Be Wary of Scam Posts
Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of scam posts in local sale groups asking people to flood their newsfeeds for sharing about their missing animal, loved one or house for rent or sale. Please be wary of any of these posts and do your research before sharing it. One good way of telling if it’s a legit post or not, just to check and see if they’ve turned off the comments for that post originally.
It’s a good sign that if they have turned off the comments, it is not a legit post and more than likely a scam of some kind. below are some examples of recent posts that we’re discussing. If there is a legit post for an amber alert or silver alert you should definitely check it out on the local law-enforcement websites. ALEA has a website for these kinds of posts if they are legit.
Link to ALEA Amber Alerts https://app.alea.gov/community/wfSearch.aspx?Type=5&Status=5
Link to ALEA Silver Alerts https://app.alea.gov/Community/wfSearch.aspx?Type=30&Status=5
Don’t fall victim to one of these scams!!
GRAMMY@-WINNING AMERICAN IDOL TAYOR HICKS TO PERFORM AT THE PASTIME THEATRE
American Idol Taylor Hicks will be performing a Rod Stewart tribute along with select originals at Winfield’s Pastime Theatre on Saturday, August 27th, at 7:00 p.m. This will be the last concert of the 2022 season at The Pastime.
Winning “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning for Taylor Hicks. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, a historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers. Hicks immediately followed his Idol victory with a No. 1 Billboard single and an RIAA®-certified Platinum debut, and soon went on to make history as both the first male Idol champion featured on a GRAMMY®-winning record (Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off), and the first to land a prestigious Las Vegas residency. A versatile artist, actor and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theater and television, touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate,” which won the CynopsisTV Award for Best Reality Series (Travel). After a lengthy hiatus from recording, Hicks returned in 2017 with “Six Strings and Diamond Rings,” the first single since his beloved 2009 sophomore album, The Distance. The stirring, stripped-down track offers up a tantalizing preview of Hicks’ highly anticipated third album, a deeply personal, roots-inspired collection recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from four-time GRAMMY®-winning musician Keb’ Mo’ and more. Produced by Hicks along with GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Bryan Sutton (Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley), the album is slated for release in 2022 and will bring Hicks back on the road for extensive touring. He recently performed at the closing ceremony of the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
“Taylor Hicks is one of The Pastime Theatre’s most asked for repeat performers, said Mary Hyche, theatre chairman. His first appearance on our stage was to a sold-out crowd in 2016 and then again last December as he performed Bob Seger’s hits and Christmas classics. We expect this to be another great show.” Tickets are $35 and may be purchased (cash or check) in person at the theatre office, city hall, Gold Connection and The Kemp Foundation office in Winfield or by phone 205/487-3002. Online credit card purchases may be made at https://www.itickets.com/events/462269. For information , please call 205/487-3002.
BACKDRAFT at The Pastime Theatre
It’s HOT in Winfield and The Pastime Theatre is bringing even more heat on July 23rd when BACKDRAFT takes the stage!
July 23rd at 7pm, the Pastime Theatre welcomes back the most asked for local band, Backdraft with special guest JJ Hadder. “For the past few years, we have showcased local talent during the summer months and for the third year in a row, the most asked for band has been Backdraft, so we are thrilled to give the public what they want”, stated Mary Hyche Pastime Theatre chairman.
Backdraft got its name because original band members were all firemen or the wife of a fireman. The Walker County-based country rock band has been performing now for over 2 decades. According to lead singer, Vickie Cosby, Backdraft offers a variety of music styles from Oldies to Country to Rock & Pop. Since its formation, Backdraft has performed all over Alabama and neighboring states, increasing their popularity. They have gained such a following and notoriety, two of Backdraft’s members, Vickie Cosby and Jeff Parnell, were even featured in 78 Magazine. Backdraft has received rave reviews at every venue they have played. Add in the Pastime Theatre’s state of the art sound and lights and you get a full concert experience like bigger venues, just more affordable and in a safer environment.
