GONE TO THE DOGS Book educates community on rescue animals. 16
Vol 2 | Issue 4 | February 2017 As Trussville As It Gets
GOING BACK TO
school Jerome Gray switching careers at 53 to pursue nursing degree. 20 TRUSSVILLE’S GOT TALENT
PREACHING PERSISTENCE
Annual talent show promises to celebrate the city’s most talented and creative youth. 6
Pinson Valley Lady Indians coach Sara Halasz passing on life lessons, teaching fundamentals. 28
Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. And that’s when you need a teammate like Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center. Because our experts aggressively pursue victory over every injury.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH EDITOR’S NOTE | SYDNEY CROMWELL Valentine’s Day has never topped the list of important holidays for me, but I think this year that’s going to have to change. After nearly seven years together, my fiancé and I have decided to get married on Feb. 11, 2017. When you choose your wedding date about five weeks before it happens, you’re going to get some surprised responses from friends and family. And it’s true — my wedding won’t have a lot of the traditional elements that are expected. But it has touched me to see the people in my life offer an outpouring of support without hesitation. In the past few weeks, I’ve been the recipient of advice from friends who have already tied the knot, dress shopping suggestions and simple reassurances when I start wondering whether five weeks is enough time to plan anything. These things are like wedding gifts to me, given from the heart from people who care about my fiancé and me. With so much going on in work and in life, I’m often guilty of not appreciating people enough. So I’m taking this moment to say it in writing. Thank you, to my friends and my family and my co-workers and the many wonderful strangers I have met through this job. Thank you for your love and kindness and patience, for laughter and long nights together and good memories. I’m a very lucky person, indeed.
Support Our Partners Alabama Hospice Care of Birmingham (15) Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons (19) Alabama Symphony Orchestra (31) Andrews Sports Medicine (2) Anthony McPherson, Keller Williams (11) ARC Realty (32) Bedzzz Express (3) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (14) Case Remodeling (24) Children’s of Alabama (23) Cindy Stuman, Allstate (15) Closets by Design (25) First Community Mortgage (27) Grandview Medical Center (17) Great Clips of Trussville (6) Guide Insurance Agency (24)
Katie Boswell, Keller Williams Realty (22) Kirkwood by the River (9) Lee Marlow, RealtySouth (9) Orthodontics East (17) Peachtree Assisted Living (10) Phoenix Builders (22) Pilot Medical Weight Loss Center (6) Prideline (19) RealtySouth Marketing (26) Spotless, LLC (8) The Maids (27) Tower Homes (7) Trussville Gas and Water (13) UAB Health System (5) Vulcan Tire & Automotive (14) Weigh To Wellness (13) Whale of a Sale (24) WPS Printing (21)
Water bubbles out of a partially frozen fountain in front of First Baptist Church of Trussville on Sunday, Jan. 8. Belowfreezing temperatures and wintry weather was seen across the state creating hazardous driving conditions and early closings at schools and businesses. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Publishers: Dan Starnes Scott Buttram General Manager: Matthew Allen Managing Editor: Sydney Cromwell Design Editor: Kristin Williams Director of Photography: Sarah Finnegan Page Designer: Cameron Tipton Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Contributing Writers: Saige Leopard Chris Megginson Maryellen Newton David Knox Rick Watson Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Jon Harrison Gail King Eric Clements Contributing Photographer: Ron Burkett
For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: The Cahaba Sun PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@ starnespublishing.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: sydney@ starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253
Published by: Cahaba Sun LLC Legals: The Cahaba Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or
use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Cahaba Sun is designed to inform the Trussville community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Cahaba Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The 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.
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Trussville’s Got Talent show set for Feb. 4 By SAIGE LEOPARD
Participants in a previous year of the talent show. Photos courtesy of Trussville’s Got Talent.
With the Christmas flurry behind everyone, students now have something else to look forward to: the ninth annual Trussville’s Got Talent show. Set for Feb. 4 at the Hewitt-Trussville High School Performance Hall, the event is open to any Trussville City Schools student, and it is sponsored by the high school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter. “I love this event, and over the years, it has gotten easier to plan,” said sponsor Tracey Jackson, who also has a background in event management and started the talent show its first year in 2009. “The show is run by the students, and it has worked so much better for us than asking kids to sell things. They learn so much about organizing and time management and how to plan events.” With a fundraising goal in mind, students also realize that event planning can be stressful, Jackson said. “But you also see a lot of unique friendships form that you wouldn’t expect,” she
said. “It’s also so fun to see those talented students showcase their talents that normally wouldn’t do that in front of their peers.” Seth Hollingsworth, one of last year’s student directors, said he and his fellow students are excited for the upcoming show. “The talent at Trussville continues to amaze us each and every year,” he said. “Each year, the show improves and expands as we had over 30 acts last year. We have learned so many valuable leadership and management skills through the organizing and execution of this event.” Like past years, the categories for the event will be dance, song, theatrical (readings, acting, etc.), comedy, musical instruments and other. The other category, in past years, has often included juggling. Normally, the talent show has about 35 acts usually two to three minutes in length. Past “voice of the Huskies” Alan Taylor, who served as the public address announcer for Hewitt-Trussville High School football, basketball and baseball over a 10 year period, has emceed the event three times. He said his
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favorite thing about hosting the show is witnessing all the thriving talent in Trussville. “There are some really talented young people in the city,” Taylor said. “Some who are performing for the first time — watching those is the most fun, really. They do such a great job in everything from comedy to musical acts.” Most are musical acts, he said, in a variety of genres including everything from pop to country to gospel. Some students also engage the audience with Broadway-type acts that include music and words. “I remember one middle schooler who sang the national anthem,” Taylor said. “That one sticks out in my mind. But to see their confidence — that’s what I love. You will see them backstage working through their nerves, and you can tell it’s their first time.” This year’s show will include two start times: 4:30 p.m. for the elementary students and 7 p.m. for middle school and high school groups, though Jackson said the high school start time depends on the number of elementary entries. This is the first year the show will include students from multiple elementary schools, including Paine, Magnolia and Cahaba. “That part will be interesting,” Jackson said. “We’re used to having that community
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feel of our performers coming from one elementary school, so I’m curious to see how that goes.” As the biggest fundraiser for FBLA, proceeds from the show are not earmarked for specific things, Jackson said. “But usually the money goes toward our state leadership conference registration fees for students,” she said. “It’s usually held in Anaheim. We also award scholarships for students, and it also goes toward field trips to Atlanta. We’re a very active group.” Individuals and groups will be judged by three judges, Jackson said. “Our objective is to try to have people who don’t know many of the kids,” she said. “They are usually members of Miss Alabama circuit and therefore, they are exposed to a variety of talents.” Students will rehearse the week of the event, and each age group will have one rehearsal and then a dress rehearsal the night before. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. The auditorium holds about 1,200 people. For more information, go to the Annual Trussville’s Got Talent Facebook page or email Tracey Jackson at tracey.jackson@ trussvillecityschools.com.
