Cahaba Sun August 2017

BAGPIPING IN ALABAMA Jim MacRae travels the world playing the pipes. 14

Vol 2 | Issue 10 | August 2017 As Trussville As It Gets

Summer DOG DAYS OF

Community raising funds, support for dog park. 18

TAKING THE REINS

SWIMMIN’ JIM ROBINSON

Bianca Brasher has turned her passion into her career by opening her own stable. 6

Trussville resident Jim Robinson proves age is just a number during National Senior Games. 12

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH EDITOR’S NOTE | SYDNEY CROMWELL Remember last month, when I was complaining about summer? Well, I got my wish.

In July, I got to have a snowball fight — the first snowball fight I’ve had in years. My husband, his family and I traveled to Washington, where we got to look out from the top of the Space Needle, see elk in Olympic National Park and, yes, throw snowballs on the slopes of Mt. Rainier. It was an incredible trip.

Where did your summer take you? And how will you spend your last few weeks before the new school year? You still have a few more days to send us your best summer vacation snaps to enter our photo contest — check it out on our Facebook page or email pictures to kwilliams@starnespublishing.com.

In this month’s issue, be sure to read the story of a local man proving that athleticism has no age limit, as well as a young woman getting her first taste of entrepreneurship. Our talented sports reporters have also put together a preview of the fast-approaching high school football season.

I hope your final summer days are brimming with fun and that you also have much to look forward to this fall.

Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (5) Alabama Hospice Care of Birmingham (8) Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons (15) Alabama Outdoors (5) Alabama Power (25) Andrews Sports Medicine (2) Anthony McPherson, Keller Williams (13) ARC Realty (32) Bedzzz Express (1, 19) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (16) Birmingham Museum of Art (23) Boy Scouts of America Greater Alabama Council (20) Case Remodeling (6) Children’s of Alabama (17) Closets by Design (21) Enroll Alabama (9) First Community Mortgage (6)

Floor & Decor (3) Grandview Medical (10) Great Clips of Trussville (20) Guide Insurance Agency (16) Hitchcock Maddox Financial Partners (28) Kirkwood by the River (31) Lee Marlow, RealtySouth (7) Peachtree Assisted Living - Trussville (6) Phoenix Builders Group (8) Precision Electrolysis, LLC (12) RealtySouth Marketing (11) Ridout’s Trussville Chapel (17) Seasick Records (9) Spotless, LLC (7) The Maids (28) Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology (31) Trussville Gas and Water (15) Weigh To Wellness (27) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (12)

Mike Rohr, center, poses with his group, Team Q.E.D., at the National BBQ Tour in Trussville. 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 Digital Editor: Alyx Chandler Page Designer: Melanie Viering Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Contributing Writers: Kyle Parmley Rick Watson Sam Chandler Chris Megginson Bethany Adams Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Eric Clements Layton Dudley Vicky Hager 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.

Please recycle this paper.

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taking

THE REINS

Trussville native opens her own stable

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Bianca Brasher with CK and Smoke, two of the horses that board at her new barn, BMB Horsemanship. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

Bianca Brasher celebrated two huge milestones in June: the opening of BMB Horsemanship, her training and boarding stable, and her 21st birthday. She may be younger than the average barn owner, but Brasher is confident she has what it takes to run her own business.

“It’s past a passion at this point,” said Brasher, who grew up in Trussville.

BMB Horsemanship is located in Clay on Mountain Heights Road. Brasher renovated the 55-acre property, including its 21-stall barn, indoor and outdoor riding arenas and multiple pastures, and opened on June 4. Since she started riding at age 6, Brasher said she feels like everything has naturally led to the point where she’s taking the reins — literally — on her own business.

“I think I’ve kind of always known I wanted to do it,” Brasher said. “I don’t think I realized it would be this soon.”

When she first decided to buy the barn, Brasher was afraid

AUGUST 2017 it was too far away from other stables to be successful.

“There’s none of this around here. There’s not horseback riding in the Trussville and Clay area,” she said.

Instead, it’s something of an advantage. She said several of her riding students come from the local area and are happy they no longer have to make a 30-minute drive or more for their lessons.

Brasher began giving riding lessons around age 18 after working with several trainers. Her age can be a surprise to some people, but she said it’s rarely a problem. Her current students range in age from 5 years old to an 81-year-old who “had a blast” at her first lesson in June.

“I love my students; I love being around them. I love taking them to horse shows. Sometimes they’ll just come hang out with me, to help me clean stalls and stuff like that,” Brasher said.

She primarily teaches Western riding styles, including Western pleasure, barrel racing, obstacle courses and trail riding, though Brasher said she also teaches the basics of English riding. During the show season of March to August or September, Brasher is at shows almost every weekend with some of her students.

She continues to compete in speed events such as barrel racing and pole bending, though Brasher said she didn’t get into that sport because of a love for the thrill of it.

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“That’s actually a fear of mine. It took a long time to gain that confidence to go 30, 40 miles per hour at a standing object,” Brasher said.

Instead, she enjoys showing because of the atmosphere, similar to football tailgating, and the friends she gets to see while she’s there.

Getting the barn and property into shape to open took long hours for Brasher and her family. She said it’s a whole different experience to be responsible for the safety and care of horses and riders on her property, rather than being a trainer at someone else’s barn. There’s also no such thing as a day off.

“Me having other people’s horses out here, it’s, you know, a huge responsibility on my part that I make sure the horses are taken care of,” she said.

Brasher wants to increase the number of riders and boarders at her stable and eventually grow to the point where she can host shows of her own. She also has an interest in one-on-one training work with horses and, at some point, offering therapeutic riding for children with mental or physical disabilities.

BMB Horsemanship is still new, but so far Brasher said it doesn’t feel like going to work.

“I don’t look at it as a job,” Brasher said. “It was my hobby and my sport for so long; now that I get to do it full time, I don’t see it as a job.”

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I don’t look at it as a job. It was my hobby and my sport for so long; now that I get to do it full time, I don’t see it as a job.

BIANCA BRASHER

Brasher is only 21 years old but already owns her own 21-stall barn in Clay for boarding, riding and training.

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TRADING UP

Clay couple opens sports card shop

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

All Star Sports Cards Emporium sells baseball, basketball, football and hockey cards, as well as collecting supplies such as binders. Photo courtesy of Beth Gore.

Mike Gore has loved collecting baseball cards for 30 years.

His wife, Beth Gore, said she didn’t really understand the appeal of his hobby until they opened All Star Sports Cards Emporium in March.

“She didn’t understand why people are buying cardboard,” Mike Gore said The Clay couple opened their shop at 1477 Gadsden Highway, Suite 136. It’s a retirement project for Mike Gore, who had a career in sales, and he wants to see interest in the hobby of card collecting grow again.

“He’s always wanted to have a shop like this and be his own boss,” Beth Gore said.

All Star sells baseball, football, hockey and basketball cards, as well as collecting supplies such as binders.

“You can collect anything you want to collect for the price point, and that’s the good thing,” Mike Gore said. “There’s so many different things you can do with this.”

In addition to collecting by sport, Mike Gore said, card enthusiasts can collect their favorite teams, favorite players or even cards of a particular age. He said some customers come in to buy a pack of cards and open it before they leave

the store, because they’re so impatient to see what potential great cards they got.

“It’s the unknown,” Mike Gore said.

Customers will also come in to trade or sell cards, or even just to talk about the cards in their collection and their significance. Mike Gore said most of his customers are adults, many of them dads who used to collect with their own fathers.

He’s hoping to build more interest from kids and has stocked Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! gaming cards, but he doesn’t plan to add cards from other tabletop or trading games.

Beth Gore said she has enjoyed learning about pricing and value of cards, as well as talking with customers who come in about their collections. It adds a whole new dimension to the hobby her husband has pursued for decades. And she has found out one critical aspect of card collecting: “I’ve learned that everything’s for sale.”

No matter how valuable or special the card, Mike Gore said, collecting enthusiasts are always willing to sell or trade for the right opportunity.

There isn’t another shop specifically for card collecting in the area, and Mike Gore said a lot of people have been excited about having a place to pursue their hobby.

“They’re happy to see us here,” Beth Gore said.

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Trussville-area Business Happenings 75

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Now Open National home dĂŠcor retailer At Home is now open at 5036 Pinnacle Square. The store was previously located in Irondale and moved to the new space in Trussville.

508-6028, athome.com

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Anniversaries 2

Fisher Chiropractic, 4643 Camp Coleman Road, Suite 121, celebrated its 10th anniversary in business

in July.

655-4666, ďŹ sher-chiropractic.com

Let us help spread the news! Email sydney@starnespublishing.com to submit your announcement.

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CHAMBER

Attorney General Steve Marshall to speak to chamber members

By CHRIS MEGGINSON

Photo courtesy of Steve Marshall.

First-year Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will be the featured speaker at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, Aug. 17. The luncheon, sponsored by First Commercial Bank, will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Trussville Civic Center.

“This is my first visit to Trussville as Alabama’s new attorney general, and I am grateful for the invitation to come speak to the chamber,” Marshall said through an emailed statement.

Marshall served as district attorney in Marshall County from 2001 until he was appointed Alabama’s 48th attorney general in February by former Gov. Robert Bentley. He succeeded Luther Strange, who was appointed to take U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session’s place in the U.S. Senate.

Since his appointment, Marshall has traveled around the state visiting local law enforcements and various chambers of commerce to speak on how individual actions

can impact Alabama’s business community and to seek input on how businesses and law enforcement can work together to improve their community.

“After spending 16 years as a prosecutor in Marshall County, I know that local business has a vested interest in the security of their community. Therefore, partnerships between local business and community leaders, including law enforcement, are essential in identifying safety issues and in reaching out to at-risk groups, including our young people,” Marshall said. “I support full engagement with our business partners in developing new strategies to target crime and foster a stronger business community.”

Born in Atmore, Marshall lived in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina before returning to Alabama to attend the University of Alabama School of Law after graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1987. He began his law practice at Maynard Cooper and Gale P.C. until opening a small practice in Guntersville in 1995. He

was appointed district attorney in Marshall County at the age of 36. Marshall and his wife, Bridgette, have one daughter, Faith.

The monthly chamber luncheon will begin with a 30-minute network development time during which members and guests can network and exchange business cards with the estimated 80-100 individuals expected to attend. Prior to lunch, the chamber will honor its monthly Customer Service Award winners.

Door prizes will also be given away.

To register, visit trussvillechamber.com or contact June Mathews by phone at 655-7535 or email june.mathews@trussvillechamber. com.

Cost is $17 (cash or check) or $17.68 if paying by credit or debit card (4 percent processing fee). Online registration closes at midnight Aug. 14, but the chamber office will accept registration by phone until noon Aug. 15. All non-members must pay in advance.

The address for the Trussville Civic Center is 5381 Trussville-Clay Road, Trussville, AL 35173.

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COMMUNITY Artists, food trucks and entertainment will be at Trussville’s first Folk Art Show this month.

Photo by Ron Burkett.

First Folk Art Show coming to Trussville

By BETHANY ADAMS On Aug. 19, the Trussville Downtown Merchants Association will host the first Folk Art Show in Trussville as a part of its Third Saturdays Downtown series.

“We’re trying to kind of bring to focus the arts group in Trussville,” said Laura Reichert, a retired art teacher who approached the association with the idea.

As with the other event in the series, local merchants will participate, this time by hosting artists. Carroll Pharmacy, owned by association President Greg Carroll, will host a blacksmith and iron artist during the event.

In addition, Reichert said that more than a dozen artists have expressed interest in participating, including a potter who will offer people a chance to hand-make their own clay creations.

“What I did ask [of participants] is if the

artists can demonstrate what kind of art they do that day,” Reichert said.

Reichert, who taught art for 38 years, including 18 at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and two at Hewitt-Trussville High School, will be showing her own paintings.

While the art will be on display all day, the food court and entertainment area will be open from 4-9p.m.

“There will be some familiar [food trucks] and different ones from the past events,” Carroll said, adding that the entertainment portion will have a bluegrass theme.

For Reichert, the event is an opportunity to show people what the art community in Trussville really has to offer. “[W]e love Trussville, and we’re just trying to encourage the arts as much as we can,” she said.

Artists interested in participating can email Reichert at artypants@aol.com.

The tournamentwinning team of Mike Milam, Barrett Milam, Ethan Frazier and Chris Whitten.

Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber hosts 10th annual golf tournament The chamber’s 10th annual golf tournament was June 27 at Pine Tree Country Club. Presenting sponsors for the tournament were state Sens. Slade Blackwell and Shay Shelnutt.

The winning teams: ► First place: Mike Milam, Barrett Milam, Ethan Frazier and Chris Whitten ► Second place: Chad Goodwin, Brittany Foster, Patrick Daniel and Danny Bowers ► Third place: Wesley Dunn, Chris

Reyer, Jeremy Tuggle and Alan Taylor The longest drive prize went to Michael Holt, and the closest to the pin award went to Andy Lensby. Door prizes were awarded, and tournament fees included a bag of goodies for all golfers, greens fees, lunch and a $70 gift certificate to be redeemed in the Pine Tree pro shop.

– Submitted by Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

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SWIMMIN’ JIM Trussville resident Jim Robinson competes in the 100-meter freestyle swim during the National Senior Games on June 7 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Trussville native Jim Robinson proves age is just a number during National Senior Games

By SAM CHANDLER Jim Robinson slipped a pair of neon goggles over his eyes as he prepared to step on the starting platform positioned at the edge of his lane.

The 76-year-old Trussville resident already had swum three events in the past day. Including this forthcoming one, he had three more to go.

Robinson placed his hands on knees as he stood atop the poolside pedestal, then settled into the ready position for his looming race: the 100-yard individual medley.

He dove into the pool at the sound of the buzzer. Age, seemingly, was no matter to him and other swimmers in the 2017 National Senior Games.

The two-week event came to Birmingham at the beginning of June, and Robinson was one local participant who partook in the action. He competed in six swimming events and threw horseshoes alongside other men ages 75 to 79.

“This is just one way I can stay active,” said Robinson, water dripping from his 6-foot-2 frame after one of his aquatic events.

June marked Robinson’s fifth time participating in the Games, which are held every two years in varying host cities around the country. He qualified in 14 different events across three sports — swimming, horseshoes and track and

AUGUST 2017 field — but rules governing participation limited him to two sports. He chose his favorites and didn’t look back.

