Page 15 October 2021 - E-Edition Festive Fall Gatherings in Downtown Gadsden The Sports Ledger
Find Sports at www.TheSportsLedger.com Students Can Still Benefit From Book Assistance Program Many students attending Gadsden State Community College received support in the form of the Book Assistance Program for the fall semester. Now, current students can continue to receive that support during the spring semester through the College’s Vaccination Incentive Program. “Over 2,300 students qualified in August to purchase required books and tools at one of Gadsden State’s two bookstores,” said Dr. Kathy Murphy, president. “Students may have saved as much as $500 thanks to the assistance program.” Gadsden State spent over $862,000 on the Book Assistance Program. The College has used portions of its allocations from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to cover the costs of the program. “Students could purchase required textbooks for academic, health science and career technical courses as well as required tools,” she said. Through Oct. 15, students can submit proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to become eligible for the Book Assistance Program for the spring semester. “Any student who submits proof of vaccination will be able to save up to $500 again,” Murphy said. “The decision to participate in the Vaccination Incentive Program is completely up to the individual. It is not required but it is encouraged.” There is also an incentive program for Gadsden State employees. Full-time employees who are fully vaccinated will receive a $50 voucher to the Gadsden State Cafeteria or bookstore. Part-time employees will receive a $25 voucher. Students and employees can submit proof of vaccination by logging into the internal portal known as MyGadsdenState. Proof of full vaccination must be completed by the Oct. 15 deadline to qualify. Those who participated in the vaccination clinics held on Sept. 1 and 8 on the Wallace Drive and Ayers campuses, respectively, are reminded to return for their second vaccine to ensure that they are fully vaccinated. A second-shot clinic was held in September and another opportunity for the vaccination will be and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 in the Cain Learning Resource Center on the Ayers Campus. An appointment is not necessary. Pierce Photography 256-506-7368 www.piercephoto.net
Downtown Gadsden Inc. (DGI) invites residents and visitors to make their way to the heart of the city for several family-friendly events lined up during the month of October. On Friday, October 1, DGI will hold its last First Friday street party for the 2021 season. From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Broad Street will be lined with classic cars, food vendors and live music performances from local and regional bands. Entertainment will include Little Elvis at 2nd and Broad, The Leftovers at 3rd and Broad, Matt Harvey Band at 4th and Broad and Southern FX at 5th and Broad. The 600 block will have a belly dancer along with the Gadsden Lion dancers providing additional entertainment. Broad Street will be closed to automobile traffic to allow festival goers to easily cross the street to enjoy the festivities. On Saturday, October 16, participating stores and restaurants in downtown Gadsden invite everyone to enjoy a day of shopping and dining for Shop Small This Fall. The event is designed to support local merchants and encourage business in advance of the upcoming holiday season. From fall décor and cozy sweaters to the perfect gift for a special occasion or a bottle of wine for date As a tribute to its roots, a one-day festival is held every year in downtown Oneonta. Set for Saturday, October 9, 2021, the Covered Bridge Festival offers plenty of family fun including a quilt show, arts and crafts, a rib cook-off, car show, live music, great food, self-guided covered bridge tours and more. The highlight of the Covered Bridge Festival is the arts and crafts show located in downtown Oneonta’s entertainment district. Throughout the day, festivalgoers can peruse the booths of vendors selling an assortment of homemade items, handmade jewelry, artwork, wood creations and more. Festival goers can also check out an assortment of makes and models of cars, trucks, farm tractors, first responder vehicles and motorcycles at the Cruise-In from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. New this year at the Covered Bridge Festival is a cookout for a cause. The Rib Rally, located next to the music stage, will see who can barbeque the best ribs. Grilling teams must present their ribs for judging by 12:30 p.m. and gates will open at 1:00 p.m. for the public to sample the ribs. Cost is $1 per rib to sample. All proceeds from the event go to the Oscar Bothwell Memorial Scholarship Fund.
For more info on the Rib Rally or to register a team, call 205-353-8404 or email brothersq205@gmail.com. No visit to Blount County would be complete without a stop at one or all of the covered bridges. Constructed in 1934, Horton Mill is the tallest historic covered bridge in the United States standing 70 feet above the water. The 220 foot long bridge crosses the Calvert Prong of the Little Warrior River about 5 miles north of Oneonta off Highway 75. Easley Covered Bridge was constructed in 1927 and is the smallest of Blount’s remaining bridges. At just 95 feet long it crosses the Dub Branch, Calvert Prong of the Little Warrior River. It is located off of 231 North in Rosa. Constructed in 1933, Swann Covered Bridge is the longest of Blount’s bridges. It spans 324 feet across the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. Swann is located in Cleveland. Sponsored by the Blount CountyQuilters Guild, a quilt show is scheduled for October 8 and 9 at Palisades Park in Oneonta from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.blountcountyquiltersguild.com. Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the arts and crafts show and the live music and Rib Rally will continue on until 6 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the Covered Bridge Festival, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CoveredBridgeFest or call the Chamber office at 205.274.2153. night, downtown stores will have seasonal items for sale. To keep shoppers fueled, downtown restaurants will serve up favorites from sushi to burgers. Get ready to sip and celebrate with the return of Sunset Sips. On Tuesday, October 19, the Broad Street Bridge will be transformed into a late afternoon gathering spot with stunning views to complement hors d'oeuvres and wine. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase at DGI, The Stone Market and King’s Olive Oil. Online sales are at https://downtowngadsden.com/sunset-sips/. A spooky good time is coming to downtown Gadsden on Saturday, October 30. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., DGI invites children and their parents to enjoy a fun time trick or treating with downtown merchants. Participating stores and restaurants will welcome little goblins to stop by for some candy. The event is targeted for those 12 years and younger, but everyone is welcome to join in the Halloween fun. Costumes are encouraged. For more information, visit the web site https://www.facebook.com/DowntownGadsden or call Kay Moore at 256-547-8696.
2021 Covered Bridge Festival With three covered bridges still in existence, Blount County carries the title of Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama.
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