Homewood Star November 2023

November 2023 | Volume 14 | Issue 6

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AL#12175

Plans for a new ‘Pig’ Customers eager for new store, but same employees

Liberty Park resident Gerrick Wilkins seeks to unseat U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer in upcoming election.

GUINSERVICE.COM

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

A

ndrea Snyder remembers her daughter Dylan’s ninth birthday and her plan to pick up balloons at a Publix grocery store.

Dylan had other ideas.

“She cried about it and said, ‘I want to go to The Pig and get them,’” Snyder said, referencing the Piggly Wiggly grocery store that the family frequents. “I think it’s just because she knew they were going to tell her happy birthday and give her a lollipop and just make a big deal about her birthday because they knew her from going in there.

She didn’t get that same feeling at Publix.”

Not everyone gets a balloon and a lollipop on their visits to the grocery at the corner of

Oxmoor Road and U.S. 31 in Homewood.

But longtime patrons agree that they get a personal shopping experience that has kept them coming back year after year.

The Piggly Wiggly has been the subject of recent discussions in Homewood, as a developer has plans to replace the current store with a new one that will be just behind the neighboring CVS drug store and will use the same parking lot.

See PIGGLY WIGGLY | page A16

Award winner

Homewood-based Southern Veterinary Partners wins Newsweek award.

See page B1

INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 News ..................A6 Business ........... A8 Schoolhouse.... A12

Events .............. A14 Sports.................B4 Real Estate.......B12 Opinion............. B14

Sam Jolly Jr., one of the assistant store managers, bags groceries at Piggly Wiggly in Homewood on Oct. 13. Jolly has worked at the store on U.S. 31 for a total of 23 years since 1985. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Homewood Pops Community Band hits the right notes

By CARMEN SHEA BROWN

facebook.com/thehomewoodstar

The Homewood Pops community concert band meets for their first rehearsal under the direction of Chris Cooper at Homewood High School. Photo courtesy of Chris Cooper.

When Ameet Bosmia lost his father suddenly just before his freshman year at Homewood High School, he found support in an unexpected place: the Homewood High School Patriot band room. “[Director of Bands] Chris Cooper has been there for me as a father figure, a friend and mentor,” Bosmia said. “There’s a reason this is one of the leading bands in the country. Everyone — him, Ryan Murrell, Ron Pence — they’ve all made a personal investment in the lives of their students.”

Bosmia, who played the trumpet and graduated in 2007, is now a school psychologist for Trussville City Schools. Despite his busy schedule, when he heard about the new Homewood Pops Community Band, he knew he wanted to be a part of it.

See HOMEWOOD POPS | page 18

A2 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Meet Jefferson County’s New Health Officer

David Hicks, DO, MPH, FAAFP Dr. David Hicks is a boardcertified family medicine physician and served as Deputy Health Officer at the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH), where he managed clinical operations. Additionally, he served as Incident Commander for JCDH’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Before this role, he was the Medical Director of Adult Health & Family Planning.

Before working at the health department, Dr. Hicks oversaw five clinic locations as Chief Medical Officer at Birmingham Health Care. He also has provided medical care in various settings, including urgent care clinics, correctional facilities, and an academic health system. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Chairman of Alabama’s STD Medical Advisory Council, and a member of Alabama’s Rural Medical Service Awards Advisory Board. Dr. Hicks stated, “I thank God for putting me in a position to continue the legacy Dr. Wilson and the other remarkable Jefferson County Health Officers set forth. Our staff remain committed to our vision of a healthier Jefferson County for all by strengthening partnerships, engaging with communities, and promoting health equity.” Dr. Hicks is a Leadership Birmingham graduate and a member of the Freshwater Land Trust Red Rock Committee, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, and UAB School of Public Health’s Community Engagement Council, respectively. In 2021, he received the NAACP Metro Birmingham Branch’s Community Trailblazer Award.

Dr. Hicks earned a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and was a National Institutes of Health Fogarty MIRT Program research trainee at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He later earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Christiana Care Health System and served as Chief Resident. “In my free time, I enjoy fishing, doing genealogy research, reading, and cheering on my favorite sports teams,” added Dr. Hicks.

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • A3

A4 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

About Us Publisher’s Note By Dan Starnes November — the one month of the year when it is truly in vogue to practice gratitude.

When done well, experiencing gratitude is one of the most powerful and positive practices that there is. So, anytime is a good time for me to practice a little gratitude.

When I dedicate time to think of the people I’m grateful for, I find the circle can widen to a point that it is hard to know where it ends.

For me, a good place to begin is to look down the masthead on this page.

I see the names of people who work on this paper. I then see a few dozen more names of businesses that support it. I

the social channels.

If you are reading this, know that I am grateful for you and your role in making this paper a reality. Truly. It means a lot.

As always, it’s great to receive feedback, so if you want to share anything with us at all, even constructive criticism, please do.

You can reach me at dan@starnesmedia.com.

then think of the tens of thousands who read the hard copy, go to the website, subscribe to the newsletter and follow

PHOTO OF THE MONTH The Homewood Marching Band performs during halftime in a game against Pinson Valley at Willie Adams Stadium on Sept. 29 in Pinson.

Photo by Richard Force.

Publisher: Dan Starnes

Published by:

For advertising, contact:

The Homewood Star LLC P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 thehomewoodstar.com

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

Community Editors: Jon Anderson Leah Ingram Eagle Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designer: Ted Perry Production Assistant: Simeon Delante Operations Specialist: Sarah Villar Graphic Designer: Emily VanderMey

Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Craft Guild (A9) Alabama Power (B16) Amy Smith Gardner, State Farm (B10) Bedzzz Express (B1, A20) Birmingham Zoo (B12) Bromberg’s (B11) Bryant Bank (A17) Budget Blinds (A18) Children’s of Alabama (A12) Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (A10) Community Grief Support Service (A9) Cremation Center of Birmingham (B15) ENT Associates of Alabama (B13) Etc. (A11) French Drains Pro (A6) Green Springs Animal Clinic (A13) Guin Service (A1) Gunn Dermatology (A5) Homewood Chamber of Commerce (A17) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (B9) Homewood Parks and Rec (B5) Image Hive (A7) Issis & Sons (B2) Jefferson County Department of Health (A2)

Contributing Writers: Katharine Armbrester Carmen Shea Brown Solomon Crenshaw Jr. Sean Dietrich Lauren Denton Sarah Gilliland Gary Lloyd Client Success Specialist: Warren Caldwell Business Development Exec: Don Harris Business Development Rep: Madison Gaines

svillar@starnesmedia.com

Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed

to inform the Homewood community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Homewood Star is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Homewood Star. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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Medicare Advisors of Alabama (A13) Moss Rock Festival (B15) Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (A16) OLLI - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (B1) One Man & A Toolbox (A8) Outdoor Living Areas (A14) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (A8) Piggly Wiggly (A3) Renew Dermatology (A15) Shades Creek Dental (A19) Shunnarah Flooring (A6) Sikes Children’s Shoes (B10) Sims Garden (B11) SoHo Social and Social Taco (B12) Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A12) SouthPoint Bank (B9) The Cook Store (B10) The Welch Group (B7) TherapySouth Corporate (B7) TrustMark Bank (B3) United Way of Central Alabama (B14) Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (B2) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (B13) Watts Realty (B14)

Find Us The Homewood Star is distributed through direct mail to Homewood residents. You can also find copies at a variety of locations throughout the community. For a list of pick up locations, scan the QR code below or go to thehomewood star.com/about-us.

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • A5

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A6 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

City

Council passes $67.6 million budget for 2024

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR. The Homewood City Council has passed a $67.6 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2024, adding more than $400,000 to the budget submitted by Mayor Patrick McClusky in August.

McClusky offered a 3% cost of living adjustment for city employees, but the council decided to give employees a 4% bump in their pay, at a cost of $923,000.

To help balance the budget, the council cut 34 positions — 26 full-time and eight part-time — that were vacant and/or new positions that department heads had requested in fiscal 2024.

Departments will have to come back to potentially add positions on a case-by-case basis.

"Those open positions have been carried over year after year,” Councilwoman Jennifer Andress said. “They're not getting filled and we're just having them on the books, and every year they're unfilled. This has been a long time coming. This has been something we've talked about year after year, and we were at the position where we really had to do it this time to balance the budget.”

