Cahaba Sun April 2023

I was reflecting recently on my tenure as the sports editor at Starnes Media, which has stretched beyond seven years now.

My position has been the same all these years, but the way my role looks now is completely different than when I started here. For starters, I’ve become the editor of the Cahaba Sun in recent years. The organization has gone through many cycles in its evolution as well. My writing style has changed (hopefully in a positive manner) and I continually tweak my writing process.

But this journey has also emphasized the importance of continuing to learn, personally and professionally. I’ve learned more about myself and my strengths and weaknesses, I’ve learned what readers care about in how their communities are covered and much, much more.

On that note, please feel free to email me at kparmley@starnesmedia.com with any thoughts you have regarding the paper. I’d love to hear your story ideas or some interesting people that the community needs to hear about.

Thanks as always for reading!

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Find Us

OF THE MONTH

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Trussville Chamber of Commerce (7)

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Pick up the latest issue of Cahaba Sun at the following locations:

► Edgar’s Bakery

► Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce

► Trussville Civic Center

► Trussville Gas and Water

► Trussville Police Department

► Trussville Public Library

Want to join this list or get Cahaba Sun mailed to your home?

Contact Dan at dan@starnesmedia.com.

Publisher:

Community Editors: Sports Editor: Photo Editor: Design Editor: Page Designer: Production Assistant:

Contributing Writers: Graphic Designer: Client Success Specialist: Business Development Exec: Business Development Rep:

Director of Operations: Operations Specialist:

Dan Starnes

Kyle Parmley

Jon Anderson

Leah Ingram

Eagle

Neal Embry

Kyle Parmley

Erin Nelson

Melanie Viering

Ted Perry

Simeon Delante

Sean Dietrich

Gary Lloyd

Emily VanderMey

Warren Caldwell

Don Harris

Madison Gaines

Viktoriya

Dolomanova

Sarah Villar

For advertising contact: dan@starnesmedia.com

Contact Information: Cahaba Sun P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnesmedia.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: kparmley@starnesmedia.com

P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: Cahaba Sun LLC

Legals: Cahaba Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Cahaba Sun is designed to inform the Trussville community of area school, family and community events. Information in Cahaba Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Cahaba Sun. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

Hewitt-Trussville’s Gracie Reeves (25) fields a bunt as Spain Park’s Caroline Charles (22) runs down the first base line in an area game at Spain Park High School on March 14. Photo by Erin Nelson.

THE COVER: Kurt Kristensen reviews DNA structures with ninth grade students in his advanced biology class in the Amerex Outdoor Learning Center at Hewitt-Trussville High School on Feb. 7. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Business Happenings

PERSONNEL MOVES

America’s First Federal Credit Union, which has an office in Trussville at 1910 Gadsden Highway, has promoted Nancy Rice to senior vice president and chief risk officer and Terry Sanderson to vice president and experience officer. Rice, a 29-year veteran of the credit union, joined the accounting department in 1994. She moved to the internal audit department in 1997 as a staff auditor and was promoted to manager of the quality assurance/risk management department in 2004. Five years later, Rice was promoted to assistant vice president for risk management, and in 2015 she was appointed vice president for risk management and began serving as the Bank Secrecy Act officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for directing

the administration of credit resolutions and enterprise risk management, including vendor management, compliance, fraud, security and quality assurance. Sanderson joined the credit union in 1979 at the start of her career. Since that time, she has held numerous positions, including file clerk, new accounts representative, collection clerk, loan writer, loan officer, indirect loan officer, supervisor of member services and branch manager. Sanderson moved to the branch services department in 2018, where she served as a regional director managing five of the credit union’s Birmingham branches. In her new role, she will be responsible for focusing on member and employee needs and developing plans and strategies to ensure exceptional and consistent experience is delivered to both credit union members and employees. 205-655-3360, amfirst.org

ANNIVERSARIES

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The restaurant chain has a location at 1820 Gadsden Highway in Trussville. 205-623-3177, tazikis.com

Planet Nutrition Trussville, 7274 Gadsden Highway, Suite 108, is celebrating five years in business this month.

205-508-3470, planetnutrition.com/stores/ trussville-al

Cahaba Sign & Design, 111 N. Chalkville Road, is celebrating 11 years in business this month. 205-508-3333, cahabadesignco.com

SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

If you have news to share with the community about a brick-and-mortar business in Trussville, let us know at cahabasun.com/about-us

Rice

Sanderson

When standard treatment of weekly counseling, and proper use of medications is not sufficient and effective, intensive counseling is available for support, rescue, and strengthening hope.

IOP Services provides 9 hours per week of therapy in a group setting. It is a powerful supplement to standard treatment. Many types of emotional pain ebb and flow. The most difficult times can seem unbearable.

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Taste of Trussville

Trussville Restaurant Week

Inaugural Heritage Days planned April 27-30

Trussville's inaugural Heritage Days will take place April 27-30 to celebrate and showcase Trussville's historic district.

