The 15th annual Shelby Iron Works Festival will be Oct. 11-12 on the grounds of the Historic Shelby Iron Company.

Shelby Iron Works was Alabama’s largest producer of Confederate iron during the Civil War. The iron works was home to the state’s first rolling mill and the largest charcoal blast furnace in the South.

Scheduled festival activities include a syrup mill to make sweet sorghum syrup, a grist mill to grind corn, blacksmiths in action at the shop, an 1870s sawmill in operation, antique tractors and an authentic moonshine still on display.

There will also be candle dipping, lye soap making, hominy cooking and other old-time crafts along with a variety of craft vendors.

Entertainment will include gospel music throughout the day with a sprinkling of bluegrass and country.

Refreshments will include beans, greens and fixings, barbecue and

boiled peanuts.

The Iron Works is located four-and-a-half miles south of Columbiana on Highway 42 just west of the Highway 47 intersection in southeast Shelby County.

For information, call 669-6306 or email mailto:sheliron@bellsouth.net.

Weight loss support group at Shelby

A new support group is planned at Baptist Shelby for weight loss surgery (WLS) patients, potential patients, family members of patients or those interested in support related to weight loss.

The program’s two founders are both WLS patients.

The first meeting is planned for Monday, Sept. 22 from 6-8 p.m. in the Baptist Shelby community center. The group will meet the fourth Monday of each month.

Those participating in the WLS support group will be provided with newsletters, group discussions, an on-line e-mail forum, a mentoring program, a clothes closet, recipe exchanges, a &uot;goodie-bag&uot; program, education speakers and &uot;before and after&uot; pictures of surgery patients.

This brand-new program is encouraging active volunteer roles and input from members to provide a solid foundation.

For information, visit the Shelby WLS Support Group website at www.baptistmedical.org/ShelbyWLS or call Marty Murphy at 620-7120