June 13, 2013 OTMJ

The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

inside

JOU RNAL otmj.com

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ursd ay, June 13, 2013

V ol . 22 #12

father’s day

Chefs show their skills for Komen Foundation benefit

about town Page 4

Deserving Dad Homewood Man Wins Father of the Year Award

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

T

Mark and Matthew Midyette share a father-son moment before the Father of the Year banquet. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

here may be a lot of ways to tell if a man is a good father, but perhaps one of the most telling illustrations is when a teenager cancels his plans with his friends so that he can hang out with his dad.

That’s what happened to Mark Midyette of Homewood on May 29 when he was honored as the Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association.

“This is such a big deal for my dad that I cancelled all my plans with my friends so that I could be there at the awards ceremony ‘...even my friends ask me with him. It was important for me to be there to show my sup- if they can call my dad for port for him,” said Matthew advice. He’s easy to talk to Midyette, Mark’s 17-year-old and he’s been in all these son.

Mark received the award at a situations before, so he ceremony at The Club presented always knows how to help.’ by the National Father’s Day Council.

Matthew Midyette Since 1999, the American Diabetes Association has partnered with the National Father’s Day Council to host the Father of the Year Awards dinner. Each year, men from across the nation are recognized for their outstanding strength and the commitment and love they exhibit as fathers.

The Father of the Year events held annually in cities across the country have raised more than $25 million to help the American

Music to His Ears

J. Willoughby Loves Hearing His Daughter Sing

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

In a feat of musicianship and a testament to his status as the ultimate fan, J. Willoughby and the Black Jacket Symphony will recreate, note by note, every song on the Rolling Stones’ 1978 “Some Girls” album on June 14-15 at Workplay in Birmingham.

And while he’ll be singing about “some girls” during the performance with the group of Birmingham music all-stars he cofounded, the Mountain Brook resident said these days, his mind is more focused on

just one girl--his daughter, Sammie Jean.

“I know every parent thinks this, but I really do have the best kid,” he said. “I love being a dad, and Sammie Jean is so cool.”

And some would argue, like father, like daughter.

Like her father did at her age, 9-yearold Sammie Jean is writing songs, has her own favorite singers and is working to form a band.

And when Sammie Jean takes the stage with her father and Black Jacket Symphony for special performances, she becomes the

Food pantry founded by Susan Dowdey grows

people page 8

Back to the awesome 80s for RMTC gala

social page 18

See Dad, page 14

A Date to Remember First Dance

Weddings & Engagements page 24

gift guide Great ideas to please the most discriminating Dad Page 14

See Music, page 16

sue murphy remembers her dad p. 2 • vestavia hills hires city manager p. 12 • otm schools named among best in the nation p. 32

2 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

Opinion/Contents

Crestline Rallies Around the Pig News of a possible departure of locally owned Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Crestline Village and what may replace it has many in the community concerned. News page 12

Weddings and Engagements Special Section Planning a wedding? Get expert advice from local wedding industry professionals. Special Section begins on page 25.

On otmj.com See more fun photos from the summer’s hottest parties and learn what event is next on our website.

Coming June 27 Find out what’s going on around the OTM area for the Fourth, plus we take you inside the homes of some well known chefs in our annual Public People Private Places issue.

in this issue About Town 4 People 8 NEWS 12 life 14

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

murphy’s law

Other than That

T

when their pillaging hit a snag. hings at my house have But, “other than that” wasn’t what I been crazy lately. Crazy wanted to hear just then. I was looking good, crazy bad. Some days for a “poor baby” or at least a “goodthe juxtaposition makes me… ness gracious,” but it never came. I well…crazy. wanted someone to pat my head, but On those days, I am kept vertical the man knew better. “Poor baby” can only by snippets of momentary bliss, be a trap. Wallowing is still wallowing, a pair of bluebirds at the feeder, choceven if it’s well deserved. The answer is olate samples in the grocery store, a always to get up and go forward. funny story gifted by a stranger in the And so I did, and in the process, I checkout line that makes me think… discovered that “other than that” was a My dad would have loved that. quirky road to gratitude. On any given For years, every day at 4:30 p.m., day, I do have my buckets to carry, but I would call my mom and dad in everyone else does, too, and if I lift my Illinois. It was never a long conversahead from my wallow pit it never takes tion, just a few minutes to catch up on Sue Murphy long to find someone whose buckets are the day’s events. We’d talk about the heavier than mine. weather, national news items, things that were going on with my chilMy dad died last September. It dren (their grandchildren). was throat cancer, late-diagnosed.

Wallowing is still walNews of their great-grandson He endured a tracheotomy, a feeding lowing, even if it’s well tube and rounds of radiation that sent was a highlight for sure. When I’d relate a story about Jackson’s antics deserved. The answer him into seizures. Big buckets for all at preschool, or some new funny of us. Big buckets. phrase he’d picked up, I could hear is always to get up and But there were little snippets of my dad smiling over the phone. momentary bliss there as well. My go forward.

Of course, things weren’t always dad had a quiet but killer wit. His high comedy. When there was bad zinger lines are legendary in our news to report, something that was family. When he was deprived of hard to hear, my dad would listen speech capability by his medical contraptions, he initipatiently, then say, “So, other than that, everything’s ated every new nurse by pretending to faint when she fine?” adjusted his tubing. She’d gasp, he’d grin and the two Fire, pestilence, Mongol hordes breaching the rambecame instant friends. parts--it didn’t matter. “So, other than that…”

On his last day at the rehab facility, he put on his It wasn’t that my dad wasn’t interested. It wasn’t old Bruno’s Memorial Classic straw hat, took a bottle that he didn’t care. It was just that he had always been a of water from the refrigerator and pulled himself to no-nonsense, it-is-what-it-is kind of guy. “Everyone has the door in a wheelchair. He told the nurse that he was their buckets to carry,” he’d say. going home.

The man was right, of course. Everyone has probAnd that night he did. ❖ lems. Why, I’m sure even the Mongol hordes had days

social 18 weddings 27 schools 32 Sports 36

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

June 13, 2013

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Keysha Drexel Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Intern: Ivanna Ellis Vol. 22, No. 12

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 ads@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2013 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.

over the Mountain Views

What’s your favorite part of being a father?

“There’s so much to love about it. I guess my favorite part is just playing with my boys. Jack is 3 and Hank is 9 months old.

It’s a lot of fun watching them grow up.”

Ken McDonald Mountain Brook

“My kids are now 20, almost 18 and 14, and easily the best part is seeing the conviction of the values you have taught them bear fruit in their lives.”

Chris DeGreen Hoover

“I’m a single father, so I enjoy having lots of time to spend with my son. Making him happy so he will have great memories from growing up just like I did is my favorite part.”

Justin Michael Fadlevich Homewood

“I have a 5-year-old son, Austin, and the best thing is just the vicarious pleasure I get out of watching him learn something or experience something new or experience success. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Eddie Freyer Hoover

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

About Town

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 3

A tribute to the mAn who chAnged wAtchmAking forever

In 1821, Nicolas Rieussec changed watchmaking forever with the invention of the first chronograph. Today, the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic is a tribute to the chronograph’s technical evolution. 43 mm stainless steel case, skelleted horns and sapphire crystal back, black calfskin strap with white stitching. Crafted in the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland.

2 7 0 1 c a h a b a rd • m o u n ta i n b ro o k • 2 0 5 - 8 7 1 - 7 0 6 0

4 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

About Town

Save the Date Birmingham

Wilson Art Show June 13-July 5 UAB Visual Arts Gallery The University of Alabama at Birmingham Visual Arts Galley will host “The Shrine of the Most Glorious Future,” the newest endeavor by John Lytle Wilson, UAB adjunct art instructor, through July 5. Wilson has been named one of Oxford American magazine’s new superstars of Southern art and his work will be on display during regular gallery hours, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The gallery is at 900 13th St. South. For more information, www. uab.edu/art/vagallery.php.

Vestavia Hills

Magician Archie Wade June 13, 11-1:45 a.m.

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Magician Archie Wade will bring his special brand of magic to the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest on June 13. He will perform at the library from 11-11:45 a.m. and at 3 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble location at The Summit at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The library is at 1221 Montgomery Highway. For more information, call 978-0158.

Birmingham

Glenwood Fundraiser June 13, 6-10 p.m.

The Summit Club Local author Liza Elliot will host “Girls Night Out: Operation Beach Ready” to prep girls of all ages for beach season while donating proceeds to Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center. The event will be from 6-10 p.m. on June 13 at The Summit Club. Ten locally-based travel agents, makeup artists, tanning salons and summer dessert vendors will set up shop at the event and give away free samples as well as offer jewelry, massages Liza Elliott and beach bags. Local boutiques will present the season’s latest fashion trends. There will be a fashion show every half hour. Those attending will be provided with finger foods and a chic swag bag. Tickets are $30. For more information, call 567-4668.

Birmingham

Porch Party and Blind Art Sale June 13, 6-9 p.m.

Oasis Counseling for Women and Children The Junior Board of Oasis Counseling for Women and Children will present the second annual ArtCard: Porch Party and Blind Art Sale from 6-9 p.m. on June 13. The event will feature live music from Cooper Trent, food from Cafe Iz, wine, beer and a blind art sale where the artists’ names will be hidden until after purchase.

Proceeds from art and ticket sales will benefit the center’s work to help women and children. All art pieces will be sold for $50 each. Tickets are $25. The center is at 1900 14th Ave. South, Birmingham. For more information, visit www. oasiscounseling.org or call 933-0388.

Mountain Brook

SNAP: Game On June 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Emmet O’Neal Library Gamers can play on multiple video gaming systems, enjoy snacks and win gift cards at the SNAP: Game On event at the Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook on June 13. The free event runs from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and is open to rising third through sixth-graders. No registration is required to participate. The library is at 50 Oak

St. For more information, visit www.eolib.org or call 879-0497.

Food Service

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Chefs Show Their Skills for Komen Foundation Benefit

Birmingham

Stepping Up Collaboration Institute June 13, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Federal Reserve Birmingham Branch The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham is launching the Stepping Up Collaboration Institute to encourage local agencies to work together for the betterment of area women and children. The kickoff session will include workshops with national and local experts. Lunch will be served from noon1 p.m. Admission is $15. The event will be held at the Federal Reserve Birmingham Branch at 524 Liberty Parkway. For more information, visit www. womensfundbirmingham.org or call 326-4454.

Hoover

Will Yarbrough Band Tour Launch June 13, 6:30 p.m.

Hoover Public Library Plaza The Will Yarbrough Band will launch the promotional tour of its debut album with a show at the Hoover Public Library on June 13. The 6:30 p.m. performance by the alternative rock band from Birmingham will take place on the Plaza.

The event is free. For more information, visit www. hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.

Birmingham

“Hansel and Gretel” June 13-15, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Birmingham Children’s Theatre Birmingham Children’s Theatre will present a production of “Hansel and Gretel” designed for children ages 2-6 June 13-15. Show times are at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each day. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Birmingham Children’s Theatre is at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. For more information, visit wwwbct123. org or call 458-8181.

Homewood

Painting Workshop June 13-15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Forstall Art Center Jonathan Simon will present a three-day still life painting workshop June 13-15 at the Forstall Art Center, 402 Palisades Blvd. in the Palisades Shopping Center in Homewood. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

Participants should bring their own supplies, but lunch is included in the $365 cost. Students will work on basic principles of light and discuss key color mixing, drawing and oil painting principles.

Each student will have one-on-one time with the instructor. Participants must have previous oil painting experience. For more information, visit www.forstallartcenter.com or call 870-0480.

Birmingham

Hip, Hippo, Hooray! Exhibition June 13-16, 10:30 a.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art For a family-friendly exhibition, head out to the Birmingham Museum of Art for the last days of the Hip, Hippo, Hooray! exhibition June 13-16.

Family tours start at 10:30 a.m. and will include

soul on the rocks

Local chefs are getting ready to whip up their signature dishes to help raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Front, from left: Shannon Gober, Charles Nichols, Antony Osborne and Alex Castro. Back: Jason Shipp, Jerome Queyriaux, Haller Magee, Nick Hartmann, Taso Touloupis, George Reis and Chris Zapalowski. Photo special to The Journal

By Keysha Drexel

L

Journal editor

ocal chefs will be cooking up their signature dishes for a good cause on June 20 when Chefs for a Cure returns for its second year.

The Birmingham Originals and the North Central Alabama Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation are joining forces again this year to host the exclusive tasting event which will feature an array of gourmet cuisine from 10 of the Birmingham area’s finest chefs.

During the event at The Club, participating chefs will create one-of-a-kind dishes for those attending, all with the ultimate goal of raising money for breast cancer research, said Mandy Heard, development and communications manager with North Central Alabama Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“Each chef prepares their signature dish directly in front of the guests, making this a wonderful way for you to interact with your favorite restaurants while tasting locally prepared dishes,” Heard said.

This year’s participating chefs are Alex Castro from Sol Y Luna, Bolan Bowsky from Mafiaoza’s, Clif Holt from Little Savannah, Haller Magee from Satterfield’s, Shannon Gober from John’s City Diner, Chris Zapalowski from Homewood Gourmet, Charles Nichols from The J. Clyde, George Reis from Ocean, Taso Touloupis from Ted’s

information on hippos, hippo art activities and more. The tours are free for children ages 3-8, and no reservations are required. The exhibition also includes the unique porcelain table service pieces from the collection of Richard Baron Cohen, who combined his love of ceramics and hippos when he commissioned the pieces from a porcelain company in Denmark. For more information, vist artsbma.org or call 254-2565.

Birmingham

Art on the Rocks June 14, 7-11 p.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art Art on the Rocks returns June 14 with musical guests St. Paul and the Broken Bones and tunes from DJ Coco. There will also be performances by the Red Mountain Theatre Company, DANCE Showcase and Yellowhammer Creative. Ron Platt and Rebecca Dorbrinski will give the gallery talk on tattoos and henna. The art activity will be live painting and a vintage photo booth presented by the Photography Guild. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. For more information, visit artsbma.org.

Restaurant and Antony Osborne from The Culinard.

In between tasting delectable dishes served up by the chefs, those attending can bid on silent auction items ranging from vacation packages to activity and restaurant gift packages for places in the Birmingham metro area.

Guests can take in the scenic views from The Club as they enjoy the live jazz music of

Chefs for the Cure

When: June 20, 6-9 p.m. Where: The Club Details: Local chefs will prepare their signature dishes to benefit the Komen Foundation. More info: komenNCalabama.org, or call 263-1700.

One for the Road, Heard said.

“There’s something for everyone at this event,” she said.

Tickets for the 2013 Chefs for the Cure are $100 each or $150 for two. The ticket price includes gourmet tastings from the participating chefs, complimentary wine and beer, a raffle ticket and a swag bag. Only 250 tickets will be sold.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit komenNCalabama.org or call 2631700. ❖ Vestavia Hills

Wing Ding Hot Wing Challenge and Festival June 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Vestavia City Center Leadership Vestavia Hills will present the second annual Wing Ding Hot Wing Challenge and Festival on June 15 at the Vestavia Hills City Center. The event will give local chefs a chance to test their wing-making skills while helping the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In addition to the wing cooking competition, Rollin’ in The Hay will provide entertainment, and there will be children’s activities along with food and drink.

Admission is $4 for adults; children 12 and younger are admitted free. Competing team fees are $500. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. The Vestavia Hills City Center is at 700 Montgomery Highway.

Birmingham

Caribbean Festival June 15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Boutwell Municipal Auditorium The Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization will present a day of fun, Caribbean style, at the Caribbean Festival on June 15.

The event is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Boutwell

Municipal Auditorium, 1930 Eighth Ave. North. The event is free and will feature food, music, vendors and a silent auction of Caribbean vacations. For more information, visit www.cacaoonline. org or call 383-6645.

Birmingham

Father’s Day at the Zoo June 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Birmingham Zoo In recognition of Father’s Day, dads get in free at the zoo with the purchase of a full-price child’s admission ticket.

Guests can explore Dino Discovery, feed the giraffes at the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, check out a wildlife show and much more. There are additional costs for Dino Discovery and the Giraffe Encounter. The zoo is at 2630 Cahaba Road. For more information, visit www. birminghamzoo.com or call 879-0409.

Birmingham

Heart Gallery Classic June 16, 3-6 p.m.

Regions Field Celebrate Father’s Day with Heart Gallery Alabama at a fundraiser at the new Regions Field from 3-6 p.m. on June 16. The event includes a Birmingham Barons game, food, drink, T-shirts and a hat for dads. Fathers and children will have the opportunity to play catch on the field. The event will benefit Heart Gallery Alabama, which works to find permanent homes for children in foster care. Tickets are $30 each or $175 for a family fourpack. For more information, visit www. heartgalleryalabama.com or call 4451293.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal Hoover

Lotions, Potions and Deadly Elixirs June 17, 12:30 p.m.

Hoover Public Library Plaza Head out to the Hoover Public Library Plaza at 12:30 p.m. on June 17 to hear Catherine Heinzerling present a lecture on America’s quirky medical history. Heinzerling’s presentation will include information spanning from the frontier times through the 19th century.

The library is at 200 Municipal Drive.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.

Hoover

Zombie Ball June 18, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Hoover Public Library The “living dead” can dance the night away when the Hoover Public Library presents the Zombie Ball from 6:30-7:45 p.m. on June 18. Teens can come dressed as brain-crazed zombies to enjoy games, music, food and more. The program is for rising seventh through 12th-graders. The ball will be held in the Kid Zone program room. For more information, visit www. hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7826.

North Shelby

Special Equestrians Volunteer Training June 18-22 Indian Springs School Special Equestrians, a therapeutic horseback riding program for those with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, is looking for volunteers to attend training sessions starting June 18. No horse experience is necessary

to volunteer. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Volunteers must attend one of the training sessions on June 18 from 4-6 p.m., June 20 from 5-7 p.m. or June 22 from 10 a.m.-noon.

Training sessions are at the Special Equestrians facility on the campus of Indian Springs School in North Shelby. To reserve a spot in a training session or for more information, email volunter@specialequest.org, visit www. specialequest.org or call 987-9462.

Mountain Brook

Brown Bag Lunch Program: The Greek Community in Birmingham June 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Emmet O’Neal Library Local author Niki Sepsas will speak on the Greek community in Birmingham during the June 19 Brown Bag Lunch Series at the Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook. Doors open at noon.

The free event is from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Those attending should bring a sack lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided. For more information, visit www.eolibrary.org or contact Katie at 445-1118 or kmoellering@bham.lib. al.us.

Birmingham

Make-A-Wish Concert for a Cause June 20, 7-11 p.m.

Iron City Bham The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama will present the Make-A-Wish Concert for a Cause at Iron City Bham from 7-11 p.m. on June 20. All proceeds will benefit Make-AWish Alabama. The concert will feature the music of Within Reason. General admission tickets are $10 in advance

or $12 on the day of the show. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $20 and include entry into the VIP area and a pre-concert meet and greet with the band. Iron City Bham is at 513 22nd St. South. For more information, email nbanks@alabama.wish.org or call 2549474.

Birmingham

Funky Monkey June 20, 6-10 p.m.

