The celebration begins with a neighborhood parade! Our Parade of the Decades will feature residents dressed in period costume, vintage autos, a marching band, a choir group, a Trolley, a Horse and Carriage, and more! Owners of vintage antique automobiles will display their vehicles in the median of South Capitol Parkway. Local artists will display and sell their wares at Vickers Park. Entertainment scheduled throughout the day will be held at Armstrong Park.

There will be nostalgic rides through the neighborhood in horse drawn carriages! There will also be plenty of food and refreshment!

We will also celebrate our history with two special events on that day.

Spotlight on History is a self guided walking / driving tour of the churches and (exterior of) homes in Capitol Heights. Churches in Capitol Heights have been invited to open their doors for tours. Homes within the neighborhood of special interest (historic significance, interesting architecture or with an interesting folklore) will be identified. Guests can walk or drive to these homes!

Heritage and History includes displays of interviews of current and former residents of Capitol Heights. Guests can hear about living in our neighborhood throughout the years!

The celebration begins at Armstrong Park on Madison Avenue. Please help us celebrate Capitol Heights 100th Birthday!

Centennial Events

Heritage and History
(display of interviews with current and former residents of Capitol Heights)

Spotlight on History
(exterior tour of historically or architecturally significant homes and churches)

Parade of the Decades
Vintage Auto Show
Arts & Crafts Show & Sale
Musical Entertainment
Horse & Carriage Rides
Food & Refreshments
Post a notice on the Find Your Neighbor Board
Play Centennial Scavenger Hunt!

In celebration of Capitol Heights Centennial year the Executive Committee has challenged us to create a cookbook! Anne West and Cynthia McCollister have offered to lead this effort and are anxious to get this book cooking!

In addition to all of Capitol Heights current and former residents favorite recipes, our hope is to include photos of our Capitol Heights homes along with narratives about them.

We are ready to begin accepting recipes and you can deliver them to us by mailing CHCA, emailing Cynthia.mccollister@charter.net, or bringing them to a meeting. All recipes should be legible (our preference is that they be typed or printed). Each recipe needs to include: your name, your address, recipe name, list of ingredients, and thorough directions. Please minimize the use of abbreviations.

Deadline for submission of recipes has been extended to April 25, 2008. 

If you would like to provide assistance beyond submitting recipes, please contact us!

Click below for a copy of the Recipe Submission Form and Info Letter

We ask that the art be clear and bold enough for visitors to see. For example, we will need a sign that indicates Arts/Crafts booths, Children’s game area, Oral History collections etc. Each sign will be around 20 x 24 inches and will be put on easels or stakes. A list of signs needed is included below.

The really cool part of this whole thing is that we will have original art work and we plan to auction them off after the Centennial to raise funds for our association…so be creative!!

We really hope you want to participate – please contact one of the Centennial Co-Chairs if you (or you know someone) that can participate! We’ll need to know which sign you plan to create and can answer any of your questions.

SIGNS NEEDED
Vintage Auto Show
1910 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1920 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1930 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1940 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1950 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1960 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1970 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1980 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
1990 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
2000 to be used at the Vintage Auto Show to align the automobiles in their decade!
Old Fashioned Games
Arts and Craft Show and Sale
Ticket Booth
Scavenger Hunt
Entertainment
Trolley Stop – four signs needed
Horse and Carriage Rides

VINTAGE AUTO SHOW – Maximum of 60 cars to be in show
VOL Committee Chairperson
$60 Printing of 50/50 game tickets – count of 300
VOL 2-3 Ambassadors: available as host/hostess for the auto vendors, collect for the 50/50 Drawing.
VOL Create signs needed for this event*****
VOL Build crowd controllers / barriers for this event
$200 Crowd controllers / barriers
$150 Electricity – Median, South Capitol Parkway
$120 Signs: 1 large sign for Auto Show and 10 smaller signs designating the different decades*****
$30 Printing invitations to participate in the auto show

OLD FASHIONED GAMES
VOL Committee Chairperson
$100 Supplies: beans, clothes pins, bottles, children’s prizes
$100 Paint and lumber for two bean bag toss backdrops
$125 Helium tank rental
$50 Specialty balloons (printed with our logo)
$20 Sign: one sign incorporating all of the games*****
$36 Rental: three tables and three chairs
VOL 3 Ambassadors – one each for the bean bag toss, clothes pin games, and croquet
VOL Build and paint the backdrops for the bean bag toss
VOL Create sign for this event*****

ARTS AND CRAFTS
VOL Committee Chairperson
$15 Cash box
$182 Rental: 22 tables and 2 chairs
$20 Sign*****
$200 Crowd controllers / barriers
$30 Printing expense for invitations
VOL Create sign designating Arts & Crafts*****
VOL 1-2 ambassadors to main the CHCA merchandising booth for the day

SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY: SELF-GUIDED WALKING/DRIVING TOUR
(Includes planning for ticket booth)
VOL Committee Chairperson
$1300 Producing the tour booklet
$300 Signs: advertising the Centennial – approximately 8 signs for the street
$900 Banner across Madison Avenue
$185 Numbered signs will be posted to tag locations of special interest
$100 Printing insert page for the booklet with the day’s agenda and scavenger hunt game
$20 Sign: Ticket Booth – buy ticket here*****
$20 Sign: Scavenger Hunt*****
$300 Three grand prizes for correct and complete Scavenger hunt game pieces
$15 Cash box
$16 Rental: 1 table and 2 chairs
$75 Rental: canopy
$15 Rental: tablecloth
$15 Cash box
VOL 2 Ambassadors. May need an additional 2 ambassadors first thing in the morning
 Submit your home to be on the tour list
VOL Create sign*****

HERITAGE AND HISTORY: DISPLAY OF ORAL HISTORIES COLLECTED
VOL Committee Chairperson
     Memorabilia, photos, newspapers, magazines, etc. documenting Capitol Heights
VOL Volunteer to be interviewed about your time in Capitol Heights (see a sample interview posted on our website)
    Do you know of a current or former Capitol Heights neighbor turning 100 this year (or last year or next year)?
VOL 2-3 Ambassadors (host/hostess)
$700 Create displays: enlarge old photos, postcards, create display boards, etc.
$75 Signs*****

ENTERTAINMENT
VOL Committee Chairperson
VOL Entertainment—musical or other.
VOL Create sign for this event*****
VOL 1 ambassador available during entertainment hour
$20 Sign: Entertainment*****

TROLLEY
VOL Committee Chairperson
$930 Rental: One trolley. Capitol Trailways donates 2nd trolley at no charge.
$80 Signs: Indicating Trolley stop – four are needed*****
$120 Print: Tickets for (tour) trolley – 450 count
VOL Create signs for this event*****
VOL Two ambassadors, one for each trolley. These Ambassadors need to be willing to speak to the riders as they travel to their destination.

HORSE AND CARRIAGE
$60 Print: Tickets for (tour) trolley – 240 count
$20 Signs: Indicating Horse & Carriage stops*****
$40 10 chairs – seating for guests waiting for carriage ride
VOL Create sign for this event*****
VOL 2 Ambassadors to assist Willie & our guests

FOOD VENDOR
VOL Committee Chairperson
$300 Rental-Tablecloths
$200 Napkins, cups, forks, salt & pepper
$60 Table décor
$100 Room décor
VOL 3-4 Ambassadors needed to set up eating area
VOL 3-4 Ambassadors needed to clean at end of day
VOL 1 Ambassador to act as hostess
VOL 2 Ambassadors to wait / bus tables
  Large screen television and DVD player for viewing DVD histories

REFRESHMENTS / SNACKS
VOL Committee Chairperson
$42 Rental: 3 tables and 6 chairs
$45 3 Cash boxes
$200 Cups and napkins
$100 Ice
$200 Bottled water, tea
VOL Prepare refreshments and snacks: lemonade, baked goods
VOL 6 Ambassadors

COOKBOOK
$500 Initial outlay for printing
VOL Your recipes!

MERCHANDISE SALES
VOL Committee Chairperson
$500 Initial outlay for merchandise printed with CH logo
$30 Rental: tablecloths
$24 Rental: two tables and two chairs
$75 Rental: canopy

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY
VOL Committee Chairperson
$200 Flags and other safety equipment
$300 20-30 Orange safety cones
$420 Rental: barricades, police at two intersections
VOL 4 – 6 Ambassadors

CALLING TREE
VOL Ambassadors to add to the existing calling tree-makes calls to Capitol Heights folks–seeking volunteers for activities – must have an email account

GROUNDS PREP
VOL Committee Chairperson
VOL As many Ambassadors needed as possible! This group will be responsible for event set up, setting out house markers and signs, implementing the parking plan on S. Capitol Parkway median, implementing booth layout design at Vickers Park, set up tables, chairs, etc. at Armstrong Park, and placing signage and barriers needed for the day. Grounds prep will also be assigned cleanup and tear down responsibility. Some carpentry skills will be needed.

MARKETING
VOL Chairperson – anyone have some marketing experience?
VOL 2 – 3 Ambassadors to assist with marketing’s to do list
VOL Copy writers
  Do you know of sponsors to contact for assistance with funding our advertisements and/or funding our events?
  Do you know a contact person at magazines (local or national – Southern Living, Southern Lady, Alabama Heritage, etc.), newspapers, radio, television?
$2000 Advertising budget

OVERALL
$350 Event insurance
$400 Rental: golf cart
$500 Merchandise for ambassadors to wear during the day
$150 Porta Potty
$50 Privacy barrier for porta potty
$930 Newsletter – Special Edition
VOL 3 “Floating” Ambassadors to assist guests, assist stationed Ambassadors, deliver ice, etc.