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COMMUNITY Trussville bridal show successful in spite of winter weather Despite icy roads and snow, over 50 brides-to-be and their friends and families attended the fifth annual Trussville Bridal Show. The bridal show was presented by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 8 at the Trussville Civic Center. Included in the afternoon’s activities were a fashion show, makeovers, food and door prizes. Formalwear was provided by Southern Bridesmaids, Mr. Burch Formal Wear and Imperial Formal Wear. Models for the fashion show were State Representative Danny Garrett, State Senator Shay Shelnutt, Trussville City Councilman Dr. Zack Steele, Center Point Chamber Event Director Tim Gann, Lucy Rinhuls, Kaitlyn Traywick, Hannah Givens and staff and friends from Southern Bridesmaids. The fashion show was directed by Pam Windle. About 25 vendors, including caterers, venues, beauty suppliers, an inflatable photo booth and more were onhand to
The bridal show featured a fashion show and food, among other events. Photos courtesy of the Trussville Chamber of Commerce.
help the brides-to-be plan their dream weddings. Music was provided by Puttin’ On the Ritz DJ Service. Other sponsors were Birmingham Coca-Cola,
Ginni G Florist and Shirley’s Florist & Events. – Submitted by the Trussville Chamber of Commerce.
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Junior League of Birmingham scholarships available for local women in Trussville The Junior League of Birmingham will grant several one-year college and graduate school scholarships to qualified female applicants, and residents of Trussville are encouraged to apply. The scholarships will be awarded in the minimum amount of $1,000 each. The Academic Scholarship program was originally established in the 1950s to open the doors of opportunity for teachers in the area of speech and language development, and hopefully provide future leaders for the Junior League School of Speech Correction. Through the years this program has expanded, providing scholarships to women in all areas of study, both in undergraduate and graduate studies. For 95 years, the Junior League of Birmingham’s mission has been to develop the potential of women in our community. The Junior League strives to improve the lives of women and children in our community, specifically in the areas of education and financial stability. Scholarships will be announced at the Junior League of Birmingham’s Community Circle breakfast March 22 and will be awarded to qualified women who demonstrate a true willingness to better themselves and their community.
The Junior League of Birmingham scholarships begin at $1,000. Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham.
“The Junior League of Birmingham believes that strong women lift each other up. As leaders, we are proud to invest in creating the future female leaders of our community,” said Lauren Roberts, president, Junior League of Birmingham. “As the females in our area seek an opportunity
to further their education, we are excited to support them in their endeavors. Our dream would be that wherever these women choose to pursue their degree, they will want to return to Birmingham with their newly acquired skills and education. Hopefully we are building the future of our city
as we support these young women.” To be eligible for the scholarship, students must enroll as a full- or part-time student in any private or public accredited two-year or four-year undergraduate or graduate college or vocational-technical school for the 20172018 school year. Scholarships are restricted to eligible women who fall into one of the following categories: ► Graduating high school seniors ► Currently enrolled college or graduate students ► Graduating college seniors ► Non-traditional students The completed application form and supporting documents must be submitted online at jlbonline.com no later than Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Since 2012/2013 the Junior League of Birmingham has given out 42 scholarships, totaling $96,000 for young women attending 20 different colleges. For more information about the Junior League of Birmingham’s Academic Scholarship program, visit jlbonline.com/scholarships or call 879-9861. – Submitted by the Junior League of Birmingham.
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Business Happenings
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Hirings and Promotions Alabama Cardiovascular Group, 5890 Valley Road, Suite 200, has hired Jimmie Dotson, Jr., MD, to join its practice as an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Dotson is board certified in cardiology. He is now accepting new patients. 971-7500, alcardio.com
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Jerome Gray of Advance Auto Parts, 318 Main St., was awarded the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Customer Service Award at their luncheon in December. The person who nominated him had this to say: “Oh, what a night! But, ‘tis the season for giving and I was lucky to receive! Last night, just minutes after I had taken one of my son’s friends home, I went to start the car to take my other son to his friend’s home and nope, no-go! So, I asked our friends if they could pick up the boys instead. That turned into my friends coming to my rescue, with all three of us pushing my car out of the garage into the cold, wet
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Marco’s Pizza is now open at 300 Main St. The restaurant offers dine-in, carry-out and delivery service. 661-5555, marcos.com
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weather to jump it off! Finally, I made it to Advance Auto Parts where I was greeted by Jerome Gray. He tested my alternator, battery, and concluded that the only issue was the corrosion around the connections. Jerome thoroughly cleaned both for about 30 minutes (again, in the cold, wet weather) and gave me tips on how to avoid the problem in the future free of charge. I purchased my previous battery from this location, and I can assure you I will make every car-part purchase there from now on, and I invite all my Trussville friends do the same!” 661-2959, advanceautoparts.com
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CHAMBER Chamber luncheon, annual chamber banquet set for February By CHRIS MEGGINSON Two meals highlight the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce events calendar in February, beginning with the monthly chamber luncheon Feb. 16 and the annual chamber banquet and auction Feb. 25 — both at the Trussville Civic Center. Twinkle Cavanaugh, president of the Public Service Commission, will be the featured speaker at the chamber luncheon, sponsored by Bryant Bank. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Trussville Civic Center, with Cavanaugh speaking at noon. Prior to lunch, the chamber will honor its monthly Custom Service Award winners. Door prizes also will be given away. Cavanaugh was first elected to the PSC in 2010 and defeated former Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley for PSC president in 2012. She was reelected in November. She began her political career in Washington, D.C., working for the Republican National Committee, former U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan and Citizens for a Sound Economy. Cavanaugh served as chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party from 2005 to 2010 and was previously executive director from 1999 until 2001. She also served as Gov. Bob Riley’s deputy chief of staff in 2003 and 2004. Cost for the monthly luncheon is $17 (cash or check). Online luncheon registration is closed at midnight on Monday,
Feb. 13, but the chamber office will accept registration by phone until noon Tuesday, Feb. 14. All nonmembers must pay in advance. The annual banquet on Feb. 25 will help celebrate the Trussville Chamber’s 70th year. In addition to inducting the chamber officers and board for 2017, the chamber will recognize the Ambassador of the Year, Customer Service Person of the Year and recipients of the Ned and Goldie Paine Memorial Gatekeeper Awards for outstanding service to the community. Entertainment will be provided by the Hewitt-Trussville Jazz Band. Officer inductions include Johnny Amari of the Amari Law Firm, president; Jeremy Tuggle of Bryant Bank, president-elect; Jeff Brumlow of Brumlow Legal Group, past president; and Shea Carroll Waldrop of Massey Stotser & Nichols PC, treasurer. The 2017 board members are Michael Lynam of Principal Financial Group, Jay Mather of Enviro Management, Debra McCarley of Dede’s Book Rack, Lynn Middleton of Avadian Credit Union, John Patterson of Complete Cleaners, Monty Reed of Allstate Insurance Agency and Kevin Sargent of Brik Realty. Reservations for the banquet are $50 per person or $90 per couple.To register, go to TrussvilleChamber.com or contact June Mathews at 665-7535 or june.mathews@trussvillechamber.com. Trussville Civic Center is at 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.
