Bham Family ~ March 2022

MARCH 2022

(fully) Joy Serving

Families Caterer Joy Smith pursues her dream of feeding others every day. Page 12

TRAIN UP YOUR CHILDREN KidStrong builds strength and character through its sciencebased, parent-focused curriculum.

Page 26

Make

Sean of the South

Holy Moly Motherhood, and more!

a spring terrarium together Page 14

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EDITOR’S NOTE Happy Spring! Whether March comes in like a lion or a lamb, one thing is certain: Warmer, sunnier—and more active—days are ahead. In that spirit, we have quite a lot to share in this issue to make this season fun and filled with family.

On page 14, learn how to make a simple DIY terrarium with your kids. This project is perfect for an afternoon outdoors or when you need something to fill up the minutes on a rainy day. Also be sure to check out page 20 to read all about a preschool program called Science Scouts.

If you’re looking to watch your kiddos get active, be sure to check out our feature on KidStrong (page 26), a private child development training center that focuses on brain, physical, and character development for ages walking through 11 years. And if you are looking for something to do, consider joining Cooks on a Mission (page 24), a ministry of Mountain Brook Baptist Church that meets a few

times monthly to cook and serve the community. If family fun in the summertime is on your mind, don’t miss a travel primer on page 28, with tips to make a trip to Disney magical. This month, we welcome new columnist Alana Smith of Holy Moly Motherhood (page 10), plus we hear from old favorites Sean Dietrich of Sean of the South (age 16) and Ward Williams in our Just for Dads column (page 8).

We never grow tired of showcasing the amazing people and things they continue to do around the Birmingham area. If you know of a person, event, or business we should feature, we’d love to hear from you! Email me anytime. Happy Spring!

Meet the team keeping Birmingham looking good!

DENTISTRY FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN, TEENS, AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com

Tabitha Jarman Gatrey, DMD

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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.

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To reach the largest audience of parents in Birmingham each month, partner with us. Email matthew@jbmcmedia.com to get started with a partnership that will be a key part of your plan.

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Pediatric Smiles

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Brookwood Baptist Health

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Single Barrel Barber Shop

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Children’s of Alabama

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The Altamont School

Compact

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Urgent Care for Children

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Hoover Met Complex

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Vineyard Family Services

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Kasey Davis Dentistry

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Painted Personalities

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Birmingham BirminghamFamily FamilyMagazine Magazine

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@BhamFamilyMag @BhamFamilyMag

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Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Wrapsody

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RECYCLE RECYCLE ME! ME!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

24

12

Just for Dads Ward Williams gives advice. p. 8 Holy Moly Motherhood Get in a spring clean mindset. p. 10 Sean of the South Sean Dietrich is moving to town. p. 16 Medical Q&A Lee Goldenberg of Greystone Chiropractic, p. 18

Faith Cooks on a Mission serves the community p. 24

Active Living KidStrong builds character in mind and body. p. 26

26

Kids Who Shine Eagle Scout Cooper Williamson is planning a disc golf course at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex p. 30 FEATURE STORIES

Finding Joy in Catering Joy Smith of Sorelle Catering opens a takeand-bake cafe p. 12 DIY Garden Terrarium Make a springtime planter together p. 14

Science Scouts Mom and teacher uses easy at-home projects to entertain the kids. p. 20 Magical Travel A travel agent shares her best tips for tackling Disney. p. 28

ON THE COVER Cover Photo by Kristin Greene, Future Memories Photography!

Joy Smith has a love for crafting delicious food (including delectable cheesecakes), and last year she expanded her catering business, Sorelle, into a storefront in Homewood.

Read about her journey and about Sorelle on page 12.

Bham Family March 2022 7

JUST FOR DADS

PHOTO BY ASHTON BINGHAM ON UNSPLASH

One weekend recently, I not only received an invite to my 30-year high school reunion, but also my childhood friend of 40 years, Joey, stayed the night with my family on his way back from visiting his college-age daughter. We talked about our childhood adventures, shared a story or two my wife had never heard, and remembered some misadventures we successfully Ward hid from my mom for 30-plus Williams years.

Growing up, my friends and I saw our neighborhood as a giant adventure just waiting for us to explore. We were fortunate to grow up in a neighborhood with a good number of kids our age and, on top of that, we had the perk of living in a neighborhood with a giant park located at the center. As kids, we spent many hours and days playing in that park, using our imaginations as we pretended to protect our homeland with inspiration from Rocky and Red Dawn. There were many days filled with exploits, danger, and precariousness that helped us develop the ability to be resilient and improvise. I believe that all those battles in the park led to my friend Joey finding his calling, as he now has achieved high rank in the Army and has served multiple 8 Bham Family March 2022

tours overseas since 9/11. The imagination, interaction, and mostly unsupervised play was a vital part of our childhood as we learned how to communicate and relate to one another.

Play is essential for the social emotional growth in children. Social and emotional development is taught in almost every field of professionals who work with children, and it is something that should be incorporated into each part of children’s lives. As parents, it is important that we encourage play, imagination, and creative outlets that help our kids see opportunities and possibilities of what they can be and what they can do to benefit the world around them.

In general, men and women have completely different styles of play, and both are necessary.

We should never stop playing and imagining. Our kids are never too old—and neither are we—to be creative and use our imaginations.

Joey recently visited Corpus Christi and shared that our hometown is not the same as it once was. When we were young, it was a place where anything could happen, and the future was full of endless opportunities. It was a place full of laughter and play. An important way to help your child look back on their hometown and childhood is to create a place where play is fun and encouraged.

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HOLY MOLY MOTHERHOOD

SPRING CLEAN I can feel it coming. Slowly, but surely.

The grass starts to grow, and I get excited for new beginnings.

And with that comes the urge to clean, organize, and get my house out of hibernation. Let it feel the sunshine. Spring clean.

But the list of cleaning tasks is quite daunting, and I’m the type of person who wants to do it all, right this second.

Dusting places that never get dusted, washing windows, and filling flowerpots. It’s a lot. But because I have two little humans to care for Alana and a job that makes me leave the house, I’ll just have to tackle this Smith list a little at a time.

These days, checking chores off my list is often hard to do, especially with kiddos running around. I love a clean house, but I tend to have some sort of cleaning attention deficit.

I’ll start one thing, and then start another, and another. Because I want everything squeaky clean at once. Then I’ll find myself knee-deep in a basket of toys, trying to find Mr. Potato Head’s ear. It goes something like this: • Start vacuuming…

• vacuum one room…

• forget to start the washer…

• go get laundry…

• wash clothes…

• wonder how so much lint can accumulate in one place…

• worry lint will start a house fire…

• clean lint…

• kill a few ants…

• go write a note to call the bug man…

• notice the state of the junk drawer…

• start organizing the tape and screw drivers • agonize over keeping or tossing some old super glue…

• decide to keep it in case of a super glue emergency…notice spaghetti sauce on a cabinet…

• wonder how we haven’t seen week old spaghetti spillage…

• start Magic Eraser-ing the cabinet…

• then the walls…

• forget all about vacuuming until someone asks for a snack, and then spills it in the floor.

Holy moly.

On that note, happy spring cleaning to you all! Godspeed.

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 March 2022

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FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JOY SMITH

Finding Joy in Food Sorelle’s Joy Smith prepares tons of grab-and-go dishes in her new space

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE When you ask Joy Smith how long she’s been into cooking and what first piqued her interest, she’ll tell you two things: Always, even going back to pretend play in the kitchen when she was a little girl, and her mom, who cooked everything herself, from baking bread to beautiful pies and all the other dishes in between. “She was a single mom and a huge influence on me,” says Joy. “I learned a lot of things from watching her in the kitchen.”

Joy’s love for cooking never waned, and she eventually moved on from plastic play food to the real thing. “My first job was in a kitchen,” she says. “Front of the house, back of the house—it just comes natural for me to be there. I do love to cook, but I really love to feed people. When I see somebody eat something and enjoy it, well, I just love to be a part of that.”

And she was, working in various restaurants while obtaining a psychology degree from UAB and then falling into teaching. She was at Creative Montessori in Homewood for 10 years, where she continued to work as a server on the side. While at Creative Montessori, Joy had the opportunity 12 Bham Family March 2022

to take on the role of food service director, and she took the opportunity to revamp the entire lunch program at the school. “I helped the students plant an organic garden—we planted, picked, and cooked the green beans we grew. We made it fun,” she says. “And then I was able to get fresh fruits, veggies, and a salad bar into the lunch program. And my reward was seeing everyone love the food.”

Even though she loved her job, she had kept a childhood memory tucked away, and it was starting to nag at her heart. “When I was 7 years old, my mom and I were driving in Michigan [where they lived at the time], and she saw a little shed and said, “Now, wouldn’t that be the cutest little restaurant! You could do pot roast on Thursday, chicken pot pie on Friday…” ,” Joy recalls. “It sounded so fabulous! But my mom was a nurse and it just never happened for her. But the fantasy stayed with me, and I had a burning passion to make it reality.”

So, exhausted from teaching and wanting to chase her dream, Joy left her job and started feeding people through catering jobs. “I didn’t CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

know what to do and I didn’t have any money,” she says. “But I knew the most important thing was to feed the people. So, I went to the farmers’ market, and I started feeding people.”

Mouthwatering word spread, and in December 2020, Joy got her famous cheesecake in her first Piggly-Wiggly (River Run location). Her tangy, creamy, smoother-than-butter cheesecakes are now available at six local Pigs. Still, she couldn’t shake the idea of a storefront. “I’ve never done this before, but I love people and I love to feed them,” she says. “I heard if you feed them, they will come, and I’m just winging it.”

When a space opened up—the old JoJo’s on Broadway adjacent to Gianmarco’s—Joy finally turned her 7-year-old-girl dream into her grownup reality.

She hired a chef she’d met while working in a local fine dining restaurant, put together a menu, and prepped for the open house—and four days before she opened, the new chef quit. “I was literally pulling out paper and paint to make the open house sign,” Joy says. Undeterred, she forged ahead, doing everything herself. Almost five months ago, she hired someone new. “He’s never worked in a kitchen, but I taught him everything, and I feel so so blessed to have him.”

She also has part-time serving help, a cheesecake apprentice, and—most special of all—her oldest daughter Allise, a student at UAB. “She’s sweet and fabulous and very kknowledgeable about food.” (Joy also has a son, Jacob, who attends North Alabama, and another daughter, Olivia, who is a senior at Homewood High School.

She’s married to Gregory, who is the director of Creative Montessori.)

