Columbiana readies for annual patriotic festivities at Liberty Day
Lauren’s lessons
EHES first grade teacher
Lauren Ruston shares her passion for education
Drawing attention
Bruce Andrews paints a new path for the arts in Shelby County
PHOTO BY JEREMY RAINES
Bruce Andrews paves the way for the arts in Shelby County.
city leadership
5 Columbiana Mayor David Mitchell gives insight to all of the happenings across the city
arts & culture
6 The Guide: See everything happening in Columbiana throughout June, July and August
11 See the latest happenings from the Shelby County Arts Council here in Columbiana with great upcoming events
schools & sports
12 Get to know Shelby County soccer and football player TJ Minton who continues to demonstrate athleticism on and off the field
14 Elvin Hill Elementary School teacher Lauren Ruston shares what inspires her to teach the next generation of Shelby County
meet your neighbors
28 Were you spotted? Check to see if you and your neighbors are featured in one of Columbiana’s recent events
36 My Columbiana: Brandi Kellis, administrator for several Kellis family businesses, shares what makes the city she calls home so special
PHOTO BY ALEC ETHEREDGE
columbiana living
EDITORIAL
Michaela Bankston
Dave Domescik
Anna Grace Moore
Tyler Raley
Andrew Simonson
Noah Wortham
DESIGN
Sydney Allen
Jamie Dawkins
Rowan Futrell
Connor Martin-Lively
MARKETING
Evann Campbell
Octavia Campbell
Rachel Henderson
Rhett McCreight
Viridiana Romero
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Jo Eskridge
Alec Etheredge
Stacey Meadows
Lauren Morris
Kayla Reeves
Leslie Reeves
Brittany Schofield
ON THE COVER
Drawing attention
Bruce Andrews paves the way for the arts as the executive director of the Shelby County Arts Council.
Photos by Jeremy Raines
Design by Jamie Dawkins
WWith summer finally here, Columbiana has kicked into full gear with a wealth of activities to enjoy for residents and visitors alike.
As someone who grew up in Columbiana and continues to work in his hometown every day, I am both thrilled and honored to deliver our third issue of Columbiana Living which is made possible by its readership. This new issue continues to deliver a cross section of life in Columbiana which is both simultaneously peaceful and fulfilling.
As residents know, we’re entering the warmest time of the year in Columbiana which his complimented by an equally heated lineup of events and activities to partake in. From the arts to farmers markets, festivals and live music—Columbiana has it all.
In this new installment, we look forward to the excitement ahead while also providing a deep dive into the faces who make Columbiana such a great place to work and live. We are diligent to spotlight as many new faces as possible within each of the featured areas of this magazine.
This month, meet Bruce Andrews, the executive director of the Shelby County Arts Council. His passion for artistic expression is unmatched as he works to make Columbiana the capital for the arts in Shelby County. Like any adventure, his path to leadership was wrought with challenges and surprises.
Beyond that, get acquainted with this year’s schedule for Columbiana’s biggest celebration and beloved tradition—Liberty Day. The city will host its 39th annual installment of its Liberty Day celebration this summer which is brimming with opportunities, including live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, a 5K and more.
This issue we also highlight two standouts that prove just how great our schools are with Q&As from experienced Elvin Hill Elementary School teacher Lauren Ruston in addition to TJ Minton, who manages to balance playing soccer and football as a student at Shelby County High School.
See a list of familiar faces at events spread across town in our Out & About section and get to know local resident Brandi Kellis in this edition’s My Columbiana.
It is our hope that this magazine showcases all of the wonderful aspects of life in Columbiana while we continue to tell the thrilling stories of the people who work behind the scenes to make it all possible. If you have any suggestions as we begin work on our fall and winter editions, please email me at Noah.Wortham@shelbycountyreporter.com.
Noah.Wortham@shelbycountyreporter.com
Columbiana Living Magazine is published quarterly by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. [The Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Please email advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com for advertising inquiries.
a letter from the mayor
It’s time to transition from the season of new birth, Spring, and head into some “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”
We have lots of cool stuff planned this Summer in Columbiana for people of all ages. But before I get into that, I’d like to wrap up Spring with a summary of some of the many great things that have occurred. Let me start by honoring a hometown hero, Colonel Rick McDow, USAF (ret).
Rick was a POW in Vietnam and I had the honor of serving with him at Myrtle Beach AFB and in the first Gulf War in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Rick was laid to rest in Columbiana on March 29 after losing his battle with cancer. Rick was married to the former Beverly Upchurch whose parents were educators in Columbiana and Mr. Upchurch was a former principal at Shelby County High School.
so, look for Congressman Palmer and say hello.
On May 1, I attended the Greater Birmingham Mayors’ Regional Prayer Breakfast on our National Day of Prayer. The keynote speaker was Jeremiah Castille, former Alabama All-American and NFL defensive back. Jeremiah has served as Team Chaplain at Alabama for 20-years. He presented a very inspiring message that even an Auburn alum, like me, could appreciate.
Here’s a look at some the great things we have on tap for the summer, including Sunset Music and Market dates and Liberty Day.
u June 6: Sunset Music & Market Days featuring The Cash Domino Killers
It’s time to transition from the season of new birth, Spring, and head into some “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” We have lots of cool stuff planned this Summer in Columbiana for people of all ages.
April was a busy month with the Easter Bunny Tea, Eggs on Main, Touch-a-Truck, the Miss Liberty Day Pageant, Shelby County Senior Picnic, and we continue to be the motion picture capital of Alabama by filming a Hallmark movie on Main Street. Thanks to all of the civic organizations, volunteers, Shelby County and City employees who helped make these events happen.
In late April I attended Congressman Gary Palmer’s Washington Update and had an opportunity to chat with him about things going in Washington that impact Columbiana. He told me plans to visit Columbiana during Liberty Day
u June 13: Sunset Music & Market Days featuring The Stepdads
u June 20: Sunset Music & Market Days featuring Kingfish
u June 27-28: Liberty Day fefaturing The Heather Hayes Experience on Friday and Easton Corbin on Saturday
u July 11: Sunset Music & Market Days featuring Dakota McClurg and The Double Barrel Band
u July 18: Sunset Music & Market Days featuring the Lealan Carter Band
u August 15: Community Pep Rally on Main Street
As we look at all of our many blessings, the great things that have happened and, those that are planned for the summer; I hope it will help you to ...Keep smilin’!
David Mitchell, Mayor of Columbiana
Mayor David Mitchell
LIBERTY DAY FESTIVAL
JUNE 27-28
Main Street
Join the city of Columbiana in one of its longest running traditions with the Liberty Festival June 27-28 at Old Mill Square Park with concerts, vendors, live music, a 5K and fireworks.
THE GUIDE
AROUND TOWN
JUNE 1 | 4 P.M.
Sean of the South & Friends
Song Theater
JUNE 2-5 | 9 A.M.
Vacation Bible School First Baptist Church of Columbiana
JUNE 3 | 6 P.M.
Columbiana City Council City Hall
JUNE 6 | 6 P.M.
Sunset Music & market Main Street
JUNE 7 | 9:30 A.M.
Spring Garden Tour Old Mill Square
JUNE 8-11 | 7 P.M.
Vacation Bible School
Columbiana Church of Christ
JUNE 6
Sunset Music & Market
6 P.M. Main Street
Visit Columbiana Main Street on Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m. for Sunset Music & Market featuring a selection of market vendors and live music.
JUNE 1
Sean of the South & Friends
4 P.M. Song Theater
Sean of the South and friends will perform at the Shelby County Arts Council’s Song Theater on June 1 at 4.p.m. with a performance bringing attendees Sean’s trademark sense of humor and storytelling accompanied by musical performances.
JUNE 11-13
School House Rock Live Music Theater Camp
10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Shelby County Arts Council
A music theater camp by the Shelby County Arts Council for “School House Rock Live” will take place June 11-13 and June 16-20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $250 and includes materials and a T-shirt. There will be two performances on Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
JUNE 9 | 6 P.M. Vacation Bible School Columbiana Church of the Nazarene
JUNE 11-13 | 10 A.M. School House Rock Live Music Theater Camp Shelby County Arts Council JUNE 13 | 6 P.M.
