This Sunday, Sept. 11 is Grandparent’s Day. I have such fond memories of all four of my wonderful grandparents and truly appreciate their contribution to my life. My parents partnered with my paternal grandparents, Ross and Beatrice Atkinson, when I was a child and purchased a farm in Odenville where I grew up. I was able to grow up around a working farm with cows, pigs, tractors, hay bailing and, later, chickens where I learned much of my work ethic. My brother and I, at young ages, were each assigned to a baby calf to feed twice a day. We were out there at 6 a.m. every morning taking care of those baby calves even in rain, snow, sleet or hail, which taught us to show up no matter what. My grandparents were also a lot of fun. I remember my grandmother dancing down the hallway with me when I got my first record player. My maternal grandparents, Grady and Dovie Williams, were farmers and my grandfather was a bi-vocational preacher. My family spent many weekends at their house and church on Sundays, hearing my grandfather preach. Grandmother Williams made all of my school clothes and taught me how to sew. With those sewing skills, I won 4-H competitions in elementary school. We have so much that we can learn from our grandparents. They have wisdom to share that they have learned throughout their lifetime and it serves us well to pay attention. I have big shoes to fill as a grandmother now and hope that I can make a difference in each of my grandchildren’s lives. Happy Grandparent’s Day to all of you grandmas and grandpas!

Now for this week’s news: We would like to congratulate Dr. Michelle Davis and her husband, Tim, on the new arrival of Madeline Jane Davis born Aug. 31 who weighed 6 lb. 2 oz. and 20 inches long. She is just beautiful! Dr. Michelle is a local dentist at Michelle Davis Dental and currently serves on the board of directors for the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon today, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m. Jenny Seals, St. Clair County Schools Superintendent will be the guest speaker. Lunch is $10 with RSVP or $15 without RSVP. Call Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262 to RSVP. The price includes lunch, a great speaker and the opportunity to build relationships with other area business professionals.

Ladies, you are invited to attend a free Workshop – HELP! I’M A MESS! Organized Not Chaos for Mom’s Night Out – Organizing Your Chaos at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 8 at the Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church. Next Thursday, Sept. 15, the Workshop Two topic will be HELP! I NEED MORE TIME! Time Management for the Modern Woman. The River Campus is located on Hwy 78, just past the Shops of Grand River. Please RSVP to the Event at EdenWestside.org.

There will be a Car Show/Meet Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Love’s Truck Stop in Brompton to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. Everyone is invited to come out, have some fun and enjoy nice cars. There will be BBQ and music. Love’s Truck Stop will match whatever money is raised and all proceeds go to our local Children’s Hospital.

Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, the Leeds-Moody Professional Women’s Group, will host their monthly luncheon meeting at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at The Livery in Leeds. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to m.k.davis2010@gmail.com.

Chick-fil-A Leeds will host a Spirit Day for Leeds Fire & Rescue Local 3973 on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Come out & support Leeds Fire Department. They will have giveaways, car seat safety checks, the opportunity to “Touch a Truck” and the mascot, Sparky will make an appearance. Make sure you mention that you are there to support them and they will receive a portion of the proceeds.

Join Senator Slade Blackwell and State Representative Dickie Drake at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 for Coffee & Conversation at Daylight Donuts in Leeds. Stop by and be sure to enjoy some donuts and coffee. Meet Senator Blackwell and hear his vision for the state of Alabama

The Central Parliamentary Unit is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 14 in the Leeds First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please contact Grady Sue Saxon at (205) 699-2440 for more information.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Leeds River Campus. If you are 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 EdenWestside.org.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $12 and includes food, a great speaker and wonderful business networking opportunity. Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (206) 966-9392 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

The Leeds Arts Council will host their annual Fall Fashion Show from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15. Please call (205) 699-1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net to purchase tickets for $25 each.

Kids Consignment Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 760 Starlight Drive in Odenville. This consignment sale will carry all seasons of clothes from sizes newborn to 14/16. With 25 consignors, there will be lots to choose from with a variety of items such as: boutique clothes, play clothes, everyday wear, shoes, toys, baby items, etc. Cash only sale. For more information, please visit their Facebook page.

Job Openings: Full-time and part-time openings for sales and cashier at Sears Hometown Store and Right Stuff Bargain Center. Great Beginnings Learning Center is in need of additional teachers in different age groups for full & part time positions.

Quote for the Week: “When you hang out with the wrong people in the wrong places, you will soon do the wrong things.” ~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. See you next week!