ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • MOUNTAIN BROOK GYMNASTICS • THE GREAT CAROLINA OUTDOORS
IN BLACK & WHITE
BARCLAY GRESHAM’S ABSTRACT PAINTINGS
RUNNING ON
SUPPORTING RECOVERY ONE MILE AT A TIME
raise your
glass A LOOK AT THE SPIRITUALITY OF WINE
WINTER 2021 MountainBrookMagazine.com Volume Five | Issue Five $4.95
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HA N D - S E L E C TED FURNISHINGS, A C C E S S O R I ES & U N I Q U E G I FTS 2 Winter 2021
2921 18TH ST S H OM E WOO D 2 0 5 . 8 7 9 . 35 10 ATHOME-FURNISHINGS.COM
A MASTER CLASS IN THE ART OF COOKING. Step inside Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook and head to Habitat Cooking School for an unforgettable experience filled with storytelling and fresh ingredients. Guided by our chef, you’ll learn global techniques, master new skills and uncover the stories behind each dish as you taste your way to a new perspective. Explore classes and reserve your spot at mountain-brook.classesbykessler.com. grandbohemianmountainbrook.com | @GrandBohemianMountainbrook
BY K ESSLER
MountainBrookMagazine.com 3
4 Winter 2021
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Colonial Christmas Lunch & Tour DECEMBER 6-10 AND 13-17 $35 PER PERSON RESERVE YOUR SEATS BY CALLING
(205) 665-3535 EXT. 1031
3727 HIGHWAY 119 MONTEVALLO, AL 35115 WWW.AMERICANVILLAGE.ORG
6 Winter 2021
8 Winter 2021
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FEATURES
64
NOT ALONE ON THE ROAD Run2Rebuild is supporting community recovery one mile at a time.
72 HIT THE ROAD
THE GREAT CAROLINA OUTDOORS Hike, bike and adventure at these three resorts in the new year.
80 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
What should you buy for friends and loved ones this season? Look no further than the shops right around you.
10 Winter 2021
PHOTO BY LUCY BAIRD
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
64
51
PHOTO BY LAUREN USTAD
arts & culture
21 Vintage Meets Modern: Barclay Gresham’s Paintings 30 Five Questions For: Rooted Ministry Editors
schools & sports
31 The High Bar: On the Mat with Mountain Brook Gymnastics 40 Five Questions For: MBHS Debater Jane Grey Battle
food
& drink
41 A Gift of God: A Look at the Spirituality of Wine
in every issue 10 Contributors 13 From the Editor 15 The Question 17 The Guide 86 Chamber Connections 88 Out & About 94 Marketplace 96 My Mountain Brook
50 Five Questions For: Slim’s Pizzeria Owner
home
& style
51 White Christmas: Fresh Greenery Decks the Halls 60 In Style: Holiday Party Chic
MountainBrookMagazine.com 11
MOUNTAIN BROOK
contributors
MAGAZINE
EDITORIAL
Alec Etheredge Meg Herndon Michelle Love Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino
CONTRIBUTORS
Abby Adams Lucy Baird Bradley Burckel Emily Butler James Culver Ashley Farlow Morgan Hunt Rick Lewis Christiana Roussel Lauren Ustad Rebecca Wise
Lucy Baird, Photographer
Lucy appreciates and practices multiple types of photography such as portraits, landscapes, family photos and street photography. She loves living in the Birmingham area and is a regular at Provision Studio. If you’re interested in a photoshoot, you can contact her at photosbylucyb@ gmail.com.
Bradley Burckel, Photographer
Bradley is a husband, father and photographer. He has been married for 11 years, and he and his wife have five beautiful children. He loves learning languages, the mountains, traveling to Europe, old film cameras, college football and oyster po-boys. He has been particularly inspired by living in Europe, with all its history and beauty—especially in its cathedrals. See more of his work at bradleyburckel.com.
DESIGN
Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom
MARKETING
Octavia Campbell Evann Campbell Jessica Caudill Kari George Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Tori Montjoy Viridiana Romero
ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Kinley Johnson Stacey Meadows Tim Prince Brittany Schofield Savana Tarwater
Ashley Farlow, Writer
Ashley, a Missouri School of Journalism graduate, is a freelancer who has worked for numerous local and national publications. She has an adoration for the Birmingham area, and she and her husband are raising their three children in Shelby County.
Lauren Ustad, Photographer
Lauren lives in Birmingham with her husband, Joe, their four children, and their 2-pound Yorkie they refer to as “Boobie.” She spends her professional time posing itty bitties and chasing little munchkins. In her free time you can probably find her slaving away at their most current renovation project or building Legos with her self-proclaimed super heroes.
Mountain Brook Magazine is published quarterly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Mountain Brook 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, Mountain Brook Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Mountain Brook Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Mountain Brook, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit MountainBookMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting MountainBrookMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@mountainbrookmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.
12 Winter 2021
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from the editor
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ON THE COVER
Raise Your Glass
Gisela Kreglinger was raised on a winery in Franconia and now writes about the spirituality of wine from her Alabama home. Photo by Bradley Burckel Design by Jamie Dawkins
Before the sun came up on a Tuesday this fall, I found myself pulling into the parking lot at Jimmie Hale Mission. Writer Rick Lewis, photographer Lucy Baird and I had come to see a group called Run2Rebuild in action. I knew the basics of what they did, that some 20-something guys including MBHS grad Jordan Carr had started a running/mentoring group for men in recovery at the mission, but there was something about seeing all of these men stretch together and catch up as the sun rose—a certain form of relational magic that you don’t find in a website description or Instagram post. The next best thing to actually being there—and one that tells a fuller story than you can get in just observing—though is reading Rick’s feature on the group in this issue and seeing Lucy’s photos from that morning. Obviously the story is powerful in its own right, but part of why I wanted us to tell it is because it’s representative of all the many people here in Mountain Brook who invest in and build relationships in the wider Birmingham community with people throughout our city. I’m pretty sure we could fill not just a magazine but a lengthy book with all of those stories out there, many of them that people might be too humble to even want told. And I think it’s good for us to remember all of those ties as we go into the holidays and think of ways we can support organizations like Jimmie Hale Mission, maybe even giving in honor of loved ones as their holiday gift. Speaking of holidays, I’m extra excited about a stunning home decked out in simple greenery and lights for the season that we are featuring in the pages ahead. And as you pour glasses and toast with friends and family this season, what theologian Gisela Kreglinger shares about the spirituality of wine is sure to add all the more depth to your celebrations no matter your particular religious beliefs. Our annual Holiday Gift Guide is also full of ideas for those who are both easy and hard to buy for on your list all while shopping local. Elsewhere in the magazine we spotlight the impact Mountain Brook Gymnastics has had on countless gymnasts and the community as a whole over its many years and artist Barclay Gresham’s take on vintagemeets-modern style that you’ll find on the cover of this issue. And as we head into 2022, our Hit the Road feature this season takes you to three resorts in the Carolinas where you can be active in all kinds of off-thebeaten-path ways. As we head into holidays and the New Year, here’s to all the rich stories that our community will continue to live and that our team at Mountain Brook Magazine has the pleasure to share with you! Feel free to send ideas for them my way any time.
madoline.markham@mountainbrookmagazine.com MountainBrookMagazine.com 15
T here's no place like
HOME for the holidays
16 Winter 2021
“ ” THE QUESTION
What Mountain Brook nonprofit or cause do you recommend supporting? The Suki Foundation. Started by local Mountain Brook residents Brian & Marie Bateh in honor of their daughter, Sarah Katherine, who suffers from Rett Syndrome.
MB Listens, a non-partisan organization started by local families that supports Mountain Brook residents to help make sure we are a welcoming community for all.
WiFi For Warriors! Founded by a Mountain Brook family. The benefits of deployed soldiers having wifi while abroad are limitless especially for their mental health!
Sid Strong Foundation for pediatric cancer awareness has historically had a profound impact on bringing the community together for a central cause.
Libby’s Friends helps special needs families in our community and our state. This world can often be a dark and lonely place, but we are here to help ease that burden.
Encore Community Respite Ministry! We meet at Canterbury and provide respite for adults living with memory loss for a variety of reasons, mostly Alzheimer’s.
Blessed Brokenness is bringing spiritual healing and financial blessings to those who suffer from infertility and loss with faith-based studies and scholarships.
More Than 4 Athletics was started by my brother, who is a four-time cancer survivor, to increase the current allotment to childhood cancer research.
-Juliet Shunnarah Lang
-Kendall Crumbaugh
-Lane Hagan
-Grace Tillman Williams
-Alex Grodner
-Kristi Bacher Walters
-Patti Rush Williams
-Patrick Fredella
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THE GUIDE
MISS OLYMPIAN PAGEANT NOV. 20 7 P.M. Mountain Brook High School Who will the winner of the 55th annual pageant be? Come out to see for yourself as the contestants participate in an interview, opening number dance and evening walk before the winner is crowned. Follow them on Instagram at @missolympianpageant for updates. MountainBrookMagazine.com 19
THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN DEC. 20-22
Living Nativity Mountain Brook Baptist Church Come park and watch the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth with live actors and live animals in this annual production by Mountain Brook Baptist Church, now going more than 50 years strong. Shows start at 6:45, 7:30 and 8:15 p.m. each night.
DEC. 5
Holiday Parade 3 P.M. Mountain Brook Village Watch as floats, fire trucks, bands, choral groups, dancers and of course St. Nicholas himself parade down through Mountain Brook Village.
20 Winter 2021
NOV. 25
Sam Lapidus Montclair Run 8:30 A.M. Levite Jewish Community Center This annual 10K, 5K and fun run celebrate the life of Sam Lapidus, his love of fitness and the LJCC and of family and friends. Proceeds benefit the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama. Register online at runsignup.com.
