2316 Mt. Pelia Road, Martin - Beautiful Cottage- Priced in the low $60s

Tim and I will be hosting two open houses this Sunday, May 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

5 Reasons to Visit These Open Houses:

  1)  Two Great Choices:  Martin offers quality housing in all price ranges.   Pick the one that fits within your budget and see the value you can get for your money!

2)  Interest Rates are Great:  Have you looked lately at what you can do with financing?  FHA, Rural Home, Conventional–Rates are low and give you a way to get the most for your money. 

3)  Country Setting-  Do you crave a peaceful backyard view of  rolling land and farms?   Both of these homes provide quick access to all of the best of Martin and still shine in a country setting. 

Gentleman's Farm- Log Cabin and 14 acres

4)  Relaxed Atmosphere – Have you scoured the internet and highlighted one of these homes?  Here’s your chance to just take a Sunday drive and preview at your leisure.  If you want to talk with Tim or me, we are there to answer your questions.  We’ve got the specific in-depth information on these two unique homes.

5)  A Chance to Win $8,000-  Century 21 is working hard to build on the benefits felt by many who got a bit of extra cash with the now expired First Time and Current Homebuyer tax credit incentive.   There is a sweepstakes for an $8,000 drawing.  Read about the sweepstakes online or visit with us Sunday and learn more about it!   Here’s the information.

Buying a home is usually a lot of fun and an exciting time in a person’s life, especially when you work with people who care.  We listen and connect.  Come by Sunday.    Here’s the details on both homes:

2316 Mt. Pelia Road

 Directions:  Turn west onto Mt. Pelia Rd at the BP.  Stay on Mt. Pelia Rd approx. 4 miles to the Mt. Pelia community.  House is located on the right on the corner of Mt. Pelia and Poynter Rd. 

• Craftsman style brick cottage in the country features nine ft. ceilings, hardwood floors, wide moldings and French doors.
• Three bedrooms, central heating and cooling and spacious rooms. In addition, you’ll love the roomy shop, workshop drive-in basement and low maintenance exterior. 
• Priced in the low$60′s, don’t miss this exceptional home ownership opportunity. 

303 Collier Road

Directions:  Turn west onto Mt. Pelia Rd. at the BP station.  Stay on Mt. Pelia Rd. to Collier Rd.  Turn left onto Collier Rd.  House will be approx .3 mi on the left. Watch for signs! 

• Custom log home on 14.6 acres.  Country living at its finest! 
• Large wrap-around porches overlooking a stocked pond with fishing pier.  Custom built throughout. 
• Ceramic tile, salon bath with jetted tub and tons of custom cabinets and vanities. 
• Guest house or mother-in-law cottage comes with full kitchen and bath. 
• Land is ideal for horses or cattle.  40 x 80 shop plus RV and boat storage. 

Need more information.  Feel free to contact me at 731-225-2619 or leslie@lesliehaywood-moore.com.

See you Sunday.

New sidewalks and trees-A Sunday downtown 2008

“What’s in it for me?  I don’t have a business down there.” 

“Money is being spent to install new sidewalks and lighting.  How does that help my business?

“How does all this effort going into the downtown business district help my business outside of downtown?” 

Admit it, if you don’t work in or own a business downtown these may be some of your thoughts as the City of Martin continues to push forward in revitalizing our downtown business district.  All of the efforts of past downtown projects and now the launch of the city’s involvement in Tennessee Downtowns, a revitalization program operated under the principles of the successful Main Street ® program, raises questions.  Of course it does.  It is change.  Someone will benefit.  Who will it be?

The answer is:  All of us. 

When you describe Martin to others outside our area, do you include a glowing recommendation to visit our downtown area for shopping, eating, business services and entertainment? 

Do you include downtown Martin as part of your stops when you are holiday or back-to-school shopping or simply looking for a birthday party gift for your child?

Do you consider downtown Martin as one of the places to go when you bring guests or family members into town on the weekends? 

Downtown Martin is growing!

Answer these questions, and ask yourself  if you are actively supporting what is happening downtown right now to help it grow?   Are you willing, but unsure of how you can help? 

You may have read in the newspaper, recently, that Martin was one of ten TN towns selected for the Tennessee Downtowns grant.  Yesterday was the first planning session, and the steering committee and the coordinators involved with Tennessee Downtowns met in the conference room of Office Products.