Backdraft is composed of Vickie Cosby, Terry Merchant, Tony Long, Jeff Parnell, Randy Mott and Ricky Naramore. For the July 23rd show, Backdraft will be joined by special guest, JJ Hadder.
“We anticipate this being a sold out show, so get your tickets in advance”, stated Tammy Brashier, Pastime Theatre office manager. Tickets for this performance are $15.Tickets are available , cash or check only, at the Pastime Theatre office, Winfield City Hall, Gold Connection and The Kemp Foundation. Online ticket sales available at itickets.com. For more information call 205-487-3002
Black Jacket Symphony at Pastime Theatre on August 7th!
Our concert Saturday night, August 7, at The Pastime Theatre is a major production!
Black Jacket Symphony at 7:00 pm. There are 12 musicians- vocals, guitars, keyboard, drums, cello, trumpet, saxophone, bass and violin! They are bringing their own sound and lighting engineers.
Please tell all your friends and family and share on social media
They will do “Abbey Road” in its entirety, have intermission, then do a set of Greatest Hits of The Beatles.
Tickets $35. Hope you can come!
Tickets (cash or check) Theatre/Main Street office Gold Connection Winfield City Hall Kemp Foundation
Live music returns to The Pastime Theatre in July!
July 31st at 7pm, the Pastime Theatre will begin its come back with local talent favorites and Walker County-based country rock band Backdraft. Original band members were all firemen or the wife of a fireman, hence the name Backdraft. Backdraft has now spanned over 2 decades and continues to offer a variety of music styles from Oldies to Country to Rock & Pop. Backdraft has performed all over Alabama and neighboring states. Recently two of Backdraft’s members, Vickie Cosby and Jeff Parnell, were featured in 78 Magazine. Now let’s meet the band….
Vickie Cosby, the lead singer for Backdraft, grew up with a love for music and singing in church. Singing has always been a passion for her and she was instrumental in forming the band Backdraft.
Tony Long is one of the original members of Backdraft. Tony played a short while in the 80’s with the group Shenandoah.
Terry Merchant, also a longtime member of Backdraft, is the drummer and band manager and has had a long career in entertainment. He also plays drums for his gospel group.
Jeff Parnell has entertained audiences all over the southeast. Now a member of Backdraft, he plays both bass and acoustic guitar and also adds his vocal talent.
Unfortunately, band member Barry Key will be unable to perform due to illness, but the following friends of Backdraft will be performing:
Danny Long, an amazing bass guitarist, started playing as a teenager and has played in many bands throughout his musical career.
J J Hadder is an awesome vocalist that grew up with a love for music and has been entertaining all his life. He sang with the well-known gospel group Gold City and today continues to entertain crowds with his heartfelt harmony and vocals.
Wayne Walker is a well-known keyboard talent and soulful harmony singer. He has played music all over the southeast with various bands. Backdraft welcomes his unique style of music along with other friends of Backdraft to offer the audience a memorable night!
“The Pastime Theatre sends well wishes to Barry Key and appreciates the guest band members. We are looking forward to a great comeback after Covid show”, stated Pastime Theatre chairman Mary Hyche.
This concert is not part of the original concert series that now been rescheduled. Tickets for this performance are $10.Tickets are available , cash or check only, at the Pastime Theatre office, Winfield City Hall, Gold Connection and The Kemp Foundation. For more information call 205-487-3002
Renovation complete!!
