2.10.22

OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

VALENTINE’S DAY Gift Guide Inside!

SOCIAL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

SPORTS

Journal photo by Ally Morrison

Vestavia’s Rivers stars in award-winning musical

Vestavia Hills Police Foundation President Tom Hale at the foundation’s “Thin Blue Line” monument in front of the police department. The monument was built with a mission to commemorate the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

Knowing heredity is crucial for combating heart disease

POLICE SUPPORT Vestavia Police Foundation Helps Officer’s Family After House Fire

By Ally Morrison

I

n the late hours of Sunday, Jan. 23, a Vestavia Hills Police officer David Johnson and his family lost their home to a devastating house fire.

Since hearing about the fire, Vestavia Hills Police Foundation President Tom Hale has been one phone call away, eager

to support the officer and his family by providing donations and immediate necessities for the family to begin the lengthy process of re-establishing their lives.

Hale said he got a call the next morning from a Vestavia Hills Police lieutenant Joel Gaston notifying him about the fire in the home of the officer, who had been with the police department for about 20 years.

“His home had apparently burned to the ground and allegedly was started by a creosote fire in the chimney when neither he nor his wife were home. Together they have two children. Everything in the home was just gone.”

Fortunately, no one was injured.

Hale said that when the call came ask-

See FOUNDATION, page 8

National recognition for Legg’s Better Kombucha

2 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

Inside

Murphy’s Law

F CALL TO ALL READERS O’Neal Library Book Sale returns this month PAGE 7

MENDING KIDS’ HEARTS Children’s is a leader in the treatment of congenital heart defect PAGE 10

A MERRY MONARCH Tommy Roberts will reign over this year’s Beaux Arts Krewe Ball PAGE 16

WELCOME BACK Birmingham Restaurant Week Winter Edition returns PAGE 22

ABOUT TOWN NEWS LIFE SOCIAL

4 8 10 18

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OPINION/CONTENTS

FOOD SCHOOLS PEOPLE SPORTS

or Christmas, my sister gave me great. Maybe the pepper grinder is a box of plastic straws. I may doing more chunking than grinding. have mentioned to her that I was Maybe her sock drawer is sticking, but frustrated by the sporadic outage of the only time she thinks about it is long straws at Starbucks. Okay, I may when she is rushing around in the have harped on that fact repeatedly. morning, trying to get dressed, and by The short straws don’t reach the botthe time she actually has a moment to tom of the vat of green iced tea I get wax the darned thing, she’s forgotten in the drive thru almost daily, and the about it. Here is where you can step in off-again-on-again availability was and be the Valentine’s Day hero. making me cranky. Now, however, I know, I know, people have told thanks to my sister’s kind intervention. you not to buy practical things as gifts, there is no need for me to worry. I and I understand the confusion, Sue Murphy have a plentiful stash of my own. because you have to be very careful As a last-minute add-on for my going down this path. You must dodge daughter’s birthday, I wrapped up a the temptation to buy your love citrus zester because she had, on something that you think they need.

So, here’s what I’m occasion, griped about her old one.

This is called Self-Improvement And now – Happy Birthday! – the thinking: while you’re Initiated By Others, and it will only problem was solved. She smiled a get you into trouble. Your Sugar pondering what to get Bear might really like those old great big smile and said, “You listened!” your special someone ratty slippers. That faded Hawaiian So, here’s what I’m thinking: might have sentimental value. for Valentine’s Day, shirt while you’re pondering what to get If you replace them, that’s a judgyour special someone for ment, not a gift. And do not, under (You are pondering Valentine’s Day, (You are pondering circumstances (I cannot stress already, aren’t you?) ... any already, aren’t you?), consider that, this strongly enough) take a onewhile your sweetie might indeed time comment about intending to go want flowers and candy (and I’d on a diet as an invitation to sign buy those regardless), you will get extra honey bunny your sweetie up for Jenny Craig. points if you get him/her something that would make No, for it to be a gift, the item should address an his/her life a little easier. issue that is causing your sweetie continual inconveReceiving a box of straws might not seem like a big nience. Squeaky door hinges, washing machines that thing, but to me, it was. We all have less-than-perfect dance across the laundry room floor, and my personal encounters that eat at us day after day. Right now, my favorite: when the light switch operates as “on” in the nemesis is my TV remote. It works, yes, but it seems downward position – all of these things could be secretlike every week it makes me jump through an additionly rectified and – voila – Happy Valentine’s Day! al hoop. Now, the only way to get to the guide screen is Pay attention and the answer will appear. Actually, to push the Help button and wait the extra few seconds the paying attention part is the real gift. Your sweetie while the machine makes the adjustment. I can do it, will thank you for the candy and flowers, but if you but it grates on me. buy her a box of long straws (or a new TV remote) she Maybe your sweetheart’s cheese grater isn’t so will smile and say, “You were listening!”

22 24 25 28

otmj.com With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter.

Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.

To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.

The Grater Good

Over the Mountain Views

Happy Anniversary!

J O U R N A L February 10, 2022 Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writer: Ally Morrison Photographer: Jordan Wald Sports: Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd Vol. 32, No. 13

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. 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 mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2022 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.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

A celebration was held Feb. 5 to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

Part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Shades Mountain Woman’s Club was founded in 1971 in the Hoover area as a community service club. GFWC is the largest volunteer organization for women worldwide, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Clubs from all 50 states and several countries combine their resources to lobby Congress on matters that are of importance to their members.

Among the members attending the 50th Anniversary of the GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club at Prince of Peace Catholic Church were, from left: Jackie McClain, Lou Inzinna, Cynthia Brast-Eldredge, Phyllis Tinsley and Gayle Jones

Members of the Shades Mountain group have been active on a state level as officers in GFWC Alabama. Members include past presidents Roberta Atkinson and Cathy Barker of Hoover and President-elect Jan Greer of Chelsea.

For 40 years, a major fundraiser for the Shades Mountain Woman’s Club has been its Hands On Art for Children at the Bluff Park Art Show. The funds raised allow the group to support many causes, including Ronald McDonald House, Alabama Symphony, Miss Alabama, Operation Smile and many other notable organizations

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 3

4 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

For the Sake of Love Vestavia’s Rivers Fills Role in New Musical

By Ally Morrison

Alabama Dance Council board of directors.

Rivers said he got involved with Red Mountain Theatre productions through Executive Director Keith

Journal photo by Ally Morrison

Jamorris Rivers of Vestavia Hills will be playing the role of a storyteller in a production at Red Mountain Theatre, “Once on This Island,” Feb. 11- 27.

Rivers will take to the stage singing and dancing in this Olivier Awardwinning musical.

“Once on This Island” focuses on a fearless peasant girl, Ti Moune, who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. As their divided cultures continue to keep them apart, Ti Moune is guided by strong island gods on a quest to reunite with the man who captivated her heart.

Originally from Dadeville, Rivers moved to Vestavia Hills with his wife, Carleton, and three children. He graduated from the University of Alabama as a dance major and returned to his alma mater as an instructor of jazz and ballet, in addition to teaching dance history and modern dance. He recently completed his master’s at Hollins University and is a member of the

TICKETS & INFORMATION: ALABAMABALLET.ORG SPONSORED BY

Methodist Church When: Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

JAMORRIS RIVERS

An adaptation of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple will focus on two mismatched roommates. Uptight and neat Felix and easygoing and disheveled Oscar, left. Where: Homewood Theatre, New Location in Soho Square When: Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Journal photo by Ally Morrison

ALABAMA BALLET PRESENTS

FEB. 25-27 BJCC CONCERT HALL

HOMEWOOD THEATRE: THE ODD COUPLE | FEB. 10-20

‘We desperately need art at a time like this.

It’s coming together, and yes there have been challenges, but it’s beautiful and it’s going to be spectacular.’

FEB 10 - FEB 24

BLUE SUEDE SHOES

Cromwell.

“I met Keith at the Dance Foundation in 2016,” Rivers said. “The theater was putting on ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ and he asked me to choreograph. That production has such iconic choreography, so I said yes. I’ve been in love with theater ever since.”

Rivers has served as a choreogra-

pher for a multitude of productions, including “Memphis,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “My Fair Lady.”

Rivers said “Once on This Island” is a magical piece and relates love to loving one another in the community.

“As I watched Keith work, he was really grooming the scene and making magic happen in the studio,” Rivers said. “Something that kept resonating with me was this sort of love and sacrifice. Sometimes we think of love as sentimental, but we rarely think of love as, ‘I’m giving up myself for the sake of others.’ We see that in our community, and we certainly see that through the show.”

Rivers said the production is an even more exciting prospect after shutdowns from the pandemic.

“We desperately need art at a time like this,” Rivers said. “It’s coming together, and yes there have been challenges, but it’s beautiful and it’s going to be spectacular.”

For more information on showtimes or to purchase tickets, visit redmountaintheatre.org.

Feb. 11-12 Giggles & Grace Consignment Sale Asbury United Methodist Church will hold a baby and child consignment sale, select items will be 50% off on Saturday. Where: Asbury United

Feb. 11-13 Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend

The 20th-anniversary marathon event will feature a variety of races for participants of all ages and skill levels. Encouraging participants to ‘run with purpose’, this event has raised millions of dollars for The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, which helps infants and toddlers at risk of developmental delays. Where: Boutwell Auditorium, Initial Expo and Packet Pickup When: Times and locations for races vary

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Sat., Feb. 12 Birmingham Does Broadway: Celebrating Love, Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Chris Confessore and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will showcase music from Les Miserables, Evita, West Side Story, The Music Man, and more in this yearly crowdfavorite performance. Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center When: 7 p.m.

RISE & Buy - A Massive Yard Sale Vestavia Hills High School leadership

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 5

ABOUT TOWN program, RISE, will hold a large yard sale to benefit the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program at UAB. Where: Vestavia Hills Civic Center When: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 19 Kiwanis Speed Stampede

The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Homewood will hold a 2-mile charity walk/jog/run in Homewood to benefit Maranathan Academy. Where: Reese St.,

Homewood When: 8:00- 9:30 a.m.

Tues., Feb. 22 Leadership Vestavia Hills Community Leadership Awards

Leadership Vestavia Hills will be announcing the recipients of the 2021 Community Leadership Awards honoring Antoinette “Toni” Vines and Karen Odle. This event will also celebrate the organization’s 25th Anniversary. Tickets can be purchased through Leadership

Vestavia Hills’ website or at the office of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce for $50. Where: Vestavia Hills Country Club When: 6 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 26 Red Nose Ball

This Smile-A-Mile Fundraiser will feature silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, a program and live music. Where: Sheraton Birmingham Hotel When: 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy

To: From: Date:

ALABAMA BALLET PERFORMS BLUE SUEDE SHOES | FEB. 25-27 Alabama Ballet will perform Dennis Nahat’s Blue Suede Shoes with music from Elvis Presley and will feature a whimsical combination of classical dance, jazz and rock. Where: BJCC Concert Hall When: Times vary by date selected

Come See New Items for Spring

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...And Leadership, Partnerships, Community Development & Impact.

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM (JLB) is kicking off our centennial celebrations by honoring our past and forging our future with doing what we love best—serving our community. In honor of the JLB’s 100 years, our volunteers are partnering with other local organizations to show our love for Birmingham this January through April through 100 Acts of Service.

Look for us around town as we roll up our sleeves and get to work, collaborating with local municipalities, businesses, community organizations and others to organize meaningful service opportunities. We invite our past, present and potential partners throughout the metro to join us as we commemorate our 100 years of impact.

ENGAGE. INSPIRE. LEAD. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BETTER BIRMINGHAM.

LEARN MORE:

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2/4/22 10:51 AM

Now Under One Roof!

6 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Two Great Showrooms, Now Under One Roof!

Photo courtesy

Two Great Showrooms, Now Under One Roof!

McWane Science Center’s Beaker Bash committee members include, from left: Ellen Hauser, Shelley Gentle, Elizabeth Riddle and Beth Moody.

When Is it OK to Play With Your Food?

When You’re at McWane’s Science Center Beaker Bash

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erwise be unable to access McWane Science Center’s services. How cool is that?”

