The Indigo Girls are going to be at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center on Sunday March 7th at 7pm. Its a treat to have musicians of this caliber to be performing in madison. Call 706.342.4743 to secure your tickets today

Lillywind Kids opened in November 2007 and is located opposite the new Town Park. The owners chose Madison,  because the city  is unique and the store compliments that. The feel of small town USA in the city is reflected by 70 per cent of the merchandise being hand made in the USA.  From the new born to those leaving school, every item for sale, has been especially chosen, to bring a personal touch for each gift.

During the year, children can be pictured with the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and new for this year, fall pictures, with the first 5×7 color shot being free.

Each anniversary of the store’s opening brings with it, a 10 per cent off sale throughout the store and a drawing for a $50, $75 and $100 shopping spree. For those that would like their gift personalized, for example, a bath robe or back pack, there will be a $5 fee.

The most popular items at the moment are the machine washable, bears, bunnies and puppies, which are all baby safe. The puppies and rabbits are personalized on their ears, and bears on their ribbon. The price for these animals is $19.95.

The store opening hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 am until 5 pm, with Wednesday opening 10 until 1. The store is closed Sunday and Monday, but is open for all events in the park. If hotel guests have the bed and benefits package, or if they have one of the Lillywind brochures, then they are entitled to a 10 per cent discount.

The nature of the store is more of a handmade personalized gift center, rather than just a toy store. The store does carry Madison Georgia t- shirts, baby bibs and drinks cozees, which can all be personalized.

Their website can be found at www.lillywindskids.com, where items can be ordered online. All items hold a uniqueness, which means that you know that you are going to have something special. Customers can also avail themselves of the gift bags, which are filled with tissue paper and tied with ribbon.

Town and Country opened its doors for the first time on October 21 2008. The concept of Town and Country, is to combine the rural county area, with the vibrant cities that surround it. Offering high quality brand names, catering for both men and women, unique to Madison, with items you would not find in a mall or other small town. Items are available to those age 6 and upwards, with some youth sizes also catered for.

Specialized items, include Tilley hats, with insect shield and sunscreen protection, ties, belts, sunglasses boxer shorts, socks flip flops, visors, watches and to go with your gift,  a greetings card.

For those that follow the Georgia Bulldogs, Town and Country holds numerous items of UGA Collegiate wear, for boys and girls, men and women. These include, jackets, raincoats, slacks, UGA tops, golf shirts, button down shirts, hoodies, with accessories which include, wallets, money clips, shaving bags, belts and watches.

The opening hours of the store are 10 am to 5.30 pm, Monday thru Saturday. If you stay at the James Madison Inn, you are able to take advantage of 10 per cent off any one regular priced item, if you show your key.

Shopping at Town and Country, brings a new meaning to personal service. The conversation can range from directions to a particular store, to where to eat and what to do. The store has extended opening hours for park events.  The store is very proud of Morgan County and will be selling the new architecture book, commemorating the bicentennial, around Christmas time, called Madison, by William R. Mitchell Jr., with photography by Van Jones Martin. This book is a great resource for not only the city of Madison, but also the surrounding areas of Morgan County.

For those eager to sample the great outdoors, Town and Country, carry heavy duty jackets, oil skin vests, gun wore jackets and alpine utility vests. Golf attire which will include Ben Hogan from next Spring, can be acquired, with slacks, shirts, vests, belts and for the inclement weather, raincoats.

To celebrate their one year anniversary Town and Country will host an open house, where there will be a selection of door prizes available to those that enter the free prize draw. Between the day after Thanksgiving and December 23, Town and Country has a special prize draw. With every purchase, the customer receives one entry with a chance to win a North Face Jacket.

I am an employee of the James Madison inn, and was lucky enough to get the opportunity today to walk in the Madison Markets for the first time. I was completely taken back at the Variety of  Gifts, and collectibles that they had to offer. I am not an expert in antiquing or even at knowing what im looking for, but I do know what I like. The Markets had a lot that i liked, and that people i buy gifts for would like. I would encourage you to check this place out if you havent already.

The spa has some great promotions running for Valentines day, Call and get your appointment… Gift Certificates available

The Inn comissioned most all of its artwork to the Madison Artist Guild.   Each of the 17 Guest Rooms and the 2 Grand Suites are named after landmark homes in Madison, and feature original art of the namesake home above the in-room fire place.  In addition to the namesake pieces, the guest rooms share an arrangement of freshly pressed botanicals, water colors, oils, etc.

The guest room hallways exhibit black and white photography of shots around Madison by Greg Strelecki and Tim Rainey.  The lobby area boasts 5 great acrylic on butcher paper pieces by Suzie George with scenes of Madison icons.  The Inn is fortunate enough to have a Steffen Thomas oil painting featured in the front staircase landing. Just beside the front desk hangs a large contemporary acrylic on canvas piece by Gary Hudson. 

The Oak Room on the lower level is where the gourmet continental breakfast is served doubles as a rotating exhibit for the Madison Artists Guild.  You can find a wide variety from photographs to native American pottery pieces.

The Madison Artist Guild is located across the street from the Inn in the corner of  Town Park:  http://www.madisonartistsguild.org/

While The James Madison Inn is centrally located in historic downtown, it is not a historic property in its own right – nor is it Madison’s first downtown hotel.  In fact, there were two before us.  As history has proven, Madison was a progressive and forward-looking city by the 1890s.  As such, the need for a lodging venue was apparent.  The first hotel was named the Madison Hotel and could accommodate guests in over 100 rooms.  However, a twist of fate for the Madison Hotel came in 1891, when it was destroyed by fire.

Madison’s progression would not falter, and prior to 1895, the Turnell-Butler Hotel, Madison’s second downtown hotel, was erected directly on the original site of the old Madison Hotel.

In 1909, its name was changed to the Morgan Hotel. History chose to repeat itself and in 1930, the Morgan Hotel burned as the Madison Hotel before it.  For over 70 years, Madison remained without a downtown hotel.  The construction of Interstate 20 in 1970 brought with it the creation over the next 30 years of chain hotels centered around exit 114.  It was not until the 21st century, that Madison was able to again host a hotel in its downtown area.

On May 11 2007, The James Madison Inn opened its doors to the public.  Continuing the traditions of downtown accommodations, The James Madison Inn is also located on the perimeter of the new, stately Town Park.  Madison’s Town Park is located between W. Washington and Jefferson Streets, just two blocks from the first site of the original hotels and the historic square.  With a re-casting of the exact fountain design, and a replication of the gazebo, Town Park is strikingly similar to the historic square on Main Street.

The James Madison Inn is distinguished as a part of dowtown Madison’s accommodations and traditions.  It is hopeful that history chooses to not repeat itself.  Today, the Inn continues to serve the quaint, but vibrant downtown area.