November 13, 2014 by Over the Mountain Journal

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

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

inside

JOU RNAL otmj.com

ursd ay, November 13, 2014

Vol . 24 #21

A Fighting Chance: Reed’s challenge to family leads to GI Research Foundation

About town page 4

Chefs Share

Garden Gala: Guests meet Antiques Show’s dealers, tastemakers

Thanksgiving Memories and Recipes from Area Restaurateurs

social page 22

Sugar Plum Fairy Tale: Summer in Russia prepares teen for ‘Nutcracker’ role

schools page 50

stock

some labor in the kitchen. Others wash dishes. Lucky ones just show up and eat – then turn on the television to watch football. Whether cook, bottle washer or consumer, we all play a role in the gatherings – and the day set aside to count blessings, to enjoy family and to savor some great recipes. Restaurant owners and chefs, who labor day after day in their kitchens, typically have a special relationship with food. Their memories often stretch back to time spent, as children, standing on a chair and helping their mothers or grandmothers stir, sift and slice. Many cling to favorite dishes that have become required Thanksgiving Day offerings in their families. The Over the Mountain Journal asked a few area chefs about their favorite Thanksgiving food. In addition to sharing their memories, each has shared a recipe. See stories beginning on page 14. n Thanksgiving Day,

State Champs! Busy two weeks for OTM schools

sports page 56

otmj Holiday Gift Guide

page 39

Sue murphy stops to thank p. 2 • russell pens new mystery p. 8•palmer readies for capitol hill p. 10•taylor serves in Kyrgyzstan P. 18

2 • Thursday, November 13, 2014 Birmingham Home & Garden magazine will host the 2014 Inspiration Home Tour Thursdays through Sundays Nov. 13-Dec. 14. This year’s Inspiration Home is a two-story Southernstyle home built by Byrom Building Corp. in The Preserve in Hoover. The home will feature designs and wares from local retailers and manufacturers, including this “man cave” designed by Nancy Gowens of Issis & Sons Furniture Gallry in Pelham. Tickets are $10. Proceeds will benefit the Junior League of Birmingham. Tickets can be purchased online, from any sponsors or at the door. For more information, visit www. birminghamhomeandgarden. com. ❖

Opinion/Contents

Get Inspired

On otmj.com

There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.

Coming Nov. 27

We’ll take you inside some of the homes on two upcoming holiday home tours and have the second part of our holiday gift guide in the next issue.

in this issue About Town 3 news 10 life 14 people 18 social 22

Food 30 Gift Guide 39 weddings 48 Schools 49 Sports 56

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L November 13, 2014 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: Milan Ballard, Jacob Fuqua, Mary Varnell, Emily Williams Vol. 24, No. 21

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 2014 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

murphy’s law

Not Over the Rainbow

amazed by that, then you’ve been was barreling down the street watching too much television. last week, hurrying toward Like me. If I hadn’t had to be on the an appointment I should have road that morning, I would have missed left for 15 minutes earlier, when I the rainbow entirely. Most likely, I turned the corner and saw a rainwould have been hunkered down on bow. Not just any rainbow, but the couch with a cup of tea and some a huge, full arc that spanned the morning news show that tries to balentire sky and yet seemed to be risance terrorist and epidemic updates ing from the pavement in front of with news about Justin Timberlake and me. It was breathtaking and vivid, recipes for gluten-free cheesecake, neiand you could see every one of the ther of which are in the same class of ROYGBIV colors, even the violet. “awesome.” I had never actually seen the violet. Every year at this time, I make a list I should have pulled over right then, of the things I am thankful for -- home but I didn’t. I kept driving, craning my and family, dark chocolate and selfneck to take in as much of the miracle Sue Murphy adhesive stamps. There are big things as I could at 55 miles per hour. Then, and little things, but I rarely stop and as quickly as the rainbow appeared, Every year at this think about the ROYGBIV sort of it was gone. and I mean for that to change. My husband Harold was the drivtime, I make a list of things, For starters, I made a commiter one evening when a full golden the things I am thank- ment to step outside my house each moon appeared on the horizon. As night and at least look up at the we made our way home, it edged its ful for – home and moon. My neighbors don’t need to way over the tree line and lit up… well, the whole world. We didn’t pull family, dark chocolate worry. I don’t plan on doing any howling, just taking a moment for over then either, but I managed more and self-adhesive appreciation. neck craning from the passenger I’ve started stepping out in the side. stamps. There are daytime, too, which reminds me My hands-free status also brought big things and little -- how great are clouds? Water from me to an epiphany: This wondrous the Earth’s surface is drawn up into moon is out there every single night things, but I rarely air and rather than hanging there in one form or another, orbiting the stop and think about the as a soggy mass forms big poufy Earth while the Earth orbits the Sun, which is no small feat in itself. It is the ROYGBIV sort of shapes that float from place to place and shape-shift to look like castles not a light source but a reflector, one things, and I mean for and bunny rabbits. Pretty amazing so powerful that it cuts through the stuff, don’t you think? darkness and makes lovers swoon. It that to change. I do, and it’s time I said, “Thanks, controls the tides, and yet there are God. Really, this is awesome. I human footprints on the surface. The whole thing boggles the mind -- if you take time to think mean it. Clouds and stars and rainbows and the moon -- thanks!” about it. And be forewarned: The next time I see a rainbow Which I hadn’t lately. I hadn’t thought about rainarching over Highway 280, I’m going to pull over and bows either, but let’s do just that. Rainbows are full arcs spend a little time marveling. (I’ll signal first.) of color coaxed from errant raindrops simply because A sky full of color in a drop of water… amazing.❖ the light hits them at just the right angle. If you’re not

over the Mountain Views

What “little things” are you thankful for this year?

“New opportunities.” Samantha Nelms Homewood

“Family, friends and turkey.” Rileigh Eaton Hoover

“Good company.” John Yarbrough Homewood

“My friends, family and books.” Jacqueline Le Homewood

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Save the Date Hoover

Service Club Fashion Show Nov. 13, 11 a.m. Hoover Country Club The Hoover Service Club will host its annual fashion show at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Hoover Country Club. The theme of this year’s show is Simple Elegance: A Touch of Audrey Hepburn. For more information, contact Rhonda Boyd at boydrhonda@bellsouth.net. Hoover

Womanless Beauty Pageant Fundraiser Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. Aveda Institute Vitas Hospice and Rittenhouse Senior Living are hosting The Beauty is a Beast Womanless Beauty Pageant benefiting Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Nov. 13. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with networking, drinks and Vance Holder heavy hors d’oeuvres. The pageant will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Aveda Institute in Hoover. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For tickets or more information, contact Vicki Mullins at mullins@rittenhousesl.com or 823-2393 or Stephanie Sansing at stephanie.sansing@vitas.com or 7892649.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 3

Getting Down for Downs Homewood

Dance for Downs Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m. Bashinsky Gymnasium Lindy Williamson and the Samford University Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement will present the fourth annual Dance for Downs fundraiser Nov. 13 from 6-8 p.m. in Bashinsky Gymnasium on the Samford campus. The community-wide dance and charity event aims to foster inclusion of individuals with developmental delays and to provide education and awareness through support of Unless U, a nonprofit organization serving adults with developmental delays. For more information, visit www.events.samford.edu.

From left: Sarah Beth Little, Katherine Thomas, Caroline Mortensen, Christine Carrier, Malone Morgan, Lindy Williamson, Beth Olive, Becca Lafferty, Jasmine Swift, Amanda Elenteny and Morgan Gillespi. Photo special to the Journal by Beth Hontzas Photography

Birmingham

Blue Jeans & Baskets Bash Nov. 13, 6:30-9 p.m. B&A Warehouse In celebration of its 31st anniversary, the Firehouse Shelter is hosting its annual year-end fundraiser Nov. 13 from 6:30-9 p.m. at B&A Warehouse. Individual tickets are $50. Corporate sponsorships also are available. This year’s event is called the Blue Jeans & Baskets Bash and features a relaxed dress code and atmosphere. All those purchasing tickets are encouraged to bring a pair of blue jeans to the event as a donation to the Firehouse Shelter’s Clothes Closet. The event will also include a raffle of more than 50 holiday baskets. There will be live music by Seventh Avenue South, and Bob Straka will be the auctioneer for a live auction. For more information, visit www. firehouseshelter.com.

You’re invited to our Iron Bowl Kick-off Party celebrating the launch of the new 2015 Porsche Cayenne. Thursday, November 20, 5:30 - 8:00pm Register to win valuable door prizes.* Champagne and Diamonds Drawing: Diamond drawing sponsored by Diamonds Direct and features a pair of 14k white gold diamond hoops with 1.32 total diamond carat weight, retail $2100. Elegant hors d’oeuvres by Kathy G, complimentary spirits and live entertainment provided. Live and Silent Auctions benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Featured Auction Items: A One Day Porsche Sport Driving School Experience and two Iron Bowl tickets.

Birmingham

Glory Cottage Gifts and Market Nov. 14-15 Briarwood Presbyterian Church After 26 years, the Briarwood Christmas Shop has a new name. Glory Cottage Gifts and Market will debut at Briarwood Presbyterian Church Nov. 14, when shoppers can get a head start marking items off their Christmas lists from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The market will also be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 15. The market will be in the church’s Fellowship Hall at 2204 Briarwood Way. Admission is free. For more information, email briarwoodglorycottage@gmail. com or visit the Glory Cottage Gifts and Market Facebook page.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Alabama-Mississippi Chapter

Tom Williams Porsche I-459 @ Grants Mill Road 205-397-2700 / 800-571-6399 tom-williams.porschedealer.com *You must be present to win.

METRO

4 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

A Fighting Chance

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Reed’s Challenge to Family Leads to GI Research Foundation By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

efore Robert E. Reed lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2002, the Mountain Brook man issued a challenge to his sons–and the whole community–to finish the fight. Reed’s legacy of pulling people together to make a positive difference is living on in a foundation that was founded in his honor and as a response to his challenge to do more to care for pancreatic cancer patients and fund research for a cure. In the last decade, the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation has raised $1.5 million for research at UAB. The foundation’s signature fundraising event, the 10th annual Finish the Fight Iron Bowl Tailgate Party, will be Nov. 20 at Old Car Heaven in Birmingham. Reed’s son, Scott Reed of Mountain Brook, said his father’s legacy of “always finishing the fight” continues through the work of the foundation and Dr. Marty Heslin, the associate director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center who leads the foundation’s programs. Scott founded the foundation with his brother, Randy. Their mother, Carolyn Reed, is on the foundation’s board of directors. “The whole ‘Finish the Fight’ challenge actually stems from a funny anecdote that goes back to when Randy and I were in elementary school,” Scott said. “We were telling our father about someone picking on someone at school, and he told us that he never wanted us involved in a fight but said if we had no other choice and found ourselves in a fight, we had to finish it.” This year’s Finish the Fight Iron Bowl Tailgate Party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and will feature music by the Cooper Trent Band, plenty of tailgate food, complimentary wine and beer, a silent auction and perhaps even appearances by University of Alabama and Auburn University mascots and cheerleaders. Scott said he has fond memories of growing up watching football with his father, his brother and his mother–all huge Auburn fans.

“You can’t grow up around here and not look at the Iron Bowl as a big deal, but the idea we had when we started the Iron Bowl Tailgate Party was bigger than even football,” Scott said. “What we wanted to do was to create an event that’s not as formal as some fundraisers–something a little more relaxed–and something that capitalizes on that passion Auburn and Alabama fans bring to the game. We want people to rally around the battle against cancer with the same passion.” The foundation’s Junior Board also hosts the Beer, BBQ & Bingo Party and the Love-Love Magic City Tennis Challenge fundraisers to help fund GI cancer research and patient care. “My father actually wrote the first check for the foundation before he passed away,” Scott said. “Randy and I told our dad that we wanted to answer his challenge to finish the fight by founding the foundation. We told him that no matter how his battle with cancer turned out, that for us, it wasn’t over.” Scott said his father was only 60 years old and in the prime of his professional life as chairman and chief executive officer of RealtySouth when he passed away in 2002. But Scott said the family had two more years with his father than was expected. In 2002, a leading specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City sent Robert home to die, thinking it was too risky to perform a surgery that might slow the progression of the pancreatic cancer. “It was like seeing someone standing in front of an oncoming train and feeling like you can do absolutely nothing about what is about to happen,” Scott said. “To say it was a helpless feeling is a vast, vast understatement.” But as the family was leaving the hospital in New York City, the doctor mentioned that a bright surgical oncologist named Dr. Marty Heslin had just completed a fellowship at Sloan Kettering. “He told us that Marty was the brightest fellow to ever come through Sloan Kettering and that now he was at UAB,” Scott said. “It gave us hope that we had the best in the field right here at home.”

Organizers are putting together plans for the 2014 Finish the Fight Iron Bowl Tailgate Party Nov. 20 at Old Car Heaven in Birmingham. From left: Jimmy Holloway, Randy Reed, Bill Morton, Clay Morris and Forrest DeBuys. Journal photo by Julie Edwards

Carolyn Reed, right, serves on the board of directors of an oncology research foundation founded in honor of her late husband, Robert E. Reed, left. Photo special to the Journal

The family returned to Birmingham and made an appointment with Heslin. “My father was too sick at that time for surgery, but from that first meeting, that first day, Marty made it his goal to help my father get well enough for the surgery,” Scott said. “There was this ‘can-do’ attitude, this feeling that we’re all in this together, and for the first time in a long time, we were hopeful.” The surgery was a success, and Scott said his father was given two more years with his family–24 precious months that allowed him the chance to hold all of his grandchildren. “He saw three more grandchildren born. He had a chance to hold my younger son, who is named after him,” Scott said. “He knew all of his grandchildren before he passed away.”

After his father was laid to rest, Scott said he and his family were more determined than ever to take up his challenge and help make sure patients in the Birmingham area can continue to get the best care from the brightest physicians and specialists. “My father never said, ‘Go out and raise a bunch of money,’” Scott said. “The whole foundation is organized around people–in caring for people with cancer and for funding research to make sure less people have to face that battle.” Scott said his father was committed to helping the Birmingham area attract and retain top medical talent like Heslin. “My father knew that being close to home is important when you are sick, and that’s a component of what we aim to do with the foundation,” Scott said. “If you are fighting for your life, you shouldn’t have to get on a plane and fly across the country to get world-class treatment from the best professionals. We need to keep that talent, those resources right here in our own backyard.” For more information on the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation, visit reedgifoundation.com. For more information or to make reservations to attend the Nov. 20 Iron Bowl Tailgate Party, look under the “events” tab on the foundation’s website. ❖

Save the Date Cont. Shelby County

Fall Color Tour Nov. 13-15 Oak Mountain State Park Oak Mountain State Park will have its Fall Color Tour Nov. 13-15 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. The event is presented by Outdoor Alabama and allows visitors to see fall foliage with the Alabama mountains in the background. There is an interactive map online to track the color change of the leaves and will include suggested routes and viewing sites. Park admission ranges from $1-$3. For more information, visit alabama.travel. Homewood

Legacy League Meeting Nov. 13, 10 a.m. President’s Home The Samford University Legacy League will host its monthly meeting at the home of Samford’s president on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. The meeting will include a presentation by children’s author Darla Hall. Hall’s mission is to make kids struggling with illness smile. Refreshments will be served at the free event beginning at 10 a.m. The program

will begin at 10:30 a.m. Visit www. samford.edu/legacyleague for more information. Vestavia Hills

Magical Market Place Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Vestavia Hills UMC The Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church’s Women’s Circle 5 will host the 16th annual Magical Marketplace from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 14 at the church, 2061 Kentucky Ave. The event will feature more than 60 local and regional vendors offering a large selection of jewelry, stationery, clothing, baby gifts, holiday goodies and more. There will also be a bake sale. Boxed lunches will be available for $6. Proceeds will benefit the church’s Youth Department Thrive Student Ministries and missions. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/MagicalMarketplace. Homewood

Lions Club Pecan Sale Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Piggly Wiggly on U.S. 31 The Homewood Metro Lions Club

will hold its annual Camilla Pecan Sale in front of Piggly Wiggly on U.S. 31 in Homewood from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 14. An $8 donation is requested for each 12-ounce bag of Camilla pecans. The annual sale is the civic club’s major fundraiser of the year and will benefit the Alabama Lions Sight Association, Camp Seale Harris, Leader Dog for the Blind, Alabama Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program, Alabama Lions Hearing Aid Recycling Program and other community projects. Hoover

Women’s Club Tablescapes Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m. Riverchase Country Club The Riverchase Women’s Club will host a tablescapes event called “The Art of the Table” from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 14 at Riverchase Country Club. Tables will be decorated by community members and designers. Tickets are $10 and include light appetizers. There will also be a cash bar. The event also will feature the Holiday Boutique with items for sale from Wrapsody, Birmingham Bake and Cook, Majestee’s and others. No

reservations are required. North Shelby

America’s Best Hope Conference Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church Truth@Work will host a live simulcast of its third annual America’s Best Hope– Building Godly Leaders Conference at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 14. The national event will be held in Indianapolis and broadcast at the church. Dan Cathy, president and chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A, and Moody Radio host Janet Parshall will be the keynote speakers at the national event. At the local event, Richard E. Simmons, David Pursell, Don Hawkins, Wade Myers and Gary Purdy will be featured. Tickets are $49 and are available online at AmericasBestHope. org. For more information, visit truthatwork.org. Birmingham

G2K “Once Upon a Mattress” Nov. 14-16 Red Mountain Theatre Company Red Mountain Theatre Company

will host G2K “Once Upon a Mattress” Nov. 14-16. The show will run from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday. The show will be a twist on the story of “The Princess and the Pea” and is performed by artists ages 7-14. Tickets start at $10. For more information, visit www. redmountaintheatre.org. Birmingham

“AROVA” Premiere Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. ASFA “AROVA,” a feature length documentary about Dame Sonia Arova, a Bulgarian-born ballerina and the founding artistic director of Alabama Ballet, will premiere Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Alabama School of Fine Arts’ Creative Writing Lecture Hall. Directed and produced by Birmingham native Colleen Laeger with Therese Laeger as executive producer, the documentary focuses on the passion and dedication of the world-renowned ballerina, teacher and mentor and her legacy to the dance community. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ArovaDocumentary.

warm welcome 22nd annual

Play day!

Homewood

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

let's Play!

22nd annual

Play day!

Beth Bucher and Rochelle Simms are ready to welcome the community to the Holiday Open House at the Shops of Assistance League Nov. 16 in Homewood. Photo special to the Journal

Holiday Open House Nov. 16, 1-3 p.m. Shops of Assistance League The Shops of Assistance League’s Holiday Open House will be from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 16 at 1755 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. The annual event will help shoppers kick off the holiday season with items from PrimeTime Treasures and Encore Upscale Thrift Shop, including crafts, jewelry, art, pottery, children’s toys, clothes, furniture and home décor. For more information, visit www.assistanceleaguebham.org.❖ Birmingham

BAA Annual Member Show Nov. 15-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kings House Antiques Kings House Antiques and Oriental Rugs will host the Birmingham Art Association’s annual Members’ Show Nov. 15-22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be an open house Nov. 16 from 2-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Visit birminghamartassociation. org for more information. Birmingham

Dirt Dash 5K Nov. 15, 8:30 a.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens ServisFirst will present the Dirt Dash 5K Fun Run and Family Walk at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Junior Board’s largest

annual fundraiser will allow participants to run through The Gardens’ trails to benefit the BBG’s educational mission. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. The onemile family walk starts at 9 a.m. For more information, including a map of the courses, and to register online, visit www.bbgardens.org/funrun. North Shelby

Free ACT Prep Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. North Shelby Public Library Students can take a free ACT practice test Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the North Shelby Public Library. To register online, visit www.kaptest. com/hsevents. For more information, contact Ashley Streat at ashley.streat@ kaplan.com.

Play day in Mountain Brook Saturday November 22nd • 9:00-4:00

Meet the reps and play with the toys. There will be toy manufacturers and representatives available to answer questions and to demonstrate products. FREE PRODUCTS given to a limited number of children. Drawings and giveaways from your favorite companies. Come meet Curious George and Saggy Baggy Elephant!

Find us on

James harwell performing at

Moonlight on the Mountain Friday, November 28th at 7pm

MoonlightOnTheMtn.com • 585 Shades Crest Rd

Since 1950

Mountain Brook Village 2715 Culver Rd. • 871-0841

Holiday Hours

Nov. 28th thru December 23rd Mon.-Sat. 8:30-7:00 Sun. 12-5

6 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Very Merry Market JLB’s Holiday Sale Kicks off with Preview Party

To: From: Date:

The leaves are falling, the Edgar’s Bakery,” organizers smell of pumpkin spice is in said. the air and wish lists are being The crew from Tony Jones penned. In other words, it’s Salon & Spa will be on hand time for a holiday market. for Market Bliss offering The Junior League of guests a blow-out bar, miniBirmingham’s Market Noel manicures, mini-massages, returns Nov. 20-22 to the eyebrows arching, facials and Cahaba Grand Conference makeup stations. Center for the sixth year. Dr. Jason Jack and Dr. For over 90 years, Levy’s The event will feature Rob Oliver of Plastic Surgery has been Birmingham's more than 100 vendors. Specialists will be at Market Specialist in Antique and The festivities kick off Bliss selling discounted prodEstate Jewelry as well as at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 with a ucts, laser treatments and skin preview party. The event care lines. Fine Diamonds, Art will feature hors d’oeuvres, Market Bliss guests who and Antiques. specialty wine, beer and purchase a specialty drink cocktails courtesy of Cathead during the event will have a Vodka, Clyde May’s Alabama chance to win a $2,000 laser Style Whiskey, Good People package from Plastic Surgery Brewing Co., International Specialists. There will also be Wines and Craft Beers, and door prizes from Diamonds The Bar Hops. Direct and Tony Jones Salon The first 500 guests at & Spa. the preview party will take Market Noel organizhome swag bags and have a Lora Retherford, left, Market Noel chairman, talks ers said the event has grown with floral designer Lindsay Kessler of Lindsay Kessler chance to win a piece of jew- Designs about Kessler’s program on floral decor every year since it started six elry valued at $4,000-$5,000 scheduled to take place during the Junior League of years ago and is becoming a from Diamonds Direct. The holiday tradition for shoppers Birmingham’s Market Noel. Photo special to the Journal preview event will have music in the Over the Mountain and onstration and book signing by Anne from the Low Down Dirties and a Birmingham metro area. Byrn, also known as the Cake Mix silent auction including items from And growth is good, organizers Doctor, on the morning of Nov. 21. Southern Fireplaces, a Bar Hops said. John Croyle of Big Oak Ranch private tasting and a Leon Loard oil That’s because Market Noel 2116 2nd Avenue North • (205) 251-3381 will be on hand at Market Noel Nov. portrait. Preview party guests also helps support more than 30 commu21 to sign copies of his books. www.levysfinejewelry.com can bid on holiday wreaths for their nity projects of the Junior League of To help usher in the holiday seahomes. Birmingham, including programs in son, this year’s Market Noel will also While shoppers at Market Noel education, health, financial stability, feature an event called Market Bliss. will find great gift items, they can safety and crisis intervention. Described by Junior League of pick up some handy tips on holiday General admission shopping hours Birmingham organizers as “a night of entertaining and decorating, too. for Market Noel are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Jennifer beauty and bubbles,” the event feaLindsay Kessler of Lindsay Nov. 20-21 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 tures live entertainment from country Kessler Designs will host a floral 22. FAX: 205-824-1246 music performer Trey Lewis. arranging class called Mistletoe and For a complete list of participating Dec. 2012 During the first-ever Market Bliss Magnolia: Floral Decor for Your merchants and event details or to purevent, shoppers are encouraged to Holiday Home at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21. chase tickets, visit www.marketnoel. grab their girlfriends for “a blissful Wrightfor of Southern net. For more information on Junior This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiNWhitney JOurNAl the Livingto will give a cooking demonstra- happy hour filled with complimentary League of Birmingham programs, 13, 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes 824-1246. hrough Dec. an inspiring exhibit of nativity displays tion, and there will be a cooking dem- bubbles, wine and a dessert bar from visit www.jlbonline.com.❖ from around the world, you’ll be reminded of the

Come join us for a Community Christmas Celebration...

