There were festive holiday carols performed by Nedia Keel &
pianist Shaun Pugh for the guest of the Donnell House on Friday
night. Songs such as 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas',
'Feliz Navidad', 'Frosty the Snowman' and 'Winter Wonderland' to
mention just a few put the guests in the holiday spirit.
Nedia's beautiful strong voice sang out these memorable songs
just as we remembered in our youth, with Shawn Pugh
complimenting each one on the piano with a special emphasis or
an animated gestures made the guest comfortable, smile and even
sign along. Mr. George Anthony entertained the guest of the
Donnell House on Sunday afternoon with his amazing vocals while
playing the piano.
The refreshments made by Margaret Abernathy were extraordinary!
Perfectly decorated and chosen, so lovely they were most
appropriate for Christmas time.
Patsy Parmer and Rita Majors were exquisite in their appearance
of period dresses which brought Christmas of the past to life as
they greeted guests at the Preview Party and Holiday Festival
tours.
The members of the Donnell House do a magnificent job of
launching the Christmas Season every year and this year is no
exception. The exquisite Tablescapes and magnificent Christmas
trees and decorated mantels are generally found only in
Christmas catalogs!
Our sincere gratitude to Pat Lewis, Jacque Reeves, Margaret
Abernathy, Debra Enfinger, Ellie Frost, Charlotte Turner, Alice
Cosco and her husband Phil, Meg McCain, Kathryn Davis, Lisa
White, Guy McClure, Ida Terry, Kathryn Davis, Patsy Parmer, Rita
Majors and the Jr. Civitans. Our appreciation also goes to those
individuals and businesses who participated in decorating trees,
mantels, chests, tablescape tables and preparing the placement
chart (Ellie Frost and Carolyn Stair).
Thanks to the Athens Garden Club, Marilyn Batts, Carol Whited,
Holly Carpenter, Tillie Daniel, Brenda Daniel, Myrna Burgreen,
Linda Beasley, and Shirley Garvin, for their work on the wreaths
for the front door, front windows and the 40 foot swag
surrounding the door and portico.
This year's winner of the Holiday China Giveaway Drawing is Ms.
Jane Lusk of Athens.
To contact Nedia Keel
www.vocalchordsbynedia.com or email
info@vocalchordsbynedia.com phone: (256) 665-1508
To contact Shaun Pugh
www.athensplus.com/shaunpugh email
shaunpugh62@gmail.com phone: (404) 372-4727 or (256)
233-5956
To contact George Anthony email
thediscinmusician@yahoo.com
George has played the piano for 20+ years, he play guitar and
sings. He performs for weddings, parties or any special
occasion.
See more photos on
www.athensplus.com/donnellhousechristmas2010.htm
Teresa Todd
AthensPlus.com
November 21st 2010
A bit of History about the Donnell House:
Rev. Robert Donnell’s home was completed in 1851. The study
which is now the gentleman's parlor was a favorite gathering
spot for men who called, while their ladies were entertained in
the opposite parlor.
The Donnell family was forced to leave their house due to
bankruptcy in 1869, they moved to the Druid Grove plantation at
Greenbrier, founded by Mrs. Donnell's grandfather, Col. Lewellyn
Jones. The log cabin which currently sits at the Donnell House,
was first located at the Druid Grove in the 1830’s. It was
donated by Ed and the late Don Horton, and moved by funds
obtained by State Representative Tommy Carter and an anonymous
gift allowed us to restore it.
Donnell House has been used for a boys' school and has served as
the residence of school principals until 1970, when the late
Julian Newman, Sr. retired. It is currently used for
hosting special events and guided tours.
In the 1970s, a campaign to save and restore the house was
initiated by local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards
and Faye A. Axford. Local citizens, businesses and Donnell
descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical
landmark.
In 1994 the house and log cabin were incorporated under the
Donnell House Board, which holds a 99 year lease from the Athens
City Board of Education. The Donnell House was added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
