Andalusia Star News

Popwell, Bumpers take Chamber leadership roles

Vicki Popwell became president of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce this week.

She replaces her son-in-law, Daniel Wells, who resigned after taking on a new role at CDG Engineering. Wells said the new job requires more travel, limiting the time he could spend working on Chamber initiatives. On Thursday, the Chamber board accepted his resignation and elected Popwell, who was vice president, as the new president. Will Bumpers moved into the vice president’s role.

“I’m very honored and grateful to become the president of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce,” Popwell said. “It’s an exciting time for Andalusia and our surrounding area for growth and the quality of life. The Andalusia Area Chamber has had tremendous growth for the past few years and continues to expand in many areas.

“I really enjoy all the members serving on the current board as they show a vast array of talents and bring many ideas to the table. Working with Chrissie Duffy and Maggie Jones is incredible. Their energy level is outstanding and their work ethics and rapport with Chamber members is to be honored.

“I love the level of attention the Chamber provides to members and I strongly encourage every business person, civic organization, clubs, churches and retirees to join the Chamber as a member. We have many events to participate in including Candyland, July Jamz, Annual GolfTournament, Membership Cookout, Annual Banquet just to name a few.

“The chamber hosts Business Breakfasts and several information seminars,” she said. “We honor student of the year with a scholarship and teachers of the year, too. We work with a monthly newsletter where members can promote their business events for free that goes out in The Andalusia Star-News.

“I intentionally choose to living in Andalusia, one of the best small towns in Alabama,” Popwell said. “All of my extended family live here too and we enjoy doing life together. Our portrait business is located on the city square where we have had a business for the past 30 years. I’ve seen the growth through the years and I see much more going on!’ Again, I encourage everyone to become a member and enjoy all the benefits our Chamber can provide.”

Bumpers works with Southeast Alabama Gas.


Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News

Carrying the banner for the survivors walk at Friday night’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life, shown from left, were Donna Bass (three-year survivor), Gladys Martin (10 years), Diane Armstrong (14 years), Dorothy Griggs (52 days), Tammy Dyess (17 years) and Becky Morris (17 years). Collectively, the cancer survivors who introduced themselves in the opening ceremonies and walked the survivors’ lap had more than 592 years of life as a cancer survivor.
This year’s theme was “Once Upon a Cure!” The goal for this year’s event was $90,000 and they were at $77,000 going into Friday night.

Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News




The annual Coterie Club’s Storybook Festival was held Saturday at Springdale.

Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News

Looking to make a small impact, members of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce along with other volunteers took time out of their day on Friday morning to clean up trash along the road.

“At the Chamber, we have an interest in environmental issues,” Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “We want the people here to have a clean place to live, but it’s also about it being aesthetically appealing. Our traffic numbers our up, and we want to show off our assets, not out trash.”

Duffy said the group of around 20 volunteers picked up a lot of trash in just a few hours. “There were about 20 volunteers altogether,” Duffy said. “We had engineers from CDG, bankers, retirees and, of course, chamber members. We picked up a couple of truckloads of garbage in just a tiny area. This is just a small start and hopefully it can be a catalyst to inspire others to do the same.”

The group of volunteers chose a stretch of road on Hwy. 29 North between Cynergy and Straughn School road to begin their efforts.

“We asked Glenn Ralls where would be the best place to make the biggest impact,” Duffy said. “He said that this would be a good place to start. That’s all this is. It’s just a start. We want more people to see this and be inspired to hold their own cleanup day.”

Duffy said that the chamber would even help provide things needed for a clean up.

“If anyone wants to hold their own cleanup day, we will be more than happy to provide them with the materials,” Duffy said. “We have trash bags and extra safety vests that we will provide.”

Any churches, school groups, business or anyone that wants to help, they come up to the chamber and we will help them out.”


Andalusia Star News