OTMJ 3.7.24

Market Trends

BAR President Chirs Wood on the current state of the OTM residential real estate market.

A look at average sales prices, days on the market and more in your neighborhood.

Market Overview

Real estate agents talk about what buyers are looking for in the Over the Mountain area.

‘It’s not quite back where it was a year and a half ago, where it was gone bonkers.’

Lasting Legacy

TurnerBatson Celebrates 100 Years of Pioneering Architectural Design

By Anne Ruisi

TurnerBatson Architects – the firm that designed Birmingham landmarks such as the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Trinity United Methodist Church and the Hollywood section of Homewood – is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

“It is very rewarding to drive around town to see the lasting legacy of our firm. The relationships and friendships developed along the way

are the ultimate reward,” said the firm’s president, Dave Reese.

Since its inception in 1924, TurnerBatson Architects has been involved in some of the most significant architectural design projects in Alabama, according to a company news release. These include hundreds of projects throughout the Over the Mountain area, including schools,

See TURNERBATSON, page 28

George P. Turner designed the home of Hollywood developer Clyde Nelson.

Guest Column Inside

A MESSAGE FROM UGANDA

Sozo Children’s Choir performs at Wright Center as part of U.S. tour PAGE 4

LEADING CHEF

When the marks of good leadership are made on a grill PAGE 29

OLet the Battle Begin

ur daffodils are not only up and blooming, they are about to wilt back into the soil. I don’t recall them showing their sunny yellow faces this early in the past, but my memory is not what it once was. I’m not even sure when “once was,” was. I’ll attribute both the early arrival and my lack of memory to climate change.

Seeing them reminds me each and every year that the Battle of the Yard is about to commence. We live in a neighborhood where some people have “show yards.” You know the ones. The greenest grass with edging in perfect lines, bushes trimmed with pinking shears, flowers that bloom all summer long and trees from Home and Garden magazine. These people set the bar way too high for the rest of us. God forbid you actually live next to one.

Late winter in this part of the country means the overachieving trees that bloom earliest can get their buds frozen right off by a late winter blast. Forsythia is one such overachiever. Blooming Bradford Pear trees can also be casualties of the cold, but they are so pretty I always hope they survive.

Home Depot, Lowe’s and local nurseries are already loading up waiting for our hopes and dollars to arrive. Half of what they sell us dies in a few months, so we come back and buy more. What a business model!

in terms of manual labor, usually on weekends when we are supposed to relax. Americans spend over $100 billion dollars on lawn care every year and the average American spends 70 hours a year on said lawn just to look average. Best in the Neighborhood takes way more than 70 hours and a lot more money.

Home Depot, Lowe’s and local nurseries are already loading up waiting for our hopes and dollars to arrive. Half of what they sell us dies in a few months, so we come back and buy more. What a business model!

People don’t just downsize because the kids are gone. They move into townhomes, condos and 55 and over communities to escape landscaping. Let the younger generation enjoy droughts, bugs, blight and “why is my Japanese Maple looking so bad?” They deserve their shot at lawn of the month even though the odds are similar to Power Ball.

Oh, and remember that fire ant season starts soon. Happy early spring … P.S. … and I hope your lawnmower starts when you pull it out of storage.

With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter.

Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.

To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald

Copy Editor: Virginia Martin

Features Writer: Donna Cornelius

Staff Writers: June Mathews, Anne Ruisi

Photographer: Jordan Wald

Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant

Contributors: Solomon Crenshaw Jr., Madoline

Markham Koonce, Susan Swagler, Evelyn Byrne

Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd

In November and December, we put what is called “winterizer” on our nolonger-green carpets with the hope that our lawn gets greener earlier than our neighbors. Of course, our neighbors also put it on. We follow that up with crabgrass preventer, which is an oxymoron if ever I’ve heard one. Is there actually scientific proof this stuff works? As I write this, I can tell you my already appearing crabgrass is looking very healthy. Some people will be dethatching and others will be aerating their exterior emerald carpets in hopes of “better than last year” performance. You go for it.

This all comes at a cost. Part of that is human capital

Over the Mountain Views

Chili Dog

Chili spices scented the air at the Exceptional Foundation’s 20th annual Chili Cookoff on March 2. Brookwood Village was the setting as teams cooked up their best chili recipes in heated competition. Live music and a kids zone provided entertainment while guests enjoyed all the chili they could eat in a very pet-friendly environment. All proceeds from the cookoff directly benefit The Exceptional Foundation’s social and recreational programs for youths and adults with special needs. Left, Patterson and Hunter Webb with Gibson enjoying the scene.

RANDY ADAMY

PIECES OF THE PAST

Corey Williams shares Birmingham restaurant history through her mom’s matchbook collection PAGE 8

STATE OF THE CITY Homewood, Hoover mayors provide progress reports to local chambers of commerce

PAGE 6

Grill

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

*Offers cannot be combined, some promotions may be limited to select sets. Not responsible for errors in ad copy. Quantities and selections may vary by location. Mattress images are for illustration purposes only Gifts with purchase (including gift cards and rebates) are not valid with any other promotions except special financing for 6 or 12 months.** Monthly payment is based on purchase price alone excluding tax and delivery charges. Credit purchases subject to credit approval. Other transactions may affect the monthly payment. *** 60 month financing is subject to approved credit *** The Nationwide Marketing Group credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 2/29/2024 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 3/15/2024.

Through March 31

Chip Ghigna Art Exhibit

An art exhibit featuring works by Homewood native Chip Ghigna is on display at Homewood City Hall. Featured paintings are from Ghigna’s “Higher Realm” series. When: During regular City Hall hours. Where: Homewood City Hall Gallery

Thurs., March 7

One Starry Night

The Assistance League of Birmingham is holding its annual fundraiser, with proceeds from the supporting children in Jefferson and Shelby counties. A silent auction, a chance to learn more about the league’s Operation School Bell and a delicious dinner will be featured. When: 5:30 p.m. Where:

The Club

March 7-8

The Two Gentlemen of Verona In a reimagined John Hughesmeets-Shakespeare world, things go comically awry when two high school pals fall for the same girl. Presented by Theatre UAB. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center

Fri., March 8

Schoolhouse Rock for Cornerstone Schools

The Cornerstone Schools Junior Board presents an evening of live music, event games, giveaways and a silent auction at its 19th annual Schoolhouse Rock. All proceeds benefit Cornerstone Schools of Alabama. When: 6:30-10 p.m. Where: The Florentine

KIWANIS HOMEWOODMOUNTAIN PANCAKE BREAKFAST | SAT., MARCH 9

Join the Kiwanians for pancakes and family fun activities, with the tickets at $8 per meal available at the door. When: 7-11 a.m.

Where: The Exceptional Foundation

A Message From Uganda

Sozo Children’s Choir Performs at Wright Center as Part of U.S. Tour

The Sozo Children’s Choir from Uganda returns to Birmingham this month with a free performance at The Wright Center at Samford University.

Sozo Children is a Birmingham-based ministry serving children in the eastern Africa country who have been rescued from extreme circumstances such as abuse, abandonment and trafficking.

Thirteen Ugandan children make up the choir, which tours across the country and performs in churches, schools and businesses. The Wright Center concert, which will be March 13 at 7 p.m., is one of more than 80 performances on the U.S. portion of the choir’s 2024 Revolution Tour, which traveled to New York, Maryland, Delaware, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

This is the fifth U.S. tour for the choir, which performed in churches in Uganda for most of 2023 before beginning the trip to America.

“The choir began as an outreach program for us in 2016 and is a great experience for the kids we serve in Uganda,” said Suzanne Owens, CEO of Sozo Children. “The choir tour is a mission trip, but it’s more than just a

The Clean House

Directed by Sarah Ruhl and a drama finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize, “The Clean House” is a romantic comedy about loss, love, change and redemption. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Birmingham Festival Theatre (Runs through March 24 )

Sat., March 9

Publix Village2Village 10K and 7.5K Run

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will hold the Publix Village2 Village 10K and 7.5K Run through the city’s villages, beginning and ending at Lane Parke. After Party will include local fare, cold drinks and live music. When: 7:30 a.m. Where: Starts at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook

Pink Palace Casino Night

At The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama’s 16th annual fundraiser guests will enjoy Vegas-

chance for the kids to visit America. We want the kids to come away from this knowing they are loved and that they matter,” said Owens.

The Wright Center performance will feature a traditional Ugandan dance, a video tour, upbeat Christian music and a chance to meet some of the children and staff after the show.

“Our goal as a ministry is to equip each of the children in our care to be effective disciples for Jesus,” said Owens. “They are the next generation of leaders in their homeland, so we aren’t trying to westernize them but we equip them by walking alongside them in faith sharing the common faith in Christ.”

Sozo Children provides housing, health care, counseling and an education to more than 150 children in Uganda and operates an upscale thrift store, Sozo Trading Co. in Birmingham to help fund the ministry and serve as a launching point for local outreach opportunities.

To learn more about the choir’s performance schedule or to make a donation to support the children, visit sozochildren.org/sozochoir.

style casino gaming such as Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Craps, Slot Machines and silent auction. When: 7 - 10:30 p.m. Where: Soiree Event Gallery

March 9 & 26

Presenting: Super Cat and the Reptile Robot in the Tremendous Tickle Trouble

Cass and Ray are best friends who enjoy different things. Ray enjoys scary movies and smores. Cass prefers ice cream and comedies. They even sometimes disagree on how to play their favorite game: The Adventures of Super Cat & Reptile Robot! Will their friendship survive? When: March 9, 10 a.m.; March 26, 11 a.m. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre

Tues., March 12

Wake Up, Brother Bear!

Wake Up Brother Bear is Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s next installment

and developmental disabilities. Food, drinks, live music, a photo booth, balloon drop with prizes and a grand prize drawing will be on hand. Just wear some green! When: 5-8 p.m. Where: B&A Warehouse

Pointe Ball

Alabama Ballet’s annual fundraising event includes dinner, dancing, and a special performance by Alabama Ballet. When: 6 p.m. Where: The Theodore

Sat., March 16

13th Annual Holi Festival

Celebrate the vibrant and joyous Holi Festival with the Indian Cultural Society at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s 13th annual event. Embrace the spirit of Holi, a traditional Indian festival marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. This colorful celebration is filled with live music, dance performances, art activities, and of course, the iconic throwing of colored powders. When: 1-5 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art

Sun., March 17

Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition Finals

Join us to discover emerging new talent at the finals of the Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition. Tickets are $25 and must be ordered by March 11 by calling 205-322-6737 or emailing lynne@operabirmingham. org. When: 4 p.m. Where: Vestavia Country Club

March 19

Tips and Tastes with Janice Tarence

Learn practical ideas for easy entertaining from a food and lifestyle blogger known for easy recipes, helpful food hacks and practical home

of Theatre for Very Young Audiences, where children ages 0–5 are able to explore the world around them through the magic of live theatre. When: 9:30 a.m. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre

March 14-17

Five Points South St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

A series of events will mark four days of festivities in the Magic City honoring Ireland’s patron saint, including raising the Irish flag, an Irish dinner and a parade. For details, visit stpatsfivepoints.com. When: Various times Where: Various locations

Fri., March 15

Shamrock Shindig

The Arc’s Junior Board presents Shamrock Shindig, a fundraiser for The Arc of Central Alabama, the largest provider of services for people of all ages with intellectual

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

SAT., MARCH 16

Dress to the nines, eat gourmet cuisine, bid on exclusive auction items, and dance the night away. All proceeds benefit Mitchell’s Place. When: 6 - 10 p.m. Where: Haven

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald Maggie Forth and Christian Stein at last year’s event.

