Over the Mountain Journal Dec. 15, 2011 by Over the Mountain Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L THE SUBURBAN NEWSPAPER FOR MOUNTAIN BROOK, HOMEWOOD, VESTAVIA HILLS, HOOVER, AND NORTH SHELBY COUNTY DECEMBER 15, 2011

2 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

CONTENTS/OPINION

ur Over the Mountain Students have again gotten into the holiday spirit and shared their artistic talents with their holiday cards. View their works on the cover and starting on page 22. Thanks to the many students and teachers who submitted their artwork.

MURPHY’S LAW

Hmph-Hmph-Hump (Or a Mouth Full of Chipmunk)

From the cover: First row from left: Mari Alana Jeter, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Hayden Gamis, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Shaveen Gachau, Fourth Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Eden Morris, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary. Second row: Carter Sobera, Fourth Grade, Crestline Elementary School; Ella Cloud, Fourth Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Elizabeth Conner, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Gretchen Kellen, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Caroline Crimi, Second Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary. Third row: Nathan Simmons, Kindergarten, Liberty Park Elementary; Baylor Black, Third Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Elizabeth Okunbor, First Grade, St. Francis Xavier; Colin Wilkins, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Corey Christenson, Fifth Grade, Spring Valley School. Fourth row: Gracen Vinyard, Fourth Grade, Highlands School. Fifth row: Ivy Cobbs, Second Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Batsipa Joel, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Nicholas Hughes, Kindergarten, Edgewood Elementary; Amelia Park, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate.

Happy holidays from the Over the Mountain Journal. After our annual break, we’ll return with our first issue of the new year on Jan. 12.

F E AT U R E S ABOUT TOWN LIFE SENIORS PEOPLE

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SOCIAL WEDDINGS SCHOOLS SPORTS

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JOU RNAL

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December 15, 2011

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Laura McAlister Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, Bones Long, Cary Estes, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Editorial Intern: Jennifer Taylor Vol. 20, No. 24

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Hot Property is a paid advertisement. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at ads@otmj. com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2011 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.

ne day last sumhave to be much. They missed a thank you note, former, my mom’s got to return a borrowed book, didn’t pay back the cat sauntered onto $20 you loaned them for lunch last November. the patio with a chipmunk Of course, sometimes the slights are bigger, megadangling from his teeth. hurts that truly strain the relationship. You have The chipmunk wasn’t every right to be mad. No one would blame you if dead, just plenty scared, you gnawed on the incident forever. You’ve earned its little heart pounding in your anger, your private retribution, and thought of its chest. releasing it feels like being victimized all over again. My mom, a noted aniThis holiday season, however, I’m asking you to mal rescuer, rushed out drop it. Really, let the chipmunk go. It’s a gift to the through the sliding glass chipmunk, yes, but mostly a gift to yourself. You Susan Murphy door, took Barney firmly may be the injured party, but the party of the other by the shoulders and said, part has most likely forgotten about the whole thing “Drop it.” Barney pretended not by now, and you’re the one left to hear her (cats do that), but my there with a mouthful of Drop the chipmunk this sitting mom persisted. gummed-up chipmunk. “Drop it,” she repeated, and You can’t smile with a mouthseason. Let your holifinally, reluctantly, Barney let ful of chipmunk. You cannot eat day heart be light. Enjoy snickerdoodles. You cannot sing. the chipmunk go. The chipmunk fled to the boxwood hedge, and Your “ho-ho-ho” becomes “hmphyour Fancy Feast with Barney twitched his tail and went and your holiday friends and family, even if hmph-hmph,” off to sulk in the garage. celebration falls flat. Nothing is as An act of mercy. It was betthey’re the chipmunks in happy as it could be. ter for the chipmunk, of course, Drop it. Let the chipmunk go. but it was better for Barney, too. question. Maybe the chipmunk doesn’t Barney didn’t need the chipmunk. deserve it, but then, who does? I don’t know how chipmunk That’s the point of the Christmas tastes, but it can’t be as good as season, isn’t it? Forgiveness. For-gift-ness. We’ve the Roast Turkey and Gravy Fancy Feast that was all dug dark tunnels into someone else’s psyche at piled up in his food dish. one time or another, we’ve uprooted their peace of A serving of chipmunk would be rank with fur mind, and we need to drop that, too. All that matted (matted now) and tiny little bones that could lodge up sorrow, those tiny little bones of regret. Selfin his throat. Who knows? It could even be full of loathing is the worst kind of chipmunk. cholesterol. Drop the chipmunk this season. Let your holiStill, Barney wanted the chipmunk. Cats are not day heart be light. Enjoy your Fancy Feast with wired for catch-and-release. He caught the chipfriends and family, even if they’re the chipmunks in munk, he was proud of his conquest and he had no question. They might not even know they’ve been intention of letting it go. released, but you will, and that will make all the difSometimes we’re like that. (I bet you were wonference. dering where I was going with this cheery chipmunk And when your sister-in-law makes some new scenario.) We get hold of something that we feel entitled to, a grudge, a slight, and we clamp it tightly crack about the dust on your coffee table, let that go, too. Smile mercifully at her gummed-up little chipbetween our teeth. Someone said something hurtmunk face and say, “How about a snickerdoodle?” ful, did something unkind. Or maybe they didn’t say Happy holidays! ❖ something, fell down on the civilized job. It doesn’t

OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Where are your favorite holiday decorations?

“Mountain Brook Village.”

“Once Upon a Time in Homewood.”

“Pensacola has some of the best Christmas lights.”

“Rockefeller Center in New York City.”

Rebecca Patterson Mountain Brook

Linda Flaherty Mountain Brook

Sarah Elizabeth Parker Mountain Brook

Julie Rosenfeld Mountain Brook

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 3

Holiday Activities Abound in OTM Area

hile the kids are out of school and the relatives are in town, there are plenty of holiday activities around to keep them happy and busy. The list below highlights just a few of the holiday happenings in the Over the Mountain area.

ZOOLIGHT SAFARI

The Birmingham Zoo’s annual ZooLight Safari is Dec. 16-23 and 26-31 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is presented by Wells Fargo. Admission is $8, ride tickets are $3.50 and unlimited attraction wristbands are $10. Members’ admission is free. The zoo will close at 4 p.m. every night of ZooLight Safari and reopen at 5 p.m. Animal exhibits will be closed during the event. Santa will be on site for visits until Dec. 23. Also included are hayrides, the holiday train ride, carousel, story time and animal demonstrations. As always, synchronized lights will blink to classic holiday tunes, and the Santa Rollers will perform. Visit www.birminghamzoo. com/events for more information.

ASO HOLIDAY CONCERTS

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will bring holiday cheer to the Birmingham community with two events. ASO will present Handel’s Messiah Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall. The annual holiday favorite will feature Gary Thor Wedow, baroque specialist and guest conductor, at the harpsichord. Also performing will be Charlotte Dobbs, Cecelia Hall, Steven Brennfleck, Douglas Williams and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Philip Copeland. ASO will ring in 2012 at the Alabama Theatre with New Year’s Eve: A Viennese Celebration Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. The annual toast to a happy, healthy and musical New Year features conductor Christopher Confessore, soprano Rhoslyn Jones and tenor Chad Johnson. In the tradition of old Vienna, the event includes waltzes, arias, duets, polkas and a champagne toast. For ticket information, call 975-2787. For more information about these events and the ASO, visit www.alabamasymphony.org

and 7 p.m. at the Stephens Center. Holiday treats will be served after each performance. Guests can bring cameras to have pictures made with the show’s costumed characters. The interactive play, created by Birmingham’s Jerry Sims, tells the story of four dogs who learn the real meaning of the season. Audience members can sing along with the show’s songs. Returning this year are sev-

eral veteran ArtPlay performers, including Ron Bourdages as the show’s narrator and musician, Lee Griner as Beauregard Bloodhound, Ginny S. Loggins as poodle Fifi Latour and Darryl Revel as Scotty Mactavish, mayor of Dogtown. Kimberly Kirklin is Felicity Feline, and Sims is Spike the Bulldog. Tickets are $8 for children and $10 for adults. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org. ❖

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UAB’s ArtPlay will present “Yuletide in Dogtown Dec. 17

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‘YULETIDE IN DOGTOWN’

“Yuletide in Dogtown,” an original theatrical production for families, will be presented Dec. 17 by ArtPlay, the home for arts education from UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Shows are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m.

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MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER

DON’T LET THE hustle and bustle OF THE HOLIDAYS CLUTTER UP YOUR HOME. Everyone can appreciate a thorough clean from The Maids.

The McWane Science Center Winter Wonderland exhibit is open through Jan. 8. This holiday experience gives families a chance to learn about the science of the season as they play in the snow, go ice fishing, and watch toy trains zip around the tracks. Inside the snow room, children can make snow angels, build snow castles and more. They also can catch fish through the ice in the ice fishing area, sled down the giant slide between the third and second floors in the museum or try the zip line. McWane also will host a Polar Express Pajama Party Dec. 18 and Breakfast at Santa’s Workshop Dec. 17. For more information on holiday happenings at the McWane Center call 714-8414 or visit www. mcwane.org.

ALABAMA BALLET’S ‘NUTCRACKER’

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Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” by the Alabama Ballet at the Leslie Stephen Wright Center on Samford University’s campus. Show times are Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m. Alabama Ballet is one of only six companies in the world, and the only one in the Southeast, licensed by the Balanchine Trust to perform this production. Set to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score, Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” features choreography by Balanchine and props and scenery ranging from an 18th century German home to a snowstorm to a dream-like Kingdom of Sweets. The 150 costumes were originally designed by legendary New York City Ballet costumer Barbara Karinska for the 1954 premiere. They have been painstakingly replicated by the Alabama Ballet’s costume shop. The production includes the company’s entire roster of 35 dancers in alternating roles and more than 80 Community Cast members from the Alabama Ballet School

and the Birmingham community. To buy tickets, visit www.alabamaballet.org.

CHORAL SOCIETY PLANS HOLIDAY CONCERT

The Magic City Choral Society will host its fifth annual holiday concert, “Sure on this Shining Night,” Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University. The concert, presented by Patty McDonald, features the men’s and women’s choruses. Admission is free. Dr. Joseph Paul Dease is the MCCS artistic director and conductor. Musical selections performed by the choruses will include a variety of religious and secular holiday songs in addition to seasonal carols, African drumming and the annual sing-a-long. Josh Coble, organist at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, will lead the audience in singing some of the season’s best-known carols. ❖ – Compiled by Jennifer Taylor

Annual Pecan Sale to Benefit Glenwood Autism Center

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The 37th annual Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center’s holiday pecan sale is underway. This Birmingham holiday tradition benefits children, adults and families affected by autism. Fresh mammoth half pecans are available along with specialty flavors, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate cinnamon, rum candied, glazed, sugarfree and roasted salted. Pecans can be purchased at any Iberia Bank, Southern Family Market grocery stores including Bruno’s and Food World, Piggly Wiggly and Winn-Dixie stores and at the Children’s Service League’s selling location at Hollywood Pool and Spa in Vestavia. They can also be purchased by visiting glenwood.org, pecansforautism.org or by calling 765-3353. Proceeds help Glenwood provide services to families affected by autism. Glenwood, with more than 25 programs across Alabama, provides comprehensive therapy and assistance in all areas of treatment.

Helping with Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center’s holiday pecan sale are Emily Jensen with Iberia Bank and Jeh Jeh Pruitt with Fox 6. Photo special to the Journal Orders include envelopes. Prices start around $1 per card but vary based on quantity and customization. Orders may be fully customized with optional upgrades. For more information, visit crinklednose.com/children or call 558-2409. Businesses interested in ordering cards should call 5582409.

Children’s Has New Meadow Brook Run Greeting Card Designs Has Races, More

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Original works of art from eight Children’s of Alabama patients will be featured on a new line of holidays cards benefiting Children’s, the state’s only freestanding pediatric medical center. Each of the 17 cards features patient art on the front and the artist’s name on the back. The cards are printed by Crinklednose.com; Children’s receives 25 percent of all card sales.

The 17th annual Meadow Brook Runs will be Dec. 17. Start time for the 5K is 9 a.m.; the onemile Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. Walkers and pets on leashes are welcome. About 500 participants are expected. A printable entry form and results from past events are posted at www.meadowbrookruns. org. Entry forms are also at local

sports merchants and can be faxed to any local number on request. Make tax deductible checks to JESUS Video Project of Alabama. A voluntary minimum donation of $15-25 is suggested. Aliant Bank will again host the race headquarters. “Best Swag in a Bag” gift bags include coupons from merchants. Love birds will be released in memory of Ellis Porch and Richard Tankersley. Norton’s will provide “Flowers for Finishers. A Christmas gift drawing will be held after the races. “Taste of 280” will offer food and drink from Zaxby’s, Papa John’s, Publix, Fresh Market, Golden Flake, Bud’s Best Cookies, the Melting Pot, Buffalo Rock, Smoothie King and Starbucks. Race day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the patio behind the bank. ❖

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 5

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Bridal Shows Offer Help in Planning the Big Day Wynfrey to Host Wedding Show

The 13th Elegant Weddings at the Wynfrey Bridal Show will be Jan. 8 from 1-5 p.m. at the Wynfrey Hotel. Some of Birmingham’s premier wedding vendors will be there to help make wedding dreams a reality. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the culinary delights of the Wynfrey , speak with experts from Norton’s Florist, Olexa’s Bakery, Feel the Beat Entertainment, Marsha Perry Photography, Mr. Burch Formalwear and many more wedding vendors. Get advice from Master Bridal consultant Alene Gamel during her seminar, “Now that I have the bling, what is the very next thing?” In addition, Alison Alexander will be hosting mini seminars on bridal myths and how to find the right dress to fit your body type. The show will close with a New York style fashion show featuring couture bridal dresses by the White Room. Door prizes will be given throughout the day and at the end of the fashion show. Tickets are $15 and available in advance by calling 444-5707 or at the door. NWK6843-2 BhamVHills Now Open.indd 1

Planning Bridal Market Jan. 8 at Rosewood Hall are, from left: Stephanie Whitaker, Shay Green and Katie Calhan.

Brides Invited to Runway Event

Perfect Wedding Guide and Engaged will host “Bridal Market, A Runway Event” Jan. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rosewood Hall in downtown Homewood Guests will see some of the latest trends in wedding fashion with an ongoing, New York-style fashion show production. Fashion sponsors are Ivory and White, Bella Couture and the Something Blue Shoppe. Brides can meet with more than 60 Birmingham wedding profes-

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Photo courtesy of Sarah Marie Photos

sionals and register to win giveaways. The grand prize this year will be a $1,000 gift certificate to Diamonds Direct to be used toward the purchase of wedding bands. Brides can pre-register at TheBridalMarket.com for their Engaged shopping tote and to receive a $5 ticket discount. They can also pick up a copy of Perfect Wedding Guide for one free ticket. Tickets will be $15 at the door. For information, contact Katie Calhan at 637-0735 or Katie.Calhan@pwg.com or visit TheBridalMarket.com. ❖

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Clothes Tree Hosts Charity Event

The Clothes Tree by Deborah and inBham.com will host “Making a Christmas Possible: A Black Tie Affair” Dec. 15 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Miss Alabama Courtney Porter will be at the Clothes Tree on Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills for the event, which will benefit Toys for Tots. The event includes catering by Ashley Mac, complimentary wine, live entertainment and valet parking. New holiday fashions will be showcased. Ten percent of all sales at the Clothes Tree Dec. 15 will be donated to Toys for Tots. Tickets are available at the Clothes Tree and online at inBham. com/events.

Bards Put Twist On ‘Richard III’

Bards of Birmingham will present Shakespeare’s “Richard III” Jan. 13-14 at 7 p.m., Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 21 at 2 and 7 p.m. at East Lake United Methodist Church. This staging features a female Richard; Morgan Walston, 16, has the title role among a cast of young actors in this innovative production of Shakespeare’s play. Other cast members include 16-year-old Olivia Hayes, who

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 7

Stars in the Bards of Birmingham’s production of “Richard III” include Morgan Walston and Steven Cullen. Photo special to the Journal

plays the crazed Queen Margaret as a heroin junkie; 18-year-old Blake Tanner as the doomed and guilt-ridden Clarence; and nineyear-old Dorian Davis as the young Duke of York. Mitchell Nash is designing and constructing the set. Hip-hop choreography is by Jalon Givan. The production is directed by Laura Coulter and stage managed by Sara Glassman. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for 18 and under. They can be purchased at the door or at bardsofbirmingham.com.

Red Nose Run Has Three Events

The eighth annual Red Nose Run benefiting Birmingham’s Ronald McDonald House is set for Jan. 7 beginning at Soho Square in Homewood. Presented by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and produced by Championship Racing, the race is expected to draw about 2,000 participants. Three race distances are offered: a 10 mile, 5K and one mile fun run. The event kicks off with race packet pickup Jan. 4-6 at the Ronald McDonald House. On race day, the 10 mile run is at 7 a.m. followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m. and the fun run at 8:30 a.m. The post-race party and awards presentation will be held inside Rosewood Hall at 9:30 a.m. with biscuits provided by McDonald’s and barbecue sandwiches from Full Moon BBQ. A kids’ zone will have moon bounces, clowns, face painters and music. Proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, which provides affordable, temporary housing services for sick or injured children and their families who travel to Birmingham for medical care. For more information or to sign up for the race, visit www. rednoserun-bham.com. ❖

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8 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

LIFE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

Christmastime in the Cities

OH ‘COMMUNITY’ CHRISTMAS TREE

Bromberg’s Tree in Mountain Brook

At the rededication for the Homewood Christmas Star are Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer with Art McConnell and wife Joanne and son Douglass. Photo special to the Journal

Homewood’s Star Lights the Way for the Holidays

BY LAURA MCALISTER JOURNAL EDITOR

o one is exactly sure how it came to be, but most agree it wouldn’t be Christmas without it. The large steel star that hovers over 18th Street in downtown Homewood has been a sign of the season for more than 60 years. Recently, the city held a HOLIDAY rededication of the star and honored the family that made it possible. DISPLAYS “We just thought this was a good Know where idea for people to know where to find the this came from,” said Tricia Ford, best holiday Homewood Chamber of Commerce decorations executive director. “I can’t rememin the OTM ber a Christmas in my entire life without that star. It’s really a tremenarea? Share dous symbol of our community.” them with us The star was given to the city at otmj.com by the late Douglass McConnell. It was made in his shop at McConnell Sales & Engineering Corp., which at the time was on Central Avenue in downtown Homewood. Five employees – Gaston Wright and the late Gerald Keef, Bill Morrison, Joe Haltiwanger and Willard McDaniel – welded the steel star, according to Art McConnell, Douglass’ son. At 81, Art still works every weekday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at McConnell Sales, now on Citation Court

in Homewood. He said he’s not sure how the star came to be, but it made sense for his father’s company to have a hand in it. “I really don’t know whose idea it was,” he said. “My father was responsible for the shop at that time. We made a lot of things out of steel back then. We employed welders, so it was logical that we do it. “Whether the city came to us, or we came to them, I just don’t know.” Art is also uncertain about the date, though he said he’s “pretty sure” it was built sometime between 1951-53. McConnell Sales & Engineering was founded by Douglass and his brother in 1931. They first opened in a Birmingham location. Since 1946, the company has called Homewood home. Art also calls Homewood home. He’s lived there most his life, except when he was away at college at Duke University and serving in the Navy during World War II. He said his father loved Homewood and would love the fact that his company’s work has become a symbol of the city. “I think he would be impressed,” he said. “The star still looks real good. The city has taken good care of it.” Though it started as a Christmas decoration, the star really has become a symbol of the city, Tricia said, and not just during Christmastime. The star is part of the chamber’s logo and can also be seen on city signs and within the schools. It also fits in with Homewood’s founders’ vision of the city. “There was a book written about Homewood and its founders,” Tricia said. “The people who discovered the city thought it was so beautiful. They made the comment

Hoover City Tree

Vestavia Hills City Center Tree

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

that it’s where the stars sleep at night.” The star has come to represent the whole city, but the steel one that hovers over downtown Homewood signals the start of the holidays not just for Homewood but for all passing through the downtown shopping district. “Once that star is lit, it’s like it’s shouting, ‘It’s Christmas!’” Tricia said. While Homewood has its iconic star, other Over the Mountain cities mark the holidays with the lighting of Christmas trees. Here are a few that spark community pride and the start of the season:

THE BROMBERG’S CHRISTMAS TREE

The trees in Mountain Brook Village twinkle with white lights year round, so Ricky Bromberg thought the village needed a little color for Christmas. In 2006, he started a tradition that would add color and holiday cheer to the area. The live Christmas tree outside the Bromberg’s Mountain Brook storefront is about 25 feet tall and has more than 15,000 lights, both colored and white. “This is really something we decided to do as a gift to the community,” Ricky said. “We wanted it to have color lights because all the trees in the city are white lights. The color lights really make it stand out.” Bromberg’s gets the tree from a North Carolina company. It’s brought to Mountain Brook, set up and decorated right around Thanksgiving each year. Ricky said it usually takes a few days to complete the process. “They literally bring in a big giant cherry picker to set it up,” he said. “They started on Thanksgiving Day, and they were finished at sunset on Saturday. It took three full days to put the lights on.”

Bromberg’s doesn’t have an official lighting ceremony for the tree. Ricky said they just like to get it up as early as possible so passersby can enjoy it. He said the tree will stay lit through New Year’s Eve.

THE HOOVER CITY TREE

The holidays in Hoover traditionally kick off with the lighting of the Christmas tree and holiday display at the city’s municipal complex on Alabama Highway 31. The artificial tree stands about 30 feet tall, and the city works hard to make sure it stays standing the entire season. “The city’s construction department has an in-ground anchor in concrete, so that tree is not going anywhere,” said Sharon Nelson with the city of Hoover. “We not only have to anchor it and set up the framework, but each branch also has to be fluffed individually.” Interiorscapes helps city workers set up the tree. The tree branches have approximately 46,000 tips, so the fluffing can take some time. But Sharon said the overall effect is worth it. “After months in storage, it needs it,” she said. The Hoover tree has white lights, about 30,000 of them, Sharon said. Some are LED, and others are the more common twilight lights, which Sharon said mute the glow a bit to give the tree a softer look. In addition to the lights, the tree also has lots of ornaments. While many city trees bypass the baubles, Sharon said Hoover wanted to have them on its tree so it would be stunning day and night. “It really is something people look forward to seeing,” Sharon said. “Every year we have people coming up with their kids to get a picture next to the tree.”

LIFE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 9

VESTAVIA HILLS CITY CENTER TREE

While it’s a little too young to call a tradition, Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza suspects the Christmas trees and decorations at the Vestavia Hills City Center will soon become a holiday staple. This year, Vestavia hosted its first tree lighting ceremony and celebration at the City Center. The mayor said the celebration kicked off the season while also spotlighting Vestavia businesses. “We formed a Christmas committee several months back and came up with the tree lighting,” he said. “We’ve been highlighting our business district with the Holiday in The Hills, and now with the tree lighting we’re really going into Christmas.” The new owners of the Highway 31 shopping center were on board and purchased live trees for the occasion. There are actually two fully decorated trees at the center along with dozens of wrapped packages for an even more festive feel. In addition to the City Center trees, Karen Odle, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce executive director, said Vestavia also has plenty of great neighborhoods for holiday light viewing. The chamber is compiling a list of some of the best streets for holiday décor, she said. The list will be

published Dec. 15 on vestaviahills. org. The chamber is taking nominations from the community, too. To nominate a street, email chamber@vestaviahills.org.

Though the list is still being complied, Karen suggested a couple of streets for those eager to look at lights – Branchwater Lane in Tanglewood and Green Valley Road in Cahaba Heights. ❖

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10 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

SENIORS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Seniors Show Their Stuff Prime Time Treasures Benefits Older Adults – and Shoppers, Too

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BY LAURA MCALISTER JOURNAL EDITOR

o James E. “Jim” Davis, one man’s trash truly is another’s treasure. That’s why over the years, he’s gotten the nickname “the Twig Kid.” The 73-year-old collects twigs and discarded wood to create one-of-a-kind tables. He’s been selling them at Prime Time Treasures in Homewood James E. “Jim” Davis shows off one of his twig tables for sale at Prime for some 10 years. Patrons there Time Treasures in Homewood. The 73 year old started selling his handalso agree that what some have made tables there about 10 years ago. Journal photo by Laura McAlister discarded and thrown away have become treasures thanks to Jim’s can find. handiwork. to pick up unique Christmas decoHe said the tables take about “We call them our twig tables, rations like stockings and ornahalf a day to make, and any given and people are just wild about ments. week he spends about 10 hours them,” said Liz Judd, who is in “The things you get here are working on them. They’ve become just things you can’t get anywhere charge of the shop that’s one so popular he now has people call of the Assistance League of else,” Liz said. him when they see scraps of wood Birmingham’s three charities. The Assistance League of Personal Holiday Services on the road that might be suitable “They’re just really beautiful and Birmingham opened the craft shop • mailbox decorating • christmas tree lighting for one of his creations. so unique.” in 1977 as a way to help talented & decorating “The only thing I have to buy Jim, a military and Delta seniors sell their crafts for addi�� • wreaths & greenery decorating Airlines retiree, is one of about 400 is nails, screws, glue and saw tional income. A percentage of • shopping/wrapping �� blades, lots of saw blades,” he senior citizens who sell their crafts sales goes to the cost of running • post holiday clean up �� said. “There’s really not a whole at the store on Oxmoor Road. As the shop, while the rest goes back Donna Hannum lot into it. I come from the generais true for many of the seniors to the seniors. urbansuburbanantiques.com 937-3894 tion where we don’t believe in just involved with the shop, Jim said Over the years, more than $3.7 throwing things away.” it’s a way to stay busy after retiremillion has been paid to the senior Jim, like the other craftsmen ment while also making a little craftsmen. who contribute to Prime Time money. Prime Time Treasures is open Treasures, comes from a generation to all artists over the age of 50. Prime Time Treasures also where goods were actually made offers shoppers unique crafts, Liz said those interested in selling �� by hand instead of purchased at a all made by hand and made in at the shop just have to make an �� Alabama. store or online. appointment to show their work �� That’s what makes shopping “It gives me something to do, and fill out paperwork and discuss and it keeps me happy,” Jim said of at Prime Time Treasures such a pricing. �� unique experience, Liz said. building his twig tables for Prime Jim, who found out about the �� Jim’s twig tables are just some Time Treasures. “It’s really someshop from a friend, said making his �� of hundreds of crafts sold at the thing I do for my grandchildren. twig tables has turned into a great �� store. I have eight of them. I give the hobby, and one that helps support � �� Prime Time Treasures has money to them, just for spending his family. It’s also helped him �� handmade toys like dollhouses, fire make a few friends. money.” �� trucks and rocking horses. They Jim makes the twig tables from “The people here are just really �� his home in Altadena. For the table even have one crafter who sews great,” he said. “They invite us for �� legs, he prefers to use crape myrtle, American Girl doll-sized clothing. a meal two times a year and really �� The store has all sorts of furniture, especially the wood that’s a little go all out. You really meet some artwork and jewelry as well as knit sweet people, and everything here �� more red and brown than white. potholders, scarves and gloves. For the table tops, he likes to use is made in America, and they are During the holidays, it’s a place �� cedar, but it depends on what he good quality things.” ❖

