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May 16, 2019 | Volume 4, Issue 16

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New owners of Leeds’ Daylight Donuts stores to send profits to third-world countries BY BRAD FISHER Leeds Tribune Staff Mike Herron used to get people’s hearts pumping by helping install pacemakers and stents. But now he and his family are giving folks a jolt the old-fashioned way – with coffee. And they are helping eliminate third-world poverty while they’re doing it. Mike and Lisa Herron are the new owners of the Daylight Donut stores in The Outlet Shops at Grand River and on Parkway Drive in Leeds. Their son, Houston, will manage the stores. “Daylight Donuts in Leeds is now under new management and is partnering with Non-Fiction Coffee Co.,” the previous owners, Jonathan and Valarie David, said in a Facebook post on May 6. “Now every donut and coffee you buy helps to eliminate the systemic poverty that has existed for generations in third world countries.”

Herron said he is new to the retail coffee business, but his wife Lisa has owned Non-Fiction Coffee Co. since 2015, and the family helps run it. Non-Fiction Coffee Co. is a wholesale coffee company that sells what Herron calls “ethically sourced coffee” to churches and businesses, with some retail online and in Piggly Wiggly stores, and now at Daylight Donuts. “Non-Fiction Coffee is for-profit, but we give back,” Herron said. “We work with the farmers and try to get them a fair wage. Coffee is grown in the poorest countries in the world. In Central America, China, Africa, a dollar there is like $100 here. It doesn’t take a whole lot to make a difference.” As they work with farmers, they also spread the Gospel, Herron said. Herron retired from the cardiology medical supply business in his mid-50s. “It

was a great job, but it was a lot of travel,” he said. He and his wife owned some drug stores and were active in the Church of the Highlands. That’s when the church asked him to look into finding a source for coffee that supported the church’s mission and vision. That assignment turned into NonFiction Coffee Co. And the business took off. “It turns out there were a lot of churches and businesses who were looking for an ethical and/or spiritual source for products,” Herron said. Herron said he and his family had considered opening a coffee shop in the past, “but just couldn’t make the numbers work.” Then when he was talking with Jonathan and Valarie David about using Non-Fiction coffee in their stores, they asked him if he was interested in buying the business. The Parkway Drive Daylight Donuts store opened three years ago. The store at

Grand River opened about a year ago, according to the Daylight Donut Facebook page. The Grand River location currently sells more coffee, but Herron said the Parkway Drive store can sell more with the right offerings. He said they are looking at expanding into smoothies, protein smoothies and cookies. The Parkway Drive store has room to host Bible studies or meetings that could attract people and increase sales. Herron noted that there isn’t a high-end coffee shop in Leeds/Moody, but that doesn’t concern him. “I feel like people will get coffee if it’s better coffee,” he said. “We’ll do that.” “I like the area,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody; it has a community feel.” And he said he’s also excited about the growth around exit 140. “This area seems ready to grow,” he said.

Mike and Lisa Herron with their daughter, Ann Harper, on Easter Sunday.

Leeds City School graduates its 15th class next week BY CINDY FISHER Leeds Tribune Staff Leeds High School is gearing up to say goodbye and good luck to the Class of 2019. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 23 at Church of the Highlands on Grants Mill Road. It’s the fourth year Leeds will host its graduation ceremony in the auditorium at Church

of the Highlands after the ceremony outgrew Church at Brook Hills, said Lisa Hudson, LHS guidance counselor. Hudson will also say goodbye at the end of the school year as she retires after 36 years with Leeds schools. This year, 107 seniors will graduate in front of a crowd of about 500. For the first time, the Leeds choir will sing the school’s

alma mater and other selected songs under the direction of Director Chip Wise. The Class of 2019 is the 15th class to graduate from an independent Leeds City School system. Leeds split off from Jefferson County schools through a “Save the Wave” campaign to prevent a planned closure of Leeds High School. Since then, Leeds has seen three new schools and a reno-

vated elementary school and growing classes of students each year. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. May 23. Admission is free, and Seats are first-come, first-served. Leeds administrators request no balloons or decorated caps. Speakers will include Leeds Superintendent John J. Moore, first-year LHS Principal Rayford Williams and Leeds Mayor David Miller.

The 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian will also speak. Those seniors, as well as the class’ Top 10, will be announced after exams are completed and

final grades are posted this week, Hudson said. A video feed of the students accepting their diplomas will be broadcast on the large screen.

Look for the Leeds Tribune’s special Greenwave Graduation Edition in next week’s edition.

Leeds Primary School teachers read bedtime stories to students via Facebook to connect with students after hours BY BLAKE ELLS Leeds Tribune Staff The administrators at Leeds Primary School began a program in March that has become a popular way for students to connect with faculty outside of the classroom. “Sunday Night Bedtime Stories” is a weekly broadcast on Facebook that allows teachers and administration to read their

favorite children’s stories to students of all ages who tune in. During the school year, the Storytime sessions began at 7 p.m., but they will likely be at 8 p.m. throughout the summer as many students participate in extracurricular activities that keep them out a bit later. Either way, the stories are archived at the Leeds Primary School Facebook page, and can be viewed any time.

“It’s giving them an opportunity to see us outside of the school day,” said Principal Leah Pendergrass, who began the program. Children can hear a variety of stories – Pendergrass recently shared “Curious George’s Happy Easter” on Easter, and many teachers have picked their own favorites. Some teachers have had their own children read. As the program expands,

they will add bilingual sessions courtesy of Maria Hodge. The Facebook videos usually collect as many as 600 to 1,000 views each. “Personally, I love Monday mornings,” Pendergrass said. “Monday mornings right after I have read the story, our kids are eager to get out of the car and tell me that they haven’t heard the book before. They remember it. Some of the parents have now started watch-

ing it, so kids are going back and seeing some of the past videos, too.” It humanizes the faculty. It’s more than reading stories; often, faculty members give their students a peak into their lives. The videos are typically being streamed from each teacher’s home. Perhaps they get a chance to meet their teachers’ own children or see their pets. And that allows students to get comfortable with the teachers that they not

only currently have, but the teachers that they will have as they proceed through the Primary School. “Our kids need to be read to, and we love reading to our kids,” Pendergrass said. “It’s not that parents can’t do that; this just gives us a way to interact with them in a different way.” To see past videos and to watch live streams each Sunday evening, search for and like Leeds Primary School on Facebook.

Leeds Primary School Principal Leah Pendergrass reads a Curious George book during a recent Sunday night bedtime story broadcast on Facebook.

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May 16, 2019

THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

Community LOCAL HERO OF THE MONTH Each month, the Leeds Tribune honors a first responder or resident of Leeds who makes a difference in the lives of our community. For May, we honor:

Mr. Bud, crossing guard at Leeds Primary School BY BLAKE ELLS Leeds Tribune Staff Bud “Mr. Bud” Moncrief has served as a crossing guard for Leeds City Schools for 15 years. He first worked at Leeds Elementary School before moving to Leeds Primary School when it opened a few years ago. He spent more of his time in the middle of the street at the elementary school. “I kind of miss that,” Moncrief said. “But my wife doesn’t.” Moncrief has been married to Darlene for 46 years. He met her while he was serving as a

dispatcher for the Leeds Police Department, a position that he held for six years. He moved on to the Mountain Brook Police Department when he served from 1977 until his retirement in 2003. Before serving the two police departments, he served the United States. “Mr. Bud” was in the Army from 19681971. He patrolled the border between East and West Germany. He’s enjoyed his time serving his community in retirement as a crossing guard. “I love these kids,” he said. “They make you laugh and cry

all the time. They’ll come up to me all the time and say, ‘I love you Mr. Bud!’” With the school year coming to a close, he’ll focus his time on his hobbies during the summer months. “I’m going to do what I do best, which is nothing,” he joked. “I love to fly fish. My son is an Eagle Scout. Not long before he became one, they made merit badges for fly fishing. I was able to get some of our guys a badge for fly fishing.” He’ll also spend his days as the Masonic Lodge and attending Cedar Grove Baptist Church.

Brayden (BB) Butler is right. His healthcare team is among the best in the nation! While practicing a motocross jump, BB fell and suffered a brain bleed. It would take half a year and surgeons, physicians, nurses and therapists to help him recover. Fortunately, for BB and thousands of other children, Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the top hospitals for children by U.S. News & World Report.

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THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

May 16, 2019

News Leeds police add substation at Outlet Shops of Grand River BY BLAKE ELLS Leeds Tribune Staff On Tuesday, Leeds Police Department opened its second substation at The Outlet Shops of Grand River. The new substation location is near Rue 21 and beside Viva Health across from the Dress Barn. Officers, staff from nearby shops and community leaders, including Mayor David Miller congregated for a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday officially welcoming the new space that has been about a year in the making. Dr. David Bronner, CEO of Retirement Systems of Alabama and head of PCH Hotels and Resort that owns Grand River, approached Miller and asked if a substation would be something his police force would be interested in. It was a collaboration that worked well for everyone involved. It allows a police presence on site at one of the community’s most visible attractions, while also allowing more space for a force that was running out of adequate office space and conference rooms. “This substation was a part of a visioning process between the Outlet Shops of Grand River and the City of Leeds and the Leeds Police Department,” said Outlet spokesperson Stacy Smith. “We

have more than 3.5 million visitors each year and the Outlet Shops are growing with the City of Leeds. As a result, we wanted to be good community partners with the City of Leeds and the Leeds Police Department, supporting their need for conference space, meeting space and for space period. Their main office doesn’t have a conference room. With this space, we’re geographically providing more coverage and we just announced the opening of The Backyard at Grand River. It just made good sense. It’s planned, it’s intentional, it’s a part of growth.” Space was a priority in the new partnership, but adequately reaching a part of the city that is rapidly growing was another goal accomplished. Chief Jim Atkinson said officers are being stationed on the Outlet campus to prevent issues. “We’re here as a preventative measure,” he said. “And as the Outlet expands—which it will be doing over the years to come—do we need to expand? We decided that this move would be great for us as the Outlet and other businesses expand around the theater.” The space comes at no cost to Leeds taxpayers. The arrangement between the City and PCH

Leeds Police opened a new substation at the Outlet Shops of Grand River Tuesday. is a lease that costs just $1 a year. Atkinson hopes that the additional space allows him to

bring instructors to his officers for Continuing Education Units (CEU). He also seeks pub-

The bait debate is over: Hunters now can use bait with a permit BY TODD PRATER Special to the Selma Sun Is it OK to hunt over bait, or is it unsportsmanlike? This debate has raged for years, all the way up to the Alabama State Legislature. According to Alabama Wildlife and Fresh Water Fisheries Director Chuck Sykes, the legislature has been debating a bill to legalize hunting over bait at least since 2012, when he took the job. A version of the bill recently passed, without objection from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Bait Privilege License Bill makes hunting white tail deer and feral hogs over bait legal with the proper license. Sykes said the original bill called for hunters to purchase a sticker that would go on their feeder, but that would create enforcement problems. To make it easier to enforce and more efficient for wardens to check, WFF recommended it be a license that hunters can easily purchase, and wardens can easily check. “And this way our officers don’t have to go traipsing through the woods interrupting someone’s hunt,” Sykes said. To those who claim the DCNR let the money from fees sway them to support the bill, Sykes pointed out the money has been a part of the bill for years, but the DCNR and the WFF division still didn’t support the bill. Strong opposition to allowing hunters to use bait comes from those who fear the spread of disease, especially with the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease, which is highly contagious and always fatal to deer. “As a biologist, we are taught an unnatural congregation of animals is bad”

because the animals can infect each other, Sykes said. “I’m speaking as the (WWF) director now,” Sykes said. “I try not to be a hypocrite. It is legal in the state of Alabama to feed wildlife 365 days a year. I could not stand in front of a crowd and say baiting is bad, but feeding is OK, when corn is corn whether it is at 10 yards or 110 yards away.” Sykes said, “For Alabama, it was not a biological issue; it was a hunter ethics issue, a personal preference issue. It was a fair chase issue.” Sykes said it appeared the bill would pass with or without support from DCNR or the WFF division. Because spread of disease is a concern, to get the blessing of DCNR and WFF, this amendment was added to the bait law: “The commissioner may, without refund, suspend the use of a baiting privilege license and adopt rules to manage the feeding of wild game animal populations on a county, regional or statewide basis to prevent the spread of diseases among wildlife by announcing the suspension in a news release.” Very important here is the part that says, “and adopts rules to manage the feeding of wild game animal populations.” Sykes explained that for the first time in the state’s history, the commissioner of the DCNR can control the feeding of wildlife if there is a threat of disease. Sykes said that with the amendment, the DCNR and WFF felt they would be in a better position to manage the resource if the bill passed than they would be if it did not pass. “We didn’t go out and beat the drums for it, but we didn’t come out in opposition to it,” he said. And now it is law. However, there are some restrictions. First of all, the

Publisher: Cindy Fisher publisher@leedstribune.com Contributing Writers: Blake Ells • Nathan Prewett Brad Fisher • Todd Prater • Dona Bonnett Sales Representative sales@leedstribune.com Copyright 2019 All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part other than for personal use is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher Kingfisher Media LLC

Bait Privilege License is only for white tail deer and feral hog and only on private land. The long-standing law of a feeder being 100 yards away and out of the line of sight of the hunter still stands on public land, including any WMA or SOA. On private land, the landowner can state on the lease if hunting over bait is allowed. If baiting is not allowed, the old law applies. If baiting is allowed, a hunter must have the bait privilege license. No hunter is exempt from the license – meaning hunters over 65 or under 16 – and private owners hunting on their own land are not required to have a hunting license. However, even those who don’t have to have a hunting license must have the bait privilege license to use bait. Sykes reiterated that if a hunter has no plans to hunt over bait, they are not required to buy the bait privilege license. Sykes said money from the licenses will be a huge positive. The WFF is funded solely by sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and there has been a decline in hunting and fishing license sales. Proceeds of the bait privilege licenses will go to the WFF. Hunters who are exempt from hunting licenses are not exempt from the bait privilege license if they intend to hunt over bait. This means hunters that WFF did not even know about can now be counted and used to get more Pitman-Robertson matching funds. The Pittman-Robertson Act is a federal excise tax on guns and ammo and other hunting items that is collected by the federal government from each state and allocated back to the states based on

The Leeds Tribune is a news source for the community of Leeds, Alabama. Information gathered for coverage of Leeds is from sources that are considered reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

conservation needs. If a state has an approved conservation project, the state pays 25%, and Pittman-Robertson picks up 75%. These funds are used to purchase and manage public lands and other conservation projects. So, is the baiting license positive? “I think the department is in better shape than it was before,” Sykes said. “Is this the best option? No. But we made lemonade out of lemons. We’re going to do the best we can to manage the resources of Alabama to the best of our ability. This gives us greater authority to do that and hopefully more money to do that.” Sykes said there are downsides to feeding. He said a toxin in corn could have a detrimental effect on songbirds, quail and turkey if the corn gets wet. He also warned that predators will key in on feeding locations and lay in ambush. Sykes recommended doing research and learning the positives and negatives before feeding or using bait. “The property with the best habitat management is going to win in the long run,” Sykes said. “There may be some short-term benefits from just putting corn out. If you don’t hunt it properly, if every time the deer come to it, they see a buddy getting shot, they are going to quit coming or come at night.” The bait privilege license is currently on sale; however, it will be good only through Sept. 1. Like any other hunting or fishing license, it must be renewed each year. You can get the license and learn more about the law at www. outdooralabama.com Learn more about the bill SB66 here also https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB66/2019

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lic involvement—a Citizens Academy and Community Policing Classes—things that

the LPD didn’t have space for at their headquarters their headquarters and other substation.

VOICES: Calling on Alabama Legislators to pass life-saving distracted driving bill

Michelle Lunsford, right, with her daughter Cici Lunsford, who died in a car accident while texting and driving. BY MICHELLE LUNSFORD They say time heals all wounds, but for me it’s not so easy. You see just over a year ago my only child was killed just twenty-six days before her eighteenth birthday, and three months to the day before she would have graduated from Thompson High School. My sweet daughter Cici was distracted by her cell phone while driving. In the course of only a few short seconds she went from wishing a friend happy birthday to slamming her brakes as she slid underneath an 18-wheeler on I-65. Yes, she made a mistake, like many of us do every day. However, if there was law in place that forced her to put her phone down, Cici might still be here today. As we approach the last few weeks of Alabama’s legislative session, I’m asking lawmakers to pass the hands-free bill and save lives. House Bill 404 will make holding or touching a cell phone, or other wireless telecommunication devices, while driving illegal. This hands-free bill is designed to make our roads safer by requiring drivers to be more responsible behind the wheel. The hands-free legislation is not meant to take away your rights to be talking via your hands-free device; you can still make a one touch phone call and you can use GPS to help navigate. However, this law does prevent you from texting, watching YouTube, streaming Netflix, or looking at your Facebook feed while driving. Just last year, we watched our neighbor, the state of Georgia, become the 16th state to adopt hands-free legislation and since the law went into effect July 1, they have already seen positive results. Traffic fatalities fell 3.4 percent in 2018, and we can do the same or even better in Alabama if we pass similar legislation. Just a few weeks ago, both Arizona and

Tennessee also recently passed hands-free laws to continue to make their roads safer. The law enforcement community has come forward to tell us that the current law banning distracted driving is simply not enforceable, because officers can’t determine if someone was texting while driving or simply dialing a phone number or using GPS. Statistics show teens are particularly at risk. They are a shocking four times more likely than older drivers to get into accidents caused by distracted driving. This new law would prohibit the use of a wireless communication device altogether, except to follow a route on a navigation system, as long as the address information was entered prior to operating the vehicle or in an emergency situation. There is a billboard on I-65 northbound in Pelham near the Cahaba Valley Rd exit. It is a picture of my daughter in her cap and gown as well as a picture of her car after the crash. Both pictures were taken on the same day. The billboard says, “DISTRACTED DRIVING KILLS GO HANDS FREE ALABAMA!” I’m calling on every Alabamian to help make sure that by the time the billboard comes down, the hands- free bill is made a law. I’m asking that Alabamians call their Senators and Representatives and ask them to vote “YES” for Cici’s Law, for their own safety as well as their families’ safety while behind the wheel. We must continue to teach our loved ones about the dangers behind distracted driving. However, it’s our lawmakers who have the power to make a real impact and keep the roads safe. Michelle Lunsford of Birmingham is the mother of Camryn "Cici" Callaway, who died in a traffic accident at 17.

May 16, 2019

THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

Community 25th annual Creek Bank Festival Saturday to feature live music from Nashville and more BY DONA BONNETT Special to the Leeds Tribune The 25th Annual Leeds Creek Bank Festival will feature live music from Nashville, the famous Moon Pie Eating Contest, Mascot Challenge and so much more. Everyone is invited to come out for a full day of family fun this May 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Boasting to be the best one yet celebrating the 25th year, this festival will be held along the bank of the Little Cahaba River at the Leeds Memorial Park located at 1159 Montevallo Rd SW, Leeds. There will be live entertainment on two stages and a variety of food vendors, arts and craft vendors from around the state, local business vendors, balloon artist, hula hoop contest, petting zoo, pony rides and plenty of other games, activities and rides for the kids, dog pageant and more. Donâ€™t miss the Pace Car from the

Talladega Super Speedway and register for free Sunday tickets to the upcoming 1000Bulbs. com 500. While youâ€™re there, check out the Fourth Annual C&C Motor Companyâ€™s Cruisinâ€™ the Creek Car Show that benefits the Leeds Outreach and Backpack Buddies. You will not want to miss a single minute of the full stage lineup all day long on both stages. Entertainers include Michael Jacobs, a Nashville recording artist, Kayla J who was nominated for New Artist of the Year & Female Vocalist of the Year, Erica Ryleigh, a country artist with a twist who performed earlier this month at the First Thursday Street Fest. Erica is a Leeds native who has been playing her guitar and singing almost a decade. Elvis is back by popular demand with our favorite Elvis Tribute Artist, Terry Padgett. Other entertainers include Jr. Showstoppers, Girls with Guitars featuring Julia Tambruello, Brinkley Rackstraw, Madeline

Mae, Skylar Wallace, Samantha Hennings, and Maddie Beth Morgan. Miss Leeds Areaâ€™s Outstanding Teen Coco Green, Grace Multiplied, Payton Myers and Maddie Hooker are also scheduled.

Leeds Creek Bank Festival is a family friendly, community event and many of the activities are completely free with free parking so bring the whole crew to experience the fun.

This event is hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. A rain date of May 25 has been set aside just in case of bad weather. Thereâ€™s something for everyone and plenty of fun to go

around so bring your family (and your dog). For a full schedule of music and events, visit www.creekbankfestival. com or call Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001 or email Sandra@ LeedsAreaChamber.com

Michael Jacobs, a Nashville recording artist is scheduled to perform. Kayla J was nominated for New Artist of the Year & Female Vocalist of the Year.

