Pell High School FFA student Garrett Knight placed 5th on Saturday at the King of the Coosa tournament. Courtesy photo.

Christmas is getting very close. Only two more Saturdays left, so hope your shopping is done or almost done. But please remember the reason for the season: the birth of Christ.

Happy birthday to Jill McCombs, Holly Otwell, Clancie Ford, Ashleigh Garrard, John Abbott, Angela Scott, Krista Crosson, Deena Thomas, Brenda Fields, Coleman Jones, Abby Davis, Deborah Grant, Richard Brummett, Erin Clinkscales, Aimee Perry, Will Morgan, Lawson Seay, Kira Warren, Jody Evans, Hope Thweatt, Joel Casey, A.L. Courtney, Jenny Gillison, and Dana Moore.

And so proud of the Pell City Panther Boys’ Varsity Team who are now 6-2 in after beating Mortimer Jordan on Friday night. Next games will be at home tonight against Clay-Chalkville, and Saturday against Springville. Home games are always so much fun.

Congratulations to Mr. Searels who was named Pell City High School Teacher of the Month.

Congratulations to the PCHS Cheerleaders who finished 8th out of 25 teams for their Division.

Congratulations to Pell High School FFA student, Garrett Knight on his 5th place finish Saturday at the King of the Coosa tournament.

Congratulations to THE ARK that was chosen by the Catfish Institute to be part of the Catfish Trail.

Don’t forget Friday, Dec. 9, is the Christmas parade beginning at 7 p.m. The parade that makes its way through downtown Pell City and beyond each year is a sight to behold. Floats, bands, convertibles, the antics of the Shriners and Jolly Old Saint Nick himself are part of the festivities as Pell City rings in the season in early December. Thousands of visitors line the streets each year to get a glimpse of the lights, the pageantry and the spirit of Christmas that abounds in what has become one of the region’s largest parades. This year’s theme is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” honoring our Veterans. The parade starts at Pell City High School and travels straight down Cogswell Avenue/Highway 78 and will end at WinSouth Credit Union. (Pell City Chamber of Commerce)

“Lights in the Park” is now open at Pell City Lakeside Park until Jan. 2 from sunset to 9 p.m. There are more than 70 displays this year, so take a ride through. You will certainly enjoy it. and don’t forget to stop and see the live nativity by the Pell City First United Methodist Church.

Cropwell Baptist will have an Instrumental Night of Praise on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. It will also have CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNION SERVICE on Sunday, Dec. 25 at 2 p.m.

CHRISTMAS AT VICTORY CHURCH will be Saturday, Dec 17 at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. And, it will have a CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS SERVICE on Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10:30 a.m. There’s no better way to spend Christmas morning than celebrating God’s greatest gift to the world.

FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA AND THE GRINCH! Dec. 13 from 4-6 p.m. at The Realty Pros, 2401 12th Avenue North, Pell City.

The iconic Christmas film that runs round-the clock on Dec. 25 is coming to CEPA! Join the Spotlight Kids Drama Club – and the Parker – family as they embark on the most harrowing part of the year-the Christmas season in “A Christmas Story: The Musical!” Performances will be Dec. 15-16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 17-18 at 2 p.m. $15 adults/$10 children at pellcitycepa.com/tickets.

Did you know that the Pell City Police Department has set up a Pell City Safe Internet Exchange Location? If you are buying from or selling to someone online, you can meet up with them at the Police Station at 1905 1st Ave. N. for a safe exchange.

You can send all your news to annette_snow@yahoo.com or call 205-338-5590. Looking forward to hearing from you.