OTMJ 5.4.23

The Gift of Motherhood

By AnA Good

Birmingham-area resident Mary Leah Miller will celebrate her first Mother’s Day this year as a new mother to 4-month-old twins.

Mary Leah gave birth to the babies a few days before Christmas, following a nearly 10-year infertility journey she shared with her

husband, Rodney.

“Like many couples, we thought that we would get pregnant – not immediately, but eventually,” Mary Leah said. “We knew it might take some time, but there were no issues on either side of our families that we were aware of, so we did not expect to have challenges conceiving when we made the decision to start trying to have kids.”

After years of unsuccessful fertilization

treatments, Mary Leah’s path to motherhood involved a relatively unknown process called embryo adoption. The Millers’ baby boy and girl, Dalton and Mary Elizabeth, had, in their own way, also experienced a period of waiting. The babies had been frozen as embryos as part of another family’s in vitro fertilization treatments at around the same time the Millers began trying to start a family.

See MOTHERHOOD, page 10

After 10 Years of Trying, Couple Turns to Embryo Adoption

After 10 Years of Trying, Couple Turns to Embryo Adoption

Rodney and Mary Leah Miller with their twins Mary Elizabeth and Dalton.

THINK SMALL

Shop owners celebrate anniversaries; reflect on Small Business Week PAGE 8

Murphy’s Law

Don’t Lead Me On

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Shop local for these great finds for Mom PAGE 12

Isaw a news segment last week about a professor who was offering a college class designed to teach students how to be “influencers.” The story went on to say that the students would be trained in how to gain large amounts of followers on various social media platforms.

The thing that struck me was that not once did the professor mention what the students were going to say. Like it didn’t matter.

seeking, for college credit, I might add.

AWARDS DAY

Women’s Committee of 100 recognizes humanitarians, benefactors PAGE 14

ABOUT TOWN 4

NEWS 8

LIFE 10

SOCIAL 16

otmj.com

FOOD 26

SCHOOLS 28

SPORTS 32

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.

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald

Copy Editor: Virginia Martin

Features Writer: Donna Cornelius

Staff Writer: Anne Ruisi

Photographer: Jordan Wald

Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant

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

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

I get it. Being in the “Watch me! Watch me!” position can be intoxicating. “Follow me! Follow me!” even more. And apparently, now you can make big money online by being somebody that people want to watch do … well, anything. I’m sure it’s fun to coerce a bunch of people to do your 30-second chacha dance but easy to forget that, while you’ve got your followers in the palm of your hand, they are not somewhere else. Those are moments of their finite lives that they have ceded to you, which makes you not only their leader, but their caretaker. You’ve persuaded these people to follow you; you have, let’s face it, been wrong on occasion, so it might behoove you to do some serious self-editing before you put something out into the ether, with your name on it, for heaven sakes. Careless misdirection, even meant in jest, could have dire consequences. The ice bucket challenge was harmless enough, but the suggestion that it would be funny to dismantle public restrooms was worse than irresponsible, it was criminal. You don’t want to be on the record – or get a record – for that.

Maybe, before you ask people to follow you, you should take a minute to ponder what you would like to be the outcome of the power and fame that you are

Over the Mountain Views

Perhaps you could put that horse back before the cart and begin by crafting your message. If you want, you could start with an exercise I used with some sixth grade writing students. (You can audit this course.) I asked the kids to imagine they were going to be allowed to speak to a large group of people of their choosing, given time to say anything they wanted to, and everyone there would have to listen. The kids set to work with their spiral notebooks and pens and when they were done, each one wanted to talk about some wrong that they had observed – cliques and bullying or unfairness of certain teachers. They got a glimpse of themselves as people capable of altering an outcome and set about doing that with great earnestness. They edited and reedited, and at the end of the term, when we published our chapbook, the words went out to empower their classmates. Maybe you can’t change the world with your tweets or TikTok videos or Instagram posts, but maybe, just maybe, you could tilt things in a more positive direction. It just helps to know exactly what you want that to look like.

If you are currently in a place where what you want is to undermine and ridicule, hold off. You’re not ready. You could bring fresh harm to yourself and others, and even if you go on to be Mother Teresa, your posts will never, never go away.

We need influencers. We need leaders, but please, lead where you feel like your followers would be better off being. Before you look for the power, (even for college credit) look in your heart for a worthy message.

Shalom Y’all!

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Plates of delicious brisket, sweet noodle kugel casserole and other Jewish delicacies were enjoyed at the Jewish Food and Culture Festival at the Levite Jewish Community Center on April 30. Live music was provided by Sheldon Sokol and there was a demonstration of Krav Maga, a martial art developed by the Israeli army in the 1940s. There also was another Israeliinspired feature, a small shuk, or open-air market, where goods such as dried fruit and spices were available. Festivalgoers, including Martin Klinger and Jax Gordon, left, also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of Israel, which included a birthday cake.

Sue Murphy

Maybe you can’t change the world with your tweets or TikTok videos or Instagram posts, but maybe, just maybe, you could tilt things in a more positive direction.

‘GREAT MOVE’ Homewood Gourmet moves to heart of Homewood with more seating and parking PAGE 26

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Thurs., May 4

Crawfest 2023

Hosted by the Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama this fun event includes Cajun buffet boiled crawfish, Jambalaya, drinks, silent auction, raffles, live music and more. When:

5:30 - 10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo

May 4-6

$5 Bag Sale

Fill a provided bag with books at the Friends of the Homewood Public Library $5 Bag Sale. Proceeds benefit the library. When: 10 a.m.4 p.m. Where: Friends Bookstore, Homewood Library lower level

Fri., May 5

Tails In The Trails

The Birmingham Zoo Junior Board hosts the 13th annual Tails in the Trails. Party down the Trails of Africa at this outdoor celebration with music, foodie favorites from area restaurants, drinks and a silent auction. This event is 21+, and is rain or shine. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo

Inaugural Derby Bash Camp

Smile a Mile

It’s going to be an amazing night with auctions, raffles, live music and Kentucky Derby-themed fun to raise money for Camp Smile-a-Mile’s year-round programs. When: 6 p.m. Where: Iron City

Matilda Jr.

Art in the Village

Artworks on Display and for Sale in Crestline Village Event

Many award-winning and regionally famous artists will be showing their work in Crestline Village on May 6 during the Mountain Brook Art Association’s annual juried art show, Art in the Village. The fine art will be displayed inside and outside of Mountain Brook City Hall and will be available for sale. The event is free, as is the parking. The village is handicap-accessible and pet- and family-friendly. This is the 42nd year for Art in the Village, which showcases art by members of the association. It will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit mountainbrookartassociation.com.

May 5-7

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda Jr. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination. When: Showtimes vary Where: Red Mountain Theatre

Sat., May 6

We Love Homewood Day

A day full of fun with activities that the whole family will enjoy! Come

for food, music, games, parades, a 5K race, vendor expo, parade and a street dance in Edgewood. Check online at homewoodparks.com/wlhd for specifics. When: Various times

Where: Central Park; Edgewood

Art In The Lot

Presented by Trinity Studio, this fun and popular event allows attendees to sell, shop, and discover the talents of local artists. When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, large parking lot

Farmer’s Market at Brock’s Gap Fresh farm food and artisanal products are available every Saturday through Nov. 18. When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Brocks Gap Brewing Company, Hoover

Garden Art Party

Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama holds a Garden Art Party fundraiser to benefit people living with dementia and their families. Enjoy a cocktail buffet, beer, wine and the tunes of Mother May I, plus live and silent auctions. When: 7-10 p.m. Where: The Fennec

Peace Concert

The International Peace Conference will hold this concert fundraiser featuring local and regional talent to benefit Ukrainian refugees. When: 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center

Sun., May 7

10th Annual Darter Festival

MOTHERWALK & RUN 5K SAT., MAY 13

The annual Motherwalk 5K invites the whole family to honor a survivor or remember a loved one during the race to find a cure for Ovarian Cancer. Attendees can participate in a 5K or 1-mile Fun Run. All proceeds of the event will benefit The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. When: Race starts at 8 a.m. Where: Homewood Central Park

Cameron Crowe and Cameron Estes participating in last years Motherwalk & Run 5K

Join the Southern Environmental Center and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve for the 10th Annual Darter Festival! Support and celebrate Turkey Creek Nature Preserve with live music, food and drinks, kids’ activities, and more. When: noon-5 p.m. Where: Avondale Brewing Co.

Birmingham Taco Fest 2023

Bare Hands, Inc. is pleased to bring back the Birmingham Taco Fest to Sloss Furnaces. The event will feature food trucks, music, children’s activities and local art vendors. When: 12-5 p.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces

Momorabilia: Stories About Mothers and the Ties That Bind

The Friends of the Hoover Public Library present Dolores Hydock in a collection of funny, affectionate stories celebrating mothers. When: Light refreshments at 1 p.m., performance at 2 p.m. Where: Hoover Library

Tues, May 9

Women with Spirit(s)

Hear how Birmingham’s small business leaders keep themselves and their businesses going at the Women with Spirit(s) luncheon to benefit GirlSpring. There will be door prizes, music by a female DJ, a gourmet lunch and a signature cocktail. When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Redmont Distilling Co.

May 10-14

Regions Tradition

78 of the top PGA TOUR Champions players and World Golf Hall of Fame Members to compete for a major championship. A spectator village will offer food, cocktails, beer, music and more. When: Gates open at 7 a.m. on Wed., 8 a.m. Thurs. - Sun. Where: Greystone Golf and Country Club

Thurs., May 11

Ascension Food Truck Festival

Mark your calendars and invite your friends to this annual festival, benefitting Ascension’s feeding ministries: Weekend Backpack Program at Vestavia Hills schools, The Abbey and First Light. Children’s games and a live band comprised of talented members of the congregation will be on hand. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Vestavia Hills.

Rosé in the Roses

Enjoy a glass of rosé provided by Finch Fine Wines and celebrate the Botanical gardens’ roses. All proceeds to benefit the Friends’ Native Plant internship. When: 5:30 pm Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Sat., May 13

Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast and Garage Sale

Boy Scout Troop 97 will be hosting this popular annual breakfast event that includes a silent auction, $7.00 in advance, $8 at the door (kids under 5 are free). When: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, fellowship hall and gym

Hats off to Spring at Arlington

The Arlington Historical Association invites people to bring cameras or sketchbooks to enjoy the grounds and house decorated with spring flowers. Refreshments will be served in the Garden Room, there will be activities for children and prizes will be given for best hat and best flower arrangement. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens

Mother’s Day Market

Kick off Mother’s Day celebrations with the annual Mother’s Day Market. Join local artisans, vendors, makers, and creators for a day full of food, shopping, cocktails, and excellent craft beer. When: 12-5 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.