Robinson, who grew up in Trussville and has twice served on City Council, learned to swim in the Cahaba River when he was 6 years old. Back then, the city had yet to construct its first public pool.

He then swam competitively in junior high and high school before joining a synchronized swimming club at Howard College, now Samford University, where he also played on the varsity basketball team.

Once he left college, Robinson didn’t pick up swimming again until 2006, soon after he and his wife, Charmaine, retired. Jim Robinson had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes the year before and sought to improve his physical fitness. Swimming proved part of the solution.

The sport helped him shed 60 pounds, while curbing many of the effects of diabetes.

“I just have to keep after it,” he said.

And he has for the past 11 years.

Robinson generally trains five to six days a week at the Trussville YMCA, which has replaced the Cahaba as his preferred swimming facility. In addition to logging 600 to 1,000 yards per day in the pool, he also walks 3 to 4 miles and lifts weights.

In 2011, he was named the Male Athlete of the Year at the Alabama State Games for his performances in the water and on the track.

Charmaine Robinson called her husband of 49 years an inspiration, a paragon of character and perseverance.

She sat in the top row of bleachers inside the Birmingham CrossPlex aquatics building as she watched him swim the individual medley.

She yelled, softly, at the man cruising through the water in a pair of red and black jammers.

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Robinson competed in seven events during the National Senior Games in June, including several breaststroke and freestyle swimming events as well as horseshoes.

“Come on Jim!” she urged from above.

Jim Robinson touched the wall in third place and then directed his gaze toward the scoreboard. He bobbed in the water as he waited for his time to appear.

The clock read 1 minute, 52.79 seconds. It was his fourth personal best in four races.

“You just give all you can give,” he said. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

“ ” You just give all you can give.

It’s just a lot of fun.

JIM ROBINSON

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BAGPIPING IN ALABAMA

By SYDNEY CROMWELL For more than 55 years, Jim MacRae has played an instrument that’s pretty rare in Alabama: the bagpipes.

MacRae, a retired metallurgical engineer who has lived in Trussville 16 years, started playing the pipes in college because “I wasn’t smart enough to listen to Granddad when he wanted to teach me when I was younger.” Like any other instrument, practice makes perfect, and MacRae’s practice has taken him to compete in Scotland five different times.

Though, with an instrument that can surpass 110 decibels — louder than a jackhammer or jet takeoff — when played indoors, finding practice time can be a little harder.

“To get those things out every day, every time you want to practice, [you’ll] drive the rest of the house crazy,” MacRae said.

Playing the pipes involves a lot of moving parts, MacRae said, as there are three drones that create the sound, a bag that controls the airflow and the chanter, similar to a clarinet, which the piper plays with his fingers to create the melody. The sound can also be affected by weather and humidity. But, he wouldn’t say it’s necessarily more difficult than any other instrument — he’s seen 6-year-olds play and compete before.

“Whether you master it or not is how much practice you put in,” MacRae said.

MacRae has played in a number of bagpipe and drum bands in his life, including the band his grandfather started. They’ve taken him to the Scottish World Festival in Canada and the World Championships in Scotland in 1990, 1993, 1999 and 2000.

Since moving to Alabama, MacRae has observed that piping is far less popular in the South than his previous homes in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois.

He’s now the pipes major of Alabama Pipes and Drums, a band that started in 1995 and meets on Mondays in downtown Birmingham. The band draws players from Huntsville, Anniston and Mississippi

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because there are few other opportunities to play as a group. Alabama Pipes and Drums is too small to compete right now, but MacRae and other members are trying to build it back up.

“It’s enjoyable to have something in common,” MacRae said of the other pipers.

In addition to Alabama Pipes and Drums, which has played in parades and local events, MacRae performs solo at weddings, parties and funerals and also teaches lessons. Bagpipes may not be widely popular in the area, but MacRae said he usually gets positive reactions from his audience.

Since the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa opened in Hoover 12 years ago, MacRae has been their principal bagpiper with the help of three other pipers. The Ross Bridge area has its origins in a Scottish family that immigrated to the area, and the resort frequently incorporates that heritage in events like Summer at the Castle, where MacRae or one of the other pipers will play and walk around the resort grounds each evening at sunset.

After half a century of piping, MacRae said his trips to Scotland remain one of his favorite memories and a reminder of the full potential the bagpipes can reach.

“The sound that day absolutely just gave you chills. It gave you a tingling feeling when you’re playing it,” MacRae recalled of his second competition in Scotland. “It was just like there was electricity in the air.”

The sound that day absolutely just gave you chills. It gave you a tingling feeling when you’re playing it. It was just like there was electricity in the air.

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JIM MACRAE

Jim MacRae is the leader of Alabama Pipes and Drums and has been piping since college. He can frequently be seen piping at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridget and at weddings and funerals in the area. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

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rolling FROM CAHABA

Wayne Spooner and Leslie Ledbetter depart from the Cahaba Cycles parking lot July 11. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Cycling group is small in size, big in passion

By SAM CHANDLER Outfitted with a black and yellow cycling kit, Wayne Spooner walked through the motions to prepare for his traditional Tuesday evening bike ride.

He strapped on his helmet, pulled gloves over his hands and slid two freshly filled bottles of electrolyte-enhanced water into slots on the frame of his bicycle.

Spooner was ready to roll.

Alongside two riding partners, Leslie Ledbetter and David Langford, he clipped into his pedals and veered left out of the Cahaba Cycles parking lot in Trussville. Spooner, 61, has repeated a similar routine twice a week for the past five years.

In 2012, he started the Tuesday and Thursday evening bike rides that depart from the cycle shop at 5:30 p.m., and he has served as the ride leader ever since.

“I thought it was good for Trussville. I thought it was good for the bike shop. I thought it was good for me,” said Spooner, who estimated that he cycles about 6,000 miles per year. “It was a good thing for all of us to promote it here.”

Spooner, a Trussville resident, used to trek to Mountain Brook a couple of nights per week to cycle with groups that took off from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Crestline Village.

Now, Spooner’s group meets up with the Mountain Brook crew midway through their respective rides.

“I work here in Trussville, and I decided to start doing this from this location because I’m right here,” he said.

AUGUST 2017

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17 Wayne Spooner preps his bicycle and gear outside Cahaba Cycles before going out on a ride on July 11. Spooner leads a group ride from the shop twice a week.

Counting Spooner, three to four cyclists typically embark from the Cahaba Cycles location. The group, on average, covers a 20- to 30- mile route that winds through Trussville, Irondale, Leeds and part of Mountain Brook. It takes a couple of hours to complete the ride, which can be fairly hilly.

And that’s OK with Ledbetter. Spooner called his fellow Trussville cyclist “an incredible hill climber.”

“When you’re a little kid riding a bike, it’s just so much fun,” Ledbetter said. “You forget about that until you get back on a bike when you’re grown up.”

Ledbetter began riding with the group about a year and a half ago and has since evolved into a skilled cyclist. She

even qualified for a race in France this August.

“She’s done real well on a bicycle,” Spooner said. “She fell in love with it.”

But qualifying for an overseas competition and riding 6,000 miles per year aren’t compulsory requirements for those who want to join the group on its twice-weekly treks.

Spooner labels them “no-drop rides,” meaning that if somebody falls behind, the group will stop to wait for that person.

Experience and stamina, however, are advantageous traits.

