A Tourist of Interiors
By Donna Cornelius
Football, falling leaves and fall festivals all are favorite autumn activities in the South, and in Birmingham, there’s another event that’s sure to boost your seasonal enthusiasm as the temperatures fall. This year marks the 18th anniversary of Antiques at the Gardens, an antiques show and sale that brings nationally and internationally acclaimed designers and dealers to the Magic City. The show, hosted by Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, is set this year
Photo by
Bunny Williams
Photo by Annie Schlechter
Guest Column Inside
HOLIDAY DREAMIN’
Ordering for Red Mountain Greenery Sale opens Oct. 1 PAGE 4
‘SERVING A PURPOSE BIGGER THAN YOURSELF’
OTM cities honor 9/11 heroes PAGE 10
TOM DAMERON’S TIME TO SHINE
Local artist has a month-long show at the Homewood Public Library in October PAGE 8
AFor the Love of Work
s I was checking out at Aldi on Labor Day, it occurred to me how many people have to work on a holiday that celebrates labor. The young man at the register told me he rarely had holidays off in his young career. Early in my career, I could relate.
We are supposed to work. The Bible makes that clear for Christians. Not only are we supposed to work, we are supposed to do it well, not just show up. No work, no eat. My father made that abundantly clear the summer I was 15.
We had a neighborhood pool close to our house in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a gathering spot for those of us in our early teens. We rotated romances regularly and had a carefree life. That changed when my dad said I needed to get a job. What he meant was, “You’re going to come to work with me and I’ll show you what work is.” Oh boy.
RANDY ADAMY
We are supposed to work. The Bible makes that clear for Christians. Not only are we supposed to work, we are supposed to do it well, not just show up.
My dad was always an entrepreneur. I don’t mean the Bill Gates, Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos type. No, he owned some small businesses along the way. When I was 15, we owned two party stores. A party store back then was part convenience store and part liquor store. We did not sell gas. I worked behind the counter and kept the place clean.
This was my first real exposure to customer service and the importance of cleanliness in a public business. At only 15 I learned how to greet customers, look them in the eye and converse in chit chat. I’m pretty sure I was the only 15-year-old in Grand Rapids that knew every kind of liquor and what sizes they came in. When you are the owner’s kid you can sell liquor over the counter from birth on.
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 19, 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., Lee Hurley, Madoline Markham Koonce, Susan Swagler
Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Gail Kidd
Vol. 35, 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 2024 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.
The summer after my freshman year at Michigan State, I needed a job. My dad had sold the party stores, for which my mother was grateful. I went to Man Power, a job placement company, to see what they had. They had openings at the Amway factory. Amway started in Ada, which is pretty much a suburb of Grand Rapids. My older sister had worked there and kind of warned me about a factory job. Being very mature, I said I could handle anything. I was put to work on the “soap line.” I came home smelling like perfume with powdered soap in my tennis shoes, hair etc.
My third job was being a summer camp counselor at a YMCA boys’ camp. MUCH better than Amway. We had boys from 8 to 12 and stayed in cabins. Each counselor had 10 to 12 kids in their charge. I think they hired me because I could play the guitar and play tennis. I became the song leader after every meal. You get 100 young boys singing songs while banging on tables and you’ve got some noise. I was also the tennis instructor. Pay was low, but I had a ball.
Next came another factory job, this time was at
Over the Mountain Views
Kelvinator making refrigerator compressors on an assembly line. I worked the second shift, 4 p.m. to midnight. This job was eye opening to me. First of all, I had to join the union. Second, I learned how seniority worked. Third, I saw men (and a few women) who had worked on the line 30 or more years. My pay of $3.94 an hour, before taxes and union dues, was very good in 1975. The job highly motivated me to graduate from college.
I was an accounting major as I entered my junior year at Michigan State. There was, however, a problem; I hated accounting and my grades in those classes reflected such. I couldn’t tell a debit from a credit. Starting my sophomore year, I worked in my dorm’s cafeteria. My dorm, Wonders Hall, had 1,200 residents so it was a busy place. I bussed tables and washed pots and pans, which paid 10 cents more per hour. One day the cafeteria assistant manager asked me if I wanted to be a student supervisor. That meant wearing a shirt and tie and asking/telling other student employees what to do. To this day, I don’t know why he picked me. To his credit, he unlocked the door to my future career.
The dorm did not serve dinner on Sunday nights. Most of us ordered pizza or went to the greasy grill in the basement of the dorm. I don’t know where it came from, but I got the idea to ask the cafeteria management if I could open up a pizza business on Sunday nights and use the cafeteria as our base. Students would call in, we would make their pizza and they would come pick it up and take it back to their rooms. It would not be my business. The dorm would receive all the money. The kicker was that my buddies and I got paid premium wages and ate a lot of free pizza. We started on just Sunday nights, which quickly became Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. By my senior year, we were open seven nights a week averaging about 200 pizzas on a busy night. We called “our” business the Wonders Hall Pizza Factory.
I enjoyed foodservice and changed my major to HRIM (hotel, restaurant and institutional management) my junior year. Companies came on campus the spring of my senior year to interview us for potential positions. I sat in the tiny interview room with a company I really wanted to work for. The female interviewer said, “Tell me about this Wonders Hall Pizza Factory.” I worked for that company for eight years, rising to the level of vice president.
I guess God knew I was not going to be an accountant. P.S. For any teens reading this, keep your head on a swivel and your eyes open. You may already be participating in your future career.
CORRECTION:
An article in the Aug. 22 issue of the Over The Mountain Journal about a Mountain Brook student who has been named first captain in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point failed to list a third Alabamian who also served as first captain. Anna Caroline Robinson is the student currently serving as first captain. James R. Ellis, who served as first captain in 1962, also was named in the article. But before that, Alabama native Robert “Bob” Gordon Farris was first captain in 1956.
STARS OF THE SHOW National and local designers set to appear at Antiques at the Gardens PAGE 18
HONOR
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
Holiday Dreamin’
Ordering for Red Mountain Greenery Sale
Opens Oct. 1
The 32nd annual Red Mountain Greenery Sale will be live online in October, with shoppers able to pick up their purchases Dec. 4 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
This year, table-top trees and decorative bows have been added to the traditional lineup of garlands, wreaths, kissing balls and mailbox toppers sold by the Red Mountain Garden Club during the annual sale.
Ordering opens Oct. 1 and closes Oct. 25 at redmountaingardenclub. org/greenery-sale. Ordered items can be picked up at the Gardens Dec. 4 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Proceeds from the sale benefit the maintenance of the Memorial Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The Red Mountain Garden Club has supported the design, installation and maintenance of Memorial Garden since 1982.
SEP 19 - OCT 3
Thurs., Sept. 19
Briarwood Ballet Collaborative
The prestigious Brimingham Boys Choir performs with the Briarwood Ballet Collaborative at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. When: 7 p.m. Where: Briarwood Presbyterian Church
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
The Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, a multifaceted group of four accomplished musicians, brings new energy to the stage with diverse programs from Bluegrass to Bach, often playing to sold-out audiences worldwide. When: 7:30
the
p.m. Where: Brock Recital Hall, Samford University
Pooches on the Patio at Vino
Bring your best four-legged friend as you enjoy this fundraiser for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society at Vino in Mountain Brook. Guests can bring their dogs, order a meal or snack from Tito’s menu and a photo booth. Reservations are encouraged by calling 205-870-8404 or visiting vinobirmingham.com. When: 5:308:30 p.m. Where: Vino, Mountain Brook
Sept. 19-22
Birmingham Food + Culture Festival
Join in this celebration of Food and Culture in Birmingham with a variety of events, including a celebration of the city’s vibrant Greek community, cooking demonstrations, book signings and more. Visit bhamfoodplus.com to learn more. When: Various times Where: Various venues
The World Goes Round: The Music of Kander and Ebb
Relive the music of “Chicago,” “New York, New York,” “Cabaret” and more at the theater’s season opener. When: Various showtimes Where: Virginia Samford Theatre
Sept.
19-28
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic Mama and Buddy Bear invite you to a very special event: the Teddy Bears’ Picnic! When the Special Surprise turns out to be ruined, Mama and Buddy set off on a plan to make all that is wrong right again in this story for children ages 0-5 years and their
caregivers. When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Fri., Sept. 20
Maestro’s Ball
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will honor Music Director Carlos Izcaray’s 10th season with the ASO at the Maestro’s Ball, its largest fundraiser of the year. The dazzling event will honor this milestone and launch the ASO’s season-long recognition of Izcaray’s leadership. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Roaring 20’s Gatsby Themed Murder Mystery Dinner
Arlington House, Birmingham’s historic antebellum home, is the setting for this Roaring 20s themed murder mystery dinner. Costumes are fun but optional. When: 6:30-9 p.m. Where: Arlington House, 331 Cotton Ave. S.W., Birmingham.