The council balanced its budget with an assist from Jefferson County, which alerted the panel of a late property tax adjustment.

“I believe it was about $700,000,” Andress said. “Cutting those positions and that adjustment that came in from the county allowed us to balance the budget.”

The council also increased revenue projections for business license fees and lodging taxes by about $500,000.

The mayor’s general fund budget proposal had $67.1 million in expenditures, which required using $700,571 from the city’s fund

Walter Jones, chairman of the Homewood City Council's Finance Committee, discusses the city's fiscal 2024 budget on Sept. 25. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

balance. Conversely, the council’s budget of almost $67.6 million now has $149,604 in reserve for contingencies and pulls no money from the fund balance.

The total fund balance as of Sept. 30, 2022, according to the audit, was almost $30 million, including unrestricted funds of $15.1 million, and city officials expect that amount to increase slightly by the end of fiscal 2023.

City officials initially anticipated employee insurance costs to rise 6.5% for fiscal 2024, but the increase ended up being only 3.5% ($107,000).

“We had substantial savings with that,” Finance Committee Chairman Walter Jones

said. “We are going to pay all of the insurance increase. We're not passing that on to employees.”

The budget also includes $365,000 for a tiered employee bonus based on length of service. The bonus could be as much as a one-time $2,000 payment for persons with 20 years of service. The bonus was made possible because the fiscal 2023 budget is expected to end with a surplus.

Employee merit pay increases will cost $538,000. Additionally, the city shouldered salary increases for public safety employees, as dictated by the Jefferson County Personnel Board. Those employees are to get a 10% pay

increase. In Homewood, employees will get a 5% raise as the fiscal year begins and an additional 5% on their anniversary date.

Meanwhile, the city’s capital projects budget for 2024 included: ► $2.8 million for the Interstate 65 diamond interchange at Lakeshore Drive ► About $1 million for new playground equipment at Central Park ► $1 million for paving streets ► $850,000 for the completion of the Green Springs Revitalization Project ► $585,000 for sidewalk construction, repairs to creek walls and stormwater improvements ► $515,000 for eight new police vehicles ► $330,000 for a pocket park behind Samford University The City Council also approved a Finance Committee recommendation to change the city’s form of government. That recommendation calls for the hiring of a city manager and the election of four ward-specific council members ,with an at-large elected mayor serving as president of the council.

“This does not have a resolution because we are not done with this item,” Council President Alex Wyatt said. “There is still a lot left to be done. All this is taking a vote so we acknowledge what path we’re headed down.”

New ward lines must be drawn, the referendum must be drafted and citizens must vote on the potential change in government. If it passes, a city manager would have to be hired.

“If that passes, we will take a good bit of time to search for a city manager,” Wyatt said.

“That will not be an easy or short task. It’s an important hire, and we will take the time that we need to get the right hire.”

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November 2023 • A7

Liberty Park resident seeks to unseat Gary Palmer in Congress

By JON ANDERSON A Vestavia Hills resident with more than 24 years in the automotive industry, Gerrick Wilkins, on Oct. 5 announced he is opposing Gary Palmer in the Republican primary for Alabama Congressional District 6 in March 2024.

The new Congressional District 6, approved by a federal court on Oct. 5, stretches from Jefferson County to Autauga County and includes Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Clay, Shelby County, most of north Jefferson County and parts of Hoover and Homewood.

Wilkins said he decided to run after Palmer earlier this year announced he would seek a sixth two-year term, breaking a promise not to serve more than 10 years.

Wilkins said he believes in term limits and not career politicians and feels that Palmer has done more talk than action and made some poor decisions that do not adequately represent Alabama values.

Wilkins said Palmer “refused to support the Parents Bill of Rights,” legislation passed by the House of Representatives in March that, among other things, would allow parents to review curriculum and inspect reading materials at their child’s school and prevent school officials from taking the place of parents in regard to giving consent for vaccinations or changing a child’s gender identification or sex-based accommodations without parental consent.

When the legislation was approved with a 213-208 vote, Palmer was one of 14 members of the House of Representatives who did not vote, according to online Congressional records.

Wilkins also criticized Palmer for advocating for spending billions of dollars to aid Ukraine in its war with Russia while the United States faces an “invasion” at its southern border.

Wilkins said government cannot overlook the pressing moral issues of the day.

“Our society faces an urgent call to safeguard the unborn, to counter child exploitation and eradicate the scourge of human trafficking that

Gerrick Wilkins of Vestavia Hills, center, talks with people at Veterans Park in Hoover on Oct. 5. He announced he is running against U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer in the March 2024 Republican primary for the Sixth Congressional District of Alabama.

Photo by Jon Anderson.

is pervading our country,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins also said he will fight for fiscal responsibility in Congress, support a balanced budget amendment and push for significant cuts to the federal bureaucracy.

He said the federal government has overstepped its bounds in regard to education. He said he plans to introduce legislation to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and allocate those tax dollars back to the state and local governments.

BACKGROUND

Wilkins grew up in New Mexico and attended Pensacola Christian College, where he met his wife, Carol. They married and moved to Virginia, where he finished his undergraduate studies in theology and his wife got her master’s degree at Liberty University.

He then began working in the automotive industry and has been in that industry for more than 24 years. Most recently, for almost five years, he has served as a broker in the sale of dealerships, closing 34 franchise dealership sales valued at more than $500 million, he said.

He and his family lived in Dallas a few years, but they have been in the Birmingham area the past 17 years, he said. His family moved to Inverness initially and then to Liberty Park in 2014. He and his wife have a 19-year-old daughter who attends the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Wilkins obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Samford University in 2016 and serves on an advisory board for Samford’s Brock School of Business. He also is on the board for Mission Increase Central Alabama, an organization that provides free coaching to

nonprofits on a Biblical approach to fundraising.

He has never run for public office before but believes his experience in business will serve him well in Congress, he said.

When asked whom he supports in the 2024 presidential election, Wilkins said he thinks any of the Republican candidates would be better than Biden.

“I voted for Trump in the last election and will likely vote for him again at this point, unless something changes between now and March,” he said. “He’s a business leader, and he’s an outsider like myself, and he’s focused on draining the swamp and getting rid of the corruption. I think it’s the career politicians that got us into this problem, and we need more business leaders like Trump in office.”

To learn more about Wilkins, visit his website at wilkinsforal.com.

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A8 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Business

Business Happenings NOW OPEN Cowlicks, a salon specializing in children’s hair services, is now open at 1923 29th Ave. S, next to Pastry Art Bake Shop and Thomas Andrew Art/Blended Bungalow.

205-747-0597, cowlickscuts.com Sasquatch Toys & Comics has opened at 145 Citation Court in Homewood. Ben Traylor and Seth Cosby have established a 2,400-square-foot operation that specializes in vintage toys and comic books. Their inventory includes GI Joe, Star Wars, Masters of the Universe and Star Trek items.

205-410-1059, instagram.com/sasquatchtoysandcomics

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

Homewood Barbershop is planning to start renovations to the outside of its building at 2724 18th St. S. next month.

205-871-7721, homewoodbarbershop.com

The Brookwood Apartment Homes, 3450 Manor Drive, have been undergoing extensive renovations since early 2023. They are investing over $7 million to maintain the upkeep and quality of the apartments by updating the exteriors of the buildings and installing new granite countertops, flooring, light fixtures and patios. The renovations are set to be done around December of this year.

205-892-5441

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Southern Veterinary Partners, headquartered at 2204 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 325, has been recognized as the U.S.’s most-loved company in health care on Newsweek’s annual Most Loved Workplace list. SVP ranks No. 22 overall among U.S. companies recognized for outstanding employee satisfaction — the top health care and only animal health organization to receive the award. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired and appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

205-453-4760, southernvetpartnersllc.com Avadian Credit Union, which has a branch at 475 Green Springs Highway, won the 2022 Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award for credit unions in Alabama from the Credit Union National Association. The award is given to credit unions for practical application of credit union philosophy within their actual operations.

Avadian was recognized for opening a new branch in the midtown area of Birmingham; creating a more member-friendly overdraft policy that only assesses an overdraft fee if transactions result in a negative balance of more than $10; and launching a home improvement loan, so members can tackle home improvement projects more quickly than with a typical home equity line of credit.

