Lots of activities took place during the Darien Fall Festival! Downtown Darien had arts and crafts, live music and a doggie parade! Local artist, Carly Hardy, donated 50% of her sales of her art at Ashantilly's booth, thank you so much, Carly! Also at the booth, Noel Gieleghem demonstrated the heritage craft known as boondoggle. Woven from palm, the boondoggle brings good luck to the household and wards off lightning. Noel will be using these handmade beauties for decorating for Christmas at Ashantilly (Dec. 5th).

Tours of Ashantilly and print demonstrations at Ashantilly Press began at 11:00. At 1:00 pm, Buddy Sullivan gave a lecture on the Antebellum South. Light refreshments rounded out the activities.

Nicholas Silberg showed students the ends and outs of Linoleum block carving. Each produced a cut for printing. After several proof prints, they honed their blocks for the final prints. Everyone did a great job!

What fun! Last night's BBQ was a blast! Rick Caldwell provided delicious BBQ and Waits & Co rocked us with their awesome tunes! Craft beer helped to bid a final farewell to Hurricane Matthew and toast our luck at the near miss! We appreciate all the support of our sponsors and friends that helped make this a successful event!

Coastal Wildscapes' Fall Native Plant Sale brought together 5 different vendors who had healthy, beautiful plants for buyers. Lovely refreshments and non-invasive Mimosas were served, and educational programming was provided throughout the sale. Both buyers and vendors seemed pleased!

 Graphic Arts students from Golden Isles Career Academy and Needwood Middle School visited Ashantilly's Print shop. The students learned how type is set, how formes for printing are composed, and how the presses operate. Everyone printed a small broadside on the Vandercook proof press. Students were given a brief history of Ashantilly, the Haynes family, and the Ashantilly Press as they toured the National Register main house, affectionally called "Old Tabby". 

In spite of a rainy morning, lots of folks turned out for the Churn-Off! Churners had quite a variety of flavors to taste! Live music by Skeeter Truck provided a nice feel to the afternoon. Lots of popcorn and lemonade were also enjoyed. A generous friend donated a vast supply of jewelry which was sold during the event. Ashantilly would like to thank volunteers Jeanne, Kay and Barbara for their help in handling this for us. The Judges selected Keep McIntosh Beautiful 's  "Mean Green Mint Chocolate" as this year's Business/Organization winner. Their Individual Winner was Jan and Barry Lollis for their "Jan's Blueberry Best" (made with blueberries  received locally from Jan Durrance.) The People's Choice went to Jan Chamberlain for her "Key Lime" flavor.

ASHANTILLY was pleased to welcome Joe Sanders to the Print Shop! Joe is the Alan F. Rothschild Distinguished Chair of Art at Columbus State University. He came to finish a project he had started a while back. Using the Vandercook Uni 1, he was able to complete his project. In addition, he has designed and printed a unique Holiday card. We will have some for sale at the Center.

The Darien-McIntosh Chamber of Commerce selected Ashantilly Center for their Nonprofit of the Year for 2016. The Center's outreach to the community, dedication to local history and environment, and preserving the art of Letterpress printing were integral in the selection. 

Mr. Johnson spoke about his latest book, Blood on the Marsh, a sprawling epic tracing the families that settled Darien, Georgia, from their ancestral home in the Scottish Highlands to the southern frontier of colonial America. A reception followed the talk.

Ashantilly's President, Harriet Langford, was selected as an Honoree for the YMCA's Tribute to Women's Leaders. The generosity of Ashantilly Friends was responsible for her sponsorship. Harriet is a great ambassador for the Center and much progress is due to her passion and dedication. Congratulations, Harriet!