NOV. 6 Mountain Brook Fraternal Order of the Police 5K Starts at Crestline Elementary NOV. 6 Virtual Walk to End Epilepsy Railroad Park NOV. 6-7 Moss Rock Festival The Preserve, Hoover NOV. 11 National Veterans Day Parade Downtown Birmingham NOV. 17-20 Market Noel Virtual Marketplace Finley Center, Hoover NOV. 17-JAN. 2 Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience BJCC Exhibition Hall
THE GUIDE NOV. 26-DEC. 24 Christmas Tree Farm Old Baker Farm 9 a.m.-Dark
RETAIL
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSES
DEC. 3-19 Holiday Spectacular Red Mountain Theatre Company DEC. 3-22 Holiday Film Series Alabama Theatre DEC. 11 Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour Various Homes DEC. 17-19 & 21-23 Alabama Ballet’s The Nutcracker BJCC Concert Hall JAN. 20-29 Birmingham Restaurant Week Winter Edition Various Restaurants
BUSINESSES
NEW IN TOWN Inside the new Tom Beckbe flagship store in Mountain Brook Village, you’ll find their full line of field gear, bags, fleece layering, shirting, and hats. The brand, founded in 2015 by Birmingham residents Radcliff and Mary Menge, is best known for its hardworking waxed canvas outerwear. Over in English Village, The Atelier is a new apparel, beauty and style shop owned by Jodi Sullivan and Missy Cox. The store took the best of Sullivan’s beauté therapie and added more to the mix.
No need to worry about a 5:00 closing time on these nights. Plus, there will be extra merriment with festivities in the stores, so come knock out some shopping for special ones on your list and support local businesses. All open houses are organized by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Nov. 11: English Village Holiday Poker Run Nov. 18: Crestline Village Holiday Open House Dec. 2: Mountain Brook Holiday Open House Dec. 4: Lane Parke Sip N Stroll Dec. 9: English Village Sip N Stroll
MountainBrookMagazine.com 21
[Newbor n + Child + Family Por traiture] info@apeppermintphoto.com + 205.807.6431 w w w . a p e p p e r m i n t p h o t o . c o m 22 Winter 2021
&CULTURE
ARTS
BLACK & WHITE
Modern meets vintage in Barclay Gresham’s mix of abstract paintings. BY EMILY BUTLER PHOTOS BY MORGAN HUNT MountainBrookMagazine.com 23
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Black meets white. Modern meets vintage. Old meets new. And that is where you will find Barclay Gresham’s art. These days you are likely to find her scouring thrift stores and flea markets for vintage frames for her abstracts on paper (and for her @funfindsbham vintage and antique sales handle on Instagram). Although some of her paintings are large, she also creates smaller framed paintings that add style to desks, bookshelves, mantles and tables alike—a niche of art she started exploring as she thought about how many homes with open design concepts have less wall space for art. And don’t be fooled—small art can still make a big impact, especially since Barclay keeps its destination in mind as she paints. “It is always
24 Winter 2021
made from the heart,” she says. “I never just slap something together. I’m really aware that this piece is going in someone’s house.” All of her pieces large and small are personal, and she never settles when she does not like a piece she has in the works. “I will cover over a piece 20 times until I like it,” she says. “I need it to be something that I am really happy with. I finish my paintings when I love them and would either give them as a gift or I would hang them in my own house.” Barclay—who graduated from Mountain Brook High School and whose two children now have as well—also heavily considers the way others react to the paintings. If a particular piece does not sell in less than six months, then she will start over
Barclay Gresham paints in her Cahaba Heights studio.
MountainBrookMagazine.com 25
26 Winter 2021
with it. For the most part they sell quickly though. She applies a similar thought process to commission work as well: “My goal for commission pieces is that I will paint it, and if you don’t love it, then you don’t have to pay me. We can start over, or you can cut ties. It rarely doesn’t work out, but it puts people at ease.” While Barclay sometimes starts with a piece of inspiration, the art usually never looks the same by the end of her process, and she has many pieces going in her studio at once. “Even if it is a small one, by the time I get the frame and finish it up, some take an hour and some more like 50 hours,” she says. Barclay’s artistic journey began when she was 9 years old. While visiting Disney World with her
“
best friend’s family, they stayed at the home of a family friend who was an artist, and he walked them through creating a painting of their own. “I fell in love with the process and started taking classes here and there through the years,” she says. And that was just the beginning. As a young adult, Barclay could not afford big paintings for her house, so she started painting her own. Her art took off at that point. “One day I transformed our living room into an art studio, and it went from there,” she says. “Now I am at a studio in Cahaba Heights where I have the whole house and I can make a huge mess if I want to.” Earlier in her art career, Barclay put a lot of emphasis on gloss of her paintings and would often add texture with coffee grounds and beeswax.
There are a lot of things you can do with your talent to move people. For the thousands that I have sold, the mostly meaningful paintings are the ones I have given away. –Barclay Gresham
”
MountainBrookMagazine.com 27
But after years in that style, she got burned out and headed in a new artistic direction with her new vintage-modern twist that she feels like has a more sophisticated and refined style. The most important part of her work as an artist, though, is giving to people in a way that is meaningful. For example, at one point in her career Barclay had sold a lot of paintings of blonde angels before she decided to paint one of two angels with dark hair. For a long time it didn’t sell, until she got a message she will never forget. “(The woman) said that my work was really moving and reminded her so much of her girls,” Barclay recalls. “It turns out that both of her daughters had died in a car wreck the month before she messaged me. I asked if I could see a picture of them, and they looked like they could have been my children. So I decided to just mail her that painting, and it really meant a lot. We still stay in contact. A very sweet friendship developed over that.” Another time after Rick Burgess from The Rick & Bubba Show lost his toddler son, Barclay knew what she wanted to do. “I was absolutely devastated 28 Winter 2021
MountainBrookMagazine.com 29
for them, so I decided to paint a portrait of him for them with a fishing rod since I know that is what he was into at the time,” she recalls. “I took it to the studio, and I received such a sweet note from Rick’s wife saying that it is in a prominent place in their home. I heard (Rick) talking on the radio one time about things that were meaningful to him during the time after the loss of their son, and he mentioned the portrait.” Those are just two examples of the bigger purpose Barclay sees in her work. “Art is meaningful to people,” she says. “There are a lot of things you can do with your talent to move people. For the thousands that I have sold, the mostly
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meaningful paintings are the ones I have given away.” No matter the piece though, creating art has shifted Barclay’s perspective in life. “It makes you look at the world differently, taking pictures of color combinations or things that I see,” she says. “It makes me aware of my surroundings. I always take pictures of geometric things, but I feel like you definitely see the world differently.” Follow Barclay’s art on Instagram @barclaygreshamart or shop at etsy.com/shop/ BarclayGresham. You can also reach her at 205706-6284 and visit her studio at 3133 Belwood Drive by appointment only.
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ARTS & CULTURE
5
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Rooted Ministry Editors
On The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Book authors Emily Heide, Charlotte Getz, Kevin Yi, Anna Meade Harris, Cameron Cole and Davis Lacey
Being a teenager can be overwhelming, and Cameron Cole and Charlotte Getz know that full well—both from their work with teens through Rooted Ministry and their own years of adolescence. That’s why they wanted to create a book that speaks to those teen experiences told from a diverse range of voices and perspectives (including MBHS grads Catherine Allen and Rebecca Lankford and Mountain Brook resident Anna Harris) in the newly published The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. Sandra McCracken, Michelle Reyes, Jen Pollock Michel and David Zahl are among the book’s 30 authors as well. To learn more about it, we chatted with Cameron, Charlotte and chapter writer Lauren Hansen—who all grew up in Mountain Brook and are now raising their future teenagers here. Where did the idea for the book come from? Cameron: Part of what drives my passion for youth ministry is I wish I had known the gospel of grace when I was a kid like I did when I was 22 years old because it radically changed my life. I was so much more free and so much more at rest. On top of that, I think adults forget how miserable and insecure and scary it is being a teenager. That passion and conviction evolved into a desire to do a book.
he accepts me and loves me. Charlotte: As a teenager I was longing for something exciting and for adventure and to be the leading lady of my life. I was involved in theatre and wanted to be a movie star, and I thought that would satisfy that longing for excitement and to feel seen and known. The Jesus I Wish I Had Known says, “You are part of the greatest story of all time. There is a God who came to earth to die for you.” You don’t have to make your own story because of who God says you are.
Can you share a little about what your own essays are about? Lauren: The topic of my chapter is body image and the struggle of seeing yourself as God sees you. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of forming ourselves into what we think the world would love so then we will be loved, but we can never be enough by our own merits and live up to the changing standards of what is beautiful and loveable. I wish I had known earlier on that God had made me fearfully and wonderfully and with a purpose and that
One of the chapters is written by Mac Harris, who went to MBHS. What does he write about? Charlotte: Mac’s is about losing his dad to colon cancer when he was 13. He talks about in his grief and how it took him years to realize was that in order to grieve, he had to lean into that grief, and that it wasn’t necessarily going to be a terrifying place because God was already with him in that grief. What he writes applies to so many tough feelings. He says avoiding them doesn’t make them go away, but you
32 Winter 2021
can trust the God who experienced terrible grief and suffering has never left your side as you are walking through those emotions. What other essays and perspectives stand out to you? Charlotte: There’s a chapter by Dawson Cooper, a Mountain Brook parent, and she talks about her experience becoming pregnant as a freshman in college by her high school/college boyfriend. Reading that Jesus never left her and that she was loved through every moment of her worst shame stood out to me. How do you hope the book will impact both teens and adults? Cameron: One of the hallmarks of this book is the people writing these chapters are really intimate about their insecurities and mistakes that I think will make a lot of young people say, “Wow, someone really does understand what I am going through.” By reading it I think parents will remember what a hard season teenagers are in.
