37 minute read
Lawyer and professor publishes first novel
26 • Thursday, October 21, 2021
SENIORS ‘Back to One’
On Nov. 2, Anne Glass will achieve a dream that began in 1994. Her first novel, “Back to One,” will be released under her pen name, Antonia Gavrihel.
By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW
It is Anne Glass’ philosophy that everything comes in its own time.
The Arizona native entered the workforce as an actress in Los Angeles. Decades later, she has her juris doctorate, lives in North Shelby County and is a tax advisor at H&R Block, also serving as a professor of tax law at the Birmingham School of Law.
Come Nov. 2, she will achieve a dream that began in 1994. Her first novel, “Back to One,” will be released under her pen name, Antonia Gavrihel.
It’s a story inspired by her own fantasies about a married woman from Alabama and a bachelor movie star living in Los Angeles who meet by chance and form a deep and lasting friendship.
“It’s about true friendship,” Glass said. “True friendship is the basis of everything. Whether you go on as friends or it eventually turns into romance, you have to have the friendship.”
Out of Showbiz
While Kyle and Catherine’s story is fiction, Glass wrote what she knew.
She grew up in the entertainment industry. Both of her parents were in showbiz, having performed all over the world. In addition, she began acting at a young age.
The title “Back to One” is not only a reference to the story but an industry term. When it’s time to do another take of a scene, a member of the crew will call out “back-to-one,” signaling everyone back to their starting positions.
Her father, August Malatia, was an actor and comedian, better known by his stage name Bob G. Anthony. He worked the comedy circuit in nightclubs and toured with big name acts such as Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.
His successful career in film and television include feature film roles, including the films “Mixed Company” and “Campus Man.” In the television series “Father Murphy,” he played storekeeper Wendell Griffin, and he made appearances on shows such as “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Wonderful World of Disney.”
Glass’ mother, Anne, was a professional big band singer. She performed under the stage name Toni Rami with Bennett and Cole, Rosemary Clooney and Red Skelton. She even made it to television, performing on hit programs such as “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
In her youth, Glass spent a lot of time alone, and her imagination became her constant companion.
“My parents being entertainers, my mom would work a regular job during the day and then would entertain at night, and my dad was always on the road. My brother was older, so he would work after school,” she said.
Glass would return home after school and write, beginning with poems, then short stories, a few plays and even one screenplay.
The screenplay was the biggest challenge, because she had to see things from the director’s point of view – camera angles, cuts and the like. Yet, film seems to be a big influence in her method of writing books.
“That’s the way I see them, as movies,” she said. “I always write the dialogue first and then I go back and fill in the scenes.”
While she always loved to write, Glass envisioned a career as a lawyer. But after graduating from college, she moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.
One of her neighbors worked in industry training films and helped her land consistent jobs acting in non-broadcast roles for things you might watch when hired by a new company.
While she enjoyed the work and was successful, living in LA and working in the competitive nature of the entertainment industry made it difficult to build friendships.
“Los Angeles was lonely,” she said. “I’m Italian and come from a very close-knit family, and I missed them. I really needed to go home, not because I wasn’t successful, but it was secondary to wanting to be with my family.”
Alone Again, in Alabama
After marrying and relocating to Alabama, she found herself alone at home in the evenings again. She would work all day, pick up her son from day care, have dinner, put her son to bed and then stay up until 3 a.m. working on her book.
“It was all my own fantasies,” she said. She fell in love with her characters, Catherine Leigh and Kyle Weston, and enjoyed spending time creating a world that brought this unlikely pair together.
After spending a year editing her book, she started aggressively pursuing publishing houses as well as production companies.
She quickly found that you can’t just submit a book to a publishing house. Most publishers won’t event glance your way if you don’t have a literary agent.
But she did have two near misses. A Beverly Hills agent loved her book and even had her fly
Bill Lees recently was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Class of 2021 for his work serving Hoover seniors.
Lees was one of 15 new members inducted into the hall of fame and the only one from the Over the Mountain area.