Spooner and his crew average anywhere from 14 to 20 mph, depending on the terrain, and spurts of up-tempo intervals are sprinkled throughout.

“It has a real positive effect on everybody’s lives from a

standpoint of physical fitness,” Spooner said.

He certainly has found this to be true. Spooner in October 2016 was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma skin cancer, but he has continued to cycle throughout the ups and downs of treatment. In May, he biked 260 miles during a trip to Italy.

The Birmingham Bicycle Club, of which Spooner is a longtime member, is holding a cross-state ride in his honor this September.

“Cycling has been a lifesaver for me, as far as things I’ve been able to do with it and the friends I’ve been able to make,” Spooner said.

Cahaba Cycles is located at 183 Main St. For more information, call 655-6090.

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COVER STORY: Community raising funds, support for Cahaba Dog Park

Summer DOG DAYS OF

By BETHANY ADAMS

The Trussville Dog Parks Auxiliary started with a post on Facebook.

The post, which inquired about interest in a local dog park, quickly garnered attention, and a group of pet owners decided to take action.

“Most people are driving probably at least 20 minutes or more to get to a dog park,” said Dana Larkins, vice president and secretary of the auxiliary board.

Along with Larkins and President Jaime Anderson, the board consists of Cindy Underwood, Joanna Garcia and Bill Wills.

Together, and with the support of the community, they are now raising money for the Cahaba Dog Park, which is set to occupy a nearly 2-acre piece of land near Spradling Field.

“It has parking, it has access to the community greenway that’s going to be open, which is fantastic, because people can walk down to the dog park and then go back on the trail to the parks,” Anderson said. “Basically, we connect all of Trussville.”

In order to raise the nearly $25,000 needed for the fence, improvements to the land, water lines and other work, the auxiliary has begun participating in community events. On Aug. 19, the group will have a table in front of Three Earred Rabbit during the downtown Folk Art Show.

According to Anderson, there has been no shortage of community support, with businesses like the Three Earred Rabbit, Marco’s Pizza and Iceberg’s partnering with the group

on events. Other establishments that have offered support include Fit for a Crown, Sherry’s Cafe, the Great Harvest Bread Company and the Classic Cars & Garage Museum.

“That just proves that the Trussville community has really rallied around us and are excited,” said Anderson. “Most are either dog owners, dog lovers or they know somebody who is, and they know it will enhance the community.”

Mayor Buddy Choat and the city council have also been supportive, according to Anderson.

“I think the new Cahaba Dog Park will be a big success,” said council member and liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board Zack Steele. “There is definitely a groundswell of support for it in the community, and it will be a nice accent to our new greenway.”

The park will make no exclusions based on breed, but rather allow entrance based on behavior. “So if your dog does not know how to behave and socialize with other dogs, we encourage you to come to the training sessions that we’re hoping to be able to offer,” Larkins said.

According to Garcia, dog parks can be vital to a pet’s health.

“They enjoy it,” she said. “It gives them a chance to exercise, to get the stimulation, to socialize, and it just makes for a healthier, happier dog, really.”

She also emphasized the auxiliary’s plans to use the park as a tool to create responsible dog owners within the community.

For residents such as Tammy Griffin, a dog

The Trussville Dog Parks Auxiliary raises money for the Cahaba Dog Park that is set to occupy a nearly 2-acre piece of land near Spradling Field. Photos courtesy of Jaime Melton Anderson.

park could also offer opportunities to create new connections between people.

“To think that we’re getting one here is super exciting,” she said. “You meet people that you might not run into any place else, because pet people bond with other pet people.”

Although there is no opening date set for

the Cahaba Dog Park, Anderson hopes that, once it opens, it will only be the beginning.

“We hope in the future to have more parks in other parts of Trussville,” she said.

To stay updated on the park’s progress or to become a member, visit trussvilledogparks.com or find them where it all started: facebook.com /trussvilledogparksauxiliary.

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CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

SCHOOL HOUSE Magnolia Elementary students create a time capsule Magnolia Elementary School held its first Time Capsule Program on May 25.

The time capsule, filled with many memories of the first year at Magnolia, was buried during the program. Superintendent Pattie Neill was among the guests who attended the program.

Jackie Moore’s fifth-grade writing students worked to collect and organize a variety of items to place inside the time capsule.

Each student in all grades contributed a memory page or packet about themselves.

Other items in the time capsule included a list and photographs of current technology; summaries of specific events that occurred this year; student reflections of academic and special classes; photographs of today’s fashions; a list of slang words used by students; a list of favorite movies and favorite books; list of popular songs and dances; photographs of the community of Trussville and Magnolia Elementary School classrooms and school grounds taken by fifth-graders;

student art of the school and playground; a fidget spinner; store receipts, coupons, field trip letters and school calendar for 2016-17; a Kindle; the newly written school song; a 2016-17 Magnolia Elementary yearbook; school T-shirts, football cards and a Magnolia Elementary magnet; the Trussville Tribune newspaper; and an overview of HTHS sports.

The PTO donated the time capsule container, the school’s yearbook, Magnolia 5K Run T-shirt, and a marker to mark the time capsule. Neill donated a newspaper article that portrayed the opening of Magnolia Elementary School in October 2016.

The time capsule captures many memories from the 2016-17 school year. The fifth-grade students look forward to coming back to Magnolia Elementary School in May 2024 as seniors to open up the time capsule to view their memories that they cherished while they were fifth-graders.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

Jackie Moore, Ryan Minisman and Lynette Summers take a break from digging.

Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

AUGUST 2017

CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

21

Autumm Jeter accepts her CLAS Leadership Award.

Photo courtesy of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.

Autumm Jeter receives CLAS Leadership award Autumm Jeter, principal at Magnolia Elementary School, was chosen as the 2017 Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools) Leadership Award winner, sponsored by the Horace Mann Companies. At the 2017 CLAS Annual Summer Convention at the Mobile Convention Center, Jeter was recognized as a nominee for this award. During the awards luncheon June 13, she was announced as the winner and was presented with a plaque by 2016-17 CLAS President Sonja Hines. Lee Busby, a representative of the Horace Mann Companies, was also on hand to present Jeter with a $1,000 check.

Out of 10 nominees for this honor, Jeter best exemplified the leadership characteristics the award is intended to recognize. Her nomination was made by the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators.

Jeter currently serves on the AAESA board of directors as well as the CLAS board of directors. She regularly communicates and meets regularly with the Alabama Congressional

delegation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as members of the Alabama Legislature, advocating for issues that are beneficial to schoolchildren of Alabama.

“Dr. Jeter is the real deal,” a colleague wrote. “She has creative, innovative ideas to solve complex problems.”

“Autumm Jeter has been a well-respected leader in our CLAS umbrella association, the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators as well as Alabama’s education community for many years,” said CLAS Executive Director L. Earl Franks, CAE. “She epitomizes servant leadership and is liked, respected and appreciated by Alabama’s educational leaders for her intellectual common sense and caring personality. Being selected for this prestigious award affirms Dr. Jeter’s contributions to the CLAS organization, the school leader profession and public education.”

– Submitted by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.

HTMS teacher Abbie Copus was part of the summer Space Camp for teachers. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

HTMS teacher attends Space Camp Abbie Copus, an HTMS sixth-grade teacher, was recently selected to attend Space Camp.

