Where pride, tradition and unity go hand-­in-­handServing Lillian and surrounding area since 1995

Volume 24 Number 7 July 1, 2019 Lillian, AL 36549

Board meeting of the Lillian Action Committee will be held at theLillian Perdido Bay Library at 2 p.m. on July 15, 2019. The public is invited.

Classifieds - Page 23 Community Calendar - Page 10 Obituaries - Page 21

Featuring the latest fashions, thewomen of the Optimist Club of PerdidoBay will again host their annualLuncheon and Fashion Show.

Slated forSaturday, July 27,the event will beheld at the LillianCommunity Clubwith women'sclothing providedby Cato's in Foley.Men's outfits will be provided by PoloRalph Lauren in the Tanger OutletMall.

At $12 each, tickets may bepurchased fromOptimistClubmembersor by contacting Liz Whitehurst at251-609-0995 or Sally McKinney at251-961-2620.

In addition to the current fashions,there will be prizes and homemadedishes from club members and theirfriends.

Doors will open at noon with theluncheon to begin at 12:30 p.m.

Some tickets will be available at thedoor, but it is recommended they bepurchased in advance to ensure

availability.Proceeds from the event help to

provide a variety of programs andspecial events for local children,including scholarships, essay andoratorical contests, and Christmas andEaster parties for children.

Carolyn Armstrong was a 2018 modelwhen the Optimist Club of PerdidoBay hosted the annual Luncheon/Fashion Show. This year's event willbe held Saturday, July 27, in theLillian Community Club.

Stepping Out In Style For AnnualOptimist Fashion Show, Luncheon

American Legion Post 48 of Lillianheld a flag burning ceremony on FlagDay, June 14. Sergeant at Arms DaveYoungs followed disposal procedures,burning approximately 50 flags thathad been turned in. Additionalinformation and photo on Page 24.

Photo by Janel Smith

Lillian Community Club will be hosting the77th Annual July 4 Celebration and area residentsare welcome to attend.

Festivities will get underway Thursday, July 4,with a flag raising at 10:45 a.m. by the AmericanLegion Post 48 of Lillian.

Col. George's famous fried chicken will beavailable from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at $10 a platewith children ages 6 and under eating free.

As always, a silent auction will be held as wellas a raffle for a wagon full of treasures. Raffle

tickets are currently on sale in the LCC lounge. A50/50 drawing will also be held. The silent auctionwill conclude at 2 p.m.

Also at 2 p.m., a presentation of scholarshipswill begin.

Music will be provided by Big Jake in the LCChall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fireworks were held June 29.LCC is located at 34148 Widell Avenue.

Contact the LCC office at 251-962-3366 with anyquestions about the July 4 events.

77th Annual July 4 Celebration Set at LCC

American LegionPost 48 ConductsBurning Ceremonyon Flag Day

Page 2 July 1, 2019The Lillian

How To Find Uswww.lilliancommunityclub.com/the-lillian-newspaper

Here's an easier way to get there:Go to www.lilliancommunityclub.com, click on The Lillian

newspaper link at the top of the page.

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10th Annual Bunco Bash Planned

Area residents are invited to the 10th Annual Bunco Bash fundraiser for the Making StridesAgainst Breast Cancer walk for the American Cancer Society. "Rolling for a Cure" will beheld from10a.m. to3p.m.Saturday,Aug. 3, at theLillianCommunityClub.Early registrationis $30 through July 27. Registration will be $35 after July 27 and at the door. Lunch will beprovided. Additional details may be found at www.annualbuncobash.com. or by contactingKayKay at 251-978-4442 or kekay926@gmail.com. LCC is located at 34148Widell Avenue inLillian.

Archbishop ofMobile Thomas J. Rodi willinstall Fr. James Singarayar, HGN as pastor ofSt. Joseph Catholic Church in Lillian at the10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, July 7.

Parishioners will welcome the new pastorat a potluck luncheon and reception inImmaculate Mary Hall after the Mass.

St. Joseph Catholic Church Welcoming New Pastor

The July program schedule of theOptimistClub of Perdido Bay presentsa variety of subjects.

