Yes, it’s time to say, “Goodbye” to the For the past four and a half

years, we have thoroughly

enjoyed experiencing all that

is Sylacauga,

Alabama, and

sharing what

we found with

our growing

and loyal audi­

ence. But, just

as in all as­

pects of life as

we know it,

change is in­

evitable. And

so it is with

thelocalissue.net.

This is our

final edition of

our on­line

publications

for and about the people of

the City of Sylacauga. No

more Sylacauga Digest, no

more The Native Son, no

more Coming Up.

And other than these final

editions, you won’t see us for

a week or so while we transi­

tion into the next phase of

our lives. But when we re­

turn, we hope you will be

pleased with what we have in

store for you, the many won­

derful citizens of the greater

Sylacauga area. The same

goes for those who, like us,

transitioned their lives and

livlihood for the benefit of

themselves and their families,

even those who moved away

from their

home town in

the process.

You see,

change is in­

evitable. It

happens

around the

clock every­

day. But it

doesn’t have

to be a nega­

tive thing. In

fact, with the

proper amount

of inspiration,

perspiration,

and love and

enthusiasm for what you

are doing, it can be a very

good thing. We hope you

will love, appreciate, and

support what is next as

much as you did our site

thelocalissue.net. Thank you!

Several  April  days  have  been  setaside for parents to register new stu­dents for Sylacauga’s Indian Valley El­ementary School, grades Kindergartenand  1st­Grade, on Tuesday, April 21st(8:30a­2:00p)&  Thursday,  April  23rd(4:00p­6:00p).

Please  bring  the  following  itemswith you to Registration:

• Alabama  Immunization  Form(Blue Slip)• Birth  Certif icate  (Must  haveraised seal.)• Proof of Residency (Two forms)Only a mortgage or lease and a util­ity bill in parent or guardian’s namewill be accepted.

Please be informed of the followinginformation:• Parents  must  live  within  the  citylimits of Sylacauga in order to enroll achild in Sylacauga City Schools. (Bringannexation paperwork if applicable.)• Students must be  five years  oldby September 2, 2015, to qualify forpublic  kindergarten  and  six  yearsold by September 2, 2015, to regis­

April dates set for Indian Valley new student registration

ter for First Grade.• Only parents or legal guardians areallowed  to  register  students.  (Bringguardianship paperwork to school atthe time of registration.)

• In the case of a divorce or guardian­ship, please bring legal paperwork thatwill affect any school decisions.• Students must be present at reg­istration.

Fresh off the excitement of

the Coosafest 475 celebration

earlier in April, the Childersburg

Historic Preservation Commis­

sion is set to get right back into

action with the

5th Annual Grits

Festival at the

Kymulga Grist

Mill on Satur­

day, May 25th

from 9:00 a.m.

until 4:00 p.m.

The event has

been moved up

a week this year

to open the

door to more

and better ven­

dors and attrac­

tions. The

educational aspect of the event

and its historic venue have been

ramped up with inclusion of

three demonstration attrac­

tions, including a Fayetteville­

based blacksmith; an historic

horseshoeing vendor; and some­

one who will demonstrate the

art of hobo nickels, a sculptural

art form involving the creative

modification of small coins, re­

sulting in creative works of art.

Entrance into the Kymulga

Grist Mill Park area will still be

free, and the day will also in­

clude plenty of live entertain­

ment. That will include such

crowd favorites as Violet Blue &

Friends, Hole in the Wall, and a

Childersburg­based Elvis imper­

sonator. The festival will also

feature carriage and hay rides,

along with park’s remarkable na­

ture walking trails.

A lot of visitors come for the

grits, of course, and they won’t

be disappointed. There’ll be

plenty of cooked grits available,

plain grits and also flavored with

sausage and shrimp. The food

fare will also in­

clude hamburg­

ers, hot dogs,

and French fries,

and plenty to

drink. And, you’ll

be able to pick

up grits and corn

meal to take

home with you,

along with local

honey. There

will even be an

area just for the

young visitors,

including plenty

of inflatable bouncy attractions

for the children!

The Childersburg Historic

Preservation Commission this

past year renovated the facil­

ity’s bathrooms, and the funds

raised by this year’s big event

will go back into a fund to sup­

port maintenance and up­keep

of the historic grist mill.

If you’ve never attended one ofthe annual Mule Day celebrationsat the historic Weogu�a Center,you just can’t grasp the magni­tude of whole affair. Covering theentire grounds of the center forarts, education, and entertain­ment, Mule Day is THE big annualevent at the Weogu�a Center.

The day gets started early witha sausage & biscuit breakfastserved in the Home EconomicsBuilding from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m.as literally hundreds of vendorswill be setting up.