He has volunteered with the city of Hoover for more than 30 years. He and his late wife, Connie, were instrumental in working with city leaders to ensure that citizens had a dedicated senior facility, according to the program announcing his induction. The new senior center opened in 2007 with more than 1,500 members.
He also has served as past president of the Hoover New Horizons, Kitchen Committee chair and treasurer.
More recently, Lees helped seniors without computers to get online and schedule COVID19 vaccine. For years, he assisted with transporting those who couldn’t drive themselves, according to a statement from the Hoover Senior Center.
He also served on the center’s Strategic Planning Committee and on its Accreditation Team. He has served on Hoover’s Veteran’s Committee, as treasurer and president of the Hoover Soccer Club, YMCA volunteer and treasurer and secretary for the Greater Birmingham Brewmasters.
“Bill has always been that one person who my team could count on in any situation to sup-
Photo courtesy Hoover Senior Center Bill Lees, Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 2021 Award with Dana Henson, Hoover Senior Center Manager.
Hoover’s Lees Inducted into Seniors Hall of Fame
DANA HENSON, MANAGER OF THE HOOVER SENIOR CENTER
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In the past, seniors seeking a retirement community had few options. Often, it was either an uninspiring urban high-rise with few outside amenities or an upscale development built around a golf-course or waterfront with few personal services.
But today’s retirees and tomorrow’s retiring baby boomers increasingly demand an environment that not only is carefree, but also offers them ample opportunities to remain mentally and physically active in a soothing natural setting.
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Comprehensive health and wellness services for independent living, assisted living and memory care lifestyles are available at Danberry at Inverness, and they are offered in meticulously designed environments that invite nature indoors. For example, throughout the Danberry at Inverness Clubhouse, nature seamlessly blends both indoors and out with fireplaces, the atrium lobby, English tea gardens and waterfalls. Here, residents can take care of everyday details and enjoy a range of first-class amenities (movie theater, creative art studio, bridge and card rooms) and services (library, mail/communications room). Dining is available in the formal dining room and al fresco on the garden terrace. OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAl life A Dynamic Approach to Wellness The advantages of living in one of today’s wellnessoriented retirement communities are many: ample Danberry at Inverness opportunities to stay as strong and independent as possible, staying in the mainstream of activities and Danberry at Inverness retirement community has been chosen as one of the nation’s top communities in 2013 on SeniorAdvisor.com, the events and keeping a healthy outlook on life. Danberry premier online ratings and reviews site for senior living communities at Inverness offers exceptional fitness opportunities all nationwide. The SeniorAdvisor 2013 Excellence Award recognizes senior living under one roof, such as “senior-friendly” spa services, communities that receive consistently high ratings and positive reviews a fully equipped fitness center, classes including Tai from residents, families, and visitors. “Receiving this des ignation places Danberry in the top one percent of all retirement communities Chi, aerobics, water yoga and Pilates, a private senior-nationwide,” said Danberry at Inverness marketing director, Lori friendly heated indoor, resort-style saltwater pool and a Krueger. “We are so proud that so many—especially our residents— wellness clinic. consider us to be one of the best of the best.” “Our residents will tell
“We make sure our residents have every opportuniLocated in Inverness on you that they wish they’d ty to learn, explore and savor life in a whole new way,” said Krueger. “In other words, we help them Lake Heather, Danberry at Inverness is a senior living community for adults 55 and moved here sooner. They love the carefree, fun-filled design a future filled with fun!”older with every convenience and rewarding retireThis community really must be seen to be believed, so stop by Danberry at Inverness today, visit DanberryAtInverness.com or call 443-9500. and amenity imaginable, including a clubhouse with card rooms, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, creative art studio, salon/ ment lifestyle they find at Danberry. And we love serving them!” lori Krueger, marketing director, spa, theater, fitness studio, Danberry at Inverness. innovative wellness programs and much more. Residents enjoy chef-prepared menus and dining with friends in the casual bistro or more formal dining room. Services include scheduled transportation, concierge and weekly housekeeping. For those in need of a helping hand, 24-hour licensed professional nursing is available on-site in Assisted Living at Danberry, which offers a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere. On-site physical and occupational therapy also are available.
