A special congratulations is in order for our local winners in the Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Pageant this weekend.  Our Miss Leeds Area OutstandingTeen, Zoe’ Champion, was 2nd Runner Up and won $24,000 in scholarships.  Leeds High School student and Miss Centerpoint Outstanding Teen, Emmy Beason, was a preliminary Evening Gown/On-Stage Question winner and in the Top 15.  Miss St. Clair Area Outstanding Teen, Destiny Schatzline, was in the Top 15.  Former Miss Leeds Area Outstanding Teen holding the current title of Miss Quad City Outstanding Teen, Hannah Gentz, was in the Top 10 and Preliminary Evening Gown/On-Stage Question winner.  Collins McMurray, Miss Friendliest City, of Vestavia won the title of Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen and will participate in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando later this year.

We are excited for the reopening of the Leeds Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries located at 8525 Whitfield Avenue in the shopping center next to Wal-Mart.  The City of Leeds and Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce conducted their ribbon cutting on Friday to celebrate.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host its luncheon at 11:30 a.m. today, Mar. 8.  This month’s event will be a political forum for the St. Clair County Superintendent Race and the St. Clair County Sheriff Race.  Please note the location this month is different from the regular protocol and will be held at the Moody Civic Center.  It is very important to RSVP to Andrea Machen at 205-640-6262.

The 4^th annual Miracles in Motion 5k Race will take place this Saturday, Mar. 10 at Moody Miracle League Ball Field.  This race is great for all individuals regardless of age or athletic abilities.  Come run, walk or roll this event.  Excitement abounds as the race will be held at the Miracle League Field right here in Moody. A baseball game will be held after the 5K run. This will allow all participants in the 5k and Fun Run to experience a game on our field. Plans are for 300+ participants in this family-friendly environment. This race is becoming popular for all types of athletes as it gives them a chance to spend time with our special needs baseball players.  The Moody Miracle League hopes you will consider joining everyone as they encourage community involvement, wellness and fun while raising funds to replace their aging field. This will allow special needs players of all ages from St. Clair, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, Talladega, Blount, and Calhoun counties to continue playing the game of baseball.  For more information, please visit www. MoodyMiracleLeague.org.

The Moody City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 12 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, the Leeds/Moody Professional Women’s Organization, will host their monthly meeting at Noon on Tuesday, Mar. 13 at The Livery.  Lunch is $10 and RSVP to anneglidewell@yahoo.com.

The Moody Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 13 at Moody City Hall.

The Central Parliamentary Unit will meet on Wednesday, Mar. 14 in the Leeds First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m.  Please contact Grady Sue Saxon at 205-699-2440 for more information.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 15 at the Leeds River Campus.  If you are a 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 www. EdenWestside.org.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly chamber luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 15 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.  Jim Atkinson, the new Director of Public Safety for the City of Leeds, will be the guest speaker.  Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without) and make your reservation with Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at 205-699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Moody Cheerleading Registration is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 17 and Mar. 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Moody Lions Club will present Three on a String at the Lions Club Fundraiser Dinner Banquet at the Moody Civic Center on Saturday, Mar. 17 with dinner at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $25 and doors open at 5:30 p.m.  This event will also include a silent auction.  Bids will be taken throughout the evening and, immediately following, door prizes and high bid winners will be announced.  For tickets or more information, please contact local Moody Lions Club President, Vince Eiser at 205-910-0724 or email LionsOfMoody@gmail.com.

The Leeds Arts Council will host a one night event on Saturday, Mar. 17 at 7 p.m. featuring the Mac and Moss Combo who will play songs you grew up hearing and singing. They will play the standard jazz tunes from the “Great American Songbook” such as Blue Moon, Moonglow, All of Me, Moon River, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Satin Doll.  This group features Nancy McLemore on vocals, Mike Moss on guitar, Jon Ford on bass and Don Wendorf on drums.  The audience is invited to sing along, dance or just sit back, relax and listen to all of these old favorites.  Tickets are $10.  Reservations are not required.  For reservations and more information, please call 205-699-1892. 

Moody Kiwanis Club is hosting its semi-annual pancake supper, Pancakes for a Purpose, at Carpenetti’s Pizzeria Restaurant on Monday, Mar. 19 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.  Proceeds will fund college scholarships for area Key Club students, youth projects, and Dolly Parton Imagination Library free book program for preschoolers. Dine in with your family or carry out at only $5 per plate. Tickets are available from Kiwanis, Key Club, Builders Club, Aktion Club members and at the door.  Please call 205-515-5544 for more information.

There was a great turnout for the Painkillers Book Signing events at the Pell City Library and Barnes & Noble Patton Creek last week for Bro. Jacky Connell of Eden Westside Baptist Church with the release of his new book.  The next book signing event will be at Leeds Jane Culbreth Library on Thursday, Mar. 22 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.  If you don’t already have a copy, please stop in to get your own copy autographed by Br. Jacky.  The Painkillers book deals with the epidemic of pain in our society and how people deal with all types of pain.  For more information, please visit www. JCImpact.org.

Job Openings:  Walgreens Pharmacy is hiring a pharmacy technician.  City of Moody is still accepting applications for various positions.  Please visit www.moodyalabama.gov for more information.

Thought for the Week:  “Happiness keeps you sweet.  Trials keep you strong.  Sorrow keeps you human.  Failures keep you humble.  Success keeps you glowing.  But only God keeps you going.” ~Unknown

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.