Hundreds will gather Monday to remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as part of the Butler County Civic League’s annual celebration.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 at the Dunbar Recreation Center on School Highlands Road.

According to Thelma Mixon, chairwoman of the event, tickets can be purchased at the door for $4 each.

Groups of 10 can save $10 by purchasing their tickets in bulk for $30.

The event will feature a special program of music and a very special breakfast prepared by volunteers and served by local high school students.

The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be Mayor Helenor T. Bell of Hayneville.

She is also a member of the Alabama Education Association and did serve on the Phenix City/Russell County Board for Abused and Neglected Children.

She is the vice president and general manager of Bell Funeral Home, Bell Properties and Hayneville Plaza.

She attended Alabama State University in Montgomery where she earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and attended A & M University.

She is married to Karl K. Bell, mother of two children, Karl Jr. and Kori.

Bell said she will speak about King and how she believes he was chosen for his time and the need to end persecution.

When asked what she thought he would say if he were alive today about the number of minority mayors and government leaders in the state, he would be happy and that his life and death and that of others was not in vain.

&uot;I think that he would be pleased that his dream was actually becoming a reality,&uot; she said. &uot;I think it he would say it was not in vain and that it was very much worthwhile the way he and others were treated and persecuted.&uot;

This will be Bell’s very time attending the breakfast celebration and said she is excited about the opportunity.

&uot;I’m honored and humbled to be able to speak about such a man,&uot; she said.

Tickets are available at Washland or you can see Commissioner Daniel Robinson at Robinson’s Beauty Supply on Commerce Street.

Also, call George L. Cook, chairman of the Butler County Civic League at 382-7765 or Mixon at 376-9135.