Though the café is set up for mostly grab-andgo, the space does have some seating—perfect for eating a quick sandwich—and a few armchairs, which are a cozy spot to enjoy Joy’s hot chocolate service. “I wanted it to feel like you’re walking into someone’s house,” says Joy. “We have amazing coffee from a local roaster, Red Bike coffee, and our hot chocolate service is really special.” She can make a batch if you’re willing to wait a minute, but if you call ahead, Joy will prep her rich recipe and serve it to you in a teapot with house-made whipped cream and a tea cup with a teeny ice-cream cone on the side. “It’s the most adorable ice-cream cone you’ve ever seen in your life. Kids love it and so do adults.”

In the freezer, hungry customers can choose

from an abundance of made-from-scratch entrees, soups, sides, salads, and, of course, cheesecake. The top-selling entrée is meatloaf with mashed potatoes, followed by the chicken parmesan and chicken with sage cream sauce.

“We make our own stock, then use it as the base for the sauce and add white wine, heavy cream, and sage,” says Joy. “It’s really unique and really good.”

Popular sides include honey-roasted sweet potatoes and ginger-roasted carrots. “I’ve had quite a few people call and tell me they are the best carrots they’ve ever eaten. Who calls about carrots?” she says, noting that it’s that type of feedback that is why she cooks. “If people are happy [with the food], then I’m happy.”

People also seem to love the sliders, pesto salad, hot mushroom dip, and roasted red pepper relish. Joy is still doing plenty of boxed lunches for offices, appetizer parties, and full-service catering for weddings and graduation parties. The house chicken—grilled ginger-lime—is served on bread and salads, and the house salad comes with a homemade white-honey balsamic dressing. Oh, and seasonal soups are a big hit, too, like chicken, mushroom, and wild rice and the stuffed pepper soup, which Joy recently ate three times in one week. “I don’t usually do that,” she says, laughing and explaining that her family eats “the scraps.”

Joy says she doesn’t do favorites—”I’m not a favorites person”—food or successes. “I really try to be in the moment and appreciate the small things that add up to a life,” she says. “Don’t get me wrong, [well-known food writer] Susan Swagler interviewed me, I’m a member of Les Dames D’Escoffier Birmingham chapter—that’s really exciting. But being able to partner with FeedBHM or having someone come in and tell me their husband just had surgery and they were sick of restaurant food and wanted home cooking but didn’t want to actually cook—that’s the successful stuff for me.”

“I’m not exactly sure where we are going— I’m just winging it,” she says. “I’d love to get my liquor license and have a little wine and charcuterie for cocktail hour. But I don’t want to be a bar and stay open till midnight. So, we’ll just keep taking one tiny baby step at a time: one meal, one cheesecake, one office catering job at a time. Eventually, we’ll settle and nestle.”

Sorelle Café is located at 903 Broadway Street in Homewood. Hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Monday – Saturday. For more information, visit facebook.com/sorelle1000.

Bham Family March 2022 13

FEATURE

A Kid-Friendly Terrarium DIY

Have some gardening fun on a spring afternoon

BY CARMEN JOHNSTON I love finding unique ways to bring plants into a home, and what better way to do that than with your kids? This adorable garden-in-a-jar can go almost anywhere in your home, in your child’s bedroom, your living room, dining room, or kitchen. If you decide to do this DIY with your kiddos, let them take control of the project—there is no wrong way to do this!

But, if you get one for your kids, make sure to get an extra jar for yourself, because you are going to want to have one of your own, too.

Most of the materials listed on the following page are ones you might already have in your home, but if you don’t you can find everything you need easily at your local craft store or even on Amazon. Feel free to make the terrarium in your own style and let your kids help pick out the supplies—the more they can do to help, the more responsibility they will feel in taking care of the plants down the road. Add a fun and festive spin by including Spring or Easter themed goodies, and let it double as a fun gift. Be creative!

14 Bham Family March 2022

DIY TERRARIUM MATERIALS Large glass container Lazy Susan or turntable Potting soil and mulch mix Various small rocks Colored sand (optional) Small plants like cacti, succulents, small tropical plants, or orchids Kitchen tongs Small paintbrush Moss Spray bottle of water Turkey baster Fun personal or decorative items Start by putting your glass terrarium container on the lazy Susan. This will help you turn the container to see all sides while working. You can use any type of glass container. I chose a large glass cookie jar.

are using orchids, leave them in their pots.

Add more stones around the plants to create perfect drainage.

Spread a very thin layer of potting soil/mulch mix on the bottom of your container.

Use a paintbrush to clean the dirt and debris off the sides of the container.

Add an inch or two of rocks on top of the potting soil. You can use any color and type of rock to make it fun. I used black, but small garden rocks come in every shape and color—even glowin-the-dark! Flatten the rocks with your hand.

(You can also add colored sand at this point, too.

Just sprinkle a small amount over the rocks.)

Adding moss to your terrarium will help to hold in moisture over time. Add it around the edge of the container and in between your plants. You can also use moss rocks or balls (found at any craft store), which are just Styrofoam wrapped with moss.

Add another layer of potting soil and mulch. (I use mostly mulch mixed with a little bit of potting soil.) A terrarium is self-watering, so it needs good drainage, and the mulch helps to provide that. Without proper drainage, your plants can flood and die. Make this layer of potting soil into a large hill that fills the container about halfway.

Time to add some green! I like to use 3 to 4 plants for my terrarium, because you don’t want to overstuff the container. Start with the tallest of your plants and, with the kitchen tongs, create a crater in the center of the mulch hill. Using the tongs, lower the plant into the hole. Still using the tongs, surround the plant tightly with soil and mulch.

Continue to remove your plants from their pots and place in the mulch around the center. If you

Give the whole container a misting of water.

Using the turkey baster, give each plant about 1 ounce of water.