205-942-9977, avadiancu.com

Alabama Power launched a new mobile app to residential customers in October. With the new app, customers can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of managing their accounts on-the-go with multiple new and updated features. The app is part of the company’s ongoing effort to meet the evolving needs of customers through new technology and by offering more digital tools. An option for commercial customers will be added at a later date.

800-245-2244, alabamapower.com

ANNIVERSARIES Taco Mama is celebrating its 12th anniversary this month. Its first location opened in November 2011 in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village. The restaurant chain has since expanded to 10 locations in Alabama, including 1014 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. tacomamaonline.com Celebrate Birmingham has reached its one-year anniversary at its location in Homewood at 1743 Reese St. The shop brings celebrations to life through customized balloon decor, arrangements and party rentals.

205-440-2184, celebratebirmingham.com

Business News to Share?

Do you have news to share with the community about a business in Homewood or the greater Birmingham area?

Let us know at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings

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Annual Fine Craft Show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens November 11, 10 am - 5 pm November 12, 11 am - 4 pm This project has been made possible in part by a grand from the Alabama State Council on the Arts

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • A9

Saw’s receives Retailer of the Year honor

By SARAH GILLILAND Saw’s BBQ has carved a permanent spot in Homewood’s culinary landscape since it was established in 2009. The barbecue and Southern comfort food restaurant was recently recognized by the Alabama Retail Association with a Bronze Retailer of the Year Award for 2023, not only for its menu but also for its impact on the Birmingham community.

Mike and Jennifer Wilson opened Saw’s original location over 14 years ago, after Mike’s passion for cooking barbecue moved beyond the backyard.

“Every single weekend, that was his passion,” Jennifer said of Mike. “He couldn’t wait to make barbecue all weekend. In 2009, he took some time off work and said, ‘I’m going to open up a barbecue restaurant.’ I said, ‘OK. Well you handle the food, and I’ll handle the business side.’”

Jennifer and Mike ended up separating during the years after opening, and she continued in her teaching career while Mike ran Saw’s. When Mike passed away unexpectedly in 2020, Jennifer stepped back in to manage the restaurant, since he had left the company’s interests to the couple’s children, Tuc and Reese, who were too young to manage the business at the time.

“I had already started my school year when he passed away in 2020, and that year was a complete blur to me. I’d get up early in the morning, do the restaurant stuff, immediately head to school to teach and then head back to the restaurant until late at night,” Jennifer said. “I was wearing so many hats, and it was just a very difficult year. I couldn’t do both.

I knew what I had to do for the kids. A lot of

“

I wish he [Mike] was here to see how we are carrying on his legacy.

He would be so proud.

”

JENNIFER WILSON

people would have given up and said, ‘This is too hard,’ but I knew what I had to do for my kids.”

The Wilson children are older now and both are interested in the restaurant business.

“My daughter is all about her senior year in high school and my son is a sophomore in college, majoring in business,” Jennifer said.

“So Saw’s is definitely going to be part of his future. Any time he’s home, he is immersing himself into the business,” Saw’s now has six locations across Birmingham. Its Hoover, Leeds and Southside locations are managed by a franchise company. Jennifer solely owns the Homewood location, but when the business expanded initially, they gained partners to help manage the other locations, Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline and Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale.

The Bronze Retailer of the Year award is a testament to Saw’s place in the community, Jennifer said.

“I cried when accepting that award,” she said. “I wish he [Mike] was here to see how

Homewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meredith Drennen, Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown, Saw’s Inc President and CEO Jennifer Wilson, and co-owners Tuc Wilson and Reese Wilson. Photo courtesy of Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

we are carrying on his legacy. He would be so proud.”

Saw’s is located at 1008 Oxmoor Road and

is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information on the restaurant, visit sawsbbq.com.

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A10 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Above: Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Lab in Homewood on Oct. 13. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Right: Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky, Pebblehurst owner Ron Smith and Homewood Chamber Executive Director Meredith Drennen. Photo courtesy of Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

City, chamber partner to highlight small businesses

By KATHARINE ARMBRESTER In September, the city of Homewood and the Homewood Chamber of Commerce partnered to create an initiative called Small Business Spotlight, with the goal of bringing attention to businesses that are making an impact in the city.

The first business to be spotlighted is Pebblehurst Golf & Putter Lab, located on Linden Avenue. Pebblehurst began as a website specializing in golfing equipment and apparel, and its storefront opened to the public in April 2021.

For founder Ron Smith, the store is a “lifelong dream.”

“I grew up playing with my granddad,” Smith said. “There are very few golfers in my family, but I fell in love with the sport very

early. Never aspired to play professionally, … that’s not why I play.”

The store’s name is a portmanteau of Pebble Beach and Pinehurst, where Smith played golf with his grandfather. Pebblehurst carries a wide array of golfing wares for both casual golfers and professionals.

The store carries everything from clubs to speakers. For a novice to the sport, there are also lessons available. The store’s head professional, Garrett Powell, is PGA certified and was born and raised in Homewood.

“The majority of our products are items/ brands not offered anywhere around,” Smith said. “We have most of the major equipment brands, but we specialize in the gear and accessories you can’t find elsewhere. Most

I ’ M L E AV I N G A

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE, ONE LEGACY AT A TIME Guin Robinson wants to make an investment in the future of Birmingham that also pays tribute to the influence of earlier generations. That's why he has specified in his will that a legacy gift be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

"My family has always had a deep-rooted belief in giving back to the community, and I want to honor their values," says Guin.

"As an only child with no children of my own, leaving a gift to the Community Foundation ensures that my family's legacy will be honored for years to come."

Guin trusts the Foundation to manage his gift and honor his family's legacy based on our history, transformational work, and proactive approach to community challenges and crises.

Visit cfbham.org/legacy and learn how you can join Guin in creating your legacy.

“

The majority of our products are items/ brands not offered anywhere around.

”

RON SMITH

importantly, you will not find better customer service anywhere in the industry.”

Alabama is known for football, but the state also loves golf, and the Robert Trent Jones Golf

Trail directs some business to Pebblehurst.

“It brings golfers from all over within a few miles of the shop,” Smith said, “and we’ve had several of them stop by on their travels.”

Smith said he is thrilled to be the inaugural Small Business Spotlight.

“I think it’s very cool,” he said. “I absolutely love our community, and I’m proud to contribute in a positive way.”

He said he appreciates the city of Homewood for considering his business and believes that the spotlight will draw attention to and benefit the store.

Mayor Patrick McClusky will highlight a business each quarter, and applications to nominate a business are available on the Homewood Chamber of Commerce website.

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • A11

A12 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Sarah Villar at svillar@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Meet your 2023-24 PTO presidents EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Catie Seale ► Contact: ptoedgewood@gmail.com ► Goals: The Edgewood Elementary School PTO is continually thankful for the wonderful support from our amazing families and community. We started this school year off with funding over $70,000 in individual classroom and department specific assistance.

The PTO is excited to provide grants this fall for teachers to attend professional development programs to help further enhance the Seale house culture system at Edgewood. We have been busy planning our two well-loved fall events, My Pals Day and Turkey Trot. This upcoming winter, we will hold our grant cycle and award over $12,000 back to teachers for any classroom needs they have. In honor of Edgewood’s upcoming centennial anniversary, the PTO was also super excited to fund $90,000 for a complete gym renovation that debuted at the start of this school year — new hardwood gym floors and floor-to-ceiling paint! Our year will culminate with our Spring Festival in April 2024, our most cherished event and Edgewood PTO’s only fundraiser.

HALL-KENT ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Kaitlin Pierce ► Contact: hallkentpto@gmail.com ► Goals: The Hall-Kent PTO’s primary goal is to support our faculty and staff by providing them with the resources they need to continue delivering

the best education to our diverse population of students. In order to achieve this goal, each year we focus heavily on our grant program, which is primarily funded through our annual Fall Festival and supplemented through additional Pierce events throughout the year, including the Color Run and annual Hall-Kent Talent Show. The West Homewood community continues to invest their time, resources and capital into supporting Hall-Kent, and the impact of their giving is evident through the accolades our school receives year after year. In addition to grants, one of the things we are working on right now is providing a new, custom bike rack to the school, which will increase bike capacity by over 200%, reducing carpool-hour traffic congestion and carbon footprint to our West Homewood community.