Twinkle Cavanaugh
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Exercise equipment at Trussville Health and Rehab, which recently opened under new ownership. Photos by Ron Burkett.
Trussville Health and Rehab takes pride in being family-owned By SAIGE LEOPARD
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russville’s care center that formerly housed Golden Living-Trussville has opened as Trussville Health and Rehab under new owner ProHealth Group. Executive Director Ron Davidson said it opened July 1 and started taking residents in September. Trussville Health and Rehab has about 35 residents and is still working toward filling its 125 beds. The company is doing a “slow ramp up” to its max capacity following a state mandate that facilities of this type admit only a few residents at first. Following a state survey, it will be allowed to accept additional residents. “What sets us apart are our company values,” Davidson said. “We are very family-oriented, and our corporate staff, which is small, is very involved and is housed here for now.” ProHealth Group is a company that has been in the healthcare business for more than 50 years. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ordered the previous operator, Golden Living-Trussville, to close the facility, and ProHealth Group took ownership after that.
Services offered at Trussville Health and Rehab include long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, respite stays and hospice care. As a company, it also offers home health as well. Its dining room is often the epicenter for the facility, Davidson said, where it provides meals to its residents. It offers many of the activities including visits from a bluegrass band, bingo, board games and arts and crafts, to name a few. After being director for about two years, Davidson said his favorite part of his job is being able to work with staff and residents and making Trussville Health and Rehab a home for people. “There’s nothing like working with a family or a resident and seeing them come here for rehabilitation and then they get better, and they return to normal life, too,” he said. Davidson’s goals for the care center include continuing to partner with the community and serving as many residents as it can for rehabilitation. He said he wants the center to continue its mission of being an established home for those who are in need of long-term care. For more information about Trussville Health and Rehab, call 655-3226, or stop by and fill out an admission
Trussville Health and Rehab’s dining room, where residents eat meals and participate in activities such as board games and arts and crafts.
application at 119 Watterson Parkway. Go to its Facebook page at Trussville Health & Rehab Center or go to prohealthgroup.com.
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Love (and feed) your neighbor By CHRIS MEGGINSON
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The Love Your Neighbor food drive will be the week of Valentine’s Day. Photos courtesy of Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry.
usinesses, churches and schools will work together for the eighth year to collect nonperishable food items for the Love Your Neighbor food drive this February. The annual food drive is sponsored and organized by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce to benefit the Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry (TEAM) food bank. “Many people think of donating food during the [Thanksgiving and Christmas] holidays, but the need for food for some families in our area is real all year long,” said Diane Poole, TACC executive director. “This food drive creates a huge awareness for TEAM. Many people in our area still don’t know that TEAM exists, but the organization fills a huge need for families who just need a little help.” The food drive, which expands on the theme of love surrounding Valentine’s Day week, will begin with a drive-through kickoff event in the parking lot of First United Methodist Trussville Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and continue through the following week. The drive-through event provides community members an opportunity to drive in and drop off their food items without having to get out of the vehicle. The
FEBRUARY 2017 Hewitt-Trussville varsity football team will be collecting items at the drop, as well as others yet to be named. Last year’s event included NBC 13’s Ken Lass, Fox 6 anchor Janet Hall, San Francisco 49ers lineman Quinton Dial and former University of Alabama football players Bobby Johns and Rudy Griffin. TEAM will serve nearly 500 families this year, providing food once a month for nine months out of the year. Dennis McMillian, the new TEAM board president, says it is their hope that they can increase that frequency to 12 months a year after recently climbing up from six months. “This is our major food drive. We depend on this drive to carry us through the summer with adequate food supplies, and it has managed to do that,” McMillian said. “It’s a beautiful thing because the businesses come together, the churches are together, and the schools are a big part.” Requested food items for the drive are personal hygiene items, cooking oil, flour, cornmeal, sugar, canned meat and fish, canned fruits and vegetables, dried beans, cereal, breakfast food, peanut butter, jelly, saltines and macaroni and cheese. During the week, drop-off boxes will be set up at the Chamber of Commerce (400 Main St.), EW Motion Therapy (183 Main St.), Bryant Bank (137 Main St.) and TEAM (88 Cedar Lane). The eight member churches of TEAM also will be collecting donations and may host additional drop-off events: Clear Branch United Methodist Church, Deerfoot Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Trussville, First Methodist Church of Trussville, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church and Holy Infant of Prague Catholic Church. The McSweeney Foundation is also a member of TEAM and donates materials used to collect food during the drive
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The food drive will begin with a drive-through kickoff at First United Methodist Church.
among meeting other needs for the ministry. For more information about the drive, contact the
Chamber of Commerce at 665-7535. To donate or learn more about TEAM, call and leave a message at 661-5039.
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Gone to THE DOGS Trussville photographer part of new book that shows insight into the lives of ballet dancers and rescue dogs
Dogs and dancers come together in a new photo book, “Sit. Stay. Plié.” Photos courtesy of Connie Collum.
By MARYELLEN NEWTON
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ogs and dancers are seemingly unrelated, but they combine and contrast perfectly in a new photo book, “Sit. Stay. Plié.” The book brings together rescue dogs and members of the Alabama Ballet as the dancers go throughout their day with the dogs at their sides. Produced by Kay Simon and Asha Gangolli, with photography by Trussville resident Connie Collum, “Sit. Stay. Plié.” is a glimpse into the working life of ballet dancers and how their dogs enhance their worlds, Simon said. The idea for “Sit. Stay. Plié.” originally began as a calendar, but many doors opened, and the women turned it into a 112-page photo book. For Simon, it was striking how everything fell into place. While some may think the hardest part from working with the dogs would be getting them to cooperate for the pictures, this wasn’t the case for Collum. She said she’s been working with animals for years, so Collum has multiple tricks she employs. First, she uses different techniques to get the dogs to look at her. Then, she looks for the expressions in the dogs’ faces to know the right time to take the photo. She said she wants them to have a relaxed and happy look. Rescue shelters throughout Birmingham provided dogs, and though it was challenging to have the dogs in a foreign environment and meeting people for the first time, the chemistry between the dogs and the dancers was striking. The women designed the book with one purpose in mind: education. Simon, Gangolli and Collum strove to make readers aware of the plight of rescue animals and animal shelters across the city and state. “We’re trying to get people to think about and be aware about homeless animal population, especially in Alabama,” Collum said. On the flip side, they wanted to educate the community about the lives of the members of the Alabama Ballet.
Kay Simon, Asha Gangolli and Connie Collum wanted to educate people on the plight of rescue animals across the state. All profits from the photo book will benefit animal rescues across Alabama.
