Cahaba Sun February 2022

BUILDING MOMENTUM Lady Huskies ascending at the right time. 11

Vol 7 | Issue 3 | February 2022 As Trussville As It Gets

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Chase Bays founder says he’s ‘here and happy’ in Trussville. 10

Brace Yourself.

There’s always a reason to smile more—find yours today.

Visit BhamSmile.com to schedule a free consultation.

PROTECT AND EDUCATE Revamped Trussville Tree Commission aims to preserve one of city’s most valuable assets: its trees. 7

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FEBRUARY 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE | KYLE PARMLEY As the month of February approaches, statistics show that most of us have already completely failed at our New Year’s resolutions.

While your fitness or relationship or other consistency goals may have already fallen by the wayside, don’t let this year become a waste. We still have 11 months to make plenty of progress toward the things we want in 2022.

If any of you know me, you know that the month of February means the return of softball games, a prospect that fills my spirit with joy. I can’t wait to be back outside.

There’s plenty to read about in this edition of the Cahaba Sun, beginning with a story on a business Chase McMaster created from nothing. He took a passion he found when he was a teenager and ran with it.

You’ll find some other items surrounding the Trussville community, along with a sports section highlighting the strong Hewitt-Trussville High School girls basketball team and changes regarding the Huskies’ football region come next fall.

Spring is just around the corner. Thanks for reading!

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Hewitt-Trussville’s Karnell Smith (4) keeps the ball in play during the Huskies’ game against Vestavia Hills in a Jan. 7 game at Braasch-Hatchett Court at Vestavia Hills High School. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Affordable Automotive (9) Ascension/St. Vincent’s (3) Bedzzz Express (20) Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates (2) Birmingham Orthodontics (1) Bromberg’s & Company (13) Children’s of Alabama (16) Clearview Strategy Partners (5) Cremation Center of Birmingham (9)

Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home (7) ENT Associates of Alabama (15) Grandview Medical Center (17) Gunn Dermatology (18) Lee Marlow, RealtySouth (13) Main Street Chiropractic (9) Medicare Advisors of Alabama (19) Trussville Gas and Water (2) Window World of Central Alabama (3)

Find Us Pick up the latest issue of Cahaba Sun at the following locations: ► Edgar’s Bakery ► Golden Rule Bar-B-Q – Trussville ► 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 Anna Jackson at ajackson@starnesmedia.com.

Publisher: Dan Starnes Managing Editor: Nick Patterson Community Editors: Kyle Parmley Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Leah Ingram Eagle Neal Embry Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Community Reporter: Eric Taunton Contributing Writer: Gary Lloyd Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designers: Kristin Williams Ted Perry Client Success Specialist: Anna Bain Content Marketing Manager: Ingrid Schnader Graphic Designer: Emily VanderMey Advertising: Michelle Salem Haynes Don Harris Jarrett Tyus Warren Caldwell Bob Willard Administrator: Anna Jackson

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.

Please recycle this paper.

ON THE COVER: Chase McMaster, owner and founder of Chase Bays, stands in his warehouse in the Trussville Industrial Park on Jan. 6. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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COMMUNITY Have a community announcement? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Trussville cemetery lands on state historical list A Trussville cemetery is now listed on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register by the Alabama Historical Commission.

Mt. Nebo Cemetery, located on U.S. 11, was favorably reviewed by the commission late last year. Mt. Nebo is the 43rd cemetery in Jefferson County to be listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, which now features 948 cemeteries statewide. The listing is the official register of historic cemeteries in Alabama.

The Trussville Memorial Cemetery, which sits across from Trussville City Hall, was listed in 2017. Both cemeteries are overseen by the Trussville Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority, which was created in early 2021.

Serving on the board are Pat Glenn, John Patterson, Eric Frederick, Gary Lloyd and Trussville City Councilwoman Jaime Melton Anderson.

Mt. Nebo Cemetery is located across U.S. 11 from Trussville First Presbyterian Church.

A historical marker that was once located near the church suggests that the cemetery was founded in 1860, seven years before the church was founded. Sinkler Lathem, who deeded plots of land for the church and Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge No. 338, is buried in this cemetery. Some possible grave sites here are marked only by rocks.

Mt. Nebo Cemetery, located on U.S. 11, is now listed on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register by the Alabama Historical Commission.

Photo courtesy of Trussville Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority.

The Cahawba Baptist Cemetery, now known to most as the Trussville Memorial Cemetery, is likely the most recognizable cemetery in the city. The older side of this cemetery is located near a large magnolia tree on the south end of the cemetery. Potential graves in this area are marked by stones

and concrete markers, some of which appear to contain no names or dates, perhaps never etched onto stone or faded over long periods of time. Some of the earliest burials here appear to have taken place in the late 1800s.

A historical marker was unveiled at the site on the 140th anniversary of the First

Baptist Church of Trussville on July 16, 1961. Warren Truss, Thomas K. Truss and other early settlers of Trussville are buried in this cemetery.

