Amber Polk advocates for students, schools
Cody Sumners a champion for mental health PAGE 8 PAGE 16
Six Hornets to play college baseball PAGE 20
On the Cover Staff
Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com
Michelle Salem Haynes Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311 michelle@jbmcmedia.com
Lurenda Avery Marketing Consultant (205) 767-3362 lurenda@jbmcmedia.com
Leah Ingram Eagle Content Director (205) 807-0834 leah@jbmcmedia.com
Amy Phillips Marketing Consultant (205) 515-2564 amy@jbmcmedia.com
Emily VanderMey Listo Operations & Project Manager, Graphic Designer emily@emilylisto.com
Who We Are
Chelsea Magazine tells the stories of the people, places, businesses, and history of Chelsea and surrounding communities. The magazine is published monthly and is available mid-month at locations in Chelsea, Mt Laurel, Westover, Harpersville, Wilsonville, and Columbiana.
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All content in this magazine remains the property of JBMC Media, LLC. Any requests to reprint or republish should be directed to matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Shweta Bratina Graphic Designer
Tony Bratina Cover Designer
Cody Sumners, who has also served as a member of the Chelsea City Council since 2016, leads the Chelsea Mental Health Action Committee.
PHOTOGRAPHED AT CHELSEA CITY HALL BY ELIZABETH GRANDY PHOTOGRAPHY
Dear Reader,
I am so excited to bring you the second issue of Chelsea Magazine and even more thrilled to introduce myself as your content editor! If my name sounds familiar, you might know me from my nine years covering the 280/Chelsea area for another monthly publication. For those who don’t, let me share a bit about myself.
I’ve proudly called Chelsea home since 2006. My husband, who works at a local television station, and I have raised our family here. We have two amazing kids—Carson (16) and Morgan (10)— and two sweet dogs, Remy and Riley.
Being part of this community has always been important to me. Over the years, I’ve been actively involved in PTOs at Chelsea Park Elementary (my final year there is bittersweet), Chelsea Middle (I’ll be back next year), and Chelsea High (with many years still ahead). I absolutely love supporting our schools and feel so fortunate to witness the incredible work of our administrators and teachers.
I also serve on the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all 31 schools in our county through classroom and teacher grants. This is my third year on the board, and I’m continually
inspired by the impact we’re able to make.
In addition to working on Chelsea Magazine each month, my full-time role is as the Public Relations/Fundraising Manager for Shelby Humane. I love sharing stories from the shelter, highlighting ways people can get involved, and connecting animals with their forever homes.
As for this magazine, my goal is to deliver timely, relevant, and enjoyable stories every month. You can always expect a compelling cover feature, city and business news, a community events and library calendar, book picks from our local librarians, a sports feature, and plenty of school updates. There’s so much to celebrate in Chelsea, and I’m honored to help tell those stories.
If you have ideas for stories you’d like to see, or if you’re a local business interested in advertising, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at leah@jbmcmedia.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Along with Chelsea Magazine, there are also five other community magazines under the JBMC Media umbrella, including Bham Family, Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader, Enjoy Hoover, Gardendale Magazine and West Jeff Magazine. If you’d like to find our more about these publications, visit jbmcmedia.com/our-publications.
Thank you for welcoming me into your homes and lives through this magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.
Leah Eagle, Content Director
Christopher S. Carter, MD Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Emily Bell Casey, MD Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Rachel
Henderson, MD Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Shoulder
José (Jody) O. Ortega, MD Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Charles T. Carnel, MD Cervical, Thoracic & Lumbar Spine
Wayne McGough, Jr., MD Arthroscopy, Elbow, Knee, Shoulder
Taking Action Chelsea Mental Health Action Committee works to help teens in crisis
BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
After the city of Chelsea lost four teenagers to suicide In just 15 months, residents knew something had to be done.
Many turned to Cody Sumners for help to get things moving.
“After the last one, we had some community members reach out to me and said we have to do something,” said Cody Sumners, a recently retired lieutenant with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and a member of the Chelsea City Council since 2016.
“A lot of us met a week later at my office. There were parents, teachers and coaches. We were all asking what we were going to do,” Sumners said. “We decided we wanted to bring awareness to mental health issues through community events and any way we could to raise awareness and reduce the stigma. We wanted to focus on faith, the community and the schools.”
The group named itself the Chelsea Mental Health Action Committee, and it’s a subcommittee under the National
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CODY SUMNERS AND CMHAC FACEBOOK PAGE
Members of the CMHAC participated in the 2023 Chelsea Christmas parade
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Shelby chapter where Sumners serves as a board member.
“We started doing community events, and partnered with the Children’s Policy Council and the Addiction Prevention Coalition to start offering youth mental health first aid classes around the county, primarily focused on churches,” Sumners said. “We offered it to church staff with the goal to teach adults working with youth to look out for warning signs and how to have conversations with them and get them help.”
Over the past few months, the group has held three training classes around the county for adults on youth mental health first aid. The next goal is to offer teen mental health first aid so teens can also learn signs to look for and how to help.
Sumners also worked with the Shelby County Board of Education to create a class at Chelsea High School that would teach teenagers how to look out for each other, start a con-
versation about mental illness and teach them how to get help for their friends in crisis.
Through a partnership between the Chelsea Mental Health Action Committee, Shelby County Board of Education, Compact, NAMI Shelby and the Addiction Prevention Coalition Prevention, a grant was written to get two Compact officers certified as instructions in mental health first aid, since Compact, a program through the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, works in schools already.
The first class was held in October of 2024, and 60 Chelsea High School students became certified in mental health first aid. The next class is planned for Jan. 23 and Sumners said the plan is to hold a minimum of two classes per year at the high school.
Sumners retired after a 25-year career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department at the end of December, and this month he will begin serving as the President of NAMI
“Things happen for a reason. You wind up where you’re supposed to be and that’s why I wound up here.”
Cody Sumners CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Volunteers represent NAMI at the Brighten the Dark Mental Health and Wellness Fair in Columbiana.
and will continue reaching out and meeting with other municipalities about trying to get in their cities.