“The images, and much of the book’s content, give the reader a glimpse at what it takes and what it means to be a ballet dancer,” Simon said. She said the book explains the significance of pointe shoes. There are multiple pictures included that exemplify that point. Collum was fascinated by the shoe cabinet. The shoe cabinet is a wooden box where dancers keep their pointe shoes in order to dry them out and preserve them. Collum was thankful the dancers were willing to give up their personal time to participate, while Simon said she
enjoyed getting to know the dancers on a down-to-earth level. “I think, probably the best part [of putting the book together] is having something tangible that can live on and reach so many different people, not only locally, but all over the country who can look at these photos and be inspired,” Collum said. “I hope that it will live on and reach people and motivate people. All profits benefit various animal rescues across Alabama and the Alabama Ballet. “Sit. Stay. Plié.” is available for purchase on Amazon, at Homewood vendors including White Flowers, Whole Dog Market and Little Professor and at sitstayplie.net.
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The board of the Trussville Memorial Cemetery Association, from left: Pat Glenn, Kelly McHugh, Jess McHugh, Gloria McHugh, Vice President Nancy Lewis and President Paula Gunter. Photo by Ron Burkett.
City’s cemetery added to state’s historical register By SAIGE LEOPARD
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rotected from the bustle of U.S. 11 by an iron fence and watched over by a 200-year-old magnolia tree is one of the city’s treasures ― Trussville Memorial Cemetery. Formerly known as Cahawba Baptist Church Cemetery and sitting across from Trussville City Hall, it was recently listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery register ― a prestigious listing of historic cemeteries. TMC is the 34th cemetery in Jefferson County to be listed, and it now features 738 cemeteries statewide. It’s nothing short of a history lesson for passersby who visit: plots littered with magnolia leaves and weathered graves adorned with artificial flowers, flags and bearing the names of Bates, Cole, Garrison, Owen, Praytor, Best, Vann, Carlisle and others. Many were soldiers: Peter J. Blue, who fought in the Confederate States Army, was born in 1831 and died in 1894, and Donald Burns, an Army colonel, fought in three wars and died in 1993. “Many of the early pioneer families are buried there,” said Gloria Garrison McHugh, daughter of city councilman John Garrison, who served during the 1990s to early 2000s. “They all contributed to the growth of the city.” McHugh is one of about a dozen members of the Trussville Memorial Cemetery Association, or TMCA, who worked on the project. Founded in 1962 by Birmingham attorney and Trussville native Wesley Mann Garrison, the TMCA is responsible for maintaining the cemetery today. “I wanted it done because I felt like it was important,” she said.
McHugh’s parents are buried there and all of her father’s 12 siblings are, too. According to records, the 4-acre cemetery includes 740 marked graves and 183 unmarked graves, she said, and there are plots still available. The centrally located magnolia tree, one of the oldest in Alabama, acts as a sentinel — sheltering the oldest graves and even carrying its own legends. The land where the cemetery sits, which was purchased in 1821 by well-known settler Warren Truss, became his family’s homestead. He became a charter member of Cahawba Baptist Church soon after, later to be known as First Baptist Church, and the original building was built just west of the cemetery, on the plot that later became Dairy Cone. Truss gave the land to the church in 1827. “My aunt remembers going to church there and tells us stories about it,” McHugh said. In the early 1870s, the railroad reached Trussville. The church moved to its current location on Chalkville Road in 1946, and the church later deeded the cemetery property to the TMCA when it formed. Truss, his wife, and four of their 10 kids are buried at Trussville Memorial Cemetery. Zilpha, his youngest daughter who died at the age of 7, is the first burial listed in the records, McHugh said, bearing the year 1829. Part of the lengthy process of adding it to the state registry is exploring the unique grave markers, McHugh said. There are timeworn obelisk etchings, woodmen of the world carved monuments, and numerous fallen graves. There are comb graves, which some say were once used for keeping cows from trampling headstones, and there
are rock cairn graves, which are stacks of stones covering a grave. There are box graves ― stone slabs arranged in a rectangular shape, into which a deceased person was then placed with an epitaph inscribed on top. There are numerous fieldstone markers ― etched by hand ― which were used in areas where people either didn’t have the money for a headstone or where sources for masonry markers were unavailable, McHugh said. There are also cenotaph graves, or markers placed in honor of someone whose remains are uncertain or elsewhere. “We have a family member who we know was buried in the cemetery, but we didn’t know where, so we used a cenotaph,” she said. Other requirements that had to be met include assessing the architectural design of the cemetery, a burial list, public access, maintenance, marker designs and types, a short history of the cemetery and photos. The Alabama Historical Commission does not provide funds for preserving the cemeteries listed on the register, but they do provide resources on maintaining the ancient tombstones. A historical marker will later be erected to recognize the cemetery being on the register, McHugh said. The TMCA also held two cemetery strolls over the last few years to educate residents on its history, and they hope to have more in the future. “The best part is that if something happens to the cemetery 200 years from now, the Alabama Historical Commission now has historical records of its existence,” McHugh said. For more information, go to Trussville Memorial Cemetery Association on Facebook.
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COVER STORY: Jerome Gray switching careers at 53
GOING BACK TO
school Jerome Gray is shifting careers to pursue a degree in nursing. Photo by Ron Burkett.
