The Cedar Bluff Civitan Club was chartered last Tuesday (May 6), with 84 members listed on the official program. But after the program had been printed, eight more members joined what already was the state's largest club.
Fran Bright, past president of the Centre Civitans, was among the pushers in building the Cedar Bluff club, working with Cedar Bluff Mayor Bob Davis and Cedar Bluff town clerk Mary Shaner -- among others -- to get things rolling.
Most of those members were present at the charter meeting, held at the community center.
Presiding over ceremonies was Dr. Bob Walden, certified club builder, of the Gadsden Civitan Club.
Before giving the invocation, Club Chaplain Rev. Steven Baccus of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Club said, “It’s great to see all of you; it’s great to see the community come together like this.”
President-Elect Donald Sanders led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and club builder Ruth Walker led the group in reciting the Civitan Creed.
“This is a real pleasure,” Mayor Davis said in his welcome. “The enthusiasm I have; the smile on my face; the crowd we have here tonight. We have the lifeblood of Cedar Bluff here in this room. We must be doing something right.”
“We’re here tonight with the biggest club in all of Alabama,” Dr. Walden said. Centre and Gadsden are the mother clubs, and this is bigger than both of them put together.”
As the historic first president of the club, Myra Holt read several letters of congratulations. Included was a commendation from Gov. Bob Riley, a congratulatory letter from State Sen. Larry Means, one from Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, another from Eva Williamson, chairman of the board of Civitan International and several others.
Region 1 Director Barney Brown presided over the charter member initiation. He noted that 17 had been the most ever he had initiated at one time.
Dr. Bobbie Walden conducted the officer initiation, and the presentation of the charter was conducted by Ed Higdon, governor for Alabama District North. District governor-elect Ric Moore presented the club its banner.
“History is being made as we talk,” said Louis Stephens, vice president of growth for Civitan International as he gave the welcome to Civitan.
“I want us to hold on to that enthusiasm and excitement,” Holt said in her president’s remarks. “Let’s all grow by focusing on solutions, not problems.”
According to Bright, at the first signup just two weeks earlier, the club had 62 members.
Besides Holt, Sanders and Rev. Baccus, officers are Jessema Covington, secretary; Mary Shaner, treasurer; Rickey Steele, sergeant at arms, and Delmus Brewster, Tammy Crane, Charles Terrell, Margaret Wallace and Betty Washington, directors
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