He said he plans to reach out to other school systems, including Chilton County.
Why me?
Sumners said that he never envisioned himself getting involved in the mental health community, although he was impacted by a family member’s suicide in 2010.
He did encounter mental health issues often as a member of the sheriff’s department, and wanted to make sure the officers on his shift knew what to do when they came across someone with mental illness.
In 2016, Alison Boyd was appointed as the mental health coordinator for the probate court. Sumners said he had read an article about that and reached out to Boyd and asked if she was going to be the mental health officer of the county. She wasn’t, but Sumners did want to discuss the matter with her and how they could partner and work together.
“The sheriff told me to be a liaison with probate court and work on mental health issues,” Sumners said.
In 2016, an intervention team came to the sheriff’s office to teach the officers how to deal with those who are mentally ill. However, it didn’t discuss what resources were available in Shelby County, so he and Boyd put together a curriculum specific to the county and so
began mental health crisis response training. The four day class has been held every year since 2017 and provides training for law enforcement.
“After putting it together the first year, we received a NAMI special achievement award and following that, NAMI asked me to be on their board,” he said. “Then all this happened in Chelsea and that’s when I really got involved. I don’t know why people reached out to me. I guess it was the perfect storm of working with the sheriff’s department and being on the city council. Things happen for a reason. You wind up where you’re supposed to be and that’s why I wound up here.”
Sumners said he thought about just retiring from the sheriff’s office and being done, but after seeing how the family of the first teenager was impacted after they lost their children to suicide. When one of the deputies on his shift died from suicide, then three more teenagers, he knew he couldn’t leave.
“Because people reached out to me, I felt like I’ve got to stay here and use the platform I have between the sheriff’s office and city council and NAMI to do something about it,” he said.
When he takes over as board president of NAMI this month, he will organize meetings and lead groups. He said he will have more time to devote to their mission and looks forward to seeing what other ways he can help, including assistance to people with mental illness who may not be able to afford to pay their bills or their medications.
As for what’s next, Sumners said he’s going to take some time to think about his next chapter, but he plans to stay involved in the city of Chelsea government.
Sumners is married to Jennifer, a paraprofessional with Shelby County Schools. His son, Paul, is a senior at Chelsea High School and will attend the University of Montevallo in the fall, and his daughter, Payton, is a sophomore at Chelsea High School.
CMHAC hosts educational events every other month, addressing topics including anxiety, suicide, suicide prevention, trauma and social media. For more information on the organization, follow them on Facebook at “Chelsea Mental Health Action Committee.”
An event was held at Camp Hargis on Nov. 19 that included presentations from Compact and Autumn Stanford, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC.
In The Kitchen with Kathleen Phillips
Kathleen Phillips is a food blogger, food stylist, cookbook author, and former Oxmoor House test kitchen director (Southern Living cookbooks). On her food blog, GritsAndGouda.com, she creates Southern shortcut recipes. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Food Blogger, GritsAndGouda.com
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
PREP: 10 MINUTES YIELD: 8 SERVINGS
Even if we don’t have snow in Alabama in January, it is still cold...at least on many days. Nothing says “cozy” like a warm bowl of potato soup, even if you are wearing shorts under that crocheted throw or blanket, while your curled up on the couch!
My Loaded Baked Potato Soup piled high with all the toppings you would put on a baked potato, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, and bacon, fits right in that cozy scenario!
The shortcut for this homemade soup is baking the potatoes ahead of time and refrigerating until you’re ready to make the soup. I also tell you how to air fry the potatoes if you want to head over to the full recipe on the blog post at GritsAndGouda.com.
Ingredients
5 baking potatoes (about 2.5 pounds)
1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
8 slices uncooked bacon
2 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)
½ cup chopped onion
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole or 2% milk
2 cups chicken broth
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup sour cream
Optional toppings: Green onions, chives, sour cream, avocado, jalapeno peppers
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Wash potatoes; prick several times with a fork. Rub with oil. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until tender; let cool.
Shortcut: Store in a zip-top container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days until ready to make the soup.
When ready to make the soup, cook bacon in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon from the pot and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon in the pot. Add butter to the bacon drippings.
Melt butter and add onions. Cook onions, stirring often, until soft.
Remove the pot from the heat. Make sure the butter mixture is not bubbling. Gradually stir in the flour until smooth. Return the pot to medium-low heat. Cook the flour mixture for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low or remove the pot from the heat.
Gradually stir in the milk and broth, whisking constantly. Increase the heat to medium and stir constantly until slightly thickened. See NOTE to avoid lumps. Add salt and pepper. Soup will thicken even more when potatoes and cheese are added.
Cut each baked potato in half lengthwise and scoop out potato with a spoon. Reserve potato skins for Baked Potato Skins or discard.
Chop potatoes on a cutting board or slightly mash potatoes in a bowl. I like to keep chunks of potatoes but some like them mashed. Add potatoes to the soup in the pot. Bring mixture up to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly just until potatoes are thoroughly heated.
Crumble bacon. Stir in three-fourths of the bacon, 6 ounces of shredded cheese and sour cream and stir until cheese is melted and soup is thoroughly heated.
Sprinkle with remaining bacon and cheese. Add other toppings as desired.
Chelsea Library Calendar
The Chelsea Public Library has lots to offer for everyone in our city. Find our more in their calendar below.
BY
Every Monday: Dungeons & Dragons for ages 12-14 from 4-6 p.m.
Every Wednesday: Dungeons & Dragons for ages 15 and up from 5-7 p.m.
Every Thursday: Musical Munchkins (toddler music and movement class) at 10:30 a.m.
Every Thursday: Chess Club from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Every Friday: Bring Your Own Craft at 1 p.m.
Jan. 9: Adult book club meets every second Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 11: Lego day every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jan. 11: Friends of Chelsea Library book sale. Held every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jan. 13: Chapter Chat teen book club at 5 p.m.
Jan. 14: YA Gotta Read This! at 5 p.m.
Jan. 20: Beyond Books: Herbalist Rhonda Dial (adult program, registration required on website or at the library) at 6 p.m.
Jan. 25: KZT S.T.E.A.M. every fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PHOTO
BRITTNEY FIELDS
A child searches for a book at Chelsea Public Library
This month’s books were selected by Lisa Frost from the Chelsea Public Library. She selected five new releases that are coming out in 2025.
Great Big Beautiful Life by
Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this new novel from Emily Henry.
Genre: Romantic comedy
Release date: April 22, 2025
Onyx Storm by Rebecca
In The Empyrean Book 3, get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.
Genre: Fantasy fiction
Release date: Jan. 1, 2025
One train. No stops. A deadly game of survival and revenge. In 1942, six people destroyed Anna Matheson’s family. Twelve years later, she’s ready for retribution.
Genre: Psychological thriller
Release date: June 10, 2025
The fifth book in The Hunger Games series. As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Release date: March 18, 2025
In the Murphy Shepherd Novel, Book 4, Murph’s fight against human trafficking takes him across the globe and through the halls of government to destroy the network and save the lives and souls of those taken.
Genre: Christian fiction
Release date: April 1, 2025
Photos courtesy of Amazon
Emily Henry
Sunrise of the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Yarros
The Keeper by Charles Martin
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
Upgrades coming to Fire Station 32
The Chelsea City Council accepted a bid in December for renovations to Fire Station 32.
Mike Morgan Industrial won the bid, which is around $1.3 million to expand the building to better serve the residents in that part of the city. Fire Station 32 is located at 1369 County Road 69 in Chelsea.
Deputy Chief Jeff Russell thanked the council for this addition,
saying “It’s a fantastic project and we can’t wait to see it get off the ground.”
There are currently two department members at the station around the clock, and the expansion will upgrade that number to six.
Russell said he also plans to get a rescue unit at that station to provide quicker transport capabilities.
Fire Chief shares training update
Chelsea Fire Department Chief Joe Lee recently shared training numbers for the Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department during a December meeting of the Chelsea City Council.
• Personnel logged 5,611 hours for in house training this year.
• Personnel acquired 149 new certifications this year, logging 2,374 hours of training through the Alabama Fire College.
• Personnel participated in the Alabama EMS challenge every other Wednesday throughout the year and logged 683 hours of EMS training
• CFRD hosted six classes in Chelsea and trained 63 firefighters from outside their department.
• Personnel were sent to Indiana to the National Fireground Training Academy, considered one of the best live fire training
academies In America. The Fire Department Training Network’s state-of-the-art, 50-acre firefighting academy is located near Indianapolis. The academy operates multiple training and burn buildings designed to replicate most fireground situations encountered by firefighters during actual responses. All buildings are designed to provide students with the most realistic fireground training environment possible.
• Personnel were sent to Pueblo, Colorado to attend the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC). SERTC is a globally recognized program that connects transportation experts and first responders in a one-of-a-kind hazardous material training.
Mayor declares Arbor Week in February
Mayor Tony Picklesimer shared in a December city council meeting that Arbor Week in the city of Chelsea will be Feb. 16-22, 2025. A celebration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Upcoming meetings
• January City Council meetings will be held Jan. 7 and 21 with precouncil at 5 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public and the regular meeting can be viewed on Facebook live at “City of Chelsea, Alabama.”
• Chelsea Municipal Court is set for Jan. 23 and 2025 business licenses are due Jan. 31.
Board of Zoning Adjustment members reappointed
The Chelsea City Council made two reappointments to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Turner and
were both reappointed to serve three year terms on the board.
Bryant
Isaiah Hileman
Building Community
Amber Polk’s Journey as a Shelby County School Board Member
BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
In 2019, Amber Polk and her family made a pivotal decision for their family: moving from Alabaster to Chelsea. Their goal was clear—to find a smaller school system with high-quality education and a strong sense of community.
Polk said the Chelsea zone offered the “hometown feel” they longed for, along with the promise of opportunities for she and her husband Dustin’s three children: Carsyn, SK, and Levi.
But the journey to fully embracing their new community came with its challenges.
The Polks had just begun settling into Chelsea when the COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down in 2020.
“We were really just starting to get involved when everything shut down,” Polk recalled. The timing was particularly tough for Carsyn, then an eighth-grader, who had to finish middle school virtually.
Despite the setbacks, Carsyn’s involvement in school sports— playing volleyball and basketball—helped immerse the family in the community. Traveling for games and attending events introduced Polk to the larger Shelby County school system, giving them insight into both the strengths and the challenges facing local schools.
A Call to Action
Polk, who also worked as a real estate agent, became more involved in school activities post-COVID. She joined the Chelsea Middle School PTO board and later took on a role
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GRANDY PHOTOGRAPHY
with the high school volleyball booster board. Through these experiences, she gained firsthand knowledge of the needs and concerns of parents, teachers, and students.
One challenge stood out: the growing community of Chelsea lacked the facilities and resources seen in larger school systems. Polk began exploring solutions, including a proposal for a district tax to address these issues.
“I naively thought we’d all work together to make it happen,” she admitted.
When her proposal met resistance, Polk found herself at a crossroads. It was during a public meeting about the formation of a Chelsea city school system at Liberty Baptist Church where she presented a proposal for a zone-district tax to address Chelsea schools’ funding and resource challenges. However, the plan was not well-received by local leadership.
Despite the setback, Polk found herself inundated with questions and requests for specifics from community members. It was during this time that she was repeatedly encouraged to run for the Shelby County Board of Education
“After the idea of a city school system was voted down, I kept asking, ‘If not that, then what?’” The question led her to consider a new role: serving on the Shelby County Board of Education.
Initially resistant to the idea, Polk admits, “I had no desire—I didn’t want to get involved in politics.” But when the city school system proposal went to a vote and was overwhelmingly rejected—largely due to financial concerns—she recognized a need for a new approach.
