NOV/DEC 2023
No-hassle
Holiday Meals
Leave cooking to the pros PAGE 12
ART that
Heals Amanda Klein finds healing through creativity PAGE 25
FEEDING THE
HUNGRY An interview with Greg and Donna Bishop PAGE 28
Helping Hoover families
enjoy
pest-free outdoors since 1965.
(205) 663-4200 vulcantermite.com
2 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
Serving Jefferson & Shelby Counties
Now scooping your favorite holiday flavors! Christmas Cookie Egg Nog Peppermint
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EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Friends, There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when home is Hoover, Alabama! One of my family’s favorite traditions is donning Christmas pajamas, grabbing a hot chocolate and taking a ride to find the best lights in town. We’ve discovered there are a few homes near South Shades Crest that deserve an award! In this issue, we’ll tell you all about Hoover’s best holiday traditions (page 19). Our city offers many enjoyable opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to celebrate the season. You’ll find tips on where to shop (page 16), catch a neighborhood parade, support local families (page 28) and hear a talented local high school choir (page 23). Christmas is also a popular time for engagements in Hoover. If you’re planning to pop the question this year, be sure to add these wedding venues to your holiday wishlist (page 6). However you choose to spend the holiday season, we hope you spend it making wonderful memories and enjoying Hoover! Happy Reading,
Kim Cripps, Editor Enjoy Hoover is your guide to dining, entertainment, and shopping in Hoover, Alabama’s sixth largest city. From major events like the SEC Baseball Tournament, the World Games, and the Regions Tradition, to local live music, to hidden gems in local shopping, to the world-class lineup of restaurants, Hoover has tons to offer to residents, guests, and visitors alike. Enjoy Hoover is published six times a year, a joint venture between David Cohen of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, Matthew Allen of JBMC Media, and Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. These three longtime Hoover residents blend a passion for their community with years of experience in communication, publishing, marketing, and hospitality. Copies of this magazine are available at more than 100 locations throughout Hoover. Connect with us through our social media channels: Instagram (@EnjoyHoover) and Facebook ( @EnjoyHoover). Visit us online at EnjoyHoover.com. We hope you Enjoy Hoover! 4 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
Kim Cripps, editor kimcripps@gmail.com David Cohen, co-publisher (205) 213-3617, enjoyhoover@gmail.com Matthew Allen, co-publisher (205) 617-9609, matthew@jbmcmedia.com Mitzi Eaker, co-publisher (205) 862-0629, mitzijanemedia@gmail.com Michelle Salem Haynes,
marketing consultant
(205) 381-1311, michelle@jbmcmedia.com ABOUT THE COVER Hoover Restaurant Week is back for its fourth year, with lots to showcase in the world of food and beverage in Hoover. Featured on the cover is a craft cocktail at Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen, one of the many HRW participating restaurants this year. Photo by Shelby Graves, Tre Luna Bar & Grill.
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JANUARY 2021 Easy Thanksgiving Centerpieces for Kids and Adults
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KID-
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Party
Princess LIKE A
From royalty to superheroes, Lara Vickery’s magical character entertainment business brings smiles to soirees.Page 12
A childfriendly blessing mix and family charity ideas! Page 18
Etiquette classes help develop manners, character PAGE 14
RisingUP Nonprofit serves homeless families across the city PAGE 20
ENGAGING KIDS WITH
ART
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Create & Inspire Family businesses hatch in Homewood PAGE 8
o phot featur
in
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New pizza location opens in Vestavia Page 20
MARCH 2023
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NOVEMBER 2022
Davenport’s Devotees Rejoice
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Keep child athletes safe PAGE 32
SPRING OUTFITS FOR EVERY CHILD
Her cure happened Kennedi is cured of sickle cell disease thanks to a life-changing bone marrow transplant she received from her sister here at Children’s of Alabama. The amazing treatments, discoveries and innovations for pediatric blood disorders and cancer happening here are helping change lives for the children of Alabama, across the country and around the world.
