Jay Burton digs his own clay, crafts pieces of art
Meet festival volunteer Gabby Spruill PAGE 23
PHOTOS: Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
COVER: Jay Burton brings his pottery to Magnolia Festival
Going to the Dogs: Pets love the Magnolia Festival too
10/ 20/ 30/ 34/ 37/ 16/ 26/ 29/
Employee Spotlight: Behind the Scenes with a City of Gardendale employee
Airing of the Quilts: Guild to showcase masterpieces
Business News: New gym concept coming to Gardendale
Shortcut Recipe: Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
School News: What’s happening in area schools
The Magnolia Festival is an event I look forward to all year long. This year promises to be extra special with Jay Burton back to do pottery demonstrations, the North Jefferson Quilters Guild hosting an “airing of the quilts,” along with the entertainment and all the food, vendors and attractions that make the festival one of the state’s largest.
The festival requires a lot of hard work on the part of the city employees, festival team and, of course, the team of volunteers that devote their time to keeping things flowing smoothly. In this issue we caught up with Volunteer Coordinator Gabby Spruill who started volunteering as a high school student and now manages all the other volunteers, ensuring help arrives where it is needed.
Another key part of the festival each year are the pets that attend the festival for the pet parade or those who come with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society looking for homes of their own.
As always, we are proud and excited to be sponsors of the event and hope to see you at our booth!
Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director
Ace of the South
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THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
APRIL WEEKEND EVENT CALENDER
APR 5TH: TBD
APR 12TH: THE SCALDED DAWG HOT DOGS 11-3 & SHOE CHARM BAR 10-2
APR 19TH: WASABI JUAN’S 11-3
APR 26TH: SEE US AND ACE OF THE SOUTH AT THE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL!
APRIL WEEKDAY EVENT CALENDER
TUESDAYS: WASABI JUAN’S 11-3
WEDNESDAYS: GARNACHITAS 11-3
FRIDAY’S: D’S CRAZY DOGS 11-3
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Jay Burton, local potter, will be showcasing his talents during the Magnolia Festival with demonstrations throughout the day.
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Gardendale leaders were joined by leaders from neighboring communities and local pastors to pray for the future of the community, including prayers over first responders, schools and children and elected officials, as well as many others. The speaker, Chris Stewart, is the voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide and delighted the audience with humorous stories, as well as tales of the hardships he has faced. Breakfast was served by Gardendale First Baptist’s breakfast team.
PHOTOS BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
MEDICARE MADE EASY
FARMER’S MARKET
B I L L N O B L E P A R K | 9 A M T O 1 P M
E V E R Y T H U R S D A Y F R O M M A Y 1 5 T H T O S E P T E M B E R
Jay Burton brings his pottery to the Magnolia Festival
Potter’s hands
BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
PHOTOS BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY.
Years ago, Jay Burton had a job, a wonderful family and a busy life, but he needed something he could use as a creative outlet to make his life more full.
“I was just looking for a hobby, for something to do–not that I didn’t have enough with kids and ballpark and everything–but I wanted something for me,” Burton said. “I was going to look into woodworking. I like woodworking, but you cut and mess up and it goes in the fire pile, so I thought what else can I do. At the time, I worked at Hoover City Schools and I bought two coffee mugs they had made. They happened
STORY
to be doing their ceramics, and they said ‘here, try it’ So I made a bowl and said ‘I’ve gotta do this.’”
He began researching online, watching videos and even experimenting with clay, while he looked for a class to take. He searched for a class for 6 months, before he found a class that met once a week for five weeks.
“You need to take a class to start to learn but then you have to get on a wheel and you just have to do it,” Burton said.
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After mastering the basics, Burton realized he wanted his pottery to be even more unique and special to him, so he learned how to process his own clay. He now digs and processes his own clay, hydrating and dehydrating the clay as he cleans it and gets it to the proper consistency that it can be used for pottery. He also experiments with different glazes and other local substances to color and decorate the pottery.
“It’s much easier if you go buy it from the store, but it costs more and it’s just not the same,” Burton said. “I enjoy the whole process–from digging it to the finished process–I enjoy every part of it. You don’t get this taught to you, this is something you’ve gotta figure out. You’ve gotta watch
videos, you can find information, but everybody has their own technique.”
