HOOVER STEAKS AND WINE serves up perfect pairings PAGE 14
ALABAMA
DANCE ACADEMY’S
The Nutcracker Turns 30 PAGE 7
TREE LIGHTING FAVORITE LOCAL TRADITIONS
•
As the leaves change and the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to make those home improvements you’ve been dreaming about. With a Home Equity Line of Credit from USB, you can easily access funds to renovate your kitchen, upgrade your living space, or even tackle unexpected expenses. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of our HELOC to get your home holiday-ready! Learn more by visiting www.unionstate.net
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dear Friends,
‘Tis the season for turkey, twinkling lights and beloved holiday traditions! Thankfully, there are plenty of traditions to participate in here in Hoover. From a Menorah Lighting to Santa sightings, we hope you enjoy family favorites – and discover new ones – this year.
For our family, the perfect holiday season is about three things: spending time together, thinking of others, and giving thoughtful gifts. In this issue, we’ll explore festive family activities like seeing Alabama Dance Academy’s annual performance of The Nutcracker (page 7); supporting Veterans, as well as community members in need (pages 26 and 22, respectively6); and hand-crafted gift ideas from a local maker (page 18).
After nearly two decades in the Magic City, it seems like we’ve just about done it all when it comes to holiday celebrations. And, yet, each year we still find something new we’d like to try! That’s our wish for you, too, that you and your loved ones continue to enjoy Hoover now and for many holidays to come.
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!
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
Alabama Dance Academy prepares for its 30th annual performance of The Nutcracker.
HOOVER VOICES
How one veteran has built a life serving others.
AROUND HOOVER
Be part of Hoover’s most popular seasonal events.
Get the details on this year’s local traditions and celebrations.
A new restaurant is opening soon in Knox Square.
HOOVER MAKERS
A star Etsy seller creates all-natural candles in her Hoover home.
Shop for a good cause at the Junior League of Birmingham’s Market Noel.
Have fun baking holiday treats with tips from an experienced home baker.
30 Years of The Nutcracker
Presented by Alabama Dance Academy
BY ABBY TURNER
Alabama Dance Academy will present its 30th annual production of The Nutcracker on December 21 and 22 at Oak Mountain High School.
It is a well-loved, familiar tale: a young girl named Clara celebrates Christmas with her family and friends and receives a Nutcracker doll from her mysterious uncle. After the festivities, she falls asleep and wakes in the magical and scary land of sugarplum fairies and floating angels, where reality is blurred with dreams. Since The Nutcracker was first performed a week before Christmas in 1892, it has become a holiday tradition for families to attend. Even though we may know the tale by heart, we can’t help but come back for more each year.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALABAMA DANCE ACCADEMY
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Pamela Merkel, the founder and director of Alabama Dance Academy in Hoover, trained at the Royal Ballet Centre and School of American Ballet as well as various other studios. She tells us why we should attend Alabama Dance Academy’s version of The Nutcracker this year for their 30th annual performance.
“We have a couple of seniors performing for the last time that have been in the show since they were eligible at five years old,” said Merkel. “One of them trained at the Royal
Ballet School in London and has won many awards and scholarships for her talent. She is definitely one to watch this year.”
Merkel, a highly accomplished dance teacher, founded Alabama Dance Academy in 1995. Her dancers have performed across the world and even at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Australia.
“I think that’s what is remarkable and unique about our Nutcracker,” said Merkel. “You are watching the stars of tomorrow.”
Merkel herself was in The Nutcracker starting at seven years old until she retired from dancing professionally. To her, the performance is the holiday season and family-friendly fun. In fact, she cannot imagine a holiday season without it.
“People come year after year for the tradition,” said Merkel. “The Nutcracker is Christmas to me and to many of us, even those who have no affiliation with the studio. It’s just the perfect family-friendly activity.”
The Nutcracker will feature dancers ranging from ages 5-18. These dancers and their teachers train tirelessly to guarantee an enjoyable performance for all.
Alabama Dance Academy’s The Nutcracker will be held at Oak Mountain High School Performing Arts Center on December 21 and 22. There will be four performances, which anyone can attend at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on December 21 and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on December 22.
