Gardendale Magazine - August 2025 by JBMC Media

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Wyatt twins wrestle on the world stage, eventually meeting in the finals The scene from I Love America Day

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Kennedy Wyatt

Keenan Wyatt

Beyond the Badge: The Gardendale Police Department

The Gardendale Police Department was created on July 7, 1955. Since its beginning to today, the members of the department work very diligently to provide professional law enforcement services to the citizens of Gardendale and maintain one of the lowest crime rates in Jefferson County covering over 23 sq mi and closing in on 20,000 residents, numerous businesses, hospitals and sports complex facilities. It is the mission of the Gardendale Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working within the community to improve quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to promote public conﬁdence in the police service.

As Chief of Police, I am honored to not only serve the City of Gardendale, but also the dedicated members of the Gardendale Police Department who care about the city they live in and serve in. Whether you are a resident or a visitor from out of town, you are a member of our community. We are most effective at working in partnership with our community to employ problem-solving strategies to address crime, safety, and quality of life issues through fairness, transparency, and impartiality.

The highly skilled members of this department understand the challenges of modern policing and will work tirelessly to serve this community. While the police department’s primary responsibility is reducing crime, it’s just as important to establish positive relationships with our community and businesses. Our department is committed to providing the highest quality in public safety and professional policing services and ensuring a safe place to live and shop. We are dedicated to the values of Courtesy, Professionalism, and Dedication, and to maintaining public safety for our residents, businesses and visitors.

Scott Banks

Chief of Police

Gardendale Police Department

1309 Decatur Hwy., Gardendale Alabama, 35071 (205) 631-5722 | (205) 631-1711 Fax

Recipe: Easy Tomato Galette

Photos: I Love America at Bill Noble Park

I was getting ready to cook dinner when a text came in from Kathleen Phillips that read, “I have another fabulous story idea for you,” and I have learned those texts are worth stopping and paying attention. True to form, when I read the text I knew we had to get the story. Even I was surprised once we got into it–a family in Gardendale that leads with love, devotion to each other and hard work. The Wyatts are an inspiration, not just because of their legacy of greatness in sports, but also for their steadfastness and commitment to the family.

I also got to hang out with a lot of you at Social Cafe to learn about the history of Brookside, and I appreciate all of your kind comments about the magazine. If you haven’t checked out the Social Cafe program, I would encourage you to check out the schedule with the library and find a time to go.

Down South Corals has to be one of the city’s most unique businesses–serving saltwater and freshwater aquariums. If you have a tank or want to set one up, they are sure to be able to help you.

Next month we will have stories from the World Police and Fire Games, as well as a story with Gardendale native Tiera Kennedy. It’s a busy, but exciting time to be in Gardendale and writing about all the talented people who call the city home (or at least their hometown).

Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director

/ About Us / On The Cover

Who We Are

Gardendale Magazine is published monthly by JBMC Media, a Birmingham-based publishing company. The magazine is available at more than 100 locations throughout Gardendale, free of charge, and is supported by the advertisers within the pages of this magazine. Subscriptions by mail area also available for $40 per year. Visit jbmcmedia.com/magazinesubscriptions to start your subscription.

Gardendale Magazine is 100% local; the stories and photos are all about the city of Gardendale, its residents, its businesses, its schools, and its cultural institutions. It’s our promise to you that we will always keep it this way, so that the content and stories are relevant to everyone who calls Gardendale home.

About the Cover

Staff

Matthew Allen, Publisher (205) 883-1877 | matthew@jbmcmedia.com

Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director (205) 613-7850 | rachel@jbmcmedia.com

Michelle Salem Haynes, Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311 | michelle@jbmcmedia.com

Anthony Bratina, Cover Designer

Shweta Bratina, Graphic Designer

Emily VanderMey Listo , Operations & Project Manager , Graphic Designer emily@emilylisto.com

@GardendaleMagazine @GardendaleMag Contact Us/Follow Us P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham, AL 35260 (205) 883-1877

PROUD MEMBER

PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY Keenan and Kennedy Wyatt carry on a tradition of wrestling excellence with national championship match.

Greatness

LEGACY OF Wyatt family continues legacy of greatness

STORY BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR

As Keenan Wyatt took to the mat for the U23 World Team Trials National Championship, he knew his mom wasn’t cheering for him to win. She couldn’t, his opponent was his twin brother, Kennedy. Their mom, back home in Alabama, was trying to maintain composure as she watched her two sons compete for a single title that they both wanted and had devoted their lives to attaining.

