Daily photo by Gary Cosby Jr. Joy Mills, Nancy Vinson and Susan Oliver try to decide what item to bid on at the Decatur Newcomers Club’s silent auction. Proceeds from the annual charity event at Burningtree Country Club help local Morgan County children and family charities. Upcoming monthly highlights will include Canasta, Game Day and a Lunch Brunch. This is a great time for those new to the community to make friends and hear about things to see and do in North Alabama. For information on upcoming events, please call Stacie Thompson at 751-4773.

Pageant winner has local connections

Wendy’s word

What a breath of fresh air it is now to drive into Decatur on Alabama 67. The Crossings of Decatur not only offers a beautiful, new shopping experience, but portrays a lovely and professional first impression of our city.

With Target as the anchor store, other highlights include LifeWay Christian Store, Rack Room Shoes and Ross Dress for Less. Old Navy, Pet Smart and Panera Bread Co. will soon be welcomed additions. My first thought as I turned into the parking lot this past week was, “This can’t be in Decatur!”

Truth be told, it is here, and our community is a lucky one. Many thanks to everyone who worked hard to bring these businesses and opportunities to our community. You are truly appreciated (though my wallet may feel otherwise!).

Now let’s see what the “chatter” is for today ...

Local connections for new Miss Leeds

Courtesy photo Hoover High senior Barri Elizabeth Stephenson is the new Miss Leeds Area. She will compete in the Miss Alabama pageant in June.

Decatur will have another reason to cheer at the Miss Alabama Pageant next June. Hoover High School senior Barri Elizabeth Stephenson, the new Miss Leeds Area, is the granddaughter of Wrenford and Bonnie Jones of Huntsville and the late Pruitt and Dixie Stephenson of Decatur.

A member of the Engineering Academy, vice president of Hoover Ambassadors, Hoover Belles and the Hoover High School varsity dance team, she promotes her personal platform of “Fund, Fight, Find” — promoting cancer research. She will spend this year raising money to help find a cure for cancer, as well as visiting elementary classrooms to raise awareness of community service.

For the talent competition, Stephenson performed ballet en pointe to “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

As an official scholarship preliminary to the Miss Alabama Pageant, Stephenson will represent Miss Leeds Area at the Miss Alabama Pageant in June in Birmingham.

Reunion draws crowd

Descendants of William Henry Asherbranner and Tommy Ellen Asherbranner met recently for the annual Asherbranner reunion and birthday celebration.

The Massey Community Center and Fire Station No. 1 welcomed guests Phillip and Wilma Asherbranner; Buddy and Clezell Asherbranner; Martha Asherbranner; Mary and Wayne Hardin; Bill Asherbranner; Amy Asherbranner; Kyle and Barbara Asherbranner; Oliver and Patsy Townson; Willard and Clara Asherbranner; Leon and Mary Ellen Asherbranner; Chris England; Adriana Sandlin; Tabitha Haynes; Ronald and Jenny Asherbranner with Matthey and Julie; Senay Hester; Melinda and J.P. Haynes; Donna Townson; Benjamin Townson; Dwight, Betty, Josh and Ashley Fairbanks; Louise Miller; Irene Cutchens; Gerldine and Farris Hughes; Steve and Evelyn Anders; Julie and Rex Asherbranner with Josh, Cole and Sammy Jo; Rhonda Maldonado with Samuel and Nathan; Terry and Jake Hardin; Oliver and Patsy Townson; Roger and Roxanne Asherbranner with Chance; and John, Pamela, Nathan and Emily MacDonald.

Everyone enjoyed a covered dish lunch and a chance to fellowship and catch up with family members. The reunion was also a great opportunity to celebrate the many birthdays within the group. Those who couldn’t make it this year can look forward to next fall.

DHS reunion

Plans for yet another high school reunion are under way. This time it’s Decatur High School’s Class of 1998.

Reunion organizers are gathering contacts, so if you or someone you know were part of this class, contact Matt Dukes at 345-6500 or mdukes@wilmerlee.com.

Look forward to more details as this exciting event draws closer.

That’s all for now. It’s been great “chattin” with ya! Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730. I look forward to hearing from you.

Email This Page