Columnists

By Craig Ford Alabama should be building better schools, not better prisons. It’s as simple as that. And the truth is if we had done so from the beginning, we probably would not have the overcrowded prisons we have today. It’s a statistical fact that if a child can’t read at a third-grade level by

By Andy Bedwell “For there is born To you this day… A Savior Who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11” Carolyn Barron’s Coconut Cake 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups sugar 5 eggs 1 cup oil 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring 1 cup buttermilk 2 cups coconut Glaze: 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup plus 2

By Danny Crownover The Vagabond recently wrote about the big fire of July 4, 1883, that occurred at the south end of Broad Street from 3rd Street to almost 5th Street. The Kyle Opera House, a three-story brick building, prevented the fire from reaching 5th Street. It was the largest fire Gadsden ever had. What

By John Larkins Six, anno domino. The baby Jesus developed as a Jewish child would be expected to. He was circumcised in the Temple and grew strong in wisdom and grace. When Jesus was about 12 years of age, He accompanied His parents and others to the Temple in Jerusalem. After His parents had gone

By Toni Ford In Luke Chapter 5, we have a beautiful picture of the difference Jesus makes in the lives of four individuals. We have numerous stories in the gospels of Jesus teaching and preaching to the crowds of people. The crowds were always drawn to Jesus; however, His message was always to the individual.

By Robert Halsey Pine “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law;

By Rosie Preston This is the season to be bombarded with trying to fulfill our loved one’s Christmas wishes. It is a wonderful time of year and I love to buy gifts, especially for the children. Most kids request what they have seen or heard about and will entertain them for a while. The true

By Vicki Scott There I sat last Saturday as Alabama was winning against Auburn 45-40. My husband Alan said that both teams were playing hard. I then went shopping with my friend, neighbor and co-worker, Faye, and took a nap when I got back. I wore my Auburn shirt that one of our seniors at

By Andy Bedwell May joy fill your heart, May peace touch your soul, May love fill your life this Christmas and Always Christmas Blessings to you and yours. Every year, as soon as the last bite of cranberry sauce and the final morsel of Thanksgiving turkey has been devoured, neighborhoods begin to look like fantasy

By Danny Crownover The Vagabond recently was walking at the northwest corner of Broad and Third streets in downtown Gadsden. He noticed lettering on the store window that said it was the store was Meeks Building, built in 1879. The Vagabond was puzzled, as the style and materials of the building was not of that

By Toni Ford As soon as you read the above title, your mind might have immediately gone to Psalm 100. Consisting of only five verses, this short psalm, is often referred to as the “Psalm of Thanksgiving.” When I think of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season we currently are experiencing, I think of a

By Robert Halsey Pine “Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:19-29 NRSV). We

By John Larkins One cannot read the Old Testament without great sorrow and shame for the insulting treatment God suffered as He conducted the training and inspiration to found, protect and instruct the Church He thought necessary to begin to restore mankind’s eligibility for eternal salvation (we must note that the gates of heaven were

By Vicki Scott The Scott household’s weekend plans were rained out but we could not have enjoyed our time any more than we did, since it was spent with family. The event came with live entertainment. Both of our children, our son’s wife and all four of our grandchildren spent all day Saturday with us. 

By Rosie Preston Well, it’s almost time for the Iron Bowl, the most exciting game for all football fans who live and breathe the game. I will tell you right away that my husband is an Alabama fan. I come from a long line of Alabama fans, and I am experienced with the excitement of

Baked Ham, Mary Virginia’s Dressing, Corn Casserole and Mother’s Pecan Pie Happy Thanksgiving! “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:17 Baked Ham Put fresh ham (never been cooked or sliced) in a paper bag (go

By Robert Halsey Pine “Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:1-17 NRSV). St. Paul was concerned that false apostles were distorting the gospel story. He warned the Galatians about things

By Toni Ford As we enter the holiday season, the Thanksgiving holiday has become my favorite of them all. Not only is this is a season to give thanks and to reflect upon all that we have to be grateful for, but it is also a time, more so than any other time in the

By Vicki Scott The George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe was closed on Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, so I sat at home and ate all day. I couldn’t wait to get to work, and I was so glad to be back at the following day on Tuesday. I get things done at work,

By Danny Crownover There has always been gambling in Gadsden and probably always will be, as long as human nature remains what it is. The first prohibition law forced upon Gadsden and Etowah County by a legislative act and without vote of the people was back in 1882. Some of the results that followed included

Cafeteria Macaroni and Cheese, Nancy Wood’s Corn Pudding and Vanilla Wafer Cake Once my family has decided what entrée we will have for Thanksgiving, the next step is figuring out what goes along with it. These are some of my favorites. Cafeteria Macaroni and Cheese 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles 4 eggs (4-ounces) heavy cream

By Robert Halsey Pine “This is my rule in all the churches…Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. You were

By Toni Ford This past week, I had the honor of speaking at a celebration of life service for one of our students. Carlie passed away last week in a tragic car accident, which was a shock to us all. She was a beautiful young lady, and although she was only on this earth a

By John Larkins God’s inerrant word, in our biblical account, begins by revealing Him, our God, as the creator of the universe, of the human and all other species, as sole loving maker. He holds it as paramount that He, as our creator, rightfully expects and demands, our obedience. Adam and Eve, our ultimate parents,

By Vicki Scott Last week I wrote about our veterans program at the George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe and was praising God for all the teamwork involved in making it a complete success. I neglected to mention the letters written by students at Coosa Christian School. They were amazing. I did not exclude the

Dearest mother, How the time has flown, yet each year has brought joy, love, pain, and yes, even rejection. I’ve learned to live with all of it during my lifetime. But yesterday as I visited with you, I was so happy to see your sweet face. It had been almost four weeks since I’d been

By Andy Bedwell Long before we knew anything about watching cholesterol, counting calories, cutting back on sodium,  there were always sweets that would bring us running home from school. Nothing satisfied us more than a glass of cold milk and a big ole fat chocolate chip cookie. It really didn’t matter what kind of cookie,

By Danny Crownover The purchase of Noccalula Falls and its surrounding 169-acre tract in 1946 by the City of Gadsden for park purposes recalls the fact that the city has smaller parks that contain much historical interest. On the west brow of Lookout Mountain, less than a mile from Noccalula Falls, is Sequoia Park, a

By Robert Halsey Pine “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:1-15 NRSV). Jesus’ conversation with

By Toni Ford This week, we will have 375 students participating in “Expedition,” our annual obstacle race in Cullman. Leading up to the race over the past couple of weeks, one could hear multiple conversations among students consisting of anything from fear, anticipation of the unknowns, enthusiasm and all the way up to great excitement.