Sponsors for Beaker Bash 2022 include the presenting sponsor, Medical Properties Trust as well as Harbert Management Corporation, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Birmingham Coca Cola United, Maynard, Cooper & Gale PC, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Vulcan Materials Company, Zac and Elizabeth Riddle, Alabama Power Foundation, Brasfield and Gorrie, Altec Industries, Shipt, CRC Insurance, Dunn-French Foundation, PNC Bank, GCP, Nall-Whatley Foundation, Shook and Fletcher Insulation, UAB Communications and University Events, Vulcan Industrial Contractors and Welch Group.

This year’s volunteer Beaker Bash committee includes committee chairs Elizabeth Riddle and Shelley Gentle along with Beth Moody, Ginny Webb, Valencia Bell, Lauren Cater, Brooke Grainger, Nadeem Siddiqui, Catherine Cato, Ellen Hauser, McCauley Adams and Sally Thompson.

Visit McWane Science Center’s website at www.mcwane.org to learn more about the event.

One Starry Night

Gala Benefits Children in Need, Senior Crafters The One Starry Night Gala is a night of auctions, dinner and music

by The Bassmen with a philanthropic purpose.

The party is being hosted by Assistance League of Birmingham at The Club on March 10. It raises money for two philanthropic programs – Operation School Bell®, which provides new clothes and books to 1,600 area elementary One Starry Night Gala chairman, from left: Donna Reinaker, school children each year; and PrimeTime Treasures, which offers Katharine Nichols and Debbie Anderson. financial opportunities to area senior citizens by selling their crafts.

Auction items include sports events, memorabilThe honoree for the evening is Andrew ia, destination trips and many other Birmingham Hancock, division president with D.R. Horton, events. Christie King with C King Benefit who has served on the advisory council for Auctions LLC will lead the live auction.

Assistance League of Birmingham Tickets can be purchased at the Shops of Gala chairmen Donna Reinaker, Katharine Assistance League, at 1755 Oxmoor Road in Nichols and President Debbie Anderson are Homewood, or online at www.assistanceleague. coordinating with members and advisers. org/birmingham.

Photo courtesy

Steve Mote & Family—Owners of Hollywood Pools Outdoor Furnishings & Spas are excited to announce the acquisition of Alabama Gaslight & Grill!

Guests will be encouraged to play with their food during McWane Science Center’s Beaker Bash Feb. 27 as well as experiment with it and discover new food experiences.

Amateur chefs will meet with professional ones to explore the biology, chemistry and even the physics related to some of their favorite snacks, underlining that science is everywhere and in everything they do.

The fundraising event helps McWane Science Center raise funds to provide hands-on, science learning experiences to children throughout Alabama who cannot afford the cost of going to the center without support.

“McWane Science Center uses our exhibits, our science shows, our hands-on presentations and our incredible staff to inspire our community to fall in love with science and learning,” said Miranda Springer, vice president of development and marketing. “This event is just an extension of our mission to spark wonder and curiosity through science.

“But it is also more than that. Through this event, children and families help us deliver our mission to community members who would oth-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 7

event. Over the past 10 years, the Friends group has raised more than $300,000 for the library and shared the

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Over the past 10 years, the Friends group has raised more than $300,000 for the library and shared the surplus with various charities throughout the state.

Katherine Clarke and Everett Fuller at O’Neal Library’s 2020 book sale.

Call to All Readers O’Neal Library Book Sale Returns This Month

The O’Neal Library will be hosting its annual book sale Feb. 25-27.

A preview party of the book sale will be held the day before it opens, which will allow patrons first access to the collection. The collection will include art, coffee table books, first editions and rare titles that the Friends of the O’Neal Library have been organizing all year long.

To attend the preview party, donate at least $25 to the library. On Feb. 27, the last day of the event, patrons will be

able to fill a bag of books in the basement for a $15 charge and buy others for half price.

For more than 50 years, the Friends of the O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook has supported the library through this annual book sale. After the book sale was canceled last year due to the pandemic, an “abridged sale” was held in September, according to Friends President Barbara Blair.

In 2020, the annual sale raised approximately $35,000 during the

surplus with various charities throughout the state.

All books from this year’s sale (over 20,000 volumes) were donated throughout the year by members of the community or from the library’s collection.

Money raised during the sale is used to support the library’s Teen and Adult programs. These enrichment programs were designed to make the library a more fun and exciting place to visit.

During the pandemic, the library offered a variety of virtual craft programs in which patrons could pick up craft kits and attend programs via Zoom sessions. These programs included a bake-off, ceramics class and cocktail classes. The library also used Zoom for book groups to meet virtually. Teens had the opportunity to join in on virtual writing workshops with local authors.

For more information, contact Blair at barbaramblair@gmail.com or visit www.oneallibrary.org and click on the support.

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NEWS

8 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

Vestavia Hills Update

Journal photo by Maury Wald

New Civic Center, Wald Park Phase III Highlight 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

“I think it’s important to do this in order to step up our game in our parks and recreation department,” he said.

“When you have brick and mortar, that’s great. But, you also have to have new and enhanced programming. We are looking forward to those efforts.”

Downes said another focus in 2022 is for the city to provide its residents with services at the highest level, such as continuing to provide stellar services in the police and fire departments and have high-quality employees.

FOUNDATION From Page One

The new 100,000-square-foot civic center, expected to open this spring, will include a a 10,000-square-foot banquet space and the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

By Ally Morrison Vestavia Hills residents are seeing an expansion in recreation options as the city moves toward completion of plans that have been in the works for several years.

At the top of that list is a new 100,000-square-foot civic center, said City Manager Jeff Downes.

The civic center is expected to open this spring and include multipurpose recreation courts; an indoor walking track; meeting, event and office spaces; a 10,000-square-foot banquet space with warming kitchen; and the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

“There has been a rather lengthy planning process to improve our recreational assets in Vestavia Hills,” Downes said. “That plan has now broadened to include infrastructure improvements as well. This planning effort has set aside nearly $68 million

to fund varying asset improvements across the city.”

2021 Plans

Downes explained that a number of the projects included in those plans have been completed in the past 12 months, and some are still in the works.

Cahaba Heights park has been newly renovated and serves as an athletic complex that features multiple baseball fields and an inclusive playground. Included are a dog park and an updated New Merkel House, which opened in spring, according to the Vestavia Hills’ Parks and Recreation website.

The city also completed construction of an aquatic center at Wald Park, featuring a competition pool as well as a family-use pool.

The city made great progress in road and drainage improvement projects, Downes said. Most notably those

include road-widening, sidewalk and drainage improvements on Crosshaven Drive.

That project is more than halfway completed, he said.

“A lot of these efforts have been envisioned for many years, and to reach conclusion on some of those has been really gratifying,” Downes said.

2022 Plans

In addition to completion of the civic center and Crosshaven Drive, Downes said, “We want to complete what we’re calling Phase III improvements to Wald Park, which will include tennis courts, trails and improved parking.”

Downes said the city is reorganizing and restructuring its parks and recreation system “so that the human resources can be coupled with the physical resources, as well as new buildings and assets.”

Time for chrisTmas!

The Perfect Gift

ing whether the Vestavia Hills Police Foundation could step up and immediately help with things the family needed immediately, his response was “absolutely.” Several foundation directors immediately contributed personal resources, he said.

“The positive response and the generosity has absolutely blown my mind, with what these people have stepped up and offered,” Hale said. “I think we’ve raised around $23,000.

“We’ve had offers of people who own Airbnb houses that have offered to let them move in immediately … until their insurance has worked out.

One of those specific people had even offered to have the refrigerator fully stocked and the pantry filled.

“It is heartwarming to believe that right here in the heart of ‘Roll Tide’ and ‘War Eagle,’ people from all walks of life can come together in a show of goodness, kindness and generosity for someone who is a stranger to them.”

Donations for the family are being taken through the foundation’s website, vestaviahillspolicefoundation. com. Look under the “donate” tab.

“A lot of the contributions will fund initial things such as shelter, food and hygiene products.” Hale explained. “Following that, there will be a deeper and broader assessment of all things the family has lost. We are in the process of putting together a list of clothing and shoe sizes for the family.

The Foundation Was Established to Support Police

2701 Cahaba Road | Mountain BrookVillage | 205.871.7060 | bartonclay.com

Established in 2017, The Vestavia Hills Police Foundation’s mission is to support the Vestavia Hills Police Department, officers, their families and the city of Vestavia Hills.

The Homewood Police Foundation had been established before that, and Burke Swearingen, former Homewood Police Chief, was instrumental in working with the city to establish Vestavia Hills’ foundation, Hale said.

Hale, a partner with the Birmingham law firm of Hale Sides

During the nine years he has served as city manager, Downes explained, none of the accomplishments would have been possible without economic sustainability.

“My proudest achievement, from my perspective, has been the ability to grow our revenue sources by enhancing building and economic opportunities in the city,” he said.

“What has resulted has been a healthy growth in our revenues, which help us to do many of the things we have accomplished and plan to do in the future.”

LLC, has recently become president of the Vestavia Hills Police Foundation.

“A 501 c3 foundation like VHPF is very meaningful in being able to help a police department with nonbudgeted items, special needs or incidental matters for emergencies such as these when one of our own is in dire need.”

The foundation also strives for a collaborative effort with community groups.

“For a number of years, while I was president of the Homewood Police Foundation, annual luncheons were held at various locations such as The Club and Rosewood Hall,” Hale said.

“One thing we are hoping to accomplish with Vestavia’s Police Foundation is to incorporate an annual business luncheon to support Vestavia’s Police Department. Other things we aim to do in order to build community trust and communication is to start hosting block parties, where we can let people meet some of the officers that are regulars in different neighborhoods.”

Hale said there are other ways the foundation has worked to keep the police force in the public eye.

“One of the primary accomplishments the foundation has been able to accomplish has been the Thin Blue Line memorial in front of the police department,” Hale said. “The foundation raised an incredible amount of money in order to erect this memorial.

We still have a number of brick pavers that can be purchased through donations for residents to honor family members that have served with the police department.”

According to the VHPF website, the monument was built with a mission to commemorate the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

“We hope to continue to develop relationships with our corporate citizens, as well, and to assist in any way we can with additional training and resources.” Hale said.

“One of my goals is to promote a weekly showcase of the good things that these officers do every day for citizens. From helping a young couple getting stuck on the way to the hospital to deliver their first baby, to changing tires or helping pull people’s pets out of storm sewers.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 9

NEWS problem-solving, greater academic achievement and cultural awareness, according to the school’s article.

Being educated through learning ASL provides all the same benefits as learning a foreign language.

Educator Matt Ferguson said in the article that he took some of his students in this year’s class to a movie before winter break. The MBHS students were joined by students from the Alabama School for the Deaf and watched “The Eternals,” the first Marvel movie to feature a deaf superhero.

According to Homewood City

Schools’ communication director, Merrick Wilson, Homewood High School has just recently launched a signing course.

“This school year, Homewood High School has been able to offer the American Sign Language course to our students through Access Distance Learning,” Wilson said.

“We have seen a tremendous amount of interest in this course. This allows our students to successfully communicate with those whose primary mode of communication is ASL. Our students are currently taking ASL 1 and will complete ASL 2 next year.”

Photo courtesy

gram was created. ”It’s really about being able to provide a teacher that is truly qualified to teach ASL,” Brooks said. “The partnership with the School for the Deaf was a way to ensure our students would receive the highest standard of instruction from a provider that uses ASL every day.”

Learning American Sign Language has a multitude of benefits. ASL helps to enrich and enhance child and adult cognitive skills, which ultimately leads to an increased level of creative thinking,

Hudson Young is one of 15 students enrolled in the sign language course being taught at Mountain Brook High School.

Good Sign

Mountain Brook High Students Can Sign Their Way to World Language Credits

By Ally Morrison At Mountain Brook High School, an alternative students have to taking Spanish, French and Latin to satisfy their world language credit requirements is to take American Sign Language.

According to Mountain Brook City Schools communications specialist William Galloway, only two other metro schools, Homewood and Oak Mountain, offer this form of instruction through Alabama School for the Deaf.

A group of 15 students at MBHS are enrolled in the sign language course and meet daily in Matt Ferguson’s classroom, where they join a Zoom call with Eugenia O’Daniel, a teacher at the Alabama School for the Deaf.

ASL is a two-year course, and students now enrolled will complete it in May 2023.

