I hope everyone had a wonderful and glorious Christmas and a happy New Year. Please remember the reason for the season: the birth of Christ. Yes, Christmas is over, but the manger in Bethlehem really happened. Never forget that Jesus came down for us. God is so good. And we hope you ate plenty of black-eyed peas and greens.

Last year is gone and we’re into the new year. We’ve had some good memories and some sad moments. However, we must look ahead. Expect 2024 to be a good year. Feeling a little burnt out from the holiday excitement? Light a peppermint candle to help feel better. The smell of mint has been shown to lower anxiety and fatigue and even suppress the appetite. and it makes your house smell so good.

Birthdays: Happy birthday to Hadley Byrd, Maycie Thomas, Alicia Burch, Amy Stinson, Lisa Phillips, Justin Gray, Karen Hollis Hazelwood, Janet Weldon Jones, Joey Cobb, Billy Davenport, Sarah Peoples Julia Allred, Ivijay Causey, Hannah Tims, Lillian Coleman, Bobby Walker, Donnie Todd, Frances Bunn, Dexter Headrick, Judy Burch, Erskine Funderburg, Pete Rich, Gaston Williams, and my grandson, Marty Snow whose birthday is the 15th.

Weddings: Congratulations to Maddie Cochran and Brett Staples who were married on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2023. That should always be a fun anniversary.

Schools: Christmas break is over, and school starts back. I know lots of people may be sick, so if not feeling better, stay inside and stay warm. Pell City School System started back today, the 4th.

Local: Attend the Third Thursday in Historic Downtown Pell City for specials, sales and fun beginning at 11 a.m. on Jan. 18.

Then attend the Power Lunch, Excellence in Leadership, in the Fellowship Hall at Eden Westside Baptist Church on Wed. Jan. 24 from 12-1 p.m. RSVP to jcimpactministries@gmail.COM. Sponsored by the Pell City Chamber of Commerce.

Also, the Civic Center offers Yoga classes and Pilates each week. Check out the website https://pellcity.recdesk.com/Community/Calendar to find out about all the happenings at the Civic Center.

Sports: Congratulations to the Pell City High School Wrestling Team, who are once again the 6A Region 6 Wrestling Championship.

Congratulations to Victory Christian basketball player, Peyton Scott, on making the All-Tournament Team.

Congratulations to Lincoln High School Golden Bears Head Coach Zedaker for being named the Talladega County Coach of the Year.

Tryouts for PCHS Auxiliary 2024 for the Band of Gold are coming up soon. Current 7th–11th graders are welcome. There will be a Mandatory parent meeting for anyone interested in trying out on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in the CEPA. Majorette and Danceline tryouts will be Jan. 29–Feb. 2. Colorguard tryouts will be Feb. 5–9.

God bless you. I pray that this new year will bring blessings, good health and peace and joy. Call me at 205-338-5590 with information about your family’s news and gatherings or you can email information to annette_snow@yahoo.com.