There will be all sorts of livedemonstrations, many includingthe name stars of the event ­mules from the Mule OwnersClub! Plus, one of the best classic

Antique Car Shows around.There’s always a wide array oflive entertainment acts dottingthe campus, along with some ofbest eating that exists!

Railroad Man, Mr. Robert Pear­son, will have a wonderful displayof his trains inside the school.And the History Room is filledwith wonderful old pictures fromthe school. If you have any photo­graphs you would like to donateplease call Ms. Linda Alexander,Coordinator at 256­234­0030.

To help support this wonderfulfacility that opens its doors to somany groups and organizationsthroughout the year, there is atwo­dollar charge for parking forthose who attend Mule Day. 

A few vendor spaces are stillavailable for just $10.00 perbooth. For more informationcontact Ms. Lola Parker, Coordi­nator at 256­245­3826.

Marble Festival brings thousands of visitors to the Marble City

In spite of a wetter­than­usual  Magic of Marble Festival in Sylacauga, the 7th annual event drew thou­sands of visitors to the Marble City over the eleven­day event, from individuals and couples to largertour groups, such as the one pictured above from Troy’s First Baptist Church!

The work of delightful Italian visitor is displayed at libraryWith a delightful personality and

a  talkative  nature  that  was  ham­

pered just a bit by the fact that she

speaks only Italian, visiting sculptor

Elena Mutinelli was a crowd favorite

throughout  her  stay  in  the  Marble

City for the Magic of Marble Festival.

Her smile and passionate facial

expressions, aided by an interpre­

tor, let her shine while working in

Central  Park  and  making  visits  to

local events and attractions.

She is pictured with, “La Mano,”

or “The Hand,” which is on perma­

nent display at the award­winning

B.B. Comer Memorial Library!

C V M C h o n o r s A u x i l i a r y d u r i n g N a t i o n a l H e r o W e e k

C V M C h o n o r s A u x i l i a r y d u r i n g N a t i o n a l H e r o W e e k

Dance and Music Revolution Concert at SHS on April 28th

Music, dance, and fun are the hall­marks of entertainment on Tuesday

night, April 28, when the choral musicsingers of Sylacauga City Schools pres­

ent “Dance, Dance Revolution.” Theconcert will be held in the Sylacauga

High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m.Admission is free, but donations at the

door will be welcomed. 

Music director Dontavius Tidwellhas brought energy and enthusiasm in

rebuilding the music program for mid­dle and high school students. SHS has

not had choral music in four years,making this the debut performance of

the Aggie Fine Arts revolution. Approximately 100 Nichols­Lawson

and Sylacauga High students will be

featured in the production of songand dance. Don’t miss the “Dance,Dance Revolution” Tuesday night,April 28, at 6:00 p.m.

Pictured is Music Director DontaviusTidwell as he rehearses a group of

choral music students from Nichols­Lawson Middle School for the produc­

tion “Dance, Dance Revolution.”

Find the fates of area teams set in AHSAA baseball playoffs

Four local teams - Sylacauga, B.B.Comer, Fayetteville, and Winterboro -qualified for the 2015 AHSAA Baseballplayoffs. The playoff series are at variousstages of completion, thanks to heavy rain.

Sylacauga split a doubleheader withHelena, 2 to1 & 2 to 4; B.B. Comerdropped a road doubleheader at Gordo,10-0 & 7-1, and are eliminated; Fayet-teville had the same fate at RandolphCounty, losing 11-2 & 12-5; and Winter-boro hopes to finally get started on Mon-day at 3:30 p.m. at home against Ragland.

There’s a lot going on in April,

2015, but don’t let that distract

you from one of the great annual

reunion events ­ the Frosty Inn Re­

union! The “young at heart” rou­

tinely gather at Sylacauga’s

Central Park every April to relive

the “good old days” of their

youth. The event has become so

popular, it has also sparked a num­

ber of multi­class reunions at

other times of the year with old­

timers wanting to spend as much

time together as possible.

The annual Frosty Inn Reunion is Saturday, April 25th!

Grads of Sy­lacauga High, B.B.

Comer High, andplenty of other

area high schoolsspent hours on

end forging

friendships at thefamed Frosty Inn,

and all who didare welcome to

come on down

and hang out just like old times!The ever popular lap of town

(with the Sylacauga Police Depart­ment escorting the crowd instead

of trying to catch it) will start at4:00 p.m. Gather in Ogletree Plaza.

There will be plenty of time to

talk old times, as organizers havereserved Central Park across from

Blue Bell Creameries from 10:00a.m. until midnight (or later) on Sat­

urday, April 25th!

Alabama joins a national exercise day on April 29thWalking is one of the easiest and most

effective forms of exercise, but it can be

hard to find time to enjoy it. That's why

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is invit­

ing you to walk at your lunch during the

9th annual National Walk@Lunch Day on

Wednesday, April 29th.

Blue Cross celebrates National Walk

@ Lunch Day because walking is one of

the simplest and easy to start forms of

exercise. National Walk @ Lunch is de­

signed to encourage people of all ages,

backgrounds and lifestyles to make

walking a healthy habit for life.

For more information, contact Heidi

Ramey by phone at (205)220­6881 or

email at hramey@bcbsal.org.

Here’s a behind the scenes look

at, Too Soon for Daisies! from the Sy­

lacauga Community Playhouse. It’s

the hilarious story of a small, out­of­

the­way place, a picturesque water­

front village which attracts some

very interesting but peculiar drifters

­ including three elderly ladies who

just happen to be on the run after

escaping from a retirement home.

Tickets are on sale now ­ only

S.C.P. presents the return of live theater to Sylacauga!

$10.00 in advance and $12.00 at

the door. If you call ahead and re­

serve your tickets but pick them

up at will call you still get the

$10.00 price. Now, how do you

get tickets? Simply message the

Sylacauga Community Playhouse

on Facebook; email them at syla­

caugacommunityplayhouse@gm

ail.com; or call (256) 208­5768

(ask for Sherry) or come by in

person to Maxye Veazey Senior

Center in Sylacauga.

The show dates are:

Friday, May 1st @ 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 2nd @ 2:00

Saturday, May 2nd @ 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 3rd @ 2:30 p.m.

Once Upon a Time dedication scheduled for April 26th

Once upon a time, a talented

young sculptor came to Sylacauga

for the annual Magic of Marble

Festival... and for all  intents and

purposes, didn’t leave...

What Craigger Brown did was to

create pieces of marble art that will

live for the ages in the heart of our

city, a symbol of our history...

Browne’s Sylacauga Emerging has

literally become the most recogniza­

ble symbol of our community on the

lawn of the City Hall Complex...

And recently, his four latest

pieces of art, the Once Upon a

Time collection were moved from

their birthplace at the corner of

Norton & Hickory to the lawn of

the B.B. Comer Library for their

finishing touches...

The work was commissioned to

honor the memory of Mayor & Mrs.

Curtis Liles, Jr. And on Sunday,

April 26th at 2:00 p.m., the marble

art collection will be unveiled and

dedicated in a special ceremony on

the lawn of the library!

Tuesday, April 21st - This is the first day of open registration fornew students for the coming school year at Indian Valley ElementarySchool in Sylacauga. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at the school. Please bring your child’s Alabama Immunization Form(Blue Slip), Birth Certificate, and two forms of proof of residency -mortgage or lease & utility bill.

Wednesday, April 22nd - The business community is invitedto a special “Dutch Treat” lunch at Old Town Grill in Childersburgon Wednesday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. It’s a great new opportunityto network as part of the newly-formed group, Childersburg Busi-ness Associates. It’s a very informal - no scheduled speaker - op-portunity to eat lunch someplace besides your desk! Feel free toinvite others you feel might benefit from this unique new networkingopportunity. For more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256-480-2126, or via e-mail at: angelia.todd@alcc.alabama.gov

Thursday, April 23rd - This is the final day of open registrationfor new students for the coming school year at Indian Valley Ele-mentary School in Sylacauga. It will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.at the school. Please bring your child’s Alabama Immunization Form(Blue Slip), Birth Certificate, and two forms of proof of residency -mortgage or lease & utility bill.

Wednesday, April 29th - Walking is one of the easiest and mosteffective forms of exercise, but it can be hard to find time to enjoyit. That's why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is inviting you towalk at your lunch during the 9th annual National Walk@Lunch Dayon Wednesday, April 29th. For more information, contact HeidiRamey by phone at (205)220-6881 or email at hramey@bcbsal.org.