“In A Manger Lowly” A Christmas Open House

Please make all information is correct, including address and phoneSave the Date Cont. miracle of the sure first Christmas so many years ago. number! Birmingham local musicians who have participated

At the same time, you’llPlease hear stirring initial and fax back within 24 hours. in other tribute projects in Birmingham, Paris Trip Deposit Deadline if weChristmas have not heard from you by 5 pm the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. music, performed liveof by including Eat a Peach and Black Jacket Nov. 15 Symphony. For more information, visit Department of Foreign Languages gifted musicians, filling you with the The Lizard Kings on Facebook. Deposits for the 20th annual trip spirit of the Christmas season. to Paris by the UAB Department of Admission is FREE. Enjoy light refreshments, an inspirational display of nativities and fellowship with friends and neighbors in celebrating God’s gift of love.

Friday, December 5th

10:00am – 12:00pm

Saturday, December 6th

10:00am – 2:00pm

Event is hosted by Vestavia Hills Baptist Church 2600 Vestavia Drive 35216

Foreign Languages and Literature and the Alliance Francaise of Birmingham are due Nov. 15. The trip will be taken March 21-29. UAB students may be eligible for a full scholarship to pay for the cost of the trip. For more information, call Dr. Serge Bokobza at 934-8902 or 879-9939 or email him at sbokobza@uab.edu or contact Kim Thomas at kimafbham@yahoo.com or 985-2062. Birmingham

The Lizard Kings in Concert Nov. 15, 10 p.m. Zydeco The Lizard Kings, a Doors tribute band, will make its Birmingham debut at Zydeco Nov. 15. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. The show starts at 10 p.m. The show is for ages 18 and older. Tickets start at $8. The band includes several

Mountain Brook

Millennials and Faith Program Nov. 16, 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church Canterbury United Methodist will host Rachel Held Evans Nov. 16 at 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Evans is a bestselling author who has been featured in the Huffington Post and the Washington Post and on Oprah.com. She will speak on “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” in the morning and “Searching for Sunday” and “Faith Unraveled” at the evening program. The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.canterburyumc.org/fallseries for more information. Hoover

Day Hike Nov. 16, 2 p.m. Moss Rock Preserve The Moss Ross Preserve will host a 2-4 mile nature hike Nov. 16 at 2

p.m. The hike is for ages 7 and older and will allow hikers to see forests, streams, boulders and great views. There will be an optional lunch before the hike at 12:30 p.m. at Vecchia Restaurant. Registration is required only for those attending the lunch. Hikers are encouraged to bring water to drink. For more information on the hike, email davidshep2@yahoo.com or call 2404681. Hoover

Tradewinds Duo Performance Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. Hoover Public Library The Hoover Public Library will host a performance by the Tradewinds Duo Nov. 16 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The free event will feature Carol Downey and John Taylore as they perform a variety of music with piano, trumpet and vocals. Call 444-7821 for more information. Birmingham

Christmas at the Caroline House Nov. 18-19 Caroline House Briarwood Presbyterian Church

About Town

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will host Christmas at the Caroline House Nov. 18-19 to celebrate Advent. Presentations are at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The event will include a performance by the Briarwood Ballet, a light meal and guest speaker Nancy Worthington, a women’s Bible study leader. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at briarwood. org/women or in the Briarwood Bookstore. The Caroline House is an organization for women and children. For more information on the events, visit briarwood.org/advent or call 776-5311. Homewood

Musical Family Night Nov. 20, 6:15-7:15 p.m. Homewood Public Library The Homewood Public Library will host a musical family night Nov. 20 from 6:15-7:15 p.m. The free event will allow children to grow in their musical ability as Native American Thanksgiving is celebrated. Susie Youngson of “Music Together” will perform, and there will be a popcorn bar after the performance. Visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6619 for more information. Homewood

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” Nov. 20-21, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Samford University The Dr. Chandler and Jane Paris Smith Opera Series will present “Amahl and the Night Visitors” Nov. 20 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Samford University. The free event will feature Samford’s Orchestra and Opera performing the works of Offenbach, Vaughan Williams and Menotti. Call 726-2011 or visit www. samford.edu/arts for more information.

Birmingham

Soul of November Nov. 21-23 Alabama School of Fine Arts The Alabama School of Fine Arts will host Soul of November Nov. 21-23. There will be classical ballet and contemporary choreography dances. The ASFA dancers and musicians will perform in the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. Shows will run from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22 and from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call 458-0360 for more information. Birmingham

Power Up Fundraising Dinner Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m. Regions Field Banquet Hall Girls on the Run Birmingham will have a pre-race Power Up Fundraising Dinner Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Regions Field Banquet Hall. The event will include a “power up” meal, a silent auction and a raffle. All proceeds will benefit the physical activity-based program for girls in the third through fifth grades. Tickets to the are $40 and can be purchased at www. girlsontherunbham.org. Birmingham

Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra Fall Concert Nov. 22, 3 p.m. Alys Stephens Center The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra will have its fall concert Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Jemison Concert Hall at the Alys Stephens Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Visit www.alabamasymphony.org for more

information. Birmingham

Winter Wonderland Holiday Exhibit Nov. 22-Jan. 11 McWane Science Center McWane Science Center will host its Winter Wonderland Holiday Exhibit Nov. 22-Jan. 11. The science center will turn into a winter wonderland with an ice slide covered in lights, extended zip line and the three-car McWane Train that will take guests ice fishing on a holiday-themed track. Tickets are free for members and range from $9-$13 for non-members. Call 714-8300 or visit www.mcwane.org for more information and holiday hours. Homewood

Community Thanksgiving Service Nov. 23, 6 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church The churches of Homewood will celebrate their annual community Thanksgiving worship service at 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road. Other churches taking part in the service are All Saints’ Episcopal, Bethel AME, Dawson Memorial Baptist, Edgewood Presbyterian, Friendship Baptist, Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian, Oakmont United Methodist, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic, Second Presbyterian, Shades Valley Lutheran and Union Missionary Baptist. A nursery will be provided. Those attending are asked to consider bringing a nonperishable food item to be donated to Greater Birmingham Ministries. For more information, visit www.trinitybirmingham. com or call 879-1737. ❖

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 7

8 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

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The Mysteries Continue

Writer’s Second Medical Thriller Supports Juvenile Diabetes Research By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

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Mountain Brook author is using the release of his newest book as an opportunity to fund research that could help rewrite the life stories of children just like his 11-year-old daughter. On Nov. 14–World Diabetes Day–Blue Jay Media Group will release the second medical thriller in a book series by Stephen Russell, with 100 percent of the author’s proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for the next three months. “That means, for example, when someone downloads the e-book version of ‘Command and Control,’ $2 of the $3.99 they pay will go directly to JDRF,” Russell said. “It’s amazing to think that lives could be changed, all for less than a cup of coffee.” Russell, an associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his wife, Gretel, a pediatrician at Mayfair Medical in Homewood, first got involved with the Alabama Chapter of the JDRF about six years ago after their oldest daughter, Molly, was diagnosed with type 1, or juvenile diabetes. It was a diagnosis that stunned the couple, Russell said. In October 2007, Russell and his wife noticed that Molly was acting sluggish and was having trouble

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Stephen Russell and his oldest daugter, Molly, participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes in September at Veterans Park in Hoover. Russell is donating proceeds from his second book to the organization. Russell will hold a book signing for “Command and Control” from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Little Professor Book Center in Homewood. Photo special to the Journal

shaking a cold. “We noticed that she had been more tired than usual and just not herself, so my wife decided to take Molly to her office and just run a few tests. We thought she had strep throat,” Russell said. But the rapid strep test was negative, and a urine test came back indicating Molly’s blood sugar levels were abnormal. “I was at home with the younger children at the time, and my wife called me and said that she must not

be reading the test results correctly,” Russell said. “It had never occurred to us that Molly might have diabetes.” The couple followed up with Molly’s pediatrician, who confirmed that she had type 1 diabetes. “We just shook our heads. We wondered how something that we could have diagnosed with clarity in another child, we couldn’t recognize in our own child,” Russell said. “At first, we kind of drove ourselves crazy wondering how we could have missed it.” Even though Russell and his wife knew a lot about diabetes because of their professions, the father said being a doctor didn’t make dealing with the diagnosis any easier in the beginning. “In the early days after she was diagnosed, being doctors actually made it tougher in one sense because we knew all the risks and complications,” he said. “I could tell you what diabetes means out of a textbook, but I couldn’t tell you what it meant as a parent. That was the frightening part that every parent goes through, no matter what they do for a living – it’s the fear of the unknown.” Russell said even though Molly was only 4 at the time of the diagnosis, he and his wife found themselves worried about not only her immediate health but how diabetes would affect their daughter down the road. “We worried about whether she would be able to have kids, how this would affect her at every stage of her life,” he said. “Your instincts as a parent supersede any medical training or experience, because the bottom line is that you are worried about whether your child will be able to have a normal life or not.” Russell said research being funded by the JDRF is aimed at making sure Molly and others with

diabetes have less to worry about in the future. And he said he hopes the author proceeds of his second book provide a big financial boost to JDRF research efforts. “The book’s release is set specifically to coincide with November’s National Diabetes Month, and it just kind of worked out that it’s being released on Nov. 14, which is World Diabetes Day,” he said. The book is a follow-up to Russell’s first novel in the Cooper McKay series, “Blood Money,” which is about the illicit blood trade. “That story was actually inspired by a patient of mine when I was working in Cincinnati who was receiving a synthetic blood,” Russell said. “That got me to thinking about how far big business would go to make a profit.” Russell wrote the first draft of “Blood Money” in about 90 days, working early in the mornings from his Mountain Brook home before going to work. It was published in February, garnering great reviews and reaching No. 8 on the Amazon Bestseller List for medical thrillers three days after its release. In “Command and Control,” McKay saves the life of a man with flu-like symptoms and ends up embroiled in a government cover-up involving a deadly pandemic caused by an Ebola-like virus. Russell said he started researching the book in 2010, long before the current Ebola outbreak in Africa. Russell said it is not as odd as most people might think that a phy-

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 9

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

sician, a scientist, could also be a storyteller. “I kind of feel like I’ve been collecting stories throughout my entire professional life as a doctor,” he said. Russell said he’s always been intrigued by stories. He said his father, Dr. Richard O. Russell Jr., a cardiologist, was one of the best storytellers he’s ever known. “My dad was a natural storyteller and I grew up hearing about all his stories from work, and I just remember always loving to hear the stories he collected as part of his job,” he said. While Russell enjoyed history and writing, he was also fascinated by medicine. After completing his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University, he decided to go to medical school and enter the family business. “I’m a fifth-generation Alabama physician,” he said. “In some ways, this career path was expected, but I think I would have been drawn to it even if I hadn’t grown up around medicine.” Russell kept journals for several years and wrote about patient encounters and interesting medical moments. He started turning those journal notes into short stories, and the more he wrote, the faster the ideas for stories came, Russell said. In 2004, he challenged himself to write a book in 90 days and later that year, he completed his first manuscript. “My first thought, of course, was to get it published, but I gave the 450

pages to a cardiologist friend who has published two books, and he read it and gave it back to me and told me I needed to find my story in all of those pages,” he said. So Russell broke out his editor’s pen and carved out the story his cardiologist friend had known was somewhere in that first draft of “Blood Money.” “I had to get over a little bit of an emotional attachment to what I had written,” Russell said. After rewriting the story, Russell’s book agent shopped it around, and before too long the doctor had a three-book deal with Blue Jay Media Group. It took him about 14 months to write the follow-up to “Blood Money,” and he is already hard at work on the third book that will follow “Command and Control.” “Up until the first book was released in February, I had always viewed my two jobs as very separate and distinct from each other,” Russell said. “But I realize now that it is all connected. My writing started out as observations on my medical career, and those stories have now taken on a life of their own in a way that’s given me the opportunity to help my daughter and all diabetes patients. I’ve come full circle.” Russell will sign copies of “Command and Control” at Little Professor Book Center in Homewood from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 20. For more information on the Alabama Chapter of the JDRF, visit www.alabama.jdrf.org or call 8710333.❖

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u Over the Mountain

Palmer Says He’s Ready to Start Work on Capitol Hill By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Following his Nov. 4 victory over Democrat Mark Lester in the Sixth Congressional District race, Gary Palmer said he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work on Capitol Hill. “I’ve been talking with other guys around the country, and they’re ready to get to work. And so am I,” Palmer told supporters at his election party at the Marriott Hotel off U.S. 280 in Birmingham. “These new Republican candidates along with the guys who are already serving – and there are some incredible people going to Congress – are tough-minded, committed people who see this not as a career but as a mission.” And Palmer sees himself fitting in among his Congress-bound colleagues. “I think the greatest attributes I bring to this are a sense of purpose, a sense of mission and a sense of calling,” he said. Not surprisingly, Palmer trounced Lester in the heavily conservative district, receiving 76 percent of the vote – or 135,711 votes – compared to Lester’s 24 percent, or 42,172 votes,

according to Politico. Lester, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and current BirminghamSouthern College history professor, wasn’t helped by his late entry into the race. He was a last-minute substitution after Democrat Avery Vise withdrew in August to focus more time on his business. While the Sixth Congressional District – which includes suburban areas outside of Birmingham, the southwestern portions of Jefferson County and all of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa and Shelby counties – has been a Republican stronghold since 1992 when district lines were redrawn, this election cycle resulted in a shift back to the right nationally. Palmer rides a Republican wave into Washington, D.C., as the politically conservative party captured a majority of the seats in Senate and appears poised to be a collective thornin-the-side to President Barack Obama during his remaining two years in office. Palmer said among the issues he plans to tackle as a freshman congressional House representative is the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare. “Everywhere I went people asked

how long will it take to repeal and replace Obamacare,” he said. “We’ve got to start that process and get out and talk to people about it so they know what they’re getting.” During his victory speech, Palmer mentioned his faith, family, friends and volunteers – all of which he said helped make his election victory possible. “This campaign was birthed by prayer, sustained by prayer and tonight it was delivered by prayer,” the conservative think-tank founder told his supporters. Palmer talked about growing up “dirt poor” as the son of a logger who had an eighth-grade education but taught him the value of integrity and hard work. “I’m the first person in my family to go to college, and I can promise you, it changed my whole family,” said Palmer, who received a bachelor’s degree in operations management from the University of Alabama. Palmer also talked about his journey from raising money to making it through a crowded GOP primary field with seven candidates to ultimately winning the congressional seat. He emerged from the June primary but in second place to State Rep. Paul

Gary Palmer’s family takes the stage with him after learning he was elected to represent the Sixth Congressional District seat being vacated by Spencer Bachus. Bachus attended Palmer’s celebration at the Marriott Hotel off U.S. 280. From left: Palmer’s children Claire, Rob and Kathleen, and Palmer’s wife, Ann. Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

DeMarco, whom he defeated in a runoff by gathering 64 percent of the vote. “Back in December when I was told how much money I needed to raise by the end of December, I just got on the phone and start calling. I said ‘Lord, this is your opportunity to close this door,’” Palmer said. “And everybody said ‘yes.’ And on Dec. 31 when the bank closed, I had $256,000.” Palmer joked about having to battle a lack of name recognition. “When they did the first poll, my name ID was at 40 percent, and half the people who recognized my name

u mountain brook

Planning Commission Narrowly Approves Vine Street Rezoning By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Above: A crowd gathers to hear plans for a new Piggly Wiggly store in Crestline Village in Mountain Brook. Journal file photo Below: An artist’s rendering of the new store. Rendering special to the Journal

The Mountain Brook Planning Commission at its Nov. 3 meeting voted 4-3 to rezone property that could pave the way for a new Piggly Wiggly in Crestline. The commission agreed to rezone two lots on Vine Street from residential to commercial and another lot on Vine Street from professional district to commercial. The split vote reflected the sharp divide on the issue, as residents packed the council chamber to support and oppose the rezoning. Many residents have lobbied for the return of Piggly Wiggly to the Crestline area ever since the former store closed its doors Nov. 3 of last year, displacing 60 employees and ending a 30-year relationship with the community. But many residents who support the return of Piggly Wiggly oppose its proposed location on Vine Street between Dexter Avenue and West Jackson Boulevard. They say a Piggly Wiggly there would increase traffic and endanger Crestline Elementary students and those using nearby athletic fields. “We love Piggly Wiggly and want it back in our community, but not at this location,” resident Ralph Bishop said. Andy Virciglio, owner of the former Crestline

store and potential co-owner of the proposed new store, wants to build a 28,250 square-foot Piggly Wiggly Store in the area. The proposal also calls for an additional 92 parking spaces. The property contains office buildings, including an office used by the Girl Scouts and a learning center, and is used as a parking lot. Jeffrey Brewer, executive vice president for Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, the architect for the Piggly Wiggly project, said Virciglio and other partners examined multiple sites for a new store. But the proposed site represents the best chance to bring a neighborhood grocery store back to Crestline, he said. “We have one opportunity before us to make this happen,” Brewer said. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of effort and energy from a lot of folks to make this a truly safe and inviting new (project).” Brewer said the development team has spoken with city, police, fire and school officials about safety and other issues and has modified design and site plans to accommodate their concerns. The development team also hired Skipper Consulting Inc., which conducted a traffic study and made several recommendations to minimize the flow of traffic on surrounding streets. But residents opposed to the proposal pointed out that the study focuses on traffic during school hours and not off hours when students would still be

thought I was a golfer,” he said. “But other people believed in our message and they believed in our campaign and they kept giving, and here we are.” Palmer will replace longtime U.S. House Rep. Spencer Bachus, who announced last year he wouldn’t seek another term after 21 years on Capitol Hill. Bachus attended Palmer’s election party to pass the torch to the newly-elected congressman. “I’m excited that you’ll be my new congressman,” Bachus said. Palmer will leave for his first term as a congressman in January. ❖

present for athletic activities, a point that caught Commissioner Susan Swagler’s attention. “I’m really, really concerned about the traffic study not taking those other times (into consideration),” she said before voting against the rezoning. Brewer said traffic outside school hours is minimal. Bishop reminded the commission that the city has taken special care through its Master Plan and a White Paper it commissioned in 2006 to establish the proposed Piggly Wiggly property as a transitional area between commercial and residential. He said the presence of a Piggly Wiggly will not only alter the character of the neighborhood but threaten the safety of children. “I’ve seen many close calls on Vine Street from children running out in traffic, and to multiply the traffic in that area exponentially will likely … result in injury or death to a child,” he said. “I really believe that will happen if you put a large business right next to that school, which is why every study you commissioned has said have a transitional area between residential and commercial.” Resident Kathryn Corey said city officials, the developer and residents have been working a year to find a suitable location for a new Piggly Wiggly. “There is not another solution for a grocery store to service Crestline Village,” she said. “That means, if you’re anything like me, you’re taking those dollars outside the city.” Several residents asked the commission to postpone a vote on the rezoning, but Mountain Brook Planning Commissioner Jack Carl, also a city council member, said the issue has been vetted for several months and should move on to the council. The council is scheduled to hear the rezoning request at its Nov. 24 meeting. ❖

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 11

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u hoover

It’s Batter Up at the Met for UA Baseball By William C. Singleton III The University of Alabama baseball team will play its home games at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium next spring. Both the university and Hoover city officials have agreed on a contract that has UA’s baseball team playing a minimum of 28 games at the stadium, also called the Hoover Met. Hoover and UA officials have been negotiating since earlier this year to bring Crimson Tide baseball to the Hoover Met. UA needed another location for its 2015 season while its SewellThomas Stadium undergoes $35 million in renovations. Stadium renovations should be completed by the start of the 2016 baseball season, said Chris Besanceney, UA

Photo special to the Journal

Journal contributor

assistant athletic director. Besanceney said the university selected the Hoover Met “based on availability and geography and it’s close

– about a 45- to 50-mile drive from Tuscaloosa – and the fact we’re familiar with the baseball park and had pretty good crowds support us when we played

u Vestavia Hills

City Lowers Price of Municipal Building By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Vestavia Hills city officials have agreed to reduce their asking price for the current municipal building. The City Council recently agreed to reduce the purchase price of $1.5 million to $1.37 million to facilitate

road improvements Chick-fil-A must make if it wants to build a restaurant at the site. In March, the council approved an agreement with the Georgiabased restaurant corporation to purchase the municipal building at 513 Montgomery Highway. The city plans to build a new

municipal complex on the former Food World property in the Vestavia Plaza Shopping Center and on adjacent property which was the former site of Joe’s Ranch House. But during the due-diligence period, Chickfil-A discovered site improvement issues that will cost about $500,000 to address.

in the SEC tournament.” The Hoover City Council voted to support the contract at a September meeting. UA officials signed off on the contract three weeks ago. Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said the city is excited about UA baseball being played at the Hoover Met. “We think it will fill up a lot of hotel rooms. It’ll be good recognition for the city. It’s just good all the way around,” he said. UA’s home baseball season begins Feb. 15 with a game against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and will lead right into the SEC Baseball Tournament May 17-24. The city agreed to alter the distance between home plate and the outfield fence to make it comport to the dimensions of Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., where the College World Series The Alabama Department of Transportation has also required Chick-fil-A to extend turn lanes and entry points into the site, which will cost about $122,000. City officials have agreed to reduce the price to move the project along, City Manager Jeff Downes said. Chick-fil-A still has to apply to rezone the property from institutional to business, a process that could take some months, Downes said. ❖

is played. “I think other than the outfield fence, the Hoover Met is a fantastic facility,” Besanceney said. The contract also calls for UA to pay Hoover $3,500 per game. UA will receive proceeds from ticket sales; Hoover will receive proceeds from concessions sold during games. UA will be able to lease six skyboxes during the season and keep the revenue from those leases. The Hoover Met seats about 10,500 people and was formerly the home of the Birmingham Barons. ❖

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u Vestavia Hills

Credit Union Buys Former Library Site on U.S. 31

Homewood City Schools staff members are settling into a new $4 million central office on Dale Avenue. Photo special to the Journal

By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

u homewood

New School Central Office Opens By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

The new $4 million Homewood school central office is now open for business, board meetings and staff development. About 15 Homewood school central office employees moved into the school system’s new 15,687-square-foot headquarters in late August, and the board held its first meeting in the building in September. The new building is at 450 Dale Avenue. The property on which the new building sits runs along Valley Avenue and had been eyed as a site for a new central office ever since the school board purchased the property for about $10 million from foreclosure in December 2010. The site used to house the 440-unit Magnolia Park Apartments, which went into foreclosure in July 2010. At the time, school officials said they wanted to be proactive in identifying available property for future school

needs, particularly with Homewood being virtually landlocked. The school system razed the abandoned buildings to prepare the site for a new central office. Merrick Wilson, spokeswoman for Homewood City Schools, said the new facility gives staff more room compared to the previous office at 7 Hollywood Boulevard. The new facility is more than double the space of the previous building, which measured 7,400 square feet. “We had employees sharing open offices, which can be difficult when meeting with teachers, parents, community members and new employees and holding interviews,” Wilson said. “We also had limited space for professional development. Bringing faculty and staff together for professional development is important for collaboration in our schools.” Wilson said the new building is also more visitorfriendly. The old building had a confusing layout because the entrance was on a lower level while the main offices were on the second level. The new building is one level, which makes it more accessible to visitors, Wilson said. ❖

The site of the former Vestavia Hills Public Library will be the home of a new America’s First Federal Credit Union branch. The city and America’s First recently closed on the sale of 1.6 acres at 1112 Montgomery Highway. “It is now their property,” said City Manager Jeff Downes. America’s First will begin demolishing the existing building, which should be razed by the end of the year. The credit institution is expected to begin building its new branch at the start of the year, Downes said. He said there is no need to rezone the property, and the city’s design review committee has already approved designs plans submitted by America’s First. The City Council at an Oct. 13 meeting voted to finalize an agreement with the credit institution to purchase the former library property. Though the council had approved the sale of the property in May to America’s First for $950,000, the agreement had a due-diligence clause which allowed America’s First 120 days to inspect the site to determine if it would go through with the sale. After the inspection, America’s First discovered the site needed sub-

stantial improvements. According to a site improvement narrative, the site has topography issues and unsuitable soils and subterranean rock which must be removed and replaced with engineered fill. The Alabama Department of Transportation has also mandated road improvements to facilitate the flow of traffic entering and exiting the site. The unexpected costs total about $500,000, Downes said. America’s First representatives asked the city to reduce its asking price for the property from $950,000 to $850,000. “To be able to move toward closing, our friends at America’s First asked for some concessions on the sales price,” Downes said. “We have agreed that if we were able to drop the price, America’s First would close their due-diligence period and move to an immediate closing within the next 30 days.” The transaction between America’s First and the city of Vestavia Hills settles the fate of the former library property, which has remained vacant since the library moved into its new location at 1221 Montgomery Highway in December 2010. America’s First officials said if all goes according to plan, the branch should open in July. ❖

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u homewood

Chamber Director Will Retire By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

After six years with the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Tricia Ford is retiring. Ford said she will hang on until the chamber finds her replacement, but her target date for retirement is the end of the year.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t found the person, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to continue as an interim executive director until they do,â&#x20AC;? she said. Ford said she decided retiring now was the right time for her and her family. Her husband, Jim, is also retiring, and they plan to spend time traveling and enjoying life. Ford said she wants to visit Ireland again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Retirement is such a funny word,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It conjures in my mind rocking on the front porch watching traffic go by, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the furthest thing from what I plan on doing. I hope to do some consulting work, but I just have so many hobbies, one of which is my greatest love, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my horses. I also plan on gardening and reading and painting.â&#x20AC;? Ford came to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce in October 2008 after six years as executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her career working with area chambers, she had her own full-service advertising firm, Market Potential Inc.Â During her tenure with Homewood, the chamber has seen tremendous growth and participation in events, city and chamber leaders said. The chamu over the mountain

State Park Gets High Rating from TripAdvisor Over the Mountain residents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to travel very far to take advantage of a park that TripAdvisor has named one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best. The online travel site recently awarded its 2014 Certificate of Excellence to Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County. Oak Mountain, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest park, was among the nine Alabama parks recognized by TripAdvisor.

Homewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tricia Ford plans to retire at the end of the year. Photo special to the Journal

berâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature events such as Taste of Homewood and the Golf Classic have continued to be successful raising funds for scholarships for Homewood High students, chamber leaders said. The chamber has also established an ambassadors program under Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watch. The ambassadors program is designed to bring new energy and ideas to the chamber. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through Triciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guidance, the chamber has grown its membership and built a strong foundation that the community can be proud of,â&#x20AC;? Chamber President Trey Schaefer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her commitment to Homewood and her passion for our businesses have brought recognition to our community from around the state.â&#x20AC;? The awards are based on user ratings and reviews. Award winners must maintain at least four out of five stars on TripAdvisor and be on the site for a minimum of one year to receive the honor. The Oak Mountain wakeboard park is the only cable skiing system in operation in Alabama, park officials said. At nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain is the largest state park in Alabama and the second most visited after Gulf State Park. Each year, approximately half a million people visit Oak Mountain, park officials said. â?&#x2013;

Mayor Scott McBrayer said Ford has been a strong advocate for Homewood.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known and respected Tricia for a long time and have always appreciated her willingness to work so hard to promote Homewood,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She will be greatly missed, but I know she and her husband, Jim, will have many years to enjoy during retirement. We certainly love them and wish them well.â&#x20AC;? Ford said her success as an executive director is a result of the support from city officials and fellow chamber members.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been an amazing six years serving as executive director of such a strong chamber,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What an honor to represent a community unlike any other. A heartfelt thank you to my tremendous board of directors, city council and our mayor. Without such

strong support we would not be where we are today.â&#x20AC;? The chamber is accepting applications for the position of executive director. Individuals interested in the job are encouraged to send a

letter of application and resume to Homewoodchambersecretary@gmail. com. The deadline for submission is Nov. 21 at noon. The job description has been posted at www.homewoodchamber.org.â?&#x2013;

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14 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Chefs Share

Thanksgiving Memories and Recipes from Area Restaurateurs

Ambrosia Awakens Thanksgiving Memories for Becky Satterfield When Becky Satterfield, owner of her namesake restaurant in Cahaba Heights, reminisces about happy Thanksgivings, she is quick to recall her grandmother’s fresh ambrosia. “I truly love this recipe that my grandmother made every Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said. She opened Satterfield’s Restaurant in January 2005. The restaurant is known for serving New American cuisine in an unpretentious, fine dining atmosphere “I always loved the colors and textures (of the ambrosia) and especially fishing out as many cherries that would be allowed, because I loved cherries,” said Satterfield, who used to spend her elementary and junior high afterschool hours watching Julia Child on Alabama Public Television. Ambrosia, she said, “is a healthy dessert or palate cleanser when eating a little more than normal when in holiday mode.”

“I prepare it for my family, too, every Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Satterfield said. Making the ambrosia, she said, “is a real labor of love because it is a tedious task segmenting the citrus and keeping the seeds at bay.” The effort, however, is “worth it,” she said, describing her grandmother’s ambrosia as “a very traditional Southern holiday, homestyled dish.” Satterfield, who said her love for cooking was inspired by her mother, Carole Hennessey of Tuscaloosa, will close her restaurant on Thanksgiving Day – but be right back in business the day after. DETAILS: Satterfield’s Restaurant, 3161 Cahaba Heights Road, Suite 113, 969-9690, www.satterfieldsrestaurant.com –Lynn Grisard Fullman, Journal contributor

BECKY SATTERFIELD’S SOUTHERN HOLIDAY AMBROSIA

DETAILS: Bistro V, 521 Montgomery Highway, Suite 113, Vestavia Hills, 823-1505, www. bistro-v.com –Lynn Grisard Fullman, Journal contributor

‘I truly love this recipe that my grandmother made every Thanksgiving and Christmas.’

Directions: Cut squash in half and then rough chop. Dice onion. Sauté squash and onion in olive oil and half stick of butter. Add salt and pepper. Cook (preferably in a cast-iron skillet) until squash and onion become soft. Add heavy cream and cheese. Mix lump crab with oregano and parsley. Pour entire mixture into a 13x9 baking dish. Top with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve piping hot.

Journal photo by Tommy Wald

Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 5 to 6 yellow squash, cut in half and then rough chopped 1 Vidalia onion, small dice ½ cup olive oil ½ stick butter Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup heavy cream 3 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese 1 pound fresh lump crabmeat 1/2 cup fresh oregano 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine 1 cup bread crumbs

Photo special to the Journal

How to segment the citrus: Note: It’s best to have a sharp paring knife or whatever sharp knife you are comfortable using for precise tasks. With an orange or grapefruit, lay it on its side and slice off the top. Rotate and slice bottom of fruit so it can sit flat. Turn fruit and lay flat on one of the cut sides. Slice from top to bottom along the contour of the fruit. After you have removed the peeling and pith, you will see the flesh of the fruit and the dividing membranes. With your sharp paring knife, slide knife between membrane and pulp into center. Repeat this process all the way around the fruit until all segments are cut out. Place in mixing bowl. Make sure no seeds fall into the existing segments. After segmenting the whole fruit, you should be left with nothing but the membrane, which holds a lot of valuable juice. Squeeze juice from membrane while holding one hand below to make sure no seeds escape into citrus mixture.

suggested buying the crabmeat at Snapper Grabbers Seafood Market, which is just down the sidewalk from his restaurant. Later this month, the Downey family, which has expanded to include some 40 people, will gather in Bayou La Batre for Thanksgiving. Downey, who is vowing “this year I’m going to try to stay out of the kitchen,” said he expects such choices as sweet potatoes, greens and his family’s usual two different gumbos to be served. Available routinely at Bistro V, the squash casserole (without crabmeat) “sells like wildfire,” Downey said. “I love this squash casserole.”

Growing up in Bayou La Batre, Jeremy Downey, one of the owners of Bistro V adjacent to Vestavia Hills City Hall, consumed plenty of dishes with fresh seafood. It is little wonder since his south Alabama hometown, which lies along the Mississippi Sound on the Gulf of Mexico, is known as “The Seafood Capital of Alabama.” For as long as Downey can remember, Thanksgiving celebrations included a squash and crabmeat casserole prepared by his grandmother, Naomi Downey. And even though she passed away three years ago, the Downey family continues to serve her casserole at Thanksgiving. To be assured of getting a serving of the casserole when the family gathered, “you had to get in there fast,” Downey said, laughing. “Everybody loved it.” Good crabmeat is essential to making the casserole turn out best, Downey said. He

JEREMY DOWNEY’S SQUASH AND CRABMEAT CASSEROLE

Ingredients: 5 Ruby Red grapefruits, segmented and seeded 10 to 12 Valencia (or comparable) oranges, segmented and seeded 1 6-ounce package frozen coconut 1 16-ounce jar maraschino cherries and half of its juice (or more to suit your taste) Directions: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and fold gently. Serve in 4- to 6-ounce clear bowls to visually enjoy the beauty of the colorful fruit segments, coconut and cherries as you joyfully consume them.

Hometown’s Access to Fresh Seafood Inspired Family Dishes

‘...you had to get in there fast. Everybody loved it.’

Becky Satterfield

More recipes on page 15

Jeremy Downey

Imagination is Key to Morosini’s Recipe “imagination and don’t be afraid to add a spicier twist, like the ginger ranch (1 cup of ranch dressing and one tablespoon of fresh ginger, pureed together) or chipotle pesto, just to make a quick example.” The additions are welcome by those who find the squash flavor too sweet, said Morosini, who several years ago purchased the restaurant that opened originally in 1986. Morosini advised cooks to enjoy their efforts. “Mistakes are going to happen, but we all learn from those,” he said.

MARCO MOROSINI’S BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP Ingredients: 2 to 3 butternut squash, roasted 1 gallon broth (chicken, beef or vegetable) 1 medium carrot, chopped small 1 celery stalk, chopped small 1 medium-size white onion, chopped small Salt and pepper to taste Directions:

Cut squash in two and place upside down in oven on a slightly oily pan. Roast squash at 350 degrees until it becomes nice and golden. Let cool. Remove pulp from squash. In a blender, add pulp and a little bit of broth. Mix until smooth. In a large pot, warm remaining broth. In a separate pot, cook celery-carrots-onion mixture until golden color. Add pulp mix and remaining broth. Cook for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serving suggestion: Top with croutons or ginger ranch (1 cup of ranch dressing

and one tablespoon of fresh ginger, pureed together) or chipotle pesto.

DETAILS: The Silvertron Café, 3813

Clairmont Ave., 591-3707, www. silvertroncafe.us –Lynn Grisard Fullman, Journal contributor

Photo special to the Jounral

Growing up in Italy, Marco Morosini didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving the way Americans do, stopping each fall on a designated day to feast and to count blessings. Once in the U.S., however, he adopted the annual custom, highlighting favorite foods and giving thanks. Morosini, owner of The Silvertron Café that is housed in a building where workmen once repaired televisions, “came to enjoy it here in the U.S.,” he said. One of Morosini’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes is butternut squash soup, which he serves in his restaurant as a soup of the day. He also prepares it at home for his family, he said. “This is a basic recipe,” he said, explaining that cooks should use their

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 15

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

‘...don’t be afraid to add a spicier twist, like the ginger ranch or chipotle pesto, just to make a quick example.’ Marco Morosini

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16 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Dolan Hunts then Feasts on Thanksgiving Years ago on Thanksgiving mornings, Jim Dolan and his trio of brothers, as young teens, began a family tradition of bird hunting. They also hunted the following day, no doubt a few pounds heavier after a feast that included Dolan’s favorite: scalloped oysters. Annually on Thanksgiving Day, Dolan’s mother prepared scalloped oysters for her halfdozen children. It is a dish served occasionally at Irondale Café, said Dolan, who said he has a “passion for Southern oysters because they are so big.” A plus for oysters, he said, is that they can be harvested from a variety of regions, so when one supply slacks, another kicks in. The Dolan children these days rotate hosting Thanksgiving in their homes – and they continue the hunt tradition, hunting either quail, duck or pheasant, depending upon what state they happen to be celebrating in, said Dolan, who grew up in Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. This year, Dolan, owner of Irondale Café, will host the family’s Thanksgiving get-together at his fish camp in Venice, La. “Hopefully we will get to duck hunt, fish for redfish and tuna fish, if the weather permits,” Dolan said. “We are smoking whole

hogs this year but will be serving scalloped oysters fresh from the Empire oyster beds as well.” The recipe, he said, “is easy, fast, uncomplicated – anybody can do it.” Better yet, it can be made a day ahead and cooked on the day it is to be served, he said. For those who’d prefer to eat out this year for Thanksgiving, Irondale Café will be open Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The restaurant also offers help with cooking for Thanksgiving Day. With such choices as whole turkeys, smoked hams, sides and pies, takeout will be available for pickup Nov. 24-26. You can request full details by emailing the restaurant at info@irondalecafe.com. Soon Over the Mountain residents will find Dolan’s cooking closer to home with the mid-November opening of Fried Green Tomato’s: Southern Meal and Three in Hoover Commons, 1615 Montgomery Highway, Suite 132, just down the sidewalk from Burlington Coat Factory. DETAILS: Irondale Cafe, 1906 First Ave. N., Irondale, 956-5258, www.irondalecafe.com –Lynn Grisard Fullman, Journal contributor

IRONDALE CAFE’S SCALLOPED OYSTERS

Barbecue Brothers Stir Up Family Memories Throughout the year, David and Joe Maluff (pictured) serve up the barbecue and sides that have led their Full Moon Bar-B-Que restaurants to be named one of the top 10 barbecue restaurants in the country. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, the brothers’ favorite dish is one that has been on their family’s holiday menu for generations. The Maluff brothers, who grew up on Birmingham’s Southside, said Thanksgiving is just not Thanksgiving without a homemade soup made from the recipe their late grandmother, Fadwa Adery. “The signature dish for Thanksgiving in our family has always been my grandmother’s turkey soup,” said Joe, who lives in Mountain Brook. “Everyone else has turkey and dressing at Thanksgiving, but in our house, we always looked forward to that soup.” The turkey soup, David said, was ultracreamy and included lots of mushrooms. But it’s most important ingredient, he said, was the love with which it was made year after year. “I think we love the soup so much because it has always been a part of a holiday where we get together and remember how thankful we are to have each other,” David said. Congealed salad, the brothers said, is another dish they always associate with family holidays. “It’s old school, but it’s something that has always been on the holiday table,” Joe said. The brothers said they always remember their grandmother’s house on Clairmont Avenue being decorated for Thanksgiving.

“She always dressed up the table and made sure there was plenty of everything for everyone,” David said. “That was no small feat, because we have at least 50 people in our immediate family.” Today, the tradition of making the turkey soup for Thanksgiving is carried on by David and Joe’s sister, Joann. “It’s great that the tradition can continue so that our kids can have those memories and look forward to turkey soup every year like we always have,” Joe said. David has two children, a 12-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Joe has sons who are 7 and 10. Another holiday tradition in the Maluff family is to find a way to help others, said David, a Vestavia Hills resident. “The night before Thanksgiving, our kids will pick the charities they want to help this year,” he said. “It’s a good way to remind everyone of the importance of giving back to the community and helping other people.” No matter what is served at Thanksgiving, the Maluff brothers said the centerpiece of every family gathering is faith. “We’re devout Catholics, so Thanksgiving – and every holiday – gives a chance to pause and think about our faith and all of our blessings,” David said. DETAILS: Full Moon Bar-B-Que. Several locations throughout Birmingham. www. fullmoonbbq.com –Keysha Drexel, Journal editor

‘We are smoking whole hogs this year but will be serving scalloped oysters fresh from the Empire oyster beds as well.’

*Oyster liquor is the juice inside the oyster.

Jim Dolan

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Cracker mixture: 1 cup crushed, unsalted crackers Dash Worcestershire sauce Dash Tabasco ½ lemon, for juice Black pepper, to taste Cayenne pepper, to taste 2 cups oysters 1 cup oyster liquor* 1/3 cup heavy cream Directions: Sauté diced onion in unsalted butter until onion becomes translucent. Crush crackers. Mix together Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice and peppers. Add mixture to crushed crackers and stir gently. Stir together oyster liquor and heavy cream. Layer cracker mixture into bottom of casserole dish followed by oysters and cream mixture. Add crushed crackers to top. Bake 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.

Photo special to the Journal

Ingredients: ¼ stick unsalted butter 1 medium onion, diced

FULL MOON BAR-B-QUE’S FAMOUS CHILI Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef 1/4 cup chopped onions Dash of salt Dash of garlic powder 1/4 cup Kitchen Bouquet 1/4 cup chili powder 1 can chili beans 1 can stewed tomatoes 1/4 cup tomato juice 1/4 cup red pepper 1 teaspoon sugar Directions: Brown ground beef in pot and add diced onion, salt and garlic powder. Add Kitchen Bouquet, chili powder, chili beans, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, red pepper and sugar. Let cook until boiling.

‘Everyone else has turkey and dressing at Thanksgiving, but in our house, we always looked forward to that (turkey) soup.’ Joe Maluff

Note: Instead of sharing a family Thanksgiving recipe, the Maluffs instead shared their “famous chili” recipe, which should make good company during the upcoming Iron Bowl – or any other nippy day.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 17

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Roger Torbert, far right, vice president of education at the Birmingham Zoo, looks on as guests play games at Boo at the Zoo. Photos special to the Journal

From left: Craig Barton, Tyler Barton and Kim Barton.

games, go trick-or-treating and visit special sensory stations. Event chairmen were Maha and Roger Torbert, vice president of education at the Birmingham Zoo. Maha said about 522 people attended the event, which was sponsored by Carol and Kerry Adkins of OnTime Service, Carol Trull Adams of RedKnot Resource Group, Sen. J.T. "Jabo" Waggoner and Mason Music. For more information on

Autism Support Group Hosts Boo at the Zoo Event

Hickey Freeman

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18 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

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Retirement Plan B

Vestavia’s Skip Taylor Gets Unexpected Peace Corps Assignment By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

Skip Taylor will be more than 7,000 miles away from his home, his family – and his favorite foods – this Thanksgiving. But the Vestavia Hills resident and Homewood native said he has a lot to be thankful for this year. Since April, Taylor has been serving as a development consultant with the U.S. Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, a country in Central Asia. “I’ve never been away from the U.S. – from my family – this long,” Taylor said in a phone interview from Talas, Kyrgyzstan, last week. “It’s made me realize that I am incredibly blessed to have been born in the U.S., raised in Homewood and to have lived all of my life in the Over the Mountain area.” Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked and mountainous country that was once a part of the Soviet Union and later, Russia. About 80 percent of the people living there are Muslim. So that means that while most Over the Mountain residents are dreaming of turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving, Taylor is trying to figure out a way to get his hands on that most Southern of staples – pork. “There’s no pork here. There is no pork here,” Taylor said. “For an Alabama boy who’s used to getting great barbecue whenever he wants it, it has been tough.” But despite the lack of culinary comforts and the fact that he misses his family back home, Taylor said he feels like he will be just where he is supposed to be this Thanksgiving. In his role with the Peace Corps, Taylor is living and working at the community level. He is an instructor of business development and English for business at Talas State University and works as a development consultant with the Nur Bala Foundation. The Nur Bala Foundation works with the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Social Development to help orphans, children with disabilities, at-risk children and vulnerable families. Taylor said Nur Bala aims to protect the rights of all children within the United Nations’ charter on human rights and the Peace Corps’ Save the Children Initiative. “The most rewarding part of this has been my work advocating for orphans and special needs kids and teaching at the university,” Taylor said. “I pinch myself sometimes because to be able to do something so close to my heart is a real blessing.” Back home, Taylor also works with a university to help those with special needs. He is a job coach with the Turning Points transition program at Samford University. The program works with young people with disabilities to ease their transition into the workforce or higher education. “To be involved with something that is an extension of what I try to do back home makes me really thankful that I got this assignment,” Taylor said. But when he first got the word from Peace Corps officials that he was being sent to Kyrgyzstan, Taylor said he was a little taken aback. “I had to run and look up where in the world Kyrgyzstan even was,” Taylor said. “It was not the assignment I was expecting.” Taylor has traveled to Africa several times as part of mission trips with his church, Mountaintop Community Church in Vestavia Hills, and said he figured because of his experi-

Skip Taylor, center, of Vestavia Hills, talks to the students he tutors as part of his job with the Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic. Photo special to the Journal

Help from Home

Taylor’s OTM Friends Are Collecting Food, Supplies While Skip Taylor may not be home for the holidays this year, his friends in the Over the Mountain area are working to make sure some part of home finds its way to him in Kyrgyzstan. Cathy Rezek, who attended Homewood High School with Taylor, is organizing efforts to collect food and supplies for the Peace Corps volunteers serving in the former Soviet republic – and to collect cold weather gear and gifts for the children there. “This is not only about helping Skip and the other volunteers there, it’s also about helping the orphans and special needs children he works with there,” Rezek said. Rezek said she is collecting food items that Taylor and other Westerners have a hard time getting their hands on in Kyrgyzstan. “These are things that either just cannot be purchased there at all or, if they can be found, are really, really expensive,” Rezek said. “The wish list includes things like peanut butter, ground coffee, coffee filters, beef jerky, instant milk, Gatorade mix packets, chewing gum, and Skip is about to die for some pork, so we’ll try to send some Spam, too.” Rezek said she is also collecting AA batteries and cards of encouragement for the Peace Corps volunteers. Additionally, Rezek is asking those participating in the drive to donate gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and warm socks to give to the children in Kyrgyzstan. “It’s already winter over there, and while most kids here in America ask for toys for Christmas, the kids over there ask for clothes to keep them warm for the holidays,” Rezek said. Rezek said the mittens, scarves, hats and socks will also make great packing material to stuff between all those cans of Spam she plans to ship over to Taylor and the Peace Corps crew in time for Christmas. “All of us back home are so proud of what Skip is doing over there, and this is just one small way we can help Skip help the children there,” Rezek said. Rezek said she hopes to have most of the collected items ready to ship to Kyrgyzstan by Nov. 15. “But I will accept donations as long as they keep coming, and I’ll keep sending them over to Skip even after the holidays,” she said. For more information on the drive or to schedule a donation pickup, call Rezek at 942-4953. ❖

ence in places like Ethiopia and Mozambique, the Peace Corps would send him to Africa. “I was very humbled when I got the assignment to come to Kyrgyzstan because I had to put aside whatever visions I had of where I was supposed to be and accept that this is where God wanted me now,” Taylor said. And now after seven months in Kyrgyzstan, Taylor said he’s even more convinced he is serving where he should. “I find myself grateful, so grateful that I get down on my knees and thank God,” he said. “I would have never chosen to come here, but now if someone asked me to go wherever I wanted to go to serve, I would stay right here.” Taylor said it is not just his work to help orphans and children in Kyrgyzstan that makes his time there so fulfilling. “The people here are so warm and hospitable and helpful and some of the most genuinely

good people I have ever met,” he said. “I suspect I’ll treasure these relationships and also the friendships with my Peace Corps colleagues and carry them forward with me the rest of my life.” While the Peace Corps is traditionally thought of as an organization young people get involved with between finishing college and launching their careers, Taylor said the ranks of the Peace Corps team in Kyrgyzstan include more mature folks – like him. “Look, I’m not the oldest one here,” the 55-year-old said, laughing. “For the last few years, the Peace Corps has been attracting more older volunteers who are bringing their skills and experience to help people all over the world. On my team here now, we have people as old as 75 and a lot, a lot of people in their late 50s and 60s. You’re never too old to help.” Taylor decided to join the Peace Corps at a time when most of his peers were looking for-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

ward to retirement. “Twenty years ago, I fully intended to be retired and on the golf course at this time of my life,” he said. “But there was something really deep inside me, a calling, and I felt like the Lord was leading me toward something different. I call this my alternative retirement plan.” While Taylor is serving abroad, he keeps in touch with his family and friends through emails and phone calls and social media. His son, Jeff, is a chemical engineer in Atlanta. Daughter Meredith Mills and son-in-law Will Mills are housesitting at Taylor’s Vestavia Hills home while he’s away. “I’m extraordinarily blessed that I am able to entrust the kids, without reservation, to handle all of my affairs while I’m living outside the U.S.,” he said. And while he won’t get to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving with his family back home, Taylor said he does have some special holiday plans. He and a few other Peace Corps folks are celebrating Thanksgiving at the home of Peace Corps Country Director Tammie Harris in the nation’s capital city, Bishek. Pamela Spratlin, the U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyz Republic, will also break bread with Taylor and other Peace Corps volunteers during the holiday celebration. And although Taylor said he’s sure there will be the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings at the holiday event in Bishek, what he’s really looking forward to is Black Friday. “And it has nothing to do with shopping at all,” Taylor said. “The day after Thanksgiving, we’re traveling to Almaty, Kazakhstan, probably one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central Asia, which boasts a Burger King, a Hardee’s

‘The day after Thanksgiving, we’re traveling to Almaty, Kazakhstan, probably one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central Asia, which boasts a Burger King, a Hardee’s and a KFC. I’m going after a bacon cheeseburger.’ Skip Taylor and a KFC. I’m going after a bacon cheeseburger.” Once he’s had his pork and fast food fixes, Taylor said he’ll be ready to get back to Talas and tell his new friends there all about his first Thanksgiving in their country. But telling stories to his new friends in Talas does require a bit more concentration than spinning a yarn for his friends back home in Alabama, Taylor said. Taylor said learning the Russian and Kyrgyz languages spoken in Talas has been the most challenging part of his time there. “It’s reportedly harder for older persons to pick up new languages, and I believe my experience supports that assertion,” he said. “Although I am pleased to report that I currently test at ‘intermediately proficient’ in both Russia and Kyrgyz, what usually happens is that I end up speaking what’s referred to as Kressian, a sort of blend of English, Kyrgyz and Russian. And lots of gestures – I use a lot of gestures.” But despite any difficulties in mastering the languages spoken in the area, Taylor said he’s learned that there are a few things that defy any language or cultural barrier. “I think the international language is all about smiles and humor,” he said. “There’s hardly any situation you can’t get through with a smile – and not only here in Kyrgyzstan but in life in general. Smiling and being able to laugh at yourself can go a long way, no matter where you are or where you’re going.” ❖

Girl Scouts with Troop 30117 in Hoover recently earned their camping badges. Front, from left: Jane Bae, Erin Simmons, Allie Stafford, Mimi Batten, Cecilia Daigle and Avery DeBerry. Back: Jamese Melton, Ingrainne Hill, Lydia Burn and Maddie Davis. Photo special to the Journal

Hoover Junior Girl Scouts Earn Camping Badges Girl Scout Juniors from the Hoover Valley Service Unit recently earned their camping badges. The fourth-grade Scouts showed proficiency in assembling and dismantling their own tents, learned how to prepare meals in the wilderness, and hiked the Pinhoti Trail in Piedmont on their way to earning the badges. The Scouts are members of Troop 30117. Those earning their camping badges included Avery DeBerry, Cecilia Daigle, Mimi Batten, Allie Stafford, Erin Simmons, Jane Bae, Jamese Melton, Ingrainne Hill, Lydia Burn and Maddie Davis.