Dinnertainment
The Exceptional Foundation’s 11th annual Dinnertainment fundraiser is just around the corner! This evening of great food and great entertainment showcases the musical, theatrical and artistic talents of the foundation’s participants. Proceeds fund social and recreational programs for the intellectually disabled youth and adults the foundation serves. When: 6 p.m. Where: The Country Club of Birmingham
Sept. 20-22
Human Rights New Works Festival
Red Mountain Theatre presents four new theatrical works that delve deep
Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov
Acrylic by Maya Eventov
Red Mountain Garden Club Greenery Co-Chairs Fluff Roberts and Mary Turner with Birmingham Museum of Art Director Graham C. Boettcher. Proceeds from the sale benefit
maintenance of the Memorial Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
RIVER FRYDOWN | SUN., SEPT. 29
Come celebrate the Cahaba River, our crucial drinking water source, and support conservation efforts at this event to benefit the Cahaba River Society. The day of fun includes a competitive fish fry, live music and entertainment, wildlife and educational activities, face painting and balloon art. When: noon-4 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.
into our shared human experience: “The River,” “Dissonance,” “Fountain of You” and “The Garment.” When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre
Sat., Sept. 21
Birmingham Congenital Heart Walk
Join passionate walkers, teams, sponsors, and volunteers as we walk to support The Children’s Heart Foundation’s mission at the inaugural Birmingham Congenital Heart Walk! Enjoy a day of fun activities, entertainment, research updates and the family-friendly 1 mile walk! When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Oak Mountain State Park
Cat Power Sings Dylan
Discover the captivating music journey of Cat Power as the singersongwriter performs a show paying homage to Bob Dylan’s iconic 1966 concert at Royal Albert Hall. When: 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Sun., Sept. 22
Smile a Mile Spikes for Smiles
Volleyball Tournament
Young Professionals of Birmingham present a 6x6 beach volleyball tournament to benefit Camp Smilea-Mile, a year-round program that serves children with cancer and their families. When: 11 a.m. Where: Sidebar
Thurs., Sept. 26
Charles Ghigna Book Signing Children’s author Charles Ghigna, also known as “Father Goose,” will be signing copies of his new book, “Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story” When: 1 p.m. Where: Barnes & Noble, Patton Creek Shopping Center, Hoover
Tapas and Taps Indulge in a taste of Mountain Brook while supporting Arc of Central Alabama at Tapas and Taps! Purchase your ticket to
Having fun at last year’s event were Penelope Henry, Claire Buchanan and Lily Coleman.
enjoy live music, small plates, pop-ups, raffle items, local drinks and more at Lane Parke. Ticket information at facebook.com/ events/267158252967841. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Lane Parke, along Rele Street in Mountain Brook
Sept. 26-27
Dan Tyminski
With 14 Grammy awards to his credit, Dan Tyminski is well known for his performance of “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” in the film, “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” and his global smash “Hey Brother” with Swedish DJ Avicii streaming over 1 billion times to date. When: 7 p.m. Where: Hoover Library Theatre
Sept. 26-27 and Sept. 29
Love Loss and What I Wore “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” is a laugh-a-minute play from the folks who wrote “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “You’ve Got Mail!” This play is a collection of hilarious monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and other important subjects like mothers, prom dresses, buying bras, hating purses, and why we only wear black. When: Various showtimes Where: Homewood Theatre
Fri., Sept. 27
Morning Coffee Concert
Join the Alabama Symphony for a morning Coffee Concert featuring The Festive Overture by Saint-Saens. When: 11 a.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Sept. 27-28
Barber + Saint-Saens
Music Director Carlos Izcaray opens the season with Barber’s Violin Concerto and Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony. When: 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Journal file
photo by Jordan Wald
CAHABA
Sat., Sept. 28
Vulcan’s Day of Play
Have bunches of fun and learn through play atop Red Mountain at the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play at Vulcan Park. Lawn games, interactive art activities, museum tours and an appearance by the iron man himself will be on hand. When: 10 a.m.-Noon Where: Vulcan Park and Museum
Head Over Teal 5K/10K/Family Fun Day
Sign up for the 5K/10K run/walk event and bring your family and pets to enjoy a family fall festival morning as the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation hosts its 15th Annual Head Over Teal event at the Hoover Preserve Town Hall. When: 8-11 a.m. Where: Hoover Preserve Town Hall
Fiesta Festival
Family-friendly fun is featured at
the 22nd annual celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. Live music, storytelling, dance, children’s activities and wrestling exhibitions are among the many activities to enjoy, as well as authentic Latin food. Tickets are available at fiestabham.com.
When: Noon-8 p.m. Where: Linn Park
Sun., Sept. 29
ASO @ The Gardens
This year marks the 26th Annual Symphony Picnic at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The concert is free and picnic meals are sold to raise funds to benefit the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. When: 4 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Wed., Oct. 2
Hidden Reality, Restless Hope October is Domestic Violence
Awareness Month and this event is the inaugural breakfast fundraiser for One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center. The center provides coordinated services to survivors of domestic violence. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and his team will discuss how domestic violence impacts the community. When: 7:30 a.m. Where: The Harbert Center
Thurs., Oct. 3
Taste of Hoover
Taste of Hoover highlights the many unique restaurant and catering choices in the city. It’s a great way to try a lot of different restaurants, types of food and tastes all in one spot. Get more information and tickets at aldridgegardens.com. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens
Vestavia Hills Community Night Out
Join the Vestavia Hills Police Department for a night of free family fun, fellowship, and promoting public safety. Community Night Out is an opportunity for first responders to network with the community. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a night with jump houses, a photobooth, pumpkin patch, free food and more! When: 5-7:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall
Mountain Brook Community Night Out
Mark your calendars for the Mountain Brook Police and Fire Departments’ first-ever Community Night Out! Come out to support and get to know the city’s first responders and enjoy free food and entertainment, including Touch-A-Truck, face painting, balloon artists, bounce house, lawn games and more! When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Mountain Brook Municipal Complex
BLUFF PARK ART SHOW | SAT., OCT. 5
The always-popular event celebrates the 61st annual art show at Bluff Park Community Park in Hoover. Art in a variety of mediums created by 124 artists from across the country is the draw for 3,000 to 4,000 art lovers and other visitors each year. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Bluff Park Community Park, 517 Cloudland Drive, Hoover
Fri., Oct. 4
Putts for Paws
When does eating lunch and playing golf help our four-legged friends? When it’s time for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s annual Putts for Paws golf tournament. The society’s Young Professionals Board is holding the event, which features 18 holes for each player. There will also be a silent auction and the chance to win some amazing prizes by participating in fun and challenging games throughout the afternoon. When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Highland Park Golf Course
Bargain Bazaar Pre-Sale Party
There’s fun to be had while you shop early at the Pre-Sale Party for Vestavia Hills Methodist Church Bargain Bazaar! Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music, with ticket sales supporting Royal Divinity Ministries’ fund drive to replace its roof. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Former Central Elementary School, 1289 Montgomery Highway
Oct. 4-20
Psycho Beach Party
“Gidget”, Frankie and Annette beach party epics, and Hitchcock psychological suspense thrillers such as “Spellbound” and “Marnie” are given a shotgun marriage. Chicklet Forrest, a teenage tomboy, desperately wants to be part of the surf crowd on Malibu Beach in 1962. One thing getting in her way is her unfortunate tendency towards split personalities. When: Various showtimes Where: Birmingham Festival Theatre
Sat., Oct. 5
Jimmie Hale Mission’s Rescue Run Run and raise money for a good cause at the 5th annual Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run! Races will include a 10K, 5K, and 1 Mile
will be participating in this year’s
Fun Run. The runs begin and end in front of Cava in Homewood When: 6:30-9:45 a.m. Where: Cava, on 29th Avenue South between 18th Street and 19th Street, Homewood
Bargain Bazaar
Shop for the best bargains in town at Vestavia Methodist Church’s Bargain Bazaar! There will be a soft drink trailer selling sodas for $1 and sales are by cash and card only. Unsold donations will be picked up by The Lovelady Center, Royal Divinity Ministries and Sozo. When: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Former Central Elementary School, 1289 Montgomery Highway Cash & Card only
Oct. 5 and 12
Peter and the Wolf
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs this classic work by Sergei Prokofiev in BCT’s Mainstage Theatre. The tale of “Peter and the Wolf” comes to life in a captivating theatrical performance blending music, narration, and movement for children 6 and older. When: 11 a.m. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Sun., Oct 6
BHM26.2
The BHM26.2 charitable race series benefits Magic Moments. Comprised of a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5k and kid’s fun run, BHM26.2 brings over 2,000 runners to Hoover, with an after party following the races. When: Events kick off at 7 a.m. Where: Hoover Metropolitan Complex
Dru Hill
From soul-stirring ballads to infectious dance anthems, Dru Hill has been the heartbeat of R&B for over two decades. The legendary group promises an evening of music you won’t forget. When: 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Journal
file
photo by Jordan Wald
Birmingham artist
Jayne Morgan
Bluff Park Art Show.
