11/29/2012 Current Issue by Over the Mountain Journal

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

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

INSIDE

Crestline student to speak at Jingle Bell Run

ABOUT TOWN PAGE 3

VOL. 22 #23

Friends find fun time in traveling together

TRAVEL PAGE 10

Patriot Park in Homewood opens with upgrades

NEWS PAGE 14

For more than 60 years, the Independent Presbyterian Churchʼs Holiday House Tour has been a part of Birminghamʼs holiday festivities. This yearʼs event, set for Dec. 8 and 9, features five private homes, an architectural firm and the historic church itself. Planning the tour are Jennifer Cope, left, and Amy McCain. Our Home section begins on page 26. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

HOMES for the

HOLIDAYS

Party with a purpose benefits Bruno Cancer Center

SOCIAL PAGE 18

New testing program launched at N.E. Miles

SCHOOLS PAGE 41

Global finds fill Andrew Brownʼs Forest Park home

Walker residence is one of three homes on the Legacy Leagueʼs Christmas Home Tour

Tricia Thomas uses ingenuity to create a holiday haven

HOLIDAY GIFTS PART II PAGE 32

SUE MURPHYʼS CHRISTMAS COOKIES P. 2•HOLIDAY EVENTS P. 4•TRINITY APPEALS 280 MOVE P. 15•ETIQUETTE FOR EVERY DAY P. 16•GIVING BACK THIS SEASON P. 17

2 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

OPINION/CONTENTS

Melisa and her family, Ed, Grayson and Autumn Zwilling.

MURPHY’S LAW

I A

CORRECTION: In our cover story on Nov. 15, a teacher at Cherokee Bend Elementary School was misidentified. The correct name of the teacher is Meredith Attar.

ON OTMJ.COM

Find tips on holiday decorating, more photos from the season’s biggest parties, good news from our schools and more online.

COMING DEC. 13

See the festive and inspiring art work of Over the Mountain students in our annual Holiday Card Issue. Tori Simpson, Oak Mountain Intermediate

IN THIS ISSUE ABOUT TOWN TRAVEL PEOPLE NEWS SOCIAL

3 10 11 14 18

WEDDINGS HOME GIFT GUIDE SCHOOLS SPORTS

25 26 32 42 48

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L November 29, 2012

Equal Opportunity With Sprinkles

points at a cookie swap, even if you top didn’t bake many cookies last them with bacon bits. Christmas. Both of my girls I won’t mess with recipes that call were going to be elsewhere for a candy thermometer, either. Given and I just didn’t see the point, so my kitchen history, I like to give myself I cranked out the obligatory ginmore than six degrees of separation gerbread and spritz and called it a between me and hard stage disaster. holiday. Beyond that, I’m up for anything, This year, however, we’ll all be which is why on Nov. 1, I lined up together, a big bustling bunch of cookie my spatulas and cookie sheets, topped munchers, and I approached this season off my canisters with flour and brown feeling positively inspired. sugar and got down to work. Actually, I got a jump on the offiThis year, with Santa as my witness, cial holiday countdown and hauled my I would bake, I would freeze and, come gigantic mixer (it requires a truss) up Christmas Eve, my family would be from under the counter as soon as the delighted and amazed. last trick-or-treater cleared the driveSue Murphy I envisioned a three-tiered cenway. terpiece of luscious cookie gems, I love cookies. They’re sweet and This year, with one morsel more tempting than the straightforward, requiring neither last, and me standing casually by, plate nor utensils. They’re light in Santa as my witconceding with as much humility as the guilt department, too. While you ness, I would bake, I could muster, “Yes, I made them might pause and reflect on whether you should indulge in a piece of I would freeze and, myself.” It was all very exciting. Shortly chocolate cake, a chocolate chip cookie jumps right into your hand, come Christmas Eve, after Thanksgiving, however, my enthusiasm began to wane. or if you’re channeling your inner my family would I had sifted and softened, cracked 3-year-old, you run off with one in and creamed, plopped, dropped and each hand and don’t give the matter be delighted and rolled for weeks, and I was getting another thought. amazed. just a little tired of the whole mess. Cookies are a noncommittal, canThere was flour on the windowdo kind of treat, just flour and eggs sills, flour in my hair. I had missed and sugar and seasonings whirled two one-day sales and three episodes together and brought to crispy goodof “The Big Bang Theory.” ness in 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees. My life was passing me by in 10-12 minute intervals. There are so many kinds to choose from, too -- bar I found myself looking wistfully at the bakery counter cookies and no-bake cookies, rolled cookies and ones in the grocery store, all those rich, gooey layers, those that you squish with a fork. jeweled fruit fillings, those sprinkles not simultaneously Most amazing of all, the majority of them are within sprinkled on my kitchen floor. my skill set. Even the pretty cut-out versions are doable Why not let these talented bakers bake for me? What -- time-consuming, yes, but more kindergarten cut-andwould be the harm? paste than cooking school expertise. From a purely economic point of view, I’d been selfOf course, I know my limitations. I steer resolutely ish trying to do all the baking myself. Deprive all those clear of anything involving whipped egg whites. Once dedicated rolling pin professionals of their livelihood? that mixer starts spinning, it’s way too easy to Pass Go Not me. Even the Keebler elves need job security. ❖ and end up with scrambled eggs which do not win you

OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

What is your favorite holiday recipe?

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 Interns: Margaret Frymire, Ben Johnson Vol. 22, No. 23

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 2012 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 JOURNAL

“I love the pretzel, Hershey Kiss and M&M’s treats. They’re so simple.”

“I love pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. They’re delicious and super easy.”

“My favorite holiday recipe is cranberry sausage dressing.”

“My mom’s cheesy cauliflower is so, so good.”

Mary Beth Carlisle Vestavia Hills

Laura Beth Rich Oak Mountain

Stephanie Fain Hoover

Hannah Barnette Mountain Brook

To try these OTM residents’ favorites yourself, go to www.otmj.com for the recipes

Jingle Around the Block Crestline Student to Speak at Arthritis Run

BY BEN JOHNSON

JOURNAL INTERN

hen 7-year-old William Wood of Mountain Brook began complaining of foot pain in the summer of 2009, his mother Beth thought his foot might be broken. “We took him to a couple of doctors,” Beth said. “They first thought that he had sprained his foot. Then they thought it was a hairline fracture, and then they thought it was broken. It took them around three months to figure out it was arthritis.” Now, three years later, William will speak about his arthritis at the Jingle Bell Run, a 5K event hosted by the Arthritis Foundation to raise money for arthritis research. William, now 10, is one of the thousands of children diagnosed with arthritis. Once he was diagnosed, William’s family was put in touch with the Arthritis Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to raise money to find a cure for arthritis. It provides information and resources to families dealing with arthritis and hosts fundraisers like the Jingle Bell Run. “The Arthritis Foundation has been a huge help for us,” Beth said. “They put on conferences for parents who

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 3

ABOUT TOWN

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

have children with arthritis along with giving us access to resources that gives us information when we go to see the doctor.” But Beth said the best thing the Arthritis Foundation has done is connect them with other families. “We met other people who had kids with arthritis,” she said. “We can compare notes and get tips and just have people who can relate to us.” Since William’s diagnosis, the Wood family has become involved in helping the Arthritis Foundation. William’s father, Copeland, is on the foundation’s board, and Beth, William and his little sister Mary Russell have volunteered at a number of events hosted by the organization. “We’re so grateful for everything that the Arthritis Foundation and that the Children’s Hospital has done for us,” said Beth. “They’ve gone above and beyond taking care of their patients, so we look for any way possible to give back.” One of those ways is the Jingle Bell Run. The Wood family began participating in the event three years ago, and it’s something the entire family looks forward to, especially William. “It’s a lot of fun. I always try to raise the most money,” William said. “I like the competition.” Since his diagnosis, William has

William Wood, a student at Crestline Elementary School, is the junior honoree at the Arthritis Foundationʼs Journal photo by Ben Johnson Jingle Bell Run.

not let arthritis stop him from having an active life. He swims year round and plays golf, tennis and lacrosse. “Doctors say that you need to stay active if you have arthritis,” he said. “I do not let arthritis slow me down.” William has had to go through some difficulties since being diagnosed. He said the worst thing is all the shots he has to take. “I used to be so nervous about the shots,” William said. “I have to get them about twice a week, and I used to hate it, but now I’m better at it.”

Beth said William has faced the ordeal with courage. “We all had to get over our fear of shots,” Beth said. “But he’s been brave through it all and doesn’t complain. He’s our hero.” William has made it his mission to help find a cure for arthritis, his mother said. “He wants to see arthritis come to an end,” Beth said. One of the ways William has fought arthritis is through the Jingle Bell Run. Since his diagnosis, he has assembled a team of his family and friends to help raise support. Last year, William actually raised the most money and contributes so much to the run that he will be speaking at the event this year. “I’m not really nervous about speaking,” William said. “I’ll probably think about what I’m going to say when it gets closer to the event.” This year, the Jingle Bell Run will be Dec. 8 at Underwood Park. In addition to William speaking, there will be activities for the entire family to enjoy, like inflatables and a one-mile fun run along with the 5K. “It’s a lot of fun to hang out with my friends,” William said. “It’s just fun to spend it with your friends and family, and I have a great time.” Last year, the Jingle Bell Run attracted more than 1,400 runners and walkers, making it one of the bigger charity runs in the area. This year, organizers hope to attract even more participants. The Wood family hopes people will come out and support the

cause. “Arthritis is going to impact everyone eventually,” Beth said. “Either you or a family member will get arthritis. This run is a family-friendly event that can help find a cure for the disease that affects everyone.”

When: Dec. 8, 8a.m.-11:10 a.m. Where: Underwood Park Details: The event will include music, a lively warmup with Santa and activities for kids and familes to get everyone in the holiday spirit while helping the Arthritis Foundation. The cost to participate is $35 before Dec. 1 and $40 after Dec. 1 For more information: Call Anna Blanche at 979-5800 or email ayoung@arthritis.org. For William, it’s not only a time to raise support but a time for his friends and family to rally with him to fight against his disease, he said. “It’s great to have all these people with you,” William said. “I think having friends and family behind you are very important, and I hope that one day we can find a cure to beat arthritis.” For more information on the Jingle Bell Run, visit www.arthritis.org. ❖

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4 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

About Town

A Home for the Holidays

T For over 90 years, Levy’s has been Birmingham's Specialist in Antique and Estate Jewelry as well as Fine Diamonds, Art and Antiques.

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To: From: Date:

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Jennifer Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Nov. 2012

Show Will Feature Dogs Available for Adoption

he Greater Birmingham Humane Society and the Birmingham Ballet have teamed up to present a new twist on a classic holiday tale. The groups will bring “The Muttcracker” to the BJCC stage for a one night performance Dec. 7. The show takes the classic story of “The Nutcracker” and adds more than a dozen furry friends who are looking for forever homes this holiday season. The show will feature dogs that are rescues and up for adoption. Cindy Free, Birmingham Ballet director, said she is happy to be working with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to find homes for dogs at the shelter. “The dogs add something heartwarming to the story that we can all connect with,” Free said. “The Birmingham Ballet is a community arts organization, and our partnerships with other community organizations are important to us.” Some of the production’s scenes will feature the dogs’ special skills. One scene in particular was created just for the dogs. Before the show and at intermission, audience members will have the opportunity to meet the star dogs and find out more about others who are in search of homes for the holidays. Kelli Holmes, Greater Birmingham Humane Society director of development, said the event aims to help find homes for the approximately 9,500 animals surrendered by their owners at the shelter each year. “We are happy to be working with the Birmingham Ballet on this project to help find homes for the many animals we take in each year,” Holmes said.

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and the Birmingham Ballet are getting ready to bring “Mutt-cracker” to the stage Dec. 7. From left: Caitlin Fernambucq and her dog, Rogan, the star of the show; Birmingham Ballet Director Cindy Free; Greater Birmingham Humane Society Director of Development Kelli Holmes; and Rosemary Stross with her dog, Bailey, another star in the show. Photo special to The Journal

The Mutt-cracker

When: Dec. 7 Where: BJCC Details: The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and the Birmingham Ballet stage a show featuring dogs from the shelter. For tickets: Visit www. birminghamballet.com.

Save the Date

This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the Nov. 29, 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Nov. 29, 5 p.m. Municipal Lane Christmas Around the World Help add a little sparkle to the Hoover Nov. 29, 10-11 a.m. Municipal Center by attending this Samford University’s Reid Chapel Presented by the Department of year’s annual Christmas tree lighting Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. World Languages and Cultures and the ceremony. The event includes light 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. Classics Department, this celebration, refreshments and a performance by the one of Samford’s oldest holiday Rocky Ridge Elementary Holiday Choir. traditions, features invocations, hymns Rocky Ridge Elementary fifth grader and scripture readings in 16 languages. Tripp Wiggins will officially light the tree. The event ends with a group singing of “Stille Nacht/Silent Night.” Homewood

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

Saturday, December 2nd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Homewood

Hanging of the Green and Lighting the Way Nov. 29, 6 p.m. Samford University’s Reid Chapel The music of University Chorale and the decorated, candlelit Reid Chapel and Quad make Samford’s Hanging of the Green and Lighting of the Way a memorable experience. Alumni and other friends unable to attend can watch streaming video at www.samford.edu/hangingofthegreen/ live on Nov. 29. For more information, go to events. samford.edu/calendar. Hoover

Christmas Tree Lighting

The Birmingham Ballet’s classic version of “The Nutcracker” will be at the BJCC Concert Hall Dec. 8 with performances at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. The final performance is Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for both “The Muttcracker” and “The Nutcracker” can be purchased online www.birminghamballet.com, through Ticketmaster or at the BJCC box office.❖

no cost. The event will be at Hoover City Hall, 100 Municipal Lane across from the Hoover Public Library. For more information, call 444-7500. Birmingham

Kitchmas Naked Art Gallery Nov. 29-Dec. 24 This annual show features gift-sized artwork and recycled holiday ornaments by 60 artists. Jewelry, pillows, home decor and other items will be on sale. See details at www.nakeartusa.com. Birmingham

Tripp Wiggins The festivities will culminate with Santa’s grand entrance on a fire truck. Pictures with Santa will be provided at

Nov. 29-Jan. 6 Winter Wonderland Exhibit McWane Science Center The Winter Wonderland exhibit gives families a chance to learn about the science of the season together as they play in the snow, go ice fishing, build an igloo and watch toy trains zip around the tracks. Try the giant slide or the zip line. The exhibit is included in the cost of admission to the museum and is free for McWane Science Center members. For more information, call 714-8300 or visit www.mcwane.org/exhibits.

HANGING OF THE GREEN

HOMEWOOD

Trinity UMC members prepare for the Hanging of the Green service. From left: Jodi Haskins, Kathryn Fouse, Debby Holmes and Scott Robertson. Photo special to The Journal

HOMEWOOD

Family Night Zumbatomic Nov. 29, 6 p.m. Homewood Public Library Dance off that Thanksgiving feast with Family Night Zumbatomic at the Homewood Public Library. The free class lasts for about an hour. Miss Christina will lead people of all ages and skill levels through a fun, calorieburning, heart-pumping Zumba class. For more information, call 332-6619 or visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org. MOUNTAIN BROOK

Service of Lessons and Carols Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church For the 76th consecutive year, Birmingham-Southern College will mark the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season with the Service

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 5

ABOUT TOWN

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

of Lessons and Carols. The college’s oldest and most beloved holiday tradition is free; no reservations or tickets are required. Childcare is available by reservation in advance, on Sunday afternoon only, by calling 874-1546. The concert will feature the Concert Choir, Alumni Choir and Southern Chorale. Student instrumentalists, a brass quartet and organist Mark Hayes will join the choirs. HOMEWOOD

Hansel and Gretel Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Samford University Samford University’s Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series will present the beloved fairy tale opera ‘”Hansel and Gretel” at Harrison Theatre. The musical classic, first performed at Christmas in 1893,

Hanging of the Green Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity UMC will observe the beginning of the Advent season Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. with a worship service of Hanging of the Green and a program of sacred music of the season led by Trinity’s sanctuary choir and orchestra. The public is invited to the free event. Complimentary valet parking will be available. For more information, call 8799709 or visit www.trinitybirmingham. com. ❖ is a lively holiday event for the whole family. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for ages 55 and older and $6 for students and children. For more information, call 7262853 or visit samford.edu/arts. HOMEWOOD

Charles Lober Book Signing Nov. 30, 2:30-5 p.m. O’Henry’s Birmingham author Charles Lober will sign copies of his Christmas books at O’Henry’s Coffees Nov. 30. Lober is the author of “The Riverside Club” and “The Last Chance Friends’ Club,” two books in a Christmas Club trilogy. The books tell the story of Horace Brown, a widower living in a retirement community in the north Georgia mountains.

Please Join Us For A Special Time Of Worship

December 2, 2012

6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Messiah tells the story of Jesus beginning with the prophecy, to his incarnation and birth, to the passion and death, and then to his final victorious resurrection. The 250-voice choir will be joined by talented soloists to present this beautiful classic choral work.

Guest Soloists: Roderick George Joe Hopkins Robin Wilhelm Melanie Williams

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church 1114 Oxmoor Road • Birmingham AL 35209 (205) 871-7324 • Prayer Line: (205) 795-PRAY www.dawsonchurch.org

6 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

ABOUT TOWN Come experience the new ice skating rink! $5.50

Membership Drive going on now!

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

DECK THE HALLS

Brought to you locally by ®

From left: Alpha Goings, co-chairman of the greenery sale, and Holly Photo special to The Journal Goodbody, sale chairman. BIRMINGHAM

The only place in Birmingham where it snows every night!

December 7-9, 14-16, 19-23 and 26-31 • 5pm to 9pm Members FREE • Non-members $8 (includes tax) Ride Tickets $3.50 • All-You-Can-Ride Wristband $12 – Best Value!

Buy your tickets online today at birminghamzoo.com! ❆ Stroll through over half a million lights ❆ Holiday Express Train Ride* ❆ Santa’s Roller Racers* ❆ Jingle Bell Carousel* Follow us

❆ Winter Trail Hayride* ❆ Photos with Santa through December 23rd *Requires ride tickets. The Zoo will close at 4pm every night of Wells Fargo ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during Wells Fargo ZooLight Safari.

Red Mountain Garden Club Annual Greenery Sale Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The Red Mountain Garden Club will have its 30th annual Greenery Sale Dec. 5 at the BBG. The sale was started 30 years ago when Mrs. Caldwell “Jean” Marks had the idea to start the annual

tradition. Club members take great care to find the best fresh-cut greenery for garlands, wreaths and more. This year, shoppers can choose from many original, handmade centerpieces, boxwood trees and kissing balls. Red Mountain Garden Club members, along with Pratt Brown of Pratt Brown Landscapes and Bob Newton of Landscape Services, donate fresh cut greenery for the “do-it-yourself-ers” looking for rich red deciduous holly, hemlock, nandina berries, yaupon holly, variegated acuba, monkey puzzle and more. Shoppers will also find hand-tied bows and designer ribbon. This year a special section will offer unique gift items. Those who pre-ordered can come to the Hodges Room at The Gardens on the day of the sale to pick up their greenery. The sale benefits the Birmingham Museum of Art Memorial Garden and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For more information, contact Kathryn Corey at akqahc@charter.net or 9602963. ❖

Save the Date BIRMINGHAM

The Woods Brothers Performance Nov. 30, 8 p.m. WorkPlay The Woods Brothers will bring their blues, rock and roots music to Birmingham and will perform selections from their third full-length album, “Smoke Ring Halo.” Oliver Wood will be on guitar and vocals; Chris Wood will be on bass, vocals and harmonica. General admission tickets are $15 in advance or at the door. There is a $3 surcharge for patrons under 21. Tickets are available online at www.workplay.com or at the WorkPlay Box Office. BIRMINGHAM

Christmas at Arlington Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens Come share in the festive holiday tradition of Christmas at Arlington, a re-creation of Christmas past. Every room will be transformed into a showcase of seasonal decorations with holiday greenery, candles and gas lights and the sound of children waiting to occupy Santa’s knee. The event will also include music and hot spiced refreshments. For more information, call 780-5656. HOOVER

Job Clinic Dec. 1, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Hoover Public Library The Hoover Public Library will present “Your Job Clinic” from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Those attending will learn how to write a resume, find free internet career resources and find out about securing funding for job training. The program is free and open to the public. For reservations, call 444-7816. MOUNTAIN BROOK

Holiday Parade Dec. 2, 2:30 p.m. Mountain Brook Village The Mountain Brook Holiday Parade will kick off at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 from Mountain Brook Village. Live entertainment starts at 2:30 p.m.

There is still time to participate in the parade, and volunteers are still needed. For a registration form, www.welcometomountainbrook. com. Volunteers should report to the parade by 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2. For more information on volunteering, call 8713779. VESTAVIA HILLS

Christmas by Candlelight: Fear Not Dec. 2, 2 and 6 p.m. Shades Mountain Baptist Church Celebrate the message of Christmas at Christmas by Candlelight: Fear Not at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills. The event will feature singers, dancers, artists and storytellers as they recall the ageless story of hope. The event is free. For more information, call 822-1670 or visit www.shades.org. HOMEWOOD

Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Dawsom Memorial Baptist Church The Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will perform Handel’s “Messiah” for the Sunday evening worship service. The performance starts at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. For more information, call 871-7324 or visit www.dawsonchurch. org. BIRMINGHAM

Embellishments Holiday Concert Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art The Embellishments Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert will feature classic Christmas tunes including “Bugler’s Holiday,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Ukrainian Bell Carol Fantasy” and “Blue Christmas.” The concert is in Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Admission and parking are free. BIRMINGHAM

Kevin Cole Piano Concert Dec. 2 Temple Beth-El Pianist and vocalist Kevin Cole will perform the Great American Jewish Songbook, which includes pieces from

George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and other 20th century Jewish composers. Cole has sold out shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall. The program is funded by the Brenda and Fred Friedman Foundation. For more information, call 933-2740. BIRMINGHAM

Dec. 3, 5-7:30 p.m. Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” The Altamont School Altamont English teacher Jim Palmer will read Truman Capote’s holiday classic “A Christmas Memory” Dec. 3. This annual tradition was begun by former Altamont headmaster Martin Hames, who first read the story to his class at Pratt City School in 1958. A 5 p.m. reception will be followed by the reading at 5:30 p.m. in the school’s Cabaniss Fine Arts Center. For more information, call 874-3502. HOMEWOOD

Christmas Music Concert Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church UAB’s Wind Symphony and the Symphony Band will present a free concert of Christmas music at Trinity Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. in the main sanctuary. The band will be directed by Dr. Sue Samuels, director of bands at UAB, and Dr. James Zingara, assistant director. For more information, call 879-1737 or visit www.trinitybirmingham.com. HOMEWOOD

Bells of Buchanan Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall Sponsored by Patty McDonald, Samford University’s handbell ensemble presents an evening of music to set the mood for the sacred season. For more information, go to events.samford.edu/ calendar. BIRMINGHAM AND HOMEWOOD

Dec. 4-5 Holiday Shopping to Benefit Literacy Council Garden Gallery, Festivity Boutique Check items off your holiday

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Don we now our tacky apparel

Participants are decked out in their tackiest best for the ACS Junior Executive Board’s annual Tacky Holiday Cocktail Party. Front, from left: Melissa Tuck, Amanda Burton, Naila Jackson, Sara Nichols and William Harden. Back: Jasmine Lawson, Matthew Cannova, Josh Black, Jack Caughran (Frosty), Photo special to The Journal Tamichael Marbury and Anna Stanford.

shopping list while giving back to the Literacy Council of Alabama. On Dec. 4 from 5-8 p.m., 20 percent of the sales at Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery at Pepper Place will benefit the Literacy Council. On Dec. 6 from 3-7 p.m., 20 percent of the sales at Festivity Boutique in Homewood will go to the literacy organization. There will also be a drawing for a $100 gift certificate for

Save the Date

those who buy something at the Sip and Shop event. For more information, visit www.literacy-council.org. North Shelby

Briarwood Walk Through Nativity Dec. 5-7, 6:45-8:45 p.m. Briarwood Presbyterian Church The community is invited to Briarwood Presbyterian Church’s Walk Through Nativity on the church grounds.

Birmingham

ACS Tacky Holiday Party Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Steel First and 23rd The American Cancer Society’s Junior Executive Board of Birmingham will hold the third annual Tacky Holiday Cocktail Party Dec. 7. Attendees are asked to dress in their tackiest holiday cocktail attire. The event will feature music from Birmingham DJ Mark AD, hors d’oeuvres provided by Shelby’s in Pelham, drink specials sponsored by local vendors and the annual Tacky Holiday Cocktail Attire Contest. Tickets are $15 in advance and may be purchased from Junior Executive Board members or online at www. jebbirmingham.org. Tickets will also be available the night of the event for $20 at the door. For more information, visit www. jebbirmingham.org or call Mary Frances Colley at the American Cancer Society, 930-8893. ❖

More than 850 church members participate in this free three-night event featuring 13 scenes depicting Jesus’ birth and life. Live animals are included, even a camel. A children’s petting zoo and refreshments are offered at no charge at the walk’s conclusion. It is an easy walk for the entire family, including children in strollers or those in wheelchairs. For more information, call 776-5200.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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North Shelby

John Hollingsworth of Vestavia is Drosselmeier each year in Steven Grebelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photo special to The Journal â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcracker.â&#x20AC;?

