Hello, Pell City!  

Wow, it’s hard to believe that school starts back for Pell City students in less than two weeks!  Schools in the Pell City School System start back on Aug. 8, Victory Christian School starts back on Aug. 9, and St. Clair County schools start back on Aug. 15.

Then, bring on the high school football!  The Pell City Panthers will have a jamboree game against Grissom on Aug. 19, and then on Aug. 28 the Panthers start the regular 2011 football season against Shelby County at Pete Rich Stadium with new head coach David Shores. Good luck, students, and good luck, Panthers!

As most of you probably remember, back in December of last year former Pell City Mayor Adam Stocks and his family had their home burn to the ground and they were left with little more than the clothes on their backs. Now Adam, his wife Karen, and their five sons John-William, Jackson, Michael, Anthony, and Dane would like to say “Thank You” to everyone that helped their family recover from that terrible tragedy, whether they donated food or money, clothing, or furniture items, or gave their time and prayers. So the Stocks family is having a Thank You Party from 1-4 p.m. this Saturday, and everyone who helped in any way is invited to attend. Please contact Karen Stocks at 640-8953 for directions and more information. Happy Birthday this week to Matthew Pope, Carrie Turner Leland, Jim Purdy, Tom Kanaday, Noah Calvert, Matt Wilson, Jackie Norton Emplaincourt, Dana Jacks, Amanda Whitten, Ryan O’Sheilds, Pam Thomas, Sami Harvison, Faith Webb, Christian Webb, Gibson Holladay, Starr Gaither Kendrick, and Will Hardwick.

I attended SEC Media Days last week with John Gilreath, Jason Callahan, John Simpson, and David Birmingham at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. We joined a friend of mine, Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News, for the gulf seafood luncheon that the SEC held for the media and feasted on mahi mahi, shrimp, crab cakes, snapper, and other delicious seafood, vegetables, and desserts. Being at SEC Media Days and seeing coaches like Nick Saban and Gene Chizik really puts a person in the mood for some great college football!

If you have any news or announcements please call or email me at shonda_news@hotmail.com. Have a great week!