HUSKIES IN ACTION Hewitt-Trussville football, in pictures. A22
Vol 1 | Issue 1 | November 2015 As Trussville As It Gets
Seeing the better side Josh Foster turns paralyzing tragedy into unforeseen opportunity. A8
A LIFE OF SERVING
SCHOOL SPIRIT AT ITS BEST
Trussville minister Gene Ennis recalls his path through the military that led him to serve God and country. A4
Photo pages from Hewitt-Trussville and Clay-Chalkville homecoming week festivities. A20
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830
A2 | NOVE MBE R 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Photo of the Month
Editor’s Note
I
By Sydney Cromwell
f you took the time to open this magazine and read what I have to say, I want to thank you. This is something that has never appeared in your mailbox before, and I’m glad you were curious enough to take a look inside. With the help of the Trussville Tribune, we at the Cahaba Sun are trying something new: a monthly magazine about the people, places and character of Trussville. We’re excited to begin delivering the stories of your community to your doorstep each month. To do that, however, I want to ask for your help. I want to hear from you about the interesting people that you think deserve to be recognized. From your Little League team’s victory and club meetings to that neighbor whose story always inspires you, I want to know about it. These are the things that make up the fabric of the Trussville community. I hope you enjoy the stories inside this first issue, and I hope to work with you in making the future issues even better. I’m immensely proud of the writers and photographers whose work has made this possible, and I think regular Tribune readers will recognize some familiar names. And if, once you’ve finished reading these pages, you have an idea of your own to share? My email is sydney@starnespublishing.com, and my ears are always open.
Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A4) Alabama Outdoors (A26) Alabama Power (A28) ARC Realty (A12) Bedzzz Express (A31) Bromberg’s & Co. (A32) California Closets (A25) Case Remodeling (A17) Children’s of Alabama (A10) Christmas Village (A13) Clark Holmes (A16) Corner Shops (A11) ERS Construction & Products (A7) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (A23) Great Clips Greystone-Cahaba Heights–Trussville (A10)
Issis & Sons (A27) Junior League of Birmingham (A5) Kirkwood by the River (A17) Lee Marlow, RealtySouth (A16) Moss Rock Festival/Magic City Art Connection (A24) Red Wing Shoes (A13) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (A15) The Maids (A25) Trussville Gas and Water (A18) UAB Comprehensive Stroke Center (A3) Urban Home Market (A9) Weigh To Wellness (A19)
Trussville residents braved the rain to enjoy carnival games, food and rides at the annual Trussville Carnival on Oct. 3. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Publishers: Dan Starnes Scott Buttram General Manager: Matthew Allen Managing Editor Sydney Cromwell Design Editor: Kristin Williams Page Designers: Cameron Tipton Shweta Gamble Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Contributing Writers: Erica Techo June Mathews Chris Yow Erik Harris Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Roy Williams Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett 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.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A3
A4 | NOVE MBE R 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Becoming all he ever wanted Minister recalls path through military that led him to serve God, country By JUNE MATHEWS As a kid, Gene Ennis occasionally accompanied his father to the elder Ennis’ job at Fort Benning, Georgia, and loved every minute of those visits. So it was only natural that the youngster aspired to a military career. By the time he was old enough to enlist, however, both legs had been broken, and he was flat-footed. Thus, he was declared 4F — physically unfit for military service. He was crushed. “I felt like I’d been cheated,” said the longtime Trussville resident, who is now recognizable in the community for his lengthy ministerial service at First Baptist Church Trussville. Years after being declared unfit, a friend suggested the Army National Guard as an option. By then Ennis had gone to school to become a preacher, married hometown sweetheart Opal Herring and started a family, and was serving as a pastor
in New Orleans. But it so happened the Louisiana Guard was in dire need of Protestant chaplains, a rare species in that Catholic-dominated part of the state. “I told them I was 4F, and they said, ‘Well, let’s give you a physical,’” he recalled. With perhaps some help he passed, but the Guard failed to tell him he’d been accepted. A few months later, Ennis and his family moved to Mississippi. “The next thing I know, I get a call from somebody telling me I was AWOL, that I’d joined the Louisiana Guard and never showed up,” he said. “I told them I didn’t even know I’d been approved. So that was the start of my military career. It was 1966.” Ennis first served with the 34th MASH Hospital Unit in Mississippi, then with the 167th MECH Infantry in Alabama. Around 1970, he went to airborne school, earning his wings at an airbase in Florida
Retired Col. Gene Ennis (left) with state Representative Danny Garrett. Today, Ennis is retired from the military and his former ministry position at First Baptist Church of Trussville. He divides his time between Trussville and Smiths Station. Photo courtesy of Gene Ennis.
We Are Growing! Announcing our New Physician
Amy CaJacob, MD
Pediatric and Adult Allergy & Asthma Care Asthma | Allergy | Seasonal Allergies | Food Allergy Eczema | Hereditary Angioedema Immune Deficiency | Penicillin and Drug Allergy Contact Allergies | Eosinophilic Esophagitis
5 Convenient Locations
Homewood • Hoover • Alabaster Chelsea • Cullman For Appointments or Information Call
205-871-9661 • alabamaallergy.com Weily Soong, MD • Maxcie Sikora, MD • John Anderson, MD • Meghan Lemke, MD • Sunena Argo, MD • Amy CaJacob, MD James R. Bonner, MD, Emeritus • Patricia Luthin, CRNP • Blake E. Youngblood, CRNP • Liz DeBerry, CRNP
CAHABAS U N.CO M
and eventually making 27 jumps out of the base’s planes. He then spent five years as a chaplain with the 20th Special Forces Group, which covered Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Along the way, Ennis transferred from the Guard to the Army Reserves, where he served as a staff chaplain with the 87th Maneuver Area Command and the 121st Army Reserve Command. He also served as an assistant staff chaplain with the Alabama National Guard. In 1991, about the time Ennis received a letter of retirement, he also received notification that he was about to be activated. “I said, ‘I just got a letter of retirement,” he recalled. “And they said, ‘We know. Tear it up.’ So I went from being discharged to serving three more years on active duty.” During those three years, Ennis served with Forces Command as director of administration and management in the Office of FORSCOM Chaplain. He ultimately received a Legion of Merit award for developing a database of chaplains and chaplain assistants while working there. Before that, the military had “no idea, no database, no nothing” with regard to chaplains, Ennis said. He retired in 1994 at the rank of full colonel. On the civilian side of life, Ennis continued all along to serve in churches around the Southeast. In 1972, he and Opal moved their family, which by then included young sons Randall, Les and Jzyk, to Trussville, where he served as First Baptist’s education minister for the next 12 years. From 1984 until he was called to active duty, he served as pastor of First Baptist, Bowdon, Georgia. In 1993, Ennis returned to First Baptist Trussville to serve
NOVEMBER 2015 | A5
as its minister of missions until retiring in June 2000. The church later honored him by renaming its missionary house the Ennis House. A widower since 2008, the 81-year-old Ennis now divides his time between Trussville and his childhood town, Smiths Station, where he enjoys a “retirement job” as an outreach minister at Philadelphia Baptist Church. But as much as he has always enjoyed church work, he treasures his military days and considers them a dream come true for a kid who only wanted to serve God and country. “It’s been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “The military has confirmed for me over and over and over again that what I’ve done is OK. I guess it goes back to having a bit of an inferiority complex from being turned down in the draft. Back then we were all patriotic and wanted to serve, and my buddies went but I had to stay home.” In the end, though, things worked out just the way he’d always hoped — and maybe even better. “I never wanted to be anything but a preacher in uniform,” he said. “And with God’s help and a lot of support from a lot of people, I was able to do it.”
