JUNE/JULY 2022
Finding Joy
Farm at the
Amazing Grace Farms brings out the welcome wagon for veterans and others who need hope and healing. Page 24
Festive Treats
to Fete the
USA Page 27
Fourth Fireworks PAGE 12 Chill Out at these FamilyFavorite Spots PAGE 19
HAVE THE BEST SUMMER EVER!
REGISTRATION OPENS IN FEBRUARY! HOOVERMETCOMPLEX.COM/CAMPS camps@hoovermetcomplex.com (205) 739-7364 2 Bham Family June/July 2022
Schedule back-to-school eye exams! It may be summer, but school is just around the corner. Call our office today and schedule your child’s exam! 10699 Old Hwy 280, Bldg 2 Chelsea • (205) 980-4530 eyesonchelsea.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE We’re in the thick of it—summer and the humidity—and I hope you find yourself reading this issue with an ice-cold glass of sweet tea right in front of a whirring fan. If you’re anything like my family, it’s been a busy season already, but you’re hanging on to this last month of summer. The hot temperatures won’t be leaving for a while, but soon it’ll be back to school, back to football (SEC!), and back to business. We can’t do much about the, ahem, balmy weather, but we do have some ideas for savoring the last of the dog days of summer with your family. If you’re looking for a lastminute getaway, check out our travel feature on page 19. Travel agent and Birmingham mom Jaime DeArman shares some spots with cool pools (or at least cool water features) to chill out for a weekend or longer. Out of vacation days? Plan a trip for next summer, then jump in the car for a short ride to Sylacauga and a sweet treat at the Blue Bell Creamery (page 14). There’s a behind-the-scenes tour, plus a stop in the shop for ice cream afterward, making this the perfect educational field trip that will surely land you the “cool parent” award! This month also brings a major summer holiday—July 4th—and we rounded up our favorite family-friendly fireworks festivities to guarantee a fun Fourth. Check them out on page 12. Whether you’re headed to a patriotic picnic or celebrating at home with friends, you want the gathering to end with a (sweet) bang, so turn to page
4 Bham Family June/July 2022
27 for a variety of tasty USA-themed desserts you can put together. It’s the perfect excuse to get in the kitchen with the kids. Of course, the Fourth of July wouldn’t be possible without the heroes of our country. In our cover story on page 24, read about Amazing Grace Farms in Ragland and the way they’re honoring veterans, first responders, and others who need hope, healing, and a day camp-style respite. The best part: Their services are completely free. We’re also proud to feature Libby Law in our Kids Who Shine column on page 30 as we highlight her project to raise funds for her college campus’s veterans association. One last thing: The World Games are finally here! If you need a refresher, head to our website and read all about it in our online May issue. I hope to see you there! We love to hear from you! Birmingham offers endless stories to tell, and we want to share them all. If you know of a person, event, or business we should feature, please reach out and share with us.
Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com
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ABOUT US
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O U R A DV E RT I S I N G PA RT N E R S 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!
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Vineyard Family Services Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills
www.vfsdads.com
6 Bham Family June/July 2022
18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
19 Just for Dads Ward Williams gives advice p 8 Holy Moly Motherhood In someone else’s shoes p 10
28 FEATURE STORIES
Fourth Festivities Where to find the best fireworks and family fun p 12 Alabama Teacher of the Year Local man honored for his work with students p 22
Food Review Blue Bell Creamery p 14 Sean of the South Life and liberty p 16 Travel Chill out at these family destinations p 19
Finding Hope on the Farm In Ragland, Amazing Grace Farms serves the heroes of our community p 24
Food Tasty treats for the Fourth p 27 Kids Who Shine Libby Law raises funds to honor veterans p 30
ON THE COVER Cover photo taken by Ron Burkett for Bham Family Amazing Grace Farm Ministries in Ragland, Alabama, is a nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans, first responders, and end-of-life patients on a 113-acre farm. Pictured on our cover this month is the farmhouse on the property.
