OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022
SOCIAL
SPORTS
Welcome Back After a Two-year Hiatus, the Decorators’ ShowHouse Returns with a Showstopping Setting
John Cassimus to keynote Mountain Brook Chamber Luncheon PAGE 8
Journal photos by Maury Wald
Animal-assisted therapy brings comfort and joy PAGE 10
Pam Wood, ShowHouse chairman, is eager for visitors to see the mansion at Hallmark Farm when the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser opens on April 24. The house and barn are familiar sights to travelers on Interstate 65 between Birmingham and Huntsville. See stories beginning on page 22.
‘Huge Honor’ for Exceptional Foundation volleyball team PAGE 12
2 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
Inside
Murphy’s Law
I NEW HOME FOR ART MBAA’s Annual Spring Art Show moves to indoor/outdoor space PAGE 4
‘A HUGE STEP ...’ Amend Together fights domestic violence by changing male attitudes PAGE 8
AUNT SISTER Julia Harwell Segars speaks during Hoover Service Club’s Table Inspirations event PAGE 10
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED National Merit Finalists announced PAGE 29
ABOUT TOWN NEWS LIFE SOCIAL
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OPINION/CONTENTS
3 HOME 8 SCHOOLS 10 SPORTS 14
22 29 32
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.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat
recently received a text saying it doggie footprints, but I know what was time to have my exterior winthose footprints are made of, or worse, dows washed. (It was from the I don’t, and I could not sleep knowing cleaning company, not my neighbors.) (and not knowing) they were still Anyway, I thought, “Didn’t I just do there. that?” I checked and I had indeed done At least Dave doesn’t have clothes. that … six months ago. It was time to I learned early on to ration my daily do it again. costume changes so as to limit the “Didn’t I just do that?” It’s the amount of time I have to spend sorting same thought I had wiping down my and washing and drying and folding. I shower this morning. Being a daily still end up with a sizeable pile at chore, this activity naturally resurfaces week’s end, but that’s OK. It’s kind of pretty quickly, but it felt like I had satisfying removing clothing dirt and Sue Murphy done the exact same thing only five grime because I feel like I truly send it minutes earlier. out of the house with the rinse water. Perhaps the lesson is that time Same thing with doing the dishmarches swiftly on, but the coroles. It’s repetitive but rewarding. And Perhaps the lesson lary is that dirt is relentless. It does before you say anything, paper not respect weekends. It does not is that time marches plates are not the answer because take summer vacations. If you are that just increases the number of swiftly on, but the sent to the hospital, dirt will show times I have to empty the garbage no compassion whatsoever but will corollary is that dirt is can. seize the opportunity to take over Dust is the most frustrating. It relentless. your home. never really seems to leave. It’s posTo simply maintain a presentable sible that I have the same dust I had household, even, cleaning and 25 years ago when we bought the maintenance activities must keep pace with the energy house. I just swish it around every week so it can settle of their dirt counterparts. Of course, “presentable” is in back down on furniture two feet away. the eye of the beholder, and since most weeks I am the Same story with the garage. I sweep it out and 24 only beholder in the house, acceptable dirt levels are up hours later, new leaves and pieces of bark have worked to me. Actually, there are two of us in the house, but their way in. Or at least I think they’re new leaves. I my dog, Dave, has exceptionally lax cleanliness stannever look that closely at the old ones. dards. As long as the treats keep coming, he doesn’t Bathrooms: spray, wipe, repeat. Floors: vacuum, care whether they are in a bowl or splayed across the mop, repeat. Dust: repeat, repeat, repeat. Round and kitchen floor. round and round and round. It’s like being on a giant For some reason, however, I do. Dirt makes me hamster wheel of house cleaning. The only thing worse twitch. Most of my nightmares involve dirty bathrooms. would be to jump off and watch the house descend into I’m sure there’s a psychological explanation for that, filthy chaos. but when I wake up in an “Eeeww” sweat, my only Oh well. Today, my to-do list only includes bathrecentering weapon is to clean the bathroom that I rooms, sheets and making the call to the window cleanhave. ers. Oh yes, and emptying the dishwasher. (Didn’t I just Floors are a must, too. Dave might not care about do that?)
Over the Mountain Views
Good Friday Tradition
April 21, 2022 JOU RNAL 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. 18
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.
The Rev. Brad Landry, All Saints Rector, carries the Cross during the annual Homewood Way of the Cross communal procession in Homewood on April 15 in recognition of Good Friday. Participants marched from Homewood Central Park amphitheater to Edgewood Presbyterian Church, making stops along the way at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church all while carrying the Cross to remember the last hours of Jesus.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
APR 21 - MAY 5 Thurs., April 21 Scholarship Celebration
Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Liz Callaway will perform a 90-minute concert at Samford Legacy League’s 13th annual Scholarship Celebration. Guests will enjoy a reception, dinner, program and concert. When: 5:30-9 p.m. Where: Covenant Presbyterian Church
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 3
ABOUT TOWN Pink Palace Casino Night
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama hosts the 14th annual Pink Palace Casino Night- an elegant evening of food and fun! Vegas-style casino gaming. All proceeds from this event fuel lifesaving breast cancer research across the state. When: 7-10:30 p.m. Where: Soireé Event Gallery
Earth Day Tree Tour
Join the Vestavia Hills Library Foundation for an Earth Day Tree Tour on the nature trail behind the library. Certified arborist Brian Templeton will present a tree identification talk, and guests will learn about native plants and trees. When: 9-11 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library In The Forest, Community Room
DON QUIXOTE ALABAMA BALLET | APRIL 22-24 Don Quixote is a classical ballet about a nobleman obsessed with stories of ancient chivalry. Don Quixote and his trusty servant Sancho Panza battle imaginary enemies in order to rescue Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams. Danced to live music by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. When: Showtimes Vary Where: BJCC Concert Hall
ARE BACK WE RELOCATED TO !
Dogwood Days & Farmers Market Explore everything Liberty Park has to offer including face painting, local food vendors and boutique shopping. Don’t miss music courtesy of Robert Abernathy. When: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Liberty Park, Publix area
PREMO FACTORY
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Fri., April 22 Magic City Arts Festival
The 39th Annual Magic City Arts Festival will return to Sloss Furnaces with its spring infusion of artistic talent, sights, sounds, tastes and aromas. Complementing the art buying experience will be food, wine, craft beer, spirits and cocktails of the 25th Corks & Chefs Taste of Birmingham. When: 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces
Sat., April 23
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Vestavia Garden Club Yard Sale
Fifty-five members of the Vestavia Garden Club will be donating a variety of items to ensure there will be something for everyone. Proceeds from the yard sale will provide upkeep for Sibyl Temple, named a Historical Landmark by the Alabama Historical Commission and now appears in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. When: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Boy Scout Square on Montgomery Highway
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Wing Ding
Join Leadership Vestavia Hills in this Dogwood Festival event. The event will make for a day of fun competition, putting local chefs to the test. At this family-friendly event, visitors enjoy savory chicken wings, live music and a children’s area full of games and activities. When: 4-7 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall
Guild Gala
The Bell Center will host their 32nd annual black-tie Guild Gala featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner and live auction. Proceeds will benefit The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs dedicated to helping children from birth to age three who are at risk for developmental delay. When: 6 p.m. Where: The Club
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Alabama Ballet
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
4 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
New Home for Art
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
ABOUT TOWN
By June Mathews In 1981, a group of students taking lessons from local artist Ron Lewis through Mountain Brook Adult Community Education decided to show their work and offer it for sale. They set up their paintings against the trees along Church Street by Crestline Elementary, and the Mountain Brook Art Association was born.
‘It was a brilliant opportunity for us to satisfy all our artists, those who wanted to be outside in tents and those wanting to be indoors.’ The association continued its Art in the Village shows every April on the Crestline Elementary School sports field. But in 2019, as bad weather threatened, sponsors decided to look for an indoor location. Show chairwoman Janet Sanders checked with Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook
Chamber of Commerce, about possible indoor venues. Doidge immediately suggested a vacant storefront in the Lane Parke area of Mountain Brook Village. “We had one of our best shows ever,” Sanders said, “But it also spoiled our artists, who decided we should always have an indoor show.” In the meantime, COVID-19 came along, effectively shutting down the spring shows in 2020 and 2021. The pandemic also prevented the association from commemorating a milestone. “The Mountain Brook Art Association turned 40 last year,” Sanders said. “But because of COVID, we were not able to celebrate as we wanted.” But the festival is making a comeback on April 30 this year, and, after discussions, the association landed on City Hall as an unusual indoor/outdoor venue. While conferring with Doidge about changing the association’s quarterly meetings to City Hall, Doidge additionally noted qualities of the building that would make it a great place for an indoor show. Sanders saw it as the perfect compromise. “It was a brilliant opportunity for us to satisfy all our artists, those who
Photo courtesy MBAA
MBAA’s Annual Spring Art Show Moves to Indoor/Outdoor Space
Art in the Village is making a comeback on April 30 this year, and, after discussions, the Mountain Brook Art Association landed on Mountain Brook City Hall as an unusual indoor/outdoor venue.
wanted to be outside in tents and those wanting to be indoors,” she said. “Beyond the unusual combination of indoor/outdoor, the location of City Hall is in the very heart of the busy and popular Crestline Village, where customers will be able to browse nearby gift shops, walk the village and take advantage of the many eateries. The large oak trees around City Hall and the sitting area around the center fountain make for very pleasant spots to
enjoy the show.” Several artists who have been members of MBAA since it was formed will be participating in this year’s show, including Lewis, Kat Pilleteri, Carolyn Mitchell and the organization’s first president, Cary Baker. Works from regionally known artists Carol Carmichael, Michael Davis, Melanie O’Keefe, Sue Taylor White, Toby Klein, Cecily Hill Lowe and folk artist She She also will be
shown. Art in the Village is a free, familyfriendly community art festival featuring local artists and showing a large variety of high-quality fine art drawings and paintings. The indoor/outdoor show will open at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. For more information about the show or membership in MBAA, visit mountainbrookartassociation.com.
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Sun., April 24
Virginia Decker and Sara Madelyn Denney at Heights Hangout 2021.
Heights Hangout
Enjoy live music from Big City Rhythm and Telluride, kids zone, pop-up shops, sponsor booths and more. Tickets are $10 at the gate; proceeds benefit the ongoing Beautification of Cahaba Heights through the Cahaba Heights Merchants Association. When: 2-7 p.m. Where: Heights Village
PM , MAY 1 | 2:30 Y A D N U S & 0 PM IL 29 | 7:3 Theater Jemison Day hy ot FRIDAY, APR or D Sung in Italian with projected English translations
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Magic Moments Magic Show
As seen on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!” world class magician, David Garrard brings his special brand of magic to Birmingham’s Historic Lyric Theatre. The show will also feature an appearance from David’s friend and fellow magician, Tommy Ellison. When: 2-5 p.m. Where: Lyric Theatre
TumTum Tree Foundation 10K
Presented by Orangetheory Fitness,
the TumTum Tree Foundation 10K, 5K, and 1 mile fun run will support the TumTum Tree’s mission to enrich the lives of children in Alabama who face life-altering and life-threatening illnesses. When: 3:30 p.m. Where: Railroad Park
Thurs., April 28 Wine, Women & Shoes
Wine tasting, designer shopping, delicious bites, charming shoe guys, best in shoe contest and more at the Baptist Health Foundation’s fifth annual Wine Women & Shoes event. Funds raised support programs of Baptist Health Foundation. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: The Club
Fri., April 29 Opera Birmingham La Bohéme
Opera Birmingham will showcase Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohéme, a passionate and romantic depiction of love and loss in 19th century Paris. A perennial favorite, the opera features instantly recognizable and soaring melodies, elevating the emotional impact of the tragic love story. Featuring members of the Opera Birmingham Chorus and Alabama Symphony Orchestra. When: April 29, 7:30 p.m., May 1, 2:30 p.m. Where: Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre
ABOUT TOWN continued on page 6
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 5
ABOUT TOWN
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6 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
ABOUT TOWN
24th Annual
LEBANESE & CULTURAL FESTIVAL 20thFOOD Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival AprilFriday 29 &and 30Saturday, , 10am April to 9pm 13 & 14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free Admission
836 8th Street So., Birmingham
(Between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. So)
20th Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival Friday and Saturday, April 13 & 14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The sale will feature Aldridge’s traditional snowflake hydrangea, among a host of other plants such as ferns, succulents and flowers.
FOOD:
St. Elias Maronite Catholic ChurchLebanese
delicacies including: Baked Kibbee, (Between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. So) Rolled Grape Leaves, Spinach Pies, Baked Kibbee and Falafel FOOD: Lebanese delicacies including: Baked Kibbee, Tabouleh (Lebanese Rolled Grape Leaves,Sandwiches, Spinach Pies, Baked Kibbee and Falafel Salad), Grilled Lebanese Lemon Sandwiches, Tabouleh (Lebanese Established 1999 Salad), Grilled Lebanese Lemon Chicken, Loobia (Green Beans), Chicken, Loobia (Green Beans), Aldridge Gardens Spring Plant Sale Set for April 28-30 Rice, Homous and Pita Bread.Homous SILENT and AUCTION: Rice, PitaFeatures Bread. Desserts include a variety of SILENT AUCTION: Features catered Lebanese dinners, Baklawa, Kaak (Lebanese Sugar Desserts include a variety of Kibbee,catered vacation packages, collector DELICACIES INCLUDING: Baked Lemon Lebanese dinners, Cookie),LEBANESE Lebanese Ice Cream. Find the right plants for your garden spot or indoor nooks vendors and products from the Walking Tree Bonsai items, gift certificates to Baklawa, Kaak (Lebanese Sugar restaurants and events in the at this year’s Aldridge Gardens spring plant sale. nursery. Grilled Chicken, Grape Leaves, Tabouleh, Homous, Spinach vacation packages, collector 5K RUN: Saint Elias Cedar Birmingham area. Closes 8 p.m. The annual event will be held April 28-30. Volunteers All Aldridge Gardens members will receive 10% off 5K Run on April 14 atCookie), 8 a.m., Lebanese Ice Zlaybah Cream. and Iceitems, onlike April Baklawa, 14. Pies and Desserts Cream. gift certificates to followed by Cedar Shake Fun and Aldridge gardeners alike will be on hand to help with their purchases with their membership card. DANCING: Traditional Run at 9 a.m. Benefits The restaurants and events in and thegive advice about care and mainteplant selections Event hours are Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., dances by youth of the church Exceptional Foundation, an 5K RUN: Saint Elias Cedar on indoor stage starting 6 p.m. organization established to St. Elias Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run nance. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Birmingham area. Closes 8 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. provide social and recreational 5Kwith Run· on 14Amin at 8Sultan a.m., During the sale, customers can take home a piece of Opened in 2002, Aldridge Gardens spans 30 acres, NewApril York-based activities for individuals Silent Auction Music & Dancing · Free Shuttle Parking on April 14. Lebanese Band performing special needs. For route and the gardens by buying a “pass-along plant” that once prominently featuring hydrangeas. The gardens hosts by Cedar Shake outdoor tent from 6 toFun registration, visit followed under lived in the gardens. plant sales, art exhibits and shows, classes and seminars, 9:30 p.m. nightly. www.cedarrun5k.com Traditional at 9proceeds a.m. Benefits Theand nationalDANCING: 25%ForofMore allRun festival go to local charities. The sale will feature Aldridge’s traditional snowflake bird walks, fishing days and other events. Information Visit www.stelias.org dances by youth of theamong church Exceptional Foundation, an hydrangea, a host of other plants such as ferns, on indoor stage starting p.m. organization established to succulents and 6flowers. For more information about Aldridge Gardens or the For more information visit www.stelias.org. Food will be available at the sale, along with craft sale visit: aldridgegardens.com Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. provide social and recreational New York-based Amin Sultan activities for individuals with Lebanese Band performing special needs. For route and Jazz Cat Ball ABOUT TOWN continued from page 4 One of the largest animal rescue under outdoor tent from 6 to registration, visit Michelle fundraisers in the South, including Denim & Dining 9:30 p.m. nightly. Over The Mountainwww.cedarrun5k.com Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 836 8th Street So., Birmingham
It’s Time to Fill Your Garden
The Hoover City Schools Foundation will be kicking off its 30th anniversary celebration at the 2022 Denim & Dining fundraiser. All proceeds will be used This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the to help fund enhanced academies April 4, 2019 issue. in all 17 schools, including college and career readiness, teacher grants, STEM and SeedLAB and professional development. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens
FAX: 205-824-1246 March
For More Information Visit www.stelias.org
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! Thank you for your prompt attention.
Sat., April 30 Celebrate Hoover Day
Annual city-wide celebration free to the public. This family-friendly event draws more than 10,000 residents of all ages for a fun day at the park. Event features: Veterans Memorial Paver Dedication, petting zoo, carnival rides, car show live entertainment and more. When: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: Veterans Park on Valleydale
Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil
cookmuseum.org
All you can eat crawfish prepared by Lousiana native John Hein, hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings. Kids activities including bounce houses, a kids’ DJ dance party, and live music. Proceeds from the event benefit families battling childhood cancer in Alabama and funds local childhood cancer research. When: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where: Ross Bridge
a black-tie gala, seated dinner, live music by New Soul Brigade, casino, and online and live auctions. When 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. Where: Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Ballroom
Tues., May 3 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
The 39th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by the Hoover Beautification Board and brings city and elected officials, religious leaders, business leaders, and the community together for a faith-based event. Guest speaker will be Lauren Sisler, a two-time national award-winning sports broadcaster. When: 7:30 a.m. Where: Hyatt Regency Birmingham The Wynfrey Hotel
SAVE THE DATE Fri., May 6 Tails In The Trails 2022
The Birmingham Zoo Junior Board hosts the12th annual Tails in the Trails. Party down the Trails of Africa at this outdoor celebration with music, foodie favorites from area restaurants, drinks and a silent auction. This event is 21+, and is rain or shine. When: 6-10:30 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo
Journal File photo
Established 1999
Photo courtesy Aldridge Gardens
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church
Sat., May 7 WE LOVE HOMEWOOD DAY 2022 A day full of fun with activities that the whole family will enjoy. food, music, games, parades, entertainment, and more. This year’s celebration will include: We Love Homewood Day 5k at 7:30 a.m.; Spring in the Park Festival at 10 a.m.; The Rotary Club Bake Sale and Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest; Food Trucks; We Love Homewood Day Parade at 6 p.m. from The Homewood Public Library to Edgewood Business District; and Street Dance in Edgewood.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 7
ABOUT TOWN
Crawfest Returns to Birmingham Zoo May 5, Raises Money for Coastal Conservation
The Birmingham Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association will host its 40th Anniversary “Crawfest” banquet and fundraiser May 5 at the Birmingham Zoo. The event began as a simple crawfish boil and raffle around the pool of the Carraway-Davie House in 1982 and now has grown to an event at the zoo that will feature boiled crawfish, shrimp and other Louisiana fare prepared by Crazy Cajun’s, an open bar, a live band, as well as the traditional silent auction and raffles. Tickets for the CCA Crawfest are $80 for singles and $150 for couples. Children are welcome and those 12
Go for the Food, Stay for the Dancing
and under are admitted free. Tickets and corporate sponsorships may be purchased at e.givesmart.com/ events/qkT. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. Funds
raised at the event will go toward conservation efforts along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Every year, the Birmingham Chapter of CCA awards three full
tuition and board scholarships in honor of George Barber to send local marine science college students to study at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s summer session.
The Birmingham Chapter was pleased to present a check for $50,000 to the Birmingham Zoo to fund a new aquarium exhibit highlighting reef fish and the invasive lionfish species.
“every home is unique because every client is unique.”
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church will host its 24th annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival April 29-30. Homemade Lebanese food will be served for lunch, dinner and dessert to the backdrop of a live Lebanese band during the festival, which will be at the church. The public is invited to watch traditional Lebanese dancing demonstrations by youth, make bids at a silent auction and participate in an informative church tour. Lebanese delicacies offered during the two-day event will include baked kibbe; grilled lemon chicken; rolled grape leaves; spinach pies; meat pies; baked kibbee and falafel sandwiches; tabouleh; loobia, which are Lebanesestyle green beans; rice; homous and pita bread; baklawa; Lebanese ice cream; and zlaybeh, which are Lebanese doughnuts. Live music will be performed by the New York-based Amin Sultan Lebanese band, which will play nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The morning of April 30, the St. Elias Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run will take place. All proceeds of the 5K and Fun Run will benefit Just Keep Smiling, a non-profit organization that assists families with children in medical crises.
