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Page 1: Sylacauga Digest 3
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7 t h A n n u a l M a g i c o f M a r b l e F e s t i v a l - D a y 9

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7th Annual Magic of Marble Festival - Mayor’s Reception

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The business community is invitedto a special “Dutch Treat” lunch atOld  Town  Grill  on  Highway  280  inChildersburg  on  Wednesday,  April22nd at 11:00 a.m.. It’s  a great newopportunity  to  network  as  part  ofthe newly­formed   group, Childers­burg Business Associates.

It’s a very informal ­ no scheduledspeaker  ­  opportunity  to  eat  lunchsomeplace besides your desk!  Feelfree to invite others you feel mightbenefit  from  this  unique  new  net­working opportunity.

For more  information, contactAngelia  Todd at 256­480­2126, orvia e­mail at:[email protected]

New Childersburg Business Associates meets on April 22nd

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Dance and Music Revolution Concert at SHS on April 28th

Music, dance, and fun are the hall­marks of entertainment on Tuesday

night, April 28, when the choral musicsingers of Sylacauga City Schools pres­

ent “Dance, Dance Revolution.” Theconcert 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 Tidwellhas brought energy and enthusiasm in

rebuilding the music program for mid­dle 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 songand dance. Don’t miss the “Dance,Dance Revolution” Tuesday night,April 28, at 6:00 p.m.

Pictured is Music Director DontaviusTidwell as he rehearses a group of

choral music students from Nichols­Lawson Middle School for the produc­

tion “Dance, Dance Revolution.”

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Sylacauga City Schools offer innovative pre-school programThe Sylacauga City School

system offers an inclusive

preschool program with em­

phasis on teaching children

how to learn rather than

what to learn in order to facil­

itate their development and

transition to kindergarten. To

be eligible, children must re­

side in the Sylacauga City

School zone or be a child of

an employee of the Syla­

cauga City School system.

They are currently accept­

ing applications for 2015­

2016 school year. For more

information and/or an appli­

cation, please visit Indian

Valley Elementary School.

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“Children didn’t ask to be

born,” said Phyllis Wesley as she

set the tone for Sylacauga’s an­

nual observance of Prevent Child

Abuse Alabama

Month this week,

“But when they

are born, it’s our

responsibility as

adults to nurture

and protect

them all.”

A long line of

speakers for the

big balloon­re­

lease event

around the flag­

pole at Syla­

cauga’s City Hall

each brought a

different perspective of the

same problem ­ child abuse ­ and

the monumental, but necessary

task of both dealing with the

repercussions of it, as well as

striving to prevent it.

Reverend Henry Looney refer­

enced the Book of Matthew,

pointing out Christ’s words that

highlighted his devotion to chil­

dren and his edict to take respon­

sibility for their welfare.

Mayor Doug Murphree pre­

Child abuse prevention is everybody’s businesssented a proclamation from the

most recent Council meeting, which

focused on the facts behind the

great social problem of child abuse

as he declared April as Child Abuse

Prevention Month in the city.

Special guest speaker, Sallye

Longshore of the Childrens’ Trust

Fund said, “The Mayor’s proclama­

tion points out the need for this

event, relaying the many impacts

of child abuse on our children, but

I want to take it a step farther, to

point out the sheer fiscal costs of

dealing with the problem.”

Longshore pointed to a Uni­

versity of Alabama economic im­

pact study, which placed the fi­

nancial cost of child abuse at

$2.3­BILLION in 2013.

“That’s the latest year for

which the statis­

tics are avail­

able,” said

Longshore, and

we know just

how real that fig­

ure is. The Chil­

drens’ Trust

Fund distributes

money to 139

programs in the

state aimed at

dealing with the

many impacts of

child abuse, plus

more funds for

on­going training and support.

It’s a sad waste if only we had

done a better job as a society in

preventing more child abuse in

the first place.”

Margaret Morton, Executive

Director of SAFE Family Services,

wrapped up the focus of the big

balloon­release prevention

awareness event when she spoke

the words of this year’s campaign

slogan, “Protecting children is

everybody’s business!”

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Scenes from Sylacauga’s Child Abuse Prevention event

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WYEA Radio is giving back, funding

$1,750 in college scholarships for five

area graduates in the Classes of 2015.

Seniors attending Sylacauga High

School, B.B. Comer Memorial High

School, Fayetteville High School,

Childersburg High School, and Winter­

boro High School are eligible for two

$500 awards and three $250 awards.