Participants learned about the history of space travel, as well as new information about the cutting-edge technologies at work in the new era of deep space exploration.

Copus is excited to share with her students what is going on right now with NASA and its partners.

In addition, Copus participated in many sessions demonstrating innovative, STEM/ project-based learning opportunities. Participants received resources to go along with these

lessons and were also invited into the NASA Educator Resource Center, where they were given additional resources to use freely in their classrooms.

Participants were able to experience all the simulators, mock missions and training that young space campers experience while at camp. Alabama is underrepresented in students attending Space Camp, and Copus plans to encourage students to apply, with firsthand knowledge of the things space camp has to offer.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

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CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

SPORTS

CLAY-CHALKVILLE

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: 2017

Drew Gilmer hopes to lead team to great season as new head coach

By KYLE PARMLEY

F

or the returning linebackers, every practice sounds like a position meeting.

They hear the same voice ringing in their ears after every play, except now, all the encouragement and instruction is not only directed towards them.

That’s because Drew Gilmer, who has spent the past seven seasons at Clay-Chalkville High School and the last five as the linebackers coach, was promoted to the head coaching position in March following the retirement of Jerry Hood.

“It still feels the same,” said linebacker Derrick Bean. “I’m still hearing his voice, because I had him as a coach at linebacker. He still does the same things, they just turned it up a little more.”

Gilmer saw firsthand the success the Clay-Chalkville football program had under Hood — including an undefeated season in 2011, a state title in 2014 and another state championship appearance in 2015 — and now he has a chance to continue that great run.

“It’s just being in a great program like Clay-Chalkville has been,” Gilmer said. “With Coach Hood, you see a successful way to do things, you’ve just got to put your own little spin on it. So that’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Cougars’ head coach has a leg up compared to many incoming coaches, already having an in-depth knowledge of the team, coaching staff and all the student-athletes in the program.

“We knew all the guys, we knew where they were at, we knew their capabilities and all that,” Gilmer said.

Gilmer calls Hood one of his mentors, and his experience at Clay-Chalkville and previously at Pinson Valley has prepared

CLAY-CHALKVILLE’S SCHEDULE AUG. 25: @ Florence SEPT. 1: Bessemer City SEPT. 8: @ Jasper* SEPT. 15: Pinson Valley* SEPT. 22: @ Center Point* SEPT. 29: @ James Clemens OCT. 6: Gardendale* OCT. 13: @ Carver-Birmingham* OCT. 20: Minor* OCT. 27: Park Crossing NOV. 3: Open *DENOTES REGION GAME him for his new role.

“It’s just little bits and pieces from everywhere that you kind of put together,” Gilmer said. “Along the way you see things that you like and you see some things that you don’t like.”

This fall, the Cougars open up at Florence and host Bessemer City before jumping into region play. Clay-Chalkville will host Pinson Valley, Gardendale and Minor and travel to Jasper (formerly Walker), Center Point and Carver-Birmingham. Other non-region games include a road trip to James Clemens and a home game against Park Crossing to finish the regular season.

OFFENSE

After the back-to-back state championship appearances, the

Cougars were left with many a gap to fill last fall. They struggled at times to gain their footing on both sides of the ball, but the offense returns quarterback Willie Miller, who admittedly was a little wet behind the ears last fall.

Miller was thrown into the fire as a sophomore, experience that Gilmer said has helped him “a ton” as he prepares for his second year under center.

“It helped me a lot, because last year I was a sophomore and it was my first time playing varsity,” Miller said. “This year should be easier, because I know what to expect now.”

Demetrius Davis has a unique skill set that has allowed him to serve as the backup quarterback that will be featured in certain packages.

Quentin Young is back and healthy, Gilmer said, at the running back spot, and Curtis Blakely impressed coaches during the spring.

A gaping hole at receiver will be the departure of Nico Collins, who is now at the University of Michigan. The Cougars will no longer have that target to simply throw it up to, but Gilmer is as excited about they have on the outside.

“You don’t have that big-time playmaker that we’ve had for the last three or four years. But we’re really solid all the way across the board, and we’ve got guys that can do different things.”

Terrill Cole, Roderick McCloud, Logan Pruett, JaKendrick Lavender and Anthony Lougheed are all names that will battle for snaps and receptions.

Damon Moore and TJ Busby anchor an offensive line that has to replace three starters from last fall.

DEFENSE

Clay-Chalkville has high hopes for a defense that brings back a number of key contributors from a season ago.

Devin Dale and L.C. Purifoy should serve as a great starting point, as they will hold down the middle of the defensive line. The Cougars have some options on the edge, with Kendall Smith on one side and Corey Lee on the other. Lee moved from linebacker and his speed could cause problems for opponents.

Sam Thomas and Skylar McClain are also looking to crack the rotation.

Two of the three linebackers are returnees, led by Bean, who is coming off a strong season. D’Markes Davis is finally healthy after battling injuries last fall and will step alongside Bean and help out. Josh McIntosh is another name to watch there, as he has moved down from the secondary.

Everyone returns in the secondary, with JaMarlin Sewell and Drew Heller manning the corner back spots. Jaylin Mack and Andru Ransaw have plenty of experience on the back end of the defense at the safety positions, and Daunte Davis has also pushed for playing time in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Quarterback Willie Miler’s experience last fall will prove beneficial this season. Photo courtesy of James Nicholas.

The kicking situation was a minor point of anxiety last spring, but Drennon Mayhew emerged during the summer and went on to put together a solid 2016 season. He is back and is expected to handle all the kicking duties for the team.

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CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: 2017

Following region championship, Huskies aiming for repeat performance

By KYLE PARMLEY

T

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE’S SCHEDULE

he 2016 season was one that will not soon be forgotten in the history books of the Hewitt-Trussville High School football program.

An explosive offense that averaged 46 points per game, coupled with a more-than-adequate defense, resulted in the first perfect regular season in school history.

“It was definitely a fun year for us,” said head coach Josh Floyd, now entering his fourth year. “It’s good to see the fruit of the labor of these kids. It’s been good for them to see success.”

A heartbreaking loss in the second round of the state playoffs left many wondering what could have been, but that in no way diminished the impact of the season. Under Floyd’s guidance, there is no doubt the program is on the rise.

“As far as the wins and losses go, our program has been heading in the right direction,” Floyd said. “It was fun to see a championship season, to be able to win the region championship for the first time since 2008.”

But it’s time to turn the page. New faces will emerge and take on leadership roles, as the Huskies lost 29 seniors from last fall’s group.

“Every single year is different,” Floyd said. “Nothing matters at this point, good or bad. Everybody in the state is 0-0. But if there’s any pressure (to sustain the program’s success), it’s a good pressure.”

Hewitt-Trussville opens the season with a trip to Holy Trinity (Florida), and other non-region games include a midseason trip to Center Point and a regular season capper at home against Florence.

In Class 7A, Region 4, the Huskies will host Gadsden City, Buckhorn and Sparkman and will take road trips to Grissom, Bob Jones, Huntsville and James Clemens.

AUG. 25: Open SEPT. 1: @ Holy Trinity (FL) SEPT. 8: Gadsden City* SEPT. 15: @ Grissom* SEPT. 22: Buckhorn* SEPT. 29: @ Center Point OCT. 6: @ Bob Jones* OCT. 13: Sparkman* OCT. 20: @ Huntsville* OCT. 27: @ James Clemens* NOV. 3: Florence *DENOTES REGION GAME

Dazalin Worsham is a sophomore who has begun to catch scouts’ eyes, and Floyd said he is tough to cover one-on-one.

