An urgent plea for blood donations of all types was issued Monday by the American Red Cross.
Evan Duffy, Red Cross communications manager, said because many donors are busy or traveling, donations have dropped dramatically.
In May and June, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen in this timeframe in more than a dozen years, while demand for blood products remained steady, he said.
“Because of that, the Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever,” he said. “All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.”
Local residents have three upcoming opportunities to give blood – Thurs., July 14, at First Baptist Church in Andalusia; on Wed., July 27, at the Mark Beverly Jr. memorial blood drive at Greentree Christian Fellowship from 12:15 p.m. until 5:15 p.m.; and on Fri., July 29, at the Ramer twins memorial blood drive, held at LBWCC’s MacArthur campus conference center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in Andalusia at Superior Bank from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Andalusia High School and the Quarterback Club will induct four former players and the 1947 football team during its second annual Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony, set for 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 12.
In-ductees include:
Tim Nall
At last year’s AHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony, coach Don Sharpe said Nall “was the best all-around football player I ever coached.”
Nall played for the Bulldogs from 1974-1977 as a starting linebacker. His high school career included two state championships, in 1976 and 1977, and one state runner-up, in 1975. The AHS record for those years was 53-2-1.
- Nall
Nall was named first team All-State and All-SAC in 1977. He also played in the Alabama High School All-Star game in Tuscaloosa and led both teams in tackles with 13.
Edwin Burnett
Burnett was an outstanding lineman on AHS’s first undefeated team in 1947. He was a four-year letterman and a three-year, two-way starter for the Bulldogs. He was named first team All-State guard in 1947 by the Birmingham News, Montgomery Advertiser and Mobile Press-Register. He received the most votes among linemen on the All-State team. At that time, Alabama had only one classification.
- Burnett
Burnett was recruited by every college in the South, but the legendary coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, then head coach at the University of Kentucky, signed him. Burnett lettered in both football and track at UK.
Harris Rabren
Rabren was a four-year letterman at AHS. He was named All-Conference in 1973 and 1974; was named first team All State in 1973 and 1974 by the Birmingham News; was named most valuable player in 1974; named Super All State by the Birmingham News and to the Orlando Sentinel’s All Southern team in 1974. He was elected captain of the Alabama High School All-Star game in 1974.
- Rabren
Rabren was recruited by every major college in the country, but signed a scholarship to Auburn, where he was a three-year letterman. As a junior, he led the team in tackles, (110); led the team with the “most big plays” and was named defensive player of the game against Vanderbilt. In 1979, as a senior, he was elected captain by his teammates; was the second leading tackler (70) despite missing three games with a knee injury; and was named defensive player of the game in the Iron Bowl.
Fred M. Crittenden
Crittenden was a five-year letterman and four-year, two-way starter at Andalusia’s Covington County Training/Ralph Bunche high schools (1956-1960). He was named Outstanding All-Purpose Player on Ralph Bunche High School’s undefeated and untied football team (1960). He was recognized by his teammates as the most valuable player in 1959 and 1960. He was the leading rusher and leading scorer in 1959. He was leading rusher, leading scorer and co-captain in 1960.
- Crittenden
After graduation in 1961, he joined the U.S. Army where he continued playing football for the Cavaliers in South Korea. He retired as a master sergeant E8 in 1983.
1947 Football team
The 1947 team was Andalusia’s first undefeated and untied team. The team went 10-0 for the season, scoring 290 points and giving up only 13 points. They beat Eufaula (13-0); Hartford (12-0); Georgiana (45-0); Troy (21-7); Greenville (39-0); McKenzie (44-0); Florala (25-0); Enterprise (38-0); Samson (33-0); and Opp (20-6).
William S. Norred was the head coach and H.M. McInnish was the assistant coach. Players included Edwin Burnett (All-State guard; University of Kentucky); Joe Hilson; Charles Little (Auburn University); and Henry Moore. Captains were Fred Lamar Locklier and R.E. Henderson.
The event will be held in the girls’ volleyball gymnasium at Andalusia High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and former Auburn University place kicker John S. Riley will be the keynote speaker.
Tickets are $25, and are available by contacting Ken Raines 334-382-2639 or 334-343-6593; Terri Jones at 208-0643; the Chamber of Commerce at 334-222-2030; or Jeff Hopkins at 334-222-0996.
Covington County remains under a no burn ban.
State forestry officials say recent rains and higher humidity have increased ground moisture levels in 34 north Alabama counties; thereby, reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
However, those recent rains have not been enough to remove Covington, or 20 other southern counties, from the list.
But despite the increased rain chances in the immediate weather forecast, Mike Older of the state forestry commission said violators of the ban can still be fined between $250-$500 and could face up to six months in jail.
The holders of 10 tickets split $15,000 in the domino sweepstakes.
The Rotary Club sold 500 tickets for the drawing. When there are 10 numbers remaining on the sweepstakes board, the ticket holders are given an opportunity to split the pot or keep drawing.
This year, all 10 agreed to split. Those holding the tickets were:
* Carolyn Graham and Jason Walker
• Lenora and Wayne Johnson
• Bill McWhorter
• Michael Smith and Willis Polk
• Michael Smith and Yancey Solar
• Daniel Williams
• Robert Hadley
• Melissa Davis, Paula Caraway, Mike Holloway and Angela Sanders
• Reid and Gina Kerr
• Kenneth Grantham
Jerome Wooten of Kansas City, Mo., will have an opportunity to defend at least one of his World Championship Domino titles today.
Wooten, who last year won the singles championship, and with his partner, Robert Newsome, also of Kansas City, won the doubles championship.
Wooten will play Woody Hamilton in the singles finals this afternoon.
“I play online every day,” he said. “We have a club – the Green Duck – where we play every day except Sundays”
Wooten said winning in the Andalusia Rotary Club’s tournament takes a combination of skill and luck. Asked if he came south this week with the intention of repeating as the champ, he said, “Every year I intend to win.”
There were 140 players competing in Friday’s adult competition. Doubles competition begins at 8 a.m. today.
This year marks the 36th annual World Champion-ship Domino Tournament.