Drop In Art is happening Friday, October 29th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Woodstock Community Library!

Our deepest thanks to our Alabama district 49 State Representative Russell Bedsole, for his kind attention to the needs of our Woodstock community.

Congratulations Chief Len Price and Town Clerk Tiffney Cook McCulley!

The next Woodstock Town Council meeting will take place Monday, November 16, 2020 at 5:00 PM immediately following the 4:00 PM Zoning Commission meeting.

Going forward, the Woodstock Town Council meeting will take place at 5:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Go to the Online Catalog

The Woodstock Community Library is open to serve you Monday by appointment for unemployment filing services and Tuesday – Friday from 10-5.

We’re embracing the new normal at the library, for your safety, and ours. (And we can’t wait to see you!)

Here’s what’s new:

•A hand washing station for anyone entering the library will be located in the kitchen. Please go there first.

•A return bin for books is set up in the kitchen so that we can sanitize returned books.

•One family group at a time (short visits only) so that we may re-sanitize surfaces between each patron.

•Classes can start back the week of May 18. The library will be closed to public traffic during the class session.

• Computer uses and assistance from librarian is scheduled. Give us a call at 205-394-0122 and we’ll hook you up!

• If you are sneezing, coughing, have sinus, (even if you think it’s ‘just allergies”), running a fever, or feel tired or unwell, please come see us another day. Someone’s life may depend on all of us abiding by these common sense courtesies.

***Town of Woodstock Community Library Open for Essential Contactless Services***

Woodstock, Ala, April 15, 2020 — Mayor Jeff Dodson announced today that the Woodstock Community Library will begin offering contactless community services effective Friday, April 17.

“We’re seeing an increasing need in Woodstock for the services the library offers, especially reference materials for students who are now learning at home, and print services,” said Dodson.

The library is strictly adhering to new safety policies that are in place. Patrons can email and schedule “outside the door” pick-ups and these times will be staggered throughout the day in order to accommodate everyone.

“We’ll begin taking requests by phone or text at two zero five 324-0122 or email at library@townofwoodstockal.com starting Thursday. You’ll be able to pick up books Friday at an assigned time,” notes librarian Michele Dickey.

“We’re also happy to assist with printing needs. Email your documents to library@townofwoodstockal.com and you’ll receive a reply with a scheduled pick-up time.”

If you’d like a text notification for pick up, please include your cell phone number with the request.

Dodson added, “We also want to reach out to our elderly and those with chronic health conditions who also need library services . If we can mail a book or book on CD to you, we’d be happy to do so.”

The library also now offers an online sign-up for library cards. This new service is available at this link: https://greenpond.biblionix.com/catalog/?signup=1
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The scheduled Woodstock Town Council Meeting for Monday, April 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. will be broadcast live on Facebook. Hope you can tune in!

https://www.facebook.com/townofwoodstockal/

You are cordially invited to “Stronger Together,” a State of the Community presentation at Woodstock Town Hall Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00 PM.

Panel includes Woodstock Mayor Jeff Dodson, West Blocton Mayor Daniel Sims, Bibb County Commissioners Keefe Burt and James Kelly, Bibb County Board of Education members Morris Moody and Billie Dailey.

Topics:
Area Goals
Growth
Finances
Roads
Education
Ambulance Service
Community Event Calendar
Unity
Community Clean Up Day

Please mark your calendar and join us!

Join Cheryl Dodson for a FREE Suicide Prevention Seminar focusing on the Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) technique. Learn the 3 simple steps that anyone can use to help save a life from suicide.

DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 10

TIME: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

LOCATION: Brookwood Baptist Medical Center Women’s Classrooms
FREE

To register, please call 833.569.3588 or visit brookwoodbaptisthealth.com/prevention

ABOUT CHERYL DODSON – Cheryl Dodson is the First Lady of Woodstock, AL and a suicide prevention speaker and advocate. Dodson was friends with John B. McLemore, who was the main focus of the investigative journalism podcast “S-Town,” which rose to international popularity in 2018. McLemore, 49, died by suicide before the podcast was complete.

Woodstock Music Festival T-Shirts are going fast! Stop by Town Hall Monday-Friday, 8-12 and 1-5 to purchase yours!

Friendly reminder: the Woodstock Town Council meeting is Monday, Aug. 12.

This genealogy of the Dowdle family was written by Samuel Wesley Dowdle, the son of William Robert Dowdle and Hattie Belle Dunlap Dowdle.

The handwritten document was transcribed by Mrs. Linda Deloach of Woodstock, Alabama.

Samuel Dowdle son of Robert Dowdle Sr. came to Ala. From Anderson County S.C. about 1819-1820.

He entered some land on the Bibb and Tuscaloosa County line (now owned by “Shorty Chris or Crisp).

In 1829 he bought the “Hill” land grant and place (W R Dowdle Jr. has the original land grant dated 1819 and signed by President James Monroe.)

This land is about 2 miles east of Vance Ala.

His wife was Martha Wood born Dec. 8, 1779 died Jan. 16, 1852. Her parents names are unknown. [Her tombstone says she was born in 1778.]

Her brother Oliver was born on the ship coming over. Another brother Wilson Wood married Nancy Wallace and lived near Vance Ala a great-great-grandson of this couple (Ross Arnold) is buried in Jacksonville, Ala.