The July 6 meeting willfeature State Representativeand Optimist SteveMcMillian who will give a“Wrap Up of the LegislativeSession in Montgomery.”

On July 13 Marine Biologist JasonHerrman, Biologist II, Marine Resources

Division of the Department of Conservationand Natural Resources, will speak on “OysterManagement.”

David Rainer, Alabama Outdoor Weeklycolumnist, Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, will give an overview onJuly 20 of the “Alligator Hunting Season”which begins in August.

Optimist President will speak on July 27regarding the Optimist Club of Perdido BayFoundation.

Optimists Announce June Speaker Schedule

Please bookmark this page!

A crew from American Tennis Court have been resurfacing the basketball and pickleballcourts at Lillian Recreational Park. The courts should be ready for play as of press time.

Order on the Courts

July 1, 2019 Page 3The Lillian• Editor's note: as we observe

Alabama's 200th year in 2019, weare sharing a list of historical booksand authors from the officialbicentennial website atalabama200.org.

The authors may also beavailable to speak for civic groups.Visit the site if you need details aboutsecuring a speaker for yourorganization.

The Read Alabama 200Speakers Bureau

Dr. Richard Bailey, author of:• Neither Carpetbaggers nor

Scalawags: Black Officeholdersduring the Reconstruction ofAlabama, 1867-1878 (2010)

• They Too Call AlabamaHome: African American Profiles,1800-1999 (1999)

Emily Blejwas, author of:• The Story of Alabama in

Fourteen Foods (available July2019)

Dr. Ed Bridges, author of:• Alabama: The Making of an

American State (2016)John Dersham, author of:• My Alabama: John Dersham

Photographs a State (2019)• Fort Payne (2016)Dr. Bill Deutsch, author of:• Alabama Rivers, A

Celebration And Challenge (2018)Charles Ghigna, author of:• Alabama: My Home Sweet

Home! (2018)Dr. Guy Hubbs, author of:• Tuscaloosa: 200 Years in the

Making (2019)• Searching for Freedom after

the Civil War: Klansman,Carpetbagger, Scalawag, andFreedman (2015)

• Guarding Greensboro: AConfederateCompany in theMakingof a Southern Community (2003)

Irene Latham, author of:• Meet Miss Fancy (2019)• Don’t Feed the Boy (2014)• Leaving Gee’s Bend (2010)Jim Lewis, author of:• Alabama Founders: Fourteen

Political and Military Leaders whoShaped the State (2018)

• Lost Capitals of Alabama(2014)

• Clearing the Thickets: AHistory of Antebellum Alabama(2013)

Dr. James Pate, author of:• The Annotated Pickett's

History of Alabama (2018)Dr. Chris Rein, author of:• Alabamians in Blue:

Freedmen, Unionists, and the CivilWar in the Cotton State (2019)

Alvin Rosenbaum, author of:• The Muscle Shoals: First

Frontier of These United States(2018)

John Sledge, author of:• These RuggedDays: Alabama

in the Civil War (2017)• The Mobile River (2015)Jeanie Thompson, author of:• The Myth of Water: Poems

from the Life of Helen Keller (2016)Dr.KarynW.Tunks, author of:• Mardi Gras in

Alabama! (2019)• Hooray for the Mighty A!

(2015)• JUBILEE! (2012)Lila Quintero Weaver, author

of:• Darkroom:AMemoir inBlack

and White (2012) or Cuarto oscuro:Recuerdos en blanco y negro (2018)

Read Alabama Suggests Historical Books

All good things must come to anend, even Windows 7. After Jan. 14,2020, Microsoft will no longerprovide security updates or supportfor PCs runningWindows 7. But youcan keep the good times rolling bymoving to Windows 10.

Yes, you can upgradecompatibleWindows 7 PCs based onWindows 10 requirementswith a fulllicense. To take advantage of thelatest hardware capabilities, movingto a new PC with Windows 10 isrecommended.

