AFTER HOURS: With a little help from some friends

Thanks to conscientious Macon-Bibb Commissioners, goaded by a little guilt trip from Al Tillman, a New Year's Eve celebration in Rosa Parks Square exceeded all expectations, in spite of the mist of rain that failed to dampen the revelers' spirits.

When some push back seemed evident from some of the commissioners, Elaine Lucas sweetened the pot with an addendum that provided some private contributions would be needed to supplement the money, taken for the event, from Macon-Bibb's general fund.

Josh Rogers of Newtown Macon pitched in and, for less than $10,000, Macon welcomed 2016 in a smaller venue and proved it could be done with panache.

The groundswell of community support to ensure the success of this last minute celebration included a blast of advertising from Cumulus and iHeart radio stations all over the midstate, pulling people with New Year's Eve plans, but nowhere to go, from small towns that might have rolled up the sidewalks long before midnight.

Sheriff David Davis closed the access streets to Rosa Parks Square and manned the event with deputies.

Just Tap'd, the craft beer emporium on the corner of First and Poplar streets -- in the heart of the New Year's Eve action -- welcomed patrons to indulge in their new menu, play a little trivia and listen to the music of Chip Holton before the balloon drop at midnight.

Across the street, on the colonnaded porch of Macon-Bibb's Government Center (formerly known as City Hall), rock 'n' roll bands transformed that staid repository of all things serious to the best stage in Macon -- and the crowd never stopped dancing.

STROLLING THE STREETS 'TIL MIDNIGHT

With all of the New Year's Eve festivities scheduled for several locations, the traditional First Friday was rescheduled for Jan. 8. However, Travis Jean Gallery opened its doors and invited guests to drop in for hors d'oeuvres and libations -- many of which were prepared with the inventory from the recently opened adjunct to the arts and antiques showroom.

Jan Beeland, executive director of Macon Arts Alliance, the umbrella association which sponsors First Friday events, and her husband, Robbie, took advantage of some down time to stroll Cherry Street, on a busman's holiday, to see what's new at Travis Jean.

At the Library Ballroom, the popular A2Z Band rocked the rafters, and at the Macon Marriott Centreplex, which featured the band Atlanta Funk Society, the hotel promoted their Big Bash "party with a purpose," with proceeds benefitting the Advocacy Resource Center known as ARC.

Debbie Schuchmann, director of ARC, joined the patrons who preferred protection from the elements, in their finest formal attire, while funding the coffers of the organization that serves the developmentally disabled residents of Macon.

After checking out uptown and downtown, Susan and Darrell Floyd brought their friends to 20s Pub on Riverside Drive, the go-to place for local dancers, to swing to the Placemakers band and join weary merrymakers who ended the evening with a hearty breakfast, courtesy of 20s' staff.

THE OCMULGEE DOES IT AGAIN!

Remember when the slumbering Ocmulgee messed up the July Fourth holiday in 1994?

Hundreds of children with new bicycles and grownups with new walking shoes and outdoor gear looked forward to cycling and hiking the trail from Amerson River Park on the first day of 2016, but alas, the river could not be stopped in its swift rise to flood stage on Christmas Day, overflowing its bounds throughout the next week.

Ironically, the late Frank Amerson, who served as chairman of the Macon Water Authority and for whom the park is named, was responsible for relocating the water treatment plant and having the land where it was formerly located dedicated to a public park, thus protecting Macon from a repeat performance of the devastating 1994 flood.

STARTING THE NEW YEAR RIGHT

Plans for the longest holiday of the year were canceled due to the flooding and weirdly warm and wet December weather, but starting off the New Year on the right foot was imperative.

Because of Carol Martin's generosity, hospitality and outstanding culinary talents, Betty and Hines Causey and Norma and Don Banks did not miss out on black-eyed peas and rice and collard greens. Another guest, a native of Illinois, Amy Fitzgibbons Lindley, was introduced to the Southern variation of this tradition by her husband, Charles, a Macon native, who knew the significance of each dish served, all of which bring good luck for a new year.

Contact Katherine Walden at 478-742-2224 or kwaldenint@aol.com.

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 8:08 PM with the headline "AFTER HOURS: With a little help from some friends ."