280 Living June 2025

PLAYBOOK

By EMILY REED

college sports market has changed — and high school athletes are paying the price. As NIL money and transfer culture reshape recruiting, Sports Editor Kyle Parmley examines how even the best local players are dealing with new challenges.

Children play in the water at the Melrose Park Splash Pad in Chelsea. Staff photo.

like Spain Park’s Brock Bradley, the changing landscape of college sports puts recruiting in a different light. Photo by Todd Lester.

Editor’s Note By Taylor Bright

For this month’s edition, we have a feature running across all of our publications that takes a deep look into how the changing landscape of college athletics is affecting local recruits.

Our own Kyle Parmley spoke with several area athletes about how NIL and the transfer portal are impacting local recruiting — creating both opportunities and uncertainty in the high school process.

We have a profile of Tracy Bennett Smith, the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Alabama, headquartered along the U.S. 280 corridor, that grants wishes for children across the state.

For those gearing up for summer, we have our annual summer guide highlighting top local activities to enjoy when the weather heats up.

We also talked to local baker Janice Brown, who runs Rickey J’s along U.S. 280, and to Kelly Burley, who has organized the market for the last 10 years as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

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General Manager/Editor in Chief: Community Editors:

Dan Starnes

Sarah Owens

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Emily Reed

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SCHOOLHOUSE

Riverchase’s Jeremy Vice to join Hoover school board

By JON ANDERSON

Riverchase resident Jeremy Vice has lived in Hoover for 27 years and served five years on the city’s Parks and Recreation Board. Now, he’s preparing for a new role — Hoover school board member. Vice on June 1 will take the place of Kermit Kendrick, who is rolling off the school board after eight years of service there.

Vice, 51, has worked for Prime Therapeutics since 2010. For the past four years, he has been an assistant vice president at the pharmacy benefit management company. He also spent 11 years with CVS Caremark, giving him a total of 26 years in health care and pharmacy management.

He said his experience in budgeting, financial planning, and managing customer needs will benefit the board. At Prime Therapeutics, Vice leads a team managing more than $21 billion in spending, according to his school board application.

He said he aims to work collaboratively with other board members to meet the school system’s needs.

Vice said the most important issue he sees facing the school system is making sure it stays well-positioned to continue to attract and hire talented people and providing the resources and training that employees need, whether they are teachers, administrators or support personnel.

When asked what he thought about building a third high school, Vice said school officials should make sure they are maximizing the existing capacity they have in schools before building a third high school.

Vice also said the school board needs to do all it possibly can to make progress on the

issues identified in the decades-old desegregation lawsuit and demonstrate that progress to the federal court.

During his interview with the City Council, Councilman John Lyda asked Vice if he believes the school system has adequate funding and is meeting the needs of Hoover students, and if not, where would he advise the school board turn for additional funding.

Vice said his experience has been that Hoover is meeting the needs of students, but the school system also is facing increasing pressure on its budget due to special education

needs and other areas of programming and curriculum. The school system does have a partnership with the city of Hoover in regard to funding, but there might be other opportunities for private partnerships the school system could explore for funding, he said.

Vice also is a board member for the Riverchase Residential Association and member of the Leadership Hoover Class of 2024. He has one son who graduated from Spain Park High School and is now at Troy University and two more sons currently at Spain Park. That means four of the five board members now

have ties to Spain Park.

Vice said he’s proud of the accomplishments of the school system to this point and all the people who have worked to make it what it is today, and he looks at this as his opportunity to give back to the community he loves, he said. “This is home. This is where we work. This is where we play. This is where we shop. This is the center of our universe as a family,” he said. “There’s no better place to plug in and serve. I’m absolutely committed to being true to the values and the mission statement of the school board.”

Jeremy Vice, a Riverchase resident and assistant vice president for Prime Therapeutics, joins the Hoover Board of Education on June 1. Photo by Jon Anderson.

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“We only produce high-quality, certified varieties,” Tres said.

And the company cultivates its own turf grass at its three well-established farms in Alabama to provide customers with the freshest product possible.

Emerald Zoysia is an ideal lawn grass for showpiece properties, where outstanding appearance and durability are essential. A fine-textured, dense, dark green turf grass, Emerald Zoysia is known as the “Cadillac” of turf and is great for homes, businesses, golf courses and athletic fields. It is an excellent choice for low-maintenance lawns where aesthetics are paramount.

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If you’re building or maintaining a golf course, South Dallas Turf & Supply can provide the quality sod and turf grass you need to create a lush, green, beautiful course. The experts at South Dallas Turf & Supply can also help you make sound decisions regarding the design, maintenance and renovation of your tees, bunkers, and fairways.

“We are very proud of the many quality, highend golf courses we supply,” Tres said.

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“We are very proud of this legacy of generational farming,” Tres said.

In addition, the team at South Dallas Turf & Supply really enjoys what they do, and they work hard to ensure that our customers get precisely what they need at a fair price.

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In the Classroom

GET TO KNOW

Chelsea Park Elementary School Principal Mary Anderson

By STAFF

Q: What inspired you to work in education?

A: It was probably a couple teachers that I had as a child. I knew from a young age that I always wanted to be a teacher because of them, and I wanted to grow up and be just like them, because they were so amazing and so good to me when I was in elementary school. And I always loved working with children and babysitting. I knew I wanted to grow up and do something with children.

Q: What is something great about your school?

A: Just the community and family atmosphere, that is something we really take pride in. Our faculty and staff feel like one big family.

Q: Tell us something about you that people might not know.

A: I would say that I love the outdoors and traveling. I like to hunt. I enjoy camping and being outdoors.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: The most rewarding part is just seeing happy children, knowing that they’re happy coming to school. I love seeing their growth at the end of the year — seeing where they started with us and how far they came. I just love to see them happy. Really and truly, just coming in every day. At the end of the year — on the last day of school — you will see our students crying, but it’s happy tears because they don’t want school to end.

ACCOLADES

Area students receive National Merit scholarships

By STAFF

Two students from the U.S.

280 corridor have been named recipients of National Merit Scholarships, a prestigious scholarship program for students nationwide.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced winners of its corporate-sponsored scholarships earlier this week.

Tracy Li, a senior at Spain Park High School, earned a National Merit Southern Company Scholarship. Li plans to pursue a career in finance.

Logan William Price, a senior at Oak Mountain High School, was awarded the National Merit Truist Scholarship. Price plans to study engineering.

Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study, providing annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year.

Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

These scholarships are part of the first wave of awards announced in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Winners were selected based on their outstanding academic

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records, SAT scores, leadership roles and extracurricular achievements.

To become Finalists, National Merit Semifinalists had to submit applications with essays, academic records, extracurriculars and test scores confirming their performance.

Over 15,000 advanced to Finalist status, and more than 6,930 will earn scholarships totaling nearly $26 million.

Winners show exceptional academic and leadership potential.

Founded in 1955, NMSC is a nonprofit that runs the program without government aid.

Most scholarships are funded by approximately 280 corporate and college sponsors supporting academic excellence nationwide.

Halibut en Papillote

Spain Park High School had eight students named National Merit semifinalists for 2024 and two students named National Recognition Scholars.

Photo by Taylor Bright.

Mary Anderson

ProLift Garage Doors can boost your home’s value and security with expert service

Your garage door is more than just an entrance. It's vital to your home's security, energy efficiency and curb appeal, and it can even increase the home’s resale value. So be sure to call the trained professionals at ProLift Garage Doors if you want a new garage door or need your current door repaired.

ProLift blends local expertise and courteous customer service with industry-leading standards, processes and resources from a nationally trusted garage door company. Not only that, but ProLift in Birmingham is a local, family-owned business, according to Mike Miller, owner of the Birmingham franchise since 2022.

“We work for our family and friends and everyone else in the area,” Miller says. “We can't risk a customer having a bad experience so we just treat everyone like family.”

The expert technicians at ProLift can help you choose the perfect garage door for your home, including the right style, insulation and material, such as steel or wood.

ProLift can handle any garage door repairs, including misaligned sensors, broken springs or off-track doors, and our technicians respond quickly.

“When possible, we provide sameday service, and we never charge a service call fee,” Miller says. “We also provide free estimates and offer 12

months no-interest financing on both repairs and replacements.”

ProLift provides preventive maintenance for your garage door, as well. Call them for tune-ups in which our techs lubricate moving parts, check for wear and tear and adjust springs and sensors. By scheduling routine maintenance, you drastically reduce the likelihood of major repairs, saving time and money.

Enjoy the ProLift difference, which includes straightforward pricing and no hidden fees, customized solutions for each customer and skilled technicians using top-quality, specialized tools and parts.

It’s rewarding to serve customers and help them solve problems, Miller

says. “Communicating with customers, explaining options and simply solving problems is at the heart of what we do now, so let us help you.”

Putting the right garage door on a house – in addition to enhancing your home’s curb appeal and security – can also add to the home’s value. Remodeling Magazine recently researched the return on investment for typical home improvements. The magazine found that it was not kitchen and bathroom improvements that added the most value. Instead, garage door replacement was “the absolute highest,” Miller said. “It wasn’t even close.”

Customers at ProLift in Birmingham benefit from the company’s national reach and scale. “As a member

• Call: 205-736-8984

• Web: proliftdoors.com/ southeast-birmingham

Schedule a repair call or free consultation today!

of a national franchise, we offer the Birmingham market national buying power discounts on garage doors,” Miller says.

