We’re officially “marching” into the third month of the year (I’ll see myself out now).
Terrible jokes aside, our country is set to correct one of its most egregious flaws this month. On Sunday, March 8, we will return to daylight saving time, as opposed to the nonsense that is standard time.
I know, I know, there are valid reasons for why we change the clock back in November for the winter months, but the sun setting at 4:30 p.m. in those dead months of November, December and January is just the worst.
We’ve heard about it forever, when politicians will grandstand about potentially moving things to daylight saving time permanently, but I’ve come to accept that it will never happen.
Unlike politicians who will say things and never act, I hope to be the type of person whose words have action behind them. When I give my word to someone, I want them to have the confidence that I mean what I say and will follow through.
That’s one thing I’m striving for these days. What about you?
As always, thank you for reading this publication and reach out to me at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com with any ideas!
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Trussville Gas and Water (6) Legals: Cahaba Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Cahaba Sun is designed to inform the Trussville community of area school, family and community events. Information in Cahaba Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Cahaba Sun. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.
ON THE COVER: An aerial view of First Baptist Church Trussville, where Sherrie Forehand worked behind the scenes for more than four decades. Inserts, from top: Forehand and her successor Kimberly Johnson; Forehand and Pastor Buddy Champion on her final day; Forehand standing by the church event center. Photos by Diane Poole and courtesy of First Baptist Church Trussville.
By STAFF
The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce has begun its 2026 chamber scholarship program for high school seniors.
The application period for students graduating this spring is now open.
Awards range from $1,500 to $3,000 and include academic scholarships for students heading to four-year and two-year colleges, as well as a Chamber Champions Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to the child of a Trussville chamber member based on the parent’s service to the chamber in addition to the student’s qualifications.
Completed applications and required attachments must be postmarked or turned into the chamber office at 400 Main St. by April 1. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.
by then and will be accepted through April 3.
Application forms can be printed from trussvillechamber.com/scholarships. Completed applications and required attachments must be postmarked or turned into the chamber office at 400 Main St. by April 1.
Mailed applications must be postmarked
For more information, contact the chamber office at 205-655-7535 or email Melissa Walker at melissa.walker@trussville chamber.com.
– Submitted by Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
tales of
BUSINESS
Business Happenings
OPENING SOON
Genghis Bowl Mongolian Grill & Sushi is set to open at 5899 Trussville Crossings Parkway next to Regal Trussville movie theater. No exact date has been announced. The fast-casual restaurant features Mongolian-style barbecue. Customers choose meat, sauces and vegetables from a raw bar and the meal is custom prepared. It will be in the former location of The Palace Chinese restaurant, which closed in spring of 2025 to move to a new site. 205-238-5937, genghisbowlal.kwickmenu.com
The Palace is set to reopen soon at its new address, 5978 Chalkville Mountain Road, next to Ollie’s, according to the establishment’s Facebook page. Formerly at 5899 Trussville Crossings Parkway, the restaurant closed in April 2025 after 25 years in business serving traditional Chinese dishes. No exact date has been announced for the new opening. 205-661-1668, facebook.com/p/PalaceChinese-Restaurant-in-Trussville61573329916626
NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Ronnie Dean has acquired The Gallery by Restoration Interiors custom framing, located at 7018 Gadsden Highway, Suite 100. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held to commemorate the change in ownership and the new name. The shop, formerly known as The Gallery, offers custom frames, shadow boxes, needlework, paintings on mattes and glass, and custom watercolor paintings of homes. It first opened in 1984.
205-655-0320, thegallerytrussville.com
Total Dermatology announced the addition of Dr. Andrew Fortugno to its team of physicians practicing at the Trussville and downtown Birmingham locations. Fortugno is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. Originally from Nashville, he graduated first in his class at the University of Tennessee
College of Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2024. The Trussville office is located at 4913 Deerfoot Parkway. 205-933-0987, totalskinandbeauty.com
ANNIVERSARIES
Durante Home Exteriors, with one of its several regional locations at 5061 Cardinal St., recently celebrated 25 years in business. Durante has grown from a local operation into a regional home improvement company, specializing in exterior remodeling solutions, as well as baths with Durante Bath and Showers. 205-956-4110, godurante.com
Do you have news to share about a business in Trussville or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
Living with a chronic health condition doesn’t mean childhood has to stop. At Children’s of Alabama, we make sure kids can keep doing what they do best—laughing, playing, and simply being kids. With expert care, advanced treatments, and a team that never stops believing in brighter days, we help families navigate their healthcare journey with confidence, strength, and hope.
We are here in your neighborhood at Pediatrics East. To schedule an appointment at either the Trussville or Deerfoot locations visit www.pediatricseast.org Learn more at ChildrensAL.org
Fortugno
GET TO KNOW
Emily Onofry of Anderson Ave Boutique
By DIANE POOLE
Q: Tell me the story behind Anderson Ave Boutique.
A: I opened up an online store while I was still in college. I actually went to the University of Alabama for a year and kind of flipped my major a few times. Then I came home in the summer and decided I really wanted to open a boutique. My mom and I worked hard to get a business license and learn about the industry, and we opened our online store in the summer of 2023. I switched to online college so I could do this full time, and after about a year online, we opened our brick-and-mortar store in June 2024.
Q: Why did you want to open a boutique in the first place?
A: When I was in high school, I always had my friends coming over wanting to try on clothes and borrow things for events they were going to. They would try things on, and I loved seeing how good they felt. I always got joy out of helping people find something they loved and seeing how it made them feel. That followed me to college, and I wanted to be able to do that for other girls.
Q: Where did the name Anderson Ave come from?
