Guidelines for Submitting your Church/Community Announcements
These are free as long as there are no personal messages and the event is not being charged for (love offerings do not count). Please keep the announcement to one paragraph with who is presenting the event, what the event is, date, time, where it will be held and contact information. Email them to scrjmedia@yahoo.com. We can not take anything over the phone due to company policy.
Holiday deadlines for 2026: Sumter County Record Journal will be closed for Labor Day, Sept. 8. We will have a late deadline for Tuesday, Sept. 9 for the Sept. 11 edition. Sumter County Record Journal will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 23-27. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Deadline for the Thanksgiving edition is Friday morning, Nov. 20. Santa Letters are due first Friday in December, Dec. 4. Ads for the Santa Letter edition are due Dec. 11. Both Christmas and New Year’s deadlines are Friday, Dec. 18. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Sumter County Record Journal will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 3 for the holidays.
Sumter County Retired Teachers Meet Sept. 17
Please join our association for our first meeting on Thurs., Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Hightower Memorial Library in York. Our guest speaker will be Superintendent of Sumter County, Dr. Marcy Burroughs. Your membership is much needed as well as valuable! The first five retirees to join AERA will be given a monetary gift during the month of September.
Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Now Open
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is currently accepting entries for the 2027 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. The deadline to enter is Oct. 30. “Each year, nearly two thousand images are entered in the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest by some of the best amateur photographers in our state and from across the country,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “Their photos showcase the abundant wildlife, public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities that make Alabama the perfect destination for outdoor photography. We are honored to highlight their work and look forward to seeing the incredible photos entered in the 2027 contest.” The 2027 photo contest will focus on traditional photography techniques and the use of handheld cameras. No cellphone, smartphone, game camera, or drone photography will be chosen as winning photos for nine of the 10 categories. Smartphone and tablet photos will be accepted in the Young Photographers category. The photo contest is open to state residents and visitors alike, but qualifying photos must have been taken in Alabama in the past two years. Any amateur photographer not employed by ADCNR is encouraged to enter.
A total of 10 photos per person may be entered in the following categories. You may enter all 10 in one category or among several categories. First, second, third and one honorable mention will be awarded in each category.
2027 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Categories
Alabama State Parks
Birds
Bugs and Butterflies
Cold-blooded Critters
Nature-Based Recreation
Scenic
Shoots and Roots
Sweet Home Alabama
Wildlife
Young Photographers (ages 17 and under)
The winning images will be featured online and in a traveling exhibit at various venues across the state during 2027. The 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit is currently on display at the Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center in Pelham until September 16. Additionally, the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Retrospective is currently on display at the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery in downtown Montgomery until Sept. 25. The show is free to attend and features winning images from the 2021-2025 contests. To view the complete exhibit schedule, visit www.outdooralabama.com/photo-exhibit. For complete 2027 category descriptions, contest rules and sponsors, visit www.outdooralabama.com/photocontest. ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
Health Extension for Diabetes
Are you living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? Join us for a free 8-session education and support program designed for individuals diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The program will connect participants to clinical resources through partnerships with Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. The eight sessions of the program help participants learn ways to manage their diabetes with the following: Diet, Physical Activity, Medication and Monitoring, Healthy Coping and Problem-Solving, Reducing Risks for Associated Health Problems. Date and Time: Tues., Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. Location: Hale County Extension Office, 701 Hall Street, Greensboro, AL 36744. Registration is required. Register here: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cU7bDNIXXmsqXl4 For more information, contact the Hale County Extension Office at 334-624-8710
Calling ALL Alabamians, Surrounding States, and Prayer Warriors
This is a Statewide invitation to join the Alabama Prayer Initiative Team (led by Representative Mark Gidley) for prayer and fasting in the month of September. Mon.-Fri. from 7-7:30 a.m. and 7-7:30 p.m. C. S. T. We are connecting by phone to lift up our state, our communities, nations, and our leaders, in unity, love and hope. You can join us by dialing: 727-731-7065. We hope you will take this time to pray and fast with us.
