View from the inside: LLOP Boathouse work set to move indoors

By Pamela A. Keene

Much of the drying-in work –from adding the roof to installing windows, stonework and siding –will be completed by the end of July as the build-out of the new Lake Lanier Olympic Park Boathouse moves inside.

“Although many people driving by may not see much going on outside for a while, it will be a beehive of activity under the roof and between the exterior walls in the coming months that will transform the new boathouse into a state-of-the-art facility,” said Robyn Lynch, director of tourism for the City of Gainesville. “We are right on schedule for completion later this year.” In June, windows were installed, including the large bank of windows overlooking the lake from the ballroom.

Other interior spaces are taking shape as dry wall and trim are put in over the next several months.

“The exterior of the boathouse will be a combination of stonework and gray-blue painted Hardy plank,” Lynch said. “Right now, people may think we’re going with yellow, but that’s just the color of the materials.”

The interior will be filled with

Olympic memorabilia from the 1996 Summer Games, and organizers are actively seeking donations of Olympic commemorative pins, T-shirts and official Olympic apparel, flags and banners, plus other objects that help tell the Lake Lanier Olympic story.

“We want to display as much as we can throughout the building and this is where the community can really be a big help,” she said. “Olympic pins will be a good item and we’re trying to create a broad collection that will be displayed in custom-made shadow boxes.”

Brother Jack Woodworking (see separate article on Page 24) is creating several objects that will be on display, including the shadowboxes. Owner Wes Price is also adapting several wooden rowing shells that will be displayed prominently.

A 40-foot shell that was used prior to the Olympics will be hung on the wall in the lobby. A 32-foot wooden shell that was used in the Summer Games is being converted to a cocktail table with a glass top for the gathering room.

“Everyone is getting so excited about the progress being made,”

Lynch says. “The work and planning that has gone into this project will result in a showplace for Gainesville and Hall County, and we hope that it will help us attract many more sporting events and activities to Lake Lanier.”

To donate Olympic memorabilia and other items, contact Lynch at RLynch@gainesvillega.gov by September 1.

• Beach Bash, July 14. Annual celebration features 1,000 tons of sand, games and contests, children’s activities, music, food trucks. www.exploregainesville.org.

• Georgia Peach Women’s Triathlon, July 23. Swim: 400 yard - a time trial start; Bike: Course is 15 miles; Run: Course is 5K. www.trifind.com.

• Food Truck Fridays, August 18. Music, food trucks. www.exploregainesville.org.

♫ denotes musical event o July 14, Aug. 18 – Food Truck Fridays feature live music, food trucks beer & wine tents and retail vendors. Lake Lanier Olympic Park’s Northeast Georgia Health System Plaza sponsor this free, open-to-the-public concert from 5-9 p.m. at 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. Info: www.exploregainesville.org o July 28 – Tea with Jane Austen, 3-4 p.m., at Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch. Group will be spending a year reading novels and some Juvenilia by Jane Austen, every fourth Friday of the month. Last session will be in November ending with a Jane tea party. Discussions: Northanger Abbey, May 26; Persuasion, June 23; Lady Susan, July 28.

♫ Aug. 4, Sept. 1 – First Friday Concert Series presented 6-10 p.m. in downtown Gainesville Square at 301 Main St. Info: lshubert@gainesvillega.gov.

Info: 770-532-3311, X4011.

Brenau University o Thru July 27 – Local Expressions features three North Georgia artists – Kelly Turley, Roxane Hollosi and Clara Blalock – exhibiting their abstract works in Sellars Gallery. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Closed daily 12:151:15 p.m.

Info: 770-538-4764; brenau.edu.

Buford Community Center

♫ July 29 – Back in Black tribute band performs at 7 p.m. on the Concert Lawn (gates open at 6 p.m.). All the members of the band live in Dallas/Fort Worth area and are dedicated

to the sound and look, but also capturing the power of AC/DC. Free.

Info: bufordcommunitycenter.com.

Clarkesville’s Historic Habersham Community Theater o July 27-30 – Footloose will be performed at Habersham Central High School. The show tells the story of a young teen, Ren, who moves to a small town and his inevitable period of adjustment at the new high school. Times: 7:30 p.m., July 27-29; 2 p.m., July 30.

Info: 706-839-1315; habershamtheater.org

Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater o Thru July 2 – The Big One-Oh! Jr. tells the story of Charley Maplewood whose only friends are his imaginary monster friends. Never having been to a party he decides to throw a birthday party for himself for his 10th birthday, the big one-oh. Times: 7 p.m., Fri./Sat.; 2 p.m., Sun. Tickets: $14, adults; $10 students and children. o July 21-23, 27-30, Aug. 3-6 – Matilda tells the story of child genius, Matilda Wormwood, who lives with her criminally stupid parents, trying to keep them in line. When she’s sent to school, she meets her archnemesis in the homicidally insane mistress and former Olympic hammer-throwing champion, Agatha Trunchbull. Questions of her fate are answered through a loud, colorful and explosively funny evening of musical theatre. Times: 8 p.m.,

Thurs./Fri./Sat.; 2 p.m., Sun.

Tickets: $35, adults; $15, students/children.

Info: 706-530-5162; hollytheater.com.

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

♫ Thru July 27 – Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens, a Thursday night concert series featuring live music from 6:30 p.m.9 p.m. Food trucks and vendors from 6-9 p.m. Admission: Free (donations accepted). Bring a chair or blanket. Line up TBD.

♫ July 4 – July 4th Fireworks, starts at 3 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. Vintage Vixens will perform groovy tunes from 6-8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. Admission/Parking: Free.

♫ July 8 – Zach Williams performs at 7 p.m. with special guest, Stephen Stanley. Zach creates a fusion of southern rock spirit and country soul music with all heart underneath rough guitar riffs and gravelly vocals. Info: georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Interactive Neighborhood Kids o Thru July 2 – Paul Bunyan Craft Week, learn about Paul Bunyan while making a craft this week. o July 3-9 – 4th of July Craft Week, celebrate holiday with some red, white and blue crafts this week. o July 4 – INK will be closed. o July 6 – Thriller Thursdays: Captain America Visits! Meet and greet with a new character each Thursday this summer. Snap a picture with the character before you leave the First play block or as you enter the Second play block. o July 10-16 – Kitten Craft Week, create your own kitten. o July 13 – Thriller Thursdays: Marshall Visits! o July 17-23 – Moon Craft Week, learn about the moon while creating a space craft. o July 20 – Thriller Thursdays: Storm Trooper Visits! o July 24-30 – Cowboy Craft Week, create a fun cowboy craft. o July 27 – Thriller Thursdays: Mickey & Minnie Mouse Visit!

Time/Play Blocks: Mon.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-noon; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.; Sun.: 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.

Info: $1 with paid admission to museum; members, free. 770-536-1900; inkfun.org.

Northeast Georgia History Center o July 11 – New Gainesville Chautauqua

Founders of Georgia: Mary Musgrove, part of the center’s living history series, presented at 7 p.m. Mary Musgrove, portrayed by living history interpreter Nicole Castoreno, was the official translator of the Georgia colony for Gen. James Oglethorpe. Her Yamacraw Creek and English heritage and her role as a prominent tradeswoman in the Savannah area made her an ideal translator and cultural mediator for Oglethorpe. Tickets: $10, non-members; free, members.

Info: 770-297-5900; negahc.org. See Calendar, page 36