OTMJ 9.21.23

A Diplomat of Decorating

TIES

ABOUT TOWN 4

NEWS 8

LIFE 10

otmj.com

Guest Column

From the Hamptons to Homewood

For the past nine months, I have woken up every morning in Homewood, Alabama. Geez, how the heck did this Hamptons, New York, celebrity journalist get here?

That said, I am indeed so glad that I am here. I followed my son to Homewood. What a great, highly educated resident neighborhood with an absolute commitment to the community are the Homewood residents! However, Harrington is definitely the odd bird out here in Alabama.

Let’s start with the weather…is this the hottest place on earth, I think it challenges the Gobi Dessert? Two weeks ago when it was 97 degrees here, I checked the weather in my Hampton’s town of Quogue, New York, and it was 76 degrees.

Now here in Alabama, I have become acquainted with Publix Supermarkets – never encountered one in New York. My family sent Grandpa out for a few items, and while waiting online, I started a chat with a 20-something young lady, and after talking about what we each did for a living, she asked me who was the most famous person I ever interviewed. I thought about it and said, “Mary Poppins.” To my absolute surprise she said, “Who is that?’’

SOCIAL 12

HOME 18

SPORTS 28

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 September 21, 2023

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald

Copy Editor: Virginia Martin

Features Writer: Donna Cornelius

Staff Writers: Ana Good, June Mathews, Anne Ruisi

Photographer: Jordan Wald

Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant

Contributors: Emil Wald, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch

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

Vol. 33, No. 4

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 2023 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.

I am a life-long Episcopalian and found my way to All Saints Episcopal Church in Homewood and now understand why parishioners wear T-shirts to church. In New York, for the most part, every man wears a suit or sports coat with a tie to church. No tie, but Harrington still wears his sear-sucker, blue-white striped sports coat. Hey guys, I do get some looks from the beautiful senior ladies in the pews. At some point, this ancient New Yorker will gather the courage to approach one of these Southern beauties.

The one thing I can say without exception, Alabamians are some of the friendliest, most engaging people I have ever met, and I have literally traveled the world. Besides numerous visits to Europe, including England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, I was a member of The National Shakespeare Company, and during the 1982-83 national tour, I played 44 states and 120 cities in 11 months in the United States. Believe me, I know America and I can say Alabama is a great stay!

Over the Mountain Views

Really, a generation that does not know about the iconic movie “Mary Poppins,” or know Dame Julie Andrews. I had the privilege of interviewing Dame Julie over lunch at the historic American Hotel in Sag Harbor in the Hamptons. She brought her daughter with her and during the interview, my daughter, Sterling Bliss Harrington, gave me a call. My wife died very young and I was left with a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old, so every call that came in I took.

Dame Julie said to me, “How nice, you pick your phone up for your child during an interview, good for you! Her name is Sterling, how wonderful!”

I responded, “Better than that, her middle name is Bliss from my maternal Scottish side of the family, Sterling Bliss … Shining Peace!”

Dame Andrews dropped her knife and fork to the table and said, “That is the most beautiful name I have ever heard.”

To my surprise, her daughter immediately smacked Dame Julie on the arm and said, “Yeah, and I got Emma?”

Douglas MacKaye Harrington is a four time Press Club award-winning, semi-retired New York journalist who recently moved to Alabama to live with his son and his family in Homewood.

Check this Out

The O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village reopened as of Wednesday. The library has been closed for repairs since the spring after having been flooded by a burst pipe. But repairs have been completed and the library opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the director. It is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Curbside pick-up still is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.6 p.m., but it has been moved to the rear of the building. However, the Jefferson County Sewer Department still is working on Dan Watkins Drive, so allow extra time to get to the library and park. “This has been a difficult summer,” Director Lindsy Gardner said in her statement. “The staff and I are extremely excited to see you in person on September 20!”

Douglas MacKaye Harrington

OPA!

Greek Food Festival will be celebrating 50 years with food and dance

NEVER FORGET Stair climb in Hoover held to remember the events of 9/11

IPC TOUR IS BACK Holiday House returns for 74th year with in-person tour PAGE 23

READY FOR CHRISTMAS?

Samford Legacy League’s annual Christmas tour to showcase five decked-out homes PAGE 23

The one thing I can say without exception, Alabamians are some of the friendliest, most engaging people I have ever met ...

photo by Maury Wald

Sunrise Rotary & Vestavia Hills Rotary Clubs

Thank you for your generosity!

The community responded with $18,065 in donations to support

Vestavia Hills Student Scholarships

Vestavia Hills First Responders

Unless U * Children’s of Alabama

Critical Care Transport Team

2023 Community Cornhole

Tournament Leaders

Donation Leaders

Cahaba Benefits Group

Your Choice Senior Care

Cornhole Competition

Winning Team - Speegle Construction

Runner Up - Greenhalgh Insurance

2023 Partners

2023 Sponsors & Teams

18th Street Orientals

Air Force Won

Ascension Episcopal Bradley

Core Chiropractic

Cornhole Dads

Crawford Square Properties

Crumbl Cookies

Davenports Pizza Palace

Donato’s Pizza

Langscapes

M&M Detective

Maized & Confused

Meld Financial

Rocky Ridge Drug Co

Sage Spring Wealth Partners

Southminster Presbyterian

Taco Mama

John Henley State Farm

Vestavia Barber Shop

Vestavia Smiles Dentistry / Dr. Morgan B. Taylor

Vestavia Hills Fire

Vestavia Hills Police

Vestavia Hill Public Works

Wood & Spooner Dentistry

Doug & Tina Wilson

John Wright

The 50th Annual Greek Food Festival brings three days of Greek food and culture to Birmingham on Oct. 5 to Oct. 7.

The Holy Trinity–Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral brings the event to the city each year offering Greek cuisine, music and dancing. Greek dancers of all ages also will be performing all three days.

Parishioners cook the entrees and desserts themselves using high-quality ingredients and serve it during the festival along with Coca Cola products and Greek beer and wines. The Greek Market Place will be open to sell Mediterranean and Orthodox souvenirs.

Admission to the open air festival is free, and tents with seating will be set up for diners and people who want to kick back and watch the show.

The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day. Free parking is available in the former Liberty National parking garage, one block away on Richard Arrington Blvd. between 3rd and 4th avenues.

A drive-thru is available all three days from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Servers will greet you, take your big or small order and deliver it to your vehicle.

Thurs., Sept. 21

L’Chaim

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center and Medical Properties Trust present an inspirational program, “Here We Are: Songs from the Holocaust,” honoring the memory of Jewish composers who perished in the ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust. When: Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m. Where: Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus

Sept. 22-24

Human Rights New Works Festival Red Mountain Theatre is working to

Opa!

Greek Food Festival Will Be Celebrating 50 Years

With Food and Dance

About 30,000 people attend the festival each year. The Holy Trinity –Holy Cross Greek Orthodox parish was chartered in 1906 and is the fourth-oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the Southeast.

The Byzantine basilica will be open for self-guided tours during the three-day festival, and parishioners will be available to answer any questions. And you can call ahead to schedule tours for school, church or

spark world-changing conversations through great art that explores issues and emotions too difficult for words. Now in its sixth year, the festival will feature staged readings of three new musicals; “She Reached For Heaven” “Sam’s Room” and “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963.”

Fri., Sept. 22

Maestro’s Ball

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra hosts its largest fundraising event of the year, which can raise as much as 10% of the ASO’s operating budget. The evening will include a performance by soprano Aundi Marie Moore, (pictured) with conductor Carlos

other groups.

A portion of festival proceeds will be donated to Children’s of Alabama, Firehouse Shelter and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. Since 1972, the Greek Festival has donated more than $3 million to local and national charities. In recent years, charities that have benefited from the festival have included Children’s of Alabama, Magic Moments, The Bell Center, The Exceptional Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House, The Fire House Shelter, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Pathways, Family Connection, The Wellhouse, Jimmie Hale Mission, Safe House, Alabama Kidney Foundation, MS Society, and The Greater Birmingham Ministries. Sponsors for the event are Tasty Town Greek Restaurant and Lounge, Alabama Beverage, Norton’s Florist, Coca Cola and many more local businesses. For more information and sponsor opportunities, visit birminghamgreekfestival.net.

More information about the church and the Greek community in Birmingham is available on the church’s website, holytrinity-holycross.com under the Our Parish link.

Izcaray. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center Sat., Sept. 23

Oktoberfest at the Birmingham Zoo

Enjoy seasonal autumn brews, live music and German food favorites, including a chance to build your own brats, at this 21 and older event. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo

Head Over Teal 5K

The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation will host its annual Head Over Teal 5K and 10K in recognition of gynecological cancer awareness month. Races are pet-friendly and a fall-themed family fun festival will follow the run. When: 8 a.m. Where: The Preserve

Photos courtesy Elaine Lyda

Flamingo Flamboyance!

Birmingham Zoo Presents ZooGala ’23, Its Largest Fundraiser of the Year

ZooGala ’23: Flamingo Flamboyance! will be coming to the Birmingham Zoo on Oct. 5 with animal encounters, food, an open bar and music by Emerald Empire.

And, yes, a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.

The Party on the Plaza begins at 6:30 p.m. and goes through 10 p.m. General admission tickets are $250 and available on the zoo’s website at birminghamzoo.com/events. VIP

Sept. 23-24

Alabama Comic Con

Vendors, artists, vendors and fan groups will be on hand for this twoday family-friendly event. When: Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sept. 24, 11 a.m.5 p.m. Where: BJCC

Sun., Sept. 24

Symphony30 Picnic

Join us for one of Birmingham’s favorite fall family events and help raise money for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s outreach missions in the community. The symphony will perform a selection of music and guests will enjoy a boxed lunch by Urban Cookhouse with wine, beer, water and tea. Bring your own blanket or chairs. Tickets available through Sept. 22. When: 4 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Thur., Sept 28

Meet and Greet and Bingo!

The Friends of the Vestaivia Hills Library are hosting this free event. A great way to meet new people and have some fun. When: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library Community Room.

Sept. 29 - Oct.1

First Light, Second Light, More Light:

An Art Auction Fundraiser with 10% going directly to First Light Shelter and the remainder to help buy new eco-friendly lighting for Edgewood Presbyterian Church. Featuring the congregation’s artisans and artisan friends, artwork will include paintings, photographs, sculpture, handcrafts, and more. When: Fri., 5 - 7p.m.; Sat., 9 - 11 a.m. and 2 - 4 p.m.; Sun. Immediately following worship, three pre-selected items will be sold in a live auction to close out the event. Where: Edgewood Presbyterian Church

Fri., Sept. 29

Dinnertainment

Expect a night of exceptional entertainment by exceptional people at this dinner theater party, a fundraiser for The Exceptional Foundation. The foundation’s

Experience tickets have sold out.

ZooGala is the zoo’s largest fundraising event of the year and will be held rain or shine. Dress is outdoor cocktail, with no jacket required. It is a 21+ event, and IDs will be required upon entrance.

This year’s ZooGala is presented by First Horizon Bank and hosted by co-chairs Lacey Alford, Stephanie Cooper and Anthony C. Hood.

About 500 animals of 170 species call the Birmingham Zoo home, including orangutans, zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions and endangered species from six continents. The 122acre site is the only AZA-accredited zoo in the state.

The zoo includes the Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo and Trails of Africa, among other exhibits. Its work with a herd of male African elephants in Trails of Africa established the zoo as a national leader in the care and conservation of threatened elephants.

Enjoying ZooGala ’22, Wild at Heart, were Lizzy Yates and Leighton Burkett.

Hayden & Mike Wald

► #1 OVER-THE-MOUNTAIN!

Trusted by more families in Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia over the past 10 years. Experienced experts you can count on.

► 1,200+ CLIENTS!

Father-son team with three decades of experience. They’ve built their reputation for integrity, empathy and expertise by helping clients successfully navigate the home buying and selling process through good markets and bad.

► 104.7% OF LIST!

The Wald Group gets their clients superior results. Their innovative marketing strategies have helped their listings sell for well over asking price.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS

To date, ANF has initiated more than $600,000 in nursing student scholarships.

NURSE PRIDE

Nurses are among the most trusted professions for 21 years in a row, according to Gallup. Show your support for friends, family members, and loved ones who are nurses.

NURSES IN NEED

In times of crisis or emergency, ANF provides support for Alabama's nurses in need.

LEADERSHIP GRANTS

Rewarding and investing in innovations of nursing practice.

participants will showcase their musical and artistic talents through a variety of shows and performances. When: Cocktail hour at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Where: The Country Club of Birmingham

Sat., Sept. 30

Latin American Festival

Birmingham Museum of Art is the site of the vibrant annual Latin American Heritage Festival, whih will honor the culmination of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Dive into the rich tapestry of Latin cultures with a day full of dynamic festivities, including gallery tours, cuisine and familyfriendly art activities. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art

Sun., Oct. 1

Cahaba River Fry-Down 2023

The Fry-Down features fun for all ages with a carnival-like atmosphere, live music, amazing food, a climbing wall, hula-hoopers, facepainters, educational games, wildlife demonstrations, a beer garden and more. When: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company

BHM 26.2

Alabama’s only fully charitable race series is the BHM 26.2 benefitting Magic Moments. Comprised of a full marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and Fun Run, BHM26.2’s race series brings exciting courses to the Birmingham Metro area, including a non-looping course. When: 7 a.m. Where: Veterans Park, Hoover

Tues., Oct. 3

Mountain Brook Community Night Out

Mountain Brook City Hall and the police and fire departments will host a Community Night Out where they enjoy food and drinks and meet with the public safety units. When: 5:307:30 p.m. Where: On the lawn at City Hall

Thurs., Oct. 5

Taste of Hoover

Celebrate the variety of culinary styles found throughout the city with samples of delicious dishes from more than 30 of Hoover’s best restaurants. Live entertainment set the mood for this event, which will also include soft drinks and adult beverages. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens

Fri., Oct. 6

Putts for Paws

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society Young Professionals Board hosts the 3rd Annual Putts for Paws golf tournament at the beautiful Highland Park Golf Course. Attendees will have the opportunity to play 18 holes of golf, followed by an awards ceremony. When: Registration begins at 11 a.m. with tee off at 12 p.m.

Get Out Your Blue Shoes

Live Music and Auction Featured in Mike Slive Foundation’s Blue Shoe Ball

Black tie is optional, but blue shoes are a must if you want to attend the Mike Slive Foundation’s Blue Shoe Ball on Sept. 22.

Tommy Brigham, chairman of ARC Realty and a longtime supporter of the foundation, is honoree for the event and ESPN anchor Michael Eaves will be the emcee.

The ball begins at 6:30 p.m. at Regions Field and will feature live music and dancing and an auction where you can pick up items such as sports memorabilia, wine from private collections, packages at local restaurants, merchandise from local stores and experiences – which include trips to Italy and the Gulf, and ticket packages to Wimbledon, the college football championship, SEC football and basketball championships and other events.

Brigham is a philanthropic leader in the city and has been recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of Birmingham’s Most Influential Executives and by AL.com as among the seven most influential people in sports in the state.

“We are excited to host our sixth annual event and kick it up a notch with this year’s Blue Shoe Ball, as well

as to honor our dear friend and executive board member Tommy Brigham as the honoree this year,” said Anna Slive Harwood, executive director of the foundation.

“Prostate cancer affects one in eight men, and Black men are twice as likely to die from it. This event helps us raise much needed funds that will go directly towards prostate cancer research and educational programs to encourage men over 40 to get screened. Prostate cancer is one of the few cancers we can screen for, and early detection saves lives.”

Tommy Brigham, chairman of ARC Realty and a longtime supporter of the foundation, is honoree for the event.

To purchase tickets and donate, visit mikeslivefoundation.org and click on the Programs and Events link. Tickets are $198 each. Sponsorships, including tickets, are also available.

Neverland Ho!

Children’s Theatre to Take Galagoers on a Grand Adventure

Birmingham Children’s Theatre is celebrating 75 years of providing professional theater for young audiences with its annual fundraising gala, An Enchanted Evening.

“Find the second star to the right, and straight on till morning!”

Gala guests will be transported to Neverland with Peter, Wendy, the Lost Boys, mermaids, pirates and more characters for the Oct. 19 gala at The Fennec. They’ll be treated to food, an open bar, story vignettes throughout the room, plentiful photo opportunities and live entertainment from BCT’s artists.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m.

BCT will be honoring Paul P. Bolus and Jean Pierce during the gala.

Bolus will be recognized for his continued leadership contributions as a former board president, community advocate and fundraiser through contributions from Bradley and St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church as well as personal support from his family.

Pierce will be recognized for her artistic contributions. She has written more than two dozen plays for BCT, including numerous fairytale adaptations that BCT continues to produce every year in the Wee Folks Theatre.

Proceeds from An Enchanted Evening will go directly to BCT’s onstage productions. Tickets are $125 and will be available Sept. 5 at bct123.org/ enchanted-evening.

FALL FESTIVAL COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT | THURS., OCT. 5

The Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Department present this annual event, an opportunity for first responders to network with local businesses, civic groups, churches, schools, and community volunteers in a symbolic stance to promote public safety. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a night of free family fun. There will be jump houses, photobooth, pumpkin patch, free food and more. When: 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall

file photo by Jordan Wald

‘The Light of Unity, Courage and Resilience’

Patriot Day Ceremony in Homewood Honors 9/11 Victims and Families

By June Mathews

Astirring Patriots Day ceremony of honor and remembrance took place Sept. 11 at SoHo Plaza in Homewood.