JUNE 16-20 | 2 P.M. AND 5 P.M.
School House Rock Live
Shelby County Arts Council
JUNE 23-25 | 8 A.M.
Summer 4-H Camp Alabama 4-H Center
JUNE 27 | 6 P.M.
Sunset Music & market Main Street
JUNE 27-28 | ALL-DAY Liberty Day Festival
JUNE 28 | 8 A.M. Liberty Day 5K Old Mill Square Park
JULY 11| 6 P.M.
Sunset Music & market Main Street
JULY 12 | 7:30 P.M.
2 Blu & the Lucky Stiffs reunion show Song Theater
JUNE 21
School House Rock Live
2 P.M. AND. 5
P.M. Shelby County Arts Council
Young children will present “School House Rock Live” on stage to the community with two show sets for June 21 with one at 2 p.m. and a second at 5 p.m.
JULY 12
2 Blu & the Lucky Stiffs Reunion Show
7:30 P.M. Song Theater
The 2 Blue & the Lucky Stiffs Big Reunion Show will take place at Columbiana’s Song Theater on July 12 with a show featuring blues, soul, funk and vintage rock and roll. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary with tickets which are $35.
AUG. 15
Community Pep Rally
6 P.M.
Under the string lights on South Main Street
Join Columbiana for a Community Pep Rally on Friday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. with live music featuring Michael Warren to follow at 7 p.m.
JULY 18 | 6 P.M.
Sunset Music & market Main Street
JULY 25-26 | 3 P.M.
Cultivate Men’s Retreat Alabama 4-H Center
AUGUST 7 | 8 A.M. First day of school
Elvin Hill Elementary, Columbiana Middle, Shelby County High
AUGUST 9 | 7:30 P.M.
Abe Partridge in concert Song Theater
AUGUST 15 | 3 P.M.
TEDx Alabaster “Ripples of Revelation” Song Theater
AUGUST 24 | 7 P.M.
Sean of the South & Friends Song Theater
Robin Miller with her piece, “Mad World.”
2025 Best in Show winner of the Statewide High School Juried Art Exhibit "Synergic Entity" by Corinne Caprara.
TJ MINTON
Shelby County High School forward and left wing
How did you get into soccer and football?
I got into soccer at a young age. I saw it for the first time on TV and fell in love. I started playing in rec league in Calera developing from there and meeting amazing coaches along the way. Football on the other hand is a completely different story. I met Coach Ellison from my parents as they went to college together. As a soccer player, he came up to me one day and asked if I had ever thought about football. I thought and realized, “I only live once so why not?” So, I played and loved every minute of it.
How do you balance multiple sports as a high school athlete?
Balancing multiple sports wasn’t easy as it required a bunch of sacrifices. I missed a bunch of time with family throughout high school for my sports, but I would never trade it for the world. The academic side always came first though, whether it was doing homework on the bus ride to a game or staying up late to finish that last assignment, school came first.
For football, how have you seen the culture change over the course of the past year?
Football had a major turnaround since I started playing. I joined the team my sophomore year, and you could always tell there were players that were dedicated but not the team as a whole. This recent season was a complete change, everyone moving in the same direction together and as a unit.
As a soccer player, how has the program and the game of soccer grown in Columbiana since you started playing?
When I began soccer, it was just a sport that not many people thought about or even realized we had. I soon realized that it was more than just another program, it was a family. And sure, we aren’t a No. 1 seed or anything wild, but our team has more heart than any other team I’ve played on ever.
What do you enjoy to do outside of sports?
It has to be being outside, there is nothing like it. Over the past couple months, I’ve really enjoyed being outdoors. My favorite part is probably hunting, the rush it gives as well as the adrenaline—nothing can compare.
What do you think you will miss the most about Shelby County High School?
The thing I will miss the most is the atmosphere. Something about Shelby County High and the atmosphere that Columbiana projected on me is compared like no other. The people, the events, the support, it’s wild how much people open up their arms for only being at a school for a couple years.
What are your plans for after high school?
It’s been a difficult decision but the plan is to go into Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University. I’ve heard so many amazing things about this college, and I fell in love to be honest.