SHADES CAHABA ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Meredith Moorer ► Contact: shadescahabapto@gmail.com ► Goals: The PTO at Shades Cahaba Elementary is rooted in continued support from our wonderful families and community. This year, one of the school’s focuses has been to roll out a “house” system. The PTO has gladly supported this by providing funding to allow educators to attend professional development for this program. We provide funding for multiple school grants, including a hoverboard STEM project, curriculum and resources for EL [English Learner]

students, picnic tables for outdoor learning and Terra recycling stations throughout the school. In addition to school grants, we give annual individual funding for each grade level and activity classroom.

These examples and more are thanks to the Moorer generous Homewood families and businesses that support Shades Cahaba through the PTO. I am incredibly grateful to serve our school through the PTO this year!

HOMEWOOD MIDDLE

► PTO President: Stacey Weil ► Contact: stacey@weilwrecker.com ► Goals: Every year, we want to show our faculty and staff how much we appreciate them.

One way we do this is by providing meals each month for them or a special treat to say “thank you.” We try to find different ways to honor our faculty and staff throughout the year, so they know how important they are to our families. Our fall grant cycle is happening now. These grants Weil provide funding for specific needs or projects going on around the school. We also plan to have a spring grant cycle to ensure our teachers

and staff have the additional resources they need and want to be innovative in their classrooms.

We couldn’t do any of this without the families at the middle school helping with our fundraising efforts. Our fall fundraiser is going on until the end of November, and we will be announcing our spring fundraiser soon!

HOMEWOOD HIGH

► PTO President: Natalie Pruitt ► Contact: president@ homewoodhighpto.com ► Goals: Homewood High School PTO has three key goals: support our faculty and staff, keep our parents informed and promote community among teachers, students and their families. Each month, we set aside a day of “hospitality” to treat our staff with a seasonally themed meal or treats. We raise funds for academic enhancement grants and a hardship fund through PTO membership dues, family sponsorships and community partnerships. Pruitt One of our biggest fundraisers happens throughout the year with our Spirit Store, selling Patriots gear. Relying solely on parents to run the store means 100% of the profits go back to support teachers and students. We will award an Honor & Loyalty scholarship at the end of this school year with the funds we raise. With so many activities for our busy high schoolers, we have a weekly newsletter that has become instrumental to keeping everyone informed.

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November 2023 • A13

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The Homewood Star

Events

Homewood events guide Bring your friends and family to celebrate the season. business.homewoodchamber.org/events.

Nov. 4: Central Alabama Walk to Defeat ALS. 9:30 a.m. Homewood Central Park. Participation in the Walk to Defeat ALS has a direct impact on people living with ALS and their families at the local level through education, support groups, access to care and advocacy. Register at tinyurl.com/ centralalwalk.

Nov. 1: Bark and Books. 3:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library, Round Auditorium. Spend an afternoon with friends from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society by reading (or just simply hanging out) with some friendly pups. homewoodpubliclibrary.org/ events.

Nov. 2: Business Women of Homewood Meeting.

5 p.m. Homewood Public Library. An event for all female business owners in Homewood. Join other like-minded women at this free networking event.

In addition to connecting with other business women, attendees will hear from counselor Christy Hayes about how to prioritize their personal needs amid the busy holiday season. business.homewoodchamber.org/events.

Nov. 2: Holiday Open House. 5-8 p.m. Downtown Homewood. The Homewood Chamber of Commerce kicks off the holiday season with the Homewood Holiday Open House, featuring refreshments, shopping discounts with local businesses and more.

Nov. 4: Rise Against Hunger Experience. 10 a.m. to noon. John Carroll Catholic High School. Help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rise Against Hunger by donating to support hunger relief efforts across the globe. An $85 donation can feed a child one meal a day for an entire school year. The goal is to pack over 10,000 meals with people from all over Birmingham and share about Rise Against Hunger's efforts to end world hunger. riseagainsthunger.org.

Nov. 9: Richard Stoltzman, Clarinetist. 7 p.m.

Samford University, Brock Recital Hall. Stoltzman is a soloist with more than a hundred orchestras, a captivating recitalist and chamber music performer, an innovative jazz artist, a prolific recording artist and two-time Grammy Award winner. Tickets $25 adults, $10 students. samford.edu/ wrightcenter/events.

Nov. 11: 76th Annual National Veterans Day Parade. 1 p.m. Birmingham City Hall. nationalveteransday.org/parade.

Nov. 15: West Homewood Read, Watch & Review.

Noon. Homewood Senior Center. A different take on the book club — each month, guests talk about topics rather than all reading one book. Pick any book, audiobook or movie that you’d like, within the topic, and come share about it. If you have a hard time choosing, check our online display with suggestions for each month’s topic. homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Nov. 16: StoryTellers Live. 9:30 a.m. 133 Gillon Dr., Homewood. StoryTellers Live now includes open submissions of stories from women (and men) all over the country who long to tell of the difference God has made in their life. storytellerslive.org.

Nov. 19: Matthew West: My Story, Your Glory.

Samford University, Wright Center. West, renowned for his impressive songwriting with hits like “The God Who Stays,” “Truth Be Told” and “Hello My Name Is,” will bring his latest album to life with a performance that will inspire. Also featuring Micah Tyler, whose humor and undeniable stage presence will have the audience laughing, dancing and singing along. Tickets $19.75-$75 available at samford.edu/wrightcenter/events.

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The Homewood Star

A16 • November 2023

Above: This layout shows the proposed location of the new Piggly Wiggly store (in purple) near the corner of Oxmoor Road and U.S. 31, behind the CVS Pharmacy. Image courtesy of city of Homewood.

Left: Homewood resident Ashley Bussey looks for a bag of coffee at Piggly Wiggly in Homewood on Oct. 13. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Below: A rendering of the proposed new Piggly Wiggly grocery store on U.S. 31 in Homewood. Rendering courtesy of McConnell White & Terry Realty and Insurance Co.

PIGGLY WIGGLY

CONTINUED from page A1 The store recently moved a step closer to its new home, with the city Planning Commission’s October approval of two measures that had twice been postponed.

McConnell White & Terry Realty and Insurance Co. received approval for its plan to redevelop a 3.21-acre site with a new 27,650-square-foot Piggly Wiggly behind the CVS; a new 6,000-square-foot retail building on the corner of U.S. 31 and Oxmoor Road; and associated parking, landscaping and other site improvements.

The commission also passed McConnell White & Terry’s application to have the property rezoned from an office building district to a neighborhood shopping district. The development plan passed on a 7-2 vote, with Jennifer Andress and Paige Willcutt voting no. Willcutt was the lone no vote on the rezoning.

Andress, a Ward 5 City Council member and the council’s representative to the commission, said her no vote on the plan was done in solidarity with the businesses on Courtney Drive and the people who live in apartments adjacent to Courtney.

CONCERNS REMAIN

Residents and business owners along Courtney Drive said during a prior planning commission meeting that they are concerned about the proposed location of the loading dock for the new grocery store. The plan calls for the loading dock to be on the south end of the development, on the back of the building.

“I love The Pig,” Andress said. “They’re a huge part of our community, and I supported the rezoning of that lot. But I just felt like I needed to support the businesses on Courtney and the people who live in the apartments right

there, as well.”

The councilwoman said there are concerns with noise and parking. Trucks will come through Drake Street, swing out onto Courtney to the left and then back into the loading dock.

“They did a lot last night [Oct. 2] to address some of those issues,” Andress said. “They’re going to have someone directing the deliveries, somebody out there directing traffic with the deliveries. They’re going to have somebody out there directing traffic during school pickup and drop-off.”

There was also a concession to limit deliveries to early in the morning.

Business owners along Courtney Drive sought clarification about parking that the CVS drug store had marked for its customers only.

It was determined that those parking spaces are within the city right-of-way, and those signs were removed.

The Piggly Wiggly project now goes to the Homewood City Council for consideration, and it will be directed to the Planning & Development Committee that Andress chairs. The development plan and rezoning then go to the

full council for a public hearing before a final vote is taken.

FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY

Shoppers are excited about the prospect of getting a new Piggly Wiggly, as long as the grocers they’ve grown to love are part of the package.

“I think the change for The Pig is good,” customer Ashley Bussey said. “I think there needs to be some updates for it, to kind of get it serving the community for the next many decades. … We’re all going to be put out by it for a little while, but in the end, it’ll be a really great thing for everybody.”

Bussey said she shops at The Pig because it “truly feels like I’m in a hometown store.”

