Leeds Moody Messenger

Published 7:22 pm Thursday, November 29, 2018

Christmas shopping and holiday events are in full swing so be sure to mark your calendar for each one so you will not miss any of the fun.  One of the most exciting times in a child’s life is when he or she writes a letter to Santa.  I remember when we were kids how we would study the old Sears & Roebuck catalog to make our Christmas list and then write that special letter to Santa so he would not forget to bring our favorite toys.  This year, your child can write his or her letter to Santa at the Santa Writing Station in downtown Leeds at Mum & Me Mercantile or drop off the letter to be mailed.  Mum & Me will be mailing these Santa letters from now until Wednesday, Dec. 19 so be sure to bring your child to experience the Santa Writing Station and do some Christmas shopping while you are there!

Please remember that the Leeds Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting event is this afternoon, Nov. 29.  Enjoy Selfies with Santa, Live Entertainment, Food Trucks and Shopping on the Parkway.  Experience the magic of Christmas and holiday festivities with the Leeds community as they light the Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. in the gazebo area next to Leeds Theatre and Arts Center.  Food trucks will be available from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with Pazzo Pizza, Lazy Boy BBQ and City Bowls.  Downtown shops including Mum & Me Mercantile, Pants Store and LA Salon will be open as late as 7 p.m. so you can do some Christmas shopping and there will be plenty of entertainment.  This event is sponsored by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, the Leeds Redevelopment Authority and Lehigh Cement Company.  Please visit www.LeedsAreaChamber.com or call 205.699.5001 for more information.

The Moody Celebrity Waiter Toys for Kids Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. this Friday, Nov. 30 at Moody Civic Center.  As mentioned last week, I am looking forward to Paul Perry with Alfa Insurance being my Celebrity Waiter!  This annual luncheon will benefit Moody’s Toys for Kids program.  For ticket information, please contact Melissa Fraser at 205-640-0307.

Ringing in the Holidays variety show is scheduled for 7 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 30, hosted by Leeds Arts Council at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center.  Local performers will bring us the Beatitudes with Tim Shafer, Gordon Goddard, Mark Burns, Scott Walker, Dave Lambert and Nancy Kirby, the Leeds Connection with Deborah Watkins, Joan Dawson, Ricky Christian and Rick Hester, Merle & Sylvia, Little Rock Baptist and Leeds AOH Singers, the Grands with Del Smith, Sandra McGuire, Beth Gregory, George Creasman, Steve Karr and Josh McCurry plus Melinda Cooper.  Get your tickets by calling 205-699-1892.  Tickets are $10 each.

Jonathan Williams will be the Leeds Arts Council featured artist in December.  The public is invited to the opening reception this Sunday, Dec. 2 from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. to view his beautiful painting and admission is free.  Jonathan began as a young child with art, always drawing and being creative.  Jonathan has a true passion for art and loves to render wonderful realism in oil paint and charcoal that represents a person, feeling and meaning.  He won 1^st place in district and county for the Young American Patriotic Art Competition as well as other awards.  His art will be on exhibit through Dec. 29.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 1.  Breakfast is free, but donations are appreciated to be used for Leeds community involvement programs.  For more information, please contact T.V. Weaver at 205-699-6742.

The Moody Kids Quilts Group is scheduled to meet on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 3-4 at Moody City Hall.  This group meets each month to make beautiful quilts together for Children’s Hospital to distribute to sick children.  Please bring your sewing machine, ironing board, fabric and supplies to participate with this wonderful group.  For more information, please contact Clydene Dyer at 205-515-4751 or Barbara Willingham at 205-400-4560.

Leeds City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 at Leeds Civic Center meeting room.

Moody Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 at Moody City Hall.

Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at Noon on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Downtown Christmas Open House is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 on the Parkway.  Local shops will be decorated, ready to greet you with Christmas festivities and will be open late for your convenience.  Chubsathers food truck will be there from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. which has a variety of cuisine including American and seafood.  Christmas Carolers will rotate between shops to spread Christmas Cheer beginning at 6 p.m. Be sure to stop in at Mum & Me Mercantile, The Pants Store, LA Salon and the game stores to do some Christmas shopping.  Downtown shops will be open as late at 8 p.m.

Leeds Lions Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building.  Please contact T.V. Weaver at 205-699-6742 for more information.

The Moody Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.  This year’s theme is Elf on the Shelf.  Applications must be received by Dec. 5 and all entries that are judged must promote the parade’s theme.  For more information and to download an application, please visit www.moodyalabama.gov.

Thought for the Week:  Be intentional!  Live less out of habit and more out of intent.

 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.