Chandler Recalls Winning Diving Gold Medal at Montreal Olympics
By RuBin E. GRant
Jennifer Chandler gets transported back in time and her heart rate increases whenever the Summer Olympics approach.
She always returns to the same year and same place: 1976 in Montreal, Canada.
With the 2024 Summer Olympics set to begin July 26 in Paris, Chandler is time traveling again.
“Every time the Olympics roll around and they start playing that music from the Montreal Games, my heart races because I know the up-and-coming athletes are going to be putting their lives on the line,” Chandler said.
Chandler put her life on the line in 1976 and emerged with a See CHANDLER, page 26
Jennifer Chandler won a gold medal in the 3-meter springboard diving competition at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. SPORTS
LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
Brother of Army Major who died at the Pentagon to keynote annual Gala for Grief Support PAGE 4
PARTY IN THE USA
Homewood, Vestavia annual events mark patriotic holiday PAGE 10
BY THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS
King’s Home Collections showcases products for a purpose PAGE 8
THE SEEDS OF TRADITION FOOD+Culture chooses Anson Mills Founder as 2024 Frank Stitt Award recipient PAGE 24
Familiar Voice Remembers Jordan Riding the Bus
Afriend texted me the night before the Fourth of July and told me he was watching the ESPN “30 for 30” documentary about Michael Jordan’s season playing baseball for the Birmingham Barons when he heard an “awfully familiar voice.”
I texted him back and said, “MJ’s voice is rather distinct – and the other guy, too.”
Of course, the other guy was me.
The next day, another friend texted me and told me had watched it, and during his viewing, “All of sudden I hear this voice and I knew it was you! Then, you finally showed up! Very cool! You’re a celeb!”
RUBIN
E. GRANT
Being at the Hoover Met that season was like being at a party every night.
I don’t know about that, but I was the Barons’ beat writer for the Birmingham Post-Herald when Jordan patrolled right field for the team during the 1994 season. The producers of “Jordan Rides the Bus” decided to give me a brief cameo in the 51-minute documentary, which was released in 2010.
I don’t know if that makes me a celebrity, but it was fun to be a part of it – just like it was fun watching the basketball GOAT (Greatest of All Time, just in case you aren’t familiar with that acronym) try his hand at baseball.
Jordan’s diamond foray came a mere two years after he helped the “Dream Team” capture the 1992 Olympic basketball gold medal in Barcelona and a year after he had led the Chicago Bulls to the 1993 NBA championship, the third in the first set of three consecutive NBA championships Jordan and the Bulls won. The second set came from 1996 to 1998 after Jordan had returned to the hardwood.
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 July 11, 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
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 2024 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The
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As a Baron, Jordan wore No. 45, the number he wore for his Laney, North Carolina, High School baseball team, and the Barons traveled on road trips in The JordanCruiser. Jordan didn’t buy the bus, contrary to popular belief, but he ensured it was roomy and comfortable enough to accommodate his 6-foot-6 frame.
Being at the Hoover Met that season was like being at a
Over the Mountain Views
party every night. The ballpark was packed and alive with energy as fans poured in to see if Jordan really could hit a curveball and smack a home run. Media showed up from around the nation and the world, including Japan and Israel, to chronicle Jordan’s exploits.
A few celebrities – real ones – also flocked to the Met, and so did athletes from other sports. Late in the Barons season, when the Buffalo Bills had an off day during their NFL training camp, Cornelius Bennett and Bruce Smith flew down to watch Jordan from a skybox they shared with Charles Barkley.
One of my lasting memories was walking into the manager’s office outside the Barons’ clubhouse for one of my daily interviews and stories about Jordan. Manager Terry Francona, pitching coach Kirk Champion and Jordan would be in there playing Yahtzee and Francona would look up and say, “What do you want?” He often scolded me for interrupting their game.
Jordan’s popularity helped shatter the franchise’s single-season attendance record (467,867), which has since been broken at Regions Field downtown. The Barons drew 985,185 fans overall – at home and on the road – in 1994. There were countless stories that season and much has been written and broadcast about it since.
Jordan wound up playing in 127 games, batting .202 with three home runs, 51 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases. He also struck out 114 times and committed 11 errors.
Not too bad for someone playing Double-A baseball, which is kind of a proving ground for major league prospects, for the first time and especially for someone who was 31 years old and hadn’t played baseball since he was 17 in high school.
I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since Jordan rode the bus. And I can’t believe someone thinks I’m a celeb for saying a few words in a documentary about it.
Purple bows dot mailboxes in the Over the Mountain area in support of Lulu Gribbin, the Mountain Brook teen who survived a shark attack at a Florida Panhandle beach on June 7. Lulu was bitten while swimming at Rosemary Beach and lost her left hand and part of her right leg. OTM businesses have been selling bows and other merchandise in support of the Caring for Lulu fund established by Lulu’s family and friends.
PLANTING
Journal
photo by Maury Wald
Tuesdays through Aug. 6
West Homewood Farmer’s Market
Fresh farm produce and other goodies will be on hand every Tuesday as the West Homewood Farmer’s Market opens for another summer season. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: 160 Oxmoor Road
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
Thurs., July 11
History of the Iron Bowl
Learn how a congressman from Vermont instigated the AuburnAlabama rivalry and how the schools’ first meeting was almost their last. The story of the Iron Bowl is an Alabama Humanities Foundation
one-hour program presented by Mark Kelly (pictured). When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Library
Thurs., July 18
Summer Happiest Hour
Popular Lane Parke event is back, on the green in front of Lady Bird & Jeni’s highlighting all of Lane Parke’s restaurants’ best drinks and small bites! Local pop-ups and a shopping pass to some retailers so you can sip and shop and spend the perfect evening at Lane Parke! The first 25 attendees will receive a complimentary drink ticket! When: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Where: Lane Parke
July 19-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 maledominated profession. When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre
Sat., July 20
Mountain Brook Market Day
Legendary shopping event in Mountain Brook Village. Check out
Market Day for sales, shopping and fun! When: During regular store hours. Some stores open early Where: Mountain Brook Village and Lane Parke.
Sun., July 21
Le Tour De Cahaba
Join Cahaba Cycles in Homewood for its annual Le Tour De Cahaba, a bike race featuring multiple distances for you to choose. Have fun after the ride with a party at the Homewood store’s back parking lot. Enjoy Good People beer, soft drinks, BBQ, veggie
on page 4
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OTEY’S FEST | SAT., JULY 27
Celebrate 15 years of Otey’s Fest and 35 years of Otey’s in Mountain Brook. Live music will feature The Hurlers, T.U.B and The Negotiators. General admission is free, and limited VIP tickets are available at OteysFest.com. When: 6 p.m.-midnight Where: Otey’s in Mountain Brook.
Left, Blaire Clanton and Lowery Thompson having fun at last year‘s Otey‘s Fest event.
Lift Your Spirits
Brother of Army Major Who Died at the Pentagon to Keynote Annual Gala for Grief Support
By Anne Ruisi
Roy L. Williams knows you can’t put a timeline on grief. His brother, Army Maj. Dwayne Williams, was one of the 125 people who died when terrorists slammed a hijacked American Airlines passenger jet into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
“I have learned over the last 23 years to stop focusing on how he died, but on the happy moments,” said Williams, who will be the keynote speaker at Lift Your Spirits, Community Grief Support’s annual gala on July 18 at the Vestavia Country Club.
Library. “Moving from pain to purpose is what you are trying to do.”
Community Grief Support is a nonprofit organization that works to enhance the quality of life for bereaved adults who face the challenge of rebuilding their lives without their loved ones.
‘You know, I’m sort of at the point in life where I‘m at peace and I‘ve moved beyond grief to peace right now.’
“I love the title” of the event, said Williams, who is public relations director for the Birmingham Public
pizza, live music, shade and cooling fans. When: 7 a.m. start for the 34, 45 and 65-mile riders; 9 a.m. for the slow roll, 10 Mile, and 20-mile riders. Where: Cahaba Cycles in Homewood
Thurs., July 25
Auburn Athletics Kick-off War Eagles, are you ready for some football? Come see Coach Hugh Freeze and others at the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club’s fall kickoff event. It’s the perfect way to get ready for the season. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: The Finley Center, Hoover
Top 50 Over 50 Gala
Positive Maturity’s annual gala recognizes individuals who find opportunities to make a difference through their contributions and achievements and know that age is just a number. Event proceeds will benefit Positive Maturity’s programs. When: 6 p.m. Where: The Club
Fri., July 26
Glow for a Cure
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s 12th annual Glow for a Cure night golf tournament supports the junior board’s Lindy Harrell Predoctoral Scholars Program in Alzheimer’s research at UAB. When: 5 p.m. Where: Highland Golf Course
Summer Olympics Watch Party
Wear your best patriotic gear and root for Team USA as we watch the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! When: Noon Where: Cahaba Brewing Company
Lift Your Spirits is a casual, festive event to celebrate lost loved ones, with music, dancing, a buffet and live and silent auctions. This year’s theme is “Flamingling with Friends.”
Grief is hard, but it’s OK to have fun, too, the organization noted in a recent press release. The event gives permission to celebrate life
Dwayne Williams was a Jacksonville native who attended the University of North Alabama on a
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
full scholarship. He had been an Army Ranger and paratrooper who served in the Persian Gulf War and just two months before Sept. 11 was posted to the Pentagon.
His brother noted that but for a
Sat., July 27
Homewood Sidewalk Sale
Check out the savings at your favorite downtown area shops during Homewood’s summer Sidewalk Sale. When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Downtown Homewood area
July 27-30
Seussical, JR.
A musical perfect for the whole family, Seussical JR explores the world of Dr. Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and Gertrude McFuzz. As a bonus, audience members ages 4-14 can join the theatre’s teaching staff 30 minutes before curtain time for some fun theater warm-ups, just like the ones the cast uses! There will be games, laughs and lots of pretending! When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre
Aug. 1-4
Bill Bugg and Friends, Part 7
Bill Bugg is back with an all-new cavalcade of cabaret to kick off Homewood Theatre’s season. He and his friends will be singing show tunes and standards, backed by a swinging combo. When: Various showtimes Where: Homewood Theatre
Legally Blonde Jr.
Follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams in this musical based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie.
When: Various showtimes Where: Virginia Samford Theatre
quirk of fate, Dwayne Williams could have survived the attack. He’d sent his office staff outside the Pentagon building for a break and opted to stay behind.
One of those staffers told the
Fri., Aug. 2
Art on the Rocks
Funk rapper Ric Wilson is the musical guest at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s popular summer event returns with an artistic evening of entertainment, including DJs, artist demos, pop-up performances, specialty cocktails and much more. For tickets visit artsbma. ticketapp.org/portal/product/92
When: 7-11 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art
Sat., Aug. 3
Zoo Party 2024
Enjoy music and good food as the John Michael Pierce Foundation holds this fundraiser to benefit research and raise awareness of gastrointestinal cancer and benefit the Highlands College at the Church of the Highlands and the JMP Entrepreneurship Fund. The foundation is named in honor of its namesake, who died at age 25 in 2021, five months after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo
Mon., Aug. 5
JMP Golf Classic
The John Michael Pierce Foundation will hold this fundraiser to benefit research and raise awareness of gastrointestinal cancer and benefit the Highlands College at the Church of the Highlands and the JMP Entrepreneurship Fund. When: 11 a.m. tee time Where: Highland Golf Course
Williams family, “Dwayne sacrificed himself so that I can live. That’s just the type of leader he was,” Roy Williams said.
Dwayne Williams was 40 when he died and was survived by his wife and two children, who were teenagers at the time. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Roy Williams wrote about the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and how he and his family dealt with their loss in the book, “911, God Help Us: A Journalist’s Tale of Faith,” published when he was a business writer at The Birmingham News.
In the years following the family’s loss, Dwayne and Roy’s mother, Pearl Williams, organized memorial services and events in her son’s memory until she was admitted to a memory care facility a few years ago. Roy Williams said he will continue the legacy of tributes, this year on Sept. 11 with a free concert at the Trussville Entertainment District beginning at 6 p.m.
“You know, I’m sort of at the point in life where I‘m at peace and I‘ve moved beyond grief to peace right now,” Williams said.
Embrace the Foodie Theme
Sozo Children International Gala Showcases Local Chef
Sozo Children International’s 14th annual Evening of Dreams takes on a foodie city theme this year with a Birmingham Chef Showcase, in which local chefs will prepare small plates of popular dishes.
The event will be Aug. 23 at Haven. Guest speakers for the evening are Brodie and Kellie Croyle of Big Oak Ranch.
Sozo is a Birmingham-based ministry dedicated to serving at-risk children in Uganda. It’s hoping its annual fundraiser will raise more than $225,000 through an auction, event sponsorships and table sponsorships, according to a statement from the organization.
The nonprofit operates Sozo Village, a 28-acre community in Uganda that provides housing, medical care and education to more than 150 children, along with Bible classes for children who live nearby.
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
“Our focus for this evening is on our new Harvest Program,” Sozo CEO Suzanne Owens said in the statement. “We identified a critical need in Uganda to provide ongoing care for our young adults who have grown up in and around Sozo. So, last year, we started a program to nurture them as they prepare for college and careers.”
The ministry also recently bought more land with plans to build a school and medical center, and it has hopes to expand to serve children in Alabama.
“We have so many plans to grow our ministry in Uganda and some great things in store here in our hometown as well,” Owens said.
To sponsor a table at the event, donate an auction item or buy event tickets, visit sozochildren.org/annualdinner.
Sat., Aug. 17
23rd Annual Picasso Pets Gala 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
Roy Williams, above, wrote about the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and how he and his family dealt with their loss in the book, “911, God Help Us: A Journalist’s Tale of Faith.”
Mountain Brook Students Work With Nonprofit to Help Victims of War in Sudan
A group of nine students from Mountain Brook Junior High and High schools is using fitness and other interests to combat human trafficking and famine in Sudan.
The students – Mary Harbin Porter, Sarah Jane Garner, Reese Gardner, Brooke Johnston, Chappell Williams, Sessions Robinson, Clarke Gillespy, Murray Dean and Caroline Jones – are youth ambassadors with Lift Up the Vulnerable. The New York-based nonprofit with Birmingham roots works to prevent
dren and women in war zones.
The students have sponsored a series of community-based initiatives, including walks and a fundraiser at Waldo’s Chicken and Beer in Cahaba Heights, as well as participating in the Mountain Brook Christmas parade, to support LUV.
The
The goal is to raise awareness in the community and the funds to nour-
LUV in Sudan for one month, which costs $25 per child, according to a statement issued by the organization.
“Civil war in Sudan has left women and children extremely vulnerable. With these compassionate youth and our global network, we are committed to protecting, educating and nourishing 445 children in Sudan this year, where war, displacement,
and food insecurity are affecting over 10 million people,” Audrey Moore, LUV’s CEO and Birminghamresident said in the statement.
Katie Robinson, LUV’s regional ambassador for Birmingham, applauded the students.
“It is inspiring to engage these young future leaders from our community to know that we are not just improving our own health but also the health and wellbeing of children and youth that we will never meet,” she said.
To support their students’ fundraising efforts, visit liftupthevulnerable.networkforgood.com/ projects/225866-luv-youth-ambassa-
From left, Brooke Johnston, Sessions Robinson, Chappell Williams, Caroline Jones, Clarke Gillespy, Murray Dean, Reese Gardner, SJ Garner and Mary Harbin Porter are youth ambassadors with Lift Up the Vulnerable, a New York-based nonprofit with Birmingham roots. Courtesy
By the Work of Their Hands
King’s Home Collections Showcases Products for a Purpose
By June Mathews
When King’s Home Collections opened in April 2023, it was an instant hit, with people coming from surrounding areas and beyond to purchase home items and gifts.
A charming boutique in Chelsea’s U.S. 280 business district, King’s Home Collections is stocked with an amazing array of handmade pottery, refinished furniture, garden-based products and other items produced by women and youth who work in King’s Home programs.
Far more than being a typical store, King’s Home Collections has a purpose. All its profits go back into King’s Home’s nonprofit program for abused youth, women and children.