Bham Family June/July 2022 7
JUST FOR DADS
PHOTOGRAPH BY ISMAEL PARAMO ON UNSPLASH
The leaders of First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi changed multiple rules upon my entrance into the youth group when I started seventh grade. Members of the youth group had for many years Ward sat on the left balcony side Williams of the worship center, but once I joined, we were forced to sit on the first two rows closest to the pulpit. Adults seemed to want me close by in hopes that would keep me somewhat still and quiet. It was an admirable task that never seemed to work well. My interest in attending church in my junior high years was centered on the brand-new, state-of-the-art gymnasium and rec center, their discounted cafeteria, and maybe a couple of cute girls. The senior pastor and my youth pastor were always encouraging us to bring friends to church. If getting people to church meant God was happy, He was certainly smiling down on me, but it never seemed the adults in the place were happy that unruly teenagers used the church and its facilities as their personal unsupervised hang-out club. New rules on the number of guests who could be at the rec center were established. I am very thankful for the adults who showed patience and grace to me and my friends during those years, and I got deeply involved with church throughout my high school years. One of the biggest benefits of being involved in my youth group was the model of happy and healthy families and finding a group of teenagers who were committed to seeking God’s truth for our lives. One of my closest youth group 8 Bham Family June/July 2022
friends recently passed away from cancer, and a flood of memories from many years ago were vivid and transported me back in time. I was so fortunate to have friends to go with to the beach, lake, concerts, camps, retreats, and other fun, meaningful events. According to an extensive national survey by Springtide Research Institute titled “The State of Religion & Young People 2020: Relational Authority,” today’s teenagers don’t trust church. Statistics show: 52% of affiliated young people have little to no trust in organized religion. Nearly 3 out of 4 young people are religious; only 16% see their faith community as a place they can turn to in times of uncertainty. 1 in 3 young people feel completely alone much of the time. If you want to help your kid plug into a church group, you must be deliberate and partner in navigating that relationship. There is a hunger by our kids and teenagers to be connected to something deeper and make a difference. There is a recognition by many churches that what has worked in the past won’t work with today’s teenagers. Getting kids plugged into church starts with the parents’ view of church. In today’s busy world, make it a family priority to put God and church first, which could mean that you have to say no to some of the activities that keep us so busy. The impact of your kids’ involvement in church will influence all areas of their lives and have a direct impact on the quality and direction of their lives. Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.
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HOLY MOLY MOTHERHOOD
NEW SHOES
I found some new “mom shoes.” They are flat, slip-on Sperrys. Perfect shoes for chasing a toddler. I’m really excited about them, mostly because they were $6 at our local thrift store. I love a thrift store. It’s not that I necessarily need to shop there; I just really love it. I go in with no expectations and come out with four books for $2. Alana I have the same feelings toward antiques stores. Smith Maybe it’s the treasure hunt factor. Or the I-don’t-bring-my-kidswith-me factor. Or the bargain shopping factor. I think it’s mostly that there are hidden stories here. Used books and furniture. Old baskets and lamps. Antique mugs and vases. These shoes. Were these shoes loved? They looked a little beat up when I got them. But nothing the washer and a dry eraser couldn’t fix. Or were these shoes just not the right fit in their previous life? Maybe they rubbed the person the wrong way, so out they went. And that’s the best part. They didn’t end up in the garbage. They ended up on my tired feet. And I think people are like this. We walk through so many phases of life. Trying on others and seeing who fits. Teenage friends. First loves. Real loves. Work friends. Mom friends. We might rub someone the wrong way, or they us, and we choose to distance ourselves. Try on some new shoes. Your relationships might be comfortable and broken in, or one might be rubbing a blister every time you step. Whether you’re the person putting out the old shoes, or you are the old shoes, you still have a story to be told. A second chance. Don’t let someone’s opinion of you define what your journey will be. They may think you aren’t a good fit, but when you least expect it, someone will scoop you up and say, “Look at these shoes!” 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.
10 Bham Family June/July 2022
Serving Alabama veterans, first responders, and endof-life adults and elderly ___________ A 113 acre farm less than one hour from Birmingham
Veterans, first responders, and end-of-life patients have access to: • • • • • • • • •
Handicapped assistance for fishing in a well-stocked pond Deer and turkey hunting guides Relaxing views on an expansive porch Bird watching Watching lightning bugs and listening to frogs Beautiful sunset views Fire pit hot dog roasts Trout stream fishing And much, much more, all with volunteer guides and caregivers on site 9375 County Highway 26 ~ Ragland, Alabama amazinggracefarms.org ~ (205) 281-7828 Bham Family June/July 2022
11
FEATURE
Family Fourth Festivities
Catch a fireworks show to celebrate America’s independence! There is perhaps no more iconic fireworks show in Birmigham than Thunder on the Mountain, held at Vulcan every year. At about 9 p.m., the start of more than 2,500 shells will light up the sky around the statue. The light spectacular lasts a half-hour and is set to music from artists like James Brown and Neil Diamond on iHeart radio stations (102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Vulcan, 103.7 The Q, 104.1 The Beat, Birmingham’s ALT 991, B106.5, 105 Hallelujah FM, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC, News Radio 105.5 WERC and also on La Jefa 98.3). This year’s show will include a special tribute to the 2022 World Games, which kick off in Birmingham on July 7, making it the biggest show Vulcan has ever put on. There will 12 Bham Family June/July 2022
also be a selection of songs as a tribute to the city. (Vulcan Park and Museum will close at 6 p.m. on July 4 to prepare for the show.) If you can’t make the show in person, you can watch the live stream on WBRC Fox 6. For viewing tips and other information, visit visitvulcan.com. The 2022 Fireworks Show hosted by the City of Alabaster starts at 6 p.m. with food trucks, bounce houses, games including corn hole, lawn bowling, bocce ball and more, plus the Coca-Cola Music Truck. A 13-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. concludes the event. Held at Thompson High School on Warrior Parkway, viewing areas CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
include all parking areas on school property and the open meadow areas in front of the school. Due to fireworks protocol and safety issues, the Warrior Parkway entrance and exit from Thompson Road will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. until 30 minutes after the fireworks finale. For more restrictions and information, visit cityofalabaster.com/379/fireworks-show-july. The City of Pelham’s Annual Fireworks Show, Fire on the Water, will be held at Oak Mountain State Park on July 3rd. Join the fun starting at 5:30 p.m. for food vendors, swimming, live music, and other activities. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. sharp, rain or shine. Gates to the park open at 7 a.m. so families can spend the day at the beach or at nearby Treetop Nature Trail, playing beach volleyball, and visiting the playground and fishing piers. Regular park rates apply until 4 p.m. After then, entrance is $15 per vehicle, and gates will close at 7 p.m. Guests can bring their own chairs, blankets, and coolers, but no outside alcohol is allowed. For other closures, restrictions, and more information, visit alapark.com/events/ oak-mountain-state-park/fire-water-0. On the Mall in historic downtown, the Trussville Freedom Celebration—put on by FBC Trussville with the aid of corporate sponsors—on July 4th starts at 5:30 p.m. with food vendors like El Compa Taco Truck, Southland BBQ, Pazzo Big Slice Pizza, Bendy’s Cookies and Ice Cream, Kona Ice, Dixieland Funnel Cakes, and more. DJ Platinum takes the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Act of Congress at 7:30 pm. And fireworks at 9 p.m. There’s no admission and you can bring your own food, but alcohol is prohibited. Set your GPS to 301 Parkway Dr. 35173 for the best directions. For more information, visit trussvillefreedomcelebration.com. The Birmingham Barons play the Tennessee Smokies on the Fourth! Take the kids down to Regions Field for all-American hot dogs, ice cream, and baseball. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks to follow after the game (win or lose!). Celebrate Independence Day 1776 at American Village in Montevallo. Gates open at 11 a.m. and special programming is offered from noon till the evening fireworks. Families can participate in more than 40 patriotic activities, including music, dancing, games, encounters with past patriots, and
the Battle at Concord Bridge. Food trucks will be on-site; fireworks start at twilight. Admission is $5, but veterans, active military, and children ages 4 and under are free. For more information, visit americanvillage.org. Heading to the lake? The 4th Annual Triple Creek Fireworks Show begins just after sunset on July 3rd at The Patio on Smith Lake on Rock Creek near Bailey’s Bridge. Thanks to the generosity of the Triple Creek Community— Rock Creek, White Oak Creek, Crooked Creek, and other attendees—the fireworks show is nearly an hour-long. This family-friendly event is held on private property, so be sure to view by boat from a safe distance. In Eclectic near Lake Martin, the 4th of July Fireworks and Concert at The AMP kicks off on July 4th at 6:30 p.m. with cover band The Bank Walkers, followed by country crooner Andrew Jannakos (of The Voice fame) at 8 p.m. and again after the 9 p.m. fireworks show. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. so guests can find a spot on the grassy lawn at The AMP. For more information and tickets, visit theamponlakemartin.com. Bham Family June/July 2022 13
FOOD REVIEW
Blue Bell has a factory and creamery just south of Birmingham in Sylacauga.
SCOOPS OF FUN IN SYLACAUGA Take a short road trip to the Blue Bell Creamery for tours and tastings. BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE This month is National Ice Cream Month, and you have the Bluegrass Sate to thank for this delicious designation! In 1984, Senator Walter Dee Huddleston (KY) introduced a resolution proclaiming July 1984 National Ice Cream Month and the 15th National Ice Cream Day. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law the same year. The bill only specified July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month, but the tradition stuck. Lucky for us, Blue Bell has a factory and creamery just south of Birmingham in Sylacauga. Located about 45 minutes east on Highway 280, the Blue Bell CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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Creamery is one of only a couple production facilities outside of the Brenham, Texas, location, where the ice cream brand—formerly Brenham Creamery Company—was founded. Blue Bell’s growth beyond Texas was slow and steady; the product wasn’t available outside the state until the 1980s and is still available in just 23 states; however, it’s one of the best-selling ice creams in the country. The company attributes that to its strict quality standards. Today, Blue Bell produces ice cream, light ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, sherbet, and other frozen snacks. To ensure fresh products, the company offers a direct store delivery program, which means no one except a Blue Bell employee handles the ice cream from the time it’s made until it arrives at the grocery store. So, if the summer heat has your kids screaming for ice cream, load them up and celebrate with samples and $1 generous scoops at the parlor. The Blue Bell Creamery is open weekdays only, and flavors include customer favorites as well as some available only at the parlor. (Even with all of its unique blends, vanilla remains Blue Bell’s top-selling flavor since it was introduced in
GET THE SCOOP! Blue Bell Creamery 423 N Norton Avenue Sylacauga, Alabama 35150 (256) 249-6100 Country Store and Ice Cream Parlor open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours available by appointment. Closed on July 4th.
