Gardendale Magazine - January 2024

JANUARY 2024

A Natural

Approach Heavenly Harmony Herbals ministers through herbs PAGE 13

News From Our Neighbors What’s happening in neighboring communities PAGE 35

Christmas

in

Gardendale Photos from festivities around town

PAGE 20

Gardendale Administration:

OUR ROLE IN GARDENDALE Attention Gardendale Residents:

Are you or someone in your household planning an repair or renovation to your home or business?

Please make sure you or your hired contractor contacts the city and has the correct licenses and permits to do the work at your home. All contractors or service companies that visit your home to do work should be licensed (and in some cases permitted) prior to beginning the job. Failure to procure the license or permits can result in a stop work order or penalties being assessed. Hiring licensed contractors protects you, your family, and your investment and can act as verification the contractor is knowledgeable and up-to-date on construction industry rules and regulations as regulated by the Alabama General Contractors and Homebuilders Boards.

If you are planning to start your own business, whether in your home or a commercial location in the city, please contact our department at +2056318789 so that we may help register your company and complete the required life safety inspections.

ALL city of Gardendale business licenses expire on January 1 of each year and have until January 31 to renew without a penalty. Renewal notices are mailed the second week of December, so if you are a business owner, please keep an eye out for your license renewal.

The administration office also acts as an internal support of other departments in the city by providing functions such as accounts payable, employee benefits and payroll, accounting, and IT functions.

The administration office can help with general inquiries and information regarding city services available to the public and help solve or troubleshoot when problems arise.

What is the Gardendale Administration Office?

The administration office of the city of Gardendale is located at 925 Main Street inside the city hall building.

Administration offices of the city is responsible for various functions of the city and support of city operations and citizens. The first priority of our office is to provide great customer service to all residents, businesses, and taxpayers in the city.

The public facing side of administration is also referred to as “license or revenue office” as they are responsible for the collection and enforcement of business licenses and taxes for companies that operate inside the city. The taxes collected by the city is the main source of income that allows the city to operate and offer city services including public safety, parks, and public works.

Please support your city and local businesses by shopping local as your tax dollars directly affect the ability of the city to continue offering services expected and wanted by our citizens. The administration office can help with general inquiries and information regarding city services available to the public and help solve or troubleshoot when problems arise.

Our offices are the first point of contact with many coming into our location or calling the city for information.Please contact us by calling 205-631-8789.

[ 2 ] Gardendale Magazine

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/ Table of Contents /

13/ 20/

9/

A Natural Approach: Heavenly Harmony Herbals ministers through herbs Photos: Christmas in Gardendale

Maker: Ivory Lane Clay creates unique earrings

31/ 35/ 17/ 39/ 44/

School News: What’s Happening in local classrooms?

News from our Neighbors: What’s happening in communities nearby

Recipe of the Month: Kathleen’s Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

In the Community: Christmas Visions helps JeffCo families Calendar: Don’t miss these events

[ 4 ] Gardendale Magazine

38/

Happenings: Local people, places and events

/ Editor’s Note / It’s hard to believe it is already 2024!

In this issue, we revisit all the Christmas fun and traditions surrounding the holiday, as well as some new ones.

From the new Christmas Village at Bill Noble Park to the annual Christmas Parade, I feel like I’ve seen most of you in the last month.

One of the greatest traditions in Gardendale is the annual Christmas Visions fundraising done by local students to provide Christmas for families in Jefferson County. Although it began at Gardendale High School as an SGA program, now all the schools are involved in the fundraising each year. While too many of us lose sight of what the holiday is really about, this program and the students involved keep the focus where it needs to be.

We also met up with a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who each have their own post-pandemic skills that turned into a jewelry business and a ministry of healing through herbal remedies. Once I started talking to the ladies, I realized they may sell their products together sometimes, but they each had their own unique story and journey to their products so we needed to honor each of those.

As we move into the new year, we’re as focused as ever on the things and people that make Gardendale such a unique city, and we’re looking forward to telling even more of your stories. Please let us know if you have a story idea for us.

Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director

Celebrating 50 Years of Christian Education

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ACCREDITED BY

Apply Online at tabernaclechristian.org/admissions Gardendale Magazine [ 5 ]

/ 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 nearly 90 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 $35 per year. Email matthew@jbmcmedia.com for more information.

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 Local photographer Gary Schultz captured the joy of families at the annual Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.

Our Advertisers It’s never easy asking businesses to invest in advertising, so we want to give a VERY special thank you to these businesses. Please, support them!

ACE of the South - Gardendale

Mold & Mildew Solutions

Adair Tire Pros

Monita’s Bakery

Alabama Reliable Roofing

Parrot Structural Services

Amore Design & Event Planning

Peoples Bank of Alabama

Becky’s Health Foods

ReGen Physical Therapy

Brad Drake Heating & Air

Reliable Septic Service

Budget Blinds

Singletary Plumbing, Inc. & Contractors Closet

Cassidy Glass, Inc.

Skinology

Cheri W. Cunningham DMD

Southern Focus Vision Center

Children’s of Alabama

Superior Service Electric

City of Gardendale

Tabernacle Christian School

Closets by Design

The Chiropractic Oasis of Gardendale LLC

El Patron Mexican Restaurant

The Harrison Agency

Gary Palmer for Congress

TherapySouth (all locations)

Glover Chiropractic

Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center

Jefferson County Commission

Uniquely U Wellness Coaching

Louver Shop of North Alabama

Village Dermatology

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Maggie G. Pond, DMD

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Staff Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609, 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 and Shweta Bratina Graphic Design

Contact Us/Follow Us @GardendaleMagazine

@GardendaleMag

P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham, AL 35260 [ 6 ] Gardendale Magazine

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Gardendale Magazine [ 7 ]

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[ 8 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Makers /

Ivory Lane Clay During the pandemic, many people picked up hobbies or pastimes as a way of expressing their creativity, making a little extra money or just because they had time to learn a new skill. Rachael Zarzaur was no different.

Rachael said.

As a stay at home mom since 2017, Rachael loved being with her kids, but felt the urge to find an outlet for her creativity.

Her husband was a salesperson, but when COVID hit

“For a few years, I had that creative itch to do something. I tried a few things here and there,”

Then she found polymer clay and began to experiment with forming the clay into shapes and creating unique pieces.

in 2020, his job was put on pause so Rachael moved forward with creating Ivory Lane Clay to provide beautiful, lightweight earrings at an affordable price.

“It’s my little bit of peace and happiness, and I // Continued on Page 11 //

Gardendale Magazine [ 9 ]

Helping Gardendale families

[ 10 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Makers /

// Continued from Page 9// love that I can create light and comfortable earrings for people to wear,” Rachael said.

It also gives her a way to contribute some income to the household while staying home with their three children, which is important to her and her husband.

She creates a variety of earrings of all types, as well as seasonallyinspired offerings. Her favorite projects are the ones where she creates a marbled clay look.

“Each piece just turns out so differently,” Rachael said.

Every design is different and special to her, like one recent line that featured an imprint of a cross necklace that was her mom’s. Each piece is handmade by Rachael.

She gains inspiration from things around her, other creators online and special requests from friends and family. Her mother-in-law has been asking for a farm-themed line of earrings, and one of her most popular lines currently is a series of earrings for local schools that can be personalized for the child or parent.

She sells her items on Facebook and at local events and festivals. She can be found online at Ivory Lane Clay.

Gardendale Magazine [ 11 ]

A New Year Message from The Mayor:

The New Year and 2023 Reflections As January brings the beginning of an exciting new year, it’s important we take a moment to reflect on all the City’s accomplishments from 2023. I am so amazed at what all we as a city have accomplished this past year, and I am looking forward to all that is to come in 2024! None of the progress toward our goals would be possible without the determined and hardworking City Council members and our dedicated city staff. I am so proud of the entire team and all the work it takes to run a city and achieve our goals for the betterment of our community.