Courtesy

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

décor. Hosted by Samford League’s junior board, proceeds will provide need-based scholarships. When: 67:30 p.m. Where: Samford President’s Home

Thurs., March 21

Taste of Homewood

Come enjoy samples from over 25 local restaurants at the 21st Annual Taste of Homewood! Tickets include unlimited samples of food and beverage, live entertainment and more. When: 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Rosewood Hall Plaza

Opera Shots

Opera Birmingham’s annual series of casual pop-up concerts throughout the community continues with a free performance. The shows are designed to break down the stereotypes of opera. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Back Forty Beer Company

SAVE THE DATE

Thurs., March 28

Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich, the popular writer known as “Sean of the South,” will appear at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for a morning of storytelling presented by the Friends of the Library. Tickets are $25 and on sale at the library’s Adult Services desk. When: 10:30 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest

Shades Mountain Baptist Church

ABOUT TOWN

SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY EGG HUNT | SAT., MARCH 30

Individuals of all ages are invited to join us for our community egg hunt! We will have egg hunts to accommodate varying abilities, games, crafts, door prize raffles and treat bag options with different types of candy or trinkets. We also will have dessert trucks for treat purchases. Bring your basket and get ready for the fun! Visit shades.org/egghunt or call Amy Kirby at 205-613-7952 for more information. When: 9:30 a.m.-noon Where: Shades Mountain Baptist Church

presented by

NEWS

The State of Homewood Is Under Development

By Solomon CrenShaw Jr

Give Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky credit for casting a positive light on what could have been viewed as a negative.

Delivering his annual State of the City address to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce at the Valley Hotel, McClusky reported that home sales in the city dropped 21% in 2023, from 390 the year before to 323.

“It just means people are happy,” the mayor said. “They’re not leaving. They wanna be here.”

Homewood’s popularity was evident when McClusky said that 108 of the homes sold in 2023 were under contract within 48 hours.

“The reasons people choose Homewood are location and proximity to downtown Birmingham, charm and character of home supply, our award-winning school system, the family-centric, tight-knit community atmosphere, well-kept parks and recreation areas and an above average walk score, as well as great public services from both our police and fire departments,” he said.

McClusky began his assessment of the city with the service that has brought the most angst to residents –garbage pickup. The city farmed out garbage pickup in 2023 after having had that service provided previously by city employees.

“While this was one of the most difficult decisions that we’ve had to make here and over the last decade, I still believe that it is the right deci-

By anne ruiSi

As he wrapped up his State of the City address at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel on Jan. 24, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said of the city, “We must see ourselves as the leader we are.”

The mayor had spent about 30 minutes reviewing Hoover’s achievements and some of the next steps for progress. He did that by outlining four factors that make the city different: livability, innovation, diversity and perspective.

Livability is the foundation on which everything is built, and Hoover’s livability continues to be strong, Brocato said. He noted the city has landed on lists ranking the Top 100 Places to Live in the U.S. and the Top 25 Places to Live in the Southeast.

One proof that people want to live there is the more than 357 single-family home permits issued last year, he said.

The mayor noted the challenges the city faces with traffic as it grows, especially on the western side, where much of Hoover’s growth is occur-

‘Our hope is in the near future we will have an opportunity to see and hear the grand plan for this piece of property, (Brookwood Village). Once we hear something, we will afford the property owners the ability to present their design to the general public.’ —

HOMEWOOD MAYOR PATRICK MCCLUSKY

sion,” the mayor said. “We expected hiccups in the beginning from both a logistical standpoint and from a historical perspective in regards to residents. It is never easy to have change in a city service. But with the difficulty and staffing and the changing of the workforce market, this was the best option for us moving forward.”

McClusky acknowledged that the city is still facing challenges on the garbage front. He said the entire Cahaba Solid Waste Authority, of which Homewood is a part, is on the same page.

“We have explained our position

to our vendor (Amwaste) and will continue to press for that level of service that we expect,” he said. “I personally apologize for the issues we’ve had so far, but we are seeing progress and I expect our vendor to deliver moving forward.”

The mayor cited discussions of a possible change to a city managercouncil form of government. He said a special election on the subject is expected in the coming months, adding that petition information and information on the city manager form of government and additional public meetings are forthcoming.

Brookwood, Other Developments Updated

Like last year, McClusky addressed the status of the former Brookwood Village shopping location and what might wind up there. He assured his audience that he’s just as anxious as they are to hear about any plans from the developers.

“This project is taking time, but it is very important for many reasons,” he said. “You can imagine how difficult it is when you’re talking about three different municipalities and two different property owners all trying to come together in one big project. All parties working together is essential. (Mountain Brook) Mayor (Stewart) Welch and myself will make sure that that’s what happens.

“Our hope is in the near future we will have an opportunity to see and hear the grand plan for this piece of property,” McClusky said. “Once we hear something, we will afford the property owners the ability to present their design to the general public.”

The mayor cited several developments that are on the horizon for Homewood. Those include the development where Econo Lodge formerly stood, The Edge on Green Springs Highway and the playground at Homewood Central Park, which is currently being renovated to make it safer.

“While we are all saddened by the news of the beloved caterpillar (structure at the park),” McClusky said, “I know it will be incorporated within the new design so that we can all still visit this landmark.”

Hoover Mayor Outlines the City’s Future During Annual State of the City Address

ring. He said that after seven years, Hoover won Alabama Department of Transportation approval of a new interchange on Interstate 459 at South Shades Crest Road to help ease traffic burdens.

The estimated cost is $120 million, which the city will split with ALDOT. Not only will the interchange relieve traffic congestion, but it will divert a lot of 18-wheelers off Alabama 150. Brocato said city officials believe the project will be ready to go out to bid by the first quarter of 2025.

Public safety is another area where Brocato said the city’s 2023 rankings are “very impressive.”

He noted that Hoover had zero non-traffic homicides in 2023, a 40% decrease in robberies, a 15% decrease in burglaries and sexual assaults, 12% decrease in car break-ins and 10% decrease in domestic calls. Overall reported offenses last year were 8% less than 2022.

The city’s Fire Department

responded to more than 13,000 fire and EMS calls last year, including more than 200 fire calls. Hoover paramedics treated about 7,700 patients, with more than 5,000 of them transported by the fire department to area hospitals, the mayor said.

Brocato noted the city’s public school system is a big draw for families, and Hoover’s 25 parks, mountain bike trail, recreation center, Finley Center and Hoover Met Complex contribute highly to the quality of life. He noted last year that Hoover was ranked as the Fittest Place in Alabama.

As the popularity of pickleball grows, Hoover officials are working to meet the demand for more courts. The city partnered with the school system to create six pickleball courts at Simmons Middle School. Eight new courts at Veterans Park are scheduled to open in March, a project that also includes a new outdoor fitness court and cross-country course that opened there last year.

Crime Is Down

The mayor praised the police department for its role in an 18% decrease in overall crime based on the department’s 10-year average and a 12% decrease in overall crime from the prior year.

“Burglaries were down 30% last year and then 41% based on the 10-year average,” he said. “Vehicle thefts are up 22% from last year. This is the second year in a row for that increase so Chief (Tim) Ross and myself would like to remind you to please lock your doors.”

McClusky cited additional statistics from the fire department, ribboncuttings for new businesses and participation in youth sports. But the mayor also talked about what he saw throughout the city as Homewood employees and residents dug out from the result of a December tornado.

“In spite of this terrible weather event that happened before Christmas, I was so inspired – but not at all surprised – by the immediate community response that we had here,” McClusky said. “Driving around early the next morning, myself and (Chief of Staff) J.J. Bischoff just to check on residents and businesses, there were already people outside with chainsaws, trucks, other tools. Neighbors helping neighbors who had experienced damage from the storms.

“That is what this community is,” the mayor said. “Homewood has always answered the call and rallies around each other in the time of need.”

such as UAB, Southern Research, Jefferson State Community College, the National Computer Forensics Institute, BioCryst, Bio Horizons and McCloud Software.

Rethinking the City

Hoover continues to work on the Parks and Public Spaces

Comprehensive Plan in tandem with Signature Homes. This public/private partnership will allow Hoover to catalog all its recreational amenities for the purposes of sharing with residents the recreational opportunities and to market these assets to draw people to the city.

A huge element of the plan is building a trail system that can connect neighborhoods and re-orienting residents to one of Hoover’s greatest natural assets, the Cahaba River.

Under the innovation banner, Hoover is striving to diversify its economy. While the city has long relied on the retail sector, and it remains a key component, innovation and STEM-based jobs represent the city’s future, he said.

As such, the city’s economic development team is working to build stronger partnerships with entities

Last year, Innovate Alabama designated Hoover as one of 10 “Cities of Innovation,” and the city was awarded a $200,000 grant to study life sciences and place a special focus on Hoover’s new Health and Wellness District in Riverchase Corporate Park. Brocato said he believes Riverwalk Village, a 90-acre tract to be developed near Riverchase Parkway, “is a project that will revolutionize our city and serve as a model for so many communities across our state and region.”

The Hoover Health Care Authority recently filed an application with the state seeking a Certificate of Need, which is necessary to establish an ambulatory surgical and diagnostic center. This center would be the centerpiece of the Health District, which the mayor said, “is exactly what Hoover needs.”

It also would include medical offices, commercial, retail and resi-

Journal photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Girl Scouts Starting Construction on Vestavia Hills DreamLab

HOOVER

From page 6

dential units blended into walking trails and green spaces. Included are 450,000 square feet of existing corporate offices and the Riverwalk Health & Wellness Center, which will offer a wide range of healthcare services.

City officials are pleased to see the expansion of the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover, Brocato said. The NCFI is the nation’s premier law enforcement training facility in cyber and electronic crime forensics.

“Every year, more than 5,000 state and local law enforcement officials,

judges, prosecutors and Secret Service agents come to Hoover, Alabama, to learn how to investigate cybercrimes and how to present and decipher that evidence in court,” the mayor said. He added that last year Congress approved the program’s $23 million expansion to serve close to 10,000 students a year.

Diversity is reflected in Hoover by the 7,100 residents born out of the U.S. – close to 8% of the city’s population, Brocato said.

Last year, Hoover issued more than 960 new business licenses.

Brocato noted entrepreneurs of minority backgrounds are among those taking leaps of faith and opening businesses in Hoover.

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama has broken ground in Vestavia Hills on what will become an 11,300-square-foot multi-use activities center for Scouts and the community.

The first of the Scouts’ DreamLabs opened about a year ago, and several have been built across the country since then. Once constructed, the facility in the Vestavia City Center will be the largest DreamLab in the country, according to an announcement from the GSNCA.

GSNCA staff, volunteers and construction workers gathered Feb. 1, took up sledgehammers and began tearing down the building’s old walls.

“That speaks volumes about our city and the welcoming attitude. Entrepreneurs recognize that and it causes them to want to set up shop in Hoover,” the mayor said.

Grasping a new and different perspective of Hoover is important, Brocato said. Hoover is not just another suburb.

“As I just mentioned, we’re different in our diversity. We’re different in the size of our school system. We’re different in our economic impact on the state. We’re different in that we host events like the SEC baseball tournament and Regions Golf Tournament. We’re an economic engine with almost 100,000 people,” the mayor said.

Construction is expected to be finished in June, with a grand opening in July.

According to the statement, the new DreamLab will include six STEM labs; an arts section; mock campsite; rock-climbing wall; full auditorium with state-of-the-art technology; a

media center equipped for podcast recording and video production; huddle stations; meeting space and Girl Scout retail space.

Girl Scouts in its statement described a DreamLab as “an innovative program-based experience center concept designed to enhance the Girl Scout presence in communities and host one-of-a-kind programming for children, families, and Girl Scouts.”

Park South Plaza • 1425 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 111

Next to Diplomat Deli in Vestavia Hills 205-822-9173

GSNCA staff, volunteers and construction workers gathered Feb. 1, took up sledgehammers and began tearing down the building’s old walls.

Courtesy

By Madoline MarkhaM koonce

History texts can take many forms – including ones as small as matchbooks.

