Community: Preschool students celebrate in “Olympic Games”
Cover: Magnolia Festival Organizers look back on the first 25 years
Magnolia Festival helps community with donations and scholarships
Entertainment: Bluegrass Music Festival coming to Gardendale
In Pictures: Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Shortcut Recipe: Church Windows Cookie Bars
In Pictures: Bill Noble celebrates opening day Employee Profile: Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director 10/ 28/ 34/ 30/ 22/ 14/ 24/ 36/
/ About Us / On The Cover
Who We Are
Gardendale Magazine is published monthly by JBMC Media, a Birmingham-based publishing company. The magazine is available at more than 100 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 $40 per year. Visit jbmcmedia.com/magazinesubscriptions to start your subscription.
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.
Staff
Matthew Allen, Publisher (205) 883-1877 | 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
Hollie Brown Community Events Editor | hollie@jbmcmedia.com
The coordinators who make Magnolia Festival happen each year are celebrating the 25th annual festival on April 17 and 18.
COVER PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
• Microneedling
• Laser Treatments
• Facials
• Injectables
• Hormone
•
Even though our first issue of Gardendale Magazine wasn’t published until September of 2021, I’ll always consider April our unofficial anniversary, because that’s when the production really started to gear up and become real for all of us. We shot the cover with Chris Fryar just before the Magnolia Festival and it all started feeling real. In that odd, post-pandemic time, it took a little longer than we expected, and we will celebrate our official 5-year anniversary later this year.
April is also the Magnolia Festival and this year we are celebrating 25 years of the festival. As before, we are sponsors of the festival again this year and will have a booth. Please come by and see us and say hi!
Inside this issue you will find stories of the origins of the festival, the people who work to make it a success each year and all the good they have done in the community over the last 25 years.
In this issue, we are also excited for you to get to know the new Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Amalia Meadows. There are also photos of Opening Day at Bill Noble Park and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, which is always an uplifting and encouraging event.
I can’t wait to see you all at the Magnolia Festival on April 17 and 18 and celebrate this milestone anniversary!
Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director
Satisfaction
FRIDAY 5PM - 10PM
FRIDAY 5PM - 10PM
Live
SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM
SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM
2 Stages Entertainment
2 Stages Entertainment Midway Carnival
Midway Carnival Food 170 Vendors
Vendors
Artisan Demonstrations
Artisan Demonstrations
Pooch Parade
Pooch Parade
Ponies/Petting Zoo Car Show
Ponies/Petting Zoo Car Show
Free Art Classes Free Kid Zone
Free Art Classes Free Kid Zone
Andrew Beard
Going for GOLD
Gardendale Church of God Preschool Learning Center hosted their own “Olympics” recently. The kids played winter-themed games and chose their own colors and even created their own flag to compete under.
Magnolia Festival celebrates Silver Anniversary
As the Magnolia Festival gears up to celebrate its 25th year, festival coordinator Kathleen Phillips is looking back on the journey that took the festival from almost being canceled in its third year to being a landmark event that attracts visitors from all over the south.
In 2001, the Gardendale Rotary Club and Gardendale Chamber of Commerce created the very first Magnolia Festival. Over the next few years, the festival grew beyond what the original organizers ever expected.
“It grew to several thousand visitors on a Saturday with one stage of live music that always had bluegrass and gospel groups, food, a bounce house, small car show and about 50 vendor booths” Phillips remembers.
After its fourth year, neither group was able to keep organizing the growing festival. Phillips had been volunteering for two years as part of the chamber,
“Not knowing that the event was not going to have a 5th year, I set up a meeting with the mayor to introduce an idea I had to incorporate a ‘student Olympics’ at the festival, because it was an Olympic year, and I was the upcoming PTA president” Phillips said.
Then-mayor Kenny Clemons loved the idea, but he already knew the festival wasn’t going to happen because it didn’t have an organizer. But Clemons wasn’t one to give up, and he knew the young mom in front of him was just the person to save the festival and take it to the next level.