ProLift franchisees are also held to “a very high level of professionalism,” Miller says. “We must keep high levels of insurance, maintain five-star reviews on Google and maintain a high on-time level. This gives us the opportunity to serve the community at a level none of our competitors can match. We do what we say we will do, when we say we will do it, at a fair price. In the garage door business, that's a step ahead.”

To schedule a repair call or free consultation, call 205-736-8984 or go online to proliftdoors.com/ southeast-birmingham.

Business Buzz

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

COMING SOON

A new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is coming to the Inverness area, replacing the former Burger King location at 517 Cahaba Park Circle. The restaurant, known for its Southern-style menu, including fried chicken, biscuits, and red beans and rice, will now have its first location along the U.S. 280 corridor in the Birmingham metro area. popeyes.com

PERSONNEL MOVES

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham has named Chad Zaucha its new president and CEO. Zaucha brings more than 20 years of YMCA leadership experience and most recently served as CEO of the YMCA of Muncie, Indiana. He will succeed Dan Pile, who retired earlier this month.

205-324-4563, ymcabham.org

RealtySouth’s Chelsea office has welcomed three new real estate agents. Madison Morris Billy Bowen and Anna Walling recently joined the team, bringing new energy and commitment to the growing Chelsea market. Morris began her career with RealtySouth Chelsea on April 2, while Bowen and Walling both started April 22. RealtySouth, a longstanding leader in Alabama’s real estate market, continues to expand its presence in Chelsea as the area experiences steady residential growth.

Sharp Wellness and Counseling has announced that Rachel McCullough, Ph.D., LPC, PMH-C, has joined the practice. McCullough works with adults and couples dealing with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief and loss, ADHD, fertility concerns, pregnancy and postpartum challenges, and parenting. She is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

205-383-6650, sharpwellnessandcounseling.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

New Day Car Wash is hiring for multiple positions as construction continues at its new location at 5305 U.S. 280 in Birmingham. The company, launched by Birmingham-based LIV Development in early 2024, is expanding its footprint along the U.S. 280 corridor, joining competitors such as Dirty Dog’s Car Wash, Mister Car Wash, Take 5 Car Wash and Blue Rain Car Wash. The new site sits on land formerly occupied by Lloyd’s Restaurant, a longtime community staple that closed in 2023. The property was sold in December for a combined $5 million, with 280 New Day LLC purchasing the car wash parcel in January for $2.9 million. An opening date for the new New Day Car Wash location has not yet been announced. 205-123-4567, newdaycarwash.com

Do you have news to share about a business along the U.S. 280 corridor or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings

280 Living is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight

McLeod Software, a Birmingham-based leader in transportation management systems, has announced the launch of MPact.RespondAI, the company’s first proprietary artificial intelligence tool. The new product, available to customers beginning June 1, is designed to streamline inbound communications by intelligently reading, classifying and prioritizing messages from telematics systems and email inboxes. 205-823-5100, mcleodsoftware.com

CLOSINGS

The Applebee’s in Chelsea at 89 Chesser Plantation Lane has permanently closed. The restaurant, which opened in 2014, had recently been the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The complaint, filed in September 2024, alleged that the restaurant failed to maintain a workplace free of sexual harassment. According to the suit, six female employees, some of them teenagers, were subjected to harassment by managers, coworkers and patrons. The lawsuit stated that the restaurant’s leadership refused to take appropriate action. When the lawsuit was filed, the parent company strenuously denied the allegations. The restaurant also faced public scrutiny over a $200,000 incentive it received from the city of Chelsea to build the location.

The Inverness location of Planet Smoothie at 4700 U.S. 280, Suite 10, has permanently closed.

Zaucha

GET TO KNOW

We’ll Do It owner Blaine Wilson

By STAFF

Q: Tell us briefly about your business.

A: In 2020, WDI Enterprises/We’ll Do It started as a personal concierge business to make people’s lives easier. After serving the Over the Mountain area for two years, WDI, or We’ll Do It, found its niche in construction and home renovations. Currently, with an active home builders license, they specialize in decks, screened-in porches, roof replacement, kitchen and bathroom renovations, interior and exterior painting, additions and more.

Q: Give us your 30-second elevator pitch.

A: WDI Enterprises is a local, family-owned company that specializes in residential and commercial construction and renovations. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. When the details matter, we’ll do it!

Q: What sets you apart from your competitors?

A: WDI is a local, family-owned and operated business that strives to build lasting relationships with our customers. Whether it’s a big project or a small repair, WDI wants to be the company you call for any home or commercial need. We are a small office, so you won’t spend time waiting on hold or dealing with automated systems. We treat our clients like family to provide them with the best service possible.

Q: What would your customers say they like about you?

A : WDI always keeps an open line of

SPOTLIGHT

High Point Climbing hits new heights

By STAFF

High Point Climbing and Fitness, located at 4766 U.S. 280, offers indoor rock climbing with more than 25,000 square feet of climbing walls. The facility includes 52-foot climbing walls, more than 100 bouldering problems, 25 auto belays and a dedicated Kid Zone designed for climbers as young as 3 years old.

Beyond climbing, High Point offers a full suite of fitness amenities including yoga and weight training classes, which are included with day passes and memberships. The gym also provides top rope and lead belay classes for climbers of all skill levels along with outdoor guiding led by American Mountain Guides Association-certified instructors.

Children and teens can join climbing clubs, development teams and competitive squads that train for USA Climbing events through the gym. The gym also hosts homeschool physical education programs and seasonal camps for ages 5 to 14.

Day passes start at $24 for adults and $22 for children 10 and under, with gear rentals available. Memberships include unlimited access to all climbing, fitness and yoga classes as well as members-only events and discounts.

High Point is open seven days a week, with hours ranging from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. For more information, visit highpointclimbing.com/birmingham.

A climber traverses the wall as she focuses on her footwork during a class at High Point Birmingham, an indoor rock climbing facility on

Blaine Wilson

BUSINESS

Sips and Bites

SPOTLIGHT

Primo’s Pizza and Pasta

By STAFF

Primo’s Pizza and Pasta has quickly become a local favorite since opening its doors at 16064 U.S. 280. The family-owned Italian eatery blends traditional recipes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering a menu that includes hand-tossed pizzas, hearty pastas and classic desserts. Signature dishes like the chicken pesto pizza and the “Chelsea Special” — a creamy pasta with sausage, chicken and shrimp — have made the restaurant a favorite in Chelsea.

The restaurant’s casual atmosphere, complemented by outdoor seating, provides a welcoming environment for families and friends. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. and Sunday until 8 p.m.

Primo’s also offers online ordering with special promotions like 10% off the first online order and $5 off every $100 spent online.

For more information or to place an order, visit primospizzapastatogo. com or call 205-677-2034.

By STAFF

Q: Just tell us briefly about the bakery.

A: We’re a retail bakery. We sell pastries, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, petit fours, chicken salad, pasta salad and brownies and muffins.

Q: Do you have a specialty?

A: Well, we sell a lot of cinnamon rolls, a lot of chicken salad and pasta salad. And our cupcakes are phenomenal too. We have about 12 different flavors of cupcakes.

Q: What’s your favorite item on your menu and why?

A: Well, to be honest with you, I love my iced sugar cookies. They are phenomenal. You have to taste one and see.

Q: How did you get started in the business?

A: I worked at Carraway Hospital for 10 years baking, and I worked at a couple of other bakeries, and I just decided to step out on faith and give it a try for myself. So in 2002 my husband and I opened up the bakery in Clay, Alabama, January of 2002, and then May of ’21 we moved to 280 so we’ve been in business 23 years.

Q: Did you grow up always baking or did that come later?

A: When I was eight, my mother bought me an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas, and I would bake cookies and little cakes for my sister and brother. But my grandmother was a phenomenal baker, so I think it kind of rubbed off on me. She didn’t bake for anybody, just for the family, but she could just make a cake out of anything. It would just taste awesome.

Primo’s Pizza and Pasta offers a menu that includes hand-tossed pizzas and hearty pastas. Photo courtesy Primo’s Pizza and Pasta.

Janice Brown

Body Logic Wellness Center welcomes Dr. James Frey

Expanding premier medical and esthetic services in Birmingham

At Body Logic Wellness Center – Birmingham’s finest medical and esthetic wellness facility – we have experts in health, nutrition, cellular skin renewal, athletic performance and lifestyle enhancement who can make you feel happier, healthier and more confident.

Body Logic now has even more to offer, thanks to an important new hire. Dr. James Frey, a Vestavia Hills native and respected primary care physician in Birmingham for nearly 40 years, recently joined Body Logic as its full-time Medical Director.

With Dr. Frey’s arrival, Body Logic now offers the full spectrum of personalized esthetic services, including Botox and fillers, medical-grade skin solutions and –very soon – laser treatments. Dr. Frey will leverage his immense medical experience to ensure that patients get great care.

Dr. Frey says he’s “very excited” about his new role. “After 38 years as an internist, it was time for something different.”

Body Logic owner Renee Hughes, who’s worked in esthetics for 30 years and is widely known for her paramedical and cosmetic procedures, is “elated” that Dr. Frey has joined the center.

Dr. Frey works closely with Renee in treating patients. “I’m in charge of the medical procedures in the office, including laser treatments and chemical peels,” Dr. Frey says. “That allows Renee to provide a higher level of treatment. She and I work together to create

• Where: 5511 U.S. 280, Suite 201, Birmingham

• Call: 205-991-8083

• Web: bodylogicwellness.net

For a free consultation about Botox or fillers, call 205-960-3664.

plans for the patients.”

