Published 12:00am Tuesday, December 7, 2010

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

The Covington County Economic Development Commission and the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority have scheduled an industry announcement for a new aviation company locating in the former EJM hanger.

The announcement is set for 2 p.m. next Thurs., Dec. 16.

By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News

Those using the yet-to-be-completed River Falls Street as a cut-though route will now be ticketed, Chief Wilbur Williams said.

“There have been several near-accidents between construction workers and motorists,” Williams said. “That area is under construction and is not suitable for travel, unless you have business in the area.”

Patrol officers began pulling over vehicles Wednesday informing citizens of the new procedure.

“We’re not doing it to target anyone,” he said. “It’s about the safety of the construction workers and the motorist. Work is not finished, and the road is technically closed from the intersection to the railroad. If you have business in the area, you won’t be ticketed, but that won’t be the case if you’re using it to cut through.”

At present, there are marked alternate routes available around the construction site, he said.

“When doing business in the area, please exercise caution,” he said.

Don Bullard, River Falls Street project contractor, said while work seems slow in the area, things are progressing.

“By the end of next week, we should be ready to pave to the railroad track,” Bullard said.

Bullard expressed his appreciation to the local business owners affected by the construction.

“The people at Pac-N-Ship and Ophelia’s, have been caught in the process where it seemed like nothing was being done,” he said. “That was the point where all the utilities tied in, and we ran into some issues, but those people have been the most pleasant since the beginning.”

Bullard said the section from Ophelia’s back to Jackson Honda is indicative of what the finished street will look like – minus the surface paving.

Published 12:01am Saturday, December 4, 2010

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

Local decorators are working with the City of Andalusia to stage an open house at Springdale Estate next weekend.

Springdale Estate is the historic home located in the heart of Andalusia and acquired earlier this year by the city from former owners Charles and Mary Margaret Tomberlin. John G. Sherf commissioned the 5,630 sq. ft. home, which includes six bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths, as well as a 700 sq. ft. guesthouse, in the 1930s. Scherf is considered the “founder” of modern Andalusia for having brought textile mills to the area and serving as a progressive mayor.

City horticulturalist Vanessa Nelson and Allan Cotton are co-chairs of the event.

Cotton said the idea is to decorate the home simply and naturally, as it likely would have been decorated when it was first built in the 1930s.

The City of Andalusia will hold an open house at Springdale Estate next weekend for locals to enjoy the historic mansion.| Michele Gerlach/ Star-News

“Basically, the house is empty because most of the furniture was moved,” Cotton said. “But the city thought it would be a good idea for the public to have an opportunity to see it. This is an opportunity to show the beauty of the house.”

Others joining Cotton in the decorating efforts include Andalusia Flower and Gift, Ansley Place, Central Wholesale, Walker Business Machines, MaryAnn’s, Harold’s, Lyn Bush and Aurelia Scherf Donald. Each decorator is doing one room or area of the house.

Cotton is decorating the grand foyer and stairwell, and said it will feature a poinsettia tree. He said in keeping with a tradition of the Tomberlins, exterior decorations also will be used.

Nelson said some of the ideas came from early photographs of the home.

“We are probably going overboard, but we are trying to keep it simple and natural, like a family would decorate.”

This week, Nelson has been getting live trees in shape to go in each of the rooms.

The home will be open from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 11, and from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 12. Santa Claus will be at the home throughout the open house, and musical entertainment will be provided. Light refreshments also will be served.

Members of the Andalusia Police Department will be on hand to direct the parking.

Published 12:00am Saturday, November 27, 2010

Andalusia Star News

(This picture is the Hotel Defuniak where AAC travelers will attend a murder-mystery dinner theater. | Courtesy photo)

Local residents looking for a scare have the opportunity to travel to a murder-mystery dinner theater in December.

The Andalusia Adult Activity Center will take a group to the Hotel Defuniak in Defuniak Springs, Fla., on Dec. 9.

Debbie Carter of the AAC said the murder-dinner theater is held at Bogey’s Restaurant inside the hotel.

The group will see a show titled “Chaos on the Christmas Cruise.”

The show, which is performed by Shalimar, Fla.-based Act4Murder is about Nina Colada, a bartender turned party planner, who picks up where her dearly departed friend Barbie Duh left off, and the Christmas party she’s running on a cruise ship is the strangest one yet.

Meet VJ the Voodoo DJ, the superstitious Captain Stubby and his amorous wife Catrina Cooks, and Phonet the artist, as they attempt to pull off the party of the decade.

And when Barbie’s cousin, Skipper, shows up with an inordinate interest in everyone’s personal life things really get weird.

“The dinner theater includes a show and a three-course meal,” she said.

The show will begin at 5:30 p.m.

“We will also shop at Garden & Homes before going to the show,” she said. “These events are great fun.”

Cost for the trip is $75 and includes the show and meal. Deadline to sign up is Dec. 2.

Call 222-6891.