Shelby Living, August 2017 by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

Medical missionary

Retired nurse takes skills, Gospel to Haiti

Hungry for adventure Alabaster bloggers embark on first married trip to Europe August 2017 shelbyliving.com

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Fast track to success

Runner Cheyenne Thompson leaves big shoes to fill at UM

Taste of La Paz Restaurant unveils new location in Mt Laurel

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FROM THE EDITOR

hen I was a child, my family and I went to the beach with my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins for a week every summer. It was a chance for us to close the 10-hour gap separating us (they lived in central Florida, and we lived in north Alabama), and enjoy life together away from school, work and the daily stresses outside of vacation paradise. We kept that tradition going for more than 20 years straight. Many of my most precious memories from childhood were made at Florida beaches. I’m so glad my parents saw the importance of taking that time––however brief a week might seem to us as adults––to load up our minivan and travel to a new place for the sole purpose of spending quality time with family in a relaxing setting. I hope I never get too busy to do the same with my family. I was so excited to talk to Chris and Lisa Gaskill, a newlywed couple who spent two weeks of their summer on a trip of a

lifetime to Spain, Italy and France. Each had traveled to many places in the United States and abroad before they married, and now they’re adamant about continuing their travels as a couple and starting their own tradtions. They’re also cultivating a blog their family and friends can use to follow their sightseeing and culinary adventures in the U.S. and overseas. Appropriately titled “2 Hungry Travelers,” the blog features photos taken by Lisa and narratives written by Chris. It’s a healthy balance of beautiful sights and anecdotal humor, with a side of expressions of the couple’s appreciation for delicious food. I’m living vicariously through the Gaskills for now, but I hope to mirror them and embark on a foreign adventure with my family someday. There’s much more to enjoy in this month’s issue. I’d love to hear your feedback about it, along with any suggestions or story ideas. You know where to find me! l

SHELBY Living EDITORIAL Graham Brooks Stephen Dawkins Alec Etheredge Briana Harris Amalia Kortright Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner CONTRIBUTORS René Day Lauren Dowdle Lindsay Dyess Dawn Harrison Lisa Phillips Melanie Poole Emily Reed Anne Riley Nancy Wilstach PRODUCTION Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Clarke Stackhouse MARKETING Kristy Brown Kari George Rachel Henderson Daniel Holmes Hagan Joiner Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Ashley Murphy April Spivey Bayleigh Thompson Kerrie Thompson ADMINISTRATION Tim Prince

Emily Sparacino, Editor

Emily.Sparacino@shelbyliving.com

Katie McDowell Mary Jo Eskridge Hailey Dolbare Stacey Meadows

ON THE COVER Montevallo’s Martha McMinn has traveled to Haiti every six months to provide medical care and to witness to people since she first went in 2010, after an earthquake ravaged the country. Cover design: Clarke Stackhouse Photography: Keith McCoy

Shelby Living is published monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby Living, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living is mailed to select households throughout Shelby County, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit Shelbyliving.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $20.41 for one year by visiting Shelbyliving.com, or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@ shelbyliving.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

health & fitness 18

GOOD RACE UM’s Cheyenne Thompson is award-winning athlete, accomplished scholar

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO BUSY Five tips for fast, healthy August meals

CREATING A MOVEMENT At 81, Suanne Ferguson just discovered a new variation in her dance world August 2017 | 3

WHAT’S INSIDE

18 in every issue arts & culture 5

THE SIMPLE LIFE

SHORT STORIES

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

SHELBY SPOTTED

MARKETPLACE

OUT AND ABOUT

WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

WONDER AND IMAGINATION Local artist creates art with a story

INSPIRED BY HISTORY American Village offers remarkable setting for special events

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32 SPICING IT UP La Paz brings its authentic Mexican dishes to Mt Laurel

health & fitness features 18

GOOD RACE UM’s Cheyenne Thompson is award-winning athlete, accomplished scholar

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO BUSY Five tips for fast, healthy August meals

arts & culture 9

COLLECTIVE TALENTS Arts Council’s annual pottery exhibit opens Aug. 6

food & drink

CREATING A MOVEMENT At 81, Suanne Ferguson just discovered a new variation in her dance world

40 2 TRAVELERS TAKE EUROPE Bloggers share details of trip to Spain, Italy and France 47 A LABOR OF LOVE Partnership behind Custom Iron and Wood is forged in fire 48 RELIEF AND REDEMPTION Montevallo nurse brings healing, Gospel to Haiti earthquake victims

THE SIMPLE LIFE

A dead battery is OK

he last time this subject appeared here was two years ago, yet this topic creates conversations much more often than every two years—more like every two days. The discussion centers on how connected we are to our phones, computers and devices. Even in two Lisa Phillips, owner of SimpleWorks, short years, we’ve added another Simpleworks.guru means of communicating that’s lisa@simpleworks.guru a much smaller size, yet huge in 205.981.7733 scale—your watch. Dare we let the batteries die and let them sit still for 24 hours before bringing them back to life? Now before you have a meltdown and say, “Are you crazy?”—let’s walk through the “screens” of your life. uEmail: Take a break, especially overnight or for the weekend. uComputer: Use a dictionary. Look at an atlas. Call a business to see when they’re open. Play solitaire with a deck of cards. Interaction is a wonderful thing. uSocial media: Would anyone miss you for a day? Sometimes we are so busy updating our status that we forget to live in the moment with those who are present. It’s okay to release this. uTV: On Demand will catch you back up on any show or season you’ve missed. uPhone: Voice mail is a wonderful tool, when utilized. uTexting: Messages will stay in your inbox. Give yourself permission not to be available for immediate access. (Have you ever tried to call someone and get no response yet you send a text and get an immediate reply?) uHand-held technology (Kindle, iPod, video games, etc.): Instead, go to the park or a Barons game. Watch it live and be part of the excitement. uWatch: Wear one that only tells time. While many voice their concerns and opinions of cursive writing not being taught in schools, we may need to be more concerned that the art of talking may become obsolete. Let’s make a conscious effort to increase the time we spend with our families by using the most basic form of communication—being together without a screen between us. Let the battery die and give it a peaceful rest before you administer CPR. It’s that simple.l

Dare we let the batteries die and let them sit still for 24 hours before bringing them back to life?

August 2017 | 5

SHORT STORIES

John Abbot receives ISS Alum Award Indian Springs School alumnus John Abbot received the 2017 Outstanding Alum Award for his achievements in the field of business, honorable service in the U.S. Navy, continuing support of Indian Springs School as a member of the Board of Governors since 2003, and dedication to Indian Springs’ mission. More than 300 students, faculty and fellow alumni joined members of the Board of Governors on May 5 for a special Town Meeting honoring Abbot and recognizing outgoing and incoming trustees following the Annual General Meeting of the Board. Abbot rolled off the Board after two seven-year terms. After graduating from ISS, Abbot received a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, an ME in industrial engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and began his career in the private sector at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1992. In 1995, he became managing director of the Global Media and Communications Group of Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division. After nine years at Morgan Stanley he became Executive Vice President and CFO at Insight Communications Company until its acquisition by Time Warner Cable in 2012, and then as Executive Vice President and CFO of Telx Holdings Inc.

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‘Love Oliver’ benefits youth The Church at Brook Hills has been ministering to the people of Birmingham’s Gate City since 2010 and held another backto-school benefit event in July. “Ready Day One” was held July 29 at Henry J. Oliver Elementary School in Birmingham. The event for the school’s students, staff and families included food, fun and fellowship. Students had the opportunity to use points earned at school to “purchase” new school supplies, uniforms and shoes. Points are earned through attendance, improvement, parent involvement and other efforts determined by school officials,

according to The Church at Brook Hills Local Missions Pastor Keith Stanley. Ready Day One is one of many efforts under the Love Oliver initiative. Other programs include Classroom Buddy, Breakfast Club, Lunch Club, Discovery Club, Aspire Mentoring, STAIR Reading Tutor, Oak Tree Reading Club and Oak Tree Bible Club. The programs include in-school mentoring, after-school academic intervention and even off-site Bible study. The efforts are facilitated by a number of missions in addition to Brook Hills, including Oak Tree Ministries, Aspire Movement, Discover Clubs and Serving You Ministries.

Flag retirement held in June American Legion Post 555 performed a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, at the Gardens of Pelham assisted living community. Gardens of Pelham is home to 16 senior citizens. Facility administrator Mary Neff said the residents of the community are patriotic as most of them are veterans or the spouse of a veteran. That’s why a military flag flies beneath the American flag on the facility’s flagpole, Neff added. Prior to the start of the ceremony, Post 555 recognized the veterans in attendance and handed out small Ameri-

can flags. As the old flag was lowered, the “Retreat” bugle call played. As the new flag was being raised, the “Reveille” bugle call played. Historically, bugle calls eliminated confusion on the battlefield. Each bugle call was a signal of what action to take.

SHORT STORIES

Cub Scouts camp teaches life lessons

Board names Yard of Month The Pelham Beautification Board recently named Tom and Barbara Phelps as its May and June 2017 residential Yard of the Month. The Phelps have lived in Pelham since 1985 and raised their two children in the city. Tom Phelps works at an insurance company, and Barbara Phelps works for a law firm in Hoover. In 2014, they decided to build in the Grey Oaks neighborhood and played a primary role in picking out all of the shrubbery in front of their home, which was built on a corner lot. They chose Indian Hawthorne for its fullness and Loropetalum for the red

color in the front yard. The natural area in the front yard provides a blank slate surrounded by grass. Tom Phelps began designing the yard by first creating a border with Cleyra plants, filling in the bank with Blue Rug Juniper and then over time they have added several other natural areas. The areas feature trees such as Willow Oak and Nuttail Oak for height, and Crepe Myrtles, Maple Trees and pink Knock Out Roses for color. Down the side of the home, they chose Creeping Gardenias for both color and fragrance. Tea Olives, Hydrangeas and Forsythia provide color and fragrance to the back yard.

More than 200 boys participated in the Cub Scouts Day Camp held June 5-9 at Oak Mountain State Park. Camp director Melinda Holmes said the boys participated in arts and crafts, field sports, archery, BB gun shooting and spent time working toward earning a belt loop, which is received after completing a task or learning a skill. Holmes said the camp, which was open to incoming first-fifth graders, is centered on building character while having fun. “It’s all about the boys and making sure they have fun,” she said. “The field sports teach them sportsmanship and team building skills, while arts and crafts allows them to express their creativity.”

QuiltFest returns to Oak Mountain Middle About 350 quilts were on display June 16-17 at Oak Mountain Middle School as part of the biennial QuiltFest event. QuiltFest is hosted by the Birmingham Quilters Guild, which comprises about 200 members who submit the quilts. Some of the quilts were judged, with winners announced prior to the public exhibition, while other quilts were intended to be simply enjoyed by attendees, said Judy Collins, chairwoman of the

Guild’s QuiltFest 2017 steering committee. The theme for QuiltFest 2017 was

“Who Are You?” The event also included a variety of vendors—those selling goods related to quilting as well as unrelated items—a silent auction, door prizes, demonstrations and more. Guild members created quilts that were sold via the silent auction, and proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels after members voted on which charity to support this time around. August 2017 | 7

SHORT STORIES

Kids learn techniques at HES Art Camp Even though it’s summer, certain children still took part in a number of summer enrichment classes offered by Shelby County Schools. On the week of June 5, several children were hard at work honing their art skills at a camp held at Helena Elementary School. On Wednesday, June 7, 21 students were busy drawing and painting cats as art camp instructor Melanie Henderson showed them, with step-by-step instructions, how to draw an abstract or real cat. In addition to drawing and painting the cats on June 7, during the other four days of the HES Art Camp, students also learned about different art techniques and artists and did a number of projects. The other projects included watercolor paintings, 3-D butterflies, melting down plastic solo cups to resemble glass art, lion paintings and several more. Charlotte Carroll, an upcoming sixth grader at Helena Middle School, attended the art camp and described a few of her favorite things she completed. “Painting is my favorite thing that we’ve done at the camp so far and art is one of my favorite subjects,” Carroll said, while working on her cat drawing and painting.

Helena baseball honored The awards and recognition keep piling up for the Helena High School baseball team after winning the AHSAA Class 6A state championship. On May 25, various state representatives and members of the state delegation traveled to HHS to congratulate the players and coaches of the baseball team, while also presenting them with a resolution and certificates. Those in attendance included Alabama Sen. Cam Ward, Alabama Rep. Arnold Mooney, Alabama Rep. Matt Fridy and Alabama Rep. Allen Farley. After saying a few words and congratulating the team, Mooney read the Senate Resolution that was presented to the team

CityFest marks another year Alabaster residents and members of nearby communities gathered at the Alabaster Municipal Park to enjoy free live music, support local vendors and participate in family friendly activities at the 15th annual Alabaster CityFest. The daylong festival lasted until the end of CityFest headliner and singer-songwriter duo Maddie and Tae’s performance, which started at about 9 p.m.

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from the Alabama Senate and Alabama House of Representatives. Also in attendance was Helena Mayor Mark Hall, who presented the team with another keepsake. Hall revealed new banners going up along certain streets in the city to commemorate and congratulate the state championship. The banner read, “Welcome to Helena, Home of the Huskies” and listed the AHSAA state championships for the soccer and baseball teams. With the state championship win, the Helena High School baseball team also reached 100 total wins as a program, a feat the players and coaches were also proud of.

ARTS & CULTURE

Wonder and imagination Local artist creates art with a story Story by EMILY REED Photographs by DAWN HARRISON ince childhood, artist Amy Grimes has been captivated by fairy tales and fantasy illustrations. This love and passion for stories and themes that evoke feelings of wonder, exploration, and creativity, now serves as the primary inspiration for her artwork.

“I have been practicing art as far back as I can remember,” Grimes, an Inverness resident said. “I remember how I would sometimes be unhappy with the cover of a book I would read--maybe the character on the cover didn’t look right to me-and I would make my own cover. Stories have always been at the heart of my artwork.” It was also the writings of Scottish fairy tale writer, George MacDonald, and other writers

“My studio is always cold inside, and people say it is a little dark, but I love it,” artist Amy Grimes said of her studio, which is nestled in a large basement room in her home.