“Language acquisition is different for each student. This year’s students have lots of determination and have grown tremendously in a semester and a half,” O’Daniel said in an article published on Mountain Brook High School’s website.

Through this course, students

have gained enough confidence in their skills to take their knowledge outside of the classroom. Recently, students Denton Russell, Oliver Brooks, Sam Hecker and Brianna Morris-Finley had the opportunity to sign the National Anthem before a home basketball game.

Before the pandemic, students of Mountain Brook High School traveled to the Alabama School for the Deaf to tour the campus in addition to meeting students.

To practice their signing in a realworld environment, students also have participated in silent dinners with members of Birmingham’s deaf community who meet monthly at local restaurants. Signers and ASL students are invited to participate.

Student Davis Peterson said learning American Sign Language is becoming reflexive for him.

“It’s cool that this qualifies as a world language class because this is really something that sticks with you,” Peterson said in the school’s article. “The hand motion creates muscle memory, so it’s easier to remember.”

The director of instruction and special education at the high school, Missy Brooks, details how the pro-

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10 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HEALTH | HEART MONTH

Retired BellSouth Exec Believes Knowing Heredity Is Crucial for Combating Heart Disease

By Rubin E. Grant

just controlled your high blood pressure and cholesterol. I had no trouble in my 40s and 50s and I stayed active, hunting and fishing.”

When his primary care physician, Dr. Joseph Welden Jr., introduced him to Parks, Baker was asked about his family history. He investigated and was alarmed by his medical hereditary. On his father’s side, there were seven boys and four died of heart disease before they turned 60.

One of his grandmothers died at 64 because of heart disease.

Photos courtesy

Carlton Baker traveled from Birmingham to New Mexico in the fall to do some bow hunting for elk, just as he has done for a number of years.

When he landed an elk, he took a picture and sent it to his doctor and friend, James Michael Parks.

Parks, a cardiologist ‘If I can encourage and chairman one person to get of cardiology at Ascension checked regularly Dr. James Michael St. Vincent’s for heart disease, my Parks , a cardiologist Hospital, is and chairman of carone of the story would be worth reasons Baker diology at Ascension it because there’s so St. Vincent’s is healthy enough to still Hospital. much that can be done go bow huntto head it off.’ ing at the age of 82.

For more than a decade, Parks has “That was a wake-up call for me,” performed multiple life-saving heart Baker said. “I started taking it seriprocedures on Baker. ously even though I didn’t have any Baker’s extensive family history heart problems.” of heart disease led him to seek mediBaker was routinely checked and cal care from a cardiologist at an at first there wasn’t any need for early age. It was paramount in keepCarlton Baker, a retired executive from BellSouth, lives in Vestavia more invasive intervention, but once ing him alive.

Hills with his wife Lauretta. he began seeing Parks regularly, he “He was pro-active,” Parks said. began undergoing stress tests as well “That he can still go elk hunting Alabama in 1980, when he was 40. The move as an electrocardiogram, commonly called an without any issues is an example of how far the eventually led him to making heart care a priori- EKG. Most of the time he did well, until 2008, technology has come in treating heart disease. ty. when it was discovered he had a calcium buildHe’s doing great.”

“I grew up in an era when you didn’t go to up in his coronary arteries that needed to be Baker, a retired executive from BellSouth the doctor unless you were sick,” Baker said. “If monitored. who lives in Vestavia Hills, firmly believes othyou had a physical, it was usually because of In 2010, he failed a stress test and had to do a ers should know their family medical history and seek early intervention because of the sports in school and it was pretty cursory.” coronary angiogram, a procedure that uses X-ray advances in treating cardiovascular disease. He But as an executive with BellSouth, Baker imaging to see the heart’s blood vessels. It wants to draw attention to his story since was required to take a physical every year. He showed that Baker needed to have bypass surFebruary is Heart Health Awareness Month. discovered he had high blood pressure and some gery, so he had a bypass, an aortic value replaced cholesterol issues, but he didn’t think that was and a pacemaker surgically implanted. He unusual because of his work schedule. remained in the hospital for four or five days.

Discovering His History “During those days, you didn’t think much In 2019, he underwent a transcatheter aortic BellSouth transferred Baker from Texas to about heart disease,” Baker said. “You mainly valve replacement, called a TAVR, had the pacemaker replaced and received stents, which are used in angioplasty procedures.

The TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure in which a new valve is inserted without removing the old, damaged valve. The new valve is The Birmingham Heart Ball returns as an in-person event March 12 at the Barber Motorsports placed inside the diseased valve.

Park and Museum in Leeds.

“There have been a lot of changes made in The event, sponsored by the American Heart Association, begins at 6 p.m. and features a silent treating heart disease since I started doing this in auction, program and live auction. the 1980s,” Parks said. “People never used to be This year’s honorees are Dr. John T. Eagan Jr. and his wife, Kendall Eagan, of Mountain Brook. able to live into their 80s after being diagnosed John Eagan is a board-certified cardiologist with Cardiovascular Associates. Kendall Eagan is a with cardiovascular disease. But now with the certified public accountant for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta who is involved in local groups statin drugs, stents and TAVR, they can return to including the Junior League of Birmingham, The World Games and the Robert E. Reed Foundation. living a normal life.”

Money raised through the event will benefit the American Heart Association.

A TAVR doesn’t require a lengthen recovery Because of COVID-19, the AHA is requiring all guests and volunteers to wear masks any time because it is done with a scope. “You have the they are indoors and not sitting at their tables, eating or drinking.

TAVR one day and go home the next,” Baker For more information or to purchase tickets, visit birminghamheartball.heart.org. said.

Birmingham Heart Ball Set for March 12

See BAKER, page 11

Mending Kids’ Hearts Children’s Is a Leader in the Treatment of Congenital Heart Defect

Children’s of Alabama is backing several events to spread awareness of congenital heart disease during American Heart Month.

Children’s has one of the largest pediatric cardiovascular programs in the Southeast. The team at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center of Alabama at Children’s has more than 14,000 patient encounters each year. In 2021, staff performed Dr. Yung Lau, is more than 800 cardiac a pediatric cardicatheterizations and electrophysiology proce- ologist at Children’s and the Director dures and 400 cardioof the University vascular surgeries. of Alabama at The center includes Birmingham.

20 private cardiovascular intensive care rooms, 16 private critical care unit rooms, two cardiovascular operating rooms and two catheterization labs.

“We are proud of the collaborative, multidisciplinary partnership that has developed among the cardiologists, cardiac intensivists, cardiovascular anesthesiol- In July 2021, Children’s cardiogists and cardiovascular surgeons in the deliv- ologists Dr. William ery of patient and fami- McMahon, above, and Dr. Mark Law, ly-centered care,” divibelow, became sion Director Dr. Yung Lau, a pediatric cardiol- the first doctors in the 10-state ogist at Children’s and Southeastern region the University of to perform a proAlabama at cedure involving Birmingham, said in a statement from the hos- a device called the Harmony pital.

Transcatheter “Our team of more than 350 dedicated pro- Pulmonary Valve. fessionals who work at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center of Alabama are committed to providing worldclass cardiac care for our patients,” he said.

The single platform of care approach includes surgeons, intensivists, cardiologists nurses, social workers, child life specialists, counselors, nutritionists, occupational and physical therapists, chaplains and other professions.

Heart defects are the most common birth

See CHILDREN’S, page 11

Photos courtesy Children’s of Alabama

Family History

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

CHILDREN’S From page 10

defects, and most heart defects have no known cause. Congenital heart disease affects about 40,000 infants per year in the United States, or about 1% of all births. It kills more children each year than all the cancers combined and is the top killer of children born with developmental abnormalities.

Children’s is a leader in the treatment of congenital heart defect. In July 2021, Children’s cardiologists Dr. William McMahon and Dr. Mark Law became the first doctors in the 10-state Southeastern region to perform a procedure involving a device

Heart defects are the most common birth defects, and most heart defects have no known cause. called the Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve. The valve, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the spring, is used to treat patients with Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex condition that involves four heart defects.

It can be inserted through a vein in the patient’s leg, which prevents the need for open-heart surgery, reduces recovery time and lessens scarring.

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 11

LIFE The hospital’s had a good year in 2021, with all patients operated on being able to recover, according to the statement. “Nearly all are either home or on the step-down unit,” said Dr. Santiago Borasino, medical director of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Children’s.

Events and Programs

Several opportunities are available this month and beyond to support work done by the medical professionals at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center of Alabama.

• Kendra Scott necklace sales – Shop at Kendra Scott at the Summit to purchase a limited edition, patientdesigned necklace. This month, 20% of all sales of this necklace will benefit the center.

• Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market Charity in Bloom – This month, the florist will donate 20% to the center from purchases of the “Cheerful Heart” arrangement.

• Castin’ ‘N Catchin’ – This April 23 fishing tournament, the largest charity bass fishing tournament in the nation, raises money for the center. It has raised more than $800,000 since its inception in 2016 for research and to connect young heart patients with resources to stay healthy after surgery through Camp Wired Together.

• The Mending Kids’ Hearts specialty car tag – This specialty tag can be purchased at any Alabama Department of Motor Vehicle location for a cost of $50 in addition to the

normal tag cost. Of that $50, $41.25 will go to Children’s. For more information on the tag, visit childrensal. org/tags.

BAKER From page 10

The importance of early intervention when it comes to cardiovascular disease hit home in a heartbreaking way for Baker in the fall when his son-in-law in Houston died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving behind a wife and three teenage children.

“He had high blood pressure and cholesterol issues, but I don’t know if he knew his family history,” Baker said. “He lived an active life, but he didn’t feel he needed to get the workups. He didn’t have any serious issues until it was too late.

“If I can encourage one person to get checked regularly for heart disease, my story would be worth it because there’s so much that can be done to head it off.”

In 2021, Baker had to have another stent procedure and now has eight stents. But he continues to do well and continues to hunt as well as spend time with his wife of almost 60 years, Lauretta, his three children and eight grandchildren.

“I am blessed to still go fishing and hunting and be outdoors and spend time with my children and grandchildren,” Baker said. “They keep us going.”

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12 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

LIFE

Always Best Care Receives 2022 Best of Home Care® – Employer of Choice Award Birmingham-Always Best Care announced recently that it has received the 2022 Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. The Employer of Choice Award is granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on caregiver satisfaction scores gath-

‘We are proud to have been presented with this prestigious award. We recruit the most seasoned and accomplished Certified Nurse Aides and companions in Birmingham to work with our clients.’

Jennifer Mancuso, owner of Always Best Care

ered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care. Always Best Care is recognized among the best employers of in-home caregivers in the region.

“We’re excited to congratulate Always Best Care for their well-deserved achievement: earning the Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award,” says Todd Austin, President of Home Pulse. “Since this award is based on employoming,Care Housekeeping, ee feedback, it shows the dedication Always Best Medication Reminders Care has to providing their employees with a great working experience, ensuring clients have well-

trained, compassionate caregivers.”

Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice award-winning providers work with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.

“We are proud to have been presented with this prestigious award. We recruit the most seasoned and accomplished Certified Nurse Aides and com-

panions in Birmingham to work with our clients, so it is gratifying to know that our employees enjoy working at our company,” says Jennifer Mancuso, owner of Always Best Care.

“At Home Care Pulse, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations,” says Todd Austin, President of Home Care Pulse.

“When we see agencies like Always Best Care that provide a truly outstanding employment experi-

ence, we know we’re on the right track. Always Best Care has worked extremely hard to provide high-quality care and employment, and their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This award allows them to provide proof of quality to potential clients and caregivers.”

To find out more about Always Best Care ’s commitment to excellence, please visit: alwaysbestcare.com/al/birmingham/ or call 205-8749730.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Breaking New Ground

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 13

LIFE

Grandview Doctor Uses New Device in AFib Patient for First Time in Southeast U.S.

By Ally Morrison

Focusing In on Medicine

Rajendra’s interest in medicine began early, but the journey to his eventual career was not a straight path.

“I was always interested in medicine growing up. In high school, I volunteered at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis in addition to other hospitals during the summertime, doing odd jobs,” he said. “During my sophomore year of college, I planned to major in economics and go into business to work on Wall Street or in a financial arena.

“Toward the end of my junior year, I decided I did enjoy business and finance but wondered if I would enjoy that 10 years down the line,” he said.