LAUREN RUSTON
First Grade Teacher, Elvin Hill Elementary School
As a Columbiana native, can you speak to the opportunity of getting to teach the next generation of children in your hometown?
I absolutely love getting to teach in my hometown. I was a student at Elvin Hill so I knew I would always want to come back and teach here. I am finishing my 20th year at Elvin Hill and teaching first grade. I think my favorite part is watching students grow up, graduate from Shelby County High School or begin a life here in our hometown.
What makes Elvin Hill Elementary School a special place to be a teacher?
Being a student at Elvin Hill made it even more special to now be an educator here. I am teaching first grade in the same classroom where I was a first-grade student. Elvin Hill has always felt like home to me. I have so many wonderful coworkers that help make the job so much more fun too.
When you get to school each day, what is the one goal you have for the day?
I want students to enjoy their day. They are with me more than they are usually at home, so I want them to feel safe, happy and loved. I always want each student to go home with some new knowledge of learning from the day too.
What is your favorite aspect of being an educator?
I love watching growth. I love watching the growth and change from August to May. I love when they grow up, but still come back by my classroom in the morning for a hug. I love watching them in high school and seeing them graduate, get jobs or start families.
Since each teacher has their own unique approach to the job, what is it that you try to bring to the classroom each day?
I hope that each day, I bring new learning to students. I want them to find happiness at school. I want them to have a happy routine working with other students and with me.
How do you create a learning environment that is both engaging and fun for the students?
First graders are still so excited about learning and they enjoy anything fun and different. I enjoy incorporating movement and hands on activities as much as possible. They get a chance to work with other students in partners, small group and whole group settings.
What ultimately made you decide to become a teacher?
I was that little girl that always played school. I don’t think I ever considered any other profession. The women in my family were educators and I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I also think knowing that after college, I planned to build a family in my hometown. So, I think knowing that my love for my hometown made me want to be a teacher here.
PAINTING A PATH
SCAC Executive Director Bruce Andrews supports the next generation of artists
BY NOAH WORTHAM
PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES
While sitting in math class, a young boy has his head down with the pencil in his right-hand chiseling away at the page. As he continues to write, his intense focus blurs out everything around him, including the lesson by his math teacher that he is so diligently ignoring. However, the teacher takes notice and quickly snaps him back to reality with a stern warning.
“Stop drawing and pay attention,” she says.
While he resumed paying attention to the lesson, he never would heed those words. Inside him was a passion for the arts that couldn’t be stopped and eventually led him through a life of diverse professions as an artist, painter and musician.
“I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t interested in art,” Bruce Andrews said. “I can’t remember when I didn’t want to draw.”
That obsession would eventually lead him to meeting his wife, finding his place of residence and eventually, his role as the executive director of the Shelby County Arts Council—paving the way for aspiring artists who share his passion.
“That’s what providence is to me,” Andrews said. “Just keep moving forward… keep your eyes fixed on the horizon and see where it goes.”
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
While it typically takes many people years to
discover their calling in life, Andrews knew what he wanted in life from the very beginning and never strayed from it.
“I was a kid that was supposed to be paying attention in math, and I’m drawing in class,” he said. “If I ever got sent to the office, it was probably for drawing in class. I’m drawing the girl next to me, I’m drawing the teacher, I’m drawing outside, I’m drawing birds, I’m drawing rock and roll stars, I’m drawing whatever. I just love to draw.”
Born in Toccoa, Georgia, Andrews first moved to the Greater Birmingham Area with his parents in the ‘70s. He attended Vestavia High School during his teenage years and graduated in 1975. With a loving and supportive father who was a business man that was deeply invested in his son going to college, Andrews decided to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham as an art major on a whim.
“I didn’t know anything else,” Andrews said. “I
gave it no serious thought about how to make a living. I thought of art and said, “I’ll be an art major.’”
While at UAB, Andrews met his future wife, Joy, and the two happily got married in 1979 and have been a dynamic duo ever since. It was thanks to Joy, that Andrews discovered Shelby County and eventually moved to the place that he’s called home for decades.
Shortly after getting married, the couple settled into a little house in the East Lake neighborhood while living on a meager budget.
