New Andalusia Public Library Director Sara Mixson hopes to expand current programming to build more lifelong readers.

“We have a wonderful library and an excellent staff who strive to create an inclusive and supportive community space,” she said. “Our children's summer reading program reached record numbers this year, but it seems that engagement drops off in middle grades and above. 

“Moving forward, I want to lead programs to encourage life-long readers and learners and ensure that the evolving needs of the community are met through programs and activities for all ages,” Mixson said.

“I have always had a deep passion for literature, education, and community service,” Mixson said. “This job allows me to incorporate all of those passions while fostering learning and providing access to information.”

Prior to joining the City, Mixson worked with Andalusia City Schools for 23 years, first as a secretary in the superintendent’s office and later as a teacher at Andalusia High School. 

At APL, she replaces Mona Simon, who retired.

“I have lived in this community my entire life, and I love all of the revitalization that is going on downtown,” Mixson said.  “We have an amazing library with wonderful children’s programs.  I look forward to creating opportunities for the Andalusia Public Library to serve the community in an even larger capacity moving forward.”

Mixson is a graduate of Andalusia High School, and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. She earned her BA in English with a business minor from Troy University Dothan, and is completing her MLIS at the University of West Alabama.

She and her husband, Rob, have two children, Emmy, and JR.

Cypress Landing RV Park on Gantt Lake has recently been recognized as a certified butterfly sanctuary by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). This certification marks a significant milestone for the campground, which has long been dedicated to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Cypress Landing is also now a certified stop on the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. This prestigious designation places the campground among an elite group of locations dedicated to fostering habitats that support the life cycle of butterflies and other pollinators.  The sanctuary boasts three distinct butterfly garden areas throughout the 34-acre community, each thoughtfully designed with pollinators in mind. These gardens provide a rich habitat filled with nectar-producing plants, offering an ideal environment for butterflies to thrive.

The gardens are a testament to Cypress Landing’s commitment to biodiversity and its role in the larger ecosystem.  Visitors to Cypress Landing can enjoy the beauty of the gardens while learning about the importance of pollinators in our environment. The sanctuary serves as an educational resource, raising awareness about the critical role that butterflies and other pollinators play in maintaining the health of our ecosystems. The Covington County Extension Office believes this to be the first certified butterfly sanctuary in the area. 

Moreover, the efforts to create a thriving butterfly habitat have had a positive ripple effect on the campground’s new community garden. The flourishing garden, supported by the presence of pollinators, is producing an abundance of vegetables.

Cypress Landing is proud to provide these fresh, free vegetables to the residents of the campground, fostering a sense of community and self-sufficiency. 

“We are thrilled to receive this certification from NABA and to be a part of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail,” said owner Brody Brown. “Our goal is to create a community where both people and wildlife can flourish. This sanctuary was created through hard work and love of nature by the Cypress Garden Club led by Will and Carol Asken.” 

The certification from NABA and inclusion in the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail are not only a win for Cypress Landing but also for the local community and the broader efforts to protect pollinators. With the increasing threats to butterfly populations worldwide, initiatives like these play a crucial role in conservation efforts.

IF YOU WANT TO GO: Cypress Landing invites residents and visitors alike to explore the sanctuary, experience the vibrant butterfly populations, and participate in the ongoing efforts to preserve these vital creatures. The RV Park is located off Hwy. 29 North just past the Gantt Lake Public Boat Access. The official address 32249 Riverland Drive, Dozier. 

Members of the general public who wish to visit the gardens should stop at Cypress Landing's General Store, open from 9-5 daily. Someone in the store will provide a flyer and direct visitors to the garden areas. 

The Andalusia Adult Activity Center, in conjunction with White Star Tours, is planning a bus trip to Texas in 2025.

The nine-day, eight-night trip includes Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston, and is set for May 27 through June 5, 2025.

The trip is priced at $1,899 per person, double occupancy; $2,488 per person, single occupancy. A $25 non-refundable deposit is due by Jan. 13, 2025, with the final payment due by March 10, 2025.

The trip begins with a morning departure from Andalusia on May 27, and an overnight in Shreveport. On the return trip, travelers will overnight in New Orleans.

In addition, the travel package includes:

·       3 nights lodging in Dallas

·       2 nights lodging in San Antonio

·       1 nights lodging in Houston

·       8 breakfasts

·       4 dinners, including dinner at the Southfork Ranch & dinner at the New Orleans School of Cooking w/Cooking Demo

·       Guided highlights tour of Dallas, including Old Red Courthouse, Dealy Plaza & JFK assassination site, JFK Memorial, Dallas City Hall, Dallas Heritage Village, & homes in Highland Park

·       Tour of the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys

·       Sixth Floor JFK Museum (based on availability)

·       Tour of Southfork Ranch (setting of TV show Dallas)

·       Guided highlights tour of Fort Worth, including the Cultural District, Billy Bob's of Texas, and the historic stockyards cattle drive

·       Stockyards Rodeo

·       Visit to Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco (made famous by HGTV's Chip & Joanna Gaines)

·       Visit to San Antonio Riverwalk

·       San Antonio's Paseo del Rio River Boat Cruise

·       Highlights tour of San Antonio, including The Alamo, Old Mission Trail, King William Historic District, Market Square, & Governor's Palace

·       Tour of Space Center Houston

·       Free time in New Orleans' French Quarter

·       Souvenir gift

·       Luggage handling

·       All taxes and meal gratuities

·       Motorcoach transportation

For additional information or reservations, contact Sonja Godwin at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center, 401 Walker Ave., Andalusia, or (334) 504-1002.

The Cotton Street Gallery in Andalusia is partnering with Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians for an exhibition celebrating the tribe’s rich history of handcrafted regalia and traditional art. Items on display will include powwow regalia, princess regalia, basketry, quilts, reproduction pottery, and copper medallions, as well as arrowheads on loan from the Covington County Historical Museum. Tribal artisans will give cultural presentations at the gallery throughout the exhibition.

“We are proud to work with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to bring to Covington County creative regalia and artworks that are made by Poarch Creek Indian Tribal members,” said Sue Wiggins, founder of AIR Artists, Inc., which is sponsoring the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open to the public Tuesday, August 27, through Saturday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the months of September and October. Donations are welcome and will go to support AIR Artists, Inc.

The Emmy Award–winning documentary The Forgotten Creeks, which tells the story of Alabama’s Creek Indians from their first contact with the Spanish in the 1500s to modern day, will run continuously at the gallery during the exhibition.

The Cotton Street Gallery, located at 104 North Cotton Street in Andalusia, celebrates Southern textile art and artists and offers textile-related classes and demonstrations for adults and children throughout the year. Proceeds from the gallery benefit AIR Andalusia.

To learn more about the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, visit https://pci-nsn.gov/. To learn more about Cotton Street Gallery, visit https://cottonstreetgallery.com/. To learn more about AIR Artists, Inc./AIR Andalusia, visit https://airartists.org/.