‘I Love This Place’
By Anne Ruisi
Little did Dr. Jimmie Harvey know when he traveled to Albany, New York, in 1986 to ask his future father-in-law for permission to marry his daughter that it would lead to not only a happy marriage and four children but also to decades of service to what was then known as United Cerebral Palsy.
“Fortunately, he said, ‘Yes,’” Harvey said, and after lunch, his soon-to-be father-in-law took him to the UCP center
in Albany, where he was involved in disability services.
“I got the impression that that was something that he would love for me to get involved in,” the retired Mountain Brook oncologist said.
Almost 40 years later, on Aug. 17, Harvey will be honored by United Ability for his decades of service to disabled people during the Journey of Hope gala at the Alys Stephens Center. United Ability was formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham.
Journey of Hope
Retired Doctor to Be Honored at United Ability’s Journey of Hope Gala See HARVEY, page 7
United Ability’s 8th Journey of Hope gala fundraiser will be Aug. 17 at the Alys Stephens Center. Chris Biggins and Alie B. Gorrie are the hosts.
The doors open at 5 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers, followed by dinner, a program and a dessert reception. There is silent auction featuring items such as art, wine and jewelry, and experiences such as tickets to the SEC Championship game.
JOURNEY, page 7
Good Planning Means Good Results, Remodeler of the Year Says PAGE 16
Journal
photo by
Anne Ruisi
Dr. Jimmie Harvey, left, talks with Daniel Creech on a recent visit to United Abilities 20-acre campus on Lakeshore Drive.
THANK YOU! Readers and Advertisers
August is our anniversary month and this year marks our 34th year of serving the communities of Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County.
Our mission has always been to highlight the interesting people and exciting events that make Over the Mountain life so enjoyable.
Our message from the beginning was that we were “all about you.” We have stayed true to that focus over the last 34 years. That’s been made possible thanks to the support of local advertisers interested in reaching the best readers in the state. Year after year, that’s the greatest birthday present we could possibly receive.
August 2, 1990
Maury Wald, publisher
Over The Mountain Journal
With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter.
Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.
To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO U RNA L August 8, 2024
Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald
Copy Editor: Virginia Martin
Features Writer: Donna Cornelius
Staff Writers: June Mathews, Anne Ruisi
Photographer: Jordan Wald
Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant
Contributors: Evelyn Byrne, Solomon Crenshaw Jr., Madoline Markham Koonce, Lee Hurley, Susan Swagler
Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Gail Kidd
Vol. 35, No. 1
Guest Column
The View From Abroad
June 6 was the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Only a few who actually participated in that momentous event are still around. Just add 80 to their age in 1944 and you understand why. The best guess is that about 4,400 Allied men died on that day alone.
July 4 just passed and we ate a lot, drank a lot and maybe shot off some Roman candles or lit a few sparklers. Thank goodness we leave the “big stuff” incendiaries to the professionals. I don’t think I would like to work in a Chinese fireworks factory.
I mention these two events because we, in theory, should feel patriotic when they come around each year. Where do you fall on the patriotic spectrum? Do you radiate red, white and blue or do symbols of patriotism leave you unmoved?
On the long trip back, it occurred to me how much we take our country for granted. Much of the world longs for what we have.
Just last month, I was in the northeast corner of Italy for 10 days on a mission trip. This was not like going to a third world country. No one who knew I was going felt sorry for me. The city, Trento, is where the Council of Trent was held in the mid 1500’s. It’s worth a Google search if you want a quick dive into church history. Trento has roughly 100,000 people, which is about the size of Hoover, and one Protestant church. There are several Catholic churches, but they are pretty empty on Sunday mornings. In talking to residents and students, we found that people were agnostic, atheists or non-practicing Catholics pretty much in that order. This was not a scientific survey.
We worked most closely with students who were enrolled in post-graduate work at the University of Trento. They know English but want to learn to speak “American English.” In fact, they want to know everything American.
Talking about politics, religion, food, family life etc. came easy to them. These were not all Italians. Many came from other European countries and even the Middle East. My longest conversation was with a 36-year-old from northern Iran. Here are some observations from him and others I spoke with in no specific order of importance.
• They follow our political course, or discourse, closely. They knew who was running on both tickets and the personalities involved. Let me ask you, the reader, do you know who the president of Italy is?
• Along that same line at that time, they wondered then
Over the Mountain Views
Over The
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how we ever got two “old men” as our best choices for the most powerful position in the world.
• If they get a chance to come to the USA, their top choices of cities are New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Interestingly, we met one young man who had been an exchange student in Albertville his junior year of high school. He loved the South.
• Some view us as a bit self-absorbed and prideful in a not-so-flattering way.
• We talk too much and too loudly, in their view.
• They still view our country as a land of opportunity, and many would like to live here one day. They see their home countries as stagnating. My Iranian friend falls into this group.
On the long trip back, it occurred to me how much we take our country for granted. Much of the world longs for what we have. Some take arduous trips through jungles and across deserts to be met with the final barrier of barbed wire and high steel walls. I am not taking this as a stand on immigration. It’s just a fact.
Our system of government has flaws, as do our leaders. At 248 years old, we are still a young nation by international standards. Trento had residents 2,500 years ago. We remain an experiment in democracy.
I’ve been a part of this experiment since Eisenhower was president. Failure has been predicted regularly. Morals and ethics have derailed at high political levels by the basket full. I do believe our system self-adjusts and self-regulates for the most part.
Every year someone publishes the “Happiest countries in the world” list. Iceland, Denmark and Norway often make this list. Is it the climate? Is it the leadership? The food? Visit one of these countries and you will see that most of the population looks alike. We tend to get along well with people who look and act like we do. They are not the melting pot America is.
Our diversity is our strength. Contrasting opinions – 338 million of them – may create some friction; however, they also create more options. In America we have lots of options.
Here’s to travel for expanding my view.
I’m still a fan of the red, white and blue.
Back to School Festival Fun
Summer vacation is over but the return to school is just as much fun for students in Vestavia Hills as they enjoyed the Back to School Outdoor Festival on Aug. 3.
Left,
and Kimberly
at the event at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex in Liberty Park featured field day games, kiddie pools, pizza, music and more, and was one of two planned this month. The next is Aug. 10 at Kelly Field in Cahaba Heights.
RANDY ADAMY
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Halle Vickers
Martinez
Wednesdays through Sept. 11
Vestavia Hills Farmers Market
Live music, fresh produce, jewelry, baked goods and many other items will be on hand every Wednesday at the Vestavia Hills Farmers Market. The market is a mission of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, with funds from the market used to supply the church’s food pantry with fresh fruit and vegetables. When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Scout Square, 2061 Kentucky Avenue
Aug. 8-Aug. 11
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Before she was a hit-maker and music legend, Carole King was Carole Klein, a teenage songwriter from Brooklyn. “Beautiful” is the story of her journey from a high school dreamer to a trailblazer in a male-dominated profession. When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre
Thurs., Aug. 8
The J’La Gala
The Levite Jewish Community Center will host its 3rd annual J’la Gala to benefit a wide range of programming for children and adults. The evening will include a cocktail hour with open bar, plated three-course kosher dinner and live and silent auctions. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Levite Jewish Community Center
Aug. 8-17
Birmingham Restaurant Week
Enjoy a variety of eateries during Birmingham Restaurant Week with, locally-owned businesses offering prix-fixe breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Visit bhamrestaurantweek. com/eat-drink for more information on participating businesses. When: Various business hours Where: Participating businesses
Aug. 9-11
Vestavia Hills Bargain Days
The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce urges you to shop local with businesses all over the city! Check out stores in Cahaba Heights, Liberty Park, Patchwork Farms, Highway 31 and Rocky Ridge for some great deals. When: During store hours Where: Businesses throughout Vestavia Hills
Fri., Aug. 9
Moonlight Movies
Take the family and enjoy a screening of “Legally Blonde” at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and treat yourself to a to-go dinner or drink from one of the shopping center’s restaurants. When: Movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Where: Lane Parke, on the green near Lady Bird and Jeni’s
Sat., Aug. 10
Finish the Fight Against GI Cancer Run
Runners will race for a good cause with the Finish the Fight Against GI Cancer fundraiser, running from Otey’s Tavern in Homewood to Otey’s sister tavern in Mountain Brook. The race is a benefit for the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. When:
Vestavia Back to School Outdoor Festival
Enjoy field day games and activities, kiddie pools, giveaways of school
supplies, pizza, Kona ice, a musical performer and lots more as Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest holds this back-to-school party. When: 11 a.m.1 p.m. Where: Kelly Field in Cahaba Heights
Vestavia Cornhole Tournament
Vestavia Hills Rotary Clubs are sponsoring this cornhole competition to benefit Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport Team, Vestavia Hills student scholarships and programming, Vestavia Hills First Responders and Unless U. When: 2-5:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia City Center
Thurs., Aug. 15
“Southern Rivers” Book Discussion
Dr. R. Scot Duncan, an award-winning author, biologist and advocate with the Alabama Audubon Society, will talk about managing southeastern rivers and how river water quality affects the daily lives of the millions who hold these historic waterways dear. When: 2 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Vestavia Chamber Back to School Bash
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a Back-To-School Bash hosted by the Vestavia Hills Arts Council and Vestavia City Center. Enjoy live music by Plastic Gems, fun activities for kids, a variety of vendors and more. When: 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia City Center’s green space Fri., Aug. 16
Don’t Make Me Sing! A Cabaret Featuring Sara James Come for a night of songs and stories with the theater’s very own Sara James as she perform some of her favorite musical theatre songs, along
Edible Garden Design, Planting, and Coaching for Aspiring Home Growers
Fleurish Gardens designs, plants, and maintains edible garden spaces in the Birmingham area. Book an appointment today to start your new garden, elevate your existing garden, or learn more with one-on-one garden coaching!