6th Annual Magic City Wine Fest

Sip your way through several different regions of the world at the iHeart Radio/Birmingham 6th Annual Autumn Air Home Services Magic City Wine Fest. Wine and beer from around the world will be available at the fest, along with food and live music. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Railroad Park.

From left, front: Anita Bice, Cathy Phares, Nicki Cochran, Gayle Hurley and Lynda Goldstein. Back: Sara Crook, Leigh Colpak, Beverly Phillips, Beverley Bates, Ginny Whitaker, Martha Fulgrum, Heather Davis, Melanie O’Keefe, Chris Cruz, Charlotte McDavid, Kathy Prince, Charlotte Kelley and Janice James Eubank.

Courtesy

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS

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

NURSE PRIDE

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

NURSES IN NEED

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

LEADERSHIP GRANTS

Rewarding and investing in innovations of nursing practice.

S’mores and Pours

Event Raises Money for Youth Support Group BridgeWays

Avondale Brewery is the site for the 11th annual S’mores and Pours fundraiser on May 11 for BridgeWays Alabama.

More than 400 people are expected at the event, which is hosted by BridgeWays’ junior board, said Patty Bromberg, the event coordinator.

S’mores and Pours will be held from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will feature live music from T.U.B, food from Taco Mama and raffles. Among the vendors and pop-up shops expected are Wild Honey Flower Truck, Virginia Nelson Art, Emily Hillhouse photography and Turner Hull Art. Purple glitter bouncy houses will

Tues., May 16

Birmingham Boys Choir Concert

The Birmingham Boys Choir, now celebrating its 50th year, will present their 45th annual Spring Concert at a free concert. When: 7 p.m. Where: Mountain Brook Baptist Church

Steps Against Melanoma Walk

The Aim Against Melanoma

WE’RE LEAVING A INVESTING IN THE FUTURE, ONE LEGACY AT A TIME

Dora and Sanjay Singh understand investing. That’s why their estate plan includes a gift to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

By focusing on education and cultural opportunities, Dora and Sanjay believe their gift will make Birmingham a more inclusive home for people from all over the world and build bridges to a better future for generations to come.

Sanjay says, “We trust the Community Foundation to manage our legacy gift because they have the experience, history and collaborative spirit to drive the transformational change we envision for Birmingham.”

Visit cfbham.org/legacy and learn how you can join Dora and Sanjay in creating a lasting legacy for our community.

Foundation is holding this event to bring awareness to the fight against melanoma and its fundraising for research initiatives. When: Check-in at 8 a.m., 5K and Fun Run at 9 a.m. Where: Veterans Park

Zoo Run - Sprint for Sloths!

Raising money for the Birmingham Zoo’s animals by running a race route

be set up for kids, who also can get their faces painted and meet a tiny horse named Cinderella.

Tickets are $30 in advance through eventbrite.com or $35 at the door, Bromberg said.

BridgeWays is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and expertise directed at the needs and issues affecting young people. It offers eight programs that address these issues, such as bullying, and serve 14,000 children in Central Alabama each year, Bromberg said.

Reading Kickoff

The library kicks off the “All Together Now” summer reading program with a bike parade, the Beatin’ Path Rhythm Drum Circle, food, games, bouncy houses, fire trucks, prizes and so much more! Sign up for summer reading and grab a goodie bag too. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Wald Park

YOUR PURCHASE OF A NURSES SAVE LIVES CAR TAG GOES DIRECTLY TO:

Bade and Hudson Schnurr at last year’s event.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

fun afternoon on the golf course. Each golfer will receive Tito’s Transfusion Cocktail at check-in and Cahaba beer will be sold for $2 each. Following the golf tournament there will be a Crawfish Boil After Party at Cahaba Brewing Company. Easterseals of the Birmingham Area will receive a portion of all proceeds from each ticket purchase. When: Golf Tournament, 2pm; Crawfish Boil after party afterwards Where: Golf, Highland Park Golf Course; Crawfish Boil, Cahaba Brewing

Rosè All Day Wine & Music Festival

Sip rosè from three premium Blackowned wine labels or try the Rosè All Day drink special, along with a luxury picnic and cigar bar. When: 2-9 p.m.

Where: Lit on 8th, 518 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd.

Historic Night Tour of Sloss Furnaces

Two tours will be offered at the historic site, with guests taken to sections of the furnaces not open to the public. Each tour is two hours and participants will learn about how the furnaces worked, as well as deaths that are known to have occurred there. When: Tours start at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces

Sun., May 21

Summer Reading Carnival Kickoff & Thomas Hughes Brinkley

Memorial Fun Run

Kick off summer reading fun will feature a train ride, face painting, game booths, a rock-climbing wall, and a bouncy house. Children and their grownups are invited to walk, run, bike, scoot, skate and stroll the one-mile course that starts in front of the library and runs through the adjacent neighborhood. Tickets available starting in May. All proceeds go to the Children’s Department.

When: 3 pm fun run, 3:30 carnival

Where: O’Neal Library

Fri., May 26

Hoover Library Summer Reading Kickoff

The library kicks off the “All Together Now” summer reading program with games, snacks, crafts, music and more. When: 1-4 p.m. Where: Hoover Library

Tues., June 6

West Homewood Farmers Market

The West Homewood Farmers Market opens its 13th season and marks the occasion with a performance from the Giving Guitars Tour by country singer Steven Cade. Cade will give away a guitar to a foster home before the show at the market from 6-8 p.m.

When: The market is open from 5-8 p.m. Where: 160 Oxmoor Road

Fiesta! Young Cancer Researchers at UAB to Benefit From Fiesta Ball

A May 5 Fiesta Ball will help fund young cancer researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The young supporters board of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is hosting the 16th annual event at Haven from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. that day.

Proceeds will provide funds to young cancer researchers at UAB to jump-start their research, with the goal of leveraging their findings to compete for additional federal grants, according to the website for the event.

This year’s event will feature live music by Livewire, fiesta-themed food by Iz Catering and a silent auction funding the Mary Ann Harvard and Jacob Baker NextGen Awards.

Fiesta Ball tickets can be purchased in advance for $45 by going to giving.uab.edu and searching for Fiesta Ball. Valet and limited street parking will be available; however, ride sharing is encouraged.

For more information contact Mary Jane Gibson at maryjgibson@ uabmc.edu for more information.

‘Small Business Is the Backbone of the Country’

Shop Owners Celebrate Anniversaries; Reflect on Small Business Week

By Anne Ruisi

As the U.S. Small Business Administration marks National Small Business Week, three Mountain Brook shop owners celebrating landmark business anniversaries reflected on the importance of small businesses to the community.

“Small business is the backbone of the country,” said Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s in Mountain Brook Village which opened 50 years ago.

“When you shop in a small business in the village, you are supporting the local economy.”

People don’t realize the impact of small business, as sales taxes from shops and employee wages contribute to the area’s financial health, she said.

“The villages are key to the neighborhoods. It’s a great place to be a small business,” said Laurel Bassett, owner of Town & Country Clothes in Crestline Village, where she said there are a lot of small businesses that the community widely supports. Town & Country is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Shopping local also brings into

Homewood’s Drennen

Receives State Chamber

Honor

Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director Meredith Drennen was named Chamber Professional of the Year on April 26 by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

Drennen received the award during the Executive Leadership Conference in Auburn.

“It’s already hanging in the office,” Drennen said.

She also was recognized for earning the Alabama Accredited Chamber Executive designation.

play a personal touch that isn’t often found with national retailers.

“We care about our customers. I don’t care if someone is buying a $3.50 card or $1,000 worth of French linens,” Clayton said. “Over the years we get to know our customers and have a real connection to them.”

“When you walk into my store, I will be there. My employees will be there. It’s a different feeling from a department store,” said Marguerite Bolvig, owner of Marguerite’s Conceits in Mountain Brook Village,

The Chamber Professional of the Year Award is given to a chamber of commerce leader who is nominated by staff and meets criteria such as demonstrating exemplary leadership and non-chamber community involvement. Drennen said she serves on the Homewood Beautification Board and is on the city’s

which just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

That customers appreciate that relationship was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business owners said. They all credited support from loyal customers as keeping their businesses afloat during lockdowns and shopper reluctance to go out in public.

“I posted things on Instagram and customers would call in orders. It was really amazing how customers in the community really helped us out. For us, that was huge,” Bolvig said.

Bassett recalled the pandemic was “definitely scary for a while” as businesses throughout the state curtailed hours and some closed. She also credited the shop’s loyal customer base for keeping her business in business.

“We’d post on Facebook and sell one or two items a day” during the worst of the lockdowns, she said.

That experience morphed into the shop’s website, townandcountryclothes.com, which added an e-commerce facet to the business, she said.

The Small Business Administration recognizes the critical contributions of

City Manager Study Committee.

She’s been in the industry for 15 years and has been at the helm of the Homewood Chamber for eight years.

Samford Begins 4-Building Athletic and Rec Center

Samford University last week officially broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art recreation and athletic complex.

The complex will be made up of four buildings totaling 165,000 square feet. At $65 million, the venture is the largest capital project in the university’s history, according to a statement from

America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week, celebrated this year

the university.

The project to build the Campus Recreation, Wellness and Athletic Complex will provide students and employees with opportunities to improve physical fitness and mental wellness as well as provide new spaces for campus events and student gatherings, according to the statement.

Additional facilities will provide new practice and training spaces for the university’s 17 Division I athletic teams, according to the state.

As part of the project, Seibert Hall will be redesigned to include multiuse courts, studios for fitness classes,

April 30-May 6, is co-hosted by Score, mentors to America’s small businesses and a resource partner of the SBA.

esports and dance studios, a state-ofthe-art weight room and a multipurpose workout area, according to a page on the university’s website devoted to the project. It also will include a common space for students to gather, with lounge areas, a coffeehouse and a 24-hour convenience store.

Also being refurbished is Bashinsky Field House. It will provide a dedicated facility for Samford student-athletes, including new training spaces for teams and dedicated practice spaces for the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs.

Continued on page 9

Above, Laurel Bassett, owner of Town & Country (in purple top), with employees and Mountain Brook city and chamber officials at a ribbon cutting recently to mark the Crestline stores 80th anniversary. Right, Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s in Mountain Brook Village, celebrated the store’s 50th anniversary last week. Below right, Marguerite Bolvig, owner of Marguerite’s Conceits in Mountain Brook Village, just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

photo by Maury Wald

photo by Maury Wald

‘When you walk into my store, I will be there. My employees will be there. It’s a different feeling from a department store.’

MARGUERITE BOLVIG, OWNER OF MARGUERITE’S CONCEITS

Meredith Drennen file

MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

The first floor of the Dwight and Lucille Beeson Center, which is directly across the street from the complex, will be renovated and become the new home for University Health Services and the Samford Cares office, which will include student counseling and a wellness program.

A fourth building will be constructed next to Seibert Hall and encompass 20,000 square feet of additional recreation and event space. The new facility will feature a suspended indoor track, additional fitness spaces, sound and staging to host campus events, and covered outdoor athletic space.

Meetings Set for Hoover Historical Site Proposal

Town hall meetings will continue in May to discuss a proposal by the Friends of Shades Mountain to combine Lover’s Leap, the old Tip Top Grill restaurant site and Hale Springs into one scenic/historic preserve, according to an announcement from the Hoover Historical Society.

The sites are in Hoover’s Bluff Park community. The society encourages those who support preserving these sites to attend the meetings.

Meetings will be held May 8, 5-7 p.m., at Shades Crest Baptist Church; May 9, 5-7 p.m., at the Spain Park High School library; and May 11, 5-7 p.m., at the Finley Center.

The first meeting was held April 29 at Celebrate Hoover Day.

Homewood Library Digitizing Historical Collection With Grant

The Homewood Public Library received a $10,000 grant from the Library Services and Technology Act to preserve and digitize the historical collection in the Homewood Room, according to a news release from the library.

The city of Homewood provided $2,500 in matching funds.

The library has hired an archivist, Robin Dunn, for the duration of the grant. She will be with the library for

about 350 hours, scanning, preserving and creating training materials for the staff.

Dunn spoke at the Homewood Preservation Society meeting in March to offer an update on the project’s progress. Among the items she brought to share were a scrapbook from Hall-Kent Elementary School from

1933-1934 and a city of Homewood Publication from 1944 called “Post-War Homewood.”

“We are looking forward to inviting the community to share their historic Homewood photos and documents with the library so that they can be digitized and preserved for all to enjoy,” said Judith Wright, director

of the Homewood Library. “We hope the grant project will get us into a better position to house Homewood’s historical collections, protect them and make them available to the community.”

The Homewood Library is working during Preservation Week, which began April 30 and ends May 6,

to make the historical collections available online through Alabama Mosaic at alabamamosaic.org. It’s a repository of digital materials on Alabama’s history, culture, places and people. Its purpose is to make unique historical treasures from Alabama’s archives, libraries, museums and other repositories available to everyone.

Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov

Acrylic by Maya Eventov

The Gift of Motherhood

From Page One

Arduous Journey

The Millers said they tried for a year to conceive a baby before being referred to a fertility specialist. The process began with rounds of a fertility medication called clomid that stimulates ovulation for a woman, Mary Leah explained. From there, fertility specialists suggested intrauterine insemination, before the couple moved on to attempt in vitro fertilization. During IVF, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized in a lab before being transferred to the woman’s uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic.

On the day the couple arrived at the clinic to have their embryos transferred to Mary Leah, they were met with heartbreaking news. They were told the embryos had “arrested,” Mary Leah said, meaning the cells of the embryos had stopped dividing three days after being fertilized and were no longer viable.

Determined to continue trying to start a family, the couple sought treatment with fertility specialists around the country and attempted the IVF process an additional five times. The result was the same each time – the embryos would stop developing before they reached viability and a chance for transfer. After the sixth attempt, doctors diagnosed a likely egg quality issue and explained that the chance of conceiving babies that carried the couples’ own genes was unlikely.

Mary Leah and Rodney said they considered their other options, including egg donations and traditional adoption processes, but none felt right.

During Memorial Day weekend in 2020, the Millers felt hopeful again for the first time in years when they heard during a conversation with friends about the possibility of embryo adoption. After learning more about the Snowflakes Embryo Adoptions program and their friends’ own experience, they became convinced they had found the right path forward and quickly reached out to the organization.

“When we got on the Snowflakes website it was the first time in a long time we felt good about where things were going,” Rodney said, “and felt confident that after 10 years of negative pregnancy tests, our desire to have a family was going to be fulfilled.”

The Snowflakes program, according to its website, has been assisting with embryo donations and adoptions since 1997. It is a division of Nightlife Christian Adoptions, which also assists families and individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies or wanting to take part in international, domestic or foster care adoptions.

The Snowflakes program began with the mission to help families that had remaining embryos from previous IVF treatments frozen in storage. Many donor families had decided their families were complete or had been medically advised not to undergo another pregnancy but did not want to have their remaining embryos discarded.

For the Millers, starting the embryo adoption process amid lockdowns during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic slowed things down some, Mary Elizabeth recalled, but the couple was determined. What followed were many of the same steps that are part of a traditional adoption, including background checks and home visits.

“Fingerprinting is also part of the process,”

she said, “which was kind of challenging during COVID. A very nice police captain allowed me to come in and get fingerprinted when I explained why I needed them.”

The couple also completed a lengthy family profile, in which they specified details of the kind of family they wanted to adopt from, as well as their preferences for the relationship between the donor and adoptive families. Rodney said another part of the process involved a lengthy phone interview with Snowflakes in which they discussed family health history and any preferences concerning various genetic factors related to the donor family.

“We were trying to make sure we weren’t being a little too strict and, you know, falling into that category of wanting a boutique baby,” he said.

The contractual aspects of the embryo adoption process were particularly interesting for the

Millers, who are both local attorneys.

“Where it differs a little from a traditional adoption is the law hasn’t quite caught up with the science,” Rodney said. “The law basically sees embryo adoption as the transfer of property.

There is a contract between us and the placing family. It’s really no different than what you

would write up if you’re selling someone your car.”

Once the team at Snowflakes found a family match, the Millers adopted four initial embryos. The first embryo transfer did not result in a pregnancy, Mary Leah said, but she received her first positive pregnancy test after the second transfer. Despite having miscarried that baby at around 8 weeks, Mary Leah said the very fact that she was able to get pregnant after nearly a decade of trying filled the couple with continued hope.

Having exhausted all of the embryos they adopted from the first donor family, the Millers returned to Snowflakes to adopt five embryos from another donor family.

Rodney explained that this second donor family had used IVF as part of their own fertility journey, which had resulted in two healthy boys. During the second pregnancy, however, the mother had serious health complications and was advised not to get pregnant again. The family still had five remaining viable embryos, however, and turned to Snowflakes to donate the remaining embryos and give them a chance at life.

2 for 1

In April 2022, doctors transferred two of those embryos to Mary Leah. The Millers said they made the decision to transfer two after consulting their doctor, who did indicate the chance of having twins was a possibility. The Millers said when they realized the transfer had been successful and that Mary Leah was pregnant with twins, they were beyond excited.

“We were absolutely thrilled,” said Mary Leah, who went on to add that both she and Rodney had twins on each side of their families. “We were ecstatic to know that both of these little embryos had implanted and that we were going to have twins. At that point, honestly, it did not even matter what sex these babies were. We were just excited that we were having a baby – and we got to have two.”

The couple agreed the babies are very well behaved and are a joy to be around.

“We don’t claim that because of our 10-year wait that we love our kids more than other people,” Rodney said with a laugh, “but there’s a good argument to be made that we appreciate them more. They may be able to get away with a little more than other kids because of that.”

Snowflakes encourages open relationships between the donor and adoptive families, and the Millers said they have been in touch with the donor family, occasionally sending pictures and updates about Dalton and Mary Elizabeth. The biological parents, however, Rodney explained, have no legal right to the children.

“Mary Leah carried them. She had nine months of pregnancy. She delivered them. Their birth certificates have our names on them as parents,” Rodney said.

Rodney said they do plan to be open with

‘It was a difficult 10 years. No doubt, but looking back on it now, especially as we sit here and hold these two, we wouldn’t change anything about it.’ RODNEY MILLER

Rodney and Mary Leah Miller with their twins Mary Elizabeth and Dalton.

Scouts Carry Out Service Projects to Improve Lives of Dogs and Cats at GBHS

When does a day last two months?

When Boy Scouts are committed to community service projects.

The Alabama scouts’ Vulcan District typically has a Day of Service, but this year the “day” spanned January and February and was dedicated to showing appreciation for pet dogs and cats.

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society –and the 15,000 to 18,000 dogs and cats it serves annually – benefited from three projects carried out during that period, according to a statement from the district.

On Jan. 28, more than 150 Scouts between the ages of 11 and 18 and their families showed up at the GBHS Adoption Center on Snow Drive with chain saws, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, pickaxes and heavy-duty pruning shears to restore the two largest play yards to give dogs more space to play and socialize. More than a dozen large, dead pine trees were cut down, more than 60 stumps were removed, and both pens were cleared of downed branches and other debris.

Outside the play yards, along the

property’s perimeter, Scouts cleared downed tree and branch debris that had accumulated over time, and by day’s end, two dumpsters were filled. At the same time, the younger Cub Scouts and their adult leaders walked along the trails used to walk dogs, pruning overgrowth, clearing branches and removing stones.

Two 8-foot picnic benches were purchased for visitors, volunteers and staff to use outside.

By midFebruary, after sufficient funds had been raised and construction materials

donated, scouts updated the dog and cat post-op bed recovery area at the GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic. Twenty to 30 dogs and cats receive surgery at CCC on any given weekday.

The pet beds on which dogs and cats recover were replaced. The dog beds now are twin-sized, 6-inch-thick, medical-grade memory foam waterproof mattresses set on raised custombuilt wood platforms. Cats now recover on a 3-inch-thick memory foam mattress set on a custom-built raised platform.

By late-February, sufficient funds

had been raised to have a contractor upgrade and repair the two large play yard fences. The contractor installed 115 feet of fencing along the back play yard perimeter wall, replacing the fence that had been there, realigned all fence gates and repaired damage to a portion of the fence damaged in a recent storm. An additional upgrade to this project would be to install a second inner

gate in each play yard to provide an additional level of safety for the dogs.

If you want to donate toward this additional project, go to gbhs.org/ donate#donate, and make sure after designating your amount to click the “Add a donation note/comment” box and type “For GBHS Play Yard Security Gate.”

The Vulcan District in its statement

said the project would not have been possible without the city of Hoover’s donation of two 30-cubic-yard dumpsters, Iron City Fence’s work on both play yard chain link fences, Domino’s Pizza–Homewood, Buffalo Rock and all of those who donated money.

To learn more about the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and its mission, visit https://gbhs.org.

OTMJ Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2023

The Cat’s pajamas - summer weight, 100% cotton bath robes lots of patterns $130. Marguerite’s Conceits, 205879-2730

Mom will love our Zkano socks, made from 100% organic cotton. Super comfy and comes in fun designs! $19.35. Alabama Goods, 205-803-3900

Bond No.9 New York — “New York Flowers”. Celebrate spring’s spectacle of blooms, when Mom and flowers take center stage. Gus Mayer, 205-870-3300

Studio Sweatshirt made with bamboo viscose and organic cotton, soft yet durable, lightweight, $88. Tasc, 659- 599-9240

18K yellow gold Hulchi Belluni Tresore stretch bracelet features three sliding bezel set diamonds and has a unique stretch design, $3,675. Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook, 205-871-3276; The Summit, 205-969-1776

Keeping Mom warm has never looked so good. Reversible cozy blanket in a bag by Johnny Was, $248.00. B. Prince, 205-871-1965

For the modern and classic Mom, detachable South Sea pearl earring jackets, $1,450 to $ 2,450.

JB & Co 205-478-0455

Great with jeans and dresses, Mom will love LFB Designs silk scarves by local designer Allison Manley. The Village Poodle, 205-423-5443.

MOTHERHOOD

From page 10

their children about their journey when they are old enough, and they’ll help their twins if the children want interaction with their biological parents or siblings.

Embryos Waiting

Kimberly Tyson, vice president of the Snowflakes program, said an estimated 1 million embryos are currently frozen in cryobanks across the United States.

“When people create embryos, they often times are pretty laser focused on the goal of having their

own baby,” she said, “so they’re not really thinking too much or long and hard about, ‘What am I going to do with remaining embryos, because they might not even think they’ll have remaining embryos.”

Dalton and Elizabeth are babies 1,000 and 1,001 born as part of the Snowflakes adoption program.

Tyson said families can experience the joys of pregnancy and birth with the Snowflakes program, often at a cost less expensive than IVF rounds.

“A traditional IVF is going to cost $15,000 to $25,000,” she said. “If you have to buy human eggs, that’s going to add another $10,000, maybe $15,000 to that. Most families find that it’s going to take two to three IVF

Perfect for Mom this year, these layering necklaces start at $379. Shay’s Jewelers 205-978-5880

Antique HALL Salt Glazed Stoneware Stone Water Pitcher made beetween 1850 and 1890, $150. Vintage Interiors, 205-620-1900

cycles in order to achieve a pregnancy.”

While comparing the options is not exact, Tyson said it is important to include the variable cost that Snowflakes families incur. A $9,000 agency fee is standard, she said. Added to that is the cost of a home study, which can run $2,000 to $3,000. The fertility clinic will also charge medical fees, which is about $5,000 on average. The whole cost of doing one transfer is approximately $15,000 to $16,000.

Another detail that sets Snowflakes apart, according to Tyson, is that all remaining embryos are adopted by a single family. Families hoping for more than one baby, there-

The Sospiri® collection represents Ottica Veneta’s signature luxury line of optical and sun wear. “Thea” (featuring Swarovski crystals) $1,100. Mountain Brook Eye Care, 205-341-9595

Vintage frames, hand embroidered messages with meaning Mom will cherish, $18.00 Attic Antiques, 205-991-6887

fore, would be matched with a donor family that had five or more embryos left over.

No Regrets (Almost)

On the verge of celebrating her first Mother’s Day, Mary Leah said that, despite its challenges, she would not change their journey.

“For many couples, and especially many women, yes, pregnancy has its own challenges. But, I think for those women who want to have children, many of them want to experience carrying a child, birthing a child,” she said. “That is one of the things you get to do with an embryo adoption; you get to carry the baby. You kind of blend the best of both worlds in terms

“Pink and Blue” 20”X20” acrylic and mixed medium on canvas by Emilija Pasagic $1490. Griffith Art Gallery, 205-985-7969.

of adoption and a childbirth experience. That experience for me was just amazing.”

Rodney wholeheartedly agreed.

“It was a difficult 10 years. No doubt, but looking back on it now, especially as we sit here and hold these two, we wouldn’t change anything about it,” he said. “The thing we like to say is the only regret, if you would call it that, about our journey is that we didn’t learn about embryo adoption sooner.”

Families interested in the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption program can visit their website at nightlight.org/snowflakes-embryo-adoption-donation.

Beautiful 14KT diamond hoops starting at $3,250. Southeastern Jewelers, 205-980-9030

“McAlpine: Romantic Modernism”

A celebration of the recent work of McALPINE, the award-winning architectural and interior design firm, with a collection of residences embracing modernism, classicism, and romanticism, $60. Snoozy’s george, 205-871-2662

This 18” Ingrid necklace features goldplated vintage multi-chain and fastens with our exclusive ExVoto toggle closure. Plated in 18K gold with our Forever Finish, allowing for extended wear without tarnish, $159. ExVoto, 205-538-7301

The Tin Marin Super Tote is the perfect size and style to carry everything Mom may need for a beach vacation including your towel, go-to book, sunnies, snacks, and as many sunscreens as you want, $84. Town & Country Clothes, 205-871-7909

Celebrate mom with a personal gift!

18K Gold and Precious Stone Brent Neale Bubble Initial Necklaces and

Bright and beautiful, Shebobo bags are handwoven from natural fiber raffia or sisal & hand dyed by artisans. Each piece is truly unique, $69.95. Second Hand Rose, 205-970-7997

Handcrafted in Italy, Alisa necklace in 18K gold Traversa circular tube on a double cable chain necklace with four 925 Sterling Silver .03ct diamond rondelles; .12ct tw & 17” Steeds Jewelers, 205-822-9173

Only the best for Mom, organic cotton bath linens are made with love in France. Christine’s on Canterbury, 205- 871-8297

MOTHER'S DAY

All Yves Delorme Towels, Robes, & Iosis Pillows/Totes

Road • 205-871-8297

1, 2, & 3 bottle wine holders in stainless and copper, the insert comes out to use as an ice bucket. Keep Mom’s wine chilled and also have a dry bottle, $95$145. The Cook Store, 205-879-5277

Celebrate Mom with a bottle of Andre Clouet Champagne, $39.99, and don’t forget the flowers. Piggly Wiggly, thepigbham.com.

Women’s Committee of 100 Recognizes Humanitarians, Benefactors

The Women’s Committee of 100 for Birmingham held its Awards Day Luncheon at the Country Club of Birmingham on April 25.

Each year, the group recognizes individuals, corporations and/or businesses that make outstanding contributions to the city and state.

This year’s award recipients are Southern Research, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Altamont student Ethan Hill and Dr. Nita Carr.

Southern Research

Southern Research received special recognition for its role in driving breakthroughs that improve the community and world health.

It was founded in 1941 and by 2021 had generated about 600 lifesaving patents and produced 20 FDAapproved drugs. It has helped transform cancer treatment by developing, improving or testing half of the chemotherapies currently existing, and it has partnered with 150 commercial customers in biotech and pharmaceutical services, alongside UAB and UAB Medicine endeavors.

Birmingham Children’s Theatre

Birmingham Children’s Theatre received the 75th Anniversary Award for making an exceptional contribution to conserve and promote the history and culture of our state.

the nation’s oldest and largest professional theater companies for young audiences and Birmingham’s only professional theater company with a focus on the education of children through the arts.

es as well as integrated arts education to any school or individual that requests it – regardless of their funding or ability to pay.

Ethan Hill

less people in Birmingham since he was 6 years old.

Ethan provided supplies for others who were living under the freeway. His generosity has blossomed into Ethan’s Heart Bags 4 Blessings, a nonprofit organization centered on donating goods to the homeless in Birmingham and surrounding cities. The organization calls for donations so Ethan, with the help of his parents, can create and deliver care packages to the homeless.

Ethan’s Heart has given more than 3,000 care packages to homeless people in Birmingham. Ethan stays in touch with Mr. Marcus, the man who inspired him to start helping the homeless. Ethan and his organization have been recognized with awards and honors, including by Time magazine and Disney World.

Dr. Nita Carr

Dr. Nita Carr received the Brother Bryan-Prayer Point Award in recognition of outstanding humanitarian contributions to the community that exemplify the life of the late Brother James Alexander Bryan, pastor of Third Presbyterian Church. He was known for his support of the poor and homeless.

Birmingham Children’s is one of

Theater leaders believe the arts are integral to enriching lives, promoting mental wellness and fostering joy, and so the theater strives to provide live theater as an essential service that improves the quality of life of individuals. It provides these performanc-

Ethan Hill, 12, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award for promoting human welfare and striving to improve the human condition.

Introducing the 24/7 Virtual

Ethan, a student at The Altamont School who is the son of Ebony and David Hill, has been helping home-

In 2016, Ethan was on his way to school when he noticed a man living under a freeway overpass. He was determined to help the man. After school, he began to research ways he could provide aid to the homeless. A few weeks later, Ethan used his Christmas money to buy food, snacks, water, tarps and toiletries to give to the man, whom he came to know as Mr. Marcus.

As president of Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, Carr has transformed Cornerstone from a small inner-city Christian school that struggled to hire certified teachers into a K4-12 school on two campuses. The elementary school became the first

Introducing the 24/7 Virtual Care Agent

Always Best Care is the first in Birmingham to offer a 24/7 Virtual Care Agent to raise our standard of care and ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Your loved one can now receive the highest quality in-home care services with a 24/7 safety net for aroundthe-clock, comprehensive, affordable care.

Introducing the 24/7 Virtual Care Agent

Always Best Care is the first in Birmingham to offer a 24/7 Virtual Care Agent to raise our standard of care and ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Your loved one can now receive the highest quality in-home care services with a 24/7 safety net for aroundthe-clock, comprehensive, affordable care.

Who is Virtual Care Suited For?

Who is Virtual Care Suited For?

· Anyone who wants extra peace of mind and 24/7 support

· Anyone who wants extra peace of mind and 24/7 support

· Those living alone or with family

· Anyone who wants extra peace of mind and 24/7 support

· Those living alone or with family

· An individual experiencing cognitive decline

· An individual experiencing cognitive decline

· An individual experiencing cognitive decline

· Anyone receiving home healthcare services

What is Virtual Care?

Always Best Care is the first in Birmingham to offer a hybrid in-home care solution which provides for top quality in-person care with 24/7 virtual remote support. This combination of high touch and high tech raises our standard of care and ensures the continuous safety and well-being of our clients. Your loved one can now receive the highest quality in-home care services with a 24/7 safety net for around the-clock, comprehensive, affordable care.

Always Best Care is the first in Birmingham to offer a 24/7 Virtual Care Agent to raise our standard of care and ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Your loved one can now receive the highest quality in-home care services with a 24/7 safety net for aroundthe-clock, comprehensive, affordable care.

What is Virtual Care?

What is Virtual Care?

What is Virtual Care?

Always Best Care AI is an audio analytics technology that detects health and care anomalies in the home to serve as a 24/7 safety net so that you know, without a doubt, that your loved one is safe and able to remain independent.

Always Best Care AI is an audio analytics technology that detects health and care anomalies in the home to serve as a 24/7 safety net so that you know, without a doubt, that your loved one is safe and able to remain independent.

Always Best Care AI is an audio analytics technology that detects health and care anomalies in the home to serve as a 24/7 safety net so that you know, without a doubt, that your loved one is safe and able to remain independent.

What Can We Detect?

Always Best Care AI is an audio analytics technology that detects health and care anomalies in the home to serve as a 24/7 safety net so that you know, without a doubt, that your loved one is safe and able to remain independent.

· Falls or other physical distress

Who is Virtual Care Suited For?

· Calls for help

· Falls or other physical distress

· Exceptional care

· Difficulty performing a task

· Exceptional care

· Cognitive decline

· Calls for help

Who is Virtual Care Suited For? What Can We Detect?

· Negative communication

· Difficulty performing a task

· Early signs of infection

· Cognitive decline

· Risk of medication error

· Negative communication

· Anyone who wants extra peace of mind and 24/7 support

· An individual who has experienced falls

· Anyone receiving home healthcare services

· An individual who has experienced falls

· Falls or other physical distress

· Early signs of infection

· Exceptional care

· Risk of medication error

· Those living alone or with family

· An individual who has experienced falls

· An individual experiencing cognitive decline

· Anyone receiving home healthcare services

· An individual who has experienced falls

· Calls for help

· Cognitive decline

· Early signs of infection

· Difficulty performing a task

· Negative communication

· Risk of medication error

From left, Brantley Fry, Southern Research; Ethan Hill, The Altamont school; Ashley Woods, Birmingham Children’s Theatre; and Dr. Nita Carr, Cornerstone Schools.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Women’s Committee of 100 members, above, Sonia Carrington, Amy Scofiled, Nan Teninbaum and Bet Wright; right, Ellen Staner, Patti Hagwood and Anne Bishop.

International Baccalaureate primary school in Alabama. The schools offer tutoring, extra-curricular activities and sports programs.

Carr also has led the students and faculty in creating the “Cornerstone Way,” five character pillars that form the basis of a selfassessment that all students complete three times each year. The students reflect and set goals as a part of the effort to demonstrate growth in character each year.

SOCIAL FROM THE HEART

Randy and Kelly Owen Honored at Heart Association Ball

Country music superstar Randy Owen and his wife, Kelly Owen, were the honorees at the 36th annual Birmingham Heart Ball at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum on April 22.

Held by the American Heart Association, the ball offered attendees a night to remember, with a cocktail reception, seated dinner and live and silent auctions. A live brass band performed and there was entertainment featuring dueling pianos.

With the federal government, the American Heart Association funds more cardiovascular and stroke-related research than any other organization in the country. These include 29 research awards totaling $18 million currently at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, according to the ball’s program. ❖

Kelly and Randy Owen

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Kim Smith, April Douglas, Claudia Stephens, Christa Lidikay, Karole Dale

John and Leigh Anne Montgomery

Joe and Sheri Falk-See, Guy and Diana Rawlings

Don and Melanie Lewis

Laura and John Parks

Ryan and Ashley Connell.

Mark and Merrellyn Mattox

Paul and Reagan Dupre

Praz Patcha and Julie Wehner

Spring Renewal Mountain Brook Kappa Delta Alums Honor Members for Service

Members of the Mountain Brook Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta gathered recently for their annual spring luncheon to recognize two of their own for their service to the sorority and to the community.

Greer Thomas Black was awarded the 2023 Elizabeth Nesbitt Simpson Kappa Delta Service Award for her previous service to the Birmingham Southern College Kappa Delta chapter and continued dedication as the alumnae chapter treasurer.

Kathryn Elam Dorlon received the 2023 Garnett McAdams Dreams

Community Service Award. She has been dedicated to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church as an “office angel” and pastoral care ministry volunteer, and she helped organize the Green Bow Committee to honor the victims of the shooting at the church in June.

Dorlon also has supported the Gumbo Gala for Episcopal Place and Rise Against Hunger, as well as being an Inspiration Home manager and as a volunteer for Sawyerville, a children-focused group in Hale County. The luncheon was held at the home of Liz Briggs. ❖

Kathryn Dorlon, Greer Black

The Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook was the setting to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Prescott House Child Advocacy Center on April 25.

David Barber, former Jefferson County district attorney and Prescott House founder, was the honoree for the evening, said Tree GentleDavidson, Prescott House’s development manager. Among the 150 to 200 guests were Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr, Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods and members of the law enforcement community.

The evening began with a champagne reception and dinner, then continued with a benefit auction and dancing to music by Top Tier Band. Prescott House was founded after Barber realized children who were victims of physical or sexual abuse had to go through several rounds of questioning by different police and law enforcement agencies, which compounded their trauma, GentleDavidson said.

At Prescott House, a child is questioned one time by representatives from agencies involved and it’s done in a homelike atmosphere. Children also receive counseling, and their parents and relatives are directed to resources to help them cope with the situation.

“We are a service no one knows about until we are needed,” GentleDavidson said.

For more information on Prescott House and its programs, go to prescotthouse.org. ❖

35 Years and Counting

Prescott House Aims to Spare Child Abuse Victims More Trauma

Heather Preskitt, Courtney Pate, Lorin Kraeling, Kathryn Langford, Anne McCarley

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Kylie Drummond, Emily Key, Jordan Elder, Britt Puckett

Charles and Jan Denaburg

Nathan and Catherine Sapp

Ginny Jones and Jim Cooper

Sarah and Mark Bales

Vicki and Eddie Denaburg

Ruth and Gregory Zarzaur

Stephanie and Jacob Bradley

Lee Gilmer, Danny Carr, Tree Davidson, Brian Jones

Jeff and Emily Hamilton

Wing Ding

Chicken Wing Event Held as Part of Dogwood Festival

Chicken wing fans were treated to all the chicken wings they could eat April 22 during Wing Ding in Vestavia Hills.

Held in front of Vestavia City Hall, the three-hour event started in late afternoon and ended in the early evening. The

event included live music and a children’s area full of games and activities.

Wing Ding was presented by Leadership Vestavia Hills and was part of the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival. ❖

Abby Grace Burnson, Caroline Lucas

Campbell May, Lauren Mason, Livi May

Tatum Turner, Hayes Kennedy

Katharine and Knox Raycraft

Leighton, Katie and Mallie Bushby

Hope in the

Ham Party Raises Funds for Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge

Supporters of the American Cancer Society’s Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge attended a fun, casual party April 20 while raising funds for the lodge.

The event, Hope in the Ham, was held at the Retail Specialists Building. Guests were served a specialty drink by Tito’s, food and music by the Hams.

The Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge is where cancer patients and their caregivers can stay in a safe and nurturing environment during treatment. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Elizabeth Jernigan, Ashley Brogan, Laurie Wilbanks, Mary Margaret Gullage, Drue Miller

Leigh Sullivan, Marcie Rodrigues, Bebe Burkett

Angie Letzer, Kay West

Ogden and Francie Deaton, Jenny and Sonny Culp

Leigh Anne Haas, Jane Huston Cormmelin, Kristin McPherson

Carmen and Thomas Joy

Katie Patrick, Missy Bargeron

Forrest and Katherine DeBuys

Jodi Benck, Meg Sullivan

Sonny Culp, Lee Edwards

Rob and Holly Nesmith

Elizabeth Crommelin, Leah Hazard

Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research, known as ROAR, presented $388,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Radiation Oncology during a check presentation and awards ceremony at the Greystone Country Club on April 7.

The money represents proceeds raised at the group’s 12th annual James Bond Gala held at The Club on Jan. 28. Marilyn Mitchell Waggoner of Vestavia Hills, the gala’s honoree, and ROAR officers presented the check to UAB Department of Radiation Oncology Chair Dr. James A. Bonner at the April 7 ceremony.

Bonner honored ROAR officers

with individual appreciation awards and a dedicated plaque acknowledging ROAR’s long history to support the department since 2009. He also recognized Dr. Lewis Zhichang Shi, the department’s associate professor and director of radiology, who presented his current research on immunotherapy resistance.

Shi was recently appointed as the first holder of the Koikos-Petelos-Jones-Bragg ROAR Endowed Professorship for Cancer Research at UAB. The endowment was made possible by funding from ROAR and is named for past ROAR honorees and supporters Jimmy Koikos, Tony Petelos, Randall Earlie Jones and Rick Bragg.

Vivian and Lewis Shi, Pam Pan

Legacy League

Samford Celebrates Milestones in Scholarship Celebration

Ages 2012-2005

Dates: May 11-12

HVS TEAM TRYOUTS

Boys & Girls: Ages 2012-2005

Dates: May 13-14

ALL DATES OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS FROM ANY CLUB!

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Tom and Kim Noone

Scholarship, established to honor his wife for her commitment to serving Samford University as first lady and the Legacy League’s executive director.

Julie Taylor announced that as of

April 12, the foundation has raised $221,661 for the Legacy League

Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Centennial Scholarship, with a total of $541,566 for scholarships. The Legacy League provides

scholarships to students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances. Several records were broken this year, such as highest

number of students receiving scholarships – 20 of them – and most successful silent auction for scholarships. ❖

Gaslight and Gas Grill Repair

The Crossings at Riverchase offers everything you want and more — flexible living options, thoughtful amenities and convenient services. Enjoy more of what you love while surrounded by a vibrant array of opportunities and activities, not to mention all-day dining with your choice of chef-prepared, seasonal menu items and wellness-focused programming for enrichment in mind, body and spirit. Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, our community feels right for all the right reasons.

Explore the refreshing senior lifestyle waiting to be found at The Crossings. Call 205-225-7626 or visit

Bo Kerr, Amy Allen, Bob and Gail Greene

Kimeran and Bill Stevens Melanie and Chase Ezell

Fellowship for Service

Hoover Service Club Holds Coffee Open House

Fun, food and fellowship were in generous supply at the Hoover Service Club’s annual Membership Coffee Open House on April 13.

The event was an opportunity for members and guests to learn about the club and the numerous committees on which they can serve, as well as how the club serves the Hoover community.

The club’s April community service project was providing graduation gifts for eight graduates at Grace House. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Jean Ingram, Barbara Henry, Pam Edwards, Betty Daigle

Kacy Wood, Christy Beem Treva Medberry, Debra Taylor

Debbie Rutherford, Lois Taylor Liz Elliott, Kim Allen

Laura Cooper, Marie Haggard Mary Lou Lackey, Mickie Keith

Patsy Martens, Elaine Thompson, Rhonda Boyd, Debbie Rutherford

Swish!

Cornhole Classic Draws Crowd for Brews and Games

Tossing bean bags onto an angled board for points fueled the fun at the 11th annual Cornhole Classic fundraiser for the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs on April 15.

The family-friendly event at Good People Brewery was hosted by The Bell Center’s junior board and drew a crowd of

people who played the lawn game over brews and other refreshments.

The round-robin tournament gave players a way to polish their cornhole skills during tailgating off-season.

Funds raised help The Bell Center provide early intervention therapy for children with special needs.

Joseph, Max and Katelyn Edens, Barry Osborne

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Price Visitainer, Ali Sutherland, Logan Story, Madison Curley Abby and Crawford Burton

Jeannie Colquett, Satcey Morales, Colby Nicholson

By Anne Ruisi

People were hungry for the fare at the Homewood Gourmet when it closed for 60 days this winter to prepare for the move from its longtime home on 28th Avenue to its new site at 2703 Mamie L. Foster Place.

“Now they are coming back to eat with a vengeance,” said chef Chris Zapalow. The restaurant opened April 1 at its new location, a block off 18th Street behind Edgar’s Bakery and De Vinci’s Pizza.

Zapalow owns and operates the restaurant with his wife, Laura, a freelance food stylist who takes care of the paperwork and bookkeeping.

The couple made the move for a couple of reasons. The new building offers more effective and efficient workspace and is more energy efficient, Zapalow said. It used to be cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Also, unlike the previous site, there are no stairs, making it easier for customers who had trouble navigating the steps.

It also has a more comfortable 1,500-square-foot dining space that seats 30 people, and parking is more convenient, he said.

“It’s been a great move,” Zapalow said.

The restaurant’s menu, which is available for take-out, is geared to lunch. It consists mainly of soups, salads, sandwiches and meals to go. The lunch menu, for example, features the favorite Baby Blue Salad, which contains baby greens with honey-balsamic vinaigrette, blue cheese, pecans, oranges and strawberries. Diners can add grilled chicken, shrimp, fish or chicken salad for an additional charge.

Sandwiches on the menu include favorites such as chicken salad, a fried Gulf fish or shrimp po’boy, ham and Swiss with honey mustard and pesto chicken.

Homewood Gourmet’s Meals to

Fired Up Grillmasters Battle

Beer and barbecue were on the menu at the Spring CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off at Cahaba Brewing Company on April 15.

The semiannual BBQ cook-off featured teams of backyard grillers and professionals who prepared all-you-caneat samples from each team’s barbecue offerings for the estimated 1,300 guests, who then voted for their favorites.

Nineteen teams battled it out for Best CahaButt, with Chief Grilldaddy

Everything on the menu at Homewood Gourmet is made from scratch, starting with the yeast rolls, bread loaves and boudin and andouille sausage. Chef and owner Chris Zapalow, left.

‘Great Move’

Homewood Gourmet Moves to Heart of Homewood With More Seating and Parking

Go, which feed a family of four, are popular on the menu. Choices include chicken and sausage jambalaya, Shepherd’s Pie and vegetable lasagna. The beef lasagna and creamy chicken with black bean enchiladas are the most popular, Zapalow said.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch, starting with the yeast rolls, bread loaves and boudin and andouille sausage. The soups, gumbos and a mushroom soup base used for the restaurant’s chicken, broccoli and wild rice casserole are all freshly made, with fresh bread crumbs sprinkled on the casserole.

Gumbo, shrimp, fish and po’boys reflect Zapalow’s New Orleans roots and love for that style of cooking. He notes New Orleans-inspired dishes have Creole roots, not Cajun, as some people assume.

Shifting Gears

While he has a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Mary University in San Antonio, Zapalow always knew he wanted to cook. Realizing he didn’t want to work in an office, he headed back to New Orleans after graduation and applied for jobs with some of the city’s top

restaurants. He was hired as a line cook at Emeril’s Restaurant with famed chef Emeril Lagasse, where he spent five years in on-the-job training and moved up to sous chef.

He came to Birmingham in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and applied for a position at some of Birmingham’s leading restaurants, landing at chef Chris Hastings’ Hot and Hot Fish Club. In spring 2010, he got the opportunity to buy Homewood Gourmet from Franklin Biggs.

While he kept much of the original menu, Zapalow said, he did add some

of his hometown’s favorites, such as gumbo and po’boys.

“They had a lot of good things on the menu and everybody in Birmingham doesn’t eat the same way as people in New Orleans,” he said.

The food draws customers from

throughout the Over the Mountain area and points beyond, such as one from Leeds who stumbled onto the restaurant and has made a return visit, Zapalow said.

With Mother’s Day coming up, regular customers will be serving items from Homewood Gourmet’s menu at their family celebrations. Baby Blue Salad is popular, as are sour cream poundcakes off the restaurant’s catering menu.

Business related to the catering menu gets busy in April and May in response to graduations and teacher appreciations, Zapalow said.

On Saturdays, Homewood Gourmet offers breakfast at the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market in Birmingham from 7 a.m.-noon, a tradition kept after the Zapalows acquired the business from Biggs. Breakfast burritos, boudin sausage, hot and cold coffee and iced tea are served to customers at the largest producers’ farmer’s market in the state.

The restaurant is open 10:30 a.m.6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10:30-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Zapalow was hired as a line cook at Emeril’s Restaurant with famed chef Emeril Lagasse, where he spent five years in on-the-job training and moved up to sous chef.

&

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Eric Meyer, Cahaba Brewing Co. COO and Beth Davis Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama CEO

From left, Brandon and Madison Cummings, Joel and Elizabeth Johnson

Courtesy

CAHABAQUE

From page 24

the Hose Draggers named the winner, followed by runner-up Pitter Patter BBQ and American Smoke Shop in third place.

People’s Choice Butt winner was Chief Grilldaddy & the Hose Draggers, with Local 1295 as the runner up and Sloss Dawgs in third place.

People’s Choice Side was won by Local 1295, with runner-up Chief Grilldaddy & the Hose Draggers and Pulled Pork Express in third place.

Most Creative Team Name was won by The Silence of the Hams.

Live music and craft beer rounded out the event, which was a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, raising $38,946. Since

Fish Forward

Funky Event Focuses Attention on Autism

The 13th annual Funky Fish Fry at Avondale Brewing Company drew supporters of Mitchell’s Place and Autism Support of Alabama on April 15, as well as people who love catfish and a good time.

The family-friendly event featured entertainment by the Drennen Brothers and Livewire and was hosted by the junior boards of Mitchell’s Place and Autism Support of Alabama to support children and adults affected by autism in Birmingham and beyond.

The Funky Fish Fry is held in April because it is Autism Awareness and Acceptance month.

2013, CahabaQue has raised a total of $228,532 for the foundation.

Above, Bailey, Parker and Brett Yancey. Below, Brittany Williams, Joelle Richardson.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Marlee, Steven, Kassi and Miller Porter, Erica and Ryan Murphy

Marissa Luna, Cody Nall Gabriella Larussa, Justin Freeman

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Schools

Recognized for Music Education

Homewood and Vestavia Hills school systems have been honored by The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding commitment to music education.

The two systems were among five in the state given the Best Communities for Music Education designation this year.

This is the 17th year Homewood has received this honor and the sixth year for Vestavia Hills.

The NAMM, a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants, has been giving the designation for 24 years to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students, according to a statement from the group.

Students Tell Homewood Rotarians About Adventures at Youth Leadership Program

Four Homewood High School students briefed Homewood Rotary Club members April 13 on their trip to Huntsville for the North Alabama Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program.

The students were chosen as representatives for the program by the Homewood club based on academic accomplishments, school and community service, recreational activities and a brief essay.

The three-day program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center included lectures and discussions led by leaders in various fields, group and team building activities, leadership training, informal fellowship and a mini-space camp. The space camp activity and small group projects were particular favorites with the Homewood students, who were among 99 participants representing 24 Rotary clubs throughout north Alabama.

The Homewood club members heard from four of the students during its meeting: sophomores

Alejandra Briceno, Sadie Busbee and Hudson Winslett; and junior Maren Smith, who represented the club at RYLA in 2022 and now serves as a RYLA Ambassador. Sophomore Tiffany Pams also participated in the February event but was unable to attend the Rotary meeting.

Mike Hathorne, Homewood Rotary’s RYLA coordinator and retired Homewood schools educator, served as moderator.

Briceno told club members her project group members displayed different qualities.

“Some were shy, others outgoing, but they all brought good leadership skills,” said Briceno, whose project promoting a nonprofit organization helped reinforce her desire for a career in that direction.

Busbee said the group project experience enhanced her confidence about being thrust into new groups. The three-hour time limit to complete the project was stressful, she said, but she was gratified to see how each team member played to their individual strengths.

Winslett said RYLA honed his leadership skills, which he immediately used at a church youth program in March, and the group project

Spain Park Teacher Wins Diamond Award

Spain Park High School teacher Oliver Parker is the winner of a Diamond Coach Award from the National Speech & Debate Association.

The prestigious award recognizes a professional career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education. This is Parker’s second Diamond Award.

made him better at delegating responsibilities. A high point was getting to know attendees from other schools.

“They were all fun, kind and smart,” he said.

Smith said her 2022 RYLA experience strengthened her public speaking ability, which has been helpful in her new role as a RYLA ambassador. In that capacity, she helped plan the 2023 RYLA program and was responsible for all aspects of social media. At Homewood High School, she is treasurer of Interact, Rotary International’s service club for young people.

Funding for Homewood Rotary to send this year’s RYLA participants came from a grant awarded by Rotary District 6860 and monies from the club’s Bill Crawford Education Foundation, which is supported by community fundraisers throughout the year.

Health. Hope. Healing.

Children’s Hospital Intervention & Prevention Services (CHIPS Center)

promotes health and healing for those a ected by suspected child abuse and neglect. Sta ed by licensed professional counselors, doctors, licensed social workers and sexual assault nurse examiners, the CHIPS Center is an outpatient clinic where children who have experienced suspected abuse, and their families impacted by suspected abuse, can come for support, hope and healing.

“Our Diamond Award winners provide access to the life-changing benefits of speech and debate for thousands of students,” said J. Scott Wunn, the association’s executive director.

Coaches earn points toward the Diamond Award through team participation, student achievement, public service and leadership work.

Parker will be among those who will be recognized at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix in June. More than 10,000 students, coaches and parents from across the country attend the national tournament every year.

The association has recognized student and coach achievements in speech and debate since 1925.

Homewood Rotary Club

From left, Alejandra Briceno, Sadie Busbee, Maren Smith, Hudson Winslett Oliver Parker

Vestavia Rotary Awards 3 Scholarships to Seniors

The Rotary Club of Vestavia Hills recently awarded $2,000 scholarships to three Vestavia Hills High School seniors.

Cynthia “Alice” Powell, who will attend Auburn University, received the Raymond Hurlbert Strive for Excellence Scholarship.

Hurlbert was a teacher and principal who has been recognized as the “Father of Alabama Education TV.”

As an avid Rotarian, he established 28 Rotary Clubs, including the Vestavia Hills club in 1971.

Rebecca Berry, who will attend the University of South Alabama, received the Michael Gross Service Above Self Scholarship.

Gross served as principal at Vestavia High for 14 years. When he was principal, Gross was a huge part of the annual

Rotary Roasts held at the high school that raised more than $250,000 for the math and debate teams. He’s also been a Rotarian in the Shades Valley Rotary Club for 51 years.

RyleyAnn Graham, who will attend Lee University, received the Lindy Martin Builder of Goodwill Scholarship.

Shades Mountain Elementary Named Green Ribbon School

Shades Mountain Elementary in Hoover has been named a Green Ribbon School for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education, according to a department news release.

The school was nominated by the Alabama State Department of Education for the Green Ribbon award because of the school’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability education and practices.

“We are so proud to be representing the state of Alabama and Hoover City Schools as a U.S. Green Ribbon School. Our community values the beautiful examples of nature surrounding our school, and the teachers of Shades Mountain make sure the students here are exposed to the learning opportunities all around our campus. We certainly realize how blessed that we are to be located in such a wonderful place,” Principal Kevin Erwin said.

the school for an energy audit to evaluate energy efficiency.

Other environmental education projects at Shades Mountain Elementary include:

• A grant for two Brita water-filling stations allowed students to use reusable water bottles rather than plastic water bottles.

• Girl Scout Troop 746 recycled markers through the Crayola ColorCycle Program.

• The school’s Environmental Club wrote the EcoCode for the school and spearheaded the “Trick or Trash” program.

• Fourth graders led the annual Arbor Day celebration focusing on the importance of trees on campus.

• The school has an outdoor classroom and butterfly garden, planted and maintained by students in various grade levels.

Martin, known as the “chief,” was a pastor who worked at Samford University in the Division of Student Services, including dean for 13 years. He was a charter member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club known for his friendly and helpful approach who mentored many Rotarians as they grew in their Rotary service.

The first step for the school’s journey toward the Green Ribbon Award began in 2017 with a “Cool Schools” project, which is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s EcoSchool USA.

Students inventoried classrooms to discover ways of reducing energy and the school’s carbon footprint. Students partnered with Alabama Power to walk through all areas of

• All students participate in STEAM and Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative classes. Across the country, 26 schools, 11 districts and four postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 18 states.

COMPETITIVE SOCCER TRYOUTS & CAMP

VHSC PRE-TRYOUT CAMP

Boys & Girls: Ages 2016-2005 (U8-U19)

Dates: May 8-10

VHSC COMPETITIVE TEAM TRYOUTS Boys & Girls: Ages 2011-2005 (U13-U19)

Dates: May 15-16

VHSC U8-U12 TRYOUTS

Boys & Girls: Ages 2016-2012 (U8-U12)

Dates: May 22-23

All dates open to ALL PLAYERS from ANY CLUB!

From left, front, Rebecca Berry, RyleyAnn Graham and Cynthia “Alice” Powell. Back, Dr. Todd Freeman, Vestavia Hills Schools superintendent; Oliver Aaron and Jerri Tinney, Vestavia Hills High School Scholarship chairmen and Keith Covington, Vestavia Hills Rotary Club president.

Journal photo by Maury Wald

By RuBin E. GRant

The top-ranked Oak Mountain boys soccer team opened the state playoffs Tuesday, looking to erase the disappointing end to their 2022 season.

A year ago, the Eagles reached the Class 7A final but lost 2-0 to Daphne in the championship game.

The memory of that defeat has been a powerful motivator for the Eagles this season. They carried a 20-2-2 record into their first-round game against Vestavia Hills.

“The loss in the championship game has driven us,” junior midfielder Om Shrestha said. “We want to leave it all on the field and try to win it for the seniors.”

Oak Mountain coach David DiPiazza is pleased with the way his team has performed throughout the season.

“We graduated six really good kids from last year and we have a really young team,” DiPiazza said. “The kids have been working extremely hard and I feel like we’ve been playing pretty good soccer most of the time.”

The Eagles’ only two losses were 2-1 to Grissom and 1-0 to Fort Payne. Their two ties came against Vestavia Hills, 1-1, on March 9 and against Enterprise, 2-2, on April 8. All four of those teams are in the playoffs.

What DiPiazza likes the most about his squad is its ability to adjust to any playing style.

“We don’t have just one tool in our toolbox in

Adjusting on the Fly

Flexible Oak Mountain Boys Soccer Team Hoping to End State Championship Drought

how we attack or defend,” DiPiazza said. “Some group of kids never change formations. Our kids are adaptive and are not rigid in the way we play. They have a great sense of adapting.”

Players Crucial

The Eagles have been getting solid play from Shrestha and sophomore midfielder Gabe Capocci. Both have scored 15 goals, tying for the team lead.

“Om’s a defensive midfielder, who is like the quarterback back there,” DiPiazza said. “He had been playing up higher, but Nate (Taylor) got hurt so he’s been playing deeper.

“Gabe is a wing and one of the fastest players around. He causes a lot of problems for other teams.”

The Eagles entered the playoffs without the injured Taylor, a sophomore midfielder who started 14 games.

“He’s a key player for us,” DiPiazza said. “We hope to get him back if we can reach the Final Four.”

Senior midfielder Caleb Smith and junior forwards Aidan Riley and Nate Joiner are also offensive threats. Smith has scored 11 goals and Joiner

has had six goals and eight assists, tying Capocci and junior midfielder Harrison Kilgore for the team lead.

Senior Garrett Murphy, an athletic center back who kicked and played defensive back on the football team, spearheaded a defense that allowed only 16 goals during the regular season.

“This is only his second year of playing soccer,” DiPiazza said. “He was All-State last year and will probably get a lot of (college) offers.”

The Eagles also have gotten solid play from senior goalkeepers Adam Alemond and Joey Schneider. Alemond has recorded 38 saves and six shutouts and Schneider has had 21 saves and five shutouts.

DiPiazza is in his fifth year at Oak Mountain. He won four championships when he coached at John Carroll Catholic. He is trying to lead the Eagles to their first state title since 2017.

“I am very proud of the team and am excited for the opportunity to begin postseason play,” he said. “These guys are focused on the task at hand and look forward to playing Vestavia. It’s going to be a tough match-up.”

Shrestha, the team’s vocal leader, believes the Eagles are up to the challenge.

“We’re in a good stretch right now,” he said. “We have good team chemistry. Most of us have been playing together two or three years and we know how each other plays so we have good communication on the field. We have faith in each other and we feed off each other.”

Jags, Rebels Advance to Set Up Second-Round Clash

By RuBin E. GRant

Spain Park senior third baseman

Evan Smallwood isn’t surprised to see junior right-hander C.J. Gross dominating on the mound this season.

Gross pitched a four-hit shutout as third-ranked Spain Park defeated James Clemens 1-0 in Game 2 to

complete a sweep of their best-of-3, first-round Class 7A baseball series last Friday.

Gross struck out seven and walked one to improve to 10-0, setting a school record for wins in a season.

“He’s been good all year,” Smallwood said. “I knew in the offseason he would be one of our guys

with the way he worked. He has done really well for someone who didn’t pitch for us last year.”

Spain Park coach Will Smith also lauded Gross, who pitched on the Jaguars’ junior varsity in 2022.

“To make 10 appearances and go 10-0 is almost unheard of,” Smith said. “He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but it all looks the same and comes out of the same arm slot, which makes it deceptive.

“He’s also the ultimate hard worker and the ultimate teammate.”

Gross was locked in a scoreless pitchers’ duel with James Clemens’ Andrew Lawrence for six innings. But in the seventh, the host Jaguars got doubles from Matthew Widra and Chapman Blevins to score the game’s lone one.

Widra was 2 for 3 in both games.

The Jags got a game-winning single from Cole Edwards in the seventh for a 6-5 victory against the Jets (2814) in Game 1. Blevins singled and advanced to second on Wes Blackmon’s two-out single and Smallwood was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting the stage for Edwards.

Widra and Clay Spencer had two RBIs and Edwards had two hits.

Spain Park (28-7) will visit fourthranked Vestavia Hills (28-9) in the second round, beginning with a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. Friday. A third game, if necessary, will be played Saturday.

“We didn’t play our best, but it was a fun night,” Smallwood said. “There’s always stuff we can improve on, so we’ll have to correct our mistakes in practice to get ready for a

really good Vestavia team.”

The Jags and Rebels split their two games during the regular season with each winning at home. Vestavia Hills won 5-0 on March 14 and two days later Spain Park prevailed 6-4.

“Momentum is huge this time of year,” Smith said. “If you capture some momentum, you will give yourself a better chance of winning. It will likely come down to who capitalizes on the other’s mistakes.”

Homers Power Rebels

The Rebels used the long ball in their first-round series at Sparkman to advance.

Hudson Walburn slugged a tworun first inning home run and John Paul Head belted a three-run shot in the third as the Rebels took an early 5-0 lead en route to a 7-2 victory in the decisive third game on Saturday.

“We’ve played up there before and we knew the ball gets out of that park, so we knew it would be a factor,” Vestavia Hills coach Jamie Harris said. “We broke open Game 1 with a two-run homer and scored five runs off home runs in Game 2.”

Head was 2 for 4 – he added a double to go along with the homer –with two runs and three RBI. Christopher Johnston had two hits, an RBI and a stolen base.

Senior left-hander Jable Ramey scattered four hits and allowed an earned run while striking out four and walking one in the complete-game victory.

The teams split the first two games Friday, with Vestavia Hills winning the opener 5-2 on the strength of Jackson Harris’ two-run homer and

Walburn’s solo blast. Both home runs came in the sixth inning, snapping a 2-2 tie.

Sparkman (26-15) won Game 2 as the Jets’ Ryan Strachan pitched a onehitter, striking out 13 with both runs unearned in the win.

Walburn had Vestavia Hills’ lone hit.

The series against Spain Park will be a matchup between friends. Harris was an assistant at Spain Park under Smith for several years.

“He’s a friend of mine, but he’s not the only one,” Harris said. “I’m friends with all the coaches on their staff and I know a lot of guys who play for them, too.”

This will be the first time the two have met in the playoffs.

“We used to be in the same area,” Harris said. “We’ve played each other five times in the last two years, so we know an awful lot about each other.

“It’s not complicated about what we have to do to win. We have to throw strikes, make the routine plays and get clutch hits.”

Spartans, Lions Eliminated

Meanwhile, in Class 6A both Mountain Brook and Briarwood were eliminated in the second round. The ninth-ranked Spartans (22-12) were swept at top-ranked Oxford (33-6), 10-0 and 9-4.

The eighth-ranked Lions (22-8) fell in three games at unranked Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (21-15). The teams split the first two games on Friday with the Patriots winning the opener 10-9 before Briarwood used an 11-run second inning for an 11-3 victory in Game 2.

In the decisive third game, Saturday, Hillcrest built an early three-run lead and held on for a 4-3 victory.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Junior forward Aidan Riley is an offensive threat for the Eagles.

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS RECAP

VESTAVIA

From page 32

shot, but we had to play really well because there are good players across the state and good coaches across the state who have their teams prepared.”

The Rebels proved they were well prepared too, capturing their second consecutive boys Class 7A state championship last Friday at the Mobile Tennis Center.

The Rebels won five of the six singles tiles and one doubles crown to win the eighth state title in school history.

Vestavia Hills had 53 points. Bob Jones, which swept the No. 1 singles and doubles championships, was second with 26 points. Auburn was third with 18.

“It’s pretty exciting to go back-toback,” Aaron said. “I think our depth is

SPARTANS

Mountain Brook twins Annie and Mae Mae Lacey also captured singles titles. Annie Lacey won No. 2 singles, downing Lilly Kidder of McGill-Toolen Catholic 6-1, 6-0. Mae Mae Lacey won No. 5, routing Alexandra Salekin of Northridge 6-1, 6-0.

“They are outstanding and both have improved,” Farlow said. “Both have a lot of top spin on their shots.”

Sophomore Ann Royal Goodson battled through two tiebreakers to win No. 3 singles, defeating St. Paul’s Emme Clement 6-7 (2), 6-1, 10-6. Mary Neale Polk won No. 4, knocking off Decatur’s Vivi Blakely 6-3, 6-0. Senior Moire Dowling, playing for the first time in the lineup in the state tournament, defeated Northridge’s Mary Wade 6-3, 6-1 to win No. 6 singles.

In No. 1 doubles, Roy teamed with Annie Lacey to beat Glover and Anna Harbin of Decatur 6-1, 6-3 in the cham-

what made the difference.”

The Rebels got a major boost when sophomore Luke Bedwell won No. 2 singles, defeating Hoover’s Gavin Patton 6-4, 6-3.

“We hadn’t won No. 2 singles in a while,” Aaron said. “Bedwell had good matches all week and worked really hard.”

Junior John Michael Yanosky and Kade Nelson, one of only two seniors in the Rebels’ lineup, won the No. 3 singles and No. 4 singles titles. Yanosky defeated Montgomery Academy’s John Alford 6-2, 6-4, and Nelson defeated Hoover’s Jackson Plugge 6-1, 6-0.

Rounding out the Rebels’ singles champs were Brayden Helms at No. 5 and Andrew Pipkin at No. 6. Helms defeated Auburn’s Kevin Yan 6-4, 6-1, and Pipkin defeated Bob Jones’ Karthik Kaki 6-0, 6-0.

“To be able to win 2-6 singles and

winning No. 2 doubles was huge,” Aaron said.

Bob Jones junior Parker Free captured the No. 1 singles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Hoover’s Samuel Sellers in the finals. It was his second state championship. He also won the 7A No. 1 singles crown in 2022.

Free teamed with fellow junior Jonah Moro to win the No. 1 doubles championship, defeating Vestavia Hills’ duo Nelson and Yanosky 6-3, 6-1 in the finals.

The Rebels won No. 2 doubles with Bedwell teaming with senior Jake Anthony to defeat Chen Joiner and Cade Black of Florence 6-3, 6-2.

“Jake lost in the singles semifinals, so it was good to have him bounce back in doubles and win,” Aaron said.

Vestavia Hills’ No. 3 doubles team of Pipkin and Ben Cusumariu fell in the finals to Auburn’s duo of Kaleb Kirkland and Luis Jeong, 7-6, 6-3.

Vestavia Hills finished the regular season 16-1 in duals competition with the only loss coming in February to eventual Class 6A state champion Mountain Brook.

“I think the match against Mountain Brook helped get us prepared for the state tournament,” Aaron said. “It was fun getting to play them.”

The Rebels also won the 7A state title in 2019 – giving Vestavia Hills three championships in Class 7A and five in Class 6A. The three titles in 7A tie for the most in that division with Mountain Brook, which won three before dropping down to 6A.

Vestavia Girls

Vestavia Hills’ girls team came up short in its bid to win back-to-back Class 7A titles as Auburn claimed its second title in three years.

Auburn totaled 59 points over the two-day state tournament and the

brother combination of James and Samuel Treadwell in a thrilling 6-4, 4-6, 10-5 match.

Schwefler then met Spanish Fort’s Goodwin Holley in the No. 1 singles championship match 45 minutes later with Holley claiming the title 6-1, 6-1. Schwefler had advanced to the finals with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-2 10-4 win over Trinity’s Timothy Hornsby.

Mountain Brook’s singles champions were Connor Jenkins at No. 2, defeating St. Paul’s Thomas Brutkiewics 6-4, 6-4; Thomas Austin at No. 3, defeating James Treadwell 6-2, 4-6, 10-4; Guy Mitchell at No. 4, defeating Hartselle’s Ben Carnes 6-2, 6-2; Max Gayden at No. 5, defeating Homewood’s Sam Housman 6-1, 6-0; and George Dumas at No. 6, defeating Spanish Fort’s Jacob Thom 6-2, 2-6, 10-7.

Rebels finished second with 31 points.

Vestavia Hills’ Caroline Drew lost to Auburn’s Camille Bosman 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 2 singles final. The Rebels’ Nancy Chen lost to Auburn’s Shreya Ejantkar 6-1, 0-6, 10-6 in the No. 5 singles final.

Hoover’s Kristina Hwango lost to Auburn’s Victoria Choo 7-6, 7-5 in the No. 4 singles championship match.

Montgomery Academy senior Gabby Barrera won the No. 1 singles championship, beating defending state champion Claire Bosman of Auburn in the finals 6-3, 6-0.

The Rebels’ team of Kensley Outzen and Lynley Threadcraft won No. 2 doubles, defeating Auburn’s Choo and Kathryn Kirkland 4-6, 6-3, 10-3.

In the No. 3 doubles championship match, Vestavia Hills’ Caroline Helms and Wynn Strubel lost to Auburn’s Sophie Smith and Hanbi Youn 6-3, 7-5.

Capturing doubles titles for the Spartans were Logan Woodall and Jenkins at No. 2 (6-4, 6-0 over Spanish Fort’s Jake Miller/Maysun Marino) and the team of Austin and Mitchell at No. 3 (6-1, 6-1 over Trinity’s Trevor Wilson/Grant Speagle).

“Our boys are a really good group,” Farlow said. “Guy Mitchell was a new player for us. He’s an outstanding player and really solidified our team.”

The Spartans finished with 87 points. Homewood finished second with 49 and Trinity third with 46. Mountain Brook’s boys claimed their first state title since 2017.

Although Farlow is the team’s coach, she said she can’t take the credit.

“We have a lot of good pros around who have worked with them and I have reaped the benefits,” Farlow said.

pionship match.

Mae Mae Lacey and Ann Coleman won at No. 2 doubles, defeating Decatur’s Emma Tapscott and Viva Blakely 6-1, 6-1. Polk and Mary Jackson Darnall gave Mountain Brook

third.

The Spartans won their first AHSAA state girls tennis title in 1972. Mountain Brook has won the past six it participated in and nine of the past 12. The current streak includes winning the 7A championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the Class 6A titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2020 championships were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boys Triumph

The Mountain Brook boys No.1 singles and No. 1 doubles players had to wait three days to play their matches, but the Spartans already had clinched the title on Tuesday in Mobile when they finally took the court on Friday in Montgomery.

the sweep, claiming No. 3 doubles with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over St. Paul’s Pearce Graf and Amelia Rivers.

Mountain Brook finished with 84 points. Runner-up Decatur had 52, and St. Paul’s Episcopal totaled 36 to finish

The matches were delayed because of match limitations and played at Montgomery’s Lagoon Park Tennis Center.

Mountain Brook’s No. 1 doubles team of Luke Schwefler and Max Gayden beat Trinity Presbyterian’s

From page 32

The Mountain Brook girls won every championship match to claim their 33rd crown overall with senior Pippa Roy, above, winning her third consecutive No. 1 singles title.

‘Pippa is full of ferocity. She’s such a strong competitor. She doesn’t like to lose and not just a match, but a point or a game.’

MOUNTAIN BROOK COACH SUSAN FARLOW

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

Oak Mountain Boys Soccer Team Hoping to End State Championship

Drought PAGE 30

MENTALLY TOUGH

Mountain Brook Tennis Teams Continue Dominance With State Titles

By RuBin E. GRant

Heading into the AHSAA State Tennis Championships last week, Mountain Brook coach Susan Farlow liked the Spartans’ chances to continue their dominance, but she figured it wouldn’t be easy for her girls and boys.

“We have two strong teams with very good players, but there are a lot of other strong teams and players,” Farlow said.

But none were strong enough to take down the Spartans in the Class 6A tournament at the Mobile Tennis Center.

The Mountain Brook girls won every championship match to claim their 33rd crown overall with senior Pippa Roy winning her third consecutive No. 1 singles title.

Meanwhile, the Mountain Brook boys won five singles titles and swept the three doubles finals to win their 27th state tennis title.

“Our players played a lot of good matches,” Farlow said. “They seemed to win all the tough matches and tiebreakers. They played tough and were tough mentally.”

Roy rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Decatur’s Abby Glover in the finals.

“Pippa is full of ferocity,” Farlow said. “She’s such a strong competitor. She doesn’t like to lose and not just a match, but a point or a game.”

Roy joined an elite group of netters to win three AHSAA state titles at No. 1 singles. Only seven are currently listed with winning three consecutively and six have won four in a row. The last to accomplish the feat was Lily Holmes of Florence, who won three straight from 20152017.

See SPARTANS, page 31

BACKTO-BACK

Rebels’ Depth Pays Off in Capturing Second Consecutive 7A State Tennis Title

By RuBin E. GRant

As far as Vestavia Hills boys tennis coach Oliver Aaron was concerned, a favorable draw at the AHSAA State Tennis Championships wasn’t the only thing the Rebels needed to successfully defend their Class 7A title.

“I felt we could go to Mobile and compete,” Aaron said, “but there are a number of 7A teams who would have a shot to win it. You don’t know until the draw the night before.

“Coming out of the draw, I felt like we had a See VESTAVIA, page 31

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry