2024 Upcoming Holiday deadlines: MvT will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. MvT will be closed for the 4th of July Thursday, July 4 & Friday, July 5th. Late deadline for the July 11th edition will be Monday, July 8th before 9 a.m. MvT will be closed for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. MvT will be closed for Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. Deadline for Thanksgiving is Friday, Nov. 22. MvT will be closed for Thanksgiving week and will reopen Monday, Dec. 2. Santa Letters deadline is Friday, Dec. 6. Deadline for the Christmas Edition (12-25) & New Year’s Edition (1-1) is Thursday, Dec. 19. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays.
Hale County Animal Shelter Pet of the week
(Top) Meet Boss! He is the silliest boy ever! Boss is a young adult and he is neutered, kennel trained and loves to ride. All shots are up to date and Boss is Heartworm negative! (Bottom) Beautiful Evee! sweet and sassy. Gets along well with other dogs too! Evie is 2 years old, spayed and all vaccines are up to date. This sweet girl is moderately active and loves play times. Loves people.
Laurie Nevin, Hale County Animal Shelter, 334-624-8120. The shelter needs list: disinfecting bleach, paper towels, laundry detergent, clumping cat litter, dawn dishwashing liquid, fabuloso, purina puppy/kitten chow, purina dog/cat chow, puppy/kitten toys, tough dog toys, dog/cat chow, 13 gallon trash bags, puppy pads, fancy feast wet cat/kitten food. Any nutritious brand of food is acceptable.
Church & Community Events
West Ala. Pollinators Workshop
Learn how to attract native pollinators, what plants to plant, pollinator-friendly gardening practices, and how to manage honeybees. April 27th, 2-6 p.m. At the Tuscaloosa Co. Extension Office, 2513 7th Street, Tuscaloosa. Registration Required: https://www.aces.edu/event/west-alabamapollinator-workshop/
WIC Income Guidelines Increase
Alabama’s income guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (better known as WIC) have increased and additional people may qualify. If you are a woman who is pregnant, has had a baby within the past six months, or are currently breastfeeding; or if you are the parent or guardian of a child up to age 5, you are encouraged to contact your local county health department or WIC agency to apply. WIC participants may receive food benefits for each qualifying family member. Increased cash value benefits are available to purchase fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, with each child receiving $26 a month, pregnant and postpartum women receiving $47 a month, and breastfeeding women receiving $52 a month. In addition to nutritious food benefits, WIC participants receive free nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals. Alabama’s WIC Program provides electronic food benefits, making the shopping experience much easier. Under the 2024 federal poverty guidelines, more families may be eligible for the program. WIC is open to participants with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Check the table below to see if your family may qualify: Family Size* Annual Income Weekly Income: 2 $37,814 $728; 3 $47,767 $919; 4 $57,720 $1,110; 5 $67,673 $1,302; 6 $77,626 $1,493. *Each unborn infant counts as one in the family size. *For additional family sizes, please visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wic. WIC participants must have both a limited income and a nutritional need. Families who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Even families who do not qualify for these programs may be eligible for WIC because of WIC’s higher income limits. Allison Hatchett, Alabama WIC Director, said, “WIC works with families to meet nutrition goals and provides healthy foods to support optimal growth and development. Nutritious foods help pregnant women have healthy babies and help children grow to become healthy adults. Alabama’s WIC Program understands the struggles many families face to establish healthy eating habits, and WIC is here to help women, infants, and children in Alabama.” For more information, please go tohttp://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wicor call the statewide toll-free line at 1-888-942-4673 (1-888-WIC-HOPE).
NABD Matron’s Ministry Canned Food Drive
NABD Matron’s Ministry Canned Food Drive will be April 29 at 5- 6:30 p.m. in the back parking lot of the Tuscaloosa Religious Center, 1629 MLK Blvd., Tuscaloosa.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Applicants must apply online at the website below: agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/ If you need assistance or do not have access to a computer, call the Hale County-Alabama Extension Office at 334-624-8710 and someone will be happy to assist you.
