By Stephen Dawkins

Seven really was a lucky number for 2010 Miss Peach Queen Jessica Swindle.

The 18-year-old Jemison high grad estimated Thursday that she had been in a total of seven Peach Pageants in various age groups before finally winning a crown.

“I’m so honored. I can hardly believe it,” Swindle said moments after her name was called at Chilton County High School.

Her parents, Dwight and Madeline Swindle were ecstatic — and quite proud too.

“She’s worked for this since she was a little kid,” said Madeline Swindle.

Her dad added: “Anything she’s ever done, she has always put her best foot forward.”

Swindle said she looks forward to her upcoming journey as Miss Peach and representing Chilton County.

Durbin Farms Market sponsored Swindle. In the fall, she plans to enroll at Alabama A&M University and study telecommunications. She would like to be a meteorologist in the future.

Linlee Karn won the swimsuit portion of Thursday’s pageant. She was also named Miss Congeniality.

Swindle’s court includes first alternate Marisa Hilyer, second alternate Candace Pierce, third alternate Leigh Anna Shavers and fourth alternate Krisi Caudill.

Earlier in the week, Kaitlin Ray was crowned Junior Miss Peach, Leah Easterling was named Young Miss Peach and Gracie Owens was chosen as Little Miss Peach. All four girls will be on hand for this weekend’s Peach Fest activities, including the Peach Parade and Peach Auction on Saturday.

By Scott Mims

The next chapter of international relations between Thorsby and its sister city of Torsby, Sweden will take place July 8 when G2 Bluegrass Band performs a concert in Richard Wood Park.

The five-piece Swedish band has included Thorsby in its U.S. tour and plans on playing two, 45-minute sessions. Admission is free, and concessions will be available.

“We were able to work it out with their schedule that they would actually be able to do a concert for us while they were here,” said Thorsby Swedish Fest Committee chairwoman Tracia Bussey. “Who knows? This could turn into a yearly bluegrass festival.”

The connection took place when G2 leader Tobias Stromberg read an article in the Torsby, Sweden newspaper by Per-Erik Persson of the Scandinavian-American Economic Development Alliance, who visited Thorsby during last year’s Swedish Festival.

In the article, Persson wrote about the agreement by Thorsby town leaders to pursue a sister city relationship with similar-named Torsby. While there has been contact and some interaction between the two towns, nothing official has taken place. The article stated that Thorsby was still interested in pursuing the relationship.

After reading the news release, Stromberg contacted Mayor Dearl Hilyer by e-mail, saying that the band was interested in visiting Thorsby and learning about its Swedish heritage. Hilyer then forwarded the message to Bussey.

“The Swedish Festival Committee has agreed to help fund the event along with area businesses and individuals,” Bussey said.

She called the concert a “step in the right direction” toward forming a more official connection between the towns.

During the concert, locals Mike Graham and Scott Springer will work the sound system for G2. The band will take time in between sets to meet and greet with people in attendance and will have CDs for sale. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Anyone who wants to sample G2′s music may visit the band’s website, g2bluegrassband.com. For more information, call Bussey at 217-0978.

By Scott Mims

For a century and a half, Center Hill Baptist Church has stood in the same spot along what is now Chilton County Road 25 just west of Jemison.

The church has taken several different forms but has always been the “heartbeat of the community,” as put by one longtime member.

On Sunday, June 27, the congregation will look back on the past 150 years with an anniversary celebration beginning at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

“I can’t remember a time when Center Hill Baptist Church was not a part of my life,” said church member Jo Layne Chapman. “Growing up, the church was the substitute for all the different institutions families enjoy now. It was at church that we visited with neighbors, exchanged recipes, enjoyed meals and, more importantly, enjoyed good ol’ fellowship. We also shared joys and sorrows.”

Chapman recalled how today’s indoor activities used to be enjoyed outdoors. Kids would play in the church yard instead of in a gymnasium. Meals were shared on long tables under the trees.

“The food, lovingly placed on tablecloths, seemed to go on forever,” she said.

A similar statement could describe the church’s history. Center Hill was founded in 1860 in what was then part of Shelby County. The first building was a log cabin that also served as a school until 1895.

The second building was also made of logs but had improvements like glass windows and a wood burning heater. This building burned in 1919.

The third structure, a white wooden building used until 1967, had what some might call an inconvenient feature. A wooden support column was located in the center aisle of the sanctuary. The post became known as “Vera” and had the name engraved on it.

“It was difficult to have weddings because of Vera being in the center of the aisle,” said church clerk Euleta Guy.

While the origin of the name is not known, part of Vera’s whereabouts are known. The portion with the name engraved on it was given to former church pastor Billy Dodson upon his request.

Congregation members now worship in the fourth building. There have been many additions throughout the years, most recently a fellowship hall in 2002. On its walls are original church records dating from the 1880s.

Guy recalls the fellowship hall’s construction as a high point in church history.

“The men of the church built the fellowship hall themselves, and the ladies prepared the meals,” she said. “I don’t believe there was any time that there was such a spirit of unity as there was [then].”

More than 40 men have served as pastor of Center Hill. The name of the first pastor is not known, and the church is currently without a pastor. Dusty Dutton serves as minister of music, and Tim Crist is the minister of youth.

Three former members–Brett Lessley, Steve Smith and Shawn Lowery–will speak during Sunday’s service. Past staff members in attendance will also be recognized, and the Alabama Baptist State Historical Commission will make a presentation. Chilton Baptist Association Director of Missions Larry Felkins is also expected to attend.

Lunch will be served following the service, and the Capstone Quartet of Tuscaloosa will sing in the afternoon.

For more information, call the church at 688-4332.