Dana Taylor is Dr. Frey's Clinical Assistant. She’s certified in microneedling and Endermologie and is apprenticing to become a licensed esthetician. “I enjoy our Body Logic clients and love helping people be their best,” Dana says.

“Dana and I work together almost seamlessly,” Dr. Frey says “She knows what I want and need for a patient almost before I say it.”

Renee says that she, Dana and Dr. Frey “make a great team.” Body Logic takes advantage of Dr. Frey’s medical background and Renee’s long experience in esthetics. “We’re able to combine our knowledge to provide the latest advancements In skincare and wellness services,” Renee says.

Body Logic offers free consultations for patients interested in using Botox or fillers. “We enjoy talking to first-time Botox or filler patients,” Dr. Frey says. “We always start with conservative procedures and love to see fabulous results develop.”

Botox allows young men and women to help pre-

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Dr. James Frey

vent the development of wrinkles caused by aging. “This is a long-term benefit even after the effects of the injections have dissipated,” Dr. Frey says.

Botox creates a more youthful appearance for middle-aged men and women, and this “impactful but subtle change can impact confidence and well-being,” Dr. Frey says. “It’s self-care at its best.”

“I love seeing a client return to us after having Botox or a filler, and they’re happy and confident,” Dana says.

Body Logic offers a wide range of services, including permanent makeup; lash and brow treatments; skincare and body services; hair removal, including laser, electrolysis and waxing; and Endermologie, a non-invasive technique to reduce cellulite, create better skin tone and improve the shape and circulation of the body.

Body Logic Wellness Center is located at 5511 U.S. 280, Suite 201. For more information, call 205-991-8083 or go to bodylogicwellness.net. For a free consultation about Botox or fillers, call 205-960-3664.

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By KYLE PARMLEY

Spain Park High School rising senior Brock Bradley is thrilled with how his recruitment process played out.

Bradley will head to Clemson University in just over a year to pursue his goal of becoming a big-time college quarterback.

But not long ago, a player of his caliber might have drawn dozens of offers from similar programs. That’s no longer the norm. The shift is tied to the rise of the transfer portal and the surge in player movement across college athletics.

“I have seen the amount of coaches actively working and visiting schools and practices diminish a lot over the last few years, and I feel like it has made the decision about which school you choose to attend even more risky and complicated, since a school could choose to take a portal player over you, even after you’ve committed, or very late in the recruiting process,” Bradley said.

Bradley noted that many colleges now treat the transfer portal as their main recruiting tool, which limits opportunities for incoming high school players.

“There are fewer scholarship spots,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “Now instead of divvying up all their scholarships at the high school level, now they’re going to get 12-14 guys out of the portal. The spots have become limited.”

SHIFTING SAND

Coaches are no longer building around potential. They’re buying certainty. Between the rise of the transfer portal, the explosion of Name, Image and Likeness dollars, and the impending House v. NCAA court settlement — which could allow direct revenue-sharing paychecks from schools to athletes — the entire scholarship model has changed.

For high school seniors, that means fewer opportunities. Unless you’re elite, the message is clear: wait your turn — or get left behind.

In place of the old system is a new billion-dollar industry in which high school prospects are still commodities — just ones with less value than they held before the money started flowing.

Not all college programs play on the same field. The Power Four conferences — the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC — have TV deals, booster collectives and NIL opportunities.

Below them are Group of Five schools like UAB, Jacksonville State or Troy — with fewer scholarships, smaller budgets and less exposure. Then come FCS, D2 and junior colleges, where many now land by necessity.

THE PORTAL JAM

For decades, high school football was the bedrock of college recruiting. Talent rose, coaches scouted, scholarships followed and dreams materialized on National Signing Day. That world is gone.

It started with COVID. In 2020, the NCAA granted all athletes an extra year of eligibility. That decision created a massive traffic jam. Fifth-year seniors stayed. Sixth-year players reclassified. Scholarships that would have gone to high school seniors disappeared.

Then came NIL. In July 2021, athletes could finally earn money off their name, image and likeness. But what was meant to reward marketability became a loosely disguised pay-forplay market.

“Monetary compensation is no longer based on results,” Luginbill said. “It’s not about ‘if I produce, schools will want me.’ Now, it’s ‘how much are you going to pay me to play here?’ There’s no accountability from the player’s side, and that’s not what NIL was intended for — certainly not in recruiting.”

At the same time, the transfer portal exploded. The NCAA removed the sit-out rule for first-time transfers, and a flood of player movement followed. A new reality emerged: Why recruit a high school senior you’ll have to develop when you can buy a 22-year-old with experience?

“Unless you’ve been tampered with or have significant production, you’re either transferring down or walking on somewhere,” Luginbill said. “The math doesn’t add up. There just aren’t enough roster spots. There is a false level of value that the kids place on themselves or the people around them place on them. We’re

As one of the top quarterbacks in Alabama, Spain Park rising senior Brock Bradley is committed to Clemson University, a decision he made last year. Bradley certainly had plenty of college options, but they didn’t include as many top-tier programs as a player of his caliber might have garnered in years past. The reason: Teams now focus heavily on recruiting experienced collegiate players via the transfer portal. It is one aspect of an evolving landscape for college sports for high school athletes looking to land at the next level. “While it has been some of the most exciting times of my life,” Bradley said, “it can be stressful as well, and the introduction of NIL, transfer portal and constant visibility of social media has made the process even more stressful and uncertain.” Staff photos.

talking about thousands of kids.”

According to On3 Sports, more than 4,000 FBS football players entered the NCAA transfer portal during this cycle, and more than 1,600 are still looking for a home. In men’s basketball, 2,320 players entered the portal this spring, according to Verbal Commits — a jump of more than 11 percent from last year and nearly 2.5 times more than five years ago.

This isn’t just a revenue-sport issue. Since the NCAA eliminated its one-year sit-out rule in 2021, tens of thousands of athletes across all sports have entered the portal — many doing so two, three or even four times. Each year of the NIL era has accelerated the cycle. In 2024, the NCAA opened the door to unlimited transfers.

Combine that with the backlog of COVID players, and the result is a recruiting funnel that narrows further every season. And it’s about to get even tighter, as schools prepare for revenue sharing and potential roster caps tied to the House settlement.

Coach Trent Dilfer came to UAB with a plan to build his program through high school recruiting, but that vision didn’t hold. He watched promising redshirt freshmen get poached, impact players leave mid-development and recruiting calendars shift. Now, he’s saving scholarships for older transfers. Like most coaches, he’s frustrated by the chaos and eager for structure.

“All I need is guardrails; all I need is boundaries; all I need is where it is,” Dilfer told Birmingham’s CBS 42. “I don't care where the goal post is; just keep it stationary… Because right now this goal post is going around 360 degrees because there’s zero leadership; there’s zero boundaries; there’s zero guardrails.”

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about expectations — and the widening gap between what kids believe they’re walking into and what actually waits for them.

For years, high school athletes have been surrounded by talk of NIL money, brand building and recruiting leverage. Highlight reels and camp circuits — all of it reinforcing the same narrative: play well, get noticed, get paid. But most never make it that far.

“High school kids now believe they’re entitled to compensation,” Luginbill said. “But the original intent was that if a college athlete…

How We Got Here

How the recruiting model unraveled in just four years:

► 2020 – COVID Eligibility Freeze: The NCAA grants every college athlete an extra year of eligibility. Result: Rosters balloon with fifth- and sixth-year players. Scholarships that once went to high school seniors stay tied up.

► 2021 – NIL Goes Live: On July 1, athletes can officially profit from their name, image and likeness. What was meant for endorsements quickly turns into donor-funded, booster-driven pay-for-play — especially in football and men’s basketball.

► 2022–23 – The Portal Opens Wide: Legal pressure erodes transfer restrictions. Athletes can now move freely and play immediately — even multiple times. Coaches pivot from projecting potential to buying production.

► 2023–24 – House v. NCAA Settlement Takes Shape: A $2.8 billion class-action deal looms. Schools would be allowed to directly pay athletes. But in return? Scholarship limits go away — and roster caps come in.

► 2025 – The High School Squeeze: With the portal flooded and roster uncertainty ahead, high school recruits — especially in non-revenue sports — are getting left behind. The system they grew up chasing no longer has as many places for them.

became a marketable commodity, they could earn income. That’s light years from what we’re doing.”

Even for players who eventually cash in, the road usually starts somewhere less glamorous — a Group of Five school, a redshirt year, a position change, a climb.

“The transfer portal has made it harder for high schoolers to land spots at Power Four programs,” said Jim Cavale, CEO of Athletes.org. “Starting at a Group of Five school and working your way up may be the best path.”

BACK-END FALLOUT

While these dynamics affect every sport, the epicenter is football and men’s basketball — where the bulk of the money flows and the pressure to win immediately is highest.

According to research on signing day trends, once-powerhouse programs are producing fewer high-major signees and more D2, JUCO and NAIA placements. In other sports — baseball, wrestling, lacrosse, even track — the scholarship slots are already shrinking. If roster caps go into effect, they may vanish altogether.

Whatever happens next — roster limits, direct pay, new NIL rules — the path for high school athletes is narrowing fast.

For players like Bradley, that means more than just navigating offers. It means trying to stay in the game — and managing new layers of an increasingly complicated process driven by dollars.

To handle it, Bradley turned to common sense.

“Being recruited to play college sports is a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve learned that everyone’s journey is unique and different, and that you cannot compare your journey or experience to anyone else’s.

“While it has been some of the most exciting times of my life, it can be stressful as well, and the introduction of NIL, transfer portal and the constant visibility of social media has made the process even more stressful and uncertain.”

Bradley has seen other athletes his age hire representatives to help with their brand or other aspects of public relations. He chose not to do that, wanting to make his high school days simpler.

“I prefer to stay a high school kid and let my play speak for itself at this point,” he said. “There will be time for the other stuff.”

Advice

for the Recruits

These are 5 things athletes can still control in a portal-first world.

► Hewitt-Trussville running back Deuce Alston: Be proactive and take ownership of your exposure. Don’t wait around to be discovered — promote yourself through highlights, communication and consistent work.

► Athletes.org CEO Jim Cavale: Prioritize playing time and fit over logos and prestige. With Power Four spots tightening, finding the right place to play early may be the better longterm strategy.

► Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley: If you get a committable offer, take it seriously. Hesitating for a bigger offer could mean missing your window entirely.

► ESPN Recruiting Analyst Tom Luginbill: Be skeptical of hype and inflated value. Don’t assume attention means opportunity — many players are misled about their true market value.

► Mountain Brook baseball player Caleb Barnett: Some of the smartest athletes are starting lower, proving themselves and transferring up. It’s becoming common for talented players to commit “below their level” just to get on the field.

Look for part two of The New Playbook in next month’s issue: Current college athletes from our communities reflect on navigating NIL transfers and what direct pay from schools could mean next.

Experience the future of dentistry today

crowns at Healthy Smiles

Dental technology has evolved significantly in recent decades, with many procedures becoming much more convenient and requiring patients to spend less time in the chair.

Dr. Paige Lester, founder of Healthy Smiles of Birmingham, has practiced dentistry for over 20 years and witnessed lots of these changes. “I’m amazed at how quickly dental technology is advancing,” she says. “I’m constantly studying new and better methods.”

These methods include CEREC, or Chairside Economical Restoration using Esthetic Ceramic, a dramatically improved method for fabricating dental restorations, such as crowns and veneers.

In the old way of making a crown, the dentist would ask the patient to bite into a gooey mass to make a mold or impression of the tooth. A dental laboratory would use the mold to fabricate the crown. This would take a couple of weeks, during which time the patient would wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth.

With CEREC, the dentist scans the tooth using a hand-held device that creates a high-definition digital impression, then projects the images onto a chairside computer screen and views them in great detail from multiple angles. This data is sent to a computer-aided milling machine that carves the restoration from a block of dental-grade ceramic.

CEREC crowns can be fabricated in a single visit to the dentist’s practice, which eliminates the waiting period and second office visit. There’s no need to wear a temporary crown, and the new crown looks and fits perfectly.

Dr. Lester has designed same-day crowns since 2004 and brought the technology to Healthy Smiles in 2012. “The CEREC method gives me complete control over the design, materials and aesthetics,” she says. “It also greatly reduces tooth sensitivity and more quickly

protects the tooth, because we’re getting an immediate seal with permanent dental cement and a final crown.”

Her patients have enjoyed the convenience of the CEREC method. “Patients absolutely love having everything completed in a pre-planned, single visit, especially if they have had a crown done in the traditional manner,” she says.

The new method also has benefits for Dr. Lester and her staff. “My highly trained dental assistants love being able to use their advanced skills to help with

• Where: 100 Heatherbrooke Park Drive, Suite A

• Call: 205-991-9535

• Web: healthysmilesof birmingham.com

the scanning and manufacturing of the crowns, and I love the instant gratification of seeing a great result the same day we work on a patient’s tooth,” she said.

Dr. Lester enjoys looking to the technological future of dentistry, as innovations continue. “Digital impressions, 3-D radiology, 3-D printing and facial scanning are already here or on the horizon,” she said. “Keeping up and learning with colleagues makes dentistry fun and exciting.”

The Healthy Smiles staff also continues to enjoy giving their patients high-quality, personalized care and building strong relationships.

“I’m very fortunate to have many patients and families in my office that have become friends over the years, and I love seeing them,” Dr. Lester said.

To schedule a consultation with Healthy Smiles of Birmingham, go to healthysmilesofbirmingham.com or call them at 205-991-9535.

SUMMER

CONTINUED from page A1

► Melrose Park, located behind the Chelsea Community Center, is the perfect place to cool down when the temperatures get hot. The splash pad offers inclusive play for all ages and swimming levels. The splash pad is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Swimmers need to purchase wristbands for $2, which allows all day access to the splash pad. For more information, visit cityofchelsea. com or call 205-677-7040.

► The Greystone YMCA branch offers pool access with a membership to the YMCA. Greystone YMCA is located at 5414 U.S. 280, Hoover. For more information about pool hours, visit ymcabham.org or call 205-981-0144.

► A short drive from 280 is the city of Pelham’s Splash Pad. Pelham’s splash pad is located in the northern area of the Pelham City Park Complex, just beside the dog park. Hours of operation are Monday (closed for weekly maintenance); Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, visit pelhamalabama.gov/splashpad

► The city of Hoover also has a splash pad within driving distance of 280. The Hoover Met’s Splash Pad (1060 RV Trace) is nestled within the Hoover Met Complex. The Splash Pad is connected to a playground, where visitors can enjoy both water fun and a playground area. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit hoovermetcomplex.com/a-walk-through-the-exploreplayground-splash-pad.

► The Birmingham Zoo Splash Pad is located near the entrance of the Children’s Zoo, across from the Nourish 205 restaurant. For more information about the splash pad, visit birminghamzoo.com.

INDOOR ESCAPES

When the sun gets too strong or the rain rolls in, these air-conditioned spots offer cool relief and easy entertainment.

► Explore the pages of a book: Hoover, Mt. Laurel, Chelsea and the North Shelby libraries will each offer their own summer reading programs this summer. For each individual list of activities at each library, visit mtlaurellibrary. org; cityofchelsea.com/225/Library-Home; northshelbylibrary.org; and hooverlibrary.org.

► Find the point: High Point Climbing and Fitness in Inverness (4766 U.S. 280) features 25,000 square feet of indoor rope climbing and bouldering. This is the perfect place to beat the summer heat as it is indoors. There is also a Kid Zone for young climbers. High Point offers yoga and fitness classes and birthday parties. There are day passes available, but summer camps and memberships are also available. For more information, visit highpointclimbing.com.

FARM TO TABLE

Need a place to find fresh produce locally grown? These spots will provide entertainment and fresh goods.

► Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market: Starting the first Saturday in June through mid-October, the Mt. Laurel Farmers’ Market takes place in the town center. Vendors and local farmers bring merchandise to sell. All items at the market must be homegrown or handmade. For more information, call 205-408-2717 or visit the Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market group page on Facebook.

► Valleydale Market: Valleydale Farmers Market will open Memorial Day weekend beginning at 8 a.m. Organizers of this year’s Farmer’s Market alert visitors that the location of the market is still under construction so visitors are encouraged to be patient as things at the market might shift from week to week. The market is at

4601 Valleydale Road and is open each Saturday through Labor Day from 8 a.m. until noon. For more information, visit Facebook and Instagram @valleydalefarmersmarket.

► Lyon Blueberry Farm: is located in Wilsonville. The farm is open Wednesday-Sunday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Visitors to the farm are encouraged to bring sturdy shoes and water. If visitors wish to visit on a Monday or Tuesday, call 205-864-5701. The address for Lyon Farm is 1700 County Road 56, Wilsonville. The farm has a Facebook page.

ACTIVE PLAY

If the kids need to move — or you do — 280 has options that go beyond your neighborhood playground.

► Take aim: Chelsea Archery Park offers beginner and intermediate archery classes for ages 9 and older and is open seven days a week. For more information, visit cityofchelsea. com/356/archery.

There is also a community archery park located at Oak Mountain State Park. The archery park is open year-round during daylight hours for recreational shooting, competitive tournaments and outdoor educational programming. Users ages 16-64 need a valid, heritage, fishing or WMA license to shoot. For more information, visit alapark.com.

► Take a hike: Oak Mountain State Park is home to the perfect place to hike various level trails during the summer. The park is home to mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking — three of the most popular activities at the park. There are more than 100 miles of trails and visitors have plenty of options to choose from including a short loop or an overnight trip.

► Go for a ride: The Red Trail has been included on the International Mountain Biking Association’s (IMBA) list of epic rides. The park also features a pump track, BMX course, Flipside Watersports cable skiing, inflatable aquapark obstacle course, marina rentals, basketball courts, nature programs, Peavine

Falls, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, an 18-hole golf course and driving range, two beaches and swimming areas, three fishing lakes, picnic areas, playground, pickleball court and Alabama Wildlife Center. For more information, visit alapark.com.

► Walk around a pond: Veterans Park in Hoover is a great place to surround yourself with nature while also being in the middle of city life. There is a lake, a pond, two pavilions, a playground and a 5K cross-country trail on the 82-acre park. There are also pickleball courts, an outdoor gym, beach volleyball courts and places to have an outdoor picnic. For more information about the park, visit hooveral.org/677/ veterans-park.

► Hit the court: A continually growing sport, pickleball courts are in full supply across north Shelby County. There are various courts in neighborhoods, parks and churches and many are open to the public including the courts at Veterans Park in Hoover. The Chelsea Community Center also has courts. A beginner lesson is required to play leagues and open play. Registration for the lessons can be completed at Chelsea Community Center. For questions, call 205-677-2052.

JUST BEYOND

If you’ve tapped out local options, these nearby spots offer quick-hit day trips.

► McWane Science Center: Located in the historic heart of downtown Birmingham, McWane Science Center is the perfect place for a rainy day activity or when temperatures are too hot to be outside. There is something for all ages to enjoy with the concept of “sparking wonder and curiosity in the community.” For more information on pricing for the day, parking info and hours, visit mcwane.org.

