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!
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 [email protected].
When old friends,Kesha Martin (‘97) and Maida Davis (‘00) started to put an idea into action, they had no idea what a Childersburg High School Alumni Picnic would become.
“We had heard of such events turning out fun,” said Maida Davis, “And we just wanted to get as many old friends from high school together as we could, an informal multi-class reunion. We had no idea what the response would be. We want to send out a big Shout Out to Brad Logan and the Parks & Recreation Department for trusting us with the stadium! Everybody appreciates it so much!”
They challenged CHS graduating classes to get together, erect some sort of tent for classmates to gather. Some organized pot luck dinners, while others collected and fired up grills and cookers, and others even brought in professional caterers. The result was enough picnic fare to feed a literal army.
Now, you have to have some sort of entertainment, and DJ Flexx was summoned to John Cox Stadium, bringing “Cuz” with him. They had the place hopping well into the evening, dancing as individuals, class groups, and even large line dances.
A cold morning turned into a sunny, mild afternoon as the crowd grew. And grew. And grew some more! Dozens turned into hundreds until the stadium grass was full of old friends reliving old times and renewing fun class rivalries. Cell phones came out, calling even more to join the fun. Cars were literally parked everywhere within walking distance.
The bottom line consensus was, “We’ve got to do this more often and watch it grow!”
They were headed separately to Pearl Harbor, a peaceful assignment in Hawaii — or so they thought. He, a new medical doctor. She, a nurse.
They first met in San Francisco, waiting for a ship to take them to Honolulu. They fell in love and married.
Dr. Howard L. Cockerham and wife, nurse Itaskah Maxwell Cockerham, then lived in a house overlooking Pearl Harbor. Her unusual name is Native American, which runs strongly in her blood.
On Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, Dr. Cockerham was the doctor-in-charge at the hospital at Pearl Harbor. He was finishing up three days on duty, or so he thought. Just as he was getting ready to turn the charge over and leave, wounded soldiers began being brought in by the dozens. They were from the airfield, which was the first target of Japanese attacks, so American planes could not defend the rest of the attack. They had bullet wounds.
“They look like they have been in a war,” Dr. Cockerham proclaimed. How right he turned out to be, the very beginning of America’s Pacific Theatre of World War II.
It didn’t take long before an attack on the airfield spread to a major attack on the harbor and its “Battleship Row.”
As the dead began to be brought in, Dr. Cockerham and the hospital quickly ran out of room and had to stack bodies in the hallway. That’s a sight that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Meanwhile, Nurse Cockerham was at their home overlooking Pearl Harbor. She was aware that war games had been conducted just a few days before. When she began to hear the booms and see the smoke over the harbor, she at first thought it was more war games. A lot of locals thought that but for only a short time.
She tried to get in touch with her husband, who was supposedly finishing up his duty to come home. Communications had either been cut off or knocked out. For three days, Nurse Cockerham did not know what had happened to her husband.
Dr. Cockerham continued to work on the hundreds of wounded. Finally, he was relieved and got to go home. It was the first time that Mrs. Cockerham knew that he was alive and heard the stories of the wounded and dead.
The Cockerham residence was situated where it did not get hit. Dr. Cockerham and Nurse Cockerham were not injured.
Dr. Cockerham was then ordered to islands in the Pacific where he headed MASH units for three years.
Fast forward a decade. Goodwater and Coosa County did not have a medical doctor. The Cockerham couple and their growing family moved there and made a life-changing impact.
It’s a long way from Pearl Harbor to Goodwater. The same doctor treating the wounded at Pearl Harbor later treated the sick and injured in Alabama.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
OPAC is in historic downtown Oxford at 100 Choccolocco Street.
The music begins December 3 with “Jingle All the Way” by Delores Hydcok and Bobby Horton.
“A Classical Christmas” with Julio Barreto and Timothy Miller follows on December 8.
“Comfort & Joy” with Jim Brickman is on December 13.
“Christmas with the Pops” is on December 15.
“A Rockin’ Christmas” with the Dallas String Quarter is on December 17.
“Nashville Noel” is on December 19.
The final Christmas concert is “An Olde English Christmas” with Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits on December 20.
The OPAC venue was created when Oxford repurposed an unused historic building. The classic building had been a city hall, fire station and jail. Millions of dollars later, it is now a 1,200-seat performing arts theater.
If you are interested in dining on your musical trips to Oxford, an upscale restaurant is in another restored and historic building almost next door to OPAC. “Hubbard’s Off Main” is operated by Oxford civic leader and city council member Charlotte Hubbard. It offers almost white glove service. Attire is mixed, mostly dressy casual. Reservations are always accepted, and on concert nights, reservations are needed.