St. Peter Catholic Church 190th Anniversary
St. Peter Catholic Church celebrates its 190th Anniversary on Sun., April 28, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass with the Most Rev. Thomas J. Rodi as celebrant, along with the Rev. Father Thomas LaPointe, homilist, begins the anniversary celebration. Following Mass, a Eucharistic Procession with clergy, parishioners, and visitors will travel around the city block beginning and ending at the church’s entrance at Adams Avenue. A reception in Cusack Hall concludes the celebration.
NAMI Family-to-Family Program
NEW Announcement: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Alabama is providing a virtual family education program (on zoom) beginning May 9, from 6-8:30pm. The NAMI Family- to-Family Program is a free 8-week educational program for families and significant others of people with a mental health condition. The program is peer lead by individuals who have been through similar situations, provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love. Registration is required. Please email [email protected] or call 205-267-2986 for more information.
Friends of Hale County Library
The Friends of Hale County Library is excited to present Randi Pink, the author of “Angel of Greenwood” as part of their Library Lecture Series. The event will be held on Thurs., April 25, at the Hale County Library, at 1103 Main St. Greensboro.
April’s Grow More, Give More Harvest of the Month is Sweet Peas
Find growing instructions as well as yummy recipes that use sweet peas at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/april-grow-more-give-more-harvest-of-the-month
ADPH Celebrates Pecan Month
Happy National Pecan Month! Try out Fruits & Veggies—Have A Plant’s delicious spinach, strawberry, and pecan salad to celebrate: bit.ly/49ks9IF.
NABD Matron’s Ministry
Canned Food Drive
NABD Matron’s Ministry Canned Food Drive will be April 29 at 5- 6:30 p.m. in the back parking lot of the Tuscaloosa Religious Center, 1629 MLK Blvd., Tuscaloosa.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Applicants must apply online at the website below: agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/ If you need assistance or do not have access to a computer, call the Hale County-Alabama Extension Office at 334-624-8710 and someone will be happy to assist you.
St. Peter Catholic Church
190th Anniversary
St. Peter Catholic Church celebrates its 190th Anniversary on Sun., April 28, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass with the Most Rev. Thomas J. Rodi as celebrant, along with the Rev. Father Thomas LaPointe, homilist, begins the anniversary celebration. Following Mass, a Eucharistic Procession with clergy, parishioners, and visitors will travel around the city block beginning and ending at the church’s entrance at Adams Avenue. A reception in Cusack Hall concludes the celebration.
Newbern Library to Host Art Talk
The Newbern Library will host a speaker from the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn at the Library on Friday evening, April 19, at 6 p.m. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Jule has current exhibits highlighting the work of several African-American Southern artists entitled “Biography, Archives, and Junk: How Southern Artists Excavate their Art.” Dr. Randi Evans, Manager of Public Practice at the Jule, will discuss the artists and their work: how they utilize found objects – from archival documents to discarded materials – to create art that responds to personal, regional, and national histories. Among the featured artists are Alabamians Bethany Collins, Lonnie Holley and Thornton Dial, known for his eclectic sculptures using a variety of unusual materials. Unusual materials were also used by artist and filmmaker Elizabeth M. Webb – soil, USDA agricultural maps and 16mm film – to create her art for this exhibit that explores the complex link “between social and natural histories” of a specific area. The art talk on April 19 is part of an ongoing partnership of the Jule Collins Smith Museum and the Newbern Library. The public is invited to this free presentation. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
NAMI Family-to-Family Program
NEW Announcement: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Alabama is providing a virtual family education program (on zoom) beginning May 9, from 6-8:30pm. The NAMI Family- to-Family Program is a free 8-week educational program for families and significant others of people with a mental health condition. The program is peer lead by individuals who have been through similar situations, provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love. Registration is required. Please email [email protected] or call 205-267-2986 for more information.
Friends of Hale County Library
The Friends of Hale County Library is excited to present Randi Pink, the author of “Angel of Greenwood” as part of their Library Lecture Series. The event will be held on Thurs., April 25, at the Hale County Library, at 1103 Main St. Greensboro.
