Coming Up 3

It’s time to say, “Goodbye” to the For the past four and a half years, we have thoroughly enjoyed experiencing all that is Sylacauga, Alabama, and sharing what we found with our growing and loyal audi­ ence. But, just as in all as­ pects of life as we know it, change is in­ evitable. And so it is with thelocalissue.net.

This is our final edition of our on­line publications for and about the people of the City of Sylacauga. No more Sylacauga Digest, no more The Native Son, no more Coming Up. And other than these final editions, you won’t see us for

a week or so while we transi­ tion into the next phase of our lives. But when we re­

turn, we hope you will be pleased with what we have in store for you, the many won­ derful citizens of the greater Sylacauga area. The same goes for those who, like us, transitioned their lives and

livlihood for the benefit of themselves and their families, even those who moved away from their home town in the process.

You see, change is in­ evitable. It happens around the clock every­ day. But it doesn’t have to be a nega­ tive thing. In fact, with the proper amount of inspiration, perspiration, and love and enthusiasm for what you are doing, it can be a very good thing. We hope you will love, appreciate, and support what is next as much as you did our site thelocalissue.net. Thank you!

City Schools ask for help with evaluation surveys Administrators of Sylacauga City Schools are committed to the partnerships with families and the community to prepare graduates who are ready for college, career, and community success. They would like to ask for your help in evaluating our progress. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey that best ďŹ ts your involvement with the school system. Your feedback is important in helping to guide the direction of our educational programs and support services. Thank you.

Parent Survey: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/1561774 Staff Survey: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/0956076 School Climate Teacher Survey: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/2671100 Student Survey for Indian Valley: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/9630935 Student Survey for Pinecrest: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/5693970

Student Survey for Nichols-Lawson: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/7674201 Student Survey for Sylacauga High: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/7674201

April dates set for Indian Valley new student registration Several April days have been set aside for parents to register new stu­ dents for Sylacauga’s Indian Valley El­ ementary School, grades Kindergarten and 1st­Grade, on Tuesday, April 21st (8:30a­2:00p)& Thursday, April 23rd (4:00p­6:00p).

Please bring the following items with you to Registration: • Alabama Immunization Form (Blue Slip) • Birth Certificate (Must have raised seal.)

• Proof of Residency (Two forms) Only a mortgage or lease and a util­ ity bill in parent or guardian’s name will be accepted.

Please be informed of the following information: • Parents must live within the city limits of Sylacauga in order to enroll a child in Sylacauga City Schools. (Bring annexation paperwork if applicable.)

• Students must be five years old

by September 2, 2015, to qualify for public kindergarten and six years old by September 2, 2015, to regis­

ter for First Grade.

• Only parents or legal guardians are allowed to register students. (Bring guardianship paperwork to school at the time of registration.)

• In the case of a divorce or guardian­ ship, please bring legal paperwork that will affect any school decisions.

• Students must be present at reg­ istration.

New Childersburg Business Associates meets on April 22nd The business community is invited to a special “Dutch Treat” lunch at Kinfolks Restaurant on Highway 280 in Childersburg on Wednesday, April 22nd at 12:00 noon. It’s a great new opportunity to network as part of the newly­formed group, Childers­ burg Business Associates.

It’s a very informal ­ no scheduled speaker ­ opportunity to eat lunch someplace besides your desk! Feel free to invite others you feel might benefit from this unique new net­ working opportunity.

For more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256­480­2126, or via e­mail at: angelia.todd@alcc.alabama.gov

It’s almost time for the annual Frosty Inn Reunion!

There’s a lot going on in April, 2015, but don’t let that distract you from one of the great annual reunion events ­ the Frosty Inn Re­ union! The “young at heart” rou­ tinely gather at Sylacauga’s Central Park every April to relive the “good old days” of their youth. The event has become so popular, it has also sparked a num­ ber of multi­class reunions at other times of the year with old­ timers wanting to spend as much time together as possible.

Grads of Sy­ lacauga High, B.B. Comer High, and plenty of other area high schools spent hours on end forging friendships at the famed Frosty Inn, and all who did are welcome to come on down

and hang out just like old times!

The ever popular lap of town (with the Sylacauga Police Depart­ ment escorting the crowd instead of trying to catch it) will start at 4:00 p.m. Gather in Ogletree Plaza.

There will be plenty of time to talk old times, as organizers have reserved Central Park across from Blue Bell Creameries from 10:00 a.m. until midnight (or later) on Sat­ urday, April 25th!

Fresh off the excitement of the Coosafest 475 celebration earlier in April, the Childersburg Historic Preservation Commis­ sion is set to get right back into action with the 5th Annual Grits Festival at the Kymulga Grist Mill on Satur­ day, May 25th from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The event has been moved up a week this year to open the door to more and better ven­ dors and attrac­ tions. The educational aspect of the event and its historic venue have been ramped up with inclusion of three demonstration attrac­ tions, including a Fayetteville­ based blacksmith; an historic horseshoeing vendor; and some­ one who will demonstrate the art of hobo nickels, a sculptural art form involving the creative

modification of small coins, re­ sulting in creative works of art.

Entrance into the Kymulga Grist Mill Park area will still be free, and the day will also in­

clude plenty of live entertain­ ment. That will include such crowd favorites as Violet Blue & Friends, Hole in the Wall, and a Childersburg­based Elvis imper­ sonator. The festival will also feature carriage and hay rides, along with park’s remarkable na­ ture walking trails.

A lot of visitors come for the

grits, of course, and they won’t be disappointed. There’ll be plenty of cooked grits available, plain grits and also flavored with sausage and shrimp. The food fare will also in­ clude hamburg­ ers, hot dogs, and French fries, and plenty to drink. And, you’ll be able to pick up grits and corn meal to take home with you, along with local honey. There will even be an area just for the young visitors, including plenty of inflatable bouncy attractions for the children!

The Childersburg Historic Preservation Commission this past year renovated the facil­ ity’s bathrooms, and the funds raised by this year’s big event will go back into a fund to sup­ port maintenance and up­keep of the historic grist mill.

If you’ve never attended one of the annual Mule Day celebrations at the historic Weogu�a Center, you just can’t grasp the magni­ tude of whole affair. Covering the entire grounds of the center for arts, education, and entertain­ ment, Mule Day is THE big annual event at the Weogu�a Center.

The day gets started early with a sausage & biscuit breakfast served in the Home Economics Building from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. as literally hundreds of vendors will be setting up.

There will be all sorts of live demonstrations, many including the name stars of the event ­ mules from the Mule Owners Club! Plus, one of the best classic

Antique Car Shows around.

There’s always a wide array of live entertainment acts dotting the campus, along with some of best eating that exists!

Railroad Man, Mr. Robert Pear­ son, will have a wonderful display of his trains inside the school.

And the History Room is filled with wonderful old pictures from the school. If you have any photo­ graphs you would like to donate please call Ms. Linda Alexander, Coordinator at 256­234­0030.

To help support this wonderful facility that opens its doors to so many groups and organizations throughout the year, there is a two­dollar charge for parking for those who attend Mule Day. A few vendor spaces are still available for just $10.00 per booth. For more information contact Ms. Lola Parker, Coordi­ nator at 256­245­3826

Once Upon a Time dedication scheduled for April 26th

Once upon a time, a talented young sculptor came to Sylacauga for the annual Magic of Marble Festival... and for all intents and purposes, didn’t leave...

What Craigger Brown did was to create pieces of marble art that will live for the ages in the heart of our city, a symbol of our history...

Browne’s Sylacauga Emerging has literally become the most recogniza­ ble symbol of our community on the lawn of the City Hall Complex...

And recently, his four latest pieces of art, the Once Upon a Time collection were moved from their birthplace at the corner of Norton & Hickory to the lawn of

the B.B. Comer Library for their finishing touches...

The work was commissioned to honor the memory of Mayor & Mrs. Curtis Liles, Jr. And on Sunday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m., the marble art collection will be unveiled and dedicated in a special ceremony on the lawn of the library!

Dance and Music Revolution Concert at SHS on April 28th

Music, dance, and fun are the hall­ marks of entertainment on Tuesday night, April 28, when the choral music singers of Sylacauga City Schools pres­ ent “Dance, Dance Revolution.” The concert will be held in the Sylacauga High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations at the door will be welcomed.

Music director Dontavius Tidwell has brought energy and enthusiasm in rebuilding the music program for mid­ dle and high school students. SHS has not had choral music in four years, making this the debut performance of the Aggie Fine Arts revolution.

Approximately 100 Nichols­Lawson and Sylacauga High students will be

featured in the production of song and dance. Don’t miss the “Dance, Dance Revolution” Tuesday night, April 28, at 6:00 p.m.

Pictured is Music Director Dontavius Tidwell as he rehearses a group of choral music students from Nichols­ Lawson Middle School for the produc­ tion “Dance, Dance Revolution.”

Alabama joins a national exercise day on April 29th Walking is one of the easiest and most effective forms of exercise, but it can be hard to find time to enjoy it. That's why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is invit­ ing you to walk at your lunch during the 9th annual National Walk@Lunch Day on Wednesday, April 29th.

Blue Cross celebrates National Walk @ Lunch Day because walking is one of the simplest and easy to start forms of exercise. National Walk @ Lunch is de­ signed to encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles to make walking a healthy habit for life.

For more information, contact Heidi Ramey by phone at (205)220­6881 or email at hramey@bcbsal.org.

S.C.P. presents the return of live theater to Sylacauga!

Here’s a behind the scenes look at, Too Soon for Daisies! from the Sy­ lacauga Community Playhouse. It’s the hilarious story of a small, out­of­ the­way place, a picturesque water­ front village which attracts some very interesting but peculiar drifters ­ including three elderly ladies who just happen to be on the run after escaping from a retirement home.

Tickets are on sale now ­ only

$10.00 in advance and $12.00 at

ail.com; or call (256) 208­5768

the door. If you call ahead and re­

(ask for Sherry) or come by in

serve your tickets but pick them

person to Maxye Veazey Senior

up at will call you still get the $10.00 price. Now, how do you

Center in Sylacauga.

The show dates are:

get tickets? Simply message the

Friday, May 1st @ 6:30 p.m.

Sylacauga Community Playhouse

Saturday, May 2nd @ 2:00

on Facebook; email them at syla­

Saturday, May 2nd @ 6:30 p.m.

caugacommunityplayhouse@gm

Sunday, May 3rd @ 2:30 p.m.

City Schools announce Preschool Program Registration The Sylacauga City Schools system announces a pre­ school program for children who will be four years old on or before September 1, 2015, and reside in Sylacauga City School zone. This special preschool program has an empha­ sis on providing all children with “school readiness” experi­ ences that meet their individual needs.

So, what is, “School Readiness?” It includes: 1. Enthusiasm for Learning 2. An Ability to Function in a Social Setting 3. Age­Appropriate Communication and Problem Solving Skills 4. Age­Appropriate Physical and Emotional Skills 5. Optimal Health The preschool program will follow the August 2015 ­ May 2016 Sylacauga City Schools calendar for students and will be conducted at Indian Valley Elementary School.

Interested parents should complete the preschool applica­ tion and submit it by May 8, 2015, to any school location, includ­

ing the central office. Contact Jennifer Rosato for more infor­ mation and/or application at (256) 249­7012.

You may also click here for the link to the application: http://ow.ly/LhKmo

C.A.W.G.A. writers are banding together for common good!

http://ow.ly/H2Pfq

New Sylacauga Business Associates meets on May 13th If you feel the need to be more pur­ poseful in networking for your Syla­ cauga­area business, a new organization gives you your chance!

The brand new Sylacauga Business Associates provides you an opportunity to network and eat lunch somewhere other than at your desk as it hosts its second meeting on Wednesday, May 13th at the Hickory Street Café (CVMC) in the Marble City Room at 12:00 noon for a “Dutch­Treat” lunch.

