Mike Latham accepts St. Bernard Bloomin' Festival grand prize

Fr. Marcus Voss, Director of Development at St. Bernard presented the keys of the 2013 Jeep Patriot to Mike Latham of Birmingham, AL.  Latham was the grand prize winner at the 29th Annual Bloomin' Festival held recently at St. Bernard Prep in Cullman, AL.

29th Bloomin’ Festival Held at St. Bernard

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival may have had a chilly start, but the art-filled weekend at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, Alabama created the perfect setting for a warm welcome to the thousands in attendance.

Festival Director, Joyce Nix said, “I was very pleased with this year’s event.  We worked extremely hard to make sure we had artists of exceptional quality who came to exhibit at the festival.  In addition, the visitors who attended this year’s show had the opportunity to speak with the artists and learn about their craft.  Our volunteers did a great job in welcoming our guests to the campus as well as to the City of Cullman.”

Dr. Nancy Thornton had this to say about the Festival Director and in particular about the quality of work displayed.  “My mother is a well- known Western artist and does many juried shows in addition to her own gallery.   She commented that your careful selection of talent made the show a serious regional event.  Quality not quantity. Your leadership is to be commended and special thanks given to all of the volunteers.”

Saturday morning St. Bernard held a 5K/10K run.  St. Bernard students, Will Faulk, was the overall 10K winner, and Seamus Russell was overall 5K winner.  Jaden Edge was the female winner in 5k , while Ayleana Mami  finished 2nd in the 10K female division.

The master’s winners in the 5K were Eric Fillinger  and Shannon Barnett both of Cullman. The 10K  overall female  winner was Jenna Woodruff of Cullman.  The master’s winners in the 10K were Kelly Lambert (female) of Cullman and Stan Johnson (male) of Moulton.  A complete listing of times can be found at www.bloominfestival.com.

Winners of the prize giveaway were as follows:  Mike Latham of Birmingham – took the first prize of a 2013 Jeep Patriot; Mary Beckman of Killen, AL won a Kindle Fire HD; Carmelita Watts of Tuscaloosa won a Canon Camera; Lydia Caballo of Tampa, FL received a Garmin GPS; and Linda Mitchell of Centre,  won the IPod Shuffle.

Fr. Marcus Voss, OSB Development Director for St. Bernard said the school utilizes the proceeds from the festival to do the work of education.  “We appreciate everyone who made a donation to our program to make the weekend such a success.” 

Festival dates for next year have been set for April 5-6, 2014.  Keep up to the minute by “liking” Bloomin’ Festival on facebook.

 

 

Bloomin' Festival set for April 20-21

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair on April 20-21, 2013 is a sold out show.  Artists and Craftspeople submitted their applications early in December so as not to miss out on a spot during the  premier show at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, AL.  Bloomin’ Festival has again been recognized at a ‘Top 20 Event in the Southeast’ by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Everything from handcrafted pottery and coin jewelry to children and ladies clothing, birdhouses, fashion accessories, metal art, leather, stoneware baskets, home grown plants, toys, Dahlia bulbs, Art, ceramics, candles, soap and so much more can be found.  Live demonstrations will include:  grinding corn meal and sampling hoe cakes, glassblowing, broom making, and one of Cullman Counties own Blacksmiths, Allan Kress at work.

Parents, monks, students and friends of St. Bernard Prep are gearing up to assist visitors with parking, concessions, train rides, and environmental control. 

A 5K and 10K race will be held on the wooded trails of campus on Saturday April 20 beginning at 7:30 a.m.  Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners; Masters male and female winners; and 1^st and 2^nd Place age group winners.  Entry fee is $25 if received by 4/16; or $30 on race day.

To register go to www.bloominfestival.com or drop by the school to complete an application.

Food is provided solely by St. Bernard Prep School.  The menu consists of pinto beans and hoe cakes make from fresh ground cornmeal onsite; BBQ chicken, polish sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, fresh squeezed lemonade,  and Pepsi!

At the conclusion of the show on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. a drawing for the festival grand prize will be held.  St. Bernard Prep in a partnership with Cullman Dodge will be giving away a 2013 Jeep Patriot, Kindle Fire HD 7”; Canon digital camera, Garmin Nuvi GPS; and an Apple Ipod Shuffle.