You can continue to useWindows 7, but once support endsyour PC will become morevulnerable to security risks.Windows will operate, but you willstop receiving security and featureupdates. Windows 7 can still beinstalled and activated after supporthas ended.

Support for Internet Explorer onWindows 7 devices will bediscontinued on Jan. 14, 2020. As acomponent of Windows operatingsystem, Internet Explorer follows thesame support lifecycle.

Microsoft 365 Business comes

with a free upgrade for users with aWindows 7, 8, or 8.1 Pro license ontheir device. By purchasingMicrosoft 365 Business, users canupgrade all of their oldWindows Prolicenseddevicesatnoadditional cost.

For users of Windows 7Professional and Windows 7Enterprise, you can purchaseextended security updates throughJanuary 2023.

If you are not certain if yourcomputer currently runningWindows 7 is compatible forWindows 10, contact your computertechnician or your computermanufacturer for the answer.

I hope to accomplish that youknow you are smarter than yourcomputer, that the computer is a tool,and you are the master of that tool.

Support for Windows 7 Coming to an End

TheMouseBy JosephOakley

Where pride, traditionand unity go hand-in-hand

P.O. Box 1088Lillian, Alabama 36549ADVERTISINGINFORMATIONThe Lillian newspaper is a

monthly paper. Advertisementsmay be dropped off at the LillianPerdidoBayLibrary, mailed to TheLillian, P.O. Box 1088, Lillian,Alabama 36549 or emaillillianeditor@yahoo.com.Advertisement inquiries can be

directed to Mark Smith at601-508-0219 (cell). 'Office hours'are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Available sizes for advertisementsare:~ Full page: 9.5" wide x 15" tall

~ Half page: 9.5" wide x 7.75" tall

~ 1/4 page: 4.75" wide x 7.75" tall

~ 1/8 page: 4.75" wide x 3.75" tall

~ #2: 4" wide x 6" tall

~ #3: 3" wide x 3.5" tall

~ Business card: 3.5" wide x 2" tall

~ Classified: maximum 35-40 words

The Lillian is not responsible forthe factual content of ads or articlessubmitted to us.LETTERS TO THE EDITORLetters are welcome but must be

signed and include contactinformation should staff have anyquestions. No letters will beaccepted regarding property ownerassociations' problems.

POLICYThank you for your articles and

letters to the editor, but due to spacelimitations, some submissions maynot be included in this issue. Theywill be included in a future issuewhen possible.The editorial board has the right

to deny any articles or ads notsuitable for this publication.

ARTICLE OR OBITUARYINFORMATION

We gladly accept news andinformation from the community.Please submit by:~ Mail to P.O. Box 1088, Lillian,Alabama 36549~ Fax: 251-961-3529~ Email: lillianeditor@yahoo.com~ Drop off at Lillian Perdido BayLibrary (in yellow folder)

DISCLAIMERThe content of articles and letters

to the editor do not necessarilyreflect the opinion of the editor , theboard of directors for The Lillian orthe Lillian Action Committee. Weare also not responsible for thebusiness practices of ouradvertisers.

DEADLINES ANDCONTACTS

The deadline for theAugust issueof The Lillian is July 17. Emaillillianeditor@yahoo.com forinformation on articles. Call MarkSmith at 601-508-0219 or emailmarksmith0824@yahoo.com foradvertising information.The Lillian Editorial BoardExecutive Editor: Sally McKinneyManaging Editor: Janel SmithEditing Board Members:Jocelyn McCoy, RosemaryBoccard, Richard McCoy, NancyScott, Gloria Cramp, Jackie ReidLillian Action CommitteeOfficersPresident: Sally McKinneyVice President: Rosemary BoccardSecretary: Gloria CrampTreasurer: Florence McLendonBoard members: Richard McCoy,Nancy Scott, Jackie Reid, JocelynMcCoy

Page 4 July 1, 2019The Lillian

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Submit your payment with this form toP.O. Box 1088, Lillian, AL 36549.

I was so happy when mydaughter told me her husband hadstopped smoking. He waswithdrawing by using e-cigarettes orvaping.Great, I thought.At least he’seasing away from the nicotine. Thensome time later I heard he was backon the regular cigarettes. I didn’t askwhy.

