As September comes to a close this week, let’s celebrate National Courtesy Month. There is so much turmoil going on in our world locally, nationally and internationally. We could all settle many of our differences if we just treated each other with a little more courtesy. What does courtesy actually mean? According to Google, courtesy means “the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others.” Polite means, “having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.” I really like these descriptions because if we all exhibited behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people, our world would truly be a better place. I am not always proud of how I say things or how I treat others. I have to work at this just like you do. I pray that God would show me areas that I need to work on and I pray that He shows you the same. Let’s begin with authority and show people that have authority courtesy and respect. So who would be those in authority? Well, let’s start with God. He is the ultimate in authority, then let’s move on to our government, police officers, school teachers, supervisors, parents, etc. and then we can move on to each other. If we can get it right with God and show Him the respect He is due, showing consideration and respect to others will be a piece of cake!

This past weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. It’s so hard to believe that 34 years have passed since we said, “I do.” We took a short vacation to the beach and had a great time with just the two of us. The weather was perfect, the water was crystal clear and we enjoyed some great seafood. I pray that we have many more anniversaries together!

Now for this week’s news: Ladies, this is the last free Workshop for Mom’s Night Out – Organizing Your Chaos LET’S GET FOCUSED! Work Smarter, Not Harder at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 29 at the Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church. The River Campus is located on Hwy 78, just past the Shops of Grand River. Please RSVP on the Event at EdenWestside.org.

Leeds Arts Council will present ENCORE: Musical Memories this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 (please note date change). Tickets are $10. As mentioned previously, this is a yearly fundraiser for the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. The songs will be performed by familiar faces from their past musical productions. Please call (205) 699-1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net to reserve tickets.

Get ready for the Holidays! You are invited to a huge Estate Sale this Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 6915 Rowan Road, just off Hwy. 119. Items include a large display of fall decor (many items from Cracker Barrel), even larger Christmas display with fiber optic trees, wreaths, baskets, lights, ornaments, Santas, snowmen, angels, women’s clothes in sizes 18-24W, shoes, purses, jewelry, winter coats and scarves galore! For more information or display photos, please contact Susan at (205) 699-6565.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 1. Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated. Please contact T. V. Weaver at (205) 699-6742 for more information.

This Saturday, Oct. 1 is the long awaited Moody Oktoberfest 2016 at Moody City Park from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with free Admission. Miss JoAnna Garrett will kick-off this year’s event with the National Anthem. Entertainment this year on the Main Stage and Showstoppers Stage include JoAnna & Laura Garrett, Empty Vessels, Anna Kay, Black Shirt Monday, Beverly’s Dance, Nashville Bound, Randell Pickering, Moody MerryMakers, Chick-fil-A Mascot Challenge, Moody High School Majorettes, SHIELD Drama Team from World Victory Church, Blue Devils Dance Line, Kanzen Karate, Kimdom k9 and more. The day will also include arts, crafts and other vendors, plenty of food, children’s activities including face painting and this year, you can participate in the Dunking Booth to dunk some of Moody’s finest VIPs. There is plenty of fun in store for this year’s festival so you will not want to miss a single minute of it.

C & C Motor Co & Carpenetti’s Pizza Car Show in conjunction with Moody Oktoberfest 2016 will kick off at 9 a.m. so bring those rides. Some custom-made auction items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This non-profit car show will benefit The Moody Miracle League and the Shepherd Supply. Come early and stay all day to enjoy all of the fun and excitement this year!

Are you a baker? If so, Moody Miracle League needs your help! They are having a Bake Sale on Saturday, Oct. 1 during the Car Show at Oktoberfest & would love to have your items! All proceeds will go to Moody Miracle League. For more information, please contact Christy Ellard at (205) 577-2094.

The Blessing Swap at Cedar Grove Baptist Church is scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. – noon. For more information, please contact Erica Nolen at through the Facebook Event.

Leeds Arts Council Artist Reception for Robin McDonald is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. This is a free event and Robin’s work will be on display during the month of October.

The Moody Kid Quilts Group will meet on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3-4 at Moody City Hall. This group meets the first Monday and Tuesday of each month to make kid quilts for Children’s Hospital to distribute to the sick children. For more information, please contact Clydene Dyer at (205) 515-4751 or Barbara Willingham at (205) 400-4560.

The Leeds City Council is scheduled at 6 p.m. for Monday, Oct. 3 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

The Moody Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3 at Moody City Hall.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Liaison Group is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Moody City Hall upstairs in conference room.

Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at Noon on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Moody City Hall.

You are invited to National Night Out with Leeds Police & Fire Departments at the Coyote Drive-In from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce and the Outlet Shops of Grand River. Come out and meet your local police officers, fire fighters and Sparky, the Leeds Fire Department Dalmatian. Enjoy entertainment by Miss Leeds Area, check out the fire safety trailer, ladder truck, ambulance, Hummer and let our first responders know how much you appreciate them. This event does not include movie admission. For more information, please call (205) 699-3700.

The Leeds Redevelopment Authority is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Leeds Lions Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Leeds Masonic Lodge Building.

The 24th Annual LeHigh Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches and Boys Ranch of St. Clair County is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7 at Trussville Country Club. For more information, please contact Cindy Keith at (205) 702-7114.

Quote for the Week: “Three Ways to Fail at Everything in Life: 1) Blame All Your Problems on Others, 2) Complain About Everything & 3) Not Be Grateful.” ~ Unknown

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