The four-day Heritage Days, organized by the Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation, will feature arts, music, history, culture, a pickleball tournament and tour of Cahaba Project homes. Most events are free to the public, including a Saturday evening concert and picnic on the Mall.

Cahaba Project Home Tour tickets go on sale April 1 through the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s website, trussvillechamber.com, for

$20. Ticket sales benefit the Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation’s Stone Gateway Project.

The Gee's Bend Quilters of Alabama, who share a unique Great Depression origin with the Cahaba Project, will lead a quilting workshop at the Trussville Public Library.

Local businesses will offer "Heritage Days Deals" through the weekend. If your organization is interested in being a Heritage Days community sponsor, please contact CahabaHHF@gmail.com.

For more information, visit cahabaheritage.org/heritage-days.

– Submitted by Gary Lloyd.

The sun sets over the Cahaba Homestead Project following the 75th anniversary of the city of Trussville in June 2022.

Photo by Gary Lloyd.

Narcan kits now at all Trussville school

By GARY LLOYD

Narcan kits are now at all schools in the Trussville City Schools district.

According to a Feb. 10 statement in the school district’s In The Loop e-newsletter, a systemwide Narcan initiative was brought about due to “recent opioid overdoses that have occurred in Alabama schools” and the growing risk of Fentanyl-laced street drugs increasing the danger of accidental exposure and overdose.

Trussville City Schools, with the help of the Alabama State Department of Education nursing administrator and Jefferson County Department of Health, were able to secure Narcan kits on all Trussville City Schools campuses.

“Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose until emergency services arrive,” the statement says.

Narcan, according to the Centers for Disease Control, temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids, including:

► Heroin

► Morphine

► Oxycodone

► Methadone

► Fentanyl

► Hydrocodone

► Codeine

► Hydromorphone

► Buprenorphine

Narcan is delivered as a nasal spray or as an injectable. According to the CDC, Narcan can be given safely to people of all ages,

New symptoms? Heart care shouldn’t wait

including toddlers and seniors.

The Narcan kits will be placed with all automated external defibrillators in each school, including AEDs in athletic areas, “so that we are prepared to help if an overdose occurs on campus,” according to Trussville City Schools.

Administrators and staff are being trained on how to properly use the Narcan kits.

“We always want to be proactive and be prepared with as many measures as possible to help save lives in the event of an emergency,” the Trussville City Schools statement says. “We hope that we never have an overdose on campus and never have to use any of our Narcan kits, but having these kits available is an easy and sensible safety measure that could help save lives.”

An example of a Narcan Evzio Naloxone nasal spray opioid drug overdose prevention medication. Stock photo.

HTHS student named National Merit Finalist

Jones Preg, a senior at Hewitt-Trussville High School, has been named a National Merit Finalist. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that recognizes and rewards the academic achievements of high school students across the United States.

Preg is one of only 15,000 students who have been named a National Merit Finalist, out of a pool of 1.5 million students who entered the competition. Preg is being recognized for his exceptional academic achievements, including his outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Preg has been a standout student throughout his time at HTHS, maintaining an impressive 4.4 GPA while taking challenging Advanced Placement courses. He has also been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including drum major for the HTHS Marching Husky Band, principal

TCSF hosts 4th annual Casino Night

clarinet in the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra, member of the National Honor Society and secretary for the Math Honorary Society.

Preg now has the opportunity to compete for one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. These scholarships will be awarded to students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in college and beyond.

“I am honored to have been named a National Merit Finalist,” Preg said. “I’m so grateful to God for giving me this opportunity, and I truly would not have made it to this point without constant encouragement from amazing teachers, counselors, parents and friends.”

He plans to attend Auburn University in the fall, where he will study chemical engineering and continue exploring his passion for music.

– Submitted by Whitney Preg.

The Trussville City Schools Foundation’s fourth annual Casino Night raised more than $20,000 for the second year in a row. This year’s event was hosted Feb. 11 at Ferus Artisan Ales in the Trussville Entertainment District. The evening included games from GoodFellas Gaming, a silent art auction, student-crafted culinary creations from Hewitt-Trussville High School’s Culinary Academy and more.

More than 150 supporters showed up for the event, which raises money that is directly invested into Trussville City Schools classrooms. The event has grown from raising $7,000 in 2020 to more than $20,000 the past two years.

“We are extremely blessed to once again announce that we had a successful, fun and sold-out event,” TCSF Executive Director Leslie Armstrong said. “We love that the community of Trussville believes that partnering with us will make a difference in our schools, and together we can invest in our future.”

TCSF put on the event with the help of many sponsors. For more information on how to partner with TCSF and sponsor its events, email director@tcsf.org.

– Submitted by Leslie Armstrong.

Preg

The Trussville City Schools Foundation recently hosted its fourth annual Casino Night at Ferus Artisan Ales. Photo courtesy of Leslie Armstrong.

Paine Elementary School student Alayna Boyer won the 3rd/4th grade division of the Alabama Art Educators Association Visual Art Competition of Alabama.

Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Period to make your claim will be extended until April 30th

PES student wins art competition

Paine Elementary School student Alayna Boyer claimed first place in the 3rd/4th grade division of the Alabama Art Educators Association Virtual Art Competition of Alabama. Artworks were submitted by art teacher Angela

Santiago. The top eight selected in this show will represent Alabama at the national level during the annual NAEA conference, which will be held in April in San Antonio, Texas.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Special Senior Exemption a full exemption for everyone 65 years of age or older?

No, it is an exemption that is in addition to the Over-65 exemption that will freeze the assessed value for the next applicable tax year once claimed.

I do not file income taxes. How does that affect my Special Senior Exemption claim? It does not, taxable income is not a qualification for the SSPE (Special Senior Property Tax Exemption)

Can I get this exemption on all my properties? No, The Special Senior Exemption can only be claimed on the property that is your primary residence or any adjacent properties that are considered part of your primary residence.

Rotary club sends students to leadership camp

The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club sponsored students to attend an annual leadership camp held February 16-18 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

The students were from Hewitt-Trussville and Springville high schools and Restoration Academy in Fairfield.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program is an intensive leadership experience, organized by Rotary clubs and districts. The

program allows students to connect with leaders in the community and around the world to build communication and problem-solving skills; discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader; learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers and peer mentors; unlock the potential to turn motivation into action; and have fun and form lasting friendships.

– Submitted by Diane Poole.

I am over the age of 65, but my spouse is not. Can I still claim the Special Senior exemption? Yes, you can still claim the exemption even though your spouse is not 65 years of age or older at this time. If your name is on the deed and the property is your primary residence, the exemption can be claimed.

I did not live on my property for 5 years can I claim the exemption? No, one of the qualifications to claim the exemption is to have the property assessed in your name for 5 years immediately preceding the year they are claiming.

How long will the exemption stay on the property?

The exemption will remain on the property if you renew the Over-65 Exemption each year.

If my value, goes down will I be able to claim the exemption at the lower rate? Yes, you will only need to come in and reclaim the exemption at the lower rate.

Will my taxes increase in the future?

Since the property value is what is frozen, yes It is possible that a millage rate increase or an addition to you property could increase your taxes.

Local students recently attended an annual leadership camp in Huntsville. Photo courtesy of Diane Poole.

COVER STORY: HTHS outdoor classroom conjures sense of Thoreau cabin

‘To reflect and learn’

By GARY LLOYD

Forty years ago, Kurt Kristensen was a high school senior in Massachusetts, helping fellow English classmates build a replica of Henry David Thoreau’s cabin.

Individual students from subsequent classes spent a night or two in the cabin, practicing reflective writing.

“I kind of wonder if it’s still there,” Kristensen said.

Kristensen, an AP biology teacher at Hewitt-Trussville High School since 2015, no longer must let his mind wander north. Trussville does not have Walden Pond, but it does have the Cahaba River, and now it has the Amerex Outdoor Learning Center, a covered classroom for outdoor learning whose exterior eerily resembles an enlarged version of Thoreau’s cabin.

The classroom was a collaboration with Amerex Corporation, the Cahaba River Society, Faith Community Fellowship and Trussville City Schools. Teachers introduced the concept of the outdoor classroom so that students could have better access to learning along the Cahaba River. Kristensen got that conversation started in 2016.

Amerex provided the funding. Faith Community Fellowship provided building labor. ArchitectureWorks designed the classroom, which was constructed without the need to cut down any trees. Hewitt-Trussville High School Electrical Construction Academy students helped add electricity and fans.

“The campus just sits on an amazing piece of land,” Kristensen said. “This is probably one of the prettiest campuses in the state in terms of the resources, the river right there and the woods around it, and so on. It was kind of a whole community project, which was kind of cool about it.”

Construction began sometime in 2018 or 2019, Kristensen said.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress. It was dedicated with a ribbon cutting at its official

opening last fall. Kristensen has held classes in it several times already, as have other teachers. There is a schedule that teachers use to book class dates and times

winter, there is a season in which we are daily expecting spring, and finally a day when it arrives.” It’s been 170 years since he wrote those words, but it resonates today.

“I can get the kids outside,” Kristensen said. “The more I can get them to appreciate it, the more they understand it, the more like it, hopefully the more they love it, the more they’re going to be willing to learn more about it and protect it.”

This spring, Kristensen plans to set up permanent 100-meter study plots around the outdoor classroom’s immediate area for students to take temperatures and tree measurements, review leaf litter changes, and compare photos of the tree canopy throughout the year.

“The more people get interested, the more they know, the more they’re going to want to hopefully preserve and do changes, donate, whatever, to keep it going,” Kristensen said.

Josh Haynes, a history teacher at Hewitt-Trussville High School, said he has not yet used the outdoor classroom, but hopes to take his classes to it when they study transcendentalist writers such as Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson. A fitting topic for that location.

“The location of the classroom provides such a peaceful and calm location for students to reflect and learn,” Haynes said. “The sound of the river is incredibly relaxing, and I know the students have a lot of fun spending time by the river.”

at the outdoor classroom. Its heaviest use, he said, will come in April and May.

As Thoreau wrote in “Journal” in March 1853, “At the end of

Kristensen is already thinking ahead to a potential storage unit, solar panels and more. He might end up using the outdoor classroom as more of a base of operations versus a static space to have class. Regardless, it seems apparent that if the weather is cooperative, then a class will be using it.

“I hope teachers really embrace it and bring their students out for all sorts of reasons,” he said.

Kurt Kristensen reviews DNA structures with ninth grade students in his advanced biology class in the Amerex Outdoor Learning Center at Hewitt-Trussville High School on Feb. 7. Photo by Erin Nelson.

All-South Metro Basketball

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022-23 high school basketball season was one that will not soon be forgotten, with the Hoover High School boys and girls basketball teams sweeping the Class 7A state championships on the same day in early March. Several other teams from the Starnes Media coverage area advanced to the state and regional tournaments in highly successful campaigns.

Because of Hoover’s dominance, it is difficult to name anyone but Scott Ware and Krystle Johnson as the boys and girls Coaches of the Year. After sharing the honor with teammate Aniya Hubbard last season, Hoover’s Reniya Kelly claims the Player of the Year title to herself this time around. Vestavia Hills’ Win Miller is the boys Player of the Year after capping off a record-setting career with the Rebels.

Here is this year’s All-South Metro Team.

BOYS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Win Miller, Vestavia Hills

► Coach of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover

GIRLS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Reniya Kelly, Hoover

► Coach of the Year: Krystle Johnson, Hoover

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Win Miller, Vestavia Hills: Averaged 22 points per game and led the Rebels to a 26-5 record. He finished his career with 2,011 career points and is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

► Caleb White, Pinson Valley: Led the Indians with 21 points per game, shooting 40% from 3-point range. The Indians’ only loss of the season came in the regional final, as they finished 29-1 on the year.

► Paul Lanzi, Chelsea: Capped off an outstanding career by averaging 18.8 points per game for the Hornets. He finished his career with 1,370 points and 185 made 3-pointers.

► Ty Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the Spartans as a do-it-all point guard, averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, as his team advanced to the Class 6A state final.

► Matt Heiberger, Oak Mountain: Willed the Eagles to victory many times, including going over 30 points several times down the stretch. The Alabama baseball signee averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Hunter named to 1st team

► Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills: The sophomore has established herself as one of the state’s top players, going for 17 points per game for the 28-5 Lady Rebels.

► Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville: Eclipsed 15 points and 4 assists per game for the Lady Huskies as a junior.

► Raegan Whitaker, Oak Mountain: Led the area in scoring with 18 points per game, while pulling down nearly 10 rebounds a night as well.

► Layla Etchison, Hoover: Stepped up in her senior season to provide 12.1 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Anna Towry, Vestavia Hills: Joined the 1,000-point club during her senior season after averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.

► Kamoriah Gaines, Clay-Chalkville: Helped lead the Lady Cougars to the regional final, going for 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest.

► Haley Trotter, Chelsea: Nearly averaged a double-double, going for 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds a game for the Lady Hornets.

► Audre Benson, Hewitt-Trussville: Averaged 12.1 points per game and produced a program-record 98 steals.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Terry Coner Jr., Pinson Valley: The senior guard went for 17 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Indians.

► Kalib Thomas, John Carroll: Led the Cavs to a No. 2 ranking in Class 5A, averaging 16.9 points per game.

► Zach Gray, Spain Park: One of the most consistent players in the area, going for 16 points a game for a Jags team that reached the final four.

► DeWayne Brown, Hoover: A force in the paint, despite being a sophomore. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

► Sam Wright, Spain Park: The leading scorer and rebounder for the Jags, averaging 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Jackson Weaver, Vestavia Hills: Stepped up as a primary option for the Rebels this season, going for 15 points a night in his junior season.

► Salim London, Hoover: The sophomore went for 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for the state champs.

► Avery Futch, Chelsea: The junior forward went for 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while also shooting 35% from 3-point range for the Hornets.

► Julius Clark, Mountain Brook: A consistent player for several years, compiling 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his senior season.

► Tre Thomas, Oak Mountain: The senior averaged 10.1 and 6.2 rebounds, but piled up an impressive 130 blocks on the year as well.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

► Ray Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Devon McKinnon, Clay-Chalkville; Canon Armstead, Homewood; KJ Beck, John Carroll; Braylon Bernard, John Carroll; Aden Malpass, John Carroll; Jarett Fairley, Hoover; KJ Kirk, Clay-Chalkville; John Colvin, Mountain Brook; Chase James, Spain Park; Drew Mears, Briarwood; William Lloyd, Briarwood; Elijah Herron, Hoover

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Reniya Kelly, Hoover: The Player of the Year averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the state champs.

