The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce honored Jerri Stround and John and Mary Lee Howard with the president’s and distinguished service awards last night.
Outgoing Chamber President Jana McGlamory, who presented the awards, said she couldn’t think of a more worthy choice for the president’s award than Stroud, whose education career spanned more than 35 years.
“Over the course of her career, her influence and encouragement have motivated many of us to greater heights in our lives, families and careers,” McGlamory said. “She has earned the utmost respect from her fellow faculty members and served as a mentor for many of them.
“This very busy lady has also served as president of the LBW Foundation Board, is a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association, president of the El Martes Garden Club, past president of the Docena Y’ Tres civic club, and sponsor for the City Ambassadors who serve as the official hosts and hostesses for the City of Andalusia and many Chamber-sponsored events.
“She played an integral role in the success of the gala celebration for the ‘Absolutely Andalusia’ Homecoming festivities,” McGlamory said. “She has had a huge impact on my life and I am honored to present the president’s award to Jerri Stroud.”
The Howards were recognized with the distinguished service award as a “dynamic duo” for their tireless work on civic causes.
“A fellow Pilot member of Mary Lee’s said ‘she’s been the most successful fundraising chair I’ve known. When our club does projects such as our annual pancake and sausage day, we always feel like we get a two-for-one deal because he’s always there, too, and works with us just like a member!’ “ McGlamory said. “ In 2010, they extended their helping hands to the renovation of our Dream Park by working to coordinate all meals for the workers throughout the whole six-day construction.
“As if all that’s not enough they are both known all over this county as two of the biggest supporters and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity,” she said.
They are active in First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Howard is a member and past president of the Pilot Club, and Mr. Howard is a member of the Lion’s Club, and serves on the City’s Tourism and Relocation committee.
Other awards presented were elementary school teacher of the year to Barbara Peek of Andalusia Elementary School; middle school teacher of the year to Eric Searcy of Andalusia Middle School; secondary teacher of the year to Jana Clark of Florala High School; and student of the year to Samantha Hill of Andalusia High School.
The LAAC presented the Golden Palette award to Andalusia High School.
Entertainment was by comedian Jim Gossett.
The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce this year returned to the tradition of recognizing business of the year, honoring Pink Peppers, Gitty-Up-N-Go, Andalusia Manor/Savannah Terrace, and Darby’s Village Pharmacy.
Outgoing Chamber president Jana McGlamory said, “It’s rare that a business gets the pats on the back that they deserve. I wanted to acknowledge our outstanding businesses for their roles in industry and leadership; expansion – job creation; increasing sales; enhancing aesthetic value of property; innovation; dedication and service; and community involvement. So our board worked to adopt a standard for honoring the business in four categories and hopes to accept nominations for these in the coming years:”
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Marianne Harper Dubose of Pink Peppers with Ashley Eiland. - Mom & Pop Business of the Year Award
“This award highlights the 1-9 employee business that has taken a chance and carved out a niche for themselves in an already vibrant business community,” MaGlamory said. “They have added their own style and determination and shown success in their first year of business. After a year of personal loss and dedication to her goal, she would make her dad very proud. Congratulations to Marrianne Harper DuBose and Pink Peppers as our Mom & Pop Business of the Year.”
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Roy Mohon of Gitty-Up-N-Go with Ashley Eiland. - Small Business of the Year Award
“This award goes to the 10-74 employee run business, who has continued to grow and serve this community for the last 18 years,” McGlamory said. “This business has flourished, withstanding even the closing of River Falls Street, and as it has, its owner has given back to this community in very generous ways. It is an honor tonight, to award Roy Mohon and Gitty Up-N-Go, Inc. this year’s Small Business of the Year award. “
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Stallion, Sterling and Sheila Sasser, Sal.Lee Sasser-Williams of Andalusia Manor/Savannah Terrace. - Large Business of the Year Award
“For the 75-plus employee business, the Chamber cannot say enough about how this business has shown its support both to us as an organization, but to our community and its citizens,” McGlamory said. “As it has grown and invested in the lives of our families, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Sasser family and Andalusia Manor / Savannah Terrace facility. They are truly vested in this community and make it a better place to grow old!”
Business of the Year Service Award
“To the business that has truly served our community for the last 15 years, David and Laura Darby have invested and given back to our community on every level,” McGlamory said. “From his civic involvement and passion for making a difference in local and state government, to his support of every local school and youth program in the county, there is rarely a time that they say “no,” to anyone. With service like that, it is fitting that Darby’s Pharmacy receive our Business of the Year Service Award.”
The Andalusia Police Department and the Covington County Drug Task Force are sponsoring a community concerns event today at 6 p.m. at the Wilbur W. Williams Law Enforcement Training Center.