Trussville resident Gene Ennis served as chaplain with several National Guard and Army Reserve units around the Southeast. Photo courtesy of Gene Ennis.
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM
NOVEMBER 19-21, 2015 cahaba grand conference center . marketnoel.net SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 19 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.* *Stroller Free: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Friday, November 20 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday, November 21 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
TICKETS
$12 General Admission $48 Preview Noel* * $36 Market Bliss $24 Rock the Runway $10 Group Ticket** $24 Three Day Must-Have Pass * Valet available for $6 ** Groups of 10 or more
SPONSORS
EVENTS
Preview Noel & Man Cave Wednesday, November 18 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Market Bliss Friday, November 20 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Rock the Runway Saturday, November 21 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
The Lochamy Brothers Sean Heninger Bromberg’s Tonya Jones Salon Rare Transportation City Paper Cathead Vodka Avo & Dram The Fresh Market Lilly Pulitzer Sister Schubert Evans Meat United-Johnson Brothers Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies Royal Cup Good People Brewing Co.
A6 | NOVE MBE R 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
The children’s department at the Trussville Library will benefit from the additional space and auditorium included in the library expansion. Photo by Chris Yow.
Library staff excited for new addition By CHRIS YOW Employees at the Trussville Public Library are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as their future library expansion begins to take shape. The new building has staff members planning new programs and ways to improve the library experience. Director Emily Tish said during the design phase, each staff member and department head was allowed to speak with the architect to help with the design and layout of the new building. “Everybody has gotten a chance to buy into the process,” Tish said. “We’re very excited.” The building itself will look very similar on the exterior and will connect with an enclosed walkthrough. Once completed, the library will nearly double in size. One of the most affected departments is the children’s library. Rebecca Burchfield, who heads the Children’s Library department, said she was looking forward to the added space. “Right now, everything is squished,” she said. “Now, we will have the auditorium on site [after expansion]. When we have a large group, we’ll have plenty of space.” During the summer months, the library sees as many as 250 people packed into the children’s department at one time, and when the summer reading kickoff is held, the Trussville Civic Center is used to accommodate the number of patrons. “Being crammed has been the most difficult part so far. The way the space is laid out in the children’s department with the
Demolition has begun to expand the Trussville Library to about double its current size. Photo by Chris Yow.
expansion will be a more dynamic space,” Burchfield said. “It will break down into a more organized space and it will progress in a more dynamic way once we get the new layout.” Not only will the auditorium allow the library to hold its kickoff event on site, but it will also be more cost-effective for events. Due to space limitations, the library currently books performers and presenters twice to allow them to show groups their presentation, and that means paying them twice. “It narrows it to who can be here two days in a row. Some performers we can afford to have once, but not twice, so it narrows our choices,” Burchfield said. The adult department will also benefit as the library plans to hold events geared toward adults. “Our programs tend to be smaller than the children right now, but we might be able to have more storytellers or musicians or authors to draw more adults,” Adult Librarian Maura Davies said. “Having a new
building will give us a chance to refresh and reorganize and improve the accessibility. We’re excited about the chance to update everything.” Despite the extra size, however, the library isn’t going to be able to necessarily double in staff size to accommodate. Currently, Trussville’s library has the highest circulation per staff member in the county, and once the size of the library doubles, that will likely grow even more. Circulation Director Lindsey Kelley has a few ideas she believes will help curb the issues facing the library, such as extended wait times to check in or check out books. “I think it’ll be more streamlined. Rather than the one main front counter where everything comes in and goes out, there will be a secondary circulation area in the new section. We’re going to have a staff member who can do the book drops and get the couriers and do the check in separately. People can still walk in and give us their books, but I think it’ll be easier,” Kelley said. The new process will allow the clerks to be able to focus more on one task, rather than having to switch gears from check in to check out constantly. Self-checkout machines are also on the way. “We will use self-checkout machines at the front counter and one at the new circulation desk to control some of the volume,” Kelley said. “I think it’ll be a good thing for children particularly. They tend to gravitate to those because they like to do it by themselves. We’ve got the younger generation already familiar with it.” Along with the self-checkout option,
Administrative Assistant Viridiana Herrera said she is working to get a grant to allow the library to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to help in the process. “There is a patch that is put on the books to check it out automatically. You can stack up to 10 books and it automatically gets all of them. You won’t have to scan a barcode or anything,” she said. “It will also help us keep track of our inventory.” There will be a security feature involved as well to help with theft. When a customer walks out with a book that wasn’t checked out through the machine, it will alert staff as to which one did not get scanned. “We don’t have a lot of theft,” Tish said. “But we do have some, especially with our media.” The expansion will provide space for new computer labs, allowing for more instruction and classes, Tish said. Assistant Director Jason Baker said he hopes it will help eliminate waiting lists for computers. Seating will expand as well for patrons who bring their own laptops and tablets to use the Wi-Fi throughout the building. Despite the delays in demolition and construction, Tish said the staff is looking forward to seeing the end product. “We’re just going to go with it. We’re working on this on a day-to-day basis or week-by-week basis, but that’s how we’re going about it,” Tish said. “That’s pretty much how a library works anyway. You can plan for something, but you don’t know how it’s going to go. Our staff has been really outstanding.”
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A7
A8 | NOVE MBE R 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Seeing the better side Josh Foster turns tragedy into new opportunity By JESSE CHAMBERS Josh Foster’s exercise routine made Romen McDonald, the owner of Squad Fitness, stop in his tracks. “The first time I saw Josh, he was suspended in the air doing dips while his wheelchair was attached to him,” McDonald said. Foster has used a wheelchair since a March 2013 car wreck injured his spinal cord. Despite that, McDonald immediately wanted to hire the 32-year-old to work at Squad, which is located in Trussville and Homewood. “I was instantly inspired and knew this would motivate others,” McDonald said. The opportunity was just as welcome for Foster, who has been in love with fitness since he was a kid and needed a positive direction as he worked to come back from the car wreck. “It was just emotional, because, when I got hurt, I had no idea what I was going to do,” he said. “I had no clear vision. It was just like the best door opened up.” Foster has made good use of the opportunity at Squad, where he began work in November 2014, using it as a chance to teach people the value and power of fitness and to preach the value of positive thinking – even after a horrific event. And Foster clearly has fun with his clients. When he leads workouts at the Trussville location, he wheels quickly and easily from one area of the floor to the other, watching a group of about 15 or 20 people doing interval training to burn calories. “I’m very blessed that a lot of them like my energy and the way I teach and coach,” Foster said. He has also earned McDonald’s respect. “Josh is an expert at helping people get the
“
Despite being in a wheelchair since a 2013 car wreck, Josh Foster continues to be physically active and teach others to challenge their boundaries. Cover photo: Josh Foster leads a workout class at Squad Fitness. Photos by Frank Couch.
most out of their workouts,” the gym owner said, adding that Foster is adept at making “the right modification” to a workout to allow a client to get the most gain. Foster is also inspirational, according to gym regular Nicole Rembert of Birmingham. “You see him working out, doing exercises, it makes you feel you can do the same thing.” Before joining Squad, and before his wreck, Foster – whose previous job was installing custom window treatments – never worked in the fitness industry. “But I would help anybody out at the gym,” Foster said. “I knew what to do. I just didn’t get paid. I always loved fitness, and it was always right there at my fingertips. I made choices where I didn’t follow that passion before I got hurt.” The single-vehicle wreck happened about a quarter mile from Foster’s home. Driving a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, he ran off a slick road after a rain. “I hit a tree dead center,” he said. His T-10 vertebrae was separated from the spine, and he spent 27 days at UAB Hospital and Spain Rehab. Since that shattering event – “I was broken in half, basically,” he said – Foster has made a heroic comeback. In his recovery, Foster could draw on his long background of lifting weights – he began lifting as a freshman at Fultondale
Watch a video featuring Josh Foster:
If a man can push through a lot of the stuff I’ve gone through and learn the things I have and experience some pretty negative moments, and still do the [things I do], you can at least work out and try to change.