Now, add some personality! Using glitter, toys, or other decorative items, add some pizzazz to your terrarium. You can use pretty much anything here, from a toy dinosaur to a Hot Wheels car. Let your kids add their personal touch.

Top the container off with its lid, and you’re done! During the next 24 hours, your terrarium will collect water on the inside of the jar due to humidity, and it will become a self-watering miniecosystem. The terrarium will water itself for the next year.

Use this DIY for some great family time, and then share with me on Instagram or Facebook (@carmenjohnstongardens) so I can see your creations. Happy Gardening!

Bham Family March 2022 15

SEAN OF THE SOUTH

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROJAN MAHARJAN ON UNSPLASH

Alabama or Bust

BY SEAN DIETRICH So, I guess we’re moving. My wife, Jamie, has been looking at houses for several months now, ever since her mother passed away. And it’s getting serious.

This all started one morning when my wife announced that she wanted to leave Florida and move to Birmingham, Alabama, to make a fresh start in life.

My immediate reaction was to kiss her forehead. I told her I was going to miss her dearly.

“You’re coming with me,” she said.

“Me?” I said with a laugh. “Leave Florida?”

Truthfully, I did not think she would follow through. I never thought I’d leave the Alligator State.

I’ve never had the desire to leave. During boyhood, when all my friends traipsed off to college to begin their lives far away from home, I was voted most likely to die of mosquito-borne illness.

I grew up in a magical place where 127 square miles of brackish bay water meet the sky. The Choctawhatchee Bay was never less than a mile from my front porch; neither was the Gulf of Mexico. And living within my backyard, according to the Guinness World Records Book, was the world’s largest brown recluse spider. We named him Phil.

But my wife is not someone who makes idle 16 Bham Family March 2022

statements. When she declares that she’s going to do something, it’s already half-done. So, if this woman says we’re moving, it’s time to call Mayflower®.

Lately, this woman has been constantly obsessing over houses for sale, daydreaming about them, drawing pictures of three-bedroom, two-baths on legal pads, using pocketknives to carve the initials of her favorite Realtors into our kitchen table.

She frequently uses my computer printer to print explicit photographs of Arts and Crafts-style bungalows, then hangs these photos up in our bathroom like pinups.

My wife frequently drives thousands of miles to attend open houses, wherein she walks thoughtfully through the homes of complete strangers for the sole purpose of criticizing their decor.

And once, late at night, I caught my wife watching HGTV at a low volume. “Oh yeah, baby,” my wife was saying suggestively as the television displayed gratuitous shots of subway tile.

My wife is a big fan of subway tile. She would happily move into the Bates Motel if they had subway tile backsplashes.

So, over the last months, my wife’s home-buying fantasies have gotten worse. Recently, she has been CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

taking me on tours of homes within our price range.

In my short time looking at houses, I’ve discovered that many people will put anything on the market, no matter what condition it’s in.

We once toured a home, for example, with a large brownish stain on the living room carpet that looked like someone’s dog had not so much as suffered incontinence, but rather rejoiced in it. The house smelled like a chain-smoking billy goat, there was a blue tarp on the roof, and the backyard contained not one, but three rusted water heaters.

After one-point-three minutes inside, I was ready to leave, but my wife was still inspecting the kitchen, uttering cryptic home-decorating phrases like, “I’m thinking we could do shiplap right here.”

We’ve been going through this unique realestate purgatory for months now. But today, I think something pivotal finally happened. Today, at long last, my wife believes she might have found The House.

This afternoon, we walked inside a smallish house with antique windows and oaken floors, built in the 1920s. The little house has been beautifully taken care of. It has all the charm you’d expect from a clapboard home predating the Coolidge Administration.

When we walked through the front door, I halfexpected to hear an Artie Shaw record playing in the

background, and maybe even overhear the voice of my granny in the den, screaming at contestants on “Wheel of Fortune.”

My wife was brimming with excitement when she stepped inside the bedrooms. Her eyes danced around the interior like Willy Wonka on amphetamines. Soon, she was touching the walls absentmindedly, using reverent words like “closet space.”

And suddenly, it all became real to me. I realized that we are indeed moving to Birmingham. I don’t know when, and I don’t know where exactly, but it’s going to happen. We might even wind up in this house.

I sat on the sofa and tried to wrap my head around the idea that one day, my home state will be 261 miles behind us, and all my memories will be covered with creeping vines.

No longer will I see the Choctawhatchee Bay water at sunup, the bay where I first kissed my wife.

No longer will I find myself in a johnboat at dusk, fishing with my cousin, watching the stars play over the Panhandle.

I will be here, in the Yellowhammer State, snug in the arms of the woman who shares my name.

And even though the idea of moving terrifies me, I freely admit, I’d follow this lovably deranged woman anywhere.

As long as we have subway tile backsplashes.

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Bham Family March 2022 17

MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT

ASK A PHYSICIAN Q: Why is chiropractic family care important?

A: Chiropractic care is essential for people of all ages, and critical for optimal health. Research has shown that often the birth process—even when delivery is natural and smooth—can cause misalignments in the spinal column, which houses and protects the delicate spinal cord and nerves that communicate information to and from the brain in order to maintain optimal health and function. Subtle misalignments, called vertebral subluxations, can quietly reduce communication to immune system function, sensory processing, hormone regulation, and general health. The best time to address these— often asymptomatic—subluxations is before they turn into larger health concerns. Chiropractic care is very specific and designed for each individual based on careful examination and evaluation.