It’s really simple to join ­ there are no fees, dues, or requirement to join the Chamber of Commerce. You may invite anyone you feel would benefit from attending. Don't forget to bring your business cards or brochures to share with those in attendance.

Coosa Valley Medical Center’s Circle of Care Caregiver Support Group is going strong in 2014 with a new day & time ­ the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon in the chapel of the hospital. The next meeting is May 13th.

The goal for this group is to provide education, support, and out­ reach not only for family members of the patients on the unit, but to the community and surrounding areas as well.

For more information about the Circle of Care Support Group, call CVMC’s Senior Behavioral Inpatient and Outpatient Program at (256) 401­4674.

Cindy McKee Alford * Jerry Phurrough Sherry Machen * Memorey Adams Danielle Lovett Cindy Barnes Brashear * Lauren Owensby The ladies of Trendsetters hair Salon invite you to come visit their new home at 113 North Broadway.

The South Talladega County Relay for Life meets the second Thursday of every month at the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce. Commit­ tees meet at 5:30 p.m., and Team Captains meet at 6:00 p.m. That means that the next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce!

Get more information, or get involved with an existing team, or start your own team by contacting Katie Wesson at 256­404­2948, or via e­mail at Katie.wesson@cancer.org

Wha t’s up, Sy la ca ug a ­ ca lenda r o f c omm unit y eve nts Tuesday, April 21st - This is the first day of open registration for new students for the coming school year at Indian Valley Elementary School in Sylacauga. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the school. Please bring your child’s Alabama Immunization Form (Blue Slip), Birth Certificate, and two forms of proof of residency mortgage or lease & utility bill.

Wednesday, April 22nd - The business community is invited to a special “Dutch Treat” lunch at Old Town Grill in Childersburg on Wednesday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. It’s a great new opportunity to network as part of the newly-formed group, Childersburg Business Associates.

It’s a very informal - no scheduled speaker - opportunity to eat lunch someplace besides your desk! Feel free to invite others you feel might benefit from this unique new networking opportunity. For more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256-4802126, or via e-mail at: angelia.todd@alcc.alabama.gov Thursday, April 23rd - This is the final day of open registration for new students for the coming school year at Indian Valley Elementary School in Sylacauga. It will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the school. Please bring your child’s Alabama Immunization Form (Blue Slip), Birth Certificate, and two forms of proof of residency mortgage or lease & utility bill.

Wednesday, April 29th - Walking is one of the easiest and most effective forms of exercise, but it can be hard to find time to enjoy it. That's why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is inviting you to walk at your lunch during the 9th annual National Walk@Lunch Day on Wednesday, April 29th. For more information, contact Heidi Ramey by phone at (205)220-6881 or email at hramey@bcbsal.org.

Friday, May 8th - This is the deadline to register for a special pre-school program for Sylacauga four-year-olds, with an emphasis on providing all children with “school readiness” experiences that meet their individual needs. Interested parents should complete the preschool application and submit it by May 8, 2015, to any school location, including the central office. Contact Jennifer Rosato for more information and/or application at (256) 249-7012. You may also click here for the link to the application: http://ow.ly/LhKmo Monday, May 11th- The Central Alabama Writers Guild Al-

liance (CAWGA) meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Comer Museum. For those that write, or are interested in writing, wether it be novels (fiction/nonfiction), poetry, short stories, etc., or even as a supporter of authors and literature, you are urged to think about joining. It promises be an interesting and informative meeting. Those interested and/or considering joining are welcomed to come and sit in - speak up with your comments, ask questions, or just sit and listen! In the meantime, please visit and "Like" the CAWGA Facebook page at: http://ow.ly/H2Pfq Wednesday, May 13th - A Dutch-Treat lunch meeting of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce’s “Sylacauga Business Associates” will be held at 12:00 noon at the Hickory Street Cafe. To make a reservation of to get more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256480-2131, or via e-mail at: angelia.todd@alcc.alabama.gov ***

Got an item for our Community Calendar

Or, maybe a news item Contact us via E­mail at: thelocalissue@hotmail.com