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What: Prime Time Treasures is one of the Assistance League of Birmingham’s three programs. The craft shop allows those 50 and older a platform to sell their handmade crafts. Where: 1755 Oxmoor Road in Homewood Store Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Information: Call 8705555 or visit www. assistanceleaguebhm. org

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Girl Scouts Earn Silver, Bronze Awards

Troop 524 members Carrie Davis of Cherokee Bend Elementary, Lillian Fowler of Mountain Brook Elementary and Becca Gonzalez, Abby Russell, Alex Russell and Elizabeth Walker of Crestline Elementary earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award after giving the Crestline Girl Scout House a much-needed facelift. To raise money for the project, the troop participated in a charity garage sale benefiting Children’s of Alabama. The girls were able to

PEOPLE NEWS repair the house’s ceiling, paint the walls and replace broken soap and paper towel dispensers. Each troop that uses the house was given its own wall panel for displaying artwork and projects. Other organizations that also use the house now have individual storage shelves. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. The award recognizes that a Junior Girl Scout has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Troop 177 member Laura Craft of Bumpus Middle School earned her Silver Award after establishing an eighth grade volunteer team to help with school registration at Brock’s Gap Elementary School. She was responsible for coordinating volunteers, registration day setup and communicating with the principals and the PTO. The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn. It symbolizes a Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she works to better her life and the lives of others. ❖

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Medical Mission Team Helps Visually Impaired in Ecuador

PEOPLE

An Eye-Opening Experience

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 11

BY LAURA MCALISTER JOURNAL EDITOR

r. Gwen Boyd has been participating in medical mission trips to Ecuador for years, but her most recent trip was the first time she and her team from the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital were able to help nearlyblind people see again. Dr. Boyd is the chief of anesthesiology at UAB’s Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital. She and about 25 others from the hospital recently traveled to Napo, a province of Ecuador, as part of Medical Mission Nueva. The annual mission trip was recently started by Dr. Boyd, who adopted her daughter, Noelle, from Ecuador more than 20 years ago. “This really just began as a way for me to thank the country that gave me my daughter,” Dr. Boyd said. “Noelle is 23 now, and she travels with me on the trips.” In the past, Dr. Boyd and her team have performed various surgeries. The most common in the area are surgeries on cleft palates, webbed toes and deformed ears. During this year’s trip in November, the volunteers assisted in nearly 55 of those surgeries as well as 19 eye surgeries and five cornea transplants. Eye surgery is something the province has had little to no access to, but that’s changed since Mission Nueva was able to get an operating ophthalmic microscope for the area’s hospital, Hospital Estatal de Baeza. The microscope came from the Callahan Eye Hospital, and it wasn’t an easy task getting it to Ecuador. It sat in customs for some

Left: UAB’s Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital Dr. John Parker performs an eye operation on a patient in Ecuador while on a recent mission trip there with Mission Nueva. Above: Others on the mission trip included from left: Kelli Coleman, Noelle Boyd, Katherine Burleson and Dr. Gwen Boyd. Photos special to the Journal nine months. Though it took time to get there, the microscope was worth the wait, said Bonnie Parker. She and her husband, ophthalmologist John Parker, were among those from Callahan making the mission trip. The family has made several trips to Nicaragua, but this was their first to Ecuador with Mission Nueva. “What’s really amazing about this is we’ll literally be making blind people see again,” she said. “This is really going to impact people’s lives. They’ll come in not being able to see anything, and an hour later, they’ll be able to see.” In addition to the microscope, the group brought five corneas for transplants and lots of medical supplies. They also brought suitcases full of scrubs, pens and other items for patients and hospital staff members. Those making the November trip included the Parkers and Dr. Boyd, two plastic surgeons,

nurses, medical students and even a member of the Callahan human resources department. The days were long, and the food “not so good,” said Karen Burleson, Callahan’s vice president of human resources. But it was rewarding. This was the first time Karen and her family made the weeklong trip to Ecuador. She and her daughter Katherine said they definitely will be doing it again. “It was just really great seeing their expression after surgery and knowing that we helped them,” Katherine said. Only three of those on this year’s trip spoke Spanish, the native language. But Syble Moore, a registered nurse at the eye hospital, said somehow the patients always have been able to break the language barrier when it came to showing their appreciation. Syble was unable to join the group’s most recent trip to Ecuador but has gone in the past and hopes to go again in the future.

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“I didn’t know half of what they said,” Syble said of her patients in Ecuador. “But they were so loving and grateful.” As a doctor, Dr. Boyd said, her experiences in the South American country have been some of the best in her career and in her personal life, too. She’s become good friends with the medical director of the hospital, Dr. David Carbonell, and his wife. ❖

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Tyler Cole Is Eagle Scout

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Tyler Parker Cole, son of Robert and Angela Cole of Vestavia Hills, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Boy Scout Troop 4. His Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony was at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Oct. 23. For his Eagle Scout project, Cole built a concrete Tyler Parker Cole sidewalk leading from the Covenant Presbyterian Church youth building to the church’s main campus. More than 150 hours of service went into the project. Cole began scouting in first grade. His scouting experiences include deep sea fishing, caving, whitewater rafting, rappelling, helping clean up Mobile County areas after Hurricane Katrina, snorkeling, canoeing and earning the polar bear badge while camping in four inches of snow and temperatures below 20 degrees. Cole is a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, where he plays trombone in the marching band and is a member of the National Honor Society, Leadership Vestavia Hills and the Music Honor Society.

Merrill Inducted Into 4-H Wall of Fame

Melissa Merrill, a Jefferson County 4-H volunteer, was one of 12 inductees into the 2011 Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame Nov. 10 at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center in Columbiana. She was nominated by 4-H volunteer Angela Smith. Merrill has a degree in nuclear �� medicine and was head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at �� the Norwood Clinic. �� Her involvement in 4-H began �� when she joined a 4-H club as a �� child. Her renewed involvement �� began with her own children in 2002, when she became a volunteer �� leader for South Crest Christian 4-H. �� Under her leadership, the club

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tied for Club of the Year from 2002 through 2005. In 2006, she became the leader of Homeland Christian 4-H Club. She was Outstanding Leader of the Year in 2007, and Homeland was Club of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009. She received the Jefferson County Friend of 4-H Award in 2011. She has also been very involved in the Jefferson County 4H Junior Leader Club. Merrill has also been the leader of the Jefferson County, now Tannehill, 4-H Club. Under her leadership, the club won multiple Alabama 4-H horsemanship awards at the county, state, regional and national levels. She served on the Jefferson County Advisory Board and the 4H Northwest Regional Council for four years.

Cancer Center Has New Board Members

The Advisory Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center elected 11 new members to its roster and selected officers for 2011-12. The Advisory Board is a volunteer group of community leaders, most touched by cancer in some way, who raise funds to provide patient amenities and increase awareness of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The new board president is Foots Parnell, managing member with InterFirst Capital, LLC. Other officers are William Harvill, chairman of Intermark Group, president-elect I; Danny Markstein, managing director of Markstein Consulting, presidentelect II; and Dana Davis, community volunteer, secretary/treasurer. New members elected to the board are Robert Carr, chief operating officer and general manager of Vestavia Country Club; Trisha Dodson, community volunteer; Courtney French, attorney with Fuston, Petway & French, LLP; Tom Genetti, senior vice president in commercial real estate for BBVA Compass; Deborah O’Connor, president of Successful Image LLC; Joel Rotenstreich, director of client services for Zarsaur & Schwartz, P.C.; Jennifer Sims, assistant dean for admission and diversity at Samford University Cumberland School of Law; Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic/Strategic

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Accepting an Alabama 4-H award for Melissa Merrill is Angela Smith. With her are, from left: Lamar Nichols, assistant director, 4-H Youth Development; Dorman Grace, Alabama 4-H Foundation chairman; and Dr. Gary Lemme, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Photo special to the Journal

Solutions, P.C.; Lissa Tyson, community volunteer; Suzanne Wald, account executive for the Over the Mountain Journal; and Joel Welker, president and publisher of the Birmingham Business Journal.

Caldwell Chosen for Leadership Program

Indian Springs School junior Caleb Caldwell has been chosen to participate in the 2011-12 Youth Leadership Shelby County program. The program is designed to encourage young people to be socially conscientious leaders of the future by providing them with the experiCaleb Caldwell ence, vision and opportunity to lead. The program is offered to a select number of high school juniors. Caldwell, who lives in Indian Springs Village in north Shelby County, was chosen based on school and community leadership and academic excellence. Youth Leadership Forum of Birmingham is sponsored by Leadership Shelby County.

Hoffman Elected at Boys State

Jake Hoffman of Spain Park High School was elected to a position in the City Government at the 74th annual American Legion Boys State, held this summer. The purpose of the City Government Interest Group is to provide the elected officials of Alabama Boys State cities handson experience in dealing with everyday issues pertaining to a municipal government. Alabama Boys State, Jake Hoffman a leadership and citizenship training program, is one of the highest honors granted to high school senior boys. Students are chosen based on their demonstration of leadership, hard work, strong morals and motivation in school and community activities. In partnership with the City of Tuscaloosa and its Parks and Recreation Authority, Boys State students worked in area parks to help provide the community -- and especially victims of the April 27 tornado – with improved outdoor recreation. Delegates hosted an event at Snow Hinton Park for children from the storm-affected areas; NBA star Dwight Howard was a special guest. ❖

PEOPLE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 13

New Homewood Rotary president Jim Ceyte, right, receives the gavel from immediate past president Lester Hollans. Rotary district governor Martin Uptain, left, spoke at the installation luncheon and presented a banner with this year’s Rotary International symbol and theme.

Homewood Rotary Installs Officers

Homewood Day activities each May, Job Shadow Day for high school students in April, the annual presentation of dictionaries to local third grade students and financial support of the Homewood Library. The club annually awards about $12,000 in scholarships to deserving Homewood High School graduates. The 56-member club meets each Thurs. at noon at the Homewood Library on Oxmoor Rd.

Freeman Will Lead Psychiatric Association

Dr. Arthur M. Freeman III of Birmingham was inaugurated as president of the Southern Psychiatric Association at the group’s recent annual meeting in Annapolis, Md. As incoming president of the organization, Freeman will develop next year’s program, “Excellence in Clinical Psychiatry,” which will be held at the Greenbrier Hotel and Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Freeman was vice-chairman

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Girl Scouts Visit Family Services Center

Riva Cullinan, Jessica Azrin, Grace Findley and Michelle Wu from Girl Scout Troop 231 in Mountain Brook earned the Silver Award for their project with Collat Jewish Family Services (CJFS). The girls created documentaries of the lives of individuals connected to CJFS. Through this project, the scouts met people from different countries, learning about their cultures, childhood memories and their arrivals in Alabama. The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn. This Award symbolizes a Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others. ❖

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Jim Ceyte was installed as 2011-12 president of the Homewood Rotary Club earlier this year. He succeeds Lester Hollans. Ceyte, owner and president of Mortgage Resources, Inc., has been a member of Homewood Rotary since 1998. Other Homewood Rotary officers for the new club year are Paul Scholl, president-elect; Janice Scholl, secretary; and Josh Carnes, treasurer. Directors are William Johnson, club service; Mike Hathorne, community service, Mike O’Kelley, vocational service; and Al Murray, international service. At-large directors are Ted Teague and Darwin Metcalf. Rotary District 6860 governor Martin Uptain of Gardendale installed the new officers. He presented the club with a banner bearing the Rotary International theme for the new club year: “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.” The Homewood club’s projects include a chalk art festival and bake sale during I Love

Photo special to the Journal

of the Department of Psychiatry at UAB, chairman of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee and chairman of psychiatry and dean of the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. He has received several honors and awards from his professional organizations, including membership on the Board of Regents of the American College of Psychiatrists, and is a Distinguished Life Member of the American Psychiatric Association. He served as president of the Southern Association for Psychiatric Research and was an examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for 25 years. Freeman is in private practice at Grayson and Associates in Birmingham, where he specializes in the treatment of mood disorders in adults. He also holds clinical professorships at Tulane University and the University of Tennessee.

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showing their appreciation

Friends of BBG Soiree Thanks Donors

riends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Donor Appreciation soiree Nov. 17 at the home of Lydia and Taylor Pursell. Some 100 donors attended the cocktail party and enjoyed an array of hors d’oeuvres provided by Whole more photos at Foods. Among guests were board members Tommy Amason and wife Yates, Lou Willie and wife Cindy Comford, Sheryl Kimerling and husband Jon, Tricia Noble, board president Henry Ray and wife Carolyn, Scott Walton and wife Kelley, Mary Williamson and husband Lex, Laurie Allen and Louise Wrinkle and husband John. The board also toasted new members Cathy Adams, Brian Barr, Tricia Holbrook and Barbara Burton, who will begin serving in 2012. ❖

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Those attending the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Donor Appreciation soiree included from left: Laurie Allen, Barbara Burton, Philippe Lathrop and Judy Crittenden Photos special to the Journal

Above: Among those at the party hosted at the home of Lydia and Taylor Pursell were from left: Don and Pat Cosper and Phillip Morris. Below: Also spotted enjoying the party were from left: Sheryl Kimerling, Leah Taylor, John Roberts and Tricia Holbrook.

