Pelham City News

Pelham City News Serving Pelham and Surrounding Communities

Winter 2016

Many important measures fill the March 1 ballot— have you done your research?

Information on important city ballot measures found in mayor and councilman letters PELHAM CITY SCHOOLS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

SECOND NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER CHALLENGE A HUGE SUCCESS

THE 2015-2016 HOCKEY SEASON IS IN FULL GEAR IN PELHAM

Meet Whitney Pruitt, Kathy Brotherton, Sidney Saindon and Karen Varner.

Shelby County police departments raise Head over to the Ice Arena to watch more than $44,500 for Wings of Hope the Alabama Frozen Tide in action

WWW.PELHAMCITYNEWS.COM / WWW.PELHAMONLINE.COM

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK

Happy New Year, Pelham!

I hope 2016 finds you in the afterglow of a wonderful Holiday Season. Perhaps, like Lynn and I, you had the opportunity to be among loved ones and friends. We woke up Christmas day with our grandchildren under roof, so we experienced a Christmas that will be one of our most memorable.

Pelham is a great place to make Christmas memories if you simply watch your calendar and take the time to exploit the abundance of Holiday events available to us. This season, we had: •The Pelham Skate School Ice Show, Christmas at the Movies.

•The First Baptist Church, Bring Me To The King musical/drama.

•The Grebel School of Dance, Nutcracker Ballet.

•The Festival of Lights, at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.

•Pelham Fire Department’s Neighborhood Santa Stops on Christmas Eve. Although not in Pelham, one of the most moving and memorable tributes I’ve ever seen, was the Annual Wreath Laying at the Alabama National Cemetery where more than 3,000 people participated in the placement of Christmas wreaths on the grave of each veteran.

Switching gears; when I think in terms of national and community security, I typically think of the military and our professional law enforcement officers. However, in lieu of recent terror attacks at home and abroad, it’s my opinion we can no longer assume a typical attitude toward our safety.

Driven by necessity, the time has

come for us all to assume some responsibility for our personal safety and the security of our families. How do we do this?

It’s called SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. To be Situation Aware is to be cognizant of your surroundings at all times; where you are and what you and others are doing. Situational Awareness is to “Say something if you see something.” It can be learned and we can help.

In the next few weeks, Pelham Police Chief, Larry Palmer, is going to roll out a revived initiative; the old Pelham PD gun safety course is coming back bigger and better as the Pelham Citizen’s Police Academy. A couple of nights in the classroom and a day on the shooting range will provide you not only gun safety and basic marksmanship, but information regarding scams & tactics used by the bad guys, law enforcement trends, personal safety and neighborhood watch tips. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS! Watch the city website for updates and course offerings.

Another election cycle is before us beginning as early

Mayor Waters and Danny Endress pose with Police Chief Larry Palmer, center, who is dressed as Mother Ginger for Stevan Grebel’s The Nutcracker 2015. Both Mayor Waters and Danny have portrayed Mother Ginger in the past.

A beautiful photo of the Annual Wreath Laying at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

2 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

as March 1, 2016. This year you will go to the polls to vote in National, State, County and Local elections. Among the local initiatives will be a Shelby County vote regarding Sunday liquor sales. I hope you will join me in supporting this initiative. I believe this is an economic issue pure and simple; an effort to keep Pelham dollars in Pelham and Shelby County dollars in Shelby County. We’ll try to provide you with some economic impact numbers as the election nears.

Enough about guns & booze; let’s talk about something really fun, really important and really cool, no, cold maybe (definitely).

It’s time to take the plunge for Special Olympics again.

Granted, with the heat wave we’ve experienced this winter, we may have to rename it the Solar Plunge, but the goal is the same; to raise money for the Law Enforcement Special Olympics.

The Ice-bucket challenge that swept the country was fun and for a good cause, but if that is the best you can do, you’re a sissy. An ice-bucket over the head is nothing compared to a total body plunge into 4050 degree water. Mark your calendars for January 30 at Oak Mountain State Park. There’s a contest for the best costume too.

Dress up as your favorite super hero and take the plunge for a group of Special Olympians who are in need of a hero. It could be you. I’ll see you on the beach.

Sincerely,

Gary W. Waters

FROM COUNCILMAN SCOTT Critical March 1st Vote for Shelby County

Last year, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation that will allow voters of Shelby County to vote on legal alcohol sales on Sundays. The vote on Sunday alcohol sales in Shelby County will take place on March 1st, just a short few weeks from today. The legislation, to a large degree, mirrors the regulation now found in Jefferson County regarding Sunday sales with a 12 noon start time and other similar language. Over the last several months, I have spoken at public events numerous times discussing how in Pelham and throughout Shelby County, the lack of Sunday alcohol sales has a negative impact on our community and the county.

Each Sunday, residents of Shelby County drive to multiple locations in Jefferson County to

Rick Hayes—Place 1 rickhayes@pelhamonline.com

play golf, eat at restaurants, see sporting events and purchase groceries due in large part to the availability of adult beverages that can be purchased. The net effect of this Sunday migration North is the loss of thousands of dollars in tax revenue that could be going to the coffers of Pelham, Shelby county and our local public school systems.

There will soon be academic studies commissioned that will show exactly how much money is lost each year to our local governments and school systems due to the lack of Sunday sales.

I am certain that the amount is large, and you will be taken aback by the amount of tax income that is lost to us each year. Watch for the release of that study, reflect on what a negative effect this loss of income has on the community, and how many financial challenges could be met with that lost income.

Years ago, some Sunday alcohol sales were allowed in the county under a state license that allowed “Club” sales on Sunday.

The ABC Board decided to eliminate this type of license some time ago but grandfathered in those few restaurants that held a “Club” license. The result

is that only a few restaurants can serve on Sunday, which is in my opinion a bit disingenuous, and favors a small number of municipalities. A vote to allow Sunday sales by all vendors holding an ABC alcohol license will correct this archaic type of alcohol sales regulation.

Let’s focus in on what this vote and its passage could mean to Pelham financially.

By allowing Sunday sales, the city will see an increase in tax revenue, allowing the expansion of city services and the ability to cover rising costs associated with running a municipality.

The Pelham City School System would see increased revenue due to the one cent education tax. This would be additional money to enhance educational offerings in all of our schools, such as the purchase of new teaching equipment, professional development for all employees and facility enhancements are other potential benefits. Our municipal golf course is one of

Maurice Mercer—Place 4 mauricemercer@pelhamonline.com

Beth McMillan—Place 3 bethmcmillan@pelhamonline.com

the finest courses found in the Birmingham area. We are in competition with other courses in our area for players and rounds of golf. Every Sunday, the Ballantrae Golf Course is excluded from consideration by many golfers due to the inability to purchase a beer while enjoying a round of golf.

How many rounds of golf and the income associated with it do we lose each year? We may never know the number, but it is substantial, and income we can no longer afford to lose. Our Pelham Civic Complex is one of the finest facilities in the metro area. We are fortunate to host a wide variety of events each year, but if you speak with the staff at the complex, they will verify that we lose out on the ability to host many events due to the lack of Sunday sales.

Continued on page 9

Karyl Rice—Place 5 karylrice@pelhamonline.com

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 3

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Huge lots are the trademark of Donovan’s newest development—Grey Oaks in Pelham. Surrounded by hills and trees, Grey Oaks residents have the best of both worlds—they are only 5 minutes from I-65 at the County Road 52 interchange and about the same to all the shopping and dining opportunities found on the Highway 280 corridor. Add in a future swimming pool and community pavilion, Pelham schools, proximity to all of Pelham’s other amenities such as the state’s largest state park (Oak Mountain), the racquet club and golf course, and you have the perfect place in Shelby County to call home.

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PBOE MEMBER BARBARA REAGAN

‘Report Card’ is a household word. Leaders of countries are given report cards, tires on automobiles are given report cards, our infrastructure is given report cards, air quality is given report cards. We most commonly think of our students as receiving a report card or progress report from the classroom teacher after a specified period of time. We are eager to learn just how much academic growth our child has made since receiving the last report card. Well, let’s stop and think about it. Is that the only ‘growth’ your child has made? Do you carefully consider descriptive vocabulary, like accountability, in the explanations of the Report?

Today there are many different kinds of school-related report cards; world-wide, national, state, county, city, political district, and school districts and colleges, both public and private. They each present a different set of statistical information that helps define the person or group identified. What is stated to the public in the school and college Reports, often has a direct impact on your child’s education in the classroom.

History shows us that the report cards in the early 1900s and prior were hand written by the teacher, and grades were most often reported in number format.

Card stock was used because it

was durable, rather inexpensive, and available. Some schools sent them home to parents twice each year while others sent them four or six times each school year. September to May was usually the length of the school year. Emphasis was usually placed on reading, orthography, writing, geography, numbers, deportment, number of days present, and number of times tardy.

Have you wondered how and why some countries excel in education? Is the United States one such country? How does the U.S.A. compare? Finland excels – there students begin school at age 7, becoming a teacher is highly competitive, college is free. Japan, The Netherlands, Latvia, Canada, Britain – the list is long. We need to constantly examine and compare our practices.

The Report Card on American Education examines the performance of low income students in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It considers state standards, school choice programs (public, private, charter), teacher quality, home school regulations, etc.

Universities (Harvard, Johns Hopkins Institute, University of Chicago, to name a few) and other organizations frequently study entire school systems or specified student populations within. Their findings are made public and recommendations are usually implemented.

