I remember the small boy that ran around the courtyard of Town and Country Apartments; he was a part of a gaggle of small children that played there in the afternoons. Perhaps it was that impish grin, or his zest for game of baseball, or just the sheer joy of the outdoors, but there was something special about Paul Boyd that you noticed from the moment you met him. We drifted in and out of each other’s lives over the years reconnecting at various times as our paths crossed. It wasn’t until after his injury that I got to truly know Paul. He lived down the street. I would see him pass, with his service dog Bear, rolling along to campus or town, sometimes stopping for a moment to chat. Paul never met a stranger. He was quick to speak up in social settings and almost always had a story or quick joke to share. I thought about those things as I sat at his memorial service. I thought about those with disabilities, injuries, and afflictions, and their struggles with everyday life. Paul was a champion for others and their challenges. He brought awareness to this community, and the countless people he encountered, of the hurdles we all face. A person’s physical challenges are just a small part of the individual; Paul used his challenges to reach out to others and give them hope; a hope that what you face in life is merely a hurdle in your path, one you must take in stride. The following is a verse from Paul. “Life is not easy. Every person on earth is faced with hurdles they must overcome. Some of our hurdles are unfairly higher than those others face. But that is what makes the true measure of the person – not the size or quality of hurdles but having the intangible fortitude to overtake each hurdle in stride.” I am going to keep that in my desk for the next time I am facing a hurdle in my path and as a reminder of my friend. Let us all work together to help eliminate the hurdles in the path of others. A kind word, or a smile, a positive attitude, or outstretched hands are little gestures that build bridges and eliminate barriers. Those little things will make this a better community and champion those like Paul who face hurdles unfairly higher than most. Our community lost a champion; a champion of life’s challenges and of the hope for a better life. That I will always remember.

FEBRUARY 2017 | Vol. 15, No. 2

CHAMBER CHATTER

845 Valley Street • Montevallo, Alabama 35115 • montevallochamber@gmail.com • www.montevallocc.com • 205-665-1519

CHAMBER COMMENT

PLATINUM LEVELMONTEVALLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD

CITY OF MONTEVALLO

GOLD LEVELUNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO

SILVER LEVELMONTEVALLO FAMILY DENTISTRYBOB BUTTERWORTH STATE FARM

ARGOS CEMENT, LLCMONTEVALLO DRUGTRUSTMARK BANKABSOLUTE VAPEREGIONS BANK

For additional information about how to become a Chamber Business Partner, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Business Partner, contact Chamber Director Steve Gilbert (205) 665-1519

Chamber News

ESTABLISHED 1949

WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS Hair Station Styling Salon, Owner Mary Frazier Dodd located at her NEW location - 603 Main Street (next to State Farm - Bob Butterworth Insurance office). Doodles Book Store, Owner Jillian Massie Scheinert, located at 935 Main Street.

CHAMBER LUNCHEONS Held monthly at Parnell Library, Business Networking 11:30am, followed by Lunch at Noon- $12.00 ea. • Wed., Feb 15th: “On the Job Training Opportunities for Businesses”, Guest Speaker - Ricky Littleton, Business Services Rep/Dept of Labor-AL Career Center System/Job Link AL. • Wed., Mar 15th: “More Than a Book: A Library for Montevallo’s New Century”, Guest Speaker - Gregory L. Reece, Ph.D, President of the Parnell Memorial Library Foundation.

RENEW YOURCHAMBER

MEMBERSHIPTHIS MONTH!

665-1519www.montevallochamber.com

February Calendar of EVENTS

25 ARBOR DAYOrr Park Recreation Building, 9 am-noon

Middle School Honor Band ConcertPalmer Auditoirum, 5 p.m.Featuring students from all across state of Alabama.

ELFI WINTER SESSION10 am-12:30 pm, Calera Library Meeting Room

LADIES LUNCHEON“Bouquet of Blessings” at Montevallo First Baptist Church11 a.m.-1 p.m., Call 665-2566 for tickets

SATURDAY

COMMUNITY MEETING CALENDAREVERY 1ST TUESDAYHistorical Commission, 6:30 p.m., City Hall

EVERY 2ND & 4TH MONDAYCity Council Meeting6:00 p.m., City Hall, 5:30 p.m. Work Session

EVERY 1ST & 3RD MONDAYMontevallo Civitan Club, 5:30 p.m., UBC

EVERY 4TH MONDAYMontevallo Cooperative Development District (MCDD)4 p.m., Meets at Parnell Library

EVERY TUESDAYBoy Scout Troop 525, 6:30 p.m., Scout Lodge

EVERY TUESDAYMontevallo Community Chorale, 7 pm, Meets in the Choir Room of Davis Hall.

EVERY THURSDAYCub Scout Pack 525, 6:30 p.m., Scout Lodge

EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAYMontevallo Water & Sewer Board Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

EVERY 3RD SATURDAY MORNINGSt. Andrews Episcopal parish hall 925 Plowman Street, Montevallo

16 VEILED - Aaron Benson, UNACeramic and mixed media sculptureOpening Reception, 4:30 - 6:30 pm, Bloch Hall GalleryRuns through March 9THURSDAY

11 College NightUniversity of Montevallo, Palmer Auditorium, 7 pm

SATURDAY

27 Alabama Trombone ProjectLeBaron Recial Hall, 7:30 pmMembers of trombone quartet perform.

MONDAY

14 Sparkling Wine TastingEclipse Coffee & Books

TUESDAY

17 Poetry SlamEclipse Coffee & Books

FRIDAY

20 Celebrate Washington’s BirthdayAmerican Village 10am to 4pm Birthday Cake with George Washington at noon

MONDAY

10 Annual Alumni Art AuctionPreview and Early Bidding, 10 a.m.-4 p..m.Bloch Party / Reception, Feb. 11th 4-5:30 pm, Bloch HallArt Gallery

College NightUniversity of Montevallo, Palmer Auditorium, 7 pm

FRIDAY

15 CHAMBER MONTHLY MEETINGParnell Library, Business Networking 11:30 am, followed by Lunch at Noon- $12.00 ea.Guest Speaker - Ricky Littleton, Business Services Rep/Dept of Labor-AL Career Center System/Job Link AL.Topic: “On the Job Training Opportunities for Businesses”,

WEDNESDAY

23 Open MicEclipse Coffee & Books

FRIDAY

Montevallo 1817 - 2017 Bicentennial

Montevallo History Notes... FEBRUARY January 1st, 1942 – Alabama Power Company announces that due to war time rationing, orders placed for aluminum have been canceled, copper is extremely difficult to get. They do not knowhow service will be affected. National Defense orders come first.

February 13th, 1942 – Farmers Swap Day Sale on Saturday Feb. 21st. What have you got that you don’t need? Bring it to Town. Your neighbor may need it. Swap with him or make a sale. Gather up your scrap metal about your place and bring it; there will be someone here to pay cash for it.

February 14th, 1946 – Mayor Sharp reports progress this week in the development of plans for the public meeting of Montevallo citizens Sunday afternoon Feb. 24th in honor of our returned war veterans. The meeting will be at Palmer Hall. Music will be provided by the Montevallo High School Band. The address will be delivered by the honorable Handy Ellis, Lt. Governor of Alabama.

February 28th, 1946 – Miss Francis Hybeck (Mrs. Hal Anthony Smitherman) and Miss Iris Kirkpatrick lead Purples to victory in the 28th College Night Show.Taken from the Montevallo Times Archives W.M. Mack Wyatt Collection

ST. ANDREW’S WARDROBE For the last many years, St. Andrew’s has been hosting a clothing ministry every third Saturday morning of the month out of the parish hall at 925 Plowman Street in Montevallo. The clothing closet is free and is open to anyone who needs clothing. The closet is staffed by St. Andrew’s Parishioners who set up the clothes and take down the clothes sacrificing their own time to help those who cannot do for themselves. This is just one of the many ways that St. Andrew’s seeks to serve the Montevallo community through selfless giving and working to improve the community that we all share.

