2025 Holiday Deadlines: MvT will be closed for Good Friday, April 18 and early deadline is Thursday, April 14. MvT will be closed for Memorial Day Mon., May 26. MvT will be closed Fri., July 4th and deadline is Thurs., July 3. MvT will be closed for Labor Day. Deadline is Fri., Nov. 21 for the Thanksgiving edition. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. MvT will be closed Nov. 24-30. Santa Letter deadline is by Fri., Dec. 5th. Deadline for the Christmas/Santa letter special edition for ads is Fri., Dec. 12. Deadline for BOTH the Dec. 24th and 31st editions is Thurs., Dec. 18. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. MvT will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 1 for the holidays.

Hale County Animal Shelter Pets of the week

Five little lab mix puppies! 2 males and 3 females. Very four, all under 10 pounds. First shots and dewormed.Loves attention Laurie Nevin, Hale County Animal Shelter, 334-624-8120.
Due to the interest in the Friends Of Hale County Animals recent Spay and Neuter Drive, the organization is asking for donations to help fill those on the waiting list. Friends of Hale County Animals (FHCA) is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible. From now until March 15th, donations that are made specifically for the Spay and Neuter Drive, FHCA will match them up to $2000. Donations can be mailed to FHCA PO Box 331 Greensboro, AL 36744. Please indicate on your donation that it is for the Spay and Neuter Drive.

Church & Community Events

Safe House Black History Museum Black History Program
Join Safe House lack History Museum, 518 Martin Luther King Drive, Greensboro, for their annual Black History program Sat., Feb. 22, 1-5 p.m. Pastor Kervin Jones, Executive Director. Congresswoman Terri Sewell will be guest speaker. The invitation is extended to all foot soldiers and Hale County citizens. Call Carolyn Jones, 334-624-2030, for more information.

Songs of Unity
Now in its sixth year, Shelton State Community College’s (SSCC) chapter of Collegiate 100Ò will host Songs of Unity to commemorate Black History Month. This special concert featuring the Shelton Singers and The University of Alabama African American Gospel Choir will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium of the College’s Martin Campus. The event is free and open to the public. The primary purpose of the Collegiate 100® program is to provide an avenue for 100 Black Men Chapters to continue one-on-one and group mentoring to students as they matriculate from high school to college. Shelton State’s Collegiate 100®, along with local chapters at The University of Alabama, is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of West Alabama. It is the mission of the Collegiate 100® to assist in implementing the initiatives of the 100 Black Men, which include education, economic empowerment, leadership development, health & wellness, violence prevention, and especially mentoring. Current or prospective students interested in Collegiate 100® membership at Shelton State Community College can apply for a Collegiate 100® scholarship annually. For more information, email [email protected].

West AlabamaWorks to offer free Alabama Career Essentials Training in Demopolis
Residents of Alabama seeking to boost their employability skills and enhance their career opportunities are invited to attend the Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) training program on February 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the West Alabama Regional Training Center, located at 1701 Hwy 43 South, Demopolis. Alabama Career Essentials is a free training course developed by the Alabama Community College System. The program is designed to equip Alabamians with cutting-edge, industry-driven employability skills that prepare individuals for today’s competitive workforce. Attendees will receive: Relevant and practical training to enhance their professional skills. The opportunity to network with industry leaders. Gift cards upon completion of the program. Lunch provided during the session. This initiative is a collaboration between West Alabama Works and Wallace State Community College, reflecting a commitment to building a stronger, more prepared workforce in the region. Visit https://www.westalabamajobs.com/BBACE to secure your spot today. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Registration deadlines is Feb. 21.

February’s Grow More, Give More Harvest of the Month is Lettuce
Find growing instructions as well as yummy recipes that use lettuce at www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/february-grow-more-give-more-harvest-of-the-month

Learning from the Ancestors: Historical Influences on Contemporary Native Art
From Feb. 3-May 31, the Jones Archaeological Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park will feature a temporary exhibit focusing on Moundville and Mississippian influences on contemporary Native American artists. Learning from the Ancestors: Historical Influences on Contemporary Native Art emphasizes the re-centering of museums from tribal perspectives by connecting the past to the present. This Collaborative Arts and Museums Project is sponsored by a grant from the Collaborative Arts and Research Initiative. It is organized by Dr. Ted Clay Nelson, Director of Moundville Archaeological Park, Dr. Mairin Odle, Associate Professor of American Studies, and Mr. Brent Greenwood, Director of Fine Arts for Chickasaw Nation. This temporary exhibition is a collaborative effort between Jones Archaeological Museum staff, University of Alabama faculty, students, and Native artists. It will be focusing on Tribal Nations from the Southeastern United States and Artists primarily from Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Artist demonstrations and Meet and Greet opportunities will be scheduled throughout the run of the exhibit.

FC Launches Rural Bridge Grant Initiative to Strengthen
Timber Transportation
The Alabama Forestry Commission is pleased to announce the launch of its Rural Bridge Grant initiative, effective January 10, 2025. This vital program, established through the Alabama Legislature’s Rural Logging Efficiency Act of 2023 and funded in the FY25 General Fund Budget, is dedicated to upgrading infrastructure and easing costly transportation challenges resulting from the need to route loaded trucks around corridors with statutorily limited bridges in rural areas. The Rural Bridge Grant initiative invites county commissions to submit applications for funding to address rural, county-maintained bridges that are weight-restricted or otherwise hinder the efficient transport of timber to sawmills and manufacturing facilities. Eligible projects include the maintenance, repair, replacement, and construction of rural public bridges. Counties are encouraged to apply for grants up to $400,000, complemented by local matching funds, to facilitate projects that ensure safe and unrestricted transportation routes for timber. Applications must be submitted by close of business on March 14, at the State Office of the Alabama Forestry Commission located at 513 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Award announcements are expected in late Spring 2025. For more information about the Rural Bridge Grant initiative, including application forms, the application process, and contact details, please visit www.forestry.alabama.gov.

USDA Now Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1. Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application at https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-partnerships-and-public-engagement/usda-1890-national-scholars-program. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling to cope emotionally this holiday season, reach out. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Visit 988lifeline.org for more.

Join Us for the At Home Beekeeping Series!
Calling all beekeepers! Our online series is back, offering educational information and updates on timely beekeeping topics. Attend meetings from the comfort of your home using your computer or mobile device. Each session includes a Q&A segment for all your beekeeping questions. For more information, visit: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/bees-pollinators/at-home-beekeeping-series/ Dates and Topics: 2025 Dates and Topics: Feb. 25 Honeybee Nutrition, Priya Chakrabarti Basu, Mississippi State University; March 25 Colony Losses in the United States of America, Geoff Williams, Auburn University; April 29 Honeybee Nest Architecture, Michael Smith, Auburn University. Recordings from this series are available for only two weeks after each session on the Lawrence County Alabama Extension Office Facebook page. For more information on the “At Home Beekeeping Series,” contact Allyson Shabel at [email protected].

School Events

SSCC Terrific Tuesday Concert Series
Shelton State Community College’s 2024-2025 Terrific Tuesday Concert Series continues this spring with a performance on the Martin Campus. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. All performances will be at 1 p.m. in the Alabama Power Hall unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Upcoming performances and artists include the following: Feb. 11 Valentine’s Day Event with Student Engagement | *Martin Campus Atrium; Feb. 18 Dr. Laurie Middaugh | Piano | University of Montevallo Faculty; March 4 Student Musicale; March 18 Dr. Amy Catron, Cello | Vignettes | Mississippi State University Faculty; March 25 Educational Quintet | Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra; April 1 Faculty from the Mississippi University for Women; April 8 Jameson Moore | Saxophone | SSCC Student Recital; April 15 SSCC Jazz Combo | *Martin Atrium; April 22 Honors Musicale. For more information, contact Lillian Wesley at 205.391.2399 or [email protected].

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Success By 6 of United Way of West Alabama is proud to provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books FREE to children ages birth to 5 years old in Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa counties. Once a month, your child will receive a new book by mail. You only need to do two things: register your child and pledge to read the books to him/her. Please, climb on board Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Since UWWA launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library: 13,467 children have participated in the program in Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa Counties. 10,427 children have “graduated” from the program. 443,856 books have been delivered to children in West Alabama. Sign up at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama

Feb. 17, 2025 📰 BEST BETS Students Support Miracle Kids UA Miracle, The University of Alabama’s largest student-led philanthropic organization, raised $223,725 over the past year to support Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. Why This Matters: BAMAthon is the culmination of a year’s worth of programming by UA Miracle. The organization hosts events throughout the year, such as percentage nights at Tuscaloosa-area restaurants, a golf tournament and gala. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at [email protected]. Honoring Alabama Writers The Alabama Writers Hall of Fame will induct eight new honorees on Friday, March 7 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa. Why This Matters: Induction in the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon Alabama writers. Authors will be available for interviews between 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. prior to the event. For more information, contact Michael Pearce at [email protected]. Dynamic Stage Productions UA students have worked tirelessly to hone the art of storytelling, culminating in an exciting roster of UA theatre and dance performances this spring. Why This Matters: “The adrenaline that comes with mixed excitement and nervousness creates a storm of undefinable power that comes with being an artist,” said Danielle Mullenix, an award-winning senior majoring in theatre with a concentration in musical theatre. “It’s an honor to perform with my peers and mentors at UA, who impact our community beautifully beyond the final product onstage.” 📅 EVENTS The Life and Legacy of Sam S. May: “Tuscaloosa’s Own George Washington Carver” Feb. 11-March 1; Gorgas House Museum The Odd Couple Feb. 17-23; Allen Bales Theatre Tuscaloosa Innovation Community Business Plan Competition Feb. 20; The EDGE Movement in the Museum: Heart Centering Yoga Feb. 25; Alabama Museum of Natural History Emerging Choreographers’ Showcase Feb. 26-March 1; Dance Theatre in English Building