”
High School – and playing football and baseball. “Challenging myself physically was always fun,” he said. He began going to the gym for light workouts as soon as he could and, after about six months, “started really getting after it,” he said. Throughout his recovery, Foster said he tried to keep a good attitude and to send out a positive message to his friends and family. “I like people to see the better side of a negative situation,” said Foster, who shared
280living.com/topics/video
https://vimeo.com/137170328
the “whole journey” of his recovery on Facebook and Instagram. “Being positive just works for me,” he said. “I just like it better.” He challenges the stereotypes some people have of people in wheelchairs, according to Squad client Meaghan Rowe of Hoover. “Josh shows everyone that he is just like you and me. He can work out,” she said. “He is physically fit. He is not limited.” “Josh had every reason to give up on fitness after his accident, but he has never given up on bettering himself, so it pushes people around him to never quit,” McDonald said. There is perhaps a loving but stern challenge implicit in Foster’s example, in the way he has refused to let his injury stop him from being part of the physical culture he loves. “If a man can push through a lot of the stuff I’ve gone through and learn the things I have and experience some pretty negative moments, and still do the [things I do], you can at least work out and try to change,” Foster said. “Till you take that last breath, there is an opportunity to change.”
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A9
A10 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
TURN TRUSSVILLE PINK
Event supports breast cancer patients
Trussville firefighters Wesley Cox and Darren Dukes wore special shirts to recognize breast cancer patients for Turn Trussville Pink. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
Above: The kick-off party to Turn Trussville Pink was held at The Three Earred Rabbit on Oct. 13. Right: RealtySouth employees work pink shirts in support of breast cancer patients on Oct. 14. Photos by Ron Burkett.
David Lifestyle Salon’s giraffe took part in the breast cancer awareness event on Oct. 14. Photo by Ron Burkett.
HE ONCE UPDATED HIS DAD’S SMART PHONE, TABLET AND LAPTOP IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. ALL WITHOUT LEAVING THE COMFORT OF HIS FOOTIE PAJAMAS. C H I L D R E N A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY and at Children’s of Alabama we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine. 1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org
CahabaSun_COA_HeadlineAd_pajamas.indd 1
10/28/15 10:41 AM
Nelm’s Pharmacy employees wore pink to support breast cancer patients in October. Photo by Ron Burkett.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A11
Business Trussville’s Chris Wood named Realtor of Year By ROY L. WILLIAMS When Trussville Realtor Chris Wood attended the Birmingham Association of Realtors awards dinner in mid-August at The Club, he had no idea he would walk out with the top prize: the coveted 2015 Realtor of the Year. “I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” said Wood, who has been broker of RealtySouth’s Trussville office at 428 Main Street for nearly four years. He also manages RealtySouth’s Oneonta office. Wood acknowledges he had been wondering why the association asked for his photo and brief bio. But since nominees aren’t informed ahead of time, Wood felt it was because of his work as a real estate instructor for the group. “I’m still shocked and blown away that members thought enough of me to give me this award,” Wood said. “The other people who’ve won this award in the past are icons in our industry. To be associated with them is quite an honor.” Wood has been a Realtor since 2002 and took over the Trussville RealtySouth office in 2012. Though the real estate profession endured a lot of turmoil during the 2007 economic downturn, Wood said the housing industry has joined the economy in making a rebound. Wood has about 60 real estate agents working under him as broker of the Trussville office and about 18 in the Oneonta office. He said RealtySouth employees in both offices have shared in his pride and joy at winning the Birmingham Association of Realtors’ highest honor.
Chris Wood became a Realtor in 2002 and took over the Trussville RealtySouth office in 2012. Photo courtesy of Chris Wood.
“I know in the past after the downturn we had sort of a negative image about Realtors,” Wood said. “I’m doing my best to help raise the level of professionalism in our industry. We are proud of the work we do at both of our offices.” Wood said fall is a great time to find a deal in buying a home. Folks who had lost jobs are now finding work as the economy improves. Wood said some great homes are on the market in metro Birmingham, and interest rates remain low. “We know interest rates are going to go up,” Wood said. “We don’t know when, so those wanting to take advantage of low mortgage rates better not risk missing out.” To reach Wood, visit him at RealtySouth’s Trussville office at 428 Main St. or email him at cwood@realtysouth.com.
Business News ► Shear Elegance Salon will open in November at the corner of Highway 11 and Chalkville Road. Owner Julie Nelson and stylist Carlee Parker will provide cuts, color and style for men, women and children. 503-2800. ► Mike and Mike’s Complete Auto Care celebrated a ribbon cutting of its new location, 229 Main St., on Sept. 22. Owners Mike and Gary Houser have more than 30 years of auto repair experience. 664-3644, mikeandmikecompleteauto.com. ► DeDe’s Book Rack, specializing in used paper back books, opened Oct. 1 at 104 S. Chalkville Rd, Suite 101. 655-3332. ► Mr. Chen’s Chinese Cooking opened in Trussville Plaza in October, replacing
existing restaurant Lee Garden. This is the fourth Mr. Chen’s location in Alabama. mrchenschineseal.com. ► Lemak Sports Medicine, 5890 Valley Rd. #100, has added two new physicians. Dr. Kenneth Jaffe and Dr. Jordan Case will rotate between the Trussville location and other Lemak clinics providing orthopedic services. 661-0987, lemaksports.com. ► Spare Time Entertainment, 3600 Roosevelt Boulevard, recently completed a $4 million renovation. Formerly known as Lightning Strikes, Spare Time offers bowling, arcade games, laser tag and a restaurant. 655-4500, sparetimeentertainment.com/ trussville.
6
s n o Reas he p t ps o h s to er Sho r of Corn Corne at the treet and Main S ille Road Chalkv ville s in Trus
A12 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Familiar faces, Southern flavor at new Ken’s BBQ in Trussville By CHRIS MEGGINSON Awesome, amazing, fantastic, great ... just downright good eating. Those are some of the common words found in online reviews to describe Ken’s Hickory Pit BarB-Que, located in Pinson, Oneonta and now Trussville. The restaurant, which is celebrating 45 years of business, opened its third location in Trussville — 8156 Gadsden Highway — on Oct. 5 at the old Woody’s Bar-B-Q. While the business has changed owners over the years and expanded its footprint, online reviewers say the food and service at this once-hidden gem is just as good as when it first opened Feb. 15, 1970, on Highway 79 in Pinson. Ken’s base — hand-chopped pork, smoked sausage, chopped chicken and the original homemade sweet, tangy sauce — hasn’t changed. “It’s not the only way to do barbecue, but it’s the way it’s always been done at Ken’s,” said owner Mike Nguyen, who was first
Ken’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que 8156 Gadsden Highway - Trussville Phone: 508-5506 Facebook: Ken’s BBQ Hours: Monday-Thursday 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday-Saturday 5:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Left: The staff at the new Ken’s BBQ in Trussville pause for a quick group photo during their opening week. Photo by Ron Burkett.
introduced to the restaurant as a customer more than a decade ago. “We’ve learned to expect what people want, and a lot of the old-timers don’t want change, so for me, if it don’t break, don’t fix it.” Nguyen, who previously did nails for a
living, moved to the Birmingham area from Vietnam in 1983 at the age of 15. He came to the U.S. by himself with only $50 and a ring his mother gave him. A 1987 graduate of Gardendale High School, Nguyen worked as a server and cook at restaurants in the past,
leaving him with a love for cooking, especially barbecue and Southern food. “I love what I do. I’ve always loved the barbecue business,” said Nguyen. “It’s a lot of hard work and dedication. I believe this is a great country, and I’ve been blessed.”
CAHABAS U N.CO M
When Nguyen bought Ken’s on Sept. 30, 2010, the lunch and dinner menu included pork, chicken, sausage, ribs (once a week) and three sides (french fries, slaw and baked beans). Today, with prices ranging from $3.85 to $10.50, there are 14 sandwich or burger options, 11 plate options and nine sides. The menu also adds the Redneck sauce and Redneck White sauce to its original sauce. Ken’s to-go menu also includes family value meals, meat by the pound and homemade banana pudding and pies (lemon, coconut, peanut butter and chocolate). “We had to keep up with the Southern hospitality. That’s what the people want,” Nguyen said. After revamping the menu, Nguyen expanded with the opening of the Oneonta location in 2012 and now Trussville in 2015. “The whole demographic was originally in the Pinson area, but it has grown tremendously. So many of the original and early customers have relocated to the Trussville, Clay, Argo and Springville area,” Nguyen said. “Highway 11 is always busy and this building came up. It was a risk taking, because it’s out in the middle of nowhere, but 79 is the same way, and we have had a good crowd.” When patrons pull up to Ken’s, located next door to Trussville Fire Station 3, they are greeted by a flying pig on the
NOVEMBER 2015 | A13
mailbox. The 80-seat restaurant has 30 parking spots out front with overflow parking at The Church at Trussville off Mary Munger Road. Special parking spots are reserved for “World’s Best Grandpa,” Auburn and Alabama fans, Ford tractors, NASCAR fans and Elvis fans. Picnic tables and rocking chairs are available outside next to dinosaurs and pigs for the kids, and the barn-red building is garnished with antique dinner bells on each corner. The parking spots match the interior decorations, which range from Auburn and Alabama football photos and paintings, historic photos from around Trussville and Birmingham and a giant American flag with military tributes painted on one wall. A logo of four pigs, painted above the counter, is symbolic of Nguyen’s family of four. However, the best dining room feature is the people, Nguyen says. It’s not uncommon to see a familiar face eating breakfast or lunch at the Trussville location — someone guests may remember sitting on one of the original 12 barstools at the Highway 79 location back when it opened. “It’s a little like going back in time. Places like this are rare,” wrote Charles B. of Birmingham in a Yelp.com review. “I highly recommend Ken’s for breakfast.”
Sheriff to speak at chamber luncheon By CHRIS MEGGINSON
J
efferson County Sheriff Mike Hale will be the featured speaker at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s November luncheon for the second consecutive year. The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Trussville Civic Center. Hale will speak shortly after the noon lunch. The event is sponsored by Jimmie Hale Mission. “We’re honored to have Sheriff Hale join us. He is someone the people like and our members like. They love to hear what he has to say,” said Diane Poole, executive director of the chamber of commerce. Hale, a Trussville area resident, is a 42-year law enforcement veteran and is serving in his 13th year as sheriff. Last November, Hale won 55 percent of the vote to defeat Democrat challenger Wallace Anger, Jr. He joined Mel Bailey and Holt McDowell as the only individuals to be elected Jefferson County sheriff five times. Hale was first elected to the office in 1998, defeating incumbent Jim Woodard by 37 votes. The election was overturned by a recount and upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court in November 1999. Hale’s consecutive years of service as sheriff began in January 2003 after defeating Woodard again in 2002.
Chamber of Commerce November Luncheon WHEN: Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Trussville Civic Center COST: $17 per person CONTACT: 655-7535 Prior to Hale’s talk at the November meeting, attendees will be invited to participate in a 30-minute network development time. Members and guests are encouraged to bring business cards to exchange with the estimated 80-100 individuals expected to attend. The chamber will also honor its monthly Customer Service Award winners. Lunch will be catered by Sherry’s Café and Catering, which is located on Valley Road. Door prizes will also be given away. To register for the luncheon, visit trussvillechamber. com or contact Tessa Kirk by phone at 6557535 or email tessa.kirk@trussvillechamber. com. Cost is $17 and can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Online registration will close Monday, Nov. 16, but the chamber office will accept registration by phone until noon Tuesday, Nov. 17. All nonmembers must pay in advance. The address for the Trussville Civic Center is 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.
As Trussville as it gets.
Advertise with us, and tell your story to all of Trussville. matthew@starnespublishing.com | 205-313-1780
A14 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Left: Children look at displays of the artifacts found at HewittTrussville Stadium and around Alabama after a presentation to the Trussville Historical Society on the early cultures of the area. Above: These projectile points, likely used for arrows or spears, were among the artifacts uncovered at the current site of the stadium. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.
The land before Trussville Artifacts from archaic camps uncovered at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium on display By SYDNEY CROMWELL
O
n fall Friday nights, the rumble of Husky feet can be heard from the Hewitt-Trussville Stadium, but they’re just the latest in thousands of years of feet treading that ground. Situated near Hewitt-Trussville High School and the Trussville Civic Center, the stadium site is ideal for football games and other school events. Its high ground and proximity to the Cahaba River, however, made the area a temporary or permanent home for different people groups for at least 8,000 years, according to Matthew Gage, the director of the University of Alabama Office of Archaeological Research. “A lot of people don’t realize the antiquity of Alabama,” Gage said in a presentation to the Trussville Historical Society on Oct. 15. “It’s amazing what we can learn about people from what they left behind.” The stadium location has been known as a possible archaeological site since the 1990s, but Gage’s department wasn’t called in to investigate until work was set to begin on the stadium in 2012. The team’s initial testing showed that there was far more than a few arrowheads left in the soil. “When we began to see stains in the soil
associated with fire hearths, storage pits, and post molds, we knew the site was going to be very interesting,” Gage said. In their excavations, the university team found that this Trussville site had been occupied repeatedly since the Early Archaic period, around 8,000 years ago, up to the present day. Those uses had ranged from temporary camps along migration routes to long-term homes with buildings near the riverbank. “This site represents a series of occupations that are relatively small,” Gage said. “What we are seeing is the daily life of the standard person living at that time.” Gage and fellow archaeologist Joel Watkins said they have found projectile weapons, tools, toys, jewelry and pottery remnants at the site. Some of the weapons date before the invention of the bow and arrow, when the natives of Trussville would have used spears to hunt. “We can tell all of this, not just by looking at the artifacts left behind, but by where and how they were left. That information is one of the reasons that we try so hard to make sure people understand how important it is to preserve archaeological sites and not just dig them up without considering how much information they are destroying in the process,” Gage said. Arrowheads are frequent finds not just in
Trussville, but at archaeological sites around the region. However, Watkins and Gage said that not every sharpened, triangular stone was the point of a weapon. People sometimes find scraping tools and stone debris from carving other objects and misidentify them as arrow or spear heads. Gage said a microscopic analysis can reveal a stone’s purpose by showing the materials that touched it. In one interesting discovery, the archaeological team found the remains of an oven with a cooked deer haunch still inside. “Which brings up the question – why was it still there?” Watkins said. Gage said it’s likely something unusual caused people to quickly abandon the site, leaving their cooked food behind, but there’s no way to tell what the cause was. The archaeological site can answer some questions, but not others. Gage said they don’t know what type of homes the early inhabitants of Trussville built, or what would prompt them to leave. They also don’t know how those early groups would identify themselves or connect to historically recognized tribes, as many oral stories of these people have been lost. Some may be connected to the Creek tribe, which Gage said are the earliest documented Trussville residents. Others However, what the University of Alabama team can tell is that the early people of Trussville were all about trade. Some of them were coming to Trussville as a new frontier, bringing knowledge and materials from the
places they left behind. Once they settled, those connections stayed strong. The types of stone and materials found at the site can be traced to locations around the state and even further westward. The residents of Trussville were a small part of a larger trade network of groups across the country. “People aren’t isolated,” Gage said. “This site shows that interaction.” “It was an amazing trade network that was occurring,” Watkins said. Some of those trade partners were more like neighbors. Gage said archaeological sites have been uncovered around Trussville that show similar patterns of habitation. One Watkins mentioned at the Trussville Historical Society meeting was an occupation on the site of the Trussville Walmart at the Colonial Promenade. Now that the University of Alabama has finished its historical analysis, Gage said there has been interest in creating a display of the artifacts at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium to remind Husky fans about the “rich cultural heritage” that surrounds them. “People have been living in Trussville for at least 12,000 years. That’s enough time for people to have lived and walked over just about every corner of the City. They left behind trash and other evidence of their existence that tells us a lot about who they were and what they were doing,” Gage said. “If we can carefully examine some of those archaeological sites, features, and artifacts we can learn an incredible amount about Alabama’s history and prehistory.”