August 2017 | 9

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LEFT: Grimes holds a painting that is an illustration from the book she is currently working on, called “Lucilla and the Snarly Skeins.” The book release is scheduled for November. ABOVE: "And The Light Comes In" is a picture book Grimes wrote and designed "to stir a sense of wonder in both children and grownups alike."

such as C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L’Engle that were and continue to be inspirational for Grimes. “Also, ever since childhood, I have studied the artwork of Maxfield Parrish,” Grimes said. “He painted wonderful fairy tale and fantasy illustrations. My parents had a big book of his pictures in their house, and I used to pour over that book. I learned how to draw by copying the pictures from it. And I still go back to it again and again.” The story paintings Grimes creates often take individuals to a world with whimsical characters that ignite a world filled with childlike wonder and imagination. “Light shining out of the darkness is my favorite and most recurring theme,” Grimes said. “I believe that artwork that reflects goodness and truth can bring light into people’s lives, encouraging them and giving them hope. My artwork is mystical and makes you wonder, if you could get inside that picture, what would happen next?” Grimes said she wants her artwork to reach elementary age children the way she always enjoyed “beautiful” picture books, but her target audience is simply: people. “People who might be in need of hope, maybe wrestling with something hard to deal with are the people I want to reach,” Grimes said. “I try to tell stories of hope. I do want August 2017 | 11

RIGHT: Paintbrushes, palettes, notes and other supplies line a table in Grimes’ home studio.

to acknowledge darkness and deal with it the way that George MacDonald did. I think stories that reflect truth about good and evil (light and darkness) can help children and adults to deal with, and push through, the hard and sad things in their lives. Some pain and suffering is almost impossible to face head on, but in stories you get to face pain in a different form--sort of come at it sideways. And, I think you can find new courage, hope and help in that.” Stories Grimes reads herself serve as inspiration for many of her pieces, as well as prayer. “I pretty much only read books written for about a 12-year-old or books written a long time ago such as Jane Austen,” Grimes said. “I also go for walks a lot and pray about all the sad stuff going on in the world, and as I pray, wonderful, encouraging images and stories come into my head.” Grimes’ studio is in her home, nestled in a large basement room that looks to the woods. “My studio is always cold inside, and people say it is a little dark, but I love it,” Grimes said. Currently, the artist and mother of two is working on a book, which she wrote and illustrated titled, “Lucilla and the Snarly Skeins,”

“I believe that artwork that reflects goodness and truth can bring light into people’s lives, encouraging them and giving them hope.” — Amy Grimes about a girl who is good at untying knots, but when she encounters one that is too much for her, she ends up getting tied up in it. Grimes said the main character is helped by a mysterious “Night Rabbit,” that comes hopping out of the shadows and by a magical squirrel named “Inkling,” who lives in a white oak tree in the deep, dark forest. The book is slated to release in November. One project Grimes would love to paint if given the opportunity would be illustrations for an Alice in Wonderland book. “Alice in Wonderland is one of my all-time favorite stories,” Grimes said. “It is like a spring-

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GREENVALE PEDIATRICS welcomes our newest physicians

IAN FLANIKEN, MD Alabaster

CLAYTON DUGAN, MD ELIZABETH IRONS, MD Brook Highland Brook Highland

Greenvale Pediatrics — Alabaster

Greenvale Pediatrics — Brook Highland

205.663.9550

205.995.1004

1022 1st Street North, Suite 102 Alabaster, Alabama 35007

101 Eagle Ridge Drive Birmingham, Alabama 35242

Dr. Flaniken joins these physicians: Joseph Jolly, MD Robert Bashinsky, MD Kami Sester, MD Clay Buie, MD Drew Wright, MD Annette Cosgrove, MD

Drs. Dugan and Irons join these physicians: Jamie Odrezin, MD Victoria Anderson, MD Bryson Waldo, MD Darby McElderry, MD William Whitaker, MD Kelly McMillian, MD

Drs. Flaniken, Dugan and Irons are now accepting new patients ages newborn to 18 years

greenvalepediatrics.com August 2017 | 13

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Grimes works on her painting called "A Good Word." Her sketchbook and other books and materials in her studio. Amy and her husband, Russ, who designs her books and manages their production, along with doing his own art. Grimesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; painting "In The Hall Of The Mushroom Queen."

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board for imagination.” Grimes said artists such as Maxfield Parrish, Gyo Fujikawa, Beatrix Potter, Aurthur Rackham, and Kay Nielson are individuals she draws inspiration from, and her favorite fairytale is “The Princess and the Goblins,” by George MacDonald. “I love it because the good characters are full of hope, kindness and compassion,” Grimes said. “The story acknowledges and deals with darkness too. Even though it is a fairy tale, it reflects truth.” As an artist, Grimes admits she enjoys the experience of getting closer to accurately expressing the pictures she sees in her head take life on a canvas, and she likes when a painting encourages someone or makes them feel as if they are not alone. Grimes’ artwork, books, prints and notecards are available for purchase on her website, Storypaintings.net. Her books and artwork can also be found in The Grand Bohemian Gallery in Mountain Brook, and prints, notecards and books are available for purchase in Four Seasons Gallery and the Briarwood Bookstore.l

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THE AMERICAN VILLAGE

INSPIRED BY HISTORY American Village offers remarkable setting for special events Story by MELANIE POOLE Photograph CONTRIBUTED re you looking for a site to set your special celebration apart from the ordinary? Look no further than the American Village in Montevallo, where they specialize in American Celebrations!

FACILITIES There are several unique locations for receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers or teas, conferences, workshops, reunions and other private events within the American Villageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 188-acre site. The historic Barn has all the modern amenities you need with the rustic charm you want. Liberty Hall is a traditionally elegant ballroom with cut-glass chandeliers and dark-stained hardwood 16 | ShelbyLiving.com

floors. This spacious room was patterned after The East Room of the White House. The Rotunda is Jeffersonian in style, and has the latest in audio/visual technology. Other spaces available for your private event include the Meeting House and Carriage House. Beautiful grounds and gardens, historically inspired structures, plentiful parking, shuttles and personal attention from staff are all a part of your American Celebration experience. AMENITIES u Breathtaking grounds and gardens u Personalized service u Shuttle service u Ample free parking u Outside catering u Setup of tables and chairs

THE PERFECT PLACE FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT u Wedding receptions u Bridal teas and showers u Rehearsal dinners u Anniversary, graduation and birthday parties u Business dinners and banquets u Business meetings and workshops u Proms and dances u Social engagements u Civic club meetings and parties u Conferences and expos u Reunions u Church gatherings For information about American Celebrations, contact Jodie Wasyluka, private events manager, at 205-665-3535 ext. 1045, 1-877-811-1776 or jwasyluka@ americanvillage.org. l

ARTS COUNCIL CORNER

Collective talents Arts Council’s annual pottery exhibit opens Aug. 6 Story by LINDSAY DYESS Photograph CONTRIBUTED

s the summer comes to a close, the Shelby County Arts Council prepares for a new season of fine art and great music and entertainment, all in Co-

lumbiana. Kicking off August is the Fourth Annual SCAC Pottery Collective Art Exhibit. This much-anticipated exhibit features work created by a group of ceramic artists in Shelby County. These artists have formed a sort of artist community in the SCAC pottery studio helping and supporting each other to perfect their craft. They spend the entire year working on pieces to be displayed in the exhibit. Work can vary from pieces thrown on a pottery wheel to hand-built sculptures. Each artist has their own unique style to bring to the table. Pottery Collective member Candye Lundy expresses her love for birds and hearts in her pieces. “I love the energy of creating with other artists,” says Lundy. “It pushes you outside the box to help you discover your own creative passions.” This will feature the work of longtime members Sandra Annonio, Peggy Wood, Amy Pickens, Aprille Hayes, as well as several others. Many of these featured artists began as pottery students and, learning they had a knack for the art form, went on to teach classes or exhibit across the Southeast. Join us at the Shelby County Arts Council on Sunday, Aug. 6 from 1-3:30 p.m. for the Pottery Collective Art Exhibit opening reception. See work from some of the most talented artists in the county and meet these incredible artists. This reception is free and open to the public. On Saturday, Aug. 12, writer and musician Sean Dietrich joins us for a special evening of storytelling about life in the South. Dietrich has quite the following for his columns, Sean of the South. Each column is a perfectly crafted glimpse of life in the South. The columns are not so much short stories as they are ordinary moments brought to

life by Dietrich’s own unique perspective of the world. Dietrich shares a new column every day on his blog. His experiences are relatable to any reader who has lived or visited the South. They feel more like stories told on the front porch than thoughts in a blog post. His stories have a cathartic way of helping the reader relate to their world while discovering the goodness that is there. Check out Dietrich’s columns on his website, Seandietrich. com, and see him live at Dietrich the SCAC Black Box Theater on Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Available tickets can be purchased for $20 at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com or by calling (205) 669-0044. For more information on these and other upcoming events, visit our website at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com or call (205) 669-0044. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@shelby_county_arts) for all our latest news. l August 2017 | 17

HEALTH & FITNESS

University of Montevallo graduate Cheyenne Thompson has earned numerous academic and athletic accolades, including being named the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Track Athlete of the Year.

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GOOD RACE

UM’s Cheyenne Thompson is awardwinning athlete, accomplished scholar Story by ANNE RILEY Photographs CONTRIBUTED f there’s one thing Cheyenne Thompson knows, it’s how to rise above the competition—both on the cross country course and in the classroom. Thompson’s record of success as a student-athlete is a collection of superior achievements, a wide variety of recognitions, and an array of broken race records under her belt. Recently, Thompson was named the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Track Athlete of the Year. She also received the Jan Engles Award, recognizing her as Female Scholar Athlete of the Year at the University of Montevallo, and the Margaret Blalock award for Female Student Athlete of the Year. But these are hardly her first awards for excellence, and if past performance is any indicator of future success, they won’t be her last. Thompson, who recently graduated

from Montevallo with a degree in chemistry (focused on biochemistry), holds dozens of scholarathlete distinctions. These include multiple appearances as a Gold Scholar on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll, back-to-back honors as an NCAA Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2ADA) Academic Achievement Award, and multiple selections to the NCAA Division II

August 2017 | 19

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20 | ShelbyLiving.com

All-Southeast Region team by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The list of recognitions, distinctions, and awards Thompson has received seems endless, as does her dedication to outstanding academic performance. She held a perfect 4.00 grade point average at Montevallo—a standard she began achieving in high school. As the Valedictorian of Chelsea High School’s graduating class of 2013, Thompson’s high school years were punctuated by National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Key Club. Of course, it wasn’t all studying; she also recorded a personal best 5K time of 19:07 and nabbed eighth place overall in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championship meet. These accomplishments served as a fitting beginning to her student-athlete career at Montevallo, where she continued to set and exceed the highest of athletic and academic standards. Montevallo women’s cross country and track and field coach Tommy Barksdale has called Thompson “an outstanding representative for both the cross country and track and field programs here at Montevallo,” and judging from the role Thompson played

on her team, a truer statement has never been made. Take, for example, the Falcons’ recent results at the Peach Belt Conference championship event hosted by the University of Montevallo. With a thirdplace finish and a total of 154.5 points, the University of Montevallo placed just 4.5 points behind UNC Pembroke, who came in runner-up. The winner was Nova Southeastern University with 214.5 total points. At the same event, Thompson broke two records: the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:34.48, and the 3,000-meter Steeplechase at 10:57.01. Additionally, she finished runner-up in the 5,000-meter run and 7th in the 800-meter run. She also had the highest grade-point average in the championship event, received the Elite 15 Award Presented by EAB, and was named Track Athlete of the Year. When asked about her relationship with her teammates, Thompson’s response was nothing short of glowing. “The Montevallo cross-country team is one of those teams where you feel like everyone around you is family,” she said. “I had a few teammates that I ran with the most and that were incredible supporters for me.” Among those incredible supporters were Katherine Terino, Natalie Shoemaker, and Katie Nelson,

LEFT: Montevallo women’s cross country and track and field coach Tommy Barksdale has called Thompson “an outstanding representative for both the cross country and track and field programs here at Montevallo.”

August 2017 | 21

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Now that she is finished with her undergraduate degree, Thompson is pursuing a master's degree in medical science. Her scholar-athlete distinctions include multiple appearances as a Gold Scholar on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll, back-to-back honors as an NCAA Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award and multiple selections to the NCAA Division II AllSoutheast Region team by the United States Track and Field and Cross County Coaches Association. Thompson stands with several friends at graduation. This is a childhood snapshot of Thompson. While she was a student at Chelsea High School, she also played soccer (she is holding the school’s 2012 5A girls soccer state championship trophy).

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who each played an invaluable role in encouraging Thompson—even during the year she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep running. “What makes them family is knowing that no matter how upset we may occasionally get with each other (and it does not happen often with our girls), we will always have each other’s back,” Thompson said, citing her friends’ inspiring words, dedicated work ethics, and tolerance of her occasional singing during workouts on the track. Her enthusiasm for her coaches—Coach Barksdale, Coach Julia, and Coach Q (a.k.a. Marquardt)— nearly bubbled over as she described their unfailing support and devotion to her success. “I have a special relationship with my coaches,” Thompson said, mentioning Coach Barksdale’s en-

thusiasm at early-morning practices “when no one could possibly be as excited as he was.” Then there was Coach Julia, who, according to Thompson, is a “take-no-excuses kind of coach” who worked tirelessly to help the team accomplish its goals. Coach Q was “demanding without being demanding,” and always had a sense for when they needed to be pushed and when they needed to rest. Finally, there was Coach Balentine, who never directly coached Thompson but was “the most excited person you could see” whenever someone on the team did well. “The incredible thing about each of my coaches is that I trust all of them 100% and value their advice and their opinions,” Thompson remarked. “They were with me through all the hours of running and studying.”

