There’s a crispness in the air, and that means the holidays will soon be upon us.
In Andalusia, the Tourism and Relocation Committee are already planning on how the city will celebrate Christmas, and the public and business owners are being encouraged to begin their planning now, as well.
“The T&R committee is helping to promote a Who-ville Christmas in Andalusia,” said city grants coordinator Barbara Tyler. “The parade theme this year is ‘Who-ville,’ and we are asking the businesses and community members to help create a ‘Who-ville-like’ atmosphere when decorating for Christmas and the parade.
“Right now, we’d like to let the community know we are gearing-up for a Who-ville Christmas, and it will be great fun if everyone gets their creative juices flowing to come up with a costume – the hats are the best – or special decoration and join in the festivities,” she said.
For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, “Who-ville” is ficticious city featured in “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch that Stole Christmas.”
Tyler said the city is also working on ideas to promote shopping at local stores during the holidays.
The T&R committee is planning several showings of The Grinch at the city hall auditorium on Saturdays, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Each school-age child will be admitted free as long as they have a valid receipt from a local store dated between Nov. 29 and Dec. 14, 2013.
“We’re also working on a lot of other ideas to get residents and area merchants in the holiday spirit,” Tyler said. “Another idea is to have a... READ MORE>
Walkway planned on Prestwood Bridge Road
Andalusia residents will soon be able to walk from one side of town to the other and beyond on sidewalks, thanks to a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the Alabama Department of Transportation notified the city this week that it has been awarded $382,206 for the sidewalk project.
The project will extend sidewalks on Dunson Street and Church Street from the intersection of Snowden to the bypass, connect those two sidewalks on the bypass, and construct a new sidewalk on Prestwood Bridge Road to Rosewood Lane (formerly known as Blueberry Hill).
“Pedestrians will be able to cross the bypass, and continue on the sidewalk on Dunson Street,” Johnson said. “For the first time ever, there will be safe sidewalks from one side of Andalusia to other.”
The city will be required to provide 20 percent... READ MORE>
The Andalusia Area Humane Society’s ninth annual “Deep South Doggie Dash and Strut Your Mutt Walk” will be held at Robinson Park on Church Street this Sat., Sept. 14.
This is a dog-friendly, family event. Anyone can participate as long as they can properly handle their dog. AAHS organizers do ask that people only bring dogs that are friendly, leashed and current on vaccinations.
“But it’s not necessary to bring a dog to participate – everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the fun,” said AAHS volunteer Debra Evans. “If you care about helping animals, this is a great opportunity to make a difference and you can do it with your dog beside you.”
Proceeds fund community-wide programs of the Andalusia Area Humane Society, a 501(c)(3) organization, Evans said.
All events are included in the $20 registration fee and all Doggie Dash participants will receive an event T-shirt, a fall photo with their pet and a goody bag filled with useful things for people and dogs. Light refreshments... READ MORE>
The five AHS Outstanding Graduates honored with a luncheon at city hall yesterday agreed to a person that growing up and attending school in Andalusia was special.
“I would say that I wouldn’t trade growing up in Andalusia for anything,” Richard Anthony said. “I had a great childhood and teenage experience. ”
Anthony, who retired as CEO of Synovous Financial Corp., said the lessons he learned about communities growing up here served him well in his career.
“One thing I learned early on in banking, is that if you instill in people who work in your organization the idea that their work has meaning beyond producing profits for the shareholders, whereby lives of others are impacted positively, you have a better team,” he said. “The experience I had in living in Andalusia and learning the true meaning of community made me understand that.”
Suzanne Fornaro, a member of the class of 1965 who had a career in journalism and public relations, said she has been blessed with lifelong friends.
“I loved growing up in Andalusia,” she said. “I don’t think you could beat it. It’s a great place. Friends, teachers, schools, your church, your community – All of those people helped my parents provide the knowledge and experience for a solid foundation for my life. I always felt like could do whatever I wanted to do.”
A tireless advocate of AHS and the Class of ’48 Foundation, which she helped found, Suan Riley Salter said she is so proud of her class for having established the foundation which provides scholarships to AHS students.
Shelby Searcy graduated from AHS in 1947 and returned as an educator and coach. He later worked in two other school systems.
“Andalusia is different from all those systems,” he said. “It is a system that is built around the community. And that is very, very important. When they want to do something here in this town, they get it done by just asking for volunteers.”
“I had good parents, I had good grandparents, and good teachers, right here in this building,” he said. “I had good coaches, mentors and a... READ MORE>
It’s time to pull out those too-small winter jackets and jeans and make ready for the annual Little Lambs consignment sale.
The benefit of the event is two-fold – moms get a clean closet while earning a little extra money by selling those items at the upcoming fall sale.
Organizer Shirley Tew said for the second year in a row, the sale will feature a few changes, including extended hours and a new location.
“We’re going to do a two-day event, like we did last year, and there is a new location,” she said. “The sale will be held on a Friday night, Sept. 27, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., and again on that following Saturday from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
“Oftentimes it’s hard for moms or those who work to get there on that Saturday during that window,” she said. “This new time gives options.”
The new location, she said, is the Kiwanis Community Center.
This annual event is sponsored by the Little Lambs Council, a group of Christian women dedicated to helping local mothers sell their gently-used clothing, buy gently-used clothing for their own children and raise money for a local charity helping women and children in the community.
“We’re looking for used clothing – both for children of all ages and maternity clothes – toys, books, shoes and furniture,” Tew said. “So many appreciate this sale. It benefits so many. And we decided to move it to the Kiwanis Center to take advantage of all that room. Oftentimes, we ran out of space, so we hope the center is filled to the brim this year.”
To participate in this consignment sale, sellers must pay a $7 registration fee and commit to work a three-hour shift before, during or... READ MORE>