Leeds Community Clean Up took place on Saturday morning led by Leeds High School students.  Photos Courtesy of Desmond Parker

Congratulations to the Moody High School State Championship Wrestling Team for their accomplishments.  They were recognized at Moody City Council meeting this week and presented certificates of Recognition.  Individual Certificates of Recognition were presented to 106 lb. State Champion Cory Land, 145 lb. State Champion River Hughes, 152 lb. State Champion Rashad Clark, 113 lb. State Finalist (2^nd) Parker Dodd, 120 lb. State Finalist Will Jefcoat, 160 lb. 3^rd Place Danny Vazquez, 126 lb. State Qualifier Triston Manly, 132 lb. State Qualifier Carson Reaves and HW (heavyweight) Quentin Threatt.  Certificates of Recognition of 2019 State Championship Team included all of the young men listed above as well as Aaron Grinfield, Noah Bjorklund, Joey Pierson, Logan Suggs, Conner Denley, Clayton Albrets, Nathan Valencia, Owen Moore, Jarred Norman, Tyler Darby, Austin Scott, Hunter Isbell and Chris Snipes.  Certificates of Recognition were awarded for the following coaches, Varsity Head Coach Greg Jefcoat, Varsity Assistant Coach Matt Lipscomb, Varsity Assistant Coach Cameron Harris, Varsity Assistant Coach Danny Vazquez, Sr., Varsity Assistant Coach Garret Dorsett and Varsity Assistant Coach Clark Reaves.  We are proud of these coaches and students and thank them for their hard work in competing for the State Championship.  Way to go! 

The 5^th Annual Miracles in Motion 5k on Saturday to benefit Moody Miracle League raised $18,741 after expenses. Over the past five years of hosting this event, the league has raised $90,000 of the $150,000 needed to replace their 16 year old field. 

“We want to thank all of our participants, sponsors, volunteers, parents and players that came out to support our Miracles in Motion 5k,” said Kim Sebastian, Board Member. 

5k winners in the female division were 1^st Place Gladys Cheboi, 2^nd Place Ann Stalvey and 3^rd Place Lori Goldweber.  Winners in the male division were 1^st Place Frances Kamiri, 2^nd Place Chris Mahaffey and 3^rd Place Roy Meeks.  The 6^th annual Miracles in Motion 5k race is scheduled for March 7, 2020 at the same location.  Opening day of baseball is this Saturday, March 16, which would be a great time for you to come out and watch the games to support these special players. Games begin around 9 a.m.  You will truly be blessed.  For more information about this sports league that provides an opportunity for any player to play baseball regardless of ability, please visit www.MoodyMiracleLeague.org or call 205-225-9444.

Leeds Community Clean Up also took place on Saturday morning led by Leeds High School students.  Plenty of trash was cleaned up and the students captured plenty of video footage for their video competition in the Litter Quitters competition.  We look forward to seeing the finished video and wish them the best as they compete against other area schools.

The Arbors subdivision in Moody just announced an effort to honor fallen police officers and show respect for all first responders by putting blue bows on as many mailbox posts in the Arbors as possible.  We appreciate all of our first responders and thank this subdivision for making this appreciation gesture. 

Leeds City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 18 at Leeds Civic Center meeting room.

Moody Lions Club is schedule to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 18 at White’s Chapel.

Moody Kiwanis will meet at Noon on Tuesday, March 19 at Moody City Hall.

Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly chamber luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14 at Moody City Hall.  Guest speaker will be Kent Stewart, CEO of Reli Settlement Solutions, LLC, who will speak on the topic of Obtaining Insane Goals.  Mr. Maddox just returned from climbing Orizaba in Mexico and will leave in a couple of week to tackle Mount Everest.  Come and hear about his training for Everest and other exciting climbs he has taken while he encourages you to obtain your goals.  Lunch is $12 for members with RSVP and $15 for nonmembers and no reservation.  Please RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at 205-640-6262.

The Alzheimer’s Dementia Support Group is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 at Leeds Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.  This is a free event. 

The next meeting of Mid-South Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at historic Leeds Depot.  This event will include a program, “The General” presented by Buster Keaton and viewing of the classic 1926 locomotive film.  The General is a thrilling 1926 American silent comedy action film starring Buster Keaton and released by United Artists.  The film was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, a famous locomotive story from the American Civil War, and is generally considered today to be one of the greatest films ever made.  There is no charge for this event.

Leeds Arts Council will host Rosewood from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 17 at Leeds Threatre and Arts Center.  Tickets are $15 and the opening act will be The Leeds Connection.  Rosewood is a Birmingham-based   acoustic trio featuring tight harmonies and a unique brand of comedy.  Created in 1985, the group consists of original members, Stan Putnam on guitar and dobro, Dan Lakeman on banjo and guitar, and Andy Meginniss on bass and guitar.

The Moody Kiwanis Pancake Supper is scheduled for Monday, March 18 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Carpenetti’s Pizzeria.  This fundraiser supports scholarships for local Key Club seniors as well as three Key Clubs, three Builders Clubs and the Moody Aktion Club.  Meals are $5 per plate which includes pancakes and sausage.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.  These chamber members work together in planning events to enhance greater Leeds and support its membership.  These members also get an opportunity to showcase their business to this group.  Lunch is $10 and RSVP is required for lunch count.  If you have a local business and would like more information on how to plug into this monthly event, please contact Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at 205-699-5001.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 21 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.  Speaker will be Darren J. Mott, Supervisory Special Agent for the Counterintelligence Program for the Birmingham Division of the FBI.  In addition to discussing the current cyber threat picture in North Alabama, Mr. Mott will share ways to keep your company from falling victim to these costly crimes.  His bio is available at www.LeedsAreaChamber.com.  Lunch is $12 for members with RSVP and $15 for nonmembers and no reservation.  Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire at 205-699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Join the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library for the March 2019 edition of “After School Special” at Leeds Civic Center.  This group will meet the Vulcan of Birmingham, create their own spearpoint (like the statue) and learn fun facts about Vulcan and other mythological celebrities.  A light dinner will be provided while supplies last.  No registration required.  We would like to thank Representative Dickie Drake, City of Leeds and Whistle Stop Festival for financial support of the “After School Special” event series throughout 2019.  For more information, please call 205-699-5962.

Thought for the week: “Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage and the like.  More than anything else, it is how we treat people.” ~Dennis Prager 

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.