Above: Enjoying the Friends of BBG Donor Appreciation party were from left: Ogden Deaton, Helen Harmon, Chris Harmon and Francie Deaton. Left: Also there were: Fred Spicer, Nancy Latimer and Lamar Latimer.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 15

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2011 HERITAGE BALL

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16 Debs Presented at Annual Holiday Ball

irmingham Debutante Club members were presented at the Heritage Ball hosted by their parents Nov. 25 in the East Room of the Country Club of Birmingham. A canopy of green and white flowers set the stage for the ball. For the tabletop arrangements, floral designer Buffy Hargett combined white delphiniums, calla lilies, roses and freesia in crystal vases, adding natural moss and grasses. Frosted candles and tiny white lights set the tone for a festive evening. Before the ball, the debutantes were presented by their fathers in a formal presentation for their

families in the living room. Ian Philips was master of ceremony while Judy Sargent, harpist, provided music. The presentees entered through an archway accented by white roses and smilax. After the formal presentation, guests danced to music from Atlanta Rhythm and Groove. Presentees and their dates were: Bess Ager with David Shelton, Tucker Bolvig with Matt Randle, Leonora Culp with Grier Bomar, Elizabeth DeBardeleben with Douglas Zeiger, Mallie Drew with Matthew Graham, Cille Kissel with Jan Egeman, Elizabeth

Left: Birmingham Debutante Club members presented at the Heritage Ball include, from left: Elizabeth Cunningham DeBardeleben, Margaret Alice Drew, Bess Bouchelle Ager and Martha Kennan Wood. Right: Heritage Ball debutantes include, from left: Sarah Laetitia Seibels, Leonora Carol Culp, Katherine Candler Shannon and Rebecca Lucille Kissel.

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Left: Among young women presented at the Heritage Ball were, from left: Virginia Pulis Rushton, Elizabeth Tucker Bolvig, Renny Ellen Ratliff and Clementine Corbin Lacey. Right: Making their debut at the Heritage Ball were, from left: Elizabeth Laurie Knapp, Stephanie Starr Robinson, Julia Jemison Matthews and Carson Lee Stewart.

Knapp with Tommy Brown, CeCe Lacey with Spencer Lacey, Jemison Matthews with Richard Baugh, Renny Ratliff with Charlie Crowther, Stephie Robinson with Elliott Mills, Virginia Rushton with Daniel Toulson, Sarah Seibels with

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Richard Firth, Kate Shannon with Nick Vannoy, Carlee Stewart with Taylor Arnold and Kennan Wood with Ryan Salisbury. Festivities for the college students started Nov. 23 with a

casual party at Ore hosted by 59 young men with whom the presentees attended high school. The young women were also honored by 10 of the debutantes’ grandmothers at a luncheon at the Country Club of Birmingham on the day of the ball. ❖

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The Junior Patrons of VSA Alabama ...

hosted an Acoustic Soup kickoff meeting Nov. 16 at the VSA Alabama art studio. The sixth annual Acoustic Soup will be Jan. 26 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. It will include a variety of soups, breads and appetizers prepared by many Birmingham chefs and restaurants. The event at WorkPlay Theatre will include music by the Big Tasties and the opportunity to take home a hand-painted bowl created by a VSA Alabama artist. Alison Lewis, De Laurence Burnes and Jan Walsh will serve as soup judges. Participating restaurants include Ashley Mac’s, Avo, B&A Warehouse, Bistro V, Chef U, Dram Whiskey Bar, Jackson’s Bar and Bistro, Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar, Lucy’s Coffee and Tea, Max’s Delicatessen and Vino. Tickets are $35 each or $60 a pair. All proceeds benefit VSA Alabama to support arts programming for children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Tickets are available at www. acousticsoup2012.eventbrite.com or at the door the night of the event. For more information, contact Meagan Vucovich at 307-6300 ext.12 or meagan@vsaalabama. org.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 17

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Junior Patrons of VSA Alabama at an Acoustic Soup kickoff meeting include, front, from left: Paige Vandiver, event chairman; Tiffany Summerville Adams; Meagan Vucovich, VSA Alabama project coordinator; president Katie Suttle Weinert; and Janie Jones. Back: Pat Phillips; �� Cappy Ratcliff; Tom Sheffer of Jackson’s, Avo and Dram; and Ellen �� Durham. Photo special to the Journal � cocktail reception followed by �� dinner and dance performances by Barbara O’Neal Eddleman, swing; Frank Falkenburg, chaNov. 7 at The Club. A sold-out cha; Dr. Harold Jones, swing; crowd attended the high-energy Dr. Emily Omura, cha-cha; the salute to seniors. Hon. Oliver Robinson, rhumba; Presented by Alacare Home and Jane Kaul Wilson, waltz. Health and Hospice and Blue Fabian and Jackie Sanchez, Cross and Blue Shield of owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Alabama, the event benefited the Studio in Hoover, were choreogUAB Center for Aging. raphers and dance partners for The evening began with a each performer. Brenda Ladun

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Above: Committee members for the Dancing with Sliver Stars were from left: Ronne Hess, Sandy Tilt, Esther Schuster, Elise Penfield, Lydia Cheney. Left: Performers at the event included Barbara O’Neal Eddleman and Fabian Sanchez. Photos special to the Journal from ABC 33/40 and Shelley Stewart from o2ideas were emcees. Midway through the event, a “flash mob” broke out to the tune of “Shake Your Tail Feathers” led by the Sugar Babies, who also closed out the evening with an upbeat tap routine to “Shake Your Groove Thing” that brought everyone onto the dance floor. Planning the evening were Lydia Cheney, Ronne Hess, Elise Penfield, Esther Schuster and Sandy Tilt. John Beard, there with wife Louise, and Lynn Campisi, there with Mark McGarvey, were sponsorship chairmen. The event raised almost $140,000 to support UAB research into older adult health issues. Funds will also underwrite support services for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, participants in UAB’s Geriatric Scholar Program for nurses and other health care professionals and

physician education in geriatric care and emergency assistance for needy older adults. Among those at the event were Herman and Emmie Bolden, Caroline Ireland, Tom Schultz, Robert and Joie Jones, Harry Vickers, Cameron and Scott Vowell, Barbara and Catherine Shepherd and Doug and Sandy Tilt. Also there were Donald and Ronne Hess, Gorman Jones, Virginia Reckoff, Esther Schuster and Allen Shealy, Lydia Sokol and Jim Cheney, Elise Penfield, Neal and Anne Berte, Bill and Connie Mills. Mary Lee Abele, Bruce and Margaret Alexander, John and Nance Kohnen, Ann Bussian and Jon and Teri Vice.

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annual “Finish the Fight” Iron Bowl Party to benefit the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. School loyalty was put aside to support UAB’s GI cancer research efforts, under the direction of Dr. Martin J. Heslin and his team of research physicians. In the midst of the crowd were mascots Big Al and Aubie, who led supporters in cheers and chants. Honored for their continued support of the Reed Foundation’s fundraising efforts were event chairmen Elizabeth and Tom Jernigan. Tom emphasized to the crowd the importance of supporting the Reed Foundation’s mission, which is to find a cure for GI cancer. Volunteers Fenn Church, Lillian Somers, John Day, David Faulkner and Bobby Howard were recognized for their leadership and hard work throughout the year. They assisted with raising research dollars and GI cancer awareness in the community. The inaugural Lessley Oliver Hynson award was presented to Lessley Hynson for the letter writing campaign she and her husband Robert conduct every year on behalf of the Reed Foundation. B.L. Harbert and Sandy and Don Logan sponsored this year’s event. They have played an important role in the growth of the foundation and expanding fundraising efforts to reach hundreds of supporters. For the Iron Bowl party, B&A was transformed into a football venue by Jody Sparks, Annella Waldrup and Sally Powell. Silent auction items included trips to Paris, Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Deer Valley, San Francisco, San Diego, Napa Valley and more. Furs from Gus Mayer sold for a premium, along with paintings, jewelry, household items, sports memorabilia and a 2012 Yamaha PW50, donated by Big #1 Motor Sports. The party included music by the Fountain City Players Band and a cocktail buffet. For more information about the Robert E. Reed Foundation, visit www.reedgifoundation.com or call Kathi Ash, executive director at 427-5085. ❖

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Above: Hilltop Montessori School supporters who attended Hilltop on the Green included, from left: Martha Kay Griffith, Cindi Stehr and Ana Diaz. Left: Also there were: Dr. Michael Wilensky and Michele Scott.Photos special to the Journal

Hilltop Montessori School hosted ...

its annual fundraiser, Hilltop on the Green, Nov. 21 at Old Overton Club. The event was attended by 130 guests, who dined on miniature crab cakes, prime rib and shrimp and grits while listening to a jazz band quartet conducted by Max Stehr. Jack Granger and Joey Longoria of Granger, Thagard and Associates conducted a live auction. Popular bidding items included a week in Ireland won by Matthew and Melissa Ipsan, a romance package with Bromberg’s jewelry won by Burt and Regina Newsome and a trip to Alys Beach won by Dr. Carol Smith. ��

The Birmingham Music Club presented the ...

Westmoreland Parlor Concert Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

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Michael J. and Maryanne Freeman sponsored the event at the home of Samford University President Andy Westmoreland. The concert was limited to 100 guests and was sold out. Featured vocalists Joe and Suzanne Hopkins were accompanied by the Samford String Quartet and guitarist Michael Patilla. Guests enjoyed an array of refreshments after the concert. Among the guests were Wyatt and Susan Haskell, Elouise Williams, Malcolm Miller, Harry and Jeannie Bradford, Andy and Jeanna Westmoreland, Thad and Carolyn Long, Chandler and Jane Paris Smith, Marsha Drennen, Tommy Blackwell, Deborah O’Connor, Emily Omura, David and Kay Clark, Janis Zeanah, Jean Hurley, Pringle and Kathie Ramsey, Fran Gatch, Edward and Judy Wiggins, Lena Knight, Rosemarie Ippolito, Vernon and Sylvia Patrick and Ron and Randi Bourdages.

Above: At the Junior League of Birmingham’s Shop, Save and Share’s Cocktails, Couture and Cooking were from left: Kevin Harper of Ameriprise Financial, one of Shop, Save & Share’s corporate sponsors and Adrian and Mark Hughes. Left: Chef Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club gave a cooking demonstration at the Junior League’s Shop, Save and Share kickoff party.

The Junior League of Birmingham raised ...

approximately $91,000 through the sale of its Shop, Save and Share card. Proceeds will support the league’s 35 community projects aimed at improving the lives of women and children in Birmingham. Shoppers purchased the cards for a $40 donation and received a 20 percent discount from participating local retailers and restaurants Oct. 26-Nov. 6. More than 500 stores across central Alabama partnered with the Junior League of Birmingham this year. The fundraiser began in 2006 with 88 stores. The week of shopping kicked off with Cocktails, Couture and Cooking Oct. 27 at the Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds. The event included cooking demonstrations by award-winning Chef

Photo special to the Journal

Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club. More than 300 guests had the opportunity to meet Miss Alabama 2011 Courtney Porter. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served as Birmingham stylist Tracy Robinson of www.chicmadesimple.com emceed an evening fashion show featuring clothes from Grand River shops. Junior League members modeled fall fashions from Nine West, Talbots, DKNY, Maurices, Banana Republic, Gap, Dress Barn, Naturalizer and Kasper. The card featured retailers, restaurants and services throughout the Birmingham area, including the U.S. 280 corridor, Mountain Brook, Pepper Place, Trussville, Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, Alabaster, The Summit and the Outlet Shops of Grand River.

Many online vendors and retailers also participated in the sale this year. For more information about the Junior League of Birmingham, visit www.jlbonline.com.

Cherokee Rose Garden Club members ...

gathered Oct. 25 at Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery at Pepper Place for their meeting. Charlie’s talk centered around fall planting and winter gardening. He demonstrated the effect of combining different plants and inspired the visiting gardeners to be more creative in choosing color and texture for their garden. Box lunches were prepared by

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co-hostesses: Madalon Rushing, Becky Rollins, Martha Davis and Carolyn Neiman. Members enjoying the outing: Karen Clenney, Helen Cocoris, Laura Colebeck, Martha Davis, Ann Dodson, Denise Dodson, Kim Edmunds, Jean Eleazer, Elizabeth Ezell, Martha Hastings, Lauren Hayes, Beth Henderson, Rosemarie Ippolito, Sadie Jackson, Nancye Lawrence, Barbara Matthews, Nancy Mauldin, Carolyn Neiman, Nelda Osment, Patricia Papapietro, Sylvia Patrick, Becky Rollins, Madelon Rushing, Nan Russell, Phyllis Russell and Gloria Yarbrough. The club’s new officers for 2011-2012 are: Denise Dodson, treasurer; Phyllis Russell, parliamentarian; Carolyn Neiman, corresponding secretary; Laura Colebeck, second vice president; Madelon Rushing, first vice president; and Lauren Hayes, president.

The Vestavia Hills Senior Dancers held ...

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 21

SOCIAL

Merry Christmas!

The Cherokee Rose Garden Club new officers for 2011-2012 gathered around Charlie Thigpen. New officers are from left: Denise Dodson, treasurer; Phyllis Russell, parliamentarian; Carolyn Neiman, corresponding secretary; Laura Colebeck, second vice president; Madelon Rushing, first vice president; and Lauren Hayes, president.

a Patriotic Dinner Dance honoring all members of the military, past and present, at the Vestavia Hills Senior Citizen Lodge on Veterans Day evening.

Thirty of the approximately 100 seniors who attended were veterans. Guests saw an exhibit of military mementos. Gloria Hudson displayed a patch quilt, which included identification of unit and rank. Also on display were old photos, original coats with medals and a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Dick Paxton, along with 19

other World War II veterans, led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by salutes to all military branches. Harold Thompson presented American flags to each veteran. Gene Rogowski, formerly a member of the Army Band, provided music for dancing. The Vestavia Hills Senior Dancers recently donated $500 to CAT (Collision Avoidance Training), a safe driving program for teens sponsored by the Vestavia Hills Police Department. ❖

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Vestavia Hills Senior Dancers at a Veterans Day dinner dance included, from left: Bob Gellock, Virgil Mitchell, Kyle Elliott, Dick Paxton, Tony Koski, Robert McMillan, Sal Theriot and Perry Hays.

