On May 13, 53 Extension Support Personnel members and 10 guests toured Cheaha State Park, the Fruithurst Winery and Colonial Cottage.

The three-day conference coordinated by current president, Kathy Douglas of the Cleburne County Extension Office, included professional development, dinners, guest speakers, an awards banquet and auction, and the ESPA Annual Business meeting. ESPA members and guests had just enough time to spend nearly $2,000 in the county on Thrusday.

Many local donors, volunteers, and participants helped make the 23rd Annual ESPA event a success. Kathy and the ESPA membership wishes to extend gratitude to the following organizations: Forte' Power Systems, Inc., WM Grocery, the Fruithurst Winery, Pam Payne at the Colonial Cottage, Jane Harris and the Farmers Federation Women's Leadership Committee, The Cleburne County Cattleman's Club, The Cleburne County Commission, Sandra Kent and the Pilot Club, Mandy Davis and the Cheaha Master Gardeners, The Cleburne County Cattleman's Club, Ann LaBore and Benny Abney of the Soil and Water Conservation District, Paula Clarke of All-Kids, Cleburne County EMA, Cathy Keel of the Quality of Life Health Services, Alabama Farmers Cooperative Farming News, and Mitt Walker of the Alabama Catfish Producers,

Thanks are extended to officials and business professionals: Mayor Anna Berry and Judge Ryan Robertson; Extension colleagues, Debby Mathews, County Extension Coordinator; David West, County Extension Coordinator in Calhoun County; Chip East, Commercial Horticulture Regional Agent and Interim CEC in Clay County; Myrus Weaver, EFNEP Agent Assistant in Cleburne County, and Ava Koehler of the Cleburne County Extension Office.

We also want to thank the following businesses: Metro Bank, Small Town Bank and Noble Bank & Trust of Anniston, Mark Laminack of Laminack Electric, and The Tasteful Garden. There were many others who contributed to the goody bags, auction items and gave hours of Extheir time.

Other area guests, performers and speakers included the Heart Notes from Parker Memorial Baptist Church, Debra Jones of Anniston, the Word Alive Hands Team, Nan Monjure, Dr. Evelyn Crayton of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University, Dr. William Gaines