Annette Snow, left, and Margaret Vaughan.

Recent birthdays include Joseph Brewer, Anna Howard, Bill Robinson, Mickey Alverson, Ethan Carlisle, Rachel Bowman, Guyla Perry, John Pritchett, Tristan Smith, Hayden Averette, Eric Housch, Lauren Isbell, Becky Baker, Ali Richard, Georgia Strickland, Jim Tuck, Shelley Gallups, Jim Mann, Darrell Parker, Jamie Mclean, Beverly Abbott, Teddy Presgraves, Brandy Hughes and Jeff Jones.

Happy anniversary to Darryl and Nancy Brewer, Kenneth and Deena Thomas, Matthew and Danielle Pope, Luke and Amanda Carmack, Allison and Addison Lett, and to Allen and Shirley Echols. Hope you happy couples have many more years together.

DEATHS: Please keep the family of Lane Harmon, Sarah Quesenberry, Rita Ballard, Julia Slettvet, Jayne Price, Robert Tinney, and Allene Carreker in your thoughts and prayers.

SCHOOLS: Victory Christian School starts on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Pell City Schools start Thursday, Aug. 8. You may want to leave a little earlier than normal for work and please watch out for school buses and children.

CEPA: On Aug. 9 at 7 p.m., the legendary Magic City Magic Club will be back at CEPA, and this year, they’re bringing enchantment for the whole family. Witness six incredible illusionists weave a night of astonishing magic and side-splitting laughter. This dazzling performance will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss your chance to witness the impossible become possible. The fun starts even before the show. Be amazed by close-up magic happening right in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. Get there early and secure your spot for an unforgettable pre-show experience. Prepare to be left speechless by A Magical Evening 2024. It’s magic you can’t believe and memories you won’t forget.

CHURCH: You are invited to Victory Church’s Back to School Bash, VKids Back-to-School Bash” on August 4th from 3-5. It will be a fun evening with a water slide, popsicles, and a splash pad. Take your lawn chairs and enjoy the kids having a blast.

The Pell City Library will present Southern Comfort in a Cast-Iron Skillet on Wednesday, August 7th from Noon – 1pm. Can a Pennsylvania-born Yankee ever learn to make cornbread? Find out in this story of lessons learned in unexpected places. This is a free event, and all are welcome.

A free End of the Summer Bash, Rock N Dock, will be at the Pell City Sports Complex on Sept 10th from 5-10pm. There will be food trucks, corn hole, and live bands. Performing will be Andrew Carpenter, Aslen Weaver and the Southern Crossroads Band, and the Coosa Phat Katz.

Margaret’s daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Mike Turner, have started taking her out for an adventure each Friday. So far, they have ridden out to Alpine, Red Oak Mountain, Oneonta Area and have visited several covered bridges. Margaret loves historical sites. Each Friday they eat somewhere different, including family style Charlie B’s in Oneonta. This past Friday, they headed to Birmingham, stopping first at the original Golden Rule in Irondale to enjoy BBQ sandwiches and fries. They then headed up to Vulcan and rode up the elevator to the top to view Birmingham. Afterwards, they rode around the streets of the Birmingham that Margaret remembers, including the Alabama Theater, the old Loveman’s Building, and where Pizitz and Parisians used to be. Margaret said too bad they were gone, and she still didn’t have her old department store cards.

By the way, on Aug. 10, the Golden Rule in Irondale will celebrate its 133rd anniversary. All that day, a pork barbeque sandwich, the Sammy Sandwich, will only cost you 95 cents. The Golden Rule BBQ is the oldest barbeque joint in the United States. It opened its doors in Irondale in 1891 and was owned by several families. In 1969, Michael Matso, who owned La Paree and Michael’s Sirloin Room in Birmingham, bought and ran it until his death in 2012. It has been owned by the Kemp Family since 2022.

Bothered by the constant ringing of your phone, only to answer and hear a recording? They are called robo-calls, and the callers are hiding behind a familiar number to fool caller-id and entice you to pick up. “Consumer Reports” magazine advises you to hang up as soon as you hear the first recorded words.

Five things to know about 529 College Savings Plans: 1. You can invest in any state’s plan. 2.The money can be used for any qualified college or university in any state. 3.The money can be used by any child in the immediate family. 4.There are no income or asset restrictions on contributions, and no deductions for contributions. 5.Money in the plan has a smaller impact on financial aid than other college savings.

See you next week. Contact me at 205-338-5590 or send to annette_snow@yahoo.com with information about family’s news and gatherings. Have a wonderfully blessed and safe week.