Congratulations to our own Kaleigh Parker who was crowned as UNM Miss Alabama Teen 2017 this weekend at Henry County Performing Arts Center. Kaleigh, we are so proud of all of your accomplishments!

Congratulations are also in order for the Leeds Arts Council who is proud to announce that their play “THE RABBIT HOLE” won Best in Show, Best Costumes, Best Set and Best Supporting Actress – May Page Wilson Lyons at Actfest 2017 in Wetumpka. As winners of the Alabama State Festival, they have advanced to participate in March of 2017 at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in Lexington, Kentucky. They will be joined by the Wetumpka Depot Theater’s “GLASS MENAGERIE.” This is such a great honor to be representing our state in this competition as only two productions were chosen. They will be sending their award-winning cast Cliff Keen, Jr., Ashley Richardson, Pam Elders and Mary-Page Wilson Lyons, the lighting and sound tech, Clark French, and the Directors, Dianne Rowe and Cliff Keen, Jr. Congratulations, guys!

The talk of Leeds is EVERYONE Leeds! The City of Leeds and city leaders have been meeting together for a couple of months working with Jen Barnett, a local marketer, in determining what sets Leeds apart from other communities surrounding the greater Birmingham area. This group came up with five distinct categories that sets Leeds apart including Leeds is historic, Leeds is convenient, Leeds is affordable, Leeds is family oriented and Leeds is business friendly. These differentiators make Leeds Alabama’s Best Investment. No wonder people are continuing to re-locate to Leeds, new businesses are starting up and Leeds is on the rise. To continue efforts to connect everyone in Leeds and get them more involved, a new website and Facebook page has been launched which is EveryoneLeeds.com. Please visit this website to see how you can become more involved and please like the new Facebook page.

Tomorrow, Nov. 11 we celebrate Veterans Day, which honors military veterans. We truly appreciate the service and sacrifices that these veterans and their families have made to keep our nation free. We could not enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy without someone paying the price. Thank you!

Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 at Moody City Hall.

Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will host their monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001. Make sure to bring business cards.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church. If you are policeman, fireman, EMT or other first responder in the greater Leeds area, please come by for a free breakfast and fellowship. For more information, please visit EdenWestside.org.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Guest Speaker will be James Spann. Sears Hometown Store Leeds will be the Business Spotlight. Lunch is $12 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001.

The Leeds Arts Council cordially invites you to “A SEASONAL CELEBRATION” on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. This program is presented by the Leeds Community Chorus and local Area Church Choirs. Participating with the Leeds Community Chorus will be Leeds First Baptist Church, Rising Star A.O.H. Church of God, Leeds Presbyterian Church, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Leeds First United Methodist Church Praise Band and Choir. Due to the large number of participants in this celebration, it will be held at the Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, located at 1189 Sixth Street. Donation: $10 Adults and $5 Students. Proceeds benefit the Leeds Arts Council.

Please remember that Leeds Outreach is taking applications for children to provide Christmas. They expect to have nearly 200 children ages 2-14 by the time they finish applications. If you are able to sponsor one of these children, please contact Leeds Outreach at (205) 699-7291 or leedswelfare@yahoo.com.

Fran with Ashley Manor Apartments has a vendor concession trailer for sale. For more information, please call (205) 470-1668.

Yard signs and window decals are still available for sale at the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce office and the City of Moody’s Human Resource Director to support our local police. Yard signs are $17 and window clings are $7 or purchase both for $20.

Job Openings: Sears Hometown Store Leeds has a sales rep opening and a part-time administrative person – must be able to type and be social media savvy. Visit SearsHometownLeeds.com/Careers.

Quote for the Week: “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” – 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!