SCHOOL
&SPORTS
THE HIGH BAR
Mountain Brook Gymnastics is as much about excellence as creating a supportive training ground. BY ASHLEY CIRILLI FARLOW PHOTOS BY REBECCA WISE & CONTRIBUTED MountainBrookMagazine.com 33
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Nearly every day of the year, rain or shine, day and night, take one look out to Mountain Brook Gymnastics’ 22,500-square-foot facility, and you’ll see ponytails bouncing on the trampoline, hear the squeaking of uneven bars as girls take flight, see chalk dust floating in the air, and hear the powerful thuds of landings on the mats. You’ll hear upbeat music playing and the camaraderie of coaches and teammates spurring each other on as athletes defy gravity, rotating through the air and bravely balancing on a beam the width of an iPhone. You’ll hear preschoolers giggling as they attempt cartwheels and see them smiling as they cannonball into the pit of foam blocks. For nearly 40 years countless kids in the community and beyond have come to Mountain Brook Gymnastics as a safe and fun environment to flourish, and its nationally recognized competitive team has produced numerous state champions, as well as state, regional and national qualifiers and medalists. To add to its list of accolades, Mountain Brook Gymnastics was selected by the USA Gymnastics State Committee as the 2020-2021 Club of the Year. Director Leila Burkett has been pouring her life into all of it since 1986 and credits the community for continuously rallying to support the gym. “Every time we’ve had an obstacle, not only have we overcome it, but we have raised the bar with community support,” she says. The program started as an after-school offering through Mountain Brook Community Education with classes held at the Mountain Brook Elementary School gym. Each time registration opened, moms and dads would line up down Vine Street with folding chairs and newspapers waiting and hoping to get their child into the program before it filled up. The coaches were setting up and taking down their equipment in the school gym, but it didn’t stunt their success as kids placed first and second in the state at every level offered. “The classes were just busting at the seams, so in 1991 Mountain Brook Community Education built a building for us on the Mountain Brook High School campus, what would be the state’s first air-conditioned gymnastics facility,” Leila
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MountainBrookMagazine.com 35
“Mountain Brook Gymnastics was a place of refuge and structure for me. It’s where I learned to set a goal and meet it, to focus, to work hard, to enjoy a challenge, to work through fear.” -Hanna Martin
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We help navigate the mental health system for teens and children. Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) recalls. That location was eventually renovated to become what is now the Spartan Arena. While they fundraised and secured land to build a new facility, Mountain Brook Gymnastics was housed in a warehouse in an area that required security after dark. Families of the gymnasts and others throughout the community united to urge the city’s approval of a new building, with green ribbons adorning mailboxes, lampposts, businesses and streets all over the area to show support. The campaign was successful thanks to a long list of donors, and construction began near the baseball fields on the grounds of Mountain Brook High School. Five years later, they opened the doors. Today, activities for nearly 750 recreational and competitive gymnasts each week run as smoothly as a gold-medal routine thanks to great teachers and the spreadsheets of highly mapped out schedules. Students go through all four apparatus: vault, bars, beam and floor. Boys and girls ages 18 months to 2 years attend the toddler class with a parent/caregiver. Threeyear-olds enjoy the “3 All Me” class, and for 4-year-olds there’s the “Fantastic Fours” class. Beginning at age 5, girls may enter the three-step
205- 638-PIRC (7472 )
PIRC is a confidential phone response center linking adult callers to mental health resources for children and teens. Service is provided by licensed mental health professionals who educate callers and recommend the most appropriate treatment options. PIRC hours are 8:00 am — 11:00 pm, 7 days a week.
PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.
The PIRC is generously supported by funding from the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope, Brasfield and Gorrie, LLC, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, the Hill Crest Foundation, the Gorrie family, and the Walker Area Community Foundation.
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Brooke Kelly
Helen Nabors and Leila Burkett
Emily LaHurd
program of beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, when coaches track their skills. Mountain Brook Gymnastics is also known for its birthday parties and cartwheel clinics, as well as holiday camps and summer camps, which always fill up quickly and end up with waitlists. Once a month the gym hosts Flippin’ Friday too with gymnastics, a pizza dinner, games and a movie with a snack. The organization also has one of the largest competitive teams in the state of Alabama with 125 gymnasts, ages 6 to 18, who compete at levels 3 through 10, supported by parent-led Alabama Gymnastics Education Foundation. “We also work to create a place where our athletes can continue to learn at several different levels,” says Team Director Helen Nabors, a former gymnast at the University of Alabama. “Some girls want to live in the gym, and others want to learn but also want to have time to be involved in other activities. We work hard to help each child reach her goals by providing several different paths.” For team members, practice schedules vary from anywhere around 6 to 25 hours a week. Helen says there is a consistent factor she’s seen in gymnasts who go on to collegiate teams— discipline. “Even on hard days, even when they are tired, they continue to put in the work. There are technically four events in women’s gymnastics 38 Winter 2021
THE NEXT LEVEL What Collegiate Gymnasts Who Went Through Mountain Brook Gymnastics Had to Say “My mom started me in gymnastics at Mountain Brook when I was 9 years old because at the time I was playing softball, and instead of paying attention to the game, I would do handstands and cartwheels in the outfield. Mountain Brook Gymnastics helped me earn a full scholarship to many schools, with two of them being SEC schools.”
— BROOKE KELLY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI GYMNASTICS, 2016 TO 2019
“My coaches not only invested in me as an athlete, but also as a person. They helped me work through hardships just as much as they have been there for me in my success.”
— CAROLINE LEONARD
FRESHMAN WITH AUBURN UNIVERSITY GYMNASTICS (ALONGSIDE FELLOW FRESHMAN OLYMPIC GOLD-MEDALIST SUNISA LEE)
“My Mountain Brook Gymnastics coaches helped me during my recruiting process and helped me reach my ultimate goal of competing at an SEC school.”
— JORDAN OLSZEWSKI SOPHOMORE WITH
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GYMNASTICS
“Mountain Brook Gymnastics has continuously cheered me on inside and outside of the gym.”
— ALANA FISHER
FRESHMAN WITH EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY GYMNASTICS
MountainBrookMagazine.com 39
[beam, uneven bars, vault and floor], but there are also a fifth, sixth and seventh—sleep, conditioning and nutrition—and these gymnasts take care of all the pieces.” It’s clear to see the gym wouldn’t have its achievements or distinct atmosphere without the like-family staff Leila leads. One of its coaches Hanna Martin knows that full well. She joined the team at age 9 and competed until her senior year of high school. “Mountain Brook Gymnastics was a place of refuge and structure for me,” she says. “It’s where I learned to set a goal and meet it, to focus, to work hard, to enjoy a challenge, to work through fear.” Watching Hanna coach is inspiring even from the sidelines as she passionately shares her motivational speaking gift, encouraging her athletes with devotionals, helpful analogies and stories all stemming from the impact gymnastics has had on her own life. “I think at Mountain Brook Gymnastics we’ve proven that values and character matter, and you can still have those things along with a high level of gymnastics,” she says. “It’s obvious that [Director] Leila’s mission is not just to produce great athletes, but great people.”
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MountainBrookMagazine.com 41
SCHOOL & SPORTS
5
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Jane Grey Battle, far right, with her debate partner Maggie Doyle and coach Elizabeth Wood-Weas
Jane Grey Battle
USA Debate Team Member + MBHS Senior PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
There had never been a member of the 12-person USA Debate Team from Alabama until this year, but now Jane Grey Battle will represent both our state and the country in Singapore, Croatia, Germany, Thailand and several Ivy League schools. On any given weekend you will find her articulating arguments on topics like the Belt and Road Initiative (China’s development strategy to create a trading route that touches every country) everywhere from Spokane, Washington, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida—and mostly recently from a Zoom screen—along with the rest of her team made up of students from both Mountain Brook High School and Mountain Brook Junior High School. We chatted with her to learn more about her interest in debate and more. What else are you involved with? I am president of the Justice Club, which is all about issues related to social justice and current events. At each meeting my What is one debate from your career co-president or I will give a lecture on a that stands out the most? different topic. Yesterday was There are certain controversial topics, environmental justice, and a week before which have been really interesting. We had was criminal justice. I am also the one on universal background checks, and president of a club called Heritage Panel, How did you get into debate, and what you had to first assess the judge’s bias and which is part of the YW and promotes then make arguments with the knowledge diversity and inclusion in our school do you like about it? My first summer with the Mountain that your panel of judges has opinions. system. Right now we are coming up with Brook team my partner and I ended up That one feels most similar to the real a book list with diverse authors to put in winning a 2018 national middle school world because no one comes to a topic with the library for anyone who wants to gain a different perspective. I am also vice championship, and from there I caught the a clean slate. president of Youth Legislature, and I run a bug. Every single month we are going super in depth on a new public policy or What do you see yourself doing youth coalition called Young Votes for a Better Alabama. We did a whole campaign current event, and we are always reading professionally? I want to do something with international around House Bill 107, which was to repeal up on our topic areas. I am always learning something new, and that’s the best part. affairs. I am very interested in politics. Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act, With our national team, I get to meet Through Yale Young Global Scholars I got our three strikes law, and we got over 170 students from all across the country. to meet students from all across the world, letters sent. We are organizing young Especially in such a homogeneous group and I was being challenged by every single people whether they can vote or not to get of people I am with in our school system, worldview there was. I realized how into contact with the people who represent it’s a good opportunity to break out of that interested I am in learning more about them and share their voices. other cultures and perspectives on issues. What are you looking forward to about being on the USA Debate Team? I have already started practicing with the other members and getting to know them. They all seem so, so intelligent. Every conversation even outside of debates is challenging because we all have different worldviews.
