The April GCV Chamber Coffee was a quite “Event-Full” gathering

Radney-Smith Funeral Home extended their community involvement campaign, hosting the April Greater Coosa Valley Chamber Coffee this week, held at the Batter Up – Cater Up Event Center. Manager Shane Culver introduced his staff and discussed changing trends in the industry.

“Like so many other things in life, our business is evolving, and this event is another example of how Radney-Smith is embracing those changes,” said Culver. “We are becoming more about convenience and community-involvement, inviting community businesses like Cater Up to serve families in our facility. So many of those little old ladies that used to handle such in homes are gone now, and businesses like Cater Up can handle it without family and friends having to put it together, without having to clean-up afterwards.”

Culver went on to detail other funeral trends such as cremation, less funerals and more celebrations of life, “There is more emphasis on pre-planning and pre-arrangements to save grieving families from having to deal with details under such emotional circumstances. We are doing more community outreach, to become closer friends, neighbors, and extended family to the communities we serve.”

Examples are the recent 1st Annual Car Show in their parking lot, as well as continuing sponsorship and help in organizing of the Sylacauga Veterans Day Parade, “And we are quite open to more things that solidify our communities.”

Matt Zedeker, the new Head Football Coach at Childersburg High was introduced, “I was fortunate to come into this position in January, to better blend into the culture of the school. My family has long-standing connections to Childersburg, like my wife that attending school here, making it easier to be a part of the community, because we already are that. It already feels like home, because it is. We’re busy going about building an atmosphere for success, improving the things we need for our student athletes to succeed in sports, in school, and in life.”

In other school related news, Graciela Haney, the new Dynamic Learning Partner at CHS was introduced, “My job involves so much of everyday school life as an organizer, a facilitator, a fixer. One part of that is our high school and middle school showcase, coming up na May 2nd with two sessions – 1:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. It will be set up much like a science fair, with our students and teachers showing off all kinds of classroom and school activities. We hope you’ll all mark your calendar and be a part of it,”

Pate Story talked about the annual 1st Responder Softball Tournament, scheduled for Friday, May 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Childersburg High Baseball Field.

And, if you haven’t already, mark your calendar for the annual Grits Festival at Kymulga Grist Mill Park. It is set for Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The May Greater Coosa Valley Coffee will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at 8:30 a.m., hosted by the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department in the Limbaugh Community Center.

The Ben Nelson 5K & Fun Run helped Childersburg Kiwanis raise funds in support of area youth

A great crowd gathered on a crisp Childersburg morning for the 4th Annual Childersburg Kiwanis 5K & Fun Run, and the third year in a row the event honored the man who created the original fund-raising event, the late Ben Nelson.

“It’s an important event for the community, and one that has become an important means for Kiwanis in Childersburg to be of financial support in so many ways for youths in the area, from Kiwanis Park to scholarships for our graduating high school seniors,” said project chair Robbie Riddle, “It was great having Ben’s family out in support of a project that meant so much to our beloved former member.”

Scenes from the 5K & Fun Run

Riddle went on to thank those who came out to particiapte, along with many community sponsors, “Support from the community helps us do more for youths in the area. We still have some accounting to do, but it looks like the bottom line for the event will be close to 8 or 9,000 thousand dollars raised,” added Riddle.

5K Medalists

Sylacauga’s Caleb Pollard was the Overall male 5K participant, with Tammy Thornburg of Anniston leading the way as the overall female runner. The other top finishers were:

Harlyn Parrot (F – 9 & Under Division)
Makayla Lambert (F – 10 to 14 Division)
Macy Taylor (F – 15 to 19 Division)
Eden Kornegay (F – 20 to 29 Division)
Amber McDickenson (F – 40 to 49 Division)
Kim Puckett (F – 50 to 59 Division)
Timothy Ricks (M – 15 to 19 Division)
Tyler Arnold (M – 20 to 29 Division)
Tyler Culberson (M – 30 to 39 Division)
Ron Carroll (M – 40 to 49 Division)
James Chatman (M – 60 to 69 Division

The 17th Annual “Magic of Marble Festival” is underway in Sylacauga’s Central Park

More than 25 artists from around the world have gathered from around the world for the opportunity to work with Sylacauga’s pure white marble through April 12th. They will be joined by one invited sculptor from Italy, Edi Carrer, and this master sculptor will teach on site and conduct a symposium for visiting sculptors at the nearby B.B. Comer Memorial Library.

fESTIVAL PHOTO SLIDESHOW

We have “regular” visiting and resident sculptors, like our adopted Craigger Brown; Frank Murphy, a Sylacauga native who lives in Romer, GA; Bill Cook from Tennessee; Glenn Dasher from the Huntsville area; and the Cummings from Titus, along with a pair of Sylacauga sculptors, Lewellyn Peters and Jonathan Douglas, and a host of other newcomers and regulars to the Festival.

Besides our own Sylacauga art and architecture, our native marble graces dozens of buildings in Washington, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Montgomery, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and beyond.

And that is the point behind Sylacauga’s unique festival – to celebrate the art, architecture, as well as the many industrial, food, and pharmaceutical uses. Visitors to “The Marble City” sometimes ask, “When will the marble run out?” It will still be in the Alabama earth, still being mined, still creating hundreds of jobs, still being sculpted when our great-great-great-grandchildren go to see the Sylacauga Magic of Marble Festival.

SCP presents a new twist on an old tradition this weekend

Several decades ago, not wanting to leave out any child wishing to participate in a Sylacauga Community Playhouse childrens’ theater production, a tradition began where a custom script and a series of songs were created as “Alice in Wonderland” appeared for a “trial” before the King and Queen of Hearts, with all sorts of other characters testified in word and song.

That production was recreated over a dozen times over the years, and the concept returns this weekend with a new twist. This Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m., the Sylacauga Community will present “Character Sing-Along” at the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department.

Dressed as their favorite characters, actors and actresses will perform songs associated with those characters. Here’s hoping that the experience will lead the young and old to give the stage a try and keep a 45-year-plus S.C.P. tradition alive!

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg’s 4th Annual Ben Nelson Run/Walk for kids is set for this coming Saturday

Four year’s ago Ben Nelson organized a 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising effort in support of the many Kiwanis Club of Childersburg projects on behalf of kids in the community. Now, the annual event is named in memory of the ong time Kiwanis member.

This year’s 4th Annual Run/Walk is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 5th, starting at 6:45 a.m. for registration at Kiwanis Park, 4th Street at 4th Street SW in downtown Childersburg. The 5K Run starts at 7:45 a.m. with the Fun Run/Walk to follow at 8:00 a.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg asks for your help and participation in raising money for scholarships, Kiwanis Park maintenance, and other needs for the children in our community.

“April in Talladega” continues a 40-plus year tradition of art, historic houses, and community fun

For over 40 years, the City of Talladega has seen a unique event, “April in Talladega,” continue to grow with community events highlighting the city’s architecture, art, and more during what is typically a pleasant spring weekend.

Scheduled in 2025 for Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, “April in Talladega” features the traditional tour of historic homes, along with live painting, artisan demonstrations, handmade woodwork, jewelry, and pottery, and all sorts of other arts and crafts.

“April in Talladega” exists to showcase the city’s rich history and the architecture unique to its three National Historic Districts.

All proceeds from the event are used for historic preservation purposes, such as the restoration of the Ritz Theater facade and sign, improvement of facades for adjacent buildings, enhancements to the Chamber of Commerce building as well as Heritage Hall, improvements to the Hall of Heroes, tree planting projects in the historic district, home owner grants programs, and more.

A day of celebration has grown into an entire weekend with community events galore – a huge bake sale, a free KidZone with bounce houses and slides, a live music DJ, food trucks – all of this equals fun for the whole family.

Scheduled events include:

  • “April in Talladega” Luncheons – Friday, April 11 (12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.) & Saturday, April 12 (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at 105 North St. E
  • * Wine and Cheese Party – Friday, April 11 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) at Heritage Hall Museum, 200 South St. E
  • * Oak Hill Cemetery Tour – Saturday, April 12 (Time TBD)
  • * April on the Square Block Party – Saturday, April 12 (All Day) at the Talladega Square

Sylacauga’s “Magic of Marble” Festival kicked off Tuesday, April 1st with some new events added to the line-up, including popular prequels

Sylacauga’s annual “Magic of Marble” Festival has officially started, running from April 1st through the 12th, and some of the fun started earlier. The Comer Museum is hosting the scavenger hunt for the Marble Festival this year. You can pick up the Forms are available at both the museum, as well as the BB Comer Memorial Library. It’s always fun to fun to watch everyone run around town and see if they could spot the featured marble throughout the beautiful city. Cash prizes are available!

Over this past weekend, the “Lunch & Learn” series at the Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation in Harpersville was held as a new addition to the festival line-up, hosting a special presentation featuring famed marble author Ruth Cook and Craigger Browne, a renowned Sylacauga sculptor.

Also new to the line-up this year is the return of guided tours of the historic Sylacauga Cemetery. That will feature some unique twists this year. You’ll be able to meet historical figures, as costumed actors will portray the stories of Sylacauga’s past residents, bringing their lives to vivid reality. You can uncover local legends, hearing captivating tales of the people who shaped our community.
You can marvel at the marble monuments, as you admire the exquisite craftsmanship of the stunning marble headstones, a true testament to Sylacauga’s marble heritage.

All in all, it’s a perfect Marble Festival activity, an engaging and educational experience for everyone! There are two presentations scheduled: Saturday, April 5th from1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday,