Bham Family - December 2022

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 10am-7pm This is not a craft fair, but one-stop Christmas

with unique, one-of-a-kind art

from a select list of local artists. This year promises some of the things you have enjoyed in the past plus some works from new artists. Items are reasonably priced, averaging around $50-75, and our artists are chosen for their truly unique items—things not found at regular retail stores.

EDITOR’S NOTE

’Tis the season for fun, family, and festivities, and you’ll find all that and more within these pages!

If you’re trying to spruce up the house before the deluge of guests, we’re here to help. Flip to page 12 and let Tara Bremer from House Peace teach you some of her organizational ways. If you can’t quite get to those pesky little home projects yourself, turn to page 18 to discover a local handyman business who can bail you out in time for Christmas. Check!

Speaking of local businesses, we know there is plenty to celebrate this month, whether it’s the holidays or a holiday birthday. Homewood mom and certified balloon master (a title we made up, but truly, she is!) Mary Virginia Colvert talks celebrations and her new studio storefont on page 22. Crowd favorite Itty Bitty Bakers is hosting their third-annual kids’ baking contest. It’s a great way to get your kids in the kitchen and cure the Christmas break boredom. Find details on page 20.

If you’re a nostalgic holiday kinda gal (or guy)

like me, you’ll enjoy our regular columnists this month, from old-school toy catalogs (Holy Moly Motherhood, page 10), to old-timey friendships (Sean of the South, page 16), to old-fashioned memory making (Just for Dads, page 8).

We have more great articles in this issue, including one about a special kid who is making life easier for Birmingham’s homeless (page 30). I know you’ll enjoy these heartwarming stories as much as I did. I hope this issue brings you a little extra enthusiasm during this crazy-busy but crazy-fun month. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Cheers to the New Year!

Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com

ABOUT US

Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 10,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 650 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

DISTRIBUTION

If your business would like to make copies available to customers, please email matthew@jbmcmedia.com with your business name, address, point of contact, and number of copies you would like.

ADVERTISING

OUR ADVERTISING PARTNERS

These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family!

Aldridge Gardens 2

Amazing Grace Farms 11

Applause Dancewear 2

Birmingham Children’s Theatre 15

Brookwood Baptist Health 9

Children’s of Alabama 31

Compact 32

Deo Gloria Wood Works 29

Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care 15

Hoover Met Complex 13

Irondale

Arts Council

Ward

Holy

Sean

Itty

Kids

When I think about my childhood, I remember rolling down the hill in Goodyear tires. Those were Good Years. I do have many great memories of my childhood, but there are very few pictures, videos, written stories, or even holiday traditions to document those years. The end of the year is a time filled with family, but also stress and work at a frenetic pace. I am very thankful that my wife and family took so many pictures and videos of our own family. All the traditions of the holiday during the month of the December, from the time my son was born, have been documented and kept safe. We make picture books for each year, and those books are what I say I would grab if there was a fire and I had to take something and get out in a hurry.

At the end of each year, Vineyard Family Services, the nonprofit where I serve as executive director, sets out to compile a list of major accomplishments and milestones to send to partners, donors, volunteers, and other supporters. As we work to make the list, it is amazing how much I forget from the year. I need our brainstorming sessions to recollect memories that seemed, at the time, so vivid and happened not that long ago. It is a wonderful cathartic experience to remember and document those events so that we can look back on them later.

This Christmas season, take time to slow down, even if life is overwhelmingly busy. Take pictures, write it down, and make memories together. Record conversations about what your kids are currently enjoying and about the season in general. Encourage them to write letters to Santa and keep copies. You won’t regret it. All the memories we make together are super important. With the hectic life pace we keep, it would be a shame to miss out, then look back and say, “I wish I had….” You get one opportunity to build your family and raise your children. Don’t be the person who looks back and laments all the times you wanted to slow down and didn’t. One thing I do appreciate about our experience with Covid is that it made everyone slow down. Now, life has come back with a vengeance and at a faster pace than ever before. We have a right to say, “Hey, this pace of life is not okay,” and to just

stop and focus on things that really matter. Take time this Christmas season to remind yourself of what really matters. I hope you make wonderful memories together.

Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads. com.

Ward Williams

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIAN BOWEN ON UNSPLASH

Living With Diabetes? Listen to your heart.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t have this disease. High blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels all raise the risk for heart disease with no obvious symptoms. Don’t take the risk. If you live with diabetes, listen to your heart. Talk to one of our cardiologists to get answers about your heart health.

The Art of the Christmas List

I vividly remember sprawling out on the carpet of our living room with a marker and a Sears toy catalog. Such excitement lived in those pages. And it was so thick! Every toy imaginable was in there.

When I was young, I’d circle everything. Barbies, trolls, dollhouses, games—anything that remotely interested me was fair game. I’ll circle this! Oh, and this! Surely Santa will bring all of this. When I was a little older, I learned to be very strategic with my circling. That jewelry box. A Nintendo 64. A Furby. Mall Madness. I knew my odds of getting the best things were by asking for less. I would then get out some paper and neatly write down my list, then stick it to the front of the refrigerator. Oh, the anticipation!

My youngest son has circled the entire Target Christmas catalog. I think he just likes circling. My oldest son has reserved his marker for Pokémon, Nintendo Switch, and all of the dirt bike toys. His strategy is sound.

I think this is one of the most fun things about parenting—seeing ourselves in them. Seeing our kids enjoying the same things we did, 30 years ago. Seeing the magic in their eyes. The joy.

So, here’s to kicking off a memory-filled holiday season. I hope your December days are filled with anticipation and joy and lots of hot chocolate. Oh, and everything from the toy catalog.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 7 and 2), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

Alana Smith

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ALANA SMITH

How to HOLIDAY HOSTESS

BY TARA BREMER

Are you hosting guests in your home for the holidays? You may already know how to make your home welcoming to guests—you’re into your house, how it functions, how it looks. So, you’re basically good when it comes to providing thoughtful touches like extra pillows, a bottle of water, maybe a phone charger.

But what about going the extra mile with your prep? Because maybe it’s sort of for your holiday guests, but secretly, it’s also for you.

I’m talking about cleaning out your bathroom drawers and under the sink. Or decluttering the linen closet. Maybe organizing the pantry. These are all areas a guest might need to get into, and wouldn’t it be so nice if they weren’t greeted with a disaster and instead could find what they are looking for?

I have been in many bathrooms where there is no hand towel. Rather than dry my hands on someone’s bath towel (Listen, I am not doing this!), I

Living With Diabetes? Listen to your heart.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t have this disease. High blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels all raise the risk for heart disease with no obvious symptoms. Don’t take the risk. If you live with diabetes, listen to your heart. Talk to one of our cardiologists to get answers about your heart health.

will open the cabinet to look for a hand towel. I have seen the gamut—everything from neatly arranged towels and necessities to a daunting mess that I wished I had time to fix!

We have a couple of weeks until Christmas, meaning now is the time to start working on these “behind closed doors” areas that will show a guest that we have thought of them. And really, this is the very essence of etiquette—we do certain things (even things like organizing) not because they are rules, but because it means we are thoughtful toward others.

Again, this is for guests, but ultimately, it’s for you. Your guests will enjoy being able to find a snack easily, but it’s only for a couple of days. You get to enjoy the fruits much longer. In fact, for the rest of your life, if you build in the habits to maintain and be resilient to chaos.

Chaos Resilience = • An established system to return to • Recovering from messes

• What House Peace teaches and practices

Let me know what you’re doing to prep for guests this holiday season (email tara@ housepeace.net).