Black Belt Community Foundation Honors Chris Womack
The Black Belt Community Foundation will honor the head of Southern Company on Oct. 3 as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its founding.
Chris Womack, Southern Company’s chairman, president and CEO, will be in the spotlight at the 2024 Black Belt Legacy Dinner at the Harbert Center. The evening will begin with a 6 p.m. reception celebrating Black Belt culture and arts, followed by dinner and an award presentation.
As a Black Belt native from Greenville and distinguished business leader, Womack exemplifies the transformative impact of the community foundation’s mission. Since its founding in 2004, the foundation has invested more than $20 million in grants to nonprofits strengthening Alabama’s 12-county Black Belt region.
The foundation mobilizes resources to transform Alabama’s Black Belt. By connecting donors with meaningful causes, it empowers nonprofits and bolsters initiatives on issues such as education, the arts, health and wellness and economic development.
Notable initiatives have included storm shelters, tornado relief, arts and culture, affordable housing, racial equity, civic engagement, capacity building, widespread food distribution, pandemic relief and recovery operations and early childhood education.
“Chris Womack’s journey and commitment to community development make him the perfect honoree for our 20th Anniversary Legacy Dinner,” said foundation President Felecia Lucky. “His story inspires the young people we serve, demonstrating the heights they can achieve. This event will be a powerful celebration of our collective progress and a crucial moment to secure resources for the Black Belt’s future.”
The Black Belt Legacy Dinner will unite residents, community leaders, philanthropists and advocates passionate about the region’s advancement. Proceeds will bolster BBCF’s operations and grantmaking efforts across its 12-county service area, spanning the Black Belt of Alabama.
Previous Black Belt Legacy Dinner honorees include former state Supreme Court Justice John H. England Jr., former Alabama Lt. Gov. George McMillan, retired CEO of Protective Life insurance Johnny Johns and Dr. Edward E. Patridge, director emeritus of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
PreSchool Partners is celebrating 30 years of providing early childhood education in the Birmingham area with its 5th Annual Partners & Promises fundraiser on Sept. 26.
The event, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Haven, will include food and drinks, live and silent auctions, and free valet parking. Money raised from the event each year supports the nonprofit PreSchool Partners’ mission of providing highquality, comprehensive early childhood education to children in the community who need it most.
“We are honored to celebrate the gamechangers who have contributed to PreSchool Partners’ success over the past 30 years,” Lella Hamiter, executive director of PreSchool Partners, said. “This event is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and recognize the incredible impact that our partners and supporters have had on the lives
of countless children. We are grateful for their continued generosity and commitment to early childhood education.”
For more information and tickets to Partners & Promises, visit preschool-partners.org or contact 205951-5151.
Chris Womack
Tom Dameron’s Time to Shine
Local Artist Tom Dameron Has a Month-Long Show at the Homewood Public Library in October
By SuSan Swagler
Tom Dameron is a realist – in his artwork and in his approach to life.
“I believe I was blessed with an art gift, and that gift came from above,” he said. “Nothing I say is meant to be vain, but I feel it’s wrong if I don’t use this gift.”
Anyone who sees his art, especially his impossibly realistic watercolor flowers, would agree he has a gift that needs sharing.
You can see for yourself at his show at the Homewood Public Library. It opens Oct. 1 and will be up the entire month. The 20 or so pieces that will be on display are a collection of colorful watercolors and acrylics as well as precise etchings. The works span 30 years.
You’ll find flowers –sunflowers, hydrangeas, lilies, roses and more –that are so remarkably detailed they look like photographs. There are fields of colorful poppies and gardens that partially grew from Dameron’s imagination. There also will be etchings of beloved local musicians.
can be found at Alabama Treasures, which is the gallery at Tricia’s Treasurers in Homewood, and he plays the tuba in a popular eclectic trio called The Old Fashioned Rhythm Method. He also has played with the Anything Goes Trio and another group called The 1920s Jazz Babies. He enjoys playing New Orleans jazz, bluegrass and tunes from the 1920s.
Artist Supporter
For years, Dameron has been a champion of local artists of all sorts.
He had a gallery of his own in Homewood called Lida Rose Gallery. He currently runs the monthly art shows at The Joy Gallery at Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has put on shows for artists ranging from Jill McCool with her abstracts and flowers and abstract flowers to Mara Jambor and her dreamy Birmingham cityscapes to the late Robin Nance Metz, who was known for her gorgeous sun artworks, many of which were featured on CBS Sunday Morning.
This mix of visual art and music is part of his life story.
Dameron worked as a hospital pharmacist for more than 50 years, and in his spare time he pursued art and music, teaching himself how to paint and play. He played trombone in high school and in the U.S. Army Reserve band, but he learned much of what he knows on his own.
Now at the age of 80, his award-winning art
“I loved all this,” Dameron said, “because there were so many different people I could interact with, and I learned so many things from them.”
This lifelong passion for art – making it, teaching it, sharing it – means his home is filled with his own art and that of artists he admires. It’s an incredibly varied collection that ranges from Bethanne Hill’s distinctive, layered, energetic, folk-art paintings of rural landscapes with animals and tornados and churches to pieces by digital artist Beth Conklin, whose hauntingly beautiful works are inspired by vintage photographs.
Dameron worked as a hospital pharmacist for more than 50 years, and in his spare time he pursued art and music, teaching himself how to paint and play.
ones set with his own stained-glass panels. The stained-glass car he created for his son’s bedroom door is especially intricate.
Nature and people are his preferred subjects. Dameron admires “the natural composition of flowers.” His etchings, especially, marry his love of art and music and the people who make music.
He’s sketched and etched and painted local musical legends such as Bobby Horton, Topper Price and Herb Trotman of Fretted Instruments. He created an acrylic on wood panel painting of the late great Leon Redbone. Dameron said he is “a forever fan of Leon Redbone.”
Conklin painted Dameron and his wife, Elaine, who have been married for 58 years, with Dameron’s head off his body and lovingly tucked in Elaine’s arms.
Dameron’s own mediums are many. He works in watercolor, pencil, etching, acrylic, encaustic, screen printing and even stained glass. He replaced most of the doors in his Homewood house, from bedrooms to bathrooms to studio, with
Other subjects familiar to people in Birmingham include the late sculptor Frank Fleming, in silkscreen and acrylic on canvas, and the very much alive Bernard Tamburello, who owns Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato and Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila. Dameron’s acrylic on wood panel portrait of Tamburello is on display at Vecchia.
Art = Happiness
The show at the Homewood Public Library is Dameron’s time to shine but, he’s quick to say it isn’t just about him. He said he hopes people leave the library show feeling happy.
“I appreciate kindness in all its forms,” he said. His art is a way for him to show kindness to others.
“Art, to me, is supposed to make people happy,” Dameron said. “And I want people to know that it’s not about money with me. It’s about exploring realistic art and being kind to people and giving them something to look at during these times that are so negative right now. … If I sell something, I’m ecstatic and if I don’t sell anything, I’m ecstatic. My whole career with art is I want to be able to produce things that make people happy. It’s all I care about. I just feel that way. I can’t help it. I’ve always been that way.”
For more information on Tom Dameron and his art, go to his website, tomdameron.com, or follow him on Facebook or Instagram.
Photos courtesy Tom Dameron
Opa!
Greek Food and Culture Festival Returns for Its 51st Year
The Greek Festival returns to downtown Birmingham Oct. 3-5, continuing a 51-year tradition that highlights the importance of the Greek people and culture throughout the city’s history.
The festival will be outside the Holy Trinity–Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral downtown, at 307 19th St. S., from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day, according to an announcement for the event.
Parishioners of the church work for weeks to prepare the entrees and desserts served during the annual festival. Food plates are individually priced, and the Greek pastries will be prepackaged and sold in the food lines. Coca Cola products will be available along with Greek beer and wines.
There will be outside tented seating for dining, and patrons will be entertained with Greek music and dancing. The Greek Market Place will be set up and offer Mediterranean and Orthodox souvenirs. The church’s Byzantine basilica will be open for self-guided tours all three days of the festival, and parishioners will be available to answer questions. If you are interested in scheduling a tour for school and church groups, please call ahead. Admission to the open-air festival is free and there will be free parking in
the former Liberty National parking garage one block away on 20th Street 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 at your car, take your order and then deliver your food to your vehicle.
