There’s a place in North Shelby you should go, a neat destination for folks from school age to seniors. Many visitors leave inspired.

I’m writing about Bud’s Best Cookies, an ultra-modern facility where Owner Bud Cason is in the business of having fun and baking cookies.

Each year 25,000 or more guests ride the train through the entire manufacturing process, from mixing and baking, to packaging.

Then they taste a sample. Train tours are offered late September through May, on Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment.

“Cookies are in my blood,” said Cason with a smile. “They make people happy.”

Indeed, they do bring pleasure.

Try my favorite, oatmeal, or one of the yummy new cookies he offers which are chock full of surprises, like candy inside.

The miniature morsels are unique in the industry, setting Bud’s Best apart from the cookie crowd.

Their bite size isn’t the only distinct difference in award-winning Bud’s Best brand.

Cason founded his business on Christian principles, and still operates according to the Golden Rule.

Cason said, “‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you.’ This is a philosophy I have, with employees and customers. I try to treat others the way I want to be treated.”

His faith principles go far beyond this one.

“As a Seventh-day Adventist, I keep Sabbath, worshipping from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Some employees worship Sunday morning. Of course, they aren’t scheduled to work then,” he said.

Cason practices tithing, giving the biblical 10 percent, plus greater than double that amount. Cason is well known for his benevolence, whether supporting schools and churches, or providing cookies for worthy fundraisers.

Even in this economic downturn, Bud’s Best Cookies is still going strong, offering great products and jobs. Bud’s Best 2006 sales were over $26 million.

Bud’s Best was founded in 1991, but Bud Cason’s baking industry experience goes back 40 years.

He worked in his aunt’s cookie factory starting at age 12. Later, Cason was owner of Greg’s Cookies in Birmingham.

He’s seen many changes, from a time when cookies sold from a jar were a penny each, to producing more than a million cookies an hour today.

Cason is still committed to offering the highest quality possible at the lowest price.

For more of this inspiring history see Budsbestcookies.com and call 987-4840 to book a tour.

Gladys Hodge Sherrer can be reached by e–mail at gsherrer07@yahoo.com.