If you want our help prepping your home, we’d love to! We can do top to bottom or a small job to give you direction to finish it off. Every one of our jobs is a little different— and don’t forget: We have seen it all. I’m also available for online consults via Zoom. And if you need a House Peace-y guest speaker or teacher in the New Year, I can speak on “Possessions and Stress,” “Email Peace: Digital Etiquette for Work, Digital Habits for Home,” “iPhone Peace: Digital Decluttering and Organization,” and “Making Space for your Priorities.” Visit tarabremer.com for details. (I don’t charge for speaking to moms’ groups or Bible studies!)

Tara Bremer is the owner of House Peace. You can find out more or book an online or in-person consult at housepeace.net.

Christmas in Mayberry

Christmas Eve night. The mountains of North Carolina were giant silhouettes in the darkness. Sheriff Andy Taylor sat on the bench outside the courthouse, watching the stars.

It had been a hard year. Maybe the hardest of his career. The sheriff was downhearted, which didn’t happen often. But then, sheriffs have feelings, too.

When it started to snow, Taylor shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets and slipped into a trance. Christmas morning was only a few hours away, and he wanted to feel cheerful, but he couldn’t seem to make it happen.

His deputy joined him on the bench. The scrawny, highstrung lawman had just finished doing his nightly rounds, shining a flashlight into storefront windows, checking doorknobs. All quiet in Mayberry.

“Whatcha doing, Ange?” said his deputy. “Why the long face?”

Taylor flashed a fake smile. “I’m just looking at stars.”

The deputy was obviously concerned, but Taylor hardly noticed. He was too busy thinking about all he’d seen during his years serving this sleepy hamlet. He’d seen it all. Or just about.

He’d once seen the town drunk ride a cow down Main Street. He’d seen a local goat eat dynamite. He’d jailed bank robbers, swindlers, chicken thieves, speeders, escaped convicts, moonshiners, and Danny Thomas.

Life was moving too fast. The world had gone from AM radios to color TVs. He’d watched the tailfins on Chevys and Fords get taller each year. He’d seen skirts get shorter, hairstyles get shaggier, music get louder, and people get meaner. Airplanes gave way to rocket ships. A man hit a golf ball on the moon. Divorce was becoming more fashionable than blue jeans.

But this year…

This year was a humdinger. It was worse than the rest. This was the year the world fell apart. People in town were more frightened and skittish than ever before. And sometimes it seemed like nothing in Mayberry was going right.

Taylor looked at the nightscape and tried to figure out which constellations he was looking at. But he was never very good with astronomy. A single star

hung in the distance over the nearby backwater of Mount Pilot.

“You see that star?” said Taylor to his deputy.

“Which star?”

“That one.”

“Yeah. I see it.”

“You reckon that’s how the Bethlehem star looked?”

“Bethlehem? Are you sure you’re okay? You worry me.”

The sheriff never took his eyes from the sky. “What do you think it was like, Barney? Bethlehem and everything?”

The deputy seemed to be thinking about this. The sheriff could hear the cogs in his friend’s head.

His deputy said, “Well, I think it woulda been darn crowded in that stable, for one thing. All them goat herders and wise guys.”

“Men. You mean wise men.”

“Correct. Males. No ladies were present.”

The sheriff paused. “No women? It was a childbirth.”

“Well, except for Mary. She stopped in for a little bit.”

Good old Barney.

The deputy went on, “I, for one, think it woulda been pretty dang exciting to see the Three Kings bearing their gifts, the gold, the silver, and the bronze.”

“You mean the frankincense and myrrh.” “Exactly.”

“Do you even know what myrrh is, Barn?”

“Do I? What do you take me for? What I know is that it was quite an important night. There were angels in the sky, and cherubs proclaiming, “Peace on earth! Goodwill to men! Glory on the eggshells day-oh!” ”

“Eggshells?”

“It’s French. Read the book, Ange.”

The sheriff and the deputy fell silent. They watched their tiny hometown do what it did best. Which was nothing at all. Wreaths adorned each window. Shopfronts featured twinkling lights. The snow was picking up tempo.

Sheriff Taylor asked his deputy, “You think we’ll get through this year, Barney? It’s been a difficult one.”

