Who needs a trip to a local mall to get into the holiday spirit? A ticket to the annual Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast is all that is really need according to Sandy Boofter.
“I enjoy the prayer breakfast. It’s something special for the community,” she said. “It helps get the holidays started in the right direction.”
The 41st annual event will be
held Nov. 14 in the New Albany High School cafeteria. This year’s guest speaker will be Patrick Henry Hughes, who gained national recognition by playing in the University of Louisville band despite being blind and physically disabled, with the help of father. His family also appeared with him on the ABC show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” last year.
“It’s a time for us to come together and be thankful for our blessings and the community we live in,” said New Albany Mayor Doug England. “It’s like Harvest Homecoming ... everyone likes getting together to fellowship.”
Hughes will speak and perform in the school’s auditorium following breakfast in the cafeteria, The ecumenical service also includes music and scripture readings.
“It a time once a year to come together and reflect,” said Floyd County Clerk Linda Moeller, a member of the committee which organizes the event. “All churches are invited and it’s a way of unifying the community at least once a year.”
The Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast was started by Garnett Inman in 1969 and continued on by his six predecessors. Over the years speakers have included Steve Alford, Denny Crum and former baseball great Carl Erskine. In 1975, fresh off a World Series victory, Cincinnati relief pitcher Rawly Eastwick was the guest speaker. In 40 years of the event, 18,904 tickets have been sold. The most successful year was 1982 when 1,032 people came out to hear television personality Grady Nutt.
“It’s a good place to come and see friends, hear good music and a good speaker,” England said.
Former mayors who attend will be recognized during the event. And for one day a year, it doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, according to Cheryl Cotner, a member of the organizing committee who is England’s administrative assistant.
“The prayer breakfast is a long-standing tradition that unites the community, putting politics aside,” she said.
Moeller agreed.
“It’s a time once a year to come together and reflect,” Moeller said. “All churches are invited and it’s a way of unifying the community at least once a year.”
Boofter has been on the mayor’s prayer breakfast committee for more than 20 years. She is hoping this year’s event is a success.
“I hope so,” she said. “I think he will be a good draw.”
England said getting Hughes was not easy due to his busy schedule.
“He goes all over the world and speaks,” he said. “He is a real inspiration with what he’s accomplished despite his disabilities.”
“He is an excellent speaker,” Moeller said. “I think it will go really well this year.”
Floyd County
New Albany Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast has rich tradition
41st annual breakfast is Nov. 14
- Floyd County
-
-
Free falling: CCE demolishes former New Albany business at no charge
-
Floyd judge named semifinalist for Indiana Supreme Court
Granger, 42, said she decided to apply after discussions with her family and close friends.
“I care enormously about my judicial service, and I want to expand my work statewide,” she said. -
Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
As the deadline approaches, more schools are failing to meet requirements under the law, with nearly half not doing so last year, according to the Center on Education Policy.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
-
Neace Lukens acquires Jenkins Insurance of Sellersburg
Jenkins Insurance principal Mike Jenkins will join the Neace Lukens’ New Albany office, where he’ll focus on his current employee benefit clients and expanding service and product platforms for the company.
-
Some lawmakers want you to cruise in for Sunday commerce
The current ban on motorcycle sales is a remnant of Indiana’s old “blue laws” that prohibited various activities on Sundays. The legislature has been slowly chipping away at them.
-
Court of appeals hears Messer appeal
Counseled by attorney Bart Betteau, the basis of Messer’s appeal was that his words were constitutionally-protected free speech. But Special Judge Roger Duvall upheld the merit commission’s decision in 2011.
-
Checkered past: Cab company’s permit suspended in New Albany after employee arrests
“We’re not an evil company,” White said after the meeting.
-
Utility vows to bring projects to council
Stormwater officials shared letters with the council from residents in the Castlewood neighborhood who credited the basin addition for easing flooding in the area.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 8, 2012
- More Floyd County Headlines
-