Although he has sold his items online and at local shows, with pottery in homes all over the country, he mostly does it for his own personal fulfillment. When he
“Turning anything on the wheel is my favorite,” Burton said. “Then, if I’m feeling creative, I’ll put a face on it. I enjoy decorating face jugs. There’s no rule to it. You can make the face however you want.”
A few years ago, Burton was tasked by the Gardendale Magnolia Festival with creating jugs that were replicas of the jugs produced at the local factory when Gardendale was known as “Jugtown” in honor of the 20th annual festival. This year, he will once again have a booth at the festival, doing exhibits with clay and the pottery wheel. For more information, check out Burton Pottery on Facebook.
OF THE
AiringQuilts
STORY BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR, PHOTOS BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Each year, families from all over the state visit Gardendale for the annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival. Several years ago, Magnolia Festival Coordinator Kathleen Phillips noticed that many families would sit in the grassy areas near the Kermit Dooley Historic Museum and Civic Center stage. Every year, the festival spreads the word that families should bring their own blankets or chairs to enjoy the live entertainment, but many people end up just sitting in the grass.
With that in mind, she began buying quilts last year to give those families somewhere to sit comfortably.
“I wanted to put them under the crêpe myrtle trees because I kept seeing families sitting under the shade to enjoy the music and our fantastic food, so I thought the festival would provide some old quilts for them to enjoy,” Phillips said. “Then,
I started chatting with the quilt guild at one of the craft shows held at the Civic Center and told them I had been buying quilts and maybe they would like to have a booth set up near the quilts to promote their quilting guild. That is when Dr. Julie Hannah Took me by the hand and said, ‘Kathleen, I have had this dream of having an airing of the quilt event in Gardendale and this sounds like the perfect event to have it.’”
With a revival of interest in skills like sewing, quilting, gardening and other skills, it felt like a perfect chance to showcase quilts and spread the knowledge of the quilting guild. North Jefferson’s Quilter’s Guild is proud of being a teaching guild, meaning that those interested need no skill or knowledge of quilting to join. Airing of the quilts is a tradition that allows quilters or quilting groups to showcase
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their beautiful work and discuss the skills used to create them. Very often these events are used by groups to raise funds, but the showcase at the festival will be free to the public, and the guild will receive money as one of the two organizations Magnolia Festival supports each year.
“We were both so excited about the potential partnership,” Phillips said. “I followed up with her after the craft show, and she said the quilt guild wanted to try and make it happen. That is when we named the North Jefferson Quilter’s Guild one of our two annual donation grants to help them put this on and promote their organization.”
Helping Hands
Gabrielle Spruill goes from volunteer to coordinator
PHOTOS
BY
EMILY ALLRED COURTESY OF THE GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL
To say that Gabrielle Spruill is busy is an understatement. She works two jobs and is planning a May wedding, all before she picks up the mantle of Magnolia Festival Volunteer Coordinator.
“I like to be on the go,” Spruill said. “If I’m ever sitting around, I find something to do. The times I do have down, I start organizing stuff or cleaning out my closet. I can’t sit still. I am like there is something to be done that will help me later.”
With her wedding set for just a week after Magnolia Festival, that attitude will come in handy because she has a lot on her plate.
“Everyday I’m doing something with the wedding, with work–one job or another–and then, obviously, trying to make time for my family as well,” Spruill said.
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When Spruill first volunteered for the festival seven years ago, she was mostly focused on the scholarship, which required her to volunteer for three hours during the festival. After working those hours on Friday night, she returned to work all day Saturday because she was having so much fun.
“Gabby’s journey of becoming the Magnolia Festival’s Volunteer Coordinator is the definitive example of why we put such an emphasis on volunteerism requirement on our scholarship application,” Magnolia Festival Coordinator Kathleen Phillips said. “She went from high school volunteer, winning our Student Volunteer award that year, to returning after high school to be an adult volunteer to becoming assistant Volunteer Coordinator to eventually becoming our current Volunteer Coordinator.