Friends of the Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library Annual Meeting
The Friends of the Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library invite you to their Annual Meeting, to be held in the Library on Tues., Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. The Friends organization works to support the Library and strengthen its connection to the community. Thanks to their efforts, the Friends have been able to provide the library with items such as summer reading prizes, a storage closet for craft supplies, and staff appreciation gifts.
2026 Homestead Day
Sat., Sept. 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., join Auburn University Rural Studio and the Aquatic Resources Team of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) for 2026 Homestead Day, 8448 AL Hwy 61, Newbern, for a day of demonstrations, conversations, and activities focused on food, farming, water, land, and home. Explore practical skills and ideas for small land owners. Free event! Scan the flyer for more information at https://www.facebook.com/MarengoCountyExtension
Beef & Forage Field Day
Producers across Alabama are invited to the 2026 Beef & Forage Field Day, Fri., Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Blackbelt Research & Extension Center, 60 County Road 944, Marion Junction, an event that will offer livestock and forage producers real-time demonstrations, learn directly from Extension Specialists about current research, forage management strategies, and practical techniques that support productive, sustainable operations. Registration is free. Sign up online at aub.ie/BBFieldDay26
Boost Your Credit Score
Learn how to read your credit report, dispute errors, and build long-term financial strength Tues., Sept. 22, 10-11 a.m. Sumter County Extension Office, 106 Hospital Drive, Livingston. A strong credit history opens doors to lower interest rates, better housing options, vehicle financing, and greater financial security. You’ll learn how credit scores are calculated, what lenders look for, how to spot and dispute mistakes, and proven strategies to build and maintain good credit. Register today by calling the Sumter County Extension Office 205-652-9501.
Eco-Friendly Fridays
Ready to grow your environmental knowledge? Join Alabama Extension for Eco-Friendly Fridays, a free webinar series featuring practical strategies for protecting human, animal, and environmental health. Registration is required, and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Register at www.aces.edu/go/EcoFriendlyFridays
2026 Livingston Eat and Greet
Come join us for great food, good company and live music Sept. 24 and Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. on Franklin St., Livingston.
Hunt and Gather Wild Game Cookoff
The third annual Hunt and Gather Wild Game Cookoff in downtown Livingston will be Nov. 14.
Community Garden Volunteers Needed at the Coleman Center For the Arts Garden
Help us grow our garden and expand our garden programs. Our garden is open to the public; we are happy to collaborate with community groups, churches, and schools to provide garden programming. Email us at info@colemanarts.org for more information, or to sign up as a volunteer.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling to cope emotionally this holiday season, reach out. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Visit 988lifeline.org for more.
Community Prayer
Community Prayer for the Sumter County area will be held every 1st Thursday of each month at noon for one hour at the Bored Well, the Courthouse Square, Livingston. We’re asking all residents, businesses, local leaders, pastors, governmental and city officials to join us as we come together as a community to pray. Submitted by Min. Leola Washington, Volunteer Coordinator for NDPTF, Sumter County.
9th Annual Christmas on the Square in Downtown Livingston
The fun starts at 1 p.m Come spend the day with us and enjoy decorated Christmas trees, vendors, live music, Santa Claus, and so much more.
School/Kids Events
Shelton State Community College Will Host A.I. Made Simple
Shelton State Community College will host A.I. Made Simple, a free community training session designed to help participants better understand artificial intelligence (A.I.) and learn practical ways to use A.I. in everyday life and work. The event will be held on Monday, Sept. 28 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Campus in room 2825. A.I. Made Simple will feature a 90-minute guided, hands-on learning session that introduces participants to artificial intelligence in an engaging and accessible format. The session is ideal for beginners who are curious about A.I., while also providing useful information and practical applications for individuals who already use AI tools. The training is geared toward job seekers, parents, local business owners, and other community members interested in learning how to use AI as a practical tool in their personal and professional lives. The event is part of the Alabama Community College System’s AI Community Caravan, a statewide initiative designed to increase A.I. literacy by providing free, community-based A.I. training through Alabama’s community colleges. The initiative emphasizes demonstrations, participant activities, questions, and discussion to make AI education approachable for learners at varying levels of experience. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit https://sheltonstate.formstack.com/forms/ai_made_simple. For more information about other upcoming events at Shelton State, visit sheltonstate.edu.
William Bartram traveling exhibit coming to UWA in September
The University of West Alabama’s Cahaba Biodiversity Center and Julia Tutwiler Library will host William Bartram and Alabama: A Traveling Exhibit throughout the month of September, exploring the life, travels and discoveries of one of America’s most influential early naturalist-artists. The exhibit will officially open with a reception on Thurs., Sept. 3, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Julia Tutwiler Library. The University community and public are invited to attend. William Bartram and Alabama tells the story of Bartram’s 1775 journey through Creek territory in what is now Alabama. His four-year expedition through the colonial South, from 1773 to 1777, produced groundbreaking scientific observations and vivid documentation of the people, landscapes and natural resources he encountered. A naturalist, botanist, artist and writer, Bartram was particularly interested in plants with horticultural potential. During his travels, he documented and described numerous plants, including species that were new to science at the time. He also recorded detailed observations of the largely unaltered landscapes and ecosystems of the Southeast, along with his interactions with Native American communities.Bartram’s experiences were published in 1791 in the work commonly known as Bartram’s Travels. His detailed accounts offer a unique historical record of the Southeast and provide an opportunity to consider how the region’s landscapes and natural communities have changed over time. The exhibit was developed by Dr. Kathryn Holland Braund, Hollifield Professor Emerita of History at Auburn University, and is currently touring Alabama. It is sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University and funded in part by the Leah Rawls Atkins Endowed Fund for Excellence and the Ann Draughon Cousins Endowed Fund for Excellence.
Shelton State Community College’s Terrific Tuesday Concerts
Shelton State Community College’s Terrific Tuesday Concert performances will be at 1 p.m. in the Alabama Power Hall unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Upcoming performances and artists include the following: Sept. 1 Woodwind Recital Vuorovesi Trio the University of Alabama Faculty; Sept. 8 Piano Recital Dr. Laurie Middaugh, piano University of Montevallo Faculty; Sept. 15 Brass Trio Recital UAB BrassWorks University of Alabama at Birmingham Faculty; Sept. 22 SSCC Faculty Recital Sept. 29; Piano Recital Dr. Sophie Wang, piano Mississippi State University Faculty; Oct. 6 Piano Recital Sarah Elias, piano University of West Georgia Faculty; Oct. 13 Student Musicale Oct. 20 Trumpet Recital Dr. Michael Averett, trumpet | Dr. Cindy St. Clair, piano Samford University Faculty; Oct. 27 Bach to Rock Ensemble Dr. Mark Brown, director; Nov. 3 Voice Recital Dr. Luvada Harrison, Matt Davis and Dr. William A. Martin, vocals Byron Thomas, collaborative pianist the University of Alabama Faculty; Nov. 10 Piano Duo Recital Amy Ashley & Lillian Wesley, piano; Nov. 17 SSCC Jazz Combo Dr. Elijah Pugh, director Martin Atrium; Nov. 24 Piano Recital Slade Trammell, piano Roane State Community College Faculty Dec. 1 Annual Holiday Tree-Lighting Martin Atrium. Shelton State’s Terrific Tuesday Concert Series is designed to showcase a variety of repertory styles. Weekly performances are offered by guest artists as well as Shelton State faculty and students. For more information, contact Lillian Wesley at 205.391.2399 or lwesley@sheltonstate.edu.
UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama
| Sept. 14, 2026 NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? — See our frequently updated experts directory here. 📰 BEST BETS Annual flu shot campaign kicks off The University of Alabama’s 15th annual Flu Shot Campaign is underway, offering free flu vaccinations to UA students, faculty and staff at locations across campus through mid-November. Why This Matters: Led by UA’s College of Community Health Sciences, the campaign provides free flu shots at pop-up clinics throughout campus, including locations near the Quad, University buildings and student residence halls. Students and employees do not need health insurance to receive a vaccination. Vaccinations are also available to retired UA faculty and staff and their spouses, as well as spouses and dependents of University employees. New electric buses provide transportation, research data UA is putting research into service with the launch of its new electric bus fleet. Why This Matters: Funded through a federal grant secured by UA researchers and campus partners, the buses provide quieter, energy-efficient transit while creating a real-world research platform for evolving transportation technologies. For more information, contact Jessica Nelson at jessica.nelson@ua.edu. 📅 EVENTS Jerry Siegel: Uncommon Lens Lecture Sept. 17; Paul R. Jones Museum Saturday in the Park: Snake Safety Sept. 19; Moundville Archaeological Park |
Black Belt Community Foundation 2026 Levitt Amp Selma Music Series
SELMA: The countdown to an unforgettable season of free, live music under summer sunsets and into autumn evenings in historic Selma is officially underway. The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) announces the themes and calendar for 2026’s return of the Levitt AMP Selma Music Series. Beginning Sat., July 25, the series will bring seven unique cultural experiences to Selma’s Riverfront Amphitheater. Families, friends, and neighbors from across the region are invited to bring their blankets, sunbrellas and lawn chairs to the amphitheater lawn to experience the transformational power of free, live music in bringing community together. Supported in large part by the Levitt Family Foundation, a social impact funder at the intersection of music, public space, and community building, the Levitt AMP Music Series program injects new life into public spaces through free, outdoor concerts across the country. The 2026 season marks an exciting new chapter for Selma, building on the success of past seasons to present professionally produced, immersive themed festival dates running through late October. “This season is about so much more than just the music on stage,” says Lydia Chatmon, TRHT Selma Director. “It’s about bringing people together, supporting our local business ecosystem, celebrating our rich cultural heritage, and showcasing the very best of downtown Selma.” Season of Immersive Themes: Instead of focusing purely on individual performers, the 2026 series is designed around seven planned experiences that offer something for every member of the family.
- Sept. 12-Classic Cars & Chrome: Cruise in for this celebration of sleek vintage automobiles and deep musical grooves, featuring a car show paired with the absolute best in classic R&B, Soul, and Funk.
- Sept. 26-Gospel Fest: An uplifting community favorite that elevates local and regional voices, celebrating the profound spiritual and musical heritage of the Black Belt.
- Oct. 10-Fiesta on the River!: A vibrant cultural celebration packed with high-energy Latin music, salsa beats, and a community taco-eating contest, so don’t forget the hot sauce.
- Oct. 24-Southern Soul: The Grand Finale: The ultimate season closer, bringing the community together one last night to celebrate some funky soul, great food, and collective joy.
Historic Tuscaloosa Invites Community to Annual Battle-Friedman House Volunteer Workday
Historic Tuscaloosa is inviting community members to roll up their sleeves and help preserve one of the city’s most treasured historic landmarks during its Battle-Friedman House Volunteer Workday on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Battle-Friedman House & Gardens, located at 1010 Greensboro Avenue.
The annual Workday brings together volunteers of all ages who share a passion for local history and historic preservation. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or looking for a new way to get involved in the community, this event offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while meeting fellow volunteers.
Historic Tuscaloosa operates and maintains five historic properties throughout Tuscaloosa County. Volunteer Workdays play an important role in ensuring these sites remain clean, welcoming, and accessible for visitors and future generations.
Projects completed during previous Workdays have included landscaping, clearing brush, removing debris, repairing and installing fencing, planting trees, painting, building and clearing trails, installing interpretive signs and historical markers, and other preservation efforts. The specific projects for this year’s Battle-Friedman Workday will focus on the ongoing care and maintenance of the historic home and its grounds.
No prior experience is necessary to participate. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or simply looking for a way to give back to the community, Historic Tuscaloosa welcomes all helping hands. Staff members will be available throughout the day to provide guidance and assign projects suited to volunteers’ abilities and interests.
Historic Tuscaloosa will provide the tools, gloves, and supplies needed for the day’s projects, as well as water and light refreshments for volunteers. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor work.
“Our volunteers are an essential part of Historic Tuscaloosa’s mission,” said Executive Director William Hawkins. “Their dedication helps us preserve these irreplaceable places while creating opportunities for the community to connect with Tuscaloosa’s rich history.”
Historic Tuscaloosa welcomes individuals, families, civic organizations, businesses, student groups, and anyone interested in supporting local preservation efforts. Volunteers are welcome to ar