Category: Community Feature

Sylacauga – When Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Director Steve Masters opened the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday (8/12), he referenced an already long journey it took to get to that point, “The idea started in 2017, and it didn’t take long to understand that nothing government moves quickly.”

But Masters noted many of the ideas and people involved that made it work. The previous Council that committed ideas and funding for an overall “master plan” for his department, “We’ve renovated two parks, with two more coming. We replaced a non-functioning eyesore and turned it into the quite busy Courtside Park. We’re improving Boat Dock Lane for better access to Lake Howard. And there are so many to thank for being part of this long burt productive journey to improve the quality of life for families and citizens.”

Mayor Matt Hubbard, who was the Parks Board Chair when this all got started said, “It’s about hope and opportunity, it’s about making lifetime friends and memories, it’s about healthier lifestyles that make a strong contribution to our quality of life in meaningful ways.

Council President Tiffany Nix opened her remarks by thanking former council member Ashton Fowler and Lee Perryman for their insights and leadership in making the ground-breaking day possible, “When people and businesses look for new homes, they look at industry, education, and recreation. With this master plan for our Parks and Recreation Department, we will have all three of those things among the strongest anywhere. That’s something that should make us proud.”

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Weather has cooperated with area farmers during the 2026 growing season. So, the Sylacauga Farmers Market, which often ends its summer operation near the start of a new school year, will extend the season into September, before hopefully making way for a fall market as well.

That means fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, plus all sorts of Home Cottage industry products like fresh-baked breads and eggs straight from the farm will continue for the foreseeable future.

The local farmers market program is administered by the Alabama Farmers Market Authority, a program to aid marketing of agricultural products from the farm to the consumer. This assures the consumer a better quality product at a reasonable price and a fair return to the producer by providing a convenient, dependable place through which producers and buyers to gather on a regular basis. In Sylacauga, that will be every Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon until further notice.

The Market also serves as a place for area seniors to use the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) cards from the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

Sylacauga – RadioAlabama’s Lee Perryman welcomed everyone to the August Chamber Coffee from the Childersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, “Our missions are to meet people and make a difference. We have 63 people on our payroll across 13 radio stations serving a region along 280 from Chelsea to Auburn/Opelika, from Pell Cit to Montgomery, along with affiliated websites and phone apps.”

Perryman went on to explain that there are 2.8-million people living and working in that coverage area, looking to be entertained and informed about things going on in their community, “Our focus is on high school sports, bringing play by play action to loyal fan-bases.”

The Chamber announced a lot of upcoming community activities. There’s a ribbon-cutting for Frontline Offroad on Highway 280 on Friday, August 21st at 11:00 a.m., and another ribbon-cutting for B&A Photography, also on Highway 280, on Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m. A few days later, on Saturday, August 29th at the original John Cox Stadium, it’s Childersburg Trade Days from 10:00 to 3:00. The Chamber will host a Job Fair on Thursday, September 17th from 9:00 to 1:00 at the Childersburg Parks & Recreation. And they’re registering vendors for Childersburg Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 17th.

There was exciting news from the Talladega County School System. The South Talladega County Elementary schools just got their 3rd-Grade reading test scores back as follows: Watwood Elementary – 93, Fayetteville Elementary – 100; and Childersburg Elementary – 100. Congratulations!

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Last week, the Sylacauga Chamber helped welcome the new educators for Sylacauga City Schools and Talladega County Schools at the New Beginnings Breakfasts presented by AEA UniServ District 15. Thanks to the donations of several local businesses, we were able to give every new educator a bag full of supplies to help them get their classrooms started.

The Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the incredible educators who dedicate themselves to preparing the next generation of our workforce. Every lesson taught, every skill developed, and every student encouraged helps build a stronger future for our businesses, our community, and our local economy. Thank you for investing in the leaders, innovators, and employees of tomorrow! Have a great school year!

Childersburg – Aaron Campbell’s downtown Childersburg creation. “The Nevermore,” celebrated its first anniversary of the weekend.

“It’s been an interesting journey, taking things step by step, with a long way to go,” said Campbell We asked the business owner to name a few superlatives he’s experienced so far.

Biggest Accomplishment: “August 3rd, 2025 – simply getting the doors open for business. The three months before that and the three months after were so important, putting things together, making adjustments, taking big steps as we laid the foundation for what was to come.”

