​by Billy Ray Warren 
​
We have received word from one of “our” schools in the Philippines (the night school that serves students who work during the day to help support their families) that its makeshift library has only one shelf of books.  The teacher, who is also the designated librarian, wrote this in a recent email to Pacita and Hugh Walker: “We don’t have a working library, and I see the need for one to help students learn to be adept in a competitive society.”  Well, whether it’s to help students compete or simply to enrich their lives, every school needs a library.

Specifically, the teacher/librarian is in need of used books in the fields of science, mathematics and English grammar/composition - as well as novels suitable for students in grades 7-12.  She also needs used dictionaries and magazines such as  National Geographic, Smithsonian, Scientific American, etc.

So, if you have books and magazines in the categories above which you no longer need or want to keep, here’s your chance to donate them to a good cause - and to make a group of students and teachers very happy!

By the way, the teacher/librarian also stated that she plans to recycle tires to make chairs for the library.  She said that she knows how to do this.  That’s amazing!

By Billy Ray Warren

It’s very evident that Magnolia is full of musicians.  From our talented praise team to our church family as a whole, we love to sing joyfully to the Lord.

And we also are blessed with gifted instrumentalists.  An event held last week at Florence High School became a showcase for one group of horn players and percussionists extraordinaire.  Our brother Jim Champion, an excellent musician in his own right (both vocal and instrumental, we might add), served as the emcee and overall coordinator for the annual Music Performance Assessment (MPA) of instrumental musicians who are students in grades 7-12 in area schools.  All of the following young people from Magnolia received the highest rating possible - Superior:
   
     1. Breanna Martin - grade 10, Florence High - percussion
     2. Henley Phillips - grade 8, Florence Middle - alto sax
     3. Collin Summers - grade 7, Shoals Christian - percussion
     4. Davis VanDyke - grade 10, Florence High - trombone
 
The official photographer for the entire event was Magnolia’s own Jerry Woolfolk.

One has to wonder: could the event have even taken place without the help of Magnolia?  We’re just kidding, of course, but it is very gratifying - and impressive - to know that our family was such an integral part of this great opportunity for Shoals area young people.

We congratulate Breanna, Henley, Collin, Davis, Jim and Jerry on a job extremely well done!