“I realized I could be a voice on the BOE to help bring to light the concerns and challenges these parents had,” she said.
Polk emphasized that her candidacy wasn’t a critique of previous boards. “It’s not that the boards weren’t doing a great job,” she explains. “But if you’re not in the schools constantly, you can’t know what you don’t know. Since employees can’t serve on the board, the next best thing is an involved parent. It didn’t look like anyone else was going to do it.”
After a joint campaign with Brian Boatman, the two won the election and in December 2022, were sworn in as members of the Shelby County BOE, Polk taking the seat of Jane Hampton and Boatman taking the seat of Aubey Miller.
“I came into this with the question, ‘How can I help?’” Polk said. “What can I do to come alongside the current leadership team, staff, and students to make things better for everyone?”
A Partnership and a Loss
Polk’s campaign was strengthened by her partnership with Boatman, The two bonded over shared values and worked together to navigate the challenges of campaigning on the same ticket.
Their victories, however, were bittersweet. Shortly after being elected, Boatman was diagnosed with ALS. He passed away in August 2024, leaving behind a profound legacy.
“Brian taught me that no matter your circumstances, you can still serve,” she reflects. “Even as he was dying, he was thinking about others. His selflessness left an incredible impact on me and everyone around him.”
When Polk stepped into her role as a board member, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The responsibilities of a school board member are broad, but the specifics became clear only as she began her work.
CONTINUED
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBER POLK
Balancing her role along with her career as a realtor and her responsibilities as a wife and mother to three teenagers, Polk has embraced the challenges with dedication. Her commitment to serving the 31 schools, 21,000 students, and countless educators and staff members in Shelby County Schools has been unwavering.
One of Polk’s favorite aspects of serving on the board has been participating in the annual VOICE meetings held in each of Shelby County Schools’ seven zones. These events, led by Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks, bring together school leaders, parents, and the district’s leadership team for open dialogue.
“Parents can ask questions, share feedback, and make suggestions,” Polk explained. “It’s a vital platform for transparency and trust. The input we receive often leads to real changes—whether through policy adjustments, new programs, or improved communication.”
Another highlight of her tenure has been witnessing students excel in areas beyond traditional academics and sports. From career and technical education competitions to Scholars Bowl championships, art shows, and theater performances, she sees these programs as critical to nurturing students’ diverse talents.
“Opportunities like these allow students to explore their passions and discover skills they might not have realized they had,” Polk shared. “Celebrating their successes boosts confidence and emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education.”
Focusing on Mental Health Awareness
As a mother of three teenagers, Polk is particularly passionate about addressing the mental health challenges facing today’s youth. Recognizing the national crisis and its impact on Shelby County, Amber worked with Cody Sumners of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to launch a Teen Mental Health First Aid pilot program at Chelsea High School.
“This was one of those ‘this is why you are here’ moments for me,” Polk recalled. “The program equips students with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges among their peers. It fosters empathy, reduces stigma, and encourages early intervention.”
She hopes the program will be the first of many collaborations focused on mental health and character development in Shelby County Schools.
“Brian (Boatman) taught me that no matter your circumstances, you can still serve. Even as he was dying, he was thinking about others. His selflessness left an incredible impact on me and everyone around him.”
Amber Polk
Looking Ahead
Polk’s work on the BOE has deepened her appreciation for the educators and staff who make Shelby County Schools thrive.
“Our team is top-notch, and they’re led by amazing, caring people,” she said. “But our work is never done. We celebrate achievements, encourage our people, and then get back to work—because we can always do better.”
With Carsyn now a Chelsea High School graduate, SK a freshman, and Levi in eighth grade, Polk’s family remains deeply rooted in the community.
Her story is one of resilience, service, and an unwavering belief in the power of collaboration. “God was in it,” she said of her journey. “And it worked out the way it was supposed to.”
Through her work, she hopes to ensure that Shelby County Schools not only maintain their reputation for quality education, but also grow to meet the needs of an evolving community—one where every student has the resources and opportunities they deserve.
“The last two years have flown by,” she reflected. “I’ve learned so much, but I know there’s still more to learn. It’s rewarding and exhausting. It’s fulfilling and overwhelming. I wouldn’t want it any other way, and I’ve been honored to serve.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBER POLK
Sports Chelsea Core Six to Play Ball in College
BY LOYD MCINTOSH
January is an odd time of year to discuss baseball, but, when it comes to Chelsea High School, every day brings a good reason to focus on the Hornets baseball team. While the first pitch of 2025 won’t be thrown for a couple of months, Chelsea baseball is busy making news away from the diamond.
During a ceremony held at Chelsea High on December 13, six Hornets - Payton Hunsaker, Chase Lackey, Aiden Hughes, Paxton Stallings, Cade Mims, and Mack Breazeale - signed letters of intent to play baseball in college, the second largest group of signees in the school’s history.
This core group of guys has been the heart and soul of the Hornets baseball team since their sophomore season. Chelsea High School Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Michael Stallings says the boys have a special bond on and off the diamond that, for most of them, started in kindergarten.
“They’ve been very fortunate to play together for a long time and I’ve been able to watch that, pretty much, ever since they were about five years old,” says Stallings.
Payton Hunsaker, the only player in the group to sign with a four-year university - the others are going the junior college route with some of the best baseball programs in the Southeast - signed with Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Colonels have been reasonably successful in recent years, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and 2024, although failing to advance from the first round each year.
At six feet, four inches tall, Hunsaker is a left-handed,
hard-throwing pitcher with a fastball averaging 88 MPH. Stallings says Hunsaker casts a commanding presence on the mound and is poised to be a major factor for Chelsea this season and for Nicholls State.
“He’s got a big frame on him,” says Stallings, adding that Hunsaker has focused on improving his physique in the weight room, bulking up to between 185 and 190 pounds. Hunsaker didn’t grow up with the other guys, so Stallings was unfamiliar with him when he joined the team as a freshman. Now one of the team’s leaders, Stallings says it has been rewarding to see his growth over the years.
“He was kind of new to us when he came into high school, and just being able to see him grow, develop, and get bigger to where he’s at today, to see that transformation, has been really nice,” Stallings says. “His size projects and being a lefty, he has the ability to run it up there pretty good.”
Hunsaker initially was interested in playing at BYU after being recruited by Brent Haring, then the associate head coach for the Cougars. Haring was named head coach of Nicholls State in June 2024, prompting Hunsaker to rethink his college plans.
“When (Haring) took the job at Nicholls, I thought, ‘well, maybe I should go check this place out,’” explains Hunsaker during a phone interview after returning home from a short camping trip. He continues, “Once I went there, I just fell in love with the place, and I love what he’s doing there. So it’s just a good opportunity.”
Chase Lackey, infielder and pitcher for Chelsea, will attend Gadsden State Community College following his senior year.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHHS BASEBALL FACEBOOK PAGE
Listed on Prep Baseball (prepbaseballreport.com) at 5 feet, 7 inches, 145 pounds, Lackey played shortstop, led the team in batting, and earned All State honors in 2024. Additionally, Stallings says Lackey is one of the most reliable players on the Hornets’ roster.
“He is our Mr. Dependable on defense,” Stallings says. “I think throughout the course of the year, he only made two errors in the field. He has a really good glove and we’re expecting big things out of him again.”
Mack Breazeale, a corner outfielder for Chelsea, signed with Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama. Stallings says Breazeale had a great summer playing with his club team and is a player Stallings is relying on to drive the offense in 2025.
“He has the ability to be one of the bigger sticks in our lineup and he has really been working hard to improve his offensive game,” says Stallings. “I’ve been able to be around him since he was really young and have been able to see him grow and develop and be a part of his journey for many years.”
Stallings’ son Paxton Stallings and Aiden Hughes signed with Coastal Alabama Community College South in Bay Minette, Alabama. Paxton Stallings has been the Hornets’ starting third baseman since his sophomore year and also spends time on the mound as a right-handed pitcher.
“He is a very competitive, hard-nosed player. He really gets after it in practices and games,” Stallings says. “He also brings a lot of experience and a lot of leadership and you know those are qualities that hopefully will pay dividends for this group.”
Hughes is another lefty pitcher with a big arm. At five feet, ten inches, and 150 pounds, Hughes’ fastball averages 85 MPH and delivers a curveball ranging from 75-77 MPH.
Cade Mims signed with Georgia Highland Community College in Rome, Georgia. Primarily a catcher, Mims has also spent time on the mound for the Hornets and is another player Stallings relies on for his experience and leadership. He also believes Georgia Highland, which has seen success in post-season tournaments in recent years, is a great spot for Mims.
“I think (Georgia Highland) will be a great fit for Cade to experience a good, quality program and have an opportunity to help them continue their success,” Stallings says.
James Williams, Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, for Georgia Highlands, says he recruited Mims due to his solid character as well as his skills on the diamond.
“For us, Cade does more off the field than he does on the field, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a good baseball player. He is a very good baseball player,” explains Williams.
“I think he does all the things that make someone a
good player but the person is really what attracted us to him,’ adds Williams. “He’s a really good leader and has a good work ethic. He’s just the guy that you want in your program.”
Good character is a trait Stallings says all six of these guys share, stating “As this core goes, so the team goes.” He adds that he believes this core can lead the Hornets to a deep playoff run in their first season in 6A since 2021-22. However,
regardless of the final win-loss record this spring, these young men set good examples in Chelsea and beyond.
“They’re a very tight group. They spend a lot of time together away from school, outside of baseball, and are really good kids,” Stallings says. “They try to do their best to represent our program and their families in a respectful way and they do a really good job of that in my opinion.”
Payton Hunsaker signed with Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
School Ministries Alabama hosting Bible education
SUBMITTED BY
CINDY WARNER
Public school students throughout Alabama are learning the Bible during the school day thanks to School Ministries Alabama.
Several local schools will be participating in this program and classes will begin this month at both Chelsea Park Elementary and Forest Oaks Elementary. Mt Laurel Elementary will also have the program, along with schools in Oak Mountain, Helena and Pelham.
While similar classes have been held nationwide for over 100 years, it’s a relatively new concept for most Alabama schools. Most people don’t understand these types of classes are permissible by law due to misunderstandings of the First Amendment of the Constitution which states “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
“Most Americans become concerned when government administration, whether federal, state, or local, appears to somehow be involved with ‘establishment of religion’ in violation of the First Amendment,” said Winston Greer, Executive Secretary of the School Ministries Alabama (SMA) Board of Directors. “This is especially true when government oversight is somehow involved in a Constitutionally permissible free exercise of religion.”
Greer noted that concerns are often raised about the government’s actions potentially entangling with religion or breaching the “wall of separation between Church and State,” a metaphor popularized by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. While these words do not appear in the Constitution, many mistakenly believe they represent the Constitutional standard. However, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O.
Douglas, in a ruling that upheld Bible classes like these, clarified, “The First Amendment does not say that, in every and all respects, there shall be a separation of Church and State.”
“School Ministries Alabama is active in communities and school districts around the state to promote one particular free exercise of religion that doesn’t entangle the school district or cross over that fictitious ‘wall of separation’,” Greer explained. “It is a religious freedom that is little known, often misunderstood, and underutilized by the evangelical Christian community. It is called Released Time Bible Education.”
Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) allows parents to grant permission for their child to be excused from public school during the school day to receive private Bible instruction. This practice has been constitutionally permitted since
Oak Mountain Intermediate class attended a class at Indian Springs Baptist Church on Dec. 19. The class was taught by Kylie Gautney, who also serves as the SMA Program Administrator.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CINDY WARNER
the Supreme Court’s 1952 decision in Zorach v. Clauson, which ruled that students may participate in religious instruction during school hours as long as parental consent is given, the classes are held off public school grounds, and the program is privately funded.
Chelsea Park Elementary students can attend classes held every second Tuesday starting Jan. 28, from 1:30-2:40 p.m. at Freedom Family Church, 11063 US-280, Westover. Forest Oaks Elementary students can attend classes every second Wednesday, starting Jan. 29, 2025, from 1:30-2:40 p.m. at Chelsea Church of God, 2020 County Rd 39, Chelsea.
Greer explained that School Ministries Alabama finds the two different Alabama state laws particularly useful in helping school districts recognize the benefits of Released Time Education Programs. While the Released Time Credit Act directly addresses released time and elective course credit, it makes adopting and implementing a released time policy optional for LEAs—it is not mandatory. Therefore, a school district is not required to offer released time education, either independently or through a provider like SMA.
“School Ministries Alabama has encountered misunderstanding – and occasionally, misinformation sown by opponents of released time Bible education – since being founded in Birmingham in 2015 to raise, coach, and sustain RTBE programs and classes,” Greer noted. “School Ministries Alabama is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), state office affiliate of School Ministries, Inc., a national organization of
RTBE programs in the United States. We presently have twelve classes operating in six Alabama school districts and have been authorized by another three to begin Bible classes in their school districts, with more classes and districts actively pending.”
Kasey Burleson, President of School Ministries Alabama, added, “Our American culture follows the calendar of the school year, and for most Americans our daily schedules center around the school day schedule. Students and parents have increasingly busy schedules with extracurricular activities, and many students are being deprived of the opportunity to intentionally and systematically learn from the best-selling and most influential book in history, the Bible.”
“School Ministries Alabama works within the legal boundaries of the U.S. Constitution and Alabama state law to offer an opportunity for public school students to receive, with the permission of a parent, Bible education during the structure of the school day, and at no cost to the school,” Burleson concluded. “For some, this may be the first and only opportunity in their young lives to learn from His Word about the God Who creates, forgives, and can lead them with purpose, in peace and joy, their entire life – now and for all eternity.”
For more information, visit smalabama.org.
Sean of the South
A Few Resolutions
I’m making changes this year. Little changes. The big changes never last. It’s little ones that stick. So, I’m going to start by making my bed every morning.
When I was a kid, my mother believed, firmly, that making the bed set the tone for each day. So, each morning I let her make my bed.
But now that I’m older, I’ve decided to make our bed every morning. Namely, because my mother believed that a man who makes his bed won’t ever be too disappointed in himself inasmuch as he accomplished at least one task today.
I’m also vowing to practice moderation. It will be my policy to drink only one beer at a time.
Another change I’m making: I’m going to play with my phone less. Phones are time-suckers. So, I’m not going to play on my phone. Instead, I’m going to spend quality time playing on my wife’s phone.
I’m going to eat more bacon. Life is too short to deprive oneself of bacon. A woman named Susannah Mushatt Jones of Brooklyn, New York, lived until age 116. She ate a serving of bacon every day. But frankly, I don’t want to live to 116, so I will also eat queso dip to offset things.
I’m going to give to homeless people more often. Every time I drive past a homeless guy, I think to myself, “He’s just looking for drugs.” But my conscience knows better. Addicts need lunch, too.
I’m going to do more meaningful stuff this year. I don’t exactly know what that means, but I mean it.
I’m going to run some 5Ks or 10Ks, for good causes. I’m going to do this because I enjoy running, because I like meeting people, and, above all, because there is usually free beer at the finish line.
I’m going to attend more baseball games. My old man died young, and a few nights before he died, he said, “Let’s go to more ballgames next season.” I never forgot that.
I’m going to have more fun and not apologize for it. More fishing trips. More camping trips. And I’m finally going to get around to that honey-do list. In fact, I’m going to write the list right now, so my wife can get started.
I’m going to laugh more. And if I can’t laugh, I’m going to make someone else laugh. And if I can’t make someone laugh, I’m going to play on my wife’s phone.
More pizza. More pasta. Less salad. I’m going to make an effort to enjoy tiny moments in my life. Not just the big ones. I mean the happenings that I never pay attention to. The taste of chocolate. The smell of summer rain. Colonoscopies.
I’m going to tell people I love them. Not just family and friends, but anyone who crosses my path. I’m going to call old friends more often.
I’m going to say yes more than I say no. I’m going to worry less. And whenever I catch myself worrying, I’m not going to worry about it.
And if I can’t do any of the above because I’m too uncommitted, too undisciplined, or just flat lazy, I’m not going to be disappointed in myself.
Because at least I made the bed this morning.
SEAN DIETRICH
ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN DIETRICH
Holy Moly Motherhood
Buying Time
Yesterday I was at my wits’ end with the people in my house. It was too cold to be outside and no one could agree on anything inside. My 10-year-old has all kinds of attitude right now and my five-year-old makes it his personal mission to bother his older brother…who in turn bothers him…and then, well, everybody bothers me.
So, I told my husband I was heading out for a bit, ya know, to cope. I needed a moment to myself before this crazy train left the station for good. I’m sure some people take medicine or go for a walk or entertain any number of bad habits, but when things get a little hectic in my house, I just need to go mosey—around HomeGoods.
I grab a coffee and stroll around. Then, I’ll head to my favorite thrift or antique store. Probably not the healthiest habit either, but it helps me reset. No one is yelling or testing my patience. No one is talking to me at all. I’m not expected to do anything other than push a buggy. I’ll pass moms on every aisle doing the same as me.
I just mosey around and think about baskets and lamps and what I’d like to do to our home at some point when I have more money. Sometimes I buy something, but a lot of times I don’t.
I think my husband thinks these outings are about shopping. He never asks or cares what I buy, honestly. He probably thinks my good mood upon returning is due to something in a bag. If that was the case, I would shop with friends. But I shop alone.
Because I’m really just buying myself time. Time alone. Time to chill out and regroup and head back home as a better mom.
So, here’s to however you buy yourself time. Just take it, enjoy it, and don’t feel guilty about it. When you take care of yourself, it’s so much easier to care of everyone else.
PS: If you find yourself in HomeGoods, I’ll probably be one aisle over.
xoxo,
Holy Moly Motherhood
Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 10 and 5), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage. She’s also the author of “Magic Air: Ten Kid Sized Steps to Surgery.”
Alana Smith
School News: Chelsea Park
Th-Th-Th-THE GRINCH!
CPES students welcomed a surprise visitor to the school before the holiday break. The Grinch made an appearance and went around the school spreading his own type of holiday spirit.
3rd grade participates in giving project
The third-grade students at Chelsea Park Elementary School took part in a Christmas Giving project, bringing joy and holiday cheer to local families in need. This year, the students and their families adopted four families, providing Christmas gifts for 14 children ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old.Each child’s wish list was carefully considered as students and families selected gifts, with some classes even joining together at Chelsea WalMart for a group shopping experience. This project was made possible through a partnership with Safe Family Services of Sylacauga, a local non-profit organization that has been supporting families in the community for over 20 years. This marks the 9th year of the CPES 3rd grade Christmas Giving project.
School receives funds from the city
Chelsea Mayor Picklesimer made a visit to CPES to deliver a check to Principal Mary Anderson from the City Council for instructional support grants that were submitted by CPES.
Dad’s breakfast
Each month, CPES hosts an All Pro Dads breakfast, where dads, grandfathers and father figures are invited to have breakfast with students.
Holiday Concert
The Harmony Hornets choir performed a Christmas concert before the holiday break. Music teacher Mrs. Ardovino and her students did a wonderful job!
PTO Party
The CPES PTO held a special sock swap party after their December meeting, featuring Christmas bingo, yummy snacks and of course, presents!
Burton named Assistant Principal at CPES
Hannah Burton was named as an assistant principal at Chelsea Park Elementary, after being approved by the Shelby County Board of Education. She joins Assistant Principal Jessi Adams and Principal Mary Anderson on the administrative staff. Burton had been working at CPES with the title of Administrative Assistant.
Blue Ribbon Conference
Administrators and staff made a trip to Orlando to attend the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference. They said it was a great week of learning and fun with amazing people. Rep. Corley Ellis and Sen. Dan Roberts assisted so the group could attend the conference.
School News: Forest Oaks
Holiday shopping for students
FOES held its annual holiday shop, Peppermint Palace, which allows students to shop for Christmas gifts for their family, friends or themselves! Each day, students took their turns shopping with volunteers on hand to help. There was also a dress up week in which the students had a holiday themed option to choose to wear each day.
Books for second graders
All of the second graders at Forest Oaks were gifted with books that included personalized notes from Chelsea High School students who are part of the ChickFil-A Youth Leadership Program.
Holiday lunch for staff
In December, the FOES PTO welcomed back faculty with an early Christmas lunch courtesy of Batter Up Childersburg. The white chocolate bread pudding was a huge hit! Stephen Davis of Davis Development and of Inkwell On Grandview donated gift cards for the faculty.
School News: Chelsea Middle
FACS holiday event
The Family and Consumer Science classes hosted a Holiday Hive Jingle & Mingle before the holiday break. Parents were invited to visit and enjoy delicious treats the students had made.
Dad’s breakfast
CHMS hosted an All-Pro Dads Breakfast on Dec. 13. Investigator Austin Brown with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was the special guest speaker. This monthly event provides an opportunity for dads, grandfathers, or father figures to come have breakfast with their student and also hear a message.
Education Foundation board visits CHMS
The Shelby County Schools Education Foundation board hosted their bi-monthly meeting at CHMS in December and enjoyed seeing their Inspire the Journey Grants in action in Mrs. Welborn and Mrs. Stafford’s classes with 3D printers and educational LEGOS.
Christmas Concert
All of the CHMS choir and band students performed in a holiday concert. Instead of paying for admission, guests were asked to bring a canned food item to donate to Heavenly Smiles.
CHMS scores A
Chelsea Middle School once again made an “A” on the Alabama State Report Card. The full report can be found at reportcard.alsde.edu.
CNP scores big
The Child Nutrition Staff at CHMS received a 100% Heath Score in the month of December.
What to pack?
6th Grade Science classes learned about different climates by presenting between classes about what they would pack for a vacation in various climates.
Softball signee
Chelsea High School’s Sydney Carroll recently signed to play college softball at Mississippi State University. Carroll has led Chelsea High School in home runs the past three years and placed second at The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series home run derby twice.
Football signee
Chelsea High School football player Romello Cooper signed to play at Samford University.
School News: Chelsea High
The giving spirit
Key Club members gathered to socialize and play games. Members brought gifts for two children from a Salvation Army Angel tree. This event was completely organized by the Key Club president and officers.
Using leadership for a good cause
CHHS students that are part of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy raised money and collected blankets and other cold weather items to donate to the Jimmie Hale Mission. Additionally, they took part of their day to work at the Grace Klein Food Bank. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea High School Instagram)
30 Surgical Tech students pass exam
30 Chelsea High School Healthcare Academy Surgical Tech Program students passed the National Healthcareer Association Certified Patient Care Technician exam, exceeding the national exam pass rate and earning their first set of healthcare credentials. They are now certified PCT’s and are prepared to start hands-on patient care clinical internship rotations at Shelby Baptist Medical Center and Heart South Cardiovascular Group next semester.
Theater news
Chelsea High School presented the play “Beauty and the Beast,” a classic story of love, courage, and transformation. (Photo courtesy of CHHS Theater Boosters Facebook).
CHHS Theater also had several State Trumbauer winners including: Jenny Howell (1st place in scene design); Annie Adams (1st place in makeup design) and All Star Cast- One acts: Cassidy Short, Dalton Jones and Gabby Agee.
Senior Interview Day
Held on Nov. 19, seniors were able to practice their interview skills with members from the Shelby County Schools central office and city business leaders.