For more information, visit ahc.alabama.gov.

– Submitted by Trussville Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority.

Trussville City Council creates Public Building Authority

By GARY LLOYD

Motorists pass buildings along Main Street in Trussville. The Trussville City Council recently created a Public Building Authority. Photo by Gary Lloyd.

The Trussville City Council recently created a Public Building Authority.

According to the Code of Alabama, public building authorities are created “for the purpose of providing buildings and facilities for lease to and use by the municipality, the county, or any public corporation in the performance of their respective public functions or for lease to and use by the United States, and to invest each corporation organized under this chapter with all powers that may be necessary to enable it to accomplish such purchase, including the power to lease its properties and to issue interest-bearing revenue bonds.”

According to the resolution, John Amari, Jeremy Tuggle and Sid McNeal were the

incorporators of the authority.

There will be three directors on the board of directors who will be appointed by the City Council.

Trussville now includes four authorities: the Redevelopment, Industrial Development, Cemetery Rehabilitation and Public Building authorities.

In other news, the City Council approved a proclamation honoring Teddy Gilmer, who served on the Trussville Library Board and served on the Utilities Board from 2006 to 2021. Gilmer, a U.S. Army veteran, worked at American Cast Iron Pipe Company prior to his retirement.

The proclamation states that Gilmer “used his strong analytical abilities and business knowledge to help the Utilities Board make sound decisions and remain focused on serving our community.”

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Tree Commission revamped to preserve city’s trees

By GARY LLOYD On the hottest days here, when the city sidewalks may as well be beds of hot embers, all a Trussville resident must do to escape the scalding pavement is propel down Parkway Drive and bolt for Brentwood Avenue.

The tree canopies that shade these Cahaba Project streets, and in other areas all over Trussville, provide some relief from the heat.

The five-member revamped Trussville Tree Commission hopes to keep it that way for decades to come.

“In forming the Trussville Tree Commission, the city has taken a very important step in protecting one of its greatest natural resources: its trees,” Commission member Ralph Mitchell said. “This group will make recommendations to the city on how to protect and maintain trees on city lands and rights-of-way throughout the city.

When people move to Trussville or visit, they always comment about our beautiful tree-lined streets and wonderful park and green spaces. Our trees are one area that sets Trussville apart from many surrounding communities.”

Mitchell was appointed to the Tree Commission on June 8 with a term expiring Feb. 28. Other members include Eric Frederick and Josh Smalley, whose terms expire Feb. 28, 2023, and Jenna Jones and Jean Cox, whose terms expire Feb. 28, 2024. Smalley chairs the commission, while Frederick serves as the vice chair. City Councilman Perry Cook is the liaison to the Tree Commission.

“The city of Trussville’s trees are one of her most valuable assets,” Jones said.

“Members of the Tree Commission come to the table with different but complementary backgrounds and perspectives, and we have been tasked with several missions. I am particularly drawn to one mission: stewardship.

The health of a community can be judged by her natural resources. When we take care of the trees, a mutual healthy response can be measured in the soil, water, and air, which, in turn, naturally, is beneficial to citizens.

Leaves on trees outside the Trussville Public Library routinely blast with color during the fall season. Photo courtesy of Amy Peterson O’Brien.

As a citizen, parent and grandparent, I feel indebted to future generations to promote stewardship.”

Smalley is the newcomer to the area, having moved to Trussville in April and being named to the Tree Commission two months later. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Auburn University, with a focus in urban forestry. He and Frederick are both certified arborists. Smalley’s work has taken him to various Alabama communities — Montgomery, Prattville, Auburn — to advise about those cities’ trees.

“It all just kind of played well to get involved with this,” Smalley said. “It’s really turned out to be a really good group. Everybody is very common in our desires. Everybody is focused on the same goal. We all just want to see what Trussville has preserved and improved, because it’s pretty unique. I can tell you that from working all over the state. What Trussville has is pretty unique.”

Smalley said the Tree Commission is working toward a city tree ordinance for

Let us help spread the news! Email kparmley@starnesmedia.com to submit your announcement.

the Trussville City Council to review and approve. The main objectives, he said, are to protect and preserve existing city trees, and educate the community about trees and horticulture. Smalley mentioned The Mall as an example of some of the city’s water oaks aging out, so a need to rotate in the next generation of trees is paramount now, so that Trussville is never without a tree canopy.

“We need to start establishing the next generation to start filling in those gaps, to be ready to go when the larger ones either die or have to be removed for safety concerns as they start to age out,” he said.

Smalley said the approval of a tree ordinance is one of the final checklist tasks needed to become a member of the Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. To earn the Tree City designation, five things must happen. First, the city must form a tree board or committee. Second, a tree ordinance must be in place. Third, the city is required to have a budget of $2 per capita for tree planting, pruning, maintenance, trimming

and removal. Fourth, an Arbor Day or Arbor Week proclamation must be approved by the Trussville City Council. Finally, an online application for designation as a “Tree City” must be completed.