“So, I refocused on medicine.”

After attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. for his undergraduate studies, he furthered his education in medical school at

Rajendra explains that major headway has been made in the past five to 10 years in treating AFib with ablation, and that has a lot to do with new technologies.

The University of Tennessee, which reaffirmed his interest in cardiology.

Rajendra went on to complete his internal medicine, cardiology and electrophysiology training at the Medical University of South Carolina.

After completing training in 2015, Rajendra moved to Birmingham and joined the Alabama Cardiovascular Group.

Specializing in electrophysiology and arrhythmia, Rajendra deals mostly with AFib patients.

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common types of arrhythmias.

“AFib is a very unorganized, chaotic rhythm in the top chambers of the atrium,” Rajendra said.

“Fortunately, it is not as dangerous as a fatal rhythm, but it does increase the risk for stroke and heart failure.”

Rajendra estimates there are approximately 8 to 9 million people in the United States diagnosed with AFIB, and by 2030 that number is expected

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Dr. Anil Rajendra says he has always been intrigued by the cardiovascular system.

He understood it intuitively when he was taking biology in school, he said, and his interest revived after he went to medical school.

Last month, the cardiologist broke new ground in the treatment of atrial fibrillation when he used the Octaray Mapping Catheter to perform ablation on a patient’s heart.

Atrial fibrillation, better known as AFib, is an irregular, often rapid heart rate originating in the heart’s top two chambers, causing poor blood flow.

The new catheter gives doctors a more efficient and accurate read of electrical signals within the heart to better target the areas causing concern.

“It’s always exciting to use new technologies.

The field of electrophysiology is a relatively young field. There is a lot of change, and we are still learning and improving,” he said. “One of the exciting things for me is being able to use these new technologies and see them working up close and personal.”

Dr. Anil Rajendra’s interest in medicine began early, but the journey to his eventual career was not a straight path.

to rise to 15 million.

“Treatments can range from medicinal to procedural,” Rajendra said. “Medicine wise, there are anti-arrhythmic drugs which are designed to keep patients in a normal rhythm. Procedures for AFib require what we call an ablation. It is a minimally invasive procedure with catheters that are inserted into veins to eventually reach the heart. We can then target the areas AFib typically comes from and keep patients from having further episodes.”

It was on Jan. 13 that Rajendra and his team performed a procedure using the new Octaray Mapping Catheter. Grandview Medical Center posted to LinkedIn to congratulate Rajendra and his colleagues, for being the first hospital in the Southeast, and the fourth hospital in the U.S. to use this new technology.

Rajendra explains that major headway has been made in the past five to 10 years in treating AFib with ablation, and that has a lot to do with new technologies.

“The Octaray catheter is a multi-electrode mapping catheter,” Rajendra said. “We use mapping systems in order to visualize the catheter we put into the heart. The Octaray was a big advancement for Biosense Webster, the manufacturer of the catheter, because the electrodes are smaller.

The smaller the electrodes can be, the higher definition signals we get and the more precise we can be.”

More than 1,000 ablations per year are done at Grandview, and Biosense Webster contacted the hospital for an evaluation of the new Octaray catheter.

“We do have a good working relationship with Biosense Webster, and we do a lot of limited market releases to evaluate and give feedback on new technologies before they are released,” Rajendra said.

AFib can be diagnosed through an EKG or a monitor. People struggling with AFib typically have an elevated heart rate for extended periods of time. Rajendra stresses the importance of evaluations.

Rajendra said Alabama Cardiovascular Group started an AFib clinic shortly after the practice joined Grandview in 2015.

“One main thing we focus on is patient education. We want patients to be aware of what they are dealing with, how it will affect their future and the lifestyle modifications they may need to make,” he said. “We try to make it a very available clinic for patients to learn, as well as emphasize how we can help. It’s important to be evaluated if you have symptoms.”

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa provides professional spa experiences at affordable prices seven days a week.

“Guests entering our spa will be enveloped in soothing sounds and aromas while the journey to relaxation and restoration awaits,” said owner Caroline Goldasich, pictured above center with members of her team.

“Our signature massage, Hot Stone Massage, is a form of massage therapy that follows the same principles of Swedish Massage with the addition of heated stones, which helps lead to deep relaxation,” Adding heat to specific areas on the body enhances the feelings of relaxation and peace.

Recommended in particular for individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis or other chronic pain. The penetrating effects of the heated stones allows the massage to be delivered without exces-

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14 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

lovely

2022 OTMJ VALENTIN

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Bromberg’s 205-871-3276.

A cookie is always a sweet idea!

Cookies starting at $2.50. Cookie Fix, Homewood 205-582-2623 and Cahaba Heights 205-848-8001.

The Big Green Egg is the perfect grill for everyone, including your Valentine. Everything tastes better cooked in a EGG! Hollywood Pools & Spas, 205-979-7727.

White Gold and Yellow Gold Diamond Huggies. $650 to $,1650.

JB&CO., 205-478-0455

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Purchase a gift card and receive a $20 gift card toward product or service. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, 205-588-0613.

Sweet treats: European and American style chocolates, both made in the USA. Christine’s on Canterbury, 205-871-8297.

She’ll love this Sweet Dreams Y’all Nightshirt! Made from 100% soft cotton, it will become her favorite sleeping attire. Sold exclusively at Alabama Goods in Homewood and at alabamagoods.com. $36.99.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis and Priscilla Presley Barbie Dolls, $55. Mary Charles’ Doll House, 205-870-5544.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 15

VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

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Heart Candles from $4.00.

Attic Antiques, 205-991-6887

14K white and yellow gold 1/4ct diamond pendant, $1,200. Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers, 205-871-7060.

Frank Fleming handcrafted bisque pieces.

Roman Brantley Art and Antiques, 205-460-1224.

New fashion colored rings with diamonds. Starting at $350.

Southeastern Jewelers, 205-980-9030.

“Honey Do Service” good for 2 hours of home maintenance and handyman services $149. TruBlue of Birmingham 205-839-3818

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ALENTINE’S DAY IS NDAY, FEBRUARY 14!

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16 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

LIFE

Rehab Reality...

A Merry Monarch

by Judy Butler

Tommy Roberts Will Reign Over This Year’s Beaux Arts Krewe Ball

By Donna Cornelius

Guards for the King’s Box are grandsons Atkins, John Killebrew and Anderson as well as Krewe member Joseph Henry Brady.

“It’s so exciting to have family members involved,” Laura Susan said. “It’s so special not only for Tommy but also because it’s a family affair.”

Tommy has been a Krewe member for 35 years and has served as a duke

T Some of the first things parents or partners of people with addiction are called is Enablers. This happens especially from those who can use “tough love” and separate themselves. We get this.

When flying the instruction to put on your oxygen mask first now makes a lot of sense. You can’t save someone else until you save yourself.

Addiction is different. Sometimes you have to go the extra mile. You have to stretch beyond your comfort zone and understand that drug and or alcohol addiction is not as simple as stopping. It’s physical, it’s mental, and it’s beyond putting on an oxygen mask. It’s beyond 12 step meetings. It’s getting to the underlying reasons and finding the answers and/or coping skills to deal with old or current issues.

This is why we say Enablers Forgive Thy Self… it’s not your fault that you don’t instinctively know how to deal with this behavior. It’s not your fault as a parent, partner or loved one you can’t know how things have been processed in his or her life that have led them to self medicate.

Physical health comes first.

We treat the whole person. The transition clients go through physically is remarkable at Bayshore Retreat. With a healthier body comes clarity and self esteem. It’s more than sitting in meetings. It’s facing the addiction head on and finding peace in knowing that it can end. It’s helping clients find purpose and bringing families together. Many times it might involve weekly testing until they are no longer needed.

So Enablers, we understand.

We’ll do our best to end addiction and restore relationships.

‘The ball is unique in that it not only is a beautiful evening with lots of pageantry, but also because the Krewe provides a large donation to the Birmingham Museum of Art and has done since its origin.’

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Enablers Forgive Thy Self

he Beaux Arts Krewe Ball made its festive debut in Birmingham in 1966. In the 50-plus years since that time, the annual gala has created many beloved traditions – among them, the selection of a king and queen to reign over the festivities, the presentation of princesses and a colorful pageant.

But, like many social gatherings, last year’s event fell victim to COVID-19 restrictions.

The ball will be back with a bang this year. Set for Feb. 25 at Boutwell Auditorium, it will be bigger than usual, as princesses from last year and this year will combine for a total of 51 presentees. While the queen’s identity isn’t revealed until the night of the ball, the king is introduced beforehand, and the 2022 sovereign promises to be a very merry monarch.

King Tommy – Thomas Atkinson Roberts – is a family man, sportsman and fourth-generation resident of Birmingham. He and his wife, Laura Susan, have been married for 53 years, the same amount of time he’s been in the insurance business. He learned that he’d been chosen as king through a bit of crafty deception on the part of two fellow Krewe members.

“Last summer, a couple of individuals contacted me and said they wanted to talk about a business matter,” Tommy said. “We scheduled a time to meet. They asked me some logical questions that I could answer, having been in insurance for so long.”

Soon, he found out that the actual purpose of the meeting was to ask him to be king.

“I was totally surprised,” Tommy said. “In fact, I was speechless.”

Laura Susan couldn’t resist goodnaturedly teasing her husband a little about that last statement.

“That’s unusual for him,” she said with a smile.

While at the University of Alabama, Tommy was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Laura Susan was a Kappa Delta. They met at Lake Martin, where Laura Susan’s family has spent summers at a lake house since 1956.

Following his graduation from college, Tommy began a career in the property and casualty insurance business with Sevier Insurance Agency.

He later became principal owner of the agency and, after 20 years as its president, sold the agency but remained as its managing director for six years.

Tommy later joined Bates Insurance Agency as a producing agent, at which time the name became Bates, Roberts, Fowlkes and Jackson.

One of Tommy’s favorite pastimes is quail hunting, which has led to a bit of a family enigma.

“The number of bird dogs he’s had

Tommy Roberts is a fourth-generation resident of Birmingham. He and his wife, Laura Susan, have been married for 53 years.

over the years is a great mystery,” Laura Susan said. “It’s never been known.”

Tommy admitted to at one time having 10 German shorthaired pointers, which he kept at his hunting property in Uniontown. He’s also owned English setters.

“I have a lifelong love for bird dogs,” he said. “I have two dogs now.

Jake is almost 7 years old; he’s a German shorthaired pointer from Nebraska and is the father of my puppy, Zeke. It’s the first time I’ve had a puppy fathered by one of my own dogs.”

Tommy coached his children’s competitive youth soccer teams for more than 16 years, traveling across the Southeast for tournaments. He was the first state referee administrator – and was a referee himself – for the United States Soccer Federation.

“Some of my former players still call me ‘Coach,’” he said.

Tommy also coached a grandson’s youth basketball teams for several years. He likes golf, too.

A Family Affair

Tommy and Laura Susan have three children. Their sons are Atkins

Roberts and John Allen Roberts, both of Birmingham.

Atkins and his wife, “Fluff,” have three sons: Thomas Atkinson III, John Killebrew and Owen Anderson.

Daughter Laura Roberts Clay and her husband, Stewart Clay, who live in Nashville, have a son, Stewart Campbell, and twin daughters, Laura Thomas and Anne James.

The grandchildren range in age from 8 to 19 years old.

Both Tommy and Laura Susan are looking forward to having family members involved in the fun of the ball.

Son Atkins will be a duke in the King’s Guard, which also includes Tommy’s friends and fellow Krewe members Walter McFarland Beale Jr., Arthur Philip Cook Jr., Harry Huey Gardner, Gerald Palfery Gillespy, Harold Henderson Goings, Henry Barnes Ray Jr. and James Whitfield Waitzman Jr. Granddaughters Annie and Tommie and grandson Stewart will be train bearers along with Margaret Leary Ray, Laurie Price Ray, Charles Sheppard Caldwell Whatley, James Vann Worthen and James Oliver Wood.

and as a member of the Queen’s Guard. He presented his daughter and several out-of-town nieces at past balls.

He served on the board of directors of the former Carraway Methodist Hospital and on the boards of several insurance organizations.

