NATURAL LANDSCAPES BY ALICIA COOK • ON TYBEE ISLAND TIME • HOMEWOOD WINE CLUB TASTINGS
2022
WEDDINGS TEN REAL WEDDINGS A LUNCH FOR YOUR LADIES SHOWER GRAZING TABLE STYLING
SPRING 2022 HomewoodLife.com Volume Six | Issue One $4.95
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HA N D -S E L EC TE D F U R NI S H I NG S , A C C E S S O R I ES & U NI Q U E G I FT S
2921 18TH ST S H OME WOO D 2 0 5 . 8 7 9 .3 5 10 ATHOME-FURNISHINGS.COM BIRMINGHAM’S BEST FURNITURE STORE 2021
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WEDDINGS 66
JULIANNE & GRIFFIN 68
SARAH JANE & CONOR 70
ASHLEY & SPENCER 72
EMILY & JOE 74
AMANDA & JOHN 78
COURTNEY & JOSH 80
CRANDALL & ROSS SAMANTHA & LOGAN 84
ALYSSA & HUNTER 86
ARYN & EVAN 4 Spring 2022
PHOTO BY LAUREN BAILEY PHOTO
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PHOTO BY LINDSEY CULVER
arts & culture
17 Of Skies & Trees: Artwork by Alicia Cook 26 Read This Book: Feasts for the Eyes
food & drink
27 Uncorked: Homewood Wine Club Tastings
travel 37 Hit the Road: On Tybee Time
weddings
in every issue 6 Contributors 9 From the Editor 11 The Question 12 @homewoodlife 13 The Guide 88 Chamber Connections 90 Out & About 94 Marketplace 96 My Homewood
45 Forever on Your Side: A Ladies Lunch Before the Big Day 51 Destination Style: Intricate Wedding Dress Designs 58 How to Style a Shower Grazing Table: Inspiration for Celebrations 63 A Guide to Selecting Just the Right Wedding Tie 64 Pandemic-Era Trends That Are Here to Stay
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contributors EDITORIAL
Alec Etheredge Meg Herndon Michelle Love Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino
CONTRIBUTORS
Gabby Bass-Butler James Culver Lindsey Culver Mary C. Fehr Morgan Hunt Christiana Roussel Arden Ward
DESIGN
Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom
James Culver, Photographer
James lives in the Birmingham area with his wife, Rachel, a native of Homewood, and their three children, Callie, James III and John Michael. He is a graduate of Auburn University and spent years in Atlanta working as a graphic designer, creative director and photographer. He specializes in event, real estate and portrait photography, and he can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @jculvercreative and at jculver.com.
Lindsey Culver, Photographer
Originally from the Midwest, Lindsey is a photographer who lives in Homewood with her husband, Chris, and two mischievous children, Smith and Roland (along with their dachshund puppy, Sweeney Todd). When not working as a baby and child photographer, she can be found with her hands in the dirt of her flower and vegetable garden, with a cup of coffee in hand around the clock, hosting hot tub parties for her friends and attending every local musical theater performance.
MARKETING
Octavia Campbell Evann Campbell Jessica Caudill Kari George Michaela Hancock Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Tori Montjoy Viridiana Romero
ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Stacey Meadows Tim Prince Brittany Schofield Savana Tarwater Anna Willis
Mary Fehr, Photographer
Mary is a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Birmingham. She studied art and art history at University of Montevallo. She likes to teach and plans on getting her MFA in order to do so. Mary also loves to travel and has a goal of photographing a wedding in every state! She enjoys reading non-fiction, going to concerts and spending time with her family.
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.
Homewood Life is published quarterly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Homewood Life 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, Homewood Life, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Homewood Life is mailed to select households throughout Homewood, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit HomewoodLife.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting HomewoodLife.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@homewoodlife.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.
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from the editor
A
ON THE COVER
Julianne & Griffin
Julianne Nelson met her groom Griffin Walker in kindergarten at Shades Cahaba Elementary School. Photo by Hannah Miller Design by Connor Martin-Lively
As a preschooler I’d hide behind my mom’s legs when I met new people—I was that shy. But not at my Aunt Betsy’s wedding. Somehow putting on a lacy peach dress and getting a basket of flowers to take down the aisle unleashed a different child on the dance floor—one who cried during the bride and groom’s first dance because she had to step away from the floor. Turn on music or, better yet, a live band, and a child can dance for hours on end without a care in the world like I did that July evening with my cousin Andrea. Fast forward 31 years and one worldwide pandemic later, and once again I found myself at family wedding—a reception for a couple we had watched wed on Zoom a year before. It was the first large indoor gathering I’d been to in well over a year, and I entered the scene freshly vaccinated and apprehensive about all the people—almost like my childhood shyness. But before long, I found myself on the dance floor, once again with my cousin Andrea. Quickly, we tuned out all thoughts of the virus that had changed our world and danced the night away without abandon. It was freedom-filled bliss. To me, that is one of the best markers of a wedding—to be so in the moment, so focused on celebrating two people becoming one that all the sorrows and fears of the world around us fade for a brief while for feasting, dancing, merriment and perhaps a few tears of joy. That’s also part of why putting together this annual wedding issue is my favorite part of my work year as I get a taste of those blissful celebratory moments for couples and their guests. Each comes with a unique story, many of them this year either during or coming out of the height of pandemic times. And now I get an extra layer of editorial joy to get to share them with all of you. In addition to our features on Homewood brides and grooms, you’ll also find inspiration images from a bridesmaids’ luncheon and a shower grazing table, as well as wedding dresses by independent designers that I can’t stop staring at, a guide to selecting just the right wedding tie and a few pandemic-era wedding trends that are here to stay. Plus, before you get to all the wedding section goodness, we introduce you to the artwork of Alicia Cook and invite you into Homewood Wine Club’s dinner parties, complete with tips on how to replicate them with your friends. Cheers to all the marriages this issue celebrates, and here’s to hoping your 2022 is marked by moments where you too can pause all thought of the hard things of this world and dance the night away like a child!
madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com
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“ ” THE QUESTION
What do friends and family who attended your wedding remember the most from it?
That my wife had a broken leg when we got married & I carried her out to our first dance.
That we got married on April Fool’s Day!
The dancing! DJ Steve Sills had the whole reception up on their feet all night and it was the best!
My husband composed a song for me, sang/played it on the guitar and wrote the music for the string quartet that accompanied him.
Pat Dye attending our wedding reception (we got married at his farm). I have a great pic of him dancing with my mom, and he graciously took pics with all of our guests!
We woke up the day of the wedding to a winter wonderland in Birmingham!
While we were at the altar, you could hear the War Eagle chant at the start of the game as the Eagle was flying around the stadium. Did I mention I married an Alabama fan and in-laws?
The video of our childhood pictures growing up that played before the wedding. It was created by my husband’s sister and brother-in-law.
-Erik Batson
-Lauren Bearden
-Marie Craig Knight
-Mackenzie Coan
-Lori Alice
-Amy Parrish Player
-Katie Allsopp Thomas
-Jennifer Meador Ayers
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@HomewoodLife
Tag us in your Homewood photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.
@triciastreasureshmwd THANK YOU to the artists, customers and new customers that attended the grand opening last night! If you attended, we would appreciate any comments on specific things you liked, or how we could improve. Thank you, Alabama Treasures!
@rodneyscottsbbq Today is a good day! We’ve got the pits fired up in Homewood, AL & our team is ready to serve up your favorite BBQ! Be one of our first customers at our NEW Homewood location today. Doors open at 11!
The path to
MENDING HER
HEART
was actually through her leg. Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at Children’s of Alabama.
Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient
12 Spring 2022
To learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heart
THE GUIDE
CORNAPALOOZA APRIL 24 Pizzeria GM It’s only fitting that the Homewood Athletic Foundation would hold an athletic competition as a fundraiser. Cornhole is a sport, right? And all funds raised go toward the Homewood Athletic Foundation projects. HomewoodLife.com 13
THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN MONDAYS IN FEBRUARY Virtual Library Yoga with Jackie Tally Via Homewood Public Library FEB. 1-10 Valentines Cards for the Residents at Brookdale University Park Homewood Public Library
EVENTS
Homewood Easter Egg Hunt BYOB (bring your own basket, that is) and get ready to hunt—and join in on the fun of games, prizes, bounce houses and Easter Bunny photos. Check homewoodparks.com for the date, times and other updates on the event; they had not been finalized as of the time of publication.
MARCH 12
Kiwanis Pancake Day 7 A.M.-12 P.M. The Exceptional Foundation Rise and shine, and come out for some hot cakes, sausage and coffee. This year’s event will be setup as a drive-thru, and more event details will be posted on homewood-mtbrookal.kiwanisone.org. Organizer the Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook awards Key Club college scholarships, YMCA camp scholarships, and funds projects at family-centric organizations such as Children’s of Alabama, The Exceptional Foundation and local schools.
