The Tribune
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Senior Center Plans
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www.TrussvilleTribune.com
Plans revealed for The Cahaba Building in heart of downtown Trussville
Back in business: Local merchants and chambers ready to ‘get back to normal’
See CAHABA BUILDING, Page 6
Leeds mayor announces Bucee’s sales hit $10 million in first month By Nathan Prewett
LEEDS – The Leeds City Council agreed to convey property to Jefferson County for its ongoing pump station project during a brief meeting on Monday, April 6. The meeting was accessible by phone and online at the city’s website. See BUC-EE’S, Page 3
Center Point working on revamping with new website, marketing strategy By Faith Callens
CENTER POINT — The Center Point City Council met at City Hall on Thursday, April 1, 2021, after weeks of going virtual due to the increased coronavirus numbers. See CENTER POINT COUNCIL, Page 5
Pinson Council considers Veterans Memorial at Bicentennial Park By Crystal McGough
PINSON – The Pinson City Council discussed the possibility of building a Veterans Memorial Park at the entrance of Bicentennial Park during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2021. See PINSON COUNCIL, Page 4
For over a year now, many local businesses have been pushing hard to stay in business. As the COVID-19 pandemic claimed lives and caused panic, some small businesses struggled to stay afloat. In fact, many businesses were forced to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant and tend to the needs of customers. Alabama’s mask mandate will officially expire on Friday, April 9, 2021. Although some municipalities and businesses will still require masks, the expiration of the mandate provides a sense of freedom for many Alabamians. Some local chambers of commerce have planned their first luncheons in over a year. June Mathews, the director of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce said she is excited that the chamber will be able to get “It feels like a bird out of a cage,” said Mathews. “I
think that’s how everybody feels. We are all almost giddy that we get to have our April luncheon. What can I say? Everybody’s just glad that we are getting back to normal, in a way.” For over a year, the Trussville Chamber’s event calendar was blank. To be able to start hosting events again is one of the things Mathews says is a step in the right direction. Some of those events include a carnival and Taste of Trussville. Throughout the pandemic,
the development of downtown Trussville continued. As more people start to come out of their homes and enjoy amenities the city has to offer, they will see a lot of changes in Trussville’s future Entertainment District. “During the Downtown Merchant’s meeting, we were talking about how exciting it is to watch all of this happen downtown,” Mathews said. “It’s almost like we’re walking into a different downtown, so it’s going to be fun.” Mathews attended the first
TRUSSVILLE — Each year, schools across the nation welcome foreign exchange students to allow them to learn about the American culture and ways of life. But behind the scenes, it takes loving families to host those exchange students to make their American dream come true. Dale Higgins, an exchange coordinator with EF High School Exchange, works to connect families with students abroad. The company promotes global awareness through student exchange and has been doing so for over 40 years. EF (Education First) serves in over 50 countries. Higgins said HewittTrussville High School has an exchange student right now from Italy.
“The school is wonderful and the principal there is just so nice,” said Higgins. The program only allowed for a half-year program this year, because of coronavirus, but for the 2021-22 school year, full-year programs will be available again. “Generally speaking, most of our students want that full-year experience,” Higgins said. “Honestly, it’s really the best because Fall is the main part of the school year when there’s football, the games, the
pep rallies, and all of those things that are associated with that time of year. There are fall festivals and a lot of fun things you can do with the students during that time of the year.” Now is the time Higgins is looking for local host families. “This is a placing season and we still have kids out there that are looking for wonderful host families,” Higgins said. Although the students benefit from the exchange
meeting for members of the Trussville Downtown Merchants Association on Tuesday, April 6. Vice-President Katie Cox said merchants discussed bringing new events to the city. “We’re definitely looking into having more events this year,” said Cox. “We want to bring in that foot traffic and bringing people into the businesses again.” Some of those events include a Mother’s Day event that will be similar to Trussville’s annual Cookie Walk. Cox said the association also wants to have events for the arts and music sector since people in those industries suffered during the pandemic. Cox hopes events and participation in the association continue to grow as the vaccine rollout continues. “We are just getting people back in the swing of things,” Cox added. “It will grow each time we have another meeting.” See BUSINESSES, Page 8
program, Higgins said families do as well. “It is an exchange,” Higgins explained. “The student is exchanging cultural differences with a host family and as the host family, you are sharing your country’s culture.” Even the things we as Americans do on a regular basis can impact students for a lifetime. “Thanksgiving is cultural here,” said Higgins. “They have always heard about Thanksgiving, but they have never experienced it. Also, when it comes to language, they want to improve their language and they pick up on our dialect. I have seen students go home using words like, ‘y’all’ or saying, ‘fixing to do something.’ These things blow their minds and it’s just wonderful.” See FOREIGN EXCHANGE, Page 4
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Player of the Year
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Foreign exchange student program looking for local host families to ‘make student dreams come true’ By Erica Thomas, managing editor
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By Erica Thomas, managing editor
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‘Old-fashioned’ bread and bagel shop open in Trussville
See BREADS AND BAGELS, Page 7
New dress shop owner in Springville hopes to encourage women By Erica Thomas, managing editor
SPRINGVILLE — Finding the perfect dress for prom or a wedding can be challenging. Sometimes women may not feel their best when they start to try on dresses that aren’t the best fit. See ALL ABOUT THAT DRESS, Page 7
Moody Nutrition now open, offering teas and shakes From The Tribune staff reports
MOODY — There is a new place in Moody where people can go to get healthy teas and shakes, plus a little extra energy. Moody Nutrition, at 3190 Moody Parkway, is owned by Lonnie and Janie Williams. See MOODY NUTRITION, Page 7
Calera Police Officer laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville
See OFFICER FUNERAL, Page 3