The cities of Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills joined Homewood in marking the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. City leaders, first responders and representative students from Homewood’s three ele-

mentary schools were among those who attended.

“The images we witnessed and the emotions we carried remain as vivid today as they were back then,” Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky, (fourth row, far left) said in his opening remarks. “Everyone from every background and from every corner of our nation was affected by the happenings of that morning. We faced the darkness that day but also found the light of unity, courage and resilience that continues to guide us forward. We’re here to celebrate, to acknowledge and to remember.”

In a touching part of the ceremony, keynote speaker Melissa Turnage (second row, far left) of Mountain Brook shared her 9/11 story of loss and forgiveness. Her 27-year-old son, Adam White, was one of 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

“He loved New York, and he loved his job,” said Turnage, who lived in Baltimore with husband Ben and their two young daughters at the time. “I spent many wonderful days with him in New York. I would just hop on the train and go up.

“Adam was fun, smart, talented, zany, did not know a stranger, creative, adventuresome, loved his family, and (he) was handsome to boot. He was quite a package,” she said.

On that fateful Tuesday, Turnage was working at St. Paul’s School, where she was the head of the lower school dance faculty.

“I was walking to our weekly chapel service, holding hands with two

preschoolers and commenting what a beautiful day it was,” she recalled. “As I was walking up to the chapel, I overheard that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.”

Having heard of planes hitting buildings before, she prayed during the chapel service for the people involved. After the service, however, Turnage noticed the principal moving purposefully in her direction.

“He ushered me out of the building, took me aside and told me what had actually happened,” she said.

At that point, she began repeatedly trying to reach Adam via cell phone. She’d heard by that time that phone service had been disrupted in New York, but she kept trying.

“I tried for a full 48 hours, while his friends were frantically searching hospitals and rescue centers for survivors, hoping to find him,” she said. “I laid on the sofa in disbelief for three days.”

But Adam, she finally realized, was gone.

And yet, after all the heartache she suffered, Turnage offered her Patriot Day audience a strong message of forgiveness.

She told of being asked by a reporter if she thought she’d ever be able to forgive the terrorists, to which she promptly responded, “I already did.”

The reporter followed up with, “How is that possible?”

Turnage had no ready answer.

But as she pondered the question later, the lyrics of a song from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical South Pacific came to mind: “You’ve got to be taught/ Before it’s too late/ Before you are six or seven or eight/ To hate all the people your relatives hate/ You’ve got to be carefully taught!”

“Maybe, just possibly,” she said, “the terrorists were wounded children who had been taught to hate all the people their relatives hated and believed that they were carrying out a mission that would make their relatives proud of them.”

Members of the Homewood Fire Department followed the keynote presentation with a Bell Ceremony, a traditional firefighter signal of honor and respect for a comrade who died in the line of duty.

Soloist for the Patriot Day observance was Lexi Bresnan, (third row, far right) daughter of John Bresnan, Homewood’s longtime fire chief until his death in 2020. She was backed by Homewood High School’s Show Choir on Dolly Parton’s “Color Me America.”

Next year’s shared Patriot Day ceremony is slated to be organized by Mountain Brook.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

‘I was walking to our weekly chapel service, holding hands with two preschoolers and commenting what a beautiful day it was. As I was walking up to the chapel, I overheard that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.’

After the ceremony, held Sept. 9, a crowd climbed the equivalent of 110 stories, which was the height of the Twin Towers in New York that fell that day.

Never Forget

Stair Climb Held to Remember the Events of 9/11

Hoover sponsored its annual memorial Hoover Climb to Remember ceremony and stair climb recently to honor those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Retired U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Tanner (right) was the featured guest speaker for the ceremony, and Jonathan Hardison of WBRC emceed the ceremony, held in the Riverchase Galleria Food Court.

After the ceremony, held Sept. 9, a crowd climbed the equivalent of 110 stories, which was the height of the Twin Towers in New York that fell that day.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Inverness Couple Ready to Set Sail in National Regatta

By RuBin E. GRant

Laura Jelks was 10 when her dad introduced her to sailing. They would go out on their Sunfish boat, a personal-size, beachlaunched sailing dinghy, to sail on Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, where Jelks grew up.

Jelks crewed a lot, but once she went to college at Louisiana Tech and

FUN on the WATER

then got married and started having children, she stopped sailing.

She and her husband, Huff Jelks, settled in Houston for 10 years while he worked as an offshore engineer. When he switched his career focus, they moved to Birmingham in 1988. Huff Jelks is a senior structural engineer at Southern Company.

In the 1990s, the Jelks joined the Birmingham Sailing Club, but they weren’t too active because their weekends, which were the only time they could sail, were busy with Laura Jelks’ working as a real estate agent. She’s now a real estate agent with ARC Realty in Cahaba Heights.

Two years ago, after the COVID19 pandemic moderated, the Jelks decided it was time to return to the water with the folks in the sailing

club. They live in Inverness, and the club, located at Logan Martin Lake, isn’t too far from their home.

“It’s all about having fun,” Laura Jelks said. “There are not a lot of people who do it, but it’s a close group with some wonderful people who welcomed us back with open arms. We’re having a ball.”

At the end of this month, the Jelks will do something they have never done before. They will participate in a national sailing competition when the Birmingham Sailing Club hosts The Flying Scot Sailing Association’s

2023 Wife-Husband National Regatta on Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

“I think it’s pretty unreal we’ll be hosting since it is a national regatta,” Laura Jelks said.

“I’m kind of excited,” Huff Jelks said. “We sail together all the time, but mostly in club regattas and club races.”

Great Scot!

The Flying Scot sailboat is a 19-foot-long, centerboard spinnaker sloop that will be crewed by a married couple for the five-race regatta.

“Most people who sail them are older because they are a more reliable boat,” Laura Jelks said.

Thirty-five teams from more than 10 states are expected to trailer in with their boats to compete in two divisions, Championship and Challenge, for trophy honors.

The Jelks are both 66-years-old, and they have been married for 43 years. They have a son and daughter and six grandchildren. They will compete in the Challenge division.

“The people in the championship fleet have been sailing for 50 years,”

Laura Jelks said. “We’re going to try to stay out of their way.”

The Jelks will sail in a boat that is unofficially named “Yayi’s Escape.”

“We tried to get my grandchildren to call me Lolly, but it came out Yayi,” Laura Jelks said with a laugh. “One time my hairdresser asked me what was the name of my boat, and I told him that story and he said I should name it Yayi’s Escape since when we’re on the water we escape from everything else.”

The racecourse will be managed

See SAILING, page 11

Ties That Bind

Bluff Park Art Show Is One of the Threads That Tie the Moore Family Together

By JunE MathEws

Brittany Brain’s connection to the Bluff Park Art Association was established long before she was born. Her grandmother, Cary Moore, was one of its founding members. Her father, Daniel Moore, later served on its board and participated in its Bluff Park Art Show. Now with Brain, known professionally as Brittany Carol Moore, comes a third-generation connection to the Bluff Park Art Association.

“I’ve been honored to have shown my art in the Bluff Park Art Show since 2011 and to be on the association’s board since 2021,” said Brain, whose medium is fine art photography. “I’m glad to be carrying on my grandma’s legacy in and passion for both the show and the association.

Daniel Moore and daughter

Brittany Brain collaborated on a special design for the 60th anniversary of the Bluff Park Art Show.

“Many of my BPAS memories include

See MOORE, page 11

Photo by Amy Sides

Laura and Huff Jelks, above, will participate in a national sailing competition when the Birmingham Sailing Club hosts The Flying Scot Sailing Association’s 2023 Wife-Husband National Regatta on Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

‘I think it’s pretty unreal we’ll be hosting since it is a national regatta.’

LAURA JELKS

Photo courtesy Brittany Brain

cally gets after a day at the show –satisfied and full of good memories to cherish,” she said.

Close Collaboration

Brain and Moore have collaborated on projects in the past, including a giant wall mural of one of Brain’s photos of the Alabama Theatre for a downtown Birmingham law firm. They also brainstorm ideas on occasion, and every so often, they critique each other’s work.

With similar eyes for design, color, and composition, the father and daugh-

MOORE

attending the show with not only my immediate family, but also with my uncles, aunts and cousins, walking with them to the show from my grandma’s house, just up the hill from the park.”

Granddad Gus Moore was also a proud supporter of the show, volunteering to put signs up all over Shades Mountain and often involving his four sons in the task. After his passing in 1990, Daniel, David, Richard and Billy established the August A. Moore Memorial Purchase Award in their father’s honor, to which mother Cary was added when she passed in 2020.

So for the Moores, the art association is more than a mere connector; it’s one of the ties that bind the family together in their mutual love of art.

