Order of Eagles elects state president

Wendy’s word

Whether a change of pace or a change of scenery, shifting gears in life can be a positive, and sometimes necessary decision.

Doors close and windows crack, opening a whole new road for our journey to take us. When you feel that tug at your heart to choose a different direction, don’t fight it. You may just be surprised and excited about where you are now headed.

Now let’s see what the “chatter” is for today ...

State officer elected

G. Patrick Helpingstine has been elected state president of the Alabama Fraternal Order of Eagles and was installed at the recent state convention in Huntsville.

With a motto of “people helping people,” the Fraternal order of Eagles presented more than $40,000 to local charities including a $2,000 grant to Decatur’s Mental Health Association’s Alzheimer’s Program.

Scholarship recipients

Amber D. Messer and Hailey R. Sandlin, both of Lauderdale County High School, received the prestigious Horatio Alger Association’s Alabama State Scholarship to assist in funding for their college education.

Messer and Sandlin, two of 25 scholarship recipients in Alabama, have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity and hardships in their lives, while also demonstrating strength of character, strong academics, commitment to pursue a college education and desire to contribute to society.

Horatio Alger Association Chairman Dennis R. Washington said, “We are proud to present this award to the students of Alabama who have shown great academic promise in spite of significant challenges. The student scholars have potential to be the next true leaders of our country.”

The Scholarship Program is one of the largest need-based financial aid programs in the country, awarding more than 1,200 state scholarships to students ranging from $2,500 to $10,500 per student.

The nonprofit association boasts members with some of the best and most interesting successes stories including Oprah Winfrey, Lou Dobbs, Maya Angelou, Hank Aaron and Clarence Thomas.

For more information about the scholarships, please call (703) 684-9444 or visit www.horatioalger.org.

AARP

Morgan County Chapter 234 of AARP met recently with 28 members present. President Don Thomas got things started with the pledge and singing, followed by a morning prayer by John Cromeans.

The program opened with Betty Cromeans speaking on the Elder Hostel Tours, the world’s largest education program for adults 55 and older. The Cromeans’ most recent tour took them from Natchez Trace to Cajun country in Mississippi. Among the highlights were photography, Cajun/Creole history and dance lessons.

Ray Holton reported on his May 10 local television appearance with Susie Wiley, focusing on the history of the American flag.

He then reminded members of the mission of dedication to enhancing the quality of life and the vision of a society in which everyone ages with dignity.

Chapter 234 will receive a cash award for third place standing in the state.

The next program will be Tuesday in the fellowship hall at Central United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. and will feature guest vocalist Tina Weeks.

For more information, call Mae Garner at 306-1010.

Telephone Pioneers

Members of the Telephone Pioneers-Decatur Council met recently at McCollum’s Restaurant in Decatur.

Those attending were President Mabel Smartt, Kathy Jones, Glendora James, Evelyn Howard, Margarette Russell, Betty Suggs, Rita Birdsong and Bill Gray.

Projects include selling Pioneer cookbooks at the Apple Festival in Moulton and sponsoring a child from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Christmas. Furnishing lap blankets to area nursing home residents was discussed as a new project.

The Telephone Pioneers, a national nonprofit organization, is made up of both active and retired employees of telephone companies such as BellSouth and AT&T.

Monthly meetings are held the last Thursday of each month at McCollum’s Catfish Restaurant in Decatur.

That’s all for now. It’s been great “chattin” with ya! Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730. I look forward to hearing from you.

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