OTM Residents Inducted into Honor Society Two Over the Mountain residents were recently inducted into a unique academic honor society at the University of the South. Mary Claire Cash of Homewood and Ann Catherine Perry of Mountain Brook were inducted into the Order of Gownsmen at Sewanee during the Founder’s Day convocation Oct. 17 in Tennessee. The Order of Gownsmen is an academic honor society and unique student government body among U.S. colleges and universities. Since 1875, the Order of Gownsmen has been the body responsible for maintaining the spirit, traditions and ideals of the University of the South. The wearing of the gown is both a sign of academic achievement and a promise to continue the ideals and

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 19

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traditions of the university. Cash is the daughter of Julie and Jimmy P. Cash. Perry is the daughter of Ann and Edmund P. Perry.

Dodson Earns Eagle Scout Rank with Troop 63 A member of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook has achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts. William Dodson recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the troop, which William Dodson is under the leadership of Harold Wells Jr. and Russ Carothers. Dodson earned 22 merit bases and the God and Country Award. For his Eagle Scout service project, Dodson poured a concrete pad and built an outdoor brick barbecue grill, complete with steel stoking and clean-out doors, at East Lake United Methodist Church. The grill will be used by the church’s youth group for cookouts and fundraisers. It will also be used by the congregation to help reach out to the community for gatherings centered around food and fellowship. Dodson raised funds for the project and coordinated volunteer efforts. Remaining funds were donated to the church’s youth group. A Court of Honor ceremony for Dodson followed by dinner prepared on the grill was held at East Lake

United Methodist Church. The event was attended by church members, East Lake community members, family members and friends. During his time as a Boy Scout, Dodson has served in several leadership positions, including den liaison to Cub Scout Pack 63 and patrol leader. He participated in Troop 63’s Leadership Training Weekend at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He also attended the Northern Tier High Adventure Program, where he and members of his troop hiked and canoed more than 125 miles in the boundary lakes area between Minnesota and Canada. Dodson is a senior at Mountain Brook High School, where he has been a member of the varsity cross country team and the varsity indoor and outdoor track teams. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Dodson is also an active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. He is the son of Jeannie and Cal Dodson and the grandson of Jean Hufham and the late Paul Hufham Jr. of Dothan and June Dodson and the late Cecil Dodson Jr. of Birmingham.

Girl Scouts Seek Nominations for Women of Distinction Awards Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is now accepting nominations for its 2015 Women of Distinction Awards. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 21. The awards are open to all women in north-central Alabama who have made special contributions to their communities through civic, academic or professional efforts and are exemplary role models for girls. The review and selection of nominees will take place in December by a group of community leaders from across the

council. Women chosen for the award will be recognized at the annual Women of Distinction Luncheon at the Harbert Center in Birmingham March 6. Ten outstanding women will be honored at the luncheon. GSNCA will present several awards at the event, including the Mildred Bell Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award to one woman from Walker, Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, Chilton or St. Clair counties. Teresa Zuniga Odom of Hoover received the 2014 Mildred Bell Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award. Judge Debra H. Goldstein of Hoover was the 2013 winner. The Women of Distinction Awards is the premier fundraising event for GSNCA. All proceeds directly support the Girl Scouts’ mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Nomination forms are available at girlscoutsnca.org or by emailing Tonya Mines at tmines@girlscoutsnca.org.

Auxiliary Names Officers The Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary’s slate of new officers includes three Over the Mountain residents. Donna Hightower of Bluff Park is president, Jennifer Alden of Inverness is vice president and Lauren Moore of Vestavia Hills is secretary.

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November Tradition Heritage Ball Debutantes Are Announced

The Birmingham Debutante Club has announced members of the 2014 Debutante Club. The 23 young women will be

presented at the annual Heritage Ball Nov. 28 at the Country Club of Birmingham. The ball is a longtime holiday

tradition in Birmingham. Debutantes have been feted during November since the Debutante Club was founded in 1929. â?&#x2013;

Ann Popwell Anthony, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Brantley Anthony.

Catherine McKenzie Burton, daughter of Barbara Lovelace Burton and the late James Robert Burton III.

Sarah Katherine Cole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Long Cole Jr.

Daphne Macon Culp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Newton Culp III.

Caroline Carney Donald, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Marion Donald.

Caroline Addison Drew, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Livingston Drew.

Elizabeth Lyons Durkee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rucker Agee Durkee.

Dorothy Jane Estes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Hugh Estes IV.

Sara Elizabeth Frese, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bernard Frese.

Mary Baker Garrett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bryan Garrett.

Caroline Carter Given, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Perry Given Jr.

Alison Bradford Gorrie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Magnus James Gorrie.

Virginia Evans Luckie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas George Luckie.

Kathleen Mims Patrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Benjamin Patrick.

Katharine Forrester Patton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald White Patton.

Eugenia Ann Dabney Hofammann, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Karl Emil Hofammann III.

Patricia Lawrence Stutts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Gillis Stutts.

Marie Louise Tucker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Alan Tucker III.

Helen Lea Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Orr Walker and Ms. Joni Brown Walker.

Madeline Ann Reich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Raymond Reich.

Eugenia Maddox Watkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warner Sutphen Watkins III.

Charlotte Allison Sinor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Sinor Jr.

Emily Alice Yearout, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Gusty Yearout.

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Vestavia Grad Wins Alfa Scholarship to Auburn

OTM Residents Are UM Scholars, Honorees

A Vestavia Hills native is among 50 recipients of the 2014 Alfa Foundation scholarship. Olivia Mims, a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, received $1,000 in the program’s inaugural year. Mims is a freshman Olivia Mims at Auburn University, where she is studying pharmacy. Selection for the competitive scholarship program was based on academic records, participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience and future goals. Almost 800 applications were received for the scholarship program from high school seniors and postsecondary undergraduates enrolled or planning to enroll in an Alabama twoyear or four-year college, university or technical school. The scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies required for coursework.

Several Over the Mountain natives were recently recognized by the University of Montevallo for their scholarship, leadership and service. Receptions and other events were held in individual departments to honor the students, many of whom received multiple awards. Students from Hoover awarded scholarships included Mason Atlee, who received the Denson Scholarship Award in Social Sciences, presented to outstanding juniors or seniors in the social science discipline. Atlee was also awarded the Dr. John B. Walters Jr. Scholarship, given to enrolled students majoring in a social science field with at least sophomore standing and with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Hoover native Jordan Broadwell received the Senior AAUW Award, presented to the senior woman or women with the highest grade point average or averages at UM. Jennifer Martin, also a Hoover native, was awarded the Roxie Craig Scholarship in Social Work, given to students majoring in social work with a 2.3 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in social work. Hoover native Kimberly McWhorter

received the Joan Gregory Scholarship, awarded to an incoming freshman or transfer student committed to majoring in studio art and/or art education. Mountain Brook native Mary Stephens received the Denson Scholarship Award in Social Sciences, presented to outstanding juniors or seniors in the social science discipline. Katherine Wilson, another Mountain Brook native, was awarded the Martha Allen Memorial Scholarship in Art, presented to junior or senior students majoring in art. Vestavia Hills native Sarah Wammack received the Psychology Faculty Recognition Award, recognizing students for dedication to academic excellence and promise for professional development. Three Over the Mountain residents were also recently recognized at UM for being accepted into the Golden Key international honor society. Elizabeth Riser of Vestavia Hills and John Crittenden and Vibhaas Basukala, both of Hoover, were recognized as Golden Key members. The Golden Key organization recognizes the top 15 percent of college seniors and juniors. ❖

Send people news to kdrexel@otmj.com

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Frances Blount and Joe Blount.

From left: David Williams, Barbara Burton, Bill Daniel, Lynda Daniel, Katie Baker Lasker and Jim Lasker. Photos special to the Journal

Garden Gala Guests Meet Antiques Show’s Dealers, Tastemakers

terne Agee hosted Gala in the Gardens Oct. 2 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The formal evening was held in connection with the ninth annual Antiques at The Gardens honoring Lyndra and Bill Daniel. Guests at the gala were among the first to shop the antiques show featuring art, jewelry and antiques. They also met dealers and Tastemakers, regionally and nationally known architects, interior designers and garden designers who curated themed areas with goods selected from Birmingham and other sources. Guest lecturer Shane Connolly attended the gala. Connolly, who holds the Royal Warrant of Appointment from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, was the florist for the wedding of Prince to Camilla Parker-Bowles and the wedding of Prince photos at Charles William to Catherine Middleton. Gala guests also enjoyed a silent auction, desserts and dancing. Antiques at The Gardens chairmen were Barbara Burton and Katie Baker Lasker. Proceeds from Antiques at The Gardens support educational programs Bill Ingram at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Among those attending the gala were David Williams, Barbara Burton, Bill Daniel, Lynda Daniel, Katie Baker Lasker and Jim Lasker, Murray and Nancy Smith, Elizabeth and Tom Broughton, Hanson and Melissa Slaughter, Houston and Ellen Gillespy, Kim McBride and Fred Spicer, Christopher Spitzmiller, Sam Allen, Carl and Ann Jones, Tricia and Andrew Noble, Cameron Crowe, Derrill Crowe, Maggie and Will Brooke, Sybil Sylvester, Bill Ingram, Frances Blount and Joe Blount. ❖

Maggie and Will Brooke.

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Sybil Sylvester and Shane Connolly.

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Estate Jewelry Estate Silver Fine Photographs

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Bob and Cheryl Hardwick, David and Jean Hendrickson, Elam and Sandra Holley, Bill and Margaret Howell and Dick Paxton and Gloria Hudson. Also enjoying the fall dance were Don and Rusty Kirkpatrick, Russell Kilgore and Nell Larson, Arthur and Joanne McConnell, Malcolm and Betty Miller, Gus and Cecilia Miller, Ted and Kathy Miller, Mike and Susan Murphy, Jesse Stinson and Anne Nelson, Howard and Shirley Palmes, Wallace and Dena Parker, Bob and Susan Rapier, Bill and Evelyn Ringler, Danny and Mary Jean Sanspree, Bob and Sally Stanlely, Jerry and Susan Stofel, George Miller and Betty Tucker, Tommy and Karen Tucker, Steve and Shelley Watkins, Rex and Jackie Webb and David and Linda Wood. ❖

Perfecting the

From left: Jackie Webb, Redonda Broom, Cindy Edmonds, Edna Alderman and Susan Stofel. Photo special to the Journal

Stars on the Dance Floor

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Coronets Members Turn out for Fall Party

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American cha-cha. Rita Snyder and Richard Richards presented the Argentine tango. They have been studying the dance for 14 years and are the USA Dance undefeated Argentine tango champions and USA National Silver Level Rhythm champions. They teach the social dance program at the University of Alabama. Members and guests attending the dance included Ken and Edna Alderman, John and Una Ray Barnett, Don Englebert and Nancy Becker, Redonda Broom, Bill Dimeray and Dot Crook, George Smith and Bettie Davenport, Thomas and Phyllis Davis, Jim and Carolyn Delk, Walt and Gerry Dunham, Wynn and Patty Echols and Tom and Cindy Edmonds. Also spotted on the dance floor were Roy and Shirley Evans, Clyde and Nell Freeman, Brian Elkins and Pat Garlikov, Sydney and Clarice Gibbs, John and Virginia Golightly, Mike and Linda Gooldrup, Corinne Greer,

Silhouettes Gather for Autumn-themed Luncheon The Silhouettes Dance Club welcomed the fall season with a party at Vestavia Country Club Oct. 15. The luncheon event was arranged by Martha Fuller. Tables were centered with colorful

Photo special to the Journal

The Coronets Dance Club celebrated autumn with its fall dance, which was held recently at a private club in Vestavia Hills. The theme of the dance was “Stars Fell on Alabama,” which was reflected in the starry decorations for the event. Dance chairmen were Cindy Edmonds, Susan Stofel, Jackie Webb, Redonda Broom and Edna Alderman. As guests arrived, they were serenaded by Five of a Kind. Mike Carlisle also played music on the candelabra| Downtown Homewood, AL 35209 | 205.874.1044 | wallace-burke.com adorned piano in the foyer. 1811 29th Ave. South 1811 29th Ave. South I Downtown Homewood, AL 35209 Table centerpieces featured clear 205.874.1044 I wallace-burke.com vases filled with ivory roses surrounded by votive candles, mirrors and starshaped confetti. Dinner was served followed by a trio of dessert options. Kim Smith and Steve Hadley from Dr. Dance Studio gave a dance demonstration. The World Dancesport Federation judges who have trained more than 15 Amateur National Championship couples danced the

Fay Hall and Pat McVea

fall mums sitting in jack-o-lanterns and surrounded by candy corn. Club President Fay Hall presided over the meeting and introduced the club’s new officers. Rose Ann Kendrick is vice president, and Barbara Cook is recording secretary. The new corresponding secretary is Martha Norville, and the treasurer is Anne Michaels. Connie Hinkle is parliamentarian. Club members discussed plans for the year. Kendrick and Hinkle offered a few hints about the Winter Dance planned for February. Some of the members attending the seasonal soiree included Susan Barrett, Sharon Burrow, Betsy Caldwell, Eleanor Cheatham, Nora Coffee, Nita Collinsworth, Mary Elizabeth Conway, Jo Dobbs, Bede Donnell, Anne Garrett, Sandra Holley, Patricia Johnson, Becky Keyes, Marielian Norris, Margaret Langston, Nancy Lawrence, Audrey Lindquist, Karen Lloyd, Pat McVea, Pat Miller, Lovie Montgomery, Patsy Norton, Sylvia Patrick, Kathleen Pelznick, Louise Pinkerton, Tricia Preston, Pat Robinson, Ginger Sharbel, Gail Sharp, Patti Summerford, Margaret Whitaker and Dolores Wood. ❖

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Above: From left: Kate Cotton, Nichole Cummins and Sue Ellen Lucas. below: Keynote speaker Dr. Viola Acoff. Photos special to the Journal

Stylish Scholarship Luncheon Linly Heflin Holds 55th Annual Fashion Show

The 55th annual Linly Heflin Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show was held Sept. 25 at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom. The annual event is the primary fundraiser for the group’s scholarship program, which benefits women seeking higher education in Alabama. Dr. Viola Acoff, professor and head of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alabama, was the keynote speaker. Sue Ellen Lucas and Kate Cotton were the event co-chairmen. Megan LaRussa, fashion consultant and director of Southern Femme, produced the fashion show, which featured the fall/winter designs of

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Nha Khanh. Wendy Garner, NBC 13’s “Daytime Alabama” host, was the emcee of the event. The Linly Heflin Unit’s motto is “educate a woman and you educate a family” and has been at the core of the service organization since it was founded in 1919, members said. Through the years, more than 3,000 scholarships worth more than $5 million have been awarded to deserving Alabama women attending colleges and universities in the state. Currently, 94 scholars are enrolled in 14 different schools with the help of the Linly Heflin Unit scholarship program. The Linly Heflin Unit is a group of 125 volunteers headed by President Grace Bentley. Co-chairmen of the 55th Annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show were Elizabeth Hubbard and Sumner Starling. Other key members involved in the event included Susan Alison, Gina Boyd, Laura Colebeck, Brooke Coleman, Deane Cook, Katherine Cox, Martha DeBuys, Anna Donald, Irene Gardner, Holly Goodbody, Fran Goodrich, Alison Gorrie, Kay Grisham, Leigh Hancock, Penney Hartline, Margaret Little, Sue Ellen Lucas, Pam Pritchard, Cynnie Sproull, Ann Sweeney, Addie Walters, Grace Whatley and Libba Williams. ❖

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Foodies and supporters of Vestavia Hills had a chance to whet their appetites for a good cause last month when the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce hosted its 12th annual festival showcasing the local food and beverage scene. Viva Vestavia XII was held Oct. 30 at Hollywood Pools, 1441 Montgomery Highway. Those attending received commemorative etched wine glasses and sampled food, wine and beer from several local companies. The tasty offerings at this year’s event included food and beverages from Alabama Biscuit Co., Ashley Mac’s, Bistro V, Blackwell’s Neighborhood Pub, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Contri. Bros. Gift Basket, El Poblano, FoodBar, Hilton Garden Grill and Jim ’N Nick’s. Others offering tasting opportunities included Klingler’s European Bakery & Café, Moe's Original Barbeque, Mugshots Bar & Grill, Newk's Eatery, Publix Supermarket, Rx Catering, Seasons 52, Sekisui Vestavia Hills, Serendipity Sweets, Sol Azteca, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, Western Supermarket, Yellow Bicycle Catering Co. and Zoe's Kitchen. Scott Perry with Contri Bros. Gift Basket was chairman of this year’s event. All proceeds from Viva Vestavia XII will be used for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship Fund and to help fund the foundation's capital fund. Those attending the event included Jim and Renee Brooks, Paige Gilliland, Amanda Gilmore, Megan Reese, Mary Holland Novkov, Ariel Cruz, Teresa Sarabi, Sara Jeter, Jerrica Jefferson, Robin Morgan, George Nakos, Faith McKim, Aaron Pennington, Kay Reed, Salley Hughey, Emily Tuttle, Kyle Dometrovick, George McMillan, Sara Modrall, April Evans, Jenny Fleming, Joanne Mote, Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza, Patricia Barr, Mike Thomas, Michelle Todd, Joe Blaszczack, Loreli Reynolds and Suzanne and Mike Wald. ❖

From left: Amanda Gilmore, Megan Reese and Mary Holland Novkov. Journal photos by Emil Wald

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Celebrating Children’s Harbor

Founders, Supporters Attend 25th Anniversary Dinner To celebrate its 25th year of service to seriously ill children and their families, Children’s Harbor hosted a dinner at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children Oct. 16. Children’s Harbor’s founders Ben and Luanne Russell attended the event along with Anchor Society members and special friends. In 1987, the Russells began dreaming of building a place for children and families on Lake Martin on property provided by Russell Lands. The dream became a reality in 1990 with the dedication ceremonies for Children’s Harbor, a not-for-profit organization. Each year at the Children’s Harbor Lake Martin campus, the organization partners with more than 20 different groups who serve long-term seriously ill children and their families to provide camping and retreat services. In 2001, the Russells’ commitment continued with their gift to build a state-of-the-art Children’s Harbor Family Resource and more photos at Counseling Center at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in Birmingham. There, children and their families receive counseling, education, recreation, respite and other supportive services during and after hospitalization. The speaker for the 25th anniversary event was Dr. Kevin Elko. Shaun Pezant provided entertainment, and Yellow Bicycle catered the event. Those attending included J.C. Dollar, Jim Ray, Laurie and David Sturdivant, Ward Cheatham, Dedie and Bill Hendrix, Gene Davenport, Joe and Julia Ann Cleage, Kathy Grate, the Rev. Rich Webster, Marsha and Owen Vickers, Myrtle Grate, Rebecca and Taylor Dawson and Richard Cashio. ❖

From left: Ben and Luanne Russell and J.C. Dollar.

Photos special to the Journal

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Vestavia Hills parents got advice from an expert during a recent fundraiser for the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation. The foundation hosted an evening with Rosalind Wiseman, a bestselling author and internationally-recognized parenting and bullying expert, Oct. 2 at Vestavia Country Club. Proceeds from the inaugural event, presented by PNC, will support the foundation’s mission to provide perpetual financial support to each of the Vestavia Hills schools and to protect and foster the standard of academic excellence in the school system. “PNC’s support has been instrumental to our efforts in bringing a nationally-acclaimed thought leader in education and parenting to the Vestavia community,” said Ashley Thompson, the foundation’s executive director. Wiseman spoke at the event about the world of queen bees, wannabes, masterminds and wingmen, and the social hierarchies teens face. Brian Bucher, PNC regional president, said PNC is committed to thoughtful engagement in the communities it serves. “We’re pleased to collaborate with the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation on their efforts to bring impactful programming to the Birmingham area,” Bucher said. The Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, a nonprofit organization, provides grants each year to Vestavia Hills educators for technology improvements, classroom enhancement projects and professional development opportunities for teachers. The foundation currently has a grantmaking endowment of more than $2.2 million. Since providing its first grants in 1999, the foundation has awarded more than $667,000 to Vestavia Hills city schools and the board of education. Those attending included Gladys Casanova, Vicki Tuggle, Wendy Henry, Laura Escue, Katherine Gorham, Janet Ball, Dawn Pilleteri, Martha Cook, Kristin Tunnell, Meredith Hansen, Sheila Phillips, Pam Cochran, Misty

Gladys Casanova, Vicki Tuggle, Wendy Henry and Laura Escue.

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Katherine Gorham, Janet Ball, Dawn Pilleteri and Martha Cook.

From left: Olivia Wells, Dale Miller, Judy Jackson and Kay Davidson. Photo special to the Journal

Book Talk

Belvedere Club Hears from Author The Belvedere Study Club kicked off its 66th year Sept. 3 with a luncheon-meeting at the home of Ginger Brown, the club’s new vice president. The club started in 1948. Brown’s mother, the late Virginia Huckstep, was a longtime member. Brown did double-duty at the Sept. 3 meeting, serving as both a hostess with club President Margie Curry and as a program presenter. For the program, Brown talked about the book recently written by her son, Ryan Brown, a social psy-

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 29

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

chology professor at the University of Oklahoma. His book, “The Honor Syndrome,” is set to be published by Oxford Press by Christmas 2015 and to be on bookshelves by 2016. The book explores the Scot-Irish tradition of a “culture of honor” that still prevails wherever immigrants of that heritage settled in the United States, particularly in the South and Southwest, the author explained to the club members over the phone. In addition to Curry and Brown, other officers for the 2014-2015 club year are Margaret Rogers, record-

ing secretary; Olivia Wells, corresponding secretary; Susie Elliot, treasurer; and Barbara Randle, immediate past president and parliamentarian. Other members attending the Sept. 3 luncheon-meeting were Bobby Jean Tucker, Mary Harris, Kay Davidson, Judy Jackson, Dale Miller and Janis Zeanah. The Belvedere Study Club’s second meeting of the new club year was held Oct. 1 at the home of Randle, with Zeanah as co-hostess. Dottie Hayes of Vestavia Hills, a native of Monroeville, presented the program on Harper Lee and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The club met again on Nov. 5 at Miller’s home to hear a program on writing for children. The Dec. 3 luncheon-meeting of the Belvedere Study Club will be held at Rogers’ home with Brown as co-hostess. ❖

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30 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Vulcan Event Honors Birmingham’s Italian Community

Amanda and Andrew Turner, with daughter Frances Mae, said they’re looking forward to opening their Sprout & Pour juice bar in Edgewood soon. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Italian cooking is one of the features of La Storia: Birmingham’s Italian Community, an exhibition open until September 2015 at Vulcan Park and Museum. The event honors the city’s Italian-American community and its contributions to the city and park. Admission to the exhibition is free for Vulcan members. Tickets for nonmembers are $6 for adults, $5 for ages 65 and older and for members of the military, $4 for ages 5-12 and free for ages 4 and younger. For more information, visit www.visitvulcan.com.

Seeds Coffee Will Have Benefit Dinner

Culinary Community News and Events

Seeds Coffee will have its benefit dinner at Avon Theatre Nov. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The event will help the Homewoodbased coffee shop pay off debt, help provide higher wages for coffee farmers and help the coffee shop improve its sustainability. Admission is $55 per person or $100 per couple. Call 259-6405 or visit seedscoffee.com for more information.

Free the Hops Presents Fall FestivAle

Pouring It On Cold-press Juice Bar Set to Open in Homewood

By Donna Cornelius

Journal features writer

hen Amanda Blake Turner first tried selling her fresh cold-pressed juices at a downtown Birmingham farmers’ market, she didn’t know how well her new products would go over. The juices made quite a splash. “I got us into Pepper Place as a vendor, and we sold out the first time,” Turner said. “We kept making more—and we kept selling out.” The business has—well, sprouted. Turner and her husband, Andrew, started Sprout & Pour in April. They’re opening a storefront in Homewood’s Edgewood neighborhood soon.

‘We have nutritionists, doctors and athletes among our customers. We try to promote juicing as a way to promote healthy eating.’ The juice bar will be at 927 Oxmoor Road. “We’ll be doing the juicing there,” she said. “People can come in for juice, smoothies and some healthy snacks. We’ll also have smoothie bowls, which are smoothies with toppings like granola and nuts. They’re really popular in

piggly wiggly

California.” Sprout & Pour’s juices are made in a Norwalk press, which extracts juice from fruits and vegetables through a hydraulic press. Produce is ground into a pulp. The pulp goes into a porous cotton cloth, and then the pressure is applied. “There’s no heat involved. It’s kind of like making wine,” Turner said. “Juices made this way last longer—up to four days in the refrigerator.” Turner said the juices are nutritious—and taste good, too. “They’re healthy supplemental snacks,” she said. “We have nutritionists, doctors and ath-

See juice bar, page 32

www.pigbham.com

From The Farm To The Table The freshest, juicest turkey available for your holiday table, is a turkey from Bate’s Turkey Farm located in Ft. Deposit, Alabama. Only available at Piggly Wiggly. See your butcher to pre-order a fresh Bate’s turkey. Only the best! Happy Thanksgiving from Piggly Wiggly

Tickets are on sale now for the fourth annual Fall FestivAle presented by Free the Hops. The event is set for 7-11 p.m. Nov. 21 at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. Beers from several Alabama breweries and some out-of-state special beers will be available. The J. Clyde will provide food. Tickets are $29 when purchased in advance at fallfestivale.com and $39 at the door. Tickets include six 6-ounce pours. Additional pours are $1 each. Designated drivers get in free. For more information, visit fallfestivale.com.

Hoover Author Will Sign Cookbooks

Hoover resident Jon McClure will be at the Hoover Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 to talk about his latest book, “Alabama’s Best Restaurants Cookbook.” The book includes recipes from several Hoover restaurants. A book signing will follow the talk. The event is free. For more information, call 444-7840.

Ross Bridge Will Host Dec. 9 Wine Dinner

The chefs at Brock’s Restaurant at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa are teaming up

See foodie news, page 33

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 31

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Now They’re Cooking New Women’s Culinary Society Is Already Stirring up Projects

healthy eating options. The Birmingham LDEI chapter is led by Angela Schmidt, a chef, entrepreneur and owner of Chef U, an interactive catering company. Schmidt said the group’s long-term goal is to put the holiday guide recipes and others into book form with tips, techniques and photos.

Journal features writer

The namesake of a new Birmingham organization for women culinary professionals may have been the first celebrity chef—long before Food Network made stars out of Ina Garten, Bobby Flay and Alton Brown. Birmingham now has a chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier International, a worldwide society of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries whose mission is education, advocacy, mentoring and philanthropy. The organization is named for Auguste Escoffier, a French chef who

died in 1935. During his 61-year career, which began when he was 13 years old, Escoffier modernized menus, the practice of cooking, and kitchen organization. He also authored three cookbooks which are still culinary Bibles today. The Birmingham Dames’ first major outreach project involves sharing cooking techniques, too. The group has partnered with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to produce a twopage guide with easy holiday recipes. The recipes all use foods distributed by the food bank at mobile food pantries during November and December. Most dishes need no more than five ingredients.

Birmingham Dames who work as chefs, recipe authors, nutritionists, recipe testers and food photographers, illustrators and writers helped with the project. The holiday food guide will benefit all of the food bank’s 240 member agencies. The food bank and these agencies serve as the hunger safety net for 255,672 people – 75,000 of them children – who live in poverty. Food Bank agencies will distribute the Les Dames holiday food guide to their community members. In addition to the recipes, the guide will educate families on preparation methods, stretching ingredients, food safety and

See Birmingham Dames, page 32

Call today to book your holiday part y with us!

Members of Les Dames D’Escoffier International’s Birmingham chapter are partnering with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to produce a holiday cooking guide. Front, from left: Susan Swagler, Becky Satterfield, Beba Touloupis, Susan Green and Amanda Storey. Back: Brooke McKinley of the Community Food Bank, Jan Gautro, Angela Schmidt and Rachel West. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

By Donna Cornelius

“We want to sell these books as a fundraising tool to allow us to do even more for our community,” she said. Amanda Storey, a Birmingham LDEI member and assistant director of the Community Food Bank, said the holidays can be challenging for families

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Dames Plan Bake Sale

that don’t know where their next meal will come from. “In addition to distributing food this holiday season, we are fortunate, thanks to our Les Dames Birmingham partners, to also have the opportunity to distribute a thoughtful and meaningful addition -- a collection of recipes created, designed and crafted by local female culinary heroes,” Storey said. “We hope that families that currently receive food from any of our member agencies will also be inspired to try these recipes created specifically for them.” Birmingham LDEI leaders said the group plans to create more guides for food bank clients geared toward other holiday meals, healthy school lunches, smart snacks and easy weeknight dinners. “Our hope is to build on this initiative season after season so that we create a collection of recipes that utilize commonly found ingredients in food pantries across central Alabama,” Storey said. LDEI got its start in the 1970s, when many women were still struggling for recognition as chefs and restaurateurs and in other jobs in the culinary world. Carol Brock, then the New York Daily News’ Sunday food editor, was instrumental in forming the organization. In 1973, she received a charter from the New York chapter of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society, which was a menonly group, to form a women’s chapter of New York. The New York chapter created a Grande Dame award in 1977 with Julia Child as the first recipient. For more information about the Birmingham Dames, visit ldeibirmingham.org. ❖

Birmingham’s LDEI chapter will have a bake sale at the Pepper Place Saturday Market Nov. 22. The event will help fund the group’s holiday cooking guide and other projects and its efforts to promote and share local foods with the Birmingham community, said Birmingham chapter member Susan Swagler. Birmingham Dames members shared two recipes for sweet treats that will be among the bake sale goodies and an easy-to-do recipe for green beans from the holiday guide.

From page 31

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

letes among our customers. We try to promote juicing as a way to promote healthy eating.” Turner believes strongly in the benefits of her juices after an experience that left her searching for ways to improve her own health. “I got sick in November of last year,” she said. “I was first misdiagnosed with walking pneumonia. I had severe fatigue and nausea. “My sister had tried juicing. I was a skeptic about trying it at first, but it tasted good and it made me feel good in about four or five weeks.” After her sister gave her a juicer of her own for Christmas, Turner began researching fresh cold-pressed juices online, she said. Believing the Birmingham area would be a good market for a coldpressed juice business, Turner used Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform for creative projects. Project creators like Turner set a funding goal and deadline. If people like a project, they can pledge money to make it happen. “Our family and friends got behind us 100 percent,” Turner said. The Turners spent about three months developing recipes, research-

floured it properly). For an extra special treat, toast pound cake and slather mascarpone cheese on each slice. Meanwhile, warm up some apricot jam and add amaretto to taste. Drizzle over the mascarpone. –Annette Thompson

Crusty Pound Cake 3 sticks of real butter, softened to room temperature 3 cups sugar 6 eggs, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt Grease and flour a Bundt-type pan, and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter and sugar by hand until totally mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing completely between each. Stir in extracts. Blend flour and salt and then gradually add to wet mixture until thoroughly mixed. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 25 minutes. When a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean, the cake is done. Let the cake set 10 minutes in pan and then turn upside down. Cake will drop from pan (if you’ve greased and

ing nutritional requirements, looking at equipment and visiting farms, Turner said. Coming up with recipes was fun because she and her husband both love to cook, she said. Sprout & Pour now offers six juice flavors, and more will be added, Turner said. “My favorite is probably Spring. I like the combination of apple, cucumber and mint,” she said. Other flavors include Sunrise, which includes ginger, apples, lemons and carrots, and Lemon Zing, with lemon, cayenne pepper, agave and jalapeno peppers. The Beet-Nik has beets, carrots, celery, apples and spinach. Cashew Milk is a blend of raw cashews, distilled water, raw agave nectar, cinnamon and vanilla. Quench is made with romaine lettuce, mint, apples, celery, pineapple and parsley. “We buy local fruits and vegetables whenever we can,” she said. Turner, 36, is a former art teacher. She and Andrew have one daughter, Frances Mae, who’s 2 years old. The family lives in Crestwood. The couple is looking forward to being a part of the Edgewood business community, Turner said. “We looked at Lakeview, Forest Park and downtown Birmingham. We wanted a place that was walkable

Greek-style Green Beans

Serves 4-6 Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 finely-chopped garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add two 14.5-ounce cans green beans, one 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Add enough water just to cover beans. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes. –Beba Touloupis

and that had families, bikers and runners. Edgewood was perfect, and we were surprised that this was the most economical place we looked at,” she said. “Everyone here has been so welcoming.” Turner said Sprout & Pour juices will still be sold at farmers’ markets once the store opens. The company has also done tastings for businesses and clubs. “Some of my best customers have been at the place where I get my hair cut, Salon U in Homewood,” she said. “They’ve been wonderful and have a standing weekly order.” Sprout & Pour offers corporate delivery and has an online store at sproutandpour.com. Turner said she’s looking forward to introducing more people to the juices once the Edgewood juice bar opens. “We’ll have a butcher-block bar, outdoor and window seating, a big painting of our logo on the wall, and a chalkboard menu,” she said. “It will be a very family-friendly place.” Birmingham is a food-centric city that’s heavily into the farm-to-table movement, she said. “I think we’re in the right place and here at the right time,” Turner said. “I’d love to expand throughout Birmingham and Alabama.” ❖

foodie news, From page 30

with Scott Jones, a Birmingham culinary and wine expert, for the Ross Bridge Wine Dinner Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. The event will be limited to 50 people. The fivecourse meal is $75 per person and will have different wine pairings from around the world. For more information and the menu, visit www.jonesisthirsty.com. For reservations, call 949-3057.

Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Plan New OTM Stores

Two popular grocery store chains will soon be setting up shop in the Over the Mountain area. Last week, Whole Foods announced plans to open a store in Hoover’s Riverchase Village. In September, plans were unveiled to bring a Trader Joe’s to The Summit. Whole Foods, an organic foods retailer based in Austin, Texas, will open in Hoover in an empty space in a shopping center at U.S. 31 and Alabama 150. The space was formerly occupied by Belle Foods and before that, Bruno’s Supermarket. No opening date for the Whole Foods store in Riverchase Village has been announced. Whole Foods also has a store on U.S. 280 in Mountain Brook. Trader Joe’s announced in September that it’s bringing its discount gourmet grocery wares to Alabama for the first time.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 33

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Tasteful Fundraiser

Corks and Brews Event Benefits Juvenile Diabetes Foundation An inaugural event held in Hoover recently raised more than $1,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Stacy Mitchell and Kylee Pedrosa hosted the first-ever Corks and Brews for a Cure Oct. 4 at the home of John Osborne and Maio Danila. Mitchell and Pedrosa both have children living with type 1 diabetes and wanted to organize a fundraiser to help find a cure for their children and to make people more aware of the disease. The wine and beer tasting event featured several wines and craft beers provided by Fresh Market and Avondale Brewery. Fresh Market also provided appetizers. Dootchie and Bubba played original music and old favorites on acoustic guitars as guests chatted and danced by the fire. Those attending included Shelley Moseley, Crissi Waters, Cindy and David Buchannan, Carine Scroggs, Vino Sivam and Pooja Gera. ❖ Owned by the same company as Aldi, a discount grocery chain based in Germany, Trader Joe’s will open a 12,600-square-foot store at The Summit sometime in the second half of 2015. Trader Joe’s will move into the space currently occupied by Banana Republic,

Above: From left: Stacy Mitchell, Kylee Pedrosa and Maio Danila. Left: Carine Scroggs, Vino Sivam and Pooja Gera. Photos special to the Journal by Virginia Traynick, Just V Photography

which is moving to a space near The Summit’s Michael Kors store. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are not the only national grocery store retailers recently announcing plans to expand into the Over the Mountain area. Hoover planning officials in October

announced that Sprouts Farmer’s Market will be a part of a shopping center planned at the intersection of John Hawkins Parkway and Interstate 459. Sprouts is an Arizona-based organic and all natural market. ❖

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Mountain Brook

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holiday shopping

In the Villages of Mountain Brook!

Crestline Village Holiday Open House Nov. 20th

EnglishVillage Holiday Open House Dec. 3rd

Holiday Parade Dec. 7th

Mountain Brook Village Holiday Open House Dec. 4th

CahabaVillage Holiday Open House Dec. 9th

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A’Mano A’Mano is a unique store located in the Mountain Brook Shopping Center. “Our vision at A’Mano is to showcase pottery, glass, gifts, jewelry and accessories by national and local artisans.” says owner, Lynn Ritchie. “We offer many one of a kind items.” “It is hard to believe that this will be our 17th year in operation. We are always changing and growing. “A’Mano is a great spot to find a special gift for an anniversary, birthday or special event. We are known for our wonderful selection of greeting cards, especially the “New Yorker” cartoon cards. “The store will be open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. after Thanksgiving. The residents of Mountain Brook and surrounding areas have

faithfully supported our store and we are so appreciative. “We host an Annual Customer Appreciation Night Sale and Party on Nov. 13 from 5-8 p.m. with 20 percent off all items. We will serve festive food and beverages. “We will also have a party the night of Dec. 4 when the entire Mountain Brook Village hosts an Open House. Surprise store specials will be available that night as well. “A’Mano has become a Mountain Brook tradition offering the perfect gift selection and complementary gift wrap always. “Visit us at www.amanogifts.com and like us on Facebook for special offers and discounts.” Looking forward to the holidays and helping you pick ou the perfect gift are Marin Zanotti, left, and Phillip Powell. A’Mano is located at 2407 Culver Road in Mountain Brook, 871-9093.

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Bromberg’s Bromberg’s is a name that has been synonymous with quality in Alabama for 178 years. From its diamonds and fine jewelry to its selection of the finest gifts, china and crystal available anywhere in the south, Bromberg’s is an Alabama tradition. “We have thrived all these years because our customers are our friends and our neighbors,” says Ricky Bromberg, pictured above. “The Bromberg’s experience has always been about family and community, trust, quality and loyalty.” Bromberg & Company was founded in 1836 and has the distinction of being the longest standing family-owned retail store in the US. The company opened it’s first Birmingham location in 1900. The Mountain Brook store opened in 1959 and has become a landmark in the community.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 35

The Summit location opened in 2002. “I have worked at the store as long as I can remember, literally beginning at age 6 operating the elevator at the downtown store. When I was a child, our family life and the store’s operations were so interwoven that I always knew this was what I wanted to do as my career. “I view my role with a great sense of responsibility. Our business was built by six generations of my family and we owe it to them and of course, to all our customers, to maintain our company’s mission to provide and unforgettable and enjoyable luxury shopping experience.” To find out about the many special events happening at Bromberg’s this holiday season, like Bromberg’s on Facebook and go to www.brombergs.com to join the email newsletter list. Bromberg’s is at 2800 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook, 871-3276 and 131 Summit Blvd. The Summit, 969-1776.

36 • Thursday,November 13, 2014

Christine’s + Bagatelle The Christmas window at Christine’s has become a tradition that young and old look forward to each year, according to Jean Clayton, owner, above. She remembers the elaborate windows the stores in downtown Birmingham always had during the holiday season. “For the younger children it is such magic,” Jean says of the display her shop does every year. “Diversity of merchandise keeps the store interesting. While frames, fragrances, linens and MacKenzie Childs are the mainstay, you will find a broad selection of gifts and accessories, too. “Gifts under $20 this year include a calen-

Mountain Brook

dar tea towel made in France, ‘emergency’ kits with 17 items that fit in a handbag, AuburnAlabama gifts, Christmas pins, plus stocking stuffers. “MacKenzie-Childs Christmas candles come in a hand-painted candle holder, also suitable for use as a vase. New this year is the small leather purse that charges your phone on the go, up to two times. The purse holds essential items but will fit into your handbag. And, when you purchase $300 in merchandise, you will receive a MacKenzie-Childs ice bucket, retail value $74. See us at the store for details. “We offer complimentary gift wrap and accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.” Christine’s + Bagatelle is located at 2411 Montevallo Road in Mountain Brook Village, 871-8297. Bagatelle is located at 2415 Montevallo Road, 414-6001.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Crestline Pharmacy Since college days at Samford University, the Cobb and Hammers families have remained friends. Their children have grown up together and Crestline Pharmacy has been a part of all of their lives since 1990. Pictured above, from left, are Scooter and Susie Hammers and Jan and Mike Cobb. “The store’s employees and customers are also part of the family. We have shared so much with the Crestline community through the years and they are all important to us,” says Jan Cobb. “We are grateful for our loyal friends who are close by and those who drive out of their way to come to us. We offer personal charge accounts and free delivery as part of our ‘family’ service. We are also open seven days a week to provide for those who need attention on weekends.

“Our Gift Shop, located in the store, has year round gifts, jewelry, accessories and home décor. This time of year, we offer everything you need for Christmas from home items to gifts. We specialize in unique yet affordable answers to all your shopping needs. We carry ‘We have shared so much with the Crestline community through the years and they are all important to us.’

Beatriz Ball, Willow Tree, J. Devlin, Glory Haus, Magnolia Lane, Caffco and Mud Pie, as well as many other lines. “Please come by and give us the chance to get to know you!” Crestline Pharmacy is located at 60 Church Street in Crestline Village, 871-0317.

2014 collection

christine's + bagatelle

2415 Montevallo Road . Mountain Brook Village . 871.8297

Crestline Pharmacy Christmas 60 Church Street

871-0317

Mon.- Fri. 8am-8pm • Sat. 8am - 6pm • Sun 10am-6pm

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Condo Shoppe/ Ingram and Associates LLC Sally Tuttle and Barbara Schilling, pictured above, of Ingram and Associates LLC’s the Condo Shoppe are ready to welcome visitors to Birmingham’s premier resource for condominiums. The Condo Shoppe has been developing, listing and selling condos for more 30 years,. “We have been involved in almost every condominium community from downtown Birmingham to Hoover,” says Linda Massey, office manager. “Sally and Barbara offer a boutique approach to sales and listings that is designed to set them apart from others. Their expertise includes help-

Mountain Brook

ing buyers and sellers in the condo, loft and townhome markets. Trust and loyalty is the foundation of their success,” Linda says. “So this holiday season call Sally and Barbara to preview the best Birmingham has to offer in the condo market.” ‘We have been involved in almost every condominium community from downtown Birmingham to Hoover.’

Sally can be reached at 281-6548 and Barbara can be reached at 266-1154. More information on the Condo Shoppe can be found at www.condominiumshoppe.com. Ingram and Associates is located at 3660 Grandview Parkway, Suite 100, 871-5360.

John-William Jeweller John-William Jeweller is a locally-owned fine jeweler. Brothers John Bromberg and Billy Bromberg, pictured above, are the proprietors, hence the name. “While John-Billy Jeweller would have been more accurate, there is a radio show named John Boy and Billy so we chose not to test the proprietary rights,” Billy says. “We don’t have radio voices anyway.” Billy says the brothers have been in business since 2003 and that there’s an interesting story behind how they chose the company’s logo. “We designed it, with a friend in the ad business giving guidance. We had 28 designs but never asked for a blessing. Design 29 we thought was worthy of seeking approval. She called and was warm to it and asked me to explain it,” Billy says. Billy explained to his friend that the eagle is the French symbol for 18-carat gold, the dog is the

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 37

European mark for platinum and the anchor is the English origin mark for Birmingham. “She asked why we were using so many European symbols and we told her that symbols like these don’t exist here and we liked the way they looked together,” Billy says. He then explained to his friend that if she bought a gold and platinum ring in France, the ring would have an eagle and a dog stamped on it. Billy says he and his brother together have almost 70 years of experience in the jewelry business and continue to offer unique items to their patrons. “We believe visitors to our store can find items they would not normally find in our area–items that are special in design and origin,” Billy says. “We see this reaction every day because after all, it’s about the jewelry ultimately.” John-William Jeweller is located at 81 Church Street on the corner of Church Street and Euclid Avenue in Crestline Village, 870-4367.

38 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Cook Store

The Cook Store is a kitchen specialty shop featuring functional pottery, pots, pans and gadgets for cooking and entertaining. “The Cook Store has been a fixture in Mountain Brook since 1975,” says owner Wesley Lassen, above. The Cook Store exclusively carries pottery skillets and sauce pans from The Pottery Works that are stovetop safe on both gas or electric cooktops. The store also offers kitchen linens, bakeware, cookware and more. “You can choose from All Clad stainless steel cookware, Doughmakers bakeware, Wusthof knives and pottery from local potters like Tena Payne of Earthborn Studios, Wade Oliver Pottery and Gidge Black Pottery. “We are looking forward to a crazy holiday season of selling, selling, selling and wrapping, wrapping and more wrapping. We have lots of great gift ideas for the person who has everything and the person who doesn’t have enough. Come check out our pottery, our many Himilayan Pink Salt items, Soapstone grills, whiskey stones, coasters, napkin rings, and lots more gift items. Our Holiday Open House is Dec. 4 and we will be open for the Christmas Parade on Dec. 7.” The Cook Store is located at 2841 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village, 879-5277.

MOuntain Brook

ExVoto Vintage Jewelry

ExVoto Vintage Jewelry is a collection of one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry, says owner Elizabeth Adams, pictured above. “ExVoto began in 2009 and includes stackable rings from my new Elizabeth Adams Collection, a line of jewelry in 14-carat, rose gold and sterling, which will be making their debut this holiday season,” Elizabeth says. “Our pendants with hand engraved monograms make great gifts this season. When she travels, Elizabeth says she is always searching for treasurers she can bring back to the studio. “I work with artisans all over the U.S. because we cast from the original antiques for our limited edition pieces,” Elizabeth says. “Using freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, premium leathers, sterling silver and 18-karat gold plating, each ExVoto Vintage piece is handmade in our studio here in Alabama.” A portion of each sale at ExVoto goes to The Cure Starts Now Foundation for pediatric brain cancer research, Elizabeth says. ExVoto Vintage Jewelry is located at 2404 Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook, 538-7301.

Give what you love... Love what you give! Earthborn Studios Pottery by Tena Payne of Birmingham

2841 Cahaba Road Mtn. Brook Village • 879-5277 M-F 10-5 • Sat 10-4 www.thecookstoremtnbrook.com

The Lingerie Shop

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Lingerie Shop is a full service shop for sleepwear, bridal wear, foundations, bras, panties, Spanx and almost any “accessory” to help with problem issues in lingerie. “We specialize in bra fitting and customer service,” says Brenda Meadows, owner, above. “The Lingerie Shop was established in 1946. It has been my honor to serve our wonderful customers since 1988 - 26 years! “We have planned for the holidays by having an array of beautiful and fun gowns, robes and PJs. We will have a full store of Spanx for all of the party outfits. “Our Open House is December 4 and will honor three ladies who are going through treatment for breast cancer. A portion of our sales that day will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We look forward to helping lots of folks with their gifts - all beautifully wrapped in gold or silver. The Lingerie Shop is located at 2403 Montevallo Road, 871-8996.

Snoozy’s Kids

Snoozy’s Kids has been in business 26 years and is a toy store that will surprise you. “We carry hard to find toys that will thrill the people on your holiday list,” says owner, George Jones, above. “Wrapping, of course, is free and shipping services are available. “To show off our awesome jewelry, we are hosting another ‘Ladies Night Out’ Thursday, Nov. 13 from 6 - 8 p.m. Join us for the Crestline Village Open House, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20,” George says. George says the store has several new gift ideas this year, including a collection of remote controlled cars that have been fully tested by the Snoozy’s staff. “We really test these toys and have already sent one kind back to the company because it didn’t work like we thought it should. We like to make sure the remote controlled toys are loaded up with batteries and ready to go when the kids open them,” he says. The store’s remote controlled toy collection also includes an amphibious toy that runs on land and in the water, and remote controlled bird toys, including a parrot. Snoozy’s Kids is located at 228 Country Club Park in Crestline Village, 871-2662.

The Urban Muu Muu Style and Compfort at Home. T H E L I NG E R I E S H O P P E

Mountain Brook Village, Alabama 205-871-8994

exvotovintage.com mountain brook village To: thecookstore@msn.com (behind gilchrist) From: Over The Mountain Journal, monday thru fridayPHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 10 to 5 Date: Nov. 2013 saturday 4 This is your 10 AD to PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the 205.538.7301 11-14-13., 2013 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

Crestline • 871-2662 Mon. - Sat. 10-5

Over The Mountain Journal

Holiday Gift Guide Thursday, November 13, 2014

’Tis the season! While there’s no perfect formula for gift-giving, we’ve tried to help you narrow the field with this year’s gift guide. Everything on our list, from stocking stuffers to under-the-tree stunners, can be found at Over the Mountain area shops. Here’s hoping our guide will help make your Christmas season more fun—and help you choose presents that are perfect for everyone on your list. Please turn the page to get started!

40 • Thursday,November 13, 2014

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Laser-cut reindeer and wooden trees, $2.99 and up. Leaf & Petal, 871-3832 in Mountan Brook, 967-3232 at The Summit, 877-3030 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Holiday bears, $18 - $109. Three Sheets, 871-2337. Handmade Star of Bethlehem gold leaf ornaments signed by the artist, $39. Christine’s + Bagatelle, 871-8297.

Etta B Pottery made by Mississippi artist Brent DeShea, starting at $39.95. Blue Willow Gifts, 968-0909.

Byers McCurry Studios prayer towers. Small $84, medium $144, large $254. A’mano, 871-9093. Rustic and inspired, the woodlawn bowl has a 17.5-inch diameter and is 6 inches high, $60. Elegant Earth at The Arbor, 251-0203.

Kerry Horton wood trees adorned with grapevines and lights, available in three sizes, starting at $35. Alabama Goods, 803-3900.

Painted peace art poles made in the U.S.A., $49.99-$279.99. Wild Birds Unlimited, 823-6500.

German manufactured from Muhle Shaving. Precision personified, $248. Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry & Collectibles, 874-1044.

Sweet treats for the holiday season, one size fits all. Savage’s Bakery, 871-4901.

Sterling and enamel cufflinks by Deakin & Francis, $505. Barton-Clay 871-7060.

Christopher Radko collectible ornaments, hand-crafted in Europe. Starting at $22. Interiors by Kathy Harris, 970-4161.

Decorative ceramic mushrooms, $9.99 and up. Andy’s Creekside Nursery, Vestavia, 824-0233, Andy’s Garden Center, Hoover, 402-2639.

Handcrafted porcelain vases, ring dishes, crosses and more by Caroline Reehl, $90-$30. Mulberry Heights Antiques, 870-1300.

Heart and cross pearl wired ornaments, $10. Greystone Antiques & Marketplace, 995-4773.

Vintage belsnickels starting at $14. Attic Antiques, 991-6887.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 41

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

English pewter flasks, $98. Antiquities, 870-1030.

Expertly crafted yellow gold, multi-colored stone and diamond bracelet. Price upon request. Levy’s Fine Jewelry, 251-3381.

Mountain Weekend Vest shown in Fern, $145. Vineyard Vines, 970-9758.

The quartz edition of the 2014 Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300M, sporty yet elegant. Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook, 871-3279 and The Summit, 969-1776.

Football coolers by Vostak are a game changer, $99.95. Alabama Gas Light & Grill, 870-4060.

Miele Scout robotic vacuum, the best of the best, $899. AllSouth Appliance, 942-0408.

Handmade soy candles by the Soap King, $25. Longworth Collection, 803-4040.

Labradorite necklace with crystalleaf pendant by local designer Louise Abroms, $165, Snoozy’s Crestline, 871-2662.

Classic Cutter Buck dri-tech shirts in a large selection, $65. Campus Spirit, 977-7377.

A shape, a color, a volume, a surface, almost limitless possibilities. Your face, iiis frames. iiis. an optical shop, 930-9394.

Nutcrackers for the true die-hard football fans, $34. Crestline Pharmacy,871-0317.

“A Life of Excellence” by local author, Richard E. Simmons III, $17.95. Union Hill Publishing, 789-3471.

Hartmann Betting leather accessories, travel kit, card case and billfold, from $75. Rosenberger’s Birmingham Trunk, 870-0971.

All-natural bath and body products by 1818 Farms, hand-crafted in Alabama, $5-$30. A Little Something 970-2077. The new 2015 Cayenne GTS is muscular, athletic, powerful and challenging. Tom Williams Porsche, 397-2700.

A cleaner and healthier home. Ten percent off for OTMJ readers. The Maids, 871-9338. Locally-made Holland’s Trinkets antler necklaces gold-dipped with hand-stamped charms, $48. fab’rik 582-9447.

Holiday Gift Guide continues on the next page!

42 • Thursday,November 13, 2014

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Seven-gauge aluminum cuff, handstamped with the coordinates nearest and dearest to your heart, starting at $24. a.k.a. Girl Stuff, 802-7735.

Vases from Earthborn Studios by Tena Payne Available in three sizes– small, $24, medium, $28 and large, $32. The Cook Store, 879-5277.

Necklaces featuring a single freshwater Biwa pearl suspended on a wire of Czech crystals. Three styles available, $36.95. Jewels by Rose, 979-5611.

Twentieth century writer’s lamp/inkwell with reverse painted landscape shade by Amronlite, $800. Fifth Avenue Antiques, 320-0500.

Nineteenth century leather-bound Bible and prayer books. From $85-$250. Roman Brantley Art & Antiques, 460-1224.

Antlers and horns in a large variety, $24 and up. Hanna Antiques, 323-6036. Gift-wrapped gift certificate. Vitalogy Wellness Center, 413-8599.

Cashmere poncho available in many colors, also can be worn as a scarf, $148. Marguerite’s Conceits, 879-2730.

Charles Viancin silicone lids in sizes ranging from 4 to 13 inches. Gift sets available, $7.95 - $34.95. Birmingham Bake and Cook Company, 980-3661.

Children’s Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, $69, tortoise brown and shiny black. JJ Eyes, 703-8596.

French Blue Opaline bowls. Starting at $49. Tricia’s Treasures, 871-9779.

Full Moon’s Half Moon Cookies are made from scratch daily. Tins delivered for $21.99. Order online at FullMoonBBQ.com. Elegant 18-carat gold pearl and cabochon ruby earrings, signed by Judith Ripka. AMW, Inc., 870-3588.

Ugg flip flops available in natural, pink, aqua and black. Size 6-10, $80. The Lingerie Shop, 871-8994.

Classic dog paintings by local artist Kevin Webster. Arceneaux Gallery, 802-5800.

Julie Vos 24-carat plate necklace, $425. Beverly Ruff Antiques, 871-7872

$75 off custom heated seats and convertibles. Offer valid through the end of the year. Alabama Auto Tops, 251-4391.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 43

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Handmade pottery by local artist Tena Payne. Starting price, $18. Earthborn Studios, Inc., 702-7055.

Cross body leather bags with faux fur accents from Bee Bags, $129. Betsy Prince, 871-1965.

S’well Bottles keep drinks cold for 24 hours, hot for 12 hours and come in a variety of sizes and colors, $28-$49. Table Matters, 879-0125.

Embroidered tennis towels for the sports enthusiast, $19. Player’s Choice, 985-4989.

Barbour scarf and gloves, indulge in a warm gift, $55. Remon’s Clothier, 977-5512.

Dainty rings in hammered 18-carat gold featuring gray diamond, emerald, sapphire and ruby stones, $275. ExVoto Vintage Jewelry, 538-7301.

Frame something special for the holidays. Hanging Around Hoover, 987-7879.

House slippers, one size fits most. Flip Flop & What Nots, 967-7429.

Rosette, amethyst and white topaz earrings in blackened vermeil by Karen Sugarman,$255. John-William Jeweller, 870-4367.

GiGi New York Uber Clutch bags in all different colors, $145. Monkee’s of Mountain Brook, 783-1240.

Vintage charms and pearl necklace from Diana Frey. Prices start at $175. Jezebel’s, 502-7669.

Holiday dog colors, starting at $19, in sizes for all dogs. The Whole Dog Market, 783-1169.

Stackable bangle bracelets made in the USA by Angelica Collection Bracelets with all recycled materials. Starting at $25. Shay’s Jewlers, 978-5880.

Customized golf cars for the neighborhood, lake, beach or farm. Available in a variety of seating configurations in gas or electric. Diamond Golf Cars, 769-6355.

Table and chairs set handcrafted by Alabama senior citizens in a variety of styles. Pieces start at $45. PrimeTime Treasures, 870-5555.

Custom made rugs: select the carpet, pattern, sisal, wool or frieze and choice of border. Starting at $119.95. Wolbach Flooring, Inc., 942-8636.

Precious cast iron statue of a small girl, $1,400. Christopher Glenn, 870-1236.

Multi colored infinity scarves, $9. Swanky Stork, 972-1414.

Jade and stone jewelry. Prices vary. At Home, 879-3510.

44 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

HOliday in the Hills

AC Financial Partners Achieve Clinical Research Advocare Independent Distributor Dave Quinn Alliance Publishing Group-Vestavia Hills Living America’s First Federal Credit Union Annabelle’s/Vestavia Apothecary Arbors Cahaba River BB&T Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates Bradford Health Services Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Cellular Sales of Verizon Wireless Charter Business Charter Media Chickadee Collage Designer Consignment Comfort Keepers Don’s Carpet One e3 Partners El Poblano Fancy Goods Variety First Partners Bank GameTruck Alabama Greater Birmingham AMBUCS Human Performance & Rehabilitation Centers

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Iberia Bank Interiors & Antiques Market Jackson, Howard & Whatley, CPAs JAMM Entertainment Jimmie Hale Mission John Henley State Farm Insurance Kidz Closet & More Liberty Park Joint Venture Mary Kay Cosmetics-Susie Serio Newk’s Eatery OnTime Service Regions Bank Renasant Bank Mortgage Lending Rocky Ridge Hardware Serendipity Sweets Snapper Grabbers Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Stephanie Steinmetz Pediatric Dentistry Summit Express Urgent Care Tutoring Club TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Wild Birds Unlimited Xceligent

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 45

HOliday in the Hills

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Calendar of Events Breakfast with Santa

Search for Jingle Bell November 13-December 15 Jingle Bell the Reindeer is hiding in stores all over Vestavia Hills. Print the list of stores from www.vestaviahills.org and go look for him! When you find Jingle Bell in a store, have the store stamp your sheet. When you have 10 stamps, turn it in to the Chamber of Commerce office for a surprise and to be entered in a drawing for a $25 Chamber GiftCheck.

December 13 Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 7:30-10:00 am 1975 Merryvale Road Enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa. $1 Suggested Donation

Liberty Park Christmas Parade & Celebration December 14

Tree Lighting Festival December 9 Vestavia Hills City Center, 6:00 pm 700 Montgomery Highway Enjoy entertainment, merchant give-aways and the lighting of the tree. Visit with Santa and play in the snow! Don’t miss the Snow Ball Drop-we’ll be dropping ping pong balls with discounts from our participating merchants!

Liberty Park Sports Complex to Alston Meadows, 2:00-4:00 pm Enjoy the city’s official parade followed by the Liberty Park Christmas Celebration with children’s activities, refreshments, live entertainment, visit with Santa & more!

Visit www.vestaviahills.org for an extended list of events Presented by the City of Vestavia Hills & the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

Search for Jingle Bell Jingle Bell the Reindeer will be hiding in these Vestavia Hills businesses November 13-December 15. Go find him! Visit www.vestaviahills.org to print out a copy of the worksheet and take it to the stores listed on it. When you spot Jingle Bell in a store, ask the employees to stamp your sheet. When you have 10 stamps from different businesses, bring your sheet to the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce (1975 Merryvale Road) for a surprise and to be entered in a drawing for a $25 Chamber Gift Check (one entry per person).

46 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Blue Willow

And don’t worry about wrapping all those great finds from The Blue Willow – the staff will wrap your gifts and have them ready to go under the tree when you walk out the door. The Blue Willow, Barnes said, is for those who want to add a touch of Southern charm to their lives and home. “The store offers some of the area’s most fabulous finds and well-known products and is the perfect place to find a heartfelt gift for any wedding, birthday, baby shower or hostesses gift,” she said. To add an even more personal touch, The Blue Willow offers monogramming, etching, engraving and personalization to transform your gift into something extraordinary, Barnes said. “Part of its Southern charm is that The Blue Willow showcases products from over 20 Alabama –based business as well as vendors from other Southern states such as Mississippi. It is important to The Blue Willow and Barnes to support local and small businesses. This helps promote economic growth for our community and foster growth. “ The Blue Willow is located at 3930 Crosshaven Drive, one and a half miles behind The Summit. The store is open Monday – Friday 10 am until 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. For more information, visit www.thebluewillow.com, call 968-0909 or follow on Facebook.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates Currently celebrating 35 years of service to our community, 1980 - 2015, Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates is a familyowned business specializing in hearing aid sales, service and repair as well as speechlanguage diagnostics and therapy for children and adults. Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates is conveniently located on Highway 280 between Homewood and Mountain Brook. “I’ve been really fortunate to work alongside wonderful people who have incredible professional expertise and who are also my friends. We really make an extra effort to be a very welcoming place, but because everyone here is so genuinely caring and friendly, concern for the well-being of others just happens naturally,” says director, Cynthia Serota. “In a way, we really don’t view our profession as work. We receive great rewards from our efforts to help others make improvements in their quality of life. The technology and services we provide for our clients is absolutely stateof-the-art and of the highest value. The staff approaches each day with an emphasis on com-

passion and genuine caring for clients and their families. Their primary objective is to make every visit a positive experience. Each person really does matter,” says Cynthia. “The most current research proves that over the long term, hearing health is crucial to better emotional and mental health. Hearing loss may be directly linked to isolation and depression, confirming that properly treated hearing loss is essential to continuing a healthy lifestyle. Obviously, hearing as well as agelevel speech and language skills are extremely important for both children and adults. Should you have questions regarding a child’s normal developmental milestones, please feel free to visit the BSHA website or call for further information.” Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates is a private clinic providing audiology services as well as speech pathology diagnostics and therapy for children and adults. Complete hearing evaluations, audiology consultations, hearing aid sales, service and repairs are available for all major manufacturers including Oticon, ReSound, Lyric, Resound and Widex. Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates is located at 4 Office Park Circle. For more information, call 871-3878 or visit www.birminghamspeechandhearing.com.

aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaaaaa

The Blue Willow, the ultimate one-stop shop for customers in Vestavia Hills for almost 15 years has decked their halls for the holiday season and they are ready to help you deck yours too! The store has seven trees to choose from, an abundance of décor, all the decorations you need for your tree, plus unique gift ideas ranging from jewelry, to home, candles and baby items, said Anna Barnes, who has owned the store since 2011. The Blue Willow kicked off the holiday season with their annual Elf Magic party on November 11 and is looking forward to celebrating the holidays with the elves. The shop will have a great selection of Elf Magic merchandise during the holiday season. The Silhouette Event will be on November 15 and provides the perfect time to get a gift for any mother or grandmother. The Blue Willow will be full of holiday cheer as it celebrates is Christmas Open House from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Nov. 20. To help those last-minute shoppers choose just the right gift, the store will host a Special Sunday Sale on December 14 to help customers finish checking off their wish lists. In addition, the shop offers 12 Days of Christmas deals so follow them on FB for this fun treat!

HOliday in the Hills

over over and shop... and shop... over and shop... Leslie J. Crawford, Au. D. Doctor of Audiology

Cynthia Serota Director

Christmas Christmas Open House Open House Christmas Open House 3930 3930 Crosshaven Crosshaven 3930 Crosshaven Drive Drive Drive Half Half aa mile mile behind behind Half the a themile Summit Summit behind the Summit

Thursday, Thursday, November November Thursday,20th 20th November 20th 10:00 10:00 a.m. a.m. until until 10:00 6:00 6:00 a.m. p.m. p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Prizes, Prizes, Specials, Specials, Prizes, Giveaways Giveaways Specials, Giveaways && Complimentary Complimentary & Complimentary Gift Gift Wrapping Wrapping Gift Wrapping

• Call today to reserve an appointment for your: • Complimentary Consultation and Hearing Test • Exclusive 4 Year Warranty available during November and December • Special 3930 Crosshaven Drive30-Day BrainHearing Trial Offer…..Experience BrainHearing Half a mile behind the Summit at work, at home and at play….RISK FREE! • Receive a complimentary one-year subscription to the Thursday, November 20th publication “Luminosity” to exercise your brain 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. TM

Prizes, Specials, Giveaways & Complimentary Gift Wrapping

4 Office Park Circle, Suite 301 Birmingham, AL 35223 • www.birminghamspeechandhearing.com

Wild Birds Unlimited Wild Birds Unlimited is a unique specialty shop that ‘brings people and nature together’ for the purpose of enjoying the hobby of backyard bird feeding. The store has been in Hoover since 1991, says owner Joe Perez. “We offer bird feeders, bird baths, nature products and other unique gifts for giving to and sharing with friends and family. “Our Certified Bird Feeding Specialists– Barb, Davina, Lisa, Lyn, Tracy and Vernon–are experienced, customer focused and willing to help you enjoy nature! We stock the best and the freshest bird food in Birmingham. We have seed blends that are specifically formulated for the local Birmingham area birds. Be sure to visit us during the Christmas and holiday season when we feature our Christmas seed blends, suet, cylinders and seed wreaths. Pip and Squeak (cat and

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 47

HOliday in the Hills

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

mouse), Buttons the Snowman, Sugar and Honey (cat) and Rascal the Raccoon–found exclusively at WBU–are our newest seed cylinder offerings. “Come in to see our beautiful and unique items for your Christmas and holiday gift giving. We have many sizes and colors of hand-tuned Corinthian Bells wind chimes, decorative bird feeders and bird houses, our WBU exclusive Advanced Pole System, and our WBU privatelybranded and fully guaranteed tube feeders, hopper feeders, hummingbird feeders and platform feeders. “Our Eliminator Squirrel Proof feeder is the best squirrel proof feeder available, period! Come in and experience the unique shopping experience that is WBU! We offer complimentary gift wrapping for the gifts you purchase for your bird loving enthusiasts!” Wild Birds Unlimited is located at 1580 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL 35216 205-823-6500.

Father and Son Real Estate Team

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. 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 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. “About four years ago one of our sons, Hayden, joined me in the 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. It’s certainly a great time to be buying! In fact, it’s possible to buy a new home and move in before the new year!” You can reach Mike Wald at 541-0940 and Hayden Wald at 919-5535.

Merry Christmas from

Wild Birds Unlimited

Thanks to our clients for another great year! It’s not too late to find the perfect house in time for the holidays. There’s a good selection of beautiful Over-the-Mountain homes and rates are still very attractive! Visit FindThePerfectHouse.com or call Mike or Hayden to start your search today!

Mike Wald 541-0940 Hayden Wald 919-5535

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48 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

McKinney-Satterfield

Mr. and Mrs. Steven George McKinney of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Meridith Elise McKinney, to William Hughes Satterfield Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hughes Satterfield of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerrel Walker of Memphis, Tenn., and Mr. George McKinney and the late Mrs. George McKinney of Zion, Ill. Miss McKinney is a 2002 graduate of Briarwood Christian School and a 2007 graduate of the University

Tankersley-Drennen

Mr. and Mrs. Dwane Tankersley of Little Rock, Ark., announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Lauren Tankersley, to William Maring Drennen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Travis Drennen III. The bride-elect is the granddaugh-

Weddings & Engagements of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in international business. She was previously an international trade specialist for the State of Alabama and the private sector liaison officer of the State of Alabama to the World Bank Group. Miss McKinney is now the market analyst for Spradling International, Inc. in Birmingham. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Albert Huey Green of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Felix Satterfield of Owensboro, Ky. Mr. Satterfield attended the Altamont School, is a graduate of Marion Military Institute and is a 2003 graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville with bachelor’s degrees in management information systems and marketing. He received a master’s degree in business with a specialization in entrepreneurship from Samford University’s Brock School of Business. He served on active duty in Iraq and was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. Mr. Satterfield is a senior eDiscovery and forensics engineer at Regions Bank in Birmingham. The wedding will be Nov. 15 at Highlands United Methodist Church. The couple will live in Birmingham after the wedding.

ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Maynard of Little Rock and Mrs. Sue Tankersley and the late Mr. James O’Neal Tankersley of Little Rock. Miss Tankersley is a graduate of Harding University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders with minors in Bible and religion and healthcare management. She was a member of Ju Go Ju Club. Miss Tankersley is currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences pursuing a master’s degree in speech pathology. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Travis Drennen Jr. of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. Don Herbert Maring of Birmingham. Mr. Drennen is a graduate of Harding University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in missions. He is a heavy equipment operator in Little Rock. A fall wedding is planned.

To have our wedding, engagement and anniversary forms sent to you, call 823-9646.

Cronic-Dodson

Caroline Marie Cronic and Michael Ryan Dodson were married Aug. 23 at The Little Hubble Church in Hubble, Ky. The ceremony was

Simpson-Hubbard

Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Dewitt

Bates-Farlow

Mr. and Mrs. Walter William Bates of Birmingham announce the

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

officiated by Father Tom Farrell. A reception followed at Englewood Farm. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Steven Cronic of Danville, Ky. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. John Vincent Haydon and the late Mr. John Vincent Haydon and Mrs. Annie Yvonne Stapp and Mr. William Jerry Cronic, all of Atlanta. The groom is the son of Dr. Mary and Mr. Robert Walker Dodson of Birmingham. He is the grandson of Mrs. Roy Walker Dodson Jr. and the late Mr. Roy Walker Dodson Jr. of Decatur and the late Mr. and Mrs. Leo Aloysius Reddington of Hillsborough, N.J. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless silk dress with a chapel-length veil. She carried a bouquet of roses and baby’s breath in shades of white and cream, hand-

tied and finished with lace from her mother’s wedding dress. Attending the bride as maid of honor was her sister, Elizabeth Cronic of Chicago. Bridesmaids were Caroline Nix and Annie Strothmann of Atlanta; Mary Katherine Roberts of Nashville, Tenn.; and Brandy Walls, Michelle Clark and Rachel Dodson, sister of the groom, all of Birmingham. The flower girl was Arabella Nix of Atlanta. Matthew Dodson, brother of the groom, of Birmingham was the best man. Groomsmen were Eric Weeks of Austin, Texas; Mike Phillips of Mobile; Robert Beasley of Louisville, Ky.; Todd Smithermann of Clanton; and Sam Shuttlesworth and Alex Powell, both of Birmingham. After a honeymoon trip to Paris and Rome, the couple will live in Birmingham.