With hard work and a strong community mindset, below are just a few of the achievements and steps the City took in 2003: ► The opening of Bill Noble Park and all of the new recreational offerings for our community. ► Our continued efforts clearly establishing Gardendale as the medical hub of North Jefferson County. ► Welcomed new businesses such as Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chipotle, Chicken Salad Chick, Jersey Mikes, Dunkin, Ulta, Taco Mama, Santos Coffee, with more to come. ► Began planning for a third fire station to better protect the eastern side of our city. ► Increased funding for our police department with 3 additional patrolman and 23 new vehicles. ► Given close to 2 million dollars to the 4 schools in our city limits to better he daily lives of our students.

As I look eagerly ahead at this exciting year, it is my goal and hopes that 2024 is filled with opportunity, teamwork, and joy, and that we can celebrate another wonderful year together as a community in our beautiful city. Greater things have yet to be done in the City of Gardendale; I have complete faith that 2024 will prove just that.

Sincerely,

[ 12 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Business /

A Natural Approach Heavenly Harmony Herbals Ministers Through Herbs When food shortages threatened a few years ago, many people embraced gardening, canning and other old-school ways to preserve food and ensure food chain sustainability for their households. People also began getting backyard chickens.

Rhonda Zarzaur thought getting her 60 chickens would provide a sustainable food source for her family, but instead it led her to rethink all the things around her.

“I saw something the other day that said ‘having chickens can turn you into a conspiracy theorist,’ and I thought it was funny because it does lead you down a road,” Rhonda said.

“When you’ve been feeding your chickens good food and treating them nice, and you crack an egg and see how beautiful the dark yolk is, you realize how different it is than what you buy in the store. And that leads you down a journey into foods and you find out about how there are toxins in foods and then you think ‘what about detergents?’ and it leads you into things like pharmaceuticals and how toxic a lot of the chemicals and things are. And you realize God has provided ways to take care of ourselves through herbs and medicinal plants.” // Continued on Page 14 //

Gardendale Magazine [ 13 ]

/ Business /

// Continued from Page 13 //

Rhonda had always grown her own herbs for cooking, but things changed when she started looking at the healing properties of herbs. Then she found a homesteading group a couple of hours away and attended their meetings. She learned so much about managing a homestead and how herbs can be used medicinally. She began making her own detergents and deodorant. Then she happened to mention that her husband was suffering with a shoulder injury.

“One of the ladies gave me a green salve, and said ‘I made this for you, and would like for him to try it.’”Rhonda remembers.

So she went home and gave the salve to her husband, explaining where it came from.

Then she forgot about it. Three days later, her husband said it was working and he felt better. // Continued on Page 15 //

[ 14 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Business / // Continued from Page 14 //

That was her introduction to Comfrey Salve. Comfrey is an herb that contains allantoin, which encourages new cell growth, reduces inflammation and increases healing, according to those who tout its medical benefits.

So she researched how to grow the plant and create the salve herself, using comfrey, coconut oil, tea tree oil and beeswax.

She handed out samples to friends and family, who used it on bruises, cuts and even psoriasis and other skin irritations and issues, as well as easing joint pain from arthritis. Eventually she began selling it locally and online under the name Heavenly Harmony Herbals. Since then, she and her daughterin-law have added a face-friendly comfrey oil made with jojoba oil instead of coconut and tea baths with fresh herbs packaged.

Although it is a business, spreading the word of the benefits of plants and herbs is much more than that to Rhonda.

“For me it’s like a ministry,” she explained. “God has given us so many things we can use to be healthier.”

The products can be found locally at Roo’s Place in Mt. Olive and online at h2herbals.com. Rhonda would also like anyone interested in starting a local homestead group to reach out to her.