The Junior Board of Directors of Camp Smile-A-Mile will present the Funky Monkey fundraiser on June 20 from 6-10 p.m. at B&A Warehouse. The event will include a band, live auction,

House Reduced!

Beautiful traditional home in Altadena Woods • Move-in Ready!

2261 Vanessa Drive

For more information go to JamesHarwell.com

James Harwell 2011 Sales Associate of the Year

Over the Mountain Office 1220 Alford Avenue • 205.281.4731

To: From: Date:

987-3516 Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax June 2013

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the June 13, 2013 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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6 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

About Town

silent auction, free beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The event raises money for Camp Smile-A-Mile. Tickets are $35 each or $60 for two. Tables are $500 each. For more information, visit www.campsam.org or call 323-8437.

Birmingham

Tips From the Trade Design Lecture June 20, 4-7 p.m.

The King’s House Antiques James Lowell “Jim” Strickland, founder and senior principal of Historical Concepts and co-author of “Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House,” will co-speak with Jessica Thuston, home and garden executive

editor at Southern Living magazine, to present the Tips from the Trade design lecture at The King’s House Antiques.

The event will be from 4-7 p.m. on June 20. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session, a meet and greet session with Strickland and Thuston and book signings. The event is free. Books can be purchased on site to be signed by Strickland.

For more information, visit www. kingshouseantiques.com.

Birmingham

Big Benefit Run June 20, 5:30 p.m.

Good People Brewery

Birmingham Benefit Runs will present the Big Benefit Run at Good People Brewery on June 20. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the run starts at 6 p.m. There is no pre-registration for this event. Big Benefit Run is presented monthly by Greg and Kathy Stein, hosted at Good People Brewery and sponsored by Alabama Outdoors. The sole purpose is to raise awareness of and money for small nonprofit organizations that are working to make the Birmingham area a better place to live. Proceeds from the June 20 event will benefit Desert Supply Co., a creative writing and tutoring center for students in the Birmingham area. It costs $15

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

to participate in the event, which will include the 5K run, a Good People beer, T-shirt, post-run massage, giveaways and live music. Area food trucks will also be on hand for food purchases.

Good People Brewery is at 114 14th St. South. For more information, visit http:// alabamaoutdoors.com or call 266-0549.

Hoover

Evening with Dr. Jim McClintock June 20, 7 p.m.

Hoover Public Library The Hoover Public Library will present an evening with Dr. Jim McClintock at 7 p.m. on June 20. McClintock will discuss his book, “Lost in Antarctica:

Adventures in a Disappearing Land,” at the event. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 444-7840.

Birmingham

“Annie Get Your Gun” June 20-July 7 Virginia Samford Theatre Virginia Samford Theatre will present “Annie Get Your Gun” June 20-July 7.

Directed by Jack Mann, the play tells the story of Annie Oakley and how she was discovered by Col. Buffalo Bill.

Tickets are $30-$35. Show times are from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on June 20-23 and June 27-30. On June 23 and 30,

ballet history

MONEY-SAVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IDEAS

SET IT AND FORGET IT FOR SAVINGS.

Homewood

For over 50 years Alabama Power’s rates have been below the national average, but there are still some easy things you can do around your home to save money and energy.

1

2

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In a typical home, about 50% of your energy bill goes toward heating and cooling.

A great way to control the temperature throughout the day is to install a programmable thermostat.

Raising your thermostat just a few degrees while you are at work offers savings.

Program the thermostat to cool the home to 78 degrees prior to coming home.

Do you have MULTIPLE PETS? BUSy SchEDULE? Want LESS STRESS for your PET?

Scan the code or visit alabamapower.com/save for more seasonal energy savings ideas.

© 2013 Alabama Power Company

POWI-3095_SummerThermo_5.75.indd 1

Arova Documentary Screening June 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Homewood Public Library The Homewood Public Library will show the award-winning documentary film “Arova” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on June 20 in the Round Auditorium at the library. The event is free and open to the public. The short documentary explores the legacy of Alabama Ballet’s founding artistic director, worldrenowned Bulgarian ballerina Dame Sonia Arova, above. The film tells the story of her passion and dedication and how she influenced the dance world. The film won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the 2012 NW Short Film Festival. For more information, visit homewoodpubliclibrary. org or call 332-6620.

5/8/13 3:53 PM

Like QUIET and PERSONAL ATTENTION? Rather be hOME vs. WAITING ROOM?

North Shelby

Jack victor

Birmingham

M.D. Calling Camp June 23-26 Samford University Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences is accepting applications for its second annual M.D. Calling summer camp June 23-26.

The program is accepting 50 students this year and will include meeting health professionals, touring a hospital, playing medical trivia games and getting advice from current medical students.

The cost is $350 and includes tuition, meals, housing and activities. For more information or to register, visit http:// howard.samford.edu/md-calling/. ❖

Hickey Freeman

robert Graham

Great dads, Great Gifts

FiNE MEN'S ClOTHiNG

Peter Millar

QuiltFest 2013 June 21-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oak Mountain Middle School The Birmingham Quilters Guild will present QuiltFest 2013 at Oak Mountain Middle School June 21-22. The event will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

The show will include more than 300 quilts, vendors, door prizes, quilting demonstrations, the Guild Boutique and knife, scissor and pinking shears sharpening services. A silent auction will benefit Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.

Two-day admission is $7 per person

Heart Walk June 22, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.

The Westin Birmingham This year’s American Heart Association’s Heart Walk will be from 7-11 a.m. on June 22 starting at The Westin Birmingham in the Uptown Birmingham entertainment district.

Entertainment and family-friendly activities begin at 7 a.m. and the free 5K and one-mile walk both get underway at 8:30 a.m. The event is free but donations are encouraged.

Participants can choose to walk or run in honor or memory of a loved one

and a memorial will be set up at the event site. For more information, visit BirminghamHeartWalk.org.

Smathers & Branson

Firehouse Shelter Benefit Luncheon June 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Harbert Center Ozzie Newsome, general manager of the 2013 Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, former University of Alabama player and NFL Hall of Fame member, will be the keynote speaker at a luncheon benefiting the Firehouse Shelter. The event will be June 21 from 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. at the Harbert Center.

Newsome will share his message of hope and inspiration with highlights from his career. Firehouse Shelter Executive Director Steve Freeman will also give a brief presentation. For tickets or more information, visit www.firehouseshelter. com, email dkovash@firehouseshelter. com or call 908-9304.

Birmingham

robert Talbert

Birmingham

with children 5 and younger admitted for free. Oak Mountain Middle School is at 5650 Cahaba Valley Road. For more information, visit bhamquilters.com.

Southern Point

there will also be shows from 2:304:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre is located at 1116 26th Street South.

For more information, visit www. virginiasamfordtheatre.org or call 2511206.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 7

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People

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Food Pantry Founded By Mountain Brook Woman Continues to Grow

By Lauren Ferguson

I

Journal Contributor

f you ask Susan Dowdey’s friends to describe her in one word, they quickly answer with “generous.”

The Mountain Brook woman, they say, has been generous with her time, her energy and her faith and is helping one of the area’s most successful food pantries fight hunger and feed hope to those in need.

Dowdey organized and runs the Brown Bag food pantry, based out of Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook. The pantry serves those in the Birmingham community in need of food, support and hospitality.

“She is a complete unsung hero, because she never takes any of the credit and she is constantly working behind the scenes,” said Peggy Rafield, Brown Bag volunteer and Dowdey’s friend.

When she retired from youth work in 2009, Susan said she knew she wanted to start a food pantry at the church, which she knew was a large and very giving church that could sustain a food pantry.

“I did a lot of research about the types of pantries and found out that there is a whole group of people that are called the ‘working poor’ that are going unidentified as far as needs for food. We do a really good job helping

people that are homeless, but there was a whole group of people that were falling through the cracks,” she said.

After learning about that group of people, Dowdey said she knew the church needed to try to meet that need. In 2009, she started the pantry with just 25 bags. She advertised it through word of mouth and various social agencies that the church had worked with in the past.

“People came,” she said. “We did not require them to give a lot of personal information--a lot of pantries do. But we knew what we wanted to do and if somebody was in need of

‘You just get in there and you fight for it and you do what you can. You can’t help everybody, but if you can help one family, it’s worth it.’

SUSAN DOWDEY food and they wanted to come, we would give them a bag of food.”

Dowdey said there was some skepticism at first; people were afraid

she would be taken advantage of and it wouldn’t work out.

“I said, ‘I don’t think so, I think the type of people we are targeting are good hardworking people that want to do the right thing, and I just have faith,’” she said. “I just knew it would work out. We started in 2009 with 25 bags, and now this will be going into our fifth year in September. We do 200 bags a week.”

Brown Bag, aptly named for the packaging of each meal bag distributed, receives two grants from Canterbury to buy the food. Dowdey established a partnership with Publix that allows the group to purchase the food each week, discounted and tax exempt.

After the food is purchased, the bags are then assembled by volunteers.

Dowdey said she wanted to provide a complete healthy that has all the main food groups. Each bag includes two kinds of fruits, two vegetables, two meat dinners, two soups and extra items like crackers, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, tuna and occasionally, a biscuit or cornbread mix.

Susan said she has enjoyed watching Brown Bag grow and evolve over the years and sees the rewards of all of the hard work.

“I think it’s been great,” she said.

“It has broken some barriers that people had. It has helped everyone involved on both sides to be less judgmental and to accept people for who they are and that each is a child of God. The process of that has been awesome to watch.”

Brown Bag operates every Friday morning with only a few weeks off around the holidays. Additionally, Dowdey organizes around 50 to 60

Susan Dowdey of Mountain Brook founded the Brown Bag Food Pantry, based out of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Photo special to The Journal

volunteers each week to help pack and distribute the meal bags.

Dr. Tommy Payne, a volunteer and Dowdey’s longtime friend, said her caring nature has been key to the success of this program.

“She cares so much for people, especially those that are underprivileged,” he said. “She really takes it to heart, and it really upsets her when she sees people having trouble.”

Payne said Dowdey goes beyond the needs met at Brown Bag and tries to help others in any way she can.

“Even within Brown Bag, she has found individuals with other needs and has taken it upon herself to make sure that if at all possible those needs are met,” he said. “One example is that of a grandson of one of our clients. He had been honored to represent his school on a trip to Washington, D.C., during the inauguration, but the family had no means to send him.

“With Susan’s leadership, funds were donated to make the trip possible,” he said. She is now working with a Brown Bag recipient from

Pratt City in an effort to complete the rebuild of her home following the 2011 tornado.”

Payne said the weekly meal program had never been discussed at the church before, but Dowdey’s effort and enthusiasm made it possible.

“She has an enthusiasm that when she asks you to do something, you’re just not going to say no to her,” he said. “She believes strongly in what she is doing and works tirelessly to make sure the program runs well. She puts in many hours other days of the week so that the Wednesdays and Fridays run smoothly.”

Rafield said Susan easily identifies the talents of volunteers and is able to place them suitably within the program.

Rafield currently participates in the hospitality part of Brown Bag. Each Friday before the distribution, the clients will arrive up to two hours early to ensure they get a number, which is then turned in for a meal bag. The clients socialize in a warm and welcoming setting while they enjoy beverages and food prepared by the volunteers.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are always offered, and for special holidays and events, the volunteers will serve a seated breakfast or lunch meal.

Rafield said Dowdey’s many volunteer hours each week for Brown Bag often go unrecognized in the Birmingham community.

“On Fridays she greets all of the clients in a loving, caring way.

She knows every client that comes through there by name and something about them, which requires a lot of energy,” she said.

Both Rafield and Payne said Brown Bag is a unique local program that wouldn’t be what it is today without Dowdey’s inspiration and determination.

“That’s the thing about Brown Bag. It is in our community, in this wonderful, beautiful church,” Rafield said. “They are not going to a food bank to stand in line and get food.

They are coming to a church and being greeted by the caring members of our church and community and enjoy being inside the church and being served a meal with dignity. I think that’s what separates it from the others.”

Dowdey said she believes communities will always need outreach projects and in turn, communities should always provide their people with ways to give back. Brown Bag is just one way to do so.

“It’s just so easy to reach out to people,” she said. “If you have the resources, you have volunteers just waiting for you to tell them what to do. I think it’s hugely important to provide people with opportunities to help their communities. It’s so easy to do if you have the right resources.

You just get in there and you fight for it and you do what you can. You can’t help everybody, but if you can help one family, it’s worth it.”

For more information on the Brown Bag food pantry, visit www. canterburyumc.org/brownbag, or contact Susan Dowdey at 874-1569 or susan.dowdey@canterburyumc.org. ❖

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 9

People

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Lakeshore Foundation President Jeff Underwood praised Lovoy.

“I am excited about putting Patti’s talents to work at the foundation,” Underwood said. “The programs and services offered by Lakeshore are experiencing substantial growth, and our work continues to expand.

Lovoy will cultivate donor relationships in order to help Lakeshore find the funding necessary to support our efforts through grants, community support and philanthropic donations.”

Locals Speak at Autism Conference in Hawaii The executive director of a nonprofit organization devoted to helping those with autism was joined by a Mountain Brook firefighter and a Samford University professor during a presentation at an international autism conference earlier this year.

Sandy Naramore, Mitchell’s Place executive director, Dr. David Finn of Samford University and David Cohen, Mountain Brook Fire Department battalion chief, presented on Procedures for Reducing Stress and Anxiety in School Settings during Safety Drills at the 14th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Other Developmental Disabilities on Jan. 23.

The international conference sponsored by the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities is held every year in different locations.

This year the conference was at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa in Kona, Hawaii.

The presentation by Naramore, Finn and Cohen was called “Children with Autism and Hyperacusis.” It was based on a study designed to help children with autism adapt to loud noises in their environment.

Input from parents, special educators, fire marshals and experts in the field identified procedures that enabled these children to better manage their responses, thereby increasing their success in inclusive settings.

The presenting team used data collected from the Fearless Fire Drills program created by Libby Pittman and Amy Dern. The program integrated techniques and strategies created with the autism population in mind.

The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities is an organization of persons committed to enhancing the quality of life of individuals, especially children and youth, with autism, intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities.

Hoover Resident Honored

by SCLC in Atlanta Henry Panion III of Hoover, a music professor at UAB, was awarded the 34th annual Drum Major for Justice Award, sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women’s Organizational Movement for To: Equality Now Inc. in Atlanta.

From: Panion is an award-winning Date: orchestrator, conductor, arranger, composer and producer. He has worked with many well-known singers, including

Photo special to The Journal

Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Chaka Khan and Birmingham’s own Ruben Studdard.

He has also worked with more than 50 orchestras around the world, including the U.S.’s National Symphony Orchestra, Japan’s Tokyo Philharmonic, Russia’s Bolshoi Theater Orchestra and England’s Royal Philharmonic.

The SCLC/WOMEN’s award gives recognition to resilient current “Drum Majors” who live by the social justice philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and help that philosophy progress.

Past award winners include Samuel L. Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Sean Penn, Dr. Henry Panion Bill Cosby, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Lou Rawls, Coretta Scott-King, Evander Holyfield, C. Delores Tucker, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Harry Belafonte and Oprah Winfrey.

The awards ceremony was held at Atlanta’s Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel at 6:30 p.m. on April 4.

Designs for every room.

Altamont Student Earns Girl Scout Gold Award Altamont School student Isabella Trierweiler was recently awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project, “A Garden for Glenwood.”

The goal of her project was to provide the children at Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center with a beautiful garden. Because only the adults at Glenwood had access to gardening, Trierweiler wanted to give the children the same opportunity.

Trierweiler researched the benefits that gardening activities have on children with behavior problems, obtained her supplies from Home Depot and Lowe’s and got to work.

She presented her project to her fellow class members, many of whom knew little about Glenwood.

A Glenwood employee and a fellow Altamont student will carry her Isabella Trierweiler project into the future.

“I believe that giving the children at Glenwood the opportunity to plant, water

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Vestavia Resident Named to Post at Lakeshore Patti Lovoy of Vestavia Hills joined Lakeshore Foundation as its new director of development earlier this year.

Lovoy previously was the executive director at VSA Alabama, a nonprofit organization for disabled and chronically ill children and adults. She was also in senior management for several years at Southern Progress Corp.

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and harvest vegetables, herbs and fruits in a garden of their own would nurture their curiosity, confidence and sense of ownership,” Trierweiler said of her project. “This project also allows the children to bond with and appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature.”

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Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Chief Executive Officer Trish Coghlan praised Trierweiler.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, Isabella has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart,” Coghlan said.

The Gold Award is Girl Scout’s highest achievement. It was started in 1916 and acknowledges girls in grades 9-12 who show outstanding leadership.

Mountain Brook Grad Honored as Austin Scholar Caroline Wells Philips of Mountain Brook has been selected as an Austin Scholar by the University of Alabama.

She received the award at the Culverhouse School of Accountancy Awards Night Banquet held on April 17 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa.

Philips was also awarded the William A. Tate Accounting Scholarship, which recognizes a graduating senior with the highest academic average in accounting, as well as the Graduate Council Fellowship.

Philips was Caroline Phillips a double major in accounting and finance and was a 2012-13 Accounting Honor graduate. She will work towards her master’s degree in accounting this fall at the Capstone.

She has accepted employment with Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Atlanta.

Phillips is a 2009 graduate of Mountain Brook High School. She is the daughter of Leigh Anne and Sid Philips of Mountain Brook.

The newest members of the Linly Heflin Unit are, from left: Carleton Ambrose, Lynn Cassady, Taylor Davis, Kendall Eagan, Anne Heppenstall, Kathy Hoskins, Rebecca Mason and Carla Roberson. Jackie Pierce is not pictured. Photo special to The Journal

Linly Heflin Unit Welcomes New Members Nine new members were inducted into the Linly Heflin Unit at its May meeting at the Country Club of Birmingham.

The newest members are Carleton Ambrose, Lynn Cassady, Taylor Davis, Kendall Eagan, Anne Heppenstall, Kathy Hoskins, Rebecca Mason, Jackie Pierce and Carla Roberson.

As part of the service organization, they will help coordinate the 55th Annual Linly Heflin Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show, the group’s primary fundraiser for its scholarship program.

The Linly Heflin Unit was founded in 1919 with the motto, “Educate a woman and you educate a family.” The Unit’s main goal is to further the education of young women in Alabama.

The organization has awarded more

than 3,500 four-year scholarships to worthy recipients.

Suzanne Chenoweth and Caroline Thomas, the organization’s scholarship committee chairmen, announced that 30 young women will be receiving 28 scholarships and two grants to attend 10 of Alabama’s colleges or universities in the fall. Linly Heflin scholarships are currently going to 97 women.

This year’s Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show is set for Sept. 25 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Civic Center Ballroom.

Co-chairmen Elizabeth Hubbard and Summer Starling announced that Dallas and New York City-based fashion firm Nha Khanh, led by designer Khanh Nguyen, will present its 2013 fall/winter collection at the luncheon.

Vestavia Resident Named AMASA Legislative Chair

Jennifer The Alliance of the Medical Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Association of the State of Alabama has 205-824-1246, fax selected Lisa Christopher as its new Oct.. 2012 legislative chairwoman.