By Scott Mims

The old lunchroom building that sits behind the former Thorsby Elementary School doesn’t look too impressive now, but the town’s Historic Preservation Committee wants to make the ’30s-era structure useful again.

The organization raised about $8,000 from donations and the sale of historic booklets to fund the building’s renovation in time for the Swedish Fest.

“This is a baby step in renovating the whole facility,” said committee chairwoman Tracia Bussey. “We’re doing the work ourselves.”

The structure was first built for additional classroom space and was later used as a lunchroom, according to Bussey. But time and neglect have aged the building, and vandals have busted out virtually every window pane, damaging the wooden frames in the process.

“You wouldn’t believe how many rocks we picked up on the inside of that building,” Bussey said.

Ed Angel of Clanton, who has ties to Thorsby, is volunteering his time to restore the windows back to their original beauty. Bussey said it would have otherwise cost thousands of dollars to fix the windows.

The committee’s goal is to turn the building into a community recreation center. Once complete, it will sport a small kitchen, bathroom and indoor meeting space.

A reception has been planned for Oct. 15 in conjunction with the Swedish Fest, to recognize descendants of Thorsby’s original founders and settlers. These include the families of founders T.T. Thorson and J.F. Peterson, among others.

Committee members hope the old lunchroom can serve as the backdrop for this event.

“Anyone is welcome to come to the reception if they would like to meet and greet the founders,” Bussey said.

More big plans are in store for this year’s Swedish Fest, which will fall in line with the Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns celebration. A marker will be dedicated in the center of town to recognize the Scandinavian founders and settlers. Also, a flag court will be erected featuring the U.S. Flag and the flags of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

Much more will be announced as the October event draws near. Meanwhile, anyone interested in donating to the restoration project may call Bussey at (205) 217-0978.

“Any donations will be appreciated,” Bussey said.

The Jemison High School Class of 1948 will hold its 62-year reunion at 6 p.m. on June 12 at Shoney’s in Clanton.

Class vice-president Norris Vickery sent invitations to class members and said he expects about 14 people to attend the reunion.

Vickery said 48 people graduated in the class.

From staff reports

Chilton County will once again have a strong representation at the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant to be held May 8 at Wallace State College in Hanceville. Carolyn Vance of Thorsby will make the trip north to Cullman County on May 6 in hope that she will be named the first ever Ms. Senior Alabama to come from Chilton County.
Vance (pictured with Sally Beth Vick, 2009 Ms. Senior Alabama) has worked endless hours with local pageant director, Wes Gandy, to ensure that she is prepared to handle anything the judges may ask her or be looking for. They have made numerous appearances throughout the state, including attending a Chilton County Commission meeting, Hatley Health Care, The Gardens of Clanton, Magnolia Ridge Nursing Home in Gardendale, LakeView Assisted Living in Birmingham, and Danberry at Inverness. All this is to spread the word that today’s seniors are still active and continue to give back to the community regardless of age.
“I have been amazed at the willingness of Carolyn to go wherever is ask of her and her dedication to ensure that Chilton County has a strong presents at the state pageant,” Gandy said. “I do not think that the county will at all be disappointed with how we are represented against the 10 other contestants around the state. Carolyn has been very willing to listen to constructive hints and develop them into a way that works well for her. We are very realistic in the sense that this will be no “cake walk” but know that she is ready for the challenge.”
Tickets will be available at the door for $10 with the pageant beginning at 2 p.m. Should Vance win Ms. Senior Alabama, she will then go on to compete in October for Ms. Senior America. Others represented at state include: Ms. Senior Attalla — Brenda Emery, Ms. Senior Baldwin County — Ellen Feil, Ms. Senior Cullman County — Brenda Marsh, Ms. Senior Etowah — Judy Clough, Ms. Senior Homewood — Frankie Cashion, Ms. Senior Jefferson County — Hettie Yarbrough, Ms. Senior Macon County Florence Henderson Robinson, Ms. Senior Trussville — Jody Newman, Ms. Senior Tuscaloosa — Maggie Patterson, and Ms. Senior Wiregrass — Clara Jones. For pictures of all contestants and more information please visit the Ms. Senior Chilton County website at msseniorchiltoncounty.com or contact director Wes Gandy (205) 299-2808.

Burey and Joyce Bice of Jemison will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary March 27 from 1-3 p.m. at Thompson Chapel.
The couple was married in a small ceremony Jan. 7, 1960. Their children, Connie and husband Patrick, and Keith and wife Judith, are holding a reception in their honor and wish to invite friends and family.

Army National Guard Pfc. Matthew D. Liveoak has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Ky.
During the nine-week training period, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.
Liveoak is the son of Jimmy and Janet Liveoak of Jemison.
The private is a 2005 graduate of Thorsby High School.

Wilma Robinson (born Feb. 11, 1915) celebrated her 95th birthday at The Gardens of Clanton with her family and fellow residents.
Family members attending were her sons, Phillip Robinson of Round Rock, Texas; and Joe Robinson and his wife, Jane, of Pelham. Others present were her niece, Norma Martin and her husband, Jimmy; and Louise McReynolds of Thorsby.
In honor of the occasion, The Gardens presented her with a beautiful cake and a bouquet of flowers. Everyone cheered and sang “Happy Birthday.”
Wilma beamed with joy and responded by saying, “This is the best place to be. They treat me so good here.”

Claire Marie Smith turned 2 years old March 17, 2010. She plans to celebrate her birthday with a princess party on Saturday, March 20 at her parents’ home with friends and family members.
Smith is the daughter of Randy and Melia Smith of Jemison and the granddaughter of Sue and Rufus Downs of Abbeville and Al and Ellen Jones of Randolph.
She also has two brothers, John and Brent.