Guide Me On

SCHOOLS 17

SENIORS 18

SPORTS 24

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.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO U RNA L March 23, 2023

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald

Copy Editor: Virginia Martin

Features Writer: Donna Cornelius

Staff Writer: Anne Ruisi

Photographer: Jordan Wald

Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant

Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch, Ana Good

Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd

Vol. 33, No. 16

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2022 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.

It is not easy to keep such a group in tow. They will park themselves on a bench. They will wander off looking for shade. They will step off course because the shop across the street is selling gelato. The good (?) news is that the walking tour can only last as long as the knee brace of the group’s weakest link.

The leader of the day trip bus tour must contend with charges who will set up ownership of their little corner. Everyone wants to be at the front of the bus. Everyone wants to sit by a window. The tour guide must, in the cheeriest voice possible, convince his charges that it will be considered bad form to try and ace out a neighbor after a restroom stop. And while we’re at it, yes, there is a restroom on the bus. It should

Over the Mountain Views

be used only in emergencies. Sadly, there will always be one. Each time the bus stops, it will eventually need to get going again, and hopefully in a timely fashion. Specific return times (10:25) will be established, set forth, I’m sure, with full knowledge that someone will be at least a smidge late. They saved up going to the restroom until the last minute. There was the cutest pair of earrings in the gift shop and the line was long. The coffee shop had gelato. Multiply this frustration by seven and you have the life of the week-long bus tour guide. Now, there are nightly hotel rooms to assign (Mrs. Phillips says her room has a sea view. Why can’t I have a sea view?). The brochure suggested one suitcase per person. They will each have two, which must be loaded at 7 a.m. in order to make the necessary 7:30 departure. For a 25-person bus group, 23 people will arrive on time and sit in their assigned seats, which now rotate each day so everyone will eventually get a window and a space at the front. One couple will be just a smidge late. They will continue this daily practice despite the glares from their fellow bus mates. Finally, the group is off to see wonders they have never encountered, at least 90 minutes worth of them, until they reach the first restroom stop.

This has to be exhausting – frustrating as all get out. But I’m glad there are still sturdy people out there who want to take on such a job. At least they do not have to wrestle an anaconda or ward off a deadly swarm of tse tse flies. They just have to contend with Mrs. Phillips, who is once again five minutes late because she has wandered off for gelato.

Puppy Palooza!

Families and their four-legged, tailwagging pets enjoyed a fun day on March 18 at Lane Parke’s new signature event, Puppy Palooza. Live music, a puppy photo booth, face painting and more familyfriendly activities drew a crowd to celebrate their pups. The event was held in partnership with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which brought several dogs available for adoption. Clockwise, from left: Kayla Heindi with Hero; Madeline DeBuys, Isabelle DeBuys and friends; Dylan Pausic, Oscar, Nick and Katelyn Cowie; and Crystal Force with Darbi.

Sat., March 25

Ales and Tails

This fundraiser for Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama is a crawfish boil that promises a great time for a great purpose. It’s organized by the nonprofit’s Junior Board. When: 12-3 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company

15h Annual Rumpshaker

5K & Fun Run

Rumpshaker Inc., a nonprofit organization formed by friends and family in memory of Lisa Martz, raises money to raise colorectal cancer awareness and help patients fight it and treat it. When: 5K begins at 8 a.m., Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Where: Regions Field

ETC Vulcan’s Underpants

ETC improv comedy troupe is back for the show, “Vulcan’s Underpants!” Their show is kind of like that old TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway,” where they take ideas from the audience and create hilarious sketches on the spot. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Theatre

SuperPOPS! Fire & Rain Folk

Anthem of the ‘70s Fire & Rain is a collection of classics by James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, America and more

Kelli joining the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for a performance of your favorite 70’s tunes. When: 8 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center

March 25 and April 15

Miss Fancy: Elephant Queen of the Zoo

The world premiere of a play by G. Riley Mills based on the story of the popular pachyderm of early Birmingham. Great for ages 6 and up.