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By Mark Rogers

The Lowndes Signal

Working weekends can sometimes be fun.

Take for example when your assignment is to cover events like Lowndes County’s Relay For Life.

Over the years, I’ve covered dozens of Relay For Life events in several states, yet for a newcomer, the people of Lowndes County made me feel at home.

As I waited beside the stage to find out what events were slated to take place and when, I had the chance to chat with Lowndes County Commission Chairman Carnell McAlpine. No, we didn’t talk about county business; instead we talked about the rain and food at the event.

Wherever I turned Friday night, someone was there to say hello or offer food. I stopped at the Legal Eagles tent, where the smell of hot dogs grilling was too much. As I greeted Sheriff Big John Williams and Chief Deputy Marc Green, Judge Adrian Johnson invited me in to join everyone for a bit to eat. As Johnson and a host of law enforcement, attorneys and judges cooked, it was evident that they had one thing in common: they wanted to have fun and raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

For the record, the deer sausage and hot dogs were delicious, as was the popcorn, baked beans and cookies.

After a bite to eat, I watched as various Relay participants tried to limbo under a banner at the starting line.  Fred Braxton, carrying a sign from the group The Faithful Few, kept making his laps and trying to limbo with his sign as did Quenita Mitchell, the American Cancer Society coordinator for the event.

As I left, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hayneville Police Depart-ment officers had the roadway protected — and covered in blue lights to slow traffic down to prevent an accident. Law enforcement at events such as Relay For Life and high school ballgames are much appreciated.

I returned to Hayneville on Sunday night for Hayneville Baptist Church’s annual Wild Game Supper. It was a treat to see many of the people that I’d gotten to talk to Friday night at Relay, and of course, enjoy some really unique food.

On Sunday night I had the chance to eat everything from fried pheasant to venison meatloaf. I also got to hear a humorous gospel lesson that left me inspired.

This coming weekend promises to be more of the same with several events including the Lowndes County Community Remembrance Coalition’s weekend of “Race Relations & Remembrance” Convention Friday and Saturday in Hayneville.

In the coming weeks, gradations will occur and all sorts of other activities for Lowndes County residents.