At the 60th Annual Bluff Park Art Show on Oct. 7, a piece of family artistry will be on display throughout the show – on T-shirts, posters and other items – in a special 60th anniversary design that Brain and her father collaborated to create.

SAILING

From page 10

by a certified race officer from South Carolina with local sailing club members supporting him to set marks that the boats must round to complete the race. Each race requires the competitors to sail upwind and downwind on a two-lap course that typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

Sailboat racing involves careful timing to start at the gun in the favorable position on the line. The first leg after the start is to a marker buoy directly upwind, requiring teams to choose the best angle to steer and side of the course that will provide the most advantage to arrive at the mark the quickest.

The second leg after rounding the

Though creating the anniversary design was Brain’s idea, her dad was all for it and agreed to help. Once the association’s board approved, the project began in earnest.

“Having designed a number of shirts and posters for the show a long time ago, this opportunity meant a lot to me,” said Moore, widely known for his realistic sports art. “I wanted to invest time to help make a special piece of art for the 60th show.”

The idea for the design, said Brain, was to take something familiar about Bluff Park, combine it with something that typically memorializes things, and turn it into something worthy of a significant milestone.

“Hence, the stylized view from the bluff in a stained-glass motif,” she said. “It’s also a wave to the beautiful stained-glass windows of Bluff Park United Methodist Church, where my grandparents attended church for most of their lives.”

Since Brain and her dad treasure the spectacular sunset views from the bluff, as do many, they decided to highlight that feature and title the art “Aftershow Afterglow.”

“It conveys the feeling one typi-

upwind mark is directly downwind. Spinnakers are used on the downwind leg, but to which side of the boat that this larger sail is set is a team decision.

Right of way rules come into play as boats approach each other during the race. Sailing skill, boat handling, correct decision-making and luck are part of each team’s success.

The Jelks are more interested in enjoying themselves than winning the national regatta.

“We just want to have fun,” Laura Jelks said. “I hope we do well, but it will depend on the wind. If it’s blowing 15 mph or more, we can’t hold the boat and then we’ll be in survivor mode.”

“I don’t know how it will turn out,” Huff Jelks said. “I’m just going to take orders from my wife, like I always do.”

ter function well as a team. And as detail-oriented individuals who strive for perfection, they understand each other. Those very qualities, however, mean that working together can become a time-consuming proposition.

Nevertheless, said Brain, the time they spent on the 60th anniversary project was worth every minute.

“I really enjoyed working with my dad on this, as the Bluff Park Art Show is very near and dear to us,” she said. “My dad and his brothers grew up in Bluff Park and attended the show every October as a tradition, as me and my

sisters would also grow up in Bluff Park into that same family tradition and hold many beloved memories of the show.

“The design was nostalgic and fun for my dad to work on,” she continued, “and I was honored to be able to contribute a design for the first time.”

The 60th Annual Bluff Park Art Show will take place Oct. 7 at Bluff Park Community Park, 517 Cloudland Drive in Hoover. For more information, visit bluffparkartassociation.org and follow the Bluff Park Art Association on Facebook and Instagram.

From page 10

Artist Brittany Brain, known professionally as Brittany Carol Moore, with her grandmother Cary Moore, who was one of the founding members of the Bluff Park Art Association.

Photo courtesy Brittany Brain

This is Us … in Style

Big Oak Ranch Auxiliary Hosts Fashion Show and Luncheon

The Auxiliary of Big Oak Ranch kicked off its 17th year by hosting a luncheon, fashion show and silent auction Sept. 12 at the Valley Hotel in Homewood.

“This is Us … in Style” was a sold out show with 185 guests.

Lunch was followed by the fashion show and guest speakers, Kelli Croyle and Scarlet Stearns.

Local vendors that provided the clothes for the fashion show were Soca, Serendipity, Chicos, At Home Furnishings, Pink Tulip, Bandwagon, Theordora AbbeyLuxe and Bossi Leisure.

Staff and former residents of The Big Oak Ranch modeled the styles.

Some of the lead planning team members were Kristi Wilson, fundraising coordinator; Cheryl Joynt, president; Leigh Moore, silent auction; and Melissa Gunnells , ticket sales.

Table centerpieces, made with various style shoes and purses, were created by a committee headed by Angela McKinney.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the auxiliary’s work for the children of Big Oak Ranch. The auxiliary is a volunteer group that supports and raises money for the ranch’s mission.

As part of its work, the auxiliary buys merchandise for a shop where children at the ranch purchase items with points they have earned, gives them money for their birthdays each year, hosts a housemothers’ Christmas brunch with a gift for each family and hosts a housemothers’ spring retreat.

Since it started in 1974, Big Oak Ranch has provided more than 2,000 children with a solid Christian home. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Scarlet Stearns, Kelli Croyle

Cynthia Jones, Suzy Sanders

Kristi Wilson, Cheryl Joynt, Melissa Gunnells, Leigh Moore

Katie Tapscott, Angela Sciascia

DeAnn Warnick, Pam Smith

For the Students

Legacy League Luncheon Encourages Attendees to Support Scholarship Mission

The Legacy League at Samford held its Membership Kickoff Luncheon on Sept. 14 at Vestavia Country Club, with Dr. Gary Fenton sharing a homily.

More than 300 people were in attendance at the event, which also included recognition of 2022-23 board members and volunteers, as well as the presentation of the 2023 Lolla Wright Award.

A volunteer fair also was open before and after the luncheon to show attendees how to support the Legacy League’s mission to provide scholarships to students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances.

Fenton is a retired pastor of more than 45 years, including 25 years at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, and author of four books. He now works part-time as senior advancement officer for Beeson Divinity School, helping raise money for scholarships. ❖

Kathy Clay, Gary Fenton, Julie and Beck Taylor

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Kasey Fiscus, Madge Noland

Marianne Livingston, Allison Hancock

Daisy Perrigin, Cheryl Acton, Cindy Anderson

Kay McLean, Fran Duncan

TRUNK SHOW

Thursday, September 28thSaturday, September 30th

See samples of the best of the fall collection, with door prizes and refreshments served. See the collection presented with informal modeling Thursday at 2 pm

Food for Mind and Body

Hoover Service Club Collects Food for School Children During Luncheon

Will Pearson, co-founder of Mental Floss magazine and president of the iHeart Podcast Network, was the speaker for the Hoover Service Club’s luncheon Sept. 14 at the Hoover Country Club.

Service club members and their guests were asked to bring nonperishable food items to the meeting for donation to the Backpack Buddies program, sponsored by Vineyard Family Services. The primary focus of that program is to provide bags of food for school-aged children in the Shelby County area to take home with them.

VFS volunteers pack donated food in bags to take to schools, as well as providing family emergency food boxes, hygiene bags and other essentials.

For their luncheon, members and guests were served baby spinach salads, Caprese chicken with herb-roasted red potatoes and asparagus, and mini–key lime pies. ❖

74 Church Street ~ 871-7909

Monday - Friday 10-5 & Saturday 10-4

www.townandcountryclothes.com

Christy Beem, Kacy Wood, Crystal Bowles

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Melina Fiorella, Laura Cooper

Marie Haggard, Pam Edwards, Heather Pierce

Carolyn Battle, Patsy Martens, Shay Wix

Mike and Shelley Shaw, Susette Clark Walker

Back to School Belles

The Hoover Belles were given a lesson on image and branding during a Backto-School Ice Cream Social on Aug. 13 at the Riverchase United Methodist

Church.

Huddleston, an anchor for WBRC Fox 6, spoke to the girls, who each wrote her own personal brand

statement during the event.

Mayor Frank Brocato welcomed the Belles and encouraged them in their civic service.

The Hoover Belles is a service organization, and its members put in more than 1,000 hours of community service each year.

Whole Scoop in Brocks Gap Village provided the ice cream for the social. ❖

More than 500 painted lady and monarch butterflies were set free Sept. 10 during the Together in Teal Butterfly Release.

The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation’s annual event is held to raise awareness of ovarian cancer’s silent signs and symptoms, remember those who have lost their lives and honor those who are battling or have beaten ovarian cancer, according to a press release.

The event, held at Aldridge Gardens, featured live music, educational booths, merchandise vendors and a program presented by ovarian cancer researchers and physicians. ❖

Mary Baxley Smith, Chris McClendon, Scarlett and Lindesy Boozer

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Saylor and Connor Quinn, Telisha Gilley

Lily and Lauren Tanner Anne Douglas, Molly Tanner

More than 500 painted lady and monarch butterflies were set free Sept. 10 during the Together in Teal Butterfly Release.

Walking to Remember

Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama held its team pledge kickoff event Aug. 31 for the fall Walking to Remember fund-

The circus-themed kickoff event held at the organization’s Mountain Brook office to help people organize Walking to Remember teams for the walk, which will be Nov. 4.

Honorary chair and “2023 Ring Leader” Susan was on hand to offer motivation and tips for creating a successful fundraising team.

All money raised stays in Alabama

to support families here living with Alzheimer’s. Each month, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s programs and services help more than 300 people living with Alzheimer’s.

Among the programs are home delivery of continence products, educational webinars, Zoom support group meetings, in-home respite care, and activity kits and robotic pets to help fill the day. ❖

Top: Cindy Kirkland, Vance Holder, aka “Muscle Man.”

Above: David Miller, Miller Piggott, Kate Burnett

Vanessa Bragg, Susan Womack

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

A Diplomat of Decorating

Richard Keith Langham Relishes His Role as Antiques at The Gardens Ambassador

By Donna Cornelius

Those who attend Antiques at The Gardens are always treated to a variety of speakers.

Past design stars who have appeared at the annual show include lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, the “Prince of Chintz” Mario Buatta, decorator Bunny Williams, architect Bobby McAlpine and a host of other notables from the decorating and design world.

But there’s one familiar face who’s been a crucial part of the event for years: Richard Keith Langham, the AATG ambassador. He’ll be back for this year’s show, set for Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Having clients such as Patricia Buckley, wife of William F. Buckley Jr., and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis –she once described him as having a “sorcerer’s eye” Langham said. “I still pinch myself.”

to attend the Parsons School of Design and earned a degree in interior design from The Fashion Institute of Technology. Soon after came an apprenticeship under renowned interior designer Mark Hampton, named by Architectural Digest as one of the world’s top 20 designers of all time.

Langham also expanded his education at London’s Study Center for the History of Fine and Decorative Arts.

“I’ve always had an affinity for all things English,” he said.

Back in New York after living in London, Langham worked at Irvine & Fleming, gaining 10 years of experience in the firm’s American version of luxe English country house style. Langham launched his own business in 1994 and developed a sterling reputation for creating rooms packed with colors and patterns and deftly mixing the old and new.

Falling for Antiques

Annual Show Is Always One of Birmingham’s Most Anticipated Autumn Events

By Donna Cornelius

The 17th edition of Antiques at The Gardens offers opportunities for those who attend to listen to and learn from design luminaries, to shop for that perfect sideboard or piece of silver, and to support the event’s beautiful setting at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Hosted by Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the annual antiques show will be Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. O’Neal Industries is presenting the event, which includes talks by nationally and internationally known interior designers, floral designers, architects, landscape architects, product designers and experts on entertaining. The show’s design sponsor is de Gournay and textile sponsor is Cowtan & Tout.

Showgoers also can browse among the tempting offerings of 22 dealers who will be bringing furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jew-

elry, silver, rugs and textiles, home décor, and garden accessories. A few of the returning favorites include:

• Hedgerow Antiques, an Alpharetta, Georgia, source for 18th, 19th and 20th century antiques from England, France and other parts of Europe.

• Chicago’s Piggy Kitchen, whose curated vintage tabletop, cookware and French-inspired pantry items are a treasure trove for home chefs.

• Roger D. Winter Ltd. of Pennsylvania, which specializes in 18th and early 19th century British furniture and decoration with an emphasis on period dining furniture.

There’s also the fun of discovering dealers who are new to the show.

Shopping hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.

Events

The show’s first event is a glittering one:

A native of Brewton, Langham left Alabama

See LANGHAM, page 22

Gala in the Gardens. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ard will sponsor the black-tie party, which will honor former Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens board Chairman B. Hanson Slaughter. Zachary J. Westall is creating a festive entry for guests; it will be in place throughout the show.

On the show’s Friday schedule are:

• Shop the Show with Michael DiazGriffith, executive director of Design Leadership Network.

• The Red Diamond Lecture Series, featuring interior architect and designer Martin Brudnizki from London in conversation with Mitchell Owens, American editor of the World of Interiors.

• An afternoon panel, “The Art of Tradition,” moderated by Steele Marcoux, editor-in-chief of Veranda magazine, and including Hannah Cecil Gurney of de Gournay, Kemble Interiors’ Celerie Kemble and hotelier Sarah Wetenhall of The Colony Palm Beach.

Hanson Slaughter, above, is this year’s honoree for Antiques at the Gardens. Slaughter has given many years of leadership to the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, including as chair of the development committee and as board chair in 2014.

Saturday’s highlights are:

• An interactive “Love It or Hate It” panel with Anna Brockway, Chairish co-founder and president, hosting interior designers and design experts Aldous Bertram, Paloma Contreras,

See ANTIQUES, page 21

Photo courtesy Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Richard Keith Langham

Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques

Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques offers unique English, French, Italian and Swedish furniture from the 18th Century to the 21st Century personally selected by owners Libby Hill McGowan and Laura Ashford Gessert, pictured.

“We recently returned from a buying trip in Europe and look forward to receiving our container in early October!” said Laura.

“We are really excited about our container because it is filled with a great variety of accessories that we are only able to get when we go to Europe!” said Libby

Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques is located at 1900 Cahaba Road, 205918-0505.

King Cotton

For more than 51 years, the Haas family has shared the very best in distinctive fabrics, elegant trims, and beautifully crafted hardware. With locations in Birmingham and Montgomery, King Cotton offers a stunning collection of both classic and modern textures, colors, and prints from around the world.

Committed to customer service, King Cotton works with customers one-on-one to curate custom designs that artfully express individual style and personality.

The Cook Store

“We are a privately owned kitchen specialty shop. We specialize in functional pottery, gadgets, cookware, bakeware, tabletops, and lots more,” said owner Wesley Lassen, pictured with her well known shop dog, Lucy.

The Cook Store has been in Mountain Brook Village since 1975. Wesley has owned the popular shop since 1999—24 years.

“I grew up cooking with my mom so a kitchen shop is a great place for me. It’s a fun business,” Wesley said.

LUCY IS READY FOR FALL ENTERTAINING

“Everyone is always happy when they are talking about food.”

According to Wesley the three biggest trends in the kitchen world are:

1. Le Creuset nonstick cookware, cookware and more cookware and Cast Iron and enamel Dutch Ovens

2. Functional pottery

3. Charcuterie boards - all shapes and sizes - use them for everything

The Cook Store is located at 2841 Cahaba Road, 205879-5277.

“We are seeing slight departure from the modern minimalist,” Janet said, when asked about fall design trends.

“It’s as if there is some vintage nostalgia with the return of velvet furnishings, tassels, chunky knits and faux furs. When designed with a neutral base, rich, warm color palettes make for lots of cozy comfort for Fall.”

King Cotton is located at 1820 Green Springs Highway, 205-322-5878.

Paige Albright Orientals shares an affinity for the slow process of rug making and passion for sourcing unique bespoke carpets and textiles.

Paige Albright, above, has a background in

interior design and art history that serves her well in the rug industry.

Paige Albright Orientals shares an affinity for the slow process of rug making & passion for sourcing unique bespoke carpets and textiles.

Located in Mountain Brook Village, Paige Albright Orientals feels like walking into a stunning museum with one-of-a-kind textiles of various cultures from all around the world.

Paige Albright Orientals is located at 2814 Petticoat Lane, 205-877-3232. Follow on instagram @paorientals and @paosmalls

Pottery by Lynne Killion

Paige Albright Orientals

Our passion is connecting great clients with selected, tailored, and blended beauty for their homes. Our showroom is comfortably elegant and displays an elevated design scheme, connecting the best of both new and old. The merchandise in our showroom is only a sample of items available. Our target clients value quality and a balanced blend of new and old bespoke furnishings.

The three things we believe that set us apart are

• Over 50 years of successful art, and antique and accessories procurement experience

• Custom and bespoke vignettes that show a complete scheme of original art, décor, rugs, lighting, a proprietary line of custom upholstered furniture, and old and new furniture displayed in blended vignettes

• Consultation to fit your needs

The Village Poodle is a boutique offering an array of items such as ladies clothing, jewelry, baby gifts and antique chandeliers.

Owner Beverly Ruff, right, has been in business for more than 20 years.

Throughout the fall season you will find a variety of new styles from some of our favorite lines such as Estelle and Finn, Peace of Cloth, Hinson Wu, Finley, Hammitt Bags, Magnetic Me/baby clothing, enewton, Olga King, and Capucine De Wulf.

Antique chandeliers are also a mainstay at the shop. There are several styles currently hanging such as the 18th century neoclassical chandelier that is pictured.

“Stop by and shop with us. We have a large assortment of gifts, clothing, handbags and other fabulous finds! You may even be greeted by one of our standard poodles!”

The Village Poodle is located at 2410 Canterbury Rd,, 205-423-5443.

Best Selection of Antique Chandeliers

ThePoodleVillage

2410 Canterbury Road Mountain Brook Village 205-423-5443

The Village Poodle

Iron Lotus Interiors is located at 238 W Valley Ave. 205-852-1584.