“Our residents will tell you that they wish they’d moved here sooner. They love the carefree, fun-filled and rewarding retirement lifestyle they find at Danberry,” said Krueger. “And we love serving them!”
Danberry is the flagship senior housing development for the Daniel Corporation and is managed by CRSA®, an LCS® company.
Danberry at Inverness is located on Lake Heather just off U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road in Hoover, 443-9500.
Congress is in session –ARE YOUR VETERANS BENEFITS SAFE?
Our speaker is William G. Nolan, an accredited attorney with the VA and a local Elder Law attorney with the firm Nolan Stewart, PC. Mr. Nolan has written articles about and is a frequent speaker on the subject of Veterans benefits.
You will also learn more about services provided to qualified Veterans exclusively by Always Best Care.
Thursday, March 20, 2014 • 13
ABOVE: Residents spending time together at Danberry at Inverness. LEFT: The atrium at Danberry at Inverness is the center of the clubhouse. It connects the common areas and provides a place where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail with friends before dinner.
Top: The atrium at Danberry is the center of the clubhouse that connects the common areas, providing a place residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail with friends before dinner. lefT: Waterfall at the entrance to Danberry. Above: lori Krueger, left, marketing director and Jaclyn Gardner, executive director of Danberry at Inverness.
Veterans benefits have been available since WWII...
yet there are some in Congress who want to significantly curtail your benefits. If you are a Veteran or the widow of a Veteran, or if you might become a caregiver for a Veteran, please join us for an informative and timely (and free!) presentation on “The Future of Your VA Benefits”.
235 Inverness Center Drive The Future of Your VA Benefits Hoover, AL 35242 Tuesday, April 8 OR Thursday, April 10, 2014 • 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DanberryAtInverness.com Refreshments and Door Prizes 235 Inverness Center Drive • Hoover, AL Limited Availability!
The changes that Congress proposes are not yet law but their intent is clear – they want to make it much harder for Veterans and widows to obtain their pensions. Consider applying for your pension now, before it becomes more difficult!
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RSVP to (205) 443-9500. Limited Seating.
Hope for the Holidays’ Sessions for those who have lost loved ones
The first holiday season after a loss can bring on a great deal of stress, anxiety, depression and sadness. Community Grief Support is hosting three community seminars in our community on Saturdays in November to provide tips and coping methods to help.
Bereavement care expert and counselor, Steve Sweatt, LPC/LMFT and clinical director at CGS will provide information and coping tips such as these: • Plan Ahead for Your Holiday Season • Ask for and Accept Help • Accept Your Limitations • Build in Flexibility • Trim Down to Essentials • Give Yourself Permission to “Be” • Inform Others of Your Needs
You’ll be given an outline for making your own holiday “plan” so that you can be prepared for dealing with unexpected emotions. And you’ll receive a keepsake booklet with holiday memorial ideas. November 6, 2021, 9 a.m.-Noon, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood. November 13, 2021, 9 a.m.-Noon, Online, virtual presentation. November 20, 2021, 9 a.m.-Noon, Asbury United Methodist Church, North Shelby County.
Continental breakfast provided November 6 and November 20.
For more information, or to register for one of the events, contact Callie Eldredge at 205-870-8667.
Presented by Founding Sponsor Alabama Power Company From page 26 out to meet with him.
“By the time I flew home, he said, ‘We have too many people in your genre,’” she said. “I had no clue what my genre even was, because it’s not a romance. At the time, I don’t think there was anything like ‘women’s fiction.’ It was just general fiction.”
She also took a leap of faith while visiting her family in Arizona. She knew a major production company was filming in Tucson, so she drove from Phoenix and met with the producers.
“Nothing came from that,” she said. “For all I know they could have just thrown it in the trash.”
After giving it the old college try until about 2009, she decided to pursue another dream and go back to school.
“Law school was pretty demanding and I was working full time, so the book found a comfy little home under the bed,” she said.
Cut to 2020.
“My son lives in New York and came home to escape the city during COVID,” Glass said. “When he got here, he said, ‘Mom, I really do not want to sit here and watch marathons of television with you. Let’s do something constructive.’”
Knowing the book was still set in the mid-90s, he suggested she revisit the story and bring it up to date.
“I only brought it up 10 years, to 2005, because I realized that there was a second book with the same characters knocking at my brain and I didn’t want to go up to 2025,” she said.
She said the work was easy because she genuinely loved spending time with her characters.
With renewed vigor, she set out to find an agent but found herself con-
nected directly to a publisher through a friend.
“The first thing out of my publisher’s mouth when I met him was that he loved the characters so much, ‘Have you considered a second book?” Glass said.
She had already written the sequel.
“He told me to keep going,” she said. “’Let’s try for a third and a fourth.’”
Do Something You Love
Throughout her career changes, she has followed a rule she learned watching her parents make a living doing what they truly loved.
“When my mom was on stage singing, it looked like she was a little girl,” she said. “There was this glow and vibrancy about her. The same went for my father … he looked like a little boy.
“That kind of exuberance was something that I patterned my own life after,” she said. “My dad used to tell us that you’ve gotta love what you’re doing and enjoy it, because life is too short to do something you hate every day.”
Often that comes with a great need for adaptability and hard work, just as it did when she went back to school. Many of the students she teaches at Birmingham School of Law followed a similar path to her own pursuit of her juris doctorate.
“I always compliment my students, we did law school the hardest way possible,” she said. “Many of them are working full time, most with families, and going to law school.
“It’s a completely different way of handling your education,” she added.
As for her dream of publishing her book, she’s happy with the timeline.
“I kind of think to myself, if this had happened 24 years ago, would I have been as happy and appreciative?” she said. “Probably not, or at least not as much as I’m feeling now. I’m so thrilled with it.”
She plans to celebrate this new chapter on Nov. 11 with her first book signing and wine-tasting at Giovanni’s in Sylacauga.
For more information and to preorder, visit antoniagavrihel.com.
From page 26 port others in need,” Dana Henson, manager of the Hoover Senior Center, said in the statement. “The best way that I know how to describe him is that he has a true servant’s heart.”
“He doesn’t give back so that he can be in the spotlight for recognition,” said Tracy Vinzant James, senior event coordinator with the city. “In fact, when trying to set up a time that we could officially honor him at our local City Council meeting, he modestly declined because he doesn’t do it for that reason.”
In Lees’ earlier years, he was a national merit scholar and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Lowery before receiving his degree in electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech University.
He worked for Western Electric/ Southern Bell, which became South Central Bell, for almost 40 years and was a licensed professional engineer and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Lees still is active in his community and church and is a real estate investor and fisherman, according to the center’s statement.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SENIORS Coping with Arthritis as You Age
One side effect of aging is that many people deal with is arthritis. This swelling of the joints can leave you feeling stiff and sore. It may become more difficult to get your fingers to do the intricate tasks you once did, or maybe you feel it in your hips or ankles when you try to transition from sitting to standing. But arthritis doesn’t have to keep you down. There are many ways of coping with this condition:
Remain as Active as Possible
Keep up with your normal routine when you can. Engaging in gentle stretches each day that work all of your joints can enhance your flexibility and reduce stiffness and pain. Continue to do activities that you enjoy because moving your joints helps loosen them up and maintain your range of motion.
Adjust your exercise routine to avoid high-impact activities that put pressure on your joints such as running, jump roping, or playing tennis. Focus on low-impact options such as biking, swimming, yoga, and walking. Regular exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight which can be better for your joints.
This article was provided by Jennifer Mancuso, owner, Always Best Care. For more information on our services contact us at 205-874-9730 or email us at jmancuso@abc-seniors.com
Know When to Take a Break
Learn to listen to your body. While staying active can be good, you should also rest when you are feeling especially sore or tired. Give your joints a break so you don’t overdo it and cause yourself more pain in the long run. It’s all about finding balance and knowing when to push yourself and when to take it easy.