As a designated Tree City, the city would receive two road signs, a 4-foot-by-6-foot Tree City USA flag and a wall plaque from the Arbor Day Foundation. With approval, Trussville would gain access to expertise and information about grants and other programs that can help the city advance the level of its tree care.

Smalley said taking care of city trees helps property values and community engagement.

Mature trees and tree canopies bolster real estate values. Maintaining and enhancing outdoor spaces preserves a community feel.

Cox said the last week of February will include two Tree Commission events as part of Arbor Week. The first, on Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a “Tree Talk” at the Trussville Public Library. The next day at 2 p.m., there will be a ceremonial tree planting and tree seedling giveaway at the Civitan Bridge.

“I chose to serve on the Tree Commission because I want to see Trussville have a healthy, well-managed urban forest canopy,” Cox said. “I want our town to have beautiful tree-lined streets and shaded sidewalks. I also see how trees can help our local waterways, like Pinchgut Creek and the Cahaba River, by reducing the amount of thermal pollution they receive. The fish and critters down in the creek actually need us to do our part up here on the land and take care of our trees.”

Beyond the approval of a city tree ordinance, the Tree Commission hopes to inventory every city tree: identify and map them, and then develop a master plan for maintenance and replanting. This way, in 50 years, even 100 years, Trussville still has an equivalent or improved tree canopy.

“So many cities and municipalities nowadays are losing their tree canopies to development and to growth and to just lack of maintenance,” Smalley said. “They’re not putting the investment and value on it that it needs to have. We don’t want to lose that.”

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FEBRUARY 2022

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SCHOOLHOUSE Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Buckner wins TCS Spelling Bee

An Employee Assistance Program was approved by the Trussville Board of Education in December and rolled out for employees’ use in January.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

EAP will be ‘great resource’ for Trussville City Schools

By GARY LLOYD The Trussville City Schools Board of Education recently approved an Employee Assistance Program for its employees.

The program was approved by the board in December and began for school system employees and their immediate family members in January.

The program is contracted with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and it provides a variety of services. The program will come at no cost to Trussville City Schools employees or their immediate family members as young as age 5, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Rachel Poovey said.

Services include traditional counseling, life coaching, tele-mental health/distance counseling, critical incident stress management, stress management programming, art therapy, group therapy, meditation, mental health first aid, suicide prevention, yoga and pilates.

Poovey said an Employee Assistance

A group of 126 junior and senior HewittTrussville High School students attended the 13th annual Student Leadership Retreat in December.

Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Program counselor will be made available to a requester within 24 to 48 hours, at which point the best method of service is determined. Sit-down appointments will take place within two weeks of contact, Poovey said. Employees will also be able to make contact through a website created specifically for Trussville City Schools.

“I think it’s going to be a great resource for us,” Poovey said. “They [UAB] just offer a lot of opportunities for our employees, and we love that they offer that for our families as well.”

The cost of the program is set per employee, and Trussville City Schools will pay for all employees regardless. The school system will receive a report of how many services are being utilized, but it will remain anonymous.

“We’re still having some challenges” for employees and their families two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, said Trussville City Schools Superintendent Pattie Neill.

“I think that COVID changed everything related to the EAP because the needs right now are too vast for us to handle.”

From left: Levi Buckner, Caitlyn Blake, Ridley Nelms and Keiran Gorsuch were the top four spellers across Trussville City Schools this year.

Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School student Levi Buckner emerged as the winner of the 2021-22 Trussville City School District Spelling Bee after 47 rounds.

Buckner joined Caitlyn Blake (Paine Elementary), Ridley Nelms (Cahaba Elementary) and Keiran Gorsuch (Magnolia Elementary) to comprise the top four spellers across TCS. Buckner will represent Trussville City Schools in the upcoming Jefferson County Spelling Bee. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

TCS recognizes Bus Drivers of Year Trussville City Schools recently announced its 2021-22 Bus Drivers of the Year: Marc Lockett and Bob Duncan.

Lockett drives bus 15-03 for Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and has been with TCS Transportation since 2019.

Duncan drives bus 21-04 for Cahaba Elementary and has been with TCS Transportation since 2014.

These honorees were chosen via online vote. Parents, students, colleagues, etc. could nominate and vote for TCS Bus Driver of the Year. This award dates back to 2016 and recognizes drivers who go above and beyond in terms of duties and overall commitment to the safe transport of students.

Both Lockett and Duncan will be nominated by TCS for the Transportation South

Marc Lockett and Bob Duncan were honored as the Trussville City Schools Bus Drivers of the Year. Photos courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Alabama Bus Driver of the Year.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

HTHS students attend leadership retreat A select group of 126 junior and senior Hewitt-Trussville High School students attended the 13th annual Student Leadership Retreat on Dec. 3-5 at Shocco Springs Conference Center.

The retreat is an opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and the principles of servant leadership to hopefully make an impact on their school and community.

