Covering all of Baldwin County, AL every Friday. Holiday events on the coast The Baldwin Times PAGE 12 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Holiday arrives early at Swift School Baldwin Baldwin County Association of Realtors County works with national organization to supply every student with new shoes Public By ALLISON MARLOW classmates received a brand Schools [email protected] new pair of shoes last week, courtesy of the Baldwin Swift School first grader County Association of Real- holiday Jose sat cross-legged on the tors and the nationwide Shoes gym floor and stared at the That Fit program. new pair of shoes. He lifted Last week representatives concerts them from the crisp, new box from the two organizations and kissed them. visited 24 schools with stacks It’s beginning to sound “I love my new shoes, of brand new shoes, dispers- a lot like the holidays in they’re soft,” he said quietly. Baldwin County Schools. Jose and each of his 90 SEE SWIFT, PAGE 3 ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTO If holiday music is your jam, let these talented young musicians help make your holiday bright. Below is a list of concert dates for 50 years of helping people help themselves Baldwin County Schools that includes everything from traditional Madri- gal Christmas music to steel drums. For more information contact indi- vidual schools. Dec. 3 Daphne Middle School Band Concert » 6:30 p.m. » Trojan Hall, located on the Daphne High School campus A holiday photo booth will be open beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Elberta High School Christmas Band SUBMITTED PHOTO Concert » 6:30 p.m. By ALLISON MARLOW years. “When new people come been here this long and thriv- » Elberta High School Gym [email protected] Despite the official resolu- into the region and want to ing.” Pine Grove Elementary tion passed by Daphne city help people in our county The county-wide ministry School The last Sunday, of every leaders, those volunteers, will there is a conduit already began as a small council » 6 p.m. January, of every year, has most likely spend that day set up,” said Sally Deane, ex- formed by church members officially been set aside to working, like they do nearly ecutive director. “It’s a strong who were concerned about Foley High School Band honor the work by hundreds every day, of every year, to organization and it is nice the safety of migrant workers' Concert, jazz ensemble of volunteers at Ecumenical help those in need in Baldwin to know that there is a com- and trombone Ministries, Inc. over the last 50 County. munity organization that has SEE HELPING, PAGE 4 ensemble, Thomas Hospital Christmas & Carols » 5:30 – 7 p.m. County hosts Complete Count Committee kickoff for 2020 census » Thomas Hospital, Fairhope SEE CONCERTS, PAGE 3 By JOHN UNDERWOOD gathered for a Complete nity Engagement manager, kickoff meeting on Friday, [email protected] County Committee kickoff “it’s because EMA is the cen- Nov. 22 and will be working meeting on Friday at the ter of activity for a lot of what with city’s and communities BALDWIN FAST FACTS ROBERTSDALE — As we Baldwin County Emergency goes on in Baldwin County.” throughout Baldwin County head into 2020, residents in Management Agency’s Emer- Bloodworth Botop, along as Census Day — the day Cen- Baldwin County have a lot to gency Operations Center. with Tanner Jones, research sus cards go out throughout According to Prodisee Pan- consider, but one thing they “A lot of people may be analyst with the Baldwin the nation — nears on April 1. try officials, more than 1,500 may not have thought about wondering why we held the County Economic Develop- “We cannot stress enough Thanksgiving meals were that Baldwin County officials meeting here,” said Sherry- ment Commission, and Jean how important it is that distributed to needy fami- want to bring to the forefront Lea Bloodworth Botop. the E. Hogue, partnership special- everyone be counted,” said lies in Baldwin County this is the upcoming 2020 Census. County Commission’s Public ist with the Atlanta Regional month. Baldwin County officials Information officer/Commu- Census Center, conducted the SEE CENSUS, PAGE 7 Deaths Page 6 Gulf Sidney Smith Coast Buel Wayne Waldrop Media Frankie Kay Nordstrom Webb VOLUME 129 • ISSUE 29 1 SECTION • 28 PAGES 2 • The Baldwin Times • November 29, 2019 • Gulf Coast Media The Baldwin Times Grow a backyard wildflower meadow 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 Alabama Extension Service PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 A wildflower meadow [email protected] bursting with blooms may seem like a spring Allison Marlow Classified Advertising dream, but now is the Managing Editor Whisper Edwards time to plant if you want allisonm@gulfcoast whisper@gulfcoast one as part of your gar- wooden barrels and media.com media.com den. clay pots near seating Dani Carroll, an