Leeds Fire Department (LFD) participated in the First Annual First Responders Softball Tournament on Saturday hosted by Eden Westside Baptist Church (EWBC.)  Leeds First Responders along with Pell City Police Department (PCPD), Pell City Fire Department (PCFD) and Eden Westside participated in softball games and enjoyed grilled hot dogs and fellowship atop Revelation Mountain at Revelation Field.  

The first game began at 8 a.m. with PCPD verses the PCFD with the Fire Department getting the win in a close game. Then, everyone got to see Pastor Jacky Connell show off his shortstop skills as Eden Westside played against LFD with EWBC coming out on top.  The third game featured LFD and PCPD with LFD winning in a very close game. The championship game went back and forth with EWBC winning a great game, 8-6.  

These men and women put their lives on the line every day for our communities and this softball tournament event was just another way for Eden Westside to show appreciation to these first responders and their families with a great fun-filled day away from their tough jobs. Eden Westside’s Eden Campus also serves a free breakfast to first responders on the first Thursday of each month and their Leeds River Campus serves first responders on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m.  

The City of Moody hosted their annual Independence Day Celebration Saturday evening that was postponed from July 4due to lightning. This event was sponsored by the City of Moody and the Gathering Place. The weather was great and the evening included live music, food trucks, vendors and kids had a great time playing on inflatables. It was a fantastic evening and a big crowd gathered to enjoy the annual fireworks display.

Our State Representative, Dickie Drake, traveled to the State Tournament this weekend to watch the 8-year old All Star baseball team representing Leeds. As Dickie thought back to all of the years he coached baseball with good memories, his mind went to the 1999 Dizzy Dean World Series in which Dickie’s sons coached a great group of boys to win the entire World Series. In the sports world, it put Leeds on the map; however, the fellowship and lessons learned were so important. Congratulations to our 8-year old representatives of the City of Leeds who proudly won a spot to play in the Dizzy Dean World Series. If you would like to make a donation to help these boys get there, please email Dickie Drake at ddrake1080@aol.com.

On the business front, we are excited about the $19 million expansion with Hubble Power Systems, Inc., which will bring at least 70 new jobs to Leeds. Hubbell is one of Leeds’ largest employers with approximately 400 staff members. Stay tuned for other news of business expansions and new businesses coming to the Leeds/Moody area.

Each August, hundreds of children start the school year without the basic school supplies needed to succeed academically.  Shepherd Supply focuses on providing those critical supplies to children who are most in need in the Moody area, allowing them to concentrate on their studies and build self-esteem. 

Many children look forward to the first day of school.  They have their new notebooks, backpacks and pencil boxes, but not all families can afford these items.  To meet the community need, the City of Moody is partnering with Shepherd Supply to collect back to school supplies for area students.  Drop off boxes are located at Moody City Hall, Moody Library and the Civic Center. Here is a list of school supplies needed: one inch white three ring binder with clear sleeve, one and a half inch white three ring binder with clear sleeve, two inch white three ring binder with clear sleeve, construction paper, bright colored copy paper, graph paper, wide rule loose leaf paper, composition notebooks – wide rule, mechanical pencils, twistable crayons, larger pink erasers, blue and black pens, money bag, Clorox wipes and five pack of plastic insertable double pocket dividers.

If you haven’t already noticed, contractors have begun the Ashville Road Paving project.  This project will impact Ashville Road between Parkway Drive (US Highway 78) and Whitmire Street. The work will involve lane and road closures. Drivers are asked to use the detour route: North Bound traffic should take Parkway Drive to Ninth Street (turn left) which will connect to Ashville Road. South Bound traffic should take Whitmore Street to Parkway Drive which will reconnect with Ashville Road. We are so excited to see these road improvements on Ashville Road.

Moody Police Department is now taking applications for Citizens Police Academy.  Please contact Sergeant Pete Hicks for more information at (205) 640-0343 or phicks@moodyalabama.gov. 

Leeds Arts Council will present “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” July 14-15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. and Jul. 16 and 30 at 2 p.m. This production is directed by Cliff Keen, Jr.  Opening night, free chocolate treats will be served. Special ticket prices for children up to age 18 are $5 when an adult makes a reservation and prepays a ticket for $15.  One special priced children’s ticket for each adult ticket. Tickets at the door will be $15 for adults and $10 for a child up to age 18. To make reservations, please call (205) 699-1892.  Leeds Theatre and Arts Center is handicapped accessible. When making your reservation, please mention if you are in a wheelchair or need a first row seat because of a handicap.

Leeds City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 17 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room. Moody Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 17 at White’s Chapel.

Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Liaison Meeting will be at Noon on Tuesday, Jul. 18 at Moody City Hall. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP and we will be working on Oktoberfest plans. Please contact Andrea Machen at (205) 640-6262 or chamber@moodyalabama.gov for reservations.

Springview Homeowner’s Association meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18 at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20 at the Leeds River Campus.  If you are a policeman, fireman, EMT or other first responder in the greater Leeds Area, please come by for a FREE breakfast and fellowship.  For more information, please visit www.EdenWestside.org. 

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly chamber luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 20 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lacy Gunnoe, an Officer and Assistant Professor of Det 012 AFRPTC at Samford University, will be the guest speaker. He has served as an Evaluator and Instructor Pilot and will be speaking on military service. Also, a bagpipe player will entertain while everyone enjoys their meal.  Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without RSVP) and make your reservation with Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com. 

Thought for the Week:  Kind words cost nothing.

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.