Believe me, I know aboutcigarettes. I wasn’t a heavy smoker,but for about 10 years, I smokedabout a pack a day. When theSurgeon General’s report oncigarette smoking being a danger tohealth came out in 1964, both myhusband and I quit. Well, I quitseveral times. I finally bit the bulletabout a year later and haven’t goneback, not that I didn’t want to, but Ifigured with my family cancerhistory, it was better to stay clean.

After listening to Mike Cookfrom theDrugEducationCouncil at arecent Optimist Club meeting, I’malmost gladmyson-in-lawwent backto smoking regular cigarettes. Well,not really, but it’s better than thevaping, I think. I still hope he quitssmoking, but that’s only one reasonwhy I’m concerned.

E-cigarettes are battery-operateddevices that people use to inhale anaerosol, which typically containsnicotine (though not always),flavorings and other chemicals. Theycan resemble traditional tobaccocigarettes (cig-a-likes), cigars, orpipes, or even everyday items likepens or USB memory sticks.

Cook says one vial of e-cigarettee-juice contains varying amounts ofnicotine, flavorings and otherchemicals and can contain twice theamount of nicotine as a regular pack

of cigarettes.According toCook, vaping is the

number one addiction in teenagers.And not just teens are vaping.Because e-cigarettes have not beenregulated, younger children areknown to be heavy users.

Students, yes, students inBaldwin County and probably inyour hometown, have been known tovape in the classrooms, as the devicesare small and the vapor, which doesnot smell like smoke, can be blowninto shirt sleeves or other items ofclothing. The nicotine and otherchemicals are sometimes poured intowater bottles and no one is the wiser.

One teacher told her Sundayschool student to turn in his computerzip drive because he seemed to bepreoccupied with it. The otherstudents laughed because, as theteacher found out, it was a vapingproduct.

Fortunately a law has just beensigned inMontgomery regulating thesales of vaping products andprohibiting sales to anyone under 19.

The new law will put vapingproducts, like tobacco products,under regulations by the AlcoholicBeverage Control Board. Besidesprohibiting sales to minors, the newlaw will place new restrictions onadvertising and selling vapingproducts close to schools.

The cigarette companies lied tous when they told us cigarettes werenot dangerous to our health. NowCook, and I, are afraid the e-productmanufacturers are doing the samething. Please don’t fall for theirgobbledy gook.

Just aThoughtor TwoBy SallyMcKinney

Vaping No LessDangerousThan Smoking

Impact 100Baldwin Countywillbe awarding five grants of $101,000each in November.

With the 2019membership driveexceeding its goal, the group nowhasover 500members and100percent of

membership dues are applied to thegrants.

Impact 100 Baldwin County isan organization of womencommitted to making a significant,lasting difference in the lives of

Baldwin County citizens. Theorganization awards large grants tolocal non-profits, thereby providingthem the financial resources toaccomplish extraordinary things.

The non-profits apply for theirgrants in the following five areas: artsand culture; education;environment,preservation and recreation; family;and health and wellness. Membersvolunteer to serve on committees toevaluate the grants and selectfinalists, and the entire membershipvotes to determine the winners.

Impact 100Baldwin Countywasestablished in 2008. That year, 82members joined and Impact 100awarded a single grant of $82,000.Since its inception, the total awardedin Baldwin County is over $3millionacross 32 grants.

Impact 100 Awarding Over$500,000 in Grants in 2019

There is a community calendar available to help you plan withoutcompeting with another event. Check with Sandy

at the Lillian Community Club.251-962-3366 from 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday

July 1, 2019 Page 5The Lillian

LILLIAN FELLOWSHIPA Reformed Congregation

Together for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

11737 COUNTY ROAD 99www.lillianfellowship.orgSunday Worship 10 a.m.

Rev. Dean Conkel

• Editor's note: as Alabamacelebrates its 200th year of statehoodin 2019, we are sharing someinformation published on theBaldwin County web site atbaldwincountyal.gov

The occupation of BaldwinCounty's rich delta can be traced backapproximately 10,000 years. Pre-Mississippian Native Americancultures often referred to as “mound-builders” flourished in the area. Tothis day, a variety of burial,ceremonial and residential moundsalong with an occasional artifact canbe found along Baldwin County'smany waterways.

