A pair of Sylacauga High School alumni were recently inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society chapter of the University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine (UABHSOM).
Levi Parker, Sylacauga High School Class of 2017, and Vyshi Rallapalle, Class of 2018, are both current third-year medical students at UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Both were bestowed the prestigious honor on Thursday, March 20 at Regions Field.
Parker and Rallapalle, along with six other medical students within their class, were inducted based on academic merit as the top eight from their first two years of medical school among a class of nearly 200.
AOA was founded in 1902 as an organization dedicated to honoring academic achievement, professionalism and exceptional teaching in the field of medicine. This honor will follow Parker and Rallapalle throughout their careers in medicine. Both are set to graduate medical school next spring in May 2026. At this time, Parker plans to pursue a career in Rheumatology by way of Internal Medicine and Rallapalle plans to pursue a career in Dermatology.
Coach Pete Rich grew up in Pell City and was a standout athlete, playing football for the all time winningest coach in Pell City High School history, Will Glover. That pair were to be honored during a very special exhibit in late March at the Pell City Museum. Coach Rich had to undergo emergency gall bladdr surgery, with another procedure the following day.
The exhibit will still be open at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29th at the museum, located in the Pell City Municipal Complex, Suite 200 on the 2nd Floor. Rich’s birthday celebration will be rescheduled when he is up to attending the event, but Coach Glover will still be honored with an exhibit.
Rich’s daughter, Lori Rich Billingsley said, “The love that so many of you have showned for our Dad has been overwhelming. Your prayers at this time are greatly appreciated.”
There are a lot of Sylacauga people who fondly remember the Pell City legend for the time Rich and his family spent living in the Marble City as an assistant for Coach Tom Calvin at Sylacauga High School.
One of his former players at Sylacauga High, Wayne Stephens said of Rich, “He is loved and respected by athletes and students at two different schools across many years of coaching. He also has the respect and friendship of many other coaches over the years at Pell City and opponents.”
After high school, Rich went on to the University of Southern Mississippi before first coaching at Jones Valley High School. From there, he served in Sylacauga. In 1968, he retired from coaching, but only for one year before Pell City called him home. He served two different stints as the head coach at PCHS and many years as an assistant coach for several head coaches at his alma mater.
The Pell City stadium was named in his honor the 1990s. He is loved and respected by athletes and students at two different schools across many years of coaching.
His dedication to coaching is well known, as he found it quite difficult to step away from the game for good, but one of the things that sealed his legendary legacy as a coach were the values of character, discipline, teamwork, and leadership he shared with his teams!
Former Talladega Mayor Larry Hugh Barton passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with the love of his life, Mary, by his side just as she has been since they married in December, 1956. He was 85-years-old.
The colorful and often controversial Barton served four terms as the mayor of his hometown. According to his obituary, his tenure as mayor included the city purchase of the Ritz Theater, development of a municipal golf course, the acquisition of two city parks, and the recruitment and expansion of over 100 businesses in the city.
Barton’s professional career began as a banker at Talladega National Bank, and he also served as a barber, and a self-taught musician with a Gospel group, The Pioneers, who produced over a dozen albums during his time with the group, as well as several stints as a media host with shows on television and radio.
For the past year, select members of the Junior and Senior classes from Childersburg and Fayetteville High Schools have been privileged to be a part of the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber Young Professionals group, on a journey to learn and grow. This past week, this class was honored with a graduation ceremony.
“Young Professionals is about showing our youth of today, the possibilities of tomorrow,” explained Chamber President/CEO John Mark Freeman, “We strive to help our youth learn more about leadership, the community, and themselves.”
During the year-long program, the students experience local business and industry, participate in putting on local events, and so much more that the community has to offer, “By the time they graduate, we want them to be in tune with all that is the Greater Coosa Valley.”
This year’s graduation ceremony for the GCV Young Professionals was held at the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Center. Young Professionals Addison Gleason of Childersburg High and Ethan Butler of Fayetteville High were named recipients of 2024-25 Young Professional Scholarships.
Graduating Young Professionals were
Childersburg High: Addison Gleason, Arardia Harrison, Shakira Harrison, Clarrisa McAdams, Caleigh Pearson, Chase Price, and Gracie Wallenfang.
The Sylacauga Board of ion opened their Tuesday, March 18 business meeting with approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with First Bank of Alabama for the Centennial Building donation. The building, located on the north-east corner of the Norton Avenue at 1st Street intersection, will be used by the school system as an alternative school location, among other uses to be determined.
In other New Business, the Board approved financials: Payroll, Accounts Payable and CNP Accounts Payable, along with New Teacher Mentors for second semester of the current 2024-2025 school year, as well as adoption of the K-12 Science Textbook/Supplemental Curriculum.
