Dr. Elizabeth Lucas was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She attended Mississippi State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Following her undergraduate education, Dr. Elizabeth attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree. Dr. Elizabet then moved to Birmingham, Alabama to begin her one year General Practice Residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and since has made Alabama her home.
During Dr. Elizabeth’s time in dental school, she participated in many student organizations; such as, the Mississippi Association of Women Dentists, American Student Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She served as her class’s representative for the School of Dentistry Ethics Council and was President of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association. She also was awarded the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award and the Dental Lifeline Network Outstanding Student Award.
Dr. Jenn Reaves was born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and received her Bachelor of Science in Finance. Dr. Reaves then obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. During her time in dental school Dr. Reaves was active in the Student Government Association as a Class Representative and was also a Student Clinic Representative, both positions voted on by her peers.
SAVE $500 on Invisalign Treatment
8/ 22/
Kids Who Shine: Evan Hodges is Gardendale’s youngest business owner
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Memory Lane: How did Hazel’s Way get its name?
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Recipe of the Month: Kathleen’s recipe for Tomato and Vidalia Onion Pie with Bacon
Well, we’ve made it halfway through the summer—seriously, next month is back to school, which I cannot wrap my brain around just yet!
We have a great lineup of stories for you this month, including highlights on two amazing nonprofits, one helmed by our Just for Dads column author, Ward Williams (page 18), and another that provides beds to kids who don’t have a comfortable place to sleep (page 27). I really hope you’ll be inspired by the good that people in our community are doing. I loved being able to talk to my six-year-old about the latter, and I am really excited for the two of us to participate in a bedding drive for Sleep in Heavenly Peace later this month. It’s a great learning opportunity and a lesson in gratefulness for us both.
In exciting education news, don’t miss the fun feature on one family’s 50th graduate from Samford University (page 24). What a legacy! And on page 14, we chat with the first graduate of Birmingham’s Promise Scholar Program and get a peek into her achievements as she starts her first post-grad job!
Here’s to a few more adventures before the back-to-school hustle begins! Up next for our family: an ice-cream taste test of the new Dr. Pepper Float flavor. I’m not typically much on ice cream outside the chocolate or chocolate-adjacent variety, so we’ll see how this goes. Look for an update next month!
Till then,
I advise Seniors on all their Medicare options as well as give recommendations, without influencing any one carrier over another or any one plan over another. I am focused on helping Seniors to navigate through all the red tape and figure out what truly benefits them most.
Rachel Davis Karr, Content Director
Gardendale Magazine is published monthly by JBMC Media, a Birmingham-based publishing company. The magazine is available at nearly 90 locations throughout Gardendale, free of charge, and is supported by the advertisers within the pages of this magazine. Subscriptions by mail area also available for $35 per year. Email matthew@ jbmcmedia.com for more information.
Gardendale Magazine is 100% local; the stories and photos are all about the city of Gardendale, its residents, its businesses, its schools, and its cultural institutions. It’s our promise to you that we will always keep it this way, so that the content and stories are relevant to everyone who calls Gardendale home.
Summer in Alabama means fresh produce from local farmers! This month, we are excited to highlight Evan Hodges, a 12-year-old from Gardendale who operates his own produce stand at Southern Market. Read about him on page 8, and read about the Gardendale Farmers Market on page 12.
It’s never easy asking businesses to invest in advertising, so we want to give a VERY special thank you to these businesses. Please, support them!
Ace of the South
Brad Drake Heating & Air
Cakes by Elise
Chambers Family Dentistry
Children’s of Alabama
City of Gardendale
Deo Gloria Wood Works
El Patron
Glover Chiropractic
Harrison Agency
Jade Ivy Fashions
Luma Dentistry
Maggie G. Pond, DMD
Magnolia Dental
Monita’s Bakery
Norwood Clinic
Parrot Structural Services
Superior Service Electric
Tabernacle Christian School
The Harrison Agency
Total Skin and Beauty
Village Dermatology
Vulcan Termite & Pest Control
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Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609, matthew@jbmcmedia.com
Rachel Davis Karr
Content Director (205) 613-7850, rachel@jbmcmedia.com
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Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311, michelle@jbmcmedia.com
Anthony and Shweta Bratina Graphic Design
There aren’t a lot of 12-year-old business owners in Gardendale, but Evan Hodges is in his fourth year selling produce outside his parent’s store. When Brad and Rachel Hodges opened Southern Market in Gardendale, their son Evan had to go to the store in the summers because they both had to work. He decided to open a fresh produce stand outside the store.
His parents encouraged him, giving him business tips and helping him source his produce. Early on, Evan created a business plan that honored his priorities and let him grow his business.