He’s a member of Mountain Brook Club, The Club, the Redstone Club and the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

Tommy and Laura Susan are active members of St.-Mary’s-on-theHighlands Episcopal Church. They also love attending University of Alabama football games. They said two of their favorite trips have been to cheer the Tide to national championships over Notre Dame in Miami and over Clemson in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Games in New Orleans are always fun, too,” Tommy said.

The Krewe King is expected to dress up for the ball in traditional regal attire, complete with a crown.

Tommy is giving his costume a runthrough when he and Laura Susan host his train bearers at a party complete with ice cream, cookies and a magician.

While Tommy is looking forward to the ball and its festivities, it’s important to him that the event has a charitable purpose, too.

“The ball is unique in that it not only is a beautiful evening with lots of pageantry, but also because the Krewe provides a large donation to the Birmingham Museum of Art and has done since its origin,” he said.

As for the big night itself, Tommy has just one kingly decree: that everyone who attends has a “merry old time.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 17

LIFE

Photo courtesy

SHE ALREADY THINKS YOU'RE FUNNY N OW M A K SHOW E H E RH ESRPYOU I R I' TR ES BBR IRLILGIAHN TT

Garden Club members participating in a tree planting to honor Ida Burns included: Susan Hammack, Tempie Brunson, Homewood City Councilor Melanie Geer, Anne Damsgard, Club President Nancy Ferrell and Mimmi Stanton.

Edgewood Garden Club Plants Tree in Memory of Ida Burns In late November, members of the historic Edgewood Garden Club continued a tradition of planting trees in memory of long-time member and Homewood resident Ida Burns.

Club member Laura Williams said Burns was an avid gardener, accomplished flower arranger and flower show judge. During her lifetime, Burns received the first Birmingham Botanical Society Volunteer of the Year award, which went on to be named in her honor.

She was instrumental in estab-

lishing the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library, which has become one of the largest public horticultural collections in the Southeast.

Burns retired as library director at the age of 96 and was named librarian emeritus. After she passed in 2003, $5,000 was gifted to the Edgewood Garden Club from a settlement of her estate to pay for planting a tree each year.

The sourwood tree planted in Rosedale’s Spring Park this year was the 16th tree planted in her memory.

According to club President

Nancy Ferrell, the club is a civicminded group that meets monthly during the school year. The club’s theme is treasuring heritage and learning through education, preservation and the beautification of the city and the world. It is in its 92nd year.

The club shares volunteer opportunities by supporting three Homewood parks – Woodland Park, Sims’ Garden and Spring Park. The organization also provides garden therapy for a retired community at a local assisted living community three times a year.

“We look forward to the future and to new goals in gardening, conservation, preservation and community service as we care for our planet.” Ferrell said.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

GIRLSPRINGS ETERNAL Group Raises Funds, Honors Role Models for Teen Girls

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

G

irlSpring held its largest fundraiser of the year Jan. 27 at Leaf & Petal, during which it honored Jenna Bedsole, Deepa Bhate and Javacia Harris Bowser as role models for girls.

The event featured raffle items, live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and young teens of GirlSpring spoke.

Founded by philanthropist and social activist Jane Stephens Comer in 2010, GirlSpring strives to empower young girls ages 10 to 18.

GirlSpring’s online platform features content created mostly by teenage girls. Members of GirlSpring write articles and poetry, showcase artwork, produce podcasts and provide helpful resources for others.

“We have talks on nutrition, mental health, cyber security and a lot of topics that are helpful for these young women,” Executive Director Kristen Greenwood said.

Greenwood was excited about the opportunity for GirlSpring to organize the party. The organization previously was heavily involved in public events, but since the start of the pandemic, most events have been held virtually.

Horonee Bedsole is the office managing shareholder for Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz’s Birmingham office. She also is a documentary filmmaker and has had her work twice nominated for Southeast Emmys.

She is on the board of directors of the Mike Slive Foundation and Autism2Ability.

Honoree Bhate is the CEO and founding principal of Building & Earth Sciences and has been in the field of consulting engineering for 35 years.

She is an active member of civic and professional organizations, serving in leadership roles with many of them.

Honoree Bowser is an award-winning freelance journalist and essayist and the founder of the See Jane Write website and community, which a friend of hers once called “the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens.”

She was named one of Birmingham’s Top 40 Under 40; was included in Southern Living magazine’s list of Innovators Changing the South, alongside household names such as Dolly Parton and Reese Witherspoon; and is a recipient of the 2022 Alabama State Council on the Arts Fellowship. ❖

Krista Young, Charlotte Ann Adams, Harisha Patel and Ann Harper Adams

Brandon Gooding, Alice Jackson and Ashley Gooding

Liucija Wright and Haley Hoppe

Christina Myerson and Sarah Beth Reeves

Kristen Greenwood, Javacia Harris Bowser and Deepa Bhate

Wendy and Travis Tatum

Jenna Brabson and Jacqui Pautler

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Photo courtesy

SOCIAL

Candlelight committee members with their daughters, from left: Dena and Ellie Kate Berte, Adelaide and Frances Vandevelde, Mary Elaine and Lawsie Jolly, Melanie and Elizabeth Kohn, Wels and Ann Holman, and Hannah and Tona Hitson

Candlelit Magic

Mountain Brook Seniors Presented During Ball Senior girls from Mountain Brook were presented during the 2022 Candlelight Ball on Jan. 8 at Events at Haven, in downtown Birmingham.

After the presentation, the girls and their escorts danced to live music and were served a seated dinner provided

by Tre Luna Catering.

Chairwoman of this year’s ball was Melanie Kohn, and co-chairs were Ann Holman, Adelaide Vandevelde and Tona Hitson. Emcee for the evening was David Seale.

Those presented in the 2022 Candlelight Ball included: Julia Fletcher Abele, Julianne Alexis Abenoja, Elizabeth Colley Acken, Harriet Huntress Crommelin Adams, Katelyn Mary Alfano, Caroline Grace Allen, Elizabeth Legrand Amberson, Ellen Kendall Anderson, Hunter Adelaide Anderson, Anna Elise Andrews, Sareena Morgan Askenazi, Martha Laslie Balogh, Lillian Grace Barksdale, Katherine Eliza Barlow, Juliet Marie Barnes, Nelle Kylie Bashinsky, Anna Marie Bateh, Jane Grey Battle, Mallory Drennen Baxley and Julia Elizabeth Bedingfield.

Paige Ann Benton, Eloise Katherine Berte, Gracyn Olivia Black, Elisabeth Wynne Blackwell, Hagen Mckenzie Blackwell, Frances Spain Bodnar, Martha Bickley Bowron, Sara Allen Brown, Amelia Hayes Brown, Olivia JoAnn Burgess, Sophia Louise Burgess, Alice Caldwell Byars, Sofia Rose Calma, Anabel Alice Camp, Alexandra Caroline Carlson, Bentley Collier Carroll, Margaret Elaine Clanton, Ivy Elizabeth Cobbs, Sara Bennett Coker, Mary Drennan Cooper, Elizabeth Locke Coppedge, Lauren Elizabeth Cotton, Abigail Christine Creutzmann and Sarah Elizabeth Cushman.

Ava Kathryn Darden, Caroline Sumner Davis, Olivia Jane Dayhuff, Megan Glover Dobbins, Isabella Boehm Donner, Reagan Lawson Downey, Ella Rebecca Duvdevani, Sarah Welles Edwards, Eleanor Maclain Elkus, Mollie Patton Ellis, Anna Camille Emblom, Ella Dethalia Emblom, Lucy Broadwell

Evans, Lila Banks Everette, Grace Leigh Gardner, Lucy Bankston Garner, Lilla Rallis Gaylard, Katelynn Jade Gilliland, Camille Winston Gillum, Mary Dawson Gladney, Rebecca Greer Golden and Elizabeth Pierce Grisham.

Lauren Catherine Grubbs, Catherine Marie Guilsher, Cameron Cookson Hahn, Rebekah Elizabeth Hamer, Caroline Cross Hellums, Hannah Lane Hitson, Welden Williams Holman, Emma Grace Holt, Chloe Athanasia Hontzas, Eliska Channell Hood, Carson Paige Horn, Natalie Ann Houser, Clara Davis Howell, Kathryn Ann Huddleston, Abigail Skye Hudson, Amy Elizabeth Hudson, Margaret O’Neil Huffman and Ellie Strickland Ingram.

Marion Alden Johnson, Isabelle Ruth Johnston, Lauren Elizabeth Johnston, Mary Lawson Jolly, Virginia Grace Knight, Kennedy Anne Knight, Elizabeth Wilds Kohn, Margaret Cater Kracke, Ellen Annette Laney, Mary Frances Little, Marissa Alàn Luna, Rayna Brooke Mastin, Ellison Bay Matthews, Katherine Walker Methvin, Emily Page Moore, Ann

Winston Morano, Margaret Lovett Nichols, Beverly Head Perkins, Caroline Clarke Peterson, Ashley Lynn Pitts, Carlyn Rachelle Randleman and Mary Lucy Redden.

Avery Ann Robbins, Mary Chandler Robinett, Carson Worthy Rogers, Olivia Frances Rome, Rachel Vance Roth, Ann Louise Rowe, Margaret Louise Russell, Ida Rose Rutkoff, Katherine Lauren Ryan, Jane Morgan Knight Sauls, Katherine Carter Savage, Georgia Kathryn Scott, Parker Kate Searcy, Eleanor Devereaux Segers, Elinor Hayes Shelfer, Sarah Cahill Simon, Caroline Louise Skelton, Isabel Ryan Smith, Beatrice Dearborn Spencer, Isadola Allison Carroll Steinman and Ann Catherine Stephens.

Madeline Fay Stephens, Eva Sophia Stewart, Juliet Emmaline Stewart, Lillian Tanner Still, Elizabeth Cole Stokes, Gabrielle Frances Taichman, Amelia Wilson Tynes, Frances Braswell Vandevelde, Sydney Ramsey Velazquez, Adele Sauls Vinson, Lillie Kate Walthall, Anne Adams Ware, Olivia Jordan Ware, Virginia Frances Watts, Kathleen Whitfield Webb, Ann Derby Welden, Katy Alexander Wilbanks, Margaret Cameron Windle, Addison Elaine Wint, Ann Hines Woodke, Lillian Grace Wright, Alexandra Kate Yearout and Stella Tupper Young. ❖

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Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 19

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

20 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

Roberta Atkinson, Betty Daigle, Sharon Chapman and Jan Sutton

Spring begins with flowers!

Debbie Rutherford, Steve McClinton, Vulcan, Tynette Lynch and John Lyda

Projects and Happenings

Hoover Service Club Hears About World Games, Bundles of Hope Plan

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The Hoover Service Club held its monthly meeting Jan. 12 at Hoover Country Club and heard about the upcoming World Games, taking place across the Birmingham metro area in July.

A presentation was given by World Games Vice President of Community Engagement Kathy Boswell and Chief Financial Officer Josh Bryant.

Club members also discussed their monthly service project, a joint project with Bundles of Hope, which has the mission to “provide an adequate and reliable supply of diapers to families experiencing financial hardship while

engaging the community and raising awareness for diaper need.”

Attending the event were City Council President John Lyda, Place 7 City Councilor Steve McClinton, Hoover Director of Hospitality and Tourism Tynette Lynch and Executive Director of Bundles of Hope Lindsay Gray.

During the event, club members were treated to a lunch of salad, country fried chicken breast covered by white gravy, mashed potatoes, collard greens and black-eyed peas, followed by Ghirardelli brownies with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. ❖

Lori Heglas, Lindsay Gray and Betty Moulton

Liesa Pitts, Deborah Weyandt and Melinda Springfield

Paula Campbell, Mitzi Eaker, Lois Taylor and Linda Wasden

Kelly Flick, Karli Piennette, Karen Bruce and Susette Clark-Walker

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 21

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

SOCIAL

Above left, Jay Howton, John Love, Paul Petznick, Ralph Hare and Tim Medders. Above right, Rick Reed, Wayne Hay, Bob Hunter, Gilbert Douglas and Roger Vaughan

SAR Inductions

NOW OPEN

New President Wants to Expand Chapter’s Reach The Birmingham Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held its first meeting of the new year at The Club and inducted a new president, Dr. Paul Petznick, in addition to five new members, Mike Hale, Larry Johnson, Frank Lines, Derrek Oldham and William Howard Love.