APRIL 9
Cornhole Classic The Bell Center Join in on a round robin format with a playoffs tournament that will keep your cornhole skills intact during the tailgating off-season. Plus, you can enjoy food, music and more while benefitting The Bell Center for Early Prevention programs too. Learn more at thebellcenter.org. 14 Spring 2022
FEB. 11-27 Once on this Island Red Mountain Theatre Company FEB. 11-13 Mercedes Benz Marathon Weekend FEB. 15+18+22 Black History Month Film Series Homewood Public Library FEB. 23-26 Southern Voices Festival Hoover Public Library MARCH 5 Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off Brookwood Village MARCH 12 Publix GreenWise Village 2 Village 10K and 7.5K Mountain Brook Village MARCH 26 Rumpshaker 5K Homewood Central Park APRIL 2 Ellis Porch Statue to Statue 15K Starts at Vulcan Park & Museum APRIL 22-24 Magic City Art Connection Linn Park MARCH 28-APRIL 1 Spring Break Homewood City Schools APRIL 9 Hop ‘n Shop Downtown Homewood
THE GUIDE APRIL 9 Red Shoe Run Benefitting Ronald McDonald House Downtown Birmingham APRIL 9 Walk MS Homewood Central Park APRIL 29-30 Lebanese Food and Culture Festival St. Elias Maronite Church APRIL 29-MAY 1 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber Motorsports Park APRIL 30 Gumbo Gala Presented by Episcopal Place Sloss Furnaces APRIL 30 Edgewood Spring Festival Edgewood Elementary School
PARKS
SAVE THE DATE Saturday, May 7 is the official date for We Love Homewood Day 2022, so make sure you keep the date open for festival rides, a parade, street dance, sidewalk chalk art and more to show love for your favorite city. Find updates on this year’s event and its schedule at homewoodparks.com.
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THE GUIDE MARCH 10
Taste of Homewood It’s time to come eat all of Homewood in one night with samplings from more than 25 Homewoodarea restaurants, caterers, bakeries, coffee shops and beverage merchants. Proceeds go to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s scholarship fund for local students as well as economic development efforts in the community. For tickets and location information, visit homewoodchamber.org.
FEB. 3-5
Lil’ Lambs Consignment Sale FRIDAY 9 A.M.-2 P.M., SATURDAY 9 A.M.-NOON Trinity United Methodist Church Gym Stock up on your kids’ wardrobes for spring and summer at reasonable prices at Trinity UMC’s consignment sale. They’ll also have toys and furniture in addition to clothes too. Many items will be half-price on Saturday, and all unsold items marked “donate” at the end of the sale will be shared with families and organizations in need in our area.
WHAT WE TREAT
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&CULTURE
ARTS
OF SKIES & TREES Alicia Cook depicts the world around her with oil paints. BY GABBY BASS-BUTLER PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 17
E
Every afternoon, Alicia Cook sets aside her homeschooling teacher hat, walks over to a special space in her Homewood cottage and sets up at her wall easel with oil paints in hand. With calming music or an audiobook playing, it’s time for her to get to work capturing flowers dancing in the wild and other moments that we can easily overlook in nature. At the end of the day, Alicia hopes that her representations of the very real world around us will make others feel the same sense of joy that she gets from them. When she was younger, though, Alicia mainly painted whatever her teachers were prescribing,
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and right after college she created mostly pet portraits. Her grandparents loved to paint, and her family encouraged her love of art as a kid. She took lessons growing up, studied art at BirminghamSouthern College and later received a master’s in art history from UAB, planting seeds of creativity that bear fruit today. She hadn’t yet been drawn to nature though. Her passion for it instead grew when she lived in Upstate New York, a departure from her hometown of Birmingham. While her husband was in school there, she not only taught art but also found herself inspired by the natural world around her. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten more into nature,” she
Alicia captures nature in her art from a dedicated space in her Homewood home.
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I love to hike, be outdoors and garden, so that’s just a big part of my life. It’s what makes me happy and fills my soul. -Alicia Cook
says. “I love to hike, be outdoors and garden, so that’s just a big part of my life. It’s what makes me happy and fills my soul.” She did step out of her pattern of painting nature when she worked on a piece with Trinity United Methodist Church recently though. The church’s art walk last spring featured artists presenting their take on Jesus’ last days on Earth, and all of the pieces were displayed in front of the church on Oxmoor. Alicia’s piece was collaborative as she sketched a cross on an abstract landscape and placed pieces of tape on it. One Sunday after church, children and adults could come pick from different colors and paint within the taped regions. Once the painting seemed finished, Alicia and her kids went back and added some gold paint and a few more touches to it, and the painting was complete. Showcasing the cross was a beautiful and memorable moment for her, as she emphasizes that art can be an expression of worship. Alicia spends most of her time homeschooling her two elementary-aged kids, but she dedicates afternoons to painting in her own oasis that she created in a recent home renovation that she says has elevated her painting routine. “Before the renovation, I was painting in our dining room, where we ate our meals, did home school and practiced the piano. It was a cluttered, busy scene,” she says. “Now I’ve got my HomewoodLife.com 21
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ART HISTORY 101 Book Recommendations from Alicia Cook
Art Through the Ages by Helen Gardner
“This was a required book for art history in college, and I continue to use it today! There are many editions and adaptations so I recommend A Global History for beginners.” The Art Book by the Editors of Phaidon
“With 500 beautiful color illustrations, this one makes for a great coffee table book too.” A Child’s Introduction to Art: The World’s Greatest Paintings + Sculptures by Helen Alexander
“A wonderful pick for kids! Includes art project ideas too.” The Story of Painting by Sister Wendy Beckett
“This one includes interesting historical and technical information along with thought-provoking spiritual ideas about the art at hand.”
own space, and I can leave my stuff out. That makes it so much easier to go and start working. I have my paints all set up, and I’ve got some great easels that I love.” Alicia is still thinking about maybe teaching one day as she continues to find herself inspired by the Impressionists, Monet, Cezanne and Degas. In fact, the reason she got a master’s in art history at UAB is because she thought she might like to work in a museum or teach it at the college level. For anyone wanting to get into art history, she suggests something as simple as a visit to your local library. “I get inspired by them, the art and the history all the time, ” says Alicia. “Walk around the art history section and cultural section and see what pops out at you. Everybody loves different things and different styles: contemporary art, realistic art, there’s just so much out there.” Alicia also recommends visiting auction websites and museums to learn more about art history. For her, the Birmingham Art Museum is the “ultimate place to get inspired by art and learn about art history.” When she’s not exploring art or nature, Alicia enjoys playing the piano and cooking, particularly making red lentil soup with sourdough bread to pair with it for her family. (Side note: She got into making bread by learning from another Homewood local, Hannah Scroggins’ (@_hannahs_homemade_) homemade bread making class.) In the midst of that though, painting is still at the core of what
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25th YEAR
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Alicia works on her art when she isn’t homeschooling her two children.
Alicia does. She is currently working on new bird paintings—yet another element of nature she takes in day by day. “My favorite thing is to be inspired by something and just go paint, and hopefully,
MAKE TIME FOR YOU
100 BROADWAY ST. THEPLACETOESCAPE.COM
24 Spring 2022
eventually, it probably won’t find a home right away but eventually it’ll find the right home,” she says. Learn more about Alicia’s art at aliciaart.com or @aliciamcookart on Instagram.
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ARTS & CULTURE
READ THIS BOOK
As a children’s librarian, I get to incorporate my love of food through book recommendations and programming, which gives me the opportunity to introduce children of all ages to a variety of foods, especially ones they are not familiar with. After reading these delectable picture books, I hope readers find themselves branching out to a new cuisine, revisiting childhood meals or cooking a recipe they have not tried before. They are packed with mouth-watering illustrations too.
Feasts for the Eyes Recommendations from
Cristina Castor Homewood Public Library Children’s Librarian
Paletero Man
By Lucky Diaz Foods: paletas, tamales and Korean BBQ tacos. A boy’s quest to find the paletero man on a hot summer day takes readers on a mini-tour of Los Angeles. As he encounters other street food vendors, he doesn’t get distracted because he only has one thing in his mind: paletas! If you’re on the lookout for these cool treats, try La Sobrasitas Ice Cream Shop on Lorna Road in Hoover where they carry some of the best flavors around. My favorites are guayava, tamarindo, arroz and fresa con crema.
Hot Pot Night!
By Vincent Chen Food: hot pot. When a child’s idea of a hot pot night brings his neighbors together, readers are going to find out what goes in the dish and the special meaning behind it. My favorite places to shop for hot pot ingredients are Homewood staples: Red Pearl and Hometown Supermarket. Not only can you purchase groceries in there, but you can also eat at their restaurants inside, which I did often with my family growing up. Red Pearl is still my favorite restaurant in Birmingham to this day!
