Junior ambassadors serve the city, learn about leadership
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Pasteles La MoreliAna and their amazing treats
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Powe brothers bring home the 10th State Championship with three in 2024 PAGE 19
Every time you back out of your driveway in Gardendale, you touch the Public Works Department. Your driveway tie-in, the pipe under your driveway, stop signs, street markers, these are all done with quiet dedication by the Public Works Department.
• We maintain roadways by patching potholes, driveway tie-ins, shoulders, and around mailboxes.
• Our brush trucks pick up tree trimmings and shrubbery cuttings that are placed near the curb or street. We also pick up leaves and pine straw placed in bags.
• Our leaf vacuum season begins November 1 and ends January 31. We pick up loose leaves our citizens have placed at curbside.
These are JUST A FEW of the ways that Public Works improves OUR CITY!
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 3 :30 PM
Office Address: 325 Main Street Gardendale, AL 35071
Contact Number: (205) 631-3394
Maker Profile: Jules and Beck delivers custom stickers and magnets
19/
State Champs: Gardendale brings home three state wrestling championships
Recipe of the Month: Shortcut Chocolate Truffle Tart
School News: What’s Happening in local classrooms?
14/ 22/ 24/ 37/
News from our Neighbors: What’s happening in communities nearby
9/ 28/ 42/ 44/
Small Business: Desserts on wheels. Pasteles La MoreliAna and their amazing treats
Cover: Junior ambassadors serve the city, learn about leadership
Happenings: Local people, places and events
Calendar: Don’t miss these events
Too often, the stories that make the news about young people are bad news, but this issue’s story on the Junior Ambassador program at the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce allows us to tell the story of some students who are working to improve their community. Reading the texts from the students about why they applied and what their favorite parts of the process have been, it was clear that these young people care about the community they live in.
Speaking of inspirational young people, anyone who has been around Gardendale for any amount of time, knows the name of Powe. The five brothers are wrestling legends and have delivered 10 state championships for the high school in recent years. This year, they made history, with three brothers bringing home top honors.
We also got to talk to Jules and Beck, who are making unique magnets and stickers as a way to save money for college. We talked to Joana Maldonado Araujo about her food truck filled with specialty sweets, and how recipes her mom learned as a girl in Mexico made it to a food truck in Gardendale.
We’re looking forward to the Magnolia Festival next month and hope to see you all there!
Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director
Gardendale Magazine is published monthly by JBMC Media, a Birminghambased publishing company. The magazine is available at nearly 90 locations throughout Gardendale, free of charge, and is supported by the advertisers within the pages of this magazine. Subscriptions by mail area also available for $35 per year. Email matthew@jbmcmedia.com for more information.
Gardendale Magazine is 100% local; the stories and photos are all about the city of Gardendale, its residents, its businesses, its schools, and its cultural institutions. It’s our promise to you that we will always keep it this way, so that the content and stories are relevant to everyone who calls Gardendale home.
The Junior Ambassadors have become staples at every Gardendale event over the last year. Photo provided courtesy of Gardendale Chamber of Commerce.
It’s never easy asking businesses to invest in advertising, so we want to give a VERY special thank you to these businesses. Please, support them!
ACE of the South -
Adair Tire Pros
Amore Design & Event Planning
Becky’s Health Foods
Brad Drake Heating & Air
Budget Blinds
Cakes by Elise
Cassidy Glass, Inc.
Cheri W. Cunningham DMD
Children’s of Alabama
City of Gardendale
Closets by Design
Deo Gloria Wood Works
El Patron Mexican Restaurant
Fieldstown Dental Care
Glover Chiropractic
Jefferson County Commission
Louver Shop of North Alabama
Luma Dentistry - Gardendale
Maggie G. Pond, DMD
Magnolia Dental
Mold & Mildew Solutions
Monita’s Bakery
Parrot Structural Services
ReGen Physical Therapy
Reliable Septic Service
Singletary Plumbing, Inc.
Skinology
Southern Focus Vision Center
Superior Service Electric
Tabernacle Christian School
The Chiropractic Oasis of Gardendale LLC
The Harrison Agency
TherapySouth (all locations)
Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center
Uniquely U Wellness Coaching
Village Dermatology
VSC Fire & Security
Vulcan Termite and Pest Control
Wildflower
Staff
Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609, matthew@jbmcmedia.com
Rachel Davis Karr Content Director (205) 613-7850, rachel@jbmcmedia.com
Michelle Salem Haynes
Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311, michelle@jbmcmedia.com
Mara Read Marketing Consultant (843) 327-1008, mara@jbmcmedia.com
Anthony and Shweta Bratina Graphic Designers
Emily VanderMey Listo Operations & Project Manager Graphic Designer
If you don’t have an answer to that question, we’d love to meet you We believe that just as you benefit by making regular visits to your doctor and your dentist, you can also live a more full life by seeing YOUR physical therapist regularly t herapySouth, we build relationships with our patients that last a lifetime We can assess pain obstacles to help you meet goals and return to your favorite activities! So, when you are making your plans for annual medical appointments, don’t forget physical therapy!
As Beckham Smith and his mom, Julie, looked toward his high school graduation and college, they started thinking about ways for him to make and save money for school. They decided to use his entrepreneurial drive and her creativity to create a product that would generate some extra income. They started making magnets and stickers, as well as small artwork pieces to sell on Etsy and at Marketplace on Main.
“Our main products are stickers and magnets,” Julie said. “Our magnets are mainly marketed for use as decorations for tumblers, but we also make fridge magnets. I also paint and sell small acrylic paintings at Marketplace on Main.”
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Beckham, a senior at Gardendale High School, handles all the logistics of packing and shipping and events, while mom comes up with the designs and artwork. Together, they have built a successful business.
Julie started painting and selling artwork in 2018, while she was going through a difficult time, eventually the hobby became more and more important.
“I would rather paint and do something creative rather than watching tv,” Julie said. “I love creating artwork and sharing it with others in hopes of being a small part of something that brings others joy.”
The creative outlet is necessary for Julie, who works full time in healthcare and often faces stressful work days. Most of the designs are uplifting or funny, but they also have seasonal offerings and holiday lines.
“It’s my way to relieve stress,” Julie explained.
In addition to the regular and seasonal offerings, Jules and Beck can also create custom pieces upon request. They can be reached on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy.
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Monday, April 8th through Friday, April 12th 2024
The City of Gardendale Public Works Department will offer a curbside pickup of household discards.
• Calls for pickup must be received by: 12:00pm on Wednesday, April 10th
• All items must be placed at curbside
• Discards such as used appliances, grills, TVs, old furniture etc. will be accepted
• Hazardous items such as paint, propane cylinders, tires, gas cans, insecticides, or household garbage will not be accepted
• Discarded refrigerators or freezers must be free of food products
• Building supplies such as roofing, lumber, fencing, bricks, etc. will not be accepted
• For your safety, only City of Gardendale workers should be allowed to collect items. No peddlers or junk collectors should be allowed access to your property or items on the right of way
*Special assistance is available for elderly and disabled residents who need help getting items to the roadway - call 205-631-3394 for assistance. This is subject to supervisor approval.
April 13, 2024 - 8:00AM to 11:30AM or until capacity is met.
Ammunition, appliances, batteries, electronics, household cooking grease, paint, paper shredding, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, prescription drugs, tires
*Jefferson County Residents Only *Verification of Residency Required *No Businesses Allowed to Participate
April 19 - Friday, 5PM-10PM
Gardendale First Baptist Church (South Campus - Parking Lot)
• Midway Carnival
• 1 stage free live entertainment
• Food Vendors
April 20-Saturday, 10AM-5PM
Gardendale Civic Center + GFBC
• 2 stages free live entertainment
• 160+ vendors
• 25+ Food Vendors
• Car Show
• Pooch Parade
• Free Kid Zone
• Free Art Classes
• Ponies/Petting Zoo
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Julie also began keeping a gratitude journal and recently created and released a workbook to help others begin their journaling journey to help transform their mindset into one of gratitude. The book is available at Marketplace on Main or on Amazon under the title “Elevate: A gratitude journal to help transform your mindset in 60 days,” by Julie Doss. She is currently working on another one for teenagers and one for children.
“The goal for 2024 is to get products in a few more stores across the state,” Julie said. “And, of course, help bring smiles to more faces.”
Growing up, Joana Maldonado Araujo, never wanted to be a baker. She watched her mom baking breads and making cakes and desserts in the kitchen for most of her life, but she never wanted to do that. Even as her mom grew her brand with baking videos and amassed over 1 million subscribers on YouTube, she wasn’t sure that’s what she wanted to do.
After graduating with a degree in marketing, she wanted to start a business, and opening a bakery seemed like the best avenue to her. Her mom insisted that if she wanted a business, she had to learn how to operate every part of it. It took almost a year, but Joana learned how to make each dessert carefully.
Then came the challenge of finding a location. After looking at several spots, she got rejected each time in favor of more established businesses, but, undeterred, she decided to look into a food truck. Opening her food truck selling traditional Mexican desserts that her mom taught her alongside cakes and other baked goods, was a perfect fit. They bake in
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PHOTO IS COURTESY OF PASTELES LA MORELIANAAlthough the food truck doesn’t come to private events, they can set up customer dessert tables.
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the morning, package the sweets and open the food truck in the afternoon to sell them.
“I know some of my family was like ‘how are you going to sell your Mexican desserts in a predominantly traditional American space?’” Joana remembers with a laugh. “I was like ‘who doesn’t love sweets? Who doesn’t like to try new things? And people love Mexican food, they are gonna love Mexican desserts.”
Those treats include single servings of tres leches cakes in three flavors, churro cheesecake, flan, regular cheesecake, donuts, cupcakes, mini donuts and mini pancakes. Whole cakes are available for preorder only.
“We have something for everyone,” Joana said. Her personal favorite is the coffee-flavored tres leches cake, but says sometimes people are unsure about the dessert.
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“People hesitate to try tres leches because of the milk in the bottom,” she said.
But many people have made the leap, with the strawberry tres leches cake and the churro cheesecake being the consistent favorites for the truck’s customers. Strawberry tres leches is strawberry cake with Mexican strawberry jam filling and strawberry icing and churro cheesecake is a pastry filled with cream cheese.
The brightly colored Pasteles La MoreliAna food truck has quickly become a staple for many Gardendale residents looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. The truck is parked most afternoons in the Advanced Auto Parts parking lot on Fieldstown Road.
“That’s what makes me happy about working on the truck–when I see new people try our stuff and then come back. It’s gratifying,” Joana said.
Gardendale’s three state wrestling champions share more than a title, they also share a last name. The name Powe has become so synonymous with wrestling greatness, that the five brothers have brought 10 titles home to Gardendale over the last few years.
Senior Daishun Powe is no stranger to the state championship, this is his third time finishing on top, while it was the first time for younger brothers, Demarcus and Coreu.
In addition to his third state title, Daishun, was also awarded the Most Outstanding Wrestler award for 6A.
Daishun won in the 165 weight class, Demarcus at 138 and Coreu at 106.
Coach Mike Collins said this was the third time in history that three brothers have brought home state championships in the same year. The other two times had been a group out of Scottsboro almost two decades ago. Last year, there were four Powe brothers who competed, and while they all placed, only two came home champions.
Daishun hasn’t yet decided where he will be wrestling at the next level, but he already has offers. Older brothers and former state champions themselves, Melton and Isaiah, are currently wrestling at Cowley College and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, respectively.
This is the third time in history that three brothers have brought home state championships in the same year
Coated in white chocolate and topped with green sprinkles, these bite-size Oreo cookie balls are easy to make and perfect for St. Patricks Day. And only 4 ingredients!
Prep Time: 45 minutes / Total Time: 45 minutes/ Dessert Servings: 2 Dozen / Calories: 206 kcal
Chocolate melting tools
1 inch cookie scoop
2 quart slow cooker (optional)
20 cookies Mint-flavored Oreo creme filled sandwich cookies or classic Oreos
4 oz cream cheese, softened (half of an 8 oz block)
8 oz white candy coating wafers (or white chocolate chips) Green sanding sugar or sprinkles
Crush 20 Mint Oreo cookies in the food processor until they are fine crumbs.
Soften the 4 oz of cream cheese in the microwave about 20 seconds on HIGH. Add it to the fine cookie crumbs and pulse in the food processor just until you don’t see any cream cheese. Most of the recipes I saw on used few cookie to cream cheese ratio, but it was too soft to use immediately and I didn’t want to have to refrigerate the mixture first.
I find it easy and quick to use a 1 tablespoon-size cookie scoop to first scoop out the mixture onto parchment paper or wax paper.
It both measures the exact amount each time and forms it into a rough ball.
The next step is simply to finish rolling them into balls. I do refrigerate the balls at this point. This is convenient for me to make the Mint Oreo Truffle Balls ahead to this point.
Then, when I have another available 30 minutes later in the day or the next day, I cover them with candy coating. Just cover them with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
The chilled truffle balls actually makes the candy coating harden quicker. It also prevents the chocolate mixture from blending into the white coating, giving you a grey streak.
Melt white candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power. First 1 minute, then 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time.
Hold the truffle ball in one hand on a candy holder or a fork and spoon the melted candy coating or white chocolate with the other hand. Tap the excess coating back into the bowl.
You can crush cookies in a zip-top plastic bag with a rolling pin, but the creme filling tends to stick to the bag and it’s hard to crush them fine enough.
Be sure to add the sprinkles immediately after coating each ball. The coating hardens quickly and there’s no going back and adding them afterward.
Kathleen 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.
The Gardendale Elementary Dribble Club showed off skills on the court.
Bragg Middle School’s Robotics team demonstrated how hard they worked all season at the JEFCOED County Championship. Team 8401B (2nd in Team Challenge & Skills) and Team 8401A (3rd in Team Challenge).
Snow Rogers Elementary kindergarten is learning about Farms in CKLA. Hamm Farms made an appearance to give them a “Behind the Scenes” look at Farm life. Their farm supplies the food for Urban Cookhouse. They even brought homemade strawberry lemonade for the kids to drink.
These 4th and 5th-grade girls and boys did an amazing job in the Jefferson County Schools Elementary Robotics League, hosted by North Jefferson Middle School. Our Rocket Bots brought home the 2nd place, 4th place and the Design Award.
Congratulations Gardendale Elementary School BLAST winners.
Snow Rogers Elementary School announced they have two students who have advanced through the county level and are moving on to the state level of the National PTA Reflections Program. Second grader, Peyton Keedy, advances for her submission in the Dance Choreography category. Fourth grader, Scotlyn Smith, advances for her submission in the Visual Arts category.
Gardendale Elementary’s budding artist, Loralei Cannon, has painted her way to second place in the 2024 State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit with her vibrant alligator masterpiece. Her work was on display at the Old Supreme Court Library of the State Capitol February 2-23, 2024.
Bragg Middle School hosted Jr. Miss Reflections and Miss Reflections. The winners were:
Jr. Miss Reflections: Addison Robertson
1st Alternate: Stevie South
2nd Alternate: Berkeley Rowell
3rd Alternate: Lynlee Kate Nix
4th Alternate: Emma Goad
Top 8: Chloe Johnson, Madison Nord, Jaycee Jordan, Harleigh Nolen, Chloe Robinson, LIly Shelton
1st Alternate: Adaleigh Schoebein
2nd Alternate: Kendyll Wilson
3rd Alternate: Addalyn Whitworth
4th Alternate: Landry Grace Barber
Top 8: Sophie Scott, Willow Taylor, Harmony Shephard, Chloe Robinson and Macey Pridmore
Miss Congeniality: Harleigh Nolen
People’s Choice: Halle Pierce
Prettiest Eyes: Lynlee Kate Nix
Prettiest Hair: Lily Shelton
Prettiest Smile: Madison Ford
Most Photogenic: Berkeley Rowell
Gardendale Elementary School Science Olympiad students placed 3rd in the county tournament. Individual Awards to the following students:
1st place-Henry Mars & Nola Verrett “Map Reading”
1st place- Ryan Stovall and Xavier Guerrero “A is for Anatomy”
1st place- Nola Verrett and Emory Marshall “Write it/Do it”
2nd place-Silas Warmack and Xavier Guerrero “Aerodynamics”
2nd place-Nate Clark and Cooper Catt “Barge Building”
Miss Congeniality: Audrey McBrayer
People’s Choice: Loralei Rossman
Prettiest Eyes: Sophie Tidwell
Prettiest Hair: Willow Taylor
Prettiest Smile: Kendall Melton
Most Photogenic: Addie Whitworth
The Bragg Middle School 7th-grade boys’ basketball team celebrated their championship win in the recent Metro League Tournament. The team shot their way to the top, claiming victory over Helena, Oak Mountain, Homewood, Clay Chalkville and Bumpus Middle Schools.
The Gardendale Elementary School PTA brought the Travelin’ Tom’s coffee truck to Gardendale Elementary School and provided FREE COFFEE for all our hardworking and dedicated teachers and staff.
Gardendale Elementary School hosted a PBIS Reward Game Day for the 2nd nine weeks.
Help Snow Rogers Elementary School celebrate its A and AB Honor Roll Students.
Gardendale Elementary School celebrated its Character Education Students for December and January.
Lots of skill and talent on display at Tabernacle today as the school hosted the ACEA Art, Science Fair, Academic Testing, Spelling and Sword Drill Competitions. Congratulations to all the students for all their hard work.
Congratulations to Ian! He was the Snow Rogers Elementary January attendance winner.
Gardendale High School celebrated their outstanding students for the month of January:
12th Grade - Cody Vance
11th Grade - Bronson Gregg
10th Grade - Avery Tidwell
9th Grade - Ally Davis
If you have attended any events in the city recently, you’ve likely seen a dedicated group of high school students helping keep the event running smoothly. This is the first year the Chamber of Commerce has offered the Junior Ambassador program for high school students.
“The Junior Ambassador program is composed of 15 incredibly active and gifted high school students,” Chamber Director Roz Jackson wrote.
“We are elated to have 13 Gardendale High School
students and two Mortimer Jordan High School students who have been volunteering in various ways with this program since June and whose terms will go until May 2024.”
Jackson grew this program, even before she was named chamber director. These 15 students have helped shape the look of the program throughout its inaugural year.
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Gardendale
Gardendale Civic
Gardendale Pet Clinic
Gardendale Pickers
Gardendale Public Library
Gardendale Senior Center
Gllam Boutique
Glover Chiropractic
Hamburger Heaven J&J
Maggie
Mordecai
Roo’s
Shrimp
Southern
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“With this program, we strive to provide students with unique opportunities to volunteer, be active and influential within the community,” Jackson said. “Most importantly, our goal is for them to manage their high school years with excitement and wellness and to continue to learn about being productive citizens and build professional relationships to enrich the paths of their futures.”
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The ambassadors are:
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“Chamber business members support the program by offering sponsorship of the students,” Jackson explained. “The sponsorships are not only monetary, but also allow for the students to connect with their businesses on an individual level. Students research and interview to learn the stories of the businesses, they glean insight from the different professions within it, and they assist in brand recognition by recognizing their businesses as they serve in the community.”
Each student had his or her own reasons for joining the program–for some it was a natural progression of the work they were already doing, for some it was a chance to do more.
“After committing most of my free time volunteering at community events, the Gardendale Chamber Junior Ambassadors felt like a perfect program for me ,to succeed and help my community,” Skylar Erwin, Gardendale High School senior, said. “Being a part of JA has helped me gain volunteer hours, network with amazing people in the community, and given me an inside appreciation of my city.”
“I love being involved in the community and volunteering, I saw this opportunity and took it,” Catherine Swallows said. “I applied and was honored when I was chosen.”
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The students have volunteered at various events and local businesses and nonprofits, allowing them to choose some of the ways they serve their community.
“I assisted The Day Place with transporting boxes and baskets of non-perishable food from the Day Place LLC to the Senior Center,” Swallows said. She also attended the ribbon cutting at the long-awaited Olive Garden and volunteered at the Holiday Cooking Show benefitting Outdoor Ability Foundation and Rocket Around the Christmas Tree.
“While on Junior Ambassadors, I have been able to be a part of city council meetings, ribbon cuttings, The Magnolia Festival, prepped, decorated and cleaned up Rocket Around the Christmas Tree trail, enrollment day at each school with the PTA, delivered paperwork and Gardendale Magazines to local businesses, participated in the Mayor’s Breakfast and the Holiday Cooking Show and so much more,” Erwin said.
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In addition to the experience and service to the community, the ambassadors have gained new contacts, learned how the city works and found a support system.
“The City Council is there to encourage the junior ambassadors when we need it and always willing to help,” Erwin said. “I am so honored that I was chosen for this program. It’s been an amazing year.”
“This inaugural year of the Gardendale Chamber Junior Ambassador program has proven to be yet another conduit to show the power of positively investing today into the future our community wants to see tomorrow,” Jackson said.
For more information regarding student applications or business sponsorship, please email: info@gardendalechamber.com
LOCALLY MADE | LOCALLY SOURCED
cutting boards | Charcuterie trays
bathtub caddies | bed swings
stovetop covers | tables | planters
shelves | bookcases
custom orders accepted
facebook: @deogloriawoodworks
Instagram: @deogloriawoodworks
Mortimer Jordan student athletes participated on National Signing Day.
Garrett Ames: Delta State University (Football)
Chase Payne: Birmingham Southern College (Football)
Riley Pate: Meridian Community College (Volleyball)
Keyarra Scottland: Faulkner University (Basketball)
Congratulations to the local students who won top honors in the JEFCOED Elementary Science Olympiad.
1st place: Corner Middle School
2nd place: Bryan Elementary School
Brodie Christmas: Southeastern University (Wrestling)
Jesse Kilgore: Calhoun Community College (Golf)
Kaylee Williams: Calhoun Community College (Softball)
Carmine Miller: University of Montevallo (Cycling)
Congratulations to the Mt. Olive Elementary Science Olympiad Team and sponsor Jennifer Biles.
RIBBON WINNERS WERE:
Pastamobile- Jase Courington and Jeremiah Johnson
Write It , Do It - Brooklyn Arsenault and Ava Biles
MEDAL WINNERS WERE:
Can Racer-Caden Drews and Jacob Mason - 3rd place
Starry, Starry Night- Liam Griffin and Jacob Mason - 3rd place
Map Reading and Bridge Building- John Garvich and Judson Stephens - 2nd place
Crash Landing (egg drop) - Eden Pierce and Ava Banks - 2nd place
Food for Thought and Energy- Natalie Millican and Allison Reynolds - 1st place
Mortimer Jordan’s individual state champions Brodie Christmas, Cruz Rainwater and Caleb Wright also brought home a 2nd place finish at State.
Mortimer Jordan students Jordan Houston and Ethan Hopkins brought home a 2nd place finish in the SAF State Championship. They have earned them a spot in the World Finals and also they will be fishing in the High School National Championship to be held in June at Lake Hartwell, South Carolina.
Warrior Fire Department participated in Career Day at Warrior Elementary School. “Rescue Randy” felt like it was a drag. He was the only one though.
First Baptist Church Mount Olive brought sweet treats to Kimberly Fire Department
Bryan Elementary students spent a week learning to skate in PE.
Fultondale Elementary School’s third grade students hosted a Black History Wax Museum. These talented 3rd graders have been researching important figures in black history and then presented their research wax museum style.
Congratulations to our Students of the Month for the month of January:
Pre-K: Sam Puccio
Kindergarten: Savannah Renda & Georgia Hendrix
1st Grade: Adaline Headley, Elijah Wilson, & Mason Pinson
2nd Grade: Aybree Williams & Elle McDonald
3rd Grade: Faith Powe & James Gray
4th Grade: Caroline Kemp & Jolene Hendrickson
5th Grade: Emma Muro & EJ Pierce
Mt. Olive Elementary School’s students and teachers enjoyed the fun of Valentine’s Day last month.
The Sozo Children Choir took a tour around the Bill Noble Park Playground. The choir is a nonprofit organization from Uganda, Africa. To learn more about the organization please visit their website at https://sozochildren.org/sozochoir/
Nicholas Odom was hired as a police officer in the Gardendale Police Department. He is pictured with Chief Scott Banks.
Dunkin Donuts hosted a ribbon cutting to officially open last month.
Dee’s Kitchen, located at 617 Decatur Highway, held a ribbon cutting ceremony last month.
The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Banquet has been rescheduled for March 8 at 6 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships are available.
The North Arts Council will host its Spring Arts and Crafts Show March 8-9 at the Gardendale Civic Center. The show hours on the 8th will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the 9th will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is free parking and admission and will feature over 85 booths selling arts and crafts. The Easter Bunny will be on site for pictures from 1-5 p.m. on the 8th and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 9th.
The new book club at Gardendale Library will be March 12 at 10 a.m. and will cover the book “The Mother-inLaw” by Sally Hepworth.
Homeschool Hub is for school-age kids. March 13 there will be a St. Patrick’s Day craft/art piece at 10:30 a.m. at the Gardendale Library.
The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Luncheons will be March 14, April 11, May 9, August 8, September 12, October 10, November 14 and December 12. Sponsorships are still available.
The Gardendale Library will host Putt-Putt night on March 15 from 6-8 p.m.
Toddler Time
March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gardendale Library. Toddler Time is geared for the younger kids, infants-4 year old’s. It last about 15-20 minutes depending on how long we can keep their attention (because they’re toddlers). Toddler Time includes singing, dancing, and snacks.
Story Time
March 6, 20, 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Story Time is geared towards 5-8 year old’s, last for about 30 minutes. Story Time includes singing, dancing, and snacks
March YA pick is “A Tempest of Tea” by Hafsah Faizal. The meeting will be at the Gardendale Library on March 21 at 6:30 p.m.
“From Hafsah Faizal, New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated new fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.”
Bill Noble Park will host the first ever Spring Bash on March 22, from 5-9 p.m. The event is free and will feature a car show, train rides, and Easter egg hunt, egg toss and vendors and food trucks.
Gardendale Public Works will host a city-wide cleanup April 8-12. During that week, the department will offer curbside pickup of household items. Old appliances will be picked up, but no hazardous materials or building supplies. All items must be placed at the curb, but assistance is available for those who need assistance with getting the items.All pickups must be requested by April 10 at noon by calling 205.631.3394.
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Gardendale Pickleball Club will host Dinko De Mayo May 3-5, 2024
Singles - Friday evening May 3, 2024
Women and Mens Double - Saturday - May 4, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Mixed Doubles - Sunday - May 5:00, noon - 6 p.m.
(Registration opens January 22, 2024)
Round Robin Format
Help us stock our Little Free Library! We are in need of children’s and young adult books in good to perfect condition to stock our Little Free Library (LFL) located by the soccer fields off of Fieldstown Road. Donations can be placed directly in the LFL or you can bring them to the front desk at the library and we will take them to the LFL when we visit weekly.
The Kermit E. Dooley Gardendale Historical Museum (170 Bell Street) will be open to the public every Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To have an item added to our calendar, please send information to rachel@ jbmcmedia.com.
In the little moments and major milestones of childhood, we are here for our patients and their families – helping, healing, teaching and discovering.
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