Fifty people attended the swearing in of the new Petrey Town Council and the reception afterward on

Oct. 5 at the Petrey Community Center.

Tommy Petrey was the emcee. The crowd gathered in a semi-circle as Tommy welcomed everyone.

Pastor Lavon Davis of Petrey United Methodist Church gave the invocation. Valeta Spradley led the Pledge of Allegiance. Probate Judge Jim Perdue administered the oath of office to the following officers with their spouses holding the Bible: Mayor Curtis Petrey and Nancy and council members, Laura Elliott and Scott, Maynard Rolling and Valera, Bobbie Beasley and Sue, Don Hermeling and Peggy and Elwood Farris and Liz.

Mayor Curtis Petrey closed the ceremony and invited the crowd to have refreshments. Valeta Spradley was the organizer for the reception with able helpers – Iris Wilkerson, Margaret Petrey and Kathy Swindle. The reception was a big success. Many of the guests contributed food.

Kathy Petrey prepared the attractive printed programs.

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The first meeting of the new Council began after the reception and a few people stayed.

Mayor Petrey opened with prayer. He then reviewed Robert's Rules of Order, which was accepted as the operating procedure for each council meeting. Sue Beasley was approved as the Town Clerk and she proceeded to take the minutes of the meeting. The first Tuesday of each month was approved as the regular council meeting time.

Financial statements of the Town of Petrey, prepared by Gibson & Carden, CPA, for the year ending Sept. 30, were handed out.

(Petrey residents may obtain a copy.)

Mayor Petrey proposed improvements to the Community Center, including a new back door, new porch light, painting the porch, and disposing of broken lawn mowers and play equipment. All were approved.

A workday at the Community Center was scheduled for Saturday.

Petrey said that round tables might possibly be obtained from the County, since they received a surplus for the Helicon Community Center. The Council approved purchase of tables and chairs, pending the decision of the Board of Commissioners.

Petrey said he had contacted the county engineer about correcting a drainage problem and installing a culvert at the site of the future driveway leading to the fire truck "barn." The Council approved these projects.

The purchase of a microwave and cart was approved. These items were purchased the next day.

Elwood Farris suggested a walk around the town to ascertain how many streetlights are needed to properly light the community. This walking tour by the entire Council took place Thursday night and the decision was made to purchase seven new streetlights.

The Council agreed to pay dues to the Crenshaw County Economic and Industrial Development Authority (CCEIDA) and to the Alabama League of Municipalities. Petrey informed the Council of the possibility that the County would install a walking track and play equipment beside the Community Center free of charge. This was readily accepted.

The first meeting of the Petrey Town Council was a productive one and was conducted in an orderly and efficient manner with a spirit of cooperation.

Praise the Lord for a good start!

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Iris Wilkerson's daughter, Sherry Singleton of Wetumpka, and her grandson

Justin visited on Oct 2.

Little Madison Reynolds, daughter of Stephanie Reynolds, celebrated her second birthday on Oct. 3, with her mother, grandparents, Danny and Linda Reynolds, great-grandparents, Maynard and Valera Rolling and numerous friends.

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Don and Peggy Hermeling's grandson, Keith Hermeling, received an invitation to be a Student Ambassador to Australia for three weeks.

The People to People Student Ambassadors program provides travel overseas for students to spend two to three weeks during the summer, learning, sharing and representing their communities and schools. Hermeling, a 10th grader, may not accept the offer, although it is a high honor to be chosen by this organization that was founded by President Dwight Eisenhower and has continued to have as its honorary chairman each succeeding American President. Another grandson of the Hermeling’s, fourth grader Kevin Hermeling, was inducted into the Honor Club at the Luverne Elementary School on Oct. 5.

Kevin and Keith are the sons of Donna and Patrick Bryan of Luverne. They are both straight A students.

The granddaughter of Elwood and Liz Farris was also inducted into the Honor Club. Fifth grader Savanna Smith, daughter of Michelle and Sandy Smith of the Centenary community, is also an A student.

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Lawrence and Margaret Petrey had a simple celebration for their 55th wedding anniversary on Oct. 8.

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The Petrey Church of Christ completed 75 shoeboxes to send to the children of Panama, a missionary work they sponsor on a monthly basis.

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Petrey United Methodist Church took a special offering on Oct. 2 for the hurricane victims.

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Nancy Petrey and Edna Ruth Norsworthy attended a prayer meeting at the home of Janice Horowitz Bell in Elba on Thursday.

This monthly prayer meeting began two years ago. The meetings are usually held at Nancy's home. Anyone wishing to join the group may call Nancy at 335-6700.

The ladies offer intercessory prayers not only for personal, local and other needs, but they especially "pray for the peace of Jerusalem," which means to pray for the salvation of the Jewish people everywhere, particularly the ones in Israel. It was appropriate to pray for Israel last week, because Oct. 3 was the first International Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

Churches worldwide participated, and there was a massive prayer gathering in Jerusalem opposite the Knesset government building.

There is a way for every concerned person to help others. Sometimes it is through tangible gifts, including money or rescue efforts and sometimes it is simply through spending time in prayer, visiting, or sharing a Bible message. Petrey may not have a big light, but its little light is shining!

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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 Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per month.

Please call 335-6582 to pre-register.