fleurishgardens.com
FEMA LOMR Public Notice
The Cities of Mountain Brook and Birmingham, in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program regulation
Crenshaw Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646
Hail Maestro!
ASO’s Annual Ball Celebrates Maestro Izcaray’s 10th Season
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its season Sept. 20 with its Maestro’s Ball, the orchestra’s largest fundraiser.
This year’s ball, hosted by Catherine and Emmett McLean, celebrates the beginning of Music
Director Carlos Izcaray’s 10th season with the ASO, the organization said in an announcement of the event. The ball will honor this milestone and launch a season-long recognition of Izcaray’s leadership.
The evening’s concert, conducted by Izcaray, will preview several of the upcoming season’s performances and culminate with Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, the first symphony Izcaray ever conducted with the ASO.
“Our full-time orchestra under Carlos’s direction will entertain us with an exciting concert to kick off the 2024-2025 season,” the
About Town continued from page 3
with some unexpected favorites and a few surprises along the way. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Theatre
Sat., Aug. 17
Just a Call Away 5K
McLeans said in a statement. “The ASO is a vital component of our city’s landscape, enriching our community culturally, artistically, and economically, and we hope you will join us at the Alys Stephens Center for an exciting performance.”
The Maestro’s Ball each year supplies as much as 15% of the ASO’s operating budget through contributions from individual and corporate supporters. The ASO works to serve the public through frequent free community concerts, a substantial hospital outreach program called Music Meets Medicine, and education programs that reach at least 25,000 K-12 and college students a year in 48 of Alabama’s 67 counties.
Maestro’s Ball corporate chairs this year are J. David Brown III, Emily Wood Bowron Forehand and Charles D. Perry.
by Rotary District 6860. When: 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Crestline Village, in front of the O’Neal Library
Crestline Tent Sale
The ball’s corporate committee this year is made up of Farra Alford, Gail Bayer, Jeffrey Bayer, Dell S. Brooke, F. Dixon Brooke Jr., John Carter, Douglas Croker, Emma Curtin, Peter Curtin, Jen Dent, Lori Dixon, Chris Harmon, Jonathan Hoffmann, Chuck Holmes, William J.
Whitney Wright.
Danny McKinney is chairman of the ASO board of directors.
This year, participants have three options to participate: a live chiptimed 5K, an in-person fun run, or a virtual 5K. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. When: 8 a.m. Where: Patriot Park
Join us for the Crestline Tent Sale in Crestline Village on August 17th for a day of shopping, sales, and fun! Stop by the Village to stock up for the new school year! Retailers will be offering great prices and summer fun. When: During regular business hours Where: Crestline Village
moderating and Jorge Castro of Sol Y Luna, Stacey Craig of Brightstar Restaurant, Frank Stitt of Bottega and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club speaking on issues and trends affecting the restaurant industry. When: Networking begins at 11 a.m. with lunch and the presentation at 11:30 a.m. Where: Birmingham Country Club
Aug. 22 - 24
in need in our area. When: Thurs., Aug. 22 – Presale ($5 cash at the door), 5-8 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 23 –Regular Sale – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 24 – Regular Sale (many items 1/2 off) – 8 a.m.noon. Where: Trinity United Methodist Church
Thurs., Aug. 22
Mississippi Noir Night
Lil Lambs Consignment Sale
Wed., Aug. 21
23rd Annual Picasso Pets Gala
your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the July 11, 2024 issue.
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
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65.7(b)(1), hereby gives notice of the City’s intent to revise the flood hazard information for a portion of Watkins Brook and Watkins Brook Tributary 2, generally located between South Lane and Montevallo Road and extending west to Cahaba Road. Specifically, the flood hazard information will be revised along Watkins Brook from a point approximately 50 feet upstream of South Lane to a point approximately 50 feet downstream of Montevallo Road and for Watkins Brook Tributary 2 from a point approximately 300 feet downstream of Cahaba Road to the confluence with Watkins Brook.
As a result of the revision, the floodway for Watkins Brook will widen and narrow, the 1-percent annual-chance water-surface elevations shall increase and decrease, and the 1-percentannual-chance floodplain will widen and narrow within the area of revision. The 1-percent annual-chance water-surface elevations for Watkins Brook Tributary 2 shall increase and decrease, and the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain will widen and narrow within the area of revision.
Maps and detailed analysis of the revision can be reviewed at Mountain Brook City Hall at 56 Church Street, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213 or at the City of Birmingham Floodplain Management and Disaster Mitigation Services located at 710 North 20th Street Room 500, Birmingham Alabama 35203. Interested persons may call William Thomas at (205) 323-6166 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for additional information.
Grab your boots and bolo ties for this year’s Wild, Woof, West-themed party to benefit Hand in Paw, which brings animal-assisted therapy to those who need it most. A VIP cocktail reception, seated dinner, wine pull, photo booth and live auction of pet paintings are among the activities to enjoy. Also, Hand in Paw therapy teams will interact with guests. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: The Harbert Center
Mitchell’s Place
Dragon Boat Race
Friendly competition is the order of the day when Mitchell’s Place hosts its 4th Annual Mitchell’s Place Dragon Boat Race and Festival. There will be a kids zone, food trucks, merchant market, music, a Bloody Mary contest and more, along with information on autism. When: Event begins at 8 a.m. with the awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Where: East Lake Park and Pavilion
Boiling N’ Bragging
Wear your school colors and join us for the 15th Annual Boiling N’ Bragging football season kickoff party! This pre-season tailgate party includes a cookout and low country boil featuring drink specials, cornhole, live music and entertainment, hosted
The Business of Food
The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will be focusing on the restaurant industry featuring a panel discussion with Paul DeMarco
Trinity’s favorite children’s clothing consignment sale returns. Lil Lambs is a consignment sale that provides gently worn clothing, toys, and furniture at reasonable prices. All unsold items marked “donate” will be shared with families and organizations
TAILGATE CHALLENGE | SAT., AUG. 24
Presented by The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, teams square off to see who can create the best tailgating experience. This family-friendly event invites football fans to sample delicious food and drinks from some of Birmingham’s best tailgaters. Hob-knob with celebrity judges as they determine the top winners (Best Food, Best Drink, Most Team Spirit, and Best All-Around), while you help us determine the People’s Choice award. When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, 1700 29th Ct. S., Homewood
THE double-billing of the summer: two award-winning Mississippi authors Ace Atkins and Snowden Wright present their new, exciting novels of treachery and intrigue! The event is free but you must register at thankyoubookshop.com/events
When: 7 p.m. Where: Thank You Bookshop, Crestwood
Sat., Aug. 24
The Smile-A-Mile (SAM) 5K Dove release honoring SAM Children, 5K individual awards, Fun Run Top Finisher Prizes (14 yrs and younger) Post-Race Food post-race activities. When: 5k starts at 8 a.m., Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Where: SAM Place 1600 2nd Ave S.
Magic City Carnival
Enjoy an evening of carnival games and delicious fair foods and drinks at this benefit for Pathways, a nonprofit organization that supports homeless women and children with shelter and services. There will be live music, petfriendly activities and a silent auction. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.
Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Fest
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy jazz in downtown Birmingham’s historic 4th Avenue Business District. This is the 21st year for the free festival, a familyfriendly event celebrating the city’s
Long IV, Taylor McElroy, Maggie O’Connor, Tyler O’Connor, Zac Riddle, Robert Schoenvogel, Sanjay Singh, Ray L. Watts, Jared Weinstein, Nick Willis and
This year’s Maestro’s Ball will be hosted by Catherine and Emmett McLean.
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Kelly Hardwick, Mary Ryan, Mary Beth Farrell at last year’s event.
jazz heritage. The fest will feature a video game truck, face painting, balloon animals and food and merchandise vendors. When: 2-10 p.m. Where: Fourth Avenue North between 16th-18th Streets North.
Back to School Bash
Rides, bounce houses, food and live entertainment will be on hand as Homewood students celebrate the beginning of the new school year. Admission is free, with $10 wristbands on sale to play in the bounce houses and ride the mechanical attractions. Wristband proceeds will benefit the Homewood High School band. When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Patriot Park
Fairy Tale Ball
Meet your favorite fairy tale characters, superheroes, and more while you dance the night away and make memories that will last a lifetime, all to benefit children and families served by the Childcare Resources mission. When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Grand Bohemian
Tues., Sept. 10
To Life – L’Chaim
The Alabama Holocaust Education Center presents “To Life – L’Chaim 2024: The Power of Conversation,” an evening of art, music and celebration with musician and activist Daryl Davis. When: 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Wright Center, Samford University
Safari Soiree
Zoo Gala Set in the Trails of Africa
Zoo Gala ’24: A Safari Soiree is coming Sept. 13 to the Birmingham Zoo’s Trails of Africa section.
The blacktie optional event includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction, silent auction, paddle raise and dancing to the band Second Coming.
Zoo Gala co-chairs Crystal Witherspoon and Lee McKinney feed Jalil, a reticulated giraffe at the Birmingham Zoo. Jalil is one of the five giraffes at the zoo and is the father of Mopane (Mo-Paw-Nee) the baby giraffe born in April.
The gala is the zoo’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps raise money that goes to animal care and educational programs. This year it honors the family of Tom and Julia Crawford, which is active in zoo philanthropy. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at birminghamzoo. com/events.
Two new co-chairs are heading this year’s gala. Lee McKinney has lived in Birmingham for more than 40 years and grew up going to the zoo. Crystal Witherspoon moved to the Birmingham area two years ago and quickly fell in love with the zoo. Both also are members of the zoo’s board of
directors.
“I am thrilled to be co-chair of Zoo Gala this year with Lee,” Witherspoon said. “Along with the zoo team, we are working diligently to ensure this year’s Safari Soiree is an affair to remember. Tucked in the middle of the Birmingham metropolitan area, the zoo is an oasis of natural beauty. We are taking advantage of that beautiful backdrop to make this year’s Safari Soiree a fantastic party with a purpose.”
McKinney said he and his family often visit the zoo.
“The Birmingham Zoo is the main attraction in the Birmingham area and is an important part of my life,” he said.
Leadership Matters
Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Names 3 to the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame Class of ‘24
By Lee M. HurLey
A developer, insurance professional and infrastructure builder are soon to be the newest members of the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame.
The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham each year inducts into the Hall of Fame business leaders who have “exemplified strong leadership and made extraordinary contributions to the Greater Birmingham area,” according to the club’s website.
This year’s inductees are Robert Earl Kelly, W. Stancil Starnes and William C. Hulsey.
Kelly is the founder of Kelly Road Builders, Kelly Natural Gas Pipeline and Kelly Underground.
The company was established in 1999 to specialize in milling and asphalt paving, and along the way it has diversified into directional drilling and fiber and gas transmission, among other specialties.
Kelly also is a trustee of Miles College and a board member of the Birmingham Airport Authority.
Starnes is the past executive chairman of ProAssurance Corp., having served as its chief executive officer from 2007 to 2019.
Vestavia Hills Student Enters U.S. Naval Academy
Induction Event
ProAssurance is an industry-leading specialty insurer with expertise in health care professional liability, products liability for medical technology and life sciences, legal professional liability and workers’ compensation insurance. He was named to the “Best Lawyers in America” list for more than 20 consecutive years, among many other accolades.
Hulsey is the former chairman and CEO of Arlington Properties Inc., a development, construction and management company that has constructed or developed more than 15,000 multifamily units and manages more than 9,500 units in 10 states.
Hulsey also is a former director of SouthTrust Corp., Allied Products Co. and All Seasons Travel.
Hulsey’s son Duncan had this to say about his dad: “He is a true servant. He wants to take care of others, be it family members, close friends or
Naturally Dyed
Shades Valley Rotary Donation Supports Intern at Botanical Gardens
By Anne ruisi
Plants used to make natural dyes are growing in a special plot this summer at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, thanks to a Shades Valley Rotary Club $10,000 donation to sponsor the college intern who planted the plot.
Macy Hartsell, a rising senior studying ornamental horticulture at Mississippi State University, planned the natural dye garden as part of her internship at the Gardens. She attended the July 21 Rotary meeting in which club officials presented the check to the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens,
those who worked for his company. He is someone who asks good questions and then listens. He spoiled us by giving the expectation that adults should be patient listeners.”
The three are joining 153 business leaders who already are members of the hall of fame. The hall, in the Harbert Center, contains portraits of leaders with famous names –Harbert, Gorrie, Styslinger, Gaston, Stephens and Ireland –along with many more individuals who have had eclectic and significant business successes.
“For nearly three decades, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham has had the honor of recognizing and celebrating the dreamers, doers and innovators who have shaped our community,” Executive Director Honora Gathings wrote in a recent email. “The Birmingham Business Hall of Fame is not just a celebration of these remarkable leaders but also a way to share our history with a future generation of leaders to inspire them to dream big, invest in and take pride in our home.”
which coordinates the internship program.
Tom Underwood, executive director of the Friends, a nonprofit organization that supports the gardens, noted that this is the 17th year the Shades Valley club has made a donation to sponsor a summer intern. He said donations like this help train future leaders in the horticulture industry, and an intern offers practical help at the gardens as an extra set of hands.
“We appreciate the Rotary Club and your commitment to serving the community and education,” he told Rotarians.
Hartsell, who graduated from Vestavia Hills High School, was at the meeting and described how she researched and created the dye garden as her independent project.
She chose plants historically used to make dyes, such as madder (red), weld (yellow), woad (blue) and safflower (hues of yellow and red). She said she prepared existing planting beds for the dye garden and tended to it until the plants were ready to harvest.
The work involved a lot of trial and error, but Hartsell harvested the plants by midsummer. Using traditional compounds and processes, she extracted the compounds in the plants
Kelly, Starnes and Hulsey will be inducted during an event Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Harbert Center. The event begins with a coffee reception at 11 a.m. and a luncheon and induction ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
For more information about the event, to learn about past honorees or to buy tickets and sponsorships, please visit kcob. org/events/bbhof.
Founded in 1917, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham is the oldest and largest Kiwanis club in the world with more than 500 business and nonprofit leaders. Its members devote hundreds of hours of service to youth each year and invest more than a million dollars in the city.
“We want our contributions to make an impact, whether it’s the Vulcan Trail, the Giraffe Experience at the Birmingham Zoo or any of the other childrenoriented projects we take on,” said Billy Forbes, co-chair of the hall of fame event and senior vice president and wealth advisor for Regions. “You’ve got to have the volunteer spirit to be in Kiwanis because it’s timeconsuming. But I believe we help change our city.”
to make dyes, often by boiling or simmering them in a pot.
To dye cloth, she added a mordant, a substance that fixes the color to the fabric. Mordant, like soda ash, can make the color last longer.
Hartsell showed the Rotarians the results of her summer project: several large squares of fabric dyed using the plants she grew this summer. She also mentioned that when she returns to college in the fall, she’ll leave seeds from the plants that can be used to plant a dye garden next summer.
“Overall, it was such a fun project,” she said.
Hartsell answered questions from the audience, including one from a business-minded club member who asked if she had plans to sell naturally dyed T-shirts and other items.
“That would certainly be interesting,” she responded. “It would take a lot more research for me, personally, and a lot more work, but that’s not something I’m opposed to.”
She also thanked the Rotarians for sponsoring her summer internship at the botanical gardens.
“I learned so much more than I could ever imagine this summer,” Hartsell said. “I also want to thank all of y’all for giving me this opportunity … . It’s been such a pleasure.”
Vestavia Hills’ Hunter C. Carroll II recently was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2028, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training.
Carroll, a 2024 graduate of Vestavia Hills High, was among almost 1,200 candidates admitted June 27 into the academy’s “plebe,” or freshman, class. During Plebe Summer, students have no access to TV, movies, the internet or music and restricted access to cell phones.
Plebe Summer is designed to prepare students for their first academic year at the Naval Academy. Students are taught basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft. They also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.
Other activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing and obstacle, endurance and confidence courses.
Training sessions also involve moral, mental, physical and professional development and teambuilding skills to prepare midshipmen for professional service.
Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-
Carroll, a 2024 graduate of Vestavia Hills High, was among almost 1,200 candidates admitted June 27 into the academy’s “plebe,” or freshman, class.
year service academy. Students learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, military law and naval engineering and weapons.
Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a bachelor’s degree in one of 26 subject majors and go on to serve at least five years as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.
William C. Hulsey
Robert Kelly
Stan Starnes
From left, Tom Underwood, executive director of the Friends; Macy Hartsell, BBG intern; John Feagin and William Wentowski, Shades Valley Rotary Club.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
“He definitely gives of his time and talents and has since day one,” said David Barry, United Ability’s director of marketing and communications.
United Ability provides comprehensive, innovative services connecting people of all ages with disabilities to their communities and empowering individuals to live full and meaningful lives, according to its website.
The site credits Harvey as a driving force behind the organization’s success, saying he has been a board member, past president and prolific fundraiser.
“What this place means to me is this is people with disabilities and turning that into abilities,” he said.
The organization has a 76-year history in Birmingham and was founded in 1948 by a group of citizens who wanted to provide services to medically fragile individuals with cerebral palsy, according to the nonprofit’s website. It was renamed United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham in 1972 and United Ability in early 2017 to better reflect its service to people of all types of disabilities.
For years it was based in downtown Birmingham, which was its location when Harvey got involved. He saw the technology and services provided and the individuals gaining capability and purpose.
“You never forget the people. You never forget what you see,” he said. “The next thing I know, I’m doing stuff with UCP of Greater Birmingham. I’m on the board and later became the board chair,” he said.
In 2001, UCP’s vision to offer multi-disciplinary, comprehensive services became a reality with its relocation to its 20-acre campus on Lakeshore Drive. The adult services building, Harvey said, was “a very old decrepit building,” which he jokingly described as “held together by duct tape.”
A new adult services building was going to cost $10 million. Although
JOURNEY
From Page One
Magician Kevin Spencer will be the featured entertainer. Spencer is an award-winning illusionist and authority on therapeutic magic in special education and rehabilitation.
His show, “The Magic of Kevin Spencer: Magic for Everyone,” has been honed over his 25-year career and brings the transformative power of magic to the lives of children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities and autism.
The show combines storytelling, stage magic and audience participation and is a sensory-inclusive performance.
For more information and to buy a ticket, go to unitedability.org and find Journey of Hope under the Events tab.
Harvey had no experience in fundraising, he agreed to lead the effort when asked to do so.
“I had never, ever done that, and in my heart I said, ‘I’m going to do it.’” he said.
He found that people in Birmingham were very generous.
Harvey took off from work every Wednesday for about nine months to focus on fundraising, taking potential donors to the adult center downtown early in the morning so they could have a tour and see “what was going on,” he said.
He remembered a program participant at the time who used a wheelchair and sang the National Anthem every morning as the flag was raised for the day. Potential donors would see the man come out of the building and sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “that would just about seal the deal most of the time.”
It was important that potential donors toured the adult building so they could see in action the services United Ability provided to participants, including the language lab that pioneered computer augmented speech.
“People had not been able to express themselves,” until it was available, Harvey said.
He recalled meeting a young woman who, when she was able to access the device, first said ‘thank you.’
“The second thing she said was, ‘Thank you, mother. I love you.’”
Harvey, who will be 73 on Aug. 24, remains a member of the United Ability Foundation board of direc tors, but his involvement goes beyond attending meetings and fund raising.
His strong personal connection to United Ability was obvious as he sang the praises of staff and warmly interacted with participants by name during a recent visit, sharing hand shakes and hugs, smiles and grins.
“I love this place. I love the peo ple,” Harvey said. “This place, to me, is what love is all about.”
Journey of Hope Honors Family, Former CEO
United Ability’s Journey of Hope gala will be honoring people who have shared their time and talents to further the group’s mission of helping improve the lives of people with disabilities.
The Fleury Family (pictured) and the late Lynn Roebuck are among them.
Brian and Courtney Fleury will share the story of their son Jamey and the progress he has made working with United Ability, according to the group’s website.
Roebuck, who worked at United Ability for 24 years, will be honored with the Dr. Gary Edwards Award of Inspiration. The annual award is given to a direct care professional. Edwards was a longtime United Ability CEO who died in 2020.
“One
of the freshest sounding, exuberant bands in all of the known acoustic universe.”
– NPR’s Dave Higgs
Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov
Acrylic by Maya Eventov
8
The Birmingham Zoo’s outdoor plaza was the setting for a fundraising party to benefit the John Michael Pierce Foundation on Aug. 3.
The foundation’s namesake, Pierce, was 25 when he died five months after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He loved to bring friends and family together, and in this spirit, the Zoo Party is one of several fundraising events throughout the year.
Net proceeds from this event will be used to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer and the importance of early detection.
SOCIAL
IN PIERCE’S NAME
Zoo Party Raises Money for Esophageal Cancer Awareness
John Michael Pierce’s parents, Jeff and Patti Pierce, his sister Michelle and her husband Chris Jenkins.
Alana Cassinelli, Lily Grace Couvillon, Gigi Azar
Robbin and Robert Sorrell
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Lynn Webb, Patti Pierce, Joanna Rumbley
Ashley and Cory Whitsett
Susan and Steve Upton
Leslie Culpepper, Hillary Rives
Mary Alice Pierce, Ashley Kilian, Hunter Abshire, Marie Pierce, Lillie Pierce
Coleman and Collins Kitchens
Jake Jabour, Pate Hudson
Jeff Kennedy, Robyn Mitchell
Mattie Eubanks, Courtney Mosley, Robbin Sorrell, Stephanie Sorrell
Johnny and Beth Tarassoli, Michael Romanelli, Brent and Alana Cool
Luke and Monica Swanzy, Lance Leader
Crestline
Crazy
Annual Otey’s Fest Returns for 15th Year
Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook was the place to be for the 15th annual Otey’s Fest on July 27.
Live music from The Hurlers, T.U.B. and The Negotiators provided the entertainment at the evening event. Food and drinks were available as attendees met up with friends at Otey’s, a Mountain Brook mainstay for 35 years.
The party was a fundraiser for the nonprofit Phoenix Club of Birmingham, which supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama.
Alzheimer’s Research Funds Raised Through Glow for a Cure
Golfers who love to play and support Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama turned out for the 12th annual Glow for a Cure Night Golf Tournament at Highland
Golf Course on July 28.
The event was held to benefit the junior board’s Lindy
Scholars
in Alzheimer’s research at the University of
at Birmingham.
Participants and spectators were served dinner and beverages and golfers were eligible for prizes. Golfers played throughout the evening, with the tournament ending at 10:30 p.m. ❖
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Ansley Banks, Cameron Kosid
Macy Watson, Ben Kalbaugh, Lauren Black Abbey Johnston, William Barnes Katy Price, Anna Ruth Steelman, Taylor Clifton
John and Mackenzie Crabtree
Michael Milner, Sydney Vickers Peyton Vines, Austin Handley
Harrell Predoctoral
Program
Alabama
Matt Savela, Sean Tweedy, Cory Reamer, Clay Wood
Mary Mcglaughlin, Sue Johnston, Lisa Heifner Hobson, Vance Holder
Mike and Susan Bertani, Miller Piggott Marcus Cates, Sherri Sparks Samantha Latham, Marissa Latham, Pam Arenberg
Hays Hooten, Mia Oliveira
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Funky Summer
Funk rapper Ric Wilson was the musical guest at the Birmingham Museum of Arts’ always popular summer party, Art on the Rocks, on Aug. 2.
Guests strolled through the museum for an evening of artistic entertainment, which included DJs, demonstrations by artists, interactive art installations, hands-on workshops for those at the event and pop-up performances. ❖
Immerse yourself in an engaging community infused with Southern hospitality and an appreciation for the City’s historic charm. At The Crossings at Riverchase, everyday life becomes exceptional with meaningful friendships, gourmet dining, wellnessfocused programming and much more. You’ll find bright, well-appointed spaces around every corner, including a fitness center, creative arts studio, patio, pub and theater. Just a short drive to The Summit and Hwy 150 with nearby medical facilities, shopping, attractions and eateries that provide abundant choices to your everyday routine, you’ll feel instantly connected, comfortable and carefree at The Crossings.
Alex and Brandi Fuller
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Elizabeth Perkins, Caryn Mills
Steph Bodie, Jazmin Ribera
Mike and Stephanie Christopher
Lily and Randall Mackey
Chelsea and Blake Evans
Darby Calhoun, Joe Whitlock, Kelsey Paris
Celebrating Mothers in May
Graceful Aging provides in-home functional fitness training to improve quality of life for adults of all ages and functional levels. Our training programs assist adults in maintaining their independence and reducing risk of falls. Functional fitness programs are designed specifically for each client depending on their medical history, current functional level and personal goals. In each session, our clients receive one-one-one training to improve
Graceful Aging
SARAH
Specialized
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Matt Scalici, Audra Szush
Pattie Neil, Janis Braue, Cheryl Lowerys Vicki Bailey, Doug Demedicis, Wanda McKoy
Martha Jean and Jim Shaw
Rachel Allen, McKinley Burnett, Pam Dodd, Thomas Kraus
Sharon Lanzi-Pitts, Kim Crawford Meeks
Joan Wright, Agnes Chappell
DJ Robinson, Katie Gummow, Alex and Hayes Vinson
Best Sip in Town
Mixologists Compete in Magic City Cocktail Challenge
Birmingham’s Best mixologists competed for top honors while helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society at the 2024 Magic City Cocktail Challenge on Aug. 1. The competition was held at Iron City Birmingham, where guests got to sample the contestants’ signature creations. There was live entertainment and activities as mixologists competed for prizes. ❖
16th!) DONT' MISS
Natalie Vizzina, Karli Weber
Lee Sahlie, Maggie Ethridge
Celeste Case, Mimi Hope, Kathleen Daniel Katie McAllister, Emmy Dawsey,Laura Beth Taylor
Drew Jones, Jeremy Clark, Hubbs Bottcher, Henry Heaton
Josh Schaff from Caya Coco
FOOD
It’s All Greek
FOOD+Culture Celebrates a Flavorful Culinary Community
By Donna Cornelius
One of Birmingham’s most influential culinary communities will take center stage at this year’s edition of FOOD+Culture, set for Sept. 19-22.
The festival, a flavor-filled platform for Birmingham’s culinary scene and culture, is in its second year, and the FOOD+Heritage dinner is one of the most anticipated events. This year’s Heritage dinner honors the generations of Greek families who have become a vital and colorful part of the city’s food industry.
The evening starts with a welcome reception complete with passed bites, wine and a signature cocktail, followed by a seated, multicourse, family-style meal, paired wines and entertainment with a Greek flair. The dinner will be at Pepper Place on Sept. 20.
Those who have at least a nodding acquaintance with Birmingham’s culinary past are well aware of the Greek influence here. The first wave of Greeks arrived in Birmingham in the 1880s, when the city’s iron and steel industries were helping to make a thriving job market.
Since then, their contributions to the Birmingham area haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2004, the Southern Foodways Alliance – an Oxford, Mississippi-based organization that documents, studies and explores the diverse food cultures of the changing American South – collected oral histories of Greek restaurant owners in Birmingham and in 2017 updated the project.
Diners will see some familiar faces behind the food and drinks at the Greek event: Andreas Anastassakis of Bright Star; Andrew Collins, The Collins Bar and Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant; Fanoula Gulas, the Greek Kouzina; Timothy Hontzas, Johnny’s; Lee Pantazis, Gus’s Hot Dogs; Josh Schaff, Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant; Tasos and Beba Touloupis, Ted’s Restaurant; and Paul Yeck, Tasty Town.
Hospitality
and History
For one of the participants, the dinner isn’t just about focusing on Birmingham’s Greek community.
“We’re not just spotlighting Greek food and culture – we’re celebrating it,” said Lee Pantazis, the owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs.
Pantazis comes from a large Greek family, and he’s well aware of the rich history his relatives and other Greeks share with Birmingham.
“Greeks assimilated into Birmingham culture,” he said. “We came here to be a part of it; Birmingham was where the jobs were. It’s beautiful that Birmingham took us in.”
Pantazis said Greeks and Southerners are very similar.
“We try to welcome everyone,” he said. “Greek and Southern culture go hand in hand. The Greek version of hospitality is the same as the South’s – we both believe in treating people right, helping people and trying to spread good.”
Pantazis’ grandfather, George Pantazis, owned the Hickory Hut and Coffee Cup, and his uncle also was a restaurateur. But quite a few members of his family chose another field and became lawyers.
At a young age, Lee Pantazis worked for his
‘Greek culture is a rich culture. It offers so much through history and food.’
FANOULA GULAS,
OWNER
OF GREEK KOUZINA
‘We’re not just spotlighting Greek food and culture –we’re celebrating it.’
LEE
PANTAZIS,
OWNER
OF GUS’S HOT DOGS
father, Birmingham attorney Dennis Pantazis, in data entry.
“Two weeks into the job, I thought, this is killing me,” Lee Pantazis said, laughing. “My father suggested a job in a restaurant since my grandfather had owned restaurants.”
Pantazis went to work for George Sarris, one of the city’s most well-known Greek restaurateurs.
“I was a literal liability,” Pantazis said. “But through George’s kindness and the kindness of the people that worked for him, I fell in love with the job and the hard-working, decent people. I worked at the original location of the Fish Market.”
Pantazis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and then worked for Becky Satterfield at Satterfield’s restaurant.
“I went into the interview old school, with my resume in hand, and interviewed with the chef, Haller Magee,” he said. “He called me when I was on my way home and said one of their chefs had walked out, and I was hired. They took a chance on me.”
He also worked in Florida with the Bud & Alley’s group and for the Pihakis group at Little Donkey and the Fatback Pig Project.
In 2017, Pantazis and his dad were on their way to watch the Crimson Tide football team play for the national championship in Tampa, Florida. Although Alabama lost to Clemson that year, something positive came out of the trip. The two found out that the owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs at the time, George Nasiakos, wanted to sell the business, which opened in Birmingham in 1947.
“George was a close family friend, and my dad said to me, ‘You should look into this hot dog business,’” Pantazis said. “I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted to do, but my dad was very convincing – I guess that’s what lawyers do.”
The popular restaurant “was and is super important to Birmingham,” Pantazis said. “There was pressure to represent my family, people that I love, and Birmingham. But sometimes it’s a good thing to feel pressure to do well. I have a wonderful staff, and I’m happy that we are useful to our customers and our community. I love providing joy to people. I find value in that.”
Pantazis sees lots of positives from his decision to buy Gus’s.
“We survived COVID, and we just bought a food truck,” he said.
He’s looking forward to participating in FOOD+Culture. In addition to the Heritage event, Pantazis is doing a guest chef gig at The Kelly Birmingham with chef Jonathan Harris and is taking part in the FOOD+Fire event Sept. 21.
“We have a phenomenal group of chefs coming in for the festival,” Pantazis said. “It’s all about elevating Birmingham.”
Cooking With Love
Like Pantazis, Virginia native Fanoula Gulas grew up in a Greek household. She also married into one: Birmingham’s Gulas family.
“The Gulases have been in the food business for a long time,” she said.
Her husband’s grandfather had a hot dog stand, and her father-in-law, Aleck Gulas, had Dino’s Hot Dogs on 18th Street in Homewood.
“He also sold his mother-in-law’s baklava there, and I have her recipe,” Gulas said.
She first realized how much people enjoyed her own food when her son, who’s now 26, developed a blood disorder as a child. Friends
Going Back for Seconds
FOOD+Culture Festival Returns to Birmingham Next Month
By Donna Cornelius
The best food makes diners eager for a second helping, and those who attended last year’s inaugural FOOD+Culture Festival are lining up for round two of this already-popular event. Organizers of the four-day festival, set for Sept. 19-22, have put together an impressive and flavorful lineup of chefs, dishes and drinks. They will be featured in cocktail receptions, sitdown dinners, pop-ups and open-air events.
As a celebration of the Year of Alabama Food, this year’s festival promises to share the state’s culinary heritage and diversity. It highlights Birmingham as a foodie’s dream destination.
