By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

INDIAN SPRINGS—On Oct. 16, 1990, Indian Springs Village became a reality after citizens voted to incorporate. Twenty-five years later, residents gathered behind the town hall to celebrate the silver anniversary of Indian Springs Village.

“We wanted to celebrate (25 years) with a thanks to… the selfless volunteers who have given their time and their hearts to our town, which is still thriving today,” resident Rita Mendel said.

Hub Harrington, the first mayor of Indian Springs Village, was joined by many of the original town council members and residents for an evening of food, music and celebration on Oct. 16.

Since the town’s founding, the council and office of the mayor have been staffed by non-paid, elected officials, and municipal boards are filled on a volunteer basis.

Town Clerk Joan Downs described the work of town officials as a labor of love, noting the numerous hours they put into their jobs.

“I’m the town clerk, and it’s incredible to see the work that they do,” Downs said.

In addition to thanking past leaders, the 25th anniversary party celebrated the town’s future, Downs explained.

“We just have lots of plans for the future to continue to involve our citizens,” Downs said.

This coming spring, the town will introduce a farmers market. Volunteers have also been working to restore the town hall, which is used as a community space as well as for town business.

“We’ve really been working on our house,” Downs said. “We rent it to the citizens of Indian Springs Village.”

Along with a steak dinner and live music, the anniversary celebration included a silent auction benefitting the Indian Springs Children’s Fund, which provides Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in the Oak Mountain schools. Last year, Downs said the Indian Springs Children’s Fund was able to purchase gifts for 21 children. Auction items were donated by local businesses.

“No one said no, we’ve got 25 items in the silent auction,” auction organizer Amy Easton said. “We’ve been blessed in this community so much.”

“We’re too fortunate here not to give back,” Downs added.