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A15
6801 Cahaba Valley Road,1/4 South of Hwy 280 205-980-4471 renaissanceconsignment.com
Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace is a unique showroom offering over 9,000 square feet of new and consigned bridal, formal wear, clothing, and accessories. Renaissance brings designer fashions and formals to you at incredible prices. Designers such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Free People, Chico's, and J.Crew to name a few cover the shelves and clothing racks of the high-end consignment. The boutique is constantly receiving new merchandise, remaining in sync with current trends!
Shop with us. Consign with us.
Call to make an appointment
Christmas Smiles for Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Renaissance will have a wishlist of children currently at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama from November 16th through December 11th. Help grant the wishes of children this Holiday season. See our Facebook page for more information.
A16 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Crafter finds calm in making jewelry By JUNE MATTHEWS Like most families with school-age kids, the Blount family is a busy one. Mom Amy is an accountant who sings in the church choir. Dad David recently started his own law practice. The kids — 15-year-old James, 12-yearold Dawson and 6-year-old Sophie — attend three different schools and are each involved in church, sports and other activities. Rare is the day that the Trussville residents aren’t headed multiple places at multiple times with duties like homework, shopping, laundry and transportation required as well. The daily whirlwind, however, hasn’t kept Amy from pursuing a jewelry-making hobby, which has evolved into a home business she calls Beloved Creations. But finding time for it means some adjustments on her family’s part, as well as a bit of sleep
Amy Blount has taught herself to make jewelry using beads, leather, metal and other materials. Photo courtesy of Amy Blount.
deprivation on hers. “I stay up late a lot,” she said, “and I don’t clean house or cook that much right now. David knows I love making jewelry, and he’s
seen me make making money with it, so he’s very helpful.” It all began when her oldest child was still an only and taking Sunday afternoons
naps. Amy, who grew up watching her grandmother craft and had always enjoyed making things herself, saw in those quiet afternoons some time for crafting. She also
CAHABAS U N.CO M
loved jewelry, once working as a diamond counter for a local jewelry store. “It sounds a lot cooler than it was,” she said. “There would be some little bitty diamonds, and they’d have to be counted for putting in settings.” Those near-invisible gems, however, left an impression. Amy chose jewelry making as her Sunday afternoon diversion and has been churning out beautiful pieces ever since. She uses a variety of materials in her designs and is always open to trying something new. “I do a lot of leather because I like the texture of it,” she said. “I also do a lot of beadwork. That’s what I started working with at the very beginning.” She’s now learning about coloring metal, a process she’s dabbled in before, and wants to start working with precious metal clay, a material derived from putting metal in a kiln and burning off the epoxy that holds it together. Amy recently received a kiln as a gift and is now
NOVEMBER 2015 | A17
working up the courage to use it. “Except for a bit [at a workshop], I’ve never worked with a kiln. So I need enough time to go slow and learn how to use it without burning the house down or setting the cat on fire,” she said. Amy sells her jewelry in craft shows, to friends and on Facebook. Her next big show will be the Trussville Historical Society’s Everything Christmas event in November, where she expects her best-sellers to be — as usual — all kinds of bracelets. “I do a lot of earrings, too, as well as necklaces and rings, but bracelets are what I do more of because that seems to be what people look for,” she said. Regardless of the item, however, each one has a place in her heart. “Every piece of jewelry is a beloved creation, and it’s hard for me to let go of it,” she said. “Every piece is something that I would want to wear, and I want people to love it as much as I do.”
Blount sells her jewelry at craft fairs and online. She makes rings, necklaces and earrings, but her most popular items are bracelets. Photos courtesy of Amy Blount.
A18 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
TRUSSVILLE NIGHT OUT The third annual National Night Out for Trussville was Oct. 6 at the Target parking lot off U.S. 11. The night out event is a chance for Trussville police and emergency personnel to talk to residents, especially children, about crime prevention, drug awareness and safety. Several emergency vehicles were on-site, including police cruisers and motorcycles, fire engines and armored vehicles. The Hewitt-Trussville Huskies and McGruff the Crime Dog were there, as well as demonstrations of fire safety, disaster preparedness and emergency medical skills. National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, and co-sponsored locally by the city of Trussville, Target and Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club. — Photos by Ron Burkett.
Above: Trussville resident Izzy Nero, age 6, went to “jail” as part of National Night Out on Oct. 6. Right: Emergency personnel demonstrate CPR on the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies.
Police and fire vehicles were parked at Trussville’s National Night Out in October for the public to see.
Mascots including a Ninja Turtle, McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the fire safety dog were on hand to teach children about drug and crime prevention.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A19
Sports HTHS finishes strong in Husky Challenge By ERIK HARRIS
Behind three top-four finishers, the Hewitt-Trussville cross-country team capped off a strong outing at its 24th annual Husky Challenge on Oct. 17. Head coach David Dobbs’ boys finished fourth as a team, while the girls posted a fifth-place finish. For the boys, Benjamin Knox and John Ngaruiya set the pace for the Huskies and all but one of the runners in the overall field. Knox stopped the clock at 16:14.79 to take the silver medal. Ngaruiya crossed the finish line less than a second later to claim third place out of 118 runners. Oak Mountain’s Cole Stidfole wasn’t looking for a photo finish, ending his run over 17 seconds before anyone else. For the girls, Marlee Mason finished fourth out of 93 runners. She was easily Hewitt-Trussville’s fastest female athlete, ending the run at 19:15.39. The weather was very agreeable for distance runners, and Mason feasted on the opportunity. “It felt amazing because it’s been a while since I’ve been in the top 10,” said Mason. “I
Kylee Glenn, one of the HTHS cross-country runners, runs the Jesse Owens Classic prior to the Husky Challenge. Photo by J.R. Tidwell.
think the elements were just perfect today with the cold weather. It helps you run a lot faster, and I just told myself that I was either going to win it or I was going to get really close to it.” Mason credits her quick time to a strong
start. “It was a fast start (for me), and I just kind of held that pace, because the top girls are really competitive, and you just have to stay on their shoulder,” she said. While Knox is pleased with his No. 2
overall finish, he isn’t thrilled with his willingness to allow Stidfole to push him out of a “smart” run. “I feel like I raced pretty hard, tried to stick with that No. 1 guy and probably got a little too excited getting out,” said Knox. “Should’ve ran a smarter race, but it was a rough course, definitely going to be fast after a few runs on it.” Alterations had been made to the running path prior to the Husky Challenge that made the course a challenge. “You have your good race pace, and you’re going around the course and small hills over on to where the start is, those sort of stop the pace,” said Knox. Austin Atkinson and Hunter Thomason worked through those inclines to post timely runs of their own. Atkinson finished his run at No. 17, and Thomason came through at 21st. In the girls race, a group of three Hewitt-Trussville runners came passing through over 2 minutes after Mason ended her run. Sydney Hall (30th) led that wave of Huskies runners, stopping the time at 21:34.47. Kylie Purdy came through at No. 32, and Olivia Bland came through at No. 37.