Iron Lotus Interiors

Peter Dunham and Michael DiazGriffith.

• “The Art of Hospitality,” a panel moderated by Margot Shaw, editorin-chief of Flower magazine, and featuring Zoë de Givenchy of luxury brand Z.d.G., chef and host Alex Hitz, event designer G. Blake Sams, and Sybil Sylvester of Wildflowers Designs.

• A floral workshop by Keith Robinson, sponsored by Forest Park’s Shoppe.

The show’s final day, Southern Sunday, features:

• Keynote speaker Richard Keith Langham, show ambassador.

• A panel called “The Art of the Home,” moderated by Hadley Keller, director of editorial for Design Leadership Network with Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman of Brockschmidt & Coleman Design Studio; architect Stan Dixon; and Keith Robinson, gardener, floral and event designer.

Some talks will be followed by book signings; books will be available for purchase at the Gardens’ Leaf & Petal shop before and during the show.

To buy tickets for the show and special events and for more information, visit bbgardens.org/antiques. You also can follow the festivities on Facebook and Instagram.

Sybil Sylvester

Hannah Cecil Gurney

Peter Dunham

Zoë de Givenchy

Alex Hitz

From

He’s been named multiple times to Architectural Digest’s AD-100 and to Elle Decor’s A List.

Having clients such as Patricia Buckley, wife of William F. Buckley Jr., and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis –she once described him as having a

“sorcerer’s eye” – was “pretty heavy for someone my age,” Langham said.

“I still pinch myself.”

He said he was still a novice when he worked with the former first lady.

“She knew more than I did,” he said.

Southern Roots

Langham said his interest in design started in his south Alabama

hometown.

“Brewton is a very picturesque little town with stylish houses,” he said. “That whetted my appetite. And I think I’m more Southern now than when I got to New York more than 40 years ago. The South instills in you a special appreciation for life and beauty.”

Over the years, Langham’s work has been featured in many prestigious publications, such as Architectural

Digest, Elle Decor, Vogue, Veranda and House Beautiful.

“All of that has been very exciting,” he said. “When you work hard, it’s good to have your efforts chronicled for history.”

His creations also have been preserved in his 2017 book, “About Decorating: The Remarkable Rooms of Richard Keith Langham.” It features projects from diverse places such as

New York, New Orleans, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Jupiter Island in Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., and Memphis.

Although the bulk of his work is residential, one of his favorite projects was in New Orleans for one of the city’s most iconic restaurants.

“I helped create the new improved Brennan’s,” he said.

As the Antiques at The Gardens show ambassador, Langham uses his many connections to help secure speakers. His sister as well as lifelong friends

live in Birmingham, so he enjoys returning there – as well as seeing the reactions of those guest speakers who have never visited the Magic City.

“They’re always surprised by Birmingham’s beauty, its people, its architecture and its restaurants,” he said.

He’s also gratified to see how Antiques at The Gardens, now in its 17th year, has blossomed. He credited the hard-working volunteers who year after year make the show a success, including Penney Hartline, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ director of development. Langham said this year’s chairmen – Jennifer Ard, Jeremy Clark and Kirk Forrester – had “great energy” in making the event a vibrant one, including recruiting prominent people to share their expertise at

“It’s exciting to see how the show has become one of the best in America,” Langham said.

“It’s grown into an elaborate thing, and it’s really something to be proud

Acrylic on

Acrylic by Maya Eventov

Five homes dressed up for the holiday season will be featured in the Samford Legacy League Christmas Home Tour this year.

The 13th annual tour will take place Dec. 7, and those attending will be able to roam through pop-up shops and be treated to holiday refreshments at the Samford President’s Home, in

“This special holiday event helps fund our scholarships for students dealing with challenging circumstances and who are learning new, successful life skills both in and out of the classroom,” said Jan Service, chair of the tour.

To date, the tour has raised more than $365,000 to help change the lives

cles such as homelessness, inner city violence, the disability or death of a parent or sibling, foster care, parental job loss, abandonment and parental incarceration. Children of parents in full-time ministry also are eligible.

For the eighth year, ARC Realty is the presenting sponsor for the tour. Premium sponsors are AllSouth Appliance, Byrom Building,

Featured Homes

• Deidre and George Robert Booker, 3105 Roxbury Road, Homewood.

• Liz and Doug Guest, 2065 Magnolia Ridge, Vestavia Hills.

• Sharon and Billy Harvill, 2122 Longleaf Trail, Vestavia Hills.

Community Bank, Firefly Electrical and Mountain Brook Plaza 280. Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will select their start time and first home during ticket purchase. Tickets, which will be available later this fall, will be $40 through Nov. 30, then $45 Dec. 1-5; advance purchase is required.

• Julie and Beck Taylor, Samford President’s Home, 1994 Shades Crest Road, Vestavia Hills, (pictured).

• Kathy and Tommy Thomson, 3121 Brookwood Road, Mountain Brook

Learn more about the Christmas Home Tour and the Legacy League at samford.edu/legacyleague.

2023 Christmas Home Tour Committee members are, front, left: Lindsey Reed Curl, Sheila Smith, Claire Gwaltney, chairwoman Jan Service, Julie Taylor, Becky Neuberger, Karen Carlisle and Danna Duncan. Back, Mary Margaret Yeilding, Pam Wood, Molly Bee Bloetscher, Cathy Cook, Christy McKiernan, Sharon Smith, Tereasa Rima, Shea Williams, Amy Duffey and JoAnn Smith. Not pictured are Cindy Bembry, P.A. Carmichael and Julie Davis.

Photos courtesy Samford Legacy League

Bring the Outdoors in This Holiday Season

Red Mountain Garden Club’s Greenery Sale Offers Live Holiday Decorations

Ordering has opened for the 2023 Red Mountain Garden Club’s Greenery Sale.

IPC Tour Is Back

Holiday House Returns for 74th Year With In-Person Tour

Among the holiday-themed items available are greenery wreaths, garlands, mailbox toppers, kissing balls and topiaries. Flowers such as amaryllis, holiday bows and food gift items also are available.

ONLINE ORDERING OPENED SEPT. 14 AND WILL CLOSE NOV. 1. TO ORDER, GO TO REDMOUNTAINGARDENCLUB. SQUARE.SITE.

Purchases can be picked up Nov. 29 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Online ordering opened Sept. 14 and will close Nov. 1. To order, go to redmountaingardenclub.square. site.

The club holds the greenery sale each year to support the Red Mountain Garden Club Memorial Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The club has used funds from the sale to support the design, installation and maintenance of the garden since 1982.

Greenery sale chairman this year is Melissa Hagan and the co-chairman is Mary Turner. Kimberly Bean is president of the club.

Independent Presbyterian Church is reviving its in-person holiday home tour this year, offering tours of three homes and the historic IPC sanctuary decorated for the holidays.

Afternoon tea also will be served in the church’s great hall, which will be festively decorated as well. An assortment of finger sandwiches, homemade treats and sweets made from recipes in the church’s Holiday House Cookbook will be served during the tea, which will run all day.

The event will be Dec. 9. Ticket sales will begin Nov. 1.

Tickets for the tours will be $40, while the ticket that includes the home tour and afternoon tea will be available for $75. Children are welcome to attend with a parent for $20. More information, visit ipcholidayhouse.com.

Proceeds from the event will help fund IPC’s community outreach, including programs that directly benefit women and children in need.

Three Reasons Why You Should Have A Home Maintenance Plan

If you’re like most people, you worked hard to be able to own your own home. It was probably a major investment that you hope to cash in on one day. However, the investment return you’ll get in the future depends on small investments along the way.

It’s a fact. Well-maintained homes sell for more, often much more! Yet, many people simply think maintenance doesn’t matter. That is, until a small issue becomes a big and costly problem to repair.

Investing in ‘Preventative Maintenance” can 1) prevent costly major repairs in the future 2) keep you safer while you live there, and 3) help you earn the most from the sale of your house when you’re ready to sell.

That is why Trublue developed a maintenance program called “House Care Plus”. A Trublue technician starts with a home inspection then develops a list of maintenance tasks that can be done on a monthly or quarterly basis. At the same time, it helps identify issues as they arise.

Here’s an example of a regular maintenance checklist:

1.Change filters

2.Inspect all plumbing for leaks

3.Change batteries & bulbs

4.Look for signs of rodent or pest infiltration

5.Clean gutters

6. Fix faulty locks and hinges

7.Check home for deterioration and signs of mold & mildew

Other services such as installation of security cameras, video doorbells, and even grab bars can make the home safer too. Just remember that while regular maintenance may cost a little today, it can produce major rewards for you later.

Red Mountain Garden Club members working on the sale include, form left, Ashley Smith, Shannon Blount, Anne Heppenstall, Chollet Still, Susanna Davis and Marilyn Dixon.

