A Day of Joy and New Beginnings: Bid Day 2025 at Rudy Abbott Field

The Big Moment: Bid Day on August 17, 2025
I was honored to attend #JAXState Bid Day held at Jacksonville State University. As a proud Alpha Omicron Pi Alumni, I was honored to welcome to my niece, Claire Lindsey, to our sisterhood. What a great day being back on campus!
This year’s timeline placed Bid Day smack in the middle of JSU’s “J-Week,” making it more than just a Greek life event—it’s the heart of welcoming season:
August 17, 2025: Panhellenic Sorority Bid Day electrifies the campus—full of cheering, balloons, and sorority banners everywhere.
Later that evening, a relaxed Movie Night unfolds on North Village Lawn, offering a warm wind-down after all the excitement.
Jax State
A Stage Like No Other: Rudy Abbott Field
Picture Bid Day hosted at a home that’s usually reserved for Gamecock baseball—Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium:
Built in 1995 and renovated with suites, press facilities, and a clubhouse, this is a modern and well-equipped venue, with AstroTurf underfoot and seating for around 2,020 spectators.
Jacksonville State University Athletics
Imagine sprawling grassy expanses filled with cheering sisters, families, and friends—not to watch a game, but to celebrate a lifelong commitment to sisterhood. The festive energy would be epic.
Alpha Omicron Pi—Delta Epsilon Chapter: Where Ambition Meets Heart
Proud Alumni of Alpha Omicron Pi’s Delta Epsilon chapter at JSU—a place devoted to “Inspire Ambition”:
Their symbol is the sheaf of wheat, and they’re represented by the panda, with the ruby as their jewel and the elegant jaqueminot rose as their flower.
Founded nationally in 1897, AOII’s principal philanthropy is arthritis research—a cause close to their hearts and a powerful way to serve beyond campus.
(Jax State)
This chapter isn’t new to distinction: they’ve earned recognition as one of the top-performing AOII chapters in the nation, including the prestigious JWH Cup—an honor that reflects their compassion, leadership, and dedication to service.
Celebrating Southern Hospitality in Alabama

Celebrating Southern Hospitality in Alabama
There’s something magnetic about welcoming someone into your home with that unmistakable Southern charm. In Alabama, hospitality isn’t just a gesture—it’s a way of life.
1. Manners That Speak Volumes
“Politeness is woven into daily life,” where greetings like “yes, ma’am,” “no, sir,” “please,” and “thank you” are taught from an early age Southern Living.
And trust me—it’s more than rules; it’s a warm invitation.
2. Comforting, Home-Cooked Food
Food is the heartbeat of hospitality in Alabama. Think peach cobbler, hummingbird cake, biscuits—always made in abundance because you might have surprise guests Southern LivingState’s TastesAllrecipes.
3. Generous Kindness & Helpfulness
As the saying goes in the South: “There are no strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet.” Expect offers to fix your plate, help with dishes, or guide you, even if you’re just passing through Southern Living.
4. Deep-Rooted Community Traditions
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Potlucks: These community gatherings are about more than food—they’re about connection and shared stories owossoindependent.comFood & Wine.
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Festivals: Events like the Pepper Jelly Festival in Thomaston and the Alabama Sweet Tea Festival in Enterprise bring folks together with crafts, music, and local treats Wikipediaguidetoalabama.com.
5. Ambassadors of Warmth
In Mobile, the Azalea Trail Maids serve as youthful ambassadors of charm and grace—welcoming dignitaries with poise and Southern flair Wikipedia.
6. A Culture of Celebration
Alabama embraces celebratory customs like burying a bottle of bourbon before a wedding—a quirky, hopeful ritual meant to usher in clear skies on the big day Southern Living.
Why It All Matters
Southern hospitality in Alabama is anchored in genuine warmth, rooted in tradition, and sustained by generosity. It’s the comfort of a porch visit, the invitation to join a family table, and the stories shared across festivals and front steps.
Calhoun County, AL Real Estate Market Update

Alabama Real Estate Spotlight | Summer 2025
Real Estate in Calhoun County — Mid-2025 Overview
Home Prices & Market Pace
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Median sale price for Calhoun County homes in June 2025 was approximately $223,000, reflecting a notable 23.7% year-over-year increase Redfin.
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The Zillow Home Value Index places the average home value at $163,043, up 1.2% from last year, with around 17 days to go pending Zillow.
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The median sale price—based on another Zillow snapshot—was around $211,500, with a median list price of $223,267, while 22% of sales exceeded the list price and 51% sold below it Zillow.
Inventory & Sales Velocity
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Active listings climbed to 276 in June, up 4.6% month-over-month and 13.6% year-over-year data.lubbockonline.com.
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The broader total listing count rose from 403 in June to 445 in July 2025, indicating growing availability FRED.
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Homes sold in June averaged 45 days on market, which is 3 days longer than in June 2024 ACRE – Alabama Center for Real Estate.
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That same report recorded 29 homes sold in June, which was 17.5% below ACRE’s forecast, signaling softer-than-expected demand ACRE – Alabama Center for Real Estate.
Market Conditions & Balance
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With about 4.9 months of supply, Calhoun County is moving toward a more balanced market—approaching an equilibrium where neither buyers nor sellers have a distinct advantage ACRE – Alabama Center for Real Estate.
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Sales volume remains somewhat stagnant year-over-year, while prices continue to trend upwards, indicating tight available inventory is supporting pricing power ACRE – Alabama Center for Real EstateRedfin.
Geographic Highlights
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Anniston (Calhoun County seat): Median sale price is about $210K, up 46.4% YoY, though the number of sales fell—12 homes sold vs. 26 a year earlier—and days on market stretched to 101 Rocket.
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Oxford (within Calhoun): Median sale price around $235K, up 4.2% YoY. Notably, the number of sales more than doubled—33 homes sold versus 16 a year earlier—with days on market rising from 39 to 57 Rocket.
Oxford, AL Fall Market on Main Vendors

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Calhoun County, AL Business Expo 2025









See Choccolocco Creek Up Close!

Choccolocco Kayak is a kayak rental facility located in Oxford, Alabama. We provide kayaks and transportation for a beautiful 1.5 – 2.0 hour float down Choccolocco Creek.
Visitors will be transported by van to the kayak put-in access point near Cider Ridge Golf Club. Visitors will float Choccolocco Creek until they reach the take-out access point at the kayak rental facility.
Users must be 18 years or older to rent kayaks. Users 8-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult to float in a standard kayak. Children under eight must float in a tandem kayak accompanied by an adult.
For more information, please call (256) 847-5191
Youth Entrepreneur Expo in Calhoun County, AL

There’s still time to register your Youth Entrepreneur for our upcoming EXPO on Friday, August 29th from 11 AM to 1 PM right here at the Chamber!
Give your young small business owner the tools they need to grow by selling their products and services to our Chamber members, as well as getting a Business Mentor they can ask questions to during our YEE Classroom seminar!
Register here: https://forms.gle/QQ8Y7LKKstAQmrN37
Hydroponic Tier Sponsor #AqualityFarms

Yes, I am a proud #sponsor for a hydroponic tier at Aquality Farms in Anniston, AL. These pesticide-free plants (lettuce) are harvested here in our back yard, packaged and shipped to local schools and summer camps surround our community. I celebrated my tier sponsorship with my first ribbon cutting ceremony. The Calhoun County Chamber Ambassadors were in attendance at Aquality Farms and also received a private tour of the facility.