Not a Scary Scarecrow

Ah, this friendly scarecrow is plopped upon a bench on the porch at the St. Edmund Learning Center. He welcomes children at the after-school program located on Minter Avenue.

Mary Memorial

A statue of Mary, mother of Jesus, graces a small memorial garden next to the St. Edmund Memorial Chapel. The chapel was built in 1938 by the Edmundite Missions for African American Catholics. When the congregation merged with the white Catholic church in the 1970s, the former church building was converted to a chapel for the Edmundite fathers who live in Selma.

Thanks to Christine Weerts for sending her photograph.

*(City Daily Photo Blogs has reached a membership of 1,000! When Selma, Ala., Daily Photo began in March 2007, there were only about 200 members.)

"Hand"some Butterfly

Four hands together make a BUTTERFLY!

This colorful paper creation was made by a day camper at the St. Edmund Learning Center in Selma. Sponsored by Edmundite Missions, the center is working with dozens of children each afternoon for the five-week summer session. Arts and crafts are a favorite activity, but they also get to learn computer skills, read books just for fun, play games and enjoy a handbell choir concert from a group all the way from Illinois...not to mention last week's entertaining and educational McWane Science Center demonstration.

Back to the butterfly...I love the look on this one's face, and of course I must add that Selma is the Butterfly Capital of Alabama. Not only that, butterflies will soon land all over historic downtown in the form of sculptures that are painted and decorated by local artists. It's known as The Butterfly Project. The sculptures will be unveiled October 10 just before the Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival and Riverfront Market Day weekend. They'll be up for sightseeing until Thanksgiving. Come see!