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8/8/23 11:14 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023AM5
FEATURE
Wonderful Winter
WEDDINGS Popping the question this Christmas? Say ‘Yes!’ to these stunning venues for winter weddings.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER-RANDLE HOME & GARDENS
BY MITZI EAKER
As I compose this piece, I find myself en route to a family wedding in St. Louis— an elegant outdoor affair that now faces the challenge of a sudden cold front. Our plans for sleeveless formal dresses might be set aside for a more practical, warmer wardrobe. With mild winter weather in Alabama, it is a splendid season for weddings. And Hoover has numerous venues for hosting the perfect Christmas or holiday wedding. 6 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
Our stunning churches present a picturesque setting during the Christmas season, adorned with charming swags of greenery, ribbons, and poinsettias. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these decorations offer a practical advantage, significantly reducing floral and decorating costs. Moreover, Hoover features a range of event venues for weddings, such as the City of Hoover’s own Aldridge Gardens (aldridgegardens.com) and the HooverCONTINUED ON PAGE 8
ITALIAN INSPIRED FOOD WITH A TWIST.
SERVED IN OUR WARM, ENCHANTED EATERY.
TRELUNABARANDKITCHEN.COM 1021 BROCK’S GAP PARKWAY LUNCH: WED-FRI, 11-2 HAPPY HOUR: MON-FRI, 4-6 DINNER: MON-THURS, 4-9 & FRI/SAT 4-10 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 7
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Randle House (hooverrandlehome.com). These venues can accommodate quaint indoor and outdoor events while providing the most romantic settings. Private venues and hotels also offer attractive possibilities for weddings and receptions. Soiree Event Gallery (eventsatsoiree.com), centrally located in Hoover, boasts two beautiful ballrooms with large dance floors. It is tailored for grand wedding parties. The Park Crest Event Facility (parkcrestevents.com) offers indoor and outdoor ceremony options, featuring two spacious and gorgeous indoor areas for all your special event needs. Park Crest Gardens, with its mountainous surroundings, resembles a hidden garden oasis within city CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALDRIDGE GARDENS ON LORNA ROAD
8 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
OPEN SUN-THURS 10 AM - 11 PM FRI & SAT 10 AM - 2 AM WE DELIVER WITH
1817 MONTGOMERY HIGHWAY S HOOVER STEAKNSHAKE.COM
NEW HOSPITAL OPENING AUGUST 2024
m e d i c a l w e s t h o s p i t a l . o r g Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 9
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
limits. Accommodating up to 400 guests, it provides an ideal setting for a winter wonderland of lights under the stars. Several hotels in the area feature ballrooms suitable for wedding events, including the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfry Hotel, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham Hoover. I have personally attended a fabulous wedding reception hosted by the Renaissance. The food was amazing! A new and noteworthy addition to Hoover’s event options is Oris & Oak (orisandoak.com). Longtime Hoover residents and proprietors of Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe, David and Teresa Hare, have transformed the former Smith Farm in Bluff Park into a stunning event venue. With a beautifully renovated enclosed barn, covered bridge, and an outdoor pavilion, this farm offers a picturesque backdrop for wedding photos, regardless of the season. Who knew Hoover was such a destination for weddings, especially in winter?
10 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOIREE EVENT GALLERY PHOTO COURTESY OF ORIS AND OAK
MAY/JUNE 2023
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Celebrate Hoover event returns
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Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 11
EAT
Holiday meals without the hassle
Let these local restaurants make your dinner prep easier than ever.
Jubilee Joe’s fried turkeys are injected with a hand-crafted Cajun broth.
