The Andalusia Stingrays swim team prepared for the upcoming season with a intrasquad meet on Tuesday evening at Cooper Pool.
“This is really more for the first year swimmers and their parents,” swim coach Gavin Donaldson said. “It gives them an idea of how the actual meets will go.”
Donaldson said the teams have been practicing for the past four weeks to prepare for the upcoming season.
“We have spent the past four weeks just building a base,” Donaldson said. “On Saturday, we had them working on starts and then they did kick sets for 2,000 yards.”
This season, Donaldson likes his team’s chances.
“I feel really good about the my returners,” Donaldson said. “The ones that are year-around swimmers, I pretty much know what I’m going to be getting out of them. I’m anxious to see what the ones that haven’t got in the pool for nine months are going to do.”
On Tuesday night, Donaldson was pleased with what he saw.
“Our endurance isn’t up to for as fast as this meet goes,” Donaldson said. “They going to get there. It takes a little time to get back in swimming shape.”
The Stingrays’ first meet will be Tuesday in Troy.
Andalusia Star News
State Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, on Saturday unveiled signs designating a portion of Hwy. 55 in Andalusia known locally as the bypass, “Veterans Memorial Highway.”
The name became official with a joint resolution of the legislature approved in April.
Jones made the announcement in a Memorial Day program held at City Hall Saturday morning. The effort to have the designation put in place began in January when John Vick, Ben Bowden and Sammy Glover addressed the council.
Vick said the city has done a good job with the entryway and other focal points in the city.
“We’re just asking you to dress it up a little and complement what is already done,” Vick said then.
The resolution reads:
“Whereas there is a desire by local veterans, citizens, and public officials to recognize those who have honorably served the United States in its Armed Forces; and
“Whereas it is the United States Armed Forces that defend our great nation, protect our freedom, and preserve our way of life; and
“Whereas, it is with great pride and pleasure that the Alabama Legislature honors those men and women of the Armed Forces who provided unparalleled service, performed with valor and distinction, and made immeasurable sacrifices and contributions to the people of Andalusia, Covington County, the State of Alabama, and the United States of America, and “Whereas, every citizen owes a great debt of gratitude to the patriotic men and women who have served their country in the Armed Forces whether on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves, to those who are currently serving, and especially to those who have been killed or wounded in service to their country; now therefore
“Be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses therof concurring, that Alabama Highway 55 from its intersection with Alabama Highway 15 at mile marker 522.45 to its intersection with River Falls Street at mile marker 525.235 be designated the Andalusia Veterans Memorial Highway; and
“Be it further resolved that the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of fabricating and erecting the appropriate signs or markers, consistent with applicable requirements and laws, and upon receiving funds from non-state sources covering that cost, to erect those signs or markers as provided in this resolution in recognition of this meritorious designation.”
Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the signage project may do so at the Andalusia City Hall.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia Public Library’s summer reading program begins Thurs., June 1, and continues each Thursday through the entire month of June, concluding on June 29.
The theme for this year’s reading program is “Build A Better World” through reading.
Special activities and performers are planned each Thursday at 3 p.m. The popular team from the Birmingham’s McWane Science Center will kick off the reading program with a special exhibition on June 1.
On June 8, international magician Skip the Magic Guy will look to provide some magic for the children of Covington County.
The library will be screening LEGO’s Art Movie on June 15 and Dr. Magical Balloons will bring his original characters and stories to the library on June 22.
The summer reading program will come to a close on June 29 with LEW-E the Clown as he performs for the children.
Throughout the summer, the library will be giving away weekly prizes, door prizes and contest prizes as well as holding its annual art contest.
The art contest takes place July 3 with three different age groups, ranging from age 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
There will also be a LEGO Contest, with a minimum build of 50 pieces, on July 17 with ages 6-9 and 10-14. For more information on the summer reading program or any of the events or contests contact the Andalusia Public Library at 334-222-6612.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia Public Library is getting updated computers.
APL Director Karin Taylor said city employees are installing 20 new state-of-the-art computers at the library.
“They should be done the next week,” she said. Additionally, Taylor said that the library also is getting very comfortable computer chairs.
“We have received a computer projector,” she said. “We are going to conduct classes for Internet users. They will be very basic classes.”
Taylor said the classes would include things like how to use a mouse and go over some things computer users need to know.
“We will teach them things like filling out Social Security paperwork, creating job resumes and how to go to different websites to fill out job applications. We have so many people who come in to use our computers for this purpose.”
Taylor said last year, they had 24,899 computer users.
She said it’s been three years since the library has upgraded computers.
“We were over due,” she said. “These are supremely better than any we have had in our computer lab.” Taylor said she asked the mayor and council if they would purchase new computers.
“They approved it,” she said. “We are very pleased and thankful for their generosity. We are very pleased to be able to provide these services for our patrons.”
The library has also in the last six months been able to become one of seven public libraries to join the Alabama Super Computer Authority.
“We have been rewired into their Internet backbone,” she said. “We are able to have higher bandwidth. What this entails, they will pay for three years of us getting free service. After the three years, they will see if there is any money left to be appropriated.”
Taylor said that partnership allows the library to save thousands and thousands of dollars to use for other library programs.
“It’s a win-win,” she said.
Andalusia Star News
Color wheel clocks are among the pieces of art that will be on display at 5 p.m. today when The Gallery hosts an opening reception for the APPLE Artists’ Exhibition, which runs through the end of the month.
The show features work completed by students in Andalusia’s after-school program.
The Gallery is located at 209 East Three Notch St.
Andalusia Star News