When Lola Visits
By Michelle Sterling Foods: mango jam, dried squid, cassava cake, sizzling sisig, suman, kalamansi pie, lumpia, stuffed milkfish, arroz caldo, etc. There aren’t a lot of children’s books that highlight Filipino culture, but this story about a girl’s lola visiting reminds me of my childhood growing up in the Philippines surrounded by all the sweet and savory foods that are hard to come by here in the States. Luckily, Hometown Supermarket and Red Pearl carry some Filipino goodies, which make me less homesick for the motherland.
Tomatoes for Neela
By Padma Lakshmi Foods: tomato sauce and tomato chutney. Neela and her amma’s sauce-making adventure using the best tomatoes will make readers want to visit their neighborhood farmer’s market. This story is unique yet endearing as it ties their Indian heritage to the rest of the world using tomatoes. I often crave Indian food, and my favorite is Taj India on Highland Avenue in Birmingham. With a colorful atmosphere and an extensive menu, you can try a different meal every time and never get disappointed.
Halal Hot Dogs
By Susannah Aziz Foods: kufte kebabs, mecluba, molokhia, riz bi haleeb, falafel and halal hot dogs. After Jummah Prayer at the masjid, each member of Musa’s family gets to pick a special treat, which introduces readers to a variety of delicious foods. From spiced meatballs to rice pudding, reading this book made me crave Middle Eastern food. You can find these treats in real life at the Halal Supermarket International on Green Springs and Alabama Halal Foods International on Lorna Road.
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&DRINK
FOOD
UNCORKED
These wine tasting dinners are as much about deepening friendships as experiencing reds and whites. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 27
W
When Taryn Cawyer sets her table on certain Friday nights, she makes sure each place setting has not one wine glass but two. That prescription sets the scene an evening that is scripted and yet not, one that ends with memories of food and new wines but all the more so of stories shared around the table of 10 and faces that hurt from laughing so much. The dinner group, Homewood Wine Club, started back in 2019 when all five couples had a child in the same 2-year-old class at Dawson Day School and the moms had become friends. One day Taryn was at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park with Sarah Marcrom when she brought up the idea. She
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and her husband, Chase, had done family wine tastings with his parents at their house in Dallas and wanted to try doing something similar with friends. At the time, not all of their husbands had even met, but all five couples got babysitters for a particular night and decided to give it a try that February. By the end of the night, they all agreed it was “one of the most fun nights ever” and they had to do it again. Fast forward more than two and half years and a pandemic later, and the five families have grown into more than a wine club. They consider their 14
On the particular night we photographed the Homewood Wine Club, they were tasting Champagnes, but every night they meet they all sit in the same seats at the table, almost as if they were assigned.
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HOW TO PLAN A HOMEWOOD WINE CLUB-STYLE GATHERING IN ADVANCE
1. Appoint a person to select the wines for the evening. The Homewood Wine Club bases their selections off a particular section from the book Great Wines Made Simple and visits a local wine shop like Classic Wine Co. with their list. 2. Afterward, send out a list of specific wines for that night to all club members and ask each couple to pick one to bring a food pairing for. 3. Have each club member research pairings for their particular wine online and prepare a dish (or get one via takeout) for the meeting. THE NIGHT OF
1. Set a table with two wine glasses per person at the place settings. 2. Review information from the text about these particular wines. 3. Pour two similar wines, one in each glass, and have everyone in the group taste it and discuss their reactions. 4. Have everyone taste the wines again,
kids in-town cousins and have each other listed as approved adults to check out their children from school. Two of the men, Robert Adams and Chase, coach baseball together, and Sam Marcrom and Cory Minton co-lead for an elementary school Bible Club and Boy Scout pack together. A book written by a sommelier called Great Wine Made Simple has been the group’s guide on the wine journey as it makes it easy for the average
this time with the food pairing, and discuss them. 5. After all wines have been tasted, enjoy the remainder of the night with friends.
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Front cove
I strive to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. r
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person to understand wine through experience. Each of their meetings starts with Chase recapping the section they are focusing on, and then come the tastings and discussion followed by more hang out time with friends after the “meeting” has ended. They emphasize that this is not just a 30-minute tasting but rather an entire evening spent with people they care about. “The whole experience creates an enhancement of community because you are experiencing things with people,” Sam says. “There’s a lot of bonding, and there’s differences in how you experience things. At the end of the day there’s a commitment to each other and that’s life-enhancing.” Those bonds have deepened alongside their relationship with wine of course too. For Sarah, she says she no idea what she liked before. She drank Cabernets for years, and now she thinks Cab isn’t as good by itself at all. Brent Jenkins thought he hated white wine, but it turns out he just hates sweet wine. A dry Riesling is a different story—the same grape as a sweet Riesling but from a different region and made differently. For Marianne Jenkins, she now feels comfortable selecting wines at wine
Cobbs Allen. Always Out Front. MARGARET ANN PYBURN mpyburn@cobbsallen.com MARGARET BROOKE mbrooke@cobbsallen.com BILLY WALKER bwalker@cobbsallen.com Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Gadsden, AL Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK www.cobbsallen.com © 2021 Cobbs Allen | All Rights Reserved HomewoodLife.com 31
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shops or restaurants, looking at contextual clues on menus from regions or climates or grapes and asking questions about them. For Chase, he’s realized what he is willing to pay for and what he is not. “We were tasting really nice champagnes, and we realized a $12 bottle of Prosecco was just as good, if not better value, as some of the $60 bottles of Champagne,” he notes. All of them come back to the word “empowerment” over and over again, as Cory articulates: “This book has empowered us to describe what I like and what I don’t instead of walking into a wine blindly. It’s given all of us an ability to look through wines and know why we like it. It gives you a vocabulary to lean on.” Many in the group will change how much they like a particular wine too after they’ve eaten it with food, and likewise, Sam says his biggest revelation has been with food pairings. “I have been blown away at dishes I have liked and wines I have liked, or if paired in a certain way I liked but if paired in a different way I don’t like,” he says. “It highlights the complexities there and makes it more interesting to experience with people you love.” Of all the things they have paired, the group is especially fond of a deep red paired with a meat Cory has cooked over live fire tableside, a red paired with a salmon, and spicy Thai food with a bone-dry Riesling. Tiffany Adams’ biggest transformation wasn’t even about the wine itself though. “For me it was about a return to loving cooking,” she notes. “When you are at home with little people, food is drudgery. It’s routine and mundane. But it was fun to HomewoodLife.com 33
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150 Artists • Corks & Chefs Live Performances Imagination Festival for Kids Cafe & Lounges • Special Exhibitions
Some of the wines we have tasted as a group I love, but then I try it other places and it’s just not that good. Certain wine is better with friends.
FIND ART
April 22-24, 2022 Sloss Furnaces
Image: Chloe York, “Washy Decorator 2”
-Chase Cawyer take one dish for adults and do it big and then celebrate it with everybody.” Each of the five couples in the group goes to a different church and has a different set of political beliefs, but one thing many of them have in common is having grown up not seeing alcohol in their home or in their church. “There was no freedom around it (then),” Sarah says. “That’s been an interesting thing where we are learning about it but there’s also a freedom in loving it as well.” Today the wine club formally meets about once a quarter
www.magiccityart.com 2022 SPONSORS: Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • Bancography BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama • Coca Cola United • Dermal Brands • Event Rentals Unlimited Birmingham • Joe Piper, Inc. • Kinetic Communications • Jemison Investment Company, Inc. • Sloss Furnaces Foundation, Inc. • Yarbrough Festival Foodservices MEDIA SPONSORS: AL.com • Babypalooza • Bell Media • Bham Now • Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • B-Metro EXCURSIONSgo.com • Homewood Life • Over the Mountain Journal • Starnes Media • This is Alabama WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm
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(though these meetings are only a small fraction of the time they spend with one another), and they are about two-thirds of the way through the book. They have no plans of stopping when they reach its end though. Instead they intend to plan their own vintages to lay the foundation of a night spent around the table. Wine is an endless world to explore, after all. Armed with their website, T-shirts and badges, the club is also looking to create a program, event or subscription for others to simplify the process to plan dinners like they hold and make access to wine easier and more approachable. More than anything, they want others to invest time in deep friendships over hours spent with one another and reap their rich benefits. “Some of the wines we have tasted as a group I love, but then I try it other places and it’s just not that good,” Chase says. “Certain wine is better with friends.” Follow the Homewood Wine Club @ homewoodwineclub on Instagram and homewoodwineclub.com.