“The mayor began to grin and looked right at me and said, ‘will YOU be the one to keep it going? We think you can do this,’” Phillips said.
Her initial reaction was that she just didn’t have time. She had two children and had already made commitments.
“You see, the reason I was PTA president that upcoming year was because I was raising money to have a handicap accessible playground
PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
built at the elementary school,” Phillips explained. “My 5 year old son would be starting kindergarten, and his wheelchair couldn’t move in the pea gravel that covered the ground at the time. He was born with spina bifida. As PTA president, I was able to write my first grant, reach out to the school board and connect with local businesses to raise the money.”
“I was also about to start a lunch-catering business because I needed to quit my job at Oxmoor House (Southern Living/ Cooking Light cookbook division at the time) developing recipes/food styling,” she continued. “I had already gone part time, stepping down from being the test kitchen director, so I could be more flexible in my schedule to take my son to doctor appointments, etc.”
“So, you see, I didn’t have time.”
Clemons insisted the city would fully support Phillips in her efforts. Phillips said she and her husband would pray on it and get back to him soon, since the festival was scheduled in just seven weeks.
“After much prayer, it became clear to us that I’d been given the opportunity (and challenge) of taking on a monumental project with limited resources and a short time frame that would have impactful results for years to come for thousands of people,” Phillips said. “I told the mayor, Scott and I would do it just for that year, until they could find someone or another organization to take on the task.”
What happened in the next seven weeks required Gardendale to band together and get everything ready to put on a spectacular festival.
“It was amazing how each organization, church, and the city employees came together to make it happen in just 7 weeks,” Phillips said. “I have to give Leanne Carter credit for being
Entertainment Coordinator Randy Posey, Festival Coordinator Kathleen Phillips, Mayor Stan Hogeland and Financial Coordinator Sharon Burton have been involved with the festival since the beginning.
so organized. It made the monumental project more manageable and fostered a feeling of communal ownership and unity. She was the coordinator of it the year before I came aboard, as the chamber director, and she had a huge binder of notes, contacts and documents that was very helpful my first year.”
Although she only planned to help for one year, Phillips was hooked.
“Needless to say, this is my 21st year to coordinate the festival, and I never looked back,” Phillips said. “It is now a two-day event with approximately 30,000 visitors each year, two stages of free, live entertainment, midway carnival, 160+ vendor booths, free kids zone, free art classes, pony rides, petting zoo, car show, Miss Alabama preliminary pageant, free admission, free parking and more. We’ve had 5k races, fishing tournaments, cookie eating contests and fireworks.”
The current success of the festival and all its parts takes the work of a dedicated team of organizers who direct hundreds of city employees, volunteers and vendors.
Magnolia Festival and The City of Gardendale
The City of Gardendale is the name sponsor each year and employees from the Park and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Civic Center and Police and Fire Departments all pitch in to get the area ready, set up, run smoothly and then clean up. Mayor Stan Hogeland often brags on the job his employees do at the festival each year–from preparing the grounds and caring for visitors to the clean up that often leaves no trace by the next day. Phillips and Hogeland work together to ensure everyone works together and make the festival the best it can be.
PHOTO BY GARY SCHULTZ
PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Food, Vendors, Entertainment, Volunteers
Sharon Burton, the financial coordinator, is one of the people who has been involved in the festival every single year. She ensures the festival’s financial records stay up to date so there are no issues or surprises.
Kathy Lukins is the art and business vendor coordinator. She arranges all the vendor information and keeps everything well organized so that every vendor and visitor has the best experience possible.
Gabrielle Henson has gone from volunteer to volunteer coordinator. Each year, she rallies and organizes volunteers to help keep the festival running smoothly.
Another big part of the festival each year is the entertainment. Over the years, some popular musical acts have performed at the festival. With two stages, there is a lot that goes into organizing the acts each year. Randy Posey devotes time each year to making sure the entertainment is engaging and everything goes smoothly on both stages. Posey has also been involved with the festival since the beginning.
Food is a big part of the Magnolia Festival, and there is always something for everyone. This year, for the first time, Phillips is letting someone else organize the food. Cindie Davis took over food duties this year, moving most of the process to a paperless system, while still ensuring the quality and diversity visitors expect.
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PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY EMILY ALLRED PHOTOGRAPHY
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Pooch Parade, Car Show, Pageant Coordinator
Two of the biggest draws at the festival each year are the Pooch Parade and the Car Show.
Ashley Atkinson organizes the Pooch Parade each year to benefit local charities and entertain the crowds with the antics of pets. From adorable pets and funny costumes to tricks and creative pet names, there is always something to see at the Pooch Parade.
The car show draws entries from all around the South and enthusiasts gather to see unique, historic or just interesting vehicles. Tammy Bradley organizes the show each year.
Although the pageant doesn’t occur at the festival, it is still part of the festival’s presence. The coordinator, Lynne Dodson, brings a wealth of knowledge to the pageant each year. Dodson coaches and guides the young ladies in the pageant as they represent Gardendale and the Magnolia Festival across the state.
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PHOTO BY EMILY ALLRED PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY EMILY ALLRED PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
// Continued from Page 18 //
Churches
Each year two local churches devote their time to ensuring children at the festival have fun activities to keep them occupied.
Gardendale First Baptist Church’s Phil Cronin and his army of volunteers set up a free children’s area each year with fun, unique attractions like mini golf, games and other fun activities.
Decatur Highway Church of Christ’s Karen Hogeland organizes free children’s art classes inside the Civic Center on Saturday. The crafts give kids and their parents something to do inside if there is inclement weather or if they just need a moment to sit down and keep the kids occupied.
Often parents have commented that their children spent as much time in the free play area or in the art project area as they did on the carnival rides.
PHOTO BY EMILY ALLRED PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY HEATHER WARDEN, WARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
GIVING BACK
Magnolia Festival isn’t just fun and games
STORY BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
The Gardendale Magnolia Festival is fun for the entire family, but its also about community and giving back. Every year, the committee pours the money from the festival back into the community via charitable donations and scholarships for local students.
“We’ve awarded 246 college scholarships totaling $246,000 to high school students that excel in volunteerism and donated more than $48,000 to local charities, ministries and civic organizations and our pageants have given $157,000 in scholarships (combined with another pageant),” Magnolia Festival Coordinator Kathleen Phillips said.
Each year, the festival awards another $10,000 in scholarships for area students who are chosen for their dedication to the community through volunteer work and other service.
Each year, the festival also chooses two area nonprofits to receive the benefits of the festival through a $1,000 donation and a free booth space at the festival to raise awareness to their work. In the past, these nonprofits have included Cornerstone Ranch, Breast Cancer Research of Alabama, North Jefferson Women’s Center, Teen Challenge, Miracle League, Just Keep Smiling, Outdoor Ability Foundation, Gardendale High School Foundation, Gardendale Historical Society, The Foundry Ministries, Jimmie Hale Mission, Magic Moments, Boy Scout Troop 100, the Rotary Club
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL AND THE CITY OF GARDENDALE
of North Jefferson, Neighborhood Bridges, Gardendale Arts Council, Gardendale Chamber of Commerce, Special Camps, Royal Family Kids Camp, Boy Scouts Butterfly Garden (in memory of Mechelle Malone Ballard), Revive Outdoors, Girl Talk and the North Jefferson Quilting Guild.
This year the chosen nonprofits are a familiar one and a never-before-featured nonprofit: Just Keep Smiling and Backyard Blessings will be highlighted at the festival.
Just Keep Smiling helps families with children who are facing serious medical issues–providing assistance and support needed to navigate a difficult time. They have helped provide equipment, assisted with necessities and much more for hundreds of families over the years. They are also responsible for annual Gardendale events like Live with the Characters as fundraisers to support their work.