Stevan Grebelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcrackerâ&#x20AC;? Dec. 8-9 Pelham High School The City of Pelham, along with the Alabama Youth Ballet Guild, presents Stevan Grebelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcrackerâ&#x20AC;? at Pelham High School Dec. 8-9. The cast of 60 includes members ofÂ the Alabama Youth Ballet Company, professional guest artists and community members. Show times are 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Included with the Saturday matinee will be a Kingdom of theÂ Sweets reception and the Nutcracker Boutique.Â Tickets are $5-$15 and can be purchased by phone at 987-7234, online atÂ www.grebeldance. com/NUTCRACKER2012Â or at Grebel Dance, 102 Commerce Parkway, Pelham.â?&#x2013;

Save the Date Hmewood

Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m. Family Christmas Karaoke Night Homewood Public Library The Homewood Public Libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department is providing an opportunity to gather for Christmas carols in a karaoke fashion. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 3326619.

young boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loving friendship with an eccentric aunt in a small Southern town in the 1930s, where misfits Buddy and Sook launch kites, haunt speakeasies and mail fruitcakes to everyone from Jean Harlow to President Roosevelt. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, 16 and 23. Tickets are $30 for center seats and $25 for side seats. For more information, call 251-1206.

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Tickled Teal Dec. 6, 6 p.m. Comedy Club Stardome The CanSurive GYN Cancer Support Group and the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation are teaming up for a joint fundraiser, Tickled Teal. The opening act will be Joy, Queen of Tena Clean, a local comedienne. Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 The headliner is Henry Cho, a FAX: 205-824-1246 nationally-known comedian. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the show starts at Nov. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 plus a $2.50 This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the ticket handling charge. For tickets, call 444-0008 or visit www.stardome.com/ Dec. 1, 2011issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. tickets/php.

Please make sure all information is correct, Homewood A Christmas Memory: including address and phone number!

A New Musical Adaptation Dec. 6-23 Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. Virginia Samford Theater If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press BasedÂ on date, Truman Capoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childhood your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. memoir, this new adaptation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Thank you for your prompt attention.Christmas Memoryâ&#x20AC;? is the story of a

Holidaze Dec. 6-21 RMTC Cabaret Theatre Red Mountain Theatre Company celebrates the season with Holidaze Dec. 6-21 at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre. The all-new holiday spectacular features performances by local favorites Lexie Dorsett, Haley Evans, Davis Haines, Anthony Washington and Cecil E. Washington, Jr., accompanied by the RMTC Youth Programs. The show includes classics like â&#x20AC;&#x153;White Christmas,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Sleigh,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Lullaby,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Steam Heatâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Time is Here,â&#x20AC;? plus original songs like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frosty the Soul Manâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snows up Baby!â&#x20AC;? and the traditional â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walk Through Bethlehem.â&#x20AC;?Â Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are $30-35, with group, senior and student rates available. For tickets, call 3242424 or visitÂ www.redmountaintheatre. org.Â Holidaze is a family-friendly

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production and appropriate for all ages. Vestavia Hills

Dec. 7 Artists Incorporated Opening Reception Morgan Drive Artists Incorporated will hold an opening reception for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Back Togetherâ&#x20AC;? exhibit of Frank Fleming and Al Sella from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The exhibit will run through Dec. 31. The reception will include wine, food and live music. For more information, call 979-8990. Birmingham

Zoolight Safari Dec. 7-31 Birmingham Zoo Enjoy lights, fun and holiday spirit as the Birmingham Zoo comes alive for 17 nights with Zoolight Safari. The event includes the new ice skating rink, rides on the Holiday Express Train, story time, animal demonstrations, Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roller Racer Ride, Jingle Bell Carousel, Winter Trail Hayride and an expanded holiday light show synchronized to favorite holiday tunes. Photos with Santa will be available through Dec. 23. Ride tickets, required for some attractions, are $3.50. Ice skating tickets are $5.50. All-YouCan-Ride Wristbands are $12. The event is from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7-9, 14-16, 19-23 and 26-31. For more information, visitÂ www.birminghamzoo.com. Hoover

NCAA Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Cup Dec. 7 and 9 Regions Park See all the action at the NCAA Division 1 Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Cup National Championship at Regions Park in Hoover. Some of the greatest college soccer players will compete for the national championship at the event. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online atÂ https:// events.cuetoems.com/ccs2012/ OnlineTicketSales.aspx. Hoover

Alabama Association of School Boards Convention Dec. 8, 9-10:30 a.m. The Wynfrey Hotel Barbara Dooley, wife of former University of Georgia football coach

Vince Dooley and mother of coach Derek Dooley, will speak at the Alabama Association of Schools Boards Convention. Dooley will share her unique perspective on leadership and perseverance in her address, “Great Leadership is No Accident.” For convention details, visit www. AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 9

ABOUT TOWN

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

that Jesus was born and to experience the sights and sounds of Bethlehem. In Bethlehem’s marketplace, those who attend can make holiday decorations, watch craftsmen demonstrations, sample bread in the bakery, hear stories in the Storyteller’s Tent and more. The journey ends with a live Nativity with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and live animals. The free event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.trinitybirmingham. com or call the church at 879-1737. VESTAVIA HILLS

Christmas Parade and Celebration Dec. 9, 2 p.m. Liberty Park Sports Complex The Vestavia Hills Christmas Parade and Celebration begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 9. The parade, led by the Vestavia Hills High School Band, will start in the parking lot of the Liberty Park Sports Complex. The parade will end at Alston Meadow Park. After the parade, a Christmas celebration will include free food, kids’ games in the Fun Zone, ornament making and performances by the Vestavia Hills Rockettes. Santa Claus and Dogwood Festival beauty pageant winners will greet those attending. All parade entry forms are due Dec. 1. The forms are at www. vestaviahills.org.

may request a private showing. The 96-seat planetarium in Samford’s Propst Hall is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 726-4139. BIRMINGHAM

George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 14-23 Samford University Wright Center The Alabama Ballet remains one of only seven companies in the world granted the right to perform this holiday classic by the Balanchine Trust. Performed to Balanchine’s exacting specifications, this production features dazzling choreography, opulent costumes and extravagant sets. The professional company includes 35 dancers. For more information, call 9752787 or visit www.alabamaballet.org/ Nutcracker2012.shtml. ❖

HOMEWOOD

BIRMINGHAM

Southern Tales at The Gardens Dec. 9, 2 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens For the second year in a row, Dolores Hydock and Bobby Horton will lead a day of Southern Tales at The Gardens. Enjoy holiday songs, stories and singa-longs in a fun-for-the-family event. Admission is $20. For more information or to buy tickets online, visit www. bbgardens.org/southerntales. Alabama Wildlife Center Holiday Craft and Bake Sale Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Veterans Park in Hoover Shop for locally made holiday-themed crafts and ornaments and more while helping the Alabama Wildlife Center. The sale includes handmade jewelry and gifts with a natural theme, including homemade jams, jellies, preserves, baked goods and frozen casseroles. For more information, call the Alabama Wildlife Center at 663-7930 or visit www. awrc.org. HOOVER

ASYO Holiday Performance Dec. 9, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Riverchase Galleria The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform a free concert in the food court at the Galleria from 2- 4 p.m. on Dec. 9. Roderick Cox will direct the orchestra. HOMEWOOD

Dec. 9, 5-7:30 p.m. A Night In Bethlehem Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity will hold its fourth annual holiday live nativity event, A Night in Bethlehem, Dec. 9 from 5-7:30 p.m. The come and go, hands-on event allows participants to journey back to the night

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10 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

TRAVEL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Extremely Happy Wanderers Friends Find Fun Times in Traveling Together

BY DONNA CORNELIUS

JOURNAL FEATURES WRITER

ife’s a trip – especially when friends are along for the ride. Susan and John Kidd, Peggy and Jim Lee, Carol Sue and Chris Mitchell, Lee and Mark Rives and Lowell and Ken Adams have found that it’s fun to vacation together. The couples have traveled en masse to Europe and, most recently, to Wyoming, laughing pretty much all the way. “We all love to eat, drink and laugh,” said Susan. The Kidds, Lees, Mitchells and Adamses live in Mountain Brook. Lee and Mark are former Vestavia Hills residents who moved to the Highland Avenue area. The globetrotting group started with the men, golfing buddies at Birmingham Country Club who often went on golf trips together. “We got pressure from the women to take them to Europe,” Jim said. Convincing the husbands to include their wives wasn’t really that hard, Peggy said. “They’ve gotten older and understand they sometimes need help,” she said, laughing. “They want us for our organizational skills,” Lee added. The group’s first scheduled outing never got off the ground. The depar-

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ture date was Sept. 11, 2001. “We’d planned to go to Barcelona and take a cruise to Rome,” Peggy said. “We were listening to the radio when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. We were about to pull up at the airport to unload our luggage when the second plane hit. “Obviously, that trip was canceled.” Their next venture had a happier outcome. In 2006, Jim’s sister, a journalism professor at the University of Kansas, was in Italy for her second professorship swap. The Lees had visited her there previously and thought it would be fun to do so again – and this time, to rent a house and invite their friends to join them. The Mitchells weren’t along this time, but the rest of the group had such a good time that they decided to make traveling together a regular thing. Next up was an excursion to France, where Susan found a charming house to rent in Provence, where her brother Joel Maxwell and his wife, Linda joined them. The third trip, to Scotland, came about when Susan happened to talk with a couple visiting King’s House Antiques, her shop in Birmingham. “I met a man and his wife who said they lived in Charleston for half the year and Scotland the other half,” Susan said. “I asked if he rented his house in Scotland. He said he did, for two weeks a year.” The man met with Susan and her friends to “interview” them, Susan said. Evidently the Mountain Brook group passed the test with flying colors, because the man agreed to let them rent Eskadale, his manor house in the Highlands. “It came with two housekeepers and a cook, and they would lay a fire before dinner in the drawing room,” Susan said. “You had to dress for dinner.” On the last night, members of the group all wore Scottish plaid and listened to a live performance by a bagpiper. The men usually aren’t encouraged to take their golf clubs on the trips, but the women made an exception for this visit to the birthplace of the sport. When the group travels, daily agendas usually include at least two meals together, Susan said. “We eat breakfast in, leave at about 9 a.m. or so for a day trip and then gather at 5:30 or 6 for a cocktail hour. After that, we cook in, bring food in or go out. We have some good cooks in our group.” The friends often take advantage of local fare, Peggy said. “In France, every village has a market on a certain day,” she said. “We’d plan our schedule so we could go to those.” The couples have almost as much fun sharing their memories from each vacation as they do on the road. Often, said Peggy, one incident will provide a “theme” for the trip.

Mutual friend Tommy Lane — or T-Lane, as he’s better known — had joined them in Italy, where the group’s rented house presented a few challenges. “It was a typical old house that had been added onto over the years, and it had three different staircases,” Peggy said. “Everyone’s always tired that first night, so we all went to bed – except for Mark, who said he was too keyed up to sleep and wanted to stay up and smoke a cigar. “The next morning, T-Lane said he’d been asleep in bed when he heard a soft voice saying, ‘Dear, are you there? Are you up there?’ “T-Lane said, ‘Mark, is that you?’ ‘I can’t find my room,’ Mark said.’” Lee said with Tommy’s help, her husband eventually ended up in the right room. “But it took both of them to find it,” Lee said. According to Peggy, “Dear, are you there? Are you up there?” became the byword for that vacation. Also in Italy, Jim insisted on thanking everyone he met by saying “gracias” rather than “grazie” despite repeated corrections from his fellow travelers. “I texted Jim’s sister to tell her we were so proud that Jim had finally said ‘grazie,’” Peggy said. “The only trouble was, we were in Paris by then.” The group’s recent trip to Yellowstone National Park may have yielded the best stories of all. Jim had made arrangements to stay at a business associate’s ranch house near the park’s north entrance. In this case, the saying “getting there is half the fun” proved to be wildly inaccurate. Stopping to stock up on food – “We’d been told to get groceries

The group visits with a bagpiper on a trip to Eskadale, Scotland. Front row, from left: Lee Rives, Carol Sue Mitchell and Susan Kidd. Middle: Mark Rives, Peggy Lee, Jim Lee and John Kidd. Back Ken Adams, Lowell Adams and Chris Mitchell.

before we got there,” Peggy said – they called the ranch’s caretaker, who told them they were about 45 minutes from their destination. “We started on a nice little twolane highway that turned into a gravel road,” Peggy said. “We kept going up and up. The road was narrow, vertigoinducing.” On one side of the road was a steep drop-off, so driver Mark was strongly encouraged not to look down, according to his wife. “On some of the hills, all you could see in front of you was sky,” Lee said. With no cell phone service, the

Tips for Travels with Friends

because your day is coming,” Chris The Mountain Brook crew has said. Peggy added that sharing in learned what’s likely to work and the plans “makes everyone more what isn’t during their joint vacainterested in the trip.” tions. If you’re thinking about a Make it a requirement to eat group trip, here are some things to dinner together, Susan advised. consider: Otherwise, people may go their “From a cost perspective, we separate ways, do a lot of taking away the research,” Carol fun of traveling Sue said. The together. shared cost of There’s no renting a house point, however, can be less in taking togethexpensive than erness to the staying in a extreme. “Each first-rate hotel, couple has to she said. Two have its own websites used bedroom and prisuccessfully by Cocktails and cigars in Italy vate bathroom,” the group are Susan said. www.justfrance.com and www. Lee’s tip is to get plenty of rentvillas.com. rental cars. “We’re not connected at The friends take turns planthe hip,” she said. ning day trips. “In Italy, we missed It’s often impractical for everysome opportunities because we didn’t plan well,” Peggy said. Now, one to book the same flight since, group members said, most of them each person is responsible for one often like to add side trips either day’s activities. “If you don’t like before or after the main event. ❖ the plan, you’d better keep quiet,

travelers weren’t sure they were headed in the right direction. “Finally, we were able to call the caretaker, and he came and met us,” Lee said. This eased the trauma of the trip a little – for the women, at least – because “he looked like the Marlboro Man,” Susan said. Several of the travelers said they wanted to kiss the ground when they finally made it to the remote ranch. “There was this incredible view, but there were hoses everywhere because we were in a fire zone, and we were warned not to go outside because there were grizzly bears,” Susan said. Undaunted, the group stuck to its plans. “We traveled out every day, so for six days, we maneuvered that road,” Carol Sue said. “We were told that in the winter, the owners have to access the house by snowmobile,” Chris added. The group decided Jim had had his last turn as accommodations chairman. Peggy, however, isn’t in danger of losing her position as music director. She makes a CD for each trip, including one with a memorable playlist for Scotland. “I think it’s safe to say that was the first time ‘Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother’ has been played at a 1790s manor house in Scotland,” Peggy said. “One of the housekeepers became enamored of that particular tune. I left her the CD, and you’ve never seen anyone so happy.” For their next destination, the friends are considering Costa Rica, said Susan. Other ideas are a visit to the southwest part of France or a European river cruise. “We might want to go someplace where the women don’t have to cook,” Susan said. “We might have to have a discussion about that,” Jim said. ❖

People

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Life-Changing Night Stroke Survivor to Share Story at Heart Guild Event

By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

lmost every time Melisa Zwilling gets a headache, her mind flashes back to a night eight years ago that changed her life. In 2004, the Vestavia Hills woman suffered a transient ischemic attack, which is a form of a stroke sometimes referred to as a warning stroke or mini stroke. “It’s something I am aware of every single day, and when I do get a headache, it takes me back and reminds me of how lucky I am to be here,” she said. That awareness is something Melisa said she is hoping to share with other women when she speaks at the American Heart Association’s Heart Guild Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show on Dec. 4 at The Club. Melisa, now 41, said she had no idea what was happening to her when the transient ischemic attack struck. “I was healthy. I had never smoked, never drank. It completely floored me,” she said. When the attack first hit, Melisa, an attorney who handles complicated Medicare compliance cases with the Carr Allison firm, said she thought she was just over-stressed and tired and had developed a bad headache. “The headache got worse and worse, and it was on just one side of my head. I was trying to get some work done on my computer, and for some reason, I just could not spell the words ‘pine straw,’ so I called to my husband,” she said. Melisa said she told her husband, Ed, that she thought she just needed to go to bed and rest, but Ed suspected there was something more going on than just a bad headache. “He started asking me to touch my nose with each hand, and then he asked me who the president was and I remember telling him Jimmy Carter,” she said. “That’s when Ed knew something else was going on. I was very fortunate he knew the warning signs of a stroke.” From there, her condition deteriorated quickly, she said. “I knew what I was trying to say, but as I’m trying to talk to Ed, nothing is coming out but gibberish and I’m getting more and more frustrated,” she said. “Ed knew we had to get to the hospital.” But Melisa’s ordeal wasn’t over once she made it to the emergency room. “The doctor at the emergency room told me he thought I was having a migraine and told me I should go home,” she said. “But I pushed it. I told him I respected his opinion, but I thought something else was going on.” The doctor sent in a neurologist to examine Melisa and within 30 minutes, she said, she was admitted to the hospital, where she stayed for four days to recover from the transient ischemic attack.

“If I had just accepted the first doctor’s opinion, I might not be here today. It was the lawyer in me that made me question his diagnosis,” she said. Melisa said she speaks at events like the Heart Guild Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show because she wants to encourage other women to speak up like she did. “That’s one reason I got involved with the American Heart Association.

Melisa Zwilling

So many times, particularly with women, doctors will write something off as hormones and they won’t dive deeper to understand what might really be going on with a woman’s health,” she said. Melisa said she tells women she speaks with to listen to their bodies and to not just accept other peoples’ opinions when it comes to their bodies. “You know your body better than anyone else. You know when something is wrong. I hope more women will listen to that inner voice,” she said. Most studies on strokes and heart attacks are conducted using male subjects, Melisa said, and for women, the warning signs and symptoms can be different. “The typical warning signs apply to men because all the studies are done on men, but more women die of heart disease and stroke,” she said. Melisa said almost immediately after she was released from the hospital, she felt the overwhelming need to talk to other people about how to recognize the signs of strokes and heart attacks. She said she feels she has a responsibility to spread the word about heart disease and strokes because she was spared permanent disability–and death. “I know that a lot of people have died or ended up paralyzed by the same thing that happened to me. I started looking for ways to volunteer with the American Heart Association,” she said. That led Melisa to enter and win several pageants, including the Mrs. Alabama United States pageant and the Mrs. Alabama International pageant. “I had never been in pageants before but thought it would be a great way to have a platform to talk about heart disease and strokes. I knew I would have a big audience at the pag-

eants,” she said. Melisa says she doesn’t mind a large audience, though she still gets nervous before some speaking engagements. “I’m an attorney and I’m used to speaking in front of people, but it is harder to do that when you are telling your own story and there’s a lot of emotional aspects of your story. It can be hard, but I hope by being open about my experience, people will really listen to my message,” she said. Melisa said she feels her experience with the mini stroke changed her life for the better. “I had a wonderful life before it happened, but the whole thing brought a lot of things in focus for me. It made me look at the big picture and wonder why I am here and why I was spared,” she said. For one thing, the transient ischemic attack led Melisa’s doctors to find out that she has a blood disorder called Factor V Leiden, which causes the blood to have an increased tendency to clot. Now, Melisa has to take an aspirin every day and blood thinners when she flies. Because of the attack and her blood disorder, Melisa had to stop taking birth control pills. That led to the reasons she calls the attack a blessing in disguise. Melisa said at the time of her transient ischemic attack, she was a driven young professional focused on her career and her marriage. “I was concentrating on making partner and wasn’t really thinking about starting a family, so I guess this was God’s way of kicking me in the pants and telling me it was time to do something else because almost immediately, I became pregnant,” she said. Now, as the mother of 7-year-old Autumn and 2-year-old Grayson, Melisa said she knows exactly what her role in life should be. “I really know a love that I never imagined. This is what my life is supposed to be,” she said. Being a mother has made reaching out to other women about heart disease and strokes even more important to her, Melisa said. “I think about women who are taken away from their children and the children who lose their mothers to strokes and heart disease, and I want to do everything I can to fight that,” she said. As a working mother of two, Melisa says she understands the tendency she sees for most women to put themselves on the back-burner and to ignore health issues and regular checkups at the doctor. “We take care of everyone else and we are the last ones that we take care of and because of that, we put ourselves at huge risk,” she said, “My plea for women is to think about that and don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself. It is not a selfish act--it is an act of love for everyone in your life for you to take care of yourself.” ❖

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 11

12 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

People

Vestavia, Hoover Teens Earn Eagle Scout Rank Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Boy Scout Troop 83 has two new Eagle Scouts in its ranks. Joseph Browning Breedlove of Vestavia Hills High School and Michael Guy Harrison, a student at Spain Park High School, have been named Eagle Scouts. Breedlove began scouting in the first grade as a Tiger Cub in Cub Scout Pack 352 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. He earned the Arrow of Light award before crossing over to Boy Scout Troop 83 at Dawson Memorial in 2006. With Troop 83, Breedlove has enjoyed backpacking, canoeing, fishing, camping, biking and hiking and trips to the Shiloh, Chickamauga and Vicksburg battlefields. He also attended the Boy Scout High Adventure camp Sea Base, which included six days of sailing up and down the Florida Keys. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout Honor Society, in 2008. His Eagle Scout project was the planning and construction of a set of stone steps connecting an outdoor seating area at the new Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest to a series of public hiking trails. At Vestavia Hills High School, Breedlove has been a member of the marching band and is currently a member of the National Honor Society and the track and field team and is a letterman on the cross country team. He is active in the Disciples Fellowship youth group and has participated in two mission trips to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, working to build homes for impoverished families. Harrison began scouting with Cub Scout Pack 397 at Trinity United Methodist Church in the fourth grade and was awarded the Arrow of Light. Harrison crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 83 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in 2006. He has backpacked, camped, canoed, cooked, rafted, caved, biked, played Frisbee, orienteered and visited historical battlefields with the troop. In 2007, he was inducted into the

Birmingham Residents Serving on Nonprofit Foundation Board

Joseph Browning Breedlove, left, and Michael Guy Harrison have been named Eagle Scouts. Order of the Arrow. He attended two Boy Scout High Adventure trips to the Double H Ranch in New Mexico and Sea Base in Florida. His Eagle project was the construction of a quarter mile of new hiking trail in the first year of the public opening of Birmingham’s Red Mountain Park. At Spain Park High School, Harrison is a member of the National Honor Society, soccer team and choir. He earned the Crossed Swords Award for lettering in varsity soccer. He maintains an above 4.0 GPA. Harrison has earned a Black Belt in karate and has helped teach. He is active in Dawson Memorial Baptist Church’s youth group and has participated in several mission trips, both at home and abroad, with Dawson’s Chapel Choir and Chapel Ensemble.

OTM Residents Win Grant for Cahaba River Project University of Alabama at Birmingham students from the Over the Mountain area are part of a team that has been awarded a grant that will help improve the Cahaba River ecosystem. Amy Clark of Mountain Brook and Samantha Gibbons of Hoover, along with UAB Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Doug Barrett and graphic design students Daniel Twieg and Jenny Waycaster, worked on a project that has been awarded a $47,000 grant from Sappi Fine Papers. The graphic design students and their professor worked together for months on the project.