It’s not only a place to shop; it’s a place that tells the stories of women who reached the lowest of lows and how they redirected their lives with the help and hope offered by King’s Home.
One of those stories is that of Jenna Collins, who went to King’s Home in 2018, straight out of treatment for heroin addiction. She was also facing homelessness and dealing with domestic violence issues, not to mention felony convictions for acts committed during her addiction.
Though she had already taken steps to pull away from her past and get her life back on track, she desperately needed a job to continue what she had started. But nobody wanted to hire her.
“I couldn’t even get a job at Pizza Hut,” she said.
At King’s Home, Collins found people who believed in her potential enough to give her a chance. Her first job there was painting pottery pieces for the King’s Home Prodigal Pottery program. Within a year, she became a studio
manager. Three years later, she achieved codirector status of the program, a position she still holds today.
In addition to her Prodigal Pottery job, Collins serves as director of retail for King’s Home Collections.
“I always tell people they’re getting a part of someone’s healing process when they shop with us,” she said. “Each item represents a moment when a person was able to let God work in their life.”
Developing Life Skills
King’s Home Collections features products created by the women and youth employed by three King’s Home programs. Each program is designed to equip and empower women in need and help them break unhealthy cycles and regain
including Starfish Project, Ten Thousand Villages and Thistle Farms. The WellHouse – a local shelter offering safety and care for women and their children fleeing homelessness, domestic abuse and sex trafficking – brings to the mix an assortment of jewelry, candles and other gift items.
“This allows us to shine a light on these other ministries as well,” Collins said.
Like the programs that provide much of its merchandise, King’s Home Collections offers on-the-job training and skills development. So not only does the ability to work there provide women with a financial boost for the present, it also prepares them for the future.
Jenna Collins, left, went to King’s Home in 2018, straight out of treatment for heroin addiction. Today she is serves as director of retail for King’s Home Collections and co-director of Prodigal Pottery. Above, Prodigal Pottery.
Above right, King’s Home Collections boutique in Chelsea’s U.S. 280 business district.
what they lost because of life’s challenges.
Prodigal Pottery produces tens of thousands of handmade pottery pieces each year, including ornaments, mugs, a line of dinnerware, soap dishes and ring holders. The studio also serves wholesale and online customers.
King’s Home Thrift and Restorations is a furniture repair and refinishing shop that restores furniture donated to the organization.
King’s Home Garden provides plants, herbs, homemade jellies, fresh farm eggs, flowers in season and woodwork items made by King’s Home youth.
Items from each program are sold through Kings Home Collections.
“As the name implies, the store is a collection of items produced in all our work programs in one place,” said Collins. “So not only is it a great place to shop for unique home items and gifts, but every purchase matters. We call it ‘purposeful shopping’ because it makes a difference in lives.”
“Kings Home Collections and the programs associated with it offer second chances, and they allow God to work through those of us responsible for guiding them to better equip women for moving into the next phase of their lives,” said Collins. “Those of us who have dealt with the same kinds of challenges they’re dealing with are uniquely qualified to work alongside these women. We’ve walked where they are walking and can serve as a beacon of hope and an example of ‘you can do it, and this is how you do it.’” King’s Home Collections, said King’s Home President Lew Burdette, is much more than a boutique. It plays an important role in rebuilding lives.
“It serves as a meaningful employment opportunity for women and teenagers residing at King’s Home, empowering them through handson retail experience and customer interaction,” he said. “This initiative not only supports their financial independence but also fosters personal growth and skill development in a safe, nurturing environment as women and youth heal from horrible abuse.
It’s not only a place to shop; it’s a place that tells the stories of women who reached the lowest of lows and how they redirected their lives with the help and hope offered by King’s Home.
“By showcasing a variety of curated gifts, furniture and King’s Home Prodigal Pottery, the store enriches the community and provides a platform for our residents to thrive and contribute positively to their futures.”
King’s Home Collections also sells gifts from other Christian-based ministries and companies,
Visit King’s Home Collections in person at 110 Chelsea Corners Way, in the Winn-Dixie Plaza off U.S. 280, or online at kingshome.com/ collections.
Vestavia Hills Woman Named Ms. Senior Alabama
Vestavia Hills resident Sharon Pitts (right) was named Ms. Senior Alabama during a pageant June 1 in Daphne.
Pitts retired from Regions Bank as an HR senior vice president and executive compensation manager and is a pilgrimage planner with Select International Pilgrimage Tours and Cruises, according to a statement from Ms. Senior Alabama.
Her message to senior women is: “As you retire from a successful career, you may find yourself struggling with your purpose. It is important to know that you have a purpose and begin as quickly as possible to determine how you can best live your purpose. Attack your purpose with passion and self-confidence,” according to the statement.
and Sacristy Committee chair, 20172019 and 2021 to present; and an Italian American Heritage Society member.
Pitts encourages women to share the wisdom they have earned through a lifetime of experiences.
“Always be open to grow in wisdom and share your wisdom,” she said in the statement. “Share your wisdom with the younger generation who these days are protected from a
life full of robust experiences, opinions and differences and may never become wise by having and living their own experiences.
“Maya Angelou wrote, ‘A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.’ Tell your stories, share your wisdom, sing your song!”
She is married to Joe Pitts, and they have a son and three grandchildren.
In addition to winning the Ms. Senior Alabama 2024 title, Pitts recently was named to Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50. Her com-
To: Mary Charles Robbins
From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax
munity involvement includes serving as a volunteer board member of the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center since 2020; Our Lady of Sorrows Altar Sodality copresident/past president, 2019-2021,
Date: May 2010
Lizzie Maymon has been hired as the new executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, a promotion from her position as events and membership coordinator for the chamber.
Maymon succeeds Emily Jensen in the position. Jensen is returning to the banking industry, according to a statement from the chamber.
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the June 3, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
Maymon is a Birmingham native with a Master of Healthcare Administration and a career in healthcare, including program development, fundraising and community relations.
Please
“Having the opportunity to lead the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce was an incredible experience and certainly a highlight of my professional career,” Jensen said in the statement. “Lizzie joined the chamber staff during my tenure and is undoubtedly poised to use her relationship building and strategic planning skills to continue the forward trajectory of the organization. I couldn’t be more thrilled to see her assume this role.”
Mary Charles' Doll House Dolls, Doll Houses and Minatures
Mary Charles’ Doll House
New, Collectible Antique Dolls
COME SEE US IN HOMEWOOD!
1901 Oxmoor Rd. 205-870-5544
2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook Village 870-5544
Open Thur. - Sat. 10am - 4:30pm
To: Mary Charles Robbins
From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax
Date: May 2010
To: Mary Charles
Energy-Saving Tips for an Alabama Summer
From: Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph, 824-1246 fax
Date: Nov 2018
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN June 3, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes
Please make sure all information including address and phone
This is your ad proof for the OTMJ for the November 15, 2018issue. Please possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval
We all know an Alabama summer brings the heat. But when it comes to keeping your energy costs down, don’t underestimate the power of little changes. Whether it’s waiting for full loads of laundry to wash or replacing your air filters regularly, small habits like these can make a difference over time. Let’s lean into summer together and save.
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
Please make sure all information is correct, including
Please initial and fax back within If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday your ad will run as is. We print the paper
Thank you for your prompt
If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the Thank you for your prompt
Find more energy-saving tips at alabamapower.com/summersavings.
Lizzie Maymon
I Love America Night
Vestavia Hills Annual Picnic Marks Patriotic Holiday
Vestavia Hills held its annual patriotic picnic, I Love America Night, at Wald Park on June 27.
Residents and guests could swim at the city’s aquatic complex, take part in children’s activities, watch a musical performance by Chevy 6 and peruse sponsor booths. Those at the event brought their own picnic suppers or bought food from concession stands and vendors that were there. A colorful fireworks show capped off the evening.
Partying With Vulcan
Homewood Festival Culminates With Thunder on the Mountain
Two blocks of 18th Street South and one block of 29th Avenue South in downtown Homewood were blocked off for pedestrians as the city celebrated the Fourth of July with a festival.
