ChelseaFest ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom and the Big KaBoom
On
Chelsea’s soccer team advanced to the final four during their season.
Who We Are
Chelsea Magazine tells the stories of the people, places, businesses, and history of Chelsea and surrounding communities. The magazine is published monthly and is available mid-month at locations in Chelsea, Mt Laurel, Westover, Harpersville, Wilsonville, and Columbiana.
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Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com
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Shweta Bratina Graphic Designer
Leah Ingram Eagle Content Director (205) 807-0834 leah@jbmcmedia.com
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Emily VanderMey Listo Operations & Project Manager, Graphic Designer emily@emilylisto.com
Tony Bratina Cover Designer
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE MILLER
Summer in Alabama is intense, beautiful, and rich with tradition—a time to slow down, soak it all in, and enjoy the little things that make this place feel like home. It’s a season of sweet tea and porch swings, of time spent at the pool and fireflies blinking across wide backyards.
This issue celebrates the spirit, achievements, and energy that define Chelsea. First, we’re shining a spotlight on the remarkable success of Chelsea High School’s athletic programs. From championship titles to standout athletes, these teams have given our community plenty to cheer about—and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
We’ve also got a preview of Chelsea’s biggest summer tradition: Chelseafest and The Big Kaboom. This event brings the entire community together to celebrate, and kick off the season with a bang.
You can also find our final roundup of school news until fall—so don’t miss this wrap-up of student accomplishments, staff highlights, and milestones across the Chelsea school system.
Summer in Chelsea is full of possibilities. From outdoor adventures and library programs to community events, we’ve gathered the best ways to stay active, connected, and entertained all season long.
Here’s to a safe, sunny, and unforgettable summer!
Leah Eagle, Content Director
AIM
Appliance
Children’s
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Everyday
JBMC
Parrot
Window
The year of
Chelsea sports teams experience unprecedented success THE HORNET
BY LOYD MCINTOSH
Now that the 2024-25 school year has come to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of Chelsea High School’s athletic programs. From unforgettable victories to standout individual performances, our athletes, coaches, and supporters have made this a year to remember.
It was a historic year for the Hornets, as multiple teams racked up record-setting wins, stormed through the playoffs like Patton’s Third Army across Europe, and brought home more hardware than Papa Hemingway on safari.
Throughout the school year, Chelsea captured two state titles in women’s track (indoor and outdoor), advanced to the state championship in baseball and girls’ basketball, and made it to the final four in volleyball and soccer.
Chelsea High School Director of Athletics and Head Baseball Coach Michael Stallings said 2024-25 will go down as one of the best years ever. While he’s thrilled with the results on the scoreboard, he’s more proud of the manner in which the athletes and coaches represented the school throughout Chelsea and beyond.
“We have some really outstanding student-athletes at Chelsea High School,” Stallings said. “This year was special, not just because of the wins, but because of how our athletes carried themselves on and off the field. As the athletic director, it’s been amazing to see every coach and athlete buy in and do the work to improve, but to also live the values we want to represent every day.”
Here are some of the highlights of each team’s success from fall to spring:
Volleyball
The Hornets volleyball team had one of its best seasons on record, finishing the 2024 season with 37 wins, 14 losses, a secondplace finish in Area 8 play, and a trip to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) semifinals in October — the first in the program’s history.
Led by Texas Tech-bound senior Lauren Buchanan, Chelsea reeled off 13 straight wins during the campaign, beginning with a 3-0 win over Helena in early October, and culminating with a 3-0 win over Cullman to launch the Lady Hornets into their first-ever final four.
Chelsea lost to eventual state champs Spanish Fort (3-0 in the semifinals), but the 2024 season remains a magnificent swan song for a group of young ladies who have been together since middle school. This core group of seniors — Buchanan, Payton Walker, Kaleigh Hall, Cara Balcher, Lila Willet, and Presley Durham -— has led Chelsea volleyball to new heights and a bright future.
“We were all on the middle school team, and we won our little So-Con championship during our 7th and 8th grade year, so getting to play with them all throughout high school just meant a lot to me,” said Buchanan. “We grew really, really close, and it’s just like a little family. We were really able to rely on each other during our senior year. When one of us was down, we just picked each other up, and I think that made the season a lot more enjoyable–one last ride with these girls.”
Head volleyball coach Jamie Gill said she was so proud of the team for making it to the Final Four which happens to be the best finish in school history.
“These players will always be remembered for their ability to overcome adversity with determination, leadership, and exceptional character,” said Gill. “Their relentless work ethic and commitment set a standard that will inspire future teams for years to come.”
Girls Basketball
The Chelsea girls’ basketball team put together one of the most impressive seasons on record, advancing to the state championship game for the first time in school history,
culminating at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in March. The Lady Hornets went 29-9 in 2024-25 and were a perfect 9-0 in 6A, Region 8 play, including an absolute thrashing of area rival, Spain Park, 41-9, in early February.
The team was led by Haley Trotter, who was a two-time Shelby County Player of Year, 2025 Class 6A All-State First Team and 2024 Class 7A All-State Second Team honoree. The Lady Hornets went on a 16-game win streak beginning in early January which lasted through the state championship game. Even though the Lady Hornets came up just short of their first state title in a hard-fought 10-point loss to Park-Crossing out of Montgomery, the 2024-25 campaign was historic and exciting.
The team will look completely different for the 2025-26 season. Trotter, the winner of many other local and state awards, including the Alabama Sports Writers Association First Team All-State, is moving on to play for Shelton State Community College,
which advanced to the 2024-25 NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball National Championship game in April. Former head coach Jason Harlow took the position of girls’ head basketball coach at Homewood High School. However, the 2024-25 edition of the Lady Hornets basketball team has set the bar high for future teams.
Girls’ Track & Field
The Chelsea High School girls’ track-andfield team made history twice in 2024-25. After winning the AHSAA indoor championships for the first time in February, the team followed up with a state title in outdoor track in May.
In an interview shortly after capturing the indoor title, Head Coach Trey Lee told Chelsea Magazine that the girls’ team had a chance to bring home the hardware as early as last summer, even though the number of athletes on the team is relatively small compared to other dominant programs in the area.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHHS VOLLEYBALL FACEBOOK PAGE
“I knew back in August this was possible and that this could be done,” Lee stated confidently. “Our only downfall is that our team is kind of small. For instance, Mountain Brook had about 20 girls at state, where we had eight that competed and scored points. That was our only downside, but even with that, our girls are determined, hardworking, tenacious — all the good adjectives.”