Park South Plaza • 1425 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 111 next to Diplomat Deli in Vestavia Hills Mon.-Fri. 9:30 - 5:30 • Sat. 10-3 • (205) 822-9173

Four Birmingham area residents are serving on the board of a statewide nonprofit organization supporting Old Cahawba Archaeological Park near Selma. Fournier J. “Boots” Gale III, Garland Cook Smith, James D. “Jimmy” Stewart Jr. and W. Lee Thuston are serving on the board of the Cahaba Foundation. Their board service was affirmed at the foundation’s summer meeting when president Daniel J. Meador retired from active leadership and was succeeded by Ralph N. Hobbs of Selma.The Cahaba Foundation has been actively involved in securing donations from nongovernment donors to acquire privatelyowned land within Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. In 2011, 10 parcels of acquired property were conveyed from the foundation to the Alabama Historical Commission, the state agency that manages the park. Gale is a founding partner of Maynard Cooper & Gale and was senior attorney with Maynard Cooper until he joined Regions Financial Corporation as senior executive vice president and general counsel. His professional service includes leadership with the Birmingham and Alabama Bar Associations and the University of Alabama Law School Foundation. He served on several standing committees of the American Bar Association and on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and was a member of Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama. Smith has devoted many years to historic preservation and community service. She serves in leadership roles with the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation, the Birmingham History Center, Friends of the Alabama Archives, Black Belt Treasures, Birmingham Historical Society and other organizations. Smith served on the building committee for the restoration of the Little Theater/Clark Memorial Theater/Virginia Samford Theater. She is well-known for her service to community organizations such as the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, McWane Science Center and the Alabama Ballet and was named Outstanding Civil Leader by the Alabama Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2011. Stewart is president of Electrical Repair Service Company in Birmingham. He is a member of the Wilcox County Historical Society and former director of the National Shooting Dog Championship. He also serves as trustee of the Canton Bend Methodist Church of Camden. He enjoys quail hunting, bird dog field trials and riding horses. Thuston is the managing partner of Burr & Forman and has been instrumental in bringing major companies such as Mercedes-Benz and ThyssenKrupp to Alabama. He serves on the board of directors of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Metropolitan Development Board and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. He has also served on the national board of Girls, Incorporated. A Fellow

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

of both the Alabama Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation, his professional service includes leadership roles for the Birmingham Bar Association and the Cumberland School of Law Advisory Board.

Hoover High Freshman Crowned Miss Teen Trojan A Hoover High School freshman has been crowned Miss Teen Trojan for Troy University. Anna Thigpen won the Oct. 6 Miss Teen Trojan pageant. The Miss Teen Trojan pageant is a preliminary pageant for the Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Pageant. The Miss Alabama Anna Thigpen Outstanding Teen Pageant will be in March in Sylacauga. Thigpen will represent Troy University at the state competition. The state winner will compete for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Fla., in August. The Miss America Outstanding Teen is the “little sister” program of the Miss America Organization. The program promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens. The program has made more than $4 million in college scholarships available to young women ages 13-17 across the country. Thigpen won a $500 scholarship to Troy University, cash and other prizes.

Mountain Brook Native Is UA’s Homecoming Queen Lissa Handley Tyson, Mountain Brook native and daughter of Marc and Lissa Tyson, was named the University of Alabama’s homecoming queen Oct. 26 during UA’s annual homecoming pep rally. Tyson, a graduate of Mountain Brook High School, is a senior accounting and finance major at Alabama. She is involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Blackburn Institute and XXXI Club. Tyson said she is unsure of her plans immediately following graduation but is going to apply for medical school for the fall of 2014. “Having grown up going to the University, it was very special to be a part of homecoming my senior year,” Lissa said. “My time at the University has far exceeded my expectations. Tyson said it’s hard to believe her college days are drawing to a close. “I can’t believe I’m about to be done. I feel like I was moving into Tutwiler Hall two months ago.” Tyson participated in the Oct. 27 homecoming parade and was crowned queen during halftime of the Crimson Tide’s football game against Mississippi State University.

Vestavia Hills’ Forstman Wins Music Competition Edward Forstman of Vestavia Hills

has won a state music competition and is headed for the regionals. Forstman, a sophomore music major at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, won the collegiate level of the Music Teachers National Association state competition. Edward Forstman The contest was held Oct. 20 at Auburn University. Forstman played works for Beethoven and Schumann for piano. He is mentored by Yakov Kasman, professor of piano in UAB’s department of music. “This is a well-respected, important competition,” Kasman said. “We are very proud of Edward.” The winners from each of the 50 states go to division competitions next. Forstman will represent Alabama in the Southern Division Music Teachers National Association competition in Greensboro, N.C., in January. The Southern Division includes nine states and competitors. Each of the seven division winners will then meet at the national finals competition in New York March 24-28. The national competition winner will receive a Steinway grand piano. Forstman is the son of Jim and Edwina Forstman of Vestavia Hills.

Oak Mountain Teen Raises Money To Aid Breast Cancer Research A 13-year-old student at Oak Mountain Middle School used her title as Miss Wiregrass Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013 to raise money for breast cancer research.Kyra Callens, an eighth grader at OMMS, was crowned Miss Wiregrass Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013 in September with the platform of “We Are the Champions--Help Fight Breast Cancer!” Callens said she chose her platform to honor her aunt, Violet Smiley of Vestavia Hills, who is a breast cancer patient. Through her volunteerism with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and her Shades of Hope Team, Callens raised more than $5,000 during the annual Race for the Cure at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham Oct. 20. The team’s goal was to raise $1,000. Callens’ team finished 12th out of the top 20 teams, raising $5,300 for breast cancer research. ❖

Oak Mountain teen Kyra Callens, left, and her aunt, Violet Smiley. Photo special to the Journal

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 13

PEOPLE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Mountain Brook Lawyer Wins National Award

en Goldman of Mountain Brook, an attorney with Hand Arendall’s Birmingham office, has won a national award. He was awarded the Daniel J. Curtin Jr. Young Public Lawyer Award Oct. 22 at the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s annual convention in Austin, Texas. The award is established to honor the memory of Daniel J. Curtin Jr. by recognizing a new practitioner who exhibits those qualities that made Curtin one of the truly remarkable lawyers working on behalf of public clients. In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the award recognizes a public law practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards and who maintains a life that balances a passion for professional excellence and the joy of family and friends. The award also recognizes a person who exhibits qualities of openness and humility coupled with a sincere concern for the interests of others, including the professional development of newer practitioners.

Ben Goldman

Since 2001, Goldman has practiced in Birmingham as a litigator, successfully defending clients through all stages of federal and state court litigation, including trial and appeal. He has represented more than 50 Alabama municipalities, utilities, development boards and other governmental entities. Goldman has served as corporate counsel to local, regional and national businesses, representing them in such matters as contract negotiations, employment issues and collections. He has also represented and advised lenders and large creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. Goldman is city attorney and

prosecutor for Tarrant and town attorney for Mulga. Goldman graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Spring Hill College. He obtained his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was a member of the National Trial Advocacy Team and the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society, a Student Bar Association senator and an Honor Court justice. Goldman is a member of the Birmingham Hospitality Network board of directors, the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham board of directors, the Tarrant-Pinson Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Birmingham Tip-Off Club and the Crewe of Columbus. He is a volunteer for the state bar Volunteer Lawyers Program. Goldman has been named an Alabama Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He is a recipient of the Literacy Council’s Distinguished Partner Award and the National MS Society Leadership Award. Goldman is also a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy hosted by Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, Calif. He is also a graduate of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum Class 7. ❖

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News

14 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

City Agrees to Buy Old Food World Building u vestavia hills

By William C. Singleton III

Journal Contributor

he Vestavia Hills City Council last week agreed to purchase the old Food World building off U.S. 31 for a possible future city hall or another site that will aid economic development along the busy highway. The council agreed to pay $1.15 million to purchase the 30,000-square foot facility from Southpace Properties. The facility was formerly the old Fine Furniture store and was a Food World store prior to that. The city had rejected offers to purchase the property previously. But with the recent release of the U.S. Highway 31 Redevelopment Plan, city officials want to be in a position to direct growth along the portion of U.S. 31 – also called Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills -- that runs through Vestavia Hills, said City

Manager Randy Robertson. Conducted by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, the study recommends developing U.S. 31 through zoning and the use of greenways and boulevards with roads more conducive to trees and green landscaping. The city has held meetings with businesses owners along U.S. 31 and has scheduled hearings on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 to discuss the study with the public. Those meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Vestavia City Civic Center’s Dogwood Room. Robertson noted that the city is positioned to be a major player in what development occurs along U.S. 31. The old library building is currently up for sale. Also, the city is selling its public works building near the neighborhood Wal-Mart store. “The city has skin in the game on U.S. 31,” Robertson said. “They’re

The old Food World building on U.S. 31 could be used as the site of a new city hall in Vestavia Hills. Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

making an investment in U.S. 31. They’re buying property on U.S. 31.

They’re selling property on U.S. 31. The city is putting its money where

its mouth is as it relates to transforming how the appearance on U.S. 31 looks.” Business and city leaders have long complained that U.S. 31 acts more as a pass-through by motorists on their way to Hoover or Birmingham. Redevelopment of the U.S. 31 corridor is vital to Vestavia Hills’ future economic success, city leaders have said. Robertson said city officials haven’t ruled out the possibility that the old Food World building could be used as a future municipal center. “It may be a city facility,” he said. “It may be one that we control. Therefore, we can decide who goes up there and what the standards will be.” Robertson said other studies have been done on U.S. 31, but the council’s action is a big step in making sure the current study doesn’t get relegated to the shelf. ❖

u homewood

Patriot Park Opens With Upgrades By William C. Singleton III

Journal Contributor

Mayor Scott McBrayer gets help cutting the ribbon at Patriot Park from HallKent Elementary school students. Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

ith children from nearby Hall-Kent Elementary School standing around, Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer used scissors almost as big as the students themselves to cut a ribbon signifying the official opening of the new walking track at Patriot Park. The Nov. 16 ceremony was attended by city officials and parks and recreation board members, residents

u Mountain Brook, vestavia hills

Cities Partner to Solve Traffic Woes By William C. Singleton III

Journal Contributor

ountain Brook and Vestavia Hills city officials have taken steps to correct long-standing traffic problems on East Street. Representatives from both cities recently met with about 70 residents at the New Merkle House in Cahaba Heights to discuss a partnership that could lead to improvements along East Street. Mountain Brook’s city council has allocated about $10,800 to build a shoulder on the narrow road, said City Manager Sam Gaston. Vestavia Hills is also considering building sidewalks along East Street, but residents would have to agree to contribute a portion of their property as right of way. East Street is a narrow, twisting road in Cahaba Heights with about 70 homes. Though owned by Vestavia Hills, the street is used by Mountain Brook residents as a pass-through to the city’s soccer complex. Mountain Brook employees also drive the street to get to the city’s public works building. More than 3,800 vehicles travel East Street on Saturdays, and more than 2,400 are on the road on Sundays, according to a traffic study conducted by

Vestavia Hills in April. Residents have long complained to Vestavia Hills city officials about the speed and volume of traffic, with no results. Also, because the road doesn’t have shoulders and is lined with ditches, it becomes dangerous to motorists and pedestrians who must walk in the street to get to their destinations. In May, Vestavia Hills City Manager Randy Robertson approached Gaston about a possible partnership to resolve the issue. Gaston and Ronnie Vaughn, the city’s public works director, met with the Vestavia Hills City Council to discuss what it could do help. The two cities have discussed building sidewalks and road improvements that would include restriping streets, filling in roadside ditches so roadside shoulders can be built and fixing drainage problems on a portion of East Street. Those issues have to be worked out, officials with both cities say. During the meeting, some residents asked the cities do more to curb traffic flowing through East Street and vented about the presence of the complex. But Robertson said the sports complex isn’t going away, so city officials have to look at other ways to solve the problem. “This is a good first start,” Robertson said. ❖

and schoolchildren as they celebrated improvements at Patriot Park. The park is at 826 Oak Grove Road in west Homewood. The city’s park and recreation department and board spent nearly $438,000 to build a quarter-of-a-mile walking track, bathroom facility and footbridge and to install lighting at the park, which is adjacent to the Homewood Senior Center. By the end of December, two pavilion areas should be finished, Parks Director Berkley Squires said. “This is just a little park for the

u Hoover

Hoover Supports Cancer Initiative The City of Hoover issued a proclamation declaring November 2012 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month at the Hoover City Council meeting Oct. 15. Mayor Gary Ivey presented the proclamation to Kathryn Brekle, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network event coordinator, and Debbie Greengard, PANCAN volunteer.

neighborhood to have and enjoy,” he said. “This gives them a place to walk, to enjoy, to bring their families out for picnics. We didn’t want to make it a destination for people. We wanted to keep it a neighborhood park. And I feel like that’s what we accomplished.” Councilman Fred Hawkins said the neighborhood has awaited the completion of the park and plans to put it to good use. “To see this go from a big open field to a park is wonderful,” he said. ❖

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is nationally recognized in November. On Nov. 4, PANCAN Birmingham had its annual PurpleLight Vigil for Hope at UAB Mini Park. For more information about PANCAN Birmingham and future events, including PurpleStride, visit www.pancan. org/birmingham or email Tamara McCullen, PANCAN Birmingham Affiliate coordinator, at tmccullen@ pancanvolunteer.org. ❖ Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey presents a proclamation to PANCAN volunteer Debbie Greengard, left, and event coordinator Kathryn Brekle. Photo special to The Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 15

News

u homewood

Rec Center Funding OK’d

u over the mountain

Trinity Appeals for 280 Move

By William C. Singleton III

and jail facility, exist. Supporters of a new center feared the newly installed council would derail the building of the new center. ow that the Homewood City Council has Council members Walter Jones and Fred approved funding of the $16.5 million proHawkins called a special meeting Oct. 29 prior posed new recreation center, the next step to the new council taking office on Nov. 5. The involves demolishing the current building. meeting was scheduled in order to vote on the Homewood Parks and Recreation Director financing of the new recreation center and to Berkley Squires said the parks department and approve Mayor Scott McBrayer’s recommendaboard is putting together a bid package for the tion of Birmingham-based Protective Securities demolition of the old center, located off Oxmoor and Montgomery-based Merchant Capital as bond Road and Central Avenue. underwriters. However, that meeting was canThose bid specifications were scheduled to be celled after then-Council President Allyn Holladay sent out by Nov. 26, and bids will be due by Dec. questioned its legality. 11. After the council was sworn Demolition of the old recin, it called a Nov. 7 special reation center should begin by The council at the meeting to vote on financing the Jan. 14, Squires said. Nov. 8 meeting voted proposed recreation center. But Meanwhile, parks officials it was a “first-reading” are negotiating with local prop7-3 for financing the because item, it required a unanimous erty owners to find a place to construction of the vote from the 11-member counlocate the recreation center and cil to be brought before the its programs while the new new recreation cenbody. facility is being built, Squires Councilman Michael ter over 30 years. said. Hallman voted against bringing Park officials have been it up, which effectively killed a championing a new recreation discussion and vote on the financing proposal. center for nearly three years, saying the current Jones immediately called a special meeting for facility is more than 40 years old and that it would Nov. 8, saying any further delays would jeoparcost too much to continue pouring money into it dize the city cashing in on low interest rates and through additional renovations. make the recreation center miss two pool seasons. The parks board held public hearings about its The council at the Nov. 8 meeting voted 7-3 plans, but some residents questioned whether the for financing the construction of the new recreparks board had adequately sought public input on the project and whether the city needs to spend ation center over 30 years. Squires said the new recreation center should be ready by spring of so much money on a new recreation center when 2014. ❖ other capital needs, such as a new police station

Journal Contributor

Trinity Medical Center is waiting on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals to make a ruling on its efforts to move to the vacan HealthSouth building on U.S. 280. Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

By William C. Singleton III

Journal Contributor

rinity Medical Center’s effort to move to the vacant HealthSouth building on U.S. 280 is in the hands of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. “The hearing was Oct. 23 before the Court of Civil Appeals, so we’re just awaiting their ruling,” said Leisha Harris, spokeswoman for Trinity. Trinity has been in an ongoing legal battle to relocate from its Montclair Road site in east Birmingham to U.S. 280. Trinity wants to complete the hospital building abandoned following HealthSouth’s financial and legal problems. Brookwood Medical Center and St.

Vincent’s Health System have opposed Trinity’s planned move, saying its relocation would hurt their operations. Officials from both hospitals say their service area includes the U.S. 280 corridor. The back-and-forth battle has resulted in the state Certificate of Need Review Board in Oct. 2010 approving Trinity’s move and a Montgomery Circuit judge in July reversing that approval. Now it is the Court of Civil Appeals’ turn to rule on the issue. Harris said she doesn’t know when the court will issue a ruling. If Trinity is allowed to move to the U.S. 280 site, it plans to spend nearly $280 million to finish the facility, which is now owned by Daniel Corporation. ❖

Life

16 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“We’re teaching them the rules of life. It gives them a huge leg up. No matter where they go, they know the rules of the game.” Students are presented with certificates after successfully completing the etiquette course. On the front, from left: Stella Young, Grace Vaughn and Raines Jernigan. Back: Elizabeth Reid Gray, Lillie Young, Emmy Vaughn and Elizabeth Simpson. Journal photos by Margaret Frymire

From left: Elizabeth Reid Gray, Lillie Young and Elizabeth Simpson.

Etiquette for Every Day

Mother-DaughterTeam Teaches Children Proper Social and Dining Skills By Margaret Frymire

Journal Intern

n the home of Birmingham native Nancy Smith, area children are learning all the tricks and trades of proper etiquette. Etiquette Essentials, Birmingham’s newest manners school, is run by mother and daughter team Molly and Nancy Smith. Nancy, a former interior designer, has long held proper etiquette to be among the most important things to teach one’s children. She and her husband Murray Smith, a Restoration Academy board member, have been involved in the school as both mentors and financial donors. When visiting Restoration Academy for luncheons and other functions, Nancy was disappointed in the way the children greeted guests and conducted themselves at the table. She wanted to help the students have the tools to present themselves properly. That’s where the idea for Etiquette Essentials was born. Nancy searched for a curriculum from which to teach and finally found the American School of Protocol when she was flipping through a magazine. Nancy received her certification to teach children’s etiquette from the institution. Equipped to teach, Nancy started with the 32 juniors and seniors from Restoration Academy. People began to hear about Nancy’s work with the school and asked if she would teach their children etiquette skills as well. Nancy’s daughter Molly, a longtime proponent of good manners and social conduct as well as the keeper of the etiquette book as a Kappa Delta at Lynchburg College, told her mother she would be interested in teaching the classes with her. Molly also got her certification from the American School of Protocol, and the two began to teach classes at the end of this past summer. “We’re trying to teach them how to be ladies and gentleman, how to be kind, gracious and considerate. It’s about putting others first. It’s not all about how to hold your fork right. It’s about being kind,” Nancy said.

Molly and Nancy Smith

Etiquette Tips for Table • Always start with the utensil closest to the outside and work your way in. • If serving at the table, pass all dishes to the right. • When serving pecan pie and ice cream, both a dessert fork and spoon should be provided at the top of the place setting. • Wine or juice glasses always go to the right of the water glass. • When leaving the table, place your napkin back on the table to the left of your plate.

For more information or to enroll in classes, visit www.theEtiquetteEssentials.com or email mollysmith101@hotmail.com. ❖

In each session consisting of four classes, the students learn dining etiquette, including the correct use of a fork, and social manners. Nancy and Molly teach both boys and girls from grades 1-12. Each class begins in the patio-parlor area of

Nancy’s home, where the children learn about proper eye contact, shaking hands, conversation skills, proper introductions, thank-you notes and telephone etiquette. “I learned that it’s important when you shake someone’s hand to look into their eyes,” student Lillie Young said, In the last class, Nancy taught the students how to write thank-you notes. “It’s like a visit on paper,” she explained to them. The children listened attentively, raising their hands and conducting themselves with decorum. Nancy had the students work together to compose a hypothetical thank-you note for the gift of a One Direction CD. During the dining portion of the session, the children learn the American and Continental styles of dining, resting and closing position of flatware, proper use of the napkin, how to seat a lady, how to pass table items and how to finish a meal. During the lesson, students listened closely with smiles on their faces. “I like to learn about how to use proper manners and about all the plates,” Stella Young said. The Smiths use fresh flowers and full table settings when teaching the classes. Nancy said the best way to teach is by example, so she conducts the class by sitting and dining with the children as Molly walks about to instruct and assist. The most important thing they teach the students is self-confidence, Nancy said. “We’re teaching them the rules of life,” she said. “It gives them a huge leg up. No matter where they go, they know the rules of the game.” Molly added, “This is just as important if not more than the sports they play after school. They will use these skills for the rest of their life.” The two teach mostly children, but Nancy is certified to teach adult classes for the corporate world as well. Nancy said she hopes to work with Alabama Power and other companies to teach corporate etiquette classes in the future. Both she and Molly hope to expand their business, teaching more classes for both children and corporate clients out of their homes.❖

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 17

LIFE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OTM Teens Volunteer with Angel Tree

bout 200 teens from 35 Birmingham area schools spent a recent Saturday morning getting in the holiday spirit by helping others. The students participated in a YouthServe volunteer opportunity at the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Warehouse at the old Century Plaza in Birmingham from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 17. The students set up donation boxes, made holiday decorations and decked the halls of the warehouse, all while making new friends. The Salvation Army kicked off its holiday programs Nov. 17 at Colonial Brookwood Village. During the holiday season, the organization emphasizes its Angel Tree Program and its Red Kettle fundraiser. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program allows the public to adopt children in the form of “Angels.” Every year, the program services more than 10,000 children in need, including foster children, in Birmingham, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Gadsden and Shelby and

Mountain Brook students Ryan Fredella and Alyssa Adcock joined other Birmingham area teens to volunteer with the Salvation Army. Journal photo by Keysha

Chilton counties. “We look forward to a great response from everyone in our area,” Capt. Kathy Parker, Angel Tree program coordinator, said. The Salvation Army has several other ways Over the Mountain

residents can give back this holiday season. Volunteer opportunities range from helping sort toys at the Angel Tree Warehouse to assisting in the adoption process. Volunteers are also needed to help with the annual Our Red Kettle fundraiser. The Salvation Army places volunteers with kettles at more than 100 locations throughout the area. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser, accounting for nearly one-third of the Salvation Army’s yearly budget. The Salvation Army’s assistance programs operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so donations received during this time each year are vital to the organization’s services, officials said. “We are so thankful for the generosity of those in our area,” Area Commander Major Bob Parker said. “Because of their help, we are able to offer food, shelter, clothing and most of all, hope to those in crisis.” For more information on how to volunteer with the Salvation Army, visit www.birminghamsalvationarmy. org. ❖

Opportunities to Give Back This Holiday Season Pecans for Autism Order a variety of candied, chocolatecovered, salted and dipped pecans this holiday season to support autism. Glenwood’s Holiday Pecan Sale began 37 years ago. All proceeds support Glenwood’s programs and services for children, adults and families affected by autism. Custom gift packaging is available. For more information, call 969-2880 or visit www.glenwood.org Ronald McDonald House Prepare and deliver a meal to Ronald McDonald House Charities this holiday season. Deliver the meal to the house in disposable containers by 5 p.m. RMH does the warm-up and clean-up and provides its own plates, cups and utensils, although donations of those supplies are appreciated. Dinner can be provided by families, groups or individuals. To schedule a day to provide dinner, call Kathy Robson, volunteer coordinator, at 638-7258. Firehouse Shelter Serve a meal at Firehouse Shelter this Christmas. You can choose from a variety of two-hour shifts on Christmas Day from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Volunteers can either purchase or prepare a Christmas meal to serve to the residents in the Firehouse Shelter apartments. For more information or to sign up, visit www. firehouseshelter.com/get_involved or call 252-9571. Community Kitchens of Birmingham The Community Kitchens serves meals 365 days of the year at its two locations, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 1024 12th St. South and Grace Episcopal Church at 5712 First Ave. North in Woodlawn. In December, the St. Andrew’s kitchen needs volunteers on Dec. 23, 26 and 31. Volunteers are also needed on the third Saturday of each month. The Grace Woodlawn kitchen needs volunteers on Nov. 26 and Dec. 23, 24, 26 and

31. For more information, visit www. thecommunitykitchens.org. To volunteer, contact Brandon Fountain at 251-3569 or at volunteer@thecommunitykitchens. org. Jimmie Hale, Jessie’s Place, Pathways, Church of the Reconciler Volunteers are needed to serve holiday meals at the Jimmie Hale Mission, Jessie’s Place, Pathways and the Church of the Reconciler. To volunteer with the Jimmie Hale Mission, call 323-5878. To volunteer with Jessie’s Place, call 323-0170. To volunteer with Pathways, call 322-6854. To volunteer

with the Church of Reconciler, call 3246402. Toys for Tots Volunteers are needed to help Toys for Tots organize and distribute toys to children in need in the Birmingham area. For more information, call 8017209. YWCA Santa’s Workshop Volunteers are needed to collect and sort donations to the YWCA Santa’s Workshop. Volunteer applications are due by Nov. 30. For more information, email memmett@ywcabham.org. ❖

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PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

From left: Monica Vinoski, Shannon Banta, Amy Wilson, Rhonda Hardwick and Kelly Greiner. Photos special to The Journal by Heather Durham

Liberty Park Dinner Benefits Bruno Cancer Center

riends and neighbors in the Liberty Park community gathered together on Friday, Sept. 28 to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The Teal There’s a Cure benefit dinner also honored Peppi Talley and was in memory of Elliot Williams. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is observed each September with parties, dinners, races and other events. Teal, the color more photos at of ovarian cancer awareness, is used to increase understanding about the deadly disease and to help women recognize the signs and symptoms. The event was held at the home of Monica and Kim Vinoski in Liberty Park. Through the event, the community raised more than $10,000 for the Bruno Cancer Center at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham. The neighborhood event featured food catered by V. Richards and beverages donated by Birmingham Budweiser, Avondale Brewery and Piggly Wiggly. Guests were entertained with live music by Kevin Harrison. About 300 people attended the Teal There’s a Cure benefit dinner. Guests included John and Lisa O’Neil, Jeff Creel, Dane Prewitt, Zach Friloux, Chris Williams, Monica Vinoski, Kim Vinoski, Shannon Banta, Amy Wilson, Rhonda Hardwick, Kelly Greiner, Peppi Talley, Shonda Prewitt, Kayra Creel, Lori Friloux and Bently Hess. ❖

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The Poinsettia Menʼs Club 2012 Poinsettia Debutantes are announced at an afternoon party. Photo special to The Journal

Poinsettia Ball Debutantes Named

he Poinsettia Men’s Club announced the 2012 Poinsettia Debutantes at an afternoon party June 24 at the Shoal Creek home of Dr. Joy B. Clark and Dr. Walter D. Clark. The Men’s Club party officially begins the debutante season and was the first of several parties for the young women. The debutantes will be presented at the 45th annual Poinsettia Debutante Ball Dec. 27 at Vestavia Country Club. President Tommy Davis introduced each debutante and told guests where each attends college. Each young woman was given a scrapbook by Denise Oliver, president

of the Ballet Women’s Committee. The 2012 Poinsettia Debutantes are Milan Ballard, MaryMargaret Barr, Leslie Brown, Emily Covington, Crawford Dowell, Lauren Ferguson, Jenna Foyt, Ashley Hays, Emily Helveston, Haley Helveston, Savannah Kay, Ashley Martin, Allison Rohrer, Lauren Spivey, Katie Summers, Natalie Thompson, Virginia Tracy, Gabby Urrutia and Lindsey Waldheim. The Poinsettia Debutante Ball began in 1968 at the proposal of Mrs. John W. Gustafson. The Birmingham Ballet board of trustees gave its enthusiastic approval. In 1981, the Alabama Ballet

Heritage Ball Holiday Tradition

Thirty-two young women were presented at the annual Heritage Ball on Nov. 23 at the Country Club of Birmingham. The ball is a longtime holiday tradition in Birmingham. Debutantes have been feted over the Thanksgiving weekend since the Debutante Club was founded in 1929.