Spring Beautification Awardsa On January 9, 2017, the Montevallo City Council passed a resolution designating April 2017 as “Montevallo Beautification Month”. The City Arbor/Beautification Board announces the schedule for the City’s 2017 Spring Beautification Awards. Nominating forms will be available from March 1st through April 6th at City Hall (and City of Montevallo web page), Parnell Memorial Library, Regions Bank, Trustmark National Bank and the Chamber of Commerce. The deadline for submitting nominations will be Thursday, April 6th, with judging taking place the following week. All completed forms should be turned in at city hall. Winners and runners-ups will be announced on April 15th. Awards will be granted in the following categories: Residential, Business, Schools/Civic Buildings, Churches and Mini-Farms. All properties will be judged on curb appeal, landscape appearance, plants, shrubs, trees, creative design, neatness and use of natural features such as existing stands of trees, rock outcrops, etc. All properties judged must be nominated and located within the Montevallo city limits and visible from a public road. For questions, please call John McKinnon at 665-1079 or Herschel Hale at 616-0671.

Deluxe Cleaners, operated by Clarence Chism, was located on Main Street near the city hall. The store operated a drop off and pick up service, sometimes using young men on bicycles. By the 1960s the cleaners stationed three Alabama College students as dormitory representatives who would pick up and deliver clothes.

typeshopinc@aol.com616 MAIN ST.

MONTEVALLO, AL 205-665-5818 • FAX 205-665-0411

ARBOR DAY PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY 25th The City of Montevallo has declared Saturday, February 25th as Montevallo’s 25th Annual Arbor Day from 9 a.m. until noon at the Orr Park Recreation Building. More than 1,200 trees and tree seedlings will be available for adoption by residents of Montevallo and surrounding towns and communities. Also, there will be drawings for large trees and planting supplies. The day’s activities include a panel of urban and community tree experts to answer your questions about trees. This year’s vendors include Green Valley Nursery, Cedar Creek Nursery, Montevallo Civitan Club Recycling Display, Tim Tingle and his wood carvings, Shelby County Master Gardeners, University of Montevallo Environmental Club & Ebenezer Swamp Committee, Aldrich Coal Mine Museum, Montevallo Community Garden, Living River Retreat, Alabama Wildlife Center, Alabama Forestry Commission, and Alabama Urban Forestry Association. More vendors are committing every day to participate. Again this year, we are fortunate to have Randy Glover from Centreville with his pictures of the Cahaba Lilies. Randy is an excellent source of information on the rare Cahaba Lilies. Members of the Montevallo Trail Committee will be present with pictures and maps of Montevallo’s Walking Trails and the new Shoal Park. The artist himself, Tim Tingle, will host a walking tour of the Tree Carvings in Orr Park plus there will be a guided tour of Ebenezer Swamp. Any questions about this year’s Arbor Day, please call City Hall at 665-2555 (extension 101) or the Arbor Day Chair, Herschel Hale, at 616-0671.

ELFI WINTER SESSION Happy New Year and thanks to each of you for your continued support of the Encouragement Learning Foundation, Inc. We have served as a non-profit learning foundation with the status of a 501(C)(3) for over fourteen years of outreach in the communities to Montevallo-Calera and the surrounding counties and states. In the past, we have partnered with other foundations, ministries, organizations, etc. for continued outreach to the communities. ELFI will present its WINTER MEETING SESSION at the Calera Library Meeting Room on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. located at 9700 Highway 25 in Calera, Alabama. This session will be in celebration of Black History Month with the theme of “A Meeting of the MINDS.” This informative meeting will include information regarding career opportunities, community involvement, educational resources, entrepreneurship, healthcare, leadership, management and others. A Special Tribute to Black History will be presented by Stop the Madness Ministry. Everyone is invited to come and partake of this free community meeting. For more information, please call 205-602-1029 or mail any correspondence to Post Office Box 660, Calera, AL 35040. Thanks for your presence and continued support!

