Second year event already a Bluff Park favorite PAGE 8
Bluff Park Art Show returns in October PAGE 16 ARTIST TOUCH &
“I started at SDG in the fall of 2023. Each morning, Abby’s workouts challenge me to be better than I was the day before. She is encouraging and motivates you physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’m thankful to have SDG and Abby in my community, where I can be myself, grow as a person, and also encourage others along the way.”
Laura Powell
“I first came to SDG because I needed some push beyond my solo garage workouts. And I certainly get that! But I’ve stayed consistent because of the community SDG has built. The people make it! The endorphins don’t hurt either. I’m stronger and have plenty of energy to keep up with my 3 boys, and I appreciate the emphasis on our whole selves, not just our bodies!”
Mary
Beth Peach
“Joining has been a transformative experience for me. It’s the perfect combination of community and fitness, allowing me to get to know other amazing people in the neighborhood. Abby has a unique talent for pushing us hard in workouts, yet she always knows just how far to encourage us without going beyond our limits. She makes every session feel tailored to our individual needs with plenty of laughs and good music!”
The Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader is a bi-monthly magazine published by JBMC Media, a Bluff Park-based, family-owned publisher of magazines in the Birmingham metro area. The magazine is mailed to more than 4,300 homes and businesses in the Bluff Park area.
Subscriptions are available to anyone outside our immediate mailing area for $25 per year. Email subscribe@jbmcmedia.com for details on how to subscribe or send a gift subscription.
Does your business want to connect with Bluff Park residents? Email us: advertise@jbmcmedia.com, and let’s talk!
All content in this magazine remains the property of JBMC Media, LLC. Any requests to reprint or republish should be directed to matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
PHOTO COURTESY VOTIVE
Matthew Allen Publisher (205)
Heather Jones Skaggs Content Director bluffwriter@gmail.com
As the vibrant colors of Fall begin to grace Bluff Park, I am reminded why this season remains my absolute favorite. Even as early as July 5th, my anticipation for Fall and Halloween decorations kicks in. This year, my Amazon Prime Day haul was a mix of back-to-school essentials and a spectacular 12-foot inflatable octopus for Halloween! Fall is an especially bustling time in Bluff Park, with two standout events on the horizon – the Bluff Park Art Show and Bash on the Bluff.
The Bluff Park Art Show, which started 60 years ago as a simple fundraiser for Bluff Park School, has blossomed into a prestigious event celebrating fine arts. The Bluff Park Art Association has continually supported our community through scholarships and art education, fostering creativity and growth.
Meanwhile, Bash on the Bluff, now in its second year, is a testament to the power of community spirit. Watching a dedicated group of women come together to organize this event brings to mind the humble beginnings of the art show. This sense of unity and commitment is what sets Bluff Park apart from other wonderful areas in Hoover.
Halloween is another highlight in our community, with various festive activities such as neighborhood trick-or-treating groups, the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Bluff Park Witches Ride, and numerous fall festivals and trunk-or-treat events hosted by local churches. A nighttime drive through Bluff Park in October reveals
a dazzling display of Halloween spirit. I eagerly anticipate all your photos capturing these moments.
Speaking of photos, Bluff Parkers, you have truly outdone yourselves. The response to our call for pet photos for the Photo Album: Pets on the Bluff was just, WOW! We received an incredible number and variety, from cats and dogs to pet ducks, rats, guinea pigs, geckos, and even a turtle. Each submission brought a smile to my face, and we’ll be featuring more in the November/ December issue.
On Halloween, many of you visit my home
to see The Mystic, for a reading and some treats. This year, I’ll be out trick-ortreating with the mini-Mystic, but you can look forward to a new, under-the-sea transformation at The Mystic’s house, hence the 12-foot octopus!
Until then, enjoy the beauty of Fall in Bluff Park and all the wonderful events our community has to offer.
Skaggs, Content Director Instagram: @bpal_heathers_corner
Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical has been serving Bluff Park and the surrounding communities for 39 years. Sentry is a ten-time Carrier President’s award winner earning top honors nationwide for customer satisfaction, product knowledge and overall performance. Join our winning tradition and take comfort in knowing that Sentry is here for you. From large commercial facilities to residential, call Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical.
Heather
Fall Bash
Shop Local, Support Small Businesses
BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS
The Second Annual Bash on the Bluff looks to bring families, neighbors, and friends together again at the picturesque Oris and Oak (Hare Farm) on October 12. This growing event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., promises delights for all ages. From shopping and activities to the laughter of children enjoying hayrides and face painting, the Bash is a heartwarming event brimming with music, food, games, and memories waiting to be made.
Bash on the Bluff was born from the idea that the community could support more neighborhood events for all to enjoy. In 2023, the idea to create just that was tossed around amongst a Bluff Park Moms Facebook group. Krimson Revis, one of the organizers, says the support started pouring in, and they quickly realized that the moms had something going.
“From there, it unfolded right before our eyes,” Revis said. “With our first annual event in October of last year, our committee expected a turnout of 200 to 300 people, but when the parking area at the farm was full just six minutes into the event, we knew this was the start of something wonderful for our sweet little community.”
Now serving as president of the Bash on the Bluff Board of Directors, Revis said the ideas and planning were spurred by nine everyday women who live, eat, and breathe all things Bluff Park and they now make up the board.
This year’s Bash will follow a similar theme to the previous year’s. Board members have selected 45 vendors, ranging from arts and crafts, embroidery, and woodworking to delectable food offerings and accessories. There will undoubtedly be something for everyone.
PHOTO COURTESY VOTIVE STUDIOS
Families enjoy a hayride at Bash on the Bluff.
JULIE WHITE, REALTOR® CRS, SRES, ABR
Vendors are vetted each year through an application process. During committee meetings, the board of directors carefully and meticulously comb through each application, its products, and its location.
“Ideally, we prioritize handmade goods and products that are local to the Hoover area,” Revis said. “This helps reinforce our ‘shop local, support small’ mindset.”
Importance is also placed on the diversity of goods in the marketplace so guests have the opportunity to shop at different price points.
Fun for the kids includes face painting inflatables, a pumpkin patch, and hayrides. There will also be live music from the Goat Hill Spring Band and food trucks.
New this year is a performance by The Eagles Sunrise Band.
