The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com
Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com
PAGE 2 November 2024
Donations Help With Hurricane Recovery Efforts In North Carolina
The Gadsden State Community College A Cappella Choir and Singers will make appearances at churches and community events during its annual Christmas Tour. The group will kick-off the tour at 6 p.m. November 24 at Providence Baptist Church in Ragland. The tour includes the group’s 22nd consecutive year to perform at the Annual Tree Lighting at Regency Pointe in Rainbow City. The performance will be at 6 p.m. December 3. The highlight of the tour is the Community Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. December 12 at First United Methodist Church of Gadsden. All events are free and open to the public. The group is under the direction of J.T. Harrell. “The Gadsden State A Cappella Choir and Singers work incredibly hard to bring a sense of warmth and joy to each performance during the holiday season,” Harrell said. “The Christmas concert tour is a cherished tradition that lets us connect with those in our community through timeless carols and festive songs.” The line-up includes favorite Christmas songs, like “White Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” Carol of the Bell,” Winter Wonderland,” “The Grinch,” “Christmas on Broadway” and the Macy’s Christmas Parade song, “We Believe.” Diane Pledger Insurance Agency Gadsden State Community College employee Tina Pendley loves western North Carolina, so when floods ravaged the area following Hurricane Helene in September, she wanted to do something to help. “My husband and I love Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Cherokee, the whole area,” she said. “My heart was so heavy and broken for the people who live there. God put it on my heart to do something to help. I wanted to help bring some encouragement to the area. I couldn’t shake the need to go.” Pendley, who works as the administrative assistant in the Business, Computer Science and Legal Studies Division, connected with members of Phi Theta Kappa, Gadsden State’s honor society, and they sprang into action. “PTK members are known to help when people are in need,” said Melissa Davis, PTK advisor. “When Tina came to us about collecting items to donate to those affected by Hurricane Helene, we instantly agreed to help.” PTK members collected sleeping bags, canned food, pet food, feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, blankets, cooking stoves, clothes, paper products, children’s books, Bibles, propane, lanterns, socks and underwear. Members of Chapman’s Chapel Congregational Holiness Church in Glencoe also participated in the donation drive. The donated items were loaded into the bed and cab of Pendley’s husband’s Ford F-150, and they hit the road headed for the Smokey Mountains Event Center. Once they arrived, they were told the facility was full of donations already and they couldn’t accept more. “My heart sank,” she said. “A soldier at the center encouraged us to go to Clyde, N.C., the next small town over, to the United Methodist Church. We were one of several people who waited in line with our donations. We were greeted with hugs and a lot of appreciation.”
Pendley and her husband, David, unloaded their truck and helped others unload their vehicles as well. She said the amount of donations brought to the church was heartwarming. “They had just about everything needed to assist in the recovery efforts, but they needed more propane,” she said. “People are living in tents, and they need heat. Within minutes a truck pulled up to donate, and it was filled with propane. God was orchestrating everything.” Before the Pendleys left to head back to Alabama, they were able to witness a western North Carolinian pick up a cooking stove they donated. “It was beautiful to see that our donation project at Gadsden State could help people in need,” Pendley said. Tina Pendley, left, recruited members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to help her collect donations on Gadsden State’s five campuses to donate to Hurricane Helene survivors in North Carolina. She is pictured with some of the items donated as well as with Melissa Davis, PTK advisor. Photo Courtesy of Gadsden State Other public performances are at 5 p.m. December 1 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Leesburg; 6 p.m. December. 8 at Rainbow City Methodist Church; and 6 p.m. December 22 at Cherry Street Baptist Church. All performances are free. The choir is also performing private concerts for the Gadsden Greeters, the Glencoe Senior Center, The Rotary Club, Rainbow Presbyterian Church and the Gadsden State employee Christmas brunch. “We’re excited to share the spirit of the season and create memorable experiences for all who attend,” Harrell said. The Gadsden State A Cappella Choir and Singers consists of 22 students pursuing various degrees. The singers include Jackson Alread, Ashley Pentecost and Trevor Wheat, all of Rainbow City; Emma Beasley of Boaz, Emma Brownlee of Springville, Austin Crisler of Moody, Sydney Day and Nolan Fletcher, both of Hokes Bluff; Rodney Johnson, Art McCloud, Krishna Ray, Sarah Smith, Darius Spears and Afton Yarnell, all of Gadsden; Junior Kamassa of Togo; Dale Layton of Saks; Louden Magouyrk and Emilie Stubblefield, both of Oxford; Dylan Roberson of Piedmont; Addyson Rosenbalm of Alexandria; Jullian Spark of Calera; Anna Christopher of Glencoe.
Photo Courtesy of Gadsden State
The Countdown to Christmas has begun and the 12 Nights of Santa is set to return to EarlyWorks Children’s Museum next month, bringing with it all the magic of the holiday season. From December 12 through December 23, 2024, children are invited to visit with Santa Claus and enjoy an immersive holiday experience in Huntsville. During the 12 Nights of Santa, the jolly old elf himself will be on hand each night to listen to children as they share their wish lists. Along with a visit with Santa Claus, family-friendly activities adding to the whimsical fun include nightly snowfalls, making holiday crafts, taking part in wintery science experiments in the Tinker Lab, decorating a gingerbread cookie, making an ornament and writing a letter to Santa. Kids will have plenty of room to play and enjoy the spirit of the season. The 12 Nights of Santa will be held nightly from December 12-23, starting at 5 p.m. on weeknights, 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. on Sundays at EarlyWorks Children’s Museum located at 404 Madison Street SE. All tickets must be pre-purchased online at www. earlyworks.com. This is a timed entry event and tickets will sell out fast. Tickets for the 12 Nights of Santa are $15 per person for the general public and $13 per person for members of EarlyWorks Museums. Admission is free for children under one year old. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://earlyworks.com/12nightsofsanta/. Gadsden State Community College freshman Allie Bryant has earned a spot on the Alabama Community College Conference All-North Second Team for outstanding performance on the volleyball court. Bryant, a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, has had an impressive freshman season with the Gadsden State Lady Cardinals. Courtney Brothers, head coach of the Gadsden State volleyball team, said she is a versatile player with exceptional defensive skills. Bryant finished the season with 510 digs, averaging 4.68 digs per set. She played in 29 matches and 109 sets, also contributing offensively with seven kills, 68 assists and 39 service aces. Volleyball Honors 12 Nights of Santa
Gadsden State A Cappella Choir 2024 Christmas Tour
Phone 256-878-5454 Cell 256-506-3105 Fax 256-878-5315
10831 US Highway 431 North Albertville, AL 35950 Email: pledgerinsurance@bellsouth.net
Brandon Boswell h Pharmacist/Owner h 256-524-2981 “Caring for You Like Family”
Brandon Boswell, PharmD Pharmacist/Owner
Happy Thanksgiving Ask about our knives for sale!
In All Things Give Thanks!
Keith Canterberry ~ 256-302-2252 Keithcanterberry@yahoo.com bamawholesaleauctions@gmail.com Like us on Facebook at: bama-wholesale-auctions Instagram: Bama Wholesale Auctions
(256) 524-2981 (256) 524-2987
588 South Valley Avenue P.O. Box 498 Collinsville, AL 35961
How to contact The Sports Ledger, LLC & Alabama Ledger We are NOT affiliated with any other sports or news publication. READ FREE ONLINE AT www.thesportsledger.com www.alabamaledger.com Alabama Ledger - Established in 2020 Home Owned, Operated, and Published by The Sports Ledger, LLC.
The Sports Ledger, LLC Established in 2006 MAILING ADDRESS PO BOX 175 Albertville, AL 35950 TELEPHONE 256-506-7368 Take One - First Copy Free Additional Copies $2.00 each
Print Edition Service Area
PUBLISHER Brandon K. Pierce Brandon@TheSportsLedger.com MANAGING EDITOR Myra W. Pierce Myra@AlabamaLedger.com
God Bless America!
More News Online
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker