Last week I mentioned two produce companies now open for your fresh produce: Crossroads Produce in Moody across from Heritage South Credit Union and Between the Tracks Produce Market in Leeds on Jackson Street. The Leeds Farmer’s Market also opened for the summer last Friday on 6th Street behind Leeds First United Methodist Church and Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce and will be open each Friday from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Distinguished Young Women of St. Clair County Scholarship Program event was conducted last Saturday with 10 high school senior women competing. We would like to congratulate Amanda Carpenter of Moody who was chosen as our new Distinguished Young Woman for St. Clair County for 2017 and Tamia Washington of Pell City High School who was runner up. Amanda earned $3,400 in cash scholarships plus 2-year full tuition at Jefferson State Community College, valued at $10,512. Tamia earned $1,800 in cash scholarships. Total of cash scholarships awarded came to $7,250. Also, congratulations to Kelsi Mills who won the essay award with a $250 scholarship and Kaleigh Parker for winning the fitness category with a $300 scholarship.

The 2016 Miss Alabama Pageant week kicked off with the annual autograph party at Brookwood Village last Sunday. The eight finalists for the Community Service Award included Shea Summerlin, Cassidy Jacks, Briana Kinsey (Miss Leeds Area), Mi’a Callens, KeLeigh Edwards, Hayley Barber, Megan Smith and Chelsea Yarber who were announced during the event. The pageant is being held June 8-11 at Samford University’s Wright Center.

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending the reception this week for Michael S. Ballew, Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist for June at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. I have known Michael for approximately 10 years and have worked directly with him at Camp Artselle, the art camp he directs at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. I have watched Michael utilize his art skills in teaching art to his students each year, but had not seen his beautiful work. His art collection will be on exhibit through June 30 so I urge you to stop by to see it. I now have an original piece of his work.

The Leeds Theatre and Arts Center Summer Student Theatre Workshop began on Monday for grades 2-12. These students will learn all about theatre and drama each morning from 8 a.m. – noon for two full weeks. Mike Bridges is the Director and the workshop will conclude on Friday, June 17. Mike is an award winning Drama Director at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon at 11:30 a.m. today, June 9 at Moody City Hall. Candice Hill with St. Clair Leadership and Economic Development Council will be the guest speaker. Please plan to attend for a great lunch together and learn more about what’s going on in St. Clair County. Lunch is $10 with RSVP and $15 for Non-Member or No RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262 or chamber@moodyalabama.gov.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, located at 1338 Montevallo Road in Leeds, will host Red Velvet Cake War, The Southern-Fried Family Reunion Comedy on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, June 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. $15.00 admission price includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverage at intermission. For tickets, call (205) 699-2404 or visit their website at epiphany-leeds.org and follow link.

Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 13 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, the Leeds Moody Professional Women’s Organization, will host their monthly luncheon meeting at noon on Tuesday, June 14 at The Livery in Leeds. This month they will be hosting and introducing the recent scholarship winners. Lunch is $10 and please RSVP to m.k.davis2010@gmail.com.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will host their monthly Ambassador meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Agenda will include the recent Creek Bank Festival and planning for their next upcoming events. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 16 at Eden Westside Baptist Church River Campus, just past the Shops of Grand River. Breakfast is free for all first responders to show appreciation for keeping the greater Leeds area safe. If you are a policeman, fireman, rescue or EMT, this event is for you!

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon at 11:45 AM on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $12 with RSVP and $15 without RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

The 2017 Miss Leeds Area and Outstanding Teen Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 at Leeds High School Auditorium. Miss Leeds Area was founded in 1980 and is an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama Scholarship pageant. All paperwork must be received no later than June 17. For more information and to download rules and application, please visit missleedsarea.net or contact Sandra McGuire, Director, at (205) 699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Job Opening: Havoline, St. Clair Animal Hospital in Moody, Zaxby’s in Moody is hiring.

Quote for the Week: “Think Deeply, Speak Gently, Love Much, Laugh a Lot, Work Hard, Give Freely, Trust God and Be KIND.” ~Unknown

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 leedsmoodynews@gmail.com. See you next week!