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The Sports Ledger February 2022 Newsworthy Notes & Events
ACT PREP COURSES - Gadsden State Community College’s Continuing Education Program is offering ACT preparation courses in English, reading, math and science. Classes will meet at the Cardinal Tutoring Center located in the Inzer Student Engagement Center on the Wallace Drive Campus. The session dates, times and course offerings are as follows: March 12 from 8 a.m. – noon for English, math, reading, science; March 14 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. for English; March 15 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. for Math; March 16 from 5 – 6 p.m. for Reading; and March 17 from 5 – 6 p.m. for Science. Students can register for the session(s) of their choice. Registration cost is $99 for one-day sessions including four hours of instruction or $30 per evening class. Once a student registers, a confirmation email will be sent containing instructions and items needed for the class. To register for any of the Continuing Education classes, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/continuinged. For more information, please call Pam Clough at 256-549-8462 or email pclough@gadsdenstate.edu. YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL - Boaz Parks and Recreation is currently registering players for the 2022 Youth Baseball, Softball, and T-Ball Seasons. Players must be between the ages of 4-12 and a birth certificate is required for first year players. The cost is $75 and includes a uniform. Registration ends February 21, 2022. For more information call 256-593-7862. WATER AEROBICS - Boaz Parks and Recreation offers Water Aerobics on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 8-9 a.m. The cost is $5 and all ages are welcome. Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All equipment is provided. For more information call 256-593-7862. The northern part of Alabama is one of the most diverse areas of the country. From Lookout Mountain to the Mississippi border the state has many beautiful features that range from lakes and waterfalls to some of the most historic churches in the country. To find some of these magnificent places, North Alabama has a trail for almost everyone and one of the top five trails for folks to enjoy is called the "Hallelujah Trail." This trail is a driving tour across North Alabama that features 32 churches that are at least 100 years old and most of these locations still hold public worship services today. "Whether simple white, wooden-frame structures or grand gothic designs, they combine to tell the story of the region’s spiritual roots. Quiet places of prayer and pillars of communities, homes to exquisite stained glass and humble pulpits, these houses of worship will inspire any visitor," wrote the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association in a recent news release. Half of the locations on the North Alabama "Hallelujah Trial" are located East of I-65, and there at least two locations in each county. A good starting point for the Eastern part of this sacred trail is in DeKalb County, which is home to two churches listed on the route. The Mentone United Methodist Church has sat atop Lookout Mountain since just before the turn of the 20th century. Just down the mountain in historic Fort Payne, sits one of the county seats oldest historic churches. The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Payne was built in 1875 and still holds church services. A quick ride to Cherokee County, finds two more churches on the "Hallelujah Trail." RoundMountain Baptist Church is located in Cedar Bluff and it was established in 1895. Lebanon Campground Methodist Church located in Spring Garden was established in the 1830's and for a time the church also served as the only school in the area. Two additional historic churches can be found in neighboring Etowah County. Keener United Methodist Church is a one room building located on Highway 11 between Attalla and Collinsville. Although the church closed in 2014, it has been preserved and can still be visited by the public. In nearby downtown Attalla, the First United Methodist Church has been holding services since 1904. Two additional churches that were started in the 1800's can be found in nearby Blount County. The Shiloh Methodist Church was established in 1878 and is located in Allgood, AL. The Blountsville United Methodist Church was opened in 1886. At one time, a small room in the front of the church was said to house the Blountsville Library. Today, the church uses the space adjacent to the sanctuary as a prayer room. Near I-65 in downtown Cullman is the St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church, which was established in the 1870's. A short ride up the interstate to Athens, AL finds two more sites on the "Hallelujah Trail." One location is on the west side of I-65 and one church is on the east side of the interstate. Cambridge United Methodist Church, located just east of I-65 off Highway 72 was established in 1818 and restored in 1873 after sustaining damage during the US Civil War. Just a few miles away in downtown Athens, the First Presbyterian Church sits on the courthouse square. This church was founded in 1829 and opened its original location in 1852. However, during the Civil War this building was said to have been used as a stable by Union Troops. Following the war, the church received $5,000 in war damage claims to help rebuild a new sanctuary, which is still used today. A short ride to the "Rocket City" leads to two more "Hallelujah Trail" locations. The Temple B'nai Sholom, located at 103 Lincoln Street SE, was built in 1899 and is believed to be the oldest synagogue building that's been in continuous use in the state. Weekday guided tours are available by appointment. Call 256-536-4771 for info. The Episcopal Church of the Nativity was built in
ROCK THE SOUTH - The "Biggest Party in the South” is back in Cullman on Aug. 5-6, 2022, with an incredible lineup of musicians. Morgan Wallen and ALABAMA will be the 2022 headliners with other well- known musicians, HARDY, Jamey Johnson, Koe Wetzel, Jimmie Allen, Colt Ford, Matt Stell and Dee Jay Silver. JSU SOUTHERNERS - The Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners have been invited to represent the United States in Normandy, France, in June of 2024 in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The Parade will step off in the French village of Sainte- Mere-Eglise, the first village to be liberated by American troops. The parade will feature active and retired military personnel, JROTC Units from across the United States, music ensembles, cultural groups, and civic organizations. In addition to the parade, Historic Programs will present two official public ceremonies, which will take place at the St. James American Cemetery, and at the Normandy American Cemetery. Along with the D-Day parade and ceremonies, the Marching Southerners will tour the country of France, visiting some of its most prominent historical attractions. NEW DIRECTORS - Gadsden State Community College has named Ricky Tillis as the new Director of the Valley Street Campus. Gerri Langley has been named the Ayers Campus Director following the retirement of long- time director, Michele Conger. LIONEL RICHIE TO BE HONORED - Pop music icon Lionel Richie will be the next recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Richie will be honored with an all-star tribute concert in Washington, D.C., that will be broadcast nationally on PBS stations May 17 at 9 p.m. ET.
TRAFFIC FATALITY - A single-vehicle crash on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 claimed the life of a Flintville, TN woman. Daisy Pauline White, 56, was fatally injured when the 2018 Toyota Rav4 in which she was a passenger, left the roadway, entered the parking lot of a convenience store, struck a gas pump, multiple parked vehicles, a building and a pedestrian. White, who was not utilizing a seat belt, was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Toyota, James A. White, 50, also of Flintville and the pedestrian, Claudia Walters Meador, 75, of Huntsville were both injured and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The crash occurred on U.S. 231 at the 341 mile- marker, approximately two-miles north of Huntsville. No additional info was available at press time. $1 MILLION GRANT - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has awarded a $1 million grant to assist a new industry in Coosa County. The Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to provide infrastructure needed for Alabama Graphite Products to open a processing facility in the Kellyton community. As the governor has previously announced, Alabama Graphite Products plans to employ 100 people in the production of locally mined graphite which will be used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles. “I am beyond proud to continue lending support to Westwater Resources’ plans to build the first U.S.-based graphite processing plant,” said Governor Ivey. The CDBG funds will enable the city of Alexander City to extend sewer services to the Alabama Graphite Products facility which will be located in Kellyton Industrial Park. Alabama Graphite Products plans to construct a $202 million graphite processing plant. Once in operation, the plant will process 7,500 tons of graphite annually and eventually expand to 15,000 tons annually. The Graphite will be mined in western Coosa County.
Churches On The North Alabama Hallelujah Trail By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger
An evening view of the front entrance to the First Presbyterian Church in Guntersville.
Keener United Methodist Church
Huntsville from 1856-1859. It is known for its Gothic Revival Architecture and the church was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1990. South of Huntsville near Lake Guntersville is one of the more scenic areas of the State and it's also home to two churches on the "Hallelujah Trial." The First Presbyterian Church is located at 901 Gunter Avenue. It is said that the original church building was abandoned, burned and covered by Lake Guntersville. The First Methodist Church of Guntersville is also located on Gunter Avenue and its original structure was built in 1869. The last two churches east of I-65 can be found in Jackson County. The Woodville Methodist Church was constructed in 1912 and the Helton Memorial Chapel opened in 1900 at Pleasant Springs near Stevenson, AL. The "Hallelujah Trial" is full of history and would be a great trip for anyone interested in historic churches. However, there are hundreds of other churches around North Alabama with unique histories that are not a part of the states driving tour. If you have a church history that you would like to share with the Alabama Ledger please email alabamaledger@gmail.com. First United Methodist Church of Guntersville
An outside view of the Historic Blountsville United Methodist Church.
An inside view of the Historic Blountsville United Methodist Church. All Photos by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
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