This is your ad proof from the over the mountainChristopher Journal for the is a membership and nov.1 , 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. marketing consultant for the Vestavia adirondack Chairs

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School PTA. She serves on Thank you for your prompt attention. the operating committee of the Jefferson Lisa Christopher County Medical Society Alliance and is a former president of Leadership Vestavia Hills.

Bird houses A resident of Vestavia Hills, Christopher graduated from Auburn University and has more than 28 years of experience in marketing, advertising and public relations.

She will work with the AMASA officers, board of directors and governmental affairs office as legislative 870-5555 • 1755 Oxmoor Road • Homewood chair. She will be responsible for keeping Open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00-4:30 AMASA members abreast on legislative and governmental issues pertaining to Alabama physicians and their families.

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The new Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxilary officers have been elected. From left: Charlene Frechette, Tricia Preston, Lauren Goodson Moore, Kellie Rohm and Martha George. Cindy Shellum and Donna Hightower are not pictured. Photo special to The Journal

Humane Society Elects New Auxiliary Officers The 2013 Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary officers have been elected.

Tricia Preston is the new president, Kellie Rohm is vice president and Martha George is second vice president.

Lauren Goodson Moore is secretary,

Bell Center Youth Alliance Inducts New Members The Bell Center has selected the newest members of the Bell Center Youth Alliance.

BCYA is a group of students from area high schools who help to support the Bell Center’s mission, maximizing the potential of children from birth to age 3 who are prone for delayed development.

The new inductees spent several hours helping to clean up the center on April 21.

Charlene Frechette is treasurer and Cindy Shellum is assistant treasurer.

Donna Hightower is the new membership chairman.

Founded in 1883, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society is the largest and oldest humane society in the state. Its mission is to promote respect for life and prevent cruelty to animals and people.

The new BCYA members include Laura Kate Dinan, Kendall Baecher and Sam Guerrera, John Carroll Catholic High School; Morgan Jemison, Caroline Lytle, Ashlynn Tittle, Devon Askins, Bradley Copeland and Patrick Rumore, Vestavia Hills High School; Houston Wingo, Joy Korley, Olivia Shull, Elise Wood and Caroline Harris, Homewood High School; and Garrett McGuffie, Spain Park High School.

To apply for BCYA, contact Denise Williams at dwilliams@thebellcenter. org or at 879-3417. ❖

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 11

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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News

12 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u Vestavia Hills

New City Manager Could Start By Next Month Vestavia Hills could have a new city manager on the job by next month.

A two-year employment contract for the hiring of Jeffrey Downes of Montgomery was scheduled to be on the June 10 Vestavia Hills City Council agenda.

Downes could start at his new job on July 15, Steve Ammons, mayor pro tem, said in a prepared statement.

“The City Council’s primary objective is to shepherd an environment that builds a strong economic base, a superior school system and an unsurpassed quality of life,” Ammons said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity

to work with Jeff and incorporate his ideas into our overall growth plan for the City of Vestavia Hills.”

Downes would replace former city manager Randy Robertson, who resigned from his position in March, citing the health of his father-in-law as the reason. However, it has since surfaced that Roberson received a less-than-stellar performance review from city officials.

The city appointed Fire Chief Jim St. John to serve as interim city manager until Robertson’s replacement could be found.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza said Downes’

u mountain brook

Community Rallies to Save Grocery Store Residents in Mountain Brook have started a social media campaign and on Monday held a public meeting in an effort to save a grocery store in Crestline Village.

City officials, chamber of commerce representatives and concerned citizens gathered June 10 at the Emmet O’Neal Library to talk about the possibility the Piggly Wiggly could soon be vacating its space at 93 Euclid Avenue.

Elisabeth Lyman said she heard rumors that the owners of the Crestline grocery store have been negotiating with the family that owns the retail space and so she sprang into action.

“I shop at the Piggly Wiggly at least once a day and it is such a part of our community that I thought people would want to know about it, so u Mountain Brook

City Reworking Plans for Sidewalks

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

On June 28, the Alabama Department of Transportation will rebid a construction project to build new sidewalks in Mountain Brook.

In late May, the Mountain Brook City Council voted to cancel a previous agreement with Walker Patton to complete the Safe-Routes-to-School sidewalk construction project after certain portions of the plan drew intense public opposition, said City Manager Sam Gaston.

The project to extend sidewalks near Mountain Brook and Crestline

experience in municipal government will be an asset to the city.

“Jeff has a background that will help us build on what we have already Jeffrey Downes established as a city,” he said. “His past experience includes a focus on public works, council relations, downtown projects and technology matters for the City of

I posted it on my Facebook page,” she said.

The post instantly received comments from Mountain Brook residents and within hours, the “Save the Crestline Pig” effort had its own Facebook page, with thousands of “likes” and a link to an online petition to keep the grocery store where it is, Lyman said.

Andy Virciglio, co-owner of Piggly Wiggly Food Stores of Jefferson County Inc., confirmed that the company is in lease negotiations with the property owners and is committed to staying put.

“Everything about this store fits Crestline, and it is humbling to see how vocal our customers are in wanting us to stay,” Virciglio said in a prepared statement. “We are planning on making that happen.”

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Terry Chapman said the meeting room at the library was reserved by Kathryn Corey, a concerned resident.

“We are very supportive of everyone having a good business opportunity in Mountain Brook,” he said. “Piggly Wiggly is a very important merchant for us, and it goes beyond just being a valuable retailer. The store is a com-

elementary schools was first approved in 2008, when the Mountain Brook project was one of the first in the state to receive the Safe-Routes-to-School funding, Gaston said.

The project was delayed, Gaston said, and ALDOT finally sent out the bids on the project last year.

“In 2008, we sent out letters to residents in those areas and then in 2012, we sent out another letter about the project,” he said. “The people living along Dexter Avenue have shallow lots and some of them have parking pads, and the sidewalk project would have meant that some of them might have sidewalks in areas that were once their yards.”

So based on the comments from those residents, Gaston said, the City Council decided to change the project.

“That means it will have to be rebid, and I think the plan now is for ALDOT to rebid that project on June 28,” he said.

Because the city canceled its contract with Walker Patton, it will have to pay the company $22,000, Gaston said.

Montgomery.”

Downes began his career with the City of Montgomery as a college intern in 1987. In 1989, he was hired as the city’s first risk manager and in 2003, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright tapped him to serve as one of his executive assistants.

After Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange was elected, Downes was promoted to the position of chief of staff/ deputy mayor. His role in the newlycreated position involved providing overall leadership in the operations of the city.

Downes earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and holds a Elisabeth Lyman’s postings led to a “Save the Crestline Pig” Facebook page with thousands of “likes.”

munity institution, and this definitely has a lot of folks concerned.”

Chapman said from his understanding, Piggly Wiggly’s 20-year lease on the Euclid Avenue property will run out in November and that the grocery store company has been negotiating the terms of a lease renewal with the Scott family, which owns the property.

“It’s my understanding that the Scott family has investigated what others might be willing to pay for that space,” he said.

Exactly what companies might be interested in the space, Chapman said, is not known. He said he’s heard that a big-box retailer like CVS or Walgreens is looking at the space.

“But there are probably not very many retailers that are going to work well there,” he

The new project will include extending sidewalks near Mountain Brook Elementary on Montevallo Road up Overhill Road to Watkins Road, ending at the bridge at Cahaba Road. It will also include new sidewalks on Cambridge Road to Canterbury Road up to Canterbury Park.

Near Crestline Elementary, the project calls for small sections of sidewalks up Vine Street from the playing field on Dexter Avenue and along West Moncrest Drive from Euclid Avenue to Jackson Boulevard, Gaston said.

The original plan included sidewalks on a second portion of Dexter Avenue from Vine Street, but the City Council removed that portion of the plan in the resolution it approved on May 28 to change the scope of the project.

The cost of the project should be less than the original Safe-Routes-toSchool project, Gaston said, because less area is included in the new project. He estimated it would cost less than $800,000 total.

master’s degree in public administration from AUM. He is also a certified workers compensation claims adjuster.

He is married to Penny Downes, and they have four children--Chad, Sydney, Harrison and Alexander.

Vestavia Hills has pursued a city manager-council form of government since residents gave their approval in a citywide referendum Aug. 24, 2010.

City officials have said they prefer the manager-council government because it ensures a professional manager run the daily operations of government compared to an elected mayor who may not be qualified. ❖

said. “People in the community would like it to remain a grocery store.”

City Manager Sam Gaston said the city has heard from a company interested in putting a pharmacy with a drive-through window at the location.

Gaston said a pharmacy would most likely not bring in the kind of tax dollars the grocery store does. He said he thinks the grocery store has been in Crestline Village for about 30 years.

“We ran some rough numbers and compared to what the Piggly Wiggly brings in, a pharmacy-like business would only bring in about onefifth of that,” Gaston said.

Chapman said the Facebook page and public meeting were aimed at reminding those involved in the lease negotiations just how important the Piggly Wiggly store is to Mountain Brook residents.

“There’s not a lot people can do because it is a private negotiation between a tenant and a landlord, but I think residents wanted the opportunity to show their support for the Piggly Wiggly and remind them how much a part of the community the store is,” Chapman said. ❖

Gaston said the updated sidewalk project will most likely be funded and construction can begin by this fall.

“It will probably take about six months to complete after construction begins,” he said.

The Safe-Routes-to-School project is just one facet of the city’s overarching plan to make Mountain Brook a more walkable, connected city, Gaston said.

In the 1990s, the city approved a new master plan called the Mountain Brook Village Walkway System with the aim to connect the city with sidewalks and walkways on a phase-byphase basis.

The city is now in phase six of 12 phases with two more phases planned when funding becomes available, Gaston said.

“It’s all part of an effort to link our neighborhoods, schools, retail areas and churches to make our city a more walkable community,” he said.

“When we first started working on the master plan, people were just beginning to think about how important linking those areas was, and now

even more people like that and want to see more walkability in Mountain Brook.” ❖

u HoMewood

City Council Approves Board Appointments The Homewood City Council recently approved several board appointments.

Charley Douthit was unanimously appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education Ward 4.

With a 7-1 vote, Chris Meeks was reappointed to the city’s park board.

Councilman Michael Hallman cast the lone vote against the reappointment, saying he didn’t think Meeks’ application was in the top three of the six candidates interviewed in May. The council unanimously approved the appointment of Ashley Page and Tom Dekle to the Educational Building Authority. Marcus Huskey was previously appointed to the board, which is authorized by state law to seek bonds to finance new school buildings. ❖

The Homewood Police Department’s K-9 unit attended the signing ceremony for the new state law, which offers better protection for law enforcement animals. From left: Officer Jeremiah Mote, K-9 Justice, Officer Keith Smith, K-9 Shiloh, Rob Hale, Tom Hale, Rep. Paul Demarco and Gov. Robert Bentley.

Photo special to The Journal

Bill Collars Crimes against Law Enforcement Animals

By Keysha Drexel

A

Journal editor

bill aimed at better protecting the four-legged police officers in Over the Mountain and other cities across the state has been passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley.

Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, one of the bill’s sponsors, and representatives from the Homewood Police Department joined Homewood residents and others last week when

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 13

News

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

the governor held a special signing ceremony on the Capitol lawn.

The Homewood Police Department’s two police dogs were also on hand for the ceremony.

The bill makes it a Class C felony to harass, assault or injure a police animal or search and rescue animal and their handlers. The bill extends protection to horses and other animals that work with law enforcement agencies.

“This new law strengthens the penalties for those who might injure or interfere with a law enforcement animal, and it also extends that protection to search and rescue dogs,” he said.

DeMarco said his legislative colleagues were immediately supportive of the bill when he introduced it in the House in February.

“A lot of them didn’t know that the state law didn’t really provide the protection for the animals that other states provide for police dogs, but when I explained it to them, they were very supportive of the new legislation,” he said.

DeMarco praised the Homewood Police Department, its K-9 unit and Tom Hale, a Homewood resident and litigation attorney who helped draft the new bill.

“I really appreciate the help of the Homewood Police Department and Tom Hale, who helped track this legislation,” he said.

Until the new law was signed, police departments had no way to seek restitution if a dog was injured or killed in the line of duty, DeMarco said.

The Homewood Police Department last year formed its first K-9 unit.

DeMarco said he knows that those dogs, like others around the state, do important police work.

“These dogs are an integral part of the police department,” he said. “Just recently in Homewood, the K-9 units helped out with a drug bust, and they’ve also helped to track down fugitives in the past.”

Officer Keith Smith, a handler in the Homewood K-9 unit, said he’s glad there is now a law on the books to pro-

tect his furry law enforcement partner, Shiloh.

“I think it’s great we have a law

now that protects my partner and other police animals that help protect our citizens,” he said. ❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Father’s Day gift guide m

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Dad,

From Page One

Diabetes Association fund advocacy, education and research initiatives.

Joe Dean Jr., the athletic director at Birmingham-Southern College, and Dr. George T. French Jr., president of Miles College, were also honored at this year’s awards ceremony.

Mark, who is the benefits coordinator at EBSCO Industries, said he was humbled to be included in the group of men who have been honored with the Father of the Year award.

“It’s kind of hard for me to imagine why they chose me,” he said.

But the reason he was selected for the honor is a no-brainer for his son.

“My dad is the best. He is always there for me, and I always feel like he’s got my back,” Matthew said.

Matthew is the youngest of three children. Mark and Paula Midyette have been married for 32 years and have two adult daughters, Sara Litten and Claire Midyette.

Sara was 13 and Claire was 11 when Mark’s mission trips to Eastern Europe with Covenant Presbyterian Church led him to expand the family by adopting Matthew.

Between 1990 and 1995, Mark made several church mission trips to Hungary, Ukraine, Turkey and Romania, where he worked in orphanages and to provide food and clothing to the thousands of children living in poverty in the former Soviet Bloc countries.

“It was a pretty dark area at that time,” he said. “There was massive poverty and whole areas of cities that were just abandoned. The children living there had no electricity, no plumbing--those things that we tend to take for granted here.”

While Mark helped establish an evangelical Christian school in Romania and a restaurant and hotel to fund mission work there, he could not escape the feeling that he could do more.

“I felt like God was leading us to adopt a child,” he said. “It wasn’t really a formal kind of thing. It was more of a deal where it was churning in the back of my mind, and then I woke up and knew we had to do this.”

Mark said adopting a child from

a Romanian orphanage was a logical extension of how he views his mission work.

“The way I view it is when you say you are a believer of Jesus, this is just kind of what you do,” he said. “It’s not a sacrifice. It’s just part of the deal of meeting needs where you see them.”

Mark said his wife and children were immediately receptive to the idea of expanding the family, so the Midyettes set out on the long road of the international adoption process.

Around 1995, when the family first started looking to adopt, the Romanian government stopped international adoptions, Mark said.

But as soon as international adoptions were allowed again the following year, the Midyettes starting filing paperwork with a qualified adoption agency.

In June of 1998, the agency sent the family a photo of 2-year-old Matthew.

“We only saw that one picture of him, but we knew he was our son,” Mark said.

Matthew was living in a small orphanage in the northwest part of Romania, Mark said.

“It was one of the nicer places.

There were maybe 30 kids there. A part of me just wanted to bring them all home,” he said.

After tons of legal and immigration paperwork and home visits from the adoption agency, the Midyettes got word in October 1998 that Matthew’s adoption had been approved.

“I was about 45 when we finalized the adoption,” he said. “It took almost two years and wheelbarrows full of paperwork. It was a big process.”

The Midyettes set out for Romania as soon as they could to bring Matthew home.

“We went over there as a family of four and came back a family of five,” Mark said. “We knew our prayers had been answered.”

When they first were introduced to Matthew at the orphanage, Mark said the toddler was understandably a little shy.

But within minutes he had warmed up to his new family, Mark said.

“It was quite remarkable in the sense that he wasn’t the least bit afraid of us,” Mark said. “It was a sweet time.”

But riding in a car was a different

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story for young Matthew, his father said.

“Oh, he hated it. He had never been in a car until we got in the car to leave the orphanage,” he said. “It’s kind of funny to think about because now he’s a fanatic about cars.”

The family spent of total of three weeks in Romania before returning home, where the balance in the household had shifted, Mark said.

“It was great because I had always been outnumbered as the only male in the house. Even our dog was a girl,” he said.

Matthew spoke what Mark called a jumble of Hungarian and Romanian, but because he was so young, he was able to pick up English very quickly.

“We just made it fun, like a game. He had no problem picking up English,” he said.

Sara and Claire immediately bonded with their new little brother, Mark said.

“There was a natural connection between Matthew and the girls. They loved being big sisters from the get-go,” he said.

While Mark and Paula found there are a few things different about parenting a boy than parenting girls, Mark said the couple stuck to the philosophy they had used with Sara and Claire.

“I guess we could be called Mr. and Mrs. Consistency,” he said. “Our deal

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Gift guide continues on page 16 is that we are the parents and we are in charge. We don’t pick our battles. We win every battle because all’s fair in love and war and parenting.”

Mark, who coached Sara and Claire in park league softball and baseball, was happy to get a chance to coach his son in baseball.

“That only lasted a little while, though, because Matthew didn’t really like baseball. He started playing soccer, so I learned everything I could about soccer and coached his soccer team,” he said.

Being involved in their children’s lives is another important hallmark of his and Paula’s parenting philosophy, Mark said.

“Paula and I have always been involved in their lives. They never went to anyone’s house unless we knew the parents. If you have an email address, we’re checking it,” he said.

One of the most important things he has tried to instill in his children, Mark said, is that like parenting, mission work needs to be undertaken with a hands-on approach.

“Rather than just write checks to pay for mission work, we need to really get out there and do the work on the ground,” he said.

That’s why Mark said he felt it was important to include Matthew on his recent church mission trips abroad.

Midyette’s family gets ready to attend the Father of the Year banquet with him. Front, from left: Mark and Paula Midyette. Back: Matthew Midyette, Paul Litten, Sara Litten and Claire Midyette. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

“He’s been on Ukraine mission trips a couple of times, and the last time we went, Matthew worked in the orphanage with the older kids,” he said.

Mark said he thinks it is important to show all children, not just his, how lucky Americans are and what a huge responsibility comes with their blessings.

“It’s important to not only show them how blessed they are to but teach them how to translate that into the love of Christ by taking care of all God’s children,” he said.

Mark, who is assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle advisor with Boy Scout Troop 83 and also serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society and the Birmingham Boys Choir, said he has always encouraged his children to find ways to give back and help others.

Now that his children are adults, Mark said he is seeing the outcome of what he and Paula tried to instill in them.

“To see Sara pouring her heart and soul into the girls she works with at church, to see Claire starting dental school with the desire to give back or Matthew helping on the mission trips, you begin to see the fruit of all that you tried to teach them, and it just makes you proud as a father,” he said.

And as proud as Mark is to be the father of Sara, Claire and Matthew, his son said his children are just as proud to have him as their dad.

“I’m so proud of my dad and so glad he’s my dad,” he said.

Matthew said he draws on his father’s experience a lot and knows that his dad will help him work through any problems that arise in his life.

