Monday is Pearl Harbor Day. Those of us who lived through the beginning of World War II (WWII) will always remember that time.

It was on Dec. 7, 1941, 79 years ago. I was a child, and I remember it well. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and times were hard. That day, approximately 2400 Americans died. This attack propelled America into WWII. First Lt. Lew Sanders of Lillian, AL, one of six American pilots to get a fighter jet into the air to face the attacking enemy is the first American credited with shooting down a Japanese plane during WWII.

I was able to tour Pearl Harbor by boat many years ago. We saw the sunken American ships and witnessed some of the filming of “Toto! Toro! Toro!” the movie that dramatized the Japanese attack. The movie “Midway” also tells more of the story of Pearl Harbor.

Congratulations to the 2020 Pell City Chamber Business Awards. They include: Small Business of the Year-Mainstreet Drugs and Gift Shop; Medium Business of the Year-Fatman’s Bar-B-Que; Large Business of the Year-Chick-Fil-A, Professional Business of the Year-Caran Wilbanks, ERA King; Industry of the Year-Ford Meterbox; Non-Profit of the Year-Lakeside Hospice; Policeman of the Year-Jessie Burgos; Fireman of the Year-Alan Rickles; and Citizen of the Year-Lyle Harmon.

The “Lights at Lakeside Park” has opened, and I am anxious to drive through with my family. They are so pretty. Thanks to all those who have contributed and worked hard to make this a special place to visit.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Open House, everywhere you go. Join your friends in Historic Downtown Pell City for the Annual Business Holiday Open House. It’s a day and night of seasonal offerings at participating businesses. Friday Dec. 4, starting at 3 p.m. Our businesses are ready to spread some cheer.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., the CEPA will present a Christmas Special, with “Three on a String.” Get your tickets at www.pellcitycepa.com/tickets. All State Covid-19 regulations will be followed. So be sure to bring your masks and get your tickets early since only 200 tickets will be sold.

Still time to participate in the Pell City High School SGA and Beta Club joint effort in sponsoring a Food Drive for the Christian Love Pantry from Nov. 16 to Dec. 11. If you would like to donate food items, find a high school student and get your donation to him. If you don’t know one, call the school at 205-338-2250 and I am sure they will be glad to tell you where you can leave it.

The Pell City High School students are busy helping the community. The Beta Club is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Dec. 10 and 12 for students and the community. It will be from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Cropwell Baptist Church will be hosting the Live Nativity at Lakeside Park every Friday in December leading up to Christmas. The first presentation will be Dec. 5. If you haven’t seen this, it is a must see for you and your family.

Don’t miss Pell City’s Third Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the St. Clair County Courthouse. Performances by local talent, Santa Claus photos, Business After Hours, Arts & Crafts, and Christmas Decorating Contest.

A special happy birthday to one of my longtime friends, Carolyn Mitchell, who celebrates her special day on Dec. 7. And to another longtime friend, Charlie Brasher, who will celebrate on the 15th, which also happens to be the wedding anniversary for Charlie and Christy Barber. Bob and Patsy Watson will celebrate an anniversary on the 7th, and Amos and Cheryl Morris will celebrate on the 28th. Another long-time friend, Lorene Smith has a December birthday as well as Jerry Burns.

Other birthdays include J.T. Cochran, Mackenzie Hawk, Rhonda Brantley Bean, Angela Scott, Jim O’Barr, Jeremy Dudley, Megan Germany, Mallory Guthrie, Blake Gossett, Anna Curtis, Ginger Kelley, Coleman Jones, Greg Brown, Abby Davis, Deborah Gant, Pat Kontzen, and Ricky Dunlap.

Please remember the families of Doug Hudgel, Ken Miller, Tommy Higginbotham, and Jack Isbell as they passed away recently.

In the midst of the Civil War, on Oct. 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national “Day of Thanksgiving and Praise.” During that era, Americans were deeply divided and living in uncertainty. President Lincoln reminded them of “the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.” Lincoln shifted the focus of the nation back to the Lord’s blessings and provision. When we humbly turn our gaze from ourselves and our circumstances to our Creator, only then can He “heal the wounds of our nation.” This Thanksgiving, Lincoln’s message of hope couldn’t be timelier.

Continually keep your children and family covered with prayer. Contact me at 205-338-7746 or email info to annette_snow@yahoo.com.