Chalmers assumes new role as president at John Carroll

By NEAL EMBRY

The Rev. Jon Chalmers recently took on the new role of president of John Carroll Catholic High School, adding to his responsibilities as the pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and leader of the church’s school, both located in Hoover.

Chalmers works alongside Anthony Montalto, the principal of the high school. Montalto, who Chalmers called a “tremendously accomplished instructional leader,” handles the day-to-day work of the school while Chalmers focuses on the long-term success of the school.

The move, which took place in late 2022, saw Chalmers ascend to his new role as the Rev. Robert Sullivan moved from the role of president to director of the John Carroll Catholic Educational Foundation, fundraising and engaging stakeholders in the school. Chalmers said the move was about optimizing the school’s resources to build on the momentum the school gained coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chalmers comes from an education leadership background and has worked at the school since August, helping Sullivan during the time of transition. He has been pastor of Prince of Peace since July.

Chalmers described his role as “focusing on the important in the midst of the urgent,” working to coordinate functions and create and implement the school’s strategic plan.

Chalmers’s graduate work in education was focused on teaching and learning, specifically on making sure all parts of education are connected. He is driven to work toward that interconnectedness at John Carroll, he said.

“I am really interested in ensuring that it’s all connected, that … we don’t understand academics in a silo that’s distinct from our campus ministry, that’s distinct from our athletics, that’s distinct from our arts or other extracurricular opportunities. We understand these as knit together in the same way the development of the whole person as an individual is knit together,” Chalmers said.

He also works to make sure the school has the resources it needs and plans in place to grow.

While he grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Chalmers moved to Alabama at the age of 20 to attend the University of Alabama. Holding multiple positions in Catholic ministry and education since then, he said he’s found a great community in central Alabama.

“It’s a wonderful community,” Chalmers said.

The school enrolls students from seven different counties, along with several Catholic feeder schools, including Prince of Peace. Because of that, there is a diverse student population, he said.

Chalmers joked that his day looks “a lot like Shades Crest Road,” as he traverses the road between Prince of Peace and John Carroll daily. He’ll spend part of the day at the school, working with families coming in, talking to staff and more. He’ll then come over to the church and read liturgies, coordinate with staff there and more, along with overseeing the kindergarten through eighth grade school on the campus.

“The school is an integral part of the parish,” he said.

While Sullivan has left his role as president, he and Chalmers interact often and coordinate with each other to ensure the school is the best it can be, Chalmers said.

“It’s a joy to be able to work with him,” he said.

Chalmers’s goals include making sure the school flourishes into the future, which will include updating and improving its facilities and ensuring all students have the opportunity to enjoy what John Carroll has to offer, he said.

Cornapalooza set for this month

By NEAL EMBRY

An annual cornhole tournament benefiting the Homewood Athletic Foundation is set to take place this month in front of Homewood City Hall.

The 7th annual Cornapalooza tournament will be held March 19 from 1 to 5 p.m, said Erin Yost with the foundation. Taylor Hughes at SoHo Social is helping with food and drinks and Bandwagon will serve as the title sponsor.

“My goal is to see this tournament become a fun, family-oriented community event that everyone in Homewood can come and enjoy,” Yost said.

The event is the foundation’s largest fundraiser and helps provide resources and enhancements “above and beyond” what Homewood City Schools provides, including things like the Hudl app, which provides athletes and coaches with game film, live-stream capabilities, detailed stats and more, Yost said. Future money might

Cornapalooza

• WHERE: In front of Homewood City Hall

• WHEN: March 19, 1-5 p.m.

• COST: Free to attend, $400 per cornhole team

• WEB: homewoodaf.org go toward needs like a new pitching machine for the softball team, she said.

The event begins in pool play before moving to a tournament. Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky is the defending champion.

Those not participating in the tournament do not have to purchase a ticket. Those wishing to sign up for a two-person team can do so at homewoodaf.org and click on the link to sign up.

Taste of Homewood celebrates 20th anniversary

By NEAL EMBRY

The annual Taste of Homewood event is turning 20 this year, offering Homewood residents a chance to enjoy food from all over the city.

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce puts on the event, with The Homewood Star serving as this year’s lead sponsor, said Chamber of Commerce Director Meredith Drennen. This year’s iteration is set for March 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Homewood City Hall plaza.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at homewood chamber.org. Last year was the first year the event was held outside, and it was successful, Drennen said.

There will likely be about 30 restaurants participating in the event, offering samples for guests. Beer and wine will also be available, she said. Some restaurants are participating for the first time, including Saw’s BBQ. Other restaurants include Chick-Fil-A, Cookie Fix, Chocolate America, Meals by Misty, Social Taco and more. A full list can be found on the chamber’s website.

Taste of Homewood

• WHERE: Homewood City Hall plaza

• WHEN: March 16, 5:30-8 p.m.

• COST: $30 in advance; $40 at the door

• WEB: homewoodchamber.org

Guests can enjoy unlimited samples along with live music from Allen Barlow, a teacher at Homewood School of Music. There will also be an in-person silent auction at the event, Drennen said.

“The last few years with restaurants have been absolutely brutal,” she said, as many businesses have struggled to recover or permanently closed due to the pandemic.

The event, which usually draws about 500 people, is a great way to celebrate all Homewood has to offer and support the city’s restaurants, Drennen said.

Kara Kelley serves chili at the 2020 Exceptional Foundation

Chili CookOff event at Brookwood Village. Staff photo.

Chili Cook-Off returns for 19th year

By NEAL EMBRY

The 19th annual Chili Cook-Off is set for March 4, offering residents a taste of a variety of chilis.

The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the upper parking lot of the old Macy’s at Brookwood Village, said Elizabeth Sturgeon with The Exceptional Foundation, the sponsor and beneficiary of the event.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the event or in advance at exceptionalfoundation. org. Children 12 and younger are free.

This year’s event will feature a bigger kid zone with inflatables and Touch a Truck, along with live music, Sturgeon said. The main draw, however, is the all-you-can-eat chili cooked by more than 100 teams, made up of businesses and community organizations.

In 2022, 146 teams competed, with hopes for that many teams or more this year, said Robbie Lee with The Exceptional Foundation. Each team’s four chefs make 15 gallons of chili. Guests can try as much of the chili as they want. There is often traditional chili, along with unique twists on the dish: sweet, spicy, white

Chili Cook-Off

• WHERE: Upper parking lot of the old Macy’s at Brookwood Village

• WHEN: March 4, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• COST: $15; children 12 and younger are free

• WEB: exceptionalfoundation.org chicken and more, Lee said.

An overall winner will be chosen by local celebrities participating as judges. There will also be a participant’s choice award chosen by members of The Exceptional Foundation, along with a spirit award and a people’s choice award, voted on by guests, Lee said.

The proceeds tallied more than $400,000 last year, the highest amount ever. The money represents about a quarter of the organization’s annual budget and helps pay for activities like summer camp, the day program, prom and more.