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[ 16 ] Gardendale Magazine

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/ Recipe of the Month /

SHORTCUT CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO Here’s my recipe for January: Shortcut Chicken and Sausage Gumbo It pairs perfectly with New Year’s Day menu alongside cornbread and collard greens and then throughout the cold month of January.

about 8 cups

Prep time: 1 minute / Cook time: 37 minutes / Yield:

4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise into strips 8 ounces Andouille or other smoked sausage, sliced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 (16-ounce) package frozen vegetables for Gumbo, thawed & drained (Onions, okra, tomato, celery, green pepper (such as Pictsweet) 4 cups chicken broth or stock 2 teaspoons Creole or Cajun seasoning 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried, plus more for garnish 2 cups rotisserie chicken breast or other chopped cooked chicken

Add bacon and sausage slices in a cold 12-quart pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 6 minutes or until bacon is slightly crispy.

Drain bacon and sausage on a paper towel.

To the drippings in the pan, add vegetable oil. To make the roux, add the flour to the drippings and oil and stir well. Return the pan to the heat on mediumlow and cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.

Increase heat to medium and cook another 10 minutes, stirring constantly, with a wooden spoon until the color of the roux changes to light brown.

Add the drained vegetables and sausage back to the pot. Stir until vegetables are coated with the roux.

Stir in the chicken broth, seasonings, bacon and parsley.

Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until broth is desired thickness.

Stir in cooked chicken and heat thoroughly before serving. Serve with rice and garnish with parsley, if you like.

Kathleen 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.

Gardendale Magazine [ 17 ]

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Michelle Salem Haynes michelle@jbmcmedia.com / (205) 381-1311

Gardendale Magazine [ 19 ]

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARY SCHULTZ AND RACHEL DAVIS KARR

Gardendale hosted a number of Christmas events in December. In addition to the annual Chamber of Commerce Parade, Bill Noble Park hosted a Christmas Village event. The Rocket Around the Christmas Tree event at the Gardendale Civic Center continues to grow each year and served as a backdrop for the after Christmas parade party.

[ 20 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

GET READY FOR WINTER Vitamins, Herbs, Detox and Cleanse Products

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Gardendale Magazine [ 21 ]

Dr. Jim Fox and Team

Chiropractic Oasis of Gardendale

[ 22 ] Gardendale Magazine

205-631-2433 1080 Main St, Gardendale

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

Gardendale Magazine [ 23 ]

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

[ 24 ] Gardendale Magazine

Statewide Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Service

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NOVEMBER 2021

70s

Affair

A Place

GHS CLASS OF ’71 REUNION, IN PHOTOS

to call

Home

PAGE 28

Local families’ stories of adoption PAGE 22

Remembering James David

THE PETRUZELLA FAMILY KEEPS THEIR SON’S MEMORY ALIVE PAGE 16

SEPTEMBER 2021

Roots

Remembering HIS

Grammy-winning artist never forgets where he is from PAGE 18

Call 205-613-5530

Serving SOUL

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Home cooking is always on the menu

JANUARY 2022

THE

HISTORY

MAN

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KERMIT DOOLEY AND HIS DEDICATION TO PRESERVING OUR PAST

RUNNERS A RUN THROUGH THE GRAND CANYON

PAGE 18

PAGE 10

a TASTE

of Home CHILEAN FAMILY SHARES THEIR HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD

PAGE 12

Looking for an extra copy? Pick one up at these locations for FREE! Ace of the South Baja California Gardendale City Hall Gardendale Civic Center Gardendale Public Library Hamburger Heaven Jeff Dennis Jewelers Jim n Nick’s Kemp’s Restaurant Monita’s Bakery Mordecai Sporting Goods Roo’s Place Garden Center Shrimp Basket Southern Market State Farm/Scott Cantrell Village Pharmacy

APRIL 2022

LEARNING

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Local school students certified as EMTs. PAGE 18

F RO M

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Local tornado victim helps spearhead disaster relief team.

PAGE 10

A strong and vibrant city

Mayor gives his annual address to the Chamber.

PAGE 26

Gardendale Magazine [ 25 ]

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

[ 26 ] Gardendale Magazine

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/ Christmas in Gardendale /

[ 28 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Christmas in Gardendale /

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Meet Kent Glover, D.C. Chiropractic Manipulation Dry Needling | DOT Physicals Physio-Therapeutics Dr. Kent Glover with his wife Kayla and son Samuel.

