Four former Bulldogs were inducted into the Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Andalusia City Hall Friday afternoon.

JOHN HENRY DANIELS, Class of 1961, known as “Big John,” played for the Ralph J. Bunche Wildcats football team from 1958 to 1960 as a defensive end, offensive end, and middle guard, leading them to winning seasons, including an undefeated 1960. He valued his time there, learning valuable lessons on and off the field from Principal CC Baker and Coach J.C. Hall, who provided guidance akin to father figures alongside his parents and community. Big John embraced the school’s motto, “Make Sure You’re Right, Then Go Ahead,” instilling the same values in his eight children.

Waverly “Boot” Flowers, Class of 1974, was a two-year starter at defensive tackle at AHS, contributing to the team in both 1972 and 1973, including the Bulldogs’ run to the state runner-up title in 1973. In his senior year, Flowers was named All-SAC, earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition by the Birmingham News, and was honored as Andalusia’s Best Defensive Lineman. He was a

two-year starter on the defensive line at Livingston University and was named Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Pioneer Bowl, a nationally-televised playoff game in 1975. In basketball at AHS, he earned a spot on the First Team All-State Tournament Team in 1973 and was named All-SAC in both 1973 and 1974.

Leon Hattaway, Class of 1980, was a three-year starter (1977-1979), playing a variety of positions, including corner back, running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kick-off returner and kicker. He was a member of Andalusia’s 1977 State Championship Team.  The Montgomery
Advertiser named him First Team All-State after his junior and senior seasons. He also was named All Conference in 1978 and 1979. He was named Andalusia’s Best Defensive Back his junior year and Andalusia’s Most Versatile Player his senior year. He was a three-year letterman in baseball, making First Team also All-Conference after his junior and senior seasons. He was named Andalusia Baseball’s Most Valuable Player and permanent Team Captain in 1980. He played college baseball at LBW.

DAVID MOORE, Class of 1966, was a three-year letterman from 1963 through 1965. Moore played as both an outstanding center on offense and linebacker on defense during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, but moved to tackle in 1965 when he was named AHS Best Blocking Lineman and Team Captain. He was named First Team All-Conference and an All-State Honorable Mention by the Birmingham
News in 1965. Moore attended the Marion Military Institute where he started at nose guard in 1966 and tackle in 1967. He was also president of the “M” Club at Marion.

Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame Committee members select honorees each year. Committee members are Lucky Cope, Robert Cremer, John Jones, David Moore, Joe Nix,

Larry Brown, Will Sconiers, Lex Short, Jimmy Wilson, Jackie Woods, Jr., Kyle Gantt, Trent Taylor, and

Ray Wilson.

The City of Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center and Senior Nutrition staff members are seeking sponsors for their annual Praying Hands program.

The staff organizes the gift drive for senior citizens each fall, making sure that no seniors are forgotten at Christmas.

Adult Activity Center director Sonja Godwin said she and other staff members have asked clients who might be in need to complete questionnaires about their Christmas wishes.

“Typically, we ask people to come by and pick up an information sheet on a senior from our Praying Hands tree,” Godwin said. “This year, we are seeking helpers to make Christmas special for more than 50 individuals, all of whom are 60 years or older and many of whom are homebound.”

The AAC staff is asking adopters to participate in one of two ways.

“You can call our office at 222-6891 to choose your praying hands revealing a senior’s wishes,” Godwin said. “We ask that you spend no less than $50 per person.”

Alternately, she said, individuals can make a financial contribution and the AAC staff will shop for the senior adults. Gifts should be dropped at the Adult Activity Center no later than Friday, November 22.

For additional information, call Godwin at 222-6891 or email her at .

The City of Andalusia on Friday hosted the 15^th induction ceremony of the W. Robert Brown Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Awards.

This year's honorees were Hollis Kelley, Jr.; Deidre W. Smith, Dr. Zack Studstill, Bill Tunnell, Sue Williams Wiggins, and James Arthur Wilson.

Hollis Kelley, Jr., Class of 1984,  is a financial advisor and limited partner for Edward Jones, who also is known in his profession as a mentor.  Forbes named him Best Wealth Advisor in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a graduate of Auburn University and the College for Financial Planning. He has been active as a coach and board member for Little League and other youth organizations, and in his church, St. Stephen Catholic in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Deidre W. Smith, Class of 1988, is the Deputy Director, Civil Rights Zone V, for the U.S. Forest Service, where she has worked for 30 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University and a master’s from Strayer University. She often mentors students, and has reached back to Andalusia to help more than a dozen students earn scholarships, stipends and internships.

Dr. Zack Studstill, Class of 1956,  practiced dentistry for 42 years in Montgomery before becoming the executive director of the Alabama Dental Association, where he served for 12 years.  He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Auburn University while practicing dentistry, and used it in his church’s family counseling program. He was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame, and received the American Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor.

Bill Tunnell, Class of 1964, spent 20 years as the executive director of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, which has documented 20 million visits. During his tenure as executive director, and later as executive director and Battleship Commission Chairman (2020-2024), many additions and repairs were made to the Park. He was the first inductee into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of the South, and completed additional studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Sue Williams Wiggins, Class of 1968, has spent a lifetime bringing art to the public. She founded her own company which created and maintained corporate art collections across the United States. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Wiggins recently returned to Andalusia where she founded Air Artist, Inc., and opened the Cotton Street Gallery.

James Arthur Wilson, Class of 1923, spent a career in education, but is most well known for the 18 years he served as principal of Andalusia High School, where his pursuit of excellent teaching was unrelenting, and where he inspired students to reach their fullest potential. He was a member of the first AHS football team, and is credited with restarting the storied program after World War II. He also was a WWII-era veteran of the Army Signal Corps.

The Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Award was established in 2007 by the Class of 1948 Foundation, now the Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation. The award is designed to honor those graduates of Andalusia High School, Woodson High School and Ralph Bunche High School whose personal lives, professional accomplishments and community service exemplify the ideals of Andalusia High School.

To make a nomination for the award, contact Michele Gerlach at .

The City of Andalusia increased its net position for the ninth consecutive year, the city’s audit for the fiscal year ending in 2023 showed.

Missy Pierce, CPA, and Gail Hayes, CPA, from Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, P.C. presented the city’s audited financials for fiscal year 2023 Tuesday. The auditors reported no findings.

“This is the best report we can give,” Pierce said.

Pierce said the City of Andalusia increased its net position by $2.7 million, as compared to FY 2022, partially because a strong economy produced a 4.6 percent increase in tax revenues.

“The city  continues to improve its strong financial position,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “This is great news for the city, and it is because of the guidance of the council and the contributions of everyone who works for the city.”

Other highlights of the audit included:

• The City had a combined ending fund balance of $33.4 million, an increase of $2.3 million from the previous year.

• The City made payments of just more than $2.3M on its long-term debt.

• The City’s program expenses increased by only 6.7 percent over the previous year.

Pierce said the auditors’ report is “unmodified,” which is the best that can be given.

John Thompson, city administrator, said the audit reflects a months-long process that began in January.

“They really dig into every aspect of the city’s finances,” he said. “If the council approves a development agreement, the auditors want to sit down and have us explain it. It’s significant that this audit was completed without a finding, a citation or anything irregular going on in this $28 million annual business.”

The council officially adopted the financial statement Tuesday night.