1969!) Tours must be scheduled by calling ahead, but make time to do so. You’ll get to watch the packing process as half-gallon, pint, quart, and cup containers are filled with the creamy churned treat. (No pictures allowed!) A bit of tour trivia: Watch out for the carton lids from the observation deck. Gold means the flavor is simple with fewer ingredients, like Dutch Chocolate. Brown lids go on compound flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter Overload. Blue Bell’s company slogan is, “We eat all we can and sell the rest.” Take a trip to Sylacauga and help them out!
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SEAN OF THE SOUTH
PHOTOGRAPH BY FABIAN FAUTH ON UNSPLASH
The Ballad of Bubs McFee New York Harbor, 1885. Only 20 years after the Civil War. New York was the epicenter of the world. Bubs McFee had traveled all the way from Maryland to be here, hoping to get hired as part of the auxiliary metalworking crew that would help assemble the world’s most famous statue. Competition was stiff. Everyone wanted this job. A big-bellied foreman surveyed the long line of hopeful young laborers, sizing them up like an infantry. When the foreman’s eyes landed on Bubs, he laughed. “God sakes, son,” said the foreman. “You don’t look old enough to shave. You sure you’re in the right place?” “Yes, sir.” The other applicants laughed. “What are you, 12?” said the foreman. Bubs said nothing. At age 23, Bubs looked like he was an adolescent. But he had worked the steel girders on exactly 28 buildings and three truss bridges in Pittsburgh. Bubs had been laying rivets since his 14th birthday. He could climb anything, lift twice his weight, and swing a ninepound hammer so hard you’d feel its impact from three states away. “Your mama know you’re here?” said the foreman, whose belly jiggled with laughter. “Yes, sir.” This got another laugh from the group. But Bubs did not break a smile. He merely stared at the foreman. The foreman looked at his clipboard. “Bubs, huh? That your real name?” 16 Bham Family June/July 2022
“Yes, sir.” “Well, Bubs, you have any idea how many beam-walkers die each year on my clock? Have you ever laid a rivet in your life? Can you even lift a hammer with that puny arm you got?” “Yes, sir.” The foreman shook his head. “You’re naturally gabby, aren’t you?” Bubs took the Fifth. The foreman squinted and leaned in. “Well, I think you’re a liar. I don’t think you’ve ever worked with iron in your life. I don’t think you’d know a rivet from your own butt.” The foreman held up a hammer. “You want this job, I’m gonna need a little proof, kid.” In a few moments, a full-scale competition was underway to separate the wheat from the chaff. A gaggle of competing ironworking applicants crowded beneath a tall unfinished steel skeleton, ready to prove themselves. Young Bubs buckled a leather harness around his scrawny waist and prepared to give his audience their ticket’s worth. Nearby ironworkers were already running bets on how many rivets skinny young Bubs could lay down. The foreman shouted the ground rules. “Gentlemen, you have three minutes! First man to climb the iron and give me five good rivets gets a job!” This was a tall order. Five rivets in three minutes? Even your average veteran riveter could only install one CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
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rivet per minute. But then, Bubs was not average. The foreman wound a stopwatch. Bubs loosened his shoulders and took deep breaths. He placed the tongs and hammer into his tool belt then glanced 50 feet upward at his “feeder,” a man cooking red-hot rivets over coals. Riveting was a two-man job. One man operated the coal forge and tossed glowing rivets to the riveter; the riveter swung the hammer and shaped each rivet with nothing but his shoulder muscles and will of the Lord. “On your marks…,” shouted the foreman. Go. The crowd never knew what hit them. Bubs scaled the iron column like a veritable superhuman. His awesome hammer pounded each steel pin faster than you could scratch your nose. The booms from his mallet were like locomotive collisions. His competitors didn’t stand a chance against the wonder kid. Men on the ground lost their smiles. And their bets. Mouths gaped open as the crowd watched a 23-year-old steel driver from Baltimore pound iron rivets like a downright miracle. After only one minute, Bubs had laid in four rivets. After two minutes, he’d finished nine. When the clock ran out Bubs had driven 13 rivets into the iron. None of his competitors had even come close to finishing four.
Young Bubs returned to the ground, his chest heaving with each breath. Men applauded him and took turns congratulating the young man, some still shaking their heads in mock disbelief. Even the foreman was rendered mute as he gazed into the distance at the New York Harbor surrounding them. This diverse crew would help European craftsmen erect the iron framework of a gargantuan statue. Its pylon underframe would be riveted together, then covered in 350 forged copper plates, secured with 300,000 copper rivets. It was the project of a lifetime. The kind of thing that lands men in history books. When completed, the neoclassical sculpture would stand at 305 feet. Her Torch of Freedom would greet 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. Steamship passengers would later report that the statue was the first thing they saw from sea. Many newcomers would weep when they first laid eyes on her. Most still do. Not because of her appearance, but because of what she stands for. The foreman clapped Bubs on the shoulder and gave a warm smile. “That was quite a show, kid. Ain’t never seen anything like that. You start tomorrow morning. You and me are gonna build the most beautiful statue this world has ever seen.” Bubs wiped the slick sweat from his ebony face. “Yes, sir,” he said.
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TRAVEL
STAY COOL
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DOLLYWOOD THEME PARK
AT THESE POOLS!
Make memories at one of these resorts with an emphasis on fun water attractions. BY JAIME DEARMAN WANDER TO THE WATER
If you are still thinking about your summer plans and want a family-friendly water element, this list has some ideas that are perfect for a summer vacation or just a weekend away. Only a short distance from Birmingham, you can hop in the car to experience the fun and adventure that await at one of these cool spots.
DOLLYWOOD PARKS & RESORTS
Just a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Birmingham, the charming town of Gatlinburg is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge offer a myriad of activities from dining and dinner shows, quirky museums, classic mini golf, go karting, zip line, and more. One of the best parts is the Dollywood Parks & Resorts. Stay at the inn or retreat to a cabin. Cool off at Dollywood’s Splash Country—The Most
Trusted Water Park in the Smokies—and experience theme park thrills. Enjoy sweet summer nights with the park’s nighttime show of fireworks and drones.
GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER
In the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, lies the Gaylord Opryland Hotel with a summer treasure offering fun for all ages. SoundWaves is the nation’s first outdoor/ indoor water park that immerses you in music. It includes four acres of play areas, including lazy and rapid rivers, waterslides, splash pad, waterfalls, and Nashville’s only double FlowRider surfing experience. You can also rent a cabana and enjoy watching your littles play at Half Note Cove, a multilevel play area with smaller slides, water sprays, and shallow water. The indoor attractions are heated and open year-round. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Bham Family June/July 2022 19
FEATURE
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
LUXURY LAKE OCONEE
With lavish summer camp vibes, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee provides families with a lakeside retreat and a return to nature. Located near Greensboro, Georgia, this resort is just a three- and half-hour drive from Birmingham. The property features rooms and suites as well as lakeside cottages for large family vacations. The Family Pool offers geysers, splash pads, and a bridge. Ritz Kids, for ages 5 to 12, includes a Clubhouse with an aquarium and other play features; full and half-day Lake Adventures introduce kids to camping, fishing, and other outdoor escapades; and a ride aboard the Linger Longer
Express—an eco-efficient locomotive. You can also book an in-room camping experience that includes tent and sleeping bag setup, a children’s book, and a stuffed animal. While you may think this resort is better suited for the warmer months, it is a perfect option for families who want an upscale vacation in a nontropical, relaxing atmosphere any time of year. These are only a few options for your family’s summer getaway. It is always recommended to use a travel agent for your travel arrangements to help advise you of destination protocols, requirements, and details. Travel agents do not cost you additional money and can offer you specialized service. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE
20 Bham Family June/July 2022
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GRAND HOTEL GOLF RESORT & SPA
Located in Fairhope, Alabama, this resort boasts a golf course affiliated with Robert Trent Jones, Historic Hotels of America designation, a 20,000-square-foot spa, and a lovely event and meeting space. This Mobile Bay gem epitomizes southern charm and hospitality. The resort offers a variety of activities, from paddleboarding to fishing, tennis, and golf. Set against the backdrop of the bay, the hotel offers several pools that include cabana rentals, zero-entry, a water slide, and children’s splash pad. Jaime is a local travel agent specializing in Disney and family vacations. Visit jaimedearman.com or contact her at j.dearman@mmvagent.com. (Her services are provided at no additional cost to clients.)