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was established as an outgrowth of To: 870-3589 the Birmingham Civic Ballet, the From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 University of Alabama at Birmingham FAX: 205-824-1246 Ballet and Ballet Alabama. Date: Sept. Mrs. Gustafson and Mrs. Louis A. Prosch Jr. served as the first ball This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL chairmen. Since that time, all proceeds Oct. 6, 2011 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246 from the ball have gone to support the Alabama Ballet. Please make sure all information is correc In keeping with tradition, the ball takes place each year in a setting of including address and phone number! poinsettias and winter greenery as Starting at $12,490. each white-gowned young woman is presented on the arm of her father. Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pmCrownAutomobile of the Friday before the press date, Crown Automobile The presentation and a father-daughter the paper Monday. waltz are followed by an evening of CrownAutomobile.comyour ad will run as is. We print smartcenterbham dancing. ❖ Thank you for your prompt attention.

Elizabeth Terry Hicks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Barrett Hicks Jr. was among the young women presented at the Birmingham Debutante Clubʼs annual Heritage Ball at the Country Club of Birmingham on Nov. 23.

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Fall Gardens Party

Henry and Carolyn Ray. Photos special to The Journal

Brooke and Daniel Coleman

Botanical Gardens Honors Donors

riends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Fall Donor Appreciation Event Nov. 1 at the Swann House owned by Daniel and Brooke Coleman. Nearly 100 donors gathered for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Birmingham landmark. Among guests were Robert and Holly de Buys, Margi Ingram, Lyle Hohnke, Zachary Westall, Brad White and Diana Slaughter. Others at the celebration were Philip Morris, Barbara Sauer, Scott and Kelley Walton, William and Carolyn Satterfield, Thomas and Cathy Adams, Frances Blount, Tom and Elizabeth Broughton, Barbara Burton, Mike and Paula Rushing, Gene and Chris Boles, June Mays, Allen Cater, Lyle Hohnke, Carolyn Ray and Charles and Cheryl Mayer. A toast was raised to outgoing board president Henry Ray, while the group welcomed Tricia Noble into the position for 2013 and 2014. ❖

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Work Begins on Thorne Amphitheater at BBG

he Birmingham Botanical Gardens started work Oct. 22 on a stone amphitheater in the Japanese Gardens. The Thorne Amphitheatre will be named in honor of the late Barbara Nell Drummond Thorne, who in her last will and testament presented the gift to The Gardens. The project, expected to be completed in three weeks, will provide open-air and barrier-free seating for 80-100 guests, offering program space adjacent to the Douglas Moore Japanese Cultural Pavilion. The pavilion was renovated and posthumously dedicated in April. ZEN Associates of Woburn, Mass., designed the feature and will work in conjunction with Shelby County Growers on construction of

From left: The Gardens Executive Director Fred Spicer, Japanese and BBG volunteers Bob Wendorf and John Floyd. Photo special to The Journal

the project. It is part of a long-term renovation plan for one of the BBG’s most recognizable gardens, which has already begun with the pavilion, the torii, the Bridge of Accomplishment and the View-Receiving Bridge.

A formal dedication of the new space is expected to be held in conjunction with the Japan-America Society of Alabama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring of 2013. ❖

WEDDINGS

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Helen and Ty Robin, Patsy and Stan Burns, Emily and Tom Scarbrough, Carolyn Satterfield, Jeanne and Harry Bradford, and Judy and Andy Daniel. Also at the party were Beth and Rich Henry, Deanna and Tim Davis, Marsha and Eddie Terrell, Mary and David Putman, George Ann and Alton Parker, Evelyn and Steve Bradley and Kathleen and Ray Watkins. ❖

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and Durham Ellis, Becky Powell, Carey and Bill Hinds, Carole and Charles Crabbe, Barbara Chapman, Laurie Hayworth and Roger Mills, Lyndra and Bill Daniel, Carol and Jerry Corvin, Adrian Bewley, Ken Dawson, Bill Dean and Fox DeFuniak. Enjoying an assortment of house-made desserts served with a choice of Greek or American coffee were Caroline and Bob Clayton,

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harades Dance Club held a fall dinner party for members Nov. 4 at the Fish Market restaurant in an enclosed patio setting. Restaurant owner George Sarris and party chairman Judy Bewley, along with committee members Anne Dawson, Enid Dean, Sara Lynn DeFuniak, Sissy Doster and Betsy Dumas, planned a cocktail hour and a buffet dinner featuring Greek cuisine. Also assisting with the party was Sally Aman with Carlos White. Club president Janie Trammel, with husband Bud, greeted members as they arrived. During the cocktail hour, miniature crab cakes, Greek pizza, fried calamari, hummus dip and roasted eggplant spread were served. Sampling the hors d’oeuvres were Ann and Donnie Adams, Ellen and Russell Cunningham, Mary and Bob Cobb, Gayle and Mike Byrne, Susan and Lee Reeves, Martha Cobb, Diane and Allen Weatherford, and Anne and Rick Finch. Also in the crowd were Susan and Bill Bowman, Dorothy and Gerry Hodges, Pat and Wimberly Miree, Katie and Brad Dunn, Susan Pitts and Verna and John Lyons. The dinner menu included chopped Greek salad, grouper medallions, shrimp in marinara, Greek style chicken, potatoes and Mediterranean grilled vegetables. Enjoying the buffet were Margaret and Eason Balch, Rita and Cliff Spencer, Nancy and Bill Stetler, Carolyn and Bill Featheringill, Susan Pitts, Katy and Rick Sexton, Rae and Steve Trimmier and Susan Strickland. Others at the fall dinner party were Karen and Charles Watkins, Josephine and Paul Pankey, Lana and Harry Thompson and Carolyn and Delmar Hill. Dining on the patio were Louise

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 21

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A Taste of Vestavia

Viva Vestavia Benefits Scholarships, Foundation

he 10th annual Viva Vestavia event on Nov. 1 offered a taste of Vestavia Hills restaurants’ fare and fine wines and gave those attending a chance to raise money for a deserving Vestavia Hills High School student. Members of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted as Vestavia Hills restaurants presented their signature dishes to the ABOVE: From left: Chip McCallum, Dr. Scotty McCallum, Kitty Robinson community at the event, which helps and Robin Morgan. BELOW: Karen Odle, Larry Mote, Paul Sumner, Shelley fund an annual scholarship given to a Sumner and Steve Mote. Photos special to The Journal Vestavia Hills High School senior by the foundation. The event was at Hollywood Pools. Patrons voted on the best dishes presented at Viva Vestavia this year. The award for Best Presentation went to Klinger’s European Bakery and Cafe. The Best Dish award was won by Mudtown Eat and Drink’s signature dish of shrimp and grits. Other food and drink contributors at Viva Vestavia X included Bistro V, Blackwell’s Neighborhood Pub, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Contri Bros. Gift Basket, Earth Anderson, Col. Penny Bailey, John Fare, Everything Iz, Ichiban, Moe’s and Kim Barelare, Fred Baughman, Original Barbecue, Moe’s Southwest Andy and Kim Brindley, Dona Grill, Mugshots Grill and Bar, Bullock, Andrew and Jamie Burke, Newk’s Eatery, Publix, The Olive Ben and Susie Chambliss, Jacob Branch, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Chambliss, Ashley Chambliss, Rx Catering, The Ridge Eat & Drink, Agnes Chappell, John and Rhonda Sekisui, Western Supermarket, Wine Cooper, Leslie Cooper, Lisa Cellar and Yellow Bicycle Catering Christopher, Martha Cook, Terry Company. and Susan Cook, Martine Craven, Those attending also had a chance Rep. Paul DeMarco, to win several prizes, Mindy and Joey Dent including a $1,000 gift Jay and Kelly more photos at and certificate to Hollywood Charlie Shell and Martha Cook Evers. Pools, a Husqvarna Others attendJenkins, Chris and Tabitha Leech, backpack blower from ing were Alan and Tracy Lemak, Russ and Jennifer Advanced Mower, a Judge Sherri Friday, Lynch, Mark and Raleigh Macoy, weekend stay for two at Raymond and Rosalie Jackie Matte, Dr. Scotty McCallum the Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park Gotlieb, Wes and Ann Hamiter, and Chip and Lynne McCallum. and a $100 gift certificate from the Jessica Henderson, John and Gina Also enjoying the evening were Fitting Touch. Henley, Lee Higginbotham, Steve Derek and Lani Meek, Robin Those spotted at Viva Vestavia and Janet Holcomb, Jim Hughey, Morgan, JoAnne Mote, Larry X included Linda Allison, Robert Brent Irby, Mike Jackson, Wanda Mote, Steve Mote, Jason and Jenny Ajam, Cindy Anderson, Molly Mote, Bryan and Jennifer Myers, Bob Odle, Steve and Karen Odle, Becky Padgett, Sarah Padgett, Linda Parker, Kirk Parker, Joe A Family Company Perez, George Pierce, Sheila Piery, Reynolds and Randy and Earning Your Trust Kristin Darlene Robertson. For Over 50 Years Also at Viva Vestavia X were Kitty Robinson, Judge Katrina Ross, Jim Sharp, Charlie Shell, Friendly caring Roger and Annie Steur, Paul and service you can Shelley Sumner, Pat Thetford, Lindsay and Jason Vargas, Judge count on Virginia Vinson, Sen. Jabo and Marilyn Waggoner, Tim and Plumbing, Cynthia Whatley, Mike and Kay Heating and Wilburn, Kristina Wilburn, Air Conditioning Ali Wilburn, R.J. and Kendall Williams, Tina Willis, David and 595-4846 Laura Woodruff, Katie Woodruff, Peggy Rice and Chris Coffey Dan and Linda Kay Young and Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto AL#83557 “Butch” and Diane Zaragoza. ❖

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Dance Club Welcomes New Members

he Bordeaux Dance Club met at Bistro V in Vestavia Hills to have its fall meeting and welcome new members. Thanks to Bistro V chef, Jeremy Downey, the club members had a private party at the restaurant and enjoyed the freshest tastes of the season. The Oct. 8 menu included appetizer samplings of goat cheese bruschetta, tomato chutney and apple chutney and olive oil-drizzled farm stand tomato slices with fresh basil chiffonade topping. The sweet potato fries were a popular choice. The salad was a combination of mixed lettuces, thinly sliced fennel and apples, Maytag blue cheese and roasted pecans with lemon Dijon vinaigrette. The entrée was chicken pot pie. Desserts included mini brownie bites, crispy cinnamon twist cookies and mini turtle cupcakes. New members attending were Joyce Fleming, Karon Harmon, Nancy Blackledge and Niki Stone. Other new members are Leslie Echols, Ginny Mills and Marianne Truss. The 2012 club officers attending were Rosalie Fitzmorris, president; Donna Cortopassi, treasurer; Gracie Lutz, event coordinator; and Tootsie Chandler, historian/publicity. Others enjoying the night were Anne Osborne, Becky Bresler, Becky Hasty, Belinda Make, Buffie

Whitt, Bug Greer, Carol Dowdy, Connie Hartley, Debbie Elder, Debbie Huffman, Denise Lewis, Donna Speir, Elizabeth Ferguson, Ginger Quinn, Helen Hurst, Jan Collier and Jan Henninger. Janielle Brewer and Jeannie Radecke also attended, along with Joan Curtis, Judy Abbott, Karen Shallenberg, Kathy Scivley, Kay Wood, Kit Terry, Leigh Smith, Lin Halbrooks, Marsha Yeilding, Nancy Kennemer, Nancy Wilson, Niki Stone, Patty Hanna, Peggy Dekle and Peggy Honeycutt. Also joining in the fun were Phyllis Collier, Rebecca Hagler, Sally Young, Sarah Goff, Shawn Dunaway, Sherry Bohorfoush, Susan Baker, Susan Sparkman, Suzanne McQuiston,Tammy Towns, Tina Westbrook and Vicki Magee. The Bordeaux Dance Club began in 1980 and continues today with 109 women as a social and dance club. Each fall, the club introduces its new members. The winter meeting is a Christmas brunch. New members are nominated and elected at the spring meeting. The club hosts an annual dance jointly with the Rhapsody Dance Club. Friends, spouses and partners of club members make this a sell-out event each year. The next event for the Bordeaux Dance Club is its Christmas brunch. ❖ From left: Karon Harmon, Nancy Blackledge, Rosalie Fitzmorris, Joyce Fleming and Donna Cortopassi. Photo special to The Journal

Silhouettes Dance Club Opens New Year

he Silhouettes Dance Club opened its 2012 club year with a fall luncheon at the Vestavia Hills Country Club. Bronzed mums encased in pumpkins and orange napkins carried out the event’s fall theme. A menu of chicken crepes, grilled tomatoes and asparagus was planned by Martha Fuller, luncheon chairman. She was assisted by Vileta Layton and Peggy Sykes. Members discussed plans for the club’s winter dance, wine and cheese party and spring party brunch. The club also announced its new officers. They are Connie Hinkle, president; Rose Ann Kendrick, vice president; Ann Hillhouse, recording secretary; Sara Estes, corresponding secretary; Anne Michaels, treasurer; and Louise Pinkerton, parliamentarian. Those attending the fall luncheon included Betsy Caldwell, Eleanor Cheatham, Nita Collingsworth, Fran Creamer, Jane Culverhouse, Jo Dobbs, June Eagan, Martha

Fuller, Fay Hall, Ann Harvey, Connie Hinkle, Patricia Johnson, Rose Ann Kendrick, Sue Kreider, Margaret Langston, Nancye Lawrence, Villeta Layton, Audrey Lindquist, Kay Merrill, Anne Michaels, Rhunette Moreland, Coleta Newton, Patsy Norton, Betty Nunis, Sylvia Patrick, Kathleen Petznick, Louise Pinkerton, Helen Mills Pittman, Ginger Sharbel, Libby Spain, Peggy Sykes, Sue Weatherly and Dolores Wood. ❖

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 23

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To: thecookstore@msn.com he Christmas shopping season From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 got an early start at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood, FAX: 205-824-1246 where items handcrafted by parish- Date: Nov. 2012 ioners were displayed and sold during the ninth annual Arts and Crafts This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNA Show and Sale Oct. 28. Nov. 15, 20112 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-12 The sale not only benefited the church and shoppers but also helped Please make information is correc 3rd Friday of sure EveryallMonth the artists by giving them a chance to show their work. Exhibitors donated including address Nominal Fee and phone number! a portion of their proceeds to the parish. secure • confidential Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. Pottery, wooden toys, aprons, If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, jewelry, rosaries, paintings, wreaths, aaayour naid ad will certified run as is. We print the paper Monday. honey, jams, jellies and crocheted Thank you for your prompt attention. pieces filled the church’s family Serving commercial businesses in life center assembly hall. OLS Altar Central and North Alabama Sodality members contributed baked goods. Artists exhibiting at this year’s Contact us: 205.943.5252 / www.ucpbham.com event included David Bruno, Norma Kay Sprayberry, Travis and Jennifer Rainey, Cathy and To: Jennifer Michelle Harbor, Joanna Fuller, Tina Savas, Alexandra Naylor and From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., daughters Nicole and Sasha, Wendy 205-824-1246, fax Spratley, Johna Pitzer, Adrianne Date: Oct.. 2012 Price, Rebekah Wright, Rita This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Jo Strauss Maples, James and Carmen nov.1 , 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to Diaz and family and Jan Grant. Fran Ross Roberson, organizer please make sure all information is of the event, said the talents of her fellow parishioners at OLS inspired including address and phone num the annual show ❖

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Vigil Honors Cancer Patients

he first annual Birmingham PurpleLight Vigil for Hope drew nearly 200 people to honor those affected by pancreatic cancer. The event, held Nov. 4 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Mini Park, was among 60 PurpleLight Vigils held nationwide. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network sponsored the events to honor those who have fought pancreatic cancer and to celebrate survivors while raising community awareness about the disease, currently the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Area PurpleLight participants were invited to sign a memorial banner in honor of their loved ones prior to a presentation about pancreatic cancer and current surgical procedures by Dr. Martin Heslin, professor of surgery and chief of the section for surgical oncology at UAB. Following the presentation, the names of those who are battling or have lost the fight against pancreatic cancer were read aloud. The park was cast in a glow of purple lights as those who attended recognized their loved ones by illuminating their glow sticks. Participants traveled from around the state to take part in the vigil. Family and friends of those battling the disease, as well as those who lost the battle, were on hand to honor their loved ones.

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From left: Jordan DeMoss, Bennett DeMoss, Abigail Anderson, Lauren DeMoss, Betty Cooper, Ellen Anderson and Paul Anderson. Photo special to The Journal

PANCAN representatives and others who attended included Birmingham Coordinator Tamara Donaldson and husband Cedric, Event Coordinator Kathryn Brekle and husband Brad, Media Coordinator Lou Ellen Williams, Jeff Tarwater, Advocacy Coordinator Holly Caraway, pancreatic cancer survivor Mike Caraway, wife Susan and son John. Also participating were Education and Outreach Coordinator Christina Jagielski, Jan LaVercombe, Maureen and Mark Petrofsky, Howard Schultz, Rhonda and Harry Weinberg, Jordan, Lauren and Bennett DeMoss and Betty

Phillips High Class of 1949 Reunites

embers of the Phillips High School Class of 1949 reunited at a luncheon at The Club Oct. 19. To: andyb@andysgardencenter.com Guests were greeted by Pat Shelby, Charles “Slick” From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Griffin, Ralph Connell and Bob Kieran, who wore white 205-824-1246, fax top hats with red bands, red and white vests, white shirts Date: November 2012 and black trousers and carried black walking canes. Euel Fountain welcomed the group. Cleo Parker and This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOuNTaiN JOurNal for the Bob Barnes led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Nov. 29, 2012 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. luncheon prayer. Arthur Braswell provided piano music during the meal. Classmates and their guests were recognized by please make sure all information is correct, Jane Ginn Connell. including address and phone Charles number! Griffith led the group in singing the school song. Diane Ledbetter, Bill Mullins, Martha McGill, Tucker and Cleo Parker entertained with memoplease initial and fax back within Frances 24 hours. ries of fun timesdate, at Phillips High School. if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press Class members and guests traveling from out of your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. town to attend the reunion luncheon included Swift Thank you for your prompt attention. Williams and Patty Mahone of Richmond, Va., Marlyn (McEachern) and Hoyt Harris of Huntsville, Jim and Holiday SpecialS for Botox, Adeline Loyd of Lady Lake, Fla., Diane (Wiggins) radiSSee, perlane, dySport, and Reid Ledbetter of Gross Isle, Mich., Bill Mullins of Greensboro, N.C., Martha Horsley McGill and Sculptra, laSer reSurfacing, Margaret Gillespie Whitfield of Cullman, Frances cHemical peelS, and Belotero (Cameron) and Jack Tucker of Powder Springs, Ga., Neal Ford of Alpharetta, Ga., Robert Lockart of Montgomery, Rebecca (Davis) and Walter “LaLa” rSVp to 205.824.441 Lowery of Destin, Fla., Margaret (Draper) and Harold 521 montgomery Hwy, VeStaVia HillS Eskew of Huntsville and Jean Pruitt Holtsford and Alex Holtsford of Gadsden. Birmingham area class members and guests at the Jo lynne Herzog, M.D. luncheon included Ann (Tolleson) Stowe of Mountain DonalD S. WalterS, M.D. Brook, Norma McCurdy Pridgen of Helena, Nell rebekaH HeaD Pa-C (Whitley) and Joe Stabb of Hoover, Jane (Ledbetter) Northcutt of Meadowbrook, Bob and Judy Barnes of boarD CertifieD Crestwood, Filomena (Baranelli) and Morris Ross of Hoover, Euel and Joanne Fountain of Gardendale, Ralph and Jane (Ginn) Connell of Riverchase, Laverne (Toulette) Houston of Greystone, Pat Shelby of Center Point, Laurene (Holmes) and John Braden of Roebuck,

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Cooper. Others at the PurpleLight Vigil for Hope included pancreatic cancer survivor Paul Anderson and grandchildren Abigail and Ellen, Carl Frizell, Joan Creel, Zakiya Gwinn, Carol Gill, Tom, Brooke, Addison and Tommy Grigsby, Heather Gurganus, David and Tammy Edwards, Deidre Graham, Robert and DeLane Estes, Kelle Strankman, Larry and Amber Thompson, Taris Brown-Huff and Doug, Debbie, Nick and Tyler Greengard. For more information about pancreatic cancer, visit www.pancan. org. ❖

From left: Ralph Connell, Jane Ginn Connell, Joanne Photo special to The Journal Fountain and Euel Fountain.

Charles “Slick” and Ivy Griffith of Gardendale, Cleo Parker of Hoover, Ann (Peacock) McCaleb of Vestavia Hills, Elizabeth (Sims) White of Trussville, Bill Shotts of Birmingham, Bob and Alice Kieran of Mountain Brook, Ann (Brown) and Wallace Bowman of Trussville, Ben Neighbors of Homewood, Ellen (Little) Evans of Vestavia Hills and Grace McWaters Hicks of Vestavia Hills. ❖

Hoover honors veterans Veterans were honored Nov. 7 with a special event at the Hoover Senior Center. Hoover New Horizons and Chateau Vestavia cosponsored a USO Dance at the center from 1-3 p.m. Wayne Alexander and his wife sang patriotic tributes to the veterans gathered at the dance to thank them for serving their country. Above, Emma and Al Gentle listen to music at the USO Dance at the Hoover Senior Center.

Kettig-Lary

Mr. and Mrs. John Morgan Kettig announce the engagement of their daughter, Anne Earle, to Blake William Lary, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Strong Lary Jr. of Kimberly. Miss Kettig is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Kettig and the late Mr. Samuel

Baker-Wagerman

Mr. and Mrs. James Robert Baker of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Ann, to Roger Craig Wagerman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Wagerman Jr. of Memphis, Tenn. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Milton

Mayer-Andino

Jane Carlisle Mayer and Jorge Enrique Andino II, both of Santa Monica, Calif., were married Oct. 13 at the Ahmanson Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains near Calabasas, Calif. The late afternoon wedding was followed by dinner and dancing. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Mayer III of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Ms. Eva Leivas-Andino of Miami

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 25

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Dugger-Wendorf

Earle Hiden and the late Mrs. Barrow Gore Ryding, all of Birmingham. She is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball, the Ball of Roses, the Heritage Ball and the Redstone Club Ball. Miss Kettig is employed in Birmingham at Regions Bank. Mr. Lary is the grandson of Mr. William Carter Manuel and the late Mrs. Manuel of Birmingham and Mr. Frank Strong Lary Sr. of Northport and the late Mrs. Emma Lou Pounds of Northport. He is a graduate of Bradshaw High School in Florence and the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Mr. Lary is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an air trafﬁc controller in Birmingham. The wedding will be held Dec. 28 at St. Maryʼs-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham. Stanhope Brasfield Jr. of Demopolis and the late Ms. Betty Williams Baker and the late Mr. Morris Nolen Bryant, both of Alexander City. Miss Baker is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Auburn University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She was presented at the Ball of Roses in Birmingham. Miss Baker is employed as a district manager for Mannington Commercial in Atlanta. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Norton Hall and the late Mr. and Mrs. Max Wagerman, all of Memphis. Mr. Wagerman is a graduate of Christian Brothers High School and the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is employed as vice president of franchise sales for Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint in Atlanta. The wedding is planned for Jan. 19, 2013 at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. and Mr. Jorge Enrique Andino of Key Biscayne, Fla. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown designed exclusively from English heirloom rose lace. The gown’s trumpet silhouette was accented with a lacescalloped sweetheart neckline and delicate cap sleeves, and the keyhole back was adorned with silk buttons. Her ballet-length veil and blusher were accented with French lace trim. She wore a pair of heirloom diamond earrings which have been worn by four generations of brides in the Andino family and a bracelet and necklace belonging to her mother. Tied with twine, the rustic bridal bouquet featured rosette succulents, scabiosa pods, majolica roses, spray roses, coffee bean, seeded eucalyptus and bleached peacock feathers. The bride chose her sister, Katherine Walker Mayer, of Santa Monica as her maid of honor. Paolo Javier Andino, brother of the groom, of Los Angeles served as best man. Following a trip to Princeville on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the couple live in Santa Monica.

Dr. and Mrs. E. Scott Elledge of Birmingham and Mr. and Mrs. John William Dugger of Andalusia announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Camille Dugger, to Marc Pfeffer Wendorf, son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph Wendorf of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Francis Hawkins of Drew, Miss., and the late Mr. Thomas Irving Hawkins of Ruleville, Miss., and Mrs. Majorie Dugger Harbuck of Hueytown and the late Mr. Hugh Milton Dugger. Miss Dugger is a summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a

Garrett-Davis

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bryan Garrett of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Grace Anne Garrett, to Captain Brandon Reed Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Davis of Linden. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Donald Carl Turnbull of Birmingham and Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Garrett of Birmingham. Miss Garrett is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in business. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies and was president of Alpha Chi Omega social sorority. Miss Garrett is a member of the 2010 Birmingham Debutante Club and was presented at the Ball of Roses and the Heritage Ball. She is a graphic designer with Copperwing Design in Montgomery. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Brian Cliff of Mobile, originally of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Franklin Davis of Linden. Captain Davis is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile and a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in military history. He was a member of Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society and Student Conference on U.S. Affairs and was selected by the West Point Chapter of the National Infantry Association as Top Infantry Cadet. He has graduated from Ranger School, Airborne School and Air Assault School. He was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Captain Davis is attending Maneuver Captains Career Course at Ft. Benning, Ga. The wedding is planned for Feb. 16, 2013.

Johnson-Wooten

Vicki Johnson and Michael Wooten were married June 2 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham. The Rev. J. Russell Kendrick and the Rev. Dr. James Ralph Wooten Jr. officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Walter Harvey Johnson Jr. of Homewood. The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. James Ralph Wooten Jr. of Eufaula.

bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority, Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She is employed with UAB Hospital. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Col. and Mrs. Hulen Wendorf of Waco, Texas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fischer of Angola, Ind. Mr. Wendorf is a magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in building science. He was a member of Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society. He is employed with Brasfield and Gorrie. The wedding is planned for Dec. 29. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a custom Olia Zavozina Couture Design dress from Carriage House Weddings. It was lace with a double-tiered hem, lace straps and pearl buttons from the side down to the bottom of the dress. The belt was made of of crystals on a satin ribbon. The bride was attended by her sister Hilary Catherine Johnson and Diana Joy Andrews as maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Samantha Elliott Adams, Kathryn Taylor Cooper, Walker DeBardeleben, Britney Nicole Kelley, Amanda Laine Pinto and Rebekah Leigh Wooten, sister of the groom. Lay readers were Grainne Mariel Connatty Hebeler and Camilla Eleanor Louise Perry, cousins of the bride, and Ashlyn Kate Andress. Daniel Charles Moss was best man. Groomsmen were Jonathan Simms Fiel, Adam McGregor Fox, Thomas Mark Gonsewski, Alexander Douglas McSwain, Matt Phillip Murrell, Andrew Broderick Ramsey and Marshall Alan Yates. After a honeymoon trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the couple live in Auburn.

Recently engaged or married? Let us help you spread the word of your good news. Send your announcement to editorial@otmj.com or visit www.otmj.com and fill out the form under the “Forms, Issue and Info.”

26 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

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MANTELPIECE MASTERPIECES

Cahaba Heights resident Laurel Patrick is offering a new way to add unique decorations to your mantelpiece. Page 27

Andrew Brown designed the custom desk in his downstairs study. Underneath it is an antique vessel from the Congo; above it is a 19th century Neoclassical gilt wood mirror from France. The comfy custom chaise is by Verellen.

International Flavor Global Finds Fill Andrew Brown’s Forest Park Home Story by Donna Cornelius • Photos by Lee Walls Jr.

ndrew Brown’s Forest Park house is filled with finds from far-flung places. “This is an accumulation of things from all over the world, from trips to Paris flea markets, the Ivory Coast, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Buenos Aires,” Andrew said. He’s one of the homeowners participating in the 63rd annual Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour, set this year for Dec. 8 and 9. The owner of Andrew Brown Adorno, Inc., he’s looking forward to opening his home and inviting tour-goers in to – well, see the world from his point of view. provenances look right at home together. Andrew’s background set the stage for In the kitchen, for example, antique his career as a designer. Foo dog heads flank a new six-burner “From an early age, I was exposed to Wolfe range. The art wall in Andrew’s different countries, and that developed my study includes an design eye and furthered my design aesoil painting from thetic,” Andrew said. DETAILS Rome, engravings At age 9, he moved with his parents to FOR MORE INFORMATION from London, street France. ON THE HOMES FEATURED art from New York “They were missionaries and went to IN THIS YEARʼS IPC HOLIDAY City – and a flat university there to learn French,” Andrew HOME TOUR SEE PAGE 31 screen TV. said. “We lived in the Loire Valley. During “Looking back, I the summers, we saw Europe and were see why I’m drawn exposed to great architecture and art.” to these dualities in design,” Andrew said. After two years in France, the family “Because of the way I grew up, I saw the moved to a remote village in West Africa. tribal and the aristocratic, the shiny and the “It was very primitive by Western dull, the old and the new.” standards, especially after the grandeur of Andrew’s family spent seven years in Europe,” Andrew said. “But we saw how Andrew Brown in his 1920s Colonial Africa before returning to Alabama. happy and creative the people were there. Revival home, once owned by “I was always interested in design. I They were able to do without things and former Birmingham Mayor David just didn’t know I could make a living at had a love for the more simple aspects of Vance. Photo by David Hillegas it,” Andrew said. “I had the opportunity creativity.” to work for an interior designer friend a little over a decade ago Andrew’s talent for using art and other pieces from all over and basically learned everything with on-the-job training and the world in his 1920s Colonial Revival house means that nothhands-on experience. ing, from a design viewpoint, is lost in translation. Set against a See Andrew, page 30 sophisticated black and white palette, items of varying ages and

A TRIPLE HOLIDAY TREAT

Three historic houses in Forest Park, Redmont and Vestavia Hills will be open for the Legacy League’s Christmas Home Tour Dec. 6. Page 29

BAUBLES AND BILLY GOATS

Tricia Thomas says for her, decorating at the holidays is all about incorporating the things you love into a place where you can enjoy the company of the people you love. Page 28

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 27

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Mantelpiece Masterpieces

Laurel Patrick Creates Luxury Stockings for Christmas BY MARGARET FRYMIRE

JOURNAL INTERN

his Christmas, Cahaba Heights resident Laurel Patrick is offering a new way to add unique decorations to your mantelpiece. As the owner and operator of Couture Christmas, Laurel hand-sews and sells her own line of luxury holiday stockings. A graduate of Southern Institute, Laurel has been an interior designer for many years, the past 12 of which she has been self-employed. Four years ago, Laurel began looking through all her scraps and sample trim and fabrics. She decided she either needed to pitch them or make something creative out of the leftover pieces. Having searched for stockings for her mantle and dissatisfied with the available market options, Laurel decided to sew her own. She made the first stockings out of her leftover materials, which is where most of her one-of-a-kind stockings come from. The next year, Laurel decided she wanted to make the stockings into a product and launched Couture Christmas. “I wanted to do more with it because I really enjoy sewing, so I decided to make a running line, which is 12 stockings in traditional colors

and home interior colors,” she said. The running line stockings come in traditional holiday colors of scarlet red, antique green, silver and white as well as the home interior colors of beige, black and brown. Each stocking is hand-sewn by Laurel out of a combination of fabrics and materials, including velvet, silk, taffeta, fur and damask. Laurel said the stockings have a whimsy-meets-luxury look. There are 12 different styles of stockings in the current line, each one designed and sewn by Laurel. The designer also has one-of-a-kind stockings for sale; they’re made of unique fabrics and prints unlike the rest, she said. All the stockings are both functional and decorative. The foot of each stocking is stuffed for better visual appeal, but starting at the ankle it can

hold the usual Christmas treats and presents, she said. “From start to finish, it takes four and half hours to make one stocking,” Laurel said. “It’s very labor intensive, but there is lots of love in every stitch.” The stockings range from $140 to $160, depending on the fabrics used. The fur stockings, in either Russian fox or Mongolian lamb, are $160. Laurel said she also does custom orders in addition to her current line. She sells her stockings on her website and recently showcased her stockings at an art show in Atlanta. Laurel said she has received orders from around the country, including Texas and California, and hopes to double her sales this season. “I can really market them to anyone because they fit in a range of décor from something traditional to something modern,” said Laurel. To see more of Laurel’s work or to order a stocking for your mantel this Christmas, visit her website, www. couturechristmas.com. ❖

To: From: Date:

Gifts, Antiques & Home Accessories

All I want for Christmas ...

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Kate Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Nov. 2012 This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal fo nov. 29, 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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.

28 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Baubles and Billy Goats

Tricia Thomas Uses Ingenuity to Create a Holiday Haven By Keysha Drexel

Journal Editor

ricia Thomas says for her, decorating at the holidays is all about incorporating the things you love into a place where you can enjoy the company of the people you love. That’s the approach Tricia, the owner of Tricia’s Treasures in Homewood, takes each year as she sets about transforming her suburban home in Vestavia Hills into a warm and cozy holiday haven. Family and friends visiting her

Lansdowne Place home are immediately enveloped in its inviting decor, which mixes found treasures, family keepsakes and a love for the unusual. “To me, (holiday decorating) is simple,” she said. “I just use what I love.” What she loves includes everything from a stuffed raccoon perched among the fresh greenery on the mantel that she came across while searching for merchandise for her store to a nativity scene that was brought out every year in her childhood home. And then there’s the mounted billy goat’s head above the fireplace.

RESPECT - DIGNITY - RESULTS

“I’ve always liked the unusual and the funky and the things that are a little off-beat,” she said. “God just gave me an eye for how to use those things.” Like a lot of elements in Tricia’s decorating scheme, there’s a personal story behind the goat. “When I was a girl, I lived on a farm for three years, and we had 20 goats and I just loved them,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to live in a little cottage or cabin and have goats again, so that’s what I try to recreate here.” Flickering candles in all shapes and sizes illuminate holiday treasures in every corner of Tricia’s home, including her collection of nativity scenes. “When I put out the nativity scenes, that’s when it starts feeling like Christmas to me,” she said. The favorite in the collection is a nativity scene that was used every year in Tricia’s childhood home in South Eastlake. “I’ve always had it in my home, and it means a lot to me. It’s nothing fancy, just a dime-store nativity scene that belonged to my Mama and that she gave me,” she said. Other family mementoes figure heavily into Tricia’s holiday decorating. Each year, she decorates two trees-one in the greatroom and one in the dining room--using mostly homemade ornaments given to her by her children, grandchildren, family members and friends. “The ornaments my granddaughters have made me are some of the most beautiful things I have for the holidays and mean more to me than anything I could get from the store,” she said. The trees mix in those sentimental pieces with baubles and balls that Tricia finds at discount stores. “I go to the Dollar Tree and places like that every year to get a few new things. It is just whatever catches my eye that I use, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to look good,” she said. Tricia said she operates under the philosophy that holiday decorating doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as you are creative and think about using the items you already have in a new way. “I made a centerpiece out of an old tin pan and a wreath I didn’t want to hang up this year. I mixed in some fresh greenery, some scented pine cones and some candles, and it was finished,” she said. Tricia also uses treasures she has found over her 31-year career in the antiques business in her holiday decor.

from above: The holiday motif is carried out in the stemware on Tricia’s dining room table. Tricia’s Christmas tree features both treasured ornaments made by her grandchildren and thrifty finds. A dog statue is decked in his holiday best beside Tricia’s fireplace. More photos at otmj.com Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.

That means Tricia is especially thankful for the ample storage at her home that allows her to keep adding to her collections. “I always think that if something’s good, then more of it is better. I’m almost a hoarder, but not quite,” she said, laughing. Another holiday collection Tricia brings out of storage each year is her collection of angel decorations. “I’ve been into angels for a very long time. I have them in all shapes and sizes, from fancy to homey and everything in between,” she said. And while the nativity scenes, the angel collection and the cherished family ornaments are part of every year’s decor, Tricia said she tries not to overthink the holiday decorating process. “You can’t obsess over it too much, or you’ll never get it done. I try to improvise and change it up a little each year according to my mood and any new stuff I find and want to use,” she said. Tricia said several years ago, she would take photos of her holiday decorations to use as a guide the next year. “But I got over that pretty quickly. I wanted to keep parts of it spontaneous,” she said. Tricia said she loves the process of holiday decorating almost as much as the finished product. Her granddaughters, Regan and Anna Grace, often help her trim the trees. “Any time I spend with them is

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wonderful, and to have those memories with them during the holidays means the world,” she said. Tricia said her granddaughters are very creative and are developing their own talents as decorators. “The other day, Regan said she wanted me to move to a new house. I said to her, ‘I thought you loved my house’ and she said she did love it, but she wanted me to move so she could have a different house to start decorating,” Tricia said. Tricia said she hopes to pass along to her granddaughters her philosophy of finding beauty in both everyday things and the fantastical. “They are both starting to notice beautiful things more and more, and I want to teach them to look at things for the potential they have,” she said. But while her granddaughters are helping her more with the holiday decorations, Tricia said she doesn’t think she’ll give up heading up the effort anytime soon. “I can’t imagine not doing it every year. I think I’ll be decorating until I just can’t do it anymore,” she said. “Who knows? Maybe when I retire, I will help other people decorate their homes for the holidays and show them that they don’t have to spend a lot of money to create something that is warm and inviting and gives everyone a place to take a break from the holiday stress.” ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Triple Holiday Treat

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 29

HOme

Legacy League’s Tour Spotlights Three Historic Homes By Donna Cornelius

Jouranl Features Writer

hree historic houses in Forest Park, Redmont and Vestavia Hills will be open for the Legacy League’s Christmas Home Tour Dec. 6. This is the second year for the tour. League representatives said the group, a Samford University auxiliary, plans to make the event an annual tradition since last year’s inaugural tour drew more than 200 visitors. While guests can look forward to seeing lots of seasonal finery, the houses themselves have notable backgrounds. Construction on Dolly and Jim Walker’s home at 3603 Cliff Road began in 1910. Wesley Hall Gregory, president of Central Life Insurance Co. in Kentucky, bought four lots in what is now Forest Park from Robert Jemison to build a Craftsman-style fieldstone house. The three-story house, with features including six unique fireplaces, different wood flooring on each level, beveled glass and built-in bookcases, was completed in 1912. The house has been recognized by the Jefferson County Historical Commission. The Walkers have lived there for 25 years. Dolly Walker said each room in the historic home is “lived in to the fullest.”

“It’s not about its possessions but its personality that makes us love our house,” she said. “Fireplaces, porches and the pool make it a house to be lived in, loved and shared on so many occasions for weddings, recitals, dinners, church events and parties.” Much of the Walkers’ furniture and collectibles are family heirlooms, she said. Tour-goers will see the setting for several of the family’s Christmas traditions. One of these, said Dolly, is “Christmas Eve soup and bread here, followed by singing carols around the piano, lighting the Christ candle and placed the baby Jesus in the manger.” Each year a different family member is chosen for this treasured ritual, she said. The house will be trimmed for Christmas with a collection of Santas, crosses, Christmas books, family pictures from past holidays, lights, greenery and trees. “The living room is decorated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,” Dolly said. “Gold iron crosses, one for each family member, are placed above the mantel. One large gold ‘Christ cross’ hangs from an evergreen wreath above these.” Red berry wreaths will hold garlands at each end of the mantel. The main foyer Christmas tree will be decorated with large green, gold and red ornaments, Dolly said.

“The family Christmas tree stands at the top of the stairs on the music balcony,” she said. “It’s decorated with every possible ornament made by children or collected by us from years past.” Another tour stop this year is the home of Samford President Andy Westmoreland and his wife, Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland, at 1994 Shades Crest Road in Vestavia. The house was owned for many years by a former Samford trustee, Dr. Dan Merck, and his wife, Barbara. Samford acquired the house in 2007. Renovations made before the Westmorelands moved in included the addition of a large downstairs ballroom with a view of the Samford campus. The tour also features the home of Beth and George Simpson at 3100 Carlisle Road in Redmont Park. All homes will be open from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. and 4- 8 p.m. Holiday hors d’oeuvres will be served at the Westmorelands’ home. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online through Dec. 4 at www. samford.edu/legacyleague or at the first home visited. Homes may be toured in any order. Guests are encouraged to ride the complimentary shuttle to the Simpson and Walker homes, where very limited parking is available. Shuttle parking will be at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, 2305 Montevallo Road. Shuttles will leave the church every

Above: Gold iron crosses, one for each member of Dolly and Jim Walker’s family, are placed on the fireplace mantel for Christmas. Right: Legacy League Tour guests’ first look at Dolly and Jim Walker’s Forest Park home will be the front porch, festively decorated with fresh greenery. Photos special to The Journal

15 minutes from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. The shuttle will go from the church to the Simpson home, to the Walker home, and back to the church throughout tour hours. Guests should plan to drive to the Westmoreland home themselves. Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships for deserving students who could otherwise not afford a Samford education, league representatives said. ❖

30 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

ANDREW, from page 26

“After two years working for him, I opened my own company in 2003, and next year marks my 10th year.” His firm’s name, appropriately enough, came from an international incident – a happy one. “I decided on Adorno, the Spanish word for ‘adornment,’ at a dinner party in Buenos Aires,” Andrew said. “I was sitting next to a beautiful lady who was a jewelry designer, and she asked me what I did for a living. I told her that I was an interior designer, and she then said something in Spanish to a friend sitting next to her, and I heard the word ‘adorno.’ “She turned to me and said, ‘I adorn people’s bodies with my jewelry, and you adorn their houses.’” “I was intrigued by the word and by her interpretation of what I did and subsequently decided to use the Spanish word for ‘adornment’ in my company name.” In 2008, Andrew was living at the Claridge at Hanover in Birmingham

HOME when he began the search for a house. “I had friends in Forest Park and had driven around the neighborhood a lot,” he said. “I liked the unique mix of architectural styles and the diverse group of people here. “I was working with a real estate friend, and I told him I wanted a project. I didn’t want to pay for renovations that someone else had done since I wanted to do them myself.” When his friend took him to the white clapboard house at 4201 Cliff Road, however, Andrew felt that his wishes had been taken a little too seriously. “We pulled up to this house, and the yard was a nightmare,” Andrew said. “I told my friend, OK, I wanted a project – but maybe not this one.” Once he went inside the house, Andrew said, he changed his mind. The two-story structure, which once belonged to former Birmingham Mayor David Vann, won him over. “It had been vacant for about two years and needed some TLC,” Andrew said. “As a designer, I have to be able to see something for what it

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could be.” An element of the house that many might not have appreciated is that it was one room deep. But for Andrew, that was a good thing. “What struck me the most was the light from both sides,” he said. “Morning or afternoon, the light never feels harsh or glaring. It’s almost like living in a tree house.” Renovations took about a year, Andrew said. “I had the help of Shepard and Davis Architecture,” he said. “The architects, Darla Davis and Ben Shepard, are friends of mine, and we frequently collaborate. We’d worked on IPC tour homes together.” About 80 percent of the house’s plaster walls were replaced with sheetrock, and new heating, air conditioning, plumbing and audiovideo systems were installed. Existing hardwood floors were stained and sealed with wax with a white tint. The back wall of the kitchen was extended to enlarge the room, and casement windows were added there. “We re-worked the upstairs to create a master suite,” Andrew said. In the master bathroom, the tub was placed to take advantage of the backyard view through a porthole window. Storage space includes not only cupboards but a handy wine and water refrigerator. Andrew’s latest project is his backyard. Brick walls will create terracing on the steep cliff side, and he’ll have outdoor entertaining options with a newly-built fireplace and cooking area. IPC tour-goers will want to take their time in Andrew’s house so they can take in the treasures he’s collected. The plaster console in the dining room was designed in the 1940s by Dorothy Draper for the famous Cloister at Sea Island, Ga. On a nearby wall is a striking black and white photo – a hand reaching down to feed a swan in New York City’s Central Park – that belonged to iconic designer Albert Hadley. The photo, dated 1988, was made by Argentinean photographer Fernando Bengoechea, who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Upstairs in the sleek media room is a two-tiered French bar cart from the 1920s or 1930s, Andrew said. Edged in rope, it was made by the French design duo Audoux-Minet. The living room fireplace has a

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

1920s brass and steel fire screen and 1930s Art Deco sconces. Andrew added the fireplace molding, painted to look like marble by artist Jan Roberts. Jan gave the bed in the master bedroom the same treatment. Above the fireplace is a drawing

“The city has a dichotomy. It has a grand European opulence, but then there are areas that are Third Worldish. It’s a creative city, full of energy.” For Christmas, Andrew plans to deck his halls with carefully-chosen holiday touches. LEFT: An early 20th century French sunburst mirror found at a Paris flea market hangs above a late 18th century Chinese desk in Andrew Brownʼs living room. Among items on the desk are a black and white photo of tango dancers from Buenos Aires and a photo of Andrewʼs grandmother, taken when she was 16. BELOW: Andrewʼs dining room table holds a jade horse sculpture from Spain, a 1960s green lacquered parchment and brass pitcher from Milan made by Italian artist Aldo Tura and a candle from one of Andrewʼs favorite hotels in Paris, the Hotel Costes. “The table runner is actually a silk scarf I purchased at the Jim Thompson store in Bangkok,” Andrew said. “I find it more interesting on the table than around my neck.”

Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.

by an artist from Buenos Aires, one of Andrew’s favorite places for buying trips -- as well as inspirational dinner parties. “Wealthy Europeans fled there during and after World War II,” he said. “Many furniture makers picked up shop and moved there.

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“In keeping with my style, I’ll have a minimal tree with white ceramic pinecones,” he said. “The fiddle-leaf fern in the living room died just in time for me to put the tree in its place.” He’ll also use lots of fresh greenery and hang wreaths on the outside front windows, in the kitchen and on the outdoor fireplace. Fresh-cut flowers — calla lilies, tulips and hydrangeas — will be white. Andrew said participating in this year’s IPC tour is “really an honor.” “I’ve worked on clients’ homes that have been on the tour, but it’s different when it’s your own home,” he said. “But I’m enjoying it and am happy to be part of the tour.” ❖

IPC Tour Set for Dec. 8 and 9

he Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour has been a Birmingham Christmas tradition for more than six decades, offering tour-goers an invitation to some of the city’s most striking homes. This year, the 63rd annual fundraising event will be Dec. 8 and 9. Five private homes, an architectural firm’s office and the church will be open. Tour hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 and available at the church by calling 933-1830 or at any of the tour stops. Information is also on the church website, www.ipc-usa.org. Shuttle parking will be available at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 2600 Vestavia Drive, for the two Vestavia homes. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Fresh Air Farm and other missions sponsored by the Presbyterian Women. Amy McCain is tour chairman. Co-chairmen are Jennifer Cope and Kathy Thomson. In addition to Andrew Brown’s Forest Park home, other tour stops include: Independent Presbyterian Church

Founded in 1915, the church was designed by Warren, Knight and Davis architect William Warren. The sanctuary, parlor and chapel will be decorated by IPC members. Christmas tea and homemade snacks will be available for ticket holders in the church’s Great Hall on both days. Dungan & Nequette Firm, 1906 Cahaba Road

Jeff Dungan and business partner Louis Nequette gutted their 50-yearold building, which previously had served as a bank, a law office and a real estate office, leaving only the original bathrooms. The open floor plan uses reclaimed or reused items, including hardwood floors, some 150 years old and some which were part of the old President’s house at the University of Montevallo. The workstations are made with tongue and groove Southern pine, with steel frames from the Old Ribbon Mill, a defunct ribbon factory in Anniston, serving as dividers. The custom-made onyx table under the skylight is for large meetings. On the walls, old wood called “skins” are taken from old beams before they are made into reclaimed hardwood floors. The banquette in the conference room, inspired by favorite eating establishments, features distressed leather seats. Debby and David Tanner Home, 28 Country Club Blvd.

