Latest news with #BigBobGibsonBar-B-Q
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q brings home 13th first place title after Memphis in May competition
DECATUR, Ala (WHNT) — When it comes to Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, a full parking lot and dining room isn't a surprise. It's been a well-loved Decatur staple for decades. Decatur City Schools in need of additional bus drivers 'We are the fifth generation barbecue pitmasters,' Jacob Lilly said. 'We couldn't be more proud to be here and able to show our customers what we've learned, not only through our dad, but basically our grandfather, our great-grandfather, and our great-great-grandfather,' he said. The restaurant just brought home the gold after being recognized on one of the biggest stages in barbecue history: The Memphis in May competition. 'This is our 13th time winning this competition in whole shoulder, but again, that comes with a long line of history for us,' said Jacob Lilly. 'This is our 100th year anniversary.' Marshall County Schools breaks ground on multi-million-dollar elementary school Andrew and Jacob Lilly are brothers and the current restaurant operators. They said entering a competition like this takes months of preparation. 'These cooks there are so talented, so good,' said Andrew Lilly. 'I mean you have to be on your game… any misstep you will not you will not make finals. You will not win.' For a family full of tradition and lined with generations of pitmasters, a weekend like this is not only a way to put their talents to the test, but enjoy time with family as well. 'So Memphis in May competition for us is like a big family reunion,' said Jacob Lilly. 'We've got our aunts, our uncles, our cousins, our sons, who hopefully will become sixth generation, are there.' Although competition highlights what's new and special, the Lillys said back at the restaurant, they'll always stick to their traditions. They are also celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Expand their backgrounds, their horizons, and their skill sets': STEAM Imagination Center opens in Decatur
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A new opportunity for higher education is opening its doors to students, offering classes in science, technology, engineering, fine arts, and math, or 'STEAM.' The new STEAM Imagination Center in Decatur is a partnership between the Alabama Center for the Arts, Calhoun Community College, and Athens State University. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q brings home 13th first place title after Memphis in May competition 'We want to be able to provide employment for all our students,' said Senator Arthur Orr, who sponsored the bill that provided funding for the Center. 'This will give them an added dimension as they learn technology, computers, how to do art on computers, and, they can take that out into the workforce, get a good paying job and have a successful career.' The STEAM Imagination Center will host several new programs and provide workspace for existing classes, including 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, and filmmaking. Kimberly Parker, who serves as the executive director of the Alabama Center of the Arts and the dean of Fine Arts at Calhoun, said exposure to math, science and fine arts will help students down the road. 'We find that students learn as much from each other as they do from their instructors,' she said. 'We're hoping that the mix of different types of students will sort of start conversations that give them a chance to expand their backgrounds, their horizons, and their skill sets.' The center will host its first semester of classes next week. Admission is also open to high school students with dual enrollment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Call of Duty supports Still Serving Veterans with a significant annual grant
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A surprising partnership between a popular video game and local non-profit Still Serving Veterans has helped the organization provide several services for over a decade. 'It just takes 1 or 2 people to believe in you,' Ethan Fitzgerald, marketing director at Still Serving Veterans, said. 'And how cool is it that the video game Call of Duty, you know, is supporting a humble nonprofit in Huntsville, Alabama, which is also very synonymous with supporting veterans.' Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q brings home 13th first place title after Memphis in May competition The Call of Duty Endowment, or CODE, provides grants to organizations helping veterans find high-quality jobs, and SSV is one of only 8 U.S. non-profits that receive a grant. Still Serving Veterans gets $1 million from CODE annually that goes directly to its Veteran Career Transition program. 'That Call of Duty money is just a lifesaver,' Fitzgerald said. 'It's quite literally changed the lives of veterans every single year.' SSV's Veteran Career Transition program helps vets with all things job search: from resume building and interview preparation to salary negotiations and check-ins months into the new role. The non-profit said there has been significant success. 'That funding allows us to hire veterans to help veterans,' Fitzgerald said. 'If you think about counseling appointments and stuff like that, there's usually a charge for that. You know, we're basically, you know, taking that off the table for the veteran. They don't have to pay for anything.' Marshall County Schools breaks ground on multi-million-dollar elementary school CODE's website announces achievements from more than 150,000 veteran job placements to date, with a 90% retention rate within the first six months of a veteran starting a new job. While SSV is very grateful for the funding dedicated to its Veteran Career Transition Program, the non-profit notes some of its other programs that are in need of such financial support: its VA Benefits and Resource programs. 'Unfortunately, the endowment doesn't cover that,' Fitzgerald said. 'So we always are raising money to try to support those other two programs, looking for grants, looking for sponsors and and the people who donate 5 to $10 a month. Those grassroots donors that keep our other programs alive are super important.' For more information on how to donate, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
