November 30, 2009

Today at Kiwanis we discussed the members coming up with (2) prizes for the disc golf tournament to be held in January. Ervin Dailey brought his LCD combination DVD/Television and started the movie "Taking Chance". I say started, because we ran out of time to get to finish the film. We will try it again at another meeting. It is a story of a marine Lt Col. accompanying the body of Corporal Chance Phelps home from his fatal shooting in Iraq. There were fewer
members than normal at todays meeting due to the rain.

November 29, 2009

This afternoon we attended a "Citizen Of The Year" reception for Barbara Pulliam thrown by Ross Naze at the First Baptist Church. Nell Barnes prepared some sandwiches for the event
along with cake and an ice cream punch. Barbara introduced her family and had previous citizens of the year give their name and year awarded. Top picture shows those recipients from left to right: Ron Bush, Henry Phillips, Ed Baxley, Nancy Elliott, Jim Trout, Barbara Pulliam, Ross Naze and Ruth Sheppherd. Center picture captures the cake before it was sliced into pieces and bottom shot has me congratulating the lady of the hour.

November 28, 2009

It has been a great Thankgiving week with Mark, Courtney, Stuart and Debbie Jo coming to visit. But today at 11:00 AM the grandbaby and
her parents left for Atlanta and at 4:00 PM I dropped Mark off at the Mobile Airport. We had gone to Dreamland for lunch, then dropped by
Pollman Bakery on Old Shell Rd. for the gigantic sheet cake to be served at the reception for Barbara Pulliam at First Baptist Church. Ross Naze is hosting the affair to be held tomorow afternoon. Back at home late this evening, the house seems empty. Deborah will be home soon.

November 27, 2009

After a breakfast of "monster bisquits" from Hardee's, the kids decided to spend Black Friday visiting Deborah at Dillards. As they drove off to let their money part from their possession, Mark and I backed the boat into its resting place on the concrete slab next to the garage and proceeded to secure its rain covers. We spent the afternoon on a tour of the Port and a trip to Pineda Island. Heading back around "afternoon coffee time" we stopped at Serda on Royal Street for a tall coffee will heavy milk. We were pleased to find out that Alabama pulled the proverbial rabbit out the hat this afternoon. The gang was back at the house and we had little else important to do other than to decide what Causeway Restaurant we should visit.

November 26, 2009 Thanksgiving

While my son Mark and son-in-law Stuart took the boat out at Brooks Park and wandered down to Mobile Bay, Deborah and I stuffed the turkey, made a pumpkin pie, made mashed potatoes and gravy. . . . . well OK, Deborah did most of it, but out of the 6 of us I ate the most. Even the grandbaby helped stir the pumpkin pie filling and this evening we enjoyed a day filled with thanks to our creator for years of much joy and infinite blessings. While my other daughter and her family are in Vermont, it is always a comfort to be with the ones that can make it down.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

November 25, 2009

I talked to Mayor Pittman today and took my son Mark on a tour of Intertek's laboratory. They use the same kind of Gas Chromatagraph and Nitrogen Detector as he does in his lab. This afternoon we headed to Atmore so he could see the Windcreek Casino and Hotel. A very nice employee showed us the Platinum and Gold Suites on the 17th floor with the built-in Jacuzzi and 42" LCD HDTV's in the living room AND bedroom. Toured the rest of the grounds including the meeting rooms and infinity-edge swimming pool. Lost only $1. to the slots. Aren't we special?

November 24. 2009

At 10:00 AM this morning the EMA and mayor and council met to officially declare the Safe House Grant awarded. It will take time to seek contractors and get the grant administration underway. I was scheduled to attend by had to take care of business here including picking up my son Mark from the airport. He is here for the Thanksgiving Holiday and daughter Courtney, Stuart and granddaughter Debbie Jo will be driving in tomorrow. Will try to show up at Council Meeting tonight, but we'll see how things work out.

November 23, 2009

Today is Monday, so it's Kiwanis lunch. This afternoon we had Corporal McDuffie speaking to us about juvenile crime and sex offenses in and around Chickasaw. The good news is that there is no actual gang activity in our town, just the occasional pretense by kids wearing gang
colors. What does have McDuffie bothered is the five (sexual molestation of children cases) he is currently working with in our courts. Two of them are women molesting a young boy and the others are family situations with fathers or uncles and related youth.
We welcomed Chuck Autrey as a new member and the Kiwanis voted to buy a LCD television for the small meeting room at the auditorium. This morning at 8:30 AM the Garden Club met
over at P.J. Hamilton school to be honored with breakfast for our award to them as "Yard Of The Month". They have a beautiful court yard area landscaped by the children with flower gardens and a large turnip patch in back of the school also tended by the ambitious children.

November 22, 2009

We left Mass this morning and had a little lunch at Ruby Tuesday's with Margaret and Charles Czajkowski. The four of us decided to stop and see the live reindeer accompanied by the one and only: Santa Claus appearing at Rosebud Florists. Allen and Sheila Kirksey do a wonderful job of bringing the Christmas Spirit to Chickasaw every year and should be rewarded with our patronage. The reindeer were a bit nervous and very thirsty; probably anticipating the rain, but Santa, for the most part, jolly. . . . .except when a child was placed on his lap, then erupting into an ear-splitting scream of horror. We look forward to attending the Community Church Service to be held at Chickasaw United Methodist Church at 5 PM this evening.

November 21, 2009

Last night I put in my time as a Civic Theatre board member by working the boxoffice, but tonight Deborah got home from work early enough that we were able to go to the theatre together. "Funny Girl" was outstanding and was very well done by a local theatre group. I had forgotten how many scene changes are in the play, since it has been over 25 years having seen it in Atlanta. I am always tickled seeing Charlie Groves in a play. . . his voice projects so well.
The rain really came down while we were at the theatre, so much so that some of the dialogue just couldn't compete with the beating on the metal roof. I am so thankful I was able to change
out my split and frayed boat cover this afternoon before it started. I'm going to catch a little "shut-eye" before church in the AM.

November 19, 2009

The Chamber Of Commerce met today, sponsored by the City Of Chickasaw and featuring Cheryl Morgan from the Auburn Urban Planning League as our speaker. She gave us a preview of what the group will do in January when they come to Chickasaw to help design the plans for the ideal image of a enhanced community. It should be great fun and what is so important is that every citizen can help with their input of what they would like to see. Tonight we went to the municipal dinner in Satsuma at the Steel Creek Lodge where cajun pork was the main course of the evening. Sherrill Roberts from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security was our speaker. Eight people from Chickasaw including most of the city council were present.

(pictured are Tom, Cheryl Morgan, Mayor Pittman, Jennifer White, Mickey Day and Ross Naze.

second picture Tom and Deb at the Municipal Dinner)

November 18, 2009

Last night Ms. Debbie treated me to dinner at The Pillars where we dined on Grouper Pontchartrain, Shrimp Roumalade and Turtle Soup. The kids called and informed us of their Thanksgiving plans to visit, for which we are grateful. Today we were invited by our wonderful neighbors, Bob and Nell Barnes to First Baptist's Thankgiving celebration. Another terrific event in which we got to visit with our good Baptist friends this afternoon. Then on to the Port Of Chickasaw Consortium meeting at the Civic Center where Louie Atchison and Captain Solorzano of the Coast Guard spoke on TWIC card indentification and terror cell preparedness
for our port businesses and the city. (first picture at Pillars, second of kitchen staff at First Baptist.)

November 17, 2009

I'm working on the sponsorship letters for the Chamber Of Commerce and it is taking much longer than I thought it would. I put that aside for a while to deliver a new sound console to First Baptist Church. There was lots of activity since they are preparing for their Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow evening. Billy Stone, their sound man, and I worked several hours trying to carefully remove cables from the old console without forgetting where every thing went. About 6:00 PM we called it a day so he could help out in the kitchen and I could meet my bride who is treating me to a birthday dinner.

November 16, 2009

At Kiwanis we welcomed Jill Chenoweth from St. Mary's Home on Moffett Rd. in Mobile. They were founded in 1838 after the yellow fever epidemic of 1837 had killed so many parents, their children were left destitute and homeless. Today the Home takes in a great number of children that have been sexually and physically abused and are left feeling worthless and angry. They are taught basic living skills, spiritual enrichment and given educational assistance. Most require some amount of group or individual therapy as well. Citizens may
contribute money to the facility, but it is just as important to help out by teaching, volunteering as a recreation aide or hosting a holiday celebration. The number at St. Marys is 344-7733.

November 15, 2009

After church service Deb went to work and I answered 58 emails.
Some time in the afternoon I went to the store to buy a new tarp for my boat. It was already torn, but Ida's wind did it in. While I was toward town, I stopped by Serda for a quick cup of coffee. I like that place; it reminds me of the coffee shops in Atlanta's Little Five Points. The employees were talking about the Christmas tree being erected in Bienville Square so I took my cup and went to see the event. While the tree was already up, they were placing ribbons on its branches as I sat and enjoyed my hot brew.

November 14, 2009

For many of you who have followed our Knights Of Columbus work on the fallen wall of Ruby Pierce's home caused by Hurricane Katrina, it was finally finished about two weeks ago. As Frank Coate and I were finishing the painting, we noticed that the garage had a rotten, split 2x6 main truss about to fall which could make short work of her car or even worse to a person if they were under the roof. Since we hadn't spent all the money allocated to the wall project, we went to the membership and asked to take care of the garage. It took from 8:30 AM this morning until 2:00 PM to finish, causing me to miss the Methodist Turkey Dinner, but I feel much better about Ruby and her two daughters.
Tonight Deborah and I attended the "Beetoven and Bluejeans" performance of the Mobile Symphony (where everyone including the symphony wears bluejeans). It, of course was great
with many encores and a splendid performance by conductor, Scott Speck.

November 13, 2009

This morning two of us from the Commercial Development Board met with Mike Sweet from the housing board to discuss aome business planning. We attempted to go to Mama Lewis for lunch, but it was closed. After fielding tons of calls about DVD duplicators this afternoon, I went downtown for the seasons last artwalk until Spring. It's alway good to see Charlie Smoke
(one of the chambers speakers this year) and his associates. There was a display of fantastic photography in the gallery which always inspires me to take better shots even though I just can't match what these pros pull off.

November 12, 2009

I received a new application for another business wanting to open in Chickasaw. This one is a motorcycle supply shop being applied for by a Mobile policeman. The secretary for the Commercial board called and came by to pick up some tickets for the USA football game.
Tonight we attended the Farm/City Dinner along with several hundred
other hungry members and fellow Kiwanis. The main speaker was Tony Frazier, Alabama State Veterinarian. He was filling in for Glen Zorn, whose wife had broken her hip this afternoon. He was an extremely funny guy, keeping everyone quite amused, especially for a "fill-in" guest speaker. To our amazement, Deborah and I won one of the highly coveted door prizes; The Wildlife Award. It was a pleasant evening, indeed.

November 11, 2009

This morning I met with Mayor Pittman at Intertek and the area
president of Advanced Disposal to discuss a possible Industrial Development project for the City Of Chickasaw. The outcome of the get-together ended on a positive note and I look forward to advising my board members. During the afternoon I delivered a new Audio Technica wireless microphone system to Dr. Henry Creel and Billy Stone over at First Baptist Church Of Chickasaw. We hooked it up and gave it a "run-through" which made everyone happy. The new system will provide a lot more volume before "feedback" and is a newer style "flesh-colored" ear-set microphone.

November 10, 2009

I had the occasion to talk to the city clerk this afternoon about the City sponsoring the Chamber Of Commerce meeting. Tonight the council voted to hold a public hearing November 24, 2009 concerning the (sign, driveway and home square footage) ordinance proposed by the Planning Commission earlier. I nominated David Goff to the Industrial Development Board to replace Margaret Czajkowski, who has resigned for business reasons and the council voted him onto the board. I also requested the city to save any scrap lumber for the Papa Noel Bonfire to be held December 23, 2009. After the meeting we discussed circulating a petition around the city to save the Chickasaw Post Office from permanent closing by the district Postmaster.

November 9, 2009

Our speaker at Kiwanis today was Carolyn Thompson from Tri-Coastal Community Outreach.
Their organization promotes helping children in several different forms. At Christmas about 300 - 350 children are provided with tokens or artificial money. When they come to the center they are told that they must "pay" for their gifts with the tokens, but that they get to choose the gifts they want. This teaches them that toys cost money and that they must select the things they want in life. Tri-Coastal also rewards children graduating from high school. While many scholarships and grants are available for tuition, they need items for their dorm rooms like sheets, towels, desk lamp, etc. The child is given those items and then they are required to donate 20 hours of community service to their town to pay for them. A genuinely good application of life lessons for our future citizens. It was also announced that our chapter's golf team had a good outcome Friday. We moved up from 18th to 8th in the competition over last year.

November 8, 2009

Sunday the 8th was a triple celebration. . . a good message at Mass, then Thanksgiving lunch at the Parish Hall AND a celebration of Shorty Lumpkins birthday. Shorty is the groundskeeper for the church as well as the greeter for all the Masses and he turned 75 today. So after the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, his cake was presented along with Happy Birthday sung by about 200 people. This afternoon Deborah is off to a bridal shower while I go watch the guys fly model airplanes.

November 7, 2009

Last night we had a Commercial Board Meeting and voted in the Little Cesars Pizza restaurant for take-out located at 325 N. Craft Highway. This morning was an early rise to assist in the Kiwanis annual Pancake Breakfast at the Civic Center. There was the usual great turnout for sausage and pancakes, orange juice, coffee and milk The ticket money for this event goes toward one or more of our programs for children or the Womens and Children's Hospital. This afternoon Frank Coate and I finished painting the outside wall at Ruby Pierce's home. Pictures of that to follow on a later date when we install the garage support trusses.

November 6, 2009

At 7:45 AM, I was standing in the Pro Shop of Springhill Country Club watching Dr. Ervin Dailey spend big-money on a pair of golf shoes. Mine were purchased back in 1992 and I'm going to keep them until they crumble and disintegrate. After a quick sausage and biscuit furnished by the Kiwanis, and hitting a few balls it was time for the team organizers to send us into the fray. My foursome made up of Ervin Dailey, Dennis Brown (pastor of St. Michaels), Jim Trout (mayor ex-officio) and myself tee-off for hole 1 (at 09:30 AM) This is a game of "scramble" (furthest ball hit and closest to the hole counts). After the first nine, Ervin had to leave for a doctors appointment and the rest of us had some liquid refreshment. On the back nine we were getting better with Dennis hitting for Ervin and calling the best shot his . We actually beat last years score so we didn't come in dead last. After five hours and a full 18, we returned to the clubhouse for chicken tenders, salad, shrimp pasta and cookies. I wouldn't admit it to my colleagues, but my feet were near mandatory amputation by the end.

November 5, 2009

Early in the day I paid bills and went to the bank and auto parts store. When Deborah came home from work, we drove downtown (at the invitation of Ruby Moore, owner of "Spot Of Tea") to see Barney Miller a terific pedal steel-guitar player performing in their new upstairs cafe and audition room, a small intimate club seating about 30-40 persons. Barney was raised in Chickasaw and tells the story about how his teacher used to beat him with a stick every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He says she left him alone on Fridays because she didn't want to spoil her weekend. We will consider having Barney play at Founders Day in 2010. (My camera battery failed, so I will post his picture tomorrow.)

November 4, 2009

I picked up an application from my mail slot at City Hall today regarding the Commercial Board meeting and vote on "Little Cesars Pizza" wishing to take the end section of the retail mall where ABC store is the "anchor". Assuming they meet all the criteria necessary, it will be nice to have a National chain pizza store in Chickasaw. Our understanding is that the store will be take-out only.
This afternoon I went to SpringHill Golf course to stroke a few small, white, spheres. I really need way more practice for this upcoming tournament, but maybe the other players will all be having a bad-day. Yeah, count on it! This evening I go to Church Council for our second meeting of this season.

November 3, 2009

Today presented itself with the opportunity for me to do some homework for the Planning Commission on what types of signs we would allow in the City Of Chickasaw. My first choice was a trip to Fairhope, knowing if there were stringent sign laws in Alabama, that is where they would exist. I shot photos of the three most prevalent types of sign in that city. (shown above)
Tonight we had an Industrial Development Board meeting where Margaret Czajkowski resigned her board seat and we elected a new secretary, Janis Talbott. Mr. Green Suttles from Gulf States Engineering spoke to us about incentives for new industry and how to take advantage of our best resources in the city.

November 2, 2009

This was awards day at Kiwanis where Sgt. Aden McEvoy was honored as Outstanding Police Officer of the Quarter. We had a full house of members, proud to see this gentleman receive his much deserved plaque. Chief Reynolds gave us a synopsis of McEvoy's
actions which resulted in this selection. In other business, Cecil McGuire finalized the number of discs we would need to order for the upcoming January 9, 2009 Disc Golf Tournament. Everyone was was reminded of the Kiwanis Golf Outing this Friday and the Pancake Breakfast Saturday morning 8-10 AM.

Later at 6 PM, the Planning Commission meets in City Hall.

November 1, 2009

After mass this morning, the Knights Of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary met over in the school buildings where a room is designated for them. Father Saucier felt sorry for the ladies and gave them their own room (which is a lot nicer than the Knights) Organized only four months and the ladies are already in control. After meetings where the Knights voted to purchase a new snow-cone machine for the parish, and the ladies gloated over all that profit selling tee-shirts for the picnic, we went to Tea Spoons restaurant up on Shelton Beach Rd. for brunch. Conversations ranged from "what cities NOT to live in" to "what the heck is President Obama up to". You can generally find lively debate in either of those topics.