Shelby Living, September/October 2024

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

SHELBY COUNTY HALL OF FAME

Read on to learn more about Shelby County’s first-ever Hall of Fame inductees and their legacies in our communities.

Once the blistering, sweltering temps of summer have subsided, plan your perfect fall getaway to Charleston, South Carolina, where the low-country plough meets the buzzy, Southern charm of this oldworld city. There is much to explore and enjoy.

PHOTO BY DAWN HARRISON

HIT THE ROAD

PHOTO BY BHAM TOURS

contributors

EDITORIAL

Anna Grace Moore

Donald Mottern

Rachel Raiford

Mackenzee Simms

Andrew Simonson

Noah Wortham

CONTRIBUTORS

Bham Tours

James Culver

Rachel Culver

Daniel Dennis Forge Breast Cancer

Survivor Center

Dawn Harrison

Zach Padalino

Shaver Photography

Tyler Raley

Christiana Roussel

Kelsea Schafer

Marissa Wilson

DESIGN

Sydney Allen

Jamie Dawkins

Rowan Futrell

Connor Martin-Lively

MARKETING

Michaela Bankston

Octavia Campbell

Evann Campbell

Rachel Henderson

Rhett McCreight

Lauren Morris

Viridiana Romero

ADMINISTRATION

Mary Jo Eskridge

Alec Etheredge

Stacey Meadows

Leslie Reeves

Kayla Reeves

Brittany Schofield

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. James 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.

Daniel Dennis, Photographer

Daniel is the co-founder and co-owner of Untold Imagery. He’s been practicing photography for many years, but he started pursuing it professionally in 2020. Daniel enjoys being able to compose an image in his mind and seeing it come to fruition through perfect lighting and composition. His primary focuses with photography are travel, food and branding. To learn more about Untold Imagery, follow the business on Instagram at @untold_imagery or visit untoldimagery.com.

Tyler Raley, Writer

Tyler is a current student at Auburn University, studying sports production journalism. He now interns for Shelby County Newsmedia, and he also writes for the Auburn Plainsman and the Auburn Wire. His avid love for athletics and storytelling pushed him into the sports media industry—something he always dreamed of doing while growing up. Tyler is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and an alumnus of Oak Mountain High School, which is where he began his media career. His other passions include being involved in the marching band at Auburn, traveling and spending time with friends. Readers can follow his career on X @traley34.

Christiana Roussel, Writer

Christiana Roussel is a Birmingham-based, award-winning food, travel and lifestyle writer. Naturally curious, she relishes any opportunity to meet new people and explore new places. She is a proud member of the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier as well as the Industry Advisory Board of Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management. Her other interests include bourbon, bacon, a great wardrobe capsule, upland hunting, pork rinds, pilates and power walks that include four-leaf clovers and feathers. Follow her online at @christiana.roussel.

Shelby Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living 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, Shelby Living Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

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

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

ON THE COVER

Shelby County Hall of Fame

Eight trailblazers will be honored for their service to Shelby County in the county's first-ever Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Photo by Alec Etheredge Design by Rowan Futrell

LLegacies are the memories of those we call “the greats,” the people who helped shape humanity’s narrative for the benefit of future generations.

In Shelby County, icons including Patti Smith, Tom Walker, George Dailey, Ralph and Marcia Sears, Conrad Fowler, Sr., Jim Davenport and Ada Datcher Sanders are being honored for their life’s accomplishments in Shelby County’s first-ever Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place this October at American Village. The selection committee decided to pay tribute to the influential community leaders who each played a hand in creating the Shelby County we all know and love today.

I had the privilege of interviewing 11 different people–some inductees and some colleagues or loved ones–to attempt the insurmountable task of writing the testimonies of these “greats.”

Turn to page 47 to read each of the Shelby County Hall of Fame inductee’s stories.

Patti Smith, who was both the first female assistant district attorney in the county and the first female district court judge, spent decades on the bench, fighting for the rights and protection of children.

Tom Walker founded American Village and served as the educational institution’s first president. American Village has since served more than a quarter of a million people across the country, teaching the significance of American history to children and their families.

George Dailey not only became the first African American person to become elected to both the Montevallo City Council and the Shelby County Commission, but he also is responsible for the county’s district-wide voting.

A WWII veteran, Ralph Sears served as a college professor at the University of Montevallo (UM), publisher of the Shelby County Reporter and mayor of Montevallo; whereas, his wife, Marcia, also served as a professor at UM, journalist for the reporter and as the first female president of the Alabama Press Association. Among Conrad Fowler, Sr.’s long list of decorations which include a Purple Heart for his service in WWII, he served as an attorney in the Phenix City Clean-Up and as a judge of probate and chairman of the Shelby County Commission.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Jim Davenport had a decades-long career playing and coaching baseball, even playing in the World Series. Ada Datcher Sanders, who was descended from slaves, was a thirdgeneration midwife who single-handedly delivered around 300 babies.

In this issue, readers, you all will get to learn about the legacies of Shelby County–the people whose sacrifices improved the lives of everyone around them, helping to create the county many of us call home. I hope you all feel just as inspired and thankful by their stories as I was getting to hear their testimonies, putting them into print for our communities to read.

Sincerely,

” “THE QUESTION

What football game are you most looking forward to watching this year?

Every Alabama game. Roll Tide!

-Todd Reineccius

Alabama playing for the National Championship! RTR!

-Randy Gallups

Thompson

-Sanchez Tanniehill

The Classic

-Wade Garrett

Thompson

-Bobby Hopper Price

Alabama and Georgia… Roll Tide!

-Diane Moss Cowden

Auburn/Oklahoma

-Randy Harmon

Auburn/Oklahoma

-Jason Ross

@shelbylivingmagazine

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

@slicemontevallo

Can’t decide between your 2 favorite pizzas? Make it a half & half to make it the best of both worlds! Ask your server about options on combining your favorites into one pie!

See you for lunch at 11am at Slice Montevallo! @slicemontevallo

@bliss.by.bailey

LIVEDINBARBIE.. I mean LIVEDINBLONDIE featuring this perfff girl #bhamhairstylist #hooverhairsalon #redken #schwarzkopf

@plantcalera

Good morning, and happy Thursday! Did you know many flowers featured in our designs have been grown by us?! #grownnotflown is an amazing way for us to reduce our carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of transport traditionally occurring when we are sourcing flowers. @douglasmanor

Introducing The Gulleys! Laura + Payton’s wedding was a sweet treat from start to finish! It was so fun having @bigspooncreamery with us too! Who doesn’t love a late night surprise!

HELENA’S BUCK CREEK FESTIVAL

FRIDAY. OCT. 11

6-10 P.M.

SATURDAY, OCT. 12

10 A.M.-10 P.M.

Helena’s Amphitheater Park

The highly anticipated Buck Creek Festival is back this October, featuring an array of family-friendly musical performances, the annual duck race, kids’ activities and a vendor market, too. Learn more at helenasbuckcreekfestival.com.

THE GUIDE

The Tinglewood Festival

9 A.M.-5 P.M.

Orr Park

The Tinglewood Festival is a free event that is open to all. The festival will showcase a variety of artists and artisans, some of whom will compete in a wood carving exhibition, a

whittling contest and a wooden boat race, too. Attendees will also get to see a huge lineup of vintage smoke show automobiles. With food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music and more, this event is perfect for the whole family. For updates, visit tinglewoodfestival.com.

SEPT. 28-OCT. 31

Autumn at Older Baker Farm

VARIOUS TIMES

Old Baker Farm

Families are invited to visit this U-pick farm to find pumpkins ripe for harvest, and they can take a hayride, get on a train ride, meet animals at the petting farm and explore the corn maze while they’re there, too!

Admission is $13 per person, but those ages 1 and under get in free. The farm is open weekdays 3-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Old Baker Farm’s annual “Cowboy Day” weekend is scheduled for Oct. 12-13, and the farm’s annual festival weekend is set for Oct. 26-27. Learn more at oldbakerfarm.com.

AROUND TOWN

SELECT TUESDAYS THROUGHOUT THE FALL

The Night Market at Brock’s Gap Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

FRIDAYS THROUGHOUT THE FALL

Storytime at the Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens

SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT THE FALL

The Market at Brock’s Gap Brock’s Gap Brewing Company

SEPT. 14

Celebrate the Family Expo The Finley Center

SEPT. 26-28

Vintage Market Days of Birmingham The Finley Center

SEPT. 28

Head Over Teal 5K/10K

The Preserve

OCT. 3

Taste of Hoover Aldridge Gardens

OCT. 4-6

Furnace Fest 2024 Sloss Furnaces

OCT. 5

Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run

The Curve in Homewood 1830 29th Avenue South

OCT. 5

Run for Resilience Ostomy 5K Fun Run 4101 5th Avenue South

OCT. 19

Trick or Trot 5K

Back Forty Beer Company 3201 1st Avenue North

OCT. 19

Race to the Heights 5K Church of the Highlands Grants Mill Campus

OCT. 27

Bolt for Breast Cancer 2024

Crestline Field at Crestline Elementary School

OCT. 27

The Homewood Witches Ride

Homewood Central Park

OCT. 28

Homewood Chamber Golf Classic

Inverness Country Club

OCT. 29

Haunt the Hills Wald Park

OCT. 30

Trunk or Treat

Vestavia Hills Methodist Church

OCT. 31

The Mystics of Mountain Brook Parade

Crestline Village

OCT. 1-29

The Patch

VARIOUS TIMES

Helena Hollow

It’s pumpkin season! Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 1, attendees can visit Helena Hollow and experience the patch’s 30 different agri-entertainment attractions including slides, swings and animals. Attendees can also take a hayride to pick a pumpkin in the patch. The cost is $13 at the gate on Fridays, and $15 at the gate on Saturdays and Sundays. Those ages 2 and under get in free. Pumpkins are $3.50. Find more information at helenahollow.com/the-patch.

The 16th Annual Fall Festival

10 A.M.-3 P.M.

Buck Creek Trail

The city of Alabaster’s Fall Festival is back and featuring carnival rides for children, food vendors, hay rides, inflatables, live entertainment, a trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin painting and more! This event

is free and open to the public; although, patrons do have to pay for food from on-site vendors should they wish to eat at the event. Those wishing to paint pumpkins may purchase pumpkins for $2 each. Visit cityofalabaster. com/228/fall-fest-oct for more information.

OCT. 26

Halloween Havoc Half Marathon and Six-Mile Sprint

5-11 P.M.

Oak Mountain State Park

Runners, beware! The Halloween Havoc Half Marathon and Six-Mile Sprint will be a night race on the trails at Oak Mountain State Park. The course will have an aid station at the halfway point of each race. Each distance is a full circle, so runners start and finish at the same location. Runners should be well trained for this event as the course contains a variety of hilly terrain. Post-race refreshments will be available for runners after the race. The first, second and third-place winners in both the men’s and women’s divisions will be awarded prizes as well. Get more information and register at ultrasignup. com.

ARTS CULTURE&

FAITH OVER FEAR

The Haute Pink fashion show highlights breast cancer survivors' journeys.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

AND RACHEL CULVER; FORGE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR CENTER; AND SHAVER PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS BY JAMES

Pictured is Fabiola Valencia.

FFear cannot hold a light to the power faith holds. At Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center (FBCSC), faith remains the pillar of community–the tie that binds patients, survivors, families and more together, in order to overcome not just cancer, but also the crippling weight of such a journey one in eight women will have to navigate.

According to the American Cancer Society, 310,720 women are estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 42,250 of those patients will pass away. Breast cancer affects both women and men and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States.

While these numbers are daunting, there is still hope. The American Cancer Society also reports that in the U.S., there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors–including those still undergoing treatment.

Two of those survivors, Fabiola Valencia and Teresa Ramirez, live here in Shelby County and are eager to share their stories, hoping their journeys inspire other women who are affected by breast cancer.

In February 2022, Fabiola did a self-exam and realized she felt an usual lump in her breast. After two mammograms and an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer.

“I received my mom’s diagnosis over the phone,” says Leslie Valencia, Fabiola’s daughter. “The first few days were tough. Right before she started her treatment, she told me, ‘I prayed, and God told me I am going to be okay,’ and that was all she needed to get through it. Her faith made her even stronger and gave her the last push to continue fighting.”

Fabiola received a lumpectomy followed by a second surgery to remove the affected breast tissue. In October 2022, she began chemotherapy and had eight treatments before starting what would be her 33 radiations.

Finally, in April 2023, Fabiola became cancer-free. “Every week that I had chemo, I had different symptoms,” Fabiola says. “I had headaches. I had nausea. I was fatigued. It was one chemo in particular that affected me more than the rest of them. I was on bedrest for 13 days. I couldn’t get out of bed. Emotionally, I was in a different stage of life. I took it one day at a time.”

Teresa agrees, saying she had no family history of

Pictured is Dondra Goldsby wearing an original gown by Teresa Ramirez.

“breast cancer changes everything.

You look in the mirror, and you don’t resemble who you were before the diagnosis. That’s one of the things we love about this event is it makes our clients feel beautiful again, and we get to celebrate that.”

- Lauren Roberts, Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center

breast cancer. She received her diagnosis in February 2022 and underwent a lumpectomy and 30 radiations–one a day for five days a week for an entire month.

Teresa transitioned into remission in March 2022. Now cancerfree for more than two years, Teresa says she has made it her mission to encourage others that although the fight is hard, the victory is worth the battle.

“The best advice and what helped me is to hang onto your faith,” Teresa says. “Be aware that we have the strength within us. If God is making us go through it, there is a reason. It’s even more exalted by the help that we receive.”

Such help both Fabiola and Teresa say they found at FBCSC through Ana Emaldi, who previously served as the Hispanic

Pictured is Teresa Ramirez.

programs and community outreach coordinator.

“I am incredibly proud of them,” Ana says. “They are an example of resilience, courage and determination. They’ve empowered and inspired me.”

Founded in 2014, FBCSC began as the Breast Cancer Survivorship Rehabilitation Initiative–the brainchild of the Women’s Breast Health Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. This foundation issued a community-wide survey to assess the needs of breast cancer survivors in central Alabama. Results yielded the necessity of consistent community for such individuals from the initial diagnosis throughout the rest of life, even into remission and beyond.

Answering that call in 2016, FBCSC was launched as a collaborative effort of the Women’s Breast Health Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and Ascension St. Vincent’s, UAB Health System, Brookwood Baptist Health and Grandview Medical Center. In 2020, FBCSC became a 501(c)3 nonprofit, offering survivorship plans, health and wellness classes, therapy, grocery and gas cards, community groups and more.

In October 2021, FBCSC hosted its first-ever Haute Pink fashion show, utilizing local models who are all breast cancer survivors. All of the designers are local as well, and many of them have loved ones who have been affected by the disease.

In October 2023, Fabiola made her debut on the catwalk, and for the first time, the FBCSC featured a designer who was also a

survivor, Teresa.

“The beauty of this event is that by the time we hear their stories and the stories of the designers when they come out on stage, they could be wearing a potato sack, and it wouldn’t matter,” says Lauren Roberts, Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center’s executive director. “The crowd is cheering and on their feet because they are so excited to see them thriving and having fun and being celebrated. Just to see the joy as they take in as the audience is cheering for them is such a powerful experience.”

Wearing a one-of-a-kind Ericka Murdock design, Fabiola strutted the runway in a stunning, two-toned lavender gown, whose bodice resembled a “V” neckline flowing into several layers of tulle fashioned into a high-low split. Compliments of La Vida Hair Salon, Fabiola’s natural beauty was accentuated through her glowing hair and makeup style.

Francisco and Elizabeth Gama, the owners of La Vida Hair Salon, donated hair and makeup services to both Fabiola and Teresa, ensuring all services were done for free.

With not a dry eye in the house, the crowd’s echoes of applause filled every corridor of the theater as Fabiola made her debut, twirling onstage to show off her radiant attire. A thunderous round of applause roared among the crowd as everyone cheered for Dondra Goldsby–whose gown was designed by Teresa–confidently walked onstage.

Dondra’s look was the rare definition of class. Teresa designed

the top of the dress with charmeuse fabric, and the skirt of the dress was made with African embroidered fabric adorned in 3D flowers. The detachable wrap skirt was created with baby pink gauze fabric.

Teresa, who had worked for years as an atelier instructor in Mexico, says she was surprised but elated when FBCSC asked her to be a designer in last year’s show. Teresa is the founder and owner of Pinky Blossom, which is a children’s clothing boutique and alterations shop located in Pelham.

“I didn’t know if I could do it after so many years had passed, but I felt very excited to be able to participate in this adventure with the other ladies,” Teresa says. “I hope our models feel beautiful as warriors and are inspired to keep on going.”

Both Fabiola and Teresa say there is nothing quite like being celebrated for being survivors. The best part, they believe, is getting to bond with one another, supporting each other through every stage in her journey.

“My experience with Forge has been incredible,” Fabiola says. “They have helped me a lot with my self-esteem. I would not be able to be the woman that I am now–a fighter–without that sisterhood that I found at Forge.”

Fabiola walks taller now, and her smile is a bit

brighter. Leslie says at one point, she was not sure if she would see this side of her mom again.

“My mom is one of the kindest, strongest and most positive people I know,” Leslie says. “She decided to take action and advocate for herself and her health. I don’t think I tell her this enough, but I am so proud of her for standing up for her own health and for now advocating, with the help of Forge, for others to take care of themselves.”

Looking forward, FBCSC will continue to host the Haute Pink fashion show, advocating that anyone who is a survivor should feel beautiful because while dresses and makeup are pretty, their stories have the power to foster hope in light of a devastating disease.

After all, it takes only one light to shine brightly in darkness, illuminating the world with faith–the only thing more powerful than fear.

Haute Pink 2024 will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus in Birmingham. Tickets are $100 and include two beverages and hors d’oeuvres. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hautepink.swell.gives. For more information about Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center, visit forgeon.org.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12 | 6-8 PM

THIS BOOK

Ghouling Good Reads

Recommendations from Marissa

Wilson

Library Director at the Parnell Memorial Library

The Seven Year Slip

By Ashley Poston | Paranormal Romance

Marissa Wilson started working at the Parnell Memorial Library in Montevallo, Alabama, as a part-time library assistant in November 2021. She frequented the library often as a homeschool mother, and eventually, the library asked her to work there. In October 2023, Marissa became a full-time librarian. Here, she recommends her top five, favorite reads adults will love this Halloween.

The Seven Year Slip is the perfect read for those who love romance. Ashley Poston writes this amazing, heartwarming, true-soulmate-type love story, but it happens seven years in between. Clementine West moves into her late aunt’s apartment, and she meets a strange man. However, he is from seven years in the past, and she lives seven years in the future. Her late aunt always told her that the apartment was a place where moments blended, and love is never about time but “timing.” The way this author writes this fantastic romance novel, which has some magic realism, is sure to ease you into another type of genre.

Indefensible: The Missing Truth about Steven Avery, Teresa Halbach and Making a Murderer

By Michael Griesbach | True Crime

After the documentary series “Making a Murderer” aired on Netflix, Michael Griesbach, a prosecutor and member of Wisconsin’s Innocence Project, was targeted on social media. Now, in this suspenseful, thorough narrative, he recounts his own re-examination of the evidence in light of the whirlwind of controversy that was stirred up. If you are a fan of true crime, this is a great novel to read to not only find out the truth of a true crime, but also the truth of our legal system.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers

By Alicia Thompson | Romance

Phoebe Walsh is a pessimist, and she is also obsessed with true crime. Phoebe is actually writing it into her dissertation to finish her Ph.D. While in Florida in her old childhood home, she notices her neighbor next door. Of course, Phoebe assumes the worst–that he is a casual man during the day but a serial killer at night. In this quirky rom-com, we see that she doesn’t have to always think the worst of everyone, or at least believe they are serial killers. If you love romantic comedies, this is the one for you.

The Heiress

By Rachel Hawkins | Mystery

Ruby McTavish dies as the richest woman in North Carolina, as well as a victim of a famous kidnapping. Her adopted son Cam wants nothing to do with the aftermath of the will, or the estate, until he has to be. He and his wife Jules head back to his late mother’s home, and it seems as though there are more questions than answers. If you enjoy books with a great storyline that flows with several twists and turns, this one’s for you.

The Mother Next Door

By Tara Laskowski | Thriller

This book takes place exactly during Halloween. The “Ivy Five” neighborhood moms, which has been a group of four for quite some time, plan the annual Halloween block party. Although, there is a new mom in town, and she is trying to wiggle her way into the group. All seems well in party-planning mode until the newcomer is receiving text messages and threats about exposing the neighborhood. These are secrets they’ve been hiding for years. This book is perfect if you are a lover of suspense and Halloween.

SCHOOL SPORTS&

REDEFINING DISABILITY

The Hartford Nationals shines the spotlight on athletes of various abilities and their triumphs.

BY TYLER RALEY

HARRISON & KELSEA SCHAFER

PHOTOS BY DAWN

NNational competition was brought back to Shelby County for another year as the Hartford Nationals hosted numerous competitions from July 12-18.

Hosted by Move United, The Hartford Nationals provides an opportunity for athletes around the country with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities to compete against each other and show off their skills in a variety of sports, including archery, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field and wheelchair tennis.

The competitions were held at various local venues around the area, including Spain Park High School and Oak Mountain State Park. The 67th edition of The Hartford Nationals was the second in a row to be held in the city of Hoover, but the third time it has been hosted overall along with the 1996 edition.

Move United’s communication manager Shuan Butcher was once again very pleased with how the festivities turned out this year, knowing it was important for everybody involved.

“The second year is obviously easier because we’re returning, we’re repeating,” Shuan says. “I can’t say enough good things about the city of

Hoover and our other partners like the Lakeshore Foundation. They’ve really helped elevate the event and really stepped up a notch in terms of not only laying out the red carpet for our athletes and for the athletes competing and coaches and parents and families, but [also] have been great partners to work with.”

A national leader in adaptive sports, Move United is a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to ensure that every person–no matter his or her ability–can experience playing sports and the power such recreation enables a person to have. With 242 member organizations in 45 states, Move United helps more than 120,000 individuals to not only play sports, but also become better intertwined with their communities, fostering fellowship between people of all abilities.

In her interview with Shelby Living Magazine editor Anna Grace Moore, the city of Hoover’s events manager Kelly Peoples says Hoover felt honored to host several of the competitions.

“While watching the athletes compete was fun and exciting, I think the opening ceremony was my favorite event,” Kelly says. “The Parade of Athletes—

We want the early learning years to be an experience that truly delights both parents and their children. We commit to pursuing excellence in all areas so that the years spent with us are an investment in the child’s future Our desire to continually set standards and exceed expectations sets the stage for a childcare experience that families are excited to be a part of! N

each state comes in alphabetical order—was special. Seeing hundreds of athletes with physical disabilities coming in together and cheering for each other was amazing. Most of these athletes only see each other at nationals, so it’s fun to watch them reconnect.”

In order to compete in their respective events, the 397 athletes that attended had to qualify at another sanctioned competition by placing high enough or by meeting a time or distance standard. Those competitions were held at a number of regional locations across the country, all leading to the national stage.

By competing for these limited spots, the competitions provide an avenue for these athletes who perhaps want to take their skills to the next level.

“For [the athletes], this might be an opportunity to compete against a much larger crowd of competition,” Shuan says. “When you have an athlete that is somewhere in their journey, this is kind of that stepping stone for athletes who want to continue to improve, who want to continue to strive to compete at larger events [such as] the Paralympic Games or other international competition.”

In addition to the competitive aspects of the event, The Hartford Nationals host educational clinics and social events, allowing for the athletes and city to come together as a community and have fun when they are not putting their skills on display. Putting this on each year is a highlight of Move United’s initiative.

Sports Make Us More

As an official affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Move United has been “redefining disability” since 1956. Today, the organization offers more than 70 different adaptive sports, and by 2028, the organization hopes that 90-percent of Americans live within a 50-mile-radius of a Move United Member Organization. To learn more about Move United and its mission, visit moveunitedsport.org.

“Seeing any person reach their goal is special to me,” Kelly says. “Many of these athletes have lived with their disabilities for a long time and have learned to overcome obstacles. Their sport makes them more determined, more powerful, more themselves.”

What Shuan enjoys about this event is the opportunity to push the organization’s goal: redefining disability.

“It’s a big opportunity to support athletes and to provide the platform to really showcase the power of sport,” Shuan says. “Sport has the power to change the world, and throughout our country’s history, sport has been at the forefront of changing the world and changing perceptions. This is obviously an opportunity for us to do that.”

With adaptive sports on the rise in recent years, hosting The Hartford Nationals is something Shuan believes will have a large impact in the United States, hoping that it provides more opportunities for those with disabilities as time goes on.

“When London held their Paralympic Games, it really just brought disability to the forefront,” Shuan says. “We anticipate that also being the same thing here in the U.S., so we’re trying to build that movement. If an athlete with a disability or an individual with a disability sees that and they say, ‘I want to do that,’ then there are places to do that. We’re trying to build that groundswell. We’re trying to build that infrastructure, so that there are full opportunities to participate in sport when an individual is ready, and for us, we think that that’ll be in 2028 when [the Paralympics] comes back to the United States.”

To learn more information about Move United or The Hartford Nationals, visit moveunitedsport.org.

Cindy Jo Warner Public Relations and Community Education Supervisor for Shelby County Schools

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

On Thursday, June 27, Shelby County Schools’ Public Relations and Community Education Supervisor Cindy Jo Warner received the Alabama School Public Relations Association’s highest award, the Alabama Communicator of the Year award. Here, Cindy details her gratitude for receiving such a prestigious honor.

How does it feel to be named “Alabama Communicator of the Year?”

It's an amazing feeling, and I'm very honored to have received it. It is something that is given by my colleagues and my peers that also do school public relations for their respective school districts. To be recognized by them for doing this work is certainly an honor. Ultimately, I hope that the work that I'm doing is truly shining a positive spotlight on Shelby County Schools because the school district really does mean a lot to me.

What all do you do for Shelby County Schools?

On the public relations side, I do the public relations and communications work for the district. For 17 years, I did that solely by myself. When I took over this role, it was back in the day where old fashioned newsletters and flyers were very useful in being able to share our message. From a digital perspective, we knew that we wanted to do more with photography and video and start sharing our message that way. Dr. Brooks was very gracious in allowing me to hire our first digital media specialist, Bryan Pope. He and I started

working together, and then that quickly expanded into a third person in our department, Cole Pevey. On the other side of the job is the community education role. With that role, I have always been responsible for running our after-school care programs. We do all of the enrichment programs–baton, karate, stem classes, art and music and all of those things that can be done during out-of-school time.

What is the most important aspect of your career?

We have teachers that are doing incredible work. We have students that are doing amazing things and achieving at their highest level. It’s important to be able to share that and to highlight what goes on in our schools each and every day.

What were some of the “highs” that you got to experience throughout this past school year?

For the past two-and-a-half years, I've been helping Dr. Brooks formulate a new strategic plan for the district. This helped us to develop our new strategic plan, which is called “Empowering and Inspiring Excellence.” With that, I developed a

communication plan to be able to go along with the roll-out of the strategic plan. That particular communication plan also recently won a gold medallion award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), which is the highest level award that they give for communication programs. I'm also wrapping up three years of service on the executive board for the NSPRA, in which I presented on communication strategies and served as a guest speaker.

What would you say makes your job the best job in the world?

As I've gotten more advanced in my career, one thing that I really do love about the job now is mentoring others in the field. I had a lot of people that poured into me throughout the years. One in particular that comes to mind was a lady named Nez Calhoun. When I started in this role, she was a huge help to me. Tom Salter was another person that was a mentor for me. Both of them were so gracious to pour into me and help me learn everything there was to know about doing this particular job. I'm trying to pay that forward now.

FOOD DRINK&

DINING AT THE DEPOT

Authenticity has no rival at Station 31 Kitchen.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

PHOTOS BY UNTOLD IMAGERY

AAmong the plethora of childhood dreams, most little boys aspire to be firefighters, baseball players or astronauts–strong icons rooted in the “American identity.” Jeff Webster is the exception.

“I was enamored with the restaurant business,” Jeff says. “I was always intrigued by what’s going on behind those doors–how we could order something and 10, 15 minutes later it’s out in front of us, hot, fresh, good. I fell in love with that.”

Hailing from Kissimmee, Florida, Jeff grew up sketching restaurant designs in his notes during school. He always knew he wanted to own his own restaurant one day.

After graduating from high school, Jeff moved with his family to Birmingham, and one particular evening, he went to visit his brother, Jimmy Webster, at his work. There, Jeff met the woman who he would not only fall in love with, but he would also be lucky enough to embark on a dream-cometrue together.

“We met that evening and did not go another day without speaking from that point forward,” Misty Webster says, smiling.

Not long after would Jeff join Jimmy and Misty as a waiter, gradually building his skill set as a restaurateur in the making. Jeff attended Culinard Culinary School in Birmingham, Alabama.

He worked in several other restaurants and even apprenticed with numerous Birmingham chefs before working his way up to be a general manager of a franchise here in town. Jeff and Misty tied the knot in 2002 and welcomed their two children later on in 2004 and 2007.

Then, they got their big break. On Aug. 25, 2009, Jeff and Misty opened their first-ever restaurant, Main Street Tavern, in Montevallo with a financial blessing from Jeff’s grandmother, who is affectionately known as “Grandma Kay.”

“I told her I wanted to open a restaurant, and my grandmother believed in me,” Jeff says. “She was the first person to ever pull up a chair to a stove for me. She taught me how to make scrambled eggs as a kid. Her mentality was to never, ever regret. Don’t turn around when you’re 50 and wish you would’ve done something when you were 20. She was our driving force.”

Chef Picks

Buffalo Chicken Burger

Fish Tacos

The Bushwacker

The Ladder 31

Jeff and Misty chose Montevallo for its small-town feel.

“I was terrified, but Jeff was confident from the day we opened the door that it was going to be a huge success,” Misty says. “I had to admit I was scared. In ‘09, we had a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old, and we both quit our jobs to go open a restaurant. It was tough the first couple of years.”

Nearly every day, Jeff worked overtime at Main Street Tavern, building the family business from the ground-up. Both of his parents and Jimmy also came to work at the restaurant, making it truly a family affair.

Eventually, Jeff and Misty grew their staff as the restaurant gained popularity in town. In 2015, the University of Montevallo petitioned the Websters to move to a larger location about two blocks down, so more people could enjoy what had become the “hometown hotspot.”

Jeff and Misty renovated what was originally an old bus depot into what is now Main Street Tavern’s restaurant space.

Meanwhile across Shelby County, the Chelsea Volunteer Fire Department (Station 31) was becoming run down and eventually was decommissioned. Brothers-in-law Kyle Murphy and Dallan Ruch, who both own their own contracting businesses, were tasked with renovating the fire station into something new and reached out to Jeff and Misty about expanding their business.

A Chelsea native herself, Misty says she and Jeff jumped at the opportunity, eager to open up a new restaurant in the community in which they are raising their family. On May 13, 2019, the Websters opened up Station 31 Kitchen–the moniker paying tribute to the local fire station.

“We wanted to repurpose the building and bring it back to life as something different but not lose the history of what it was,” Misty says. “Chelsea is a small city. People are very proud of where they’re from and what the buildings were. They remember driving down the street when this was the volunteer fire department.”

Strolling inside, one is greeted with cheerful salutations rich in Southern hospitality. The worn, brick-tile walls and concrete floors exude an old firehouse feel, but the decor such as the old Station 31 sign really hit home on the historical aesthetic.

While one can relax in a high boy, chatting up the bartenders, most seem to enjoy dining out in the open where customers–both newcomers and regulars–feel like family.

“Core memories are made over a dining room table,” Jeff says. “Smells out of your kitchen will take you back to your childhood in a second. That’s another reason why I love what we do. Sitting at a dining room table, you’re laughing, you’re loving, you’re crying. It’s all of those things. That’s what makes what we do so special. We can’t take it for granted.”

Sure enough, all of Station 31 Kitchen’s recipes are chefinspired, born from generations of love passed down through meals. A fan-favorite, the smothered chicken lunch plate consists of a grilled chicken breast drizzled in barbecue sauce and topped with bacon, shredded cheese and diced tomatoes.

This medley of flavors packs a punch in every bite. The brainchild of Jeff’s imagination, the fish tacos are second-to-

Biometric Screening Immunizations

Medication Therapy Management

Lift Chairs

Wheelchairs

Nebulizers

Walkers

Pediatrics

Pain Management

Women’s Health

Hormone Replacement

Vet Meds

none.

Inside a flour tortilla lies a homemade, fresh-grilled flounder filet that is “seasoned to perfection” under a bed of cabbage, Pico de Gallo and garlic aioli. One would be remiss not to try any of the salads or pastas such as the shrimp alfredo pasta, which is one of Jeff and Misty’s favorite recommendations.

“Everybody used to ask me, ‘What do you like to cook?ʼˮ Jeff says. “There was always a running joke between the chefs and the kitchen: ‘Do you want the Food Network answer or the real answer?’ The real answer is what we have now. It’s a tavern menu. We have burgers, steaks, pastas, vegetables, but it’s all chefinspired. It’s all made here. It’s what I like to call ‘stick to your bones good.’”

The insider’s scoop is to order the “Dirty D’s.” This heavily seasoned rice dish yields a flavorful fusion with a Caribbean kick. After befriending a longtime customer, Derrick, at Main Street Tavern, Jeff would often get together with him to hang out and play chess. The two would take turns on who would cook dinner for the other each game.

One of the signature recipes Derrick would always make would of course be the “Dirty D’s,” prompting Jeff to add the dish to both Station 31 Kitchen and Main Street Tavern’s cuisine, paying homage to his good friend.

“I try to surround myself with great people,” Jeff says. “Dustin, my kitchen manager at Main Street Tavern, has been working with me for almost 18 years, maybe longer. He is probably the most talented chef I have ever worked with.”

After 29 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Jeff says the best part of his job will always be the people–both those who he works with and those who come to dine. Now, Jeff’s parents, his brother, his wife and his son all work at his family’s restaurants, making each day a new adventure.

“I feel very privileged that this is what we get to do and call it work,” Misty says.

With their focus forward, Jeff and Misty say they are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do what they love every day. After all, work becomes a hobby when childhood dreams become reality.

Station 31 Kitchen is located at 104 Chesser Drive in Chelsea. It is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and FridaySaturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Follow Station 31 Kitchen on Facebook for more information.

DINING GUIDE

Meri Moon is now open in downtown Montevallo’s historic Strand Theater building! Our menu features locally sourced ingredients, premium coffee and tea, a curated wine and beer selection and a variety of breakfast options, sandwiches, salads and snacks. Plus, Eclipse’s renowned milkshakes are back! Enjoy old menu favorites alongside exciting new options in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Visit us Tuesday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Smiley Brothers in Pelham, Alabama, epitomizes the essence of a high-end butcher shop and restaurant. Renowned for its exceptional quality and personalized service, they present a meticulously curated assortment of premium meats, wines, prepared foods, charcuterie, artisan cheese and made-to-order sandwiches and burgers. Upholding an unwavering commitment to excellence, their adept butchers and chefs provide tailored cuts along with expert recommendations. The establishment’s rustic yet elegant ambiance creates a unique shopping experience that captivates all culinary enthusiasts. Whether you’re seeking top-tier steaks, a fine bottle of wine or a delightful lunch, Smiley Brothers consistently exceeds expectations.

Shelby County

Shelby County | Special Advertising Section

Bertolone’s Bertolone’s charming, family-owned Italian restaurant brings the authentic flavors of Italy to Shelby County! Our appetizers, soups, salads and entrées are crafted from old-world Italian recipes handed down by the Bertolone family for generations. As you savor your meal, indulge in the warm ambiance and friendly atmosphere that only a locally owned eatery can offer. Complement your dining experience with a visit to our full bar and a sampling of our famous desserts. Our rich cakes, velvety tiramisu and decadent cannoli are crafted with love from cherished family recipes. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or enjoying family-size takeout from the comfort of your home, Bertolone’s provides an unforgettable taste of Italy. Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Dine-In | Catering | GrubHub | DoorDash

Bellinis Ristorante & Bar

Great ideas often occur in the most comfortable of settings, and Bellinis is no exception. With that in mind, in 2008, after discussing ideas over a bottle (or two) of wine, the concept of Bellinis was formed. Come relax, enjoy your own glass of wine among friends and see where your discussions take you. Bellinis is Birmingham’s only Italian-infused steakhouse, featuring the highest quality steaks hand-cut for perfection and grilled over our woodburning grill, house-made pastas, seafood and classic Italian dishes.

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 Vestavia Hills!

The Beer Hog Experience craft beer in a whole new way at The Beer Hog. Enjoy Shelby County’s largest selection of craft beer. With 64 craft beers on tap and many more in the package, we have something for every beer lover. Not a beer lover? That’s okay. We also have a variety of cocktails and wine. Enjoy a flight of your favorite craft brews with one of our made-to-order pizzas, mouth-watering salads or savory appetizers. Check out our social media for nightly events and the live music lineup. We hope to crack a cold one with you soon.

5 FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Jacqueline Dorris Marketing and Communications Manager at Southern Brew

One of Calera’s newest coffee shops, 7 Brew, is also one of Shelby County’s first-ever, drive-thru-only coffee stands. Having opened in December 2023, 7 Brew in Calera has seen a boost in business, happily serving customers a plethora of menu items including drinks such as cold brew, lattes, macchiatos, house-made energy drinks, teas, lemonades, smoothies, milkshakes and muffins. Here, Jacqueline Dorris, the marketing and communications manager for Southern Brew—7 Brew’s parent company—details the founding of 7 Brew and the best items to try on the menu.

What is the founding story behind 7 Brew?

The dream of 7 Brew came alive with the first “stand” in Rogers, Arkansas. The company sold in 2020, which has helped 7 Brew grow exponentially into more than 250 stands nationwide. 7 Brew was born from a desire to change drive-thru coffee into a fun, mind-blowing experience, where you get your coffee in record time and it be the highlight of your day. As 7 Brew continues to grow rapidly, we always stay true to the brand’s roots and mission of cultivating kindness.

When scouting locations to open up shop, how was Calera chosen, and how has the community responded to its newest coffee shop?

There is so much economic opportunity

and kindness in small, Southern towns that welcome new businesses such as 7 Brew. We chose Calera to open our sixth location in Alabama because we strive to continue cultivating kindness throughout the region and bring an exciting new addition to the community.

What is your favorite menu item?

Right now, my favorite menu item is the Heatwave 7 Energy. This refreshing combination of orange, lemon and lime is a perfect escape from the warm weather and gives you the perfect amount of energy.

What items would you recommend to newcomers?

I would recommend our original Blondie, which is a caramel and vanilla breve mix. It is one of our most popular

drinks for a reason.

What is the story behind the name, 7 Brew?

The name 7 Brew originated because the first stand sold seven original coffees: the Blondie, Brunette, Smooth 7, Cinnamon Roll, White Chocolate Mocha, German Chocolate and Sweet & Salty. The seven originals continue to be some of our most loved drinks.

7 Brew is located at 5065 U.S. 31 in Calera. It is open Monday-Thursday from 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information, visit 7brew.com.

PHOTO BY 7 BREW

HOME STYLE&

ON THE HILLTOP

The Dangos’ home in Mt Laurel is a beautiful reflection of its labor of love.

BY ANNA GRACE MOORE

PHOTOS BY ZACH PADALINO

Face of the Home

Landscape architect Rip Weaver designed the property to feel nestled in nature. Bill Hunter of Hunter Trees, LLC incorporated several handpicked trees, including the American Beech (left) and the Service Berry (right) to give the house a warm, inviting presence.

IIf love turns a house into a home, then fellowship turns a neighborhood into a tight-knit community. After years of searching for a place that felt like home, Pierre and Lauren Dango settled in the beautiful community of Mt Laurel.

The family’s house first went under contract in December 2020, but due to the challenges of building in a global pandemic, they did not move in until August 2022. Now a family of four, Pierre and Lauren love their home, believing it to be a testament to numerous individuals whose time and talents were poured into the building process.

Starting out, the Dangos knew they wanted an open concept with lots of bright, airy spaces. They partnered with Scott Masters of G.S. Masters, Inc. to design and build their home.

They chose a lot with a higher elevation than that of its neighbors, allowing an abundance of natural light to flow through the main level’s windows without obscuring the view or disrupting their privacy. The Dangos’ al fresco lifestyle was complemented with the incorporation of the house’s 14-by-14-foot, screened-in sunroom, which is accessible from the dining room and the 8-footwide, wrap-around porch that connects the sunroom to the front door.

Lauren says both the sunroom and the kitchen are her favorite rooms in the house, and strolling inside, it is easy to see why. The kitchen’s chic,

minimalistic design is illuminated by the room’s natural light, allowing the space to feel open and inviting.

Between the Calacatta Gold countertops, floating shelves and custom-built backsplash, the kitchen’s couture design choices elevate the presence for those within. The living room fireplace–handdesigned by Scott out of Carrara marble–and vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom are also exquisite hallmarks of intricate craftsmanship, making the Dangos’ home simply one-of-a-kind.

While the Dangos’ love their artfully inspired home, what they love even more are the families they have come to know and befriend in their community. No matter the time of day, Lauren says their neighbors are always outside–enjoying playing pickleball, walking their dogs or playing with their children.

Pierre and Lauren will forever be thankful for those who helped design and build their dream house, and they look forward to making even more memories with the community they now call home. In Mt Laurel, it is easy to feel at home, especially when one’s house is a beautiful reflection of the labor of love invested into it.

Looking forward, the Dangos hope to repay their blessings tenfold, utilizing their home as a hub for fellowship. After all, a house is not a home without the love of a family inside.

Entryway

For the entryway’s staircase, The Steel Fabrication welded every spindle together, hand-placing the entire railing together.

Living Room

The Dangos worked with their neighbor Mary Beasley of Let’s Be Frank Designs for their living room’s interior decor.

Dining Room

Mary helped mix and match various pieces of furniture to create a warm aesthetic. The French doors open into the screened-in sunroom.

The Kitchen

When designing her and Pierre’s kitchen, Lauren prioritized functionality executed in a clean slate.

Kitchen Details

The 43-inch cast iron sink pairs nicely with the gold faucet, compliments of V&W Supply. The floating shelves were designed and custom-made by Scott.

For kids like Gwen •

Because Gwen came to Children’s for the diagnosis and treatment of her blood disorder, she received the best care available thanks to ground-breaking research made possible by clinical trials for cancers and blood disorders. The research happening today will lead to future cures, and it is happening here at Children’s of Alabama.

ChildrensAL.org/cancer

Powder Room Master Bedroom

The main-level powder room features a floating, white oak vanity with a white quartz countertop and a wall-mount faucet.

Scott vaulted the ceiling for an exaggerated look, incorporating white oak beams to tie in the floor’s hues. Mary repurposed two children’s dressers as oversized nightstands, switching out the furniture’s hardware for a more upscale aesthetic. Most interestingly, the cowhide rug is named “Uncle Wesley” and is from Lauren’s cousin’s boutique, Finch Gifts & Interiors, in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Joe Piper

Babypalooza

Bham

Master Bathroom

The vanities are made of maple and were customdesigned by Mouser Cabinetry. The intricate floor design is compliments of Floor & Decor.

Behind the Scenes

BUILDER: Scott Masters, G.S. Masters, Inc.

INTERIOR DECORATOR: Mary Beasley, Let’s Be Frank Designs

KITCHEN DESIGN: Maranatha Cabinetry & Countertops

HARDWARE: Brandino Brass

MASTER BATHROOM

DESIGN: Mouser Cabinetry, Floor & Decor

ENTRYWAY DESIGN: The Steel Fabrication

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Bill Hunter of Hunter Trees, LLC, Rip Weaver

HALL OF

Fame

SHELBY COUNTY INDUCTEES

THURSDAY, OCT. 10 AT AMERICAN VILLAGE

Open arms

A champion for children, Justice Patti Smith’s career was defined by her unwavering commitment to the betterment of children’s lives.

By Anna Grace Moore |

Photos by Alec Etheredge and Contributed

“I think God puts people in and out of your lives that enrich you. They give wonderful guidance. They will tell the truth to you. I am a culmination of a lot of people’s efforts. I think it’s important to give back.”

—Justice Smith

HHeavy is the hand that holds the gavel. Justice Patricia “Patti” Mungenast Smith bore that weight–that responsibility to uphold the law–as a badge of honor during her 31-year-long judicial career.

Born in 1952 to Andy and Norma Mungenast, Smith grew up as one of 14 children–the fifth oldest child and the second-oldest daughter in her family. Thanks to her father’s career in the U.S. Air Force, Smith grew up all over the world, including living in Germany and Canada.

It was not until her father, Col. Mungenast, completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees and was sent to the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery that her family settled in Montgomery. Col. Mungenast later became the first-ever student to become a tenured professor. Being “the first” seems to run in Smith’s family.

“Few people in life are blessed to have their career also be their [anointing],” she says. “I believe it’s God’s calling on my life to be in my career.”

Having graduated from Montgomery Catholic High School, Smith went on to attend Troy University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in social services in 1973. She worked in the university’s cafeteria, residence halls and as the school’s yearbook’s editor to put herself through school, graduating in three years, debt-free.

When she was 19 during her freshman year, Smith worked at Sears in the catalog department. Her now husband of 49 years, Jerry Smith, and his friend saw her from afar and flipped a coin as to who would get to ask her out.

The two began dating in college and married

shortly after Smith graduated and enrolled at The Jones Law School at Faulkner University. Three months after they got married, Jerry got a job in Birmingham, but Smith stayed behind in Montgomery to finish her J.D., eventually graduating from law school in 1976.

Not long after did Smith move to Birmingham to be with Jerry. Ironically, she could not find a job at first until Dick Bell hired her to practice law at his firm–Bell, Johnson and Medaris.

In January 1977, Smith was hired as Assistant District Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit. In 1980, Gov. Fob James appointed Smith as the District Court Judge in Shelby County. On May 1, 1980, which is actually “Law Day,” Smith gave birth to her and Jerry’s first-born child.

“I’m up in St. Vincent’s, and a nurse says, ‘There’s a law enforcement officer here to see you,’” she says. “In comes [Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Investigator] Bill Davenport. I said, ‘Bill, what are you doing here?’ He laughed and said, ‘Hey, I need a search warrant. We couldn’t find the other judge, but we knew where you were!’ They have this great picture of me holding my daughter, and it says, ‘Judge at Work Day after Birth.’ That was pretty awesome.”

In November 1980, Smith ran and was elected officially to the position of district court judge.

She served in this role for 25 years, becoming reelected in 1986, 1992 and 1998. One of the proudest moments in Smith’s career was when she was sworn in as a district court judge–the first time she was given the oath of office.

“As an attorney, you argue one side of the case,” Smith says. “When you’re a judge, you’re left with the final decision of what happens here. The magnitude of being put in that position can be overwhelming.”

Then presiding Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Ingram took Smith aside before swearing her in, telling her a story of a defining moment in his career. He sentenced a young man to prison for robbery for a significant amount of time.

Shortly after, Ingram was in the grocery store and bumped into the young man’s father who said, “Thank you for treating my son with respect.”

“Kenneth told me, ‘You will be called on to make all kinds of decisions. It doesn’t matter what someone has done. They are a human being, and you never forget that. You treat them with respect,’” Smith says. “That has never left me. It was the best advice I could ever receive as a judge.”

Known for her heart for children, Smith worked to found the Developing Alabama Youth “DAY” Program in Alabaster in 1983. The DAY Program provides remediation plans for academics, study tools for the GED, behavioral help, anxiety management tools, employability services and more.

Since its inception, the DAY Program has helped hundreds of at-risk youth become successful on their “alternate educational routes,” enabling them to earn their diplomas or degrees and become employed in good jobs.

While Smith has presided over thousands of cases, it was her judgements in the termination of parental rights cases that affected her the most. During one case, a foster family could only adopt two of the three children in their care.

The young girl in question, who was no more than 12 years old at the time, took to the stand to testify, asking why she could not be with her siblings. Smith remembers trying hard to hold it together, but during recess, she went to the bathroom and wept in her robe, praying to God to help her make the best decision for that young girl.

“I remember thinking, ‘God, there’s no right answer to this,’” Smith says. “I allowed her to be removed, and her relative agreed to take her in. I prayed about those kinds of decisions. I had to.”

In 1996, Smith founded Friends of the Court, Inc./ CASA of Shelby County with just a few volunteers and no stable funding. CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was first founded in 1977.

“I’ve always said, ‘The decisions that I make are only as good as the information that I’m provided,’” Smith says. “The whole idea with CASA is they’re lay people that are trained to work in family court. They are assigned by the judge to the case. They provide additional information.

Sometimes, they supervise visitation. I’ve always called them, the ‘eyes and the ears of the court.’”

Working to ensure every child a safe, permanent home, CASA in Shelby County created an office and supervised visitation house–the Patricia M. Smith CASA House—to pay tribute to Smith in December 2022.

Smith’s work in family court led her to campaign for a seat on the Alabama Supreme Court. In 2004, Smith was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court and served one term–six years–before officially retiring in 2011.

“I just felt like there was a need for somebody to be down there who had a totally different perspective about family court, having made it a 25-year career,” Smith says. “That was endorsed at one point when we were contemplating a case in the supreme court, and I had a very strong position about the outcome of a case that involved juveniles. One of the justices said to me, ‘Hearing your perspective after having done that, it helps us make the right decisions.’ I feel like that’s why I was called to do that.”

During her time on the Alabama Supreme Court, Smith became an original member of the Charter for the Protection of Children with the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham. At the time of her tenure, she had served 31 years on the bench.

Yet, Smith’s work advocating for children did not stop at the end of her judicial career. After retiring, she chaired two different boards with the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham–the Catholic Social Services Board and the Catholic Family Services Board, continuously striving to improve the quality of life for children and their families in Alabama and beyond.

Smith also volunteers with the Birmingham Catholic Center of Concern and works with sisters of different religious orders from around the world who care for the less fortunate in Birmingham.

“I think God puts people in and out of your lives that enrich you,” Smith says. “They give wonderful guidance. They will tell the truth to you. I am a culmination of a lot of people’s efforts. I think it’s important to give back.”

Reflecting on her decades-long career, Smith says the best part of her job was working to provide a better life for who she calls God’s greatest blessing–children, especially those in need. Thanks to her, thousands of children got to grow up in loving homes, knowing they are wanted, cherished and above all, created in God’s image.

There is no greater anointing than one’s call to disciple others, and in Smith’s case, to love all children with open arms.

Liberty and Justice FOr aLL

Tom Walker’s efforts to build a better world begins with reminding future generations of the beauty in liberty, paid with patriots’ sacrifices.

By Anna Grace

|

Moore

Photos by Shelby County Reporter Staff

AAs a young father himself, Tom Walker always took his family on side quests to historical landmarks during their summer vacations. Tom remembers his daughter lamenting, “‘Daddy, we don’t have to go somewhere historical, do we?’” To which he always replied, “‘No, but why wouldn’t we?’”

American history has always felt enchanting to Tom. His desire to enrich future generations with wisdom the past teaches is something that grew throughout his career.

A native of Albertville, Alabama, Tom first came to Shelby County to attend the University of Montevallo (UM). He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science with honors before earning his Master of Arts in Political Science at Mississippi State University.

The first real ride of his career Tom says was during a student government association meeting in undergrad, where he met the only rival to history to captivate his heart, Betty Driver. Tom and Betty began dating shortly after and tied the knot in 1976.

They are now looking forward to celebrating 48 years together in December 2024.

While in graduate school, Tom worked for Cooperative Extension Service, acting as a government specialist. He worked with local communities and local governments before moving back to Alabama to work as the city clerk and city manager of Northport, Alabama.

Tom says he enjoyed working with the city council and thoroughly appreciated his time in Northport. Tom’s experience led him back to his alma mater,

where he assumed the position of assistant to the president at UM, Dr. John Stewart.

“It was at the university [during the ‘80s] that I had the idea of creating the American Village,” Tom says. “There were a lot of people who were very supportive but also somewhat skeptical that it could happen.”

Tom’s idea to create a historical camp based on American history may have started small, but it grew like wildfire, thanks to his unending pursuit to “build a better world.” Not long after conceptualizing American Village, Tom encouraged local legislators to create a temporary joint committee to explore the idea.

In 1993, American Village had its first legislative act, and in 1994, the campus had a second act authorizing the creation of the village. As he met with architect Mike Hamrick, Tom sketched his idea for American Village’s campus on a napkin.

Thanks to T.M. and Ellen Burgin, Tom acquired their family’s generational farm in Montevallo, utilizing the 188-acre site for the construction of the village. In 1995, American Village became chartered, and finally on Nov. 30, 1999, American Village held its grand opening ceremony.

“The people in Shelby County have been overwhelmingly positive,” Tom says. “So many thousands have come to the village on things like the Fourth of July or in school programs. I’ll always be grateful to the leadership of the county as well as to citizens of all walks of life who’ve helped advance the cause.”

Considered a landmark attraction in Alabama, American Village is an educational institution in Montevallo, nationally known for its historical reenactments and programs. Drawing thousands of visitors each year, American Village has served just shy of a million people since its inception.

“We tried to maintain the scenic aspects–to create a place where you can get away from the busyness of everyday life and turn imagination into what our country was like when it was founded,” Tom says. “The purpose was for young people to know America’s story.”

American Village visitors can tour 20 historicallyinspired buildings and structures, witness Revolutionary War reenactments, watch fireworks on July Fourth and even dine with patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams and more.

Schools from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida have come on field trips to the village, engaging students in programs that immerse them in American history and making them feel as though they, too, are

patriots of the past.

Tom served as the first president of American Village from its opening to his retirement in March 2022. In July 2022, American Village announced that Chelsea resident and criminal defense attorney Alan B. Miller would serve as the second-ever president.

Serving as president of American Village, Tom says one of his favorite memories was watching an elementary school field trip “face the Red Coats” during a demonstration. A tiny fifth grader had been watching a Red Coat pester her fellow patriots, and she only grew more and more “passionate.”

Just moments later, the student charged the Red Coat with a lion’s heart–10 times bigger than her actual size–and kicked the soldier in the shin, standing up for her friends. Although the Red Coat witnessed a mighty blow, he kept on going with the act, acknowledging this courageous, young patriot and her defense of her class.

“It was a great privilege to welcome thousands and thousands of students each year and see their appreciation for how our country came to be and

how important it is that each of us do our part as good citizens to keep it,” Tom says.

Although American Village teaches American history in a fun, engaging way, Tom says its underlying purpose is to act as a catalyst for social reform–reminding citizens everywhere of the sacrifices paid to ensure liberty and justice for all.

“From Concord Bridge in 1775 to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965, those were all times that people stood up for liberty,” Tom says. “Although they were different circumstances, the theme song was the same. I think every generation has political divisions, but we have many things in common as Americans. We should count those blessings and work to make people aware of that great heritage of liberty that we enjoy.”

According to americanvillage.org, in 2017, Tom was appointed to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, which oversees the nation’s 250th birthday celebration and commemoration of independence that will take place in 2026. In December 2020, Troy University

honored Tom with the Honorary Doctor of Laws for his service to the community.

Tom received the American Bar Association’s national award for excellence in K-12, law-related education. His accolades also include the DAR Medal of Honor and the SAR Gold Citizenship Medal, which is the National Societies of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution’s highest national honor. The Women’s Committee of Birmingham even named Tom as a “Birmingham Citizen of the Year.”

While founding American Village will forever be one of Tom’s most proud accomplishments, he says the credit is due to the hundreds of people in Shelby County and beyond who helped manifest his dream into a reality for so many. A true American patriot, Tom Walker will go down in history as one of the greats–a man whose pursuit of community will continually bless thousands of citizens, reminding each one of the sacrifices paid to achieve success.

Live Like daiLey

George Dailey championed peace and equality following desegregation in Shelby County.

By Anna Grace Moore | Photos Contributed

HHailing from Atmore, Alabama, George Dailey was born on March 19, 1928 to Frank and Ophelia Dailey. As he grew, so did his tenacious spirit, his love of learning and his desire to make his mark on the world.

George attended Escambia County Training School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in history and mathematics and his master’s degree in education from Alabama State University. In 1953, George began teaching history and coaching boys basketball at the all-black Shelby County Training School.

There, George built relationships with his students, instilling in each of them the confidence to pursue their dreams. Despite the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954, most schools were not desegregated until many years later. George, even still, continuously advocated for equal opportunities for his students.

“He was such a role model and a catalyst for

social reform,” says Sylvia Vassar, a board member of the Shelby County Historical Society Museum & Archives. “He was an outstanding leader in the community who focused on improving education and the quality of life for everyone regardless of race or gender. He was a strong supporter of the equal rights movement and advocated for diversity, equality and inclusion within Shelby County Schools and the city. There were times when he came up against opposition, but he never did throw in the towel. It was probably very difficult for him, but he never gave up, and he preserved.”

Jewel Dailey, George’s wife, remembers first meeting him at a teacher’s conference in September 1956. George’s charming smile first caught her attention, but his exuberant passion for his students captivated her heart. Jewel taught English and social studies at the Shelby County Training School alongside George, and over the years, the two formed a budding friendship before tying the knot

1928

George Dailey was born on March 19, 1928 to Frank and Ophelia Dailey.

1956

Jewel Dailey, George’s wife, remembers first meeting him at a teacher’s conference in September 1956.

1970

The Prentice student body merged with Montevallo High School, and George became one of the assistant principals at the newly integrated school.

1984

George became elected to the Montevallo City Council, making him the first-ever African American to hold office in the council.

1953

George began teaching history and coaching boys basketball at the all-black Shelby County Training School.

1965

George became the principal of Prentice High School.

several years later.

Jewel says one of George’s favorite aspects of teaching and coaching were watching his students excel in their endeavors. At the time, Shelby County Training School did not receive a lot of funding, so the basketball team had to play outside in often extreme temperatures. To encourage his players, George would practice with them, ensuring games stayed lighthearted and fun.

In 1965, George became the principal of Prentice High School, which was the city of Montevallo’s only all-black high school that was first founded in 1950. During this time, George fought hard for integration, becoming a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement here in Shelby County.

In 1968–notably 14 years after Brown v. Board of Education–students were given a “freedom of choice” letter, meaning black students would indefinitely have the freedom to choose what school they wished to attend for the 1968-69 school year.

In 1970, the Prentice student body merged with Montevallo High School, and George became one of the assistant principals at the newly integrated school. Prentice High School then became Montevallo Middle School.

“I was told he was very good at calming any conflicts that arose between the white and the black students during this process,” says David Nolen, the Shelby County Historical Society Museum & Archives’ board president. “He was known as an individual who looked out for the welfare of all of his students.”

George took it upon himself to ensure every student was treated fairly, prompting him to work for the Shelby County Board of Education. George became the Shelby County supervisor of secondary instruction in 1971, and later on, he became the coordinator of secondary education.

1971

George became the Shelby County supervisor of secondary instruction in 1971, and later on, he became the coordinator of secondary education.

1991

George retired from the Shelby County Schools system.

In 1984, George became elected to the Montevallo City Council, making him the first-ever African American to hold office in the council. George wanted all constituents’ voices to be heard, so he worked to disband at-large voting, meaning city councilors would be elected by districts. George is credited with starting this movement as he believed the minority vote would be protected.

After serving on the Montevallo City Council, George ran and was elected to the Shelby County Commission District 2 in 1990, once again making him the first person of color to serve on the Commission.

“He wanted to break down the walls of segregation within the schools and within the communities,”

Sylvia says. “He was a role model for African Americans.”

Montevallo City Councilman Kenneth Dukes agrees. Kenneth was in his youth when George was elected as county commissioner, and he says watching a black man achieve what had never been accomplished thus far was incredible.

“George would empower you with understanding and knowledge, but most of all, to respect everybody,” Kenneth says. “He was a blessing to me and helped me be the type of person I am now.”

In 1991, George retired from the Shelby County Schools system after an extensive 38-year career.

During his 14-year tenure with the Shelby County Commission, George ensured that his communities’ needs were met.

At the time, the communities in District 2 were less affluent and struggled to get county funding to replace the water and sewage systems in the area. Numerous residents could have suffered from severe health conditions resulting from contaminated water.

While many constituents voices’ went unheard, George listened intently, working to secure funding to restore the water systems. Among the many service projects George oversaw, it would be his efforts politically that would define his career.

At age 75, George was called home to heaven on Sept. 29, 2003. Today, his legacy lives on through George Dailey Park, which was built by the city of Montevallo and is located in front of Montevallo Middle School.

Thanks to George, Shelby County experienced decades of peace during a politically polarizing era following desegregation. Children–both black and white–had a bulldog in their corner, fighting for their rights to a good education. People of color had their voices heard and their votes protected.

Shelby County owes a debt of gratitude to George Dailey. However, knowing his personality, George would just say to “pay it forward with a smile.” May all learn to “live like Dailey.”

t he vOLumes truth speaks

Through the power of journalism, Ralph and Marcia Sears helped shape Shelby County into what it is today.

By Anna Grace Moore | Photos Contributed

WWhen Ralph and Marcia Sears spoke, Shelby County listened. A WWII veteran, Ralph paused his college education to serve in the U.S. Army infantry during several military operations in The Philippines and New Caledonia.

Both graduates of the University of Nebraska, Ralph and Marcia graduated together in May 1948 before getting married on June 19, 1948. The following September, they moved to Montevallo, Alabama, for Ralph’s career.

Ralph began teaching radio and public speaking at Alabama College, and Marcia started the Meadowlark Nursery School out of their home, helping to raise not only their three children, but also numerous other neighborhood kids, too. As her children grew, Marcia took on other roles such as working as a social worker for the state of Alabama and even teaching Spanish at Alabama College.

“As a hands-on mom, she would let us cook any crazy thing, supported our attempts at music and dance and loved spending time with us, discovering nature,” Randie Sears Rosenberg, one of Ralph and Marcia’s daughters, says. “She also excelled in themed parties for her Alabama College Spanish classes and generally loved entertaining throughout her life.”

At Alabama College, Ralph created a 30-minutelong radio show of organ music, which was broadcasted to troops in the U.S. Armed Forces all over the world throughout the 1950s. After Ralph’s parents’ passing in the mid-1950s, Ralph used his modest inheritance from them to purchase WBYE Radio in Calera, which offered a few daytime news programs as well as Western tunes and some ‘50s music.

Ralph also created a weekday morning news broadcast called “Between the Lines,” in which he recruited advertisers to do business in the Shelby Shopping Guide. From announcing university events, Montevallo High School football games and local news stories, Ralph’s voice became one of the most well-known and respected state-wide.

“Shelby County is completely different, in part because of the growth that the county saw in the ‘60s and ‘70s when mom and dad were running the paper, the radio station, surfing this great wave of growth,” Sally Sears Belcher says of her parents’ legacy.

In 1956, Ralph became elected to the Montevallo City Council. Ralph took his political efforts a step further when in 1967, when he and Marcia purchased the Shelby County Reporter from Luther Fowler.

While Ralph oversaw the financial and publishing aspects of the business, Marcia became the newspaper’s editor, even running her own newsroom of reporters. In 1968, Alabama College became integrated, and the following year, the college officially changed its name to the University of Montevallo in 1969.

“Watching mom covering the crumbling one summer–the segregated schools system–was breathtaking to read because it happened fast when it happened,” Sally says. “It was political dynamite. It was something that was worth all of the ink that’s been spilled out over the Civil Rights Movement.

Here it happened between June and September, and it was all on the front page of the Shelby County Reporter–every bit of it.”

While she made sure not to let her opinions seep into the editorial copy, Marcia made sure to cover every newsworthy event from George Wallace’s campaign for the presidency to county-wide sanitation efforts and more–even if the stories soiled some high-profile reputations.

“The newspaper gave her an opportunity to put into action a lot of the things that she had wanted to do,” Sally says. “Mom loved covering the workings of county government–the health department, the highway department. She had a warm heart for poor people and did not think that the county worked as well as it might. She had an opinion about how the county took care of people who were less fortunate. She, through her work, helped call attention to that.”

Ralph and Marcia became a beacon of truth during a politically polarizing era in the community. Over time, they acquired the Childersburg Star and the Coosa Press, expanding their editorial outreach

across the state.

In 1972, Ralph became elected as the mayor of Montevallo. He served six terms in office, and over his 24-year-long mayoral career, Ralph’s support of the African American community and the American Village were his most defining achievements.

During his time in office, Ralph ensured that every street in Montevallo’s predominantly African American neighborhoods was paved. He also strongly supported George Dailey, who in 1984 became the first African American individual to become elected to the Montevallo City Council.

When Tom Walker approached Ralph about creating the American Village in the early ‘90s, Ralph worked hard to get both city and federal funding as well as extend Montevallo’s city limits, in order to build the institution. Ralph believed in people such as George and Tom, crediting them for helping to build Shelby County into what it is today.

In 1981, Marcia became the first-ever female president of the Alabama Press Association (APA), receiving the APA’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, later on in 2003. After selling their news entities in 1984, Ralph and Marcia did

not retire as Ralph was still acting mayor, but they did travel the world as much as they could, focusing on family.

Ralph was called home to heaven on Feb. 14, 1996, at the age of 73. The Alabama Newspaper Hall of Honor inducted him posthumously on Nov. 7, 2009.

Marcia passed away at age 86 on April 13, 2014. Marcia was supposed to be inducted into the Alabama Newspaper Hall of Honor in April 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all induction ceremonies were postponed.

Nonetheless, Ralph and Marcia Sears served as good Samaritans who believed in uplifting those whose voices should be amplified, commanding attention to address the needs of their constituents. Although actions speak louder than words, they walked their talk, helping create Shelby County into what thousands of residents call home today.

The Sears proved that through good journalism, truth has the power to shape history, and what an incredible legacy that is to leave behind.

t he greatest generatiOn

Shelby County citizens continue to thrive off of Judge Conrad Fowler’s service to his community.

By Anna Grace Moore | Photos Contributed

KKnown as a straight arrow, Judge Conrad "Bully" Murphree Fowler’s unwavering integrity epitomizes him as the pillar of truth and justice in Shelby County. Born on Sept. 17, 1918, in Montevallo, Conrad was raised in Columbiana and graduated from Shelby County High School.

He later attended the University of Alabama, where he studied business and participated in the Million Dollar Band (playing tenor saxophone), Omicron Delta Kappa, Jasons and the Crimson and White staff. After graduating in 1941, Conrad attended the University of Alabama Law School, but his studies were interrupted by WWII.

Conrad joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a captain and leading men into battle throughout invasions in the South Pacific. He later received numerous honors such as the Purple Heart and two Silver Stars for his service in Guadalcanal; Bougainville, Guam; and Iwo Jima.

Despite being highly decorated, Conrad never boasted about himself or his accomplishments.

“He was very, very good at deflecting attention away from himself and towards others,” Randy Fowler, Conrad's son, says. “If you wanted him to talk about his role in Alabama politics, for instance, he would maybe say a sentence or two about himself, and then he’d start talking about his good friend, Howell Heflin.”

U.S. Sen. (D-AL) Howell Heflin and Conrad were lifelong friends, having studied law together at the University of Alabama and served in sister companies in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Dad always told a story on Howell,” Randy says, chuckling. “When Howell got wounded [in WWII], he was like 6’8 and probably weighed 350 pounds. The medics–there were four of them–tried to carry him out on a stretcher, and they were struggling. Howell just said, ‘Put me down, put me down. I can

walk better than y’all can carry me!’ He walked back to the beach, where he got on a craft that took him back to the ship.”

Randy says his father always told that story with pride, bragging on Howell for still being able to get up and walk himself to safety. Funnily enough, Conrad would hardly ever talk about his own injury in Iwo Jima.

During battle, Conrad was hit by grenade shrapnel to his lower leg, and he nearly lost his ability to walk. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his valor, but Randy says his father found it better to uplift those around him than his own self.

In 1946, Conrad was honorably discharged as a major but continued to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, finally retiring as a colonel. He married his college sweetheart, Virginia, that same year, and Howell served as his best man.

After getting married, the couple moved back to Tuscaloosa, where Conrad received his Bachelor of Laws degree. They then moved to Columbiana, and Conrad began practicing law with Handy Ellis in 1948.

In 1953, Conrad ran for the 18th Judicial Circuit, becoming elected as a circuit solicitor. He served in this position until 1959.

“He campaigned county-wide, door-to-door on a bicycle every time he ran for public office,” Randy says. “He would drive to neighborhoods–there weren’t as many then as there are now–get on his bike, ride the neighborhood, knocking on every door and talking to everyone who was at home. He did this every time he ran for circuit solicitor and three times for probate judge.”

One of Conrad’s proudest political accomplishments was his service in prosecuting criminals during the Phenix City CleanUp in 1954. Then known as “Sin City,” Phenix City was notorious for its criminal syndicate’s local governmental control, which perpetuated illegal alcohol manufacturing, gambling and prostitution.

In 1954, James Albert Patterson ran for Alabama attorney general to create order in the city, but he was shot dead outside of his office, illuminating the city’s corruption. Conrad served as one of several prosecutors, and within a year, the city became “cleaned up” of crime.

“One of my earliest childhood memories was going to Phenix City to visit dad,” Randy says. “They put us up in a home at Fort Benning. Next door in the house was President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s son, who was an officer at that base. His family, my brother and I would play with David Eisenhower, who at the time was our age and later grew up to marry Julie Nixon, President Richard Nixon’s daughter. When we were there, they took care of us.”

After this success, Conrad ran and was elected as the Judge of Probate and Chairman of the Shelby County Commission–a role he served in from 1959-1977. He helped lead efforts to establish county-wide preparations for private and governmental development, leading to the creation of a new county government center.

“Planning and zoning was very important,” Randy says. “He wanted the locals to be able to control the future use of their

property, so long as that control and the rampant development that ensued was done properly and to everyone’s advantage.”

Conrad’s accolades during his time in office include serving as the president of the Alabama Association of Probate Judges (1968); the president of the Alabama Association of County Commissioners (1970); and the president of the National Association of Counties (1969-1970).

President Lyndon B. Johnson even appointed him to serve on the Commission of Health Facilities.

From 1967-1977, Conrad served on the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, having been appointed by Presidents Johnson and Nixon. He also served as chairman of the Alabama Constitution Commission from 1970-1976.

“He took the appointment to be the chairman of the commission that rewrote a part of the Alabama constitution,” Randy says. “The state government took the opportunity to amend the judicial article of the Alabama State Constitution and modernized the Alabama court system to the point where it was recognized at the time as one of the best judicial systems in America. I appreciate it because it’s the court system that I’ve practiced law under for the last 50 years.”

Conrad went on to serve in countless roles, focusing on serving his constituents by advocating for their needs. He served as the chairman of the Alabama Committee for Humanities and Public

Health from 1973 to 1976.

From 1968 to 1969, Conrad served as president of the Alabama Lung Association, and from 1981 to 1982, he served as president of the American Lung Association. In 1979, the Alabama Lung Association awarded him with the Heacock Medal Award, and the American Lung Association inducted him into its hall of fame that same year.

Conrad went on to serve as a member of the Associated Industries of Alabama; the Public Affairs Committee of the Alabama and the Georgia Textile Manufacturers Associations; and the National Alumni Association of the University of Alabama.

Conrad also served in the United Methodist Church his entire life and eventually became a lay leader and delegate for the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 1981. It was in 2006 that he would speak at his last membership meeting, taking the time to eulogize Howell and his service to his country.

“That was one of the highlights of dad’s life–being able to go there one more time and talk about his friend,” Randy says.

On Jan. 1, 2007, Conrad made his heavenly debut, leaving behind a legacy spanning more than five decades of political and community service to his constituents. Because he valued people’s needs more than his own, Conrad Fowler will forever be remembered for his character–a model for future generations.

a giant’s heart

San Francisco Giants Jim Davenport leaves behind a legacy of a family man, baseball player and coach.

By Anna Grace Moore | Photos Contributed

AAlways stay humble and kind were words Alabaster (Siluria) native and San Francisco Giants player Jim “Peanut” Davenport lived by. The legendary third baseman was called home to heaven on Feb. 18, 2016, at 82 years old.

Growing up, Jim was incredibly athletic and charming–known to all as a charismatic personality with a resounding love for his friends. Jim attended Thompson High School, where he played football and baseball.

There, he captured the attention of his high school sweetheart, Betty, and the two tied the knot in 1951 after Jim graduated.

“My dad lived a very rich life,” Donnie Davenport says. “He was a great dad.”

Today, the old Thompson High School baseball stadium sports Jim Davenport's moniker and was recently refurbished for the middle school and city use. Birmingham residents have also enjoyed Davenport’s Pizza Palace–created by Jim’s childhood friend Rex Hollis in Jim’s honor–in Mountain Brook Village since 1964.

Across Alabama, Jim’s legacy lives on. Yet, among his accolades, it is his love for others that defines his memory most.

In a 2010 interview with the Shelby County Reporter, Jim expressed his sentiments for the stadium being named after him.

“It’s a great honor,” Jim said in the interview. “I had so many great years there. I’ll always thank them for what they’ve done for me.”

After graduating from high school and getting

married, Jim tried to play football at the University of Alabama, but the college refused, citing a rule against signing players who were married. Jim never let this setback dull his spirits.

Instead, Jim signed to play football and baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1952. The Crimson Tide’s loss became the Golden Eagles’ gain as Jim–then quarterback–led Southern Miss to defeat the Tide in 1953 (25-19) and 1954 (7-2). During his collegiate baseball career, Jim also played shortstop and second base.

Jim’s athleticism spoke for him as in his senior season, he batted .439, which led him to sign a free agent contract with the San Francisco Giants. Jim made his Major Leagues debut on April 15, 1958, at just 24 years old.

That year, which was the team’s first-ever year in San Francisco, Jim played 134 games that included 111 hits of which 12 were home runs. Jim batted in 41 runs, earning an overall batting average of .256.

Notably, he was the first at bat for the Giants’ first game in San Francisco. Jim played for the Giants from 1958-1970, recording 1,501 games during his 13-year career.

Jim was a career .258 hitter, making the All-Star team in 1962. He was also the recipient of a Gold Glove award that year.

“When we were growing up as kids, we would take [the Gold Glove] off the mantle, and we would go out in the backyard and play catch with it,”

Donnie says, chuckling. “We’d put it back on the mantle, making it look like nothing ever happened

to it.”

Jim had a career high in 1962 when he helped the Giants advance to the World Series. Although the Giants lost 1-0 to the New York Yankees in Game 7, Jim was so excited to be a part of such an outstanding team.

At the time of his retirement, Jim held the record for most games played at third base for the Giants–1,130. From 1959-61, Jim’s fielding percentage was unmatched.

From 1966-68, he played third base in 97 consecutive games without an error, a record that was held until the 1990s. In 1968, Jim was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame.

Donnie remembers being a young boy, attending baseball games with his father. Then, he did not quite fathom just how inspirational his father had become.

Donnie recalls walking into the stadium as fans lined the fences, calling for Jim, cheering his name and waving. Jim would always sign autographs for the fans, but he never let fame affect his humility.

In a time where the country was torn politically, Jim never saw color. In fact, some of his best friends were people of color such as his teammate, Willie Mays.

“You don’t think about these great players–Mays, Marichal, McCovey–as famous,” Donnie says of his perspective as a child. “You just think of them as players that my dad played with. He would just talk to them like anyone else. Mays was a very funny guy. He would put his arm out and say, ‘Come over here! You can do a pull-up on my arm!’”

Donnie grew up in the Giants’ clubhouse, both literally and figuratively looking up to some of the nation’s greatest baseball players. Jim loved his job, but he enjoyed even more the memories he got to make with his kids during his career.

“In the offseason, he would always come back here to visit his family,” David Nolen, the Shelby County Historical Society Museum & Archives’ board president, says. “He would make it a point to meet with youth groups to talk to them about baseball and his experiences. For a young kid to meet a major league baseball player, it was exciting. It was good that he would give of himself his time to do that.”

Sure enough every summer, Jim would return home to Shelby County, Alabama, to visit his family. As one of 10 kids–a total of six boys and four girls–Jim prided family above all else.

After retiring from playing, Jim worked for the Phoenix Giants from 1971-1973, where he was a manager for the minor league feeder team. Jim then briefly coached the San Diego Padres for two years before returning as a third-base coach for the Giants in 1976.

In 1983, Jim was inducted into the Mississippi

Sports Hall of Fame. In 1985, he received the opportunity to manage the Giants.

In the years that followed, Jim worked as one of the coaches for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986, the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) in 1989 and the Detroit Tigers in 1992. Later on, Jim coached the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies during the team’s inaugural season in 1998.

Toward the end of his life, Jim worked in the Giants’ front office in various positions, eager to serve the team that he so loved.

“I owe the Giants everything,” Jim says in the 2010 interview. “They’ve been great to me and my family.”

In 2006, Jim was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, making this honor his third hall of fame recognition. Despite being highly decorated, Jim’s proudest moment was getting to invest in his children over their lives, watching them grow up and accomplish their dreams.

Jim’s youngest son, Gary Davenport, had a successful career playing minor league baseball for the Giants’ organization, even becoming a coach in the minor league system in 2004.

Looking back on his father’s accomplishments, Donnie says baseball will always be a part of his

dad’s legacy here in Shelby County, San Francisco and beyond. On a deeper level, he hopes his dad will be remembered by his love for his family.

It takes incredible talent to become one of the greatest of all time, but it is one’s actions–his character–of which he is remembered. An icon with a giant’s heart, Jim Davenport will forever be remembered as a wonderful baseball player and friend–a man whose love for the game was only topped by his love for other people.

c aLL the midwiFe

Third-generation midwife Ada Datcher Sanders’ legacy lives on through her many descendants, who are making a positive impact on the world.

By Anna Grace Moore | Photos Contributed

BBringing life into the world is one of the most important and joyous privileges women carry on throughout generations. Midwives–many mothers, themselves–are the right-hand to these life-giving heroes, and one in particular, Ada Datcher Sanders, helped deliver nearly all of Shelby County’s lineage during her lifetime.

Born around 1881, Ada Datcher Sanders is a thirdgeneration midwife, having descended from slaves. Her family’s history begins decades before her time with her grandparents, Albert and Lucy (Wallace) Baker.

Albert Baker (1812-1917) was born in the Harpersville area and later sold to Dr. John Singleton. Records show Albert’s father was born in Tennessee and was listed as “mulatto,” which has since been considered a negative term for a person with both black and white ancestry.

Albert moved to work on the Singleton plantation, growing up and becoming good friends with Dr. John Singleton’s son, Dr. W.R. Singleton (1823-1893).

When John's daughter Mary married Wales Wallace–who is the son of then the largest, local, slave-plantation owner Samuel Wallace–Albert was “wheeled” to the Klein-Wallace plantation, becoming property of Mary Singleton Wallace.

Around 1855, Albert met the love of his life, Lucy (1830-1930), during a Sunday morning church service at Scotts Grove Church, which was located near the Klein-Wallace plantation. The two formed a budding friendship, but they could not marry due to the Alabama Slave Codes which stated slaves of different owners could not marry nor have children together.

Peter Datcher–Ada’s nephew–has preserved his

family’s history dating back more than 200 years. He still lives on his ancestral property and shares stories of his family’s lineage, including the time Albert sneaked off during the middle of the night to see Lucy but was caught upon his return.

Albert received 20-30 lashes, having been tied up to a tree and bullwhipped in front of the other slaves as a message to enforce obedience.

“What’s ironic is Wales’ father owned Lucy, and Wales’ wife owned Albert; yet, they put that kind of penalty on him to make sure all slaves knew their position–they were worth money,” Peter says. “One slave could be worth 100 acres of land. Slavery was all about the dollar.”

In 1865 after the Civil War ended, Albert and Lucy married. They did not have a formal wedding, so they jumped over a broom. Their first of many children was born in 1866.

During this time, Albert and Lucy moved back onto W.R.'s property to work as sharecroppers. Albert tended to the land, while Lucy worked as a midwife.

While it is unknown where Lucy learned midwifery, it is possible she learned some of her medical knowledge from W.R. who served as a surgeon for the Confederate Army. In 1879, Albert purchased 100 acres of land from him for $500.

Notably, W.R. never sold any Singleton slave land other than to Albert, saying he was a man of honor. Peter recalls a time when two white women showed up on his doorstep when he was just 6 years old.

They asked Peter’s mother, Ruth Garrett Datcher, if Albert Baker’s descendants were alive. Ruth pointed to Peter, saying Peter was Albert’s great-

Ada Datcher Sanders, right, with family.

grandson. The women then asked if the family ever sold any of their inheritance, to which Ruth replied, “No, not one acre.”

Peter chuckles as he remembers the women began jumping up and down, whooping and hollering, making Ruth very nervous.

“Those ladies told her that their grandfather was Dr. W.R. Singleton, and he made them promise him on his deathbed to go back and see if Albert Baker’s descendants kept his land, and they did that,” Peter says. “They told [my mother] that he told them that Albert Baker was one of the best men he’d ever known.”

As years went on, Albert and Lucy founded a new community they named Creswell, the moniker paying tribute to the family who ran the local train station. Creswell became a safe haven for newly freed slaves and their children–including black people who wanted to build businesses of their own instead of continuing to work as sharecroppers for cruel, white plantation owners.

The Bakers divided their land among several families, creating what would become the largest, black-owned plantation in Shelby County. These families built and operated a post office, train station, general store and Baker’s Grove Baptist Church, which was erected in 1915 and named after its founders, Albert and Lucy.

Word soon spread like wildfire about this new community, and in the 1880s, Louis Datcher and his wife came to join the community. Pre-Civil War, the Datchers lived in Maryland and were bought by William Tubman before moving to Alabama to work on the infamous Tubman plantation.

Two of the Datchers’ sons, Frank and Isaac, married two of Albert and Lucy’s daughters, Rachel and Lula. Rachel and Frank later married and had many children.

Rachel was one of the first in her family to earn more than a sixth-grade-level education. Not only did she learn how to read and write (it was illegal for slaves pre-Civil War to become literate), she also taught elementary school and even went on to attend Talladega College.

In 1880, Rachel began apprenticing under Lucy as a midwife, eventually taking over the family business in 1915. Rachel’s daughter Ada also began learning about midwifery in the 1930s, officially becoming licensed in 1940.

“Ada was strong and grounded, and she did what needed to be done,” Christy Walker, Ada’s great-granddaughter, says. “She was clearly passionate about her work. She did it for over 40 years.”

Ada single-handedly delivered around 300 babies, and between Lucy, Rachel and Ada, it is estimated the three delivered more than 500 babies–both black and white–from 1880-1973, when Ada retired.

“It is breathtaking and almost unimaginable to think about how many babies between her, her mom and her grandmother were birthed in that area,” Camellia Jackson,

Ada’s great-granddaughter, says. “She did a great service. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, for a woman of color to be that dedicated and that recognized in that area in that field is mind blowing.’ It’s been special to know that is a part of my family.”

Ada delivered all of her grandchildren, including the majority of her nieces and nephews. In a time where people of color did not receive adequate medical attention, Ada acted as a beacon of hope in the community–delivering nearly her entire community’s future generations for decades.

Peter recalls a story from his mother–why she and many people of color did not trust white doctors during that time. Ada helped Ruth give birth to Peter’s older sister Jonell in 1948; however, Jonell was examined shortly after by a white doctor who cut her already-cut umbilical cord without clean hands or utensils, resulting in Jonell contracting a severe infection that affected her cognitive and motor functions.

Jonell passed away just a few years later as a young girl, never able to speak or walk on her own. Although Ada experienced some heartbreaks such as this in her career, that did not stop her from being the change she wanted to see and helping women of color through their labors and deliveries.

“She was one of the kindest people you’d ever meet,” Peter says of Ada. “She was full of knowledge.”

Interestingly enough, Ada made such a name for herself that she was even called upon by white mothers to help them deliver their babies, too. The amount of respect she must have garnered from her talent had to have been immense, considering she was also a sought-after midwife for white people in a time where people of color were horribly mistreated by many white people.

Today, Ada has numerous descendants in the medical field, walking in her footsteps. Ada’s wisdom and life lessons have been passed down through generations, including her hope for her loved ones to go after their dreams–no matter how far-fetched–and accomplish their goals.

One of Ada’s life lessons, Camellia says, has steered her course throughout the trajectory of her career.

“A life of service is a life well-lived,” Camellia says. “When you step into your passion and your purpose, there’s nothing stopping you.”

In the faces of numerous doctors, teachers, politicians and more, Ada’s legacy–therefore Rachel and Lucy’s legacy, too–lives on, more importantly, their dream for a better future for the very generations they helped bring into this world.

“I know that the Lord wanted them to get recognition because of what they’d done,” Peter says of his ancestors’ legacies. “I want all young people to know what they can accomplish, especially now. All they have to do is open their minds and hearts and do it."

HALL OF Fame SPONSORS

TABLE SPONSORS

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Low Country Love: Charleston

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Courtesy of Explore Charleston; Lowcountry Oyster Company; The Loutrel; The Mills House Hotel; and The Palmetto Hotel

Once the blistering, sweltering temps of summer have subsided, plan your perfect fall getaway to Charleston, South Carolina, where the low-country plough mud meets the buzzy, Southern charm of this old-world city. There is much to explore and enjoy.

where to stay

There is no shortage of great places to stay in Charleston—for long weekends or extended vacations. Bonus points to all who offer valet service or off-street parking, which is a premium in the “Holy City.”

Mills House—The well-appointed rooms are large and gracious and complemented by the property’s amenities including a rooftop pool with private cabanas (reserve in advance) and daily wellness classes on the private terrace. Dining options include The Black Door Café for coffee and grab-and-go shop featuring goods from local purveyors, as well as Iron Rose for a sophisticated dinner indoors or al fresco by the fountain.

Palmetto Hotel—Formerly known as The Saint Hotel, this boutique property has been fully remodeled and takes pride of place in the heart of it all on East Bay Street. From lobby, cozy bar and any of the 45 rooms, the soothing coastal palette is completely on point. Request a room with a Juliet Balcony to take in the balmier temps of fall.

Other properties we love: The Ryder Hotel (with its hip-andcool rooftop pool and open air bar—worth a pop-in, even if you aren’t staying here); Hotel Emeline (don’t miss brunch at Frannie & the Fox or knock out some emails alongside “laptopped” locals at Clerks Coffee Company); The Loutrel (still in the heart of everything you want to walk to but a bit quieter—high-ceilinged rooms with luxurious bedding may inspire you to hit the snooze button).

The Loutrel

The Palmetto Hotel

The Mills House Hotel

WHAT TO DO

Charleston is a walking city and best explored on foot. After you’ve left your keys with the hotel valet, be prepared to get in some steps. If you are interested in a guided walking tour of the city, contact Tommy Dew’s Walking Tour at tommydewswalktingtour@gmail.com. He can customize a tour to highlight your specific areas of interest. Once you get your bearings and want to explore more on your own, rent a golf cart from Island Rides (@IslandRidesSC) in downtown Charleston.

SHOPPING

King Street is an easy way to pass an afternoon where storied shops with local owners share the road with well-known national retailers. Croghan’s Jewel Box has been in the same location for more than 100 years, featuring new and antique jewelry. Bring home a vintage treasure from George C. Birlant Antiques. Grady Ervin & Co. will outfit the gentlemen in anything from coastal casual to field sport to tailored sportscoats.

Go see Suzette at Norton + Hodges at Charleston Place for African-inspired luxury accessories (think handbags crafted from sustainably-sourced crocodile or zebra and mink collar necklaces with ostrich-feather trim).

If you have little ones in tow, stop by The Tiny Tassel to pick up a copy of Dawn Burns’ “This is Charleston,” an illustrated introduction to the Holy City.

MUSEUMS

Celebrating and showcasing important works of art since 1905, the Gibbes Museum features a celebrated permanent collection alongside special exhibitions. Visit the website (or pop in) for the complete list of their classes and workshops.

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art on the campus of the College of Charleston allows visitors to connect with more modern day artists’ works. Indie movie screenings, lectures and meet-the-artist events are all worth setting aside time for.

WHAT LOCALS WANT YOU TO KNOW

• “Beach traffic is a real thing here. If you’re planning a day on Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach, plan to leave Charleston early (8 a.m.) and to avoid return traffic, leave the beach by 3 p.m.”

• “King Street is great for shopping but not for walking-and-texting. The cobblestones are uneven and the sidewalk is narrow and can be crowded, so put your phone away and enjoy the views!”

• “Do not miss the grits at Miller’s All Day. Period.”

• “Try your hand (or eye) at mudlarking, the act of searching for bits of pottery or China lodged in the clay and sand of the area. The tides continue to wash ashore these small pieces of treasure from the past. There is a stretch of sandy walkway along the Battery where early 19th-century residents discarded their trash. You can still find shards of Mocha ware, blue-and-white China or terracotta tile remnants.”

• “Queen Street Grocery is the corner store of your dreams.”

“This is Charleston” by Dawn Burns

Folly Beach

CONNECT WITH HISTORY

Middleton Place—Whether you schedule a tour with a docent or explore in a self-guided fashion, history buffs will love discovering this storied plantation once owned by a signor of the Declaration of Independence, Arthur Middleton.

With a commanding view of the Charleston Harbor, the Edmonton-Alston House is one of the oldest along the High Battery. It has survived numerous hurricanes; the earthquake of 1886; and the Civil War. Schedule a visit when they offer their Wine on the Piazza events to get the full experience.

Book a boat tour to Fort Sumter, where you’ll cruise in to explore this Civil War landmark, now part of the National Park system.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Take the short drive over the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant and explore this nearby gem of a town. Take a guided kayak tour of Shem’s Creek with Nature Adventures. If you want new fishing gear, pop in to Rivers & Glen Trading Co. for the best in the business.

Go a little farther to Folly Beach to get some sand between your toes with an afternoon spent walking the shoreline (keep an eye out for sharks’ teeth that sometimes wash ashore). Book a “Farm Tour” with Lowcountry Oyster Company to learn the importance of this coastal habitat that provides those briny bites we adore. Small groups of 10 (or book a private tour) on their 20’ Carolina Skiff are the way to go.

Want more? Stop by Goat Sheep Cow for all your provisions before setting out with Cruisin’ Tikis Charleston, where a captain guides your floating tiki hut through the Charleston Harbor. If you are familiar with cookware from Charleston-based Smithey Iron Ware, make the stop to the business’s showroom to load up and save on shipping.

Charleston Waters

Middleton Place

Lowcountry Oyster Company

WHERE TO EAT

In the dining-out department, Charleston gives Birmingham a run for its money with the quantity and caliber of places to fill your belly. Regular visitors will tell you not to miss Peninsula Grill, FIG, Hall’s Chophouse (that bar scene) or The Ordinary (that seafood tower), and they’re not wrong. It would be a shame to miss out on places such as The Darling Oyster Bar, Ma’am Saab or Raw 167 (if there is a wait, go around the corner to grab a drink at their Bar 167 and order the caviar cone). Locals and visitors alike love Vern’s, so reservations can be hard to come by. Once you have your travel dates locked in, get on the Resy app to book your spot (if none are available, set an alert to be notified if something opens up). After dinner there, walk the few blocks for a nightcap at Elliotborough Mini Bar. Speaking of watering holes, don’t miss Little Jack’s Tavern, which is right around the corner from Leon’s Oyster Shop and Melfi’s.

While we’re talking Italian food, make time for the amazing sandwiches that Chef Anthony Marini is turning out at The Pass; he brings a trained chef’s skillset to the midday meal. Sorelle is an excellent choice for any time of day—pop in for a coffee and pastry in the morning, and grab something from their Sorelle’s ‘mercato’ to go. Come back later for dinner of ‘cicciones’ and branzino.

Other not-to-be-missed choices include Park & Grove, where bartender Amelia crafts some amazing cocktails with local ingredients; Chez Nous for pure French; and Bin 152 for wine and cheese.

If your plans take you to Sullivan’s Island, don’t miss Sullivan’s, Obstinate Daughter or High Thyme.

Peninsula Grill

The Darling Oyster Bar

Peninsula Grill

The Pass

The Shelby County Chamber

BUSINES S CONNECTI ONS

September/ October '24

Chamber

Events

Sept. 7

Career Readiness Work Group

8:30AM - 9:30AM

The Shelby County Chamber

Sept. 7

Small Business Work Group

4:00PM - 5:00PM

The Shelby County Chamber

Sept. 10

Ambassador Work Group

11:30AM - 1:00PM

The Shelby County Chamber

Sept. 11

Women’s Business Council

11:30AM - 1:00PM

creACTive Wellness Center

Sept. 12

Governmental Affairs Work Group

8:30AM - 9:30AM

Sain Associates - HWY280

Sept. 19

Business After Hours

5:30PM - 7:00PM

Siluria Brewing Company

Sept. 24

CoffeeNET

7:45AM - 8:45AM

The Copper Train

Sept. 25

Community Luncheon

“Public Safety Awards”

11:30AM - 1:00PM

Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena

Sept. 26

Washington Fly In ALL DAY

Washington D.C.

For information on Chamber work groups and how to get involved, visit shelbychamber.org or email info@ shelbychamber.org.

Chamber’s “CoffeeNET” Heads to Alabaster

Be sure to mark your calendar for Tuesday, Sept. 24 and join The Shelby County Chamber for a CoffeeNET event at The Copper Train, which is located in Alabaster at 224 1st Street South #200.

This morning meeting, which will be held from 7:45-8:45 a.m., is designed for investors to enjoy networking, coffee and light refreshments all before heading to

the office.

CoffeeNET events are a great way to make new business contacts, so bring plenty of business cards.

There is no cost to attend; however, reservations are requested by noon on Monday, Sept. 23. Please contact The Shelby County Chamber by phone at 205-663-4542 or register at jordan@shelbychamber.org.

Business after Hours Event at Siluria Brewing Company

Be ready to make some serious business contacts on Sept. 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Siluria Brewing Company.

The investment, which includes hors d’oeuvres and two beverage coupons, is $10 for Chamber investors or $20 for

“future” investors. Reservations are requested, so please register via email at jordan@shelbychamber. org, by phone at 205663-4542 or online at shelbychamber.org by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Chelsea Business Alliance Quarterly Luncheon Meeting

The third quarterly luncheon meeting for the Chelsea Business Alliance is scheduled for Sept. 4 at the Chelsea Community Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The investment,

which includes the luncheon, is $20 per person. To help us prepare properly, register by noon on Tuesday, Sept. 3 to Kirk Mancer at kirk@shelbychamber. org.

The 2024 Shelby County “Annual Public Safety Awards”

Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the annual Shelby County Public Safety Awards, where we’ll honor public safety officials throughout Shelby County. Each year, we are privileged to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in public safety.

This program is presented in 2024 by Ascension St. Vincent’s and is an opportunity for the business community to give thanks to our fire, police and sheriff personnel and honor them for the outstanding service and

sacrifices they make each day in keeping our respective communities a safe place to live, work and play.

Doors will open at 10:45 a.m. with the buffet line opening at 11 a.m. This event will be held at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, 500 Amphitheater Drive, Pelham. Reservations requested by noon on Monday, Sept. 23. The investment is $25 for Chamber investors or $35 for “future” investors. Register online or call the Chamber office at 205-663-4542.

October Chamber Connections Luncheon

Join us for the October Chamber Connections Luncheon, which is scheduled for Oct. 3 and features the Tourism and Recreation All Star Awards.

The event will be held in the Grand Hall at Old Mill Square, 105 West College Street, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Register by noon on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to info@shelbychamber.org.

The investment is $25 for Chamber investors or $35 for future investors.

The Shelby County Chamber offers a variety of opportunities for organizations to promote their products and services to 1,100+ investor organizations and the entire community through a number of events and programs throughout the year.

Benefits usually include logo visibility, table-top displays, exclusive opportunity to hand out materials, reserved tickets for the event or program, logo on invitations and fliers and more!

For more information, contact the Chamber by calling 205-663-4542 or visit shelbychamber.org to learn more about these opportunities available through the remainder of this year.

Ambassadors of the Month

Rhett McCreight currently resides in Homewood with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Brooks, 5, and Everett, 3. Rhett is the director of sales for Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc., in which

he oversees the advertising team for publications including the Shelby County Reporter, Alabaster Reporter, Pelham Reporter, Helena Reporter, 280 Reporter, Helena The Magazine, Shelby Living, Hoover’s Magazine, Vestavia Hills Magazine, Homewood Life and Mountain Brook Magazine. He has been with Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. for 13 years–nearly the same amount of time he has served as an ambassador with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Rhett is proud to serve Shelby County businesses, promoting hard-working citizens and their efforts to make Shelby County a great place to live, work and do business.

Melissa Dixon is CDI Janitorial’s vice president. Melissa has a master’s degree in education and is a retired educator. She chose to retire from teaching after more than 25 years and put

her abilities to their business. Melissa is very hands-on, ensuring that every detail with her clients is satisfied. It wouldn’t be unexpected to find her in a uniform with a mop in hand, ready to assist whenever required. Melissa is frequently present on facility tours, first cleanings and quality assurance inspections.

It’s building

Building a business takes a trusted partner. Hossein Eshghi, owner of HE Construction, found that at AmFirst. When Hossein ventured into construction and home remodeling, he needed reliable business checking and great rates on equipment loans. AmFirst was happy to support him. Because HE Construction is more than just a business. It’s personal.

Celebrating Growth

Advance America - Chelsea

ATI Physical Therapy - Pelham

FastPace Urgent Care - Calera

First Bank - 280 Corridor

Nawlins Style Po’Boys - Alabaster

State Farm Tyler Rutledge Agency - Chelsea

Valhalla Board Game Cafe - Pelham

Find Us Online

Sign up for our weekly newsletter | Access our member directory

2024 Board of Directors

New Investors

(June 15-July 12, 2024)

uTNT Fireworks

uJamie Stone-Broker AssociateKeller Williams

uATI Physical Therapy - Alabaster

uTolbert Investments

Your Chamber at work

(June 15-July 12, 2024)

- Responded to 59 requests for business and community information.

- Promoting Chamber investors as well as Chamber and community events through the following social media outlets:

- Chamber Facebook: 20 “new follows,” 7,856 “post reaches” and 7,213 “total followers”

- X (Twitter): 23 “tweets,” 639 “tweet impressions,” 42 “profile visits” and 2,928 “followers”

- Instagram: 1,735 “followers,” 440 “post reaches” and 6 “new followers”

- LinkedIn: 1,045 (19 new) “followers,” 61 “unique visitors” and 1,527 “post impressions”

- WBC Facebook: 540 “followers” and 38 “post reaches”

OFFICERS

(Executive Committee)

Chamber Chair

April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC

Chair-Elect

Kevin Morris

America’s First Federal Credit Union

Vice Chair, Business Development & Support

Rux Bentley

Rux Carter Insurance

Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing

Jeff Purvis

A. C. Legg, Inc.

Vice Chair, Community & Career Development

Amiee Mellon

University of Montevallo

Vice Chair, Finance & Administration

John Collier Trustmark Bank

Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs

Melissa Dixon

CDI Janitorial Services

Vice Chair, Investor Relations

Keith Brown

Jefferson State Community College

As of 7/18/24

Immediate Past Chair

Mechelle Wilder

ARC Realty

DIRECTORS

Traci Fox T Fox SalonSpa Aveda

William Norwood People’s Bank of Alabama

Anna Catherine Roberson Alabama Power Company

Benji Sawyer Sawyer Solutions, LLC

Chad Scroggins

Shelby County

Teresa Vick Regions

Holly Dean Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Meribeth Gilbert McLeod Software

Daniel Morgan Express Employment Professionals

Nedra Moore Creations Galore and Moore

Chris Stricklin Dunn Companies

Chris Wilder Sealing Equipment Products Company

Josh Coker Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Julie Godfrey Shelby County Schools

Scott Gossett Spire Alabama

Wade Kallaher Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company

Keith Strickland Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood

Terri Williams AT&T - Alabama

Tampia Anderson The Arc of Shelby County

Ken Delgreco Urban Home Market

Alec Etheredge Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

Micah McLaughlin Irons Media Group

Brian L. Wilson EBSCO Industries, Inc.

The Hon. Brian Puckett (Ex-Officio, SCMA) City of Helena

Amy Sturdivant (Ex-Officio) 58 INC

ALABASTER CITYFEST

PHOTOS BY RACHEL RAIFORD

Shelby County residents were treated to performances by headliners Scotty McCreery and Tenille Townes during the 2024 edition of Alabaster CityFest, which took place on June 1 on the front lawn of Thompson High School.

1. Savannah Vernon, Alex Smith and Kelsey Bean

2. Emma Claire Story and Brad Williams

3. Jessica Baker and Amanda Klusman

4. Ashley and Joseph Reeds

5. Beverly Burks and Ellen Bynum

6. Brittany Head and Natalie Johnson

7. Ashley Loeb and Chris Simpson

8. Courtney and Austen Gigandet

HELENA MARKET DAYS

PHOTOS BY MACKENZEE SIMMS

Residents and their furry companions traveled to Helena Market Days on Saturday, June 8 for Puppy Day. While guests shopped at the vendor booths, dogs could get a bath, meet new four-legged friends and enjoy the summer sun. In addition, Two by Two Rescue brought a selection of animals that were available for adoption.

1. Whitney, Jeremiah and Hallee Joy

2. Brody Brasher and Bryant Crowe

3. Julie and Philip Lancaster

4. Vicki Williams

5. Kelly Morgan and Amanda Smitherman

6. Catherine, Jaila and Jordan

7. Dusty Thomas

ALABASTER POLICE APPRECIATION DINNER

PHOTOS BY NOAH WORTHAM

Officers of the Alabaster Police Department strolled down a blue carpet into Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken as friends, residents and elected officials cheered them on and expressed their gratitude during this year’s Alabaster Police Appreciation Dinner on June 11.

1. Brian Binzer and Scott Brakefield

2. Tim and Jessica Mitchell

3. Brandon Green and Cody Channell

4. Jamie Cole, April Weaver and Russell Bedsole

5. Ricky Knight and Marque Gresham

6. Bennett Shine and Curtis Rigney

7. Elijah Vines, Eamon Walsh and JC Horton

8. Jeremy Kelley, Nick Simmons, Sanchez Tanniehill and Brandon Mathews

LIBERTY DAY

Despite looming clouds and intermittent downpours, the weather didn’t stand a chance against the excitement and community spirit that was on display as Columbiana celebrated its 38th annual Liberty Day Festival on June 28-29.

1. Jim and Sheryl Aman

2. Michael Martin

3. Barry Heine and Katherine Kendrick

4. Dana and Elijah Thomas

5. Ann Thomas, Demetria Patterson and Lane Wildsmith

6. Micah Swain and Ava Horn

7. Max, Trist and Samuel Brom with Ron Jefferson and Alison Richardson

PHOTOS BY DONALD MOTTERN

ALABASTER FIREWORKS SHOW

PHOTOS BY RACHEL

RAIFORD

Crowds of residents packed the lawn of Thompson High School as part of an early Independence Day celebration during the annual Alabaster Fireworks Show on Saturday, June 29.

1. Cameron Horrell and Rayna Johnson

2. Sarah Turner, Ellie McKenzie and Angela Buschmann

3. Lauren and Patrick Mills

4. Jeremiah and Whitney Williams

5. Grayson Hageman and Ava Hoffmaster

6. Bridget and Brent Wells

7. John and Amy Abbott

8. Hall and Laurie Jensen

Marketplace

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

Now Hiring For Utility Positions Starting pay $15.14/ hour Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at: www.bc.com

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 205281-2427

Central Alabma Wellness Mental Health Services Office locations in Calera, Clanton, Pelham, and 280! 205-6510077 Visit our website to learn more centralalbamawellness. org

SENIOR L2/L3

AUTOMATION

SPECIALIST

Danieli Taranis LLC (Chelsea, AL) to be rspnsbl for anlzng user needs & sftwr reqs. to dtrmne fsibilty of dsgn w/ in time & cost constraints, dscssng & evltng potential situations that can arise insde the plant & correlating them w/fnctnlts of the MES or flat prdct cntrl app. to produce fnctnl reqs. for each prjct, obtnng & evltng info on factors such as rprting frmts req., costs, or secrity needs to dtrmne hrdwr cnfgrtn. HS diploma w/3 yrs of prior work exp. in the pos. off. or rel. dvlpng, tstng & comsng Lvl 2 Automation Systms & Lvl 3 MES Syst. Send resumes to r.woods@danieli.com

Property Real Estate Manager (live out). Sought by commercial real estate company. Worksite: Birmingham, AL. 36 months exp. req. in same

job or, Private Household Management or, any other closely related. Supervise other service workers $28.82 per. hour. 40 hrs. weekly. No walk in’s. Mail resume with cover letter to: The Founder. The Hazelrig Companies. 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite # 315, Birmingham, AL 34243.

AUTOMATION L1 PLC DEVELOPER

Danieli Taranis (Chelsea, AL) to be rspnsble for dvlpng sftwr prjct for autmtn sys.; intnl tstng of sftwr app on autmtn sys; drawing up ad prep. of oprtr manuals; field check, assurance that all field elctrcl eqpmnt is cnctd to autmtn sys; motor mvments accrdng to data sheet; mach. automatic mvmnts according to cycle diagram; monitor plant prdctvt. Bachelor’s in Cmptr Scnce or IT w/5 yrs of progress resp. prior wrk exp in the pstn offrd. or reltd. Mst knw (thru acad training or wrk exp) dvlpng MES autmtn sftwre using DELPHI XE2 & SQL ORACLE PL/SQL for bcknd dvlpmnt; dvlpng autmtn sftwre for steel indstry; SQL dtbse, Vsl Stdio Cde, Delphi 2005, Orcle dtbse, incl. Orcle ADF, Orcle SOA, & Orcle BPM. Resumes to r.woods@danieli. 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, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/ Employer

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

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

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. Wrap Around Care teacher to work 7am-8am:2:30pm4:30pm M-F. They need a highschool diploma and some experience working with children Openings Available in our 4 Pre-K classes.

For questions or resumes, contact Lorrie Ozley: universitybaptistcdc@gmail. com

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS!

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

Shelby County Schools 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

GENERAL LABORER & FORK LIFT

Operator at wood products manufacturing plant. 3 years experience is preferred. Must bring trade references. Mandatory routine drug tests and DOT safety inspections. Fork Lift Operator must have experience with large forklifts on a yard. EOE. Please apply in person during normal work hours (7:30 AM - 4:00 PM), 320 Joseph DR, Columbiana, AL.

Tax Advisor, International Tax and Transaction Tax Services (International Corporate Tax Advisory) (Senior) (Multiple Positions), Ernst & Young U.S. LLP, Birmingham, AL. Apply online, go to:ey.com/ en_us/careers and click on “Careers - Job Search”, then “SearchJobs”(Job Number1472113).

Caliza LLC d/b/a Landing seeks a Senior Software Engineer in Birmingham, AL to contribute to the company’s core product platforms, building APIs and systems. Req. MS + 2 yrs exp or BS + 5 yrs exp. Salary range for position: $170,000.00 - $200,000.00. 100% telecommuting role. Reports to company headquarters in Birmingham, AL. Can work remotely or telecommute. To apply, mail resume to:Caliza LLC d/b/a Landing, Attn: HR, 17 20TH Street North, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35203. Must Reference Job Title: & Code: 000012. EOE.

LEAD ELECTRICAL

ENGINEER Danieli Taranis LLC (Chelsea, AL) to be rspnsble for dsgng, dvlpng, & tsting automtn sys for y steel mnfctrng eqpmnt & mchnry, Q-HEAT, Q-DRIVE, & Q-ONE tech, & dvlpng logic & parmetrs; inspctng exstng hrdwre w/in the plnt to prpre for installtn of drives & automtn sftwre; creatng elctrcl diagrms of autmtn sys, motor/ sensr lsts for plnts, autmtn blck diagrms of plnt ntwrks, motor wrkng cycls sensr or transltr data sheets, plnt lyout & dtails of areas in AutoCAD frmt; creatng I/O lst for hrdwre dsgn & dvlpng autmtn sftwre; creatng opertor mnuals. Master’s in Elctrcl Engnrng or rel field w/2 yrs prev wrk exp in pos off or rel. Mst know (thru acdmc trainng or wrk exp) Ethrnet Confgurator & Profibus/Profinet; Codesys; Target Monitor; Q-Drive Configurator parmtrztion; & indction heatng & Q-One tech. Wrks at clients’ manfctrng wrksites acrss contnntl U.S. Resumes to C.Hegarty@ danieli.com

South Pointe Development

203 Shiloh Creek Drive Calera, AL 35040Updating Waiting List:3 BDR 2 Bath Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 Multi-Family No Pets Allowed 205-6681196.

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

Wanted Maintenance/ Handyman to assist with vehicle and land upkeep. Must pass background & drug test, have reliable transportation, be able to drive a manual transmission and be willing to work. Apply in person at 115 Commerce Drive Pelham, AL 35124 Vulcan Termite and Pest Control

MY SHELBY COUNTY

BRIAN PUCKETT

Mayor of Helena

Eat Local

The Depot

The burgers at The Depot in Old Town cannot be beat! Don’t forget to get it with a side of chili cheese tots.

Pictured is the Buck Creek waterfall by The Depot, which provides picture-perfect views during lunchtime.

Sentimental Spots

Lee Springs Park

Lee Springs Park is our 36-acre park that has a little bit for everyone. The park has trails through it, taking you on a journey to the historic Coke Ovens and old railroad mile markers. The extensive, multi-mile Hillsboro Trail runs through Lee Springs Park, giving those that want exercise amazing scenery for running, biking and walking.

Fellowship in Community Celebrate Helena

The Christmas in Helena weekend and the Old Town Live summer concert series are my favorite events in Helena. Christmas in Helena kicks off the holiday season on the first Friday of December. Old Town Live kicks off in April and runs through July, concluding with an Independence Daythemed celebration.

Serving the Community Mayor of Helena

The thing that I love the most about being the mayor of Helena is to be able to serve all of our residents as a whole, making impacts of betterment for many years to come. It truly makes my servant’s heart explode giving my heart and soul to the city I so love.

Rich in Beauty

Cahaba Lilies

From mid-May to mid-June, the Cahaba lilies show off their unique blooms on Buck Creek as the creek begins to flow into the Cahaba River. The natural beauty of these flowers enhance the kayaking experience, starting at the Buck Creek waterfall with takeouts at Nash Bridge or the Cahaba River Park.