Cahaba Sun May 2017

HOOPS FOR HOPE Shoot for a Cure raises funds for Alzheimer’s. 12

Vol 2 | Issue 7 | May 2017 As Trussville As It Gets

gardening GROWING

Master gardeners offer help to community members. 14

MEET THE CLASS OF 2017

HEWITT’S DYNAMIC DUO

Take a look back — and to the future — with members of Hewitt-Trussville’s graduating class. 18

Softball sisters Sara and Hannah Borden are using power and leadership to elevate their game. 26

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH EDITOR’S NOTE | SYDNEY CROMWELL When you’re a kid, May is an exc iting month — school’s almost over, and summer’s on the way. I can easily recall that feeling of lightness as you walk out that last classroom door of the day, with only the imagination of summer plans to worry about. Even as an adult, I get a little reminiscent twinge of summer exc itement when May comes around.

While we as adults don’t get three-month breaks every summer anymore, there’s still plenty about May to be exc ited for. City Fest returns this month, along with perfect planting weather. I f you’re looking to bring up some blooms, check out our feature on a few of T russville’s master gardeners.

T his month we’ve also featured a T russville resident who has turned basketball into an annual fundraiser for his sister and others with Alz heimer’s disease.

And if you’re still thinking about school before summer is in full swing, high school softball is wrapping up, and we have stories on Clay-Chalkville’s football coach and a T russville teacher using a grant to create an innovative “ workout lab.”

Hope you enjoy all this month has to offer, for adults and children alike.

Please Support Our Community Partners 30A Realty (31) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (3) Alabama Hospice Care of Birmingham (16) Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons (25) Alabama Outdoors (28) ALDOT (5) Andrews Sports Medicine (2) Anthony McPherson, Keller Williams (9) ARC Realty (32) Argo Power Equipment (16) Bedzzz Express (3) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (6) Brandino Brass (18) Budget Blinds (22) Chalkville Ace Hardware (20) Children’s of Alabama (10) Closets by Design (11) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (23)

First Community Mortgage (18) Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (6) Great Clips of Trussville (7) Guide Insurance Agency (24) Hitchcock Maddox Financial Partners (8) Kirkwood by the River (8) Lee Marlow, RealtySouth (17) Peachtree Assisted Living (24) Phoenix Builders Group (7) RealtySouth Marketing (15) Shades Valley Dermatology (19) Skin Wellness Center (13) Spotless, LLC (17) Trussville Gas and Water (21) UAB Center for Exercise Medicine (27) Vulcan Park (10) Vulcan Tire & Automotive (20) Weigh To Wellness (13) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (27)

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Publishers: Dan Starnes Scott Buttram General Manager: Matthew Allen Managing Editor: Sydney Cromwell Design Editor: Kristin Williams Director of Photography: Sarah Finnegan Digital Editor: Alyx Chandler Page Designer: Cameron Tipton Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Contributing Writers: Chris Megginson Bethany Adams Saige Leopard David Knox Chris Yow Kyle Parmley Rick Watson Account Manager: Layton Dudley Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Gail Kidd Eric Clements Contributing Photographer: Ron Burkett

ith o ers on aster morning. Photo by Ron Burkett.

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: The Cahaba Sun PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@ starnespublishing.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: sydney@ starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: Cahaba Sun LLC Legals: The Cahaba Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or

use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Cahaba Sun is designed to inform the Trussville community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Cahaba Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The 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.

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Clay Public Library brings charm, books to community

By CHRI S M E G G I NSO N

The Clay Public Library. Photos by Ron Burkett.

One of J efferson County’s newest public libraries, the Clay Public Library, might be small, but employees say not to let that fool you. “ What we lack in collection, we make up with in charm,” said Holly Flores, library director.

T hat charm is in part why the number of library visitors has increased from 2015, topping out in the 2,000s during the 2016 summer reading program — the most the library has seen in a month, according to library data. Circulation also is climbing. “ Once they come in, we’ve got them hooked,” said Pam G ilham, a full-time library assistant. “ T hey love it because it’s homey. When they come in, they’re our guests. I t’s just like being in a living room.”

T he homey feel begins with the rocking chairs on the front porch of the historic J ayford Ware House, built in 1905 at 7257 Old Springville Road. U pon entering the white farm house, library patrons are greeted by employees in the circulation room to the left of the front entry. T o their right, they

can enjoy coffee in the teen room and then ex plore the rest of the house with computers and adult nonfiction in the ne t roo on the left and children’s room across the hall.

T he rear left room is the new meeting space, while the rear right is the media room for DVDs and books on CD. Flores, G ilham and the library staff have worked to revamp the space since being hired in the summer of 2015, from adding natural li ht and new paint to readin nooks and fire places. A 2003 graduate of Clay-Chalkville i h chool, lores first worked in a li rar the fall after finishin hi h school, reluc tantly she said, as a page at the T russville Public Library. However, her view toward reading and libraries qui ckly shifted. “ Almost immediately I fell in love,” Flores said. “ T he look of the library, the smell of the books and the joy on a child’s face when you have the book they wanted — even adults. I t was just great helping people, being a part of the community and knowing everyone in the community. I just loved it.”

T hat’s the heart Flores has for ex panding the city’s library use. And if the Clay Library doesn’t have the book, no problem.

MAY 2017 As a member of the J efferson County Cooperative, similar to all Birmingham public libraries, books are available for exc hange. “ T he van brings us books every day, and we send books out to other libraries. Y ou basically have access to 3 9 other libraries.

Even though we don’t have a lot, we can usually get it for you,” Flores said.

N ex t month, the library will kick off its communitywide summer reading program themed “ Build A Better World.” T he kickoff event is J une 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, with bounce houses, cotton candy, face painting, balloon artists, games and more. “ Come play, sign up and check out some books,” Flores said.

While summer reading is often seen as a children’s summer activity, Clay Public Library is making a push for teens and adults to join in. “ Libraries are here to serve the community, not just a certain population of the community,” Flores said. “ Children’s reading is the most important, but at the same time teens and adults need to be reading just as much as children do.”

T he eight-week summer reading program will conclude J uly 29 with 19 events planned, includin the kickoff and finale.

Events during the program will include

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Z umba Kids, a magic show, bubble show, obstacle courses, Science Lady, parachute play, a ventriloq uist, Six th Day Creatures and a gardening/ compost class. Every T hursday in J une and J uly will be Lego T hursdays — a competition to “ Build A Better Lego World” using a 10-by-10 base, which will be left at the library each week. T he library is accepting donations of Legos.

Events such as these have been a driving force for the library’s growth. I n 2016, the library hosted 112 events, up 59 percent from 2015, and is on pace to pass that nu er efore the fall. n the first four months of 2017 , the library already has notched more than 50 events compared to an annual total of 46 in 2015 and 52 in 2014. “ We have a lot going on, and we try to have something at least once a week for some age group,” Flores said.

A weekly story and crafts time for children on T uesday morning and adult crafts once a month are the driving force behind the library’s event schedule.

Other events the library has provided Clay area residents are free tax preparation from AARP and a community garden and outdoor classroom — using an already picket-fenced area.

Library Director Holly Flores reads to children during the library’s story time.

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Trussville-area

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Business Happenings

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First Commercial Bank, with a location at 109 S. Chalkville Road, will be rebranded as Synovus Bank by the end of 2018. Synovus, First Commercial’s parent company, is rebranding all its banks

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RealtySouth’s Trussville office, 428 Main St., has hired Cassandra Floyd-Churchill, Donnette Franklin, Curtis Hammonds and Lee Kupfer as Realtors.

655-8877, realtysouth.com

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News and Accomplishments

Naaman Clinic, 1401 Edwards Lake Road, has hired Abby Melton, MSHS, PA-C, to join its practice as a provider. She will assist Dr. Evans Bailey in reconstructive surgery and MOHS surgery.

453-4195, naamanclinic.com

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J Boutique has relocated 2 Tula to 226 Main St., in the building known as the “old post office.”

655-5333

Hirings and Promotions

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Relocations and Renovations

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Hobby Lobby is now open at 5501 Patrick Way in the Homestead Village shopping center.

655-2134, hobbylobby.com

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under one name.

655-3206, synovus.com

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Anniversaries A.J. Homes, 8455 Scott Drive, celebrated its 12th anniversary in April.

202-8522, ajhomesinc.com

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CHAMBER Chamber members to learn about Alabama Small Business Development Center at May luncheon

By CHRI S M E G G I NSO N

Yolanda Devine Johnson. Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Business leaders in the T russville area will have an opportunity to learn more about programs they can use to grow when they attend this month’s T russville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 18. T he luncheon begins at 11: 3 0 a.m. at the T russville Civic Center and is sponsored by Wilbur’s Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing and G enerators.

Y olanda Devine J ohnson, a business consultant for the Alabama Small Business Development Center ( SBDC) etwork, will e akin her first trip to the T russville chamber luncheon. “ I am delighted that they have invited me to tell them about the services that are offered to the businesses in the T russville area,” J ohnson said.

T he Alabama SBDC N etwork aims to enhance economic growth in Alabama to provide assistance and free

counseling to small businesses, as well as build partnerships among community organiz ations and local, state and federal agencies.

J ohnson, a resident of Orange Beach, plans to highlight the services Alabama SBDC has provided in the state during its 3 6 years, while sharing anecdotal ex amples. Some of the programs include one-on-one business counseling for startups, growth strategies, international trade, government securement and capital access. A more ex tensive list of services will be provided to those in attendance. “ T he whole idea is to grow Alabama’s economy one business at a time, and small businesses and entrepreneurs usually do not have a source to bounce ideas off of and assistance, as far as technical assistance, of any kind and access to secondary research for whatever their market is,” J ohnson said. “ t’s ver industr specific and

individual specific infor ation that is provided to them.”

T he May luncheon begins with a 30- minute network development time when members and guests can network and exc hange business cards with the estimated 80 to 100 ex pected to attend.

Prior to lunch, the chamber will honor its monthly Customer Service Award winners. Door priz es will also be given away.

G o to trussvillechamber.com to register or contact J une Mathews at 665-7 53 5 or june.mathews@ trussvillechamber.com.

Cost is $ 17 ( cash or check) or $ 17 .3 4 if paying by credit or debit card ( 2 percent processing fee) . Online registration is closed at midnight on May 15, ut the cha er office will accept re istration by phone until noon May 16.

All nonmembers must pay in advance.

T he T russville Civic Center is located at 5381 T russville-Clay Road.

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COMMUNITY Chamber holds spring carnival During T russville City Schools’ spring break, the T russville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual spring carnival.

T his year’s carnival was moved to the grassy area nex t to Holy Cross Episcopal Church and across from T russville City Hall. I t featured rides and activities for all

ages, as well as festival foods. T he carnival was held March 29 through April 2.

For more information on the chamber, please visit trussvillechamber.com, call the cha er at or find the on social media.

– Submitted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce annual spring carnival. Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hobby Lobby opens in Trussville o o is officiall open in Trussville.

T he T russville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Hobby Lobby on April 10. cere on was held to officiall open the store. Customers and guests were welcomed

by Store Manager J eaney J ohnson and District Manager Lionel Waldrop. “ We are thrilled to be here and ready to serve

the community,” J ohnson said.

A prayer of dedication immediately preceded the ribbon cutting.

Hobby Lobby is located at 5501 Patrick Way in T russville across from the T utwiler Farm subdivision. Call 655-213 4 or visit hobbylobby. com for more information.

– Submitted by Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hobby Lobby opened April 10.

Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

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Evie Ward. Photo courtesy of Evie Ward.

8-year-old gi ves take on lif e

T he best things in life are not things. T hey are humans — humans who are loving, humans who are grateful and have lots of courage. Humans make life special and that

is important, but only humans who are good.

Remember: Have love, hope and faith. T hat is the best thing in life.

– Submitted by E vie W ard.

arco’s i a holds the store’s ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Marco’s Pizza opens in Trussville T he T russville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Marco’s Piz z a in T russville on Feb. 28.

Marco’s serves a variety of piz z as, salads, wings, desserts and more. T he restaurant officiall opened on ec. .

T he restaurant is located at 300 Main St. in Trussville. all or follow the on Facebook by searching Marco’s Piz z a T russville.

– Submitted by Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

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hope HOOPS FOR

Shoot for a Cure raises funds for local Alzheimer’s patients

Doug De edicis created hoot or a

D

ure to raise unds or l heimer’s o

By BE THANY AD AM S oug DeMedicis has been a member of the T russville Y MCA for nearly 15 years, and he rarely goes without shooting a few hoops. t wasn’t until five ears a o, how ever, that he got the idea to turn what was a hobby into something bigger. N ow, making goals is about more than staying in shape — i t’s about changing lives.

Last February, DeMedicis participated in the fourth annual Shoot for a Cure, an event he created in honor of his sister, Dale, who was diagnosed with early onset Alz heimer’s at 49. “ When Dale was diagnosed with Alz heimer’s 10 years ago, naturally it devastated our family,” DeMedicis said. fter watchin her attle the disease for five ears, he and his wife discussed wa s to honor her and raise aware ness. “ So we came up with the idea of Shoot for a Cure.”

DeMedicis set about organiz ing and promoting the event, arranging to hold it at the T russville Y MCA and sending out handwritten reque sts for pledges for every shot ade. urin the first event, he shot of free throws and raised $3,800.

