The Soothing Joy of Jam
Lawyer by Day, Jenny McCain Pays Homage to Family Food Traditions Through Woodhill Cottage. See story page 28
Guest Column Inside
SAVE THE DATE
O’Neal family will be this year’s ArtBlink honorees PAGE 4
WhenRemember Their Names
COVID 19th altered our behavior, changed our expectations and affected lives here and around the world, our cheese was forever moved.
Members of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club, like many other wonderful community-minded organizations, had to think differently about social fundraising events.
What could we do that adhered to social distancing, was fun and continued to support Vestavia Hills community schools’ students, scholarships and programs? After many weeks of virtual meetings and collaboration, we came up with the answer. Hike the Hill.
This event encouraged people to get outside and hike the hill that runs past Vestavia Hills High School for their health and well-being as well as to support the community. The hill represents a student’s educational climb from elementary school to high school graduation, as well as life’s journey of ups and downs.
Everyone has a hill to climb, some steeper than others Then there is a group of Americans who made the decision to climb a steeper hill. These are the members of the active military and our veterans. This group of individuals epitomizes Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
Two years later, Hike the Hill expanded its story to include the names of veterans on the back of the T-shirt. When a supporter purchased a T-shirt, they included the name of their favorite veterans. Our slogan became, “Put a veteran’s name on your back and Hike the Hill.”
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.
The list of veterans celebrated over the past three years has grown to almost 200. There is a story behind every name. Roy Davidson parachuted from his burning B17 during WWII. The French Resistance reached him first and was on his way back to England when he was captured off the coast of France. Roy remained a POW until the end of the war. Upon his return to Birmingham, he entered dental school and practiced until his retirement in 1997. His daughter Jennifer joined him 1990, with her niece joining the practice in 2007.
Gene Rozell was trained as a Navy pilot in Pensacola. He continued his education and training to become a helicopter pilot. Rozell served in Vietnam, leading search and rescue missions. After the war, he returned to Birmingham to raise a family and retired after a successful career with Xerox.
Arthur John Sharbel, Jr. was raised on the Southside of Birmingham. During WWII, he served in Patton’s 3rd Army of citizen soldiers that reinforced the 101st Airborne in Bastogne. Art was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge when
a shell exploded in between him and another soldier. Upon his return to Birmingham, he and his wife Ginger moved to Vestavia Hills in the late 50’s to raise their three children. Today his family includes a son and grandson who bear his name as the III and IV, and a family full of public-school teachers devoted to education.
Kate Bertanzetti Camiliere accepted a West Point appointment after graduating from Hoover High School in 2005. Upon her graduation from United States Military Academy, she made her way to Fort Rucker, at the time, to attend US Army Helicopter School. Kate then deployed to Afghanistan as a Kiowa helicopter pilot for armed reconnaissance and direct fire support. She now resides in Washington DC where she and her husband continue to serve and protect our country.
Homewood High School graduate retired Col. Jennifer Gross Chapman served in the U.S. Army for nearly 23 years. As a military veterinary pathologist, most of her career was focused on research to develop medical countermeasures that protect U.S. warfighters and civilians across the world.
Among her assignments, she was stationed at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Joint Pathology Center and the Defense Health Agency.
What these veterans and others share in common is their unselfish commitment to something larger than themselves. This takes courage, faith and hope: courage to follow the examples of others who came before them and to accept whatever comes their way; faith in those who serve alongside them; and hope that tomorrow will be a better day because of the ideals set forth in America’s founding documents they had pledged to defend.
While I am not a veteran, their compass is the one I aspire to follow every day. Easy to say, hard to do.
In the grocery store last night, I was struck by these words that appeared on the back of a T-shirt: “They are not forgotten as long as we remember their names.”
Let us not forget those who sacrificed so much.
Kent Howard has been a member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club for more than 20 years and heads up the organizations fundraising events. For more information on the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Hike the Hill event on Sun., Nov. 10 go to vestaviarotary.org.
Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald
Copy Editor: Virginia Martin
Features Writer: Donna Cornelius
Staff Writers: June Mathews, Anne Ruisi
Photographer: Jordan Wald
Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant
Contributors: Evelyn Byrne, Solomon Crenshaw Jr., Madoline Markham Koonce, Lee Hurley, Susan Swagler
Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Gail Kidd
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO U RNA L October 31, 2024 Vol. 35, No. 7
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
Over the Mountain Views
The Vestavia Hills Men’s Garden Club Inc. is raising money to restore the stone fountain at the corner of Shades
and U.S.
The volunteer group maintains the garden on that lot, and the stone fountain is being eroded by the elements. The fund drive, being headed by club member Chris Smith, has a $15,000 goal. Contributions of $20 or more earn the designation of founding donor. The Go Fund Me page can be found at gofund.me/e7394144, or go to gofund.me and search for Keep Vestavia Hills’ Fountain Flowing.
HAUNT THE HILLS Vestavia Hills Chamber sponsors trick-or-treat evening at Wald Park Page 9
A SYMPHONY OF SUPPORT WISE helping our children hear PAGE 6
Kent and Lisa Howard at the 2022 Army Navy game
Crest
31.
ATTENTION HOLIDAY SHOPPERS
Popular holiday shopping events in the OTM area kickoff in November PAGE 5
Journal
photo by Maury Wald
Thurs, Oct. 31
Mystics of Mountain Brook
Halloween Parade
The Mystics of Mountain Brook will stage their 22nd Mardi Gras-inspired Halloween parade featuring an array of floats, the Mountain Brook High School Marching Band and beads, T-shirts, stuffed animals and moon pies among the goodies tossed to spectators. When: Starts at 4 p.m. Where: Begins at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, to Montevallo Road, to Church Street through Crestline Village, to Euclid Avenue and ends at Vine Street.
Hoover Met Spookfest
Come dressed to impress in your Halloween Best! An evening of fun is on hand at the Hoover Met at a free party with music, food, trick or treating, giveaways and more. When: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Hoover Met RV Park at the Hoover Met Complex
Vulcan’s Spooktacular
Grab candy at trick-or-treating stations throughout the museum, enjoy photo opportunities around the park, music, kid friendly activities and complimentary popcorn and refreshments along with wine, beer, and cocktails for adults. The Iron Man himself will be on hand in a Halloween costume. New this year is an adultonly Halloween party, featuring a costume contest and pumpkin carving. Learn more at visitvulcan. com/event/vulcans-spooktacular.
When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Vulcan Park & Museum
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Three Little Kittens
Step into the enchanting world of “The Three Little Kittens” where Katie Sue, Purr, Tuffy and Whiskers embark on a delightful adventure! The show is recommended for children ages 4-8 and will be performed in BCT’s Wee Folks Theatre. When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Oct. 31-Nov. 3
But Why Bump Off Barnaby?
This wild and crazy show poses a fascinating mystery: When Barnaby Folcey is murdered at a family gathering at Marlgate Manor, it transpires that he had a motive to murder everybody else, but no one had a reason to want him dead. While the bizarre group frantically tries to unmask the murderer, people vanish, poison is found in the sherry, and the police take forever to arrive.
When: Various showtimes Where: Homewood Theatre
Fri., Nov. 1
Day of the Dead
This collaboration fuses the work of Matt Layne, an early advocate of Day of the Dead in Birmingham, and local
jam band T.U.B. (The Unknamed Band). It celebrates life and death by pairing the music of The Grateful Dead and traditional Day of the Dead remembrances. When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virginia Samford Theatre
Sat., Nov. 2
2024 Walk to END Epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation Alabama sponsors the annual walk to raise money for the foundation’s fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. It called on supporters to walk 26 miles over a period of time and is wrapping up that effort with a walk on a 1-mile course. The morning includes refreshments, family-friendly activities and an opening ceremony. When: 10 a.m.-noon. Where: Railroad Park.
Dia De Los Muertos
Bare Hands Inc. will hold this Day of the Dead festival featuring massive art installations, music and dance performances, beautiful costumes, food trucks and a parade procession with puppets and homemade memorial altars. When: 3-11 p.m.
Where: Sloss Furnaces
5K Pig Run and Fun Run
Support the Mountain Brook Fraternal Order of Police at this 5K run and a 1-mile Fun Run. The run will begin at Crestline Elementary School, through Crestline Village and then back to the school. Dogs are welcome to join the fun. When: 5K starts at 8 a.m., Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. Where: Begins and ends at Crestline School
Sun., Nov 3
Out of the Darkness Walk
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Register online at afsp.org/ birmingham. When: 1-5 p.m. Where: Hoover’s Veterans Park
Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” with music by Antonin Dvorak, this magical tale performed by Opera Birmingham’s will transport you on a sweet journey of searching. With breathtaking melodies, this children’s opera will delight everyone and have everyone celebrating the triumph of love! When: 4 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Nov. 2-3
Hadestown Teen Edition
This full-length, two-act adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell’s “Hadestown,” is modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences. It’s an intriguing and beautiful folk opera that follows two intertwining love stories: that of young dreamers Orpheus and
Save the Date
O’Neal
Family Will Be This Year’s ArtBlink Honorees
This 40th annual ArtBlink Gala will honor the O’Neal family for its continuing contributions to UAB and support for cancer research.
The gala will feature 19 local artists painting live while the event goes on around them. It’s sponsored by the advisory board to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
ArtBlink has been set for Feb. 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Kirklin Clinic, according to an announcement from UAB. Proceeds will be put toward
Eurydice and immortal King Hades and lady Persephone. When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre
Moss Rock Festival
This one-of-a-kind, outdoor fall weekend welcomes thousands of visitors annually to explore Nature, Art + Design, Smart Living and enjoy a beer garden, café, food trucks and more. When: Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Hoover Metroplex
Sat., Nov. 7
Kristallnacht Commemorative Lecture
Were German businesses Nazi collaborators, or were they just doing business with the Nazis? Learn more at this lecture by Holocaust scholar Peter Hayes presented by the Alabama Holocaust Education Center and the UAB Department of History. When: 5:30-7 p.m. Where: UAB Husley Auditorium
Sun., Nov. 10
The Mountain Grass Unit
The Mountain Grass Unit consists of three Birmingham pickers, Drury Anderson (mandolin and vocals), Luke Black (acoustic guitar and
O’Neal Invests, a fund focused on high-priority research efforts. The fund supports cutting-edge research that could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cancer research.
In 2019, the O’Neal family made a significant naming gift to the cancer center after having their own personal experiences dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the announcement states. Their support has been instrumental in advancing groundbreaking research, enhancing patient care and fostering education and prevention efforts.
banjo) and Sam Wilson (upright bass). They perform in a range of styles, from the vocal harmonies of traditional bluegrass tunes to the freedom to adapt songs from various genres to an all-acoustic format. When: 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Where: Hoover Library Theatre
Tues., Nov. 12
Viennese Kaleidoscope
Slip back in time to old Vienna as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs a trio of Trios by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Samford University Brock Recital Hall
Birmingham’s Finest
This fundraising event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will feature a friendly competition among professionals representing their companies, live music, silent auction, food and drinks! When: 7 p.m. Where: Back Forty Beer Company
Thurs., Nov. 14
Concert Series: Charles Kennedy, Organ
Charles Kennedy, associate director of music at Cathedral Church of the Advent, will perform a free organ recital with a special focus on the music of Sirs Charles Villiers Stanford
“We are excited to celebrate 40 years of ArtBlink and the impact it has made in our community,” Dr. Barry Sleckman, director of the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in the announcement. “This event not only raises essential funds for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center but also brings together individuals who share a common goal: to make a difference in the fight against cancer.”
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, visit artblink. org.
and Edward Bairstow. When: 7 p.m. Where: Cathedral Church of the Advent
Tunes on Tap @ The Fennec A community favorite, Tunes on Tap is back! This free concert at The Fennec is where classical meets casual, with food, drinks and a special performance by the ASO unlike any you’ve seen before! When: 6:30 p.m. Where: The Fennec
Young Concert Artists Series: Ziggy and Miles
Meet Ziggy and Miles, Australia’s trailblazing guitarist brothers, who are making waves on the international stage. Their latest album, “Sidekick,” dazzles with new works, their stunning take on Debussy’s Clair de Lune, and captivating pieces from Spain, Latin America, and Australia. When: 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center
Nov. 14-24
Chicago
Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. When: Various showtimes Where: BJCC Concert Hall.
From left, Dr. Barry Sleckman, Carrie Pittman, Craft O’Neal, Margaret Head, and Penny Page.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Popular Shopping Events Return In November
Thurs., Nov. 7
Homewood for the Holidays Downtown Homewood will be turned into a “Christmas Shopping Village” Thursday, Nov. 7, as the Homewood Chamber of Commerce sponsors its 26th Annual Holiday Open House. This popular event gets bigger every year, shops in the area will be offering complimentary food and beverages in addition to sales and discounts, Christmas Shopping Village, Santa, and more. When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 16
Deck the Heights
Shop local for the holidays and enjoy arts and crafts pop up shops, food,
activities and a trolley. When: Starts at 10 a.m., food, activities and a trolley from 2-7 p.m. Where: Heights Village, Cahaba Heights
Nov. 20-23
Market Noel
Shop among more than 60 exclusive vendors at the annual Market Noel, presented by the Junior League of Birmingham. There will be special events, including some with Santa, a silent auction and other activities. Funds raised will be used to support Junior League programs. Learn more at marketnoel.net When: Nov. 21, 10
a.m.-8 p.m.; Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: The Finley Center
An Arlington Christmas
Antebellum Mansion to Put 1800s on Display
During Christmas Open House
Arlington Historic Home and Gardens is pulling out all the 1800s stops for its Christmas open house on Dec. 7.
The character of William S. Mudd, the judge and legislator who built the house in the 1840s, will meet visitors on the entry steps to the mansion and his “wife,” Florence Mudd, will talk about the significance and history of the property, which is the only antebellum mansion surviving in Birmingham.
Visitors also will get insight into the wedding of the Mudd’s daughter, Flossie, to Dr. Mortimer Jordan Jr. Both characters will entertain visitors in their rooms to talk about wedding preparations, including details about the wedding gown, the flower girl’s dress and other essentials for the 1800s bride.
The house will be decorated as it would have been in 1800s, and the kitchen building, separate from the main house, will be open and will have an exhibit of how clothes were washed in the period.
Arlington Historic Home and Gardens’ pianist will be at the vintage piano in the Munger Parlor. The music will set the tone for both Christmas and the anticipation of the wedding. Santa also will visit and children will have an arts and crafts area.
Entertaining will be the Grace Recorders, the Parker High School Choral Group, and the ABOG and Una Voce a cappella groups from Mountain Brook. Robbie Robinson will sing his way through the open house.
The Christmas at Arlington open house begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. It is free to the public and presented by the Arlington Historical Association. Arlington is at 331 Cotton Avenue S.W.
Thurs., Nov. 21
Crestline Village Holiday Open House
Crestline Village leads the way in Mountain Brook with its Holiday Open House with retailers and restaurants offering sales and special events. Patrons can go to the lawn of Mountain Brook City Hall for a hot coca bar and a life-sized snow globe. Thursday, October
Journal
file
photo by Jordan Wald
Holiday shoppers at last year’s Crestline Village Holiday Open House outside Town & Country Clothes. This year’s event is set for Nov. 21.
By Lee HurLey
This story has happy endings and several heroes. But it’s hard to tell that to a distressed mother who can’t quite figure out what is wrong with her daughter.
Leigh and Joe Leak had their first child, Caroline, a beautiful baby girl, in 1996.
“Ten fingers, ten toes, looked perfect in every way,” Leigh Leak said. “She walked early and was such a curious child.”
At about 16 months, though, Leigh began to sense that something was wrong despite being told that Caroline was perfectly fine. There was no history of hearing loss or deafness on either side of their families yet after having extensive hearing tests, Caroline was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss.
“In 1997, there was no Google and no laptop to hop on and research,” Leak reflects. “We were stunned, shocked and even a little in denial.”
Those who know the Leaks could tell you what happened next. They got busy figuring out what to do for their daughter.
But first they had a major decision to make about Caroline’s diagnosis. That is, do they commit to the path of spoken language, or do they commit to sign language? The two options could not be more different.
“We chose spoken language for her,” Leak said, “and making that decision means basically hearing aids or a cochlear implant followed by
A Symphony of Support
Helping Our Children Hear
intensive therapy with an auditoryverbal therapist.”
A cochlear implant, which Caroline had, is a surgically implanted device that bypasses damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. It’s like learning a new way to hear,” Leak said.
Then There Was Children’s
Thankfully for the Leaks, Children’s of Alabama offers worldclass care for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“I would be sitting in the waiting room at Children’s for different appointments and there would be families there from Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery,” Leak said. “It made me realize how incredibly fortunate and blessed we are to be in Birmingham.”
Dr. Audie Woolley, medical director and founder of the Cochlear Implant Program at Children’s, not to mention a mean banjo player, and auditory-verbal therapist Nancy Gregg are considered superheroes.
Caroline Leak and Dr. Audie Woolley before her cochlear implant in 2005.
Nearly three decades ago, Woolley, with Gregg’s help, began performing cochlear implants at Children’s. That first year Woolley
Sips for Sound 2024
What: A family-friendly event that supports the Woolley Institute for Spoken-Language Education and includes food, drink and live music.
When: Nov. 10, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Back Forty Beer Co.
Details: Adult tickets, $50 each or two for $90; children 6-12, $10; ages 5 and under, free. Visit wise4al.org and look under the Events tab.
Elizabeth Mize and Sydney Crosthwait at last year’s Sips for Sounds
did just a handful, but the number tripled and doubled again. Meanwhile, Gregg oversaw the critical auditory and verbal therapy needed to teach these children how to hear and speak
The Rise of WISE
Woolley and Gregg make up the spirit and the backbone of WISE, the shorthand name for the Woolley
Institute for Spoken-Language Education. Quite simply, WISE is a nonprofit that helps affected children learn to listen and speak.
Homewood’s Keith and Jennifer Andress have two boys with cochlear implants, Will, 20, and John, 21. Will’s hearing loss was more profound, and he was enrolled in the 2009 inaugural class of what would become WISE. The classes were at Canterbury Methodist Church.
When Will began the program,
Will Andress reading to WISE children. Will was enrolled in the 2009 inaugural class of what would become WISE.
Jennifer Andress said, “I liken it to putting kindling wood down and lighting a match. His language took off and before first grade he was caught up with his peers.”
The mission of WISE is to “empower families with the skills, strategies and resources so that every child with hearing differences or developmental delays can learn to listen, speak, read and integrate fully into the community,” according to its website.