Fun, Free, Family Fest Local churches including Mountain Brook Baptist Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Canterbury United Methodist Church, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Brookwood Baptist Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church will come together in support of the Family Fest event at Crestline Elementary Field from 5-7 p.m. Held on May 8, the free event will feature inflatables, crafts and games for children and youth. Attendees will enjoy savory snacks from Mountain Brook Vendors such as Mountain Brook Creamery, Craft’s and Post Office Pies. Taco Mama has also graciously offered to feed all Family Fest volunteers.
LET US PLAN & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME – the wedgworth team
patrick gilbert
| 205.542.9940 |
patrick @ wedgworth . net
NEWS
8 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
‘A Huge Step in the Right Direction’ Amend Together Fights Domestic Violence by Changing Male Attitudes
YWCA Central Alabama and the Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Prevention Fund are partnering to introduce the nationally recognized Amend Together program to the greater Birmingham community. Started at the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, Amend is a pre-
In an event at the Homewood Library on May 2, Shan Foster, national executive director of Amend Together, will make a presentation on how the program works. vention initiative dedicated to ending violence against women and girls by engaging men and boys to challenge the culture that supports violence. The program is now in eight cities across the U.S. In an event at the Homewood Library on May 2, Shan Foster, national executive director of Amend
Together, will make a presentation on how the program works. Several local mayors will be in attendance. The event will run from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Foster is a 2008 graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he was the all-time leading scorer in Commodores men’s basketball history. He later played with the Dallas Mavericks. “Amend Together started over 7 years ago as the YWCA Nashville & Middle TN began exploring the question ‘how do we end domestic violence?’” said Foster. “Through research and speaking with genderbased violence experts nationally we realized that half the population could not end this epidemic alone, we must combat domestic violence together. Hence the name Amend Together. Men must be involved in the solution as role models, allies, and advocates.” “Amend Together is important because it seeks to prevent violence against women and girls from happening in the first place,” said Dr. LaRhonda Magras, CEO of the YWCA of Central Alabama. “It’s important for men to have this conversation with other men and boys because they may have shared expe-
Shan Foster, national executive director of Amend Together, is a 2008 graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he was the all-time leading scorer in Commodores men’s basketball history. He later played with the Dallas Mavericks.
riences that only they can understand. Once identified, they can discuss it without fear of judgment, then learn about healthy communication and healthy relationships.” The biggest reason domestic violence has become such a massive problem, Magras believes, is the ten-
Focusing on Business
John Cassimus serves as an adviser on entrepreneurship studies at the University of Alabama and previously served on the advisory board of the University of Mississippi Business School.
BROOKWOOD ROAD HOME FOR LEASE Remodeled and furnished with new furniture. 4 bedrooms / 3 baths
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Alabama on a football scholarship and was a three-year letterman when his team won the SEC Championship. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in finance. After taking on several entrepreneurial endeavors, including starting his own clothing line and music label, Cassimus is best known for founding Zoë’s Kitchen, which expanded on a restaurant started by his mother, Zoë, and father, Marcus. Over the span of eight years, Cassimus built the company into a regional brand with 19 locations in five states before selling it to the
Courtesy
John Cassimus to Keynote Mountain Brook Chamber Luncheon Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will hold a luncheon May 6 with entrepreneur John Cassimus as the featured speaker. Cassimus will talk about his entrepreneurial endeavors, such as Zoë’s Kitchen, Maki Fresh, Jinsei, Crazy Cazboy’s and Sawtooth Plantation. Cassimus was born in Birmingham, where he grew up and attended Mountain Brook High School. Cassimus was a two-time All-State and Adidas honorable mention All-American football player. He attended the University of
dency of its victims to hide it in the shadows. “Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are the most under-reported crimes in the world,” she said. Reasons range from shame and guilt to victims’ fears of their abusers or fears of being ostracized by their families or faith communities. Domestic violence, Magras pointed out, does not discriminate based on race, socio-economic factors, religion, career or even gender. “One in three women and one in four men experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime,” she said. “And violence is perpetrated by someone who says they love or care for that person.” “Gender-based violence has always been an issue in American society,” said Foster. “It predates everyone living today and has been largely swept under the rug and excused. Taking it a step further, those who witness abuse are more than twice as likely to be a perpetuator or victim.” Whereas Amend was founded to educate men and boys about ending violence against women, the Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Prevention Fund advocates for healthy
Cava Group. Now, Cassimus gives motivational speeches across the country focusing on his entrepreneurial strategies
Dixie’s Group Offers Pet Grief Support to Those Who Have Lost a Companion Founded by Randy Hays, (pictured) Dixie’s Group offers a safe place for pet loss grief through support groups for people who are suffering from the loss of a beloved companion. The group was established after Hays’ yellow lab, Dixie, passed away. When he looked to the community for a support group, he was inspired to
and tells the story of how Zoë’s Kitchen came to be. Cassimus serves as an adviser on entrepreneurship studies at the
form one himself. He then contacted the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and has become one of the Humane Society’s community partners. The mission of Dixie’s Group is to give support, guidance and resources to people when a family pet has passed. The group provides support free of charge to the pet-loving community and meets the last Tuesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 116 of the Homewood Public Library. Space is limited, so reservations are requested.
relationships by educating young women on the red flags of abusive relationships. The fund was founded by Megan’s mother and stepfather, Susann Montgomery-Clark and Rod Clark, on March 31, 2021, the day Megan’s estranged husband was sentenced for her murder. It seeks to prevent dating and domestic violence before it starts by partnering with like-minded nonprofits and schools. “We looked at lots of programs before we found the Amend program,” said Montgomery-Clark, “and we think it’s the best approach and a huge step in the right direction. We believe when schools, school foundations and cities learn about the program, they will want to do everything they can to implement it for their students.” The problem is even bigger than it seems. Clark said Jefferson County District Attorney Office statistics show 58% of homicide perpetrators have some history of domestic violence. To reserve a spot at the Amend Together event, call Anna Read at the YWCA at (205) 322-9922, ext. 303 or visit https://bit.ly/35oal4y. This event is free and open to the public. University of Alabama and previously served on the advisory board of the University of Mississippi Business School. Among his many accomplishments, Cassimus founded the Cassimus Family Foundation, a nonprofit that has the mission to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. He also founded Sawtooth Plantation, a full-service hunting lodge and deer breeding facility in Southeast Alabama. In his free time, Cassimus is an airplane and helicopter pilot, bow hunter, cyclist, kiteboarder, snowboarder, writer, photographer and chef. The luncheon will be at the Country Club of Birmingham. For more information visit: mtnbrookchamber.org
Journal photo by Ally Morrison
By June Mathews
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
NEWS
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 9
LIFE
10 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Aunt Sister … Bless Her Heart Julia Harwell Segars Speaks During Hoover Service Club’s Table Inspirations Event
By Ally Morrison
Courtesy
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
A
unt Sister – a Southern lady who was raised right but overcame it, bless her heart.” Julia Harwell Segars came up with the tagline that brought laughter to many readers of the Talladega Daily Home. From an anonymous humor column in a small county paper to a well-liked book, Segars has brought light and laughter to many readers. Segars explained that she had been working for Alabama Power, but it was not offering the creative outlet she craved, and she started thinking about ways to use her writing skills. “I was playing with the idea for a while and had friends who were editors of the Talladega Daily Home. I pitched the idea of a humor column, and they liked it.” But she didn’t want the humorous column to interfere with her corporate career in the communication department. “I had to come up with a pseudonym, so there weren’t any problems,” Segars said. “The only person who knew it was me writing the column was the editor. None of the writers knew who it was.” When asked how she came up with the name of her column, Segars said it was inspired by family. “My mother was the youngest of 10 children, and she had a sister who everyone nicknamed, sister,” Segars said. “So, we just called her Aunt Sister.” Segars’ column gained popularity and eventually was entered into an Alabama Press
From an anonymous humor column in a small county paper to a well-liked book, Julia Segars, above, has brought light and laughter to many readers. Segars will be the keynote speaker at the Hoover Service Club’s spring fundraiser on April 28.
Association contest for humor writing, after which the column went on to win in its division. “I had some friends who wanted me to put the columns together as a book and they wanted to produce it,” Segars said. “I assembled all the columns from the paper and added a few to round it out.” Now with a book out that is sprinkled with humor, joy and wit, Segars loves to speak about
Comfort and Joy
Animal-Assisted Therapy Brings Satisfaction to Handlers as Well as Patients or Others in Need The moment Ronnie McBride witnessed the magical effect of a Therapy Team on a young chemotherapy patient he was visiting at Children’s of Alabama was a decisive one. The handler and dog, he saw, brought comfort and joy not only to the patient, but to the patient’s family, as well. And for McBride, that brief encounter was all it took. “From that moment on, I knew then that I wanted to volunteer with Hand in Paw and make a difference in children’s lives through animal-assisted therapy,” he said. A few years later, a beautiful English cream golden retriever named Kenzi joined McBride’s family, and from the beginning, he sensed something special about her. Could this be the teammate he needed to become a Hand in Paw handler? It wasn’t long before he knew the answer was “yes.”
Courtesy
By June Mathews
Above, Hand In Paw volunteer Ronnie McBride with his English cream golden retriever named Kenzi. The two visit Children’s of Alabama regularly, right.