Elvis Tribute Artist Terry Padgett will perform.

Erica Ryleigh, a country artist and Leeds native.

Leeds resident who was first black officer of Homewood Police dies at 75 BY NATHAN PREWETT Leeds Tribune Staff Jessie Mack, who was the first black officer of the Homewood Police Department, has passed away. Mack was a resident of Leeds and was 75.

A story by AL.com reports that Mack joined the Homewood police force in 1974 and retired in 2006. Afterward, he served as a Municipal Court bailiff starting in 2011 until his recent passing from cancer.

According to the report, he was beloved and respected by his peers in the police force. The Homewood Police Department has expressed their intention to bury Mack with police honors with permission from his family.

MEDICATION SYNCHRONIZATION ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Jessie Mack, a Leeds resident, died last week at 75.

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CDC testing for measles in St. Clair infant comes back negative BY NATHAN PREWETT Leeds Tribune Staff An update from the Alabama Department of Public Health says that the final testing for measles in a St. Clair County baby has come back negative.

Although results from a commercial laboratory on May 2 tested positive, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did additional testing and sent the results to the department. The ADPH continues to

investigate all reports of disease. â€œOut of an abundance of caution, with evidence of presumptive disease, a positive initial measles test was reported after determining that this was in the best interest of the

public while awaiting additional testing.â€? ADPH stated in the announcement. â€œThe important message remains that MMR vaccine, for those without immunity to measles, is the most effective measure a person can take.â€?

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May 16, 2019

Business ‘The Backyard at Grand River’ to include two phases, $5M investment More details released about entertainment complex coming to Grand River BY CINDY FISHER Leeds Tribune Staff Construction has begun on the new entertainment complex coming to The Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds that will add up to a $5 million investment over two phases. Called The Backyard at Grand River, an entertainment and dining experience, it will include a brewery, dog park, beer garden and more. The development will be in addition to the drive-in and puttputt golf course already on the 16-acre property. Hunter Lake, co-founder of Avondale Brewery, presented the plan to the city of Leeds in 2017 as an elevated version of what was there, including more activities and entertainment options. Negotiations with Leeds for an economic incentive package heated up in fall 2018, with approval by Leeds City Council on May 6. The incentive package has a sales tax abatement of 2 cents from funds generated through the new development for two years and 1.5 cents for another 13 years for costs associated with the developer’s plans to build more in the future, with a cap of $1.5 million in 15 years. The city collects four pennies of the sales tax generated. One penny is dedicated to city of Leeds schools. Three pennies are discretionary to the city of

Leeds general fund, according to the proposal. The first phase will bring 30 full-time positions. Phase 1 will include a $3.2 million investment by Lake’s Neighbors-Leeds LLC and $140,000 investment from The Outlet Shops of Grand River for storm drains, storm water retention and other site work, according to documents from the developer. Phase 2 investment is estimated at $1.6 million. The Grand River Drive-In is getting updates and will open July 3 with a grand opening that will include fireworks and a food truck rally. In July, the Backyard Beer Garden will open as a landscaped outdoor area. It will have a performance area for smaller concerts and events up to 1,000 people. The 18-hole mini-golf course will be landscaped, and games like cornhole and bocce ball will be added. New construction includes the Snack Shack, which will be located closer to the movie screens and offer popcorn, nachos, candy and more. Its design is inspired by intermodal shipping containers. The children’s playground will be “reimagined” and relocated in July, and the new offleash dog park will be complete by then. In the fall, Neighbors Beer house, Saw’s BBQ and an

additional dining option will open. In Phase 2, scheduled for 2020-2022, an amphitheater will be built that can accommodate up to 6,000 people for concerts and events. The developer will add a launch on the Cahaba River for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. They will also build an observation deck for viewing and relaxing by the river. About 3.5 million customers visit Grand River annually. Adding an entertainment complex next to the retail at the outlet shops will create an entertainment component that will make shopping more of an experience and destination, Grand River says in a report to the city of Leeds. “Today, retail shopping is about an entertainment experience,” said Chris Strange, vice president-operations, The Outlet Shops of Grand River. “The Backyard at Grand River will be providing experiences that cannot be gotten on online, on a tablet or smartphone. In retail, we call what we are building a ‘hyper-social environment.’ We are excited to connect the shopper to a live, local community experience.” Market research by Lake’s firm anticipates a 10 percent increase in traffic to Grand River, increased time customers spend there and more repeat business. Hunter Lake said he named it The Backyard at Grand River

A rendering of the planned Snack Shack, which is inspired by a shipping container look will open in July. to support friendship and community. “This is the same idea behind my naming Neighbors Beer House. As a community backyard, we will have BBQ, outdoor movies, minigolf, yard games and snacks, which all come together to build friendships and family connections. We want people to come out, stay out, come back, enjoy old friendships and make new friends,” Lake said. “I am excited about this 16-acre development that will support new jobs, the local public education system and local charities,” he said.

The logo for the drive in has just been completed. Lake co-owns Post Office Pies, Saw’s Street Kitchen, Saw’s Southside, Saw’s Franchising and the upcoming Saw’s on the Side. He was a founder and owner of Avondale Brewing Company. In 2017, he sold Avondale Brewing Company and associated prop-

The logo for the drive in has just been completed. erties for $12.2 million to Orchestra Partners.