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MEDICARE MADE EASY Do you know all your Medicare options?

Your Local Agent, Pamela Harrison is here to help you navigate Medicare.

Pamela Harrison Licensed Insurance Agent I advise Seniors on all their Medicare options as well as give recommendations, without influencing any one carrier over another or any one plan over another. I am focused on helping Seniors to navigate through all the red tape and figure out what truly benefits them most.

Please note: Some insurance carriers do not contract with independent agents. Therefore, we do not offer every plan in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

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Residential • • • • • [ 30 ] Gardendale Magazine

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/ School News /

Bragg Students of the Month Bragg Middle School announced its December Students of the Month. These students were chosen by their teachers (one student from each team) for their hard work, 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.

Gardendale High School Signings Congratulations to the Class of 2024 commitments.

GHS Rockets Baseball Easton Kleyn - University of Montevallo

6th Grade Maroon- Preston Barnett

Bo Bachtel - Miles College

6th Grade Gray - Hilton Ashe

Cooper Jarvis - Gadsden State CC

7th Grade Maroon - Cade Chapple

Logan Fitzgerald - Bishop State CC

7th Grade Gray - Akira Weston

Ty McGraw - Troy University

8th Grade Maroon - Peyton Harper

Gardendale High School Softball

8th Grade Gray - Camarrion Carson

Madyson Tucker - Enterprise State CC Lillie Piersol - Northwest Florida State College Sophie Gant - Northeast Mississippi CC Miya Covington - Xavier University of Louisiana Gardendale High School Soccer

GES Gagaball Pit Gardendale Elementart students enjoyed their new Gagaball pit!. The City of Gardendale provided the resource for the students.

Lily Powell - Florida College Gardendale Volleyball Zoe Rogers - Lawson State CC

GES Character Education Students November Gardendale Elementary recognized its Character Education Students for the month of November.

Gardendale Magazine [ 31 ]

/ School News /

GHS and Bragg Choirs visit Hope Church Hope Church hosted the Gardendale High School and Bragg Middle School choirs.

SRES Spelling Bee Winners Snow Rogers Elementary recognized its spelling bee winners. First Place- Kimberly, Second Place-Asher, Third Place (tie)- Ethan and Tali.

Bragg Christmas Lunch Bragg Middle School hosted a lunch to celebrate Christmas.

GHS Rocket Theatre The Gardendale High School Rocket Theatre brought home eight superiors and one excellent ranking from this year’s state Trumbauer competition, they also received 3rd place in musical comedy (2017- present) and 1st place in costume design. Vivian Hogeland and Mary Alice Loring received the technical theater scholarships.

GES Positive Office Referrals These Gardendale Elementary students received a Positive Office Referral. [ 32 ] Gardendale Magazine

SRES Drama The Snow Rogers’ drama team presented “Cuckoo Christmas” for the school, parents and visitors.

SRES Students of the Month Snow Rogers Elementary School honored its November Students of the Month.

/ School News /

Tabernacle Torch Champions The Torch Classic 2023 ended with the boys finishing first and the girls finishing second.

GHS Students of the Month Gardendale High School named its December Students of the Month: Kennedy Gooch Aniya Tyson Carson Burdette Sarah Kate Howard

GES Spelling Bee Zoe Johnson is the 2023-2024 GES Spelling Bee Champion.

SRES Farm Life Studies The Snow Rogers kindergartners recently enjoyed studying farm life.

Gardendale Magazine [ 33 ]

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/ News From Our Neighbors /

Fultondale Fire Fultondale Fire Department recently promoted Lieutenant Brandon Waterhouse. Lt. Waterhouse will be assigned to lead their B shift crew. He was pinned by his wife and accompanied by family, friends, and fellow coworkers for his ceremony.