School Events
Online nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU) will celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10 by offering three scholarship programs for current and future education professionals in Alabama who wish to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in the Teachers College at WGU’s School of Education, the largest nonprofit, accredited school of education in the country. Each WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship and WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship is valued at up to $4,000. The WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship is designed to help current teachers improve their skill set in the classroom, move into administration, or to assist aspiring teachers in obtaining the required credentials for a rewarding future career as an educator. The WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship is geared toward those interested in becoming a paraprofessional or classroom aide, or in starting the journey to become a licensed K–12 educator. Each of these two scholarships will be credited to the student’s account at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need, readiness for online study at WGU, current competency, and other considerations. In addition, from now through June 30, 2024, WGU is offering an Education Support Professionals Scholarship that may be applied toward any Teachers College degree programs leading to teacher licensure. This scholarship, worth up to $5,000, is a unique opportunity for paraprofessionals currently working in K-12 schools to receive funds toward tuition, plus a stipend for student teaching. This scholarship will be credited to the student’s account at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, with an additional $2,500 stipend for the student teaching term. New and enrolling WGU students may apply for the WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship at wgu.edu/teacherappreciation, WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship at wgu.edu/becomeateacher, and the Education Support Professionals Scholarship at wgu.edu/parascholarship, by June 30. To learn more about WGU’s Teachers College and its academic programs, visit wgu.edu/online-teaching-degrees.
West Alabama Winds Concert
Shelton State Community College’s Concert Band, West Alabama Winds, will perform their spring concert, “Flight,” on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Martin Campus Atrium. The concert will feature music inspired by mankind’s pursuit of flight and its uses. Concert admission is free, and all are invited to attend. Shelton State’s largest instrumental ensemble, West Alabama Winds, is comprised of both student and community members and plays traditional and modern selections from the wind band repertoire. For more information, contact Lillian Wesley at 205.391.2399 or [email protected]
WGU Offers Scholarships in Alabama in Recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week
Online nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU) will celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10 by offering three scholarship programs for current and future education professionals in Alabama who wish to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in the Teachers College at WGU’s School of Education, the largest nonprofit, accredited school of education in the country. Each WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship and WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship is valued at up to $4,000. The WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship is designed to help current teachers improve their skill set in the classroom, move into administration, or to assist aspiring teachers in obtaining the required credentials for a rewarding future career as an educator. The WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship is geared toward those interested in becoming a paraprofessional or classroom aide, or in starting the journey to become a licensed K–12 educator. Each of these two scholarships will be credited to the student’s account at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need, readiness for online study at WGU, current competency, and other considerations. In addition, from now through June 30, 2024, WGU is offering an Education Support Professionals Scholarship that may be applied toward any Teachers College degree programs leading to teacher licensure. This scholarship, worth up to $5,000, is a unique opportunity for paraprofessionals currently working in K-12 schools to receive funds toward tuition, plus a stipend for student teaching. This scholarship will be credited to the student’s account at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, with an additional $2,500 stipend for the student teaching term. New and enrolling WGU students may apply for the WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship at wgu.edu/teacherappreciation, WGU Become a Teacher Scholarship at wgu.edu/becomeateacher, and the Education Support Professionals Scholarship at wgu.edu/parascholarship, by June 30. To learn more about WGU’s Teachers College and its academic programs, visit wgu.edu/online-teaching-degrees.
Perkins Scholarship
Shelton State Community College has reopened a scholarship for students pursuing careers in gender nontraditional fields. Applications for the Perkins Scholarship will be accepted through April 19. Applicants must complete the Perkins Scholarship and the College’s admission applications (if not already admitted or enrolled) and plan to enroll in a gender-nontraditional program of study. The term “gender nontraditional” refers to occupations or work areas, including careers in computer science, technology, and other emerging high-skill occupations in which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in that occupation or field. Female nontraditional careers are occupations in which less than 25 percent of individuals employed are female. Male nontraditional careers are occupations where less than 25 percent of employed individuals are male. Many current and former Shelton State Community College students have found enrolling in a nontraditional gender program to be a rewarding and life-changing experience. You can view the success stories of some of these nontraditional students on the Shelton State Scholarships page under Perkins Scholarship. The scholarship-eligible programs of study are viewable by gender on the Shelton State Perkins Scholarship application. To view the gender nontraditional scholarship eligible programs and to apply for the scholarship, please visit Shelton State Perkins Scholarship or sheltonstate.edu.
