The Record-Journal Online
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Record-Journal Online
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kids/Teachers, we want your Black History essays for the Black History Special!
Please print neatly. May be edited for space and grammar. Deadline is Feb. 15. Sumter
County students ages 7-12 only and no more than three or four paragraphs with name, date,
grade and school name. SCRJ is located at 210 S. Washington Street. SCRJ is not
responsible for returning essays.
Town Hall Meetings for Geiger, Gainesville, and Emelle
At the Jan. 19 monthly meeting the Sumter County Sewer Authority (SCSA) board
recommended each town within our service area conduct a town hall meeting to permit the
Authority an opportunity to explain the newly constructed sewer system, the equipment
located at the customers residence, and the customer's responsibility for the proper use and
maintenance of the system Sentell engineers will provide the explanation and SCSA board
members will be present to provide information and answer questions. These meeting are of
interest to everyone within the towns of Geiger, Gainesville, and Emelle, especially high
income families, and to residents located on Highway's 17, 116, and 39 between and near
these towns.
The mayor's agreed to schedule the three meetings as follows: Geiger Thurs., Jan. 26, 2012
at 5:30 p.m., Gainesville Wed., Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. and Emelle Thurs., Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
James H. Todd, SCSA Secretary/Treasurer, Phone: 205-392-7964.
Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Alabama Earthquake Awareness Week
On Tues., Feb. 7, at 10:15 a.m. the Alabama Emergency will join an ever-growing number of
people from across the central United States who will take part in the Great Central U.S.
ShakeOut. This is a regional earthquake drill in which participants will practice the
recommended action during an earthquake which is DROP to the ground, take COVER from
falling objects by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLD ON to it until the shaking
stops.
Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner will join Winston County officials at Haleyville High School
to participate in this earthquake drill with students, teachers and local first responders.
Governor Robert Bentley has proclaimed February 6-10 “Earthquake Awareness Week” in
Alabama. During Earthquake Awareness Week each day has a different theme:
Monday: Historic Alabama Earthquakes.
Tuesday: Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, 10:15 a.m. What would you do?
Wednesday: Know how to protect your home.
Thursday: Protect your family by having a communication plan and a family emergency kit.
Friday: Know how to protect your business and your employees
There is still time to sign up to be involved in the ShakeOut. Go to http://www.shakeout.
org/centralus/ and click on “Register Now.”
Mt. Tabor M. B. Church Annual Family and Friends Day
Pastor James McDonald and the Mt. Tabor M. B. Church family of 370 Mt.Tabor Road,
Coatopa cordially invite you to our annual Family and Friends Day program to be held on
Sun., Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. The Rev. Marvin Dixon and his church family of the Mt. Nebo Baptist
Church of Pusmataha, Alabama will be our special guest. We are looking forward to seeing
you on this occasion.
Spring Planting is Near: Join the Arbor Day Foundation in February and Receive 10
Free Redbud Trees
Here's an ideal way to get into the mood for spring planting: Join the Arbor Day Foundation
and receive 10 free trees to plant when the weather turns warm.
Every person from Alabama who joins the Arbor Day Foundation in February 2012 will
receive 10 free Eastern redbud trees.
The 10 free Eastern redbud trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation's Trees for America
campaign.
The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May
31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or
they will be replaced free of charge.
Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to the Foundation's colorful
bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree
planting and care.
To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution
to TEN FREE EASTERN REDBUD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue,
Nebraska City, NE 68410, by February 29, 2012, or visit arborday.org/February.
Galilee Baptist Church Revival
Pastor Bob Nelson Little and the Galilee Baptist Church Family of Panola will have Revival
beginning at 7 p.m. Nightly as follows: Mon., Feb. 6- Pastor Ben Henry of Mt. Olive Baptist
Church in Millport will deliver the message. Tues., Feb. 7- Pastor P.S. Jenkins of Oak Grove
Baptist of York will deliver the message. Wed., Feb. 8- Bishop William Reese of New Life
Baptist of Tuscaloosa will deliver and climax the event. Please mark your calendar, come out
and lets' get Revived.