Local school systems of old

would consider academic progress as well as personal growth of the student. The parent would see actual scores of 100-70 or A-F for subject areas and hand written or individually selected indicators (Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory) for such personal areas as neatness, attention, conduct, preparedness, courtesy, times tardy, days absent.

Standardized testing began to grow (nationwide) as a state requirement at all grade levels.

Perhaps a couple decades ago our schools reported to us that 68% of students took standardized college entrance exams. Because there were so many areas to be compared and reported—and they were shown statistically— many parents, after they examined the report card, did not fully understand just how their student was or was not progressing.

State legislatures act to cause changes in education. As parents, we have a responsibility to be fully aware of those actions taken.

They have the power to alter parts of the curriculum. A few examples in our state; HB023 addresses instruction in handwriting, cursive writing by end of third grade year, HB245 speaks to policy which provides virtual school option, HB226 states a minimum of behind-the-wheel driving practice hours increased from 30 to 50.

Reports on the Card—just what do they communicate about the student to the parent? The student is being educated; personal attributes are being enriched through encouragement and exposure. As this happens over a prescribed period of time, the teacher, who has worked formally

and informally with each student, communicates the growth of the student’s personal attributes, behavior, work habits, social skills, communication, reading, writing, mathematics, and goal setting.

The teacher is telling the parent of the student’s newest command of specific subject matter.

Parents do not receive a short check list. They should not receive a card that requires hours to decode. Conferences can and should be requested by teacher and by parent, therefore nothing should come as an unexpected surprise. Both teachers and parents offer much to the student’s progress in school. The report card should not be overly simplistic or too complex.

English is not the primary language spoken in all homes. If the report cards are presented in English only, that will serve to encourage students and parents to become proficient in the country’s official language. It could become cost prohibitive to print the report cards in six or more languages. The school district provides personnel and classes to assist those with language difficulties. If means of communication are by telephone, email, and newsletter that is good, however, appointments for a face to face meeting with the classroom teacher(s) is excellent for all. As with the original report card, its purpose should be the same—it should still be clearly understood and acceptable. Improvements can be made by providing a full legend to help all parents navigate through the information provided. Different combinations Continued on page 13

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 7

21

CELEBRATING

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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL Always Remember That We are the Home of the FREE Because of the Brave!

Staff SGT Jeremy Barton US Army; 1st Armored Division; Iraq; Son of Fred & Mary Barton, brother of Christopher

PO3 Bradley Jacob Hardin US Navy; USS Ronald Reagan, San Diego, CA; Son of Rachel & Michael Jordan

Cameron Rich Army Rangers; Afghanistan; Son of Scott Rich, brother of Brittany, grandson of Ken & Linda

CPT A.J. Blount US Army; Montgomery, AL; Husband of Christina, son of Barry & Terrie Blount, son-in-law of Jesse & Lori Hernandez

John Hensley US Army; Afghanistan; Nephew of Jim Phillips

LCDR Robert Sawyer US Navy; Military Professor, Naval War College Newport, RI; Son of Ken & Liz Sawyer

SRA Eric Lee Bowen US Air Force; Charleston, SC; Son of Ed & Sonyia Bowen 1st SGT Flynn D. Broady, Jr. US Army; Iraq; Son of Ret. SGT Flynn & Marjorie Broady 2nd LT John H. Calhan II US Army National Guard; Ft. Benning, GA; Husband of Katie Burks Calhan PFC Nicholas A Coleman US Marine Corps; Twenty-Nine Palms, CA; Son of Danny & Donna Coleman LTC Andrew Davis US Army; Sinai Husband of Trini Davis PFC Geoffrey Eggleton US Army; 385th MP Battalion; Fort Stewart, GA; Son of Geoff Eggleton & Anita Wheatley SPC Christopher G. Evanko US Army, Ft. Bliss, TX; 2007 PHS graduate; Son of Tracey & John Evanko, Jr. SGT Robert Lee Hallman II Hawaii; 2009 PHS graduate; Son of Don Hallman & Lee Ann Hallman Ssgt. Alexander D. Hand US Air Force; Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Son of Doyle & Sally Hand

CPL Jonathan D. Jarvis US Marine Corps; Combat Instructor, Parris Island, SC; Son of David & Linda Jarvis HN Ross Jewell US Navy; Naval Base Coronado; San Diego, CA 2014 PHS graduate; Son of Wendy Merkl, Stepson of David Merkl MC1 Andrew “AJ” Johnson US Navy; Defense Media Activity, Ft. Meade, MD; 2002 PHS grad, Son of Trudy Johnson CM1 (SDW) Jack D. Johnson US Navy; Deployed in Iraq; Husband of Stacy, father of Joshua & Janci MP Sal Juarez US Army; Iraq; Son of Dr. Jesus & Blanca Juarez, husband of Kimberly, dad of Ethan & Gavin NCO Corporal John Justin Kirchler US Marine Corps; Iraq; Son of Kim Kirchler 1st LT Randal C. Knight US Army; Afghanistan; Husband of Rebecca Binford Knight

SRA Christopher C. Smith US Air Force; Okinawa, Japan; Son of Cliff & Jeanie Smith PFC Tiara Stovall US Army; Fort Hood, TX; Daughter of Stephen & Toni Thomas Tre’ Christian Stovall US Army; Fort Riley, KS; Son of Stephen & Toni Thomas PFC Kimberly Sweat US Army; Fort Lewis, WA.; Daughter of Mike Sweat, granddaughter of Shirley Grimes SRA Justin Taylor Integrated Avionic Journeyman Combat Rescue Unit, USAF 455th AEW; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; PHS graduate; Son of Kris Mapes.

SPC Justin Aaron Womack US Army, Fort Bragg, NC; Afghanistan; Son of Betsy & Anthony & Phillip Womack

SGT Jeffrey Malone US Army National Guard; 167th Infantry; Afghanistan; 2007 PHS grad; Husband of Monica, father of Hunter 2nd LT James R. Mann IV US Army National Guard; Fort Lee, VA; Husband of Beth, proud father of Ashlee, Anna & Jay SGT Tyler Payne US Marine Corps; 2004 PHS graduate; Son of Dana Payne Martin & David Payne, husband of Madison

If your loved one is from Pelham and serves on active duty, please e-mail us their name, rank, address and where they are stationed to: pelhamcitynews@aol.com. When they come back home, please update us via e-mail or call (205) 746-1188, so we can remove them from our active duty prayer list. Visit us online any time at: www.PelhamCityNews.com.

Continued from Ron Scott, page 3

Over the last two years I have had the opportunity to speak with owners and representatives of numerous restaurant operations that have had an interest in locating in Pelham.

Representatives of the City have reached out to multiple types of businesses seeking to get them to locate in Pelham. These are restaurants and businesses that the citizens of Pelham have requested that we recruit and would be enjoyed by all of our

residents. The number one reason that so many of these businesses reject Pelham is the lack of Sunday sales. I have lost count of the number of recruitment efforts that have ended with this statement…

“Contact us in the future if you ever get Sunday sales of alcohol.”

In my mind, the issue of Sunday sales of alcohol in Shelby County is an economic one. Nothing more, nothing less than a question of are we comfortable in continuing to help finance the cities and school

systems of Jefferson County while many needs in our own city and schools go unmet. Take a moment and reflect on this and let me know if you agree with me.

The March 1st election day will present a ballot that is lengthy. The ballot will consist of Presidential Primary voting, Shelby County races and the Sunday Sales vote. The ballot will be lengthy and voters will have to study the ballot carefully to find the Sunday Sales amendment. I encourage you to

make the effort to find the place on the ballot to record your support for Sunday Sales.

If you have any question about this measure, I can be reached at ron.scott@charter.net and I will answer all emails.

Sincerely,

Ron Ron Scott Pelham City Council Place Two

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 9

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PBOE presents compensation checks to outstanding PCS employees Pelham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Coefield and the Pelham School Board members visited each school in the city to hand-deliver extraordinary compensation checks and personally thank employees for all of the effort and commitment they put into cultivating the well-being and success of our students.

Communications manager Nicole Knight said this was a wonderful way for the board to recognize our employees for all of their hard work.

“We are very proud to be able

to do this for our teachers and staff,” said Pelham School Board President Rick Rhoades.

“Change is not easy, and these folks are the heart of our school system. The extra pay has certainly been earned and really is a way for the system to just say thank you for everything that they do.”

Thank you to all the faculty and staff in the Pelham City Schools for everything you do!

Pelham Senior Center hosts grand re-opening to showcase expanded main room

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lives. Please take time to drop by the LifeSouth bloodmobile in front of the Pelham Public Library Tuesday, February 16th between the hours of 9 and 4 to give the gift of life.

MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:00AM-8:00PM, Wilderness Survival Sat FRIDAY 9:00AM-5:00PM, SATURDAY 10:00AM-5:00PM & CLOSED SUNDAY March 12 2-3pm Things can go wrong in a blink of an eye while enjoying the Alabama wilderness. Do www.pelhamlibrary.com you know the skills to stay alive?

Wilderness Skills Instructor and discuss nonfiction books or SPECIAL ADULT Tim Morgan will be presenting movies based upon a particular EVENTS survival techniques like building topic. February is the month Pruning 101 Monday, Jan. a fire, finding food and making of valentines, so the topic this potable water and building a 11 6:30-7:30 month is any book or movie that quick shelter. There is no charge Why prune? Pruning is done warms the heart! March will be for this program. to remove parts of the plant crime capers month, True crime that are no longer useful. There books and movie thrillers will be Got Game? Tabletop Game are many reasons why these Day Sat. Feb. 20 10:30-4:30 discussed. All nonfiction lovers parts might no longer benefit are welcome.

