When the British Come to Town

What better way to strengthen America’s global partnerships than with a conversation over Moon’s tomato pie at The Wildflower Cafe?

In July, I welcomed Congressman Robert Aderholt and his wife, Caroline, to Mentone, along with his communications director Carson Clark and DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow. Their guest was Lord Ross Kempsell, a member of the British House of Lords. The visit was part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, which Rep. Aderholt has participated in for many years.

The purpose of the program, according to its website, is to allow “current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields (to) experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.” I’m thankful that Rep. Aderholt included Mentone in this exchange. Their other stops across the Fourth Congressional District included the Shoals, Huntsville, and Guntersville.

L-R: Mayor Rob Hammond, Lord Ross Kempsell, Commission President Ricky Harcrow, and Rep. Robert Aderholt recently visited the Wildflower Cafe as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program

A special thanks to Moon and her staff at The Wildflower Cafe for accommodating the group on short notice, and for making our new friend from the U.K. feel welcomed. I’m certain Lord Kempsell enjoyed his time in Mentone and came away understanding what we all know — this is a warm, inviting, wonderful part of the world, and we are blessed to call it our home.

By the time you read this, I will have traveled to Montgomery to meet with Director Kenneth Boswell of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The Town of Mentone continues to explore funding options for making needed renovations to the former Moon Lake campus. These include foundation work, electrical improvements, and restroom upgrades.

Every available space is rented at the school, and we’re seeing increased activity there. With its emphasis on arts and culture, along with the addition of the fantastic sculpture garden, this property is an important economic driver with great potential for our town.

Northeast Alabama Community College classes have officially kicked off there, and the new restaurant will open next month. These will bring even more visitors to Moon Lake. While it has been a challenge for our town to save this historic structure and turn it once again into a hub of community activity, those efforts will reap all sorts of benefits for years to come.

You can be part of these efforts. The Mentone Fall Festival is coming up next month. It’s an outstanding community event that brings thousands of residents and visitors together to enjoy art, food, and live music. Beyond that, it’s a major fundraiser for the Town of Mentone, and we designate all those funds toward Moon Lake’s renovation. Read elsewhere in this issue about how you can become a sponsor and join our efforts. I hope to see you there!