Registration opens Wed., Feb. 1, for Miracle League of Covington County baseball.

Miracle League operates on the premise that “Every child deserves a chance to play baseball.” The program is free and open to all ages. Players cannot be disallowed from participation because of degree of disability if approved by the parent or guardian.

Miracle League also is looking for “Angels in the Outfield” to assist players; coaches; and team moms.

You can register during business hours at Johnson Park, or online at cityofandalusia.com. QR codes for easy registration can be found on the city’s social media pages.

For additional information, please call Grayson Lumpkin at 222-2714 or Jill Ainsworth at 334-208-3645.

Earlier this month, the City of Andalusia was honored to host 65 University of Alabama students as part of the Blackburn Institute’s annual rural Alabama tour. The students had visited Lowndes, Butler and Conecuh counties before arriving in Andalusia.

They were at PowerSouth on Wed., Dec. 14, for a session with CEO Gary Smith, followed by a meal in the board room.

They spent Wednesday night at the Best Western in Opp. (Even though planning began in August, there were not enough rooms to accommodate the students in one hotel in Andalusia that evening).

On Thursday morning, they met with officials from CCB Community Bank and Southern Independent Bank for a session on community banking.

Next up was a stop at Andalusia High School, where Mayor Earl Johnson, Dr. Charles Eldridge, Dr. Daniel Shakespeare, and Coach Trent Taylor spoke about community involvement.

Mayor Johnson told the students, “You have to invest in your community if you want others to invest.” He talked about the need to improve school facilities, and how the City, School System, and the Public Education Building Authority board, chaired by Dr. Eldridge, worked together to update the auditorium and stadium.

Dr. Eldridge talked about raising private money to support the effort, and the importance of getting “buy-in” from all parties before undertaking such a project.

Dr. Shakespeare talked about the school system’s recent successes, including winning a state football championship, and making an “A” on the school system report card.

Coach Taylor provided a tour of the indoor practice facility and the stadium.

The afternoon session began with a presentation from City Administrator John Thompson on downtown redevelopment, and Amendment 725, which allows municipalities in Covington County to invest in the community. The students then did a walking tour of downtown to look at some of the projects mentioned in the program.

Other presenters were Daniel Wells, COO of CDG, Inc.; Andy Gibson, owner of Draftstone Properties; Lee and Debbie Williams, owners of Bluebird Coffee; and Kim and Kyle Baumgartner, owners of The B.

The afternoon ended with an hour of fun and photographs in Candyland before the students met in Andalusia City Hall for a wrap-up of their trip.

Mayor Johnson said it was refreshing to hear the comments students made about Andalusia.

“Our goal all along has been to make Andalusia a place where young people want to live, work, and raise their families,” he said. “When these very bright young people said, ‘This is a cool place, I’d like to live here,’ it was like an affirmation for us that some very hard work is paying off.”

Callen Woodard, a recent UA graduate and current law student who is also a Blackburn fellow, joined the group for most of its time in Andalusia, and a number of other local UA students and former UA students who were home for the holidays also joined parts of the activities. They included Darius Davis, Colin Marcum, Lindsay Dobyne and Rosemary Basss. 

Mayor Earl Johnson on Tuesday recognized Municipal Judge Mike Jones Jr. with a resolution as he prepares to step down from the office as he takes on a new role in Montgomery.

Friends, family members and court officials were on hand for the presentation and the reception that followed.

Jones, who was appointed municipal judge in 2008, is stepping down to take on a new job as an assistant attorney general for the Alabama Secretary of State.

Mayor Johnson said that during his time on the bench, Jones has reorganized and streamlined the municipal court, and that during his time in the House of Representatives, he drew upon his experience in family law and as a municipal judge to sponsor and influence legislation that improved the lives of families affected by the incarceration of a family member.

Included in that work was legislation allowing those who had lost driving privileges for legal reasons to have a limited license allowing them to drive themselves to and from work, empowering them to provide for their families, rebuild their lives, and move out of the court system.

Jones thanked the “great professional staff” of the municipal court, including the prosecutors and defense attorneys, court referral officer and the probation officers,

He said many things he observed and learned as a municipal court judge, he took back to Montgomery and used to improve legislation.

Jones has practiced law in Andalusia since 1994 specializing in family law. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 until 2022, and was chairman of the powerful Rules Committee in the last quadrennium.

There is so much happening in Andalusia this week as Christmas in Candyland 2022 opens!

FOOTBALL

Of course, the Andalusia High School Bulldogs are playing for the 4A Football state championship in Jordan-Hare stadium at 11 a.m. Friday. As a community, we are thrilled about this. Friday marks 45 years since the Bulldogs captured the championship in another iconic place, Birmingham’s Legion Field, and we think that’s a good omen. Our police and fire departments will welcome the Bulldogs back to town by escorting them to the stadium, where we encourage fans to greet them. Watch for updates on times on social media Friday evening. 

CANDYLAND OPENS

Candyland will officially open to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday. The monthlong schedule is available at christmasincandyland.com, but here’s what’s happening this weekend.

Friday, Dec. 2

Open 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

• Meet and Greet Mirabel, 5 – 7 p.m., Front door of Springdale

• Live music on Candyland Stage, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Open 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.

• Be on the lookout for The Grinch!

• 1 – 4 p.m. - Meet and Greet Santa

• 4 – 6 p.m. - Meet and Greet Elsa and Anna 

• 6 p.m. - Characters in Candyland Show

Sunday, Dec. 4

Open 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• 2-4 p.m. - Meet and Greet Santa

• 2-4 p.m. - Meet and Greet Elsa and Anna

• 2 p.m. - AES Show Choir

• 4 p.m.- Characters in Candyland Show

EVENING IN BETHLEHEM

First Baptist Church of Andalusia will host An Evening In Bethlehem, a drive-through, live nativity, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2, 3, and 4, from 6 until 8 p.m. each evening. The narrated “tour” starts on Tisdale Street. Look for directional signage in the downtown area. 

PILOT CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

For as long as anyone can remember, the Pilot Club has sold pancake and sausage plates on the first Saturday in December. This year, the event is set from 5:30 a.m. until noon in the Kisanis Community Center. Plates are $8. The Pilot Club also has an arts and crafts event at the breakfast. 

5th ANNUAL RED NOSE REINDEER DASH 5K

If you’re gonna eat pancakes, you’ll need some exercise. Sign up for United Fund’s Reindeer Dash 5K, which takes you through scenic downtown. The race begins at CCB Community Bank at 8:00 a.m. It’s just 3.1 miles, and walkers are also welcome. 

PILOT CLUB TOUR OF HOMES

The Pilot Club is working HARD this weekend. Their annual tour of homes is set for 1 until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are $15, and are available in advance at Sanbuck Insurance or Outlaw Realty. If you need to get a ticket on Sunday, make Bluebird Coffee Co. your first stop on the tour, which includes the Bowers Residents, the Jordan Residence, the O’Ferrell Residence and the Harper Residence.