BY KRISTI SELLERS
The holidays are quickly approaching. Many will gather at Grandma’s for a traditional dinner, while others will stay at home and enjoy something a bit more casual. No matter how you celebrate, Hoover has options that can assist you in having a less stressful holiday season. You won’t have to worry about making a shopping list a mile long or prepping days in advance. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
12 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Several Hoover restaurants have special holiday menus that are sure to make your celebration a memorable one. This is only a sampling of the delicious goodness available in Hoover to assist in your holiday preparations. Be sure to contact each restaurant for specific ordering deadlines and availability. THE CAJUN CLEAVER NEAR LAKE CREST This family-owned and operated specialty butcher shop takes pride in bringing its customers the finest in Cajun cuisine. Nick and Adrienne Morris prepare specialty meats and homemade meals and sides six days a week. The Cajun Cleaver has an impressive holiday menu. You can order fried turkeys, smoked turkeys, smoked ham, and even turducken. Each entree can be purchased individually or as part of a family meal. Family meals include your choice of two large sides, medium cornbread dressing, 1-quart giblet gravy, and Millie Ray’s Yeast Rolls. Choose your sides from delicious options like smoked gouda mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli cheese casserole and sweet potato casserole. Ashley Mac’s in Chace Lake and Inverness
A Birmingham-area staple, Ashley Mac’s is the first place many people think of when it comes to catering. This holiday season, Ashley Mac’s offers an impressive menu, with pre-orders beginning November 1. Choose from a turkey or ham bundle that includes Boar’s Head meats, large frozen sides and sour cream biscuits. Each bundle comes in an insulated AMK Market Tote! A large variety of seasonal sides are also available. If you are planning a breakfast gathering, try the breakfast bundle. This features a large breakfast casserole, baked cheese grits and sour cream biscuits. TRE LUNA BAR & KITCHEN IN BROCK’S GAP Located in the Village at Brock’s Gap, Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen serves delicious Italian favorites in an upscale dining experience. Dine-in and carry-out options are available, and separate lunch and dinner menus leave room for plenty of options. Any of Tre Luna’s entrees would be a superb addition to your holiday feast. May we suggest lasagna Bolognese, spaghetti Bolognese, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
Cajun Cleaver’s cornbread, cooked in a cast iron skillet. Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 13
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
spaghetti and meatballs? All entrees are served with a serving of house-made focaccia. Your guests will love the spinach and artichoke dip and meatballs and polenta before the festivities begin. HOMETOWN FARE IN ROSS BRIDGE Executive Chef and Owner Shelby Adams’ passion for the culinary arts shines through Hometown Fare. Offering a weekly rotation of dinner meals, Hometown Fare has favorites like chicken bacon ranch flatbread, short ribs, cobb salad, and the Hometown Fare burger. Hometown Fare’s selections for Christmas can really make your dinner memorable. Specialty dishes include maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, twice-baked potatoes, sausage, apple and cranberry dressing, sweet potato souffle with brown butter pace streusel,
green bean casserole, and herb-roasted beef tenderloin with horseradish cream. JUBILEE JOE’S OFF HIGHWAY 150 A Hoover staple for years, Jubilee Joe’s offers the freshest seafood available. Jubilee Joe’s has an extensive catering menu with family-sized blackened tilapia pasta, shrimp and grits, Cajun boiled shrimp and more. Elevate Christmas dinner with a Cajun-fried turkey injected with hand-crafted Cajun broth. Turkey packages are also available and include a fried turkey, Cajun cornbread dressing and brown giblet gravy. Be sure to add one of their bayou quart specials – gumbo yaya, jambalaya and crawfish etouffee. This holiday season, consider ordering some – or all! – of your meal from one of our local restaurants. Your semi-homemade meal will impress your guests and allow you to spend more time with them! Tre Luna offers traditional spaghetti and meatballs served with housemade focaccia.
14 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
Enjoying this magazine?