For Lee, who took over as head coach in 2017, building a championship track program is as much about mindset as it is physical skills, and it’s his job to figure out how the pieces come together, even if it looks like some pieces are missing.
“I always tell my team I always want to win because I’m so competitive, so I’m always going to train for us to win state. That’s always the goal,” Lee said. “If we’re not in the position to win state, then, as the coach, I think, ‘Okay, it’s my job to get us in a position to win state. So what can we do?’”
One strategy Lee employed was to borrow athletes from other sports, like sophomore Kamryn Hudson, who helped the 4x200 Indoor Relay Team win first place before suiting up for the Lady Hornets basketball team playoff win over Spain Park. Other standout performances include seniors Hannah Quick and Tamarah Rice in relay and field events, as well as underclassmen Ty Cason and Mia Dunavant, who excelled in multiple events en route to Chelsea’s first state indoor championship.
The Lady Hornets went on to win the 6A AHSSA Outdoor Championship on May 3 in Gulf Shores, edging out track bluebloods Mountain Brook and Homewood for the title.
Rice took first place in the triple jump and long jump, while Cason and Dunavant finished first and second in both the Class 6A girls 400- and 800-meter runs, with Cason claiming state titles and Dunavant setting a personal record in the 800. Chelsea capped off the state championships with a first-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay.
Boys’ Soccer
Chelsea boys’ head soccer coach Lee Miller told Chelsea Magazine prior to the start of the 2025 season that this edition of the
Hornets could do anything from not make the playoffs at all to winning the whole darn thing. His words couldn’t have been more prophetic.
The Hornets advanced to the AHSAA Final 4 in 2025; however, they needed some last-minute magic and more than a little luck just to make the playoffs.
Given all the good soccer teams found in Area 8, the ASHAA may as well rename it the Region of Doom. Many of the state’s best teams — Chelsea, Briarwood, Pelham, and Spain Park — are in this region, which means some great teams would be left out of the playoffs in late spring. Miller was convinced the Hornets were in for a rollercoaster ride as soon as the first regular-season area games in early March.
“On the very first night, we knew we were in for it because Pelham and Briarwood went to a shootout, and Briarwood won, and we went to a shootout with Spain Park that we won and I’m like, ‘‘Man, if this is how this area is going to be, we’re in for a wild ride.’”
Chelsea white-knuckled their way through the regular season until their second-to-last game on April 10 against Pelham, a team they had already beaten 1-0 back in late March. A win and the Hornets are in the playoffs. A loss to Pelham by more than one goal, and then a Pelham loss to Briarwood a week later by more than three goals, and Chelsea’s playoff chances are alive but on life support.
Chelsea jumped out to an early lead over Pelham on a goal by Cooper Baumbaugh. However, Pelham reeled off three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead late into the second half. Then the first part of the twopart miracle happened.
After winning the ball back in their defensive half with less than 30 seconds in the game and “elimination right in our face,” Bambaugh’s hurried pass to Max Weaver is off the mark, however, Parker Dean tracks the ball down and serves the ball back to Weaver. With a defender on him, Weaver makes a move and slips the ball past the goalkeeper’s fingertips into the corner of the goal. The time on the clock: six seconds.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE MILLER
“We lost 3-2, but we celebrated because we were about to be eliminated,” Lee says. “We literally saved the season with six seconds left.”
Reality set in quickly as they had to wait a week and hope Briarwood could beat Pelham by three goals. Final score: Briarwood 3, Pelham 0. Chelsea was playoff-bound.
The Hornets hit their stride in the playoffs, defeating Helena 4-0, then beating Briarwood — a team Chelsea lost to twice in the regular season — 3-2 in an overtime shootout, and then defeating Calera 3-0 to advance to the final four in Huntsville.
Their run would come to an end with a 2-1 loss to Spanish Fort, despite Chelsea dominating the contest. Chelsea took 16 shots compared to three by Spanish Fort; however, two of those shots were goals on free kicks, the second of which Lee maintains was questionable.
Despite the loss in the semifinals, Chelsea made history, achieving their first back-toback 20-win season, finishing 2025 with a record of 20-5.
Baseball
The 2025 Chelsea baseball team also had a terrific year, finishing 27-12 and advancing to their first state championship series since 2019. Despite coming up one game short of earning their first-ever state title against Hartselle, Chelsea head baseball coach and athletic director Michael Stallings says the 2025 squad had the chemistry and determi-
nation to succeed all season long.
“They’ve played like a championship-caliber team the whole year,” Stallings says. “It took a lot of pieces to make it happen, and that’s what this team has been about this whole year.”
Going into the playoffs, Chelsea was on a hot streak, having won seven straight games and 13 of their previous 16 contests. The winning ways continued as the Hornets advanced against Brookwood, Saraland, and Calera, dropping only one game through the first three rounds of the playoffs.
In the semifinals, the Hornets faced Stanhope Elmore, and unlike other sports in which the semifinals are played at a neutral site, the 2-out-3 series was played at Chelsea High School. By the time the first pitch rolled around, the atmosphere was electric. Empty spaces in bleachers were hard to come by, and many students got a bird’s-eye view as they watched from the top of the football stadium.
With game one tied 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning, Paxton Stallings was brought in to pitch and managed to get the Hornets out of a tough inning despite the plate umpire calling a tight strike zone.. For the rest of the game, Stallings pitched his best, striking out five and trusting his defense to handle a smattering of ground balls and flyouts.
Chelsea snagged the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, after a long fly ball by Mack Breazeale was muffed by a Stanhope Elmore outfielder, allowing Aiden Hughes to score from second base. Chelsea won game 1, 3-2.
With Chelsea assigned the role of visiting team for game two, Jackson Price pitched a classic. The junior allowed just one run to the Mustangs during a tricky bottom of the fifth, and only two hits for the game.
However, by that point, the Hornets held a commanding lead thanks to a hot top of the fourth inning. A pitchers’ duel through the first three innings, a double by Brandon Bousman allowed Chase Lackey to score from second base. Two batters later, Aiden Craven smacked a 2-RBI single to right field. Chelsea led 3-0 after four innings, and led 5-1 at the end of the fifth. The Hornets added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning, pushing the lead to 8-1. Price and the Chelsea defense closed the game out in quick fashion, sending the Hornets to the state championship, and the players, with their hair dyed blonde, rushed the field in euphoric celebration.
“The bats woke up, and we needed them to,” Stallings says. “During the course of a game, you never know when the moment is going to be there and the situation is going to present itself, and you have to be willing to capitalize on that moment, and we did.
“It’s just the next guy up. That’s been the story of this group,” Stallings adds. “Everybody’s ready when they need to be.”
Although the Hornets basketball team fell just short of ending the school year with a state title, losing two games to one against Hartselle, nothing can take away from the success Chelsea athletes accomplished in 2024-25.
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GANDY PHOTOGRAPHY
Chelsea Library Calendar
The Chelsea Public Library has lots to offer for everyone in our city. Find our more in their calendar below.
Mondays: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 12-14) from 4-6 p.m.
Tuesdays: Movies at Chelsea Community Center. June 10: Wonka; June 17: Dog Man; June 24: Paddington in Peru. Movies begin at 1 p.m. Popcorn provided, bring your own drink.
Wednesdays: Tot Time at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 15 and up) from 5-7 p.m.
Thursdays: Musical Munchkins at 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays: Chess Club at 5:30 p.m.
Fridays: Bring your own craft at 1 p.m.
June 11: Program- Sharpie tie-dyed pillowcase. 2 p.m.
June 12: Book Club at 11:30 a.m.
June 14: Friends of the Chelsea Library Book Sale. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chelsea Community Center.
June 14: Lego Saturday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 18: Program- Origami bookmarks 2 p.m.
June 20: Origami Boundary Boxes. 10 a.m. to noon.
June 21: Pokemon Trading Club from 10-11 a.m.
June 21: Local author spotlight featuring P.E. Craven. 10 a.m. to noon.
June 25: Program- Paint like Alma Thomas 2 p.m.
June 27: Choose your own adventure + zine. 10 a.m. to noon.
June 28: K.Z.T. Steam Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July 4: Library Closed
July 11: Draw the Line, Art and Boundaries from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Outdoor patio. Art-based activities to help students grades 6-12 explore and understand healthy relationships, boundaries, digital safety, and self-expression.
July 12: Friends of the Chelsea Library Book Sale. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chelsea Community Center.
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GANDY PHOTOGRAPHY
Bella Roshaven from Chelsea Public Library shares her fantasy book recommendations!
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
“The Serpent and the Wings of Night “ by Carissa Broadbent
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.
“Our Infinite Fates “ by Laura Steven Evelyn can remember all her past lives. She can also remember that in every single one, she’s been murdered before her 18th birthday by Arden, a supernatural being linked to her soul. The problem is that she’s quite fond of the life she’s in now, and her little sister needs her in order to stay alive. If Evelyn wants to save her sister, she’ll have to find the centuries-old devil who hunts her through each life before they find her first, figure out why she’s being hunted and finally break their curse, and try not to fall in love . . . again.
As an assassin for the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve’s job is to complete orders and never get caught. When a rival bounty hunter turns her world upside down, blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself imprisoned by the Guild of Nobles—a group of powerful fae who turn her into a political statement. Crushed by the loss of his great love, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to quell the never-ebbing ache in his chest, he is lured by a clue into the capitol’s high-security prison where he stumbles upon the imprisoned Raeve. Echoes of the past race between them.There’s more to their story than meets the eye, but some truths are too poisonous to swallow.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences. In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
“Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross
“When the Moon Hatched” by Sarah A Parker
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMAZON
Sean of the South
Miss Dean
The first time I ever had one of Wilma Dean Jacobs’ cakes, I was a boy. I was redheaded. I was chubby. I was a connoisseur of refined sugar products.
In our town, there was only one place that sold Miss Dean’s seven-layer cakes. It was the little gas-station convenience store up the street from my house. The Happy Store.
I think it was a Chevron.
It would go like this: Your mother would send you to the Happy Store before special family occasions, such as birthdays, baby christenings, parole-release dates.
You’d ride your bike to the Happy Store, you’d walk inside. The bell would ding over your head.
And the first person you saw would be Miss Carla Waters, standing behind the cash register. Miss Carla was about yea-high. Eighty pounds, soaking wet. Silver hair. A voice like a tuba. She was an older woman who smoked Camels. She always had one hanging from the corner of her mouth. Her husband worked up at the landfill.
The Happy Store had a small wire-metal rack of Dean’s Cakes.
There would be at least 10 or 12 cakes. Mostly carmel. Plastic cake domes. Small, unassuming, stick’em labels on the fronts.
The cakes were like eating a cake made by your grandmother. Sort of.
Namely, because everyone knew who Miss Dean was. She was Miss Dean, from Andalusia, just up the road.
People YOU knew actually knew HER. Your cousins knew her. Your mom’s friends knew her. You dated a girl whose mother went to grammar school with Miss Dean. That’s who she was.
And although you never knew her, you knew her caramel cake. Everyone did.
Miss Dean’s seven-layer caramel cake had a familiar flavor. The kind of flavor that reminded you of something special. Something nostalgic. Her caramel cake tasted exactly like cherubs singing Handel.
You can still remember exiting the Happy Store, gingerly placing the prized cake on your bike rack after purchasing it. You can remember securing the cake with bungee cords while Miss Carla was taking a smoke break on the sidewalk, watching you like a falcon.
“You’re going to need more bungee cords,” Miss Carla would say.
“I don’t have any more bungee cords,” you would reply.
So, Miss Carla would go inside and return with five or six bungees.
“Just bring them bungees back to me,” Miss Carla would say.
Then she’d point her cigarette at you. “WITH the price tags STILL ON,” she added.
Then you took the cake home. Your mother
carried the cake to your cousin’s party. The cake was always a big hit.
All the church ladies stood around a card table, eating a slice on paper plates. The ladies all smelled like Estée Lauder Youth Dew, and they kept their pinky fingers suspended as they held their plastic forks. And they raved.
As they ate, they tried to find a way to connect the family dots, because that’s what people do in our part of the world.
“Wilma Dean Jacobs is kin to my second cousin,” one woman would say.
“Oh yeah?” another would retort. “I have a friend who was in Civic League with Wilma Dean.”
“That’s nothing,” one woman would say. “Wilma Dean Jacobs attends my son-in-law’s first cousin’s stepfather’s uncle’s orthodontist’s goddaughter’s Sunday school class.”
Our family trees in this region are not “trees” at all. They are family briar patches.
So, when I heard that Miss Wilma Dean Jacobs died, I took a moment. I drove to the local supermarket, which stocks Dean’s cakes. I tried to remember a simpler time. Before Miss Dean was a famous name.
