Thought for today: God wants you to be so busy enjoying your life today that you don’t have time to look at yesterday. (Joe McGee)

I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful and you get to spend time with family and friends.

Birthdays: A special happy birthday to one of my longtime friends, Carolyn Mitchell who celebrates her special day on Dec. 7. And other longtime friends, Charlie Brasher on Dec. 15 and Lorene Smith. Other birthdays include Dana Poe, J.T. Cochran, Mackenzie Hawk, Rhonda Brantley Bean, Angela Scott, Jim O’Barr, Mallory Guthrie, Blake Gossett, Anna Curtis, Ginger Kelley, Coleman Jones, Greg Brown, Abby Davis, Deborah Gant, Pat Kontzen, Ricky Dunlap, Jerry Burns and Bob Osborn.

Anniversaries: Happy anniversaries to Charlie and Christy Barber, Bob and Patsy Watson  on Dec. 7, and Amos and Cheryl Morris will celebrate on Dec. 28.

Deaths: Please keep the family of Martha Garrett in your thoughts and prayers.

Pictures with Santa: Want a picture with Santa and help with a special event? Then go to the Pell City Rec Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4-6 p.m. For $5 cash per child (includes snacks and a visit from Santa’s elves), you can get a picture with Santa and support the Special Needs Prom. Arrive 5 minutes before the appointment time and don’t forget your camera. This is sponsored by the PCHS Key Club, the Pell City Kiwanis Club and Santa Chuck Hurst. Make an appointment by contacting Emile Milam at emile.milam@pellcityschools.net.

Another chance for a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be Dec. 7, at the Pell City Chick-fil-A from 8:30-10:30 a.m. You can buy the $10 package which includes 4-piece Chick-n-Minis, kids drink, a craft and a polaroid picture. Families are welcome to come and take their own picture if they choose not to purchase the Breakfast with Santa Package for $10 +tax.

And another chance to take a picture with Santa. Get ready to make magical holiday memories with your family, kids or even your furry friends. Just go to McSweeney CDJR Dec. 14, for a special opportunity to take a free photo with Santa from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring your holiday spirit and enjoy festive cheer, free treats and a fun experience for the whole family. Santa welcomes everyone — children, families and pets. RSVP to let them know you’re coming and share this event with your friends.

Christmas in Pell City: Lights in the Park will be Nov. 29–Dec. 31. This Christmas season, grab some hot chocolate and take your family on a drive through Lakeside Park in Pell City to see more than 80 holiday displays and thousands of Christmas lights. The free event is getting a new feature this year as community displays will be judged on their creativity and quality and special recognition will go to the winners.

You are invited to the Christmas Bazaar at the Venue on 20th Sunday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a day of shopping, festive treats and indulge in delicious food while having the opportunity to meet both Santa and the Grinch.

The PCHS Choir Christmas Concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, at the Pell City First Baptist Church. There will be a special performance by the Pell City Showstoppers.

Head to the Pell City Library’s Whobilation Celebration Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5-7 p.m. It is a free community event and sure to be a magical experience. The Whobilation Celebration is even better this year with the addition of our giant snow globe. Children will experience six stations which include the hot chocolate station, Christmas craft station, snow globe station and Christmas cookie station. They will also have photo opportunities with the Grinch, Elsa from Frozen and Santa.

Each year the Pell City Library Guild invites children of all ages to construct their dream homes. And then eat them. Join the Guild and staff of the Pell City Public Library Dec. 6 and 7, for a Christmas construction project like no other. Register your child for one of the three free sessions by calling the library at 205-884-1015.

You’re invited to A Candyland Christmas. Come out Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. in front of the St. Clair County Courthouse for the 7th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. This year’s event features live dance performances, musical entertainment, Santa, candy bags for kids and delicious hot chocolate and apple cider. Pell City’s Downtown Holiday Open House starts earlier in the day at 11 a.m. and includes special offerings, treats and more at participating businesses.

“A Walk-Through Bethlehem” will be at Homestead Hollow Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 5:30-8 p.m.

“The 12 Days of Christmas” is the theme for the 2024 Pell City Christmas Parade. It will be held Friday, Dec. 13, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Rotary Jingle Bell 5K & Fun Run became an instant holiday classic in Pell City last year as hundreds came together to support the Club’s efforts to support the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. From the starting point to the finish line, the event evolved as a true success story, raising over $65,000 to help build a new home at the Boys Ranch and bringing a community together for a common cause. This will be on Dec. 14, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Register at pellcityrotary.org/jingle-bells-5k-run/.

On Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., CEPA will present a Vintage Country Christmas featuring Rose Colored Glasses, a band with that classic country sound that takes you back to Saturday nights listening to the Opry and the jukebox classics that defined a generation. Join your friends to hear Christmas classics from Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Bob Wills and more. Get tickets online at https://www.pellcitycepa.com/vintage-christmas.

Schools: Congratulations to Coosa Valley Elementary, Iola Roberts Elementary and Kennedy Elementary which all received A’s on the Alabama School Report Cards.

Sports: The PCHS Archery Team competed in a pre-season tournament at Holt High School in Tuscaloosa. As a team, they took 1st place with a new school record team score. They also took all the top individual spots. In the girls division, Bella Kate Garrett 1st place, Addie Cook 2nd place and Chloe Evans 3rd place. In the boys division, Logan Murphree 1st place, Parker Cooper 2nd place and Chandler Dickerson 3rd place.

Please contact us at 205-338-5590 or email info to annette_snow@yahoo.com.