April 30, 2010

Didn't get home last night until 11:45 so it was too late to fool with the computer. Arrived in Monroeville about 3:30 yesterday and the bus stopped for lunch/dinner at Davids Catfish Restaurant. We (the tour) occupied a room for about 100 people and had some good food. Then we were taken to the old courthouse where the original trial depicted in "To Kill A Mockingbird" occured. Visited the gift shop and then it was time for the part of the play which is done outdoors. There we saw the interaction of the chidren which sets up the premise. The final picture shows: Scout (the heroine), Jim, the runaway boy from Meridian, MS. and on the right: Atticus (The lawyer originally played by Gregory Peck) during their curtain calls. Excellent play followed by singing and conversation on the way home.

April 29, 2010

Spent time this morning trying to come up with a decent space for Mr. Porterpan to create his catering service. Picture above shows Carnes Craig (Code Inspector) and Margaret Czajkowski

(Commercial Board) looking over the area where ovens and grill counters would sit beneath exhaust fans. On my way to Monroeville for the play tonight.

April 28, 2010

OK, we found the kitties in the boat and they are cute. Note: The picture above is NOT one of the kitties. Just used it to get your attention! In talking to one of my friends today, I've already found a home for Blackie. If you want one of the others, email or call; they won't be around past Saturday. Tomorrow I have to meet a Commercial Board member and the Code Inspector to check out a large space behind BJ's Super Market. We have a caterer that is looking for a working area to prepare her meals. I will leave at 2:00 PM for Monroeville with a bus load of folks to see the play: "To Kill A Mockingbird", so my blog may be a little late getting on the web.

April 27, 2010

A beautiful day for sitting outside and sipping a diet coke. Now all I have to worry about is how a momma cat crawled up in under my protective tarp and had her kitties in my boat. Not sure if I should move them (I don't want their mother to abandon them) or call the pound (that would almost ensure them being euthanized) I guess I will wait it out and see what happens. My cousin Jack called this morning to tell me that Cousin Sis died Sunday. She was special to

me, taking me on my first trip to New York City, at the age of 10, to see the Statue Of Liberty, the Empire State Building and to eat lunch at the AutoMat (that should give you a good idea of my age since the AutoMat has been closed for 50 years). I will get prepared to head out to City Hall shortly, since Council Meeting is tonight.

April 26, 2010

Today was Kiwanis and we talked about the awards we would need for the upcoming 5K Freedom Run. Since Henry's guest speaker didn't show up, I was asked to give a report on the Commercial Board. After the meeting Exofficio Mayor, Jim Trout and I went to

Camellia Trophy Shop and ordered 28 second place medals with ribbons (the only awards we were missing) and

are having them engraved: 5K Freedom Run May 15, 2010. When I returned home after the cleaners, grocery store, etc. I was absolutely delighted to find out that Darwin Singleton from WPMI- TV 15 had agreed to be our guest speaker for "Citizen Of The Year" As some of our younger folks would say: "Awesome, I am stoked"!

April 25, 2010

What a differance 24 hours can make. . . . After church it was so nice outside that we went downtown to Serda for coffee and one of those half carraffe of double de-caf mocha amaretto whipped delights that Deborah drinks. After reading Lagniappe and some social chit-chat we went by Bienville Square only to find the tents and crowd were for a gay-rights event. . . Sorry, we must be going, we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. But a nice drive out Old Shell Rd. to window shop and, of course, stop at Pohlmans Bakery for peanut butter cookies helped releive the adroit fear from the Bienville Square episode. Life is good with peanut butter cookies.

April 24, 2010

I was going to the Flora-Bama line this morning for the annual "mullet-toss", but it was raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock. So, instead, I'm going to stay home and read a good book. Heard about the tornado hitting Yazoo City, Mississippi. What a shame. Maybe the weather will clear up tomorrow.

