The Thomasville Times of Thomasville, Alabama

Let the sparks fly

By Arthur McLean Editor — 11/20/2008

Thomasville High School and Alabama Southern Community College got a chance to impress state officials Monday at the open house for the two schools new dual enrollment welding program at THS. Dr. Matthew Hughes from the governor's office attended the event, saying he was impressed with the hard work and teamwork that put the program together.

L-P asks for more time to start up plant

By Arthur McLean Editor — 11/20/2008

Officials with Louisiana- Pacific met with county commissioners and economic development officials late last week to discuss the situation with L-P's Clarke County OSB mill located just south of Thomasville. The mill started production earlier this year, celebrating its first boards in March, 2008.

Thomasville businessman Overstreet passes at 89

By Arthur McLean Editor — 11/20/2008

Hardworking, quiet, frugal, generous. These were some of the words family and friends used to describe longtime businessman Johnnie Floyd Overstreet. Overstreet passed away this week at the age of 89. Born in 1919 between Thomasville and Bashi, Overstreet grew up the only son of a farming family.

Landmark lost

11/20/2008

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN When the fire above claimed a building on Glover Road Oct. 30, the tiny community of Glover lost a once-popular landmark. Read the story of this place on Page 7.

Grove Hill man charged with soliciting a minor

By Jim Cox Co-Publisher — 11/20/2008

A 31-year-old Grove Hill man has been charged with soliciting a minor via a computer as well as rape and sodomy charges after a 14- year-old Mobile girl was reported missing Nov. 7. It was just happenstance that Clarke County Sheriff's Department Investigator Ron Baggette got involved in the case that would turn out to involve a local man.

Glover landmark is gone

By Barbara Brasell Tyler and Lisa Tyler Special to The Times — 11/20/2008

The old mercantile store and post office located in the Glover community burned on Thursday, Oct. 31. My uncle, James Herbert Brasell, was the last proprietor and postmaster of the oncepopular hub in this now forgotten part of Clarke County.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

11/20/2008

Coat collection Brownie Troop 8557 is collecting clean, reusable coats and jackets to assist the One Warm Coat community service effort. Coats of all shapes and sizes are welcome and children's sizes are most needed. Bring clean, reusable coats and jackets to Wal-Mart from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23.

Paulson: no bailout for you

11/20/2008

They say the wood products industry is the last to feel the effects of a recession and the first to feel the effects of a recovery. If it's really true, that bodes well for our area. What doesn't bode well is most experts predict we'll be in this recession at least a year.

Cartoon

11/20/2008

All those tough choices

Arthur McLean — 11/20/2008

Having trouble comparing electronic gadgets this Christmas? You're not alone according to recent studies, and worse, relying on specs may not be helping you make the best choice. Researchers are saying that having too much choice can be a bad thing. Used to be, you might have half a dozen kinds or brands of toothpaste to choose from.

What will we learn about next?

By Bob Martin — 11/20/2008

What else could possibly turn up in the Don Siegelman case? Would you believe a juror prosecutors nicknamed "Flipper" because she entertained jurors with her gymnastic acts and had the hots for a member of the prosecution team? How about the fact that "Flipper" tried to communicate with prosecutors during the trial by passing notes through U. S. Marshalls?

How to stave off senility

The late Earl Tucker — 11/20/2008

November 19, 1958 There comes a time in the life of most people when they become what we charitably call "absent minded." Sometimes it happens at the tender age of 50, but mostly it occurs at a much later period in life. They repeat stories as often as five times a day to the same person.

HOW TO GET SOMETHING IN THE PAPER

11/20/2008

The Thomasville Times is happy to publish news items for the public, most of which are free-of-charge. Anything brought to the paper should be accompanied by the name of a contact person and phone number, preferably written on the submission itself.

T'ville Chamber members to hold open house Nov. 23

11/20/2008

The Southwest Alabama Chamber of Commerce encourages residents of the Thomasville area to shop this weekend in Thomasville. A number of chamber members will be open for business Sunday, Nov. 23. "Your support is greatly appreciated," said Marlo Anderson, director of the chamber. "Remember, when you shop at home, your money stays at home.

Home Healthcare month

11/20/2008

Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day (seated) signs a proclamation recognizing Home Health Care Month in November at Amedisys Home Healthcare. PIctured with Day (from left): Allison Akridge, Deborah Hill, Rusty Gates and Dale Squires.

Clark, White to wed

11/20/2008

Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Clark of Millbrook announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Judith Dianne Clark of Thomasville to Johnny Alan White of Ider, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne White of Flat Rock. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Dollie Weatherly of Vineland and the late James A. Weatherly and the Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Clark Sr.

50-year reunion held

By Roselyn H. Martindale Class of 58 — 11/20/2008

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Thomasville High School class of 1958 gathered for a 50-year reunion celebration beginning with a brunch at Carolyn's at the Corner. Twelve classmates gathered with their spouses for a delicious breakfast and just reminiscing about the good times we shared.

Brownie Troop 8557 rededicates

11/20/2008

Members of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 8557 recently celebrated a rededication ceremony. Scouts committed to another year of upholding the principles of Girl Scouting, "to serve God and my country,

Stockmans announce birth

11/20/2008

Mike and Angie Stockman of Vineland announce the birth of their daughter, Brittany Faith Stockman, on Oct. 17, 2008, at Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20-1/2 inches long.

Chamber looking for 2008 Christmas parade grand marshal

11/20/2008

The Southwest Alabama Chamber of Commerce is looking for this year's Christmas Parade Grand Marshal. Look around our community and you are sure to see someone who deserves recognition, although he or she doesn't seek it. It may be your child's youth baseball coach, who's also a Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, and a volunteer for a number of other worthy causes.