Pay Attention to Your Mental Health
Arthritis does not just affect you physically; it can also take a toll on your mental health. It can be frustrating trying to do different activities and not having your joints cooperate, or dealing with chronic pain. Some people experience depression or loneliness. Connect with friends and family who make you laugh and feel good. Continue doing things you enjoy as you are able, even if that means make some modifications. Explore new hobbies that aren’t affected by your arthritis.
Your attitude can play a role in how you feel, so try not to dwell on the negatives. Meditation and deep breathing can be beneficial in calming your mind and reducing stress. It can also help to join a support group and talk to others who are going through similar experiences. You can share your stories and what coping strategies you have found effective.
Try Different Treatments
No two people experience arthritis exactly the same way. Find what works for you and don’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory may be enough to manage any discomfort, and other times you may need a prescription medication. That’s okay. There are also topical creams that can help ease pain and stiffness in your joints.
After you’ve been active, take a break and enjoy the warmth of a bath or shower. Or, you may find that ice packs are more effective at providing relief. It could vary depending on what you have been doing or how your muscles feel. Some people also find that acupuncture is useful.
Managing Changes in Abilities
Living with arthritis, some days you may be more active and others not so much. Partnering with an in-home caregiver in Birmingham, AL can enable you to get the level of support you need when you need it. A caregiver can assist with tasks that your arthritis makes difficult while allowing you to remain as safe and independent as possible. Contact Always Best Care today to learn more about senior services options and schedule your free consultation.
Turner Joins Always Best Care
Always Best Care is pleased to announce that Luke Turner has joined the Always Best Care team. Luke is an intern at Always Best Care and got involved with the company through the business program at Mountain Brook High School. He has strong interests in business and technology and he enjoys helping his family troubleshoot their iPhones and computers. Luke has a variety of responsibilities in the office, including managing public relations and overseeing operational projects.
“I like working at Always Best Care because I enjoy using my computer and technology skills to help others,: said Luke. “The office staff is fun to work with, too - I enjoy working with people who love their jobs and their clients!”
Luke is a senior at Mountain Brook High School and plans to double-major in Management Information Systems and Piano Performance for college. Outside of school, Luke enjoys practicing and performing classical piano. He takes weekly piano lessons at Vanderbilt University, and he frequently travels to piano competitions around the United States. Luke Turner
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Journal photos by Lee Walls Olivia Brown
By RuBin E. GRant
Whenever someone yells “Olivia” at a Homewood volleyball practice or during a game, two players automatically look to see who is being addressed.
It can get confusing at times, but senior outside hitter Olivia Brown and senior setter Olivia Outman have learned to live with it.
“We both look up, but we both just know who they’re talking to,” Outman said. “We don’t have any code names. It gets crazy sometimes, but we make it work.”
Brown and Outman also have been making it work with their play. Outman leads the team in assists with 865 and Brown leads the team in kills with 541. Outman also has 211 digs, 30 kills, 25 aces and 21 blocks. Brown has 262 digs, 35 blocks and 33 aces.
Homewood coach Andie Freedman raves about the two Olivias.
“Olivia Brown is a very special player,” Freedman said. “She has tremendous athleticism and ball control, and a great volleyball IQ.
“She started out as a middle hitter and we moved her to outside hitter, so she’s become a six-rotation player. She’s a dominant hitter and she puts the ball down consistently.”
Usually, Brown puts the ball down after receiving a pass from Outman.
“Olivia Outman is a great setter and a great leader,” Freedman said. “She practices for a lot of hours and plays with a lot of confidence. She’s smart about which hitters to get the ball to.”
Freedman said Brown and Outman have a “strong connection on the court.” One reason for that is they are close friends.
“Our friendship has grown so much, especially since we played on the same club volleyball team,” Brown said. “That gave us an extra nine months to get closer. We communicate really well and some of it is non-verbal.”
Outman said, “Our personalities mix well so that helps our connection.”
