January
- Began work on 2008 Work Plans prioritized from Brainstorming Workshop held in November 2007
February
- Held Annual Volunteer Recruitment; continue to recruit new and excited volunteers each year!
- Three volunteers, the Mayor, Chief of Police and Executive Director attended "Main Street Day at the Capitol."
- Participated in Quad CIty Homebuilder's Show with local government officials, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street members and volunteers; only community represented at the show!
March
- Completed Work Plans and established annual budget.
- Continued to meet with the City and other organizations on Strategic Planning projects.
- Worked with Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in designing a Central Park Bandshell logo; designed and provided at no cost.
April
- Sponsored 4th Annual "Ladies on the Loose" Retail Promotion Event at newly renovated restaurant, The Livermore: close to $3,000 spent in 3 hours at participating businesses!
May
- Volunteers planted flowers in downtown planters and repaired benches.
- Coordinated 1st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Week activities with other local organizations. Partnered with band shell entertainment for the kick-off.
- Posted first Aledo Podcast on www.aledomainstreet.com
June
- Received $6,000 to support WIFI infrastructure development.
- Sponsored 7th Annual Aledo Beautification Day.
- Participated in the 17th Annual Rhubarb Fest; seeds still unbelievably popular. Sold cookbooks, aprons, lanyard, historic mugs.
- New this year - sold 160+ rhubarb pies in bright pink boxes - big hit!
- Held our 3rd Annual Alley Art promoting the arts, our youth and the downtown.
- 2008 Cinema @ Central series first showing - "E.T"
July
- Cinema @ Central series second showing - "A Christmas Story" (it even felt a little like winter that night!)
- Personally invited by Illinois Main Street to apply for the Greatest American Main Street Award.
August
- Coordinated luncheon @ Central Park to kick off the Barnes Family Blue Grass Festival.
- Cinema @ Central series third showing - "Barnyard" with accompanying "Chicken Dancers."
September
- Sponsored 7th Annual Main Street Antique Days; unfortunately washed out by 8+ inches of rain.
- Hosted tour of Aledo and provided overview of Aledo's Main Street program to Silvis, Il mayor, city administrator and two other individuals interested in starting a Main Street program in their city.
- Received notification that Aledo Main Street is one of ten finalists for the Greatest American Main Street Award!!!
October
- Sponsored Vintage Stroll, a tour of four historical and unique homes (postponed from Antique Days).
- Coordinated 2nd Annual "Moonlight Madness" trick-or-treating night in downtown Aledo.
November
- Executive Director and volunteers will head to Decatur for 2008 Illinois Main Street Conference - where we have submitted applications for 7 awards. We brought home 3 awards in 2007!!
- Received the Illinois Main Street Premier Designation in 2007 and 2008 - still the smallest community to receive! Will pursue again in 2009.
- Will hold annual brainstorming workshop to determine priorities and projects for 2009.
December
- Sponsoring 4th Annual Electric Light Parade, which will kick off the Chamber's "Holly Days" Celebration.
Looking Ahead
- In January 2009, will find out if Aledo Main Street is one of five finalists for Greatest American Main Street Award (GAMSA).
- In March 2009, Illinois Main Street will host the National Main Street Conference in Chicago, Illinois where the GAMSA winner will be announced. All Illinois Main Streets will be active participants in this conference.
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