January is National Soup Month. Since the weather around here has been pretty chilly this week, I made some homemade chicken and orzo soup. This was the first time I think I’ve ever bought orzo, which I found on the pasta isle at the grocery store and the soup turned out pretty good.

Congratulations to Farmer’s Home Furniture on their ribbon cutting last week. They have a beautiful new store in the shopping center next to Rusty’s Bar-B-Que on Leeds Parkway. Stop in to see them and browse!

A Leeds Primary School update was given at the City Council meeting last week that despite the lost days due to rain, Blaylock Corporation is on track to finish the school in time for the planned opening in August and on budget.

The Moody Seniors are back in the swing of things. Their Christmas Party was very nice and most of the seniors came. Mayor Joe Lee and Commissioner Ken Crowe both attended. Both the Mayor and Ken have a big heart for the Moody seniors. The Christmas lunch was the best BBQ in town, Bowling’s BBQ, donated by Odenville Drugs. They also got a special unique treat from Tucker Malone from Parkway Pharmacy that morning. The Moody Senior Center is so blessed to have a City with a staff that cares about its seniors. Please fill free to call the Moody Senior Center Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at (205) 640-2536 or go to their website. Their seniors are looking forward to their trip to Niagara Falls & Toronto June 12-18. A guided tour by motor coach transportation with Diamond Tours.

Congratulations to Eden Westside Baptist Church River Campus on Highway 78 for celebrating their first birthday last Sunday. The day included testimonies of what God has done in the last 12 months since the River Campus opened as well as a time of fellowship, refreshments and balloons. For more information about the River Campus, please visit their website at www.edenwestside.org.

Chick-fil-A Leeds will host a Family Event with a Ringling Brothers Clown Performance this Saturday, Jan. 16 between 4-4:45 p.m. You will also have a chance to win tickets to the circus. Admission is free, but does not included the cost of food.

Leeds Youth Sports Baseball & Softball Registration will be held on Saturday’s, Jan. 16, 23 & 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jerry Oxford Gym (beside the middle school) and on Jan. 26, 28 and Feb. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at Leeds Civic Center. Also, coaches and assistant coaches are needed. For more information, please visit their Facebook Page: Leeds Youth Softball and Baseball.

The Leeds Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18 at Barber Motorsports located at 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway. Tickets are $15. For tickets, please contact Sandra McGuire at (205) 699.5001.

Leeds City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 at the Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

The Moody Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 at White’s Chapel.

The Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Moody City Hall.

The Springview Homeowners Association will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassador Luncheon Meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Leeds First Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699.5001.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 at Leeds First Methodist Church Family Life Center. Coach Keith Etheridge will be the guest speaker. Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without). Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699.5001.

Shades Mountain Air is coming to Leeds Theatre and Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 23, presented by the Leeds Arts Council. Tickets are $10 and the show begins at 7 p.m. For reservations, please call (205) 699.1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net.

Job Openings: Leeds Murphy USA is hiring for cashiers 20-30 hours per week. Great Beginnings Learning Center is also hiring.

Our thought for the week: “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith of what will be.”

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!