Heritage Academy Corridor

 

When I first walked into this nearly 100 year old school, I was immediately taken back to my elementary school, which was probably of the same vintage. It wasn't hard to imagine students lining these halls.

School Auditorium

I was a volunteer for the 2012 Augusta Photo Festival and had the good fortune to assist with several of the photography workshops held at the Heritage Academy in downtown Augusta.

From 1916 to 2000, the facility was known as the Houghton School. After extensive renovation, the school was opened in 2007 as the Heritage Academy.

Heritage Academy is an independent school offering an education to children of diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, empowering them to become a positive influence. Heritage Academy has an intentional mission to the children of low-income families

Merry Christmas Everyone

The Nicest Present

by Joanna and Karl Fuchs

 

Under the tree the gifts enthrall,

But the nicest present of them all

Is filling our thoughts with those who care,

Wanting our Christmas joy to share.

 

To you, whom we're often thinking of,

We send our holiday joy and love.

Christmas Eve

The Night Before Christmas

By Clement C. Moore

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of midday to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they same,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

 

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blizen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.

 

His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself,

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

TO

ALL

AND

TO ALL

A GOOD NIGHT

 

 

 

 

 





Christmas Spirit

After the cards are written and mailed, the tree decorated, the wreath hung, the candles placed in the windows, the shopping done and the packages wrapped, I get into the Christmas spirit by popping the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol in the DVD player and when its over, the 1951 version with Alastair Sim as Scrooge.

Of all of the movie and tv renditions of this Christmas classic, these two are my favorites and the season is not complete until I've watched them both.

Some years ago in Paris, I picked up a copy of Un Chant de Noel. As a not-so-good student of the French language, I thought this familiar story would be an easy read and for the most part it is.

Tonight, I watched the 1938 version with French subtitles! A new tradition has been borne.

Evening in the Appleby Garden Concert

Perpetual Care

I visited the Magnolia Cemetery today and I came across many family plots with this marker - Perpetual Care C.C.A. I can't imagine how the small amount initially paid could come close to providing this service today. There were so many graves that obviously haven't been visited by family members in last fifty years. But, those that were at least had the occasional veteran's flag or vase of flowers and fewer weeds.

I was especially drawn to the gated plots belonging to the former pillars of the community. Most, like the one below were in disrepair.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy my views of Augusta.

Immaculate Conception No More

The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception and its Academy were built and dedicated in 1913 by the African Missionary Fathers of the Catholic Church. Located on the corner of Gwinnett Street (now Laney-Walker Boulevard) and Eleventh Street, the original two buildings of red brick consisted of the church and its parochial school. Taught by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception whose convent and boarding school were a block away on Twelfth Street, the school attracted African American students of all faiths. With two additional buildings added later in the 20th century, the campus had been a cornerstone in the Laney-Walker neighborhood for nearly a century.

Although the Church was closed in the 1974, the school remained at this site until 2009, when it moved to Telfair Street and Eighth Street. Last week, the old Immaculate Conception School - attended by my grandmother, my father and his seven brothers and sisters, was demolished. Next week, I suspect that the church building, shown below, will follow suit.

I Need a Break

Thanks for following me and providing comments, but I need a break. I don't know how long I'll be away from posting, hopefully not too long. In the meantime, when I have a photo to share, I'll do so on Facebook. Follow me there - Eleanor Matthews.

Condominiums on Walton Way

It's after dusk on tranquil Walton Way, located in the Summerville section of Augusta. The tree line, light tails of passing cars and the flowing fountain are shown in the background. Soon the azaleas will be in bloom and golf-mania, otherwise known as the Masters Tournament, will be rampant in Augusta. Despite the throngs of visitors from near and far, traffic jams, packed restaurants and the general disruption of daily life most in Augusta can hardly wait! 

New Savannah Cemetery



 Except for the New Savannah Cemetery, nothing remains of the town of New Savannah, Georgia.

