By Atmore News Staff
D.C. trip
Claire Fletcher, daughter of Atmore resident Don Fletcher, and several other 7th-grade students from Barton Academy, recently enjoyed a five-day Spring Break trip that went a little beyond the ordinary. Claire and friends flew to the nation’s capital, where they visited or viewed numerous sites, including the Washington Monument, Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution, and made a circuit around the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. The group also bused to Philadelphia, where they toured the city’s historic district, including Independence Hall. Despite all the history, Claire — a fan of the stage production Hamilton — said one of her favorite parts of the trip was posing with a statue of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
J.U. jumper
Emily Rolin, daughter of Alex and Sissy Rolin of McCullough and a 7th-grader at J.U. Blacksher School, continued to shine at the varsity level, earning her way into the upcoming weekend’s state Class 2A track meet in Cullman by finishing second in the triple jump competition qualifier. She set a new personal best (32-1:50) in the process. Emily’s teammates — Aniyah Tucker and Mckenzie Williams — finished first and third, respectively, in that same event. She and Mckenzie were also members of JUB’s fourth-place 4×400 relay team, which also included Sadie Spencer and Samantha Henry. Emily’s grandparents are Bubba and Cindy Tedder of McCullough and Esther and the late Norman Rolin of Poarch. She is the great-granddaughter of W.A. Boutwell of McCullough.
Closing in on 40
Local country singer-songwriter Ricky Crook and his wife, Sherry, recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary with their two favorite people — each other — by spending a weekend at an isolated cabin at an undisclosed location. Ricky, who said the secluded hideaway was a “a little slice of heaven,” added that such a trip is often the best therapy a person (or couple) can get.
19 and counting
Jess and Melena Nicholas of Monroeville recently marked the 19th year since taking their wedding vows on an Alabama beach. Melena admitted that “no marriage is perfect,” but said her marriage to Jess, who works with the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority as CEO of Centerfire Economic, is “amazing.” The couple has a son, Creighton, who is an elementary school student. Jess was formerly with Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance and helped broker several deals that brought businesses or industrial concerns to Atmore and the surrounding area.
Public practice
Attorney Ben Brown, who for the past 22 years has operated a law office on Ridgeley Street in Atmore, began a new career this week as an assistant public defender for those who are tried in Escambia County courts. He expressed thanks in a Facebook post to former staffers Savannah Brown Stoker and Jenifer Harrison who stayed with him through “the good, the bad and the ugly,” as well as to all the fellow attorneys who provided advice and the people who patronized the law office over the past two-plus decades. Attorney Gordon Godwin will reportedly set up shop in Ben’s former office.
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