“First I’ll tithe, around 15-20% of my profit and then, after that. I put another 15-20% toward savings,” Evan explained.
Then he replaces his farmer’s market money. The rest he invests into the business, buying the tents and things he uses outside the store. But he never forgets where the first portion
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“I wouldn’t have this if it wasn’t for God. He could take it away anytime. The purpose of this is not to make money, it’s just to provide for people and learn from my mistakes,” Evan explained.
With what’s leftover, he has upgraded his little stand to a much larger set of tents and has plans to continue upgrading his stand in the days and years to come.
“I like having my own business. My dad is teaching me about business. SO hopefully, by the time I’m 16 or 17, the other kids will be working at summer jobs, and I will have my own business,” Evan said.
But building a business doesn’t leave Evan a lot of free time. Most mornings, he heads to the farmers market in Birmingham to get a load or produce and then to the store to set up. He has also made friends with one farmer who allows him to come pick his own veggies
to sell. The stand is open Monday through Friday from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month, following the store’s hours of operation. He does close the stand up a little early on Tuesdays and Thursday though, because he has football practice.
Regulars have begun to look for Evan when they come to the store, asking for tomatoes and corn the most, but Evan admits tomatoes aren’t his favorite.
“I like tomato sandwiches, but not tomatoes by themselves,” Evan said. He also loves squash, fried or in a squash casserole. But, more than anything, he likes providing a fresh option for the community and seeing his regulars.
“Knowing that I’m helping families and providing food for them and just making people’s day by talking to them is my favorite thing,” Evan said.
Since Evan will turn 13 on July 25, Gardendale families can count on his fresh produce and smiling face for years to come.
Gardendale farmers market is open each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be on hand providing hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and a drink for free on July 20. This year, the market features homemade goat milk soap and candles, jewelry, locally-grown cornmeal and grits, unique homemade baked goods and, of course, fresh, locally-grown produce. The market will run through the first Thursday of September.
Qua was born with tricuspid atresia that required a series of open heart surgeries as an infant. But as a teen, his health took a dramatic turn. Qua’s pediatrician and cardiologist recognized something wasn’t right with his heart and sent him to Children’s of Alabama. Our team was standing by when he arrived by helicopter, and within two weeks he received a new heart. He rebounded quickly and was back at home a few weeks later, thanks to the expert heart team here at Children’s of Alabama.
After 20 years, Wes Stubert and his wife, Alta, are saying goodbye to the city they have called home and the neighborhood they have helped grow from infancy.
When the Stuberts built their home in the Longwood neighborhood, there wasn’t even a homeowner’s association. They watched the community grow, Wes was even part of the original nominating committee to set up the association.
In those early days, Wes and other men in the neighborhood did all the work to clear out the common areas. The waterfall area was one of the first spaces they worked to clean up and improve, adding picnic areas and creating a place the families could enjoy.
All those memories of their time in the neighborhood are coming to the surface as they pack all of their belongings and prepare to move to Tennessee to be closer to their children.
When Wes was born in 1931 in Pennsylvania, life wasn’t easy, but he worked hard and dedicated himself. He also credits his time in Boy
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Scouts to some of his success.
“I had a scout leader that was phenomenal, in that he never pushed anybody,” Wes remembers. “He just encouraged people and I think that’s a big thing for everybody.”
The encouragement of the leader led to Wes and three other boys attaining Eagle Scout rank at the same time. That accomplishment would continue to help Wes.
When he was drafted into the Army, he was given opportunities to go to other schools and training that he believes were a direct result of his time in Scouts. Although he turned most of those special offers down because they required signing up for more time, he eventually landed in training to be a mechanic and was stationed in Korea.
After the service, he got his mechanical degree from the International
Correspondence School and began working, ending up in Alabama and,eventually Gardendale, as part of his work with Chicago Bridge.
During his time in the workforce, he worked on various projects and obtained three significant patents for items that are still in use today.
One of those patents came about because of the biggest airlock in the world at the time. It needed to be large enough to drive a train through–a door that was 11 by 17 feet and 35 feet long. It would be used to restore used uranium to a reusable form.
The issue was that the huge door needed to be able to move completely out of the way and still lock in place. There were issues with running wires into the airlock so a new and innovative design needed to be used to control the massive door.
Stubert was always a fan of reading trade magazines and looking at new ways to view things. He suggested that they use air–hydraulics would move the massive door and lock it into place. “They thought I was out of my mind,” Wes remembers. After studying it and consulting experts, it was determined that air was the best method. Eventually a process was created that used air to complete all seven steps of moving the door into and out of place to seal the airlock.
Although that airlock fell into disuse because of its purpose, that same technology is used in other airlocks around the world.