By CHRIS MEGGINSON
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e can’t talk about it without beaming. Jerome Gray is a college student again at 53. Jerome Gray, a former lieutenant at St. Clair Correctional Facility and Navy veteran, decided in May 2016 to shift careers and pursue nursing school at Jefferson State Community College, which began last month. The Trussville resident will be the third nurse in his household, following his wife of 30 years, Lorri, and son, Zackery, just as Zackery and his other son, Matthew, followed his path into the Navy. “I never dreamed at 53 years old that I’d be back in a classroom full time, but here I am. That’s the career path I’ve chosen now,” Jerome Gray said. “I’d kicked around the idea of going back to nursing school, and at this juncture of my life it was something we were able to do.” While the numbers of 50-plus workers seeking new jobs has increased since the recession almost a decade ago, Harvard Business Review reported in 2010 that only 6 percent of people 45 and older actually change careers on their own accord, while 80 percent say they’ve considered a change. The change came after Jerome Gray grew unhappy at St. Clair where assaults, stabbings and inmate overpopulation have been on the rise in recent years. He walked away
from the prison system May 22, 2016, and began his prerequisite classes three days later at Jeff State. Since leaving St. Clair, Gray has continued his moonlighting job at Advance Auto Parts on Main Street in Trussville. It is there he was awarded the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Customer Service Award in December. He was nominated by an anonymous woman who, on a cold, wet November night, showed up at Advance with car trouble. Jerome Gray determined the issue was corrosion around the battery connections. He spent 30 minutes cleaning the connections, at no charge, and gave the woman tips to avoid the problem happening again. While the woman was surprised and grateful for the service, Gray said it happens all the time. On Dec. 30, a University of Alabama student on his way to the Peach Bowl pulled up to the shop claiming his car smelled like rotten eggs. Jerome Gray assessed the alternator was cooking the battery. He spoke to the student’s father on the phone and helped the student change the alternator and battery in the parking lot, so he could continue on his way. “We’re not a repair shop, but went ahead and did it for him, because he was a customer in need,” Jerome Gray said. That’s the attitude Jerome Gray has about life and will carry into his new career. Lorri Gray, who works PRN as a nurse at St. Vincent’s, recalls Jerome Gray’s reaction
to nursing school orientation this past fall. “He called and said, ‘I know where I’m supposed to be, I know that sounds strange at 53 years old,’” Lorri Gray said. “That’s the first time he’d felt that way.” Jerome Gray said he felt that way because nursing is a field that will both challenge him and be rewarding. To date, he said the most rewarding part of his three careers was his time in the Navy, which began in 1984. He served seven years active duty as an electronics technician and search-and-rescue swimmer. One of his most rewarding moments was rescuing a co-pilot and crew member from a helicopter that crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. In 1992 he entered the reserves and went to work as a project manager at Rome Industries for the next decade. He began working for the Alabama Department of Corrections in 2002 and was recalled to active duty by the Navy on Halloween 2005. He spent a year in Kuwait before retiring in 2007. His time on active duty after 9/11 qualified him for 50-percent coverage of school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill – a benefit Zackery Gray began talking to him about since he graduated form UAB and entered the Navy as an officer in 2013. Jerome Gray said he hopes he can one day repay his fellow veterans by working at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “I just enjoy giving back and helping people. I’m retired military and a disabled
veteran, so my goal is to go to the VA as a nurse, so I can give back even more,” he said. “I will be able to connect with those guys like nobody else can, because they’ve been there, and I’ve been there.” Zackery Gray, a former ICU nurse at Walter Reed Medical Center, is now a PACU nurse at Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He said he welcomes the tables being turned from asking his dad about Navy matters to answering his dad’s nursing questions. “He’s going to have a lot of fun doing it. I’m excited to be able to give that advice and reverse roles a little bit. I’d like for him to shadow me sometime or come work with me sometime,” Zackery Gray said. “I’m excited to see what kind of questions he’s going to have for my mom and me, because he’s always been around it and always heard it. It’s going to be interesting to see him come at it from a different angle.” Lorri Gray said she is also excited about her husband’s nursing future. “I think he’ll be very happy in the career. I’ve always loved being a nurse, and I guess that showed with them (Jerome and Zackery), because I’ve had a varied amount of experience. They’ve been able to see that from the outside looking in,” she said. Zackery Gray said it is his hope that one day the three of them can work together in the same hospital or on a travel assignment.
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Night to Shine promises to be unforgettable The Night to Shine prom is a national event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Photo courtesy of the Tim Tebow Foundation.
By SAIGE LEOPARD CrossPoint Church will be one of more than 350 churches globally to simultaneously host a Night to Shine event for individuals ages 14 and older with exceptional needs. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, the Night to Shine prom will be held Feb. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Trussville Civic Center. “I am excited about this event,” said sponsor Carrie Jones. “I think it is going to be an awesome experience for all our guests who are able to attend. Dining, dancing and the message of God’s great love for us all packed into one unforgettable night.” Every guest will enter the complimentary event on a red carpet. Once inside, guests will be treated with corsages and boutonnieres, food and drinks, live music from the CrossPoint band, prom favors and a dance floor, according to a press release from the Tim Tebow Foundation. At the night’s end, each guest will be crowned king or queen of the prom. “We are honored to be able to work with so many churches across the country and around the world to impact the lives of people with special needs,” said Erik Dellenback, executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “After such an amazing response to the first two years of Night to Shine, our prayer is that this event will continue to change the face of Valentine’s Day weekend from simply a celebration of love, to a celebration of God’s love for people with special needs.” As sponsor, the Tim Tebow Foundation will provide CrossPoint Church with decorations and gifts for the guests, personalized guidance and support from a staff member
and other important information. The foundation also is providing financial support to hundreds of churches needing assistance. During Night to Shine 2015, 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers worked together to honor more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom, according to the release. Last year’s Night to Shine reached 32,000 honored guests in 201 host churches with 75,000 volunteers. More than 350 churches
around the world have signed up to participate in this year’s prom. All guests must RSVP to the event. To register, email your name, phone number and email to info@crosspointchurch. info, or call Carrie Jones at 913-1815. For additional information on Night to Shine, email carriejones1@independenceplaceofalabama.org or visit timtebowfoundation.org/index. php/night-to- shine/.
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SCHOOL HOUSE
David Bromley demonstrates ice sculpting for students from the HTHS culinary class. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTHS holds ice carving demonstration Recently, students from the HTHS culinary class were treated to a demonstration of ice sculptures by David Bromley. He is also the chef-manager at Birmingham-Southern College. Bromley talked with the students about culinary school and his story of 35 years in the
business. Husky Hour is a wonderful platform for guest speakers this year. The culinary class has had three “lunch and learns” thus far. This enables more speakers to come and speak with all of the students at once. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
Paine Elementary School announces winners for the College Counts Smart Art contest Paine Elementary winners are: ► First place- Keelani Waldrop ► Second place- Sadie Atchison ► Third place- Jacob Carmichael Keelani’s entry will move on to the
Central Office contest. If she is chosen as a winner there, she will receive $100 in a College Counts Savings account and then move onto the state contest. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
Members of the HTHS math team. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTHS math team places at area tournaments The HTHS math team finished in third place at the Alabama Mathematics Tournament on Nov. 5 and finished in second place
at the UAB Mathematics Tournament on Nov. 19. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
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Magnolia Elementary spreads Christmas cheer at Trussville Health and Rehab
HTHS students who interned at Paine Elementary, from left: Lauren Nichols, Megan Crane and Camryn Peeples. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools. Fifth-graders at Magnolia Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
Mrs. Summers’ fifth-grade class at Magnolia Elementary School recently adopted Trussville Health and Rehab (formerly Golden Living Nursing Home) for Christmas. Magnolia Elementary choir director Chris
Byars and 30 fifth-grade students sang songs and met residents. The HTMS National Junior Honor Society also recently visited Sunrise Assisted Living to bring Christmas cheer. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
HTHS students intern at Paine Elementary This year, Hewitt-Trussville High School began a program for students interested in the field of teaching to gain experience by working at Paine Elementary as student interns.