Photo special to the Journal

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20% OFF Any Chemical Service new clients only exp. 3/12 From page 22: First row from left: Anne Elise Hogue, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; CC Hahn, Second Grade, Crestline Elementary; Mary Caitlin Russell, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Liv Kimisar, Fifth Grade, Highlands School. Second row: Audrey Colabrese, Fifth Grade, Gwin Elementary; Eli Standard, First Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Genevieve Doucet, Second Grade, Highlands School; Campbell Miller, Fifth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Alex Pitts, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary. Third row: Esmeralda Soto-Ceballos, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Patrick McDonald, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate; Alex Baskin, Second Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Celie Jackson, Fourth Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary. Fourth row: Chandler Cooke, Fifth Grade, Spring Valley School; Nicholas Pfarner, Second Grade, St. Francis Xavier; C. Simms Berdy, Third grade, Advent Episcopal; Anna Armstrong, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Alexander Curtest Stokes, Fourth Grade, Crestline Elementary. Fifth row: April Jenkins, Third Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Breanna King, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary; Jackson Wallace, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Austin Powell, First Grade, Gwin Elementary. Sixth row: Taylor Boyen, Second Grade, Highlands School; Owen Willims, Second Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Anna Strohm, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Jackson Rowlen, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary. This page: First row from left: James Lard, Kindergarten, Shades Cahaba Elementary; Elle Hamer, Second Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary; Anna Kate Driver, First Grade, St. Francis Xavier. Second row: Cameron Norris, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Caplan Bashinsky, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Elise Stockli, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 25

From page 24: First row from left: Bobby Mosely, Third Grade, Green Valley Elementary; Erin Lutomski, Third Grade, Gwin Elementary; Hannah Crittenden, Third Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Nora Barton, First Grade, Highlands School. Second row: Annabelle Bridges, Fifth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Annie LaRussa, Third Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Anthony Nunez, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Lily Byler, First Grade; Rocky Ridge Elementary; Miki Kato, Fourth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate. Third row: Mary Eliza Beaumont, Fifth Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary; Cecila Wright, First Grade, St. Francis Xavier; Owen Filler, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal School; Will Grant, Third Grade, Crestline Elementary. Fourth row: Kana Luecke, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Emma Harrington, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Jack Nelson, Third Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Rachel Simms, Third Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Megan Smiley, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate. Fifth row: Mira McCool, Kindergarten, Shades Cahaba; Devin Wilkins, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal: Bragen Mahaffey, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Gray Gibson, Kindergarten, Crestline Elementary School. Sixth row: Leta Wang, Fifth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Madison Conner, Second Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Jordan Holland, Third Grade, Hall Kent; Peyton Allen, Fourth Grade, Highlands School; Isabelle Passman, Fourth Grade, Liberty Park. This page: First row from left: Lawsie Jolly, Second Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Zachary Coon, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Seona Griffith, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary. Second row: Asmaa Antar, Second Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Aiyana Reardon, Kindergarten, Shades Cahaba Elementary; Sidney White, Second Grade, St. Francis Xavier.

WHO WE ARE For over 30 years, The King’s Home has provided support to thousands of youth, women and children seeking refuge, help and hope from many of life’s most difﬁcult circumstances – abuse, neglect, abandonment and homelessness. Along with sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we provide valuable life-skills training and biblical counseling services to help our residents heal from their devastating past, break the cycle of abuse, build healthy relationships and become independent, productive members of society.

We Need Your Usable Clothes and Household Items

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Making A List?

From page 26: First row from left: Fleming Mabry, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Hannah Roquet, Third Grade, Green Valley Elementary; Dalal Zeinoy, Fifth Grade, Gwin Elementary; Emma Davis, Second Grade, Hall Kent Elementary. Second row: Will Lisenby, Kindergarten, Highlands School; Belle Drummond, Third Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Ashton Taylor, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Jeremiah Turpin, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate; Brittany Gillispie, Fifth Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary. Third row: Kaytie Bennett, Fifth Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Blair Smith, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Phoebe Gentry, Second Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Nancy North, Fourth Grade, Crestline Elementary School. Fourth row: Mary Callen, Third Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Dehreon Lewis, Fifth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Marcus Davis, First Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Sydney Porter, First Grade, Highlands School; Evey Hill, Kindergarten, Liberty Park. Fifth row: Henry Horn, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Emily Faircloth, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Kaylee Bass, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate; Sarah Smith, First Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary. Sixth row: Haydon Strider, Second Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Sam Pittmen, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Evie Fletcher, Third Grade, St. Francis Xavier; Emily Straughn, First Grade, Crestline Elementary School; Patrick Harris, Third Grade, Hall Kent Elementary. This page: First row from left: Neal Carlson, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Eugenie Allen Phillips, Fourth Grade, Crestline Elementary School; Hannah Hensarling, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary. Second row: Sheyla Sos, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Ruby Casillas, First Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Julia Grace King, Kindergarten, Highlands School. Third row: Elizabeth Conner, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Madeline Hubbert, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Elizabeth Standifer, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal. Fourth row: Evelyn Lopez-Reyes, Third Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Yeshenia Perez, Third Grade, St. Francis Xavier; James Isreal, First Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary. Fifth Row: Winston Porter, Fifth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Sophia Biggio, Fourth Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary, Melody Cavinder, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary.

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First row from left: Mar Perez, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Olivia Pope, Third Grade, Highlands School; Sarah Alice Morgan, First Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Zoë Yearout, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal. Second row: Abby Fowler, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; K.C. Owens, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Sarah Beaube, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Caroline Kacker, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Jack Mayberry, Fourth Grade, Gwin Elementary School. Third row: Reina Salama, Second Grade, Hall Kent; Ella Speaker, Second Grade, Highlands School; Madeline Dodd, Fourth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Jessica Brouillette, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary. Fourth row: Abbi Lombard, First Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Tiger Lily Taylor, First Grade, Shades Cahaba; Kynze Estis, Second Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary; Jadyn Hudson, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Chris Gilliland, Fifth Grade, Oak Mountain Intermediate. Fifth row: Lynette Garcia, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Sarah Danie, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Makena Muggeo, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Margaret Polk, Fifth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary. Sixth row: Saki Takamori, Kindergarten, Oak Mountain Elementary; Sarah Kachelhofer, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary.

Yau-Smith

Pamela Sei-Chone Yau and Bill Ira Lyndel Smith were married July 9 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood. Dr. Dave Barnhart of Trinity United Methodist and Pastor Steve Blair of Church of the Highlands officiated. A reception followed at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Yau of Memphis, Tenn. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Yao Chu Shu Nge and the late Mr. Yao Cheong Shun of Hong Kong and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Chin of Memphis.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 29

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

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The groom is the son of Mr. Jeffrey Lyndel Smith and Mrs. Jennifer Conner Smith of Homewood. He is the grandson of Mrs. Iladean Conner and the late Mr. Billie Sam Conner of Birmingham and Mrs. Shirley Eleanor Smith and the late Mr. Lyndel Beverly Smith of Lake Forest, Calif. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a formal strapless sweetheart neckline gown of ivory English netting and reembroidered Alencon lace. Motifs of Alencon lace were scattered delicately over the skirt and semicathedral-length train. Her cathedral-length veil of imported silk English netting was edged with a narrow band of satin ribbon that trailed to a band of re-embroidered Alencon lace. For the reception, the bride wore a strapless sweetheart neckline fit and flare styled gown of ivory organza. Rolled rosettes of torn organza sustach covered the entire gown and the chapel-length train, while demi rhinestones graced the center of each rosette. The maid of honor was Stephanie Yau, sister of the bride, of Memphis. Matrons of honor were Jennifer Yau Dai and Melissa Yau Gray, sisters of the bride, of Memphis.

Bridesmaids were Heidi Smith Maple, sister of the groom, and Sharon Loggins Smith, sister-in-law of the groom, both of Homewood; Grace Gwo Chang, Elizabeth Wyatt Doty, Christen Lea Sloderbeck and Natalie Lauren Wiechman, all of Birmingham. Flower girls were Meredith Regan Dai, Kandace Emily Dai and Leighton Taylor Gray, nieces of the bride, of Memphis and Liv Estella Maple, niece of the groom, of Homewood. The father of the groom was the best man. Groomsmen were Keith Jeffrey Smith, brother of the groom, and Jerry Francis Maple, brother-in-law of the groom, both of Homewood; William Edward Saunders of Columbus, Ohio; Samuel Howard Brasseale of Homewood; Jason Jeffrey Creel of Birmingham; Charles Harrison Jarrett of Odenville; and Joseph Brian Lee and Albert Gordon Morton, both of Vestavia Hills. The ring bearer was Lyndel Jackson Smith, nephew of the groom, of Homewood. After a honeymoon in St. Barts, the couple live in Homewood, where the bride teaches at Edgewood Elementary and the groom is CEO of Insight Card Services.

Knickrehm-Hall

sorority and Mortar Board. She is a 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a master’s degree in education. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn Hunkapiller of Gadsden and the late Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Caudell Hall of Montgomery. Mr. Hall graduated with honors in 2008 from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He is a superintendent at Brasfield and Gorrie General Contractors in Birmingham. The wedding is planned for January 21, 2012.

Lt. Colonel (retired) and Mrs. James Willis Knickrehm of Hoover announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Paige Knickrehm, to Benjamin Drew Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Hall of Hoover. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Owen Dawson and Mr. and Mrs. Jon Albert Knickrehm all of Huntsville. Miss Knickrehm is a 2009 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta

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Hallmark-Jones

Tommy and Linda Hallmark of Pelham, formerly of Homewood, announce the engagement of their daughter Lauren Grace Hallmark, to Bradley Shane Jones, son of Kathy Jones of Oak Mountain and the late John Jones of Oak Mountain. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Thomas and Nancy

Hallmark of Greystone and the late Mildred Kerr Haynes of Brompton. Miss Hallmark is a graduate of Homewood High School and Auburn University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising with a minor in business. She was a student member of the Women’s Philanthropy Board. She is employed with Pearl Ministries of Trussville. The prospective groom is the grandson of Nadine Deberry of Vancleave, Miss. and the late Kenneth Deberry of Vancleave and the late Wess and Theresa Jones of Vancleave. Mr. Jones is a graduate of Oak Mountain High School and Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is employed with Dreamcakes of Homewood. The wedding is planned for January 21, 2012.

Happy Holidays!

From the staff of Over the Mountain Journal We hope this holiday season is merry and bright for you! The Journal will take its annual holiday break, but will return with party pictures from the season as well as a wedding special section and health & fitness features on Jan. 12.

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SCHOOLS

T Officers of the Vestavia Hills Mayor’s Team Council include, from left: Connor Porterfield, Mary Jane Young, Judith Hornsby, Caroline Bottcher, Julia Dorr, Lucy Anne Link and Joanna Gaylard.

Photo special to the Journal

Vestavia Teen Council Starts 10th Year

he Vestavia Hills Mayor’s Teen Council began its 10th year with an organizational meeting to select officers. The group has 210 members who must earn a set number of points through service events and meeting attendance. New officers are Caroline Bottcher, president; Julia Dorr, girls’ vice president; Connor Porterfield, boys’ vice president; Judith Hornsby, treasurer; Lucy Anne Link and Joanna Gaylard, co-secretaries; and Mary Jane Young, historian. The group’s projects this year

Book Fair Aids Pratt City Library

This year’s Crestline Elementary Book Fair raised money for the school’s library and for a good cause. Students and parents donated more than $600 to the “One for Books” charity book drive. All money raised through $1 donations was used to purchase books for Brookville Elementary School in Pratt City. Crestline students who made donations were asked to make cards and place them on a banner outside the library. This year’s fair, held Nov. 1418, raised more money than ever before.

Student Starts Recycling Program

Oak Mountain High School students and employees now have access to more than 100 recycling bins, thanks to a new recycling program launched at the school this fall. Student Myrah Taylor spearheaded the project. As a senior working toward her Girl Scouts Gold Award, she wanted to do

Helping raise money for Brookville Elementary’s library at the Crestline Book Fair were, from left, front: Will Langley, Anna Langley, Ella Grace Bowers, Stanton Langley, Thomas Luttrell and Anna Brooks Bowers. Back: Mac Holman. Photo special to the Journal

something for the environment and knew her school did not have a recycling program. After her initial proposal was approved by principal Joan Doyle, teacher Tim Evans agreed to be her project advisor. Myrah began extensive work to generate additional community support and funding for the bins and disposal services. She met with several local business leaders, including Robert Kelly, manager of Shelby County

Myrah Taylor discusses her recycling project with Tim Evans, her project advisor. Thanks to Myrah’s project, Oak Mountain High School has access to more than 100 recycling bins. Photo special to the Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Environmental Service, to work out the details. She was able to get enough grant money to purchase the bins and detail them with the recycle symbol. The greatest donation was from Waste Pro, which committed its biweekly recycling pickup services to OMHS at no expense. Myrah, who began the program with paper recycling, said she hopes to eventually expand and include plastic and metal recycling.

