Hoover's Magazine, Fall 2023

VOTED #1 REAL ESTATE AGENCY

We’re honored to have been named Hoover’s #1 real estate agency and top in customer service for three years in a row. We are A Relationship Company, and we take pride in being a part of the community that we love to call home. Whether you are buying, selling, or investing, our top priority is always the same –the satisfaction and success of every client. We are more than just REALTORS®, we are your neighbors and your friends. We would love for you to visit us at our office in Stadium Trace Village and say hello!

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THE DINING GUIDE

A guide to some of the best local eateries around town.

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THESE THREE

Remembering Kristi Metz through the lens of faith, hope and love–Christ-like characteristics she embodied in her own walk of faith.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COMMUNITY INFLUENCERS

It’s the people who make Hoover the community that it is! Here we recognize some of those who are making an impact on others around them through their businesses.

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HIT THE ROAD

HITHER & YON

Go farther afield this fall with trips to some spots that might not have been on your radar before.

arts & culture

15 The Suzuki Method: Teaching a Love of Music

24 Here at the Hoover Public Library: Up Next this Fall

25 Read this Book: Stephanie Beaver’s Best Spooky Reads

schools & sports

27 Fishing for Gold: Meet the HHS Anglers

34 Five Questions For: Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover 2024

food & drink

35 A Tribute: Sedesh Boodram Wilkerson's Culinary Career

44 Five Questions For: Harrison Jones, Manager of Kilwins in Hoover

home & style

45 Blending Cultures: A Perfect Harmony in Design

PHOTO BY KELSEA SCHAFER

EDITORIAL

Anna Grace Moore

Barton Perkins

Donald Mottern

Noah Wortham

CONTRIBUTORS

Stephanie Beaver

James Culver

Rachel Culver

Lauren Dowdle

Blair Ramsey

Christiana Roussel

Kelsea Schafer

Heather Skaggs

Untold Imagery

DESIGN

Sydney Allen

Jamie Dawkins

Rowan Futrell

Connor Martin-Lively

MARKETING

Octavia Campbell

Evann Campbell

Jessica Caudill

Kari George

Michaela Hancock

Rachel Henderson

Rhett McCreight

Lauren Morris

Viridiana Romero

Tori Montjoy Smith

ADMINISTRATION

Alec Etheredge

Mary Jo Eskridge

Madison King

Stacey Meadows

Tim Prince

Brittany Schofield

Savana Tarwater

Anna Willis

Lauren Dowdle, Writer

An award-winning writer, Lauren lives in Hoover with her husband, daughter and four fur-babies. She writes for a variety of local, national and international publications. A graduate from the University of Alabama, Lauren played the tuba in the Million Dollar Band, which is how she met her husband. When she isn’t writing or chasing around a toddler, she loves to bake for friends and family.

Blair Ramsey, Photographer

Blair is a Vestavia Hills-based photographer whose company, Southern Intrigue Photography, specializes in sports action, portrait and commercial images. Blair and her husband, John, have two sons, Cooper and Cameron, who have both had the privilege of being Auburn cheerleaders. Blair’s work can be found at southernintriguephotography. com, on Instagram @southernintriguephotography and Facebook @southernintrigue.

Christiana Roussel, Writer

Where should we have dinner? Where should we go on our next family vacation or couple’s getaway? What kind of shotgun should I buy? These are all queries writer Christiana Roussel has answered in recent months. While food writing is her original passion, she has really enjoyed expanding her repertoire to include travel and sporting activities that might involve an upland adventure. And no, it is not just because there might be a need for new clothes for the expedition.

Kelsea Schafer, Photographer

Kelsea is a student at Hoover High School. She lives in Hoover with her family and two dogs, Fendi and Riley. When not in class, she is behind the camera, shooting sports, events or senior portraits wherever possible while running Kelsea Schafer Photography. During her free time, she is often at Lewis Smith Lake, enjoying all things sun, boating and wake surfing with her family and friends.

Hoover’s Magazine is published quarterly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Hoover’s Magazine 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, Hoover’s Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Hoover’s Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Hoover, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit HooversMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting HooversMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@hooversmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

A Heart in a Home

A home can be a beautiful blend of cultural design when it fosters fellowship between those living within.

Photo by Kelsea Schafer Design by Rowan Futrell

WWhat does it mean to fail forward, exactly? At 17 years old competing for a full-ride speech scholarship to the University of Alabama, I couldn’t tell you. My senior year of high school, I competed in original oratory and impromptu speaking, placing in every single competition but one–the one that mattered most to me.

During the preliminary round, I had just come off a high, having earned great scores from all of my judges in original oratory thus far; that is, until I had one judge who didn’t just hate my act, but also seemed quite embarrassed to witness my speech.

I sat down in a nervous wreck. I thought I had performed well, but obviously, I’d missed out on the secret to winning–by a landslide. It didn’t help that when practicing my speech, I’d retreated to what I thought was the women’s restroom before my event for some solace to ease my anxiety.

A guy on crutches stumbled in, immediately apologized and as he awkwardly tried to hobble away, re-read the sign on the door, saying very conspicuously, “Men’s.” I was in the wrong restroom.

This student debater hobbled in just after my flop, and of course, performed with flying colors. The judge loved him, and after his performance, offered a few tips to just me in front of the other contestants in the room.

My point in this painful retelling of “the scholarship that got away?” I did not understand the positivity in failing.

As I think about students returning to school this fall, I can’t help but wonder what they are feeling. Anxiety or excitement? Are they saying a farewell to summer and eagerly looking forward to going back to school, or are they mourning that the dog days of summer are coming to a close?

With all of the activities students may partake in this fall, no matter how they feel about coming back to school, I wanted to encourage them that youth is a precious gift that often goes unappreciated until one’s later years in life. Youth’s lessons, such as learning from failing, are also ones that some don’t understand until later on.

Students, if ever you experience an “epic fail” this fall, or any time in your high school career, remember this: Accepting failure does not mean accepting defeat; rather, it is an opportunity to grow and learn life lessons such as walking in humility. Have a wonderful start to the school year, students!

I wish you all well,

@hooversmag

Tag us in your Hoover photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.

@herodoughnuts

Lil’ heroes fueled by hero

Thanks for sharing this sweet moment with us @laurenwitmyer

@kelsea.schafer.photos

What a great weekend for each team to show their skills at the @gohustleup 7on7 #regional tournament and the #national tournament! Here’s a few more favorites from this weekend!

@lauryne.weddings

Dreamy details for Cecilia

Invitation Suite: @gracefullymadeart

Photography: @ericandjamiephoto

Planning & Design: @lauryne.weddings

Florals: @verafloradesign

@soireeeventgallery

Introducing the Pearsons! When it comes to weddings, your special day deserves a special venue!

#SayIDoAtSoirée Our venue is the perfect setting for your nuptials. Click the link in our bio to learn more!

Skydive

-Erin Huttula

-Katherine Love Travel

New Zealand/ Australia as well as Ireland/ Scotland and England, too.

-Jeff Huemmer

I’ve always wanted to go to New York during Christmas time. I want to ice skate at Rockefeller Center and watch them light the giant tree!

-Michelle Love

HEAD OVER TEAL 5K & 10K

SEPT. 23

8 A.M. The Preserve

The 14th annual Head Over Teal 5k/10k is back, benefitting the Hoover-based non-profit, the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation “LCBF.” Since 2009, the LCBF has granted more than $650,000 for early detection research for ovarian cancer and more than $250,000 in financial support to thousands of GYN cancer patients. This race’s participants can run, walk or leisurely stroll to the finish line. Food, drinks and family-friendly activities will be available for participants and sponsors after the event concludes. For more information, visit thinkoflaura. org/headoverteal.

THE GUIDE

SEPT. 28-30

Vintage Market Days of Birmingham

The Finley Center

Vintage Market Days is celebrating its 11th anniversary! Don’t miss this opportunity to shop local vendors showcasing vintage goods, antiques, handmade luxuries, art, jewelry, holiday gifts and more. Visit vintagemarketdays. com/market/Birmingham for more information.

The 60th Annual Bluff Park Art Show

9 A.M.-5 P.M.

Bluff Park Community Park

517 Cloudland Drive

Calling all artists and enthusiasts! The Bluff Park Art Show is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and will feature more than 100 artists with mediums including painting, drawing, woodworking, sculpting, metalwork, jewelry and more! Admittance is free, and this event is open to the public.

Attendees can enjoy live musical performances by Jordan Beam from 10 a.m.-noon and The Bearded Gents from 2-4 p.m. Food trucks including Eugene’s Hot Chicken, GR’s Smokehouse, Southern Coffee and Waffles, Sno Biz Bham, Travelin’ Toms Coffee, Urban Pops, Cookie Barr and Blacktop Bistro will be on-site, ready to serve patrons. Learn more about this highly-anticipated event at bluffparkartassociation.org.

EVERY TUESDAY

THROUGHOUT THE FALL

Tuesday Night Trivia

The Electric

THROUGH NOV. 18

The Farmers Market at Brock’s Gap

Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

SEPT. 7

Vestavia Hills Health and Wellness Fair

Vestavia Hills Civic Center

SEPT. 12

Bonsai & Brews

Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

SEPT. 16

Celebrate the Family Expo The Finley Center

SEPT. 16

Golden Rule Back to School Bash

Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

SEPT. 16

The 20th Annual Miles for Smiles 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run 2823 Central Ave

SEPT. 16

Hold the Fort 5K and 10K Oak Mountain State Park

SEPT. 16

Nickelback

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

SEPT. 21

Goldens at the Gap Presented by Adopt a Golden Birmingham

Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

SEPT. 21

Furnace Fest Kick-Off Party Iron City Bham

SEPT. 21

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce’s September

Membership Luncheon

Hoover Country Club

SEPT. 24

VHMC Fall Festival

Vestavia Hills Methodist Church

SEPT. 28

Business After Hours

2980 John Hawkins Pkwy

OCT. 3

The 22nd Annual Fall Social Work Conference

The Hyatt Regency Hotel

OCT. 4

Janelle Monae: The Age of Pleasure Tour

Presented by Avondale Brewing Company

OCT. 5

Taste of Hoover Aldridge Gardens

OCT. 7

Oktoberfest

Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

OCT. 12

Coffee and Contacts

Presented by the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce

3920 Colonnade Pkwy

OCT. 12-15

Stomp Muni Fest 2023

Oak Mountain State Park

OCT. 15

John Crist: The Emotional Support Tour

Presented by The Alabama Theatre

OCT. 15

Outlaw Music Festival

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

OCT. 19

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce’s October

Membership Luncheon

Inverness Country Club

OCT. 19

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s Golf Classic

RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley

NOV. 4-5

The 18th Annual Moss Rock Festival

The Hoover Metropolitan Complex

Explore nature, art, design and “smart living” at the 18th Annual Moss Rock Festival! This festival will take place outdoors in the parking lot of the Hoover Metropolitan Complex and will feature a huge variety of artists

and designers, displaying their crafts. Attendees can browse art mediums including painting, jewelry-making, metalworking, quilting, drawing, woodworking and more! There’s something for everyone at this festival, so don’t miss out! Stay up to date on this event at mossrockfestival.com.