“All of this is going on with me being an artist and trying to make a track somehow in the art world,” Andrews said. “She announced to me that she would like to teach dance and I said, ‘Well, we’re already broke, so why not? Go for it.’”
Fortuitously, Joy’s teacher, who had recognized her talent during her teenage years, connected her with an opportunity to teach dance at an agency in Columbiana.
“So, my wife taught in that little recreational building her very first year of dance in 1979, the first year we were married, by the football stadium in Columbiana,” Andrews said.
And for 46 years, Joy has continued to teach
dance in Shelby County with plans to retire in 2025. After a short period of time living in Columbiana during the ‘80s, the couple eventually moved to Alabaster where they have remained since.
“All of this is providence to me,” Andrews said. “The house we live in in Alabaster… we bought on the courthouse steps in an auction in Columbiana. Sight unseen—we almost rode by it. So, we ended up in Alabaster as a result of that… I got deep Shelby County roots that I couldn’t get away from”
MAKING A TRANSITION
Throughout his artistic career, Andrews served in a variety of roles—always maneuvering and switching things up when necessary to continue to make a living.
“(When) we got married in ‘79, we were quickly broke and with a child, so I dropped out of school and I continued my art career always,” Andrews said. “Like every young family, we were struggling to keep things together even though both of us were artists. So, I always had art gigs, side gigs, commission gigs but I saw every kind of income source I could get to supplement my wannabe artist attitude.”
Andrews sold insurance, was a gym trainer, an entrepreneur and took up a role in the ‘90s as a marketer for the contemporary Christian music label, Benson Music Group. Eventually, an offer came up in Dallas with the company and Andrews had to turn it down—leading him to work at Starbucks for health insurance for what he thought would be six months but ended up being seven years.
“It was kind of an interesting stretch for me but as a result of being there… I met everybody that I know that’s connected to the arts council today,” Andrews said. “Lindsay (Dyess) and I worked together at Starbucks —that’s how we met. She ended up being my first volunteer intern at Columbiana.”
According to Andrews, one of the best gigs he had was doing a series of murals at Shelby Springs for Carolyn Dorris who was on the original board of directors for the Shelby County Arts Council.
“Carolyn was the first one to ever mention the arts council to me,” Andrews said. “As a result of
“I couldn’t be more grateful to Columbiana as a city. From the time my wife was teaching here, to the artistic endeavors I’ve had here, to what I hope this building means to people—Columbiana was ahead of the curve. Arts and cultural opportunities raise the value of the community… So, any community that does that is lauded in my view.”
-Bruce Andrews
that, I started teaching some classes for them and after a year... (SCAC Founder) Terri Sullivan and Susan Gordon asked me if I could design a class for the juvenile detention center”
After signing on, Andrews quickly found it to be a rewarding experience that surpassed his expectations. The students at the detention center responded well to the class and Andrews was inspired. Sullivan approached Andrews later on and asked him to write a narrative explaining what the class was so that SCAC could request funding to do the initiative again.
“I did not know this, but I was writing my first grant,” Andrews said. “And curiously now, it’s about all I do. The irony of it is that it’s everything I
do now. This is what I do. I raise funds and write grants.”
The Shelby County Arts Council continued to grow in its programming and in 2013, Andrews was named the organizations executive director and he has served in that capacity ever since.
“It has been a metamorphosis, an evolutionary process” Andrews said. “I’m trying to keep the organization as malleable as I can based on what I know needs to be done.”
KEEP MOVING
In October 2020, Andrews was diagnosed with the movement disorder Parkinson’s disease which
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damages the nerve cells in the brain that create dopamine and affect a person’s ability to move. Now, five years removed from the diagnosis, Andrews continues to work hard and to keep moving in order to stave off the disease.
“Your worst enemy is to stagnate,” Andrews said. “So, in other words, keep moving.”
Wanting to keep himself busy, Andrews realized that he had not done any serious painting since he first became the executive director of the arts council. He also recognized that there was a wall on the side of the newly built SCAC facility that was blank and decided to undertake the difficult task of creating a mural.
