An antebellum table: Before food was fast and take-out took over, meals were made the old-fashioned way

For imaginative visitors, a stroll through the gracious antbellum dining rooms of Columbus Pilgrimage homes on tour through April 11 just may inspire romantic visions of belles, beaus and balls of a bygone era. What few of us give much thought to, however, is the fare that may have filled those sideboards and tables of old.

A community spring cleans for first-ever ‘giant yard sale’

Ever since Spirus Roach, that wizened settler said to resemble a possum, inspired native tribes in the early 1800s to dub our little settlement Shook-huttah-tom-a-hah — Opossum Town — Columbus has rather enjoyed its lighthearted association with the waddling marsupial. Even then, pioneers and traders passing through knew a good bargain when they saw it.

Hearing loss doesn’t keep local woman from being ‘just like you’

For too many employees, reporting to work every morning means just another day at the office. But for Jennifer Lee, the punch of the clock as it stamps her J.C. Penney Co. time card is a success story, a validation of her newfound courage and confidence.

Live music, home tours, living history launch Pilgrimage Monday

The 69th annual Columbus Pilgrimage begins Monday with a flourish of live music and living history.

Classical guitarist to perform at RAC April 5

Young classical guitarist Erol Ozsever, of Indiana, will be in concert in the Omnova Theater of the Rosenzweig Arts Center Sunday, April 5, at 3 p.m. The artist’s program includes selections by Sylviu Leopold Weiss, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Sergio Assad, among other noted composers.

Historic homes do the talking in young authors’ new book

“If these walls could talk … ”

Thanks to Dale Rainey’s class of gifted students at Heritage Academy, some of them can. In “More Houses Talk,” 16 antebellum homes speak from the pages, offering a friendly, first “person” glimpse into the pasts of some of Columbus’ architectural treasures built between 1828 and 1858.

Local gardens are big attractions for Pilgrimage visitors

All around Columbus, plump buds peek out from their protective capes, aware they are about to be given their cue. Under Mother Nature’s watch, azaleas, graceful dogwoods and winding wisteria seem to know the time is near to step on stage to the ooh’s and aah’s of an appreciative audience. The show of color is about to begin, just in time for the 69th annual Columbus Pilgrimage.

Humane Society to benefit from Beta Sigma Phi event

A warehouse in East Columbus is filling up with everything from bedding sets to baskets in preparation for an extensive rummage sale to benefit the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society. Five local chapters of Beta Sigma Phi are joining together to help the local animal shelter move a step closer to getting the new facility it desperately needs.

ABWA style show helps local group mark 20th year

Fresh silhouettes and pretty prints will be part of the spring landscape soon as the Columbus Anniversary Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association presents its 15th annual style show.