► Taylor Smith, Briarwood: Went for 10.8 points and school record 64 blocks.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Sophia Brown, Chelsea: Capped off her career by playing in the regional tournament for a fifth time in her career, averaging 11.7 points for the season.

► Emma Stearns, Mountain Brook: Averaged 10.7 points for the Lady Spartans.

► Kayla Warren, Homewood: Led a balanced Lady Patriots team with nearly 10 points per game.

► Alanah Pooler, Hoover: Stabilized the Lady Bucs on both ends of the floor, averaging 7.7 points for the season.

► Mira McCool, Homewood: Piled up 39 blocks for the Lady Patriots.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

► Sarah Passink, Mountain Brook; Emma Kerley, Briarwood; Mary Beth Dicen, Briarwood; Jill Gaylard, Vestavia Hills; Annie McBride, Homewood; Sadie Schwallie, Chelsea; Olivia Pryor, Chelsea; Kameron Sanders, Clay-Chalkville; Kristen McMillan, Hoover; Madison Moore, Chelsea; April Hooks, Hewitt-Trussville

Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) dribbles the ball downcourt in the Class 7A Northeast Regional semifinal at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Mathews Coliseum on Feb. 15. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Local teams make it to regional finals

By KYLE PARMLEY

Three of the area high school basketball teams advanced to the regional finals, but none were able to break through to the state final four.

Hewitt-Trussville’s girls had a spectacular season ended by a strong Sparkman team in the Class 7A Northeast Regional final Feb. 21.

The Lady Huskies controlled the game early, leading by as many as 10 points midway through the second quarter. But Sparkman turned the game around, taking a seven-point lead into the final quarter.

In that final quarter, though, Hewitt responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead. Sparkman then wrested the lead away again and held on for the win.

Hewitt-Trussville finished the season with a 25-7 record, winning the regular season and tournament titles from Area 6. Following a three-game skid against three stout teams before Christmas, the Lady Huskies ripped off 15 straight wins before their final defeat.

Audre Benson, April Hooks, DeAndrea Powell and Lilly Gray were the team’s seniors this season.

Clay-Chalkville’s girls advanced to the 6A Northwest Regional final for the first time

since 2008, the year the Lady Cougars made it to the state championship game.

This year’s Lady Cougars ran into Hazel Green, falling to the dominant Lady Trojans 55-45, but not before pushing the defending state champions.

“Our girls believed they could play with them,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Kevin Conner said. “You can’t walk out there and be fearful. You’ve got to attack and go play.”

Conner said his team executed the game plan well, but Hazel Green drained four 3-pointers in the opening quarter and shot 51% for the game.

Hazel Green jumped out to an 18-10 lead after a quarter, but Clay closed the gap to 25-24 in the second quarter. Hazel Green responded, though, putting together a 7-0 run to end the half with a 32-24 lead.

The Lady Cougars were the better team in the third quarter, closing a double-digit deficit to 42-37 heading to the final frame.

Junior Kamoriah Gaines had a standout game, leading all scorers in the game with 20 points.

“I’m very proud that we made it this far,” Gaines said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, and we gave it our all out there. We held them pretty good.”

Clay finished 23-8, beating Mortimer Jordan in the Area 12 tournament final and putting together an all-around strong season.

Pinson Valley’s boys had a storied season end prematurely in the 6A Northwest Regional final, as Buckhorn knocked off the previously unbeaten Indians 51-41 to advance to the state final four.

“They wanted it more than we did,” Pinson Valley head coach Darrell Barber said. “We didn’t perform well. Kudos to Buckhorn.”

The first half was a slow one for the Indians, as Buckhorn grabbed a 25-12 lead at the break. Pinson Valley began to claw its way back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to

HewittTrussville’s Audre Benson (1) dribbles the ball guarded by Sparkman’s Jada Burks (20) during the girls Class 7A Northeast Regional final between the Huskies and Senators, at Pete Mathews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Feb. 21. Photo by Erin Nelson.

single digits heading to the final frame.

But Buckhorn didn’t allow much hope in the fourth, putting the game away with a continued strong defensive effort.

With the loss, a dream season for the Indians came to a close at 29-1. The Indians won the Class 6A regular season and tournament titles, in addition to defeating reigning state champ Huffman by 20 points and notching wins over the likes of Hartselle, Huntsville and many more.

“It’s very hard to get to this point,” Barber said. “It takes a lot of blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices to get to this point.”

Grant Foree contributed to this report.

Huskies building on strong start

By KYLE PARMLEY

Film study can be a struggle at times for the Hewitt-Trussville High School girls soccer team.

That’s not because the Huskies don’t want to analyze their performance and improve. It has more to do with the team’s collective personality and chemistry. They love being around one another and making jokes.

But they also know how to flip the switch when it’s time to get down to business.

“I’ve never seen such a group of girls that can goof around in warmups and put their game face on,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Lauren Wooten said.