“It’s not a big-box store,” she said. “You walk in there. You’re greeted by people that know you and know your family, who see you daily, see me daily. It just has a family feel to it.”

Rachael Swatek concurs. She recounted her mother visiting from out of town and citing an atmosphere like the old NBC TV sitcom

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“I think it’s a super unique situation,” Swatek said. “I don’t know of any other grocery store that’s like that. But I do think it is special for that reason.”

Swatek said The Pig is within walking distance from her home, less than a mile away.

It’s also across the street from Shades Cahaba Elementary School, where her daughter attended when she was younger.

The store was even an unofficial part of child pickup. Some parents have parked at The Pig, walked to get their children from school and returned to do their shopping.

“Even the elementary school called it the Pig Door because you either parked by the owl, the Pig Door or in the carpool line,” Swatek said. “It’s kind of a staple, really, of Homewood.

“It’s pretty much the people that are there.

That’s the reason why I go, for sure,” she said.

“There are a lot of people I could say, but one of the people is Frank Morgan. He just remains awesome. You can’t have a bad day when you go to The Pig and you see him. He’s always smiling and helpful, as are a ton of other ones, too.”

Bussey said it’s very easy to get in and out of Homewood’s Piggly Wiggly, “unless you get talking to Frank for too long.” But there’s more to shopping there than just a good, comfortable feeling, she said. “I can get good deals there. We get all of our meat there.”

Snyder said The Pig “definitely doesn’t have the best prices,” but the convenience and the people keep her coming back.

“All the people are just helpful. One of the cashiers bought my daughter a balloon on her birthday,” she recalled. “It’s just kind of those interactions and relationships. You want to go there just to say, ‘Hey,’ and feel a part of the community more than anything.”

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November 2023 • A17 B R YA N T B A N K . C O M / B U S I N E S S

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Kick off the holiday season with Downtown Homewood's most anticipated shopping event. Enjoy Complimentary Trolley service and visit with santa

Join us as we light the Historic Homewood Star at The top of 18th Street. the lighting of the Christmas tree and Parade will immediately follow

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The Homewood Star

A18 • November 2023 HOMEWOOD POPS CONTINUED from page A1

“This band has been like a family,” Bosmia said. “Where there’s an opportunity for all of us to come together, we do it.”

On Sept. 23, 2022, the Homewood Patriot Marching Band held its 50th Reunion. Part of the celebration was a pre-game performance by the Alumni Band at the Homewood vs. Pinson Valley match-up, and students and alumni alike were excited about the school’s brand-new band room and facilities.

As Cooper mingled with alumni after the game, one thing became serendipitously clear: for the alumni, just playing at the games was not enough.

“About 200 students were there, and alumni were coming up to me and telling me how much they missed performing. Some of them asked me, ‘Can I just come play?’ And I said, well …” Cooper chuckled. “No.” But then an idea “popped” into his head.

Cooper began researching online and saw that a lot of community bands have been showing up all over the North, and Alabama has a few of its own community bands, like Mobile Pops and Alabama Winds.

“I started thinking about how we can come up with something like this for Homewood. So I just put it out on Facebook, and right away about 40 people reached out.”

And just like that, The Homewood Pops Community Band was born.

Cooper is collaborating with Executive Director Lauren Bearden, Assistant Conductors Terrance Cobb and Murrell as well as Mackenzie Owens, band director at Homewood Middle School. Homewood Pops will

Above: Tuba players smile for a photograph during the first rehearsal of the Homewood Pops Community Band in September. Right: Members of the Homewood Pops Community Band with Homewood High’s Director of Bands, Chris Cooper, second from left, during the first rehearsal. Photos courtesy of Chris Cooper.

play everything from patriotic music, classical favorites, Broadway, popular music and music from movies.

Cooper said members do not have to live in Homewood or be Homewood High School alumni to join.

Cooper said anyone with a musical background can be a part of Homewood Pops.

“As long as they have a musical background, anyone who walks in the door is welcome,” Cooper said.

“I had a lady who plays the oboe come up from Prattville, and she had no Homewood connections. She just saw the Facebook post and wanted to come play.”

Homewood Pops’ first rehearsal was Sept. 18, and Cooper admitted he and the other conductors had no idea who would show up or what to expect.

“Some of these people hadn’t picked up an instrument in 30 years.

There was a lot of nervousness. I said, ‘Hey, you can do this! It’s like riding a bicycle.’”

What happened next was a

huge surprise. The band did a little warm-up music and then played their first song: a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“We had about 40 or 45 people there,” Murrell said. “We weren’t sure what was going to happen, but they made such an incredible sound.”

Cooper said he was shocked as well.

“I was blown away by the first sound they made,” Cooper said. “I have four flutists. They’re all fantastic players. One lady was first chair in the state when she was in high school.

I sat next to a guy who played baritone when he was younger, and I just couldn’t believe it.”

That guy was Brian Lewis, who played baritone at Huntsville High School and marched at Middle Tennessee State and Auburn until 1995.

That was the last time he had played the instrument.

“My wife was in Homewood High School color guard and now my oldest son is in the drum line and youngest daughter in Homewood Middle

School playing the trombone,” Lewis said. “Homewood has such an amazing music program I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

Jim Phillips, who was drum major in his high school years at Homewood and now plays clarinet for Homewood Pops, said that band was one of the main reasons he enjoyed school in his youth.

“Band incentivized me to do the hard work required for the academic classes,” Phillips said. “I still count several of my old bandmates as my best friends.”

Lewis participated in a few summer band experiences and even played in a few local theater orchestras in his twenties. He also played with a couple of adult bands in Birmingham until work and family obligations took over. Now retired, he said he is happy to once again be back in the band.

“I appreciate Mr, Cooper and the remainder of his staff for giving us the opportunity to make music together,” Lewis said.

Cooper said people of all ages

ranging from 16 to 80 have joined Homewood Pops.

“I have a couple of older gentlemen who are trumpet players, and I was talking about John Philip Sousa, and one of them said his grandfather played for him. It’s so good to have all these connections.”

Homewood Pops’ first performance will be a Veterans Day Concert dual performance with Alabama Winds on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at Homewood High School. Homewood Pops is also planning a winter concert in February and a spring concert in May. “This has brought back so many memories,” Cooper said. “People sometimes ask me, ‘Are you nuts?

You’re so busy!’ But I don’t care. I love it.”

For more information, contact Cooper at ccooper@homewood.k12. al.us, Lauren Bearden at Beardenle@ gmail.com, or homewoodpops@ gmail.com. Those interested can also join the Homewood Pops Facebook Group.

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November 2023 • A19

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Homewood-based Southern Veterinary Partners wins Newsweek award

By KATHARINE ARMBRESTER Southern Veterinary Partners, headquartered on Lakeshore Drive, was recently recognized

by Newsweek magazine in their annual list of America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces.

The veterinary practice placed No. 22 on the list overall and ranked No. 1 in healthcare.

The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired and appreciated and are at the center of the business model. Southern Veterinary Partners was the only animal health company to place on the Newsweek list for 2023.

The practice was founded in 2014 by Dr. Jay Price, a native of Phenix City, Alabama who first found his love of animal care while spending summers on his grandparents’ farm helping to tend and care for its many animals.

Price began practicing in the Birmingham area after he completed veterinary school at Auburn University and acquired Oak View Animal Hospital from the original owner. He decided to move to the company’s official corporate home in Homewood, and has built Southern Veterinary Partners from three practices in 2014 to 390 today. Currently, Southern Veterinary Partners has 393 veterinary hospitals across 25 states and more than 9,000 employees, and is on track to open the 400th hospital by the end of the year.

“As a veterinary practice owner, I realized many of my peers had little desire, training, or expertise to handle back-of-house business management,” Price said. “At the end of the day,

Dr. Jay Price, DVM, founder and CEO of Southern Veterinary Partners, at the company’s corporate office in Homewood. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Veterinarians want to do what they love - practice veterinary medicine.”

As an alternative, Price, along with two other veterinarians, created a consolidated partnership model that allows practice owners to sell or partner with Southern Veterinary Partners, who handles the business aspects of veterinary medicine centrally, and empowers veterinarians to focus

on the medical practice, Price said.

“SVP hospitals retain their names, culture, medical autonomy, veterinarians, staff, and commitment to their local communities,” he said.