Petznick explained his goals for the chapter, saying he wanted to expand membership by hosting a Legacy Drive Campaign and increase the number of George Washington Fellows in the chapter.

Additionally, he aims to expand the Birmingham chapter Color Guard and encourage more U.S. flag displays, and he hopes for greater involvement and participation with local schools.

The Alabama chapter of SAR contains more than 1,000 members in 16 local chapters. According to its website, all members of SAR are descendants of a patriot who either fought for independence during the Revolutionary War or provided material aid for the cause. ❖

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22 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

FOOD

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Nourishing Kombucha

FOODIE NEWS

Journal photo by Ally Morrison

rience. In August 2019, we moved into the larger space in Innovation Depot where we are now. We thought in January of 2020 we were just going to hit the ground running. Which we did, until the pandemic in March, when we all hit a wall.”

Legg explained that, even though the shutdown was hard for her and her team, it allowed them to take a lot of time to learn. In March and April, Better Kombucha was scheduled to supply product for various events in Birmingham. But after they had made 120 gallons of kombucha, the events were canceled due to COVID. “This was our first year to do something big like that,” Legg said. “When it all shut down, it ultimately gave us the chance to test the production process and know that we could do it.”

“I called emergency room staff and brought kombucha to say thank you during the pandemic,” Legg said. “When some of the unrest was happening downtown and businesses were damaged, I just loaded up kombucha in the back of my truck and drove around dropping it off to spread kindness and love in a time of need.”

Legg makes an effort to stress the importance of Better Kombucha’s values to her team.

She believes in doing good work and taking care of the world and one another, and she is committed to supporting the community by striving to partner with like-minded organizations, charities and nonprofits.

By Ally Morrison

H

omewood local and owner of Better Kombucha Nancey Legg always has been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and had a “Why buy it if you can make it?” mentality.

In the summer of 2009, Legg’s son Carson was working in Northern California and called his mom to excitedly share his new favorite drink: kombucha.

“Carson told me he had a drink that I should try and that I would love it,” Legg said.

“When he got back, we found some kombucha and I tried it, but I wasn’t in love with it. I kept reading more about it and realized it had been around for about 2,000 years. Grandmothers had been making it on their kitchen counters for a long, long time. So, I started tinkering with the idea of making my own.”

Legg explained that her goal was to encourage her family to stop drinking soft drinks and that she aimed to do so by making her own kombucha. As Legg grew more knowledgeable about the production process, one gallon turned into friends asking for more.

A friend suggested Legg participate in the West Homewood Farmers Market during summer 2015, held every Tuesday night. She agreed and bottled her new passion into Mason jars. Legg made kombucha every week, and at the end of the summer, she was saddened it was over.

“At the end of the summer, a man who came every Tuesday night, all summer long, asked how he could get it,” Legg said. “There was a spark that made me think, people might actually buy this.”

Early Medicinal Qualities

Nancey Legg’s goal with making kombucha was to stop drinking soft drinks.

“We picked the name Better Kombucha because we wanted to help people feel better, help our community to be better, and we know that if our people feel better, then we will be better.” Legg said.

Currently, Better Kombucha is produced inside Innovation Depot, a collection of workspaces and laboratories in downtown Birmingham.

“We started in August 2016 at Innovation Depot in a small lab, about 600 square feet,” Legg said. “But we were learning and making little bits at a time, about 200-300 gallons a month. Every month was a new learning expe-

Better Kombucha incorporates locally sourced ingredients into healthy drinks that come in a multitude of flavors. Legg explained kombucha has health benefits that were known before the age of traditional medicine.

Ingredients in Better Kombucha’s ginger and hibiscus flavors serve as natural antiinflammatories, and ginger and fig both promote digestive health.

A local distributor, International Wines and Craft Beer, suggested Legg develop a flavor profile for each kombucha flavor. Legg worked alongside the distributor, in hopes that developing the profiles would make it easy for patrons to enjoy kombucha alongside their meals.

Legg is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a women’s organization of food and beverage leaders and experts who are dedicated to growing, creating, promoting and sharing the local Birmingham food culture. She is grateful that she is part of a community that shares her values, and she has learned a lot during her time as a member.

Good Food Award

Better Kombucha on Jan. 19 was recognized by the Good Food Foundation, an organization that celebrates and connects passionate local food makers, ranchers and growers who create authentic, tasty and responsible food in the American food culture.

“There was a business adviser who has an office at Innovation Depot that had been telling See KOMBUCHA, page 23

Photo courtesy

Homewood’s Legg Takes Kitchen Counter Drink to an Award-Winning Beverage

Ash Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Homewood is one of more than 30 restaurants, food trucks and bars participating in Birmingham Restaurant Week, Feb. 17-26.

Birmingham Restaurant Week Winter Edition Returns Calling all food enthusiasts! The 10-day Birmingham Restaurant Week will give connoisseurs the opportunity to indulge in multiplecourse meals from more than 30 participating restaurants, food trucks and bars.

Event attendees can indulge in cuisine ranging from fine dining to homestyle Southern plates during the event, which is sponsored by Spire. It will incorporate dine-in and take-out options.

In addition, BRW 2022 Winter Edition will host crowd favorite events, such as Wine-O-Logy on Feb. 22 at The Fennec and a fiesta-style cocktail event, Magic City Mix-O-Logy, on March 1 at Events at Haven.

According to a press release from Birmingham Restaurant Week, the group aims to support local restaurants and stimulate the economic environment while giving customers the chance to try new bites and enjoy old favorites.

After delaying the event due to the pandemic, Birmingham Restaurant Week is hosting the Winter Edition Feb. 17-26.

Pepper Place Market Opens Its Winter Season Pepper Place Market’s Winter Season has officially opened. Every Saturday through April 9, from 7 a.m. to noon, the indoor market will provide items from fresh, farm-grown produce to gourmet bread and baked goods.

Curbside pickup also is available. Customers can order ahead to support local businesses and pick up purchased items during the market.

Visit pepperplacemarket.com to place a curbside order and to check out the vendors of the week.

Mardi Gras Market and Shopping at Ross Bridge Ross Bridge Farmers Market has two upcoming events on the schedule. It will have a Mardi Grasthemed market Feb. 26, featuring Creole food

FOODIE continued on page 23

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 23

FOOD Spend time “traveling the globe,” so to speak, with various offerings to expand your palate’s horizons.

Restaurants will have food for purchase during the event, and the festival will feature live music.

A portion of general admission and VIP tickets sold will go to benefit the Birmingham Zoo.

Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off Set for March 5

The Exceptional Foundation will be holding its 18th annual Chili Cook-Off March 5 in the Macy’s parking lot at Brookwood Village.

The cook-off, sponsored by MortgageBanc, will feature a variety of cook teams. About 10,000 people attended the event last year.

Magic City Wine Fest Returns to the Birmingham Zoo

Enjoying last year’s Chili Cook-Off, from left, Kendra Watson, Autumn Harris holding Ray and Meghan Royer.

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The Birmingham Zoo will host its 5th Annual Magic City Wine Fest from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 14.

All proceeds from the family-friendly event will benefit The Exceptional Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1993 to serve individuals with special needs in the greater Birmingham area.

The cook-off will feature live music, a kid zone, and “all the chili you can eat,” according to The Exceptional Foundation’s website.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

FOODIE from page 22

trucks from Red Mountain Crawfish, Gumbo to Geaux and many more.

Additionally, a live jazz band will be performing music while guests shop from local vendors and businesses.

Admission is free and the event will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Ross Bridge, in Hoover, also will host a Spring Fling Market on March 19 to support local farmers and artisans. The free community event will feature food trucks, live music, shopping and free children’s activities.

Better Kombucha employee Emanuel Montes prepares tea for shipping.

KOMBUCHA

out the state. In Birmingham, Better Kombucha is available at the following locations: Alabaster Bottle Shop, Archetype Health, Ash Homewood, Baba Java, Birmingham Bread Works, Bottega Café, Brick & Tin, Collins Bar, Country Club of Birmingham, Crestline Chevron, Crestwood Pharmacy, Edgar’s Bakery, Edgewood Chevron, Eli’s Jerusalem Grill, Frutta Bowls, Golden Temple, Harvest at Redmont Hotel, Greenhouse, Hometown Supermarket, Nourish Meals, Johnny Brusco’s, Ovenbird, Piggly Wiggly, Pizzeria GM, Publix Greenwise Market, Raymond’s 5 Points Mkt, Rocky Ridge Chevron, Sol Y Luna, Superior Grill, Taproot Café, The Blue Root Co., The Essential, The Joyful Food Co., The Market at Pepper Place, True 40 – Downtown, Vineyard Food Market and Wilson’s Market.

From page 22

me for years that I needed to send my products to be entered into a competition,” Legg said. “In the fall, we sent in our blueberry and apple flavors and got a letter that said one of our products was a finalist.

“The Good Food Foundation not only vets your flavors, but they vet your company, what you stand for and where you source from. We realized our apple flavor was one of the winners, and it has just been so sweet.”

Where to Purchase in Birmingham

Based in Birmingham, Better Kombucha products are sold in about 100 establishments in cities through-

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24 • Thursday, February 10, 2022

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SCHOOLS

OTM Area Students Named Presidential Scholars Candidate

OTM Area Candidates

Alabama School of Fine Arts: James H. Shi. The Altamont School: Jeffrey Youngson.

Briarwood Christian High School: David N. Houston and David F. Lether.

Homewood High School:

James H. Shi

Jeffrey Youngson

Natalie C. Crawford

Saniya Virani

Sarah R. Xin

Martha Bowron

Ivy Cobbs

Amy E. Hudson

Georgia K. Scott

Addison E. Wint

Michael J. Wolkow

Ranee Brady

Yongyu Qiang

Christina K. Sorochinsky

Eleanor M. Elkus

Photos courtesy

About 5,000 high school seniors nationwide have been nominated as U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates.

Students are invited to apply based on their SAT or ACT scores, or based on nomination by a chief state school officer.

Each April, the Commission of Presidential Scholars reviews the applications and selects up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for a high school student.

The new scholars are recognized during a ceremony in June in Washington, D.C.

Natalie C. Crawford.

Hoover High School: Shayaan S. Essani, Saniya Virani, Sarah R. Xin and Jeffrey Yuan.

Indian Springs School: Caroline L. Beisher, William R. Falconer,

Andrew C. Glassford, Hao W. Jiang, Joseph B. Katz, Catherine Kung, Emma S. Peng and Andrew C. Schwebel.

Mountain Brook High School: Martha Bowron, Ivy Cobbs,

Eleanor M. Elkus, Amy E. Hudson, Georgia K. Scott and Addison E. Wint.

Oak Mountain High School: Logan J. Camp, George H. Graham IV and Cade M. May.

Ethan O. Wylie

Spain Park High School: Michael J. Wolkow.

Vestavia Hills High School: Ranee Brady, Yongyu Qiang, Christina K. Sorochinsky and Ethan O. Wylie.

Homewood City Schools Announces Teacher of the Year Awards

By Ally Morrison

Homewood City Schools recently announced its Teacher of the Year award recipients.

Elementary Teacher of the Year was granted to Genie Christian, a physical education teacher at Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

Secondary Teacher of the Year was awarded to Claudia Sale-Casalino, of Homewood High School. SaleCasalino teaches in the world languages area and focuses primarily in the Spanish and English learner subjects.

According to the director of communications at Homewood City Schools, Merrick Wilson, a sevenmember level selection committee met to review applications to select award recipients.

Genie Christian

Christian has taught physical education at Shades Cahaba Elementary School for 13 years. She has been recognized by the school system as a

Teacher Impact Award recipient for her commitment to her students and community.

According to Wilson, Christian takes pride in her classroom being a space of comfort, respect, acceptance and fun.

Through Genie Christian physical education and activity, Christian has helped students with physical, emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities or impairments to be successful.

In addition to her main job, Christian has helped start and assist with many extracurricular activities for students and staff to promote healthy relationships between their minds and bodies.

She currently is a cross-country and track and field coach at Homewood Middle School.

Christian is dedicated to experimenting with new methods and resources to keep students engaged and active. Under her leadership, her school was awarded the Be Healthy Schools Blue Cross and Blue Shield Grant in 2015.

