We can learn from history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than their&8217;s were.

The main thing history can teach us is that human actions have consequences and that certain choices, once made, cannot be undone. They foreclose the possibility of making other choices and thus they determine future events.

&8212; Gerda Lerner

Even if our spring-like weather tempts you to spend this Sunday afternoon enjoying the unseasonable temperatures, you would do well to make plans to attend the quarterly meeting of the Shelby County Historical Society.

The meeting, scheduled for this Sunday at the 1854 Old Courthouse in Columbiana, will start at 2 p.m.

The contributions and rich heritage of blacks in Shelby County and our nation will be a highlight of the meeting. Singers from the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Alabaster will entertain attendees and their pastor, the Rev. Richard W. Davis, will help recognize Abby Merriweather Wooley, 1898-2001, for her outstanding leadership within the church and the Alabaster community as a whole.

Also as part of the meeting, Lindsey Allison, chairman of the Shelby County Commission, will share the history and perspective on Shelby County&8217;s remarkable growth; to quote Allison &8220;You got to know where you&8217;ve been to know where you are going.&8221;

Few people in our county have had the firsthand knowledge of Shelby County&8217;s development as Allison has had; her insight into where we have been and what might come next will make for an interesting presentation.

Led by president Bobby Joe Seales, the Shelby County Historical Society works to preserve our county&8217;s history and artifacts and what a fine job they do.

If you are even mildly interested in the history of our county, a visit to the Shelby County Museum and Archives is time well spent; this Sunday&8217;s meeting would be an excellent opportunity to do so