The Board approved a bid for $266,807.12 to Incare Technologies for the Network Switch and Wireless Access Point, required by E-Rate.
In Personnel matters, the Board accepted the following retirements: Sharon Futral, Full Time Bus Driver, effective June 1, 2025; Gail Duncan, CNP Worker, Pinecrest Elementary, effective April 1, 2025; Sheila Giddens, School Nurse, Pinecrest Elementary, effective June 1, 2025; and Tracy Green, Fifth Grade Teacher, Pinecrest Elementary, effective June 1, 2025.
The resignation was accepted from: Heather Collier, Indian Valley Elementary, Special Education, Self-Contained Teacher, effective at the end of 2024-2025 school year.
The Board also approved the following transfers of: Kelley Holbrook, Nichols Lawson Middle School Bookkeeper to Sylacauga High School Bookkeeper, effective March 31, 2025; Malesha Garrett, Nichols Lawson Middle School Secretary to Nichols Lawson Middle School Bookkeeper, effective March 31, 2025; and Skylar Patterson, Nichols Lawson Middle School Special Education Teacher to Sylacauga High School Special Education Teacher, effective 2025-2026 School Year.
Employment was approved for: Eula Renae Moon Walton, CNP Manager, Pinecrest Elementary, effective March 31, 2025; and Erica Harwell, Sylacauga High School, Attendance Clerk, effective March 19, 2025.
The Board approved a pair of Summer Programs for: Summer Literacy/Math Camp Staff, effective Summer 2025; and Transportation Summer Workers, effective Summer 2025.
Supplements were approved for: National Board Certified Teachers Supplements; additional hours for SHS Teachers for AP Review Sessions; Additional hours for SHS and NLMS Health Science Teachers; Isaac Jennings, Varsity Boys Volunteer Coach for Track, Sylacauga High School, effective immediately.
Leaves Of Absence were approved for Brenda Durden, Nichols-Lawson Middle School, effective immediately through end of 2024-2025 school year; and Lane Strickland, Nichols Lawson Middle School, effective March 31 through end of 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Emilyanne Steers as a system-wide Substitute Teacher, effective immediately.
Prior to the meeting, the Board enjoyed a presentation celebrating Arts Education Month with highlights of the school system’s Fine Arts Programs. Also highlighted was the Sylacauga High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team and Coaches for their excellence during the just completed season, which ended as the 5A State Runnerup with a 30 – 4 overall record.
Get ready for a great day filled with a wonderful mix of vendors, mouthwatering food trucks, live music, and fun for the kids with Billy Damon! It’s “Southern Trade Days” on Saturday, January 18th at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame!
Held inside the Fox Sports Dome at 3198 Speedway Blvd., next to the Talladega Speedway in Lincoln, there’ll be all kinds of vendors, offering everything from guy stuff to women’s categories, children’s items, and treasures both new or gently used. Whether you’re seeking something modern or vintage, hand made, brand new or more there’s sure to be something to catch your eye, appealing to folks of every age and taste.
And, don’t miss the sports cards, memorabilia and collectibles vendors hosted by The Flip Trade Show – perfect for all your man cave needs! There’ll be live music & entertainment from Mac & Cheese, Guntram Aderlik, and Montgomery Highway, plus special entertainment activities just for the younger crowd.
Since his days as a college freshman, Childersburg native Arttravious Twyman has found a growing love for designing hot new fashion trends. The Stillman College marketing graduate has been holding successful “pop-up” shows on college campuses across the southeast.
This weekend, he’s showing some love for his hometown by holding a special holiday season show and sale in Childersburg, “I’m bringing my “SkyBlue Inspirational Clothing” line home to downtown Childersburg.
The name came to him as a slogan back in college, “It served as an inspiration to me, motivation to follow my passion and love for creating new fashions. It’s time to spread that love at home.”
Twyman chose the downtown event center, The Patio at 906 1st SW in Childersburg. He’ll be setting up shop for the day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The nearly 500 students at Indian Valley Elementary School were thrilled by an air-lift visit from Santa Clause Tuesday morning (12-17) to pick-up late Letters to Santa.
“It was an important stop on my schedule,” said Santa, “A lot of the students had not sent in their letters yet, so I scheduled a stop in Sylacauga. We had a bit of trouble with the sleigh, so the Lifesaver Helicopter crew stepped up to help, along with their fellow first responders in the area.”