“Whether it’s a small problem or a big problem, he always knows how to make it better,” Matthew said. “Another cool thing about him is that even my friends ask me if they can call my dad for advice. He’s easy to talk to and he’s been in all these situations before, so he always knows how to help.”

Matthew said he loves spending time with his father watching sports and boating on the lake in the summer.

“He’s a big Florida State fan so we love to watch games together, and I love to go out on the boat with him,” Matthew said. “It doesn’t really matter what we do, though, I just like hanging out with my dad.” ❖

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 15

fahter’s day

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Reliable Truth Richard E. Simmons III

N

The Bible is not centered on a series of moral, spiritual, and liturgical teaching, but, rather on what God did in history and what he revealed in history.

For this reason Christianity is the only world religion to make spiritual truth depend on historical events. Therefore, the historical accuracy of the Bible is the cornerstone of any faith that is truly Christian.

ou see the significance of this in the life of C.S. Lewis. For many years an atheist, Lewis says there were two events in his life that ultimately lead him to the Christian faith. The first was reading G.K. Chesterton's book, “Everlasting Man”. The second event took place at Oxford, when one evening the most militant atheist professors at Oxford, a man by the name of T.D. Weldon, confided that he believed the historical authenticity of the Gospels appeared to be surprisingly sound.

“Reliable Truth answers the questions that both Christians and tough-minded skeptics are asking. I highly recommend this book!” ~ Chris Hodges, Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands

This stunned Lewis. He had always believed the New Testament stories to be nothing more than mere myths, that there wasn’t a shred of historical truth in them. He began to reason that if the Gospel stories are in fact true, then this would mean all other truth would fade into insignificance. For the first time he wondered if his entire worldview was wrong. Weldon's remarks about the historical authenticity of the Gospels continued to haunt him. He finally decided to read the New Testament himself. He read through it in the original Greek, and as he did so, he was quite surprised at what he found.

“Simmons provides convincing and convicting evidence for the reliability of the Bible...a great book to give to college students, and every pastor and Bible study leader needs to read it as well.” ~ Gary Fenton, Senior Pastor Dawson Baptist Church

Lewis, a professor of English literature at Oxford, had spent his entire life studying ancient manuscripts. Up until this time, he believed the stories in the Bible to be similar to Norse mythology. However, as he read the Gospels, he saw that they appeared to be eye witness accounts of historical events. Lewis said, "Now as a literary historian, I am perfectly convinced that whatever else the Gospels are, they are not legends. I have read a great deal of legends and myths and am quite sure that they are not the same sort of thing."

So you can see that C.S. Lewis’s view of the Christian faith changed dramatically when Weldon, his trusted friend, an atheist with absolutely no trace of bias or hidden agendas, admitted that he found it highly likely that the Gospels present historically accurate accounts of the life of Jesus.

~ Excerpt from Reliable Truth by Richard E. Simmons III.

“I heartily recommend this book!” ~ Harry Reeder Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church

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16 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

father’s day

music,

From Page One

third generation of Willoughbys to spend time behind a microphone.

J. Willoughby is the son of Birmingham radio legend John Ed Willoughby, who along with Tommy Charles had one of the longest running morning radio shows in Birmingham.

When he sees Sammie Jean belt out a classic rock tune, Willoughby said it is one of those special moments that brings together the loves of his life--his daughter and music.

And while he is proud of his own body of work, Willoughby said nothing makes his heart swell like hearing his Sammie Jean rattle off the discography of the bands he grew up listening to and idolizing.

“Nothing is better than hearing Sammie Jean sing Beatles songs. She knows every word. I’ve been playing that music to her since she was in her mom’s belly,” Willoughby said.

The Beatles started his daughter’s love affair with music, Willoughby said, and his own.

“I saw them playing on TV when I was just a little kid and that was it. I was hooked, obsessed and I still am,” he said.

And while he is also a diehard Stones fan, Willoughby said that the Beatles are responsible for sparking his and his daughter’s passion for rock and roll and that the iconic group’s influence continues to reverberate.

“I always say that you couldn’t have the Stones without the Beatles,” he said. “The Beatles were the Big Bang of music. They almost singlehandedly transformed something that everyone thought was going to be just a fad into an art.”

Willoughby was an only child and said he remembers being Sammie Jean’s age and listening to rock and roll records for hours at a time.

Now, his daughter is expanding his music listening repertoire and keeping her dad hip to all the cool new acts, he said.

“Oh, she loves the classic stuff, too, but she definitely has her own, distinct tastes. She loves Pink and Adele and

some of the newer stuff,” he said.

Willoughby said watching Sammie Jean’s love and knowledge of music grow gives him an idea of what his own father must have felt like as young J. sang “Hey Jude” for hours on end at their Mountain Brook home.

“My dad, both my parents, were always supportive of me and my music.

I was 9 years old and begging for a guitar, so they bought me a guitar and signed me up for classical guitar lessons,” he said.

But while he was happy to have his own guitar, the young Willoughby was less than thrilled with the lessons.

“When I learned how to play a bar chord, I was off on my own, and my dad let me quit the lessons. Not many parents would have done that, but he did,” he said.

Willoughby said he thinks his dream of being a professional musician was influenced by his father’s own experience in show business and his willingness to follow his passion.

During his more than 30-year career in Birmingham radio, John Ed was half of a popular morning radio show, “T.C. and John Ed,” which aired for many years on AM stations. John Ed and Tommy Charles were on the air for almost 22 years together.

“My father didn’t really start on the radio until I was about 13 years old,” Willoughby said. “Up until that point, he worked for his dad at a furniture store in Fairfield.”

Willoughby said his father didn’t plan on switching careers.

“My father has always been a naturally funny, entertaining speaker. That’s his gift,” he said. “He just kind of fell into the radio business and never looked back. He loved it.”

His father’s willingness to embrace his natural gifts and do what he loved is something Willoughby said has influenced his own career path.

“After he started on radio, my father never did anything that he didn’t love to do,” he said. “I grew up knowing that following your passion is a worthy pursuit and that you don’t have to have a regular 9-5 job.”

And Willoughby said he made the decision at a young age that the 9-5

routine wasn’t for him.

“I just knew being a musician was what I wanted to do, and I knew that at 9,” he said.

While Willoughby’s parents were supportive of his rock and roll aspirations, they did want him to go to college. So he earned a bachelor’s degree

‘My dad, both my parents, were always supportive of me and my music.’

J. Willoughby

Photo by Andi Rice

at the University of Alabama and started pursuing a master’s degree in music there.

“My parents said that as long as I finished college, I could do anything I wanted to after that, and I thought that was a pretty good deal,” he said.

While he was in college, Willoughby was a key member in the Newboys, a 1980s college buzz band that was considered one of the premiere regional bands at that time.

“I was able to play some clubs in the Southeastern circuit, and we had a really big college following. It was a fun time where I really learned a lot,” he said.

And the Newboys might just have a new generation of fans if Sammie Jean’s choice for the name of the band she’s forming with her friends is any indication.

“She told me she wants to name her band the Newgirls,” Willoughby said, laughing. “It kind of blew me away because I didn’t even know she knew anything about the Newboys.”

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After the Newboys, Willoughby moved to Nashville to take a job with a music publishing company.

Working there, Willoughby said, changed his approach to songwriting.

“When I was young, it was almost like the songs would just come to you and you just had to get the music out.

Back then, it was really personal, and you kind of worked with how the song sounded when it came out of your head.

Only later did I really realize that songwriting was a craft.”

Willoughby said he also had to adjust to writing songs with a partner for the first time while working in Nashville.

“I was singularly focused and it was hard, but I kept plowing through it,” he said. “I got something different out of songwriting from that experience, and it was neat to learn how to write songs with someone else.”

While his work in Nashville taught him a new method of writing songs, Willoughby said he has recently returned to the more personal songwriting approach he had when he was starting out in the business.

One of the songs that has come out of that write-when-the-inspirationstrikes-you style of songwriting is called “Me and Sammie Jean.” It’s been in the works for about five years, Willoughby said.

“When we were about to go somewhere together in the car, we would make up little verses and sing together,” he said.

As Sammie Jean grew and her love and interest in music flourished, so did the song she and her father wrote together on their car trips.

“It became kind of like a Bob Dylan song with something like 30 verses,” he said. “We’ve since whittled that down quite a bit.”

Willoughby performs the song he and his daughter wrote when he takes the stage to play solo or with friends.

But these days, Willoughby said, his work with Black Jacket Symphony is his primary musical focus.

The ensemble creates classic rock albums in concert, note for note in a way that Willoughby describes as “almost forensic.”

“It’s not a tribute band. It’s not a cover band. It’s a group of people who love this music and who spend a lot of time researching and rehearsing and preparing so that we can get it just right,” he said. “These guys are pros and really know their stuff.”

The group always likes to include surprises in the second part of their shows when they do a greatest hits set, Willoughby said.

During that set, Sammie Jean has performed onstage with her dad as part of the children’s choir in “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd.

“It’s really cool to have my little girl up there with me, and it makes the performances that much more special,” Willoughby said.

Next up for Black Jacket Symphony will be an Aug. 23 gig at the Alys Stephens Center where the group will present the Beatles’ White Album--the entire double album--in two sets starting at 8 p.m.

The June 14-15 performances by Black Jacket Symphony are sold out but for information on the Aug. 23 performance, visit blackjacketsymphony. com. ❖

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Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 17

father’s day

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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18 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

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From left: Adrian Lovell, Lauren Silverstein, Jeffrey Bayer and Emory Richardson.

Back

T

to the

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Stuart and Barbara Royal. Photos special to The Journal

Awesome 80s

RMTC Gala Flashdances Back in Time, Offers Sneak Peek At Upcoming Season

Also attending were Debbie and Patrick hose attending a Red Mountain Theatre Drummond, Kathryn and Doug Eckert and Susan Company gala in April got to flash dance their and John Edwards. way back to the decade of material girls and Others spotted enjoying the 1980s-themed event cola wars.

The RMTC’s “Back to the Awesome 80s” gala was were Betsy Faucette, Andrea and Chuck Faush, Cathy and Paul Freidman, Brenda and Frank held April 27 at Old Car Heaven.

Friedman and Carla and Tom Gale.

More than 450 guests were greeted by the beautiOther guests at the April event were Jeanne ful decor and creative cocktails, including Jell-O shots and Aubrey Garrison, Alison and Jim Gorrie,

by Iz Catering.

Frances and Miller Gorrie, Katherine and Jim The event also featured a silent auction followed Hansen and Cole and Raymond Harbert Jr. by a seated dinner and a live auction conducted by Also attending this year’s RMTC gala were Christie King of C King Benefit Auctions.

Kathryn and Raymond Harbert, John Harbert, RMTC Executive Director Keith Cromwell was Margaret and Holman Head, Ronne and Donald emcee for the evening, which included entertainment Hess, Nya and John Hudson and Sara and Kyle by the cast of RMTC’s “The Wedding Singer” along Kinney. with Kristen Bowden Sharp and the Others enjoying the 2013 event were RMTC youth program participants. more photos at Gordon and Laura Kirschberg, Jaynn Guest were also treated to a sneak peek and Harold Kushner, Carolyn and at RMTC’s 2013-14 season, which will Frank Lankford, Lynn and Benny feature “Grease,” “La Cage aux Folles,” LaRussa Katie Bee Marshall, April and “Into the Woods” and “Les Miserables.”

Sid McAnnally, Stuart and Erin McAtee, Ginger The 2013 gala was chaired by Gail and Jeffrey and Lane Milam, Leslie and Frank Moody and Bayer. Gala committee members were John Beard, Dianne and Bill Mooney.

Steve Callaway, Bill Daniel, John Dorsett, Jim Other guests spotted in the crowd at Old Car Gorrie, Raymond Harbert, Sam Heide, James F. Heaven on April 27 included Terri and David Platt, Hughey, Lane Milam, Keith Pennington, Robert Robert Raiford and Zane Rhoades, Karen and Raiford, Zane Rhoades, John Rucker, Ken Shaia Alan Register, Hilary and Mike Ross, Judy and and Dress Circle Society President Beth Norris.

Jimmy Rotenstreich, Jean Shanks, Shannon and Guests included Gail and Jeffrey Bayer, John John Smith, Catherine and Lee Styslinger, Jennifer Beard, Tracy and Rich Bielen, Bebe andCharlie and Mark Styslinger, Jan and Jim Thompson, Bugg, Derry and Peter Bunting, Steve Callaway Karen and Tommy Tynes, Brenda and Steve and Keith Pennington, Ann Piper and Doug Weinstein. ❖ Carpenter and Kate and John Cotton.

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Patrick and Debbie Drummond, Ashley and Craig Mason.

John Harbert, Kathryn and Raymond Harbert and Benny LaRussa.

Jimmy and Betsy Holloway.

Tom Walker and Caitlin Justice.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 19

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From left, front: Teresa Crain, Stacey Morales, Nancy Ferren and Brandi Yaghmai. Back: Deana Hughes, Joann Todd, Carrie Hawkins, Nicole Killam, Caroline Sirkin, Tracy Joyce, Melanie Burson, Bevin Tomlin, Tara Williams and Christie Mundy. Photo special to The Journal

Service Guild Honors Class of 2006 The Service Guild of Birmingham held its annual May luncheon in honor of the Class of 2006 at The Club on May 13 The Service Guild is a service organization dedicated to maximizing the potential of children from birth to 3 years old at risk for developmental delay through the professional services of the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs.

Service Guild members have collectively contributed more than 4,300 hours in the classroom this year working individually with the children enrolled in the programs of the Bell Center.

Awards were presented at the luncheon to the outstanding members for 2012-13. Christie Mundy, Service Guild president, presented the awards and thanked all of the members for their dedicated service this year.

Laura Rue was the recipient of the Dedication to the Bell Center Classroom Programs Award.

Daley King was honored as Outstanding New Member. Pauline Scott was Outstanding Service Guild Member.

The Betty Bell Service Award

Service Guild members have collectively contributed more than 4,300 hours in the classroom this year working individually with the children enrolled in the programs of the Bell Center. is presented to a member who goes above and beyond what is expected in her work with the children. This year’s recipient was Libby Kellen.

The Garnett Deramus Award recipient, awarded to an exceptional member going past active, went to Jen Dent.

The event also included the installation of new officers for 2013-14 by past president Pauline Scott.

Nancy Ferren is the new president, and Stacey Morales is presidentelect. Deana Hughes is the new vice president of membership, and Carrie Hawkins is the vice president of classrooms. Tracy Joyce is vice president of communications, and Nicole Killam is treasurer.

Tara Williams is Gala chairman,

and Kelly McNair is Mercedes Expo chairman. Kim Hobbs is the Mercedes race chairman, and Teresa Crain is secretary. Caroline Sirkin was named member-at-large. Jonna Todd is parliamentarian.

Melanie Burson is the nominating chairman, Bevin Tomlin is special events chairman and Brandi Yaghmai is social and arrangements chairman.

Others enjoying the luncheon were Betty Bell, Jeannie Colquitt, Kelly Peoples, Jennifer Andress, Shannon Beasley, Julie Cundiff, Alice Womack and Melissa Oliver. ❖

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20 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

social

Coronets Go Creole at Spring Dance

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Tamela Seymour and Robin Adams.

Pinot for Pups: Bark and Wine Event Raises Money for Animals Roye and Phyllis Tinsley.

Photos special to The Journal

Members of the Coronets Dance Club were treated to a night in New Orleans at their spring dance.

The Vestavia Country Club was transformed into the French Quarter complete with street signs and a trolley car as the group “let the good times roll.” Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold were highlighted in decorations by Robert Logan.

A New Orleans-themed menu featured a duo of blackened petite filet with Creole sauce and barbecue shrimp, dirty rice and fresh vegetables.

For dessert, Bananas Foster was prepared for each guest at a station in the ballroom.

Nelle Freeman and Edna Alderman.

Chairing the event were Nelle Freeman and Edna Alderman, attending with their husbands, Clyde Freeman and Ken Alderman.

Dancing the night away to music by The Chekmates were President Shirley Evans with Roy, Sue and Dave Belcher, Carolyn and Jim Delk, Carolyn and Arthur Edge, Marti and Frank Buck, Redonda and Lowell Broom, Phyllis and Roye Tinsley, Susan and Jerry Stofel, Cindy and Tom Edmonds, Cele and Gus Miller, Dianne and Richard Horn, Rusty and Don Kirkpatrick, Gloria Hudson and Dick Paxton, Nell and Al Larson, Dot Crook and John Creel, Anna and Brian Keith and

Glenda and Roy Etheredge.

Jean and David Hendrickson.

Also enjoying the evening were Joanne and Art McConnell, Betty and Malcolm Miller, Pat and Rick Garlikov, Joy and Steve Wilkes, Betty and Les Longshore, Nancy Becker and Don Englebert, Linda and Mike Gooldrup, Corinne Greer and Renis Jones, Margaret and Bill Howell, Shirley and Howard Palmes, Glenda and Roy Etheredge, Barbara and John Bell, Fay Hart and Jim Hawkes, Kathy and Ted Miller, Betty Tucker and George Miller, Lynell and Joe Bolen, Clarice and Sydney Gibbs and Rachel Lucas and Don Wilson. ❖

Silhouettes Welcome Spring, New Members The Silhouettes Dance Club welcomed spring--and new club members--at a brunch held on May 19 at Birmingham Country Club.

Martha Chism was chairman of the brunch. Co-chairmen were Joan Hinkle and Margaret Whitaker.

Members enjoyed cocktails on the patio and later a brunch of fresh fruit, eggs Benedict, sausage, cheese grits, biscuits and sweet rolls. Round tables were decorated with colorful spring flowers surrounded by pastel burlap swatches.

The event also welcomed the club’s newest members: Martha and Payton Norvill, Jan and Robert Collins, Susan and Ricky Lewis, Beverly and Tom Huddleston, Deb and John Sellers and Sharon and Grady Burrow.

Those attending the spring brunch included Betsy and Roy Caldwell, Martha and Paul Chism, Eleanor Cheatham, Mary Elizabeth and Bud Conaway, Coquette and Bill Barnes, Susan and Bob Barrett, Martha and Jack Bartlett, Laurie and Charles Binion, Barbara and Don Cook, Fay Hall, Tallulah Hargrove, Connie Hinkle and Bob Hilley, Joan and Wally Hinkle, Nancye Lawrence and J.B. Biggers and Nancy and Lamar Latimer.

Others there were Margaret and Joe Langston, Barbara and Robert Klyce, Nancy and Bob Jones, Rose Ann and Rod Kendrick, Pat and Bill Miller, Anne Michaels, Kay Merrill, Lynda and Dick McLaughlin, Audrey and Stu Lindquist, Jane Leslie, and Coleta and Don Newton.

Also attending the brunch were Betty and Jimmy Nunis, Nelda Osment, Sylvia and Vernon Patrick, Betty and Dudley Pewitt, Helen and Walter Pittman, Margaret and Tommy Tucker, Tutter and Chuck Tyndal, Sue and Jesse Weatherly, Peggy and Ray Sykes, Libby Spain and Ralph Livingston, Elaine Smith, Gail and Charlie Sharp, Jean and Billy Ray and Margaret and Bill Whitaker. ❖

From left: Lynda McLaughlin, Rose Ann Kendrick, Jane Leslie, Fay Hall and Margaret Whitaker. Photos special to The Journal

Animal lovers raised their glasses May 4 to benefit the Shelby Humane Society at the fourth annual Bark and Wine fundraiser.