“Although she’s my fifth golden retriever, Kenzi, by far, has the big-
See HAND IN PAW, page 11
the lighthearted columns she wrote under the pseudonym Aunt Sister. On April 28, the Hoover Service Club will feature Segars as the keynote speaker at its spring fundraiser, being held at Hoover Country Club. The event, Table Inspirations, will feature creative tablescapes, an online silent auction and lunch. Originally from Hoover, Segars graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree
in journalism. While at the university, she was a student writer in the public relations department, focusing mainly on press releases and features. From there, Segars was hired by the Tuscaloosa News, where she covered crime and local government. Later, Segars was hired by Alabama Power as a writer in the employee communication group. According to Segars, her first love has always been writing, but she does have a passion for another form of creativity. “I came out of the womb creative,” Segars said humorously. “I’m left-handed, so maybe that has something to do with it. I have a minor in art, but I stuck with writing for a while.” Segars retired in 2017 but made time to travel for book signings and public speaking. Recently, Segars has gotten back into painting and is currently taking oil lessons. “Oil painting is a frontier I always wanted to conquer, but I never had the time,” Segars said. Segars is excited to go back to her “old stomping grounds” for the Hoover Service Club event. “A lot of my parent’s friends are involved in the Hoover Service Club,” Segars said. “They do such good work, and I’m excited to speak. Home is home.” During the event, Segars plans to display some of the sassy and humorous observations from Aunt Sister and hopes to bring some lighthearted entertainment to the audience.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
HAND IN PAW From page 10
gest heart and a shining soul,” McBride said. “Whether an infant or an elderly person, she loves everyone and is always gentle and loving.” After McBride’s wife picked up information about Hand in Paw at a fundraising event, McBride and Kenzie began the screening process and subsequently completed the steps to become a Therapy Team. Now an Advanced Therapy Team, the two visit Children’s of Alabama regularly. “After seeing the excitement and smiles she brings to children, I can’t imagine a better way to volunteer my time and resources,” McBride said. “And not only do I get a lot out it, Kenzi does, too. Every time she puts
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 11
LIFE on her HIP scarf, and we pull into the Children’s parking deck, she gets excited and starts whining, anxious to get out of the car and go see the kids.” Kenzi, said McBride, seems to instinctively know which child is having a bad day or just needs a little extra contact or love. “I’ve had several people ask me how Kenzi knows to gravitate to a certain child when she’s most needed,” he said. “I really don’t know, but she knows, and that’s all that matters.”
Mutt Strut 2022
McBride and Kenzi will team up April 23 to support Hand in Paw at the 12th Annual Mutt Strut DogFriendly 5K & Fun Run at
Homewood’s Central Park. Hosted by Hand in Paw’s junior board, this fundraising day of “families, fun and fur” will allow the organization to continue helping people dealing with emotional and physical life challenges in more than 60 medical centers, schools and human service agencies across North Central Alabama. “Mutt Strut was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 due to COVID-19, so we are extremely excited and grateful to host this year’s
event in person,” said Brittany Filby, Hand in Paw’s communications director. “The staff is working hard to bring lots of excitement and newness to the race, including revamping the event branding, hosting the race at a new location and coordinating with Magic City Disco for amazing prerace entertainment.” The Mutt Strut 5K will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the fun run at 10:30 a.m. and the awards ceremony at 11 a.m. The Mutt Strut Vendor Village
will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. Registration for the race is $30; the fun run is $25. Included in the race packet are a race T-shirt and doggie bandana. A $15 sleep-in option is offered for runners who can’t join the festivities but still want to show their support and score some swag. For more information about Mutt Strut, Hand in Paw and the organization’s other events and activities, visit www.handinpaw.org.
what moves you? Are you searching for a home with a pool?
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Remy, Eden Grimes, Dixie, Tyler Daniel, Moxie and Mimzy at Mutt Strutt in 2019. The event was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 due to COVID-19.
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12 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
LIFE
‘Huge Honor’
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Exceptional Foundation Volleyball Team Will Represent Alabama in Special Olympics USA Games By Rubin E. Grant
grams. “We’re going to have a great time, but we will compete. I hope we can bring home the gold.” The Exceptional Foundation team departs for Orlando on June 4 and will be practicing weekly until then, oftentimes with the Mountain Brook
I
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
The Exceptional Foundation team departs for Orlando on June 4 and will be practicing weekly until then, oftentimes with the Mountain Brook High School volleyball team.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
f Disney World is looking for someone new for one of its television commercials, perhaps they could consider The Exceptional Foundation volleyball team. You probably have seen those commercials in the past when they interview famous athletes after they have just won a championship and ask them what they’re going to do next. In the case of The Exceptional Foundation volleyball team, the dialogue could go something like this: “You’ve just won your fourth consecutive Special Olympics Alabama state championship, so what are you going to do next?” The reply, “We’re going to Disney World.” Well, not exactly, but the team might visit the home of Mickey Mouse during its weeklong stay in Orlando for 2022 Special Olympics USA Games June 5-12. The Exceptional Foundation volleyball team has been chosen to represent Alabama in the USA Games. “This is a huge honor for our team and something that is not granted lightly,” said Robbie Lee, public relations director for The Exceptional Foundation, located in Homewood. “Our team has worked tirelessly and has won repeated gold medals at regional competitions in order to receive this distinction. “The team has won four consecutive years in the state Special Olympics, but that’s not a guarantee to be selected because there are different divisions. But they earned it.” Lee, who is also director of partnerships and outreach, coached the team for nine years before turning the reins over to Jon Perez, the current coach.
The Exceptional Foundation volleyball team members include, from left, front: Seth Bokatzian and Ethan Keller. Back: Merrill Ward, Christopher Smiley, Dawson Taylor, Leland Farrington, Andy Jordan and Nicole Mack.
The team has 12 players ranging in age from the early 20s to the mid-40s with a mixture of men and women. Players on the team are looking forward to their trip to Orlando to represent the state and compete. “I’m excited to go to Orlando because it is going to be fun,” Seth Bokatzian said. “I hope we win, but the most important thing is to have fun.” Ethan Keller wants to showcase what he does best on the court. “I can’t wait to show everyone my serve,” Keller said. “I’m really good at it. I’ve practiced a
lot.” Merrill Ward is excited about going to the city where Disney World is located. “Orlando is going to be fun,” Ward said. “I hope we get to see Mickey Mouse.” The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will unite more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean and 125,000 spectators during one of the country’s most cherished sporting events. “It’s going to be fun, but we’re going to take it seriously,” said Ginny Bastar, The Exceptional Foundation’s vice president of operations and pro-
They RISE
VHHS Honors Cancer Sufferers During RISE Day
Mia Kent, Mallory Jonas and Mary Getty
High School volleyball team. Mountain Brook coach Mattie Gardner said her team has enjoyed practicing with The Exceptional Foundation team. “I think at first our girls were nervous about it because it was new people and a new situation,” Gardner said. “Their athletes are so kind and friendly. They said, ‘Let’s play.’ “It only took a little time before our players and theirs knew each other’s names and were having a blast. It’s been fun working with them and getting to know them.” Gardner is excited that The Exceptional Foundation team will represent Alabama. “It’s amazing that a local team is getting to play in a national tournament and be recognized nationally,” Gardner said. “I think they’ll have a good chance to win the gold. They can serve well and hit the ball back over the net.”
Gentry Sharp, Reid Laughlin, Greer Smith and Sawyer Arnold Vestavia Hills High School hosted its community RISE Day on April 9. The event featured live music by student bands, food, games and a luminary ceremony honoring those battling cancer. RISE, standing for Rebels Impact through Service and Engagement, works to raise money for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Sarah Kate Misner, Claire Spooner and Katherine Terino
Anne Lauren Ingram and Bella Sanders
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Courtesy
LIFE
Abby Listo, above, is the founder of Smart Birdy, a women’s luggage company.
Brunch with Birdy
Gus Mayer Bringing Luggage Designer in for Event By Ally Morrison Gus Mayer on April 30 will be hosting Brunch with Birdy, an event featuring Smart Birdy, a women’s luggage company. Beginning at 11 a.m., Gus Mayer will have complimentary tea and pastries while founder and CEO of Smart Birdy, Abby Listo, gives a demonstration of the brand’s newest collection. Listo also will educate guests on how to pack effectively and give styling tips to pack for a three- to five-day trip.
Smart Birdy has been featured on the Today Show, Shark Tank and Ellen for its shape, smart technology and packing capabilities. Abby Listo founded Smart Birdy after doing some traveling of her own following her graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in marketing and international business. “Smart Birdy was kind of an ‘aha’ moment,” Listo said. “At the time, I had a round bag that I would travel with and got so many compliments on it. Everyone would say it reminded them of the iconic hat box. After years
of traveling with it and continuing to get feedback, I was on a trip to Spain and was inspired.” Listo wondered if she could make her bag into a suitcase, but not only a suitcase – a suitcase with features designed specifically for the traveling woman. In 2016, Listo made her vision come to life. Now an established luggage company, Smart Birdy luggage includes 10 customizable accessories such as a jewelry case, a portable charging battery and a bluetooth speaker. “At Smart Birdy, we define smart as fashion, function and technology,” Listo said. After years of selling Smart Birdy online, Listo took her product line to Gus Mayer, the brand’s first brick-andmortar store, because of its location and boutique atmosphere. “I loved the fact that Gus Mayer was based in the South,” Listo said. “They have a really great reputation, and they’re completely on trend with all of their products. I love their mix of designer brands and smaller brands. They promote the bag really well, and they’ve been buying from us every single month since we started selling with them last summer.” Smart Birdy is now carried by two retailers, Gus Mayer and Bloomingdales, and is the only suitcase airlines consider both a personal bag and a carry-on. Brunch with Birdy is a free event and will be held April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 13
CRAWFEST 2022
MAY 5 @ the Birmingham Zoo Silent Auction - Raffles - Live Music - Drinks Cajun Buffet w/Crawfish & Shrimp
Tickets - $150 Couple $80 Single
Tickets, Sponsorships, and more info www.ccaalabama.org/events TEXT - crawfest22 to 76278
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Journal photos by Jordan Wald
14 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
LoChrane Coleman Smith and Ron Bourdages
Elizabeth Crommelin, Linda Pope, Linda Cooper, Mary Horn and Elyeen Widjanarko
For the Love of Music
Birmingham Music Club Guild Hosts Scholarship Luncheon The Birmingham Music Club Guild held its 81st annual scholarship luncheon April 1. The luncheon, held at the Country Club of Birmingham, featured performances by scholarship winners Reagan Martin, Emily Steinbach and Rebekah Willard. The Penelope Cunningham Scholarship for Voice was won by Martin, The Mildred Volentine Green Scholarship for Piano was granted to Steinbach, and Willard took home both the Stuart Mims Scholarship for Instrument and the Walter Sechriest Award for Best Overall Performance. The event also honored Elouise Williams of Mountain Brook, longtime volunteer for the Birmingham Music Club and the Guild of the Birmingham Music Club. ❖
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Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 15
FUR MAY 5-7 RE--MODEL
The old fur coat in the back of your closet...