SCFAC Schedules Fallen Prince
The Sumter County Fine Arts Council will present Donald P. Stone’s one-man play Fallen
Prince on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Bibb Graves Auditorium on the UWA campus.
With the negro spiritual, the poetry of Sterling Brown and the musical artistry of Roland Hayes
in addition to excerpts from Edwards’ autobiography Twenty-Five years in the Black Belt,
Stone attempts to “kindle with a pale glimmer the passion of days gone by.”
Admission is free to SCFAC members and to UWA students with valid identification. General
admission is $10 for adults and $2 for students.
Farmers’ Fuel Tax Refund Deadline April 2
The Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) reminds Alabama farmers that April 2, 2012, is
the deadline date for filing their 2011 state fuel tax refund claims with the ADOR.
The refund claims are based on portions of the state excise tax paid by farmers on gasoline
and “clear” motor fuel used in tractors or any auxiliary engines attached to tractors during
2011 for agricultural purposes. The refund rate is 11 cents per gallon for gasoline and
“clear” motor fuel.
The refund provision also allows Alabama farmers transporting biomass to electricity-
generating facilities to receive a fuel tax refund up to $1,000.
Farmers who have previously filed refund claims with the ADOR were mailed forms early this
month. Any individual qualifying for a refund may obtain a claim form by writing to the
following address: Alabama Department of Revenue, Business and License Tax Division,
Motor Fuels Section, Post Office Box 327540, Montgomery, AL 36132-7540, or telephone
(334) 242-9608.
For more information on the fuel tax refund, farmers may contact the department’s Motor
Fuels Section at (334) 242-9608, or email Steve.Dubose@revenue.alabama.gov.
UWA to host Science Saturday for area school children
The University of West Alabama’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics invites
elementary and middle school students in and around Sumter County to the next in its series
of Science Saturdays on Feb. 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Bibb Graves Hall on the UWA
campus.
“Dissection Exploration Lab” will give students an opportunity to dissect starfish and learn
about life from inside out. Led by Dr. Ketia Shumaker, professor of biology at UWA, the
workshop features several sessions of hands-on activities for dissecting starfish and learning
their anatomy.
Science Saturdays are designed to give young students early exposure to the world of
science. The sessions create excitement and enthusiasm that students need not only to learn
the basics of science, but also gain the tools to further their studies in the field.
The workshop is free and open to all children in third through eighth grades. The series is
supported in part by a grant from the Sumter County Nature Trust.
Spaces are limited. For more information or to reserve a spot, please email Rosie Campbell
at rmc@uwa.edu or call 205-652-3414.
Want to Become a Master Gardener?
Master Gardener Classes will be offered beginning March 1 in Greensboro. The classes will
be held at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System office. Classes will be from 5 p.m. to 9
p.m. each Thursday night for 12 weeks. Participants wanting to take the class will have to
agree to a background check. Expense for the background check will be paid for by the
Extension System. If you’re interested participating in the Master Gardener Program or would
like more information on this program, please call the Sumter County Extension System Office
at 205-652-9501 or stop by the office and pick up a Master Gardener package. Deadline for
signing up and paying for the class is Fri., Feb. 17.
Coleman Center presents Community Coalition Choir
The Coleman Center for the Arts is pleased to present the Community Coalition Choir
performing it’s debut piece, "We Are Many." The choir blends varied musical traditions
including old songs from Sumter County, modern gospel, traditional sacred songs, new youth
texts, classical Indian music and choral experiments. The concert will take place at the
Coleman Center gallery this Sat., Jan. 28 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The concert is free and open
to the community and refreshments will be served!
The work is the culmination of Samita Sinha’s two year relationship with the CCA and the
Sumter County community. She has worked particularly closely with John Brown and Kanita
Studivant. Choir members include John Brown, Shana Berger, Daymekia Carter, Jocelyn
Edens, James Goodwin, Judy Massey, Kanita Sturdivant, Samita Sinha, Jahlliyah Watkins,
LaTeasha Watkins and Catherine Shelton.