Malachi Moore is another sophomore who can play receiver and cornerback. Senior Lee Reagan, one of the leaders of the receiver group, should also garner some touches. Derrion Walker will play some snaps at tight end for the Huskies.

Hewitt-Trussville returns Ben Adams, a two-year starter at center, and tackle Pierce Quick as full-time starters, along with Cooper McManic, a tackle who started a few games last fall.

DEFENSE

The Husky defense allowed more than 30 points just twice in 2016, but in both games the team won by more than three touchdowns. It was far from a liability and, more often than not, was a strength. Four times the Huskies held the opponent under 20 points.

There are many contributors to replace but enough valuable returners to expect much of the same this fall. Along the defensive line, Hunter Davis will be asked to anchor the group in the middle. Maurice Williams, Christian Renda and Tyler Antkowiak are names that are expected to emerge along the line as well.

In the second level, the conversation revolves around linebacker Simon Miskelley, who will be a three-year starter.

“He just makes plays,” Floyd said. “He brings a lot of energy to practice.”

In the secondary, safeties TJ Alexander and Trevor Sisk are back. Sisk is versatile and can move down to play like a linebacker when needed. Creed Parker is another name to watch in a secondary which will see some others make names for them along the way, including Myles Mason, a likely impact transfer from Pleasant Grove.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Parker Colburn has been Hewitt-Trussville’s do-it-all specialist for the last two years and is only entering his junior season.

He has proven to be a great replacement for TJ McGettigan, who is now at UAB. Colburn will handle all the kicking duties, and Floyd has no doubt he will find an opportunity at the college level one day.

“I look for Parker to have a huge season,” Floyd said.

OFFENSE

For the second year in a row, Hewitt-Trussville’s offense looks to be led by a Mountain Brook transfer. Connor Adair came in last fall and did tremendous things with the Husky offense, and Paul Tyson looks to accomplish the same this year.

“I’m really excited about the QB position,” Floyd said. “Paul is getting some big-time offers, but the thing about Paul is he’s a really good leader.”

Seth Shelnutt and Grey Ryle are next in line under center, but Ryle’s skillset is valuable enough that the Huskies may line him up at wide receiver and running back in certain packages.

Elliott McElwain led the Huskies in receiving last year from the running back spot, even with Noah Igbinoghene on the outside. McElwain’s versatility out of the backfield will be needed once again, and Floyd compared him to Grayson Cash, who played a handful of positions in his time at Hewitt.

Antonio Reed is another player who will contribute significantly out of the backfield, and Cameron Bledsoe made great strides in the offseason to throw his name in the hat as well.

Hewitt will have to replace the production provided and attention attracted by Igbinoghene on the outside. Logan Pitts put together a solid junior season last fall after coming off a torn ACL suffered in the first game of his sophomore year.

“I think he’s going to take off,” Floyd said.

Elliott McElwain (21) returns this season as a running back. McElwain led the Huskies in receiving last year, and his versatility in the backfield will be needed once again. Photo by Todd Lester.

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PINSON VALLEY N

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: 2017

New head coach Patrick Nix inherits talented squad ready to compete

By KYLE PARMLEY

o matter where he is coaching, the foundation of a high school football program led by Patrick Nix is the same. It begins with hard work and belief in others, and ends with a cohesive unit that is successful on the football field and instills the community with pride on and off the field.

“Whether you’re at home, in the community, in the classroom, on the field, whatever it is, have a great sense of pride in being the best that you can be,” said Nix, entering his first season as head coach at Pinson Valley High School.

In a culture that teaches the importance of self above all else, Nix sees the game of football as the perfect tool to turn that self-reflecting mirror around to face others.

He said, “That’s what makes football the greatest sport, the greatest thing you can have, because by rule, you have five guys [the offensive line] that it’s illegal for them to even touch the ball.”

Nix spent the past four seasons at Scottsboro, and comes to the Valley after a 12-1 season that ended with a No. 1 ranking at the end of the regular season and a run to the Class 5A quarterfinals. He wasn’t looking to leave Scottsboro or gunning for the Pinson Valley job, but it was the right move at the right time for his family.

“There were a lot of things, from family situations to job situations, a lot of different circumstances that went into this decision. It wasn’t just one thing,” Nix said.

Nix inherits a talented roster with the pieces to compete, but he believes the intangibles will determine whether or not the Indians have a successful campaign. Opening the schedule with the likes of McAdory, Ramsay, Minor and ClayChalkville right off the bat will certainly be a challenge.

“Yes, we have talent to compete, but it’s going to take a lot more than talent to get it done,” Nix said. “The most important thing is who’s going to be the best team.”

Class 6A, Region 6 always proves to be tough. Along with Minor and Clay-Chalkville, the Indians also have to navigate Jasper, Center Point, Gardendale and Carver-Birmingham.

The Indians also take on Shades Valley and Pleasant Grove to round out the 10-game slate.

PINSON VALLEY’S SCHEDULE

AUG. 25: @ McAdory SEPT. 1: Ramsay SEPT. 8: Minor* SEPT. 15: @ Clay-Chalkville* SEPT. 22: Jasper* SEPT. 29: Shades Valley OCT. 6: Open OCT. 13: @ Center Point* OCT. 20: Gardendale* OCT. 26: @ Carver-Birmingham * NOV. 3: @ Pleasant Grove

*DENOTES REGION GAME “Khymel will get a lot of carries, but we’ve got other guys that can do a lot of different things,” Patrick Nix said.

Senior LiAllen Dailey has emerged as a likely candidate to be Bo Nix’s top option on the outside. The 6-foot-2 receiver has seen the field quite a bit over the last two seasons at both the tight end and wide receiver spots, and he is expected to put together an impressive year on the outside.

“I think he’s a great player,” Patrick Nix said. “The great thing about him is he’s multiple, can do so many different things, and willing to do so many different things.”

Nix added that the receiving core could be the strength

of the team, going five or six players deep with the ability to contribute.

The offensive line is a mix of young and experienced players, and Nix hopes to continue to see growth and development from that unit.

DEFENSE

Desmond Scott and Zeke Lawrence are two seniors that have had extremely productive careers at Pinson Valley and come into their senior seasons looking to break out once again.

They will lead a front seven that Nix said has a “chance to be good.”

“We’re very fortunate, we’re deep up front on the defensive line with some very good players,” Nix said. “We’ve got a really solid group of linebackers.”

The secondary loses three starters that signed college scholarships (Ty Woods, CJ Rudolph and Andrew McKinney), but gets an immediate boost with the addition of Jackie Matthews at corner. Matthews has started for much of the last three seasons at quarterback for the Indians and will now use his athleticism to strengthen a young secondary.

“He’s a dynamic player and it’s going to open up a whole other world for him, as far as being able to do different things,” Nix said.

Nix said Matthews will see some time on offense as well, as the team searches for opportunities to get the ball in his hands.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The graduation of Saul Rios leaves a void in the kicking game for Pinson Valley, and Nix said there are three guys in the mix to take over those duties for the Indians.

