Suqualena Community Development Club met on Monday, Aug. 28, for a regular meeting.

President Joe Johnson welcomed the visitors, Becky Fulton, Buddy Harris and Bobbie Carrol Harris. Harriett Touchstone led the group in The Pledge of Allegiance.

Randall Palmer used the Psalms 23 for his devotional. The Rev. Jimmie Gunn led the group in prayer.

Billie Castle introduced our speakers, Lisa Shoemaker and Wayne Henson from EMEPA (East Mississippi Electric Power Cooperative). Mr. Henson had slides that helped everyone to understand the mission of EMEPA to create a better standard of living an a better life style.

He said that this time last year there were 55,000 miles of power lines down because of Katrina and that none of our area was without electricity more than 12 days. He praised his fellow employees for the wonderful job they did at that time and also the members of EMEPA for all of their help and patience during that time. Mr. Henson said that a Code of Ethics was implemented many years ago and it paid off well this past year during the storm. He told that there are 36,000 member families, churches and businesses served by our EMEPA.

There is a 10-member Board of Directors that help to make sure we are all taken care of. Mr. Henson then gave some hints for helping to cut our power costs such as caulking around doors and windows to prevent the heat or air conditioning from escaping. He said that if we would wrap our hot water tanks we would be surprised at the amount of heat it would cut down on in the area where the tank is located.

He opened the floor for questions and was able to answer each question to our satisfaction.

Secretary Harriet Touchstone read the minutes for the last meeting. Treasurer Pat Smith gave the financial report and JoAnn Kimbrell gave a report on the Scholarship Fund.

Pauline Rushing gave a report on the tour to Sciple Water Mill earlier this month. There were seven families represented and Lloyd Hutchinson said that the next tour is set for Sept. 16 and it will be to Martin for the Gourd Festival. We will leave from the Outreach Building parking lot at 8:30 a.m. that morning.

Hutchinson also said that Wayne Henson’s father, Harvey, will be singing at Bethel Methodist Church in Nelliburg on the second Sunday in September.

The Yard of the Month went to Mr. and Mrs. Fulton on Mosley Crossing Road.

Joe Johnson gave an update on the work that has been done and what still needs to be done on the walking trail.

Mr. Johnson then explained the mural of Suqualena Heritage that has been started. He asked once again for pictures from the past that anyone will let us have a copy of or let us make a copy of for this mural.

Ken Turner then told of the information he has found on the road that came through Suqualena during the time Sherman was making his march through this area.

JoAnn Kimbrell read “thank you” notes from two of the scholarship recipients. She told of a group of young men at Righteous Host who are in need of personal items and asked that anyone wanting to donate to them bring them next meeting night.

Norma Cooksey showed the samples of “Walker Buddies” that the nursing home is in need of. She also told of the small items that can be brought for the nursing home to use as prizes for the Bingo games they have each week.

Linda Rountree won the door prize and refreshments were served by Pauline Rushing, Margie Castle and Pam Rodgers.



• Report submitted by Norma Cooksey