Cheers: Wintzell’s

Oyster House can now serve alcohol Wintzell’s Oyster House tackled the final hurdle to earn its liquor license and started serving alcohol on Monday. The Leeds City Council approved the license last week but the restaurant still needed the state's OK. They got it on Monday.

The Leeds location at 1770 Ashville Road opened in March without their license, letting it go through the steps for approval while operating without it. Since then, guests were allowed to bring their own alcohol. They announced beer specials that started Monday.

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May 16, 2019

THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

Lifestyle Leeds Chef Andrew Armstrong digs into the Southern staple of casseroles BY ANDREW ARMSTRONG There's nothing quite like a a casserole. They are easy meals that take little to no time to prep and they are tasty! Casseroles are a Southern staple that can be found on the dinner table for almost any event, happy or sad. This week’s selection of recipes is bound to bring a family together on any busy night. If you have an exciting recipe to share in 2019, then please send it to me at P.O. Box 693 Leeds, Alabama 35094 -Andrew M. Armstrong

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May 16

ACROSS 1 Expression of pride? 5 Put in position 8 Aesop's diligent worker 11 ___ in a blue moon 12 Game show giveaway 13 Impede 14 Plays the odds 15 Have being 16 Mole 17 Show-canceling weather event 20 Dinosaur remnant 23 Squeals 26 Cartridge contents 27 Marshaled 29 Sci-Fi novel 30 Dance lesson 32 Darjeeling, for one 34 Aid for a stranded auto 35 Fox dwellings 37 Candy and cookies 39 Doorways 41 It's hard on a construction worker 43 __ Man Flint 44 Dispatched a messenger 48 Green light 49 Statement from Pinocchio 50 Locale 51 "___ in black" 52 Abolish 53 Sign of boredom

DOWN 1 Roy or Reiner 2 Till bill 3 Be in a cast 4 Our case ___ 5 "_____ Pimpernel" 6 Deserve 7 Ice cream or candy 8 Sheer 9 Doze a bit 10 Hear legally 18 Spa liquid 19 Little League coach, often 20 Drop a line? 21 Not duped by 22 Anatomy class display 24 Jumble 25 Fixes a hem 28 In demand 31 Cygnet's mother 33 Amazement 36 Item worn around the shoulders 38 Blue-book filler 40 Archeological site 41 Omelet filler 42 ____ of reason 45 Span of a ruler, maybe 46 Like a debut 47 Brown at the beach

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The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be at Leeds First United Methodist Family Life Center at 11:45 a.m. Lunch is $12 ($15 for no reservation and nonmembers). Speaker is Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons. RSVP to Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001. Wilderness Animals with Ruffner Mountain: Join the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library at 6 p.m. Pizza will be provided for the young attendees, while supplies last. No registration required. For more information, call 205-699-5962.

May 18 The annual Creek Bank Festival & Car Show will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Leeds Memorial Park. Leeds Arts Council presents Jil Chambless & Scooter Muse (Celtic Duo). Tickets are $15. Call 699-1892 for tickets and times. Barber Historics 2019: Historic Sportscar Racing debuts at Barber Motorsports Park on May 18-19 at 7 p.m. This event is the first of the HSR's partner events with

the Historic Motor Sports Association for 2019, offering competitors and race fans a chance to visit one of North America's most pristine venues and circuits: Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.

May 19

May 21 Tot Time at Leeds Jane Culbreth Library - Join Mrs. Ramona & Ms. Amy as they sing songs, read fun stories, and make a craft. 10 a.m. Moody Kiwanis every first and third Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Moody City Hall.

Barber Historics 2019: Historic Sportscar Racing debuts at Barber Motorsports Park on May 18-19 at 7 p.m. This event is the first of the HSR's partner events with the Historic Motor Sports Association for 2019, offering competitors and race fans a chance to visit one of North America's most pristine venues and circuits: Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.

May 21-29

May 20

May 28

The Leeds City Council meets at 6 p.m. at the Leeds Civic Center. Sign up for Summer Reading Program for Preschoolers through 12th graders at Jane Culbreth Leeds Public Library. Moody Lions Club every first and third Mondays at 7 p.m. at Whites Chapel.

St. Clair County Commission Meeting from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Ashville Courthouse.

May 23 Leeds High School graduation at 6 p.m. at Church of the Highlands. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

May 30 Dumbledore’s Army: Join the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library on the last Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. for

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JIMMY'S CASSEROLE 1 Pound of Jimmy Dean Sausage 6 eggs 1/2 Cup of sour cream 4 Tablespoons of onions, chopped 4 Tablespoons of bell pepper, chopped Preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Brown the sausage, onions and bell peppers in a heavy skillet and drain. Line a baking dish with 3/4 of the sausage mixture. Combine the eggs and sour cream. Season according to your taste. Pour over sausage mixture. Bake at 350 degrees, until the eggs are

or any other industrial setting before 1980:

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AMISH CHICKEN CASSEROLE 1 small package of egg noodles 1/2 Cup of butter 1 package of mushrooms, sliced 1/3 Cup of flour 2 Cups of chicken broth 1 Cup of milk salt and pepper, to taste 1/3 Cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 Cups of cooked chicken, cut in cubes 1 pinch of sage Preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Cook noodles as direct-

ed on package. Melt the butter and cook the mushrooms in a large skillet, until lightly browned. Stir in the flour and blend with a fork or slotted spoon. Stir in the milk and broth and seasonings. Whisk the sauce constantly, until thickened. Combine the sauce, noodles and chicken. Adjust seasonings to taste. Place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

semi-set. Stir egg mixture and top with the remaining sausage. Bake as long as it takes for the eggs to firm. REBECCA'S SALMON CASSEROLE 1 can of Salmon 1 can of creamed corn 1 box of jiffy cornbread mix 1 small onion, diced 3 eggs beaten 2 Tablespoons of Mustard 2 Tablespoons of Ketchup 3/4 a sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed salt and pepper Preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Combine the salmon, eggs, onion, mustard, ketchup, crackers, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Pat mixture the into the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees until crispy, about 20 minutes. While this is baking, prepare the Jiffy cornbread mix according to directions. Remove the casserole from the oven and pour the creamed corn over the salmon mixture, then add the cornbread mix. Return to the oven and bake until the cornbread is done.

Community Calendar

CHOW MEIN CASSEROLE 1 Pound of ground beef 3 large stalks celery, chopped 2 onions, chopped 1 1/4 Cups boiling water 1/2 Cups of rice, uncooked 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 can of chicken and rice soup 1 package of mushrooms, sliced 1 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons of soy sauce 1 teaspoon of butter 1 1/2 Cups of chow mein noodles

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Cook and stir hamburger, celery and onion until hamburger is light brown, then drain the grease. Pour water over the rice and add salt in a greased casserole dish. Stir in beef, soup, mushrooms, sugar, soy sauce and butter. Cover and cook in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes longer and stir it up. Mix in the noodles and serve immediately. Note: Water chestnuts or bamboo shoots may be added if desired.

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1-888-432-6020 Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law, ARPC7.2.(e) “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

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Harry Potter fun. Each month we will be doing a different activity or craft. This club is for 6th grade-Adults. For more information or to sign-up please call or email Ms. Ginny at 205- 699-5962 or gedwards@ bham.lib.al.us.

May 31 – June 1 Esther the Musical Audition. Roles available for ages 13 and up. A few non-speaking roles available for children age 6-12. Please prepare 16 bars of a Broadway musical type song. Resume and headshot not required. You will be photographed at the audition. For information, call 205-699-1892.

June 4 Artist reception at Artists Incorporated Gallery at 6200 Grand River Boulevard Suite 114.

June 7-9 The Barber Museum has teamed up with Mnnthbx to introduce the Barber Small Bore Festival to Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 7-9. The Barber Small Bore Festival is dedicated to miniature-motorcycles, pit bikes, scooters – and their riders! So grab your sub-200cc bikes, your Groms, your ST90s, etc... both vintage and modern... and mark your calendars.

June 8 Storytime at Green Up Garden Shop - Ms. Ginny will host a special Storytime with friends at Green up Garden Shop at 10 a.m. For more information, call 205-699-5962.

June 29 Three on a String performs at Leeds Arts Center. $20 for admission. Include your community event in our calendar! Email information to news@leedstribune.com.

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THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

May 16, 2019

Education LHS band announces next year’s leaders, drum majors and marching band’s show theme about flight BY BLAKE ELLS Leeds Tribune Staff The Leeds High School Band presented awards for the 2018-2019 academic year at a banquet last week. Recipients included: • Bandsman of the Year – Dalton Cates (Senior, Drum Major/tuba) and Juliette Skelton (Senior, Green O’Dear dance line captain) • John Phillip Sousa Award – Kyle Fields (Senior, trumpet/ French horn) • Rookie of the Year – Aaron Moyana (8th grade, tenor sax) The band also announced its officers for the next school year. Starting with its drum majors for the new marching season, they are as follows: • Drum Majors – Margaret Davies and Jordan Cargile • Band Captains – Joey Black and Brittan Kelley • Brass Captain – Marco Serrato • Woodwind Captain – Clair Belcher • Battery Captain – Chance Bryan • Pit Captain – Jordan Meeks • Majorette Captain – Zeali Crocker • Green O’Dear Captain – Karlee Moses • Lieutenants – Jacob Moore, Dorcus Njogu, Zack Blowers,

Miguel Luna, Aaron Duke, Eric Villareal, William Lozano and Toni Barrow Director of Bands Chip Wise announced the 2019 marching show theme of “Take Flight” that is based not only on the surface topic of flight, but also on becoming a better person. The show will feature “Fly Like and Eagle” by Steve Miller Band, “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters, a drum feature titled “Fast Flight” and “Fly Me to the Moon” as performed by Frank Sinatra. “I have a ton of show ideas,” Wise said. “They’re lying around all over the place. When I’m making a final decision about what I’m going to do for the season, I try to pick a bigger picture kind of theme – a color or element or a concept or a time period – then we focus in on making sure that there are no copyright issues. Then we find the best available arrangements. I make our selections based on what will be allowed at our major competitions, Bands of America and US Bands. And I try to pick things that will appeal to judges that have seen everything there is to see, but also, something that our football audience will enjoy.” Band camp will get underway in late July, but first, the Leeds

The Leeds High School band, conducted by Chip Wise, at their spring performance at the LHS auditorium. High School Band will participate in the Annual Caribbean

Food and Music Festival in Bessemer. That will take place

on June 1 at DeBardeleben Park in Bessemer. It is hosted by the

Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization.

Leeds schools honor students as school year comes to a close Leeds High School recognized students during Underclassmen Awards Day who made A and A/B Honor Rolls and who had Perfect Attendance. LHS teachers presented highest average and rising star awards to 9th-11th grade students. LHS Students of the Year were ninth grade - Claire Belcher and Todd Shrewsbury; 10th grade - Emma Terry and DeAndre Oden; and 11th grade - Michelle Walker and Joey Black.

Shelby Saunier, Karlee Moses, Emmalee Keating, Jordan Gough and Taylor Dawkins.

LHS Students of the Year were ninth grade - Claire Belcher and Todd Shrewsbury; 10th grade - Emma Terry and DeAndre Oden; and 11th grade - Michelle Walker and Joey Black. Leeds High School seniors with cords and stoles from the Club & Cord Ceremony held on May 6. Senior Awards Day is May 19 at 5 p.m. in the LHS auditorium.

Sam Sertell, James Linderman, and Cade Benton

The GOALS students at Leeds high School earned a combined 44 awards at Underclassmen Awards Day. GOALS teachers are Jeff Thomas, Ms. Thomas, Steve Porter and Melissa Kirkpatrick.

Leeds Elementary School Principal Justin Burns talks to second graders on their visit before graduating from Leeds Primary School to attend third grade at LES.

May 16, 2019

THE LEEDS TRIBUNE

Sports Leeds parents split off to form new youth football league for fall

Josh Myers, who coaches basketball and football in Leeds, has taken the task of president of the new Leeds football league as part of United Youth Football of Alabama. Photo provided. BY CINDY FISHER Leeds Tribune Staff A group of Leeds parents has split off from Leeds Youth Football to join the

United Youth Football of Alabama league starting in fall 2019. Registration for the new league is going on right now, with a deadline of June 1.

League President Josh Myers, a Leeds High graduate and former Greenwave football player, said the move to the United league has been about two years in the making. Myers and a group

of supporters believe it will be a better fit for Leeds because the teams they play are closer. The previous league played in Etowah County and Gadsden, while this league has teams in four divisions, with Leeds in the East division playing Pell City and Pinson. Moody, Crestwood and Clay are in the West division. Other divisions include Fultondale, Parkwest and McAdory, and Hueytown, Gardendale and Pleasant Grove. Leeds home games will be played at Homer Smiles Stadium behind the new Leeds Middle School. In the previous football program, some Leeds teams struggled to have enough players at each game and often had to forfeit, Myers said. He said he hopes having closer teams to play against will encourage more participation. Leeds High School Football Coach Lee Gibson will be partnering with the new league to introduce techniques and formats they use at the high school to start training future players early. Myers says many of the larger football programs in Hoover and Homewood do that. Weigh ins will be Aug. 17 with Week 1 of play starting Aug. 24. The season runs through November and â€œeveryone makes playoffs,â€? the league said. The new league is looking for leaders, including board members. They are starting from scratch with football equipment because itâ€™s a new league, so fundraisers are planned. Myers doesnâ€™t have a kid playing football. A Greenwave standout in the mid 2000s, Myers loves coaching and has had teams for six or seven years. â€œSomeone needed to step up to the plate, so I told them I would do it so we can get off on the right foot,â€? said Myers, whose 14-yearold stepson plays basketball and 6-year-old daughter cheers. Myers is vice president of the youth basketball league and is no stranger to sports leadership.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Abby Thomas is this weekâ€™s Athlete of the Week. Each week the Leeds Tribune honors a star athlete at Leeds High School as our Athlete of the Week. This week is Abby Thomas Abby Thomas Grade: 11th Sport: Softball How long have you been playing this sport? 9 years Favorite team? Florida Gators Favorite athlete? Lauren Chamberlain

What are some top sports achievements youâ€™re proud of? I got All Area in our area tournament my 7th, 8th, and 10th grade year and I am also proud of how far we have come as a team these last two years! What other activities are you active in at Leeds High School? I am in FBLA Where do you plan to go to college or do after graduation? After I graduate I plan to go to cosmetology school to become a hairstylist.

Lady Greenwave softball team finishes season strong LEEDS TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT Lady Greenwave softball team had a strong 2019 season with a 23-9-1 record. They battled in regional competitions last week and won two out of three games May 10, but lost game four to Holtville 6-2, which ended their bid for a regional win to play for a state championship. Rain delays Thursday pushed games to Friday, including American Christian, which Lady Greenwave lost 8-0 in the first game Friday. They turned around and beat Oak Grove then Northside to earn a fourth game against Holtville, their last shot at a championship, which ended in a loss. The Lady Greenwave still holds the title of 4A Area 8 Champions.

The Lady Greenwave had a strong 2019 season, with a 4A Area 8 championship win.

1 OUT OF 10 ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

Abused, Neglected or Exploited If you suspect this is happening to someone you know, please report it to Adult Protective Services by contacting your local DHR office or calling the

ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214 HELP STOP THE ABUSE IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT

Thereâ€™s no excuse for ELDER ABUSE â€œThis project was supported by Subgrant #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.â€? The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication / program / exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.â€?

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