OFFENSE

One position that Pinson Valley should feel great about heading into the season is the quarterback position, where Bo Nix will take over as the signal caller. The junior and son of the head coach has blossomed over the last few years into one of the top quarterbacks in his class. He’s had no trouble making the transition to a new school.

“One of his strongest things is being able to lead, to get along with everybody in the locker room, but at the same time not compromise what he’s about,” Patrick Nix said. “There is already a pretty good nucleus of guys here, but he’s been able to blend right in with them.”

Alongside Bo Nix in the backfield is a dependable weapon in senior Khymel Chaverst, who has gotten a great deal of experience at running back over the past two seasons. Chaverst will be counted on to carry the load, but there are some others waiting in the wings to provide solid depth.

Former quarterback Jackie Matthews is making the move to defense for Pinson Valley. Photo courtesy of Danny Joiner.

DEADLINE IS AUGUST 4 Winners will be announced in our September issue.

Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Cahaba Sun wherever you are To enter: Email high resolution photos in .JPG format* and captions including location, names of anyone pictured and photo credit to kwilliams@starnespublishing.com. *Four photos allowed per person.

28

AUGUST 2017

CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

OPINION My South By Rick Watson

Rest in peace, little Tink A word of warning: This is a bittersweet story about a tiny critter that lived next door in the home of Jilda’s brother, Ricky, and his family.

Our niece, Samantha, loves animals. She’s had ferrets, frogs, hamsters, cats and lots of dogs. Her brother, James, knew this about his little sister, and he came across a small dog at the pound about 15 years ago. Samantha was barely a teenager then.

“James saw the puppy and knew I wanted a little dog, so he brought it to me,” she said.

Tinker Bell was a gnarly little critter. I’m not sure what breed she was, but she looked like the result of a drunken affair between a Chihuahua and a dust mop. She was the cutest little dog I’d ever seen.

It took some time for Tinker Bell to figure out where she fit in with the family. They already had a dog, named Shadow, that they’d had for years. Cats also lived there. All of them towered over the little fuzzy critter.

But Tinker Bell had attitude. When one of the other pets got in her space, her bark

When Ricky would settle made her sound like she into the recliner to watch the was skilled at taekwondo.

Braves or a western on TV, he’d The other critters gave her a wide berth. cover Tink with her blanket, Through the years as Samanand she’d help him cheer for tha aged, she got busy with the good guys. But her health school, friends and teen things, continued to decline. leaving less time for Tink.

Last year, Tink started having Her dad Ricky worked two difficulty breathing. Samantha jobs most of his life, but he thought it might be kinder to the little critter to have her put to was home every night and often unwound by sitting in his sleep, but Ricky thought she’d be OK. She was for a while. recliner watching television.

Watson Tink liked his company because Early one June morning, he often fed her little bites of whatever he had I got a text from Samantha telling me that for supper. She was small enough that the large Tink had died. She said her dad was upset but armrests on the recliner made a perfect bed for thought he was OK. I replied by asking if they her. wanted me to bury her in our backyard pet A few years ago, Tinker Bell developed cemetery. Ricky initially said no, but he later some health issues. She had a skin allergy that decided it was a good idea. caused her to lose much of her hair. She was A mist hung in the air making the mornconstantly cold. Even in summer, she shivered. ing seem dreary. As Jilda and I sipped coffee, Samantha bought her a little sweater not much we saw Ricky walking toward our front door. bigger than a Barbie doll would have worn.

He was carrying Tink wrapped in her favorite

blanket. I met him outside to take the little dog from him. I could see tears streaming down his face. I’ve known him almost all my life, and I’ve rarely seen him with tears in his eyes.

Seeing him put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, too.

I told him I was so sorry. He couldn’t speak.

Turning to walk away, Jilda hurried out to hug him and say she was sorry, too. They stood in the misting rain for a moment.

I went out back and dug a grave between Shadow and Ol’ Buddy. Last summer I poured several PEACE stepping stones and use them as grave markers for our pets.

Jilda took a tiny Mason jar and did a small bouquet from flowers blooming in our yard.

When she finished, she snapped a picture with her phone and texted it to her brother.

Rest in peace, little Tink.

Rick Watson is a columnist and author. His latest book, “Life Goes On,” is available on Amazon.com. You can contact him at rick@ homefolkmedia.com.

AUGUST 2017

CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

Trussville

Real Estate Listings

22 Waterford Place

MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

787536

35173

22 Waterford Place

New

$360,000

788282

35173

3109 Cahaba Park Drive

New

$269,900

788124

35173

7104 Stacy Lane

New

$289,000

787961

35173

914 Kayla Drive

New

$279,900

787935

35173

5315 Stockton Pass

New

$374,000

787883

35173

6105 Clubhouse Drive

New

$389,900

787852

35173

5124 River St.

New

$384,000

787680

35173

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New

$287,900

788843 35173

6383 Ryans Way

New

$239,900

787567

35173

6794 Paradise Circle

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$339,900

785808 35173

102 Woodland Circle

New

$375,000

788479

35173

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New

$245,000

789279

35173

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New

$269,900

789235

35173

5187 Bonnie Ruth Road

New

$262,000

789124

35173

6104 Hidden Brook Drive

New

$209,900

789458

35173

3475 Pear St.

New

$164,900

789272

35173

7611 Barclay Terrace

New

$639,000

789046 35173

607 Oak Drive

New

$224,900

788856 35173

8734 Carrington Lake Ridge

New

$379,900

788828

35173

209 Honeybee Circle

New

$319,000

788768

35173

8558 Carrington Lake Crest

New

$364,900

788616

35173

5166 Missy Lane

New

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788752

35173

6839 Scooter Drive

New

$254,500

786642

35173

7779 Jayden Drive

New

$258,500

786641

35173

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New

$401,650

786463

35173

1012 Quail Run

New

$239,900

786285

35173

110 Wildwood Drive

New

$210,000

786088 35173

510 Water Oak Circle

New

$330,000

785849

35173

3468 Floyd Bradford Road

New

$299,999

788616

35173

5166 Missy Lane

New

$369,900

786943

35173

6123 Longmeadow Circle

New

$234,900

786932

35173

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New

$499,900

788367

35173

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New

$235,000

786869 35173

309 Roundabout Drive

New

$269,900

788650 35173

6304 Wynwood Lane

New

$399,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on July 11.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

102 Woodland Circle

5166 Missy Lane

6124 Hidden Brook Drive

29

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AUGUST 2017

CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

CALENDAR TRUSSVILLE EVENTS Aug. 1: Trussville Baseball fall registration begins. Visit trussvillebaseball.com.

Aug. 1-31: Trussville Public Library closed for renovations.

Aug. 8: City Council meeting. 6 p.m.

City Hall.

Aug. 1-3: District 3 Masters Games.

All day. Trussville Civic Center.

Aug. 3: Republican Women of Trussville meeting. 5:30 p.m. Three-Earred Rabbit.

Twinkle Cavanaugh, the president of the Alabama Public Service Commission, will speak.

Aug. 14: Planning and Zoning meeting. 6 p.m. City Hall.

Aug. 1-6: Youth flag football registration open. Online. Cost is $115 per player, with a $10 discount for multiple kids per family.

Evaluations will take place Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. for 1st-2nd grade, Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. for 5th-6th grade, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. for 3rd-4th grade and Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. for 7th-8th grade. Practice starts Aug. 14. Call 661-3777 or email zachman ning@hotmail.com for registration information.