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bubble and have some fascinating conversations with others at competitions and intensives.
&DRINK
FOOD
A GIFT OF GOD
Theologian Gisela Kreglinger raises a glass to the conviviality that wine—and its spirituality— brings. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY BRADLEY BURCKEL & CONTRIBUTED MountainBrookMagazine.com 43
W
Wine making has been a family affair for the Kreglinger family for centuries. Just outside a seventeenth-century half-timbered house in Franconia, they harvest and press grapes off the vines they plant, crafting their golden and crimson liquids into wine they in turn sell in restaurants and on property—each and every step kept in the family. And for as long as Gisela Kreglinger has seen that process in action, she’s known wine’s power as well. “Germans tend to be on the reserved side, and that’s how they would arrive,” she recalls of when visitors came to her family winery as she was growing up. “Then they would come to the tasting room, and with every glass of wine, you could see how they were relaxing. Suddenly smiles would come more easily and then confessions, sometimes of wonderful things and sometimes of hard things. “In this bonding and enjoyment of wine, they realized life is hard sometimes, but there is so much joy we can experience together as we move into a state of holy intoxication—a level that helps you to relax and let down your burdens and embrace the moment and the people you are with.” For Gisela one word sums up much of what she is about, both in life and theology, in what she’s seen in Europe and now living in Birmingham: conviviality. Merriam-Webster defines it as “relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking and good company.” For Gisela, it’s about life around the table, where “a greater sense of bonding and knowing and conversation and creativity can happen,” with wine of course. And it’s been her life’s work to tell others about all of this in a very specific niche of theology: the spirituality of wine. Armed with a PhD. in historical theology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Gisela arrived in Birmingham to teach at Samford University and found Crestline Village familiar with the European village feel she’d grown up in and made it home. Since moving to Alabama, she’s penned two books. Both The Spirituality of Wine, a more academic volume, and The Soul of Wine, a more popular book that’s a quick read, seek to answer a central question, “Given wine is a gift from God, how do we embrace it well so it brings healing to our
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A chapel in vineyards close to Gisela’s home in Franconia
MountainBrookMagazine.com 45
Gisela at a Spirituality of Wine event in Boulder, Colorado, with guests.
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lives and communities?” It’s a realm of ideas that brings together both the food world and theology, and her first book garnered endorsements from Alice Waters, a chef, author and owner of Chez Panisse Bakery in Berkeley, California, as well as theologians, with a foreword written by Eugene Peterson. “We need to embrace wine well, to slow down and see it as a spiritual exercise that we are consuming a gift from God,” Gisela explains. “Simone Weil, a French mystic, once said that attention in its highest form is prayer. To be really attentive to what is before us and to receive it in a deep sense, smelling it and allowing ourselves to feel how it affects our body, is a way to be grateful for what God has given us.” Although she teaches Christian spirituality specifically, Gisela sees that anyone with different beliefs can connect with the spirituality of wine, harkening back to ancient civilizations with wine gods like Dionysus and Bacchus and an understanding of the “mysterious transformation” when grape juice is fermented into wine. “For someone who is an atheist or an agnostic, they can still appreciate that wine is more than just a material product,” she says. “It’s a special gift
“A great wine is like a beautiful cathedral that sings its songs. If it is done well, a wine has beautiful structure with good acidity and a harmonious interplay of different notes ranging from sweet and fruity to savory and dry, perhaps with some tannins built in. All the different elements are so harmonious, not one overpowering the other. It’s like listening to a concert.” -Gisela Kreglinger
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Gisela at a wine tasting dinner in Beaune, Burgundy during her last wine pilgrimage
whether you ascribe to the belief in a creator or not. What it does to us is universal.” In fact, she thinks that for people who grew up in Christian settings that they found off-putting, wine might be a new way for them to explore Christianity. “The Christian church, especially in North America, has had a very narrow view of Christian spiritualty focused on morals and right and wrong,” she says. “They left out a lot of the things that are not necessarily moral, like beauty, the arts and the baptized imagination, the enjoyment of wine and nature and the giftedness of our bodies or creativity.” Although Birmingham has become home for her, Gisela travels regularly and leads wine pilgrimages to Europe each summer (see her website for more information). This weeklong culinary tour starts in the Burgundy region of France and makes it way to her native Franconia in Germany, touring ancient cellars and the abbeys that laid the foundation of today’s wine culture. “It’s really the monks and nuns that laid the agricultural foundation for 48 Winter 2021
TASTING NOTES A Q&A with Gisela
WHAT ARE A COUPLE OF YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS IN BIRMINGHAM FOR WINE?
Chez Fonfon reminds me of Europe and of home. At Golden Age Wine they have a lot of smaller producers and focus on organic and biodynamic wines. For the size of this city Birmingham has an incredible amount of wine shops and wine bars and events that help you get into the world of wine. WHAT WINES DO YOU PERSONALLY LIKE TO DRINK?
I grew up in Franconia where wines have a lot of acidity. I like that. It gives it a lot of character and strength, and it really goes well with food. For example, I like the freshness and vitality of a Chardonnay from Chablis in Burgundy because of its good amount of acidity that goes really well seafood and fish. HOW DO YOU FIND A WINE THAT’S A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
It’s like finding a partner. It’s very unique. You have to get to know that person and where they grew up and what their values are. Good wines are like people. They have personality and character, and you have to befriend them over not just one bottle. They change because every year is different. It’s a very relational reality if you want to learn about wine. There’s a lot of mass produced wine that is very uninteresting. I like when wines are interesting just like I like when people are interesting and a little sharp on the edge or a little opinionated. WHAT’S A GOOD ENTRY POINT TO BUYING GOOD WINE?
Adopt a wine shop close to you. Go and tell them you want to learn about wine and your budget, and then go on a journey. Stay with them and get to know the people there. You should be free to explore wine on your own terms. HOW SHOULD YOU TASTE WINE?
Try to have a very natural setting. Get simple bread and don’t light any candles that smell. Focus on the wine. Pour a glass and look at the color. Swirl it around in the glass and smell it. Listen to the wine like you listen to the song of a bird to figure out what bird it is. Stick your nose into the glass and really smell it, and then pause and then do it again several times. It takes time for your brain to process these olfactory sensations. Then take a good gulp, swirl it around in your mouth and swallow it slowly. Then you listen again. There are olfactory receptor cells in the back of your throat, and you still will smell as you swallow. Listen not only to the fragrance but also to your body and how it feels as the alcohol warms your blood. Be personal about your responses. Don’t try to please someone who says you have to say it has fruit or is tannic or has minerality. A lot of what we experience with wines is hard to put into words. That’s why poets began writing about it. Learn to trust your own sense of smell and taste and allow the wine to evoke memories and stir your emotions and see what happens. I guarantee it’s beautiful.
MountainBrookMagazine.com 49
Western Civilization to emerge,” Gisela explains. “They were very learned and they cultivated vineyards. Even today in Burgundy the vineyards the monks planted are still the best vineyards producing the very best wines in the world.” Even amidst her travels and academic pursuits, conviviality reigns in the home Gisela shares with her husband, Roy, whom she met through the Birmingham Chapter of the International Wine and Food Society. They love to invite friends and strangers alike to their wooded backyard to linger over charcuterie and bread and wine and let conversation deepen just as Gisela saw happen back in Franconia. And at the heart of it is wine— preferably not just a simple wine. “A great wine is like a beautiful cathedral that sings its songs,” she says.” If it is done well, a wine has beautiful structure with good acidity and a harmonious interplay of different notes ranging from sweet and fruity to savory and dry, perhaps with some tannins built in. All the different elements are so harmonious, not one overpowering the other. It’s like listening to a concert.” To learn more about Gisela’s books and wine pilgrimage trips, visit giselakreglinger.com.
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FOOD & DRINK
5
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Miller Mobley
Slim’s Pizzeria Owner PHOTOS COURTESY OF SLIM’S PIZZERIA
What do you get when you combine the forces of former Bottega Chef de Cuisine John Rolen and photographer Miller Mobley? Slim’s Pizzeria. The new restaurant at 65 Church Street in Crestline Village is now serving up New York style pizzas plus local beers, a wine list curated by Golden Age and a classic cocktail selection (think Palomas, Martinis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds). Pull up the menu and you’ll quickly be craving Italian ice cream flavors like Stracciatella (sweet cream and dark chocolate), Sweet Basil and Spumoni (cherry ice cream, pistachio ice cream, dark chocolate ice cream, salted pistachios and cherries) served in partnership with Big Spoon Creamery. You can find Slim’s full menu and order online at slimspizzeria. com, and here we chatted with Miller about the story behind the pizzeria. Where did the idea for Slim’s Pizzeria come from, and what was your vision for it? Slim’s was born out of the simple idea that we wanted to build a neighborhood pizzeria that the community would be proud to support. What should we know about your food? I think we have one of the most talented kitchens in Birmingham. Led by our chef/ partner, John Rolen, our team worked for months before we opened to test, tweak and refine everything that we offer.
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What are some of your personal favorite items on the menu? If I had to select just a few, it would be our Hot Honey, Sausage & Fennel and Pepperoni pizzas. It’s hard to go wrong with our chopped Italian and Caesar salads though I also can’t forget to mention that our Garlic Knots are pretty spectacular. Can you tell us more about how you partnered with Big Spoon for the ice creams and Golden Age on the wine list? We believe in supporting local businesses that are doing and making great things in Birmingham. We felt that Golden Age and
Big Spoon would make great partnerships and it was an opportunity to support our local economy. Can you talk some about how the interior of the restaurant space on Church Street was designed and the ideas behind it? The interior design was and still is an evolving process. We are always tweaking and changing small things. At the end of the day, we just wanted a warm and comfortable cafe with a bit of nostalgia. Everything for our restaurant was either hand-picked from antique shops spanning the country or was custom made by local artisans.
&STYLE
HOME
WHITE CHRISTMAS
Fresh greenery pops against the neutral palette of this Country Club Road home to usher in the holidays. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD MountainBrookMagazine.com 53
A
Anyone who drove up to the white brick home on Country Club Road for last year’s Legacy League Holiday Home tour quickly got a taste of architect Paul Bates’s signature style, mixing inspiration from the Old World from his travels in Europe with more contemporary elements. It’s full of clean lines and details, both inside and out. Sprinkled throughout home you’ll find arched doorways, custom doors and cabinetry, coffered ceilings, and an abundance of windows that allow in so much natural light that its owners usually don’t turn any on inside until the sun sets. Perhaps the home’s most stand-out design element is the large living room windows that open up to the pool area just outside. After 25 years in a 1927 Southwood Road Tudor home, the homeowners had envisioned a new home where they could truly live indoors and out all year
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round complete with a courtyard and a textured white exterior, but they also trusted the designs of both Paul and Liz Hand Woods, the interior designer they worked closely with on the space. To complete the home’s design, Liz worked with the homeowners to use furnishings they had in their more traditional Southwood home and incorporate new pieces they commissioned by local furniture designer Michael Morrow for the new house. As the holidays approached, Liz advised the homeowners to keep a similarly simple aesthetic focused on greenery and lights, one that they would get to showcase for last year’s Legacy League Christmas Home Tour (see the box on page 55 for more details on this year’s tour). With those design elements in place, entering the home is nothing short of magical, both at the holidays and any day of the year.
Living Room Liz Hand Woods had the idea to add a touch of ribbon to the mix of greenery in the home for the holidays, with this black and white piece coordinating with the design of the wrapping paper on the presents under the tree. MountainBrookMagazine.com 55
Kitchen Olive branches and fresh rosemary in white vases as well as green apples add subtle festive flair to this all white kitchen. Year round, a piece of art by Jane Timberlake Cooper—whom the owners have known since childhood and who now sells her art at Maison in Mountain Brook Village—is framed by the space’s wall of windows. All of Paul Bates’ designs feature a round window somewhere in the home, and the homeowners asked him to design this one so that anyone in the kitchen could hear what was going on in their outdoor living room on its other side. 56 Winter 2021
Christmas Tree For the owners’ first Christmas in their home, they wanted to make sure their infant granddaughter wouldn’t be able to knock a tree over, so they ended up placing a silver tip tree from Leaf ‘N Petal in an urn near the curved staircase Paul designed. The family liked the way it looked so much that they brought it back this year too.
ABOUT THE HOME TOUR The Samford University Legacy League holds a Christmas Home Tour each year to raise money for scholarships for students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances. Last year this Country Club Road home was on the tour, and this year it will feature three homes in Mountain Brook and two in Vestavia Hills. Christmas Home Tour Thursday, Dec. 9 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-8 p.m. Advance tickets are required and may be purchased at samford.edu/legacyleague.
MountainBrookMagazine.com 57
Dining Room The owners gave new life to the dining room table they have had for more than 20 years with modern sage-colored velvet chairs and a circular glass light fixture above. As Christmas approached, they topped it with a collection of white and metallic decorations.
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To use this space off the pool year round, the owners shut its draperies and shutters, light a fire in fireplace, and bring in space heaters when temperatures drop.
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Pool Area Floor-to-ceiling windows off the living room open up to the pool area to blend outdoor and indoor living, and artificial turf around the pool makes for easy maintenance in the area.
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IN STYLE
HOLIDAY PARTY CHIC
BY ABBY ADAMS PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD
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NOT ALONE
ON THE
ROAD
RUN2REBUILD IS SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RECOVERY ONE MILE AT A TIME. BY RICK LEWIS | PHOTOS BY LUCY BAIRD
IT’S 6 A.M. ON A LATE AUGUST DAY AS VOICES LIGHTLY REVERBERATE OFF THE CEILING OF “THE DOME,” THE JIMMIE HALE MISSION’S COVERED BASKETBALL COURT. AS AN EARLYMORNING FLIGHT MAKES ITS ARC IN A FLAMINGO SKY, A LOOSE GAGGLE OF MEN CONGREGATE AROUND, SOME YOUNG, SOME OLDER, ALL IN GOOD SPIRITS CONSIDERING THE TIME. 66 Winter 2021
The men, dressed in athletic gear, seem comfortable with each other. They catch up, laugh and make conversation as they get into a warm-up: high-steps, hamstring stretches and half-windmill leg swings. On a nearby table, three white boards titled “10 Miles Further,” “25 Miles Further,” and “50 Miles Further” bear a list of names. They’re all here for a Tuesday session of Run2Rebuild, a fitness-focused program dedicated to providing a healthy, goal-setting outlet for mission residents, while connecting them with members of the local community invested in their success.
It wasn’t long after Darrion Sistrunk arrived at Jimmie Hale Mission (JHM) in early 2021 that he saw the Run2Rebuild milestone boards up on the
wall. He was intrigued. “I wanted to start feeling better,” he says. “It was a way to clear my mind, clear my brain. It was nice to start the morning feeling refreshed and energized.” It didn’t hurt that he also had a bit of competitive drive egging him on. “Man, I can get 50 miles,” he thought. “I wanted to be at least the second person to get on that plaque. I wanted to achieve something.” After coming into JHM homeless and with a drug addiction, Darrion found that the program not only gave him a physical outlet, but it also provided him with a new network of people rooting for his success. “Having someone you can talk to about ‘this is what I want to do’ is important,” he says. “And having someone give you advice, it helps you make better decisions, especially being around godly men and godly people.” Run2Rebuild founders James Harris, Garrett Rogers, Jordan Carr and Jesse Westerhouse were MountainBrookMagazine.com 67
all quick to mention Darrion as an example of someone who took to the program and, well, ran with it. He quickly made the boards and truly became an integral member of the group, serving as an example of not only what the program could provide but of how it could foster future leaders. “I correlate Run2Rebuild and the JHM with encouraging me to stay on the road I’m on and to keep God first and be the best I can be in all endeavors,” says Darrion, who now not only has an outside job but works as a mentor at the mission and a leader of the Run2Rebuild program on Saturdays—showing what is possible through dedication, a supportive community, and perseverance. (He has racked up over 100 miles by now.) Run2Rebuild started back in November of 2020 with James, Garrett, Jordan and Jesse—a group of Auburn University grads and friends—after they observed similar groups in larger cities that used running as a tool to serve people experiencing addiction and homelessness. “We were going to a workout class at Mountain Brook stadium when we talked about the benefits of those programs for homeless populations and the fact that Birmingham lacked something like them,” says Jordan, a 2013 Mountain Brook High School graduate. “Having seen the physical and mental impact that running and group fitness has had on us, we decided to start something ourselves in hopes of sharing that with others.” It’s an interest that Garrett explains coming into view: “We were brainstorming ways of how people our age could give back. Being so young and early in careers, it’s hard for us to give back monetarily. But, what do we enjoy doing, and what would 68 Winter 2021
Run2Rebuild participants warm up for their morning run at 6 a.m. at Jimmie Hale Mission.
we enjoy teaching someone? Building a program centered on working out and mentorship was a way we could add value.” Balancing the demands of corporate jobs, medical school and law school, the founders began mapping out how it would all come together. According to James, the group spent a good deal of time planning and aligning on the vision before reaching out to potential community partners. “We spoke about how the structure would work, the volunteer base, and importantly, the safety. It was about two months of phone calls and meetings,” James explains. Once they had a solid plan in place, they looked around town for a partner organization that would be interested in what they had to offer. Luckily, their first call, the Jimmie Hale Mission, wound up being a perfect fit. The JHM has been devoted for decades to using a faith-based approach to help those experiencing homelessness in Birmingham, and it has recently MountainBrookMagazine.com 69
Run2Rebuild’s pilot program participants
shifted its focus to recovery programs that help the underlying causes of homelessness, which in about 90 percent of cases is some form of addiction. As its executive director Michael Coleman explains, “Our curriculum and program is rooted in getting health in five areas: physical health, mental health, spiritual health, social health and vocational health.” When he was approached about Run2Rebuild, he knew they could not only fill a
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resource gap in terms of the JHM’s ability to fully service their enrollees’ physical rehabilitation but also their relational needs. “There’s a health aspect that’s important for [someone] moving forward that’s sacrificed by homelessness or addiction,” Michael explains. With Run2Rebuild, physical fitness could be addressed in addition to getting the JHM’s men better connected to the community. “Here were
WAYS TO SUPPORT JIMMIE HALE SERVE A MEAL. Volunteers assemble food plates in a cafeteria-style service for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day in the JHM dining hall. Volunteers are also welcome to provide the meal. MENTOR A CLIENT. This relationship-building program partners current clients with volunteers from the community in hopes of generating conversation, understanding, encouragement and support for everyone involved. DONATE. Eighty-three percent of donor contributions goes to directly program service expenses benefiting JHM clients. Learn more at jimmiehalemission.com or by contacting Executive Director Michael Coleman at michael@jimmiehalemission.com.
people we could collaborate with that have a heart for our population and bring in healthy, outside relationships with these men.” James echoes this idea in his own explanation of the program’s benefits: “We need to get these men plugged in with people in the community—because they are part of Birmingham’s community. On top of that, we can help them build relationships with a different group of guys than they are traditionally around.” Lastly, the program serves as a tangible way for the men to set goals and track their progress towards a result they work towards with the support of others. “We want to instill that they can set and accomplish goals and have a support system behind them that is with them along the way,” Garrett says. “We preach to these guys that they are loved and special, regardless of what has happened in their past.” So how does it all work in practice? Run2Rebuild works on a four-week-long schedule that meets two mornings per week at 6 a.m. Volunteers and JHM residents meet at the JHM campus, stretch, pair up one-on-one and go for a 2- to 3-mile run depending on each participant’s ability level off-campus. When everyone is back, prayer requests are shared and they disperse. Each participant’s mileage is tracked by cumulative distance milestones that are displayed on boards in the cafeteria— allowing them to see and share their progress as they work towards graduation. MountainBrookMagazine.com 71
Naturally, though, the runs play a large role in expanding horizons for both participants and volunteers. “For us,” says Garrett, “it’s eye opening. You realize early on that some of these guys have gone through unspeakable things, and it makes you realize your own privilege.” Jordan shares that there have been “runs where I’ve heard seemingly the entire life story of a guy, who in some cases goes from living a stable life to being on the street in less than six months, for a variety of reasons. The runners tend to quickly realize that we are there to be an outlet and that we fundamentally care about them.” James echoes those ideas: “Every one of these guys still has dreams and aspirations and no one has lost hope–our goal is to use the running group to help them see that they can get there.”
