Category: Community Feature

There was rain throughout the area and gray, threatening skies above TigerFest 2025 at John Cox Stadium in Childersburg, but that didn’t scare off visitors for the big annual event.

Those visitors were greeting with a bunch of delicious food from food trucks, even more supportive exhibitors, and plenty of back-to-school information, and a long list of fun activities to enjoy well into the event, before rain finally came and cut short the celebration.

“A lot of folks, a LOT of folks have come out in support of our children,” said Mayor Ken Wesson, “Another impressive night for the people of Childersburg, coming together for a great cause.”

The Arc of South Talladega County is proud to announce the tremendous success of its recent BBQ Bailout Fundraiser, which raised nearly $12,000 to support individuals with developmental, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities in South Talladega County. The event was held on Friday, August 1st at The Corner Spot in Sylacauga.

Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of local municipal candidates and the incredible generosity of the public, the event brought together supporters from across the community for a fun and impactful evening. The following candidates were “locked up” for the cause and rallied donations to earn their release:

Greer Wright Bisignani – $1,050

Lee Perryman – $630

Nate Brewer – $1,087.25

Tina Sanders – $1,200

Jada Thomas-Combs – $760

Diana Thornton – $760

Matt Hubbard – $1,010

Tim Vincent – $1,013

Zac Mayo – $864

John Wesson – $783

Mayor Jim Heigl – $200 donation

Guests enjoyed lively conversations with candidates, watched the bailout fun unfold, and helped raise additional funds by purchasing over 200 BBQ plates, many of which were enjoyed on-site as the excitement continued.

The barbecue plates were prepared by Jon and Chelsey Strong, with supplies generously donated by members of The Arc’s Board of Directors.

A special thank-you goes to Becky Bolton, who provided use of The Corner Spot at no charge – helping make the evening even more successful.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to The Arc’s ongoing efforts to provide vital services, advocacy, and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout every stage of life.

Every summer, in the weeks leading up to a new school year, No More Tears, Inc. gathers families in a local park with a Back-to-School event, where everything is free for those in attendance.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Back Packs for a Brighter Future” over one thousand free back packs were given away, filled with school supplies. There were fun games, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and cheese, snow cone treats, and more. And DJ Weechie supplied the music for a fun and rewarding day in Central Park.

It’s a fun and productive way to give back to the community for Sylacauga’s Meat Depot, and the beneficiaries are the high school athletic programs at B.B. Comer and Sylacauga High Schools. Now through July 29th, grab Powerade at 5 for $5 and help support local students, especially student athletes.

Hey, the students themselves know what this means. Student athletes have been showing up, spending a good bit of the little time they have left before school starts back.

Check out the boxes for our local schools near the door. Pick one, or pick both. Donate some Powerade. All the donations will be delivered to the schools to help the students start the school year strong!

As a total volunteer organization, the Childersburg Rescue Squad depends on donations and two major fund raisers to cover their expenses. They have announced plans for one of those fund-raisers, “Ride to the Rescue” on Saturday October 11, 2025.

The “Ride to the Rescue” event is a significant fundraising effort for the Childersburg Rescue Squad, aiming to support their missions both locally and beyond. The event includes a bike ride/race with two circuits: a 32-mile and a 64-mile route, starting at the B.J. Meeks Sports Complex in Childersburg.

The event also features a free concert the night before the race, a car-ruck-and-bike show, as well as BBQ plates for sale. The event is a testament to the squad’s commitment to community support and their efforts to enhance the lives of those in need.

When a call for help comes, the Squad answers. So far this year, the Childersburg Rescue Squad responded to: a lost person on Cheaha Mountain; a lost person in Munford; recovered a drowning victim in Morgan County and another one in Lake Lanier, GA; assisted with the tornado in Winterboro.

More recently, they rescued two elderly gentlemen stranded on Elliot Island during a heavy thunderstorm when their boat broke down. ALEA was unable to send help, and the St. Clair E-911 didn’t have anyone, so the Childersburg Rescue Squad responded. When a hurricane ravaged east coast states, the Squad spent two days immediately after the hurricane in Irwin, TN, building a landing zone so choppers could deliver supplies to a totally isolated area.

Seeing the total devastation in Irwin, the Childersburg Rescue Squad spearheaded a Christmas toy dive. Squads from all around Alabama filled a 55-foot tractor trailer and another smaller truck, delivering “Christmas” to over 6,000 children in the Irwin area.

Besides your attendance during their big October event, they are looking for sponsors, too. There are two sponsorship packages – $150 and $250 – that include signage during the event that will draw thousands of locals, as well as visitors from across the southeast.

Make checks payable to the Childersburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 204, Childersburg, AL 35044. Please send along your business card with your logo and name for the signs. Because you never know when it will be your family that needs their quick response.

The monthly series of 3rd Thursday Block Parties continues this week in downtown Childersburg.

It’s a fun, family-friendly event to show off a growing number of downtown Childersburg businesses, along with a great line-up of fantastic vendors from throughout the region, and that line-up is growing as well!

It’s an example of how showing appreciation for what we have, helps the growth of retail business, restaurants, pop-up vendors, and food trucks. Come on out & enjoy it all with family, friends, and neighbors!

SAFE Family Services invites you to join them for a special celebration in the Sam Wright Sylacauga Grows Community Garden on Thursday, July 17th, “Honoring growth, health, and family.

The event features Dr. Therron Hutton, Founder and Director of the Mulberry Clinic. Dr. Hutton is renown for his discussions on how food and lifestyle impacts overall health, his experiences helping patients with health problems.

It’s a family-friendly event, scheduled as a floating style event from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. There are several specific question and answer discussions:

Farm to Table Food as Education – 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Food is Medicine – 4:00 p.m.

There will be plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the event, including sharing of garden snacks. The Sylacauga Grows Garden is located at 72 Betsy Ross Lane in Sylacauga.

The 2025 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is set for Friday through Sunday, July 18th through the 20th. Shop locally as all jurisdictions in the region are participating in Alabama’s annual back to school sales tax holiday. The following items will be exempt from all sales tax:

Clothing: All apparel suitable for general use is exempt unless it otherwise appears on the taxable list. Clothing items must cost $100 or less per article of clothing to be exempt.

Computers and Computer Software: A single purchase with a sales price of $750 or less will be exempt. Items exempt include computers, computer software, and school computer supplies.

School Supplies: Any items of $50 or less per item commonly used by a student in a course of study will be exempt. Supplies may include art supplies, reference maps and globes, textbooks on an official school book list with a sales price of more than $30 but less than $50, and books with a sales price of $30 or less per book.

These items are NOT exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday Weekend:

Clothing accessories such as handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and umbrellas.

Protective equipment such as breathing masks, hard hats, helmets and safety belts.

Sports or recreational equipment such as ballet or tap shoes, athletic gloves, goggles or shin guards.

Furniture.

Any systems, devices, software or peripherals designed or intended primarily for recreational use. Video games of a non-educational nature.

Magazines, newspapers, periodicals or any other document printed or offered for sale in a non-bound form.