Andalusia Star News
A crowd of more than 40 people listened to current officials and those seeking election this year at Covington County Day, held on the lawn of the Chamber Thursday.
The City of Andalusia is Alabama’s best, and committed to being better.
Andalusia City Schools want to be known for excellence.
And the State of Alabama is improving.
Those are the messages those gathered for the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce’s first Covington County Day heard from Mayor Earl Johnson, Superintendent Ted Watson and Sen. Jimmy Holley.
“Andalusia is Alabama’s top town,” Johnson said. “And that’s not just the mayor stating that. We were selected by an independent survey of small towns in America. We were that top Alabama town and the 33rd best small town in which to live in America. That is an amazing phenomenon to happen to our community.
“We have embraced that, we believe it, and we won’t be happy until we are the No. 1 small town in America,” the mayor said.
Johnson said the city’s gross receipts, sales taxes and business licenses are all up.
“That’s a good measure of the health of our economy,” he said. “It means our economy is growing.”
Johnson said city leaders continue to concentrate on retail development, and to work on quality of life issues that make the city attractive to potential residents.
“Andalusia is Alabama’s top town, and it’s my intention to keep it that way,” he said.... READ MORE>
A lucky person who got an orange Andy Bucks ticket at Darby’s in April could have a $3,000 shopping spree in his or her immediate future.
For the past two months, the monthly Andy Bucks winnings have gone unclaimed. If the person holding winning ticket number 628655 comes forward before 5 p.m. on June 6, 2014, he or she will win $3,000 in Andy Bucks, which can be redeemed with participating merchants.
-Michele Gerlch
Participants include Barrow’s Furniture, Beef O’Brady’s, Brooks Hardware, Christopher’s, Darby’s, David’s Catfish, Delta Lighting, Andalusia Farmer’s Co-Op, Harold’s Furniture, Ireland Trailer, Lee’s Samauri, Mary Kay Consultants, Pale Moon Yarns, Singer’s, Sporting Lifestyles, Two Guys Pies, Walker Business, Ward & Co., and Yo’ Cravin.
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
If you’re looking for some good, wholesome, not to mention free, entertainment for the kids this weekend – that even gets them outside – look no further than Coterie Club’s 43rd annual Storybook Festival. Held on the grounds of Springdale estate on East Three Notch St., this year’s event begins at 10 a.m., with gates opening at 9:30, and will feature live reenactments of Dr. Seuss favorites, “My Many Colors,” “Fox in Sox,” “Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “Green Eggs and Ham” acted out by members of the Coterie Club, the Andalusia High School Drama Club and the LBW Community College Honors Program. Crafts and a reading of “The Lorax,” by Coterie Club members will also be available. Concessions, consisting of Kool-Aide, water, fruit, popcorn and sugar cookies, will be available for $1 per item. Face painting and balloons will also be available for $1 each. The event, a fundraiser for the Coterie Club, is sponsored by Andalusia Dental Group, Covington Electric, SanBuck Insurance, Walmart, Palmer and Sons and CCB Community Bank.
Would local residents be more likely to walk to Andalusia Elementary School or to Johnson Park?
That was the question members of the Andalusia City Council debated in a special meeting Monday before ultimately decided to seek funding for sidewalks to Johnson Park.
The council had already agreed to seek additional grant funding for sidewalks from the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Engineer Jeremy McMath of Civil Southeast Engineering proposed either extending sidewalks from Dunson Street to AES on Snowden and Moore Road; or to write the grant o extend sidewalks down Stanley Avenue past Johnson Park to the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. A portion of Lindsey Bridge Road also would get new sidewalks.
“My quick observation is that kids don’t walk to school anymore,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “They have buses and parents that take them. Snowden Drive and Moore Road don’t exactly meet, so there is a problem there. In my opinion, South Three Notch St. is too wide and too busy for children to try to cross there unattended.”
McMath said he believed the Stanley Avenue project also is more likely to be funded.
Council members expressed concern about the speeds at which people travel on Stanley Avenue/Hwy. 55, and agreed they would also petition the state to lower the speed limit if the project is funded.
Andalusia Star News
By Michele Gerlach
Sheila Smith cuts the ribbon on the marker at the pavilion dedicated in her husband’s memory on Saturday. She is shown with council members Will Sconiers, Kennith Mount, Hazel Griffin, Ralph Wells and Rep. Mike Jones.
If Duke Smith had been at the opening day of rec ball in Andalusia Saturday, there is no doubt where he would have been.
“He would have his chair right here, where he could see everything that was going on,” said Dwight Mikel, indicating the pavilion that had just been dedicated in Duke’s honor. “This spot would have been perfect.”
The pavilion is the newest addition to Miracle League Park, and is positioned to provide a view of at least three fields and the Miracle League playground. It has had picnic tables and grills.
Smith was the assistant director of parks and recreation when his larger than life heart gave out on Dec. 30, 2012. It was announced at his funeral that a pavilion would be named in his honor. Saturday, Smith’s widow, Shelia, wiped away tears as the facility was formally dedicated.
“It is beyond my wildest dreams,” she said. “It is awesome.”
Both Mrs. Smith and Mikel noted it was appropriate that the pavilion has grills.
“Those two grills are back there,” Mrs. Smith said. “He would love that.”
Cooking for friends and family was a passion for Smith, as was working with youth and cheering for Auburn. Even his wife, an Alabama... READ MORE>