Both players admire what the other brings to the court. Outman described Brown as “amazing.”
“She’s extremely athletic and resilient,” Outman said. “I feel she’s able to put any ball down that I throw up to her.”
Brown says Outman’s best asset is her court awareness.
“She’s smart,” Brown said. “She’s kind of quiet and she kind of creeps up on the ball, then she makes a play.”
Brown has another player on the team that she’s even more close to, her younger sister Grace Brown, a sophomore middle hitter.
“I love it that we’re playing on the same team, but it’s funny being out there together,” Olivia Brown said. “This is the first time with us playing together, even though we’re with each other all the time.”
The Patriots (27-13) finished as runners-up in the Class 6A, Area 9 tournament, falling to host Mountain Brook 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-12).
Homewood will be playing in the Class 6A North Super Regional this week at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, trying to earn a berth in the state tournament Oct. 26-28 at the Birmingham CrossPlex and Bill Harris Arena. The Patriots will play Springville (42-17) in their regional opener on Wednesday.
“I think we all want to win it bad enough, but making state would be great since none of us have ever gone to state,” Brown said.
“I hope it goes well,” Outman said. “I believe we can go far if we play our best.” go after its third consecutive state championship. The Spartans took the first step in that direction last week, winning the Class 6A, Area 9 tournament by sweeping Homewood 3-0 (2515, 25-17, 25-12) in the final at Spartan Arena.
Mountain Brook is competing in the Class 6A North Super Regional this week at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The Spartans will take on Southside-Gadsden (45-12) Wednesday in its first regional matchup, seeking a return trip to next week’s state tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex and Bill Harris Arena.
Redden, an outside hitter, and Golden, a middle hitter, have played key roles, leading the team in kills — Redden with 351 and Golden with 279 — and providing senior leadership along with fellow seniors Hannah Hitson and Alexandra Carlson.
“I think we have played pretty well,” Golden said. “This year has been kind of intimidating with everyone in the community expecting us to win state again, but the expectations also have given us lot of confidence going into the super regional.”
Redden has enjoyed having an expanded role this season as a six rotation outside hitter who does a little of everything.
“I haven’t always had a big role on the team like Greer, who has been on the varsity for four years,” Redden said. “It’s been really nice to have a bigger role and be a leader, making sure to keep everyone in check. We all have the same goal, but we need to bring it every game.
“Some teams play on emotions or rely on one person to succeed, but we’re not a one-person team. We have to have everybody doing what they are supposed to do.”
Redden and Golden have a close relationship, and they are hoping to end their careers with another title.
“We are really good friends,” Golden said. “We’ve grown up together, playing volleyball and basketball since the third grade. We want to go out on top.”
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Olivia Outman
Two Olivias Spark Homewood’s Volleyball Team
From page 32
SOCCER
From page 32
“I just couldn’t find a reason for it,” he said. “Then coach Goldfarb reached out and I thought it was a perfect opportunity. I get to play with some BSC guys again and meet some new people, get something to do, so.”
Hepp, who works at Homewood High School, said some might think a side gig as a semipro soccer player might not add up.
“But I make it work,” he said. “It’s definitely worth it. I played in some men’s leagues and with some friends, but to be able to play at this level, I really couldn’t say no to that.”
Crestline native Brother Swagler is another Crestwood resident on the team. He said Goldfarb helped him land a playing opportunity in Germany for a season after college.
“That was two years ago and I haven’t played in two years,” he said. “Then I joined this team when he started it and became the coach this year.
“I get to hang out with my friends every day,” Swagler said. “It’s something I’ve done for a long time, and I feel like I’ve gotten somewhat good at. I just want to keep doing it while I can. Eventually everything will give out. My knees and my ankles, they just won’t work that way anymore.”
Curry said he and teammates aspire to move on to playing truly professional soccer.
“At the same time, I’m very, very happy to be in the position I’m in right now,” he said. “I’m very lucky to be able to still have a full-time job but get to play it at a level that’s this high and for a coach like him.”