A20 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Students ride in the homecoming parade. Photo courtesy of Kishia Locke.
Above: Cheerleaders pump up the crowd during the homecoming pep rally. Below: Students show off tie-dyed T-shirts during dress-up day. Photos courtesy of Kishia Locke.
HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE
Homecoming 2015
Lucy Rinehuls was named Homecoming Queen at the Oct. 9 football game. Photo by Ron Burkett/Principle Portrait Group.
The Homecoming parade was filled with student-decorated floats preparing for the game against Thompson High School. Photo courtesy of Kishia Locke.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A21
A member of the Clay-Chalkville band lets students try out her drums. Photo by Ron Burkett.
CLAY-CHALKVILLE
Homecoming 2015
Above: CCHS football players pose with Chalkville Elementary students as part of a homecoming pep rally. Photo by Ron Burkett. Left: Donte Benford and Mercedes Clay were named the 2015 homecoming king and queen for Clay-Chalkville High School. Photo courtesy of Emily Burkett.
CCHS cheerleaders march during a pep rally at Chalkville Elementary. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Students wear animal-themed attire for Wild Wednesday. Photo by Chaney Williams.
Football players greet elementary students as part of a homecoming week pep rally. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Two CCHS students dress alike for Twin Day. Photo by Chaney Williams.
A22 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Above: A Hewitt-Trussville cheerleader gets a ride as she gets ready to toss a miniature football into the crowd. Left: Huskies quarterback Zac Thomas takes off for a big gain against Tuscaloosa County. Photos by Ron Burkett.
HTHS FOOTBALL IN PICTURES
The 215-member Husky Marching Band, under the direction of Scott Waid, performs.
Parker Colburn kicks off for Hewitt-Trussville.
Running back Jarrion Street breaks free against Tuscaloosa County.
Halftime is full of entertainment as the Husky Marching Band, left, puts on a colorful show and the Highsteppers, above, give a crowd-pleasing performance.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A23
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
What to know about roofing We asked roofing specialist Gerry Rotter of EZ Roof what homeowners should be aware of regarding roofs.
Q A
What advice would you give to someone thinking about replacing his/her roof?
Talk to a professional. Find someone who is fully licensed and insured, with experience and a good reputation. Always use a company that is rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau. Remember, if you have any warranty issues that arise, you want a company that will be around, that you can find years down the road. Look up the address of the business using Google Earth. Choose a company with a brick-andmortar business, not one operating out of a basement. Find reviews and ask for references. The biggest thing – ask questions. Your roofing contractor should be knowledgeable about products and solutions for your individual project. Also, ask about warranties. What extended warranties can you provide? What is your labor warranty?
Q A
What are some signs that you need a new roof?
One sign is if you notice your shingles are curled, cracked or missing, or you find shingles on the ground. Age is also a big factor. If your roof is at least 20 years old, you may need a new roof. Are your neighbors getting new roofs? Homes built around
the same time period and in the same location will experience the same types of weather conditions and natural wear. Did your neighborhood experience a hail storm or high winds? You may have damage that is covered under your homeowner’s insurance. When in doubt, call a professional roofer to give you a free consultation. A roofing professional can tell you how much life is left in your roof, if there is storm damage worthy of a filing a claim, and what action is recommended. Be careful though. There are groups that I refer to as “storm- chasers” that just go after insurance claims and encourage you to file a claim, whether there is one or not! This can increase your rates. Make sure you are talking to someone that has your best interest in mind, and is willing to work with your adjuster on your behalf.
Q A
Why should a homeowner choose EZ Roof as his/her roofing contractor?
EZ Roof is locally owned and operated and has been in business for over 10 years. We are fully licensed and insured, and have worker’s compensation and general liability. EZ Roof has a full-time crew, which means we do not subcontract out our roofing jobs. You will always be getting someone reliable, professional and experienced on your job. We also make payment easy. We do not collect anything up front, but rather upon completion and satisfaction of the job. Financing is also offered to help with the upfront expense of a new roof. We pride ourselves on our
reputation and treating our customers like we would our own family members. We make things easy – We come to you, and we work with your schedule. Our project managers will gladly meet you before or after work. We also have a brick-and-morter business, located in Birmingham that includes a showroom where you can view real samples of the products we use. You can always put a face to the
EZ Roof name. I encourage you to look us up and read our reviews. EZ Roof is top rated on professional roofing sites, has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has an A rating with Angie’s List. For more information on EZ Roof, call 968-1034 or visit ez-roofer.com.
A24 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
BUILT BY BROWN
Clay-Chalkville coach guides team from winless seasons to championships
By ERIK HARRIS
Kardasia Hitchcock bent down to touch the blue paint on the baseline of the ClayChalkville High School gymnasium. She wasn’t there to stay, as that would be too easy. Instead, she rose up, sweat dripping from her game jersey, only to repeat the process on the other end. Hitchcock, along with the rest of the Cougars’ varsity volleyball team, was running back-and-forths at the tail end of a Class 6A, Area 12 blowout victory over Pinson Valley in October. Why? Because there’s a promise to keep — a promise that just four years ago was born under the eyes of skeptics. Hitchcock and four of her teammates — Anastasia Brackin, Briana Brown, Lexie Payne and Jaszia Bowie — who now make up the 2016 senior volleyball class weren’t so sure when they first met their head coach as ninth-graders. “When I first met her, I really didn’t do anything that she said, we were just like, ‘What are you saying?’” said Hitchcock. Those five athletes came from humble beginnings on the hardwood. In the fall of 2011, they endured a winless season
Clay-Chalkville volleyball coach Natasha Brown is in her second year as head coach. Photo by Erik Harris.
to conclude their middle school careers, sending the group into high school with an elementary understanding of success. The coach challenged with the task of changing their mindset and inserting
a winning mentality into a struggling freshman class was Natasha Brown. Brown brought with her a coaching methodology that seemed “wrong” to her players, at least at first.