Winfield Main Street Program purchased the dilapidated empty building located at 136 Bankhead Highway, across the street from City Hall in downtown Winfield in late 2019. The building had sat vacant for over twenty years. According to local historian Yank Burgess, the property was at one time the location of a furniture store and shoe repair shop owned by Claude Young and John Sullivan, the post office was there for a time, and later was home to Western Auto (Albert Holt and John Berry). Mrs. Edril Hubbert McCaleb owned the property for many years. Main Street Program purchased this property from the family of William Vaughn McCaleb, Jr. Main Street renovated the area and donated the property to the City of Winfield. It has now become The Patio which is an open-air area with various colorful business facades including a restaurant (Café 136), Hometown Bakery, a Barber Shop, Friends Coffee – N – Books, Happiness Unlimited Pets, a theater,and a Chinese Restaurant, Chef Foo Linn Yoo. “Ideally, we wish these were actual, thriving businesses, but if that were not possible, our goal was to make this an attractive, useful addition to our downtown,” said Don Studdard, president of Main Street.
The Patio has a gazebo, tables, chairs and benches, and offers free Wi-Fi and covered plugs for charging electronics. It is a very safe, inviting atmosphere with decorative lighting, beautiful flowers, herbs, and various plants. There are two photo op areas which feature a butterfly and a balloon bouquet.
Contractor for the renovation was J & M Construction. “Mike Pridmore was wonderful to work with. He was meticulous with the little details and provided many useful ideas and suggestions,” said Studdard.
Main Street would like to thank RC&D who provided a grant in the amount of $4,000.00 to be used in this project. The grant was used to purchase tables and chairs.
“We do appreciate all those who stepped up and helped us with this project. Special thanks to Casey Coats, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Turkey Creek Sand and Gravel, Derek Green of Green’s Mills, Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson, Rob Bolton and Winfield Street Department, Melissa Pate, Main Street director Tammy Brashier and Main Street secretary Jeana Estes,” added Mary Hyche, treasurer of Main Street. “Of course, I’m not sure we could have ever completed this project without Don Studdard. As he has been for so many projects over theyears, he was there from the planning stages to completion making sure everything was done to perfection.”
Main Street had wanted to do this project since being organized in 1996. Hyche and Studdard agreed this has been an incredibly special, fun project and are overjoyed to see it completed. “We love seeing people gathering outside, bringing lunch to The Patio, taking pictures or using the internet there. We hope our citizens will enjoy The Patio,” said Studdard.
Pastime Theatre Concert Series Starts Up Again – July 31st!!
The Pastime Theatre is welcoming the month of July with its first concert since the pandemic.
Like many other venues, The Pastime Theatre has been at a standstill since the Coronavirus Pandemic hit in spring of 2020. The last concert held was March of 2020 featuring Jazz legend, Eric Essix. Although the theatre office remained open during the mandatoryshutdown, the music was silenced. But after 16 months that changes this month!
July 31st at 7pm, the Pastime Theatre will begin its comeback with local talent favorites and Walker County-based country rock band Backdraft. Original band members were all firemen or the wife of a fireman, hence the name Backdraft. Backdraft has now spanned over 2 decades and continues to offer a variety of music styles from Oldies to Country to Rock & Pop. Backdraft has performed all over Alabama and neighboring states. Recently two of Backdraft’s members, Vickie Cosby and Jeff Parnell, were featured in 78 Magazine.
This concert is not part of the original concert series that had been postponed. Tickets for this performance will be $10 per person. Tickets are available at the Pastime Theatre office, Gold Connection, City Hall andThe Nelson and Charlene Kemp Foundation. Ticketsare also available via postal service. No credit card purchases for this performance. For more information contact 205-487-3002
Pastime Theatre proudly announces…..We’re Back!!!
The Pastime Theatre in Winfield is excited to announce that performances will be returning to The Pastime Theatre stage this July!
July 31st at 7pm, the Pastime Theatre will begin its comeback with local talent favorites and Walker County based country rock band BACKDRAFT. BACKDRAFT has performed all over Alabama and neighboring states. This concert is not part of the original concert series that had been postponed. Tickets for this performance will be $10.