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Playing at a High Level
Goldfarb said Walk’s hope is take the semipro team to the professional level, perhaps playing in the National Independent Soccer Association.
“There’s a lot of good teams in there,” he said. “They’re equal to the USL, where the Birmingham Legion plays.”
Walk, a Fairfield native living in Fultondale, had been a baseball player before being introduced to soccer. As an adult, he began to follow local men’s league play and saw potential.
“Some of those players are amazing,” he said. “They really could have a chance to maybe, hopefully, someday sign a pro contract with somebody, even if it’s on a training team or reserve team. They’re still getting paid to do what they love to do.
“We wanted to hold them to a different standard,” Walk said. “We want to treat them as professionals.”
Beyond the semipro squad, the FC Birmingham operation also includes youth teams that are designed to give youngsters a chance to move up in the sport.
The semipro team generally practices at Birmingham’s Carver High School or in Pleasant Grove, with home games at Lawson Field near Crestwood.
From page 32 varsity last year.
“It’s been a blast. I’m enjoying every moment of it, practicing and playing with my friends.”
Colvin has had a solid season. Last week, he completed 9 of 13 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns as Mountain Brook (7-1, 5-0) clinched its second consecutive Class 6A, Region 5 championship with a convincing 49-14 victory at Homewood. Both of his touchdown passes went to Sims Brown, covering 15 and 41
yards.
“I think the season has been pretty good,” Colvin said. “I’ve had some ups and downs, but I hope my best games are ahead of me.”
Yeager likes how the first-year starting quarterback has performed.
“John has done what we expected,” Yeager said. “He’s a very cerebral guy and he competes.”
Colvin, who also plays basketball for the Spartans, has been playing quarterback since he was in the third grade. He describes himself as a multidimensional signal caller.
“I try to be a pocket passer and run when I need to,” he said. “I also try to be a leader and a good game manager.”
Colvin says it helps having experienced receivers such as Brown and Jake Thompson, both seniors, and junior Jackson Beatty. All three started last year.
“We have some great receivers,” he said. “They make my job easy.”
JOHN COLVIN, SPARTAN QB
Family Affair
John Colvin is the third Colvin to play for Yeager, following older brother Tyler, a wide receiver, and Sam, a defensive end. Tyler is now in medical residency at UAB and Sam is a student at Auburn, but they keep up with how their younger brother is doing.
“They come watch me when they can, but they also watch our (livestreamed) games on the NFHS Network,” John Colvin said.
Mountain Brook plays its final region game Friday at Chelsea and closes the regular season Oct. 28 at home against Austin. The state playoffs begin Nov. 7. The Spartans are hoping to make another deep run in the postseason after reaching the Class 6A semifinals last year.
“We’ve gotten better every week,” Colvin said. “The Thompson game was rough (a 51-0 loss on Sept. 24), but it helped us grow as a team. We’re starting to click and build some momentum.
“If everyone keeps giving their all and things keep trending upward, I think we’ll have a chance to win it all.”
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Vestavia Hills, led by Tucker Smith (46) with 71 rushing yards, had 196 total yards on the ground in the Rebels’ 34-6 Region 3 win over Spain Park Friday.
Class 7A
Hoover 49, Tuscaloosa County 7 Thompson 48, Oak Mountain 0 Vestavia Hills 34, Spain Park 6
Class 6A
Mountain Brook 49, Homewood 14
Class 5A
Pleasant Grove 42, John Carroll Catholic 12
Briarwood Christian was off
Week 9 Schedule
Homewood at Briarwood Christian Thompson at Hoover John Carroll Catholic at Wenonah Mountain Brook at Chelsea Hewitt-Trussville at Oak Mountain Tuscaloosa County at Spain Park Gadsden City at Vestavia Hills
Double Trouble: Two Olivias Spark Homewood’s Volleyball Team Page 30 SPORTS
Thursday, October 21, 2021 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL Week 8 Scores Page 30
Having A Blast
Colvin Enjoying First Season as Spartans’ Starting Quarterback
By RuBin E. GRant
Mountain Brook junior quarterback John Colvin doesn’t pinch himself every time he steps on the football field to make sure he’s not dreaming.
