Frank Allen Gifford, 7, (left) and Makenna Macks, 4, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Andalusia’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting event Thursday night.
Local merchants, volunteers and civic organizations have been busy decorating Springdale in preparation for the City of Andalusia’s second annual Christmas Open House at the historic venue this weekend.
Harold’s decorated the living room and tree in the foreground.
Other rooms have been decorated by Ansley Place, Barbara Nichols, Coterie Club, Junior Woman’s Club, LAAC, Aurelia Sherf Robertson, Alan Cotton’s Florist, and MaryAnn’s.
Springdale will be open from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 3, and from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 4.
Those looking for something to do tonight have an abundance of opportunities, including:
• The annual Wildgame Cookoff is from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Covington Arena. Cost is $40 per couple for admission to the cook-off,
• Caroling will begin at 6 p.m. and the annual tree lighting ceremony on the Court Square in downton Andalusia.
• Opp’s Christmas parade, 7 p.m. downtown.
Dwight Mikel, who has survived nine political administrations and countless baseball tournaments as the City of Andalusia’s director of leisure services, was feted with a retirement luncheon Thursday.
Sonja Godwin, who has worked as his administrative assistant, said she learned two things from him.
“He always says, ‘It’s easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission,’ and, ‘If you can’t go first class, go home.’ ”
He got a first-class sendoff on his way “home,” including a steak-and-shrimp lunch shared with his family and co-workers at the adult activity center, and received a few of his favorite things, like a basket full of homemade sugar cookies; a homemade cheesecake; a chocolate on chocolate cake; a box filled with Reese’s cups; and a box of money.
Those who worked under his direction called him “tough” and “demanding.”
“He was the first to chew us out if we did anything wrong, but he was also the first to defend us if anyone else did.”
Mikel first went to work for the City of Andalusia in 1972 as a summer employee. In 1974, he became a gym attendant, before moving to Mobile to complete his education at the University of South Alabama. He worked in parks and rec for the City of Mobile before returning to the City of Andalusia in 1978, and was named director of leisure services in 1993.
Things have changed in the more than 36 years he’s worked with the city.
“The biggest thing is the cooperation between departments. The camaraderie between all the departments is great,” he said. “At one time it was little kingdoms. Now, everybody works together.
The tools have improved, too, he said.
“Back when we started, we had one Dynamark, 36-inch riding mower,” he said. “That was the only equipment. The equipment has improved and the technology has, too.”
Mikel’s departure comes at a time when his department’s facility is undergoing a major transformation with the renovation of Johnson Park. He’ll still be around some to see that project through, he said.
He knows he’ll miss the daily interaction with the employees in his department, he said, but he’s not worried.
“The thing I’m going to miss is the employees, and I can show up to see them any time,” he said. “If I need to be grounded, I’ll stop by the shop or the activity center. We’ve been together a long time.”
Meanwhile, he’ll be working as the manager of Foxwood Village Apartments.
There are some 115 angels remaining to be adopted to make this year’s Andalusia Community Christmas a success.
This year, more than 500 children are registered as “angels” for the annual event that provides Christmas presents to needy families. Com-munity Christmas works by having the community adopt the “angels” and then purchase gifts for them. It is recommended that about $60 be spent on each child.
“Time is sort of running out,” said ACC volunteer Judy Bryant, who is in charge of distributing the angels. “If these children aren’t adopted, then the organization has to buy for them. We have some money in reserve, but if we spend it now, there’ll be nothing to start with next year.”
Angels are available now at Andalusia city hall, JCPenney, Andalusia Regional Hospital, WAAO, Winn-Dixie and Walmart.
Also, those who’ve already adopted an angel should make plans to drop off their gifts this weekend.
Larry Avery, organizer, said volunteers will be manning the Kiwanis building on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon and on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. to accept the packages.
Instructions on how to package the items can be found on the back of the child’s “angel” card.
“But in general, the instructions are to place the items in a garbage bag, securely attach the angel to it and drop it off at Kiwanis building,” Avery said.
It costs an estimated $50,000 to purchase gifts for the children. When angels are not adopted, the Community Christmas volunteers must make the purchases – which is why donations are also important.
The donations are tax-deductible and should be mailed to Andalusia Community Christmas Inc., P.O. Box 1525, Andalusia, AL 36420.
-Stephanie Nelson