Mt. Olive Students of the Month November Pre-K: Everett Kinderknecht Kindergarten: Rylei Wimes and Greer Wingard 1st Grade: Sydney Erret, Carter Ragland, & Presley Lawson 2nd Grade: Jasmine Lee and Jax Whatley 3rd Grade: Jack Nix and Isaac Horton 4th Grade: Jase Courington and Giselle Rojas-Cervantes 5th Grade: Kambrie Mahieu and Shawn Fields

Fultondale Tree Lighting Fultondale hosted its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with events, snow and more.

Fultondale Park Ribbon Cutting

Warrior Fire Department Tanner and Colby Hallmark completed Alabama Smoke Diver training. The attrition rate of this class usually exceeds 50%. Less than 1% of Alabama Firefighters hold this certification.

Warrior Fire Department is proud to have two more members make it in.

Ribbon cutting at the new Outdoor Fitness Court at Black Creek Park this afternoon. This is the 13th fitness court of its type built in the state of Alabama this year.

Gardendale Magazine [ 35 ]

/ News From Our Neighbors /

Morris Fire and Rescue Morris Fire and Rescue recognized its two newest recruit school graduates. Jacob Burkett and Harrison O’brien completed 10 weeks of intense firefighter training and academics to receive their state of Alabama Firefighter 1/2 professional certification.

Warrior Champions Warrior Park and Recreation congratulated its 2023 ACYFL.

Mt Olive Drama Mt. Olive Spelling Bee Winner Congratulations to the Mt. Olive Spelling Bee Winner–Ariana Telmont (4th grade) and first-place runner up–Natalie Millican (5th grade) Ariana Telmont will go on to compete in the county-wide Spelling Bee at a later date.

Fultondale Park Ribbon Cutting Ribbon cutting at the new Outdoor Fitness Court at Black Creek Park this afternoon. This is the 13th fitness court of its type built in the state of Alabama this year. [ 36 ] Gardendale Magazine

Mt. Olive Elementary Drama Club did a wonderful job on their Christmas Drama performance.

Two T’s Ribbon Cutting Gardendale Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at 2 T’s in Morris.

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/ Happenings /

Bill Noble Co-Ed Champions Monita and UPS Store Honored

Bill Noble Park wrapped up the 2023 season of adult softball. The Bill Penny Sluggers took home gold in the co-ed league.

The Business Council of Alabama and Alabama Chamber’s Small Business Awards luncheon where two local businesses were honored.

The UPS Store 6486 was a finalist and Monita’s Bakery was bronze winner in each of their respective categories.

New Gardendale Police Vehicles The Gardendale Police Department is proud to unveil 22 newlydesigned 2023 Dodge Durangos for patrol fleet.

Gardendale Chamber under new leadership The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced new Interim Executive Director, Roz Jackson. Roz has been an active staple in the Gardendale community for quite a while. She started at the Chamber last year as a Marketing Assistant and has been such a huge asset. She fills the position after the former director resigned to take a new position in the area. [ 38 ] Gardendale Magazine

HNP Landscape Architecture The Bill Noble Park Pickleball Facility was named the Outdoor Pickleball Facility of the Year by the American Sports Builders Association.

Wolfe hired at Civic Center Ivy Wolfe has been hired as a part-time Customer Service Representative at the Gardendale Civic Center. She is pictured with Keith Mosley, the department head for the Gardendale Civic Center.

Gardendale Schools Raise Funds for Jeffco Families Gardendale students raised almost $40,000 to help Jefferson County families through the annual Christmas Visions program.

Founded in 1990 at Gardendale High School, the program provides for families in the community, reaching families in 24 schools in the county. The annual

Christmas Visions program is a project of the Student Council at Gardendale High School that raises funds and provides Christmas presents to children throughout Jefferson County Schools. // Continued on Page 41 //

Gardendale Magazine [ 39 ]

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[ 40 ] Gardendale Magazine

// Continued from Page 39 // Student Council members begin by working closely with school counselors to identify students who might not be able to have a traditional Christmas this year. The counselors provide a list of wants and needs for each student and then Santa’s helpers go shopping! // Continued on Page 42 //

Gardendale Magazine [ 41 ]

// Continued from Page 40 // Bragg Middle School contributed $6,629.91, Snow Rogers raised $2,134.98 from a coin drive and the Gamer Geeks group raised more than $2,000 which they used to purchase Pokemon toys.