Although a few of the neighbors knew Wes’s story and had seen his patents and drafting table, most of the residents have no idea that someone with all this life experience and knowledge was living here for the last two decades.
These students earned the most Bulldog Bucks for the entire year last year. 5th grader Dominic is missing from the picture.
Elise was the Snow Rogers Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament Winner.
The newest Rockets at Gardendale Elementary School attended Kindergarten Camp.
Meet the Teach will be August 7. According to the school, the event will be more structured this year than the traditional “come and go” style. Everyone will meet in the gym to be introduced to the staff, and Mrs. Long will be discussing important details about Snow Rogers and Jefferson County Policies. Parents and students will be dismissed to their classrooms afterwards. The teachers will briefly meet with the students and parents together to review expectations and other important classroom information. You may drop off school supplies when you meet with the teachers. Please stop by the lunchroom afterwards to meet our PTA board members and get information about lunch, buses, The Literacy Act, etc.
Meet the Teacher Schedule
• 8:30-9:30 Kindergarten and First Grades
• 10 -11 Second and Third Grades
• 11-11:30 PreK (They will go straight to the classroom.)
• 1-2 Fourth and Fifth Grades
Nurse Mandy will be at school on the 7th to meet with parents. If your child takes medication at school, please call to make an appointment with her at 379-5400.
Class lists will be posted August 4, at 3:30. The first day of school for students is August 8.
Registration Dates and Times
• Tuesday, July 18 - 9:00-11:00
• Wednesday, July 19 - 9:00-11:00
• Thursday, July 20 - 9:00-11:00
**possible make-up day and evening session will be announced later **choose whichever date is most convenient for you. It is not specified by grade level.
• Camp Bragg (6th-Grade Orientation)
• Thursday, August 3 - 5:00-6:30 (Maroon Team)
• Monday, August 7 - 5:00-6:30 (Gray Team)
**students will find out their team at registration
Returning Student Registration - https://jeffersonco.powerschool.com/ public/home.html - (for students who attended a Jefferson County School during the 2022-2023 school year)
Prior to in-person registration, please ensure you have completed the online portion of the registration process. Please remember that residency must be provided prior to receiving a class schedule. This can be uploaded through the online portion or dropped off in person during one of the registration dates. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
The road that runs in front of Bragg Middle School was named Hazel’s Way. The unusual name is sure to generate a smile for those who know the woman behind it. After all, things on that road have been going Hazel’s way for decades.
The road was named for the long-time crossing guard, Hazel Butts, upon her retirement from her post after 50 years.
“You better drive Hazel’s way,” Hogeland said at the time of the renaming.
Known for her hard-nosed attitude about traffic around the schools, Butts was a formidable figure but it all stemmed from one place. She insisted that the drivers proceed carefully because of what was at stake.
“It’s because she loved those kids so much and she couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to them,” Hogeland said at the time.
For generations, Butts was a familiar face, shepherding children safely to and from school each morning and afternoon. By the time she retired, Butts was often safeguarding the grandchildren of the original children she watched over.
In addition to the road renaming, Butts was honored by the city council and the
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Alabama Senate for her service.
“I don’t deserve this, but I have always loved Gardendale and the kids,” Butts said at the time.
In addition to her work, Butts was active in many community groups and organizations around the city. Known for her patriotism, she often helped organize city celebrations for holidays.
Butts died, at age 84, in 2020, just four years after her retirement, but her legacy lives on through the road name and the dedicated crossing guards that still watch over the children at Gardendale Elementary, Bragg Middle School and Gardendale High School.
This monthly feature is produced in conjunction with the Gardendale Historical Society.
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cutting boards | Charcuterie trays
bathtub caddies | bed swings
stovetop covers | tables | planters
shelves | bookcases
custom orders accepted
facebook: @deogloriawoodworks
Instagram: @deogloriawoodworks
Tomato. Vidalia Onion. Bacon. Pie. Four of my favorite summer foods in one deep dish! Did I mention lots of cheese? This is a shortcut version of the Southern classic recipe. It can be a side dish for a Summer lunch or a main dish for breakfast or brunch.
Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 44 minutes / Stand time: 10 minutes / Total Time: 1 hour, 9 minutes
1 Pillsbury refrigerated, rolled up pie crust
6 slices bacon
3 small tomatoes, sliced Or 2 medium
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 of one medium Vidalia onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups Italian blend shredded cheese, divided (Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano)
Place the rolled up pie crust on the counter; let it stand at room temperature 15 minutes according to package directions.
Meanwhile, place tomato slices in a large colander or on paper towels or parchment paper; sprinkle with salt and let them stand 10 minutes. This helps pull out some of the juice.
Gently press paper towels on the tomatoes after 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425F degrees.
