Inclement weather was nothing more than an obstacle as the Newberry Main Street Organization hosted its second annual Newberry Community Unity Day. The event was held at the bus loop adjacent to Newberry High.

Newberry mayor John Glanzer spoke about Newberry residents enjoying a “common unity.” “We’ve chosen to live here, to attend these schools, to help our neighbors and to shop at our businesses,” he said. “We always accept people into our community with open arms and an open heart.”

Newberry Main Street Organization president Barbara Hendrix says she hopes people will continue to support and shop at Newberry businesses. “We’d like to have people shop here, as opposed to traveling to Gainesville, Alachua or High Springs,” says Hendrix.

Hendrix says the group will continue to strive for downtown design standards. “When a new business comes into Newberry, we want them to match our community and the way we want it to look,”?says Hendrix, who expects the design standards to include rules about signage, street lamps and other features.

In addition, Hendrix says she would like the schools to continue to educate Newberry’s youngest citizens about the history of the town and its people.

The Newberry Main Street Organization, according to Hendrix, has had a lot of positive steps in its goal of reviving downtown Newberry’s business district. The group will continue its efforts this spring with a spring festival tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 29. The organization also is planning a possible car show and motorcycle poker run.

For more information, visit www.newberrymainstreet.org.