We’re very excited to welcome another new business to the Leeds/Moody area.  Overstock Mattress & Beds opened early May on Parkway Drive across from the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library.  The City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting on Friday. 

The owners, Carey and Erica Crowder, are very excited about their new store.  Carey has been in the mattress business for a number of years including over 14 years with Simmons Beautyrest so he has a lot of experience and contacts.  He looked around the greater Birmingham area for the right location and was considering Pelham when he found the opportunity in Leeds.  Carey said that everyone here has been very hospitable, all went great with the retail space and business has already been awesome. 

What sets his business apart from others is some companies sell seconds or remanufactured stuff, but everything he sells is brand new.  It’s either brand new from the plant with a factory warranty or it is brand new from the plant without a factory warranty.  There may have been a lot of Internet sales going out to be sold across America; then, maybe 20% of them get cancelled and they get back to the warehouse.  Carey can then purchase this merchandise at huge discounts so he can pass along great prices to the customer.  When I looked around, most mattresses were around half of normal retail.  Be sure to stop in to see this new store and Like them on Facebook!

Congratulations to Sandra Clements who was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Award for 30 years of service with the City of Moody.  Mrs. Clements was recognized by the Alabama League of Municipalities at their annual convention in May.  Sandra began her career with the City in the Water Works department and later moved into an Accounts Receivable position.  Mayor Joe Lee presented the award to Mrs. Clements.

I had the opportunity to stop in at the “Chalk Bomb the Sidewalks” event this past weekend at the Shops of Grand River with Sandra McGuire, Miss Leeds Area Braidyn Lazenby and MLA Outstanding Teen Coco Green.  A professional chalk artist had created beautiful sidewalk chalk art and there were plenty of children working on their own artwork.  Braidyn and Coco got to get in on the artwork.  It was a lot of fun.  This free event was part of the Shops Pre-Fourth of July sale.

Each August, hundreds of children start the school year without the basic school supplies needed to succeed academically.  Shepherd Supply focuses on providing those critical supplies to children in the Moody area who are most in need.  To meet the community need, the City of Moody is partnering with Shepherd Supply to collect these back to school supplies for area students.  Drop boxes are located at Moody City Hall, Moody Library and Moody Civic Center.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, July 7.  Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated.  Please contact T. V. Weaver at 205-699-6742 for information.

The Moody City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 9 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, the Leeds/Moody Professional Women’s group will meet at Noon on Tuesday, July 10 at The Livery Event Center.  Lunch is $10 and RSVP to anneglidewell@yahoo.com.

The Central Parliamentary Unit is scheduled to meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11 at Leeds First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  For more information, please contact Grady Sue Saxon at 205-699-2440.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to their next chamber luncheon, which is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 12 at Moody City Hall.  Guest Speaker will be Don Thomason with the topic of discussion to be Workplace Etiquette.  RSVP to Executive Director Andrea Machen at 205-640-6262.

On Thursday, July 12 at 1 p.m., the Doris Stanley Memorial Library will host Dr. Fran Carter.  Dr. Carter is a founding member of the Rosie the Riveter Association.  She was a Rose the Riveter during World War II.  The program will be held at the Moody Civic Center.

The Leeds Arts Council will present their summer musical, “Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is a new musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film.  Produced by Sandi Nicholson and directed by Cliff Keen, Jr., the show dates are July 13-15, 20-22 and 27.  Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling 205-699-1892.  You will not want to miss this powerful event with the retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero.

Remember, the City of Moody will present Thunder in the Park Fireworks Show on Saturday, July 14 at Moody City Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Join them for a fun evening of live music, food and inflatables.  Plaque Presentation at the Recognition Wall is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Job Openings:  City of Moody is presently accepting employment applications for three part-time Apost School Resource Police Officers.  Applications may be found at www.moodyalabama.gov.  Submit your application to the HR Office, 670 Park Avenue, Moody, AL 35004.  Deadline is July 19 at 6 p.m. 

Thought for the Week:  “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything.  They just make the best of everything they have.” ~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.