The event, hosted by the city and the Homewood Parks and Recreation Board, began late in the afternoon. A DJ provided music and interactive activities, while children were entertained with inflatables and rides.
The city festival wound down as night fell and the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show began at 9 p.m. The annual show is spectacular, with a soundtrack and vivid fireworks. Downtown Homewood offers one of the best spots to view the show, which originates atop nearby Red Mountain’s Vulcan Park.
and
Above, Mimi Waltchack, Mary Ryan Farrell, Maggie Smoot-Watckins and Libby SmootWatkins. Left, Allie, Charlotte and Burne Terry. Right, Marie Ella and Gina Wilcox
Above, Harrison, Kathryn and Grant Rogers. Left, Amelia, Rosemary and Emily McDaniel. Right, Blake and Dylan Logan
Anna Grace Headley
Caroline Studdard
Journal
photo by Jordan Wald
Clockwise from above: Noah, Anne, Emilia and Lily Walker; Hannah Chaffin, Makenna Wald, Riley Ann Barnhill, Hadley Wald, Caroline Chaffin; Keren and Jack McElvy; Orel, Ofir and Odea Semana.
Kaci Burns, Kris Fischer Sam and Jenna Hudson
STUDIO ART
Art From the Heart Gala Shines Spotlight on Autistic Artists’ Work
SThe party was a benefit for the Irondalebased community arts studio for artists on the
autism spectrum. Guests bid on art produced by the studio’s artists during online and silent auctions. They also were entertained with music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres while they perused artworks and met some of the artists. ❖
Virginia, Mary Shelton and John Hornsby
John Lytle, Liz Wilson Keith Thompson, Darla Davis
tudio By The Tracks celebrated its 35th annual Art From the Heart Gala at Haven on June 16.
Aldridge Gardens Is Setting for Hydrangeas Under the Stars
Supporters of Aldridge Gardens in Hoover partied under a summer night’s sky at the gardens’ annual benefit, Hydrangeas Under the Stars, on June 21.
The gardens’ elegant setting was the backdrop for its premier fundraiser. The party began with a reception and silent auction at Aldridge House, followed by dinner outside under the pavilion and a live auction.
Aldridge Gardens offers 30 acres of nature, including its renowned hydrangeas, a 6-acre lake and a walking trail. ❖
Ready to get wild?
ZOO PARTY 2024! Join us for a fun evening as we raise awareness and early detection of esophageal cancer. There will be an awesome DJ, drawings for great prizes, games and wonderful appetizers at this amazing venue. Cash bar.
August 3, 2024 7-9 PM Birmingham Zoo $50
Kay Aldridge, Frank and Mary Skinner, Janice Farr
David and Melissa Miller
Patti and Doug Black
Kim Bullock, Ken Jackson
Donna Bishop, Stephanie McClinton, Alysia Rafalskyx
Tommy Hudson, Cathy Cucliff Phyllis and Grady Stone
About 3,000 employees and guests recently gathered in Birmingham to celebrate Brasfield & Gorrie’s 60 years in business.
Miller Gorrie founded Brasfield & Gorrie as a local contractor in Birmingham in 1964. Since then, it has grown from a local contractor to a national firm that employees 3,700 people. It has constructed projects in 39 states and has offices in 13 cities
“It’s rewarding to see all the things we’ve built, but I’m even more pleased by the impact we’ve made on people and communities while working hand-in-hand with our clients and partners,” CEO Jim Gorrie said in a press release. “We’re stronger than we’ve ever been, and our future is bright. Our current, third generation of leadership is the most talented we’ve ever had, and there are a lot of lessons from our past that can fuel our future.”
One of those third-generation leaders is President Rob Blalock.
“We’re grateful to past generations of Brasfield & Gorrie employees for laying the foundation for our success,” he said in the statement. “As long as we stay true to our values, we’re positioned for an incredible future.
“Founder Miller Gorrie’s story
Vintage Interiors
Beyond the Build
of
certainly shows what you can do with determination, grit and a commitment to doing the right thing for our people and our clients. We’ve got all the
ingredients in place to support big dreams. As amazing as the first 60 years have been, I think the best is yet to come.” ❖
Photos courtesy Brasfield & Gorrie
Alie B. Gorrie joins Vince Gill (left) and Jack Schneider (right) on stage for a rendition
“You’ve Got a Friend.” Below, Superintendent Dennis Fuller, Jim and Alison Gorrie, and Holly Fuller pose for a photo at Brasfield & Gorrie‘s 60th anniversary celebration at City Walk BHAM.
Top: About 3,000 employees and guests recently gathered in Birmingham to celebrate Brasfield & Gorrie’s 60 years in business. Above, from left: Brasfield & Gorrie President Rob Blalock, Founder and Chairman Miller Gorrie and CEO Jim Gorrie.
Miller Gorrie (back) celebrates Brasfield & Gorrie‘s 60th anniversary with early company leaders Ralph, James, and David Harbison at a formal dinner at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Along with Miller Gorrie, James Harbison was one of the company’s five founders.
Brews at the Zoo
Beer Tasting Raises Money for Zoo’s Animal Fund
Tastings from more than 20 breweries in Alabama and throughout the Southeast were on tap at the Birmingham Zoo’s fundraiser, Zoo Brews, on June 8.
The event at the zoo is a signature favorite, with guests sampling brews from Abita to Yellowhammer Brewing for a penny each. Pennies collected are donated to the zoo’s Animal Fund.
Red Diamond provided samples of iced tea, and hungry partygoers had their choice among several food trucks for savories and sweets. ❖
Join us for the 18th annual Antiques at the Gardens
OCTOBER 3 - 6, 2024 benefiting Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
BBGARDENS.ORG/ANTIQUES @antiquesgardensbham
presenting sponsor M c CORQUODALE TRANSFER
design sponsor LEE JOFA
Only 25 years old, Vestavia resident, John Michael Pierce passed away five months after his cancer diagnosis in 2021.
Like so many of us, John Michael was unaware that heartburn is an early symptom of esophageal cancer that should be taken very seriously. Young adult esophageal cancer is on the rise. Since the symptoms don't seem signi most people discover it at a late stage which greatly limits treatment success.
If you have any of these symptoms persistently, see your doctor right away:
• Heartburn
• Cough or Sore Throat
• Hoarse Voice
• Hiccups or Burping Awareness can save your life.
Katie McAllister, Sarah Aubert, Emily Daffron
Madison Glusenkamp, Allyson Jansen, Jill Bowyer
Luke Hanson, Rebecca Rogers
Kala Spivey, Chelsea Craig Lety and Rob Wills
Sydney and Michael Windham
Molly Keesling, Kelly McAllister
Tully Hamner, Laura Stubblefield, Abbi Crosier
Alicia Sanderson, Hannah Haleyam
Golfing for Protection
Megan Montgomery Foundation Works to Eliminate Relationship Violence
The Megan Montgomery Foundation hosted its 2nd annual Charity Golf
Among Young Adults
Outing on June 3 at Greystone Founders Golf Course.
Fifteen foursomes participated in the event, which benefits Megan’s foundation for early intervention of relationship violence. The group aims to empower young adults to hold peers accountable for early unhealthy behaviors before they escalate to violence.
The foundation in its first two years has distributed a total of $161,000 to schools and nonprofits for healthy relationship education programs, with grants to Gadsden State Community College, Alabama State University, Marion Military Institute, Samford University, UAB Student Wellness, University of West Alabama, Wallace State Community College, Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama and many other groups.
The foundation is the namesake of Megan Montgomery, who was slain by her estranged husband in 2019. It was founded by Megan’s mother, Susann Montgomery-Clark; sister, Meredith Montgomery; and stepdad, Rod Clark.
and ‘Cue
Lady of Sorrows July 4th Festival
Food, Games and Shopping
Crowds flocked to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on July 4 for its 75th annual Fourth of July Festival.
The always-popular event at the Homewood church featured plenty of barbecue, children’s activities and games.
The Trash and Treasure yard sale was a huge draw as festivalgoers looked through a treasure trove of household items, linens, furniture, lamps, toys and thousands of other items. ❖
They advocate and educate on relationship violence and have presented more than 74 times at organizations across the state.
Presenting sponsor for the golf outing was Medical Properties Trust, with bronze sponsors Grandview Financial, BTC Wholesale Distributors, Caring
For information about grants for schools or nonprofits, visit megansfoundation.org or call 205568-7474. ❖
Foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Bailey Health & Wellness, Bailey Insurance & Investments.
Allen Morrison, Susan McDaniel, Connie Laminack, Gene Laminack.
Woody Alderman, Tom Downs, Phil Lozito, Rod Clark
Jay Little, Don Ruttenberg, Brett Kukendall, Travis Grappo
Ana Hall, Randal and Iris Roberts
John High, Burt Nabors
James Alan Owen manning the grill on July 3
Kenny and Tracy Adams
Linda Lucas, Dick Stanford
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
The Birmingham Chapter of the National Association of Arts and Letters installed new officers and held its awards luncheon on April 17. Officers reelected and installed were President Catherine Rogers, Vice President and Program Chair
Mary Lynda Crockett, Recording
Secretary Becky Thomas, Corresponding
Secretary Gail Ledbetter and Treasurer Kathryn De Cola.
tition and received a $2,000 prize.
During the luncheon, recognition was given to the following members
At the awards luncheon, Judith Hayes Hand was recognized as the recipient of the Rosamon Henderson Service Award for outstanding service to the chapter. Rachel Oppmann presented a program as the winner of the Chapter Musical Theatre Competition, chaired by Les Fillmer. She later placed sixth nationally in that compe-
for their service during the year: Stephanie Byrne, Peggy Carlisle, Judy Cook, Patricia Dice, Tallulah Hargrove, Ruth Jensen, Esta Kamplain, Rebecca Keyes, Carolyn Satterfield, Bennetta Wyatt and Janice Zeanah.
New members at the meeting were Donna Antoon, Beatriz Arciniegas, Virgil Jenson, Mary Beth Katz,
nized. Sophia Congya won first place in the Winston Visual Art Scholarship in Two-Dimensional Art in the 16-18 category, and the third place Musical Theatre Prize honored the late Edith Bauman, who was a longtime member of the association. ❖
Robin Maynard, Donna McCurry, Terri Moore, Dr. Deborah Sanders and John M. Thomas.
Other members in attendance were Edie Barnes Martha Lee Culp, Lisa DeVivo, Cindy Free, Murray Phillips, Megan Picot, Janice Roberts, Julia and Denis Stork, Sue Watkins, along with a number of guests, including Tom Cleage, Joe Dice, Cathy Gresham, George, Emily, Tobie and Trevor Hand and Celia McGrath.
During the National Association of Arts and Letters’ annual meeting on May 10, several local members in addition to Oppmann were recog-
Catherine Rogers with the winner of the Chapter Musical Theatre Competition, Rachel Oppmann.
Belles of the Ball
Forty-three young ladies were presented as Hoover Belles on May 5 during the city’s 41st annual presentation event, at Riverchase Country Club.
The young ladies will serve as Belles for two years while completing at least 40 hours of community service, which could include volunteering at city events, summer camps and church and local nonprofits.
Mayor Frank Brocato and City Councilman Steve McClinton were present along with state Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, according to a state-
ment from the Belles.
A crowd of more than 250 people took part in the afternoon, which included dancing and refreshments.
The Hoover Belle Committee was responsible for the day’s event. Barbara Henry and Donna Bagwell served as co-chairs of this year’s event.
Additional members of the Hoover Belle Committee include President Melinda King, Jaime Guess, Shelley Shaw, Keneisha Alford, Jennifer Cotney, Cathy Head and Kay Witt.
Hoover Service Club Greets New Members at Annual Coffee Meeting
The Hoover Service Club held its annual Membership Coffee at Aldridge Gardens on April 11.
About 60 Hoover Service Club members and 15 visitors attended the event, with eight new members signing up.
The new members are Anita
Dark, April Bucki, Mary Ann Reeves, Cathy Reeves, Roberta Willard, Rita Dinkel, Megan Crumpton and Kelly Atchison.
Members and guests collected donations for Grace House Ministries and the girls it supports who are graduating high school this spring.
The Hoover Service Club was organized by Flora Mae Pike and 10 other women in May 1975 for the purpose of helping others in the Hoover community. ❖
Shelley Shaw, Ann Marie Harvey
Roberta Atkinson, Melinda Springfield, Marie Haggard, Sally MacDonald
Janet Ezekiel, Kristen Valentine, Jean Ingram Frances Brocato, Debbie Rutherford, Laura Cooper
HOME
By SuSan Swagler
For four decades, Kathy G. Mezrano has set the standard for entertaining in Birmingham and beyond. But some of her favorite parties have been gatherings for family and friends in her own Vestavia Hills home.
It’s here, in a house that is subtly separated into public and private spaces, that she loves living her passion for sharing good food and making people feel special.
She certainly knows how to do it.
Kathy G, as she’s known to everyone, founded her catering firm, Kathy G & Co., in the early 1980s. It’s one of the premier catering and event companies in the Southeast, and it’s a family
business; her son, Jason, trained as a chef and now runs day-to-day operations.
She wrote about her entertaining lifestyle in her book, “Food, Fun & Fabulous,” in which she shares tips and recipes based on her Southern roots and Lebanese heritage and the tasty experience of growing up with a dad in the wholesale produce business.
“I love being a hostess,” she writes in her book, “and I have been one all my life, even with my kids. From setting the table to having all the ‘colors’ or food groups represented, I’ve always felt that one element was as important as the other for the total experience.”
She has catered a formal, plated seated dinner for a thousand people in the casting shed at Sloss Furnaces; she’s made Spanish paella working
It’s About the Experience
Award-Winning Caterer Kathy G. Mezrano Is Perfectly at Home Entertaining
from a loading dock at the Saks department store to serve several hundred guests at the elegant Alabama Ballet Pointe Ball; she’s thrown her own taverna party complete with a Greek DJ and lots of ouzo in the Garden’s Café by Kathy G at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens; and she’s created countless lasting memories for close friends and family in her own dining room.
An Entertaining Design
She and her late husband, Louis, purchased their mid-century home about 30 years ago and set about renovating it with entertaining in mind. They expanded the kitchen, working around a huge Wolf range with a commercial-grade hood, to create a professional workspace that’s big enough to film cooking classes. Her extensive
PUBLIC PEOPLE | PRIVATE PLACES
Kathy G’s own cookbook, Food, Fun & Fabulous, is just one in her collection of hundreds featuring foods from around the world. She’s standing in front of an antique butcher block that once was in her in-laws’ grocery store in Lakeview. Right: Giant feathers, beads, and masks for each guest set the stage for a Mardi Gras-themed party for a friend. Kathy G loves working within a theme.
cookbook collection colorfully fills a wall near an antique butcher block that came from her father-in-law’s Lakeview grocery store years ago.
What had been the dining room is now a small home office where Kathy G still conducts catering company business. And a new dining room was created in an airy, light-filled space that once was a game room.
This room, most notably, has not one but two large, round, glass dining tables. Kathy G said she’s had as many as 25 people in this room for dinner, but it’s especially suited for parties of 12 to 16.
Colorful paintings by the internationally known Nall and beloved Birmingham artist Susan Oliver as well as one by Arizona artist John Dawson decorate the walls that are not filled with windows overlooking the ridgeand-valley views. There’s an intimate, conversation-ready seating area with comfortable chairs and a loveseat. An antique tea caddy works as a small portable bar. A sideboard, when not used for serving or food displays, showcases two funky, modern art head sculptures from a trip to Sicily.
friends, have never walked through
Kathy G’s front door. She has them enter the house directly into this dining room for an immediate immersion into whatever she has planned.
It’s Always an Immersion
It starts, she said, with “setting the stage from the minute the person enters the space.”
She said: “It’s the full experience. Not just the food. I’m not a chef. It’s never been about that. To me, it’s the entire experience. The minute you walk in the door, wherever it is, … you’ve got to have the music, the setting, the lighting, the design. It’s got to be totally an experience. The food’s part of it. The drinks are part of it. The music’s part of it, but it’s the whole experience to me. That’s what it’s about. It’s just entertaining.”
to mark a milestone birthday showed up to a festive surprise party starring freshly shucked Murder Point oysters from Bayou La Batre and perfectly plump and briny royal red shrimp. Her favorite friends and family gathered around Kathy G’s two tables with twin lazy Susans filled to almost overflowing with the oysters and shrimp, sauces, slaw, crackers and colorful Texas caviar.
Kathy G’s own family dinners of homemade Lebanese foods like kib-
bee, stuffed grape leaves and tabouli often end with Monopoly tournaments at these same tables.
The room, separated from the kitchen by an eat-at, serve-from bar, is always ready. Kathy G is always ready. The key to easy entertaining, she said, is to make it easy on yourself.
“Just make it where you can enjoy it, too, and you’re not working the whole time.”
“I love being a hostess,” she writes in her book, “and I have been one all my life, even with my kids. From setting the table to having all the ‘colors’ or food groups represented, I’ve always felt that one element was as important as the other for the total experience.” See KATHY G, page 22
Date:
So, she’s topped the twin tables with extravagant feather displays, lots of beads and masks and thrown a Mardi Gras-themed dinner for a friend.
She’s set lavish Tuscan tables filled with crostini; assorted dips; and pasta, couscous and orzo salads bright with tomatoes, feta, parsley, lemon and mint.
It’s in this room that her magic happens. Most people, even longtime
One friend who simply wanted “a few raw oysters and some royal reds”
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From page 21
Use serving pieces for everyday decor so they are always close at hand. She loves Tena Payne’s Earthborn Pottery footed bowls, platters and pedestal pieces.
Think outside the box, she said, piling focaccia into a cork catch-all tray she brought back from a trip to Portugal. She loves lining serving platters with fresh grape leaves plucked from the vines growing on her fence. She gathers branches from the white fig tree her family brought from Lebanon decades ago and casually arranges them in a ceramic container next to another – more composed – display of florals by local designer Rita Carson. The contrast is beautiful and feels effortless. Recently, her two dining tables were decorated with large, tinted-glass jugs filled with whimsical tropical bouquets complete with baby bananas from Trader Joe’s.
This is a woman who can put together a guest-ready snack in about five minutes. Her go-to summer nosh? Slices of fresh Chilton County peaches and colorful heirloom tomatoes arranged around creamy burrata cheese, drizzled with balsamic glaze and served with fresh focaccia. During cooler months, she said, switch out the cheese for something heartier like an aged cheddar and add French bread, cured meats, grapes and seasonal fruits such as pears.
Kathy G’s living room with its family photos and Frank Fleming porcelain sculptures and her wormwood-paneled family room with its fireplace and cozy seating are generally not used for entertaining anyone
THE ART OF DESIGN
Updates to your home are always fun. But, where to start?
As Rick Batson, a retired architect and owner of Trublue, says “Smart design accomplishes several things. You want the design to be beautiful but also add value.” Ask yourself ‘What would improve both the look and functionality of my home and which project adds the most value.’ It can be a real art to get the right combination. Getting the advice of a professional can help.
Here’s a few ideas:
• Update colors! It’s the easiest way to refresh your home. The newest colors are bright and colorful. Painting even just one feature wall can make a big impact.
• Bathroom renovations and kitchen renovations can get a higher return on the investment if
you plan to sell. Paint, re-grout and install new fixtures for a value-added, updated look.
• Install a porch or deck to enjoy now and add value in the future.
• For seniors, replace knobs on doors and fixtures with lever handles, replace old dim lights to bright in darker areas and add grab bars in areas where a fall is mostly like to occur. This is a real value in that it looks good plus makes it easier to live there for a long time saving thousands over moving to assisted living.
• Invest in maintaining your home! It will not only make it safer, it will add value to any resale vs having to do major repairs later on.
For small renovations, repairs and updates call Trublue at 205-839-3818.
other than immediate family, but she can easily take parties outside and often does. There’s a large outdoor dining table in a backyard with views of Oak Mountain and Double Oak Mountain.
A neat kitchen garden of herbs and vegetables and beds of colorful native plants that attract bees and butterflies surround a small lawn. Beyond that is a glistening blue pool, lounge chairs in the sunny spots of the deck and lots of covered seating next to a hot tub.
No matter where she entertains, though, one thing is constant: This beloved grand dame of events and catering simply wants her guests to relax and have fun in a welcoming space.
“I want people to have a great time,” she says. “It’s more about the experience for me. Whether you’re doing food or wine or whatever. I want people to say, ‘It was fun. It was a good time. It was a good experience.’”
Kathy G’s home is made for seasonal entertaining. She often uses the grape leaves growing on a backyard fence, below, to line platters of food.
From left: Journal photo by Maury Wald; Courtesy Kathy G
Kathy G’s Tips for Home Entertaining
Kathy G. Mezrano, founder of the catering firm Kathy G & Co., knows a thing or two about throwing a party. She shares a few tips here.
• Set the stage and consider all your senses. “It’s about more than food,” Kathy G said. Incorporate lighting, music, florals, interesting table décor and nice-smelling candles to welcome your guests.
• Let nature be your inspiration and create a feeling of abundance. Go big with displays of flowers, fruit or vegetables from the local farmers’ market. Gather greenery and branches from your own yard.
“I love local,” Kathy G said.
• Use various levels when staging food displays. Put platters on risers; pile crackers into pedestal bowls. This vertical approach allows you to put more on the table and creates that sense of abundance.
• Start with white plates. “You can do anything with a white plate,” Kathy G said. They are a blank canvas for any type of food or theme.
“Think about what you want the event to feel like and then just layer in the accessories that speak to you,” she writes in her book. “Use rustic pieces like copper, wood, or pottery to add texture.”
• Have a theme. Her book is full of them, from Asian buffets to Tuscan tables. A theme makes the food and drinks, the décor and the music all come together in a way that is intentional and seems effortless.
VESTAVIA’S PREMIERE GREEN HOME COMMUNITY
Date: April
FOOD Planting the Seeds of Tradition
FOOD+Culture Chooses Anson Mills Founder as 2024 Frank Stitt Award Recipient
By Donna Cornelius
From gathering for Sunday dinners to preserving grandmother’s treasured recipes, Southerners take their food customs seriously.
So, it makes sense that this year’s Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival is presenting a prestigious award to a man in the forefront of celebrating, preserving and enhancing Southern culinary traditions.
Glenn Roberts, founder of Anson Mills in Charleston, South Carolina, is the 2024 recipient of the Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence, which FOOD+Culture started to honor individuals who have significant positive influence in their communities as well as the culinary industry at large. Last year’s honoree was Stitt himself.
The festival, set for Sept. 19-22, debuted just last year, but it’s already started its own tradition of success.
The four-day event drew visitors from 18 states, generated positive press and even made USA Today’s list of the 10 best new festivals in the U.S.
Return to Native Soil
Roberts founded Anson Mills in 1998 with the mission to rematriate lost foods of the 18th and 19th centuries South. Early on, he grew Carolina Gold rice, which is a variety of African long-grain rice first popularized in South Carolina. Today, Anson Mills also offers prized wholesale and retail products such as native coarse blue corn grits, cornmeal, polenta, wheat and rye flours, oats, Sea Island red peas and benne seeds.
Another facet of the company is
its culinary research support for pastry chefs, bakers, brewers and distillers through the Anson Mills Research Lab.
Stitt has high praise for Roberts.
“Anson Mills and the work of Glenn Roberts is truly transformative – making the world a better place to live, eat, farm and cook,” Stitt said.
“His work improves the pantry for all of us Southern cooks. He is like a culinary anthropologist who seeks that remote valley where an old-fashioned farmer has been saving seeds for countless generations, and he has been able to grow sufficient seed stock to bring back varieties on the verge of extinction.”
Roberts is a recipient of the USA Artisan of the Year and National Pathfinder Award and is a founder of the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation.
Cathy Sloss Jones, Sloss Real Estate CEO/president and FOOD+Culture’s board president, called Glenn’s dedication to preserving the South’s culinary heritage and
A reception honoring Glenn Roberts will be held at the Birmingham Museum of Art on Sept. 19.
