Birthdays: Happy birthday to 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 and Gaston Williamson.

Deaths: Please keep the families of the following in your thoughts and prayers: Jeffery Christopher, Marilyn Outler, Billy Wester and Sheila Brockett.

CEPA: Now in its tenth year, the Father-Daughter Dance returns to Pell City Saturday, Feb 8, with an exciting new theme: Boots and Bows (Plus a Little Disco). Hosted by the Pell City Rotary Club, this year’s dance promises to delight couples (or trios and beyond) with a blend of country charm and disco sparkle. Space is limited, so buy your tickets now. Tickets are $30 per couple ($15 for each additional child) or $40 at the door ($20 for each additional child) and include music, finger foods, party favors, and photographs. They can be purchased at Metro Bank in Pell City, Pell City Coffee Company, online at pellcityrotary.com, pellcitycepa.com/tickets or by contacting Meg Clements at 205-812-5187. Proceeds from the event support the Pell City Rotary Foundation, which provides numerous community grants each year to organizations such as The Children’s Place, Pell City School System, Lakeside Hospice, Pell City Police Department and many more. (Information courtesy of CEPA)

Sports: Congratulations to all who achieved All-State Band and/or District II Honor Band after playing for judges this weekend in Gadsden. The District II Honor Band Concert will be held at Albertville High School Saturday, Feb. 8. Those who made All-State Band will participate in the All-State Band Festival in Mobile in April. These include: All-State Middle School Band, Rosemary Goulet – Flute (3rd in District II); All-State High School Band, Bryant Phung – Flute (3rd in District II), Savannah Lee – Oboe (1st in District II), Dazzling Doss – Bassoon (2nd in District II), Allyson Kennedy – Clarinet (12th in District II), Ava Abbott – Baritone Saxophone (1st in District II); Honor Band: All previously mentioned and Emily Word – Flute (10th in District II), and Brent Hopper – Alto Saxophone (6th in District II).

Is your child interested in soccer? Then check out pellcityfc.com for information on how to improve the soccer experience. Pell City FC is offering a Development Academy, Summer Clinics and Personal Training sessions.

School: Want to help out PCHS School‘s Sports Medicine Program? Then eat at Zaxby’s Feb. 18 from 5-8 p.m. and tell them you are there to support the program. It will get 10% of the proceeds from that night.

Local scholarships are now available. You can find information on the student’s Schoology account under local scholarships and on the counseling website at www.pellcitycounseling.weebly.com/local-scholarships.html. Several scholarships available are offered by Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union, DKG, International Society for Key Women Educators, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Delta Kappa Gamma and Pell City Players. More will be added as they become available.

Local: Check out the Pell City Library website. The library offers all kinds of events for all ages, including story times, book clubs, yoga, curbside pickup, interlibrary loan, e-books lending, kidz clubs, twisted stitches, Wild and Wonderful Wednesdays and more. Go to pellcitylibray.com.

Miscellaneous: Did you know that Alabama has been named the Most-Polite State in America by FreshBooks? The software company analyzed thousands of small business invoices nationwide searching for the words, “please” and “thank you.” Last year we ranked 2nd behind Oklahoma in the “politeness index.”

Remember: Nothing’s too big or too small to bring before Him in prayer–He hears you whether it feels like it or not. (Joyce Meyer)

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.