New EBT benefits – Alabama SUN Bucks – are coming in June

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has announced a new Summer EBT benefit program. It is part of a new federal program, known here as Alabama SUN Bucks, will provide a one-time issuance of $120 per school-aged child for groceries to low income families.

“The summer break can be challenging for families when children are at home and spending increases because children and youth are not in school and receiving benefits,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “This additional money will help families across the state make it through summer break while also encouraging healthy and nutritious eating.”

Students receiving funds through ALSDE programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid will be automatically eligible for Alabama SUN Bucks. Students receiving free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision will NOT automatically qualify, but they can still apply for Alabama SUN Bucks.

An Alabama SUN Bucks card will be issued to students who qualify for the program, and in Alabama, they are scheduled to be sent out in June..

If you have any Summer EBT questions, you can call 1-800-443-3536 or email support@alabama-sunbucks.com.

“Water Park @ Central” is coming to Sylacauga on Tuesday, June 10th

Get ready to beat the heat with a day of summer fun! The Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce “Water Park @ Central,” taking place on Tuesday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Central Park, conveniently located across from Blue Bell Creameries.

It’s a FREE community event, proudly sponsored by Heritage South Credit Union, and it promises something for everyone. Kids of all ages can enjoy:

  • A thrilling 18-foot water slide
  • A small water slide and bouncy combo perfect for little ones
  • A giant sprinkler provided by the Sylacauga Fire Department

To make the day even cooler, Pelican’s Snoballs will be on-site with their food truck offering delicious, icy treats available for purchase.
Don’t forget your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, and come out for a splash-filled morning of fun!

Event Details:
What: Water Park @ Central
When: Tuesday, June 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Sylacauga (across from Blue Bell Creameries)
Cost: Free Admission
Sponsor: Heritage South Credit Union

The Sylacauga Little League Baseball lease agreement has expired, leaving the future use of Wingard Park uncertain

The lease agreement between Sylacauga Little League Baseball and the City of Sylacauga has expired, and the league has not fielded competition the past two seasons. Now, the Sylacauga Parks & Recreation Department is reaching out to all current and former Sylacauga Little League Baseball Board Members of regarding the ball fields at Wingard Park.

The city-owned Wingard Park fields have a rich tradition of serving our community and have impacted countless lives through the years, under local, parent-run organization. In a prepared announcement, the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Board said, “Our primary goal is to ensure that this legacy continues and that Wingard Park remains filled with the sounds of youth sports for generations to come.”

To that end, the department is hosting an important community meeting on Thursday, May 29th at 5:30 p.m. in Room 1 of the J. Craig Smith Community Center. The meeting is an opportunity to reach an agreement on the future use of the fields.

The Parks and Recreation Board added, “We have made multiple efforts to contact the previous board members to finalize a renewed lease agreement but have not received a response. We want to give every opportunity to the previous lease holders to continue their use of the fields before we consider extending a new lease offer to Sylacauga Youth Softball, formerly known as Sylacauga Little League Softball.”

The scheduled meeting is for official board members of Sylacauga Little League Baseball and Sylacauga Youth Softball only. It is NOT an open forum for public opinion.

“Feelin’ Ranchy” on Highway 280 celebrates with a ribbon-cutting ceremony

Since she was 12-years-old, Izzy Bailey’s dream has been to combine her love of fashion and Western-wear inside her very own retail store. Thus was born “Feelin’ Ranchy Consignment, Boutique & More” on Highway 280 just outside of Childersburg.

With the support of her family and friends to create her dream, Izzy Bailey was joined by the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday May 22nd. The gathered crowd didn’t just enjoy the ceremony of the occasion, they started shopping!

“It feels so nice to have my idea accepted so well,” said Izzy, as she tearfully hugged and kissed her business partner and mother, Heather Bailey.

GCV Chamber welcomes “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg with a Ribbon-Cutting

The Greater Coosa Valley Chamber, along with friends, family, and community members officially welcomed “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg last week. It is owned and operated by Maddie Pagan and Conner Ogle.

The shop is located at #4 8th Avenue SW in downtown Childersburg, with a great selection of collectibles, including all sorts of sports cards – MLB, NFL, and NBA. They have a lot of autographed memorabilia, plus bobble-heads, and jerseys.

“I’ve been a collector since I was 10-years-old,” explained Ogle of his interest in collectibles, “ and having my own retail outlet for collectibles has been a longtime dream of mine.”

Pagan and Ogle are assisted by Austin Allen, the resident expert on everything Pokemon and more, “I’m working on adding One-Piece and Magic of the Gathering collectibles, too.”

Although kids love the new store, there is a decidedly adult following that understands both the fun and the value in collectibles, something that appreciates over the years.

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

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.

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,