The stands were filled with students from all three Ashville schools, parents, community members, first responders and county leaders for the program remembering friends and family that lost so much on April 27, 2011.  It was a time to honor those that are no longer with us and a time to look toward the future with hope and healing.

Mr. Johnson, principal of Ashville Middle School, opened the program with words of thanks acknowledging the many volunteers that gave their time to help their neighbors.  He stated that driving through the Shoal Creek area; he noticed the changes in scenery and the greenery hinting of rebirth.  Although there were scarred evidences of the EF4 Tornado in the ridgeline, Shoal Creek and Ashville are on the road to recovery.

Nick Wilson, sophomore at Ashville High School, led the pledge to the flag followed by the AHS band playing the National Anthem.  Dr. James Sampley from Ashville First Baptist invited the crowd to reflect on the past year and appreciate the presence of God in reading Psalm 107 and a prayer of thanksgiving and healing.

Mr. Johnson introduced Shoal Creek resident and County Judge Alan Furr’s friend, meteorologist J.P. Dice, from Fox 6.  Mr. Dice shared that the year in review for our area had proved an amazing transformation.  He stated “it does not look nearly as bad as it did even six months ago.”  Dice shared his first experience having a close friend calling in a report that everything had been lost.  In all his years reporting the weather, Judge Furr had called the station to share that the storm had indeed taken their home on the lake.  Mr. Dice spoke words of assurance and hopefulness that the storms of last April were a generational occurrence and a one percent chance of happening again.  He said that the Shoal Creek community’s unison and working together with neighbors is evident in the rebuilding of the community.

The difference for saving lives is the ability to track storms and report out to the public.  It is important to have a weather radio in the home and have it programmed to receive weather updates and alerts.

Several brave elementary students addressed the crowd with expressions of thanks to people that made a difference in their lives after the storm.  They are as follows:  Gracie Cunningham thanked Mrs. Jill for staying with her and her family while they were in the hospital; Chris Keel appreciated the blankets to keep them hail off donated by Mr. Paul; Scout Coker acknowledged all who had come out to help remove the debris left behind; Berkley Wolfe thanked Jeff Brown for helping cleanup their property; Chris Valdes gave thanks to Eric for helping to build their new home;  and Sara Moore said that Mrs. Emily Wakefield from her church helped her family with items they needed.  A warm welcome home for Ciera Sanders and Josiah Wellborn who had to move away.

Morgan Burton, AMS student, presented her poem “California Dreaming and Shoal Creek State of Mind”.  She had a trip to California planned, but had to cancel it following the storms.  Nick Wilson, AHS student, presented the poem “Our Valley”.  It was entered in the Alabama Fine Arts Young Literary Contest on recommendation by his English teacher, Mrs. Barnwell.

The high school band presented a rendition of “It is Well with my Soul”. The 19th century hymn was written by Horatio Gates Spafford a lawyer in Chicago.  Within three, years, Spafford had lost his only son to scarlet fever at the age of 4 years in 1870, most of his livelihood in real estate holdings in the Chicago Fire of 1871, and four daughters in the collision of the ship “Ville de Havre” with the English ship “Lochearn” in 1873.  Spafford and his wife found peace in God’s presence through each crisis.

Coach Cox presented Rochelle Landry with some of her personal items that were found as far away as Rome, Georgia.  Her archery trophy was found in a pond a few miles from Shoal Creek.  A person in Rome found some of Rochelle’s papers and sent them back to the school.

A white dove was released for each of the 14 victims as their name was announced.  As the doves circled the stadium, Hailey Griffin from Ashville High and her mother, Allison Griffin, sang “I’ll Fly Away”.   

Rather than end the program on a somber note, Mr. Johnson asked the crowd to applaud the efforts of everyone in the recovery process.   Among the banners attached to the fence, one banner read, “Once you choose hope, everything is possible.”

Early Saturday Morning, Shoal Creek was alive with activity.  The Shoal Creek Community came together once more to raise the matching funds the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department needs to build two storm shelters and generators.

About 75 walkers and runners met at the Shoal Creek Station 1 for a Cross Country Run/Walk at 10 am.  Meanwhile, another 13 Motorcyclists met at the Ashville Piggly Wiggly for the motorcycle ride.  Those who chose not to ride or take part in the cross country trek were entertained with a mixture of music provided by “The Vinyls” at Station 1.

Hamburgers and hot dogs were available for purchase with the $15.00 T-Shirts.  The station needs to raise $38,330.50 as the 25 percent portion that will match a $153,322 grant.  T-shirts are still available for purchase and monetary donations are welcomed.