Tomorrow, a small group of Atmore residents will travel to Selma for the Making Alabama training session.

The session is sponsored by the Alabama Humanities Foundation and is being held for those counties in the state that are presenting their 200 Alabama Bicentennial exhibits in February, March, April and May.

Escambia County is one of several counties attending the session.

Formed as a territory on March 3, 1817, Alabama became the nation’s 22nd state on Dec. 14, 1819. Alabama 200 is a three-year celebration of the people, places and events that form the state’s history.

The mission of Alabama 200 is to support, create and execute events and activities that commemorate the stories of our people, place and path to statehood. Between 2017 and 2019, the celebration has been engaging residents and visitors in educational programs, community activities and statewide initiatives that teach, inspire and entertain.

The celebration is an opportunity to experience and explore the state of Alabama. It is a chance to celebrate our place in each of the 67 counties that stretch from the Shoals to the shores. It is a moment to remember the people who made our state and to nurture the generations who will carry the state forward. It is an opportunity to chart a vibrant, prosperous future for the state with history as its guide.

Speaking of local programs, recently, Rachel Patterson Elementary School was named an Alabama Bicentennial School. For their project, the school is helping the Atmore/PCI Animal Shelter.

The school’s campaign, Panda for Pets, began in the fall and lasts throughout the school year.

The session slated for tomorrow is for a small group of residents, me included, to help with their exhibit assemblies.

Essentially, the session will be used to give exhibitors the chance to ask any questions they might have in regard to the assembly.

I can tell you that we’re looking forward to setting up our exhibit in May.