The event at the Pelham Civic Complex featured dinner, drinks and friendly bidding to support the programs of the humane society.

Items auctioned off by Ken Jackson included gift baskets from Puppy Luv Glam, Harley Davidson of Montgomery, Alabama and Auburn signed memorabilia, Crawfish Boil autographed guitar and original artwork from local artists Mary Liz Ingram, Mary Margaret Binkley, Adelaide Booth, Sally Boone and Gwen Gorby.

Restaurant packages and gift cards were donated by Chuck’s and Hot and Hot Fish Club. Jewelry from Diamonds Direct, Bromberg’s and Levy’s as well as a trip to Myrtle Beach were also among the auction items.

Among the guests were Stephanie Clayton and friends with the Pampered Pet Resort, Bart and Chris Wilkerson, Chris and Pam Curry and Jeff and Robin Adams.

Also spotted were Steve and Therena Smith, Darrell and Tamela Seymour, Bob McArdle from Bob the Big Dog Pet Sitting, Chris and Amanda Mundy, Teresa Vick and Phil Norris, Ron and Stephanie West, Brook Morris, Billy and Mariellan Morris and Chick and Tricia Preston.

Others enjoying the festivities were Kelly Cullen and Nathan Vance, Tim Stacks and Melissa Brown, Shea Hicks, Catherine Bres with Generation Dog, Terry and Linda McCartney, Jim Romaker, Jero Nesa and Michelle Amaral, Carol Argo, Ken Jackson, Jeff and Tammy Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Lewis, Lacey Bacchus, Sara Shirley, Tim and Mary McKenzie, Bill and Judy Vanluchene, Mike and Debbie Hough, Randy and Melanie Dixon, Andrea Morrow, Zach and Laura Southard, Jan Griffey, Donny and Molly Brown and Alan and Donna Eads. ❖

Martha and Payton Norvill.

Dick and Lynda McLaughlin.

Teresa Vick and Phil Norris.

Photos special to The Journal

Garden Club Elects New Officers The Cherokee Garden Club met May 1 to elect new club officers.

The meeting was held at the home of outgoing President Ann Cowin.

Hostesses were Susan Bowman, Bo Hale and Martha Hiden.

During the past club year, members heard programs from a food critic, got updates on Red Mountain Park and heard from Mountain Brook’s city planner and PreSchool Partners representatives.

They also learned about fashions from the Pants Store and about Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery.

A spring party was held in April

From left: Lane DeWine, Jackie Breland, Nan Crow, Heather Brock and Anne Cowin.

We’re redfining REHAB with a focus on Quality not Quantity.

at the home of Debbie Chandler.

New members for the 2012-13 club year were Kelly Thompson, Teresa Gregory, Ann Johnson and Virginia Kilgore.

New officers are Lane DeWine, president; Nan Crow, first vice president; Heather Brock, second vice president; Jackie Breland, secretary; Natalie Smith, treasurer; and Ann

Food truck owners fired up their engines--and their grills—to help a preschool program during the second annual Protective Life Food Truck Roundup May 4.

The event was held in the upper parking lot of Macy’s at Colonial Brookwood Village by the Young Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association. It raised more than $76,000 to support PreSchool Partners.

PreSchool Partners is a nonprofit preschool for at-risk 3 and 4-year-olds. The program works to prepare at-risk preschool children and their parents for kindergarten in Birmingham City Schools.

Cowin, parliamentarian.

The Cherokee Garden Club promotes the development of all phases of gardening as well as the betterment and beautification of the community.

The club meets the first Wednesday of each month in members’ homes from September through May each year. ❖

Money raised on May 4 will go directly to help the 70 parents and 70 children enrolled in the program and help reach those who are not currently enrolled, said Lella Carl Hamiter, executive director of PreSchool Partners.

More than 1,200 guests came out to sample food from 14 food trucks.

The event also included family-friendly entertainment with live music from Dos Hermanos, face painting with Magic City Art and clowns.

This year’s participating food trucks included Shindigs, Dreamcakes, Spoonfed Grill and Off the Hook. Melt and Mellow Mushroom also offered culinary treats at the event.

New food trucks participating included Avalanche Delights, Fresh off the Bun, Full Moon BBQ, Nola Ice, Repicci’s Italian Ice and Slice.

Beverages were provided by Good People Brewery, Supreme Beverage and Coca-Cola.

For more information on PreSchool Partners, visit www.preschool-partners.org.

Those attending included Bry Davis, John Davis, Wesley Willings, Madeline Reeves, Jason Bierly, Andy Harris, Andrew Carney, Kathleen Doss, Drew Carney, Capriccia Carney, Krislin Smith, Rich Webster, Layla Carter, Ronique Carter, Mia Cater and Robert Gilmore. ❖ From left: Bry and John Davis, Wesley Willings and Madeline Reeves.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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22 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From left: Mike Kolen, Allen Pate, Mayor Gary Ivey and City Councilman John Lyda.

Photo special to The Journal

Mike “Captain Crunch” Kolen Headlines Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

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Former Auburn University and NFL player Mike Kolen was the featured speaker at the 2013 Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Almost 600 people attended the May event, which was presented by the Hoover Beautification Board at the Wynfrey Hotel.

Kolen played football at Berry High School in Hoover and was an All-American linebacker for the Auburn Tigers. The Miami Dolphins selected him in the 1970 draft, and he went on to play in Super Bowls VI, VII and VIII. The Dolphins won both Super Bowl VII and VIII. He has also been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Kolen presented a scripture-based inspirational talk about trusting God, preparing to be successful, keeping a positive attitude and being motivated by love.

He quoted Vietnam veteran Clebe McClary, who said, “In this life of give and take, there are very few willing to give what it takes.”

Kolen closed with II Chronicles 7:14, which says that if God’s people will humble themselves, pray and turn from their wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.

The event was co-chaired by

Jennifer Gregory and Mary Ross Searcy. Committee members were Roberta Atkinson, Matthew Allen, Pat Lawley, David Luke, LaVerne Martin, Rita Newell, Lea Pennington and JoAnn Powell.

Tables were decorated in black tablecloths with white overlays.

Centerpieces were blue and white hydrangeas in mirrored boxes. One guest at each table was chosen to take the centerpiece home.

The Hoover Belles greeted guests in the Wynfrey Hotel lobby and collected tickets at the ballroom doors.

Those arriving early were entertained by an ensemble of members of the Hoover High School First Edition Jazz Band directed by Sallie White.

Brenda Ladun was the emcee. The invocation for the breakfast was given

by Pastor Joshua Canizaro of Church of the Highlands, Greystone Campus.

The Hoover Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors at the beginning of the program while attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

After breakfast, Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey welcomed guests and introduced special guests and elected officials.

Those attending included the mayor’s wife, Carolyn Ivey, and his daughter, Tyler Ivey.

Other guests included Hoover City Council members Jack Wright, John Greene, Dr. Trey Lott, John Lyda and Admiral Jack Natter.

Also attending were Mike Bolin, Alabama Supreme Court Justice; state representatives Paul DeMarco and Jack Williams; Brandon Falls, district attorney for Jefferson County; Bill Veitch, assistant district attorney for the Bessemer division; Jefferson County Commissioners David Carrington, George Bowman and Jimmie Stephens; Tony Petelos, Jefferson County manager and former Hoover mayor; Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff; Mike Vest, Shelby County commissioner; Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon; Jim St. John, Vestavia Hills city manager; and Ethan Vice from U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus’ office.

Briana Kinsey, Miss Hoover 2013, sang “God Bless America” and led everyone in singing “America the Beautiful.” Kinsey is a 20-year-old junior at the University of Alabama in a pre-med curriculum.

Dr. Jim Savage, senior pastor of Riverchase United Methodist Church, led a scripture reading and prayer.

Rev. Reid Crotty, senior pastor at Bluff Park United Methodist Church, gave the benediction. ❖

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From left: Barbara Henry, Mary Sue Ludwig, Frances Wheeler, Nance Kohnen and Pam Crider. Photo special to The Journal

The Hoover Service Club celebrated current members and gave information to new members at its annual spring event in April.

The club held its annual membership tea on April 11 at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover.

Potential new members came out to hear about the organization and the community service activities the group is involved in each year.

Membership in the Hoover Service Club is $20 per year. The group meets the second Thursday of the month from September-May at 11 a.m. at the Hoover Country Club.

Barbara Henry is club president.

Each May, the organization awards scholarships and citizenship awards to students at Hoover and Spain Park high schools. ❖

Shades Valley High Class Has 50th Reunion Former Shades Valley High School students took a trip down memory lane last month with a weekend full of 50th reunion activities.

Some of the players on the Shades Valley Mounties 1963 team got together at the reunion, along with Coach Bill Legg.

The weekend also included a special treat for those who attended Vestavia Hills Elementary East from 1950-56.

Hank Battle, a Vestavia East alumnus, arranged a tour of the school with Principal Mark Richardson.

Former football players enjoying catching up and sharing memories were Dick Bell, Pierre Tourney, Bill Meadows and Larry Holt.

Alumni of Vestavia East taking a tour of their

Front, from left: Avery Sloan, Bill Burgess, Gordon Hensley Potter, Dianna Rhodes Helms and Clint Bolte.

Back: Phillip Hager, Burch Cameron, Joy Willen Collins, Tom Hooten, Guy Burns and Janet Wuehrmann Broadfoot. Photo special to The Journal

old stomping grounds included Avery Sloan, Bill Burgess, Gordon Hensley Potter, Dianna Rhodes Helms, Clint Bolte, Phillip Hager, Burch

AAUM Celebrates Women’s History Month

From left: Barbara Piper, AAUM branch president, and Susan Reynolds, associate editor of Alabama Heritage Magazine.

Photo special to The Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 23

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Birmingham Branch of the American Association of University Women celebrated Women’s History Month at The Club in March.

The featured speaker was Susan Reynolds, associate editor of Alabama Heritage Magazine.

Her topic was “Augusta Evans Wilson: Writer, Rebel and Family Woman.” Wilson and Julia Tutwiler are

Cameron, Joy Willen Collins, Tom Hooten, Guy Burns, Janet Wuehrmann Broadfoot, Karen Butler Sturgeon and Pat Stevens. ❖

the only two women in the Alabama Hall of Fame.

Wilson’s 19th century novel “St. Elmo” ranked just behind “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in popularity and had more than one million readers within the first four months of its publication. She wrote eight novels which were financially successful and enabled her to support her family and a hospital in Mobile.

Presiding at the meeting was Barbara Piper, Birmingham Branch president, who thanked vice president Barbara Patterson for her floral arrangements along with pictures of famous American women.

Those attending the luncheon were Jimmie Anderson, Donna Antoon, Dot Baker, Suzanne Baker, Claudette, Bearden, Celina Costa, Judy Deegan, Ilse Diasio and Mary Frances ForbesReed.

Also enjoying the event were Judith Hand, Gene Hiller, Jennifer Kersh, Myrl Kirstein, Diane Marks, Jane McGahee, Frances Medford, Helen Miller, Cathy Moncrief, Susan Norman, Aggie Pollock, Bob Piper, Aubrey Ross, Gloria Smith, Jeaninne Spann, Rowena Talbot, Marian Webber, Katherine Whitfield and Nancy Whitt. ❖

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please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

24 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Date to Remember

Bride Is Fourth Generation to Choose an Aug. 18 Wedding

By Keysha Drexel

W

Journal editor

hen Keely Kennedy Hooks and her husband, Austin Hooks, celebrate their first wedding anniversary later this summer, the Hoover couple will be marking not only an important date in their lives but one that is part of a family tradition stretching back more than a century.

Keely got married on Aug. 18, making her the fourth generation of women in her family to tie the knot on that date.

And while it may seem like it took a lot of planning for Keely to make sure she shared her wedding date with her mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, the 26-year-old said in reality, things serendipitously fell into place when she and Austin started

planning their wedding.

Keely and Austin dated for six and half years before they were engaged on Dec. 23, 2011.

“We knew we didn’t want to wait a long time to get married,” she said.

“We had taken our time in getting engaged, but we knew we didn’t want to wait a whole year after that to get married.”

As Keely and Austin sat down with a calendar to plan their nuptials, Keely discovered that Aug. 18, 2012 fell on a Saturday.

“We felt like it was meant to be,” she said. “It’s an important date in my family’s history, and I was happy to be able to carry on the tradition.”

The family tradition started in 1909 when Keely’s great grandparents, Helen and Frank Begley, were married.

Helen was from England and Frank was from Ireland. They met in New

Jersey when a wave of immigrants came to find work and the promise of a better life in America.

Frank worked for Clow Water Systems, a pipe company, and the couple lived in Ohio. The company opened a branch in Alabama, and the couple moved to the Birmingham area.

Helen and Frank Begley were married for more than 50 years, until his death.

The couple had twin daughters, Ann Marie and Mary Regina Begley.

The twin sisters grew up sharing everything, and when they both met the men of their dreams, they also ended up sharing a wedding date.

Ann Marie, Keely’s grandmother, married John Delworth Wood in a double ceremony where her sister, Mary, wed Braxton Frank Taylor. The ceremony was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral See Date, page 27

Keely and Austin Hooks were married on Aug. 18 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover, with a reception following at Old Overton Golf Club in Vestavia Hills. Keely shares the wedding date with her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her great grandparents, Helen and Frank Begley, above, were married in 1909. Keely’s grandmother got married on Aug. 18, 1940 and her parents wed on the same day in 1979. Photos special to The Journal

Ready to Cut a Rug at Their Reception Lessons Help Couple Prepare for First Dance As Husband and Wife Eric Maas and Courtney Bailey practice their dance.

Journal photo by Mandi Halbrooks

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

If marriage is a dance between two people that involves constant compromise, Eric Maas is starting off on the right foot-

-literally.

Eric and his fiancée, Courtney Bailey, are taking dance lessons at Magic City Dance Studio in Vestavia Hills in preparation for their wedding later this summer. They’re one of several couples who are looking to make their first dance as man and wife something spectacular.

“I have two left feet and have never tried to dance before, so this is pretty challenging,” Eric said. “But it is all for love.”

Courtney is the third child of Cel and

Tim Bailey of Homewood to take wedding dance lessons with Mike Fowler at Magic City Dance. The Baileys’ son, Christopher, and their other daughter, Caroline, also took dance lessons from Fowler.

“It’s kind of like a family tradition and something I really wanted to do, so my mom and I kind of bribed Eric to get him in here for lessons,” Courtney said.

But even the “bribe” is not something Eric accepted for selfish reasons, Courtney

See Dance, page 28

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 25

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

AAA Travel AAA Travel offers personalized service from experienced travel specialists who will help you save time, stress and money when planning your honeymoon or destination wedding.

“No matter what the destination, our travel specialists will help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams… a cruise vacation, a trip to the sunny beaches of Hawaii, a romantic getaway to Europe, or the shimmering blue waters of the Caribbean!

With our assistance and recommendations, we make sure you get the most out of your trip,” says Jennifer Caton, right, managing director with AAA Alabama.

“AAA has been in business over 100 years and is the largest leisure travel agency in North America. This means we get special perks and savings you can’t get anywhere else. We even own our own travel company, Pleasant Holiday’s that specializes in trips to Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Pleasant Holidays offers extremely attractive destination honeymoon and wedding packages, packed with extras. Many hotels offer substantial savings and some even offer FREE Weddings!

“When it comes to planning your honeymoon or destination wedding, our commitment to service, value and quality means we’re there for you every step of the way. We offer a honeymoon registry to make it easier for you to afford your dream honeymoon. This is perfect for couples that don’t need any more “stuff” for their household. Family and

Chickadee friends will also think this is a great option to contribute to as a wedding or shower gift and give you something that you will remember for a lifetime.”

AAA Travel, 2400 Acton Road, 978-7030.

“We offer a honeymoon registry to make it easier for you to afford your dream honeymoon. This is perfect for couples that don’t need any more ‘stuff’ for their household.”

Jennifer Caton, AAA Travel

Chickadee specializes in antiques, furniture, home accessories, gifts and bridal registry and has a constantly changing inventory of new and exciting items. Since opening in 2011, we are continually promoting and updating our bridal registry and services.

“We want to be known for high quality, unique items and highly personalized attention for our brides,” said Carolyn Hartman, co-owner, above left.

Events such as book signings, holiday parties, tabletop, bridal and trunk shows are frequently held in the store.

“We believe our customer service sets us apart, making every customer and bride feel special,” Kate Hartman, co-owner, above right said. “Our registry offers brides some things old, some things new, some things borrowed (rentals) and of course some things

blue! Both brides and wedding guests will find perfect items for their new homes, all wrapped beautifully with exceptional detail and flare.”

New to Chickadee is a design team eager

“We want to be known for high quality, unique items and highly personalized attention for our brides.”

Carolyn Hartman, co-owner, chickadee to help with all your decorating needs. With hundreds of vendors to pull from, we are able to assist customers with furniture, rugs, draperies, home accessories and much more!

Chickadee, 3138 Cahaba Heights Road, Cahaba Heights, 969-3138.

Gifts that are beautiful inside and out

6/13

Mon - Fri, 10am - 5:00pm • Sat 10am - 4:00pm 3138 Cahaba Heights Road • 205.969.3138 www.ChickadeeBirmingham.com

26 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mariée Ami

Levy’s Fine Jewelry Levy’s Fine Jewelry specializes in antique and estate jewelry as well as modern engagement rings and wedding bands.

“As we embark on our 91st year we look back at how we have evolved over the years,” says Jared Nadler, above left, with his mother Rhoda Link and cousin Todd Denaburg, members of the family that has owned the business since 1922.

“When Levy’s first opened we sold watches, clocks, luggage and wedding bands. Now decades later, we are considered the largest estate and antique jewelry dealer in the southeast.

“We are excited about the recent redesigning of our website,” says Todd. “All of the jewelry we offer can now be seen and purchased online. One of the most exciting things about the website is the education on diamonds, metals, certifications and many other subjects. We want everyone to be edu-

cated and know, even if it is not bought from us, what to look for when purchasing jewelry.”

“The most important things that we have offered for more than 90 years still remain the same. Our motto has always been that, ‘It’s like having a relative in the jewelry business,’” says Jared.

“We want you to leave here knowing that we care about each and every one of you and that our main concern is to give you the best product and service that we can. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find a gift for that special someone, to help you if you are interested in selling your ‘much loved’ jewelry or if you need repairs on your jewelry or would like something evaluated. We have four wonderful, experienced jewelers who can help you with any custom created jewelry needs.”

“Please come in or visit us on our website levysfinejewelry.com.”

Levy’s, 2116 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, 251-3381.

For over 90 years, Levy’s has been Birmingham's Specialist in Antique and Estate Jewelry as well as Fine Diamonds, Art and Antiques.