“When she [Brown] came, it was a whole different ballgame,” said Bowie. “We were like, ‘We don’t like this lady; there’s something wrong with her.’ Then we started winning.” “They met me in July [2012] and it was sort of a shock for them, because of how passionate I was, how loud I am, but they knew that I had high expectations,” said Brown. “They knew that they were going to work hard.” In the midst of all the sweat-stained practices of 2012, Brown made her girls a promise. “I guaranteed them that, not only would they win a game, they would win several games,” said Brown, who eventually led those freshmen to a 22-6 season. It didn’t take long for the players to buy into what their high-intensity coach was selling. After winning the 2012 Husky Challenge tournament hosted by HewittTrussville, the girls knew there was method to Brown’s madness. Their approach went from questioning to believing. “When we met her, we had never had a coach that was on us or hard, so it was kind of hard to adapt, but then we started winning and we got with it,” said Hitchcock, who has
“
CAHABAS U N.CO M
gone on to record over 900 kills and over 1,000 digs in her prep career. As the junior varsity program grew stronger under Brown’s order, the school decided to promote her up to varsity after two years. She made the move up to varsity at the same time Hitchcock, Brackin, Briana Brown, Payne and Bowie did, and the relationship only grew from there. “I see where [Brown’s] coming from because she wants us to be great, but now that I’m a senior and I’ve been here for four years, I’m used to it and I know what she expects,” said Briana. Brown replaced Jeanine Hannah as the head varsity coach prior to last season. “I learned a lot from [Hannah],” said Brown. “She established a good foundation, and I’m just trying to keep that history going.” Since Brown and the girls that she now refers to as her “babies” jumped up to the varsity level together, winning championships has become the expectation for Clay-Chalkville. Together, Brown and her girls have recorded back-to-back Jefferson County championships along with a perfect 12-0 mark in Area 12 play. “It’s an emotional time for me. It’s a pivotal time for me, because after this game, it’s playoffs and it’s just a matter of win or go home,” said Brown prior to her team’s sweep of Pinson Valley. “I’m expecting a lot from this group.” Despite their success, the seniors aren’t satisfied with their past. They want a little
NOVEMBER 2015 | A25
I love Coach Brown. She’s hard on us, and that’s what makes us win and compete better.
Clay-Chalkville senior Briana Brown delivers a kill against Pinson Valley earlier this season. Photo by Erik Harris.
more in these final games. “Our goal is to make it to the Birmingham CrossPlex [for the state tournament], and we’re just going to keep fighting until we get there,” said Payne. One thing that will make the fight winnable for the Cougars is the bevy of experience provided by this senior class, who have been playing together at the school and club level since seventh grade. “They have good chemistry, they definitely
know what to expect from one another and they play off one another,” said Brown. “Collectively, I consider them to be a very passionate group, so they communicate and they spend time off the court, so that helps with their chemistry as well.” Brackin is the only senior that has missed significant time with this group, but her junior year in Enterprise wasn’t long enough to break a bond that’s been built over time. “I know how to set my players, because
”
LEXIE PAYNE
they’re all different players and each one of them likes something different than the other one,” said Brackin. “We basically grew up together, so we all have a bond. We’re just like one big family.” In a sport where communication is at a premium, Clay-Chalkville’s senior leadership gives it a chance to do some special things. From players understanding one another to players understanding their high-minded head coach, the Cougars rarely lose their grip on the “correct way” of doing things. “If you don’t communicate, you won’t be able to score points the correct way,” said Briana. “There’s no way you can possibly win a game against an adequate opponent without communicating.” As soon as that communication breaks down and focus is lost, it’s back down for another trip to the blue paint, and that drives this group of five to succeed both on and off the court. “I love Coach Brown. She’s hard on us, and that’s what makes us win and compete better,” said Payne.
A26 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Students band together for animal rescue By ERICA TECHO
F
riends know Kimberly Swann-Carter as the “guilty puppy picture lady” because of the adoptable animal posts she has on Facebook. Swann-Carter is also a teacher at HewittTrussville Middle School, and when she had to create a student club last year, she chose one centered on animal rescue. Now, around 30 students meet two times a week to discuss how to rescue an animal and help those in need. Erica Ross, an eighth-grader at HTMS, said she wanted to join the club to help animals in a hands-on way. “I like this club because we get to have the ideas of how, if we were in a situation, to do an animal rescue,” Erica said. Swann-Carter invites students to discuss times when they rescued animals or helped out a stray during club meetings. She also provides advice for rescues, emphasizing safety and proper communication with parents. “My goals are to save more animals,” said seventh-grader Ella Weissgerber. “I mainly see them when I’m in the car, and it’s sometimes hard to get my mom to stop for them.” Swann-Carter said students should understand their parents make the final
The HTMS Animal Rescue Club includes about 30 students and meets twice a week to discuss how to rescue or aid animals in need. Photo by Erica Techo.
decision on stopping the car to help an animal or keeping a stray after it is rescued. “Because I am the adult, I can choose to take the dog and keep it at my house for a while,” Swann-Carter said. There is a large stray dog population in the area, Swann-Carter said, because spay and neuter laws are not strict. Sometimes, she will see several dogs on the way to school, and she tries to help animals
whenever possible. “I wanted to join to help the animal population because the population is going up,” said sixth-grader Ayannah Parrish. In addition to rescues, students learn local resources they can use to help animals. Animal control, for example, can help rescue animals or intervene in situations of neglect. Seventh-grader Brian Thompson said he
helped rescue a dog that was wandering near HTMS and got the dog home to its owner. “It felt pretty good to know the dog was safe and the students were safe and not scared,” Brian said. There are three club sessions each school year, and students rank their top five choices before being placed. Some students choose to remain in one club after a session ends, while others will transition to a new club. Some of the Animal Rescue Club’s current students were members in May, when the group raised $501 for Rotties & Notties, an animal rescue organization in Moody. The students got donations through a pie-in-the-face contest. The donation was the largest check Rotties & Notties had received to date. “It felt good to help an animal rescue out and feel like you’re saving animals,” said repeat member Blake Parish. Meredith Mitchell, who is also a repeat member, said her goal is to raise more money than they did last year. This year, the club is accepting donations and asking businesses to sponsor a homeroom donation contest. Non-students can also help the club by donating. Swann-Carter said community members can drop off donations, such as food, toys or even old towels, at HTMS and they will get the supplies to shelters or organizations in need.
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A27
School House POPSICLE PARTY
September was Alabama Attendance Awareness Month, and Paine Elementary decided to use this as a time to increase understanding for educators, parents, students and the community of the major impact school attendance has on student success. Paine Elementary Campus decided to reward all students who had perfect attendance in September with a popsicle
party at the beginning of October. To have perfect attendance, a student must be at school all day, every day, with no check-ins, or checkouts. They were also given award ribbons that say, “It’s cool not to miss school.” Paine also has celebrations of perfect attendance each trimester and for the year as a whole. — Submitted by Sandra Vernon.
A28 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
HTHS National Merit honors
Junior represents HTHS in science/tech
Husky Band gets superior ratings
T
he 215 members of the Hewitt-Trussville Marching Husky Band gave an outstanding performance in October at the Southern Hospitality Marching Festival in Hartselle. Band director Scott Waid said all units of the band received superior ratings. The dance line, color guard, percussion and band were awarded Best in Class. Additionally, the color guard received the Dexter Greenhaw Award for highest score of the day, and the Husky Band received the Challenge Cup overall. — Submitted by Sandra Vernon.
HTHS had several students receive National Merit honors this year. Left to right: Garland Shorter, Commended Student; Nick Romano, Commended Student; Maggie McBride, National Merit Semifinalist; Ivy Null, Commended Student; Cortland Bonds, National Merit Semifinalist; John Carver, Commended Student. Photo courtesy of Sandra Vernon.
HTHS junior Roger Huber represented the Huskies and the state of Alabama at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts, this summer. Photo courtesy of Sandra Vernon.
POWER TO
THE CRAFT Jason Wilson, Founder Back Forty Beer Company
© 2015 Alabama Power Company
Safe, affordable, reliable electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. For the Back Forty Beer Company, it’s helping them lead the way for craft beer in Alabama. With a lot of hard work, vision and a little help from Alabama Power to make their facility and processes efficient, Back Forty is proving that a local dream can turn into an amazing reality. That’s power to build on your passion. That’s Power to Alabama.