Simpson of Mobile announce the engagement of their daughter, Katelyn Pace Simpson, to Austin Taylor Hubbard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jair Shane Hubbard of Homewood. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John William Pace III and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Milton Simpson, all of Mobile. Miss Simpson is a graduate of Auburn University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, was a member of and served as membership coordinator of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and was a two-year letterman on the Auburn University cross country track team. She was presented at the

2009 Nutcracker Charity Ball. Miss Simpson is employed in Mobile. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Collins Knight Jr. of Birmingham and Mr. Donald Theo Hubbard of Birmingham as well as Mrs. Celia “Honey” Moyers Hubbard of Cullman. Mr. Hubbard is a graduate of Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and was a four-year letterman on the Auburn University baseball team. He played professionally for three and a half years in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Mr. Hubbard is employed in Auburn. The wedding will be Dec. 6.

engagement of their daughter, Allison Casey Bates, to Sam Nance Farlow Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Nance Farlow of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Eugene Casey Brock and the late Mr. Brock of Montgomery and Mr. and Mrs. Emmett David Bates III and the late Allene Robertson Bates of Birmingham. Miss Bates is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She received a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama. She was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball,

Heritage Ball and Redstone Ball. Miss Bates is the marketing and public relations manager of Diamonds Direct. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mrs. Doris Richardson Steiner and the late Mr. Rebel Roy Steiner Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Carl Pearson Farlow Jr., all of Birmingham. Mr. Farlow is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in finance. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Mr. Farlow is employed in fixed income at Sterne Agee. The wedding will be Jan. 31 at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

Calling All OTM Student Artists! The holiday season is fast approaching and that means it’s time to get ready for our annual Holiday Card issue. All Over the Mountain elementary school students in grades K-5 are invited to submit original holiday cards for possible publication in the Over The Mountain Journal. All submissions are due Nov. 21 for the Dec. 11 issue. Ask your art teacher for details, or call us at 823-9646.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 49

Schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Making Smart Choices Simmons Middle Wins National Healthy School Award

A Hoover middle school has been recognized for its efforts to create a healthier environment for its students and teachers. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, recognized Simmons Middle School with the 2014 National Healthy Schools Award at the organization’s 2014 Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13. As a recipient of the National Healthy Schools Bronze Award, SMS has transformed its school environment, officials said. “The school, as a whole, is more aware of the importance of healthy choices and that when you make these choices, they can change your life in a positive way,” said Joey Chambers, the school’s Pathways to Progress instructor. SMS personnel have come up with innovative ideas to promote healthy behaviors, including implementing Meatless Mondays in the cafeteria, helping teachers add physical activity breaks in the classroom, and swapping unhealthy dessert options with tasty, fresh alternatives, officials said. Teachers are also benefiting from healthier options for breakfast and lunch at school and access to a workout facility, the school’s track and the gym. “We applaud the achievements of our 2014 honorees,” said Dr. Howell Wechsler, Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s chief executive officer. “They are exemplary in their efforts to get students and staff eating better and moving more, and they prove that it is possible to build healthy school environments.

Portraits by Arthur Smith

—Booking Appointments through the Holidays!—

Simmons Middle School in Hoover was recently honored with a 2014 National Healthy Schools Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which was founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation. Photo special to the Journal

“We need thousands more schools across the country like Ira F. Simmons Middle School—schools that are fully committed to promoting health and wellness, which is vital to improving students’ academic performance.” To earn the National Healthy Schools Award, SMS improved its nutrition and wellness services and physical activity programs to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. The Healthy Schools Program provides schools with guidance, professional development, access to national experts, and evidence-based resources and tools to help them create and sustain healthy school environments. Schools are eligible for Bronze, Silver or Gold National Healthy

Schools Awards based on their level of achievement. The Healthy Schools Program has helped more than 24,000 schools increase quality physical activity, health education and healthy eating. This year, 250 schools are being recognized with a National Healthy Schools Award. The Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To become a healthier place for students to learn and staff to work, any school in the U.S. can enroll and receive assistance and support at no cost. For more information on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and its programs, visit HealthierGeneration.org.❖

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School Notes Vestavia Central Ends Fundraiser with Rally Vestavia Hills Elementary School Central Parent Teacher Organization recently celebrated raising $63,219 with its Gear Up! fundraiser. A fundraising wrap-up rally was held after the PTO’s efforts raised money to pay for carpool sidewalks, electronic marquees, guitars for music classes, ongoing math and reading subscriptions, and other needs. Jeannie Colquette, executive director of The Bell Center, joined VHEC Principal Marian Humphries for the rally as the school’s Give Back Partner and received a check for $1,000. Jonathan Nelson, Mike Ferko and Babe Ruff and Taco from the Birmingham Barons were also on hand for the celebration. John Brown, physical education coach at VHEC, invited the top fundraising students, Henry Maddox and Angelica Vines, to throw pies in his face during the rally. The highest overall winners in the fundraising drive earned an ice cream party. Grand prize winners Jillian King, Emma Nunnelly and Cole Tenner received Beats Solo headphones, a GoPro camera and a

iew v d l or lty W u l c a a ic ed F Bibl fi i l a ogy l u o Q n ly ech T High n is o s a h tics p e l m h t E AA 1 A A zes i S AHS ass l C l l Sma

a a a a a Vestavia Hills Elementary School Central recently celebrated its successful Gear Up! fundraiser. Money raised during the event will be used to help pay for carpool sidewalks, eletronic marquees and guitars for music classes. Photo special to the Journal

mini iPad, respectively. Shannon Black is the PTO president. Event co-chairmen were Anne Sparks and Shannon Raley. Committee members included Kim Jaggard, Alan Miller, Derek Pritchett, Jenny Waters,

Nancy Hartin, Lori Wylie, Sarah Phillips, Hala Brown, Amy Ridgway, Kelli Shofner and Missy Hoogland. Several parents also volunteered to help with the fundraiser and wrap-up celebration.

Shades Mountain Christian School smcs.org 205.978.6001 Call to schedule a tour!

50 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

high school junior said she plans to tackle one of the most challenging roles in classical ballet using what she learned while training in Russia over the summer. Elizabeth Lindsey, 16, a homeschooled student who lives in Mountain Brook, will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy in next month’s production of “The Nutcracker” by the Birmingham Ballet. And the teen ballerina said it will take all of the lessons she learned at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow to perfect the technically and physically demanding role. “It’s a really big role, and it demands a certain level of maturity,” Lindsey said. “It’s not just about having excellent technique, it’s also about conveying the artistry of the character.” Lindsey said she got plenty of practice on both technique and artistry during the six weeks she spent at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy intensive during the summer. During the program funded by the U.S. State Department, Lindsey spent at least eight hours every day studying ballet and learning about the Russian culture and language. “The program was intense–in every sense of that word,” she said. “You never stop learning, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed. It was exhausting on a physical and psychological level.” Having completed a shorter summer program at the 235-year-old academy two years ago, Lindsey said she knew what she was in for when she was accepted to the six-week intensive. The official school of the Bolshoi Ballet has a reputation as one of the most prestigious–and demanding–classical ballet schools in the world. “When I was 14, my ballet teacher, Cindy Free, took me and her daughter to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy,” Lindsey said. “I fell in love with the style of teaching there and vowed to come back as soon as I could.” And while tales of strict Russian teachers abound in the ballet world, Lindsey said her

‘I learned so much about ballet. I learned so much about myself and how to keep pushing myself. But I guess the most important thing I learned is that people are people, no matter where in the world they call home.’ Elizabeth Lindsey

experience taught that perception doesn’t automatically equal reality. “I think the Russian ballet teachers–and Russians in general–get a reputation for being harsh or overly strict, but the reality is that the people I met at the academy were just very, very passionate about what they do,” she said. “I think to American ears, the Russian language itself can sound a little harsh.” For her second trip to Russia, Lindsey tried to learn as much of the language as possible. She also spent three weeks at the Russian American Federation’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in New York City before heading to Moscow. “I spent those three weeks taking Russian language classes and prep classes on the culture,” Lindsey said. “And of course, I danced and danced. I wanted to be fully prepared for the next six weeks.” During the summer intensive in New York City, Lindsey met a young dancer from Russia who has become her best friend, she said. “We still stay in touch, and it’s really neat

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Sugar Plum Fairy Tale Summer in Russia Prepares Teen for ‘Nutcracker’ Role

Elizabeth Lindsey, 16, will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Birmingham Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” in December at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center Concert Hall. She has twice traveled to Moscow to train with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Photos special to the Journal

to have that ongoing connection to Russia,” Lindsey said. During her time in Moscow over the summer, Lindsey attended classes all day at the academy and slept in the dorms there throughout the week. On weekends, she and the other foreign students stayed with host families near the academy. While it was tough being away from her family–parents Frances and Cooper and siblings Sarah Grace and Cooper Jr.–Lindsey said she enjoyed getting to know her Russian host family. “They were the sweetest people,” she said. “It was a family with a 13-year-old son and that’s the same age as my brother, so I thought it was kind of neat that no matter where they are, 13-year-old boys are kind of the same and love to play the same Xbox games.” Lindsey said that teenage girls, too, have a lot in common, no matter if they buy their iPhones in Mountain Brook or Moscow. “We all dressed the same and listened to the same music and were into the same things,” she said. “I think the Internet and social media have kind of erased any gap between teenagers across the world.” Lindsey said she felt an instant connection with the other dancers at the academy. “It was so cool to be around people who are just as passionate about dance as I am,” she said. “When I first started dancing seriously, it was hard to find a group of kids my age that were really, really into it, so finding that peer group in Russia was a really good feeling.” Lindsey’s trip to Moscow came just a few months after an international crisis erupted between Russia and Ukraine over control of the Crimean Peninsula. “My parents at first thought it might be too dangerous for me to go over there this summer,” Lindsey said. “But as we got more info and thought about the fact that the program is funded by the State Department, we all felt better about it.” Lindsey said she never felt unsafe in Moscow but said she and other American students did receive a couple of emails from State

Department officials telling them to avoid certain areas–and certain behaviors. “I didn’t feel threatened at any time, but it was kind of weird getting those emails about ‘toning down the American-ness,’” she said. “I guess they didn’t want us going around waving American flags or something.” Besides the emails from the State Department, Lindsey said politics didn’t figure very heavily into her trip to Russia. “What the Russian people told us was probably what a lot of Americans would tell them if they were visiting here during some kind of crisis,” Lindsey said. “They told us to separate the people from the government and to see the country as its people.” And it was the people in Russia, Lindsey said, that made the biggest impression on her. “I learned so much about ballet. I learned so much about myself and how to keep pushing myself,” she said. “But I guess the most important thing I learned is that people are people, no matter where in the world they call home.” Almost as soon as she returned home to Mountain Brook, Lindsey began making plans to perform in the Birmingham Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 13-14. It was the Birmingham Ballet’s version of the classic tale that first inspired Lindsey to devote her life to dance. “I was taking creative movement classes at 3 and jazz classes until I was 10, but when I was 10, I tried out for ‘The Nutcracker’ and that’s what made me want to get serious about ballet,” Lindsey said. “That’s when I fell in love with how whole and right I feel when I’m dancing.” From the time she was 10 until her sophomore year at Mountain Brook High School, Lindsey juggled the rigorous demands of being a ballet dancer and a star student. “I had a ballet teacher say that either you are drawn to ballet because you’re a perfectionist or you become a perfectionist after you get into ballet,” Lindsey said. “For me, it was a little bit of both. I’m a perfectionist, no matter whether I’m dancing or trying to ace a test.” But the relentless pace started to get to Lindsey by the beginning of her sophomore

year. “I was making myself sick. I was staying up all night doing homework after dancing all evening after school,” she said. “I needed more flexibility in my schedule, so my parents looked into homeschooling.” Now, Lindsey takes classes in the Excelsior Homeschool Co-Op through Evangel Christian School in Alabaster. “It’s the same amount of schoolwork as going the traditional route, but I don’t have to worry about using an hour for gym here, an hour for lunch here, an hour of study hall here. The flexibility in my schedule is what makes it so great,” she said. That flexibility has also given her time to devote to something else close to her heart, Lindsey said. “It’s been great to have the time to get more involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama,” she said. “I’m on the Student Leadership Council, and it’s work that’s really important to me.” Among other things, the organization provides a “home away from home” for families of patients at Children’s of Alabama. But before she pulls on her big floppy shoes for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama Red Shoe Run in January, Lindsey has to tie up her pointe shoes to take on the iconic role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in December. “I’ve really been working on bringing more emotion to my performance,” Lindsey said. “The technique is there, but I’ve been working on what my Sugar Plum Fairy will convey to the audience. Sometimes it’s more of a soul thing than a (foot) sole thing.” The Birmingham Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” Dec. 13-14 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center Concert Hall with shows from 2-4 p.m. on both days and an additional show from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets are $33-$54.75 and are available through Ticketmaster or at the BJCC Central Ticket Office. For more information, visit www.birminghamballet.com or call 800-745-3000 to order tickets.❖

Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 51

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

build relationships with students, and that is what we are doing.”

Aquatic Adventure

Liberty Park Students Learn about Constitution

Fifth-graders at Southminster Day School recently traveled to Dauphin Island for four days of hands-on learning. Each year, fifth-graders from the Vestavia Hills-based school travel to Sea Lab at Dauphin Island to learn about the state’s coastline, marine life and marshes. Photo special to the Journal

Homewood Senior Attends Girls Nation A Homewood High School senior had a chance to meet President Barack Obama over the summer. Jessica Tolbert was one of 98 girls from across the country selected to attend Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. Tolbert and the other students met Obama on the last day of the Girls Nation conference. Tolbert was selected Jessica Tolbert to represent Alabama at the national conference after attending the 2014 session of American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State at the University of Alabama. During her week on the UA campus at Girls State, Tolbert was a citizen of an imaginary state and took part in the political life of her community, primarily through campaigning for and electing city, county and state officers. Tolbert was elected Girls State Attorney General. She was also awarded a $12,000 scholarship from the University of Alabama, a $6,000 scholarship from Auburn University and $1,000 scholarships from Troy University and Huntingdon College. At the closing ceremony of Girls State, Lee Sellers, Alabama Girls State chairman, announced Tolbert had been selected to represent Alabama at Girls Nation. Girls Nation aims to teach rising high school senior girls about the federal government. While in Washington, D.C., Tolbert visited several national monuments, including the World War II memorial and the Vietnam memorial. She and the other Girls Nation representatives also participated in a patriotic ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Tolbert was appointed to serve as Chief of Staff of the Girls Nation government.

To celebrate Constitution Day, students in Kirk Spence’s seventhgrade social studies class at Liberty Park Middle School role-played the Constitutional Convention. As part of the simulation, each student had a role in establishing the Constitution and explaining why it was so vital to the country to change the Articles of Confederation. To prepare for the project, students looked at the importance of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison in shaping the country. The teacher and students also discussed what it would have been like if other significant Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and John Adams had attended. The students were asked to evaluate what it might be like if there was a 2015 Constitutional Convention. Constitution Day is held each September to celebrate the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Ann Sutherland Elliott, a fifth-grader at Crestline Elementary School in Mountain Brook, created an edible cell for a science project. Photo special to the Journal

Crestline Fifth-graders Create Cell Models Students at Crestline Elementary School recently had a tasty science lesson. Fifth-graders were challenged by their teachers to create edible models of plant and animal cells as part of their unit of study on micro worlds. The students had to build models of cells using different food items to represent each organelle. The students had to explain their choices.

The Korduroy Krocodile Wishes You A Happy Thanksgiving! Homewood’s Unique Consignment Shop 2912 Linden Avenue • Homewood • 879-0030 Open Tues. thru Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Deer Valley Elementary Student Council members recently collected donations for a dog rescue group. Front, from left: Haley Ray, Ananya Mohanraj and Ava Lee Reyes. Back: Jackson Plugge, Chalmers Peters, Kamron Yousuf, Madalyn Borowiec and Jordan Leirer. Photo special to the Journal

Deer Valley Students Supports Rescue Group The Deer Valley Elementary School Student Council recently completed its first service project of the year. During October, members of the student council encouraged other students to bring in donations for Peace, Love & Dog Paws Rescue, Inc. The student council’s efforts resulted in a donation to the rescue group of more than 50 items, including dog treats, toys, leashes and beds. Peace, Love & Dog Paws Rescue, Inc. started in February 2011 to improve the lives of abused, neglected and homeless dogs of all breeds. For more information, visit www.pldpr.org.

Stanford Salutes Hoover High Technology Teacher A Hoover High School teacher was recently recognized by Stanford University. Jane Bruce, an information technology instructor, was recognized as

Jane Bruce

part of the California university’s Teacher Tribute Initiative. Hoover High School Principal Don Hulin presented Bruce with the Stanford University honor on Oct. 9. Bruce was nominated for the recognition by Stanford freshman Xianming Li, who graduated from Hoover High in May. “Xianming’s success is extremely rewarding to me,” Bruce said. “Sometimes you don’t really realize the impact you have on students, and students don’t realize the impact an encouraging word has on their teachers.” In nominating Bruce for the recognition, Li, who was the Hoover High School Class of 2014 salutatorian, said he was continually inspired by his teacher’s clear communication, eagerness to teach and inspiring character. Bruce said taking part in crafting students’ intellectual, academic, social and personal development is all part of the job. “Our administrators and my colleagues in the Commerce and Information Technology Department are so supportive and helpful,” Bruce said. “I feel I have grown so much professionally from being at Hoover High School. It is truly an educational utopia. Mr. Hulin has encouraged us to

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rldv o lty W u l c a a ic ed F Bibl fi i l a ogy l u o Q n Thank you for your prompt attention. ly ech T High n is o s a ics h t p e l m E Ath A 1 AA S zes H i S A ass l C l l Sma If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the press date, your ad must run as is.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

center/gymnasium, teaching kitchen, science laboratory, additional classrooms and expanded art and music areas. The fundraising event ended with a school-wide celebration in the Mt Laurel community, where families and students ate healthy snacks and played games. “It was extremely special to watch the excitement on the children’s faces as they celebrated all their accomplishments,” said Trent Estes, PTO president.

All In Club Hears from Motivational Speaker The Oak Mountain High School Band recently participated in two marching competitions and won several awards at both contests. Photo special ot the Journal

Oak Mountain Band Earns Awards at Competitions The Oak Mountain High School Band recently received several awards at two marching competitions. The Spirit of the Cahaba Marching Band participated in the Sparks in the Park marching competition at Spain Park High School in Hoover Oct. 4. The band competed in the Southern Showcase Marching Band Invitational in Dothan Oct. 11. At the Sparks in the Park competition, the Oak Mountain High School Band received superior ratings in the drum major, feature twirler, dance team, color guard, percussion and band categories. The band was also awarded Best in Class Drum Major, Best in Class Dance Team, Best in Class Percussion and Best Overall Band in Class 3A and 4A. Band members were named the Grand Champions at Sparks at the Park, earning the highest total score of any band at the event. At the Southern Showcase Marching Band Invitational, the Oak Mountain High School band competed in Class 4A and received superior ratings in the drum major, feature twirler, dance team, color guard, percussion and band categories. The band earned the highest collective scores of any of the 19 bands at the Oct. 11 showcase and won awards for Best in Class Band, Best in Class Percussion, Best in Class Drum Major, Best in Class Color Guard, Best in Class Dance Team and the Challenge Cup for Class 4A for having the highest score of any band in its classification.

answer 100 problems in 30 minutes on a variety of mathematical topics. After results from students around the country were processed, eighth-grader Amrita Lakhanpal had the highest score at the Altamont School, leading the team to place third in the nation. Altamont will participate in all four NA&T contests this year, including the 2014 Ciphering Time Trials Dec. 11. Altamont students who participated in the contest were Ahad Bashir, Suneeti Chambers, Henry Chang, Asher Desai, Wei Shiow Fong, Shawn Goyal, Maya Guru, Kyle Hsu, Amrita Lakhanpal, Grey Laney, Anna Kate Lembke, John O’Brien, Robert Pigue, Robyn Sanders, Vivek Sasse, Spencer Skidmore, Sameer Sultan and Ben Tang. The team’s top three scorers were Lakhanpal, Sasse and Desai.

Aidyn Lee, Abigail Hinson, Mary Emily Payne, Andrew Duke and Canaan Bradley. Maddie Henderson, Lucy Gardner, Sydney Asher, Ella Coons and Ashby Mixon are the fifth-grade winners. Sixth-grade Summer Reading Award winners at Briarwood Christian School are Patrick Dixon, Joseph Bell, Emma Byrd, Victoria Adderhold and Mary Wood.

Hilltop Hustle Kicks Off Capital Campaign Students at Hilltop Montessori School and members of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization teamed up recently to kick off the school’s capital campaign. During the Hilltop Hustle, students

Briarwood Christian Recognizes Top Readers Briarwood Christian School recently recognized elementary students for keeping their reading skills sharp over the summer break. The school held an awards ceremony for the top summer readers. The first-grade winners are Sarah Thomas, Julianna Frederiksen, Brayden Asher, Ezekiel Jones and Emma Garret. Summer Reading Award winners from the second grade are Tabitha Troxler, Brodie Garrett, Sawyer Felton, Bella Henderson and Andrew Groves. The third-grade winners are Madison Reynolds, Alyssa Asher, Avery Walding, Hana Vickery and Dashland Barham. Winners from the fourth grade are

The All In Mountain Brook group recently hosted teen motivational speaker John Beede. Beede brought his “Climb On!” message to students at Mountain Brook Junior High and Mountain Brook High School before speaking to parents at an event later in the evening on Oct. 28.

Joseph Bandura, left, and Ethan Blake are all smiles at the kickoff of Hilltop Montessori School’s capital campaign. Photo special to the Journal collected pledges for every lap they ran or biked and raised $10,000 to help fund expansion plans at the school. The third phase of the school’s expansion plan will include a community

John Beede, left, talks to Mountain Brook High School student Vince Bolus at an All In Mountain Brook event. Photo special to the Journal Beede, a self-proclaimed adventure icon, has climbed the highest peaks on almost every continent. In his presentation, he used his experiences as a young climber to illustrate to students how to achieve their dreams through proper preparation and dedication. Beede talked to parents at the event about how to support and motivate their children and how to gain their teens’ trust. All In Mountain Brook was founded earlier this year as a community partnership aimed at enhancing and protecting the lives of young people in Mountain Brook. The group focuses on raising awareness and preventing substance use and abuse, high-risk

The middle school math team from The Altamont School recently won third place in a national contest. Photo special ot the Journal

Spain Park Unveils New Health Sciences Space Spain Park High School recently unveiled its revamped Health Sciences Academy. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice joined Spain Park students, teachers and administrators at an open house event Oct. 29. The event was a culmination of months of work to expand the school’s Health Sciences Academy that was initiated by a sizable grant, school officials said. The school’s Health Sciences Academy works closely with Jefferson State Community College, whose Shelby-Hoover campus is near the high school. Through the academy, students have dual enrollment and EMS credentialing and certification opportunities. The newly-outfitted academy space at Spain Park High features a lab with medical equipment and mannequins that can mimic breathing and bleeding.

OLS Students Learn about Prayer with Their Pals

Altamont Math Team Places in National Contest The Altamont School’s middle school math team recently won third place in a national mathematics contest. The students competed in the 2014 Fall Startup Event administered by National Assessment and Testing. National Assessment and Testing administers high-quality mathematics competitions that high schools can participate in through the mail. The contests cover a variety of formats, including individual and team tests, as well as a variety of difficulties, from 100 easy problems to be completed in 30 minutes to 15 complex problems to be completed in one week. Josh Barnard, the math team’s coach, prepared students for the first major competition of the 2014-2015 school year by having them race to

behaviors, violence and mental health issues. For more information, visit allinmountainbrook.org.

Learning about prayer proved to be a fun day for young students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Homewood recently. The kindergarten class participated in “Prayin’ with My Pals,” which included a prayerful day filled with activities for the children. The students spent time in the

OLS kindergarten students Mycah Banks, left, and Hannah McMillan wore their angel T-shirts to the school’s “Prayin’ with My Pals” event. Photo special to the Journal school’s Rosary Garden of the Good Shepherd, praying a rosary with associate pastor Father Jaya Reddy, and visited the Adoration Chapel for silent meditation. Other activities included a religious craft, a prayerful story presented by Principal Mary Jane Dorn and crossshaped cookies for snack time. Before the event, students painted angel T-shirts in art class and wore the shirts throughout the event. In the afternoon, parents, grandparents and special friends were invited to attend a prayer service with the children in the Parish Hall. Christine LaRussa, director of religious education, led the group in prayer along with their kindergarten teachers, Dawn Philbin and Cindy Westbrook.

