On this page you will find links to all prior Atlanta Grade School Friends e-newsletters, which began publication in 2022. If you have questions, use one of the secure contact forms on this website to reach us. Thank you for visiting the archive!
2025
This year marks the 100th anniversary of neighboring Atlanta High School – we hear from Simon Butler of Architexas about its history; a timely quotation from Edith Sitwell; Atlanta bricks available for collectors; and how to donate to Atlanta Grade School Friends
In this issue, we take time to thank donors of charitable contributions to Atlanta Grade School Friends. We also share a romantic song by the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, complete with link to listen, and the lyrics
March features a rare early account of the history of Atlanta by the late Katherine Allday Stubbs; other historical notes about Atlanta-Miller Grade School; and a restoration project update
The April issue shares the history of the Easter Bunny and 1930s Easter traditions, references our own Atlanta-Miller Grade School mascot, shares a project update, and more
The May issue includes important restoration updates – changes are underway – and information about how the arts are so important to local economies like that of Atlanta, Texas
This issue shares information from a meeting we had with Texas 2036. In 2036, Texas will celebrate its 200th anniversary and Atlanta-Miller Grade School will celebrate its 100th anniversary! How can we support the goals of making Texas the best it can be by 2036?
In July, we share an interesting chat with hometown hero Cazzie Kirk which you can listen to on YouTube. We also provide a recap of the Creative Spaces Summit hosted by Preservation Texas and MINDPOP in Fort Worth, where we learned many helpful things
August | Special Feature
This issue is one of our most important! We discuss how historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School was saved starting in 2001 by Jane Cook Barnhill, those who assisted her, and we also share a video progress report about the restoration. We share a copy of one of the original newspaper articles about Jane’s extraordinary efforts below.
We are honored to have the partnership and endorsement of Cass County Judge Travis Ransom! Check out this issue for his thoughts about restoring Atlanta-Miller Grade School and transitioning it into a modern community center!
This issue features a write-up by Kendell Hale, a 1st grade alumnus of Atlanta-Miller Grade School, the last 1st grade class taught in the now historic school! We also share information about Halloween during the Great Depression, give thanks to our donors during 2025 and more!
In this issue, we discuss construction progress, as dramatic work onsite begins soon. We also share insights into Thanksgiving in 1936, the year historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School was built and opened for classes. And we update readers about changes to our new website, which has been very popular since launching in the spring.
In the final newsletter of the year, Lee Ellen Benjamin shares an, “I remember when” story about attending Atlanta-Miller Grade School. We also thank our partners this year, and a link to our 2025 annual report which may be viewed on YouTube as well as on ISSUU.
You can sign up to receive the Atlanta Grade School Friends newsletter direct to your inbox. This form is linked securely to our MailChimp account. Links to all prior issues of our newsletter are found on this page.
2024
“I remember when” by Julia Stephens Mays; thoughts and updates from Board Treasurer Danny Stanley; request for historic photographs; how to donate; and more
Welcome from Board member Cyndy Vaughan Chamblee; “I remember when” by Jo Linda Blakey Craig; Valentine’s Day in 1936; a romantic song by Eddie Dunchin from 1936; and more
New research about Atlanta-Miller Grade School has been uncovered by Architexas; and we share an interim progress report about our work to restore the historic school
WPA work training poster and National Register update; a history lesson from 1936 and words of wisdom from Dale Carnegie; request for formal letters of endorsement; and more
The last day of the school year recalls summer vacation and the importance of play; scholarly educator and author Vivien L. Geneser shares her research on play; request for formal endorsement letters; GuideStar and the importance of nonprofit transparency; and more
We share family and community history preservation updates from Atlanta Public Library; information about the East Texas Historical Association and the annual New Deal conference; ask for letters of endorsement; and more
“Once Upon a Time” by Lee Ellen Benjamin; new yard sign in the works for Atlanta-Miller Grade School; thanks to our fire sprinkler system donors; Blast from the Past is October 5; and more
“The Air Conditioned Space” by Cathey Cannon Foreman; our new sign has been installed; “Early Historic American Buildings Survey in East Texas” by Amy Bertsch; upcoming event announcements; and how to connect with us about, “The Three R’s: Restore, Renovate, and Revitalize a Historic Icon”