Children of Samuel Dowdle

1. Robert Barr Dowdle married Sarah Vance of Bibb County Ala

He settled at or near Reform Ala where his descendants now live

1. James Dowdle (will list his children later) (our line) Great Grandfather
2. William Dowdle married Rebecca Ann Moore. He was born Oct 14 1813 died July 16 1854. He was a shoemaker by trade. After his death his widow and children moved to Texas before the Civil War. Nothing else is known about them.
3. Peggie Dowdle married a Mr Wood

Their children were Martha, James and John

1. Jane Dowdle married a Mr. Malone

Their children were Dave, Robert, William, Samuel and Winnie

1. Samuel Dowdle Jr. married Nancy Vance a sister of Dr. William Vance and James Vance. He moved to Pickens County Ala before the Civil War. One child is known (Mary J) six years old in 1850 (He was born 1818 died 1885)

The family of James Dowdle (my great grandfather)

He was born Nov 3, 1808 in South Carolina died Sept 17, 1893 and in buried at Union Cemetery near Vance Ala.

(Note) Sarah Starr Moore was the daughter Nancy and Mike Moore Smith

Nancy Smith Moore was the daughter of William & Catherine (Rogers) Smith

See (The Smiths) (Hence the DAR connection)

He married Sarah Starr Moore daughter of James Micheal and Nancy Smith Moore. She was born about 1812 in what is now Madison County Ala

She died in 1898 and is also buried at Union Cemetery.

Their children were

1. Nancy Wood Dowdle born May 20 1831 died Oct 1918. She was known as (Aunt Push)

She married James Murray in 1855

He was born May 28 1830 and died Dec 27 1863. Both of them buried at Hurricane

The children of James Murray and Nancy Wood Dowdle were

1. Sarah Elizabeth Murray born Dec 1854 died Aug 16 1935. She married N. N. (Sid) Smith Nov 15 1899

They had no children

1. John Robert Murray born Feb 28 1856

Died May 16 1938 married Bessie Morgan March 1886

Their children were

1. Robert Clifford Murray born Dec 18 1887 died Oct 1939 married Alice McLauren of Valley Head Ala. They had six children
2. William Moore Murray born 1889 married Ruth Mosley of Marietta Ga. They had 3 children
3. Lois Louise Murray born Aug 4 1895 married Lawrence Brice of Oneonta Ala. They had 2 children
4. Mary Jane Murray born Nov 20 1858 died Sept 16 1928 married William Asbury Wood Oct 26 1882

No children

1. William Moore Murray born April 7 1860 died Jan 21 1904 married Helen Glenn Bartin Feb 3 1891. She was from Opelika Ala
2. David Jefferson (Jet) Murray born Jan 7 1862 died

(Never married)

James Murray and Nancy Wood (Dowdle) raised two girls left by a good friend when she died. They were Hattie and Adelle Sadler. Hattie married Charlie Gallant and he was killed. She later married Walter George who married Edd Sansing.

Adelle married William Martin of Meridian, Mississippi they had several daughters

The Woodstock Community Library is delighted to announce that we are temporarily hosting the Dowdle Family Historical Archives, courtesy of author and podcast producer, Jim Owens.

Thank you to Matthew Hartzell at the Bibb County Extension for these summer updates!

You can sign up to receive these updates in your inbox here: http://offices.aces.edu/bibb/

The South’s most beautiful festival is May 18!

The Cahaba Lily Festival is held on the third Saturday in May each year in West Blocton, Alabama. This annual festival celebrates the unique Cahaba Lily that grows in the nearby Cahaba River. It also aims to bring attention to the beauty all around us and our need for careful stewardship.

What is the Cahaba Lily Festival?

The Cahaba Lily Festival is held on the third Saturday of May each year in West Blocton, Alabama. (Click here for a map and directions to the Festival.) The next festival will be Saturday, May 18, 2019.
What takes place at the Festival?

Each year the program begins in the morning (roughly 9 am) with indoor presentations by various nature/wildflower groups. Botanist Larry Davenport, an expert on the lilies, presents an informative presentation about the lilies. Lunch is served just before attendees go to the river for viewing the lilies. Later in the afternoon, The Cahaba Lily Center hosts a Story Telling event.
How much does it cost?

There is no registration fee for the Cahaba Lily Festival. Donations are accepted to cover the cost of the lunch. T-shirts, caps, artwork and various nature-related crafts will also be available from attending vendors for those interested.
Where can I get more information 
The Cahaba Lily Festival is organized by the West Blocton Improvement Committee. For more information you can contact Myrtle Jones at 205 938 7304 or Charles Allen at 205 938 2479 or Email at info@cahabalily.com

Mark your calendar for the 46th Annual Southern Appalachian Dulcimer Festival which will be held at Tannehill Park April 29 – May 5, 2019. Gazebo performances will be on Friday May 3rd, and Classes and open stage will be on Saturday May 4th.

Schedule of Activities

THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN DULCIMER was developed in the southeast mountains of America and was the country’s first native instrument outside of those made by the Native Americans.

Until recent years, the Appalachian dulcimer was found and played only in remote mountain areas. Hand made of native woods, this long, thin primitive instrument normally has one melody string and two drone strings. The word “dulcimer” (or dulcymore) means “sweet sound” and the Appalachian dulcimer is known for its distinctive, sweet, haunting sound, ideal for accompanying traditional ballads and other folk tunes.

Maybe you can help! The library really misses these lost books and other materials. Would you look around and see if you have any of these?

The week of April 22-26 will be dedicated to Library Fine Reduction/Return Those Books! Week. We’d love for you to return the materials and in exchange you’ll only pay 0.01¢ on each $1.00 of overdue fines owed.

Over $17,000 worth of books and other materials returning would make a world of difference for this little library.

Won’t you please help?

P.S. If you can’t pay right now, we understand. Just drop the materials off and we’ll worry about the fine later. We’ll even leave a drop-off box outside during library business hours.