My main take-away from this meeting was that comprehensive revitalization takes time.  We should begin our endeavor by taking “baby steps,” as one of the coordinators described it and questioning what we like about our downtown.  So, I am asking you to help with the homework.  Take a look at what downtown means to you.  Find the positive qualities of our downtown, and focus there for now. 

Here’s how you can join in.   A suggestion was made for the steering committee to complete a list of The 100 Things You Can Find In Downtown Martin.  There is now a list growing on Facebook on the Historic Martin page.  If you aren’t a friend, join and add to the list.  Start the process and get involved. Visit our downtown area.  If you aren’t satisfied with what you see, think about where your skills and interests may help bring change.  And if you aren’t on Facebook,  you can email me your suggestions, and I’ll add them in.  Email 100Things@lesliehaywood-moore.com or add as a comment to this post.

Add beautiful architecture to our list. Window above entrance at Weldon Public Library.

A vibrant downtown is a drawing point, a source of pride, a centralized location representing the very heart and soul of a town.  And revitalization efforts are not just for the people who own and operate businesses downtown.   My business location isn’t downtown, yet I want downtown Martin to continue its efforts in growing as the center of our community more than it already is.  The results affect my business and my quality of life in Martin, TN.

As a Realtor®, my perspective  is that a healthy downtown brings life to a community.  A vibrant downtown is a tremendous selling point and attraction for newcomers whether they will be working with existing business or bringing a business to town.   (Follow the progress of a new business under renovation now in downtown Martin on their Facebook page, The Looking Glass Coffee & Curiosities. )  

Plus, an increase in successful businesses downtown can increase revenues to our city and contribute to a healthier economic condition.  Remember, new businesses provide an upswing in opportunities for the many people who provide goods and services to Martin residents.  The more people pulled to Martin to work, or to open new businesses or to visit means increased needs for housing, food, entertainment, lodging, shopping, and the list goes on and on.  

The Opera House Restaurant - A highlight downtown

2) Additionally, the renovation of existing streetscapes is an investment in the physical elements of our city and adds to the beauty and charm of our area.  Spending money to upgrade our town in this manner makes sense.  A well-kept and appealing downtown area only boosts the attraction quality of Martin to others.

As a long-time Martin resident, my perspective is that I want a vibrant downtown filled with shops, businesses and restaurants that offers me and my family ample,  in-town opportunities for entertainment and business.   How many of us travel to other towns and cities in Tennessee and end up in the downtown area due to the variety of businesses, shops, restaurants, entertainment outlets, art and music fairs, special events and more—all in one central location? 

My wish for our downtown?  I see a place where people fall in love with our own unique Martin downtown.   I want visitors to ooh and ahh when they go home and describe the excitement and life they saw in our business district.   Think about a downtown you have visited in the past year or so.  Have you ever described for someone what you loved about the area?  I always talk about Paducah’s downtown with its brick-street alleys and antique shops, its restaurants and Kirchhoff’s deli-bakery–a have-to stop on every trip. 

The Art's Co-Op - A welcomed addition to downtown

(P.S.  Another thought for those of us who have businesses located outside the downtown business district and wonder how all the attention to downtown helps them.   My experience has been that Paducah’s downtown may be the attraction for me, but I’ve become acquainted with the town because of my trips there and have found other shops, restaurants and activities outside of downtown where I also spend my money and time.) 

The point is there are towns all over the nation where people started out small with big ideas toward enhancing their downtown area.  I believe Martin is a part of this forward-thinking group.

The amount of work already done to downtown has infused energy and excitement to the area.  I offer kudos and a big thank you to everyone who has worked to bring new life to our downtown.  My family has enjoyed the benefits from the existing businesses downtown and the positive effects of a new downtown look, a new restaurant, a new arts facility and several businesses that have entered the scene over the years.  

The first step is to change how we all look at our involvement in supporting additional downtown revitalization efforts.  These are my personal observations as a business owner and resident of Martin.  Will you join me in helping to promote growth downtown by taking a small baby step and help build our list of The 100 Things You Can Find in Downtown Martin?

Much to See at WLJT-TV’s Wedding Wonderland Bridal Vendor Show.

For my readers who have wedding bells in their future, here’s a chance to gather in the best ideas for every part of your special day–all in one location.   WLJT-TV’s second annual Wedding Wonderland Bridal Vendor Show is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lindell, downtown Martin.

Admission is free.  Plus, vendors have taken every booth available promising brides and their families a full array of wedding necessities and services to preview without the hassle and expense of traveling out of town.