So are thousands of other people in Hoover. Advertise in a publication owned and operated by Hoover residents. Contact us today, and let’s work together. Matthew Allen matthew@jbmcmedia.com (205) 617-9609 Michelle Haynes michelle@jbmcmedia.com (205) 381-1311 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 15
SHOP
Christmas IN DIXIE
Gift ideas for everyone on your list from newly opened Alabama Goods. BY KIM CRIPPS
Gift-giving—and receiving, if we’re being honest—is one of my top love languages. Yes, it’s partly because I like surprises. But it’s more the thoughtfulness in selecting a meaningful gift that gets me. There’s an art to selecting the right gift, and Alabama Goods’ new Hoover location can help us perfect it with distinctive goods made right here in the Heart of Dixie. Local owners Sherry Hartley and Beth Staula partner with artisans, crafters and food makers to stock the shelves with candles, bath and body products, clothing and accessories, gourmet 16 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
food, books, games, pottery, stationary, and art. We’ve done the hard work and chosen our favorite stand-out products for (almost) everyone on your list. For your Out-of-State Parents: Send love from Alabama with a gift basket of local favorites. You can create your own in-store or choose from a pre-made basket online. Capture the Birmingham foodie scene with a collection of sauces from local bar-b-q restaurants. Add in Jim ‘N Nick’s Cheese Biscuit Mix, Bud’s Best Cookies, and cheese straws, and they’ll understand why you aren’t moving home CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
SHOP
Find Alabama Dirt Shirts, canvas totes, cheese straws, etched highball glasses and Tiny Tokens necklaces at Alabama Goods in Hoover. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
anytime soon. For your Trendsetting Sister: Dainty jewelry is a popular choice this season and encouraging necklaces from Tiny Tokens fit the bill. The handmade necklaces from Harvest, Ala., can be worn layered or as a stand-alone piece. Each comes with a note of faith, love and thankfulness, making them a precious gift to receive. For your Sports Fan Brother: Celebrate his favorite team year-round with the help of Alabama Goods’ collegiate collection. You’ll find hats, shirts, books and ornaments for Blazer, Tiger and Tide fans alike. For a gift with major box-suite vibes, go with an etched decanter and matching highball glasses. And you’ll be the best sibling ever. For your Kid’s Amazing Teacher: Lighten your teacher’s load with a canvas tote that can carry everything needed for a day in the classroom. Graded papers, lunch and school supplies will stay safely in place when you choose one with a zippered top. For a personal touch, opt for a tote that shows off a favorite college or vacation spot (think UAB, Alabama, Auburn, Lake Martin and Smith Lake). For your Crime-Show Obsessed Best
Friend: What’s better than true crime? True crime that happened in your backyard. Jacquelyn Proctor Reeves’s Murder Untenured, the story of UAH professor-turned-shooter Amy Bishop, paired with Alan Brown’s Haunted Alabama, will have your BFF choosing paperbacks over podcasts in no time. For your Helpful Neighbor: Your neighbor always comes through when you’re in a pinch. Checking your mail? Feeding your pet? Catching your kids at the bus stop? All in a day’s work. Say “thanks” with a hand-formed pottery pinch bowl. With plenty of uses, like using it to grab a pinch of salt when cooking, it’s sure to be a lifesaver – just like your neighbor! For your Niece and Nephew: Why play in the dirt when you can wear it? The Alabama Dirt Shirt is made from 100% Southern-grown organic cotton and dyed with Alabama dirt, a novelty kids enjoy. Available in four different colors, choose the one that will look best on your little Southern Belle or Beau. Where to Shop: Alabama Goods’s newest store is located on Peridot Place in Hoover. Additional locations are downtown Homewood and Huntsville in Valley Bend. For more information and to shop online, go to alabamagoods.com. Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 17
MADE IN BLUFF PARK cutting boards | Charcuterie trays bathtub caddies | bed swings stovetop covers | tables | planters shelves | bookcases
DEO GLORIA W
custom orders accepted facebook: @deogloriawoodworks Instagram: @deogloriawoodworks 18 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
O
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Local high school choirs and dance teams, like the Hoover Bucannettes, perform each year at Hoover Ho Hoover.