Mass Celebration Honors Veterans

Veterans were honored Nov. 10 at a special Veterans Day Mass celebration at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School. OLS sixth grade students organized and participated in the school-wide liturgy. Guest priest Chorbishop Richard Saad from Saint Elias Maronite Church celebrated the Mass. Before Mass, a “Remembrance Table” was presented in honor of the sacrifices made by American soldiers and their families. The students covered a table with a white cloth to represent the purity of responding to the call of duty. A lemon wedge was placed on the plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate. Salt was sprinkled on the plate to

will include Rake-a-Difference, with members raking leaves for the elderly and disabled; assisting during Vestavia Hills’ Holiday in the Hills events, volunteering for the Vestavia Hills International Food Festival, organizing a Valentine’s party for senior citizens, fundraisers and more. President Caroline Bottcher said the group also aims to serve as a liaison between the mayor and youth in the community. This year, MTC officers will have an experience that mirrors the city council. Co-secretary

represent the tears of a soldier’s family waiting for their loved one to return. The children then pushed an empty chair to the table for the missing soldier. A glass was turned over to represent a meal that would not be eaten due to the soldier’s absence. The presentation continued with a black napkin symbolizing the emptiness left in the hearts of family members whose loved ones don’t return. A white candle was lit as an everlasting hope for a joyous reunion. Three roses were placed in a vase: a white rose for soldiers who returned alive, a yellow rose for those missing and a red rose for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The students placed a Bible on the table to represent one nation under God. The American flag was added as a reminder of soldiers’ sacrifices to ensure America’s freedom. After Mass, Lt. Col. James B. Bright, a retired U.S. Marine Corps member and father of two OLS students, shared his thoughts about Veterans Day with the congregation. In honor of veterans, OLS Boy Scout Troop 237 attended the liturgy in uniform. The Veterans Day Mass is an annual school celebration.

Lucy Anne Link has presented her first set of minutes to Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza, and Bottcher has served almost 10 hours planning and meeting with the mayor and staff, setting up communications, assisting with record keeping and conducting the first MTC meeting. The Teen Council began in 2002 when parent Rowena Wilson approached then-Mayor Charles A. “Scotty” McCallum about starting a Mayor’s Club that would serve as a teen board. Her son Ryan Hagen served as the group’s first president. ❖

Mallory Pitts, left, was selected to sing with the 2012 American Choral Directors’ Southern Division Middle School Honor Choir. With Mallory is LPMS choir teacher Heather Cantwell.

Photo special to the Journal

LPM’s Pitts Named to Honor Choir

Mallory Pitts, an eighth grader at Liberty Park Middle School, was recently selected to sing with the 2012 American Choral Directors’ Southern Division Middle School Honor Choir. She was the only student from Alabama to receive this honor. To be eligible for the award, Pitts had a blind audition. She had to sing two songs and two

Retired Lt. Col. James B. Bright of the U.S. Marine Corps and members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School Cub Scout Troop 237 participated in a special Mass celebration in honor of veterans. Photo special to the Journal

scales and submit her own CD. Heather Cantwell, LPM choir director, helped her with this process. In February, Pitts will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to rehearse with other students from middle schools throughout the Southeast. A culminating performance will be held in March. Pitts began singing with her church choir at age three. In fifth grade, she sang with the Liberty Park Singers, and she has performed with the Liberty Park Middle School choir in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. She takes private voice lessons from Darla Mosteller.

Shades Cahaba Students Work on Math Skills

Students at Shades Cahaba Elementary are given monthly opportunities to complete a Daily Dose Math Calendar to strengthen their math skills. The names of those who choose to participate are put in a drawing for an extra dose of Learning Enhancement and Academic Design, or LEAD time.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 31

SCHOOLS

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This month, students were given the opportunity to explore with “Super Bubbles.”

Students Excel At Math Tourney

Forty-one Simmons and Berry Middle School students traveled to Cedar Ridge in Decatur for the first math tournament of the year. The students won five team trophies for being in the top five of their respective grades. Berry’s teams won a second place and two third place awards. Simmons came in sixth, second and fourth. Simmons’ Arrebah Nur had a perfect ciphering score. On the written test, Simmons’ Lucy Wang and Berry’s Joon Shin had the highest scores for the eighth grade. Seventh grade leaders were Amy Zhang and Mariam Massoud for Simmons and Jack Gutshall for Berry. All three were awarded medals. Sixth grade leaders were Barret Pickering of Berry, a medal winner, and Andy Kong of Simmons.

Chavers Wins Farm/ City Contest

SCOUTS SUPPORT KOMEN RACE

Reagan Chavers, a Greystone Elementary fifth grader, was a winner in this year’s Farm/ City Week poster contest. Regan won in the fourthsixth grade category. The week before Thanksgiving is recognized Reagan Chavers nationally as Farm/City Week. Jefferson County Farmers Federation sponsors a poster contest for elementary students. This year’s theme, “Harvesting Healthy Choices,” encouraged students to consider the healthy food choices provided through locally grown produce and modern agricultural practices. At a dinner held at the Wynfrey Hotel, the winning students received $100, and their teachers received $100 to be used in their classrooms. The posters will be sent to Montgomery to be entered in a state competition. ❖

Several members of Homewood Girl Scout Troop 140 and one little brother volunteered at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure as “cureleaders.” They cheered for and encouraged participants as they went by. Cureleaders included, from left: Emma Standard, Oakin Cloud, Ashley Hurst, Ella Cloud, Isabella Kimbrell and Alyssa Baylon. Photo special to the Journal

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Shades Cahaba Elementary student Anna Prchal participates in a project to strengthen her math skills. Photo special to the Journal

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Evan Turner Trey Saunders Julia Naftel Nathan Krueger Steven Valenti Troy Saunders Andrew Naftel Will Krueger Joseph Valenti Caroline Savage William Nall Noah Kusibab Nathan Vance Jackson Savage Will Nickolson Janie Kyle Garrett Vance Ben Savage Noah Nickolson Brett Lancaster Marcus Vance Mary Beth Schabacker Claudia Nickolson Arthur Langley Alyssa Vess Katie Schabacker Mary Brandon Langley Grayton Norrell Christopher Vizzina Gracie Schabacker Lexie Northcutt Lilly Langley Gigi Volman Destiny Schultes Taylor Old Jack Langloh Brannon Volman Cole Senn Madeline Oldham Amy Laughlin William Wade Kennedy Shaner Jeremiah Orr Ian Ledbetter Louis Wade Emma Grace Shiflett Lily Owsley Mary Cecilia Ledbetter Jack Wagstaff Julissa Sierra Hughes Pardue Alek Letchman Ana Wagstaff Jessica Sierra Henry Pardue Molly Lindberg Sarah Frances Walker Bryan Sierra Will Pardue Molly Lindberg Elizabeth Walker Tyler Grey Sims Mackenzie Parlier Morgan Lineberry Emmett Walker Taylor Sims Mitchell Parlier Brianna Lipp �� Wyatt Wallis Emily Sink Mason Parlier Ellie Lipp �� AJ Ward Andrew Sink Mariah Parlier Mary Clark Logan Kaleb Washam Mary Carolyn Sink Lorelie Pate Grace Logan William Weaver Sarah Sladick Kaitlyn Pearce Alice Loveman Gaines Weaver Laura Spann Hannah Pearce Patrick Lucas Ema Weaver Mary Spann Samantha Pearce Kerry Lyons Carson Weldon Caitlin Speake Anna Lisa Pflaum Champ Lyons Connor Weldon Nicholas Speake Jack Pflaum Rodney Major Katherine West Gracie Spivy Michael Pittman Jameria Major Meg West Sam Sransky Melissa Pittman Madayln Martin Jalen Whisenhunt Mary Lou Sransky Maddie Pope Kinsey Martin Justin Whisenhunt John Sransky Taylor Pope Elle Martin Margan Mackenzi White Jeremy Blake Staggs Tegan Pope Mae Martin Kaelyn White Jane Perry Starling Katlyn Preston George Martin Dewey Wilbanks Walker Starling Kayla Price Kennedy Martin Katy Wilbanks Elizabeth Steele Carson Purdy Kennedy Martin Clark Wilkinson DJ Steele Reese Purdy Jessica Mau Palin Wilkinson Owen Stevens Allison Putman Rachel Mau Weston Williams Walton Stivender Jody Putman Peyton Mayo Jake Williams Elllie Claire Sullivan Leslie Putman Devyne Mayo Xavier Williams Isabel Swoger Salam Qashou Hunter Rose Mayo Olivia Williams Mac Swoger Jenna Qashou Jalen Mays Myles Williams Alex Tam Tyler Queen Jaleel Mays Hayes Windle Christina Tam Tucker Queen Ebony Mays Jack Windle Dexter Tanner Walker Ray Russell McBee Lucy Windle Hannon Tatarek Brooks Redo Le’Nardis McClain Miller Winford Christopher Tatarek Worthey Reich Robin McDaniel Justin Woodall Quinn Thomas Hudson Reich Amy McDaniel Shayna Woods Ellie Thomas Kate Rhea Holly McDaniel Shaylan Woods Delaney Thomas Ellie Rhea Abby McElheny Shelby Woods Amari Thompson Daniel Rhea Miles McGilberry Gracie Yates Amy Thorington Thatcher Rickertsen Peyton McGilberry Madeleine Yates Emma Jean Threlkeld Caleb Rigdon Elizabeth McGlynn Augusta Yearout Sawyer Tindall Nathan Rigdon Matthew McGlynn Alexandra Yearout Mathis Tindall Emma Robertson Clare McPherson Carter Zadick Barrett Tindall Carson Robinett Helen McPherson Tommy Zadick Mary Chandler Robinett Autumn Tolbert Henry McPherson Will Zadick Mariella Tombo Chase Robinett Maggie McPherson Kaitlyn Zeek Chloe Tombo Keirsten Rogers Emily Meeks Kane Zeller Carly Tombo Kaitlin Rogers Mary Katherine Meeks Andrew Tombo McKinley Rohrer Claire Merkle Jacob Tombo James Rooney Anna Merkle William Traweek Anna Rooney Julia Milam Abigail Traweek Hunter Ross Luke Mills Olivia Tucker Maddie Ross Paul Mills

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32 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

SCHOOLS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

and works with the people of Vredenburgh on a daily basis. She is with the Order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester in New York. Last year, the girls in Vredenburgh decided they wanted to be cheerleaders. Sister Kathy was able to find money for uniforms. Kasey and her friends visited Vredenburgh recently to teach the new squad cheers, chants and a dance. Joining Kasey were fellow John Carroll varsity cheerleaders Roxy Rodriguez, a senior, and Haley Vise, a sophomore. Sister Kathy arranged for 15 girls to participate.

Samford Students Help At VHEW

Highland School recently was granted a Confucius Classroom through Troy University’s Confucius Institute. With Kathryn Woodson Barr, head of Highlands School, is Dr. Earl Ingram, Troy University senior vice chancellor. Photo special to the Journal

Highlands Granted Confucius Classroom

Highlands School has been granted a Confucius Classroom through Troy University’s Confucius Institute in Troy. The Confucius Institute is funded by Hanban, an organization in Beijing, China, whose mission is to share the Mandarin language and Chinese culture throughout the world. Highlands School currently is the only school in the Birmingham area, one of two schools in Alabama and one of about 20 U.S. independent schools with this designation. The Confucius Classroom gives Highlands the technology and other resources that Hanban provides. Highlands School teaches Mandarin Chinese to students from preschool through eighth grade. The grant will help Highlands improve and enrich its program. Through the grant, Highlands can also explore the possibility of seventh and eighth graders attending summer camp in Beijing and fifth through eighth graders and their parents traveling to China.

JCCHS Students Cheer on New Squad

Students from John Carroll Catholic High School recently visited a new cheerleading squad in Vredenburgh, offering instruction to help the new cheerleaders organize their efforts. Kasey Rumbarger, a junior and cheerleader at John Carroll, heard about the new team and asked some of her fellow cheerleaders to help. Vredenburgh, a southwest Alabama community, is approximately three hours from John Carroll. The town was built more than a generation ago largely for employees who worked at the local DuPont Chemical plant. Though the plant closed years ago, most of the residents stayed. Adults have a hard time finding work. Children have to be bussed to school 30 minutes away. Kasey is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover, which “adopted” Vredenburgh several years ago. The church creates an Angel Tree for town residents and takes Easter baskets and back-to-school supplies to the town. Kasey’s father is on a board that is building a library and community structure in Vredenburgh. Sister Kathy Navarra lives

Samford University student athletes recently volunteered at Vestavia Hills Elementary West. Sabbath McKiernan-Allen and Kaley Blanton visited Connie Allen’s third grade class at VHEW to help students with reading and math. McKiernan-Allen is a junior majoring in early education. Blanton, also a junior, is majoring in exercise science. Both students play soccer for Samford. The student athletes plan to continue volunteering at the school through the end of the semester in an effort to be more involved in the Vestavia community.

MBHS Musicians Make Honor Band.

Twenty-six Mountain Brook High School Spartan Band members were recently selected to the 2011 UAB High School Honor Band Festival. The students were chosen from outstanding applicants across Alabama and the South. Some 300 students are invited to participate. The festival is December 810. The concert is Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Jemison Concert Hall of the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Samford student athlete volunteer Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, right, visited Vestavia Hills Elementary West to help third graders with reading and math. Photo special to the Journal

Mountain Brook High School band members named to the UAB Honor Band are, from left, front: Denise Horton, Julia Lott, Caroline Kilpatrick, Rafi Goldsmith, William Pankey and Laura Semmes. Middle: Reese Williams, Stephanie Webster, Lillian Keith, Chandler Gory, Emma Nichols, Harrison Jones, Ben Webster and Tiyani Liu. Back: Ben Kraft, Steven Yin, Will Adkinson, Daniel Neville, Daniel Bolus and Trey Lockett. Not pictured are Nicole Edge, Azalyn Gunn, Aaron Shapiro, Anna Wheeler, Coleman Escue and Gregor Jenkins.