I had a chance to ask Katrina Cobb, WLJT-TV’s assistant station manager and bridal show coordinator, about Saturday’s event:

Who should attend ?  ”This show is for everyone.  The bride is an absolute must.  She can bring her bridesmaids, and they can help her pick out the best cakes.  She can bring her mom and dad, and they can help her choose a photographer.  She can bring the groom, and he can help pick out his tux.  There’s something for everyone.”

What is a favorite of yours at the show ?  ”Last year, we all had a wonderful time.  It was so great to see these girls planning for their big day!  Some only brought one or two people with them, and there were others who brought the whole family.   One girl introduced me to her group of about eight people, and she pointed out her father to me.  I commented that he was the first father of the day.  He was quick to tell me that he was writing the check, so he wanted to see what he was paying for.”

Katrina continued,  ”This event just puts a smile on your face.  It’s beautiful, first of all, because the vendors take such pride in their displays.  The brides and their friends are all so excited.  And, well, it’s just something different to do on a Saturday in Martin, Tennessee. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

What prompted WLJT to begin offering this event ? ” With the state of the economy, we’re all looking for new ways to raise money – especially not-for-profits like WLJT.  Each time we consider a new event like this we ask ourselves several questions.  Is there a need for this?  Is there a “following” for this?  Is it a service that we can provide?  Can we be involved in this sort of event and still hold our heads up high and feel with spent our time and efforts respectfully? In the case of our Wedding Wonderland there was definitely a need.   No similar events closer than Jackson had been held in several years, and there’s always a following because there’s always new brides.  This is something that we can coordinate and be of service, not only to the brides, but also to the vendors who look at this as being a different avenue of promotion for their business.  We work with the absolute best vendors, so we’re very proud of the company we keep!”

I know the admission is free, and that vendors pay for their booth space. How does WLJT-TV benefit from this fundraiser? “The vendor booth revenue goes directly to the purchase of programs seen on WLJT and to the cost of outreach programs that we provide.  So we’re taking the vendor’s money and investing it back in to the services we provide for West Tennesseans.”

It takes a lot of time and organization to make an event like this successful.  To what do you attribute your success ?  ”A great group of people at the station doing something they love – meeting and serving the community – coming together with a great group of vendors that are dedicated to providing quality products and services to their customers.  It’s a winning combination.”

The Lindell is a special event facility offering an elegant venue in downtown Martin.

Any other information you would like to share about the event?   “We’ll be open Saturday, January 23 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at  The Lindell in downtown Martin.  Cost is absolutely zero, and the brides can register for some fabulous door prizes, make some new friends and take care of a lot of the wedding “to do” list.”

Martin Business Association Members:  You live in a small town. But, that doesn’t mean you know everybody.  You may have lived here in Martin all of your life, but there are new faces and new businesses around.

That’s why the MBA’s Mix and Mingle events are so much fun.  And this one coming up Thursday night at the UTM Elam Center is one to attend.

Don’t miss out on talking with old and new friends.  It’s a great chance to connect.  (I met a person new to town, at the first Mix and Mingle I attended, who later became a real estate client.  I became a believer in these events from that day on.) Obviously, networking is what it is all about, but getting to do so while supporting UTM athletics during this event is a plus.

Not a member and interested?  Join MBA today.  It is a free membership that is worth the time.

Here’s the scoop for MBA’s Quarterly Mix and Mingle:

UTM’s Department of Athletics, as the sponsor, is graciously providing hors d’oeuvres and refreshments for MBA members during the Mix and Mingle from 5 to 6 p.m.  You can stay afterwards and get free admission to the Skyhawk’s games against Tennessee Tech.  Plus, UTM says the men’s game is being shown on ESPNU, so be sure to show your support for the teams by wearing orange and blue.

Parking and Registration: I spoke with Trudy Henderson from the UTM department of athletics today about the event.   She said the best place to park is in the lot next to the tennis courts off of Mt. Pelia.   Enter in the Elam Center front doors by the indoor pool overlook.   Then, register at the MBA table located before you reach the ticket booth.  From there, Trudy says someone will direct you straight down the Skyhawk concourse to a private reception area.

More Info:  RSVP Deadline is Wednesday, January 13 by noon.  Make sure to email Trudy at trudyh@utm.edu and let her know you are attending.

The Skyhawk Club Room, Elam Center, UTM ; 5 – 6 p.m. this Thursday night, Jan. 14.

See you there.