AlabamaPower.com
POWI-3874 P2Craft 9.5x5.77_CahabaSun_2015.indd 1
10/23/15 3:57 PM
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A29
Members of the HTMS eighth-grade football team attended their annual banquet and received recognition for their talents during the season. Photo courtesy of Sandra Vernon.
Members of the Hewitt-Trussville High School Marching Husky Band stand in formation during a performance. Photo courtesy of Sandra Vernon.
HTHS band hits high note at competition The Hewitt-Trussville High School Marching Husky Band had a great performance in the JSU Contest of Champions on Oct. 17. All units of the band received superior ratings. The color guard, dance line and band received Best in Class awards. The Husky Band was awarded both the highest visual and highest general effect scores of the day. It was also awarded the David L. Walters Grand Champion Award for overall highest scoring band of the day out of 28 bands from around the Southeast. — Submitted by Sandra Vernon.
Football standouts honored at banquet The eighth-grade Hewitt-Trussville Middle School football team held its annual banquet in October. Some students received special awards, including:
► Most Valuable Player: Malachi Moore ► Offensive Player of the Year: Keith Lanum ► Defensive Player of the Year:
Johnathon Moore ► Most Improved: Garen Nowell ► Special Teams Player of the Year: Connor Cantwell — Submitted by Sandra Vernon.
TWO HANDS ARE
ALWAYS BETTER THAN ONE The Trussville Tribune and Starnes Publishing have partnered to bring you the Cahaba Sun, Trussville’s monthly publication with stories, photos, and more about the people, places, and things that matter to you most. The Cahaba Sun...as Trussville as it gets.
A30 | NOVE MBER 20 1 5
CAHABASUN.COM
Calendar Trussville Community Events Oct. 31: Maple Leaf Run. 8 a.m. Trussville Mall. The annual race winds through the city streets, with the 5K beginning at 8 a.m. and kids’ run at 9 a.m. Costumes are encouraged, with a prize for the best one. Call 655-7535.
Nov. 20-21: Everything Christmas Arts and Crafts show. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. The crafts show will feature local artisans. Email everythingchristmas@hotmail.com for more information.
Nov. 2: Board of Education meeting. 7 p.m. 113 North Chalkville Rd.
Nov. 24: City Council meeting. 6 p.m. 131 Main St.
Nov. 3: Business After Hours. 5-7 p.m. Southern Magnolia Gifts. Join the chamber of commerce for networking, community connections and refreshments. Visit trussvillechamber.com. Nov. 9: Planning and Zoning meeting. 6 p.m. 131 Main St.
Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Break. Trussville City Schools closed. Nov. 2: Chris Thile, mandolinist. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $33.50-$54.50. Visit alysstephens.org/chris-thile.
Nov. 14: Blow Away 5K. 8 a.m. Trussville Mall. The 5K and 1-mile Elf Fun Run has a new flat course this year, with proceeds benefiting research and education about cystic fibrosis. The Alabama Friends of Cystic Fibrosis are hosting the race and will provide refreshments, music, a photo booth, hair painting and a visit from the Chick-fil-A cow. Visit blowaway5k.com. Nov. 19: Trussville Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. The speaker will be Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale, and Jimmie Hale Mission is the presenting sponsor. Register online through Nov. 16, or by calling 655-7535 through noon on Nov. 17. Luncheon fee is $17 payable by cash, check or credit card. Visit trussvillechamber.com. Nov. 19: Zoning Adjustment Board meeting. 7 p.m. 131 Main St.
Nov. 7-8: Moss Rock Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Preserve, Hoover. Explore nature, eco-ideas, art and design at Alabama’s premier eco-creative festival now in its 10th year. Free admission. Parking and shuttle will take place at the Hoover Met. Visit MossRockFestival.com. Nov. 9-11: Free zoo admission for veterans. Birmingham Zoo. Free admission for active and retired military personnel and their dependents with military ID card. Visit birminghamzoo.com. Nov. 11-21: “SFB.” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-14 and 18-21. Alys Stephens Center. Play. $15. Call 975-2787.
Area Events
Nov. 10: City Council meeting. 6 p.m. 131 Main St. Nov. 11: Veterans Day. Trussville City Schools closed.
Nov. 7: Hope for the Holidays. 9 a.m.-noon. Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Free program for people who have experienced the death of a loved one and are dreading the upcoming holiday season. For reservations, call 870-8667.
Nov. 3: Corporate Golf Day. 10:30 a.m. Greystone Country Club Founders Course. Golf clinic, golf shotgun, lunch and prizes. $195 per player, $695 per foursome. Register at greystonecc.com/corporategolfday. Nov. 4: Fred Gray, civil rights attorney. 6:30 p.m. Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th St. S. Free and open to the public. Visit highlandsumc.net/faj. Nov. 6: South Highland Presbyterian Holiday Market. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 2035 Highland Ave. S. Visit southhighland.org. Nov. 6: Ben Rector with Judah & The Lion. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Call 252-2262. Nov. 6: The Greatest Holiday Lighting on Earth. 6 p.m. Riverchase Galleria. Visit riverchasegalleria.com/events.
Trussville
Nov. 13: George Benson. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $64.50-$89.50. Call 975-2787. Nov. 13: A Salute to the Armed Forces. 8 p.m. Wright Center at Samford University. Alabama Symphony Orchestra. $22.50-$57.50. Call 975-2787. Nov. 14: Hope for the Holidays. 9 a.m.-noon. Trinity United Methodist Church. Free program for people who have experienced the death of a loved one and are dreading the upcoming holiday season. For reservations, call 870-8667. Nov. 19-21: Market Noel. 9 a.m. Cahaba Grand Conference Center. The Junior League of Birmingham is celebrating 25 years of Market Noel, which features over 100 vendors from across the country. Ticket sales support the JLB’s community projects. There will be a Nov. 18 preview party at 7 p.m. with drinks, refreshments, music and a silent auction. Shopping starts at 9 a.m. the rest of the weekend, which includes a Girls Night Out feature and fashion show. Visit marketnoel.net or buy tickets at the door.
6705 Mossy Oak Cove
Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
732203
35173
6705 Mossy Oak Cove
New
$289,900
732535
35173
8169 Carrington Drive
New
$419,900
732386
35173
6166 Longmeadow Court
New
$250,000
732327
35173
5262 Stockton Pass
New
$327,000
732204
35173
8061 Advent Cutoff Road
New
$279,900
732147
35173
209 Linn Drive #3
New
$359,900
732073
35173
209 Mountain Drive
New
$98,000
732026
35173
6536 Winslow Drive
New
$399,900
731977
35173
8463 Scott Drive
New
$489,000
731833
35173
7511 Lake Vista Drive
New
$330,000
732048
35173
8037 Caldwell Drive
New
$329,900
731827
35173
3140 Trace Way
New
$215,000
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Oct. 27. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
8037 Caldwell Drive
CAHABAS U N.CO M
NOVEMBER 2015 | A31
John Hardy and Dot Collection are Registered Trademarks.
Artisan-Crafted Dot Collection
Fall 2015 Trunk Show Wednesday, November 18th 10am–5pm The Summit Thursday, November 19th 10am–5pm Mountain Brook
20151029_Bromberg_MagAd_DotImage1.indd 1
Account Name
BROMBERG
Publication Name
-
Color
4 COLOR
Image Selection
DOT 1
10/29/15 11:04 AM