Ave Maria Grotto is open the entire weekend for a low admission price of only $3 per person.  Admission to the festival is $5.  All proceeds benefit St. Bernard Preparatory School.  For more information visit www.bloominfestival.com or check out www.facebook.com/bloominfestival.

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival is sponsored by Cullman Dodge, Pepsi, OF Richter & Sons, Kassouf & Company, Richard Electric, Merchants Bank, Cullman Jefferson Gas, Peoples Bank of Alabama,  R. Champ Crocker – Attorney at Law,  and Regions Bank.

 

First Half Marathon deemed a success

St. Bernard Prep School hosted their first Half-Marathon recently through the wooded trails of the St. Bernard Abbey Treasure Forest.  Seventy-nine runners registered for the event  from Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama; and seventy-two finished the trail  race.

Roger Blalock and William Calvert were all smiles Saturday morning as runners arrived  to register.  Cool morning temperatures provided a great start to the morning race.  

Fr. Joel Martin, OSB, President of St. Bernard Prep School was on hand to open the ceremony with a prayer and to start the race.

Former Cullman High School and George Tech standout, E.C. Gibbs claimed the course with a record time of 1:25:43.00, followed by Dink Taylor of Huntsville 1:29.48.00. Taylor was the masters winner (0ver 40) as well. Eric Charette  of Huntsville was 3^rd place with a time of 1.31.58.00. Female winner (7^th place overall) was Emily Spry of Elkmont with a time of 1:43:14.00. Laura Brock of Cullman was 2^nd female (9^th place overall) with a time of 1:46:12.00. Rachel Eidson of Huntsville was 3^rd female (20^th place overall) with a time of 1:57:32.00.  Erica Davis of Hartselle was the female masters winner (30^th place overall) with a time of 2:12:44.00. Male grandmasters winner (over 50) was Duane Ricketts of Cullman (5^th place overall) with a time of 1:37:59.00. Female grandmasters winner was Susan Methvin of Loretto, Tn.  (24^th place overall) with a time of 2:05:07.00.

 Calvert said it was a resounding success (72 finishers).  “We hope to make it an annual event, and look for it to grow into a much anticipated event on the race calendar each year.”

Calvert thanked all that took part as participants, volunteers, photographers, spectators  and of course our sponsors.  “All of our people did a fantastic job in pulling this event together for a smooth start and finish,” Calvert said.

Blalock said the event is sure to grow.  “We have had so much positive response not only about the trails, but the wonderful hospitality shown to the runners,” Blalock said.

Runners were treated to fresh fruit, muffins, cookies, water, coffee, chocolate milk, Pepsi and Gatorade.  Local restaurant owners Ralph and Annette Harris of Rumor’s Deli provided delicious boiled oatmeal cookies and photography for the runners; and Sweet Peppers Deli owners David and Maria Steele  donated wonderful sack lunches of sandwiches, cookies and chips provided to participants at the end of their run. 

St. Bernard will host the Bloomin’ Festival 5K/10K on Saturday, April 20 to kick off the 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair in Cullman.

 

 

Saint Bernard looking to 2013-2014

Cullman, AL  Dozens of families visited St. Bernard Prep School at the Spring Open House recently to  familiarize themselves  with the school and the  residential community life offered by the Benedictine Monks at St. Bernard Abbey.

Admissions Director, Dr. Donna Bryant said the majority of families in attendance were from Alabama, and one family came from Freer, Texas.  “We are very fortunate that our enrollment has remained steady, and expect the number of applicants to pick up in the next month as parents begin making decisions for the upcoming school year.”

Student ambassadors took a prominent leadership role in Open House activities by leading tours at the Abbey Church, gymnasium and classroom building.  They also provided the welcoming remarks to open the day.  Additionally the drama department, under the direction of Mr. Rodney Fike provided a short skit from the upcoming Wizard of Oz production.  The Saints All Star Band under the direction of Mr. Lester Harris entertained guests with several tunes as well.

“Our guests remarked on the poise and confidence with which our students spoke and presented themselves,” Dr. Bryant said.  “Several prospective students are planning to return to take part in our Shadow Day Program.”

Shadow Day gives students an opportunity to see what student life is all about at St. Bernard Prep.   Bryant said,  “We place our guests in a classroom of their peers, and this experience gives them a real insight to the  learning experience at St. Bernard.”