As part of the original 2020 concert series, The Band Steele has been rescheduled for August 21 at 7pm. Tickets to The Band Steele are $25. The Band Steele is the singer/songwriter duo of Bo Steele and Ben Rubino. Both are Alabama natives from Double Springs. Their original track “Good Times” is featured in the John Travolta/Sharon Stone film “Life on the Line”. In addition to performing nationally, the Band Steele enjoys performing at our military bases and their latest single “Sit Awhile” is a tribute to the men and women that serve. The Band Steele celebrated its first Top 30 at Country Radio with “Waitin’ On Sunshine” (MusicRow Country Breakout Chart) in March 2020, and its second close behind with “You’re Gonna Have to Miss Me” in October 2020.
Finishing out the 2020 concert series that had been postponed due to the pandemic will be the 7 Bridges Band on September 11 at 7pm. Tickets are $35 each. Dinner will be offered prior to this show at an additional $20 per person. This band is a stunningly accurate tribute to the music of The Eagles. They faithfully recreate the experience of an Eagles concert from their most prolific period. The Eagles are arguably one of America’s most famous bands with their music spanning over five decades. 7 Bridges is recognized as the “Ultimate Eagles Experience”. Rolling Stone Magazine has called them “the greatest Eagles tribute band on earth”. Mary Hyche, Pastime Theatre Chairman says, “The 7 Bridges Band is our most requested repeat performers.”
We’ve missed you and can’t wait to see you at The Pastime. Call 205-487-3002 for tickets and info. Previously purchased tickets are still good
Northwest Alabama Cinderella Pageant
May 1, 2021 – Registration begins at 10 AM Hamilton Middle School Gym 400 Military Street South Hamilton, Alabama
Northwest Alabama Cinderella Scholarship Pageant is a natural pageant preliminary for the Alabama State Cinderella Scholarship Pageant and International Cinderella Scholarship Pageant.
Girls ages 0-29 living in Marion County, surrounding counties, and counties to the north qualify to participate.
The Cinderella system was created in 1976 and is one of the most prestigious pageants of its kind.
Age groups include:
Cinderella Infant-0-11 months
Cinderella Baby-12-23 months
Cinderella Tiny Tot-24-35 months
Cinderella Tot-3-6 years
Cinderella Miniature Miss-7-9 years
Cinderella Miss-10-12 years
Cinderella Teen 13-17 years
Cinderella Woman 18-29 years Woman contestants may be married.
West Alabama Cinderella’s prelim will be held in the spring of each year. Participants chosen as winners will proceed to the Alabama State Scholarship Pageant held in June in Tuscaloosa. Winners at the State level proceed to the International Cinderella Scholarship Pageant in Dallas, TX in July.
Participants (ages 3-6) compete in the categories of Beauty, Casual Wear, Interview, and Tot Personality (on-stage interview).
Participants (ages 7-29) compete in the categories of Beauty, Casual Wear, Interview, and Talent.
Alabama
Director-Mary Beth Hall
Contact Mary Beth Hall at mbpugh8@gmail.com for more information.
For an online entry form Click Here
One Day Event for the 2021 Festival of the Cranes
Decatur, Ala. (December 14, 2020) – Over 14,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. In celebration of the winter migration of these long-legged and long-necked birds, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association hosts an event offering a variety of activities for experienced birders and anyone who would like to learn more about birding and other wildlife that call the Refuge home.
Some modifications to the annual event have been implemented as additional safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Festival of the Cranes is set for January 9 with presentations held at the Princess Theatre located at 112 2nd Avenue in downtown Decatur.
The Princess Theatre will host five events and admission to each is free. Seating is limited (due to social distancing guidelines) with first come, first served admission.
Saturday, Jan. 9 activities at the Princess Theatre
9:00 a.m. – Video presentation by Master Falconer Lauren McGough
McGough has been a licensed and practicing falconer since age 14 and has been particularly enamored with gold eagles as hunting partners, a unique branch of falconry that has only a handful of practitioners in the United States. She learned to hunt with eagles through years of living with the nomadic people of Mongolia, as featured in a 2018 segment of 60 Minutes.