“They are partnering with us to bring an authentic tribute to the beloved country rock group The Eagles,” Revis said.
The event is free to the public, and sponsors cover the majority of the cost of the event. Like other events in Bluff Park, parking is a challenge.
“Parking is limited due to the event’s location and the beautiful renovations made to the Oris & Oak (formerly Hare) farm. However, after speaking with Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia, they agreed to partner with us to supply a shuttle service.”
The organizers will finalize locations and shuttle information closer to our event date and will have that available on the Bash on the Bluff Facebook and Instagram pages.
Revis and the Bash on the Bluff Board of Directors say they hope the Bash continues to grow and that the positive effects are felt across the Bluff in three key areas: economically, socially, and familiarly.
“Economically, we aim to support small, local entrepreneurs by highlighting authentic craftsmanship within our vendors,” Revis said. “We also provide top-tier marketing and establish long-standing relationships with the local businesses that have graciously sponsored Bash.”
She said socially, they recognize that strong communities are built through engagement and connection among members and they hope to continue to build on community relations and sew the seams of Bluff Park stronger with each passing year.
“We strive to have a familial impact by helping create core memories, both for the families of Bluff Park and within our own personal ones, too,” Revis said. “We want our children to grow up with fond memories of our local neighborhood traditions and celebrations. This is at the heart of all that we do.”
As part of future planning, the Bash on the Bluff Board of Directors has been working to establish the group with 501c3 status. It is a process, but organizers say they are near the finish line to develop that. Another change in planning came with the ‘bonus’ Christmas market last year.
“This year, we are switching gears and will offer a family movie night at Oris & Oak in June of 2025, Revis said. “Additionally, we will continue focusing on giving back to the community at each of our events—first, with a non-perishable food drive benefiting our local school pantries at the fall Bash.”
For more information about the event, visit orisandoak.com/bash-on-the-bluff-2024.
Krimson Revis – President
Hartley Jackson – Vice President, Secretary
Jenny Jones – Treasurer
Mary Jane Gibson – Sponsorship Coordinator
Meredith Dunn – Marketing Coordinator
Kathryn Bates – Marketing Coordinator
Warren White – Marketing Cocoordinator and Vendor Coordinator
Elizabeth Pruitt – Vendor Coordinator
Zeina Berryhill – Volunteer Coordinator
Bash on the Bluff Board of Directors
Bluff Park Native Carlo H. Joseph,III Executive Vice President
A Life of SERVICE
Bluff Park nurse is a retired missionary
BY JUNE MATHEWS
‘I saw many difficult things and was scared several times ...’
By age nine, Minda Hogstrom had been involved in children’s missions organizations for half her life. She also enjoyed reading missionary biographies, which gave her an appreciation for the lives and work of missionaries around the globe.
As she read, those real-life stories made an impression on her heart and created an awareness in her soul. By the age of 10, Minda felt God’s call to one day be a missionary nurse.
In the meantime, the precocious preteen kept busy growing up in Bluff Park.
“My family moved here in 1965 because of my father’s work,” Hogstrom said. “I have lived in the same house, when not on the mission field, ever since.”
After graduating from Berry High School, she earned a degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“To become a missionary nurse with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, I had to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing,” said Hogstrom.
“After that, I qualified as a Journeyman, a program for college graduates under age 26 to work alongside career missionaries.”
Her first assignment was in the Gaza Strip.
“I worked in the hospital and taught in the nursing school there,” she said. “It was an old, two-story hospital with no elevator. The patients would walk down to surgery; afterward, the cleaners would carry them back upstairs on a stretcher.”
During her time there, Gaza was peaceful, except for some problems along the Lebanese border.
“I would drive all around Israel and never felt scared,” she said. “I even took a bus tour of Israel on a bus full of Palestinians.”
Currently, Hogstrom said her heart is broken over the situation in Gaza.
“Not all Palestinians are part of Hamas and some are innocent victims with no place to go. I pray
daily for Israel and the Gaza Strip,” she said.
After her Journeyman mission was over, Hogstrom returned home to work for a time before heading to Columbia University in New York for a master’s degree in nurse midwifery. After two years of experience and 60 hours of seminary, she went to Yemen as a career missionary.
“Yemen was harder for me than Gaza had been,” she said. “In Gaza, all the local nurses spoke English. But in Yemen, maybe five people in the whole hospital did, other than the missionaries.”
Though not knowing Arabic was stressful, the hospital’s lack of medicines and equipment was worse.
“People died who should not have,” Hogstrom said. “I delivered over 1,200 babies while there, and I trained nurses who didn’t know how to conduct a normal birth. I saw many difficult things and was scared several times, such as when the townspeople were marching against America. And there was a civil war with lots of gunfire going on.”
After six years, she transferred to Brazil to do church work, organizing Bible clubs for kids and teaching crafts that would allow women to supplement their families’ income. Hogstrom also helped start churches.
“Brazil was my favorite place to serve,” she said, “and it’s a beautiful country. I served 12 years there before coming home to care for my mother, who is now 96. But I still miss Brazil.”
After working as a nurse in Birmingham for several years, Hogstrom is now enjoying retirement. But she hasn’t retired from serving. A member of Shades Crest Baptist, she has worked in the Green Springs Food Bank and taught English as a second language. She is also involved in a women ‘s service club.
“Bluff Park is a friendly neighborhood with people who are always willing to help each other,” she said, “and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Church Chat
BY HEATHER SKAGGS
Tell us a little about your background and what led you to become a pastor and how you found your way to Church on the Bluff (Bluff Park Baptist Church)?
I was called late in life to be a pastor. At 30 years old I enrolled in what was then Baptist Bible Institute (now Florida Baptist University). I was ordained in 1985 and have pastored four churches (one twice.) I’ve been at Church on the Bluff for almost 18 years. We are not as large as we have been in the past, but the one thing we want to do is be true to ourselves as we stay true to the Word of God. We are conservative, traditional, and caring. While many churches have moved to a more contemporary style of worship, we feel that there is a need and desire for a church with our traditional styles…yes, we still use hymn books.
What are some community events that Church on the Bluff participates in or hosts to serve the community?
We focus on two main community events to engage and serve the Bluff Park area: Grace on the Bluff, which is a free yard sale type event held each year on the first Saturday in October. During Christmas time we have Lights on the Bluff where we invite the community for a hayride through the neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. We have hot chocolate, hotdog and marshmallow roast, a “make and take” Christmas ornament for children, as well as other treats.
What are some of the core values and beliefs of the Church on the Bluff? Tell us a little about services, groups that people may be interested in.
We do enjoy a few choruses along with our traditional hymns. I generally keep my sermons on the shorter side but focus on the simple pointed message. When a visitor comes to Church on the Bluff, they will feel the presence of the Spirit, a warm and sincere welcome, and the feeling of family.
What is your favorite aspect of Bluff Park?
The community of Bluff Park is awesome. I tell everyone it is an eclectic community. Not only are there historical elements to the homes and structures but there are also new subdivisions so that it is a desirable place to live and raise a family. But mostly, it’s the people who make up Bluff Park that make it special. I’ve pastored churches in small communities where there was a special sense of belonging and a love for one’s neighbors. I feel that same atmosphere in Bluff Park. A unique community filled with unique people.
What are some of your favorite activities or hobbies outside of your pastoral duties?
My hobby of the last few years has been beekeeping. I only have three hives at the present time, but I’m learning more and hope to expand to a couple of more hives next spring. I also make honey bee related products such as lip balm, honey, and beeswax soap. I get stung more than a smart man should but it is fun and I could write a lot more about God’s little pollinators. They amaze me.
What are your hopes and vision for the future of Church on the BLuff?
I feel that this church will be around a very long time and my vision is for us to do what we are doing, with a fervor and passion of the love of God toward His creation.
Website: churchonthebluff.org
Social Media: facebook.com/churchonthebluff
Our chat with Tony Barber, paster of Church on the Bluff
PHOTOS COURTESY CHURCH ON THE BLUFF
A Celebration of Art
BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS
As the leaves transform into a tapestry of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, and a hint of crispness hits the air, you know fall is setting in, and it is a busy time in Bluff Park.
For 60 years, the Bluff Park Art Show has kicked off the fall season the first Saturday in October, highlighting the diversity of art and the talents of artists from around the region. The show celebrates imagination and skill across many art forms, where each brushstroke and sculpted form tells a unique story.
The 2024 show is set for Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bluff Park Community Park – Shades Cliff Park and will feature 124 artists from across the United States, including 33 who will be exhibiting for the first time in the show.
“Our reputation as a fine arts show draws artists from all over the country, said Susan Groves, President of the Bluff Park Art Association. “We have artists from Alabama and our surrounding states of Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida. We also have artists who travel further to join our show from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Indiana, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.”
The mediums represented at the show include clay, glass, jewelry, metalworking, painting, photography, printmaking, 2-D and 3-D Mixed Media, Ceramics, and Sculpture.
“There is always something for everyone at any price point,” Groves said. “Our artists are always encouraging and ready to help visitors find that special, unique piece of art for their home or as a gift—get your Christmas shopping started early!”
Visitors will also enjoy Food Truck Alley, where several food trucks, including Kona Ice, Chicks N Doughnuts, Urban Cookhouse, G.R.’s Smokehouse, Birmingham Wings & Waffles, Travelin Tom’s Coffee, Cookie Fix, and Alabama Peanut Co., will be stationed.
There will also be music from James Quackenbush and Alice Bargeron. Girl Scout Troop 746 will be hosting their Kids Art Hut again. Pets kept on a leash are always welcome at the event.
Rod Bigelow, executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, will judge the show this year.
“It is an honor to serve as a judge for the 61st Annual Bluff Park Art Show. I am excited to contribute to the longstanding tradition of showcasing exceptional artists from the region,” Bigelow said.
On show day, Bigelow will judge pieces submitted for award consideration. The top prize is the Best In Show Purchase Award– $2500.
Bigelow says that art is about storytelling, and that is one of the elements he looks for in an exceptional work of art for top recognition.
“Yes, technical skill and creativity differentiate one work from another, but being able to communicate emotion, history, perspective, recognition, and more is what resonates with me,” he said. “Exceptional work often drives a sense of curiosity, surprise, and delight.”
While the park in Bluff Park is the traditional home for the art show, it also comes with challenges. There is little parking on-site at the park. As in years past, a shuttle service will run from nearby locations to and from the show.
“We work very hard to keep this long-standing event free to the public and are trying to keep the
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Hunter DeFalco, his wife Olivia, and daughter Reagan
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
shuttle service free of charge,” Bigelow said. “The Bluff Park Art Association is a 501c3 non-profit. Sponsorships and donations help keep the show a free event at the park each year and are tax deductible.”
Bringing Art to The Community
Community outreach through the Bluff Park Art Association has taken many forms over the years. The newest endeavor takes the form of an Outreach Committee, chaired by Board Member Ashley Lemley.
“This committee will bring art to our students and senior adults,” Groves said. “We will have sponsored art workshops in the schools, starting at the high school level, where we will invite a local artist to demonstrate or lead an art activity that may not be part of the normal curriculum.”
The materials and artists will be provided by the association.
The Outreach Committee recently debuted at Danberry Senior Living at Inverness, hosting a workshop with 14 residents Kaitlin West, a distinguished former student of Mrs. Lemley and a current faculty member at Samford University was the guest artist for the occasion.
Participants were guided in creating decoupage flower vases using vase bases, colorful paper, and Mod Podge. Participants used beautiful sunflowers to fill the newly crafted vases before taking them back to their apartments.
“The workshop was a great experience and we have already been invited to come again. We are very excited to see how our new outreach plan grows.”
For more information on the Bluff Park Art Show and how to plan your visit on October 5, see Bluffparkartassociation.org
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
PHOTOS COURTESY BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Joyce Browning - Pretty in Pink
2023 Best in show Winner was woodturner Essie Ebrahimi
About the Judge
Rod Bigelow, the executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, brings over 20 years of experience in arts management. Since joining Crystal Bridges in 2010, he has overseen the museum’s growth and welcomed over 12 million visitors.
“I recognize art everywhere and see it as essential to our daily lives. In our homes, streets, businesses, schools, community centers and more, art inspires, challenges, celebrates and creates a space of solace and contemplation. Honestly, art can be anything for anyone, but the most impactful art brings us together in dialogue by provoking curiosity and discussion.”