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Journal photos by Jordan Wald
BEFORE & AFTER
JH Johnson, Cody Nall, Delaney Haase and Thomas Ward
Funky Fish Fry
12th Annual Event Marks Autism Awareness Month This year’s Funky Fish Fry featured food, fun, brews and bands while bringing attention to autism. Held every April in celebration of Autism Awareness Month, the event was created by the junior boards of Mitchell’s Place and the Autism
Society of Alabama to support children and adults affected by autism in Birmingham. Proceeds of the event directly benefits those groups’ activities. The fish fry was held April 9 at Avondale Brewing Co. ❖
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16 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
SOCIAL
Cameron and Ashley Paisley, Casey Glanzer, Destinee Sanders and Trey Davis
Raising the Ridge
Jess and Sara Nix and Maria and James Madden
Dolly Ridge Elementary Holds First Spring Fundraiser Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge hosted its inaugural spring fundraiser, Raising the Ridge, on April 7 at Park Crest. The fundraiser is the first in-person fundraising event the school has had since it was established in 2019. Proceeds of the event will go directly to the school and fuel requested teacher grants. Guests of the event enjoyed music, a live art commission by Kristin Vickers, Diamonds Direct raffle and online and silent auctions. ❖
Shelly and Greg Scheinler and Aaron and Carmen Ainsworth
Erin and Matt Searson
Erin and Matt Townsley
Ali Pilcher, Kelli O’Brien, Meg Wise, Kelly Connelly, Brittany Jones and Landon Nast
Ginny Webb and Heidi Steakley
Jason and Stephanie Smith
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 17
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
SOCIAL
Caroline and Sarah Drummond
Egg-cellent 5K!
Stephen, McDonough and Abbie Wood
Victoria, Charlie and Russell Owens
Off Shoots Garden Club Hides 5,000+ Eggs in Overton Park
Off Shoots Garden Club filled Overton Park with more than 5,000 eggs and a golden prize for an Easter Egg Hunt on April 9. During the hunt, children ages preschool to 10 excitedly searched for eggs and prizes, while guests were treated to face paint, balloon art, Doodle’s Italian ice truck and the Easter bunny, who “hoppily” greeted egg hunters. For almost 4 decades, the Club has been an integral part of the Brookwood community in Mountain Brook. oming,Forest Housekeeping, Each year, the club hosts the annual egg hunt to bring the neighborhood togethMedication Reminders er. ❖
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18 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
SOCIAL
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Madison Terry and Rachel Foster
Macy Craddock, Mary Coston Bell and Stacey Morales
Abby Burton, Brittany Wagner and Kristen Silverstein
Cornhole Classic
Bell Center Revives Event to Support Early Intervention Programs The Bell Center’s junior board hosted its 10th annual Cornhole Classic in support of The Bell Center Early Intervention Programs. The Bell Center Cornhole Classic is a round-robin tournament that keeps cornhole skills intact during the tailgating off-season. During the tournament, top social teams advanced to single-elimination playoffs for a chance to win prizes and gift cards. The event, held April 9 at Good People Brewing, included food trucks and live music. ❖
Above, Mike and Lindsey Johnson Right, Reed Avant, Russell Craddock and Colby Nicholson
Ask a child what he dreams of doing in the future. His answer brings everything into focus for us. WE DO WHAT WE DO B E C AU S E C H I L D R E N H AV E D R E A M S .
1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 | ChildrensAL.org
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 19
SOCIAL
BBQ, Beer and Bragging Rights
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama hosted a day full of barbeque, beer and bragging rights at the CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off on April 9 at Cahaba Brewing Co. The annual cook-off featured teams of backyard grillers and professional grillmasters alike. Guests savored all-you-can-eat samples, craft beer and live music, all while raising money for lifesaving breast cancer research across the state. ❖
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off Pit Backyard Grillers Against Pros
Above, Chaz Thornton and Meleah Jackson with Finley, Huck and Livi. Below, Tara, Henry, Winnie and Will Scogin. Below left Sean and Brooke Morrow.
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To: Tricia From: Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646 Date: April This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL fo April 21, 2022 issue.
C O M P E T I T I V E S O C C E R T R Y OPlease U Tmake S &sureCallAinformation M P is correct VHSC PRE-TRYOUT CAMP Boys & Girls: Ages 2015-2004 (U8/U9-U19) Dates: May 9-11
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20 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
Rehab Reality... by Judy Butler
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SOCIAL
Fore a Cure
Give a Gift of Love and Life
This time of year we often begin to stress, with the gift giving season only weeks away. There’s graduation, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and of course birthdays throughout the year. As you think of what to give, consider a gift of love. If you or someone you know has a problem with addiction, Bayshore Retreat can be that gift. No one plans on being an addict, but with quality care everyone can beat it. In many cases, this will also be a gift of life. Each year hundreds of thousands die from overdose or alcohol related accidents. The choices we make have consequences and the choice of going or not going to rehab can be a life-changing consequence. We receive calls from previous clients often just to check on us and let us know that they are celebrating their 5thor 8th year of sobriety. Because we have only six clients at a time, there is a bonding that happens between our staff and clients as well as between clients. Most rehabs have hundreds of beds and use 12-step meetings as their program. At Bayshore Retreat, clients receive about 30 hours of counseling weekly (individual, small group and Life Skills) not 12-step meetings. Coming to Bayshore Retreat is like an escape. It’s an escape from addiction. When we say that we take the “Fear Out of Rehab”, this is what we mean. Most places treat everyone the same, with a ‘cookie cutter’ regimen. The addiction might be the only thing clients really have in common. This why they need the individual attention we provide to beat it.
The junior board of the Reed Foundation hosted its 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament April 14 to benefit the fight against esophageal cancer. In addition to the competition, held at TopGolf, the event offered dinner and drinks, a hole-in-one contest, a raffle and the Edwards Chevrolet Tee It Up Cocktail Reception for spectators. The board works to raise awareness and financial support for GI cancer research and patient care. The tournament’s sponsor was The Thomas E. Jernigan Foundation. ❖
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Reed Foundation Hosted Its Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Allie Rutherford, Matt Farris, Hannon Davidson, Drew Salem and Robert Sorrell
Georgia McGee, Grant Morgan and Scott Reed
Laine Lidikay and Cullen Cagle
Perry Given, Franny Jones and Devan Given
Brendan Gorman, Sam Harvey and Elena Cassinelli
Frances Anderson, Carter Harrison and Addie Wolbach
Stewart Pinckard, Hanna Haygood, Jack Turner and John White
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 21
SOCIAL
Shake, Rattle and Roll Gaieties Dance Club Discusses Plans for Spring Party
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
The Gaieties Dance Club held its spring meeting April 6 at the home of Lisa Jernigan Bruhn. Refreshments were served and outgoing President Hettie Hall reviewed the past year’s events. Vice President Jennifer Ard announced plans for the spring party, “Shake, Rattle and Roll with the Gaieties,” to be held April 28. New officers were elected, including Jennifer Ard, president; Leah Hazzard, vice president; Hannon Davidson, recording secretary; Robin Kidd, corresponding secretary; Becky Sevier, treasurer; Barbara Klyce, assistant treasurer; and Hettie Hall, parliamentarian. ❖
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The Crisis Center Hosts Annual Scholarship Fundraiser The Crisis Center hosted its annual Bocce Bash on April 16, encouraging friendly competition for a cause. Attendees played Bocce, a cross between Skee-Ball, bowling and shuffleboard, to raise money for the Crisis Center’s Michael K. Falligant Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded each year to individuals who are in an advanced degree program in the helping professions, including counseling, social work and nursing. ❖
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THE 2022 DECORATORS’ SHOWHOUSE
Designing Women
Journal photos by Maury Wald
First-Timers Show Off Their Style in the 2022 ShowHouse
Allyson Kirkpatrick, owner of AllysonK Designs, is a past resident of Huntsville, where she participated as a designer in three show houses in that city.
By Donna Cornelius
T
he first time’s a charm for four designers who are newcomers to the Decorators’ ShowHouse this year. One is fairly new to Birmingham itself as well as to participating in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser. Another is known for making
Sisters Cathy Hannah, left, who does mostly residential design, and Julie Hooper, right, have pooled their talents to fill an upstairs alcove with a variety of artwork.
special events extra special. The other two are sisters who found it fun to create their ShowHouse space together.
Allyson Kirkpatrick: Room With a View
Even though she’s a talented designer with an outgoing personality, Allyson Kirkpatrick found it hard to
connect with new friends when she moved to Birmingham. That’s because she came to the city in February 2021 – right at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing was the norm. “I came from Charleston, where I lived in the historic district,” Kirkpatrick said. “I moved to Birmingham because I wanted to be close to family.
See DESIGNING WOMEN, page 26
Happy Return
Hallmark Farm Opens to the Public for the 2022 Decorators’ ShowHouse By Donna Cornelius
Journal photo by Maury Wald
A
fter a two-year hiatus, the Decorators’ ShowHouse is back, and the house chosen for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser is a real showstopper. If you’ve ever traveled the interstate from Birmingham to Huntsville, you’ve likely wondered about Hallmark Farm, with its stately mansion, picturesque barn, rolling green fields and, at Christmastime, a lighted tree on the lake. This year, it’s the setting for the ShowHouse, which will be open April 23 to May 8. The house that’s Since 1976, the Decorators’ ShowHouse has been the centerpiece of one of the Birmingham area’s most popular and Hallmark Farm was anticipated spring happenings. Sponsored by the built over a two-year Symphony Volunteer Council, the event features the period, 1975-76, by work of talented designers who create inspirational Fred, known as “Ted”, and imaginative rooms for the many people who visit and Mary Hallmark.
See RETURN, page 24
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24 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
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Two Great Showrooms, Now Under One Roof!
Two Great Showrooms, Now Under One Roof! RETURN From page 22
the ShowHouse to see. The house that’s the centerpiece of Hallmark Farm was built over a twoyear period, 1975-76, by Fred, known as “Ted”, and Mary Hallmark. Since inda 2019, the property has been owned by Steve Mote &205-823-9646 Family—Owners of Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: the Hallmark Farm Cooperative, a Hollywood Pools Outdoor Furnishings & Spas AX: 205-824-1246 collaborative organization created by are excited to announce the acquisition of April the Jefferson County Commission and his is your AD PROOF fromAlabama the OVERGaslight THE MOUNTAIN & Grill! JOURNAL for the the city of Warrior. Representatives of the cooperative April 21, 2022 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. Formerly located in Homewood and owned by long-time contacted ShowHouse officials two Mike Barnett, Alabama Gaslight & Grill years ago” said Pam Wood, ase makeVestavia sureHills allresident information is correct, including offers a wide selection of gas grills & smokers, gas & electric ShowHouse chairman. “We were address number! lighting, and and gas logs.phone Combined with Hollywood Pool’s thrilled. It was just too good to pass outstanding inventory of pool, spa, and patio furnishings, up.” 1441 Montgomery Hwy | Vestavia Hills the Vestavia location is your one-stop for outdoor Hallmark Farm was supposed to Please initialHills and fax back within 24shop hours. (205)979-7727 | www.hollywoodpoolandspa.com products you before know and trust.date, be the 2020 ShowHouse, but the If we have not heard from from you bylocal 5 pmfamilies of the Friday the press your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. COVID-19 pandemic meant that the event had to be put on hold that year Thank you for your prompt attention. 1441 Montgomery Hwy | Vestavia Hills and the next. Wood and Nan Teninbaum, publicity chairman, are (205) 979-7727 | www.hollywoodpoolandspa.com excited that symphony supporters Steve Mote & Family—Owners of finally will have the chance to experiHollywood Pools Outdoor Furnishings & Spas are excited to announce the acquisition of Alabama Gaslight & Grill!