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center live performance
The Southeastern Raptor Center presents their educational program to teach about birds of prey. Attendees can see hawks, eagles, falcons and owls up close while learning about habitats, conservation and ecology.
2:30 p.m. – Snowy Owl: A Visual Natural History video presentation by Paul Bannick
The video presentation provides rare intimate looks into the life history of one of the world’s most charismatic birds. In the presentation, the physical features, preferred habitats, breeding cycle, hunting strategies, as well as prey and conservation issues are explored through several dozen never-before published images.
4 p.m. – Gareth Laffely live performance
Laffely is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and producer from Gallatin, Tenn., whose music has been licensed by the Discovery Channel, NASCAR and Public Television. An award winning Native American flute player and composer, Laffely is of Mi’kmaq/Cree descent.
5:30 p.m. – Ben Raines Saving America’s Amazon: The Threat to Our Nation’s Most Biodiverse River System live presentation
Raines has won more than two dozen awards for his coverage of environmental issues and natural wonders in Alabama and on the Gulf Coast and coauthored several peer reviewed papers published in scientific journals. He wrote and produced the documentary America’s Amazon, which has aired on PBS stations around the country.
In addition to the presentations at the Princess Theatre, a variety of activities are planned in the community in conjunction with Festival of the Cranes before, during and after the event.
- From Jan. 8 to Feb. 19, 2021, the Alabama Center for the Arts will host the Festival of the Cranes Art Exhibition. The juried show features art inspired by nature, cranes and other wildlife by students, alumni artists, faculty and staff from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. Admission is free.
- The Carnegie Visual Arts Center will host a bird and nature art journaling workshop led by artist Timothy Joe on Jan. 9, 2021. Two sessions are available to choose from. Session 1 is 9:30-11:30 a.m. and session 2 follows 1-3 p.m. Learn how to sharpen observation skills and use art to document what is seen in the outdoors. Registration fee is $5. For more information, visit https://www.carnegiearts.org/event/bird-nature-art-journaling-workshop/,
- The Cook Museum of Natural Science will host festival-related events Jan. 7 through Jan. 9. In addition, the public is invited to see and learn about the newest addition to the wetland diorama in the Rivers and Streams Exhibit, a taxidermy juvenile whooping crane donated by the international Crane Foundation. Learn cool facts about different species that make their home in a wetland biome with the collectable card set. Find out why whooping cranes are so amazing in the Lunch and Learn presentation on Thursday and in the Science on the Spot presentations on Friday. On Friday and Saturday, watch a movie highlighting the conservation efforts made to save the whooping crane while trying your hand at origami cranes. The Lunch and Learn presentation is $5 for non-members. All other activities are included with the purchase of a general admission ticket. For more information, visit https://www.cookmuseum.org/calendar/wild-about-whoopers-2/?occurrence=2021-01-07. Thursday, January 7: o Wetlands Collectable Cards – All day in the exhibits o Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Whooping Cranes from 12 – 1 pm Friday, January 8:
o Crane Craft Corner from 10 am – 3 pm
o Movie: Journey of the Whooping Crane at 10 am, 11 am, Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm
o Whooping Crane Science on the Spot at 11 am, Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm
Saturday, January 9:
o Wetlands Collectable Cards – All day in the exhibits
o Crane Craft Corner from 10 am – 3 pm
o Movie: Journey of the Whooping Crane at 10 am, 11 am, Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm
The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 3121 Visitor Center Road in Decatur. The observation building at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is currently closed. Two outdoor photo blinds near the visitor center parking lot and the backyard area behind the visitor center are available for viewing.
For more information on the Festival of the Cranes, visit https://www.friendsofwheelerrefuge.com/festival-of-the-cranes-2021 or follow www.facebook.com/FOCatWheeler for the latest updates.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was established on July 7, 1938 by Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first National Wildlife Refuge placed on a multi-purpose reservoir to provide habitat for wintering and migrating birds. Covering 35,000 acres, it attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year and is home to Alabama’s largest wintering duck population. The Refuge also supports the state’s largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes and the endangered Whooping Crane. For more information on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, visit http://www.fws.gov/wheeler.
THE UNITED WAY AND THE US MARINES ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE – HAMILTON CITY HALL
HAMILTON CITY HALL WILL BE PARTICIPATING WITH THE UNITED WAY AND THE US MARINES IN THEIR ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE. PLEASE BRING A NEW, UNOPENED TOY TO THE CITY HALL, WHERE A COLLECTION BOX IS LOCATED. THE DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IS DECEMBER 8.
New Hamilton Garbage Route Map
YELLOW SECTION (Southside of Hwy 278 East to US Hwy 43 South) – Monday
ORANGE SECTION (Northside of Hwy 278 to County Hwy 1) – Tuesday
BLUE SECTION (From Marion County Courthouse up North on Military Trail to Northside of Bexar Ave West) – Wednesday
GREEN SECTION (From Courthouse West to Sentry Road to County Hwy 81 through Oak Hill Subdivision to Northside of State Hwy 17 back to intersection at the Middle School) – Thursday
2nd ORANGE SECTION (From intersection of Sentry Road West and South of Bexar Ave West to City Limits South of I22 on State Hwy 17 to Fulton Bridge community back to US Hwy 43 South) – Friday
Hamilton Municipal Runoff Election Results – Unofficial
PLACE # 1: Wesley Steele – 539 ; Scott Tyra – 714
PLACE # 3: Neil Sellman – 571 ; Matt Sims – 668
PLACE # 5: Sherry Pickard Armstrong – 606 ; Scott Robertson – 641
Guin Municipal Runoff Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR: Max Maddox – 284 ; Phil Segraves – 364
Bear Creek Municipal Runoff Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR: Tammy Rowe Batchelor – 139 ; Robert Taylor – 161
PLACE # 1: Mark Cofield – 129 ; James T. Weeks – 166
Bear Creek Municipal Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR : Tammy Rowe Batchelor (I) – 81 ; Ronnie Freeman – 78 ; Robert Taylor – 135
PLACE # 1 : Mark Cofield – 100 ; Jesse Gilbert – 55 ; James T. Weeks – 135
PLACE # 2 – Lamar Dickerson – 93 ; Eric Loden – 175 ; Mark Townsend – 20
PLACE # 3 : Lisa Jordan – 105 ; Alex Price – 178
PLACE # 4 : Chris Hyde – 209 ; Brian Talley – 80
PLACE # 5 : Ricky Hines – 126 ; Eric Mills – 158
Brilliant Municipal Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR : Perry Franks
PLACE # 1 : Kevin Farley
PLACE # 2 : Lori Colley
PLACE # 3 : Heath Sanderson
PLACE # 4 : Mary Ann Hardin – 66 ; Danny Berryhill – 36
PLACE # 5 : Ricky Pollard
Hackleburg Municipal Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR : Darryl Colburn (I) – 288 ; Tim Howard – 41 ; Eugene Marbutt – 52
PLACE # 1 : Pam Pickens – 213 ; Clint Carter – 156
PLACE # 2 : Kenny Hallmark
PLACE # 3 : Don Barnwell (I) – 291 ; Barry McCarley – 89
PLACE # 4 : Jerry Williams
PLACE # 5 : Darrin Wiginton (I) – 275 ; Rodney McCarley – 98
Guin Municipal Election Results – Unofficial
MAYOR : Max Maddox (I) – 230 ; Willie Joe Hollis – 62 ; Phil Segraves – 290
PLACE # 1 : Bobby Bellew
PLACE # 2 : Mineo Lindsey
PLACE # 3 : Regina Salter – 290 ; Jimmie Casey – 286
PLACE # 4 : Kelee Baker Williams – 418 ; Curt M. Hubbert – 157
PLACE # 5 : Dr. Gary Randolph – 213 ; Joseph Benton – 369
49 County News.Net 