Since then, the fundraiser has begun attracting attention.

entral labama. Photo by Ron Burkett.

G roups such as the Modern Woodmen of America and OnT ime Service were major supporters at the most recent event on Feb. 3, a nd DeMedicis has raised more than , .

T he money goes to Alz heimer’s of Central Alabama, an or ani ation that provides oth financial support and services to families affected by the disease in more than a doz en counties.

“That was ain oal, was to find so e od who is local,” DeMedicis said. “ I know that there are some charity events that are national, and you don’t know where the money’s going. And we knew that if we did something local, that it would stay right here to help people that we were close to.”

DeMedicis said he hopes the money will go to help people like Dale, who he described as a great sister and a “ beautiful lady” who “ would do anything for anybody, always putting others before herself.” A mother of three and wife of local pastor T im Evans, Dale worked as a nurse for a out ears efore her dia nosis.

While a portion of the money raised does end up supporting medical research, DeMedicis wants to focus on helping support local Alz heimer’s patients and their families.

“ I want it to help raise money for the things that we have going on right now,” he said.

DeMedicis, who is now a member of the organiz ation’s volunteer board, said the group offers support ranging from adult day care to Project Lifesaver bracelets, which are designed to prevent wandering. “ We’re doing some really good things at ACA,” he said. ventuall , e edicis’ oal is to raise , in a single event. He said he hopes to include Dale’s son Z ach in the future in order to keep the event going for years to come. “ I think there’s something positive out of a real tragedy that we have enerated , to help people,” he said. “ And also for my family, it’s special for my parents. I t’s a really great day that they can see something good out of the disease.” lthou h there is still no cure for l hei er’s, e edi cis said research is “ turning up hope.” “ Hopefully, there will be a cure,” he said. “ I t depends on who you’re talking to whether there’s a lot of optimism or not. I choose to take the good things and be optimistic. I t’s still probably a long way, but it’s closer than it has been.”

U ntil then, he plans to keep shooting and to take on Alz heimer’s one goal at a time.

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COVER STORY: Master gardeners offer help to community members

gardening GROWING

Trussville Garden Club members begin spring cleaning work on a memorial o er bed at the re station. Photo and cover photo by Ron Burkett.

By CHRI S M E G G I NSO N

S

pring has arrived, and many will begin to turn soil this month for their annual gardens. But for those who want to plant a garden but never have, T russville area resident Linda G rissom says, “ J ust do it.” “ People think that gardening is so difficult ... ust di a hole and plant it. f it doesn’t do well there, ou can ove it. on’t e afraid, ust do it,” said risso , who is a J efferson County Master G ardener and member of the T russville G arden Club.

G rissom said one way new gardeners can receive help with their seasonal plant in is reachin out to one of Trussville or efferson ount ’s local aster arden ers, or eco in one. “ t has opened so an opportunities to learn. hen took the course, found out how uch didn’t know. t reall encoura ed e to continue learnin , and there’s a lot of opportunities to help other people,” she said.

Master G ardeners is a group of volunteers

throughout the U nited States that helps its local e tension a enc assist co unities with their a ricultural needs. “ e like to refer to the as an e ten sion of tension,” said ethan ’ ear, re ional e tension a ent of the efferson ount tension ffice. “The purpose of the pro ra is to recruit individuals with a ardenin interest to asicall further our ission as e tension a ents in their co unities, ettin the word out about sustainable gardening and providing research ased infor ation.” efferson ount is one of an counties in the la a a ooperative tension ste that provides a Master G ardener program — a nationwide program that began in Seattle in 197 2 and in Alabama in the early 1990s. While this ear’s aster ardener course wraps up this onth, spots are fillin up for anuar . ach anuar throu h pril, to interns take the annual to week course at the ir in ha otanical ardens to earn their master gardener status. During this time, they learn more about soils, plant physiology,

plant iolo , plant patholo , her s, perenni als, native plants and tips to rowin ack ard vegetables and fruits. ach intern ust lo volunteer hours durin the course. ne wa aster ardeners serve their co unit is answerin uestions on the aster ar dener elpline, . la a a residents can call for answers to any of their planting que stions. “ t’s credi le free advice,” ’ ear said. “ e’re availa le all ou have to do is call and ask.” n addition to the helpline and special event ased volunteer opportunities, ’ ear said one wa s do this in their co u nit is throu h a arden clu . hile not all areas of efferson ount a have a local clu to learn ardenin tips, Trussville does. ora ’ onnor, treasurer of the T russville G arden Club, was one of the first wo en to oin the foundin e bers: Sharon Wesson, Diane Daily, Laurie a ors and anet illia son. ’ onner is a aster ardener, one of the first of the

now nine e ers of the clu percent of total e ership that have co pleted aster ardener courses. ’ onnor is pleased to see the clu row in its nu er of aster ardeners, which helps improve upon its monthly meetings. “ t ives us ore of an outspread of where we can et speakers and learn ore fro aster ardeners,” ’ onnor said. “ We learn more, and then go use that at ho e or in the co unit .”

