Busy weekend in October promoted unity throughout Dallas County

Published 1:04 pm Tuesday, October 9, 2018

I had Oct. 6 circled on my calendar for weeks.

It was my turn in The Selma Times-Journal’s newsroom rotation to work the weekend. Right off the bat, I knew I’d be busy. From where I sit, it was probably one of the busiest weekends in the Black Belt region.

My tripleheader began in the morning with the ninth annual Runners in Integrity Worldwide’s Run for Kenya in downtown Selma. The event raised almost $100,000 and featured 325 runners from all over the region in either the 5K, 10K and 1-mile event

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I’ve covered marathons that are qualifiers for the Boston Marathon, but nothing like this race. It had the feel of a charity event, something that united the community.

In the afternoon, I covered was Dallas County’s 200th anniversary at the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park in Orrville.

I applaud Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Smedley for doing an outstanding job with the event. Smedley worked endlessly to make it a success and promoted the bicentennial throughout the year.

In the process, I enjoyed learning how Dallas County was formed. I had no idea Dallas County is one of the state’s oldest communities.

I closed the day with the Miss Central Alabama Pageant at the Lions Club, also the site of the Central Alabama Fair. We all know Aris Stevens was crowned the 2018 Miss Central Alabama months before she graduates from Morgan Academy and attends the University of South Alabama.

It’s been years since I covered a pageant. I broke into the journalism business covering the 1992 Miss Teen USA Pageant for The Sun Herald.

I attended the benefit for Selma Police Department (SPD) officer Micah Hale on Sunday at the Valle Grande Mexican Grill. Hale was wounded but survived the ambush-style shooting on Sept. 23. He is on leave and currently at home recovering

What made the event initiated by Dallas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ronnie unique was the arrival of 200 bikers from across the state. They made the trek across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and stopped by to make their donation.

The lesson I learned over the weekend was all of these events had a feel-good demeanor. Something the city desperately needs.