“That’s how we are intentionally different from the other veterinary groups, and we’re really proud of that.”

Price said the company has grown so

successfully that it has made the INC. 5000 fastest-growing companies list for the last five years in a row.

“This is not an easy feat and these accomplishments are a direct result of a great team who give their all each and every day,” he said.

What makes Southern Veterinary Partners different is that the practice is vet-first and team-led.

“We focus on doing what’s best for the people in our organization so that they can in turn provide the best care for the pets and clients they serve,” Price said. “That comes in the form of industry-leading benefits, continuing education programs that are constantly evolving, turning feedback into action to better respond to the needs of our team, and making sure every single person who calls Southern Veterinary Partners home is engaged and supported.”

Price said being named the No. 1 Most Loved Workplace in healthcare is an honor, because it means they are doing right by their teammates.

“They’re the ones who contributed to the nomination,” he said. “So to know that they are so passionate about the culture we’ve built together here is really amazing. We’ve always known that there’s something special about Southern Veterinary Partners, and to have this national recognition, it is an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse.”

Price and his family live in Homewood where his two sons attend school in the Homewood School District.

For more information on the business, visit southernvetpartnersllc.com.

Join OLLI Today!

Enjoy retirement and make new friends!

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Join OLLI today and register for 300+ year-round programs by calling 205-348-6482 or visit olli.ua.edu.

B2 • November 2023

TOGETHER WE ARE...

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November 2023 • B3

B4 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Sports A.J. Crear (23): Ran for 2 TDs vs. Calera.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

By KYLE PARMLEY

Zach Archer (1): Returned interception for TD vs. Hayden.

Koron Wright (8): Ran for 2 TDs vs. Carver.

The high school football regular season is winding down, with the state playoffs set to begin the second Friday of November. As of press time, Homewood and John Carroll were in solid positions to qualify for the postseason. It would be Homewood’s 12th straight postseason appearance, while John Carroll would qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Here are some highlights from the middle portion of the season.

Photos by RICHARD FORCE and ERIN NELSON

Kylen Newell (15): Caught 7 passes for 141 yards vs. Pinson Valley.

Talton Thomas (12): Returned interception for TD vs. Calera.

Carson McFadden (7): Ran for 140 yards and 2 TDs vs. Carver.

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • B5

Homewood Parks & Recreation Classes & Activities Central Barre

Tuesday 6:15am Wednesday 5:15pm Saturday 8:15am at Homewood Community Center Central Barre is a small group fitness class incorporating barre, core, cardio, balance, strength training and stretch to give you a complete workout in 55 minutes. We use a variety of small equipment such as weights, resistance bands, balls and sliding discs to increase variety and provide real results. Email ellyngagnon@gmail.com for more information.

Dance Trance

Saturday 9:30am-10:30am Homewood Community Center Dance Trance is a high-cardio, highenergy dance fitness experience that leaves participants soaking wet! It is a non-stop workout that feels more like a party than an exercise class. www.dancetrancefitness.com

Fun For All Line Dancing

Beginner and Beyond Beginner line dance instruction encompassing a variety of music genres, e.g., pop, country and R&B. You will learn line dance terminology, line dance steps, and, of course, line dances to specific music.

Homewood Community Center - Studio 2 Tuesday 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM $5.00 per person per visit For more information contact funforalllinedancing@gmail.com

North Star Martial Arts

North Star Martial Arts primary focus is to make a life lasting impact on our students, and their families. Classes range from beginners to adults. For detailed class listings and times please visit the park’s website or www.northstarma.com.

205-966-4244 • info@northstarma.com

Bench Aerobics Step & Line Dance Tuesday: 4:15pm – 5:15pm (Step Aerobics) Thursday: 4:15pm – 5:15pm (Cardio Line Dance) All classes in Fitness Studio 2 @ Homewood Community Center Cost: Classes are FREE (with donations) For more information contact Rosa at 205-253-9344 or benchaerobics@bellsouth.net

Senior Center

Royce Head Personal Training

Affordable personal training available to members in the Fitness Center at the Homewood Community Center. Workouts are fast, fun, safe, and effective and each person is started with a program to fit their fitness level.

Call Royce for more information: (205) 945-1665

YoLimber

Vinyasa yoga classes in an energetic environment using upbeat music at Homewood Community Center. All levels welcome.

Friday: 8:00am-9:00am - Basics Class Friday: 9:30am-10:30am - Regular Class Contact Marla: 205-223-8564 • mac@yolimber.com

Confi.Dance

Confi.Dance is a dance class in a small group setting to teach you the secrets of looking good on the dance floor and having more fun than you thought possible.

Class Meets: Wednesday 3:00pm – 4:00pm at Homewood Community Center For more information: Jackie Tally jgtally@aol.com

Fast Track Line Dance

We learn the current and classic intermediate-advanced line dances.

This class is not for beginners.

Fitness Studio 2 Homewood Community Center.

Saturday 11:00am-1:00pm Jackie Tally jgtally@aol.com (or) Helen Woods aquafool@aol.com

FIT4MOM

FIT4MOM Birmingham provides fitness classes and a network of local moms to support every stage of motherhood. From pregnancy, through postpartum and beyond, we serve our community by offering our fitness and wellness programs to help keep moms strong in body, mind and spirit. View our website for Membership Plans, Passes and Schedule. https://birmingham.fit4mom.com/

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Wednesdays at 1:30pm Tai Chi is an ancient mind-body marshal art exercise that with regular practice improves health and wellbeing. It is a moving meditation in the form of fluid, graceful, circular and slow exercises. This class is suitable for anyone, easy on the joints, helps to calm the mind, improves balance and coordination. The program of Tai Chi for Health Institute.

For additional information about Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, contact Galina at: galinawaites@gmail.com

Tai Chi, Sun Style

Mondays at 1:30pm Tai Chi is an ancient mind-body marshal art exercise that with regular practice improves health and wellbeing. It is a moving meditation in the form of fluid, graceful, circular and slow exercises. During this class participants will learn in more depth about Tai Chi history, principals and styles, will learn and practice Sun Style 73 forms. This class is suitable for anyone who is willing to take the time learning beautiful, liberating and empowering set of movements(forms).

For additional information about Sun Style Tai Chi, contact Galina at: galinawaites@gmail.com

Dance Fusion with Galina Thursdays at 1:30pm Dance Fusion is an easy low impact aerobic exercise, where we learn the basics of many dances around the world while having a lot of fun in the process. Linear movements and occasional turns are simple enough to remember and perform, while energizing music of the program helps with cardio elements and a positive emotional effect.

For additional information about Dance Fusion, contact Galina at: galinawaites@gmail.com

Misc. Information Homewood Youth Basketball Registration Dates: K-1st Grades: Nov 8th - Dec 1st Boys 7th-8th Grades: Nov 8th - Dec 1st Go to www.homewoodparks.com for more information.

Homewood Youth Wrestling Grades: Kindergarten – 6th Grade Go to www.homewoodparks.com for more information.

Homewood Christmas Parade

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 For more information on this great event visit: www.homewoodparks.com

Christmas Break Day Camp Camp Dates: December 18th-22nd & 26th-29th Registration Begins: Tuesday, November 7th For registration packet and more information visit: www.homewoodparks.com

Follow us for athletics, community centers programming and event updates @homewood.parks

@homewood_parks

@homewoodparks

B6 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

6A first round Wesley Williams (81) and teammates rush the field after a Class in playoff game against Fort Payne on Nov. 10, 2017, at Waldrop Stadium photos.

Homewood. Staff

FROM THE ARCHIVES: NOV. 10, 2017

David Robertson Jr. (1) carries

the ball.

Homewood storms back to beat Fort Payne Let’s take a trip down memory lane this month. In the first round of the 2017 Class 6A playoffs, Homewood High School overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat Fort Payne and advance. Here is the original story from The Homewood Star.

This month, the Patriots will look to put together another memorable playoff run.

By GARY LLOYD David Robertson was not going to be tackled.

The Homewood High School junior running back bulldozed, darted and cut for 49 yards on five carries on the Patriots’ final drive, including the 13-yard game-winner, to push Homewood past visiting Fort Payne 28-21 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs Friday night at Waldrop Stadium.

Robertson, speaking after a sensational second half, could barely find the words. At one point, he seemed to nearly break down.

“I know I let my team down my last game [against Paul Bryant], so I had to come out here and show them what I can do,” Robertson said.

He did just that. After rushing 10 times for 30 yards in the first half, Robertson carried the ball 14 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns in the second half.

Down 21-0 at halftime, Homewood’s chances at making a comeback appeared bleak. The Patriots, however, bulled their way for 71 yards on 13 plays, capped by a Larkin Williams 1-yard scoring run. Parker Allen notched an interception for Homewood minutes later, and Robertson scored his first touchdown on a 9-yard run with 1:26 to play in the third quarter.

Chance Hall picked off Fort Payne quarterback Jay Tyler Ellis six plays later to give Homewood possession with 11:01 to play in the final quarter. Facing third-and-24 from their own 29-yard line, Williams connected with Wilson McCraw for a 27-yard throw and catch to continue the drive. On fourth-and-2 from the Fort Payne 36, Williams kept the ball for a 9-yard run to extend the drive again.

Robertson scored five plays later on a 15-yard run, tying the game 21-21 with 4:32 to play.

“I’ll gamble in a minute,” said Homewood head coach Ben Berguson. “I did last week at Paul Bryant, too. We had to get first downs and score touchdowns.”

Homewood forced a three-and-out and got the ball back with 2:50 to play. That’s when Robertson took over the final drive. His game-winning touchdown run was set up by a 12-yard toss from Williams to McCraw on fourth-and-12 from the Fort Payne 31-yard line. Robertson scored on a 13-yard run with 28 seconds left to seal the win.

Will Strong (67) and Lane Gilchrist

(16) celebrate their win.

ries the ball.

Larkin Williams (10) car

“David Robertson was amazing this game,” Berguson said. “That may have been the best cut on that last touchdown I’ve ever seen a running back do in my life. He just exploded.

I can’t even describe it.”

Robertson said the offensive line did a great job of blocking for him.

“I’m not going down,” Robertson said.

“That’s what I was thinking the whole time.

‘I’m not going down.’ I had to get this win for my team tonight.”

For Homewood, Robertson finished with 139 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.

Williams finished 16-of-25 passing for 165

Wilson McCraw (99) runs the ball.

yards and an interception. He rushed 22 times for 66 yards and a score. TyShawn Buckner caught six passes for 48 yards. McCraw caught three passes for 62 yards.

Fort Payne got off to a smoldering start.

Ellis hit Donald Winchester for a 24-yard score just three minutes into the game, and Matthew Shaddix rushed for a 10-yard score seven minutes later to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead after one quarter. Ellis tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Colton Wells early in the second quarter to go up 21-0.

Ellis finished 13-of-20 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and as many interceptions.

Shaddix rushed seven times for 57 yards.

Berguson couldn’t help but smile after the improbable win.

“That was the biggest comeback I’ve ever been a part of right there,” he said.

As Robertson spoke after the game, a Homewood coach interjected, saying that his run was the best perhaps in Homewood history, definitely in the last 20 years. Robertson grinned.

“I’ve seen that situation at practice before,” Robertson said. “I’ve done that cut many times at practice. It just came to my mind at the right time. It felt great.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • B7

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B8 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

18th annual Special Olympics

By ERIN NELSON More than 525 students from the Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and Trussville school systems participated in the 18th annual Special Olympics at Hewitt-Trussville’s football stadium on Sept. 26.

Participants from elementary through high school and up to age 21 competed in track and field events that included a softball and javelin throw, long jump and distance races.

“We’re just really proud of all of these kids,” Trussville Superintendent Patrick Martin said.

“I can tell you as a dad, I had a participant who was up this morning at 4:30 a.m. in anticipation and excitement. I think he’s not the only one, just looking at the smiles tells the whole story.”

Photos by ERIN NELSON

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • B9

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B10 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

John Carroll Catholic High celebrates 50 years Members of the 1953 championship football team and members of the 1973-74 indoor and outdoor championship track and field teams were recognized during John Carroll Catholic High School’s 50th anniversary celebration Pat Sullivan Field during a game between the Cavaliers and Carver on Sept. 22.

Photos by Erin Nelson

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TheHomewoodStar.com

Sports Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley

Such a good time of year It’s amazing the power that music has to bring back vivid memories, isn’t it?

One day recently, I was driving into work and a song came on that took me back to my childhood days of attending a few Auburn University football games each year. Those were great times and undoubtedly played a huge role in where I’m at today, in terms of my interests and passions.

Hearing just a small portion of a song takes me back to sitting in the stands at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2004, watching Parmley the Auburn University Marching Band take the field pregame. Getting to be a part of the energy in that stadium and recognize the pageantry involved is something that, to this day, gives me chills.

It also brings back highlights (and some lowlights) of quite a few games over the years. That 2004 undefeated team. The 2006 win over Florida. The 2013 Iron Bowl (yes, that one). A short snippet of a song took me on a long trip down memory lane.

I wish I could get back to Jordan-Hare a little more often than I do. The on-field product has been a little lackluster over the last few years, but that is far from the only thing that turned those day trips into lasting memories.

As we enter November, there are just so many good things going on.

High school football is entering the playoffs. The college football season is getting better by the week. Basketball at all levels is about to begin.

The holidays are right around the corner.

The list goes on and on.

I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Will one of our local high school football teams reach the state championship, like Mountain Brook last fall? Which teams will make the College Football Playoffs? For Alabama and Auburn football fans who may be saddened by the reality that they won’t be in the playoffs, well, basketball season is a point of pride now.

It’s going to be a fun ride. I don’t know how we always manage to keep up with everything going on, but just remember, some of the music you listen to this season may be what you stumble upon 10 years from now.

And it will bring you back to these moments. Hopefully they will be positive memories.

Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at Starnes Media.

November 2023 • B11

Varsity Sports Calendar BASKETBALL

Nov. 17: Girls vs. Altamont. 6 p.m.

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 18: Boys vs. Hartselle. 4:15 p.m. Priceville High School.

Nov. 3: @ Chelsea. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: @ Cornerstone. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20: Girls vs. Leeds. 3 p.m.

Nov. 20: Boys vs. Rogers. 5:30 p.m. Priceville High School.

Nov. 7: Girls @ Pinson Valley. 6 p.m.

Nov. 21: Boys vs. Oakwood. 5:30 p.m. Priceville High School.

Nov. 9: Girls vs. Ramsay. 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 10: @ Ramsay. 4:30 p.m.

BOWLING

Nov. 11: Girls @ Fairfield.

1:30 p.m.

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 13: Girls @ Midfield. 6 p.m.

Nov. 2: vs. Mountain Brook. 4:15 p.m.

Nov. 14: @ Briarwood. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 16: vs. Clay-Chalkville. 3:45 p.m.

Nov. 16: vs. Northridge. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28: @ Mortimer Jordan. 4 p.m.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Nov. 20: Girls vs. Calera. 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 2: Section meet. Veterans Park.

Nov. 21: Girls @ Moody. 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 11: State meet. Oakville Indian Mounds Park.

Nov. 28: vs. Oak Mountain. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

FOOTBALL

JOHN CARROLL

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 10: Girls vs. Clay-Chalkville. 11:30 a.m.

Minor High School.

Nov. 3: vs. Jasper. 7 p.m.

Nov. 10: Girls @ Moody. 3 p.m.

Nov. 10: Playoffs begin. TBD. JOHN CARROLL

Nov. 13: @ Holy Family. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 3: vs. Maplesville. 7 p.m.

Nov. 16: @ Parker. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 10: Playoffs begin. TBD.

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Note: Someone in the group must be responsible for taking the photos. A professional photographer may be available for limited appointments for $60. *One gift per child

B12 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Real Estate

By the numbers: Sept. 2022 vs. 2023

Note: Real estate data is by zip code, but some parts of these zip codes are outside the city limits. Note: Data provided by the Greater Alabama Multiple Listing Service on Oct. 5, 2023

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TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2023 • B13

Recently sold homes in Homewood

► ADDRESS: 1805 Lancaster Road ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,814 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Mayfair ► SALE PRICE: $800K

► ADDRESS: 1414 Melrose Place ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,455 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Edgewood ► SALE PRICE: $560K

► ADDRESS: 101 Stratford Road ► BED/BATH: 3/1.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,419 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Hollywood ► SALE PRICE: $486K

► ADDRESS: 3421 Waverly Drive ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,669 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Homewood ► SALE PRICE: $337.5K

► ADDRESS: 1741 Valley Ave., Apt. C ► BED/BATH: 3/1 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,134 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Vulcan Park Condominiums ► SALE PRICE: $205K

► ADDRESS: 1129 South Shadesview Terrace ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,001 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Edgewood ► SALE PRICE: $530K SOURCE: ALABAMA MLS

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B14 • November 2023

The Homewood Star

Opinion Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yeah, I know most folks would choose Christmas as their favorite, but not me. Namely because I was a chubby kid, and we chubby kids preferred our holidays to center around cholesterol.