A portion of festival proceeds is given to local and national charities, to the tune of more than $3 million since 1972.
Patrons will be entertained with Greek music and dancing and of course Greek food including lots of Koulourakia.
In recent years, these charities have included Children’s of Alabama, Magic Moments, The Bell Center, The Exceptional Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Firehouse Ministries, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Pathways, Family Connection, The Wellhouse, Jimmie Hale Mission, SafeHouse, Alabama Kidney Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Greater Birmingham Ministries.
Many local businesses, including Alabama Beverage and Coca Cola, are sponsors of the event. For updates, follow the Birmingham Greek Food Festival on Facebook, X and Instagram.
‘Serving a Purpose Bigger Than Yourself’
by
By Anne Ruisi
Over the Mountain communities marked the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11 with events to memorialize the nearly 3,000 people killed that day when terrorists hijacked four commercial aircraft and crashed them into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Terrorists crashed that fourth plane into the ground after passengers fought back, trying to regain control of the jet.
“They all just embodied the very essence of selflessness and courage,” Hoover Mayor Frank V. Brocato said at Hoover’s Patriot’s Day event and Stair Climb to Remember at the Riverchase Galleria on Sept. 7.
Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills held a joint remembrance and Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11. The annual event rotates between the three cities, and this year’s was held in front of the O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook.
The ceremony is held “to compassionately
honor and remember the 2,977 individuals who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, in the terrorist attacks on America, as well as those who were injured during the attacks,” according to a notice on the city of Mountain Brook’s website.
“We are thankful for the many first responders, volunteers, rescue and recovery workers, uniformed safety personnel, and the hundreds of thousands of others who serve or have served in our armed forces here at home and overseas who rose in service in response,” the notice said.
The events not only honored the lost and
injured on Sept. 11 but paid tribute to those who gathered their courage to try to save others, including those involved in the War on Terror.
‘They
all just embodied the very essence of selflessness and courage.’
Hoover resident Mike White, a former Navy SEAL who played for the Crimson Tide under
Kirkwood by the River, where nature’s beauty meets effortless living for more than 40 years. Our Life Plan Community offers maintenance-free amenities and a serene atmosphere where family, friendship, independence, and health converge. With
Journal
photos
Jordan Wald
Hoover Fire Chief Clay Bentley, keynote speaker Mike White and Hoover Chief of Police Nick Derzis at Hoover’s Patriot’s Day event and Stair Climb to Remember at the Riverchase Galleria on Sept. 7.
Above right, Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills held a joint remembrance and Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11. The annual event rotates between the three cities, and this year’s was held in Mountain Brook. Above left, keynote speaker Lieutenant General A.C. Roper with The Rev. Richmond R. Webster from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
coaches Bear Bryant and Ray Perkins, was the keynote speaker at the Hoover event, which is available to view on Facebook at facebook.com/ HooverPD. He spoke movingly about service, to country and community, and “serving a purpose bigger than yourself.”
“Service is about taking pride in our accomplishments while remaining vigilant and addressing our shortcomings in a world that often seems divided,” White said. “Let us remember that we may not always agree on
the details, but the core values of liberty, equality and justice unite us all, and if you look around, you’ll find out we’re really not that divided.”
“The SEAL commitment is not just to the mission, but to something bigger than ourselves,” he said.
He highlighted principles of the Navy Seals, such as placing the welfare and security of others above yourself and never quitting.
After a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” and the speeches and remarks were over, the Stair Climb to
Remember began in Galleria Towers. About 100 participants raised $3,100 for the Hoover Public Safety Charity Foundation by climbing up and down the stairwells enough times to equal 110 stories, the height of each of the Twin Towers, according to a statement.
Photos of the first responders who died trying to save others were placed in the stairwells. Each climber wore a photo of one of those police officers or firefighters around their neck in their honor.
Graceful Aging
Crestline Elementary students at the 9/11 ceremonies in Mountain Brook.
Black Tie in the Wild
Zoo Gala Fundraiser Offers Elegance and Animal Encounters
Black tie optional was the guests’ dress code for the evening, with the Birmingham Zoo’s animals decked out in their natural glory at the Gala Safari Soiree on Sept. 13.
The zoo’s elegant fundraiser featured drinks, cuisine, live entertainment, dancing, an auction and animal encounters in the zoo setting.
Honorees for the Gala Safari Soiree were the family of Tom and Julia Crawford, longtime zoo philanthropists. ❖
Rick and Molly Ream, Meg and Steve Brooks, Channing and Holly Mason
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Cathy Crawford Gilmore and Victor Gilmore
Murray and Kelly Statham
Abe and Britney Bernstein
Rob and Sophie Martin
Carter and Sarah Capra, Amanda and Paul Hoffman
Chris and Teresa Pfefferkorn, Phyllis and Larry Wojciechowski
Lauren and Casey Cobern
Brooks and Louisa Marks
Dawn and Chris Blake Kori and Kevin Fruge
Michael Odom, Lauren and Chase Wright
Blue Shoe Ball
Buffalo Rock Owner Honored at Slive Foundation Benefit
James C. Lee III, owner and executive chairman of Buffalo Rock Company, was the honoree at the Blue Shoe Ball at Regions Field on Sept. 12.
The annual event benefits the Mike Slive Foundation, which works to eradicate prostate cancer through funding research and educational programming.
Guests dressed in blue, with some sporting blue shoes, as they sipped drinks and noshed on food catered by Oak View Group Hospitality. Atlanta Funk Society played live music, while live and silent auctions that featured travel experiences and sports opportunities among the items up for bid spiced up the evening. ❖
Journal
photos by Jordan Wald
Karen and Tommy Terrell, Blue Shoe Ball honoree Jimmy Lee III and his wife Jodi
Marvis Young, Lee Edwards
Jim and Mary Screws
Katie and Philip Currie
Jackie and Elizabeth Davidson
Jim and Tara Bryant
Lindsey and Grant Cochran
Ellen and Tom Shufflebarger
Murray and Chandler Bibb
Anna Slive, Jimmy Lee III
Laura and Soroush Rais-Bahrami
Pam and Joel Welker
Carolyn Powell, Rhonda Parsons
Kayla and Craig Antonucci
Noah Olive, Morgan Calvert
Party Like
Mountain Brook High School’s Class of 1984 celebrated 40 years of friendship with a class reunion weekend Sept. 13-14 that included football and a party.
The fun began Sept. 13 with a kickoff pregame party at OnTap, followed by a home game with the alumni cheering for the Spartans’ against Pell City.
The next evening, the alums met at the Mountain Brook Country Club,
where they enjoyed a buffet dinner that included pan-seared chicken breast in Marsala mushroom sauce, baked salmon in orange-chive cream sauce, roasted vegetables, Caesar salad, a pasta station with items such as shrimp and sausage, and assorted dessert shots.
1983 Mountain Brook alum James Clayton and his band, the $1.07 Band/ The Undergrounders, provided the music as the class danced the night away. The reunion’s organizers were Hannon Sharley Davidson and Brad Mitchell. Reunion committee members were Susan Henagan Logan, Gerald Gillespy, Rod Landers, Catherine Carmichael Carter and Heather Barnhill McCalley. Decorations were organized by Patty Morris Bromberg and Kathryn Lavallet Tortorici.
John Piot, Susan Beth Shelton Drennen Hannon Davidson, Brad Mitchell
Kathryn Lavallet Tortorici, Virginia Jemison Jones, Monty Evans Hess, Connie Lovett Gentle
Forrest and Katherine DeBuys, George and Lois Bradford
Price Hightower, April Warren Russell,Meg Hightower Jeff Berger, Suzanne O’Neal Given and Perry Given Gerald Gillespy, Comer Perry Neal
Bama Air Dogs
Margot and Juliana Hoskins
Jackson and Allyson Martin
Elizabeth and George Flachsbart
Annie, Edith and Sybil Grant
Journal
photos by Jordan Wald
HOME
Stars of the Show
National and Local Designers Set to Appear at Antiques at the Gardens
As always, this year’s Antiques at the Gardens has an impressive lineup of design experts who will be sharing their extensive know-how at the event.
You can read about Alexa Hampton, president of Mark Hampton LLC and a noted designer and author, at right; here are some of the others scheduled to speak:
Oct. 4
Stacey Bewkes: Shop the Show, 9:30 a.m.
A Tourist of Interiors
Decorator Alexa Hampton Will Discuss Her Journey Through Design at Antiques at the Gardens
By Madoline MarkhaM koonce
Alexa Hampton grew up as a tourist of beautiful interiors, and she remains one today.
