Birthdays: October birthday wishes include my friends, Inise Garner, Ruth Bush, Sharon Henderson, Joe Dorough, Cathy Holladay, Laurie Tipton, Brad Watson, Gracie Poole, Finn Otwell, Dorothy Lowery, Libby Collier, Jay Collins, Laurie Tipton, my granddaughter (in-law) Heather Church Adams, my nephew, Bill Thomas, my pastor, Bill Gray, Jolene Lee, Marge Blair, Kent Foster, Charles Garrett, Olivia Minor, Magan Cline, Caleb Groce, Caleb Aldridge, Conner Johnson, Steve Laminack, Jackie Gant, Shirley Pearce Williams, Tracy Sargent and Victoria Elliott.

A special birthday wish goes to Emily Weir, my pastor’s wife. Love our pastors and their families at Victory Church. Come and join us on Sundays at 8:10, 9:15 or 10:30 a.m. VictoryKids available at all services.

And from all of Margaret’s children, we want to send our wonderful mother special birthday blessings. She turns 94 on Saturday, Oct. 5. Hemingway once wrote: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” Mother, you have had many broken places, but you have always been strong and held our family together. Thank you for creating order in our house despite the disorder that you tried to shield us from. You taught us to love God, love each other, and to love others. Mom, we are planning on you being with us to celebrate many, many more birthdays. We love you!! Thank you for always being there for us.

Anniversaries: Congratulations to Mack and Brenda Bell who will celebrate their wedding anniversary on Oct. 9. and congratulations to Payton and Cody Callahan who will celebrate their anniversary on Oct. 5.

School: PCHS Choral Department will present “Love in Autumn” Fall Concert on October 10th at 6pm at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Cropwell.

Sports: Congratulations to Stephania Chacon who recently committed to play tennis at Coastal Alabama.

Local: St. Clair County SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Cindy Harper partnered with The Pell City Boys and Girls Club to bring weekly nutrition education to students in their summer program. The kids had a blast learning about food groups, tasting new vegetables and discovering the importance of staying hydrated and getting daily exercise.

Get ready for Great Alabama 650, the longest paddle race in the United States. See racers cross the state: Sept. 21-Oct. 1, Weiss Lake to Ft. Morgan. Twenty paddlers from around the world converge on Alabama for the 6th edition of the Alabama Scenic River Trail’s Great Alabama 650 race. Starting off in Northeast Alabama at Weiss Lake on Sept. 21, Wetumpka, Montgomery, Selma, Fairhope and more.Racers have ten days to finish the 650-mile race and can use kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards interchangeably throughout the event. Spectators can also follow virtually at AL650.com.Ann’s 5K Run & Walk For Life benefits Ann’s New Life Pregnancy Medical Center which is a non-profit ministry located in Cropwell, Alabama. This run will be on Saturday, Oct.12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will begin at Ann’s at 3440 Martin Street South Suite 1.

Who’s getting excited for Boo Bash on Logan Martin Lake 2024, this year on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. This event benefits the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association. Boo Bash is a dockside trick-or-treat spooktacular hosted by families and local businesses along Logan Martin Lake. All participation in Boo is completely voluntary and truly offers something fun for everyone. The water may be a little low, but spirits are running high. It will be so much fun for littles and bigs.

Trunk-R-Treats: The Premier Dance Company will hold a Trunk-R-Treat on Oct. 31, from 4-7 p.m. at 4800 Cogswell Ave., Pell City. There will be games, dancing, prizes, face painting, candy and lots of spooky fun. Pell City Animal Hospital’s 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat will be Friday, Oct. 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There will be candy, games, and a “furry” pet costume contest. There will also be a drawing for an auto ship giveaway.