Decatur Community Archery Park

New Decatur Parks & Recreation venue on target to open in May

The Decatur Community Archery Park currently under construction in Point Mallard Park, will be the eighth park of its kind in Alabama constructed over the last six years with four  currently in operation (Athens, Cullman, Dothan, Demopolis) and four (Ozark, Heflin, Lincoln, and Decatur) currently under construction.  The series of parks are being developed by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in partnership with Park and Recreation agencies, and the Archery Trade Association.  The parks are one component of a Community Archery Strategy in which the life skill of archery becomes as recognized as baseball, football, soccer and others as a mainstream activity. Other components of this strategy are programming archery in all levels and genre by park and recreation coordinators, as well as the development of partnerships with local clubs, schools, retailers, manufacturers, civic organizations and others who may benefit directly from the archery industry or the use of the park for participating in the life skill anyone can participate in. The park will be host to competitive tournaments and day use recreation.

Stuart Goldsby, Regional Hunter Education Coordinator for the Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries said, “The park will be open to the public as a day use activity for recreational shooting, preparation for fall hunting seasons or archery tournaments. A fee for use of the parks is free for those under 16 years of age or over 65 years of age not requiring a hunting license. Those who do not hunt and do not purchase a hunting license between those ages may purchase an annual Wildlife Heritage License for $10. Nonresidents must purchase an annual Alabama Wildlife Management Area License.”  He also added, “All school and park and recreation archery activities will enjoy free use of the park. Goldsby predicted a realistic opening date for this park will probably be sometime in May.

Decatur Parks & Recreation recently began a new beginner and intermediate Archery instructional program currently held inside the  TC Almon Recreation Center, also at Point Mallard.  All equipment is provided as they learn the basic skills of archery such as; range set up and rules, eye dominance, anatomy of equipment (recurve, compound and crossbow), alignment and body position, aiming and scoring. Games are incorporated in each class to help achieve accuracy and consistency.

Cost for Decatur Parks & Recreation Archery Classes: $45 for 6 classes and are held Monday evenings.  Participants must be a minimum of 8 years old through to adult and be able to handle the bows responsibly.

With the world premier of the movie “The Hunger Games” and the dominance of archery within the storyline, no doubt enthusiasm to learn more about the Olympic sport will spread quickly. 

Contact Information / photos / site diagram:

Tom Chappell

Assistant Parks & Recreation Director
253-341-4930
tchappell@decatur-al.gov

For more information on Archery Classes contact:

Kerrie Lane
256-341-4952
KLane@decatur-al.gov
www.DecaturParks.com

River City to Host Collegiate Anglers March 16-17, 2012

Wheeler Lake has been selected to host the third stop of the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series March 16-17, 2012 and is expected to attract up to 140 anglers representing universities from across the southeastern United States and beyond. Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series consists of three series tournaments and one championship. Wheeler Lake served as the 2010 Championship location and hosted the second stop of the series in 2011.

Ingalls Harbor located at 802 Wilson Street NW will host the takeoffs each day at daylight and weigh-ins at 3 p.m. on March 16^th and at 2 p.m. on March 17^th. Registration along with a dinner is scheduled for 5 p.m., Thursday, March 15^th (location to be announced). Event awards will immediately follow the final weigh-in on Saturday.

The Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series is open to all collegiate bass fishing teams. To qualify to compete in the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, each school must compete in two of the three series tournaments.

The Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series hosted by Auburn University has gained national recognition and contributed greatly to the explosive growth of collegiate bass fishing. The tournament series which was first held in 2008 attracted approximately 50 entries and has grown to over 400 competing in 2011.

For additional information about the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, visit www.auburn.edu/bass or contact Auburn University Bass Sports Club Advisor, Mr. Jann Swaim at 334-559-0343.

Delano Park 12-Hour Run

Annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run - Small Race Produces Big Results for Local Charity

The Decatur River City Runners will host the sixth annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run on March 10, 2012 at Delano Park. Spring has not always sprung in the middle of March and for the first few years, runners braved the elements and took part in the day-long run, but the 2011 event brought near perfect weather conditions and raised approximately $17K for a local charity.

 The race began in 2007 with just a 27 runners. Unfavorable weather conditions, from thunderstorms and hail to snow and ice, have not slowed the pace. Last year, the event was at capacity with 139 runners from across the United States participating. Founding organizer Eric Schotz, who moved St. Paul from Decatur in 2011, is expected to return to Decatur to compete in this year’s event.

The race consists of multiple laps of a one mile tree-lined path through Delano Park. Participants can compete as individuals or as part of relay teams with the goal to complete as many laps as possible within the 12-hour time limit.

The event will kickoff at 6 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. Race forms are available for downloading at www.delano12.com. Packet pickup along with late registration is set for Friday, March 9 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 801 Jackson Street.

 Along with the 12-hour run, there will be a 50-mile race for those interested in running for a set distance as opposed to a set time. Walkers are also welcome to compete. Each participant will receive a personalized plaque, a race t-shirt, and other race goodies. In the 12-Hour Run, awards will be given based on highest mileage to the top 3 places overall, masters winner, and grandmasters winner for both genders. Relay awards based on mileage will be given to the top team. In the 50-mile, awards based on time will be presented to the first male and female individuals. The number of entries will be limited to 100 total including relay teams.

Delano park is located at 825 Gordon Drive Southeast in Decatur. Net proceeds from the race benefit the Centers for Developmentally Disabled - North Central Alabama. For more information, visit www.delano12.com or call Jon Elmore at 256.351.7426.

Calling All Girls and Their Girl Dolls

The Junior League of Morgan County invites girls, favorite dolls, families and friends to the 4^th annual American Girl Fashion Show on March 17, 2012 at the Princess Theatre. Featuring local girls, the Fashion Show showcases the current offerings from the American Girl Fashion Lines including Historical Daywear, Historical Nightwear, Contemporary Nightwear, Bitty Baby Nightwear, Bitty Twins Apparel and “Dress like Your Doll” Apparel.   

 Sponsored by Monarch Women’s Health, the American Girl Fashion Show celebrates all there is to being a girl through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Local models will don clothing from American Girl, and historical clothing from the American Girl characters of yesterday and today including Marie-Grace Gardner, Cecile Rey, Rebecca Rubin, Kaya, Josefina, Addy, Kit, and Molly will be on display.

Guests are invited to bring their favorite American Girl doll to the show. A doll hair salon, a nail salon for the girls, and refreshments will be available, along with American Girl souvenirs and a chance to win a few American Girl prizes including new dolls, doll accessories, bitty-baby sets, twin sets, and more.

The Fashion Show will be held at the historic Princess Theatre located at 112 2^nd Avenue NE in downtown Decatur. There are two opportunities to see the Fashion Show with the first showing scheduled at 10 a.m. followed by another one at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the Princess Theatre or online at www.princesstheatre.org. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Hand’s on Children’s Museum at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, a new partnership between the Junior League and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

 For more information, visit www.jlmorgancounty.com or call 256.340.1778.

 About American Girl

American Girl is one of the nation’s top direct marketers, children’s publishers, and experiential retailers.  American Girl Programs is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations to present Fashion Show events to raise funds for children’s charities. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to “celebrate girls,” American Girl Programs events have generated millions of dollars for worthwhile causes nationwide.

About the Junior League of Morgan County

The Junior League of Morgan County (JLMC) is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Established in 1949, the JLMC continues to develop projects to fill needs within the community. Some of the past projects of JLMC are the founding of PACT, HANDS Home, and many assistance grants including the Community Free Clinic and Habitat for Humanity. The Junior League of Morgan County reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.