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Hallmark Farm was supposed to be the 2020 ShowHouse, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the event had to be put on hold that year and the next. ence the property’s wow factor for themselves. “I first came to see the house in May 2019 with Pam,” Teninbaum said. “There’s so much detail – beautiful crown molding, arched doorways and columns.” Warrior Mayor Johnny Ragland said having Hallmark Farm as the Decorators’ ShowHouse is “a dream coming true.” “It will put the city of Warrior and northern Jefferson County on the map,” he said. “We’ve been working for this a long time.”
Top from left, Andy and Libby McCurry owners of McCurry Furniture with Brandy Spears, the store’s in-house designer took the lead in designing several areas including the dining room and library, above.
Ragland is a native of Warrior, which was a thinly populated farming community until mining began to boom in the area in the 1870s. Given Hallmark Farm’s prominence in the community, the mayor said he’d like to see it thrive for years to come. He’s proud that last year’s Christmas tree lighting at the farm drew thousands of people, and his niece even got married in the barn. “The whole place is for sale,” he said. “We’re hoping it could be turned into an event venue. Since the news got out about it being the ShowHouse, we’ve already had three or four people inquire or express interest.” Andy McCurry, who owns McCurry Furniture in Warrior, also has a history with the house. His grandfather, Andrew Jackson McCurry, and a partner started the furniture business in downtown Birmingham in 1917. “My grandfather later rented a building in Warrior to eventually put furniture in,” McCurry said. “He would ride the train from Birmingham to Warrior and go around to the mining camps, which provided rough housing for the miners, and get them a bed, a table, a coal cookstove – the basics of life, whatever they needed. He had a big heart. He made a way to
give them the things they needed to live.” In 1919, McCurry’s grandfather bought a building in Warrior on Main Street, which was then a dirt road with a well in the middle of it. The building has undergone improvements and renovations over the years, but it remains the company’s home today.
Original Furniture Store Is Back for the ShowHouse
Andy McCurry, his grandfather’s namesake, remembered his first association with the Hallmark house. “Many years ago, as the house was getting completed, I thought in my youthful exuberance, why not call Mrs. Hallmark to see if I could help?” he said. “They wanted to get nice things and ended up getting some of the finest available.” They traveled to the furniture market at High Point, North Carolina. “It was a big deal for us.” McCurry said. “Warrior wasn’t accustomed to this kind of house.” He said Mary Hallmark had definite ideas about what she wanted for the house. McCurry’s mother also went along on the trip to help with selections, even though she wasn’t an official part of the family furniture
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
and an upstairs bedroom; Allyson Kirkpatrick, AllysonK Designs, upstairs bedroom; and Cathy Hannah, Hannah Interiors, with the help of her sister, Julie Hooper, upstairs alcove. Farrow & Ball donated paint and wallpaper for the house.
The ‘Red Bathroom’ kept it’s original design.
A few facts about the ShowHouse:
• It’s open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. • The house has 20,000 heated square feet; the property encompasses 565 acres and is bounded by the Locust Fork branch of the Warrior River. • There’s an elevator available for visitors who are unable to negotiate the stairs. If a member of your party needs to use the elevator, just ask one
Journal photo by Maury Wald
business. “She was busy raising five kids,” McCurry said. “But she said, ‘Don’t you want me to go with you?’ I didn’t argue. My mother had a great interest in design and a desire for beauty.” McCurry Furniture plays a large role in this year’s ShowHouse. Brandy Spears, the store’s in-house designer along with Libby McCurry, Andy McCurry’s wife, took the lead in designing the dining room, library, solarium and a bedroom. “We jumped at the chance to participate,” McCurry said. Other designers and their ShowHouse spaces include: Nancy Gowens, Issis and Sons, living room and entry; Mandy Majerik, HotHouse/PropHouse, ballroom; Lynne Coker, master bedroom and bath; Ann Marie James, The White House Interiors, family room
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 25
HOME of the volunteers staffing the house for assistance. • Unlike in previous years, you can park on-site for $5. Take exit 280 from Interstate 65 to reach Hallmark Farm. A shuttle also will run from the Brookwood Village Macy’s parking lot on April 27 and May 4; there’s one on each of those days at 9:30 a.m. and another at 1 p.m. Reservations must be made for this shuttle. The cost is $20. For more information, call Char Bonsack at 205-408-9084 or email her at bonsackf@bellsouth.net. Only 50 spots are available for each time slot. • There’s no Symphony Shop this year, but commemorative T-shirts and Christmas ornaments will be sold. • ShowHouse visitors can eat lunch under a covered pavilion. Food is from the Porky’s Pride food truck. Snacks; water; and wineglasses,
which you can buy filled with wine, will be sold in the cabana. • Parts of a 1987 movie called “Roses Are for the Rich” were filmed at the house; star Lisa Hartman is shown coming down the sweeping staircase. • The glittering chandelier in the solarium holds 51 lightbulbs and can be raised and lowered. • The master bathroom has a lighted, heart-shaped tub. Tickets are available at www.alabamasymphony.org. Also on the website is a list of locations in the Birmingham area where you can buy tickets. Advance tickets are $25, or you can buy them at the door for $30. Wood said she and other volunteers are anticipating a great deal of interest in Hallmark Farm. “We’re expecting big crowds every day,” she said.
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she also is a past resident of Huntsville, where she participated as a designer in three show houses in that city. During her time in Huntsville, she had become familiar with the ASO ShowHouse, too. “My birthday is May 5, and some friends and I would celebrate by having lunch and visiting the ShowHouse,” Kirkpatrick said. Her travels between Huntsville and Birmingham meant that she’d admired Hallmark Farm from the interstate, one reason she was eager to be part of this year’s ShowHouse. Most of the house’s spaces already
Now Open!
ROOM WITH A VIEW The room Allyson Kirkpatrick designed is a study in green, from the Yves Delorme coverlet on the bed to the draperies that once hung in Kirkpatrick’s Charleston home.
Multi-vendor antiques and vintage mall
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Journal photo by Maury Wald
From page 22
My son and his wife live there.” The owner of AllysonK Designs,
had been assigned to other designers by the time she talked with ShowHouse leaders about getting involved. “There was one room left, the smallest bedroom, and I fell in love with it,” she said. 770 Shades She decided to cover the room’s Mountain Plaza walls and ceiling with wallpaper Bluff Park in Hoover from Farrow & Ball. (former Piggly Wiggly location) “I wanted a consistent envelope Henry Holifield of wallpaper,” she said. Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 The paper has an understated sunburst design, echoed by a sunburst March light fixture on the ceiling. The room is a study in green, This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the from the Yves Delorme coverlet on March 24, 2022 issue. the bed to the draperies that once Please make sure all information is correct, hung in Kirkpatrick’s Charleston
including address and phone number!
A French harvest basket from the 1800s and a Bergere upholstered in green are from Henhouse Antiques in English Village. Kirkpatrick discovered old prints at Roman Brantley Art and Antiques in Homewood and at The Potager in Northport. home. “I call this ‘Room With a View,’ and I wanted to dramatize that view with silk velvet curtains that are apple green with gold trim -- very elegant,” she said. She borrowed a wooden bed with a carved bird perched on the headboard from a friend who’s also her
Thank you for your prompt attention. Chris After Before After Over Before The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 April 2022
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client. Bird motifs, in fact, can be found throughout the room, including in a charming print of a girl with parakeets, a Victorian silk needlework piece over the bed and a needlework stool. A French harvest basket from the 1800s and a Bergere upholstered in green are from Henhouse Antiques in English Village. Kirkpatrick discovered old prints at Roman Brantley Art and Antiques in Homewood and at The Potager in Northport. There are some fun touches, too, including a fancy silk hat and Patricia Altschul’s book “The Art of Celebrating 53 Southern Charm” as well as other ESTABLISHED books from Kirkpatrick’s own collection. fine FABRICS fo She’s enjoyed her first experience with the Birmingham ShowHouse. “I love the hunting and pecking process of putting things together,” she said. For more information, visit www. allysonkdesigns.com.
Hannah Interiors: An Artful Display
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Two of this year’s ShowHouse designers have close ties to the Warrior community, to the Hallmark Farm property and to each other. Sisters Cathy Hannah, who does mostly residential design, and Julie Hooper, a commercial designer with Alabama Power Co., have pooled their talents to fill an upstairs alcove with a variety of artwork. 1820 High “We go back at least sixGreensprings generawww.kingcottonfab tions in Warrior,” Hannah said. “Some of our relatives by marriage owned
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Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 27
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THE CLEAR CHOICE
Journal photo by Maury Wald
Cahaba Glass specializes in the installation of custom shower enclosures, mirrors, glass shelving, furniture top glass, cabinet door glass and specialty glass.
