Weekly Dances Planned At Center
By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
EDGEWOOD—With its nearly completed downtown civic center set to open in a few weeks, the city of Edgewood wants to give people plenty of chances to use it.
During an Edgewood Economic Development Board meeting Monday, board president David Musslewhite said a previous town tradition — the Thursday night dance — will be returning.
"It will be every Thursday night starting at 6 p.m., a covered dish potluck supper and dance," he said.
The Edgewood Civic Center, which will also function as the town’s senior citizens center during weekdays, was constructed out of a former storefront on Houston Street. Part of the work was funded by a grant from the East Texas Council of Governments.
It is scheduled to open June 26, but EDB member Pattizo Humphries suggested a grand opening event for July 3.
Humphries also said she would like to see a part-time center director hired through a state work assistance program.
The board approved a motion to pursue someone for that position. If possible, the employee will work Thursdays through Saturdays.
Musslewhite and board member Mike Goggans briefly discussed plans to also schedule periodic music events at the civic center.
"I would like to see something put on a few times a year, and maybe have a gospel concert one time, a country concert the next," Musslewhite said.
Goggans mentioned the success of recent live music shows at a coffeehouse in Winnsboro, and said he felt shows "along those lines" could be successful in Edgewood.
In a related matter, the board approved a set of regulations for the center. The facility will be available for private events like weddings and rehearsals, reunions and banquets.
The board also approved sets of regulations for downtown properties during civic events like the Christmas parade and for the city park.
Humphries brought up the need to re-establish a city park board of directors to help determine responsibility for cleanup and maintenance of the park. The board plans to ask for that issue to be placed on an upcoming Edgewood City Council agenda.
The board also had a brief discussion with Sheree Griffin about possible financial assistance for a new business she is interested in opening.