TASTE OF ST. THOMAS IS MARCH 4th Your invited to the “Taste of St. Thomas” on Saturday, March 4th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Hwy 119 in Montevallo. This event will offer tastes of various international foods, rich in flavors from around the world. In addition, there will be items offered at our silent auction and, items for the kid in you, at our penny sale. Each taste of food is 50 cents. Call 665-5823 for more information.

S.E.A. MARDI GRAS BASH Shelby Emergency Assistance will host a Mardi Gras Bash on Friday, March 10 beginning at 6 pm at the American Village in Montevallo. Advanced tickets are $25. For more information call 205-665-1942.

BOUQUET OF BLESSINGS LUNCHEON Montevallo First Baptist Church will host the “Bouquet of Blessings” ladies luncheon on Saturday, February 25th from 11 a.m.-1 pm in the church fellowship hall. Guest speaker will be Kim Thweatt. Tickets are $12 (no refunds). Call Montevallo First Baptist Church for tickets at 665-2566.

NOTES FROM MES PTO Happy New Year from the MES PTO! Thank you to everyone who helped make PTO events and fundraisers successful in 2016! We are ready and excited about what is to come in 2017! We are still collecting Box Tops for Education for our Spring submission. For the Fall semester, we raised $1,130! Thank you for clipping those Box Tops! We are also still collecting Labels for Education found on Campbell’s soups. This program will be ending this summer so please send in any Labels for Education as you clip them. Mark your calendars! We are having Spirit Night at Main Street Tavern on February 7th. A portion of sales from 4:00 - 10:00 will return directly to MES to benefit our children and their school! PTO funds are used to support the many needs of MES not covered by general funds, such as: ● Secretary Salary $5000/ annually ● Play Day Inflatables, LEAD medals, MES “Angels,” Camp Cosby scholarships, maintenance supplies, workroom supplies, seasonal plantings, etc ● $1500 in Teacher purchase orders to buy additional classroom supplies ● $3500 directly back into the classrooms from Fall Festival Ticket Sales This year, we hope to fulfill teacher grant requests for needed items in our classrooms. Our goal is to be able to fund projects, within the classroom, for MES students and for the school as a whole, as needs arise. Thank you so much for all of your continued support of MES! It is a team effort from everyone to make PTO successful for all of our children and their school!

MONTEVALLO METHODIST PRESCHOOL Montevallo Methodist Preschool would like to take this opportunity to introduce the new Director of our Preschool program. Kristi Deerman, a former elementary school teacher and Child Development major, has accepted the position as Director. We want to extend our gratitude to Pamela Smith for the amazing job she has done leading this program for the last few years! We appreciate your love and dedication to the children and teachers at MMP. MMP has a few spots open in our 3 year old class! Our 3 year olds meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 until 12:00. If you would like to find out more, please contact us! We would love to talk to you about this class, our “wait” list or joining us next year! You can contact the Director at 665-1256 or mmpreschool@yahoo.com. We look forward to talking to you!

