columbiana living
EDITORIAL
Michaela Bankston
Dave Domescik
Anna Grace Moore
Tyler Raley
Andrew Simonson
Noah Wortham
DESIGN
Sydney Allen
Jamie Dawkins
Rowan Futrell
Connor Martin-Lively
MARKETING
Kelsey Alexander
Evann Campbell
Octavia Campbell
Rachel Henderson
Rhett McCreight
Viridiana Romero
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Jo Eskridge
Alec Etheredge
Stacey Meadows
Lauren Morris
Kayla Reeves
Leslie Reeves
SSpring is in full bloom and life in Columbiana is as well.
huge success because of your community support, and now, round two continues to build around the excitement of this bustling city.
As we enter the warm months ahead, it’s one of the most exciting times to call Columbiana home with some of the city’s most fun events on the horizon for the spring and summer months before we transition back into an exciting fall and winter season.
Inside this edition of the magazine, we look ahead to some of that excitement ahead, but more than that, we continue diving into the community and sharing the stories of those who highlight what makes this city such a special place to live and work.
Our goal with this publication remains to highlight as many faces and people as we can, showcased in our spotted photos at the end of our magazine, as well as trying to spotlight as many new faces as we can in our different feature areas of the magazine.
This month, get to know the story behind Pink Sheep Boutique in the heart of Main Street. Her passion for the business she brought to Columbiana is second to none, giving parents a local place to shop for baby and young children clothes and items by turning a dream into a reality.
Beyond that, jump into the viral realm of Miss Annie.
Now a homeowner in Columbiana, Annie McDaniel and her husband Darryl have revamped a Main Street house, while continuing their viral lifestyle on social media through shared cooking experiences and other aspects of their daily life.
We also get to highlight those making our schools great from an education and athletic standpoint with Q&As from Shelby County High School Teacher of the Year Karlee Merrell in addition to star football and baseball player Cooper Pennington. It’s your chance to get to know your neighbors better and read about a community that feels like family.
A place to call home
Annie and Darryl McDaniel have made Columbiana home, sharing their viral lifestyle and cooking across social media.
Photo by Jeremy Raines
Design by Jamie Dawkins ON THE COVER
Again, we thank you for supporting Columbiana Living and are thrilled to continue telling each of your stories in our magazine. If you have any ideas as we begin work on our summer, fall and winter editions, please email me at alec@shelbycountynewsmedia. com.
alec.etheredge@shelbycountyreporter.com
Columbiana Living Magazine is published quarterly by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. [The Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Please email advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com for advertising inquiries.
A LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
Spring has sprung and we are looking forward to a great 2025 in Columbiana.
At our City Council Meeting on Feb. 4, I was pleased to issue a proclamation declaring Sunday, February 23, as Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten 50th Anniversary Day. Congratulations to First Baptist Church of Columbiana, and the kindergarten staff, for 50 years of dedicated service to our community educating and providing spiritual guidance to our youth and their families.
Congratulations, also, to Elvin Hill Elementary School for being one of six schools in Alabama to receive the 2024 Safe Schools Initiative Award for 2024. Attorney General Steve Marshall presented the award to Principal Courtney Madison, the Administration, Staff and students at the school on February 3. What a great recognition for our school working in collaboration with the Shelby County School District, various County departments, and the City of Columbiana Police Department. Thanks to Chief Jeff Bowers, Lt. Sasha Knighton who organized and runs our SRO Program, SRO Steven “Cookie” Cranston, SRO Damien “Biscuit” Davenport and, SRO Justin “Choo-Choo” Thomas for their contributions to keeping our schools safe. Our children, the most precious things in our lives, are developed, guided and mentored by dedicated educators from a very young age and both Elvin Hill and Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten excel at this.
In early Spring, construction of storm water drainage improvements will begin to mitigate front of Piggly Wiggly.
Mayor David Mitchell
Those educators touch many lives and have greater impacts than they will ever know.