The Spanish arrived in the area in1519 when Alonzo Alvarez DePineda sailed into Mobile Bay andnamed it Espiritu Santo. In 1540Hernando Desoto traveled through aportion ofB a l d w i nCounty. Thetown ofSpanish Fortis known tohave been theindefinite sitefor Spanishoccupation. Intime, theFrench andEnglish would occupy BaldwinCounty, offering a variety ofcontributions to its rich history andheritage.

Baldwin County is alsodistinguished as being a place wheremany battles were fought. AndrewJackson, who later became theseventh President of the UnitedStates, and his volunteers foughtNativeAmericans inAlabamaduringone of the fiercest attacks occurringin Baldwin County in August 1813 atFort Mims (located in northernBaldwin County). Jackson crossedBaldwin County to affect thesurrender of the Spanishcommandant at Pensacola inNorthwest Florida.

During the War of 1812, at FortBowyer (now called Fort Morgan),the British attacked the fort prior tothe ill-fated Battle of New Orleans.This attack was repulsed with anumber of British casualties and theloss of the HMS Hermes.

The fort was attacked again aftertheBritishdefeat atNewOrleans, andwas lost to the British on Feb. 12,1815, but after the Treaty of Ghentwas signed, theBritishwere forced torelinquish it.

Four years later the 14th Britishcolony, Alabama, at last joined theoriginal 13 American colonies whichfought theAmericanRevolution, andBaldwin County became part of theUnited States of America byinclusion in an American Territory.

During the Civil War(1861-1865), Fort Morgan was againthe site of a fierce battle in August1864 when Federal Union AdmiralFarragut entered Baldwin / MobileBay to seal off Confederate shippingfrom Baldwin /Mobile harbor.

TheTecumseh, a FederalIronclad, struck a mine and sankduring the fighting in a narrow inletwhere it still lies with its entombedcrew near Fort Morgan. In the finaldays of the Civil War, BaldwinCounty would see its portion of landengagements as Union GeneralCanbyattempted tobreak through theformidable Mobile defenses.

Numerous skirmishes occurredin the northern portion of the county.The Spanish Fort region went undersiege, with Fort McDermottreceiving approximately 48 hours ofconstant bombardment. On April 9,1865, Union forces mounted a finalassault on an area known as FortBlakely. This abandoned villageturned earthwork fortress would seeheavy fighting in the final hoursof theconflict. It is estimated that a total of

4,475 soldierswere killed orwounded inthis finalengagement.

Ba ldwinCounty wasnot only aplace wherebattles werefought, but aplace where

futureswere built along the tenants ofdiversity and a neighborly helpinghand. France, Greece, Germany,Yugoslavia, Russia, Sweden,Czechoslovakia, Africa and dozensof other countries have contributed tothe richness of Baldwin County'shistory.

This melting pot of people builtBaldwin County's agricultural,commercial, manufacturing, tourismand fishing industries to makeBaldwin County prosper andpersevere during times of severechallenges and economic depression.

Baldwin County remains one ofthe fastest growing counties inAlabama. In 1990, 98,290 citizensresided in delineated BaldwinCounty, in 2000 the county'spopulation was 140,415, and the2010 Census counted 182,265citizens.

Baldwin County's rich historyand diverse cultures have created aplace welcome to all, for its strengthis not only found among the plethoraof abundant natural resources,healthy economy or beautifulbeaches, but with the people whohave carved out a place to live,prosper and continuously grow.

Baldwin County has the uniquedistinction of being one of the largestcounties east of theMississippi Riverand is 10 years older than the State ofAlabama.

First organized as a county in1809, Baldwin County found itselfsituated within the confines of theMississippi Treaty until Dec. 10,1817, when the State of Mississippientered the United States of Americaas the 20th state in the Federal Union.

