The Nature Trail on the campus of LBW was officially named the Barbara L. McClain Community Trail on Friday.
Mayor Earl Johnson said, "Barbara's story is the American story. She was born to sharecropper parents who worked hard to provide for their five children.
"She applied the lesson of hard work and perseverance to her own life ... and eventually started McClain Contracting, which she co-owned with her son, Kevin, and managed so long as her health permitted."
Barbara was honored in 2009 as Alabama’s U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year, and traveled to Washington, D.C., where she testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business. She also was invited to meet the President of the United States.
At the time of her death in 2022, she and her husband, Bill, had been married for 57 years. She is remembered as a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“When Barbara and Bill moved into their home on the Antioch Road in 1980, the Nature Trail on the campus of LBW was only two years old,” Johnson said. “The two of them were regulars on the trail for decades, almost wearing a path from their house to their jumping on point.
“Today, it is especially fitting that Barbara’s name is being added to the trail surrounding LBW,” he said. “It is my hope that young people who hear or read her story will be reminded that while it may be a long road from meager beginnings to unimagined success, that road is paved with hard work, perseverance, and pure determination.”
LBW President Dr. Brock Kelley and County Commission Chairman Greg White also spoke at the naming ceremony. Bill McClain responded for the family.
Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Conecuh Sausage, an iconic Alabama maker of hickory smoked sausages, plans to invest nearly $58 million to open a second production facility in the state, creating 110 jobs in Andalusia.
Conecuh Sausage was founded in Evergreen in 1947, and the production location in Conecuh County will remain operational as the company expands to meet increasing demand for its products.
“Conecuh Sausage is a landmark homegrown brand, and I am thrilled to see that the company continues to grow and thrive right here in ’Sweet Home Alabama’,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “This growth project will allow Conecuh Sausage to extend the reach of its brand and put its distinctive Alabama flavors in even more kitchens.”
Conecuh Sausage is a family-owned business that produces high-quality meats with a patented blend of seasonings. Its sausage products are sold directly through the company’s online store and Gift Store as well as through local grocery stores, national retailers and independent distribution companies.
Conecuh Sausage owners John Crum Sessions, president, and his son, John Henry Sessions, said they are making their long-term vision a reality in their quest to satisfy the demand for Conecuh Sausage products.
“We are eager to join the Andalusia community and add jobs and growth to the local economy while remaining in the State of Alabama,” they said in a statement. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to expand our production facilities and increase distribution to serve our loyal customers.”
As part of the project, the company commits to creating at least 110 new jobs in Andalusia and to investing $57.8 million to construct and equip the new facility in Covington County, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“Conecuh Sausage’s expansion project positions the company for sustained growth while also generating a significant economic impact in the Andalusia area,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We’re happy that the company decided to expand its production footprint in South Alabama rather than going to another state.”
After researching multiple expansion locations in the Midwest, Conecuh chose to remain in their home state of Alabama.
“This is an exciting and important day for the City of Andalusia,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “We have been working for decades to be prepared when a company like Conecuh Sausage was ready to expand here, and we appreciate the Sessions family for their confidence in our community and the investment they are making here.
“I cannot overstate the positive impact this facility and the jobs it will generate will have on our community in the coming years,” Johnson said. “Many people worked very hard to put this project together, and we are appreciative of their efforts.”
Other local officials also applauded Conecuh Sausage’s investment plans in Andalusia.
“For years I think that many of us have taken pride in being a next-door neighbor to Conecuh County, the home of Conecuh Sausage. And now, we are privileged to welcome Conecuh Sausage and the Sessions family into our county,” Covington County Commission Chairman Greg White said. “The County Commission commits to doing everything we can to make this a perfect fit as Conecuh Sausage expands into Covington County.”
“Conecuh Sausage has been a part of our menu for more than 75 years,” added Covington County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Rick Clifton. “We are excited to partner with them in their expansion plans for the future.”
The City of Andalusia's Department of Public Works will use the following schedule for holiday pick-ups.
