This Monday is the start of a new school year. I have three grandchildren starting this year. The new clothes and shoes have really made them that much happier at the idea of going. Now if they will stay that excited for the next 13 years, then their parents will have it made.

Just because school was out for the summer didn’t mean that there weren’t school activities still going on.

In June the FFA Officers attended the State FFA Convention at Auburn University. At the convention, the chapter received the State Superior Chapter Award. This award is a great honor to receive, because it is a combination of BOAC, Chapter, and Safety awards given in the past.

It is given to the top five chapters in the state out of over 300 chapters. Dusty Dunn was awarded the State Farmer Degree. Taylor Andrews received Third place in the state for the Wildlife Proficiency Award. During the days at the convention they toured the Poultry Sciences Center and the Veterinary School.

They also enjoyed bowling, playing video games and having great meals. The forestry team went to the state level of the competition, and took 12th place. Forestry members include Daniel Kidd, Derick Hall and Jeremy McCann.

The officers also held many meetings during the summer to plan for the upcoming year.

The week of July 13-20 Taylor Andrews attended the FFA Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. He had a great time learning about the FFA and touring the Capital City.

To close out the summer, the officers spent a day skiing on Lake Eufaula and took a canoeing trip on Black Water River in Baker, Fla.

The new officers for the upcoming year are President Dusty Dunn, Vice President Daniel Kidd, Secretary Tiffany Lester, Treasurer Courtney Beck, Reporter Taylor Andrews and Sentinel John Smith. FFA Leader is teacher Mark Andrews.

Elizabeth has only six weeks to go and we are all excited and ready for the new arrival. The baby shower is Sunday August 8 from 2-4 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Troy. If you haven’t received an invitation you are still welcome to come. Elizabeth has been trying to contact everyone, but it’s been hard trying to get everyone’s address. There will be plenty of food and she will really enjoy seeing her friends again.

The Alfred and Fannie Hudson reunion was Saturday July 31st at the Mason Lodge in Elba, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There were about 45 people in attendance. The only living sisters that attended were Frances Hall of Brantley and Jo Danford of Elba. Children of the deceased sisters, Lucille Danley and Evelyn Mount were in attendance. Those from Brantley that attended were Pat Manning, Samantha Manning, Sylvia Davis, Derick Hall, Angel Hall, and Chase Adkinson.

Calvin Bodiford and his students will be at the Mitchell Center in Luverne Friday August 6 from 7:30-10 p.m. They do serve refreshments, and have good food and good music. The event is free to the public. What a way to spend a Friday night the first and third Friday of each month, and you may even meet some new friends or just run into some old ones you haven’t seen in a while.

Calvary Baptist Church will have its singing Saturday August 14th. They will serve supper at 6 p.m. and the singing will start at 7 p.m.

Dozier Freewill Baptist Church has scheduled their Revival for Thursday August 19-22. Guest speakers are August 19, David Mount, New Life Center; and August 20-21, Dale Brown, New Harmony Baptist Church. The revival will start at 7 p.m. each night and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Dozier Freewill Baptist Church will have their singing Saturday August 28th, with supper being served at 6 p.m. and singing starting at 7:00 pm. The guest group will be the Williamson family and friends from Crestview, Fla.

The singing scheduled for September 25th will host the Gospel Valley Boys from Birmingham.

Until next time remember, &uot;let your life be a light to someone&uot; and A.S.A.P.