“…[A]n intimate yet casual atmosphere with gracious hosts eager to make you feel right at home. Choose from a menu filled with classy Southern dishes and a few Oxford originals, too – we love representing our charming town. Try one of our award-winning steaks, or if you’re looking for a more casual night out, our selection of burgers is sure to hit the spot. The brick walls and the exposed wood beams gracing the ceiling create a quaint atmosphere nestled in a historic building, and our location right across from the Oxford Performing Arts Center makes us a perfect spot to dine for a night on the town.”
Hubbard’s Off Main occupies the classic building of the former Hubbard’s Piano Company. Its walls are decked with black-and-white photos of old Oxford and old Alabama. The restaurant has a small stage and upright pianos. Dining at Hubbard’s is like dining inside a museum of Alabama of yesteryear.
U.S. travelers often have Oxford, Mississippi, on their bucket lists because of its history of Southern writers. Now, they are adding Oxford, Alabama, because of its musical performances. And it calls out for more than one trip.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
The annual Holiday Bazaar to benefit the historic Butler-Harris-Rainwater House was a big hit over the weekend, helping raise funds for 2025 projects from the Childersburg Historic Preservation Commission.
“We gathered the best-ever group of vendors,” said Dianne Lester Newman, “And we had a steady flow of shoppers all day. And, I want to emphasize that they were buying from our vendors like never before!”
Newman said that 2024 saw the Commission complete landscaping around the historic landmark, along with automatic irrigation, “It looks better than we even imagined it would. thanks to help from Gina Hudson of Gina’s Greenhouse. This coming year, we’re looking to re-do our brick sidewalk, make it look better and be a safer walkway.”
December means several other annual holiday season traditions for the B-H-R House in downtown Childersburg. On Tuesday, December 3rd, they will host the 6:00 p.m. start of the downtown Christmas Tree Lighting festivities. On Tuesday, December 10th at 8:30 a.m., it’s the December Coffee from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“We get so much help throughout the year from the Childersburg Street Department to make our downtown area clean and attractively decorated,” explained Newman, “we’ll be serving the entire crew a holiday dinner as our way of showing our thanks for all they do. And, yes, we’ll literally be “serving’ them. They’ll just come in, sit down, and enjoy the meal. They make such a difference, it’s important for them to know how much we appreciate the many ways they volunteer to help!”
It has happened only once in the history of the world. A meteor hit a person, a woman asleep in her home in the Oak Grove community, just outside of Sylacauga.
November 30 will be the 70th anniversary of Sylacauga’s Ann Hodges’ unique experience that she lived to tell about. Amazingly, she was not seriously injured.
A real-life history lesson on the meteoric event will be presented on Saturday at Sylacauga’s Comer Museum and Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (It will be over in time for folks to get home and watch the Iron Bowl at 2:30 p.m.)
The principal speaker for the meteor seminar will be famed astronomer Dr. Lawrence Krumenaker.
The Facebook post about the seminar reads as follows:
“Dr. Krumenaker started professional life as an astronomer after growing up steeped in New Jersey’s Revolutionary War historical sites. The two influences eventually merged into a career that included scientific research and popular science, education and historical journalism. His articles and books in historical tourism are based on the idea that history is best understood both by telling the story part of history, and doing that by standing where it happened. It is done best seeing what’s left of the past and the difference between then and today, and traveling along with the event.
As an astronomer, Dr. Krumenaker is best known in the science community as the discoverer of the first microquasar in the galaxy, as a stellar spectroscopist and a planetary cartographer of the planet Mercury. He has been a science journalist and President of the International Science Writers Association. In addition to doing talks on historical events, Dr. Krumenaker has often done workshops and courses in astronomy education for teachers, and writes astronomy-based newsletters on Substack, notably the internationally-read The Galactic Times.
Among his books is ‘From River to River’”’ (2024) on General Lafayette in Georgia and ‘Nine Days Traveling’ (Lafayette in Alabama, 2020), ‘The Colonia Tour Book’ (Roman sites in Cologne, Germany, 2017), and ‘Walking the Line’ (The Atlanta Civil War defenses that kept Sherman out, 2014). Copies of these books and other creations of Dr. Krumenaker will be available for sale at Comer Museum. He has a Star Trek astronomy book, ‘Federation Space,’ due out next year.
After over two dozen address changes, in multiple Northern and Southern States, and residencies and travel in numerous countries in Asia and Europe, the peripatetic Dr. Krumenaker currently resides in Alabama.
Please join us on November 30 from 10-2.”
The Comer Museum also maintains an updated exhibit about the Hodges meteor.
Ann Hodges had been asleep under blankets on the couch in her living room. A meteor plunged through the roof of her house, hit her upright console radio, bounced and then hit Ann Hodges in her lower left side. It was a rude awakening.
Naturally, Hodges and her mother, who was also home at the time, did not know what had happened and did not know what the object was. It was sitting on their living room floor close to where it had struck Ann. The air in the room was suddenly full of dust.