No pick-up on Friday, Dec. 22 or Monday, Dec. 25.
Friday's and Monday's garbage will be picked up on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Tuesday's and Wednesday's routes will be picked upon Wednesday, Dec. 27.
No pick-up on Monday, Jan. 1
Monday's route will be picked upon Tuesday, Jan. 2, along with Tuesday's routes.
The current forecast calls for a hard freeze over the next seven day in Covington County. The City of Andalusia and the City of Andalusia Utilities encourages residents to prepare for cold weather by wrapping pipes and/or leaving them dripping. Also, the City and the Andalusia Fire Department urge residents to use caution in heating their homes
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFERS THESE TIPS FOR WINTER WEATHER SAFETY:
- Winter weather can bring life-threatening conditions. Stay indoors and wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothes.
- Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or live alone.
- Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation to keep cold air out.
- Protect pipes from freezing.
- If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water. If the animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice, or other obstacles.
HOME FIRES AND SPACE HEATERS
- Protect your home from accidental fires:
- Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Place space heaters on a level, hard surface, and keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
POWER OUTAGE SAFETY
Power outages are not expected. However, PowerSouth, which is the City of Andalusia's energy provider, traditionally experiences peak demand during cold weather events. In the event of a power outage, please use these tips:
- Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.
- Turn off and unplug any appliances, equipment, and electronics. When the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
- If a power outage is two hours or less, don’t be concerned about losing perishable foods. During a prolonged outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first. Then, use food from the freezer. If the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and cover it at all times.
- If you are using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, or another partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows, and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
The City of Andalusia and the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon for the 10th Christmas in Candyland at 9 a.m. this Friday, Dec. 1.
Andalusia Elementary School’s kindergarten students will be on hand for the ribbon cutting on the Court Square, which is slated to feature lots of snow. After kindergarten’s play time, the fun will move to the Springdale on Ice location, where AES’s 6th graders will get a sneak peak.
The venues officially open to the public at 5 p.m.
To celebrate the 10th year, the City of Andalusia purchased a new Christmas tree that is 50 feet tall and is 20 feet larger in circumference at the base. Additional photo backgrounds were added, as well as new C*A*N*D*Y*L*A*N*D signage, reminiscent of the iconic Hollywood sign.” There is a new, larger cocoa ball pit, and more snow than ever.
Santa and Elsa will be on site every weekend.
The City and Chamber also partnered with Meredith’s Miracles, a local charity which provides assistance for non-medical expenses when a family has to travel out of town for specialty medical care for children. Meredith’s Miracles is providing entertainment with their Disney characters, as well as Mickey and Minnie and Elsa meet-and-greets. The charity also is the only non-food vendor on site.
Christmas in Candyland began as a quality of life project dreamed up by the Chamber of Commerce to provide activities for local children. Over the years, Andalusia has experienced a 35% growth in retail sales during the month of December, as well as a 50% increase in lodging receipts.
Basic hours are listed below. For more details, check the calendar on this page, or visit christmasincandyland.com.
Dec. 1 - 17
Fridays: 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.
-Santa will be at Springdale from 1 until 5 p.m.
-Elsa will be in the Frozen Garden from 4 until 6 p.m.
-Characters in Candyland Show – 6 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
-Santa will be at Springdale from 2 until 5 p.m.
-Elsa will be in the Frozen Garden from 2 until 4 p.m.
-Characters in Candyland Show – 4 p.m.
Cocoa with Characters
Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 until 6 p.m. Meredith’s Miracles will bring ALL the characters for photo ops, and we’ll serve up some hot cocoa to keep you warm.
Santa Send Off
We’ll usher Santa off to the North Pole with fireworks at closing time.
Thursday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
-Elsa will be in the Frozen Garden from 4 until 6 p.m.
-Mickey and Minnie will be on site from 4 until 6 p.m.
-Characters in Candyland Show – 6 p.m.
Also open Dec. 29 and 30
Friday: 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.
- Mickey and Minnie will be on site from 4 until 6 p.m.