► Birmingham Museum of Art: Just a short drive from 280, this offers a free activity indoors perfect for the whole family. The Birmingham Museum of Art has been deemed one of the finest regional museums in the United

States, offering a diverse collection. With more than 29,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The museum has a hands-on gallery for kids, but they request that one adult comes for every four kids. There are also scavenger hunts available at both entrances to the museum which allows kids the ability to search through the Museum’s galleries. Snacks and drinks are allowed in the museum’s lobby areas or the sculpture garden, but any food or drink must be sealed and remain in bags while visiting the galleries. Restrooms are located on each floor and strollers are allowed. For more information visit artsbma.org.

► Birmingham Rotary Trail: A perfect spot to stretch your legs, get everyone moving and enjoy the outdoors in downtown Birmingham is the Birmingham Rotary Trail. This is a great place for bikes, scooters, skateboards or walking. The Rotary Trail is the heart of the Jones Valley Trail Corridor within the Red Rock Trail System. Access to the trail stretches from 20th Street to 24th Street. Part of the trail ends near Birmingham’s Railroad Park. For more information, visit birminghamrotary.org.

► Peach Park: Peach Park in Clanton is a family-friendly destination for peach ice cream, fried pies, fresh produce and a life-size barn to play inside that is a short drive from the 280 corridor. This is a perfect spot to eat lunch and kids can enjoy the playground area behind the cafeteria-style restaurant. For more information, visit the business Facebook page at Peach Park Clanton.

Left: Play pickleball at the Chelsea Community Center. Center: Find a new book at The Mount Laurel Library. Right: Go berry picking at Lyon Farm Blueberries in Shelby County. Staff photos.

Above left: Run through a butterfly tunnel of water at Hoover’s Explore Playground and Splash Pad.

Above right: Take aim at the Chelsea Community Center archery range.

Left and below: Hit the trails at Oak Mountain State Park.

- Benny H.

Her dream fulfilled

Tracy Bennett Smith grants wishes for Alabama children

By STAFF

There is something in the nature of Tracy Bennett Smith that has always been drawn to helping people. Maybe it was innate or perhaps it was seeing her parents show generosity with limited means as she was growing up. Whatever it is, the CEO of Make-A-Wish Alabama has made a career of helping others while serving with nonprofits in Birmingham.

Born and raised in Anniston, Smith, a Vestavia Hills resident, entered the nonprofit world in 1991 after a public relations internship at the Eye Foundation Hospital changed her career path.

“I ended up accidentally backing into a PR internship at the Eye Foundation Hospital years ago, and discovered the world of nonprofit,” she said.

Smith joined the organization, headquartered on U.S. 280 in Birmingham, in 2019 after being recruited from her previous role at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“I thought I worked for the best nonprofit, but I totally forgot about Make-A-Wish,” she said.

As CEO, she leads a team of 18 with offices across the state and a $5 million

annual budget.

“The majority of my job is basically leading the senior leadership team, to empower them, to empower their team,” she said. “I always say, lead with kindness and empowerment.”

Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish grants life-changing experiences to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Though many people associate it with terminal conditions, Smith said 80 to 85 percent of wish recipients survive their illnesses.

“We don’t use the word terminal illness anymore. We use the word critical illness,” she said. “A wish is not just a nice thing, but it absolutely can impact the child’s medical journey.”

The Alabama chapter became an official affiliate in 2012. Today, the nonprofit serves about 200 children annually but estimates there are more than 400 children newly diagnosed with critical illnesses each year across the state.

“So in terms of serving Alabama, we’re at between 50% and 60% capacity,” Smith said. “We probably are going to need to at least, at most, double that to truly serve this entire state.”

Smith has focused on team building, board development and outreach since taking the helm. When she started, the board had just four members; now it has 18. The organization is also supported by major fundraising efforts like the Trailblaze Challenge and an ongoing partnership with America’s Thrift Stores, which generates $1 million a year through donated goods.

One of the most powerful wishes Smith recalls came from a 15-year-old named Melody, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Rather than wish for something for herself, she asked for new uniforms for her high school marching band. The chapter rushed to fulfill the request before her passing.

“All she could think about was her community,” Smith said. “It was just, it

affected all of us here at the chapter.”

Despite the sometimes emotional toll, Smith says she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.

“It is absolutely such a blessing and a joy to wake up every day and be able to call this a job,” she said. “We are able to bring hope and joy and strength to these children that are seeing their darkest days.”

Tracy Bennett Smith is the CEO of MakeA-Wish Alabama, which grants lifechanging experiences to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Photo courtesy of Tracy Bennett Smith.

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Community events guide

SEAN OF THE SOUTH & FRIENDS

► Where: Song Theater, 105 W. College St., Columbiana

► When: Sunday, June 1, 4–6 p.m.

► Call: 205-669-0044

► Web: shelbycountyartscouncil.com

► Cost: $35. Ticket price includes facility fee, with free parking and complimentary beverages. Tickets are non-refundable. A $3 service fee is added when purchased online.

► Details: The Shelby County Arts Council presents Sean of the South & Friends live at the Song Theater! Spend a Sunday afternoon enjoying humor, storytelling, eclectic musical performances and special guests. Expect singalongs, laughter and a lively show.

BARN BURNER 10K AND HALF MARATHON

► Where: Dunnavant Valley Fields, starting at 1996 Fields Parking Lot, Birmingham

► When: Saturday, June 14, 7 a.m.

► Contact: Volunteers can email drbeaubeard@gmail.com.

► Web: Register online at ultrasignup.com

► Details: Choose between a 10K with 900 feet elevation gain or a half marathon with 2000 feet elevation gain featuring scenic trails along Yellow Leaf Creek and through Dunnavant Valley Park. Packet pickup is Friday, June 13, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. at The FARM, 203 Narrows Parkway, Suite A, Birmingham or on race day from 5:30–6:15 a.m. Kids race follows on Sunday, June 15 at 7:20 a.m.

SPLASH INTO SUMMER BASH

► Where: Splash Pad at Melrose Park, 11101 Chelsea Road, Chelsea

► When: Tuesday, June 3, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

► Web: facebook.com/ splashpadchelsea

► Details: Celebrate the start of summer at the 2nd annual Splash Into Summer Bash! Enjoy a day filled with fun activities including inflatables, a dunk tank, food trucks, games and unlimited access to the Splash Pad. It’s a perfect family-friendly event to kick off the season.

WILD WONDERS: ART IN THE PARK

► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham

► When: Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m.

► Contact: 205-620-2520, lauren. muncher@dcnr.alabama.gov

► Web: reserve.alapark.com/register/ Art-in-the-Park

► Details: Join Oak Mountain State Park for Art in the Park, an indoor or outdoor art activity depending on the weather. All materials are provided and all skill levels are welcome. Celebrate nature and creativity in a relaxed setting. Supported by the Bronco Wild Fund Grant Program promoting access and preservation of public lands.

2025 GREYSTONE FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT

► Where: Greystone Golf & Country Club – Legacy Course, Birmingham

► When: Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m. registration, noon shotgun start, 5 p.m. after party

► Contact: 205-936-2679, 205-799-8138, golf@greystone foundation.org

► Web: greystonefoundation.org

► Details: Play 18 holes at the Legacy Course and support the Greystone Foundation’s mission to aid victims of domestic violence and promote healthy relationships. Entry includes golf, lunch, drinks, a swag bag and after-party festivities. Sponsorship packages and mulligan cards available. All proceeds are charitable donations.

LANTERN LIT LORE: LEGENDS OF THE WILD

► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham

► When: Saturday, June 28, 6 p.m.

► Call: 205-620-2520

► Web: alapark.com/parks/ oak-mountain-state-park

► Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free for children 3 and younger, $2 for ages 4-11, $5 for ages 12-61, $2 for ages 62 and older, free for all active military, retired military and veterans

► Details: Explore the mysteries of Alabama’s native wildlife with an evening of storytelling and up-close animal encounters.

ALABAMA PRIDE HIKE

► Where: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham

► When: Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to noon

► Web: runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Pelham/AlabamaPrideHike

► Cost: $45 for adults, $30 ages 12 and younger

► Details: Celebrate inclusivity, community and the great outdoors at the first-ever Pride event hosted at an Alabama State Park! Choose from a scenic 3-mile Classic Pride Hike or an ADA-accessible Pride Stroll. Participants receive a special-edition Pride hike shirt and a custom medal. Virtual participation and volunteer options are available.

OFFICIAL

June 3 and 17: Chelsea City Council. 6 p.m. Chelsea City Hall, 11611 Chelsea Road, Chelsea.

June 9 and 23: Shelby County Commission. 8:30 a.m. Shelby County Administration Building, 200 West College Street, Columbiana

June 12 and 26: Shelby County School Board. 5 p.m. Central Office Auditorium, 410 East College Street, Columbiana

June 2 and 16: City of Hoover City Council. 6 p.m. Hoover City Hall, 100 Municipal Lane, Hoover

Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market set to begin 25th season

By TAYLOR BRIGHT

The Mt Laurel Farmers Market will celebrate its 25th season when it reopens this month, offering a vibrant mix of locally grown produce, handmade artisan goods and smalltown charm every Saturday through the end of October.

Held from 8 a.m. to noon on Manning Place, the open-air market is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and its deep roots in the community.

“We are a small, quaint market that is people and pet friendly,” said Kelly Burley, the market’s volunteer coordinator and owner of Main Street Florist.

