Our very own Miss Leeds Area Braidyn Lazenby will compete next week in the Miss Alabama Scholarship Competition.  The festivities will begin with a send off party this Thursday night hosted by the Miss Leeds Area committee.  Braidyn will check in at Samford University and then move on to the Miss Alabama events, which will begin this Sunday, June 2 with the Brookwood Village Introduction Ceremony.  The Top 7 Community Service Finalists and Top 7 Stem Scholarship Finalists will be announced at this event along with introductions and autographs.  The contestants will be staying at UAB with a full week of appearances, rehearsals and various activities planned.  One of the events will include a trip to Children’s Hospital to meet kids and sign autographs.  The official competition begins Wednesday night at 7 p.m. and goes through Saturday when the next Miss Alabama will be crowned.  We wish Braidyn much success as she experiences the fun and excitement of her achievements!

Leeds Downtown First Thursday Street Fest returns next Thursday, June 6 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  It’s going to be another afternoon of great entertainment at the gazebo on the corner of 9^th Street and Parkway.  Cody Howell, local singer and songwriter, will be one of the entertainers on stage.  The car cruise-in will include the Porsche Club sponsored by Eurasian Auto Services including a 1957 Porsche.  Plan to bring your family and enjoy street vendors, food trucks, entertainers, car cruise-in, downtown shopping on the Parkway and more.  This is a free event so don’t miss it!  For info, visit www.LeedsAreaChamber.com.

I had the opportunity to travel to North Carolina over the Memorial Day holiday weekend to take my precious mom to see her sister.  We all had a great visit and I was able to see some cousins that I haven’t seen in a long time.  Family is so important and we seem to have so little time to devote these days.  I hope as you enjoy this summer that you will have an opportunity to connect with extended family members.

As school comes to a close and summer begins, it’s a great time to think about Vacation Bible Schools for kids.  VBS is a wonderful event sponsored by different churches throughout the summer where children can learn more about God and His promises.  These events are usually high energy with plenty of music, crafts and activities, play time, Bible classes and snacks.  Some of the churches even provide a meal.

Leeds First Baptist Church will host VBS next week, June 2-6 for children entering first grade through 7^th grade.  Register at www.fbcleeds.org/vbs.

Bethel Baptist Church will host VBS next week, June 3-5 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Visit www.bethelnet.com for more information.

Moody First Baptist Church will host VBS June 9-13 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for all kindergarten through 6^th grade.  To pre-register, visit https://bit.ly/2WtZFuH

Leeds First United Methodist Church will host VBS July 21-25.  Sunday night will be family night from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and dinner will be served.  Monday through Wednesday will be hosted from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. (no dinner).  This event is for four-year-old through rising 5^th graders.  Call 205-699-8575 for info.

Eden Westside Baptist Church will host VBS July 22-26 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at their Leeds River Campus.  More information and registration at www.edenwestside.org.

There are many other upcoming events to talk about.  Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. this Saturday, June 1.  Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated which go toward City of Leeds community involvement programs.  For info, please contact T. V. Weaver at 205-699-6742.

If you are looking for a night of laughter and entertainment, Debbie Street Childers will be performing at Leeds Arts Council this Saturday, June 1.  Her 7 p.m. show is already sold out so reservations are being taken for a 5 p.m. show.  Please call 205-699-1892.  Debbie grew up in Leeds and has always loved to make people laugh.  Plan to attend for some hometown humor from a hometown girl!

Also, Ramey Channell is the Leeds Arts Council featured artist in June.  The public is invited to the opening reception this Sunday, June 2 from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. to view her beautiful artwork.  Admission is free.  Ms. Channell’s paintings will be on exhibit through Jul. 4.  For more information, please visit www.leedsartscouncil.org.

Moody Kid Quilts Group will meet on Monday and Tuesday, June 3-4 at Moody Civic Center.  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, June 3 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Tower of Prayer Church in Leeds will host Miracles on Mondays beginning June 3 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. These events will be a time of prophetic prayer, worship, deliverance and intercession.

Moody Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3 at White’s Chapel.

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

Many of us have dealt with hurt and bitterness in our lives.  You are invited to join Eden Westside Baptist Church River Campus for a special event on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. during the month of June, From Bitterness to Blessedness, and break free from the bitterness in your life that keeps you from being the person God wants you to be.  This four-week study of the book of Ruth will be presented by a well-known evangelist, Dr. Don Graham.  Preschool, children and teen activities will also be available.  For more information, please visit www.EdenWestside.org.

Leeds Lions Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 at Leeds Masonic Lodge Building.  Contact T. V. Weaver at 205-699-6742 for more information.

Barber Small Bore Festival is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, June 7-9 at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.  This festival is dedicated to miniature motorcycles, pit bikes, scooters and their riders.  For more info, visit www.barbermuseum.org/events.

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:  “If speaking kindly to plants helps them grow, imagine what speaking kindly to humans can do!” ~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.