In late January, the City submitted a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD, fka RAISE) grant application for a $25M street upgrade from West College Street and Walton Street westbound on SR70 to the intersection with CR26. If awarded, the grant funds will be used to add pedestrian and bike paths along that two-mile stretch, widen SR70 with center lanes and turning lanes, add center medians on SR70 from CR26 to McDow Road, install curb and gutters from McDow Road to Walton, improve pedestrian crosswalks, add electronic safety signage, and install a new storm drainage culvert under SR70 in front of the County Highway Department. The overall objective is to
in mid-2025, the grant agreement is expected to be executed in early 2026. With engineering, planning, environmental, safety and other regulatory approvals, construction is not likely to begin before 2028 and complete in 2030.
So…what’s going on and what’s ahead?
Work is on-going on street paving projects. If it hasn’t yet happened, look for paving on a street near you.
Construction has begun on the repair / upgrade of our sewer treatment plant. Work will continue through 2026.
Before Spring’s end, we should complete lighting Complex.
I want to thank our congressional delegation including senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, Congressman Gary Palmer, Gov. Kay Ivey and ALDOT Director John Cooper. State legislators Lance Bell and Corley Ellis were also key in this as were the Shelby County Commission, County Manager Chad Scroggins and Shelby County Engineer David Willingham.
all approvals and plans are completed but, by late summer, we hope to see construction/development of two substantial new businesses in Columbiana. Stay tuned!
Until then…
David Mitchell, Mayor of Columbiana
COOPER PENNINGTON
Shelby County High School athlete
Growing up, what made you want to play football and baseball?
Growing up I heard stories of my dad, Jeremy, and my uncle, Spencer, who both played football at the University of Alabama. As a matter of fact, Spencer played baseball at the University as well. I wanted to be just like them.
What was it like growing up with siblings who were successful at sports, and how have they helped you along your journey?
learn what it takes to be successful from his work ethic. He worked
think that extra work helped him to be the man he is today, and it inspired me to be like him. He is the starting left guard at Kennesaw State University. He has been my advisor on and off
How do you juggle multiple sports while still being a student?
I juggle a busy schedule by maximizing my time and by being disciplined regarding my priorities. Sometimes I go lift early so I can have time for extra swings after practice. Other times may require me to set aside extra time for my studies. It really just comes down to being disciplined.
What do you enjoy doing outside school and sports?
I love to do bible studies with friends, teammates or family. I etc.
Who has been your biggest mentor and how have they
an example for me by teaching me the importance of hard work and dedication. We always say that hard work pays off.
What would you credit the consistent success of the baseball program to?
It all starts with coach Hamrick. He instilled in all of us that we can succeed if we believe and put the work in. He tells us to make every practice or workout the best we can have, not by measuring by good or bad, but “Did I give my very best effort?” I would also say that we have a group of guys on the team that have great chemistry together. We enjoy being around each other on and off
What is your favorite thing about playing sports for Shelby County?
community support and atmosphere. There is nothing like a Friday night football game or a home baseball playoff series. The whole town is there to support us. That includes the band, cheerleaders, pep squad, families, the whole town. Our atmosphere is awesome.
KARLEE MERRELL
Business Education Teacher, Shelby County High School
As a graduate of Shelby County High School, what does it mean that you get to teach in the same high school where
I grew up here in the community, attended Shelby County Schools, and still live here. It is such a privilege to get to pour into your hometown. It means a lot to me to be a teacher here at Shelby County High School because I get to create lessons or projects that involve students in their community. We have a ton of support from the community and it really goes to show just how special this town and school are. It’s fun to see students and their families on Friday nights at the football games or out at town events.
What does it mean to you to be named this year’s Shelby
I felt incredibly grateful that my fellow co-workers thought so highly of me and the work my students have been doing. I have had so much help and guidance from my colleagues, mentors, admin and teacher friends. The support goes to show just how special SCHS is because everyone is so willing to help you be successful. My students’ Digital Media work is shared on social media platforms and put out into the community so it makes me smile seeing how the community responds to their great works!
