Special thanks for the generosity of John M. and Lilellen Wise, Mike and Stephanie Jones, Rene Lester, Jim and Lucy Jackson, William and Neva Petrey and Pat and Sandy Walker who sponsored the Ragtime Musical Recital on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 4 p.m. This special recital was held at the Luverne United Methodist Church featuring Mike Perdue, xylophone, and Meg Zervoulis, piano. Also special thanks to Luverne UMC, Ken Jackson, Gibson & Carden, The Luverne Journal, Jim Perdue, Linda Bland and her staff and out of town guests.

Mike is the son of Cathy Perdue and Jim Perdue, and he has a sister, Mary Cathryn Perdue.

This special Sunday afternoon of music was well attended, enjoyed and appreciated by all. Everyone was in awe of the great performance and talent shown by Mike and friend, Meg, and are looking forward to other concerts planned by Mike and “Mike and Friends” in the future.

Mike is a percussionist and composer, who has been featured as a soloist throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Germany.

Mike grew up in Luverne, and is a 2001 graduate of Luverne High School. He went on to study percussion at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors in 2005. He has studied and taught music in Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta and Germany.

Mike plays numerous percussion instruments, including all sorts of drums, keyboard instruments like the marimba and vibraphone, ethnic and electronic instruments, and homemade constructions. His primary interest lies in performing contemporary works by young composers.

Mike was accompanied by Meg Zervoulis, who is an active collaborative musician in Hudson County, New Jersey, and New York City. She is a 2007 honors graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied piano with Sergey Schepkin with a minor in conducting piano, pedagogy and accompanying.

Meg expressed her appreciation and said she felt privileged to be in Alabama for this concert, and is extremely grateful to all for the support and hospitality she received.

After the concert, a reception was held in the Ben Bricken Room, where everyone had the opportunity to visit with Mike and Meg, and express their appreciation to them for the wonderful afternoon of music.

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Miss Kristy Lynn Davis was honored with a bridal shower on August 30, 2008, at the John Harrison Cultural Center. Kristy is the daughter of Mitch and Shelia Davis and the bride-elect of William F. Bennett of Orlando. The shower was hosted by Gail Sullivan, Sue Davis, Dianne Mitchell, Gail Bowden, Teresa Grant, Cindy Morgan, Angie Hollaway, Gaye Beasley, Bonnie Trotter and Linda Burt.

The Center was decorated beautifully in Kristy’s wedding colors of chocolate and the reds and yellows of fall. Kristy was beaming as she opened all her wonderful gifts.

Joining her from Orlando was Ms. Ann Bennett, mother of the groom, and her bridesmaids, Joan Tolentino, Julie Duschl, Celina Horton, Jill Campbell and Amy Hammett.

Later that afternoon, Kristy and Will were honored with a pig roast and toast at the home of her parents. The pig roast and toast was hosted by Kristy’s parents, Mitch and Shelia Davis and her brother, Chad Davis.

The food, fun and fellowship was enjoyed by everyone attending. Will was able to meet a lot of Kristy’s family and friends, and they received numerous congratulations on their upcoming wedding.

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The Alabama Crenshaw Baptist Association WMU Quarterly Meeting was held September 15, 2008, at New Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Pastor Sandy Smith welcomed everyone and gave the blessing on the wonderful meal that was served at 6 p.m., with Union Baptist and New Harmony as co-hostesses.

The program began at 7 p.m. with Ms. Doris Rogers, who presided over the meeting introducing the new leaders for the new year. Several reports and announcements were made.

Special music was provided by New Ebenezer men.

Ms. Rogers introduced Mrs. Pat Ingram who is a WMU and Mission Consultant from the state office. She spoke on “What can people learn from your life.” She related several experiences in her life as she served as a wife of a pastor and a mother, and how having a mission heart blessed her life in so many ways. She encouraged everyone to be involved in missions and teach their children to love missions.

The theme for 2008 – 2010 is “Call to Love.”

There are six areas of Mission Focus: 1)Pray for Missions 2) Engage in Missions 3)Learn about Missions 4)Support Missions 5)Develop Spiritually Toward a Missions Lifestyle 6)Participate in the work of the church and the denomination.

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Donations would be appreciated to help with maintenance and clean-up at Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery (off Hwy. 97 near Davenport) Send donations to: First Lowndes Bank, P. O. Box 10, Highland Home, AL 36041 c/o Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery Account.

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Brantley Front Porch Rockers Relay for Life Team plans to publish a cookbook to benefit the American Cancer Society. They need your favorite recipes to be included in this cookbook. Please call Jo Ann Ware at 334-335-3180 or Bernice Sorrells at 334-527-8760.

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The annual Mt. Ida United Methodist Church Homecoming will be held Sunday, September 28, 2008. All friends and families who have had ties with this little country church, which at one time was alive and well and a stronghold in the community, are encouraged to attend. Come early, visit and reminisce. The Rev. Glenda Ziglar from Dothan will conduct a worship service at 11 a.m. followed by a covered dish lunch.

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Luverne Community News welcomes any class reunions, family reunions, church news or community happenings. Email your news to joann.ware@luvernejournal.com, or mail them to Edna Norsworthy at 79 Meadowcrest Dr., Luverne, AL 36049.