By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
Sandy English is one of those people who are always in the middle of what's happening - especially in downtown Brewton.
She runs her own realty business and therefore knows who is coming and going, and she makes it her business to stay informed. English said that is key to success.
English was born in Florida but moved to Brewton when she was small to be near relatives. She went through the Brewton City School System and lived the typical small-town life.
She played tennis and was a cheerleader, being a part of the group to begin the tradition of having a bonfire at homecoming. She was also a Girl Scout until she graduated from T.R. Miller High School in 1964.
After graduation, English began working as a dental assistant. She married Mike English in 1965, just before he was sent overseas to Vietnam. While he was gone, she continued working until he returned. Then they moved to Mobile for a few years where he had a job as an engineer.
Mobile couldn't keep them for very long, and they moved back to Brewton. Mike went to work at Watson-English Hardware, which was located in the building next to Golden Motors in downtown Brewton. She went to work raising two sons, Michael, who was born in 1975, and Robert, who was born in 1981.
The boys grew up in the city school system and both were very athletic, taking part in the sports programs offered in school and Brewton.
During these years, Mike English went into real estate and Sandy helped him on a part-time basis.
He was very busy in the community and served on the Chamber of Commerce as president during some very interesting times. Sandy worked with her husband and helped him with these events.
These were the years that the Blueberry Festival, the Brewton Centennial and the Brewton Invitational Art Show began, not to mention the Harvest Jam. The Blueberry Festival is still going on after all these years, but after several years the Art Show was discontinued.
Harvest Jam was an extraordinary happening in Brewton. Although it was a one-time event, those who participated will never forget it, English said.
Several popular artists of the day performed in a concert at the Brewton Airport - and a jam it was. The roads and highways leading into and out of Brewton were backed up with traffic for miles.
Another fun event she helped her husband plan was the Brewton Centennial, held in 1985 to celebrate Brewton's 100th birthday.
Some of English's hardest days came in 1999, when her husband suddenly died of a heart attack.
After his death, she took over the real estate business and became a broker herself.
Her office is in the McCall House on the corner of Belleville Avenue and Sowell Street.
She is also part of a large group of people who make up the volunteers who work so hard in the community.
English also works with the United Fund as president.
According to English, the real estate market is doing well.
In addition to her duties at the real estate office, English is very active in her church, St. Stephens Episcopal Church. She also spends lots of time with friends and wishes she had more time to spend in the yard.
She has friends who recently gave her a 60th birthday party.