“His innovative approach not only enriches our culinary experiences but also strengthens our community’s connection to our agricultural roots,” she said. “In the state of Alabama, we have a rich history of farming, and we
‘Anson Mills and the work of Glenn Roberts is truly transformative – making the world a better place to live, eat, farm and cook.’
FRANK STITT
remain committed to supporting sustainable practices that honor and continue this legacy.”
A reception honoring Roberts will be held at the Birmingham Museum of Art on Sept. 19. It will feature passed bites by acclaimed local and regional chefs as well as signature drinks and wines curated by Thomas Price, Alabama’s only master sommelier.
In addition to the Frank Stitt Award, other popular features of last year’s festival are making a return this year. They include:
• FOOD+Heritage – a multi-course dinner celebrating Birmingham’s Greek food roots and flavors.
• Southern Living’s FOOD+Fire –a tasting event celebrating barbecue, live-fire cooking and the South’s tailgate culture.
• FOOD+Friends Dinner Series –public dinners around the city featuring surprise pop-up menus from guest chefs in participating restaurants.
For more information about these and other festival events, visit bhamfoodplus.com, and follow @bhamfoodplus on social media for updates. Early bird tickets for FOOD+Frank and other 2024 Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival events are available for purchase on the website starting July 10.
La Dolce Vita
Inaugural Festa Italiana Celebrates All Things Italian
Italian food, music and culture were celebrated June 15 at Sloss Furnaces during Festa Italiana, the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham’s inaugural event.
Cannolis, Italian sausage, pizza, gelato and other delectable Italian foods were devoured as festivalgoers were entertained by “The Music of Italy.” Among the performers was Razz Ma Tazz, a group featuring Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Frank Ranelli and Tommy Vacarella, singing the timeless classic, “Che La Luna.”
Grape-stomping, bocce games, a Sugo Showdown competition for the best pasta sauce and a children’s village were among the many activities during the day.
Growing Fruits and Veggies Is What the Doctor Ordered for Cancer Survivors
Vegetable gardening can improve the health of previously sedentary cancer survivors.
That’s the outcome of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University and recently published in JAMA Network Open.
The Harvest for Health clinical trial involved 381 cancer survivors between the ages of 50 and 95 who consumed fewer than five servings of vegetables and fruit a day and completed less than 150 minutes of physical activity a week, according to a press release from UAB.
ty.
“Findings from the study showed that the survivors increased their intake of vegetables by roughly onethird of a serving per day,” said principal investigator Wendy DemarkWahnefried, Ph.D., professor and Webb Endowed Chair of Nutrition Sciences in UAB’s School of Health Professions.
Cancer survivors are at much greater risk than the general population of developing a second cancer, heart diseases and diabetes ...
Half of the participants were begun on a gardening program immediately and half were put on a waitlist to begin a year later. Survivors in the active group were given gardening supplies and were guided by certified master gardeners from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
UAB study staff measured survivors’ strength, balance and agility, along with collecting biospecimens and information on vegetable and fruit consumption and physical activi-
“They also had significant increases in mobility and function, perceived health and improvements in their gut microflora, when compared to the delayed intervention group.”
Cancer survivors are at much greater risk than the general population of developing a second cancer, heart diseases and diabetes, and they age at a faster rate and are more apt to become debilitated and lose their independence, DemarkWahnefried said in the statement from UAB.
“Interventions that can support them in making healthier food choices, such as eating more vegetables, and providing more opportunities to increase physical activity are crucial,” she said.
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.
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Heather Watts, Abriella Watts
Anna Kay Springer, Jennifer Hoffman
Lucas Johnson, Adriana Johnson
John Carroll’s Steele Recognized for Making a Difference
By RuBin E. GRant
Ronald Steele was caught off guard, something that rarely happened on the court when he was earning back-to-back Alabama Mr. Basketball awards and leading John Carroll Catholic to consecutive state championships 20 years ago.
But Steele was taken aback when he was included among seven 2024 Making a Difference Award recipients by the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association.
The award is given to individuals who have been exemplary role models in their schools and communities. One recipient from each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications was selected from approximately 90 nominations submitted by AHSAA member schools and other support organizations or individuals.
Steele, John Carroll’s principal and boys basketball coach, is the Class 5A recipient.
CHANDLER
From Page One
gold medal in 3-meter springboard diving in the Montreal Olympics. She led from the first dive and won by nearly 50 points over silver medalist Krista Kohler of what was then the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany.
“It’s the most proud I’ve ever felt,” Chandler said. “Just representing the United States is amazing; getting a medal is the cherry on top.”
The year before, Chandler won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, but doing it in the Olympics was monumental.
“My life changed instantaneously when I saw my name at the top,” Chandler said. “It changed it forever. I’m where I am today because of what happened that night. My entire life, that experience has influenced everything I’ve done in some way.
“I’m continuing to represent my city, my state and my country. It’s opened all kinds of doors for me, and I’ve gotten to travel extensively because of it.”
After the 1976 Olympics, Chandler returned home to Alabama, finished high school and accepted a diving scholarship to Ohio State University. She later transferred to the University of California at Irvine and eventually graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in drawing and painting.
She competed in the 1978 World Championships and qualified for the U.S. 1980 Olympics team, but the United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics to protest the Soviet Union’s presence in Afghanistan.
“You can’t really put into words how disappointing that was,” Chandler said. “I was so fortunate that I had already had a chance to compete.”
“It was a surprise when I found out,” Steele said. “I am really humbled by it. To be recognized for something positive like that is something I feel good about.”
Each honoree will be recognized at the 2024 AHSAA Summer Conference Championship Coaches’ Awards Banquet, which will be held July 18 at 6 p.m. at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
As a student-athlete at John Carroll, Steele was a recognizable name at virtually every high school across the AHSAA. Playing point guard, he led the Cavaliers to back-to-back Class 6A state basketball titles in 2003 and 2004 and helped put more than 18,000 fans in the BJCC for the state finals against Parker in 2004. He earned All-America honors and the prestigious Mr. Basketball Award in 2003 and 2004, becoming the first player in AHSAA
state history to earn the award twice.
Following high school, Steele went to the University of Alabama and became a leader on the Crimson Tide basketball team. Injuries prevented him from playing in the NBA, but he did play professionally in Israel for several years.
When his playing days ended, Steele returned home to Birmingham. He has served in various roles at John Carroll, including teacher, coach, athletic director and principal. He has coached girls and boys basketball and is planning to double as principal and boys basketball coach next school year.
Steele just completed his first year as principal.
“It wasn’t a big learning curve ‘cause I’ve been at John Carroll a significant number of years,” he said. “It was a really positive experience for me, being in a leadership position like that, but it was a lot of long nights and jug-
gling.”
Steele, 38, doesn’t know how long he will continue to do double duty as principal and basketball coach.
“Basketball has always been something I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid,” he said. “It will always be a part of my life. Doing both is something I’ll look at every year. I want to do what’s best for the students.”
Steele’s impact on the students and faculty is more about his personal faith and example and how he treats others daily. His nominator, Dr. Banyon Allison, wrote in his nomination letter:
“Coach Ronald Steele is the most humble person I know. He has a deep belief in God that manifests in his relationship with students. He sponsors Sports Leader, Toy Bowl, and Cavalier Attack. All of these are Christian-based organizations that develop basketball skills, but more importantly, character building habits. His players, while not perfect, follow Coach Steele’s high expectations of work ethic, respecting rules, and working hard in the classroom.”
Chandler retired soon after the boycott because of back injuries and later became a diving commentator on television.
She began diving when she was 8 years old at the Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club, where her mother, Kay, a former diver, was the swim team manager. Chandler went on to win more than 100 first-place medals in diving competitions. She was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1987.
Intense Pressure
She said the hardest thing she had to do in her Olympic career was make the team, especially in 1976 because the U.S. had plenty of depth in diving.
“The U.S. is different because the only way you can become an Olympian is to make the team,” Chandler said. “I remember in my sport, a male diver had won every national competition for four years and he barely hit his toe on the diving board during the U.S. Trials and it threw him off, and he didn’t make the team. It was horrible because athletes
The Making a Difference Award was established in 2011 by the AHSAA and AHSADCA to recognize individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher or administrator. This year’s recipients include one school system superintendent, one principal, two football coaches/athletic directors, two girls head basketball coaches, and one bowling and golf coach.