It operates from a building in Meadowbrook as well as satellite offices in Huntsville, Mobile, Decatur and Boaz. It recently added a mobile
Miss Florence Mudd & Dr. Mortimer Jordan A Christmas Experience from in the 1800's at
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 2024 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Explore Birmingham’s oldest early 19th-century residence, beautifully decorated with seasonal decorations. Docents in period attire will guide you as they prepare for the wedding of Miss Florence Mudd and Dr. Mortimer Jordan. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment, children's crafts, and a special visit with St. Nick.
unit that travels statewide providing hearing screening, audiological services, speech therapy and family education. Gregg is executive director of WISE.
“She’s an amazing person,” Leak said, “a highly trained speech therapist who is also running a nonprofit, wearing a million hats, writing grants and so much more.”
The scope of WISE today is almost intimidating. The Early Intervention Program serves approximately 225 children per month all over the state, while preschool pro-
grams in Birmingham and Huntsville serve 47 children. The outreach and support program provides educational audiology and language therapy for 37 children in public schools.
Happy Endings
Caroline Leak graduated from Washington and Lee then Cumberland Law School and just started as a firstyear associate at Lightfoot, Franklin and White in Birmingham.
Will and John Andress are both deans’ list students at Auburn. Will is getting an undergraduate and master’s
degree in accounting while John plans to go to law school.
Both Jennifer Andress and Leigh Leak serve on the WISE board along with other community leaders who lend their passion to the nonprofit.
“Seeing the growth that we’ve been able to achieve in the last five years has been really encouraging. We have had so much help from generous individuals, organizations and political leaders,” Leak said. “Running a program of this size and scope is neither easy nor cheap. But it changes lives.”
ARTS CRAFT PO P UP SHOPS
LIFE
In the Trenches
Vestavia Hills Lawyer Remembers Veterans Through Their Wartime Art
By Lee HurLey
Frank S. Buck is a storyteller, litigator, devoted husband, proud father and, last but not least, an avid collector.
Buck collects mission furniture, steins and quartz for starters, but his most prized collection is called Trench Art. He wagers he has the largest collection in Alabama, and by the looks of his law office, it would be risky to bet against him.
Raised in Ionia, Michigan, Buck graduated from Michigan State and applied to Cumberland School of Law in 1972.
“I came down here to this foreign country,” Buck laughed. “I didn’t know anyone. And when I look back on my life, I figured, well, it had to be the good Lord because of all the places I could have gone. I got this warm weather, my career and I met my future wife of 50 years!”
Buck, who raised his family in Vestavia Hills, has been a successful personal injury lawyer for 45 years. His charismatic daughters, Ashley and Rachel, practice law with him out of a Frank Lloyd Wrightstyle 1912 house in Southside that doubles as a private museum.
But What Is Trench Art?
Trench Art refers to decorative items made from war debris. During the First World War, soldiers on both sides of the conflict spent countless hours in trenches. While waiting for the inevitable battle, soldiers began making art from the materials around them, as did POWs held in camps.
The bulk of trench art is made from artillery shells, bullets, shell casings and other metal scraps which were ubiquitous on the battlefield. Artillery shells were heated and sculpted, and all sorts of other objects were made, such as pens, lighters, ashtrays, rings, lamps, letter openers and knives.
The Buck Collection
soldiers made these engravings in a trench is somewhat of a mystery, but that’s part of what makes it interesting.
Buck has learned how to be a savvy collector.
“You can go online and pay $800 or $900 for one piece, but I’ve learned to look for the good deal,” he said. “I’d say my average cost is anywhere from $100 to $150 per piece, and I figure the brass alone is worth $100.”
Buck uses brass polish on some shells but otherwise they are in amazing shape.
Saluting Veterans
Events Planned to Honor Service Members
Nov. 11 each year is set aside as Veterans Day to pay tribute to those who have served our country through military service. Cities and groups throughout the Birmingham area are actively honoring service members with a variety of events, including
Sun., Nov. 3
Step Stone Dedication and Tribute to Veterans
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park will hold its annual Patriotic tribute to veterans at 1:30 and a step stone dedication ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Where: Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Thurs., Nov. 7
Salute to Veterans
Mayor Ashley Curry and the City of Vestavia Hills will host a Veterans Day celebration honoring veterans from all service branches. Enjoy entertainment and programming with a patriotic theme including booths featuring information and services for veterans, antique military vehicles and more. When: 2 - 4 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Civic Center
Fri., Nov. 8
Alabama Veteran Golf Tournament
The Robert Trent Jones Oxmoor Valley golf course is the site of this year’s Alabama Veteran War on the Greens golf event in honor of fallen service members from Alabama. Each year the tournament is named in honor of one Gold Star family to ensure they know their fallen will never be forgotten. When: Registration 7:30 a.m.; Starting ceremony 8:30 a.m.; Shotgun start 9 a.m.
Sat., Nov. 9
Veterans Day 5K
Buck bought his first piece of trench art eight or nine years ago at an antique show, but the bulk of his collection comes from overseas, pieces he bought on the internet.
A couple from Columbus, Georgia, whom he found on Etsy sold him their entire collection for $1,000.
Trench Art refers to decorative items made from war debris. During the First World War, soldiers on both sides of the conflict spent countless hours in trenches.
A man from Colorado who had worked for the Department of Defense in Europe sold Buck his entire collection, too.
“All in, I’ve probably got 250 shells,” he said. The artillery shells
have engravings and often initials, and many come with the history of the area where it was created. How
“People walk in my office and they have no idea what they are seeing,” he smiled. “Sometimes I give one to a client.”
Trench Art serves another important purpose as Veterans Day approaches. It reminds us of the people who came before and the great sacrifices they made.
One shell has the word ARGONNE carved in it. It’s the location in France of one of the bloodiest battles of WWI, with 26,000 American casualties.
Buck believes art that helps us remember those who sacrificed their lives is worthwhile, indeed.
Race is presented by UAB Student Affairs and Veterans Services to support veteran and active-duty students. All the money raised in the race directly benefits the UAB Veteran Relief Fund. When: 8 a.m. Where: Railroad Park
Mon., Nov. 11
National Veterans Day Parade
The National Veterans Day Parade marks its 76th anniversary in downtown Birmingham. The parade, the country’s oldest National Veterans Day Parade, is a major (rain or shine) event in the region. When: 1 - 4:30 p.m. Where: Downtown Birmingham
Frank Buck, above, collects mission furniture, steins and quartz for starters, but his most prized collection is called Trench Art. Below, lighter made in 1918 with soldiers initials FBK.
photo by Jordan Wald; Soldiers courtesy;
photo by Lee Hurley
Vestavia Hills Chamber
Sponsors Trick-or-Treat
Evening at Wald Park
Ghouls and goblins and superheroes scampered about Wald Park on Oct. 19 as the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce presented its third annual Haunt the Hills.
Trick-or-treaters visited booths set up by sponsors and participated in a costume contest before watching a move on the Grand Lawn.
Spooky Fun and Witches Ride
Journal
photos by Jordan Wald
Everleigh and Kimmie Millard
Homewood and Vestavia Hills Witches Ride on pages 10 and 11. Ella and Candace Pindzola
Tanya Beach, Stella Clements, Glenda Beach, Isabel Clements, Jill Clements Kelley, Thomas, Taylor and Michael Puhnaty
Veronica and Jacelyn Lever Taryn Pomerantz, Christine Hull Zac and Laura Townsend
Fall Festival and Homewood Witches Ride
Rides, games, food trucks, music from a DJ, the Homewood High School Drumline, a costume contest and lots of candy were just the warmup to this beloved community party last Sunday. Homewood Witches, mostly on bikes made their way through neighborhoods near Homewood Central Park spreading joy and candy. It’s also fun with a purpose, as the Witches Ride benefits the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
JOURNAL PHOTOS BY JORDAN WALD
Savannah Burdette, Kelsey Frey, Katie Beard, Kala Spivey, Chelsea Craig, Ellen Mitchell
Morgan Lee, Shelly Bridges, Brittany Forbes, Kimberly Bridges, Rebecca Brown
Sarah Sexton, Lizzy Carstenfen, Carrie Hicks, Andrea Haynes, Sara Sandefur
Mary Beth Wagner, Elizabeth Sellers, Katie Hollis, Erin Clark
Jennifer Giardina, Michelle Hill
Paige Osborne, Allie Camp, Lauren Gaines, Beth Allison, Sarah Bragg
Caroline Kaylor Johnson, Sara Morris, Savannah Flynn, Grace Hallford
Sarah Moore, Lauren Steele
Mary Scott Pearson, Dana Levering, Liz Rozzelle, Tarika Bhuta
Halloween Golf Cart Ride In Liberty Park Raises Money for OCCC
Witches rode their festooned golf carts around Liberty Park on Oct. 20 in the neighborhood’s fifth annual witches ride.
A party in the park followed, with a DJ and food trucks.
The witches partnered with Vestavia Hills High School’s RISE program on the ride, and all proceeds will benefit the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB.
JOURNAL PHOTOS BY
Tuesday-Saturday, December 10-14
JORDAN WALD
Meagan Gravlee, Claudia Johnston, Molly Holcomb, Marlie Hall, Sydney Dambach
Paige Miller, Misty Abston and Katie Adams
Liz Lee, Natalie Rambo, Lindsey Hull and Mallory Richardson Tina Guengerich, Lauren Lawrence
Applause Dancewear
Applause Dancewear has been known as “Your One Stop For All Of Your Dancing Needs” since it was opened by Buddy and Cindy Wade in 1981. Their daughter, Katie Wade Faught, above with Cindy, has continued that strong tradition and consistent answer to an ever changing and exponentially growing dance market since her ownership in 1992.