A: Anderson is my mom Katie’s maiden name. My grandfather had five sisters and was the only son, and then he had two girls, so the name kind of stopped with him. My grandparents have always shown such love and giving, and they love the Lord, and you feel that when you’re around them. I wanted my store to give off that same feeling of comfort and being welcoming. The Ave part is more like a street name, but the meaning is really in the Anderson name.
Q: What does being a local business owner in Trussville mean to you?
A: I moved to Trussville in sixth grade, and I was always involved in sports, leadership and church. When I left for college, I realized how important community was to me. Owning a business in Trussville makes me feel connected and gives me a way to give back. I really believe in community over competition, and I love supporting other local businesses.
Q: What advice would you give someone dreaming of opening a small business?
A: It’s a lot of commitment. Big stuff: finances, personnel, reputation. There’s no overnight success. Find someone in the industry you can share with and talk to. And hire a social media person.
Emily Onofry is the owner of Anderson Ave Boutique in Trussville. Photo by Diane Poole.
BUSINESS
Cahaba Sign & Design grows from home business to storefront
By DIANE POOLE
When people walk into Cahaba Sign & Design, they often don’t realize just how much happens behind the scenes. What began as a home-based freelance operation for owner Amie McCullough has grown into a full-service design and production shop tucked into a former bank building in Trussville — complete with a vault now used as a darkroom.
McCullough officially launched the business in 2014, but design and printing have been constants in her life since college. After working in print shops and graphic design roles in Texas and Alabama, she built a loyal client base that eventually outgrew her home workspace. In 2020 — an unexpected but pivotal year — Cahaba Sign & Design opened its storefront.
“When everything shut down, signage was suddenly essential,” McCullough said. “Apparel slowed down, but signs, floor graphics and directional materials were in high demand. We had to pivot quickly.”
Today, Cahaba Sign & Design offers far more than signs. The team specializes in branding projects that often begin with logo design and extend to business cards, window graphics, banners, embroidery, custom shirts, screen printing, decals and promotional items. McCullough and her team of graphic designers pride themselves on guiding clients through the entire process, ensuring quality, readability and consistency.
McCullough is especially proud of projects around Trussville, including sports signage and commercial installations that help shape the city’s look and feel. “I want our town to look good,” she said. “When people come here, I want them to
feel proud of it.”
At its core, Cahaba Sign & Design is about relationships. “We love our customers,” McCullough said. “They come back because we do what we say we’ll do — and we care.”
Cahaba Sign & Design owner Amie McCullough.
Photo by Diane Poole.
Recently sold homes
► ADDRESS: 8218 Carrington Drive
► BED/BATH: 4/4.5
► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,135 sq. ft.
► NEIGHBORHOOD: Carrington Lakes
► LIST PRICE: $550,000
► SALE PRICE: $550,000
SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
► ADDRESS: 387 Glen Cross Way
► BED/BATH: 4/3
► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,872 sq. ft.
► NEIGHBORHOOD: Glen Cross
► LIST PRICE: $389,950
► SALE PRICE: $389,950
► ADDRESS: 1114 Blackjack Road
► BED/BATH: 2/2
► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,605 sq. ft.
► NEIGHBORHOOD: Trussville
► LIST PRICE: $339,000
► SALE PRICE: $315,000
SCHOOLHOUSE
Hewitt-Trussville High School senior Nathan Mullinax
By APRIL COFFEY
Q: Tell our readers about yourself.
A: I am a senior at Hewitt-Trussville High School and have lived in Trussville my entire life. I grew up trying all the sports: baseball, wrestling, flag football, padded football, track, cross-country, pole vaulting and now bowling. I have attended First Baptist Church of Trussville since I was five weeks old and was baptized there on June 19, 2016, when I was 9 years old. I have a sister, Kate, who is 21 and a senior at Auburn University and a brother who is 19 and a sophomore at Auburn University. We have a Goldendoodle named Willow, and she is 8. I grew up with a large group of guy friends that I met at church and school, and most of us will be attending Auburn University in the fall.
Q: What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
A: I wrestled from about the age of 5 until the end of my eighth-grade season. I played flag football from about 7 years old until I
ACCOLADES GET TO KNOW GET TO KNOW
was about 13 years old. I started playing padded football in second grade and played until the completion of my seventh-grade season. I started running cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track in seventh grade until my sophomore year, and now I’m on the HTHS bowling team for my senior year with a lot of my friends. I also did co-op my junior year and did an engineering internship at Fluids Solutions.
Q: What do you think is the best thing about living in the Trussville community and attending Trussville Schools?
A: I love that most of my friends go to my church and school. I love how everyone shows up to support sports in Trussville.
Q: What is your favorite class at school and why?
A: The Engineering Academy. I have been in the Engineering Academy since freshman year, and I am working on my engineering senior project now. I am on a team with Grayson Benzaia and Liam McGinnis, and we are working on creating a robot that
Hewitt-Trussville senior Grayson Benzaia
By APRIL COFFEY
Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.
A: I enjoy running, hanging out with my friends, traveling and anything outdoors such as snowboarding, hiking and water sports.
Q: What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
A: I am an intern at First Baptist Church Trussville. I am a launch group leader with our student ministry. Through [HewittTrussville High School’s] Engineering Academy, I am working on a project with the NASA HUNCH program.
Q: What do you love most about attending HTHS? What do you think you will miss the most after graduation?
A: The one thing I love the most about HTHS is how the teachers and staff constantly pour into the students. I love how they truly care about each student’s future and will make sure that they succeed. The one thing
I will miss is all the sporting events and my classmates.
Q: Has there been a particular teacher/staff member or class at Trussville that has had a major impact on you?