Although the boys have always wrestled, they were previously in different weight classes, which prevented them from competing against each other. They had always practiced and sparred together, but not with anything on the line. The weight class divisions for this tournament meant the twins would be in the same class, but it didn’t occur to the family that it would come down to just the two of them in the finals.

Continued on Page 12

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANNETTE WYATT, BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY AND USA WRESTLING

Leadership You Can Trust

A lifelong and civically-active resident of Gardendale, Tim Bagwell brings proven dedication to the community, a spirit of collaboration, and a commitment to the families and businesses of District 1. With a vision for smart growth, public safety, and community engagement, his goal is to insure that the fundamental character of Gardendale remains strong in these challenging times.

Tim Bagwell and Grandson Haddon

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“We always try to do our best to make sure we’re not in the same weight class,” Keenan explained. “It was a mix up for sure.”

With neither brother willing or able to gain or lose enough weight to qualify in the weight classes above or below, Keenan said his brother just told him “‘I’ll see you in the finals.’

“We got put on the opposite side of the bracket and as the tournament was playing out, he was winning and I was winning. I knocked out the number one seed, he knocked out the number three, he won his semifinals match and I beat the returning world team member, and we were in the finals.”

“After we won our semifinals match to make it to the championship we said, ‘we’re gonna have a Wyatt on the World team regardless, so it’s a win-win situation,’” Keenan added. “It was bittersweet. I was super excited that I had made it to the national finals–something I had wanted to do. But it was unfortunate because I knew at the end of the day that one of us was going to stop each other from accomplishing our goals and our dreams. But, it was still really cool to share that moment with my brother, and have that moment with him so it was still really cool.”

Their mom, Annette, remembers the call home when they realized they were in the finals.

“What was most impressive was they called, crying, wanting to talk to their dad,” she said. “I was crying because they were going to have to wrestle each other, but they wanted to talk to their dad. They called to say they honored him, and they were excited because, no matter what, a Wyatt was going to be a national champ. It didn’t matter to them. They said, ‘Mama, it’s gonna be alright, we wrestle and spar each other all the time. We’re here for each other and we’re honoring dad.’”

Their dad, Willie, is a wrestling legend in his own right, having won two state championships for Gardendale when he was in school, before accepting an offer to play football for The University of Alabama after high school. After playing professional football, Willie returned to Alabama to coach–eventually ending up back at Gardendale to be close to his daughter and twin sons. His diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of multiple sclerosis several years ago had a profound impact on his sons.

“Although it has been devastating to our family, the bond and the impression my husband has had on our lives is just absolutely amazing,” Annette said. “I would tell anyone it’s absolutely amazing, for the short time–the first 13 years or so that he had–and the impression he had on them to make them the men that they are growing to become is just unbelievable to me. They model their dad. Their dad and what he thinks drives them. He’s their ambition.”

“We’ve been wrestling since we were little, and the whole time we’ve been warming each other up,” Keenan explained. “We even warmed each other up for our finals match. Throughout the whole tournament, we were rubbing each other down, making sure our muscles were ready, making sure we’re eating the right things and motivating each other. During our matches, even if I had a break, he was talking to me or when he had a break, I was talking to him, so it was pretty cool how that whole tournament unfolded. We warmed each other up for our finals match when we were about to wrestle. It’s what we’ve been doing since we were kids.”

Throughout their wrestling careers, the boys and their dad have developed a mantra: Bring home the bling. And that’s exactly what they did this time.

“It was a really big moment of mine to be able to bring home that big piece of hardware to my dad,” Keenan said.

“They brought it home and set it where their dad can look at it,” Annette said.

The win and a spot on the World Team are occupying Keenan’s thoughts now, as he begins traveling and competing on the international stage, but he and his brother will soon return to Bellarmine University in Louisville for their senior year to continue their college wrestling careers and further their education. Annette said both boys received wrestling and academic scholarships to the school and have continued to excel in both their studies and competition.

“Coming out of high school, I did not want to go to the same college as my brother,” Keenan remembers. “Once we got there, we were roommates and we’ve been roommates ever since. It’s nice to be able to have a piece of home with me, especially my twin brother. It’s been awesome to have him with me, to look after and push each other–on the mat and off the mat.”

