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

Well gang. Halloween is just over a week away, Thanksgiving is four weeks away and Christmas is just eight short weeks away. If that doesn’t put you into holiday panic I don’t know what will.

It’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit before I’ve even had my Thanksgiving turkey, but the retail world insists on pushing you into said panic earlier and earlier. Now, radio stations start playing Christmas music before Halloween. By the time the season gets here, you are completely over Rudolph and ready to mount his head over the fireplace. Just take a deep breath, and remember what the season is all about.

Let’s get to the news:

Community News

Odenville City has been getting a bit of a facelift! The walking track has been repaved and some new lighting has been added recently. Now, new playground equipment is on its way, including handicapped-accessible equipment. There are pictures posted at the park with examples of what’s coming.

OYAA 2nd-3rd grade cheerleaders will be competing in the CYCA Competition at the CEPA Building in Pell City on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. Over 200 metro cheerleaders from eight parks around the area will be competing that day. Admission is $8 at the door.

Wedding Bells are Ringing!! Brianna Franklin, and her groom Clint Varner got “hitched” at Palisades Park, Oneonta this past Saturday. Brianna is the daughter of Joe Franklin and Christy Glaze and Clint is the son of Rhonda and Ronald Varner. Congrats! 

New U.S. Marine Mason Phillips arrived home from boot camp graduation this past Saturday! Mom, dad along with other family members made the trip to Paris Island for the ceremony and brought their Marine home. A welcome home party was held Sunday for friends and family to congratulate Mason and welcome him home. He is scheduled to leave Oct. 26 for Camp Geiger in North Carolina for 28 days of training and will then be deployed, destination TBD. Thank you for your dedication to our country Mason!

Local teen AJ White is in The Dance of the Grizzle at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre this weekend. Written by Roy Hudson this fable presents an epic struggle between good and evil as an enchanted girl struggles to break the curse that makes her a monster by day and a ballerina by night. This classic tale won the Alabama Thespian Festival and was selected to perform at the International Thespian Festival One-Act Play Marathon. Times are Oct. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 24-25 at 2:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. Congrats AJ! You will be AWESOME!

Community Reminders:

The SCCHS JROTC is hosting their first ever Halloween Festival Oct. 22 SCCHS from 5:30-8:30 p.m.. Dress up in your best costume, come on out and enjoy games, prizes and more for a wonderful time. Wristbands are $5 and $10. Open to the public.

North Valley Church will host a Holiday Craft fair Saturday Oct. 24 from 9-3 p.m. with lots of holiday crafts and a kids zone; and a Fall Festival Saturday Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Fall Festival will have food, inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides, free hay rides AND a special visit by SANTA.

C&R Feed will host a tack swap Sat Oct. 24 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. with Pet Pics with Santa and a pet costume contest. Prizes, food and fun!

Runners are needed for the 5K run Saturday Nov. 7 benefitting Payton Ray. Payton will be having a bone marrow transplant and all proceeds to go assist with medical expenses. Call Jenny Wilkins for more information at (205) 903-7255. Log onto the FB page Pray 4 Pay for updates and fundraiser dates.

The City of Odenville will host its annual Christmas Parade Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The theme this year is Christmas in Dixie. Go to Odenville City Hall or OPD to sign up. Trophies will be given for top three floats. For more info email odenvillebiz@gmail.com.

Birthdays: Crystal Peoples Dorsett – Oct. 21.

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