Built by Alfred and Elizabeth Rose in 1930 with architects Warren, Knight and Davis, who also designed the Birmingham Museum of Art, The Club, the Country Club of Birmingham and Independent Presbyterian Church, this home is in one of the first neighborhoods of Mountain Brook, Country Club Gardens. The Southern Colonial Revival has a renovated kitchen with mahogany cabinets. The owner, originally a builder, now paints and exhibits some of his work in the home, which also features a fascinating collection of other contemporary art, antiques and family history.

Caroline and Mark Clark Home, 2449 Vestavia Drive

The Clarks’ home is patterned after Oak Alley, a 19th century Louisiana plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River. The house uses Greek Revival architecture and sits atop Shades Mountain, offering a breathtaking view of the Samford University area. The couple has studied and come to love period architecture and has worked to ensure that the construction methods employed and the materials used were authentic. Architect Ray Harris designed the house, which was completed in 2009. The house includes a mixture of family heirlooms, antiques and collectibles gathered over the years. Margaret and Bruce Alexander Home, 212 Shades Crest Circle

This modern, renovated 1950s ranch-style home in the heart of Vestavia is filled with art collected by the homeowners over their 44-year marriage. Two years after purchasing the home, the owners worked with architect George Israel to add a master suite and study on the main level over a new three-car garage, as well as a renovation of their family room and front foyer. The addition provided more wall and floor space for their eclectic mix of furniture and lighting, sculpture, paintings and carvings. The lightcolored interior is a neutral backdrop for pieces that include works by local artists such as Frank Fleming, Amy Pleasant, Katherine Adams and Annie Butrus. The front and backyard, which has a waterfall viewing area, were landscaped in 2010 by landscape architect Jane Reed Ross. Tour-goers will see three decorated trees: one with Frank Fleming ornaments, another decorated with German and European wooden ornaments and one with colorful, handmade Mexican ornaments.

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 31

HOme Barbara and Sonny Adkins Home (The Chancellor House), 51 Chancellor Ferry Road

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The Chancellor House, built in the 1840s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a vernacular Greek Revival style cottage with walls, floors and ceilings of heart pine. Construction materials and many of the early furnishings were made on the grounds. The original house was one room deep with large windows for cross ventilation and with 12-foot ceilings, along with a deep porch or gallery along the back ell of the house for shade. Each room also had a fireplace for heat in winter. The gardens and dependencies include a summerhouse fashioned from reclaimed windows and a potting shed serving a more formal garden close to the house. The Chancellor House also is designated as a Heritage Farm by the Department of Agriculture, which requires that farms be operated continuously as family farms for at least 100 years and also must possess interesting and important historical and agricultural significance. The house is a family home and has been modernized and To: expanded over the years to accommodate new technology and growing From: families. ❖

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32 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

holiday gifts II OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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Give a gift that will stand the test of time. The Rolex Daytona Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch is a special watch for that special someone. Price upon request. Levy’s Fine Jewelers, 251-3381

TIME SEEMS TO FLY ESPECIALLY FAST DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND EVEN MORE SO IF YOU HAVEN’T MADE MUCH OF A DENT IN YOUR SHOPPING LIST. DOES THE THOUGHT OF FLIPPING YOUR CALENDAR TO DECEMBER GIVE YOU A CASE OF THE HOLIDAY HEEBIE-JEEBIES? IF SO, NO WORRIES. THE GIFT GUIDE IN OUR LAST ISSUE WAS FULL OF IDEAS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST – AND WE’VE GOT MORE WHERE THOSE CAME FROM. WE KEPT CHECKING IN WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPS TO FIND ALL KINDS OF GIFTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES. MANY STORES OFFER NOT ONLY A WEALTH OF POSSIBILITIES FOR PRESENTS BUT A TREAT FOR HARRIED SHOPPERS: FREE GIFT WRAPPING. CHECK OUT PART TWO OF OUR GIFT GUIDE, AND THEN – HAPPY SHOPPING!

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A sweet gift idea that’s sure to please is a box of goodies from a Birmingham landmark, Savage’s Bakery. Iced cookies, petit fours and cupcakes with a holiday theme will delight anyone on your list. Savage’s Bakery, 871-4901

HOME

All girls love weddings, whether dreaming of the future or remembering the past. These Porcelain Bride Dolls, 20” tall, are sure to delight. $150 each Mary Charles Doll House, 870-5544

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Colorful spoons from France enhance any condiment or dessert. They’re lightweight and come in scrumptious colors to match any of your serving pieces. Perfect to tie onto a gift of jam or other food item for the holidays. $7. Table Matters, 879-0125

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 Chic Buds Keychain Speaker will play your Christmas tunes anywhere. This portable speaker in a stylish animal print is outlined by sparkling crystals in the shape of a heart. It has a two-watt amplified speaker that gives out four hours of quality sound. With the built-in rechargeable battery, you just plug it into your computer to charge. $25.99. Kidz Closet, 979-0707

Give the man in your life a little whimsy with these unique cufflinks. Specialty designs include stethoscopes, scales of justice, Batman, R2-D2 and vintage Alabama and Auburn. A perfect gift for the man who has everything. $45-$60. A Little Something, 970-2077

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The Juliska Country Estate Holiday Winter Frolic Candle will add warmth and be a wonderful addition to your holiday décor. $42. Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook, 871-3276; The Summit, 969-1776 The perfect gifts to capture the meaning of the season are these beautiful nativities of all sizes. A handmade copper nativity will make a dazzling display. Lots of gorgeous mercury trees, votive candlesticks and ornaments will make your home sparkle. Nativities, $26-$295; mercury ware, $10-$38. Mulberry Heights Antiques, 870-1300

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Southern stylist Tracy James of ChicMadeSimple hand-picked these accessories from Charming Charlie at the Outlet Shops of Grand River as perfect for the holidays. Earrings, $9.97 and bracelet, $14.97. The Outlet Shops of Grand River, 699-3700

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Cyber Fire Football by Play Visions is an illuminated set with a football with special reflective fabric that appears to be on fire only when players view it with their special LED glasses. $19.99. Learning Express, 970-9710, Smith’s Variety, 871-0841 and Homewood Toy & Hobby, 879-3986

Relax in luxury this holiday season. Experience these opulent faux throws to surround yourself in softness, $499. Mantooth Interiors, 879-5474

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Your precious angel will fall in love with these handmade American Doll clothes under the tree Christmas morning. They come in many colors and styles. $12-$30. The Shops of Assistance League, 870-5555

For a touch of old world elegance, this French tantalus set is sure to please the collector on your list. Twenty pieces of French crystal in a mahogany case with brass and mother of pearl inlay. Price upon request. Noordermeer Antiques, 870-1161.

 Indulge your coffee connoisseur with the Miele countertop coffee system. There’s nothing like a hot beverage on a cold night by the fire. Enjoy a cappuccino, latté and espresso. $1,999. AllSouth Appliance, 795-7077

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Bright and cheery, this Reisenthel Apple Green Multi Cargo Tote is the perfect gift for Santa’s busy helper. $28. Chickadee, 969-3138

Showcase your treasured items and memories in vintage frames this holiday season. They’re gifts to be enjoyed all year. $20-$375. Beverly Ruff, 871-7872

 Fun and festive, these M Bagwell Christmas dishes are the perfect way to dress up your dinner table for friends and family this holiday season. The dishes are mix and match, so the options are endless. Elf salad plate (new this year and available in both girl and boy elf), $26.95; bowls, $18.95; stripe and dot dinner plate, $29.95; mugs, $16.95. The Blue Willow, 968-0909

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Add to your holiday fun with “The 12 Days of Christmas Giving,” a book by local author and artist Allison Puccetti Adams. $20 hardback; $15 paperback. Available at A Tiny Kingdom, Interiors by Kathy Harris and Grandmother’s Joy. Allison Puccetti Adams, 914-2400

HOLIDAY GIFTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOMEONE SPECIAL

HOME

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To help keep her warm and show her team spirit, these scarves are the most adorable game day gifts ever. Alabama or Auburn. $39 each. Chic Boutique, 980-2272

The antique lover on Santa’s list will love this antique Chinese figural warrior roof tile. $395. Fifth Avenue Antiques, 320-0500

For the fashionista on Santa’s list, Ragdoll & Rockets Faux Fur Vests are the perfect gift. Update basic tees to a look that’s fresher and warmer. Wear this little faux fur vest with skirts, jeans or cords. Sizes 7-14, only black available. $74. Snap Kids, 834-8038

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Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 33

This holiday give a unique piece of jewelry that is hand wrought, forged and/or cast in fine silver, sterling, gold and other base metals. Morgan Designs is reconized for distinctive focal points such as crosses found in many pieces. Each piece is designed and crafted for an individuality not found in mass-produced jewelry. Steed’s Fine Jewelers, 822-9173

 This ultra-comfy men’s cotton-cashmere 1/4 zip sweater will keep the chilly weather outside. The sweater comes in Starry Night, Sea Turtle, Jake Blue, Lifeguard and Boxwood. $135. Vineyard Vines, 970-9758

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The decorator on Santa’s list will love these small rugs for small spaces. They create cozy spots for curling up and are great for the holidays and all year. Squares and 2 x 3’s. Prices start at $100. Olde World Acquisitions, 970-6996

relaxation reigns! FRENCH BULL SLIPPERS

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Your holiday is sure to sparkle in the reflection of this repurposed wooden decorative mirror. $159. Greenbrier Furniture, 822-7456

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She’ll look so smart and in style in these Laurel Bassett handmade metal earrings, sure to complete any holiday ensemble. Prices start at $58. Town & Country Clothes, 871-7909

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Small blooming hydrangeas are great as gifts, or use them for holiday décor and then plant them in the garden for blooms each summer. $15.99-24.99 Collier’s Nursery, 822-3133

 Stay toasty outside during this holiday season with a Napoleon Outdoor Heater. Starting at $700, it’s decorative, contemporary and provides just the right amount of light and heat for any outdoor function. Southern Fireplaces, 803-1118

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The man on your list will love finding these SEC cufflinks under the tree Christmas morning. He’ll be showing off his team spirit in style for years to come. $60. Wallace Burke Fine Jewelry & Collectibles, 874-1044

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 Echotouch gloves are touch screen device compatible and the perfect gift for Santa’s busy little helper. $38. Private Gallery, The Summit, 969-1559

Make perfect cornbread, brownies, or cobbler with a hand painted, Pfeiffer Cornbread Baker. Ideal for the Southern cook (or wannabes)! $50. Alabama Goods, 803-3900

HOLIDAY GIFTS CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE 

2830 18th Street South • Homewood, AL 35209 879-3986 Open 9:30-5:30 Daily

34 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFTS

OVER THE MOUNT MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOMEONE SPECIAL

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You’ll be on the nice list for sure if you get her these 18k white gold triple interlocking pendant earrings. Diamonds 1.50 cts. Price upon request. AMW, Inc., 870-3588

Adorn your home with a collection of Christmas trees in many different textures, shapes and sizes. $6.99-$19.99. Leaf and Petal, Mt. Brook, 871-3832; The Summit, 967-3232; Botanical Gardens, 877-3030

Sophisticated and colorful, this scarf is amazingly soft, drapes beautifully and comes in a generous 69-inch length. Shown here in Tulip Tan; other colors and designs are available. $48. Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery, 328-1000

 Keep his feet warm, cozy and fashionable in these leather pull-on work boots. They’re a great gift for the man on the go. $214.99. Red Wing Shoes, 655-9288, 444-0360

Get her a gift as sweet and unique as she is. This chocolate purse will hold keys, credit cards, money and more and will add a touch of whimsy to any outfit--and it smells like chocolate! It’s the perfect stocking stuffer. $14. Christine’s, 871-8297

 Perfect gifts to start or add to a collection are these Byer’s Choice Carolers. Large assortment. Santa and Mrs. Claus shown here. $74 each. Crestline Pharmacy Christmas Shoppe 871-0317

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Nothing warms a holiday night like Exclusive Betsy Prince Candles and Diffusers made of essential oils in amazing fragrances. Candle $26, diffuser $44. Betsy Prince, 871-1965

Add to your holiday tradition with “A Special Place for Santa,” a brief history of legends surrounding St. Nicholas and leading to Santa Claus, who pays tribute to the birth of Christ on Christmas. Book, $10. The corresponding ornament will bring happy visions of Christmases past, $10. The Briarcliff Shop, 870-8110

  Keep her warm in style this holiday season with a Posh Cape Wrap. Lightweight but warm, this convertible cape shawl, $59.98, can be worn as a long sleeve cape or flipped over and worn as a sporty 3/4 sleeve cape. Comes in coffee, chocolate, pewter, moss and black and has matching gloves, $16.98. Collage Designer Consignment, 879-6163 and 822-3991

She couldn’t feel more special in this Multiple Vintage Religious Metals Necklace by designer Andrea Barnett. Layered vintage chains with blue quartz, pyrite and smoky quartz beads. Starting at $299. Jewels by Rose, 979-5611.

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Kids of all ages will love these holiday and gourmet treats: Harry & David Moose Munch, Williamsburg Peanut Shop Peanuts and Priester’s Pecans and Candy. There are 50 gourmet items available in individual and gift sizes, $5 and up. Riverchase Galleria across from Haagen Dazs Ice Cream. Holiday and Gourmet Treats, 482-0511

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  If pins are her thing, Hanna Antiques has quite an assortment of vintage, rhinestone pins. She’ll make the perfect fashion statement  with one of these beautiful pins. $10-$42. He will be so warm and look so good in Hanna Antiques, 323-6036 this quilted vest, $89, and plaid woven button-down, $69, from Madison Creek Outfitters, an outdoor and casual line crafted with the finest fabrics and unique features. Rogers Trading Company, 408-9378

Perfect gifts for any tennis player are these Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal tennis hats from Nike, $22-$28, adult unisex. Players Choice Tennis, 985-4989

Set a beautiful table for the holidays with assorted sets of Christmas china: Spode, Lenox, Fitz & Floyd and many others. $6-$49.99. Elizabeth’s Antiques, 977-3355

 Share the meaning of the season this year with a nativity from Interiors at Pepper Place. It’s the one image that remains true to what Christmas is really about. Six pieces, use indoors or out. $360. Interiors at Pepper Place, 327-2817

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Capture the spirit of the season during the holidays and all year with an Abstract Cross Painting by local artist Laurel Browning. 20 x 24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. $125. Color and size can be customized. Interiors by Kathy Harris, 970-4161

 “Handmade and fair trade,” these marvelous Ghana woven pieces are one of a kind and make wonderful gifts. Starting at $10. Hanging Around Hoover, 987-7879

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This baking gift set includes practical items that any amateur or experienced baker will love. It comes nicely packaged in a gift box. $52. A’Mano, 871-9093

Add beautiful holiday color to your home or office with an Early Prestige Poinsettia. They also make great hostess gifts. 6 ½ inch pot, $14.99. Andy’s, 824-0233, 402-2639

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 35

HOLIDAY GIFTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOMEONE SPECIAL 

Leigh Ann Hurst of Decatur is a new addition to Lamb’s Ears’ jewelry line. She crafts beautiful pieces that have a contemporary look and an organic feel. Her artistry begins with sterling silver sheets that she textures and adds accents of copper, brass, gold-filled metals and gemstones. It’s the perfect gift! Lamb’s Ears LTD, 802-5700

 She’ll look her best this holiday season in this Kensie feather top, $77, shown with an assortment of fashion jewelry, $1-$50. Lulie’s on Cahaba, 871-9696

 Help her carry the meaning of the season all year long in a sideways cross necklace. Available in sterling silver, silver with C.Z.s, white or yellow gold or white or yellow gold with diamonds. Prices start at $69. Shay’s Jewelers, 978-5880

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Clutches are the in thing in handbags this year, and the Hobo, Lauren wallet/clutch organizer with a smartphone pocket is the perfect gift for the handbag lover on your list. $110. Rosenberger’s, 969-3506

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A great stocking stuffer on Santa’s list is Poo Pourri. Available in regular or pocket spray. Small, $10.50; large, $15.95. Homewood Antiques & Marketplace 414-9945

Girls young and old on Santa’s list will love these Barbie prints. They’re copies of the original Mattel sketches from the ’60s. The rights were purchased to publish a limited number, so they’re limited edition pieces. $185-$225. King’s House Antiques, 320-2535.

 The perfect gift for your special someone, this diamond cross from Southeastern Jewelers is sure to warm her heart for the holidays. Price upon request. Southeastern Jewelers, 980-9030.

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HOLIDAY GIFTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

She’ll be ready for every occasion all year long with a Flipped Bird Flower Jar. It’s stuffed with 10 stretchy hair ties and so cute for decorating any girl’s room. $16. a.k.a. Girl Stuff, 802-7735

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE STAFF AT SHAY'S JEWELERS!

The seamstress on your list will be “sew” thrilled with the Floriani Thread Plus Storage CASE Gift Bundle with 60 new thread colors. Great for all of your embroidery needs. $279. The Smocking Bird, 879-7662

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36 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

HOliday Gifts

A New Family Tradition

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mountain Brook Writer Turns Christmas Game into Book By Keysha Drexel Journal Editor

wenty years ago as Kerry Grinkmeyer and his wife geared up for the holiday season, the Mountain Brook couple felt that something was missing. As they rushed around to get everything ready the holidays, they couldn’t help but think there was more to the season, Kerry said. The couple’s 23-year-old son was due home from college, and their daughter was a senior at Mountain Brook High School and about to spend her last Christmas at home before embarking on her own college career. “Christmas had become this sixweek period of preparation for what ended up being a 15-minute event,” Kerry said. “The same excitement wasn’t there. It had become all about the work involved in getting to Christmas.” So Kerry put on his thinking cap and tried to come up with a way to bring the magic back to his family’s holiday celebrations. “I knew we needed a new tradition, something that we could all take part in and all look forward to each year,” he said. Kerry came up with the idea of creating a Christmas morning game for his family. “I had always devised treasure hunts and that kind of thing for the children when they were younger, and I thought about how I could turn the fun and excitement of those treasure hunts into something we could do on Christmas morning,” he said. Kerry retired to his basement for a few hours on that fateful day 20 years ago and emerged with all the elements of what would become a beloved holiday tradition in his home and one more and more people will have a chance to embrace now that he has

Meet the Author Kerry Grinkmeyer will be signing copies of his book at several Over the Mountain retailers. • Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-noon, Barnes & Noble at Patton Creek, Hoover • Dec. 7, 7-9 p.m., Barnes & Noble at The Summit, Birmingham • Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m., Books-aMillion at Brook Highlands, Birmingham • Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-noon, Barnes & Noble at Patton Creek, Hoover • Dec. 15, 2- 4 p.m., Booksa-Million at Brookwood Mall, Homewood

written a book about it. Kerry is the author of “The Christmas Web,” which hit the bookshelves Nov. 1. The book can be found at several Over the Mountain retailers, including Crestline Pharmacy, Smith’s Variety, Little Professor and The Gingerbread Lady, Kerry said. The book tells the story of the Christmas tradition Kerry created 20 years ago using wooden rods, yards of yarn and lots of imagination. The book comes with three painted wooden rods and about 70 yards of brightly colored yarn. Readers will learn that the wooden rods are “magic wands” that, along with the yarn, will lead them to a special gift on Christmas morning. “Everyone has their own magic wand and their own color of yarn,” Kerry explained. “The night before Christmas, Santa’s elves take the magic wands and wrap the yarn all around your house—under tables, over chairs, across rooms, all over the house. Then, you follow your yarn all over the house to find your special gift from Santa.”

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Even though his children were 23 and 19 when he started the Christmas Web tradition, Kerry said it was something that instantly caught on with his family. “Oh, they loved it from the very beginning. It brought an element of magic and surprise back to the holidays, and it didn’t matter how old they were, they loved following the yarn and looking for their presents,” he said. Now, the family tradition has been handed down to his grandchildren, Kerry said. “They have to play the Christmas Web game no matter where they are at Christmas,” Kerry said. “It has really become the centerpiece of our Christmas.” And just because their own children are now caught up in the Christmas Web doesn’t mean Kerry’s children are any less enthusiastic about the tradition. “I think they love it even more now. In the beginning, my wife and I were the ones wrapping the string around everything to lead to the special gift, but soon the kids saw how much fun we were having and they wanted to unspool each other’s magic wands,” he said. That means sometimes the holiday tradition can take some unexpected— and hilarious--turns, Kerry said. “One year, the yarn was going through the pool. They wrap it in trees, all around the yard and try to make it as difficult on each other as possible,” Kerry said, laughing. Now that his children have children of their own, they are establishing their own holiday traditions, Kerry said, but the Christmas Web is something they all still enjoy doing together each year. “My son and his wife like to spend Christmas at the beach, but it doesn’t matter what is going on, every December we find the time to get together and play the Christmas Web, no matter what,” he said. What started out with a few twoby-two pieces of pine wood and some yarn in his basement has turned into an annual holiday tradition that involves seven magic wands and almost 500 feet of brightly colored yarn wrapped around every surface of his home on Christmas morning, Kerry said. “It makes getting a cup of coffee on Christmas morning like an Olympic event,” he said. Kerry said the trouble of winding all that yarn, unwinding it and following it all over the place is well worth the effort. “It doesn’t take any more time than putting up the Christmas lights or putting out the decorations, and it is something the whole family gets involved in and something we will always remember doing together,” he said. Kerry said the crazy idea he came up with in his basement 20 years ago is something he hopes his family will carry with them all their lives. “It’s part of the memories your

Standing with cardboard cut-outs of his characters, Kerry Grinkmeyer shows the book he wrote based on a Christmas game he created for his family. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

when he was growing up. children and grandchildren will “I knew that if I was going to always have. I hope for it to be a part have my grandkids’ names in this of my legacy. What we leave behind, book, it better be a good one,” he that’s what matters. It doesn’t matsaid. ter what we do, it’s what we leave After writing the behind,” he said. book, Kerry set out And now that “It’s part of the to find an illustrator “The Christmas to bring his words Web” has been memories your to life. published, Kerry “There are a ton said he is hoping his children and grandof illustrators on the family’s tradition children will always internet, but I wanted is something other have. I hope for it someone I could sit families will incorporate into their holito be a part of my down and talk to during the process, day celebrations. legacy.” and that’s when I “You create this found Diane,” he tradition and it’s Kerry Grinkmeyer said. contagious. Long Kerry said he met before the book was published, we had told several friends Diane Whitman at a Cracker Barrel and gave her page eight of his book. about it, and they tried it and their “What she came back with just families loved it, so I’m hoping more blew me away,” he said. “Her illustrapeople can use it to bring magic to tions were so rich and so detailed, I their families’ holidays,” he said. Kerry said his background in sales knew it was going to be a great fit from the first time I saw her ideas.” helped him have the patience and After the book was illustrated, know-how to get the book published. Kerry shopped it around to several The former financial adviser said he publishers before deciding to publish has always had a creative side, but the book and have the magic wands it wasn’t something he could really manufactured himself. explore until he retired. “I work with a guy named Jackie “I’ve recognized a long time ago that I am a creative person, I just hap- in China. I’ve never met him, but he’s handled everything on that end pen to be a salesman. I can’t spell beautifully so that we can bring ‘The worth a damn and my grammar’s not Christmas Web’ to the market just in perfect, but the computer sure helps time for the holidays this year,” he and I knew I had a story to tell,” he said. said. Kerry said he hopes the book Kerry said he knew he had a beloved family tradition but then real- is successful not only at bringing families closer together with a new ized he also had a good product to holiday tradition but that it is also market. successful in providing the kind of “I wrote the book in about three legacy he wants for his family. days. It was already formed in my “What I really want is for my head and I knew what I wanted to say, grandchildren to run this business. so that part wasn’t difficult,” he said. The Japanese believe that it is our The elves in the story all have the same names as Kerry’s grandchildren, purpose on earth to provide for the next generation, and I subscribe to and one of the characters goes by that,” he said. ❖ Kobie, which was Kerry’s nickname

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 37

HOLIDAY GIFTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL



SOMEONE SPECIAL

Support your team in comfort and style with these game day scarves. $19.99. Flip Flops & What Nots, 967-7429

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Christmas matchbooks are great stocking stuffers or hostess gifts. Tied to a ribbon, they make gifts look extra festive. $5 each. Paige Albright Orientals, 877-3232

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These trendy colorful handpainted wooden frames make a perfect gift! Tied off with a burlap ribbon, holding a 4x6 photo and coming in fun color choices: cream, black, green, brown, red, these frames coordinate with any look. Made by Local artist, Leah Rains of Snooty Toots! $20. Wrapsody. 989-7277. Make him feel special this holiday season and all year with Southern Tide T-shirts, everybody’s new favorite brand. Southern Tide comes in lots of fabulous colors and patterns. $38. Remon’s 977-5512

The Perfect Gift. 