The team is having fun and the results have reflected that so far in the 2023 season. As of press time, the Huskies were 8-2-3 on the season, with their only two losses coming recently in area play to Spain Park and Oak Mountain.

That’s the toughest thing to navigate for the Huskies this season, as they play in an area with Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Chelsea. Spain Park and Oak Mountain are the past two Class 7A state champions, while Chelsea has been a powerhouse in 6A for many years.

“It’s one of the hardest areas in the state,”

senior captain Lily Burford said, “but at the same time, we’re capable of it, so we have to prepare [to win].”

Ella Allen and Anna Grace Savage are the other two seniors for the Huskies, and Wooten praised the seniors’ role in helping this year’s team come together as quickly as it did.

Hewitt-Trussville lost 12 players from last year’s team, returning only eight players to this season’s team.

That didn’t stop the Huskies from going 3-0 and winning the Lakeshore Shootout early in the season, as they knocked off Daphne, LaGrange (Georgia) and Montgomery Academy to win the event.

“To have so many new players joining varsity this year and to see the success we’ve had and the chemistry we’ve been able to build in a short amount of time, it speaks volumes to who they are as people and leaders, but then as players,” Wooten said.

Katie Harbin is a senior captain, like Burford. She said the two of them often go against one another in practice and push each other to be better each day. That is a common refrain throughout the roster.

“She pushes me to be better and we all push ourselves to be better,” Harbin said.

Harbin and Burford noted team strengths

as communication and chemistry. An area to improve for the team over the final stretch would be its consistency and avoiding letdowns that can prove costly in a close game.

Wooten pointed to the first half of the Homewood game and Hewitt’s 3-0 area win over Chelsea as high points that show what this team is capable of achieving.

“Those two games stand out as proof we can do it, it’s just about making it last 80 minutes,” she said.

If Hewitt-Trussville can make that happen over the season’s final few weeks, the Huskies may be able to snag one of those elusive playoff berths for the first time in a few years.

Hewitt-Trussville’s Lily Burford (17) passes the ball during an area match against Spain Park at Spain Park High School on March 10. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Varsity Sports Calendar

BASEBALL

April 4: vs. Chelsea. 5 p.m.

April 6: @ Chelsea. 5 p.m.

April 11: @ Spain Park. 5 p.m.

April 14: vs. Spain Park. 5 p.m.

April 18: vs. Oak Mountain. 5 p.m.

April 20: @ Oak Mountain. 5 p.m.

April 28-29: State playoffs. TBD.

GOLF

April 3-4: Girls at Hike the Hills. Vestavia Hills.

April 4: Boys at Huntsville Panther Invitational. TBD.

April 10: Girls at Hewitt-Trussville Invitational. Grayson Valley Country Club.

April 10: Boys at Warrior Invitational. Timberline Golf & Country Club.

April 13: Boys vs. Springville. Grayson Valley Country Club.

April 17: Boys at Hoover Invitational. Hoover Country Club.

April 17-18: Girls at McGriff Invitational. Cullman.

April 19: Boys at White Plains Invitational. Gadsden.

April 25: Girls at Wildcat Invitational. Fort Payne.

TRACK AND FIELD

April 7: Spain Park Invitational. Veterans Park.

April 14-15: Mountain Brook Invitational. Mountain Brook High School.

April 21: Hewitt-Trussville Invitational. Hewitt-Trussville High School.

April 28-29: Section meet. Hewitt-Trussville High School.

SOCCER

April 3: Boys @ Austin. 7 p.m.

April 7: @ Chelsea. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 11: @ Oneonta. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 14: @ Oak Mountain. Boys at 5 p.m., girls at 7 p.m.

April 18: vs. Spain Park. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 21: vs. Hoover. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 25: Boys @ Huntsville. 6 p.m.

TENNIS

April 4: @ Thompson. 4 p.m.

April 6: vs. Gadsden City. 4 p.m.

April 10: Section tournament. Hoover Met Complex.

April 17-18: State tournament. Mobile Tennis Center.

SOFTBALL

April 4: vs. Oak Mountain. 6 p.m.

April 6: @ Central-Phenix City. 5 p.m.

April 7-8: Sidney Cooper Invitational. Columbus, Georgia.

April 11: vs. Spain Park. 6 p.m.

April 18: vs. Hartselle. 6 p.m.

April 20: vs. Chelsea. 6 p.m.

April 21-22: Hoover Classic. Hoover Met Complex.

April 25: vs. Pell City. 6 p.m.

OPINION

Southern Musings

By Gary

Lloyd

Things are always better in the morning

Remember that episode of “Seinfeld,” the one where George drives so fast on the way to the Bubble Boy’s house that he leaves Jerry in the dust?

“We’re making incredible time here!” George exclaims.

That’s typically me on a road trip.

Fast food? I can wait.

Rest area? I can wait.

Priester’s Pecans? OK, I have only so much willpower.