Previously, Rod held leadership roles at the Toledo Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Seattle, and Tacoma Art Museum. He holds an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University and is actively involved in several art and cultural organizations.
Family-owned and operated, John’s Auto has proudly served our community
and
787 Shades Crest Rd. Hoover, AL
Bluff Park Art Show
Bluff Park Art Show 2024 Artists
2-D AND 3-D MIXED MEDIA
Katie Adams | Birmingham, Alabama
Emily Barkley | Tanner, Alabama
Fran Bostick | Hoover, Alabama
Abigail Brewer | Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Stacey Brown | Atlanta, Georgia
Janet Campbell Bradley | Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dariana Dervis | Birmingham, Alabama
Danielle Tickell | Hueytown, Alabama
Penny Dobson | Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Cricket Flowers | Fairhope, Alabama
Lynda Goldstein | Birmingham, Alabama
Larry Jarvis | Cottondale, Alabama
Tracie Johnston | Belden, Mississippi
Sarah Mason | Birmingham, Alabama
Candy Mayer | Helena, Alabama
Scott McQueen | Northport, Alabama
Deborah O’Keeffe | Staunton, Virginia
Michelle Prahler | Decatur, Georgia
September Reed |Birmingham, Alabama
CERAMICS
Larry Allen | Leeds, Alabama
Margaret Barber | Montgomery, Alabama
Becky Bolton | Calera, Alabama
Bill Bowen & Gean Bowen | Charlestown, Indiana
Paveen Beer Chunhaswasdikul | Gadsden, Alabama
Canne Holladay | Pell City, Alabama
Sarah Miller | Hoover, Alabama
Robin Rodgers | Smyrna, Georgia
Jessica Russell | Birmingham, Alabama
David Self | Birmingham, Alabama
Colleen Williams | Chattanooga, Tennessee
DRAWINGS, GRAPHITE,
PASTELS, CHARCOAL, INK
Reagan Beers | Birmingham, Alabama
Susan Shoemaker | Irondale, Alabama
FIBER AND LEATHER
Elizabeth Bock | Tyrone, Georgia
Loretta Brown | Silverhill, Alabama
David Byland | Hoover, Alabama
Heaven McCaulley | Piedmont, Alabama
Beth Overstreet | Hoover, Alabama
Melanie Poole & Denise PooleCahela | Montevallo, Alabama
Laura Stacy | Birmingham, Alabama
GLASS
Dennis Aplin & Patricia Aplin | Huntsville, Alabama
Joyce Browning |Springville, Alabama
John Evon | Helena, Alabama
Paige Hughes |Columbiana, Alabama
Toby Klein |Hoover, Alabama
Valerie Mizerany | Helena, Alabama
JEWELRY
Obayana Ajanaku | Decatur, Alabama
William Bangham | Clanton, Alabama
Left: Larry Jarvis, Cottondale, Alabama 2D and 3D mixed media
Right: Fran Bostick, Hoover, Alabama “Marina”
Chelsea Bird | Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Peter Bradley | Mulga, Alabama
Tonia Davis-Evans | Hoover, Alabama
Lina De Lorenci Johnson | Chelsea, Alabama
Chrissy Jones | Beaumont, Texas
Elena Llivina & Keith Harrigill | Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Angela Morris | Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Roger Poer & Renae Poer | Sylvan Springs, Alabama
A. Denise Rollings-Martin | Bremen, Alabama
Edina Shrestha | Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Theresa St. Romain | Tucker, Georgia
METAL
Micah Gregg | Huntsville, Alabama
Lee Harrelson | Birmingham, Alabama
Robert Taylor | Birmingham, Alabama
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
PARKING
Show
Shades Mountain Plaza
Show
Bluff
733 Valley Street, Hoover, AL 35226
Show
Shades Crest Baptist Church
452 Park Avenue, Hoover, AL 35226
Show shuttles pick up & drop off in the front lot off Park Ave.
Shades Mountain Community Church
2281 Old Tyler Road, Hoover, AL 35226
Show
2024 Artists
PAINTING
Ahmad Austin | Alabaster, Alabama
Joy Barnes | Allentown, Pennsylvania
Cindy Barr | Mountain Brook, Alabama
Randall Bartlett | Auburn, Alabama
Madison Bedwell | Birmingham, Alabama
Lisa Bohnwagner | Rossville, Georgia
Steve Carmichael | Riverside, Alabama
Emma Carr | Birmingham, Alabama
Claire Cormany | Birmingham, Alabama
Gary Curtis | Woodstock, Georgia
Michael Davis | Birmingham, Alabama
Lauren Doyle | Birmingham, Alabama
Richard Franklin | Pensacola, Florida
Sundi Hawkins | Pell City, Alabama
Bethanne Hill | Birmingham, Alabama
Jeff Hughes | Hoover, Alabama
Noel Jones | Olive Branch, Mississippi
Gina Krawez | Fort Payne, Alabama
Ronald Lewis | Birmingham, Alabama
Karen Libecap | Hoover, Alabama
Donna Martin | Hoover, Alabama
Dian McCray | Calera, Alabama
Jayne Morgan | Birmingham, Alabama
Shelley Ozbirn | Belmont, Mississippi
Janna Phillips | Birmingham, Alabama
Eric Poland | Pelham, Alabama
Kathryn Price | Huntsville, Alabama
Lisa Pruitt | Hoover, Alabama
Sommer Simpson | Bessemer, Alabama
Quincy Smith | Vestavia, Alabama
Gyl Turner | Montevallo, Alabama
Juanita Weldon | Tyrone, Georgia
Mary Jane Whitt | Opelika, Alabama
Vicki Grossman Wyrick | Knoxville, Tennessee
PHOTOGRAPHY/DIGITAL ART
Brittany Brain | Hoover, Alabama
Hazel Bodner | Nashville, Tennessee
Allison Dailey | Hoover, Alabama
Steve Dunlap | Birmingham, Alabama
Left: Steve Carmichael
Above: Kevin Chitwood
George Elliott | Hoover, Alabama
Brett Miley & John Miley | Sebring, Florida
Joy Oglesby | Alabaster, Alabama
Becky Smith | Hoover, Alabama
Jay Waters | McCalla, Alabama
PRINTMAKING
Jim Brown | Homewood, Alabama
Hannah Lewis | Montevallo, Alabama
Stacy Tabb | Crossville, Alabama
Abigail West | Athens, Georgia
SCULPTURE
Joseph Frye | Bessemer, Alabama
Eric Johnson | Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Royal Miree | Birmingham, Alabama
WOODWORKING
Matthew Allen | Hoover, Alabama
Kevin Chitwood | Fort Payne, Alabama
Mark Harris | Anniston, Alabama
Edward Heerten & Patricia Heerten | McCalla, Alabama
Ron Herbster | Jemison, Alabama
Aaron Jaillet & Patrick Norton | Birmingham, Alabama
Lauren Madden | Hoover, Alabama
Jared Moran | Bowling Green, Kentucky
Turner Porter | Eclectic, Alabama
Steven Reid | Headland, Alabama
Britany Tait | Helena, Alabama
Kim Yerkey & Michael Yerkey | Kennesaw, Georgia
Essie Ebrahimi | Montevallo, Alabama
PHOTOS COURTESY BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Hoover police share safety tips for Halloween Fun Without Fear
but fear not! To make
CHILDREN SHOULD:
• Cross streets only at corners. Never cross between parked cars.