36 Spring 2022
On Tybee Time Slow down to explore sandy beaches, marshes and historical sites on this small island off the southern coast of Georgia. By Christiana Roussel | Photos Courtesy of Tybee Island & Local Businesses Referenced in Captions HomewoodLife.com 37
HIT THE ROAD
Road trips are a funny thing. We start out in our own driveways, surrounded by the familiar—the twists and turns of our own neighborhood streets—which gradually give way to multi-lane highways, streams of cars and trucks all rushing to their destinations. And as we approach our own journey’s end, in this case, Tybee Island, we take a moment to notice the still-unfamiliar but highly anticipated. The highway recedes, and we find ourselves on a simple two-lane road that will ultimately end at the ocean, exactly where we wish to be. At only three miles long and less than a mile wide, Tybee Island—one of the famed Sea Islands off the coast of southern Georgia—is a natural respite from the rigors of daily life. With sandy beaches to the east and tidal marshes to the western interior, Tybee is replete with marine activity far different from the towns dotting the northern Florida panhandle where many of us have vacationed. Life on Tybee Island is dictated by the tides, the ebb and flow of a life lived more slowly, more in tune with the native world around us, and one rich in history.
Alabama
South Carolina
Georgia Atlanta
Birmingham
20 20
75
Macon
6 hrs., 22 min. 411 Miles
Auburn
16
Columbus
16
Savannah
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Tybee Island
HISTORY
These islands have seen their fair share of Revolutionary War battles, and Fort Pulaski (nps.gov/ fopu/index.htm) is a must-visit for any history buff. Named for Casimir Pulaski, a Polish soldier and commander who fought in the Revolutionary War, this coastal fortification played a key role in rifled cannon combat. Today the site is part of the National Park Service and available to visit year-round. During the Industrial Revolution, Tybee Island was the southern-most stop on the Central of Georgia Railway line, making it the ideal destination for residents of densely populated cities up north who were seeking healthier climes as remedies to ailments associated with industrial pollution. For lighthouse enthusiasts (yes, that is a thing!), Tybee Island is home to Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, the original being constructed in 1736. The Tybee Island Historical Society oversees the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum (tybeelighthouse.org), and it is a must-visit.
WHEN (and HOW) TO GO There are those who favor beach visits only when you can don a bathing suit while others prefer to go when the wide expanse of sand is not chock-a-block with umbrellas and beach towels. Honestly, there isn’t a bad time to be on the island. The spring sees more temperate days and nights making Tybee Island ideal for a weeklong getaway, a day trip from Savannah or anything in between. The drive to Tybee Island from Birmingham is a little over six hours. There is plenty to see along the way, and it might be nice to have your car for extended exploration. Plane travelers can fly into Savannah and make the 20-minute drive onto the island.
WEDDING DESTINATIONS
Those looking to plan their nuptials on the island should book The Reeve Cottage (thereevecottage.com) guest house, located on a prime acre of land at the Southern-most tip of the island. With an unrivaled view of the ocean, Little Tybee Island and epic sunsets, guests will appreciate the location as much as the bride and groom themselves. The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel and Grand Ballroom is also worth checking out (tybeeweddingchapel. com). (Miley Cyrus fans might recognize the chapel from her movie, The Last Song.)
Reeve Cottage
Photo by Roland Broda
HomewoodLife.com 39
HIT THE ROAD
WHAT TO DO A visit to Tybee Island should come with a commitment to adventure and to being outdoors—there is so much to explore.
Forget the Car
Many visitors bring their own bikes or rent on the island from places like Tim’s Bike & Beach Gear (timsbeachgear.com). Still others like the ease of a golf cart, renting one at Tybee Golf Carts (tybeegolfcarts.com).
Tim’s Bike & Beach Gear
Sea Treasures
Take to the marshes in a kayak or SUP with Sea Kayak Georgia. Book a Sundial Charter Tour to hunt for fossils (megalodon sharks teeth!) and lost treasures from the sea. Sundial also offers crabbing and light-tackle fishing for those looking for sport. Dolphin watching and sunset tours are always popular with anyone visiting Tybee, and there are several outfitters offering these experiences as well.
Meet the Turtles
Kids of all ages will enjoy visiting the Tybee Island Marine Science Center (tybeemarinescience.org) to learn more about the coastal marine life. Sea turtle nesting season begins around May 1; local volunteers spend time searching the local shoreline for these nests and then sit with them to protect them from scavengers. Visitors can meet Ike the sea turtle who was born September 2020 and now calls the center his home.
Tybee by Night
Evening entertainment can often be found at the Tybee Post Theater (tybeeposttheater. org), which was once a movie house for soldiers stationed at Fort Screven. Nowadays, you can not only catch a screening but also see live music or a local theater production.
Tybee Post Theater
WHERE TO STAY Life on Tybee is definitely “island time” and many hotel options lean toward casual. After all, with so much going on outdoors, you’re not likely to spend too much time in your hotel room.
The Beachview Inn and Spa (beachviewtybee.com) is minutes from the beach, with hospitality that combines the relaxed coastal atmosphere with Southern charm. The Back River area of Tybee is less densely populated with several VRBO options, cottages for groups or family gatherings too.
40 Spring 2022
Meet Your Travel Guide Proud to call Birmingham home, Christiana Roussel loves discovering every corner of the Magic City. But the road beckons often. She’s been known to make a wrong turn into the right choice, dig in with the locals and try to talk her way out of a speeding ticket or two. Curiosity drives her and finding connection is her passion.
WHERE TO EAT Ahhh, we’ve saved the best for last—the food. As you can imagine, the menus at most Tybee Island restaurants feature seafood. It is the history and the vibe that makes them all distinct. The Crab
Simply Seafood
Longtime visitors, larger groups and anyone looking for a bit of old-school beach schmaltz will clamor to go to The Crab Shack (thecrabshack.com), an island institution where guests arrive via car or boat. Large holes in the center of each table give way to trash cans underneath, perfect for making a mess and tossing in shrimp shells and tails, corncobs or any other detritus from a good seafood boil. Note: the baby alligator on-site might be the other reason kids love coming here. AJ’s Dockside (ajsdocksidetybee.com) is equally casual and attached to the marina where you can spend the afternoon watching fishermen bring in their hauls.
A Step Above
Looking for something a bit more upscale?
Shack
Photo by Amy Murphy
Try Sundae Café (sundaecafe.com), where you might have to choose between sushi nachos, shrimp and grits, a Lowcountry bouillabaisse or burgers with thick-cut bacon. Over at Salt Island Fish and Beer (saltislandfb.com), you’ll be looking at the blue crab poutine, baked oysters or a whole fish, straight off the boat.
Until Whenever
Late night diners have been known to favor Huc-a-Poos (hucapoos.com), where closing time is noted as “whenever.” As popular
with the locals as it is with vacationers, this is where you can meal hard on wraps, pizzas, nachos or anything that pairs well with beer.
To Start the Day
If breakfast is more your speed, uber-laidback diner-style Breakfast Club might be just for you. Locals call this “no frills,” and that is saying something because Tybee is already pretty low-key. Omelets as well as classic fare like steak-and-eggs or hash browns are the order of the day at Sunrise Breakfast (sunrisesavannah.com) as well.
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42 Spring 2022
weddings homewood
A GUIDE TO ALL THINGS WHITE, BRIGHT, & BEAUTIFUL PHOTO BY KATIE AND ALEC PHOTOGRAPHY
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44 Spring 2022
forever on your
side Just before the big day, it’s time to slow down and celebrate the ladies who will be standing by your side. That’s just what this bride did with an elegant and heartfelt luncheon she won from Bromberg’s.
Photos by Arden Photography HomewoodLife.com 45
The Cake Pull You can order a bridesmaids luncheon cake from Olexa’s in their signature vanilla buttercream with charm pulls already in it. According to the tradition, each bridesmaid pulls a ribbon to find a charm with its own meaning and gets to keep it. Fittingly, Hannah pulled a charm with a bride and groom cake topper.
2020 was a tough year for all things weddings. Then with the advent of 2021, Bromberg’s was not only ushering in a fresh year but also their 185th anniversary of business, so the store wanted to do something special for the Birmingham community. And that’s how they decided to give away a bridesmaid luncheon along with Juliska, their bestselling giftware line, both for the community and to highlight their wedding registry—and to bring joy coming out of a difficult season. Hannah Reeder—now Hannah Reeder Evans— was selected as the winner in August and held her luncheon at Olexa’s with a selection of vendors Bromberg’s brought on board on Nov. 19. Read on to learn more about the details of the event to help inspire your own.
Floral Party Starter The design for the luncheon started with this blue and white floral Field of Flowers Chambray linen from Juliska, and all other details, including the menu, invitations and place cards by Dogwood Hill, were based on it. The napkins fit seamlessly with Hannah’s décor theme.
The Palette The spring-like color palette of the luncheon was inspired by Hannah’s wedding itself with light blues, soft pinks and whites. 46 Spring 2022
REGISTRY TABLE TRENDS Mix and Match Often brides inherit family china, so
Mix it Up The table featured two different champagne flutes, Juliska’s Amalia and Graham patterns, to add variety, along with the Isabella acrylic goblets. All of the glassware features Juliska’s berry and thread motif that tied all of the pieces together, and the vases were also from the Graham, Amalia and Isabella lines along with the Arden— which just so happens to be the name of the event’s photographer too.
