Village Living
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September 2011 |
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
Dr. Jim Moebes retirespg 14
Volume 2 | Issue 6 | September 2011
Swim Meet-pg 11
The new author in town By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Patti Callahan Henry is recovering from a hectic summer. She sold a home in suburban Atlanta, moved into a house outside Mountain Brook Village, got her oldest child off to start college at Auburn— and released a hard cover novel in book retailers across the country. “I’ve never had so many new things at one time,” she said. In August, the New York Times bestselling author released her eighth novel, Coming Up for Air, which was awarded the August Indie Next Prize. Henry lyrically writes heartwarming stories of love and self-discovery; their genuine characters and distinctly Southern settings have an emotional pull that make the books nearly impossible to put down. Notable authors including Pat Conroy and Emily Giffin have praised her work. Henry’s other novels were set in the Carolina Lowcountry, where she likes to vacation, but for Coming Up for Air, she chose settings even more familiar: Auburn, where she attended nursing school and returns for most home football games; Atlanta, where she lived since college; and
September Features Editor’s Note City Council Love for Lee Alektra Run Wear Village Sports Kari Kampakis Debra Goldstein School House Business Spotlight Restaurant Showcase Around the Villages Calendar of Events
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New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry moved to Mountain Brook this summer. Photo by Madoline Markham.
a city based on Fairhope. Central to the plot and themes are the Jubilee, a phenomenon in Mobile Bay where people can catch hundreds of flounder, shrimp or crab when they come up for air en mass. “I was fascinated by the concept of coming up for
air as a woman,” Henry said. Henry is excited to be in Birmingham, a city that she said has a such a creative environment, and in the company of writer friends like Michael Morris, Keith Thomson and UAB creative writing teacher
Remembering Sperry Snow
Sperry Snow with cousins Barbara Lawson, Becky Lawson and Betty Lawson at a recent party. Photo courtesy of About Town.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM
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Sperry Snow loved Mountain Brook and he loved its people. “He was a go-to guy in any room,” said Charlie Regan Jr., a friend and customer. “He knew everyone at a party and made everyone feel special. You wanted to be his friend, and you wanted him involved in your endeavor.” Snow, 63, co-owner of Barton-Clay Jewelers in Mountain Brook Village, passed away on August 17. A memorial service was held at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church on August 22. “When you have a visual image of
him, you always see that smile,” said Jacksonville State University President William Meehan. He and Snow went to Shades Valley High School and then JSU together, and Snow had remained active with fundraising for JSU. “He always believed that service completed the sale, and he practiced that in service to community and in his jewelry business.” Snow was known for never refusing to donate for a charitable cause. “He was probably one of the few people I have ever known that gave
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See SNOW | page 27
Kerry Madden. “Writers are endlessly fascinating,” she said. “Everyone has a different story.” Once Henry and her husband, Patrick, decided to move to Birmingham for his job in real estate development for Daniel Corporation, Henry said it was an easy decision where they would live. Patrick is a Mountain Brook High School graduate, and his parents, Gwen and Chuck Henry, lived here for 15 years. Their family is enjoying the change in pace from Atlanta. “We’re all home because we’re not in the car as much,” she said. “We walk to the (Mountain Brook) Village. My husband drives 10 minutes to work. It’s taken life down a notch.” Living within walking distance to the Jemison Trail was a prerequisite when the Henrys were house hunting, and her sons have quickly set up for target practice in their backyard. “We’re all outdoorsy,” she said, “but Meagan, a freshman at Auburn, is our fashion guru.” After receiving her master’s in child health, Henry worked as a clinical nurse specialist until Meagan was born. As her children grew up, she pursued her passion
See AUTHOR | page 15
Lane Parke plan moving forward A revised plan for the 27-acre Lane Parke property in Mountain Brook Village is in the works. John Evans, whose family owns the property, said they chose to get Daniel Corporation on board with the project because of the company’s history of completing projects. The previous plan for a Lane Parke development was approved in June 2010, but no further information on the project had been released since then. “We have a history of developing legacy projects,” said Daniel Corporation Vice President of Development/Marketing Doug Neil, “and are excited for this partnership to create a vibrant, endearing project that serves the needs of the community.” The revised plan will be a smaller version of what was approved last year. It will still have a mix of upscale retail and residential space and possibly an inn, but all details for the new plan are still under consideration. “The plan we present will be very familiar looking, just smaller than before,” said Stephen Bradley, president of public affairs firm Stephen Bradley & Associates LLC. “The smaller size will take some
Whe
See LANE PARKE | page 8
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