Anyone interested in visiting the campus for a Shadow Day or receiving more information about St. Bernard Prep  should contact the school at (256)739-6682 or visit www.stbernardprep.com  Like the school on www.facebook.com/stbernardprep.

St. Bernard Prep to host Half Marathon – March 9, 2013 @ 7:30 a.m.

The first-ever half-marathon race to happen in Cullman County is about to take place at St. Bernard Prep in Cullman, on the renovated and newly-created trails of St. Bernard Abbey, Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 a.m.

For the past three years Cross Country Coach William Calvert, and  noted “Trail Boss” Roger Blalock, along with countless other volunteers, have recovered and restored existing trails through the Abbey’s 800 acres of Treasure Forest  and constructed at least five more miles, doubling the trails in size.

The Trails of St. Bernard Half-Marathon will showcase the expanded scenic trail system of St. Bernard Abbey.  Calvert  said  the old trails and forest roads have been improved, and the new trails will take participants  into the more remote areas of the 120-year old campus.

 Blalock, the volunteer “Trail Boss,” has been the catalyst in improving the old trails and dozing  the new ones.  Along with a core group of volunteers that include St. Bernard coaches, teachers,  parents and local runners, Blalock has added about five new miles of trails to the system through the use of a small bulldozer and back-breaking work with shovels, rakes, picks and axes.

Calvert said Roger loves the outdoors,  and building trails is a passionate hobby  for him.  “We certainly appreciate all of Roger’s hard work and dedication.  He has built some beautiful  scenic trails through streams with waterfalls and huge boulder rocks. “

There have been several water bars put in place to re-route water off the trails to nearby streams.   “Conservation of land has been a major concern in this process,” Blalock said.   These trails are solid, but according to Blalock they aren’t finished yet.   “Because of erosion, some sections of the older trails will be totally rebuilt to preserve them.  That said, these trails are in great shape, some of the best in the southeastern states.”

Blalock’s experience with operating heavy equipment and with engineering the building of trails has been a blessing for our program at St. Bernard.  “Back in the 80’s, Roger was involved in the layout and building of trails in the Bankhead Forest,” Calvert said.

While running or walking the trails, one can notice the dirt which has been removed from underneath one of the huge boulders by the creek.  “We hit charcoal and feel sure that this could have been a perfect Native American home years ago,” Blalock said.  “It was perfect since they loved facing south and near the water, but as the need for more dirt increased, it has been pulled from underneath the huge bluff rock.” 

The wooded 13.1 mile course has ten unique bridges with names like No Hands Bridge and Gear Up that span some of the stream crossings.  Rustic wooden signs nailed to cedar posts with names like Lost Creek Trail, Rock Quarry and Little Magnolia point runners and hikers in the right direction.  The course of rolling hills and mostly-hardwood forest adds to the challenge but also to the beauty of the trails.

Calvert said the half-marathon route will challenge runners,  but  is a fair course with good footing.  “It’s a great  course for first-time trail racers,  and will be a fast course for the more experienced.”   

Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners, Masters male and female winners, and grand masters male and female winners, as well as medals to the top three finishers for male and female in each age group. 

Age groups are 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over. 

A pre-registration fee of $40 is due on or before 3/01/2013; the fee is $45 after 3/1/2013.  To register online go to www.raceit.com/Register?event=17275  or to register by mail, print a registration form at  www.stbernardprep.com.

For more information,  contact Race Directors, Roger Blalock, blalockroger@yahoo.com -256-734-1200 or William Calvert, wcalvert@stbernardprep.com - 256-612-3028. 

Peel, Matz push Saints to impressive finish at regional championship

Saint Bernard Middle School students Sarah Peel and Morgan Matz participated in  a landmark weekend for the Saints swimming program recently leading their school to 14^th out of 40 teams at the Southeastern Middle School Swimming Championship in Chattanooga, TN.

Peel, 7, and Matz, 8, reached the finals in both of their events.  Peel torpedoed to second in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 100-yard breaststroke, while Matz glided to fifth in the 100-yard backstroke and 15^th in the 50-yard freestyle.

In addition to the duo’s swimming prowess, Coach Carson Glasscock said Peel and Matz are exceptional students.

“I am really proud of Sarah and Morgan.  Both put in outstanding performances in a very tough regional meet,” he said. “It really shows the future of competitive swimming at St. Bernard.  I am most proud that both these girls were on the AV honor roll for the fall semester.”