Kids Acting Out -----Summer Session Stars with Teresa Collard and Sabrina Exum

“If you are a dreamer, come in.  If you are a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a pray-er, a magic-bean buyer…”* and so the debut readers’ theater play began with an opening quote from Shel Silverstein.  After five weeks of dedicated rehearsals, third, fourth and fifth-grade actors presented their work to guests gathered in Weldon Library’s story hour room this summer.

As coordinator of the program, I expected a successful session due to the tremendous talent of teachers, kids and volunteers involved.  What wasn’t anticipated was the genuine joy I experienced from watching these little ones bloom and grow into their characters under the tutelage of Performance Director Dr. Teresa Collard.  Laughter and energy flowed between teacher and students.   Warm-up exercises, rehearsals and knock-knock joke-filled snack times were expertly crafted into two-hour sessions that nurtured and promoted self-expression and self-confidence.

Here’s the scoop for this year’s program:

Kids Acting Out: An Introduction to Readers’ Theater is hosted by the Weakley County Arts & Humanities Council and the Weldon Public Library in Martin.

Register now: There are still openings now in the fall session, but class size is limited.  Sessions are for third, fourth and fifth grade students and will be from 3 until 5 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 12, continue on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 with a final rehearsal and performance on Dec. 10.  Register with Sabrina Exum at 587-3148 at Weldon Library or email me at:  kidsactingout@lesliehaywood-moore.com.

Here’s a little history: The summer pilot project received enough great feedback that the Arts & Humanities Council applied for grant support to offer a 2009-2010 program with two school-year sessions and a 2010 summer session.  Now, with funding under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission in cooperation with the Northwest TN Development District and from generous support from volunteers, our program is in full swing.

What is readers’ theater? Readers’ theater involves written works which are taken and presented in a dramatic presentation in script form.  With presentations given in a classroom setting, the readers get to hold their scripts.  There is also no theater experience or memorization required.  What is necessary though, according to Collard, is a willingness to learn and to express yourself.

Readers’ theater is used both in an entertainment and training environment.  Advocates of readers’ theater for children claim that the exercise promotes:  group cooperation and self-expression, creativity,  language appreciation and reading skills.

Who is teaching? Collard is the coordinator of women’s studies and a faculty member in the department of communications at UTM.  She has directed readers’ theater on a college level and was instrumental in making this program happen.   Sabrina Exum is the children’s and youth services librarian at Weldon Library and wonderful at volunteering her time in registration and support for the program.  A host of other volunteers are also helping to make this program successful including two local theater actors making guest appearances to provide additional acting instruction and insight.

As a parent, I loved the opportunity to enroll my little one in a program that promoted reading, creativity and fun.   If you have a child who is interested in reading and theater, don’t let this program slip by!

Happy Halloween!

Ushering in our Halloween weekend, the C.E. Weldon Library in Martin is hosting a Great Pumpkin Party this Friday, October 30 beginning at 3 p.m. for all Weakley County kids, ages Pre-K through 5th grade.

Kids get to have so much fun on holidays.  This party promises that little ones will get to play games, listen to Halloween stories, win door prizes and participate in a carved pumpkin contest.  According to Sabrina Exum, Director of Children’s Library Services, children who want to participate in the contest should bring their decorated or carved pumpkin to the library by 3:15 on Friday.   Winners will be announced at 3:30, and there will be prizes.

The kids will also get to trick-or-treat at area businesses during the Great Pumpkin Parade downtown.  Parents or older siblings will have to accompany their little “monster”, and Sabrina says to make sure to wear costumes to make it even more fun.

The weather forecast suggests we may be in for a bit of wet weather on Friday.   If so, Sabrina says the inside activities will still go on as planned, and the staff will make the call on the parade activity that afternoon.   The event is co-sponsored the UTM division of STEA and the Martin Historic Business District Association.

Happy Halloween!

When the daffodils and forsythia punch their bright flash of yellow flowers through the winter gray my spirits lift, and the spring bug bites.  Old hyacinth friends pushing up through the dirt promise purple-blue flowers and brim with a fragrance that is, for me, the essence of springtime.

It is a time of renewal.  Perennials use the strength gathered from nutrients while dying back last season to burst forth again.  Compost is made from fallen leaves and garden debris and used to nurture the new flowers.

My admiration for this efficient cycle is probably why I am drawn to the discussion going on in our community right now about recycling.  It makes sense to try to reuse what we can and help our planet.  As a family, we have periodically gathered old newspapers and cans, but we have never made a lifestyle change.  Why not?  A lack of awareness, a lack of an easy system and a lack of a nearby facility to take all of these items could have been reasons in the past.  Not any more.  There’s a change going on in our town, and it is time for us to get involved.