In short, her life’s journey has been absorbing and creating home designs. She writes about her journey in the 2023 book “Design, Style & Influence” and will discuss it in her Oct. 6 keynote talk at Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Antiques at the Gardens.
Quintessence founder Stacey Bewkes is a well-respected voice for original written, photographic and video content in the world of design and lifestyle. She presents the stories behind the style with thoughtful, wellresearched and documented content. Her popular “Quintessence” video series has millions of views worldwide. She has been a sponsored blogger at events including the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, High Point Market, KBIS and La Cienega Design Quarter Legends. Quintessence has been featured in numerous print and online publications and was named one of Domino’s 26 favorite design blogs.
Bunny Williams: Red Diamond Lecture, 11 a.m.
Considered one of the most talented names in design, Bunny Williams is an accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. She launched her eponymous firm following a 22-year apprenticeship with the esteemed Parish-Hadley Associates. Her business, Bunny Williams Inc., includes Williams Lawrence, Bunny Williams Home and a range of product and fabric lines as well as her series of bestselling books. In her new book, “Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden,” she shares her passion and enthusiasm for planting, entertaining and living in nature yearround.
Gil Schafer: Red Diamond Lecture, 2 p.m.
The story of her life of design is at once a personal one – growing up the daughter of noted decorator Mark Hampton and taking over his firm after his death, when she was only 27 years old – and one that will be familiar to designers of about her age with “seismic shifts in the zeitgeist of design that include major sales or publications that hit us all like a ton of bricks,” Hampton noted.
The book is a hardback full of vivid photos of her own design work and the work of designers who influenced her style, while also including what she calls “love letters” to designers such as Bill Blass and Hubert de Givenchy. The photos of their interiors are a vital part to Hampton’s own design narrative, which has evolved as she’s worked since the 1990s on urban apartments, town and country residences, and even private airplanes and yachts from her home in New York City to Hangzhou, China.
Take, for example, an image of fashion designer Bill Blass’ home that features large bookshelves, collections of art and even helmets you also see in photos of Hampton’s own rooms in the book.
“Watching him inhabit that house was so spectacular,” Hampton said. “His pitch perfect sense of style blew me away, and his art collections blew me away. I definitely date my strange love of helmets to him. It almost felt like an experience of a museum interior. Any piece you look at has sculptural value and elevates and edifies the objects so they are more than the sum of their parts.”
Hampton’s book also chronicles the evolution of the decoration of her own apartment in the Upper East Side of Manhattan over many decades, from living with a roommate to early married years to raising three children, all in the same prewar building. While Hampton notes her style is “ever changing and ever evolving with the accrual of information and inspiration,” all of its iterations show her classical elegance, with collections artfully on display and books on shelves.
“Growing up in (my parents’) house, we had books in every room, so it only made sense that I would want to re-create that same level of comfort that being surrounded by books provided me, only in my own room,” she writes of the first apartment she and her husband shared. “Books are the soul of humanity and to live without them is tantamount to living in a mausoleum, methinks.”
the current iteration
long interest in art collections and her more recent use
is a memoir full of glossy photographs that tells the story of
interiors and influences that have shaped her.
mal classical elements, as you can see in a purple bergere chair and in coral and red tassels on the base of the linen sofa.
“It is a happy place for me, with this wild color palette that I’ve only allowed myself to dive into as I have hit my 50s,” Hampton said. “It feels like a good representation of where my heart lies in my own home. If you sat on the edge of that sofa, that is both my husband’s and my favorite perch.”
“what makes the space sing for me,” she writes.
A Massimo Listri photograph of Vatican’s Sala delle Muse in the Museo Pio Clementino hangs above the sofa, complementing the Italian landscapes, friezes, busts and sculptures in the room.
Award-winning architect Gil Schafer is one of the country’s leading practitioners of contemporary classical architecture and one of the most sought-after residen-
Likewise, you can’t look at Alexa Hampton interiors without noting their collections.
“I think that collections are the result of an interesting story, of something sparking your attention,” she said. “One of the most important elements of assembling a collec18
The current incarnation of Hampton’s living room is telling of how her style has evolved to incorporate more fun flourish mixed in with for-
Lifetime Collections
In this space, the exuberant color of fabrics is paired with her classical collections that are
Photo by
EricPiasecki
ANTIQUES AT THE GARDENS | SPECIAL SECTION
Courtesy Friends of BBG
Alexa Hampton chronicles the design evolution of her New York City apartment over multiple decades in her new book. Here,
of her living room shows off her decades-
of bolder colors. Hampton’s 2023 book, below,
her journey into decorating
Photo by Steve Freihon
for Oct. 3-6. That’s when the alwaysbeautiful grounds of the Gardens become a vibrant scene of learning, looking and shopping.
Presented by McCorquodale Transfer and featuring design sponsor Lee Jofa, the 2024 edition of Antiques at the Gardens includes talks by interior designers, floral designers, architects and landscape architects.
Also on hand will be 25 dealers offering carefully curated antique furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, home decor, and garden accessories.
In addition to welcoming back show favorites such as Hedgerow Antiques, Piggy Kitchen, Roger D. Winter Ltd. and others, attendees will meet five new dealers. Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The weekend starts Oct. 3 with Gala in the Gardens, an elegant soiree honoring longtime BBG supporter William R. “Bill” Ireland Jr. Guests will enter the party venue via an
Also on hand will be 25 dealers offering carefully curated antique furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, home decor, and garden accessories.
entryway created by landscape designer Norman K. Johnson and by Will Newton and Kate Newton of Landscape Services.
Oct. 4 has the popular “Shop the Show” with design expert Stacey Bewkes.
The show’s Red Diamond Lecture Series, hosted by Richard Keith Langham, opens with a morning keynote talk, “Life in the Garden,” by acclaimed garden designer Bunny Williams. In the afternoon, awardwinning architect Gil Schafer will
speak on “Building a Home to Last.”
On Oct. 5, Veranda magazine Editor in Chief Steele Marcoux will moderate an interactive panel on “The Future of Traditional Design” with interior designers and design experts Elizabeth Lawrence, Rudy Saunders and Elizabeth Pyne Singer. In the afternoon, interior design tastemakers Barry Dixon, Mary McDonald and Michelle Nussbaumer will discuss “Influence and Inspiration” in a panel moderated by Margot Shaw, editor in chief of Flower magazine. The afternoon ends with a floral workshop by Calvert Crary, executive director of
FlowerSchool New York and FlowerSchool Los Angeles.
The last day of the show, Oct. 6, begins with keynote speaker Alexa Hampton sharing her thoughts on “Design, Style and Influence.” The show wraps up that afternoon with a panel on “Designing a Home Together,” featuring James F. Carter, Richard Keith Langham and Ben Page and moderated by Michael Diaz Griffith, executive director and CEO of Design Leadership Network.
Talks will be followed by book signings, with books available for purchase at Leaf & Petal before and during the show.
Proceeds from Antiques at the Gardens support the efforts of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, whose mission is to protect, nurture and share the wonders of the Gardens.
Tickets for the show and special events are on sale now. A limited number of tickets are available for the gala, special events and lectures.
For tickets, a detailed show schedule, speaker bios and dealer information, visit bbgardens.org/antiques. Follow show announcements and updates on Facebook and Instagram @antiquesgardensbham.
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Honoree William R. “Bill” Ireland Jr.
Courtesy Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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 went on a buying trip to Europe in July and last week we received our container!” said Laura.
“We are really excited about what we were able to find on this trip. 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.
“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.
The Cook Store
“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.
10 Chippendale Dining Chairs •
Side Tables • Bergere Chairs • Dining Tables • Armchairs •
Cricket Tables • Commodes • Buffets • Lanterns • Settee
• Coffee Tables
LUCY IS READY FOR FALL ENTERTAINING
Press • Boxes
Chippendale Dining Chairs
Benches • Demi-Lunes Joint Stools
Sunburst Mirrors
Wall Mirrors Workbench
• Baskets • Settee • Linen
• Set of 10
Berger Chairs • Dining Tables Commodes
Buffets • Lanterns Benches Demi-Lunes • Lamps
• Pillows • Joint Stools Buffet Deux
Corps • Sunburst Mirrors Bread Boards
Please
• Bar Carts Workbench Baskets Venetian Mirror Cupboards • Settee
Thank
Roman Brantley
Roman Brantley Art and Antiques is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. The furnishings are from the 18th and 19th centuries, with of course, vintage pieces in the mix.
Linda Brantley, right, says her favorite part of owning her own Antique store is assisting customers and building relationships.