Once available tickets can be purchased at alabamadanceacademy.com.
The Nutcracker has four performances that are open to the public.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALABAMA DANCE ACADEMY
Ballet students of all ages perform during dance academy’s annual The Nutcracker performance.
The Nutcracker is Christmas to me and to many of us, even those who have no affiliation with the studio. It’s just the perfect family-friendly activity.”
— PAMELA MERKEL, founder and director of Alabama Dance Academy, Hoover, AL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALABAMA DANCE ACADEMY
Holiday Favorites
Traditions and Celebrations
We Can’t Wait to Attend!
BY ABBY TURNER
Families are invited to attend
Buckle up, Hoover! This year’s holiday season will be jam-packed with events and celebrations for you and your loved ones. The most wonderful time of the year is almost here.
Market Noel, a holiday market and fundraiser held annually by the Junior League of Birmingham, will be at The Finley Center from November 20 to 23. Join us for a variety of vendors, artisans, and local businesses that
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the Ho Ho Hoover Open House for hot chocolate, sweets, and performances from high school students.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER HELPS
on December 8.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER HELPS
Santa will attend the Ho Ho Hoover Open House
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are selling all the holiday goodies! The general shopping hours are 10 am to 8 pm on the 21st, 10 am to 6 pm 6 p.m. on the 22nd, and 9 am 5 pm on the 23rd.
Preview Noel, an evening of private shopping with a silent auction, will be held on November 20 from 7 to 10 pm. This is a 21+ event.
JLB Hearts Bham, an event celebrating our city and schools, will be held on November 21 from 5 to 8 pm. Expect performances from local groups and a special appearance by Miss Alabama!
Milk and Cookies with Santa will be held on November 22 from 3 to 6 pm. Don’t miss an afternoon of fun and, of course, a family photo with Santa!
Brunch with the Big Guy will be held on November 23 from 9 to 11 am. Ticket purchases will include brunch, a reading of Polar Express, and, once again, a photo with Santa!
Tickets can be purchased in advance at marketnoel.net or at the door on the day of the event.
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall will take place on December 3. The second annual menorah lighting will take place again this year, but the date has not yet been released.
Join us at The Hoover Public Library on December 5 and 6 from 7 to 9 pm for a Christmas Jazz show! Longineu Parsons and Tina Fabrique will perform a tribute to music legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald alongside a world-class band.
The annual Bluff Park Christmas Parade will take place at 10 am on Saturday, December 7. The parade will feature floats ridden by excited children and residents of the community, and attendees will be able to vote for their
favorite! Expect a day of music, family, friends, and, of course, candy.
The Hoover Helps VIP Cocktail Party will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be a Wine Pull, Bling Tree, and silent auction, as well as the chance to take home Tiffany jewelry! Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased at hooverhelps.org when they become available.
The Ho Ho Hoover Open House will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 2 to 5 pm. Santa will be in attendance for an afternoon of hot chocolate, sweets, samples from local restaurants, and performances from Hoover and Spain Park high school students. Tickets are $10, and children under 12 are free! All proceeds go to Hoover Helps, a nonprofit that benefits students in all 17 schools in the district. Tickets can be purchased at hooverhelps. org when they become available.
The Birmingham Zoo will host Breakfast with Santa on December 21. Take the family for a morning of good food and excitement! Tickets can be purchased on their website: birminghamzoo.com.
Alabama Dance Academy’s The Nutcracker will take place December 21 and 22 at Oak Mountain High School, with performances at 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday and 2 pm and 7 pm on Sunday. This is the 30th year of the performance, and you won’t want to miss it!
The Santa Run, an annual tradition held by the Hoover Fire Department, will take place on Christmas Eve! Santa will parade around town in a fire truck to nearly every street in the city before it’s time to put the kids to bed. The schedule will be released close to Christmas Eve at hooverfire.org.
Hoover Steaks and Wines: Coming in the New Year
Perfect Pairings
BY KIM CRIPPS
A new specialty butcher and wine shop is coming to Knox Square in early 2025. Located across from The Hoover Met, Hoover Steaks and Wines will offer wines from around the world—plus sulfite-free, organic and vegan wines— quality cuts of meat that can be enjoyed
on-site, to-go or prepared at home, and a fridge and freezer full of chef-prepared takeaway dishes.