Ala- areas creates a pleas- Tony Whitehead Legal Advertising bama Extension home ing conversation spot. Sports Editor April M. Perry grounds agent, said • Native perennials and tony@gulfcoast legals@gulfcoast these colorful habitats reseeding annuals will media.com media.com are not only easy on the enhance gardens with eyes, but they also offer their prolific blooms a home for biodiversity. and few pest and dis- Parks Rogers “For the individuals ease problems. Publisher that may like less lawn • Wildflower perennials [email protected] mowing maintenance will brighten a flower tion from the soil. Ask wildflower seed and more wildlife watch- border with their “Several options can suppliers for seed mixes To subscribe, make an address change or vacation delivery ing, growing a backyard striking beauty. be used to rid the sur- that are specific to stop, you may call our office at (251) 943-2151, go online at meadow is the perfect • Easily maintained face of vegetation,” Car- your area. Xerces is a www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com and click on the “e-edition” link in deal,” Carroll said. wildflowers instantly roll said. “These include resource for seed sup- the black toolbar. Under “don’t have an id’ there is an option for According to Carroll, makes roadsides more manual removal, steril- plier information in the how to become a subscriber, or email amber@gulfcoastmedia. the wilderness of the welcoming. ization with clear plastic Southeast. com. backyard can preserve and even composting “Choose a mix with ©Gulf Coast Media 2019. No part of this newspaper may be the best local flowers Growing a Meadow on top of the soil. If the annuals, perennials and reproduced without the prior written consent of the group and encourage wildlife The best times to correct herbicide is se- grasses for different publisher or associate publisher. Opinions of editorial or visitors to come to your plant seeds if you want lected, it can also be a bloom times, shapes and general columnists or those reflected in submitted letters garden. to create a backyard good option.” more diversity,” Carroll do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this wildflower meadow is To prevent seeds from said. newspaper. Wildflower Meadow in the late fall. Full sun washing away, cover Mixing the seeds with The Baldwin Times (USPS 040-560) is published weekly, Benefits and well-drained soil them with a light straw. damp sand or a similar with its office located at 901 N. McKenzie St., in Foley, AL 36535. Carroll offered these are prime conditions source helps to evenly Periodicals postage paid at Foley, AL 36535. Subscription Purchasing Seeds rates: In-county annual, $40.00 plus local sales tax; six-month, benefits of growing a for optimal wildflower distribute the seeds over $24.00 plus local sales tax; senior citizen annual, $38.00 plus backyard meadow. growth. It is important Purchasing seed a large area. Raking this local sales tax; six-month, $22.50 plus local sales tax; and out- • Borders of wild flow- to plan accordingly to mixes containing a high area lightly can create of-county annual, $79.00, six-month, $40.00. ers near vegetable the specific wildflower percentage of wild- good seed to soil contact. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Baldwin Times, gardens are ideal for seed mix. flower species that are Temperatures below 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546. attracting pollinators Carroll said the native to that specific 60 degrees Fahrenheit such as butterflies, biggest challenge of area is best. in the fall are ideal for honeybees and hum- starting a wildflower “Pay attention to the sowing the seeds. This mingbirds. meadow is area prepa- area and conditions in allows perennials to • Planting colorful va- ration. It is crucial to which the seeds will become established for rieties of flowers in remove existing vegeta- grow,” she said. early spring bloom. Gulf Coast Media • November 29, 2019 • The Baldwin Times • 3 SWIFT children across the coun- with a new pair of shoes. kids that this is the first try. The organization As Swift’s students filed time their shoes were not CONTINUED FROM 1 relies entirely on dona- into the gym to be fit- hand-me-downs. This tions from individuals, ted with their new pair, builds confidence,” a ing 461 new pairs around businesses and founda- many of the shoes they Shoes that Fit represen- the county. Swift School, tions and receives no arrived in were dirty, tative said. where a majority of stu- government funding. ripped at the seams and Swift students were fit- dents receive reduced or In May the Baldwin worn away on the sole. ted for their shoes earlier free lunches, was show- County Association of “This is something in the month and last ered with new shoes for Realtors worked with many people don’t think week had help from doz- every student there.