Crenshaw Community Hospital is reaching out to the northern end of the county.

Several changes have recently taken place at the hospital such as dramatic renovations, which are ongoing, new administration and staff, and expanded services such as rehab and a physical therapy clinic. Patient care has improved significantly as well due to these changes.

Outreach to other parts of the county is also ongoing.

For example, a medical clinic in Brantley has recently been added to support residents in the southern end of the county. Another clinic has been planned for the Highland Home area.

The clinic will serve the underprivileged, elderly, and anyone else who is in need of medical treatment. The clinic would employ a physician, nurses, and a support staff. It would also provide transportation to Luverne if necessary for medical treatment that couldn't be performed in the clinic.

However, due to the rising cost of land prices in our area, a suitable sight along Hwy. 331 has yet to be found. Although the clinic has been thoroughly planned and is ready to be built, land in the area is greatly above the price range of the project.

Board members who live in our town have contacted several landowners in our area to no avail, but they are not giving up, and will continue to search until a suitable place is found.

Also, the hospital has made a wonderful donation to our library recently. They have donated brand new books, many containing geography and other educational tools. Also, three copy machines were donated to our library as a service to the community.

Countywide, the relationship between the hospital and our communities are expanding. This relationship is a very positive one. By supporting our local hospital and medical centers, we are keeping local tax dollars in our area. We are also expanding the potential of more medical treatments being available locally and encouraging other physicians to move to our area.

Even now, our local physicians serve many patients outside the county due to their high quality of care. These patients choose to come to the county. However, if the need is too great for our local hospital, they work in conjunction with larger medical centers to transport patients with higher levels of needs outside the area.

If you have not visited our hospital lately, we encourage you to do so. There has been a great deal of improvements. You also may attend a hospital board meeting in order to receive information about the recent changes and to discuss any concerns or questions you might have.

The board would like anyone interested in selling three to five acres along Hwy. 331 for a reasonable amount to please contact them. You may contact Penny Wilson at the number listed below and she will connect you to a local board member.

This is a priority project and would be a great benefit to our community. Let's band together to expand our community!

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The Highland Home Public Library is in need of volunteers.

The library is located next to the Citgo gas station on Hwy 331. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 10 a.m. until noon.

Library hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. until noon and from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. It is also open on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Highland Home Public Library is a non-profit organization and is mainly funded by our community. If you are interested in making a private donation of any amount, a local account is set up at the Highland Home Bank and donations can be made there through Jody Tucker or Joyce Garner. All donations are greatly appreciated.

If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please call Ms. Leann Taylor at 537-4749 or 537-4379 ext. 154.

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J. Robert Moskin once wrote this, "One of life’s gifts is that each of us, no matter how tired and downtrodden, finds reasons for thankfulness".

We must remember these words this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. Hopefully, we will all be healthy, happy and loved. So as we celebrate this week, thank God for every blessing.

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For December, I would love to have Christmas stories. Write to me about your church's Christmas plays or special events, or about your family get together. My email is pen122@mon-cre.net.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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If you have any comments, suggestions or information you would like to submit to this column, call Mrs. Wilson at

537-4511 or e-mail her at pen122@mon-cre.net