It was all about fun when the Kiwanis Covington County Fair opened Monday. Above: Alaina Nettles and Dalton and Ryan Palmer felt the wind rush through their hair and has smiles on their faces. Today, Tues., Oct. 18, the Midway will be open with free admission for disabled citizens only. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; close at 10 p.m. The Tiny Miss Covington County Fair pageant, for ages 4 and 5, is set for 6:30 p.m
Put on your gameday gear, pack up some goodies and take the family down to the PowerPlant Market Place for the Music Around Town’s Tailgate and Tunes event this weekend.
Organizer Jewel Curry said the event is “just good clean fun.”
“There’ll be TVs inside the PowerPlant for those who want to watch the game,” she said. “Bring your own treats, and we’ll be tailgating. Wear your team colors, and it doesn’t have to be just Auburn or Alabama. Wear Andalusia, Straughn, Red Level or whomever is your favorite team. ”
Curry said there’ll be plenty of music, with a disc jockey on hand.
“Come out and laugh, dance and fellowship,” she said. “Some cheerleaders will be there leading the cheers. It’s going to be so much fun.”
Tisdale Street will be blocked off, and someone will be on hand directing the parking, Curry said.
“Put on your best manners,” she said. “This is going to be a good, family gathering.”
No alcoholic beverages are allowed – not even in coolers, she said.
The free event will run from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, said she came to Andalusia Tuesday to “get educated” on the issues that matter to constituents.
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson and others involved with industrial development gave her an earful.
Senate bill 63 would extend HUBZone certification for those that would lose the status Oct. 1, but the measure hasn’t passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Both Johnson and CCEDC board member Ed Short told Roby that the measure is critical to Covington County.
The certification, officially Historically Underutilized Business Zones, is part of a program that gives incentives for the U.S. federal government to do contracting with businesses that operate and create jobs in communities with statistically proven economic needs.
A number of local businesses will be adversely affected if the designation is not extended, Johnson said.
“It doesn’t cost anything,” Johnson said of the incentive. “All it does is give those businesses points when they are bidding on a government contract.”
Johnson said he and other officials are talking with two prospective industries now for whom having HUBZone certification would be critical in a decision to locate here.
Mark Pugh of CDG Engineering also spoke about the HUBZone certification and said it also is critical to his firm.
“Sixty-five percent of our employees live in a HUBZone,” he said, adding that having the designation puts his firm and others like it on more of a level playing field.
The proposed legislation to extend the designation for three years affects 3,400 businesses nationwide. House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., does not support the bill, H.R. 2131, which has seven cosponsors, representing both parties.
Roby committed to get up to speed on the issue, understand its fiscal impact, and support it if she finds it beneficial for residents in the 2nd Congressional District.
Roby spoke first to the Andalusia Rotary Club and then at a program for Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce members at city hall. She also had questions about future BRAC (Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission) and the effect future cuts might have on Ft. Rucker.
“Ft. Rucker is very unique in its ability to grow,” Roby said, adding that it has some unique abilities other military bases don’t have.
“There are more (defense) cuts to come, whether or not there is a formal BRAC,” she said. “We are preparing ahead of time.”
‘Courageous’
Showing throughout the weekend.
Honor Flight
Veterans left at 3 a.m., will arrive home tonight at midnight.
A-Town Invitational
Competition begins at 12:45 p.m. today at AHS.
‘Little Egypt Traveling Show’
At the Adult Activity Center at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each.
Florala’s ‘Factory of Horrors’
Doors will open tonight at 6:30. Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for kids.
Contemporary Folk Art Show
Opening reception, LAAC, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday
The Andalusia Ballet yesterday announced the official cast list for its December production of “Messiah.”
A community chorus, accompanied by a small orchestra, will perform selections from Handel’s “Messiah.” Dancers cast for those selections include:
• “Behold the Lamb” – Ander Helms, Mary Ashton McMillan, Kelsey Nix, and Savannah Claire Morgan featured dancers; with Eriel Augmon, Sneha Bang, Sydney Brunson, Taran Carrasco, Elizabeth Cravey, Heidi Cross, Katie Frasher, Gabby Godwin, Olivia Jones, Meagan Langley, Tori Mack, Natilee Mathews, and Jodie Watson. Also Jared Jacoby, Cameron Morgan, and Patrick Willison.