The students assist teachers with reading groups and participate in various classroom activities in order to gain real-world experience. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
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Students at HTMS participated in a variety of activities during Mini-Club Day. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTMS holds Mini-Club Day Middle school students recently participated in Mini-Club Day. Clubs on dog therapy, cake decorating, color guard camp,
music, fashion design, corn hole and more were part of the day. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
Members of the HTHS Service Association. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTHS Service Association keeping busy HTHS Service Association members recently held a wonderful faculty and staff breakfast. The group also raised $183.50 for Turn
Trussville Pink to benefit the Audie and Kathy White Cancer Research Foundation at UAB. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
HTHS student Anna Kerns in recycled art contest HTHS student Anna Kerns received honorable mention in a recycled art contest for grades 7-12 at the Governor’s Award Luncheon sponsored by Alabama PALS in Prattville. The Recycling Club sponsor is Ms. Cornelison. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools. HTHS student Anna Kerns. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
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Rapid adjustment Coleman quick to fit in at Hewitt-Trussville
By KYLE PARMLEY
T
onya Hunter drew up the play specifically for London Coleman to take the final shot. But in the closing moments of regulation as the Hewitt-Trussville High School girls basketball team faced off against Auburn in a holiday tournament, the Lady Huskies’ leading scorer hesitated. “She passed the ball, and we didn’t get a shot off,” said Hunter, now in her third season at Hewitt-Trussville. “She was looking for her teammate. That tells you the type of kid she is.” Coleman is humble and quiet. Upon speaking to her, the first impression is not one of a brazen or cocky individual, although there is a quiet confidence — a confidence in herself and in her team. Her passing up that final shot proved that. She is in her second year at Hewitt-Trussville, and she is infinitely more comfortable with her squad than the
day she arrived. “It was scary at first,” she said. “Because I didn’t know anybody. I was nervous, but I had to learn how to play [Hunter’s] style and had to gel with my team.” Part of becoming a leader on Hunter’s team is being more vocal. “She’s a quiet leader. She leads by her actions. Right now, we’re trying to get her to be a vocal leader, because they listen to her,” Hunter said. Now a junior, Coleman has quickly ascended into a voice her team listens to, although it is not quite as prevalent as Hunter hopes it becomes. “She went from where she started out to, ‘Now I have to lead,’” Hunter said. “That’s huge for a 16-yearold. That’s what she’s figuring out, and she’s getting it. She’s getting her other teammates involved.” Coleman’s skill set is unique, as she plays the 1 through 4 positions for the Lady Huskies (point guard, shooting guard, small forward and power forward) as
London Coleman leads by her actions and is trying to become more of a vocal leader as well. Photo by Ron Burkett.
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London Coleman has assumed the role of leading scorer for the Lady Huskies but does so humbly. Photo courtesy of Danny Joiner.
“I told them there were going to be a lot of people there and not to feed into the crowd, because that would make you nervous,” she said. That first taste of varsity ball at Springville hooked her. Up until seventh grade, Coleman’s favorite sport to play was softball. “I fell in love with it,” she said.
She plans on playing for Hewitt-Trussville’s school softball team this season, but basketball is the sport she hopes will take her competitively beyond the high school level. Her coach certainly believes in her. “She’s going to be awesome wherever she goes, and she’s going to find the perfect fit, and she’s going to excel,” Hunter said.
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matchups and personnel dictate. At the next level, she would undoubtedly play a guard position, but the versatility she possesses will always be a valuable skill. “My role is to attack on offense and play solid defense in the post and as a guard,” Coleman said. She is part of a young, dynamic backcourt featuring herself and Morgan Kirk, just a sophomore. The two have grown accustomed to playing alongside each other and have developed a great chemistry. “Last year, it was different because I was still learning how to play with her,” Coleman said. “This season, it’s much better. We’re communicating more, and we understand each other on the court more. I kind of pick up on her instincts when she’s going to drive and what she’s going to do. She’s picked up on mine because she knows if I’m driving and I get stopped, I know exactly where she’s at.” As for her own game, Coleman said she is still working to improve her outside shot and her ability to finish around the basket. She watches WNBA players like Maya Moore and Odyssey Sims and attempts to pick up on some of the details that make them successful. “Odyssey Sims attacks really well and finishes well,” Coleman said. “Maya Moore is more of an all-around player, and I’m trying to become more of that.” Despite last year being her first year with the Lady Huskies, the team relied heavily on her experience, as Hewitt-Trussville advanced to the Northeast Regional at Jacksonville State University, something only Coleman had ever achieved. Coleman was called up to the varsity team at Springville High School as just a seventh-grader and played there through her ninth-grade season. In that final season, her Springville team reached the regional final. Coleman knew what it was like to be in that atmosphere.
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Halasz passing life lessons on to Lady Indians Sara Halasz has gotten back to the fundamentals in her first year as the girls basketball coach at Pinson Valley. Photo by Ron Burkett.
By DAVID KNOX
F
our wins for a basketball team as the New Year approaches may not seem like anyone’s measurement of success. It certainly isn’t Pinson Valley coach Sara Halasz’s idea of success. But she’s using a different measuring stick, anyway. But when you consider that the Lady Indians won four games in the past two seasons combined, you start to see the measure of improvement the new coach has brought to the Valley. She’s teaching fundamentals, encouraging effort, preaching persistence. She knows a lot about all of those, but the persistence — well, that she earned the hard way. Born into a military family from Ohatchee, she and her family lived in several states and overseas before eventually landing in Washington state during her high school years. At Lakes High in Lakewood, near Tacoma, she collected first-team all-state honors and a McDonald’s All-America team nomination as a senior as she averaged 20.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game. Her skills earned her a scholarship to the University of New Mexico, where she made an immediate impact, playing in 36 games and making 10 starts as a true freshman in the 2008-2009 season. She knocked in a season-high 17 points against Oregon State in the WNIT. Her sophomore season was even better, as she started 30 of 32 games and finished second in both scoring and rebounding for the Lady Lobos with 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds a game. But in the preseason of her junior year, the first real experience of adversity bit her, and bit her hard. “I tore it in a closed scrimmage, driving to the basket, got hit. Tore the ACL in my right knee,” Halasz said. “I pretty much put it in my mind that I was invincible and couldn’t get hurt. When you get that kind of news, you pretty much just go, ‘Whoa. What now?’” Counted on to start at small forward and be a big part of the offense for the Lady Lobos, it was a blow for her teammates, too. Lady Lobos then-coach Don Flanagan was quoted at the time. “Sara was playing terrific in the scrimmage and looked like she was ready for a big year,” Flanagan told the Albuquerque Journal. “She was probably gonna play 25 to 30 minutes a game. This injury is just so unfortunate.” Halasz resolved to come back quickly after her surgery. “You’re supposed to wait six months to a year to recover from an ACL tear. Well, in about five months, I was ready to go. I looked good, my trainers told me I was good, my coaches said I was good to go,” she said. So good, she was named to the preseason All-Mountain West team. “We were playing what they call the Cherry-Silver scrimmage, just something for the fans to come see. Same move, I drive to the basket, get bumped — same knee, same thing all over again,” Halasz said. “You really don’t know what to say when people ask you how you feel. At the time, I was mad, it was questioning, like the ‘why me?’ sort of thing. I took it really hard. I was real bummed about it. But what I learned from it was about my character. About ‘How do I act without the game of basketball?’” She spent another frustrating year on the bench rooting for her teammates, seeing the places in the game where she would have made a difference and seeing the game in a different way, one that would help her one day in Mike Dutton Gymnasium. Halasz said now she knows it prepared her to be a coach. At the time, she just wanted to get back on the court.
She took the questions like “Are you going to try to play again?” as fuel for her five-hour workouts. Her teammates, coaches and family were a great support group or she said she wouldn’t have made it back — but acknowledges that much of the hurdle is mental. The physical part, athletes are used to committing to. “I worked five hours a day. It was a mental drive I had: I can continue to play no matter what. And from sitting and watching, when I came back I was a wiser player, a smarter player,” Halasz said. Halasz returned as a starter and didn’t miss a game over the next two seasons for the Lady Lobos, 61 games in all, after those back-to-back season-ending injuries. She became the 18th member of the school’s 1,000-point club with 1,061 points and just the 13th player in program history to score 1,000 career points and grab 500 rebounds. Her 23 points and 14 rebounds against San Jose State was her first-ever 20-point, 10-rebound game. She wrapped up her career and her degree at UNM, and Halasz played professionally in the Czech Republic and in Germany for two years before deciding to return to the real world — and home. After being in Europe in her career and all over the U.S. and overseas as a youngster, she decided to come home. “I love Alabama. I’ve always called it home,” she said. “My mom and dad had moved back when I was in college. I just wanted to be closer to my family.” That led her to Pinson Valley, where the plan was to teach science and be an assistant coach in basketball and softball. She started with the basketball team as an assistant Day 1, but Principal Michael Turner clearly realized quickly he had a young woman who could teach, motivate and inspire the next group of Lady Indians. So “he stuck his neck out,” Halasz said, and the 26-year-old had her first head coaching job just weeks before the season tipped off. “I give thanks to Mr. Turner for giving me the opportunity to come in here and change the program. It’s not going to be easy, but I am grateful to him for giving me the chance,” she said. “I finished playing basketball overseas in March, so this is my first coaching job. I feel blessed.” It wasn’t a given that she’d coach basketball. She’d long
planned a career in law enforcement — her major at UNM was criminology. But as Halasz worked with some athletes in Ohatchee after returning from Europe — watching them improve and grow as players, and getting that satisfaction of passing on what you’ve learned to others — the transition from player to coach began to take place. “Once I got in that one-on-one-setting, I started to fall in love with coaching,” Halasz said. “It’s hard to think about giving up something you’ve played for so long, and I want to give back to girls and mentor young athletes, give them the same opportunities I’ve gotten.” Halasz has just three seniors, and there are two freshmen plus an eighth-grader on the varsity. It’s clear improvement is being made, but it’s the foundation being laid now. “It’s a mentality [being established],” she said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t worry about the score, just play.” “I think it’s just the process of actually breaking it down and taking everything back to fundamental basketball — actually teaching them how to dribble, how to pass,” Halasz said. “When I came in here, that was my first thought: ‘We need to get back to basics.’ So that when they start growing and maturing, they’ll understand the game of basketball. If I want a screen set a certain way, then I’ll break it down into five different steps so they understand and how this screen is being set this way and why this screen is being set and what happens when this screen is being set.” Halasz said she is most impressed by her players’ attitude through coaching changes, losing seasons and other hardships. “They continue to want to come out and play the game of basketball, they continue to love the game. That’s what I’ve been most impressed with,” Halasz said. “I told them ‘just go back to having fun in playing basketball.’ The way they’ve been learning and catching on to what I’ve been trying to teach them.” Trusting each other, trusting the system, believing the proper work ethic pays off, understanding that nothing that is worthwhile comes easy — that is the message for the Lady Indians this year. And this one — “Never give up,” Halasz said. That’s a message her young players know their coach can personally testify to.
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Trussville
7004 Arbor Lane
Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
771030
35173
7004 Arbor Lane
New
$254,900
771290
35173
2225 Blackjack Road
New
$59,900
771288
35173
5925 Debbie Drive
New
$90,000
771176
35173
54 Waterford Place
New
$334,017
770994
35173
1509 Highway 11
New
$649,900
770979
35173
20 Olivia Drive
New
$150,000
770873
35173
7441 Old Springville Road
New
$259,900
770753
35173
7835 Happy Hollow Road
New
$109,900
770743
35173
1035 Brooke Lane
New
$264,900
770588
35173
5448 Wisteria Trace
New
$210,000
771291
35173
5867 Carrington Lane
New
$279,000
770217
35173
6527 Advent Circle
New
$459,900
770214
35173
8020 Ballard Place
New
$349,000
770173
35173
3623 Harrier Road
New
$239,900
770142
35173
785 Vaughn Circle
New
$79,900
770120
35173
8575 Highlands Trace
New
$329,900
770074
35173
7829 Happy Hollow Road
New
$119,900
770053
35173
7385 Lake In The Woods Road
New
$189,900
770019
35173
230 Cottage Court
New
$199,500
770374
35173
6136 Longmeadow Way
New
$274,900
770309
35173
687 Brandy Drive
New
$159,000
771131
35173
502 Jeremiah Drive
New
$280,000
769968
35173
6700 Parkwood Cove
New
$199,900
769938
35173
708 Sage Circle
New
$185,500
769712
35173
6540 Chalkville Road
New
$99,000
769617
35173
5238 Drew Run
New
$350,000
769603
35173
5428 Wisteria Trace
New
$189,900
769572
35173
8452 Ledge Circle
New
$300,000
769562
35173
5173 Cruise Street
New
$317,500
769550
35173
7871 Caldwell Drive
New
$318,240
771168
35173
7894 Roper Road
New
$239,900
769459
35173
4731 Granite Run
New
$287,000
769428
35173
2 Blackjack Road
New
$195,500
769308
35173
197 Woodland Drive
New
$136,900
769110
35173
3030 Weatherford Drive
New
$193,900
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Jan. 16. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
5867 Carrington Lane
502 Jeremiah Drive
7894 Roper Road
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CALENDAR TRUSSVILLE EVENTS Mondays: Beginner Knitting Class with Laura Reichert. Every Monday in February, 6-8 p.m. Trussville Public Library. For teens and adults. Call 655-2022 for supply list. Thursdays: Children’s Story Time. 10 a.m. Trussville Public Library. Feb. 1-11: Trussville Girls Youth Softball Registration. Late registration available through Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Evaluations will be held Feb. 19 and 20, with the season opening March 18. Call 661-3777 or email zachmanning@hotmail.com for more information. Feb. 2: Groundhog Day. Feb. 2: Trussville United Soccer Club On-Site Spring Registration. 6-8 p.m. Trussville Sports Complex. Online registration (paying by credit card) closes Feb. 5. Visit trussvilleunitedsoccer. com. Feb. 2: Coaches Education Class. 6-8:30 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. Feb. 3: High school lacrosse season starts. Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association.
Feb. 3: Trussville’s Got Talent Rehearsals. Hewitt-Trussville High School. Feb. 4: Trussville’ Got Talent. 4:30 p.m. Hewitt-Trussville High School Performance Hall. Elementary show begins at 4:30 p.m., middle and high school at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. Email tracey.jackson@ trussvillecityschools.com. Feb. 6: Valentines for Children’s Hospital. Noon-6 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Drop in to the Children’s Department to make valentines for patients at Children’s Hospital. Feb 9: Teen Advisory Board. 4 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Contact Ms. Laura for information, 655-2022. Feb. 11: TEAM Love Your Neighbor Food Drive. 10 a.m.-noon. First United Methodist Trussville. Drive-through donations will continue through the week. Feb. 13: Lego Challenge. 4:30-6 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Ages 5 years to 5th grade. Feb. 13-14: Youth Flag Football In-Person Spring Registration. 6-8 p.m., Trussville Athletic
Center, 601 Parkway Drive. Online registration available Jan. 3-March 12. Evaluations will take place in March, with Sunday afternoon games beginning March 26. Call 661-3777 or email zachmanning@hotmail.com. Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day. Feb. 14: Beginner Chess Classes. 6 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Age 5 to adult. Feb. 15: Books to Movies. 4-6 p.m. Trussville Public Library. A book club for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Reserve your space. 655-2022 Feb. 16: Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. This month’s speaker is Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh. Contact june.mathews@trussvillechamber. com for more information or to register. Feb. 16: Chips & Chapters Book Club. 4:305:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. 4th-6th grade boys & girls. Feb. 17-19: Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Trussville Public Library, during library hours.
TRUSSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS Feb. 1: HTHS JV and 9th Grade Basketball @ Mountain Brook tournament. Feb. 2: HTHS Boys and Girls Basketball @ Vestavia Hills.
HTHS Competition Gym. Feb. 10-15: Cheer Competition. Orlando, FL. Feb. 11: ACT Testing. HTHS.
Feb. 3: HTHS JV and 9th Grade Boys Basketball @ Shades Valley.
Feb. 13: Cahaba Elementary PTO meeting. 6:307:30 p.m.
Feb. 3: HTHS Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball @ Center Point.
Feb. 13: Magnolia Elementary PTO meeting. 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 3-4: AHSAA Indoor Track State Championships.
Feb. 16: AHSAA Regional Basketball Championships.
Feb. 4: HTHS JV Boys Basketball @ Mountain Brook.
Feb. 17-18: AHSAA Wrestling State Tournament.
Feb. 6: Paine Elementary PTO meeting. Time TBA.
Feb. 20: Schools and offices closed for President’s Day.
Feb. 6-11: Varsity Boys and Girls Area Tournament. Feb. 7: HTMS PTO meeting. 8:30 a.m. Feb. 8: HTHS Junior Board Meeting. 11:15 a.m. HTHS Lecture Hall. Feb. 9: HTHS Senior Panoramic Photo. 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 22: AHSAA Regional Basketball Championships. Feb. 23: CFA Leader Academy. 11:40 a.m. HTHS Multi-Purpose Room. Feb. 28: Debate Team Match. 12:30-6:30 p.m. Samford University.
Feb. 20: President’s Day. Feb. 20-21: Youth Flag Football In-Person Spring Registration. 6-8 p.m., Trussville Athletic Center, 601 Parkway Drive. Online registration available Jan. 3-March 12. Evaluations will take place in March, with Sunday afternoon games beginning March 26. Call 661-3777 or email zachmanning@hotmail.com. Feb. 21: Dudes & Donuts Book Club. 4:305:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. 1st-3rd grade boys. Feb. 22: Homeschool Book Club. 11a.m. Trussville Public Library. Ages 13-15. Call Ms. Laura for information, 655-2022. Feb. 24: Youth lacrosse season starts. Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association. Feb. 27: American Girl Club. 6:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. 5K - 5th grade girls. Registration required. 655-2022. Feb. 28: Mardi Gras. Feb. 28: Beginner Chess Classes. 6 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Age 5 to adult.
AREA EVENTS Feb. 3: Dancing with the Stars: Live! BJCC Concert Hall. $49-$75. Visit dwtstour.com. Feb. 4: Birmingham Winter Beer Festival. 3 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Halls. $40-$85. Visit bhambeerfest.com. Feb. 10: Brian McKnight. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Special guests Kelly Price and Chantae Moore. $55-$85. Visit mcknight360.com. Feb. 11-12: Mercedes Marathon. 9 a.m. Saturday, Regions Superhero 5K, 10 a.m. The Bell Center EIP Children’s Run, 11 a.m. Kids Marathon. Sunday, 7:03 a.m. Marathon, half marathon and marathon relay begin. Visit mercedesmarathon.com. Feb. 16-19: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $3-$11, kids 5 and under, free. Visit
birminghamhomeandgardenshow.com. Feb. 24-26: “Once: The Musical.” BJCC Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. $30-$60. Visit theatreleague.com/Birmingham. Feb. 24-26: Birmingham RV Super Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Friday, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $10, children 2 and under, free. Visit bkproductions.biz. Feb. 25: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Red Diamond SuperPops! Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $23-$48. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 26: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $8-$13. Visit alysstephens.org. Feb. 27: Amos Lee. 7:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $27.50-$57.50. Visit amoslee.com.
FEBRUARY 2017
CAHABA SUN
31
CAHABASUN.COM
OPINION My South By Rick Watson
Pets are tenderhearted While packing my bag for a short Valentine getaway, I tripped over our collie, Caillou, several times. He gets this look on his face that’s a cross between curiosity and concern. I got a head start on Jilda and had my bags sitting by the door before she started packing. She collected some things from her bathroom and when she came back into the bedroom, Caillou was sitting in her suitcase looking at her with his sad face. He has separation issues. When we headed out to leave, Caillou and Taz were stationed at the door. We petted them up before heading out, but the last thing we saw before closing the door was the two critters looking at us as if we were leaving them at the vet’s office for euthanasia. It was only an overnight trip, and we hit the road for home before lunch and arrived about 3 p.m. The dogs were happy to see
us, but the couch pillows and dogs were running rings throws were on the floor, around us and barking with which made the living room pure joy. look as if they’d partied while Once outside, I realized one we were away. of our chickens had hopped The miles make us weary, the fence and was cruising so a nap was the first order outside for bugs that had of business, but after that, we popped out to enjoy the sun. I alerted Jilda, and we were decided to walk. Both Jilda and I bought fitness bands late in the process of herding the last year, and we strive to get chicken back through the 10,000 steps each day. We’d gate when Caillou realized walked a few steps before we we might need his assistance. Watson left the hotel, but we needed He charged the chicken as if more. he were herding a wandering cow, and the Both Taz and Caillou were beside them- chicken freaked. I hollered at Caillou in a selves. The collie kept barking and pulling tone that was harsher than I had intended. my socks off as if that would help me get I wanted him to stop chasing the bird. But ready more quickly. the tone of my voice broke his heart. WithAs we approached the back gate, both out realizing it, I’d crushed the joy of his
experience of walking with me. He lowered his head and ran back through the gate and into the doggie door. Dang, I thought, that’s not what I had in mind. After getting the chicken back in the pen, I went inside. He was at the foot of our bed lying on his mat. I chided myself before sitting on the floor beside him. Petting him for a long while and talking in soothing tones, I finally coaxed him outside, and we finished our walk. By the time we got our steps in, he was fine. It’s easy to forget how sensitive animals can be. Harsh words can cut deep, but they are quick to forgive, and I’m thankful for that. Rick Watson is a columnist and author. His latest book, “Life Changes,” is available on Amazon.com. You can contact him via email at rick@homefolkmedia.com.
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