Published 12:01am Friday, November 12, 2010

By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News

After months of careful planning and four days of extremely hard work, the Andalusia Dream Park renovation was officially revealed Thursday.

Dozens of children ran happily across new shredded rubber mulch, screamed from atop ladders surrounded by handprint tiles and trounced on 20 new components installed during the renovation process.

The 1,200 square-foot addition showcases a handicapped-accessible swing that can hold up to four wheelchairs or eight able-bodied children, and even Mayor Earl Johnson and a host of dedicated Dream Park volunteers tried it out while waiting for the day’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

The project, which was organized as part of the city’s Homecoming 2010 civic project, was estimated to cost $115,000, said project organizer Kristy White.

“Right now, we’re a little over budget with a total of slightly more than $120,000,” White said. “Everyone who has committed to help with contributions has already turned their money in, but we’re going to be about $10,000 short to pay for everything.

“So, there is still a need for donations,” she said.

Alyssa Lane was one of the first in line
for ice cream after the ribbon cutting
ceremony at the Andalusia Dream Park
| Stephanie Nelson/ Star-News

It took a team of 160 volunteers working daily to rehab the park, and work is not yet finished, White said.

“We’re going to be redoing the names on the old handprints and resealing them because they’re fading,” she said. “We were very lucky to get sponsors for our last two components – a ball pass and a finger maze – thanks to the Andalusia Junior Women’s Club and Andalusia Manor.

“Those two didn’t arrive in time for the build, so they still have to be installed,” she said. “We do still have some handprints and 27 pickets left to install, so if you don’t see your child’s, don’t panic.”

White said there are also plans to “paint some color” inside park and to install new nameplates on the components.

Cash or check donations can be made payable to City of Andalusia – Dream Park, and can be dropped off at Superior Bank, LBW Community College or the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

Published 2:00pm Friday, November 12, 2010

By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News

The Sanford Station shopping center is now the new home to two local retailers – Hibbett Sporting Goods and Factory Connection.

Corporate officials said Thursday the second Hibbett location will open its doors on Saturday.

The company announced its new venture in October. Now, the new store will employ approximately eight full and part-time team members.

“This convenient new location is a win-win for our company and the Andalusia community,” said Mickey Newsome, Hibbett’s chief executive officer. “We are very excited to continue serving the customers in this area.”

On opening a second Andalusia location, Newsome said, “We research the markets we enter to learn what the customers of that area want from a sporting goods store.

“We constantly update our merchandise assortment to offer the latest in product technology, performance and fashion so that we can meet the diverse needs of our customer’s active lifestyles,” he said.

With the addition of the second Andalusia location, the company has 81 stores open in Alabama.

Opening next in the shopping center will be Factory Connection, a clothing retailer whose store front is currently located in Westgate Plaza.

Store manager Jessie Walden said the store will close Monday and reopen Thursday in its new location next to Cato’s in Sanford Station.

“We needed more room and wanted to be closer to more shopping opportunities,” Walden said of the move. “With the additional space, we’re going to be able to carry more name brand items and more merchandise.”

The move is also prompting a change in store hours, Walden said.

“We’re going to open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday,” she said. “We’re going to be open on Sunday now, too, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.”

Published 12:02am Friday, November 12, 2010

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

Brigadier General Walter D. Givhan, U.S. Air Force, said that Veterans Day, once known as Armistice Day, was originally intended not only to honor veterans, but also those Americans who had supported the war effort from the home front.

For that reason, he said, he was pleased to celebrate Veterans Day 2010 in Andalusia, and to be the guest speaker for the city’s Veterans Day program.

When Givhan was in Afghanistan, Andalusians “adopted” his unit, sending frequent care packages overseas.

“You were strong, steadfast and generous,” he said, adding that members of his unit learned to quickly recognize patriotic packages from Andalusia that contained Carolyn Hart’s pecan pies and Pennye Anderson’s pound cakes.

As a native Alabamian, he said, he was pleased to teach members of his unit who were from “other places” about the Southern favorites, adding, “I believe their accents deepened after they ate them.”

“It raised our spirits to know you supported us and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

During his tour of Afghanistan, Givhan led a combined joint mission to rebuild the Afghan Air Force. He explained that a “combined joint mission” includes soldiers from numerous countries and different branches of the armed services.

Afghanistan is a country the size of Texas with a very poor road infrastructure and without almost any rail.

“Air is absolutely essential” for efficient travel and an effective military, he said.

Afghanistan has had an air force since 1920, and indeed had a “formidable” air force in the 1980s, he said.

“But there was very little left by the time we got there, except Afghan people willing to work.”

Givhan said he and others worked to build an air force “tailored to meet the needs of the Afghans.”

He said he adopted as his motto “ask the Afghans,” and urged those under his command to approach their work with creativity and cultural sensitivity.

Givhan, who is multi-lingual, said, “If this boy from west Dallas County can speak three languages, anybody can.”

At present, Givhan is the commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

His speech was followed by a 21-gun salute and the laying of wreaths at the veterans memorial for veterans, POW/MIA, and medal of honor recipients.

By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News

Mayor Earl Johnson said Tuesday he hopes the crowd for the Absolutely Andalusia Homecoming 2010 events this week number in the thousands.

“With this being the first time, it’s hard to anticipate just how many people will visit Andalusia over the three to four day period,” Johnson said. “I think that – once it’s said and done – that number will be pretty significant.”

And with the increase in visitors one can expect an increase in sales tax collections.

“Those people are going to come to town and spend money while they’re here, which, aside from the homecoming and seeing everyone, is an added bonus to the event. People are going to eat here, shop here, buy gas and hopefully spend the night in one of our area hotels.”

Tomorrow will mark the start of the celebration with the 9 a.m. “All American Homecoming” parade at 9 a.m. Veterans will line up at 8:30 a.m. at Andalusia High School. The parade will begin there and travel Third Avenue onto East Three Notch Street, before ending at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Following the parade, a ceremony and reception will be held at the Memorial Park. Activities also include a historical marker presentation, a reception, pictures with all participating veterans at Memorial Park and City Hall tours for everyone.

“A lot of times people give lip service about how appreciative they are for the service the veterans provided to our country,” Johnson said. “Thursday is a perfect opportunity for the community to show (veterans) how much they appreciate it. I hope our citizens and the community make the effort.”