To: thecookstore@msn.com
From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646
Date: Sept. 2023
“I love helping young people starting out on their own, as well as helping the experienced buyer upgrade their existing collection and find special pieces that reflect their personality and taste,” said Linda.
The shop is located in downtown Homewood at 2790 B M Montgomery St., 205-460-1224.
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Sept. 21 issue of OTMJ.
Art by Frank Fleming
Pottery by Lynne Killion
Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques
You also can find her design imprint on collections with Woodard Furniture, Generation Lighting, The Shade Store, Kravet, and Visual Comfort & Co. (which is sponsoring her talk at Antiques at the Gardens), among others.
From page 18
tion is the time component. You can’t just walk into a place and buy seven, even if you want to. It has to be a dedication and commitment, slow over time, for it to have that meaning for you.
“When you go to your grave, any collection you have, whether it’s of value empirically or if it’s only of value to you, is the result of your life’s work.”
For Hampton, her approach to collections as a curator is not unlike how she approaches another of her life’s work, licensing design projects: as an artist.
“I ask what I really wish that I had that I don’t have or what
inspires me,” she said.
Most recently, she has been working on custom wallpaper lines with Gracie Wallpaper.
“It’s been a joy to work on, with artists creating what you had hoped for,” she said.
From product lines to her own apartment, anywhere you see the design and style of Hampton, you’re sure to see what influenced her in each and every moment as a tourist of interiors. Extending your living space outdoors creates the perfect entertainment spot and can increase the value of your home. As Birmingham’s leading experts tile design for 90+ years, our showrooms are curated to offer the best and most exclusive outdoor tile collections in Alabama. Set up an appointment and make a plan with our designers.
Because after all, tile is what we do.
Alexa Hampton is quick to note how decorator Bill Blass, a family friend, influenced her own designs with his display of collections, as you can see in this image. Below, Hampton ran design firm Mark Hampton from this New York City office between 1998 until 2011, when she moved offices.
Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Photo by Steve Freihon
For more than 57 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.
King
“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.
Celebrating
57 Years ESTABLISHED 1967
fine FABRICS for living
1820 Greensprings Highway 322-5878 www.kingcottonfabrics.com
Paige Albright Orientals
Paige Albright, owner of Paige Albright Orientals, has been working hard alongside her fantastic co-chairs and Antiques at the Gardens committee: Marguerite Johnson, Bart McCorquodale and Rachael Rummel.
“We are looking forward to a inspirational weekend filled with color, amazing floral installations, unique shopping and nationally renowned speakers,” Paige said.
Gala in the Gardens, Thurs., Oct. 3, kicks off antiques weekend. William R. “Bill” Ireland Jr. is this year’s honoree. This year’s Gala chairs are Fran Keenan, Symone Shaw and Kathleen Varner. This dream team’s vision is knot to be missed!
2814 PETTICOAT LANE MOUNTAIN BROOK VILLAGE
205.877.3232 paigealbrightorientals.com
You might spot a few rugs and textiles from PAO layered in unexpected ways throughout the show! WHYKNOT
Proceeds from this event benefit our cities 67 acre urban oasis. A special place for so many!
Paige Albright Orientals is located at 2814 Petticoat Lane, 205-877-3232.
Tricia’s Treasures
Our passion is connecting great clients with selected, tailored, and blended beauty for their homes. Our store displays an elevated design scheme, connecting the best of both new and old, because our customers 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
• Large selection of antiques paired with custom vignettes that show a complete scheme of original art, décor, rugs, and lighting
• Friendly consultation to fit your needs
Tricia’s Treasures is located at 2700 19th Place So., Homewood, 205-871-9779.
Cotton
STARS
tial architects working today. He is a member of Architectural Digest’s AD100, a winner of Veranda’s Art of Design award, a recipient of the Arthur Ross Award for Architecture, and the subject of the recent PBS documentary, “Design in Mind: Unlocking the Mysteries of Place.” He has a master’s degree in architecture from Yale University and is the author of the bestselling books “The Great American House” and “A Place to Call Home.” His latest book is “Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House.” He opened G.P. Schafer Architect in 2002 and renamed the firm Schafer Buccellato Architects in 2023.
Oct. 5
The Future of Traditional Design, 11 a.m.
Elizabeth Lawrence Lawrence has spent her career working alongside Bunny Williams, designing projects across the country from Manhattan to Palm Beach to Los Angeles. Since being named Williams’ only partner in 2017, which led to the renaming of the firm as Williams Lawrence in 2023, the two women have run the Bunny Williams umbrella of brands together. She attended the University of Richmond and then the New York School of Interior Design, which honored her at its annual gala in 2020. Her work has
appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Veranda, Galerie, House Beautiful and other publications. Her current projects include a new country estate, a glamorous New York City townhouse, a Palm Beach getaway, and a young family’s apartment overlooking Central Park.
and internationally. He also oversees the design direction of hospitality projects, including The Greenbrier in West Virginia and Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He attended the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, where he received a bachelor’s degree in interior design. A prolific needlepointer, he launched an exclusive needlepoint collection, R! by Rudy, in 2020.
Elizabeth Pyne Singer Singer joined McMillen Inc. in 2009 after having worked at Sotheby’s, where she was a specialist in the Old Master paintings department. At McMillen, she’s completed interior design projects throughout the United States. Her “old guard/avantgarde” approach to decorating, mixing traditional motifs with contemporary art and design, has captured the attention of leading publications. Her
Rudy Saunders
The design director of Dorothy Draper & Company Inc., Saunders joined the firm in 2015 under the direction of his role model, Carleton Varney. Based in New York City, Saunders is involved with all aspects of the firm including designing colorful, bright and fun residential interiors for discerning private clients across the U.S.
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL September 21, 2023 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Thank you for your prompt attention.
Photo by Lesley Unruh
Courtesy Friends of BBG
work has been published by outlets such as Architectural Digest, New York Magazine, the New York Times and House Beautiful.
Influence and Inspiration, 2 p.m.
Barry Dixon
From a Manhattan loft designed for entertaining to embassy elegance in Washington, D.C., Dixon has seen and designed it all. As one of America’s top designers, his work is a blend of traditional and contemporary
that mixes color and texture in creative ways. He’s been featured in publications including House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens and Traditional Home. Dixon’s own furniture and soft furnishings line is carried in showrooms nationally.
Mary McDonald Award-winning interior designer McDonald, who’s based in Los Angeles, is one of today’s most soughtafter tastemakers. Her client roster includes celebrities as well as Forbes 400 families. She stars on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Decorators” and has been featured in major publications throughout the world. Consistently ranked one of House Beautiful’s top 100 designers, she combines bold patterns, chinoiserie and Indian influences with contemporary lines and an impeccable sense of color. Her first book, “Mary McDonald: Interiors, the Allure of Style,” is currently in its fifth printing.
Michelle Nussbaumer
The guiding force behind Ceylon et Cie, founder Michelle Nussbaumer has always had a passion for creating timeless spaces inspired by the farthest reaches of the globe. Her design career began in Rome, where expats fell in love with the villa she had decorated and sought her out as a guide to Italian treasures. After moving to
Los Angeles, she opened her design business and chic antique shop in La Brea. A decade later, she opened her Dallas shop, Ceylon et Cie. Her work has been featured in Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Veranda, Marie Claire, House & Garden and the New York Times.
Oct. 6
Designing a Home Together, 2 p.m.
James Carter Carter’s frequent travels and an ever-expanding personal library have yielded a thorough understanding of and passion for classical architectural principles. He earned an architectural degree from Auburn University and opened his namesake studio in 1996 after
When to Call a Handyman for Your Home
“People call us for all kinds of repairs and for us to help update their home. It’s exciting for the homeowner to get a new fresh look and it adds value to their investment!” stated Trublue COO Benny Wink. “For example, we just finished updating a fence with repairs, pressure washing and a new clearcoat. When you compare that to the old weathered looking fence you can see how it adds value and curb appeal.”
Your home is a major investment, maybe one of your biggest. Value is determined by the real estate market to some extent, but also on the condition of your home and how well it has been maintained.
An old, tired looking home that needs repairs or updates is simply less valuable to a buyer than a home that looks fresh and well maintained. Having a skilled professional who can regularly do the small repairs, keeps it maintained and helps with updates can significantly increase the return on your investment.
So, when should you call on a handyman versus a large construction company?
Whenever you want to:
Save Money: Address small repairs and maintenance BEFORE they become bigger and more expensive issues
Maintain the Value of Your Home: When you have regular maintenance needed but don’t have the time, skill or energy to keep it up
Increase the Value of Your Home: When you want to update the look of your home without a complete renovation
If you’d like to update or make repairs to your home or need a free estimate, call Trublue at 205-839-3818.
years of experience working with a respected Birmingham architect. Carter, along with associate architects Scott Boyd and Andy Taylor, creates timeless homes with an easy grace. Project concepts and designs are inspired by classical vernaculars, based on historical precedent and reflective of the homeowner’s lifestyle and personality. His firm’s work can be seen in Texas and throughout the South and as far north as Massachusetts and Missouri.