It was a serious question indeed. And it hung between them for a while. Even the sheriff could feel the weight within his own voice. There was

doubt in it.

“Yes, I do,” said his deputy. “I know we’re gonna get through it. In fact, I’m certain.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“What makes me sure?” The deputy raised his voice. “Because, Andy. I just know it.”

“But how? How do you know?”

His deputy looked away like he was blowing a fuse. “You beat everything, you know that? Because I know, Ange. I just do. You wanna know how I know?”

“Yes.”

“You really wanna know?”

He nodded.

“Well, then I’ll tell you. I know because this morning I drove to pick up Miss Emma Brand from her hospital checkup. And do you know what I saw when I walked into the hospital?”

Taylor shook his head.

“Babies, Ange. I passed the maternity ward and saw all kinds of babies. Lots. The nurse even let me hold a few. They spit up on me and everything.”

“Is that right?”

“It was beautiful. And last week, when I directed traffic for the school crossing, do you know what every boy and girl did when they passed me? They said, “Merry Christmas, Barney,” and gave me

handmade Christmas cards.”

“They didn’t.”

“Every last one. I got 43 cards. It’s enough to make a grown man go all to pieces.”

The sheriff looked at his shoes. The somber silence made his deputy uncomfortable.

“Andy…” The deputy’s voice was breaking now. “You can’t be sad. Cheer up, pal. You’re the heart of this town. You’re my best friend. I need you. If we lose you, we’ve lost everything. C’est la vie, man! E pluribus unum! Status quo! Non sequitur! Et cetera, defacto!”

“Huh?”

“It’s Latin, it means “tit for tat,” and qué será será, and livin’ la vida loca.”

Taylor was laughing now. “What are you talking about?”

“It means we’re gonna get through this, Ange. One day we won’t even remember this horrible year, and it’ll be like old times.”

Then the skinny deputy threw his arms around his old pal in an embrace and slapped the sheriff’s back so hard it stung. Taylor could hear his deputy sniffling in his ear. The sheriff smiled, then squeezed his oldest friend in earnest.

And somehow Andy Taylor knew that no matter what happens in this raggedy world, a person can face anything if they have a friend.

Anything.

We aren’t just your dental team...we’re family.

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

BY KIM CRIPPS PHOTOS BY BRITTNEY FIELDS, FIELDS PHOTO

Gifts are my love language – and how I like to express love to those on my holiday shopping list. It’s not the gift itself, but the thought, intentionality and effort behind the gift that makes it so meaningful.

This year, we’d like to introduce you to a few of our local friends with a knack for creating memorable gifts and experiences that are sure to make your holidays even more magical.

Amberly Arah Art, Amberly Burrow: Amberly has used her unique gifts and talents to create beautiful, local art since 2015. She specializes in painting abstracts, hand lettering, sonogram heartbeats, wedding signs and custom designs in both large and small sizes. Her calm, neutral color palates effortlessly blend with any décor. For more information and to order,

email AmberlyArahArt@yahoo.com or message on Facebook or Instagram @AmberlyArahArt. Bumble and Brie Charcuterie, Rachel Baker and Becca Watkins: Founded by sisters with a shared passion for creating community, Bumble and Brie makes it easy to bring people together around one of their artfully designed –and personalized – charcuterie boxes, platters and grazing tables. You can even gift a charcuteriemaking class “full of good food, lots of conversation and love.” Book your board or class online at bumbleandbrie.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @ BumbleandBrieCharcuterie.

Deo Gloria Wood Works, Matthew Allen: A rainy beach day led Matthew to transform his pandemic passion project into an official business. Latin for “Glory to God,” Deo Gloria honors His creation by bringing

Bumble & Brie Charcuterie

Amberly Arah Art

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

wood products to life as beautiful, functional items such as cutting boards, charcuterie boards, stove top covers, bed swings and furniture. To bring home your custom piece, follow on Facebook or Instagram @DeoGloriaWoodWorks, text (205) 617-9609 or email matthew@deogloriawoodworks.com

Good Neighbor Baking, Ramsey Nuss: Born from a desire to connect with others and do something creative during her sons’ naptime, Ramsey officially launched her boutique-style home bakery business in 2020. She’s known for gorgeous cookie cakes and other small-batch treats, including mini sams –mini oatmeal cream sandwiches that are a customer favorite. Visit goodneighborbaking.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @GoodNeighborBaking to find your new favorite dessert.

Glass & Grain, Micah Simpson: Specializing in handblown glass and custom woodwork, Micah formally launched his business in 2017 after decades of learning, enjoying and perfecting the crafts. Customers especially love Bubble Cups drinkware in marine blue, as well as custom cabinets and tables. Micah also offers glass-blowing classes for a one-of-a-kind experience. To shop, book classes and contact, go to glass-andgrain.com, follow @glass_and_grain on Facebook and Instagram or email micah@glass-and-grain.com.

JOYful by Harvey, Chandra Rancher – Harvey: Committed to spreading joy to their customers, JOYful offers spirit gear – think tees, hoodies, hats, water bottles, tote bags and trendy cropped sweatshirts – featuring local schools and sports teams for your favorite Hoover fan. Their unique print-on-demand model makes custom orders easy and affordable. To purchase, go to joyfulbyharvey. com or connect on Facebook and Instagram @ JoyfulByHarvey. Custom orders can be emailed to info@joyfulbyharvey.com.

Richardson Axeworks – Chris Richardson: A recipient of Garden and Gun’s “Made in the South Awards,” Chris Richardson offers restored vintage American axes ranging from 50-150 years old.

He prefers the quality of vintage axes to “cheap, modern axes that inevitably fail.” Fortunately, he also sells a variety of custom-modified, Americanmade modern axes and hatchets of the highest quality. For ready-to-ship and custom orders, go to richardsonaxeworks.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @RichardsonAxeWorks.

Sweet as Honey Cards, Ashley Mason: Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth,” was the motivation behind this Christian small business. Ashley’s best sellers are her inspirational scripture card sets, personalized with the recipient’s first name and available in 10 themes. To shop cards, prayer journals, gift sets and more go to sweetashoneycards. com, follow @SweetAsHoneyCards on Facebook and Instagram or visit Hoover Shipping for nonpersonalized items.

Terry Wakefield Shea, Terry Shea: Terry believes in the joy of giving. As the founder and former owner of Wrapsody, she began making decorative concrete bowls to carry this joy into retirement. The bowls, which come in 4-, 10- and 14-inch diameters, are a “true collaboration with the elements of nature.” Customers enjoy using the various sizes as ring catchers, on coffee tables and as statement centerpieces. For prices and to order, contact Terry on Facebook @TerryWakefieldShea, Instagram @ terrywshea or email terrywakefieldshea@gmail.com.

West End Publishing, LLC, Chandra Sparks Splond: Chandra writes fiction books for AfricanAmerican tweens and teens. Her relatable characters help readers “see themselves on the covers and within the pages of books.” Secret Weapon, a new release, is a number-one Amazon bestseller. Her Worth the Wait series, which deals with teenage abstinence and the importance of loving yourself and others, is another popular choice. For all titles and to purchase, go to Amazon, chandrasparkssplond. com, Facebook @BookofSplond or Instagram @ ChandraSparksSplond.

From left, Good Neighbor Baking, Deo Gloria Wood Works and Glass & Grain, Sweet as Honey Cards, JoyFULHoney Cards, and Richardson Axeworks

Bake a Batch!

Itty Bitty Bakers kids’ Christmas Cookie Bake-Off returns for the third year

In 2020, Itty Bitty Bakers hosted its firstever Christmas Cookie Bake-Off. It was a huge hit—with several parents mentioning it was the highlight of the season for their families—and it’s back again in 2022 for the third iteration.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, December 18th, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Trussville Public Library’s The Cahaba Meeting Room. Age categories are 5-9 and 10-14; there is no fee to enter. This year’s categories include:

• Best Tasting Cookie

• Most Festive Cookie

• Most Unique Cookie

• Best All-Around Cookie (a cookie which encompasses all three of the above)

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ITTY BITTY BAKERS

Last year’s Best All-Around cookie winner was Emma Cooley’s “Deck the Doodles” entry.

Charlotte Guess won Best Tasting Cookie in 2021 with her Butterscotch Gingerbread.

FROM PAGE 20

There will be one winner from each age group per category, and winners will receive a $50 Itty Bitty Bakers gift card that can be used on any class, camp, or shop merchandise. The two Best All-Around winners will also receive Wooden Spoon Award trophies. Judges for this year will be determined soon; last year’s judges included Ramsey Nuss of Good Neighbor Baking; Ashley Brown of Ashley’s Famous Cookies; and Adam Hickman of Foxhound Bee Company.

Participants must choose an acceptable cookie entry (see rules below) and arrive between 1 and 4 p.m. on the day of the event. After taking a picture with their entries, participants will present their cookies to the judges. Official taste-testing will begin at 4 p.m., and winners will be contacted via email and social media the following day.

Rules are as follows:

• Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 14.

• Cookies must be presented on a disposable plate, platter, or box labeled with the child’s name and name of the cookie.

• Judging is based on cookies alone, not presentation.

• Participants must have at least four cookies to sample.

• All cookies must be baked (have a step that includes the oven).

• Cookies must be made with minimal help from adults (including cookie selection process, grocery shopping, and kitchen cleanup).

• Acceptable cookie entries: sugar, shortbread, bar, sandwich, crinkle, spritz, wafer, fortune, dipped, and stuffed cookies; cookie cups, cut-out cookies, pfeffernüsse cookies, biscotti, meltaways, alfajores, and animal crackers.

• Cookie types not allowed: French macarons, coconut macaroons, meringues, scones, crepes, pizzelles, brownies, blondies, haystacks, stroopwafel, waffle cookies, truffles, churros, rugelach, cannoli, cookie dough, whoopie pies, eclairs, lady fingers, no-bake cookies, pie dough cookies, palmiers, Pop-Tarts, and decorated storebought cookies.

• Registration required. Visit ittybittybakers. com/bakeoffregistration.

• Cookies should be made with minimal adult help. Encourage your kids to pull out old cookbooks, check out cookbooks from the library, or get ideas from family members (like grandmom!). Make sure kids are involved start to finish, from ingredient shopping to kitchen cleanup!

For more information, visit ittybittybakers.com/post/3rdannual-kids-christmas-cookie-bake-off-2022.

CONTINUED

Judges accept the treats, then taste-test behind closed doors.

Celebrate She Will!

Mom turned her love for festive fetes into a full-time party passion.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

Party planning came to Decatur native and Homewood wife and mom Mary Virginia Colvert in the most natural of ways: while planning daughter Lela’s (now 5) first birthday. “I fell in love with the creative process and seeing the magic of a celebration through her eyes,” says Mary Virginia. “When she got a little older, I started making crafts for friends and for our own home. I had endless encouragement and kind words from our family and friends that really gave me confidence. I never anticipated starting a business, but I trusted the visions that

were beginning.”

Mary Virginia’s visions turned into reality as her “celebration passion” grew. Her very first product was a balloon yard sign she did for a friend about three years ago. “Suddenly, I found my days filled with balloons!” she says. At the end of 2019, she founded Celebrate Birmingham, her full-service party business that includes, of course, all kinds of balloons, as well as rentals, party supplies, and seasonal floral arrangements. “We still offer the yard signs, too. They will always be a staple for

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MARY VIRGINIA COLVERT

us! I find so much joy in the creative process. My goal with Celebrate is to help you celebrate life’s special moments and those around you who mean the most!”