Last year’s festival hosted visitors from 18 states, including Maine, Washington, New York and California, as well as visitors from Canada.
“The Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival is proud to continue showcasing the diverse culinary traditions and talent that make Birmingham such a unique and vibrant destination,” said Cathy Sloss Jones, Sloss Real Estate CEO/president and FOOD+ board president.
“We are thrilled to once again welcome food enthusiasts from near and far to join us for another unforgettable celebration of Birmingham’s culinary community,” she continued.
Just like last year, venues around the city will host festival events, many of which are at Pepper Place and Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. This year’s FOOD+ brings back well-attended events from last year while adding new programming and talent as well as new takes on last year’s themes.
High-profile chefs from Alabama and other states will be appearing at and participating in FOOD+Culture. Just a few of the notable folks on the list are Carla Hall, chef, author and TV host; Kelsey Barnard Clark, Alabama’s only winner of Bravo’s Top Chef; Chris, Andrew and Jacob Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q; Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ; Nick Wallace of Nick Wallace Culinary in Jackson, Mississippi; Texas’s Michele Wallace, a fan favorite during the most recent season of Top Chef.
Local favorites include Frank Stitt, whose Highlands Bar and Grill won the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant; Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood; Rob McDaniel of Helen; and Timothy Hontzas of Johnny’s.
Event highlights for the 2024 festival include:
• FOOD+Frank: The Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence – Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:308 p.m. at Birmingham Museum of Art. This cocktail reception honors an industry leader and pays tribute to the 2024 honoree’s innovation and influence in the culinary industry. This year’s honoree is Glenn Roberts of Anson Mills, a South Carolina-based company that specializes in artisan mill goods from organic heirloom grains.
• FOOD+Heritage – Friday, Sept. 20, 6-10
FOOD
p.m. at Pepper Place, 29th Street South. Experience the vibrant flavors of Birmingham’s Greek community with a multi-course, seated dinner celebrating Greek flavors and traditions.
• FOOD+Market Mix – Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 a.m.-noon at The Market at Pepper Place. Join the festival for a morning market mix of farmers, female chefs, storytellers and authors.
• Southern Living’s FOOD+Fire –Saturday, Sept. 21, noon-5 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces. This walk-around tasting event celebrates barbecue, live-fire cooking and Southern tailgate culture.
• FOOD+Funk: Grits and Grooves
– Sunday, Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces. A Sunday brunch set to the tunes of the Grammy award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band and highlighting creative brunch dishes and Alabama’s love affair with grits.
• FOOD+Friends Dinner Series –Sept.13-21. Public dinners around Birmingham will feature pop-up menus from visiting guest chefs in participating restaurants and celebrate comradery in the culinary industry.
Tickets for the 2024 Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival are for sale now. For tickets and more information, visit bhamfoodplus.com and fol
and neighbors helped and supported the family, and to thank them, she presented them with her homemade baklava. The response was enthusiastic.
“I started realizing how much people love food and thought there was a need for more Greek food in Birmingham,” she said.
Gulas also was made aware of the city’s hunger for Greek dishes through helping with the annual Greek food festival hosted by Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Birmingham. The 51st annual festival is set for Oct. 3-5.
Gulas said menu staples for the festival include pastichio, a Greek version of lasagna; souvlaki, which is small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer; and Greek chicken.
“The desserts are fantastic,” she said.
Gulas is the owner of the Greek Kouzina, selling her versions of Greek favorites. She started her busi ness in 2015.
“I first went to Pepper Place to see if anyone liked my food,” Gulas said. “I enjoy these kinds of outlets; I love talking to people and making new friends.
“Now, caterers call me, I have cus tomers through Pepper Place, and my
has helped me a bunch. She sells my food there, or you can order it. My commercial kitchen is there.”
Gulas is happy not only with her business but with her life in general.
“I love Birmingham – I can’t say enough about it,” she said.
She also enjoys cooking for her family.
“They love to eat my food but not cook it,” she said.
Her husband and children particu
spanakopita, Greek salad, and fish dishes with onions, tomatoes and feta cheese.
She’ll be sharing her love of all things Greek at the Heritage event.
“Greek culture is a rich culture,” she said. “It offers so much through history and food. People will say, I’ve never had Greek food before, and I’ll say, yes, you have! It’s all about the love you’re making the food with.”
In any culture, food is important –
Gulas believes.
“It’s a traditional thing for us to pass recipes along,” she said. “It’s a comfort, a way of showing that you care. If you invite someone to dinner, you’re starting a friendship.”
If you go:
The FOOD+Heritage event is Sept. 20. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 29th Street South at Pepper Place. Tickets are $150 and available at
When people with extraordinary talent and passion are given the technology, the facilities, and the support, they achieve great things. The discoveries taking place today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures – benefitting not only our patients and families, but people across the country and around the world for years to come.
Jack F. Granger #873, CAI
Remodeling Roadmap
Good Planning Means Good Results, Remodeler of the Year Says
By June Mathews
When Elliott Pike, owner of ELM Construction, was named 2023 Remodeler of the Year by the National Association of Homebuilders at its annual awards event in February, the honor was the culmination of hard work, dedication to quality and an overall commitment to excellence.
In other words, Pike said in a half-serious, half-tongue-in-cheek tone of voice, “My goal is to be the Chick-fil-A of remodeling. You can go to Chick-fil-A on any day of the week, and you will generally get the same consistency in
quality, no matter which location you go to and no matter what time of day. If you consistently do things right, everything else falls into place.”
Pike’s journey with his own remodeling business began in 2008. A company he worked for that specialized in remodeling apartment complexes went out of business, so he and his wife, LeArden, established ELM.
Pike’s experience in remodeling multi-family housing carried through to the new company. But before long, ELM’s opportunities turned toward single-family residential, and Pike found he liked the new work better.
“Renovating houses is more personal than
Jill Edwards of Vestavia Hills worked with ELM Construction on her redesigned, reconfigured bathroom that was once a compartmentalized his-and-her space.
This transformation of a typical Homewood “cottage” style home by ELM Construction, removed a load bearing wall where the “bar” seating area is. This opened the main part of the house and let light into the the
multi-housing renovation, and we tend to establish relationships with the people we work with,” he said. “So that’s part of it: I love working with people. I also enjoy the entrepreneurial side of remodeling, putting together the puzzle, if you will. Every day is different.”
The best clients, Pike said, are delegators.
“They don’t necessarily want to be involved in the day-to-day processes,” he said. “They don’t want to do their
own demolition or painting or any other hands-on aspects of their remodel. They want what amounts to a boring construction project. Exciting designs, great results – but a boring project.”
The best clients, Pike said, also hate surprises, so they’re willing to take the time on the front end to work through the design and scope-of-work processes, putting everyone on the same page in terms of design, cost, estimated timetable and other perti-
nent factors.
“Any anxiety associated with remodeling is usually due to the unknowns,” he said. “People may not know how to get started. They’re concerned about getting ripped off; they’re concerned about how much time it will take. But if you do your due diligence and plan well, it can be a fantastic experience. And once your project is finished, you’ll be glad you did it.”
Jill Edwards of Vestavia Hills is
one of those glad homeowners, and her remodeled bathroom is the reason.
“Oh, heavens, yes,” she replied when asked if she was happy with the results. “We are thrilled with it. We’ve been in the house for 10 years, and we knew when we moved in that just about everything would have to be gutted or touched in some way, so it took a while to get around to the bathroom.”
A huge space, according to Opening your living space to include an outdoor area creates a unique space for entertaining and can increase your home’s value. As Birmingham’s
Edwards, the bathroom was compartmentalized into his-and-her sides with a separate section for the tub and toilet. Out-of-date, heavily patterned wallpaper dominated the scene.
Now a redesigned, reconfigured bathroom fills the space, and Edwards couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
“The project was a pretty seamless experience,” Edwards said. “It’s a pain to have workers in your house all the time, but, luckily, we were able to move to an upstairs bedroom, so we didn’t have to deal with it so much.
“But the workers were prompt and kept things as clean as possible, and the project manager kept us updated on whatever was going on. Everyone was very professional.”
Advantages of Association
Soon after starting ELM, Pike joined the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders to gain access to its workers comp program. He hardly participated otherwise, thinking he was getting all he needed from the organization. He later had a change of heart.
“I figured I was paying all this money to be a member, so I might as well find out what it’s all about,” he said.
He attended a local meeting and subsequently became active in the
Baker Lamps & Linens
Three generations have worked at Baker Lamp & Linens. Dianne, Rosie and Katie (above) like creating the lamp of your dreams.
Come to the shop with a lamp you would like to rework, along with pictures of your room, and let them go to work.
“First impressions are always important in the home,” said Katie. “When I go into a home with a beautiful entry way, it makes me want to see the entire home. Lamps and fixtures that welcome guests in the foyer and family rooms need to be thoughtful pieces. They can be very stylish, showing both practicality and personality. The trends I am seeing lately are lots of gold chandeliers, both antique and new, and vintage crystal chandeliers. As for ‘style’, I’m seeing lots of bold colors, used in an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary designs.”
“Overhead lighting can be harsh and sterile.
Lamplight can soften the atmosphere of a room while giving it style and personality. Since the requirement of LED bulbs, the right color (Kelvin temperature) is so important. Finding the right bulb color, usually in the 30000 K range, can make a big difference,” according to Katie.
“My Grandfather, Bill Baker, opened Baker Lamp Shop in 1977. I went to work often with my Grandmother on Saturdays and intently watched my Grandfather make and rewire lamps. After graduating with a degree in Interior Design, I always wanted to have my own store. I opened Baker Lamps & Linens in 2000, with a selection of lamps, bedding, gifts, candles, accessories and a fantastic selection of lamp shades. The rest is history!” said Katie.
Baker Lamps & Linens is located at 5299 Valleydale Rd., 205-981-3330.
How This Crew is Making a Difference for Homeowners
Thinking about updating your home but have put it off? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners love the idea of an updated home but dread the process of doing the work themselves. An easier way to is to get the right people to help.
This crew of Trublue technicians not only have a great deal of combined experience and skills, but they also enjoy the mission of working with homeowners to see their vision become reality.
“Our technicians are good people to work with. And our clients appreciate that they are reliable, responsible and respectful of them and their home,” commented COO Benny Wink (standing in the middle of the picture above). “It makes a difference!”
For homeowners who wish to sell their home Trublue can provide a crew with a variety of skills to speed up repairs and updates. For homeowners who just want to make their home a little nicer, one or two technicians whose skills are matched to
the job is all it takes.
For example, a recent job included pressure washing and painting a fence. But, the client also wanted custom-built cabinet drawers and doors.
MANY HOMEOWNERS LOVE THE IDEA OF AN UPDATED HOME BUT DREAD THE PROCESS OF DOING THE WORK THEMSELVES.
That required a technician with excellent carpentry skills, not just a general handyman.
As homeowner Annie McDowell said “Your crew is very friendly and they seem to know what they’re doing. We are very pleased with their efficiency and the quality as well! Aaron does a great job running this project.”
If you’d like to update your home, need repairs or a project done fast in order to sell your home, call Trublue at 205-839-3818.
Remodelers Council, a subgroup of the association. There, he found mentors who taught him the finer points of the remodeling business.
“I didn’t have a history in construction except my previous jobs, and none of those were single-family residential work,” Pike said. “But it made me want to attend a state meeting, where I met people from across the state. Then I got invited to a national meeting, where I met people from across the country, including some of the best
remodelers out there.”
The more Pike got involved, the more people he met and the more he learned. So by the time he received the Remodeler of the Year award, Pike had earned his spot among the best.
The selection process for NAHB’s Remodeler of the Year Award involved an in-depth look at ELM’s business practices, client testimonials and references from industry professionals.
“That’s probably the coolest part about the award,” he said. You’re being recognized by people who are experts in the industry, and having your peers recognize what you do is one of the biggest honors you can get.
But, Pike emphasized, ELM is by no means a one-man show. The com-
pany’s continued success, he said, is largely due to an exceptional team of experienced professionals.
“At ELM Construction, we’ve always believed in fulfilling our promises,” Pike said. “If we commit to something, whether it’s a timeline or a budget, that’s what we’re going to do. Our clients appreciate that.”
All that makes his job that much more enjoyable.
“I’ve been blessed to do something that I love doing and to be able to make money doing it,” he said. “It’s a gift.”
Former Spartan Petro Lands Mountain Brook Tennis Coaching Job
By RuBin E. GRant
Carlee Petro was wondering what she was going to do after Birmingham-Southern College closed at the end of May.
Petro had been BSC’s women’s tennis coach for the past the six years.
About the same time BSC was closing, Susan Farlow was retiring as Mountain Brook High School’s tennis coach after 17 seasons.
Petro, a 2014 graduate of Mountain Brook, played for Farlow, so she was familiar with the Spartans’ program. When she found out Farlow was retiring, she looked into succeeding her.
In late June, Petro was hired as the Spartans’ new boys and girls tennis coach.
“MBHS tennis was always something that I thought about post my BSC career,” Petro said. “I just never thought it would happen so soon in the way that it did. The timing of the MBHS position was such a gift. I would have been devastated to leave the team tennis world.”
Farlow won 18 state championships, 10 girls and eight boys, during her tenure, so it’s the second time Petro is following a legendary coach. She played for Ann Dielen at BirminghamSouthern and took over as the Panthers’ women’s coach following Dielen’s 41-year coaching career.
The Mountain Brook girls have won the state championship seven consecutive seasons, and the boys have won it the past two years.
“It’s such an honor to be taking over after coach Farlow,” Petro said. “I am going to do
NEWTON
From page 24
officials. Nothing could be better that.
“I was surprised and humbled when I found out.”
Newton, 71, retired from officiating in 2021. He was a part of the Fox 6 Sideline Show for five years, providing a segment on high school rules, and was a referee state camp instructor with the AHSAA for many years.
Fellow camp instructor and current inductee Don English stole one of Newton’s teaching quotes that he used in each of his pre-game meetings, “Do not officiate air!”
Newton served on the initial mechanics manual committee when the AHSAA developed its own manual and held many administrative positions with the Birmingham Football Officials Association.
‘It was one of those type of journeys where it was not always smooth,” Newton said. “I remember the first flag I threw was in a B-team game and the flag went into the boy’s facemask. So, my flag, the ball and the player scored a touchdown.
“I officiated all of the OTM football teams for many years.”
In 1996, Newton received the Dick Burleson Outstanding Member Award, which is named for ASOF Hall of Fame inaugural class member Dick Burleson. The award recognizes an official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, good moral and ethical character, and a high level of service.
“One of the things I always
everything in my power to continue to keep her winning legacy alive.”
Petro has worked for several years as an assistant tennis pro at Pine Tree Country Club, so she’s already familiar with several Mountain Brook players.
More New Coaches
Petro is one of a flurry of recent new coaching hires at Mountain Brook. Brittany Vintson is the new softball head coach; Anthony Marino is taking over as the head coach for
swimming and diving and assistant coach for boys and girls golf; and Jack Letson will serve as the director of golf and head boys golf coach.
“We are confident that these coaches will bring their expertise and passion to their respective sports, helping our student-athletes achieve their highest potential,” Mountain Brook Athletic Director Andy Urban said.
Vintson replaces Heather McGuirk, who resigned following the 2024 season after six seasons as head coach. Vintson also will be an
assistant with the Spartans’ girls flag football team. Joe Webb, the longtime Spartans boys soccer coach, will be the flag football team head coach.
Vintson has spent the past three years as an assistant softball coach at Austin High School in Decatur. She graduated from Sumiton Christian School in 2008 and played at Birmingham-Southern. Her first head coaching job was at Cordova High School, and she was later the head coach at James Clemens for two seasons.
encouraged my crews to do is to be a good example to young players,” he said.
Newton worked numerous state championship games, as well as several games televised on ESPN. He
also was a referee at the collegiate level in the Gulf South Conference and Southland Conference, and he
worked as a replacement official in the National Football League in 2001.
“The only regular season NFL game I officiated was Detroit against Green Bay,” Newton said. “The higher the caliber of play the easier it is to officiate.”
Watching From a Distance
Newton attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, and Auburn. He and his wife, Dottie, live in Vestavia Hills and have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
One of those grandchildren, John David Livingston, is a three-year starter on the offensive line for Vestavia Hills. Newton’s son John Newton also played for the Rebels.
Getting a chance to watch his grandson on Friday nights is one reason Newton retired from officiating in 2021.
“I’ve gone through knee surgery, shoulder surgery and getting a pacemaker, so I knew it was time,” he said. “One of the real benefits is I’ve been able to watch my grandson. Me and (my) wife enjoy watching him play.”
Newton still has a day job, working as a senior civil engineer and Birmingham office manager at TTL Inc., a full-service consulting engineering firm.