Make it personal... a custom portrait or painting by Judy Butler

Boxes, boxes, boxes! Give a gift of sentiment; fill a box full of your most loved items and mementos to share, or hide your treasures in them. Sizes, shapes and colors vary. $14-$495. Tricia’s Treasures, 871-9779

Hand drawn and/or painted from photographs in your choice of media,charcoal, pencil, pastels, watercolor or oil/acrylic.

www.jbutlerart.com or call 205-907-0700 e-mail butlers101@aol.com

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These stunning florals by photographer Richard Reynolds are bold and threedimensional Giclee reproductions on a bright black canvas. With more than 90 flowers to choose from in all colors, they can be custom sized up to 54 inches on the shortest side. Starting at $99. Insky’s Thomas Kinkade Gallery 733-4893

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 Give a gift of magic from “The Beach House” at Murphree’s. These premium soy candles in 12 different fragrances, including Cabana Coconut, Tropical Pineapple, Flip Flops, Sandpiper and more, will transport you to faraway places. $12.99. Murphree’s Market and Garden Center, 967-8590

You’ll be sure to have sweet dreams while waiting for Santa with these beautiful white or ivory satin pillowcases. Standard, $28; queen, $32; king, $36. Monogramming available for $15; 1 special monogram, $20. The Lingerie Shoppe, 871-8994

2411 Montevallo Rd. Mountain Brook Village 871-8297

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 She’ll be so pleased Christmas morning to find a handcrafted necklace by local designer Morgan Baily of Morgan Designs under the tree. $38-$50. Second Hand Rose, 987-7027, 970-7997

A perfect gift for the new mom is the Mommy Must-Have “benbini” watch. She’ll be able to keep track of baby’s schedule and her own with this sporty watch. The ergonomic design and silicone structure make an easy-to-wear timekeeper that plays nice with the wee one. $99. Once Upon A Time, Crestline, 870-7772; Homewood, 870-7776

To: From:

Treat yourself while you shop for the perfect gift...

Date:

Whether used as a towel or napkin, our cotton towel is a great way to remember Christmas in Mountain Brook Village!

871-4985 Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Nov. 2012 This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Nov. 29, 20121issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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.

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38 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Vestavia Special Section

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Visit these merchants this season for great deals and holiday fun! AC Financial Partners Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia* Alfano Computer Solutions* The Amandas* Annabelle’s/Vestavia Hills Apothecary* Artists Incorporated* Balance Chiropractic* Baymont Inn & Suites* Birmingham Ballet* Birmingham School of Music* Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates The Blue Willow* Bruster's Real Ice Cream* Cameras Brookwood* Chickadee* Chloe’s* Collage Designer Consignment* Contri Bros. Gift Basket Crabtree Computer Services* Cross Construction Donatos* El Poblano* Fancy Goods Variety* Farmers Insurance-Mary Jo Johnson Agency* Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park*

Iz Café* Jewels by Rose* The Jimmie Hale Mission Joelle Salon* Karen’s Hallmark* Kidz Closet* Learning Rx* Mary Kay Cosmetics-Susie Serio Mia Moda* Mobility Central* Monograms Plus* Newk's Eatery-Vestavia Hills* Nuyella* Pearly White Dentistry* Rocky Ridge Hardware* Second Hand Rose* SouthStar Properties* State Farm Insurance-John Henley Agency* Steed's Jewelers* Town Village Vestavia Hills* VHUMC “Night in Bethlehem” Webster Electric* Wee Flip* Wild Birds Unlimited Wood & Spooner Cosmetic Dentistry*

Stop by the Business Expo at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4! Visit www.vestaviahills.org for the most current list.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 39

Vestavia Special Section

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce hosted the Holiday in the Hills Kick-Off Party at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest on November 15. Children enjoyed decorating cookies, making ornaments and writing letters to Santa. Be sure to visit our participating merchants and pick up a Prize Passport to complete and turn in to the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win an iPad3, a Regions Bank green bicycle, Panera Bread Bagels for a Year, or a $100 Chamber Check. Passports and stamps are available at the merchants on the opposite page with a star (*) by their name.

Calendar of Events Dec. 4 Holiday Film Festival

Dec. 8 Seniors with Santa

12:00-9:00 pm, Vestavia Hills City Center (Suite 138 near Panera Bread) Inaugural Holiday Film Festival featuring family favorites. Bring your own blanket or folding chair. Free admission and popcorn!

2:00-4:00 pm, New Merkle House Senior citizens are invited to enjoy holiday treats and entertainment. Sponsored by Family Private Care and Town Village Vestavia Hills.

Dec. 4 Tree Lighting Festival 6:00 pm, Vestavia Hills City Center Visit with Santa and enjoy performances by the Pizitz Middle School Girls’ Choir, the A2 band and the VHHS Rockettes. Stop by the business expo for coupons and giveaways.

Dec. 8 Breakfast with Santa 7:30-10:00 am, Senior Citizens’ Lodge at Wald Park Bring the whole family to enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa. $1 Suggested Donation

Dec. 9 Vestavia Hills Holiday Parade 2:00 pm, Liberty Park Sports Complex to Alston Meadows The City’s official parade featuring the VHHS Band and Santa, followed by a festival of area merchants. For information on participating, contact Paige Hockman at 296-5008.

Visit www.vestaviahills.org for an extended list of events or scan here with your smartphone. Presented by the City of Vestavia Hills & the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

Giving Tree

Our community is invited to serve others through the Giving Tree. This Dec 20-22 year, we will continue to help families living in the tornado-ravaged area of Cruising the Christmas Lights Travel around the city to see the best holiday Pratt City. You can help by choosing light displays. Check www.vestaviahills.org for an ornament from the tree and a list of addresses. Submit an address to buying gifts for a child or family. chamber@vestaviahills.org. Look for the Giving Tree at the Tree Lighting Festival and Breakfast with Santa.

40 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Hayden & Mike Wald Realty South

Mike Wald is a real estate agent who specializes in helping families purchase and sell homes in Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Hoover. He consistently ranks as one of the top over the mountain Realtors. “I’ve been helping over the mountain families with their real estate needs for about 20 years,” says Mike. “What I love the most about this business is the strong relationships with the all the families I’ve had the opportunity to help. Now, I’m getting to help the kids of previous clients find their first homes. That’s pretty fun and it really makes you feel good to be trusted by generations of the same families. I hope someday I’ll get to help the grandkids, too! “It’s great having your own business because you get to decide how you’re going to take care of your clients. Fortunately, my dad taught me when I was growing up that if you take care of your clients, you won’t have to worry about

Vestavia Special Section

how successful you are. Of course, he was right. We always put the interests of our clients before our own. And it’s a wonderful feeling when we get calls from people who want us to help them, and they say one of their friends recommended us,” says Mike. “Another advantage is that you get to set your own hours. When my kids were growing up, I had the flexibility to be able to coach them in youth sports and attend their events at school.” “About three years ago one of our sons, Hayden, joined me in the business. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern in Business. He is doing an awesome job with our buyers. I’m so proud to be on the same team with him.” “I believe the over the mountain real estate market has turned the corner. Homes that are priced appropriately are selling. With rates inching closer to 3 percent, this fall and even the holiday season, could very well be the perfect time to put a house on the market. It’s certainly a great time to be buying! There are also some excellent opportunities to buy new construction in Vestavia and Mountain Brook. In fact, it’s possible to buy a new home and move in before Thanksgiving!” You can reach Mike Wald at 541-0940 and Hayden Wald at 919-5535.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 41

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mapping a Path to Success New Testing Program Launched at N.E. Miles By Keysha Drexel

Journal Editor

eachers, parents and students at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School on Montclair Road have a new tool for getting the most out of the school year. This year, the school became only the second in the state to use MAP, or Measure of Academic Progress, testing. MAP testing is a computerized adaptive test which aims to improve learning for all students and helps teachers and parents make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth, said Debra Abolafia, head of the school. “MAP is used to measure a student’s progress and growth in school. The tests give teachers and parents information on a student’s strengths and let them know if help is needed in any specific areas,” Abolafia said. “Teachers use this information to help with individualized instruction in the classroom to find each child’s optimal learning path.” Abolafia used MAP testing in her last school in North Miami Beach, Fla., and said she saw the potential for using the information provided by the testing program to empower not only teachers

“That’s what we want to do here every day—get every child excited about learning.” Debra Abolafia, Head of School and parents but students. This is her second year heading up N.E. Miles. “Not only are you giving teachers and parents information on where the child is academically, but you are also getting the students involved by making them part of the process of individualized instruction,” she said. During the first few weeks of school, N.E. Miles students participated in several MAP testing sessions to assess reading, mathematics and science. “No two students take the same test, which

allows us to find out if that second grader is reading at a fourth grade level or if that third grader needs help in math,” Abolafia said. When a student takes the MAP test, the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers all the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If a student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. “We tell the children that there will be questions on this test that they think are easy and then there will be questions that are going to be difficult to them,” Abolafia said. The first round of MAP testing gives a baseline on where each student ranks compared to other students in their grade across the U.S., Abolafia said. The first tests gave teachers the information they needed to start individualizing instruction in their classrooms, Abolafia said. “You might have a math class where all of the students are working on the same concepts, but with different assignments. It shows the teacher which students need to be challenged and which students need help in improving their skills. That way, they are not teaching to the middle,” she said. That desire to reach every student, no matter what learning level they are on, is at the heart of the school’s mission, Abolafia said. “That’s what we want to do here every day-get every child excited about learning, motivate every child to do his or her very best--and these tests help us do that by not only giving us information on where a student needs to improve but also each student’s strengths,” she said. Individualized instruction benefits all students, she said. “Children come to school with that spark of curiosity, and oftentimes, it is the school that squashes that enthusiasm because the curriculum lumps all students together. If you have a bright child that is not being challenged, that child will get bored and tune out. The same thing with children who are struggling--if they are too frustrated, they won’t care to improve,” Abolafia said. Robin Berger, the school’s director of advancement and the mother of three students at N.E. Miles, said the test was a real eye-opener in her family. “My daughter is kind of quiet and shy and just stays in the background and completes all her assignments and has good grades, but after the MAP tests results were back, I felt like we

Debra Abolafia, head of school at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School on Montclair Road, talks with students. From left: Maya Chaskin, Gili Weintraub and Omer Duvdevani. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

had learned a secret. And that secret was that my daughter is really, really bright,” Berger said. Now that the “secret” is out, Berger said, she’s seen a difference in her daughter in the classroom. “It seems to have ignited a spark in her, and she’s proud she did well on the tests and wants to work really hard in school,” Berger said. The MAP tests results not only give an accurate snapshot of a students’ current learning level but also provide projections and goals for each student, Abolafia said. This empowers the students by getting them involved in what their education is like, she said. “The students get a goal-setting worksheet that helps them plan what to do to reach their projected goals. Now, instead of just having conferences with teachers and parents, we are also involving the students and giving them a voice,” Abolafia said. The students will repeat the tests two more times during the year to assess their progress, and the teachers will adapt their curriculum accordingly, she said. MAP testing also provides a tool for teacher accountability, Abolafia said. “The data tells you everything. It has been really well received by our teachers because it also gives them specific goals to meet in the classroom and tells them how they’re doing,” she said. Abolafia said the data provided by MAP tests will help the school’s teachers be even better.

School Notes Students in Jennifer Preston’s fourth grade class at Crestline Elementary School in Mountain Brook had their artwork displayed at the Monty Stabler Art Gallery. Photo special to The Journal

Crestline Students Create Picture Books Students at Crestline Elementary recently had a chance to see their artwork on display at the Monty Stabler Art Gallery.

Jennifer Preston’s fourth graders met for a class book club at the gallery. Students read the book “Swindle” by Gordan Korman and then worked with Lauren Fowler, the school’s art teacher to create pictures about the book.

Students created pictures of a house and baseball card from the book. The students were able to see their artwork displayed at the gallery. Langston Hereford opened the Homewood gallery to the students and displayed their artwork.

“Last year, we had a theme at the school about teachers being reflective about their practice, and the theme this year is about being intentional. So last year, we had our teachers question methods, and this year we’re getting them to ask themselves if they are being intentional is making sure the kids are doing what they need to do,” she said. Abolafia said she is most excited about the element of teamwork the MAP test brings to the school. “It really gets everyone involved in working together to make sure that our students are getting the best education and the best education that suits their needs,” she said. The desire to provide an excellent general studies and Jewish education for children in Birmingham is what led the Birmingham Jewish Federation to establish N.E. Miles in 1973, Berger said. The school is named for Dr. Nathaniel Edgar Miles, a philanthropist who devoted his career and life to children and Jewish education. Dr. Miles passed away in 1995. The school has been in its current building on Montclair Road next to the Levite Jewish Community Center since 1993. N.E. Miles Jewish Day School was re-accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools this year. The school is a member of the RAVSAK, a Jewish Community Day School Network, and PEJE, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education.❖

New Music Award Announced at John Carroll Catholic John Carroll Catholic High School offers students who perform in the school’s concert band, jazz band and marching band the opportunity to broaden their high school experience and hone their skills to prepare for future opportunities on the college level and beyond. To build on and ensure the success of these performance programs, a financial aid award, the Charles V. Welden Jr. Music Performance Award, is now available to students. The announcement about the new award was made Nov. 2. The music performance award is available to students who actively participate in one of the school’s bands, who encourage and recruit others to participate in the music programs and who are involved in music performances

related to the school or school-related community service. To be eligible for the award, students must excel in the classroom, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and be students of good character. Student-athletes must be approved by the school’s business office before applying for the new award. All John Carroll students, grades 9-12, who meet the criteria can apply and compete for the annual award. An application will be available each year starting Jan. 10, with a submittal deadline of March 1. Up to one male and one female from each class may be selected from the pool of candidates to receive a $1,000 award. Winners of the awards will be announced each year by April 15. For more information, contact the school business office at 940-2400, ext. 230, or visit www.jcchs.org for an application.

42 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

schools

Butters Named Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year at Luncheon

child nutrition manager at Gwin Elementary School was honored for her exemplary attitude and work ethic at the Nov. 15 Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Brenda Butters was named the 2012-2013 Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year at the event at the Hoover Country Club. The school district gives the award each year to an administrative or support employee. Teachers are honored with different awards. Butters has worked for the school system for 22 years and has been Gwin Elementary’s nutrition manager for about 10 years. When presenting the award to Butters, Superintendent Andy Craig said Butters works hard to educate students about making healthy food choices and also supports teachers and staff members in their efforts to

be healthy. Butters sends out emails to teachers and staff members who need help keeping track of their daily calorie counts. She also encourages children to create posters on health and wellness to adorn the cafeteria’s walls. Butters arranged for members of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s men’s basketball team and women’s track team to come to the school and speak to children about the importance of good nutrition for athletes. In a letter nominating Butters for the award, Susan Wood, the school system’s child nutrition program manager, said under Butters’ leadership, the Gwin Elementary cafeteria has earned stellar health department ratings, including four perfect scores of 100 in the last two years. Wood also wrote about Butters’ efforts to make sure all students eli-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Brenda Butters was named the Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year. From left: Andy Craig, Kimberly White, Brenda Butters, Susan Wood and Amy Gregory. Photo special to The Journal

gible to participate in the school’s breakfast program had the information they needed. Wood’s nomination letter said that Butters started calling parents, writing letters and planning events to high-

light the school’s breakfast program. Woods wrote that the students at Gwin Elementary love Butters and her contagious smile and enthusiasm. Other finalists for this year’s award include Cathy Burnett, a

transportation route supervisor, and Theresa Mareno, the front desk receptionist at Spain Park High School. Burnett has been with Hoover City Schools since 1999, and Mareno has worked for the system since 2006. ❖

Community members, teachers, landscape architects and construction companies have donated their time to help build the multi-phase project aimed at benefiting students and the community. Currently, rainwater is being collected for use in the garden. Students and community gardeners will have the opportunity to learn about water conservation while working in the garden.

through eighth grades participating. Ariel was played by Talia Marotta and Rachel Cartwright , two eighth graders who have been performing since their early years at OLV. Seventh grader Nick Buttrey portrayed Prince Eric. Eighth graders Alana Elward and Kyra Harris shared the role of Ursula. Adding comic flair were seventh grader Nathan Fisher as Sebastian, sixth grader Olivia Fant as Flounder and eighth grader Kimberly Martin as Scuttle. Others in the cast were Thomas Hart, eighth grade, as King Triton; Matthew Steele, eighth grade, as Grimsby; Mica Osio, eighth grade, as Carlotta; Cooper Gray, seventh grade, as Chef Louis; and Avery Martin, fifth grade, as Chantal. Ariel’s Mersisters were eighth graders Caroline Buttrey and Maria Stamba and seventh graders Reed McLean, Victoria Peters, Bailey Glasgow, Eva Catherine Crawford and Kayla Wiggins. Also featured were Jackson Shields as the Ship Pilot and Peyton Miller as the Sea Horse.

School Notes

OLV Students Stage Dinner Theatre Premiere Students at Oak Mountain Middle School are honored for representing good character traits.

Oak Mountain Students Honored for Good Character at School Students at Oak Mountain Middle School were honored Oct. 22 for representing good character traits during the first nine-week grading period of the 2012-13 school year. The students were recognized at a special assembly program. They were selected by teachers because they best represented the character traits discussed during the nine-week period. The character traits include patriotism, making good choices, kindness, courage and displaying selfconfidence. Randy Fuller, superintendent of Shelby County Schools, was the guest speaker at the assembly program recognizing the school’s Characters with Character. Eighth graders named Characters with Character for the first nine weeks were Sara Scherer, Joseph Hartsfield, Tiara McBrien, Victor Cardenas-Perez, Sidney Johnson and Jaymz Bischoff. The Characters with Character from the seventh grade were Leaston Kicklighter, Kathryn Taylor Sisk, Connor Webb, Sarah Hamaker, Isabel Crumpton and Ben Goode.

Sixth graders named Characters with Character were Bryce Keefover, Mia Karle, Mark and Michael Derzis, Lauren Stevens, Leah Nielsen and Dyer Martin.

Munger Is Liberty Park Middle’s Teacher of the Year Representative Shelly Munger has been named Liberty Park Middle School’s representative for Alabama Teacher of the Year. She is a seventh- and eighth-grade inclusion teacher and the majorette sponsor. She has been an educator for the past 14 years, working in Lee County Schools, Auburn City Schools, Tallapoosa County Schools and Vestavia Hills Shelly Munger City Schools. Munger is a graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in family and child development and a master’s degree in

Photo special to The Journal

special education. Munger said she loves working with students who need unique ways to learn academic material. She said she believes in treating her students the way she would like her own children to be treated. Before she became a teacher, Munger was a foster care social worker at the Lee County Department of Human Resources.

Students at Our Lady of the Valley School in North Shelby staged the Birmingham area premiere of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” Nov. 2 and 3 at the OLV Family Life Center. Bernard Tamburello, chef and OLV parent, prepared a dinner before the opening night show. Michael R. Bridges directed the dinner theatre production, the first event of its kind at the school. The cast featured nearly 100 performers, with students from the first

Homewood Schools to Recycle Christmas Trees Those looking for a good way to use their Christmas trees after the holidays can donate their trees to Homewood City Schools. The trees given to the school system will be recycled, and the mulch will be used in the Homewood City Schools Community Garden and outdoor classroom. The tree drop-off is at the corner parking lot of Dale and Grace Streets. The last day to drop off trees to be recycled is Jan. 5. The Christmas tree recycling program is a joint effort of the school system and Recycle Alabama. The community garden is at the old Homewood Middle School site.

OLV students act in “The Little Mermaid Jr.” From left: Matthew Steele, Nick Buttrey and Mica Osio. Photo special to the Journal

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 43

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

mountain brook high homecoming queen crowned Lamar Cooper was crowned Mountain Brook High School homecoming queen during a ceremony at the school Nov. 2. Lamar was escorted by her father, Jim Cooper. She was crowned by Mary Harmon Tyson, last year’s homecoming queen. Homecoming attendants were Celeste Brady and Rebecca Lankford from the senior class, Lottice Taylor and Mae Rose Tyson from the junior class and Cate Harmon and Virginia White from the sophomore class. From left: Dr. Vic Wilson, Mary Harmon Tyson, Marc Tyson, Lamar Cooper and Jim Cooper. Photo special to The Journal

The children then donate a sum from their profits to help fund a service project to help others. The children received some matching funds so materials could be purchased to make blankets for “Cribs for Kids.” The children worked together to make five blankets which were donated to the program.

Brookwood Students Celebrate Good Choices

Bluff Park Elementary students tour DeSoto Caverns. From left: Christion Lewis, Gaston Grant, Gabe Heath, Wilson Gray and Martin Lee. Photo special to The Journal

Bluff Park Students Take Walking Tour at DeSoto

East Students Give Back to Community

Bluff Park Elementary School third grade classes traveled from Hoover to Childersburg’s DeSoto Caverns Oct.5. Students went on a walking tour inside the caverns and learned about the history of the site. While on the tour, the students saw a light show and learned about cave formations, including stalactites and stalagmites. They also learned about hydrology, geology and archeology. Outside the caverns, students walked through the Butterfly House, tried to find their way through the Lost Trail Maze and panned for gemstones such as onyx, rubies and pyrite.

As a part of a year-long emphasis on community at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, children in Nancy Pearson’s second grade class participated in a service project. During each nine-week grading period, the children have a classroom job and receive a salary, which they use to pay rent, utilities, insurance and internet fees. The balance is kept to use at Market Day, when each child makes a good or performs a service. Every child buys and sells on Market Day, and at the end of the day each child usually has a nice profit.

Vestavia Hills Elementary East students make blankets to donate. From left: Teacher Nancy Pearson, Sirmichael Broom, John Hinton Hogue and Mac Grove. Photo special to The Journal

Brookwood Forest Elementary celebrated National Red Ribbon Week Oct. 22- 26 with the theme “Elect to be a Champion.” The campaign, also known as AntiDrug and Alcohol Awareness, kicked off at Brookwood Forest Elementary Oct. 19 with a speech from Mountain Brook High School football Coach Chris Yeager. Yeager talked to fourth, fifth and sixth grade students about making good choices. Brookwood Forest Elementary School students participated in the campaign by dressing for a different theme each day. On “Shade Out Drugs” Day, they wore sunglasses, and on “Be a Champion” Day they wore their favorite team jerseys. Families all over Brookwood Forest placed red bows on their mailboxes in support of the campaign. BWF Red Ribbon Week committee chairmen were Gayle Jones and Amanda Sharp.

Pizitz Math Teams Bring Home Awards The Pizitz Middle School Pirate Math Teams earned awards and trophies at a math competition at Cedar Ridge Middle School Oct. 27. The eighth grade math team took first place in the competition, winning with 111 points more than the second place team. The team took home seven of the top 10 trophies in its category. Several eighth graders also won individual trophies for their scores in the contest. Sherry Wu won second place with a score of 100, and Keene Zhang won third place with a score of 100. Allen Feng took fourth place, fifth place went to Wendy Jiang and Ahmed Farruk won seventh place. Eighth place went to Odelia Young, and Yifan Zhao won ninth place. In the seventh grade math

Marsha Folsom recently spoke to students at Highlands School. From left: Bo Garrett, Trey Boyen and Folsom. Photo special to the Journal

Former First Lady Visits Highlands Students A former Alabama first lady visited Highlands School middle school students before the Nov. 6 elections. Marsha Folsom was at the school Oct. 30 to speak to students about the electoral college. She explained how the electoral college system is different from the popular vote in the U.S. presidential election. Folsom involved students in her presentation, asking them to serve as representatives of the electoral college as she discussed how many members of the electoral college there are per state and how many electoral votes are necessary for a candidate to win an election. She also spoke about the challenges of this particular election due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. After the presentation, students asked questions about Folsom’s role in the Democratic Party, her experience as the state’s first lady and about what she sees as the most important roles students will face when they reach voting age.

power trip Fifth graders at Greystone Elementary visited the Alabama Power Gaston Steam Plant to see firsthand how coal helps make electricity. They also found out that the plant is going to use natural gas instead of coal in the near future. From left: Tamar Haback, Nicolas Obregon, Justin Hughes and James Haywood. Photo special to the Journal

competition, the Pizitz team won third place. Seventh grader William Zhang took home a first place trophy in the individual contest. The Pizitz sixth grade math team won second place with Walter Zhang winning a first place individual trophy

and Shivani Reddy taking home a fourth place individual award. The eighth grade team is coached by Vicki Cato. The seventh grade team’s coach is Beth Kaiser. Donna Lett is the coach of the sixth grade math team.

