Special to the News Record & Sentinel

In conjunction with the upcoming Dog Daze French Broad Friday on August 13^th, several local artists have created one-of-a-kind dog beds that will be auctioned off as a fund raiser for Friends of Madison County Animals (FOMCA).  FOMCA is headquarted in historic downtown Marshall, and works to reduce the number of unwanted animals in Madison County and increase their well-being.  Programs include a spay-neuter program, vaccination clinics, feral cat trap/neuter/return, an outreach center, educational programs and a pet pantry.

Dog Daze is the third in the 2010 series of “French Broad Friday” events in downtown Marshall.  (See prior post for the Program of Events).

Several of the dog beds were made by local woodworkers using locally harvested, recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials.  Lois Simbach created a half dozen bed cushions – some are paired with the wooden beds and others will be auctioned off on their own.  Some of the beds are for big dogs and others are more suitable for medium or small dogs.  The unique beds are on display at the following businesses in downtown Marshall:  Ain’t That Cuticle, Bacchus Bistro, Bowman Hardware, Flow, Good Stuff, Lapland Bookshop & Art, Madison County Courthouse, Penland’s Department Store and Zuma, with more to come.

The fund raiser is a silent auction that opened last week.  Bids are accepted any time until the auction closes at 8:00pm on Friday, August 13^th when the highest bidder will win the bed.  Artists donated their work to the event and all proceeds from the auction benefit Friends of Madison County Animals.

Wow – there is a LOT of STUFF happening for the upcoming Dog Daze French Broad Friday event!!  First off, there are ~EVENTS~ that are the things to do:

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Silent Auction of unique dog beds made by local artists. Beds will be relocated to the Island on Friday.  All proceeds benefit Friends of Madison County Animals.

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Paint your own dog (or cat) pottery dish.  Marshall High Studios room 101. Fired Up! from Asheville will have several sizes to choose from (cost is based on size selected).

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Madison County Arts Council:  Hot New Pots exhibit opening.  And the new retail space will be open for business!

6:00 to 8:30PM:  Doggie Wellness information on the Island.  Topics include nutrition, spay/neuter, health, first aid, animal abuse and grooming.  Toenail clipping available!

6:00 to 8:30PM:  “Flea Boutique” featuring many animal-related items and other great deals and good finds!  On the Island.

6:00 to 9:00PM:  GRAND OPENING of “Foreverland” across the street from Ponder Auto and close to the Depot.  Mixture of locally handmade & vintage clothes, furniture, household items & accessories as well as musical instruments & art.

6:00 to 9:00PM:  Pet-i-cures at Ain’t That Cuticle featuring OPI “Paw-lish”. Many fun and unusual colors that would be purrrrrfect for your dog!

 6:00 to 9:00PM:  Dog washes by LuLu outside Ain’t That Cuticle/

 6:00 to 9:00PM:  Carriage Rides – these are free but tips help cover Kevin’s expenses and are most appreciated!

 7:00 to 10:00PM: The Marshall Depot.  The Depot on Main Street is a community sponsored venue that hosts an old time bluegrass jam every Friday night at 7 p.m. This is always a free event, but donations are welcome. Come on out and bring your dancin’ shoes!

 7:30PM:  Dog contests on the Island emceed by Joe Penland.  Many cool prizes donated from Mountain Tails Pet Supplies in Mars Hill, employees of Dollar General in Mars Hill, TJs Market in Mars Hill, and Weaverville Pet Pantry.  All entrants will receive a special Marshall bandana (while supplies last).

8:00PM: Silent Auction of Dog Beds CLOSES.  Come by the tent after 8:15 to see if you have the winning bid and to pick up your bed.

8:00PM:  Pooch Parade. Parade will start on the Island, go over the bridge to Main Street, down to Good Stuff and back up Main Street and over to the Island.

9:00 to 11:00PM:  FREE CONCERT on the Courthouse steps (weather permitting).  Bring your blankets and/or lawn chairs and enjoy the music of The Jazz Kittens along with Bobby Hicks.

9:30:  The movie “Grease” will be shown in the parking lot of Foreverland. Bring a blanket or chair.

Then, there are the ~STUDIOS AND GALLERIES~ that you should take the time to visit (even if you’ve been in there before, there are always new items on display!):

Flow:  14 South Main, open till 9PM.  Showcasing local pottery, artisan furniture, woodworking and jewelry.

 Marshall High Studios:  Studio 104, Blannahassett Island, open from 6PM to 9PM.  See the art that is created in the old high school.

 Hill Street Studios:  Open 6 to 9PM.  Studios are located on the corner of Main & Hill Streets, back door/second floor. 

>>>Mary Maupin Brumo Paintings in acrylics and oils.

>>>Suzanna Biro-Jewelry Unique beaded neckpieces.

And then, there are the ~Food, Drinks and Stores~:

Ain’t that Cuticle  63 South Main Street, open until 9PM. First floor features antiques, gifts and oddities.

AliGators  32 North Main, open until 2AM.  Pool Tournament starting at 7:30.  Cold Beer.

Bacchus Bistro  18 North Main, open until 10PM. Special dinners tying in to the Dog Daze theme (details to follow).

Foreverland  South Main, GRAND OPENING!  Mixture of locally handmade & vintage clothes, furniture, household items & accessories as well as musical instruments & art.

Good Stuff  133 South Main, open until……  BBQ Sandwich Special with tasty sides.  Live music with Jesse James at 8PM.

Lapland Bookshop and Arts  147 North Main, open until 8PM.  New and used books and regional art in a storybook setting on the French Broad River.

 Natural Canvas Tattoo and Museum  133 South Main, open until 9PM.  Very cool opportunity – stop in and meet the new artist and business owner.

 Joe Penland’s Indoor Flea Market  148 South Main, open until 9PM.  Indoor flea market and jam with Joe Penland.

 Penland’s Department Store  50 South Main, open till 9PM.  Old time department store – Carhartts, clothing, books from local authors and much more!

 Zuma Coffee  7 North Main, open till 9PM.  Marshall’s meeting place!  Creative healthy comfort food.