Hoover for the Holidays BY CARMEN BROWN AND KIM CRIPPS
It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are here! Whether you’re new to the Hoover area or have been here for years, here is a guide to our city’s annual celebrations. Join us for shopping, parties, parades and so much more! DECEMBER 2: BLUFF PARK CHRISTMAS PARADE Beginning at Shades Cliff Pool, this well-loved community parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m. and winds through Bluff Park. Excited children and community groups ride floats pulled by trucks and tractors, many tossing candies to onlookers. Enjoy music, family-friendly fun and a float contest! CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 19
PLAY
Olivia Cripps is ready to ride in the Bluff Park Christmas Parade with her Girl Scout Troop from Prince of Peace Catholic Church. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
DECEMBER 2: BLUFF PARK 8K AND 1K Run one of the highest points in Birmingham and finish up with a post-race breakfast. This race, which has a 1K option for the kids, winds though Bulff Park and along historic Park Avenue. For details and to register, go to runsignup.com/bluffpark8k. DECEMBER 2: HO HO HOOVER VIP RECEPTION Come to the Hoover-Randle Home from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for catered food, wine and spirits, a silent auction and a wine pull to benefit the local non-profit Hoover Helps. Tickets are $55 per person. Go to hooverhelps.org/pages/ho-ho-hoover for more information. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
20 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
PLAY
The Hoover Belles serve as hosts for Ho Ho Hoover, benefitting Hoover Helps. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
DECEMBER 3: HO HO HOOVER FAMILY CELEBRATION Bring the whole family out for an open house benefitting Ho Ho Hoover. Enjoy performances from the high school choirs and dance teams, local treats from Hoover restaurants, and photos with Santa. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased from hooverhelps.org CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 21
PLAY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
DECEMBER 5: BROCK’S GAP BREWING COMPANY CHRISTMAS MARKET Hoover’s favorite local brewery is hosting its first-ever Christmas market. Check off your holiday list with unique items from local vendors offering gifts, baked goods and sweet treats. DECEMBER 9: GINGERBREAD DECORATING DAY Show off your creativity at the Hoover Libray’s Gingerbread Decorating Day. From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Children’s Department will feature cookies to decorate, crafts and cozy activities. DECEMBER 10: LIVING NATIVITY All are welcome to join Riverchase Baptist Church for the annual Living Nativity. Experience the birth of Christ through this live reenactment. The Nativity opens at 6:00 p.m. and will take place outdoors. Learn more at riverchasebaptist.org. DECEMBER 16: MEADOW BROOK RUN Stay active this season with the 29th Annual Meadow Brook Run. “Birmingham’s Most Beautiful Course” features a 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run. Registration proceeds benefit the JESUS Video Project of Alabama. Go to meadowbrook-runs.org for details and to sign up. DECEMBER 20: HOOVER LIBRARY WINTER SPECTACULAR Holiday lovers of all ages will enjoy this winter-themed variety show presented by Hoover Library staff. Come sing along to your favorite seasonal songs from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The show will take place in the library theatre. DECEMBER 25: SANTA RUN On Christmas Eve, the Hoover Fire Department drives Santa through town, visiting nearly every street in the city! Santa’s tentative ride schedule will be released closer to Christmas Eve. Stay tuned to hooverfire.org for details.
22 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
ENTERTAINMENT
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN KINCAID AND THE HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR
A Christmas
CAROL
Hoover High School Choir’s Caroling Program is a Highlight of the Season BY DREW ROBERTS
With the stress of hunting for the perfect Christmas tree, braving Black Friday crowds for presents and crafting a Christmas Day menu that will appease every family member, it can be easy to lose a sense of the joy the holiday is known for. It’s different for those of us in Hoover, though. Thanks to the Hoover High School Choir’s Christmas Caroling program, Christmas joy is found in something as simple as a song.
The Hoover High School Choir is a staple of the Christmas season. Their musical stylings include traditional and contemporary songs, and their caroling takes them from middle school classrooms to the Birmingham Zoo. They’re led by choir director John Kincaid, who recently served as president of the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Matching the spirit of Christmas, Kincaid emphasized the importance of community in a choir, saying, “I really feel it’s important to give our students opportunities where it’s not ‘me,’ Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 23
ENTERTAINMENT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
it’s what am I doing for [others].” He feels that today’s world forces students to put too much focus on their own futures, rather than care for the people around them. By singing in a choir, students can work as a part of a greater whole to create something special. In its early years of caroling, the choir sang exclusively Christian songs. Now, with the addition of Ten Bucs Worth and Grace Note, a capella choirs for men and women respectively, they include secular holiday carols as well. Reflecting upon Hoover’s growth in both size and diversity, Kincaid said he hopes his choir will be “a visible and vocal representation of welcoming difference.” This goal of connection comes after several years of singing through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the age of social distancing and masks, choirs had a tough road. Kincaid found, however, that the pandemic’s forced focus on individuality caused the most problems. “The biggest part of it was the community that was damaged,” he said. “Not being able to interact, not being able to do activities 24 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
where they are vulnerable and they share and do things.” Kincaid noted that this upcoming caroling season is “the first year since COVID that it feels right.” By not having to worry about masks, contact tracing, or social distancing, they can put all their efforts into their performances. Their first stop this year is Cahaba Ridge Retirement Community on December 1. This performance kicks off a busy schedule that will continue until students take exams. Kincaid is confident in his students’ ability to handle the demanding task. He credits much of his choir’s talent to the support of the Hoover school system, which ensures choir classes are available to students and allows for Kincaid and associate director Amanda Slay to helm eight different choirs. “We are fortunate that we’re supported in all those different ways,” he said. “We always like to recognize that that’s important, and that allows us to do what we do.” If you’re looking for a way to get your family in the holiday spirit or just want to hear your favorite Christmas classics, be sure to check the full schedule on the Hoover Choir website at hooverchoir.com.
MAKERS
The healing power of art
One local artist found the inspiration to start her business in an unlikely time. BY CARMEN BROWN
Amanda Klein always thought of herself as an artist. “One of my first words was ‘me,’ and that was in reference to a pencil,” Klein said. “In high school, I had an amazing art teacher, Amy. She just always believed in me. She let me explore different mediums.” Named “Excellent Place for Online Gifts” by Southern Living Online, Amanda Klein Co. sells totes, towels, stickers and notecards. But what makes her company stand out is each product features her design of one of the 50 states, each made up of flowers found growing throughout the state. But Klein didn’t find inspiration for her online gift shop until a few years CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMANDA KLEIN
Amanda and her husband Drew with their son, Caedon.
Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 25
MAKERS
Signature watercolor and ink creations on notecards, towels and more feature states filled with hand-drawn local flowers.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
ago, in the unlikeliest of places and times: lying in her bed, in pain and deeply depressed. In January 2018, she became ill with the flu and was later diagnosed with endometriosis, Her condition was so debilitating she had to leave her job at her husband’s chiropractic office. Having always been active, she suddenly found herself bedridden for months. “I love to work, and I had just finished a 26 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
50-mile race,” Klein said. “I went from that to nothing. It was a very dark time. It was hard in many, many ways.” Then, one day, her husband told her something that helped her turn things around. “My husband told me, ‘You’ve always wanted to start a business. You have a gift. You’re just sitting in bed all day, so now is the perfect time,” Klein said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
MAKERS
Amanda’s Merry & Bright flour sack towel is one of her holiday best-sellers.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Klein had a computer and knew what she wanted to do: draw. “I had a very strong desire that I needed to immediately create a piece that was the state of Alabama filled with the state flower and wildflowers. As I was going to sign the finished Alabama piece a huge ink drop fell right outside the artwork which meant that I couldn’t sell it as an original, so I decided to offer it as a print.” Klein posted the Alabama piece to Instagram, where it sold out three different times within just the first couple of days. She immediately began getting requests to create other states. There was just one little problem: she didn’t know all the flowers that grew in each state. “My father was a botanist at BirminghamSouthern, so I got one of his books and started figuring out which flowers to use for each state. I have to not only think about flowers that appeal to folks in that region, but also if the flower can even be used in the piece due to the way the flower or the state outline is shaped.” When COVID-19 hit not long afterward, she decided to use quarantine to work on all 50 states and perfect the signature abstract look of her designs. “I never color test, and I never take the painting part too seriously. It helps soften the
detail work done with the black ink. Detail work with black ink is my favorite part.” Klein said she uses India Ink for the black outlining and a calligraphy pen for the detail work. Once the piece has dried for several days, she scans it into Photoshop where the watercolor paper is removed, and then she sends it to print. Right before the pandemic, Klein was diagnosed with adenomyosis, which led her to make the difficult decision to have a hysterectomy. Klein, who was adopted herself, used some of her proceeds from the 50 States pieces to welcome her son Caedon, now 2, in November of 2021. Klein’s business continues to grow. Her products are now in 300 stores across the United States. She’s been invited to two showrooms next year, one in Dallas and one in Atlanta. Now gearing up for the holiday season, Klein said her flour sack towels and stationery box sets are popular holiday gifts. Her Christmas wreath flour sack towels, which sold out last year, will be available again this year. “I always say the business happened by accident and kept going by necessity, and now it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Klein said. To explore what Klein has to offer, visit amandakleinco.com. Her gifts are also available on etsy.com. Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 27
HOOVER VOICES
Hoover Helps
Meet Donna and Greg Bishop, founders of a nonprofit committed to meeting the basic needs of students in our community. BY KIM CRIPPS