I bought a caramel cake. And just for oldtime’s sake, I bought a few bungee cords.
SEAN DIETRICH
ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN DIETRICH
No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream
In The Kitchen with Kathleen Phillips
Kathleen Phillips is a food blogger, food stylist, cookbook author, and former Oxmoor House test kitchen director (Southern Living cookbooks). On her food blog, GritsAndGouda.com, she creates Southern shortcut recipes. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Food Blogger, GritsAndGouda.com
Come summertime in the South, we’re all about keeping things sweet and simple—emphasis on sweet! This shortcut version of Peanut Butter Ice Cream is smooth, creamy, and needs no machine, messy rock salt and ice, and no stress. That’s why it’s called “no-churn.” Real whipped cream is the secret ingredient to make the magic happen effortlessly. A handful of honey-roasted peanuts brings the crunch and salty-sweet flavor that makes each bite downright irresistible.
If you love the idea of no-churn ice creams, I also have Dulce de Leche No-Churn Ice Cream recipe on my website at gritsandgouda.com.
Ingredients
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
16-ounces (1 14-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup honey roasted peanuts, divided coarsely chopped (optional)
TIP
By whipping the heavy whipping cream first, this substitutes the machine’s paddle churning air into the ice cream with similar texture results.
Instructions
In a large bowl or stand mixing bowl, add whipping cream.(I use a hand mixer but a stand mixer will work fine). Start out on medium-low speed for 1 minute to help prevent the cream from splashing. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, then increase to high speed. Beat it just until peaks are firm enough that they donʼt slump back in the bowl. This is called firm peaks but donʼt go too long or youʼll have cottage-cheeselooking cream.
In a medium bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.
Carefully fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture with a rubber or silicone spatula. Fold just until combined. Don’t overmix.
Gently stir in 1/2 cup of the peanuts, if using them. Pour the ice cream mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan or 8x8 inch square pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup peanuts. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and freeze at least 3 hours or until firm enough to scoop.
Store in the freezer up to one month.
Business and Community News
Chelsea City Council May recap:
Business Happenings
• Waffle House opened its new location at 218 Atchison Parkway on May 13.
• Construction is moving quickly on the 7 Brew Coffee and Taco Bell at 16634 U.S. 280.
• Honey and Blush Boutique plans to host a grand opening of the new store at 100 Chelsea Corners on June 21.
• LaQuinta Inn & Suites held a ribbon cutting with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce on May 13.
• The council approved for Mayor Tony Picklesimer to execute a maintenance agreement for a traffic signal at the intersection of Chesser Plantation Lane (by Walgreens) and U.S. 280 ahead of the upcoming commercial development: Chelsea Plaza.
• Mayor Picklesimer spoke about the traffic concerns at the entrance to Chelsea Park and said that ALDOT is aware of issues. “They will be doing multiple studies [of the intersection]. The problem is the sight line from the eastbound turn lane off U.S. 280 into the subdivision, which blocks the view of cars moving east bound.”
• Chelsea City Clerk Crystal Etheredge was approved as the election manager and absentee election manager for the city’s next municipal election.
• All city elections moving forward are being moved from Chelsea City Hall to the Chelsea Community Center to provide for better traffic flow and additional parking.
• The council accepted a bid from Mike Morgan Industrial for additional parking at Melrose Park behind the community center.
• Dempsey Built recently held its grand opening at their new location at 180 Chelsea Corners Way.
• The Chelsea location of Applebee’s at 89 Chesser Plantation Lane has permanently closed.
• Salvatore’s took over the former location of Primo’s Pizza and Pasta at 16064 U.S. 280.
BY CANDICE N. HALE
Honey & Blush Blooms in Chelsea
For Kelle Thomas, the founder of Honey & Blush, building a business wasn’t just about fashion—it was about finding purpose in the midst of pain.
Launched in 2022 from a small home office, Honey & Blush began as a way for Thomas to cope with the grief of losing her father.
“I needed something to help me heal,” Thomas said. “Retail was in my blood as my dad worked in it for 40 years. I grew up around stockrooms and cash registers. Starting this business felt like coming home.”
Now, just three years later, Thomas is preparing to open her first brickand-mortar boutique in Chelsea, the community she’s called home for more than two decades.
But the journey from grief to growth hasn’t been easy.
In the early days, Thomas kept her plans quiet. Only her husband and CPA knew she was heading to the Atlanta market to source her first products.
“It was the scariest thing I’d ever done,” she said. “But I knew I had to try.”
Her first launch featured a ruffled, sleeveless top with multicolored paint strokes, a few other bold pieces, and a line of beaded earrings. The designs were vibrant, fun, and unapologetically Southern, just like Thomas.
As a stay-at-home mom of three, Thomas was no stranger to multitasking. Between PTO meetings, room mom duties, and school events, she found herself deeply connected to the Chelsea community. That connection became the
foundation for her business.
After a conversation with Forest Oaks Elementary Principal Stevie Sims, Thomas began hosting pop-up events for teachers and staff. She featured themed accessories inspired by beloved children’s books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where the Wild Things Are, and PBS favorite The Magic School Bus, alongside her signature clothing, candles, and tumblers.
“It felt good to give back to the teachers who had poured so much into my kids,” she said. “And it reminded me that small businesses don’t grow alone, they grow with their communities.”
Word spread quickly. Soon, Chelsea Park Elementary invited her to do the same. These events not only boosted her visi-
bility but also helped her build a loyal customer base that extended far beyond Alabama.
Still, the road wasn’t without obstacles. Just two months after launching, Thomas discovered another business selling similar products.
“I was devastated,” she said. “I didn’t want anyone to think I was copying someone else. I seriously considered shutting everything down.”
Instead, she pivoted by finding new vendors, expanding her product line, and focusing on what made Honey & Blush unique: personal service and heartfelt connection.
“There are 40 kinds of bread at Walmart,” she said with a laugh. “What I offer is different because it comes with care. I know my customers. I hold invoices for teachers until payday. I text customers when something new comes in. That’s what sets us apart.”
That personal touch has earned her a loyal following not just in Chelsea, but across 26 states. Still, it’s the support from her hometown that has meant the most.
“This community has lifted me up,” she said. “From school principals inviting me to do pop-ups for teachers, to customers who became friends and even employees. It’s been incredible.”
Thomas also found unexpected support in an online group of boutique owners called “Boutiqueland.” While friends and family were slow to catch on, strangers in the group became her biggest cheerleaders, often sharing her posts, pre-ordering new items, and even inviting hundreds of others to follow her page.