PRAY Begin praying for nice weather on September 13, 2008!

          You’ve read in previous issues of this newsletter that Co-Chairpersons Cindy Thornhill, Cindy Keeping, and Cynthia McCollister (the 3Cs) were working hard on plans for this celebration. Now, we have a plan and it is time to begin its execution! Inside this newsletter is a lengthy needs list and the first thing to be done is to pick your pleasure! There is opportunity for every household to participate! There is opportunity for all skills and talent to participate! Before you dive into the needs list, here is a review of the activities planned for the day (those indicated with a $ are fund raising activities for CHCA).

Parade of the Decades: Kicking off our event will be a neighborhood parade! Parade participants are invited to select a decade and dress accordingly! (A nickel to the first person that guesses the decade Cindy Thornhill will pick!) We plan to include vintage autos, a marching band, a choir group, a Trolley, the Horse and Carriage, and YOU!

Vintage auto show: Owners of vintage antique automobiles will display their vehicles in the median of South Capitol Parkway. We’ve room for about 60 autos! $

Old fashioned games: Games for young and old will be held at Armstrong Park. Games planned are croquet, a bean bag toss, clothes pins in a bottle, and checkers!

Arts and Crafts: Local artists, with preference given to Capitol Heights residents, will display and sell their wares at Vickers Park. $

Spotlight on History – Self-Guided Walking/Driving Tour (of churches and exterior of homes): All churches in Capitol Heights will be invited to open their doors for tours. Homes within the neighborhood of special interest – historic significance, interesting architecture or with an interesting folklore – will be identified. Walk or drive to theses homes or take a ride on the trolley. Homeowners are invited to submit items to be included in the tour. A brochure or booklet will be made available for purchase that documents the homes and churches. $

Heritage and History: Interviews of current and former residents of Capitol Heights will be displayed. Hear how it was living in our neighborhood! Learn the reasons families choose to live in Capitol Heights.

Entertainment: Entertainment will be scheduled throughout the day and held at Armstrong Park.

Trolley Rides: Two trolleys have been reserved for the day. One will provide transportation from designated parking areas to Armstrong Park. The other will be available as a tour trolley and will carry our guests to see some of the homes discussed at Spotlight on History. $ – tour trolley only

Horse and Carriage Rides: There will be relaxing and nostalgic rides through the neighborhood in horse drawn carriages! This has been very successful and popular (when it is not raining) at our Candlelight Tour. $

Food, Refreshments, Snack Vending: A caterer will be selected to serve meals to our guests at a local church. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase at Armstrong Park, Vickers Park, and S. Capitol Parkway median. $

Cookbook: A cookbook of recipes from Capitol Heights current and former residents will be published and available for sale at the Centennial Homecoming Celebration. We need your recipes! Information for submitting recipes is available on our website or you can call Cynthia at 264-0800. $

Merchandise Sales: Merchandise sporting the Capitol Heights Logo will be for sale at the Arts and Crafts venue. $ Traffic and Safety: Given all of the activities being held in the neighborhood and all the visitors we hope to attract, traffic and safety will be of concern. This team will be tasked with identifying areas of concern and making recommendations to address those concerns.

Calling Tree: The calling tree is already an active team and will be used to solicit volunteers for each of these activities.

Grounds Prep: This committee will be responsible for set up. Grounds prep will also be assigned cleanup and tear down responsibility.

Ambassadors: Ambassadors (you!) will be available to greet and assist our visitors with directions or questions. Ambassadors need to be stationed at the three main areas and at each event. Approximately 34 Ambassadors will be needed at any point in time during the day of the event

          YES!  There are plenty of opportunities to participate and many varieties of talents needed!
          Detailed elsewhere on the website is the Needs List for our Celebration. As you review this list, please keep in mind our thinking as we prepared the list. Some needs we are certain will be able to be met by our neighborhood with no expense. Even so, we took the position it was prudent to include the expense all the same. As we expand our circle of volunteers to help with this effort, we realize some needs may be able to met with less expense than included on the list. We are all for that! Even so, we felt it prudent to estimate high rather than have to return to ask for more money if our hopes weren’t realized! CHCA treasury does not have sufficient funds to sponsor this event. Even so, we are confident with our neighborhood’s participation – the cash to fund this event will be available through donations and both personal and business sponsorships (plus a couple of BONDS grants).
          Success of this event is HIGHLY dependent upon neighborhood contributions (both time and financial), business and personal sponsor contributions, general donations, earning our BONDS grant, and a lot of hard work. The remaining seven months until the event will just fly by… so we need to get started NOW! If you would like to volunteer anything on our needs list please contact the 3Cs as indicated below. Should you see something the 3Cs may have missed including on the needs list, please let us know!

           We need to hear from all of our volunteers by Tuesday, March 11th. Call Cynthia McCollister at 264-0800 or email Cynthia.mccollister ( at ) charter.net.

HOPE TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE!! — The 3Cs