Wine can be purchased and enjoyed on-site for a small corkage fee. They will also offer a rotating menu of small plates for daily eating at the bar and host tastings, pairings, and small events that will allow people to learn about different
wineries, how to prepare different types of meat, and which wines to pair them with. Event space will also be available for small parties.
Plans for the restaurant’s opening were announced on social media in July, and co-owner Danielle Deavours said they are fortunate to be welcomed by the Hoover community.
As a local business, Danielle said they are “here for what the customers need and can transition as we get feedback from our clients.” She added that there is a lot of flexibility for personalization and custom orders, noting that the executive chef understands how to adjust dishes to fit certain dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, paleo and vegan – yes, even at a steak shop!
Danielle is one of five co-owners, including her husband Patrick Deavours, and friends David Arnold, Josh Baker and Tyler Camp. Heath Ray is the executive chef; he has decades of experience in the restaurant industry and will personally train all the staff members. Brad Gannaway is their general manager, and Joy Baker is their store manager.
On the wine side, Danielle and others on the team are earning multiple international wine certifications to
gain a robust knowledge of wine from beyond the consumer’s point of view.
The friends, who all live near the restaurant, shared a mutual idea that the city needed a shop that offered specialty wine and meat knowledge and a commitment to quality. What started as a casual idea in May quickly took off. And Danielle says, “The support has been overwhelming. We are not a big box store. We are local… and we are excited to provide something unique for the community.”
Follow Hoover Steaks and Wines’ journey on social media @HooverSteaksAndWines and online at hooversteaksandwines.com.
In addition to quality meat and wines, Hoover Steaks and Wines will offer prepared meals like this brunch casserole that pairs well with Cava or Prosecco mimosas.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER STEAKS AND WINES
COURTESY OF RENEE ROY
ABOVE: Roy’s candles are clean and minimal, made with all-natural soy wax, premium fragrance oils and wooden wicks.
LEFT: Hoover resident Renee Roy owns Wood and What Knot Co., a 5-star Etsy business with over 1,300 sales.
From
Hollywood to Hoover
How an Artisan and her Candles Found a
New, Southern Home
BY CARMEN BROWN
What started along the California coast has grown into a 5-star Etsy business with more than 1,300 sales for Hoover resident Renee Roy. Roy owns Wood & What Knot Co., where she sells original,
handmade goods and unique scented candles.
A lifelong crafter, Roy grew up in Syracuse, N.Y. but moved to Los Angeles in her 20s. She lived in the area for seven years, and this was where she developed her unique style of “beach and desert, boho and farmhouse.”
“I started making wood projects and selling them at the LA farmer’s markets,” Roy said. “I also made candles for the teachers at my kids’ daycare.”
PHOTOS
One day while on a train in San Diego, she met her husband, Drew, an actor originally from Clanton, Ala., whose credits include “Hannah Montana,” “Secretariat,” and “Falling Skies.” After getting married and having two boys, Roy and her husband moved to the Hoover area five years ago to be closer to family.
“It was right during Covid, and aside from his family, I knew no one,” Roy said. “I thought, what am I going to do with all of this time?”
Roy started experimenting and making more crafts to sell to friends on Facebook and at the Farmers Market at Brock’s Gap on the weekends. She started selling on Etsy in 2020.
Roy describes her style as “clean and
minimal, yet unique. She handcrafts her candles with all-natural soy wax and premium fragrance oils so that it gives off “the best scent possible” without releasing toxins.
“I try to think about what I would want for my own family, which is clean, high-quality ingredients,” Roy said. “I only use wooden wicks because they have a much longer, cleaner burn [than cotton or linen].”
Some of her most popular items are wooden dough bowls that come with refill kits, as well as her ACOTAR candle line, inspired by one of her favorite book series, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas. These include scents
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Wooden dough bowls that come with refill kits are a top-seller for Roy.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RENEE ROY
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like the Dawn Court, with a scent of white currant and morning glories and the Day Court which evokes “sweet lemon and green glass filled with libraries full of spells and knowledge.”