Come join fellow gamers the plant. Some reasons are ages 13 to 99 at the library to Understanding Medicare functional and will improve play popular tabletop games of Seminar Friday Jan. 8th and all types and enter for a chance the health of the plant. Other reasons are purely aesthetic Mar. 11 10:30-11:30am to win a door prize. This is a and will enhance or change Does Medicare confuse you? wonderful chance make new the look of the plant. Either Get answers at this seminar friends and play some most way pruning can be a form of provided by a Medicare advisor popular tabletop games available. art if it is done well and results from Physicians Mutual. The Feel free to bring your games and in a healthier, more attractive presentation simplifies complex your friends for a day of fun! specimen. Attend this program issues such as the Medicare parts, Free Computer Classes presented at the Pelham Public enrolling and more. Hundreds In an effort to assist those that Library by Regional Extension age into Medicare each month cannot take advantage of the Agent Nelson Wynn. Mr. Wynn in this area. It is a complex and weekday classes at the library, will cover the correct tools, confusing process for most Pelham Public Library offers methods and times to practice individuals. Attend this program night and weekend computer this important horticultural art. and get the facts. The seminar is classes. Classes are free and will There is no cost to attend, but free and open to the public. remain small to ensure that please call to reserve a seat. students receive the most from Have a Heart—Give Blood!

Browsers Nonfiction Club. their participation. Patrons are Tues. Feb. 16 9am-4pm encouraged to register soon.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 and Someone needs blood every Those interested may register in Weds. Mar. 2 6:30-7:30 two seconds. 43,000 pints of donated blood are used each day person or over the phone.

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Cont. from Barbara Reagan, page 7

of letters and numbers are used to indicate academic movement as grade levels increase. It would prove useful to show results of the most recent standardized tests. From time to time, state boards of education will choose to change the standardized tests (in part or in whole) to be given.

When this happens, written notice should be sent to each

student’s home to make them aware. Test results will likely be shown and interpreted somewhat differently from the previous standardized test(s). Class rank (in high school beginning at 9th grade) could well serve as a source of encouragement if the student and parents are made aware early.

This is not to contend that all of the good and old ways of reporting have been abandoned and replaced with compli-

cated scales, line graphs, and bar graphs. It is to encourage open communication between home and school for the good of the student. After all, it is the student who will interact with others in the future for the growth and for the good of community, America, and ultimately, the world. Their school engagement right now, their performance and evaluation is being made a part of their inner thoughts – yes, from kindergar-

offers individual technology instruction. A patron will be able to pair up with an instructor for one hour of assistance. Patrons can request assistance with tablets, iPads and E-readers. The instructors will help in the setup and usage of any of the library’s downloadable media. Classes are available Thursdays. Please contact the library to set up an appointment time.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS/EVENTS Together Time Wednesdays at 9:15 & 10:30AM January 13: Letter H January 20: Letter I January 27: Letter J February 3: Letter K February 10: Happy Valentine’s Day February 17: Letter L February 24: Letter M March 2: Letter N March 9: Letter O

PJ Storytime Thursday Evenings at 6:30PM January 7: Letter G January 14: Letter H January 21: Letter I January 28: Letter J February 4: Letter K February 11: Happy Valentine’s Day February 18: Letter L February 25: Letter M March 3: Letter N March 10: Letter O For more details on these or any library events, please visit or call the Pelham Public Library at 620-6465! ten to grade 12. We each have a responsibility to our students – whether quietly thought and acted upon or vocalized and being heard and responded to – they are ‘the future.’ No part of their education is small, no part of their education should be overlooked. All of it is important.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Barbara Reagan

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 13

Karen Varner was named Pelham High School Teacher of the Year

PHS Law Academy teacher Karen Varner was surprised when she learned her fellow teachers had elected her the Pelham High School Teacher of the Year. “I was so excited because the competition at PHS is very stiff—I don’t think I’m any better than the rest of the staff,” she said.

“We have so many great teachers here. Do I work hard? Yes, but so does everyone. I couldn’t do what I do without this staff.

PHS students are lucky—and great, entertaining—they make the job here fun.”

In an interesting coincidence, Karen herself graduated from PHS the same year as Brooke Watts Dennis, who was selected to be Thompson High’s Teacher of the Year this year. After graduation, Karen went to UAB, where she received a bachelors in History Education and Health Education. She worked as an athletic trainer for a while, until she landed the position back at PHS. In her 13 years teaching at Pelham High, Karen has taught a multitude of different subjects.

Her first year, she taught biology, environmental science and sports medicine. She taught 9-12th grade history and honors his-

tory for several years, and began teaching health in 2014.

PHS also launched its academies in 2014, and administrators asked Karen if she was interested in teaching for the Law Academy.

She accepted, and truly enjoyed learning more about the subject herself as well as passing on relevant information and necessary critical thinking and communication skills to her students throughout the school year.

“The kids are really enjoying it, it’s a great experience for them,” Karen said. “I really enjoy working with the students on the Law Academy Advisory Board to make sure we are teaching them what they want and need to learn. It’s a lot of work, but the freedom is nice and I like seeing progress and the student involvement grow.”

So this year, she is teaching two health classes, four law

classes and one leadership class that she calls a “life skills” class.

Next year, she will begin a class in Constitutional Law, with mock trials and possible trips to competitions.

“Most teachers love their subject, I just love teaching,” Karen laughed. “As a teacher, I can teach all kinds of stuff. It’s what you do with what you know that matters. This does not change through the different classes I have taught.”

“I want to teach my students to make choices based on their knowledge and beliefs to be productive,” she said. “Everything is for the best of the students.”

Karen is the teacher sponsor for the senior class as well as the prom, she is the social students department chair and also the leader for the student section during PHS basketball games.

Congratulations, Karen Varner!

Valley Intermediate School names Sidney Saindon Teacher of the Year

In only her second year of teaching, Valley Intermediate fourth grade teacher Sidney Saindon was voted by her peers as their Teacher of the Year. “I feel very blessed that I get to work with the people I do here, everyone is so deserving and helpful,” Sidney said.

“I’m humbled to win this— there are so many teachers here who are so deserving,” she 14 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

continued.

“I was shocked when I made the top four!

I thought, ‘That’s not for real,’ until I got the email that I’d won.”

Every morning, she gets to school early to help students record a video for Valley Today, which is a Leader In Me program. She edits the video in iMovie and uploads it to the school drive so teachers can play it for their students each morning. As a member of the Lighthouse Team, Sidney is very involved in the process of running this and other Leader In Me programs. She is also the teacher

sponsor for VIS’s First Priority.

Once she gets into her classroom, she likes to start the day off with a joke. “The kids react to fun a lot better than if I were boring,” she laughed.

“Fourth graders are still kindhearted. They aren’t grown up enough to have misconceptions, but they are old enough to have fun with me.”

Her biggest role model growing up was her mom, Michelle Saindon, who works at Helena Intermediate School. “Mom has always gone above and beyond for her kids, and now I find myself doing the same things,” Sidney explained.

She was not always on this path, however. “I tried to talk myself out of becoming a teacher like my mom, she even told me not to become one!” Sidney shared.

Until she became a teacher’s aide for Karen Varner at PHS in her senior year.

“But after working with Mrs.

Varner, I couldn’t talk myself out of it any more—I was meant to work with kids,” she said.

After achieving her Bachelors of Elementary Education at the University of Alabama, she traveled to Australia to studentteach, because she did not think she wanted to stay in the Shelby County area. But she missed home—and already knew she loved the people she would work with if she came back. So she did.

“When I got back, VIS Principal Robin Hollingsworth suggested I try fourth grade, and I really do love it,” Sidney said.

“This is what God meant for me to do. I wouldn’t have enjoyed anything else.”

Her philosophy for teaching shows this dedication, and is definitely a sentiment to get behind. “Every kid is an individual, and we need to address them as individuals. We need to teach the whole child,” Sidney said.

Congratulations Sidney Saindon!