“We strive to foster a love for volunteering and giving back to community. She loves her community and the festival and it shows in her commitment and her contagious smile and enthusiasm. She represents not only the Gardendale Magnolia Festival well, but the
/ Magnolia Festival /
city of Gardendale where she grew up.”
As Spruill organizes the volunteers each year, her goal is to recreate the fun experience that hooked her.
“I tell them, ‘yes, it is work and some of it can be hard at times, but enjoy it and have fun,’” Spruill said. “I just want them to want to come back.”
The reason Spruill loves the festival so much comes down to one thing–her love for people.
“I really am a big people person,” Spruill said. “You could ask anyone at my work and they will tell you, ‘she never stops talking and she always makes a friend.’ I love people, and that’s why I love the Magnolia Festival.”
Student volunteers can begin accruing hours as soon as their freshman year, but scholarships are awarded to seniors. Adult volunteers are also welcome. Volunteers need to visit the website at magnoliafestival.org. The scholarship applications are also available on the website.
Going TO THE The Dogs
STORY BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
PHOTOS BY EMILY ALLRED, COURTESY OF THE GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL
ADOPT
Each year, animals play a huge part in the Gardendale Magnolia Festival.
Of course, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society will be returning with their mobile adoption unit full of dogs available for adoption. Each year, the nonprofit brings more than a dozen dogs that are available for adoption.
“They say they love the Magnolia Festival because they almost always adopt out every single one they bring,” Magnolia Festival Coordinator Kathleen Phillips said.
According to GBHS, they will be at the festival with merchandise and information, as well as the adoptable dogs. Applications will be taken on site for families or individuals interested in adding a new pet to their home.
Their bus, T.A.R.A. (which stands for Transport, Assist, Rescue and Adopt), allows the animals to be transported safely, viewed by the public and allows the group to find homes for the dogs in their care at adoption events around the area.
POOCH PARADE
In addition to the adoption events, many visitors to the festival bring their dogs to enjoy the festival or to participate in the Pooch Parade.
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“We are a dog-friendly event but remember the leash laws and if they poop, you scoop,” Phillps reminded.
Registration for the Pooch Parade is from 10:30 to noon on April 26, and the parade begins at 12:30. Awards will be given at the stage near the Civic Center.
Categories include Best Costume, Best Trick, Cutest Dog and others. There is also a People’s Choice Award and Best Overall. There is an entry fee for each category, with a discount if an animal is entered in multiple categories. People’s Choice votes are also available for $1 each.
All owners must sign waivers acknowledging they are responsible and recognize the potential risk of being in close proximity to other dogs. Dogs must be leashed and friendly, as well as up-to-date on all shots.
Drivers needed for small dump truck company. 40 hours a week with some Saturday work You must have: -Reliable Transportation -Class B CDL -Medical Card -Good Driving Record
Please call (205) 849-0398 for an appointment.
City Employee Spotlight
SUSAN SPEARS
LABORER, SENIOR CENTER
Regular visitors to the Gardendale Senior Center know Susan Spears. She helps prepare, cook and serve the meals, as well as planning activities and cleaning the center. But her favorite part of her days isn’t listed on any job description.
“I love the people,” she explained. “I love cutting up with them and joking around with them.”
In addition to the daily duties, the center also plans events each week, as well as trips to local attractions and local stores. Those trips are often the turning point for seniors to develop a sense of camaraderie with the workers and other seniors.
“We have a woman here,” Spears said. “I’ve been here almost four years, and I had never seen her smile, never seen her laugh. She went with us on a trip, and now she’ll talk, cut up and that’s the first time I’ve ever seen her just sit there and laugh. If I can make them laugh one time, that’s what I enjoy.”
Regardless of what her responsibilities are for the day–prepping, cooking, organizing activities or driving a bus for a trip–Spears looks forward to coming to work every day.
“It is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Spears said. “They help me just as much as I have them.”
In addition to cooking and serving lunch throughout the week, the team at the senior center sometimes delivers the Meals on Wheels if the volunteers aren’t available to deliver to those who can’t get to the center. After spending more than 20 years caring for hospice patients, Spears enjoys those days because she gets to see people in their homes.
When she isn’t working, she spends time with her kids and grandkids or cares for her animals.
