The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Office of Domestic Preparedness has approved assistance to Firefighters Grant to the newly formed Northeast Crenshaw Volunteer Fire Department, headquartered in Petrey.

The approved project cost is $59,700, of which the federal share is 90%, or $53,730.

The local fire department's matching share is 10%, or $5,970, which must be raised by Oct. 21, 2005.

The grant will be received in three weeks and will cover expenses for communication equipment, turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, radios, and pagers.

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The fire department held a planning meeting on Oct. 27 for the upcoming Flea Market to be held Nov. 20 to raise funds for the new fire station, which will be built next spring.

Mrs. Gaye Beasley is in charge of the sale. All proceeds will go to the building fund. Everyone is asked to bring their donated items to the Community Center or contact a member of the Northeast Crenshaw V.F.D. to pick them up. They will take anything of value big or small.

The Flea Market will open at 6 a.m. at the Petrey Community Center and will last all day or until the last customer leaves. Boston Butts, hot dogs and refreshments will also be available for purchase.

The next meeting of the fire department is at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Petrey Community Center.

This will be a fundraiser organizational meeting.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Advance tickets for Boston Butts will go on sale this weekend. Tommy Petrey can be contacted at 335-5743 and Gaye Beasley at 335-6260.

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Valeta Spradley and Laura Elliott attended the Focused Industry Training (FIT) graduation in Luverne last Thursday. This class is sponsored by Lurleen B. Wallace Community College and is taught by Mrs. Spradley's nephew, Bubba Taylor. Elliott is the Supervisor of the program.

Four graduates were presented with certificates and two have already been placed in jobs.

Two representatives from LBW Community College attended the graduation. A luncheon was served afterward.

Another class of 12 began the FIT program on Monday for 10 weeks of training. There is a waiting list for the next class.

If you are interested in taking this course, contact Elliott at 335-5205.

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Danny Rolling, son of Maynard and Valera Rolling and minister of Petrey Church of Christ, had a heart catheterization last Thursday. Everyone is praising the Lord that the test showed no blockage.

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Don and Peggy Hermeling along with Curtis and Nancy Petrey attended the Troy University/Idaho football game in Troy last Saturday. The Troy Trojans, the Troy University Band and the Jeff Davis High School Band from Georgia gave stunning performances.

The new stadium was beautiful and the weather was good making it a very enjoyable outing.

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Petrey United Methodist Church had its special Fifth Sunday service with guest singers William and Wanda Stinson of Georgiana, Samantha and Chelsea Petrey of Luverne and Nancy Petrey. After the service a potluck dinner was served at the Community Center. Guests were Jules and Janie B. Davis and Joe and Sheila Davis of Montgomery, Tony Queen and his son Colby of Alexander City, William and Neva Petrey of Luverne and Justin Hamilton of Troy.

Petrey Church of Christ also had a special Fifth Sunday service with a guest preacher, Mike Barlow of Montgomery. Dinner was served before the worship service.

Everyone was happy to welcome Faye Trotter, who has been living with her daughter Elizabeth in Dothan since the death of Ora Lee Lawrence, Faye's mother.

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Crenshaw County has high rates of cancer and heart disease and it is commendable to support the fundraising efforts of the Heart Association and the Cancer Society. However, there is something important we can all do to help prevent the onset on these diseases and that is good nutrition and physical exercise.

Petrey has a young resident who is offering physical fitness classes in Luverne.

She is Kristin Kelley, the Fitness Coordinator for Crenshaw Community Hospital. Fitness classes are open to the public.

Kelley may be contacted at 335-1109.

Here is an opportunity to combine exercise and fundraising at the same time: a Low Impact Aerobics Class, sponsored by "The Petrey Girls" (W. L. Petrey Wholesale Co.), will be held at the Petrey Community Center as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Classes begin Nov. 8, on Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., at a cost of $20 per month.

Please call 335-6582 to pre-register.

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There is physical health and there is spiritual health.

Area churches offer many good Bible studies and worship services for your spiritual health. Also, there is a Continuing Education class on the Old Testament that is offered by Lurleen B. Wallace Community College at the Luverne Junior High School building.

The current class on Genesis, taught by Nancy Petrey, concludes tonight, but a future class on Exodus is planned for the winter term. The material includes the Jewish roots of the Church.

If you are interested in taking this eight-week course, please contact Nancy at 335-6700.

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If you have any comments, suggestions or information you would like to submit to this column, call Mrs. Petrey at

335-6700.