The Franklin County Education Retirees Association held its December meeting at the Russellville First United Methodist Church. A Christmas theme was chosen for this luncheon meeting, which was attended by several local retirees.

Sandy Gibson gave the welcome and invocation. The Russellville High School A Cappella Ensemble presented the program. The ensemble sang a mixture of Christmas songs and secular selections.

Four students of the ensemble recently made All-State Choirs. Mrs. Emily Rush is the director.

Business included information about nine $2,000 scholarships the Alabama Education Retirees Foundation provides for educators in Alabama’s public schools.

The Alabama Education Retirees Association is the retired division of the Alabama Education Association. It is made up of 81 local units, including 11 higher education units. These units are divided into nine districts. There is at least one local unit in each Alabama county. A scholarship will be awarded to one person from each district.

A recipient may be an active teacher, support personnel or administrator who is working on a degree, and recipients must be active AEA members.

The recipient will have two years to use the scholarship. The scholarships will be awarded during the AERA Annual Luncheon in May at the Pelham Civic Complex in Pelham.

For more information about the scholarship program, contact AERA at 1-800-537-6867.

The next Franklin County Education Retirees Association meeting will be held Feb. 19 at the Weatherford Center in Red Bay.

Sponsors provide a luncheon for the members. The programs are presented by guest speakers who cover various subjects, such as health benefits, retirement changes, consumer protection, fraud, insurance protection, crime protection, legislative issues affecting retirees and more.

Membership annual dues are $12 for retired educators and $5 for their spouses. Membership is open to retired teachers, support personnel or administrators in Franklin County.