Back-to-school event draws big crowd

By Jim Cook

Published: July 17, 2008

Forget concerts or a bunch of guys trying to beat each other up. If you want to pack out the Dothan Civic Center, hold a back to school event with plenty of freebies.

Within less than half an hour of the event’s opening Thursday, 500 people had entered the civic center and a long line of folks remained outside, waiting to get inside.

The back-to-school event was sponsored by the Dothan Eagle and was intended to allow parents to find out more information about their local schools, see a little entertainment and check out some local businesses’ wares.

Jennifer Bass is the parent of a rising Rehobeth Elementary School kindergartener and was happy for the opportunity to get out of the house.

“If you stay at home with the kids like me, it gives you a chance to get out and see how everything else is,” she said.

Chandra Dixon was happy about the chance to pick up a few freebies.

“We’re here to pick up school supplies because they are expensive,” she said.

Over at the Dothan City Schools booth, school instructional specialist Julie Turner was talking to parents about new city school initiatives and the basics like supply lists and school zones. Turner was pleasantly surprised by the interest attendees showed in the city schools.

“We’re really excited so many people showed up,” she said.

Tim Pitchford, Houston County School superintendent, said he enjoyed the chance to socialize.

“I’m getting to see a lot of my former students that I taught 20 years ago,” he said.

Among the local businesses at the event, one of the stand-outs was Donna Shanahan, owner of Out-on-a-Whim. Shanahan was decked out in tie-dyed clothing and a sunflower clown hat, displaying her store’s collection of school gear and costumes.

“It’s getting our name out there,” she said.

Former congressional candidate Craig Schmidtke was at the event to raise awareness for his school supply drive. Schmidtke said publicity was important for his drive, which seeks to collect school supplies for needy school districts.

“Someone once said, ‘Many hands makes light work,’” he said.