75 patriotic hydrants sponsored
Published 12:04 am Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Civic groups, businesses and individuals responded to a call issued by members of the Old Three Notch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to help them paint Andalusia the most patriotic town in the South, and 75 hydrants have been adopted in time for the group’s annual Fourth of July parade.
Brenda Gouge, who serves as the organization’s regent, said she stumbled upon the idea by accident.
“I saw a picture of some DAR ladies in Alabama. They were standing outside at the Kate Duncan school and there was a fire hydrant right in front of them. I thought, ‘too bad that fire hydrant’s not red white and blue.’ ”
The idea stuck with her, and she began to look online to see if anyone else had painted fire hydrants.
She approached Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson with the idea, and he agreed to give it a try. The city council approved a simple patriotic design which is being used throughout the city. Sponsors cover the $75 cost for painting.
Fellow DAR member Sue Bass Wilson assisted Gouge with the project.
Even though 75 have been adopted, the DAR is still seeking more sponsors. Checks will be written to the DAR, who will in turn pay the city to paint the hydrants. The donations may be done in honor or memory of someone, and that will be noted in published lists of sponsors. The current list is shown, below..
The freedom hydrant forms are available here, at The Bass Agency, or by calling Gouge at 334.222.0347.
Fire hydrant sponsors
- Lions Club of Andalusia
- John and Faye Vick
- Bill Patton
- Farmer’s Insurance – Bulger Agency
- Joseph Garland
- Stan & Brenda Gouge
- Jimmy Wilson & Sue Wilson
- Mary Kendrick Lewey
- Dr. Jon Raley
- Bass Agency – In memory of Charlie Bass
- Bass Agency
- Bass Agency
- Shirley House – in memory of John Leo House
- Veterinary Express of South Alabama
- Tripp & Regina Bass
- Dirk & Claire Price
- Civitan Club of Andalusia
- Comfort Care Hospice
- Soap Opera
- Mayor Earl Johnson
- Mayor Earl Johnson
- Jackson Honda
- Andalusia Health
- John F. Jones, Jr. Attorney at Law
- Vicky Barrow and family – In memory of Gary Barrow
- O’Neal Agency
- Covington Electric Coop
- Mike & Janet Beste
- John & Teresa Hunt
- Covington Heavy Duty Parts, Inc.
- Andalusia Ford
- Sharon G. Dye
- Davis & Associates, Inc.
- Walker Electric
- Jean & Mike Jones
- Charles Dixon
- Pirate Graphics/Tony Brown
- Cynthia & Reggy Powell
- Lucy P. Martin & Kevin Price – in memory of Fred Price
- W.R. & Elaine Reeves
- Heather Helms – in honor of Justin Helms
- Sharyn Smith State Farm
43 & 44. Carter Williams & Jean Masterson
- Carter Williams & Jean Masterson
- Richard & Kathy Jones – in memory of Merle Barrow Jones
- Matt McQuay – In honor of the 5th & 6th graders at AES
- Cenergy Oil & Gas LLC/Anthony King
- Cenergy Oil & Gas LLC/Anthony King
- Jim & Laura Carpenter – In honor of Mr. Eland Anthony, WWII veteran
- Dr. Jon & Teresa Ward
- Luncheon Pilot Club of Andalusia
- Caroline Avant McCall
- First Baptist Church
- Sherwin Williams
- Citizens Bank
- Tim Hudson & Wayne Hudson & grandchildren – In honor of Gerald Hudson and his 24 years of service with the Andalusia Fire Department
- Bill Spurlin
59 & 60. Heenan & Amy Spurlin – In honor of our grandchildren Belle Spurlin, Brynne Spurlin, Thomas Lee, Amelia Grace Lee, Peyton Garner and Emory Garner
- Sheila & Robert Williams – In honor of Granny, Johnny & Ronnie Thompkins
- Sheila & Robert Williams – In honor of residents and staff of Andalusia Manor
- Joey Thornton – In honor of Herbert Fain, a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War
- The Johnny Williamson Family
- BB&T Bank
66 & 67 Power South
- Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce
- The Francis McGowin Family
70, 71, 72, 73. Shela Padgett – In honor of her son, Col. Jimmy Mott
- Jimmie & Helen Wambles – in memory of Terry L. Wambles
- Mark & Emogene Colvin – in honor of Douglas J. Colvin