“I wrote so many thank-you cards to people I’d never met,” she said. “It was humbling. And it reminded me that support doesn’t always come from where you expect, but it always matters.”
Now, with a storefront opening June 21, Thomas is ready to bring her vision to life in a whole new way. The shop will feature expanded offerings, including more denim, accessories, and in-person styling support. Customers will be greeted by Thomas, her growing team of employees, and her three children who share her passion for making every customer feel confident and seen.
“We want every woman, in every shape and in every size, to feel welcome,” she said. “This store is for them.”
The grand opening will include a collaboration with Vintage Lemon, a local lemonade and snow cone stand run by Chelsea residents Caryn Longshore and her two daughters Eliza and Emily. It’s the first of many monthly events Thomas plans to host, from girls’ bingo nights to fundraisers and charity drives.
If she could go back to 2022 and offer herself one piece of advice, it would be simple: “You’ve got this. You have no idea what you’re capable of.”
To other aspiring entrepreneurs, her message is just as clear.
“Know your passion. Don’t compare yourself to others. Not every customer will be your customer, but the right ones will find you.”
You can follow Honey & Blush on Instagram at @honeyandblush_boutique and visit the new storefront at 100 Chelsea Corners beginning June 21.
Summer
Summer Fun in Chelsea
BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
With school out and summer underway, it’s good to have some go-to spots around town for adventures close to home. Chelsea offers a variety of family-friendly activities that cater to all ages. Whether you’re looking for outdoor spots, educational experiences, or indoor fun, there’s something for everyone. Here are some top recommendations:
Chelsea Community Center
The Community Center is a multipurpose facility for recreation, programs, and room rentals. It opened its doors in 2015. It features two regulation-size basketball courts, two racquetball courts, lockers, showers, several multipurpose activity rooms, restrooms, a dining room, and a weight room. The second floor is home to an indoor walking track. Membership is required for the gym, weight room and walking track. The Community Center is free to active/retired military, 65+ Shelby County residents, and City of Chelsea employees.
Location: 11101 Hwy. 47, Chelsea, AL 35043
Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. Summer open gym hours: Monday-Friday 1-9 p.m.; Saturday 1-8 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Phone: 205-677-2052
Online: cityofchelsea.com/202/ChelseaCommunity-Center
Melrose Playground & Splash Pad
Just around the corner from the community center is Chelsea’s go-to water spot. The Splash Pad at Melrose Park is a place for all ages to cool off during the hot summer days. The park features a large splash pad with several water features and a zero-entry wading pool.
Location: 11101 Hwy. 47, Chelsea
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 1-7 p.m.
Admission: $3 for ages one and up good for the entire day.
Phone: 205-677-7040
Online: cityofchelsea.com/526/SplashPad-at-Melrose-Park
Chelsea Archery Park
The Archery Park provides a place to safely shoot a bow and arrow and offers targets of different ranges for different levels of proficiency and age levels. It features three distinct areas, including straight-bag targets that range from 10 to 50 yards; two platforms allow hunters to shoot down into the woods at targets; and a tournament range trail in the woods allows hunters to shoot at 20 different 3D ranges, featuring target stations that simulate actual hunting situations.
Location: 11101 Chelsea Road, Chelsea Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Admission: A deposit is required at the time of reservation, and cancellations within two weeks will not receive a refund for the deposit. Phone: 205-677-2052 ext. 1
Online: chelsea.recdesk.com
Chelsea Public Library
Engage your kids with events like Music & Books sessions, Homeschool Hangouts, Lego Days, and Hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities. The Summer Reading program “Color Our World” runs from June 1-July 9. Special movies and programs will be included. See our Library Calendar page for more information.
Location: 16623 U.S. 280, Chelsea Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sundays
Phone: 205-847-5750
Online: cityofchelsea.com/225/LibraryHome
Chelsea Recreational Park
This local gem offers walking trails, sports fields, and playgrounds, making it perfect for family outings and leisurely strolls. The park is divided by a creek into two sections connected by a lighted, paved walking trail with benches. Park Features includes softball fields with batting cages, pavilions, playgrounds and swings, soccer fields and restrooms. The walking trail offers a scenic route for leisurely strolls and connects the two sides of the park.
Location: 2966 County Road 39, Chelsea Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Online: cityofchelsea.com
Double Oak Park
Spanning approximately 750 acres, the park offers a variety of recreational activities. It features over seven miles of well-maintained trails suitable for hiking and mountain biking. The Watchtower Overlook is accessible via the Fire On The Mountain trail, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can utilize amenities such as a large pavilion, restrooms (including a shower), and ample parking at the trailhead.
Location: 3870 Bear Creek Road, Sterrett
Dunnavant Valley Park
This scenic 12-acre public park is located just off U.S. 280 on Hwy. 41 and offers a variety of outdoor amenities suitable for families, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. Kids can enjoy the playground, there are two large pavilions for picnics, a 1.5 acre pond for fishing and trails with access to connect to the Dunnavant Valley Greenway. a 1.9-mile natural-surface trail that follows the North Fork of Yellow Leaf Creek. A 0.39-mile connector trail links the park to the Hwy 41 Trailhead, providing additional parking and easy access to the greenway.
Location: 1185 Dunnavant Valley Rd, Birmingham
Caring for Furry Friends
Here’s how to keep your pets safe all summer long.
BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE
Summer is a time for families to enjoy the outdoors and, for many, that includes spending quality time with pets. However, the warmer months also bring unique challenges for pet care, especially in regions like ours where temperatures can soar. It’s essential for families to be proactive in ensuring their pets’ safety and well-being during this season. Involving children in animal care can be both fun and educational. Teach kids the importance of providing fresh water, recognizing signs of overheating, and practicing gentle handling. Supervised interactions between pets and children can strengthen bonds and promote empathy.
Hydration and Shade
Pets are more susceptible to dehydration during hotter weather. Always provide fresh, cool water, and ensure your furry friend has access to shaded areas. Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Instead, opt for early-morning or late-evening walks. Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt—being so close to the ground, their bodies can heat up quickly. While the pads on dogs’ paws are tougher than our skin, hot pavement can still cause burns. A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t stand barefoot on the pavement for 10 seconds, then it is too hot for your dog to walk on, too.
Recognizing Heatstroke
Overheating can result in a life-threatening emergency called heatstroke, caused by prolonged exposure to hot or humid environments and marked by elevated body temperature. Dogs only have sweat glands on their paws, so their primary method of cooling down is by panting.
