Wednesday, November 30, 2016

I'll be Home for Christmas

Regardless of where you are from, Calhoun County has invigorating outdoors, amazing cultural sights, spellbinding events, mouth-watering food and Southern hospitality that makes any visitor feel at home, especially this holiday season!

Jacksonville Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 1, 6:30 P.M. 
Pelham Street (Hwy 21) 

The Best Christmas Musical Ever
Friday, December 2, & Saturday, December 3, at 7:30 P.M. 
Mason Hall at Jacksonville State University

Anniston Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3, 11 :00 A.M. 
Noble Street

The Nutcracker Ballet
Sunday, December 4, 2:00 P.M. 
Anniston Performing Arts Center
Oxford Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 8, 6:00 P.M. 
Main Street

A Tuna Christmas
December 8, 9 & 10 at 7:30 P.M. and December 11, at 2:30 P.M. 
Buckner Event Plaza, Anniston

Candy Cane 5K Fun Run
Saturday, December  10, at 8:00 A.M. 
Anniston quatics and Fitness Center, McClellan

Homes for the Holidays
December 10, 10 A.M.-4:00 P.M. 
Anniston Museum of Natural History

Christmas on Ivory
December 10 at 7:00 P.M. & December 11 at 2:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Comfort & Joy with Jim Brickman
December 15, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Christmas with the Voices of the South
December 16, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Elf (movie) 
December 19, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Christmas Vacation (movie)
December 20, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

It's a Wonderful Life (movie)
December 22, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
December 23, 7:00 P.M. 
Oxford Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Guardian Angels

Once upon a time, Angie Shockley, Program Director for Anniston Parks and Recreation, wanted to show her mom all the lights she'd worked hard to display along Quintard Avenue in Anniston. To Angie's delight, her mom hopped in the car to see. To Angie's dismay, her mom was unimpressed with multi-colored lights. "Is this all there is? Turn around."
Years later, Angie honors her mother's love of clear lights as she and the parks and recreation staff begin to decorate Quintard each November. As you drive or walk along Quintard, you may notice the various multicolored scenes until you get to the block between 13th and 14th. There, clear Lights illuminate each tree, and a blue angel is seen centered on the grassy knoll of the median. The clear lights are in memory of Angie's mother and other Parks and Recreation staff family members who have passed away. The blue angel is symbolic for Police Officer Justin Sollohub, who was killed in the line of duty in Anniston on August 25th, 2011. The blue lights represent the blue line, as a memorial to Sollohub and in honor of his connection to those who continue serve today.
Stop by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors to admire the work the Parks and Recreation Staff does each holiday season, reflect on your own holiday memories, and pause to remember.

"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance — each beautiful, unique..." ~Deborah Whipp

Thursday, November 17, 2016

There's no place like home!

"Forever on Thanksgiving Day The heart will find the pathway home." ~Wilbur D. Nesbit

As folks trek to Anniston and Calhoun County for the holidays, several downtown venues are celebrating a downtown tradition with Pre-Thanksgiving plans and activities.

On Thanksgiving Eve, Peerless is hosting their annual Homecoming at the Grille, from 10:00 A.M. until close. They also feature The Stonerollers beginning at 9:00 P.M., with no cover charge from 7:00 P.M. until close.

The Peerless Saloon & Grille
13 W 10th Street, Anniston, Alabama
(256) 238-1899

Cheaha Brewing is hosting a Pre-Thanksgiving Jam Night, with Jammin' Guests Robby Jordan, Marc Womack, Jonn Medders, Jody Wood, Bran Strickland, Maggie Beam, Brandon Kent, Danni Ri, Jake & Summer and more local faves! So join them, Wednesday, November 23, from 7:30 P.M. until 2:00 A.M. for family, friends and fun!

Cheaha Brewing Company
1208 Walnut Avenue, Anniston, Alabama
(256)770-7300

Make yourself at home and enjoy these local holiday traditions!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Find Solitude

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think. ~Lorraine Hansberry

People find solace one hundred different ways. Some find solitude escaping the noise of reality, and some find it in distracts from the outside world. Whatever way you find solitude, Calhoun County and surrounding areas may be a good fit for you. 