Thereafter, Baldwin County was• See Baldwin, continued on Page 8

A History of Baldwin County

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Page 6 July 1, 2019The Lillian

A little over a year ago, theLillian Community Club voted tokeep the lounge a smokingfacility. The event side of the clubwill always remain a smoke-freefacility with its own HVAC system.

The goal was to make air qualityin the lounge as good as possible fora facility that is not smoke-free. Theboard and members realized forpeople who only will attend smoke-free facilities, this may not be goodenough. Those a little more tolerantare invited to stop in and see thesignificant improvement made.

After consulting with a numberof HVAC contractors and membersfamiliar with HVAC, a specificationwas prepared and sent to variouscontractors.

The details included replacingthe 5-ton units with 10-ton units withmakeup air, all new insulatedductwork with grills to improve airflow and distribution, 13 additionalsmoke eaters, ozone machines andnew digital thermostats that changefrom heating to coolingautomatically.

Larry TronuHVACwas selectedto do the installation and his crewworked hard to minimize disruptionsto the lounge operation.

Since the work was completed, anumber ofmemberswhohad stoppedattending because of the smoke havereturned and found the air quality tohave improved enough to again enjoythe lounge.

More improvements are inprogress including additionalcomfort (handicap) height toilets andhandicap rails.

LCC is organized for the purposeof developing and maintaining aspirit of civil and social interest in thegreater Lillian area, providing for itsenrichment through emphasis onwholesome recreational activitiesand facilities that support the Lilliancommunity.

We encourage you to come to theLillian Community Club’s 77thannual July 4 celebration and checkout the improvements that have beenmade.

David BergslandLCC President

Lillian Community Club Improvements

The 100% volunteer staff at theEpiscopal Church of the AdventThrift shop wishes to express itsgratitude to the community of Lillianfor their generous support. Manycustomers know us as the “littleyellow house" on Highway 98, ourhome for the last 10 years, thoughwehave been in operation nearly 20years in Lillian.

Our team is comprised mostly ofchurch members but we are blessedwith non- member volunteers andwelcome inquiries to volunteer fromeveryone, with emphasis oncommitment and stamina for sortingand stocking items.

We appreciate the gently usedclothing, the unique items andworking, unbroken household anddecorative items.

Unfortunately, there is no space

at the shop to store or displaydonationsof largeorheavy items. It isalso unfortunate that items left at ourdonation drop off after hoursmay notmake it inside but are instead pilferedby others.

Useable items that we sort butcan’t use are recycled to othercharitable sources by cooperativearrangements with other people ororganizations.

With vouchers from any localchurch or agency,wegive awaybasicitems to those in need. Our nextgiveaway in July will be gently usedschool uniforms that have beencollected over the past year.

Thank you, kind donors andshoppers, as we work to hopefullymake God’s kingdom a better, easierplace to live.

Rachael Johnston

Church Thrift Store Grateful for Donations

Artworks Studio and Gallery atVillagio on Perdido Key will beholding a 12th birthday celebrationon Saturday, July 6, from 2 to 8 p.m.

Artworks Studio and Galleryopened after the devastation ofHurricane Ivan, which washed away“Talis’ by the Sea” Art and Gifts.Talis Jayme teamed up with BrucieGlassell in Perdido Key, and withtheir talents and creativity, Jaymewas able to open Artworks StudioandGallery inVillagioTownCentre,Perdido Key.

What started as an impromptu

artist’s co-op has grown into asignificant source for local artworkincluding paintings, jewelry, pottery,glasswork and more.

The gallery currently includessixteen local artists.

Gallery functions include Artistof the Month, book signings, annualHungry Hearts to raise food for thelocal school children andmuchmore.

Refreshments and live musicwill be provided at the celebration.

The studio is located at 13700Perdido Key Drive in Pensacola.