REUNIONS AND ALUMNI EVENTS Friday, February 10 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Preview and Early Bidding of Art Auction ............................................................. Bloch Art Gallery 6:00 p.m. *Class of 1967 Dinner .................................................................................... Reynolds Hall Lobby 6:00 p.m. UMNAA Distinguished Alumnus Dinner (by invitation) ................................ Anna Irvin Dining Hall 7:00 p.m. *College Night Productions ............................................................................... Palmer Auditorium Saturday, February 11 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Alumni Coffee & Registration ................................................................................... Reynolds Hall 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. UM Bookstore Open (25% discount for alumni on logo item) ....................................... Main Street 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. *Minority Alumni Brunch ............................................................... Stewart Student Retreat Center 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Music Department Reception ..................................................... Fraser Seminar Room, Davis Hall 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Behavioral and Social Sciences Reception ..................................................... Montevallo on Main 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Family and Consumer Sciences Coffee ........................................ Lois Ackerley Room, Bloch Hall 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Vintage Purples Alumni Brunch ........................................................................................ Wills 201 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Library Open House to view yearbooks and College Night material…………...Carmichael Library 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 21st Annual Alumni Art Exhibition, Silent Auction, Coffee Reception .................... Bloch Art Gallery 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Student Publications Alumni Reception ........................... Student Publications Office, Farmer Hall 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. *Homecoming Awards & Recognition Luncheon .......................................... Anna Irvin Dining Hall 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 1957 Class Reunion and Photo .......................................................................... Ramsay Hall 121 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 1967 Class Reunion and Photo ............................................................................. Main Hall Lobby 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Alabama College Society Meeting .................................................... Reynolds Hall Merrill Room 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. TRIO Programs Alumni Reception (UB, SSS, & McNair) .......................................... Sharp House 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Purple & Gold Basketball Game .......................................................................... Myrick Hall Gym 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. *2007 Class Reunion and Photo .......................................................................... Montevallo Room 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Art Auction and Bloch Party .................................................................................. Bloch Art Gallery 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. *1977 Class Reunion and Photo ........................................................... Reynolds Hall Front Lobby 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. *1987 Class Reunion and Photo ............................................................ Reynolds Hall Rear Lobby 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. *1997 Class Reunion and Photo ........................................................................ Reynolds Hall 114 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. *Young Alumni Event .......................................................................................... Montevallo Room 7:00 p.m. *College Night Productions ................................................................................ Palmer Auditorium Schedule subject to change * Event requires ticket purchase

Tickets can be purchased at montevallotickets.universitytickets.com.

Information about lodging and schedule of events can be found at www.montevallo.edu/alumni/homecoming.

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 205.665.6215 or email us at umalumnioffice@montevallo.edu.

HOMECOMING 2017 SCHEDULE

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY

VEILEDAaron Benson, University of North AlabamaCeramic and mixed media sculpture. February 16, Opening Reception, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.Gallery Talk, 5:00 p.m.Bloch Hall GalleryRuns through March 9

ANNUAL ALUMNI ART AUCTIONThis exciting auction and party is your best opportunity to take home some of the incredible works of art created and donated by alumni, faculty and current students in all media. For 22 years, this event has been the centerpiece fundraiser for the Department of Art.February 10-11, Preview and Early Bidding, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.Bloch Party/Reception, February 11, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.Bloch Hall Art Gallery

MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND CONCERTThis culminating concert of works from the standard and con-temporary middle school band repertoire is performed by stu-dents from all over the state.February 25, 5:00 p.m., Palmer Auditorium

ALABAMA TROMBONE PROJECTMembers of this trombone quartet include Jay Evans (Ala-bama Symphony), Jason Robbins (Alabama Symphony), Jonathan Whitaker (University of Alabama), and Jeff Koonce, bass (Mobile and Tuscaloosa Symphony). February 27, 7:30 p.m., LeBaron Recital Hall