Richard Keith Langham
Ben Page
Alabama-born and Manhattanbased, Langham has been a force in the decorating world for more than 30 years. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and studying at the Study Center for the History of Fine and Decorative Arts in London, he apprenticed with design legend Mark Hampton. He spent 10 years with Irvine & Fleming before founding his own firm in 1990.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once proclaimed him to have “a sorcerer’s eye.”
Ben Page is an award-winning, nationally renowned landscape architect with over 40 years of experience. Growing up in Tennessee, he learned about the land, natural systems and horticulture during a childhood spent on the farms of his grandparents and great-grandparents. His passion led him to specialize in residential landscape architecture. He strives to design projects with his clients that are richly detailed and often incorporate a combination of historical influences interpreted for the 21st century. His work has received numerous awards and has been featured in publications including the New York Times, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, the Washington Post and House Beautiful.
For tickets, a detailed show schedule, speaker bios and dealer information, visit bbgardens.org/antiques. Follow show announcements and updates on Facebook and Instagram @antiquesgardensbham.
‘Earning Respect’
O’Dell Making Sure Oak Mountain Isn’t Taken Lightly
chance to play football at the next level. He is an excellent student with a 4.39 GPA and 31 ACT.
By RuBin E. GRant
Before the start of the high school football season, second-year Oak Mountain head coach Shane McComb said senior dual-threat quarterback Will O’Dell would be a force.
McComb probably didn’t envision
just how impactful the 6-foot-4, 210pound O’Dell would be.
O’Dell accounted for 1,352 yards total offense and 11 touchdowns in the Eagles’ first four games.
“Everybody knows he’s a stud, man,” McComb said after O’Dell passed for 208 yards and two touch-
WEEK 3 SCOREBOARD
Hoover 8, Hewitt-Trussville 7
Thompson 42, Oak Mountain 7
Vestavia Hills 49, Hillcrest-Tusc.17
Homewood 52, Woodlawn 14
Mountain Brook 42, Pell City 14
Spain Park 28, Helena 26
Carver 20, Briarwood Christian 7
John Carroll Catholic 36, Hayden 6
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Wenonah at Briarwood Christian
Homewood at Jackson-Olin (Thurs.)
Prattville at Hoover
John Carroll Catholic at Ramsay
Oxford at Mountain Brook
Tuscaloosa County at Oak Mountain
Benjamin Russell at Spain Park
Thompson at Vestavia Hills
downs and ran for 194 yards and a touchdown in Oak Mountain’s 38-28 season-opening victory against Briarwood Christian. “He’s a heck of a kid, a great player and one of the best I’ve ever coached.”
O’Dell was even more impressive the next week, producing 472 total yards and four touchdowns in a 38-20 victory against Pelham. He threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 175 yards and two TDs.
Their 2-0 start meant the Eagles surpassed their win total of 2023 when they won their opener and didn’t win again, finishing 1-9.
Oak Mountain has come back to earth the past two weeks, falling 35-28 to Prattville at Heardmont Park and 42-7 at Thompson to open 0-2 in Class 7A, Region 3 play.
Still, O’Dell has continued to produce. He threw for 243 yards and a TD and ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Prattville.
Thompson, however, held O’Dell in check. He accounted for 114 (all passing) of the Eagles’ 189 total yards. He completed 12 of 14 passes, including a 7-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Zach Fitzgerald on a tipped pass.
Despite the back-to-back losses, O’Dell is encouraged by how the Eagles have started the season.
“The season so far has been good,” O’Dell said. “It’s a tall task to go out and compete every week, so it’s a testament to what we’ve been doing all spring and summer.
“We have a lot of new offensive coaches and young players on offense. Last year we started a lot of sophomores and juniors. We had a lot of growth and now we’re starting to see the benefits.”
O’Dell credits his teammates for his sensational start.
“I’m really just trying to run the offense,” he said. “Our receivers have been making great catches, (junior running back) Marty Myricks has been running great and the linemen have done an incredible job of protecting me. It’s been the entire unit doing their jobs.”
O’Dell, who also plays basketball and baseball, has been a quarterback from the time he began playing football. He’s bigger, stronger and faster this season.
“I started playing in the seventh grade,” he said. “I’ve always been tall and now my body has started to fill in.”
O’Dell took over as the Eagles’ starter when was a sophomore. He describes himself as an experienced dual-threat quarterback and athlete with good size, a strong and accurate arm, deceptive speed – he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash – and strength, and an extremely high football/QB IQ.
O’Dell hopes he will get a chance to play football at the next level. He is an excellent student with a 4.39
GPA and 31 ACT.
“I’ve been talking to quite a few colleges,” O’Dell said. “I’m leaving it in the hands of my lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I know he has a plan for me.”
This week, O’Dell hopes the Eagles can snap their two-game losing streak when they host Tuscaloosa County.
“Getting in the playoffs is still our goal,” O’Dell said. “We’ve got plenty of season left. But our main thing this season is going out every day and gaining consistency and earning respect.”
Birmingham Bash Soccer Tournament Draws
Teams From Nine States
More than 420 youth soccer teams from nine states will spread out across southern areas of the Birmingham metro next weekend to play in the 2024 Birmingham Bash Soccer Tournament.
Birmingham United Soccer Association/Alabama FC hosts the event each year. This year more than 5,700 youth soccer players are expected to participate, with another 15,000 supporters cheering on their teams, according to a statement from the association.
The financial impact of the tournament being held Sept. 27-29 is projected to be $9.3 million, with visitors staying in local hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping in the area, according to the statement.
Academy Sports and Outdoors is presenting the event. Sponsors include Medical Properties Trust, Nike and Soccer.com.
For more information, visit birminghamunited.com.
Oak Mountain’s John Shoemaker Sets Lofty Goal for Senior Season
By Josh BEan
Oak Mountain cross-country standout John Shoemaker delivered a personal-record time of 15:01.00 at the Chickasaw Trails Invitational earlier this month, beating McCallie, Tennessee, senior and North Carolina commit Jack Bowen in a photo finish at the Oakville Indian Mounds Park.
What did Shoemaker think about running the fastest time this season, at the time, by an Alabama cross-country runner?
“I feel like I have a lot more in me,” he said.
Shoemaker has his sights set on breaking the AHSAA’s all-time crosscountry record of 14:34.29, set at the 2023 state meet by Cold Springs’ Ethan Edgeworth. He said he set two goals for the season – breaking the all-time record and being named the state’s Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year.
There’s reason to believe Shoemaker
can shave more time off his personalbest and challenge the all-time record.
Oak Mountain cross-country coach James Moore noted Shoemaker has lowered his 5K time consistently throughout his high school career. He finished 30th in the Class 7A state meet as a sophomore and improved to a runner-up finish in 2023, clocking 15:11.20.
Shoemaker added to the trophy case during his junior track season, finishing runner-up in the 3,200 meters and third in the 1,600 meters at the AHSAA indoor championships and ending the season winning the 7A 3,200-meter title outdoors and running second in the 1,600 meters.
Shoemaker has won three times in three outings this season – clocking 15:39.27 to win the AHSAA North/ South All-Star race in Montgomery in July, running 9:30.26 to win the Thompson Warrior 2-Mile Invitational and setting his PR of 15:01.00 to win Chickasaw Trails.
John Shoemaker
“He was a good runner as a freshman, and he’s just gotten faster every year,” Moore said. “He trusts the (training) system. He’s a great kid to work with.”
Shoemaker joined the running club at Briarwood Christian as a fifth grader.
“That’s where I went back in the day,” he said.
He immediately fell in love with competitive racing. As a seventh grader, he began running cross-country.
Since then, he’s concentrated on distance running, competing in cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track after having played baseball, basketball and soccer as a youngster.
“I always loved it,” he said of running. “It’s what I want to do.”
Shoemaker will have plenty of chances to lower his personal-record time as the season goes along. On Sept. 21, Shoemaker and his Oak Mountain will travel to Cartersville, Georgia, to compete in the 10th annual Winged Foot Classic, where Shoemaker expects
to race against at least two runners who have logged faster times than his 15:01.00.
His reign atop the Alabama individual standings lasted just a week, as James Clemens senior Luke Alverson became the first Alabama runner to break 15 minutes by winning the Southern Showcase in Huntsville with a time of 14:49.25.
The 2024 cross-country season runs through early November, with the state meet set for Nov. 9 at Oakville Indian Mounds Park. Alverson and Shoemaker will be among the top contenders at the state meet. Shoemaker finished runnerup in Class 7A last season, finishing less than a second behind Vestavia Hills’ Henry Strand.
Combine that narrow runner-up finish with Shoemaker’s other success, and it’s easy to see why he set the goal of breaking Edgeworth’s all-time AHSAA record.
“He puts the work in and gets the job done,” Moore said.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Oak Mountain QB Will O’Dell hopes he will get a
AHSAA
Photo David Holtsford
BRADLEY
page 28
and knowing I’ve got my guys up front, to know I’ve got those guys around me, we knew we were going to drive it down and give it our best shot.”
Despite the rivals having played one another 23 times since 2002 and three times in the state playoffs, this is a game that might not have happened this year. Spain Park was reclassified from Class 7A to 6A so the squads were no longer required to meet as region rivals.
“When we realized we were going to 6A, we had a big team meeting about it and one thing they asked was, ‘Coach, can we still play Hoover?’” Vakakes recalled. “I said, ‘Absolutely. We’re not going to not play Hoover.’”
was reversed by forfeit. The prior onfield Jaguar wins over the Bucs – regular season and postseason in 2015 –came at Jaguar Stadium on Bob Finley Field.
Perhaps that’s why Bradley and company insisted that the continuation of the rivalry be in what had previously been Spain Park’s temple of doom.
“We looked at The Met as an opportunity and we seized it,” Bradley said. “Credit to this coaching staff and this whole team and the guys I’ve got around me. I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself. It takes everyone to be bought in and we were bought in to get that win.”
‘There’s not a quarterback anywhere in America I’d rather have behind the center than Brock Bradley.’
After an off week following the victory, the undefeated Jags (3-0) pulled out a dramatic 28-26 victory at Helena last Friday in their first Class 6A, Region 3 game of the season.
The coach gave his squad the choice of where the game would be played. He figured the seniors would want another game at home. He was wrong.
“They were adamant,” he said. “They wanted to go to The Met. They said, ‘Coach, we wanna go to The Met.’ That’s what we worked out.”
Only two times previously had
Bradley completed 13 of 21 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, continuing his spectacular start to the season.
In the Jags’ opener, Bradley threw for 243 yards passing and five touchdowns as he completed 9 of 15 passes in Spain Park’s 38-7 rout of Sparkman.
Clemson-Bound
Bradley recently committed to
the eighth grade. He’s toured several college campuses the past three or four years, with several visits to Clemson.
“They were in on me early and once they pulled the trigger, I kind of knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Bradley said. “I felt very comfortable about what that coaching staff was able to present to me. And who doesn’t want to play for coach (Dabo) Sweeney? I feel like he’s one of the best in college football.”
Vakakes feels just as strongly about what Bradley brings to the Jaguars.
“He’s confident and he kind of makes us tick,” Vakakes said. “There’s not a quarterback anywhere in America I’d rather have behind the center than Brock Bradley.”
Bradley will look to keep the Jags ticking this Friday when Spain Park hosts Benjamin Russell in another region game.
LEGAL NOTICE
In accordance with the Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that CB&A Construction, LLC, has completed the contract for North Woodridge Road Sidewalk Project, and has made request for final settlement of said contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify City Hall – City of Mountain Brook, 56 Church Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35213-3700. ATTN: City Manager/ Purchasing Agent.
GET THE PICTURE
Hire OTMJ photographer Jordan Wald for your next special occasion, event or gathering
205.613.4823 | wald.jordan01@gmail.com
To: Josh
For kids like Gwen
Date: Aug. 2024
Because Gwen came to Children’s for the diagnosis and treatment of her blood disorder, she received the best care available thanks to groundbreaking research made possible by clinical trials for cancers and blood disorders. The research happening today will lead to future cures, and it is happening here at Children’s of Alabama.
From: Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646
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Oak Mountain’s John Shoemaker sets lofty goal for senior season
Page 26
SPORTS
ter for Vestavia Hills.
Twice this season, she has recorded a career-high 29 kills in a match, helping the Rebels post a 7-3 record heading into a tournament at Thompson last Saturday.
Vestavia Hills coach Ashley Hardee said talent and athleticism aren’t the only things Burgess brings to the team.
“She has such an infectious personality and brings a huge amount of energy that not a lot of other players have, and she always has a positive attitude,” Hardee said. “The whole team feeds off of her and plays with a certain spark and speed.
“It’s a pleasure being her coach. She makes volleyball fun.”
Mandy Burgess is enjoying watching her daughter perform. She left coaching after 18 years at the end of the 2019 season to spend more time with her family.
‘The whole team feeds off of her and plays with a certain spark and speed.’
“It’s fun to see her play,” said Mandy Burgess, who teaches physical education at Pizitz Middle School. “She has worked hard in school ball and club ball to become a good player.
“She is surrounded by great teammates and good coaches.”
Mandy Burgess had no desire to coach her daughter, even growing up.
“I thought it would be better not to coach her matches,” she said. But mother and daughter talk constantly about volleyball at home.
“She tells me all the time that when I’m on the court to be whatever the team needs me to be,” Millie Burgess said.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Millie Burgess Becomes Dominant Volleyball Player
By RuBin E. GRant
When Millie Burgess and her older brother, Joshua, were little, their parents enrolled them in a number of activities, including various sports.
It didn’t take young Millie long to decide what she liked best.
She was in kindergarten when she began playing volleyball.
“It was so much fun,” she said.
At the time, her mother, Mandy Burgess, was the head volleyball coach at Vestavia Hills, so it’s not
surprising little Millie gravitated to volleyball.
Besides, Mandy Burgess, whose maiden name is Nuss, played volleyball in college at Huntingdon and in high school at Berry/Hoover, where she was a three sport-standout in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was a member of Hoover’s first graduating class in 1995.
Apparently, Mandy Burgess passed the volleyball genes on to Millie, who has developed into a dominant 6-foot-1 junior outside hit-
Millie Burgess also receives encouragement from her brother. The two are only 18 months apart in age. Joshua Burgess, a senior, is a member of the Rebels’ bowling and track teams.
“He’s my built-in best friend,” Millie Burgess said. “He helps me when I’m down and he helps me with my homework. I love him.”
Millie Burgess also loves her teammates on the volleyball team. She has played with some of them since kindergarten.
The Rebels have six seniors, including outside hitter Jordan Madsen, a three-year starter and team captain, and middle hitter Ava Scott Windham. The other seniors are setter Emily Byrket, right side Ella Wisdom, and defensive specialists Caroline O’Neill and Piper Metty.
“We have great team chemistry and a drive to want to win while also having fun,” Burgess said.
‘Earning Respect’ O’Dell making sure Oak Mountain isn’t taken lightly Page 26
AT THE CONTROLS
Bradley’s Stellar QB Play Has Spain Park Off to 3-0 Start
By Solomon CREnShaw JR.
Every now and then, Spain Park junior quarterback Brock Bradley might be found playing College Football 25 on his PlayStation 5.
“It’s cool to kind of play with some of the guys I know now,” Bradley said. “Otherwise, I’m so busy working out or watching (football game) film and something like that. But if I ever get a chance to get on the sticks, I do (play) a little bit.”
In the Jaguars’ second game this season, Bradley was at the controls of a real-life game. This was no virtual venue but against crosstown rival Hoover at the Hoover Met.
Bradley and his mates outlasted rival Hoover 39-37 in a back-andforth affair that left fans of both programs dizzy and the Spain Park faithful delirious with delight.
Bradley was brilliant, completing 17 of 24 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. That included the game-winner on a 9-yard touchdown toss to Corey Barber in
the game’s final minute.
“Man, that was a good game,” Bradley said. “It came down to the end. Credit to our coaching staff and the guys up front for protecting me back there. Good teams find a way to win so we did that.”
Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes laughs as he remembers the topsyturvy contest.
“It was a wild one,” Vakakes said. “There was a lot of emotion. They jumped out on us quick and then we came back and scored four unanswered. Then they came back and scored a couple unanswered.
“It was just a heck of a ballgame between two good football teams and two great communities and great schools. You hated somebody had to lose that one.”
Bradley never lost hope that the Jags would come out on top.
“We were kind of behind the eight ball there with a minute or two left,” he said. “That’s a 2-minute drill that we practice all the time. Just having that experience
See BRADLEY, page 27
Spain Park QB Brock Bradley completed 13 of 21 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, continuing his spectacular start to the season, in pulling out a dramatic 28-26 victory at Helena last Friday in their first Class 6A, Region 3 game of the season.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Twice this season, Millie Burgess has recorded a career-high 29 kills in a match, helping the Rebels post a 7-3 record.