Bromberg’s bridal consultants like to work with them to select new pieces to mix in with existing ones to create a table of their own that will host memories for years to come.
Elevated Everyday The store also sees more brides only registering casual china that is dishwasher-safe
Gift Time All the guests received Juliska vases provided and wrapped by Bromberg’s. Since the vases have the same thread motif as the tablescape, they will remind the guests of this special celebration each time they fill them.
and likes to help them select lines like Juliska that “elevate your everyday” to present effortless elegance.
Register at Bromberg’s at brombergsbride.com online or in their stores in Mountain Brook Village or at The Summit. Couples who register get 20 percent off wedding
Lunch Menu Juliska’s Berry & Thread Flared design was plated with classic ladies lunch selection of smoked almond chicken salad, spring mix salad with fresh fruit, Olexa’s signature balsamic vinaigrette dressing and a morning glory muffin.
bands at the store as well as 20 percent off gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen and hostesses, and free delivery in the Birmingham area. HomewoodLife.com 47
Soft Touches Florist Marigold Designs was especially excited to fill these vases with peonies, along with other soft pink and white florals, since Hannah really likes peonies and had them planned for her wedding flowers too.
BEHIND THE SCENES Giveaway Sponsor: Bromberg & Company Inc. Photographer: Arden Ward Upton Table Setting*: Juliska
Invitations: Dogwood Hill
Venue + Catering: Olexa’s Florist: Marigold Design
*Includes plates, napkins, flutes and glasses, silverware, vases and bridesmaid gifts.
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50 Spring 2022
destination
style
A local photographer showcases wedding dress designs as intricate as the architecture in their Chicago backdrop. Photos by Mary Fehr HomewoodLife.com 51
Dress by Ituwa Dress
Dress by Barbara Kavchok Bridal
52 Spring 2022
Last summer Birmingham photographer Mary Fehr got to see a new side of the Windy City: behind the scenes of its wedding market—and not just any part of it but a set of smaller independent wedding dress designers that an all-female agency, The Agency by GCG (Grace Consulting Group), represents. During her time there Mary modeled and photographed dresses while interacting with the designers themselves. “It was inspiring to see all of these designs and help get their names out there,” she says. “Being able to represent those smaller independent designers is important as well.” Here we share some of the images she created in that time.
Dress by Barbara Kavchok Bridal
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54 Spring 2022
Dress by Enura Bridal
Dress by Goli June
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Dress by Love Lives Here Bridal Photographer Mary Fehr, pictured on the left
Dress by Ituwa Dress
56 Spring 2022
How to Style a Shower
Grazing Table Take some inspiration for your next celebration from this grazing table created by local woman-owned businesses.
Style Board Starter Get your team of hostesses on the same page by sending a style board to keep the color scheme consistent for the party. The one for this summery table featured light greens and peaches that are especially evident in the balloon garland.
Showstopper Anchor the center of your table with a large colorful floral arrangement, and then arrange all the serving plates around it. 58 Spring 2022
Drink Station No need to try to squeeze your beverages in on the food table. Set a bar cart or small table next to it, and add extra florals and greenery to your ice bucket to dress it up too.
Two-Toned Why pipe icing onto cupcakes with one color and texture when you can have two? These petite cakes showcase the table’s summery palette— until they are eaten.
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Candy Please For a twist on the charcuterie board idea, create a candy board for guests with a sweet tooth.
BEHIND THE SCENES Venue & Prop Rental:
WestHouse Events Florals, Prop
Rentals & Styling: Stems & Styles
Balloon Garland: Celebrate
Birmingham Charcuterie
Board: boardbox Candy Board: The Little Fox Candy Co.
Take a Stand
Cake, Macarons &
Cake plates aren’t just for cake. Style colorful macarons and other finger foods on stands of various heights, and have fun mixing and matching them.
Crumbs by Catie
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Cupcakes:
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62 Spring 2022
A Guide to Selecting Just the Right Wedding Tie Photos by Morgan Hunt | Text by Madoline Markham 2020 forever changed the way we dress. There was no need for suits on Zoom weddings and for car parades. Coming out of that extended year, though, everyone was wondering what the new normal would be. One thing is certain: nothing is as a formal as it was, as Harrison Limited owner Scott Pyburn will tell you. And when it comes to weddings, that means more are now taking place on beaches and in backyards where there’s no need for a tux for groomsmen. But once you decide the groomsmen will wear suits, what’s next? Here’s Scott’s guide to tie selection for your suit.
1. Start with color. Most couples will bring in a bridesmaid’s dress color or swatch to match menswear to. From there Scott will pull out a book of tie fabrics from Robert Jensen, a Houston-based designer that is exclusive to his store locally, and let the customer select a fabric to correspond with it.
2. Consider the weave and pattern. You can choose a weave like a pineapple grenadine or a satin one, both equally formal. The couple can also opt for a less formal striped tie with the bridesmaid dress color as one component of the pattern or for a bowtie.
3. Add a pocket square. You can go with a classic white or colors or patterns to complement the tie selection.
4. Place your order. Most stores might not have as many ties in the color and weave you select in stock as you need, so you can place an order for the number of groomsmen you have. Robert Jensen also makes a tall tie in addition to the standard size.
ABOUT HARRISON LIMITED Article Sponsor Since 1991, Harrison Limited in Mountain Brook Village has sought to present their clients and friends with clothing of a particular character. Their focus has always been to provide a special experience for discerning men—one that emphasizes classic design and style, attention to detail, and a commitment to exceptional service. HomewoodLife.com 63
Pandemic-Era Trends That Are Here to Stay COVID made everyone rethink how they live and how they plan weddings. Here are some aspects of plans wedding professionals see continuing on into 2022 and beyond.
Special Family Moments
At-Home Weddings
Rethinking Dinner
With the emergence of COVID-19,
When brides get married in the home
Coupled with outside seating and tents,
our couples and team have worked
where they grew up that holds so many
food trucks allow multiple cuisines to
with our team to curate special family
lifelong memories, it’s extra special.
be served and showcase the couples’
moments. One of our favorite moments
There’s nothing like the moment when
personalities. It’s a fun and creative way
has been with the introduction of first
she puts on her dress with her mom in
to have food and festivities for events.
looks with grandparents where they can
the same room where she played with
We are also including scented sanitizers
get a specific time to share words of
dolls and walks down the same steps as
on the tables that are reflective of
encouragement, prayers and hopes for
she did for prom. Whether it’s a tented
the event. It is something guests love
their future ahead. -Sheriah Gibson, Posh Occasions
reception on the lawn or dinner party
and adds another layer of safety and
inside, there’s an intimacy that can’t be
cleanliness to events. -Etricia Robinson, Gumbo to Geaux Caterer & Event Planner
Photo by White Oak Productions
replicated at a country club or venue. -Heather Durham, Heather Durham Photography Photo by Heather Durham Photography
64 Spring 2022
Photo by Je Vois Photography
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julianne + griffin FEBRUARY 6, 2021 PHOTOS BY HANNAH MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
66 Spring 2022
HOW WE MET We met in PE class in kindergarten at Shades Cahaba Elementary School circa 2003.
the details Ceremony Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church Reception Venue: The Florentine Wedding Planner: Megan Wyatt Florist: Stems & Styles Caterer: Corretti Catering Cake: Magic Muffins Groom’s Dessert: Shipley Donuts Videographer: Hudson Huffum Invitations: Marti Harris Wedding Dress: Carriage House Weddings Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo Hair & Makeup: Danielle Ivy Chiepalich Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein Music: Emerald Empire Band Live Painting: Sherri Arias Koozies/Napkins: Off Central, Homewood
THE PROPOSAL Griffin picked me (Julianne) up from my house like he always does, but he told me he had a letter for me. My whole family was already assembled in the living room, and Griffin led me in and began reading this beautiful letter out loud. He read the second letter at our first date spot that overlooks downtown Birmingham, which is also where he first told me he loved me. The third letter’s location was at Monarch, our favorite coffee shop where we spent 90 percent of our time at UA in Tuscaloosa. Next, he took me to the infamous 409 house, and the fourth letter highlighted the guys in our friend group who have prayed over our relationship. Then at my old college house, the last letter centered around our girlfriends and the growth that was in this house. Griffin then drove me to a gorgeous house on Lake Tuscaloosa and led me around back, and I knew right away when I saw the picture of us on a table that today was THE day! FAVORITE MOMENT Griffin and I didn’t want to have a first look, but we shared our own written vows to each other, aka a “first touch.” It completely calmed my nerves and brought us so much peace. FAVORITE DETAILS My something old was my Mimi’s broach, and my something new was my BHLDN flapper/fringe “exit” dress. My something borrowed was my mom’s best friend’s fur. She has all boys and she was so kind to want me to wear it on my big day! And my something blue was the hint of blue flowers in my LoveShackFancy reception sneakers. HomewoodLife.com 67
sarah jane + conor JUNE 25, 2021 PHOTOS BY ANN WADE PHOTOGRAPHY
68 Spring 2022
HOW WE MET We met through mutual friends over four years ago at one of our favorite dive bars, Lou’s Pub. THE PROPOSAL Conor surprised me (Sarah Jane) on our three-year anniversary. The original plan was to go to Gianmarco’s to celebrate, but when I got home from work that day, I walked into flowers, candles, champagne and Conor down on one knee. He had reached out to my boss to setup a fake team meeting around 4 that afternoon, so he, my sister and close friends had time to get everything set up. After he popped the question, he surprised me with an engagement party with close friends and family. It was so intimate and well thought out.