Friday, May 8th - This is the deadline to register for a specialpre-school program for Sylacauga four-year-olds, with an emphasison providing all children with “school readiness” experiences thatmeet their individual needs. Interested parents should complete thepreschool application and submit it by May 8, 2015, to any schoollocation, including the central office. Contact Jennifer Rosato formore information and/or application at (256) 249-7012. You mayalso click here for the link to the application: http://ow.ly/LhKmo

Monday, May 11th- The Central Alabama Writers Guild Al-liance (CAWGA) meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Comer Museum. Forthose that write, or are interested in writing, wether it be novels(fiction/nonfiction), poetry, short stories, etc., or even as a sup-porter of authors and literature, you are urged to think about join-ing. It promises be an interesting and informative meeting. Thoseinterested and/or considering joining are welcomed to come andsit in - speak up with your comments, ask questions, or just sit andlisten! In the meantime, please visit and "Like" the CAWGA Face-book page at: http://ow.ly/H2Pfq

Wednesday, May 13th - A Dutch-Treat lunch meeting of the Sy-lacauga Chamber of Commerce’s “Sylacauga Business Associates”will be held at 12:00 noon at the Hickory Street Cafe. To make areservation of to get more information, contact Angelia Todd at 256-480-2131, or via e-mail at: angelia.todd@alcc.alabama.gov

***

Wha t’s up, Sy la ca ug a ­ ca lenda r o f c omm unit y eve nts

Got an item for our

Community Calendar

Or, maybe a news item

Contact us

via E­mail at:thelocalissue@hotmail.com

Benita Judah-Anderson - Sylacauga -Memorial servicesfor Benita Judah-Anderson, 60, will be Thursday, April 23,2015 at 2:00 pm at Radney-Smith Chapel with the Rev. FreddieEdwards officiating.

Mrs. Judah-Anderson died Saturday, April 18, 2015 at her resi-dence. Mrs. Judah-Anderson worked as a charge nurse for the ICUunit at Carraway Hospital for 13 years. She attended The SanctuaryChurch in Sylacauga. She was a loving wife, sister and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Edward N. Anderson, sister,Denise Horton her husband Archie of Sylacauga and Lifetimefriends, Scarlett Bradford Estes and husband Leon.

Visitation will be Thursday April 23, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. until2:00 p.m. at Radney Smith Funeral Home .

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALwill direct the services.

Mytris D. Henderson - Sylacauga - Funeral service for MyrtisDavenport Henderson, age 82, were 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015at Curtis and Son Funeral Home. The Rev. Wayne Burns officiated andburial followedin Evergreen Cemetery.

She passed away April 16, 2015 at Coosa Valley Medical Center.She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Jack Hendersonand grandson, Christian Henderson. Mrs. Henderson was a faithfuland dedicated member of Mignon Baptist Church. She is survivedby her sons, Greg Henderson and wife Donna of Alexander City andMark Henderson and wife Tonya of Sylacauga; brother, Jerry Dav-enport of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Taylor Henderson, Will Hen-derson, Catie-Beth Henderson.

Visitation was Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers were the deacons ofMignon Baptist Church.

Condolences may be offered online at www.curtisandsonfh.comCurtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel directed the services.

Richie Lynn Ellison - Sylacauga - Richie Lynn Ellison, bornSept. 19, 1952, met his maker on April 16, 2015. His life was markedby his love of family, Auburn University, and teaching.

His educational career began at his cherished high school, B.B.Comer Memorial school. His undergraduate college education wascompleted at Auburn University where he graduated with a Bachelorof Science in Education. He further cultivated his education at Jack-sonville State University where he completed his Master of Sciencein Education.

His working life began during his college education, where he pur-

sued military service to our country. He enlisted in the United StatesNavy and served on battleships and in Puerto Rico. Richie was aproud veteran and a true patriot. After completing his education, hisprofessional career largely involved his appointment as a Biology andPhysical Science teacher for 20 years at Benjamin Russell high Schoolin Alexander City, Alabama. During his teaching tenure, he was ac-tively involved in coaching multiple sports teams. He also led a num-ber of Science Olympiad teams to competitions as well.

Richie was actively involved in a number of social organizations.As a long-time member of Coosa Valley Country Club, Richie wasavid golfer. He was the winner of a parent/child golf tournamentwith his son Steven and also had a prized hole-in-one. He volun-teered at the Sylacauga Boys Club, and was a strong supporter of itsmission. He also was a strong supporter of the Sylacauga LittleLeague where he served as an umpire. Lastly, Richie was no strangerto saying, “War Engle!”, and he was a proud life member of theAuburn Alumni Association.

Richie was preceded in death by the mother of his children CindyJones Ellison and his father Jimmy A. Ellison. Richie has numeroussurviving family members that will miss him dearly. His sons, Dr.Jim P. Ellison, M.D. and Steven L. Ellison; his sister Gayle EllisonJones; brother Gray Ellison; mother Rodie G. Ellison; and grandsonBeau Mack Ellison.