“As a family that has grown up in dance and that has a love and true passion for this art form, it comes as second nature and makes it an absolute joy to come to work everyday,” said Faught, above.
“In these critical times, as our world changes around us, we are striving to keep as much normalcy in the community of dance as we can.
For our customers and our little dancers that are here to buy their first pair of dance shoes, whether they be the first ballet or tap shoe for a toddler or the first pointe shoe for a teen, we want it to be a very special moment!”
“We also want to remind everyone that our entire staff is fully trained in fitting pointe shoes. We offer group appointments for studio fittings in our store and offer the ability for individuals to come in for pointe shoe fittings without having to make an appointment. Please give us a call or come by to see the extensive inventory and sizes available for all of our dancers!!”
Applause Dancewear is located at 1629 Oxmoor Road in Homewood, 205-871-7837.
Homewood Toy & Hobby
Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop is celebrating its 74th year in business, making it the oldest toy store and hobby shop in the Birmingham area.
“We are family-owned and operated since 1950 with a focus on classic toys for the child inside of everyone,” said owner Tricia McCain, above left, with store manager Julie Marix.
“We carry a wide variety of brands including, but not limited to Corolle Dolls, Lego, Mattel, Fat Brain Toys, Lionel Trains and Traxxas Remote Control.
“Whether you are looking for a new toy for a
newborn baby, a birthday gift for your child’s classmate or even a new hobby for Dad, our experienced staff can help you decide on the best item,” Tricia said. “We carry the largest selection of remote controlled toys in Birmingham. We are proud to have 70 years of business in the hobby industry.
“If you are looking for a particular toy, don’t hesitate to give us a call. If we don’t stock it, we can often special order it for you.”
Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop is located at 2830 18th Street S., 205-879-3986.
‘IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR TOY, DON’T HESITATE TO GIVE US A CALL. IF WE DON’T STOCK IT, WE CAN OFTEN SPECIAL ORDER IT FOR YOU.’
Mantooth Interiors
Since 1973, three generations of the Mantooth family have brought you the most rare and evolving collection of the very best in home furnishings.
Led by a mother and son team, Lynette and Josh Mantooth, along with a very talented design team, (pictured above, from left, Danielle Palladino, Beth Jackson, Josh Mantooth, Lynette Mantooth and Lori Twitty) they can bring your interior dreams to a reality.
Mantooth Interiors is known for their incredible selection of luxurious bed linens, exquisite upholstery fabrics, art, lighting, case goods, beds, custom window treatments, and Hunter Douglas products. A commitment to quality and service is the foundation on which the Mantooth family
built their business. This foundation has allowed them to build relationships with clients that last from one generation to the next.
“Our designers have the talent, creativity, and most importantly, the passion to create the perfect atmosphere for the perfect home,” Lynette said.
Mantooth Interiors is ready to help you transition your home for the Holiday Season.
“We carry a huge variety on Nest products including all holiday fragrances,” Josh said.
“Come in and let the Mantooth Interiors team assist you in being ‘HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS’”
Mantooth Interiors is located at 2813 18th Street So., (205) 879-5474.
Wallace-Burke
It all started in 2007 when David Hezlep and Preston Foy combined their 65 years of experience into establishing themselves as premier manufacturing retail jewelers. Today marks over 80 years of retailing, marketing and manufacturing.
Without a doubt, their expertise has afforded countless clients and friends to enjoy creating special and personal fine jewelry. Wallace Burke’s custom jewelry design department with the guidance of their in-house award winning designer, Patrick Conway, will help one recreate new and fashionable jewelry from the Family heirlooms currently gathering dust in the old jewelry box.
Repurposing old jewelry into new is the most economical way to have new jewelry.
Located in the heart of downtown Homewood. Wallace Burke also showcases over fifty-five local artist with prices starting at $40 as well as furniture restoration.
ART, QUALITY, VALUE AND DEDICATED CRAFTSMANSHIP IS WALLACE BURKE’S HALLMARK.
Art, quality, value and dedicated craftsmanship is Wallace Burke’s hallmark.
Be sure to stop by our gallery and enjoy all of our beautiful jewelry, art and craftsmanship.
Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry - Art - Furniture Restoration is located at 1811 29th Ave. So., (205) 874-1044.
SOCIAL RUNWAY SUCCESS
Gus Mayer Shows Off Latest Styles in Linly Heflin Fashion Show
The newest fall fashions were on display Oct. 16 during the Linly Heflin Unit’s 65th Annual Fashion Show.
The event to raise money for scholarships for Alabama women was held at The Club. Guests gathered for a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres before the fashion show began at 7 p.m.
Gus Mayer, luxury retailer at The Summit, provided the fashions that walked the runway and featured Veronica Beard styles.
Valerie Lightfoot was the chair of the event and Sumner Staling was president
The Linly Heflin Unit began during World War I as a ladies’ service group aiding soldiers and has evolved to include a membership of more than 100 women. It provides scholarships of $10,000 a year for four years to women attending Alabama universities and colleges, supporting its motto, “educate a woman and you educate a family.”
For information on the organization, visit linlyheflin.org. ❖
Heidi Hallman, Katie Kinnard, Helen Drennen, Michelle Smith
Deanna and Jeff Pizitz
Philippa Bainbridge, Kim Morgan Day, Catherine Styslinger
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Emily Capilouto, Anna Crook
Sarah Wallerstein, Virginia Amason
Beth Austin, Elisabeth Lyman
Rachel Roberts, Morgan Hull
Carolyn Featheringill, Nan Teninbaum
Whitney Lucas, Perrin Bickert
Kate Phillips, Janet Lusco
Pam Collier, Marcia Miller
‘Bring on the Bling!’
Dinner, Auctions Highlight Give & Gather Event for King’s Home
Supporters of the King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary gathered Oct. 24 at Greystone Golf and Country Club for the Fourth Annual Give & Gather event, “Bring on the Bling!”
The event included a champagne social hour, dinner and a silent auction.
ABC 33/40 weather guru James Spann led a live auction that followed, and a Diamonds Direct item was raffled during the event.
This mission of King’s Home is to provide shelter and resources to youth, women and children who have been victims of abuse. The auxiliary supports that mission through fundraisers, projects and volunteering. ❖
Jessie Duren, Holly Price, Jenna Kapral, Madison Smith
Marve and Bobbie Breeding
Carolyn and Morgan Ramey
James and Karen Spann
Jim Medley, Ranea Breen, Lew Burdette
Amy Terry, Emma Terry
Royally Tuned
The Guild of the Birmingham Music Club Presents 9 Scholarships During Tablescapes Luncheon
Members of The Guild of the Birmingham Music Club perused tablescape designs to the background of piano music during the club’s “A Royal Repost” luncheon Oct. 17 at The Country Club of Birmingham.
Nine scholarships were presented to students studying music in Alabama colleges and universities. They were selected during the Guild’s annual spring scholarship competition.
The Tablescapes Scholarship Luncheon raises money to support the Guild’s scholarship program. Event committee members this year were Victoria Hallman, Lochrane
Coleman Smith and Ann Vrocher.
Eyleen Widjanarko provided the piano music and a harp performance by Abigail Workman was a highlight of the event. Volunteers for the luncheon were Linda Griggs, Cindy Bowman, Miriam Morris, Judy Anderson and Kay Clark.
Brian Hood, Janice Bowman and Shannon Watson, all from Bromberg’s, judged the competition. They gave first place to Margaret Hubbard and Lisa Venable for their “Singin’ in the Rain” display; second to Pat Grant for “Silver Linings;” and third to John Robinson and Victoria Hallman for “The
Ramblers ... Birmingham’s Rock ‘n Roll Royalty.” Stifel was a contributing sponsor
of the event. Fortississimo contributors were Cheree Carlton and Judy Anderson. ❖
Above, Suzan Doidge, Elizabeth Coleman, Sandra Lynn, Kathryn Porter and Barbara Schuler Below, Linda Cooper, Lochrane Coleman Smith, Anne Brocher, Victoria Hallman, Fran Howard, Phyllis Pelham
Journal
photos by Jordan Wald
Ellen Cunningham, Sarah Rich
Lyn Franks, Lisa Nation
Fall Beginnings
Carousels Dance Club Kicks Off the Season With Luncheon
Members of the Carousels Dance Club welcomed fall and a new season of activities with a buffet lunch at the Country Club of Birmingham.
Magenta chrysanthemum blossoms adorned the elegant black, gold and white table setting during the event, just the latest in 60 years of fellowship.
New officers for the year presided: Helen Mills Pittman, new president; Virginia Gross, secretary; Joyce Lott, treasurer; Patsy Norton, party chairman; and Sarah Creveling, publicity chairman.
Sahra Lee had new updated yearbooks to hand out to members.
Attending were Lynn Ault, Barbara Baird, Bebe Costner; Charlotte Donald, Bede Donnell, Pattie Perry Finney and her daughter from Atlanta, Margaret Billingsley, Augusta Forbes, Ann Garrett, Fay Hall, Jane Hamn, Charlsie Hand,
Joyce Lott, Carolyn Mills, Tellis Shoemaker, Helen Pittman
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Mary Spencer, Beverly Register Virginia Gross, Sharon Hydinger
Sahra Lee, Mary Ruth Ingram
Bede Donnell, Fay Hall, Patsy Norton
The Lord Wedgwood Charity sponsored its annual social and golf tournament Oct. 24 and 28 to raise money to supply automatic external defibrillators to schools and community gathering areas.
