Even though the 23rd Annual Creek Bank Festival hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) was cut short by a couple of hours due to the storm that rolled in around 3:15 p.m., we had a great festival. This year’s event was bigger than ever and Leeds Memorial Park was full of vendor booths and plenty of fun provided. People were everywhere enjoying the activities all day long and the entertainment line-up this year was fantastic. We enjoyed music on the main stage from Megan Kane, Zane Duke & group and Highway 11 Band.  

Two different age group categories competed in the annual Moon Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Workout Anytime Leeds. Sonic’s Tater Tot won the 4th Annual Chick-fil-A Mascot Challenge, a heated battle to the victory between all of the participating mascots. Our 2nd Annual Lip Sync Contest sponsored by adr Business & Marketing Strategies had to be cut short due to the weather so we did not get to complete that contest.  We had some very eager participants that were ready to show us some moves. The Balloon Artist sponsored by UAB Leeds and Face Painting sponsored by the Shops of Grand River was very busy all day. The Annual Creek Bark Dog Pageant sponsored by Eddie Bauer of Leeds, Fred’s of Moody and Dollar General had a number of pampered pooches who competed.  

The 2nd Annual Cruisin’ the Creek Bank Car Show hosted by C & C Motor Company was also a huge success. It was amazing to see hundreds of beautiful cars, trucks and motorcycles.  Chris and Christy McCombs and C & C Motor Company did a fantastic job put on this car and bike show to benefit Backpack Buddies and Leeds Outreach.   

We appreciate everyone who came out to enjoy the festival and would like to thank all of our vendors and those who volunteered to make this year’s festival a success. Please save the date and plan to join us again next year! 

Christy Ellard and I took lots of pictures and a few video clips so be sure to check them out on the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page (also, please Like, Comment and Share).

The beautiful new St. Theresa Catholic Church Parish Life Center and meeting hall was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by the City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. This new facility is another step forward in the expansion of St. Theresa’s which is experiencing explosive growth and is now Leeds’ fastest growing church.

We would like to congratulate Cassie Pulliam from Leeds City Schools for being chosen for 2016 Teacher of the Year. The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce presented this prestigious award, sponsored by Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, to Cassie at the May Chamber luncheon last week. Cassie is a first grade teacher at Leeds Primary School.

We would like to thank the High School Diplomat Seniors for their contribution of service to the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce for the 2016-17 school year and wish each of you much success as you move to the next step of your future. Graduating seniors included Catherine Moore, Shelby Luna, Jamaria Harris, Bradley Gillespie, Jackson Brown, Tania Alvarez, Katelynn Shadoan, Rachel Goodwyn and Clayton Connell.

Congratulations to the City of Moody who opened its new Senior Center this past Monday morning with a ribbon cutting. The new center is formerly the library and I am sure that the seniors of Moody are very excited about this new place!

Congratulations to Amanda Carpenter, the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce High School Ambassador Scholarship winner. The high school senior Ambassadors competed all year for the award, which was awarded to at the MACC Luncheon this month. Other graduating Ambassadors include Trakelia Hood, Evan McCrory, Kelsi Mills, Meagan Mosely, Kaleigh Parker, Raechel Sims, Chloe Tyler and Rachel Watts.

We would also like to say congratulations to Leeds Lions Club and thank them for 70 years of serving Leeds.

The Moody Miracle League would like to thank all the mothers of the League who have sacrificed so much for our players and families. A mother’s love is unconditional and cannot be measured or put in enough words so on behalf of the MML, we simply say thank you. The spring season has only a few games left, so don’t miss an opportunity to come out and cheer for our wonderful players. If you would like more information, go to www.MoodyMiracleLeague.org or our Facebook page:  Moody Miracle League Sports. Photos were submitted by Kim Sebastian.

It’s time for fun in the sun. The Leeds Splash Pad will open Saturday, May 27. The Moody Splash Pad will open Tuesday, May 30.  

We will celebrate Memorial Day this weekend gathering with family and friends, enjoying plenty of food and outdoor fun with Memorial Day being Monday, May 29.  While we are celebrating, let’s please remember those who died in active military service.  These Americans gave their life to protect the freedoms that we enjoy.  Freedom is not free.  Someone has to pay the price and we owe everything to these individuals.  Let us never forget these heroes and never forget their sacrifice.

Distinguished Young Women of St. Clair County Scholarship Program will be Saturday, Jun. 3 at 4 p.m. at Springville Middle School Auditorium.  2018 DYW Participants include Anna Alexander and Anna Crumpton of Moody along with six other high school senior women from all over the county.  2018 DYW Program Little Sisters from the Moody area are Alyea Gilley, Lauren Kilgore, Abby Moseley, Katie Smith and Autumn Traylor along with girls from Springville, Ashville, Steele, Ragland and Trussville. Please plan to join these eight participants as they compete for college scholarships and perform at this event along with 16 Little Sisters.  Admission is $10. For more information, please email stclair@distinguishedyw.org or call (205) 640-3078. 

The Leeds Community Chorus will present its Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jun. 3 at the Leeds Theater and Arts Center. The concert, An American Songbook, will feature songs from the different eras of American music, beginning with a medley of Stephen Foster selections and moving through the WWII popular songs up to the music of the Beach Boys. Special guest performance by the Clay Boys, a local Blue Grass ensemble with Randy Spaulding, String Banjo, Danny Kircus, Mandolin, Rick Jones, Guitar and Darrell Hester, Acoustic Bass.  One show only with $10 Admission.  Please call (205) 699-1892 for reserved seats. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.  

The Miss Leeds Area and Outstanding Teen Pageant is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jun. 24 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 Jun. 17 and contestant packet can be downloaded from their website at www.MissLeedsArea.net. 

Job Opening:  UAB Leeds and Branchville Animal Hospital/St. Clair Animal Hospital are both interviewing for a receptionist.

Quote for the Week:  “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”—John Maxwell

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news, so please send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com.  See you next week!