What sets Mt Laurel’s market apart is its emphasis on local, handmade and homegrown.

“We are a craft and farmers market, so we do have some artisan goods. We do require that anyone who comes to set up, it’s either handmade or homegrown,” Burley said.

The market typically features vendors from across Shelby and Chilton counties, with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and crafted items. “We have sourdough bread people, we have flower people, I mean, candle story, you never know what’s going to show up,” she said.

The produce and the setting in Mt Laurel are a draw for the market, Burley said.

“Early we usually have strawberries… strawberries, peaches, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, watermelons, you name it. I mean, anything that can be grown in the South — green beans, rattlesnake beans, peas, purple hull peas, pink-eyed peas. That’s what one of the farmers is known for — pink-eyed peas,” Burley said.

Burley, who has been coordinating the

market for 10 years, says it has grown in the last couple of years.

“That’s also due to the expansion of people moving to the Dunnavant Valley,” she said.

To get what you want, Burley recommends coming early.

“Our market starts at eight, and a lot of times, some of our people run out quickly — actually, out of the good stuff… like the peas, squash, bean, any kind of beans, anything that they don’t have a kind of quantity of. I mean, it always sells out first.”

This year’s market will commemorate a milestone anniversary — its 25th season.

“Community is at the heart of the event,” Burley said. “I think it brings them togetherness,” Burley said. “Especially the older people. They’ll all congregate and talk.”

In addition to the vendors, food trucks and occasional live music add to the atmosphere.

“Occasionally we’ll have different food

music, but we don’t really have a budget.”

Nearby shops and eateries also stay open to accommodate guests. “It’s a really great place to come and visit and stay the day,” Burley said. “Parking is free. Of course, the market is free. Parking is free, entertainment is free.

The market is active on Facebook, where updates and vendor lineups are regularly posted.

“You can always come for all different

The Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market features vendors with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and crafted items. Photos courtesy of Kelly Burley.

SPORTS

Late rally gives Lions state title

By KYLE PARMLEY

“Dig deep.”

That was the message Briarwood Christian School girls soccer coach Ryan Leib repeated throughout the second half of the Class 6A state championship game on May 10 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.

Finally, his team’s efforts came to fruition. Briarwood scored the game-tying goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, and the Lions won a penalty-kick shootout to secure the program’s first state title since 2017.

Briarwood’s 2-1 win looked all but hopeless until the late moments. Taylor Matthews scored in the 79th minute to knot the game at 1-1. After two scoreless overtime periods, the Lions won the penalty-kick shootout 4-1, as Taylor Leib buried her shot to send her team into a frenzied celebration.

“It’s the best feeling you could have,” she said following the game.

In a rematch of last year’s state final, Mountain Brook’s Langston Lilly got her team on the board first, scoring on a set piece in the eighth minute.

Freshman goalkeeper Catherine White was a force from then on, making seven saves in the game and stopping two Mountain Brook shots in the shootout. She was named the State Tournament MVP with her performance.

“A freshman coming up big — I don’t know what to say except that’s amazing. I’m so proud of her,” Taylor Leib said.

It was the final time father and daughter will be on the field as coach and player, Ryan Leib coaching his daughter and Clemson signee Taylor. As fate would have it, her final moment as a Lions player was the game-winning goal.

“You can’t put into words how special it is when your daughter does that and to have that moment together,” Ryan Leib said.

Ryan Leib was also greeted by a water-bottle shower after the game, the perfect conclusion to a cool, damp day.

EAGLES’ UNBEATEN STREAK ENDS IN STATE FINAL

Eventually, the streak was going to end.

But the Oak Mountain High School boys soccer team certainly did not want it to end when it did. The Eagles’ 60-match unbeaten streak ended in the Class 7A state championship game, as Montgomery Academy edged the Eagles 2-1. Montgomery Academy scored twice in the opening 10 minutes of the game, putting Oak Mountain on its heels quickly.

“Conceding early maybe shocked us a little bit,” Oak Mountain head coach David Di Piazza said following the game. “We had a lot of time, but it’s not common for us to concede twice.”

The Eagles got their lone goal in the 55th minute, as Nate Taylor converted a penalty kick.

Oak Mountain had several late chances to equalize but couldn’t convert.

“Montgomery Academy played great. It’s not always about us not doing something great — sometimes the opponent plays well,” Di Piazza said.

This year’s seniors made it to the final four each of the last four years, advanced to three state championship games and won the title last spring.

“What we’ve done statistically is great, but I’m more proud of what these guys have done as human beings. They’ve had a great four years on the field but they’ve grown as men, and they’re incredible student-athletes and great people,” Di Piazza said.

Above: Briarwood women’s soccer beat Mountain Brook in Class 6A girls soccer state championships on May 10. Photos by Sarah Owens.

Right: Oak Mountain lost to Montgomery Academy at the 7A boys state soccer championships on May 10.

SPORTS

Chelsea girls win 6A outdoor track title

By KYLE PARMLEY

Chelsea High School’s girls track and field team made history May 3, capturing the Class 6A state championship for the first time at the state meet in Gulf Shores. The Hornets tallied 87 points to edge three-time defending champion Mountain Brook. Chelsea continues to build momentum, having also won the state indoor title in February.

Athletes from Briarwood, Oak Mountain and Spain Park also turned in strong performances in the 6A and 7A competitions.

Chelsea was led by junior Ty Cason, who won the 400-meter dash (57.49), 800-meter race (2:11.34) and placed fifth in the 1,600 meters (5:07.54).

Sophomore Mia Dunavant was runner-up in both the 400 (57.85) and 800 (2:13.47). Senior Tamarah Rice swept the horizontal jumps, winning both the long jump (18 feet, 0.75 inches) and triple jump (38-1) and competed in the 100 meters. Sophomore Kamryn Hudson placed seventh in the 200 and competed in the 100 as well. Senior Addison Foster finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles and also competed in the 300 hurdles.

Seniors Juliette Edwards (ninth in 3,200) and Hannah Quick (ninth in 800), along with freshman Emily Davis (17th in 3,200), provided valuable performances. The girls 4x100-meter relay team placed fourth, while the 4x400 team won in 3:56.91 and the 4x800 squad finished fourth. In the field events, Sydney Carroll (eighth in javelin), Olivia Pryor (11th in javelin), Mallory Crawley (11th in long jump), Caroline Thornbrough (13th in long jump) and Emma Raines McGough (22nd in high jump) rounded out scoring and participation.

Junior Layla Robidoux competed in the pole vault (22nd). The boys team saw strong

showings from Gabe Pendley, who won the boys 6A javelin with a mark of 184 feet, and Niles Cummings, who won the triple jump and placed eighth in the long jump. Senior Conner Campbell placed seventh in both the 1,600 and 3,200 and was 19th in the 800. Hudson Williams was 18th in the 1,600 and 9th in the 3,200. Additional boys competitors included Jacob Adeema (13th in high jump), Jordan Bennett (22nd in triple jump), and pole vaulters Wyatt Irvin (10th) and Jonathan Ludwig (15th). The boys 4x800 team finished 10th.

Briarwood’s girls team, which finished seventh in 6A, was anchored by senior Mary Grace Parker, who finished second in the 3,200 (10:55.29), fourth in the 1,600 (5:00.51) and seventh in the 800 (2:20.40). Sophomore Allie Hale scored with a seventh-place finish in the 3,200 and also placed in the top 10 in the 800 and 1,600.

Junior Emma Kerley contributed across the board, finishing fifth in the triple jump, seventh in the long jump, 10th in the 300 hurdles and

10th in the high jump. Eighth-grader Olivia Jones (18th in 300 hurdles), junior Livi Reebals (12th in 100 hurdles, 10th in 300 hurdles) and junior Ava Doss (22nd in 400, 16th in long jump) rounded out the sprint and field contributions. Lena Anne Parker placed 18th in the 3,200.

In the throws, junior Ava Wagar placed 20th in discus and sophomore Sarah Travis was 21st in javelin. The pole vault group featured Blakeley Margene (15th) and Kate Jones (19th). The girls 4x800 relay team placed third, while the 4x400 team finished 12th.

On the boys side, sophomore John Campbell turned in a standout performance, placing third in the 200 meters (21.69). Senior Gavin Gurtis finished 9th in the 400.

Oak Mountain senior John Shoemaker had one of the weekend’s most impressive performances as the Eagles finished sixth in 7A, sweeping the 1,600 (4:08.46) and 3,200 (9:10.32) while finishing 18th in the 800. Junior Cooper Jeffcoat also starred, winning the 800 (1:53.95), taking third in the 1,600 (4:12.93) and sixth in the 400.

Senior Whitt Kilgore placed 13th in the 3,200 and 19th in the 1,600.

In the girls’ distance races, senior Ava Fields won the 1,600 (4:57.31) and placed fifth in the 800, while junior Catarina Williams took second in the 800 and 10th in the 1,600. Seniors Hayley Datema and Faith Scardino were 13th and 18th in the 3,200 respectively.

In ambulatory events, sophomore Chase Lovell swept the 100, 200, 400 and javelin, scoring in each. Junior Chrislyn Gray competed in the 100 (15th) and 200 (19th), while sophomore Riley Leckemby placed 18th in the 300 hurdles. Senior Blake Harry contributed across three field events: 13th in the high jump, 9th in the javelin and 15th in the long jump. Freshman Oliver Griffin took 7th in the pole vault, and junior Samiah Jones placed 8th in the triple jump and 21st in the long jump. Sophomore Harper Richey placed 11th in the girls pole vault.

The Oak Mountain girls 4x800 relay team placed fourth and the 4x400 team took seventh. The boys relays included 13th in the 4x800 and 12th in the 4x400. The girls 4x100 also competed, placing 12th in prelims.

Spain Park was led by junior Zachary Erickson, who placed second in the boys discus (1599) and also competed in the shot put (23rd). Sophomore Jonathan Fonbah placed third in the high jump (6-4) and junior Isaac Battles scored with a sixth-place finish in the 400 (49.71). Junior Brody Ahlemeyer ran a PR in the 3,200, finishing 12th. Senior Aden Walker was 17th in shot put and freshman James Thompson placed 20th in the long jump. On the girls side, senior Sydney Baker placed 14th in the 400 and senior Madison Harvey finished 11th in the 3,200. Senior Laila Sibley competed in the discus but fouled all attempts. The Spain Park girls 4x800 relay team finished 9th and the boys 4x100 team placed 11th in prelims.

Hornets fall short in 6A state baseball finals

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Chelsea High School baseball team came close to securing its first state championship on May 15.

But Hartselle stood in the way, finding a way to win twice to take home the Class 6A state title.

Chelsea won the opening game May 14 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, walking it off in the ninth inning for a 1-0 victory.

But the series moved to Jacksonville State University on May 15, with Hartselle winning 4-3 and 9-3 to take the title.

“You knew it was going to be a dog fight and you knew the caliber of team that Hartselle was,” Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings said. “We knew we were going to have to be on point. We played a really good ball game in game one. Game two was really good. Game three was, too — it just came apart in the seventh inning.”

Things began well in the series opener, with the Hornets getting the better end of a pitchers’ duel and winning 1-0 in nine innings. Aiden Hughes pitched nine strong innings, allowing just two hits to go along with 12 strikeouts. Hartselle’s Jace Meadows nearly matched him pitch for pitch, throwing eight shutout innings himself.

Chelsea finally broke the scoreless tie in the ninth, as the Hornets loaded the bases with a hit by pitch, single and walk. Two batters later, Jaxson Dohrman hit a ground ball that resulted in the walk-off win. Hartselle got the out at home, but an ensuing throw to first sailed, allowing Paxton Stallings to score the winning run.

All seven runs in the second game were scored in one inning. Chelsea’s Chase Lackey cleared the bases in the third inning with a

three-run triple, giving the Hornets a 3-0 lead.

But Hartselle responded in kind, with Easton Nelms tying the game on a three-run triple. Cole Miles added a run-scoring groundout to give Hartselle the lead.

That was enough to give the Tigers the series-evening win. Stallings threw the final three innings for Chelsea in hitless fashion. Hartselle’s Connor Stiles threw the complete game, earning the win by allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

Chelsea was three outs from the championship in the third game, taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth, before things came undone in the seventh.

Hartselle scored twice in the fifth to open the scoring, with Asher Doepel knocking one in with a single, and another scoring later in the inning. Chelsea tied the game with three straight hits to begin the sixth inning, Stallings’ double knocking in a pair. Bryant Wisdom drove Stallings in two batters later to give Chelsea the 3-2 lead.

Hartselle drew five walks and a hit by pitch in the seventh on its way to busting out for seven runs. Doepel was lethal from the leadoff spot for the Tigers, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs. He also threw 6 2/3 innings to earn the win.

Chelsea reached the state finals for the first time since 2019, following a dominant playoff

run. The Hornets lost just one game in series wins over Brookwood, Saraland, Calera and Stanhope Elmore. They finished the season with a record of 28-12.

A senior group that included Michael Stallings’ son, Paxton, meant that the relationship between coach and players went a little deeper than normal teams. Michael Stallings fondly remembers the days of park ball, travel ball and all the games over the years.

“If you don’t win the third game, it doesn’t feel the same,” Michael Stallings said. “It doesn’t take away from how proud I am of them and everything they’ve done for our program, and what they’ve done for me as a coach.”

Left: Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama on May 15. Right: Outfielder Aiden Craven (6) celebrates after a successful inning during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship. Photos by David Leong.

Lions win 1st state tennis title since 2019

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Briarwood Christian School boys tennis team claimed its first state championship since 2019 with a thrilling victory at the Class 4A/5A state tournament April 24–25 at Mobile Tennis Center. The girls team also impressed, placing sixth in a deep and competitive field.

The boys edged out Deshler for the title, scoring 62 points to Deshler’s 61. Briarwood got key contributions across the lineup to secure the championship.

Alec Perez led the way, winning the No. 2 singles title with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 victory over Deshler’s Brodie Black in the final. Hayes McKell followed with an impressive performance at No. 3, winning 6-1, 6-1. Kaden Gonzalez added another singles championship at No. 5, edging Wilson’s Freddy Franks in straight sets, capped by a second-set tiebreak.

In doubles, Briarwood’s Rhett Shaddinger and Baker Cullum captured the No. 3 doubles championship, rallying for a 2-6, 6-3, 10-6 victory over Randolph. Perez and Jani Martin reached the final at No. 1 doubles before falling to Deshler’s top team.

Shaddinger was a finalist at No. 4 singles, and Cullum finished runner-up at No. 6.

On the girls side, Briarwood placed sixth in a deep, competitive field with 30 points. The Lions had multiple players reach the finals. Ashley Brooke Tomberlin advanced to the No. 2 singles final before falling in a close match to Abigail Black of Deshler.

Emma Jahraus reached the No. 3 singles final, Margaret Harbor played for the No. 4 title, and Alexis Carter competed in the No. 5 final.

Sarah Wolf reached the second round in No. 1 singles, and Eva Leech played at No. 6. Jahraus and Wolf reached the semifinals in No. 2 doubles.

Spain Park boys finish 2nd at 6A state golf tournament

By KYLE PARMLEY

Spain Park High School’s boys golf team capped off a strong season with a second-place finish at the Class 6A state golf tournament May 12-13, posting a two-day total of 580 at RTJ Oxmoor Valley’s Ridge Course.

The Jaguars opened the tournament the first day with a solid team round of 287, led by senior Chase Kyes, who shot a bogeyfree 66 to set the early pace for Spain Park. Adam Russell contributed a 70, while Luke Philley carded a 75 and Rocco Saia added a 76 to round out the scoring. Landon Crane’s 80 was not included in the team total. Spain Park’s steady play kept the Jaguars in contention heading into the final day, as they trailed Homewood by two strokes.

On the second day, the Jaguars returned with a 293, highlighted again by Kyes’ dominant performance. He matched his opening round with another 66. Russell posted a 72, Philley added a 73, and Crane stepped up with an 82. Saia’s 83 was not counted in the final score.

Kyes, a University of Tennessee signee, was the standout for Spain Park, finishing with a two-day total of 132 and earning low medalist honors by one stroke for the third consecutive year. Russell followed with a combined score of 142, while Philley added a 148 over the two rounds.

Spain Park finished second at 4-over, 18 strokes behind Homewood. Homewood’s second-day surge turned a narrow lead into an 18-stroke runaway victory. Athens was third at 586 and Spanish Fort was fourth at 592.

The Briarwood Christian School boys tennis team won the Class 4A/5A state tournament on April 25. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Mears.

Spain Park’s Adam Russell, left, and Chase Kyes, tee off at the AHSAA Golf State Championship on May 13, at the Oxmoor Valley Golf Course in Birmingham. Photos by David Leong.

At Gradient Dance Theatre & Community in Birmingham, people of all ages and skill levels experience the joys and challenges of dance training in a warm, supportive environment. The teachers at the studio believe deeply that dance is for all bodies and all ages and that everyone has a unique voice to bring to the floor.

Gradient Dance offers a wide variety of adult classes, including ballet and contemporary, as well as workshops with industry professionals, and “accepts all people no matter their background,” co-founder Taylor Ostronic said. “We offer classes for all types of dancers, and we love the mix of levels.”

The students at Gradient Dance are an eclectic mix of beginners, dance professionals and even adults who haven’t danced in years. “We wanted to be a safe place where adult dancers could come back to the dance world and feel loved,” co-founder Joanna Hardy-West told ABC 33/40 News.

In addition to classes, Gradient Dance offers students the chance to get involved in other ways. “We have avenues for dancers to teach, choreograph and perform,” Taylor said.

Taylor and Joanna founded Gradient Dance in 2018, and the studio recently

moved to its new home downtown at 518 19th St. N., Room 200, in First Church Birmingham. “It’s a more central location to serve Birmingham,” Taylor said. “It allows us to offer classes at convenient times, like lunchtime or earlier times in the evening, and allows people downtown to enjoy a quick, midday dance workout.”.

The Gradient Dance “vibe is relaxed,” Taylor said. “Joanna and I don’t subscribe to the scary dance teacher trope. We like challenging dancers to be kind to themselves while working on their technique.”

A rotating team of a half-dozen teachers lead in many different styles. “We have continued to grow and bring in different styles of dance so we can grow

our community of dancers in Birmingham,” Joanna said.

A Missouri native, Taylor earned a BFA in dance performance and choreography at The University of Missouri–Kansas City and has danced professionally. She became an ABT (American Ballet Theatre)-certified teacher in 2016, completed teacher training with the Royal Ballet School in London in 2023 and continues to train in different genres, including modern, hip hop, tap and ballroom.

Born in Georgia, Joanna majored in dance education at The University of South Carolina and worked as a professional dancer in Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Joanna came to Birmingham to dance for Arova Contemporary Ballet

Gradient Dance Theatre & Community

• Where: 518 19th St N Room

200, Birmingham

• Call: 205-202-1373

• Web: gradientdance.org

and later created Swallowtail Dance, a precursor to Gradient Dance.

People can gain a lot from dance, which is an art form and an exercise, Taylor said. “Dance is wonderful because it challenges your body and mind. We learn about our strengths and weaknesses through dance, and we challenge ourselves just a touch more and discover what edges we can smooth.”

Taylor and Joanna love what they do.

“Between teaching, creating and encouraging others to share their art, we love seeing how the dance community in Birmingham grows,” Taylor said.

Life along the 280 corridor

Chelsea City Clerk Crystal Etheredge

By STAFF

Q: Tell us a bit about you.

A: I was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and grew up as an Army brat. I graduated from Carroll High School in Ozark, Alabama and went on to double major in criminal justice and psychology at Troy University. While working on a master’s degree in public administration from Jacksonville University, I began my career in local government with the City of Piedmont in their Municipal Court. That’s where I discovered my passion for helping others, and I’ve spent more than twenty years in local government since.

Q: What’s the best part about living in Chelsea or Chelsea in general?

A: To me, the best part of Chelsea is how it immediately felt like “home.” The day I walked into City Hall for the first time, I knew I was where I belonged. This is home. The Chelsea community has always been warm and welcoming — we’ve really enjoyed living here.

Q: What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?

A: Probably that I have a very eclectic taste in music and a quirky sense of humor. I love making people laugh and try to be a blessing to others every day.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

A: My favorite thing is spending time with our family — making memories, laughing and soaking up every second. Our youngest children are graduating next month, and we’ve loved being there to cheer them on through all their extracurricular activities. As this chapter closes, we’re excited to see what the next one holds.

By TAYLOR BRIGHT

Recently we asked our Facebook followers to help identify an old photo of U.S. 280. The photo had sat for years in the Perrin and Sons landscape building and was lent to 280 Living for a story on the Perrin family that we ran in January. But, the Perrins said they didn’t know when the black-and-white picture was taken and we asked internet sleuths to help narrow down the possible years.

In the picture, you can clearly see U.S. 280 and Hwy. 119, though the intersection itself is out of the frame.

You can see Perrin’s landscape in the picture and across the street. On Lyndon Drive, several of the houses that still stand today are visible. There is no post office. The most discernible feature of the picture is a cleared lot surrounded by trees and filled with cars.

Guesses by our followers ranged from the 1960s to 1980s. Some folks were able to add personal notes from their family’s past.

One commenter said, “I can see my aunt and uncle’s trailer on Lyndon Drive with the addition he built onto it. That places this photo in the early 80s.”

Another commenter said it was before Lloyd’s was built in 1978 and guessed it was 1975. Indeed, it looks like the picture was taken before Lloyd’s was built.

Vicki Murphy took the time to annotate the picture with identifications. The structure with the cars, she and other commenters said, was Johnny Davis Junkyard and Parts. Across from the Perrins was Crocker Service Station. And the white house at the bottom belonged to a “Mr. Hooks.”

By her estimate, the picture was taken between 1974 and 1977.

So, based on all of the knowledgeable feedback, it was likely taken before 1978 and it probably falls in the range Murphy guessed.

Crystal Etheredge has served more than 20 years in local government for Piedmont and now Chelsea. Photo courtesy of Crystal Etheredge.

An aerial shot of the intersection of

280, on the right, and Alabama 119 shows the early view of the area surrounding Perrin & Son. Perrin & Son, established in the late 1950s, was once surrounded by forest and open land. Photo courtesy of Perrin & Son.

On the Mainstage

Asbury United Methodist Church Director of Music Ministry Nancy Beard

By STAFF

Q: When did you first get involved in music?

A: I’ve been involved in music all my life. When I was a child, I took piano lessons, and then when I was, I think about 12 years old, I started playing the piano and organ in church, and then majored in music in college, and I’ve taught voice and I’ve been music director here for over 25 years.

Q: What are your main responsibilities as music director?

A: I conduct the Chancel Choir, which is the choir which sings for our 11 o’clock traditional service. I plan solos and other special musical offerings that are a part of worship, both at the 8:30 and 11 o’clock traditional service. I work with the pastors in planning worship, selecting hymns and other music that’s a part of the service.

Q: What’s your favorite part about the job?

A: My favorite part is finding the right music for the scripture or the sermon or for the music that will bring to life the message or the scripture — to finding that perfect fit, whether it be an anthem or a solo or hymn or instrumental music.

Q: What’s something about you most people don’t know?

A: In the early ’80s, I sang on the Country Boy Eddie Show. And, also, when I was right out of college, I performed in shows at Opryland, the theme park in Nashville.

By STAFF

Bailey Brothers Music Company, a cornerstone of Birmingham’s music scene for over 35 years, continues to serve musicians of all levels from its location along U.S. Highway 280. Situated at 4673 Highway 280, Suite 7, the store is known for its extensive selection of high-end musical instruments and gear, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals.

The store’s inventory boasts top brands such as Gibson, Fender, Taylor and Paul Reed Smith.

Beyond sales, Bailey Brothers offers a range of services including instrument rentals, repairs and personalized music lessons across various instruments.

Their team comprises experienced instructors and knowledgeable staff, many of whom are active musicians, ensuring customers receive expert guidance.

The business, which started in Montgomery, was sold to Music & Arts in 2023, but it has continued to offer a wide variety of services for the musically inclined, including lessons for guitar and piano.

The store has been recognized by the music retail industry, including being designated a Gibson Dealer of the Year.

Its parent company, Music & Arts, has

grown to become the largest school music dealer in the United States, with over 260 retail locations nationwide.

The company also offers over 1.5 million private music lessons annually, making it the largest private music lesson provider in the country.

For more information on their offerings or to schedule a lesson, find them on Facebook or contact the store directly at 205-271-7827.

Nancy Beard has been music director at Asbury United Methodist Church for more than 25 years. Photo courtesy of Nancy Beard.

Bailey Brothers Music Company serves musicians of all levels of ability and experience. Photo courtesy of Bailey Brothers Music Company.

56-for-56:

By TIM STEPHENS

Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, I titled this one “Time to sprint, Fatboy.”

Because that’s how I used to motivate myself. Loud. Public. Funny, but not really. I’d manufacture pressure, raise the stakes, light the fuse — and take off.

Scan the QR code to watch episode 4 of 56-for-56: A Transformation Project.

That approach powered big sprints: losing 100 pounds, writing a book in 36 hours, salvaging semesters in a weekend. I’ve always been able to dig deep… until I couldn’t. It was powering me ahead in this goal to lose 56 pounds by my 56th birthday, July 12, until I hit the wall.

This month, I finally recognized why.

It wasn’t just fatigue. It wasn’t just burnout. It was ADHD.

I wasn’t diagnosed until 52. Looking back, it explains why I’ve started and stopped this journey so many times. ADHD is more than distraction; it’s dysregulation. For some of us, it shows up in work. For others, it shows up in our bodies. For me, it was both.

THE CYCLE NO ONE SEES

Here’s how it works for me. I’ll get laser-focused on something — a new goal, a new system, a new challenge — and for a while, it’s like a superpower. I’m locked in. All-in. Getting more done in a week than most people do in a month.

And then… it vanishes.

Not the goal. The interest.

The switch flips, and it’s gone. I lose the routines and the drive. I avoid it — then shame creeps in because I replace that energy with things that are not-so-good, such as stress eating and poor sleep.

Time to sprint, Fatboy

So I start avoiding everything — the scale, the tracker, the gym, the mirror, the questions. Until something painful jolts me back into action. And the cycle starts again.

I’ve lived in this loop for 30 years. Fitness. Projects. Work. Without sustainable structure, the pattern wins.

A NEW WAY TO TRAIN

This month, I got back on track physically. I resumed workouts, sauna, tracking and IV infusions.

But the bigger battle is inside my head.

My ADHD-specialized therapist, Dalila Bass, has helped me recognize the mental cost of sprinting through life. We’re using CBT to reframe goals — not as punishment, but as commitments I can build systems around. Instead of chasing the dopamine of short bursts and the adrenaline of big results, we’re chasing consistency.

One of the biggest shifts is in my self-talk. I’ve always had an internal coach yelling at me to grind harder and suffer more. It worked — until it broke me. Now, we’re replacing that voice with something more sustainable — a voice that pushes without destroying and grants grace.

THE STATS NO ONE TALKS ABOUT

Studies have found that adults with ADHD are nearly twice as likely to be obese as those without it. We’re far more prone to binge eating, inconsistent routines and all-or-nothing spirals. Yet most aren’t diagnosed until their 40s or 50s. They assume they’re broken. Or — and this was me — they mask, building intense routines that quietly drain energy.

It works — until they crash.

PROGRESS WORTH KEEPING

This month: show up anyway. Not chasing perfection — just a pattern I can sustain. I’m working to change patterns.

I’ve dropped 10 pounds. It’s real. I’m behind pace, but it’s still reachable if I stay consistent and manage the dialogue inside my head.

COMMITTED TO CUSTOMERS

We strive to provide the best possible experience for collectors and investors alike.

Starnes Media General Manager

Tim Stephens is learning to balance work, life, workouts and a recent diagnosis that he has ADHD on his way to achieving his goal to lose 56 pounds by his 56th birthday. Staff photo.

Dalila said: “It’s about building something that lasts.”

I didn’t choose ADHD, but I’m responsible for managing it. That’s the real transformation.

JOIN THE MISSION

Know someone making an amazing personal transformation? Nominate them for the Transformation Project here: https://forms. gle/6CCxjcv3Rt7bEsvGA