A: I have two teachers that have made a huge impact on me, and they are Mr. Cook and Mr. Dooley. They lead the Engineering Academy, and they have taught me everything I need to know to succeed as a student wanting to carry on my passion for engineering at Auburn University.
Q: What advice would you give to freshmen entering HTHS?
A: One piece of advice that I have for the freshmen entering HTHS is to find good, reliable friends that are there for you when you need them and push you forward in your faith. This is definitely something that has helped me grow in my faith and helped me reach my goals.
– Read the complete Q&A online at cahabasun.com.
jumps in space that can take aerial photos on the surface of the moon.
Q: What are your plans following high school? What will you most miss about HTHS?
A: I have been accepted to Auburn University for the fall of 2026 and plan on studying building sciences. Most of my friends will be attending Auburn, as well, so I’m excited about that. I’ve had a great high school experience, and I’ll probably miss the sporting events and the Engineering Academy and teachers.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: My role models without a doubt would be my parents. They have raised me in an incredible environment and truly shown me what it means to walk as a man of God, guiding me and directing me in the greatest possible way.
Q: What advice would you give to a student who is new to HTHS?
A: Don’t be afraid to make friends outside of your close circle.
HTHS cheerleaders win first national championship
By STAFF
On Feb. 8, the HTHS cheerleaders won the Super Varsity Division I National Cheerleading Championship for the first time in school history.
The competition was held in Orlando, Florida.
HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE TEAM PERFORMS AT REGIONALS
In January, the HTMS dance team performed at the Regional UDA dance competition at Hoover High School. The team brought home awards in Game Day (first place), Kick (first place and Technical
Excellence Award) and Middle School Grand Champion for the overall highest score.
PAINE ELEMENTARY PREPARES TO STAGE DISNEY’S ALADDIN KIDS
Students at Paine Elementary School are preparing to bring Aladdin KIDS to life this spring. They are hard at work learning their roles, designing sets and bringing Agrabah to life.
They are learning a variety of sculpting and set-design techniques while working together as a team. Their creativity, problem solving and dedication are evident in every detail, and they are excited to share the results of their hard work on stage.
The HewittTrussville High School cheer team won the National High School Cheerleading Championship in the Super Varsity Division. Photo courtesy of HewittTrussville Athletics.
Benzaia
Mullinax
SUMMER CAMP GUIDE
Explore local camps where kids can make friends, try new activities and build new skills all summer long
Hear and know God in a new way
First Baptist Church Trussville
First Baptist Church Trussville has summer programs for every age group to help young people develop a relationship with Christ.
From devotion and summer fun in Ocoee Ridge, Tennessee, to honing fine arts skills, First Baptist Church Trussville hosts full-week summer camps and day camps throughout the summer.
Student Camp Ocoee takes students who have completed grades 6-12 to Tennessee for five days packed with fun activities, worship and distraction-free time with friends.
Campers who have completed grades 3-5 are invited to Camp ToKnowHim to get away and have fun. Kindergartners through second-grade campers attend a Day Camp at First Baptist Church Trussville with the same themes.
The Conservatory at FBCT offers three different camps:
For the artistically inclined students who have completed grades 1-5, Fine Arts Camp is a day camp that offers a fun introduction to the music and art that the Conservatory
teaches all year.
For kids 6-12 who want all art, they can explore the visual arts at Kids Art Camp. There are basketball and golf camps for children who are inclined toward sports.
Finally, Princess Dance Camp is a fun half-day camp that teaches the basics of dance plus lots more to girls ages 3-7!
For more information, call 205-655-2403 or go to fbctrussville.org.
SPORTS
By KYLE PARMLEY
The margins are slim in Class 7A baseball, and Hewitt-Trussville High School enters the 2026 season knowing just how quickly things can change.
The Huskies had a phenomenal season in 2025, winning 33 games and losing only two games in the regular season before falling to Bob Jones in the second round of the playoffs.
They lost a large senior class from last year’s team, including a first-round draft pick in Steele Hall and several others who moved on to play college baseball. What remains is what head coach Jeff Mauldin called “a brand-new looking group.”
“The expectations here haven’t changed,” Mauldin said.
Senior first baseman Cale McIntosh is one of three returning starters. He hit for over a .300 average last season, spending most of the year in the middle of the lineup, and has signed with Coastal Alabama Community College.
Senior third baseman Blake Bales also hit just over .300 a year ago and was one of the team’s main relievers, finishing with a couple saves. Senior Koal Duckett started in right field last season; this spring he will move to center and could also help the team on the mound.
On the pitching side, Hewitt-Trussville will look different in a unique way.
“Our top five pitchers are all main figures in our infield,” Mauldin said.
Sophomore Hudson Mitchell and junior Jace Riggan — a Florida State commit who moved in over the summer — are expected to anchor the rotation. Riggan will handle shortstop and hit near the top of the lineup. Mitchell is the leading
candidate at second base and will also see time at first when McIntosh is pitching. McIntosh, Bales and senior Rylan Clark round out the group of main arms, with junior Braylon Townes emerging as a bullpen option.
Behind the plate, the Huskies have a three-way battle. Junior Wes Hardy, sophomore Tripp Giangrosso and freshman Hunter Futrell are all competing for time. Mauldin said all three players have unique strengths that, if combined, would make an elite catcher.
With so many new faces stepping into larger roles, Mauldin’s message has been consistent.
“I want you to be the best version of you,” he said.
Hewitt-Trussville will once again navigate a loaded Class 7A, Area 6 that includes Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Oak Mountain. If the Huskies are going to return to the postseason, growth and execution will have to come quickly.
Hewitt-Trussville will play many local teams before area play and will make a trip to South Walton, Florida, for a prestigious event in the middle of March. The following week, the Huskies will also travel to Tennessee for more stout competition.