T he T russville G arden Club, in small rese lance to aster ardeners, also aintains a few pro ects in the cit , such as the owers at the Trussville ire epart ent’s d inistration uildin herokee rive , where the clu eets the second Tuesda ni ht of each onth.

T hose looking to learn more about aster ardeners in efferson ount can o to effco .or , or call ethan ’ ear at , e tension . The application for aster ardener classes, which will run T hursdays, J an. 11 through April 19, is available at the website.

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SCHOOL HOUSE W orkout lab und erw ay at Cahaba E lementary Cahaba Elementary physical education teacher Jaime Giangrosso.

Photos by Ron Burkett.

By SAI G E LE O P ARD I t’s Friday afternoon at Cahaba Elementary gym, and physical education teacher J aime G iangrosso has spent a lot of her time this week raising and lowering seats — seats that are part of a new workout lab in her gym for students and faculty funded by one of T russville City Schools Foundation’s new grants.

T CSF recently awarded 11 grants to teachers throughout the school system — a total of $7,500 — to help fund certain projects that are considered innovative teaching ideas.

T eachers, including G iangrosso, submitted proposals for their projects with a cap of $1,000.

A physical education teacher at Cahaba since it opened in 2016, G iangrosso wrote the grant and said she is ex cited about the project. “ I found a deal at Walmart — a stationary bike and an elliptical for $188, so it was $ 940 for everything,” she said. “ I ’m working to write grants for everything. I just wrote a

MAY 2017 J ump Rope for Heart grant for $2,500.”

The workout la houses five stationar ikes and five elliptical achines, and it is hoped to e full functionin ne t winter reak, co plete with T s alon the walls and edicine alls and kettle ells fillin one area. “ e want students to learn the difference in wei hts the ti e the leave here,” ian rosso said. “ also want to add a cli in wall, ut that’s for later.” art of the vision for the la is for it to e an active learnin environ ent, not ust a roo for ettin fit. That’s wh the word “la ” was chosen for it, ian rosso said, addin that she hopes for teachers of all curricula to plan lessons for the roo and especiall T lessons, which is a roupin of science, technolo , en ineerin and ath lessons that are hands on and in uir ased. ne class per da will e taken into the la , and there will e a si n up sheet for teachers to use, she said. or otiva tion, there will e the e da s, such as orkout ednesda or itness rida , and there are plans to have e ercise classes on Tuesda s and Thursda s for facult , as well as options to work out after school, ian rosso said. “ or now, tell the kids to push push’ as hard as ou can when we’re in here,” she said. “ e haven’t essed with the resistance levels on the achines et. The will learn to ad ust the resistance and uild fro there.” han in the seat hei hts on the ikes for the wide ran e of kinder artners is routine now, she said. hile teachin at aine ri ar , the also had a fitness arcade for ears, with one wall of T s and one wall of e uip ent. “ lot of our e uip ent we had at aine is roken, so ’ workin on that,” ian rosso said. ow, a nolia le entar has started workin on addin a workout roo for students, too.

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17 Giangrosso paid for the Cahaba Elementary workout lab with a TCSF grant. The lab has e stationary bikes and e elliptical machines.

The assess ent used to easure students’ fitness is the la a a h sical itness ssess ent, which tar ets achievin and aintainin a health level of fitness in the areas of aero ic cardiovascular endurance, uscular stren th and endurance, a do inal stren th and endurance and e i ilit . tudents take the test in the fall, and the write their own

fitness oals for the upco in sprin . fter sprin testin , the check their oals to see if the have acco plished the . ian rosso said her oals are to teach the students how to sta fit for a lifeti e. “ want the to not e scared of the e uip ent,” she said. “ t’s i portant to teach fitness at a oun a e. oal is for the to learn how to take care of the selves.”

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Hewitt-Trussville

CLASS OF 2017

By BE THANY AD AM S

Ajah Roberson-Swanson. Photos by Ron Burkett.