the details Ceremony Venue: All Saints Episcopal Church Reception Venue: OvenBird Wedding Planner: Mariee Ami Florist: Kathleen Varner Caterer: OvenBird Cake: Olexa’s Invitations: Mariee Ami Wedding Dress: Lela Rose Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale Hair & Makeup: Celine Russell Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Music: City Heat Transportation: Rare Transportation
FAVORITE MOMENT It was definitely having our first look at my childhood home. I kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to do a first look or not, but I’m so glad we did. This really made the day so special and helped to calm my nerves. I’ll never forget the look on Conor’s face when I turned around. I always knew I wanted our wedding to be intimate, so it felt so special to me that Conor and I had our first look in my parents’ backyard in addition to my bridesmaids and that I was able to get ready at the house I grew up in. FAVORITE DETAILS Our florists did an incredible job with the florals. She made a fantastic floral centerpiece over the dance floor. It was a show stopper. She truly brought our vision to life. Also, we had a fantastic photographer. Ann Wade did an amazing job taking pictures of all the details and special moments throughout the day.
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ashley + spencer MARCH 6, 2021 PHOTOS BY ROB & WYNTER
70 Spring 2022
HOW YOU MET Ashley and Spencer both grew up in Homewood and went to Edgewood Elementary, HMS and HHS together. They became best friends in 2016 at the time that they each had broken a bone and were unable to participate in their team sports. Ashley reached out to Spencer, and they just clicked. They remained friends until they started dating after college.
the details Ceremony Venue: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Reception Venue: The Great Hall at St. Paul’s Cathedral Wedding Planner: Megan Wyatt Florist: Mary Donald Caterer: Kathy G & Company Bride’s Cake: Magic Muffins Groom’s Cake: Pastry Art Baby Bites Invitations: Annabelle’s Wedding Dress: Carriage House Wedding Veil: Heidi Elnora (Ashley’s sisters veil) Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Kerri Bunn Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Band: Z and the Party Faktory Transportation: Rare Transportation, Vintage Auto Chauffeur Napkins & Koozies: Annabelle’s Late Night Treat: Rolls Homewood Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Steed’s Jewelers
THE PROPOSAL They both grew up going to Smith Lake with their families almost every weekend of the summer. Some of their favorite memories growing up and during their relationship are from the lake. Spencer proposed on the boat one weekend in July 2020. It was a gorgeous day on the water and just the two of them on the boat. They ended up going back to the Smiths’ lake house, and both their families and friends were there to celebrate with them. This memory will always be their favorite one at Smith Lake. FAVORITE MOMENT Spencer’s favorite moment of the day was watching Ashley walk down the aisle. Ashley’s favorite moment was the first dance when they got to be themselves in front of all of their friends and family, yet it felt as if they were the only two in the room. FAVORITE DETAILS Some of their favorite details included those that are not with them anymore. Ashley’s grandfather passed away a month before the wedding suddenly, and her mom got a locket with a picture of her grandfather to put on her bouquet. She wears that charm daily on her charm bracelet. The cake knife as well as the silver platters with the baby bites on them were Spencer’s grandparents. They loved being able to include their loved ones that they miss daily. HomewoodLife.com 71
emily + joe MARCH 13, 2021 PHOTOS BY ELEANOR STENNER
72 Spring 2022
HOW WE MET Joe and I met through working at a singing and dancing camp called Summer Show Offs when we were in high school. We love all things music and dance, so we instantly clicked. We have been dating ever since! THE PROPOSAL Funny enough, I got sick the week he was planning to propose, but Joe decided to go through with it because he decided that it would throw me off even more. He got all of my friends to act like they were putting a “garden party” together so that I would be dressed up. He told me that before I went to the party he would love to take me out for brunch. He picked me up that morning and took me to an overlook over Birmingham and proposed. It was so thoughtful and special! He then surprised me with an engagement party with all our friends and family waiting at my house afterwards.
the details Ceremony & Reception Venue: B&A Warehouse Wedding Planner: Dana Baswell, Southern Styled Events Florist: Marnie McCollum, Birdsong in Bloom Caterer: B&A Warehouse Cake: Christian Terrell, Pen and Pastry Groom’s Donut Wall: Heavenly Donut Co Videographer: Joe & Callie Cain, Abundant Co Invitations: Carlson Craft Custom Envelope Liner: Alisa Stokes Hyde Wedding Dress: Bella’s Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bride’s Makeup: Tess Love Hair: Holly Craft Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank Music: Groove Factor Live Bridal Suite/Getting Ready: The Caroline House, Briarwood Presbyterian Church
FAVORITE MOMENT All of it, but if I had to pick, it would be the reception! All my favorite people were in one place, eating our favorite foods and dancing to a very FUN band. What could be more fun? We even sang on stage with the band. FAVORITE DETAIL I really wanted to highlight Chinoiserie pottery throughout my wedding. My mom always had it around the house when I was growing up, so I knew I wanted to incorporate it, not only in the vases but also in the invitations and other details. The chinoiserie along with the bright, fun flowers made the day so beautiful, unique and fun! WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW I am a fourth-grade teacher at Briarwood, and Joe is an IT Specialist at MJ Harris. On the side, we love to help choreograph for different schools’ musicals and plays around the Birmingham area. HomewoodLife.com 73
amanda + john OCTOBER 2, 2021 PHOTOS BY LOVE BE PHOTOGRAPHY
74 Spring 2022
HOW WE MET John and Amanda met through family and work colleagues one night at TopGolf. John was stricken by Amanda’s beautiful personality, looks and golf swing. Amanda thought John was pretty cool too and couldn’t believe he was single! The following week, they saw each other at a Dawes concert, and the rest is history.
the details Ceremony Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church Reception Venue: Vulcan Park & Museum Wedding Planner: Magnolia Vine Events Florist: CeCe Designs Caterer: Kathy G & Co. Cake: Edgar’s Bakery Invitations: Annabelle’s Wedding Dress: The White Room Bridesmaid Dresses: Adrianna Papell Hair & Makeup: Emily Summerville Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank Music: Brother to Brother Trolley: Rare Transportation Getaway Car: Coats Classic Cars Monogram: Shuler Studio Monogrammed Cookies: Black Dog Baking Company Tent/Lighting/ Drapes: PRE Event Resources/D4 Events
THE PROPOSAL John and Amanda were engaged in Seaside, Florida, on July 10, 2020. John even hired an undercover photographer to capture the beautiful moment. John was understandably nervous before asking Amanda the big question, though of course Amanda said yes! The weather and setting were perfect, in addition to a beautiful Seaside sunset. THE WEDDING DRESS Carolyn and Cathy at The White Room helped Amanda pick out a beautiful and unique Amsale wedding dress. FAVORITE MOMENT Sitting down at the reception, eating and soaking in the beautiful moment and dancing under the lights with our family and friends. It actually rained right before and during the ceremony and lightly rained during the reception. It made it all more magical, and Ashley Stork at Magnolia Vines made sure everything turned out perfect. FAVORITE DETAILS The wedding and reception felt like they were out of a fairy tale! It was so special to have their dog, Heidi, part of their big day with some adorable pictures too. Their first dance was to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges, which was meaningful because it was one of their favorite concerts they attended together while they were dating. HomewoodLife.com 75
courtney + josh NOVEMBER 14, 2020 PHOTOS BY LAUREN BAILEY PHOTO
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THE DRESS My (Courtney’s) exact dress was one of the first wedding dress pictures I had ever saved. I tried on a few others first, and then tried on that one. I stood in front of Heidi Elnora’s big, beautiful mirror, and closed my eyes while they put on my veil and of course cried when I opened my eyes. Fast forward a few months, and I had been searching for my rehearsal dress and just could not find it. I went to Heidi, we brainstormed and she created the perfect outfit for me. She decided to add it to her collection and named it after me. What an honor!