Funeral arrangements have been made with Radney-Smith Fu-neral Home of Sylacauga. Viewing was held on Saturday, April 18,2015 from 6: 00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service was at 2:00 p.m onSunday, April 19, 2015 with graveside service immediately follow-ing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be madein Richie’s memory to the Auburn University Foundation (AttentionGift Processing) 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849

Kenneth "Mack" McGrady - Sylacauga - Funeral services forKenneth (Mack) McGrady, 48, were Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00p.m. at Curtis and Son North Chapel with the Rev. Billy Paul Williamsofficiating. Burial followed in Fatyetteville Methodist Cemetery.

Mr. McGrady passed away April 15, 2015 at Coosa ValleyMedical Center. He was preceded in death by his brother, John R.McGrady; grandparents, Russ and Kathleen Edmondson, John Mc-Grady and Virginia Varner; mother-in-law, Billie Jean Callahan.He is survived by his wife, Susan McGrady of Sylacauga; son,Nathan McGrady of Sylacauga; parents, Billy and Peggy McGradyof Fayetteville; sister, Deborah McGrady Jacobs (Scott) of Au-gusta, GA; niece, Mary Elizabeth Baker.

Visitation was Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at

Curtis and Son North Chapel. Pallbearers were Chuck Carter,Derek Franklin, Jay Embry, Kelly McNeill, Byron Giddens, BenHead, Mike Cason and Matt Dodgen. Honorary pallbearers wereChad Smith, Steve Hay, Joey Hay, Bobby Wright, Robert Hall-mark, Wes Laughridge, Scott Sasser and Steve Clark. In lieu offlowes donations can be made to Nathan McGrady College Fundat Coosa Pines Credit Union.

Online condolences at www.curtisandsonfh.com Curtis andSon Funeral Home North Chapel directed the services.

Margaret Isbell Heath - Sylacauga - Funeral services for Mar-garet Isbell Heath, 70, will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm atRadney-Smith Chapel with Rev. Donald Grice officiating. Burialwill be in Evergreen Cemetery in Sylacauga, AL .

Mrs. Heath died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her residence. Shewas preceded in death by her husband, Waymon Heath, father, CarlIsbell, mother, Nora Isbell, sister-in-law, Helen Bradshaw Creel,brothers, Bennie Isbell, Leonard Isbell and Herbert Isbell. Mrs.Heath was a loving mother and grandmother and was known toeveryone as Nanny. She loved to shop and play Bingo.

She is survived by her son, Carl, wife Debbie Heath of Sylacauga,daughter, Ramona, husband Mike VanElzen, brother, O'Neal Isbell,ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation was Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.at Radney-Smith Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Derek Mc-Donald, Justin Wilkerson, Beau Usrey, Anthony Williams, JasonGriffith and Terry Sargent.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALwill direct the services.

Michael Glenn Meherg - Sylacauga - Funeral services forMichael Glenn Meherg, age 47, were 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17at Curtis and Son North Chapel. The Rev. Harold Meherg officiated,and burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery. He passed away April15, 2015 in Sylacauga.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son. He lovedhunting and fishing and had lots of friends and family. He was amember of the Local Boilermakers Union Hall 108. He was precededin death by his father, Billy Wayne Meherg. He is survived by hiswife, Janiet Meherg; son, DJ Culberson; daughter, DevinWilliamson; step-daughter, Kandi Channell; mother, CarolynMeherg; brother, Donnie Meherg; 6 grandchildren.

Visitation was Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel. Pallbearers were

family and friends. Condolences may be offered online at www.curtisandsonfh.com

Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel directed.Robert Dennis Pearce - Sylacauga - Funeral services for

Robert Dennis Pearce, 76, were Monday, April 13, 2015 at 11:00a.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel with Rev. Ronnie Snyder officiat-ing. Burial followed in Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home andGardens in Birmingham, AL.

Mr. Pearce died Friday, April 10, 2015 at his residence. Hewas preceded in death by his step-daughters, Robin Howell andTeresa Hunter Roberson. Mr. Pearce was a radio announcer for15 years in Knoxville, TN and Georgia. He was a member ofNew Day Ministries in Childersburg, AL.

He is survived by wife, Betty Pearce, son, Gregory ScottPearce of Merrit Island, FL, daughter, Tammy Suzzett Gould ofBirmingham, AL, sister, Janice Sickles of Dallas TX, step-son,Robert Duane Newsome of Fayetteville, AL, two grandchildren,six step-grandchildren, fifteen step-great grandchildren and onestep great great grandchild and his beloved pet "Dixie".

Visitation was Sunday April 12, 2015 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.Contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society or AmericanHeart Association. Pallbearers were Robert Lyner Jr., Montique Crowe,Steve Wideman, Neal Collins, Jeffrey Hamilton and Chris McGhee.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family atwww.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, ALdirected the services.

***