The social was at The Ferrell
with Mike Raita as emcee, catering by Bright Star, music by Daze Yavoo and auctions.
The golf tournament at Greystone County Club Founder’s Course began with brunch and included a cocktail and awards party afterward.
Since 2018, the Lord Wedgwood Charity has raised more than $2 million and placed more than 800 AEDs and EKG devices across the U.S., mainly in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana Pennsylvania and Texas.
The charity has its roots in Birmingham. The late Lord Piers Wedgwood, then-international ambassador for Wedgwood China and Waterford Crystal as well as a member of the British House of Lords, was in Birmingham in 2001 playing golf with friends when he was struck with a major heart attack. He was saved with an AED.
After his recovery, Wedgwood connected with longtime friend and business partner Frank Bromberg III, along with Floyd Larkin and Robbie Robertson, to create the Lord Wedgwood golf tournament to raise money to make sure more people have access to the life-saving devices. ❖
canvas by Maya Eventov
Acrylic by Maya Eventov
Gail Braswell, Marcia Twitty, Thomas and Mary Ashley Twitty, Vaughan Spanjer
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Barbara and David Oberman Rhonda Cowan, Mike Raita
Claire Morgan, Cal Bailey
Vivian Campbell, Gail Braswell, Laura Braswell
Donna and Carter Cooper Travis and Michelle Key Kayla and Garrett Smith
Linda and Mike Stone
Lori and Jug Twitty, Marilyn and Jeff Whitlock
Marla and Greg Morris
Well-known wildlife and landscape artist Vaughan Spanjer created an original painting auctioned off at the event.
Red Mountain Theatre celebrated Keith Cromwell’s 20 years of leadership as executive director on Oct. 15 with its “Spirit of Broadway” Gala.
The gala included a dinner and cocktail party, followed by the performance.
Cromwell transitioned to director of institutional advancement for the theater this past summer, handing the executive director role to 12-year RMT staff member Jennifer Jaquess.
The gala was held for the first time since 2018 after it was paused for the theater’s capital campaign for the Arts Campus. ❖
Holiday Open House
Bob and Sharon Suellentrop, Mary and Rusty Yeager
Raymond Harbert, Keith Cromwell
Emily Levine, Andrea Haynes
Kate Dean, Jenny Hester
Harry Bayer, Gayle Leitman
John Harbert, Kathryn Harbert Faye and Robert Levin
Kelly Allison, Marci Turner, Robert Raiford, Zane Rhoades
Layers of Color
Antiquarian Society Hears From Notre Dame Researcher
The Antiquarian Society of Birmingham kicked off its 80th year with its fall meeting at Vestavia Country Club on Oct. 9.
A University of Alabama associate professor who is involved in the project to restore Notre Dame after the devastating fire in 2019 spoke to the group. Jennifer M. Feltman, Ph.D., who is a specialist in French Gothic architecture and sculpture, is leading a project to document the layers of colors on sculptures at the renowned cathedral.
President Dottie Hoover presided over the meeting. Attending were Amanda Adams, Cary Baker, Emily Blount and guest Mary Woodall, Redonda Broom, Stephanie Byrne and guest Jeanne Walthall, Kirke Cater, Elaine Clark, Kay Clark, Paula Cox, Katelyn Crawford and guest Maggie Crossland, Mary Lynda Crockett, Naomi Cunningham, Susan Dasher, Carolyn Delk, Lesley De Ramus, Cece Dillard, Carolyn Drennen, Vicki Drummond, Marsha Duell and guest Judy DeWitt, and Marjorie Forney
Also attending were Claire Goodhew, Kay Grayson, Annie Green, Charmion Hain, Judith Hand and guest Deb Sanders, Jan Hatchett, Jean Hendrickson,
Sandra Holley, Sara Jackson, Annalisa Jager, Becky Keyes, Barbara Klyce, Elizabeth Koleszar, Janet Kruger and guest Ashley Monroe, Anne Lamkin, Audrey Lindquist, Cookie Logan, Judy Long and guest Emma Laura
Patrick, Tainey Marcoux, Gina
Martin, Rebecca Mason, Mary Jean
Myers, Meredith Peeples, Beverly
Phillips, Mary Helen Pittman, Kathryn Porter and guests Patty Gilbert and Tammy Towns, Margie Preston, Gail Pugh, Lucianne Pugh, Natasha Randolph and Lucy Richardson with guests
Barbara Cobb, Mallory Gray and Judy Hager
More members at the meeting were Caral Roberson, Donald Roth, Kathleen Roth, Phyllis Russell, Karen Saunders, Sara Scholl, Janeal
Shannon, Nan Skier, Nancy Skinner, Jan Smith and guest
Marie Cimbora, Linda Stewart, Rhetta Tatum, Rebekah Taylor, Nan Teninbaum, Nancy Terrell,
Ellen Tucker, Amy Tully, Alice Turk, Diana Turnipseed, Sarah van Os, Jean Vaughn, Elizabeth Wallace, Laura Wallace, Liz Warren, Jeanna Westmoreland,
Lynda Whitney, Margie Williams, Lee Woehle, Martha Lee Culp, Shirley Evans, Nancy Morrow and Julie Taylor ❖
Want to give back to your community? Do you have an amazing furry friend you’d like to share with others? Hand in Paw can train you and your pet to become a volunteer Therapy Team!
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Hand in Paw. Our professionally trained Therapy Teams help improve people’s day-to-day lives throughout Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa.
Help us fulfill our mission to improve human health and wellbeing through Animal-Assisted Therapy. Become a Hand in Paw volunteer Therapy Team today!
Lucianne Pugh, Paula Cox
Judith Hand, Nan Teninbaum
HOME CRAFTSMAN 2.0
Design Ideas Abound in This Year’s Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE SWAG Home Staging & Design used bold colors to complement the green walls of the upstairs office in the front of the house; Allyson Kirkpatrick of AllysonK Designs designed a living room-like back porch, complete with a stone fireplace, with a blue palette; Architect Jared Bussy of Architectural Cooperative designed the Craftsman-style home on East Edgewood Drive in Homewood.
By Madoline MarkhaM koonce
It’s not often that each room in a house is curated by a different interior designer, but that’s just what you’ll find at this year’s Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home.
“It’s kind of like we built a museum and (the different interior designers) get to fill it in,” said Jason Hale, owner of Willow Homes, which built the house.
The Craftsman home in Edgewood, at 106 East Edgewood Drive, is open for tours Oct. 31-Nov. 24.
The most defining aspect of the home is its modern take on Craftsman style, which fits in
with the landscape of Homewood. The house has an expansive footprint for its lot size, as envisioned by architect Jared Bussey of Architectural Cooperative.
“The Craftsman/Arts & Crafts style can be roomy and modern on the inside while still maintaining an appropriate scale and proportion along the street,” Bussey said.
The house packs in a lot of offerings on a narrow Edgewood lot: five bedrooms and 4½ baths, 4,165 square feet and covered parking in the back for two cars.
“What’s so fun about these (inspiration homes) is we get to flex our creative muscles,” said Hale, who also worked on the project with his wife, Roxanne, the agent
See CRAFTSMAN, page 24
Journal
photos by Maury Wald
Chester Court is a great opportunity to call beautiful Mountain Brook Village home. This community of 14 exquisite singlefamily homes is selling fast. Select your home site, find your favorite home plan from award-winning Nequette Architecture & Design, and connect with our exclusive group of Alabama’s premier builders. Find your new dream home today at Chester Court, and enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment right outside your front door.
And coming soon: a limited number of condos and townhomes.
Call for your private appointment to learn more and to select your home site:
DOROTHY TAYLOE
SUSAN JACKSON
MANOR HOUSE
VILLAGE HOUSE #1
VILLAGE HOUSE #4
romAn BrAntley
CRAFTSMAN
for the house. “Each designer gets to put their signature on each room, so you want to create those different moments for them.”
Thoughtful design can be seen throughout the house, from architectural elements such as expansive windows that fill each room with light during the day to decorative details
such as the fabric covering the fronts of storage cabinets in the entryway.
Kitchen Plus
One of the biggest showstoppers in the home is its kitchen designed by MaryAnn Hasabnis of Mash Design House. It has a colossal stained oak island and a butler’s pantry with a second dishwasher, microwave, sink and tons of storage space. Black and white reign in both spaces. Marble countertops and a
Local artist Liz Allison painted a pastoral mural in a bedroom designed by Ragan Wesson of Ragan Brock Interiors on the second floor of the home.
white square-tile backsplash are paired with white painted cabinets in the main kitchen space, and a dark soapstone is used in the butler’s pan-
try, also with white cabinetry. In addition, the kitchen features a 48-inch Wolf range and Subzero appliances, with cabinetry fronts on the dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer.
Neutral colors and blacks carry over from the kitchen into the adjacent open living room designed by Nicole Roby of Nicole Roby Designs. White cabinetry with brass knobs is echoed in a wet bar between the dining room and living room, only with multiple hues of green square tiles for
the backsplash.