Members of the math teams at Pizitz Middle School in celebrate their wins at a recent math competition. Photo special to the Journal

44 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

schools

rotarians donate dictionaries to homewood schools

Every third grader in Homewood City Schools, including students at Shades Cahaba Elementary, received new dictionaries from the Homewood-Oxmoor Rotary Club recently. Rotary members visited every classroom to distribute the dictionaries on the club’s behalf. Club members guided the children as they looked up different words together. The students can take the dictionaries home or keep them at school.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

community helpers As part of Spring Valley School’s mission to teach its students to be good citizens, students are volunteering in the community. Once a month, students help assemble bags of groceries for the Brown Bag Project at Canterbury United Methodist Church. The students said they learn a lot during their volunteer service and return to school excited about playing a part in the community program. From left: Matthew Scott, Dylon Cleveland and Sam Muir. Photo special to the Journal

Photo special to The Journal

Simmons Middle School Stages Fall Musical The Simmons Middle School Fine Arts Department presented its fall musical “Once on This Island Jr.” for more than 2,000 audience members. The production included two performances open to the public and two performances during the school day as the kickoff to the school’s “Spotlight on Simmons,” a day designed to focus on fine arts. The play was directed and choreographed by the school’s theater director, Delle Kincaid, with music direction by Dan Cater, director of choral arts at Simmons.

Students played pivotal roles in the production both on and off stage as they created the props and constructed and painted the sets, led by Carrie McGrann, the school’s art teacher. There was also a live percussion ensemble made up of eighth grade advanced band students and led by Valerie Morgan, the school’s music teacher. Lead actors in the play included Lara Hejazen, Jackson Perry, Gianna Venters, Matthew Sherrill, Darby Jack Gustafson, Emma Howell, Sumner Dobrava, Josh Hill and Grayson Vaughan. Additional actors from Simmons’ elementary feeder schools included Bennett Vaughan, Paul Wilson

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and Lily Morgan, Bluff Park Elementary, and Taleen Hejazen, Gwin Elementary School.

Cherokee Bend Gets Creative at Pumpkin Drop The Academically Gifted Education program at Cherokee Bend Elementary School’s Pumpkin Drop in October let students use critical thinking, creativity and problem solving. For the event, students had to design a landing pad to protect a pumpkin dropped from the top of the school. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders submitted designs. Those with the top 25 designs were selected to take part in the Pumpkin Drop. Principal Betsy Bell and Rick Hedrick, Fair Oaks Adventure Curriculum instructor, dropped the pumpkins from the roof of the school as students from all grades watched and cheered for their classmates.

OLS Students Come to School in PJs Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School students got to wear their pajamas to school as part of a program aimed at teaching them the importance of prayer. The kindergarten students celebrated Praying in Pajamas Day Sept. 28. The special day was filled with spiritually educational activities designed to help the students and their parents understand the importance of praying throughout the day and not just at bedtime. “We believe that this unique day gives the children an opportunity to experience the goodness of God’s grace through various ways to pray,” said Mary Jane Dorn, principal. The day’s events helped the children learn that God is the center of their lives

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Cherokee Bend students wait for pumpkins to be dropped from the roof. From left: John Carothers, Samson Sands, Mark Smith, Jarret Harrison, Will Christopher and Jack Bragg. Photo special to the Journal and that there are different types of prayers, including those of thanksgiving, forgiveness, adoration and special needs, she said. OLS Associate Pastor Father Jaya Reddy also visited with the students and taught them more about prayer. The students also visited the Adoration Chapel for silent meditation, prayed in the school’s Rosary Garden of the Good Shepherd and made a religious craft. Dorn surprised the children by being their special Mystery Reader for the day and read a story about prayer.

Hoover Student Wins DAR Good Citizen Award A student at Hoover High School has won the 2012-13 DAR Good Citizen Award from the Cahaba Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Senior Alex Lalisan was given the national award based on his dependability, leadership, service and patriotism. The nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Demosthenes Lalisan, he has maintained straight A’s throughout his high school career and has a 4.2 GPA. He was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars in his junior year and has been a member of the National Honor Society since then. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and is a National

Merit Commended Scholar. Lalisan has been Student of the Month each year of high school, winning Student of the Year his sophomore year. He was awarded the Sophomore Leadership Award and received the Community Service Award during his sophomore and junior years. This year, Lalisan was a nominee for Hoover High School Homecoming King and was voted Best All Around among the senior class men. He is president of the Hoover Ambassadors and chaplain of the Student Government Association. He is vice president of the Hoover Grade Level Choir, co-president of the Chamber Choir and a Alex Lalisan member of the men’s a cappella group, “Ten Bucs Worth.” He is a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church and is part of the New Wind church choir and ensemble. Lalisan said he plans to attend Vanderbilt University to major in communications studies and human organizational development. He hopes to pursue a career as a journalist. ❖

Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 45

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Back in the Swing of Things After Regaining His Health, Hoover Student Chosen to Play in Golf Classic

Members of the Mountain Brook Junior High cross country team include, from left, front: Caroline Keller, Mary Allison Anderson, Natalie Womack, Parker Cobbs, Ann Chapman Haynes, Margaret Dodson. Middle row: Anna Grace Morgan, Virginia Beasley, Sarah Margaret Corley, Catherine Walthall, Mary Patton Sims. Back: Jack Wedge, Cole Clark, Harrison Clark, John Galloway, Spencer Hinson, Griffin Riley and Ryan Kirk. Photo special to The Journal

MBJH Cross Country Team Ends Season with County Title

he Mountain Brook Junior High cross country team had several notable wins this season and finished with a county championship. Head Coach Mike Abercrombie and assistant coaches Amelia Breeze, John Phillips, Trish Carey, Kelli Moore and Chris Cence trained more than 200 seventh, eighth and ninth grade cross country athletes. Team members began training in mid-August and competed in several local and regional meets in September and October. MBJH’s boys’ and girls’ teams won first place at the Chickasaw Trails and Jesse Owens Invitational this year. The team’s season culminated in the Metro South Cross Country Championship Meet at Veterans Park at Spain Park High School. Eleven metro teams competed in the meet. The MBJH girls won the meet with strong finishes by Anna Grace Morgan, Parker Cobbs, Ann Chapman Haynes, Mary Alison Anderson and Virginia Beasley. Eleven Mountain Brook girls made the AllMetro team. Other top 30 finishers for the girls were Sarah Margaret Corley, Natalie Womack, Margaret Dodson, Catherine Walthall, Mary Patton Sims and Caroline Keller. The MBJH boys defeated pre-race favorite Oak Mountain by seven points in one of the tightest Metro races in years. The boys were led by Griffin Riley’s second

place finish and performances by Ryan Kirk, Spencer Hinson and John Galloway. Seven Mountain Brook boys were named to the All-Metro team. Other top 30 finishers for the boys were Jack Wedge, Cole Clark and Harrison Clark. Following the season, a banquet at MBJH honored the athletes and their accomplishments. Cross country parents Katherine Galloway, Jeannie Dodson, Lois Bradford, Jill Clark and Kathleen Doss chaired the event. More than 500 athletes and their family members attended. The banquet included an awards presentation. Captains named for the 2012 season were Jack Wedge, John Galloway, Mary Alison Anderson and Margaret Dodson for seventh grade; Spencer Hinson, Parker Cobbs and Virginia Beasley for eighth grade; and David Creel, Duncan Manley, Julia Jane Duggan and Helen Camp for ninth grade. Receiving Coaches Awards were Griffin Riley, Lucy Holman, Jennings Briley, David Kirkpatrick, Mary Patton Sims, Benjamin Honan, Laine Alby, Will Beasley, Bailey Womack, Ann Chapman Haynes, Brian Barr, Eleanor Swagler, Natalie Womack, Brandon Martinez, Harrison Clark and Caroline Monson. Sarah Margaret Corley received the ThustonCarey Award. “Runners of the Meet” were also recognized for each race in which MBJH competed.

wo years after a dire medical emergency sent Chandler Fullman to Children’s of Alabama, the Hoover High School student teed off in the Children’s Miracle Network Golf Classic. The annual event, held Nov. 8-11 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, aired live on the Golf Channel. It included more than 30 PGA pros who have won an event over the past two years, celebrities, athletes – and Chandler. Each year, the tournament highlights one child who was treated at a CMNH facility – and who has a close relationship to golf. Chandler fits both descriptions. Nov. 8 of this year marked two years to the day when he was released from Children’s of Alabama after a two-month stay. On Sept. 14, 2010, Chandler went to school as a healthy 14-year-old. His goal for the day: to earn a spot on his school’s golf team. Those plans were cut short when he suddenly lost consciousness in weight training class. He was rushed to Children’s of Alabama, where he was diagnosed with a massive brain bleed known as arteriovenous malformation and caused by a ruptured tangle of blood vessels. The traumatic episode left him in a coma. For 17 days, Chandler’s family and caregivers were uncertain of his neurological status and to what degree he would recover. Finally, he responded to commands by his family for the

first time and faced the challenges of relearning how to sit, walk, talk and express emotion. Months of intense physical therapy put Chandler on the Chandler Fullman road to recovery. Children’s of Alabama saved Chandler’s life, said Lisa, his mother. “During his stay, Chandler received excellent care,” she said. “Chandler proved to be a determined fighter, and the entire hospital team gave him the tools and support he needed to far surpass expectations.” Chandler’s passion for golf has played a central role in his recovery. Even before he had enough balance to stand on his own, he hit the driving range and started working on his swing, first with his father’s arms wrapped around him and soon standing alone. Determined to overcome the physical, mental and emotional setbacks caused by his condition, Chandler focused his energy on a smooth swing. By the summer of 2011, Chandler was a regular fixture on the golf course, committing to play as many holes as he could. Now, despite the daily challenges resulting from his illness, playing golf is a major part of Chandler’s life. Chandler turned 17 on Nov. 6. Two days later, he started play in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. According to tournament officials, it’s a coincidence that the Classic is the last stop on the PGA Tour, as it often represents a new chapter for Classic Miracle Kids. For Chandler, participating in the event gave him another reason to see Nov. 8 as a great day for a fresh start.

Three Birmingham Women Compete in 2012 USTA National Intersectional Championships Becky Holland of Trussville, Dr. Jane Phillips Roy of Mountain Brook and Jenny Merrill of Greystone represented the United States Tennis Association Southern Section in the over 55, 45 and 35 age group categories respectively, at the National Intersectional Team Championships in San Antonio, Texas in November. The Women’s Intersectional tournament is one of the most highly regarded events of the year and is the only opportunity for age division players to compete as a team representing their section, and being selected is an honor and a testament to a player’s success. Jane and

From left: Jenny Merrill, Dr. Jane Phillips Roy and Becky Holland. Photo special to the Journal

Jenny both played on tennis scholarships at the University of Alabama. In the 35 age group, the team representing the nine states in the region ( Ala., Ark., Ga., Ky., La., N.C., S.C. and Tenn.) took first place. In the 45 age group, third and 55 age group took fifth.

Raiders Finish Season with a Thriller

The fifth grade Raiders completed a 6-2-1 season with a thrilling overtime win, 20-14 against a tough Broncos team. The Raider’s were led on offense by Thomas Latimer, Patrick Neil and Holt Bashinsky and executed the Spartan varsity offense with strong support from the offensive line including Will Dobbins, Aaron Vajda, Brooks King, Jacob Lucas, Harrison Hodges and Mason Campbell. On defense, the Raiders got strong play from Hugh Seton, Mitchell Winston, Addison Harper and Everett Cross, creating problems for the Bronco’s offensive. Members of the fifth grade Raiders are, front row, from left: Aaron Vajda, Thomas Latimer, Mitchell Winston, Hugh Seton, Patrick Neil and Addison Harper.Standing: Everett Cross, Harrison Hodges, Jacob Lucas, Holt Bashinsky, Brooks King, Mason Campbell and Will Dobbins.

Over the Mountain Touchdown Club players of the week for the week of Nov. 2 were Mountain Brook tight end Reagan Alexander, player of the week and offensive lineman Dan Shelton, academic player of the week, above with Spartan coach Chris Yeager.

46 • Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Left: Spain Park’s Jacob Wolkow stops a Wolverine runner in the Jaguars loss to Carver of Montgomery Friday night. Above: Austin Haight tries to break a tackle. The Jaguars ended their season with a 10-3 record. More photos at otmj. com Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

wrap-up, from back cover

Clay-Chalkville 30 Mountain Brook 9 (6A)

The Cougars raced to a 17-3 halftime lead to dominate the game at Spartan Stadium. Mountain Brook’s only score of the first half came on a 32-yard field goal by Tre Smith early in the second period. Clay-Chalkville extended its margin to 30-3 before the Spartans added

Davis,

from back cover

followed under Newton’s successor, Dickey Wright, a fine coach who was at the right place at the wrong time. But even with its limitations, Homewood was competitive with all but the most elite teams in Class 6A. New coach Doug Goodwin had the same issues when he took over from Wright in 2011. The new classification of 2012 put Homewood back into Class 5A, and the Patriots made the most of it. After losing to 6A’s Vestavia, the Patriots didn’t lose again until they were upset by Greenville in the opening round of the playoffs. Bottom line: Homewood is back. Big story number three was the revival of football at Oak Mountain. While the Eagles have had major success in other sports, football had been a source of major frustration, climaxed by Coach Jeff Harris’s sudden resignation following a string of losing seasons. New coach Cris Bell brought new enthusiasm to the Eagles. Oak Mountain flew to a 5-1 start before finishing with a respectable 7-4 mark. Now the question is, what will Bell and his Eagles do for an encore? There were other major events in the 2012 season as well. Here’s a list of some of them, in no particular order. Spain Park had reached the Class 6A finals in 2007 but, oddly enough, had never won a region title. That changed in 2012, as the Jaguars took the championship of Class 6A’s

a consolation touchdown in the final minutes. Gene Bromberg’s sevenyard run brought the final to 30-9. Bromberg rushed for 93 yards on 27 carries. Mountain Brook completed the 2012 season with an 11-2 mark. St. Paul’s 24, Briarwood 3 (5A)

Above: Mountain Brook’s Reagan Alexander goes up for a catch against Clay-Chalkville. Left: Spartan running back Gene Bromberg rushed for 93 yards on 27 carries. More photos at otmj. com

first two rounds of the Class 5A playoffs. The third round was a different story, as the Saints earned a comfortable victory. Jordan Box’s 25-yard field goal in the third quarter gave the Lions their only points of the evening. Briarwood completed its season with a 6-7 record.

The Lions’ surprising run through the playoffs ended abruptly in Mobile. After finishing 4-6 in the regular season, Briarwood turned Alabama high school football on its ear with upsets of Jackson and Vigor in the

Clay-Chalkville (12-1) vs. Hoover (13-0) at Buccaneer Stadium.

Region 4. Mountain Brook surprised just about everyone by posting a 9-1 regular season mark and advancing three games into the Class 6A playoffs. Spartan coach Chris Yeager consistently ranks among metro Birmingham’s best as far as getting the most from the talent he has available. Vestavia Hills played Buddy Anderson-style football, won its region and finished with a double-digit winning season. What’s astounding to me is the idea that some people even consider this to be surprising. Anderson, the Rebels’ coach for

more than three decades, has been winning games and championships by playing the old-school, 1960s-style of the sport: Run the football well and play great defense. Why on earth would Anderson ever want to change? Before the season, Briarwood coach Fred Yancey acknowledged that his team was young and inexperienced. Yancey was also quick to add that his players loved football and appreciated the school’s great winning tradition. Some folks doubted that when the Lions started 1-4 and seemed hopeless at mid-season. Yancey and team never stopped

Friday night Playoff Schedule

Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

believing. They rallied to qualify for the Class 5A playoffs and upset Jackson and Vigor before falling to St. Paul’s. The best news for Briarwood is that 2012’s youngsters will be a year older and wiser in 2013. Over the Mountain football fans (myself included) were almost beside themselves when the 2012 region realignment was announced. Traditional Class 6A rivals Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Spain Park and Oak Mountain were spread across three new regions with teams in which they had little in common.

Hoover’s defense including play from Jason McCay (41), Ryan Sargent (40) and Cole Chiselko (14) has put the Bucs in the hunt for another state title. Homewood linebacker Mark Rawls played a key role in the Patriots return to power in class 5A this season. Journal file photos

Perhaps the bitterest fruit of the new divisional splits was the end of the Hoover-Spain Park rivalry. The Bucs playing the likes of Northridge and Jackson-Olin but not the Jaguars didn’t make any sense. Mountain Brook’s rivalries with Homewood (now in 5A), Hoover and Spain Park were also casualties of the new set-up. To their credit, several coaches made sure traditional battles remained on the schedule, even if they were no longer region clashes. Anderson worked with Goodwin and Hoover coach Josh Niblett to save the Rebels’ games with the Patriots and Bucs, respectively. All things considered, the new region affiliations worked out comparatively well. Other areas of Alabama got a taste of metro Birmingham football and vice versa. Closer to home, there are still problems about the alignments to solve, particularly in regard to game attendance. For example, you can spin it any way you want, but Carver and Woodlawn coming to Thompson Reynolds Stadium next year won’t bring the number of fans that Spain Park or Oak Mountain would deliver. Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore won’t bring as many people to Spain Park’s Finley Stadium as Hoover or Vestavia. The Alabama High School Athletic Association needs to find an answer to this – and soon. So 2012 might not have been a season of paradise, but there were lots of highlights and memorable moments. And to think, Hoover’s season hasn’t even concluded yet.

bucs,

Clockwise from above left: Hoover head coach Josh Niblett talks to a happy squad after the Bucs win over rival Vestavia Friday night. Rebel running back Stuart Jacobs looks for an opening as Hooverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landry Tullo (50), Chandler Coskery (25) and Doss Harman (95) close in. Hooverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kyler Jackson is pulled down by Vestaviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcus Ward. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

from back cover

that opposing players, coaches or fans said for publication that were pinned to team bulletin boards (remember those?) in hopes of giving their team even more incentive for victory. At the end of the night, Hoover may not have needed any extra incentive against Vestavia, but Buccaneer coach Josh Niblettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old-school approach didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt. Niblettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team handled the Rebels 21-7 at Thompson Reynolds Stadium to remain undefeated and qualify for the state 6A semifinals against Clay-Chalkville. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was one of those weeks where a coach gets pretty stressed out,â&#x20AC;? a happy Niblett said afterward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always tough to have to play a team for the second time. It was a lot to carry, but we were able to get the job done.â&#x20AC;? Vestavia turned the heat up a little more just prior to the game. Each Rebel had â&#x20AC;&#x153;35-15â&#x20AC;? -- a reference to the first gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score â&#x20AC;&#x201C; written with athletic tape on the back of his helmet. But chants and taped scores werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to stop Hoover. The Bucs assumed control early when Calen Campbell scored on an eight-yard touchdown run. Hunter Schmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conversion gave Hoover a 7-0 lead with 8:36 remaining in the opening period. Vestavia delighted its home fans by responding quickly. The Rebelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jordan Johnson matched Hooverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score with a one-yard touchdown run of his own. Colin Harperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kick tied the game at 7-7 as the first quarter ended. Most of the second quarter was inconclusive until a late big play by the visitors may have broken the game open. With only 33 seconds remaining in the half, Buccaneer quarterback Connor Shortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 33-yard touchdown pass to Michael Powers gave Hoover a 14-7 advantage. Powers later admitted that the pregame bravado from the Rebel fans made a difference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We kind of like it when people say that kind of stuff,â&#x20AC;? he said with a grin. Both teams struggled with their passing games in the second half. Fortunately for the Bucs, the air

Thursday, November 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 47

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

on 11 carries, while Johnson gained 105 yards on 21 attempts. The Rebel defense was stellar at times as well. On one occasion, it stopped Hoover with an interception at the Vestavia five-yard line. The hosts also stopped Hoover on a fourth-andone play at the Rebel 20. Vestavia finished its season 10-3, with two of its trio of losses coming at the hands of the Bucs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This game was far more physical than the first time we played them,â&#x20AC;? Campbell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They had some advan-

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This game was far more physical than the first time we played them. They had some advantage as the underdog since we had won the first time. Those guys gave us some good hits tonight.â&#x20AC;?

tage as the underdog since we had won the first time. Those guys gave us some good hits tonight.â&#x20AC;? Powers may be Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest fan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Calen is powerful, and he looks the part,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He just keeps running hard, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we love about him.â&#x20AC;? As Hoover ran its record to 13-0, there was plenty of love to go around. And the big blue championship trophy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Bucsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first in four years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; could be just around the corner.

Power Cuffs.

Calen Campbell, hoover running back gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggles didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slow down Campbell. His 11-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter gave Hoover an insurmountable 14-point lead.

Campbell completed the night with 194 yards on 32 carries. Vestaviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talented tandem of Stuart Jacobs and Johnson also chalked up impressive numbers. Jacobs rushed for 90 yards

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, NOvember 29, 2012

Sports

MBJH Cross Country Team Claims County Title P. 45 OTM Women Compete in USTA Tourney P. 45 playoff wrap-up

Jags, Lions and Spartans Fall Carver of Montgomery 26, Spain Park 20 (6A)

The Jaguars fought back from an early 13-0 deficit but saw a late fourth quarter drive for victory fall short. Thomas Taylor’s 28-yard field goal cut the Wolverines’ lead to 13-3 early in the second period. After Carver rallied for another touchdown, Spain Park countered with an eight-yard scoring strike from quarterback Nick Mullens to Cade Hoffman. Taylor’s extra point and a 31-yard field goal narrowed Carver’s advantage to 19-13. The Wolverines added another touchdown with only 10 seconds left in the first half to take a 26-13 margin into the dressing room. Otis Harris’s three-yard dash to pay dirt in the third period brought Spain Park to within a touchdown at 26-20. The Jaguars drove from their own four-yard line to the Carver 28 in the final minutes but couldn’t get any closer. Mullens led Spain Park’s attack by completing 26 of 55 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. The Jags ended their season with a 10-3 record. Hoover running back Calen Campbell scores the Bucs third touchdown in their 21-7 win over Vestavia at Thompson Reynolds Stadium to remain undefeated and qualify for the state 6A semifinals against Clay-Chalkville. More photos at otmj.com Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

game of the week

Outside Influence

Hoover Turns Back Rebel Upset Hopes By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

oover and Vestavia Hills’s football competition is one of those few rivalries that transcends the playing field and seeps into the culture of the schools and fans which are involved. In that sense, Bucs vs. Rebels is very similar to another rivalry that was played out last week. The lead-up to the Hoover-Vestavia drama took place in Huntsville Nov. 16 with the Rebels’ 9-0 win over the Crimson Panthers in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Vestavia fans – under-

standably flushed with victory – chanted, “We want Hoover, we want Hoover,” alluding to the fact that, thanks to the Bucs’ 49-26 win over Pell City, their team would face Hoover again in the next game. The Rebels had fallen to the top-ranked Bucs 35-15 in September, but Vestavia backers were eager for a chance at redemption. Needless to say, the Rebels fans’ chant was widely reported in the local media, and the Hoover coaches made sure their players were aware of those reports. In pre-internet days, coaches called such comments “bulletin board material” – things See bucs, page 47

Mountain Brook receiver Patrick Sullivan makes a nice catch in the Spartan’s loss to Clay-Chalkville Friday night. Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

See wrap-up, page 46

Lee Davis

Great Eight Hoover, Patriots and Eagles Highlight Memorable 2012

ven though the Hoover Bucs are still on the way to what will likely be their first state 6A football championship since 2008, it’s not too early to review some of the highlights of a season that was loaded with dramatic stories almost every week. The top tale of 2012 is the continuing dominance of the Hoover Bucs, who reaffirmed their power with a solid win over archrival Vestavia Hills last week. While this Hoover team lacks some of the flash and dash of some of the Buccaneer teams of the Rush Propst era, it has an uncanny knack for doing whatever is required to win on a particular night. Hoover can run the ball when necessary, play first-rate defense when required and, on most occasions, just plain dominate. Barring something unusual, Hoover is on the way to not only a championship but its first perfect record since 2004. Another big story of the year was Homewood’s resurgence as a Class 5A power. After dominating the classification under Coach Bob Newton a decade ago, the Patriots were realigned into Class 6A among schools with much larger student enrollments. As a result, a series of mediocre records See Davis, page 46