Mentone Area Arts Council supports another art show and workshop

Mentone Area Arts Council (MAAC) Members are conducting February
Shows and Workshops

Color in February: A One Woman Art Show

In November 2011, MAAC member Debbie "Happy" Cohen made a commitment to post one painting on Facebook every day for a year. On Thursday, February 23rd, Happy will display her current work beginning at 6:30 PM at Rock Ridge Retreat in Valley Head, Alabama. Rock Ridge Retreat is located at 451 Rock Ridge Road (off Lowery Road). Enjoy 50 colorful paintings and live music with Kam Showers from Atlanta, GA who will lift your heart and soul.

For more information, please call 404-395-9512 or visit www.artinthemind.com.

Learn the Art of Massage in Mentone

On Saturday, February 25th, MAAC member Kerry Breithaupt will conduct a basic massage workshop from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM Central Time. Kerry is a licensed Massage Therapist and conducts seminars and massage therapy workshops all over the country. No experience is necessary and only light physical exertion is needed. For further information or to register for the workshop, contact Kerry at 256-254-9802 or email her at kerryblmt@gmail.com.

MAAC is an active member of the Mentone community bringing us home tours, art shows and workshops. From their website, the Mentone Area Arts Council states their purpose as: We believe the arts are for everyone, beginning with our children and continuing throughout our lifetimes. We promote big dreams in a small town, nurturing artists, building audiences and bringing the arts to the community and the community to the arts. Our goal is to encourage individual creativity and to broaden community participation, appreciation and support for the visual, performing, and literary arts in the Mentone Area.

Founded in 2006, The Mentone Area Arts Council (MAAC) is a non-profit tax exempt organization that has enriched the quality of life for people in Mentone and neighboring communities by raising funds for the arts, sponsoring events, providing educational opportunities, and strengthening cultural resources for the benefit of all businesses and citizens in the Mentone area.

The Mentone Area Arts Council will be hosting at least two art shows this summer. The first will be June 2 and 3rd called the Lookout Mountain Art Expo. Then near Fourth of July, MAAC will host the July Fest 2012 on July 7th and 8th.

Thank you for all of your work MAAC!

For the Love of Dogs at Mountain Laurel Inn!

Golden Retrievers have been a part of Mountain Laurel Inn B&B in Mentone since it opened back in 1996 with the arrival of Baxter followed by Lickety-Split and now Sammie. Goldens are social, love lots of attention and are easily trained so being a host at a bed and breakfast is a natural calling. What a rewarding career that allows them to utilize their motherly instinct. Read more about these special B&B guest ambassadors at our updated website page Best B&B Greeters in Alabama. Come to Mentone and Mountain Laurel Inn and let Sammie demonstrate her hospitality soon.

Can you name these other famous Golden Retrievers?
1. From Bush’s baked beans TV commercial
2. From the movie Air Bud
3. From the movie Homeward Bound
4. From the TV show Full House
5. The pet of former President Gerald Ford
Answers at end of blog

Fun and interesting facts for dog lovers found on http://www.funfidos.com/

The ones that Sammie gave three barks for are:

• The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.



• The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order:Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd,Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle,Shih Tzu, and Bulldog.



• Most pet owners (94 percent) say their pet makes them smile more than once a day.
  Seventy percent of people sign their pet’s name on greeting cards and 58 percent include their pets in family and holiday portraits, according to a survey done by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Additional facts found on the site:

• Eighty percent of dog owners buy their dog a present for holidays and birthdays. More than half of them sign letters and cards from themselves and their pets.



• A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute.



• The longest lived dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was an Australian Cattle Dog, named Bluey, who lived to be 29.



• It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.



• If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!



• The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.



• Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill.



• More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog.



• Dogs don’t like rain because the sound is amplified and hurts their very sensitive ears.




• A greyhound can run as fast as 45 miles an hour.



• Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to 16 years or more. Larger dogs average is 7 - 12 years.


• The dog name “Fido” is from Latin and means “fidelity.”



• The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.



• Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.



• It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.



• A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.



• Dogs can smell about 1,000 times better than humans. While humans have 5 million smell-detecting cells, dogs have more than 220 million. The part of the brain that interprets smell is also four times larger in dogs than in humans.
  
  Answers: 1. Duke 2. Buddy 3. Shadow 4. Comet 5. Liberty

Mountain Laurel Inn is loving February in Mentone

Mentone and Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast have been shining this month with romantic moonlit nights, bright yellow daffodils, high flowing waterfalls and several mentions in the news concerning our Valentine’s packages on Lookout Mountain that create a special retreat for sweethearts.


On Sunday, Sarah demonstrated on Birmingham’s Fox 6 WRBC how to cook Mountain Laurel Inn’s Decadent French Toast highlighting the romantic events this February in our area.




Here are some ways to be a romantic this holiday:

For Romance and Relaxation:

Mountain Laurel Inn B&B continues to promote it’s “I Love You” package all year long with roses, flutes and sparkling cider, a personal note card, chocolates and a candle that can be included with any type of stay.

Mentone Inn is offering all month it’s two night package called “Inn Love” which includes the B&B stay, roses and chocolate covered strawberries.

Holiday Inn Express in Fort Payne will treat you with their Canyon Romance Package offering rose petals and sparkling beverages and encouraging you to experience the delights of Little River Canyon and our great outdoors.

For Dining:

The Historic Mentone Springs Hotel will open it’s doors on Saturday, February 11th for a special five course dinner prepared by guest chef, Jason and accompanied by entertainment from Lisa Crow and Jay Chadwick. Enjoy the ambience of one of the oldest hotels in Alabama.

DeSoto State Park’s Mountain Inn Restaurant is offering a “Sweetheart Special” on Friday and Saturday February 10th and 11th from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wildflower Café in Mentone will celebrate Valentine’s with special menus and hours from February 9th until February 14th. Don’t miss the wonderful creations of Chef Ben and the lively atmosphere of the Café with live music.

Moonlight Bistro is also a great choice for a romantic dinner at the crossroads of Mentone on Friday or Saturday evening with the intimate seating in a wonderful log cabin setting.

The Mountain Restaurant and Grille in Rainsville is having a Valentine Special on February 14th featuring your choice of Prime Rib or Broiled Red Snapper with soft music, candle light, and a rose for every lady!

A trip to Lookout Mountain Alabama will give sweethearts lots of opportunities for romantic walks on trails, time alone enjoying the thunder and beauty of waterfalls, relaxation in wonderful accommodations, spectacular dining and unique shopping.
DeKalb County Tourist Association has information on all that is offered in our area including these special Valentine’s package. Anytime of year is a great opportunity to show your love.

Sammie and Sarah hope to see you at Mountain Laurel Inn soon and will help guests with any dinner reservations

Labor Day Weekend in Mentone, Alabama: Come join us

This is going to be a great Labor Day weekend in Mentone.

The weekend kicks off with Uptown Lowmen in Mason Park at 7:00 PM on Friday night. This is really a great band with a gritty southern sound that will rock the house. The cost is only $10 per person and you will be certain to have a great time.

Splendor in September Art Show will also be moving to Mason Park on Saturday and Sunday. With over 40 artists committed to participating in the show, it simply outgrew the grounds of the Mentone Inn. Show will run from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Saturday, and 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Sunday.

September 2 • 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Mentone Inn Outdoor Pavilion
One World Adventure Company invites everyone in Mentone to their monthly fundraiser.
Buy a plate of farm-raised, hand-breaded catfish, homemade slaw & Hush-puppies for only $5!! Learn about their outdoor program in Valley Head School, our Strong Family Initiative.

September 3 "Crossroads to the Arts" The Northeast Alabama Arts Council is sponsoring "Crossroads to the Arts". Come and celebrate a day with all of our local artists and see what they have to offer. Event will be held in the Rainsville City Park. 10 a.m. 256-717-4050

September 5 Ider Mule Days This annual event showcases Sand Mountain’s rich agricultural heritage. Enjoy a parade of mules, horses, carriages, antique tractors and more. A horse pull, mule pull, antique tractors and cars, arts and crafts, food, children’s games, and so much more make this day one you won’t want to miss. Event takes place in the town of Ider and begins at 9:30 a.m. 256-657-4184

Come relax and have fun on Lookout Mountain at Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast soon. Click here for availability.

Camp Season in Mentone, Alabama begins for the summer

Lookout Mountain Alabama is the home of summer camps and the season began today. Camp Alpine opened today with a ten day junior camp. This weekend brings campers to Camp Laney, Camp Riverview, Camp Skyline and Lookout Mountain Camp for boys. The oldest camp in Mentone is Camp DeSoto for girls which opens the second weekend in June. Mentone and the surrounding ares is also home to Camp Comer Boy Scout camp, Ponderosa Bible Camp, Camp Juliete Low, Camp Adahi and Camp Woodmont. A summer in the mountains allows kids to enjoy the out doors, to make new friends and to develop confidence and independence. Cool summer nights around a campfire cannot be matched.

Mentone Area Arts News

Mentone is fortunate to have many artists in the area with local shops. Here are some upcoming special events in June and July sponsored by the local arts council. Come see the beauty.


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Mentone Area Arts Council Newsletter
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Dear Arts supporter:

Area benefit programs set for tornado relief

In the wake of the late April tornadoes that were so destructive across northern Alabama, several events have been scheduled to raise funds to help those in this area who suffered losses.


This Sunday, May 29th, from 12 pm until 6 pm, there will be a benefit musical performance at the Mapco station at I-59 and Glenn Boulevard, in Fort Payne. There will be live entertainment:



2 pm- Russell Gulley

3 pm- Max Russell and the Shakedown Kings

4 pm- The UpTown LowMen



Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross' Disaster Relief program. Country Music Hall of Famer Jeff Cook, of the legendary group Alabama, will also be there to meet and greet fans. Food and drink will be available for sale as well.



And, on Saturday, June 11, a silent auction to raise disaster relief funds will be held at the DeKalb Theater, in Fort Payne. The event will kick off at 9:00 am, and is being coordinated by the Wills Valley Covenant Church and Purpose Center. For more information on how to make a donation, contact Hank Sturm at 256-393-9986.




The Mentone Area Arts Council announces the first call for artists to display your work at the Mid Summer Art Show, July 2nd and 3rd, in Mentone. The 4th of July weekend in Mentone always attracts crowds of visitors to the area, and considering the low exhibitors fees, this is a very attractive show. Council members pay $20; non-members pay $45, but $25 of that goes to pay your 2011 membership in MAAC. What a deal! So sign up now, and join us in downtown Mentone for this great show. Mid Summer's coordinator Harry Ohme, says, "This will be a firecracker event!" Just fill out and return the following form to MAAC:



Please Print



NAME_____________________________________________





MAILING ADDRESS___________________________________



CITY_______________________STATE______________



EMAIL ADDRESS______________________________________



TYPE OF ART EXHIBITED______________________________



EXHIBITOR'S FEE ENCLOSED $20 MAAC MEMBER

$40 NON-MEMBER

Make Check Payable To MAAC



Participation will be confirmed. Mail form & fee to:



Harry Ohme

P. O. Box 243

Mentone, AL 35984



Holley Midgley, MAAC vice president

Training begins for Sammie's first 5K in Mentone

I, Sammie, have decided to participate in the Walk-It Challenge by Weight Watchers this spring and I am making Sarah do it with me. Now I love to run but if you know Sarah, you know she prefers to bike, hike, walk or climb trees. She hates to run and believes her body was not made to run. We have been biking together some this winter but now we are putting on our running shoes and we started our training today. Fortunately, Sarah did not die but she did lose count of how many reps we had done of walking a minute and running a minute. So we either did 10 or 11 Yay!. She has been doing Weight Watchers lately which has really cut down on goodies in the house. I could care less how many points are in a grilled cheese sandwich just give me all that goodness! Mmm, I'm getting hungry just writing this. Anyway, we have a six week plan to get ready for Weight Watchers 5K challenge in Rainsville. For this first week, on days 2, 4 and 7 you rest-I like that :)
On the other days for the 30 minutes of exercise, you always start and end with 5 minutes of walking(not strolling). Today, we did 10 reps of 1 minute running and 1 minute walking which we will repeat on Sunday. On the 4th day, it is 4 reps of 2 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking (oh dear-don't let Sarah know how long she is going to need to run). And day 6, consists of 3 reps of 2 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking.
Anyone that wants to join us in this endeavor, please come on and walk/run with us virtually or in person. Let us know how you are doing. If you just want to walk a 5K then join us with that training too. We will gladly communicate with anyone that wants to participate. Let's see if we can get Sarah to run a 5K-oh my!