I recently drove back to Trussville from Gulf Shores and made a 9 a.m. stop in Monroeville, not for a McDonald’s or a bathroom, but for a memory. I had always wanted to see the small town that produced author Harper Lee and her masterpiece, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and to a smaller — though not insignificant — degree fellow author Truman Capote. I planned to see a couple historic markers and the Old Courthouse Museum’s exterior, perhaps a 20-minute detour.

I stayed for over an hour. I parked at The Faulk Building, which includes four types of lofts: the Scout, Atticus, Harper and Capote. I crossed Alabama Avenue to find the stately Old Courthouse Museum, the most famous courtroom in literature. I walked around it twice. I saw a rock monument to Atticus Finch, “Mockingbird”-themed birdhouses as big as Yeti coolers, a sculpture of three Depression-era children reading the novel and a Literary Landmarks Register marker dedicated to Truman Capote. Chirping birds overwhelmed any low rumble of nearby traffic.

Monroeville was near impossible to leave. I parked at a bank and walked to the former home of Capote’s family, where he spent summer vacations. I pulled in at the Monroe County Public Library and read a historic marker about Lucas’s Raiders dashing through Monroeville during the Civil War. I drove half a mile to Pineville Cemetery, where I encountered a Greyhound full of tourists visiting Lee’s modest gravesite. Her full name, Nelle Harper Lee, was encircled by 39 pennies, one seashell, numerous rocks, a pair of Mardi Gras beads, a couple potted plants, white flowers and a ceramic dinner plate.

I returned to downtown Monroeville to snag every leaflet and trifold the town could offer me. Maybe someday I’ll rent one of those lofts. I preferred the Harper, personally. I walked the downtown streets to discover just how impactful that Pulitzer Prize-winning novel published in 1960 still is. It and other books by Lee, Capote and more are painted on one building. A mockingbird is painted on the side of Lee Motor Co. Autographed copies of the novel were available at Johnson Jewelers. A title company next door was called Mockingbird Title, LLC.

As I made my way up North Mt. Pleasant Avenue toward where my truck was parked on Pineville Road, because I had three more hours to drive without stopping at Priester’s Pecans this time, some orange and red banners caught my eye. I guess they hadn’t stood out when I had first arrived, when that courthouse was my sole focus. I approached an orange one, several feet above my head, and squinted in the morning sun.

On the bottom, “Monroeville Main Street.”

Above that in white cursive, “Write your chapter here.”

In Monroeville, I believe I could.

Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich He is risen

A few years ago I attended my first Catholic mass in a busy church outside Birmingham. It was Easter Sunday. I sat in the nosebleed section.

People greeted me with the words, “He’s risen.”

And because I was not raised under a rock, I answered with: “He’s risen indeed.”

I was not raised Catholic. I was born into a fundamentalist family with a mother who sometimes prayed in tongues over our meatloaf.

But after my father died, I learned that he had been raised Catholic. He went to Catholic school, he played Catholic baseball.

He didn’t talk about it. I never knew that version of him.

All I knew was a man who did not dance at wedding receptions for fear the pastor would catch him.

There in the Catholic cathedral, the priest announced, “He is risen.”

“He’s risen indeed,” said the congregation.

I was an outsider in the room. The priest recited the Liturgy of the Eucharist, people formed a single-file line to drink out of a chalice.

Easter Sundays in my family were nothing like this. My father was an usher at our little church. He’d stand by the front door and hand out bulletins that advertised upcoming Baptist church events.

For example:

► Thursday fundraiser, dinner on the grounds. Bring a covered dish.

► Young men’s Bible study, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

► Women’s Sunday school class is holding an upcoming prayer vigil against beer. Bring a congealed salad.

► Men’s group is recruiting for its annual mission trip to Biloxi.

On Easter, my father always gave folded bulletins to those approaching. He would say, “He is Risen.”

And any Baptist worth his salt would answer with, “He’s risen indeed.”

Most who attended our church on Easter were only visitors. They came twice per year. My father called them “nosebleed Baptists.”

I never heard anyone else use that term. I asked my father what this meant.

“Well,” he said. “Some fans only come to games once a year and sit in the nosebleed section. And other fans never miss a ballgame, even when the pitcher stinks.”

“Which ones are we?” I asked.

“You’ve heard our new preacher, you tell me.”

Our preacher delivered fiery sermons. He would remove his jacket and preach to heartless sinners, drunks and those who danced at wedding receptions.

The church services of my youth were lengthy. Someone in the congregation would either faint from low blood sugar or be suddenly overcome with the spirit of narcolepsy.

But this Catholic business was different. Mass was foreign to me. It was exotic, and beautiful.

All my life, my father refused to step foot in a Catholic church. And he wouldn’t even talk about it.

But then, there was that one time.

On the way home from a Boy Scout meeting, he pulled into a Catholic church. I knew my father was having a rough time at work. I’d overheard him talking with my mother through the hot-air vents.

“The boss is killing me,” my father once said. “I can’t sleep, can’t eat…”

At night, sometimes I found my father vomiting in the bathroom from stress. I would ask what was wrong, and he would tell me to go back to bed.

That afternoon, Daddy wheeled into a Catholic church and turned off the truck. There was a man cutting the church lawn with a push mower; he wore a white collar.

My father told me to wait in the vehicle.

Daddy was in that chapel for almost two hours. When he came back his face was wet and his eyes were pink. I never asked why. And he never told me.

Anyway, Easter mass was lovely. I’ll never forget it. The priest told the people that “Easter is when dead things come back to life, when we remember how the finger of God can touch dead wood and make it green again.”

I had to write that down, I liked it so much.

After the service, I stayed in the chapel until all the people had left. The priest sat in a pew behind me. He introduced himself.

“Father,” I said, “I’m not Catholic, but I really enjoyed mass.”

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for celebrating the Resurrection with us.”

“Can I ask you a question, Father?”

“Shoot.”

“Have you ever lost anyone?”

“Yes. I lost my mom, my dad and my brother.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

He ducked his head. He let out a sigh. “Every second. Actually, I was thinking about Mom this morning. You know, when I was growing up, she would always laugh about the big Easter crowds and call them ‘nosebleed Catholics.’ Isn’t that funny?”

It sure is.

On my way out of church, the priest and I took a slow walk down the aisle. I admired the statuary and the beautiful stained glass windows.

The priest hugged me, then said, “He is risen.”

And well, you know the rest.

Happy Easter.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

Gary Lloyd is the author of six books and is a contributing writer to the Cahaba Sun.

Lloyd

Dietrich

CALENDAR

TRUSSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Thursdays: Children’s storytime. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time and lots of fun. Birth through pre-K.

Mondays and Thursdays: Yarn Manglers. Mondays 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursdays 2-4 p.m. Knitters and crocheters, join for fellowship and creativity. Ages 18 and older.

April 3: Paper Flowers Craft Night. 6-7:30 p.m. We will be using book pages and other paper to make paper roses and hibiscus. All supplies will be provided, as well as a take-home packet so you can make more at home. Ages 18 and older.

April 6: Pokémon Club. 4-5 p.m. 1st-5th grade. Spend time playing Pokémon or enjoy watching a classic Pokémon show and creating a craft. Kids are welcome to bring their own cards, but staff cannot supervise trading. Parents are welcome to join us at the end of the program to monitor their child's trading. Extra playing decks will be available for use during the program. Registration required.

April 10: STEAM for Kids. 5-6 p.m. Ready for some

hands-on application of science, technology, engineering, art and math? This club is open to 1st-6th grade students. Registration is required.

April 10: Books & Brews. 7:15-8:15 p.m. An evening Adult Book Club meeting in the event room at Ferus Artisan Ales. Connect with your community and share your thoughts about this month's book while enjoying delicious food and drinks. April’s title is “Book of Night” by Holly Black. Ages 18 and older.

April 11: T.A.B. 4-5 p.m. Teen Advisory Board is a place for local teens to get involved with their library. 8th-12th grade.

April 11: Comedy Writing with Joe Hobby. 6-7 p.m. Learn how to write comedy. This intro class will be taught by professional comedian/writer Joe Hobby. Hobby is an Alabama native; he wrote for Jay Leno for many years and currently produces a humor column for the Trussville Tribune. You will learn how to structure a joke, create effective delivery and more. 6th grade and older

April 17: Chess Club. 5-6 p.m. Learn the basics, cool tricks, strategy, opening and tactic in chess from a professional chess teacher. Registration encouraged. Parents are welcome to participate with their children. K-8th grade.

April 18: Manga Club. 4-5 p.m. Teen Book Club for manga and anime fans. The book will change every month. 6th-12th grade.

April 19: Preschoolers at Play. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join us for a guided sensory time with Ms. Alicia, followed by free play at several stations set up around the large auditorium with various toys. Ages 2-5.

April 19: Adult Book Club 2023. 2-3 p.m. Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month. We will read a variety of selections, both fiction and nonfiction. This month’s title is “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. Ages 18 and older.

April 20: Understanding Medicare. 1-2 p.m. Educational seminar about Medicare options. Your questions will be addressed by Health Benefits specialist Linda Reynolds. Ages 18 and older.

April 24: American Girl Club. 4-5 p.m. This month we’ll talk about Kirsten. Registration required. K-5th grades.

April 27: Budding Bookworms. 4-5 p.m. Read or listen to “The Bad Guys (book 1)” by Aaron Blabey before the club meeting. Then join us as we discuss the book, play a trivia game and make a themed craft. Best for 1st-3rd grades. Registration required.

TASTE. SIP. REPEAt.

26th YEAR

April 29 & 30, 2023

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark One tasting session each day / 12-3pm

Restaurants & Chefs, Wine, Craft Beer, Spirits & Cocktails, plus Seated Tasting Seminars

@ the 40th Magic City Art Connection

TICKETS ON SALE IN APRIL.

www.corksandchefs.com

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