But he is living the dream as the Spartans’ starter after growing up watching Hamp Sisson and Strother Gibbs play quarterback for Mountain Brook. Sisson, who graduated in 2018 and is now a junior at Furman, and Gibbs, who graduated in the spring this year, were both three-year starters.
“It’s crazy to think I’m playing where they played,” Colvin said. “I always watched what they were doing and now I’m doing it.”
Colvin didn’t find out until the middle of the summer that he would be the starter ahead of junior Benjamin Parrott and sophomore John Cooper. Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager just wanted to let the competition play out.
“We’ve had two quarterback changes in six years with Hamp and Strother, so it’s not something we were used to,” Yeager said.
Colvin, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-hander, was pleased to get the starting nod, although it came as a surprise.
“I was happy, but it was a crazy moment,” he said. “I hadn’t started in the seventh, eighth or ninth grades, but I was the starter on the junior
See COLVIN, page 31
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Last week, John Colvin completed 9 of 13 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns as Mountain Brook (7-1, 5-0) clinched its second consecutive Class 6A, Region 5 championship with a convincing 49-14 victory at Homewood.
The Last Hurrah
Mountain Brook Seniors Want to Finish Volleyball Careers With Another Title
By RuBin E. GRant
With a new head coach, Mountain Brook senior volleyball players Greer Golden and Lucy Redden were not sure what to expect this season.
Even though Mattie Gardner had been involved with the Spartan’s volleyball program since 2017 and served as a varsity assistant the past two seasons as Mountain Brook won state championships in 2019 (Class 7A) and 2020 (Class 6A), there was still a bit of an unknown with her replacing Vickie Nichols as head coach.
“There was confusion with coach Nichols retiring and then unretiring,” Redden said, referring to Nichols’ decision to take over at Florence. “We didn’t know until summer what was going on.
“Coach Gardner came in and said she was going to change the environment, that it would not just be the same. But she said we all have the same goal, to win another state championship.”
The Spartans have responded well to the standards Gardner set.
“It’s been good,” Golden said. “There have been a lot of positive changes. I really enjoy the team. It’s one of the funnest teams I’ve been on since I’ve been on varsity.”
Redden said Gardner placed an emphasis on fundamentals.
“Coach Gardner’s big thing is technique,” Redden said. “She wants us to work on the little things and that’s helped us be consistent.”
Mountain Brook (35-12) now is in position to See SPARTANS, page 30
Soccer Side Hustle
Former Players, New Recruits Play Semipro to Keep the Game Alive
By Solomon CREnShaw JR.
Hoover native Galen Curry sells software; Homewood resident Ryan Hepp teaches high school math; and Hoover’s Brett Feringa works for a Liberty Park real estate investment company.
And each has a side job that he absolutely loves. Each plays for the semipro FC Birmingham soccer team. Commercial business banker Doug Walk is the owner of the team that gives young adult soccer players a chance to continue to play and, perhaps, keep alive their dream of playing at a higher level.
Retired Birmingham-Southern College soccer coach Preston Goldfarb has a number of his former Panthers on the squad. Goldfarb, who “Tenacity of Purpose: Coach Preston Goldfarb’s Journey through life, loves and soccer” – with Scott Adamson.
“I was kind of bored,” the coach said. “I said, I don’t miss the games. I miss teaching the game. I miss being on the field, teaching soccer the way I think it should be played.”
Goldfarb wasn’t the only one who missed soccer. So, too, did the young men who played on their college squad.
“I couldn’t fill the void,” said Curry, who lives in Crestwood. “I had about a year off. I tried a bunch of different things, but nothing can fill that void that soccer has.”
Louisiana native Brett Feringa of Hoover said he always knew he wanted to get back on the pitch.
Retired Birmingham-Southern College soccer coach Preston Goldfarb, above, talking with members of FC Birmingham, missed teaching soccer.