Back to the late August morning, the men have done their stretches and are ready to hit the road. They each find a partner and settle into a rhythm, feet hitting the pavement as they set their sights on the Magic City sign roughly a mile down the road. Putting one foot in front of the other, the line of men make their way towards downtown, their figures slowly melding into the hazy skyline of the city.
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The Great Carolina Outdoors Hike, bike and adventure at these three resorts in the new year. By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed
Once the holidays are in our collective rearview mirror, most of us look at the new year as a fresh start—a time to refresh, set new goals, and embrace new habits. We vow to eat better, exercise more and maybe indulge a little less. With those goals in mind, why not ease into things with a vacation geared to healthier habits? After all, there’s no rule saying that these mindful changes have to be monastic or arduous or even not fun. With a vacation to any one of these resorts, you might just fall in love with being the healthiest version of yourself. 74 Winter 2021
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Lowcountry Adventure Palmetto Bluff | Bluffton, South Carolina Situated on the bucolic South Carolina coast, Palmetto Bluff is a destination that combines worldclass hospitality with impeccable cuisine, set against a backdrop of Spanish moss-laden trees, sandy walkways and plough mud teeming with activity. Guests at the resort can choose to stay at the signature Montage Resort on property or at one of the private homes available. No matter where you lay your head at night, you’ll be ensconced in comfort and graceful hospitality, ensuring you’re plenty rested for days filled with outdoor adventure.
Getting There Hopping a flight to Savannah is the fastest way to get to the Lowcountry, but there are plenty of guests who opt to drive. From the airport, it is a quick car ride to the resort.
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HIT THE ROAD
What To Do Honestly, there are not enough hours in the day to explore everything Palmetto Bluff has to offer, but we suggest you try. Start by picking up complimentary bicycles and Bike the Bluff—a 6-7-mile ride through Palmetto Bluff’s 20,000 acres including historic architecture, wildlife and views of the May River—just to get the lay of the land. From there, you may decide to hike, shoot sporting clays, swim, play tennis, paddleboard, fish, canoe, ride horses, play golf or go boating. Or maybe this is the vacation where you try something totally new—pickleball. As the fastest growing sport in the world, there are pickleball courts popping up in cities from coast to coast. Easy for beginners to learn, fast-paced and fun, the pickleball “addiction” is being embraced across generations. Six pickleball courts at Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club make this the ideal spot to give it a go.
Where To Eat All of that exertion is bound to spark a strong appetite. On property, there are numerous dining options, from casual to white tablecloth, to satiate yourself. The town of Bluffton certainly merits a visit if you are in the area, and dining at FARM might be the best reason of all. Chef Brandon Carter uses fresh blue crab, hand-picked by local Gullah women at the nearby Bluffton Oyster Company, in his blue crab rice dish (pictured on right). Anson Mills rice provides the base for this dish while sofrito and fried shallots round out its savoriness.
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Hiking Among the Smokies
The Swag | Waynesville, North Carolina Named for the space between two mountains, The Swag resort’s 250-acres nestle up against the Great Smoky Mountains in westernmost North Carolina, making it the perfect getaway for hikers and families who enjoy intergenerational active travel. This mountaintop idyll began as a private getaway for Deener and Dan Matthews, a couple who enjoyed hosting friends from nearby Knoxville. In 2018, The Swag was purchased by Annie and David Colquitt, who had honeymooned at The Swag and fallen in love with the destination. The Colquitts’ adoration is apparent in the very thoughtful updates they’ve added since taking the helm—a cozy spa, more lawn games, outdoor patio dining and an experts-in-residence program.
Getting There The journey to The Swag is almost as lovely as the destination itself. From Birmingham, you can either go through Atlanta and head north, or skip that inevitable traffic and go through Chattanooga and Knoxville, a far prettier and less snarled drive for sure. Make sure you savor the final part of the journey up The Swag’s driveway. It is fun to watch the thermometer on your car drop several degrees as you traverse the switchbacks to reach the resort. The resort operates mid-April to Thanksgiving.
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What To Do At the core of The Swag is rest. For some, this looks like solo hikes out to beloved knobs with epic views. For others, it means stashing the cell phone and laptop for days on end, reconnecting with family and making new friends in fellow travelers. Badminton, croquet, horseback riding and plenty of swanky Stave puzzles round out the offerings which only serve to switch off the digital brain, resetting your mental bandwidth. Picnics are happily packed for those wishing to be off exploring for the day, and the only traffic jam you’ll find is at the multitude of hummingbird feeders that dot the expansive porch. Another popular activity at The Swag are naturally intimate weddings held out on Gooseberry Knob. Some weddings have even been so small as to necessitate the asking of the innkeeper to serve as witness to the union. Full buyouts of the resort for a wedding, anniversary or family reunion can make any occasion that much more private and special.
Where To Eat The Swag is truly a destination away from it all and as an all-inclusive resort your stay includes all meals, which can be enjoyed family style with other guests (a fantastic way to make new friends) or at private tables. “Social Hour” precedes dinner each evening, allowing guests to mingle in a treasured and convivial setting, sharing stories of the day and settling into a relaxed evening.
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Cycling Through Europe
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Hotel Domestique | Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina Named for the racing position professional cyclist George Hincapie held in his Tour de France career, the Hotel Domestique provides an elevated biking experience in a bucolic mountain setting. Located just outside Greenville, South Carolina, the resort has the look and feel of something straight out of the Italian countryside. Tall slender cypress trees line the terrace of the barrel-tiled roof with stucco-façade. The muted palette of the décor is punctuated by a punchy orange which feels richly Mediterranean.
Getting There From Birmingham, take I-20 East to Atlanta and then go north on I-85 toward Greenville. Travelers Rest is located about 30 minutes east of downtown Greenville.
What To Do The main draw for Hotel Domestique is, quite simply, biking. The surrounding area is replete with enough hills and straightaways to engage riders of all skill levels. The Swamp Rabbit Trail in nearby downtown Travelers Rest is a popular trail and easy to navigate. Avid cyclists often arrive with their own bikes, but the hotel has a small fleet to accommodate riders as well. High-end road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes are all available to rent for the day. The front desk has a thick binder, full of area rides, broken down by distance. You may also access local rides online at ridewithgps. com. Guests looking for a local guide should reach out to Justin Creech of Blue Ridge Bike Tours at 864-448-4184. Aside from two-wheeled challenges, Hotel Domestique boasts a serene pool and jacuzzi, perfect for recovering from a ride or just enjoying some much-needed downtime. The fountained terrace and adjacent firepit make ideal settings for an afternoon glass of wine or nightcap. Guest rooms are well-appointed and each comes with a Hypervolt percussion massager, to really get the kinks out after a long bike—or car—ride.
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Where to Eat Restaurant 17 (so named for the number of times George Hincapie competed in the Tour de France) is the hotel’s on-site restaurant where Chef Haydn Shaak’s seasonal menu is as inspired as it is wow-inducing. Guests looking to dine off-site should head to Camp in downtown Greenville, where Chef Drew Erickson is stunning diners with his world-class cuisine that employs techniques garnered working with Chef Thomas Keller in Yountville, California’s, famous French Laundry. Come hungry and adventurous.
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Meet Your Travel Guide Proud to call Birmingham home, Christiana Roussel loves discovering every corner of the Magic City. But the road beckons often. She’s been known to make a wrong turn into the right choice, dig in with the locals and try to talk her way out of a speeding ticket or two. Curiosity drives her and finding connection is her passion.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING
GIF T GUIDE 2
1. Gift Sets Have a glass of wine from our vast selection while you shop for the perfect gift this holiday season. Also, shop glass art, pottery, candles, jewelry and other unique items from local artists. Prices vary. Just a Tish. 115 W. College Street, Columbiana, AL 35051. (205) 671-5267. justatishwine.com.
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2. Flameware Pottery Handmade by Terry Silverman at The Pottery Works in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, this cookware suits the needs of everyone in the kitchen, from the gourmet chef to the everyday cook. Prices vary. The Cook Store. 2841 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (205) 879-5277. thecookstoremtnbrook.com.
3. Pop Its! Find these Pop Its!—flexible silicone toys that resembles bubble wrap—plus other fashion and gift items for girls sizes 7-16. $8-$29. Sgt. Peppers by Dear Prudence. 4441 Creekside Avenue, Suite 117, Hoover, AL 35244. (205) 4077523. sgtpeppersbydp.com.