That’s what Corey Williams, 28, found when she recently discovered her mom’s collection of matchbooks from Birmingham restaurants and bars from the 1970s and 1980s.

“They are tangible and you can hold them in your hand, unlike a lot of things that are vintage items that you can only see in pictures,” Corey said. “It was also a cool way of advertising.”

Just a few months after finding the collection, Corey has started sharing the matchbooks’ history on Instagram @birminghammatchbooks and selling art prints of them – offering a walk down memory lane for people who remember Birmingham’s hot spots of that era and a quirky local history lesson for a younger generation that doesn’t.

The matchbook collection started in the late 1970s with Corey’s mom, Shelly Williams, and Shelly’s older brother Glenn Stephenson, a 1977 Shades Valley High School graduate who would pick up matchbooks when he went out to bars and restaurants. When he moved out, he left behind a fishbowl of the matchbooks, and Shelly, who graduated from Shades Valley in 1980, kept adding to the collection through the mid-1980s.

Fast forward to 2023: Corey had been noticing that matchbooks in shadowboxes were getting popular on TikTok and knew her mom had a collection from years ago but thought her dad had gotten rid of it. At Thanksgiving that year, though, they found the collection in a drawer at Shelly’s parents’ house, and Corey was immediately intrigued.

Over the holiday, they set out all the matchbooks on the floor, and Glen, Shelly, and a friend of Shelly’s started to look through them with Corey and recount the memories tied to each place.

Brothers Music Hall, Dugan’s, Louie Louie …

For Shelly, going through the matchbooks brought to mind bands that played at Brothers Birmingham Music Hall across from Brookwood Mall and the nickel draft served in plastic mugs at Flanigan’s by Century Plaza. The Ox Restaurant by Brookwood Mall was known for its prime rib, Dugan’s for its hamburgers and onion rings, and Spats for its nachos. Speaking of Brookwood Mall, the matchbooks reminded Shelly of the years after it first opened, when it was alive with restaurants such as Penrod’s Restaurant & Saloon and The Cabana Café.

One of the most memorable spots for Shelly was Louie Louie, where she met her now-husband, who was playing in a band called Pegasus.

Jim’s Down Under was a favorite,

LIFE Pieces of the Past

Williams Shares Birmingham Restaurant History Through the Lens of Her Mom’s Matchbook Collection From the 1970s and ‘80s.

too. “We thought we were elegant going in there because I didn’t just get a draft beer,” she said. “I would get the fancy drinks like amaretto sours.”

Shelly’s only matchbook regret is that she never got one from Clyde Houston’s in Five Points, another one of her favorite spots.

History Into Art

After discovering the matchbooks

over Thanksgiving, Corey started to think about what she might do with the collection. She liked how matchbooks looked in shadowboxes, but she didn’t want to sell the matchbooks themselves. Instead, she arranged sets of them into grids, set them on poster board, and took photos from overhead. Then she had art prints of them made at Art Editions & Gallery in Homewood. Today she sells the prints – two 8-by-10-inch

and ads from the past, primarily that ran in the Birmingham Post-Herald.

Corey would often go to her mom and ask if she knew about the historical tidbits she was learning – like that a dance floor at The Club was the inspiration for the disco set in the 1977 movie “Saturday Night Fever,” and the director of that film grew up in Birmingham, and his sister played Scout in the 1962 film version of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Isn’t that crazy?” Corey told her mom upon that particular discovery.

As she was doing that research, Corey brainstormed ways to show more people the matchbooks and thought an Instagram account would be a good avenue to share them, so she started posting images of the matchbooks, along with newspaper clippings and historical information, on @birminghammatchbooks in January. She also shared some images of the matchbooks in the “You know you grew up in Birmingham, Alabama if” group on Facebook.

So far, she’s posted about Jacque’s, a steak and seafood restaurant founded by the restaurateur behind Jack’s Hamburgers and Hamburger Heaven; Taco Casa’s founding by University of Alabama football player Rod Wilkin; the likely namesake of a bar called Birmingham Cold Storage being an innovative ice manufacturing business that started in 1881; French bistro La Vieille Taverne’s status as a “a fine place to have lunch” on Cobb Lane, a oneblock cobblestone street in Southside; and the outlaw-themed decor at Rube Burrows Food and Spirits, which was named for an infamous 19th century train robber.

sets and one 16-by-20-inch set – at Alabama Goods in downtown Homewood and on Etsy online. But Corey wasn’t just interested in how the matchbooks looked. As a journalist and writer, she was also curious about the history of the places behind them. She’s had a subscription to the archives on newspapers.com since her days as the editor of The Auburn Plainsman in college and set to work searching for news articles

Going forward, Corey is considering making small 4-by-4-inch prints of individual matchbooks, since Piggly Wiggly and Taco Casa have been the most popular. She’s also started her own collection of matchbooks from restaurants and bars in Birmingham that have them today, including The Garage and The Essential, as well as collecting more local vintage matchbooks as she finds them. She doesn’t plan to stop her research any time soon.

Courtesy

Corey

Corey Williams, 28, recently discovered her mom Shelly’s collection of matchbooks from Birmingham restaurants and bars from the 1970s and 1980s.

Homewood High Seniors

Named Eagle Scouts

Two Homewood High School seniors, Elliot Allen and Ben Shacka, each were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Vulcan District Eagle Board during a Court of Honor on Feb. 3. Both young men are members of Boy Scout Troop 79 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.

Elliot Allen

Elliot earned 21 merit badges on his journey to becoming an Eagle. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and served as senior patrol leader, chaplain and quartermaster.

In addition to frequent camping, caving and white-water rafting adventures, Elliot completed the high adventure trek to the Philmont Scout Ranch during the summer of 2021. This trip included 12 days of hiking and

backpacking 60 miles through the mountains in northern New Mexico.

For his Eagle project, Elliot chose to give back to his former school by designing, planning and constructing a Gaga Ball Pit for Edgewood Elementary School. Elliot, along with other troop members and friends, completed the construction in August.

Elliot is the son of Karen and Stephen Allen. He is a two-time All-State pole vaulter, a Patriot Pride Ambassador, a Homewood High School Peer Helper and a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. He is also

Call for Poets

Father Goose Poetry Festival Set for Homewood Library in May

A

The Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids is open to elementary-age students in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to The Alabama Writers’ Forum, the festival’s sponsor.

An afternoon of fun and prizes, along with poetry readings by the children is in store for participants, said Charles Ghigna, the renowned children’s author and poet fondly known as “Father Goose.” He will be festival’s master of ceremonies and judge the contest entries.

holidays, or anything that inspires them. To get started, see the “How to Write a Poem” link at FatherGoose.com.

Children who submit poems will be judged in three categories: kindergarten to first grade, second to third grade and fourth to fifth grade. Writers of selected poems will be invited to read their work at the festival. Winners also will receive an award from the Alabama Writers’ Forum, publication in First Draft magazine and a signed copy of “The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry.”

Teachers and librarians are invited to use the contest as a fun writing project to introduce their students to the joys of writing and reading poetry and to submit poems their students write to the contest.

Students can write poems about any subject, including family, friends, school, pets, sports, nature,

Teachers and Parents can submit student poems by March 30 at writersforum.org/fathergoosepoetrycontest or by mailing them to Alabama Writers’ Forum, P.O. Box 4777, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-4777.

The limit is one poem per child. More information is available at poetrycontest@writersforum.org.

on the Bell Center Youth Alliance, a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and a lifeguard for the Mountain Brook YMCA.

Ben Shacka

Ben’s Eagle project was at Highlands United Methodist Church, where he is a member. He designed and constructed from scratch a security guard shed and directed completion of the project with substantial help of fellow Scouts, Scout parents and church leadership.

The newly built security shed provides protection from the elements

and a safe refuge for the church security guard. As a Scout, Ben earned 25 merit badges, was inducted into the Order of the Arrow Honor Society and held leadership roles of den chief, assistant patrol leader and senior patrol leader. He has completed several campouts and high

adventure trips, including at Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland.

Ben is the son of Sonya and John Shacka. He is an avid trumpet player in the Homewood High band and, as first trumpet and section leader, he has performed several solos for half-time shows and concerts.

Ben is a National Merit Finalist, is active in the National Honor Society and math team and, starting this fall, plans to study biomedical engineering.

The

Elliot Allen

A Storied Lineage

Pickwick Dance Club Gathers to Mark 50th Anniversary

The Pickwick Dance Club celebrated 50 years of fun and friendship at the Mountain Brook Club on Feb. 24.

A group of young marrieds formed the dance club, which they named after the dance hall in Five Points South that their parents frequented as teenagers – The Pickwick Club.

Kelley Gage, assisted by Grace Whatley, the first Pickwick Club officers, began planning the milestone 50th anniversary party more than a year ago. Large lighted letters spelling “50 YEARS” were aglow to greet guests as they arrived.

The Embers, a well-known Carolina beach music band, provided the music for the more than 200 club members and their guests. The

decorations, including a large gold balloon swag at the entrance and numerous candles, votives and lighted balloons, created a festive atmosphere. Kathy Peerson assembled pictures of members from previous parties to decorate every surface and tabletop. A members’ cocktail party opened the event before invited guests arrived. In the dining room, a varied menu of beef and pork sliders, Mexican fare, shrimp and grits, and a mac-and-cheese bar was served.

When the band took a brief break during the evening, Rob Glendinning made a heartfelt toast to the meaning of longtime Pickwick friendships and honored his wife, Fran, a longtime Pickwick member. ❖

Chest of Drawers • Set of 10 Chippendale Dining Chairs •

Side Tables • Bergere Chairs • Dining Tables • Armchairs •

Chest of Drawers • Set of 10 Chippendale Dining Chairs •

Cricket Tables • Commodes • Buffets • Lanterns • Settee

Side Tables • Bergere Chairs • Dining Tables • Armchairs •

Benches • Demi-Lunes Joint Stools

Cricket Tables • Commodes • Buffets • Lanterns • Settee

• Coffee Tables Sunburst Mirrors

• Coffee Tables

Benches • Demi-Lunes Joint Stools

Press • Boxes

Sunburst Mirrors

Wall Mirrors Workbench

Wall Mirrors Workbench

• Baskets • Settee • Linen

Press • Boxes • Set of 10

• Baskets • Settee • Linen

• Set of 10

Chippendale Dining Chairs Berger Chairs • Dining Tables Commodes

Chippendale Dining Chairs Berger Chairs • Dining Tables Commodes

Buffets • Lanterns Demi-Lunes • Lamps

Buffets • Lanterns Benches Demi-Lunes • Lamps

• Pillows • Joint Stools Buffet Deux

Corps • Sunburst Mirrors Bread Boards

• Pillows • Joint Stools Buffet Deux Corps • Sunburst Mirrors Bread Boards

• Bar Carts Workbench Baskets Venetian Mirror

• Bar Carts Workbench Baskets Venetian Mirror

Cupboards • Settee • Linen Press • Boxes • Accessories

Cupboards • Settee • Linen Press • Boxes • Accessories

ENGLISH VILLAGE • 1900 CAHABA ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35223

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Kathy and Pete Peerson, Beverly and John McNeil

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Susan and Bob Warnock

Jerry and Lynda Hollimon, Pam and Rick Kilgore

Bob and Margaret Agnew Sarah and Jerry Hodge

John and Charlotte Kearney Jack and Jane Shalhoop

Dale Prosch, Ed Allen Garnett Baker, Nancy Richey

Swinging and Waltzing the Night Away

“Masquerade Ball” was the theme for a Coronet Dance Club event Feb 23 at Vestavia Hills Country Club.

A buffet dinner included mini-muffalettas as the starter, followed by salad Delmonico. Entrees included Shrimp Etouffee with rice, Cochon de Lait accompanied by stewed okra and tomatoes and grilled asparagus. Crème Brulé rounded out the meal.

