Cindy Mixon is one of Fountain Inn’s newest residents, but she is busy recruiting others for downtown, small-city life.

Whether their families have called it home for generations or they just moved to a historic house in town, Fountain Inn’s residents and business owners find themselves part of a family that prides itself on both tradition and progress.

Mixon came to Fountain Inn by way of the stage.

“I really came via The Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the theatre company, FIRE,” she said. “A friend of mine, Anita Sleeman, is the artistic director.”

With one year on the job and experience in every sport and program offered under his belt, Fountain Inn Recreation Department Director Chris Barrineau feels more prepared than ever to accomplish his professional goal.

“Our mission is to create community through people, parks and programs,” Barrineau said. “We want to bring people together. I think recreation is the No. 1 way to bring a community together, to break down the barriers that are out there – social, economic, racial or anything. Sports always have an ability to break those things down. That’s what we want. We want to create a better community here.”

Retirement does not equal life in the slow lane for Fountain Inn residents.

Seniors in Fountain Inn have long found ample opportunities at the Fountain Inn Activities Center, but a new program opens the door to those who have been unable to participate due to a lack of transportation.

Senior Action’s lunch program has long provided a meal for seniors, but Kathy Russ, director of people and programs for Senior Action, said a natural partnership will pool resources to make life even better for those she serves.