Although the intent is to recognize

academic achievement, a broader pur­

pose is to reward integrity, leadership,

initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, com­

munication skills, and community in­

volvement. Details are available from

the principals or guidance counselors

at each school. The deadline for appli­

cations is Friday, April 17th, at 5:00 p.m.

Friday is the dealine for WYEA scholarship applications

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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 fits 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

City Schools ask for help with evaluation surveys

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Volunteers from the Sylacauga Kiwanis Club, Nichols­Lawson Middle School, and Syla­

cauga High School, along with the staff and other garden volunteers have been held up

more than a bit by recent wet weather, but their project ­ raising the beds of the Sylacauga

Grows Community Garden ­ continues as a work in progress!

“I couldn’t help but notice a lot of timbers just sitting alongside Highway 280 after Ala­

bama Power’s pipeline project and started wondering what we could do with even some of

them at the garden,” explained Bill Roberts, Head Gardner for Sylacauga Grows.

Since the garden is a division of SAFE Family Services ­ to grow fresh produce for area citi­

zens in need ­ Roberts enlisted the help of SAFE Executive Director, Margaret Morton. She,

in turn, got in touch with Steve Marlowe of Alabama Power, who contacted Beasley Forest

Products on behalf of the garden. A crew from the Sylacauga Street Department helped

move the timbers from Highway 280 to the garden.

“Raising the beds raises the prospects of a more productive and easier to manage gar­

den,” said Roberts, “And we appreciate so many parts of our community once again com­

ing together to make something special happen! It’s coming along and will continue.”

Donation of timbers is raising the beds of Sylacauga Grows

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CVMC hosts Childersburg Chamber of Commerce Coffee

The CVMC Professional Building hosted the Childersburg Chamber of Commerce on Monday, April 13th!

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7 t h A n n u a l M a g i c o f M a r b l e Fe s t i v a l ­ D a y 8

Central Park is alive with art as dozens of

artists are hard at work on  their latest cre­

ations, born of Sylacauga’s pure, white

marble during the 7th Annual Magic of Mar­

ble Festival! The event runs through Satur­

day, across from Blue Bell Creameries.

Time is running short ­ Stop by and

experience the festival first hand today!

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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!

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Tuesday, April 21st - This is the first day of open registration fornew students for the coming school year at Indian Valley ElementarySchool 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 invitedto a special “Dutch Treat” lunch at Old Town Grill in Childersburgon Wednesday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. It’s a great new opportunityto network as part of the newly-formed group, Childersburg Busi-ness Associates. It’s a very informal - no scheduled speaker - op-portunity to eat lunch someplace besides your desk! Feel free toinvite others you feel might benefit from this unique new networkingopportunity. For more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256-480-2126, or via e-mail at: [email protected]

Thursday, April 23rd - This is the final day of open registrationfor new students for the coming school year at Indian Valley Ele-mentary 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 mosteffective forms of exercise, but it can be hard to find time to enjoyit. That's why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is inviting you towalk at your lunch during the 9th annual National Walk@Lunch Dayon Wednesday, April 29th. For more information, contact HeidiRamey by phone at (205)220-6881 or email at [email protected].

Friday, May 8th - This is the deadline to register for a specialpre-school program for Sylacauga four-year-olds, with an emphasison providing all children with “school readiness” experiences thatmeet their individual needs. Interested parents should complete thepreschool application and submit it by May 8, 2015, to any schoollocation, including the central office. Contact Jennifer Rosato formore information and/or application at (256) 249-7012. You mayalso 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. Forthose that write, or are interested in writing, wether it be novels(fiction/nonfiction), poetry, short stories, etc., or even as a sup-porter of authors and literature, you are urged to think about join-ing. It promises be an interesting and informative meeting. Thoseinterested and/or considering joining are welcomed to come andsit in - speak up with your comments, ask questions, or just sit andlisten! In the meantime, please visit and "Like" the CAWGA Face-book page at: http://ow.ly/H2Pfq

Wednesday, May 13th - A Dutch-Treat lunch meeting of the Sy-lacauga Chamber of Commerce’s “Sylacauga Business Associates”will be held at 12:00 noon at the Hickory Street Cafe. To make areservation of to get more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256-480-2131, or via e-mail at: [email protected]

***

Wha t’s up, Sy la ca ug a ­ ca lenda r o f c omm unit y eve nts

Got an item for our

Community Calendar

Or, maybe a news item

Contact us

via E­mail at:[email protected]

Page 23: Sylacauga Digest 3

Richie Lynn Ellison - Sylacauga - Richie Lynn Ellison, bornSept. 19, 1952, met his maker on April 16, 2015. His life was markedby his love of family, Auburn University, and teaching.