Q: In what ways can chiropractor visits play a role in overall health?

A: Research shows that wear and tear, known as degeneration or arthritis, can be found in much younger people than we originally thought years ago. Studies indicate that within two weeks of a misalignment in the spine, wear and tear begins, and altered function can follow quickly. Usually, we don’t feel the effects of this until months or even years later, which is why it is so important to incorporate chiropractic care as a regular part of your health regimen.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GREYSTONE CHIROPRACTIC

Q: What specific conditions are best treated with chiropractic care?

A: We often explain that chiropractic care cannot “treat” conditions; chiropractic care is designed to allow the body to heal more effectively in all people as quickly as the body will allow. However, many people come to us with ailments such as migraines, seizures, digestive issues, asthma, fertility challenges, sleep issues, immune system dysfunction, and more. Many of these conditions CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

18 Bham Family March 2022

Dr. Lee Goldenberg, D.C., is a Research Honors graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

He opened Greystone Chiropractic in 2014, where he offers a comprehensive approach to pain relief through gentle and effective chiropractic care.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

are positively affected by chiropractic care, which allows the body to restore and heal if given enough time and regular care.

Q: For what reasons should a baby or child be seen by a chiropractor?

A: Children of all ages come to our practice to have their spines checked for subluxation and adjusted when necessary. This can be for known conditions, such as ear infections, colic, sleep and digestive problems, immune system regulation, growing pains, and more. However, chiropractic care is most beneficial when no symptoms are present, to enhance and optimize the nervous system and brain-body connection.

Q: What is different about a visit for an adult versus a baby or child?

A: Adults typically have much more wear and tear, adhesions, scar tissue, previous injuries, and—often—spinal neglect, so it takes more time and consistency to see results and optimal healing; children often require less frequent care and lighter touch. They are typically adjusted in a parent’s arms or where they are most comfortable and at ease. There is much less pressure and movement in pediatric adjustments, which are tailored specifically to each person in our office.

Q: What are some benefits of regular visits versus as-needed?

A: We typically don’t recommend “as-needed” care, because once you feel a symptom, you have between 60% and 70% reduction of nerve function in an area. Optimally, regular care to prevent this yo-yo style of care will help the body stay well and prevent the unknown from developing into bigger issues.

Q: Is visiting the chiropractor safe? What type of training is required?

A: Every chiropractor is different, as any lawyer or accountant differs, however the training required to become licensed in chiropractic care is extensive. Doctors of Chiropractic must complete an undergraduate degree, usually in biology or some science, and then 300plus post-graduate credits from an accredited

chiropractic college, including gross anatomy, spinal anatomy, neurology, neuroanatomy, physiology, cardiovascular/pulmonary studies, extensive radiology, physical diagnosis, and many chiropractic technique and evaluation classes.

They must pass four parts of National Board Exams, and possibly a state exam. (Alabama requires a specific state exam.) Every year, chiropractors are required to complete 18 hours of continuing education to stay trained on the latest information in healthcare.

Chiropractic is most effective when the doctor is precise and specific and studies the patient’s history, examination findings, and X-rays extensively. In our office, we perform all the investigation measures on your first day, and then I study that information to understand exactly how to take care of the person in the most efficient and effective manner on a subsequent visit. Then, we set up a separate appointment to go over the X-rays and findings in great detail, so every patient knows exactly where the concerns are and what we plan to do about it.

Greystone Chiropractic is located at 6600 Tattersall Lane. For more information, visit greystonechiropractor.com.

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FEATURE

Hands-On Learning Fun Exciting experiments and a (little!) mess is key to teaching kids

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Preschool teacher-turned-assistant director Danielle Gambino likes to say that she became an accidental stay-at-home mom after her first child— daughter Juliana, now 10—turned 3 years old.

“The company I worked for suddenly went out of business,” she explains. “At the time, I was constantly creating fun science and sensory activities for my two young kids [son Joey is now 7] to keep us busy while my husband worked crazy hours.” Back then, Danielle started sharing her activities and experiments with others on her blog and social media, where she has a healthy following. She and husband Michael, the general manager of Birmingham’s BrickTops location, also added one more sibling—son Gio, age 4—to their family, adding to the minds she was teaching and entertaining. “I ended up getting a job teaching at the preschool my kids attended, and a couple years later I took over the after-school science club and turned it into Science Scouts!”

Science Scouts is Danielle’s weekly after-school enrichment program, which focuses on hands-on experimentation. The club meets once a week for 45 minutes, where Danielle deliberately creates the activities for her students. “They are structured for small hands to dive right in, bridging the gap between ideas and practices,” she says. “Hands-on experiments help children to learn through play, increase communication, and encourage spatial thinking.”

She further explains that using the senses—such as touch/feel—during experiments helps to increase a child’s retention rate as opposed to learning through verbal methods only. “Learning by using your hands through play has been proven to be impactful on a child’s education experience, and the kids love it CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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BAKING SODA FIZZIES Grab a plastic tray (a divided one works best!). Pour small piles of baking soda on to it.

Provide cups of vinegar mixed with food coloring to your little scientist.

Add the vinegar to the baking soda piles.

Pipettes work great for squeezing drops of vinegar onto the baking soda to create mini “explosions,” but you can also use a squeeze bottle or medicine dropper!

Change it up by: •

Hiding drops of food coloring under the baking soda to create hidden colors that erupt when the vinegar is added.

•

Adding small plastic toys to the tray.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

because it’s fun.”

Each week we explore a new scientific topic and dive right into experimentation. Science scouts has provided these preschool scientists to early exposure of words like “predict” and “data”. To hear them and understand them by putting them to practice. The best part is they are just having fun!

Some of our favorite weekly experiments include baking soda fizzies and shaving cream tower building (see sidebar).

Here’s what some of Danielle’s tiny science scouts have to say about her class: •

“I loved making butter and spending time with my friends!” —Hazel Elizabeth, age 5

•

“My favorite experiment was putting candy hearts in Sprite to see if they float or sink!”

—Harper, age 5

•

“I love to do all the experiments and see my friends!” —Sullivan, age 5

•

“I love Mrs. Danielle and experiments—especially the love potion one!” —Allie, age 5

If you think Science Scouts would be a good addition to your preschool program, email Danielle at sciencescoutsprek@gmail.com to inquire about availability.

SHAVING CREAM TOWER BUILDING •

All you need for this activity are foam blocks and shaving cream.

Encourage your scientist to build bridges and towers. They will soon discover that the larger blocks are better on the bottom of the structure.

•

To create bridges, they will need the long pieces to connect two shorter structures.

•

Add to the fun by providing small toys or cars to travel over the bridge.

This is a great outdoor activity in the summer or even in the bathtub on a rainy day. The best part is that it is easily cleaned up with a hose or just rinsed right down the tub drain.

Bham Family March 2022 21

Aldridge Gardens is OPEN ~ 8am-7pm daily ~ FREE admission Please practice safe social distancing!

(205) 682-8019 | aldridgegardens.com 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover 22 Bham Family March 2022

SUMMER CAMP

THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL With Summer at Altamont, your next adventure is on top of the hill. Whether you’re looking to get ahead, sharpen your skills or have fun with your friends at camp, we have everything you need to make this a summer you’ll never forget.

RISING 3RD-8TH GRADERS Summer camp for rising 3rd-8th grade students includes English and math enrichment classes.

on every aspect of the test including material content and test-taking strategies.

Students will have a chance to take two complete ACTs in test settings.

The Altamont School Grades 5-12 4801 Altamont Road South Birmingham, AL 35222 altamontschool.org (205) 879-2006

ACT PREP This two-week course taught by a certified instructor will focus on improving performance

CREDIT COURSES High school credit courses for rising 9th-12th grade students include Honors Geometry and Honors Ancient and Medieval Civilizations.

BASKETBALL CAMPS From beginner to college hopeful, Altamont’s basketball camps provide serious skills building.

Camps are open to rising 1st grade through 12th grade students.

Summer at Altamont 2022 Day Camps | Credit Courses Grades 3-12 | June & July Registration Opens Feb. 1: summerataltamont.org Bham Family March 2022 23

FAITH

Feeding Faith All Around Cooks on a Mission prepares food for the community and uses it as a tool to give back.

Packing family food boxes for Oliver Elementary School

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Cooks on a Mission (COAM) consists of members of Mountain Brook Baptist Church (MBBC) who find joy in serving others. A few times a month, they gather to cook and freeze meals that feed church members, friends, and neighbors in exchange for donations. They channel those donations into local missions.

The group has been cooking and caring for others since 2009, when they hosted a “Christmas House” for two weeks, serving lunch and dinner to raise money for MBBC’s annual family mission trip. After several years, they evolved into serving a monthly Sunday lunch.

24 Bham Family March 2022

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF COOKS ON A MISSION

Then, the cooks had an “ah-ha” moment, says Sherrie Futch, who maintains her group involvement remotely from Atlanta, where she moved for her husband’s job. “We made and froze traditional side dishes for Thanksgiving one year. We thought lots of people would like the homemade dishes without all the work—and we were right,” she says. “We switched our efforts to producing frozen food made available to church members, neighbors, and friends once a month.” Because she’s no longer in Birmingham, Sherrie participates by running the group’s social media and email accounts, generating food labels, and monitoring order forms.

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The cooks change their menu monthly, and it usually reflects the season. In November, they offer traditional chicken and dressing, sweet potato casserole, squash casserole and a crowd favorite: Over the Top Mac ’n Cheese. “Typically, we offer a variety of scones, sourdough bread, an entree, a soup, and sometimes breakfast items such as quiche.

Everything is made from scratch, and we often use old family recipes. We try to always offer something that is kid-friendly, too,” says member Kim Hardwick, who helps to lead the cooking ministry.

The women cook the first two Thursday afternoons and Fridays of each month. During busier times, like big holidays, they work every Thursday and Friday. Participation varies, but there are typically 10 to 12 volunteers—and it’s not always just women. “We welcome anyone,” says another leader and member, Aimee Turner. “Some of our cooks are highly skilled in the kitchen, and others are brand-new to it. Most dishes are prepared assembly line-style, so whether you like to cook or want to contribute by chopping veggies, putting labels on lids, or washing dishes, there is something for everyone!”

To prepare for their marathon cooking sessions, one or two volunteers takes a day to shop for the 30 to 40 recipes the group has decided to cook that month. “For Thanksgiving cooking, we typically buy 450 pounds of sweet potatoes, 360 pounds of squash, and lots of butter, eggs, and cheese,” says Aimee.

The women channel their earnings into projects like Backpack Buddies and supporting The WellHouse (an organization that rescues women from human trafficking), UAB/Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit families, and Camp Seale Harris.

They also help sponsor a First Responders ministry to provide encouragement to metro area first responders.