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P E L H A M ’ S C O M M U N I T Y O F FA I T H ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

244 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, 988-0031 Pastor Jonny White Prayer, Preaching & Praise 10:30 AM

RiverPoint Church

Meets at Valley Intermediate, 685-9447 Dr. Mark A. Boyd • sunviewbaptist.com Sunday Morning Service 11:00 AM

1475 Highway 35, 663-1927 Pastor George Golden Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

375 Bearden Road, 621-0112 Pastor Bobby Lewis • riverpointchurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

BAPTIST

Crosscreek Baptist Church

600 Crosscreek Trail, 663-4886 crosscreekbaptist.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

CrossWay Christian Fellowship

Meets at Shelby Co. YMCA, 966-3327 Pastor Fred Muse • crosswaycf.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

First Baptist Church-Pelham

2867 Pelham Parkway, 663-7492 Dr. Daven Watkins • fbcpelham.org Sunday Worship 8:00, 9:15, 10:45 AM

Indian Springs First Baptist Church 3375 Cahaba Valley Road, 988-3662 Pastor Charlie Dale • isfbc.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Living Hope Baptist Church

419 Philippians Boulevard, 664-0491 Pastor Clay Parrish • livingwithhopechurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

Oak Mountain Baptist Church

1805 Highway 35, 663-3045 Interim Pastor Brother James Blair • ombcpelham.org Sunday Worship 10:30 AM

METHODIST (UNITED)

Oakland Baptist Church

Oak Mountain Independent Church

Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist 5154 Highway 11, 663-3309 Pastor Michael Miller • lakeviewonline.net www.theflockthatrocks.com Sunday Morning Contemporary Worship 10:30am

Sun View Baptist Church

The Rock Church

3540 Pelham Parkway, 383-7545 Pastor Steven Van Gieson • rockofbirmingham.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

MORMON 2720 Cahaba Valley Rd, 733-9038 • lds.org

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Church of Christ at Oak Mountain

2054 Oak Mtn State Park Rd, 663-6566 Bob Hutto, Evangelist • oakmtnchurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

3405 Pelham Parkway, 663-7735 Dick Sztanyo • pelhamchurchofchrist.com Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

CHURCH OF GOD

889 Oak Mtn State Park Rd, 663-7176 Pastor Gene Brown • oakmountaincc.com Sunday Worship/Kid’s Church 10:30 AM

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Pelham Church of Christ

Oak Mountain Community Church

3157 Pelham Parkway,

Bishop Robert Ivy Sr. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 AM

Church of the Highlands-Riverchase

9013 Highway 261, 980-5577 Pastor Chris Hodges • churchofthehighlands.com Sunday Morning Worship 8:00, 9:30, 11:15AM

PENTACOSTAL New Testament Christian Church

The Connection

2976-D Pelham Parkway, 401-1629 Pastor E.J. Rodriguez newtestamentchristianchurches.org Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

135 Corporate Way, 620-0720 Pastor Greg Davis—theconnection.cc Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM

Hope World Outreach Ministry

192 Chandalar Place Drive, 655-1332

2100 Highway 52 East, 664-0120 Pastor Mitch Underwood Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

PRESBYTERIAN

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Korean Presbyterian Church

Pelham Church of God of Prophecy

2760 Pelham Parkway, 637-3473 Pastor Jerry McClain • kingdomchristiancenter.net Sunday Worship Service 10:30 AM

Pelham Church of God

3362 Pelham Parkway, 620-9598 Pastor Krameon Martin Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

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Saint Francis of Assisi

3545 Cahaba Valley Road, 988-4371 Father Martin J. Bagay, Interim Rectori saintfrancisindiansprings.org Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:30, 10:45 AM

Pastor Earl V. Gardner

7814 Helena Road, 982-1990 Pastor Rev. Steven Son Sunday English Worship 11:00 AM

Kingdom Christian Center

Life Christian Fellowship

Meets at Shepherd’s Promise, 620-1725 Pastor Bob Kuehner • lifechristian.us Sunday Celebration 10:00 AM

Life Church

1449 Court Place, 663-1937 Pastor Rick Bishop • wherelifeisgood.com Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Our community of faith offers many services and programs year-round.

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Kathy Brotherton awarded RMS Teacher of the Year honor

English teacher Kathy Brotherton was voted by her peers as the Riverchase Middle School Teacher of the Year. “It’s unbelievable, I’m so honored to have been chosen for this award,” she said. “I’m stunned, speechless!”

Kathy, who teaches Honors and Pre-AP English to RMS 8th graders, was honored with this award ten years ago in a Shelby County school and did not think she would receive it again. “To be honored once is great, but

twice—it’s hard to put into words,” she said.

“There are many more qualified teachers that could have gotten this.”

Kathy maintains that “you cannot do this job by yourself,” and acknowledged all the help and support she receives from the faculty and administration at RMS help her immensely. “This is the best place to work. We have the best principal, faculty and staff.

It’s a joy coming to work every day,” she said.

She also thanked the Pelham Board of Education and Pelham City Council for their support, most recently in the form of the donation of Chromebooks for the students in her classes to use. “It’s a game-changer, it brings us into the 21st Century,” the teacher said. “Kids now have information

at their fingertips that would have taken hours to find at one time.”

She explained the computers allow them to save time on research and do more hands-on classroom exercises that will serve them well in this digital world.

Not only does Kathy teach English, but she serves as chair on various committees and is the faculty advisor for the RMS student newspaper. “I came here to serve the students and my fellow teachers (and don’t always hit the mark!),” she said. “I want our kids to be able to go out of the Riverchase doors prepared for the next step of the journey.”

When Kathy first walked through the doors of Riverchase, it was as a student teacher for Mrs. Estes while she finished her degree at UAB. “I love English, writing, grammar, literature—I just love to read and write. I’ve always wanted to do that,” she said. “I was very lucky that a slot

opened up and Principal Charlotte Lusco decided to hire me.”

After living in Chicago, Florida, California and Iowa, she was ready to settle down. 22 years later, she has 16 years with RMS, four children and five grandchildren to show for it.

The greatest honors she ever received were from former students.

“The PHS coaches have started a program to honor teachers, and two kids came back to me with jerseys and personal notes,” she said. “That really gives me a humble heart.”

In that spirit, she remembers the teachers who helped her along her journey. “My science teacher Mrs. Schneider cared about her students along with knowing her subject,” Kathy said. “She made me want to follow her example and make that connection with my own students.”

Seems like she’s doing a great job of just that. Congratulations!

Valley Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Whitney Pruitt

At Valley Elementary, the faculty voted second grade teacher Whitney Pruitt as the VES Teacher of the Year.

This teacher is one who truly cares for her students, going the extra mile to see them doing extracurricular activities or enjoying their hobbies. She feels that supporting them in the things they love outside the classroom helped her build trust with them.

And in the classroom, she helps her young charges work on social

skills that will help them throughout their lives.

“We work on using our words and learning how to resolve conflicts nicely, like telling a classmate, ‘I don’t like that thing you said because it made me sad’,” she said. The students also work on doing things for themselves and accepting responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others.

“We had a breakthrough the other day!” she exclaimed, excited.

“One student had come in several times without his coat, or his homework or a permission sheet.

We lined up to go outside and I asked where his jacket was, and he said, ‘I don’t have it because my mom—wait. I mean I don’t have it because I left it at home today,’

and I was so pleased!”

Since Valley Elementary and Valley Intermediate will be dissolved next year, with students and teachers moving to either Pelham Ridge Elementary or Pelham Park Middle School, that means Whitney is the last VES Teacher of the Year. “A student pointed it out to me, and it’s kind of cool to think about,” she said.

Is she ready to make the

transition to a new school? “Oh yes, we’re all excited. Of course, we don’t know where we will be going yet, we’ll find out over the summer, but both will be fantastic schools,” Whitney said.

And the schools will still be populated by the talented, caring and intelligent teachers Pelham students have come to know and love, like Whitney.

Congratulations, Whitney!

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Three RMS Chess Club students place in local competitions Second-year Riverchase Middle School teacher Joe Kervin is always contemplating his next move.

As if teaching English as well as Honors and Pre-AP English to 7th graders was not already a lot to do when he joined the school in Fall of 2014, he also took on the responsibility of hosting the twice-monthly Chess Club.

This school year, several prior clubs at RMS were offered as elective classes for the first time.

This meant students could choose to take a new class like drama or chess every day for one semester of school.

“Kids who already know how to play chess as well as those who need to learn have a place in my classroom,” Joe said. “We start with the hardest part—learning the moves of each type of piece.

Then we start up with strategies, once they’ve learned the basics.”

Most strategies start with learning to set and recognise

traps and move towards the use of trick moves.

“Being caught in a game where your opponent successfully uses Scholar’s Mate (achieving checkmate in just four steps) is pretty embarrassing,” the teacher laughs. “So I teach how to recognise strategies like that, and then, how to beat them.”

Every other Wednesday, the class learns by watching highly detailed or historic matches, played by renowned chess coach Caesar Lawrence, and analyzing the strategies used.

“We often recommend Youtube videos to students so they can learn new tricks,” Joe said.

All the tips and tricks have paid off—they have attended four tournaments so far, with students placing in each. Noah Le placed 3rd in a tourney in October. Austin Wallace placed 6th in December. Landon Opitz placed 4th, 2nd and 1st in three tournaments all in one month.

RMS will host its own tournament later this month: the Martin Luther King Scholastic Tournament will be held January 18th, with around 80 students signed up to play.

“These kids chose chess as their top priority—at least the ones

on the roll. We have kids not enrolled in the class who come in every day, just because they want to,” Joe said. “I’m really happy we have this as an official class.”

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 19

Pelham City Schools got into the spirit of giving this holiday season The holidays often bring out the best in people, and the residents of Pelham are no exception to the rule. During the 2015 holiday season, students and teachers across the Pelham City School district opened their hearts, pantries, closets and wallets to help those in need.

The Pelham High School SGA helped get all Pelham schools involved as drop off locations for a giant Toy Drive that benefitted Oak Mountain Missions. Hundreds of toys were donated this year.

In collaboration with Urban Purpose, the PHS Panthers baseball team provided meals to the less fortunate two different Sundays this fall.

Under the guidance of Assistant Softball Coach Anna

20 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

Laura Dyer, the PHS Lady Panthers have been out and about serving up Random Acts of Kindness. From delivering goodies and thank you notes to firemen and police officers, taking blankets to the animal shelter and randomly paying for families’ meals at local restaurants, the girls spread holiday cheer all over Pelham.

The PHS basketball team raised money and awareness for breast cancer research with a t-shirt fundraiser and “pink-out” at a game earlier in the winter.

The PHS Art Club adopted a family through Oak Mountain Missions to provide Christmas gifts and necessities for them.

They also created handmade Christmas cards for residents at Golden Living Nursing Home.