“It’s going to come down to who can execute in those area games and who doesn’t make the mistake when it matters,” Mauldin said.
New Huskies ready to step up, continue success Huskies softball reloading in 2026
By KYLE PARMLEY
Many seasons in recent memory, the Hewitt-Trussville High School softball team has entered the year with a target on its back as one of the perennial contenders in Class 7A.
But the Huskies enter the 2026 season with a noticeably young group. The Huskies return just three starters from last year. There are five seniors and a bevy of players looking to make their mark for the first time. Head coach Taylor Burt knows this spring may require patience.
“We’re going to be inexperienced, so we’re going to have to learn as we go,” Burt said.
The senior class includes Corey Goguts, Emily Renda, Hannah Claire Miller, Kylie Hendrick and Lauren Whitaker. Goguts is expected to split time between first base and the outfield while providing a steady presence in the lineup.
The Ole Miss commit had a breakout 2025 campaign, bashing 31 home runs and driving in 78 runs, becoming one of the most feared hitters in the state.
Renda, who has battled injuries in recent seasons, could factor in at middle infield or third base. Miller and Hendrick give the Huskies two athletic seniors who can swing the bat, as well.
Of the five, Whitaker brings the most experience in the circle. Burt said the Huskies will depend heavily on her as part of what is expected to be a pitching staff
plate. Reed and Looney will both see significant time in the circle, with Reed having thrown late last season and expected to take on a larger role this spring. Noblin is projected to contribute in the outfield, while Hull and Looney both bring valuable experience after playing multiple seasons at the varsity level. Hull hit for a .403 average last season and has committed to play at UAB.
Sophomore Erin Coleman came on strong in the second half of last season, hitting for a .385 average last spring. She is expected to take on a bigger role and become one of the key presences in the lineup.
In the circle, Whitaker, Reed and Looney are part of a group that also includes freshmen Maggie Bell and Sophia Shubert. Burt said matchups will likely determine usage on a given day as the Huskies search for consistency.
The youth does not stop there. Burt said six eighth graders are capable of competing at the varsity level, and several could factor into the lineup as the season progresses.
“by committee.”
The Huskies do have a talented junior class that includes Taylor McLaughlin, Kenzie Noblin, Rachel Reed, Presley Hull, Emily Bates and Harper Looney.
McLaughlin is a possibility to handle duties behind the
Hewitt-Trussville is opening a new stadium this season, undoubtedly one of the most impressive high school softball facilities in the state. The program has been among the state’s very best since Burt took the reins in 2018, winning state titles in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024.
But every team starts each season with a clean slate, and the Huskies will look to make the 2026 one memorable as well.
Left: Hewitt-Trussville’s Corey Goguts (25) hits the ball during an East Regional game on May 7 at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville. Right: Hewitt-Trussville’s Presley Hull (22) catches a fly ball. Photos by Kyle Parmley.
Left: Hewitt-Trussville Blake Bales (7) in a game against Oak Mountain at Phil English Field in April 2025. Right: Hewitt-Trussville RHP Rylan Clark (1). Photos by Shawn Bowles.
SPORTS
Huskies edge Hoover for state indoor title
By KYLE PARMLEY
The Hewitt-Trussville High School boys track and field team pulled off a thrilling victory in the Class 7A state meet on Jan. 31.
The Huskies won the final event of the meet — the 4x400-meter relay — to edge the four-time defending indoor state champs. Hoover has won eight of the last 10 state indoor titles, with Hewitt-Trussville upsetting the Bucs twice in the last decade.
Hewitt-Trussville scored 112 points to Hoover’s 111 as the two dominated the team competition. Huntsville and Vestavia Hills were the next two closest teams — more than 30 points back.
In individual performances, Raphael Boakye-Yiadom had the top showing for the Huskies. He scored a victory in the triple jump while finishing third in the 60-meter hurdles and long jump.
Noah Jordan had second-place finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200. Hadley Turner won the 1,600 and finished fifth in the 3,200. John Paul Amari finished fourth in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600.
Devin Kouanvih and Braylon Walker each posted a second-place finish in the 400 and the high jump, respectively. DJ Hall was fifth in the 400 and sixth in the 60-meter hurdles.
With third-place finishes, Jaliyah Edwards in the shot put and Ben Reeves in pole vault had strong showings, as well.
Jayda Hammonds was fifth in triple jump.
Olivia Reese was fourth in the 60 hurdles and Ethan Ridley was fourth in long jump. Maddox Turner finished sixth in the 800, Zion Westry was sixth in triple jump and Natalie Wiram was sixth in the 3,200.
Caylin Kennemur won three ambulatory events in a dominant performance.
Brooklyn Vandegrift was sixth in pole vault and Kaylee White was seventh in high jump.
Also competing for Hewitt as individuals were Akilah Muhammad, Maggie Durham, Emmie Goodell, Laine Walker, Emmie Willoughby, Mary Durham, Rhys Wright, Savannah Bullock, Madison Coffman and Lia Carter.
The boys won the 4x400 and 4x200 relays while finishing fourth in the 4x800.
Hewitt-Trussville girls finished in a tie for third in Class 7A behind Hoover and Vestavia Hills, but they deadlocked with James Clemens.
Hewitt-Trussville take home the State Champion title on Jan. 31 in the AHSAA Indoor State Track and Field event at the Birmingham Crossplex. Photo courtesy of Joshua Fonbah.
EVENTS
Save the Date
2026 APSO POWER RUN 5K
► Where: Trussville Entertainment District, 101 Beech St., Suite 111
► When: Saturday, March 7, 5K at 8 a.m., 1K Fun Run at 9 a.m.