“I try to go against the trends,” Roy said. “I want to stay loyal to what I want my brand to be.”
Her Christmas candles are also a top seller, and Roy is gearing up for the holiday season, where she will offer the following candles and more:
▪ Woodland Snow: a fresh mix of eucalyptus, cypress, sage and mint.
▪ Black Currant Absinthe: “This is a customer favorite as well as a personal favorite,” Roy said. “It’s a blend of blackberry, dark musk, saffron and tonka bean. It’s heavenly.”
▪ Fraser Fir: “This is a Christmas favorite! It smells just like a fresh Christmas tree.”
▪ Balsam and Lavender: “This was inspired by my military brother,” Roy said. “He asked for something ‘Christmasy and herbal.’ This one blends alpine balsam, pine and lavender. It was really unexpected, and it turned out divine!”
With occasional input from her husband and kids, Roy continues to create new scents. She has a fifth scent coming soon that she describes as “something apple and cinnamon.” Stay tuned!
For more information and to explore all Roy offers, visit Wood & What Knot Co. on Etsy.com or contact her at woodandwhatknotco@gmail.com.
Shop for the Holidays at
MARKET NOEL
BY KRISTI SELLERS
Market Noel returns to the Finley Center on November 21 - 23 for three days of shopping and special events.
Presented by the Junior League of Birmingham, this annual event brings amazing shopping options to the Hoover area, helping you cover all the bases for the holidays.
The market features over 60 vendors selling boutique items, candles, gourmet food and beverages, children’s items, clothing, beauty products, jewelry, books, home decor, pottery, art and more.
For added convenience, Market Noel shoppers can take advantage of a digital shopping guide and explore their favorite vendors’ websites before attending. Event maps are included in the guide, as well as can’t-miss stops that shouldn’t be missed while exploring this year’s market.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM
Additionally, shoppers can choose to participate in several special events that are planned for this year; separate tickets for these events need to be purchased in advance:
Brunch with the Big Guy - This will be held on Saturday, November 23rd 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Each ticket includes brunch, a special reading of The Polar Express, additional activities and a photo with Santa.
Preview Noel - Held on November 20th 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Preview Noel is the place to be. Enjoy an evening of exclusive shopping, the chance for prizes, and swag bag giveaways.
Funds raised through Market Noel’s admission and special event ticket sales will help the organization work to “meet the ever-growing needs of our community,” stated the JLB website. Comprised of local women who support women’s leadership and strive to positively impact the community, the JLB “combines the effort and experiences of approximately 2,000 trained volunteers to execute 24 community projects and over 30 annual handson service initiatives, and more.”
Milk and Cookies with SantaOn November 22nd 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, experience the thrill of milk and cookies with Santa. Each ticket includes a delicious cookie from Cookie Fix, activities and a photo with Santa.
If you plan to attend Market Noel this year, be sure to grab your tickets early. Advanced tickets are available online at marketnoel.net and tickets will be available at the door each day.
MARKET NOEL
When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Finley Center, 5508 Stadium Trace Pkwy, Hoover, AL
Information & Tickets: marketnoel.net
Bake the BEST Christmas Cookies
Hoover resident Anna Kinsaul was just 16 when she first became serious about baking and cake decorating. What started as an after-school job at a hometown bakery led her to work as a cake decorator in college, pursue culinary school, and gain professional pastry experience in the kitchen of a prestigious Miami hotel.
“The hotel often hosted high-profile guests. Once, while I was working a weekend holiday brunch, Rocco DiSpirito visited the open kitchen,” recalled Kinsaul. “Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer, who were dating at the time, dined at one of the hotel’s restaurants on a day I had prepped the desserts. Most likely, they enjoyed one of my creations!”
BY KIM CRIPPS
Today, the University of Alabama alum turned culinary school graduate enjoys creating and sharing beautiful desserts – especially decorated sugar cookies – with friends and family.
“Naturally, my kids expect plenty of cookie decorating during the holidays,” shared Kinsaul. “They’ve been decorating since they were old enough to hold a piping bag!”
Kinsaul, who’s always experimenting with new recipes and designs, says it’s not unusual for her children to walk into the kitchen and find the table covered with blank cookies and icing bags for an afternoon of baking and decorating.