Student selections for this retreat are based on faculty and staff nominations.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

FEBRUARY 2022

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BUSINESS HAPPENINGS NOW OPEN Hunter’s Development, 4441 Valley Road, recently became a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, according to a news release from U-Haul International. The facility will offer services such as U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes.

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PERSONNEL MOVES Dr. Selwyn Vickers assumed the role of CEO of the UAB Health System and CEO of the UAB/ Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance on Jan. 1, while also continuing to serve as dean of the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. Following the recent retirement of former CEO Will Ferniany, UAB Health System strategically chose to adopt the CEO/dean model that several academic medical centers have implemented, including Emory University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins Medicine and University of Michigan Medical School. The UAB Health System includes numerous locations such as the

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COVER STORY: Chase Bays founder says he’s ‘here and happy’ in Trussville.

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT C

By GARY LLOYD

hase McMaster may be the only person in the world who has created a snowball in Arizona.

Before he flew to Phoenix and molded that metaphorical snowball at age 17, before he rolled that snowball into a multimillion-dollar aftermarket automotive products company, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while skateboarding. McMaster was going through a growth spurt when he tore his ACL, and it never healed well, so kickflips and boardslides quickly changed from teenage hobbies to distant memories.

Skateboarding was a creative outlet for McMaster, who attended Trussville schools from the fifth through 11th grades.

The sport’s success is subjective, a blank canvas based largely on style and creativity. The same, McMaster figures, went for car engines.

“I kind of saw it as this parallel where I could be creative and also create an adrenaline rush that I got from skateboarding,” McMaster said.

McMaster got a Nissan 240SX when he turned 16, and he fiddled under the hood. He wanted his car to go faster, so he swapped out the engine. He got another car, a 1988 Honda, and the engine bay was like a messy desk. A frustrated McMaster cleaned it up. He started with the wiring and then created new fuel lines and brake lines. He worked on the power steering, changed the setup of the radiator and more.

The result was a clutter-free engine bay that was aesthetically pleasing and easier to work on. McMaster posted his work on Internet forums, where motorists across the country said they’d pay him to fly to their cities and do the same work.

“It kind of just blew up,” McMaster said.

“It was kind of this new caveat that I happened to create out of pure frustration.”

Ten people in Phoenix committed to pay McMaster $400 each for the work. He flew west and stayed on a customer’s couch. He was 17, wearing worn-out clothes and an unkempt hair-do.

“I have no idea what they were thinking when I got there,” he said.

He went to work. He was under 10 hoods in 10 days. Each one took 12-14 hours to complete, four to six hours longer than he had estimated. He barely slept. He would finish one car at 5 a.m. and begin the next one at 9 a.m. While McMaster was there, 10 more people paid him to clean up their engine bays. He extended his stay and continued to work, ultimately earning

Chase McMaster, owner and founder of Chase Bays, attaches a fuel pressure regulator on a 1993 Mazda RX7 imported from Japan at his warehouse in the Trussville Industrial Park on Jan. 6. Above right: A fuel pressure regulator, designed and manufactured by Chase Bays. Photos by Erin Nelson.

$8,000 in 20 days.

“The pressure was on, so I worked harder than I had ever worked in my life, not that my professional career was long at that point, but a 17-year-old working 14 hours a day was pretty unheard of,” he said.

McMaster flew around the country making fuel and brake lines and hiding wires. He went as far west as Seattle and as far east as North Carolina. He was making enough money that his inclination to attend Auburn University and study industrial design, like his skateboarding hobby, became a thing of the past.

He moved to Los Angeles for two years because the industry he was pursuing was the biggest out there. Tired of traveling the country sleeping on couches, McMaster focused on creating products: radiators, brake lines, clutch lines, fuel lines. It was a “slow burn,” McMaster recalls, learning operations and business by reading as many books as he could. He needed a shop to create his products, so he moved home to Alabama, where the real estate prices are bearable.

“I’ve made every mistake you can

imagine, but somehow the company stayed afloat, just through grit and persistence,” McMaster said.

The first Chase Bays shop opened in Pelham and was “basically a storage unit,” he said. Chase Bays moved to Argo and then to a small, almost hidden, location in Trussville behind a car dealership. From there, the company moved to downtown Birmingham, where it remained for a handful of years.

As the company flourished, McMaster knew he needed more warehouse space and land. He got to thinking about Trussville, which he considered somewhat of a home. He met with the Trussville Industrial Development Authority, from which McMaster got the impression that Chase Bays was wanted in Trussville. McMaster’s company purchased a warehouse in the Trussville Industrial Park in August.

“It’s always exciting to have new businesses to locate in Trussville and, in particular, to our Industrial Park,” Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat said. “Chase Bays is a great addition to our park, and we are very excited and fortunate to have them as a new business in Trussville.”

The warehouse covers 50,000 square feet. Chase Bays, which specializes in designing and manufacturing fluid transfer products for the aftermarket automotive industry, now has 16 employees. McMaster said the goal is to break ground on a test track in April and have it completed by fall. A track will allow Chase Bays to test its products and get them to market faster.