Short-muzzle breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, and boxers cannot pant as effectively and are at a higher risk. If you notice your pet is panting heavily, seeking shade, or whining, bring them into cool air conditioning with access to water. You can also wet them with cool water and place them in front of
More Tips for Healthy Pets
• Visit the vet for an early-summer checkup, including a heartworm test if your pet isn’t already on year-round preventive medication.
• Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
• Use caution when applying any herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers to your yard, and keep pets away from treatment areas until they are dry or have been appropriately watered. It’s also best to keep citronella candles, tiki torch products, and insect coils out of pets’ reach.
a fan. Ensure double-coated breeds such as Siberian huskies, Pomeranians, and Great Pyrenees are wet down to the skin. If your dog continues to excessively pant and drool or has difficulty breathing, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, or seizures, take them to the vet immediately.
Grooming and Sun Protection
Regular grooming helps pets stay cool by removing excess fur. However, you should not shave double-coated breeds, as they rely on their fur for temperature regulation. Pets— especially those with light-colored or thin
• Be aware of plants that may be poisonous to your pets and take precautions to prevent unwanted exposure. Azaleas, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas are toxic to cats and dogs. (Visit aspca.org for a full list of poisonous plants.)
• Never use fireworks around pets, which can result in severe burns or trauma. Many pets are fearful of loud noises and can become scared or disoriented.
• If you’re looking for a pet, make the 20-minute drive to Columbiana and visit Shelby Humane and meet all of their adoptable dogs and cats!
coats—can suffer from sunburn. Use pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas such as noses and ears, and limit sun exposure.
Insect and Pest Control
Summer brings an increase in insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Ensure your pet is up to date on preventive treatments. After outdoor activities, check for ticks and other pests. Avoid using human insect repellents on pets, as they can be toxic.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
If you’re planning trips or outdoor adventures, never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle, even with windows cracked. Even if it is only 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside the car can increase by 40 degrees in just one hour, and much of the temperature increase occurs during the first 15 to 30 minutes. It may be tempting to leave pets in an air-conditioned car with the engine on while running errands, but it is unsafe to leave animals unattended in cars. When boating or swimming, ensure your pet wears a life jacket and is always supervised. Avoid letting pets drink pool, ocean, or lake water. Rinse off dogs after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.
PHOTO BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
Freedom and Family CELEBRATING
BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
Every summer on the Saturday before Independence Day, the city of Chelsea comes alive with patriotic pride and community spirit during the city’s largest annual event—ChelseaFest & The Big KaBoom.
The local tradition draws families and visitors from Chelsea and across the area for an evening of music, food, and a spectacular fireworks display. This year’s event is set for Saturday, June 28 from 6-9:30 p.m. and takes place in the large open field at Chelsea Corners Way and Chelsea Road.
Before the fireworks, the night will kick off with the Yankee Doodle Dandy Children’s Parade at 6 p.m. Kids can decorate their bicycles, scooters, and wagons in red, white, and blue and participate in the parade down Chelsea Corners Way.
Throughout the evening, attendees can explore a vendor alley featuring local businesses, churches, and artisans. A variety of food trucks will offer lots of options, from barbecue to sweet treats. A Family Zone sponsored by local churches, will have inflatables, face painting, games and more. There will be tents, tables and chairs set up near the food truck area for guests to sit and enjoy their food.
The event will officially kick off with a patriotic ceremony led by local scout troops, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and the singing of the National Anthem. The festival’s main stage will feature Trotline as the headlining act.
The highlight of the night is the Big KaBoom fireworks display at 9 p.m. with a simulcast to music courtesy ofKOOL 96.9 FM.
Parking is available in designated areas, including fields behind the event space and behind Winn-Dixie, with handicap parking provided behind the stage. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. The event is free and open to the public.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a firsttime visitor, this event offers a warm welcome and a festive atmosphere that embodies the spirit of Chelsea.
For more information, visit at chelseafest.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF CHELSEA
Churches hosting Vacation Bible School
Kids enjoy several days and nights full of fun, faith, and adventure, while they explore Bible stories, enjoy crafts and games, sing uplifting songs, and make new friends. Whether your child has been to VBS before or this is their first time, they’re in for an unforgettable experience!
June 2-6
Liberty Baptist Church
Address: 11050 Chelsea Road, Chelsea
Theme: True North- Trusting Jesus in a Wild World
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Ages: 3 through 5th grade
Register: lbcchelsea.churchcenter.com/registrations/ events/2770459
Email: Ashley (acox@lbcchelsea.com) with questions!
June 9-13
Double Oak Community Church- Mt Laurel
Address: 115 Olmsted Street, Birmingham
Theme: True North- Trusting Jesus in a Wild World
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Ages: for kids entering 1st-6th grades 6th graders will participate in a separate track designed especially for them called Live it Out! Register: docc.org/events/2024vbskids
June 9-12
Chelsea Community Church
Address: 101 Chelsea Park Drive, Chelsea
Theme: True North- Trusting Jesus in a Wild World
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Ages: for kids entering 1st-6th grades Register: chelseachurch.com
June 16-20
North Shelby Baptist Church
Address: 4100 Belcher Drive, Birmingham
Theme: Magnified
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Ages: For completed K-5th grade Register: northshelbybaptist.org
June 22-25
The Church at Chelsea Westover
Address: 9474 Co Rd 55, Harpersville
Theme: Summerrama 2025 (Formerly VBS)
Ages: Rising 1st graders- through those who have completed 5th grade (rising 6th graders).
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Register: thechurchatcw.com/ccwkids
July 15-17
Morningstar Methodist
Address: 11072 Co Rd 11, Chelsea
Theme: Wonder Junction
Ages: Rising PreK through rising 5th grade
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
Register: mstarchelsea.com
GRADUATION DAY
Photos courtesy of the CHHS Yearbook Staff
School News: Chelsea Park
Breakfast with Dad
May 16 was the final All Pro Dad breakfast of the school year. Students enjoyed having their father/grandfather/ father-figure join them for breakfast each month.
Popsicle party
Mrs. Epperson’s class celebrated i-Ready growth with a popsicle party on May 14.
Middle School field trip
On May 12, the 5th grade students took a field trip to Chelsea Middle School for a tour of where they will be next school year!
Graduation time
The 5th graders had their graduation ceremony on May 19. Parents and family members attended and heard about all the student’s accomplishments.
Senior Walk
Chelsea High seniors prepared for their Senior Walk through the halls of Chelsea Park Elementary on May 14.