Sister Act

Lady Cavs Claim State Volleyball Crown

John Carroll completed the season with a 40-8 record after spending much of the year ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A polls. The members celebrate with their 6A state trophy. The win was especially sweet for Lady Cav coach Ginny Massa, below, a John Carroll alumna who played on the 1996 state title team. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

Lucy Hart had a feeling. The Alabama High School Athletic Association scheduled the Class 6A volleyball championship to be played on Thursday, Oct. 30. That fact alone made it a huge day for Hart and her John Carroll Catholic teammates, who would be playing for the title that afternoon. But Thursday mornings are always special for the school on Lakeshore Drive. It’s the day for the school-wide Morning Mass. “We have Mass every Thursday, but the team had it on game day at St. Peter’s (in Hoover) instead of the school,” Hart said. “It was very inspirational. It helped me focus and get ready.” If the Celebration of Mass itself wasn’t enough, some extra incentive came at the end. “There were some really sweet older ladies at the Mass, including some Sisters,” said Hart, a senior. “They recognized us as the volleyball team and hugged us and wished us well and talked about how much they loved John Carroll. If we had needed anything more to fire us up, that did it. I knew it was going to be our time to win.” Hart’s feelings were not only inspired, they were accurate. John Carroll went on to rout Pelham 25-21, 25-12, 25-19 in the Elite Eight at the Birmingham Crossplex to claim its first state volleyball title since 1997. The victory was particularly sweet coming against the Lady Panthers, who had defeated the Lady Cavs in three of the teams’ previous five meetings. “It feels so good to win, and what a way to end my senior year,” Hart said. “We really peaked at the right time, and were very confident going in.” Hart was also eager to give credit to John Carroll’s students and fans, who turned the Crossplex into a sea of the school’s colors of green and white. “Our crowd was amazing,” she said. “We had a lot more people there than Pelham did. Our people were loud and supportive. I think Pelham may have

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been a little intimidated.” But of course, it was the players on the court that made the biggest difference of all. Hart’s sister Mary Catherine, a sophomore, had four block assists to be named Most Valuable Player of the Elite Eight. Kelsi Hobbs had 15 kills. Anna Runyan had 21 assists, while Ella Vaughn followed with 16. Ellen Willett had three assists. Pelham started the match on a high note, moving to an early 3-0 lead in the first set, but fell behind 13-9 and never regained the initiative. Carroll easily dominated the second set. In the third set, Pelham was competitive at the midway point before the Lady Cavs seized the momentum at the end. “Our blocks were good today,” Hobbs said. “We were mentally ready. Once we got a pass, we set it and put it away immediately.” Mary Catherine Hart said she didn’t expect to receive MVP honors. “I never really thought about it until they called my name,” she said. “This was a team victory, and by team I mean not just our players and coaches but everyone associated with our school, including our students and fans.” John Carroll completed the season with a 40-8 record after spending much of the year ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A polls. Morgan Adamson represented the Lady Cavs on the All-Tournament team along with Hobbs and Mary Catherine Hart.

The younger Hart said the key to the team’s success was simple. “Each time we played we got a little better,” she said. “Even when we lost, we tried to learn from it and improve. And finally it climaxed in the championship with the victory.” The win was also sweet for Lady Cav coach Ginny Massa, a John Carroll alumna who played on the 1996 state title team. Massa said the feeling this time was different, and if anything, it was more special this time around. “It’s not quite the same to experience this (the championship) as an adult,” Massa said. “It’s a unique experience when you’re giving your heart on the court like our girls did, and you’re the one basically like a parent, watching them from the side.” Even before the championship celebration ended, Mary Catherine Hart was getting questions about the team’s prospects for next season. “Oh, I totally expected that,” she said, laughing. “As soon as you win one championship, people immediately start asking you about winning the next one. I just tell them we’re going to keep working hard and try to make John Carroll volleyball a dynasty.” Meanwhile, Lucy Hart was having an interesting overall week as well. The day after the Lady Cavs won their state title, she was elected the school’s homecoming queen. And the success apparently rubbed off on the John Carroll football team, which defeated Springville 6-3 to earn its first win of the season. Even the normally modest Lucy Hart admitted she’d had an unforgettable few days. “It was such an honor to be named homecoming queen, but winning the state championship was even better,” she said. “I guess this is one of those weeks I’ll remember as I get older.” Hart and her teammates will also probably remember how the heavy dose of inspiration at Mass and the passion of the John Carroll community helped bring their school trophy case a glittering new prize.

Spartans, From page 56

body has to be the first Class 7A champion in any sport, it might as well be us.” Those incentives turned out to be plenty. The Lady Spartans ended a two-day run of top-level play with a 3-1 win over longtime nemesis Hoover to claim its first-ever state volleyball title at the Birmingham Crossplex Oct. 30. Mountain Brook upended the Lady Bucs 25-16, 25-20, 18-25, 25-10 to take the blue prize. Outside hitter Sara Carr led the way with 16 kills, 14 digs and three blocks on the way to earning Most Valuable Player honors. Sara Chandler Mitchell dished out 38 assists, and Smith added 21 digs. Emmy Kilgore had eight kills for the winners, while Abby Garrett, Peyton Selmon and Kendall Crumbaugh each had seven kills. Ali Lowe paced Hoover with 13 kills, and Nora Webster added seven. Olivia Portera had 16 digs, and Jamie Gregg had 18 assists. Kathryn Cather had 13 assists, 11 digs and eight kills. The Lady Bucs had defeated Mountain Brook in their two previous meetings. “We wanted to go into the Elite Eight with a chip on our shoulder,” Smith said. “We were highly-ranked, but we still had something to prove. Our goal was to be untouchable. The fact we were able to play together and play as a unit – not as individuals – was a big reason why we won.” Mountain Brook coach Haven O’Quinn also emphasized the unity theme in explaining her team’s success. “This is the most special experience I’ve been a part of because of their unity,” she said. “This sounds old-fashioned, I know, but these girls are like a family.” Smith, known for her rugged style on the court, sounded similar to a well-known college football coach when offering her own explanation for the Lady Spartans’ stirring title run. “It was a process,” she said. “Our big goal was to win the state 7A championship, but it was a day-to-day thing. We had a lake retreat before the season and talked about the importance of doing the little things right

and working to get better every day. Everything we did was part of the process of reaching the goal we wanted to accomplish. We played with a chip on our shoulder last year, and we wanted to do the same this year.” Carr, a junior, agreed that the championship run was truly part of a process. “I think it really began when we lost to Huntsville in the Elite Eight last year,” she said. “Since then, we talked about winning the state championship every day and the things that would be required to do it.” Team chemistry and unity may have been the most important ingredients, Carr said. “Our team was so close,” she said. “Everybody says that, but we really were close. Every day, it was like practicing volleyball with your best friend.” Carr was joined by Smith and Mitchell as Mountain Brook’s representatives on the All-Elite Eight team. Hoover’s Lowe and Cather also earned spots on the team. Mountain Brook earned its way to the championship round with a 3-1 win over top-ranked Bob Jones, taking 25-22, 22-25, 25-23 and 25-23 victories. Smith had 22 digs, and Garrett had 10 kills and seven blocks. In quarterfinal play, Mountain Brook swept Fairhope 3-0 with 25-8, 25-12 and 25-10 wins. Mitchell had 10 digs and 29 assists, Smith added 10 digs and four aces, and Garrett had eight kills. The Lady Spartans ended their year with a 49-10 record. Carr said she is looking forward to 2015. “People are already asking about next year,” she said. “We have an unbelievable amount of depth. Our practices were never easy because the girls we were going against were so good. Winning the title next year is definitely a goal.” As a senior, Smith said she awoke with a strange feeling the morning after Mountain Brook won the title. “It was really unusual. There was no volleyball game to get ready to play,” she said, laughing. “I don’t really know what I’m going to do with myself now.” One thing Smith can do is enjoy that championship trophy that she and her teammates worked so long and hard to achieve.

The Mountain Brook High School Class 7A state championship volleyball team. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry Correction: A photo used with a story on the Mountain Brook volleyball team in our last issue should have been credited to Hillary Ross.

54 • Thursday, November 13, 2014

Two-minute Thrill

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Homewood’s Derrick Underwood is grabbed from behind by Hartselle’s Dustin Stephenson. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

Homewood Rallies for Late Victory over Hartselle By Lee Davis

shine. The Patriots forced Hartselle to punt after only three plays, giving Homewood’s offense a last shot at midfield with 1:23 to play. Griffis passed 30 yards to Mayo on a play that was aided by a penalty against Hartselle. Derrick Underwood’s one-yard touchdown run put the Patriots ahead for good with 38 seconds remaining on the clock. “Our offense at some point in every game becomes unstoppable,” Mayo said. “We don’t know exactly when that’s going to come, but at some point we are going to make plays like we did at the end.” The game started as if it could be a routine Homewood victory. Ryder Andrew’s 24-yard field goal gave the Patriots a 3-0 lead with 6:23 remaining to play in the first quarter. Underwood’s 10-yard run a few minutes later raised the home team’s advantage to 10-0. Hartselle rallied strongly in the second quarter. Jacob Tiffin’s 82-yard scoring bomb to Jamal Jackson cut Homewood’s margin to 10-7 with 10:30 remaining in the half. The Tigers took the lead when Taylor Easterling found the goal line on a one-yard dive, giving Hartselle a 14-10 halftime edge. The visitors padded the lead in the third period when Tiffin dashed 53 yards for a touchdown, putting the Tigers ahead 21-10. Hartselle seemed to be in control of the game until Homewood’s late rush to glory. Griffis completed 14 of 25 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Journal Sports Writer

No one can know if the Homewood Patriots will win the Class 6A state championship. But one thing is certain. There isn’t a better fourth-quarter team in Alabama than Ben Berguson’s Patriots. Three times during the regular season, Homewood rallied from far behind in the fourth quarter to stage dramatic comebacks. That pattern continued in the first round of the playoffs at Waldrop Stadium Friday night. Trailing Hartselle 21-11 with 2:40 remaining in the game, the Patriots exploded for two quick touchdowns to earn a thrilling 25-21 victory. Even Berguson seemed at a loss for words when the stunner ended. “I don’t even know what to say about this anymore,” he said. “This is about the fourth time we’ve done something like this. I just don’t know what more can be said.” The fireworks started when junior quarterback Carson Griffis – facing a fourth down and 15 situation -- connected with Maurice Mayo for a 45-yard touchdown pass with 2:26 remaining. Griffis found Mayo again for a two-point conversion play to cut the Tigers’ lead to 21-18. Earlier in the drive, Griffis had successfully converted on third down and 19 and fourth down and nine situations. The fourth and nine pass was caught by Alec Marsh. Then it was the Homewood defense’s time to

Mayo caught five passes for 95 yards and a score. Underwood led the Patriot ground attack with 19 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Homewood saw its record rise to 9-2 and will travel to Gardendale to face the Rockets in the second round of the playoffs. Despite the win, Griffis still saw plenty of areas where his team could improve. “The thing we have to work on next week is to stop having turnovers and being able to capitalize on field position,” he said. “We’re lucky to have another week to have that to work on.” While his dedication to improvement is

By Rubin E. Grant

Journal contributor

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

The first time Cris Bell saw Harold Shader he wasn’t overly impressed. Bell had taken over as Oak Mountain’s head football coach in the spring of 2012 and Shader was a freshman running back, hoping to move up to the varsity that fall. “In my first spring training, I noticed he was a hard worker, but he was a very average-looking kid,” Bell said. “If you saw him walking down the hall, you wouldn’t think he was a football player. He just wasn’t what I was looking for.” Bell had a totally different impression of Shader’s younger brother, Warren, who had come to spring training as an eighth-grader, looking to make his mark. “He’s a great athlete,” Bell said. “When he returned for his freshman year, we played him at linebacker, safety, halfback and quarterback. It doesn’t matter where Warren plays because he makes an impression.” Harold wound up making an impression, too. He went into spring training fourth or fifth team on the running back depth chart, and by the time it ended he was third team. When the 2012 season kicked off, he was starting as a sophomore. “When he gets the ball in his hands, a transformation takes place,” Bell said. “He’s tough to bring down, and he’s faster than you think he is. He can run inside and run outside. He’s exactly what you want in a halfback.” Warren, meanwhile, ended up starting at safety toward the end of his freshman season in 2012 and also played on special teams. In 2013, he made the switch to quarterback and started as a dual-threat at the position as a sophomore. “Warren is not going to be a quarterback in college,” Bell said. “He’ll be a safety. But he plays quarterback with the same fierceness. He doesn’t hold anything back. He’s wide open. Some days you want to kill him because of some of the things he does, but other days you just want to hug his neck.”

Harold Shader

Warren Shader

Oh Brother

Shader Boys Taking Oak Mountain Football to New Heights Bell was hugging both Shader brothers after what they did in the fourth-ranked Eagles’ first-round Class 7A playoff game Friday night. They accounted for 529 of the team’s 542 total yards and nine touchdowns while rallying Oak Mountain from a 28-0 first-half deficit to a 60-43 victory against James Clemens from Madison. Harold, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior, rushed for 281 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries. He scored on runs of 3, 15, 79, 68 and 73 yards and ran for a two-point conversion. Warren, a 6-0, 185-pound junior, ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns, covering 39, 31 and 1 yards. He also passed for 94 yards and another score, a 51-yard strike to Daniel Salchert. “They were fantastic, phenomenal,” Bell said of the Shaders. “The best thing they did is they showed great leadership, especially in the first half when things were not looking good. And

obviously, they made plays. “I don’t have a big enough vocabulary to describe what they did and what they mean to this team. But our entire senior class, (linebacker) Riley Fowler and (defensive tackle) Chris Hill in particular, was poised and held the team together. When we were struggling on defense in the first half, I looked into the eyes of the kids to see any signs of defeat, and I never saw it.” With the victory, Oak Mountain (10-1) tied the school record for wins in a season, set in 2005 when the Eagles finished 10-4 and reached the semifinals of the state playoffs. The Eagles can set a new record for wins with a victory Friday night at seventh-ranked Gadsden City (9-2) in the second round. If they do, the Shader brothers undoubtedly will play a starring role, something they have done throughout this season.

commendable, Griffis should give himself and his teammates a little more credit. The Patriots weren’t lucky against Hartselle. They just found a way to win. And that’s the best luck a team can have. Playoff recaps in other games

The Hoover Bucs defeated Buckhorn 38-13 to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Hoover faces Tuscaloosa County on Nov. 14. Briarwood Christian lost 38-16 against Florence in the first round of the playoffs.

During the first nine-win regular season in the 16-year history of the program, the Shaders were brilliant. Harold rushed for 1,175 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught six passes for 94 yards and another score. Warren completed 50 of 96 passes for 799 yards and six touchdowns with only three interceptions and rushed for 918 yards and nine touchdowns. “They’re great kids, fierce competitors and fun to be around,” Bell said. “I told their parents my biggest regret is they didn’t have more kids. “They do a great job of representing our program, but we have a lot of kids who do that.” For Harold, this season has been extra special because he’s a senior and likely is playing his final year of football. He’s not expected to play in college. “This season has been everything I’ve wanted,” Harold said. “Nobody was predicting us to go to the playoffs. We have played with a chip on our shoulders the whole season, and we’ve had a lot of fun. “I think I have played well, but you always believe you can improve.” The Shader brothers are only 18 months apart in age and are extremely close. They are multisport athletes. Harold plays lacrosse and basketball in addition to football while Warren also plays basketball. They enjoy being teammates and playing in the same backfield on the football field. “It’s hard to explain what it’s like playing with my brother,” Warren said. “We’ve grown up together playing, and we know each other front and back. I know if I need a block, I can count on him 100 percent of the time. I’m going to miss him next year when he’s gone.” Even though they will continue being teammates on the basketball court, the Shader boys hope they won’t have to hang up their football cleats for a few more weeks. They would like to reach the first Class 7A championship game. “We don’t want to be around basketball until the middle of December,” Warren said. “We want to keep going in the playoffs as far as we can.”

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Taking their first-ever title, the John Carroll Catholic girls, above, outscored runner-up Homewood to claim the Class 6A championship. The Lady Cavs are coached by Brian Burgess. Photo special to the Journal

In Class 7A girls, Mountain Brook totaled 41 points to easily outdistance second-place Huntsville’s 59 score. Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

cross country, From page 56

boys, coached by Lars Porter, won their third consecutive crown. Taking their first-ever title were the John Carroll Catholic girls, who outscored runner-up Homewood to claim the Class 6A championship. The Lady Cavs are coached by Brian Burgess. In Class 7A girls, Mountain Brook totaled 41 points to easily outdistance second-place Huntsville’s 59 score. Hoover was third with 79 points, and Vestavia was fifth with 144. Lady Spartans Frances Patrick, Lily Hulsey, and Anna Balzi finished fourth, seventh and 10th, respectively. Hoover’s Sydney Steele and Sydnee Goyer were sixth and ninth, respectively. Vestavia’s Catherine Bunch was eighth. Spain Park’s Zoe Shore was 11th,

Mountain Brook’s Cameron Hudson was 13th and the Lady Spartans’ Tessa Allen was 14th. Mountain Brook’s team victory was its 22nd overall in girls’ cross country. In boys’ Class 7A, Auburn easily took first-place honors with a 25-point total. Hoover was second with 56 points, and Mountain Brook was third with 104. The top area runner was Oak Mountain’s Cole Stidfole, who finished third. Hoover’s Tommy McDonough finished fourth, while the Bucs’ Carson Tillo and Josh Evans finished seventh and 10th, respectively. In girls’ Class 6A, John Carroll totaled 68 points to finish ahead of Homewood’s 79. The top area runner was the Lady Patriots’ Lainey Phelps, who finished second. The Lady Cavaliers’ Lindsey Grainer, Lauren Grainer, Bella

Cooper

From page 56

it now.” Cooper isn’t leaving the school entirely. He’ll serve in a part-time capacity to help the new athletic director, who was expected to be named this week. “I don’t know whether they will call me Father Confessor or whatever,” Cooper said. “I’ll just be around to help wherever I can.” His career at Mountain Brook began as a coach at the junior high in 1976. He was elevated to head basketball coach of the varsity boys’ basketball team two years later. Cooper’s first year as athletic director was 1991. Cooper said specialization and the length of the sports seasons is the most obvious change he’s seen in the 23 years he was at the Mountain Brook helm. “Few sports are seasonal anymore,” he said. “Coaches work at their sports year-round now. The games may end, but for the coaches the work never stops, with off-season programs and camps and competition in the summer months. That’s why you don’t see many of the traditional three-sport lettermen anymore.” Another big change is the quality of facilities. “Now you have a football stadium, a practice facility, and fields for baseball, softball, soccer and more,” Cooper said. “There are so many

In boys’ Class 7A, Auburn easily took first-place honors with a 25-point total. Hoover, above, was second with 56 points, and Mountain Brook was third with 104. Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

Restrepo and Isabel Reaves finished ninth, 10th, 12th and 13th, respectively. Homewood’s Edie Smith was 15th. In boys’ Class 6A, Homewood claimed its championship with 40 points, slipping past runner-up Opelika’s 41 total. The strongest Patriot runner was Alex Ngei, who finished second behind Opelika’s Ben Bryant. Homewood’s Logan Sadler and Andy Smith fin-

more sports, and it’s important to keep your facilities upgraded to be competitive.” Cooper said an athletic director at a large high school wears many hats. “A college athletic director is more like a CEO, where he has an eligibility person or a facilities person to go to when something needs to be done in a certain area,” he said. “A high school athletic director is the person for most of those types of situations.” The most satisfying part of the job was working with coaches and athletes, Cooper said. “It was great to see quality kids working to be their best, whether they won state championships or if they just reached their full potential,” he said. “My whole experience at Mountain Brook was a phenomenal personal ride.” Cooper isn’t the only area icon who recently announced his retirement. Longtime Vestavia Hills assistant Peter Braasch is also hanging up his whistle. Braasch, the Rebels’ defensive coordinator, has been with Rebel coach Buddy Anderson for every game since Anderson took over the program in 1978, including state championship seasons in 1980 and 1998. Braasch was also an assistant to basketball coach George Hatchett, who has also claimed a pair of state title trophies for Vestavia. Braasch was the personification of loyalty to a school and a program. He turned down numerous opportunities to become a head coach and chose to remain at Vestavia.

ished fourth and fifth, respectively. The Patriots’ Fulton Williams was 12th in the competition. In girls’ Class 1A-2A, Westminster at Oak Mountain took second-place honors with 54 points, trailing champion St. Bernard’s 48 total. Westminster’s Maggie Hoaglund was third in the individual standings. Her teammates Sarah Kate Lipperd and Camryn Neal were ninth and 10th,

The Rebels won’t look the same without Braasch on the sidelines on Friday night. New Balance of Volley Power….

For years, one sport which seemed comparatively immune to Over the Mountain domination was volleyball. While our area usually produced quality programs, the balance of power was weighted in favor of north Alabama, primarily in the Huntsville area. All of that changed once and perhaps for all at the recent Elite Eight at the Birmingham Crossplex. In Class 6A, John Carroll Catholic won its first volleyball championship since 1997 in an arena crammed full with Cavalier supporters. After John Carroll’s championship round victory over Pelham, some of the Lady Panther players admitted to being rattled by the cheering and excitement generated by Cav fans. As helpful as the crowd was, John Carroll’s athletes were the ones who brought the title to Lakeshore Drive, and their success had a positive carryover that influenced the entire school. The Over the Mountain area’s strength in Class 6A volleyball was further accented by the fact that both Briarwood and Homewood advanced to the Super Regionals. In Class 7A, Mountain Brook turned in the type of season that gets written about in storybooks. The Lady Spartans had to defeat north Alabama powerhouse Bob Jones in the Super

respectively. In boys’ Class 1A-2A, Westminster also finished in second place, falling to champion Cold Springs by a 45-47 score. The individual winner was Dylan Pausic of Shades Mountain Christian. Three Westminster runners placed in the top 10. Carter Lemons was fourth, Scott Landers was fifth and Nathan Deen came in ninth.

Regionals before meeting the Lady Patriots again in the Elite Eight. They claimed their first-ever volleyball championship with a win over an impressive Hoover team that had beaten Mountain Brook in two previous meetings. The fact that the Class 7A volleyball final pitted two Over the Mountain teams against one another says a lot as to how far the sport has come. Also remember that Vestavia reached the Super Regionals as well. It’s clear that volleyball has at last come of age in this area. Coach of the Year…

Even before the 2014 high school football playoffs began, it was evident that the regular season just ended was one for the books. Absolutely no one predicted in August that Oak Mountain would qualify for postseason play, while Mountain Brook, Spain Park and Vestavia would stay home. The Eagles’ stunningly successful 9-1 regular season mark is almost certainly the biggest football story of the year. Third-year Oak Mountain coach Cris Bell changed the entire mindset at Heardmont Park, and his team’s run captured the support of the entire community. Bell didn’t do it alone, but he set the tone for one of the most dramatic turnarounds of a school’s gridiron fortunes in recent years. He is likely on everyone’s short list for Coach of the Year honors.

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Crosspromotion Lady Spartans, Cavs And Homewood Boys Claim Cross Country Titles

Homewood Rallies for Late Victory over Hartselle P. 54 Shader Boys Taking Oak Mountain Football to New Heights P. 54

Lee Davis

Retirement Village

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

A pair of familiar names and a new one found themselves in the winner’s circle at the Alabama High School Athletic Association State Meet at Oakville last Saturday. The familiar ones were the Mountain Brook girls and the Homewood boys, who earned championships in Classes 7A and 6A, respectively. Coach Greg Echols’ Lady Spartans won their 12th consecutive title and 13th in 14 years. The Patriot

Iconic Figures Leaving Area Athletic Scene

Magnificent Seven

See cross country, page 55

Lady Spartans Leave Elite Eight With Championship Trophy

alloween was more than a dress-up day for Terry Cooper. Instead, the last day of October was his final day as full-time athletic director at Mountain Brook, a position he had held for 23 years. “I turned 61 in October,” Cooper said. “And for a while I thought I’d retire at 62. After talking to folks in the (Mountain Brook school) administration, I decided to go ahead and do See cooper, page 55

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

The Homewood boys’ state championship team was led by Alex Ngei who finished second the Class 6A state cross country tournament on Saturday. Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

In some ways, the scenario for the Mountain Brook volleyball team was exactly the same as it was in 2013. The highly-regarded Spartans had reached the exclusive Elite Eight and were about to compete against the state’s best volleyball programs for the big-school championship. But Mountain Brook standout Julia Smith saw something a little different. “Last year nobody expected us to be here (the Elite Eight) and although we wanted to win, we were probably just excited to make it this far,” Smith said. “This year, we were expected to be here. We came to win. Anything less would be a disappointment.” But there was another twist to Mountain Brook’s championship run. Thanks to the Alabama High School Association’s new alignment, there are now seven competitive classes instead of only six. Volleyball would be the first sport to crown a champion from the new classification made up of the state’s largest 32 schools. “That was another incentive,” Smith said. “If someSee Spartans, page 53

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Mountain Brook’s Kendall Crumbaugh and Sara Carr go up for the block against Hoover’s Ali Lowe in the Class 7A state volleyball championship. More photos at otmj. com. Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Terry Cooper

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry