POWERGRAMS

25 There are his cuff links, a shirt button and a piece of Washington's surveying equipment. Many of the more than 1,000 items are from relatives of George and Martha, like a 207-piece Minton china set that belonged to his half-brother Augustine. Then there's the 1830 silver teapot. "The teapot is the reason this whole thing got started," says Relyea. "A lady from Chelsea took it to an appraiser and he knew right away it was from the Washington family." Charlotte Smith Weaver, a sixth- generation granddaughter of Martha, fessed up that she had lots of Washington family items. What representatives of Mount Vernon didn't soon snap up, Columbiana banker Harrison purchased. He continued adding to the collection, including items of Robert E. Lee, who married Martha's great- granddaughter. Harrison opened the museum in 1982, with the current facility opening in 2000, three years after his death. "We've had visitors from England, Japan and most of the states," says Relyea of the free museum open weekdays 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. "We don't have a budget for publicity, so we depend on word of mouth." There's some new kids in town They traveled the world in the military before choosing their ultimate destination. Roberta Ahulani, Mary Smith and Carolyn Szafranski have ventured into the world of business in the Shops of Columbiana. The former location of Dixie Printing is now home to the women's three stores inside a century-old building. "You know how when you go to Savannah and other historic cities and they have a lot of little shops in one building?" asks Smith. "We're trying to get a little of everything in here." On Sept. 1, Smith opened CC's Fashion Accessories & Gift Shop, four years after moving from Atlanta. Her interest began when her sister moved to Columbiana and they frequently spent time together on Lay Lake. "I just loved it," Smith says. "I love the hometown feeling of Columbiana and just all the nice people. It's awesome." Smith makes jewelry to sell alongside scarves, ornaments, candles and teapot accessories. She does alterations and keeps her prices low enough to keep customers coming back. She enjoys the camaraderie with the neighbor storekeepers. On June 1, Szafranski opened Lots 2X Love, specializing in plus-size clothing, across from Smith's store. Szafranski has already expanded into an adjoining, previously vacant, section of the building. "I've never had my own business before," says Szafranski. "My husband and I talked and talked and talked and I finally said, 'I think I can do this.' And it's been fantastic. I don't know how to explain it but I look forward to coming into work every day. I love it so much I come in every Sunday and clean the building." Szafranski's husband joined the Shelby County Sheriff 's Department four years ago when he retired from the military and they moved from Atlanta. "We've decided we're making Shelby County's 'new' courthouse opened 108 years ago.

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