NOV. 16-18

Market Noel

The Finley Center

Hosted by the Junior League of Birmingham, Market Noel showcases more than 100 merchants’ work, including handmade items, art, jewelry, artifacts and more. All of which will make great holiday gifts. This event’s hours are Thursday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Learn

more about the Junior League of Birmingham’s mission and this holiday shopping extravaganza at marketnoel. net.

Spain Park High School

Varsity Football

Everyone’s favorite Jags are kicking off the season strong!

AUG. 25: at Calera

SEPT. 1: vs. Briarwood Christian

SEPT. 8: vs. Hoover

SEPT. 15: vs. Thompson

SEPT. 22: at Vestavia Hills

OCT. 6: at Tuscaloosa County

OCT. 13: vs. Chelsea

OCT. 20: at Hewitt-Trussville

OCT. 27: at Oak Mountain

NOV. 2: vs. Pelham

OCT. 20 Moon Taxi

Presented by Avondale Brewing Company

OCT. 21

The Homewood First Responders 5K The Trak Shak

2839 18th St. S.

OCT. 22

Pink Up the Pace 5K & Fun Run

Crestline Field at Crestline Elementary School

OCT. 29

The 11th Annual Homewood Witches Ride

Homewood Central Park

OCT. 29

The Bluff Park Witches Ride

Beginning at Shades Cliff Pool and ending at The Electric in Bluff Park

November

OCT. 31

The Mystics of Mountain Brook Parade

Crestline Village

NOV. 2

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Open House

The Shops of Downtown Homewood

NOV. 4

Natalie Grant

Presented by The Lyric Theatre

NOV. 5

Lil Uzi Vert

Presented by Avondale Brewing Company

NOV. 16

Crestline Holiday Open House

The Shops of Crestline Village

Hoover High School Varsity Football

Come out to cheer on the Bucs as they tackle this season!

AUG. 25: vs. Auburn

SEPT. 1: vs. Oak Grove

SEPT. 8: at Spain Park

SEPT. 15: at Vestavia Hills

SEPT. 22: vs. Hewitt-Trussville

SEPT. 29: vs. Mountain Brook

OCT. 6: vs. Oak Mountain

OCT. 13: at Tuscaloosa County

OCT. 20: at Chelsea

OCT. 27: vs. Thompson

ARTS CULTURE&

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Teaching children the value of music through character-building initiatives.

BY HEATHER SKAGGS

PHOTOS BY BLAIR RAMSEY

OOpening the doors of STEP Birmingham in Hoover, one’s ears fill with the notes and melodies of kids learning the art of music by the educational movement known as the Suzuki Method.

Dominic, Benedict and Maximilian Lang started their music journey with the Suzuki Method before moving to Birmingham in 2017 and wanted to continue their craft in the same way. The boys’ parents, Justin and Amanda Lang, found STEP Birmingham—Suzuki Talent Education Program in Hoover at 3201 Lorna Road and knew the family had discovered their music school.

Founded by mid-20th-century Japanese violinist Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the Suzuki Method focuses on “character first, ability second.” The Suzuki Method uses listening, imitation and repetition to help

people learn to play a musical instrument as if it were their native tongue.

Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy, which he also referred to as “talent education,” focuses on music’s ability to inspire the spirit, nurture a love of music and develop an exemplary character in a child rather than master a musical instrument.

“We were thrilled to find STEP,” Amanda says. “All three of our boys started on violin around age 5. Benedict switched to viola a couple of years ago because he preferred the lower sound register of the instrument.”

Music runs in the Lang family. Justin directs the choir at their church, and Amanda grew up playing the piano. Both also sang in school choirs.

Justin even sang as an adult with the River City Men’s Chorus in Jacksonville, Florida, and at the

office in a men’s barbershop quartet that would rehearse during lunch breaks at their work and perform for company Christmas luncheons.

“All the teachers, our private teacher and the group class teachers have been excellent,” Amanda says. “They care about the kids and are very patient with them. When we go to Alabama Symphony Orchestra concerts, they are delighted and inspired to see their teachers performing. They also benefit from the community formed by group classes and recitals because they see other young students progressing on their instruments. Everyone is incredibly encouraging and supportive.”

Around the Lang home, one will find a mandolin,

a banjo, a bugle, Irish whistles and a bodhran they tinker with.

“A mandolin is strung the same way as a violin, so that the kids can have quite a bit of fun with that,” Amanda says.

Another aspect of the method is the “Suzuki Triangle.” It describes the equal role the students, teachers and parents play in a child’s learning process. It is a cooperative effort to foster the best support system and learning environment for the student.

Dominic, 16, and his younger brother, Maximilian, 11, love the violin in particular.

“The instrument gives me a chance to create something,” Dominic says. “It’s not like science or math where you have to follow the rules for

The instrument gives me a chance to create something.

-Dominic Lang

creating things; you can create whatever you want.”

It is that creative freedom that Dominic shares with STEP.

“Our teachers are so supportive of the students creating and doing things that they might not have done anywhere else, and I love that,” he says.

Maximilian says he is drawn to the tone and pitch of the violin, saying, “I especially love the harmonics and high notes with vibrato because you can make the listeners think of different things, however high or low it may be. I also enjoy our group classes because we can review scales we haven’t reviewed before.”

Benedict, 15, loves the viola because of the instrument’s rich tones.

“I enjoy our group class because I am always learning new music that I didn’t know before,” he says.

The Langs say it is a delight to hear their sons practice at STEP and at home.

“They play trios together at Christmas, often improvising harmonies and trying out different styles of music,” Amanda says. “All three of our boys have grown tremendously in their musical abilities. The older boys play with the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra, and all three have participated in All State

Orchestra.”

As the Suzuki Method and philosophy explains: Dr. Suzuki discovered that all children are capable of musical ability in the right environment, not just those with “talent.” The idea that talent is not born but is taught to all children is the basis for his philosophy in “talent education.”

Amanda believes that commitment for the long haul is key in children successfully practicing the Suzuki Method.

“We decided when our children were very young that music would be a foundational part of their education and human formation, alongside math, reading and other such essentials,” she says. “Music is a daily part of our lives, and that perseverance gives them confidence in their growing abilities.”

The Suzuki Method teaches that with the right combination of environment and hard work, everyone has the potential to succeed, not only in music but in all aspects of life. Perhaps if children everywhere were taught with this method, more and more would both believe in themselves and cultivate their talents, too.

Those interested in learning more about the Suzuki Method or STEP Birmingham can visit the business’ website, stepbirmingham.com.

Taste of Hoover

It’s time for fall! School is back in, there’s football on the weekends and cooler temperatures are not far behind. One of the best things about fall at Aldridge Gardens is our annual Taste of Hoover event. Last year’s Taste of Hoover was one of the best yet, with over 30 participating restaurants, caterers and beverage providers. The sold-out crowd of more than 300 people enjoyed the variety of culinary styles found throughout the city. Over the years, many have enjoyed this autumn evening, strolling through Aldridge Gardens and sampling delicious dishes from some of Hoover’s best food and beverage providers. Attendees have also enjoyed a selection of beverages and soft drinks while listening to live entertainment. This year’s event promises another great night out with friends and family under

Summer Camps

We had another great year of Summer Camps here at the Gardens. As in years past, space was limited and available on a first-come basis. However, this year more than 200 kids attended our camps between June 5-30. Our unique summer camp experience is different from most. It offers both fun and educational camp choices for boys and girls entering kindergarten through third grades. Our little campers experienced week-long sessions based around S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math); Art; or American Girl Dolls. And with instructors certified by the State of Alabama teaching every session, the kids were learning while having fun. If you missed this year’s offering of summer camps at Aldridge Gardens or don’t just want to select a babysitting camp next year, look for our 2024 registration to open in February. Be sure to check aldridgegardens.com for updated news, camp schedules, and information.

the lights at Aldridge Gardens. Learn more about it and get tickets at aldridgegardens.com

Fall Weddings

While many people might think about outdoor weddings being traditionally held in the spring, they may be surprised to find out the number of beautiful weddings we have year-round. Couples exchange their vows here in the spring, summer, fall and even winter, too. But, the fall at Aldridge Gardens is particularly beautiful with lots of lively colors visible as the leaves change. The foliage turns from the green of summer

to red, orange and yellow. In fact, one of the loveliest displays of yellow during that time is our beautiful ginkgo tree. Located next to the Aldridge House, it provides an incredible backdrop for weddings during the fall. If you would like more information about an Aldridge Gardens fall wedding or one any time of year, contact our event coordinator Kristen Valentine at 205-739-6554 or kristen.valentine@hooveralabama.gov.

Hoover-Randle Home and Gardens

Our sister venue, Hoover-Randle Home and Gardens, has been closed for renovations during the summer months, but it is scheduled to reopen in October. We can’t wait for you to see the improvements! This colonial-style brick home is on the National Historic Registry, as it is the birthplace of the City of Hoover. In fact, the original establishing documents were signed in the home’s library. This incredible venue has space for people to gather both inside and outside. When entering the home, guests are greeted by a grand spiral staircase in the foyer. Plus, the interior features an open floor plan, a prep kitchen, full bar and AV equipment with surround sound. (It also has restrooms on the main floor). Outside, there is a large loggia with a fireplace, tables and plenty of seating. The property also features a beautiful landscaped grounds area with gazebos. The home is very picturesque and provides an ideal place for large holiday parties and weddings as well as corporate events, too. To learn more about HooverRandle Home and Gardens, or to schedule your next event there, visit the website at hooverrandlehome.com or call 205-957-9540.

Photo by Alyssa Rose Photography

ALL THINGS SPOOKY

Celebrating Halloween at the Hoover Public Library

BY STEPHANIE BEAVER PHOTOS BY THE HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Did you know that like the internet, cellular telephones and the original “Fraggle Rock,” the Hoover Library arrived on the scene in 1983? Dust off your sequins and shoulder pads to celebrate the Hoover Public Library’s 40th Anniversary at our afterhours Back-in-Time Birthday Bash on Sunday, Oct. 8. Dance the night away to ‘80s hits, play classic arcade games like Galaga and Mrs. Pac-Man, get an airbrush tattoo, take home a souvenir from our prom-style photo booth, learn the dance from the “Thriller” music video and dine on another beloved classic born in 1983—Domino’s Pizza. Adults can sip on light beer or wine coolers as they party “all night long,” but all ages are welcome to celebrate how far the library has come since its earliest days at River Oaks Village.

Later in the month, the Youth Department will transform the library into a Fairytale Forest for its annual Halloween program on Friday, Oct. 27. Games, crafts and all of your favorite fairytale characters will be stationed throughout the library for a night of enchantment. On Halloween, the library will host candy stations at each of the service desks during regular operating hours; so, bring your kids in costume and trick-or-treat with us!

