The Andalusia Adult Activity Center is putting together a 10-day group trip to Hawaii in 2024 that includes visits to beaches, historic sites, volcanoes, a rain forest, coffee farm and a luau.

The trip begins with a flight from Pensacola to Honolulu, where the adventure begins. Days 1-3 are in Prince Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. Highlights include a visit to all things Pearl Harbor, the historic Iolani Palace, the state capitol building, King Kamehameha’s statue, free time in downtown Honolulu, and O’ahu’s rain forest.

Days 4-6 take travelers to Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Kona, Hawaii. Travelers will fly to the volcanic “Big Island” of Hawaii including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a visit to Kailua-Kona, and a visit to a coffee farm.

Day 7-9 will be spent at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Lahaina, Hawaii.

The 10-day trip, which air travel, accommodations, transfers and 13 meals, is planned for May 9-18. Per-person costs begin at $6,069 for double occupancy. Booking prices increase after Nov. 9, 2023. Click here to review the full itinerary.

For complete pricing information, contact Sonja Godwin (sonja.godwin@cityofandalusia) or Debbie Carter () or call them at (334) 222-6891.

It’s time to make back-to-school shopping plans, especially if you want to get the most bang for your buck. 
Alabama's 18th annual sales tax holiday for school-related items is set for July 21-23, 2023. Instituted in 2006, the sales tax holiday originally fell in August, but was moved to July in 2017.
From 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21, until midnight, Sunday, July 23, the state waives its four-percent sales tax on school-related supplies and clothing. More than 300 cities and counties throughout Alabama waive their local taxes as well. Andalusia and Covington County are waiving sales taxes on school items that weekend, as are Opp, Florala, and Red Level.

Exempt items include:

• clothing priced at $100 or less per article of clothing;

• school supplies valued at $50 or less per item;

• books that cost $30 or less per book; and

• tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.

For a full list, visit revenue.alabama.gov.

Four people have qualified to seek three open seats on the Andalusia Board of Education in the August 22^nd election.

District One board member Sammy Glover is unopposed, as is John Wells, the only candidate for the District Three seat. Wells will replace David Bryant, who chose not to seek reelection. Bryant has served on the board since first being appointed in 2002.

District Five incumbent David McCalman is being challenged by Shawn Geohagan.

Board members are elected by district, so only residents of District Five will go to the polls this summer.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Kiwanis Center on Tuesday, Aug. 22, for the election.

This coming week will be a busy one for Andalusia’s 8U, 10U and 12U All-Star baseball teams, the 8U All-Star softball team, their parents, and Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation employees.

First, the City of Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 8U Cal Ripken Baseball State Tournament beginning Friday at Johnson Park. Parks and Recreation Director Willie Edwards will direct the tournament, which is expected to draw as many as 25 to 30 teams to the city.

Andalusia’s 8U All-Stars won the District Tournament in Evergreen, and will participate in the state tournament here, which begins with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. There is no gate charge for admission.

Members and coaches include Henry Patterson, John Collier Wright, Tillman Alverson, Hollis Patterson, Owen Shelnutt, Clarkson Smith, Jayceon Parker, Jonah Wilson, Darrion Malcolm, Dallas Tyson, Will Bergfeld, Gunner Thorn, Chase Shelnutt, Billy Bergfeld, George Patterson, and Drew Smith.

Meanwhile, the 10U All-Stars will advance as District Tournament champs to the state baseball tournament in Florence, Alabama. Selena Lockhart from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany that team.

Team members are Gage Brooks, Rowan Cleland, Shep Diamond, Hansen Dooley, William Hall, Colton Little, Rowen Mack, Parker Maynor, Mason Oglesby, Legend Reeves, Jax Sansom, and Reid Ware. Coaches are Tanner Brooks, Brett Mack, and Brad Sansom.

The 12U All-Stars – nine of whom were members of the 10U team that won the World Series two years ago – will be participating in the state baseball tournament in Mobile. Mike Hourel from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany that team.

Team members  are  Houston Weant, Zay Leslie, Brock Bennett, Everett Marcotte, Row Thorn, and Farley Brannon, Kaleb Covin, Cooper Maynor, Jude Bradley, Jackson Grimes, JB Barrow, and Grady Seal. Coaches are Kevin Covin, Mitch Thorn, Jordan Maynor.

The 8U All-Star softball team won the state tournament in Opp earlier this month, and will represent Alabama in the Babe Ruth Regional tournament in Ponchatoula, La., beginning June 27. Heather Haygens from Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Department will accompany them.

Team members are Laney Cotter, Baylee Short, Mika Newton, Erean Mount, Mary Kate Fowler, Raglan Stacks, Charlie Bozeman, Charlotte Dozier, Adalyn Brooks, Ettalena Sanders, Keeley Walsh, and Scarlett Hare. Coaches are Clay Stacks, Brad Sanders, Ray Bozeman, and Alex Little.

Edwards said it speaks well of the local program to have four teams advancing.

“In my 17 years working with parks and recreation programs, I’ve never seen one league win three divisions at district in the same year,” he said. “We are very proud of their successes, along with the success of the Girls 8U softball program.”

Tournament brackets and tourney updates will be posted to the City of Andalusia’s Parks and Recreation Facebook page as they become available.