The United States is littered with the remnants of small cities which have been devastated in the name of progress.

Auburn, Ky., is not one of them.

Instead of drying up and dying after the four-laning of U.S. 68-80 no longer made driving through Main Street a necessity, Auburn has continued to be attractive to residents, shoppers and tourists.

The dedicated, active, vibrant Auburn Tourism Commission is a major reason why Auburn remains an active, vibrant small town that is a good place to live and raise a family.

The Auburn Tourism Commission- a group of dedicated citizens who have worked in conjunction with Auburn city government not only to keep the city from dying but to provide residents and visitors with fun things to do- is the News-Democrat & Leader's Group of the Year.

Virtually every month of the year, something is going on in Auburn. From bluegrass music to vintage tractors and cars to fall crafts and foliage to a Christmas parade, residents and visitors alike can enjoy life in Auburn.

It doesn't happen by accident. Extensive planning and hard work are involved every year. 2005 will be no different.

The Auburn Tourism Commission held its first meeting of the year Jan. 11 at Auburn City Hall. A record number of members were in attendance and all enjoyed a potluck dinner and fellowship prior to their kickoff meeting. Officers were chosen and a calendar of events planned.

The new chairman is Kathy Rust, and Wayne Dinsmore will serve as co-chairman. Peggy Hall serves as secretary/treasurer, and Jana Hanks as media correspondent.

Dinsmore and Inez Bradshaw have served as chairman and co-chairman, respectively, for the past three years.

"Both of these fine people are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to the Auburn Tourism Commission. Both are very enthusiastic people and it shows by the things they accomplish when given the jobs," Hanks says.

There are no requirements other than the personal love of Auburn to be a member of the Auburn Tourism Commission. There are no dues to pay or any paperwork to fill out, only a little of time to volunteer to help see that these events all come through.

"The Auburn Tourism Commission promotes unity in our city and hopes to always keep our small-town atmosphere for all residents and businesses in and around Auburn," Hanks continues. "Naturally, we want to see change and growth, but something about that 'small town atmosphere' is heart-warming. It's something that anyone growing up in Auburn never wants to say good-bye to. And, it seems that those who have moved into the area hang on to the beauty of the fellowship and handshakes that come along with being from a small rural community."

A summary of the Calendar of Events for this new 2005 year is as follows:

*Valentine Bingo Night will be held for the public on Friday, Feb. 11, at the Auburn Fire Department from 7-9 p.m. Cash prizes will be given to the winners in each game. For the last game of the evening, the winner will receive the coverall prize of $50 cash. Popcorn will be furnished by the Auburn Tourism Commission, as well as some Valentine candy. Soft drinks will also be available. For more information, call Auburn City Hall at 542-4149.

*An Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. at McCutchen-Coke Park. There will be three divisions for children, ages 2-4, 5-7, 8-12, with cash prize eggs in each division for the children who finds the most eggs. A special division is planned for ages 55 to show off their Easter hats in a contest with prizes awarded.

*April will serve as Beautification Month for both residential and commercial properties. Everyone who adds trees, flowers and landscaping in the city limits of Auburn to enter their lawn or store front in the beautification contest. Cash prizes will also be given to the winners. Deadline to submit applications is April 29 to Auburn City Hall.

*A lot of "jamming" will be going on the third weekend in May and will bring in hundreds of people for the 16th annual Logan County Bluegrass Jam to be held at the park. People from several states attend. Motor homes and campers begin to roll into Auburn a week ahead of the Bluegrass Jam. Otis Bilbrey (542-7357) is the coordinator of the Bluegrass Jam..

*The 15th annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show will be held June 3-4, also at the park. Tractor and engine enthusiasts from several states will be arriving in Auburn early to be a part of the activities. There will be a free barbecue lunch for all participants. For more information, call event coordinator Drexel Johnson at 755-4011.

