Moody Area Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a First Responders Night Out this past weekend as a thank you to our First Responders.  Courtesy of Moody Area Chamber of Commerce

The first Leeds Downtown First Thursday Street Fest last week was a hugesuccess.  Festivities were spread out over several city blocks on 9^th Street from Alabama Power across Parkway Drive to Thornton Avenue at the Depot.  The Central Alabama Corvette Club cruised in with some beautiful cars.  Street vendors, Farmer’s Market, kid’s activities and food trucks were plentiful and the entertainment from the gazebo was fabulous.  We would like to thank the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Leeds, Leeds Redevelopment Authority for hosting this new event and everyone who participated to make it so successful.  It was so great to see young to older folks just hanging out in the streets and on the sidewalks in downtown Leeds.  People brought lawn chairs, sat around, visited with each other, listened to the entertainers and just had a great time.  Weather could not have been more perfect.  The next street fest will be Thursday, June 6 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Mark your calendars and plan to join the fun next month.

Moody Area Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a First Responders Night Out this past weekend as a thank you to our First Responders.   Andrea Machen, Executive Director, coordinated with Moody Police Chief Hunt and Fire Chief Horton on the details.  Publix, Love’s Truck Stop and Red Diamond were food sponsors for the event and MACC sponsored the children’s area.  There were inflatables, games, dunking booth, smoke house and a fire house where the children were able to use the fire truck hose.  Our Police and Fire Men/women worked all of these and interacted with the children.  St Clair County Sheriff’s department was also in attendance and brought the helicopter which was a big hit.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m., May 9, at Moody City Hall.  Speakers will be the Moody Police Department with Chief Thomas Hunt, Lieutenant Pete Hicks and Narcotic Officer Melton.  Please RSVP to Andrea Machen at 205-640-6262.

May 12 -18 is Police Week.  Please take time to show your appreciation to the men and women in blue. 

The Leeds Community Chorus Spring Concert is planned for 3 p.m. this Sunday, May 12 at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center.  This special Mother’s Day concert will be a Musical Tribute to Alabama with an afternoon of music.  Door prizes will be given to special mothers.  Admission is $10 and call 205-699-1892 for reservations.

The next Alabama Bicentennial Program at the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library will be Monday, May 13 at 5 p.m.  entitled “Al 200:  Way Down in Alabama”.  This event will explore the disciplines of folklore, musicology, history and geography as Joyce Cauthen will introduce the audience to old-time fiddlers across the state, share their stories and describe the communities in which they played.

Moody City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, May 13, at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, Leeds/Moody Professional Women’s Organization, will meet at Noon on Tuesday, May 14 at The Livery.  Guest speaker will be Beth Gregory, Ph.D.  Beth is a licensed professional counselor with a private practice, Gregory Counseling and Consulting, LLC.  She will be speaking on “Seeking Simplicity – A Woman’s Guide to a Balanced Life”.  Please RSVP to anneglidewell@yahoo.com.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.  Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire at 205-699-5001.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 16 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.  Guest speaker will be Steve Ammons, Jefferson County Commissioner.  Teacher of the Year Award will be presented.  Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without).  Make reservation by calling Sandra McGuire at 205-699-5001.

Leeds Creek Bank Festival organizers are in full gear planning the 25^th year of Creek Bank scheduled for Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Two stages full of entertainers will perform all day long along including Kayla J who was nominated for New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, Michael Jacobs who is a Nashville recording artist, our very own, Terry Padgett – Elvis Tribute Artist, Erica Ryleigh and more!  There will be plenty of action with our famous Mascot Challenge, Moon Pie Eating Contest, Hula Hoop Contest, dog pageant, balloon artist, face painting, petting zoo, arts and crafts, retail vendors, Cruisin’ the Creek Bank Car Show and the list goes on.  Time is running out to get your vendor applications and sponsorships submitted.  Be sure to bring your entire family out for a full day of fun!  Don’t forget to bring out your antique car for the car show.

The Mid-South Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society will meet at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Leeds Historic Depot.  This organization is making plans to feature the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike completing the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Point, Utah.  The official ceremony in Utah will have taken place the week before our meeting, and plans are to show a recent video of traveling the entire route of the transcontinental railroad across the United States.  You are invited to attend and invite others.  It’s membership renewal time so please plan to renew or join, if you are not already a member. 

Miss Leeds Area and Outstanding Teen Pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Leeds High School Auditorium.  Miss Leeds Area was founded in 1980 and is an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama Scholarship Competition and the Miss America 2.0 competition.  For more information, please visit www.missleedsarea.net. 

Thought for the week:  “Happiness is an inside job.  No one can make you happy until you’re happy with yourself first.”

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.