• Carry a flashlight and/or glow sticks.
• Walk facing oncoming traffic if there is no sidewalk.
• Beware of vehicles at all times! They may be turning or backing out of driveways.
• Don’t eat any candy before parents have a chance to inspect it!
• NEVER go into a stranger’s home. Remain on the porch at all times. Be sure to tell a parent or trusted adult about any inappropriate behavior by a stranger.
• ALWAYS stay with the group! Don’t go off by yourself. Wait for everyone else before going to the next house.
• Do not take shortcuts through backyards or alleys. Never accept rides from strangers. Do not approach ANY vehicle, occupied or not.
PARENTS SHOULD:
• Consider organized events as an alternative to trick or treating.
• Know the route their children should be taking. Create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route and set a time limit for them to be out.
• Be aware of any sex offenders that live in the area. You can go to our website to verify: www.hooverpd.com/registered-sex-offenders.php
• Make sure that children stop at only familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Make sure that children will be safe when they are visiting your home. Provide a well-lit entrance (porch and any other exterior lights) to the front door and keep walkways clear of obstructions (toys, bicycles, sprinklers, etc.). Keep family pets away from the front door to reduce the chances of a negative interaction.
• Instruct children NOT to eat treats until they return home and you have a chance to inspect those treats. One “trick” to keep them from digging in while they’re still out: feed them a meal or snack before they go!
• Discard any homemade, unwrapped or suspicious looking treats. If you suspect drugs or tainted candy, notify HPD.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to HPD immediately. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
• Consider giving safe alternatives to candy, for example: stickers, erasers, crayons, coloring books, etc.
COSTUMES:
• Costumes should be flame resistant.
• Costumes should be light, bright, and clearly visible to motorists. Use reflectorized stripes.
• Avoid cumbersome, floor-length or vision-impairing costumes.
• Make-up is safer than a mask, which can obscure vision.
• Wear comfortable, safe shoes (avoid high heels-they can trip).
• Consider putting the child’s name and your contact information (address/ phone number) in case of an accident or they get lost.
Halloween can be a fun holiday for children, but a worrisome one for parents. The safety of your child is a legitimate concern,
Halloween a treat, follow these safety tips from the Hoover Police Department.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT
School News
Bluff Park Elementary Scores Gold For Health
Bluff Park Elementary recently received four awards from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofit organization who works alongside schools, families, and communities to advance whole child health equity.
BPES physical education teacher, Melissa Hubauer, who serves as our school’s representative on HCS well ness committee, gathered and submitted evidence to receive these four awards. Nurse Melanie helped collect evidence during this process as well.
Supporting School Health Services Recognizes school teams that routinely conduct health screenings, address chronic health conditions, and provide a pathway for students with health concerns to receive additional support from the school or community-based providers.
Implementing Local School Wellness Policy recognizes school teams that implement the district wellness policy with the support of a diverse set of representatives, set measurable goals, and reflect on progress, successes, and challenges.
Improving Nutrition & Food Access presented by Del Monte Foods Recognizes school teams that implement strategies to maximize school meal participation, meaningfully collaborate with teachers on nutrition education, and partner with community organizations to improve families’ nutrition security.
Bolstering Physical Education & Activity Recognizes school teams that provide physical education using an evidence-based curriculum and integrate physical activity opportunities throughout the school day with all students, including students with special health needs.
PHOTO COURTESY MOLLY SUTTON
David and Molly Sutton with kids Josiah and Abigail
WHEN IS AT HOME Homeroom
BY JUNE MATHEWS
If the views of these three Bluff Park moms are any indication, homeschooling has grown up, progressing from what was once considered an educational aberration to a desirable option for parents and kids. Read on to learn about these families’ homeschooling experiences.
LAURA LEWIS
Laura Lewis has seven children ranging in age from 11 to 24. Her homeschooling journey began while seeking a private, half-day program for her oldest son, Jack. Unwilling to pay upfront fees to a school her son may not attend through high school, she started praying about the situation.
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Local moms give their take on the homeschool
experience
PHOTO COURTESY LEAH FLOWERS
Catherine, Thomas, Clare, and Anne Marie Flowers in the creek
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When two homeschool catalogs appeared in her mailbox, Laura threw them away.
“I promised myself I would not become ‘one of those weird people,’” she said.
When yet another catalog arrived, she took it as an answer to prayer and began to take the idea of homeschooling seriously.
These days, she and husband John have successfully homeschooled three kids through high school with four to go. But it hasn’t happened without parental teamwork.
“John loves history and is great with science as well,” said Laura. “He has helped teach those subjects, as well as spelling for many years. Each year, we see what we need to teach at home then decide who will teach what.”
On a typical school day, John cooks breakfast before leaving for work, while Laura checks email and does office work. Then the school day begins.
“Everyone is expected to do their chores, eat breakfast, get dressed, pick up their clean laundry from the laundry room, make their beds and clean their rooms before we start school at 9:00 a.m.,” she said. “We finish by 1:00.”
At the eighth-grade level, the Lewis children include cooperative schoolwork in their schedules for a couple of days a week.
