Members of the Punkin Center Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 express their appreciation to each and everyone who helped support their stew sale fundraiser recently. The proceeds from the fundraiser went to the Bama Clay Busters Sporting Club. The money will be used to pay the insurance for the club members and to purchase clay targets for the club. The fundraiser raised about $3,500.

Billy and Dianne Tillman and Danny Tillman of the Round Top community attended the Weekdays Deli Reunion and birthday lunch for Traci Slate on Wed., Jan. 21, at noon. Patrons of Traci’s restaurant for a span of twenty years came to the Holy Smoke BBQ at Tanner Heights bringing desserts, gifts and cards to help Traci celebrate. She closed her business on April 30, 2013.

Congratulations go out this week to Jonathan and Emily Hill Alred on the birth of their son Henry Oliver Alred. Henry was born on Jan. 9, 2015, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long.

Henry’s proud grandfather is Danny Alred and his great-grandmother is Helen Alred. This is Helen’s first great-grandson.

Christian love and heartfelt sympathy goes out this week to the family of Doyle Braswell of the Corinth community. Doyle was married to the late Frances Burden Braswell. His sons are Spencer and Ricky who live in that area. Doyle’s mother, the late Lorene Braswell and grandparents, the late Marion and Delia Braswell also live in the Mt. Vernon area. His interment was in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Jan. 21.

Our thoughts and prayers go out this week for Loyd Barnett at the Falkville Health Care Center. Our thoughts and prayers also go out this week to Nancy Hardin.

Belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jimmie Lake and Zack Alred, both on Jan. 26, and Euel Roberts and Mason Yaudes, both on Jan. 27.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Julie Campbell, Adam Mason, Amber Miller and Landon Sims, all on Jan. 29.

Belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week to Don and Doris Clark for their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 25.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and heartfelt sympathy for the following families: Delbert Vest and family in the deaths of his brother, Raymond Vest and his first cousin, Pauline Gibson and Bari and Stephen Camper and family in the death of her cousin, Thomas Holt Milstead.

Our thoughts and prayers go out this week for Vivian Summerford of Round Top community. Vivian had surgery at Decatur Morgan Hospital Jan. 15 and is now in Summerford Nursing Home Rehab.

McKendree United Methodist Church’s Thrive service was held Sun., Jan. 18, at 2:30 p.m. in the Bridge Center. Noah Battles led the congregation singing praise and worship songs. Members of the group singing with him from McKendree were Tammy Vest and Tom Summerford. Jennifer Hogan played the drums and Noah played the guitar. Brother Mike Vest welcomed those attending. He gave an inspirational message on “Keep on keeping on, you will thrive.” He told a story about a man who went west with the gold rush to sell tents but couldn’t find buyers. He made clothes out of the tents and sold them. His name was Levi Strauss.

Vest led the closing prayer and blessed the refreshments.

Forty attendees including the Northwest District Superintendent, Rev. Kelly Clem, enjoyed the finger foods and fellowship. The next Thrive service will be Sun., Feb. 8 and will have a Valentine theme. The Bridge Center is planning a daytime exercise class twice a week. Anyone interested can call Lynn Hogan at 256-303-4529.

Forrest Chapel United Methodist Women met for their first meeting of the year for the day group on Mon., Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. President Jennie Turney gave members the 2015 calendar of programs and events scheduled by the executive committee.

Prayer requests were made and Regina Sims led the group in prayer. Jennie presented the program Renewing Our Relationship With God New Opportunities with reference to the prodigal son from Luke 15:11-32.

We are given our entire inheritance from our Father. He holds back nothing and gives us the dignity of choice to use it. But we must face the consequences of our choices-wise and unwise. Have we been responsible to make wise choices with all that we’ve been given? Because of the grace of our Father, regardless of our choices, He’s always willing to allow us the opportunity of a new beginning.

Lets take the opportunity the New Year allows us for a new beginning and the chance to make the best choices in life.

Following the program, the group enjoyed fellowship together as they were served lunch with soup, sandwiches and chocolate delight.

Christian love and heartfelt sympathy goes out this week for the Mike Wiggins family. Mike was a member of the class of 1964 at Morgan County High School and will be greatly missed by friends, church members at West Hartselle, community and family. He was interred at the Forrest Chapel Cemetery on Jan. 15. Mike fought a long battle with cancer, but still called and visited other sick and needy people in the area. His spirit and cheerful personality never diminished.