On J une 5, over 300 seniors will walk the stage at Hewitt-T russville High School and take the first steps toward their futures. or the past four ears, the staff and fac ult have een workin to prepare the for those futures, and the students have risen up to eet the challen e. ro e cellin acade icall and athleticall to creatin lastin e ories and relationships, the rad uatin class of has learned plent of lessons that e tend e ond the walls of the classroo . “ think that the ’ve continued to stand out, as other classes have, with their interest in acade ics and their interest in doin the est that the can,” rincipal Ti ale said. e hopes his students will enter the world prepared to ake their own choices. “ want the to feel like the can navi ate their lives,” he said. “ nd think we all need help with that, ut think when it co es to our life the ain person needs to e ou. nd ’ve alwa s thou ht that education is reall the ke for that.”

hile ah o erson wanson’s career at ewitt was short, she is thankful for the ti e spent a on her fellow seniors. “ ust trans ferred here last school ear unior ear and ’ve reall en o ed it,” she said. “ ’ve had a lot of opportunities and a lot of doors opened up for e that pro a l wouldn’t have had at old school.” n addition to acade ics, this ear’s raduatin students en o ed opportunities to serve others. “ hat love a out our school is that we have so an opportunities to et involved in service and to ive ack to our school and the co unit ,” said senior Tessa ut trell, who is a e er of the school’s service association. “ nd think that our school reall has a fa il at osphere that love a out it.” ut despite the hard work that the students have put in durin their hi h school careers, the also ana ed to find ti e for fun. tu dents like van ouston spent their rida ni hts akin e ories in the “ o ound” while the uskies worked their wa to the pla offs. “ oot all was pro a l favor ite,” ouston said. “ e had a ood season

Let us help spread the news! Email sydney@starnespublishing.com to submit your announcement.

MAY 2017

Tessa Luttrell

I felt like everybody from our entire senior class was like family at that football stadium.”

N ikole Copeland found her own family on the stage, helping put on shows like “ Meet Me in St. Louis,” in which she participated during the past fall. “ T his year, the spring play

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Evan Houston. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

is ‘ Pajama G ame,’ and it’s really fun,” she said. “ I think it’s probably going to be one of the best plays.”

She added that her ex perience with the drama program was where she had the most fun, “ just because that was like a place where you could branch out… and get to meet new people and

talk to people you never thought you could talk to before.”

Copeland also cited the annual Leadership Retreat as a source of great memories, as did a number of other students who attended. “ [ December] was my third time attending the retreat, and every year it’s been a great opportunity for me

As

Trussville as it gets.

Advertise with us, and tell your story to all of Trussville. matthew@starnespublishing.com | 205-313-1780

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Nikole Copeland

Lacey Beasley

Markell Jones

to meet new people and meet new friends and everything,” said Lacey Beasley, one of two class presidents. “ T he whole beauty of the retreat is they get to meet kids on this retreat that they would never have talked to,” said Dana DePew who, along with being the school nurse, took over organiz ing the trip after it was introduced by former teacher Scott Campbell. “ I t’s a good weekend, but we focus on team-building, leadership q ualities, things they can do and come back to the school and hopefully be … better-eq uipped to lead in some way.”

Students who have been selected to go on the retreat consider the ex perience an important one. “ Last year, when I went on the leadership retreat, it opened a lot of doors for e to open up ind and ain a lot of confidence,” said Markell J ones, who is co-class president along with Beasley.

He credited the retreat with opening the door to the position of leadership, along with helping him learn to be open with other people.

After graduation, the students are ex cited to attend colleges like such as U niversity of Montevallo, Birmingham-Southern

College, and the U niversity of Alabama-Birmingham. T hey plan to pursue careers in everything from journalism to architecture to clinical child ps cholo . “The ’re a terrific roup of kids,” Salem said. “ Very good students and interested in making the most out of their time here.”

After J une 5, the graduating students at Hewitt-T russville High School will begin putting the lessons that they have learned — both in and out of the classroom — to the test.

And if the past four years are any indication, these students are oin to pass with in colors.

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Scholars Bowl students qualify for national competition Members of the HT HS Scholars Bowl tea have ualified for the ational ca de ic hallen e in ew rleans at the end of May. Their tea acco plish ents include a second place troph at the uckhorn arl eason nvitational and a fourth place troph

at the illia ufus in e orial Tourna ent for the unior varsit tea . The varsit tea earned its first victories a ainst recent state cha pions pain ark and adsden it hi h schools, as well as a third place finish at the nvitational and a new school record of points per a e at the

The T cholars owl tea is currentl raisin funds for travel, hotel and tourna ent fees to attend the ational cade ic hallen e. This is the first ti e in school his tor that a ewitt Trussville tea has een invited to co pete on a national level.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

ath coach a finalist for

The HTHS Electrathon team. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Great finish for HTHS Electrathon team n arch , the ewitt Trussville n ineerin cade lectrathon tea raced on the streets of downtown asper.

The lectrathon tea was a le to over co e a difficult racecourse and placed third overall. The e ers of the lec trathon tea are captain Ta lor errin,

istrict o petition.

Tea e ers rennan oeker, esi illespie and o an o have all een na ed leadin scorers in tourna ents this season, and atie usul an holds the school records for ost a es pla ed and ost correct answers to toss up uestions.

osh alton, uke urford, o in unn, shton ass, ulia alla her, i ail illia son, athan ud en, atthew ew an and eth c ill. oaches are ason oole and hris ond.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

Trussville it chools ath coach ana alls, a finalist for the residential wards for cellence in athe atics and cience Teachin , T was honored arch at a luncheon at the la a Terrace in ont o er . The luncheon, sponsored the la a a tate epart ent of ducation, honored the five ele entar finalists and the three ele entar science finalists.

T is the hi hest reco nition that a kinder arten throu h th rade athe atics or science teacher a receive for outstandin teachin in the nited tates. sta lished on ress in , the T pro ra authori es the president of the nited tates to estow up to awards each ear. wards are iven to athe atics and

T

science teachers fro each state, the is trict of olu ia, the co onwealth of uerto ico, the epart ent of efense ducation ctivit schools and the . . territories as a roup. wardees serve as odels for their col lea ues, inspiration to their co unities and leaders in the i prove ent of ath e atics and science education. wards alternate each ear etween ele entar and secondar teachers. residential awardees receive a certifi cate si ned the president of the nited tates, a trip to ashin ton, . ., to attend a series of reco nition events and profes sional develop ent opportunities, and a , award fro the ational cience oundation.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

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Trussville singers participate in Alabama All-State Choir

HTMS All-State Choir participants. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Several HT MS and HT HS choral students recently took part in the Alabama All-State Choir Festival on the campus of Samford U niversity. T he festival was attended by over 1,000 choral students from throughout the state. T he students participated in two days of rehearsal sessions with notable guest conductors. T he festival culminated with concert performances by all students.

Students were selected for All-State Choirs from a vocal audition held in N ovember. Being selected to participate in these choirs is one of the highest honors a choral student can achieve in the state of Alabama.

T russville City Schools was well represented

TCS teachers attend ASTA conference Several T russville teachers participated and presented at the Alabama Science T eachers Association ( AST A) conference at the McWane Center. T hese included Magnolia teachers Ryan Hook and Kimberly Hendrick and Paine teacher Blaire Perry.

Participants from the middle school included

Rebecca Brown, Laci G ray, Abbie Copus, Kimberly Swann-Carter, Doug Benton, Connie Hambey, J ada Burns, J ared Meads and Rachel Higginbotham. High school teachers included Kurt Kristensen, Katie Riggins, Angie Simonetti, Cynthia T homas and Stephanie Hawthorne. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

Teachers who presented at the ASTA conference. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

at this festival with 23 HT MS and HT HS students selected as members.

HT MS All-State Choir students included J ay N aylor, Victoria Landar, Evan Cargile, Madison Hutchens, Bailey Dodson, Coleton J enkins, Michele Abebrese, Abby Cunningham and Ella Cobb.

HT HS All-State Choir students included Desi G illespie, Brendon Hathaway, Kent G lover, J osh Rez ek, Logan Cobb, G race J ackson, Odi Oz uligbo, Kara Cargile, Abbie Self, Anna Cunningham, Austin Sandford, G aines Myrick, Khalia Kennedy and Kalen Kennedy. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

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23

Paine Elementary student Preston Healy. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

Paine Elementary student receives Equestrian Lettering certification Paine fifth-grader Preston Healy was recentl awarded a certificate for uestrian etterin fro the nited tates uestrian Federation. n earl e ruar , reston ualified to attend Festival, a national competition that

tests “ horsemanship knowledge” called Q U I Z .

Festival is hosted by the U nited States Pony lu . reston ualified placin in the top at the South Region Pony Club Q uiz competition and o tainin his certification in on lu .

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

HTHS team invited to national NASA competition T he Hewitt-T russville High School culinary team was recently invited to the national N ASA HU N CH Culinary Challenge in Houston.

T he team is among the top 10 in the nation and will compete against other high schools to make the best dessert for N ASA’s astronauts to eat in space.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

The HTHS culinary team. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.