Stairway to Riverwalk

Augusta-Richmond County Public Library

Brick Shed and Wall

I discovered this brick structure and wall behind the old Augusta Library parking lot.

Used Book Shop

Yesterday, the Augusta Richmond County Public Library hosted the first annual Augusta Literary Festival, which included more than 50 local authors. The Augusta community was able to meet authors, hear excerpts of their work and get signed copies of their books. The Friends of the Library Book Shop had a vintage typewriter on display - it was curiosity to many.

Augusta Block Bricks

As I sought to find any information about these 'Augusta' Bricks, I discovered that a Florida blog - The St. Pete Project posted photos of Augusta and other named city bricks on January 23, 2012. The only information I could find was the following from an Augusta Chronicle article written in 1999.

GEORGIA VITRIFIED CLAY CO., Harlem, GA
From The Augusta Chronicle: Georgia Vitrified Brick and Clay Co. opened in 1902. The main part of the institution was at Campania, about two miles outside Harlem. One of the company's founding officers, Frank R. Clark, was instrumental in helping locate the first bank in Columbia County, at Harlem, in November 1905.

The company's kilns were used to produce sewer pipes, chimney liners, flues, tiles and other clay products. During its heyday, the enterprise rented small apartment homes in Belair to house many of its employees at Campania and its mines.

The company's legacies include bricks embossed with the "AUGUSTA BLOCK" trademark, manufactured and produced through the 1940s.

These bricks still can be found at some locations across the South. They are on some walkways near Riverwalk Augusta and Daniel Village, and some are embedded in highways throughout the vicinity. Old courthouse and cemetery yards in Georgia still yield the famed bricks that were processed at the ovens in Campania. Moreover, many also can be found in areas of Florida such as Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The company was sold in 1995 to an Indiana firm. Its facility at Campania has been used primarily as a distribution point.

Gardner Family Cemetery Gate

Power Grid?

This is a literal representation of today's City Daily PhotoTheme of Electricity. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. 

Car Wash No More

Pontiac Master Auto, located at the corner of 11th and Telfair Streets apparently operated as a car wash before its new owners demolished this portion of the building. I don't yet know what its new incarnation will be, but if it's photogenic...

Cemetery Lane Sign

Iron Cemetary Fence

Magnolia Cemetary

Magnolia Cemetery is located on land that was at one time part of a plantation with the first official burial in August of 1818. The cemetery contains over 60 acres.

Winter in the Swamp

New Savannah Lock & Dam

Augusta State University Orchestra

The Augusta State University Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Martin David Jones, performed Bartok and Beethoven during Thursday night's concert at Maxwell Performing Arts Theater. Dr. Linda Banister, Music Department professor sang an emotion-filled aria from Beethoven's Ah, Perfido.

Trees in the Park

The trees in New Savannah Lock & Dam Park are still bare, except for the Spanish Moss, of course!

Destination: Phinizy Swamp Observation Deck

From the boardwalk above the floodplain of Butler Creek to the observation deck. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is located within the city limits of Augusta, just a stone's throw away from the Augusta Regional Airport. A great place to see birds of flight, such as egrets and jets.

Spaulding Bench

This bench in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park was donated by the children and grandchildren of Jack and Anne Spaulding.

Reed Creek Falls

Reed Creek Falls flowing into the historic Augusta Canal.

Bank Columns

The Citizens and Southern National Bank

Augusta Chronicle

Civil War Heritage Trails

ASU Jazz Ensemble

The Augusta State Department of Music presented the Jazz Ensemble, student musicians and their director  Dr. Robert Foster, in concert last night. The program included selections from John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Nat Adderley and others. The Jazz Ensemble is indeed a fine group of young jazz musicians. Looking forward to their next performance scheduled for mid April.

Charleston Street Hearts

ASU Campus

Happy Sunday!

Shadow on the Walk

On Campus