Farm field trip
First Grade had a fun field trip to Old Baker Farm on May 5. They got to feed animals, plant sunflower seeds, go on a hayride, and learn all about baby chicks
Supporting staff and students
Kayla Yarbrough was honored as the CPES Education Support Personnel of the Year on May 1.
Field day fun
Students in all grades enjoyed Field Day 2025 on May 8. It was an outdoor time of fun, sun and games.
Senior Walk-Through:
The annual “Senior Walk-Through” was held on Wednesday, May 14 where former students were able to walk the halls one last time before graduating.
Best Teacher Award
Mary Ramsey has been voted best of the best for Shelby Living Magazine. The Facebook post read, “Teachers like Mrs. Ramsey make learning fun and the confidence to grow! Our school wouldn’t be the same without her. We love Mrs Ramsey!”
Economic impact
Congratulations to Garen Gardner for winning the top 10 in the Color the Concepts contest. His illustration received the most likes on the Alabama Council on Economic Education
Facebook page and he was named Grand Champion, receiving an additional $100.
5th Grade Honor’s Day:
FOES hosted the 2024-25 5th Grade Honor’s Day on May 16. Each of the 5th graders were recognized for all of their hard work this past year. Chelsea City Councilman Cody Sumners spoke and welcomed all of our students, parents and loved ones.
In addition to receiving honor roll awards and certificates of completion, students were recognized for additional awards, such as, “Service Awards from Deputy Prady,” “SGA Awards,” “Principal’s Award for Leadership,” “Art Awards,” “Shelf Elves Awards,” “Attendance Awards,” and “Science Team Awards.” Fifth grade reflections were presented by some of our students who shared some of their most memorable moments at Forest Oaks. We are so proud of “The Class of 2032!”
Competition winner
Congratulations to Natalie White for earning third place in the Spring Alabama Stock Market Game Competition.
Band and Choir visit Disney World
The ChMS band and choir departments enjoyed some time at Disney World in Orlando the week of May 2.
Sharpening skills
The 2025 Athletic Combine took place on May 14. The 6th and 7th graders had a great showing and really went all out. Garrett Harvey took the top score in the 40-yard dash, the vertical challenge, and the shuttle run. Cary Ann Picklesimer took the top score in every female event and Trent Spearman took the top score in the broad jump and T-test.
Principal celebration
Cynthia Cruce was honored in her role as ChMS Principal on Principal’s Day on May 1.
Fun Field Day
May 21 was Field Day at ChMS. Mrs. Holden’s class were the 6th grade champions, Mr. Lovett’s class were the 7th grade champions and Mr. Floyd’s class the 8th grade champions Also congratulations to the character recognition winners.
Teacher honor
The Shelby Chamber of Commerce held its annual Student and Educator of the Year awards on April 30 at the Pelham Civic Center. ChMS 6th-grade Social Studies teacher Ira Fannin was named the Shelby County Middle School Educator of the Year.
School News: Chelsea High
Chamber honors
The Shelby County Chamber recently held its annual Student & Educator of the Year Ceremony. Honorees from Chelsea were math teacher Ashley Stuckey and students Chloe Anderson, Halie Chance, and Davis Junkin.
Band signing night
The CHHS band program is growing with 60 new members enrolling for the 2025-26 school year. They celebrated with “signing night” to welcome new members and give them and their families an introduction to being part of The Marching Hornet Pride.
End of year fun
The CHHS PTO was happy to provide financial support so the special education students could enjoy a bouncy house today before the end of school.
PTO awards student grant
Congratulations to Grant Blakely, the recipient of a $500 PTO Scholarship from the Class of 2025. He was one of 17 students that wrote an essay about how Chelsea High has prepared them for the future.
Staff enjoys lunch from PTO
On May 9, the CHHS PTO Teacher Appreciation Team served the staff lunch. Taco Mama is a gold sponsor partner of the PTO. Prizes from Crafting with Brandy were given to a lucky few whose names were drawn. Nothing Bundt Cakes at the Summit for donating bundtinis for each teacher.
Honoring Ms. Sanders
Congrats to Tiffney Sanders, who was named the CHHS Support Person of the Year. She was recently honored at a reception by the Shelby County Board of Education.
School News: Shelby County
Going green
On May 16, students and staff who participated in #SCSBeSeenInGreen to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. All of Shelby County Schools participated in this event.
Wilsonville
Elementary SRO honored for service NASRO recently recognized Deputy Patrick Bloom of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office as the Exceptional Service Award winner for Region 6, which includes Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
NBCT Conference
Shelby County Schools recently held its annual National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Conference at SCISC in Alabaster. The event, sponsored by the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation, brought together NBCT educators from across the district for a day of celebration, professional learning, and collaboration.
Warner named NSPR finalist
Congratulations to Cindy Warner for recently being named one of the four finalists for the National School Public Relations Association’s National Communicator of the Year award, which will be announced in July. Warner serves as the Public Relations & Community Education Supervisor for Shelby County Schools.
Chamber honors teachers and students
The Shelby Chamber of Commerce held its annual Student and Educator of the Year awards on April 30 at the Pelham Civic Center. Congratulations to all of our Shelby County teachers and students who were honored. Ira Fannin from Chelsea Middle School was named the Middle School Educator of the Year. James Ledbetter from Shelby County High was honored as a winner in the Career Tech Standout Student category. Davis Junkin from the Shelby County Career Technical Center (Chelsea High) was named a winner in the Distinguished Standout Student category. Yan Zou from Montevallo High won the overall Future Leader Award. Fannin will receive a monetary prize to be used in the classroom, and the students will each receive monetary prizes to further their educational endeavors.
Events in and around Chelsea
June Events
June 14: Father’s Day Barbecue and Corn Hole. Cat & Bird Winery, 11661 Old Hwy. 280. Noon to 4 p.m. Live music with Will Paustian from 1-4 p.m. and food with Moe & Moore’s Barbecue from noon to 3 p.m.. Local artist Sherri Springer will be there with art on display and prints available for purchase. Corn hole will be set up on the lawn for friendly competition. cat-n-bird.com
June 21: Music with Rachael Wilson and Cousins Maine Lobster. Cat & Bird Winery, 11661 Old Hwy. 280. Music 1-4 p.m. and food noon to 5 p.m. cat-n-bird.com
June 21: Chelsea Park 2025 Independence Day Bash. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Parkmont Park, 1008 Parkmont Lane, Chelsea Park.