COAM provides a weekly bag of child-friendly food to approximately 60 children identified by area school counselors as at-risk of going hungry over the weekend, when school breakfasts and lunches aren’t provided. In the past, the group has sponsored students at schools all over the metro area; currently, they offer food support to Grantswood Community and Oliver Elementary schools. “I am taken by how close the schools are to our “beaten path,” and how there is such need there,” says Kim. “During the pandemic, we provided families with monthly boxes that included breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods.

On standardized testing weeks, we take treats to the schools, and we also give other items at their request, like hygiene kits, school uniforms, coats, and shoes.”

Prior to Covid, residents of The WellHouse volunteered with the group the first two Fridays of each month, and all the ladies enjoyed group prayer and a family-style lunch. Many of the cooks

also provide after-care to residents who have completed the program and moved on to live independently. “Sometimes we help set up their apartments or purchase uniforms [for jobs],” says Aimee. “We’ve also sponsored children of The WellHouse graduates to attend summer church camp several times.”

For the past six years, COAM has hosted a Christmas Pop-Up Shop, with proceeds going to The WellHouse. “That began after one of the ladies asked us to help them put on a fundraiser to help pay for The WellHouse’s new campus,” says Kim. “They wanted to contribute as a way of saying thank you to the organization that has done so much for them. We brainstormed a bit and decided to do a pre-Christmas Pop-Up Shop. The event was very successful, generating almost $10,000 in donations.

It’s become an annual tradition, and we have raised more than $60,000 for The WellHouse. We hope to resume our partnership with them soon. We’ve loved getting to know the women and connecting with them personally.”

COAM also provides the side dishes for UAB/ Children’s Hospital NICU’s Thanksgiving Feast for families, many of whom are here from out of town.

In the summer, they sponsor two children to attend Camp Seale Harris, a camp just for children with type 1 diabetes. “From time to time, we have also provided meals for the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, for individuals served by Red Mountain Grace—a ministry partner of MBBC that provides housing for clients who are in Birmingham to receive medical treatment—and for the GED students at M-Power Ministries,” says Aimee.

As much as many of the volunteers enjoy cooking, they say they really love the the mission behind it.

“That’s what motivates us,” says Sherrie. “Ultimately, we hope to share the love of Christ with others. But it’s really hard to be receptive to that if you are hungry, so lots of our activities involve feeding others.”

Another asset is the group’s multigenerational nature. “Being able to gain wisdom from some who have been around the block, so to speak, is invaluable to the younger members, and, similarly, being with younger members of the group helps keep the older members young,” says Aimee. “No matter our life stages, we all give and get something from each other.” Kim agrees: “The unexpected blessing of our volunteer efforts is gaining a group of dear friends who share faith in the Lord.”

Anyone is welcome to volunteer with Cooks on a Mission; you don’t have to be a member of MBBC. For more information, email cooksonamission@yahoo. com, or follow them on social media at facebook.com/ CooksOnAMission/ or @cooksonamission (Instagram).

Bham Family March 2022 25

ACTIVE LIVING

Training Up Children KidStrong helps parents build stronger, smarter, high-character kids.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KIDSTRONG

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Megin and Matt Sharp wanted to help daughter Ella become strong and independent. But their search for a program or activity was coming up empty, so they created what they had in mind. The result is KidStrong, a private child development training center that focuses on brain, physical, and character development for ages walking through 11 years.

KidStrong employs a science-based curriculum that is parent-focused and taught by professionals. A team of experts built the program based on innovative training to build stronger kids.

As of this past December, there is now a location in Birmingham, off Highway 280 in Greystone. “We 26 Bham Family March 2022

launched our first location there, and we plan for many more locations in the upcoming years!” says Chris Weber, Area Developer for KidStrong.

The membership-based program offers options for one or two 45-minute classes per week, led by two professional coaches. “During class, we work the students through a set curriculum and our 3 pillars of focus: Brain, Physical, Character. A monthly milestone, based on age, is also a part of the class focus,” says Chris. There is an option to add unlimited KidStrong PLUS to a membership, which allows a student to attend two KidStrong PLUS sessions per week. Camps are offered during holidays and the summer, and birthday parties can also be booked CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Because KidStrong addresses whole child development, the curriculum comprehensively covers the three pillars. For example:

BRAIN • •

Ages 4 and under: Work on colors, numbers, letters, shapes while weaving in fun and physical activities Ages 4+: Sight words, math, and geography, with a particular monthly focus

PHYSICAL •

Core strength and milestones such as speed, agility, and accuracy

CHARACTER •

A huge piece of the program, KidStrong teaches teamwork and leadership and works to build confidence

“For students ages 4 and under, we want them to walk into kindergarten excited about going to school and making new friends, so we work to cultivate that confidence in class,” says Chris. “And for kids in

kindergarten and up, we want them to be confident in the classroom, as well as on the playground, so we work on socialization and even public speaking during class.”

Chris notes the program is ever evolving. “It works on a rank system much like karate, where kids work toward goals to attain the next belt. Our kids rank up and get more responsibilities in class, therefore becoming more confident leaders in our centers,” he says. “The goal is for them to take that confidence and skillset to playgrounds, sports, classrooms, and beyond to help them become the best version of themselves!”

KidStrong is different—and important—because most of today’s curriculums don’t capture confidence, social skills, and physical aptitude. “Once kiddos have the confidence in their body to move correctly and participate in a meaningful manner, life gets easier,” says Chris. “My goal as an Area Developer and being a part of this amazing organization is to help bridge that gap and change the lives of thousands of families in the markets we are involved in. We believe that this starts at a young age and sets up the framework for success later in life.”