SALON STYLE Cathy Hannah and Julie Hooper looked for pieces from Birmingham or Alabama artists to fill an upstairs alcove with a variety of artwork.
this property at one time.” The sisters said that the Hallmarks were self-made people. “They had weddings and receptions here,” Hannah said. “They kept vintage cars in the pole barn. In the 1980s, Country Boy Eddie would do his Christmas shows from here.” Hooper has a master’s degree in art history and said the sisters’ vision
See DESIGNING WOMEN, page 28
ShowHouse visitors will see glass pieces from Cal Breed’s Orbix studio in Fort Payne, several Audubon prints and works by native Birmingham artists Dan Bynum, Molly Hand, Maralyn Wilson and Gary Chapman, a professor of painting and drawing at UAB. Birmingham Wholesale Furniture supplied some of the other elements in the alcove. SEE BEYOND
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for their ShowHouse space was “a salon style gallery with an eclectic mix.” To set off the carefully chosen collection of pieces on the alcove walls, they opted for a neutral background with light grey walls and benches covered in black-and-white fabric. “We looked for pieces from Birmingham or Alabama artists,” Hannah said. One of those homegrown artists is Nall. Born in Troy, he’s internationally known and has a studio in Fairhope. Nall’s 3-D works displayed in the ShowHouse were done in collaboration with children with special needs. Hooper pointed out several encaustics, pieces that use a painting technique in which pigments are mixed with hot liquid wax. ShowHouse visitors also will see glass pieces from Cal Breed’s Orbix studio in Fort Payne, several Audubon prints and works by native Birmingham artists Dan Bynum, Molly Hand, Maralyn Wilson and Gary Chapman, a professor of painting and drawing at UAB. Birmingham Wholesale Furniture supplied some of the other elements in the alcove. The custom benches and a bound broadloom rug had to be chosen carefully to fit the narrow space. Gauzy curtains frame French doors that open to a balcony. Hannah and Hooper said that, back in the 1970s, construction of the Hallmark mansion set the town abuzz. “People kept talking about ‘water coming out of the wall,’” Hannah said with a smile, referring to the solarium’s built-in fountain. For more information about Hannah Interiors, send an email to Cathy Hannah at cmhtats@gmail. com.
Mandy Majerik: Entertaining Ideas
While most ShowHouse designers specialize in decorating houses, Mandy Majerik’s forte is a little different. “We primarily do weddings and events,” she said. HotHouse Design Studio specializes in floral design. And HotHouse’s sister company, PropHouse, offers styling and prop rentals – everything
Journal photo by Maury Wald
From page 27
MUSIC ROOM While the room is officially listed as a ballroom,Mandy Majerik dubbed it the Music Room. A majestic white peacock surveys the room from a lofty perch in the center of the room.
from furniture to cake stands – for corporate events, weddings, fundraisers and all kinds of special events. “My mother and grandmother owned a flower shop,” Majerik said. Majerik studied interior design in college. She made the ShowHouse connection through Heidi Elnora, a Warrior native and wedding dress designer who’s lent her talents to this year’s event. “She and I are good friends, and she said, ‘You need to do this,’” Majerik said. While the room is officially listed as a ballroom, she’s dubbed it the Music Room. Appropriately enough for the fundraiser, ShowHouse visitors may hear tunes played on the room’s 9-foot Steinway grand piano that’s original to the house. The Alabama Youth Symphony Ensemble also will perform at times. Other original elements in the room are the parquet floor and the wallpaper, which has a grayish-green
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design on a peach background. “I didn’t want to compete with the wallpaper,” Majerik said. To that end, she incorporated preserved
From the front windows of the room, you can see the site where Mary Hallmark had a rose garden planted in the shape of an H. white botanicals and hung a few vintage portraits on the walls. Majerik designed her space with entertaining in mind. Infinity sofas in a deep, rich green can be separated and arranged as needed. “We added some high-top tables, too,” she said. From the front windows of the room, you can see the site where Mary Hallmark had a rose garden planted in the shape of an H. A majestic white peacock surveys the room from a lofty perch in the center of the room. “The peacock is unexpected and a focal point,” Majerik said. For more information, visit www. hothousedesignstudio.com and www. prophousebirmingham.com. You also can follow both businesses on social media.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation this month announced the 2022 National Merit Finalists, including many students from across the Over the Mountain area. Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s mission is to recognize and honor academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs. High school juniors entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Since its founding, NMSC has recognized more than 3.4 million students and provided about 451,000 scholarships worth more than $1.8 billion. Over the Mountain students named as finalists were: Alabama School of Fine Arts: Mohammed Alzoubi, Trisha Bheemanathini, Tobias Guo, James Shi. Altamont School: Audrey Williams, Alan Alderson, Jeffrey Youngson. Homewood High School: Kate Gillum. Hoover High School: Christopher Cheng, Kenneth Curlings, Shayaan Essani, Carys Gonzalez, Olurotimi Kukoyi, Sreekiran Nataraj, Adnan Porbanderwala, Samuel Temple, Sarah Xin, Jeffrey Yuan. Mountain Brook High School: Julianne Abenoja, Caroline Allen, Jelks Cabaniss, Ivy Cobbs, Cory Fan, Amy Beth Hudson, Kate Ryan, Luke Turner, Amelia Tynes. Spain Park High School: Michael Wolkow, Riley Luthin, Joseph Mudano. Vestavia Hills High School: Maria Deng, Ranee Brady, Margaret Patton, Christina Sorochinsky, Catherine Kramer, Katelynn Holt, Savan Patel, Jonathan Wilson, Ethan Wylie, John Ham, Brian Chen, Frank Qiang, John Paul Pierre.
National Merit Finalists Announced
MOUNTAIN BROOK From left, front: Amy Beth Hudson, Ivy Cobbs, Kate Ryan, Julianne Abenoja, Amelia Tynes and Caroline Allen. Back: Jelks Cabaniss, Cory Fan and Luke Turner.
VESTAVIA HILLS From left, front: Maria Deng, Ranee Brady, Margaret Patton, Christina Sorochinsky, Catherine Kramer, Katelynn Holt and Savan Patel. Back: Jonathan Wilson, Ethan Wylie, John Ham, Brian Chen, Frank Qiang and John Paul Pierre.
HOMEWOOD
ALTAMONT
Alan Alderson
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 29
SCHOOLS
Audrey Williams
Jeffrey Youngson
Kate Gillum
HOOVER
Christopher Cheng
Kenneth Curlings
Shayaan Essani
Carys Gonzalez
Olurotimi Kukoyi
Sreekiran Nataraj
Adnan Porbanderwala
Samuel Temple
Sarah Xin
Jeffrey Yuan
SPAIN PARK
Riley Luthin
Joseph Mudano
Michael Wolkow
30 • Thursday, April 21, 2022
SPORTS
Kyle Oliveira was sitting at the dinner table in early March when seemingly out of the blue his dad, Kaliffa Oliveira, asked him how he would feel about taking a trip to Brazil. Kyle Oliveira’s immediate reaction was he had school and spring break was still a couple of weeks away, but of course he would like to go to Brazil, where Kaliffa Oliveira was born and still has relatives, including his mother. Kaliffa Oliveira explained that it wasn’t a trip just to see relatives, but for Kyle Oliveira to compete in the Brazilian Wrestling Nationals at the request of Brazil’s national team. “I was shocked,” said Kyle Oliveira, a 16-yearold sophomore wrestler at Spain Park High School. “It was very short notice, but I said sure.” Kaliffa Oliveira said he had reached out to the Brazilian national team because of his daughter Yasmine Oliveira, who also wrestled for Spain Park. A senior this year, she won the 147-pound title during the 2022 Girls State Tournament and finished the season undefeated with a 21-0 record. “Since she’s going to college to wrestle, I thought it would be good for her to compete for Brazil,” said Kaliffa Oliveira, who owns Gracie Barra Alabama gyms in Pelham and in Greystone and teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and Muay Thai kickboxing.
‘Really Big Deal’
Spain Park’s Kyle Oliveira Earns Spot to Wrestle for Brazil in Pan-American Championships “I had completed the registration for her and they asked me about Kyle,’ he added. “It was just three days’ notice. I got an email that they could get him in and I went online to check on airline tickets. They were cheaper than normal, so I booked a flight that day.” Kyle Oliveira and his dad flew to Brazil the third week of March and it turned into a worthwhile trip. Despite being out-weighed by 40 to 45 pounds, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Kyle Oliveira won double gold, capturing championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling while going undefeated in seven matches. “It was a really big deal,” Kyle Oliveira said. “They gave me the opportunity and I was able to take advantage of it. “I just relied on my technique and fast movement, and I got great coaching from Shad Rissler and Matt Morey while training at Warrior Wrestling Club.” Of course, Kaliffa Oliveira was ecstatic. “I was on the Brazilian national judo team, so it’s been a dream for my kids to compete for
the United World Wrestling Pan-American Championships June 24-26 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kyle Oliveira posted a 25-14 record with 17 pins in the 195-pound weight class for Spain Park during the 2021-2022 season. He will leave in early June to train for the Pan-Am championships. “It would be amazing if I could win,” Kyle Oliveira said. “I’ll have an opportunity for colleges to notice me and it would give me a great amount of recognition. I want to compete at the world level, in the Olympics and World Games.”
Daughter Headed to Brazil
courtesy
By Rubin E. Grant
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Kyle Oliveira, left with his father Kaliffa.
Brazil,” Kaliffa Oliveira said. “I’m very proud.” Kyle Oliveira’s performance came in front of one very interested spectator, his grandmother. “I hadn’t seen her in four years,” Kaliffa Oliveira said of his mother, “so it was great to see her. It was her first time watching her grandson compete, so it was very special.” The double gold means Kyle Oliveira will represent the Brazilian National Cadet team (U17) in
Yasmine Oliveira is headed to Brazil on April 28 and will compete on May 1, trying to earn a spot on the Brazilian U20 women’s wrestling team for the United World Wrestling PanAmerican Junior Championships July 8-10 in Oaxtepec, Mexico. “It’s going to be pretty tough for her to make the team,” Kaliffa Oliveira said. “They have a couple of girls who compete internationally. Yasmine will have her hands full, but I think she can make it.” Kyle Oliveira will be rooting heartily for his sister. “It would be so cool if she made the team,” Kyle Oliveira said. “We train together. She’s a pretty good partner.”
John Callen Remembered as a Tennis Guy Who Tried to Make Tennis a Better Sport
By Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
John Callen, the Birmingham native who humbly picked up tennis after picking up wayward tennis balls and then went on to a 33-year term leading the Southern Section of the United States Tennis Association, passed away April 3. He was 69. The USTA Southern executive director and chief operating officer battled cancer for more than a year. His wife, Frances, and their daughters were at his side at his home in Johns Creek, Georgia. On the Talking Tennis Southern Style podcast in December, Callen told host Sam Crenshaw about playing in the woods behind Birmingham’s Highland Racquet Club and collecting tennis balls that had been hit over the fence. “I took them up to the tennis pro (and) thought I would get some money for them,” Callen said of his offer to teaching pro Wade Herren. “He said, ‘I’ll give you one free lesson and a month of play here at the public tennis center in Birmingham.’ That’s how I got started.” Callen built on those lessons and became one of the best players to come out of metro Birmingham. Mountain
EMMA KATE From page 32
go out and make putts. It can be nervous, but I just go through my routine and do what I have to do.” The Drive, Chip and Putt Nationals are conducted as a partnership between the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America and the USGA. It is part of a nationwide youth development program open to boys and girls ages 7 to 15.