Jackie Woods, school resource officer with the Andalusia Police Department and event organizer, said everyone in Covington County is invited to the event.
“This is an opportunity for members of the community to come together and discuss ongoing crimes and the growing drug problems in our homes, schools and neighborhoods,” Woods said.
The center is located on Academy Drive, and citizens, parents, students, educators, healthcare providers, mayors, city council members and religious leaders are encouraged to attend.
Powell reflects on game he loves, award
On a green arm band dangling loosely on Kaleb Powell’s right wrist, are the words “No Matter What.”
And that’s what the Pleasant Home senior guard is living by as he plays basketball — the sport he loves — while his father, Johnny, watches from Heaven.
Johnny died of cancer on Christmas Day, and urged his son to never give up on the court before he passed away.
“He told me to play hard, and give it my 100 percent,” Kaleb said. “You’re not supposed to quit, like this arm band that says ‘No Matter What.’ You’ve got to go all four quarters until it’s done.”
In recognition for his bravery and inspiration after his father’s death, Kaleb was honored with the T.J. Fleming award at last night’s Andalusia Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Fleming died from a rare form of cancer in his saliva gland in May 2010. He was a former Florala High School baseball player and was a member of the LBWCC’s Saints baseball team.
Kaleb began playing basketball at a young age.
“The first time I picked up a basketball and started dribbling was when I started playing,” he said.
And the experience shows out on the court, as the senior plays point guard for the Eagles.
When he’s not giving the ball to another player for a shot, Kaleb is seen driving down the paint in hopes of a bucket.
Kaleb said his earliest memory playing basketball came when he was 3 years old, playing with his dad and brother Jared.
When asked how he’s been able to cope with playing basketball after his father’s death, Kaleb said that he’s confident he’ll “see him again” one day.
“It’s hard, but you’ve got the assurance that you’re going to see him again,” Kaleb said. “It’s hard to know that he’s not going to watch me play, but I take the fact that God could’ve taken somebody else that might not have known they were going.
“I kind of have no worries, but emotionally, it messes with you a little bit,” he said. “My father told me before he died to ‘play hard, and play for me.’ Some nights I might feel down, but I always remember what he told me, and I just keep pushing and striving.”
The fight to keep pushing and striving, along with is faith in God, are a big part of how he got back in the normal rhythm of playing basketball again.
“He said ‘don’t worry about me, you’ll have a guardian angel out there with you on the court,’” Kaleb said. “‘I’ll be watching down on you and make sure you don’t make any mental mistakes on the court.’
“I have him in my heart, and that way, I can feel it when I make a mental mistake and how he wouldn’t want me to do that,” he said.
Kaleb played his first game after his father’s death at the Alabama-Florida Shootout last December.
He admitted it was hard to play the game he loves without his father in the stands, but said that he can always hear his father yelling in the crowd, whether it was because of a good play, or a bad play.
“It was hard,” he said. “He made a few games in between that time (last year) and now, knowing that when I look up at the stands, I could always hear him holler.
“I couldn’t hear that, so it was a little different, but I pressed through it,” he said.
Kaleb is the son of Kristi Powell, and he plans to attend LBWCC in the fall and will transfer to Troy University after he gets through with is basics.
Because of state regulations, the City of Andalusia is no longer issuing electrical licenses to those working in the city limits, building inspector Micah Blair said Tuesday.
The new process is a requirement under the Alabama Electri-cal Contr-actors Act, Blair said.
The law was enacted to safeguard homeowners and other property owners and tenants against faulty, inadequate or unsafe electrical installations.
“The way it worked (in Andalusia) before is that a person who wanted to do electrical work in the city had to come in, take a test, pass it and then be issued a license to do work within the city limits,” he said. “Then, that license would be renewable every three years for a $5 fee.
“Now, that’s changed,” he said. “Now, we’re not giving any more tests locally. The state has taken over issuing the licenses. So, what that means is local license holders must come by here and fill out a form for a provisional license through the state. That license will be good until Aug. 31.
“After that, everything will be handled through the state,” he said.
There is no test to obtain a provisional license, Blair said.
“However, that provisional license allows you work in the municipal and county you were already licensed to work,” he said. “For example, if you were licensed to work in Andalusia and in the county, those are the only two areas you can work in. The provisional license does not give you the ability to work statewide. There’s a separate license for that.”
Blair said all provisional licenses would be void after Oct. 1.
“The whole purpose of these laws is to protect both the contractor and the homeowner,” he said. “If you’re a homeowner, you want to make sure that your contractor not only has a business license, but also is properly licensed for the job that you’ve hired them to do.
“If, at any time, you have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us or the state to determine the status of someone’s license.”
Blair said the new regulations will effect some 200 license holders working in Andalusia.