Every December, Hoover Helps is the charity beneficiary of Ho Ho Hoover Randle Home and Gardens Open House. Hosted by Hoover Helps and the City of Hoover, Ho Ho Hoover has become a holiday tradition, highlighting local students and nonprofits in the city’s very own historic home. With preparations underway for the annual family and VIP events (see page 30), we sat down with Hoover Helps founders Donna and Greg Bishop to learn more about their work in the community. Enjoy Hoover: Why did you start Hoover Helps? Hoover Helps: Our children wanted to go on a mission trip abroad when we realized there was work to be done right here in Hoover! We met with other families, friends and community leaders to see how we could help. We learned Green Valley Church and Bluff Park CONTINUED ON PAGE 29
28 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
Hoover Helps founders Donna and Greg Bishop at Ho Ho Hoover in 2022. PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA AND GREG BISHOP
HOOVER VOICES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
United Methodist Church have weekend backpack programs (where they partner with schools to discreetly send food home each Friday with children in need ) and that there was a need in other schools, too. What began as a one-time family project launched as a nonprofit in February 2015 and has been running strong ever since. EH: What was most surprising to you when you were getting started? HH: It was hard to believe how many local families experienced food insecurity. Our first mission was to get the message out. Then, once we got the program in all the elementary schools, we heard from school counselors that the kids were so excited about the food they were ripping their bags open on the bus so they wouldn’t have to share at home. At this point, we realized we needed to expand into the middle and high schools. EH: How many students do you serve each week? HH: Teachers and counselors make it possible for students in all 17 Hoover City Schools to have access to food from Hoover Helps and our faith-based partners. About 500 students in grades K-5 participate in the backpack program each week. Middle and high school counselors have resources on-site for students who need them. EH: What type of food might a student receive in their backpack? HH: We work from a list of foods developed by a team of nutritionists. The foods must be shelfstable, nutritious and easy for a child to prepare independently. Our partner organizations use this list to purchase items for backpacks each week. They accommodate food allergies and mix up the choices so the kids receive something different each week. EH: What makes Hoover Helps successful? HH: Hoover Helps is successful because of our community. We run on volunteers and donations. We are fortunate to partner with our school principals, 13 faith-based organizations, and hundreds of local volunteers. EH: What do you enjoy most about your work with Hoover Helps? HH: So many people in the community are willing to help their neighbors and our community is strong that way. We get to see how genuinely generous Hoover is while meeting the most basic needs of the kids here. It’s a blessing and we feel so lucky to be able to make an impact through our work. EH: What should a parent do if their child needs food? HH: The best thing is to reach out to their school counselor. Counselors, teachers and lunchroom personnel do an incredible job of letting us know if a student needs help and identifying siblings that need help, too. Referrals are always on the down low; we never know the names of the children receiving food. We understand that kids and families want help but that it needs to be discreet. EH: How can we support Hoover Helps? HH: Volunteering through your church is one of the best ways to help those in need. You can also donate on our website at hooverhelps.org. Our partnership with the food bank allows us to purchase deeply discounted food to stretch your dollar! To learn more about Hoover Helps, or to see how you can make a difference, go to www.hooverhelps.org. Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 29
AROUND HOOVER
TASTE OF HOOVER Back and Tastier than Ever BY KIM CRIPPS
There’s always something to enjoy in Hoover, Alabama. And this fall brought one of our favorite events of the year: Taste of Hoover. Held annually each October at Aldrige Gardens, this event celebrates Hoover’s diverse culinary scene against a backdrop of live entertainment and crisp Autumn air. Local photographer Allison Carpenter captured all the food and fun.
30 Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023
AROUND HOOVER
Enjoy Hoover November/December 2023 31
205- 638-PIRC (7472) Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children. Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such. Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources. PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.
TheHoover PIRC isNovember/December generously supported 32 Enjoy 2023by funding from United Way of Central Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the Walker Area Community Foundation.