Courtesy

Red Mountain Garden Club

Afternoon tea also will be served in the church’s great hall, which will be festively decorated as well.

Courtesy Independent Presbyterian Church

Transformation

Mountain Brook’s Benton Has New Outlook on Running Cross-Country

By RuBin E. GRant

Lucy Benton had a spiritual awakening during the summer.

She had viewed herself as mainly a track runner with cross-country mostly an afterthought. So, she was putting a lot of pressure on herself to succeed in track and in the classroom.

But by the end of her junior year at Mountain Brook High School, Benton was an emotional mess and nearing burnout.

“I was stressed out,” she said. “What I was doing wasn’t working. So, I turned to my faith and over the summer everything transformed. I changed the way I was thinking about running and life.”

Benton, a Catholic who attends Our Lady of Sorrows, changed her outlook about cross-country, deciding to take the sport more seriously.

With her newfound perspective, Benton roared out of the gate to start her senior year of crosscountry. In her first race of the season, she set a personal record with a time of 11:49.28 to win the Warrior 2-mile Invitational in Alabaster.

She followed that up by clocking a personal-best 18:24.54 to win the Chickasaw Trails Invitational, one of the state’s most competitive early-season cross-country meets, at Oakville Indian Mounds Park. She won the race by about seven seconds.

individual titles among a plethora of other crowns.

“We’re close friends,” Benton said. “If Reagan was here, I’d still be in her shadow. We FaceTime all the time. She’s very ecstatic about college.”

Benton plans to run in college. She likes Baylor and the University of North Carolina but hasn’t decided where she wants to go yet. She plans to study either architecture or dentistry.

“I have always loved art and drawing and looking at things aesthetically,” Benton said. “I am also interested in medicine, but I don’t want to be a doctor, so dentistry is kind of in the middle.”

Random Start

Benton became a runner almost randomly. When she was in elemen tary school, Mountain Brook restart ed its elementary school track meet after it had been dor mant for several years.

the 800 meters, clocking 2:12.19. She finished fourth in the 400 meters with a time of 59.44.

Benton describes herself as a very disciplined and very driven runner.

“Coming into a race, I have a very good idea how I want to run,” she said. “I try not to take it too seriously, but I’m not joking around, either. I try to be upbeat and realize it’s a blessing for me to run.”

Benton finished 20th in the 2022 Class 6A state cross-country meet with a time of 20:10.19.

“I wasn’t in a good place mental-

ly last year, but now I’m looking to the Lord for help,” she said. “Now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

The Spartans captured the team Class 6A cross-country title last year and added state titles in indoor and outdoor track and field to complete

Her cure

the triple crown.

“It’s a goal of ours to do it again,” Benton said. “There’s a good possibility we can do it. We lost some good athletes, but we have some other people stepping up.”

Benton set a personal record with a time of 11:49.28 to win the Warrior 2-mile Invitational in Alabaster.

Benton decided she was interested but wasn’t sure what event to enter. She talked with her physical education teacher about it, and it was suggested that she run the mile since so few stu dents were entered.

“All the grades were involved in the other events and there were only six in the mile,” Benton recalled. “I fin ished in 6:10 or 6:20, and M.K. Malone was the only one who beat me.

Kennedi is cured of sickle cell disease thanks to a life-changing bone marrow transplant she received from her sister here at Children’s of Alabama. The amazing treatments, discoveries and innovations for pediatric blood disorders and cancer happening here are helping change lives for the children of Alabama, across the

country and around the world.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Benton said. “It’s good for me to not just see myself as a track runner first, but to see I can also be good at cross-country.”

Benton didn’t fare as well last Saturday in the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky. She finished 63rd in the girls 5K run with a time of 19:50.90.

Senior Mary Katherine Malone was the Spartans’ top runner, finishing 17th in a time of 18:43.30. Kennedy Hamilton was 26th, clocking 19:04.80. The Spartans finished third as a team with 211 points. Hillard Davidson from Ohio won with 64 points and Dupont Manual from Louisville was second with 114 points.

Despite her showing in Kentucky, Benton has shown she’s ready to take the mantle as the Spartans’ top distance runner this year, now that Reagan Riley has graduated and is at Notre Dame. Riley won the past two Class 6A girls state cross-country

“So I quit soccer and joined the cross-country team.”

Until this school year, Benton had made her mark in track. In the spring, she finished as runner-up to Riley in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:57.10 and claimed silver in

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In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that JD Morris Construction Co., Inc. Contractor, has completed the Contract for drainage improvements of Mountain Brook Jr High School Drainage Improvements on Overbrook Road for the State of Alabama and the City of Mountain Brook, Owners, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claims for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Schoel Engineering of Birmingham Alabama.

J. D. Morris Construction Co., Inc. 5645 Myron Clark Road PO Box 70 McCalla, AL 35111

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‘I was stressed out. What I was doing wasn’t working. So, I turned to my faith and over the summer everything transformed. I changed the way I was thinking about running and life.’

LUCY BENTON

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

‘Dynamic Player’

Briarwood’s Helms’ Volleyball Athleticism Comes From the Bloodlines

By RuBin E. GRant

Although her dad, Wes Helms, played Major League Baseball, Stella Helms had no interest in playing on a diamond.

So, softball wasn’t in the equation.

“I never liked it,” Stella Helms said. “Even when I was little it wasn’t my sport.”

Instead, Helms became a volleyball player. She’s been playing since the third grade.

“Some of the girls at school were trying out for the team at the YMCA, so I tried out, too. I loved it,” Helms said.

Now, a 5-foot-6 senior opposite hitter/defensive specialist at Briarwood Christian, Helms has developed into one of the top volleyball players in the state.

A six-rotation player, she has been on the varsity since she was a freshman. Last year as a junior, she recorded 361 kills, 445 digs, 69 aces and was selected to the 2022 All-OTM Team and to the AL.com Super All-State team.

“Stella is a really dynamic player who is trusted and respected by her teammates,” first-year Briarwood head coach Carly Cline said. “She plays all around the court. She works hard and stays focused. If she makes a mistake, she doesn’t let it bother her. She just moves on to the next play.

“Although she’s only 5-6, she’s quite a jumper and quite a hitter on the

McDUFFIE

From page 28

designs on playing the sport in college.

But in the spring this year, McDuffie had a change of heart, even though he was named first-team AllState in lacrosse.

“All the schools I was interested in playing lacrosse for were up north and I didn’t want to go that far away for college,” he said.

So, McDuffie went to Mountain Brook head football coach Chris Yeager and told him he wanted to rejoin the football team for his senior year.

Yeager welcomed his decision, much to McDuffie’s delight.

“I am happy he accepted me back,” McDuffie said. “It’s been great. I love being around the guys and being around the coaches. Coach Yeager has been great. They’ve toughened me up and taught me how to be a man.”

Yeager decided to insert McDuffie as the Spartans’ middle linebacker to replace Trent Wright, who graduated after being named the 2022 OTM Defensive Player of the Year.

The decision to put the 6-foot-1, 190-pound McDuffie at middle linebacker came with a little trepidation.

front row.”

Helms said her athleticism comes from the genes. Her older brother Wesley is a college baseball player at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa.

being an athlete.

“He always tells me to push out the negativity and give 110 percent,” Stella Helms said.

Cline believes Helms can play at the next level saying, “Stella has a promising volleyball career ahead.” But Helms is not sure she wants to play in college.

“I go back and forth,” she said. “I’m not against playing. I’m still going through the recruiting process. We’ll see what happens.”

Helms hopes to surpass 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills for her high school career this season. Both would be school records. She already has more than 700 of each.

She also hopes the Lions will reach the state tournament.

“Since my dad played professional baseball and my brother plays college baseball, I come from a family of athletes, so it’s in the bloodlines,” she said.

Daddy’s Daughter

Helms cherishes being the daughter of a professional athlete. Her dad played for 13 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. He also was a bench coach for the Birmingham Barons in 2019.

“I think it’s really cool,” Helms said. “It definitely helps me to love playing sports. My friends love him. They think he’s cool.”

Wes Helms has counseled his daughter on the mental aspects of

“We were concerned about how quickly he would pick things up,” Yeager said. “The Mike linebacker is the cornerstone of our defense, the quarterback of our defense. But from the spring until now, it’s amazing how far he has come.”

McDuffie played weak side linebacker his sophomore season, but it didn’t take long for him to adjust to the Mike position.

“It’s surprised me how naturally it’s come together, like a perfect puzzle when certain things just look certain,” McDuffie said. “It’s like if we’re going to blitz to the left, then the offensive line slides to the right, so you have to be aware of what’s going on and make the adjustment.”

McDuffie credited Spartans’ defensive coordinator Shane Stearns and defensive assistant coach Buddy Pell, a former Mountain Brook linebacker, as well as Wright for spurring his growth. He also said he studies film every day so he can keep learning and keep improving.