The flexibility of homeschooling has allowed the older kids to do internships, apprenticeships, or jobs during high school, said their mom. It also makes extracurricular activities possible. Daughter Liz played softball for Simmons Middle then Hoover High. All the boys have been involved in Boy Scouts through Bluff Park’s Troop 21 with three attaining Eagle status. Other Lewis kids’ activities include baseball, swimming, and horseback riding.
“We live in a fabulous community where my kids have had no problem being involved in extracurricular activities and having work opportunities,” Laura said.
Her best advice to parents considering homeschooling? “Pray about it,” she said. “Every family is different. You need to do what is best for your kids and your family. God will direct you.
“Anyone can homeschool,” she continued. “If you had good teachers in elementary school and know how to read, count, and spell, you have a foundation for teaching your children.”
MOLLY SUTTON
Molly Sutton was a homeschooler from kindergarten through high school, so when it came to her own kids’ education, there was little doubt. Having enjoyed the flexibility of homeschooling and an education tailored just for her, Molly wanted the same advantages for her own kids, Abigail, age 9, and Josiah, 6.
Molly and husband David also found homeschooling a primary means of raising their children in the Christian faith.
“We want to be the main voices in their lives,”
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PHOTO COURTESY MOLLY SUTTON
Looking from overhead are Abigail, dad David and Josiah Sutton
Molly said. “We want to equip them in their faith and in life to be responsible, well-rounded adults.”
A typical day for Molly and the kids starts around 8 a.m.
“We get up, have breakfast together, and usually start our day with Bible devotions and our ‘together’ subjects: history, geography, science, music, art, reading aloud,” she said. “Then we break for lunch and tackle our ‘individual’ subjects like math, handwriting, language arts, and spelling.”
These days, Molly said, resources for homeschooling families are plentiful.
“Between co-ops, hybrid schools, online curriculum, and a host of options when it comes to choosing curriculum in general, it’s a lot ‘easier’ to homeschool these days than it’s ever been before,” she said. “So I felt like we had great options and support available to us from the start, as well as some great resources I have found on our journey.”
The Suttons’ cover school, Shades Mountain Independent Church Academy (SMICA), has proven one of their best resources, providing opportunities for the kids to participate in traditional school activities like spelling bees, field trips, standardized testing in a classroom setting, and more.
“We’ve made and maintained many wonderful friendships during our fourplus years in the academy,” Molly said. “I’ve also made friends with other homeschooling moms. Learning from and bouncing ideas off one another has been invaluable.”
Though Molly hopes to homeschool her kids through high school graduation, she and David also recognize that either child’s educational requirements or opportunities may one day differ from the other. So they consider homeschooling a “one kid at a time, one year at a time” proposition.
“We want to remain open to what’s best for each child,” she said. “I often tell moms that if God calls you to homeschool your children, He will equip you to do it, but if He doesn’t call you to, don’t do it because you and your children will be miserable.”
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Catherine and Thomas Flowers
Pirate Josiah Sutton
Abigail Sutton
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LEAH FLOWERS
Even before I had kids, I always hoped I’d be able to homeschool,” said Leah Flowers, mother of six. “When all the kids were young, it was fun to teach them things, and I didn’t want to give that experience up.”
But for her, there was also a time consideration involved in that a lot of learning falls through the cracks in a classroom filled with students.
“I figured there was no way that every single child needs the exact same amount of time for school every day,” she said. “So if lessons could be tailored for each child to meet them where they are, then it would free up some of their time.’
School days at the Flowers home are somewhat laid back. After breakfast, Leah and the kids gather for couch time, which consists of morning prayers, a brief devotion, a picture book read aloud, memory work songs, and sometimes reciting poems, practicing etiquette or social skills, or performing skits.
“After that, the kids alternate working independently or working with me,” Leah said. “When the weather is nice, we work outside. Free time in the afternoons may include nature study, free reading time, trips to the zoo and library, and individual interests.”
On co-op days, however, everyone is up early, packing lunches and trying to get out the door on time. Though the kids’ main co-op is Catholic Schoolhouse, which uses a Classical approach to give homeschool kids a more traditional school day experience, they attend other co-ops, too.
“At their various co-ops, my children benefit from gifted parents teaching subjects they’re passionate about like Latin, Ballroom Dancing, Studio Art, Beginning Spanish, Cooking, Medieval History and more,” she said. “None of those subjects are in my wheelhouse, but through the co-op system, we all contribute. Over the years, I’ve taught science, preschool, middle school writing, and even a few crochet classes to other homeschoolers.”
Leah believes the biggest benefit of homeschooling is the amount of time that she, husband Riley, and the kids get to spend together as a family.
“It makes having a strong family culture easier and gives the kids lots of practice learning how to get along with each other,” she said.
As for the future, Leah is taking one year at a time.
“I’m willing to send them to a traditional school if homeschooling is no longer working for us, but at this point, I’m satisfied with how it’s going,” she said. “But with homeschooling, there is no one right answer for every family. We’re all just doing our best to help our kids succeed.”
PHOTO COURTESY LEAH FLOWERS
Studying on the trampoline are Thomas Anne Marie, Catherine and Clare Flowers.
PHOTO COURTESY MOLLY SUTTON
Josiah Sutton on the playing field
Creative KIDPRENEURS
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY PARENTS
A new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging right in our own neighborhood, armed with creativity and determination. These young go-getters, some barely tall enough to see over their lemonade stands, are proving that age is no barrier to learning about business success. From the timeless tradition of lemonade stands to offering yard services like mowing lawns and light landscaping, kids are turning simple ideas into their first micro-enterprises. Their ventures not only provide them with a little “green” in their wallets, or these days their Venmo accounts, but also teaches them valuable lessons in responsibility, customer service, and financial literacy. We caught up with a few young entrepreneurs, with their parents’ permission, who are setting the stage for entrepreneurial success – we call them Kidpreneurs
Lemonade
Mary Kathryn (8), Charlotte Donahue (7), Frady Stefano (12), Charlie Bailin (7) and Millie Powers (6) had a lemonade stand at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm during wiffle ball season. The Bluff Park Women’s Rec League hosted a kid’s market for young entrepreneurs. Craftworks 205 mentored the kiddos to come up with a business plan. They sold peach infused lemonade, homemade peach cookies and friendship bracelets.