“The recipients in this 2024 Making a Difference class are excellent examples of men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving students with positive reinforcement, kindness and compassion,” said outgoing AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs.
“They take their positions as role models for their students, faculty, and community very seriously and have shown exceptional leadership and determination in the challenges each has faced. These individuals have spent their entire teaching, coaching and administrative careers making a major positive impact in their communities and schools across the state and are excellent examples of what this award stands for.”
‘It’s the most proud I’ve ever felt. Just representing the United States is amazing; getting a medal is the cherry on top.’
JENNIFER CHANDLER
Olympics,’ you will start putting more pressure on yourself. The only person who can put pressure on you is you. I’d say enjoy the moment and have fun.”
make sacrifices all the time just to make the team.”
Once on the team, Chandler had to manage her nerves. It’s the same advice she would give to athletes competing in Paris.
“I would tell them to make sure they stay in the moment as much as they can,” she said. “When I was competing in the Olympics, I could have talked myself off the ledge, but I told myself that these are the same 10 dives I’ve been doing and it’s just a matter of doing what’s next.
“If you start saying, ‘This is the
These days, Chandler, 65, is the director of community outreach for Vulcan Park & Museum after serving three years as director of development. Prior to joining VPM in 2021, Chandler spent 10 years in development and special events at organizations such as the Lakeshore Foundation and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
In two weeks, she will be keeping a keen eye on Paris.
“I participated in 1976 and I was on the 1980 team that didn’t participate because of the boycott,” Chandler said. “I was a spectator at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and the 1996 Games in Atlanta. I am not going to Paris, but I will be watching, and I will be in LA for the 2028 Games.”
Ronald Steele
Courtesy Jennifer Chandler
one state championship, either boys or girls, every year except for 2013.
“What I’m most proud of is we took both teams to the state tournament every year, and we were always in the best sectional competition,” Farlow said. “When we dropped down to Class 6A (from 7A in 2021) it was super competitive, especially the girls, because of the private schools, but we still managed to win.”
Farlow received the AHSAA State Championship Coach Award for both teams multiple times. But she is quick to point out that she benefited from being around great players.
“They needed me and I needed them,” Farlow said. “They were all
JACKSON
From page 28
player.
“He’s got a talent level that you only expect to see come through a program a couple of times,” Kersh said. “Everything seems to come so naturally to him. He can do incredible things with the ball.”
Jackson’s talent extends beyond the soccer field. A long-time pianist and an accomplished creative writer, Jackson has volunteered locally as a
talented players and I reaped the benefits. I loved watching them perform.
“I also give their parents a lot of credit. They always provided great support.”
Roy, who will play in college at Creighton University, said she was fortunate to play under Farlow’s tutelage.
“I’m so lucky to have had coach Farlow as a mentor and leader during all four years,” Roy said. “I’m really proud to be the MBHS player to win seven state No. 1 singles and doubles titles and also to be a part of a four-peat state championship team.
“I’m the only player on the team going to college on a DI tennis scholarship in the fall, so I had some unique challenges when it came to scheduling over the last two seasons. I needed to compete in national USTA and ITF tournaments around the country and I also had a
youth mentor. He also has donated time to multiple community service initiatives through Trinity United Methodist Church, which he attends. In the classroom, Jackson maintained a weighted 4.02 GPA.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track and field. It
couple of injuries that sidelined my play.
“Throughout the seasons, coach Farlow supported my high school and collegiate tennis goals and I’m so thankful to her, (assistant) coach (Glenn) Lamar and my teammates for a wonderful high school tennis experience.
“Coach Farlow is my role model, and I will be a better teammate, student and leader when I play at Creighton because of her.”
Farlow is uncertain what she’s going to do in her next chapter. She joked that her daughter Virginia told her she could come take care of her son and clean house. She told her no thanks and said she’d find something to do with her time.
Farlow and her husband, Sam, have three children and five grandchildren, all 5 and under.
Farlow is glad to be going out on
awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.
The Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.
Jackson joins recent Gatorade state boys soccer Players of the Year Cristian Barrientos (2023, Fort Payne), Jack Heaps (2022, Mountain Brook), Jackson Nabors (2021, Indian Springs) and Tony Shaw (2020, Vestavia Hills).
top.
“I feel like I can still do it, but I told myself there always has to be a time when you leave, so why not leave on a high note,” she said. “I’m leaving with the program in good shape.”
John Carroll’s Steele recognized for making a difference Page 26
‘AWESOME AWARD’
Homewood’s Jackson Named Gatorade State Boys Soccer Player of the Year
By RuBin E. GRant
Will Jackson received his cherry on top.
First, Jackson signed a soccer scholarship with Wake Forest, becoming the first Homewood High School boys soccer player to sign with an Atlantic Coast Conference school.
Next, he led Homewood to the Class 6A state championship in the spring, scoring two goals in the Patriots’ 3-1 victory against Spanish Fort in the championship game to earn tournament MVP honors.
Finally, in June, Jackson was named the Gatorade 2024 Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year, becoming the first such honoree chosen from Homewood.
The award celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
“I’m super honored,” Jackson said. “I thought it was the best season in my three years at Homewood High School. It’s great to see the work I put in myself and with the team come to fruition with such an awesome award.
“I’ve been looking forward to getting this since my sophomore year and to finally have it is great, especially coming in my favorite season. It’s the perfect ending, the cherry on top.”
During his senior season, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound midfielder/forward scored 26 goals and recorded 21 assists while leading the Patriots to a 23-2-3 record. He was selected Class 6A first team all-state and as a member of the Super All-State team. He concluded his prep soccer career with 63 goals and 37 assists.
Briarwood coach Mike Bautista said Jackson was creative when he got the ball.
“He was smart in where he attacked, roaming to find a better angle to be more dangerous. Will has been pivotal for Homewood for years and is vital to their success.”
‘Everything seems to come so naturally to him. He can do incredible things with the ball.’
Jackson, whose dad, Todd Jackson, played at Furman University, joined the Homewood soccer team as a sophomore. He spent his freshman year playing in the MLS Next youth soccer program in Nashville.
Homewood coach Julian Kersh described Jackson as a highly skilled
See JACKSON, page 27
Jennifer Chandler recalls winning diving gold medal at Montreal Olympics Page One
‘On a High Note’
Farlow Retiring as Mountain Brook’s Tennis Coach
By RuBin E. GRant
When Susan Farlow was hired as Mountain Brook’s boys and girls tennis coach in 2008, she admitted that then-athletics director Terry Cooper was taking a risk.
“I have to give Terry a lot of credit because I was 50 when he hired me,” Farlow said.
“So, he was taking a chance.”
Some chance!
Farlow won 18 state championships – 10 girls and eight boys – and is the only tennis coach in the Alabama High School Athletic Association to rank in the top five for both boys and girls titles.
Now, Farlow, 68, is retiring after 17 seasons.
Farlow won 18 state championships – 10 girls and eight boys –and is the only tennis coach in the Alabama High School Athletic Association to rank in the top five for both boys and girls titles.
“I feel like it’s time for somebody young to take over,” Farlow said. “I’ve been thinking about it for several years. But we had a group of players that I wanted to be around through their senior year. It’s the greatest group of kids I had and I wanted to graduate with them.”
Led by seniors Pippa Roy, twins Annie and Mae Mae Lacey, Mary Neale Polk, Ann Coleman and Liza Brewer, the Spartans girls this spring captured their seventh consecutive state title, not counting the 2020 season that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the boys, featuring seniors Luke Schwefler and Guy Mitchell, won their second consecutive state crown.
All eight seniors had been a part of the program since they were freshmen.
“I knew they would be superstars,” Farlow said.
And they were, as Mountain Brook swept the boys and girls Class 6A state titles for the past two seasons.
Including her first season in 2008, Farlow guided the Spartans to at least
See FARLOW,
Mountain Brook boys and girls tennis coach Susan Farlow, left, with senior Pippa Roy following the Spartan’s seventh consecutive title this spring.