Wade Pruitt, Manager of the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, who came up with the plan explained, “I remembered as a kid that a Birmingham helicopter pilot made such stops with Santa around the region. I talked with our Lifesaver 4 crew, and they said they’d be happy to join the project, as they suggested getting other area first responders involved, too. I’m so glad that everything came together, and the weather cooperated for a quite unique experience for the kids,”
Sylacauga Superintendent, Dr. Michele Eller was also on hand for the visit, “Things like this is why I came to Sylacauga in the first place, so many community partnerships coming together for the good of the community. Just look at all the smiles!”
In her capacity as a PTO Mom, Sylacauga City Councilman, Laura Barlow Heath added, “Such a magical time for our students, a time for smiles and joy to be treasured as lifetime memories.”
Santa presents a surprise check to the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation to help fund grant checks for teachers and classrooms!
The state of Alabama has set up several programs for families to use and pay for school options.
The CHOOSE Act
Education Scholarship Program
Alabama Accountability Act
Special Education Evaluations
Charter Schools
Each program has its own requirements, benefits and limitations. Any one program can prove a bit complicated for a family wanting to know their education options. Surveying all the programs and making sound decisions can be an even bigger challenge.
Now, citizens in Alabama have set up a non-profit to serve as a guide and assistant to families seeking to navigate the new and changing world of school options.
Love Your School Alabama provides a website and Facebook page with frequently asked questions and one-on-one support.
Love Your School also produces a podcast titled “Bama Knows Education.” It can be accessed here.
The podcast is hosted by Sheila Bannister of Madison, the regional director of Love Your School.
To keep up with changes in the programs, a free e-mail update is available here.
Families needing one-on-one support about their situation can set that up at Love Your School, which has Parent Support Specialists available.
The organization describes itself on its site as follows:
Love Your School believes every family should be able to answer the question “do you love your school?” with a resounding “yes!” Love Your School Alabama celebrates education options and helps Alabama families navigate the Education (CHOOSE) Tax Credit, special education, school options and more. We take pride in offering one-on-one support to families, taking them from problem to solution.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. ÏHe is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
Many folks think that Christmas trees cannot be grown in Alabama, that it takes the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Well, here is my story of growing one of Alabama’s early Christmas tree farms — the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm outside of Sylacauga.
My father, Bloise Zeigler, was raised on an 80-acre farm in the Russell Chapel area near Fayetteville in Talladega County. About 1951, he bought a 20+ acre farm in the Oak Grove community adjacent to Sylacauga for our growing family. You can’t make a living and support a family of six on 20 acres, so Bloise Zeigler worked full-time at Kimberly-Clarke Newsprint, now Resolute Forest Products, near Childersburg.
As Dad worked full-time, he also worked part-time on his small farm for additional income. Sometimes, a few cattle, chickens or hogs. Always wife Bernice Zeigler’s garden, including a cornfield and strawberry patch — my Mom with a green thumb.
After retiring from the newsprint plant, Bloise Zeigler wanted to utilize the family farm more. He turned to his unofficial adviser on all things agricultural. Dr. John Woodruff is married to my older sister, Ina (to those around Sylacauga, “Ina Gayle.”) John Woodruff is an agricultural genius. Award-winning. The two minds got together and came up with it. Alabama’s soil and climate were perfect for growing Pinus Virginiana. Virginia Pines. Christmas trees.
Bloise and Bernice Zeigler started the area’s first “choose-and-cut” Christmas tree farm. It took just three years for Virginia Pine seedlings to become mature Christmas trees. A nickel seedling could become what then was a $15.00 to $30.00 Christmas tree (They can cost more now). Eastern Red Cedars and Leland Cypress trees were added to the gourmet selection of Christmas trees.
Plan the work and work the plan. By 1979, we were attracting families across East and Central Alabama. The families would make an outing of it. Bring the children and grandchildren. Get your saw from Bloise Zeigler. Rummage through the fields until you find the tree you like. Cut it. Take it up to the Zeigler barn, where you could shake the dead needles out using a “shaker” invented by cousin Mickey Zeigler. And wrap it in a netting using a gizmo invented by Mickey Zeigler, mechanical genius.
In 1996, a tree from the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm was selected as the official Christmas Tree of the Governor’s Mansion, adorning the inside of the mansion. That was the first time that something Zeigler-grown stayed in the Governor’s Mansion.
For 30 years, families from Birmingham to Auburn, from Gadsden to Clanton, came to the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. It became a tradition. It was also a tradition for Bloise Zeigler to witness to the families about salvation through Jesus Christ, the true meaning of Christmas.
Nowadays, all that remains of The Zeigler Christmas Farm is that witness and the pleasant remembrances of thousands of families.
Do you know anybody over age 40 near the Sylacauga area? Ask them about the old Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. And ask them about Bloise and Bernice Zeigler. You will be amazed at the Christmas stories they tell you. Old-fashioned Alabama Christmas stories.
Jim Zeigler is former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
