There were so many stories to love in 2016.

In January, the City of Andalusia announced two major downtown revitalization projects – a new restaurant and a remodeled theater.

The city partnered with Big Mike’s Restaurant for a new location in the former Andala Building, with the city handling renovations and the restaurant signing a long-term lease.

The public watched closely for months, and the restaurant opened in November to large crowds and lines of people waiting to join the fun. A gift certificate to Big Mike’s was one of the hottest gifts in town in the Christmas season.

That January day, Mayor Earl Johnson also announced that the O’Neal family had agreed to donate the existing theater building to the city. The city is in the process of renovating the facility, including new restrooms and concession areas, and new seats, and has a new lease with long-time tenant, Clarke Theatre. The theatre is slated to open early in 2017.

In February, 8-year-old Noah Leonard set out to see his friend, Dave Palmer, who owns a T-shirt printing business and Florida Farmers Market in Paxton, have his head shaved. Palmer agreed to go bald if Noah raised $10,000 for Cancer Freeze, the Florala fundraiser which helps cancer patients in the region.

Asked if he knows how much $10,000 is, Noah said, “Well, I think it’s a lot more than the PowerBall lotto is right now.”

In April, Andalusia Regional Hospital marked its 50th anniversary with the dedication of its new legacy garden in a celebration that included public officials, tons of giveaways, two marching bands, and the public unveiling of its new name and logo, Andalusia Health.

The hospital had its beginning in the early 1960s, when local businessmen led an effort to raise money for a new hospital. Local residents pledged $490,000 – which would be $3.8 million in today’s dollars- over a three-year period.

Andalusia Manor, owned by Sasser Enterprises, also marked a milestone in April when it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Manor opened on April 2, 1991.

Then, almost all residents who entered a nursing home became a long-term resident. Now, SalLee Sasser Williams said, it is more like a revolving door. Short-term stays for rehab have become common.

“We put people back in the community,” she said.

In June, this most giving of communities launched a new outreach, Laundry Love. The ministry is patterned after the national ministry of the same name, which began with a homeless man living in California was asked what someone could do to help him. He replied, “If I had clean clothes, I think people would treat me like a human being.”

Twelve years later, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church launched the local initiative.

In July, the popular concert series July Jamz returned to Springdale. The free Thursday-night concerts drew crowds of several hundred people each week.

Also in July, AHS graduate Kyle Boatwright, owner of Worthington Millwork, Inc., donated new columns to Andalusia High School.

“Basically, if you’re blessed, you need to be a blessing to other people,” he said. “Andalusia is where I was born and raised. The community and people – the teachers and faculty and staff of Andalusia High School – played a role in who Kyle Boatwright is today.”

Boatwright graduated in 1997. The columns were in place for his class’s 20th reunion.

Andalusia High School had another happy moment in July when beloved longtime coach Richard Robertson was recognized by the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations at a ceremony in Reno, Nev.

Area residents know there are plenty of good eats here, but that was affirmed loudly this year.

In August, David’s Catfish was a finalist in Bama’s Best Catfish Restaurant Challenge, sponsored by the Alabama Catfish Producers. More than 150 restaurants were nominated for the award.

And just before Big Mike’s finally opened its doors here, in October, its sister restaurant in Thomasville won the “best steak in Alabama” designation from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

The Covington County Board of Education in August gave the formal go-ahead for an addition to Straughn Elementary School. The 9,000-plus square foot facility will include eight classrooms and a storm shelter.

In September, Mary Frances Burke Grimes returned to Andalusia High School to be recognized for the Class of ‘47’s 70th-year reunion. Mrs. Grimes’ daughter was in the 50-year honorees, and three of her grandsons were in the 20-year group. All told, she’s had six children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who have been a part of AHS, and currently has five great-grandchildren who are students in the system.

Not long after school opened in Opp this year, OES fourth grade teacher Lisa Holloway solved the challenge of wiggly children by replacing the chairs in her classroom with yoga balls.

“Using yoga balls as opposed to chairs is supposed to keep them focused because of the small movements,” she said.

Within weeks, she said, she noticed an improvement in test scores.

In October, members of Andalusia’s Public Educational Building Authority publicly unveiled their plans for proposed renovations to the AHS auditorium, softball field, and Andalusia Municipal Stadium.

Habitat for Humanity began work on its seventh house in October, which will become the home of Stacey Mulkey some time in 2017.

“I can’t describe how it feels,” said Mulkey, who has endeared herself to Habitat volunteers by working hard not just on her home, but putting sweat equity into other homes while waiting her turn. “I can’t put it into words. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe this is happening to me.”

Voters in Opp spoke for change, and made history in the process Tuesday. Electors chose a whole new council, and elected the city’s first female mayor in Becke Bracke.

I’ve always wanted to run for office,” she said. “I’ve never thought of the mayor’s office as a man or woman thing, but I’m very glad to make history.”

The energy in the community was electric in late October and into November as the community rallied around the Andalusia High School Bulldog football team.

The Bulldogs made it to the semi-finals before suffering a heart-breaking loss to the eventual state champions during Thanksgiving week. The game drew a record crowd to municipal stadium.

A series of community pep rallies showed just how much spirit the community has, drawing hundreds of area residents out even on Thanksgiving night. That excitement won’t soon be forgotten.

In December, the Andalusia Board of Education contracted with an architect to draw final plans for the auditorium project, which could begin in the early summer, and is expected to cost $3.5 million.

Literally thousands of children brought their parents and grandparents to Andalusia in December to visit Candyland, which generated positive publicity across the state.
The holiday edition of Absolutely Alabama was broadcast from Candyland, and the most Southern of all publications, Southern Living, featured the venue.

Andalusia’s signature event added new elements in 2016, and became more of a regional attraction.