Splashes of Green
Speaking of green, you’ll find its splash of color throughout the home. Green paint shines on the walls of the cozy dining area designed by Allison Hallman of Willow Interiors on the main floor as well as in the rec room and office upstairs, designed by SWAG Home Staging & Design and by Virginia Volman and Jonathan Lambert of Revival Antiques, respec-
tively. Green paint hues also accent doors in one upstairs bedroom and cabinets in the laundry room. Also of note in the laundry room, Mary Catherine Folmar of Cotton & Quill selected a wallpaper called Magnolia Toile that she reproduced from a wallpaper design in her greatgrandmother’s dairy farm in Athens, Alabama. To create the design, she updated the colors and improvised the design based on the original with
We can't wait to meet you and design your home. Make a free design appointment with one of our consultants, or shop our beautiful holiday collection in store today.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH FROM 5PM - 7PM 2417 1ST AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35223
Join us and friends for our holiday open house at Stash. We will kick off the holiday season with mingling, cocktails (signature stashinis and wine), light bites, charcuteries and more!
& Sat. 9-3, Sun. 1-5 Ballard Designs is thrilled to be in Birmingham!
Come visit us on The Rotary Trail Monday through Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm 2308 1ST AVE. SOUTH | SUITE 106 | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 205-829-2915
Follow us on Instagram @ballarddesignsbirmingham for daily inspiration.
Instagram: @stash_bham |
Journal photo by Maury Wald
CRAFTSMAN
From page 25
magnolia blooms and small-town
architecture.
Another space that offers the promised inspiration is the grasscloth wallpaper-clad primary bathroom on the main floor, designed by Ashley
Ayer of Ashley Ayer Interiors. It offers a retreat with its garden-style freestanding tub and two layers of shelves in the shower. And there’s a coffee station and mini refrigerator –
Tricia’s Treasures
To: Tricia's
From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646
FAX: 205-824-1246
Date: September
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Oct. 31, 2024 issue.
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
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.
perfect for certain skin care products or, as Hale suggested he would use it, drinks – adjacent to a large closet with a dreamy amount of storage as designed by Space Cadets.
The primary suite also has its own washer and dryer in the bathroom for easy laundry access, while the house’s larger laundry room is upstairs closer to the other four bedrooms.
One of Hale’s favorite spaces in the home is its enclosed back porch living room, complete with its own bar and walls filled with artwork.
Allyson Kirkpatrick of AllysonK Designs used a blue color scheme for the space.
“When I go out there, I feel almost like I am inside the house, but you are outside with a great stone fireplace,” Hale said. “The way it’s enclosed makes it very cozy.”
With two living areas, four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office, the upstairs of the house is spacious. Designs in three of the bedrooms are by Lisa Shaddix of Lisa Shaddix Designs, Andrea Meade of Ellie Cate Home, and Kristen McGee of Kristen McGee Interiors, and the den was designed by Ashley White of Ashley White Interiors.
Each of the four bedrooms has its own shining personality, with a different designer putting their mark on each with wallpapers, tiles and accessories.
“Every bedroom is a treat,” Roxanne Hale said.
The closer you look in the home, the more local artwork you’ll see. Perhaps most notably, in a bedroom designed by Ragan Wesson of Ragan Brock Interiors, local artist Liz Allison has painted a whole wall with a peaceful mural of a pastoral scene with a stream. Downstairs, a gallery
wall of abstract art and landscapes lines the entryway, as designed by Joe Lauber of Hiltz-Lauber.
“It’s a great place to feature local artists,” Jason Hale said. “There’s a lot of local art and local creativity in here, which is always fun.”
Supporting Trinity Outreach
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit a nonprofit each year, and this year the Willow Homes team selected the Trinity United Methodist Church Outreach Hub, in West Homewood, an operation that has particular significance to Roxanne Hale, since she volunteers there on Tuesdays.
The hub offers assistance to people struggling with financial insecurity and displacement, especially refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, through offering food, clothing, household items and utility assistance.
“We deliver a week’s worth of food for 500 families every week, so local families can come through and pick up food,” Roxanne Hale said. “All the proceeds from the house go to them, and we (at Willow Homes) will try to match that donation. It gives you a good feeling to be able to do something like that.”
All in all, the creative process behind the home has been energizing for the Hales.
“It’s fun for us to see what (the designers) do with the space that we have created and make it their own,” Jason said.
Tickets for the tour are $10 each, and hours are Thursdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., through Nov. 24.
To learn more about the inspiration home, visit birminghamhomeandgarden.com.
Husband-and-wife team Roxanne and Jason Hale led much of the design for this year’s Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home. Roxanne is a real estate broker with Art House, and Jason is the owner of Willow Homes, a home builder. Keeping it all in the family, Jason’s sister Allison Hallman of Willow Interiors designed the home’s dining room.
Journal photo by Maury Wald
TruBlue’s New Owner Excited About the Future
Trublue of Birmingham has always been about helping homeowners with their small projects. “Many homeowners, like us, get frustrated when they can’t get quality help to show up unless it’s a big project!” said Roxanne Batson.
When Roxanne, along with husband Rick and Mur Feldman launched the Trublue handy-
TRUBLUE OWNER BENNY WINK
man service 3 years ago, they’d experienced for themselves how difficult it can be to get someone to just fix a creaky door or repair a small hole in the sheetrock.
The business has grown every year since. But, as Mur said “This service has grown to the point we couldn’t handle more work. Still, we wanted to help as many homeowners as possible, especially seniors like us!”
That’s when they found Benny Wink, (pictured) former business consultant, who has a background in home improvement as well as successful leading several business and teams.
“I’ve always had a long-time dream of starting my own handyman company.” Benny commented. “When I discovered TruBlue of Birmingham, I knew this was the business that
could fulfill that dream and that I could really make a difference. It’s the perfect fit at the perfect time.”
Benny’s mission is to “lead with compassion with the vision to change lives.”
As Rick said “This is such a positive change for our clients and our handymen. It’s time for our little company to grow and Benny is just the right person to make it happen!”
Get help for your small projects and renovations. Call 205-839-3818 to talk about your project or schedule a free estimate.
By AnA Good
The Soothing Joy of Jam
Lawyer by Day, Jenny McCain Pays Homage to Family Food Traditions Through Woodhill Cottage
enny McCain, a prominent Birmingham lawyer and the founder of Woodhill Cottage, has a journey as rich and flavorful as the jams she creates.
JEstablished as a tribute to her family’s history and love for home-cooked goodness, Woodhill Cottage specializes in artisanal jams and conserves made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For McCain, Woodhill Cottage is not just a business; it’s a creative haven where family recipes are transformed into delicious preserves that evoke memories of warmth and togetherness.
McCain’s journey as a lawyer and business owner reflects a unique blend of heritage and aspiration.
“I’m a Birmingham native who has lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas,” she shared.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is inherited from her grandparents, Tom and Ruby McCain, who founded McCain Manufacturing Co. in 1947.
“The company manufactured children’s wear. My grandparents started it with two sewing machines in the back of an airport hangar,” McCain recalled. At its peak, the company produced more than half of the children’s wear in America.
Growing up, McCain was inspired by the tales of her grandparents and great uncle, Maurice “Mac” McCain, who also founded McCain Uniform Co. in the 1940s.
“I grew up hearing war stories from my grandparents and my uncle about attorneys who were the hero who solved some great problem or threat facing us. I think those stories are perhaps the genesis of my desire to become an attorney,” she said.
Today, McCain is a shareholder with Maynard Nexsen, formerly Maynard Cooper & Gale, providing legal advice to financial institutions throughout the Southeast.
“In a lot of ways, I’m often essentially another member of my clients’ executive teams, helping them set and achieve their business goals while navigating the complex system of state and federal regulatory and corporate laws,” she explained.
Her background in a family of small business owners gives her a special perspective.
“I think growing up in a family of small business owners makes me a better lawyer. I understand that a business isn’t making decisions in a vacuum but in complex business environments,” she said. “I love what I do, and I love my clients.”
Grandmother’s Kitchen
better career. Woodhill Cottage allows me to create and produce,” she said.
Balancing the demands of law and entrepreneurship might seem daunting, but McCain has adopted a slow and steady approach.
“From the beginning, I made the decision that slow and steady was the best way to
‘We spent hours together conjuring in the kitchen and talking business. We made conserves and jams from produce she and Grandaddy grew in their garden.’
approach Woodhill Cottage,” she said.
This thoughtful approach is evident in her choice of jam flavors, which she said are inspired by family recipes that have been finetuned over time.
“We offer the flavors that my friends and family gravitated toward: strawberry, peach and tomato,” she said.
Woodhill Cottage products are available in a variety of Over the Mountain stores and several other cities.
For years, McCain has brought biscuits and jam to friends and neighbors, her version of the “welcome to the neighborhood” pound cake.
“Everyone loves strawberry jam, so I usually planned to make a lot of it in the spring and have it ready for Christmas gifts,” she said. “Peach jam is just special. We always called it ‘sunshine in a jar.’”
Try New Holiday Menu Items
The holidays, McCain said, are a great time to try new recipes. She fondly remembers her grandmother and her grandmother’s sister, Lucille McGriff, trying new recipes by adding them to the menu along with the traditional family fixings.
“Most holidays, they would add a new recipe to our usual menu. Many then became fixtures at our holiday gatherings,” she said. “I think that approach is a great way to freshen things up without upsetting the family apple cart, so to speak.”
McCain shared some of her favorite holiday recipes – just in time to be added to the Thanksgiving menu.
“We have some absolutely fabulous holiday recipes on our website. One of my favorites is our Peach-Pear Pecan Pie,” she said.
McCain is not just about finance and law. She describes herself as a blend of “food and finance,” a passion deeply influenced by her grandmother, Ruby.
