Life Celebrations hosted the June GCV Chamber Coffee

Childersburg’s Life Celebrations Event Center hosted the June Coffee gathering from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce this week, showing off the location that is available to host events from family reunions to showers and weddings in the Piggy Wiggly Shopping Center.

Vanessa Owens has served as a professional event planner for over 30-years, “Helping friends and family create memory-making moments has been my passion for decades. It’s my calling, and besides my husband, Rickey Owens, I’ve called on network of talented friends to bring occasions together.”

One of those friends is Sabrina McCain, whose Elite Catering put together a delightful menu for the Chamber Coffee. Her specialty is Southern Soul Food, “But I’ve handled all sorts of menus over the years, from small family affairs to gatherings for hundreds of guests, from simple to elegant.”

The Owens and friends will be hosting their own event – their anniversary celebration for the Life Celebrations Event Center on the evening of July 5th, with live music and other entertainment on the event center stage, along with a wide variety of food and drinks. The doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with the show starting at 8:00.

“We have a great evening of fun planned, that won’t be complete without you! Feel free to call us at (800) 657-7611 to make reservations for July 5th, or to arrange to host your own special life celebration.”

Life Celebrations hosts the June 2025 GCV Chamber Coffee

Life Celebrations will be the host for the June Coffee from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber.It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th at 8:30 a.m. on the Childersburg Campus of Central Alabama Community College.

Come out and hear all that is happening in the Coosa Valley area. Chamber Coffees are a great time to meet new people and grow your network and learn all about this month’s host business.

Life Celebrations Event Center, located in the heart of Childersburg, is a venue designed to provide a luxurious setting for your most cherished moments. With elegant decor and a dedicated team, Life Celebrations is committed to making your next event unforgettable.

Governor Ivey announces “License Free Fishing Day” in Alabama for June 7th

Governor Kay Ivey has invited the public to participate in Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7. The event allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has to offer without purchasing a fishing license. Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 1-8.

“From the Gulf of America to our mountain streams, our state has world-class waters that anglers from far and wide travel to enjoy,” said Governor Ivey. “Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity to enjoy the unmatched natural beauty of our state while also supporting our state’s economy. I encourage all Alabamians to take advantage of this day – so, grab your tackle box and enjoy our Alabama the Beautiful.”

The fishing license exemption on Free Fishing Day covers most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater. Alabama’s State Public Fishing Lakes still require a fishing permit on Free Fishing Day, and fishing in a private pond requires the pond owner’s permission. Some piers may also require fees and permits.

Local high school students selected to participate in exclusive RNT+ Experience Camp

Eli Thornton, a student at Fayetteville High School, and Audrey Luker, a student at the Alabama Virtual Academy, have been selected to attend the prestigious RNT+ Experience Camp hosted by Reach and Teach, an educational nonprofit that equips students with real-world skills through hands-on experiences in marketing, media, event planning, hospitality, tourism, and entertainment production.

The RNT+ Experience Camp brings together a select group of high-achieving students from across the state for an immersive, multi-day experience designed to expand their professional skill sets, build leadership abilities, and offer one-of-a-kind career exploration opportunities.

During the camp, students will participate in advanced workshops, work alongside industry professionals, tour popular tourism locations in Huntsville, and collaborate on creative projects such as the Kansas, .38 Special, and Jefferson Starship concert at The Orion Amphitheater on June 14. They’ll gain insider knowledge into fields like concert production, broadcasting, public relations, hospitality, and entrepreneurship – all while building connections with mentors and peers who share a passion for innovation and the entertainment industry.

The RNT+ Experience is a partnership between Reach and Teach, The Orion Amphitheater, and the Huntsville Music Office. High school students across the state of Alabama were eligible to apply for this free, all-inclusive camp.

“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

“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