UM STUDENTS WIN FIRST UWCA SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE On Jan. 13, a team of University of Montevallo students accepted a $2500 check for winning United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) inaugural social media challenge. The competition, sponsored by Birmingham-based mar-keting firm blr/further, challenged five University teams to uti-lize the theme “This Unites Us” to create a successful social media campaign to broaden UWCA’s reach to the millennial generation. The idea to participate was first passed to Dr. Amiee Mellon, assistant professor of marketing and service learn-ing coordinator. Rather than recruit solely from her program, Mellon reached out to Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Tiffany Wang to also recruit students from communication studies. According to Mellon, this versatility in degrees and inter-ests gave the team a distinct edge. “They pulled in all the ex-periences they had from a wonderful public liberal arts school like the University of Montevallo in order to come up with a unique campaign.” The five UM students: December graduates Emme Long and Taylor Teems along with seniors Madden Saverse, Mat-thew Crowson and Mollie Wyatt, began planning the Monte-vallo United campaign in September. After successfully presenting their campaign proposal to both UWCA and blr/further members, the Falcon Five set to work. The UM students utilized Facebook and Instagram to deliver their message. The team wanted their campaign to reflect the natural spirit of giving and philanthropy found on the brick streets of the University. “Generally, the idea we started with was comparing and contrasting the ideas of United Way to Montevallo,” said Saverse. “Obviously, Montevallo is a really great community that comes together to help each other out. United Way is just that, but on a much larger scale.” To do this, they highlighted the work of local non-profits like Shelby Emergency Assistance, Arc of Shelby County and Owens House, which all directly benefit from donations to United Way. According to Chip Graham, the senior vice president of marketing and communications for UWCA, the Falcon Five’s focus on local organizations as well as their community-driv-en message was exactly what UWCA was looking for. On Jan. 24, the Falcon Five will present their successful campaign to UWCA’s board of directors along with other non-profit executives during the organization’s annual meeting. The team said they hope their work and campaign in-spires their peers to participate in non-profit donations and lifelong philanthropy. “I think it’s important for us to start early on anyway we can, whether it’s a couple of dollars or a couple of hours of service to help these groups who are doing these great things,” said Saverse.

(L to R): Kit Naramore (blr/further), Dr. Amiee Mellon, Mat-thew Crowson, Madden Saverse, Mollie Wyatt, Taylor Teems, Christel Barnett (blr/further) and Chip Graham (United Way) pose shortly after the Falcon Five were presented with a check for winning United Way’s inaugural Social Media Challenge. (Not pictured: Emme Long) Photo by University of Montevallo

PRESIDENTS’DAY

February 20th

VALLOCYCLE PRESENTS – Cycling Fun Facts Thinking about finally investing in a bike? Or perhaps you already own a bike, but want to ride more often? These fun facts may help tip the scales in favor of finally getting back in the saddle! • Biking is 20 times cheaper than driving. AAA estimated the average annual cost of car ownership in 2016 was $8,558. Transportation economist Todd Litman has estimated the annual cost of bike ownership to be $100-300. • The bicycle is the most efficient vehicle ever devised. A Worldwatch Institute study found that a bicycle needs only 35 calories per passenger mile, whereas a car expended 1,860 calories per passenger mile (one gallon of gas contains 31,000 calories). They also found that walking took over 100 calories for the same distance. Ducks, however, are more efficient, but we can’t travel like ducks. • Bicycles save space. Approximately 15 bicycles can park in the same space that one car takes. • Bicycle safety comes in numbers. A 2003 study by P.L. Jacobsen concluded that when more people walk or bicycle, the less likely any of them are to be injured by motorists. In fact, research has shown that tripling the number of bike riders on the street cuts motorist-cyclist crashes in half. • Bikes don’t actually need riders. Amazingly, a bicycle can stay upright and self-correct its trajectory without a rider as long as it’s moving at 8mph or faster. • Cyclists are cool – it’s a fact. A recent psychological study conducted by Mindlab found that people perceive cyclists as possessing a unique blend of intelligent generosity and the “cool” factor. Now there’s a good reason to get on your bike! ValloCycle is Alabama’s oldest citywide bike share. For more information visit vallocycle.com, contact vallocycle@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Created by Steve Forrester

Answers to last Month’s

Crossword Puzzle >

CITY OF MONTEVALLO NEWSMayor’s Message...