June 27: The Village 2025 Independence Day Bash. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Regent Park, 1117 Regent Park Drive.
June 28: Reds, Whites and Brews. Cat & Bird Winery, 11661 Old Hwy. 280. Noon to 6 p.m. Music with Eric Watters and Suburban Love Junkies + food with Roll Cajun Boudin. It’s the party before the party at Chelsea’s Big Kaboom. cat-n-bird.com
June 28: ChelseaFest and the Big Kaboom. 6-9:30 p.m. Corner of Chelsea Road and Chelsea Corners Way. Yankee Doodle Dandy Kids’ Bicycle Parade at 6 p.m. Live music by Trotline. Fireworks at 9 p.m. chelseafest.com.
June 29: Chosen Road: Appalachian Hymn Sing. 6 p.m. North Shelby Baptist Church, 4100 Belcher Dr. Free to the public. northshelbybaptist.org.
July 3: Patriotic Cookie Decorating Class. 6:30 p.m. Cat & Bird Winery, 11661 Old Hwy. 280 Chelsea. A night full of cookie decorating tips and techniques. Learn the basics of royal icing, importance of layering, adding texturing and so much more. Each purchased ticket includes six cookies, icing and tools needed to decorate, teaching,a take-home box, recipes, a beverage from the venue, and a fun time. Tickets $55. justawhiskaway.com/in-person-cookie-class
July 10: Mt. Laurel Tween and Teen CPR and First Aid Class. 2-4 p.m. Mt. Laurel Public Library, Ann Price Activity Room.The Family & Friends CPR Course teaches the lifesaving skills of adult Hands-Only CPR, adult CPR with breaths, child CPR with breaths, adult and child AED use, infant CPR, and mild and severe airway block for adults, children, and infants. This course is appropriate for tweens and teens and will be taught by an American Heart Association instructor. A certificate of attendance will be given at the completion of the course. Great for babysitters! Registration is required before June 26th at 2 p.m. More information at mtlaurellibrary.org.
July 18: Mt. Laurel Mega Ice Cream Party. 4-5 p.m.. Mt. Laurel Public Library, Ann Price Activity Room.We are working together this summer to earn an awesome celebration! Log your summer reading activity online to earn ice cream with all the toppings. There will be gift card door prizes. Learn more at mtlaurellibrary.org.
Chelsea Community Center
June 14: Friends of Chelsea Public Library Book Sale. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chelsea Community Center, Business Room A and B.
July 12: Friends of Chelsea Public Library Book Sale. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chelsea Community Center, Business Room A and B.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Senior Exercise Class. 9-9:45 a.m. A 45-minute class that centers around Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The focus is on functional exercises that keep participants healthy, energetic and more independent. All levels and abilities are welcome. Bring small hand weights and a water bottle. Class is taught by Keri McIntire, a certified instructor specializing in senior fitness.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Senior Chair Exercise Class. 10-11 a.m. Chair exercises to upbeat music and choreographed for fun movements and resistance training. Equipment is provided. Free.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Advanced Pickleball. 8-11 a.m. Chelsea Community Center, Gym 1.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Beginner Pickleball. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Chelsea Community Center, Gym 2.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Intermediate Pickleball. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Chelsea Community Center, Gym 1.
Saturday: Pickleball Open Play. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Chelsea Community Center, Gym 1.
Mondays and Thursdays: Rev + Flow by REFIT. Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. A workout that strengthens bodies and sculpts muscles through targeted music-based movement and resistance training. To register, visit refitrev.com.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays: REFIT. Tuesdays 5:15 and 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. A class that combines cardio movements with toning, flexibility, strength training and stretching for an hour of fitness. To register, visit refitrev.com.
Thursdays: Seniors Day Potluck and Games. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Dominos, Rummikub and Rook card games. Fellowship and fun. Free.
Mondays: Yoga Class. Monday at 6:30. All levels of experience are welcome at this free yoga class every Monday. Bring a mat
Wednesdays: Textile Club. Wednesday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sewing, crocheting, embroidery and quilting. Bring your project and a sack lunch. This is an adults only event.
Fridays: Spectrum Support of Chelsea. Fridays at 12:30. Are you a mom navigating the journey of raising a child on the autism spectrum? No matter your child’s age, you’re not alone. Spectrum Support is a welcoming, supportive space for mothers to share experiences, resources and encouragement. For more information contact Jerica Boley at 205-305-3651.
Area Events
Fridays in June: Ross Bridge Farmers Market. 4-8 p.m. Ross Bridge, 2101 Grand Avenue, Hoover. Enjoy exciting themes throughout June, including Peach Day on June 13 and Berry Day on June 20. Each market features local farmers, vendors, face painting and live music. Admission is free; vendor costs vary. More information at rossbridgefarmersmarket.com.
June 20. An Evening with Heart: 7:30 p.m. Legacy Arena. 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham. Legendary rock band Heart continues their highlyanticipated return to the road for the first time after a five-year hiatus. More information at bjcc.org.
June 24. Dave Matthews Band: 7:30 p.m. Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. 2350 15th Ave. N., Birmingham.The recent Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Fame inductees will be taking the stage at the new Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. Fans can expect to hear their greatest hits, including songs from their latest album “Walk Around the Moon.” More information at coca-colaamphitheater.com.
June 27. Thomas Rhett. 7:30 p.m. Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. 2350 15th Ave. N., Birmingham. Thomas Rhett’s “Better In Boots Tour 2025” will make a stop at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater. The concert will feature opening acts Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows. More information at coca-colaamphitheater.com.
June 28. Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit. 7:00 p.m. Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. 2350 15th Ave. N., Birmingham. The concert will feature opening act Band of Horses. More information at coca-colaamphitheater.com.
July 4. Thunder on the Mountain: Celebrate Independence Day with Alabama’s largest fireworks display at Vulcan Park in Birmingham on July 4. The show begins at 9:00 PM and is free to attend.
July 18. Whiskey Myers: 6:30 p.m. Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. 2350 15th Ave. N., Whiskey Myers will bring their “What We Were Born To Do” tour to the Coca-Cola Amphitheater, featuring special guests Josh Meloy and The Droptines. More information at coca-colaamphitheater.com.
July 18-26 Hoover Restaurant Week: This weeklong event showcases the city’s diverse dining scene, with participating restaurants offering special menus, promotions, and unique dining experiences. In addition to the restaurant specials, the week features exciting events such as the Bartender Challenge Championship on July 18, where local mixologists compete for the top spot. Learn more at hooverrestaurantweek.com.