► Cost: $22.20-$32.80
► Details: The Alabama Power Service Organization Power Run raises awareness and money to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. The BGCCA provides children and teens a safe place to learn and grow through life-enhancing programs.
► Register: Online at power-run.org
MARCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON
► Where: Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville Clay Road
► When: Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
► Cost: $25 cash or check; $26 credit, debit or Venmo
► Details: Join us for the March Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. with the program at noon. Sponsored by Will Bright Foundation and Avadian Credit Union, the event’s registration deadline is Tuesday, March 17 at noon.
► Contact: Email Heather Weems at heather. weems@trussvillechamber.com
► For more events news, connect with the Cahaba Sun online by scanning the QR code.
► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
SPRING INTO GIRL SCOUTS
► Where: 603 Parkway Drive
► When: Saturday, March 7, 10-11 a.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Trussville’s Spring Into Girl Scouts invites girls and their families to explore what Girl Scouts is all about through hands-on activities and opportunities to meet other girls their age. Participants can try new activities, learn about local troops and make new friends in a welcoming environment. This event is hosted by Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.
CLASSIC CINEMA: BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (PG)
► Where: Trussville Public Library, LBK Auditorium, 201 Parkway Drive
► When: Friday, March 20, 2-4 p.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Join fellow film fans on the third Friday of each month for a classic movie released before 1970 and shown in the library auditorium. Arrive early for free popcorn and snacks. Movie ratings vary each month by title.
► Register: Online at trussvillelibrary.com/ event/14671317
FERUS BUNCO!
► Where: Ferus Artisan Ales, 101 Beech St., Suite 111
► When: Thursday, March 12, 6-9 p.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Bunco Night at Ferus Artisan Ales is a fun, fast-paced night out. Whether you’re a bunco pro or have never picked up the dice in your life, everyone is welcome at the Ferus tables for an easy-to-learn game experience and social outing that is completely free. Bunco is a game played with three dice, including a minimum of 12 players divided into teams of four.
THE PINK BRIDE WEDDING AND WOMEN’S EXPO
► Where: Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville Clay Road
► When: Sunday, March 22, noon to 3 p.m.
► Cost: General admission tickets from $12.51, available at the door or at eventbrite.com/e/ the-pink-bride-wedding-and-womens-expo -trussvillebirmingham-tickets-1849983032049
► Details: The Pink Bride Wedding and Women’s Expo is a one-stop shop for all things wedding, no matter where you are in your weddingplanning journey. Taste cakes and meet local wedding professionals. Enjoy exclusive discounts, grab swag and enter to win prizes.
A Toast to Forever: An interactive murder mystery comes to downtown Trussville
By DIANE POOLE
If you like murder mysteries, you might enjoy becoming part of one. An interactive murder mystery experience, “A Toast to Forever,” is coming to The Reserve in the Trussville Gateway District, offering guests the chance to step into the story rather than simply watch it unfold.
Created by Jimmie Rodick, event coordinator at Ferus Artisan Ales, this experience centers around a rehearsal dinner where friends and family have gathered to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Charlotte and Ethan. It soon becomes apparent that something is wrong, and dinner guests become part of the story.
“This isn’t going to be a traditional murder mystery where you sit and watch,” Rodick said. “It’s much more interactive. Think pairing an escape room-style plot with a murder mystery where you get to play along.”
But if acting is not on your resume, never fear.
“Acting [experience] isn’t really required,” said Rodick. “You can take on the persona of your character if you want, or you can just observe and take in what’s happening.”
So how will it work?
“Everyone will check in and get a name tag with their role, plus clues, possible motives and information that only your character knows,” she explained. “We’ll start with a toast to the bride and groom, and then the story begins. We’ll include a notepad and pen as a party favor
so guests can keep track of clues. Throughout the evening, we’ll release more clues so everyone can work together to figure it out.”
Rodick will serve as the host and will guide the story along. All the characters will get the same clues. Even
participants who are further from the main plot will have enough information to solve the mystery. You can work by yourself, as a couple or as a team to figure out “whodunit.”
But don’t wait to get your tickets if you want to have a significant role in the mystery. Rodick shared the process for assigning roles.
“The earlier you buy your ticket and check in, the more likely you are to be one of the main characters. Those roles go first, and the rest are supporting characters.”
Rodick hopes the event will draw individuals, couples and even groups to participate.
“It’s a little bit of both — a social night out and an interactive murder mystery,” she said. “People can mingle, compare notes and enjoy the evening while solving the mystery.”
And what does Rodick hope guests will say afterward?
“I hope people leave saying, ‘I can’t believe it was that person — and I’m so glad it wasn’t me.’ I want it to be something fun they’re still talking about on the ride home.”
Only 50 tickets are available, making the show more intimate. “A Toast to Forever” will take place Friday, March 27 from 7-10 p.m. at The Reserve in the Trussville Gateway District. Tickets are $25/single or $40/couple and are available at ferusales.com/events-1/a-toast-to-forevera-murder-mystery-social. Costumes and dressy attire are optional but encouraged, adding to the fun of the rehearsal dinner setting.
Jimmie Rodick, event coordinator at Ferus Artisan Ales, created A Toast to Forever. Photo by Diane Poole.
Grace in the details
Sherrie Forehand’s decades of service
helped shape First Baptist Church Trussville
By DIANE POOLE
Sherrie Forehand began her career at First Baptist Church Trussville in the summer of 1979, the summer between her junior and senior years at Baylor University. At that time, she was First Baptist’s summer recreation director. She soon received her Bachelor of Science and Education in church recreation from Baylor.
“I wanted to get into church drama,” she said, “and in the ’70s, the path was to have a degree in church recreation. So here’s my God story: I didn’t even take P.E. in high school, and my degree is in health, physical education and recreation. It just shows that God will get you where He wants you because church recreation was under the HPER at Baylor.”