Hollie C. Cost, Mayor

TRASH PICKUP FOR FEBRUARYFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17RECYCLE PICKUP FOR FEBRUARY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Love is in the Air Happy 200th Birthday Montevallo! We are even older than the State of Alabama and what a year of celebrations the Bicentennial Committee has in store for us. While I won’t steal their thunder by announcing these celebrations, I will express my deep gratitude to this group of volunteers for working diligently to ensure this will be a year to remember. In January I had the privilege of presenting my 5th State of the City address at the Chamber Luncheon. Many thanks to those of you who were in attendance as well as those who were not. Due in large part to all of us, as well as our budget-minded department heads, Montevallo is in the best financial position we have been in for quite some time. I’m thrilled to report that sales taxes revenues are increasing, meaning sales at our local shops and restaurants are up; we’ve had great success in securing grants and we’ve been incredibly blessed with the largest documented private cash donation in our city’s history. It seems only fitting in this month known for love that I express the city’s love and appreciation for Ms. Betty Mahler for both her property donation and for her incredible gift of $850,000 to the City of Montevallo. In her last will and testament Ms. Mahler carefully designated these funds to areas that were close to her heart: Shoal Creek Park (her former family farm), Montevallo Fire and Rescue, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo Golf Course and Montevallo Parks Trail. Thanks to her generosity, we will be able to support these areas and serve our citizens in a much greater capacity than we anticipated this year. While Ms. Mahler’s gift was monetarily more substantial than most of us could ever afford, over the past month I’ve been so fortunate to have been privy to so many other acts of love and support for our city. Please join me in celebrating these acts that are so typical of our little oasis: • Montevallo First Baptist once again opened their hearts by providing a warming station for those in need. • Reverend Kenny Dukes once again led the MLK day march and is now leading the development of an African-American Heritage Trail in Montevallo. • A loving group of individuals have formed ValloPALS, to engage large-scale clean-up efforts in town. You can find them on Facebook. • Mr. Lee Waites, out of the kindness of his heart, is keeping the community connected via social media on Sharing Montevallo as well as ValloCity. • Ms. Pam Phagan, a woman with a huge heart for Montevallo, is showing her love by leading the Bicentennial Commission to organize an exciting year of events. • Mr. Maurice Barnes is becoming one of the most loved men in town through his new leadership at the Boys and Girls Teen Center. • Our town showed their love in droves at the funeral service of a deeply loved community member who will be missed deeply – Mr. Paul Boyd gave so much to so many. And finally, here are just a few ways you can show your love to Montevallo:

• Purchase a commemorative bicentennial banner. • Don’t litter-EVER-just don’t do it! • Pick up litter - everywhere you see it. • Volunteer - we want you and need you to be a part of all that is good in Montevallo.

I feel incredibly blessed to serve as the mayor of a community with so much capacity for love as well as so many opportunities to show love. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. In peace and love…..Mayor Hollie C. Cost

THIS MONTH AT Library Hours:Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

www.cityofmontevallo.com

FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

TUESDAYSFebruary 5th: Adult Coloring Class. Over 18 only. 6-7:30 p.m.February 7th: After School Movie*, (new animated DVD about birds who bring babies)February 14th: After School Movie*, (new animated DVD about little creatures with crazy hair)February 21st: After School Movie*, (new DVD about a new Disney heroine)February 28th: After School Movie*, (new children’s movie about a redheaded orphan who is adopted by a couple in Prince Edward Island, Canada)* Call for Title at 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS Storytime with Mr. Mac every Wednesday at 9:15 a.m.February 8th: FREE Computer Class with Dr. Ratchford from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

THURSDAYS February 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd: ESOL Class. Classes are free but books are a one-time charge of $25.

FRIDAYS February 3rd: Magic Tree House Club. For boys AND girls. 3:15-4:30 p.m.February 24th: Lego Club. For boys AND girls. 3:15-4:30 p.m. Please call the library for the date and time of the February’s Chess Club. For more information visit our website at www.cityofmontevallo.com