Guidelines for Submitting your Church/Community Announcements
These are free as long as there are no personal messages and the event is not being charged for (love offerings do not count). Please keep the announcement to one paragraph with who is presenting the event, what the event is, date, time, where it will be held and contact information. Email them to [email protected]. We can not take anything over the phone due to company policy.
2025 Holiday Deadlines: SCRJ will be closed for Good Friday, April 18. Deadline for Senior photos and biographies for Graduation Edition is the last Friday in April, April 25th. SCRJ will be closed for Memorial Day Mon., May 26 and has a late deadline of Tues., May 27 by noon for the May 29th edition. Deadline for Juneteenth events is Mon., June 16. SCRJ will be closed Fri., July 4th. SCRJ will be closed for Labor Day and there is a late deadline for Tues., Sept. 2 by noon for the Sept. 4th edition. Deadline is Mon., Nov. 3rd for Veterans Day announcements. 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. SCRJ 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. 25th and Jan. 1st editions is Fri., Dec. 19. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. SCRJ will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 1 for the holidays.
First Presbyterian Church Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
First Presbyterian Church annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tues., March 4 at 5:30 pm. Donations accepted for the Presbyterian Home for Children located in Talladega. First Presbyterian Church will conduct its Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. on March 5 and the public is invited to attend.
Did you know?
You can find many of Sumter County’s Historical locations on the free walking tour. Use your cell phone to explore. Dial 334-450-0130. Press XXX. 1 rewind, 2 pause/play, 3 fast forward, 0 feedback.
Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail Digital Passport
Explore the rich history of Tuscaloosa with the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail Digital Passport! This experience is designed to guide you through some of the pivotal moments of the Civil Rights era. It offers a first-hand experience as you check in to each stop along the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail right from your phone. Discover locations crucial to the events of Bloody Tuesday in downtown Tuscaloosa, where courageous acts of resistance and activism unfolded. Activate the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail Passport or any of our digital experience passes for 🆓 by visiting https://passes.visittuscaloosa.com.
Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Affectionately called “The Jubilee,” it was founded in Selma, as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our commitment is to the commemoration and preservation of the spirit of the struggle for the right to vote in this country and the world. Our goal is to inspire people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to respect and appreciate the power of their vote. This annual event in Selma, Alabama, commemorates “Bloody Sunday,” which occurred March 7, 1965, when a group of about 525 African-American demonstrators gathered at Brown Chapel A. M. E. Church to demand the right to vote. They walked six blocks to Broad Street and across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they were met by more than 50 state troopers and a few dozen possemen on horseback.
When the demonstrators refused to turn back, they were brutally beaten. At least 17 were hospitalized, and 40 others received treatment for injuries and the effects of tear gas. The attack, which was broadcast on national television, caught the attention of millions of Americans and became a symbol of the brutal racism of the South. Two weeks later, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and 3,200 civil rights protesters marched the 49 miles from Selma to the state capital, Montgomery -an event that prompted Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act.
Every year on the first weekend in March, the Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorates both the bloody confrontation at the Pettus Bridge and the march from Selma to Montgomery that followed. Events include a parade, a Miss Jubilee Pageant, a mock trial, and a commemorative march to the bridge. Every five years, celebrants continue all the way to Montgomery. Every year the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Inc., hosts the commemoration of this historic event and the struggle for the right to vote by gathering at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in a festival of music, art and historical remembrance. Several years ago, this yearly event was dubbed “The Annual Pilgrimage to Selma.” For over a decade the heroes of the movement and a host of other civic, political and national leaders have made the annual pilgrimage to Selma, AL to join us in this event.
Visit https://www.selmajubilee.com/ for more information and schedule of events.
Hightower Memorial Library
celebrates Black History Month As we celebrate Black History Month, we are deeply grateful for all support in helping us uplift and empower Black voices, preserve our heritage, and create lasting change. Together, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and work towards shaping a brighter future for each of us. Please continue to partner with us in this journey of brotherly love and support. We are reaching out to York Housing Authority, York Day Cares, Head Start, Neighboring Churches, Neighbors and Friends to continue the struggle and show our love to and for each other. We have many unread black history books, we have pictures of black heroes and much more at our library waiting patiently on you to check it out or just come by and READ!
Please check us out at the Hightower Memorial Library, York, Alabama-205-392-2004. We are here to assist you!
Please join us on Thurs., Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the york housing authority for an evening of sharing love, laughter, gaining knowledge of our ancestors, refreshments and togetherness! Together we can get it done! See you there!
Edna Williams, Library Director
Renae Pringle, Director of YHA
Glenda James, Librarian
Glenda Evans, Librarian
Financial Literacy Workshop March 5
Join us for a Financial Literacy Workshop where we’ll teach you practical tips and strategies for budgeting, saving, and investing at 106 Hospital Dr., Livingston, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. R.S.V.P. by calling the Sumter County Extension office at 205-652-9501. See Sumter County-Alabama Extension on Facebook for more information.