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GRAND HOTEL GOLF RESORT & SPA
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FEATURE
Local Educator Named Teacher of the Year Booker T. Washington K-8 School’s Reggie White selected as the state’s top educator
CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION A special event was held at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in May as the Alabama State Board of Education officially announced this year’s Alabama Teacher of the Year. This exciting event narrowed the list of 16 finalists to the state’s two most outstanding educators. Reggie White, who teaches at Booker T. Washington K-8 School, has been named the 2022-2023
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Alabama Teacher of the Year. He will serve as the state’s official ambassador for public education and the teaching profession. As an accomplished educator in the Birmingham City School System, Reggie inspires every student in his community to achieve. He is a National Board-certified fifth-grade teacher in the Birmingham City School System. He grew up in Choctaw County and attended Alabama CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
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State University with the intention of majoring in communications. While in college, he joined the Baptist Student Union. This organization provided him the opportunity one summer to serve as a missionary in San Jose, California. He assisted students in learning English and mentored local families on methods to improve student reading skills and comprehension. From this moment, he knew that he wanted to become an educator. When White returned home from California, confirmation about his new career path was further received through a television commercial he saw. The commercial focused on recruiting new teachers, and, at the closing, the student said, “We need you!” Reggie saw himself in the commercial and vowed to one day create a classroom where all students felt valued and inspired to achieve their dreams. “I believe it is important for my students to see me as a real person,” he says. “I ensure that my students are connected to the world around them. Technology has allowed opportunities to invite guest speakers into our classroom to help deepen my students’ understanding of various concepts. As the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year, my message is: ‘Our Children Need a Responsive Classroom.’ A responsive classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental
awareness.” When asked to describe the positive impact that he is having on student achievement, one southern region education representative said, “Mr. White inspires his students. Upon entering his laboratory of academic engagement, his classroom, one can see that Mr. White is an accomplished teacher. His lessons reflect his knowledge of students, their interest, learning styles, and rigor. He is in tune to their needs and propels them to succeed.” After being selected, the Alabama Teacher of the Year spends a majority of the school year serving as an official spokesperson for education, presenting professional workshops and information to various groups throughout the state and nation. Additionally, Reggie is now Alabama’s official candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award. Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education said it is exciting to recognize these great educators. “Alabama Teacher of the Year Reggie White, as well as State Alternate Teacher of the Year William Edmonds, exemplify the professionalism of Alabama’s educators,” said Mackey. “Both of these outstanding teachers embody classroom excellence.” In a video discussing the honor, the new Teacher of the Year said: “I live to see the sparkle go off in my students’ eyes. I love to see them get something that they thought they couldn’t get and to see when they believe in themselves after they were doubting themselves.” Bham Family June/July 2022 23
FEATURE
PHOTOGRAPH BY RON BURKETT
FINDING HOPE AND HAPPINESS
Amazing Grace Farms grants wishes and fulfills dreams BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Organic farmer Brett Brian once said, “Farming is a profession of hope.” Though he was referring to food crops, the sentiment is just as aptly applied to Amazing Grace Farms in Ragland, about 45 miles northeast of Birmingham. The seeds sown here aren’t the kind that will produce a feast, but instead a harvest of healing and happiness. The ministry is run by Judy Batson, a former nurse and executive director of Amazing Grace Farms. “This all came
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about a little at a time, after caring for elderly patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other age-related ailments,” explains Judy. “I watched as some of these precious people just withdrew or gave up. Without any stimulation, they just talked about days gone by and how they wished they could go fishing or hunting, pick something from a garden, or even hear a whippoorwill.” Explaining that these were but a few of the “last wishes” she heard during the past 20 years, Judy wanted a solution. “Life CONTINUED ON PAGE 25
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doesn’t stop at a certain age, as long as there is life, people still have dreams,” she says. “I decided these things needed to be offered to people, some way, somehow. And God opened doors—and He is still opening them.” One of the first doors was to the 100-acre property that Judy purchased to help grant some of these seemingly simple requests. There, Judy made it her mission to make some of these dreams come true. “We offer fishing in a well-stocked pond—bass, crappie, bluegill—ATV rides, hiking, shooting lessons facilitated safely by our experienced instructors, barn exploring, cookouts, campouts, picnics, storytelling and singalongs around the firepit—complete with s’mores—firefly and frog catching. And if none of that appeals to you,” she says, “then you can just sit in one of our rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, take in God’s beautiful blue sky, and watch the sun go down while sipping sweet tea. You can always take a nap on one of the porch’s swinging beds. There’s always something to do, even if that something is doing nothing.” The farm offers supervised care and instructions as needed based on the individual who is visiting. As the founder and executive director, Judy says CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JUDY BATSON
Above: Judy Batson founded Amazing Grace Farms. Below: Executive Property Manager Craig Grigsby in a prop for the new 50s diner.
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the hat she wears changes daily. “I do what needs to be done make this project a success. I may be out mowing grass, or at a ladies’ luncheon giving a speech on the needs of our elderly or what we can do to better recognize the veterans who made our country what it is today,” she says. “But I could not do this at all without the dedication and compassion of Craig Grigsby (executive property manager), John Bush (assistant property manager), and Larry Bell (advisor and hunting guide).” She met the three men when they commuted from Panama City, Florida, to work on her floors and were struck by her mission and heart—another “open door.” They’ve continued to come up every few weeks in the two years since to help transform the property according to Judy’s vision. “These men—licensed contractors—and some others are not only on staff, but they also volunteer hours to help make this dream come true, truly making my Dream Team. They do everything because they wanted to contribute and be a part of this plan. We are working for Him! And we want everyone who comes through the gate to see, hear, or find something positive, so that when they leave, they feel renewed, relaxed, and a little closer to God.” In addition to what the farm already offers,
construction is underway for a zero-entry pool and a 50s-theme diner, where guests can grab burgers and hot dogs. “We have many future plans on the drawing board, too,” explains Judy. “We want to build two handicap-accessible cabins and an accessible hunting stand, and we want to purchase a side-by-side (utility vehicle) that a wheelchair can roll right into.” Thus far, Judy has paid for Amazing Grace Farms herself, along with a few donations from business acquaintances and family members. “It’s been a payas-we-go project,” she says. “We hope to find other business owners, organizations, and individuals who want to contribute in some way.” She is resolved to continue offering the farm at no cost to those who need it most. “Our elderly visitors are typically on a fixed income and can’t afford luxuries, and we’d love to find sponsors for them, as well as our veterans, so that we can maintain our goal of never charging guests a fee.” “Like Make-A-Wish does for children, we’re the bucket-list-come-true place for the elderly, mentally challenged, terminally ill, first responders, and veterans,” says Judy. “We’re helping to grant a last wish or one more happy day. Amazing Grace Farms is my passion.” For more information about Amazing Grace Farms or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit amazinggracefarms.org.
Aldridge Gardens is OPEN ~ 8am-7pm daily ~ FREE admission Please practice safe social distancing! (205) 682-8019 | aldridgegardens.com 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover
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FOOD
Festive Treats for the Fourth Make one of these red, white, and blue recipes with the kiddos—they’re that easy!
PATRIOTIC ICE CREAM CONES Instead of filling the cones with ice cream, you can also use them as a serving cup for red and blue fruit. Sugar or cake cones White chocolate chips Red, white, and blue sprinkles (like Betty Crocker Decorating Decors), nonpareils, or star sprinkles (available on Amazon) Melt white chocolate chips according to package directions. Use a pastry brush to “paint” a rim of chocolate around a cone, then roll in decorations or sprinkle on chocolate. Repeat with all cones;
allow to dry on wax paper, then serve with your favorite ice cream flavors, cherries, and extra sprinkles. SALUTE SNACK MIX 3/4 c Honey Nut Cheerios 3/4 c Rice Chex 1 bag Chex Mix Muddy Buddies 2/3 c Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks 3/4 c Red, white, and blue M&M’s 2/3 c Patriotic candy corn, such as Brach’s (available on Amazon) CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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Mix all ingredients together in a large red bowl. Feel free to add your own spin with additional add-ins like Swedish Fish, peanut butter balls, mini marshmallows, or white chocolate chips. FLAG FRUIT KEBOBS Strawberries and/or raspberries Mini marshmallows Blueberries Wooden skewers Skewer strawberries or raspberries, mini marshmallows, and blueberries. For a fun variation, thread blueberries, strawberries, regularsize marshmallows, and bites of brownies onto longer wooden skewers. WATERMELON STARS Small seedless watermelon Whipped cream (make your own using 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 T confectioner’s sugar, or use store-bought) 1 small container blueberries Slice watermelon and cut out pieces using a small star-shaped cookie cutter. Dollop each star with whipped cream, and top with a few blueberries. RED, WHITE, AND BLUE STRAWBERRIES 1 pound strawberries, washed White baking chocolate Vegetable oil Blue sugar sprinkles Wash and dry strawberries completely. Melt baking chocolate and a little vegetable oil until smooth. Dip strawberries one at time in chocolate and then in sugar about halfway up the white chocolate. Place on wax paper to cool. (You can also use this method with cherries.) SPRINKLE ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES Store-bought ice-cream sandwiches (regular, mini, or square-shaped will work) Wooden ice-pop sticks Assorted patriotic sprinkles Unwrap ice-cream sandwiches and allow to get slightly soft. Press all sides in a dish of sprinkles. Insert a wooden stick in the bottom to make a sandwich pop. Place on a baking tray to freeze until ready to eat. Wrap any extra sandwiches in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. 28 Bham Family June/July 2022
HEALTHY PATRIOTIC PARFAITS Red fruit such as chopped cherries, sliced strawberries, or raspberries Vanilla yogurt Blueberries or blackberries Layer red fruit, yogurt, and berries in a glass or clear plastic cup. Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream. SAVORY FLAG “CAKE” If sweets aren’t your thing, layer up this savory plate instead. Blueberries Strawberries and raspberries Mozzarella or Swiss cheese cubes Round water crackers Place a small container of blueberries in the top left corner of a white rectangular dish. Layer fruit, cheese, and crackers in “stripes” until plate is filled. Serve with preserves or pepper jelly. Variation: Sub white chocolate or yogurt-covered pretzels for cheese and crackers. PATRIOTIC PRETZELS 3 dozen square-shaped pretzels 36 White Candy Melts (like Wilton Bright White Candy Melts) Red and blue M&M Minis Place 10 pretzels on a microwave-safe plate. Add a candy melt to each pretzel, and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until softened (but not melted). Working quickly, press 2 blue M&Ms side by side into the top corner of each pretzel. Add 2 more blue M&M’s directly below the first two to create a row. Fill in the “stripes” with red M&M’s. Allow to cool completely before serving. USA CANDY BARK 1 cup each white, blue, and red candy melts 1/2 cup patriotic sprinkles Edible gold or silver stars Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Melt candy melts in three separate bowls. Spoon over prepared baking sheet, using double the white melts. Swirl colors together with a knife until you achieve a tie-dye look. Add sprinkles and stars, CONTINUED ON PAGE 29
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then freeze bark for 30 minutes or until set. Break into pieces. (You can add other toppings like M&M’s and Oreo crumbles too.) ALL-AMERICAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups chocolate chips 1 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Dissolve
baking soda in 2 teaspoons hot water and add to batter with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and M&M’s. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are browned. CELEBRATE S’MORES Graham crackers Red royal icing Blue royal icing Red, white, and blue star sprinkles Marshmallows Chocolate candy bars Coat tops of graham crackers evenly in red and blue icing. Sprinkle with stars and allow to dry. Pair with marshmallows and chocolate for perfect patriotic s’mores. Bham Family June/July 2022 29
KIDS WHO SHINE
LIBBY LAW, MBA CANDIDATE AT OLE MISS At age 23, born-and-raised Mountain Brook native Libby Law is not exactly a “kid.” But she is a student who recently completed her MBA at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. As part of a post-grade entrepreneurial class, Libby and four other group members were tasked with creating a fundraising website that included page visit and donation requirements. “Our group was given a list of potential fundraising groups to choose from,” says Libby. “Because we were from different states, we felt like the veterans association was a group that everyone could relate with. In some way, we all have connections with veterans, and we knew this would help us with fundraising.” On their project page (ignite.olemiss.edu/ project/31102), visitors learned that their donations would go toward essential funding for student veterans, noting: “These students have put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy the liberties of freedom that we experience every day. Your donation will help provide resources and support to ensure a positive campus experience for our student veteran community. In addition to this, you will also be directly supporting these student veterans family members.” Creative donation options included $6 for the six branches of the military; $19.20 in honor of the year the SVA was founded; $50 in recognition of the 50 stars on the U.S. flag; $103 to commemorate the 103 years since Veteran’s Day began in 1919; and $246 to celebrate America’s 246th birthday this month. It was up to the five-student group—Libby; Michael Coccia of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Kate de Steuben of Washington, D.C.; Nick Sebens of Oxford, Mississippi; and Brooks Quartararo of Greenville, South Carolina—to figure out how to promote the website, which included posting QR codes around campus, individually texting, posting on social media and other sites, and then determining the best point of return for their efforts. “The project lasted over a month, so we had to consistently promote the veterans association to be able to reach our goals,” she says. “In a little over four weeks, we raised $1,980. The funds go directly to the Ole Miss Student Veterans Association (SVA), which has an on-campus 30 Bham Family June/July 2022
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF LIBBY LAW
Libby Law created a fundraising website with her classmates.
house with a computer lab, study and relaxation areas, a kitchen for meals, and more. Veterans can visit any time.” According to Jamie King, a veteran (82nd Airborne, United States Army) and president of the SVA, on the Ole Miss Veteran and Military Services site: “The mission of the SVA, with the support of Veteran and Military Services, is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education, as well as develop a sense of camaraderie within the student veteran community on campus.” The University of Mississippi is one of America’s top military-friendly universities, the number one school in the state for veterans, and is an Unlimited/Unlimited Yellow Ribbon School and Purple Heart Campus. “This is a student-run organization with veterans at its core,” says Jamie. “As a veteran, I know the difficulties one can face in the transition from military to civilian life.” The funds raised by Libby and her classmates will help to keep the George Street House, where the SVA is located, running for veterans. This month, Libby will move to Charlotte, North Carolina, to work as an Enterprise Analyst in the Leadership Development Program for Truist Bank. You can learn more about the Ole Miss SVA at vms.olemiss.edu/student-veteranorganization.
Olivia Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient Tetralogy of Fallot Patient
The The path path to to
MENDING MENDING HER HER
HEART was actually through her leg. was actually through her leg.
Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at Children’s of Alabama. Children’s of Alabama.
To learn more visit To learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heart ChildrensAL.org/heart 31 Bham Family June/July 2022
TEEN TALK LINE (205) 605-1830
PARENT TALK LINE compact2020.com (205) 605-1827
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.
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