AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn fans will soon have a way to remember the oaks at Toomer’s Corner long after the trees are gone. To commemorate the tradition of rolling the oaks, the university will be working with several licensed manufacturers to create mementos from the trees’ wood following their removal later this month. All royalties collected from their sale will benefit Auburn students through a special scholarship fund.

“This is a very special way for the Auburn Family to remember one of our best-known traditions,” said Debbie Shaw, vice president for alumni affairs. “Generations of our fans have gathered beneath the oaks over the years, and it is fitting that future generations of students will benefit from the scholarships they will provide.”

Some 22 towns across Alabama will be on display during Saturday mornings in April as part of the Alabama Tourism Department's April Walking Tours. 

A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns.  The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 6, 13, 20, and 27.

Towns and starting places for the April Walking Tours are: Athens, Athens Visitor Center; Atmore, Heritage Park; Birmingham, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; Butler, Jackson’s On The Square; Courtland, Town Square; Cullman, Cullman County Museum; Decatur, Old State Bank; Eufaula, various locations; Fairhope, Fairhope Welcome Center; Florence, various locations.

Montgomery, Ala. — The winners for the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Big Buck Photo Contest have been announced.

The organization, a public-private partnership that promotes outdoor recreation and tourism in Alabama’s Black Belt, sponsored a “big buck” photo contest for deer harvested in the 23-county region.

Winners have been chosen in three categories -- youth typical (up to 12 years old), youth typical (ages 13-18) and adult typical. Photos were posted on Facebook, and three finalists were determined for each category based on the highest number of “likes” received. Sports journalists then picked the winners.

The winners were:

Youth typical (up to 12 years old): Clark Bain of Carrollton. Other finalists in this category were Lyman Thomas Ramsey and Ethan Duncan.

Youth typical (ages 13-18): Danner Butler of Mobile. Other finalists in this category were Tanner Cox and Noah Hadley.