Last week was a challenging week for me! I went to our freezer in the utility room to get something while I was cooking dinner one afternoon and found that the freezer door had been left ajar a couple of inches and the top two shelves were thawed!

So…among everything else on my schedule, I had to stop what I was doing, cook all of the food on those two shelves with a marathon cook-off and load the meals nicely into gallon Ziploc bags back in the freezer for future use. My stove, oven and crock pot was very busy for a couple of days. The good news is that I only had to throw out a couple of things AND I have future dinners already prepared and ready…lol…

Now for this week’s news:

Oct. is Pastor Appreciation Month and the third week of October is Pastoral Care Week so let’s take time to appreciate our Pastors. The local Church offers many opportunities to area residents to worship and supports your local community in many ways. Each Pastor has a very important job, gives of himself or herself and works very hard to provide leadership necessary to meet needs. Their families also sacrifice and give much of themselves to support the Pastor and the Church, many times in the background. Let’s all take time to show our appreciation to our Pastors and their families during the month of October as well as all year long!

Congratulations to Kaleigh Parker for winning 1st Alternate and the evening gown/stage question portion at the Miss Covered Bridge’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. Way to go, Kaleigh, and keep up the great work. You do a great job representing Moody!

UAB opened its new state-of-the-art facility in Leeds across from Bass Pro Shop. The City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a Ribbon Cutting, and UAB also celebrated with an Open House.

There are still select performances for “Five Tellers in the Rain” presented by the Leeds Arts Council and directed by Cliff Keen, Jr., at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center for Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25. For reservations, please call (205) 699.1892.

This Saturday, Oct. 24 is “Make a Difference Day.” This is an excellent time to reflect on our own lives to see if we are actually making a difference in others and in our community. It’s not all about us and there are usually opportunities right around us where we can use our own talents and abilities to make a difference. If you are not sure where to start, feel free to give me a call and I can help you brainstorm some ideas. There are so many wonderful organizations in our area to team up with!

There’s a change in scheduling so this Saturday, Oct. 24 is the last Saturday left to participate with the Leeds/Moody Realtor Caravan First Annual Turkey Shoot which begins at 7 a.m. at 1000 Park Avenue, Leeds (turn next to Leeds Fire Department). You may register at the event, bring your shotgun and shells provided — $5 per shot and special rounds for kids ages 12 and under. This will be the Winners Competition with first price —shotgun and second price – $100. The Caravan are also continuing to accept donations from businesses and individuals along with door prizes for this Charity Event to support the Leeds Outreach and the St. Clair Children’s Place. For more information, please contact Larry Golden at (205) 283.6430 or larrywgolden@yahoo.com.

The American Legion Post 107, Leeds will host TRUNK OR TREAT this Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This event is FREE to the public and will include a moonwalk, hot dogs, balloon pop and cake walk. For more information, please call (205) 699.2695.

The Children’s Bell Choir will ring the bells this Sunday, Oct. 25 at the 11 a.m. service at Leeds First United Methodist Church.

Leeds Presbyterian Church will host its 2015 Fall Hymn Sing, Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. Join the LPC choir and members of other local choirs and congregations for an ole’ fashion hymn sing! Church is located at 8317 First Avenue and everyone is welcome.

Moody Kiwanis Club will host its semi-annual Pancakes for a Purpose pancake supper at Carpenetti’s Pizzeria in Moody on Monday, Oct. 26 from 5-7:30 p.m.. Proceeds will fund college scholarships for area Key Club students, youth projects, and Dolly Parton Imagination Library free book program for preschoolers. $5 per plate to dine in with your family or carry out. Tickets are available from Kiwanis, Key Club, Builders Club, and Aktion Club members and at the door. Please call 640-3078 for more information.

The Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Family Chiropractic with Drs. Rick and Jill Palma will host a Customer Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Appointments for existing patients and new patients are free that day in return for a $5 donation to the Leeds Middle School Band Program (limited availability). For more information, please contact them at (205) 699.6600.

The Leeds Zoning Board of Adjustments is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Bethel Baptist Church is having their Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, please call (205) 640.6553.

The Gathering Place Church in Moody will host their 2015 Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Moody Park. For more information, please call (205) 640.4442.

Leeds Downtown Trick or Treat is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30 from 2-4 p.m. and sponsored by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Trick or Treat provides safe and fun event for all children in our area to participate in each year and all businesses in the greater Leeds area are encouraged to participate. You do not have to be a Chamber Member to participate in this event and there is no fee to participate – just plan to bring LOTS OF CANDY. If your company is not located in the designated downtown area, you may sign up to participate and be issued a designated space to set up. Please contact Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699.5001 to sign up your business to participate!

Leeds First United Methodist Church will host a Fall Festival on Friday afternoon, Oct. 30 from 2-4 p.m. in conjunction with Leeds Downtown Trick or Treat.

Eden Westside Baptist Church’s River Campus, located just passed The Shops of Grand River, will host a Lock-In for 7th Grade through College Age from Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 a.m. This FREE Event should prove to be a fun time full of laughter and sleep deprivation! For more information, please call the church office at (205) 338.7711.

Monster Mash Dash 5k and Fun Run to benefit Leeds Elementary School is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Outlet Shops of Grand River. $35 includes an event t-shirt and race packet. Register by Oct. 16 at www.active.com.

First Baptist Church in Leeds will host a Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m. in their FBC Leeds Gym for free games, food and fun. For more information, please contact (205) 699.6141 or www.fbcleeds.org.

Join the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce now for 2016 and get Oct. and December 2015 FREE. Memberships are available for individuals, non-profits and businesses located in the greater Leeds area. This is a great opportunity to join your local Chamber of Commerce and learn more about how they support your community. For more information, please visit LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Job openings this week: CVS Moody for a Pharmacy Technician Trainee/Pharmacy Service Associate and Cashier, Bass Pro Shop, Chevron on Hwy 78 near Bass Pro, Old Smokey Bar-B-Que, America’s First Federal Credit Union needs a Teller, Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store, Retail Sales Associate at Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Christopher & Banks, Windstream for Outside Small Business Sales Specialist, WTI Transport and Star Transport for a CDL-A Flatbed Company Truck Driver, Bankers Life in Moody for Entry Level Sales Position. Machine Operator position available at Piping Company in Leeds, AL. Must have at least 3 years in Manufacturing. Pay is based on experience, $10-$12. Please send Resume or Work History to Kisha@personnelstaffing.com.

Here’s a thought for the week: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” ~ Milton Berle

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 dona@adrbms.com. See you next week!