The Mardi Gras-inspired dinner table centerpieces were decorated by Cindy Bartlett and Lynne Nicholson. They consisted of purple, green and gold festive ribbons and feathers draping over the top of gold, wrought-iron stands with Mardi Gras beads surrounding the base entwined with twinkling lights.

Cathie Amos served as chair of the Masquerade Ball. President Carol Powell presided over the ball, dancing with her husband, Phillip, to music from Just Friends. Accompanying them in the merriment were Marsha and Buford McCarty, Shelley and Steve Watkins, Joy and Steve Wilkes, Rebecca Wingett and Greg Green, Tammy and Rick Towns, Lynne and Joe Nicholson, Marsha and Don Hire, P.A. and Beaty Carmichael, Judy and David Long, Susan and Steve Dobbs, Redonda and Lowell Broom and Linda and Mike Gooldrup, India and Bill Askew, and Edna and Ken Alderman.

Exhibiting prowess with steps such as the tango, rumba, West Coast Swing and waltz were Dr. Anne England and Del Bradford, Nelle Freeman and Jack Mendel, Bettie Davenport and Mike Jarrett, Cheree and Eric Carlton, Phyllis and Roye Tinsley, Beth and Charles Glisson, Jean and David Hendrickson, Pat Garlikov and Pat Harrison, Patty and Norman Clay, and Cathie and John Amos.

Keeping the dance floor full were Jim and Cindy Bartlett and their guest Brigitte Dumant from Paris, Kathy and Bob Tracy and their guests Althea and Anthony Cashia, Jim and Sandy Miller, and Joyce and Jim Talbot and their guests Doris Kenny and Carol Jones. ❖

Journal

photo by Jordan Wald

Nelle Freeman, Jack Mendel, Patty and Norman Clay

Joyce and Jim Talbot, Judy and David Long

Jim Harrison, Pat Garlakov, Bettie Davenport, Michael Garrett

Under the Big Top

Signature Glenwood Fundraiser Celebrates 20th Year

The Glenwood junior board celebrated the 20th anniversary of its signature fundraiser, Glenwood Big Top, to support services for children with autism Feb. 23 at Haven.

Live music, a casino, a silent auction and a silent disco that kept guests dancing the night away were among the highlights of the evening. ❖

Leaving a Legacy

Samford Legacy League Announces New Scholarship During Luncheon

A crowd of 300-plus celebrated Valentine’s Day with the Samford University Legacy League at its annual Scholarship Luncheon at Vestavia Country Club.

Trudy Cathy White, daughter of Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy and a nationally known author and speaker, gave an inspiring message about leaving a legacy. She also recognized members Chizuru Elliott and Anna Kathryn Hardin for their efforts on behalf of Samford students through the Legacy League.

Julie Taylor, executive director of the Legacy League and wife of Samford President Beck A. Taylor, announced the establishment of the new Anna Belle and Emmett Johnson Legacy League Scholarship. Emmett Johnson served as president and CEO of Baptist Medical Center from 1974 to 1994. Daughter Gay Johnson accepted a certificate of recognition on behalf of her parents. Proceeds from event, which included a silent auction, will go toward scholarships the league provides to students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances. ❖

Charlie Collins, Emily Baergen, Jenni and Michael Kress, Kaitlin and Trey Harper

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Angie and Ryan Killingsworth

Ashley and Michael Brewer Spencer and Kate Lunghino Carter and Emily Burwell Savannah Clouse, Vikki Still

Zach and Jessica Caldwell

Inga Clum, Trudy Cathy White, Julie Taylor

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Christy Colee, Charlotte Russ Allison Hancock, Nancey Legg, Sheri Ransome

Jennifer Tillman, Julie Smith

Lisa Davis, Cindy Carroll, Julie Davis

For the First Time

Auburn Foundation’s Inaugural Gala Raises Funds for Students With Disabilities

The Auburn University Eagles Foundation held its inaugural gala at the Grand Bohemian Hotel on Feb. 23.

The evening featured a seated dinner, live band, champagne wall, silent auction and an after-party.

This inaugural gala raised money for the Eagles Foundation, an acronym for Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success. The program provides scholarships to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Auburn’s Eagles program, which offers campus-based education opportunities to help students achieve their employment and independent living goals. ❖

Mike and Leta DeMaioribus, Rosemary Gran, Joey Pierson

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Abbey and Logan Thrasher

Brett, Brittany and Bradley Basden

Frank and Denise Dixon Slupe Kallie and Miller Merritt Jeanne and Aubrey Garrison

Journal photo by Jordan Wald Alex McDaniel, Lindsay Lauderdale

Allison

Jason Corbin, Lizzie Croom

Marga and Ashley Curry Ashley Mason, Carrie McDowell

Karlie Wilson, Ashley Curry

Katie Bushby, Clayton Hollingad

Rebecca and Will Shurtze Oliver and Kira Aaron

Patty

Chris Cobb Laurel and Robert Patrick

One hundred twenty-six senior girls from Mountain Brook were presented with their escorts during the Midnight Ball on Jan. 27 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

A floral design team led by Jan Ware, along with Julie Sandner and Jana Rome, created a winter garden in shades of white and pale green and a touch of lavender. Large urns flanking the stage were filled with quince, hydrangeas, anemone stems and garden roses.

The evening, which included the presentation, dinner and dancing, was coordinated by ball chair Kristin Ritter, ball co-chairs Julie Gillis and Kelli Kelly, and treasurer Christy Lee.

Additional committee chairs included Lee Alice Estes, Betsy Byars, Emily Dunn, Rhea Pelekis, Lisa Dorough, Lindsay Cutshall, Nikki Still, Christy Baynes, Richelle Simmons, Melanie Toranto, Greer Black, Mary Anna Malone, Stacy White and Trish Hand.

Young women presented were Marisa Breeze Aljouny, Sarah Young Allen, Eva Marie Andrews, Lauren Elaine Barksdale, Sarah Patrick Barze, Mackenzie Leigh Bass, Mary Carleton Baynes, Margaret Caroline Bearden, Lucy Ann Benton, Zoey Brooke Bloomston, Caroline Adair Bowen, Ann-Massey Bowman, SaraKatherine Bowman, Katherine Bibb Branyon and Elizabeth Barnes Brewer.

Also presented were Laura Burr Buha, Mary Jane Wortham Bussian, Lula Clayton Byars, Lauren Elizabeth Clark, Ann Oliver Coleman, Elizabeth Murphree Colgate, Mary Mackenzie Colvin, Addison Frances Combs, Ella Cobbs Cook, Kate Darden Cotton, Lillian Marie Cutshall, Catherine Grey Devening, Mary Margaret Dorough, Marlea Katherine Drinkard, Madison

Nicole Dubrinsky, Carolyn

Elizabeth Dunn, Mia Shiloh

Duvdevani and Alice Mae Estes.

Presentees also included Helen Morrow Ezelle, Elizabeth Patricia Faulkner, Holland Sellers Finch, Madeline Frances Freeman, Taylor Evans French, Kathryn Patrice

Gabberty, Alice Bellingrath

Garzon, Ava Catherine Gillis, Katherine Moore Glass, Martha

Evelyn Goldman, Sprinnia Anne

Gregory, Georgia Grace Hairston, Mary Patton Hand, Charlotte Paige

Haukohl, Martha Olivia Holt, Addison Stearns Houser, Cecelia

Claire Hunter, Mary Kathryn Hyche and Charlotte Durand Illges.

Also presented were Kennedy

Michaela Johnson, Langley

Elizabeth Johnson, Lily Kate

Johnson, Amelia Gates Jordan, Pearl Faith Kast, Marrison Nell Kearse, Carolyn James Kelly, Nancy Carolynne Kent, Savanah

Renay Kumar, Anne Lindsey Lacey, Mary Ganser Lacey, Emmanuelle

Pascale Lamontagne, Harper

Kathryn Lee, Ella Suzanne Lee, Kaiya Daisy Leibovitz, Lydia Jane Loglisci, Caroline Cates Lyman, Mary Katherine Malone and Mae Wells Martin.

Presentees also included Amelia Frances Maziarz, Allison Jane

McAlister. LeaNor Rorex

McCauley, Grace Elizabeth Meadows, Madeline Elise Miller, Ann Tillery Moak, Avril Mia

Mondragon, Anabelle Sage, Marlea Noelle Mutert, Virginia Wilkes

Nichols, Lana Jane Orr, Lucille Delane Pankey, Margaret Fendley

Parkman, Avery Brooke Parnell, Sarah Anderton Passink, Margaret Rebecca Pelekis, Mary Catherine McGough Peterson and Estelle Olivia Petras.

Also, Frances Nicole Pilleteri, Mary Neale Polk, Anna Lillian Prelipcean, Sophia Grace Rhodes, Eliza Stewart Rice, Mackenzie Rae Riemer, Susan Lucille Ritter, Margaret McClain Robinson, Hillary Louis Rome, Philippa Judith Roy, Anna Madailein Ryan, Elizabeth Everett Sandner, Adah Evelyn Agrippa Schilleci, Abigail Elizabeth Sharp, Anne Bonds Simmons, Savannah Rain Simmons, Charlotte Dorothy Sims, Mary Caroline South, Caitlin Syltie Speake and Emma Danielle Stearns were presented.

Also presented were Samantha Grier Stewart, Madeline Jean Still, Ella Frances Suttles, Greer Grace Thompson, Reese Evelyn Thompson, Mae Helen Tomlin Toranto, Katherine Baker Vardaman, Lauren Katharine Velazquez, Sarah Frances Walker, Katherine Murray Wann, Louise Langston Ware, Lauren Avery Weekes, Rachel Claire White, Reagan Lindsey Whitworth, Sherrod Elizabeth Wilbanks and Mary Russell Wood. ❖

Ball chairs with daughters, from left: Ava and Julie Gillis, Lucy Ritter and Kristin Ritter, Carolyn and Kelli Kelly

Courtesy

Harper Lee, Anna Prelipcean, Mary Ganser Lacey, Annie Lacey

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Party Before the Fast

Carousels Dance Club Celebrates 60th Anniversary With Mardis Gras Salute

Carousels Dance Club celebrated Mardis Gras with a festive but elegant affair Feb. 8 at the Country Club of Birmingham.

Margaret and Tab Billingsley’s party decorating skills transformed the Terrace Room of the Club into a French Quarter bistro with green, purple and gold shimmering lights strung around the room. Masks and jesters added to the atmosphere.

Jeff Lopez provided the entertainment in true Crescent City fashion with his collection of brass instruments, rousing the crowd with selections such as “Let the Good Times Roll” and “When the Saints Come Marching In.”

Carousels members, in fancy attire and sporting parade beads and masks, even had a chance to join in on the musical fun.

Fay Hall and Virginia Gross outdid themselves organizing this event and selected a three-course dinner menu suitable to a gourmet’s palette.

Carousels Dance Club, founded in 1964, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Members and their spouses attend-

To Help Trafficked Kids

Restoring Hope Gala Raises Funds for Victims

To: Laurel

From: Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph,

Date: Feb.

This is your AD PROOF FOR OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the March 7, 2024 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes.

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

Thank you for your prompt attention.

ing were: Mary Alice and Dr. Donald Carmichael, Martha Cheney, Adele and Dr. Charles Colvin, Bebe and Roy Costner, Sarah Creveling, Charlotte Donald and Walter Morris, Patti Perry Finney, Joanne and Nick Gaede Jr., Virginia Gross, Fay Hall,

Mary Ruth and Fred Ingram, Sahra and Roland Lee, Helen and Walter Gay Pittman, Beverly and Dr. Harry Register Jr., Bartley Statham, and Margie Williams. Guests attending were Mary Ellen Clark and Sharon Vines. ❖

Christian organization to help children who have survived sex trafficking. To date, more than 7,500 people have been trained to compassionately respond to and identify child sex trafficking victims. ❖

Courtesy

Mary Ruth Ingram, Virginia Gross, Fay Hall

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Suzanne Stalnaker, Patti Robinson, Alexa James, Tracy Leddon

Jake and Ashley Proctor

Chris and Ginger Fielding

Kenlee Hood, Lindsey Labovitz

Catheryn and Joel Helton

Ashcan Art

Antiquarian Society Hears Program on Early 20th Century Artists

Nan Skier presented the program “A Collecting Journey – Artists of the Ashcan School” to The Antiquarian Society of Birmingham during its February meeting.