For home bakers just starting out, Kinsaul says to be patient with yourself. “It takes time for your cookies to look like the ones you see online or on TV. Give yourself some grace, and don’t be afraid to try a different design if you’re struggling to replicate a photo,” encouraged Kinsaul. “Often, you can achieve equally beautiful results while adding your own personal twist, making the cookies uniquely yours.”
You can follow Anna Kinsaul on Instagram @ embellishwithanna, where she shares cookie-decorating reels, DIY hacks, cooking tips and baking techniques.
PHOTO BY ANNA KINSAUL
Anna’s Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe
2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
Makes approx. 2 dozen cookies, depending on the size cutter you use.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until smooth and blended together. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix on low speed until incorporated. Add the baking powder and salt. Last, mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough comes together. It should not significantly stick to the sides of the bowl.
Dump the mixture onto a floured surface. Knead the dough lightly until it forms a ball. It should not stick to your fingers. You may need to add extra flour if it feels soft and sticks to the surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3 c. all-purpose flour and an extra 1/2 c. for kneading and rolling
dough to about 1/4 inch thick. You may need to split the ball in half if your rolling pin is not large enough to roll it all at once. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, transfer to a lined baking sheet (parchment paper or silicone mat).
Bake on the middle rack for 6 minutes. Transfer to the top rack for approximately 3 minutes (ovens may vary) until the bottom of the cookie is just barely darker than the top.
Remove and transfer cookies to a rack until cool. I prefer to decorate my cookies the day after they are baked or at least 4-6 hours after they are initially baked. **This recipe does not have to be chilled before using. If you are making the dough in advance to chill overnight, reduce the flour by 1/4 cup.
Anna’s Basic Icing Recipe
2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
5 Tbsp. meringue powder
3 tsp. clear vanilla extract
Ensure the mixing bowl is free from grease before mixing. In a stand mixer, carefully mix the meringue powder and confectioners’ sugar on the lowest speed—the meringue powder is very fine and may create a “dust cloud” if you start your mixer too fast. Add the vanilla, lemon juice, and 1/2 c. water slowly to the bowl while the mixer is still running.
This is the point that gets tricky; depending on a lot of factors, you may have to add more water. The mixture should be approximately the consistency of and look like standard, white toothpaste. Once it reaches this
1/2 c. warm water, with an additional 1/4 c. extra reserved
1/2 tsp. lemon juice (bottled, not fresh)
consistency, I usually turn the mixer up to medium speed for about 15 seconds, scrape the bowl, and mix for another 15 seconds on medium speed. If it looks dry (crumbly), add more of your reserved water, 1 teaspoon at a time, on low speed until the mixture reaches the “toothpaste” stage.
Once the royal icing has been mixed, it should be immediately stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid until you are ready to color or use it. Royal icing will dry out fast, so keep your icing “airtight” until ready to use (in a piping bag or other container with an airtight seal).
Honoring Our Veterans
An Interview with Army Veteran Rob Slane
BY ABBY TURNER
Rob Slane has spent his life serving others. He enlisted in the army when he was a senior in high school in 1987. Three years later, when he was honorably discharged, he became a police officer in Ohio. Now, he drives school buses for Hoover City Schools. For Veterans Day, I asked Rob about his service and how it has formed the person he is today.
Enjoy Hoover: What branch did you serve in? What was your job?
Rob: I was in the infantry. I spent my three years in Washington, DC. Our tagline was the army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the president. I did infantry training throughout my three years, just like other infantry soldiers would. But then, when we weren’t doing infantry training, we were doing ceremonial training, and we conducted ceremonies and funerals for deceased veterans.
EH: Why did you decide to enlist?
Rob: I signed up in the summer between my junior and senior years of high school.
I just had a tremendous sense of patriotism. I had an uncle that I was very close to. In fact, he was the best man at my wedding, and he served in Vietnam in the army. And then, I had a great uncle who served in the army in World War II in the South Pacific. Both of those men were very, very pivotal in my upbringing. As a teenager, I felt that it was my honor and my duty to get to serve my country. It wasn’t something I had to do, but it was just something that I was honored to get to do.
