January 2016

New Year's Eve Traditions in the USA by  Nadia Archuleta

New Year's Eve traditionally inspires people to throw out the old and ring in the new. The United States is host to many traditions, several of them stemming from cultural and religious observances. Many people enjoy seeing the new year in with family and friends, while others choose to do so in public venues. Across the country, though, Americans adhere to their customary habits at midnight and beyond.

Times Square

One of America's favorite traditions is also its most widely watched. Every year since 1907, barring World War II years, New York City has hosted a massive party on Times Square. As many as 1 million people attend this party every year, while millions watch a televised version nationwide. The celebration includes musical performances, fireworks and party favors, although alcohol is forbidden. The culmination of the festivities is the midnight lowering of a ball from the Times Tower. The original 1907 ball was illuminated and made of wood and iron. The modern ball weighs 11,875 pounds and is covered in Waterford crystals that make it shine.

Midnight Many traditions revolve around the stroke of midnight, which heralds the new year. At both public and private gatherings, people count down the last 10 seconds of the old year. At the stroke of midnight, many people toast to the new year with a glass of champagne. Some people grab a loved one or a friendly stranger and bestow the first kiss of the year. Many towns and cities put on a show with fireworks and provide noisemakers, meant to scare off evil spirits. Many Americans band together and sing "Auld Lang Syne," an Irish song bidding farewell to the old year.

Food 

Some Americans eat certain foods either at New Year's Eve parties or on New Year's Day to bring good luck. European-Americans often eat pork, not only because the pig's plumpness suggests plenty, but also because pigs dig with their snout in a forward motion. People like the idea of moving forward into the new year. New Englanders often choose cabbage to go with their pork as a symbol of prosperity. Another dish for prosperity is Hoppin' John, a southern dish made of black-eyed peas. Not only do the "eyes" on the black-eyed peas resemble a circle -- for the completed year, the abundance of them symbolizes the hope for a similar amount of money.

Other Traditions

Several cities host "first night" festivities, alcohol-free, family-oriented celebrations often featuring live music. Many African-Americans observe "Watch Night" in their local churches as an observance of the Emancipation Proclamation's signing on January 1, 1863. Others follow traditions for lucky underwear. Red underwear is said to bring Italian-Americans love; yellow underwear signifies happiness and prosperity to Latin Americans; and polka-dotted underwear is expected to bring fortune to Filipino-Americans.

Flooding overtook  Pinson and surrounding communities.

 Did you know you can get a free weekly issue of Trussville Tribune

at the Pinson Public Library? They're located at the check in counter.

 

to Bill Murray and Desmond Thomas for taking down the Christmas wreaths. A thank you also goes out to Liz Reiff for storing the wreaths.

This will be my last post to the Heather Pointe blogspot.  There will be a new commander at the helm in February of this year.

DECEMBER 2015

Here are a few snaps from the December 5, 2015 Pinson Christmas Parade.

THE PARADE BEGINS

Cheerleaders

Pinson Valley High School Band

Flag Team

Mayor throws out candy

Dazzling Diamonds Dance Team

Descendants  

Zamora

Santa in a vintage automobile

Olaf

Businesses in Pinson

Solid Rock Church

Hilldale Baptist Church

Two little elves pulling up the rear.

Hot chocolate and snacks served after the parade in Triangle Park.

END

NOVEMBER 2015

Heather Pointe Homeowners Association Annual Meeting

November 21, 2015

4410 Main Street

Pinson, Alabama 35126

Invocation,  two minutes of silent reflection.

The meeting was called to order by the Heather Pointe President, Carol Halderman, at 10:10 a.m. The president gave the protocol for the meeting.

Bart Jones, contact person from Metcalf Realty was introduced. His contact information has been in correspondence from Metcalf Realty and placed in the sidebar on the Heather Pointe blog.

The minutes from the last annual meeting, held November 8, 2014, was read by the Secretary, Sylvia McClain. The minutes were approved as read.

Financials:

Finances are down this year but they are expected to increase. Liens had to be files on some properties for outstanding debts on association fees. Owners may contact Bart Jones at Metcalf Realty to make payment arrangements to pay down the outstanding balance on their property.

A budget was presented to the body. After a slight parliamentary mistake the budget was accepted. 

The amount of $175 will remain the same for annual association dues for 2016.

A reserve account was opened in 2014 for incidentals. The opening amount was $1200. This year only $550 was deposited due again to lack of finances. An out of control car ran into a transformer knocking out power to several homes and flattening three mailboxes. Reserve funds were used to cover incidental costs with reimbursement from the driver’s insurance.

It was suggested and agreed upon to place a discreet sign entering and leaving Heather Pointe

informing that there is an HOA along with how to contact them.

Old/Unfinished Business:

Becky Byrd will manage Facebook and the Heather Pointe blog (beginning February 2016). It is undecided as to whether there will be a newsletter in 2016.

A different landscaping company will be hired for 2016. A few low growing perennials may be put in front of the roses at the front entrance.

Driving in the community is a problem. Though there are speed limit signs, often they are ignored by drivers. Service trucks and school buses have been observed racing with each other to see who will reach the stop sign first. This is unsafe not only for children but for everyone.