In my family, the ladies would start preparing many days in advance for the big calorie party. You’d see women dusting countertops with flour, working tirelessly on butcher blocks, wielding surgically sharp cutlery and threatening to neuter any man who came within 14 feet of her range oven.

The house would be a symphony of chopping sounds, cabinets slamming and the roar of Briggs & Stratton 12-horsepower hand-mixers.

Christmas simply could not compare.

At Thanksgiving, the food spread was sinful enough to qualify for an R rating. We had heaps of refined carbohydrates, wads of saturated fat, volcanoes of gluten and fruit pies that were completely obscured by Reddi Whip.

Whereas at Christmas, all I got was khakis.

Our childhood home would also be inundated with loud family members. Sometimes there were people loitering in our house who I’d never even met.

“Come say hello to your cousin Hilda,” my mother would say, matting my hair with her own spit.

Cousin Hilda was 94 years old, a complete stranger to me, and she talked at length about the disruptive nature of kidney stones to anyone within earshot.

All day, the walls of our little house would throb with the sounds of human voices. And

even though our family was secretive about? Did they actudecidedly dysfunctional, it was ally think we boys cared what pretty fun. they were discussing? Give My uncle would sit on a sofa, me a break. We didn’t care. reading the newspaper, sipping We had way more important Pabst, yelling at his kids. He did things to worry about. So we this even though his kids were, eavesdropped.

Then it was time to eat. for example, in their late forties.

Other uncles and male cousWe’d all gather around the table, and in that moment, ins would hang out in the driveway, trying to look masculine. you’d realize how messed up This is a typical male activity your family was. Sometimes at Thanksgiving — driveway you’d look at your kinfolk, all Dietrich standing. gathered in one place, and you’d Driveway standing is not a marvel at how you — the only difficult sport to engage in. It goes like this: normal person at the table — managed to spring While one guy does something important, such from this malfunctioning group of walnuts.

“Look at these people,” you’d think to youras staring beneath the hood of his ‘77 Ford Pinto, other men stand at a distance with hands self. “They’re crazy.” on hips, offering manly suggestions, and occaOne of your uncles defined himself as a sionally spitting. This is 97% of being a man. “serial monogamist.” One of your aunts kept Unless you’re a teenage man. In which case, adjusting the household thermostat to “meat Thanksgiving Day is all about bottle rockets. locker” until everyone could see their breath One year, my cousin Ed Lee brought a vapor. One cousin had spent half the day on gym bag full of barely legal fireworks to our the phone with her boyfriend having a heated family celebration. I will never forget when he tele-argument. attempted to launch a bottle rocket from the But before food came the big prayer. The waistband of his pants. My cousin had to eat great equalizer. We all bowed our heads while dinner standing up that year. the elder of our family folded his hands and The young female cousins were different tucked his knuckles beneath his nose. animals altogether. They would clump together, First, we would engage in that incrediapparently discussing matters of national secu- bly corny family tradition wherein everyone rity among themselves. takes turns naming things they’re thankful for.

Girls were always so private. Which made us Nobody was very original during this little boys wonder: What the heck were they being so Joyce Brothers exercise.

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Usually, everyone thanked God for the usual.

Things like “good food,” and “family.” But then some people actually surprised you and offered heartfelt thanks.”I’m thankful for my mom,” said one. “I’m grateful my daughter is out of the ICU,” said another.

Then, the patriarch would pray aloud. And it would move you. Because until today you had never seen your cuckoo family as real people before.

So, while the head of the family would utter prayers for all, including the souls who left us and those who were sick among us, the air in the room would change.

Aunts would sniffle, uncles cleared throats, mothers blew noses loudly and some of us dabbed our eyes. Because at this moment you somehow felt connected to something bigger than yourself.

It was more than just a holiday and it was about something much deeper than food. Today was about understanding that even though you belonged to this messed-up group of humans, these were your messed-up humans. And when everything goes wrong in life, sometimes these humans are the only ones you will have left.

By the time everyone said amen, you knew without a doubt that Christmas had nothing on Thanksgiving.

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

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November 2023 • B15

Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

Eternity in a personally meaningful place

5 minutes late We’re big fans of the simultaneously trying to band The Lumineers in brush my own teeth and find our house, and one of my my own shoes. Needless to favorite lines in their songs say, it’s easy to be on time when you only have yoursays, to effect, “When I die I’ll be on time.” The line self to get ready — though always makes me laugh a I’m sometimes late then, little because I’m not even too.) sure I’ll be on time for that.

I understand it’s a respect Matt and I celebrated thing. I remind myself of 18 years of marriage last that all the time. Being late month, a fact made more when you’re meeting someimpressive when you take one else disrespects their Denton time and their schedule. I into consideration that I’ve made him late to probawish I weren’t a chronically bly 85% of the events (and I use the term late person, and believe me, I have tried to loosely) that we’ve attended together. And change. I’ve used a whole arsenal of tacit’s not only him — my clock just generally tics. At one point, all the clocks in our den runs anywhere from three to ten minutes and kitchen were set three minutes ahead. behind everyone else’s.

(I changed them back, but the clock in my Meeting friends for lunch at 12? I’m car is still three minutes ahead, though probably texting at 11:58 saying I’m on my surely it’s clear by now that it doesn’t help.) way. Hair appointment, Girl Scout meeting I try to mentally add 15 minutes into every or gathering with people to walk? I’m prob- schedule I plan. I try to start my “process,” ably running in with my hair on fire, four as Matt calls it, earlier than I think I need minutes behind schedule. to, to give myself a cushion of time. But And church—that’s a big one for us. something always trips me up.

Most Sundays, Matt (along with Kate) is In most ways, my oldest daughter Kate sitting in the car, engine running, waiting is just like me, but when it comes to the for me while I quickly smear a little cream life skill of promptness, she’s all Matt. cheese on a bagel to eat in the car as we On school mornings, she likes to leave drive. Without fail, no matter how hard I the house at exactly 7:33, and despite my try, we end up walking into Sunday school best efforts, that’s just not something I can a couple minutes after it starts. commit to. Matt, though? It’s a challenge he (A small caveat here in my defense: rises to meet every day. And both of them Sunday morning usually sees me straight- are usually ready a couple minutes before ening or otherwise “doing” another head then. They are punctual superstars. Sela, on or two of hair — and my own, if I’m lucky the other hand? She’s more my speed when — and often searching for an article or it comes to punctuality. Three minutes until two of someone else’s clothing while I’m we need to walk out the door? According to

Sela, that’s plenty of time to grab the markers or scissors and tape and do a quick craft project before we leave — just like I think three minutes is plenty of time to start a load of laundry, let the dog out to potty and maybe wipe off the kitchen counters, too.

But there was this one time. It was beautiful. Sela had Bible club at 7:15 before school, and we were picking up a friend at 7:00 on the way, a perfect combination for lateness for the two slow people in the house. But we picked up our friend at 7 on the dot and made it to Bible club … early!

And not just early, we were the first ones there! It was such a strange situation to find myself in, I sat in the car and scoured my email to make sure I didn’t have the wrong day, which would have been a much more likely explanation than that we were just early. But then we saw another car of girls pull up and the leaders showed up a couple minutes later.

I’d love to say being early for that one event will turn around decades of lateness, but that probably won’t happen. What will probably happen, though, is that the next time I’m late, I will look back fondly on that Friday Bible club morning and think, “Well, there was that one time …”

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When I’m not writing about my family and our various shenanigans, I write novels and go to the grocery store. You can find my books in stores, online, and locally at Little Professor Bookshop. You can reach me by email at Lauren@LaurenKDenton.com, visit my website LaurenKDenton.com, or find me on Instagram @LaurenKDentonBooks or Facebook ~LaurenKDentonAuthor.

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