Althetes and coaches from the PHS Athletic Dept. worked alongside the RMS Athletic Dept. to support the “Wreaths Across America” event on December 12 at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. Students began their day at 6 am by unloading nearly 4,000 wreaths, assisted in other event preparations, and placed wreaths at veterans’ grave sites to pay tribute to their service for our nation.

The holiday spirit, service and generosity was not exclusive to the higher grades—Valley Intermediate 5th graders created Christmas stockings full of goodies that they then sent overseas to soldiers in Egypt who are serving our country.

VIS students also more than

doubled their fundraising goals in a coin and canned food drive the school held before Thanksgiving. A portion of the money collected was donated to Carly’s Clubhouse.

Students and staff at Valley Elementary helped raise more than $450 funds for the Pelham PD’s No Shave November fundraiser benefitting The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation.

Second grade VES students built a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s Torch made out of cans of food to be donated to Oak Mountain Missions. 411 cans of food were donated to the charity.

Thank you to all the administrative leaders, teachers, students and others who gave their time, talents and generosity to these and other projects.

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County-wide No Shave November effort raises more than $44,500 families with terminally ill children, such as helping them keep up with Shelby County police chiefs pose with Wings of Hope VP Tonya bills, Willingham and a giant check with the final donation amount. clean November comes as a refreshtheir ing time for some, and not only homes and make meals, said because of the cool, brisk weather. foundation Vice President and Law enforcement officials, like Shelby County Assistant District those in the military, are required Attorney Tonya Willingham. to keep their hair short and their “We relieve families of the dayfaces shaven year-round. Until to-day menial tasks and stresses so last year, this was the norm for that they can focus more on their Shelby County officers. family and child,” she explained.

In November 2014, Officer The incentive to “let their hair Mike Williams of the Pelham down,” so to speak, worked well, Police Department issued a and the Helena and Alabaster department-wide challenge: dopolice departments, officers at nate at least $50 to the Wings of Oak Mountain and others joined Hope Pediatric Foundation, and in quickly, making it a contest you would be allowed to grow between each department to raise out your beard for the month of the most money.

November.

Montevallo and Hoover Police The foundation provides Departments joined this year, and financial and other assistance to female members of each depart-

ment got into the swing of things with painted fingernails, another luxury not usually allowed in their line of work. This concession, along with the sale of t-shirts (seen below) as well as officers collecting donations allowed the raising of a sum much larger than last year.

A total of $44,546 was given to The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation at the end-of-thecontest celebration in Buffalo Wild Wings November 30.

“Oh gosh, both Dr. Dan Trotman and I were speechless,” VP Willingham said after discovering the funds were more than triple last year’s amount. “That means there are so many more families we can help.”

The celebration also included a beard-judging contest: Pelham Officer David Tasic won the award for “Best Decorated” beard, with his painted green and bedecked with a short strand of Christmas lights. Officer Jeremy Swinson won second place in the same category for his beard, which he groomed specifically to go with his Wolverine outfit— complete with “adamantium”

claws!

Valley Elementary Resource Officer Paul Martin was another one of the participants for the month, and students came up to him every day asking why he hadn’t shaved. When Captain Lott and Lt. Roberts visited the school sporting beards, too, it was time to do something extra.

“I talked with the office staff to come up with a way to get the kids involved, so they would know why I was doing this,” Officer Martin said. “We decided to let them raise money for their favorite beard as designed by Vice Principal Chase Holden.”

VES students brought in $450+ in spare change over the last two weeks of the November, and Officer Martin shaved as the kids requested. He was allowed to wear the beard around VES December 1-4.

“The design they chose was not my favorite style, but the kids thought it was funny and it was for a good cause,” he said. “We’ve been blessed, and we’re glad to have this as a way to give back.

Any charities benefitting kids, that I can get behind.”

Above left: T-shirts for sale at the Pelham Christmas Tree Lighting. Middle: Officers took donations at the event. Right: Police Chief Larry Palmer and Mayor Waters show off their beards. Below: Chief Palmer, Pelham officers explain their beards and the Wings of Hope Foundation at the Tree Lighting.

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 23

Madeline Gathings is Miss Northeast Alabama, raising money in memory of Carson Sumpter PHS graduate and Auburn student Madeline Gathings learned a lot about children’s cancer through the diagnosis and sickness of her boyfriend and local hero Carson Sumpter, who passed away July 2011.

“To be loved and to love someone as incredible as Carson Sumpter will always be my favorite aspect of my life,” Maddie said. “Carson brought out the best in everyone who had the extraordinary blessing of knowing him, myself included.

His passion for life, love, and the Lord have molded my heart forever and I look forward to the day where I get to see the freckle faced boy who changed my whole world.”

Maddie began participating in pageants using childhood cancer as her platform. Her organization, When Life Gives You Lemons, promotes awareness and raises funds for pediatric cancer.

She participated in the Distinguished Young Women of Shelby County pageant before winning Miss Northeast Alabama last year. That journey was a long one, having to participate in 13 preliminaries, of which she placed in six.

Miss Phenix City, 1st runner up. Miss Marshall County, 3rd runner up. Miss Trussville, 4th runner up. Miss Auburn University, 2nd runner up. Miss Auburn/Opelika Area, 1st runner up and swimsuit winner. Miss Friendliest City- 4th runner up.

Last June, while completing her duties as Miss Northeast Alabama, Madeline also competed in the Miss Alabama pageant. She was beyond excited about the experience.

“I cannot believe that I was able to compete among fifty of the most servant-hearted, intelligent, poised, and beautiful young women in Alabama,” Maddie said. “I truly cannot 24 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

put into words how blessed I feel about the opportunity God granted me to be a contestant this year.” She believes there is nothing better than working so tirelessly for your goal and you finally achieve it.

“Being a part of the Miss America Organization opens the doors for me to live beyond the means of myself and serve those in need,” Madeline explained. It has a long tradition of empowering young women, which is why she got involved in their pageants the first place.

“I have watched, year after year, the crowning of not only Miss America, but also Miss Alabama,” she said. “I have always been amazed at the talent, poise, and service each of these title holders has possessed. I decided I wanted to be a part of an organization that pushes me every day to continue to better myself and provides an outlet to promote passion raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer.”

Having the opportunity to serve as Miss Northeast Alabama has been a pivotal moment in her life. “From the moment the crown was placed on my head, there has been an abundance of blessings thrown my way,” she said. “I have gotten to impact the lives of children and their families who find themselves walking the cancer journey and that is one of the biggest rewards I have gotten from Miss Northeast Alabama.”

“If you know me personally, you know that this cause is so much more than “near and dear to my heart,” because it truly is my heart. My life’s work is dedicated to working with children who suffer from childhood cancer, and being Miss Northeast Alabama has been one of the major catalysts behind promoting this issue.”

Madeline was drawn to

the work of Alex’s Lemonade Stand because of their research into new treatment options in osteosarcoma patients. The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has provided funding for more than 475 research projects and is one of the leading organizations in the fight against childhood cancer, the very demon which claimed Carson’s life.

“By joining forces with the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, I have the ability to help change childhood cancer one lemon at a time,” she said.

As can be seen through this partnership, Madeline’s favorite part of pageants is having the opportunity to serve.

“This year alone, When Life Gives You Lemons has raised over $1,000.00 towards pediatric cancer research,” Madeline happily shared. Right now, the new goal is $4,000, and she has already raised $4,500 of it!

Anyone wishing to help her meet this goal can make a donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand by visiting alexslemonade.org/ mypage/1121409.

“There is no deadline on my work towards bettering the lives of children with cancer. I plan on becoming a pediatric oncologist nurse practitioner and dedicating my life to impacting children and their families who find themselves walking this journey.”

Top: Madeline’s Miss Northeast Alabama portrait. Above: her littlest fan at BeKare Day Care wanted a hug. Below: Madeline’s mother and friends helped raise money at a Panthers baseball game.

Pelham High School forms bowling teams for the first time ever This year, for the first time ever, the Pelham High School Athletic Department started up a bowling team. Head Volleyball Coach Perry Robinson took on the responsibility of coaching the new teams.

The PHS Girls’ Bowling Team consists of Morgan Mullinax, Dalton Merrill, Carly Edinger, Lexi Johnson, Emma Hammett, Jordan Stephens, Kaytlyn Maddox, Brianna Harrison, Karleanna Abshire and Keyanna Moore. The PHS Boys’ Bowling Team consists of Craig Cambron, Tyler Barnett, Jarrett and Dakota McLaren, Caleb Boutwell and Carlos Martinez.

The girls’ team filled out first, partially due to Morgan’s excitement and goading. She has a good chunk of prior experience with bowling in events at Pelham’s own Oak Mountain Lanes.

Coach Robinson said it has been exciting to be involved in

something new, and he has enjoyed the experience of teaching new skills to the PHS athletes.

The shrieks of delight at a good score also add to the experience.

The coach convinced three of his volleyball players to join the girls’ team, and three softball players also joined. Because of

the athlete overlap, occasionally, if Coach Robinson can’t make it to a match, Head Softball Coach Sabrina Tutchtone accompanies the teams to the lanes.

Getting the boys’ team together took a little more time, and their ranks are a little thinner: they currently have six athletes.

But Coach Robinson had no doubts that the program will grow next year. In fact, there are plans underway to expand down to RMS for the middle school level of competition.

We look forward to seeing what these student-athletes can accomplish in bowling!