*The 400 Mile Antique and Collectibles Sale will take place June 2-5. If you are not participating in selling your unwanted goods, be sure to visit those who are selling. Several residents in and around Auburn were active in this event last year and there will probably be more this year.

*The 4th of July Auburn Cruise-In will be held on July 2 at McCutchen-Coke Park. Beans and cornbread are provided for participants, usually some 75-100 car owners. The People's Choice Award and the Mayor's Choice Award as well as many door prizes are given away. Contact Bob Wylie at 542-7040 or Grover Corum at 542-4127 for more information.

*The weekend of Sept. 9-10 is the observance of Auburn Autumn Days. It begins with beans and bingo on Friday night, Sept. 9 at the Auburn Fire Department. The big kickoff for the actual Auburn Autumn Days festival will begin with the 5K Run/Walk, directed by Tourism member Paige Golden Dockins. Last year 110 people participated in the first year's run/walk.

Auburn American Legion Post 258 will serve pancakes and sausage at the Legion Hall beginning early Saturday morning. The children's Pumpkin Decorating Contest will be going on, vendors sell their crafts and collectibles, numerous food vendors are available all day, flag football games go on at the park, gospel groups providing music downtown. Also available are a model train display and a quilt show, a starving artist show, the annual steak dinner at the Fire Department, as well as the Live and Silent Auction.

Several events that have came and gone throughout the years of Auburn Autumn Days include 10 years for the Auburn Autumn Days Children's Pageant, the Duck Race that was sponsored by the Auburn Rotary Club, a talent show, a petting zoo at the park, horse and carriage rides down Main Street and pony rides for the children. More volunteer help is needed to bring them back, Hanks says.

*October includes Trick-or-Treat in the Plaza in which businesses in Sugar Maple Plaza, located on the bypass, provide a safe and fun night for Auburn children to trick-or-treat in a well lit area.

*November features Small Town Holiday Open Houses to allow everyone to get into the holiday spirit and merchants a chance to show off their beautiful holiday decorations.

*Dec. 4 will be the Auburn Historical Society Tour of Homes and all proceeds go directly to the Auburn Historical Society.

*The 7th annual Auburn Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11. The main focus of the parade is the support of the Shriners Children's Hospital. All monies collected are given directly to the Shriners and, in turn, Shriners from several locations show up in their funny vehicles and clown costumes and put on quite a show for the parade-goers. A beans and cornbread luncheon is provided at the shop of Hanks Construction Company following the parade to show appreciation to the Shriners and their spouses. Jimmy Hughes of Auburn is the cook.

This was the second year for the parade float contest and we appreciate all who enter a float in the parade. The Auburn Tourism Commission entered a float resembling the town. Martha Mounts and the Logan County High School Art Department painted the "mini-city" float. Riding were employees of the businesses represented on the float.

The Auburn Tourism "mini-city" float will be used for many parades to come. "This gives us the chance to show off our merchants and let them know how much we appreciate their involvement in Auburn," Hanks says.

The first "limited edition" Auburn Christmas Parade sweatshirts were available this year and will be available while supplies last. The sweatshirts will also be available during the holiday season this year.

*Member Jane Robbins is working on a scrapbook and welcomes any photos, newspaper articles or anything that anyone has that they would like to pass along. The items may be dropped off at city hall.

The Auburn Tourism Commission meets once a month at the Auburn City Hall. Usually food is involved. The meetings are very casual and only 'hometown attitudes are accepted.

"We all have something in common- the wholesome love of Auburn we share. We all like to have fun and fellowship with fellow members who have a strong interest in Auburn and keeping it alive," Hanks says.

"We like to promote our little town and invite guests to visit and learn more about what Auburn has to offer. We are small, but we have, can and will make a difference when it comes to Auburn."

The next meeting of the Auburn Tourism Commission will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8. "Please make plans to join us," Jana Hanks says. "We promise that you will feel welcome and greeted with a smile. From there on, it is completely up to you to jump in and offer your suggestions and/or help on events that are in the making."