For more information please contact the Coleman Center for the Arts at 205-392-2005 or
email colemancenter@gmail.com.
Princess of Hope Pageant-Preliminary to Little Miss Alabama Pageant
The Princess of Hope Pageant-Preliminary to Little Miss Alabama Pageant will be Sat., Feb.
18 at UWA Bibb Graves Auditorium. Entry Fee: $25.00 for ages 3-18. For a form call 205-
609-8673. Proceeds go to Relay for Life.
SCFAC Annual Juried Art Show
The Sumter County Fine Arts Council in cooperation with the University of West Alabama and
the Coleman Center for the Arts announces the annual Juried Art Show to be held from
March 2 until April 12.
The exhibition is open to current Sumter County residents and UWA students who are 18
years of age or older. Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. The categories include painting,
photography, drawing, printmaking, fabrics, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture and stained
glass. Only original designs and constructions are acceptable. No kits or commercial
porcelain molds may be used. All work must have been created after March 1, 2011. The
exhibition committee reserves the right to reject any entry. The judge and the committee will
determine selection and placement of pieces to be exhibited. Entries nust be suitably
mounted or framed for museum display and must include hardware necessary for hanging.
Entries can be delivered to Coleman Center Gallery on the following dates/times:
• Fri., Feb. 24, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Sat., Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Mon., Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Tues., Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-6 p.m.
The opening reception will be March 2 from 6-8 p.m. The last day of the exhibition will be April
5. Entries may be picked up from the Coleman Center on the following times/dates:
• Fri., April 6, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Sat., April 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Mon., April 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Awarded will be $450 in various merit awards, with specific amounts and categories to be
determined at the time of judging.
The show will be curated and hosted by the Coleman Center for the Arts from March 2 to April
5 at 630 Avenue A in York. For additional information concerning the exhibition, to schedule a
special drop-off or pick-up time, or for more entry forms, contact Nathan Purath with the
Coleman Center for the Arts at 392-2005.
The Sumter County Fine Arts Council, the University of West Alabama, and the Coleman
Center are not responsible for damage or loss of entries. Every precaution will be taken to
assure protection of all entries. Participation in the show indicates that each artist accepts,
understands and agrees to all the foregoing conditions. We will not be responsible for entries
left after April 10, 2012.
The Sumter County Fine Arts Council receives support from the Alabama State Council on
the Arts, from the National Endowment for the Arts, from the University of West Alabama, and
from other agencies, businesses and individuals.
Galilee Baptist Church 5th Annual Love Fellowship Banquet
Pastor Bob Nelson Little and The Galilee Baptist Church family cordially invite you to
participate in their 5th Annual Love Fellowship Banquet on Sat., Feb. 4 beginning at 6 p.m. at
the Galilee Baptist Church in Panola. For more information you can contact Pastor Little at
205-454-5703 or Deacon Cleotis Speights at 205-373-3011. Dress attire is Semi-Formal.
Looking forward to seeing you on this joyous occasion.
Free Waterfowl Management Workshop Scheduled for Feb. 4
The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in cooperation with the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System, the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife
Sciences, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will host a free waterfowl management
workshop at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge visitor center on Sat., Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
Lunch will not be provided as a part of the seminar so attendees should make individual lunch
plans. While the event is free, attendees should register by Wed., Feb. 1, 2012. To register
call Kelly Knowles at (334) 844-1010 or email her at knowlkw@auburn.edu.
Public Service Announcement (PSA) To: All County Volunteer Agencies
From Margaret A. Bishop-Gulley, Director Sumter County Emergency Management
Agency (EMA):
We are asking all “Volunteer Agencies” located in Sumter County and those who service the
Sumter County Area, to call and register your agency with EMA.
It happened just recently that a disaster hit our County and the damages did not exceed the
threshold to receive a disaster declaration from FEMA to assist families with Individual
Assistance (IA) in restoring their homes. This forced the affected community to request
outside assistance that local volunteer agencies could have possibly provided.