Gardendale Elementary School also started new traditions, such as the first ever Staff vs. Students Newcomb game which raised $332 for Christmas Visions.

On December 14, the Gardendale High School volunteers shopped for the sponsored families.

[ 42 ] Gardendale Magazine

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January 27 Birmingham Zoo

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May 11 Jefferson County Center Point Satellite Courthouse 2651 Center Point Parkway, Center Point, AL 35215

June 8 Jefferson County Valley Reclamation Facility 3295 Clear Water Drive, Bessemer, AL 35023

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Site 2: Classic Car Motoring

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Site 3: City Of Bessemer Public Works Laydown Yard 1205 15th Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020

October 19 Site 1: Camp Bessemer

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Site 2: Camp Ketona

121 County Shop Road, Birmingham, AL 35217

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Gardendale Magazine [ 43 ]

/ Calendar /

Magnolia Festival Applications Opening Vendor applications for Gardendale Magnolia Festival will be open online at MagnoliaFestival. org on January 3, 2024. The date for the 2024 festival is April 19-20.

Homeschool Hub The Gardendale Library will host a Homeschool Hub focused on Technology/Computer Science on January 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday Youth Programs The Gardendale Library will host Saturday Youth Programs. In January, there will be a penguin craft on January 6 at 10:30 and a kids movie on January 20 at 10:30.

Toddler Time The Gardendale Library will host Toddler Time activities on January 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Story Time The Gardendale Library will host StoryTime activities on and January 10, 24 and 31 at 10:30 a.m.

Book Club

After School Programs

The new book club at Gardendale Library will be January 9 at 10 a.m. and will cover the book “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang.

The Gardendale Library will host after school food crafts:

// Continued on Page 45 //

Jan 9 - Putting together a polar bear puddling Jan16 - Decorating pretzel sticks

[ 44 ] Gardendale Magazine

/ Calendar /

// Continued from Page 44 //

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.

YA Book Club The Young Adult Book Club will meet at 3:30 p.m. on January 23, 2024 in the library to discuss the books “Suddenly a Murder” respectively. Snacks will be provided. Contact the library for more details.

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.

To have an item added to our calendar, please send information to rachel@jbmcmedia.com.

Gardendale Magazine [ 45 ]

JANUARY 2023

Made in

RECIPES:

Stay healthy with Air Fryer Tilapia

PAGE 30

GARDENDALE

Bill Whaley and his beautiful stained glass creations

PAGE 26

GO Time 2023 is the year for health and wellness in Gardendale

PAGE 20

WHAT’S IN THE NAME

How Gardendale got its name PAGE 18

at home each month!

DECEMBER 2022

ROCKET

AROUND THE

CHRISTMAS

TREE

A new tradition is back for its second year

PAGE 10

Real-life

Santa A local holiday legend PAGE 8

A

Season

to Remember

Rockets advance to quarterfinals

SUBSCRIBE and receive

RECIPE:

Cookies and Cream Fudge for the season

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Receive Gardendale Magazine at home each month and never miss an issue! Fill out the form below and mail it in with your check for $35 made out to JBMC Media, LLC, to: JBMC Media, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260.

NAME _________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS _____________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP ________________________________________ PHONE ________________________________________________ EMAIL _________________________________________________ Your phone number and email address will only be used to contact you to confirm that your subscription has been started, and to inform you when it is up for renewal. Your contact information will never be shared with anyone else.

[ 46 ] Gardendale Magazine

205- 638-PIRC (7472) Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children.

Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such.

Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources.

PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.

The PIRC is generously supported by funding from the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope, United Way of Central Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the Walker Area Community Foundation.

Gardendale Magazine [ 47 ]

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