Two Quick Steps toward joining the effort:

1. Attend the free Martin Beautiful  Earth Day – Recycle event slated for Saturday, April 25 beginning at 9 a.m. at Vincent Implements.  Dennis Kosta and David Carithers from UTM Recycles! will be hosting the first seminar titled:  Recycling for Us. A second seminar at 10:45 and conducted by Vaughn Cassidy, a local West Tennessee environmental coordinator, is titled:  The Cost of “Away.” This event is round two of a series of spring seminars hosted by Martin Beautiful.   Their website has the dates and information for the next seminar scheduled in May and is a resource for information about getting involved in celebrating the beauty in our town.

2. Take your items to the UTM Recycles! center.   They are accepting recyclables at the facility behind the old National Guard Armory on Moody St. The building is the largest warehouse-type structure at the end of Moody St. on the right. According to Dennis Kosta, a strong supporter of the facility, you can bring :

• glass
• bottles
• plastic (including bags)
• aluminum cans
• paper and cardboard
• steel cans
• scrap metal
• used clothing in good shape
• eyeglasses
• cell phones
• ink cartridges

The center is open and bins are available for drop off of your items. If you need assistance in unloading materials, call 881-7640  M-F between 7:30 and 4:00 p.m. to setup up an appointment to have someone help you unload.

These are just a few quick actions to become more involved in the recycling effort in Martin.  The Moore family has taken one baby step this week with the decision to use an organic weed barrier in our Century 21 ”Veggie Village” Kids’ Garden.  We’re using old newspapers instead of plastic.  Our learning curve is high, but the movement is in the right direction.

I’m a member of the Martin Business Association and serve on the activities committee.  It is easy to be involved when there are such great events in our town.  This one is almost here.  Wait, let my friend, Adonis, tell you all about it:

Howdy.

The UTM 41st Annual Spring College Rodeo is slated for April 16-18.  The Martin Business Association is jumping in there to help promote this fun, family event that brings many dollars back into our community.

Special thanks to Benton, KY native, Adonis, for being this post’s spokesperson and to his family, Bev and Harry Reed, for sharing him

Anyone want to take a stab and caption this photo? It was a normal day. Tim and I were driving back from showing a home to a client. At the intersection of Hamm and Hyndsver Road, it struck. An alien sign was right here on the outskirts of Martin. Air mail, duck crossing, giants—these thoughts crossed through my confused mind when I saw the street sign.

It is a bit unusual, I’ll admit. Yet, I think it is a creative solution to a nagging problem. As a real estate agent, street signs are important to me when locating homes, especially when I’m out on country roads. You can Map-Quest all you want, but you and your clients sometimes need the name of the street to turn at the right spot.

But there are more important issues. If you are waiting for an ambulance in a dire emergency, it would be nice that the drivers, even the ones from here who know most of the county roads, have a street sign to follow to find your home. There is the somewhat dependable GPS, and I don’t know about you, but I want my ambulance driver to have a street sign instead of relying on that droning voice commanding the driver “to turn right in 50 yards.” In a pinch, give me the sign.

Vandals see it differently. Wait, I don’t think they see it at all. Signs are destroyed and, more often, stolen. It is an expensive problem. Therefore, a “tall” preventative measure was established.

“It borders on being ridiculous, but you have to almost be ridiculous when people act this way ” said Weakley County Road Supervisor, Kermit Hopper. For years, there has been about $25,000 allocated for sign replacement. “We’ve spent almost every penny every year on vandalism. Very few signs get run over accidentally. Most are torn down,” he said.

Budget cuts have made it harder to keep up with the amount of signs needing replacement. Hopper said the department made adjustments and started putting up the tall signs.

“We have seen signs done this way in other areas,” said Hopper. The 15-foot elevated signs are a little more expensive on the front end and are only being used where signs have been vandalized more than once. There are about 50 of these tall signs scattered around the county. Hopper says the measure has slowed down the destruction and stealing.

I asked Hopper what to do if you come across a stolen sign. He said just return it to the Highway Department, Highway 22 in Dresden, or leave it near the flagpole in front of the building. “We are not looking to prosecute anyone bringing a sign back; however, we will prosecute anyone caught in the act of stealing or destroying a sign,” he said.

My caption to the photo: Look Up! County stands tall in finding a solution to street sign vandalism.