State of the City Preparation
The City of Florence is planning it’s move into the remodeled city hall and for the annual state of the City Address. City Manager Erin Reynolds says it is a time to review the accomplishments of the city over the past year and to look ahead to what 2019 has to offer. The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 on January 30th at the Florence event center and the program will start at 6 p.m. Reynolds says it will be a little more laid back from last year’s Small business revolution event that took place of the State of the City address
“This year we did not have that event so we are gonna go ahead and go back to our traditional state of the City event.”
Reynolds says the city is always planning 2-5 years ahead and this week the council in their work session will continue building upon the work they began in last week’s work session and council orientation with the city department heads. Reynolds says all are invited to the State of the City Address. Wednesday, January 30th at 5:30 at the Florence event center.
Winter Music Festival
The Florence Event center will be alive and kicking with folk, bluegrass and gospel music this weekend as the Winter Music Festival rolls into town. The three day event will feature Bluegrass artists Chris Jones and the Night drivers on Friday night as well as the popular North Country. Saturday night Founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band John McEuen and the string wizards will headline. McEuen says what they do has touches of Bluegrass but it is more of a conglomeration.
“Americana is the label that is attached to this kind of music nowadays. This kind of music meaning I bring my Banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle, John Cable plays mandolin and guitar, Les Thompson plays acoustic bass and Matt Cartsonis burns up the guitar and mandola and sings absolutely great.”
McEuen noted that the string wizards are also former members of the Dirt band and they have been playing together off and on over the years. The festival will conclude with a Sunday gospel event. Tickets for this weekend’s event are available at the Florence event Center or at eventcenter.org.
Community Leader Passes
Long time Lion’s Club member and current president, Mike Groshong passed away on Saturday. Groshong was the creator and driving force behind the popular summer event Wings and Wheels and also a long time member of the sales staff here at Coast Radio. He will be remembered for his continual optimism and positive outlook as well as his contributions to the community of Florence. Coast Radio’s owner and General Manager, Jon Thompson, says Mike was one of the nicest, most optimistic people he has known and will be missed. Mike Groshong was 75.