We would like to develop a listing of volunteer agencies within our area for future
occurrences. This could shorten the amount of time for the Community to recover from a
disaster. Please call (205) 652-6347 to register your agency with local EMA before March 31,
2012. Once, the registration deadline is met a Long Term Recovery Meeting will be
scheduled.
When you call, please leave the following information on voicemail: agency name, address,
phone number, point of contact, and a brief description of your agency’s capabilities:
4-H to Join in Alabama Gives Day Feb. 2 to Support Nonprofits
Alabama 4-H, the state’s largest youth development organization, is joining other nonprofits in
the state for the first, massive, one-day online giving opportunity on Thurs., Feb. 2.
To learn more about Alabama Gives Day and Alabama 4-H, go to www.Alabama4H.com.
Veterans and Beneficiaries Receive
Veterans, their families, and survivors receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans
Affairs saw a 3.6 percent increase in their compensation and pension benefits beginning
January 1. The new compensation rates will range from $127 monthly for a disability rated at
10 percent to $2,769 monthly for 100 percent. The cost of living adjustments also apply to
disability and death pension recipients, survivors receiving Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation, disabled Veterans receiving automobile and clothing allowances, and other
benefits. Under federal law, COLAs for VA’s compensation and pension rates are the same
percentage as for Social Security benefits. The last COLA for VA benefits was in 2008 when
the last Social Security increase occurred. For more information about VA benefits or new
payment rates, visit www.vba.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.
Special Immigrant Status Available to Veterans
Aliens who have served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces after October 17, 1978, for at
least 12 years may be granted special immigrant status. Additionally, aliens who died as a
result of wounds incurred of disease contracted during periods of hostilities declared by the
President may also receive recognition as U.S. citizenship. This posthumous citizenship is
only honorary and does not confer any benefits to the survivors. For assistance, contact the
nearest office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice Department. (Ref: 38
USC CH 53 and U. S. Department of Justice Regulations)
Veteran’s Pension
A wartime veteran with a limited income may qualify for a Veterans Disability Pension. Many
veterans of wartime service are unaware of this VA benefit. To qualify for Veterans Disability
Pension, the veteran must have been discharged from service under conditions other than
dishonorable; have served 90 days or more on active duty with at least one day during a
period of war time; and is permanently or totally disabled, or age 65 or older with a countable
family income below a yearly limit set by law. The VA pension is the difference between the
veteran’s family income and the yearly income limit. For more information on VA pensions,
contact your County Veterans Service Office at (205-459-2111.)
Veterans Eligible for Unempolyment Compensation
Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and who are
unemployed may be entitled to Unemployment Compensation based upon their honorable
service. For further information on this benefit, please contact your nearest State
Unemployment Compensation Claims Office.
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days will be Feb. 11-12
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Division of
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has designated February 11 and 12, 2012, as
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. On those days, youth under age 16 may hunt when
accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. Regular waterfowl season shooting hours, bag
limits, legal arms and ammunitions apply to the special days.
“Hunting under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter is one of the best ways young
people can acquire the necessary skills to become an accomplished, lifetime hunter,” said N.
Gunter Guy, Jr., ADCNR Commissioner.
Youth are defined as individuals age 15 years and younger. Adults are defined as individuals
age 25 years and older, or as the parent of the youth. The adult must have a state hunting
license, state and federal waterfowl stamp, and a free harvest information program stamp.
To participate in the hunt, individuals must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult
supervisor, who may not hunt, must remain within arm’s length of the youth at all times. The
adult supervisor may accompany up to two youth participants during the hunt.
Only one firearm will be allowed per youth, and only the youth hunters will be permitted to
utilize the firearm for hunting. The adult is expected to review the rules of firearm safety and
hunter ethics with each youth and ensure they are followed.
For more information on the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, contact David Hayden at
(334) 242-3469 or visit the Outdoor Alabama website, www.outdooralabama.com.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise
stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com