The students!!! 100%. I hear a common misconception often about high school students- that they are “just kids”, but these students have so much potential and heart. Career Tech allows them to begin planning for their future and this has been one of my favorite things about being a teacher- watching their dreams
graduating class as a teacher. I had a student who wanted to attend the University of Alabama. She worked so hard to get there. She set goals for herself and I was able to be a proud teacher and watch her walk across the stage in May and receive her high school diploma. When we returned to school in August, I had an envelope delivered to me with a photo of that student pursuing her dreams in Tuscaloosa. I was so very proud and hung her picture up in my classroom as a reminder each and everyday why I do what I do.
After graduating from SCHS, I attended Troy University where I studied Global Business and Marketing. My family is full of educators- my mom and sister both teach 1st grade- Elvin Hill Elementary and Wilsonville Elementary, so I wanted to be different and study business instead. I graduated from Troy and moved back home. I worked for 2 years as a Marketing Specialist but I knew I loved learning and teaching. This is when I decided to go back to school to study secondary education. I am so thankful I followed God’s plan! Watching my students make connections between content and apply these skills to their lives makes the career swap so worth it.
PASTEL PARADISE
Pink Sheep Boutique aims to offer the perfect place to
BY NOAH WORTHAM
PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES
AAs you enter the doors of Pink Sheep Boutique, you quickly get a feeling you’ve entered somewhere special. A sense of calm and peace immediately washes over you as your eyes dart about and peruse each of the meticulously placed items that are adorned in tranquil pastels. Although you haven’t exchanged a word yet, you can already tell one thing about the shop’s owner: she loves her job.
“I wake up every day and love what I do,” Owner Holli Pierce said. “There’s never a day that I wake up, and I don’t want to go to work.”
seven years of its existence, Pink Sheep Boutique
Street in May 2024. Now, nearly a year later, Pierce continues to offer the perfect, cozy shop for customers to purchase children’s clothing.
Full of pink, blue and yellow pastels, Pierce aims to equip the shop with a timeless style of clothes that invoke a traditional southern charm. While she
sources the goods from various retailers to stock the shop and online store, Pierce has one important metric when it comes to buying all of the items that line the shelves of Pink Sheep Boutique.
“If I would not put it on my own children and I don’t love it, I don’t buy it for my store,” Pierce said.
While Pierce enjoys the day-to-day routine of running her own store, it took years of effort and the help of friends and family to make her long-harbored dream a reality.
A LAMB’S FIRST STEPS
A true Shelby County native, Pierce grew up in the Shelby area attending Elvin Hill Elementary, Columbiana Middle and graduating from Shelby
child in 2015 and one year later, she encountered a problem. No one nearby carried appealing clothes for her child to wear.
Pierce said. “I felt like there was nowhere to really shop that had everything that tickled my fancy. I here.”
One night, her newly found conundrum quickly reached an epiphany. She would open up a children’s clothing store and use that as an excuse to dress up her child. However, she would need a name for her new operation.
“I knew that I had to come up with a name and I love animals and I love the color pink,” Pierce said.
night I thought about it and it just popped into my head.”
Starting out, Pierce knew she would need two things in order to get anywhere: clothes and a website.
Pierce proceeded to go to the market and pick out all of the clothes that she liked best—making sure to order ahead for the next season.
“Since I started in the middle of summer, I didn’t
really get anything until like fall or Christmas and what I like and I started stocking,” Pierce said. “I didn’t have a lot of quantities when I started out because I didn’t want to keep a bunch in stock.”
out the process of setting up an online store and building a presence on the web.
“Neither one of us knew really anything about doing a website but we just googled and researched
had all my Facebook friends and family that I know here is just very supportive, so they share your stuff and you gain followers.”
Over time, Pink Sheep Boutique found success serving customers all over the United States. A special joy for Pierce came in the form of customers opening their online orders and sharing photos of their kids in the merchandise. Finally, her quick little whim was a reality.
However, her entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t quite
“I just knew that I wanted to be in Columbiana. I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I love Columbiana.”
-Holli Pierce
Pierce said. “It was just me all by myself.”
“I knew right away I wanted to open a brick-andmortar store,” Pierce said. “I’ve dreamed about it for so many years. I just knew that I wanted to be in Columbiana. I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I love Columbiana.”