“If you set goals that are just out of reach all the time—I always thought that was healthy,” Andrews said. “So, for me, a big reach was to do that mural at such a big scale.”
With Parkinson’s affecting his right side and the positive affects of his medication only lasting for two-to-three-hour windows, he undertook the assignment in March 2024. The completed mural, titled “Imagine Create Inspire,” plays with a single point perspective—with all of the lines converging at a singular point on the image.
“If you just keep your eyes fixed on the horizon,
as far as life goes, you’re better off,” Andrews said. “That’s where the opportunities are. That’s where the hope is. And that’s why floating above that tree it says, ‘Imagine Create Inspire’ Imagination leads to creation, creation leads to inspiration and inspiration, when you apply it, produces hope. And hope is a commodity.”
Underneath the roots of the tree in the mural is the date of Columbiana’s incorporation. Andrews said he views the completed mural as his gift to the city of Columbiana.
“Columbiana means a lot to me,” Andrews said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to Columbiana as a city. From the time my wife was teaching here, to the artistic endeavors I’ve had here, to what I hope this building means to people—Columbiana was ahead of the curve. Arts and cultural opportunities raise the value of the community… So, any community that does that is lauded in my view.”
Much like the roots of the tree in his mural, the Shelby County Arts Council continues to serve as a center for the arts—extending its reach throughout the whole county. At its head, Andrews remains dedicated to pruning the branches and directing its growth.
“It’s what makes us human,” Andrews said.
Excitement surrounds 39th Liberty Day with Easton Corbin headlining eventful weekend MAKING NOISE
BY NOAH WORTHAM PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
The city of Columbiana’s biggest event is set for June 27-28 with headliner Easton Corbin highlighting an exceptional 39th annual Liberty Day celebration. Corbin will take the stage on Saturday, June 28 at the Shelby County High School Stadium for the city’s popular event.
Corbin is an American country music artist signed to Mercury Records in Nashville. A Florida native, Corbin has secured two No.1 singles to his name with tracks such as “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It” from his self-titled debut album in 2010.
Corbin released his second full-length album, “All Over the Road,” in 2012 with the singles “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and the title track “All Over the Road.” His third album, “Let’s Do Country Right,” released in 2023 featuring tracks such as “Let’s do Country Right” and “Marry That Girl” Over the last 39 years, Columbiana’s annual Liberty Day has evolved into a two-day family event and stands as a unifying celebration of the Statue of Liberty.
The Liberty Day festival will occur over a two-day period in June, with Friday, June 27 opening the festival. The Shimmer Band, a party band based out of Atlanta, will be present among the musical entertainers for the festival’s opening evening.
Overall, the Liberty Day Festival will include musical acts performing on three stages throughout Columbiana during the weekend. In addition to the music, a 5K race, variety of food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, games and a professional fireworks show will be among the many
events and attractions present at the city’s premier festival.
The event expects more than 20 food trucks that will be located on Broadway and Mill Street on Friday night, the courthouse overflow parking lot during the day Saturday and Mildred Street Saturday night between the high school and football stadium.
They also expect more than 100 vendors at this year’s event representing a variety of businesses.
The festival, which has been a Columbiana tradition since 1986, routinely brings thousands into the city and marks the chance for both residents and visitors to have a day of worry-free family entertainment.
A car show, hot dog eating contest and parade down Main Street are also set for the event.
Those interested in learning more about this year’s Liberty Day can visit the event’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/LibertyDayFestival.
MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY NIGHT
7:30 p.m. The Heather Hayes Experience on the Main Street Stage
SATURDAY
10 a.m. Ian Cuthbertson on the Main Street Stage
10 a.m. DJ on the Old Mill Square Park Stage
Noon Michael Warren on the Old Mill Square Park Stage
12:30 p.m. Ben Chapman on the Main Street Stage
SATURDAY NIGHT
6:30 p.m. Ashley Anne at the Shelby County High School Stadium
8 p.m. Easton Corbin at the Shelby County High School Stadium
Butch Ellis to serve as Grand Marshal for 39th Liberty Day parade LEADING THE CHARGE
BY ALEC ETHEREDGE PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
A longstanding tradition and one of the favorites among visitors at Liberty Day each year is to celebrate the Grand Marshal as they make their way down Main Street in Columbiana during the parade.
This year, a familiar face to many and a longtime representative for the community will carry on that tradition as Frank C.
“Butch” Ellis, Jr. will serve as the Grand Marshal for this year’s event.
Ellis has almost 60 of experience in the practice of law. During his career, he has touched and aided clients in virtually every area of law from estate planning to family disputes to civil and criminal matters.
In addition to his success as a lawyer, he
has been Shelby County’s legal counsel for nearly the same amount of time he has practiced law, also serving as City Attorney
for the cities of Calera, Harpersville, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham and Westover.
He remains in full-time practice, and concentrates on his county/municipal government work, and associated work with related agencies and entities.
Butch married his high school sweetheart, Diane Bentley, in 1962 and has three grown children, and six grandchildren.
He is a licensed pilot, pursues hobbies of horse trail riding, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, gardening, farming and traveling.
He also seeks out any wilderness experience and makes time to spend several weeks each year at his remote cabin in the Alaskan wilderness.
COWBOY DAY
PHOTOS BY NOAH WORTHAM
The city of Columbiana hosted its 17th annual Cowboy Day celebration on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday Feb. 22 with a rodeo, vendors and plenty of wild west activities for visitors to enjoy.
1. Richard and Susan Bishop
2. Jeff Porter and Terrie Oxely
3. Avery Parker, Grady Parker and Lofton Emmons
4. Turner McCoy, Rowdy Tatum, Fisher Brown and Campbell Blair
5. Ruth, Paul and John Brown
6. Kim Parker and Jordan Emmons
7. Carter McCoy, Makayla McCoy, Kilie Tatum, Julie Blair and Rachel Brown
8. Dannie and Casey Schrull, Anna Hopson, Steven Hopson, Lashawn Scholl, Nesia Hulsey, Eva Hopson
9. Brook and Brooklyn Bellizio
10. Kenny Ratliff and Lane Connell
11. Clay Blake and Pam Langley
12. Tim Lacy and Jeannie Lacy
13. R.E. and Marianne Nelson
14. Jeremy, Tiffany, Hunter, Emma and Wilder Dixon
15. Rebekah McKee and Landon and Caleb
16. Marks Davidson and Carry Davidson
17. Abigail T, Hayle, Olivia, Annalee and Abigail F.
SHELBY COUNTY SENIOR PICNIC
BY
NOAH WORTHAM
With the theme, “Sunshine Social,” Shelby County treated senior citizens to a day full of activities, including live music and a selection of vendors at the Shelby County Exhibition Center on Wednesday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 86 Argo Road in Columbiana.
1. Payge Davis, Denise Shaw, Brook Vinson and Deavin Perdue
2. Ines Schormann and Azucena Guzman
3. Ritzi, Linda, Terry and Claudean
4. Betty Jackson and Rebecca Bryant
5. Kenneth McKenzie and Essie Ledlow
6. Tina Murray and Shauna Watson
7. Kelley Warren, Ruthie Guy and Lynn Orms
8. Elaine Moore, Denise Clark and Emma Lewis
9. Mary Beth, Nicole Gardner and Cassie Davis
10. Cyndi Glass, Bo Tolbert and Arleen Williams
PHOTOS
SHELBY COUNTY SENIOR PICNIC
PHOTOS
BY
NOAH WORTHAM
With the theme, “Sunshine Social,” Shelby County treated senior citizens to a day full of activities, including live music and a selection of vendors at the Shelby County Exhibition Center on Wednesday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 86 Argo Road in Columbiana.
11. Anna Terpo, Maranda Johnson, Carolyn Abbott, Breana Mahaffey, Courtney Durden and Amina Khan
12. Kim Egan and Ali Brown
13. Debbie Rasco, Brenda Mims and Bettie Stinson
14. Lateshia, Latoya, Cathy Bodofsky, Susanne and Cassiopia Long
15. Gayla Peoples and Marcella Baker.
16. Keith and Mary Ellen Schramm
17. Paige Lee, Kimberly Hess and Crystal Conner
18. Candice, Daphine and Kia
19. Kim Melton
20. Brittany Perdue, Tawny Day, Jameka Greer, Michelle Posey and Dee Church
SHELBY COUNTY CHAMBER CONNECTIONS LUNCHEON
Recipients of the Shelby County Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award discussed their success at a luncheon at the Grande Hall in Columbiana on Thursday, March 6.