The two women called the local police and fire department. Ann was transported to Sylacauga Hospital (now Coosa Valley Medical Center). Word spread through the community that something strange had happened at the Hodges’ residence, and crowds gathered.
Rumors abounded. Maybe the object had fallen off an airplane. Maybe a plane had crashed. Maybe the Russians, who were in a Cold War with the United States, had shot off something. Or maybe it was a “shooting star,” the common name for a meteor. That last guess turned out to be correct.
After inquiring and legal wrangling with landlord Birdie Guy about who owned the meteor, it ended up at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
The meteorite that struck the 34-year-old woman weighed 8.5 pounds.
Ann Hodges became a temporary celebrity when she appeared on the highly rated TV quiz show “I’ve Got a Secret” with Gary Moore. Celebrity contestant Bill Cullen guessed it immediately, as the meteor story had national coverage.
Her photo, exposed bruise and all, appeared in “Life Magazine.”
Another piece, believed to be from the same meteor, landed a couple of miles away. As Julius McKinney of Sylacauga was driving his mules home, they balked. They would go no further. He then saw a black object in the trail. He went around it, got the mules home, and came back to get the object. He had the sense to retain a lawyer, and they ended up selling it to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He received enough money to buy a house and a car.
If this tale weren’t strange enough already, there is yet another ironic chapter. There was a locally popular drive-in movie theater across the street from the Hodge’s home where the meteor struck. It was named “The Comet.” Its logo, on an upright tower, showed a meteor with trailing flame. The Comet Drive-In Theater.
Many people think the Comet Drive-In was named for the meteor incident across the street. No. The drive-in had already been named for several years when the meteor struck. What are the odds?
You may have noticed that this story uses the terms “meteor” and “meteorite.” As the object was in the solar system (outside the Earth’s atmosphere), it was a meteoroid, a small asteroid. When it entered the Earth’s atmosphere, it was called a meteor.
When it made it to Earth, it was called a meteorite.
As she slept, Ann Hodges, her mother, who was there, and her husband, who was not home and missed the whole thing, were completely unaware of all of this. They received a weeks-long course in meteor science that they were not expecting and did not want.
They thought they were learning “meteorology.” That is the incorrect term and means the science of the weather. We are familiar with weathermen on TV and radio — meteorologists. Has nothing to do with meteors and meteorites. The little-known name for the science of meteors and meteorites is “meteoritics.” Bet you did not know that.
The Hodges/Sylacauga meteorite and the conditions in the skies at the time it hit have been studied by scientists for decades. The case is cited in astronomy classes.
When you have a chance to visit the University of Alabama, go by Smith Hall, just off the Quadrangle. It houses the Alabama Museum of Natural History. Ask for the exhibit of the Sylacauga Meteorite. You will see a once-in-all-of-history display.
South Talladega County Future Teachers of Alabama are preparing for their 3rd Annual “Rudolph’s Rockin’ Reindeer Bash,” and they could use your help in making it a success.
The event is a Christmas party for Talladega County Elementary Collaborative Education Special Needs and Pre K students. They have created an Amazon Wish List, and are asking for your help in filling in that wish list. Please follow the link:
Bates Industrial & Safety Supply hosted the November Coffee from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, November 12th. Besides the spotlight on the Highway 280 business, details were provided on a lot of upcoming holiday events in the region.
Ragan Bates welcomed visitors on behalf of the host company, “We opened two years ago to provide for the needs of our industrial community, along with a lot of merchandise the general public loves and appreciates, too!”
Pete Storey spoke on behalf of Majestic Caverns, “Christmas at the Cave is always a special time for families to build lifetime memories.” This year, Adventus is coming this December 14, 21, & 28 and is the perfect Christmas event for families, friends, and churches looking to celebrate together with live music, festive entertainment, and holiday magic in the most unique setting.
Kara Eslinger was introduced as the owner of the brand new Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique on 1st Street in downtown Childersburg. “It truly provides something for everyone on your holiday shopping list,” said John Mark Freeman of the Chamber.
The City of Childersburg hosts their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 3rd, starting at 6:00 p.m. with all sorts of family fun throughout the decorated downtown.
The Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department hosts Breakfast with Santa on Tuesday, December 10th, Find details at Childersburg.recdesk.com
The annual Rainwater House Christmas Bazaar is scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd, hosted at the Limbaugh Community Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The 2024 Childersburg Christmas Parade is set for Thursday, December 12th, sponsored by Cadence Bank.
Holiday season shoppers are reminded to turn in sales receipts from businesses in the Greater Coosa Valley region at the Chamber Office at 805 3rd St SW in Childersburg. A drawing for ten $100 gift cards will be held and winners announced on Tuesday, December 10th, when the historic Butler-Harris-Rainwater House hosts the December Chamber Coffee.
