GFWC holds North District fall meeting
By Susie Hovater Malone
Columnist
DOUBLE SPRINGS — Fellowship, service and community spirit filled the air as members of GFWC Alabama’s North District met for its fall gathering at Looney’s Tavern Amphitheater Complex in Double Springs.
The venue, known for its ties to Alabama history and the arts, offered a fitting setting for a day of learning and leadership.
Mayor Kim Miller welcomed attendees and shared updates on the Looney’s Amphitheater Complex and Cultural Center.
Crews are renovating the 18-hole miniature golf course, the gift shop and the 300-seat indoor theater, Dual Destiny.
The complex also funds part-time art teachers for local schools, supports a student theater group, and provides art classes for Northwest Alabama Mental Health clients.
Guest speaker Heather Tucker, executive director of Wild Alabama, spoke about the need to protect Alabama’s public lands and wilderness areas.
“We want the strongest protection we can get for extraordinary wild places,” she said.
She explained that such protection happens only through consistent advocacy and commitment.
“That’s Wilderness Area designation — permanently setting aside wild places where there can be no development, industrial logging, drilling, machinery or roads.”
She said the work extends beyond scenery; it honors the past and secures the future.
“When we protect natural landscapes, we strengthen our connection to the people who lived here before us,” Tucker said.
Wild Alabama focuses on areas such as Sipsey, Cheaha and Dugger Mountain. The organization recently earned the Gold Standard Program designation for excellence in stewardship, conservation and education.
Tucker also shared details about upcoming Bankhead National Forest events, including a volunteer picnic, Legacy Trails project, Veterans Day Fun Hike in the Sipsey, ranger patrols and traditional tools workshops.
North District Director Cynthia Geis opened the meeting, and District Secretary Tracy Swayne conducted roll call.
Double Springs Study Club president Kim Hale hosted the event and introduced Tucker.
Gayle McAlister, president of the Book Lovers Study Club, received recognition for her longtime support of her late husband, Laney McAlister, who wrote and directed “The Story of Looney’s Tavern.”
GFWC Alabama President Becky Vansant shared the history of the AFWC headquarters and encouraged members to visit.
Her President’s Project focuses on mental health, and she described seminars across Alabama that address stigma and raise awareness.
AFWC chairmen Nancy Messer (2728 Society), Cristi Robinson (President’s Special Project), Susan Weissinger (Capital Campaign) and Cher McCain (Scholarships) gave their reports.
North District chairmen Martha Tucker (Scholarship) and Brigiete Carey (Arts and Culture) also presented updates.
Members held a silent auction to raise funds for the district scholarship and browsed federation sales tables during lunch. They enjoyed a meal together and time to visit with friends old and new.
During the business session, Geis received the nomination for the GFWC Alabama Sue E. Hester Outstanding District Director Award.
Club presidents gave their reports, and McAlister invited members to join the upcoming eighth annual Cancer Awareness and Fundraiser Walk to Wellness held Saturday.
Deborah Jeziorsky, president of the GFWC Legacy Club of Huntsville, announced the call for the Spring 2026 meeting.
After presenting silent auction results and drawing door prizes, members closed the meeting with the reading of the Collect.
Attendees toured the Looney’s Amphitheater Complex before heading home.
Susie Hovater Malone is a retired educator from Russellville City Schools. She is a member of the Russellville Cultura Garden Club.