April 23, 2010

Nice morning to eat lunch at the ChickasawBogue pavillion after I had finished getting copies made for the Chamber Small Business Workshop. I'm not sure where they are getting my number, but I had two people call me this morning complaining that they couldn't get into City Hall to pay their garbage bill. I'm amazed that some folks still aren't aware of the city's four day work week. By this afternoon that sunny, breezy morning had turned into pouring rain.

April 22, 2010

After several sound system quotes to Atlanta and Coral Gables, I was on my way to my quarterly doctors visit. In the afternoon I spoke to two of my Commercial Board members and the city grant writer. We are trying to get this popular downtown Mobile restaurant to open a franchaise in Chickasaw. I finally found time to give my bride one of her requests. . . . plant the Satsuma Orange Tree. Picking a spot where it would get plenty of morning sun, I gave it a good start, watered and wished it well.

April 21, 2010

Mark your calendars for May 4, 2010 at 5:30 PM. We are having a business workshop at the Civic Center taught by Tom Siegwald, somewhat of a local celebrity in the small and entrepreneurial business world. You do not have to be a Chamber Member to attend. Pens and paper are provided and you are guaranteed to take something home that will help with your business. This is a service of your Chickasaw Chamber and whether you are just starting a business or are wondering what you should do to compete in these tough economic times, do not miss this course. Cost is $10. per person and light refreshments will be served. See you there.

April 20, 2010

As the 2010 Founders Day committee draws nearer to advertising deadlines and hanging posters in Chickasaw, we want you to prepare for the second semi-annual Community Yard Sale to be held at Millers Park on May 22, 2010. Last October approximately 50 vendors purchased booth space to sell their wares and it was considered an extremely successful event. There were

many items such as first run DVD's, classic books, furniture and fashion items. The Police and Fire Dept. even sold barbequed shrimp, corn and red potatoes which was a big hit. So check your closets, attic and garage for those items you don't need anymore, but someone else would love to own. See me, Jennifer White or Margaret Czajkowski for a booth space form. It's only $10. for a 12X12 space. Hurry to get the best locations

April 19, 2010

Today at Kiwanis we were asked by our president to solicit a few more sponsors to join our 5K Freedom Run scheduled for Saturday May 15, 2010. He announced that the Chamber Of Commerce had pledged $300. toward the event. Our speaker was Police Chief Mike Reynolds who gave us some fantastic statistics about crime in Chickasaw. Every instance of criminal activity has improved, with assaults dropping 10% and burglary down 42% in our community.

He said Chickasaw was approved to join HIDTA, the anti-drug coalition which will pick up some of the expense for training and overtime for drug investigations. Mike also took questions and was asked about our drug-sniffing dog, who we learned has been at the vets for several months with a fleesh eating virus. He is starting to recover and we hope he will be back to active duty very soon.

April 18, 2010

Today was the last day of the Knights Of Columbus convention with Mass being celebrated at the Cathedral downtown. We had a terrific time at the Saturday night banquet as you can see

just from observing the entrance of the officers waving their Alabama flags. Dinner was served under dome covers individually and we talked and danced well into the evening hearing funny reports from Cajun priests and blessings from ArchBishop Thomas Rodi. Earlier in the day we had voted on new Sectrtary, Treasurer and State Deputy as wll as many other offices. I conversed with several delegates from other cities who were extremely pleased to have the convention here on the bay.

April 17, 2010

Last night began our three day Knights Of Columbus Convention which is conveniently being held at the Riverview Hotel in Mobile. We enjoyed a great dinner and dance at the hotel Ballrom and met with several friends from St. Thomas Church Pictured is the gift basket St. Thomas gave to the convention and Charlie and Margaret Groves along with Deb and myself enjoying the party after dinner.

April 16, 2010

Last night we went to Hank Aaron Stadium to watch the Mobile Baybears whip the Birmingham Barons 5-1. It was officially designated as "Chickasaw Night" with one of our Chamber members

Kevin Allen, from Shell Chemical throwing out the first ball. The game was tied 0-0 until the eighth inning when our baybears "ran up the board". They always treat us well at the park, serving us hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, soft drinks and ice cream included with our ticket price. This afternoon marks the start of the Alabama Knights Of Columbus Convention being held at the Riverview Hotel in Mobile. Deb and I will be attending as the Grand Knight delegate.

The convention will run through Sunday.

April 15, 2010

It was one of those days when it appears that nothing will turn out right and good fortune comes along and smiles your way. We learned that our representative Randy Davis was not going to be able to show up for his speaking engagement, but he was sending another

speaker, Dr. James Gordon of the 98th district. When Gordon pulled a "no-show" I figured we were in trouble. But I asked our Mayor, Byron Pittman to speak and he saved the day. We also awarded the Business Of The Month to Margaret Czajkowski from Hancock Bank (see picture) Mobile Gas sponsored the meeting and we had a terrific crowd of over 45 persons

April 14, 2010

These are some of the first pictures out of the long awaited Dollar General opening on Highway 43 which will have it's ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1, 2010. It is a well thought out display of items and carries a much larger array of product than I had expected. For instance, its automotive department is quite large and the food and beverages available are clearly as well stocked as most small grocery stores. In fact, here is an answer to most peoples complaints of

having to travel 2 miles to get bread, eggs and milk. I fielded

several calls from real estate folks looking for industrial property. Hope the client finds the property to his expectations. Our mayor was on Channel 15 tonight speaking about the possibilities of a Chickasaw school system.

This would bring many young families into our area.

April 13, 2010

I was honored to be asked to the Saraland Chamber of Commerce where Brent McMahan, Senior Area Manager for the Small Business Administration spoke today. He indicated that small businesses are the backbone of the world economy today and offered the SBA's advice to any business that may be experiencing problems with the recessive downturn we have seen within the last year. I also found out today that the Joint Meeting of the Saraland and Chickasaw chambers has been moved to July. Since we are already booked for July with our own sponsor and speaker, so we will need to rearrange things to bring this decision into a good outcome. There is no rest for the weary in the organizational world. (pictured: Rick and Brent)

April 11, 2010

We attended the Mobile Symphony's rendition of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons featuring Daniel Szasz on violin. In fact, the entire evening was strings only, giving the evening off to horns, woodwinds and percussion. This morning we went to early mass, since our Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary meetings followed that service. We voted to adopt the Citronelle Knights into our council roundtable, since they don't have enough members to form their own

council. We will also be hosting a Mother's Day Lunch for the parish

in May. Afterward, we all went to Barnyard in Saraland for lunch and social chit-chat.

April 10, 2010

This morning I dropped by Mauvilla Park to see the Chickasaw Police play Saraland in the Relay For Life softball game, but missed their win by only 10 minutes. Did get to say good morning to Karla Autrey and Ross Naze. From there it was on to my Model Railroading Club where the guys were talking about how to build realistic model mountains using cheap, 1" compressed paper ceiling tiles torn into rough pieces and stacked on top of each other from largest on the bottom to smallest on top. Looked authentic! Tonight is Mobile Symphony performance: Four Seasons starting at 8:00 PM

April 9, 2010

The tax package got delivered and it was time to celebrate. Went to ArtWalk downtown and got to hear an excellent jazz group playing in the park. While we were getting a bite to eat at Spot Of Tea, Green Sutttles from Gulf States Engineering and his wife, Paige, stopped by to say hi! Followed by Wayne and Cherry Eason. I had a chance to speak with Charlie Smoke from the Mobile Arts Council and invited him to our Founders Day celebration in October. Very enjoyable evening.

April 8, 2010

Had to go by the City Hall to get papers notarized and was informed while I was there that the ribbon cutting ceremony for Dollar General will be May 1, 2010 at 8 AM. During the course of the day I stopped at the Civic Center just in time to discover that Kendra Bell (Mobile County Health Inspector) had failed the new kitchen because of incomplete exhaust hood and lack of caulking around the three-bay sink. You would think that when you pay a local plumber as much as we just did, they could at least finish the job. They also left an excess of plumbers putty squeezed out around the three drains. I assure you that I will find out who the guy was, so I can avoid ever using him on any personal job.

April 7, 2010

My wife insists she has a black thumb, but I think she does rather well. Pictured above is the lily she planted a couple of years ago. It has produced late, but great looking blooms. Did a little weeding then came inside to finish the taxes. Tonight we had a parish council meeting and discussed the Easter services and the fish fry as well as plans to re-sod the front lawn and patch some roof leaks in the old school.

April 6, 2010

Garden Club is the first Tuesday in each month and here we were to see whether or not any money had been made at the spring plant sale. We still have remaining plants and roses, but the club has already turned a $134. profit. It was voted that we would redo the

Mauvilla Forest sign on Sutherland with red salvia. We also voted to fix the automatic watering system at the Chickasaw Theatre which froze during the winter. Barbara Pulliam has already planted new flowers at City Hall and they look great. It was discussed that we all take the city bus on a field trip to Picayune, MS. to explore the beautiful grounds there. Ms. Johns gave the program today regarding the best time and places to decorate with plants in Chickasaw. Refreshments were served after the meeting.

April 5, 2010

It's almost showtime! Just a matter of stocking the town's Dollar General and we will be off and running. The Chamber and City plans a "ribbon cutting" but it's just a little early to pin down an exact date. The outside is virtually finished and they are waiting for

delivery of the shelves, carts and cash registers. Dollar General started in September of last year to buy the property with an anticipation of opening before Thanksgiving 2009, but there were so many leins and legal hurdles to jump. that it set them back several months. Now, with all that behind them, we eagerly await the doors swinging open.

April 4, 2010 Easter

Cup of coffee; Deborahs special Hot Cross Cinnamon Buns and soon I was ready for church. Good Easter service this morning. During the final prayers, Father Saucier announced that the church would be re-sodding the front of the sanctuary grass "so Tom Hayward can get the city to vote us yard of the month". After mass we went downtown to Serda's for coffee, but they were closed. So we wound up at Spot Of Tea for a large glass of iced tea before heading home to Easter lunch at Bob and Nell Barnes. After a wonderful lunch of ham, stuffing, hash browns and at least four desserts, the adults went to the front yard to hide Easter eggs for the great chandchildren.

The kids fought over the eggs and the old folks laughed.

April 3, 2010

Meeting at 9:00 AM, we left in the Chickasaw bus, headed to Atmore, AL. Some of the planned travelers didn't get an opportunity to go due to a funeral planned for early afternoon. No, not theirs, but a member of one of the churches. We met Sheryl Vickery at the Atmore Park, where an Easter egg hunt was in progress. She introduced us to several other members of their Chamber Of Commerce, who were friendly and delightful people. Sheryl got on our bus and conducted a tour of the businesses and churches of Atmore, pointing out some of the 100 year old buildings in the area. We stopped for lunch at the buffet of WindCreek Casino and enjoyed a terrific meal. It was interesting to hear how similar many of the

small city problems are between one location and another. Everybody had a great time and learned a lot.

April 2, 2010

Deborah had a day off so we spent it working hard at the house, cleaning for Easter. While she waxed and dusted and vacuumed, I trimmed bushes in the back yard and planted flowers we purchased from the Garden Club Plant Sale last weekend. By dinner time, neither of us felt like cooking, so I treated her to a meal at Cafe Royal downtown. Afterwards, we walked to Serda for a cup of coffee and dessert. Nice date night for the two of us.

April 1, 2010

Today was the City Easter Luncheon and it was very well attended. We were catered by Chef Rob who served a fitting and delicious ham dinner. The mayor did not get back into town to welcome the festive crowd, so Councilwoman Jennifer White took over the responsibility. The choir from Satsuma High School led by Diane Hamm provided entertainment and we had a good Easter message from a local church pastor. The Easter Bunny showed up to help with handing out gifts and Easter lilies to lucky attendees. (pictured is the fuzzy bunny and city clerk, Judy Smith, caught in the act of taking our photos)