Tabernacle, Burleson School on student list

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
From 33 nominations, seventh grade students at Hartselle High School have chosen what they think are the Seven Wonders of Hartselle.
The winners they chose by popular vote are: Old F.E. Burleson School building; the Tabernacle; Cry Baby Hollow; Humpty Dumpty Bridge; the city’s old unsolved bank robbery; Iron Man statue; and Ronnie Strickland.
The announcements were made last week at the school’s annual day at the Tabernacle. Seventh graders at HJHS visited the Tabernacle throughout the day and had a chance to learn more about the area’s history.
Students responded with loud applause as each “wonder “ was called out by teacher Leah Roden, but they saved the best—Ronnie Strickland—for last. When his name was called and he was introduced, he received a standing ovation.
Strickland has been slowed in recent years by a physical handicap but still manages to get out on his bicycle nearly every day to collect recyclable aluminum cans around town. In his younger days, the MCHS graduate was considered to be among the number one fans of the Hartselle Tigers. He attended every football practice, in addition to the games, and looked forward to challenging the players by running sprints with them at the conclusion of each session.
Roden said the “Seven Wonders of Hartselle” project stemmed from a study of the “Seven Wonders of the World” and the book, “The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs,” that’s been used in a school-wide study this year.