Making Plays

McDuffie plays with such reckless abandon that the Spartans’ opponents probably wish he would have stuck to lacrosse.

“I just like to play aggressive,” McDuffie said. “My teammates know how to do their thing and (that) makes

“I want to go further than we did last year and get out of the super regional,” Helms said. “For us to do that, we need consistency. We struggled at first this season, but we’re getting better and jelling together.”

Briarwood entered this week with an 11-9 record after splitting its first two Class 6A, Area 8 games last week, losing at Pelham and winning at Helena. This week, the Lions were scheduled to host Ramsay on Tuesday and Hoover on Thursday.

“I think our season is going really well,” Helms said. “With a new coach, I’m trying to be a good senior leader. We’re a young team and trying to jell. Everyone is getting to know their rotations well.”

it easier for me do my thing.”

Yeager marvels at McDuffie’s productivity. He has recorded 57 tackles and four sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles in four games.

“What he does is, to me, is he just gives continuous effort and he plays

very violent,” Yeager said. “It’s unbelievable the way he plays. One other thing he does is plays good in space and he covers so much ground. It’s amazing how much ground he covers so quick.

“He has 70 production points. That’s the biggest we’ve ever had after four games. It’s for tackles, assists, hurries, sacks, interceptions, anything to add production to the defense. You can also have points taken away for missed tackles. To have that in four games is pretty impressive.”

McDuffie also has developed into a leader on the defense.

“He has a very settling personality,” Yeager said. “He gives people around him a lot of confidence.”

The people around him have given him a nickname.

“Some of my friends call me ‘Willie G,’ but most people call me by both names, William Grier,” he said.

What does his mother prefer?

“She’s started to grow on Willie G,’” he said with a laugh.

Title Dreams

Since a season-opening 35-10 loss to Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook’s defense has allowed only 13 points while winning at James Clemens (1813) and posting shutouts on the road at Minor (28-0) and at Woodlawn (51-

0) in the Spartans’ first two Class 6A, Region 5 games.

“The defense grew up a lot as a team after the Vestavia game,” McDuffie said. “The defense had to step up and not be pushed around. We had to learn that we had to fight for everything.”

The Spartans (3-1, 2-0) will play host to Jackson-Olin (0-4, 0-2) in another region game Friday.

By sitting out the 2022 season, McDuffie missed a chance to play in the Class 6A championship game last year. The Spartans fell to Saraland 38-17 in the final at Auburn’s Jordan Hare Stadium.

McDuffie hopes the Spartans can make it back to the championship game this season but with a different outcome.

“The team is super motivated,” he said. “We’ve got to keep working and keep grinding. Our end goal is to win the state championship.”

Meanwhile, McDuffie is starting to garner some interest from colleges to play football at the next level.

“I’ve had communication with a couple of schools, but nothing too serious,” he said.

Even so, he’s happy to be playing the game he grew up loving again.

“I’m having a whole lot of fun,” he said. “I’m 100 percent glad I’m back.”

Stella Helms hopes to surpass 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills for her high school career this season.

‘Since my dad played professional baseball and my brother plays college baseball, I come from a family of athletes, so it’s in the bloodlines.’

STELLA HELMS

McDuffie has recorded 57 tackles and four sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles in four games.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

From page 28

High School, Hoover and Vestavia Hills have been rivals. Youngsters grew up playing park ball against each other, and those rivalries continued through 12th grade and then into the ranks of alumni of each school.

The football rivalry was renewed last Friday with the Rebels welcoming the Bucs for a Class 7A, Region 3 battle. And for the first time since 2015, Vestavia Hills won, routing Hoover 26-7.

The Rebels (3-1, 1-1 in the region) used a punishing ground game led by senior quarterback John Paul Head, who ran 32 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on runs of 9, 1 and 2 yards.

Place-kicker Owen Simpson kicked field goals of 27 and 35 yards.

Even though Hoover (1-3, 1-1) dominated the rivalry for several years, many said the rivalry is as strong as it’s ever been.

Myra Myles is the Vestavia Hills athletic director. She formerly held the same position at Hoover.

“I think it’s always been there and always will be,” Myles said. “I think that both programs of the kids and the coaching staffs, they’re going to always go after each other just because it’s a pride thing.

“I’ve been on it on both sides of it,” she said, “and it’s as intense, I think in my opinion, as it’s always been.”

Current Hoover coach Wade Waldrop admitted that this is only his second year experiencing the rivalry. But he’s certain it hasn’t lost its flavor.

“I know it’s a good rivalry, a longstanding rivalry,” he said before the game. “I know our kids are gonna play really hard. I’d say it’s the rivalry.”

The rivalry? More so than Hoover’s relationship with four-time defending Class 7A champion Thompson?

“No doubt. No doubt,” Waldrop said. “This one goes longer. It’s deeper. These communities have known each other and competed against each other for a long time and just have the most respect for each other. There’s no doubt about that.”

Like Myles, Vestavia Hills coach Robert Evans has experienced the rivalry on both sides. His father was a longtime assistant to legendary Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson, and Evans played for the Rebels, helping them win a state championship in 1998.

“My earliest memory of the Hoover-Vestavia rivalry was as a 7-year-old and my favorite jacket, some Hoover kid stole it, tore it up and then hung it on the goalpost,” he said. “It goes way deep and personal for me. But I don’t preach any of that. We just have to play clean football to have a chance to beat a way-more talented roster than us.”

Evans’ career includes an eight-year stretch when he was an assistant coach at Hoover. He coached linebackers before rising to defensive coordinator his final season. During that stretch, Hoover reached the state finals every year but one. The five years he was a

coordinator, the Bucs won four state titles.

Then There’s Mountain Brook

Evans said the Hoover-Vestavia Hills football rivalry for years was the standard for high school sports rivalries.

“We know now that is no longer the case,” he said. “Their kids don’t care as much and our kids don’t care as much. Things evolve and change over time.”

Evans thinks Hoover’s biggest rival today is the other Hoover high school, Spain Park. He believes Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills have the relationship previously reserved for Hoover and Vestavia.

“Part of my goal when I returned two years ago was to bring the rivalry

back,” Evans said. “But we have to win some of these games.”

Last Friday, they did.

“This win was special to me because I grew up not liking Hoover, even though I coached there for eight years,” Evans said. “So I took this game personal. I thought that we were the better

WEEK 4 SCOREBOARD

CLASS 7A

Chelsea 21, Oak Mountain 13 Thompson 55, Spain Park 14 Vestavia Hills 26, Hoover 7

CLASS 6A

Briarwood Christian 28, Pelham 21 Homewood 43, Calera 21 Mountain Brook 52, Woodlawn 0

CLASS 5A

John Carroll Catholic 44, Hayden 6

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

Homewood @ Benjamin Russell Hewitt-Trussville @ Hoover Hoover @ Spain Park

Carver-Bham @ John Carroll Catholic Jackson Olin @ Mountain Brook Tuscaloosa Cty @ Oak Mountain Spain Park @ Vestavia Hills

team coming into the game. I wanted to not just win but dominate the game. I’m really proud of our team.”

This week, Vestavia Hills plays host to Spain Park in another Region 3 game, while Hoover returns home to play Hewitt-Trussville in region action.

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In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that JD Morris Construction Co., Inc. Contractor, has completed the Contract for drainage improvements of Northcote Drive Culvert Replacement at Northcote Drive for the State of Alabama and the City of Mountain Brook, Owners, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claims for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Schoel Engineering of Birmingham Alabama.

J. D. Morris Construction Co., Inc. 5645 Myron Clark Road PO Box 70 McCalla, AL 35111

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Above, Hoover’s Andy Howard looks for running room as Vestavia’s Gibson Bean closes in. Below, Vestavia running back William Tonsmeire picks up yardage as Hoover’s Steele Lowry closes in.

By Solomon CREnShaw JR

Retired referee Steve Newton remembers the Hoover-Vestavia Hills football game he didn’t get to officiate.

Ten years prior, Newton’s son played for the Rebels. The father was set to referee when

Back Where He Belongs

Spartans’ McDuffie Wreaking Havoc in His Return to the Football Field

By RuBin E. GRant

junior year, McDuffie quit the football team to concentrate on lacrosse. A midfielder, he helped the Spartans win the 2022 Alabama Lacrosse Championship and had

Hoover hosted its longtime rival.

“That was fine,” Newton said, “because enough years had gone by.” Or so he thought.

“The Hoover folks called us and said, ‘No. We can’t have him,’” Newton said. “We had to swap referees before the game.”

The rivalry between the Bucs and the Rebels was that intense.

“It’s always been intense,” Newton said. “But that’s a good thing. It’s been a clean rivalry, too.”

Dating back to the days when it was Berry

Journal photo by Jordan Wald