Hello readers! I’m back with this week’s edition of What’s Up in Odenville.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

In the past week I have become the mom of a 17 year old and a 15 year old, which means I am teaching new drivers how to drive. I would love to tell you that I am a great driver and that they are going to learn good driving habits from me, but that’s just not the case here. I have zero patience, and I am an episode of Cops waiting to happen with my road rage.

I backed into two people in parking lots in less than a 24-hour period (I needed a new bumper anyway) and rear-ended someone while choking on a Chewy SweetTart (they are SO good — but a driving hazard). I take turns on two wheels and I’m always late, which means I’m coming in hot when I arrive. (We replace brakes and rotors a lot) I run over curbs, hit potholes, and it’s been said I even apply makeup while driving (although I will NEVER admit to such). Really, all I can say is: Y’all beware.

Let’s get to the news:

Community News

The Gathering Place Church will be opening the doors to their new campus at SCCHS this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! All are welcome to come worship.

Ryan Wilson, 10, placed second in the quarter midgets at the Dixie Shootout Regionals in Tennessee this past weekend. Ryan began racing midget cars in June and out of seven races he has won five, one of which was a national touring race. Jeff Gordon got his start also racing these type cars. Mom Candi says Ryan is turning heads in the racing world! Way to go Ryan!

Kay Smith Patterson announces the birth of her grandson Waylon Mason Hinton born Sunday Sept. 6 weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 20 ½ inches long. Proud parents are Amanda and Scott and big brother Tristin, 9. Congrats!

The Kurly Q’s Square Dance Club will sponsor beginner Western Style square dance lessons at Purser-Ray Hall, Odenville Middle School beginning Monday Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. The first two lessons will be free. Ronnie Purser, Springville, will teach lessons. He has been involved in square dancing for about 47 years. Square dancing is good exercise and good for your health. You can make new friends, too. For additional information call (205) 467-7907 or (205) 525-5128.

North Valley Church is hosting a Favorite Things party with a speaker from The Wellhouse Sept. 25. Bring a covered dish and three of the same favorite items each costing $5 or less.

Also, mark your calendars for Oct. 4! John Croyle will be speaking during both worship gatherings (9:10 a.m. and 10:30 am). John’s philosophy is, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house we lived in, the kid of car we drove or how much money we had in the bank, but the world may be different because you and I were important in the life of a child.”

The next Odenville Area Business Association will be held Monday Sept. 14 at Wood Family Eye Care at Legacy Springs in Odenville. Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Bring a guest and ideas to share! Contact odenvillebiz@gmail.com for more info.

Community Sports

The CLEATS 14U Softball team came in second place in the Gold Bracket! Way to go ladies!

OYAA Football was on the road this past Saturday taking on Moody. This weekend the Saints will host Springville with first game at 9:30 a.m.

The Legends Travel Ball Team took home 2nd Place in the AAA Baseball Tournament this past weekend. They played four games in one day! Awesome job! Congratulations guys!

Helping Hands

Breanna Banks, a sophomore at SCCHS, recently had a birthday and received $360 from friends and family. Most teens would have bought the latest in electronics or gadgets, but not Breanna. She donated it all to St Jude’s Children’s research hospital in memory of her granddad Elgan “Bud” Strickland who died before Breanna was born. Breanna’s mom Christi said that even though Breanna never knew her grandfather, she knows that he would be very proud of her. So are we! Great job!

Birthday Club: Destiny Mashburn, Savannah Abbruzzo, Sept. 7, Joanie Mardis, Sept. 8, Candace Chapman, Sept. 11, Sept. 13, Gage Falls, Sept. 13, family birthday trifecta, Shannon Mize, Charlotte Mize Niles and Stacie Mashburn Schell, Jeff Alvis turning the Big 5-0.

That’s all for this week! Send your Odenville news to odenvillenews@gmail.com.