September greetings and an outstanding letter of endorsement from the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce; “Blast From the Past” open house is October 5; and more
We are pleased to provide a school restoration report from JuanRaymon Rubio of Architexas; a Halloween WPA- era poster; a video “thank you” to our Blast from the Past volunteers; and more
In this issue, we focus on Atlanta Brick Company, which provided the bricks that face Atlanta-Miller Grade School (thanks go to the Atlanta Public Library for its help conducting research); we share how the public can acquire commemorative bricks; shed light on, “The Seven Sisters”; and thank our supporters for Thanksgiving
Jane Cook Barnhill shares a heartfelt poem by David Gravelle, we post our Year in Review for 2024 (a lot of work has been going on), a conversation with City of Atlanta representatives about future uses of the restored Atlanta-Miller Grade School, and more
2023
Digital mapping of Atlanta-Miller Grade School by Architexas, Real Places 2023 Conference, Year in Review 2022 link to ISSUU, Candid GuideStar gold seal for 2023
Donor recognition 2022 to the present, new video recap of the work of Atlanta Grade School Friends 2002-2022, new Bessie Coleman Barbie, Leon’s Lone Star Cowboys, and a progress report
Women’s History Month celebrates two stellar people born in Atlanta, Texas, sign up for Walmart Spark Good, GuideStar gold for 2023, request for GreatNonprofits reviews and more
Montana and Caleb Whatley and the house next door, Conor Herterich and Preservation Texas, help us obtain the Top Rated Nonprofit seal for 2023, and “round up” with Walmart
“I remember when” by Edward Ray Stanley, in praise of teachers, mission of Atlanta Grade School Friends and how you can donate, your opinion matters on GreatNonprofits, and more
Nancy Coe shares her memories about Atlanta, Texas, Preservation Texas conference set for September, future use survey needs your response and more
Community survey results, Danny and Carolyn to speak during Preservation Texas conference on September 7, please share your review on GreatNonprofits, and kudos to our volunteers
“I remember when” by Ricky Draper, Atlanta Grade School Friends receives 2023 Honor Award from Preservation Texas and the Top Rated Nonprofit seal from GreatNonprofits, and more
“I remember when” by Janet Adams (part I), recap of 2023 Honor Award ceremony and the Northeast Texas Preservation Summit in Tyler, thanks for helping us secure the 2023 Top Rated Nonprofit seal and more
“I remember when” continues with Janet Adams, we share new historical facts about Atlanta-Miller Grade School, we learn about children’s magazines over the centuries, welcome the RRN: Rabbit News Network, and share holiday updates
“I remember when” by Debra Castell Sparks, Thanksgiving greetings, the history of turkeys in East Texas, update about the sprinkler system installation, new video on YouTube
Year-end letter of thanks from Jane Cook Barnhill, “I remember when” by Bogie Price and Nalga Price Mebane, our annual report for 2023, we hope you will consider a year-end donation, and more
2022
Year-end fundraising thanks, project update by Danny Stanley
Lynne Spivey, one of our earliest champions, shares her thoughts in a guest article, donor thanks and other announcements
Online giving has arrived, commendation from Sidney Harrist, request for testimonials and recipes for the 2022 cookbook
National Volunteer Month and a report from Kevin Stingley, organizational update from Danny Stanley and condolences regarding Angela Heath Barnes
Summer letter and request from Jane Cook Barnhill, East Texas railroad history, condolences on the loss of Robert William (Bob) Grabarschick
Thoughts on the New Deal and “Atlanta Grade School” by architectural historian Jim Steely, GuideStar gold seal attained
Economic impact of historic preservation by Carolyn M. Appleton, Founders Day and cookbook updates
Gary Endsley joins the Board, cookbook kudos and order information, Nancy Coe painting donation, flagpole dedication recap
Founders Day recap and photos, tour of Atlanta Middle School, Real Places THC conference update, Top Rated Nonprofit seal secured for 2022
Grant from The Summerlee Foundation, Stanley O. Graves joins as architect, painted chair benefit
Thank you letter from Jane Cook Barnhill, President, Leigh Stanley receives Distinguished Alumni Award, Cookbook and Chair-ish silent auction notices, how to donate online
Q&A with Stanley O. Graves, year-end giving appeal, our Board of Directors, in memoriam for Mary Nell Tyson, and Chair-ish auction recap with photos
The Atlanta Grade School Friends e-newsletter is hosted on MailChimp. Subscribe anytime by following this link. The idea behind the newsletter is to keep our community and the public informed about our past, our work today, and our vision for the future.
Questions? Email is best: atlantagradeschoolfriends@gmail.com.
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