Got To Get Some Wheels
Carson M. (14) wanted to find a way to start saving up for a car, so he formed his own trash service - In & Out Trash. He has been going strong for over a year. In & Out is a trash bin and recycling service for neighbors. Carson takes trash bins in and out twice a week, around 16 times a month. Carson and his mom say it has been a great way to earn money, develop responsibility and offer a great service to neighbors!
Interested in any of the services our kidpreneurs are offering? Drop us an email matthew@jbmcmedia.com and we will connect you.
Summer Pop-ups
Colin (6), Sam (11) and Jack Wade (9) set up summer offerings of flowers, cookies, and tea at the pavilion by Shades Cliff Pool. The kids grew the flowers and helped maintain their home garden to have enough blooms to sell at their stand. Watch for the pop-ups around the park.
Young Baker
Lillie Mathis is a talented young baker, ask anyone who has tasted her French macarons. She founded Lillie’s Lovely Bakes and enjoys baking anything from cookie cakes to layered cakes, and her famous macarons. Lillie started baking when she was around 7 years old. At 14, and about to start high school, she is sure to be baking up something sweet in the years to come.
Rolling the Cans
Luke Brown started Luke’s Trash Service to help take pressure off of busy families in his neighborhood. He contracts with his clients to take trash cans out to the street on trash day and then returns them after the garbage trucks empty them.
Isaac Brown (16) found a passion for technology and put it to good use. He started his own YouTube channel at the age of 12 and has been working to develop his channel and an editing and video company called MIB Productions AL He specializes in shooting and editing video for YouTube channels, websites, and special events. Isaac serves as the Vice President of Technology for his class through Evangel Christian School.
Outdoor Spaces
Grayben Nolen(16), and Knox Patterson (16), started NP Lawn Care and Landscape specialize in maintaining and enhancing outdoor spaces. The guys do grass cutting, pressure washing, efficient bush clearing, and meticulous fall and spring clean-ups projects. Whether you need routine care or seasonal maintenance, the guys are ready to make your yard look great.
Megan, Judah, and Selah are in the lemonade stand business too. These kids are learning at an early age about team work by designing and cutting out the letters for their sign.
Video Production
Lemonade
Pets on the Bluff
Furry Friends of the Neighborhood
AJ B. on “his” sidewalk on Chapel.
Deisel H.
Clover O
Barney M.
Andi the bearded dragon
Mae and Beanie H.
Moose S.
Abita and Panda W.
Hank, Marvin and Bruce W.
Smokie K
Delta C
Harper getting hugs from his brother Ewan
Beatrix, Myrtle Mae & Poppy W.
Louis S.
Roux B., the mascot and hangs out with us at Bates Orthodontics
Kevin S. the leopard gecko
Hobbes S.
Chloe and Ewan
Goose, Coosa and Mallard D
Boris L.
Bebes L.
Betsy F.
Bentley D.
Fern and Aspen! L
Mr. Lucy B
Rufio H. purebred heathen
Lucy D Willie Mays and Hank Aaron H
Griffin dogs
Lucy F.
Pearl and Lucy L.
Maisy and Libby S.
Charli, Collins, Cora A. All rescues. All spoiled
Gus Gus the STEAM Lab mascot at Bluff Park Elementary
Gizmo the STEAM Lab mascot at Bluff Park Elementary Darla C
Toby B
Conway Twitty M
Oakley H.
Lucy and Dixie F.
Stella H
Hattie W
Ruby and Rosie C
Part 2 coming in November
Zelda T the service dog
Sophie and Mocha B
Smokey C, thrilled to be dressed as a penguin for Halloween
Sydney M
Tater H.
Toast H. The albano rat
Braz, who loves to ride with the windows down and enjoying the views from Shades Crest!
Sandy M.
Blake T.
Brother and Bella Y. hanging out at Lover’s Leap
Lottie and Millie T.
Louie
Heidi S
Miaya C
Murphey C
Peaches Evans riding through Carisbrooke to see Halloween decorations
Rosie checking out the Shades Cliff pool
Hometown Hardware
Bluff Park Hardware continues to thrive after 56 years
BY GEORGE ELLIOTT
When you talk with Donald Byron, the owner of Bluff Park Hardware, the words,” community” and “family” come up a lot.
“Our hardware store has been part of the Bluff Park community since 1968, when the original owners, who started the business in 1956 as Vestavia Home Center, decided to move to Bluff Park.” Byron said.
Byron has a long history of being part of the store. He grew up in Bluff Park and worked there during high school and for two years while in college at UAB before transferring to Auburn. He and his wife, Lisa, bought the business on July 1, 1998.
When asked about his philosophy of doing business, Byron says he wants to treat their customers like family members.
“When our customers walk out our doors, we want them to feel confident they can do the job they came in for,” he said. “We listen to exactly what their needs are for household repair items and equipment, determine exactly what parts they need to do the job and then tell or show them exactly how to use the parts to fix their problems.”
For Byron, that’s what customer service is all about -– treating people like we would like to be treated.
Sometimes, he will just answer questions and give advice without ever selling a thing. Providing this type of one-on-one service is not something you will find at the “big box” hardware stores, he said.
Whenever shoppers enter Bluff Park Hardware, they don’t get far past the door before someone asks to help them.
“That’s the other thing,” Byron emphasizes. “Our employees are like family members, too. We have between five and seven permanent employees, some of whom have been with me since day one and others for many years. They are knowledgeable about our products and know our customers. They are invaluable.”
The walls and shelves hold a massive inventory. Byron said he keeps track of everything and knows what his customers need from his 25 years of experience. He’s also had some interesting requests, too, including someone calling to ask the time for a Braves game and cutting a ring off a woman’s finger because it was too tight
Bryon said his top three essentials for a successful business are to truly be customer-oriented, have a knowledgeable and reliable staff and maintain inventory and services that meet the needs of the community.
Bluff Park Hardware is located at 597 Shades Crest Rd, Birmingham and is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
PHOTOS BY GEORGE ELLIOTT
Donald Byron, Bluff Park Hardware
Community
50 Years of Service
The GFWC Hoover Juniorettes celebrated 50 years of service to the Hoover Community. Originally founded Nov. 25, 1974 as the W. A. Berry Juniorettes, the group is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, a worldwide organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service.