County gets bids to build modern fueling station

By Jim Cox Co-Publisher — 11/20/2008

The lowest bidder for a proposed new central fueling station for Clarke County's vehicles was $100,000 under the highest bidder and considerably less than the other two. The Clarke County Commission opened the bids at its special meeting on Nov. 12 when new commissioners Karen Bradford and Tyrone Moye were sworn in.

Davis thanks Burton

11/20/2008

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN Norman Burton (left) is presented a certificate of appreciation for his 27 years of service to the Ala-Tom Resource Conservation and Development Office by Rep. Artur Davis (right).

Fund set up for Ella Norris

11/20/2008

An account is being opened at First United Security Bank for Ella Norris, the infant daughter of Tamara Day Norris and Caleb Norris of Pine Hill. She has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Donations can be made to the Ella Norris Fund at any First United Security Bank location.

Don't live in Satan's darkness

Pat Ozment Jr. IMB Missionary to Ghana — 11/20/2008

Four of us went to the East Volta Region of Ghana to work for five days among the Ewe people who follow the beliefs of the African Traditional Religion. They worship idols at shrines, and offer animal sacrifices. We were taken to a remote village (Dagbamete) where the main temple shrine to their idol is located.

Banquet held for Salvation Army volunteers

By Elinor Ott Special to The Times — 11/20/2008

The Salvation Army advisory board hosted an appreciation banquet at Thomasville Baptist Church, Nov. 11, for Clarke County bell ringers, door schedulers, money collectors and all involved in collecting money for Salvation Army to be used in supplying services of need to individuals. Eighty-six percent of the money stays in Clarke County.

CHURCH CALENDAR

11/20/2008

Fall festival Thomasville United Methodist Church will hold its fall festival from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Available for sale will be homemade baked goods, candies, freezer items, misc. items, jellies and pickles. All proceeds will go to the UMW charitable works.

Afterschool group visits Rural Heritage Center

11/20/2008

The third grade students from Sweet Water High School's afterschool program entitled "The Link" recently visited Thomaston's Rural Heritage Center. While there they met a chef, learned how to fold a napkin, learned table manners as well as telephone manners. They also learned how to set a table. After the various lessons, the students enjoyed dining on french fries and chicken nuggets and demonstrated how well they remembered what they had learned.

Boys and Girls Club receives donation

11/20/2008

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN Phil Hepburn, district manager for Payless Shoe Source, Dana Nelson, Payless Thomasville store manager present a $500 donation to the Thomasville Boys and Girls Club. Accepting the check are board member Adam Sealy and director Cynthia Ogle.

MIS announces honor students

11/20/2008

Monroe Intermediate School in Lower Peach Tree has announced the names of those students earning placement on the second six-weeks honor rolls. The following students are included. First grade All A's: Demerius Cunningham, Kierra Davis, Lazarius Davis, Dalyn Houston, Kenre Moore Jr., TyQuan Norwood, Cadashia Welch, Derrick Patrick and Octavia Taite.

Drama club is selling ribs

Larremy Pope — 11/20/2008

Seniors remember to pay your senior fee. This is due by Christmas break. Also, juniors and seniors should pay their prom fee of $50 by the December deadline. After the December deadline, the fee will go up to $75. The National Honor society is sponsoring a penny drive at school.

Sweet Water students, faculty host Veterans' Day assembly

By Patricia Jones Special to The Times — 11/20/2008

At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, the students and faculty at Sweet Water High School honored all veterans' in a special assembly. The students, faculty, and guests were welcomed by Principal Stan Stokley and S.G.A. President Jasmine Gamble. The featured speaker was Sergeant Major Pat Ballard, a former Sweet Water High School graduate, who spoke of life as a marine.

Students get lesson in fire safety

11/20/2008

The students at Sweet Water High School received a real treat when Smokey Bear showed up at school. Smokey greeted the kids and gave each one a hug. Firefighters from Sweet Water fire department were on hand to give Smokey a hand. The firefighters talked to the children about fire safety and even let them climb on the firetrucks. Pictured above is Daphne Etheridge's first grade class.

Juniorettes visit nursing home

11/20/2008

The Thomasville Juniorettes, a community organization for junior and senior girls in Clarke County, dressed up in their costumes and visited the Thomasville Nursing Home for Halloween. While there the Juniorettes handed out cards and visited with the residents. Pictured, front row, from left, are: Taylor Smith, Kaitlin Day, Chelsea Brasell, Carson Parker, Julie Dozier and Valeria King. Back row are: Larremy Pope, CeCe Chapman, Dallas Lee Gibbons, Lindsey Jordan, Whitney Gavin, Beth Kania, Brianna Pickard, Shelby Myers and Sloan Utsey.

Stone soup anyone?

11/20/2008

The third grade students in Phyllis Mabowitz's class at Sweet Water High School recently enjoyed a bowl of stone soup. The students decided to make the soup after reading the story "Stone Soup" by Marcia Brown in their reading book.

School reunion meetings planned

11/20/2008

- The Clarke County High School class of 1973 will meet at David's Catfish House in Monroeville at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, to plan a class reunion. For more information contact Carolyn J. Pugh at 334-636- 9595 or Emma S. Bettis at 334- 636-9294.

Omission

11/20/2008

Due to a computer error, Mrs. Hankins' fifth grade class was left off of the TMS honor roll.

Tigers can't hold on against JHS