Gallery Noting 12th Year With Celebration

The Lillian policy for letters to the editor:~All lettersmust be signed andhave correct contact information shouldwehaveany questions.~ No letters will be accepted regarding property owner associations' problems.We encourage letters on a variety of topics and ask that writers not continuallyaddress the same issues.~ Please make sure what is submitted is legible or it may not be printed.

r

July 1, 2019 Page 7The Lillian

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THEHAIR PLACETwelve score and three “yearsago our fathers brought forth on thiscontinent, a new nation, conceived inliberty, and dedicated to theproposition that all men are createdequal.” Do you remember from yourschool days that a score isapproximately 20years?And that theDeclaration of Independence wassigned in 1776?

And do you know what kind oftea the American colonists wanted?

Liber-TEA.All kidding aside, let us celebrate

those most joyous of “F” words:food, family, freedom and fireworks.One beetle in particular seems to becelebrating all the time, Calosomascrutator, the fiery searcher beetle.

This beetle has beendocumentedthroughout the continental UnitedStates but is most abundant in theEastern states. This species has alsobeen found in some parts of Canada,Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela.This is one of North America’slargest ground beetles at 25-35 mm,or just about an inch long for those ofus not using the metric system.

This fiery searcher is anespecially beautiful beetle with itsstriking bright, metallic colors. Itlooks like a crawling firework. Itsabdomen is a vivid green with anoverlay of shining gold and blue.There is a reddish line around theoutside edge of the lime abdomen.The pronotum, the prominent plate-like structure that covers the thorax,is short and broad with bright blue-violet coloring, and is usuallybordered in red, gold and green. Thehead and legs are mostly inky blackwith brown or reddish-brownmouthparts and antennae.

The mandibleson this beetle aremade for someh e a v y - d u t yworkouts. In themales, they arecurved withpointed tips. In thefemales, themiddle tibiae are straight.

Both sexes have mouthparts thatare separated into grasping andcrushing areas. The complex jawsalso contain a large pointed structureat thebackoneachside,which isusedfor food manipulation. Like mostground beetles, the compound eyesare well developed, but simple eyes,called ocelli, are absent.

As much as you may want totouch it because of its enticingappearance, these insects should beapproached with caution. This beetleis well equipped to give a nasty bite.

If that wasn’t bad enough on itsown, this beetle comes equippedwithscent bladders that can defensively

release a fluid. The fluid containscompounds similar to methacrylicacid, and can leave a lingering,unpleasant odor upon contact. Thesmell has been described like rottenmilk or rancid olive oil.

The fiery searcher is foundprimarily in fields and gardens. Itmay also frequent deciduous forests,usually spending the day hidingunder logs, rocks or in crevices. Thefiery searcher is carnivorous,meaning it eats other insects. It isconsidered beneficial in controllingpopulations of destructive pests suchas gypsy moths and tent caterpillars.Their large size, defensive chemicalsand specialized mandibles makethese beetles top invertebratepredators in forest ecosystems.

Both the adults and larvae of thefiery searcher beetle primarily eatcaterpillars andwill climb shrubs andtrees in searchof prey.Theyeatmanytypes of caterpillars that woulddestroy melons, tomatoes, squashand other common backyardvegetables. An individual larva willconsume approximately 50caterpillars during its developmentalperiod. A single adult consumeshundreds of caterpillars during itslifetime.

The females lay eggs straightinto the ground. The eggs are tiny,

oblong and white.They will hatch, ifthey are lucky, in3-15 days. Whatemerges from theegg is somethingstraight out of anightmare. It looksa bit like an earwig

on steroids, but with extramouthparts.

They will go through threedifferent forms of larvae, eachcreepier than the last. After about amonth, it will pupate for 10-15 daysbefore it emerges as an adult. The lifecycle is usually one year, but adultscan be long-lived, and have beenreported to live for up to three years.

Adult fiery searcher beetles areattracted to lights, so keep your porchlights off if you are not using them.

Wehope this July4 findsyouandyours well.

Do you know why there's noknock-knock joke about America?

Because freedom rings!

Beware the Fiery SearcherKnowYourCrittersBy CelesteHadley-Champion

Page 8 July 1, 2019The Lillian

LILLIAN RECREATIONAL PARKPARK PARTNERS DONATION FORM

Yes, I'm ready to have some fun and want tobecome a Park Partner!