Ashcan artists are a group of urban realists who painted mostly in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. Skier presented the artwork of eight Ashcan artists: Robert Henri, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, George Luks, William Glackens, Earnest Lawson, Maurice Prendergast and Arthur B. Davies, each one presenting everyday life through portraits, landscapes and street scenes.

Skier and her husband, David, have published two scholarly books: “The Look of Love; Eye Miniatures From the Skier Collection,” and “Lover’s Eyes: Eye Miniatures From the Skier Collection.”

Attending the meeting were: Judy Anderson, Susan Bell, Kristi Bennett, Daphne Bradley, Redonda Broom, Stephanie Byrne, Kirke Cater, Elaine Clark, Kay Clark, Katelyn Crawford, Michele Crews, Martha Lee Culp, Naomi Cunningham, Caroline Daniel, Susan Dasher, Carolyn Delk, Lesley DeRamus, Cece Dillard, Carolyn Drennen, Marsha Duell, Marjorie Forney, Joann Fox, Claire Goodhew, Mallory Gray, Shelley Graham, Kay Grayson, Charmion Hain, Judith Hand, Tobie Hand and Andrew Hart.

Also attending the meeting were, Toni Hartley, Vera Henley, Ethel Holladay, Sandra Holley, Dottie Hoover, Sara Jackson, Annalisa Jager, Nancy Jones, Becky Keyes,

Susan Kidd, Barbara Klyce, Robert Klyce, Elizabeth Koleszar, Janet Krueger, Anne Lamkin, Audrey Lindquist, Cookie Logan, Judy Long, Henry Lynn, Jr., Terri Lyon, Gina Martin, Rebecca Mason, Judy Matthews, Ashley Monroe, Betty Northen, Kathy Novotny, Mark Novotny and Jenni Payne.

Also in attendance were Jeannie Pate, Providence Paulin, Meridith Peeples, Beverly Phillips, Helen Pittman, Kathryn Porter, Margie Preston, Gail Pugh, Lucianne Pugh, Natasha Randolph, Lucy Richardson, Carla Roberson, Lynda Robertson, Donald Roth, Kathleen Roth, Ann Sanders, Carolyn Satterfield, Karen Saunders, Sarah Scholl, Janeal Shannon, Darlene Skier, David Skier, Elinor Skier and Nancy Skinner.

Others attending the meeting were, Jan Smith, Jane Smith, Linda Stewart, Suzanne Taliaferro, Rhetta Tatum, Rebekah Taylor, Nan Teninbaum, Nancy Terrell, Ellen Tucker, Amy Tully, Alice Porter Turk, Diana Turnipseed, Sarah van Os, Piper Vance, Stewart Vance, Jean Vaughn, Barbara Wall, Elizabeth Wallace, Laura Wallace, Lisa Warnock, Liz Warren, Jeanna Westmoreland, Margie Williams, Lee Woehle, Kay Wooten, and Laurie Yearout.

The Antiquarian Society of Birmingham, founded in 1944, is a group of women who share interests in antiques, architectural elements, art and heirlooms. They present educational programs, such this one on Ashcan Art throughout the year. ❖

Lovers’ Eyes

Old Elyton DAR Luncheon Features

Images of Georgian Era Jewelry

Dajialyn Heart Transplant Survivor

Nan Skier presented a program, “Lovers’ Eyes,” that featured slides of jewelry from the Skier Collection that originated in England during the reigns of King George III and his son, George IV.

Artists would be commissioned to paint a tiny likeness of a single eye of a loved one, which was most often applied to an ivory surface using watercolors. This piece was then fashioned into a brooch, pendant, ring or box. They usually were given as gifts or kept in memory of a lost loved one. ❖

Elyton

The path to mending her heart began

Dajialyn was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and at 3 months old was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. When her foster parents got the call to care for her, they never hesitated – and in July 2021, they received the call with the news she would get her new heart. Within hours she was at Children’s of Alabama in surgery. Her transplant was a success, and Dajialyn is walking, talking and doing all the things that keep parents of any toddler on their toes.

Courtesy

Photos of very personal Georgian Era jewelry entertained members of the Old Elyton chapter of the DAR during their monthly meeting Feb. 24 at the Country Club of Birmingham.

Dottie Hoover, Kay Clark, David and Nan Skier, Barbara Klyce

Old

DAR member Debby Tanner, left, with Nan Skier. Courtesy

The State of Real Estate

Realtors Share 2024 Market Trends on Cusp of Buying Season

By Madoline MarkhaM koonce

There’s no crystal ball that will tell you what exactly will happen with the real estate market this year, but every year the market heats up after spring break and stays warm into the summer, according to Chris Wood, this year’s Birmingham Association of Realtors president.

As spring arrives, it’s a good time to look at what Realtors do know about the market in Over the Mountain areas and how it might affect buyers, sellers and homeowners this year. Below is what Wood, a Realtor with RealtySouth at its Inverness office, shared in a recent interview on the subject.

Other Realtors with expertise in the Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, North Shelby County and Vestavia Hills also respond to questions below.

Seller’s Market

Wood said it’s still a seller’s market, albeit a slightly weaker one.

Throughout the Over the Mountain area, there remains a shortage of housing inventory, giving sellers the advantage in the market, but it’s not as strong of a seller’s market as it was before interest rates started rising in 2022, according to Wood.

Wood notes. “Now it’s not that it’s not still warm, but it’s just not as hot as when the rates started going up.

Longer Selling Times

Homes are staying on the market for a slightly longer period of time. Given the decrease in demand from buyers, Wood said that, in his experience, the number of days a house stays on the market has increased for sellers, although other Realtors said it varies by area in the Over the Mountain region.

“You still have a good opportunity to sell your home fairly quickly,” he said. “It used to be you would have six to eight offers in two days. Nowadays you’re going to keep it on the market a week or two weeks and have one or two offers.”

Rates Stay Higher

Interest rates likely won’t return to extremely low rates they were through early 2022. The Federal Reserve started raising interest rates in March 2022, and though no one knows for sure what will happen going forward, Realtors think that they won’t drop drastically from their current rate any time soon.

‘It’s not quite back where it was a year and a half ago, where it was gone bonkers.Now you are still getting top dollar for your house, but you aren’t seeing as many multiple offers driving up the price well over your list price.’

“If you are waiting for them to go back into the 3s or 4s, it’s not going to happen any time soon,” Wood said. “You may get into the upper 5s at some point over the next few years. Nobody has a crystal ball, but at the same time most people realize … that this is the new reality, and buyers have to strap into the fact that rates will be a little higher.”

Still a Sound Investment

“It’s not quite back where it was a year and a half ago, where it was gone bonkers,” Wood said. “Now you are still getting top dollar for your house, but you aren’t seeing as many multiple offers driving up the price well over your list price.”

Warm Market

Demand for houses is warm but not hot. As soon as interest rates started rising in 2022, buyers’ demand for houses generally slowed down since any home purchase would come with a higher mortgage payment.

“The demand was super hot,”

Average sales price

$529,330

foot

Some things about a housing investment stay the same over time. Even as rates and other factors in the market are not certain, Wood, who has worked in real estate since 2002, said it’s important to think about real estate as a longterm investment.

“Over the course of history, housing has been a very sound investment,” he said. “A lot of times when we look at housing personally, there’s a lot of emotion in it, but if you can look at the business side of things as an investment, (home ownership) continues to be a great thing to help you build wealth that will go down through generations.”

Homewood Real Estate Update With Mary Browning, Realtor with LAH Sotheby’s International Realty

OTMJ: What is the appeal of living in Homewood to a potential buyer?

Browning: We are so convenient to downtown Birmingham, where some people still are working, and to the airport and downtown restaurants and shops. Homewood also has such an incredible sense of community.

One thing I like to tell people is Homewood has three parades: We Love Homewood Day, the Christmas Parade and the Homewood High School Homecoming Parade. All three have the Homewood Patriot Band marching in it, and it’s so fun to be shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors.

What market trends do you see specifically in Homewood?

At the moment, we have an inventory crisis. With interest rates up, people aren’t moving in their typical three-to-fiveyear fashion, and I get calls from Realtors every day about people trying to get into Homewood. It’s competitive. There are multiple offer situations, so the listing agents are trying

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald; Agent photos courtesy

Chris Wood

1705 ROSELAND DRIVE

The median household income in Homewood is $90,227. The median age of people living in Homewood is 34 years.

to set an offer deadline and the buyer looks at all the offers at once. I think that will continue in 2024, especially for a house that is move-in ready and doesn’t still have a 1950s kitchen. Some people are buying houses as investments for their young adult children, so there are a lot of cash buyers out there.

For buyers, the stronger the offer, the quicker the inspection, the better, but you are running the risk of $450 for an inspection and you might not get the house. I had a house last spring with seven offers and it went over asking, but it varies by house. The hot price point is $400,000-$600,000, and we’ve gotten to where it’s hard to find something that inexpensive in Homewood.

What neighborhoods do you think might be a good fit for different kinds of buyers?

West Homewood is still a little less price per square foot, but they are starting to tear those houses down (and build new ones). It’s a hot spot. The other hot spot is the Woodbine Drive area behind Iron Tribe on Central Avenue on the edge of Rosedale. That’s about to turn over hard. People are starting to tear down houses there because it’s so walkable.

What are a few of your personal favorite amenities in Homewood?

I’ve been in Homewood most of my life and went to Our Lady of Sorrows school. We have lots of great restaurants, parks and schools, but I love the Homewood Library (above). They have so many great programs, and it’s a wonderful free

in Homewood. Listing agent: Joe

RealtySouth.

302

Total number of homes sold in 2023 a 20.7% decrease.

There are currently 84 homes for sale, ranging from $75K to $2.2M.

$1,049,366

$1,102,749

on the market

$ 6,000,000

There are currently 67 homes for sale, ranging from $229K to $6M.

The

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Mountain Brook by the Numbers

HOT SPOT

$849,000

3 bedrooms, 3 baths

This home located on Farimont Drive is in the popular Crestline Village area where, according to realtor Katie Crommelin with Ray & Poynor, you’ll find homeowners enjoying a lot of social activity, walking and being near a village. Listing agent: Buffy Allen, Ray & Poynor

14

average number of days on the market 21,379

Mountain Brook

Real Estate Update With Katie Crommelin, Realtor with Ray & Poynor

OTMJ: What is the appeal of living in Mountain Brook to a potential buyer?

Crommelin: I think it’s the idea of small town living that is really close to downtown Birmingham. It’s such a friendly community and has great schools, and that’s a big draw for a lot of people. The villages appeal to a lot of people as well as the walkability of most of our neighborhoods.

What market trends do you see specifically in Mountain Brook?

The biggest challenge in our market continues to be a lack of inventory. Even when other areas are changing or shifting between seller’s to buyer’s markets, we tend to be a little different because there is no more room to build. Our challenge is people really like it here, and once they are here, they don’t want to leave, so we don’t have the turnover that you might see in other areas. We are affected when the rates tick up but not as much as people might think. People have been looking and need a home and are willing to pay a high rate and refinance down the road.

