Monday’s, April 24, Atmore City Council meeting was a time of recognition for a local agency and an individual.
Atmore Area YMCA CEO Paul Chason addressed the council to talk about Healthy Kids Day this Saturday. About 200 kids will be playing soccer that day. Chason said the event drew about 135 kids last year, and he expects more this year.
Mayor Jim Staff read a proclamation designating Saturday, April 29, as Healthy Kids Day in Atmore. (The text of the proclamation is printed near the end of this article.)
Nancy Karrick was asked to attend the council meeting under false pretenses, since the recognition for her was to be a surprise. Mayor Staff read a proclamation noting Karrick’s service as state president in Delta Kappa Gamma. Several of Nancy’s Delta Kappa Gamma sisters and friends from Brooks Memorial Church were on hand for the presentation. (The text of the proclamation is printed near the end of this article.)
Escambia County High School Principal Dennis Fuqua thanked the mayor and council for allowing the school the use of Tom Byrne Park for a barbecue fund-raising event last Saturday, April 22.
In other business, the council approved the demolition of an abandoned house at 0 Hollis Street. City Building Inspector Chris Black asked the council to declare the structure a public nuisance and order its removal, which the council did.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day Proclamation
WHEREAS, the YMCA is committed to the cause of strengthening community, serving three crucial areas of focus to help individuals, families, and community to learn, grow, and thrive; and,
WHEREAS, since its origin the YMCA has continuously served adults and children in sports education, fitness, and good health practices; and,
WHEREAS, the Atmore Area YMCA is committed to responding to our community’s most critical needs, one of which is addressing the problem of obesity which has increased more than fourfold among children ages 6 to 11; and,
WHEREAS, more than 23 million children and teenagers in the United States are obese or overweight, which not only puts nearly one third of Alabamians’ children at early risk for Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, but is a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Jim Staff, Mayor of the City of Atmore, County of Escambia, State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the Municipal laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim Saturday, April 29, 2017, as HEALTHY KIDS DAY in the City of Atmore, Alabama, and encourage its citizens to participate in Healthy Kids Day activities at the Atmore Area YMCA from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Nancy Karrick recognition
WHEREAS, Charles and Velma Bosenberg were noted educators in this area. It’s no surprise they raised their daughter Nancy with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to share her knowledge with others; and,
WHEREAS, Nancy graduated from Escambia County High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Auburn University; and,
WHEREAS, her husband, Charles Karrick, was a Military Intelligence Officer and his service took the couple around the world, further broadening Nancy’s horizons and knowledge; and,
WHEREAS, as a librarian in Escambia County public schools, she often shared her travel experiences with school children, until her retirement in 2012; and,
WHEREAS, since her retirement, Nancy has not been idle. She serves on numerous boards and committees, working to preserve Atmore’s heritage; writes for “atmore” magazine, documenting the area’s people, places and history, searching out the details to make her articles as complete and accurate as possible; and,
[In high school at ECHS, some of Nancy’s best friends were teachers. Mrs. Annie Ruth Whitten and Miss Mary Hodnette are two women who had a strong influence on her, and it was very likely Mrs. Whitten who encouraged Nancy to join Delta Kappa Gamma in 2004.]
WHEREAS, Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society for key women educators. The local chapter is Gamma Omega. Not only has Nancy been an active member, she served as president of the local chapter in 2012-2014 and 2014-2016; and,
WHEREAS, While her service on the local level is commendable, we would like to acknowledge and congratulate Nancy for serving as President of Beta State, the Alabama State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was elected to this office – by her peers – in 2015. Her tenure ends at the end of June; and,
WHEREAS, Nancy has represented Atmore and Gamma Omega all over Alabama, visiting chapters from one end of the state to the other. In doing this, she has not only represented women educators, she has been an Ambassador for the City of Atmore.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jim Staff, Mayor of the City of Atmore, County of Escambia, State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the Municipal laws of the State of Alabama, am privileged to recognize Nancy Karrick this day.