You can check out local classes and camps at kidstrong.com/greystone.

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FEATURE

Making Time for Travel Take advantage of the preschool years with a magical vacation to Disney World.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIAN MCGOWAN ON UNSPLASH

BY JAIME DEARMAN While you may be thinking there is no way you would want to do Walt Disney World with your preschool-age child, there are some advantages to enjoying the magic during this time with your little one. Here are three reasons you should visit the parks during this precious stage of their lives (and yours). As the saying goes: The days are long, but the years are short.

THE MAGIC Experiencing Disney World through the eyes of your child is a special sort of magic—especially during the preschool years. Their inhibition and ability to believe in the fairytales allow you to capture memories that are unique to this 28 Bham Family March 2022

season. I hear so often that “my child won’t even remember the trip.” Before you know it, you may actually hope that your child doesn’t remember everything so that you get to have this experience all over again the next time you visit. It is magical to see your child meet their favorite character for the first time or to experience the thrill of a ride.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry happy tears, and you’ll want to do it all over again!

THE FREEBIES Children under age 3 are free—yes, free! They do not require paid admission to get into the parks.

That’s amazing on its own, but in addition, dining plans are on the horizon to return. In the past, CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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you were not required to include children under 3 on dining plans; they could simply eat off of your plate or you can purchase them something at as needed. There are some exceptions to this rule, but Disney knows a child this age doesn’t typically eat a full meal, so the cost savings when it comes to dining is a nice perk.

THE ACTIVITIES Often, parents think they should wait until their child is tall enough to ride all the rides. However, what may happen is that, once your child is tall enough to ride all the rides, he or she may not want to visit the attractions that are geared toward younger children. But, taking your child at a young age can often build a love for these “kiddie” attractions. Think about Dumbo. It isn’t

super exciting, right? But, I love it because it is a ride from my early childhood. I’ll always love it, and I’ll always ride it.

It is such a pleasure when I help clients plan trips geared toward younger children, and then I get to hear all the joys parents didn’t expect to experience. It is never too early (or too late!) to make these magical memories. And don’t forget that using a travel agent can help you make your trip planning a stress-free experience. It costs you nothing more than if you had booked the trip yourself!

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.)

Bham Family March 2022 29

KIDS WHO SHINE

COOPER WILLIAMSON

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex (SHAC), a multipurpose sports facility that includes soccer fields, a splash pad, playground, and more, is gaining something else, thanks to Vestavia Hills High School (VHHS) junior Cooper Williamson.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Cooper is raising money to build a disc golf course at the complex, located behind Liberty Park off Sicard Hollow Road.

Cooper, who lives nearby with his mom, Nicole, dad, Chris, and brother Liam (age 14)— older brother Archer is a freshman at Auburn, majoring in engineering—was first introduced to his project by a fellow Scout who was working on his own project. “My friend heard the city of Vestavia was looking for a Scout to take on the [disc golf] project,” says Cooper. “I was just starting to learn about the sport, and the idea sounded fun.”

In addition to being a member of Troop 76 in Liberty Park, which Cooper joined when he was 10 years old, he’s also a drummer in the VHHS Marching Band and he periodically plays percussion with his church’s praise band, too. And since beginning the disc golf project, he’s added that to his list of hobbies, too. “I play regularly now with my friends and my dad and watch the pro tour coverage on YouTube,” he says.

After visiting multiple courses around the region for inspiration, Cooper became concerned that he wouldn’t be able to fundraise enough to cover such a huge undertaking. “I wasn’t sure I could get enough money for the materials and equipment on my own,” he says, “because it required quite a bit more than the typical Eagle project. So, one of my advisors suggested hole sponsorships, having seen that with projects in other cities.”

There are 18 holes and one available sponsorship for each one. The course will bring consistent traffic and revenue to the area, and in exchange for the initial $250 sponsorship— which will last at least two years—a sign will be displayed on the tee post at each hole with sponsor information.

“I’ve filled many of the slots, but a few are still open,” says Cooper. (You can reach him 30 Bham Family March 2022

X

X

at cooper.charles.williamson@gmail.com.)

To get started, Cooper had to ensure he could see the project through successfully. “I had to trim down the course project to something I could handle, but that would also get the course up and running,” he explains. “The city had a space at the SHAC that would work, and my disc golf advisor—Mr. Ben Swam with Dynamic Discs Iron City—provided guidance on laying out the course.” Following the design, Cooper had to have his plans reviewed and approved by the city before installation could begin. He’s now in the process of adding baskets and tee areas, with a goal to complete the course in the next couple of months.

“Hopefully we’ll be up and running by April or May,” he says. “I plan to schedule several workdays with other Scouts to help dig, prep the site, and install the baskets.”

When it’s complete, Cooper’s hope is that the course will be a fun activity for families and the community to enjoy for a long time. “The course uses a space the city owns but wouldn’t be too useful for other purposes,” he says. “Most courses change a lot over time, so this is really just a start.

Disc golf is growing fast, and having a place to play close by is going to be really nice.”

As for his experience, Cooper says Scouts has been a positive addition to his life. “I’ve made good friends and learned a lot about leadership and practical skills I don’t think I would have had a chance to learn anywhere else,” he says. “Being an Eagle Scout like my brother would be great, and something I would carry with me my whole life.”

You can check out Cooper’s project video at youtube. com/watch?v=2-ESO7nyGjE.

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 March 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.

32 Bham Family March 2022