His educational career began at his cherished high school, B.B.Comer Memorial school. His undergraduate college education wascompleted at Auburn University where he graduated with a Bachelorof Science in Education. He further cultivated his education at Jack-sonville State University where he completed his Master of Sciencein Education.

His working life began during his college education, where he pur-sued military service to our country. He enlisted in the United StatesNavy and served on battleships and in Puerto Rico. Richie was aproud veteran and a true patriot. After completing his education, hisprofessional career largely involved his appointment as a Biology andPhysical Science teacher for 20 years at Benjamin Russell high Schoolin Alexander City, Alabama. During his teaching tenure, he was ac-tively involved in coaching multiple sports teams. He also led a num-ber of Science Olympiad teams to competitions as well.

Richie was actively involved in a number of social organizations.As a long-time member of Coosa Valley Country Club, Richie wasavid golfer. He was the winner of a parent/child golf tournamentwith his son Steven and also had a prized hole-in-one. He volun-teered at the Sylacauga Boys Club, and was a strong supporter of itsmission. He also was a strong supporter of the Sylacauga LittleLeague where he served as an umpire. Lastly, Richie was no strangerto saying, “War Engle!”, and he was a proud life member of theAuburn Alumni Association.

Richie was preceded in death by the mother of his children CindyJones Ellison and his father Jimmy A. Ellison. Richie has numeroussurviving family members that will miss him dearly. His sons, Dr.Jim P. Ellison, M.D. and Steven L. Ellison; his sister Gayle EllisonJones; brother Gray Ellison; mother Rodie G. Ellison; and grandsonBeau Mack Ellison.

Funeral arrangements have been made with Radney-Smith Fu-neral Home of Sylacauga. Viewing will be held on Saturday, April18, 2015 from 6: 00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.mon Sunday, April 19, 2015 with graveside service immediately fol-lowing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations bemade in Richie’s memory to the Auburn University Foundation (At-tention Gift Processing) 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849

Kenneth "Mack" McGrady - Sylacauga - Funeral services forKenneth (Mack) McGrady, 48, will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00p.m. at Curtis and Son North Chapel with the Rev. Billy Paul Williams

officiating. Burial will be in Fatyetteville Methodist Cemetery.Mr. McGrady passed away April 15, 2015 at Coosa Valley

Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his brother, John R.McGrady; grandparents, Russ and Kathleen Edmondson, John Mc-Grady and Virginia Varner; mother-in-law, Billie Jean Callahan.He is survived by his wife, Susan McGrady of Sylacauga; son,Nathan McGrady of Sylacauga; parents, Billy and Peggy McGradyof Fayetteville; sister, Deborah McGrady Jacobs (Scott) of Au-gusta, GA; niece, Mary Elizabeth Baker.

Visitation was Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. atCurtis and Son North Chapel. Pallbearers will be Chuck Carter,Derek Franklin, Jay Embry, Kelly McNeill, Byron Giddens, BenHead, Mike Cason and Matt Dodgen. Honorary pallbearers willbe Chad Smith, Steve Hay, Joey Hay, Bobby Wright, Robert Hall-mark, Wes Laughridge, Scott Sasser and Steve Clark. In lieu offlowes donations can be made to Nathan McGrady College Fundat Coosa Pines Credit Union.

Online condolences at www.curtisandsonfh.com Curtis andSon Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the services.

Margaret Isbell Heath - Sylacauga - Funeral services for Mar-garet Isbell Heath, 70, will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm atRadney-Smith Chapel with Rev. Donald Grice officiating. Burialwill be in Evergreen Cemetery in Sylacauga, AL .

Mrs. Heath died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her residence. Shewas preceded in death by her husband, Waymon Heath, father, CarlIsbell, mother, Nora Isbell, sister-in-law, Helen Bradshaw Creel,brothers, Bennie Isbell, Leonard Isbell and Herbert Isbell. Mrs.Heath was a loving mother and grandmother and was known toeveryone as Nanny. She loved to shop and play Bingo.

She is survived by her son, Carl, wife Debbie Heath of Sylacauga,daughter, Ramona, husband Mike VanElzen, brother, O'Neal Isbell,ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation was Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.at Radney-Smith Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Derek Mc-Donald, Justin Wilkerson, Beau Usrey, Anthony Williams, JasonGriffith and Terry Sargent.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALwill direct the services.