Gently unroll the pie crust and gently smooth out the curled edges with a rolling pin or smooth drinking glass to a 12-inch circle. Fold it in half to transfer it to the pie dish.
Fold about 1/2 inch of the edge under all the way around. Some place may be a little more or less to make it even.
Then, flute or crimp the edges by holding your pointer finger and thumb on one hand almost together like you were going to pinch something. Take your pointer finger (I’m right handed so I use my right finger) on your other hand, push edge of the dough into your pincher grip with the side of your finger and “pinch” it together to form the shape below.
Line the fluted pie crust with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cover the bottom of the crust with ceramic pie weights or any dried beans you have in your pantry (about 1 cup).
Bake the weighted crust at 400F degrees for 9 minutes. Let it cool while preparing the filling and slicing the onions. Remove the pie weights or beans and parchment before filling the crust.
Reduce oven heat to 375F degrees.
Meanwhile, stack the bacon slices on top of each other. Slice them crosswise to make 1/2-inch strips. Cook the bacon on medium-low to medium heat about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until crisp and browned
Arrange one third of the onion rings on the bottom of the partially baked pie crust. Sprinkle with half of bacon.
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, pepper, and 2 cups of cheese in a medium bowl; dollop one third of the mayonnaise mixture between the rings on the bottom of the crust and on the rings.
Arrange a single layer of tomatoes on the mayo mixture. Top with one third of onion rings and then a second layer of tomatoes. This time, dollop the tomatoes with one third of mayo mixture and spread to the edges of the pie.
Arrange the remaining one third of onion rings in a single layer and sprinkle with remaining bacon. Dollop with remaining one third of mayo mixture.
Sprinkle entire pie with remaining 1/2 cup reserved shredded cheese. Sprinkle some on the edges of the crust, if you like.
Bake at 375 for 35 minutes or until filling is hot and bubbly.
Let pie cool 10 minutes before serving to firm up enough to slice.
Kathleen is a food blogger, food stylist, cookbook author, and former Oxmoor House test kitchen director (Southern Living cookbooks). On her food blog, GritsAndGouda.com, she creates Southern shortcut recipes. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
The Chamber hosted its second After Hours Business Mixer sponsored by Glover Chiropractic at the new Bill Noble Athletic Complex last month. The mixers allow local businesspeople to interact with each other outside of the demands of the workday.
Wildflower hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The store has unique gifts and home decor items. They also host various crafting classes, check the calendar or their Facebook page for details.
The City of Gardendale officially opened Glover Chiropractic at 1016 Mulberry Lane with a ribbon cutting last month.
Gardendale Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at TherapySouth’s new location.
LongHorn Steakhouse officially opened last month with a ribbon cutting. The steakhouse will be one of the anchor stores for the new shopping center The Crossings at Magnolia City Place.
The most recent Crafting with the Chamber event was held at the Gardendale Farmers Market and sponsored by Wildflower. Check the calendar for future Crafting with the Chamber events.
The June Business of the Month is KS Boutique, located at 1705 Decatur Highway, Suite 108. To vote for future Businesses of the Month, follow the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
The City of Gardendale closed out the month of June by finally cutting the ribbon and opening Olive Garden. After years of work, the city finally welcomed the business.
Wildflower Crafting Classes
• July 11, 6 p.m. Crafting with Wendy will focus on macrame.
• July 20, 6 p.m. Painting with Jennifer will focus on painting Love Blooms Here
• July 27, 6 p.m. Crafting with Wendy
For more information, call (205) 608-8079 or email info@shopwildflower.net.
Crafting with the Chamber
Crafting with the Chamber will be held on July 11 and August 1 at 10 a.m. at Celebrations Park.
Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon cutting on July 13 at noon for Theraplay Pediatric Sensory Gym at 651 Main Street, Suite 147.
Food Truck Night
The monthly Food Truck night will be July 13, 5-8 p.m. at the Civic Center. A variety of food trucks and entertainment are featured each month.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Appointment times are still available for the Red Cross blood drives at the Civic Center July 27. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive and enter ZIP code 35071 to reserve your spot.
Ireland Interest Meeting
The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting for those interested in going to Ireland November 1-8, 2024. The meeting will be August 22, at 6 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center.
Farmers Market Opening Day
The Gardendale Farmers Market will be open each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center (857 Main Street). Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be on hand providing hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and a drink for free on July 6 and July 20.
Historical Museum Hours
The Kermit E. Dooley Gardendale Historical Museum (170 Bell Street) will be open to the public every Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Kickball Game
A community kickball game is starting every Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Gardendale soccer fields (2191 Fieldstown Road). Anyone who is interested is welcome.
To have an item added to our calendar, please send information to rachel@jbmcmedia.com.