EH: What was your most memorable experience?
Rob: After 13 weeks of training in Georgia, I showed up to Washington, DC, on November 2nd. Well, that’s nine days before Veterans Day, and here I am, the low man on the pole at 18 years old. And, at the time, Ronald Reagan was president. Nine days later, on Veterans Day, a huge snowstorm hit the area. And so, early in the morning, all of us
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB SLANE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
new guys are awakened, told to put on our camouflage clothes, and that we’re going to Arlington Cemetery to shovel the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is where every Veterans Day the president will go and lay a wreath.
Once we finished that last shovel and we knew the president was on his way, we were told to get out of sight. They didn’t want to see us because we weren’t in a fancy uniform, but they wanted us to be close by in case we had to shovel the walkway again. And so, me and another guy, we go around the building, and we’re just kinda hanging out under this overhang of a door. And the next thing we know, this door opens up.
Ronald Reagan had a very distinct cadence to the way he talked. I held the door open, but I could hear the voice of President Ronald Reagan. I hear him as he extends his hand out, and he shakes the hand of the guy that’s there with me. And then I’m standing there very awkwardly, and I’m realizing I’m an 18-year-old kid who just finished basic training, and I’m literally holding the door for the President of the United States. He was like, wow. Thank you both for your service. I’m so glad to see you. So that was my introduction to the presidential honor guard. It was like, oh my. Here’s the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, and he’s standing here. And then when the door closed, the guy that was with me, we’re both kinda looking at each other like, did that just happen? And then we were scared to death because we were told not to be seen by anybody. Well, not only were we seen, we were seen by the president. I tell you all of this because you asked what the most memorable thing is, and you would think it would be that. But one of the things that we did the most in my three years there was funerals. I can’t even begin to tell you how many funerals I was a part of; I mean, it’s in the hundreds. If a veteran was being buried, they could request that the third
infantry, my infantry, come and do the firing party and present the flag to the next of kin. When I was fairly new, I was up at one of these funerals. I remember as we’re standing in line waiting for the hearse to pull up, there were no other vehicles. Just the hearse. And I remember thinking, well, this is kind of crazy. Well, somebody said it before I did. He’s being buried, and he’s alone. And the guy leading the funeral overheard and said, “He’s not alone. That’s why we’re here.”
EH: What have you been doing since then?
Rob: When I got out of the army, I became a police officer in Columbus, Ohio. And I tell everybody, I didn’t see combat overseas. I saw combat here on the city streets. I just felt like it was the most natural progression. I felt like, hey. I served my country. Now, I’m going to serve my community. Well, now I serve as a school bus driver. And I see it as an extension of, like, again, serving my community. That’s just kinda been the common theme in my life.
EH: How do you plan to spend Veterans Day this year?
Rob: There are three days throughout the year that are very special to me. Memorial Day, Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. The memorial days can be about somber reflection, but Veterans Day, for me, is about celebration. I know that as a veteran, had I given my life in service of my country or in service of my community as a police officer, I wouldn’t want people to walk around with ashes. I would want them to celebrate.
We live in the greatest nation in the world, and that’s made possible by sacrifice. I don’t have any specific thing that I do on Veterans Day, but I will usually connect with some of the guys that I served with. There is always a phone call with my best friend that I met on my first day. I celebrate by having fun, by doing something with the family, or having a barbecue and thinking about those that I served with and laughing about some of the things we went through. I fondly remember all the time we got to share together.
Around Hoover
With many options for holiday events, Hoover creates a picturesque backdrop for celebration - and our events calendar is bursting with opportunities to embrace the season’s charm. Join us in welcoming the warmth of the holidays and discovering all the wonderful happenings in Hoover.
PHOTO BY ALLISON CARPENTER
The 350-member Hoover High School Marching Band performs at the school’s annual Homecoming parade.
NOVEMBER
November 2: Moss Rock Festival; 10am-5pm at Hoover Metropolitan Complex. This oneof-a-kind, outdoor fall weekend welcomes thousands of visitors annually to explore Nature, Art + Design, Smart Living and more as saturated colors settle into the season. Grab friends and family and join us for the eco-creative 19th year, plus MRF’s favorite signature events!