I'd like to learn how I can become involved with the park. Please contact me.

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of $__________

Name ___________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ____________________________________________

Email _____________________ Phone ____________________Mail to Lillian Recreational Park, P.O. Box 865, Lillian, AL 36549. You may also use your PayPalaccount. Visit our Facebook page to learn more about upcoming events and activities.

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C B & CO.Chris Burkhardt and Company

Music lovers, rejoice! TheLillian Recreational Park hasreceived a $3,000 PlacemakingGrant from the National Associationof Realtors to build a combinationbandshell/gazebo at the park.

Once it is built, the park will beable to host regular outdoor concertsfeaturing area musicians, as well asprovide a unique gathering space forcommunity and private events.

The grant was awarded throughthe National Association of RealtorsPlacemaking Grant program,designed to create new public spacesand destinations in a community.

“We are thrilled to have receivedthis grant,” said Janet Lewis, LRPboard president. “The bandshell willgiveus anopportunity tohold regularconcerts and events in the park anddraw people from all over the area. Itwill also provide the park with aunique,multi-use spacewecanmakeavailable for events like weddings,birthday parties and familyreunions.”

Doug Abercrombie, a realtorwith Coldwell Banker CoastalRealty, and Jennifer Foutch,government affairs director ofBaldwinRealtors, were instrumentalin applying for the grant on behalf ofthe park. In announcing the award,Foutch said, “Baldwin Realtors isproud to partner with the LillianRecreational Park to revitalize the

property for the community to enjoyand help enrich the area through thisgrant.”

Local musician Cliff Collierregularly plays music at the park foritsMovies&Music in the Park seriesand he is excited to have anothervenue where local musicians will beable to showcase their talents.

“This will be a great project, notonly for the musicians, but for thepark itself. Utilizing thebeautyof thepark, this stage area will be a greatplace for many events, as well as aplace for meeting old friends andwelcoming new friends to ourcommunity.”

From a musician’s perspective,he noted, “The elevated stage willmake it easier for us to better relate topeople in the back row, and having acovered stage will be great becausewe will get better sound and won’thave to worry about our equipmentgetting wet if it starts to rain.”

The bandshell/gazebo project isexpected to cost approximately$15,000, so the park will belaunching a community fundraisingcampaign for the balance of thefunds. The park has a year tocomplete the project, but hopes thatthe bandshell/gazebo will becompleted much sooner than that.

Contributions can be sent toLillian Recreational Park, PostOffice Box 865, Lillian 36549.

LRP Earns Grant for Bandshell

• Baldwin, continued from Page 5absorbed into the Alabama Territoryuntil Dec. 14, 1819, when the State ofAlabama entered theUnited States ofAmerica as the 22nd state in theFederal Union.

Ironically,BaldwinCounty takesits name from a native of Guilford,Conn., who had never been to thecounty, much less the state ofAlabama.

Somewhat of a prodigy,Abraham Baldwin graduated fromYale University after studying boththeology and law at the age of 17. In1784, after serving as an educator andchaplain in theAmericanRevolution,Baldwin moved to Georgia topractice law, where later that sameyear, he was elected to the Georgiastate legislature.

Considered one of Georgia'searliest progressive leaders, Baldwinis credited with assisting in theauthorship of the Georgia State

Charter and with the concept of acomplete state educational systemwhich directly led to the founding oftheUniversity ofGeorgia - the first ofthe state universities. Baldwin servedas the university's first president.

During the 20 years Baldwinspent in Georgia before his death, hehad signed the United StatesConstitution at the ConstitutionalConventionwhich formed theUnitedStates of America and served in theUnited States House ofRepresentatives and the UnitedStates Senate during the Presidentialadministrations of GeorgeWashington, John Adams andThomas Jefferson.

When Alabama was stillconsidered the Alabama Territory,before statehood on Dec. 14, 1819,many of the county's settlers, whomigrated from Georgia, suggestedthe county be named after Baldwin tohonor his life and accomplishments.