1. Grace Bolin and Khiari Knox.
2. Nedra Moore, Bonnie Sult and Melissa Dixon
3. Rebecca Salamkne and Cathy Ingram
4. Jackson king, Jessica McDonald and Stacy Ann Currier
Security Guard for Gated Community in North Shelby County Full-time or Part-time. Must have pistol permit. Call Brittany 205-991-4653
University Baptist
CDC Pre-K In Montevallo NOW HIRING
Lead Teachers for First Class 4 Pre-K program. Long Term substitute for spring semester and maternity leave substitute April-May. Lead Teacher subs must have a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education/ Development. Experience in First Class program and Bilingual skills a plus. For questions or resumes, contact Lorrie Ozley: universitybaptistcdc@ gamil.com
Preschool preregistration for 2025-2026 school year January 15-March prek.alaceed.alabama. gov
Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedental assisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!
ETS Restorations & Tree Service
“From street to walls, we do it all”
• Retaining Walls
• Concrete Work
• Demolition
• Landscaping
• Tree Removal
• Tree Trimming
• Bobcat Work
• Hardscapes
• Hauling FREE ESTIMATES!!! CALL NOW (205)209-7787 (205)683-3257
Breakpoint Manager
– positions offered by Autocar, LLC (Center Point, AL). Understand eng design & specified auto parts, & work w/ both Planning & Purchasing on best time operationally & financially to change suppliers, parts, or both. Submit resume to legalcompliance@ gvwgroup.com.
Quality Control Technician
Req’d: Bachelor’s degree in industrial engr., quality control mgmt., or related. Mail resume: Seoyon E-hwa Interior Systems Georgia, Inc. 104 Wiley Rd. LaGrange, GA 30240
Now Hiring!
Danieli Taranis LLC (Chelsea, AL)
Send resumes to c.hegarty@danieli. com.
Now Hiring!
Termite Treaters and Inspectors
Work with a great local company, in business for over 50 years. BC/BS insurance, 401k, opportunities available. No experience required Must have a good driving record and be able to pass drug screen.
Email to facsmith@charter.net or call 205-369-6250
Vulcan Termite and Pest Control
Wanted Maintenance/ Handyman to assist with vehicle and land upkeep. Must pass background & drug test, have reliable transportation, be able to drive a manual transmission and be willing to work. Apply in person at 115 Commerce Drive Pelham, AL 35124 Vulcan Termite and Pest Control
MY COLUMBIANA BRANDI KELLIS
Admin for Kellis businesses
All the festivities
Local events
From Liberty Day to Monsters on Main, Cowboy Day to the Christmas Parade, this is a festival town. No matter what time of year it is, we know how to come together and celebrate life.
Pace of life
Peaceful living
This is small town Southern living at its best. I breathe a sigh of relief every time I get back home from Birmingham. I love that Columbiana’s “rush hour” is at 3 p.m. in the afternoon when school gets out.
True community
The people
Columbiana is a special place where people care about each other and are always there to help—in big ways and in small. We have so many here who are working all the time to better our community and help our children, our seniors and everyone in between live their best lives.
Small-town charm
Columbiana Main Street Main Street Downtown is so beautiful at night draped in its white lights, and it’s so charming during the day with its murals and cute shops. It looks like a movie set, but it is the real thing. I’m always eager to show it off to visitors.
One stop shop
The Chevron
The Chevron may be the beating heart of Columbiana. On weekday mornings and afternoons, it is hard to find a parking spot or an open gas pump. Teenagers hang out there with their friends while retired men sit and enjoy the coffee, and the staff goes out of their way to be very accommodating to both. It’s where my children ask to go for breakfast in the morning and for pizza after school. I’m pretty sure at least one person in my family has been there every single day since we moved here twenty years ago. For the first seven years, we lived next door.