2024 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that her office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to high school students from both public and private schools throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, as well as home-schooled high school students. The winner will receive free round-trip airfare for two to Washington D.C. to attend an official reception honoring the winners from congressional districts across the nation. The winner’s artwork will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol for one year. This year’s theme is “Alabama Story Makers: The Historic People and Places of the Cotton State.” To enter the contest, students must fill out and submit a Student Information and Release Form with their artwork by Fri., April 26. Students should deliver their submission to one of Rep. Sewell’s district offices located in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Students can also bring their submissions to school and call (334) 262-1919 for pick up. Artwork may be up to 26” high X 26” wide X 4” deep. For more information, contact Rep. Sewell’s Montgomery Office at (334) 262-1919 or visit her official website at sewell.house.gov/art-competition.
$50K in Scholarships Up for Grabs
History will be made in June as the Alabama State Games awards a combined $50,000 in scholarships as part of the Opening Ceremony on June 7. The $50,000 scholarship announcement is another piece added to the puzzle of what is shaping up to be the largest event since the Alabama State Games’ inception in 1982. The 41st Alabama State Games are once again being hosted by the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County June 7-9 and have 23 sports on offer hosted by venues in Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Gardendale, Homewood, and Pelham. Hotel, event and registration information can be found at ALAGAMES.com. Two of the $5,000 scholarships will be given in memory of Fred and Rheta Skelton. Two more $5,000 scholarships have been added to the academic offering and will be awarded as well as several $1,000 academic awards. An added benefit to the scholarship initiative for the 41st Alabama State Games is a first-time partnership with Jacksonville State University. Jax State has generously agreed to match the scholarship award given to any current, soon-to-be or future member of Gamecock Nation. From there it’s the luck of the draw. The Alabama State Games was founded in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee. Since 1982 the Games have grown into the state’s largest annual multi-sport competition with nearly 5,000 athletes competing in 20+ sports for gold, silver, and bronze medals and opportunities to be awarded academic scholarships. Fostering a culture of academic success, a scholarship initiative was created and has to date awarded $363,000 in academic scholarships to any 2-year, 4-year college, university or trade school. In 2024, $50,000 will be awarded. The Alabama State Games’ core beliefs are academic excellence, healthy lifestyles, and good citizenship.
UA to Hold Spring 2024 Commencement May 3-5
The University of Alabama will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 3-5 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. More information, including live and recorded webcast details, an interactive campus map, parking information, graduate profile stories and fast facts about the 2024 spring class can be found on UA’s commencement website. Commencement information can be heard on UA’s radio station, 92.5 FM.
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 Guggenheim Fellowship Dr. Heather Cass White, professor of English at The University of Alabama, was recently selected by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation as a Guggenheim Fellow. Why This Matters: As established in 1925 by founder Senator Simon Guggenheim, each fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” Since its inception, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 fellows. Shelton State Bridge Program UA and Shelton State Community College have signed a memorandum of understanding creating the Shelton State Bridge Program for students transitioning from SSCC to the Capstone. Why This Matters: The Bridge Program creates a pathway to the University for up to 150 Shelton State students who meet the minimum requirements of 24 completed college credit hours, a 3.0 GPA and good academic standing. The program extends the existing relationship between UA and Shelton State, which was formed last fall. Alabama Cyber Institute Leadership The Alabama Cyber Institute at The University of Alabama has reemerged under new leadership and strategic vision and is positioned to be a leader in computationally focused research. Why This Matters: ACI aims to advance computational research and empower UA faculty-led research that supports the University’s key research institutes in water, transportation, life research and materials, with plans to expand into new focus areas in the future. Youth Summer Camps UA will offer a variety of youth summer camps for children and teenagers from around the state and nation that provide engaging learning opportunities. Why This Matters: With options featuring a wide range of subject matter and activities, UA Youth Programs’ summer camps offer something for all children and teenagers. Around 20,000 youth participated in UA summer camps last year. 💬 CURRENT COMMENT Summer Fashion Trends Rebecca Burney, instructor in the department of clothing, textiles and interior design, is available to discuss fashion trends for the upcoming summer season. Burney can be reached at [email protected]. 📅 EVENTS UA Contemporary Music Ensemble Concert: What If We Were Wild? April 23, Moody Music Building Room 1003 Growing Up Wild: Nature Play April 26, Alabama Museum of Natural History 100 Alabama Miles Challenge Kickoff April 27, multiple locations across the state |