November 3: Out of the Darkness Community Walk; 1pm at Veterans Park. The Central Alabama Out of the Darkness Community Walk is held to raise awareness for suicide prevention. This event is free. Participants are encouraged to set a personal fundraising goal of $150, but it’s not required. Registration opens at 1 p.m., with opening ceremonies beginning at 2:30 p.m. For more details and to register, visit afsp.org.
November 15-16: Friends Book Sale; Nov. 15, 9am-5pm; Nov. 16, 10am-5pm at The Hoover Public Library. The Friends of Hoover Library present the Friends Book Sale. Find spectacular deals on used books and media.
November 21-23: Market Noel; Nov. 21, 10am8pm; Nov. 22, 10am-6pm.; Nov. 23, 9am-5pm at The Finley Center. Market Noel, presented by The Junior League of Birmingham, brings together more than 100 unique and diverse vendors from across the country for a fourday shopping event. Visit marketnoel.net for tickets and details about special events such as Preview Noel, JLB Hearts Birmingham, Milk and Cookies with Santa and Brunch with the Big Guy.
DECEMBER
December 3: City of Hoover Christmas Tree Lighting, 6pm at Hoover City Hall. The
Hoover Christmas Tree Lighting will be an evening filled with festive cheer as the high band and choir perform holiday tunes. Santa will make his entrance on a fire truck and light refreshments will be available.
December 3: Brock’s Gap Christmas Market, 4-8pm at Brock’s Gap Brewery. Hoover’s favorite brewery is hosting the 2nd Annual Brock’s Gap Christmas Market, featuring more than 40 local artisans and crafters, small businesses, food trucks and live music.
December 5-6: Christmas Jazz Show, 7-9pm at The Hoover Public Library. Enjoy a Christmas Jazz show featuring Longineu Parsons and Tina Fabrique. They will perform a tribute to music legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald alongside a world class band.
December 7: Bluff Park 8k and Kids 1k, 7:30am at Bluff Park United Methodist Church. The Bluff Park 8K highlights running at one of the highest points in Birmingham as the course rolls through the heart of Bluff Park including historic Park Avenue. The race starts and finishes at Bluff Park United Methodist Church. All registrants receive a t-shirt and post-race breakfast. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome. Register at runsignup.com/bluffpark8k.
December 7: Bluff Park Christmas Parade at 10am. Starting at Shades Cliff Pool, this beloved community parade winds through Bluff Park. Enthusiastic children and local groups ride on floats towed by trucks and tractors, often tossing candy and treats to
the crowd. Join in the fun with music, a float contest and plenty of family-friendly activities!
December 7-8: Hoover Helps VIP Cocktail Party & Ho Ho Hoover Open House; Dec. 7, 7pm-11pm; Dec. 8, 2 -5pm at Hoover Randall Home and Gardens. The Hoover Helps VIP Cocktail Party will include a Wine Pull, Bling Tree and a silent auction as well as the chance to take home Tiffany jewelry! Tickets are $55 per person. The Ho Ho Hoover Open House will be an afternoon of holiday fun with Santa, hot chocolate, sweets, samples from local restaurants and performances from Hoover and Spain Park high school students. Tickets are $10 and children under 12 are free! For more information and tickets visit hooverhelps.org.
December 21-22: The Nutcracker; Dec. 21 at 2pm and 7pm; Dec. 22 at 2:30 pm and 7pm at Oak Mountain High School. See the Alabama Dance Academy’s The Nutcracker and experience this beloved classic. Perfect for audiences of all ages,don’t miss your chance to celebrate the holidays with this unforgettable performance! Go to alabamadanceacademy. com/the-nutcracker.html for tickets and details.
December 24: The Santa Run, an annual tradition held by the Hoover Fire Department, will take place on Christmas Eve! Santa will parade around town in a fire truck to nearly every street in the city before it’s time to put the kids to bed. The schedule will be released close to Christmas Eve at hooverfire.org.
BELOW (left): Hoover High School’s Cross Country, Track and Field team received 1st Place in the Homecoming Parade float competition. BELOW (right): Many student organizations participated in Hoover High School’s Homecoming parade, including one celebrating the Special Olympics.