This year we have had more listings coming to market than a year ago, and I think that’s a result of the rates trending down around the first of the year. I think consumers have become normalized to these high rates and that’s why we are seeing more activity at the start of this year. My hope is that we continue to see activity increase, but we also know there are factors that might slow us down that none of us can control.

What neighborhoods do you think might be a good fit for different kinds of buyers?

If you want to be close to villages or with a lot of social activity walking by your house everyday, you can live near a village, or if you are buyer who is looking for a larger lot and more peace and quiet, then Brookwood Forest or Cherokee Bend are great options. Our market changes rapidly, so it’s hard to say one area is trending over another in the long term. It depends on what the active buyers that week want.

What are a few of your personal favorite amenities in Mountain Brook?

If someone has not visited Jemison Trail (above) since it’s been redone, they are missing out. It is amazing, with wide flat pathways that have been paved and great benches scattered throughout the trail so you can sit and read. I also love our villages and that they offer food and shops and are so supportive of the schools and community.

280

Total number of homes sold in 2023 a 22% decrease

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$562,576

Vestavia Hills by the Numbers

HOT SPOT

$772,000

5 bedrooms, 3 baths

This home, located on Hunters Cove, is in the Tanglewood neighborhood, which is poplular with families, according to realtor Mike Wald with RealtySouth. Listing agent: Angie Perry, RealtySouth.

Vestavia Hills Real Estate Update With Mike Wald, Realtor with RealtySouth

OTMJ: What is the appeal of living in Vestavia Hills to a potential buyer?

system is excellent, and the second is the convenience to downtown. Vestavia has a lot of great neighborhoods, so it’s great for kids. It’s a good value relative to Homewood and Mountain Brook.

What market trends do you see specific to Vestavia Hills?

strong as it was two years ago, but still there are definitely more buyers than available houses. Vestavia, Homewood and Mountain Brook are all landlocked communities, so you have a limited ability to increase the supply and persistent increasing demand. A lot of our empty nesters are remaining in place and not selling and turning those houses over too, and there’s persistent growth in demand from adults who grew up in Vestavia and people who want to move there from other parts of Birmingham or parts of the country. We have had houses under contact averaging from asking price to around 6 percent over. It’s getting a little easier to buy.

Probably the strongest thing is the school system is excellent, and the second is the convenience to downtown.

Last year it wasn’t uncommon to have five to six offers, but so far this year we have been seeing two to three offers for each house. There’s an outside chance that if rates drop it could go crazy again, but I think the Fed will take it easy and be stingier with the interest rate reductions.

What neighborhoods in Vestavia Hills do you think might a good fit for different kinds of buyers?

There’s new construction out in Liberty Park in higher density in the parts they have left in The Bray and scattered lots in Old Overton. That’s the main area for new construction in Vestavia. Areas around Vestavia Country Club are the highest demand areas and command the highest price per square foot. Several neighborhoods are walkable and have a lot of kids, and those are always popular, including Tanglewood, Countrywood, Coventry and Buckhead. The more affordable houses, relatively speaking, are in the area by Wald Park and are walkable and close to Vestavia West Elementary. Now that there’s a new school in Dolly Ridge, it’s sparked interest in all the streets off Dolly Ridge Road.

Heights has a lot of neighborhoods that are flat and walkable too.

What

on the market

There are 535 homes for sale, ranging from $34.9K to $2.9M.

Hoover Real Estate Update With Thad Lowery, Realtor with ARC Realty

OTMJ: What is the appeal of living in Hoover to a potential buyer?

Lowery: I think its location is very convenient to a lot of different areas: downtown Birmingham, Oak Mountain State Park, I-65 and I-459. The other aspect is the wide range of homes, from new townhomes to a 1950s home in Bluff Park to new construction to mansions in South Lake. That’s something that a lot of areas don’t have.

What market trends do you see specifically in Hoover?

I’ve lived here my whole life, and I love the green spaces and parks: Star Lake and Aldridge Gardens (pictured), Moss Rock

Preserve, ballparks.

32,551

92,051Total number of

Sources:

It’s still a seller’s market, and the inventory is low. New homes are helping inventory, but it still takes time to get off the ground and half of them are sold before they are built. You can’t underprice a house, and you are still seeing multiple offers and some houses selling for over full price. The price of houses is continuing to rise too. I don’t think interest rates have slowed things down too much, but they have slowed it down a little bit, and I think they will lower over the summer. People aren’t as quick to jump into the market to purchase; they are waiting for the exact right house, whereas before they would buy just to buy when interest rates were around 3 percent.

What trends do you see in what buyers are looking for and what neighborhoods are popular?

So many buyers are looking for a community with amenities or close to amenities: pools, golf courses, shopping and work out areas within walking or golf cart distances. You see this in developments like Lake Wilborn, Blackridge, Abbington within Lake Wilborn, Everlee and Greystone. The other trend is the 55 and over community is getting where they want private amenities with people their same age, and you see them living in little pods within bigger communities, often with their adult children within a nearby community.

What are a few of your personal favorite amenities in Hoover?

I’ve lived here my whole life, and I love the green spaces and parks: Star Lake and Aldridge Gardens (pictured), Moss Rock Preserve, ballparks. You can get anywhere within 15 minutes, and I love that.

Acrylic on canvas by Maya

$407,317 $409,760

North Shelby by the Numbers

I love any neighborhood that has walkable things like a brewery or dining or a park. In a neighborhood like Mt Laurel, you can walk to restaurants and more.

average number of days on the market

North Shelby County Real Estate Update With Penny Miller, Realtor with RE/MAX Advantage South

OTMJ: What is the appeal of living in North Shelby County to a potential buyer?

Miller: I think one of the draws is its location to downtown and hospitals. You are close to everything with access to I-65 and Highway 280 as well as great school systems but with lower taxes and sewer rates than Jefferson County.

What market trends do you see specifically in North Shelby County?

The market does not have as much inventory as there usually is heading into the spring market in May, June and July. I think a lot of people with great mortgage rates are sitting on them and staying in their house with their comfortable payment. 2023 was a much slower year for me than 2022 because people were shocked by the rates and were waiting until rates and prices come down, but

Why and When to Call a Handyman

When home repairs are needed a lot of people try to fix it themselves. Maybe they think it’s going to be easy or they’ll save money. Often they don’t know who to call.

At one time the owners of Trublue Handyman Services, Rick, (right) Roxanne and Mur felt the same. But they learned over time that postponing projects can be costly and it can be almost impossible to get someone to do the job once the decision is made to call.

That’s why they decided to start a handyman company that was different, providing reliable and experienced technicians to do repairs and updates that may only take 2 hours to 2 days.

“We’ve had many clients call and thank us just for answering the phone” said Mur. “The reality is that the typical contractor who does $50,000 projects doesn’t see the value in small projects. So they either don’t show up or ask for a lot of money to justify taking time away from bigger projects. Our goal is to provide quality services for small repairs and updates at a reasonable price.”

Typical jobs include repairing sheetrock, doors, cabinets, fences and decks, glass

‘Our goal is to provide quality services for small repairs and updates at a reasonable price.’

repairs or installations. They also do a lot of special repairs and updates to help seniors remain in their homes long term. Other jobs include painting, replacing light fixtures, installing new thresholds and grab bars.

Call Mur or Roxanne at 205-839-3818. They’ll be glad to discuss your project and can send someone to do a free estimate if needed.

rates and prices haven’t come down. The 3 percents were a short miracle that I don’t think will ever come back. It is advantageous for buyers right now. Certain areas will sell the moment people know it’s on the market, but other areas buyers can now negotiate better than they could in a multiple offer market since homes aren’t selling at the rate they were in 2022. I don’t think prices will go down, but I do think the demand will make the market more difficult when the rates come down or people realize that we will have 6-7 percent rates for the long haul. If the rates do start dropping, I think it will be more difficult to buy because demand will go up. You can also buy something to live in now that can be an investment property down the road; it doesn’t have to be your forever house.

What are a few of your personal favorite amenities in North Shelby County?

I love any neighborhood that has walkable things like a brewery or dining or a park. In a neighborhood like Mt Laurel, you can walk to restaurants and more.

From Page One

health care facilities, churches, office buildings and civic projects.

The firm was begun by George P. Turner, whose foundational work established a standard of excellence. Turner’s work included estate homes in Mountain Brook; neighborhood development, including the Hollywood section of Homewood; and landmark churches, such as East Lake Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist.

Fifties Expansion

In the 1950s, Edgar Batson married George Turner’s daughter and joined him to create the firm Turner & Batson Architects. During that time, the firm designed notable projects, including East Lake Hospital and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, and more than 200 church and institutional projects.

Edgar Batson’s son, Rick Batson, joined the firm in the 1970s, becoming the third-generation leader of the family business. Significant projects during that time included the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Hunter Street Baptist Church and many projects at Alabama universities.

When Rick Batson retired in 2017, leadership transitioned to the “fourth generation” of partners, longtime partners Reese and Eric Berg, who is the firm’s vice president. As the firm continues to design landmark projects, Reese and Berg want to honor those who helped reach this milestone achievement.

“We are standing on the shoulders of some amazing leaders and talented architects and interior designers who have significantly impacted the design profession over the past 100 years,” Reese said. “We are so grateful for the chance to collaborate with our clients and continue to enhance this significant legacy.”

Reese said relationships developed throughout the years with clients, engineer partners, general contractors and other design professionals has been one of the most rewarding parts of the firm’s longevity.

“We are honored by our past and excited about our future,” Reese said. “We cherish the chance to continue to make a significant impact in the built environment, honor our faith and surround ourselves with great people.”

Recent Projects

Recent TurnerBatson projects include the University of Alabama’s Tutwiler Residence Hall, UA’s Bryce Main renovations and Performing Arts Academic Center, Highlands College in Birmingham, the Trussville Entertainment District, Mountain Brook Junior High School, multiple projects with Jefferson County Schools, and other educational, senior care, medical, commercial and church projects.

The Mountain Brook Junior High renovation project was one Reese said was very personal to him.

“It was a career highlight to help re-envision this important school and know that my three kids will get to enjoy the efforts of a great team,” Reese, a Mountain Brook resident, said. Work on the project included demolishing the original one-story facility and replacing it with a three-story, Tudor-inspired design that connects and unifies the facility. The design included a turret at the entry drive to integrate with the historic neighborhood.

Recent TurnerBatson projects include Mountain Brook Junior High School, above, and Highlands College, below. Left, TurnerBatson President Dave Reese and Vice President Eric Berg.

Old Hollywood on Display

Home Tour Spotlights

Three Houses From the Early Days of Homewood

The Hollywood Garden Club is sponsoring its Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes next month, allowing the public to tour three 1920s homes in the quaint subdivision.

The tour, being held April 28, 1-4 p.m., will include two English Tudors and a Spanish-style home.

The houses on the tour are the Davidson House at 312 English Circle; the Nelson House at 205 Bonita Drive; and the A.V. Smith House at 220 La Prado Place.

Reese reflected on what he called “one of our most impactful recent projects” at Highlands College.

“The college purchased the original HealthSouth campus and transformed it into a remarkable place to train and nurture young ministry students. We were challenged and inspired by the vision of the leadership team. The campus is a very special place and a tribute to God’s work in all of our lives,” he said.

After 100 years, church work is still an important part of the TurnerBatson portfolio. The firm is working on a major campus renovation at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, which includes the original chapel building designed by company founder George Turner.

“Our designs are intended to reflect and enhance the culture and personality of our clients. Our business legacy has been based on our desire to provide exceptional service and thoughtful, intentional design. In term of design trends, I think we are placing an even stronger focus on developing a sense of place that feels unique and personal to our clients,” Reese said.

As TurnerBatson begins its second century, Reese said the firm is optimistic about its future.

“We are excited about the next 100 years! Our team is exceptional, and we are honored to be working with some very special clients. We think the future looks very bright,” he said.

Turner’s work included estate homes in Mountain Brook; neighborhood development, including the Hollywood section of Homewood; and landmark churches, such as East Lake Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist.