STORY BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
True 40
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRUE 40 GARDENDALE
One of the primary reasons people give up on fitness is that they get bored of the same routines. A new business coming to Gardendale hopes to alleviate that boredom with its mix of strength training, cardio, barre, Pilates, and yoga. The True 40 franchise location will be owned by Taylor Averhart and Sophia Cheatwood and will be located in one of the retail spaces adjacent to Wood’s Trading Company.
“When we first reached out to Britt [Wood], and they explained that they were being very selective with who they put in their lease spaces, because they want all the businesses to be able to work together,” Averhart said. “And the customers that they bring kind of flow through to all the businesses. When we described what we were opening, they were like ‘we think that would be wonderful. We would love to have y’all there…’ So, everything’s been so seamless.”
Averhart first started visiting one of the True 40 locations while she was going to UAB, but hoped someone would open a location in north Jefferson. After years of hoping, she decided she would open a location. As the owners of Blue Devil Nutrition in Morris, they already know a lot about running a business, and this one seems to be a perfect fit.
According to the materials, even the name of the business is
significant, “The number 40 is often associated with new beginnings. In the Bible, 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, and then finally in triumph. It represents the fulfillment of God’s promises. Sometimes we resist change, but the number 40 is a gentle reminder that change is natural and something to be embraced, not feared. The number 40 is a reminder that we are always growing and evolving, just as the seasons change, so do we. Embrace the changes that come with each new year and allow yourself to grow into the person you want to be.”
To test the market, they have hosted a couple of free pop-up events, including one at Wood’s recently. Those events have been wellattended, and they hope to do more before they open.
Although it is geared toward women, men are welcome in the classes. In fact, Averhart and Cheatwood want everyone to know that everyone is welcome at the classes–people of all body types and fitness levels.
“True 40 truly is for everybody, that’s why I fell in love with it to begin with–it’s so inclusive,” Averhart said. “Anybody and everybody can come show up. You’re gonna get loved on, you’re gonna have a chance to have modifications and there’s a chance to challenge yourself. So, no matter your fitness level, no matter what your starting point is, it’s for everybody, truly. And so I would love for that message to be widespread, because I don’t want anybody to feel like they’re gonna show up and feel left out or feel awkward. It’s such a loving space, and that’s why we want to be able to bring that to this community.”
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“And people crave community, with other women,” Cheatwood added.
“We’ve had so many people, just since we started kind of throwing this idea around, kind of trying to get feedback from people, I couldn’t tell you how many women said that they don’t really like the style workout that they’re getting, but they love the family, they love the community,” Averhart said. “And True 40 is huge when it comes to that, like, so many events, so many just friendships able to be formed through, through honoring your bodies. It’s special. You all get together, you do something really hard that, when you showed up, you thought ‘maybe I can’t do this,’ but you walk out there feeling great because you did do it, and you did it together.”
There will also be a variety of membership and class options. Announcements about the opening and the special, Founding Member membership packages, will be shared on social media as the opening draws closer. Once the location opens, childcare will also be available.
BUSINESS NEWS
Shippin’ It Holds Ribbon Cutting
Shippin’ It, located at 809 Main Street, hosted a ribbon cutting with the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce.
Gardendale Chamber of Commerce to Host Gather and Grow Series
The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce, along with the Gardendale Public Library and sponsored by Mills Pharmacy, will host a series of lunchtime informative talks. The talks will happen on Wednesdays from noon until 1 p.m. at the Gardendale Public Library. The cost is $10. The planned talks include:
April 16: Mind Matters: Protect Your Brain Health
May 21: App Your Health: Top Wellness Picks with 24e
June 18: Rise of the Bots: AI Unleashed
August 20: Atomic Habits: Goal Setting with Randell Pickering of Mills Pharmacy
September 17: Branding Blitz:Marketing and Ad Power with Keith Mitchell of AlphaGraphics
October 15: Dream Big: Sleep Smarter with Integrative Health Services
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
Festival Fare: Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
April is the beginning of spring and summer festivals and that means unique food truck food! Food and family fun are the highlights of outdoor festivals, for me.
I’m like a kid in a candy shop when I see the line of food trucks because I know there will be plenty of fresh, locally sourced food cooked in creative ways to satisfy the hungry crowd.
French fries, loaded fries and tater tot nachos are often among some of the most popular menu offerings. I’m sharing my recipe for Spicy Sweet Potato Fries...made in the air fryer! They really aren’t “spicy hot”, but rather coated in a spice mixture to add an extra layer of flavor to the sweet and savory sweet tater.
No worries if you don’t have an air fryer, I’ll include directions to bake in the oven and fry on the stovetop.
I hope you can get out this spring and feast on some festival fare. If not, I’ve got you covered with more shortcut recipes at GritsAndGouda.com
INGREDIENTS
2 small sweet potatoes peeled and cut lengthwise into thin strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon table salt or 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat air fryer to 400°.
Toss sweet potatoes in a large bowl with olive oil.
Combine all the spices except salt in a small bowl and sprinkle over the sweet potatoes, tossing to coat.
Place half of the sweet potatoes in the fryer basket, sprayed with an oil spray, and cook for 8 minutes. Do not overcrowd the basket. Turn or shake, cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until crispy and browned. Remove them from the basket and sprinkle with salt. Repeat procedure with remaining half of potatoes.
If you have a large air fryer, you may be able to cook the entire batch at one time.
Oven Fries: Use 2 tablespoons of oil to toss potatoes, line the baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 425F for 20 minutes, turn with a spatula and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt.
Stovetop Frying: Use 1 tablespoon of oil to coat the fries so the spices will stick to them. Heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a pot to 365F. Fry sweet potato fries in batches 3 minutes or until tender and lightly browned on edges. Remove to drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt.
GES Rocket Bots Robotics Team
The three incredible Rocket Bots teams competed at the JEFCOED Elementary Robotics League competition recently. Out of 27 teams, the Rocket Bots secured the top three spots in the Teamwork Challenge Qualification Rounds, earning a welldeserved place in the finals. Let’s give a shout-out to these amazing teams:
* Team 860A: Will Ray, Shiloh Kizer, Porter Barkley, and Nelson Lawson soared to 1st place in the Teamwork Challenge and 2nd place in the Skills Challenge.
* Team 860B: Gabe Collins, Jaxon Durham, Derrick Bryant, and Brooks Williams (not pictured) earned the prestigious Excellence Award, 2nd place in the Teamwork Challenge, and 3rd place in the Skills Challenge.
* Team 860C: Jordy Boswell, Ben McIntosh, Rhett Cooper, and Thomas Faull rocketed to 2nd place in the Teamwork Challenge and 5th place in the Skills Challenge.
A massive thank you to our dedicated coaches, Jennifer Burns and Candace Ashworth, for their guidance and support.
And the best part? Teams 860A and 860B have earned a bid to STATE. They’ll be continuing their journey at Wallace State on March 7th and 8th. Let’s cheer them on.
We are beyond proud of all three Rocket Bots teams for their hard work, dedication, and incredible achievements this season. You’ve shown what teamwork and innovation can accomplish. Go Rocket Bots.
Bragg Honors March Students of the Month
Congratulations to the Bragg Middle School March Students of the Month. These students were chosen by their teachers for their hard work, a great display of character, and their willingness to go above and beyond. Students of the Month are treated to lunch, courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings in Gardendale. Additionally, Sonic graciously provides gift cards for each student. We greatly appreciate their partnership with Bragg Middle School.
Snow Rogers Elementary School congratulates the February Students of the month.
GES Science Olympiad
The Gardendale Elementary Science Olympiad Team snagged 2nd place out of 15 schools in this weekend’s county competition.
SRES Students
Learn to Limbo
Students at Snow Rogers Elementary had a great time in PE learning healthy habits, having a limbo contest and playing cornhole. Hank, the 3-legged office dog, taught us we don’t have to be perfect to be awesome.
Bragg Robotics Team Places 2nd
Bragg Middle School’s Robotics Team designed, built and conquered at a recent Middle School Robotics League competition.
The Bragg Middle School “Bragg Bots” team was awarded second place in the Teamwork category.
SRES Guest Reader
Sandy Thomas came to read to one of Snow Rogers Elementary School’s kindergarten classes. She helped students at the University of Alabama create a book. The book is about a frog who lives in a rainforest in Brazil.
Tabernacle Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Students at Tabernacle Christian Academy celebrated Valentine’s Day.
Tabernacle Honors State Winners
Tabernacle Christian Academy recognized several students who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in our state association’s Junior and Senior High Academic Testing and Art competition. Congrats to all their hard work—especially to art teacher, Mrs. Daphne, and to the Junior High competitors for winning the Junior High Art Champion’s Cup.
Bragg Visits City Council
Bragg Middle School Administrators, Teachers and Students attended a recent city council meeting to express their heart-felt appreciation for the funding of the projects at their school provided by the citizens of Gardendale through the property tax. They explained what a tremendous difference the funding of these projects is making at their school. They are pictured with the Mayor and the City Council. The total amount spent on the projects at Bragg Middle School is $148,266.89.
North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce to Host Women in Business Luncheon
The North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce in Alabama is hosting its annual Women in Business Luncheon on April 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fultondale Event Center. This inspiring event will feature keynote speaker Kimberly Reno, who will share valuable insights with local female professionals and entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, gain business knowledge, and connect with other women leaders in the community. The luncheon will also include the announcement of the winners of the Outstanding Women in Business Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions and leadership in the local business community. For more information visit northjeffersonchamber.com.
Fultondale High School Celebrates Black History Month
Fultondale High School recently hosted an outstanding Black History Program, featuring presentations by students, teachers, administration, and Dr. Tre Finklea. Throughout February, students explored and honored the contributions of African Americans, showcasing their knowledge through engaging displays. The school welcomed the community to view the exhibits and take part in this meaningful celebration of history and culture.
Fultondale High School Girls Soccer Wins Lakeshore Shootout Tournament (photo)
The Fultondale High School Girls Soccer Team dominated the competition to take home the championship at the Lakeshore Shootout Soccer Tournament! With skill, determination, and teamwork, the Wildcats showcased their talent and emerged victorious against tough opponents. Congratulations to the team and coaches on this incredible achievement!
Mount Olive Elementary Celebrates Uniqueness
Mt. Olive Elementary’s Character Big Idea for February focused on uniqueness. Throughout the month, students were encouraged to embrace diversity in themselves and others. The school recognized the first group of students who exemplified this important value.
Morris Fire Department Breaks Ground for New Living Quarters
The City of Morris Fire Department held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 26 for new living quarters adjacent to the fire station, providing firefighters with upgraded facilities to better serve the community. This expansion will enhance response times and improve the department’s ability to support the growing needs of Morris residents.
Fultondale Elementary Students Shine at Science Olympiad Competition
Congratulations to the Fultondale Elementary Science Olympiad Team for an impressive performance at the 2025 JEFCOED Science Olympiad Competition, earning fourth place overall out of fifteen teams! The team showcased their skills across multiple events, bringing home medals in Calculator Contest, Map Reading, Barge Building, and Mystery Architecture. With medals awarded to only the top three teams in each category, this achievement highlights their hard work and dedication.
Mount Olive Elementary Student Wins Jefferson County Spelling Bee
The Jefferson County Board of Education recently hosted the 2025 Jefferson County Schools Spelling Bee, and we have a W-I-N-N-E-R! Gavin Cruse, a talented fourth-grade student from Mount Olive Elementary, claimed the championship title with his flawless spelling of the word “voyage.” His impressive vocabulary and determination earned him the top prize, along with a prestigious trophy and welldeserved recognition. Gavin will now represent Jefferson County in the upcoming statewide spelling bee.
North Jefferson Elementary Science Olympiad Wins Regionals
Congratulations to the North Jefferson Elementary Science Olympiad Team for an outstanding performance, securing first place at the Regionals Competition! The team dominated with 10 first-place finishes, four second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes, with every member earning a medal. This incredible achievement has officially sealed their spot in the state championship.
Fultondale Elementary Fifth Graders Host Black History Wax Museum (photo)
Fultondale Elementary School’s fifth graders recently brought history to life with a Black History Wax Museum, showcasing their hard work and research. The event drew an impressive turnout from the community, as students proudly shared the stories of influential figures. Congratulations to these talented Wildcats for their dedication and creativity! A special thank you to everyone who came out to support the students and their efforts.
Fultondale High School’s Diego Trejo Named February Employee of the Month at Academies of CRAFT (photo)
The Academies of CRAFT proudly recognize Diego Trejo, a student at Fultondale High School, as the February Employee of the Month for Commercial Electrical! Diego earned this honor by achieving the highest score on the ACT Employability Scale for the month. In recognition of his outstanding performance, he received a special gift from the CRAFT Academies campus partners.
SPRING INTO EXERCISING
We are ready to welcome warmer weather back and get outside to enjoy running, hiking, biking, gardening and all the outdoor activities!
Are you ready?
TherapySouth's movement experts will work with you to develop an individualized exercise program to help you feel stronger, move better and avoid injury. They can also work with you to address imbalanaces, enhance stability, and reduce the risk of strains or overuse injuries.
Visit our team today and begin Spring stronger than ever!
Hands on Care, Close to Home and Work
GARDENDALE
1011 Main Street
Gardendale, AL (205) 651-4350
FULTONDALE
3471 Lowery Parkway, Suite 107
Fultondale, AL (205) 849-6566
Our mission is to help families create personalized funerals and memorials.
Attention to detail like no other. GUARANTEED.
Providing funeral and cremation services to north Jefferson County, Alabama, since 1976.
RIDOUT’S GARDENDALE CHAPEL & OAKWOOD MEMORIAL GARDENS
The Civic Center’s 5-6 year old boys, 11-12 year old boys and 11-13 year old girls won their all-star tournaments.
Garcia Hired as Police Officer
Mayors and Law Enforcement Summit
Cade Caufield attending the Jefferson County Mayors + Law Enforcement Action Summit. It connects local law enforcement, municipal leaders and FBI personnel. Mayor Stan Hogeland and Police Chief Scott Banks were also in attendance.
Civic Center Gets New Wall Pads
The Gardendale Civic Center debuted new wall pads on the basketball courts.
Ixianey Garcia was recently hired as a Police Officer in the Gardendale Police Department. She is pictured with Lt. Bill Sharbono.
Book Club
The Book Club at the Gardendale Public Library will be April 8 at 10 a.m. The book for April will be “The Stolen Queen” by Fiona Davis.
Spring Bash at Bill Noble Park
Our first Community Event of 2025 is Spring Bash, on April 11th. Spring Bash will be happening at Bill Noble Park, starting at 5 p.m. Vendors and food trucks are still being accepted.
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics/ TVs Drop-Off/Paper Shredding Event
The Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics/TVs Drop-Off/Paper Shredding Event will be April 12, 2025, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. First Baptist Church of Gardendale -South Campus at 940 Main Street.
Magnolia Festival
The annual Magnolia Festival will be April 25 and 26. Sponsorships are available now. Deadlines are earlier this year, so applications opened earlier. All the details are available at MagnoliaFestival.org.
Golden Eagles
The Gardendale Golden Eagles meet on the second Friday of the month at the Gardendale Senior Center beginning at 12:15 pm and ending at 1:30 pm. The group is open to anyone 55 or older and features lunch speakers and fun day trips.
Stock Little Free Library
Help us stock our Little Free Library! We are in need of children’s and young adult books in good to perfect condition to stock our Little Free Library (LFL) located by the soccer fields off of Fieldstown Road. Donations can be placed directly in the LFL or you can bring them to the front desk at the library and we will take them to the LFL when we visit weekly.
Library Food Pantry
Our library food pantry always need the following items: hearty soups/stews/chili, varieties of canned chicken/tuna/ ham, single-sized and normal cereal, granola type bars, fruit cups, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal/grits packets, pasta and Alfredo and other sauces and any toiletries. We take food only if it is not outdated and not opened.
Historical Museum Hours
The Kermit E. Dooley Gardendale Historical Museum (170 Bell Street) will be open to the public every Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MyGardendale
For a complete list of events and happenings, visit MyGardendale.com to see an interactive calendar.
To have an item added to our calendar, please send information to rachel@ jbmcmedia.com.