School News: Shelby County
VOICE meetings held across district
Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks and district leaders traveled to all seven school zones during November to meet with parents during VOICE (Vision, Openness, Insight, Communication, and Engagement) meetings. Brooks shared a short presentation with parents where he detailed the district’s priorities, including the vision and mission statements from the new strategic plan. District division leaders shared updates from each school zone regarding finances, maintenance and operations, human resources, student services, and instruction. Parents asked and received answers on a variety of topics including communication, capital planning for long-term growth, addressing teacher and substitute teacher shortages, student mental health issues, mentorship programs for both students and teachers, school safety, and academic programs across all grade levels.
SCBOE swears in board members
David Bobo and Dr. JiJi Davis were sworn into office on Dec. 17 for the Shelby County Board of Education. Bobo is beginning his third sixth-year term on the board, while Dr. Davis was sworn in for her first term after being elected in November.
SCS receives A on state report card
Shelby County Schools scored an A on the state report card. The district score is based on the individual school scores in the system. The report card grade considers student achievement, academic growth, college and career readiness, and chronic absenteeism for students in each school.
Retiring Board Member Jimmy Bice Honored With Journey Shaper Award
Retiring Board Member Jimmy Bice was honored at the Nov. 21 meeting for over 46 years of combined service to the Shelby County School District. Bice served as a teacher and administrator for over 34 years and on the Board of Education for 12 years. He was honored with a Journey Shaper Award from Dr. Lewis Brooks for his contributions to the school district. A reception was also held prior to the board meeting where former students and colleagues came to honor Bice.
STEM Goes Red Event Held to Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM Careers
Encouraging girls to consider future careers in STEM-related fields was one of the goals of the STEM Goes Red event held on Nov. 15 at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center. Over 150 girls in grades 6-12 from middle and high schools across the district attended the event. Sponsored by the American Heart Association, STEM Goes Red brings interesting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young women. Student attendees gained firsthand experience, connected with inspiring professionals, and learned about jobs across STEM fields.
Events in and around Chelsea
Jan. 11: Live music from 1-4 p.m. and Blacktop Bistro food truck from noon-3 p.m. Cat-n-Bird Winery, 11701 CR-280, Chelsea. cat-n-bird.com
Jan. 18: Live music with Katie Slagle from 1-4 p.m. and Fry It Up food truck from noon-3 p.m. 11701 CR-280, Chelsea. cat-n-bird.com
Chelsea Community Center
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Senior Exercise Class. 9 a.m. Class that centers around ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). The focus is on functional exercises that keep us healthy, energetic, and more independent. All levels and abilities are welcome. Bring small hand weights and a water bottle.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Senior Chair Exercise Class. 10 a.m. Chair exercises to upbeat music and choreographed for fun movements and resistance training. Equipment is provided. Free.
Mondays and Thursdays: Rev + Flow by REFIT. Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. A workout that strengthens bodies and sculpts muscles through targeted music-based movement and resistance training. To register, visit refitrev.com.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays: REFIT. Tuesdays 5:15 and 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. A class that combines cardio movements with toning, flexibility, strength training and stretching for an hour of fitness. To register, visit refitrev.com.
Thursdays: Seniors Day Potluck and Games. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Dominos, Rummikub and Rook card games. Fellowship and fun. Free.
Area Events
Through Jan. 20: Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo: Larger-than-life wild animal creations light up select nights from 5-9 p.m. through this month, sponsored by UAB Callahan Eye. The event includes nightly acrobatic shows, virtual reality experiences, and the Red Diamond Express train. For schedule and tickets, visit birminghamzoo.com/events.
Jan. 9: State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents Sleeping Beauty: This captivating performance by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine tells the story of Princess Aurora, cursed to a century-long slumber by the evil fairy Carabosse. Lavish sets, hand-painted scenery, exquisite costumes designed by Ukrainian artists, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score promise an unforgettable experience. For more information and tickets, visit alabamatheatre.com.
Jan. 10-11, 20, 31 and Feb. 1: Birmingham Bulls Hockey: Catch the exciting action of a Bulls home game at the Pelham Civic Complex. The Bulls are one of five teams playing in the Southern Professional Hockey League, including the Huntsville Havoc, Knoxville Ice Bears, Macon Mayhem and Pensacola Ice Flyers. For more information and tickets, visit bullshockey.net.
Jan. 10-11: An Evening with Taylor Hicks. Shelby County Art Council, 105 W. Street, Columbiana. 7:30 p.m. Once again, by popular demand, Hicks is opening his annual concert series at the SCAC in the intimate, 216 seat Song Theater. Tickets $40. shelbycountyartscoucil.com.
Jan. 10: Mike Super Magic and Illusion: Mike Super is the only magician to win a live magic competition on prime time network television. He is also a top finalist from America’s Got Talent. His hilarious, family-friendly show at Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre will cure the winter blues. All tickets are $35; save 20% with the purchase of four or more. For more information and tickets, visit mikesuper.com.
Jan. 14-19: “Annie”: This beloved musical about little orphan Annie comes to the BJCC stage for an eight-show run. Directed by Jenn Thompson, Annie features the iconic book and score, written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. This celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit is perfect for the whole crew. For more information and tickets, visit americantheatreguild.com/birmingham.
Jan. 25: “Broken Ashler” Television premiere. 7:30 p.m. Shelby County Art Council, 105 W. Street, Columbiana. One night only special red carpet public reveal of the Short Film based on the upcoming television series “Broken Ashler.” The public showing will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, writer, cast, and crew. Autograph and photo opportunities will be available before and after the show. Tickets $25. shelbycountyartscoucil.com.
Jan. 31- Feb 2: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels: Head to the BJCC for this indoor car show featuring hot rods, race cars, antique and classic cars, custom imports, and motorcycles. Vehicles are in competition based on condition, design, detail of finish, and workmanship. Expect celebrity appearances, characters for the kids, and more. Discounted adult tickets available at O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. For more information and tickets, visit worldofwheels.net.
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: “The Greatest Show on Earth” returns with 75 performers showcasing aerial, acrobatics, world dance, music, and more—including the triangular high wire, a 34-foot unicycle, stunt bikes, and the criss-cross flying trapeze. For more information and tickets, visit ringling.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM ZOO