Currently, the company designs a product, prototypes it and schedules a test day on a track in Tennessee or even Texas, which could be a couple months into the future.

With his own track, McMaster hopes to host events a few times a year to entertain local residents and show off what Chase Bays does. There will not be loud cars revving and racing at all hours.

“We’re very professional,” McMaster said. “We’re doing it to benefit ourselves, but also to benefit the city.”

McMaster is only 33, but he’s been a self-employed creator for 17 years. He has thought out his business model and read books and learned from every mistake he’s made. Arrogance? Not a chance. He has failed, persisted and kept moving forward.

There is a confidence about McMaster, an inspiring authenticity.

“The reason I did this originally is because I wanted it,” McMaster said, emphasizing those last two words. “I wanted my car to be improved by this way. To me, it’s one of the most fun parts of the car.

Because I know what we have and I know how different and exciting the products are, I would assume that other people are, too.”

McMaster loves cars for the creativity and adrenaline rush, for the motorsports and aesthetics. Chase Bays has created its own corner of the aftermarket automotive industry. It’s rare to find people thinking outside the box in most industries.

“It’s like this hidden world, in a way,” McMaster said.

Chase Bays may have been “hidden” in that storage unit in Pelham, by the Subway in Argo, and in a couple other places.

Chase Bays is hidden no more, and is only becoming more visible in Trussville.

“Trussville’s home. We’re going to stay here,” McMaster said. “It’s been amazing [so far]. It’s nice to have a town that wants you there. We’re here, and we’re happy.”

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11

SPORTS

Lady Huskies ascending at right time

By KYLE PARMLEY Everyone in the Hewitt-Trussville High School girls basketball program knew it would take some time for this year’s team to round into form.

The Lady Huskies have had to learn how to play without Amiya Payne, the team’s leader for the previous four years and one of the best players in program history. She helped lead Hewitt to a pair of Class 7A state runner-up finishes and was the state player of the year last season.

Hewitt-Trussville also had to deal with a new obstacle this year. Many of the players for the Lady Huskies were also on the school’s flag football team, competing in its inaugural season. Girls basketball head coach Tonya Hunter was one of the coaches for that team as well, with the Huskies winning the state title in early December.

Flag football was still going on for the first few weeks of the basketball season. There were certainly challenges with that, but they were welcome ones.

“It’s really hard playing two sports at a very competitive level along with your academics,” Hunter said. “It was tough on their bodies and we learned a lot about nutrition and rest. Now, we’re getting back into the groove.”

Over time, though, the Lady Huskies’ hoops team has begun to shine. Hunter saw the team take a leap over the Christmas break, when it faced a few tough opponents and came out on top.

In late December, Hewitt-Trussville notched two impressive wins in the Ball-N Prep National Showcase in Hazel Green. The Lady Huskies got a 10-point victory over Southwest DeKalb (Georgia) and followed that up with a two-point win over Sparkman the next day, against a team that will contend for the 7A state title this season.

The Lady Huskies returned from a week off to notch a significant 49-47 win at Vestavia Hills on Jan. 7 to open up Area 6 play. Vestavia and Hewitt have exchanged the No. 2 and 3 spots in the 7A rankings much of the year so far.

“That was a huge win,” Hunter said.

“Vestavia is such a well-coached team. That environment was awesome for girls basketball. I don’t know how many girls programs you see in the state where it looks like that, but it was awesome.”

That night, D’yona Jones starred for Hewitt-Trussville, pouring in 27 points, as Vestavia Hills had no answer for her. She scored most of her points near the basket, utilizing her size to her advantage.

“They played two on [point guard] Jordan

[Hunter] all night. That allowed D to be open. She’s been playing well for us,” Tonya Hunter said.

Hunter also saw something from her team that evening that she’s been waiting to see: poise and maturity. Adding those traits to go along with the chemistry that the group already possesses is encouraging.

“There’s no drama with this group. We’ve learned how to talk to each other. This year, we did a book reading and emphasized sticking together. When it’s bad and when it’s good, we’re all just sticking together,” Hunter said.

Hunter lauded her starters for becoming strong leaders for the team. Jones, Jordan Hunter, Audre Benson, April Hooks and Chrischandria James are molding the Lady Huskies into what their coach calls a “player-led team.”

As of press time, Hewitt-Trussville had lost just four games on the season, and none of them would qualify as a bad loss. In November, the Lady Huskies dropped backto-back games against Hazel Green and Park Crossing, the top two teams in 6A according to the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

The Lady Huskies didn’t lose again for a month, winning eight in a row before falling to Hoover, the defending 7A champ and still the top-ranked team. In mid-January, Hewitt

Left: HewittTrussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) dribbles the ball down court as she’s guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Grayson Hudgens (12) in a Jan. 7 game at BraaschHatchett Court at Vestavia Hills High School.

Below: HewittTrussville’s D’Yona Jones (24) shoots a layup as she’s guarded

by Vestavia’s Grayson Hudgens (12).