Many of the young women who served under the leadership of Barbara Lyons,and the late Cathy Barker, were named Outstanding Juniorette for the state by the Alabama Federation of Women’s Club.
In 1995 when Hoover High School opened, the club was rechartered with the new name GFWC Hoover Juniorettes.
The club offers numerous opportunities for young women to engage in community-benefiting projects, collaborating with the GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club for over 40 years. The Juniorettes have been involved in Hands-on Art for Children at the Bluff Park Art Show, adopting a classroom at Greenwood Elementary School to promote literacy, participating in the Adopt-A-Mile program on Highway 31, and collecting pop tabs for fundraising.
They have also cooked meals at the Ronald McDonald House, volunteered at the Moss Rock Festival, and led activities for children. Their charitable contributions extend to participating in fundraiser runs for St. Jude’s, Head over Teal, Juvenile Diabetes, and the Red Nose Run, as well as collecting diapers for Bundles of Hope Stuff the Bus and visiting retirement homes.
Beyond their hands-on activities, the Juniorettes contribute financially through their dues, supporting scholarships, libraries, and international organizations such as Heifer International, Operation Smile, and UNICEF. They’ve gained valuable insights from various speakers at their meetings, including representatives from Hope for Autumn and USA Martial Arts for self-defense.
Schools
Juniorettes were recognized by the Hoover City Council for 50 years of community service with a Proclamation and Declaration of August 24th 2024 as
The club’s sustained success is attributed to ongoing support from the GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club and dedicated advisors Pam Thompson, Shannon Burns, and Amanda Reagan. This diverse range of activities and financial contributions highlights the extensive impact the Juniorettes have had on their community over the years.
High School girls from the Hoover area are invited to join Hoover Juniorettes in August.
Membership in GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s club is open to any women interested in community service. This club meets on the second Thursday night at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
For more information about Hoover Juniorettes or GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club, contact Pam Thompson at pamrayt@gmail.com.
100th Anniversary of Bluff Park Elementary School
Bluff Park Elementary has its roots in a small mountain community school known as Summit. Originally a one-room church and school located at the intersection of what are now Tyler Road, Valley Street, and Alford Avenue, Summit School played a pivotal role in education for the community.
In 1921, the church congregation voted to rename it Bluff Park Baptist Church, which is now known as Church on the Bluff. Shortly after, the school relocated to Park Avenue and was renamed Bluff Park School. In 1923-24 the school only had about 50 students.
Then and Now: A vintage photograph captures a moment in time during the school’s early days. Teachers and staff celebrated the first day of school and the 100th anniversary with a group photo in front of the original school house.
Remarkably, the initial structure was preserved during the demolition of some later additions and expansions and has been restored to its original footprint. Today, this historic building serves as the home to the Hoover City Schools Student Services Department, blending its rich heritage with contemporary educational services.
PHOTO COURTESY PAM THOMPSON
GFWC Hoover
Hoover/W.A. Berry Juniorette Day
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PTA Celebrates New Kindergarten Parents
The Bluff Park PTA was ready with coffee, doughnuts, and tissues for new Kindergarten parents on Aug. 8, the first day of school. The event, called Tears and Cheers, is a meet and greet for parents to get to know each other and celebrate the start of school. The first day of Kindergarten is a big step in life for both kids and parents.
AL Weddings
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEATHER JONES SKAGGS
PTA members from left are: Loryn Brandt, Emily Acton, Whitney Schenk, Meredith Dunn, Hartley Jackson, Fran Morris, and Michelle Lee
Love Your Neighbor(hood) with Rebecca LeBlanc
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
~George Bernard Shaw
What truth in these words about play. Play keeps us young! One of my favorite childhood memories of Bluff Park is playing outside. An oasis of play right out my front door from the creeks to wading into the woods to exploring cliffs to climb.
A local pediatrician, Carin Kiser, and I spoke of the importance of play in childhood. Dr. Kiser raised her children in Bluff Park and considers Bluff Park to be the perfect playground for children to learn and explore.
“Living in Bluff Park was great raising kids,” she said. “We felt like we had everything we needed just a few steps away. We could literally walk down our street to Piggly Wiggly, the post office, dance lessons, the antique store, and the best Chinese takeout. My daughter always found a great treasure in the antique store and our children learned to ride their bikes in the Pig parking lot. Bluff Park has always been so safe. We regularly strolled down our neighborhood sidewalks on our family walks that turned into an adventure for exploring our beautiful surroundings.”
Like Dr. Kiser with her children, I remember this community being the best for outdoor adventures before the days of iPads and social media.
The annual Bluff Park Art Show is a long-standing tradition that gives our residents a perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors with their family while supporting our community and local artists. Dr. Kiser reflects on the art show as being one of their best family outings.
“I pushed our oldest child in her stroller before she was even a year old for our first festival. And 21 years later, we have never missed one (except during Covid)! We still have artwork our children made in the kids craft area.”
An amazing time made even more memorable with all the neighborhood garage sales during the art show. Dr. Kiser remembers getting up extra early to excitedly scout what we would declare the “deal of the day” in all the garage sales along our walk to the festival.
”Strolling from home to home, the Kiser children recall their best childhood toys coming from their neighbors, and they hope to one day raise their own children in this community that is so rich in tradition and fun.
As Plato says, “life must be lived as play.”
The diverse neighbors and neighborhoods are a perfect backdrop for our children to use their
imaginations and interact to build social skills and character. Dr. Kiser’s daughter learned these very skills as she dressed up as a clown and performed a circus for all her curious and kind neighbors. What a confidence booster right in our own backyard, literally.
“Play is the way to a child’s heart and one of the most efficient ways to facilitate learning,” Kiser said. “The many facets of interacting through play (eye contact, smiling, laughter, vigorous activity) allow the brain to release hormones involved with promoting connection, learning, relaxation, bond-
ing, and the feeling of wellbeing.”
Sounds just like a day of play in our community, right?
“When we treat children’s play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them to feel the joy that’s to be found in the creative spirit.”
~ Mr. Rogers
Please share with me your favorite memory or your child’s experience of play in Bluff Park!
PHOTOS COURTESY CARIN KISER
SEPTEMBER
Bargains on the Bluff Consignment Sale
Friday, September 13, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 14, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Bluff Park United Methodist Church