One day, her mother happened to drive through Columbiana Main Street and noticed a sign that said, “For Rent” so she quickly told Pierce. And although the location would need some improvement, it was nothing Pierce’s husband
“So, I reached out to the guy that owns the place and he told me that I could do what I want to make it pretty for my store,” Pierce said.
on May 11. With one more dream accomplished all was well until a month after opening, she ran into
Fortunately for Pierce that help walked through the doors in June and has continued to come in ever since. Emery Glaze soon became Pierce’s “No. 1 employee” and the rock she could rely on.
“Everybody that comes in here knows Emery,” Pierce said. “I could not do half of what I do if I did not have Emery.”
LIVING THE DREAM
Now, nearly 8 years after starting and nearly a year after opening a shop in Columbiana, Pierce still loves getting up and coming to the store each morning.
“I’m glad to be able to do something that I truly love,” she said. “I love meeting all the new people that come in here. I love seeing all the people that are excited to come in just for my store.”
Aside from an unlimited supply of baby clothes for her own children over the years and a steady way to
make a living, Pink Sheep Boutique stands as the accomplishment of a dream for Pierce that she is able to continue living in each day. It’s an occupation that is continually rewarding in the best way possible.
“I work so hard in here to pick out all this stuff and to offer what I think is the cutest,” Pierce said. “And then other people love it too and think it’s cute and they put it on their children and they show me. It’s just very rewarding.”
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RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS
Couple behind Miss Annie’s Home + Kitchen renovates home on Main Street
BY STEPHEN DAWKINS
PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES
AAnnie and Darryl McDaniel, some of Columbiana’s newest residents, are actually well-known faces. The couple previously lived in the city for about 20 years, but they are perhaps most recognized from Annie’s social media presence.
On the Miss Annie’s Home + Kitchen platforms, Annie shares recipes, decorating hacks, home renovation projects, personal stories—and inspiration.
For about 25 years, Annie visited schools as part of the Miss Annie’s Educational Adventures program. She donned costumes of penguins, polar bears and Native Americans to make learning an immersive experience for young minds at about 35 schools each year. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Annie’s in-person educational programs came to a halt.
“I’ve been Miss Annie all these years, and it’s been just a really important part of our family income because I work every day and I’ve got all these different schools all over the place,” Annie said. “Well, 2020 happened and then I couldn’t go into the schools anymore.”
During this challenging time, Annie found inspiration from a dear friend, Sue Garrett, a retired assistant principal who had started sharing her Mama Sue’s Southern Kitchen recipes online and published a cookbook.
Annie connected Sue with social media expert Angela Deaver, who helped promote Mama Sue’s
own story took a transformative turn. Encouraged by Mama Sue, Annie launched her own page, Miss
Sue and Angela, Annie’s page grew quickly. Check out Miss Annie’s Home + Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, and YouTube.
THE BEGINNING OF ‘STRONGER EVERY DAY’
Darryl suffering a massive stroke in 2014. Misdiagnosed for four days, Darryl’s condition deteriorated until an emergency procedure was needed to save his life. Darry’s situation was so critical that it was uncertain he would ever be able to leave the hospital.
“I couldn’t stay in the ICU with him so I came
home by myself and I just prayed and prayed and prayed and cried and cried and cried,” Annie said. “And then I got up off my knees. I remembered a women’s conference that talked about doing hard things. I could do hard things. So it really is what kind of got me through like, OK, I don’t know what every day is going to bring, but I can do this hard thing.”
Darryl’s nurse at Lakeshore Rehabilitation added another layer to their story by whispering to Annie, “Stronger every day,” a phrase that became the couple’s guiding light. “We just decided to start sharing that message on Miss Annie’s Home and Kitchen every time we do a video,” Annie said. “We say ‘stronger every day’ and ‘we can do hard things.’”
BACK TO COLUMBIANA
Their move from Calera to a 100-year-old home on Main Street in Columbiana marked a new beginning but also what the McDaniels consider a return to their roots.