New to the festival this year is Backyard Blessings. The organization started in 2010 to address food shortages in elementary students. After realizing that many children relied on government-assisted free breakfasts and lunches at school, Executive Director Leneda Jones began the program to provide shelf-stable food staples that children could open and eat themselves over weekends, when food from the school wasn’t available.
The program originated in east Walker County, but quickly spread throughout the county and to other schools nearby. The program has now expanded to serve West Jefferson Elementary. Each week, volunteers pack bags of food and deliver them to the schools. The bags are then distributed covertly to students who qualify for the program so they have food for the weekend.
Over the years, the festival has helped with fundraising for various projects, such as the library expansion.
There have also been other added attractions to the weekend. For three years, there was a 5k race, but there were three different organizers and beneficiaries so it eventually faded away. For two years there was a fishing tournament that benefited Outdoor Ability Foundation, which provides gear for children who love fishing or hunting and need specialized equipment to participate in those activities.
The impact of pouring almost $50,000 back into area nonprofits and over $400,000 in scholarship money is undeniable. The Magnolia Festival has accomplished more that anyone though possible when it started 25 years ago.
OPENING DAY
Photos by Gary Schultz
Bluegrass Showcase
COURTESY OF ALABAMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION
The 28th annual Alabama Bluegrass Music Association’s Showcase of Bands is scheduled for May 2 at the Gardendale Civic Center. The showcase will begin with registration and sign-in at 9:30 a.m. There will also be a guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and promoters and jam class at that time, using a certified Pete Warrick instructor. There will also be an instrument buy, swap or sell in the gym.
The bands will be on stage at 11:30 a.m until 5:30 p.m. There will also be food trucks on site.
The McMeans Brothers performed last year and went on to win the National FFA Band Contest in October.
For more information about the showcase, visit the Facebook page for Alabama Bluegrass Music Association.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALABAMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Local,
• facials, oncology facials
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• Hydra facial
• VI peel
• Procell aging service
• Medical grade services
• iS Clinical and Elta MD products available
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• waxing full body, and permanent hair removal
• Microdermabrasion
• Hydra facial
• Dermaplane
• VI peel
• Oncology, American, & Korean Facials
• Procell aging service
• Microblading
• Medical grade services
• Lash Extensions
• iS Clinical and Elta MD products available
• Plasma Lyft
• Full Body Waxing
• Procell, Vi Peel
• Cryo therapy for weight loss or pain management
• Permanent Makeup
• 4D Baby Sonars
• Free Skin Analysis Consult
• Oxygen Dome Facial great for healing
Carla Heron, Owner
Greater Things Are Yet to be Done in This City
PHOTOS BY RACHEL DAVIS KARR
The annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast featured speaker Rick Karle. He discussed his history in covering local football, entertained the crowded Civic Center with funny stories about recent coaches at Alabama and Auburn and talked about his recent career change to telling “good news” stories about people around the state.
The prayer breakfast also featured local pastors praying for students, first responders, elected officials, and many other special prayers for the citizens of Gardendale and the north Jefferson area.
Church Windows Cookie Bars
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
If you grew up around church potlucks, these no-bake vintage treats might look familiar. Church Window “Cookies” get their name from the pastel marshmallows that shine through the chocolate like little stained glass windows, making them perfect for Easter. They’re really more like chocolate candy.
Instead of the messy process of shaping the mixture into logs and slicing them, I poured the mixture into a pan to make Church Window (Cathedral Window) Bar Cookies. You can also swap in white marshmallows and peanuts for a rocky road version that works all year long.
½ cup salted or unsalted butter (one stick, cut into 4 pieces)
1 (10.5-ounce) package multi-colored mini marshmallows
¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Line a 9x9-inch or 11x7-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. You can also line it with aluminum foil, then coat with cooking spray.
Combine the chocolate chips and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave (1100 watts) on HIGH for a minute.
Remove from the microwave and stir until everything is melted and smooth.
Stir in the mini marshmallows (and walnuts, if using). Then, mix gently until the chocolate coats the marshmallows. Work quickly before the chocolate firms up.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it to the edges. Gently press down with the back of the spoon or spatula.
If adding coconut, sprinkle it evenly over the top and press lightly with your fingertips so it sticks to the chocolatemarshmallow mixture.
I often sprinkle just half the pan with coconut to make everyone happy.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm enough to cut into bars.
They are decadent and rich, so cutting into 25 pieces (5x5) works well.
If you love the chocolate and marshmallow combination, visit GritsAndGouda.com for my Mississippi Mud Brownie recipe.
HOUSEHOLD DROP-OFF
Site 1: City of Bessemer Laydown Yard 1205 15th Ave N, Bessemer, 35020
Site 2: First Baptist Church of GardendaleSouth Location 940 Main St, Gardendale 35071
Site 3: Classic Car Motoring 3900 Grants Mill Rd, Irondale 35210
Large Appliances: Freezers, Machinery, Refrigerators, Water Heaters
*Rinsed Recyclables: Aluminum Cans, Glass Bottles, PET #1 and HDPE #2 Plastics
Asbestos, Explosives, Medical Waste, PCBs, Radioactive/Unidentified Materials
City Employee Spotlight
AMALIA MEADOWS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GARDENDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Amalia Meadows was announced earlier this year as the new executive director of the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce. She brings a world of experience to the role. Literally.
“My life is a geography lesson,” Meadows laughed. ”I was born in Columbia, South America, lived in Belgium for 17 years—my parents were diplomats. I was able to become a citizen in 2010, having been a resident of the United States since 1995.
She attended college at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and that connected her to television station EWTN, which brought her to Alabama. There she met her husband and they moved near his parents in Gardendale. She continued to work at EWTN for a decade, but then decided to stay home when she started having children.
Gardendale’s Chamber, Meadows worked as the chief of staff for an equity company that purchased and restored large resort properties and produced five movies with a company called Family Theatre Production. Those experiences taught her about budgets, bookkeeping and management that she brings into this role.
As she has settled into her role at the chamber, she has focused on introducing herself to community members, getting the calendar and tools set up and making sure everyone is on the same page to move the chamber forward.
When Gardendale Chamber Board President Jeremy Adams approached Meadows about applying for the job, she said she was drawn to the description of “jack of all trades” as well as the need for someone to be a self-starter with a heart and love for serving others and an entrepreneurial sense.
“That’s me. I’m an ideas person,” Meadows said. “I love leading the charge. I love creating strategies. I love being a sounding board for people.”
Between working at the television station and coming to
“I’m used to addressing pain points and, you know, creating SOPs where there are none,” Meadows said. “I’m excited to do that here. And I want to leverage my media background and also the languages that I know to help our members reach their full potential as well.” Outside of her role at the chamber, she is also the choir director at Saint Henry’s Catholic Church in Warrior and a Cantor, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which keeps her busy on weekends.
When she isn’t working or helping out at church, most of her time is devoted to her five kids—now age 7 through 16.
“I’m here to serve, to support, to help people reach their full potential,” Meadows said. “That is actually probably my greatest passion—to be a friend and a mentor if necessary.”
Home Improvement with Matt Weber
Matt Weber is editor of Home Improvement & Repairs magazine based in Birmingham, Alabama. Find more at www.homeimprovementandrepairs.com.
Renovations with the Best ROI
Now that the weather is warming, we begin the season of home improvements. What should you focus on? It makes sense to begin with what is broken or needs repaired. Next, consider what areas should function better. Drafty windows, for example, contribute to higher energy bills.
As far as optional enhancements, if you plan to stick around the house for a long time then focus on whatever makes the home more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable. On the other hand, homeowners who are considering a move in the near future may want to focus on renovations that provide the most return on investment.
Return on Investment (ROI) refers to how much of the remodeling cost you’re likely to recoup when selling your home. Projects with high ROI generally improve functionality or enhance curb appeal, making your home more attractive to buyers.
In competitive real estate areas, modest renovations can boost a home’s sale price. Appearance certainly matters to potential buyers, and upgrades to curb appeal such as new siding and garage doors offer outsized value for relatively low cost.
In fact, garage door replacement is reported to provide the best bang for your buck when it comes to home renovations. Each year, various real estate and remodeling companies publish research on renovation ROIs, and garage door replacement seems to always reign supreme. According to Hippo Home Insurance, replacing your garage door could achieve the ROI of 193.9 percent. The report pegs the average cost of replacement at $4,513 and the average resale value at $8,751.
Second place in the ROI contest typically goes to replacement of an entry door if it’s made of steel, featuring an ROI of 188 percent. However, upgrading to a “grand entryway” (fiberglass) achieves the ROI of roughly 97 percent, because the door is more expensive.
Additional upgrades that achieve substantial ROI include stone veneer installation (153%), siding replacement (80-88%), and minor kitchen remodels (96%). In this case, “minor” refers to refacing cabinets, replacing countertops and upgrading appliances. (Stick to classic styles and neutral colors to appeal to future buyers.)
Deck additions recoup about 83 percent of the cost for wood decking and 68 percent for the pricier composite boards.
Further down the line, a midrange bathroom remodel will get about 74 percent ROI. New vinyl windows return 67 percent, whereas
installing wood windows will return 63 percent. It’s important to note, however, that upgrading from leaky windows to new insulated units can achieve significant savings in utility costs, which can make the upfront cost more attractive for homeowners who plan to stay in the house and pay the bills.
If you’re remodeling your home with intent to sell it, consider the current market trends and local buyer preferences. If the budget or time is tight, just focus on the high-impact items.
You can also improve your ROI on certain projects by doing the work yourself. I am currently remodeling my third home and have personally saved thousands with this approach. However, I have a lot of tools and experience. If you’re considering doing the work yourself, be honest about the limitations of your skillset. You should also plan on spending at least twice the amount of time on any given project than you initially estimated. Certain tasks, such as painting or cabinet refacing, can be accomplished by first-timers, but when it comes to installing windows, doors or electrical work, I recommend that inexperienced homeowners hire a pro. You would not want to kill your ROI with mistakes or poor workmanship.
GHS FCCLA
Gardendale High School students competed in state FCCLA competition and brought home awards.
Piper Rogers – Gold (Fashion Construction)
Lauren Patterson – Bronze (Entrepreneurship)
Bragg Students of the Month
Bragg Middle School announced its March Students of the Month. These students were chosen by their teachers for their hard work, a great display of character and their willingness to go above and beyond. Students of the Month are treated to lunch, courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings in Gardendale and gift cards provided by Gardendale’s Sonic.
Students of the Month
6th Grade - Emelyn Veronese & Kelby McCreless
7th Grade - Albina Pascual & London Lee
8th Grade - James Williams & Aja Hall
Bragg Students Compete in FCCLA
These Bragg Middle School students worked so hard for months preparing for the STAR events the FCCLA State Page Leadership Conference. Madi Nord and Caroline Raymond won third place and qualified for nationals in the Focus on Children category. Lynlee Nix and Sydney Brown won second place and qualified for nationals in Repurpose and Redesign. Alyssa Austin and Chloe Johnson won third place and a position as national alternate in Event Management. Preslee Pierson and Hilton Ashe won a bronze medal in Entrepreneurship.
SRES Read across America
Snow Rogers Elementary celebrated Read Across America week by wearing red, white or blue. Mayor Stan Hogeland stopped by to read to some classes.
GES Water Festival
Gardendale Elementary student Everly Jones won the Water Festival T-shirt design contest, snagging $100 and providing free shirts for her classmates. Seeing her design come to life on her peers was definitely the highlight of their trip.
Fultondale Clean Up
The City of Fultondale hosted a community clean up at the Children’s Park on Stouts Road and of the trails near the park. Residents cleaned up litter, tires and more than have been dumped in the public spaces there.
North Jefferson Magazine to begin in August
JMBC Media Owner Matthew Allen spoke to the North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce in March and announced that our newest sister publication will launch in August. North Jefferson Magazine will tell the stories of Fultondale, Morris, Kimberly, Warrior, Trafford, Corner, Brookside and Tarrant.
Warrior designates former school as “The MAC”
The City of Warrior has officially designated the former Warrior High School campus as the Warrior Municipal & Athletic Complex. It will unofficially be known as “The MAC.”
The property includes the historic original 2-story main building that was built in the 1920s (including the attached auditorium, cafeteria, and office space), two additional classroom buildings (one of which now houses the Warrior Public Library), the football field, gymnasium, outdoor basketball/tennis court, walking track and playground.
Mayor Keith Mosley stated, “This campus belongs to the people of Warrior. For a full century, it has been a part of our history. It has shaped generations of our families, including my own. We learned here, played here, competed here, performed here, and made memories here. Today, we build on that legacy. By naming it the Warrior Municipal & Athletic Complex — ‘The MAC’ — we are honoring its historic roots while clearly defining its future as a center for municipal services, athletics, culture, and community life. The new name reflects the City’s long-term vision of the campus as a unified hub for recreation, education, civic engagement, and public programming.”
The City will begin updating signage and official communications to reflect the new designation. The City also plans to undertake beautification efforts and other visual improvements at The MAC in the near future.
Coming Events
• The Town of Morris will once again host Food Truck Fridays in 2026. These events will be April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14 and September 11. Each of these days, the hours will be 5 to 8:30 p.m. and entertainment will be provided, so chairs are encouraged, The events will be in the park across the street from town hall. Contact Clerk@MorrisAL.US for more information.
• Trafford will have a Farmers Market featuring fresh produce, handmade goods, live music by Dustin Gorman and food vendors on April 18 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be on East Commercial Ave in front of town hall.
City Honors Students for National and State Awards
Mayor Stan Hogeland gave out four Proclamations for groups of students at a recent City Council meeting for their success. Gardendale High School’s Cheerleaders and Rockettes placed 3rd at Nationals and seven students between the band and choir were named All-State.
Council and GHS Detail Funding for the Year
The administration, teachers and students from Gardendale High School visited the Gardendale City Council about the funding provided to their school this year. The total amount given to Gardendale High School this year is $215,341. Listed below are the different programs funded this year by the citizens of Gardendale.
• Self Contained Classroom Equipment and Curriculum – $4,320
• Field Trips and Events - $2,100
• Classroom Economy System - $400
• Upgrade of the GHS Auditorium Stage Lighting System –$61,410
• GHS and Bragg Fishing Team –$2,700
• Color Guard/Winter Guard Tarp – $3,400
• Roland Keyboard - $3,549.99
• Broadway Musical CLUE showing for Choir and Theater in Birmingham in November - $830
• Senior Field Trip - $3,500
• Field Day, and Cookout May 14th or 15th - $3,000
• Cheerleaders Trip - January 2026– $5,000
• Rockette Trip - January 30-February 3, 2026- $5,000
• Rockette Uniforms - $7,936
• FBLA Competition April 15-17, 2026 in Mobile - $3,784.00
• Pickleball Club at GHS - $2,730
• Golf Team: Boys Varsity - $5,000
• Indoor Track - $3,125
• Wrestling State Tournament - $10,538.30
• Cross Country Items: Field Paint $1,084
• Soccer Items: Practice Balls - $11,897
• Art Class Supplies - Hanging System for Pictures - $1,590
• Rocket Attendance Program – $20,000
• Funding to Create a Reading Room in the GHS Library/Media Center – $12,233
• Weed Control, Pest Control and Fertilization - $12,760
• AED for Practice Field - $2,240
• BackLit Sign for Baseball and Softball Press Boxes - $27,036
Brake Hired at Civic Center
Cherie Brake was recently hired as a part-time Control Desk Clerk at the Gardendale Civic Center. She is pictured with Bryan Knox, the Department Head for the Gardendale Civic Center.
Tankersley Hired at Fire Department
Cameron Tankersley was recently hired as a Fire Medic in the Gardendale Fire Department. He is pictured with Chief Joe Thomas, the Department Head for the Gardendale Fire Department.
Miss Magnolia and Miss North Jefferson Area
Little/Junior Miss Gardendale Magnolia Festival Titleholders 2026 are: Baby Miss GMF - Kinsley Grace Stinson; Mini Miss GMF - Amelia Weems; Tiny Miss GMF - Nora Loggins; Petite Miss GMF - Presley Billingsley; People’s Choice - Scarlett Rose Jones; and Supreme Queen 2026 - Darcey Elise Morgan, Little Miss GMF - Stella Claire Pendleton; Pre-Teen Miss GMF - Emory Marshall; Junior Miss GMF - Brooklyn Isabella Cheek; Elite Miss GMF - Ainsley Howell; People’s ChoiceKinlee Sanders; and Supreme Queen 2026 - Brooklyn Isabella Cheek.
Magnolia Festival
The 25th Annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival is a free family-friendly event held at the Gardendale Civic Center complex. Enjoy local businesses, tourism, local arts and culture, and volunteerism in the greater Gardendale area. There are over 160 vendors, 2 stages of live entertainment, a pooch parade, midway-style carnival, car show, free kid zone, petting zoo/pony rides and more. Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Homeschool Hangout
Homeschool Connect & Create is a drop-off creative hangout where kids get to: create through art, music, and drama; connect with other homeschoolers; build confidence in a relaxed, encouraging space; explore creativity without pressure or performance. This isn’t school. It’s not a class. It’s a monthly creative reset your kids will actually look forward to. Kids are encouraged to bring their own creative thing to share! April 3 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 116 Bell Street, Gardendale.
Dungeons and Dragons Club
Calling all adventurers ages 11–18! Join us for an epic journey into the world of Dungeons & Dragons — where imagination, teamwork, and storytelling come to life. Ready to roll the dice and start your quest?
Text 205-764-7766 with any questions! April 3 and 17 from 6-10 p.m. at 116 Bell Street, Gardendale.
Craft Club
Craft Club is a free creative hangout for ages 10–18 who love cosplay, crafting, and imaginative expression. Students will create, connect, and let their creativity run wild in an encouraging space. April 3 and 17 from 6-10 p.m. at 116 Bell Street, Gardendale.
North Jefferson Republican Patriots
The North Jefferson Republican Patriots will meet April 16 6:30-8 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center.
Dreamchasers
A new program for kids grades 3-5 at the Gardendale Public Library will teach the magic of theatre through a variety of engaging activities, performing arts, educational games and creative exercises. This club is designed to build confidence, improve teamwork, and develop self-expression in a fun and supportive environment. It is $40 per month, with a discount for more than one child and if all paid in advance. Held every Thursday 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Golden Eagles
The Gardendale Golden Eagles meet on the second Friday of the month at the Gardendale Senior Center beginning at 12:15 pm and ending at 1:30 pm. The group is open to anyone 55 or older and features lunch speakers and fun day trips.
Library Food Pantry
Our library food pantry always need the following items: hearty soups/stews/chili, varieties of canned chicken/tuna/ham, single-sized and normal cereal, granola type bars, fruit cups, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal/grits packets, pasta and Alfredo and other sauces and any toiletries. We take food only if it is not outdated and not opened.
Stock Little Free Library
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.
Historical Museum Hours
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. The museum is maintained and operated by the Gardendale Historical Society.