2016

Additionally, Thompson appreciated her coaches’ support of her faith. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, Thompson was able to complete her long runs—typically scheduled for Sundays—on the team’s off days, allowing her to attend church on Sundays instead of running. Now that she has graduated from the University of Montevallo, Thompson is pursuing a master’s degree in medical science and plans to apply for medical school. “Right now, I am not sure what kind of doctor I would like to be because in all my shadowing experiences and volunteering opportunities, I have seen many things that interest me tremendously,” Thompson said. “Some of the best advice I got while shadowing…is that when choosing what kind of doctor to be, it is important to think about the people that you most want to help, the people that you feel you could be the best advocate for. I am incredibly excited about this upcoming adventure.” l August 2017 | 23

HEALTH & FITNESS

Back to school, back to busy Five tips for fast, healthy August meals Story by DONNA SIBLEY Photograph CONTRIBUTED

or many parents, the back-to-school season means back-to-busy meal times. Rushed mornings, after-school activities and evening demands can challenge even the most nutrition-conscious families. In real life, all families sometimes resort to drivethrough burgers and fries. But with a little planning, fast and healthy food can be served at home or on the go. Here are my best tips for the back-to-school season: 1. Make menus. This weekend, consult your calendar and kids. Then list, shop and prep next week’s menus. Note what works. Then repeat the process for two weeks, introducing new ideas. By September you’ll have 21 shortcut menus. 2. Bag breakfast. When time runs short, bag a breakfast sandwich. Microwave whole wheat English muffins, topped with egg and Canadian bacon. Or, spread peanut butter and banana slices on toasted whole grain waffles. On Sunday night, boil eggs or make overnight oatmeal, spooned into individual containers. For a balanced meal-in-a-cup, blend a low-sugar smoothie. Combine Greek yogurt, a handful of spinach and frozen fruit. 3. Love lunch. Vary your high-fiber fixings. Fill whole wheat buns, pita pockets or wraps with lowfat cheeses and meats. Tuck 100-calorie packs of nuts and/or prepackaged fruits (from apple slices to mandarin oranges) in insulated lunch boxes. Make raw veggies more appealing by providing individually-packaged dips, like hummus, peanut butter or guacamole cups. If refrigeration is available, include Greek yogurt for dessert. 4. Stow snacks. After-school snacks can fuel young athletes and help prevent pre-dinner meltdowns. Have kids create their own trail mixes with nuts, pretzels, whole grain cereal and dried fruit. Keep packets of raisins or dried cranberries in the 24 | ShelbyLiving.com

car. Fresh fruit is the ultimate fast food. Bananas, oranges and apples require no refrigeration, and can be eaten anytime. 5. Designate dinner. Get supper on the table pronto by precooking meats. A skinned, sliced rotisserie chicken can be served with microwaved sweet potatoes and bagged veggies. Make browned ground turkey the base for tacos one night and spaghetti the next. When kids need a fast food fix, suggest they make individual pizzas out of pita or flat bread, jarred sauce, raw veggies and turkey pepperoni, topped with low-fat cheese. Supplement those prepared meats with slow cooker meals. Frozen chicken filets can simmer all day in seasoned broth, then shredded to serve. As cooler weather arrives, add soups to the menu. Freeze individual soups or leftover main dishes for more on-the-go options this fall. Donna Sibley, RDN, is a wellness dietitian at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. For information on St. Vincent’s One Nineteen’s individual nutrition consults or group cooking classes, call (205) 408-6550.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

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CREATING A MOVEMENT At 81, Suanne Ferguson just discovered a new variation in her dance world Story by NANCY WILSTACH Photographs by KEITH MCCOY uanne Ferguson’s feet have danced across stages and studio classrooms, in churches and in concert halls; she has been dancing since she was a toddler. Now, at 81, her fingers are doing the dancing— across her computer keyboard. Believed to be the nation’s oldest certified Zumba teacher, Ferguson said that she has more to teach than the feet.

“I want to teach people to take charge of their aging,” Ferguson said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Oh, I won’t stop dancing—I told my dance students I will be beside them in the classroom.” Her latest quest started when she fell on the pallet corner in Aldi’s and broke her shoulder. For many octogenarians, such an injury would have been a fast ticket to a bed in an assisted living center. Not so for Ferguson; while recovering, she just

OPPOSITE PAGE: Suanne Ferguson, left, with her daughter, Cindy Free, who serves as director of Birmingham Ballet and the Birmingham Ballet Academy. ABOVE: Ferguson and Free work with three dancers in the Ballet III class at Birmingham Ballet Academy: Taylor Hughes, Reagan Posey and Julia Anne Heathcock.

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CLINIC

HOMES & LAND

fell into a career change. She had been teaching at a frenzied pace, up at dawn, on the road by 6:30, preaching the gospel of movement throughout the Birmingham area, logging thousands and thousands of miles since 2010. One of her favorite classes was Zumba Gold at the Alabaster Senior Center. Zumba Gold is a low-impact version of the popular Latin dance routine that is designed to keep older bones and joints happy. Then came her injury May 8, and Ferguson began examining alternatives that are less frenetic but still focused on her belief in the therapeutic effects of dance on the human brain. “There is new science pointing people to dance to stay healthy—evidence is emerging that the movement of dance has 28 | ShelbyLiving.com

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ferguson works with Heathcock during a barre combination. Ferguson leads ladies in her Ageless Adventures in Movement group at the Alabaster Senior Center. Ferguson has been dancing since she was a toddler and taught ballet for 65 years. These pointe shoes belong to Ferguson’s granddaughter, Katherine Free, who danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy at last year’s The Nutcracker.

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Suanne Ferguson, a Buckeye by birth and a graduate of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, taught ballet for 65 years. After moving to the Birmingham area in 1974, she helped found two ballet academies.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The purpose of Ferguson's AAIM group is to explore the issues of aging through movement. Ferguson and Free stand outside of Birmingham Ballet Performing Arts Centre. Ferguson works with her dancers in class. Though Ferguson's days of dancing en pointe have passed, she dons her Grandmother costume and wig and dances in Birmingham Ballet's production of The Nutcracker each year.

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a positive effect on the aging process in the brain,” she said. There is a body of work that suggests dance can mitigate the effects of dementia. This quick, pert, engaging woman is Exhibit A for healthy aging and probably would make a good scientific study for any grad student who thinks he or she could maintain the pace. Ferguson, a Buckeye by birth and a graduate of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, taught ballet for 65 years. She married, had a daughter and a son, was widowed; she moved to the Birmingham area in 1974. She helped found two ballet academies. Then, in 1996, Ferguson went back to school for a master’s degree in Universe of Creation Spirituality from Naropa University. Naropa’s intriguing website describes this master’s program as helping its students develop “a meaningful life in the 21st century–meaningful for oneself, meaningful for others, for the planet, and beyond.” That pretty well describes Ferguson’s approach. After her injury, she said, “at first, I felt overwhelmingly sad, but after I thought it through and the more I move into it, the more excited I am. I know I am going to have to write every day. And I am preparing a proposal to send to publishers.”

Her book, tentatively titled “Take Charge of Your Aging Now: Ten Timely Tips to Manage the Challenge,” is aimed at those in roughly her children’s age group—those in their late 40s to early 60s who see old age on the horizon and keep trying to look the other way. Ferguson wants to encourage them to embrace the advancing years by keeping their bodies alert through movement. Those who would like to know more about Ferguson and her philosophy of “Keep Moving!” can check out her web site: Suanneferguson.com l

ABOVE: The AAIM ladies have performed at many senior venues in Jefferson and Shelby counties, and the butterfly wings were from an intergenerational piece called The Butterfly Garden danced at the Birmingham Ballet Showcase in the spring at the BJCC.

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FOOD & DRINK

Spicing It Up La Paz brings its authentic Mexican dishes to Mt Laurel

ABOVE: La Paz’s Santa Fe Enchilada consists of a blue corn tortilla, grilled chicken, onions, bell peppers and Jack cheese smothered in green chile sauce, with sour cream and sliced avocado. Diners can add a fried egg or substitute shrimp. RIGHT: The Mt Laurel location of La Paz features an outdoor patio.

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Story by LAUREN DOWDLE Photographs by DAWN HARRISON ith its southern charm and unique shops, the picturesque town of Mt Laurel was still missing something. That need didn’t get lost on the owners of La Paz, who decided to take their Mexican restaurant to this inviting town. People will now be able to enjoy the same authentic food found in the heart of Mountain Brook in the Mt Laurel Town Center. La Paz opened its

newest location in Mt Laurel on June 13. Their original location in Mountain Brook has been cooking up tasty meals for 26 years, drawing crowds from all across the Birmingham area. But it can be quite the drive for residents in and around the Mt Laurel area. With nothing similar nearby, the La Paz team decided it was the perfect place to open its next location. Located in the former Mr. Harry’s spot in Mt Laurel, the new La Paz has brought its popular dishes to a community ready for Mexican food. “The going phrase is, ‘We’ve been waiting so

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Decorative hats hang from hooks on the wall. Surrounded by greenery, the spacious patio allows people to socialize and dine in a charming, open-air setting. General manager Dominic Giliberti says the Mt Laurel location has a more modern look than the original restaurant. The festive atmosphere translates to the outdoor dining area.

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long for you,’” recalls Dominic Giliberti, general manager at La Paz. “The reaction has been awesome. We see guests come in and say they’re so glad we’re here. One lady even said she prayed every day they’d put a Mexican restaurant here.” This tight-knit community has shown their excitement for La Paz by keeping the restaurant busy since it first opened its doors. While new to Mt Laurel, La Paz has been a Birmingham-area staple for nearly three decades, creating quite a following. And now, people in Shelby County can enjoy the same great restaurant closer to home. “So many generations of people have gone there,” Giliberti says of the original location. “People wanted something closer, and we answered that request.” The Mt Laurel location has a more modern

look than the original restaurant with its décor, and it also features a fire place and outdoor patio, adding to its inviting ambience. While the overall look might be a little different, things that haven’t changed are the authentic food and quality service, which are two things they’re known for. “We have a little bit of a different atmosphere, and we’re shaped a little differently,” Giliberti says. “But, it stays true to the heart of La Paz with the same consistence and great food.” People looking for a Mexican meal will find all of the same dishes at the Mt Laurel location that they would at the original one. That includes a range of menu items for lunch and dinner that will satisfy every craving. Some of the most popular dishes are their quesadillas and cheese dip. They also have fresh soups,

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nachos, taco salads, tacos and a variety of entrees. For Giliberti, his favorite dish is the fish tacos, which comes with chipotle tartar sauce. Patrons can also enjoy some savory dishes for brunch on the weekends, something that was added to the menu a few weeks after the Mt Laurel location opened. La Paz will serve up brunch dishes from 11 a.m. through lunchtime like their spicy black bean eggs benedict with sriracha hollandaise chorizo con papas. That’s one tasty way for someone to start their day. To cool down and relax, La Paz also serves adult beverages like margaritas (frozen and on the rocks), beer and wine. The Mt Laurel team even came up with a drink that’s a little different: a jalapeno cucumber margarita.

“I think we have the main core ingredients to run a good restaurant: great food, service and atmosphere.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Old metal lids and rustic furniture contribute to the modern feel of the restaurant. ABOVE: At La Paz's bar, diners can cool down with margaritas, beer and wine.

— Dominic Giliberti “It has a great taste and has been one of our top sellers,” Giliberti says of the drink with a spicy kick. Beyond their tasty dishes and drinks, what really keeps people coming back again and again is their dedicated, customer-focused team. They have about August 2017 | 37

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Colorful chairs surround a stone fireplace. A scene cut into metal welcomes people inside the restaurant. Distressed wood lines a hallway.

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50 team members at the Mt Laurel location, and Giliberti says he’s especially proud of the great team they have at La Paz. “I think we have the main core ingredients to run a good restaurant: great food, service and atmosphere,” he says. “That includes everything from how we greet a table to bringing you your entrée to bringing the check.” Whether people are looking for a place to eat with the family, on a date or enjoying a night out with the guys, La Paz makes everyone feel welcome. “It’s definitely family friendly,” Giliberti says.

“There’s a bar sectioned off from the restaurant, so there’s also adult time for a drink or two and to watch TV. There’s a good environment for just about anybody.” For those looking for an authentic Mexican meal in the heart of Mt Laurel, it’s just a walk or short drive away. The new location is on Mt Laurel Avenue in the Town Center. It’s open 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information and to view their full menu, visit Eatatlapaz.com. l

FOOD & DRINK

Jalapeño cucumber margarita SPICE IS NICE Photograph by DAWN HARRISON La Paz’s Mt Laurel team concocted a cocktail that blends the restaurant’s spicy flair with ice-cold refreshment: The jalapeño cucumber margarita. “It has a great taste and has been one of our top sellers,” General Manager Dominic Giliberti says. Pair this with the Santa Fe enchilada for a dining experience that will leave your taste buds begging for more.

WHAT’S IN IT • 2 fresh jalapeños • 2 fresh cucumbers • Dash of simple syrup • 1.25 oz. Milagro tequila • 0.75 oz. Gran Gala orange liqueur • Sour mix (fill the remainder of the glass) • Dash strawberry puree

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FEATURES

2 Travelers Take Europe Bloggers share details of trip to Spain, Italy and France Story by EMILY SPARACINO Photographs CONTRIBUTED estruction from an EF-4 tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011 was what brought Lisa and Chris Gaskill together as a couple. Lisa, 42, and Chris, 48, both lived and worked in Tuscaloosa and knew each other already through church and community choir. When Lisa volunteered to work at a shelter on the Sunday following the tornado and needed someone to go with her, she asked Chris to go. “He said, ‘Sure,’” Lisa said. The workday was all it took for them to realize how much they enjoyed each other’s company. “We knew immediately we were just best friends,” Lisa said. By the end of that summer, they were talking about a future together, Chris said. They were married in June 2012. Chris is an associate professor in the University of Montevallo’s Department of Communication Science and Disorders, and Lisa is finishing her last year as a Doctor of Philosophy student at the University of Alabama. She will serve as one of three

Gifted teachers at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central in August. The couple moved from Tuscaloosa to Alabaster in November 2016. Destruction brought Lisa and Chris together six years ago, but beautiful sights—and traveling to foreign cities to see them in person—have brought them joy in their young marriage. Travel was a significant part of Lisa’s and Chris’s lives when they were single, too. Lisa was born in Seoul, Korea. She and her twin sister were adopted, and in 2009, they traveled back to Seoul and visited the orphanage where they lived. Lisa has been to at least 16 different countries over the years, and she spent time in Japan as an adult teaching English. “Traveling was always something I wanted to do, whether it just be for vacation or mission trips,” she said. Chris has been to Brazil more than once and has visited Sweden, Denmark, Russia, England, Scotland and Wales. Their first trip after they were married – their honeymoon – was to Asheville, North Carolina. “It fits who we are,” Lisa said. “We wanted something low-key, very relaxing and it’s very food-

LEFT: A side street on the main island of Venice.

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A view of Florence's red tile roofs and the Tuscan hills in the distance, taken from the bell tower of Il Duomo. Another bird's-eye view of the tiled rooftops. Chris and Lisa pause for a photo next to a canal and bridge in Venice.

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centric.” By “food-centric,” Lisa meant the fare in Asheville was not average; their meals came from local eateries, not chain restaurants. They also participated in a walking food tour of Asheville, which Chris said was “just so good.” “We didn’t go to one chain,” she said. Along with sightseeing, Chris and Lisa are adamant about eating good, local fare wherever they go. And they aren’t shy about admitting that. The blog they created to share their travel experiences with family and friends is called “2 Hungry Travelers,” and the tagline is “Exploring the world one bite at a time.” Chris has handled most of the blog writing thus far, while Lisa has been the photographer behind the lens, capturing the high points of their trips to places like the Caribbean, New York, Nashville and Hilton Head, one of their favorite places. But the biggest adventure they are in the process of documenting since returning to Alabama is their recent trip to Europe.

“We knew we wanted to get back to Europe,” Lisa said. Last August, she found a Groupon deal for a 15day Europe trip, and they booked it for this May. “We booked it enough in advance to where we could get somewhat of a savings,” Lisa said. “It gave us enough time to plan for the trip that far in advance. The package deal had all the transportation and hotels.” “We were on our own, but it was all set up for us,” Chris said. Their itinerary included two- to three-day stints in Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy; Florence, Italy; Venice, Italy; and Paris, France. Lisa had been to Paris before, but Chris hadn’t visited any of the cities prior to their trip. They started off in Barcelona, where a highlight was seeing the Sagrada Família, a place of worship steeped in history. According to Sagradafamilia.org, five generations have already witnessed the temple’s rise, but construction is ongoing. The history of the Expiatory

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Barcelona: In Barcelona, the Gaskills were intrigued by

the Sagrada Família, a place of worship whose beginnings date back to the mid-1800s. They also soaked up local culture while perusing La Boqueria, a large, open-air market featuring fresh meats, produce and many other goods.

Paris: Paris was an unexpectedly relaxing portion of the trip. They saw multiple sights and museums, but didn’t push themselves to conquer the entire city in two days. They also befriended a man from Alabama in a Parisian café.

Venice: Just as they anticipated, Venice was a highlight of their European adventures. The ancient city known for its winding canals was one of the more romantic places they visited. And, of course, they explored the city in the typical Venetian style: Gondola rides.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Chris and Lisa stand inside the bell tower in St. Mark's Square in Venice, looking over the city. The water of the lagoon can be seen in the distance. The Gaskills found one of Lisa's favorite spots from a previous trip to Paris again on their trip this year. Shakespeare and Company is a famous bookstore in Paris. Two gondolas in a Venetian canal.

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Temple of the Holy Family, known as the Sagrada Família, dates back to the 1860s. While in Barcelona, they visited the beach and enjoyed the open-air markets, particularly La Boqueria, a famous market located in the old part of Barcelona. “You had land, you had beef and then you had the sea,” Lisa said as she described the market offerings. “Fresh fruits and vegetables and pastries … the amount and quality of both of those things was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We definitely recommend that to anyone.” Rome was their next stop, and not surprisingly, was filled with historical sights they were eager to see. “Just walking around, everywhere you look is something that was built in B.C.,” Lisa said. “It’s amazing in that way – the history of it, where we came from, our democracy, our government (and) for people who go to church, Christianity.” Lisa and Chris saw the Roman Colosseum, along with the government buildings of the Roman Forum and Arch of Constantine. “We saw the spot where, supposedly, Caesar was killed, and where Marc Anthony stood over his body and gave a speech,” Chris said. “There’s

so much history in these places that no one knows about. You have to pace yourself.” An unexpected find was the Ponte Quattro Capi, an ancient stone bridge in Rome. As Chris and Lisa crossed it on foot, they met a watercolor artist painting a scene with of bridge, and they purchased one of her paintings. “It was a little outside the city center,” Lisa said of the bridge. “You never know what you’ll find.” They also walked in the vicinity of the Vatican and saw St. Peter’s Square. Regarding food, the Roman gelato stood out to Lisa and Chris. “Our hotel recommended this old place in Rome. It was our first gelato of the trip,” Chris said. “It was excellent.” From Rome, they took a train to Florence, which Lisa likened to Disney World in high season. “It’s crowded,” she said. “Except for the crowds, it’s just beautiful. If you’re willing to wander a few blocks away, you’ll end up on these quaint little side streets. That was our favorite.” Their next stop was Venice, which Chris described as magical, beautiful and breathtaking. “Everything looks so old in Venice,” Chris said. To venture around Venice, Chris and Lisa had to

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Lisa and Chris stand in the gardens behind Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. "It was truly neat to stumble upon that," Lisa said of this side street they found while walking around Rome. A view of the Colosseum in Rome.

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walk or take water boats. In classic Venetian style, they took at least one gondola ride along the canals. The couple’s final stop was Paris, where they fit in museums and other sights at a comfortable pace. “It was very relaxing,” Lisa said. “We didn’t push ourselves.” They encountered a bit of Alabama when they struck up a conversation with a man from Gardendale in a Paris café. Lisa and Chris were able to check things off their Europe to-do list. Lisa’s undergraduate degree is in music, and she sings opera. Singing opera somewhere in their travels was a must for her. “I sang one of my arias in a courtyard in Italy,”

she said. “This was the closest to being on stage in Italy.” Lisa bought an Italian leather bag in Florence and a silk scarf in Barcelona. She and Chris also procured trinkets for family members, artwork from local artists and a CD from a musician giving a street performance. “In each Italian city, we got a painting or two,” Chris said. They came home with plenty of photographs, many of which Lisa has used for the notecards she makes by hand. Their next travel adventure is a touch closer to home than Europe: Hilton Head, South Carolina. To keep track of the Gaskills’ adventures, visit 2hungrytravelers.com. l

DAY BY DAY

A labor of love Partnership behind Custom Iron and Wood is forged in fire

hen you first walk into Custom Iron and Wood in Harpersville, you realize that there is beauty within. Throughout the workshop, examples of Stoney Johnson and Kim Revis’ art reveal that, while form follows function, the form can be pretty amazing. His medium is metal – heated, beaten and shaped with the help of his blacksmithing expertise. She works in wood – all types of salvaged wood, naturally dried, and finished to an exceptional shine. Their personal partnership has blossomed into a professional one that results in one-of-a-kind furniture and accent pieces for the home. Stoney is Rene’ Day, A Day in the Life Antiques, about as naVintage, and Design tive to Shelby ADayintheLifeal@ County as one gmail.com can get. His family has been in the area for generations. His interest in learning metalworking skills dates back to the days he spent with his blacksmith grandfather at the original forge in Wilsonville. Later, working in his dad’s sod farm and landscaping business introduced him to welding and Stoney graduated from high school certified through the program at the School of Technology. Johnson then opened a small welding shop in his hometown and has been fabricating metal for over 30 years. Though he makes his living with the welding, it is the blacksmithing that makes his life. Stoney originally constructed a coal forge in the shop, but now uses a torch instead. The torch allows him greater control in heating the metal as he works it. Under

Stoney Johnson and Kim Revis create beautiful things at Custom Iron and Wood in Harpersville.

his artistic eye, it undergoes a metamorphosis and emerges as legs for tables, bases for chests, cabinet hardware, handcrafted knives and hand-wrought fireplace tools. Kim’s work with wood began almost 20 years ago after she moved into an 1832 house in Harpersville. Long before today’s HGTV how-to shows, she was learning “handson” about restoring original pine flooring and shiplap walls. Today, wood seems to find her. Friends and neighbors offer trees that have fallen in storms or wood from sheds falling in from neglect. Often, she sees interesting pieces on her long horseback rides or resting in someone’s burn pile. She laughs as she states, “I don’t cut down trees to do this, but the wood always seems to show up!” Revis often works with cedar because it is soft and can be easily turned. Hickory is another wood she likes – it can be hard to work, but it is strong and will last a long time. The favorite wood, however, is black walnut. The wood’s natural color has unequaled beauty in her eyes. Preparing logs for “life” as furniture is a long and laborious process. It can take up to 2 years for them to dry naturally. A friend with a sawmill helps

with the precise cutting needed to create what Kim imagines. Custom Iron and Wood has been in business for almost three years. In that time, Stoney and Kim have worked with a variety of interior designers and homeowners who want something unique and handcrafted. Much of their work can be found in the homes farther down Highway 280 on Lake Martin. When asked why they do it, both agree, “to take an ‘ugly’ piece of wood that no one else saw any value in and pair it with hand-wrought metal to make something beautiful gives us great satisfaction.” They take pride in the fact that their items are one-of-a-kind. Kim finds inspiration in the wood. Stoney understands the physical properties needed for balance and strength. Together, they produce what they call their “labors of love.” Most would call them works of art you can live with and enjoy. When asked what they hope the future holds, Stoney answers quickly, “more blacksmithing and more furniture.” As people discover the beauty in Custom Iron and Wood on Highway 25 in Harpersville, no doubt there will be both. l August 2017 | 47

FEATURES

RELIEF AND REDEMPTION Montevallo nurse brings healing, Gospel to Haiti earthquake victims

Montevallo resident Martha McMinn has used her skills as a former registered nurse to help people in Haiti after an earthquake struck in 2010.

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Story by NANCY WILSTACH Photographs by KEITH MCCOY AND CONTRIBUTED ontevallo’s Martha McMinn well remembers the sequence of events that unfolded in 2010: “In January, the earthquake struck Haiti, and on Feb. 10, I was there on the ground.” A registered nurse at Shelby Baptist Medical Center then (since retired), McMinn said she had been “consumed with watching the news” from Haiti and praying for its people. Then it hit her: “You’re a nurse. You have a passport. Your immunizations are current.” “Baptist Health Foundation put out the word that it was getting a group together” to go to Haiti in cooperation with the Baptist Mission Board. McMinn and a friend and nursing colleague, Susan Alexander, signed on together. “We had a week to get ready,” McMinn said. They were a team of seven—three nurses, three physicians and a chaplain. She flew into the Dominican Republic, which occupies the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and traveled by bus to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, where the ravages of the earthquake had rendered the airport unusable. The team spent 10 days in the tent cities surrounding the capital. “People were suffering mainly from a lack of medical care,” McMinn said, noting that treatable injuries grow exponentially worse when left untreated. For example, she saw broken bones that had never been set. Sometimes infection had invaded open wounds.

As the team set up its medical clinic amid the post-quake chaos, McMinn said that she thought: “‘What have I done? Maybe I bit off more than I can chew.’ Then, like a ray of hope, I saw a child who had made a kite out of a piece of trash, and I knew God had sent me where I needed to be.” Since that first February, McMinn has been back to Haiti every six months, mostly serving in and around Jacmel, a coastal city again hit hard when Hurricane Matthew cruelly slammed into the western end of the nation in October 2016. She had returned from her August mission when the hurricane battered Jacmel, and she said she was desperate to know what had happened there. With 14 Haitian trips behind her, McMinn has become something of an old hand. “I went from a little bitty scared-to-death team member to a team leader.” Her role is wider than nursing. “I don’t always just do medical—I do evangelism, too. I have shared the Lord. For example, in one week, 42 people accepted Christ.” Her sidekick in evangelism is her interpreter, Anes, a young man whom she says has a natural gift for spreading the Gospel. Because her work is coordinated by the Alabama Baptists, McMinn visits the same areas and coordinates with the same Haitians on each trip. Naturally, she has formed special attachments. One of the very special ones is Children’s Hope, a homechurch-school for 930 children. McMinn said the project was borne of the earthquake when workers from Montgomery’s First

August 2017 | 49

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: A sketch made by one of McMinn’s interpreters in Haiti, along with other mementos from her trips, are displayed in her home: “The art always attracts my attention,” she said. McMinn smiles for a picture with a young girl in Haiti named Lydia, who was recovering from a broken leg that hadn’t healed properly. School children at a school Children’s Hope helps to sponsor. McMinn examines a young patient at a clinic.

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Baptist Church found 16 children living in a tent after their orphanage was destroyed. “It has evolved,” McMinn said, “from its start in a rental mission house.” The church took on the project as its special mission. Today it has several colorful cabins, each presided over by its own Haitian “Nanny,” as well as a school, a church and a clinic. That clinic is McMinn’s particular joy. “They don’t need our team anymore. Children’s Hope raised the money to build an on-site clinic—with a doctor, a lab and a dentist two times a week.” She smiled: “We taught them to fish,” a reference to the Chinese proverb: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for the day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Children’s Hope still needs aid, though, she said. “If anyone wants to help them, the web site is Childrens-hope.com.” Another of McMinn’s special attachments is to Anse du Clerc, a little community perched in the mountains above Jacmel where a small, cheerful, intense man called “Pastor Franky” serves a small, very poor community. It was anxiety about Pastor Franky that spurred McMinn to make that extra trip to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew. His home and his church were blown away, but he and his flock

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HOMEWOOD

— Martha McMinn survived, she said. Lest anyone envision five-star hotels, McMinn said she and her team sleep in tents on inflatable mattresses, and they ride to their destinations in the beds of trucks, occasionally piling out on the mountain side when a tire goes flat. One site was at the end of a 45-minute hike. Still, she said, “there is so much beauty there. I don’t know what I am going to do when I am unable to go there anymore.” l

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HOOVER

“What have I done? Maybe I bit off more than I can chew.’ Then, like a ray of hope, I saw a child who had made a kite out of a piece of trash, and I knew God had sent me where I needed to be.”

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August 2017 | 51

52 | ShelbyLiving.com

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce C o m m u n i t y • C o m m e rc e • C o l l a b o r a t i o n

August 2017 Business Connections August Community Luncheon “3rd Annual Healthcare Professional of the Year” Awards Program 2017 Presenting Sponsor

the Shelby County area was eligible to be nominated. In addition to the great business networking, healthcare entities will be participating in a Healthy Lifestyles Showcase Feature, Presented in 2017 by HEALTHSOUTH Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital, (mini-

expo) being held during the networking hour. The nominees and recipients will be recognized at the “Community Luncheon” from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. The cost is $20 per person for Chamber

Co-Sponsor

investors and $30 per person for “Future” investors and includes a luncheon buffet. For more information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Chamber at info@shelbychamber.org, by telephone at 663-4542 or register online at www. shelbychamber.org by noon on Monday, August 28.

Green Business Program Encourages Best Practices Become a “Certified Chamber Green Business” The Chamber’s Existing Business & Industry Work Group invites our investors to become a “Certified Chamber Green Business.” The Green Business application is based on a point system in the categories of Waste Prevention, Recycling, Purchasing, Energy Conservation, Transportation, Water Conservation, and Pollution. Each applicant that receives a minimum

2017 Presenting Sponsor

of 20 points total will be designated as a “Certified Chamber Green Business.” The purpose of this program is to recognize Shelby County businesses that are committed to and engaged in

environmentally responsible operations and practices, also known as “green” business practices. The program recognizes these companies each year at the Chamber’s annual Industry Appreciation Event. If your company is engaged in green practices and is

interested in applying for the Chamber’s Green Program Certification, the application can be found on the website www.shelbychamber.org/ business-support-center/ green-business-program. For more information or questions please contact Payton Thomas, Manager, Business Development & Support via email payton@ shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542, ext. 105. August 2017 | 53 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

The Chamber’s Health Services Work Group is hosting the 3rd Annual Healthcare Professional of the Year Awards Program presented by St. Vincent’s Health System and cosponsored by HEALTHSOUTH Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital. The program will recognize individuals who have been nominated for having made outstanding contributions in the healthcare profession. Any healthcare professional employed in

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Go & Grow Workshop: LinkedIn Advanced Sales Workshop

Newsletter

On August 1, the Chamber’s Go & Grow Workshop -- presented by Business Telephones, Inc. and co-sponsored by FocalPoint Coaching -- will be an interactive workshop featuring Michael Smith, the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-inResidence from The Great, The Good and The Gone. Michael will be facilitating this “hands on” interactive workshop how to utilize LinkedIn to grow sales for your company. uHow to Make Over 5,000 Contacts, uTurn Contacts into Conversations, uGet Over 5,000 Views for

2017 Presenting Sponsor

Your Post, uAND MORE! NOTE: Each participant should bring their laptop or tablet and be ready to work on their (already created) LinkedIn profile. The Go & Grow Workshop will be from 11:30AM-1:00PM on August 1 at the Chamber. There is no cost to attend, but lunch is available for $10 per person for Chamber

Co-Sponsor

investors ($20 for “Future” investors). To ensure we have a proper headcount, please make reservations by noon on July 31 for this workshop by contacting Payton Thomas, the Chamber’s

Manager of Business Development & Support via e-mail at payton@ shelbychamber.org, by calling 663-4542, ext. 105 or register online at www. shelbychamber.org.

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54 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

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Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

TEE IT UP “FORE!” EDUCATION Scramble Set for September 28

2017 Presenting Sponsor

in having a team, player or participating through the various sponsorships that are available, please contact Silver Sponsors

the Chamber at 663-4542 or visit http://business.

shelbychamber.org/events/ for more details.

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK Facebook: 38 New Likes, 89 Visits and 6,686 Post Reaches, Total Likes 2,830. Twitter: 2,807 Followers, 119 Tweets, 13.6K Tweet impressions, 196 Profile Visits and 10 Mentions. Instagram: 184 Posts, 396 Followers. Responded to 186 requests for business & community information. Notarized 98 “Certificates of Origin” for Shelby County companies.

August 2017 | 55 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

Save the date! The Greater Shelby County and the South Shelby Chambers of Commerce have teamed up for the 28th Annual TEE IT UP “FORE!” Education Tournament, presented in 2017 by America’s First Federal Credit Union. The tournament will be held on September 28 at Timberline Golf Club. This year’s tournament proceeds will benefit both Chamber’s scholarships and career readiness intiatives in the coming year. A few of the education and workforce development programs the Greater Shelby County Chamber has launched over the past few years include: Keeping it Real, Student Career Awareness Fair, Student and Educator of the Year and Communication Matters. Sponsorships and teams are already being sold. If your organization is interested

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Welcome New Investors (as of 6/30/2017)

ARCpoint Labs of Birmingham Clear Solutions, Inc. Five Star Security, Inc. Garver Golden Rule Bar-B-Q of Helena Hampton Inn - Calera Heatherwood Hills Country Club Liberty Mutual Insurance Linda’s Barbershop RealtySouth of Inverness Smith Chiropractic TherapySouth - Helena Travis M. Sherman, Retirement Income Consulting, LLC USGA - 2018 U.S. Women’s Open Weichert Realtors - Romano Properties

Birmingham Hoover Helena Birmingham Birmingham Calera Birmingham Birmingham Alabaster Birmingham Chelsea Helena Pelham Shoal Creek Pelham

Drug Testing Security Services Security Services Engineers Restaurants Lodging Golf Insurance Barber Shops Real Estate - Residential Chiropractic Care Physical Therapy Financial Products & Services Golf Event Real Estate

For a complete listing of all current Chamber investors please visit our Online Business Directory at business.shelbychamber.org/list.

Newsletter

Celebrating Growth

2017 Ribbon Sponsor

2017 Ribbon Cutting Sponsor

Thank you Pelham Flowers by Desiree’ for providing the ribbon and bows for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies.

Congratulations to Heatherwood Hills Country Club on its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Go by and see Mr. Louis McHughes and his staff and play around of golf at 400 St Annes Drive, Birmingham! Beautiful greens and great space for wedding reception, parties, and golf tournaments!

Congratulations to the new Whataburger on 280 - Resource Parkway. General Manager Camilla Jeffcoat cut the ribbon and was joined by Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest, staff, friends, family and Greater Shelby County Chamber Ambassadors.

Snapshots

Eclipse Coffee and Books in Montevallo hosted the Chamber’s recent CoffeeNet event. The Greater Shelby County and Montevallo Chambers of Commerce came together to offer expanded networking in the morning along with a light breakfast and a variety of beverages. 56 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

The Chamber’s June “Community Luncheon” featured a presentation by John Coppins, Championship Manager of the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open being held right here in Shelby County at Shoal Creek. Considered the world’s premier women’s golf championship, the U.S. Women’s Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA.

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Health Focus of the Month: Check Out Your Child’s Back Pack with These Tips for Safety 2017 Presenting Sponsor

weight to no more than 10 to 15 percent of the child’s body weight #5. The backpack should never be wider or longer than

your child’s torso #4. The backpack should not hang more than 4 inches below the waistline #3. Both straps should be

worn and they should be padded! #2. If you have followed all of these recommendations and the backpack is still too heavy, consult your child’s teacher on ways to decrease the amount of books that are needed to be carried. #1. And the number one way to keep your spine healthy is to get it regularly checked by a chiropractor! Article Submitted by: Dr. Taylor Mason Precision Chiropractic

Start Receiving Substantial Savings on Items You Use Everyday by Creating Your Office Depot Account Today! The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce serves you by advocating for initiatives that will improve the business climate in our state and by creating programs that will help you promote and grow your business. The affinity program we have with Office Depot can help grow your bottom line by cutting hundreds of dollars in expenses from your balance sheet. This Office Depot program, FREE to Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce investors, gives you access to the power of a $70 million group purchasing program, the result of which is a very aggressive pricing structure

on items you use the most. This pricing program is specifically tailored by Office Depot to support Chambers of Commerce and their investor companies. Hundreds of Chambers and thousands of their investor companies participate. Each time you participate in the Office Depot program, you get substantial savings and you help support the work the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce does on your behalf. The program is also very convenient. When you find the Office Depot items you need, you can order them online through a dedicated gateway on the Office Depot website and receive next-

day delivery. Did you know you get exclusive investor pricing at any Office Depot or Office Max Store? Show the casier your Store Purchasing Card at check out to see the savings. Don’t have a store purchasing card? Text “ShelbyCountySPC” to 555-888 to receive one now! Download in on your phone and you’ll have it everytime you shop! This program is extended

to you because of you are an investor of the Chamber - there is no obligation to enroll. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please schedule an appointment with our Major Account Manager, Rick Love, at 427-9328 or ricky.love@officedepot. com for a price analysis to demonstrate your significant savings potential. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Shapiro at 663-4542, ext. 103 or email lisa@shelbychamber. org. If you’re ready to place your order from Office Depot, visit the Chamber’s website at www. shelbychamber.org, look for the Office Depot logo and click to start saving today.

August 2017 | 57 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

As our kiddos continue on to the next grade, their bodies continue to grow and develop, especially the most important system in their body: the Nervous System. This system controls every single function in the body, from our heart beating to our food digesting. So we need to protect this system, right? Our spines are specifically designed to protect this system and one of the greatest ways our children stress the spine is improper backpack usage. Here are the top 6 ways with how to keep our kiddos spines healthy while wearing a backpack! #6. Limit the backpack’s

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Newsletter

Ambassador of the Month Congratulations to Lori Schramek for earning Ambassador of the month. Lori is a Mortgage Loan Originator with Classic Home Mortgage, Inc. She has a BBA from James Madison University and she has been a resident of Shelby County for 13 years. She is married to Jeff and has 3 children: Jay, who attends The University of Alabama, Emily, who attends Auburn University and Andrea, who attends Oak Mountain High School. She loves meeting new people and helping those who cross her path. She is a member of Church of the Highlands and volunteers regularly at King’s Home and Tutwiler Prison. She enjoys running and traveling. Contact Lori for your mortgage needs at 444-5866 or lori@ fundinghomedreams.com.

GSCCC Board of Directors (as of 6/21/17)

Officers Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College (Chair) Joe Meads Sain Associates (Chair-elect) Paul Rogers NobleBank & Trust (Immediate Past Chair)

Ambassador Program Presented in 2017 by:

Contact Us: Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive • Pelham, Alabama 35124 Office: (205) 663-4542 Fax: (205) 663-4524 info@shelbychamber.org • www.shelbychamber.org

Charlie Stevens Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. (Vice Chair, Business Development & Support) Jim Purvis A. C. Legg, Inc. (Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing) Linda Cencula Avadian Credit Union (Vice Chair, Community & Workforce Development) Bill Connor America’s First Federal Credit Union (Vice Chair, Finance & Administration) Kathy Copeland White Rock Quarries – Vincent Hills (Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs) John Browning Cahaba Valley Computer Services (Vice Chair, Investor Development) Board of Directors Matt Fridy (2017) Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt

Jeff Brown (2018) Brownstone Marketing Solutions William Carroll (2018) Armstrong Relocation Companies Alex Dudchock (2018) Shelby County Alison D. Howell (2018) Alabama Power Company Brian Massey (2018) St. Vincent’s Health System Tracey Morant Adams (2019) Renasant Bank Troy Ainsworth (2019) Lhoist North America Jay Dennis (2019) Regions Bank Mike Rickman (2019) Brookwood Baptist Health System Charles Hall (2019) Grandview Medical Center Mitt Schroeder (2019) Central State Bank April Harry (*) Warren, Averett LLC Mark Meadows (*) Chick-fil-A @ Inverness Rocky Patel (*) Hampton Inn & Suites-Pelham David Platt (*) Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama

Chris Grace (2017) Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc.

Keith Richards (*) Taziki’s Mediterranean Café

Katie McDowell (2017) Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

Mechelle Wilder (*) ARC Realty

Michael Smith (2017) The GREAT, The GOOD and The GONE

(*) Serving a one-year term in 2017

Craig Sorenson (2017) SouthWest Water Company 58 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

Mike Swinson (2017) Alabama Gas Corporation

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Calling Volunteers for 2017 Student Career Awareness Fair

Gold Sponsors

uAgriculture, Food, and Natural Resources uArchitecture & Construction uArts, AV Technology & Communication uBusiness Management & Admin

uEducation & Training uFinance uGovernment & Public Admin uHealth Science uHospitality & Tourism uHuman Services uInformation Technology

Silver Sponsor

uLaw, Public Safety, Corrections, Security uManufacturing uMarketing uScience, Technology, Engineering, Math uTransportation, Distribution, Logistics

Get In On the Best “Card Game” in Shelby County at the Chamber’s August 17 Business After Hours Shelby County’s premier business networking event - presented by Sawyer Solutions - will be held at Bernie’s On Main Street on August 17. Bring plenty of business cards and come ready to make some serious business contacts. Plus, if you meet enough people you’ll earn a chance to win some prizes

2017 Presenting Sponsor: on August 17 from 5:30PM until 7:00PM at Bernie’s On Main Street, 115 South Main Street, Columbiana, 35051. The investment - which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and two beverage coupons -- for any Doing IT - so you don’t have to Chamber investor is $10 per 4542 or online at www. person and $20 for “Future” so please register via email shelbychamber.org by at info@shelbychamber. investors. August 15. Reservations are required, org, by phone at 663August 2017 | 59 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 3rd annual Student Career Awareness Fair at the Shelby County Exhibition Center in Columbiana on Tuesday, September 12 and Wednesday, September 13 for Shelby County 10th grade students. We are seeking volunteers to spend a day (8:00AM - 3:00PM) or 1/2 day sharing your expertise with the students in each of the following career fields. As you can see there are 16 “career clusters/areas” needing multiple volunteers in each to share with the students what they can expect in the “real world” what it’s like to work in a particular career field such as: how to dress, educational requirements, salary ranges, day-to-day expectations and duties, etc. If you or someone in your business would like to volunteer please contact Keyla Handley at 6634542 ext. 106 or keyla@ shelbychamber.org for details.

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER Events

Read more details or register for events online at www.shelbychamber.org or the Chamber office 663-4542. Unless otherwise noted events listed will be held at 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham 35124. CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER: Cancellation for a paying event must be made TWO days prior to the event.

August 2017

Newsletter

1 2 2 2 3 4

Small Business Mentorship Appointments 8:00AM - 11:00AM Michael Smith, The Good, The Great & The Gone By appointment. Contact Payton Thomas at 663-4542, ext. 105. Go & Grow Workshop “Hands On Linked-IN Workshop” 11:30AM - 1:00PM Presented by Michael Smith of The Great, The Good and The Gone Presented by: Business Telephones, Inc. & Cosponsored by: FocalPoint Coaching Reservations requested by noon, July 31. Investment: No cost for workshop but lunch is available for $10 investors, $20 “Future” investors. Career Readiness Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Shelby County Instructional Service Center 601 First Street South, Alabaster Ambassadors Work Group 11:30AM - 1:00PM Sponsor: NobleBank & Trust Small Business Work Group 4:00PM - 5:00PM Sponsor: Brownstone Marketing Solutions South Shelby Chamber Luncheon 11:30AM - 1:00PM Columbiana First Baptist Church 208 North Main Street, Columbiana Investment: $15. Reservation required. Tourism & Recreation Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM TBD

60 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

9 11 15 16 17 18 24 30

Existing Business & Industry Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM iBERIABANK, 2695 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham

Health Services Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM

Entrepreneur Roundtable 280 11:30AM - 12:30PM Presented By: Graham & Associates, CPAs Montevallo Chamber Monthly Luncheon 11:30AM - 1:00PM Parnell Memorial Library, 377 Park Dr, Montevallo Investment: $12. No reservation required. Business After Hours 5:30PM - 7:00PM Sponsor: Sawyer Solutions Bernie’s On Main Street 115 South Main Street, Columbiana Reservations requested by August15. Investment: $10 investors, $20 “Future” investors. Entrepreneur Roundtable I 7:30AM - 8:30AM Presented By: Graham & Associates, CPAs Governmental Affairs Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Sain Associates, Two Perimeter Park South, Ste 500 East, Birmingham GSCC Community Luncheon “Healthcare Professional of the Year” Presenting Sponsor: St. Vincent’s Health System Doors open at 11:00AM. Program 11:30AM - 1:00PM. Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena 500 Amphitheater Rd, Pelham Reservations requested by noon, Monday, August 28. Investment: $20 investors, $30 “Future” investors.

SHELBY SPOTTED

3 Helena Summer Reading Kickoff

June 7 marked the kickoff of the annual Helena Summer Reading program with Magician Russell Davis. About 89 kids attended the morning show and another good crowd in the afternoon as both were equally entertained by Davisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; magic tricks. 1. Noah, Ethan and Michael Goldstone 2. Russell Davis with Sebastian and Pamela Molina and Rebeca Elias 3. Noah, Ethan and Michael Goldstone with Owen Hammel 4. Stephanie and Bella Kern 5. Owen Hammel 6. Mary Beth and Claire McKnight with Grace and Bradley Anderson 7. Roma, Allie and Charlotte McClure with Burkleigh Haley 8. Russell Davis with Ethan and Michael Goldstone

August 2017 | 61

SHELBY SPOTTED

QuiltFest 2017

QuiltFest 2017, which is hosted every other year by the Birmingham Quilters Guild, was held June 16-17 at Oak Mountain Middle School, featuring more than 350 quilts on display and about 1,500 attendees. The event included a judged show, vendors, a silent auction, door prizes, demonstrations and more. 1. Garrett Powers, Ann Warwick and Jake Brown 2. Alan Seitel, Judy Buster and Beverly Williamson 3. Christy Alverson 4. Juliette Watts 5. Sam Winover 6. Becky Blair 7. Deanna Turner and Teresa Marvets 8. Kenny and Joann Day 9. Ann Griffin 62 | ShelbyLiving.com

10. Peggy Rhodes, Jeannine Brown, Pat Lovelady and Virginia Bonham 11. Margaret Morales and Becky Seitel 12. Claire Gregory 13. Brenda McKewen, Pat Daughety, Greg Manning and Malia Manning

August 2017 | 63

SHELBY SPOTTED

GSCCC luncheon

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hosted its Small Businesses of the Year community luncheon on Wednesday, May 24, at the Pelham Civic Complex. 1. Maddie Swinsick, Traci Fox, Brook Qualls and Emily Jacks 2. Marie Romano, Deb Gamel, Betty Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor and Sybil Owens 3. Amanda and Maurice Mercer 4. Bob Foust and Laurie Stroud 5. Karen Stokes with Sherrie and Tommy Pippin 6. Hunter Smith, Mary Laughery and Kristie Stack 7. Keith and Lori Tatum 8. Michael Coleman and Jon Fuller 9. Peggy and John Turner

64 | ShelbyLiving.com

SHELBY SPOTTED

2017 Hoover Belles

The Hoover Belles Presentation Ceremony was held at Hyatt Regency-The Wynfrey Hotel.

6 7

1. Alexandra Ann Brocato, Madison Leeann Ellis and Callie Ann Ahearn 2. Caroline Elizabeth Kendrick, Celia Jean Simpson and Allie Westbrook Couch 3. Hoover officials and Hoover Belle Committee, from left, Councilman Derrick Murphy, Cathy Head, Jennie Alley, Cathy Connor-Fuller, Denise Shephard, Mayor Frank Brocato, Chair Kay Witt, Becky Walker, Vickie Griffith, Kim Milling and Jennifer Cotney 4. Reagan Nicole Green, Emily Michele Hagood and Kennedy Nicole Jackson 5. Morgan Grace Vanlandingham, Noel Elizabeth Rengering and Abigail Katherine Vandiver 6. Delaney Avery Langston, Kimberly Lauren Jolly and Emma Kathleen King 7. 2017 Hoover Belles August 2017 | 65

1 4 3

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce luncheon

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce awarded $3,500 in cash awards to Shelby County teachers and students during its fourth Student and Educator of the Year luncheon on Wednesday, April 26.

1. Natalie Jackson and Shelia Lewis 2. Carol Bruser, Ashley Ferguson and Calvin Gunn 3. Sara Askew and Debbie Horton 4. Shawn Nash, Genet Holcomb and Corey Furr with Amanda, Kelli and Tom Francis 5. Jay Peoples and April Brand 6. Kaylee and Cindy Littlefield 7. Jacob Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil, Al Dyal, Dalton Reynolds and Bravin Greer

66 | ShelbyLiving.com

8. Wendy and Sarah Kallaher with Sasha Baker 9. Andrew, Leah and Geri Warman 10. David Bobo and Christine Hoffman 11. Lori, Faith and Edward Blair

2016

August 2017 | 67

SHELBY SPOTTED

Pelham Palooza

Residents enjoyed free ice skating, fun games, food and shopping at Pelham Palooza on May 20 at the Pelham Civic Complex. 1. Micheal, Shaundra and Bethany Williams with Sophonia Cunningham and Thomas â&#x20AC;&#x153;TJâ&#x20AC;? Gordon 2. Pam Mitchell and Julie Addiss 3. Melissa Robinson and Ha mdya Adem 4. Kellee, Norah, Nick and Conor Munkachy 5. Erick Solis, Viridiana Franco, Javier Solis, Yarely Solis and Frieda Sofia 6. Franceso Solis, Frieda Sofia and Viridiana Franco 7. The Murphy family 8. Nick and Claira Cagle with Alexis Martin and Ashlynn Mears 9. Nancy, Aiden and Jay Woods

68 | ShelbyLiving.com

4 6

5 7

Alabaster CityFest

Thousands of visitors from across the region came to Alabasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Municipal Park on Saturday, June 3, to enjoy the 15th annual Alabaster CityFest.

1. Cierra and Jackie Richardson 2. Chrystal and Takias McCarter 3. Bryson and Jason Smith 4. Dana and Slade Jones 5. Aquil, Jordan and Angela AbdurRasheed 6. Bethany and Layla Buchanan 7. Mary Piazza and Christine Burley 8. Melissa, Will and Chad Leverett 9. Shay Walker, Donnie Brewster, April Brewster and Alyssa McClellan 10. Russann Woods with Anderson and Addie Pledger

August 2017 | 69

SHELBY SPOTTED

Happy Birthday, Hoover

More than 150 people gathered at the Hoover Public Library for an event called “Happy Birthday, Hoover” on June 3. 1. Zorica, Julia and Natalia Janjetovic 2. DeOisha, Lauren and Chris Davidson 3. Rebeca and Laura Rubio 4. Samantha, Mackenzie and Taylor Parker 5. Jade Gonzalez and Olivia Johnson 6. Geo and Christian Vilchis 7. Georgia and Mary Long 8. Amanda, Avery and Audrey Knight 9. Bailey and Alexa Kaman

70 | ShelbyLiving.com

10. Wenyi Jian, Yun Jian and Jasmine Zhang 11. Sean, Destiny, Valerie and Jensen Paul 12. Cori and Carmen Royal 13. Celia, Charlotte and Cynthia Gault

August 2017 | 71

SHELBY SPOTTED

Happy Birthday, Hoover

More than 150 people gathered at the Hoover Public Library for an event called “Happy Birthday, Hoover” on June 3. 1. Karla Parya, Leo Mercer, Lily Rosas and Gwen Rosas 2. Pushpa, Sarat, Bhavana and Vishwa Thokala 3. Angeline and Reyna Reyes 4. Lucas and Stacey Bray 5. Adria and Lucas Liliac 6. Zoe and Tiya Mitchell 7. Andrea, Audrey, Maya and Elijah Brown 8. Charity, Walker and Wade Russell 9. Amy, Garrett and Bryce Needham

72 | ShelbyLiving.com

SHELBY SPOTTED

3 5

Iron Giant Percussion Concert

Kids and parents enjoyed a free concert by Iron Giant Percussion and learned about making music at the Albert L. Scott Library on Monday, June 5.

6 7

1. Jessica Chriesman, Melissa Noble 2. Kelly Ramirez, Annie Gonzalez, Kevin Ramirez, Leslie Pardo 3. (Front) Josie Wynn, Camille Tamburello, Rose Tamburello (Back) Emily Wynn, Carolyn Guarino, Christie Tamburello 4. Austen Parker 5. Gabriel Wright 6. Samantha Chriesman 7. Brett Huffman, Sam Herman, Seth Noble, Justin Wallace

August 2017 | 73

SHELBY SPOTTED

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Helena June First Friday

Several people came out to Old Town Helena on Friday, June 2, for the monthly Helena First Friday event. Numerous retail and food vendors set up in Old Town for people to enjoy. 1. Kaitlyn McGairty and Callie Richie 2. Michelle and Adrianna Carriere 3. Taylor and Marianne Davis 4. Chelsea Maher and Chelsea Winborne 5. Charity, Walker and Wade Russell 6. Crystal Dixson and Jennifer Lee 7. Savannah, Kevin and Sterling Donahoe 8. Nicole Frank and Ashley Thomas 9. Jamie Reed and Carmen Cannady

74 | ShelbyLiving.com

Marketplace Shelby Living • 205.669.3131

Acceptance Loan Company, Inc. Personal Loans! Let us Pay Off Your Title Loans! 224 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham 205-663-5821 Be part of the next breakthrough Cancer treatment. Donate Today. Your donation funds lifesaving research, treatment and care. www.cancer.org Affordable Lawn Care Alabaster, Pelham, Helena All types of Lawn Care! Have the best lawn in the neighborhood! Free Estimates Military & Senior Discounts! (205)504-6134 Great Jobs ARE Out There... If You Know Where to Look! AIDT recruits, screens & trains qualified applicants for outstanding jobs statewide. All at NO COST to you! Visit www.aidt.edu/jobs today to view your opportunities! General Lawncare Weekly/bi-weekly grass cutting, including large properties, acreage, lake properties. Great rates! Free Estimates! Discounts for multiple properties. Serving Shelby and Chilton Counties. Call Alex: 205-955-3439 Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walk-in applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002 Pelham (205)444-9774 B&J Metal Fabricators Professional sheet metal replacement and fabrication on classic cars/trucks. $65.00/ hour for labor. Parts/supplies additional. Quotes based per job. Media blasting available. Powder coating coming soon. Montevallo area. (205)665-4687 (205)296-9988 Bama Concrete Hiring Mixer Drivers Local deliveries. Class-B+ CDL, 2yrs MINIMUM heavyhaul experience/Clean MVR. Competitive Pay/Great

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Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007

Vinyl by the Foot or by the Yard C&C Trophy & Sign, Inc. 209 6th ST N Clanton

Be Blessed Caregivers (205)381-2391 Need dependable, loving, dedicated care for your loved ones? Call us today for a free consultation. LicensedBonded-Insured. BathingDressing-Meals-Errands-Light House Cleaning-Medication Reminders-Hygiene. John3:16

CAGLE SOD FARM 419 Hybrid Bermuda • $1.35 sq.yd. Meyers Zoysia • $2.50 sq.yd. Empire Zoysia • $3.00 sq. yd. DELIVERY AVAILABLE 662-365-3152 www.caglesod.com

Beelman Truck Hiring Experienced Mechanics and Drivers. Great pay. Great benefits. Apply online at beelman.com or call 205-665-5507. Birmingham Hide & Tallow Immediate position for CLASS-B ROUTE DRIVERS FOR LOCAL ROUTE. WELLESTABLISHED 100+ YEAR COMPANY NOW HIRING ROUTE DRIVERS. HOME NIGHTS/WEEKENDS. LOOKING FOR HARD WORKING DRIVERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. CLEAN MVR/BG CHECK REQUIRED. COMPETITIVE PAY & BENEFITS: BCBC, 401K, PAID. HOLIDAYS/ VACATION, COMPANY FURNISHED UNIFORMS. CALL 205-425-1711 OR EMAIL: adria.lupien@bhtonline.com BRIARWOOD APARTMENTS Now Leasing! Beautiful 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments Mon & Wed 8:30am-4pm 535-A Hicks St, Montevallo 205-665-2257 TDD #’s: (V)1-800-548-2547 (T/A)1-800-548-2546 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. DELIVERY DRIVERS Local Grocery Distributor in Alabaster seeking qualified drivers. Delivery/unloading to multiple locations. Mon-Fri work week. Requirements: Valid DL, clean driving record. Benefits: Competitive wages, bonuses, benefits, opportunity for advancement. Call 205-397-1782. BTC Wholesale Distributors FOR SALE: Oracal Vinyl and Premium HTV

CAMP FIRE It’s a way of life. Camp Fire provides the experience to discover who they are, find their spark and become a leader now. www.campfire-al.org Carroll Fulmer Now Hiring Class-A CDL Drivers. Over-the-road positions Available. Dry vans. No hazmat. Must have one year over-theroad Experience and a clean MVR. Competitive pay and bonus Package. Good home time. Call 800-633-9710 ext. 2 CDL Drivers Needed! HOME DAILY! •$850-$1250/week •Paid Vacation after 1yr •Medical/Dental/Vision Avail. •New Equipment 2yrs Exp, Clean MVR, Drug Test Chris 205-446-5400 chrisgilliland01@gmail.com Regina (205)275-2293 rparker7770@gmail.com Danny (205)471-3177 dcgcfi@gmail.com FT Presser for Dry Cleaner. Salary, vacation, holidays, health & life insurance. Must have reliable transportation. Call Debbie: 205-588-6521 Hiring part-time salesmen for permanent morning shift Monday-Friday. $10/hour versus commission. Call 256•404•7897 and leave a message to be considered for the position. Got a Class A or Class B CDL? WE WANT YOU! We can even do OJT in some cases. We offer a NO overnight, NO Weekend 4-day workweek! You need to be able to drive a manual shift or automatic transmission truck. On some deliveries you will need to be able to lift at least 75 lbs- just letting you know up front (yep–we have hand trucks

and dollys though!) We start early-so you need to be able to wake before the roosters–but we don’t work late nights. We are a Birmingham based, family owned Company with a 90 year business history, so yeah– we are here to stay! Call 205-7954533 or send resume to trans@ citywholesale.com Library Director Chilton/Clanton Public Library Master of Library Science preferred, with 5 years supervisory library experience. Applicationsavailable at Clanton Library circulation desk, email darlene@chiltonclantonlibrary. org or by mail to the Chilton/Clanton Public Library 100 First Ave Clanton, AL 35045 Nationally known wholesale company needs Assistant Sales Manager •Hourly plus commission & bonuses! •No nights, weekends, holidays or travel! We market some of the hottest items out, like finger spinners, etc. $10/hour to start! Call 205-969-1797 Serious inquiries only! Ready to Work for the #1 Brand in the World? Now Hiring Class A-CDL Drivers for Coca-Cola Bottling United. Go to www.cocacolaunited.com to apply! Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation, LLC is currently looking for a few good people for the following positions: •PRN Dietary •PRN Housekeeping/Laundry •Full Time RN/LPN 7P-7A •Full Time CNA Night Shift •Part Time CNAs (Day and evening shifts) Please apply in person to: 22969 Hwy 25 Columbiana, AL 35051 Applications are accepted Monday-Friday 8:30A-4:00P. Coosa Valley Medical Center NOW HIRING! •LPNs: Post Acute Care •Respiratory Therapist: Sign on Bonus Email resume to: Blaine.Green@cvhealth.net or to apply, go to www.cvhealth.net

Full Time and Part Time RN’s Needed for home health in Bibb, Shelby and Chilton counties. Excellent Salary and Benefits. Please send resumes to jobs@rubic.com or call 866-273-3984 DCH Health System Caring. For Life. $5,000 *Sign-on Bonus for full time RNs *For More Info Contact Annie.Miller@dchsystem.com Apply online at: www.dchsystem.com EXPERIENCED ASPHALT EQUIPMENT OPERATORS Dunn Construction is now hiring for the following full-time positions: •Backhoe Operator: Must be able to demonstrate use of front and back of equipment. •CDL HAZMAT Drivers: Must hold current Commercial Driver’s License w/Hazmat endorsement, as well as clean driving record. 2 years experience is a must. •CDL Driver Class B or A: Must have at least 12 months’ experience operating dump truck. •Experienced Asphalt Equipment Operators •Asphalt Laborers: Looking to hire in Saginaw & Birmingham areas. •In search of anyone w/previous asphalt operations experience. 401K, health, vision, dental, life insurance, paid holidays, PTO benefits. E-Verify. To Apply: Go to dunnconstruction.com Click on “Working at Dunn,” scroll to the bottom of the page & click position to apply. If you have questions you can email careers@dunnconstruction.com EOE/Minorities/Females/ Disabled/Veterans PT/FT Farm Equipment Operator, Lawn Maintenance and Fork Lift Driver Needed Drug and Background Check Required. Apply In Person: 150 Princeton Lane Jemison, AL 35085 Plumbing Service & Repair Technician Requirements: •Journeyman’s plumbing card •Experience in Residential/

August 2017 | 75

Commercial service/repair/ drain cleaning/sewer work •Clean-cut/self-motivated •Good communication skills •Clean MVR/background/ drug test Email resume: john@jeffcoat.us ASE Auto Technician with Imports (German) experience. Candidate should have: •strong work ethic •own tools Quality & craftsmanship are important. www.empireautohaus.com Welder Training Short Term Licensing Call for Details 866-432-0430 ESDschool.com ETS Restorations Retaining Walls Concrete Work Demolition Landscaping Construction Tree Removal Tree Trimming Bobcat Work Hardscapes Hauling Residential & Commercial Free Estimates! (205)209-7787 Eastern Tree Service 24 Hour Storm Service www.ETSTree.org Experienced Professionals 205-856-2078 Quick Response Free Estimates $2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area. Must have Class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316. Now taking applications for: •Cook •Bartender •Waitress •Line Dance Instructor for growing business in Clanton. 205-755-4949 or 334-2350228 Now taking applications for: •Cook •Bartender •Waitress •Line Dance Instructor for growing business in Clanton. 205-755-4949 or 334-2350228 PELHAM LOCATION NOW OPEN:

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Monday-Saturday, 11am-8pm Sunday, 11am-2pm Try our ribs! Ask about our daily specials. 309 Huntley Parkway 624-4461 ONLINE AUCTIONS www.GTAOnlineAuctions.com 205-326-0833 Granger, Thagard & Assoc. Jack F. Granger #873 H&H Waterproofing Now Hiring Experienced Waterproofers. Must be able to pass background check and drug test. 205-670-0090 Hardee’s Now Hiring •Crew Members/Hoover •Management/Calera Email resume to: hardees2007@bellsouth.net LPN’s, RN’s, CNA’s Full-time & part-time • 2nd & 3rd Shift Apply in person: Hatley Health Care 300 Medical Ctr Dr Clanton, AL 35045 Looking for a wonderful place to live? NEW Meadow View Village Apartments. Columbiana, AL. Now Preleasing 2&3 Bedrooms. Great Amenities Provided. Call 256-560-0821 99 Eagle Lane info@hollyhand.com. Equal Housing Opportunity. Part Time Apartment Manager Immediate opening for part time apartment manager in Clanton, AL. Previous residential property management experience and/or Rural Development property preferred. Strong organizational, communication & computer skills. Ability to effectively multi-task. Position eligible for health insurance and paid time off. For Immediate Consideration Email Resume to: hiringdept0885@gmail.com Include in Subject Line: CLANTON Background checks will be run prior to starting employment. Clanton Villas 2806 7th Street Clanton, AL 35045 1 Bedroom Units Rental Office 205-755-9377 TDD/TTY 1-800-548-2546 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and Employer. International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Celebrating 100 years of justice, equality

and fairness in the workplace. BIRMINGHAM AREA INSULATORS LOCAL 78 THE HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS LOCAL 78 will be accepting applications for a four-year Apprenticeship Program. Applications will be accepted on Tuesdays only between 8:30am and 2:00pm at 2653 Ruffner Road Birmingham, AL 35210 205-956-2866 or craig@insulators78.org Applicants must be at least 18 years old and furnish proof of age. Applicants will be required to take a simple math test as well as an English comprehension test. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee is registered with the Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship Training and is an equal opportunity employer. DRIVERS NEEDED $2,000 Sign On Bonus J & M Tank Lines, Inc. Class-A CDL Local and OTR Drivers. GREAT BENEFITS! Health Insurance $9 Weekly. OTR Drivers Home 2 or More Times Weekly. jmtankjobs.com or call Jeff Sandlin @256-245-3933 J & W Professional Painting Interior • Exterior 205-788-2907 31 Years Experience! NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS Managers and Assistant Managers MONTEVALLO KFC 950 N. MAIN STREET MONTEVALLO, AL 35115 To apply send resumes to: Attn: Katie Badgwell 113 25th Ave East Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 (205) 553-8621 Katie@jmfkfc.com CDL TRUCK DRIVER For Tree Service Also hiring for other full-time and part-time jobs. Drug Test Required. 205-836-2038 or 205-229-7144 KEEPING IT REAL Cleaning Service Professional Quality with a Personal Touch and Fair Price. 10% OFF FIRST CLEANING for new clients! Call 567-5917 Kelly Educational Staffing® We’re hiring! •Substitute teachers •Aides •Cafeteria •Clerical •Custodial positions Shelby County School District & Alabaster City Schools. Please call 205-870-7154 -Equal Opportunity Employer-

Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb. com WE HAVE JOBS! · Machine Operator- Moody · Packers- Moody/ Hoover · Paint Line- Moody · Pickers/PackersAlabaster Lyons HR www.lyonshr.com/career-search (205)943-4820 Service Technician Top Pay, Benefits & Commission! Mainline Heating & Air 400 Hillwood Park S, Alabaster, AL Or email resume to: ashley@mainlineheating.com (205)664-4751 Marble Valley Manor Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga 256-245-6500 TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) 800-548-2546(T/A) Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Are you a motivated professional? Are you looking for a dynamic career? Are you ready to control your own level of success? See why McKinnons’ is an exciting place to work and grow. Now accepting applications for Sales, Service, and Detail Shop. Apply with the receptionist. 205-755-3430 Hiring CDL-A Drivers Sign-on Bonus Great Benefits Local Domicile Work Apply online at: MerchantsFood Service.com/Careers Shake up your career!!! Are you looking for something new and FUN? Milo’s is always looking for great managers to come join our growing and dynamic team. Apply online at miloshamburgers.com 280 Location Opening Now Hiring 3 shift Managers Pay Rate $9-$11 20-25 Employees Pay Rate $7.75-$8.50. Must have own transportation and flexible schedule. Apply at recruiting.talentreef.com/ momma-goldbergs-deli (205)503-6190

Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son’s in Clanton. Call Lane at 205-389-4530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-965-8657 Certified Crane Operator Position. Must have current crane license for telescoping boom cranes, DOT physical. Birmingham Area Call 205-672-2403 for more information Ignite Your Career with Mspark! For current openings, visit: www.mspark.com/ourcompany/careers/ or send resume: apollard@mspark.com. Mspark offers competitive compensation, benefits and a team-oriented work environment. EOE. INDUSTRIAL CLEANING IN VANCE Requirements: •18 Years Old •HS Diploma/GED •Able to work variable shifts/ weekends/holidays •Able to lift up to 50lbs constantly, stand on your feet for 8hrs •Able to pass drug screen/ background check Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Production / Manufacturing Vance, Alabama Starting pay: $12.00 – $14.50 /hr. • Have 2 years+ Production/ Manufacturing experience. • Have Recently Lived in Alabama at least 2 years. • Have A High School Diploma or GED. • Are at least 18 years old. Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Odyssey Early Schools Birmingham’s Best Daycare/ Preschool is Seeking Experienced Teachers. 4 Year Degree Preferred. Full-Time. BEST Pay. FULL Benefits (Insurance, Leave, Holidays). Call Annie Fine 205-991-0039. Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquires only. Call 334-4090035 or apply on-line at www.Oxfordhealthcare.com

LPNs NEEDED Oxford Healthcare seeking LPNs, RNs, and CNAs to provide patients with in-home care in Pelham, Hoover, Alabaster, Montevallo Call (205)608-1612 or visit us at helpathome.com Popeye’s Operated by PAP of AL, LLC Full-Time Assistant Manager Pelham/Sylacauga Must have at least 6-12 months food management experience. Apply online at: work4popeyeskitchen.com Cook/Server Needed Breakfast Shift (approx. 3am-1pm) Must be able to work some weekends and holidays. Apply at: Peach Park Express 2320 7th Street South Class A CDL Drivers Needed Immediately for Dump Trailer Hauling • $2000 Retention Bonus • Local Hauling • Home Nights APPLY ONLINE: www.perdidotrucking.com Perdido Trucking Service, LLC 251-470-0355 AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET Available where you live! Call Today for this Limited Time Offer! www.pbsinternet.com 800-266-4409 PLUMBERS & PLUMBER HELPERS Call or Text 205-432-9049 NOW HIRING Regional Class-A Driver Positions For Our Finley Blvd. Location •Competitive weekly pay (direct-deposit) •Full-benefits including 401K •Health/Life insurance •Safety Bonuses •Minimum weekly pay: $700(guaranteed) Call 270-250-3595 for more information or visit pylestransport.com to apply. Regional Drivers are home every weekend and often mid-week for rest period. FREON 12 WANTED: R12 collecting dust in your garage? We pay CA$H for R12 EPA cert. We pick up Call now for April pickup: (312)291-9169 sell@refrigerantfinders.com 3/2 Garden Home Calera Schools Easy access to HWY 31 & I-65 W/D hook-ups, Dishwasher

Fenced backyard. No Pets. Rent $1250 (205)433-9811 PRE-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY Lead Teachers For 18-24mos AND Lead Teachers For Pre-School Age Morning and Afternoon Opportunities Call: 205-601-9482 or Email: queenmoore1956@ gmail.com ROSS NEELY TRUCK LINES •NOW HIRING• TRUCK DRIVERS-OTR If you are a professional CDL A Driver, have two years experience, a good safety recrod, and want to GET HOME ON THE WEEKENDS apply online at www.rossneely.com or apply by email at jeff@rossneely.com Saiia Construction Co. ISO: CDL Long-Haul Drivers. Requirements: OTR experience driving lowboy trailers; transporting heavy oversized loads; experience with heavy equipment required; ability to work in outside environments, safety-oriented, and teamplayer. Overtime available. Great opportunity. Competitive compensation/benefit package. Email: DVeigl@saiia.com or fax: 205-943-2258 Saiia Construction Company seeks equipment operators in the Alabaster area with the ability to operate various types of equipment including: dozers, excavators, rock trucks, and motor graders. 2+yrs. operating exp. MSHA training a plus. Must have dependable transportation, able to work in outside environments, safety oriented, and team player. We have day and night shift work, overtime is available. Great opportunity. Competitive compensation and benefit package. If you are interested contact Johnny Pipp 205.943.2214 or email jpipp@saiia.com Innovative Salon and Spa in Helena searching for talented, dependable Cosmetologist, Massage Therapist and Esthetician. Join the Serenity Team. Now accepting applications by email: serenity@serenity-salonandspa. com ServiceMaster is Hiring Parttime Fire Cleaning Techs WILL TRAIN! Must pass background check/drug test, have reliable transportation & good driving record. Serious Inquiries Call (205)424-4211 We are currently in need of

experienced CNC Machinists. Excellent pay and benefit package. Qualified applicants may apply at: Shelby Machine & Tool 160 Mullins Drive Helena, AL 205-621-6711 Order Selectors Food Dist. Center in Pelham. Day-Shift: Mon-Fri. 40+ hours/week 10:00AM until finished (varies). Salary: $16-20/hr after training. Benefits: Medical, vision, dental, vacation & 401k. Requirements: •Reading & math skills •Lift 40 lbs. repetitively •Work in -10 Temperature Apply in person: 8:30AM-5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 resume@southeasternfood.com Immediate Positions!!!! Positions needed: Warehouse • Sales Reps • Assistant Manager • Delivery Drivers • Customer Service. Laid back atmosphere, good pay, plenty of hours available! Company vehicles to qualified individuals! Call Andrew 9am-7pm • Mon-Sat at (205)490-1003 or (205)243-6337 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/Pelham Call Stephen (205)663-2822 SUNCREST HOME HEALTH CLANTON, AL Is Growing!! We have immediate, full time and PRN needs for RN, LPN, PT, PTA, OT, and COTA’s. MUST have one year of clinical experience! Apply online at: www.almostfamily.com/careers. php For questions, please call the agency at 205-280-4663 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al.com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327. TARGET AUCTION Advanced Real Estate Marketing 800-476-3939 www.targetauction.com TaylorMade Transportation Hiring CDL Drivers for

Flatbed Regional Division! BCBS Insurance After 30 Days. To apply call: (334)366-2269 or email: s.smith@taylormadeinc.com The Painting Company of Birmingham Immediate openings for professional residential and commercial painters. Must be able to speak English. Call 205-995-5559 HIRING EXPERIENCED CDL-A COMPANY TANKER DRIVERS IN YOUR AREA! Regional runs-Chemical hauls *Get Home Weekly!* **Earn $60K+ Per Year** Average 2,000-2,500 miles/ week. Paid product training-$800/ week. Full benefits+401K. CDL-A, 2-Years Tractor Trailer Experience, tanker/hazmat endorsements, passport & TWIC required. Call 888-572-3662! www.trimac.com OTR Drivers Wanted 24 Years or Older Hazmat preferred but not required. Full benefit Package available. Pneumatic tank equipment. Dry bulk hauling. $500 SIGN ON BONUS Home every other weekend. Apply online: Vernonmilling. com 800-753-1993 Become a Dental Asst. in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205) 561-8118 and get your career started! Caregivers Needed ASAP! Competitive hourly pay. Call Visiting Angels at (205)719-1996 to discuss. FLATBED DRIVERS OTR Flatbed Trucking Co. now hiring Company Drivers and Leasing Owner Operators with 2 yrs exp. 205-592-3422 www.watkinstrucking.com NOW HIRING CDL-A DRIVERS w/Haz. $5000 Sign-On Bonus. Apply online: www.westernintl. com or Corporate Office: 979-413-2140 $5000 SIGN-ON BONUS! HIRING CDL TEAM A DRIVER Apply online: www.westernintl. com Or Contact Corporate: Western International Gas & Cylinders 979-413-2140 or 979-413-2192 (EOE)

or send resume to whatleybuilders@ businessmailbox.com Tree Nursery Worker Needed Responsible w/mechanical skills. To operate forklift/farm tractors/ equipment/welding/ground maintenance/service equipment/ check fluid levels/clean after use. Maintain safe/clean area. Requires valid-DL/reliable transportation. 334-365-2488 Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc $1,000 SIGN-ON-BONUS DRIVER PAY RAISE EFFECTIVE JUNE 2017! Longevity-Bonus. Quarterly Safe-Driving AWARD. Competitive Pay Package. PAID Orientation. NEW Fleet of Trucks. Call 1-855-777-9785 & ask for Dale or Brandy. Nights/weekends, call Jeffrey: 334-372-5049 Ron: 1-850-454-4276 Richard: 334-492-0803 Experienced Automotive Tech Duties: Engine diagnostics brakes/ac work/etc Auto-Lube Tech Duties: oil changes/mount & balance tire/light maintenance work.Competitive pay/benefits (205)995-5520 or (205)6883333 Wiregrass Construction Company is seeking experienced asphalt CDL TRUCK DRIVERS. Must be dependable. Excellent benefits. Interested applicants may apply: 951 Dow Street Pelham, AL 35124 (205)620-4132 or 151 Piper Lane Alabaster, AL 35007 (205)605-0753. 8AM to 5PM, M-F. WCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. YARD SPOTTER Immediate Opening-F/T or P/T Class-A-CDL required to shuttle trailers from truck-yard to loading area. Benefits available for F/T positions. Apply In Person: Woodgrain Distribution (EOE) 80 So. Shelby St., Montevallo 205-665-2546 (Ext.207) ksenecal@woodgrain.com

Experienced Carpenter Needed Please Call 205-755-8555

August 2017 | 77

OUT & ABOUT Hoops for Hope basketball tournament

Save the O’s 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Alabaster Farmer’s Market

Aug. 2

Albert L. Scott Library Youth Programs: The Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster will hold Tunes and Tales for all ages on Wednesdays in August at 3:30 p.m., and Toddler Tales on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 3

Mt Laurel Book Club: The Mt Laurel Book Club will meet at the North Shelby Library on Aug. 3 from 7-9 p.m. to discuss “The Daughter of Time” by Josephine Tey. No registration is required; anyone can drop by and join in the discussion. Refreshments are usually served. For more information, call (205) 991-1660.

Aug. 4

Movies in the Park: Helena’s final Movies in the Park for the season will be held Aug. 4. The 3D computer-animated musical comedy film “Sing” will be shown Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. or dusk at the Helena Amphitheater. The showing is free and open to the public. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, and refreshments may be purchased from the concession stand. PCS Summer Care Program: Pelham City Schools will offer a summer care program through Aug. 4 for incoming kindergarten through sixth grade students. The program 78 | ShelbyLiving.com

will be housed at Pelham Ridge Elementary School on Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration costs $20 and is currently open to students who are enrolled in PCS. The program costs $125 per week, which doesn’t include the cost of field trips.

Aug. 5

Alabaster Farmer’s Market: The Alabaster Farmer’s Market will be held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Aug. 5 at the Alabaster Municipal Complex, 1953 Municipal Way, Alabaster. The market will feature Market Sprouts, handson educational program for kids; and Music at the Market.

Aug. 7

Teen Robotics: Come join the robotics group at the Pelham Public Library led by IT Librarian Matt on Aug. 7 and Aug. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so call ahead. All ages are welcome. Level 1 – Sphero; Level 2 – Mindstorms EX3; and Level 3 – Arduino. Register as there are a limited number of robots. For more information, call (205) 6206418.

Aug. 10

Shelby County “After 5” Women’s Connection: The group will host a special evening on Aug. 10 from 6:308 p.m. at Boutique Bazaar,

located at 633 11th Ave. S.W. in Alabaster. Models will present a roaming fashion show displaying upcoming fall styles as attendees dine. The event also will include special music, door prizes and an inspirational speaker. Tickets are $15, or $10 for first-time guests (cash or checks only). Attendees will be free to shop in the boutique after the event. Reservations are essential by Aug. 6. All reservations must be kept and paid for unless cancelled by Aug. 6. For reservations, contact Myra at 587-5542 or mroberts@bmss. com, or Kristi at 566-3192 or kmcerice@gmail.com.

Aug. 11

Back-to-School Bash Color Run: The first Back-to-School Bash Color Run and fundraiser will be held Aug. 11 to benefit the cheerleading programs through Alabaster City Schools. The event will kick off at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. with carnival-type activities such as face-painting, balloon animals and inflatables. The fun run, for ages 10 and under, will take place at 6 p.m. and the 5K will start at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Veterans Park in Alabaster. Weekend prayer conference at Valleydale Church: Valleydale Church will sponsor a special weekend prayer

conference for the congregation Aug. 11-12. Author and speaker Allen M. Baker will meet with Valleydale leaders and members on Saturday, and will speak at both morning services on Sunday. Valleydale Church is located at 2324 Valleydale Road in Hoover. For more information, visit Valleydale. org.

Aug. 12

Hoops for Hope basketball tournament: Nonprofit organization Blanket Fort Hope will host a three-onthree basketball tournament fundraiser called Hoops for Hope on Aug. 12 at Pelham High School. The proceeds from the fundraiser will help Blanket Fort Hope raise money to build a safe house for child victims of human trafficking. The tournament can allow up to about 65 teams. Teams of three can sign up for the tournament for $100. Registration can be completed online at BlanketFortHope.org, under the “Events” tab, until Aug. 9. Teams can also register in person on PHS on the day of the event. The tournament is free for the public to attend, but donations would be appreciated.

Aug. 17

NSL Book Club: The North Shelby Library Book Club will meet Thursday, Aug. 17 from

10:30 a.m. to noon in the Library Conference Room (upstairs in the Business Office) unless otherwise noted. Fiction and nonfiction books are typically selected at least six months in advance. Books are chosen by group members. For more information, call Michelyn Reid at (205) 439-5510.

OUT & ABOUT

Aug. 19

Save the O’s 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run: The Save the O’s 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run hosted by Greystone Golf and Country Club in loving memory of Lori Johnson will be held Aug. 19 at 8 a.m. The race day agenda is as follows: 6:30 a.m., registration opens; 7 a.m., DJ and food; 7:30 a.m., 5K registration closes; 8 a.m., 5K starts; 8:45 a.m., 1 Mile Fun Run closes; 9:15 a.m., 1 Mile Fun Run starts; and 9:30 a.m., awards and annual belly flop competition. Participants are urged to bring a swimsuit and hang out at the Greystone Country Club swimming pool for the day. For more information, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Hoover/ SavetheOs5K. Teen Council Back-to-School Bash: On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Alabaster Teen Council will hold its annual Back-to-School Bash for all middle and high school students at Municipal Park off Warrior Drive between Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School, featuring vendors, concessions, live music, karaoke and sports competitions. For more information, visit Facebook.com/AlabasterTeen.

Aug. 21

Montevallo Farmers’ Market: The Montevallo Farmers’ Market will be open every Monday through Aug. 21, from 3-6 p.m. in the parking lot behind Montevallo First Baptist Church. For more information, call (205) 665-1519. Solar Eclipse Viewing Party: Watch the most exciting celestial event of the year at the North Shelby Library or the Mt Laurel Library on Aug. 21 from 12:30-3 p.m. Sign up to reserve a pair of Solar Eclipse Viewing Glasses. Glasses will be handed out to registered participants at the event. Starting at 12:30 p.m., staff will go over instructions for safe viewing, and the eclipse will be at peak visibility around 1:30 p.m. There will also be a live stream of the eclipse in the event of bad weather or poor visibility. Supplies are limited; register while there are still spaces and glasses available. Each family member must be registered individually to receive a pair of glasses. All ages, registration required. To register, call (205) 439-5504 for North Shelby Library, (205) 991-1660 for Mt Laurel Library or visit northshelbylibrary. evanced.info/signup/calendar. Contact Savannah Kitchens for more information at nschildrenslibrarian@shelbycounty-al.org or (205) 439-5504.

Aug. 26

Helena Market Days: Helena Market Days will be held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Aug. 26 at the Helena Amphitheater, and will feature new and returning vendors and artisans. The MarketPlace at Lee Branch: The MarketPlace at Lee Branch will be held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Aug. 26 at the Lee Branch Shopping Center parking lot near the Shopping at Lee Branch and Carmike Cinemas. The market will include vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, artisan products, free cooking demonstrations, live music and more.

EVENT PRESENTED BY THE COMER/COSBY GROUP AT MERRILL LYNCH

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WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

Bragan Feldman:

“I wanted to work, live and raise my family in this great county”

Photograph CONTRIBUTED icknamed the “Queen of Shelby County,” 35-year-old Bragan Feldman of Chelsea is heavily invested in her native county. She attended Thompson High School, where her dad was a biology teacher, and then transitioned to Chelsea High School to be closer to home. She earned a degree in communication and minors in political science, business and theatre from Auburn University. She and her husband, Zack, have a daughter, Grier Lillianne, 9, and a son, Barrett Benjamin, 6. Bragan is a member of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, the Vignette Club, a Parent Teacher Organization volunteer and attends Lakeside Baptist Church.

What do you love about Shelby County? I was born and raised in Shelby County. I was offered jobs outside of the south and interviewed with large companies in Atlanta, but my heart always pulled me home. My roots were in Shelby County, and I knew I wanted to work, live and raise my family in this great county. The wonderful education system has always been a driving force for the success of Shelby County, the growth of the communities are far exceeding national rates, and the unique businesses and retail opportunities across the county are phenomenal. I would live here just for the food! But what I love the most about Shelby County is that sense of family you get in each of the communities. Since being named the executive director of Columbiana Main Street, what have you and your team members done as part of this ongoing project? Tapping into the enthusiasm and hometown atmosphere, Columbiana 80 | ShelbyLiving.com

Main Street has partnered with forward thinking leaders within both the public and private sectors to form a realistic action plan for revitalization of the historic downtown that is attracting developers, businesses and customers. Over $1.2 million dollars have been invested publicly and privately into Columbiana Main Street in the first year of designation. This has significantly impacted vacant downtown properties, motivating property owners to re-invest in a vibrant and welcoming downtown. They have brought new events to the area like Touch-a-Truck, that have been extremely successful, and have brought positive change to other events so that they benefit the local merchants and city. The area economic development has seen five new full-time positions created, four new businesses, building façade renovations and over 450 volunteer hours. What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? We love Auburn football. Saturdays in the fall, we can be found on the Plains. Zack was in the Auburn University Marching Band while at Auburn, and I was a Diamond Doll for the baseball team. My uncle (Billy Erwin) played football at Auburn, and my other uncle (Rodney Rushing) played baseball at

Auburn, while the rest of my family all graduated from Auburn. Our kids didn’t have a chance when it came to fandom. Grier was born in November and was at her first game that next year at 9 months. Barrett was born in June and at his first Auburn game that September. They haven’t missed a home game yet. It’s just what we enjoy doing together as a family. It creates memories we won’t ever forget. What is one of your favorite spots in Shelby County? Is it possible to like too many to count? One of Shelby County’s hidden gems is the George Washington Museum in Columbiana. Every time I visit I see a new detail, I am in awe of the American History housed there. Heardmont Park on Friday nights in the fall with the band marching out, it’s a feeling that makes your heart smile because you know the hard work the kids and staff have put in, and that’s where it comes to fruition. The National Cemetery in Montevallo, it humbles me and fills me with pride at the same time. My grandfather who served during World War II has his service honor brick there. This is the place where love of country and patriotism realize that “thanks” will never be enough for the sacrifice the men and women of the United States Military make for us. My favorite place growing up was the rest area on top of Double Oak Mountain, where the entrance of Highland Lakes is now. We would pack picnic lunches and bring our kites to the top and look out over North Shelby County and the valleys back to Chelsea. The most romantic place in Shelby County is at King’s Chair in Oak Mountain State Park. I’m pretty sure a historic marker should be placed there – that’s where Zack proposed and we became the greatest duo since peanut butter and jelly. l

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