4. Annual Children’s of Alabama Ornament Christopher Radko Toting Treasure Teddies Wishing you a bear-y Christmas! These teddies are riding in style on their little red wagon piled high with toys and holiday joy. $64. Bromberg’s. 2800 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (205) 871-3276. brombergs.com.
5. Estelle Colored Wine Glasses These colored glasses are inspired by the designer’s grandmother Estelle, who loved antiques. $27 stemless, $29 stems. A’mano. 281 Rele Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (205) 871-9093. shopamanogifts.com.
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8 7. Custom Gift Boxes Looking for a unique holiday experience for yourself or as a gift? Curate a collection of gifts and greenery at Plant that will arrive beautifully packed from the shop to the front door. The store customizes for any holiday and occasion and takes online orders. Customizable pricing. Plant. 10876 AL-25, Calera, AL 35040. (205) 319-7071. plantcalera.com.
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8. ‘50s Swimming Pool Print This digitalized enhanced photo comes in a distressed teal frame. $110. Vintage Interiors. 2838 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL 35124. (205) 620-1900. vintageinteriorsal.com.
9. Classic Camo Carryall
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This heavy-duty, 14-ounce waxed cotton canvas is inspired by vintage patterns proven in the field with an updated color palette for the hardwood bottoms and marshes the brand calls home for three seasons each year. $195. Tom Beckbe. 2423 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (205) 286-8203. tombeckbe.com
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10. Shacket Shackets—a combination of a shirt and a jacket—are the item of the season, and Dear Prudence at Patton Creek and The Summit has lots of them to choose from. $60. Dear Prudence.Patton Creek and The Summit. dearprudence.com.
11. Custom Gift Boxes Fill a basket with laundry soap, soap bars, bath bombs and even flamingo soap that in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo give back $1 for each flamingo bar sold. Various Prices. Buff City Soap. Hoover, Greystone and Mountain Brook. buffcitysoap.com.
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12. Alabama Flag Charcuterie Board This charcuterie board was crafted in Huntsville specially for Alabama Goods. The channels on the board represent Alabama’s state flag, and the middle of the board is designed for food or a bowl. Plus, the board is made from bamboo that is water-resistant, durable, resistant to bacteria and hard (even though it is lightweight). $59.99. Alabama Goods. 2933 18th Street S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 803-3900. alabamagoods.com.
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13. Kent Stetson Handbags These handmade handbags created by Rhode Island designer Kent Stetson are “a great way to spark fun conversations, producing moments when life and art fuse together,” Stetson says. $210. Wallace-Burke. 1811 29th Avenue S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 874-1044. wallaceburke.com.
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14. Nutcracker Soldier Add this painted metal nutcracker to your holiday décor collection. $68.95. Sweet Peas Garden Shop. 2829 Linden Avenue, Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 879-3839. sweetpeasgardenshop.com.
15. Pink Hat Inspired by vintage men’s styles, this hat is designed to make a statement. $135. Hemline. 1802 29th Avenue S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 802-9252. shophemline.com.
16. Myra Double Wine Carrier A best-selling gift item for the wine lover, this unique wine carrier pairs well with a bottle of wine or other gift items for your sassy friend. Download the store’s app and follow @lovethesassyshopper. $38. The Sassy Shopper. 224 Kent Stone Way, Suite 200, Alabaster, AL 35007. (205) 624-4084. thesassyshopper.com.
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17. Cocoa Bombs Try different flavored cocoa bombs for everyone’s liking: cookies and cream, mint chocolate, peppermint, strawberry, caramel macchiato and many others. Stop by the shop for a special treat this holiday season! $5-6. Creations Galore and Moore. 8261 US-31, Calera, AL 35040. (205) 690-8399. creationsgaloreandmoore.com.
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18. Lala Skirt This fun tiered ruffle skirt is made of 100 percent silk, has a drawstring waist and comes in multiple different colors. $299. Dukes Clothier. 53 Church Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35213. (205) 739-2244. dukesclothier.com.
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19. Gift Card & Home Spa Supplies Pair high-quality candles, bath and body products, and other local gift items with a gift certificate for one of Absolute’s services to create the perfect gift. Call for pricing details. Absolute Health and Wellness. 8919 Highway 119, Suite 102, Alabaster, AL 35007. (205) 624-3605. absolutehealthwellness.com.
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20. Serving Tray This tray was made by Becky Bolton of Calera, Alabama, in her signature blue glaze with fish around the inner circle and a ruffled edge. $50. Blue Phrog. 955 Main Street, Montevallo, AL 35115. (205) 665-3766. bluephroggallery.com.
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21. Red Coat This lightweight, wool-blend coat is perfect for winters in the South. Select from a variety of colors and check out the store’s trendy boutique items, furniture and home decor selection while you’re at it. $69. Collective and Co. Home. 251 Buck Creek Plaza, Alabaster, AL 35007. (205) 624-3102. collectiveandcompany.com.
22. 14-Karat Diamond Fashion Set
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The best gifts come in small packages. This 14-karat yellow gold chain link diamond fashion set includes a bangle, ring, necklace and earrings. After all, ‘tis the season to sparkle, shine and shop local. Starting at $1,465. Southeastern Jewelers. 5299 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242. (205) 980-9030. southeasternjewelers.net.
23. Diba True NirVana Boots
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You’ll be walking on cloud nine in these boots featuring a comfy wedge for a height that instantly boosts your style. Its urban chic silhouette is covered in suede with a side gore panel and a rear pull tab lofted by a molded rubber lug sole. $96. Oh My Sole. 4045 Helena Road, Helena, AL 35080. (205) 406-5602. ohmysoulboutique.com.
24. BuDhaGirl, Myra Bag & Vintage Havana Sneaker Step 1: Add BuDhaGirl Bracelets to any outfit ($125). Step 2: Pick out a Myra Bag to carry all your essentials ($59$96). Step 3: Complete your outfit with a sneaker from Vintage Havana ($139). $59 - $139. Hami Boutique. 300 Carlow Lane, Suite 101, Birmingham, AL 35242. (205) 834-8833. shophamiboutique.com.
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25. 14-Karat Yellow & White Gold Stackable Diamond Bracelets Shay’s has many stackable diamond bracelet styles in stock now, so shop early for the holidays. Prices start around $1,300. Shay’s Jewelry. 1678 Montgomery Highway, 103C, Hoover, AL 35216. (205) 978-5880. shaysjewelers.com.
26. Cocktail Books Brush up on your knowledge with these spirited titles. $15-$35. At Home Furnishings. 2921 18th Street S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 879-3510. athome-furnishings.com.
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27. Neoprene Tote + Hat The perfect carry-all tote can’t wait to join you on your weekend travels, brunch or girls night out! It is lightweight yet durable with a dash of contrasting color and finished with a removable wristlet pouch and hard bottom liner. Gift it along with this tan brim hat that funs up any outfit. $65 tote, $30 hat. High Cotton Boutique. 415 Chelsea Crossroads, Chelsea, AL 35043. (205) 677-2200. highcottonboutique.com.
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28. Mini Drones This is the toy this season! Choose from the blue hand-operated drone for indoor and outdoor play or the red globe-shaped drone with a magic controller and built-in lights. $19.99 blue, $35 red. Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop. 2830 18th Street S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 879-3986. homewoodtoy-hobby.com.
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29. Kids Boutique Sets Cute, comfortable and easy fitting—these kids boutique sets are always a big hit with selections for every season, and they always come with a free bow of your choice. $24 $32. Consigned Design. 72 Fulton Springs Road, Alabaster, AL 35007. (205) 664-7540. consigned.design.
30. Kendra Scott’s Holiday Set All three of these pieces are sure to dazzle: Alex Gunmetal pendant necklace in emerald cat’s eye, Alex gunmetal drop earrings in emerald cat’s eye and Elora gunmetal hoop earrings in emerald cat’s eye. Complimentary gift wrapping is available. $65, $55, $70. Cahaba Lily South. 5479 US-280. Suite 117, Birmingham, AL 35242. (205) 490-6210. cahabalilysouth.com.
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31. Sorel Mate’riaux
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This modern, versatile wedge has waterproof suede to boot. $250. ShoeFly. 823 18th Street S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 870-7131.
32. Nest Candles
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Mantooth Interiors is your home for all Nest collections and fragrances. Its large selection of holiday scents make a great gift for friends and family. $49. Mantooth Interiors. 2813 18th Street S., Homewood, AL 35209. (205) 879-5474. mantoothinteriors.com.
33. Beanies These hand-knit cashmere beanies by Brazeau Tricot each have a crown motif. $134. B. Prince. 271 Rele Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (205) 871-1965. shopbprince.com.
34. Bogg Brrr and a Half Cooler The half cooler takes up half the space, leaving plenty is room for towels, sunscreen, books, and more. $32.95. Village Drug. 300 Carlow Lane, Suite 116, Birmingham, AL 35242. (205) 713-8393. villagedrugco.com.
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35. Watercolor Painting This beautifully framed c. 1870 English watercolor measures 14.75 by 11.5 inches, and you can find more art and treasured finds on the store’s website or Instagram handle @printscharmingsohonyc. $245. Prints Charming. 1903 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. (571) 214-9586. printscharmingsoho.com.
36. Cookie Dough + Skillet Gift someone Cookie Fix Frozen Dough To-Go and pair it with a 5-inch Lodge skillet they can bake it in. Frozen Dough $20, Skillet $11.25. Cookie Fix. Cahaba Heights and Homewood. (205) 582-2623. cookiefix.com.
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Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S
New Member Spotlight - Hispeed Transport - Home with Hechart - X4 Fitness - Tom Beckbe - MoveWell Mobile Therapy & Performance - Linfox Salon - Apricot Lane - ClearVision Eye Center - Happy Dogs Bath & Grooming
Chamber Luncheon Featuring Allyson Mouron Wednesday, November 17th 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Allyson will share about her family’s surprising fertility journey that led to “twiblings”. Register at www. mtnbrookchamber.org. Thank you to our sponsors, Innovative Fertility Specialists - An INVOcenter and LAH Mountain Brook Village Branch!
Ribbon Cuttings
- Birmingham Lifestyle - StoreEase+ - Development Solutions - Kari Wilbanks Interior Design Welcome, new Gold Member! FirstBank
Tom Beckbe Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Hufham Orthodontics 20th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
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MTN. BROOK, ALABAMA 35213
F i n d U s O n l i ne
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
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Ribbon Cuttings
Holiday Events Holiday Poker Run in English Village November 11th
Crestline Village Holiday Open House
Crestline Bagel 25th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
November 18th
Mountain Brook Holiday Open House December 2nd
Lane Parke Sip N Stroll December 4th
Mountain Brook Holiday Parade
Daughter’s Baking Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
December 5th
English Village Sip N Stroll December 9th
MoveWell Physical Mobile Therapy & Performance Ribbon Cutting
X4 Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
205 - 871 - 3779
Congratulations, Ritch's Pharmacy!
Ralph and Rebecca Sorrell receiving a Retailer of the Year Award from the Alabama Retail Association.
WWW.MTNBROOKCHAMBER.ORG MountainBrookMagazine.com 89
OUT & ABOUT
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MARKET DAY
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
Tent sales and more took over Mountain Brook Village for its biggest sale day of the year on July 17. 1. Lindsey Chun’s Bridal Party 2. Deshunn Wilkerson and Emily West 3. Jan Dickerson and Patti Vines 4. Latoya Williams, Jador Pickens Camryn Hollis, J’mel Pickens, Micah Perkins and Corie Williams
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5. The Hamid Family 6. Emily Issa and Gail Bevire 7. Becca and Barrett Whitten and Liz Thomas 8. Quenda Walker and Charla Hammell 9. The Bennett Family 10. Mary Green, Heidi Green and Barbara Bemis 11. Katie and Kristy Harrison 12. Caroline Wilson and Suanne Beauchaine 13. Randy Dodd and Nan Woods 14. Mary and Kathleen Anderson
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OUT & ABOUT
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OTEY’S FEST
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Party of the Year headlined this year’s Otey’s Fest on July 31, and The Hams and Jackson Walls performed earlier in the evening. The event benefitted the Phoenix Club of Birmingham. 1. Chelsea Nessmith, Jere Nelson, Virginia Nelson and Elene Weaver 2. Megan Holder, Mia Pulido, Elaine McDonald and Lindsay Pugh 3. Emily and Evie Cut 4. Matt Bell, Olivia Dobbs, Carlos Smith and Ashlyn Payne 5. Jaysen Stewart and Megan Farrell 6. Erin Moss, Carlyle Thornton, Maggie Keller, Emma Franklin and Mary Dorsey 7. Elizabeth and Robert Burle, and Lottie and Thomas Sherrod 8. Thomas Henry and Shelton McCullough 9. The Mauro Family 10. Tyler Brooks, Allie Walker and Jason Brewer 11. Kim Silmon and Dwight Bassett 12. The Birdsong Family 13. Claudia Hannahan, Claire Leavitt and Lanier Hennessy 14. Ashley Gordon, Anita Lemay and Sutton Bailey
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OUT & ABOUT
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9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
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The cities of Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills held a 20th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance & Patriot Day Ceremony in Crestline Village on Sept. 11. 1. Mountain Brook High School Symphonic Band 2. Mountain Brook Firefighter Burke
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3. Piper Morrison 4. Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills fire and police chiefs with Master of Ceremonies Jack Royer 5. Scouts BSA Troop 86 6. City of Mountain Brook Color Guard 7. Bay Matthews 8. Joshua and Gibson Schmidt 9. Mountain Brook Police Officers 10. Ada Dapkus 11. Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry
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MARKETPLACE
Marketplace Mountain Brook Magazine • 205.669.3131
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. Walkin applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002. Pelham (205)444-9774.
Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Beelman Truck Co Now Hiring Experienced Drivers and Recent Grads. Great pay. Great benefits. More home time. Apply online at beelman.com or call 205665-5507 Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $14/hour. Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at www.bc.com $80,000+ Yearly Potential Sales positions available at Burton Campers. Please call Mickey Price for phone interview: 205-668-0075 Comfort Keepers NOW HIRING. Job requirements: A caring spirit and passion for helping others. For more information visit: www.comfortkeepers.com or Call 205-338-7909.
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Lancaster Place Apartments. Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205-668-6871. Or visit hpilancasterplace.com
South Haven Health & Rehab NOW HIRING!!! •LPN’s & RN’s -$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for Full-Time shift •CNA’s Apply in person: 3141 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham,AL -35266
WELDER NEEDED MIG & TIG •Light gauge stainless, aluminized, galvanized Manufacturing and Assembly Helpers Needed •Paid Holidays •Typical Shifts 6:00am2:30pm Call RICK: 205761-3975
Land for Sale Covington County-46 Acres $184,000 -Located on Booth Rd. West of Florala -Potential Country Homesite, Recreational Getaway -Power Available Contact Clay Baker: 251-895-6460 claybaker@speaksland.com
Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) • 800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquiries only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www. Oxfordhealthcare.com LAND FOR SALE 180 acres, located on Walnut Creek. Will not divide property. Call for more information: 205-369-5641
Land for Sale Shelby County-36 Acres $5950/ acre -Located on County Road 51 near Wilsonville -Recently Thinned -Potential Homesite or Mini-Farm Contact Clay Baker: 251-895-6460 claybaker@speaksland.com CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/Pelham. Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al. com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327. Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedental assisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!
Now hiring RN’s and LPN’s throughout Alabama! $250 community referral bonus for RN’s and LPN’s. Signon Bonuses available at select locations! For more information please contact: Paige Gandolfi Call/text: 724-691-7474 pgandolfi@wexfordhealth. com
Opportunity Employer. Females & Minorities encouraged to apply. Drug Free Workplace. E-Verify Employer.
CUSTARD DOG TRAINING Obedience & Attack 334-231-0334 JOIN OUR TEAM! Just Plumbing & Gas Now Hiring PLUMBERS & HELPERS Apprentice $18/ hour, Journeyman $25/ hour with certification cards. Must have driver’s license. Full-Time Monday-Friday (Weekend work available). In-town work. SIGN-ON BONUS AFTER 90 DAYS! Call Tommy: 205-296-0294
Experienced Termite Technician or someone experienced in routeservice work and wants to learn new profession. Work-vehicle/equipment provided. Must drive straight-shift, have clean driving record/be 21/ pass background/drug test. Training provided. Insurance/401K offered. M-F 7:00-4:30 + 1 Saturday/month. Pay $13hr. Send resume to facsmith@charter.net
WHATLEY PLUMBING - PLUMBERS WANTED Located in Chilton County Since 2011. Skills Needed: Dependability, Honesty, Teamwork, Eagerness to Learn. Valid driver’s license required. To apply, email: whatleyplumbing 7558555@gmail.com 205-755-8555 High Expectations Cleaning 205-728-8854 highexpertcleaning.com Wright Brothers Construction Co., Inc. seeking Carpenters and a Crane Operator in the Helena area. Please apply online: www.wbcci. com/careers/apply-now Or send resume: hr@ wbcci.com Please call 423-336-2261 with any questions. Equal
Acceptance Loan Company, Inc. Personal loans! Let us pay off your title loans! 224 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham 205-663-5821
Southeastern Sealcoating Seeking hardworking team members to join our paving crew. •Paving Operators •Screw Operators •Rake Man Full-Time $15-$20/hour 401(k), Health/dental/ vision insurance, & paid time off! Apply in person: 1330 Adamsville Industrial Parkway, Birmingham PAINTERS WANTED Must have: •5 years painting & construction experience •Dependable transportation •Clean, neat appearance •Drug and alcohol free •Previous work history (References) •Carpentry skills a plus. Good pay for right people! Call 205-6212627
HA N D -S E L EC TE D F U R NI S H I NG S , A C C E S S O R I ES & U NI Q U E G I FT S
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MY MOUNTAIN BROOK ANNA BELLA FOSTER
Miss Jefferson County Outstanding Teen + Mountain Brook High School Junior
Voice Lessons
Amy Murphy Studio The Amy Murphy Studio is one of the places I feel most at home. I have been a student of Ms. Amy’s since I was 6, and it is the place where I really began to grow as a performer and as a person.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Kristi Walters Fitness Kristi Walters Fitness is the best place I can think of when I think of wellness. I started working out with her at CheerFit and now do TeenFit. Kristi has taught me that it is not just about keeping my body healthy, but is also the importance of eating a balanced diet and keeping my mind healthy as well.
Limeade Please
Gilchrist When I’m in the mood to celebrate or am down with a sore throat, I am always ready for a cherry limeade at Gilchrist! I have grown up going there with my dad on Saturdays. and Mr. Leon and his staff know us by name.
From Toddler to Teen
The O’Neal Library The library has been a favorite of mine since I was a toddler and my mom use to bring my cousin Christopher and me to the children’s puppet shows and sing alongs. I remember going and getting my first library card, and I couldn’t wait to sign up for summer reading every summer. Now I meet friends to study there.
A Friendly Face
Mr. Wilbur Mr. Wilbur is the first face you see in the morning when you drive up to the high school. He always has the biggest smile, and no matter how tired or anxious I am, his positive spirit is infectious!
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