Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw Clay Clyde Clump, flying a kite on the great lawn of Covington Hall. He was practicing for the Benjamin Franklin Kite Contest, established by Colonel Covington upon the three-hundredth birthday of Franklin and sponsored by the Colonel. Prizes are given for the best kite (home-made), the longest flight, and the highest flight. Prizes take the form of a small bust of Franklin, plus cash.

The Covington Historical Society met February 25 in the Dixon Memorial of our public library.

This year is the fortieth anniversary of the Society. It was established as part of the local Bicentennial celebration of the United States.

Dr. Morgan Moore, president, presided.

Bill Law offered prayer.

Following the pledge, Glen Powell led “Alabama,” the state song, accompanied by Sue (Bass) Wilson at the piano.

Nancy Robbins, secretary, distributed the minutes for October and November. The Society did not meet in December and January.

Harmon Proctor, treasurer, distributed his financial statements.

Business included a report on the museum, the distribution of the latest Society newsletter by Mrs. Wilson, and a report of Sidney Waits, being interviewed on WKNI.

Following business, Sue Wilson, the vice-president, presented the program. She had prepared snippets of information from local newspapers, published in 1916, in keeping with the year 2016. These snippets were read by members, and comments were made.

Refreshments were provided by Linda Castleberry and Morgan and Wilma Moore.

Seen out and about were Tom and Margaret Goodspeed, Bob and Beverly Bush, Carolyn Davis, Hazel Griffin, Billy Beech, and Charles and June Young.

Twelve ladies from the Cedar Grove Church of Christ attended Ladies’ Day, Saturday, February 20 at the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Greenville. Some 199 ladies were in attendance.

The speaker was Celene Sparks of Huntsville, whose valentine theme was “Fostering Love.”

Refreshments included a barbecue plate, served by the Greenville ladies.

Irene (Davis) Butler had as her dinner guests February 22, Richard Pass, Joe Wingard, and Lee Enzor III.

Known for her cornucopian buffets, Mrs. Butler served the following: pork roast, rice boiled in pork broth, cabbage, scrambled hamburger, sweet-potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, fried bread, biscuits, her famous chicken salad, carrot salad, corn salad, Italian cream cake, orange juice, and hot chocolate.

The annual Golden Age Banquet of Cedar Grove Church of Christ was staged Sunday, February 21, at noon, in the church annex.

This was the fiftieth year for this traditional program in which the younger members of the congregation honor and serve the senior members.

Elaborate decorations included deep burgundy runners on black tablecloths with centerpieces of candle lanterns and flowers with greenery.

The registration table featured a large floral arrangement of burgundy and white.

For entertainment a “photo shop” was set between two screens, covered in fabric and stringed mini lights. Here the guests were photographed, using attractive, humorous props. Later each attendee was given a keepsake copy of his photograph.

Additional favors for the senior members were bags of homemade cookies for the men and scented hand wash for the ladies.

The annual banquet of District 24 of the Alabama Education Society was staged Friday, March 4, in the municipal complex of Brewton.

District 24 is made of Conecuh, Covington, and Escambia counties.

The banquet is thought to be the only one still sponsored by any district of the AEA.

Teresa Hultz of Flomaton, president of the district, presided.

Marcia Adams, vice-president of the district, recognized special guests.

Nathaniel Belcher, president of the Covington County support personnel, offered the invocation.

A buffet, catered by Lisa McMillan of Brewton, followed. Barbecue pork and chicken, plus vegetables, and key lime pie were served.

Anthony Turk played dinner music on the keyboard as those present dined.

Decorations included black cloth overlays over white cloths, programs printed on pastel paper, pastel balloons, and clocks as centerpieces. The theme was “Changing Times.”

Dale Hill, president of the Escambia County Teachers Association, introduced the speaker, Dr. Gregory T. Graves, associate executive secretary of the AEA.

Names were drawn for door prizes with $250 as the grand prize.

Jan Paskins is director of District 24, which includes Andalusia City, Brewton City, Conecuh County, Covington County, Escambia County, Jefferson Davis Community College, Lurleen Burns Wallace Community College, Opp City, and Reid Technical Community College.

An estimated 100 members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and guests attended Confederate Flag Day, Saturday afternoon, March 5, in the new Confederate Park along Highway 29 between Brantley and Luverne.

The ceremony included displays of Confederate flags, uniforms, and music, opening prayer, posting of the colors, comments from dignitaries, historical presentations, rifle and cannon demonstrations, closing comments, retirement of the colors, and “Dixie.”

Comments came from David Coggins, SCV commander of Camp 396, and host for the afternoon, whose idea the park was and who provided the land, the large flag, cannon, monuments, statuary, and landscaping.

Joe Clark, Jr., also spoke. He is SCV commander of the Southeast Brigade. It was he and Coggins who provided a meal of hamburgers and hotdogs and all the trimmings with chips, sodas, and desserts.

A third speaker was Mike Williams, formerly of Andalusia, now the SCV adjutant for the state of Alabama.

A very special guest speaker was Kelly Barrow, the national SCV commander, who came all the way from Griffin, Georgia, with his young son.

Among those in attendance were Jimmy and Madge Cobb, Joe Wingard, Curtis and Margie Thomasson and their young grandsons, Hamp and Chappell Clanton, Jerry Russell, and Sir Francis McGowin, all from Andalusia; Ken and Tori Reeves and their granddaughter Kenna from Opp; Linda Castleberry and her granddaughter, Taylor Lawson, and her friend, Morgan Terry, from Red Level; and Eddie and Amanda Williams and Dylan Pouncey from Florala.

Young Chappell in his Confederate uniform, with his brother Hamp, got the thrill of their lives by being allowed to fire one of the cannons.

The mysterian is an honorary member of the AHS Class of 1926, voted into the class at its reunion.

Now, gentle reader, allow me to join Buffalo Bob Smith in encouraging each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend, Lord willing.

Fare thee well.