Leeds Moody Messenger

Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2019

We are excited to announce that the Friends of the Leeds Public Library, Inc. was the recipient of a $1000 grant awarded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  This is one of more than $205k in literacy grants to Alabama nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools.  These funds are aimed at supporting adult, family and summer literacy programs within a 20-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center across the 44 states Dollar General serves.  The grants awarded to Alabama organizations are expected to positively impact the lives of more thank 28,000 Alabamians.  When contacted, Ginny Edwards with the Friends of the Leeds Public Library, Inc. organization said, “We are very excited to receive the Dollar General Literacy Foundations grant for Summer Reading 2019!  We plan to purchase new non-fiction books with the grant money, with a focus on space as that is the theme for Summer Reading 2019: A Universe of Stories. We will also be able to have a performer visit the library and teach the children and teens about science and complete fun science experiments.”  The Leeds Jane Culbreth Library has a full summer planned.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce presented a $1000 scholarship to high school ambassador, Jackie Dang, at the May chamber luncheon.  Jackie has participated with the chamber ambassador program for two years and will be graduating this month.  As part of the competition, Jackie wrote an essay outlining her personal experience and how the program has helped her better prepare for the future.  Speakers for this month were the Moody Police Department with Chief Thomas Hunt, Lieutenant Pete Hicks and Narcotic Officer Melton. 

The Grand Opening of the Leeds Police Substation at The Outlet Shops of Grand River was held on Tuesday.  The new substation is located in Suite 438 beside Rue21 and across from Dress Barn.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly luncheon at 11:45 a.m. today, 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.

You will not want to miss the Leeds Creek Bank Festival.  It’s the 25^th year of Creek Bank scheduled for this 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 & crafts, retail vendors, Cruisin’ the Creek Bank Car Show and the list goes on.  Also, be sure to stop by to see the NASCAR Pace Car courtesy of Talladega Super Speedway.  Bring your entire family out for a full day of fun!  

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 take place the week before the 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. 

Leeds City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 20, at Leeds Civic Center meeting room.

Moody Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 20, at White’s Chapel.

Moody Kiwanis Club is scheduled to meet at Noon on Tuesday, May 21, at Moody City Hall.

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:  “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” ~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.