“We spent hours together conjuring in the kitchen and talking business. We made conserves and jams from produce she and Grandaddy grew in their garden,” McCain reminisced. Ruby, a home economics major at what was then called Howard College – now Samford University – was “a lovely blend of business and home.”
“She loved trying new recipes,” McCain said. “I think starting Woodhill Cottage is in a way another example of her influence.”
McCain described Woodhill Cottage as her “creative outlet,” one that allows her to stretch a different part of her brain and use another set of skills.
“I love being an attorney. I couldn’t have a
Another favorite is the Mini Potato Gratin Stacks with Bacon and Tomato Jam, which McCain said would be a great addition to a holiday meal.
“Both of these recipes have broad appeal,” she said.
McCain said her engagement with neighbors and new Woodhill Cottage fans is particularly vibrant during the holiday season. She enjoys a hands-on approach when it comes to sharing her products.
Jenny McCain, said it has been fun to see the tremendous response from Woodhill Cottage customers all over the country. Her background in a family of small business owners gives her a special perspective. Below, peach conserve. Below right, Cheese Thumbprints with Tomato Jam
Photo by Rob Culpepper
Photos by Will Dickey
PEACH-PEAR PECAN
PIE
Jennifer McCain
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup WOODHILL COTTAGE
PEACH CONSERVE
One (9-inch) unbaked frozen pie shell, thawed
2 small red pears, thinly sliced
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Garnish: whipped cream, chopped pecans, nutmeg
“One of my favorite things is to do a Woodhill Cottage Tasting. It’s just so fun to see customers’ reactions when they first try the products,” she said. “One of our tag lines is ‘Just try it!’ We find that it just takes one taste for someone to get hooked.”
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sour cream, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla, egg, pecans, and Peach Conserve. Pour into the prepared pie crust. Place pear slices over the top.
3. In a small bowl cut butter into flour and sugar. Stir remaining chopped pecans and sprinkle topping over the entire pie.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350°F and bake for another 45 minutes until pie tests done.
5. Let pie sit for at least an hour before slicing and garnish, if desired.
As she reflected on the feedback she’s received from customers, McCain said the interactions are always meaningful to her.
“I was at a Birmingham event honoring one of the current Federal Reserve System Board of Governors
(members) who was in town. A fellow banking professional came bounding up excited to tell me she’d discovered our conserves and jam and that Woodhill Cottage products are a ‘must have’ in their family’s pantry.”
McCain said it has been fun to see the tremendous response from customers all over the country.
“We’ve even had online orders going to Alaska! I regularly get emails from customers who tell me about their favorite Woodhill Cottage recipe,” she said.
According to McCain, the most currently engaged recipe on the Woodhill Cottage website is for the Tomato Jam Cheese Thumbprints –which she said “freeze beautifully.”
“They really are a great gift for new neighbors, fabulous as a homemade Christmas gift, and perfect to pull out of the freezer for a snack, and a crowd favorite as an appetizer,” McCain said.
For the holiday season, Woodhill Cottage offers special gift options such as the Holiday Hamper and Three Jar Gift Box.
“Our holiday gifts were such a hit last year we brought them back this year,” McCain said, adding that the limited-edition baskets are in high demand and should be ordered early.
‘We’ll Figure It Out’
Looking back on her success and challenges, McCain said one’s attitude is of upmost importance.
“One of the best lessons I’ve learned over the years is that almost
every problem has a solution. My default position is always, ‘We’ll figure it out,’” she said. She emphasized the importance of staying calm and positive in the face of challenges.
“Your personal attitude and demeanor have a much greater influence than most folks realize on how others view a situation.”
For those looking to start their own business, McCain said its best to take one step at a time.
“Start small and be committed to quality,” she said. “There isn’t a ‘right way’ to start a business. When faced with a challenge, be practical. Figure out how to get from A to B. Don’t worry about ‘how it’s supposed to be done.’”
As for the future, McCain said she
has clear goals for Woodhill Cottage.
“I want us to continue to grow thoughtfully and for more and more folks to realize that ‘when you send jam, you spread joy!’”
This mantra encapsulates the essence of McCain’s work: creating delightful flavors that bring people together, especially during the holiday season.
For more details, recipes and a list of the stores where Woodhill Cottage products can be purchased, visit woodhillcottage.com. Those interested in holiday gift baskets can contact McCain at jenny@woodhill-cottage. com. Recipe fans can sign up for weekly emails via woodhillcottage. com/pages/join-our-recipe-club.
LUCY SAYS STOP!
The holidays are just around the corner, stop by and see what we have for all your entertainment needs!
Photo by Will Dickey
By Solomon CrenShaw Jr.
Chip English clearly learned his lesson.
The interim football coach of the Hoover Bucs might have presumed that Thompson, the winner of four of the past five Class 7A championships, was the most important game in the hearts of Hoover fans.
But English knew better.
“It was made very clear by the community that this (Vestavia Hills) was the big rivalry, not necessarily last week (against Thompson),” he said.
Friday night at the Hoover Met, English and the Bucs avenged their 2023 loss to the Rebels with a 38-20 victory.
“I’m happy for our community, happy for the city of Hoover coming out with a big win,” English said.
The victory capped Hoover’s regular season in which English’s team secured the Region 3 championship. The Bucs (8-2 overall and 7-0 in the region) are off the final week of the regular season before hosting Fairhope on Nov. 8 to open the playoffs.
Hoover’s game against the Rebels began with an interception that set the stage for Vestavia Hills’ first touchdown.
“We made a handful of mistakes in the first half and hurt ourselves with all the penalties and turnovers right there,” English said. “At the end of the day, our offensive line wore them out a little bit.”
Rebels coach Robert Evans agreed.
“That was a line-of-scrimmage game and they won both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Evans said. “When that happens, it’s nearly impossible to win football games.”
The tide turned for Hoover late in the second quarter when junior linebacker Justyn Hartley intercepted Rebels quarterback Charles Taafee’s pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown and a 24-14 lead.
Sweet Revenge
Hoover Runs Past Vestavia Hills To Regain Bragging Rights
into the half. They had the ball coming out of the half, so we knew we had to do something going into the half. It was a nice score.”
‘At the end of the day, our offensive line wore them out a little bit.’
BUCS
COACH CHIP ENGLISH
English said that play was huge. “It gave us a little bit of a cushion. You always like when your defense can produce points right there going
ENGLISH
From page 32
things about the team and their success.”
English praised team captains Jonah Winston and Trey Sanders, both juniors, for their leadership. But there were several other leaders, including senior offensive linemen Toby Richard and Trot English, senior defensive lineman Pa-Landing Drammeh and senior defensive back J.J. Moultrie.
“They were guys who never missed practice and were always
Hartley chose to share the credit.
“That was all my guy, (defensive lineman) Tyson Bacon,” Hartley said. “He forced the quarterback to throw the ball. That was just a team touchdown. That was me and Tyson right there, man.”
Jabari Mosley extended the Hoover lead with 5:24 in the third quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run.
On the night, the Bucs rushed 47 times for 257 yards. Mosley had 115 yards on 15 carries and Anthony Allen had 92 yards and two TDs on 14 attempts.
Mosley credited the Hoover offensive line.
“Man, I love them. That’s my guys,” he said. “I go to war with them every day at practice. They believe in me and I believe in them. I love my guys.”
deny Vestavia a possession following Mosley’s score.
‘We got outplayed and they won the trenches, and when you win the trenches you win football games.’
REBELS COACH ROBERT EVANS
“Any time you have special teams, there’s a thousand different scenarios,” English said. “They gave us the scenario that we wanted. We’ve been practicing it all week and we took advantage of the situation.”
English hopes the Bucs are peaking at the right time.
“They’re playing well right now,” he said. “They know what it means to prepare. When you come into games prepared, you feel good, confident and you have momentum. That’s what we have right now.”
Evans said the Rebels benefited from facing the Bucs.
“It’s good for us to see the size and speed of Hoover,” he said. “The reality is we haven’t seen anything like that in a month, and playoff football is playing teams like Hoover. We haven’t played as good a team in the past month, and it’s good for us to play those guys.
“We got outplayed and they won the trenches, and when you win the trenches you win football games.”
Vestavia Hills (4-5, 4-3) hosts defending Class 6A champion ClayChalkville on Friday before traveling to Mary Montgomery near Mobile to open the playoffs on Nov. 8.
“We’ve got to get bodies back,” Evans said. “We’re getting probably our best defensive guy back next week. This will be big for us. We’ve got to heal up and it’s really a tricky situation. The team that we’re playing in the first round is off and we’re playing next week (against) a really good team.”
WEEK 9 SCOREBOARD
Hillcrest-Tusc. 50, Oak Mountain 36 Hoover 38, Vestavia Hills 20 Homewood 41, Minor 0 Mountain Brook 37, Shades Valley 0 Spain Park 37, Chilton County 6 Briarwood Christian 50, Hayden 16
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
McAdory at Briarwood Christian James Clemens at Homewood West Blockton at John Carroll Catholic Chelsea at Oak Mountain Spain Park at Gardendale Clay-Chalkville at Vestavia Hills Hoover and Mountain Brook do not play
The Bucs then surprised the visitors by recovering an onside kick to
Hoover took full advantage by ending that drive with Ar’mari Town’s 6-yard touchdown pass reception from quarterback Mac Beason to put the game out of reach.
here in the weight room and on the field,” English said. “And when they were a little banged up, they found other ways to contribute.”
