The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation and Community Family Group sponsored a Super Bowl Sunday event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Franklin.

Entire families spent the day watching the game, mingling with friends and eating. The program was designed to get families together.

Event organizer Patricia Lee was pleased with the turnout of families and the many children. She said everyone enjoyed the day of food and fellowship, although many were disappointed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to Green Bay.

• Southampton Academy is gearing up for its annual Art & Antique Show. For a second year, the event will include the Raider Rerun Consignment Shop.

Residents are asked to go through closets, attics and garages to see what they can donate. A gently used chair, lamp or anything around the home you no longer want would work. However, organizers are asking for no clothing.

To make a donation, call Courtney Applewhite at 653-9068 or Mary Dilday at 252-398-7581.

• Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk Rick Francis and a descendant from the Nat Turner family will speak to Southampton Academy students at 10 a.m. today, Feb. 11, about the 1831 uprising involving Turner.

It should be interesting for students to learn more about Turner, an American slave who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County that resulted in 56 white deaths and more than 55 black deaths, the largest number of fatalities to occur in one uprising prior to the American Civil War in the southern United States.

• Stopped by Vickie’s Country Store last Saturday and had a nice visit with owner Vickie Ricks. She seems to be enjoying her new job as owner of the former Flowers Exxon, which James Flowers owned for 57 years.

The 63-year-old Boykins woman on Jan. 3 took over the Courtland convenience store at 23427 Meherrin Road across from Southampton High School. She offers free coffee all day long and has made some changes.

Vickie has new counters for the register and serving areas. She also removed some of the shelves, opening up the area for more chairs.

On another note, a retirement dinner will be held for Flowers at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Boykins Firehouse. The $20 ticket includes barbecue and fried chicken and a contribution for a gift for Flowers. Call 653-9612 for tickets or stop by Vickie’s Country Store.

GWEN ALBERS is managing editor of The Tidewater News. Her email address is gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com.