As the business expanded, Mary Virginia outgrew her home and sublet a warehouse nearby. “It was great for the season that we were in,” she says. “Then, the other tenant we sublet from was expanding their business and so were we, so the time came to find a new location.” At the time, she was only looking for a new space, not necessarily a retail store. But the literal and figurative doors opened for Mary Virginia to have both. “I wasn’t set on having a storefront, but I fell in love with this location. It

is still very much a studio, and we work inside daily making things. I’ve honestly tried to sit back and let God guide each decision with the business. He is in full control, and I try to keep an open mind and trust His plan.”

Mary Virginia’s goal is to offer a unique shopping experience with a coming-soon balloon bar, party supplies, and a stellar team who can assist in selecting coordinating items for any event. “We offer balloons, rentals, party supplies, gifts, seasonal floral arrangements. At the balloon bar, customers will be able to stop by and pickup same-day balloons for celebrations. And we also offer free 15-minute design consults to help select a color palette and party

A Few of Mary Virginia’s Favorite Things

Favorite balloon installation: That’s tough! I loved the Vestavia Hills homecoming installs and the ballet birthday parties we’ve done this year.

Favorite balloon color palette: I’m a sucker for pink color palettes for sure!

Favorite Christmas character: I love Buddy the Elf and the Grinch! My kids love these characters and movies, and we have fun watching them together!

Favorite source of inspiration: Creativity is at the core of our business. Our team feeds off each other so much, and together we come up with some fun ideas. I also feel inspired by being outside in nature, fashion, art, and other balloon artists. Some people in Birmingham who inspire me are Sarah Kennedy with James Kennedy events, Ramsey with Good Neighbor Baking, Buffy Hargett of Buffy Hargett Flowers, and Kathleen Varner Petals & Props.

Favorite holiday dessert: Hot cocoa on a cold day with my kids!

supplies for an event.”

Of balancing the business with being a wife to “wonderful” Matt and mom to Lela and son Ellis (age 2), Mary Virginia says it’s “The million-dollar question! I am always working to figure this out. Right now, we have a great team at Celebrate who helps to keep the day-to-day operations moving. I focus on being very present in the moment, so when I am with my family and kids, I am fully there—and the same goes for work. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity.”

“I just love connecting with our clients and hearing their stories. We have so many people celebrating something meaningful to them and their loved ones: pregnancy after infertility, cancer survivors, newlyweds, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and so much more. Seeing a project through from the initial inquiry to the day of the event is so exciting. You get to see all the magic and hard work come to life—it’s a true joy to get to be a part of their celebrations!”

Celebrate Birmingham is located at 1743 Reese Street in Homewood. For more information, visit celebratebirmingham.com.

Lending a Helping Hand

College students turn a pandemic-born idea into a full-time service business

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

It’s typical for college students to pick up seasonal jobs when they’re home during breaks, but two Birmingham men turned their extra earning gigs into a full-service entrepreneurial launch. Back in December 2020, when people were still spending much of their time at home because of the pandemic, friends and college students Cameron Galbreath and Brantley Ledbetter started delivering Christmas trees

while home for the holidays. “We were both home from school during the Covid year, so we started posting flyers on Facebook and the Nextdoor app, offering moving services and junk removal,” says Cameron. “A lot of people were at home, and they needed help cleaning out their garages or moving furniture around, hauling trash away, or moving a couch inside their homes.”

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CAMERON GALBREATH Founder and co-owner Cameron Galbreath holds an award that At Your Service won at the ALDAG business plan competition last spring.

Eventually, the two friends got so busy, they reached out to other friends to see if they’d like to help and make a little money at the same time. “After that went on for some time, we saw the opportunity in front of us. So, we hired some guys who specialized in landscaping and added that to our list of services. After a while, Brantley and I didn’t have to go on jobs anymore, and we focused on finding more work for our guys and strategizing ways to grow the business. I love interacting with people and every day bringing new challenges. Plus, I get to travel around the city a lot, which has allowed me to learn more about Birmingham and its history.”

The company’s growth—spurred by social media, mainly Facebook and NextDoor, and

word of mouth (the company is well-known for its excellent customer service—meant an increase in independent contractors as well. Currently, At Your Service has six. “Our motivation was to change the labor service industry overall,” he explains. “For example, if a person is moving out of their house, instead of having to call multiple companies, they can hire us to do it all. We can move their furniture, get the yard ready for market, pressure wash, and take care of any handyman projects or other things around the house that need fixing up.” Today, At Your Service Bham offers landscaping, moving, junk removal, pressure washing, handyman services, and more. In homage to Brantley and AYS’s moving coordinator Tyler—both active-

Moving coordinator Tyler Coleman and Carson Khalidi (Cameron’s younger brother) on a job.

duty Army—the company gives priority to service members. “We’ve had several guys with military experience in all branches work for us in the past,” says Cameron. “Military veterans take great pride in their work.”

Though they’ve completed several jobs in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham is home base and where all of their work takes place. “The goal is to eventually expand into cities around the south, like Huntsville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the 30-A area,” says Cameron. He and Brantley are devoted to the work At Your Service does: “It’s special because we’re a small company owned by two college students who grew up here,” he says. “We have a lot of ambition and plan on growing this company to be recognized nationally— and we always want our headquarters to be in the city where it all started.”

To contact At Your Service for a job or quote, visit ayservice.org, or email AtYourService@ayservice.org.

Business partner Brantley Ledbetter

KIDS WHO SHINE

ETHAN HILL, 12

BY SEAN FLYNT

Altamont School student Ethan Hill has been named a winner of the 2022 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders in the U.S. who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education.

Ethan created Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings (ethansheartbham.org) to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Birmingham. Since 2017, he and his team have packed and distributed nearly 2,000 survival care bags containing items such as a sleeping bag, cold weather clothing, first-aid supplies, food, and hygiene products. He works to develop relationships with the people he serves and to refer them to shelters and support services. Most days on his way home from school, Ethan and his parents drive around area parks and homeless camps to check on the estimated 300 people living there. When needed, they provide essentials from a supply kept in their car or return later to help with specific requests. Ethan also partners with local police, who carry his duffel bags and supplies in patrol cars to distribute in areas unsafe for Ethan to visit. Corporate sponsors and individual donors support his work.

Each December, Ethan organizes more than 100 volunteers from across the state to pack hundreds of duffel bags. The next morning, his team serves breakfast in a local park and distributes the supplies. Ethan has also aided a homeless veteran in transitioning to permanent housing and has partnered with a company that makes cots, offering them free to the people he serves. He began his work as a 6-year-old after noticing a homeless gentleman, whom he now knows as Mr. Marcus, living under a freeway. Ethan researched “emergency

Ethan created Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings (ethansheartbham.org) to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Birmingham.

needs of homeless individuals,” used his Christmas money to purchase essential items, and gifted them to Mr. Marcus and others living nearby. “Those without addresses are disregarded, criminalized, and judged, but they’re people who want to be seen, loved, and supported,” says Ethan. “I don’t focus on why a person became homeless. I just look at what I can do to make life a little easier for them.”

The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T. A. Barron and was named for his mother, Gloria Barron. Since then, the prize has honored more than 500 young people who reflect the great diversity of America. All of them demonstrate heroic qualities such as courage, compassion, and perseverance as they work to help their communities or protect the planet.

“Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world,” says Barron. “And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes—people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.”

For more information, visit ethansheartbham.org.

205- 638 - PIRC

Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children.

Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such.

Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources.

PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.

The PIRC is generously supported by funding from the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope, United Way of Central Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the Walker Area Community Foundation.

TEENS — Have questions? Concerned about things? Just need someone to listen? Talking helps. Whether you are having a great day or a tough day, give us a call. We are here to listen.

PARENTS — Think your teen might be involved with substance abuse? Have questions? Concerned about your teen? Wondering how to handle your teen’s choices? Just need someone to listen to you? Talking helps.