Coldwater's Bike Trails sometimes require razor sharp focus. Whether you're dodging a tree, navigating loose rocks and sand or grinding uphill, Coldwater requires you to be in the moment, focused on your immediate surroundings, not work, not home or not even the latest news, but present every inch of the way. You can escape for a mile or two or spend the entire day exploring the mountain, so the amount of solitude time is up to you. 

If you are looking for a spot to rest, a spot to break or read long the way, but also enjoy the rush of 18+ miles per hour on a bicycle, Ladiga is the spot for you. Ladiga has several private picturesque spots along its 33 miles of paved, mostly flat, rail trail. It's mostly quiet, with an occasional intersection that requires you pause and be brought back to fast paced reality of highways and traveled car roads. Mostly, it's a calm solace space, surrounded by shading trees and wildlife, vast fields and rolling mountainsides, with the occasional home or small town. 
The best time to enjoy this Chimney Peak is sunset. Facing West, this spot offers the best view of a quaint small town Alabama, Jacksonville, the gem of the hills, the Talladega National Forest, and Alabama farmland. If it's ever partly cloudy, the sunset paints the evening sky shades of purple, peach, blue and gold. Stand in awe and solitude at this lightly used Mountain Street or admire the starry sky at night in the peace and quiet. 

This recreation hiking trail connects the Talladega National Forest to the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia. Along the way, shelters have been erected to provide weary hikers a place to rest without work or work to construct a tent. Most of the trail travels away from busy highways and noisy cities, to allow the solace of hoot owls, coyotes howls, and cricket chirps to fill one's mind. Very little cellphone service along the mountain ridges provides a solitude not often found in today's world. 

Cheaha has several great trails, including the Bald Rock overlook with a boardwalk to the cliffs edge; however, if you are seeking quiet and solitude, the Pulpit Rock Trail provides about a half mile rolling hike to a cliffs edge overlooking Cheaha Lake and the Talladega National Forest. This peaceful undisturbed view provides a nice walk and solace from noisy kids and traffic. 

Friday, November 4, 2016

Never Forgotten

 Around 1912 , the National Guard began using an area north of Anniston for training; however, in 1917, the War Department established Camp McClellan, with that same approximate 19,000 acres of farmland.
During World War II, the then named Fort McClellan became one of the largest military installations in the U.S., training a near half million troops. During BRAC in 1999, Fort McClellan was placed on the list for closure.
One thing many don't know about McClellan is that, during World War II, Fort McClellan had many POWs , mostly German and some Italian.
These men were artists, who painted Remington Hall's Murals, stonemasons who helped build bridges, and some did wood carving and more. The writers of the group also created their own newspaper, complete with games, articles and drawings, capturing life at camp.
There were POW Camps throughout the South, and some POWs became sick or succumbed to their injuries. McClellan was chosen as a location for burial. Today, each second Sunday in November is reserved for an German/Italian Memorial Service at the Cemetery, located on Shipley Road in Anniston. German and Italian delegation from nearby Redstone Arsenal attend, speak and participate in a wreath laying ceremony. This event is very unique and special, so join us, Sunday, November 13, at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Welcome Home Gamecocks

In 1883, the State Normal School began, merging a "polytechnic school or high grade for young men" with Jacksonville's "female academy for young ladies." In 1929, the school became Jacksonville State Teachers College. In 1957, the institution became Jacksonville State College, and in 1966, it became what it is today, Jacksonville State University.
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Jacksonville is often referred to as "the Gem of the Hills." Nestled in between Atlanta and Birmingham, Jacksonville is a convenient drive to anyone and near perfect for the college experience.
Each fall, you must forgive our "cocky" behavior, as we cheer on the Gamecocks. It's a setting "made for champions by champions." JSU and the surrounding hills echo the late night practices of the Marching Southerners. The field's lights reflect on every cloud in the sky, as players prep for the weekend's events. Red and white appears in store windows. RVs and grills unload to tailgate, and fans of all generations gather at Burgess Snow Field for traditions and hopefully another win.
Homecoming is more than football. It's reunions of previous champions, parades of current students and alumni lining the streets, and 20J tubas and Ballerinas taking to the field for another spellbinding performance. The Letterman's Club is painted up, and we're ready for another trip to Frisco for the Championship.