Men’s Health Workshop
Men’s Health Workshop will be Feb. 24 at Federation of Southern Co-op in Epes at 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Things Men Should Know Session 1: Men’s mental health, topic “Breaking the Stigma: Understating Mental Wellness,” with speaker L. Harris. Session 2: Mens’ physical health, topic “Staying Fit and Healthy in Rural Life,” speaker Dr. Paul. Session 3: Mens’ reproductive health, topic, “Understanding and Prioritizing Reproductive Health,” speaker Dr. Goddard. Sponsors: GHWC (Gainesville Health & Wellness Center Service Cooperatives of West AL) ASAC (Alabama State Association of Cooperatives), FSC/ LAF (Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assist. Fund), NAPs (National Association to Prevent Starvation).
Free Stress & Aging Management Workshop
Stress can put you at risk for major health problems. Please join us to learn more about identifying stressors and ways to manage them. To register for this workshop, please contact the Sumter Extension Office at 205-652-9501. Facilitated by Urban Regional Extension Agent, James Lewis. Wed., Feb. 26, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sumter County Extension Office 106 Hospital Dr., Livingston.
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. Call Carolyn Jones, 334-624-2030, for more information.
Community Health Fair
Sponsored by Central Chapel P. B. Church, in an effort to raise and promote public health awareness on March 1, at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at West Alabama Coalition for Community Development, 902 4th Ave. U. S. 11 Hwy. S., York.
Best Black Belt Sporting Dog Photo Contest returns for 2025
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) wants to celebrate the unbreakable bond that exists between a dog and its owner by reviving the Best Black Belt Sporting Dog Photo Contest. The contest is open to any and all dogs out on a sporting adventure in the 23 counties of Alabama’s Black Belt. The contest will feature dogs pictured in the woods or other grounds helping hunters – whether it’s quail, duck, squirrel or other game. Other possible photos include a dog accompanying an angler on a fishing trip or a retriever participating in a dog trial. While ALBBAA acknowledges the greatness of lap dogs, this contest is NOT for them. The contest is for photos of dogs in the woods, on point, in action, or posing with their retrieved bird or game. Photos can include the owner or family members alongside the star of the photo – a furry friend. A general snapshot of a dog in a comfy bed, relaxing on the porch or anything other than showcasing sporting skills will not qualify. The contest runs through 11:59 p.m., on Sat., March 15. The winner of the contest will be selected exclusively through online voting on the ALBBAA website. To enter the Best Black Belt Sporting Dog Photo Contest, hunters must upload, through the ALBBAA website, a photo taken in the 23-county Black Belt region. Each hunter is limited to one photo. Contest entries are submitted and all votes are cast online via the same web page: https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org/news-more/shoot-the-black-belt/best-sporting-dog-photo-contest/
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.
Livingston Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Sat., Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. we will have our Mardi Gras parade downtown. Cash prizes for float winners and the crawfish cookoff! Want to participate let us know! We can’t wait to see you all to celebrate! We questions or want an emailed form? Contact us through email [email protected] or call 205-652-2505! See the City of Livingston’s Facebook page for registration links.
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. Our next session is on July 30th! Don’t miss out. 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].
Community Prayer
Community Prayer for the Sumter County area will be held every 1st Thursday of each month at noon for one hour at the Bored Well, the Courthouse Square, Livingston. We’re asking all residents, businesses, local leaders, pastors, governmental and city officials to join us as we come together as a community to pray. Submitted by Min. Leola Washington, Volunteer Coordinator for NDPTF, Sumter County.
School Events
Mediacom Offers $60,000 in Scholarships to High School Seniors
Mediacom Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 24th consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors. tarting in the fall of 2025, scholarship recipients have the flexibility to use the financial awards to support post-secondary college costs or vocational training from an accredited institution. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership accomplishments. This year, Mediacom’s World Class Scholarship application process has fully transitioned online: mediacomworldclass.com. Applications, including recommendation letters and high school transcripts, will now be submitted online. Information has been sent to all high schools in areas where Mediacom delivers its high-speed internet services. High school officials are asked to encourage seniors to submit online applications before the March 14, 2025 deadline. Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in the 22-state area served by Mediacom’s fiber-rich broadband network. The online application includes a complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas. Inquiries may be sent to [email protected].
4-H Foundation Scholarship
Applications for the 2025 4-H Foundation Scholarship Program opened Dec. 6 in 4HOnline v2.4honline.com. Seniors must be enrolled this club year to be eligible. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025.
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. 4 Dr. Shellie Beeman, Vocalist | Dr. Wendy Freeland, Piano | Jacksonville State University Faculty; 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].
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 |