The Huskies won their Jan. 7 against the Rebels, 49-47.

Vestavia and Hewitt have exchanged the No. 2 and 3 spots in the 7A rankings much of the year so far.

Photos by Erin Nelson.

also fell to Lovejoy, one of the top teams in Georgia.

Hewitt-Trussville has also notched some impressive wins in addition to the one at Vestavia Hills and the ones over Christmas.

The Lady Huskies have notched wins over Chelsea and Mortimer Jordan, two teams expected to be in the conversation in 6A. They also avenged the loss to Park Crossing in December.

“We just take it one game at a time, because one thing we know about our area

and our region is, every team, no matter what it looks like during the season and toward the end, every team is good,” Hunter said.

The Lady Huskies have been to the state championship twice in the last three years and could find themselves there once again if things go according to plan. But there’s a long way to go before then, and Hunter is just enjoying the ride.

“I hope we come out on a positive end, but I love this team, and I love coaching this team,” she said.

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FEBRUARY 2022

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Metro South middle school football players of year named

By KYLE PARMLEY The 2021 Metro South Players of the Year for the local seventh and eighth grade football seasons were recently announced. ► From Berry: Seventh graders Joseph Hall, C.J. Cowley, Isaac Eaker and Hudson Hibbard; eighth graders Aubrey Walker, Brock Bradley, Logan Bradford and Carter Holloway. ► From Bragg: Seventh graders Cam Roberts, Ashton Vice, Josh Bailey, Jude Wright; eighth graders Carson Ellis, Brandon Woodall, Cam Blackmon and Milaki Handy. ► From Bumpus: Seventh graders Andrew Renfroe, Colton Redmond, Darion Moseley and Dorian Waluyn; eighth graders Max Crowder, Kobe Boleware, Jake Fridley and Keilan Jefferson. ► From Clay-Chalkville: Seventh graders Aaron Robinson, Josh Ivy, Cayden Farris and Jamario Yadao; eighth graders TK Slaughter, Kylon Stewart, Deon Callins and Artarius Robinson. ► From Hewitt-Trussville: Seventh graders Jayden Berry, Jake Lowery, Harrison Malone and Wes Hardy; eighth graders Parker Floyd, Delvecchio Alston II, Joshia Moore and James Kelly. ► From Homewood: Seventh graders Chappy Chapleau, Major Moorer, Jack Myers and Davis Lee; eighth graders

Kaleb Carson, Tomon Felton, Darren Stitt and Luke Eldridge. ► From Liberty Park: Seventh graders Zachary Laws, Luke Stubbs, Charles Taaffe and Garrett White; eighth graders Hayes Hudson, Ryder Brooks, Layton Osborn and Charles Dedmon. ► From Mountain Brook: Seventh graders Archie Andrews, Luke Waldrop, William Russ and Graham Ward; eighth graders Cayden Hofbauer, Meagher Teague, Hayes Windle and Stuart Andrews. ► From Oak Mountain: Seventh graders Baroc Willis, William Yoder, Peyton Gamble and Luke Kelly; eighth graders Le’Kamren Meadows, Joey Carbonie, Joey Lewis and JC Schwender. ► From Pizitz: Seventh graders Nicholas Williams, Jackson Martin, Grayson Harper and Haines Bridges; eighth graders Carson Prudy, Cross Tonsmeire, Owen Wilbanks and Lincoln GoForth. ► From Simmons: Seventh graders Jordan Williams, KJ Wright, Jovon Pulliam and Ashtyn King; eighth graders Jonah Winston, Tre Sanders, Will Adams and Justyn Hartley. ► From Thompson: Seventh graders Trent McCorvey, Tyler White, Guilherme Pires and Brodie Campbell; eighth graders Chance Strown, Noah Streeter, Dylan Reese and Jackson Hughes.

Above: The seventh grade middle school football Metro South Players of the Year. Below: The eighth grade middle school football Metro South Players of the Year. Photos courtesy of Barry Stephenson.

Little changes for Trussville teams after AHSAA reclassification

By KYLE PARMLEY The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced new classifications Dec. 14, effective for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

The AHSAA reclassifies every two years based on school enrollment numbers. The top 32 schools are placed in Class 7A, with Classes 1A-6A holding roughly 64 schools.

There was no change among the local schools, as Hewitt-Trussville remains in Class 7A and Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley will stay in 6A. Clay-Chalkville was close to the 7A threshold, coming in as the second largest 6A school now, according to enrollment numbers provided by the AHSAA. Among schools in the Birmingham area, the most significant change in class was Chelsea, which moved up from 6A into 7A. Region and area alignments for fall sports (football, volleyball, cross-country and

Hewitt-Trussville players take the field ahead a football game against Tuscaloosa County in September in Trussville. Photo by Laura Chramer.

swimming and diving) were also released.

In football, Hewitt-Trussville will stay in Region 3, with the only change the addition of Chelsea. The Huskies will still compete

against Hoover, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Tuscaloosa County, Thompson and Vestavia Hills.

Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley will continue to be region foes in Region 6, although the rest of the region looks a little different. The Cougars and Indians will now be playing against Center Point, Huffman, Oxford, Pell City and Shades Valley.

Hewitt-Trussville’s volleyball area will look different as well, as the Huskies face Spain Park, Chelsea and Oak Mountain now in Area 6. Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley will be in Area 12 with Mortimer Jordan.

Hewitt’s cross-country section is identical to the football region, but Clay and Pinson’s Section 5 will include Center Point, Cullman, Fort Payne, Gadsden City, Huffman, Mortimer Jordan, Oxford and Pell City.

Region and area alignments for winter and spring sports will be announced once those sports complete their seasons this school year.

Football regions Class 7A, Region 3 ► Hewitt-Trussville ► Chelsea ► Oak Mountain ► Hoover ► Spain Park ► Thompson ► Tuscaloosa County ► Vestavia Hills Class 6A, Region 6 ► Clay-Chalkville ► Pinson Valley ► Center Point ► Huffman ► Oxford ► Pell City ► Shades Valley

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Varsity Sports Calendar BASKETBALL Feb. 1: Boys vs. Mountain Brook.

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4: Girls vs. Mortimer Jordan.

6 p.m.

Feb. 4: Boys vs. Clay-Chalkville.

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4-11: Area Tournaments. TBD. Feb. 17-24: Regional Tournaments.

TBD. Feb. 28-March 5: State Finals.

Legacy Arena.

BASEBALL

Feb. 24: @ Sparkman. 5 p.m.

SOCCER

Feb. 15: Boys vs. Homewood. 5 p.m.

Feb. 25: vs. Helena. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3-5: Boys at Lakeshore Tournament. TBD.

Feb. 16: Girls vs. Mountain Brook.

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 4: Girls vs. Bob Jones. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 17: Boys @ Clay-Chalkville.

7 p.m.

SOFTBALL Feb. 17: @ Wetumpka. 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: Girls vs. Grissom. 4 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs. Sardis, SouthsideGadsden. Southside High School.

1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.

Feb. 18-19: Sidney Cooper Invitational. Columbus, Georgia.

Feb. 8: Girls vs. Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 21: Girls vs. Carrollton (Georgia.). 5 p.m.

Feb. 22: vs. Southside-Gadsden. 4 p.m.

Feb. 22: @ Hoover. 4 p.m.

Feb. 8: Boys @ Sparkman. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 22: Boys vs. Vestavia Hills. 7 p.m.

Feb. 23: vs. Pelham. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 24: vs. Mortimer Jordan. 5 p.m.

Feb. 11: Boys @ Hoover. 7 p.m.

Feb. 24: Boys vs. Huntsville. 5 p.m.

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OPINION Southern Musings By Gary Lloyd

Imagining what the story could have been If journalism could afford a time machine, I’d go back to Aug. 2, 2010, on Laurel Drive Southeast in Magee, Mississippi.

It was late in the afternoon on a hot Monday, deadline approaching, but I should have talked to bystanders and family until the batteries in my tape recorder went dead, should have tapped my fingertips on the keyboard until they blistered.

I’ll set the scene: The words that came over the police scanner chatter sounded like a joke. An 18-wheeler had driven into a house on Laurel Drive Southeast. There was no way, but, joke or not, small-town happenings demand storytelling. I drove over and, sure enough, an 18-wheeler was jammed through the side of a home, like a spoon in pudding.

I stood in dumb amazement as curious neighbors looked on, as first responders sifted through the smashed bricks. The homeowner, in his 80s, was napping in his

bed. The 18-wheeler plowed do you get a quote like that through most of the home and not expand on it? I should and came to rest against his have told the story better. bed, leaving the man with In that week’s newspaper, lacerations, bruises and other I wrote stories about cocaine non-life-threatening injuries. possession, a 12-year-old baseball team losing in the He was airlifted to the hospital, but he was lucky.

Dixie Youth state championThe driver of the truck ship, a YMCA after-school had apparently suffered program and little else. Even some sort of heart problem if I needed more time, the next while driving, and he ultiweek’s issue included stories mately lost control, churning by me about a street resurfacLloyd through power poles before ing grant, a jamboree football crashing into the house. game, the opening of a scrap My “story” went on the front page, but not yard, a police chase, stolen firearms, a burabove the fold — just a surreal photo of the glary, grand larceny and cocaine possession. scene accompanied by maybe 200 words. It I did write an update on the man injured in was a glorified caption, though I did include the 18-wheeler crash, but it was a hard news this quote from the police investigator: “The update about being in good spirits after ankle Good Lord was next to him in that bed.” How surgery. I quoted only his third cousin, who

was the city’s police chief. I should have told the story better.

I learned later that the man had served as a sergeant in the United States Army in World War II before earning a degree in divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a pastor and taught history and social sciences in Magee public schools for 28 years. As an older man, he worked at Piggly Wiggly in Magee and, after the 18-wheeler accident, moved to a local nursing center. He died in 2017.

Imagine what that story could have been.

Imagine the wisdom a man like that could bestow upon the world in a newspaper feature, or even a book. I missed that opportunity to give him that platform. Why didn’t I write that?

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

Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

Leaning on Aunt Irma at a wedding of ‘friends’ A few years ago, I went to a friend’s wedding. I arrived at the chapel early. I sat in the front pew while the piano played.

It was the best seat in the house. I wanted to see my buddy’s expression when he stumbled over the words “I do.”

The chapel was adorned with white flowers and greenery. The woman seated beside me was the elderly aunt of the bride.

“My name’s Irma,” she said, presenting her white-gloved hand. “How do you know the groom?”

“We grew up fishing together,” I said.

She looked at me like I had cockroaches crawling out of my eye sockets. “Really? I thought he hated fishing.”

That’s when I had a feeling something was wrong. And I was correct. When the young groom took the altar, I realized I’d never seen him before in my life.

I started having chest pains. I was at the right church on the wrong weekend.

Soon, the pianist played the familiar chords of matrimony, and the congregation stood. I was going to sneak out the back, but I was too late. The rear doors swung open.

The bride walked the aisle, wearing a gown that was elegant enough to break your heart.

Beside me, Aunt Irma was becoming emotional. “Doesn’t she look just radiant?”

“Does she ever,” I said. “I “I’ll be fine,” I told her. hardly even recognize her.”

“It’s just allergies.”

It was a beautiful cere“There now,” she said, mony. The bride and groom squeezing my hand. “What recited vows they’d written you need is a real woman to themselves. hold you tight.”

The groom read a sonnet Help. so eloquent it made most The reception was in the women in the audience fellowship hall. I almost disgusted with their own left without attending, but I husbands. suddenly felt bad for intrudWhen the girl read her ing on a personal ceremony vows, they were so sweet then bolting. It seemed rude, Dietrich and heart-wrenching, half the somehow. congregation was dehydrated So, I made a brief appearafterward. ance. Aunt Irma got me a glass of tea that was Aunt Irma was sniffing so hard that I sweet enough to melt paint off a fire hydrant. handed her a Kleenex. She hooked arms with I was just in time for the father-daughter me and said, “You know, you’re very cute.” dance. The white-haired man slow-danced I started looking for fire exits. with his best girl. And if there’s anything When the preacher announced the young more beautiful than a father-daughter dance, couple, the people applauded. The newly- I don’t care to know what it is. weds left the chapel accompanied by the When the dance floor opened, Aunt Irma song, “Lean on Me.” asked if I wanted to cut a rug. I declined, and The people in the pews actually started told her that I had a titanium hip I was still singing softly. Aunt Irma began humming. making payments on.

And even I started swaying a little.

But she wouldn’t accept my answer.

I was so moved to hear a crowd gently So, old Irma and I danced the “Cha Cha murmuring these lyrics, that I started to get Slide” together. And when the DJ played “I leaky eyes. Aunt Irma seemed genuinely Can’t Help Falling in Love,” I had to warn Irma to watch where she placed her hands. concerned about me.

Before I left the reception, I clipped a $20 bill to the money tree beside the bridal cake.

I was almost to the door when I was stopped by the bride and groom.

“You look familiar,” the bride said.

“Who’d you come with?”

I choked.

“He’s all mine,” said Aunt Irma, grabbing my arm. “I’m divorcing your uncle Edward, deal with it.”

Before the couple could say anything else, I hugged the bride, then shook the groom’s hand. In the young man’s eyes, I saw the same boyish face I used to see in the mirror.

He looked like I did on the day of my wedding. Naive, hopeful, innocent.

It’s the beautiful ignorance of a young man who has no idea how magnificent his own life will turn out to be. I wish I could’ve explained it to him, but I couldn’t. As it happens, I’m still learning about it myself.

“If you ever wanna go fishing,” I said.

“Call me.”

Then, for no reason at all, Aunt Irma slapped my behind.

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.

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2022 Spring Medical Guide

Special Advertising Section

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2022 Spring Medical Guide SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient

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How to ensure your baby is sleeping safely Children’s of Alabama 205-638-9100

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Dr. Erinn Schmit

Q: What's the biggest safe sleep takeaway you hope parents get from this article?

A: I like to teach parents ABCs: Alone, Back and Crib. All babies under 1 year should be sleeping by themselves, in an empty sleep space without pillows, blankets or bumpers. They should be put on their back because this greatly decreases instances of death. Babies should be sleeping in a crib, pack and play or bassinet — something approved for babies. It's dangerous for babies to sleep in adult bed, and it’s more dangerous for babies to sleep on the couch or armchair.

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Q: Is there anything else you’d like to include?

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Parents can always talk to their baby’s pediatrician for advice and to ask questions.

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Special Advertising Section

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Dr. Showalter is an OB/GYN with an interest in PCOS. She said she sees PCOS in her patients more and more often, which can be attributed to the rise in obesity rates.

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