There will also be ample opportunities for grownups to celebrate Halloween at the Hoover Public Library this year. Cirque du Bibliotheque on Friday, Oct. 20, will feature LuminArts LED Performers,

carnival games, mock-tails and a costume contest. Our popular horror film series also returns to The Library Theatre every Monday night in October with this year’s theme being “Undead, Undead, Undead.” Look for special spooky editions of NerdTalk, WellMade Workshop, themed-crafts and the return of Bingo, too, throughout the month of October!

While October is arguably our busiest month of the season, there is plenty to offer during September and November, as well. Visit our website to find out more about exciting upcoming programs like Goat Yoga; a census record workshop for budding genealogists; musical performances by crowd-favorites, The Onlys and Iron Giant; and kid-centric game and craft programs celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Trolls,” to name a few.

Of special note, the Hoover Public Library will be one of only 29 libraries in the country to host a “Stories of Exile” program series thanks to a generous grant from The Yiddish Book Center, which was made possible by a gift from Sharon Karmazin. Spanning four months from September to December, the adult departments will host a monthly book discussion group that uses Yiddish literature as a lens for exploring stories of exile, migration and diaspora around the globe. A series of documentaries, feature films and visiting speakers will round out the slate of programs, highlighting the recurring theme of exile in human history.

Best Spooky Reads in Time for Halloween

How to Sell a Haunted House

By Grady Hendrix | Horror

Stephanie Beaver is a librarian who has worked in the fiction department at the Hoover Public Library for the past 10 years. While her specific collection responsibilities have earned her the title of “romance librarian” from her colleagues, she has a wide range of reading interests from historical fiction, mystery and fantasy to the spooky and thrilling. Here, she offers her five best “spooky” reads for fall.

Estranged siblings Louise and Mark reunite to sift through and sell their childhood home after the unexpected death of their parents. The house—and their mother’s extensive collection of puppets and taxidermy—objects fiercely. This horrifying page-turner laced with dark humor will keep readers guessing until the end. It is not for the faint of heart, but the emotional depth of the characters as they fight to survive the vestiges of their childhood trauma makes it a must-read for anyone looking for a truly spine-tingling read.

If It Bleeds

By Stephen King | Horror

Readers wanting to read Stephen King but not knowing where to start should start with “If It Bleeds.” A master of short stories, this collection of twisting, thrilling tales is a perfect introduction to classic King. While a few older characters make appearances in this volume, the stories stand alone for new readers. Despite the title, they fall more in the category of mind-bending thrillers than violence and gore. Each story enthralls in a different way, and this collection is perfect for those wanting to dip their proverbial toes into the horror genre.

The Book of Cold Cases

By Simone St. James | Thriller

When true crime blogger Shea Collins meets the notorious Beth Greer by chance, she is surprised to find the reclusive woman, acquitted of a double murder decades ago, amenable to an interview. After meeting regularly in Beth’s secluded manor house, however, all is not as it seems. Is Beth a charming but deadly murderess, or is something more sinister at play?

My Heart Is a Chainsaw

By Stephen Graham Jones | Horror

First in the Jade Daniels series, this book is a paean to the classic slasher film and for readers who aren’t afraid of blood and gore. Jade is a struggling, outcast high school senior living in a lakeside community that is being gentrified by wealthy newcomers. Obsessed with slasher films, she narrates a series of bizarre murders and disappearances through this lens predicting what horrors will unfold. The first in a trilogy, this gruesomely captivating, original and layered novel will have you grasping for the follow up, “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”

Vampires of El Norte

By Isabel Cañas | Horror

This genre-bending tale seamlessly weaves together history, gothic romance, adventure and the paranormal in 1840s Mexico. Abandoned by her childhood love when he thought her dead, Nena is reunited with Nestor years later as war breaks out between the United States and Mexico. Nurse and soldier must face the monstrous acts of men as the supernatural monsters of their past return to hunt them. The chills are more than window dressing, even as readers question who is more horrifying—the monsters or mankind.

Recommendations from Stephanie Beaver

Librarian at the Hoover Public Library

SCHOOL SPORTS&

WEIGHING PATIENCE

Reflecting on the mental tenacity and self-taught patience required to fish for greatness.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

PHOTOS BY ANNA GRACE MOORE & CONTRIBUTED

LLee Seewald never claimed to be a professional fisherman. In fact, he only ever fished for fun growing up, but everything changed when his son, Gavin Seewald, 16, caught his first fish at age 12.

Gavin fell in love with the sport, soon joining the Hoover High School junior anglers when he was in seventh grade.

“We started fishing four years ago in a borrowed boat, and I was just a random dad with very little knowledge,” Lee says, chuckling. “I was just willing to take two kids out on a boat and fish a tournament.”

Lee started captaining Gavin and his fellow angler, Judson Touchstone, 16, in tournaments to spend more time with them. He eventually assumed the role of coach when the fishing team’s coach stepped down in 2022.

Now, the team consists of 22 anglers with 18 senior anglers and four junior anglers–a mix of boys and girls. Gavin and Judson, especially, have proven themselves, leading the way for their team to follow.

From June 23-24, 2023, Gavin and Judson competed in the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association "ASABFA" State Classic in Eufaula, Alabama. They came in seventh place, with their catches weighing in at 21.33 pounds, including their largest catch–a seven-pound bass. This placing qualified them to compete in the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship, which was held from July 27-28, 2023, on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

Notably, this tournament consisted of 481 teams representing 35 states and Canada as well. Nine hundred and sixty-two anglers competed in this highly-anticipated competition, which is unique in that most tournaments only average around 200 teams, Lee says.

“We honestly never dreamed we’d qualify as sophomores,” Lee says. “Our goal has been to qualify by our senior year. That is a long shot. It’s very difficult to get to the high school championship.”

And yet, Gavin and Judson have done just that. Having never fished on Lake Hartwell before, the anglers still placed 156 out of 481 teams, finishing well above average for their ages.

Hoover High School alumni Connor Neal, who fished the Bassmaster High School National

Championship in 2018, captained Gavin and Judson’s boat in this past tournament, which was a wonderful full-circle story for all of them, Lee says.

Now back in school, rising juniors Gavin and Judson are already hard at work, planning to fish another 14 tournaments this season. Each angler practices on his own time, spending crucial time on the water and studying the water’s currents and depths.

Lee says the anglers prioritize studying online graphs and maps that show the contour lines of the bodies of water they’ll be fishing on. Specifically, they look to see where there’s any underwater humps or ledges where fish could travel.

“Fish are unique in that they migrate,” Lee says. “One time of the year, you may find them in six inches of water. A few months later, they could be in 30 feet of water. They’re hard to find.”

On average, the anglers could spend a couple of hours each night for weeks on-end, marking places on their graphs to visit and fish the following

mornings.

“You have to do your homework before you get on the lake,” Lee says. “Every tournament we have, we go to the lake to ‘pre-fish.’ We will fish, but more often than not, we will drive out on the lake, seeing the conditions that weigh into where the fish are going to be. In practice, you’re not trying to catch fish, you’re trying to locate them.”

The Hoover Fishing Team most often fish the ASABFA and Alabama Bass Nation “ABN” trails, which each consist of four tournaments. The Hoover Fishing Team anglers also have the option to fish many other trails, including the local Airport Marine High School Trail.

When asked how he has adapted as a coach, Lee says he knew virtually nothing about different trails or just how much work it takes to even locate fish when he first started. Fishing presents new challenges and will often teach one life lessons, he says.

“Without perseverance and patience, you’re never going to succeed at this sport,” Lee says.

Pictured from left to right are Hoover Anglers Gavin Seewald and Judson Touchstone.

Lee says he did always know, however, that it was important for him to be present for his son, which when Lee became a team coach, coincidentally made him a father figure to 21 other anglers, too. He has taken each day one day at a time, and he says he has loved every minute of it.

“It’s some of the best time that you could ever spend with your kid,” Lee says. “I think it’s a wonderful sport for anybody. You don’t have to be good at fishing to enjoy fishing.”

Reflecting on becoming a fishing coach, Lee jokes that while this role has been one of his greatest joys in life, it has also made him very sleepy. Overall, he says fishing has taught him not to give up on things just because they are hard.

After his first season coaching, Lee says he was ready to quit, but he watched his anglers persist and continue to drive themselves to become better. If anything, his anglers were more of an inspiration to him than he may ever be to them, Lee says, chuckling.

“If you work hard, you can do it, and that’s more clear in this sport than I have ever seen,” Lee says.

All it takes to make a difference is one person willing to take a chance and possibly, try something new. For the Hoover anglers, Lee will always be that wonderful reminder of how much a little faith and a whole lot of patience weigh when it comes to fishing for excellence.

Those interested in learning more about the Hoover Fishing Team can visit the Hoover Fishing Team’s Facebook page @Hoover Bass Fishing Team.

5 FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Abbie Stockard

Miss Hoover 2024 PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Born and raised in Birmingham, Abbie Stockard graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 2021. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science at the College of Nursing at Auburn University. After college, Abbie plans to gain critical care experience and then apply to Nurse Anesthesia School. Abbie is also a dancer with the Auburn University Tiger Paws and enjoys anything fitness-related, including hiking and being outdoors. In July 2023, Abbie was named the 2024 Miss Hoover and received a $5,000 scholarship from the City of Hoover. Here, she offers her gratitude upon winning this prestigious title and how she plans to give back to the community who has supported her.

How did you start competing with the Miss Alabama organization, and what titles have you won?

Although I have danced competitively since the age of 5, I never competed in a pageant until becoming involved with the Miss Alabama Organization. I had several friends that encouraged me to compete. With college expenses being so high, I figured why not try it and see if I could help my parents offset the expenses. Although I was intimidated, God equipped me with the courage and confidence to try something out of my comfort zone, which led to the ability to successfully compete. I’ve competed twice, and I was fortunate enough to place in the Top Five both years.

For the Miss Hoover competition, what platform did you run on?

My platform, also known as my community service initiative, is “Be The Change – Find a Cure: Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.” My goal is to increase awareness to further fund research so that “CF” will one

day stand for “Cure Found.” My best friend Maddie has Cystic Fibrosis. Even though she faces a shortened life expectancy and has to take numerous medications daily, her positive outlook is an inspiration to me. Maddie chooses to live life to its fullest and embrace every day that God has given her.

What volunteer opportunities have you taken to serve your community?

I am actively involved in promoting my community service initiative. I utilize a platform that the Miss Alabama Organization has given me to raise awareness through my social media outlets and by making numerous public fundraising appearances. I also serve my college community by participating as a student recruiter, where I can share my love for Auburn with prospective students through guided tours and events. As a Tiger Paw, we have weekly community appearances, where I am able to serve and pour back into the Auburn community.

What do you hope to aspire to careerwise?

My dream career is to become a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. I have a particular interest in pediatrics, and I hope to one day work in surgery at Children’s Hospital. As a twin, I count my blessings daily that my brother and I were both born healthy, but I recognize not everyone is this fortunate. Working in pediatrics, I feel I will really be able to touch the lives of families who have young children with medical needs.

What do you hope to accomplish as Miss Hoover 2024?

I want to represent Hoover in the most positive light and hopefully bring home the Miss Alabama crown. I will be visible in numerous public appearances and hope to promote my community service initiative by partnering with Hoover businesses and leadership. In addition, I want to carry out the ultimate mission of the Miss Alabama Organization, which is to empower young women to dream big.

FOOD DRINK&

A TRIBUTE TO HOME

Chef Sedesh Boodram Wilkerson's travels have inspired some of his best culturally distinctive dishes.

BY LAUREN H. DOWDLE PHOTOS BY UNTOLD IMAGERY

CCompeting on Food Network against some of the top chefs in the country would be the high point in many culinary careers—and rightfully so. For Chef Sedesh Boodram Wilkerson, that’s an opportunity he’s now experienced twice.

But his path to showcasing his skills on television and becoming the culinary director of The Anvil Pub and Grill in Hoover might not be what most expect. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Sedesh moved to New York City during high school.

While many chefs realized their passions for food as children cooking with their families, that wasn’t the case with Sedesh. “I was never in the kitchen,” he says. “I didn’t pay attention to food.”

That all changed when he moved to New York, mainly because it wasn’t cheap to eat out there, he says. Sedesh began cooking for himself and soon discovered his love for food and trying different recipes.

One dining experience in particular helped ignite his culinary passion. For his birthday, Sedesh went to Chef Thomas Keller’s acclaimed restaurant, Per Se. Sedesh says he loved the concept, which is a New York

interpretation of the chef’s California-based restaurant, The French Laundry. The hot spot’s lobster mac and cheese and its oyster and pearls were just two of the dishes that caught his palate’s attention.

“After eating dinner there, I realized, ‘This is what I want to do,’” he says.

Following that dream of having a career in fine dining, Sedesh dropped out of fashion merchandising and enrolled in the French Culinary Institute. Per Se also continued to have an influence on his career, as it became the first kitchen he worked in. Those experiences played an important role in helping him become the chef he is today.

“Being in New York and working there shaped a lot of who I am and how I run my kitchen,” he says. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career.”

While his love for cooking may have started in New York, he’s now brought it to Hoover. “When we had our daughter, my husband wanted her to grow up in the South like he did,” Sedesh says.

While transitioning from Trinidad to New York City was exciting as a teenager, some of the biggest life changes came from moving to the Birmingham area

when he was 30. Sedesh had to learn to drive and get a license— things he didn’t need to do in the Big Apple.

Going into the grocery store was another culture shock because the cashiers got to know him and would ask him about his family when he came in to shop. That Southern hospitality and charm helped make the area home.

“New York City is more of a department store,” he explains. “Birmingham is like a boutique that has all of the right things, and that’s what I love about it.”

He went to work with Chef Chris Hastings, owner of Hot & Hot Fish Company in Birmingham. With his experience working in New York City, Sedesh says he thought he knew everything about cooking when he first moved here.

“I was far from the truth,” he says with a laugh. “It was very humbling, walking into a Southern kitchen. There’s a culture and soul that comes with Southern food.”

From learning how to make grits to finding ways to elevate popular comfort foods, Sedesh began putting his twist on these classic dishes.

“Southern cuisine carries a lot of memories with it, so it’s hard to compete with that,” Sedesh says. “I stay true to the ingredients and present them differently.”

Sedesh also strives to create dishes that a variety of people will enjoy. “Even when I’m creating menus, I always think about me going to a restaurant with my husband and daughter,” he says. “It’s important to think about the different types of people who will eat there and not just myself. You have to find the perfect balance.”

The relationships he made while at Hot & Hot led to his first appearance on Food Network. When Chris went to compete on Iron Chef America against Bobby Flay in 2012, he brought Sedesh as one of his sous chefs. They faced off against Bobby Flay in Kitchen Stadium and won the coveted title.

But, that wasn’t Sedesh’s last faceoff with Bobby. Earlier this year, he competed on Food Network’s television show, “Beat Bobby Flay.”

Originally set to air last December, the episode got pushed back to be closer to March Madness. Sedesh says he joked with the producers that they should air it on his birthday, March 2, which is exactly what ended up happening. But when the show first reached out to him about participating, his answer had been, “no.”

It had been 12 years since he last appeared on Food Network, and Sedesh says he wasn’t sure if he wanted to compete again. Being on Iron Chef America had required a great deal of mental preparation.

While his daughter watched “Beat Bobby Flay,” Sedesh had never seen it—though he did know Bobby from culinary school. Ultimately, he decided to compete on the show and share some of the dishes those around Hoover had come to love.

Food Network’s Eddie Jackson and Natalie Morales from CBS’s “The Talk” served as judges for the first round, where Sedesh competed against Colorado’s Chef Tim Kuklinski to create a dish highlighting corn tortillas.

Sedesh won that battle with his shrimp enchilada with salsa

happened Her cure

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

verde and advanced to a head-to-head battle against Bobby Flay. In that 45-minute round, Sedesh challenged Bobby with his signature dish, Scotch eggs.

Boiled eggs covered in sausage, battered and then fried, Scotch eggs normally take hours to prepare, Sedesh says. With only 45 minutes to get the dish ready for the judges, he used a pressure cooker to speed up the process. But, he didn’t sacrifice the flavors he’s known for, opting to make his own boudin sausage—something Bobby didn’t do.

Just like in his restaurant, Sedesh brought his modern take on British cuisine with Caribbean and Southern influences to the show. “The older I get, the more I want to make food like what I grew up with,” Sedesh says. “You go back to your roots.”

While he ultimately didn’t bring home the win against Bobby this time, Sedesh says he enjoyed the experience. One thing that viewers might be surprised to learn is that there is a great deal of comradery behind the scenes, he adds.

“The other contestant was there backstage rooting me on, and the judges went back and forth to make me feel more comfortable,” he says. “Iron Chef was in a green room, so this was much more relaxed.”

His reputation for fine dining continues to spread, as he was also a featured chef at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, in April. Not being from the South, Sedesh says he didn’t realize the level of notoriety that encompasses the event when he first accepted the job.

“If I had, I would have over thought it and been nervous,” he says.

His family and mentors have provided support throughout his career, and he still takes the advice he got early on to heart.

“When I worked with Thomas Keller, he told me, ‘Know your weakness, and surround yourself with people who are strong at your weakness,’” Sedesh recalls. “That’s what’s made me successful and helped me in my career.”

Sedesh has formed a talented team at The Anvil, which includes chef de cuisine Trenton Tisdale, and he says he hopes to expand and open another location soon.

“The team is a huge part of who I am, especially at this restaurant,” Sedesh says. “I have employees who have been with me since day one for the past three years. I can walk away each day and know that everything is good because they take pride in their work.”

Though his culinary career is far from over, it’s already come full circle in some ways. It began with inspiration at his birthday dinner, and this year, he spent the day surrounded by friends and family as his episode of “Beat Bobby Flay” premiered across the country. When his husband and daughter asked him if he thought he’d be where he is today, Sedesh says he took a moment to reflect.

“I didn’t aspire to be as high as I am,” he says. “Everybody talks about how America is the land of opportunity, and it is. A lot of doors opened up for me that I never would have thought possible.”

To taste some of Sedesh’s cuisine, fans can visit The Anvil Pub and Grill at 611 Doug Baker Boulevard. The Anvil is open six days a week: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit theanvilpub. com for more information.

DINING GUIDE

Troup’s Pizza Family-owned Troup’s Pizza is proud to offer fresh, delicious and unpretentious pizza, sandwiches and salads the whole family will enjoy right in your backyard. Chef Terrill Brazelton’s life has revolved around food since he was a kid. Now, he and his wife, Ashley, have brought their passion and commitment to locallysourced foods and supporting local farmers to Cahaba Heights and surrounding areas. Troup’s Pizza is open for lunch Tuesday-Saturday and is open for dinner every night. Catering is available for every event, including friendly get togethers, work gatherings, wedding events and more. Book early to secure your holiday party.

The Standard

The best burger in Birmingham has come to Vestavia! After great success at the Downtown Birmingham Pizitz Food Hall, The Standard has brought their locally-sourced, craftedwith-love burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs to the Vestavia City Center. Offerings range from standard cheeseburgers to the Southern classic fried bologna sandwich. They also have a black bean veggie burger if meat isn’t your thing. Whatever you decide, don’t forget the fries!

Big Bad Breakfast BBB was founded in 2008 by James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence with a mission to elevate the most important meal of the day. His vision was to celebrate the places he loved eating breakfast as a child, whether they be his grandmother’s table, the mom-and-pop diners of New Orleans or Commander’s Palace. At BBB, we dedicate ourselves every day to putting out the finest, from-scratch breakfast you can get anywhere with service that makes you feel right at home. Come try our signature BBB skillets loaded with your favorite, fresh ingredients! We also serve lunch, brunch, cocktails and offer full-service catering.

Hoover

700 MONTGOMERY HWY SUITE 164 • VESTAVIA HILLS, AL 35216 THESTANDARDBHM.COM • 205-490-1143

Davenport’s Pizza Palace Our Vestavia Hills location is now open! Visit us in the Vestavia City Center or at our original Mountain Brook location for award-winning pizza, a fresh garden salad and the coldest beer in town! Our dough and sauce are made-fromscratch, using the same family recipes for almost 60 years. Our party room is available for birthday parties, family celebrations, sports team events and more. Family-owned and operated since 1964!

Mama Coco Cantina Your ultimate destination for an authentic Mexican fiesta! Our two locally-owned locations take immense pride in offering a vibrant and flavorful culinary experience that captures the heart of Mexico. Our extensive menu is a journey through traditional Mexican cuisine, from sizzling fajitas and mouthwatering enchiladas, to zesty street tacos bursting with authentic flavors. Join us for lunch every day until 3 p.m., and save room for our delectable desserts, featuring classic Mexican treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth! Pair your dinner with an imported beer or one of our handcrafted cocktails! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking a lively night out with friends, Mama Coco’s festive ambiance will immerse you in the true spirit of Mexico. Don’t forget to visit our second location in Calera!

Biscuit Love

Founded by husband-and-wife team Karl and Sarah Worley, Biscuit Love was built on a dream to serve delicious biscuits baked with love. Locally-owned and operated, the fast-casual eatery offers breakfast and lunch favorites with a twist, including the B-Roll (cinnamon roll made with a signature buttermilk biscuit dough), Bonuts (fried biscuit dough topped with lemon mascarpone and served over blueberry compote) and more. Each item is madefrom-scratch, and the Worleys remain steadfast in a commitment to sourcing from local purveyors and giving back to the community. Open daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier Birmingham chocolate fans are celebrating because Peterbrooke Chocolatier’s newest shop is now open in the community of Vestavia Hills. Peterbrooke is the ideal spot for that special gift, a quick chocolate fix, a catered event, a corporate gift or just because. For 40 years, Peterbrooke has drawn in crowds across the Southeast for its handmade chocolates rooted in European tradition and mixed with a generous dash of Americana Peterbrooke Chocolatier is famous for its unique take on specialties such as its signature chocolate-covered popcorn, graham crackers, pretzels, potato chips, strawberries that are hand-dipped daily and a diverse selection of Gelato flavors.

Stop in and see what the buzz is all about.

1088 MONTGOMERY HWY • VESTAVIA HILLS, AL 35216 MAMACOCOVESTAVIA.COM • 205-747-0787

3112 HEIGHTS VILLAGE • BIRMINGHAM, AL 35243 PETERBROOKE.COM/PAGES/BIRMINGHAM • 205-593-4686

4317 DOLLY RIDGE RD SUITE 101 • VESTAVIA HILLS, AL 35243 BISCUITLOVE.COM/CAHABA-HEIGHTS • 205-407-1186

700 MONTGOMERY HWY UNIT 193 • VESTAVIA HILLS, AL 35216 DAVENPORTSPIZZA.COM • 205-407-4747

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

5

Founded by Don and Katy Kilwin in 1947, Petoskey, Michigan-based chocolates shop, Kilwins, has become nationally renowned for home-made recipes of sweet chocolate, fudge, ice cream and more. Kilwins in Stadium Trace Village opened in February 2023, and manager Harrison Jones, who is CM Ventures’ Regional Director for all of the Kilwins locations in the business’ northernmost territory, is excited to bring some of the “Kilwins pride” to the City of Hoover. Here, he briefly describes the chocolate business and offers his favorite items for customers to try.

Tell our readers about your journey in the chocolate business.

I am originally from Phenix City, Alabama. I went to school in Georgia and started working for CM Ventures, which owns five, different franchise states. I started just as a normal counter sales associate at their location in Columbus, Georgia. I eventually stuck around and worked my way up into management and now help manage all of the stores in their northernmost region.

Why open up shop in Stadium Trace Village?

My significant other is from Hoover, and her parents live right behind the Stadium Trace development. It’s something I always saw coming to visit them. We brought CM Ventures out and looked over the area. We love Hoover. It’s a great place to be. It’s a great place to do business. Kilwins serves the best fudge, ice cream and caramel products that money can buy. We’re pretty proud of our product and our brand, and we’re excited to bring some of that pride to Hoover.

Tell our readers about some of the products Kilwins sells

Our Hoover location will always have 24 flavors of our Kilwins’ brand of ice cream. Our corporate kitchen in Petoskey, Michigan, makes all of our finer, more detailed chocolates. We have two chocolate machines–one of which is new. The other chocolates are made by hand and are packaged by hand. We have our fudge–all of it is made in-store, daily. It is all handpaddled and hand-cut. Our style of fudge is known as Mackinac Island Fudge. We don’t use pans or ovens. It’s all cooked in a big, copper kettle right here in the store. That all gets poured out onto a pure marble table. We paddle that by hand until it cools and shape it until we get that perfect loaf shape. We really take pride in having a hands-on approach. It’s a personable experience.

What is your favorite item?

I’ve had a lot of time, about seven years to try all of these products. It’s always tough to pick a favorite. Our apple pie caramel apple is a caramel apple that is

dipped in white chocolate with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. It really is everything it promises to be. It’s our most popular apple in all of the stores we own. It’s an item that you buy once, and there’s no going back. I have one just about every time I’m in the store.

What do you recommend newcomers try first?

For newcomers, I recommend our apple pie and two berry pie ice cream. You’re not going to find an ice cream like that around town or in any other ice cream shop. Our s’mores ice cream and our sea salt ice cream are very good. Our top-selling ice cream in the company is our toasted coconut ice cream–that’s a good starting point for people to see what we do with ice cream versus some others.

Visit Kilwins in Stadium Trace Village at 5220 Peridot Place Suite 100 MondayThursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Customers can also follow the business on Instagram @kilwinsstadiumtrace.

Harrison Jones Manager of Kilwins in Stadium Trace Village

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

HOME STYLE&

THE HEART IN A HOME

A home only functions well due to the ties of fellowship shared within.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

PHOTOS BY KELSEA SCHAFER

LLove is often referred to as a fine wine that only ages with perfection–much like a house that grows with the family living inside. Two intertwined in love yields a beautiful reflection of family–of purpose–that of which is raised in a haven called “home.”

Jordan and Aaron Hosey, who are a realtor-andreal estate developer dynamic duo, say the definition of home is where a family’s heart can flourish within each corner of every room. Standing more than 30-feet-tall with a charcoal and Alabaster brick, their Blackridge home fronts an innate depth quite architecturally accented by the brick’s polarizing color palette.

Stepping inside, one is ensued within a Bohemian rhapsody–bright teals, yellows, deep cognac and blacks mesh together in a cornucopia of color. Various textiles including suedes, leathers, wicker and metals have all been thoughtfully staged–representative of a charismatic blend of Jordan’s Middle Eastern and Aaron’s Southern American cultures.

Born in Dubai and raised in "her namesake country," Jordan immigrated to the United States as a young teenager and was floored by the difference a home provides with a cultural appreciation for residential beauty.

“Where I grew up, everything was made out of concrete,” Jordan says. “It was very cold and did not have a lot of warmth to it. It wasn’t until I moved here that I was struck by how aesthetics and design layer different depths to create a [house’s] canvas.”

Jordan says she was tired of the “sterile gray” hues so many other house’s designs were based

upon. She instead utilized deep, rich tones sparingly by matching hues within the artifacts adorning her walls and furniture, creating a subtle balance of moodier elements and calming auras in every room.

“When you put your heart into your home, it reflects your personality,” Jordan says.

Although, Jordan and Aaron’s family didn’t happen upon this “little bit of heaven” until they purchased the newly-built home in 2020. At the time, Jordan and Aaron were living in an 8,000 -square-foot mansion on 20 acres in Helena.

Why would one ever want to give this up? Jordan says because the bigger a house becomes, the less connected the family becomes inside. All of this space meant nothing if her family could not spend quality time together without having to journey the “far corners of the house” just to see one another.

When asked why they moved to Blackridge, Jordan says the community here is rich in fellowship. Living here feels like enjoying a “piece of tranquility.”

“It brings me comfort, being able to hear my children,” Jordan says of their home now. “I can feel my children. When a home is too big, you lose yourself in it. Heaven alone is hell, and I live by that.”

As aesthetically pleasing as the Hosey home may be, what makes it even more beautiful is the love Aaron and Jordan have for each other, their children and every person who they welcome in with open arms.

If a home is only as good as the people inside who are willing to love one another well, Jordan and Aaron’s home is a beautiful model for all.

The Face of the Home

The Blackridge community was built by Signature Homes.

The Kitchen

Jordan and Aaron’s kitchen is the only room in the house with a white and gray color scheme. They spruced it up by adding wicker-wrapped bar chairs and “accent pieces” for pops of color.

Keeping it Fall, Y'all!

Jordan credits Restyle Staging and Home Therapy, LLC for her home’s decorative touches.

Living Room Decor

This mirror and deer skull is but one example of the couple’s BohemianSouthern-style design.

The Living Room

This “cloud couch” as Jordan calls it is her favorite piece of furniture in the house. One simply sinks into the cushions, feeling as though she is resting on clouds. Jordan was gifted this after selling a client’s home.

The Living Room Fireplace

The Dining Room

Jordan opted for a lightwash round table with French country-style chairs for her dining room set-up.

The Master Bedroom

An NFL player purchased Jordan and Aaron’s Helena home completely furnished–meaning Jordan and Aaron sold everything in their home, even down to the kitchen spatulas. Jordan rented a U-Haul, drove to Nashville and purchased $25,000 worth of furniture from Sara Sells–the vendor of which the majority of her home’s furniture is from–to furnish their Blackridge home.

Master Bedroom Details

Jordan’s Bohemian style is evident in the suede and carpeted pillows, the Moroccan wood-detailing in her headboard and the deep hues throughout the room’s aesthetic.

Master Bathroom

Every bathroom should have his and hers sinks, a free-standing tub and a walk-in shower, Jordan says.

Walk-in Closet

Not pictured are Jordan's washer and dryer machines, which make doing laundry quite efficient when she only has to walk a few feet to put away clothes.

The Upstairs Lounge

Jordan and Aaron have three children who each have their own rooms upstairs, including this shared “commons room,” where they can enjoy spending time together.

These Three

Remembering Kristi Metz through the lens of faith, hope and love–Christ-like characteristics she embodied in her own walk of faith.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

PHOTOS BY ANNA GRACE MOORE & CONTRIBUTED

RLiving a Life of Rarities

Rare is it that someone engineers her own actions so profoundly that the legacy she leaves behind carries on in the hearts of others–generations to come. Even rarer is the person who lives for the Lord–her own walk of faith a model for bringing what little she has to lay at the feet of Jesus.

Kristi Metz embodied this rarity.

Born to Linda and Steve Borden on October 4, 1989, Kristi delivered into this world a vibrant personality as fiery as her auburn locks. As she learned to take her first steps, and eventually, her first steps as a Christian, Kristi decided from a young age that her purpose in life was to use what time she was given on Earth to lead others to Christ.

Kristi became involved with show choir at Spain Park High School and later on, sang in her church choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, when she attended the University of Alabama.

Upon graduating, Kristi followed her calling to serve people, working in the marketing department at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. One of her favorite aspects of her career was that she marketed these causes as a means to both benefit those who have this disease and also, to ignite a call to action in those with the ability to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Kristi worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for several years before coming to work with Samford University, where her legacy lives on as forever one of the greatest “SAMbassadors” the school has ever had.

Though Kristi was called to her heavenly home on December 27, 2021, her family and friends say the legacy she has left behind will live on for years to come because of the lessons and heart she imparted on so many who were privileged to know her.

These elements can best be described through 1

Pictured from left to right are siblings Melissa Gullatte, Kevin Borden and Kristi Metz.

Corinthians 13:13, which says, “Three things will last forever–faith, hope and love–and the greatest of these is love.”

Walk by Faith, Not by Sight

Kristi developed a loving relationship with Jesus early on in life, and ever since, she anchored her faith as the foundation for how she lived her life.

“She became a strong, Christian young lady that loved the Lord with all her heart,” Kristi’s father Steve Borden says. “She was someone that stood her ground, lived her faith and was genuine in her beliefs.”

Armed with her red hair and infectious smile, Kristi’s mother, Linda Borden, says her daughter amazed other people by how strongly she believed the Lord had a plan for her life and others’ lives, too.

“Kristi was a gem–one of those rare people that are absolutely gorgeous on the outside but even more stunning on the inside,” Kristi’s friend McKenzie Almond says. “He used her in my life to be such a beautiful example of a true, steadfast friend, even in the hard and messy.”

Kristi and McKenzie became the best of friends during what McKenzie says was one of her "growing" seasons in life. As a mom of a child living with autism, McKenzie says life can sometimes be challenging.

“People would often stare and watch us as I navigated learning how to parent a child with special needs,” McKenzie says. “Not Kristi. She would confidently stand by me and not bat an eye,

, Joy

comes in the

morning

One summer after Kristi's passing, I came across some of her beautiful abstract paintings.

I combined her watercolor beach paintings and mine, layering them together to create three watercolor prints. Our combined artwork, the 'Joy Comes in the Morning' print collection, benefits the Kristi Metz Scholarship at Samford University. These prints are available for purchase at gracefullymadeart.com.

-Melissa Gullatte

Pictured is Melissa Gullatte.

often juggling another one of my babies and hers as well.”

McKenzie says Kristi taught her to have faith that she would overcome this parenting hurdle and that her child would be accepted and loved.

“She would help me laugh about it and would never shy away from inviting us out again,” McKenzie says. “She was the encouraging friend I needed at that stage of life, and the Lord used her kindness to help me be the mom I am today.”

Kristi’s friends all describe her as this pillar of faith–someone that “walked her talk.” She was not just a friend to those in need, but she was also a reminder that the Lord loves everyone and has a purpose within each person, waiting to be discovered.

Funding Hope

On October 17, 2022, Samford University dedicated a bench in Kristi’s memory–such that inspires hope within so many.

Each spring semester, Samford University’s Advancement Team holds its annual “Big Give,” which is a campaign push to raise funds for the school’s programs and global outreach initiatives. This campus-wide endeavor involves every student, alumni, faculty and staff member, who all nominate a person to act as a “SAMbassador,” representing their giving groups.

Kristi was unsurprisingly designated as Samford University’s marketing department’s “SAMbassador” for the last few years before her passing. Like most of her life, she excelled in her role, acting as a vessel for Christ to work through.

In his bench dedication speech to Kristi, Adam Roebuck,

Assistant Director, Individual and Organizational Success, said that Kristi was an excellent saleswoman, drawing financial support from across the world for the Big Give every year.

“Some of you may not be aware that Kristi could be a bit of a shrewd negotiator,” Adam says. “She was very hard to say no to, that’s for sure. She was quite the perfect SAMbassador.”

Kristi’s sister, Melissa Gullatte, too, describes Kristi as very generous, with a heart as big as the world.

“She interacted with so many people,” Melissa says. “It’s been cool to see people come out after she passed away and say, ‘This is how she touched my heart.’”

It’s this impact that led Samford University to erect a bench in Kristi’s honor.

“Samford’s Big Give campaign of 2022 lasted only 48 hours, and in that time, we raised enough funds to secure the order of this beautiful bench,” Adam says. “Nearly 100 individuals and families made the decision to give to Samford in Kristi’s honor.”

The bench rests in the heart of Samford’s campus in Ben Brown Plaza. To those that donated, it represents hope that dreams, however far-fetched, will always be attainable through Christ.

In addition to Kristi’s bench, Melissa has created the Kristi Metz Scholarship in partnership with Samford University’s marketing department. The Kristi Metz Scholarship, which will be an endowed scholarship, will be awarded each year to a student of Samford's choosing.

In 2020, Kristi developed her own interior design business,

Pictured from left to right are Savannah, Kristi and Jack Metz.

Iron City Design Company, so the first student to receive the Kristi Metz Scholarship will be an interior design major.

"I will spend every second of my life honoring her and making sure she is never, ever forgotten," Melissa says.

Melissa says Kristi acted as a beacon of hope for so many, so the best way to honor her memory would be to do just that–fund hope for students in need.

The Greatest of These is Love

No doubt that Kristi’s most memorable quality is the love she exuberated each and every day. This cherishing is evident in the bright eyes of two of God’s greatest blessings to her.

“Kristi loved her two kids, Jack and Savannah [more than] anything on Earth,” Kristi’s brother Kevin Borden says. “No matter how busy she was, she always had time for [them].”

Jack, 5, was only 3 when his mother was called home. Though he is still so young, he remembers Kristi taking him to get smoothies at Smoothie King and feeding ducks at Star Lake.

His few memories of her are warm and loving, and what a beautiful way that is to remember someone gone too soon.

“Kristi truly delighted in being a wife and mom,” Kristi’s friend Jessica Whitehead says. “Her face lit up when she talked about Jack and Savannah.”

Kristi’s sister-in-law, Madi Borden, shares the same sentiment. Loving like Kristi is much like loving like Jesus, and this way of living, she says, she will strive to help model for Jack and

Savannah, too.

“I think the easiest way to honor her legacy is to love others well,” McKenzie says. “Open our eyes and see who needs us and meet those friends where they need to be met.”

According to her family and friends, Kristi always went the extra mile to show others that they are worthy and deserving of love–just as Christ loves all of His children.

These Three

Whether it was her singing in church choir, raising money and awareness for local non-profits, loving her friends and family fiercely or simply, just being “Kristi,” it is evident that Kristi inspired so many to hold steadfast in their faith, inspire hope in others and above all, love one another unconditionally.

To Jack, Savannah and the rest of Kristi’s loved ones, remember that death is not a goodbye; it is simply a “see you on the flip side.”

Finally, to Kristi, all that need be said is, thank you, and well done, good and faithful servant.

Those interested in applying for the Kristi Metz Scholarship can email melissa@gracefullymadeart.com for more information. Those interested in donating can visit Melissa’s website, gracefullymadeart.com, and either donate an amount of her choosing or purchase a print of Kristi and Melissa’s artwork, whose proceeds benefit the scholarship recipients.

COMMUNITY INFLUENCERS 2023

It’s the people who make Hoover the community that it is! Here we recognize some of those making an impact on others around them through their businesses.

Hoover

INFLUENCER 2023

YELLOWHAMMER ROOFING

3447 Lorna Ln • Hoover, AL 35216 205-988-3337 • yellowhammerroofing.com

Yellowhammer Roofing, Inc. is a father-son owned and operated business. Roger and his son, Will Jones, understand the importance of making every customer feel appreciated and that the job is done right the first time. Having more than 40 years of experience in business, Roger and Will instilled into their associates the values of hard work, honesty and earning the customers’ trust through doing what is right for them and their home. Yellowhammer Roofing is fully insured with workman’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance. Yellowhammer Roofing provides a five-year workmanship warranty on all completed jobs. When you call the company, you will be greeted with a friendly, local and knowledgeable person, who is interested in helping you with your needs. Contact Yellowhammer Roofing today for your free roof assessment.

2023

BROCKS GAP DENTISTRY

1015 Brocks Gap Pkwy • Hoover, AL 35244 205-982-0112 • brocksgapdentalgroup.com

It’s hard to pick a family dentist when one doesn’t know anything about the future of his family. No one can time travel to see what kind of care the whole family will need down the road. Little MacKenzie’s teeth might be perfect with no cavities, or she might need four fillings and Invisalign. Grandpa might have teeth of steel, or he might need some expert restorative or cosmetic dentistry. When one chooses Brocks Gap Dentistry, he doesn’t need to make that call right away. We’ve got him covered for the big dental needs and the little ones, too. We can provide the expert preventive care every patient needs; plus, we can take care of the unique cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry needs that arise along the way. If it’s been a while since a patient has seen a dentist, he shouldn’t worry! It’s hard to find restorative care that’s as compassionate and experienced as the care provided here at Brocks Gap Dentistry.

Model's hair by Paige Goodwin

Hither & Yon

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed

Go farther afield this fall with trips to some spots that might not have been on your radar before. When you’ve done the mountains, beach and lake year-in-and-year-out, it might be fun to change course and discover some place altogether new.

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

Thomasville, Georgia

Fall is a phenomenal time to head south for this small-butsophisticated town. Pass through pecan groves and cotton fields, over red clay roads and under canopies of live oaks before reaching the storied bricks of downtown Broad Street. Known as The Quail Capital of the World, the season opens in early November and draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe. A conservationist’s dream, this Red Hills Region, with its hills of rolling wiregrass and longleaf pine, is a biodiverse wonderland. But whether you come for the bobwhites or just a long weekend away in a vibrant and charming town, Thomasville hits all the right notes.

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

What to Do

This region has a rich and storied history that is centered upon the land. After the Civil War, many northern industrialists came to the area and purchased large parcels, building magnificent plantation-style homes. The vast majority of these are still privately held, but visit a site such as Pebble Hill Plantation to learn more—explore the grounds, take in the museum, attend an on-site art show or event. pebblehill.com

Whether you grew up shooting or are new to the sport of upland hunting, there is no finer place to chase quail than in the Red Hills. The lucky few lock down their invitations to private plantations when offered, while others book spots at places such as Pine Hill Plantation in nearby Donalsonville or Rio Piedra Plantation in Camilla or Orchard Pond Estate in Tallahassee (just 30 miles south).

If you just want to get a taste of the sporting lifestyle and history, attend Kevin’s Southern Game Fair (Nov. 9-11). This annual event kicks off the season and serves as a fundraiser for Tall Timbers, a non-profit organization dedicated to land stewardship and conservation. kevinscatalog.com

If quail is king in these parts, then the arts are queen. Philanthropy runs deep in the Red Hills and a robust arts scene is one of those beneficiaries. The Thomasville Center for the Arts (TCA) was founded more than 30 years ago as a creative hub for the community. TCA hosts exhibits and performances and offers a wide range of after-school classes (dance, drama, visual arts and design) to more than 300 students daily. The annual Wildlife Arts Festival (Nov. 9-19) is a 10-day celebration and fundraiser that spotlights the best of the region with events such as the Red Hills Rover Rally, Whiskey in the Woods, Fine Art Show, Artisan Market, lectures and workshops. thomasvillearts.org

Where to Stay

The Courtyard by Marriott is ideally situated at one edge of downtown, making it a walkable location to great restaurants ( Liam’s, Jonah’s, Sweetgrass Dairy, Grassroots Coffee, Hubs & Hops ) and shopping ( Kevin’s, Sensoree, C.H. Whitney, ABODE, Firefly, Relish, The Hare & The Hart ) Pebble Hill Plantation—Immerse yourself in the genteel surroundings of this estate, with a room in the Overflow Cottage or The Firehouse Apartment. Staying for longer than a weekend? Book a VRBO or AirBnB.

Of note: Lagniappe Artistry Afield offers curated sporting, outdoor and cultural experiences around the world. This fall, they will partner with legendary gunmaker, Holland & Holland, to offer a three-day, two-night South Georgia plantation hunt boutique experience. One-on-one shooting instruction, bobwhite quail hunts from mule-drawn wagons and world-class dining are all included. Secure your spot at artistryafield. com.

Photo Courtesy of the City of Thomasville Office of Downtown & Tourism Development

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

What to Expect

Even if you don’t know a hind-end from a muzzle, there is so much to enjoy at this ultra-luxe 300-acre property, where no detail has been overlooked: the soaring 20foot high marble-clad lobby, adorned with oil paintings of beloved canines and horses; the English-saddle-festooned Yellow Pony Pub ; the Hermès-inspired carpets that line the guest hallways; the sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the Grand Arena from your suite.

What to Do

During eventing season, dine al fresco and watch world-class horses compete for $100k+ purses. Book treatments at the hotel’s 7,000-foot Calluna Spa . Shop for your next bauble at Lugano Diamonds or put the Master Sommelier to the test with wine pairings at Stirrups Restaurant . Or maybe you caught pastry chef Yohann LeBescond on Food Network’s “Summer Baking Championship,” and you’re dying to try his confections.

Of Note: Nov. 3-5, The Equestrian Hotel plays host to the Ocala Food & Wine Festival , where their chefs go head-to-head with celebrity chefs all weekend long. Bourbon, BBQ and Blues are the theme for Friday night. Breakout classes and Taste of Ocala take place during the day on Saturday, while that night, the chefs vie for guests’ tastebuds, as each prepares a different course for the grand dinner.

The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, Florida

Horses may not be the first thing you think of when considering a Florida vacation, but hear us out: this is a destination like none other.

The city of Ocala—situated halfway between Orlando and Gainesville—traces its proud equine history back almost a century when industrialist Carl G. Rose founded Rosemere Farm in 1935, as the country’s first thoroughbred farm. Today, almost 1,000 horse-breeding farms and training facilities pepper the Central Florida region, known for its temperate winters and easy climate. No doubt, Carl G. Rose had visions of what Ocala could become but surely The Equestrian Hotel and The World Equestrian Center (WEC) would be beyond his wildest dreams.

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo by Ethan Tweedie

Photo by Maven Photo & Film

Photo by Maven

Photo & Film

Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail

When most readers think of bourbon, they think of Louisville. But, there is so much more to the brown water scene than just that one locus in lower Kentucky. Head north to the cities of Covington and Newport for a completely different take on the heritage spirit that has shaped this region.

Where to Stay

Downtown Covington is so visually charming that it has been the backdrop for scads of movies filmed in the area. Robert Redford, Zac Efron, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and Ryan Gosling have all shot scenes in the area. The Hotel Covington is a boutique hotel in the former Coppin’s Department Store space, very centrally-located. Their brand-new sister property, North by Hotel Covington, is just down the block. As the former YMCA, the hotel boasts design nods to its athletic past while featuring luxury suites and penthouses (for ahem, visiting movie stars perhaps)?

What to Do

Plan a long weekend here to explore the region’s B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s self-guided Bourbon trail. A number of local craft distilleries, bars (all of which have been named to The Best Bourbon Bars in America list) and restaurants have earned coveted spots. Print out your passport before you go or pick one up at any stop along the line.

Stop in to Revival Vintage Spirits where co-owner and curator Brad Bonds shares his passion (and collection) of found spirits. The passage of the 2018 Vintage Spirits Law allowed bars and retail shops to purchase “dusties” from individuals’ collections and Brad’s collection is jaw-dropping. The best part is, these spirits are meant to be opened, tasted and enjoyed. The full bottle might set you back a pretty penny, but Brad is happy to sell individual pours that will knock your socks off. Prohibition Bourbon Bar (and Newberry Bros. Coffee Café & Bistro)—Owners Kim and Peter Newberry are as charming as you hope they might be, as stewards of one of the largest collections of bourbon anywhere in the world. Enjoy a pour from any of the thousands available and then come back the next morning for Peter’s hand-turned-out pastries and uberfine coffee.

New Riff Distilling Company—Take a tour and tasting of this family-owned independent spirit maker where their core Bourbon riffs on the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act, ensuring a consistent and often times exemplary product, are free of artificial flavor enhancements or colorings.

At Second Sights Spirits, two former Cirque du Soleil engineers and prop designers hand-crafted their spirits in a fortune-teller themed venue. Just across the street, in the old Ludlow Theater building, is Bircus Brewing, owned and operated by a former Ringling Bros. circus clown, Paul Miller. Come for the up-and-coming circus acts that regularly perform here, and stay for the pizza.

Where to Eat

Emily Wolff and Paul Weckman are the husband-and-wife team behind several standout eateries in town, namely Frida, Otto’s, The Standard and Larry’s. Their newly opened Mama’s on Main in Mainstrasse Village is classic Italian where red sauce rules and the lively décor emulates their passion for these dishes.

The Baker’s Table and The Baker’s Table Bakery are where Chef David Willocks and designer Wendy Braun create stand-out fare that is both seasonally-sophisticated and approachable in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Go early, and enjoy a cocktail with house made shrubs.

What the heck is ‘goetta?’ This local staple with German origins is a sausage-like mixture of pork, beef and pinhead oats. Pronounced “get-UH,” you’re likely to see this item on breakfast menus or on pizzas in the region. If you try it and REALLY love it, come back for GoettaFest, held on the banks of the Ohio River with neighboring Cincinnati just across the iconic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Photo by Hotel Covington

Photo courtesy of Revival Vintage Spirits

Fall 2023 Events

The Hoover Entrepreneurial Council

The mission of the Entrepreneurial Council is to provide guidance, assistance and support to individuals who want to create, sustain and grow their business.

This committee is a group of leaders from all types of organizations in Hoover that will be on-hand to assist the City of Hoover Economic Development Manager, Greg Knighton. This committee is working towards the ideas of assisting workforce development initiatives with the Riverchase Career Connections Center (RC3), Hoover City Schools, area institutions of higher education and regional workforce initiatives.

This group will also be investigating ways to help the city with community development initiatives. One such idea

is working to designate a portion of the city as a Main Street Alabama City. Also, this committee will work with the City of Hoover toward the idea of connecting small businesses, entrepreneurs and corporations on other key issues related to economic development to positively impact the business community in Hoover. For more information on this council, contact Alicia White by phone at 205-2676567, by email at msmaliciawhite@gmail. com or contact the chamber office at 205988-5672. Visitors are welcome to attend the meetings as well.

Meetings are now being held on the first Tuesday of each month from 8:30-9:30 a.m. the Hoover Area Chamber offices, located at 3000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 375, Hoover, Alabama.

Comparion Insurance Agency May 3, 2023

Blackbird May 16, 2023

Monark Grove Greystone May 17, 2023

Hoover High School Outdoor Classroom May 19, 2023

All Original Pizzeria May 19, 2023

Walmart Supercenter Hwy 280 May 26, 2023

Southern Immediate Care June 5, 2023

The Market at Brock’s Gap June 6, 2023

Kilwins June 7, 2023

The Nail Spot June 14, 2023

Alabama Flooring Sales July 6, 2023

Thank you to our 2023 Board of Trustees

Eric Land, ABC 33/40 Television

Brooke Wood, Alabama Credit Union – Hoover

Dr. Timothy Lee, Alabama Heart & Vascular, P.C

Kimberly Jackson, Alabama Power Company

Jabo Waggoner, Alabama State Senator Jabo Waggoner

Zeke Eldridge, Alabama Vein & Restoration Medspa

– Chace Circle

Craig Reeves, Ambit Solutions, LLC

Jylon Jones, American Family Care – Cahaba Beach Road

Jody Mattson, AmFirst

Derrick E. Ragland, APCO Employees Credit Union

John Santamour, Aprio, LLP

Kim Starling, Ascension St. Vincent’s

Terri Williams, AT&T – Alabama

Linda Cencula, Avadian Credit Union – Corporate

Jarrod Edwards, BancorpSputh – Hoover

David Riddle, Bedzzz Express

Deborah Stephens, Behavioral Health Systems, Inc.

Matthew Rodgers, Benton Nissan of Hoover

Ashfaq Taufique, Birmingham Islamic Society

Tara Bailey, Brookdale University Park

Will Hawkins, CB&S Bank

Lori Moler, Children’s of Alabama

Crystal Dixon, Costco Wholesale

Jonathan Wilson, Dave and Buster’s

Jeff Bass, Diversicare of Riverchase

Nicole Self, Express Oil Change/Tire EngineersCorporate Offices

Anne Smyth, Galleria Woods Retirement Community

Ches Allen, General Informatics

Keith Strickland, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc.

Leisha Harris, Grandview Medical Center

Len Luther, Gresham, Smith and Partners

Gina Cannady, Legacy community Federal Credit Union – Corporate Ridge

Terry Poole, Long-Lewis of Hoover

Jamie Black, McDonald’s

Christina Bunn, Medical West Hospital

Luke Elder, Mercedes Benz of Birmingham

Van Singleton, Office Depot #2293-Hoover

Joseph B. Bolen, IV, Ortho Alabama Spine and Sports

Rodney Berry, Peoples Bank of Alabama –International Park

Chuck Kramer, Progress Bank and Trust

Libby O’Neal, Proveer at Grande View

Rick Smith, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

Bob Adams, Revere Control Systems, Inc.

Dwight Sandlin, Signature Homes

Brian Skelton, Skelton’s Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration

Michelle Suggs, Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen

Lynne Butler, South Haven Health & Rehabilitation Center

Kelvin Johnson, Spire Energy

Vivian Mora, State Farm Insurance – Vivian Mora Agency

Terry Rippstein, Terracon consultants, Inc.

Aeriell Lapsley, The Trails at Cahaba River

Mark Grenier, Topgolf

Gus McKenzie, Troy University

Mary Beth Young, Truist Financial

Matt Roth, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux – Tattersall

Phillip Corley, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

Darin Boykin, WalMart – Hoover #1229

Richard Edwards, WalMart SuperCenter – Highway 280

Cody Burns, WBRC Fox 6 Televison

Paul Sutton, Werkplās

Ellen Chandler, Whataburger

THE WELLHOUSE GRACE GALA

On

Jan. 21 at The

raise money

for the

1. Collier and Dr. Patrick Peavy, Jill and Dr. Zane Hayde, April and Daniel McKinney, with Ashley Mathews and Glen Jamison

2. April and Daniel McKinney

3. Steven and Kim Leaf

4. Jackie Robinson and Sara Higginbotham

5. Eliza and Kalon Belle

6. Mackenzie Groves and Bailey Oliver

7. Sean Fleming and Anna Krueger with Jeannine and Randy Williams

8. Natalie and Lee Smith with Nikki Harkins

9. Erica, Randy and Jeannine Williams

10. Mark and Brad Lolley with Will McWane

11. Bella Wright, Rachel Allen and Andrea Hall

PHOTOS BY JAMES AND RACHEL CULVER

Saturday,

Fennec, the WellHouse Junior Board hosted its annual Grace Gala, which helped

and awareness

nonprofit’s programs and efforts in the fight against sex trafficking.

BISCUIT BELLY GRAND OPENING

1. Andrew and Rachel Adams

2. Carol Mastroianni, Alaina Bacon and Sam Williams

3. Josh Williford, Taylor Huff and Mark Peeples

4. Rose Mary Colbert and Tamekia Coleman

5. Stephen and Lisa Self

6. The G.O.A.T.

7. The Billings family

8. Keith and Ginger Hathaway

9. Patricia and Woody Norman

10. The Roveda family

11. Nick and Stephanie Gohde

PHOTOS BY JAMES AND RACHEL CULVER

On Saturday, Feb. 11 Biscuit Belly in Hoover held its grand opening. Hundreds of people came out to support the new eatery, drawing lines out into the parking lot.

DR. MONICA PARHAM, DDS | DR. EDGAR LUNA, DMD

THE TASTE OF TEAL GALA

1. The Lorinos and The Graffeos

2. Dr. Warner Huh and Jim Crandall

3. Phillip and Heather McWane with Marcia DeBardeleben

4. Karen Austin, Cameron Tomberlin and Cameron Baubach

5. Jonathan and Kinley Daniel with Anna Wilbanks

6. Craig and Tara Strong with Robert and Tabatha Pettigrew

7. Hannah Hughes and Beth Godfrey

8. Ben and Mary Kate Craukamp with Danielle and Hunter Whitlock

9. Hernandez and Valerie Johnson, Blair and Melanie McNary, Lucy Mallery and Crystal Hunnicutt

10. Carla and David Tidmore

11. Debbie Pearson and Rachael Stamps

12. Doris Moody and Sissy Long

13. Clint and Nancy Beasley

14. Maryam Stevenson and Blair Lacey

15. Rebecca Aran, Adam ElNaggar and Anna Wilbanks

PHOTOS BY JAMES AND RACHEL CULVER

On Saturday, March 4 at the Wynfrey Hotel, the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation held its annual Taste of Teal Gala, which honors individuals and organizations who are positively impacting gynecological cancer survivors’ lives.

ROSS BRIDGE FARMERS MARKET

On Friday, July 28 the Ross Bridge Farmers Market held its last event of the summer season. With more than 30 different vendors, food and beverage stations, inflatables, face painting, live entertainment and more, this event was the perfect back-to-school bash to end the summer right.

1. Amber, Kai and Izzy Wagner, with Hannah and Michelle Sykes

2. Adam and Caroline Kent

3. Gracie, Ayden and Ryan

4. Azariah and Alethia

5. Claudia and Camila Jimenez

6. Izzy and Missy Polhemus

7. Kat Moore

8. Lindsay and Maddie Kuehner

9. Mike and Becky Driskill

10. Ranem and Nour

11. Reignite Chiropractic

PHOTOS BY KELSEA SCHAFER

presented

BLUFF PARK PAVILION RIBBON CUTTING

1. Michael Pepper, Melanie Posey Joseph, Kaly Bertella, Kelly Peoples, Colin Connor and James Young

2. Hannah Creech and Hal Bishop

3. Councilman John Lyda, Hunter Bridwell, Erin Colbaugh, Mayor Frank Brocato, Jordan Yarbrough, Jonathan Belcher, Hannah Creech and Hal Bishop

4. Erin Colbaugh

5. Mayor Frank Brocato

6. Jonathan Belcher

7. Hunter Bridwell

8. Kelly Bonner and Jordan Yarbrough

9. Kelly Peoples and Kaly Bertella

10. Robin Schultz and Pam Thompson

11. Councilman John Lyda and Kelly Peoples

PHOTOS BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

On Wednesday, July 27 at the Bluff Park Community Park, the city of Hoover held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-built pavilion.

Central Alabma Wellness

Mental Health Services Office locations in Calera, Clanton, Pelham, and 280! 205-651-0077

Visit our website to learn more

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)2800002. Pelham (205)444-9774.

Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007

Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services!

2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-5482547(V) •800-548-2546(T/A).

Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity

Provider/Employer

Quantum Logistics Hiring Class A Driver. Montgomery, AL. Full or part time. $.48-$.55 per mile. Paid weekly. BCBS Insurance. Home weekend EZ Pass and prepass. Safety & Fuel Bonus. Apply online www.qtmlog.com Call (334)2888106.

Nursing Assistant to help care for an elderly gentleman in Jemison requiring total assistance. PT-FT. To apply, call Ms. Peoples (205)688-1992 or (205)447-3005

Security Guard for Gated Community in North Shelby County Full-time or Part-time. Must have pistol permit. Call Brittany 205-991-4653

BRIAN’S TREE SERVICE•TREES CUT FROM THE TOP DOWN!•SAFE TREE REMOVAL IN CONFINED AREAS!•STUMP GRINDING!• GENERAL LIABILITY

•WORKERS COMP WWW. BRIANSTREE.COM 205-2812427

centralalbamawellness.org

SJ Outdoor Construction

•Bobcat Work •Hauling •Dump Trailer Rental (will drop off and pick up)

•Debris, limbs, tree removal

•Gravel •Millings •Demolition

TEXT OR CALL BRIAN! 205260-4122

Affordable Home Maintenance is looking to fill job openings for Carpenters and helpers. Must have valid drivers license and own means of transportation. Top pay for experienced workers. To inquire, text 205-258-2089 or email markstcyr@att.net. Someone will call you back.

MAKE AN OFFER 20’ & 40’ Used Shipping Containers TollFree or Text 1-833-762-7793

Dogwood Plumbing LLC

– Master Plumber, Master Gasfitter. Licensed & Insured. Senior Discounts. Plumbing

• Drain • Gas 205-864-2369

dogwoodplumbingllc@gmail. com

Kelly Education • Shelby County Schools • Hiring

Substitute Teachers. Limitless opportunities for passionate people! •Free pre-hire training

•Paid orientation •Ongoing professional development

•Steady, yet flexible, work

•Weekly pay •Your preference of schools. Contact Anne Gamble: O: 205.682.7062 M: 205.532.1122 anne.gamble@ kellyservices.com

O-FLEX METAL FINISHING

Production Supervisor

$50,000.00-$70,000.00/year 10hr shifts Mon-Thurs Oversees production operations. Sets objectives, organizes workflow, prepares schedules, assigns responsibilities, trains employees, ensures safety, schedules maintenance, submits performance reports. Skills:Automotive Plant Experience

-Experience as Production Supervisor or similar role

-Experience with manufacturing machinery and tools -Advanced skills in MS Office -High School Diploma; Degree in a technical, engineering or relevant field will be an advantage Benefits: PTO, 401k w/match, Health/Dental/ Vision insurance, employee assistance, referral program, tuition reimbursement 725 Keystone Drive Clanton, Al 35044

O-FLEX METAL FINISHING

2nd Shift Supervisor

$50,000.00-$70,000.00 2nd shift

2:30p.m.-1:00a.m. Monday–Thursday Responsibilities: •Be an effective Supervisor in a participative work environment

•Ensure all Finishing Dept. goals and improvement objectives are accomplished per our commitments •Ability to

optimize utilization of personnel, equipment, material, and space to meet OMF’s daily, monthly and annual targets. Will be evaluated regularly on ability to continuously improve in all areas of responsibility. 725 Keystone Drive Clanton, Al 35044

O-FLEX METAL FINISHING

Maintenance Technicians: Friday–Sunday 12 hour shifts 6:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Responsible for maintenance of O-Flex facilities & equipment across all lines & departments. Oversight of preventative maintenance programs. Coordinates continuous improvement activities with Maintenance Team Leader. Starting pay $19$28 BOE 725 Keystone Drive Clanton, Al 35044

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS!

Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!

WHATLEY PLUMBING

Locally Owned Residential & Commercial. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Plumbing & Gas. Repairs, Replacements, Installation, Water Heaters. 122 Chilton Place, Clanton. 205755-8555

Hiring Experienced Driver

Must have Class A CDL, Hazmat, tanker exp. Local deliveries, so you will be home every night. We have new equipment, FT/PT positions available with excellent hourly pay. Offering health/dental insurance, paid vacations. Send resumes to: mark@allenoil.com Call 256-404-4143 or come by the Allen’s office at: 1251 Old Bham Hwy in Sylacauga

BAMA CONCRETE FINISHING

•Concrete Replacement and Repair •Bobcat Work and Hauling •Driveways/ Patios/Sidewalks/Building

Slabs•Concrete Retainer Walls and Sea walls •Wooden Privacy Fences 31 years experience (205) 901-4112(pls leave voicemail or text me)

Hill Brook Manor Apartments 300 Sumner Dr. Calera, AL 35040 205-668-2020 Affordable Living 1 and 2 BR Apartments

Available As low as $465 a month

Experienced Termite

Technician or someone experienced in route-service work and wants to learn new profession. Work-vehicle/ equipment provided. Must drive straight-shift, have clean driving record/be 21/pass background/ drug test. Training provided. Insurance/401K offered. M-F 7:00-4:30 + 1 Saturday/month. Pay $13hr. Send resume to facsmith@charter.net

University Baptist CDC

Pre-K In Montevallo NOW HIRING Auxiliary teachers for First Class 4-year-old Pre-K program. School year position with competitive pay. Auxiliary teachers must have Child Development Associate (CDA) or 9hrs Early Childhood Education/Development.

Experience in First Class program & bilingual skills a plus. Also looking for substitute teachers. For questions or resumes, contact Lorrie Ozley: universitybaptistcdc@gmail.com 205-665-4039

Sentimental Spots

Greystone Crest

We moved to Greystone Crest more than a year ago, and the sunrise and sunsets we get to view every day from our home are simply magnificent. We feel so blessed to be able to watch the beauty of God’s creation every day from our very own home.

CONNIE ALEXANDER JACKS

White House Real Estate and The Luxe Group CEO

Making Memories

Christmas in Hoover

We absolutely love Christmas time! Driving around Hoover’s beautiful neighborhoods to see all of the gorgeous Christmas lights with my family has to be one of the best memories I have made in our great city.

Eat Local

Amoré Ristorante

Italiano and Full Moon Bar-B-Que

I love Amoré Ristorante Italiano! I always order lasagna and pair it with a nice red wine. My husband, Steven, loves Full Moon Bar-B-Que and enjoys getting the All-American Burger.

The Power Couple

White House Real Estate and The Luxe Group

My favorite part of being an agent and owning a real estate brokerage in Hoover is helping people. We have the opportunity to take a very stressful time in people’s lives and make it easy and enjoyable. Steven and I are problem solvers and together, as best friends and a married couple, it makes the dream of helping others and giving back even more enjoyable.

Fellowship in Community

A Plethora of Hoover Events

We love sporting events at the Hoover Met, Spain Park High School and all of the art and food events. There is always something going on in Hoover, and we love to support our local communities as much as possible! Spending time together as a family means that no matter where we are, we will always have a good time. Pictured is my husband, Steven, and our two sons, Amos and JonRoss.