Memorial markers return downtown

Heritage Alliance is celebrating the Warren County Bicentennial with a number of events this month, including the rededication of two monuments, the Blue Star Highway and Charles Faulkner Bryan markers, removed temporarily during the Main Street project, and the dedication of a new plaque commemorating Dad Lively?s contributions to getting the carillon installed in the courthouse.

Mayor Royce Davenport and state Rep. Judd Matheny where on hand for the dedications, along with Bobby Ray?s sister, Mary Don Ray Bixby, and Dad Lively?s son Billy Lively and his wife Betty.

Heritage Alliance?s Jimmy Haley says the rededication is something the organization has been planning for some time.

?When we did the Main Street project they were set aside to be reinstalled,? Haley said. ?We just felt like those monuments needed to come back downtown because they had been there for so long and everybody expected them to be here. The Blue Star Highway memorial was basically done in memory of Bobby Ray, who died in Vietnam while serving his country as a medic, and of course Charles Faulkner Bryan for his musical legacy locally, across the state and across the country.?

The plaque at the courthouse noting Dad Lively?s contribution to the carillon was a new memorial.

?It was dedicated to Mr. Lively who was involved with all kinds of music, like the Lively Band,? Haley said. ?Music was as much a part of his life as photography was.?

Heritage Alliance will also be presenting its annual historic preservation awards this Thursday, May 17, at the community room of the Chamber of Commerce beginning at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend, since this will be a special edition of the awards in light of the bicentennial.

?We?re calling them the History Maker Awards this year,? Haley said. ?Because we want to recognize those people who, over the last 50 years or so, have made major contributions to Warren County and its history. Oftentimes people are overlooked, so we?re recognizing educators, politicians, and people who have volunteered for public service. People who have been part of community clubs and civic organizations. This is going to be the first of these, but we?re going to have another one next year.?