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 25

Snapshots from the American Legion Post 555 Thanksgiving feast

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PHS pitcher Cole Whitman signs to join Mississippi State Bulldogs in fall Among a crowd of friends, family, teachers and coaches in the PHS gym in December, senior Cole Whitman signed to attend Mississippi State in the fall and play baseball for the Bulldogs as a pitcher.

“I love the coaches, I love Coach Cohen, Coach Mingione, they really make it feel like home,” Cole said about Starkville. “[Hunter] Stovall’s down there and he’s one of my good buddies; he tells me about how he loves it,” he added, saying he looks forward to training and practicing with the other players and finding out where he fits on the team and at the school.

“I love their program, it’s just a great atmosphere, I know they work hard—it’s the type of program I want to be in.”

And this accomplishment— not only signing a letter of intent

but also accepting a scholarship to the school—has been a long time coming. Cole started playing park ball in the Pelham tee-ball league more than a decade ago, so he has been learning, practicing and perfecting his game a long time.

Cole gave credit to his teammates, his coaches, and his dad for helping him along the way.

“My dad has helped me so much, I can’t even describe how much,” he said. “He taught me how to play the game hard and how to play it right.”

Cole’s father, Dan Whitman, has enjoyed the ride just as much as his son. “It’s been a long journey with him,” Dan said. “I got involved with coaching him for a few years. I’ve been to all of his pitching lessons, all his hitting lessons, and all the travel ball.” But it’s not just Cole’s baseball skills that Dan and the adults in his life

are proud of.

“When they’re growing up, you never know how kids will turn out.

You can obviously see kids’ athletic potential at an early age, but you don’t know what kind of men they’re gonna turn into,” Dan said.

“I’m just as proud of him for what kind of man he’s turned into as I am for him getting a scholarship to Mississippi State.”

Coach Anderson agreed. “I’ve watched Cole since he was about 7 or 8 years old, it’s just been fun to watch him grow up and mature,” the coach said.

“For me, as a dad, it’s more impressive to see how he’s grown up as a young man than a baseball player. He’s a tremendous baseball

player, pitcher, but he’s an even better young man. For us, that’s the most important thing.”

Coach Anderson concluded, “Mississippi State is getting a great kid of high character.”

Congratulations, Cole!

PHS senior Mary Grace Strozier signs to run with Samford Bulldogs PHS track star Mary Grace Strozier signed a letter of intent to Samford University, where she will run for the Bulldogs.

“She would never tell you this, but she’s better than anyone in the 6A field by several seconds, so she wouldn’t have to work hard in order to win,” PHS Track and Field Coach Jennifer Argo said.

Indeed, Mary Grace is ranked 4th in the nation in the 800 meter and 5th in the 1600.

“She could win, and work half as hard as she does, but that’s not her personality,” Coach Argo said.

“She wants to do everything in her power to be better, she wants to do a different stretch, learn a different technique, to get better.

And she’s always been like that.”

Head Coach Marty Springfield has really enjoyed watching Mary Grace develop and get better under their tutelage. “To see her not only have success early and continue that on to be one of the top two, three girls in the state over a three, four, five year period is something that we’re very

proud of.”

“She’ll work harder than anyone out there, she’s mentally strong, and I’m just proud of where she wants to go,” Coach Argo added. “She told me when she was looking at all the schools, she picked the one that she felt had similar values to hers.”

Mary Grace told the coaches that the girls she met when visiting Samford work hard, have values like hers; they want to trust in God. The university’s motto, “For God, for education, forever.”

“She’s just very value-driven, and that was more important to her than going somewhere that had parties, she wants to continue her lifestyle the way that it is,” Coach Argo said. “You just don’t find that very often.”

“She has a talent, and she wants to do everything she can to use that talent,” she continued.

“That’s the biggest thing.”

Mary Grace chose Samford for several reasons. “I love the coaches there, and the team has a good family atmosphere, and

I love that it’s a small studentto-teacher ratio,” she said. Her mom attended Samford and told Mary Grace how much she liked it there. Her cousin Ansley Bates currently attends the university, and is already on the track team.

But before she moves forward, she acknowledged the help and support she received along the way. “Oh my goodness, the Pelham coaches have helped me so much!” Mary Grace said. “I had no idea what to do while running, they coached and taught me different methods, how to work out—they’ve been amazing. I also give thanks for the support of my friends, family and God. “Mary Grace was a lot of fun

to coach,” Coach Springfield concluded. “She’s been such a tremendous asset to the program, not just because of her accomplishments on the track, which are numerous, but the way she encourages her teammmates and inspires them to work hard.

Those are all so important to our program, and we’re just blessed to have had her.”

Congratulations, Mary Grace!

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 27

calendar of EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

WEEKDAYS Various Activities (55 & over), Pelham Senior Center WEDNESDAYS Storytime*, Pelham Public Library, 9:15AM & 10:30AM THURSDAYS PJ Storytime*, Pelham Public Library, 6:30PM

january 2016 14 - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 18 - MLK JR. BDAY: Municipal Offices, Library & City Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr Bday; Trash will be collected as usual - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 19 - Pelham Business Council Meeting, PCC&IA, 11:00am-1:00pm 22 -Iron Cup: Auburn-Alabama Hockey. PCC&IA, 8:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 23 -Youth Baseball/Softball Reg., Park & Rec. Office, 9:00am-12:00pm Manger/Coaches Forms due by12:00pm - Iron Cup: Auburn-Alabama Hockey., PCC&IA, 7:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 24 - Iron Cup: Auburn-Alabama Hockey., PCC&IA, 2:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 25 - Pelham Board of Education Meeting, City Hall, 6:30pm 29 - Youth Baseball/Softball Registration Deadline 11:00am - Mississippi-Alabama Hockey. PCC&IA, 8:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 30 - Mississippi-Alabama Hockey., PCC&IA, 7:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com

march

29 - Pelham Board of Education Meeting, City Hall, 6:30pm 1 - VOTE Primary Election and Referendum for Sunday Sales of Alcohol Act No. 2015-43 This act is a proposed local constitutional amendment to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday within Shelby County. This act must receive a favorable vote by the citizens of Shelby County before going into effect. Polling Places open 7:00am-7:00pm For more information or polling place visit AlabamaVotes.gov 3 - American Legion Post 555, Pelham Senior Center, 7:00pm, for more info contact Commander Barry Blount at 205-531-4131 7 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 10 - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 12 - Birmingham Parents’ Special Needs Expo 2016, PCC&IA, 10:00am-4:00pm 14 - City Schools: Half Teacher Workday, Half Prof. Development - Storm Water Regulations Board, City Hall, 7:00pm 15 - Pelham Business Council Meeting, PCC&IA, 11:00am-1:00pm 21 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 28 - City Schools Spring Break March 28-April 1

february

1 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 4 - American Legion Post 555, Pelham Senior Center, 7:00pm, for more info contact Commander Barry Blount at 205-531-4131 5 - Navy-Alabama Hockey. PCC&IA, 8:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 6 - Navy-Alabama Hockey. PCC&IA, 7:00pm AlabamaHockeyClub.com 8 - Storm Water Regulations Board, City Hall, 7:00pm 11 - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 14 - Valentine’s Day 15 - PRESIDENTS DAY: City Schools Closed (Weather Day if Needed) - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 16 - LifeSouth Blood Drive, Pelham Library, 9:00am-4:00pm - Pelham Business Council Meeting, PCC&IA, 11:00am-1:00pm 20 - Respite Care (special needs 0-21), free, must reserve AaronsStaffRespite.or 28 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

STATE ELECTIONS date March 1, 2016

election Presidential Preference Primary Election Statewide Primary Election Referendum: Shelby County Sunday Sales of Alcohol

April 12, 2016

Primary Runoff Election

November 8, 2016

General Election

For information about voter registration, polling place, absentee ballots, etc. visit AlabamaVotes.gov or call 1-800-274-8683.

CITY OF PELHAM | PELHAM YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL | 2016 REGISTRATION It will soon be time to register for Pelham Youth Baseball and Softball!

Register at the Park and Rec Office January 23 from 9AM to noon, or call the park at 620-6426 to set up a time to come by the office for registration before January 29.

All athletes must be registered before 11AM on January 29.

ELIGIBILITY League age is that age attained by a player prior to April 30 of the current year for baseball and prior to January 1 for softball.

REGISTRATION FEES The fee for the first child is $160.00. This fee will decrease by $10.00 for each additional child in a family up to three children.

Example: Three children register to play from the same family First Child--$160.00 Second Child--$150.00 Third Child--$140.00 The registration fee includes the uniform (2 jerseys and a hat baseball, 2 jerseys and a visor or clinic for softball), supplemental insurance, equipment replacement, umpires, and championship trophies.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES Player’s date of birth must be certified by birth or baptismal certificate. Please include a copy of the child’s birth certificate with the registration form. If your child played during the 2015 season, a birth certificate is not required.

EVALUATIONS Player evaluations for the 2016 season will be February 6, 2016.

Division Boys

League Age

Time

Field

Division Girls

League Age

Time

Field

Minor A

5

10:00am

5

6 & under

6

10:00am

6

6

11:00am

5

8 & under

8

10:00am

1

7

10:00am

2

10 & under

10

11:00am

1

8

11:00am

2

9

10:00am

4

10

11:00am

4

Minor AA Minor AAA

PROSPECTIVE COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES Anyone interested in coaching or assisting a team (including former coaches and assistants) may obtain a volunteer form at the Park and Recreation office. This form must be filled out and given back to Billy/Robert prior to noon January 24, 2015. Coaches will be notified of their acceptance to coach by 02-02-15. A background check will be run on all managers and coaches for the safety of our children.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER 2016 January 23 (Saturday) Registration at Park and Rec. Office 9AM-12PM January 23 (Saturday) Manager/coaching forms deadline 12PM January 29 (Friday) 11AM Last day to register your child for baseball/softball by appointment

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Pelham’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

The 2015 Pelham Christmas Tree Lighting was a huge success! Thanks to city workers and Ice Arena staff for hosting the event, and to everyone who came out for fun, entertainment, refreshments and Santa!

Pelham Seniors IN ACTION Pelham Senior Center • 620-6064 Open Monday-Friday 10:00AM-3:00PM

UA Frozen Tide Hockey 2015-2016 season underway

The University of Alabama Hockey Team is almost through their eleventh official season on their home ice—the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Adult admission is only $8, Children 4-12 are only $5, and children under 4 admitted free.

BAMA HOCKEY 2015 HOME SCHEDULE Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena is the Frozen Tide’s Home Ice Friday Saturday Sunday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday

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Dabo Swinney matches wits with Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide I wonder how many would have believed back in January 2012, when Dabo Swinney was first on the cover of the Pelham City News, that just four short years later, he’d trounce a tough Oklahoma team in the Orange Bowl 37-17 to set up a winner-takes-all National Championship game against his Alma Mater, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Coach Nick Saban?

No doubt, allegiances in Pelham will be stretched January 11, as the Fighting Dabos enter the fray as the nation’s only

undefeated team. The Clemson Tigers will march into sunny Arizona for a chance at making a bit of college Football Playoff history and a date with destiny.

No matter who the ultimate victor though, as I said first back in 2012, Dabo Swinney is nothing if not a winner.

Hats off to the highest achieving Pelham High School graduate I can think of, and good luck on your date with destiny, Dabo!

(This article was written pregame and at press time, the game had not been played.)

The Pelham Senior Center is open to Shelby County residents, 55 and over, for fellowship, music, bingo, trips, fun, exercise, games and much more. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.com to view the senior center’s full event calendar. For more information, contact Director Regina Jimenez by E-mail at pelhamseniorcenter1@yahoo.com or call 620-6064.

MONDAYS Craft Arts-10:30-2:00; Bridge-10:00; Mah Jongg-12:30-3:00; Exercise-12:15-1:00 Jan. 18th-Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Feb. 15th-The Drum Set 1:30 Feb. 29th-UAB Eye Clinic 9-11:30 Mar. 16th-The Drum Set 1:30 TUESDAYS Art 10:30-12:30 $5/month; Advanced Line Dancing 1:00-2:00; Beginning Line Dancing 2:00-3:00; Rummikub 1:00-3:00 WEDNESDAYS Reveille Men’s Coffee Club 10:00; Bridge 10:00-1:00; Wii Bowling 11:00; Exercise 12:15-1:00; Rummikub 1:00-3:00 Jan. 13th-Outside the Lines 1:00-2:00 Feb. 10th-Outside the Lines 1:00-2:00 THURSDAYS Pelham New Pioneers 10:30-1:00 Jan. 14th Bingo Jan. 21st Mystery Lunch Bus, Bingo 1:00-2:00 Jan. 28th Alabama Passport, Bingo 1:00-2:00 Feb. 4th Ron Griggs, Running for Shelby County Commission, Bingo 1:00-2:00 Feb. 11th Bingo Feb. 18th Mystery Lunch Bus, Bingo 1:00-2:00 Feb. 25th Alabama Passport, Bingo 1:00-2:00 March 5th Newman Evans, singer, Bingo 1:00-2:00 March 12th Bingo FRIDAYS Tai Chi 10:30-11:30; Exercise 12:15-1:00; Games 1:00-3:00 Jan 1st Closed for New Years Day Jan. 15th-Winter Solstice Dance 7-9 pm $10/person, must purchase tickets before Dance Feb. 19th –Sweetheart Dance 7-9 pm $5/person music by Wolfgang Please call the Senior Center at 620-6064 for more information.

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Pelham Racquet Club tennis team places third at national competition November 12-15, the Pelham 7.0 Adult Mixed Doubles Sectional Championship Team traveled to Tucson, Arizona to compete in the USTA National Championships. In our Holiday issue, we featured a story about this Pelham Tennis Team winning the State Championship this past September in Dothan, as well as winning the sectional championship this past October, in Chattanooga. The 7.0 Mixed Division had 17 teams qualify for the USTA National Championships. The teams were split into four divisions, with this Pelham team representing Alabama and the USTA Southern Division.

In the first match on Friday, Alabama lost a very close match to Nevada 1-2. Rusty Wilkes/ Lindsay Grant won 6-0, 6-1. Bill Kugler/Amy Sanford lost 4-6, 2-6. Zach Ryals/Tracey Walsh lost 6-3, 4-6, 7-10. “It was tough to lose the first match at Nationals, but our team knew we could still win our division if we could win the remaining matches,” said Team Captain Rusty Wilkes.

Team Alabama rebounded with a 2-1 win over New York in the next round. Zach Ryals/ Tracey Walsh lost 1-6, 4-6.

Greg Mills/Lindsay Grant came through with a big win to even

the match at 1-1, winning 6-2, 3-6, 10-8. The Team Match came down to the 3rd court.

Rusty Wilkes/Amy Sanford won the 1st set 6-3 and lost the 2nd set 2-6. In the match tie-breaker, Wilkes/Sanford were down 1-7.

Wilkes and Sanford fought back to win 9 straight points, & win the final tie-break 10-7. This gave Alabama the 2-1 team win over New York from the USTA Eastern Division.

“The New York team was as good as any team we played at Nationals, so this win kept our team’s hopes of winning our division alive,” Rusty said.

In the next match on Saturday, Team Alabama needed a 3-0 win over Kansas to make the playoff rounds. They came through with a big 3-0 team win over Kansas from the Missouri Valley USTA Section. Greg Mills/Lindsay Grant won 6-3, 6-4. Bill Kugler/Amy Sanford won 6-1, 6-0. Zach Ryals/Tracey Walsh won 7-6, 6-1. Team Alabama finished the division play with a 2-1 team record, one court ahead of Nevada. Alabama tied on courts won with New York, but won the division by winning a head-to-head against them. This put Team Alabama into the Final 4 playoff round for the National Champion-

ships! “All seven of our players came through at different times when we needed wins during division play,” Rusty said.

There was a 5 hour rain delay on Sunday for the playoffs, but play finally resumed in the afternoon. The Chicago team defeated Alabama 2-1 in the semi-final round. Greg Mills/ Lindsay Grant won 7-6, 7-5.

Zach Ryals/Tracey Walsh and Bill Kugler/Amy Sanford both lost by 2-6, 2-6. Chicago went on to win the National Championship with a 2-1 team win over the Carribean. “Chicago was a very deserving championship team,” Rusty said.

Team Alabama went on the finish with a 2-1 win over Southern California to place 3rd nationally. Greg Mills/Lindsay

Grant won 6-2, 6-2. Rusty Wilkes/Amy Sanford lost 6-7, 5-7. Zach Ryal/Tracey Walsh clinched the team win with a 7-6, 6-4 match win. Wilkes and co-captain Tracey Walsh said they were very proud of the team’s results at Nationals.

“Of course it would have been great to win the tourney!

But for Alabama to finish with a 3-2 team record at the USTA National Championships amd place 3rd overall in a field with 17 teams was a great achievement,” Rusty concluded. “It was possibly a once in a lifetime chance to experience the National Championships with our family, friends and teammates.

I think we represented Pelham Racquet Club, Alabama and USTA Southern very well.”

PRC surprises kids with Santa, donates money to Jimmie Hale Mission Children participating in a clinic at the Pelham Racquet Club had a surprise waiting for them on Wednesday, December 16 and Monday, December 21— Santa came to visit! The kids came to do a tennis clinic and Santa surprised them afterward... with a pizza party! Each kid received a gift, along with a picture with Santa and time to talk to the jolly old elf. Santa also sang Christmas songs and other holiday favorites with the kids.

That’s not all the PRC did for the holiday season—one

Saturday in December, the club hosted a one-day doubles tournament benefitting the Jimmie Hale Mission.

Chaney Mills explained that

in November and December, the US Tennis Association donated $500 to a club’s charity of choice to fight hunger or give kids toys at Christmas, and the Pelham

Racquet Club chose the Jimmie Hale Mission as their charity.

Thank you for your generous hearts, pros at the Pelham Racquet Club and USTA!

Santa with pro Rusty Wilkes and Michael Smith and kids from the tennis clinic.

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 33

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Raising Charcot Marie Tooth Disease Awareness

By Bethany Tongate Charcot Marie Tooth Disease is named for the people who discovered this peripheral neuropathy in 1886, and it has nothing to do with teeth.

Why is it important to understand CMT? The peripheral nerves link the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. CMT causes the nerves to demyelinate, which means that they are damaged. This

in turn can cause muscle weakness.

This muscle weakness can cause the foot to drop as a person walks.

This is a reason that people often look at the ground wherever they go and are uneasy about all uneven surfaces.

The hands are most often affected as well. The muscles atrophy which causes difficulty doing everyday things such as opening a coke bottle to holding a fork correctly.

While there can be a myriad of problems, one problem that people may also experience is breathing difficulties. The diaphragm becomes weak or paralyzed making it more difficult to breathe normally.

CMT affects 1 in 2500 people, but it is the least talked about neuromuscular disorder. The CMTA (Charcot Marie Tooth Association, www.cmtausa.org) created a STAR research program to discover more about CMT and ultimately find a treatment/ cure. With the help of many donors, many researchers are working, but we are still in need of more funding to get to drug trials, even though they are close to one.

I am trying to change this.

I started the Central Alabama CMTA Branch here in the Birmingham area this past May. With the help of the CMTA, we are able to raise awareness.

We meet every other month in the Conference Room at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness. The purpose of these meetings is to learn how to better equip ourselves in dealing with CMT. We have had speakers discuss genetic testing to what types of orthotic devices are out there to help us walk. The benefit from these meetings is that people get a chance to meet others with

this terrible disease.

Even though it can be difficult to walk, most people with CMT are not in wheelchairs. I call this an “invisible” disability. Sometimes curb height, bus height, elevator access, and walking terrain can make or break a much wanted trip and cause much unwanted anxiety. I didn’t want people to just give in and not travel and enjoy life. That’s why I created www. songbirdmigration.com with the help of my husband, David. There are many websites and agencies that have tours and information with those in wheelchairs but nothing else. My goal is to give traveling tips and a written experience of the places I have been to help ease others’ minds so that they can feel more confident traveling. I also want to encourage others to be guest writers, even those without CMT, to explain their experiences so that the site can diversify.

For more info about CMTA meetings or my website, you may contact me through my email, bethany.tongate@gmail.com.

PelhamCityNews.com / Winter 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 35

Residential Beautification Power Express Award—106 Stone Hill Circle Gary Rose at 106 Stone Hill Circle won the Power Express award this year with his yard full of light-up Santas, reindeer, elves, candy canes, presents, Christmas trees and other related items and characters. He has put up his hugely popular display for many years, adding more elements each year, until the point where he lost count of the number of strands of lights he puts out. “When you run out of lights, you don’t have enough,” he joked.

The Power Express award is given each year to the yard with the largest amount of lights on display, and Gary’s yard is a clear winner this year. It is often referred to as the Clark Griswold Award because of that character’s over-the-top Christmas decorations in the classic movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We think Gary’s yard would be a pretty good contend-

er against the Griswolds.

“I didn’t do this for the recognition,” Gary said. “I do it for all the kids in the neighborhood who stop by to look at my yard during the holidays.”

In fact, he loves to tell the story where he received a card

in the mail from a local kid who thanked him for his Christmas decorations, and gave him $5 “to help with the electric bill.”

Unfortunately, the unseasonably warm weather that culminated in severe thunderstorms and tornados across the state

took its toll on Gary’s yard.

“That storm on Christmas knocked out about half of my lights,” Gary said. Hopefully some of the lights can be fixed, and he’ll be back to full power by next Christmastime.

Congratulations, Gary Rose!

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Residential Beautification Christmas Decoration Award—109 Heather Ln

William Palacios at 109 Heather Lane won the Residential Christmas Decorating Contest for 2015. He said his family puts up their decorations each holiday season to celebrate Christmas and keep the Holy Spirit alive.

The main fixture of their decorations, front and center in the Palacios yard, is a large wooden stable highlighted by several floodlights. It is set up as a life-size Nativity complete with Mary, Joseph, the manger with baby Jesus, the Angel Gabriel, the Star in the East, the Three Kings/Wise Men, a shepherd, a

donkey, a cow and several sheep.

“We are Christians, and we want to promote the Christmas spirit with our decorations,” William said. He has lived in the Stonehaven neighborhood with his wife Yesenia and their children William, Jeffrey and Warren since 2005. “We love it here!”

The eaves of their house are also draped with classic icicle lights, and color-changing Christmas tree lights on stakes light up the walkway to the front door, as well as outline the front flower bed. William said they have always put up some decora-

tions, but it was only about four years ago that they started setting up the large nativity.

“So this year we were surprised to get a call from Paula Holly!”

William said. “When I told my wife and kids about winning the contest, they could not believe it, they were so excited. It makes them feel good.”

This year the family decided to pull the Three Kings/ Wise Men out a little further into the yard to make a longer walkway straight to baby Jesus.

“Our neighbors stop by to say that once our Nativity is up, it’s Christmas,” William said, noting

that they often get thank you cards in the mail from people who appreciate the Christian display.

“But we don’t do this for the recognition, we do this because we love it.”

While in the past, the Palacios had multicolored lights on their house, this year they decided to stick with the white lights on the eaves to make the house become a beautifully simple backdrop for the spotlight to be on the story of Jesus.

The family was very excited to win this award, and they are glad to have some more foot traffic in their neighborhood because of it.

William said the best part about their decorations is the positive reception they receive once they have put it up each year.

“Our neighbors will slow down to look at our yard, or walk up to visit it. They come to me and tell me they think our decorations are wonderful,” William said. “It’s really nice.”

Congratulations to the Palacios!

Community Christmas Decoration Award—Ballantrae Club Drive The Community/Neighborhood Beautification Award for the Christmas Decorations Contest 2015 went to the area in Ballantrae surrounding 1457 Ballantrae Club Drive. Jason Humphries, who lives at that address, was the selected representative for the neighborhood, and said he and his neighbors were excited to hear they had won.

The group of neighbors got together to come up with a common type of

decoration to do together, and they went with a simple but elegant solution—they outlined

their houses in white lights, and a few houses have white light reindeer in the yards as well.

Congratulations to Jason Humphries and the Ballantrae Club Drive neighborhood!

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Commercial Beautification Christmas Decoration Award, First Place— IBERIA Bank Pelham Parkway’s IBERIA Bank is the First Place winner of the Commercial Beautification Christmas Decorating Contest.

“I was excited about the contest from the minute that I heard about it,” said Debbie Parrott, Vice President and Branch Manager of the Pelham IBERIA Bank. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year—a time for family and friends to get together to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.”

Like the many others who took part in this contest, this year was not the first year the bank put up decorations, not by a long shot.

“We have always decorated inside the building, and this contest gave me a reason to do the outside as well,” Debbie said.

“Plus, I want to participate and support the city’s events as often as I can.”

Debbie also agreed with a sentiment expressed by many during the process of the contest: “Dressing up the city’s businesses makes us all look good; and I am a firm believer in making a great first impression.”

When she told the staff at the bank about the contest, they all were immediately on board.

“So, we set out to win. Everyone here participated and gave suggestions, brought decorations from home and helped with the logistics,” Debbie said. “Even my husband, John, came to help us hang the wreaths on the front of the building and get the electri-

38 PelhamOnline.com / Winter 2016

cal things right.”

Three wreaths hang out in front of the bank on the left side of the doors. Flanking the entrance, in front of the bank’s columns, are two beautiful holiday plants. There is another pair of wreaths on the doors, with garland hung over the entrance, and a Christmas tree just inside.

Throughout the bank is more garland, tinsel, wreaths, another full-size Christmas tree with presents below and several tabletop trees in colors like pink and blue. Festive cards, little characters and buildings from Christmas villages sit along the main desk, while poinsettias accent several tables.

The ladies of the bank hosted an open house on the evening of the judging to culminate the decorating fun, further get into the spirit of the season and open their doors to their neighbors.

Then, unbeknownst to them,

the judges visited, secretly.

“When a group of Senior Citizens out for an evening drive stopped by, we invited them in for hot cocoa, but they declined,” Debbie said. “I only found out later that the bus full of people was actually the judges.”

As first place winners of the business decorating contest, the IBERIA Bank employees won a free Family Night of ice skating at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, or, four complementary rounds of golf at Ballantrae Golf Club.

“When I received the call that we won first place, I screamed in delight!” Debbie said excitedly.

“Iris, Vicki and Serena were thrilled! None of us know how to ice skate or play golf, but we are happy to be recognized!”

In conclusion, Debbie said, “I hope that more and more of the businesses in Pelham will

decorate next year, however, we plan to continue to make the winner’s circle.”

Congratulations, Debbie Parrott and IBERIA Bank employees!

Commercial Beautification Christmas Decoration Award, Second Place—Sarah’s Flowers Sarah’s Flowers, located along Pelham Parkway, is the Second Place winner of the Commercial Beautification Christmas Decorating Contest for 2015. Owner Lisa Smith was overjoyed to win.

“I feel honored. I didn’t even know there was a contest going on, they just called and let me know we’d won!” Lisa said.

“We always decorate for Christmas, so this wasn’t anything out of the ordinary,” Lisa continued. “We also decorate for every season; Valentines Day, Spring, Summer Break, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, too, so it’s nice to be recognized for our work.”

Right under the Sarah’s Flowers neon sign is an oversized Christmas wreath covered in lights, beautiful red and gold Christmas balls and ribbon.

Along the awnings in front of the store are two long garlands

with more lights, ribbon and bells. Giant Christmas tree ornaments hang on more red ribbon at either end of the display.

But their decorations don’t stop there—Lisa and her workers have little scenes in the windows of the shop, as well.

Starting on the left are two fence displays with lights, flowers and beautiful white wire angels. Next is a “front door” bedecked with a berry wreath and flowers. And on the far right is a fireplace complete with Yule logs and poinsettias.

“Our decorations get more people into the spirit of the season and it does make the city look nicer,” Lisa said.

As the second place winner of the business decorating contest, the business gets free booth space at Pelham Palooza 2016, which will be held in early July.

Congratulations, Lisa!

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