The tour, being held April 28, 1-4 p.m., will include two English Tudors and a Spanish-style home

The Smith House was built in 1928 and remained largely unchanged until the current owners purchased it in 2016. The owners were intent on maintaining the home’s original footprint put wanted to modernize and improve the functionality. They worked with residential designer Brian Jernigan on the house, which has newly vaulted ceilings in the living room, foyer and kitchen nook as well as a new kitchen.

The limestone floor in the foyer is original to the house, as is the front door. The fireplace was reworked, adding a mantle that came from the carriage house.

The Nelson House is a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival that was the personal home of Hollywood’s developer, Clyde Nelson, and one of the first houses built in the community.

Designed by George P. Turner, the architect for many of Hollywood’s original residences, the two-story house has beamed ceilings in the living room, archways in the foyer and den, four sets of French doors, large open porch with tile floor and fountain, limestone mantel, stucco walls and a terracotta roof.

The Davidson house is a 1926 twostory Tudor Revival on English Circle. It maintains its historic charm with its multiple cross-gabled roof, detached two-car garage and metal casement windows.

The leaded glass in the front bay windows as well as many architectural items throughout the home were added by former homeowner Mary Adams, of Mary Adams Antiques in Homewood. An addition was made in the 1980s. The current homeowners are art lovers and have collections on display.

Tickets for the tour are $40 and can be purchased online by following the links on hollywoodgardenclubbham.com, or they can be bought at the door of any of the houses. Parking is available at Shades Cabaha Elementary School.

Photos

courtesy TurnerBatson

FOOD

Leading Chef

When the Marks of Good Leadership Are Made on a Grill

By June Mathews

Earlier this year, Rob McDaniel was named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef South award.

But to his mind, the honor – and what it could become – is not his alone. It rightfully belongs, he said, to the entire team at Helen, a contemporary Southern grill in downtown Birmingham.

“At the end of the day, though, what I want our team to focus on is not the award, because I think if you focus on that, you lose sight of what got you there,” he said. “What got us there is continuing to come in every day, working hard, and a good team.”

Co-owner with his wife, Emily, of the restaurant named after his maternal grandmother, Helen Frutiger (Nanny), McDaniel is the executive chef at Helen and no stranger to Best Chef South semifinalist lists. He racked up five of the coveted spots during the 11 years he served as executive chef at SpringHouse near Alexander City and another in 2022, two years after Helen opened for business.

This second time Helen appeared on the semifinalist list, said McDaniel, “completely caught me off guard, just like the first time.”

He and Emily learned of the first appearance via congratulatory text messages they received during a trip to Atlanta. He learned of the second one when he arrived for work the day the nominations were announced.

“My sous chef who opens the restaurant every morning looked at me and goes, ‘What?’ And I said, ‘What?’ And he said, ‘You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you?’ And I said, ‘No, I have no clue.’ And he said, ‘We’re on the list.’”

So McDaniel checked the semifinalist list and, sure enough, “Rob McDaniel, Helen” was on it.

“It had meant the world to me the first time,” he said. “But this time, it really means a lot because of what we’ve done and what we’ve had to do to get to where we are.”

Work-Life Balance

While McDaniel attributes his success to the people he works with, it clearly begins with his brand of leadership.

McDaniel has also instituted a cross-training process in the kitchen so that each person can function in more than one position.

‘It had meant the world to me the first time. But this time, it really means a lot because of what we’ve done and what we’ve had to do to get to where we are.’

“Part of my job is creating a good work-life balance so that I’m not overworking people,” he said. “When they come in, they can think about what they are here to do. So we’ve worked really hard from when we opened until now to get to where we’re not working 60 hours a week.”

Achieving that balance, McDaniel said, involved paring work schedules down to a more reasonable 48 to 50 hours a week.

“That’s one of the things we wanted to change when we opened the restaurant, and we’ve accomplished that,” he said. “And we’ve seen a big change in how people work while they’re here and how long they stay. We have a lot of people who have been with us since we opened because they haven’t gotten burned out.”

“We try to keep people moving into different stations, so they don’t get stagnant. It also makes for a more versatile kitchen staff,” he said. “Our goal by the end of 2024 is that everyone in the kitchen can work two stations, hopefully three. Some people are well on their way to that, and some are still learning, but I think we’ll get there.”

Just as the McDaniels strive to give their employees more of a work-life balance, they try to achieve the same for themselves so they can spend more time with their kids. The McDaniels are parents to twin daughters.

A Comforting Food Memory

Known for its steaks and vegetables dishes, Helen is based on a food memory related to his Nanny that McDaniel holds dear.

“She and my grandfather had a ranch-style house just outside of Oneonta in a little community called Rosa,” he said. “My grandmother had a grill inside the house to the left of the fireplace, built into the brick wall and connected to the chimney to draw the smoke out.

“I can remember going through the back door,

walking through the hallway into the kitchen and seeing Nanny with one foot up on the hearth, cooking steaks on that grill and squirting them with a mustard bottle of water,” he said. “It was a memory I had in the moment I felt that God’s timing was right for us to open this place. I knew Helen would be the name and that this would be a restaurant that served really good steaks. We didn’t want it to be a steakhouse; we wanted it to be more than that, and that’s what we’ve done.”

The James Beard Foundation bestows Best Chef awards to “chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community.”

Nominees will be announced April 3, and winners will be celebrated during a ceremony June 10.

As McDaniel and the entire Helen team await the Best Chef South results, McDaniel and the Helen team continue to do what they do best, he said.

“There are going to be good times; there are going to be bad times,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter, good or bad. It’s just part of what we do. You’ve just got to keep pushing it and know that the bad will make the good better and the bad will also make you stronger.

“We just come to work every day and try to be better than we were the day before, and hopefully, that is what the foundation is looking for.”

FOODIE NEWS

Traditional Italian Restaurant and Market Open in Downtown Homewood

Pihakis Restaurant Group recently opened its latest venture, an Italian restaurant and next-door market, in Homewood.

Luca Lagotto, a restaurant offering traditional Italian fare, is led by Executive Chef Rita Bernhardt in partnership with PRG Executive Chef Paul Yeck. Its menu includes small plates, fresh pastas, pizzas and seasonally inspired entrees, with a focus on locally sourced foods complemented by imported specialty ingredients.

Next door, Luca Mercato Lagotto is a market that sells a selection of wines and imported and domestic packaged products such as olive oils, tinned fish, condiments, cheeses, cured meats and snacks, according to an announcement released by the restaurant group. It also offers a variety of house-made products and includes a restaurant that offers more casual Italian fare to be taken out or eaten in.

“Luca Lagotto and Luca Mercato Lagotto are inspired by the charming villages in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy and their dedication to quality products and ingredients,” Nick Pihakis, founder and CEO of Pihakis Restaurant Group, said in the announcement. “We are thrilled to bring this level of culinary experience and craftsmanship to Birmingham.”

The restaurant is located in a newly constructed building designed by Montgomery-based Chambless King Architects to combine the gravitas of centuries-old buildings with the energy of modern Italian design. It seats 129 inside with an additional 60 seats in a piazza-inspired courtyard.

Luca Lagotto and Luca Mercato Lagotto are at 1722 28th Ave. S.

For more information, visit the restaurant’s website at eatluca.com.

Helen owners Emily and Rob McDaniel.

Courtesy

Journal

photo by Maury Wald

‘Defining Moment’

Spain Park Swimmer Lands Rowing Scholarship

Devastating Ankle Injury

By RuBin E. GRant

Spain Park senior swimmer

Ella-Joan Browning is headed to Tennessee on a rowing scholarship, and she has her dogs to partly thank for it.

Shortly after Browning and her family moved from Bloomington, Illinois, to the Altadena Woods neighborhood in Hoover in 2021, she fell down a flight of stairs in their home and injured her ankle.

For her, she said, it was “a defining moment.”

“I had two small dogs, a yorkie and a Maltipoo, and was coming down the stairs with one on my right and one on my left,” Browning said. “They crossed sides, I lost my balance and fell and sprained my ankle.”

Browning injured the anterior talofibular ligament in her right ankle and was in a boot for eight months. She went to physical therapy regularly, had ultrasound therapy and even tried acupuncture, hoping the injury would heal without surgery.

But then in March of 2022, she twisted the ankle again, this time tearing the ATFL and calcaneofibular ligament as well as spraining ligaments on the top of her foot. She was forced to have surgery toward the end of her sophomore year.

“It was catastrophic,” her mother, Hillary Browning, said. “They had to cut some ligaments and put in some internal braces. She had to fight to get back. She literally had to learn to walk again. She couldn’t swim.”

“I was out of the water for 12 weeks,” Ella-Joan Browning said. “I wasn’t able to kick or push off the wall.”

Browning began rowing, hoping to stay in shape for “what I thought was going to be my future collegiate swimming career,” she said.

‘It was at that moment I discovered my passion,” she continued. “I am very thankful for my dogs because, if I hadn’t tripped over them, I never would have.”

Browning began reading books and watching videos to learn more

about rowing. She vigorously worked out on a rowing machine at home and eventually joined the Lake Purdy Rowing Association to receive some professional coaching in the sport.

“Meeting everyone on Lake Purdy, especially Jackie Major, a former Olympian, helped me further develop my love for rowing,” Browning said. “They have also played a part in making me a stronger and better rower than I ever thought I could be.”

Rocky Top Beckons

Browning didn’t realize rowing was a college sport until someone from the University of Alabama rowing program contacted her last year.

“I had seen rowing races at the Olympics, but I didn’t think about it for college,” Browning said. “Alabama reached out to me and that caused me to really think about it for college.”

She went to Tuscaloosa to watch Alabama practice, and, she said, “I actually fell in love with rowing.”

Alabama recruited Browning extensively. She also considered programs at Florida, Texas, Indiana, Oregon and Washington.

“I visited Oregon and Washington over the summer last year, but I had to wear a sweater because it was somewhat cold,” she said. “It was gorgeous out there, but I don’t like cold weather.”

Finally, Tennessee rowing coach Kim Cupini contacted Browning and invited her to come to Knoxville for a visit.

During her recruiting trip, the first thing that stood out to Browning was the time of the Vols’ practice.

“They start at 7:30 a.m.,” Browning said with a bit of fervor in her voice. “I’m a swimmer and I’m used to being in the water at 5 a.m., so that was amazing to me that I could sleep in a little longer.”

Browning also was impressed with coach Cupini and the women on the Vols’ team.

“They’re a great group of girls,” she said. “They’re more of a family. It’s more about we than me.”

So, on Feb. 7, Browning made it official that she would head to Rocky Top, signing with the Vols. She is one of a handful of athletes from the state who signed rowing scholarships. She will become the only rower from Alabama on Tennessee’s roster, which includes several international rowers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scotland.

“When I go to Tennessee, I just want to be able to show them how much I can improve while also supporting my teammates and pushing them to improve as well,” Browning said. “Rowing is a team sport and the only way you will see improvement is if you push yourself and your teammates.”

Leaving the Pool Behind

Browning’s decision means she won’t become a collegiate swimmer, forgoing the family’s sport on her mother’s side.

“I’m a former swimmer,” Hillary Browning said.” My dad was a swimmer and my mom was a swimmer. I didn’t swim in college, but I was an assistant coach at Illinois Wesleyan and I had a swim team.”

Ella-Joan Browning’s older brother Austin swam for Spain Park, and she has an uncle and aunt who were competitive swimmers.

Browning has been a member of the Spain Park swimming team the past three years. In her final state

meet in December, she had two top 10 finishes in Class 6A-7A competition in the 200-meter freestyle and 500-meter freestyle at the 2023 AHSAA State Championships at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center at Auburn. She came in ninth in the 500 free and 10th in the 200 free.

In the girls 400-yard freestyle relay, Browning, Carrie Corgill, Anna Grace Lynch and Josie Corgill led Spain Park to a third-place finish to reach the podium.

“She’s a phenomenal swimmer,” Hillary Browning said. “It’s something she’s been doing since childhood.”

While Hillary Browning will miss

season-opening loss to the Patriots, and dominated both games at the state tournament at the BJCC.

From page 32

“Let’s keep it real, when we lost Reniya Kelly, people wrote us off,” said Johnson, referring to last year’s Miss Basketball who signed with North Carolina. “I have a friend who said, ‘Who do you play the first game? Bob Jones. You’re going to start the season with a loss.’”

Hoover senior Kamryn Lee put it just as bluntly: “Since the beginning of the school year, we’ve been told we were going to lose.”

When the Bucs opened the season with a loss to Bob Jones and suffered another early-season loss to Sparkman, the team’s underdog status seemed confirmed.

The Bucs began to find their rhythm around the holidays and hit their stride as the calendar turned to 2024, beating eventual state semifinalist Prattville by 30 and beating rival Vestavia Hills twice after falling to the Rebels in the team’s first meeting.

The Bucs rallied past No. 1-ranked Bob Jones in the Northeast Regional final, which avenged the

going to swim meets to watch her daughter perform, she’s pleased that she will have a chance to row in college.

“Since I’m a former swimmer, it’s sad that she won’t be a swimmer,” Hillary Browning said. “Rowing is not something we expected. She had a devastating injury and discovered a whole new passion. I’m immensely proud of her.”

Spain Park swimming coach Anna Siegfried is eager to see what Browning does as a rower at the next level.

“She’s an amazing leader,” Siegfried said. “Rowing is more of an up and coming sport in the South. A lot of Ivy League schools have it. It’s especially good for swimmers who are built for it with the wider and broader shoulders that rowers need.

“I think Ella will do great at Tennessee. It’s going to be great to see how she flourishes in rowing. I am so excited for her.”

Browning doesn’t plan on taking her dogs (the Maltipoo died and she now has a yellow lab to go with the yorkie) with her to college, but she hopes to take one of her four cats, if it’s allowed.

“The cat I plan on taking with me is named Tennessee Whiskey,” she said. “I threw the Tennessee in his name because I am rowing for Tennessee.”

Browning plans to study recreational therapy and business in college in hopes of one day owning her own company. She also has designs on becoming an Olympic rower.

“I would love to go to the Olympics,” she said. “I believe I can get there if I keep improving.”

assists and two steals.

First, Hoover (29-7) rolled past Auburn 71-56 in the state semifinals and then held on for the 58-56 victory over Hewitt-Trussville (28-6) in the championship game.

“Hoover is still Hoover,” said Johnson, noting the Bucs were never ranked No. 1 in the statewide sports writers rankings this season. “We’re still doing what we’ve always done since I got here, and it produces championships.”

Johnson said she was most proud of her players for fighting through when others doubted them.

“Now they can get the respect they deserve, the respect they’ve earned,” Johnson said. “Just know we are the Class 7A state champs for four years in a row. … This is the best way to go out and get that respect.”

Hoover junior Khloe Ford was named the state tournament MVP after finishing with 28 points and 15 rebounds in the victory over Auburn and adding 17 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game.

Kaitlyn Gipson added 12 points in the championship game, Layla Cannon had eight points and Ariana Peagler added seven points, four

In the semifinal victory over Auburn, Lee filled the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, and senior Ariana Peagler scored 11 points. Gipson added seven points and five assists.

In the championship game, Hoover jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter before leading 28-20 at halftime. With a 43-33 lead after three quarters, the Bucs appeared in control.

Hewitt-Trussville made one final push, as senior Jordan Hunter kept the Huskies within striking distance on the way to 24 points. Freshmen Lauryn Holley and Ryleigh Martin made 3-pointers to spark the Huskies in the fourth quarter, and Ashlyn Howard’s layup with 3:30 to go cut the Hoover lead to 51-50.

Hoover didn’t flinch, as Ford scored a three-point play to make it 54-50 with 2:41 to go, and the Bucs’ defense held in the final minutes for a fourth straight state championship.

“It gets better and better every year,” said Peagler, who is part of the first senior class in Hoover program history to win four straight titles. “It’s just so much sweeter because so many people doubted us. We’re still Hoover.”

Ella-Joan Browning considered programs at Alabama, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Oregon and Washington before deciding on signing with Tennessee.

MOUNTAIN BROOK

From page 32

“I just saw that ball,” Derrick said, “and I had to get it.”

Davis said, “Fred made some amazing plays there down the stretch. There was no celebration on our part (when Holt fouled out) because they’re a championship team.”

Buckhorn beat Mountain Brook 65-56 in the 2023 championship game.

Before tipoff last Saturday, Davis challenged his team to be fearless competitors for 32 minutes.

“At the end of the day, we’ll let the chips fall where they fall,” he said. “They gave me 36 minutes.

“It’s one of the best senior classes we’ve ever had come through Mountain Brook,” the coach continued. “Obviously, it’s personal because of Ty (his son, a senior) being a part of it. I’ve known these guys since they were in kindergarten. They’re great kids, and that’s the most important thing. But they’re also those great competitors and they’re winners, so I’m proud of my guys.”

Ty Davis, a Creighton signee, led the Spartans with 14 points and six rebounds while playing every one of those 36 minutes. Romero followed with 10 points.

Regulation ended in a 45-45 tie. Buckhorn’s Deven Chapman appeared to tip in the game-winner at the final buzzer, but officials went to instant replay and determined the ball left Chapman’s hands a second late.

Shared Credit

Holt, the reigning Class 6A player of the year and MVP of last year’s title run, was clearly not at his best as he was seen flexing his left leg and limping throughout the contest. He still finished

HOOVER BOYS

From page 32

chasing a new one because they wouldn’t come back and get the state championship trophy from last year.

“I feel like we continued to take that to heart and we were dedicated to getting another one.”

Saturday night at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena, the Bucs accomplished that mission, beating Enterprise 59-34 to earn their second straight state crown.

Hoover coach Scott Ware knew he had to fend off the potential of overconfidence with a talented cast returning from the 2023 title run.

“The words ‘repeat’ and ‘back-to-back,’ that was not allowed in our gym,” Ware said. “(It was a) brand new team. We wanted to try to do this as ‘this’ team. Those words weren’t allowed but the thing about this group is … these guys were winners. They’re used to winning and they’re probably a little bit loosey goosey sometimes for me and the coaching staff. But it goes back to ‘winners win.’ They have so much confidence in themselves and we trust them totally.”

Ty Davis, a Creighton signee, led the Spartans with 14 points and six rebounds

with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Derrick had a game-high 19 and four steals.

The record book may again show Holt as MVP, but he refused to let the spotlight shine on him alone. The sophomore sensation insisted on Derrick standing with him as he accepted the award.

“Without Fred,” Holt said, “we wouldn’t have won the game.”

The Spartans reached their latest title game with a 46-43 victory over Carver-Montgomery in the semifinal. Ty Davis led the way with 13

forced us to play poorly and turn the ball over and not shoot it real well.”

In the meantime, Hoover guard Salim London, the MVP of last year’s championship run, set the tone and set the table for his teammates, most notably Brown, this year’s MVP.

“I talked to my dad last night and one thing he tried to tell me was, ‘Don’t settle,’” London said. “I just didn’t settle and picked my spots. When I picked my spots, they helped and left other players open.”

“The words ‘repeat’ and ‘back-to-back,’ that was not allowed in our gym,” Ware said. “(It was a) brand new team. We wanted to try to do this as ‘this’ team.”

London, who joined Brown on the all-tournament team, led the way with 20 points, sinking 8 of 13 shots overall and 2 of 3 from beyond the 3-point arc. He added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Brown benefitted from London’s playmaking with 15 points, adding 11 rebounds and blocking three shots. Jarett Fairley chipped in 12 points.

The Bucs reached the championship game by outlasting Central-Phenix City 57-49 in the semifinals. Brown had 28 points and eight rebounds in that game and London had 11 points and nine boards. Hoover beat Central 84-66 in the 2023 championship game.

points and Henry Hufham had nine rebounds. Davis and Romero were named to the alltournament team.

The Spartans (27-8) were playing in a championship game for the 10th time in 12 years, winning six state titles, including three in Class 7A. In four seasons under Davis, the Spartans have won one Class 6A championship (2021) and finished as runners-up twice.

Coach Davis took the helm of the Mountain Brook program when former coach Bucky McMillan moved on to lead Samford University.

The current coach called the program he and McMillan helped build one that is driven by the process.

“Basically, it’s, ‘Win every single day,’” he said. “We challenge ourselves by playing tough opponents throughout the year. We have tough practices. Ultimately, we feel like if you do that and you put yourself in adverse situations, then you’re gonna end up maxing out.

“Unfortunately, the last two years we’ve come up short in the state championship game. Time will heal. Those are great accomplishments.”

In the title game, Hoover (30-3) led 17-9 after one quarter to set a pace that the Wildcats (26-5) couldn’t match.

“We just felt like we couldn’t do much right at times,” Enterprise coach Rhett Harrelson said. “They had an answer for everything we did. We just ran into a really, really good team. They

“The main thing about this team is all these guys like each other,” Ware said. “You talk to other coaches and you don’t always have that. All these guys, they pull for each other. They want to see each other do good things not only on the basketball floor but in life. It’s just such a blessing to be a part of it.”

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Look

BUCS SWEEP AGAIN

Hoover Boys Add ‘Another’ Basketball Championship Trophy to Their Collection

By solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Call it selective amnesia.

Yes, the Hoover boys basketball team won the Class 7A championship in 2023. But this year’s squad wouldn’t think of defending that championship.

They set their sights on starting anew and winning another one.

“One thing coach told us back when we first started was that we (weren’t) going to say that we were repeating,” junior forward DeWayne Brown said. “We would always be

See HOOVER BOYS, page 31

‘Underdog’ Lady Bucs Claim Fourth Consecutive Class 7A Championship

By Josh Bean

Hoover won its fourth straight Class 7A girls basketball championship by beating Hewitt-Trussville 58-56 in the championship game last Saturday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.

But coach Krystle Johnson said this title –the Bucs’ fifth in the past six seasons – holds a special place in her heart because the Bucs spent much of the season playing the role of underdog, a label rarely placed on a program that has won nine state titles since 2010.

See HOOVER GIRLS, page 30

Spartans Come Up Short in Class 6A Boys Basketball Championship Game

By solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Mountain Brook stood on the cusp of at least extending its bid for a Class 6A boys basketball championship and Batman could only watch from the sideline.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, defending state champion Buckhorn still had Robin.

Mountain Brook’s Carson Romero scored 10 points in the championship game and was named to the all-tournament team.

For the second year in a row, Mountain Brook fell to the Bucks in the 6A final of the AHSAA basketball tournament last Saturday at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena. This time 32 minutes weren’t enough as Buckhorn won 52-51 in overtime.

Eventual MVP Caleb Holt, aka Batman, fouled out with 45 seconds left in regulation, leaving some to believe the Bucks (29-5) were vulnerable. But Mountain Brook coach Tyler Davis knew better.

“They’ve got multiple guys that are probably going to play at the next

level,” Davis said. “Yeah, the Power 5 guy goes off the floor (but) he’s playing with guys that are state champion basketball players.”

Count junior guard Fred Derrick, aka Robin, as among them. He scored four of Buckhorn’s seven points in the extra period, but he made the play of the game on defense.

As the Spartans’ Carson Romero drove for a possible game-winning layup, the junior guard reached in and stole the ball an instant before the overtime buzzer.

See

AHSAA

Photo | David Holtsford

2024

Junior forward DeWayne Brown was named tournament MVP.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Kaitlyn Gipson scored 12 points in the championship game.