Beginning with the purchase in May of 2024, the couple embraced renovations, often opting for DIY projects to save costs. A collaboration with Cottage Supply Company allowed for Annie to showcase the beautifully renovated kitchen while boosting the local business.
“Our page has really grown so much because of what we shared with the house,” Annie said. “But with all that we’ve been able to do, we’ve had the right people at the right time do beautiful, amazing work. We couldn’t have done it without Paul Hatch or Clint Panter or Jeremy Dixon.
“I’ll stand in this house all the time and think, this is so much better than I ever imagined it would be.”
Miss Annie’s Home and Kitchen became more than just a social media platform; it became a beacon of hope. Their taglines, “Stronger every day” and “You can do hard things” resonated deeply with their growing audience. Messages poured in from followers sharing their own struggles and triumphs, including a young mother who reached out because her mother, who had just passed away, was a big fan.
“You don’t know why God has you do the things that you do or
go through the trials that you do,” Annie said. “I sent her a message and said I wanted to talk. She said, ‘I want to tell you about my mom.’ So we got on the phone, and she was just the sweetest. She just said her mom would watch me every day. And that message of ‘stronger every day’ and ‘I can do hard things’ just resonated with her. It’s so much more than a home and kitchen page.”
Today, with over 223,000 followers on Facebook and many more on other channels, Annie and Darryl continue to inspire. Future plans include Darryl’s woodworking shop and
ongoing collaborations to help other small businesses and further the synergy of Columbiana’s Main Street.
“My favorite thing is sharing about other people. I loved that Cottage Supply Company was able to get some sales because, you know, Miss Annie’s Home and Kitchen is a small business. Miss Annie’s Educational Adventures, what I’ve been doing for 25, 30 years, is a small business. So as far as what’s next, I think it’s settling into this house and helping other people grow and just continuing to share the ‘Stronger every day’ mindset.”
FORGING FAMILIES
5K/10K
BY
NOAH WORTHAM
With 176 registered runners, the sixth annual Forging Families 5K/10K raised $11,308.30 for Sacred Selections through a series of athletic races on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Columbiana.
1. Lane Rutherford and Ron Sipes.
2. Ethan Long, Trey Morgan and Bradyn Lamb.
3. Ethan Doering and Jonavan Smith.
4. Corley Ellis and Nathan Brasher.
5. Amy Dixon, Allison Rogers and Mike Hanner.
6. Guylene, Jim and Patrick Jackson.
7. Tommy, Heather and Landon Keller.
8. Micah Henson, Emily Dixon, Lydia Manning, Ellie Johnson, Jonathan Barnes and Crawford Henson.
9. Ron and Kristin Parker.
10. Jordan Tetteh and Ayden Elder.
11. Corley and Jamison Ellis.
12. Paul and Nancy Kellett.
13. Alex Locker, Penelope, Kevin and Liz.
14. David O, Chris Jeffcoat and Matt Ayers.
15. Steve Clark and Sharkey.
16. Wyatt Montgomery, Luke, Bradley, Win Anderson.
PHOTOS
CHRISTMAS IN COLUMBIANA
PHOTOS BY RACHEL HENDERSON
On Friday, Dec. 6 the city of Columbiana hosted it annual Christmas parade and the Shelby County Arts Council held an artist market.
1. Brittany and Matt Harris
2. Carl Guthery and Harris Carriage & Caisson
3. Emersyn, Barry and Joyce Etress
4. Emily Sledge, Nancy Thomas and Missy Wilson
5. Isaac, Abigail, Justin and Jamie Ellis
6. Zane and Jo Lee
7. Hunter Schlehmeier, Matthew Johnson, Ash Roberts and Heather Clark
8. Kristen Vick and Max Loveless
9. Lindsay, Joanna and Bruce Dyess
10. Maryelaine and Terrell Harris
11. Richard and Rhandie Weaver
12. Ricky and Donna Morris
WINTER WONDERLAND
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
The city of Columbiana was treated to winter wonderland delight on Friday, Jan. 10, as snow blanketed the ground across the city. With the day off school and most people stuck home, families gathered to build snowmen, have across the community.
Shelby County Schools
