Dona Bonnett. 

April is Keep America Beautiful Month as well as Lawn and Garden Month.  With spring finally here and the cold winter months behind us, it’s time to look around to see what needs to be cleaned up and spruced up.  I see Facebook posts periodically on What’s Happening pages where people have complained about trash being thrown out on the local roadsides and in our community, which creates an eyesore.  It also shows that as a whole, we do not take pride in our cities. 

With the 4^th Annual Community Cleanup Event scheduled for this Saturday, Apr. 7 in Leeds, we all have the opportunity to work together to eradicate some of the trash laying.  It’s easy to complain about something, it’s a little harder to take action.  There are several ways you can be a part of the solution rather than the problem.  First, sign up to participate with the cleanup event.  Next, recruit volunteers, create a team and show up this Saturday.  Beyond the event, consider adopting a street, neighborhood or business to keep clean.  Also, in the future, if you see trash anywhere, pick it up.  If we all work together, we can accomplish so much more.  I hope you will join in on the community cleanup and meet promptly at 8 a.m. this Saturday in the empty field across from Windstream at 8373 1^st Avenue.  Rain or shine, the City of Leeds will supply the bags and tools.  The event will conclude at Noon.  Please encourage your family and friends to show up.  Let’s keep Leeds green and clean.  For more information, please call 205-699-0934 or email inspections@leedsalabama.gov.

Here are other events that you may be interested in:  The Doris Stanley Memorial Library’s Book Club will host historian and storyteller, Mr. Joe Whitten at the Doris Stanley Memorial Library today, Apr. 5 at 1 p.m.  For any information, please call the library at 205-640-2517.

The Leeds Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. today, Apr. 5 in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building.  For more information, please contact T.V. Weaver at 205-699-6742.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. this Saturday, Apr. 7.  Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated.  For more information, please contact T.V. Weaver at 205-699-6742.

This Saturday, Apr. 7 is opening day at Moody Ballpark.  A full day of festivities is planned with a fireworks show at dark as the last game comes to an end.

The Leeds Jane Culbreth Library is starting a Young Adult Book Club and plan an interest meeting for 6-12^th graders at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Apr. 7 at Leeds Daylight Donuts.  Six books have been picked out for the group to choose as their first book.  This will also be a time to discuss a good date and time for regular meetings.  For more information, please call 205-699-5962.

The Leeds Arts Council invites you to the wedding of the year brought to you by The Father of the Bride.  Wedding dates are Friday-Sunday, Apr. 6-8 and 13-15.  No gifts required, but tickets are $10.  The father, Mr. Banks, is played by Dale Jones with Dale Baldwin playing the brother, Tommy Banks.  Rachel Arledge plays Delilah the maid, Ashley Richardson is Mr. Banks secretary, Trey Woodrow plays Miss Bellamy.  McKenzie Ramey plays Ben’s girlfriend, Peggy Swift and Carson Davis plays Tommy’s friend, Buzz Taylor.  Clark French plays the part of Joe, Madelyn Harbison is Mrs. Pulitzki, Karen Carroll plays Tim’s woman and the florist helpers are Abri Mizzell, Lauren Kilgore, Juliet Calvin and Sydney Sanders.  For more information and reservations, please call 205-699-1892.

The Leeds Arts Council also invites you to the opening reception of the April Featured Artist, Rik Lazenby, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 8 to view his inspiring paintings.  Rik specializes in creating works in both acrylic and mixed media at his studio in Hoover.  His works are spiritually complex, but the messages are focused and simple:  “Let your heart guide you to where the soul resides, but always let the Spirit lead.”  Admission is free. 

The Alabama Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit is coming to St. Clair County and will be on display at Moody Civic Center on Monday, Apr. 9 through Sunday, Apr. 22 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Moody City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Apr. 9 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS 12^th Annual Fashion Show is scheduled for Noon on Tuesday, Apr. 10 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church.  This is the main fundraiser for Leeds/Moody high school scholarships that are awarded each May.  This event each year enables this group to award 4 scholarships in the amount of $1000 each which go to two Leeds female students and two Moody female students.  Fashion Show tickets are $25 each and include lunch, fashion show and door prizes.  Doors open at 11:45 a.m.  For more information, please contact Jan Morace at 205-966-5935 or any LadyBUGS member.

Also, LadyBUGS scholarship applications are currently being accepted for consideration and an application may be obtained through your school office.

The Central Parliamentary Unit will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 11 in the Leeds First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  For more information, please contact Grady Sue Saxon at 205-699-2440.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12 at Moody City Hall.  The April Luncheon Sponsor is the Moody Miracle League.  The St. Clair County Culinary School will be cooking the meal this month with guest speaker, Eden Career Tech and Chef Allphin with the culinary school so you will not want to miss this event.  Lunch is $12 with RSVP and call 205-640-6262 for reservations.

One hundred and ten years ago, in 1908, Alabama Fuel and Iron Company developed Acmar as a planned coal mining community.  Despite skepticism of some geologists, it was a successful thriving community managed by Charles F. DeBardeleben.  While coal hasn’t been mined since 1950, values of the community such as resourcefulness, integrity, strong work ethic, Christian values, and kind treatment of one’s neighbor are celebrated each year.  The Acmar Community Gathering will be Sunday, Apr. 15 at 2 p.m. at Acmar United Methodist Church located at 4107 Old Acton Road, Moody.  The church building was built for worship in 1920 by the company and the community employees.  The gathering is for those well acquainted with Acmar and for those experiencing the community for the first time.  There will be singing, stories, snacks and door prizes.  Everyone is invited; dress is casual and there is no charge.  For more information, please call Belinda Wilson at 205-640-6719 or the church at 205- 640-4325.

Moody Kiwanis Club will host its semi-annual pancake supper, Pancakes for a Purpose, at Carpenetti’s Pizzeria Restaurant on Monday, Apr. 16 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.  Proceeds will fund college scholarships for area Key Club students, youth projects, and Dolly Parton Imagination Library free book program for preschoolers. Dine in with your family or carry out at only $5 per plate. Tickets are available from Kiwanis, Key Club, Builders Club, Aktion Club members and at the door.  Please call 205-515-5544 for more information.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to plug into and get involved in your local community.

Thought for the Week:  “The only cure for litter is you.  Be part of the solution rather than the problem.”

 I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news so please send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com.  See you next week!