Forehand worked in several areas at First Baptist for a few years, including as the Weekday Early Education Center director, and then in Tuscaloosa for a while.
In the late ’90s, Forehand took a pause in her career to stay home with her children. One day, she received a call from then-Pastor Gary Hollingsworth, who asked her to come back and manage the gym, and she was hired as the director of recreation, where she served for 20 years.
“Recreation changed a lot in 20 years,” she said. “When I got into it, it was everything: senior adults, preschool, family events, first aid, sports. But 20 years later, it’s 90% sports.”
When Senior Adult Minister Bobby Erwin left First Baptist, Forehand assumed his administration responsibilities, serving as both event coordinator and recreation director.
Current Pastor Buddy Champion came on board in 2007, and a few years later, he split those two positions. Forehand became the event coordinator, where she has served since 2013.
How would Forehand describe her job to someone who doesn’t know what she does?
The staff need to know what to set up, what doors to open, what tech is needed, whether to have the air conditioning turned on and so forth.
“Nothing happens on the campus that doesn’t come across my desk,” she said. “Our main job at this point is communication … and to avoid chaos.”
Most people have no idea how many events and programs happen at a church the size of First Baptist.
“People don’t realize … we have over 20 ministries
— just ministries — that are firing on all cylinders,” she said.
And that means there is something happening at the church almost all the time.
“I would say 90% of the time I love it … because I love organizing. I’m really big into grids,” Forehand said. With so many moving parts, it’s not unusual for people
to have suggestions when something doesn’t go as planned.
“Buddy taught us … don’t ever ignore people’s suggestions,” she said. “Listen and thank them. Sometimes there’s a good idea. And we debrief on every single event that happens here. What can we do better next time?”
What’s the biggest thing Forehand has learned in her time as the event coordinator at First Baptist?
“Keep your mouth shut. … It’s my job not to talk,” she said with a laugh. “But my son taught me to say, ‘I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?’”
Forehand’s time at First Baptist has spanned the terms of four pastors. Richard Francis first hired her. Dewey Corder was the pastor when she was the WEE Center Director.
Gary Hollingsworth brought her back after her short time at home with her kids, and she has been there during Buddy Champion’s full tenure.
“God has blessed me through these years, and any successes are because of Him,” Forehand said. “I’ve always known that whatever I’ve done here wasn’t me — it was the Lord working through it.”
Above: Forehand is greeted by congregants on her final day of work at First Baptist Church Trussville.
Left: Forehand and former Pastor Gary Hollingsworth, who hired her. Photos by Diane Poole.
Forehand has learned over the years that even though you feel God is moving you toward something, you have to be patient when somebody else is involved because God’s timing is perfect for them too.
She told the church leadership about three years ago that she was looking toward retirement. They told her they would want to bring in her successor to learn the job at least a year out. Soon after, her workload became really heavy. The church leadership told her the search would begin for the person who would replace her, and they would go ahead and hire them. Forehand prayed about it.
“God put a name on my heart,” she said. “It was Kimberly Johnson, and I didn’t know her that well. Kimberly was teaching missions in the fellowship hall that day, and I said, ‘You’re gonna go talk to leadership about my position?’ She said, ‘Yes, I’ve been praying about going back to work.’ I asked, ‘When did you start praying?’ She said, ‘A week ago,’ and I said, ‘That’s when God put your name on my heart.’”
Forehand hasn’t been in this alone. Her whole family has been involved since she was first hired.
“Being in ministry requires a supportive spouse, and Stan has supported me from the very beginning. He helped me … even before we were married, and we’ve been married for 40 years. I’ve always said I wasn’t just in ministry — I was in family ministry. My whole family — my husband and my kids, Bradford and Ally — helped with my ministry.
“Most of the work I’ve done was never meant to be seen, and I’ve always been perfectly fine with that. Everything I’ve done has been about serving others and honoring Christ, not about recognition,” Forehand said.
“ I never saw my work as a job — it was a calling, and I’ve always tried to be faithful to that calling. If things ran smoothly and people felt cared for, then I knew I’d done what I was supposed to
do.
SHERRIE FOREHAND
”Being an event coordinator at a church includes events and activities of various stages in life — from weddings to funerals, from youth activities to seasoned adult events and beyond.
Forehand learned to keep sheets on recurring events, and she would take the previous year’s sheet to the organizers to show what was done before and ask what would change for the current event.
“It just makes things so much easier,” she said. “It makes for a smoother operation for the facility staff and for everybody. And it’s never just about me. There’s nothing around here that’s just one person. We’re a team here — might be a team of two, but always a team.”
Forehand with her husband, Stan, and their children and grandchildren during a family trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Travel and time with family are among the things Forehand looks forward to in retirement. Photo courtesy of Sherrie Forehand.
At a church as large as First Baptist, there are often one or two funerals a month, and while counseling wasn’t her role, Forehand guided families through planning services for their loved ones.
“When people [are] at that point, they just don’t know what to do. It’s such a blessing to be able to help them through a time that they don’t know what to do.
“I never saw my work as a job — it was a calling, and I’ve always tried to be faithful to that calling. If things ran smoothly and people felt cared for, then I knew I’d done what I was supposed to do,” Forehand said.
But she’s not leaving. Forehand and her husband have taught a small group of young married couples for about eight years, and they plan to continue.
What will Forehand miss most, and what will she look forward to in retirement?
“What I’ll miss the most is just the people. Keeping up with the people — not just the staff, but the church people and knowing what’s going on in their lives.
“I’m a big Mickey Mouse fan, and I love to go to Disney World and go on Disney cruises, so we’ll continue to do that. I love theater. I work at Cahaba Elementary and help with their musical theater, and I’ll continue to do that. I’ll travel with Stan as his schedule allows and also spend even more time with my three grandchildren,” Forehand said.
Does she feel as if she’s left a legacy?
It was never about recognition — only faithfulness.
“I’ve spent my years here helping other people do ministry — and that’s been the greatest privilege of all,” Forehand said. “My scripture verse has always been from 1 Corinthians 10:31: ‘Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’”
LIFE
Sticking the landing
Yolanda ‘Yo’ Taylor’s journey to Auburn University history
By DIANE POOLE
Yo Taylor had no idea when she registered at Auburn years ago that she would someday have a Wall of Fame named after her. The wall highlights her pioneering role in women’s athletics at Auburn and became even more meaningful as her family — especially her grandchildren — took some time to share in her accomplishments.
A HIGH SCHOOL GYMNAST
Yolanda “Yo” Farley Taylor was a gifted high school gymnast. Her dad, Tom Farley, made sure she had every opportunity to hone her sport, investing a great deal of time and money in her training.
During her senior year, Taylor had a serious knee injury that required surgery — three surgeries, as a matter of fact. Taylor’s surgeon told her dad that her gymnastics days were over. But Tom didn’t relay that concern to his daughter.
“I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to be able to do gymnastics anymore … they didn’t tell me … so I just kept going,” she said.
MAKING THE COLLEGE DECISION
After high school, Taylor applied to several colleges where she could continue in the sport she loved so much. Among those colleges were LSU, Alabama and Auburn.
She did her due diligence and visited the campuses. It was a pretty easy choice for her. Even though she grew up an Alabama fan, her sister was already at Auburn.
“We would go down and visit and I just loved the campus … and then I was sold,” she said. “Once you go to Auburn, you are hooked. It is a beautiful campus … it just felt like a fit for my whole life.”
But the campus was not the only deciding factor.
Only a few months earlier, Taylor had started dating a guy named Alan Taylor, who at the time was working and attending school at nearby UAB. LSU would be too far from her new beau, and Alabama didn’t strongly pursue the talented gymnast, as they sensed her connection to Auburn.
It wasn’t long before Alan followed the
young gymnast to Auburn. Alan, too, had been a lifelong Alabama fan. The next quarter after Christmas, Alan was accepted to Auburn.
TAYLOR’S BOYFRIEND BECOMES A COACH
Once on campus, Alan soon became involved with the gymnastics team. Taylor had mentioned to her coach in Birmingham that her Auburn coach needed help with spotting his gymnasts during their practices. The Birmingham coach had a solution.
“Bring your boyfriend in here. I’ll teach him how to do it.”
Left: Yolanda “Yo” Farley Taylor stands at the Wall of Fame bearing her name, honoring her legacy as the first female athlete at Auburn University to receive a full athletic scholarship. Photos courtesy of Yolanda Taylor
Below: During her time at Auburn, Taylor was a fourtime team MVP, a two-time national qualifier and a four-time All-SEC performer.
So Taylor’s boyfriend learned to spot and soon found himself working as an assistant coach at Auburn for the gymnastics program — a paying gig, which went a long way toward tuition at that time. He also became a van driver and chauffeured the team to their meets.
A STRONG WORK ETHIC
Looking back on the time of her injury, Alan truly admired Taylor’s willingness to continue. Programs didn’t have pits to provide soft landings at practice like they do now. Yo was determined to keep going.
“She was the most driven athlete I’ve ever
been around. Many people would have quit — but she didn’t. To see someone overcome that kind of adversity and still become an elite college gymnast … it was amazing to watch,” he said.
Taylor remembers working hard.
“If they said do 15 of something, I’d do 20. That’s still my personality — whether it’s rehab, motherhood or anything else.”
Taylor compared how today’s meets have changed.
“It’s just so fun now. The meets are a production — smoke, lights, sparkly leotards,” she said. “We didn’t have any of that, but we had a dang good time.”
MAKING HISTORY
While at Auburn, Taylor received several honors, including team MVP all four years and national qualifier twice, and she was an All-SEC performer all four years.
Taylor didn’t realize how historic her scholarship would be until years later. All she knew then was that she would get a full scholarship.
“They’d never given anybody 100% — not like football or basketball — but with Title IX, they had to start funneling money in,” she said. “And they started with gymnastics.”
How did it feel to get that first full scholarship?
“I don’t think I had any emotional attachment [back then] to being the first. It was more a proud moment for my family — especially my dad. He spent a lot of hours in the gym with me,” Taylor said.
THE HONOR DECADES LATER
Located in Auburn’s gymnastics facility, Taylor’s Wall of Fame includes plaques for All-Americans, national qualifiers, academic honorees and athletes who have shaped the program. The wall now bears Taylor’s name, with her own plaque alongside generations of Auburn gymnasts.
On March 13, at the last home meet of Auburn’s season, an official dedication is planned.
“My family thinks it’s funny I can still do a handstand. Not very well, but we have handstand contests sometimes,” Taylor said.
Her daughter Ally Taylor Coleman perhaps said it best.
“Before any woman had a scholarship, she stuck the landing,” Coleman said. “Auburn honored my mom, Yolanda Farley Taylor, with her own Wall of Fame — recognizing her as the first female athlete at Auburn University to receive a full athletic scholarship. Watching her grandkids beam with pride is the real gold medal moment.”
Trussville Daybreak Rotary shines at Toast of the Town
By DIANE POOLE
The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club shined at the annual Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce “Toast of the Town.” The event was hosted at The Reserve in the Trussville Entertainment District on Jan. 22.
The Club presented its inaugural Eddie Seal Service Above Self awards to two local first responders. The award was named for longtime rotarian Eddie Seal, who passed away in June. Seal had a passion for first responders, and fellow club members honored his legacy by naming the award for him. Club President Mike Rowe presented these service awards to recipients Lt. Chuck Bradford of the Trussville Police Department and Capt. Billy Jackson of the Trussville Fire and Rescue Department.
Lt. Bradford has served the city of Trussville for more than 40 years, beginning as a dispatcher and reserve officer before building a full-time law enforcement career that included patrol duty and becoming the city’s first school resource officer at the high school. Promoted to lieutenant and division commander in 2022, his leadership expanded to include oversight of support services, communications, school resource officers and alcohol licensing for downtown businesses.
Capt. Jackson has dedicated more than 30 years to the Trussville Fire Department, beginning as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in 1994 before joining the department full time in 1999. Throughout his career, he has served as an instructor, wildland firefighter, water rescue technician and mentor — consistently using his skills to strengthen the department and support fellow firefighters.
Rotarian Fran Aldridge received the Ambassador of the Year award. Aldridge frequently attends and assists with chamber events, generously donates prizes from her business and is always recruiting new members to join the chamber.
Rotarian Sandra Vernon debuted as the chamber’s board president for 2026 at the event. Vernon’s leadership skills and commitment to the community she loves will be a great asset to the chamber this year.
Certainly worthy of mention is the role Rotarian Alan Taylor played as emcee. Taylor is always professional, keeps things moving and adds just the right amount of humor from the microphone. He has served as emcee for many events in the community, as well as having been known as the “Voice of the Huskies” for Hewitt’s athletic events for many years.
Ned and Goldie Paine were tremendous humanitarians in the Trussville community for many years, and several years ago, the long-standing Gatekeeper Award was renamed for the couple. This year’s Ned and Goldie Paine Gatekeeper Award in the group category was presented to the Trussville
Daybreak Rotary Club. The Club was recognized for its work with the school system, partnerships with local shelters, ongoing support of first responders and commitment to area businesses, as well as many other areas of service.
A few other awards were presented at Toast of the Town:
► Ned and Goldie Paine Gatekeeper Award (individual): Tandi Glenn Smith
► Prestige Alarm Unsung Hero Award: Chris Bond
► Trussville Tribune Person of the Year: Bill Roberts
► Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens
Lifetime Achievement Award: Judge Carl Chamblee
Lt. Chuck Bradford of the Trussville Police Department, left, and Capt. Billy Jackson of the Trussville Fire and Rescue Department, right, were awarded Eddie Seal Service Above Self awards at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Toast of the Town event Jan. 22. Photos by Diane Poole.
Fran Aldridge, sixth from left, received the Ambassador of the Year award. This one is courtesy of Julie Rowe.
Backyard bees: Trussville woman turns fear into fascination
By KELLI S. HEWETT
Nora Chandler’s love affair with honey bees began with fear.
As a little girl, she was swinging from a tree branch when her hand plunged into a wasp nest. She was stung about 20 times — an experience that left her terrified of anything that buzzed.
The fear passed.
“My mother would say, ‘Look at this, this is a bumblebee,’” Chandler said. “Honeybees would be in our clover and we would watch them. They were very non-aggressive. And I started getting pretty fascinated and not afraid of them at all anymore — although I’ve been stung about a million times in my life.”
Today, Chandler lives in Trussville on five acres — prime territory for pollinators. By day, she is the director of client and community engagement at a Birmingham law firm.
Beekeeping adds balance to her life. And as the weather warms up, so does bee season.
“When I decided to get hives of my own, it was not for the honey,” Chandler said. “It was because I really like bees, and I’m aware that we need bees desperately.”
What started in 2019 as a search for local bee associations turned into an unconventional date night with her husband, John. The couple suited up in bee jackets and visited a beekeeper’s hives at Samford University. Chandler was hooked. By early 2020, she had her first two nucleus or “nuc” hives — five-frame starter colonies.
But the path wasn’t always simple or easy.
“I somehow ended up with a hive that was very aggressive,” Chandler said with a laugh. “Every time I’d go out there, it was just me against the bees. I would go give them a good stern talking to and they would give me a good stern talking back. I was having fantasies about coming out there with a blowtorch. I said, ‘I don’t have to keep you. We’ve got to come to an understanding.’”
And somehow, with patience and persistence, they all did. Chandler typically extracts between five and eight gallons of honey each year, keeping enough for herself and friends.
“I don’t ever sell my honey,” Chandler said. “I feel like, if I sell it, it’s not a hobby anymore.”
Beekeeping continues to grow across Alabama, thanks in part to the state’s climate and engaged local communities.
“Alabama has a rich history of beekeeping, mainly because of the temperate and warm climate,” said Mike Soike, president of the Jefferson County Beekeepers’ Association. “We’re able to keep a pretty healthy supply of bees all year round.”
Travis Ulbrich, known locally as the “Yappy Beeman,” said the hobby has wide appeal.
“There’s no real one type of person that gets into beekeeping,” said Ulbrich, a bee educator and bee remover. “It’s a personal desire that somebody feels that bees can make their life better, and they want to assist in making bees’ lives better.”
For Chandler, the reward is quieter. On many afternoons, she
Nora Chandler of Trussville took up beekeeping as a hobby about five years ago. She now keeps an average of three hives and call the fruits of the labor “Chandler’s Honey from Our Backyard Bees.” Photo courtesy of John Chandler.
pulls up a chair near her hives and simply watches.
“It’s kind of peaceful,” she said. “If you watch them, you can really start to see that they know what they’re doing, they have a plan and the whole hive is like one big social group that [gets] along and [works] together. Miraculously.”