Undoubtedly, the Bucs have great team chemistry, and that has been a factor in their putting the preseason adversity in their rearview mirror. Nothing showed that more than the victory against Thompson in a seesaw affair to clinch the region title.
English hopes its a preview of what’s to come in the postseason.
“It’s big,” he said of beating Thompson to win the region title.
“We want to make sure we believe
that we can beat anybody in the state. Now we’re going into the playoffs and believe we can achieve what is achievable. It’s good for them to see the fruits of their labor.
“We’re sitting where we want to be. If we take care of ourselves, we like our chances against anybody. We just have to stay focused.”
The Bucs haven’t won a state championship since 2017, but with the way this season has gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if they put an end to that drought.
Rubin E. Grant is sports editor of the Over The Mountain Journal.
Journal
photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Hoover coach Chip English talks to his players during the teams win over Vestavia last Friday. The Bucs are the Class 7A, Region 3 champs.
Journal photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Hoover Junior running back Jabari Mosley eludes Vestavia Hills linebacker Daniel Richardson (18), and Josh Arendall (93) in the Bucs 38-20 win over the Rebels at the Hoover Friday night.
By RuBin E. GRant
Layla Smith had no idea that something she decided to do for fun would become something endearing to her.
When she was in the seventh grade, Smith tried out for the volleyball team at Bumpus Middle School in Hoover without ever having played the sport.
“I thought it sounded fun and wanted to give it a try,” Smith said. “I ended up making the team and volleyball became my absolute favorite thing.”
Since then, Smith has developed into a solid middle/outside hitter for the Hoover High varsity. This season, the 5-foot-7 senior has recorded a team-high 469 kills and 75 blocks.
“I would describe the way I’ve played this season as fierce and determined,” Smith said. “I’ve grown so much as a player over the years, and I came into this season knowing I had something to prove and big shoes to fill.”
Hoover coach Amanda Wood likes what Smith brought to the court this season.
“Obviously, Layla Smith is a huge part of what we do as a team,” Wood said. “If you’ve seen us play or watched film on us, you know our No. 5 (Smith’s jersey number). Her teammates rely on her to make big
plays, and she’s a big part of our success so far this season. I look forward to seeing her compete and help our team going into the state tournament.
Hoover (39-10) was set to play Enterprise (36-11) Tuesday in the AHSAA Class 7A quarterfinals at the Birmingham CrossPlex/Bill Harris Arena. Vestavia Hills (28-13) was scheduled to play Fairhope (38-18) in the quarterfinals. The semifinals were set for Tuesday night and the final for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Smith credits her first coach for the player she has become.
“Coach Carol Bolton was my first coach and I’m forever grateful that she believed in me,” Smith said. “We fought hard all season and won our seventh-grade metro championship in 2019. That team included five of our eight seniors.”
A year after she began playing, Smith joined a club team, fueling her growth as a player.
“I played two years with Alabama Juniors and one year with NASA,” Smith said. “Coach Michelle Durban and coach Grace Burgess really helped me improve my skills and understanding of the game.
“All of my coaches, including my coach now, Amanda Wood, have shaped me into the player I am today.”
Smith was looking forward to competing in the state tournament.
The Bucs were making their third consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight and seeking their first state title since 2020.
Hoover earned its berth in the state tournament by finishing as runners-up in the North Super Regional last week at the Finley Center. The Bucs lost to Bob Jones 3-0 (21-25, 22-25, 22-25) in the regional final. Smith had five kills and four digs in the match.
“It feels very rewarding and exciting,” Smith said of reaching the Elite Eight. “This team has worked so hard and been through so much, so to see our hard work paying off is amazing.
“It would mean absolutely everything to me to win state. As a team, we feel we didn’t play our best game in the regional finals, and we have something to prove in the upcoming state tournament. We’ve grown so much over the season, and winning state would top it off.”
This already has been a special season for Smith because of her fellow seniors.
“This season has truly been competitive, exhilarating and emotional, especially playing with eight other seniors,” she said. “We are each other’s best friends, and we know we can count on one another. I may not be doing my best, but I can lean on my teammates to pick me up and push me. Also, having eight seniors just helped the chemistry of our team so
much.
“It’s kind of emotional knowing this is our last month playing together and we just wanna leave it all out there. I’ve been playing volleyball with these other seniors for the past six years and I wouldn’t have asked
for anyone else to play with.”
The state tournament also will be a swan song of sorts for Smith.
“I’ve decided not to play in college and just focus on my academics,” she said. “I will miss this game dearly.”
‘Fierce and Determined’: Smith’s playmaking helps Hoover volleyball team reach Elite 8 Page 31
SPORTS
Thursday, October 31, 2024 ❖
Sweet Revenge: Hoover runs past Vestavia Hills to regain bragging rights Page 30
‘Most Special’
Another State Cross-Country Title Would Mean Everything to Homewood’s Levering
From Controversy to Prominence
Hoover Team Gels Under New Leadership
The Hoover Bucs are legitimate contenders for the 2024 Class 7A football state championship.
That’s not something I would have said in early August when the program was embroiled in controversy and turmoil, leading to offensive coordinator Chip English becoming the interim coach.
English, who has previous head coaching experience at Albertville and Grissom, did much more than just right the Bucs’ ship and steady it. He set them on a remarkable voyage that, frankly, I didn’t see coming, and not just because of the controversy but because they were coming off a 5-7 season in 2023.
The Bucs have done more than just bounce back this fall, they have returned to prominence. Hoover finished its regular season with an 8-2 record with narrow losses to undefeated crosstown rival Spain Park, 39-37, and Class 6A powerhouse Parker, 14-10.
The Bucs beat Thompson 27-26 in overtime on Oct. 18 to win the Class 7A, Region 3 championship and last week knocked off arch-rival
By RuBin E. GRant
Emma Brooke Levering figures to eat her share of bagels and peanut butter and listen to a wide variety of music this week and next.
It’s part of the Homewood senior’s routine as she gets ready to run cross-country races.
“I get up, get ready immediately and then eat a bagel with peanut butter the morning of a race and I ask one of my teammates to braid my hair on the way to the meet,” Levering said. “Also, I like to take my speaker and play some hype music when the bus is getting close to the meet.
“I am very superstitious, so if there’s something I did before I had a really good race, then usually I’ll incorporate that into my new routine.”
She was selected as the 2023-24 Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Player of the Year.
Another state title would be extra sweet for Levering.
“My mindset coming into the season was to focus on myself and challenge myself to be the best I can be,” she said. “My coaches and I have talked a lot about controlling what you can control, so that has been a big thing I’ve worked on this season.
“Winning again would mean everything. Cross country is my favorite season, so to me the win at state is the most special. Also, my teammates and I are super close, and so having that close team culture and a team that is constantly developing each week is super encouraging going into state.
‘It would be awesome to win an individual title, but I would love to get a team title with some of my best friends, too.’
This week, Levering, the defending Class 6A champion, will run in the Class 6A, Section 4 qualifying meet Thursday at Hewitt-Trussville. On Nov. 9 in Moulton, she will try to win her second consecutive individual state crown.
Last year, the 5-foot-2 Levering won with a time of 17:46.27, breaking the tape more than 8 seconds faster than any other class winner.
“It would be awesome to win an individual title, but I would love to get a team title with some of my best friends, too.”
Levering can’t believe her high school career is almost over. She especially has enjoyed being a part of Homewood’s crosscountry team.
“It’s crazy that this is my final high school
season,” Levering said. “I’m trying to approach it by being super excited with my teammates, but there is definitely a bit of sadness. Cross country is my favorite season and honestly the season that made me fall in love with racing, so moving on to a new chapter of college cross country is really going to be a change. But I’m so glad we have a really close team, and all the underclassmen are really excited to participate in end-of-season activities and traditions, so that’s really awesome.”
Levering plans to run in college. She has taken official visits to Syracuse, Penn State, Ole Miss, Furman and Texas. She plans to announce her decision in the next few days.
Levering is a scholar-athlete. She has a 4.29 weighted GPA and scored a 33 on the ACT.
She plans to study biomedical engineering in college and possibly minor in Spanish. She also has designs on running beyond college.
“After college, I would love to go into professional running if I am able to, but at some point I would like to go into research and development of medical products,” Levering said. “I have always been super interested in health, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be a doctor, so I think research and development is great career path to go into since it’s growing rapidly and there is lots of demand for it.”
Sort of like Levering’s demand for bagels, peanut butter and music on a race day.
Undoubtedly, the Bucs have great team chemistry, and that has been a factor in their putting the preseason adversity in their rearview mirror.
Vestavia Hills 38-20 to finish region play unbeaten with a 7-0 record.
Heading into the state playoffs next week, the Bucs have to be considered one of the favorites to win the Class 7A title. They will host Fairhope in the first round on Nov. 8.
“We told the guys early that they had a choice,” English said. “They could choose to be good enough to do whatever they wanted to do. It was a choice of how bad do you want it.
“The guys have taken ownership and when you own something you put more into it, and they have done a good job of making sure we have a winning team. It’s been fun to see.”
English downplayed his role in the Bucs’ success, saying he’d rather the focus be on the team.
“I pride myself on getting the most out of people, getting the most out of our coaches and players,” he said. “All I know is how to work hard. Each game we tried to put them in the best position to succeed. My job is to make sure they stay focused on what’s ahead.
“I understand you want to talk about me in this position, but I would like for you to keep
See ENGLISH, page 30
Courtesy
RUBIN E. GRANT