It almost didn’t happen though–Annette said the boys weren’t heavily recruited out of high school, but at a showcase event they each caught the eye of separate coaches at Bellarmine. After some initial confusion about there being two K. Wyatts listed in different weight classes, the coaches approached mom and eventually determined they wanted both boys. An injury, along with his redshirt, means Keenan still has 3 years of college wrestling eligibility left, and he hopes to parlay his wrestling success and 3.6 GPA into a master’s degree in business administration, as well as finding new opportunities to represent his school and country.

“I just want to continue to train and sharpen for the next opportunity to compete,” Keenan said.

“They are just two amazing young men,” Annette added. “I know I’m biased, but they are two amazing men.”

Anniversaries

Monita’s Bakery Celebrates 4 Years in Business

Monita’s Bakery on Main Street recently celebrated its fourth anniversary in business.

Chiropractic Oasis of Gardendale Celebrates 26 Years

Chiropractic Oasis of Gardendale celebrated 26 years of helping the Gardendale community be healthier and happier.

Tabernacle Christian Names New Leaders

Tabernacle Christian School is excited to welcome Trevor Read as its new Administrator and Carla Read as the new Director of Academics.

With over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, including roles as Administrator, Principal, and Athletic Director, Trevor Read brings a wealth of expertise to lead TCS for years to come. A former U.S. Navy veteran, his leadership in academics, operations and athletics will strengthen TCS’s commitment to student success.

With 27 years of experience in Christian education and a background as High School Dean and Academic Advisor, Carla Read is ready to bring her expertise to the classrooms and academic programs.

CRACKED WINDSHIELDS

Gardendale Businesses Named Best in Category

Bham Family, Gardendale Magazine’s sister publication, recently wrapped up its first-ever readers choice contest, called “Best of the ‘Ham” with more than 220 categories.

• Gym/Fitness Facility 24e Fitness

• Tanning Service Glow in Gardendale

• Allergy Clinic ENT Associates of Alabama

• ENT Practice ENT Associates of Alabama

• Memory Care Facility Covenant Place of Gardendale

• Dental Practice (family/general) Maggie Pond DMD

North Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Wins AHCA/NCAL Award

North Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center won the prestigious 2025 AHCA/NCAL Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. This achievement, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), recognizes commitment to delivering exceptional care and improving the lives of our residents and staff.

The Silver Award is the second of three distinguished levels in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, based on the rigorous standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. They will be recognized at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo: Elevating Excellence Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on October 21, 2025.

Down South Corals helps aquatic pet owners

DAVIS KARR

Daniel Sanders started working with aquariums while he was in high school–going into homes and helping others set up and maintain their tanks. Initially he worked for an established company, but when he graduated high school in 2020, he struck out on his own. He officially opened his business in his garage in 2021–selling fish and some small items from his home, in addition to doing maintenance for other clients.

In January, Sanders decided to make the leap to a storefront, renting a space in Gardendale. A Hayden native, Sanders chose Gardendale because he believes the location will allow aquarium enthusiasts from around the Greater Birmingham area to frequent the store and develop relationships with the store, as well as other local hobbyists. There are no dedicated aquarium stores in the north Jefferson County area–the nearest are in

// Continued on Page 18 //

STORY AND PHOTOS BY RACHEL

Safety at Every Step: Tips from Gardendale's Crossing Guards

Crossing Guards ensure the safety of children and other pedestrians as they cross the street before and after school. Crossing Guards check for oncoming traffic, step into the road, and direct vehicles to come to a stop before instructing people to cross.

Parents

Things the Gardendale Crossing Guards Want You to Know as You Drop Off or Pick Up Your Students

• Always follow the hand directions of the Crossing Guard when dropping off or picking up your student at their school.

• Allow your student to exit your vehicle only at the direction of the Crossing Guards.

• Please do not pick up your student on the side of the road for their safety and the safety of others.

• Always watch students that are walking after school as they cross at the crosswalks because they are not watching for you.

• Stay off your cell phones during drop off and pick up of your student.

• Drive slowly through the School zones during the drop off and pick up times each day school is in session.

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Hoover and Cullman. Sanders said he and other small fish and aquarium store owners communicate and work together to try and ensure a variety of offerings and ensure all customers find what they want or need.

When he opened the store, he started out with what he knew–saltwater fish and corals. Those range from more common staples in the industry to some rare and hard to find corals and fish. After a few months, Sanders decided to expand offerings and venture into the freshwater aquarium world to ensure all customers were covered. The freshwater fish and other items have been well received, and he plans to expand that area of the store in the coming months. .

One thing he wishes people knew about aquariums is there is a lot of flexibility when setting up a fish tank, Sanders explained. He loves to help people set up new tanks off all sizes, designs and price ranges.

“If you can think of a color, I can find it in a fish or coral,” Sanders said. “You can make this as cheap or as expensive as you want to.”

The store also has a small inventory of reptiles, due to a partnership with a local breeder.

Down South Corals is located at 1705 Decatur Highway. They have a Facebook page for any questions or to see some of their inventory and hours of operation. .

LET'S KEEP GARDENDALE MOVING FORWARD

In the next term, my goals will be to:

• Grow our sales tax revenues by continuing to attract businesses that provide our citizens and surrounding communities new additional shopping and dining options

• Continue supporting our Police and Fire Departments to keep our citizens, businesses and visitors safe.

• Increase Fire Medics at Fire Stations 2 & 3 from 6 to 9 per station

• Attract family-oriented entertainment options to our town. This is a huge trade gap that we need to close, and our kids and families need these entertainment options

• Continue making improvements to our public streets, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure

• Work to position our town to realize the maximum benefits from the Northern Beltline

• Support the light industrial park in the North Gardendale area and the opportunities it will bring in the form of new, high paying careers

• Continue to support a variety of high-quality residential development and seek out additional high quality senior care / living providers

• Continue investing in kids and education

If elected, I will continue to strive to effect change for the benefit of District 3 and the overall betterment of Gardendale.

Hoping I can once again have your Support and Vote on TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025

Social Cafe features a variety of entertainment, educational programs

STORY

AND PHOTOS BY

RACHEL DAVIS KARR

A recent Social Cafe event at the Gardendale Public Library featured Staci Simon Glover presenting her program, “From, Hair Triggered to Heritage: The History and Cultural Legacy of Brookside, Alabama.”

The presentation gave the history of neighboring Brookside, from early settlers and a rough mining town to present day. Glover also discussed the impact various world events and eras have had on the small town, as well as the role the city’s immigrants and religious institutions played through the years. Much of Brookside’s growth and development has been tied to the two historic churches: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (now St. Michael).

St. Nicholas is the oldest Orthodox church in the state and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It is also the site of an annual festival that draws visitors from all over the area to experience traditional foods and culture.

// Continued on Page 22 //

Thursday, March 10 -- 8am-7pm

Thursday, August 21 -- 8am-7pm

Friday, March 11 -- 8am-5pm

Friday, August 22 -- 8am-6pm

Saturday, March 12 -- 7am-noon (many items discounted 50%)

Saturday, August 23 -- 7am-noon (many items discounted 50%)

Featuring gently-used children’s clothing size ne wborn to “big kid” 18, children’s shoes up to “big kid” 9, baby equipment, bikes, spor ts equipment, toys, games, puzzles, and more!

Featuring gently-used children’s clothing size ne wborn to “big kid” 18, children’s shoes (all sizes), baby equipment, bikes, spor ts equipment, toys, games, puzzles, and more!

// Continued from Page 20 //

SS, Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church was established to serve the Slovak-speaking Catholic population. The small, original church was replaced with a larger structure in 1955 and the name was changed to St. Michael.

In addition to the churches, Glover has used old photos to piece together the growth, businesses and residents that made Brookside the town it currently is. Using those pictures and artificial intelligence, Glover was able to show videos approximating what life was like in Brookside at various times in history. The mix of historic facts, with colorful stories about residents and events in the town’s history kept the audience entertained and engaged.

Glover also discussed the artifacts that are commonly found in the area and the historical significance of each of them. She brought a variety of items for those in attendance to examine.

Glover’s program is just one of the programs offered by the Social Cafe. Each Friday at 10:30, the library offers a program that is educational, fun and engaging for those who attend. Other programs have included cooking demonstrations from Kathleen Phillips, other educational presentations, local authors, games, movies and other types of events to engage the attendees.

The programs are free and open to the public. For more information on the scheduled programs or to suggest a program, contact the Gardendale Public Library.

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

Easy Tomato Galette

When summer tomatoes are coming in faster than you can slice ‘em, my Easy Tomato Galette is just the shortcut recipe you need! Think of it as a Southern tomato pie’s laid-back cousin— crispy, buttery edges with all that fresh tomato goodness in the middle. This rustic, open-faced tomato pie looks fancy but is as simple as rolling out a Pillsbury pie crust and layering it with juicy, homegrown tomatoes in every color and size on top of a flavorful cheese mixture.

Serve it up as a light lunch, cut into wedges for brunch, or nibble on it like pizza. From my garden to your table!

If you’d like a recipe for the more traditional Tomato Pie, you can find my Tomato and Vidalia Onion Pie with Bacon on my website at GritsAndGouda.com

INGREDIENTS

1 rolled-up, refrigerated premade pie crust dough [from a (14.1-ounce) package of two] (I used Pillsbury)

3 small tomatoes, any color or shape

2 tablespoons cornmeal (optional)

½ cup herbs and garlic-flavored spreadable cheese ( I used Alouette)

2 tablespoons pre-shredded Parmesan cheese

(Optional) Ground black pepper, olive oil, fresh basil leaves

“I have made this 4-5 times the last few months. It’s delicious and super easy. So many I have tried whether in a restaurant or at home taste so strongly of warm mayonnaise. This no-mayo recipe is so flavorful. Thank you for this addition to my “favorites “ recipe file. I like to use Greek Seasoning on top.” –Rebecca

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Meanwhile, slice the tomatoes and lay them on two layers of paper towels to drain. Take another paper towel or two and gently press the tops of the tomato slices.

Sprinkle the cornmeal on the counter or right on parchment paper to make it easier to transfer to the baking sheet. Or, you can just grease the pizza pan.

Remove the pie crust dough from the plastic sleeve and unroll it onto the cornmeal or countertop. Use your fingers to smooth out the edges and gently press the dough into the cornmeal or use a rolling pin.

Flip the pie crust, gathering the scattered cornmeal underneath it. Gently press that side of the pie crust into the cornmeal.

For easier spreading, first dollop spoonfuls of the spreadable cheese onto the top of the pie crust. Distribute the cheese by spreading it to within 1 inch of the pie crust edge.

Arrange the slices of tomato on the cheese spread.

Pull edges toward the tomatoes, overlapping the crust edges about every 3 inches as you go around the circle. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

(Optional) If desired, brush the edges of the pie crust with olive oil for extra browning. Sprinkle with ground black pepper, if you like.

Bake for 23 minutes or until the cheese mixture is bubbly and the crust is lightly browned. If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves.

Cut into wedges to serve.

City Employee Spotlight

MARY TIDWELL

CROSSING GUARD SUPERVISOR GARDENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT

STORY AND PHOTO BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR

Nobody is really sure how long Mary Tidwell has been working as a crossing guard for the Gardendale Police Department. That may be because she never really applied for the job. Tidwell remembers the day she started–more than 20 years ago, She was working at the Gardendale Civic Center and then-crossing guard supervisor, Hazel Butts, approached her and told her she was going to be a crossing guard, outfitting her with the crossing guard gear and dropping her off with basically no instruction.

“Nobody argued with Hazel,” Tidwell laughed.

It might have been trial by fire, but Tidwell fell in love with the job. Once Butts retired, she stepped into the supervisor role. She loves helping the children get safely to school, families get to events and being an integral part of the community.

“I love the people I have met,” Tidwell said. “The police I have worked with, the kids and the crossing guards I have now are a good group.”

Tidwell said that the job was rewarding, but there is also a lot of responsibility in keeping the kids safe and staying aware of all the moving vehicles and things that can go wrong.

“You’ve got to understand–these are moving cars,” Tidwell said. “You can’t stand there like a monument for somebody to look at. You have to be prepared at all times and watch to make sure you do not have your children walking behind you when you don’t know they’re there.”

Despite recent health issues that included the removal of a portion of her lungs, she hopes to be back at her post as students return to school, but she knows the time to retire may be approaching, but she isn’t looking forward to it.

“I can’t talk about it, it makes me cry,” Tidwell said. “You have to stay busy. You have to have something to keep you going. I don’t want to just sit at home and clean the house, I have got to have something to do and be with friends. I love my job.”

I Love America

The summer event at Bill Noble Park celebrated the United States and patriotism. Despite the heat, guests gathered to listen to music, visit vendors and food trucks and try out games set up on the fields.

Photos by Rachel Davis Karr

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Heather Lebischak Graduates from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management

The North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce announced Heather Lebischak, President & CEO of the North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, has officially graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM).

This prestigious four-year program includes 96 hours of in-depth instruction in areas such as leadership, advocacy, finance, and member engagement. It is the premier professional development experience for chamber and association professionals nationwide.

This accomplishment reflects her dedication to excellence and her commitment to strengthening the North Jefferson business community.

Fultondale High School Administration and Teachers Attend Model Schools Conference in DC

Fultondale High School Assistant Principal Mr. Peeples and teachers Ms. White, Mrs. Edwards, Ms. Matthews and Mr. Murphy proudly represented FHS at the 2025 Model Schools Conference in Washington, D.C. They connected with educational leaders, heard from inspiring speakers, and deepened their professional learning, all to bring fresh ideas and renewed energy back to our school community.

Fultondale High Assistant Band Director Attends National Mariachi Workshop

Fultondale High School Assistant Band Director Mr. Sabree recently represented FHS at the National Mariachi Education Workshop in Las Vegas! The workshop allowed him to expand his knowledge of mariachi ensemble instruments and connect with fellow music educators, including Greg Gumina, Department Supervisor, and Keith Brandenburg of Pinson Valley High School.

Fultondale

Founders Day to be Held August 23

Fultondale Founders Day will be held on August 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Black Creek Park located at 777 Yarbrough Rd. Enjoy a full day of live music, delicious food vendors, arts and crafts, a classic car show and a free kids’ zone, perfect summer fun for the whole family.

Fultondale Soccer Players Selected to All-Metro Team

Congratulations to the Fultondale High School Soccer players who were recently selected for the All-Metro team. The players selected were: Kevin Munguia; Orlando Cruz; Alexis Castro; Omar Chavez; and Jonathan Castro.

Mortimer Jordan High School Bass Team Places in State Championship

The Mortimer Jordan High School Bass Team had a successful tournament on Lake Guntersville at the two-day Airport Marine High School State Championship. They ended the State Tournament with the following three Teams in the top 10: Seth & Sawyer Lash finished in 3rd Place; Parker McCoy and Blaze Sullivan finished in 9th Place; and Jordan Houston came in 10th place. MJHS also won the six-man team title with 110 Lbs of fish weighed in for two days.

Mortimer Jordan Dance Team Wins Awards at UDA Camp

The Mortimer Jordan High School Devilettes Dance Team recently attended Universal Dance Association (UDA) camp at Mississippi State! They learned so much and grew as dancers and a team. Congratulations to the team for being honored with the following awards: All superior ratings; six All-American dancers; 4th place Home Routine; three Pin it Forward recipients; and a bid to the UDA National Dance Team Competition.

Warrior Library Hosts Guests for Summer Reading Program

The Warrior Public Library hosted the Science Lady and Tommy Johns recently for its Summer Reading Program. The Science Lady gave a fun look into the colors of science. Mr. Tommy Johns made reading fun and funny.

Tabernacle Students Visit Gardendale Fire

Tabernacle Christian School Daycare came by Station 1, where C-Shift gave them a tour of the station.

Officer Terry Crumpton Retires

Officer Terry Crumpton served 20 years with the Birmingham Police Department before joining the Gardendale Police Department in 2008.

During Officer Crumpton’s time with Gardendale Police Department, he has been invaluable not only to our department but to our community. He has participated in the Special Olympics and is a member of the Gardendale Civitan Club along with countless other civic-minded projects.

He is truly a public servant. His ability to make you laugh in some of the toughest situations is a gift and he will be missed throughout the hallways of the Gardendale Police Department as well as around our community and in our local businesses.

Officer Crumpton, we wish you a safe and happy retirement.

Fun with Animals

Land to Sea Exotics and the Gardendale Public Library teamed up to bring this awesome adventure to the Gardendale Civic Center.

Fire Station 3 Opens

Camp Bill Noble Update

Camp Bill Noble has been a hit with campers, counselors and parents. For more information, contact the park directly.

Cooper Hired as Police Officer

Landon Cooper was recently hired as a police officer in the Gardendale Police Department. He is pictured to the left of Lt. Bill Sharbono.

The dedication and ribbon cutting for Fire Station 3 was held in June.

National Night Out

National Night Out will be August 5 6-8 p.m. at Bill Noble Park. The event is free and is part of a communitybuilding campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. There will be chances to interact with local first responders, inflatables, face painting and hotdogs.

2nd Annual Noble Classic

The second annual Noble Classic will be held August 16-17. For more information, contact Brandon Gooch at 205.965.8582 or Jeff South at 205.368.8408.

Municipal Elections

The Gardendale Municipal election will be held on August 26 at

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.

Farmers Market

The Gardendale Farmers Market will once again be at Bill Noble Park each Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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. The museum is maintained and operated by the Gardendale Historical Society.