Best Decision(s): “First was getting the kitchen open at just the right time. That’s been huge. Adding karaoke on Friday nights really kicked things into another gear, allowing us to add fun things throughout the week. And, it was huge to expand to being open seven days a week. So, timing of the way things came together provided the best decisions.”

Biggest Surprise: ”I’d say there’s been a couple of things – the way a strong group of regulars embraced what we’re trying to create – a place to gather for enjoyable time with friends. They drive the ideas behind the place, the menu, the events and activities we’ve added along the way.”

Biggest Obstacle Overcome: “Knowing from the start that I can’t do this alone, it’s been about finding the right people to give The Nevermore it’s personality, it’s identity as a place people want to enjoy good food, good friends in a fun atmosphere. People – that’s the difference-maker for any business, but it’s vital for a gathering place.”

What’s Ahead: “Oh, plenty! Next is probably adding lunch in the coming weeks. To go along with that, we’ll add more seating as we expand into next door, where we’ll also have our micro-brewery, adding our very own brews, built around interesting Scottish ales. That’s been where we’ve been heading all along – creating a unique restaurant and pub with signature tastes people enjoy, step by step.”

Childersburg & Montevallo – Washer, dryer, and even detergent are free from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th, at the Highway 280 location of Suds-R-Us in Childersburg, thanks to Surrendered Ministries.

And on Thursday, August 6th in Montevallo, Beacon of Hope Ministries teams up with Shelby Emergency Services for “Loads of Love,” free laundry day from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Suds-R-Us location on Highway 25 in Montevallo.

No registration is necessary. No questions asked, just free laundry service from Suds-R-Us.

Sylacauga – With Tuesday’s Grand Opening of Earth Helps on the Old Birmingham Highway provides a return of local accewss to health foods, natural supplements, and more healthful product lines.

“It’s been 22 years since we had Nature’s Aid on Highway 280,” explained owner Haley Dailey, “And besides my own health issues, that’s why we decided to open Earth Helps, so locals won’t have to drive log distances to find such a wide selection of health foods, vitamins, herbs, supplements, clean beauty items, teas, coffee, soaps, candles, and more. And we’re very open to suggestions as to what you want us to carry.”

The “we” Haley referred to includes her daughter, Alison Bland, who will manage the store at 899 Old Birmingham Highway, while her mother continues her nursing career, “This was my daughter’s idea, and I’m happy to play a part in bringing a natural way to stay healthy to Sylacauga.”

Childersburg – Community events are hitting a new gear in Childersburg as new items have been added to the calendar, including traditional events, the return of another big tradition, as well as a pair of vendor attractions.

Things got started on Saturday, August 1st at the ballpark at Sadie Lee for the annual K-through 12 Back-to-School Back Pack giveaway, with all sorts of great food, bounce houses and games, informative exhibitors, and of course back packs filled with school supplies, with a goal of 600 this year.

Radio Alabama on Norton Avenue in Sylacauga will host the August Childersburg Area Chamber Coffee at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11th, providing great networking opportunities and get updates on community news and member happenings.

With high school football kicking off the season once again with the Tiger versus Tiger – Childersburg versus B.B. Comer match-up kicking off the season with their Thursday night season-opener on August 20th in Childersburg, another related longtime tradition is back as well – “Tiger Town Takeover – a Community Pep Rally” on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Childersburg High School Baseball Field. And there’s a full line-up of activities, including the Comer Game Bonfire.

Everyone is invited to the free with fun games like a pickleball tournament, a kickball game, whiffle ball, live music, food trucks, and of course the return of the Comer game bon fire tradition with an 8:00 p.m. lighting.

Coming on Saturday, August 29th from 10:00 a,m, to 3:00 p.m., pop-up vendors – local businesses, crafters, makers, food vendors, direct sales representatives and more will gather at John Cox Stadium for what is hoped will be another new tradition, Childersburg Trade Days! If you’d like to be one of the participating vendor/exhibitors, get in touch with the Childersburg Area Chamber as soon as you can to secure your spot.

Go ahead and mark Saturday, October 17 on your calendar for a new festival event – Childersburg Oktoberfest 2026 downtown from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Get ready for a day packed with family fun, and follow the Childersburg Area Chamber on social media for a string of exciting announcements that will be coming soon.