“Coach Christian is the type of teacher every parent wants their child to experience,” Shades Cahaba Principal Wendy Story said. “We are fortunate that all of our students have this opportunity to learn and be supported by such an amazing educator.

Coach Christian speaks about our students as if they were her own and takes an active interest in their learning within and outside the walls of the gymnasium.”

Claudia Sale-Casalino

Sale-Casalino began her teaching career in 2007 at Homewood Middle School, and in 2016 she became a Spanish and EL teacher at Homewood High School.

During her time at the middle school, Sale-Casalino completed her

master’s degree in English as a second language at UAB. At the age of 23 without knowing English, Sale-Casalino emigrated to the United States from Argentina in search of opportunity, and she refused to allow the barrier of language to hold her back.

She currentClaudia Salely works with Casalino English language learners, individualizing instructions to meet the linguistic, academic and cultural needs of her students. She is known for her creativity and knowledge, which she uses alongside her personal experiences to make learning meaningful to her students.

Wilson stated that no matter the subject, Sale-Casalino teaches, her philosophy has been to be a role

Teacher of the Year awards at the campus level were: Elementary: Edgewood Elementary – Michelle Graves; Hall-Kent Elementary – Brooklyn Scoggins Middle: Homewood Middle – Mary Paris

dents, teachers, staff and families who do such a great job supporting our

school,” VHEE Principal Mark Richardson (pictured) said.

VHEE is the third Vestavia Hills school in as many years to receive the State School of Character Award, joining Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and Vestavia Hills Elementary West. Both subsequently received National School of Character honors.

VHEE previously earned State and National School of Character awards in 2013.

The 2022 National Schools of Character will be announced in May.

Vestavia Hills Elementary East is being recognized statewide for its emphasis on character education and development, according to a press release from Vestavia Hills City Schools.

Character.org, a national organization whose goal is to advocate for character education in schools, on Jan. 26 named Vestavia Hills Elementary East a 2022 Alabama State School of Character. VHEE was one of only five schools in Alabama chosen for the award this year.

Each of the State Schools of

Character were selected based on demonstrated excellence in 11 key principles of character education and development.

For VHEE, those principles were found in programs such as the Friendship Initiative, which seeks to identify students in need of additional peer and adult connections and create opportunities for friendships to form.

In 2021, the Friendship Initiative earned the school a Promising Practice award from Character.org.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition. We are able to achieve great

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Vestavia Hills Elementary East Named State School of Character

results in our character education efforts because of our outstanding stu-

model to her students and to make students feel welcome.

Sale-Casalino serves many leadership roles at Homewood High, including sponsor of the Arabic Club, Heritage Panel and Library Advisory Committee.

“As a teacher of English language learners, she relates to students across a spectrum of cultural backgrounds,” HHS Assistant Principal Latta Johnston said. “She does this by getting to know students and their parents. She excels at making connections with families and is active in the community, where she fosters relationships outside of school. These relationships help her connect with and motivate her students.”

Other Winners

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Mountain Brook Student to Represent Alabama in the National Distinguished Young Women Competition

Julianne Abenoja, a senior at Mountain Brook High School, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama 2022 during a recent weekend of competition in Montgomery.

“The entire night felt like a whirlwind,” Abenoja said in an interview with Alabama News Network. “I was Julianne Abenoja running on pure adrenaline in the last performance, and it was just such a dream.”

Abenoja, who was named Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County in July, was one of 45 contestants from across the state who competed in the event, according to a press release from Mountain Brook schools.

She won the talent, fitness, scholastic and interview portions of DYW of Alabama. She will represent Alabama at the National DYW competition June 23-25 in Mobile.

Julianne received $6,000 in scholarships for her wins, and several colleges in the state award full renewable tuition scholarships to the winner, as well.

“She was very well-loved by the other participants, the committee that puts

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 25

PEOPLE on the program and other participants’ families,” DYW of Jefferson County Chairman Eddie Macksoud said. “Every mom and dad want their darling to win, but she deserved to win.”

Abenoja is the third Mountain Brook High School student to earn the DYW of Alabama recognition, previously named Alabama’s Junior Miss, since 1985. She joins Christa Carns Lidikay, 1985, and Kathryn Tully Oelsner, 2009.

“Julianne is an amazing young woman and an incredible student.

She works incredibly hard both in the classroom and in her interests outside of school,” Mountain Brook High School Principal Philip Holley said. “Julianne embodies everything that we believe in at Mountain Brook High School.”

Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow said he’s excited Abenoja will be representing Mountain Brook.

“It is no surprise to those who know Julianne that she has been named Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama for 2022,” he said. “We’re so excited that she gets to represent our community and state at the national level with her talent and personal character. We wish her the best and are very proud of her continued success.”

Jackie O’Neal Dancer Landed 1st Runner Up at National Competition

Emma Carter from the Jackie O’Neal School of Dance was 1st runner up to Miss Dance of America during national competition this past summer in Dallas.

pre-professional program called The Launch Training Program at The Space in Orange County.

Homewood’s Morales Earns Eagle Rank

Emma Carter

She won the ballet and jazz auditions and had the highest-scoring lyrical piece in the competition, “Honest,” which was choreographed by her teacher Nealey Towns Alonso.

She represented Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee at nationals after winning the regional title of Miss Dance Chapter 33 last year.

Carter was set to give up her regional title, crown the new titleholder and perform a solo during this year’s competition Feb. 5 in Montgomery.

She has studied at Jackie O’Neal School of Dance since the age of 5 and has been a company dancer on a competitive level for the past seven years.

Carter is the daughter of Dr. Scott and Hayden Appell of Mountain Brook and a 2021 graduate of Valleydale Christian Academy.

She recently moved to California, where she was accepted in the elite

Hunter C. Morales, a Homewood resident and a member of Boy Scout Troop 79 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout for the class of 2020 from the Vulcan District Eagle Board.

During his years in scouting, Morales earned 24 merit badges; was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society; and held the leadership roles of assistant senior patrol leader, assistant patrol leader and den chief.

He has gone on multiple adventure trips and campouts, including white water rafting on the Ocoee River and the 2019 Seabase high adventure trip in Islamorada, Florida. The Seabase expedition included seven days of sailing, snorkeling and fishing off the Florida Keys.

Morales’ Eagle project was at Homewood High School, where he designed, planned and constructed a teaching platform stage for the outdoor classroom. The stage provides a space for teachers to conduct sessions outside the traditional classroom.

Hunter C. Morales Not only has this addition been a benefit during the pandemic, it will be an asset for the school for years to come.

Morales is a senior at Homewood High School, where he is SGA executive vice president and a member of Patriot Pride Ambassadors, Beta Club and National Honor Society.

He also is a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church. He is the son of Stacey and Scott Morales of Homewood.

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Vestavia Hills’ West Earns Second Straight Gatorade Cross-Country Award Vestavia Hills senior Crawford West has been named the 2021-22 Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Player of the Year.

It’s the second consecutive year West has received the honor, but this time it’s particularly sweet.

“I would definitely say it is more special this year since it is my final year,” West said. “It’s always special to win on your last year.

“I’m thankful for everything I’ve been able to experience this year and for my amazing team for supporting me.”

West won the Class 7A individual state championship last fall with a time of 17:06.33, leading the Rebels to a second-place finish as a team.

West’s time was the second-fastest in AHSAA girl cross-country history and only three seconds off the state record time of 17:03.04, set in 2014

by Montgomery Catholic’s Amaris Tyynismaa.

West also won the Jesse Owens Classic Gold Race and the Chickasaw Trails Invitational Large School title and placed sixth at the Eastbay South Regional Championships.

“Crawford West is the textbook definition of grit,” Vestavia Hills assistant coach Katherine Terino said.

“Her sheer will to work and go the extra mile was a driving force not only in her individual success, but in the success of the team.”

The Gatorade award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excel-

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

West won the Class 7A individual state championship last fall with a time of 17:06.33.

lence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.

West has maintained a 4.09 GPA in the classroom and has signed a track scholarship with Alabama. A devoted member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, West has volunteered locally as a mentor for elementary school students and has raised funds to benefit the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She joins former Homewood runner Lainey Phelps (2016-17, 20192020) as recent two-time Gatorade state girls cross-country Player of the Year winners.

West is a finalist for the Gatorade national Player of the Year award to be announced in February.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

TRACK From page 28

In the boys competition, Hoover’s Jay Avery won the long jump with a leap of 22-00.25 and the triple jump, going 48-08.75. The Bucs’ Collin Pate and Carter Ellis each cleared 15-03 in the pole vault competition, with Pate winning a jump-off to claim the title.

The 4x800 relay team of Sam Kilgore, Matthew Harden, Cannon Peters and Elijah Joseph also won, finishing in 7:58.

DJ Black was second in the 60-meter dash, Joseph was second in the 1,600, Avery was second in the high jump and Bradley Shaw was third in shot put.

Vestavia Hills Solid

Vestavia’s boys shined in the running events. Alex Leath won the 800 (1:53.65) and 1,600 (4:22.98). John Stephens won the 400 in 49.42 seconds, edging Rebels teammate Matthew Rainer, who crossed just 1/10th of a second later at 49.52.

The Rebels also claimed the top spots in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.

Stephens, Rainer, Colin Robinson and Wyatt Raley ran the 200, with Rainer, Leath, Stephens and Bo Webb running the 400.

Webb finished second in 60 hurdles, Rainer was second in the 400, Will Jordan was second in the 3,200, and the 4x800 team was second.

On the girls side, Vestavia Hills senior distance runner Crawford West turned in another stellar performance.

She clocked 4:58.68 to win the Class 7A 1,600 meters, breaking the AHSAA Class 7A indoor state meet record (4:59.58) she set last year.

West set another 7A record in the 3,200 meters, beating the field with a 10:49.48 time – 10 seconds faster than the indoor state meet record (10:58.27) she set in 2021.

The Rebels’ Angelica Vines won the long jump with a leap of 16-11.5, and Kennedy Moreland won the pole vault, clearing 11 feet. Claire Spooner was third in the 1,600, Abbie Richenderfer was third in the pole vault and the 4x800 relay team placed second.

Spain Park’s Mackensie Culpepper ran a blistering time of 2:13.40 to win the girls 800 meters. Her time was just one second off the 7A Indoor State Meet record (2:12.125) set by McGillToolen Catholic’s Claire Frazier Bolton in 2020. Hoover’s Blackledge was second with a 2:14.15 time.

Culpepper also was part of the Jaguars’ 4x400 relay team, along with Sydney Baker, Maddie Davis and Delaney Vickers, that finished second.

Oak Mountain’s Ethan Hammett won the boys high jump, clearing 6-04, while Spain Park’s John Landers finished third in the boys pole vault.

Spartans Fall Short

The Mountain Brook girls came up just short in Class 6A, finishing second with 89.33 points, just behind Northridge (91 points), which won its

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Back-to-Back

SPORTS

Hoover’s Daisy Luna won the 400meter dash with a 56.26 time.

Vestavia’s John Stephens won the 400 in 49.42 seconds.

The Spartans’ Reagan Riley won individual championships in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. Riley, left, won the 1,600 in 5:02.68, with teammate Clark Stewart, far left, runner-up at 5:08.56.

second straight 6A title. Homewood was third with 70 points.

The Spartans’ Reagan Riley won individual championships in the 1,600and 3,200-meter runs. She won the 1,600 in 5:02.68, with teammate Clark Stewart runner-up at 5:08.56.

Homewood’s Emma Brooke Levering was third.

In the 3,200 meters, Riley clocked 10:51.57, finishing ahead of Stewart (10:57.97) and Levering (11:41.90).

Riley finished second in the 800 with a time of 2:11.53, just behind Chelsea’s Cady McPhail, who clocked 2:10.72 to win. The Spartans’ Lucy Benton was third with a time of 2:12.45 Mountain Brook’s Camille Gillum finished second in the high jump at 5-04.00. Mountain Brook’s team of Hunter Anderson, Callie Kent, Mary Katherine Malone and Kennedy Hamilton won the 4x800 in 9:43.92.

The Spartans’ team of Kent, Malone, Riley and Benton won the 4x400 in 4:04.03. Homewood was second in 4:09.16.

Homewood’s Naeemah Gamble won the shot put with a throw of 39 feet, 2 inches. The Patriots’ Brooke

Walden and Jordan Reaves tied for third in the pole vault and 4x400 relay team of Norah Nickoli, Olivia Burczyk, Sarah Derriso and Mary Siena McBride placed second.

In the Class 6A boys completion, Homewood’s Spencer Lamb won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.30 seconds and teammate Slate Rohrer finished third in 8.49.

Mountain Brook’s Max Baltz finished second in the high jump at 6-00.00. Davis Lee placed third in the 400.

The Spartans’ 4x400 team of Spence Morano, Robert Sproule, K.J. Leedy and Lee finished second. The 4x800 team of Harry Clark, Jack Chapman, Bibb Albright and Clayton Collins finished third.

Scottsboro claimed the 6A boys team title with 77 points. Mountain Brook finished fourth (44) and Homewood was fifth (42.5).

Class 1A-3A Girls

Mobile Christian won the Class 1A-3A girls championship with 79.5 points – winning by a slim 4.5 points over runner-up Westminster at Oak Mountain.

Altamont’s Carson Hicks ran 7.95 to win the 60-meter dash and was second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:00.84.

Altamont’s Merritt Fulmer turned in her top performance of the season with a winning height of 9-09 in the pole vault competition.

Westminster at Oak Mountain’s 4x400 relay team of Vale Richie, Elizabeth Bandura, Cammi Griffith and Madden Sellers finished first with a 4:24.40 time.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Spain Park senior Yasmine Oliveira wasn’t too keen on the idea of wrestling against girls when it became part of high school athletic competitions during her junior year.

She had wrestled against boys since she began grappling in the eighth grade at Berry Middle School, so wrestling against girls took some getting used to.

“At first I was skeptical,” Oliveira said. “I liked having the advantage of being strong enough to wrestle guys. But over time wrestling against girls felt more like fair game.”

During her first season of wrestling against girls, Oliveira finished as the 140-pound runner-up to Weaver’s Lena Johannson in the inaugural Girls State Tournament in 2021 at Hoover High School.

This season, Oliveira was determined not to finish second again. Her determination showed on the mat as she captured the 147pound title during the 2022 state tournament on Jan. 22 at Thompson High School. She finished the season undefeated with a 21-0 record.

“I couldn’t stand the fact that I didn’t do as good as I thought I should have at the state tournament last year,” Oliveira said. “That gave me a lot of motivation. I did a lot of offseason training because I wanted a better outcome. All my hard work paid off.”

Oliveira pinned each of her opponents in the state tournament, beating Spanish Fort’s Sarah Edgar, Catholic-Montgomery’s Charlotte Parker in the semifinals and Sparkman’s Akerah Artis in the final.

Of her 21 wins this season, 19 were by pin.

The other two were a major decision and a

Unbeatable

Spain Park Girls Wrestler Oliveira Caps decision. Of her 19 pins, 18 occurred in the first period.

“Overall, the season was a big success,” Oliveira said, “but it was a learning experience as well.”

Oliveira is only the second wrestler in the history of Spain Park to go undefeated for the season.

“She’s got a great work ethic, she’s real coachable and she’s tough,” Spain Park wrestling coach Ryan Thompson said. “She’s really inspiring and she’s humble.”

Martial Arts Background

The 5-foot-3 Oliveira gravitated to wrestling from martial arts. She has been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu since she could walk as well as judo. Her father, Kaliffa Oliveira, participated in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and earned national and world rankings in both sports. He owns Gracie Barra Alabama gyms in Pelham and in Greystone, teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and Muay Thai kickboxing.

Yasmine Oliveira works full time at the Gracie Barra Pelham gym as the program director. She has won American Nationals and international tournaments multiple times in jiu-jitsu.

Her dad encouraged her to take up wrestling in addition to jiu-jitsu and judo.

“He thought it would help me with jiu-jitsu,” Oliveira said. “But it turned out the other way around. I started liking wrestling more.

Photo courtesy

By Rubin E. Grant

Of Spain Park senior Yasmine Oliveira’s 21 wins this season, 19 were by pin.

“Jiu-jitsu has helped me with wrestling.

Because of it, I was already aggressive. You also have to train hard in jiu-jitsu and think on your feet, so it was really an easy transition to

JAGS 143 for a 4-2 victory in the best-ofseven final series of Baker games.

It was the Jags’ third state title overall but the first since winning con-

Praise for Novices at State

Hobbs praised his bowlers since the tournament was a new experience for

4-0 in the finals as the Lady Senators won their second consecutive Class 6A/7A title.

Spain Park’s Emma Hawkins placed third among the 6A/7A girls individual medalists with a three-game total of 561, breaking a program record with her 244 in the second game.

WORK HARD

Photo by Marvin Gentry/ahsaaphotos.com

secutive titles in 2016 and 2017, the first two years the AHSAA offered bowling as a championship sport.

“I’m really excited because our other two state championships came at the beginning of bowling as a championship sport, and the competition has gotten a lot better since then,” Hobbs said. “To win now you have to put it all together.

“There was a lot of pressure because we were going against Hoover. Their coach is a former student of mine at Spain Park. He’s done a good job.”

Hoover finished as the runner-up for the second straight season.

wrestling.”

Oliveira had some success beating guys when she was in the eighth grade, but that changed during her freshman year at Spain Park.

“The guys I was beating in eighth grade, I couldn’t beat in high school,” she said. “That mentally messed with me. I kind of struggled that year.”

Oliveira decided not to wrestle during her sophomore year. She returned to the mat as a junior and wrestled co-ed before settling in this season competing against girls as the number of girls wrestling in Alabama increased. At the 2021 state tournament, 75 girls competed, but this year there were more than 40 teams.

Oliveira’s younger brother Kyle, a sophomore, also wrestles for Spain Park in the 195pound weight class. The two of them are practice partners, but Yasmine Oliveira has no illusions about beating Kyle in a match.

“I wish, but he’s a big boy,” she said with a laugh.

Yasmine Oliveira is interested in wrestling in college, with her top two choices being King University in Bristol, Tennessee, and North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She also has wrestling offers from Presbyterian College and Sacred Heart University, becoming the first wrestler at Spain Park to be offered a full NCAA Division I wrestling scholarship.

An excellent student with grade-point average near 4.0, Oliveira also has academic scholarship offers from Presbyterian, King, Friends University, Brewton-Parker College and William Penn University.

“I haven’t decided on which college yet,” she said. “I plan to major in biology and eventually get into sports medicine.”

we wouldn’t be state champs.”

In the Class 6A/7A girls competition, both Vestavia Hills and Spain Park were eliminated by Stanhope Elmore, with the Rebels falling in the quarterfinals and Jags in the semifinals.

Stanhope Elmore lost to Sparkman

From page 28

‘None of these guys had ever been to state before, so for them to come out and bowl like they did, I could not be more proud,”

Thursday, February 10, 2022 • 27

SPORTS

This was the Jags’ third state title overall but the first since winning consecutive titles in 2016 and 2017, the first two years the AHSAA offered bowling as a championship sport.

them.

“None of these guys had ever been to state before, so for them to come out and bowl like they did, I could not be more proud,” he said. “Our two seniors, Cole Henson and Russell Partin didn’t start bowling until last year. They did a good job of leading us.

“Cole was on the JV (junior varsity) until the end of last year, but he fell in love with the sport and really dedicated himself to it. Russell is our lead

off guy. He starts us off with a strike just about every game.”

Henson was the top medalist with a total score of 683, 20 pins better than Hoover’s Lee. The Bucs’ Hughes was fourth with a three-game total of 621.

Hobbs complimented volunteer assistant Lillian Singleton for her efforts to help the Jags win the crown.

“I need to give a lot of the credit to Lillian,” Hobbs said. “She is there every practice and every match, teaching technique to the kids. Without her,

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Unbeatable: Spain Park Girls wrestler Oliveira caps perfect season with state title Page 27

SPORTS

Thursday, February 10, 2022 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Back-to-Back: Vestavia Hills’ West earns second straight Gatorade CrossCountry award Page 26

AHSAA STATE INDOOR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

BUC’S SWEEP

Hoover Boys and Girls Claim 7A Championships; Spartan Girls Fall Short in 6A Hoover track coach Chris Schmidt was both excited and relieved after the 2022 Alabama High School Athletic Association State Indoor Track Championships last weekend at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

The Bucs boys and girls team swept the Class 7A state championships but in completely different ways.

The Hoover girls dominated, taking an early lead and never looking back en route to claiming their 10th girls state crown. They won with 119 points, well ahead of second-place HewittTrussville (76.33 points) and third-place Vestavia Hills (72). Spain Park (38) and Auburn (35) rounded out the top five.

The Hoover boys had to overcome a baton handoff that went awry in the 4x200-meter relay that Hoover was expected to win, resulting in a close battle the rest of the way and a strong challenge from rival Vestavia Hills.

The Bucs boys finished with 108 points to claim Hoover’s 11th boys state indoor championship. Vestavia Hills was second with 100 points. The Bucs have won seven state boys championships since 2013.

“It was a fun meet,” said Schmidt, in his first year as head coach after replacing legendary coach Devon Hind, who retired in the spring.

“We were favored in both, but I thought the boys were going to give it away. It was stressful after the baton mishap. I’ve got a little more gray hair.

“I was a little more concerned about the girls going in, but they stepped it up and were amazing. They were on point in every single event and picked up bonus points in every event. That was fun to watch.”

The Bucs’ girls swept the three relays, the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800.

The 4x200 team clocked 1:40.93, just 2/100ths of a second off the Class 7A Indoor State Meet record set by Hoover in 2016. The four runners, Jebreiya Chapman, Gabrielle Washington, Taylor Canada and Layla Wilson,

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

Above, Mountain Brook’s team of Hunter Anderson, Callie Kent, Mary Katherine Malone and Kennedy Hamilton won the 4x800 6A title with a time of 9:43.92. In the Class 6A boys completion, Homewood’s Spencer Lamb won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.30 seconds, below.

Hoover’s Jay Avery won the long jump with a leap of 22-00.25 and the triple jump, going 48-08.75.

also improved their best qualifying time by more than a second in the victory.

Hoover’s 4x400 team of Chapman, Canada, Washington and McKenzie Blackledge finished with a time of 4:00.98. Spain Park was second with a 4:04.95 time.

Hoover’s 4x800 team of Blackledge, Ashley Girouard, Daisy Luna and Lana Kate Hammonds won with a 9:40.60 time. Vestavia Hills was second, two seconds back at 9:42.87.

Luna also won the 400-meter dash with a 56.26 time. Spain Park’s MacKenzie Culpepper, who won the 800 meters race, was second, clocking 56.79.

Langley Jung cleared 5-06 in the high jump to take first place for the Bucs girls.

‘A Good Day’

Photo by Marvin Gentry/ahsaaphotos.com

Jags Take Down Bucs to Win Third State Bowling Championship

By Rubin E. Grant

Spain Park’s Lucas Mitchell at the State Bowling Championships Jan. 28 at the Alley Bowling Center in Gadsden.

Spain Park had to take down a familiar foe to claim its third boys state bowling championship.

The Jaguars went head-to-head with crosstown rival Hoover in the finals and prevailed in a thrilling match to claim the Class 6A/7A title in the Alabama High School Athletic Association 2022 State Bowling

Championships Jan. 28 at the Alley Bowling Center in Gadsden.

“As we like to say at Spain Park, it’s always a good day to beat Hoover,” Spain Park coach Stephen Hobbs said.

It didn’t come easy. The Bucs came close to perfection in game three of the match, with its five bowlers knocking down 10 strikes in a row en route to a 2-1 lead in the finals.

See TRACK, page 26

Hoover bowlers A.J. Nelson, Connor Davis, Rhett Pearson, Carter Hughes and Alex Lee combined for two strikes each. But the bid for the AHSAA’s first perfect 300 game as a team came up short when the Bucs, coached by Dustin Edgar, left two pins standing on the 11th roll to finish with a state-record 288-203 victory.

The Jags were unfazed by the Bucs’ historic game. Spain Park’s strong lineup of Russell Partin, Lucas Mitchell, Cole Henson, Ethan Lee and Michael Kimble responded with nine strikes to win the next game 279-188 to tie the contest at 2-2. The Jags clinched the championship by taking game five 246-191 and game six 201-

See JAGS, page 27