Brook native Pat DuPré, who went on to have a career as a professional player, remembers Callen first as a rival player before the two became friends. “At first we were competitors and then later we basically became friends,” DuPré said. “As young tennis players, we faced each other on the other side of the net numerous times. I can remember as a kid, he actually was one of the John Callen few players you could consider a potential competitor of mine when I was young. There weren’t many around, but he was one of them.” Callen became an outstanding junior tennis player. He won state junior titles before ultimately taking his talents to the tennis team at Georgia Tech. Beyond his college days, Callen was doubles partners with Randy Stephens of Macon, Georgia, for 40 years. He said an oft-made point regarding Callen is that he seemed to know everything but never came off as a know-it-all. Stephens said he liked to run impor-
tant decisions by his doubles partner, having thoroughly researched the matter and narrowing his choices to A or B. “John would wait, 30 seconds or so, think about it, and he’d say, ‘Randy, have you considered C?’” recounted Stephens, himself a former USTA Southern president and CEO. “He was such an innovative, unique thinker that he thought of things that weren’t obvious to everyone else. “And when he proposed something, he … would always say, ‘Have you considered?’” he said. “Have you considered came up over and over and over from people’s (social media) comments of him offering advice in a very nonthreatening way.” DuPré recalled Callen’s mother being a heavily involved volunteer in what was then the Alabama Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the state. He “got that bug from his mom,” he said of Callen’s decadeslong role leading USTA Southern, whose membership is a quarter of all of the USTA nationally. “He was just a tennis guy,” DuPré said. “All he ever did was try to make tennis a better sport. His whole life was that way. His mom was the same way. Tennis was in his blood and all he ever wanted to do was make tennis a better
deal.” Jerrie Ciza Burns is executive director of USTA Alabama, formerly the Alabama Tennis Association. She remembers Callen as someone who never had bad things to say about anyone.
“Even when we were in our meetings and things would get crazy, he was always the one that calmed everybody down,” she said. “He’s just that type of person. Everybody loved John.” Mobile’s Jeff Gray is a former president of USTA Alabama. He said Callen’s gift to everyone was that he was the smartest person in the room, while also being the most humble and the most unassuming. “His gift to everybody that had to deal with him was, if there was some dilemma and you had trouble figuring out what to do, he always had a solution that made sense,” Gray said. “He always had a solution.” Callen was dedicated to volunteerism in the Southern Section. He was a founder of the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame, founding member of the Georgia Tennis Patrons Foundation and
founding member of Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association Foundation. He also served as Georgia Tennis Association president from 1982 to ‘83. Callen also was elected to ALTA’s board of trustees and the board of directors of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association. He coached winning Georgia Junior Davis Cup teams and served as USTA Southern vice president along with being a member of numerous USTA committees. Callen was a member of four halls of fame: the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013), the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2000), the Georgia Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2004) and the Georgia Professional Tennis Association Hall of Fame. He was also an honorary member of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association Since his hiring to lead USTA Southern, the section’s membership has risen to a high of more than 187,000, representing 25% of the national membership. During that time, the section has been at the forefront of growing grassroots tennis, including fostering USTA League expansion and Junior Team Tennis formation and growth, and hosting an array of junior and adult tournaments in the section’s nine states.
Local qualifying began last May at 326 sites throughout all 50 states. The top three scorers in the local qualifiers advanced to subregional qualifiers, with the two top participants in each moving on to regional competition for berths in the National Finals at the home of the Masters. On the Monday after the competition, Emma Kate got a chance to watch some of the professionals who were going to be competing in the Masters. “I got the signatures of a lot of pro
golfers,” she said excitedly. “It was fun to see them in person and watch them practice and see them on No. 16, skipping the ball across the water.”
overcome,” Emma Kate said. “And it’s fun playing with friends.” Her lowest score is a 36 over nine holes and she has a 13 handicap. Before her third-place finish in the Drive, Chip and Putt Nationals, she said, her biggest achievement was shooting par on nine holes during the Birmingham Golf Association tournament and her most memorable moment was winning the putt medal at Bent Brook, her favorite place to play, in the local qualifying. She won the chip medal in the subregional at RTJ Capitol Hill in Prattville
and the chip and putt medals in the regional qualifying at The Bears Club in Jupiter, Florida. Emma Kate also competes in the PGA Junior League. She will be playing in a juniors event during the Regions Tradition senior tournament in May at Greystone. Emma Kate also plays soccer, but golf is clearly her favorite sport. She hopes to one day play in high school and college. “I would like that,” she said. “It’s my dominant sport.”
Looking for Challenges
Emma Kate has been playing golf since she was 7, when her dad introduced her to the sport. She regularly plays at Pine Tree Country Club in Irondale, her home course, and her coach is Liz Mattioli at Greystone Golf and Country Club. “It gives me challenges that I like to
‘The One That Calmed Everybody Down’
HOMEWOOD
season Thursday with a home game against Hewitt-Trussville. The postseason begins on April 28 with the first round of sub-state. McBride believes his team will have a chance to erase last year’s disappointment.
From page 32
“We’ve got to stay humble and stay focused,” he said. “The first thing we have to do is outwork our opponent and keep our feet on the ground. Every game presents challenges, but we have a pretty focused group.”
Rika Kellen is one of eight returning starters from Homewood’s 2021 team.
said. “They jelled quickly this season and they all have worked so hard. It’s a collective thing. “They have so much fun getting ready to play, playing music and
doing silly dances. They’re a great bunch of kids.” Homewood was scheduled to play Chelsea Tuesday on the road in its final area game, then close the regular
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Mountain to a scoreless tie early in the season. The Patriots have a talented, experienced and fun-loving team. They have eight returning starters from their 2021 team and several seniors who have grown up playing together, including Crim, center back Lilly Lowery, center back Caroline Crimi, left back Mary Ellen Petrella, center midfielder Maddie Massie and left wing Rika Kellen. “I feel like we have been playing together our entire lives,” Crim said. “We’ve got great team chemistry. We’re really close and we play for each other.” Lowery and Crimi were freshman defenders on Homewood’s 2019 championship team. Lowery, Crimi and Crim will play soccer in college, at South Alabama, Berry College and Oglethorpe University, respectively. Homewood has two other seniors, right wing Selah LeDuc and forward Catherine Owen. The Patriots also have a few veteran juniors, including right back Sunny Ferren, left wing Grace Studinka and forward Mary Siena McBride, one of two daughters of head coach Sean McBride on the team. The other is sophomore center-mid Annie McBride. “I think we have a team filled with great personalities,” Sean McBride
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 31
SPORTS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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John Callen remembered as a tennis guy who tried to make tennis a better sport Page 30
SPORTS Thursday, April 21, 2022 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Spain Park’s Kyle Oliveira earns spot to wrestle for Brazil in Pan-American Championships Page 30
IN SYNC
courtesy
Close-Knit Homewood Girls Soccer Hopes Team Chemistry Produces a State Title
Emma Kate Rice was one of 10 golfers who competed in the 10-11 girls division. She finished third and had the time of her young life.
MASTER Accomplishment Mountain Brook Youngster Finishes Third in Drive, Chip and Putt Nationals at Augusta
E
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
By Rubin E. Grant
Homewood is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A in the Alabama Coaches’ Poll and No. 2 in the Super Poll behind Class 7A No. 1 Oak Mountain (17-1-1). Junior forward Mary Siena McBride, above, in last week’s 6-0 victory against Chelsea at Waldrop Stadium.
By Rubin E. Grant
T
he Homewood girls soccer team has been on a mission this season. After narrowly missing out on the school’s second state title in 2021, the Patriots are highly motivated to hoist the championship trophy this spring. The Patriots played regulation and two overtimes before falling 2-1 in a shootout (5-4) to St. Paul’s Episcopal in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A championship game last year. “We know what it feels like to lose in the state championship game and we don’t want to feel that way again,”
senior goalkeeper Katie Crim said. “We didn’t have our best game in the state championship game last year, so
‘We know what it feels like to lose in the state championship game and we don’t want to feel that way again.’ HOMEWOOD SENIOR GOALKEEPER KATIE CRIM
we have used that to work hard and encourage each other whenever we
play.” The hard work and togetherness is paying dividends. Homewood is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A in the Alabama Coaches’ Poll and No. 2 in the Super Poll behind Class 7A No. 1 Oak Mountain (17-1-1). The Patriots entered this week — the final week of the regular season — with a 14-2-1 overall record. They also were 5-0 in Class 6A, Area 9, following a 6-0 victory against Chelsea last Friday at Waldrop Stadium. Homewood’s only losses have been against Class 7A teams, 2-1 to Thompson and 1-0 to Oak Mountain. Homewood also battled Oak
See HOMEWOOD, page 31
mma Kate Rice might be only 11 years old, but she already knows her way around a golf course. During Masters Week, she got a chance to compete at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on April 3. A field of 40 boys and 40 girls competed in eight age divisions. Emma Kate also Emma Kate was one of 10 golfers who competed in the 10-11 girls competes in the division. She finished third and had PGA Junior League. the time of her young life. “It was really fun,” said Emma She will be playing Kate, a fifth grader at Brookwood in a juniors event Forest Elementary in Mountain during the Regions Brook. “Getting out there was really great. Being able to come in Tradition senior third was exciting. I was proud of tournament in May myself.” And so were her parents, Chris at Greystone. and Allison Rice. “She did something really great,” Allison Rice said. “It was an amazing accomplishment at such a young age, and she came within two inches of winning the whole thing.” “We’re very proud,” Chris Rice said. “She shocked us overcoming such a big challenge with a number of people in the crowd.” The “big challenge” came during the putting competition. Emma Kate was in last place after the drive and chip, but she jumped in the standings when she sank a 30-foot putt. “I was really excited, the most excited I’ve ever been,” she said. Emma Kate loves putting more than anything else on the course. “Putting comes natural for me,” she said. “It’s not easy, but it’s fun to See EMMA KATE, page 30