Heather Pointe Annual Meeting                                                                 Page 1 of 3

November 21, 2015

New Business:

Nominations from the floor were taken for officers for the 2016 Heather Pointe Board. There was one write in, Mary Ezell and one volunteer, Desmond Thomas. On site votes by a show of hands for both candidates were unanimous. Five proxy votes were submitted.

The 2016 Heather Pointe Board is (alphabetically);

Vanessa Cotton, Mary Ezell, Carol Halderman and Desmond Thomas

The meeting was opened to residents for questions and comments.

Resident #1

Question: (1.) Are we a part of Pinson? My voting place is in Center Point

Answer:          I’ll look into it.

Question: (2.) Why do we have to pay for street lights when other communities in Pinson do not?

Answer:           I’ll look into it.

 Question: (3.) I didn’t get the two new waste receptacles and had to call Advance

                         Disposal.  The new garbage cans are too heavy for me to move because of lack of

                         upper body strength due to illness. I have continued using the green one.

                         Is that okay?

Answer:           Yes, as long as Advance Disposal continues to pick up your trash from your

                         garbage can.

Resident #2

Question: (1.) How was the feedback on painting the mailboxes?

Answer:         Good but not great. In the future a list of suggested painters will be included in the

                       letter.

Question:  (2.) Does anyone monitor the watering of plants at the front entrance? It seems to be

                        watering even when it rains.  A rain gauge with a sensor could be helpful.

Answer:         There isn’t a lock on the timer and someone has been turning it on. A lock will

                       be placed on the box as well as looking into a more frugal system of watering.

Question: (3.) Has anyone thought of getting speed bumps to slow down speeders?

Answer:         Yes, but the process would be lengthy. A petition would have to be signed by

residents, a letter sent to DOT, attendance at public hearings and tracking the request for speed bumps and more.

Resident #3

Question: (1.) When the new landscaping company is hired, would it be possible for them to

                        pick up paper cut the lower end of St. John Drive where it enters from the                         

                        highway?

Answer:          Possibly. We can discuss it at length when the new board meets.

 A total of nine people attended the Heather Pointe, November 21, 2015 annual meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30a.m.

Heather Pointe Annual Meeting                                                                  Page 2 of 3

November 21, 2015

click picture 

Heather Pointe Annual Meeting                                                                    Page 3 of 3

November 21, 2015

                                                                      ****** 

Pinson City Park

Here are some updated pictures of the progress being made for the city park here in Pinson. The park has not yet been named.

This is the back of the amphitheater 

PINSON CHRISTMAS PARADE 

December 5th, 10:00 a.m.

In celebration of the bicentennial, descendants of some of the original founders of the community will dress up in period garb and ride a float in their memory. (copied from Trussville Tribune November 18-24, 2015) 

CLAY- Christmas Parade-December 12, 2015 @3:30 p.m.

             

                                                      

TRUSSVILLE -Christmas Parade-December 12, 2015 @ 3:00 p.m.

                            in downtown Trussville

END***

ANNUAL MEETING LOCATION HAS CHANGED

Due to renovations @ Pinson Community Center,
The location for the Heather Pointe Annual meeting has been changed to :
Pinson City Hall
Council Chambers
4410 Main Street
Pinson, Alabama 35126

Date-November 21, 2015
Time-10:00 a.m.


Though this date and location was secured months in advance, I was not informed of this change until I went to City Hall to make sure everything was in order. I suppose leaving my name and phone number as contact meant nothing.

I guess it's true, "You can't beat City Hall."

NOVEMBER 2015

JUST A REMINDER
The annual meeting for the Heather Pointe community will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pinson Community Center. The address is 6230 Dry Creek Lane, Pinson , AL 35126.

CLEAN UP ON ST. JOHN DRIVE

If you've noticed the entrance of St. John Drive looking a lot cleaner, then thank Bill Murray . Bill called the county to mow the byways of St. John. Afterwards Bill went down and manicured the area with his weed eater. He also took the trash collected to the dump. Thanks Bill for your service and pride to our community.

THANKSGIVING 

November 26,2015

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada and the United States as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. (wikipedia)


END****

A Neighbor on St. John Drive has reported;
On Oct 28 late night sometime around midnight me and my neighbor was a victim of someone going into our cars and taking our belongs GPS,Money,cigarettes,credit cards and etc we believe it's some one out late at night checking to see if we have left our car door open so they can go in them we ask that you keep your doors lock whether it's day or night and report any suspicious activity it's a matter of time before things get worse so let's look out for each other!

Alabama Butterbean Festival

Alabama Butterbean Festival
October 2 - 3, 2015 

Main Street - Pinson, AL 35126   

blog file photo

This year is the 10th Annual Alabama Butterbean Festival, the state's 2nd largest festival.  It features live local entertainment, food and non-food vendors (arts and crafts, local organizations), carnival rides, petting zoo, pony rides, and plenty of fun for people of all ages. There is a huge firework show on Friday night at approximately 9:30.  Friday hours are 6-10 and Saturday is 9-4.   FREE Admission    
(article copied from Birmingham365.org )

Petting zoo

antique cars 

END***