Author Visits Liberty Park Middle School, Discusses Writing

Liberty Park Middle School librarian Jean Deal and Eleanor Williams, author dinner chairman, worked together to trans-

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Author Cynthia Lord, front, was welcomed to Liberty Park Middle School by, from left: Jenni Pang, Mindy Bodenhamer, Leslie Sharbel, Ann Knight and Jean Deal. Photo special to the Journal

Photo special to the Journal

form the school cafeteria into a colorful setting for visiting author Cynthia Lord. Tables were decorated with goldfish swimming in glass bowls and blue iced cupcakes with rubber duck picks. The goldfish and ducks represented the cover of “Rules,” Lord’s Newbery Honor book. Guests received barbecue box dinners with chips and slaw. The boxes were decorated with duck images drawn by students in teacher Shaymon Cain’s art classes. The school’s jazz band, under the direction of Travis Bender, provided pre-dinner music. At the dinner, Lord spoke about the writing process and encouraged audience members not to give up on their dreams. She said it took her six years to get her first book published. One hundred and fifty people attended the dinner, including several librarians from the Vestavia Hills, Shelby County and Leeds school systems. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOLIDAY CARDS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 33

34 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

HOLIDAY CARDS

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First row from left: Stephanie Drew, Fourth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Molly Eanes, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Luke Smith, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Rhianna Helmers, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal. Second row: Mary Caroline Styles, Fourth Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Wills Frazer, Kindergarten, Mountain Brook Elementary; Frances Isom, Third Grade, Crestline Elementary School; Kaleb Reid, Third Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Polly Hayden Forrestall, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary. Third row: Megan Hicks, Fourth Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Nadeem Jaber, Second Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Nicholas Muscolino, Fifth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Payton Flynn, Third Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary. Fourth row: Weesa Keller, Fourth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Joseph Edwards, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Kate Robinson, Kindergarten, Edgewood Elementary; Gavin Nelson, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Xander Glenn, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary. Fifth row: Billy Radney, First Grade, Shades Cahaba; Brigid Sullivan, First Grade, St. Francis Xavier; Jackson Springfield, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Victor Boyd, Third Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary. Sixth row: Tate Dungan, Second Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary; Leah Mancuso, Third Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 35

HOLIDAY CARDS

Dr. David Sarver, DMD, MS

welcomes

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First row from left: Catherine Johnson, First Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Audrey Roller, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Lauren Walston, Fourth Grade, Crestline Elementary School. Second row: Lorelai Bland, First Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Rowland Fournier, First Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Maggie Heath, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary. Third row: Carter Price, Second Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Emily Franklin, Fifth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Olivia Rodgers, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School. Fourth row: George Jennings, First Grade, Hall Kent Elementary; Katherine Ratliff, Fifth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Matthew Womack, First Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary.

�� to the practice of Sarver Orthodontics

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36 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

HOLIDAY CARDS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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First row from left: Kierson McDonald, First Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Alexa Glover, Edgewood Elementary; Edwin Martinez, Kindergarten, Edgewood Elementary; Francie Bondner, Second Grade, Highlands School. Second row: Adeline Carroll, Third Grade, Advent Episcopal; Ava Hines, First Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Brianna Lowery, First Grade, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Cherileen Henry, Fourth Grade, Green Valley Elementary School; Hudson Andrews, Second Grade, Gwin Elementary School. Third row: Connor Dobbins, Fifth Grade, Liberty Park Elementary; Owen Riley, Fifth Grade, Mountain Brook Elementary; Trey Kocks, First Grade, Oak Mountain Elementary; Susie Whitsett, Kindergarten, Shades Cahaba Elementary. Fourth row: Connor Neal, Fifth Grade, Spring Valley School; Macy Gann, Fifth Grade, Edgewood Elementary; Isabella Fulton, First Grade, Crestline Elementary School. Fifth row: Lena Hammond, Fourth Grade, Gwin Elementary School; Ocllo Kuwica, First Grade, Highlands School; Chloe Engle, Fifth Grade, Shades Cahaba Elementary. Sixth row: Sydney Le, Fifth Grade, Rocky Ridge Elementary.

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 37

Lady Bucs Roll to Swim Title, Set New Relay Record BY LEE DAVIS

JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

Vestavia Wins JSYFL Championship

The Vestavia Rebels 105lb. (White) team defeated Hoover 21-7 to win the JSYFL Championship. The win capped off an impressive 11-0 undefeated season for the Rebels, which featured a stingy defense allowing only 2.5 points per game and an offense that averaged 25 points per game. Team members include: Cap Bashinsky, John Sawyer Berryhill, Will Brooks, Clay Carroll, Thomas Cochran, Jadenreece Coffey, Benjamin Denny, Alex Dieguez, Jacob Gammill, Oliver Gilbert, Jackson Lee, Jake Levant, Mason Maners, Steve Olsen, Wilson Owen, Lawrence Shea, Aarren Smith, Cole Stacy, John Michael Stone, Peyton Walraven, Bennett Whisenhunt and Sam Willoughby. Rebel coaches are David Owen, Martin Maners, Tab Whisenhunt, Bill Levant, Jonathan Berryhill and Roger Dieguez.

Hoover 70lb. Wins JSYFL Title

The 70lb. Hoover Bucs defeated Vestavia in the championship game 36-8, to claim the JSYFL title. Members of the Hoover 70lb Bucs above are, from left, front row: Malachi Threatt, JT Lollar, Josh Peavy, Palmer Covin, Sky Niblett, Luke Bevel, Chrishuan Taylor, Mark Livingston, Logan Ware and Carson Church. Middle: Len’Darius Wood, Jeremy Cook, Braden Rosser, Jay Avery, Tyler Schneckenberger, Christian Stanberry, Nathan Townsend, R.J. Hamilton Jr, Kaleb Jackson, Peyton Argent and Jacob Lundy. Back: Mark Covin, assistant coach; Greg Blackman, head coach; Peter Bevel, assistant coach; Daniel Bray, assistant coach and Corey Harris, assistant coach (not pictured).

Robby Prater Signs Golf Scholarship with Alabama

Alabama head men’s golf coach Jay Seawell announced the signing of Robby Prater, right, to national letter of intent for the 2012 class on Thursday. Prater has had a successful high school and junior golf career in Birmingham, Ala. He helped lead Spain Park High School to three straight 6A Alabama State Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Prater was also the individual champion of the 2009 Alabama 6A State Championship as a freshman. Prater is ranked 42nd in the class of 2012 in the Golfweek Junior Boys rankings and 46th in the Polo Junior Golf rankings. He finished in the top 12 in six-

of-seven AJGA events, including a tie for sixth at the 2011 AJGA Junior at Oxmoor Valley, a tie for eighth at the 2011 Southern Junior

Members of the Homewood U-16 Freedom state championship team above are sitting, from left: Chris Castro, John Michael Brasher, Alex Rodriguez, Jordan Eppenger, Sidney Knight, Peter Trujillo, Peter Simpson, Justin Griffis and Henry Bernard. Ground: Frank Trujillo, Mascot. Standing: Mason Cook, coach, Sam Monroe, Ian Ross, Brooks Glover, Chris Simpson, Will Wood, Bain Rhodes, Merrill Johnston, Joseph Heeter and Michael Heeter.

Homewood U-16 Freedom Win State Title

The Homewood U-16 Freedom won the state championship in the Alabama Youth Soccer Association State Cup Tournament recently. This annual tournament is the only statewide soccer championship and as state champions Homewood will participate in the US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Presidents Cup.

Hoover 90lb. Beats Thompson to Claim Title

The 90lb. Hoover Bucs finished the season undefeated with an impressive 11-0 record downing Thompson in the title game 20-14 to win the JSYFL championship. Members of the Hoover 90lb. Bucs above are, from left, front row: Kobe Jackson, Marcus Williams, Josh Lundy, Ty Truett, Matthew Perkins, Alex Morton, Cade Franklin, Charlie McCary, Brian Porter, and Carter Milliron. Middle: DJ Fairley, Xavier Knight, Jamal Denson, Will Whisenhunt, Donald Martin, Brixen Freedman, Bradley Renfroe, Pierce Covin, Evan Warren, Josh Smith, Noah Rosser and Brandon Baker. Back: Joseph Lundy, assistant coach; Nate Knight, assistant coach; Jay Harman, head coach; Danny Warren, assistant coach; Wyatt Williams, assistant coach and Todd Whisenhunt, assistant coach. and a tie for fourth at the 2011 AJGA Junior. “We really like Robby and his competitiveness,” Seawell said. “He is the starting point guard on the basketball team and a great athlete. I really like his understanding of team and being a part of team sports. He brings a great deal of talent from a golf prospective.”

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oover added yet another blue state championship trophy to its large trophy case in early December. But this trophy wasn’t for football. The Lady Bucs swimming and diving team earned its second consecutive title at the state meet Dec. 3 at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center on the Auburn University campus. Hoover totaled 252 points to easily outdistance runner-up Grissom of Huntsville’s 165 total. The Lady Bucs’ foursome team of Claire Williams, Allison Smith, Natalie Swindle and Angela Chapman broke its state record set in last year’s meet -- with a new time in the 400-yard relay. The new mark was 3:35.08, which shattered the old record by a full three seconds. Williams, Smith, Swindle and Chapman also won the 200-yard freestyle medley. Chapman won the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley. Other area winners in the girls’ meet were Ginny Pittman of Homewood, who won the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke events: Madeline Held of Spain Park, who won the 100-yard freestyle medley; and Jordan Ames of Spain Park, who won the 500-yard freestyle. In boys’ individual competition, Will Freeman of Spain Park won the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle events, and the Jaguars’ Corey Holmes won the 50-yard freestyle.

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38 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

‘S and S’ Team Leads Spartans To Victory

BY LEE DAVIS JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

atti Sigurdarson and Mario Stramaglia may not be the easiest names to spell, but the pair of Mountain Brook Spartan basketball stars didn’t make anything easy for Thompson Friday night. Sigurdarson and Stramaglia scored a combined 51 points to lead the Spartans to a 63-58 win over the Warriors. Mountain Brook dominated the fourth quarter by a 16-6 margin to earn the victory. Sigurdarson led all scorers with 28 points. Stramaglia scored 23, including five three-point shots. The Spartans improved their record to 7-3. Spain Park defeated Oak Mountain 33-25. Robby Prater topped the Jaguars with 12 points. Graham McArthur had nine for the Eagles.

Hoover, from back cover

Prattville responded quickly, as Justin Thomas sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown on the next series. Gaither kicked the extra point, and the game was tied again at 14-14. Hoover rallied to regain the advantage, with Short scoring on a one-yard run. Real’s third successful conversion lifted the Bucs to a 21-14 halftime lead. Niblett’s team seemed to move into full command in the third period, when Kyler Jackson’s only carry of the game resulted in an 18-yard touchdown and pushed Hoover’s cushion to 28-14 with nine minutes remaining. On Prattville’s next possession, the Bucs’ defense forced a punt,

Season, from back cover

century. Led by backup quarterback Connor Short, Hoover overcame all its perceived shortcomings to come within a failed two-point attempt of its first championship since 2009. Ranking second as the season’s biggest story was Mountain Brook’s surprising perfect run through the regular season. Most predicted that the Spartans would be very competitive in 2011, but only the team’s most diehard fans would have predicted a 10-0 record. The regular season’s highlight was certainly the upset of Hoover, when Mountain Brook overcame a 9-7 halftime deficit to earn its sweetest victory in years. The Spartan players and coaches rightly credited a boisterous and wildly partisan home crowd as a major factor in the win over Hoover.

Briarwood earned a decisive 6137 win over Akron. Jason Laatsch had 21 points and six assists to lead the Lions. Eighteen of Laatsch’s total points came from three-point shots. Hoover routed Sunrise Mountain of Arizona 46-27 in the Majerle’s Basketball Challenge in Phoenix. Sam Hutcheson sparked Hoover with 12 points, and Eric Dansby scored 11 for the Bucs. Hewitt-Trussville defeated Homewood 54-47. Nyck Young paced the Patriots with 19 points. In girls’ play, the top-ranked Hoover Lady Bucs again reasserted themselves as one of the South’s premier basketball powers with a 55-38 demolition of Shades Valley on the Lady Mounties’ home court. Hoover’s Marqu’es Webb—a transfer from Brewbaker Tech— dominated in the middle, scoring 16 points, snatching 17 rebounds and blocking three shots. Chardonae

Fuqua added 11 points with four rebounds and three assists to the winning cause. Coach Donnie Quinn’s Lady Bucs ran their record to 7-1 for the season. Mountain Brook lashed Thompson 71-30. Mary Katherine Pinson led the Lady Spartans with 14 points, as the team improved its record to 7-2. Spain Park overwhelmed Oak Mountain 62-49. Jessica Freeman burned the nets with 39 points for the Lady Jaguars. Ashley Gaston added 10 points for Spain Park. Madison Pierce had 13 points for the Lady Eagles, and MacKenzie Garmany chipped in 12. Briarwood ripped Akron 6848. Abbie Cutcliffe scored 19 points for the Lady Lions. Hannah Wainwright added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Cara Medders had 14 points, and Elizabeth Scott bagged 10 rebounds. Briarwood ran its

record to 6-1. Bessemer City outlasted Vestavia Hills 49-40, despite 20 points from the Lady Rebels’ Sharon Sanders. Homewood fell to HewittTrussville by a 46-37 count. Kiara Williams scored 13 points for the Lady Patriots. In boys’ action Saturday, John Carroll Catholic defeated Pope John Paul II 58-42. Justin Coleman sparked the Cavaliers with 26 points. Quinn Meineke added 12, and Chris Tuck scored 10. Briarwood overcame American Christian 51-47. Laatsch scored 18 for the Lions, who saw their record rise to 7-4. In Saturday girls’ play, Briarwood crushed American Christian 70-12. Cutcliffe scored 17 points for the Lady Lions, while Medders and Wainwright each contributed 10 points. In other sports, Mountain Brook wrestlers won the Panther Classic

but an untimely roughing-thekicker call gave the Lions a first down. Prattville made the most of its second chance when Thomas completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Smith with 6:46 left to play in the period, closing the gap to 28-21. The Lions got another break on their next possession which, thanks to a short Hoover punt, began at the Bucs’ 31-yard line. Thomas’s four-yard scoring run tied the game at 28-28 late in the third period. Prattville used some trickery to take the lead in the final stanza. Facing a fourth down, the Lions’ Lawson Debardelaben took the ball in punt formation and surprised Hoover by running for eight yards and a first down. Stanley Mays’ six-yard scoring run gave Prattville a 35-28 lead with eight

minutes remaining in the game. Hoover valiantly battled back. The Bucs moved deep into Lion territory before Short’s pass was intercepted by Dallas Powell at the Prattville one-yard line. The Lion offense couldn’t make a first down, however, and Hoover had another chance. This time, Short got into the end zone, cutting the margin to 35-34 and setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Short was brilliant in defeat, completing 20 of 33 passes for 217 yards, with responsibility for four touchdowns. Daniel, despite his injury, rushed 24 times for 160 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 45 yards. Michael Powers, filling in ably for the sidelined Sims, had seven

catches for 88 yards. Sims was surely the night’s hard luck story. He was forced out of the 2010 6A championship game against Daphne after breaking a collarbone. A healthy Sims could have been the difference in two single point Hoover losses. We’ll never know. What is certain is that a Buccaneer team without its program’s usual overwhelming superiority was one play away from the school’s ninth – and perhaps sweetest – state title victory. Hoover didn’t take home a blue championship trophy, but the team did earn a special place in the hearts of its fans. And in 20 years, that intangible will mean a lot more than a shiny piece of hardware.