Aug. 1-12: Girls’ softball registration open. Online, or in person Aug. 12 at Academy Sports and Outdoors, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $100 per player ages 6U-15U, $50 per second child, $50 for Tot players. Practice begins Aug. 21. Visit trussvilleparks.org/programs/athletics.

Aug. 6: Blessing of the Backpacks.

5-7 p.m. Trussville Mall pavilion. Trussville First United Methodist and Mt. Zion AME will host this event, which includes musical entertainment, food, inflatables and more. Guests are asked to bring their backpacks with them for the 6:30 p.m. prayer for students, administrators, teachers and parents in the new school year. Guests will receive a back to school blessing tag for their backpacks, lunch boxes or other school bags. For more information contact Beth Burden at 655–3259.

Aug. 8: Adult softball fall league begins. Spradling Field.

Aug. 14: Men’s basketball league begins. 6:15 p.m. Trussville Athletic Center red gym. Competitive league teams play on Mondays and recreational league teams play on Thursdays. $400 per team. Payment must be in by the first game to participate. Call 661-3777 or email zach manning@hotmail.com for registration information.

Aug. 16: Clay Public Library adult popular reading book club. 11 a.m. Clay Public Library. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 680-3812.

Aug. 17: Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. 11:30 a.m.

Trussville Civic Center. Lunch is $17 per person.

Email june.mathews@trussvillechamber.com or call 655-7535 to register.

Aug. 22: City Council meeting. 6 p.m.

City Hall.

Aug. 24: Coaches’ Class and Background Check. 6-8 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. Required course for coaches, assistant coaches or parents helping on the field in youth league teams.

Aug. 26: Youth flag football season starts.

Aug. 26: Holy Cross Episcopal Church 75th anniversary Party. 3 p.m. Holy Cross Episcopal Church. The event will include a look back over the church’s past, as well as what’s coming in the future. Former priests will also be recognized.

TRUSSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS Aug. 3: HTHS Class Fee payments.

1-4 p.m. HTHS. Check or cash only.

Aug. 3: HTHS Freshman Orientation.

3-6 p.m. HTHS. Aug. 4: Magnolia Elementary First Grade Meet the Teacher. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 6: Magnolia Elementary Kindergarten Meet the Teacher. 4-5 p.m.

Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 7: Magnolia Elementary Second Grade Meet the Teacher. 3-4 p.m.

Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 7: Magnolia Elementary Fourth Grade Meet the Teacher. 4:30-5:30

p.m. Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 9: First day of school.

Aug. 8: Magnolia Elementary Fifth Grade Meet the Teacher. 7:30-8:30 a.m. Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 13: Hewitt-Trussville Student Athlete Foundation meeting. 3-5 p.m.

Stadium Husky Room.

Aug. 8: Magnolia Elementary Third Grade Meet the Teacher. 3-4 p.m.

Magnolia Elementary.

Aug. 15: HTHS PTO Meeting. 1-1:30 p.m. HTHS.

$25-$100. Visit secretstages.net.

AIDS Outreach. $15-$25. Visit birminghamaids outreach.org.

AREA EVENTS Saturdays: The Market at Pepper Place. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Visit pepperplacemarket. com.

Through Sept. 1: Birmingham Swim League Online Registration. The program includes instruction in competitive strokes, starts and turns, team events and activities, goal setting and more. For more information visit www. birminghamswimleague.org, call 823-5512, or email swim4bsl@gmail.com, Aug. 2: Idina Menzel. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $50-$410.Visit ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 3-4: Strong is the New Pretty - Empowerment Skills Every Girl

Should Know. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Red Mountain Park. Two-day mini-camp for girls entering sixth or seventh grade. Space is limited, bring a brown bag lunch. Register at www.girlspring.com Aug. 3: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. 113 22nd St. N. Meet local artists and performers and buy their work. Visit birmingham artcrawl.com.

Aug. 4: “Blazing Saddles.” 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 4-5: Secret Stages - Music Discovery Festival. Two-day music festival with over 60 bands performing in the Loft District.

6 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Saturday.

Aug. 5: Southeastern Outings River Float. Locust Fork River, Blount County. Depart 9 a.m. from Cleveland Chevron. Contact Dan Frederick at 631-4680 or email seoutings@ bellsouth.net

Aug. 9: Matchbox 20 & Counting Crows - A Brief History of Everything Tour. 6:45 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $29.50-$99.50. Visit livenation.com.

Aug. 5: Ensley High School 45th Class Reunion. 7 p.m. Heatherwood Hills Country Club. $45 per person. Contact David Downs for information.

Aug. 10-14: Birmingham Barons vs.

Jackson Generals. 7:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 7:05 p.m. Monday. $7-$14. Visit barons.com.

Aug. 6: “Viva Las Vegas.” 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 11: Y’all Connect - Blogging and Social Media Conference. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Rosewood Hall, Homewood. $149. Visit yallconnect.com.

Aug. 7: BAO Bingo. 7 p.m. Birmingham

AUGUST 2017

CAHABA SUN

Aug. 11: “The Princess Bride.” 7 p.m.

Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 12: Babypalooza Baby & Maternity Expo. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Free admission. Visit babypaloozatour.com.

Aug. 12: Hoops For Hope - 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Pelham Civic Complex. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Benefitting Blanket Fort Hope.Visit blanketforthope.org.

Aug. 12: Hueytown High School Class of ‘77 reunion. 7 p.m. at The Wine Loft. $55 per person. For tickets, mail to: HHS Class of 77 P.O. Box 3171 Hueytown, AL 35023 or Paypal blair_sharon@yahoo.com.

Aug. 12: Tig Notaro. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $28. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 12: Southeastern Outings Beach Party NOT on the Gulf Coast.

Depart 9 a.m. from McDonald’s across from Galleria. Venue is Perry Lakes Park near Marion. For information, call 631-4680 or email seoutings@ bellsouth.net. Visit seoutings.org.

Aug. 12: Second Saturday at Sloss Walk and Talk. 10:30 a.m. Garden at Sloss Quarters. Rosemary - A Vinegar to Remember.

Presented by Birmingham Historical Society. Visit bhistorical.org.

Aug. 13: “Gone with the Wind.” 2 p.m.

Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit ticketmaster.com.

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Aug. 16-20: Birmingham Barons vs.

Montgomery Biscuits. 7:05 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $7-$14. Visit barons.com.

Aug. 18: Live at the Lyric - Paul Thorn. 8 p.m.$22-$35. Visit lyricbham.com.

Aug. 18: Art on the Rocks! 7 p.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art. $20 members, $30 non-members.

Aug. 19: Southeastern Outings Swimming, Boating, Picnic, Lake Activities. Depart 9 a.m. from Publix at Lee Branch. For information, contact 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net. Visit seoutings. org.

Aug. 19-20: Tannehill Trade Days. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. $3-$5. Visit tannehill.org.

Aug. 20: Southern Bridal Show.

BJCC Exhibition Hall. $12 advance, $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com.

Aug. 20: Lyle Lovett. 7:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $33-$73.

Aug. 26: Southeastern Outings Evening Walk.

Hillsboro Trail, Helena. Four mile evening walk.

Depart from Helena Middle School at 7 p.m. For information, contact Dan Frederick at seoutings@ bellsouth.net or visit seoutings.org.

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