Michael Glenn Meherg - Sylacauga - Funeral services forMichael Glenn Meherg, age 47, were 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17at Curtis and Son North Chapel. The Rev. Harold Meherg officiated,and burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery. He passed away April

Page 24: Sylacauga Digest 3

15, 2015 in Sylacauga. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son. He loved

hunting and fishing and had lots of friends and family. He was amember of the Local Boilermakers Union Hall 108. He was precededin death by his father, Billy Wayne Meherg. He is survived by hiswife, Janiet Meherg; son, DJ Culberson; daughter, DevinWilliamson; step-daughter, Kandi Channell; mother, CarolynMeherg; brother, Donnie Meherg; 6 grandchildren.

Visitation was Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel. Pallbearers werefamily and friends.

Condolences may be offered online at www.curtisandsonfh.comCurtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel directed.

Robert Dennis Pearce - Sylacauga - Funeral services forRobert Dennis Pearce, 76, were Monday, April 13, 2015 at 11:00a.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel with Rev. Ronnie Snyder officiat-ing. Burial followed in Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home andGardens in Birmingham, AL.

Mr. Pearce died Friday, April 10, 2015 at his residence. Hewas preceded in death by his step-daughters, Robin Howell andTeresa Hunter Roberson. Mr. Pearce was a radio announcer for15 years in Knoxville, TN and Georgia. He was a member ofNew Day Ministries in Childersburg, AL.

He is survived by wife, Betty Pearce, son, Gregory ScottPearce of Merrit Island, FL, daughter, Tammy Suzzett Gould ofBirmingham, AL, sister, Janice Sickles of Dallas TX, step-son,Robert Duane Newsome of Fayetteville, AL, two grandchildren,six step-grandchildren, fifteen step-great grandchildren and onestep great great grandchild and his beloved pet "Dixie".

Visitation was Sunday April 12, 2015 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.Contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society or AmericanHeart Association. Pallbearers were Robert Lyner Jr., Montique Crowe,Steve Wideman, Neal Collins, Jeffrey Hamilton and Chris McGhee.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALdirected the services.

Ronnie Earl Northcutt - Sylacauga - Memorial services for RonnieEarl Northcutt, 49, were Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at EstelleCommunity Church with Rev. Mark Deason officiating. Mr. Northcuttdied Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Coosa Valley Nursing Home.

He is survived by mother, Jerrie Sue Northcutt of Syla-cauga, brothers, William Northcutt and Brian Northcutt of Sy-lacauga, daughters, Jessica Kear of Mesa, AZ and Heather

Northcutt of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren, Lillian Kear andMicah Kear and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALdirected the services.

Jean Grimes - Sylacauga - Funeral Services for Mary Jean JoinerGrimes, 90, of Sylacauga were at 2:00 p.m., Saturday April 11, 2015at Radney-Smith Chapel, 320 North Elm Avenue, Sylacauga, AL35150 with Reverend Thomas Randal officiating. Burial followed atEvergeen Cemetery in Sylacauga. Mrs. Grimes passed away just be-fore sunrise on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

She was preceded in death by her husband James CalfeeGrimes, her parents Beulah Duskey Adair and Oliver Dalton Joinerof Mt. Olive, AL; sisters Rachel Duane Joiner Ashford of Beau-mont, TX and Sarah Elizabeth Joiner Cagle of Mt. Olive, AL, Son-in-law, Wayne Mansfield of Carlsbad, CA.

She is survived by her sisters; Virginia Joiner Simpson ofMontgomery, AL., Faye Joiner Hodges (Edgar) of Sylacauga, ALand Joyce June Joiner England of Fultondale, AL. Children: JamesE. “Butch” Grimes (Amy Roberts) of Tuscaloosa, AL; ReginaFaye “Gina” Grimes Mansfield of Carlsbad, CA; Barry KeithGrimes (Kristen Alberton) of Carlsbad, CA. Grand children:Heather Norton Rushton (Jessie) of Encinitas, CA; Leslie AdairGrimes Banta (Robert) of Stauton, VA; James Douglass Grimes(Amy Pirkle) of Tuscaloosa, AL; William Oliver Grimes (KelseyFaust) of Greensboro, NC; Paul James Grimes and Charles OliverGrimes of Carlsbad, CA. Great Grandchildren: August Jean Rush-ton and Rhiannon Rushton of Encinitas, CA and Samuel RobertsBanta and Maxwell Henry Banta of Staunton, VA.

Visitation was held Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until2:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home. Memorials may be madeto a charity supporting Autism, such as Arts ’N Autism of Tuscaloosa,AL, or a charity of your choice.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALdirected the services.

***


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