“It’s something I still enjoy so that’s why I continue doing it,” he said.
Reflecting on his career as a referee, Newton said, “Officiating was pretty much my life. I’m an engineer by trade, but I’ve got so many stories I tell from officiating and I really enjoy my friendships with other officials.”
Carlee Petro, a 2014 graduate of Mountain Brook, played for longtime Spartan tennis coach Susan Farlow.
Anthony Marino is taking over as the head coach for swimming and diving and assistant coach for boys and girls golf.
Brittany Vintson is the new softball head coach. Vintson also will be an assistant with the Spartans’ girls flag football team.
Steve Newton was a football official at the high school, college and professional levels 46 years.
JAGUARS
From page 24
In Spain Park, Kisor takes over a team that finished 21-21 in 2023 but reached the Class 7A state tournament.
The Jaguars return several talented players, including seniors Reagan Gilbert, an outside hitter; Alexa Benda, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter; and Grayson Hyde, an outside/middle hitter.
Gilbert recorded 316 kills, 264 digs and 92 aces last year and was one of three Spain Park players to make the All-OTM team. The others were outside hitter Megan Ingersoll and setter Cailyn Kyes, who are juniors this year.
Ingeroll had 536 kills to lead Class 7A for the 2023 season and 286 digs.
SPARTANS
From page 24
Gardner is cautiously optimistic about having such an experienced team.
“It’s a mixture of excitement and anxiety,” she said. “We’ve got several players who are new to varsity, but they’ve been in the program. It’s just a matter of them adjusting to the expectations and the pacing on varsity.
“It’s going to be so much fun to see what we become.”
Then, she added, “Do not underestimate us.”
Even so, Gardner understands
there will be growing pains.
“I know we’ve got to be patient and we might start the season slower, and it might take us longer to click,” she said. “I’m not concerned about what our record will be in August and September as long as we continue to grow and are firing on all cylinders come October.”
The Spartans officially opened preseason practice on Monday, although they have been working out most of the summer.
“There are going to be so many things we’re going to be working on, but I really just want them form good relationships, focus on communicating on the court and getting to know each
Spain Park’s new volleyball coach Justin Kisor with his wife and assistant coach Ashley at a recent practice.
Kyes had 865 assists, 153 digs and 52 aces.
The Jags also have two key juniors returning in middle hitter Ja’Niyan Mosley and right side/setter Bea Wiggins. Camdyn Kyes, an eighth grade defensive specialist, also figures prominently in the rotation.
“I love the girls we have here,” Kisor said. “The players who played last year have had a pretty good summer. The main thing is building relationships and them learning our way of thinking.
“I am not trying to redo what Kellye was doing, but I want to take
other,” Gardner said. “It’s about team building and team bonding. That’s not just player to player, but also player to coaching staff, communicating to them what we’re like and what we expect.”
Mountain Brook will compete in Class 6A, Area 10 along with Huffman and Woodlawn. The Spartans will open the season on Aug. 22 at home against Spanish Fort, which reached the Class 6A semifinals in 2023 and finished with a 61-10 record.
“We always want to start the season with a superstrong team,” Gardner said. “It’s good for us to be challenged right away.”
what she was doing and keep it going.”
Spain Park opens the season on Aug. 22 against McGill-Toolen. The Jags have dropped down to Class 6A this year and will compete in Area 8 along with Chelsea, Helena and Pelham.
“Class 6A is a different challenge ‘cause it’s so deep with a lot of good schools,” Kisor said. “Our main goal is to get better every day and be playing our best in late September and October.”
BOYS & GIRLS
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
‘Whole New Team’
Spartans Embarking on Volleyball Title Defense With New Faces
By RuBin E. GRant
Mattie Gardner is in uncharted territory as she enters her fourth season as Mountain Brook’s volleyball coach.
With the graduations of Hannah and Paige Paran and Mae Mae and Annie Lacey, the Spartans don’t have any twins on their roster. They do have two sisters, Ava Ruth Borland, a junior right side hitter, and Naomi Borland, a freshman outside hitter/setter.
The biggest change is the eight newcomers on the team. The Spartans have only five returning players from their 2023 AHSAA Class 6A state championship team that finished with a 46-5 record.
“I don’t know if people will recognize us,” Gardner quipped. “We’re a whole new team.”
Gardner, who led Mountain Brook to state championships in two of her first three seasons, will have only three seniors, albeit talented ones in outside hitter Mae Mae Beatty, libero Ella Kate Wright and setter Grace Stewart.
Beatty and Wright were All-OTM selections last year. Beatty, who has committed to
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Montevallo, posted 331 kills and 316 digs in 2023 and Wright had 500 digs and 106 assists.
Stewart, meanwhile, is tasked with filling the huge void at setter left by Hannah Parant, the 2023 OTM Player of the Year and Gatorade Alabama Volleyball Player of the Year. Parant is now at Alabama.
Gardner is eager to see how Stewart takes on the challenge.
‘Keep It Going’
New Coach Kisor Plans to Keep Spain Park Volleyball Competing at a High Level
By RuBin E. GRant
Justin Kisor wasn’t just dealing with heat this summer but also a whirlwind.
That’s how he described what his life has
been like since early April, when he was named Spain Park’s new volleyball coach.
Kisor spent almost four months traveling back and forth between Hoover and Fort Payne, where he had been head volleyball coach the
“I’m so excited for Grace,” Gardner said. “She’s been in our program for four years and she has learned playing behind Hannah. She’s committed to Wofford, so she’s got (NCAA) Division I talent.”
The other two returning players are Ava Ruth Borland and junior middle hitter Samantha Settle.
See SPARTANS, page 23
past four years, until his wife, Ashley, and their 1-year daughter, Millie, found a home in the Birmingham area the next-to-last week of July.
“It was a lot of driving,” Kisor said.
But trips were well worth it, considering Kisor and his wife are taking over a program they admired. Ashley Kisor will be an assistant coach, a role she also had at Fort Payne.
“As a coach it’s certainly one of those schools that catch your eye,” Justin Kisor said. “It’s one of those schools that if they call, you have to listen.
“It was a very tough decision to leave Fort Payne. I loved the area, the players and the people, but it felt like (this was) the right move for us. We’re at peace about coming here.”
Kisor replaces Kellye Bowen, who left Spain Park following the 2023 season to take over as head coach at Jasper High School in her hometown. In 10 seasons with the Jags, Bowen led Spain Park to its first volleyball state championship in 2021 after finishing as the runner-up in 2020.
“Kellye and I are very close,” Kisor said. “We talk all the time. It’s going to be tough to follow her because she made it into the one of the premier programs in the state.”
In his four seasons at Fort Payne, Kisor turned the Wildcats into contenders. He inherited a team in 2020 that had a 9-21 record the previous year and led them to consecutive 30-win seasons in 2022 and 2023. Fort Payne reached the Class 6A Elite Eight state tournament in 2023 and finished with a 38-17 record.
A REF FOR LIFE
Newton Humbled by Officiating Hall of Fame Induction
By RuBin E. GRant
Steve Newton didn’t have any plans to become a referee when he was a graduate student at Auburn University.
But that all changed when one of his civil engineering professors asked him if he liked football.
Of course, Newton answered yes, and what followed changed the course of his life.
The professor told Newton he would be officiating high school football games with him and his crew.
“That’s how and where I got started,” Newton said.
It was the fall of 1975, and for the next 46 years, Newton was a football official at the high school, college and professional levels.
‘One of the things I always encouraged my crews to do is to be a good example to young players.’
STEVE NEWTON
On Aug. 3, he was one of 10 individuals who were inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame class for 2024 during a banquet at the Oxford Civic Center.
The group included two former Alabama mayors, former president of the Amateur Softball Association, professional football officials, college supervisors of officials, SEC officials and Alabama High School Athletic Association district directors. Each of the 10 worked multiple AHSAA sports championships.
“It means the world to me,” Newton said. “It’s one of those coveted awards because you’re being recognized by your peers, fellow See NEWTON, page 22
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Spartan seniors, from left, Grace Stewart, Ella Kate Wright and Mae Mae Beatty return from last year’s AHSAA Class 6A state championship team.
The Jaguars return several talented players, including, from left, seniors Reagan Gilbert, an outside hitter; Alexa Benda, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter; and Grayson Hyde, an outside/middle hitter. Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Steve Newton, above with wife Dottie, at the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame class for 2024 banquet at the Oxford Civic Center on Aug. 3.