the details Ceremony Venue: Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Reception Venue: Inverness Country Club Wedding Planner: Engaged Wedding Library Florist: Wild Things Caterer: Inverness Country Club Cake: Deserie Elicias Videographer: Riggs Symonds Invitations: Gracefully Made Art Wedding Dress: Heidi Elnora Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry Hair & Makeup: Danielle Ivy Chiepalich Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse Music: Soul Tide by Edwrick Henson Transportation: Coats Classic Cars & Rare Transportation Rehearsal Dinner: The Club, Inc. Mantooth Letters at Reception: Alpha Lit Rentals: Decor to Adore & PropHouse
FAVORITE DETAILS My bouquet was possibly the most epic bouquet ever thanks to Wild Things in Homewood. Josh actually works next door to Wild Things at his family business, Mantooth Interiors, and I was always obsessed with her designs. Another big favorite was “THE MANTOOTHS” marquee letters on the dance floor at the reception. The groom’s cake was also in the shape of the green and yellow Masters logo because Josh’s favorite thing in the entire world is golf. Our wedding colors ended up being emerald green and gold too. To top it off, after all of that was planned, The Masters was actually moved from its normal April date to the day of our wedding due to COVID! Since LSU/Alabama game was rescheduled for our wedding night, I ordered Galettes-inspired cups with yellow hammer drinks and designed some game-day stickers that said “The Mantooths love the Tide.” It turns out the game ended up getting rescheduled yet again, but the Bama details were still so fun. One last little fun fact also stemming from college days was about our band, Soul Tide. They are based in Tuscaloosa, and my friends and I always loved going to watch them play. HomewoodLife.com 79
crandall + ross SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 PHOTOS BY HAINT BLUE COLLECTIVE
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the details Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Church Eufaula Reception Venue: Shorter Mansion Wedding Planner: DeAnna Morgan Florist: Sylvia Adams Caterer & Cakes: Lisa Green Videographer: Dustin and Michael Mitchell Invitations: Leigh Moore Wedding Dress: Bridal Bliss Homewood Bridesmaid Dresses: ShowMeYourMumu Hair & Makeup: Reid Campbell Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Music: Fly by Radio Transportation: Keith Lamb, Royalle Limousine LLC Getting Ready Location: Eufaula House Champagne Art: Ruth Oneya
HOW WE MET Ross and I (Crandall) met on Hinge, a dating app, in August 2020. I was living in Montgomery at the time, and Ross came down from Birmingham for our first date. Today we laugh about how he would “start sweating in Prattville,” getting nervous on his drive. The excitement would continue in the months to follow, as we continued to alternate weekends in one another’s cities. We got married a year to the day after the date that we met. FAVORITE MOMENT Eating together privately before the reception, we were able to intentionally focus on each other and enjoy our first married moments. We enjoyed talking to each other, watching our guests arrive and trying our reception food. The taco bar was a special request for both of us, especially Ross. It was important to him that Mexican food was incorporated since it’s his favorite, having grown up working in his family’s Homewood restaurant, Taco Casa. The grits bar was a close second! FAVORITE DETAILS Our reception venue, the Shorter Mansion, is special to us as I volunteered there growing up. The historic home is renowned for several reasons, my favorite being its brief appearance in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Separately, Ross and I also appreciated that during the wedding ceremony, we both got to incorporate each of our favorite worship songs, singing “Praise to the Lord the Almighty” as a congregation, and playing “In Christ Alone” during the prayer. WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW We have enjoyed settling into our home in West Homewood and look forward to many more years here.
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samantha + logan SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 PHOTOS BY KATIE & ALEC PHOTOGRAPHY
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HOW WE MET We were both lifeguards at the Homewood Pool and met working there the summer of 2014. THE PROPOSAL Logan surprised me (Samantha) with a trip to my favorite place, Orange Beach. I thought this was a trip for just the two of us, but I was later greeted by my parents and his parents. I was under the impression that it was a trip for my birthday, but that Saturday, August 22, 2020, Logan got down on one knee and proposed to me while taking pictures on the beach. THE WEDDING DRESS I have always admired Heidi Elnora’s work since I used to watch her show on TLC Bride by Design and always dreamed about wearing one of her designs on my wedding day. As soon as I was engaged, I made an appointment with her Build-A-Bride curator and designed my dream dress with Heidi herself!
the details Ceremony Venue: Shades Mountain Baptist Church Reception Venue: Park Crest Wedding Planner: Ashley Berkery, Ashley Copeland Inc. Florist: Stems & Styles Caterer: Park Crest Cake: Pen & Pastry Videographer: Woodnote Media Invitations: Annabelle’s Wedding Dress: Heidi Elnora Build-A-Bride Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella’s Bridal Hair & Makeup: Madeline Hulsey Benton, The Mad Style Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Music: DJ Sillz Transportation: Rare Transportation
FAVORITE MOMENTS Logan’s and my first look and exchanging of letters will always be a special moment that I will look back on with just the two of us. Second, my dad’s and my surprise father-daughter dance was fun. My dad’s got some moves! My other favorite memory is the traditional Italian wedding dance with my family. Trust me, Italians really know how to throw a reception! FAVORITE DETAILS I especially love how we were able to carry our historic monogram throughout all the details in the wedding from the invitations to the koozies. Annabelle’s did an amazing job incorporating it into all the little details. WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW I work as an RBT at Early Autism Services, and Logan works for Homewood Parks & Rec. HomewoodLife.com 83
alyssa + hunter AUGUST 28, 2021 PHOTOS BY ERIC & JAMIE PHOTOGRAPHY
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HOW WE MET Hunter and I (Alyssa) were lifelong friends first. We were in the same third grade class and never dated until well after we both graduated from college. When we finally started dating, we were married just two years later. After being such good friends for so long, we both knew what we were getting into!
the details Ceremony Venue: Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Reception Venue: The Theodore Wedding Planner: Jayna G Events Florist: Linda Bearden, Flowers from the Heart Caterer: Beyond Details Cakes: Magic Muffin Invitations: Fine Paperwork Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Katina Carter Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Music: Great Grand Finale Transportation: Coats Classic Cars & Rare Transportation Photo Booth: The Flashbar Co.
THE PROPOSAL Hunter surprised me with a proposal on my 25th birthday in my grandparents’ backyard on Emerald Valley Lake. In the middle of a pandemic, this allowed my grandparents, who are so special to me, to be present for the special moment. They watched from their balcony as I tackled him, pretty immediately after he got down on one knee. I was surprised again afterward with a party with the rest of our friends and family in what is now our first home together. FAVORITE DETAILS There were so many special details from our wedding. My earrings were a gift from the groom, my bracelet a gift from my parents, and my veil was my mother’s. On her wedding day, she had her little cousins carry the cathedral-length train down the aisle behind her. I did the same on my wedding day with two very special train bearers. The children in our wedding were one of my absolute favorite parts of the day. Ellie (10) and Anna (8) carried my train behind me, while their younger siblings Sadie (5) and Sam (3) led the way as flower girl and ring bearer. Their family is so special to us. Their father is actually both mine and Hunter’s family dentist, and their mother was our sixth-grade teacher and now teaches dance with me at Miss Kelley’s. I have babysat their children since before half of them were born, and having them all with me on the day was so special—and entertaining! HomewoodLife.com 85
aryn + evan APRIL 10, 2021 PHOTOS BY LYNDSEY CUNNINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
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HOW WE MET Evan and I (Aryn) met through mutual friends in Tuscaloosa minutes before he drove all our friends and me in a 15-passenger van to Dallas for Alabama’s season opener against USC. He had just graduated, and I was starting my senior year. Staying very on-brand for us, our first date was to an Alabama football game, and watching the Tide quickly became one of our favorite things to do together. THE WEDDING DRESS I saw the dress on Antonio Gual’s website and immediately fell in love with it. It truly was love at first sight. I called just about every bridal salon in town until Ivory & White told me they carry the line I was looking for. Lauriston was literally a dream to work with, and the minute I put it on I loved it even more than when I first saw it online.
the details Ceremony Venue: Prince of Peace Catholic Church Reception Venue: The Club Florist: Stems & Styles Caterer: The Club Cake: Cakes by Cathy Videographer: David McCaw, Stratosfilm Invitations: Annabelle’s Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Camille Brown Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank Music: Whiskey River Band
FAVORITE MOMENT My sweet brother Josh, who graduated from HHS in 2016, sang and played our first dance song on the guitar at our dinner reception after our wedding in April. It was by far the most special, intimate moment of our day and truly could not be topped. He gave Needtobreathe a run for their money. WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW I am the HR manager at Ross Bridge Resort and Evan is in inside sales for O’Neal Steal. We are living in West Homewood and loving it. You can find us at the pool at Patriot Park on Saturdays during the summer and Pizzeria GM for Thursday date night.
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Homewood Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S
Recent Events
Upcoming events
September 17
September 21
ClearVision Ribbon Cutting / Grand
Legislative Luncheon with
Opening Celebration
Representative David Faulkner and Senator Jabo Waggoner
Save the Date! Membership Luncheon February 15th Taste of Homewood March 10th Membership Luncheon March 15th
October 1
October 7
Manduu Ribbon
Eye Surgery Center
Cutting
Ribbon Cutting
Hop N Shop April 9th Membership Luncheon April 15th
Gift Cards Did you know you can purchase gift cards that can be redeemed at 44 participating Homewood merchants? Buy Local Homewood instantly available gift cards can be emailed as gifts and redeemed from your mobile phone. They look great, make great gifts and never expire! Purchase them at buylocalhomewood.instagift.com.
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October 7
Skin Wellness Ribbon Cutting
October 28
2021 Chamber Golf Classic
HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA 35209
F i n d U s O n l i ne
Sign up for our weekly newsletter | Access our member directory Purchase Buy Local Homewood eGift Cards
Recent Events November 3
November 4
Ribbon Cutting
House
Therapy South
New Members
Holiday Open
Eye Surgery Center of Homewood Comfort Care Home Health and Hospice Uniti Fiber Bandwagon Sports Longbow Capital Partners
November 11
Bandwagon Ribbon Cutting
Christopher Collection
December 6
CapTrust Ribbon Cutting
ERA King Real Estate Once Upon a Time Neighborhood Nutrition Collier Leadership Consulting LLC Workshop Local, LLC Immediate
December 7
December 14
Lighting of the Star and Downtown
Annual Meeting / Membership
Homewood Christmas Parade
Luncheon with The World Games
Join the Chamber! Chamber membership could be just what your business needs for a boost this year! Work, live or do business in Homewood? Apply for membership at homewoodchamber.org and start taking advantage of the many benefits that come with membership!
205 - 871 - 5631
WWW.HOMEWOODCHAMBER.ORG HomewoodLife.com 89
OUT & ABOUT
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HOMEWOOD WITCHES RIDE
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
Witches took flight on bikes from Homewood Central Park on Oct. 24 to raise money for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. 1.
WeHo Villains
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Woodland Witches
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Witchin’ 9 to 5
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Flamingo Witches with Janie Mayer and Daphne Dickenson
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Hot Saucy Witches
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Strike Out Cancer Witches
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The Taco Mamas
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The Elliots
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The Wicked Witches of the Dead
10. The Taco Belles 11. Women’s Care Specialists 12. Smells Like Witch Spirit 13. Villains Chillin Out Cancer 14. Patriot Pride Witches
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OUT & ABOUT
DOWNTOWN HOMEWOOD HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
Holiday shopping season kicked off with the annual Downtown Homewood Holiday Open House with refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, a trolley, shopping discounts and more at shops throughout Downtown Homewood on Nov. 4. 1.
Jackie Oglesby, Jennifer Nelson, Nancy Hall and Valerie Hughen
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The Elm Family
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Donna Delisle, Jane Barran and Emily Vanderveer
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The York Family
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Billie Carter, Sherry Hartley and Lee Ann Swann
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Halli Flenner and Jen LeDuc
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The Elliots and The McMillans
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MARKETPLACE
Marketplace Homewood Life • 205.669.3131
A BIRTHDAY PLACE BAKING, PARTY SUPPLIES & GIFTS • CUSTOM PARTY DECORATIONS, INHOUSE GFX TEAM TO MAKE YOUR PARTY • SAME-DAY PICKUP 205-637-0010 QUESTIONS@ BIRTHDAYPLACE.COM 2706C PELHAM PARKWAY PELHAM, AL 35124
Associated Grocers of the South HIRING EXPERIENCED STANDUP FORKLIFT OPERATOR. $19.85/ HOUR, PLUS $$$ PRODUCTION & SAFETY INCENTIVES. 2nd shift starts at 4:00pm. Great benefits including Blue Cross Health+Dental Insurance $59/week. Paid vacation & holidays, matching 401k. APPLY AT WWW.AGSOUTH.COM Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry. Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walk-in applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002. Pelham (205)444-9774. Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Now Hiring For Utility Positions Starting pay $14.42/hour Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at: www.bc.com
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$80,000+ Yearly Potential Sales positions available at Burton Campers. Please call Mickey Price for phone interview: 205-668-0075 Chilton and Shelby County Treatment Center Now Hiring Masters in counseling/ social work and related fields. Email resume to: donnajoiner53@ gmail.com Or call 205-755-4300 for more information.
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 Lancaster Place Apartments. Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205-668-6871. Or visit hpilancasterplace. com Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) • 800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and
HomewoodLife.com
Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquiries only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www. Oxfordhealthcare.com LAND FOR SALE 180 acres, located on Walnut Creek. Will not divide property. Call for more information: 205-369-5641 Part-Time Maintenance Manager Position Opening at Riverside Baptist Church Helena. Good employment for qualified retired or semiretired person. Call 205-426-1910 for additional information.
Shelby Ridge Rehab & Nursing Home in Alabaster is hiring CNAs, Nurses, and Kitchen Staff. This is THE PLACE to build a solid career! We currently offer $1K SignOn Bonuses for CNAs and Nurses, and so much more... Call 205-620-8500 for an interview. Come grow with us! South Haven Health & Rehab NOW HIRING!!! •LPN’s & RN’s -$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for Full-Time shift •CNA’s Apply in person: 3141 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham,AL -35266 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/Pelham. Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al.com Print employment
application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327. Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedental assisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started! Vulcan Steel Products Now Hiring Machine Operator (1st & 2nd shift) Starting at $18.50 per hour. Top-notch health benefits, 401k, & company stock options Apply online: https:// apply.jobappnetwork. com/vulcan-steel-products Call: 205-620-5185 Now Hiring! Termite Treaters and Inspectors. Work with a great local company, in business for over 50 years. BC/ BS insurance, 401k, opportunities available. No experience required. Must have a good driving record and be able to pass drug screen. Email to facsmith@charter.net or call 205-369-6250. Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Now hiring RN’s and LPN’s throughout Alabama! $250 community referral bonus for RN’s and LPN’s. Signon Bonuses available at select locations! For more information please contact: Paige Gandolfi Call/text: 724-691-7474 pgandolfi@wexfordhealth. com DONAVAN LAKES FISHING CLUB & INN Marion, Perry Co. AL 2131 Eagle Grove Church Rd. Marion, Alabama •8 Lakes •17 Piers •Bass, Bream, Crappie, Catfish. •Camping, Nature Trails, Birding. Membership $1000 for 2022 Contact
Thomas Wilson 3 34-247-2101 wils5789@bellsouth.net www.donavanlakes.orgg High Expectations Cleaning 205-728-8854 highexpertcleaning.com GENERAL MANAGER: SONIC–CHELSEA. DUTIES: Responsible for operations, training and development of all employees; execution of policies, programs and systems, including Sonic Operations Manual. Creates and maintains an “Employer of Choice” environment. REQUIREMENTS: -Highly motivated -High School diploma/GED -Two years restaurant management experience (P&L experience preferred) -Advanced studies in business, restaurant management, or related field preferred. -Proven experience managing all shifts without supervision. -Willingness to relocate. BENEFITS: -Competitive Pay -Bonus Plan -Health Insurance -Optional Life Insurance, IRA -Paid Vacation -Excellent training program Are you “Sonic Good”? Mail Resume: J.W. Cain 6 County Road 455 Iuka, MS 38852 Call 662-424-0706 Email: john@mfmanagementllp. com Experienced Termite Technician or someone experienced in routeservice 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
[Newbor n + Child + Family Por traiture] info@apeppermintphoto.com + 205.807.6431 w w w . a p e p p e r m i n t p h o t o . c o m HomewoodLife.com 95
MY HOMEWOOD JOSEPHINE LOWERY College Choice Foundation Executive Director
Making Dreams Come True
College Choice Foundation I co-founded this Homewoodbased nonprofit organization eight years ago to help academically talented, motivated students with limited resources and opportunities find their best and most affordable college fit.
Give Me That Old Time Religion
More than Margaritas
Little Donkey For a decade I’ve been gathering with family and friends at Little Donkey to enjoy the best margaritas in town and food with a southern soul. Even more than their margaritas, I love their passion for and outreach in the Homewood community. Little Donkey has, for almost seven years, donated dinner to the Wild West Roundup, College Choice Foundation’s annual fundraiser.
Into the Woods
Homewood Forest Preserve If you like to hike or run trails like I do and you don’t have time to go to Red Mountain or Oak Mountain, the heart of Homewood houses what I like to imagine is a “magical forest.” Homewood Forest Preserve off of Armory Road near Homewood High School offers a half-mile loop trail through its gorgeous 30 acres. Our dogs love it even more than I do, as they can scamper through the stream and soak themselves.
What’s Not to Love?
We Love Homewood Day Homewood’s biggest celebration is a day I cherish. I’ve helped kick it off for many years by running the 5K, and I’ve closed it down by lining the streets to watch the parade, in which, on any given year, one or more of my kids participated: in the band, as a Spangle or as a cheer squad member.
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Trinity United Methodist Church My family has been a part of Trinity for 20 years, and it holds sacred memories for me: baptisms, vacation Bible school, confirmations, Discovery weekends, Bible studies, weekly worship, Dill Pickers performances, Element Sundays, and most recently, my daughter Savannah’s wedding. This Homewood neighborhood church welcomes all through its open doors.
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