Dona Bonnett.

Today is Thanksgiving Day and most of us are eating plenty of turkey, ham, dressing, those wonderful casseroles and pumpkin pie. We pause to thank God for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us and celebrate with family and friends.

Beyond our traditional Thanksgiving meal, most of us will be very busy throughout Thanksgiving weekend with shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and we definitely cannot forget football – that big game we look forward to every year with Alabama and Auburn – ROLL TIDE and WAR EAGLE!

As we shop for special gifts for our family and friends, it is also time to focus on those who are less fortunate that we are. Several local organizations are busy collecting resources to provide food and Christmas gifts for those in need. If you would like to participate in helping others during this holiday season, please consider a donation to Shepherd Supply, Leeds Outreach or the Backpack Buddies Christmas Stocking project.

Paul Perry – ALFA Insurance on Moody Parkway is also accepting donations of canned meats, dry goods, toiletries and paper products for Shepherd Supply Mission to help needy families.

The new Leeds Primary School is on track to be finished in July in time to open for the new school year in August. The Primary school will house Pre-K through second grade and is located behind the civic center on the hill where the Leeds youth football team used to play. Also, Astroturf will be installed on the high school field, and they are redoing the track, fixing the drainage problem, putting in new goal posts and possibly building a new press box.

The addition of more decorative lighting with 13 new lampposts like those already downtown is underway. These lights will begin where the existing ones end and go down the Parkway to Sonic as part of the Leeds ongoing downtown beautification project.

Business News: Moody Publix is scheduled to open next week. Forever 21 is the latest in a growing number of new shops at the Outlet Shops of Grand River. Farmer’s Home Furniture will be opening in the Leeds Plaza Shopping Center on the Parkway.

Leeds Area Open Circle Poets will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 30, at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center.

Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at Noon on Tuesday, December 1, at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Redevelopment Authority is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Leeds Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building. Contact T.V. Weaver, President, at (205) 699.6742 for more information.

The Doris Stanley Memorial Library in Moody is conducting a Photogenic Contest for children ages 1 month to 13 years old. Entry form is due by Thursday, Dec. 3, and you may download contest rules and application at moodypubliclibr.org.The Moody Annual Toys for Kids Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4. For more information, please contact Melissa Fraser at (205) 640.0307.

Leeds Arts Council will present A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Cliff Keen Jr., at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. There will be six performances from Friday, Dec. 4, until Sunday, Dec. 13. All tickets are $10 and reservations are recommended. To make reservations call (205) 699.1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net with your name, phone number, date you’d like to attend and number of tickets you need.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Breakfast is free, but donations are appreciated. All donations stay in the City of Leeds community involvement programs. Contact T.V. Weaver for more information at (205) 699.6742.

Crossroads Christian School Holly Days will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a day of Christmas shopping, fellowship and fun – arts, crafts, gifts and bake sale. Kids Shop Zone will be available for children to purchase and wrap presents for parents. This event will be located in the back building across from Community Presbyterian Church in Moody. For vendor information, please contact jennlavender@me.co.

Please remember that the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, for babies through 12th grade hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. For pageant information, rules and application, please visit the Chamber website at LeedsAreaChamber.com or call Sandra McGuire at (205) 699.5001.

First Baptist Church Moody’s Faith Riders will host a Chillbilly Ride on Saturday, Dec. 5, to benefit the Jimmie Hale Mission with registration at 9 a.m. and kickstands up at 11 a.m. The ride starts and ends at FBC Moody. Free food, door prizes and live band! Riders – $15, Passengers – $5. Car riders welcome. For more information, please call (205) 352.5753.

Beth Gregory is the gallery artist of the month at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. Her opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the 1st Annual “Tree of Hope” Spaghetti Dinner and Auction which is scheduled for Dec. 8, at Moody City Hall to benefit Relay for Life of Greater St. Clair. Tickets are $7 (includes spaghetti, salad, garlic toast & drink). Serving begins at 5:30 p.m. Auction starts at 7 p.m. You may purchase your tickets in advance from any Relay for Life committee member or call (205) 352.8351.

There’s still time to turn in your applications for the Leeds and Moody Christmas Parades (no charge to participate, but registration is required). Leeds Christmas Parade will be Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. (please download application LeedsAreaChamber.com). Moody’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. Contact Melissa Fraser at (205) 640.0307 to register.

Bring your child to Chick-fil-A Leeds to have Breakfast with Santa cow & Elf cow between 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Leeds Area Visual Artist (LAVA) Christmas Art Sale will be held on Dec. 12, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. There will be lots of unique gifts to choose from for your friends and family so plan to drop in.

Job Opening This Week: Ruby Tuesdays

Here’s a thought for the week: “It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.”

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news so please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at dona@adrbms.com. Happy Thanksgiving and see you next week!