• “Thy Rebuke” – Anna Payne
• “Behold, and See if There be any Sorrow” – Emily Kelley, Tori Mack, and Sydney O’Brien, with Jared Jacoby, Cameron Morgan, and Patrick Willison.
• “Lift Up Your Heads” – Sneha Bang (Fri/Sun) and Olivia Jones (Sat) with Erica Bernstein, Kelly Bourassa, Halle Burkhardt, Taran Carrasco, Elizabeth Cravey, Heidi Cross, Gabby Godwin, Olivia Jones/Sneha Bang, Meagan Langley, Elizabeth McCalman, Hannah McCalman, and Kayla Mitchell.
• “How Beautiful Are the Feet” – Kelsey Nix (Fri/Sun) and Sydney Brunson (Sat) with Eriel Augmon, Katie Frasher, and Jodie Watson.
• “Why Do the Nations War” – Sneha Bang, Kate Barrow, Erica Bernstein, Ander Helms, Emily Kelley, Natilee Mathews, Mary Ashton McMillan, Savannah Claire Morgan, Kelsey Nix/Sydney Brunson, Sydney O’Brien, and Anna Payne with Jack Barrow, Jared Jacoby, Cameron Morgan, Kole Varner, Jonathan Weed, and Patrick Willison.
• “Let Us Break Their Bonds” – Kate Barrow, Halle Burkhardt, Elizabeth McCalman, Hannah McCalman, and Savannah Claire Morgan.
• “Thou Shalt Break Them” – Mary Ashton McMillan.
• “Hallelujah” – Sneha Bang, Kate Barrow, Erica Bernstein, Sydney Brunson, Ander Helms, Emily Kelley, Tori Mack, Natilee Mathews, Mary Ashton McMillan, Savannah Claire Morgan, Kelsey Nix, Sydney O’Brien, and Anna Payne with Jared Jacoby, Cameron Morgan, and Patrick Willison.
• “Hallelujah Angels” – Olivia Amerson, Anabell Bryant, Rexanne Butler, Merrill Anne Culverhouse, Hannah Goodwin, Carly Hunter, Addie Hutcheson, Emmy Ellyn Rabren, Julia Smith, Lindsey Stephens, Sydney Ward, and Catherine Weed.
• “There Were Shepherds” – Ander Helms
• “Glory To God” – Taran Carrasco, Katie Frasher, Elizabeth McCalman, Hannah McCalman, Kayla Mitchell, and Jodie Watson with Jared Jacoby and Cameron Morgan.
• “O Thou Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” – Kate Barrow with Ava Bailey, Audrey Danford, Rachel Fleming, Abigail Livingston, Kassidy Mears, Ella Kate Nichols, Sarah Piggott, Michaelyn Russell, Hannah Sellers, Mary Taylor Seymore, Gracie Syler, and Emily Ward.
• “Rejoice” – Emily Kelley (Fri/Sun) and Sydney O’Brien (Sat) with Kelly Bourassa, Halle Burkhardt, Elizabeth Cravey, Heidi Cross, Gabby Godwin, Olivia Jones, Meagan Langley and Julia Smith.
• “People That Walked in Darkness” – Cameron Morgan.
• “Unto Us” – Savannah Claire Morgan (Fri/Sun)/Natilee Mathews (Sat). Also, Olivia Amerson, Anabell Bryant, Rexanne Butler, Merrill Ann Culverhouse, Hannah Goodwin, Carly Hunter, Addie Hutcheson, Emmy Ellyn Rabren, Lindsey Stephens, Sydney Ward,and Catherine Weed. With Jack Barrow, Kole Varner, and Jonathan Weed.
• “Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind” – Ander Helms with Cameron Morgan.
• “Flock” – Cameron Morgan with Eriel Augmon, Sneha Bang, Kate Barrow, Sydney Brunson, Katie Frasher, Ander Helms, Emily Kelley, Tori Mack, Natilee Mathews, Mary Ashton McMillan, Kayla Mitchell, Savannah Claire Morgan, Kelsey Nix, Sydney O’Brien, Anna Payne, Jodie Watson
• “ All We Like Sheep” – Erica Bernstein