2116 2nd Avenue North • (205) 251-3381

www.levysfinejewelry.com

Located in the heart of historic Mountain Brook Village, Mariée Ami introduces the wedding community to a boutique that is also a full-service wedding planning studio and the first of its kind in Alabama.

“Brides will discover a beautiful studio setting with a personal planner who will marry together precise planning, unique design and an array of custom paper goods,” says Neillie Butler, owner and executive planner, right, Mariée Ami offers a variety of services that are unique to each bride. Packages range from partial planning to planning every aspect of your wedding from start to finish.

“Let Mariée Ami create your dream wedding, so you can enjoy your engagement and the most important day of your life,” Butler said.

Mariée Ami, 2814 Petticoat Lane, Mountain Brook, 870-4205.

‘Brides will discover a beautiful studio setting with a personal planner who will marry together precise planning, unique design and an array of custom paper goods.’

Neillie Butler, Mariée Ami owner

Lewallyn-Rhyne

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Stanley Lewallyn of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Claire Augusta, to Mr. Robert Rhett Rhyne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Hoffman Rhyne Jr. of Benton.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Roy J. Browder of Columbus Ga., and Mrs. Hugh Jefferson Lewallyn of Anniston and the late Mr. Hugh Jefferson Lewallyn.

Miss Lewallyn is a 2008 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a

Date,

From Page 24

in Birmingham on Aug. 18, 1940.

The auspicious date was also their parents’ 31st wedding anniversary.

Mary and B.F. Taylor were married for more than 50 years, until his death. Ann Marie’s husband, who was known as Jack, died when he was 47, and she never remarried.

Ann Marie and Jack had one child, Jacqueline Ann Wood, whom they called Jackie. The family lived on Vestview Lane in Vestavia Hills, and Jackie attended John Carroll Catholic High School.

After high school, Jackie earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama and then received a master’s degree in health information systems at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she later was an adjunct professor.

When Jackie was 29, Michael asked her to marry him.

Keely’s grandparent’s were married on Aug. 18, 1940. Photo special to The Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 27

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

2012 cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education.

She was president of Kappa Delta social sorority and a member of Cater Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega and secretary of A.M.E.S. She was presented at the 2010 Poinsettia Debutante Ball.

Miss Lewallyn teaches at Drake Middle School in Auburn.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. James Francis Gallagher of Tyler and the late Mrs. James Francis Gallagher and Mrs. Carroll Hoffman Rhyne Sr. of Benton and the late Mr. Carroll Hoffman Rhyne Sr. Mr. Rhyne is a 2007 graduate of Morgan Academy and a 2011 magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. He was treasurer of Sigma Nu fraternity and a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Squires and an intern with Campus Crusade.

Mr. Rhyne attends the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

The wedding is planned for July 13 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

“We dated for 12 years before we were married. We took our time until we were sure we had found the right one,” she said.

Jackie and Michael were married on Aug. 18, 1979 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover.

The couple lived in Vestavia for a few years and then moved to Camelot Circle in Hoover. The address and Jackie’s married name made for several memorable reactions from others over the years, Jackie said, because President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie’s short time in the White House has been characterized in popular culture as “Camelot.”

“You wouldn’t believe the looks I got when I would tell someone that my name was Jackie Kennedy and I lived on Camelot Circle,” she said. “It was a fun coincidence.”

The couple had two children, Woody and Keely, both of whom went to John Carroll Catholic High School.

Keely and Austin met while they were high school students but the relationship wasn’t romantic--at first.

“We were just friends in high school and never dated then,” Keely said.

Keely was at the University of Alabama studying nursing and Austin was studying civil engineering when the couple decided to take their relationship to the next level.

“It wasn’t until we were both in college at Alabama that we started dating,” she said.

After six and half years of dating, Austin popped the question, Keely said yes and the couple learned St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church was available for an Aug. 18 ceremony.

Keely’s engagement ring also holds a special family significance, she said.

“My dad’s mother died in 2009, and she left me her engagement ring,” Keely said. “Austin used the diamond

Schroepfer-Frederick

fraternity. She is pursuing a nursing career in the Auburn-Opelika area.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. Killian of Opelika and Mrs. Charles L. Frederick Jr. and the late Mr. Frederick of Florence.

Mr. Frederick is a 2008 graduate of Homewood High School and a 2013 graduate of Samford University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in health promotions and fitness and was a member of the Samford baseball team. He is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science at Auburn University.

The wedding will be July 13 in Columbus, Ohio.

ried and by whom, their plans hit a brief snag when they couldn’t find the right venue for the reception.

“Austin is a huge golfer and hunter and loves the outdoors so I wanted to have a reception at a golf club, but everywhere I called was already booked,” she said.

Fortunately, a friend who is a member at Old Overton Golf Club in Vestavia Hills offered to sponsor the couple so they could hold their wedding reception there.

While the wedding ceremony and reception locations were being booked, Keely set about choosing what she would wear on the biggest day of her life.

She chose her dress within two weeks of setting the wedding date.

“I knew I wanted something simple and classic,” she said.

Keely chose a Watter’s dress with

handmade Irish lace on the bodice and a silk A-line shirt. The dress featured ruching at the waistband and a cathedral-length train.

Keely’s veil was made by her mother and offered another special family tradition to add to the cer-

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Schroepfer of Powell, Ohio, announce the engagement of their daughter, Leah Justine Schroepfer, to Matthew Riley Frederick, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Michael Frederick of Homewood.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Albert D. Kapcar and Mrs. Eleanor Kapcar of Marion, Ohio, and the late Mr. George T. Schroepfer and Mrs. Dolores Schroepfer of Howell, N.J. Miss Schroepfer is a 2013 graduate of Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was a member of Chi Omega social sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta honors from her ring in a setting he designed for me, and so it is very special to me for so many reasons.”

Keely said there was a time when she would have never considered getting married on the same date as her parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents.

“I guess it was kind of a rebellious thing, but I remember saying in school that when I grew up, I would never get married on Aug. 18,” she said.

But as she grew up, Keely said, she began to understand the significance and importance of family traditions and family connections.

“I guess it has been a really lucky wedding date for everyone in my family, but for me it was more about carrying on that family connection,” she said.

Austin was immediately on board with the idea, Keely said, so the wedding planning began in earnest.

But the planning part was a little more than Keely said she had anticipated.

“I guess when you’re a little girl you dream about your wedding dress most of all, and that’s the way I was,” Keely said. “I somehow thought that once I had chosen my wedding dress, the planning was over, but thank goodness for my mom or we might not have had anything planned for the wedding but what I was wearing.”

Jackie went into high gear planning her daughter’s wedding at the same church where she had said her vows in 1979.

Keely and Austin asked Father Bob Sullivan to perform the ceremony, giving the wedding yet another family connection.

“He was the priest at our parish that both of our children grew up with, and he knows our family very well,” Jackie said. “It was fitting to have him marry Keely and Austin.”

And while Keely and Austin had arranged where they would get mar-

See Date, page 31

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28 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

Brechin-Bacon

Mr. and Mrs. John Bryce Brechin Jr. of Gadsden announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison Claire Brechin, to Justin Matthew Bacon, son of Mrs. Jennifer Kate Harwell of Birmingham and Dr. John Wayne Bacon of Gallatin, Tenn.

The bride-elect is the granddaugh-

Blalock-Sanford

Mr. and Mrs. James Harry Blalock of Hoover announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Blalock, to Joshua Kyle Sanford, son of Mr. Eddy Sanford of Fayette and Mrs. Dawn Clapp of Winfield.

The bride-elect is the grand-

Weddings & Engagements ter of Mr. Lelton Edwin Creel and the late Mrs. Myra Gregory Creel of Albertville and Mr. and Mrs. John Bryce Brechin of Birmingham.

Miss Brechin is a 2004 graduate of Gadsden High School and a 2008 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She is employed with Altec Capital Services LLC. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Leroy Eichenberger of Yuma, Ariz., and Ms. Jacquelyn Ann Bacon and the late Mr. Richard Wayne Bacon of McMinnville, Ore. Mr. Bacon is a 2004 graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a 2009 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in building construction. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

He is employed with Wilcox Building Company.

The wedding is planned for July 20.

daughter of Ms. Jeannette Blalock of Homewood and the late Mr. James Pugh Blalock of Abbeville and Ms. Dorothy T. Lyle of Homewood and Mr. James E. Lyle of Delta.

Miss Blalock is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology and a graduate of the Tuscaloosa Police Academy. She is an officer with the Northport Police Department.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Louise Sanford and the late Mr. Jack Sanford of Fayette and Mrs. Jo Ann Hayes and the late Mr. Billie V. Rasbury of Winfield.

Mr. Sanford is a graduate of Fayette County High School and the Tuscaloosa Police Academy. He is an officer with the Northport Police Department.

The wedding is planned for Sept.

14 at First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa.

Lewis-Fried

Ms. Lee Tucker Lewis of Hoover

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

and Mr. John Wayne Lewis of Jasper announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Grace Lewis, to Zachary Arin-Kim Fried, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey F. Fried of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Eleanor Lewis Brown of Montevallo and the late Mr. Felix Wayne Lewis and Mrs. Jo Ann Tucker of Montgomery and the late Mr. Thomas Lee Tucker.

Miss Lewis is a magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree. She received her master’s degree from the University of Montevallo and

is employed as a speech-language pathologist at Brookdale Senior Living.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. Howard Knowles of Jackson, Miss., the late Ms. Byrd Knowles of Ocean Springs, Miss., the late Mr. E.M. Fried of New York City and the late Dr. Phoebe Trent of Orangeburg N.Y. Mr. Fried is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. He is employed as senior financial analyst for Walter Energy Inc. The wedding will be July 20.

dance,

From Page 24

said.

“At his parents’ wedding, they were supposed to play ‘Colour My World’ by Chicago for their first dance but somehow, the band didn’t know the song,” she said. “So I told Eric if he’d take the dance lessons for our wedding, we would play that song at our wedding for a special surprise for his parents.”

But before they waltz down the aisle at Trinity United Methodist Church on Aug. 10, Eric, who is a baseball coach at the University of Montevallo, said he’s got a lot of catching up to do in the dance skills department to be on a par with his wife-to-be.

Courtney, who is now a nurse at Princeton Baptist, first started taking dance lessons when she was just 2 1/2 years old. She was a cheerleader and dance team member at Homewood High School before she graduated in 1996. She has also taught dance lessons.

“I grew up dancing and love it, and so when it came time to plan our wedding, I knew I wanted our first dance to be something special. It’s a big deal to me,” she said.

The couple enlisted the help of Mike Fowler, who also prepared Courtney’s brother and sister for their first dances at their weddings.

“It’s really neat to have worked with all the children in this family now to help them make their big days even more special,” Fowler said.

For their first dance, Courtney and Eric are preparing to dance the rumba to “Everything” by Michael Bublé.

Courtney’s parents have been attending the dance lessons to watch their future son-in-law’s progress.

“Eric is so analytical that during the first lesson, he was asking Mike how many inches his foot should be from this spot and wanted to get it just right,” Tim said. “It’s been great entertainment for us.”

Eric’s colleagues and friends are also getting a kick out of the thought of the baseball coach cutting a rug on the dance floor.

“My buddies think it’s pretty funny, that’s for sure,” he said.

By contrast, Courtney said her friends are delighted that Eric is taking the dance lessons to prepare for the wedding.

“All of my girlfriends are really envious because they can’t believe we

ABOVE: Cel and Tim Bailey, left, take a dance spin on the floor next to Eric and Courtney. LEFT: Eric and Courtney will unveil their dance at their wedding in August.

Journal photos by Mandi Holbrooks

talked him into doing it,” she said.

The couple have been dating for three years and said the dance lessons are giving them a chance to face a challenge together and learn to compromise.

And judging from what Cel witnessed at their most recent dance lesson last week, the time at Magic City Dance Studio hasn’t been all work for the young couple.

“They are having a great time together out there and as a mother, it just makes you so happy to see your child happy,” she said.

And for those wondering where Courtney got her dance skills, it only took a few minutes of watching Cel and Tim spin around the dance floor to figure out that one.

Tim took dance lessons when he was younger.

“I was the only sixth-grader in my class that went to classes at Arthur Miller. It’s been a while, but I think I can still remember a few moves,” Tim said.

Cel and Tim have been married

for 42 years but never got to dance at their own wedding.

“We got married in a Baptist church and had the reception there, so we didn’t really have a chance for a first dance at our wedding,” Cel said.

But for her children’s weddings, Cel said she was determined to go all-out to give them the weddings of their dreams.

“I grew up poor and I guess that’s why I’ve always kind of gone overboard with birthday parties and special occasions,” she said.

And while Cel and Tim’s wedding was planned on what she called a shoestring budget, her daughter’s wedding day is shaping up to be a lavish affair.

“We were logging in the 458th wedding guest the other night, and I asked Courtney if we were almost finished,” Cel said, laughing. “It’s going to be a big wedding.”

And with a few more dance lessons to go before the big day, Eric said he feels confident he won’t be sweating bullets in front of the hundreds of guests at his wedding when he and Courtney take the dance floor for their first dance.

“I’m getting there, but I still need some more practice,” he said. “As long as I don’t drop her or step on her toes during our dance at the wedding, I will consider it a success.”

The couple’s wedding reception will be at The Club and they are planning a honeymoon trip to the Dominican Republic. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 29

Weddings & Engagements

Smart Skin Med Spa Smart Skin Med Spa is known for layering their non-invasive treatments to get the very best results, and now you can have great skin at a great price. “Everyone deserves to look and feel their best so we have come up with three memberships and custom plans to help you do just that,” said Lacey Edwards spa coordinator.

For $50 a month you will receive one Ultimate Trio Facial including a light microdermabrasion, ultrasonic facial and steam, custom Smart Skin facial mask, light hand massage and oxygen jet treatment. For $70 a month you will receive all this twice a month, which is recommend to get the best results. “We also have a membership for $120 with which you will receive a Dermawave Aquaphoresis and RFT radio frequency technology for skin tightening once a month. This combination is great because the Dermawave is no-needle mesotherapy and uses a medical grade botanical to improve the overall skin appearance and condition where the RFT will tighten and tone the skin,” Lacey said. “We can customize packages to meet your skincare needs. We offer other treatments to enhance membership packages that include the FSD photo facial for all-over skin rejuvenation, Pro Light treatments for acne, brown spots, and it also repairs neck and facial damage and Skin Medica Chemical Peels Illuminize, Vitalize and Rejuvenize.”

“Smart Skin now offers Hydrafacial plus Pro-Light Therapy. This is non-invasive skin resurfacing. It does an infusion of glycol to exfoliate your skin as well as improve sun damage and hyaluronic acid to put moisture back into the skin. Hydrafacial is great for all ages as well because it does a non-invasive extraction to get rid of blackheads, dirt, oil and makeup as well as reducing and dramatically improving the dullaness and ruddiness we can sometimes get and leaves you with an amazing glow. This

The American Village

treatment truly is instant gratification,” said Edwards.

“We are the only ones in Birmingham to offer the Smooth Shapes XV for maximum results for skin tightening and cellulite reduction. The Smooth Shapes reduces and improves the appearance of cellulite,” she said.

“Reaction by Viora is our newest technology in skin tightening for the face and body.

This device produces amazing results for both lax skin and circumferential fat loss and skin tightening. With unlimited treatment areas available we are able to treat areas including but not limited to the eyes, jawls, neck, tummy, thighs, hands, bottom or any other area of concern. This treatment works great alone and even better paired with our other non-invasive treatments offered here at Smart Skin. For more information, we offer a free consultation for treatment packages and pricing, or you can visit our website at ssmedspa.com.”

Smart Skin, 32 Church Street in Crestline Village, 871-8707.

The American Village is a venue so unique it’s a national treasure. Renowned for its revolutionary educational programs and public tours, the American Village is also an extraordinary venue for weddings and private events, says Jodie Wasyluka, private event coordinator, above.

The American Village has been making memories of a lifetime for more than 10 years.

“Inspired by some of America’s most historic places, our 183-acre campus offers one-of-a-kind facilities for wedding ceremonies, bridal teas, luncheons, and rehearsal dinners,” she said.

The Williamsburg-inspired Lucille Ryals Thompson Colonial Chapel features a 100-foot steeple, and beautiful antique wooden pulpit. The beautifully restored barn, with exposed beams and pine hewn walls, offers an early American setting for receptions while Liberty Hall, with an exterior inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and creme-colored interior, fluted pilasters and cutglass chandeliers patterned after The East Room of The White House.

Your wedding party can walk through Colonial gardens in the springtime or pose for photographs along the arched wooden Concord Bridge spanning a 1 1/2-acre lake.

The American Village, 3727 Highway 119, Montevallo, 665-3535 ext. 1045 or 1-877-8111776.

THE AMERICAN VILLAGE A VENUE SO UNIQUE IT’S A NATIONAL TREASURE.

INSPIRED BY SOME OF AMERICA’S MOST HISTORIC PLACES, THE AMERICAN VILLAGE

Photos by Phillip Dupree and Brandon Gresham/SImple Color

OFFERS A REMARKABLE SETTING FOR WEDDINGS AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS.

Annabelle’s

Located inside Vestavia Hills Apothecary, Annabelle’s is a stationery and gift boutique specializing in wedding invitations.

“Count on one-stop shopping in a neighborhood store. From personalized napkins, cups and koozies to attendants’ gifts and wedding albums, the staff at Annabelle’s will make recommendations for parties and the wedding weekend. Choose from a great selection of hostess gifts with complimentary gift wrapping at Annabelle’s,” said owners Carol and Morton Slaughter, above.

“From save the dates to the last thank you note written, think of paper as an element weaving throughout your wedding celebration!

Lastly, realize the invitation will become an archive and part of your family legacy. With over 20 years of wedding invitation experience, count on the capable design staff at Annabelle’s to help you create a lovely lasting impression,” they said.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Annabelle’s, 1062 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, 979-444 or www.annabellestoo. com.

Annabelle’s

.............................................................. vestavia hills

.......................................................... located inside Vestavia Hills Apothecary

MONTEVALLO, ALABAMA WWW. AMERICANVILLAGE.ORG

CONTACT OUR PRIVATE EVENT COORDINATOR AT (205) 665-3535 EXT. 1045, OR EMAIL WEDDINGS@AMERICANVILLAGE.ORG

To:

Carmen & Lacey

1062 Montgomery Highway Birmingham, Alabama 35216 (205) 979-4444

www.annabellestoo.com Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 9-3

30 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

A Little Something

A Little Something is a new gift boutique located in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood of Vestavia Hills. “We offer a variety of unique wedding and bridal party gifts for every taste and budget,” says Carole Cain, owner.

As a small boutique, A Little Something is able to provide the personal and custom assistance every bride deserves while selecting items for her registry and preparing for her special day.

‘We offer many gifts that are unique in the Birmingham area, including handmade items, stemware, serving pieces and pottery.’

“We offer many gifts that are unique in the Birmingham area, including handmade items, stemware, serving pieces and pottery.

Monogramming is also available,” she said.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

A Little Something, 3168 Heights Village, Cahaba Heights, 970-2077.

Weddings & Engagements

Photo by Arden Photography

Engaged Wedding Library and Perfect Wedding Guide

Katie Calhan and Stephanie Whitaker, above with Engaged Wedding Library and Perfect Wedding Guide will be hosting their 6th annual SoHo Bridal Show on August 4, 2013 at Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

More than 50 of Birmingham’s elite wedding professionals will be on location offering delicious cake and food tastings, amazing wedding gowns, and trends in invitations, floral design, and gift registry.

Along with many other giveaways, the first 100 brides to pre-register online at SoHoBridalShow. com will receive a wedding day swag bag.

Discounted tickets are also available online.

Show sponsors include: Bella Couture, Mr. Burch, Total Entertainment, Bella’s Bridal & Formal, Pearly Whites Dentistry, Bloom, Design Productions, Rosewood Hall, Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market, Ricky Whitley, Norton’s, Décor to Adore, HotHouse Design Studio, Alabama Weddings, and Diamonds Direct.

SoHo Bridal Show is a “can’t miss” for every over the mountain bride!

For details on booth reservations or tickets please contact Stephanie Whitaker at 205-6370735 or visit www.sohobridalshow.com.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Harbert Center

Photo by Lisa Cole

The Harbert Center serves as Birmingham’s premiere downtown event facility. With its distinguished character and charm, The Harbert Center offers the perfect setting for any special occasion.

“If your dream of a perfect wedding includes elegant surroundings, impeccable service and fabulous food, The Harbert Center is the place for you. Built of Italian granite with mahogany accents, we offer a unique, sophisticated setting.

Our spiral staircase is a favorite spot for tossing the bridal bouquet,” says Sarah Hodges, marketing co-ordinator.

In addition to weddings and receptions, The Harbert Center is also perfect for engagement parties, Bridesmaids’ luncheons and rehearsal dinners.

Our Event Sales Team is proud to offer their expertise as Certified Wedding Specialists for “day of” coordination of your ceremony and reception.

The elegant surroundings, fine foods and attention to detail make The Harbert Center the perfect place to host your event.

The Harbert Center, 2019 4th Ave N #100, Birmingham, 226-8800.

“It’s your day, Relax and let us take care of the details”

wedding & wedding party gifts • registry available

3168 Heights Village

Next door to Cummings Jewelry To: From: Date:

Mon. - Sat. 10-5 • Sun. 10-4

Stephanie Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax June 2013

970-2077

Gretchen B Photography

WWW.THEHARBERTCENTER WEDDINGS.COM

MH Photography

Mandi Halbrooks is a local photographer who specializes in wedding, events and portraits and believes that everyone deserves to have great pictures from their wedding, regardless of their budget.

“I deliver everything digitally. This allows me to keep my prices low and deliver the maximum number of pictures to my clients,” Halbrooks said. “I also give my clients the rights to print as many pictures from the disc as they want, as well as post on social media.”

All four of Halbrooks’ wedding photo packages include a portrait session which can be used as an engagement, bridal or “fearless bridal” session. “Fearless bridal” is a style of wedding photography that contrasts elegant clothing with an environment which is out of place in the style of fashion or glamour photography.

“Planning a wedding can be stressful and your photographer is someone who will be with you nearly the entire day,” she said. “There, I strive to cultivate a fun, low-stress experience for all my couples.”

Mandi Halbrooks Photography, www.

Mandihalbrooksphotography.com, 602-7482.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 31

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Date,

From Page 27

Olexa’s Cafe, Cakes and Catering

Olexa’s Cafe, Cakes and Catering is nestled in quaint Mountain Brook Village.

“We serve delicious homemade food daily,” says owner Diane Olexa. “Join us for lunch or we can book a specialty party or rehearsal dinner.

“Some important things to consider when selecting a venue for a wedding, reception or other wedding party function is: does it suit a theme, can it accommodate your guest count comfortably, is it a memorable event site for you and your guests?” says Diane. “Here at Olexa’s we have a wonderful space for bridal luncheons, bridal teas, showers and rehearsal dinners.

“We have a unique and charming atmosphere that will create a memorable evening for your guests. The ambiance at Olexa’s will transport your guests to the feel of a European courtyard.”

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emony.

“Mom took the lace off her wedding dress and used it on my veil,” she said. “It was a very special part of my dress to me.”

Jackie also made the ring bearer’s pillow, and the whole family got in on prepping for Keely and Austin’s wedding.

Keely and her mom hand rolled cones out of card stock, stamping each one with an “H” for Hooks and the couple’s address.

The cones were designed to hold rose petals for guests to shower Keely and Austin with as they left the wedding reception for their honeymoon.

“But the cones kept popping open, so Dad designed a special holder for them,” she said.

Jackie got in touch with Martha Aldridge, who dried hydrangea petals and made wreaths to hang on the doors of the church.

Jackie and Keely made the sashes for the door wreaths bearing Austin and Keely’s names.

“My mom was so creative and kept thinking of all these projects for the wedding, but when it got to be about one week out, I had to tell her that there just wasn’t any more time and we had to finish,” Keely said.

But Jackie thought of a few more details to work into the wedding, including engraved champagne glasses for the couple’s first toast and delicate orchids to adorn a chandelier.

“It was all a labor of love and just really fun to do,” Jackie said.

For her bridesmaids, Keely thought it was important to choose dresses the girls might actually want to wear again, she said.

“I’ve seen weddings where the poor bridesmaids are wearing these brightly-colored dresses that they will never, ever get to use again, and I wanted something that was more practical for my bridal party,” she said.

Keely chose gray dresses for her bridesmaids, giving each a choice of different styles of the dress to wear.

Keely and Austin chose black tuxedoes, vests and ties for the groomsmen.

“We didn’t want the whole ‘Steel Magnolias’ kind of wedding where everything is bathed in shades of pink,” she said.

“I wanted something classic, simple and neutral.”

For her bouquet, Keely chose blush and ivory roses, hydrangeas and freesia. The freesia was also used in the boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party.

“The flowers we chose were to give a little pop of color without going overboard with too many different colors,” Keely said.

Jay Ross was the floral designer for the wedding.

“He did an awesome job,” Keely said.

“The flowers were perfect.”

Keely’s cousin, a pastry chef, created the wedding cake and the groom’s cake.

The three tiers of the wedding cake came in red velvet, lemon and white cake and featured buttercream icing finished in a simple swirl pattern. The cake was decorated with a metal “H” cake topper and fresh flowers.

The groom’s cake was a nod to Austin’s love of golf and featured a green patch of “turf” decorated with real golf balls.

A fellow John Carroll alum, Lisa Marie Bearden, took the wedding photos and, much to the delight of Austin and the other guys, knew exactly what shots she wanted.

“The guys loved the fact that she had every shot planned out and the pictures didn’t take forever,” Keely said. “I think she and two other photographers working with her took about 3,000 pictures, and they were

6/9/10 8:31:28 AM

Keely and Austin Hooks

great.”

Before she walked down the aisle, Keely had her own special wedding day mementos that she wanted to present.

For her father, Keely embroidered a handkerchief that read “Today I’m a bride, tomorrow a wife, forever your little girl.”

For Austin’s mother, she embroidered a handkerchief that read “Thank you for raising your son to be the man of my dreams.”

The handkerchief Keely embroidered for her mother, which read “To dry your tears as you have always dried mine,” was one of Jackie’s favorite parts of the wedding.

Keely said several elements of her wedding were planned to pay tribute to her family and their traditions, such as how she carried the same handkerchief down the aisle that her great-grandmother did in 1909.

But some parts of the ceremony were a surprise, she said.

“Since I was a little girl, my dad called me Taz like the Tasmanian Devil from cartoons,” she said. “Right before the ceremony started, Dad came into the bridal room and

had forgotten to button his jacket, and I asked him what was on his vest because it didn’t look like the plain black ones the other guys were wearing.”

That’s when Keely’s father broke into a wide grin, opened his coat and revealed to his daughter that he was wearing a tuxedo vest emblazoned with tiny images of the Tasmanian Devil.

“It was the most awesome moment,” she said. “My dad’s the greatest.”

At the reception, the 250 wedding guests danced to the tunes of Moondance and enjoyed a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres.

As the reception fun continued, Keely changed into a going-away dress her mother made for her and the couple made their getaway from the reception in a vintage Plymouth that Austin chose for the occasion.

Keely said her wedding couldn’t have turned out any better, and she feels grateful that she was able to get married on the date that has been special in her family for 104 years.

“I still think it’s incredible how it all came together, and I’m so glad it did,” she said.❖

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32 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

Schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

OTM High Schools Named Among Best in Nation

By William C. Singleton III

F

America’s Best High Schools

Journal contributor

ive Over the Mountain Schools have been named among America’s best 2,000 public high schools, according to annual rankings released by Newsweek.

Eight of the 20 Alabama high schools that made the list are from the Birmingham metropolitan area.

The Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School was the highest ranked school at No. 15. Mountain Brook High School was the second ranked in Alabama at No. 152. Vestavia Hills High ranked No. 429, Oak Mountain High ranked No. 578, Spain Park High No. 613 and Homewood High No. 1049.

Ramsay High (No. 1712) and HewittTrussville High (No. 1910) rounded out the Birmingham metro area schools that made the list.

The rankings were based on factors such as graduation rate; college acceptance rate; the number of Advanced Placement, International

Newsweek’s annual rankings of the best 2000 high schools in the nation include five OTM schools. school

rank

Mountain Brook High School

152

Vestavia Hills High School

429

Oak Mountain High School

578

Spain Park High School

613

Homewood High School

1049

Baccalaureate and Advance International Certification of Education tests taken per student in the school; average scores on the AP, IB and AICE exams; percentage of students enrolled in at least one AP, IB or AICE course and average SAT/ACT test scores.

Officials for area schools that made the list

say the rankings merely validate what they’ve known all along about their schools.

“The Homewood City School District is extremely proud of Homewood High School,” said Dr. Betty Winches, Homewood city schools assistant superintendent for instruction.

“Recognition of the accomplishments of our students is extremely important to us. Inclusion in the Newsweek and the U.S. News and World Report rankings of the best high schools in America is a testament to the hard work of a dedicated faculty and staff and a committed student body.”

Vestavia Hills School Superintendent Jamie Blair said, “We are very proud that we have been recognized as one of the top 2,000 high schools in America. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers and parents. Not only is it an honor for VHHS, it is an honor for all of our schools.

Those type rankings do not occur from a great high school education alone. That process starts early in a child’s life at home and carries on beginning in kindergarten all the way to gradu-

‘Those type rankings do not occur from a great high school education alone. That process starts early in a child’s life at home and carries on beginning in kindergarten all the way to graduation.’

Jamie Blair, Vestavia Hills School Superintendent ation.”

Hoover school officials said they were happy to see Spain Park High School make the list.

“We are pleased any time our schools are recognized for academic excellence,” said Jason Gaston, a spokesman for the Hoover school system. ❖

School Notes Student Broadcasters Celebrate Successful Year

Bumpus Middle School students are recognized for being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

Photo special to The Journal

New Members Chosen for Beta Club at Bumpus An induction ceremony and reception was held April 17 in honor of the 52 new National Junior Beta Club members at Bumpus Middle School.

A nonprofit, leadership-service club for students in grades 5-9, the NJBC encourages effort, rewards merit and promotes character qualities that make for good citizenship.

The newly inducted members include Brandon J. Agsalud, Keaysia Bryant, Jace Coleman, Anna Grace Dickey, Madeline R. Dukes, Claudia Franklin, Sydney Garlington, Drew Guffey, Annemarie Guske, Caroline Guske, Jackson Hankins, Riley Hendrix, Alexander Hinkle, Christopher A. Howell, Patterson Huff, Myracle La’nise Jarmon and Abdulla Jassim.

Other students welcomed to the honor society were Jilian Joyner, Austin D. Kamm, Hassan Khadair, Jacob A. Kopkin, Sarah Looney, Spencer Lotz, Karis Simone Luster, Riley Elizabeth Lynch, Avery Markus, Isabella Maske, Erin McAfee, Shaelah McGilton, Ilissa McIntosh-Williams, Braylon Moss, Kerry Murr, Gabriella Muscarella and Mychael Grace O’Berry.

Also inducted into the Beta Club were Mit Patel, Chandler David Patterson, Crayton Edward Patterson, Karen Tram Phuong Pham, Lauren Reed,

Riley Rendon, Matthew Rickman, Alison Rocco, Shallah Saadiq, Nathan Solomon, Colton Steinbeck, Kendal Thompson, Tyler Joseph Tucker, Kylie Brianne Vanlandingham, Megan Waldrop, Adam C. Willis, Alexia Michelle Wilson and Makenzie E. Young.

Jan Price and Matt Grainger sponsor the club.

Seventh-grade students Cassiday Allen, Claudia Cortez, Mackenzie Pitts, Taylor Horne, Rajiv Patel and Jonathan Snell helped usher at the ceremony and served refreshments at the reception.

Highlands Student Wins PBS Writing Contest Harrison Coleman, a third-grade student at Highlands School, placed first in the third-grade division of Alabama Public Television’s 2013 PBS Kids Go! Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

In the contest, students were asked to write poetry or prose about a fiction or non-fiction subject of their choice and create at least five illustrations to accompany Harrison Coleman it.

Coleman’s winning book, “Max Gets Better at Math,” is a motivating story about a mouse who had math trouble but studied his way to acing a test.

Coleman’s official recognition will be on June 21 at an awards ceremony at the APT Birmingham headquarters.

Malensek, Layton Dyess, Jayne Smyth, Liza Johnson, Joanna Gaylard, Morgan Bailie, Caroline Christie, Kalvin Robinson and Luis Jimenez.

The VNN staff will return to the air when the new school year begins.

The 2012-13 Vestavia News Network staff recently celebrated a year’s worth of broadcasting current news to Vestavia Hills High School.

The VNN staff produces the show daily on live closedcircuit television, delivering the news to Vestavia High students and faculty.

Instructed by faculty sponsor Deana Goodwine, network members perform responsibilities such as anchor, camera person, director, teleprompter, sound and graphics and video.

Staff members The staff of the Vestavia News Network at Vestavia include Deana Hills High School wraps up a successful season.

Photo special to The Journal Goodwine, Paris

Shades Cahaba Students Help Community Garden To celebrate Youth Art Month in March, Shades Cahaba Elementary School Art Club’s fifth-grade students put the first work of art in the Homewood City Schools Community Garden.

The art piece was a wooden frame featuring nine paintings of owls, representing Shades Cahaba Elementary’s involvement, and images of fruits, flowers and sunshine surrounded by a painting of the silhouette of the Vulcan statue.

The frame consists of canvas paintings from eight students and their teacher, Mary Jane Coker.

Coker said she intends to keep the wooden frame on display at the garden and have the students replace it with more art when it becomes weathered.

Shades Cahaba Elementary School students helped install the first piece of art in the Homewood City Schools Community Garden. From left: Briley Williams, Liza Ashe, Ella Malek, Marcus Yaku, Nicolas Amison and Grissom Pierce.

Photo special to The Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 33

Schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

New PTO Board Named at Mountain Brook Elementary Mountain Brook Elementary has a new parent-teacher organization board for the 2013-2014 school year.

The new board members were installed on May 8 at the home of Mary Elaine Jolly.

They include Kristy Parrott, Adelaide Vandevelde, Allison Salter, Katie Crafton, Melanie Toranto, Alicia Garrison, Tricia Golden, Laura Clark, Emily Dunn, Betsy Keller, Leslie Stephens, Mary Elaine Jolly and Shannon Wadlington.

The new school year starts for Mountain Brook students on Aug. 19 this year. ❖

Students at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills created pottery bowls for Magic City Harvest.

Photo special to The Journal

Pizitz Middle Students Help the Hungry

A

rt students at Pizitz Middle School created pottery bowls for the 10th annual Empty Bowl Project, sponsored by Magic City Harvest.

The luncheon event was May 2 at the St. Vincent’s Bruno Conference Center and helps fund the organization’s year-round food bank.

Magic City Harvest started the Empty Bowl Project in the Birmingham metro area in 2004.

Crestline Students Donate Change to Help Others Crestline Elementary School students took part in the seventh annual Donate Your Change fundraiser, sponsored by Mitchell’s Place earlier this year.

Each grade level competed to collect the most change throughout the week to help support the programs and services offered at Mitchell’s Place. The secondgrade students won the competition and received a pizza party for collecting more than $350 in change.

The pizza was provided by Mitchell’s Place in partnership with Hungry Howie’s Pizza in Vestavia. Sandy Naramore, executive director of Mitchell’s Place, hosted the pizza party on Feb. 14.

This is the sixth year Crestline Elementary has participated in the Donate Your Change fundraiser. The students raised more than $1,500 this year.

According to Naramore, Mitchell’s

This year, the Pizitz Middle School students made wheel-thrown bowls that represented the people worldwide who go hungry every day.

Pizitz’s art students made 75 bowls to help the “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” initiative.

This is the fourth year art students at the school have participated in the project.

Larry Gibson is the art teacher at Pizitz Middle School. ❖

From left: Kristy Parrott, Adelaide Vandevelde, Allison Salter, Katie Crafton, Melanie Toranto, Alicia Garrison, Tricia Golden, Laura Clark, Emily Dunn, Betsy Keller, Leslie Stephens, Mary Elaine Jolly and Shannon Wadlington. Photo special to The Journal

Place always looks forward to the event with Crestline Elementary.

“This fundraiser really makes a difference at Mitchell’s Place,” she said.

“The students’ continued support is invaluable.”

Mitchell’s Place provides familyoriented services that are inclusive and customized to meet the individual and specific needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Altamont Students Win Top Honors at Science Fair Altamont School students won top honors at the UAB-CORD Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 9.

The students chosen to attend the state science fair in Huntsville were Mihir Limdi, ninth grade, first place in Senior Biology; Dylan Fullilove, ninth grade, second place in Senior Chemistry; William Tang, ninth grade, second place in Senior Engineering;

Crestline Elementary School students were rewarded with a pizza party for donating their change to Mitchell’s Place. Front, from left: Andrew Dennis, Hunter Hemby and Alexander Horn. Back: Sandy Naramore and Mary Dorough. Photo special to The Journal

Altamont students won top honors at a regional science fair held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Front, from left: Vivek Sasse, Nivedita Rao and Halle Bakir. Back: Laure Bender, Will Pannell, Arjun Lakhanpal, Hunter Scott and William Tang. Photo special to The Journal Arjun Guru, eighth grade, second place in Junior Behavioral and Social Sciences; Aaron Miller, sixth grade, first Place in Junior Biology; Imani Richardson, eighth grade, first place in Junior Chemistry; Vivek Sasse, sixth grade, second place in Junior Chemistry; Will Randall, seventh grade, second place in Junior Energy and Transportation; Hunter Scott, eighth grade, first place in Junior Mathematics and Computer Science; and Nivedita Rao, seventh grade, first place in Junior Medicine and Health Science.

Will Pannell was selected as one of four division winners and competed in the state science fair and in the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix in May. The annual Intel ISEF is the largest international pre-college science contest.

At the regional fair, Altamont students won top honors in six categories, second place in five categories, third place in three categories, honorable

mentions in eight categories and received six special awards.

The students who competed in the junior and senior divisions at the event included Keenah Mays, Elizabeth Anne Brown, Olivia Jones, Mihir Limdi, Laure Bender, Dylan Fullilove, Kate Young, Will Pannell, William Tang, Meg Hunt and Jonathan Hurowitz, Arjun Guru, Aaron Miller, Halle Bakir, Imani Richardson, Vivek Sasse, Aarthi Namasivayam, Carolyn Cleary, Sydney Calhoun, Will Randall, Arjun Lakhanpal, Hunter Scott, Nivedita Rao and William Denniston.

Wildlife Art Nets Award for Hoover Fourth-grader Blake White, a fourth-grade student at Gwin Elementary School, placed second in the 2013 Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Youth Wildlife Art Contest.

White received a plaque and art supplies for his winning ruby-throated hummingbird artwork at a luncheon on

April 20.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation’s William R. Ireland Sr. Youth Wildlife Art Contest has acknowledged Alabama Blake White students’ exceptional artistic talents for more than three decades while increasing students’ knowledge and appreciation for Alabama wildlife.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation encourages students to research and become more aware of wildlife and its habitats. Through the organization, teachers have the opportunity to integrate language arts, science, geography, and art into class projects. ❖

--Ivanna Ellis

Send your school news and photos to: editorial@ otmj.com Mary Charles’ Doll House New, Collectible Antique Dolls 2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook Village 870-5544 Open Thur. - Sat. 10am - 4:30pm

34 • Thursday, June 13, 2013

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Lady Phantoms Win Havoc Championship

Hoover Soccer Club’s Lady Phantoms 00 took first place in the 2013 Hoover Havoc U13G/ U14 division. Team Members above are, from left, front: Amanda Gawlowicz, Helen Lundsford, Jarea Parker, Urmi Roy, Gaby Walker, Erin Butler, Emily Carlisle and Maris Laney. Back: Coach Mateo Peral, KaiLian Davis, Hannah Peelbes, Natalie Dumas, Jasmine Greene, Elena Register, Anna Grace Steele, Laura Spence and Sydney Steely.

Blue Lightning Wins Title Blue Lightning recently won the 12U championship of The Hoover Central Softball Park Spring Tournament. Team members are, from left, front row: Macey McDaniel, Grace Brindley, Abbi Pearman, Darcy Davis and Kate Campbell. Middle: Asst coach Andy Brindley, Aleah Moon, Drew Crenshaw, Kyndness Frazier, Jayla Malbrough and Ashley Keel. Back: Asst coach Nathan Pearman and Head Coach Greg Campbell.

BLUFF PARK WINDOW WORKS

• Wood window restoration and repair • Sash replacement, rot repair • Replace broken and fogged glass • Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes • Locally owned and operated

Date:

From Back Cover

The newfound love paid off. While Stevens still enjoyed tennis, running became her first sport of choice. In high school she was a star on the Lady Eagle cross country and track teams and earned a scholarship to Auburn University.

Stevens saved her best performance at Oak Mountain for last. In mid-May, she won the mile run at the prestigious Golden South Classic in Orlando, Fla., defeating the four top runners from the Sunshine State–including future runners for the University of Florida and Florida State--in the process.

Stevens completed the course in a time of 4:56.4, which converts to a 4:54.73 in the 1600 meter run, the distance event in most Alabama-based meets. Her previous personal best in the Jim 1600 meters was the 4:58.9 she clocked Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 in the Class 6A state meet a fortnight FAX: 205-824-1246 earlier. Her time at the state meet made Oct. 2010 her only the seventh girl in Alabama This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALhistory for theto break the five minute mark.

Nov. 4 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. “Emily’s performance came against some of the best runners in the counsaid Oak Mountain track and Please make sure all information is correct,try,” field coach Scott Fuqua. “It was a very including address and phone number! impressive win in one of the top meets in the country.”

Stevens expected to do well in Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Orlando but admitted she was surprised If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, by the outcome. your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

“I didn’t expect to win. I knew getThank you for your prompt attention. ting a good time there would be a big step, so being able to win meant a lot,” she said.

The victory also gave her a new sense of confidence that carried over to her next competitive setting.

Only two weeks after winning in Orlando, Stevens claimed another firstplace finish in the Music City Distance Carnival at Vanderbilt University. Her vanquished rivals included the top distance runner from Georgia, who entered the meet undefeated for the season.

Stevens led almost from start to finish, running a time less than a minute slower than she had achieved in Orlando.

Call 205-542-6094

To: From:

stevens,

Members of the Rebel Baseball Club team are, from left, front row: Cole Johnston, Graham Duncan, Carter Zulanas, Chandler Merrill, Reece Crenshaw and Mason Maners. Back: Alex Dieguez, Eli Sawyer, Jake Eggleston, Wilson Owen and Bennett Whisenhunt.

Patriotic Rebels

Owen’s grandfather, served in the Army Reserves.

Dr. John Evans, Evans Duncan’s grandfather, served as an Army medic in World War II. Jerry Duncan, Graham Duncan’s grandfather, served in the Alabama Air National Guard.

Johnny Evans, Graham Duncan’s great uncle, served in the Alabama Air National Guard.

Kurt Weaver, Leigh Johnston’s father, served in the Army.

Martin Adolphus Maners Sr., Martin Maners’ grandfather, served in the Navy.

Martin Adolphus Maners Jr., Mason Maners grandfather, served in the Marines.

Roy Brownlie Evans Jr., Mason Maners grandfather, served in the Army National Guard.

“This was another huge win for Emily in a big-time event,” Fuqua said.

Now Stevens is looking toward the third leg of her racing trifecta. That event will come later this month at the Adidas National Championships June 18-19 in Greensboro, N.C. “That is going to be a great opportunity to see what I can do,” she said.

“The previous two races give me a nice shot of confidence going in to this one.”

One common characteristic of all great distance runners is having a high tolerance for pain. For Stevens, dealing with pain is a matter of mental discipline.

“I really have to try to psych myself out of thinking about it,” she said.

“Before a tough race, it’s so easy to think, ‘Wow, this is really going to hurt badly.’ But once I start running, I kind of quit thinking about it. Then, after the race, I start to think maybe it didn’t really hurt so badly after all.”

Ironically, Stevens didn’t become a distance runner until her senior year at Oak Mountain and still says the long events are not her favorites.

“I really like the middle distance events the best,” she said. Then she added with a laugh, “Sometimes cross country seems like too much.”

Stevens’ usual training regimen consists of workouts two or three times a week. She does not consider herself a recreational runner.

“I’m not a big mileage person,” she said. “There are a lot of girls who put on more miles than I do. But when I work, I work hard.”

After the North Carolina race, Stevens plans to take time off before

preparing to start college in midAugust. She’s spending part of her summer working in the tennis shop at Inverness Country Club.

Her goals are realistic for her freshman year.

“We signed a really strong class,” she said. “If I can make the travel meets and contribute to the team, then that will be a good year.”

For now, Stevens is focused on the chance of earning her third win in three tries against national competition, thanks in part to a treadmill and two small slivers of wood that got it all started years ago.

The Rebel Baseball Club is a travel team of 11-year-olds. They wore camo shirts in honor of their family that served in the military during their games over Memorial weekend.

The following family members were honored: Sonny Hull, Carter’s grandfather, served in the Army Reserves.

Edward Thomas, Caroline Crenshaw’s grandfather, served in the Army.

Bert Crenshaw’s father served in Korea.

Hubert Ryan Owen, David Owen’s grandfather, served in the Army.

Wilson Aaron Smith, David Owen’s grandfather, served in the Navy.

Charles Wayne Owen, Wilson

David Horton Wins State Gymnastics All Around Title

The Alabama State Gymnastics Meet was held in Birmingham in March and David Horton, of Vestavia, won the Boys All Around title for Level 6 (11+ years of age) with a combined score of 57.200 over the six events.

He finished first on floor exercise, rings and parallel bars; second on pommel horse and high bar; and third on vault.

David competes for and trains at Legacy Gymnastics in Pelham

soccer,

From Back Cover

Mountain; Jordan Box, Briarwood; Brad Louis, Oak Mountain; and Jaime Vargas, Pinson Valley.

Qualifying for honorable mention honors are Patrick Carroll, Oak Mountain; Duncan Mathews, Mountain Brook; Angel Parra, Shades Valley; Isaac Searcy, HewittTrussville; Ryan Tapley, Pelham; Calen Brown, Hoover; Stephen Carroll, Oak Mountain; Chris Corscadden, Thompson; Tanner Fulton, Hewitt-Trussville; Adam Huynh, John Carroll Catholic; Chris Jaudon, Spain Park; Daniel Meinhardt, Hoover; Jose Renteria, Shades Valley; and Michael Stanford, Westminster-Oak Mountain.

Others earning honorable mention honors are Jonathan Torres, Thompson; Griffin Wright, HewittTrussville; Shadi Awad, Altamont; Shiv Desai, Shades Valley; Jonathan Gonzalez, Pelham; Reid Grant, Mountain Brook; Robby Haskins, Chelsea; Mason Lawry, Hoover; Stacey Reimann, Vestavia Hills; Cody Wheeler, Shades Mountain Christian; Galen Curry, Spain Park; Ramsey Rossman, Indian Springs; and Paul Roth, Mountain Brook.

The girls’ first team roster includes Simone Charley, Spain Park; Kayla

morgan, From Back Cover

slugging percentage of .934. She scored 61 runs and stole 38 bases.

Always a threat to put the ball in play, Reed struck out only six times.

Defensively, she earned a fielding percentage of .934, unusually high for a shortstop. As a pitcher, Reed compiled a 10-7 record with an ERA of 1.40. She struck out 88 rival batters.

After the great run in the spring, Reed’s summer already had been filled to the brim with college entrance testing, travel ball and requests for interviews. She took some time recently to reflect on her charmed year and the road ahead.

“I think the key to our team was that we understood the importance of staying focused,” said Reed, when contacted last week. “We didn’t have any seniors, and we knew each other really well. We practiced and worked hard, and things went our way.”

Reed said the team chemistry set the stage for her individual heroics.

“My team counted on me a lot, and I wanted to be there when they needed me,” she said. “The most important thing was attitude. Attitudes are contagious. If you are upbeat, it impacts your teammates. More than anything, I tried to be positive all the time.”

In the aftermath of the 2013 campaign, Reed earned a slew of postseason honors, including being named Over the Mountain Softball Player of the Year. She admitted to being a little surprised by the acclaim.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t expect all this,” she said. “It’s exciting to see how hard work can pay off.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 • 35

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Dowler, Mountain Brook; Toni Payne, Oak Mountain; Anna Allen, Vestavia Hills; Britne Holderby, Chelsea; Juju Ross, Vestavia Hills; Allie Wiggins, Hewitt-Trussville; Melanie Clark, Vestavia Hills; Julia Grace Gillen, Mountain Brook; Gabby Gilmer, Hoover; Camille Shepherd, Spain Park; and Sarah Allen, Thompson.

The girls’ second team roster includes Mariah Poe, Thompson; Sara Smeltzer, Briarwood; Dailey Wilson, Hoover; Claudia Day, Briarwood; Taylor Horton, Spain Park; Caroline Moffitt, John Carroll Catholic; Emma Roberson, Oak Mountain; Cate Armstrong, Mountain Brook; Lauren Collins, Homewood;

Kourtnee Hayward, Hoover; Anna Pierce Ireland, Vestavia Hills; Noor Jarrar, Chelsea; and Sloan Chaney, Homewood.

Earning honorable mention honors were Amber Harless, Thompson; Maggie Jeffords, Mountain Brook; Alice Marson, Indian Springs; Claire McPherson, John Carroll Catholic; Megan Young, Chelsea; Jamison Baker, Altamont; Anna Eastis, ClayChalkville; Ayaka Fujihashi, Spain Park; Tatum Harless, Thompson; Meghan Prendergast, Vestavia Hills; and Lauren Smith, Hewitt-Trussville.

Also among the honorable mentions are Lauren Wall, Shades Valley; Madison Bigham, Oak Mountain; Grace Connolly, Spain Park; Mara DeLuca, Pelham; Kathleen Dunn, Oak Mountain; Madison Pearson, Briarwood; Jessica Vaughn, HewittTrussville; Jess Wilson, Mountain Brook; Katie Denney, Oak Mountain; Mountain Brook’s Joe Webb named Boys’ Coach of the and Jordan year with Spartan Austin Garrett, winner of the Burr & Nakayama, Spain Foreman Golden Boot award. Both will be participating in the North/South All Star game this summer for the North Park.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Ties are nice but dad gets those every year and a new lawn mower just means more yard-work.

The gift of good health and fitness will keep giving for years!

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squad. Photo special to The Journal

But any honor I receive is really a team honor.”

Reed is spending much of the next two months playing travel ball with the Germantown, Tenn., Red Devils.

She helped lead the Red Devils to a second-place finish in a national tournament last summer and is looking to do much the same this time.

“The Red Devils were a great team to get involved with,” she said.

“The coaches really care about the players and help us any way they can.

I’ll be playing ball pretty much all summer, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

Reed only plays shortstop for the Red Devils, and that’s perfectly all right with her.

“I really prefer playing shortstop over pitching,” she said. “Pitching is a bit more stressful, and I can relax more playing shortstop. But I’m happy to pitch for Briarwood if that’s where I’m needed.”

Reed is already looking forward to her senior season.

“I feel confident that our team can go even further than we did this season,” she said. “We’re a close-knit group, so if we keep the same mindset and work even harder, great things can happen.”

One issue that won’t hang over Reed’s head in her senior season, however, is her college choice.

She has already committed to the University of Notre Dame.

“I visited South Bend and just fell in love with it,” she said. “The campus was so beautiful. I can’t wait to get there.”

Reed’s goals for the 2014 season have little to do with statistics.

“I want to continue to be a leader and have a good attitude and make

our team the best it can be,” she said.

“I’m glad to have my college decision behind me. Now it’s important that I show that I deserve to be going to a major school like Notre Dame and to play and practice hard all the time.”

Playing and practicing softball To: be second Kimnature for Reed, should From: TheinMountain who has beenOver involved the game Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., fax since an early205-824-1246, age. As is the case with many, Reed started tee ball, but by Date: June in 2013 the age of 8 she was playing with a Thisofis your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnal for the travel team composed primarily 10-year-olds.

June 13, 2013 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

“Having the opportunity to play with older girls helped me to get betplease make sure all information is correct, ter,” she said.

Grease 26 - and Octoberphone 20 including September address number!

After a magical junior season, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. November 1 - November 3 Briarwood fans can’t wait to see how much better Morgan Reed is going ‘Tis Season December - December 22 please initial and5 fax back within 24the hours. to get.

GrooveLily February February 9 if we have not heard from you by55-pm of the Friday before the press date,

YOU CAN CANCEL BOARD GAME NIGHT. The new season at Red Mountain Theatre Company is here.

your ad will runMarch as is. We the2paper Monday.

Youth Programs Showcase 1 -print March

Thank you forApril your attention.

Into the Woods 10 - prompt April 13

Correction

May 1 - May 18

July 8 - August 3 July 18 - July 20, August 1 - August 3

Spain Parks Josh Rich was inadvertently listed as playing for Hoover High in our 2013 All-Over the Mountain Baseball team last issue.

The Journal regrets the error.

Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry

La Cage aux Folles Les Misérables The Music Man Jr.

WWW.REDMOUNTAINTHEATRE.ORG

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, june 13, 2013

Sports

Rebel Baseball Club pays tribute to military veterans P. 34 Blue Lightning win Hoover Softball Tourney P. 34

mile marker Oak Mountain’s Stevens Dominates Summer Meets

Lee Davis

Miss Magic

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

Reed Looks to Future After Special Season

E

mily Stevens may owe her entire track and field career to a treadmill and a couple of slivers of wood.

As an eighth-grader, Stevens had already begun to excel at tennis and planned to pursue the sport seriously in high school. Then one day her dad brought a treadmill home.

“I remember it so well,” said Stevens, who graduated from Oak Mountain High School last month. “Here was this treadmill, and I just started running on it. Then my dad put wood in my shoes to make it a little harder. Next thing you know, I was in love with running.”

See Stevens, page 34

In mid-May, Emily Stevens, above won the mile run at the prestigious Golden South Classic in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy Donald Lamb

2013 All-Metro Team Announced; Coaches Choose Top Players The 2013 All-Metro boys’ and girls’ soccer teams were chosen recently by a vote of the area coaches.

Top players were also chosen by the coaches.

In boys’ competition, Chandler Stroupe of Oak Mountain was named Player of the Year, and Austin Garrett of Mountain Brook received the Golden Boot Award.

Joe Webb of Mountain Brook was named boys’ coach of the year,

and Ramsay won the team sportsmanship award.

In girls’ play, Simone Charley of Spain Park was named Player of the Year. Toni Payne of Oak Mountain received the Golden Boot Award.

Brigid Littleton of Vestavia Hills was named girls’ coach of the year, and the Altamont School won the team sportsmanship award.

Named to the boys’ first team were Nate Dauphin, Vestavia

Hills; Jacob Taggart, Spain Park; Kyle Kimel, Briarwood; Enrico Camata, Vestavia Hills; Alex Mccullumsmith, Mountain Brook; Wes Sandlin, Oak Mountain; Dimitri Staursky, Hoover; Jordan Eppenger, John Carroll Catholic; Luke Reeves, Hewitt-Trussville; Jovany Saavedra, Pelham; Chandler Stroupe, Oak Mountain; Josh Carpenter, Chelsea; and Marvin Castellanos, Vestavia Hills.

The boys’ second team ros-

ter includes Cody Anderson, Homewood; Austin Garrett, Mountain Brook; Jeffrey Simonetti, Indian Springs; Will Bevill, Chelsea; Hudson Carr, Spain Park; Ben Collins, Vestavia Hills; Reeves Duggan, Indian Springs; Danny LaRota, Oak Mountain; Keith Adler, Altamont; Jordan Ball, Briarwood; Dallas Coyne, Vestavia Hills; John Mason, Briarwood; Welford Moore, Westminster-Oak

See soccer, page 35

Cheers to longer days…

BIRMINGHAM THE SUMMIT | 209 SUMMIT BLVD.100 | BIRMINGHAM, AL | P:AL 205-970-9758 209 SUMMIT BLVD, SUITE • BIRMINGHAM, 35243

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Lots of athletes have good seasons. Some athletes have great seasons.

Once in a while, an athlete puts together a year that can only be called “magical.” Not because he or she had success because of luck, but because everything they encountered seemed to break their way. And often, their individual achievements set the tone for their team to reach unprecedented heights.

That’s what the 2013 softball season was for shortstop/ pitcher Morgan Reed of Briarwood.

Reed, a rising senior, Morgan Reed helped the Lady Lions–largely overlooked in pre-season speculation–to one of their finest seasons in recent years.

Briarwood went 27-16, won its Class 5A area with a perfect 6-0 worksheet and advanced to the state tournament at Montgomery’s Lagoon Park.

Reed’s individual numbers were even stronger. She hit a hefty .513 with 41 RBIs, eight homers and a

See Morgan, page 35