Hopes for a rematch with the Bucs in the playoff semifinals were ended with a questionable call in overtime against Oxford. With his team trailing the host Yellow Jackets 35-28 in the third period of overtime, Mountain Brook quarterback Edward Aldag passed to ace wide receiver Gavin Golsan, who appeared to make a diving catch for what could have been the tying touchdown. Officials, however, ruled the pass incomplete and the game ended. Golsan insisted he caught the ball. “I wish we had instant replay in high school football,” Golsan said later. “But everybody makes mistakes, including players, coaches and officials. I’m sure they (the officials) think they made the right call.” Despite the disappointing ending, Spartan devotees will be talking about the 2011 season for years. The Briarwood Lions also met an unhappy finish in the playoffs,

but not before producing a memorable season. Coach Fred Yancey’s team dominated most of its Class 5A rivals, losing only to Class 6A’s Vestavia in the regular season. Briarwood had sharp claws on offense, breaking the 40-point barrier in six games. The Lions’ defense was strong as well, as it frequently gave up points only after the game’s outcome had been determined. The Lions’ dream of a state title died in the Class 5A semifinals when they dropped a 16-14 verdict to Hartselle. But Briarwood proved once again why it’s one of Alabama’s most consistent high school programs. Vestavia didn’t produce its usual stellar record in 2011, but Coach Buddy Anderson may have turned in one of his all-time best coaching jobs in his 34 years at the helm. The Rebels started the season with a dreadful 1-3 mark that seemed likely to get even worse. Instead, Vestavia rallied to win five of its

last six games, earned a winning season and actually qualified for a playoff berth. A big—but by no means the only—reason for the Rebels’ turnaround was the play of the redoubtable Salem, who was one of metro Birmingham’s most dangerous breakaway runners. Homewood and Spain Park went through transition seasons under new coaches Doug Goodwin and Chip Lindsey, respectively. Patriot fans, however, were cheered by the news that their school has been reclassified from 6A to 5A, where Homewood football enjoyed great success under former coach Bob Newton. In fact, the new alignments for 2012 might be among the most important stories of the outgoing year. In large school Class 6A, Hoover moves to Region 5 with Tuscaloosa County, Northridge, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Jackson-Olin, Hueytown, Minor and Bessemer

at Pelham. The Spartans totaled 458 points, followed by runner-up Tuscaloosa County’s 428. Sam Bridell won the 152 pound title for Mountain Brook. Tyler Cox and Evan Nipper won the 126 and 120 pound classes, respectively, for the Spartans. The Spartan girls’ track team won the Magic City Invitational indoor meet. The Lady Spartans totaled 95 points, with Hoover a distant second at 76.5. Individual winners included Hoover’s Joy Naneice-Marbury, who won the 60-meter and 400meter dashes. Spain Park’s Simone Charley won the long jump and shot put events. Spain Park won the boys’ division, totaling 65 points. Northridge was second, scoring 64 points. Mountain Brook was third with 50. Spain Park’s Joseph Williams won the shot put, while teammates Myles Charley and Steven Crain won the triple jump and 1600 meter events, respectively. Mountain Brook’s Payton Ballard won the 800 meter run.

Hoover’s Brandon Sly tries to avoid a Prattville defender in the Bucs 6A title game. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

City. Oak Mountain and Spain Park move to Class 6A Region 4 with Prattville, Thompson, Pelham, Stanhope Elmore, Wetumpka and Chelsea. Mountain Brook and Vestavia will remain partners in Region 6, with Hewitt-Trussville, Shades Valley, Woodlawn, Huffman, Carver of Birmingham and Gardendale. In Class 5A, Homewood, John Carroll and Briarwood will be set in Region 4 with Chilton County, Ramsay, Sylacauga, Shelby County and Talladega. Shades Mountain Christian will play in Class 1A’s Region 6. The new arrangements will create new rivalries and, sadly, probably end some old ones. Alignments, players and even coaches come and go, but the 2012 football season almost certainly will be full of drama, surprises and excitement. In that way, it should be exactly like the season just past.

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Dixie,

from back cover ticipate,” he said. Since it began, highly-regarded teams such as Brandon, Fla., and Mount Anthony from Vermont have won the tournament, as has Vestavia. This year’s event includes Alabama teams Bob Jones, Hoover, Oak Mountain and Oxford as well as two VHHS teams. Also competing are Archer High School, Ga.; Cedar Park Vista Ridge, Texas; Centennial, Ga.; the McCallie School, Tenn.; Pasco High School, Fla.; and White Knoll, S.C. McCallie has won eight Tennessee State Secondary School Association state tournament championships. Its wrestlers have won 37 TSSAA state titles since 2000. White Knoll was runner-up in its division in last year’s South Carolina high school tournament and won its region championship. The tournament has 14 weight classes, from 106 pounds to heavyweight. The event typically provides a preview of wrestlers who’ll compete for state titles in February. “We’ve had several champions here who went on to be state champs,” said Korn. “We’ve also had some guys who didn’t win at this tournament but who later won state championships.” Individual wrestlers can win special honors at the Heart of Dixie Classic: the Janet and Robert David Most Outstanding Wrestler award and the Evans and Jemmie-Lynn Whaley Sportsmanship Award. Both awards are named for family members of young men who wrestled under Gaydosh, Korn said. Gaydosh, who’s been the Rebel wrestling coach for almost 30 years, hosts a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast for participants on the second day of the tournament. “Speakers, primarily college wrestling coaches, come from all over the U.S. to share their experiences and testimonials,” said Korn. Hosted by Earl and Rhonda Bryant, another VHHS wrestling family, this year’s breakfast features Jack Spates, retired University of Oklahoma wrestling coach. Spates was the 2006 National Coach of the Year and a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year. Weigh-ins are held before breakfast, said Korn, so the wrestlers can enjoy a guilt-free meal. The Heart of Dixie Classic, the first major tournament of the 201112 season for Alabama high school wrestlers, is a big undertaking that involves a number of volunteer workers, Korn said. “We have great parent support here,” said Korn, who’s in his fifth year with the tournament. Single session and tournament passes will be available at the tournament at Vestavia Hills High School. Fans, said Korn, will be able to check results during the event at www.trackwrestling.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 39

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

Sports

Homewood U-16 Freedom Wins State Soccer Title Page 37

POINT OF ORDER Missed Conversion Makes Hoover Second in State BY LEE DAVIS

JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

y all rights, Hoover shouldn’t have been in the position it faced with 47 seconds remaining in the Super Six Class 6A football championship at Bryant-Denny Stadium Dec. 2. After holding a 28-14 lead in the third period over rival Prattville, the Bucs had seen that advantage melt into a 35-28 deficit. Hoover quarterback Connor Short’s twoyard plunge cut the Lions’ lead to 35-34 with the conversion attempt pending. That’s right. Hoover should never have been in the position to need a two-point conversion to claim its ninth state championship. The Bucs should never have been this close. Not when you consider that Hoover lost its most explosive playmaker, receiver/running back/ kick returner Caleb Sims, to an injury in the first half. Not when you consider that Dakota Daniel, the Bucs’ top rusher, was hobbled by an injury as well. Not when you consider that Hoover’s starting quarterback, Sam Gillikin, had been sidelined with an injury since an Oct. 7 win over Homewood. Not when you consider that this

Hoover team had the least depth and the fewest legitimate college prospects in its senior class in years. Not when you consider that this Hoover team didn’t even win its region. But thanks to heart and guts, Hoover was still in position to claim another blue trophy as the 2011 high school season moved to its final minute of regulation play. Faced with the choice of going for a winning two-point conversion or kicking a near-certain extra point to force an overtime period, Buc coach Josh Niblett made his decision: He would go for victory. “We felt like our defense had run out of gas,” Niblett said later. “We thought it (going for the win) was the best decision we could make at the time.” Niblett’s choice almost paid off. On the game-deciding play, Short – who had been so brilliant in relief of Gillikin – rolled to his right and connected with Jarret Brown at the three-yard line. Brown momentarily seemed to have a seam to the end zone but was soon brought down by a pair of Prattville defenders short of the goal line. The Lions claimed a one-point win over the team that denied them a title just two years ago. Niblett didn’t second-guess himself afterward. “We were trying to win the game,” he said. “It was one of those situations where if it works you look like a hero. If it fails, you look like an idiot. I didn’t want to be either one. I just wanted to make a decision that would help us

Lee Davis

Sounds of the Season: 2011 Grid Season Full of Drama

Hoover’s Dakota Daniel, right, rushed 24 times for 160 yards and a touchdown in the Bucs loss to Prattville in the 6A state football championship game. More photos at otmj.com Journal photo by Marvin Gentry win a football game.” Most of the players seemed to agree. “We came here to win,” said Hoover defensive back Devon Earl. “We didn’t come here to just hang around as long as we could. I loved the call because it meant the coaches believed in us. “Even though we didn’t win, their confidence meant so much.” The failed conversion dropped Hoover’s record to 13-2, as the Bucs earned their third runner-up trophy in Niblett’s four years at the helm. Prattville set the pace early, and the intensity continued for four quarters. The Lions drew first blood when Jalen Whitlow ran nine

yards for a touchdown with eight minutes left in the period. Kegan Gaither’s kick gave Prattville a 7-0 lead. Hoover matched the score when Short completed a nine-yard touchdown toss to Josh Jackson. Larsen Real’s conversion tied things at 7-7 as the quarter ended. The Bucs took the lead for the first time after stopping a fourth and three gamble by Prattville at Hoover’s 30-yard line. Short directed his team on a 69-yard drive, climaxed by a one-yard run to pay dirt midway through the second stanza. Real’s kick raised the margin to 14-7.

See Hoover, page 38

ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME MAT Heart of Dixie Classic Brings Top Teams to Vestavia Hills

BY DONNA CORNELIUS JOURNAL FEATURES WRITER

ince Steve Gaydosh became Vestavia Hills High School’s wrestling coach almost 30 years ago, he’s brought 12 state titles and lots of excitement to the program’s enthusiastic supporters. For the past six years, Gaydosh has brought thrills to a wider circle of wrestling fans with the Heart of Dixie Classic tournament. The two-day event, set this year

for Dec. 29-30, combines six top Alabama high school teams with six highly-regarded programs from other states. It’s an opportunity for those who love the sport to see skilled wrestlers they’d otherwise never get to watch. The Heart of Dixie Classic is Gaydosh’s brainchild, said tournament director Don Korn. “He had a vision to create a premiere wrestling tournament,” said Korn, whose son is a Vestavia wrestler.

Getting ready for the Heart of Dixie Classic at a recent practice were Rebel varsity wrestlers, from left: Hayden Hill, Andrew Korn and Dylan Kabase. Journal photo by Maury Wald The tournament has hosted teams from Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and other states,

according to Korn. “Each year we receive calls from teams across the Southeast to par-

See Dixie, page 39

hen they write the book on the 2011 Over the Mountain football season, there won’t be a chapter about a state champion. Hoover’s dramatic 35-34 loss to longtime nemesis Prattville sent the Bucs home as the runner-up for the third time in four years. The last final-game two losses – Daphne in 2010, along with Prattville this season -- were by a single frustrating point. But the high drama of Hoover’s close-shave defeat was only one night in a season full of excitement and thrills. Briarwood and Mountain Brook’s outstanding seasons, along with the individual brilliance of players such as Vestavia Hills running back Georgie Salem, brought smiles to the faces of their fans. On the downside, another losing season for Oak Mountain led to the resignation of Eagle coach Jeff Harris. John Carroll Catholic started with two impressive victories but followed with eight consecutive losses. The year’s biggest story, however, had to be Hoover’s rise to reach its 11th state championship game in 12 years. What made this particular title run so special is that it probably reflected Coach Josh Niblett’s best effort since he took command of the program after 2007. This edition of the Bucs featured a senior class that offered relatively few players with bigtime college potential. Hoover also suffered a slew of untimely injuries, including the loss of starting quarterback Sam Gillikin in a mid-season game against Homewood. The team held itself together even after a stunning 17-9 loss to Mountain Brook in November, marking the first time the Bucs had lost to an Over the Mountain team besides Vestavia in the 21st

See Season, page 38