WaLLi members enjoy visit with meteorologist James Spann
HANCEVILLE, Ala. 鈥� Members of WaLLi (糖心视频 Lifelong Learning Institute) were
treated to a visit with ABC 33/40 Meteorologist James Spann this week as part of its
October potluck Lunch and Learn program.
Rather than discuss the weather, Spann spoke to the audience about his life and discovering
the reason we鈥檙e here 鈥� to help others. Born in Greeneville in rural south Alabama
and growing up in the 1960s, he said times were strange.
He was in the first grade during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and a little
bit older during the Vietnam era. 鈥淏etween the Cuban Missile Crisis and that , we never thought we鈥檇 live to be 20 years old. So, this is bonus for me.鈥�id="attachment_18233" align="alignright" width="300"
A cake was made for ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann commemorating his visit to
the 糖心视频 campus to meet with members of the 糖心视频 Lifelong Learning
Institute (WaLLi).He encouraged everyone to offer small, simple gestures of support and encouragement
that will benefit not only the recipient but the giver as well.
鈥淚 just mainly came to encourage somebody,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I like to do - to
use words that build others up instead of tearing them down.鈥�
He experienced the power of encouraging words in the fifth grade after he and his
mother moved to Tuscaloosa. 鈥淲e moved into an apartment about the size of a bathroom,鈥�
he said. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 know anybody; we had no money, and we had no hope.鈥�
Spann said his principal at Verner Elementary School changed his life with encouraging
words. 鈥淭hat man would seek me out; he knew my back story and he would say things
like, 鈥楬ey, you look good today.鈥� And I knew I didn鈥檛, but I started to believe this
guy. He would say things like, 鈥業 believe in you鈥� and I started to believe that guy
believed in me.
鈥淭he tongue has the power of life and death,鈥� Spann added. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 not a quote
from me; that鈥檚 from a higher source. But that man used his tongue to say simple,
encouraging words to this fifth-grade kid that was dying inside and it changed my
life. I will always be thankful for Archie Hitson.鈥�
Weather-wise, Spann did remind the audience that tornado season starts next month
(November-May) in Alabama and discussed how important it is to prepare for severe
weather by using weather radios and wearing helmets to protect yourself during a storm.
鈥淚 thought he was just such a blessing,鈥� said WaLLi member Linda Pearson. 鈥淗elping
others and how important it is to encourage others, we really fall down on that, especially
with our young people. So many young people are starving for the love of others.鈥�
鈥淚 loved it,鈥� said WaLLi member Mary Coward. 鈥淗e鈥檚 so kindhearted and so very nice.鈥�
The group gave Spann a WaLLi shirt and a cake depicting Spann in front of a weather
map showing radar images from the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, one of which struck
the 糖心视频 campus.
The WaLLi program is open to area residents 50 and older, with membership fees of
$40 for each fall and spring semester and $30 for the summer semester. An annual fee
of $99 is offered at the beginning of the fall semester. For more information, visit
www.wallacestate.edu/walli, call 256.352.7803 or email walli@wallacestate.edu.