HT HS Biomedical Science Academy students prepare for clinical rotations HT HS Biomedical Science Academy students are performing peer review skills check offs in preparation for clinical rotations and the psychomotor portion of the N ational Registry ex am for Emergency Medical T echnicians ( N REMT ) . T he students have been practicing spinal immobiliz ation, hemorrhage control, shock

management, ox ygen administration and positive pressure ventilation. T hese skills will be applied to the treatment of real patients when the students function as members of a health care team during their clinical rotations this spring. Aaron N afz iger leads this program.

– Submitted by Trussville City Schools.

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SPORTS

Clay-Chalkville tap s G ilmer as new head f ootball coach

By D AV I D K NO X and CHRI S Y O W T he Clay-Chalkville Cougars have their next head coach, and he’s a familiar face to the program.

On March 22, Clay-Chalkville High School principal Michael Lee announced Drew G ilmer as the nex t head coach of the Cougar football program.

G ilmer has been part of the Clay-Chalkville program for the past seven seasons in a number of different roles. He coached corner acks his first ear and oved to wide receiv ers in his second season. I n his third season, he became the line ackers’ coach, where he re ained for the ne t five ears.

Additionally, he is the strength and conditioning as well as the special teams coach.

He previously worked at Pinson Valley High School as the qua rterbacks’ coach before moving to Clay-Chalkville. He is a graduate of Pinson Valley, and played college baseball at entral la a a o unit olle e efore finishin his degree at the U niversity of Alabama. “ I t’s an honor,” G ilmer said. “ I couldn’t be more exc ited about the opportunity, and I ’m just looking forward to getting to work.”

He said he sees his tenure as one that will continue and build on former coach J erry Hood’s legacy — a Class 6A state cha pionship in and a runner up finish in . “ Absolutely,” G ilmer said. “ T o be honest with you, coach

Hood is basically my mentor. He’s taught me everything I know, and I ’ve grown up underneath him. Of course, I ’m going to put my own spin on a few things, but if the wheel’s not roke, let’s don’t tr to fi it.”

G ilmer had never been a head football coach, but he said he feels he’s ready for the challenge of being the head man. “ I ’ve felt this way for qui te some time, but I ’ve always told people I ’m in such a great position here; it’s tough to leave. I ’ve just been blessed with this opportunity, and I ’m exc ited about it,” he said.

Lee said he had many applicants from all over for the position. “ Coach Hood made this a very attractive position,” he said.

“There are several candidates on our staff that were ualified and a lot of good candidates out there, but for us and what we are trying to accomplish, Drew G ilmer is the best selection we could have made. He’s a great football coach, a man of character, and a great role model for a lot of our guys. I look forward to have him put his stamp on our program.” il er confir ed that on le ents, for erl the offen sive coordinator at Pinson Valley, will be the new offensive coordinator. He joined the Clay staff this spring after Matt G lover was let go as I ndians head coach. t’s too soon to know e actl how the rest of il er’s first staff will shape up, but the new coach did say he thought the offense would basically stay the same with some tweaks to

Drew Gilmer will succeed Jerry Hood as Clayhal ille’s ne ootball coach a ter ser ing as an assistant or the last se en years. Photo by Chris Yow.

accommodate personnel. “ T here’s going to be a lot of familiar faces on staff, and then we’ll reach out wherever we need to fill holes,” il er said.

Spring practice got underway April 24, with the spring game at G adsden City set for May 12.

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Cougars persevering with 1st-year coach

By K Y LE P ARM LE Y T o say this year has been an adventure for ristina ndrews, in her first ear as the Clay-Chalkville High School head softball coach, would be an understatement.

Before the season kicked into full gear, she already was down two players she anticipated being key pitchers for the Cougars. “ Besides that, I think it’s gone fairly well,” she said, with a laugh.

T he Cougars advanced to the Class 6A N ortheast Regional last spring, but attrition and a new coach have made parts of the 2017 season a challenge. Kristina Andrews said her girls have taken the challenge of constructing a foundation head on. “ Y ou want to come back [ after your career is over] and be proud of what you helped build,” she said, “ because you do have people looking up to you and watching you even though you don’t think you do.”

As of the first week of April, ClayChalkville already had won more games than it did all last season, something that can be directly attributed to the Cougars displaying

a “never sa die” attitude on the field, re ard less of the circumstances. “ I think she’s done a great job with the program in that regard, in taking what we have and improving on the win total from last year,” said J osh Andrews, Kristina Andrews’ husband, who is an assistant football and softball coach. “ T hey don’t ever give up,” Kristina Andrews said. “ T hey never give up, which is a great thing.”

T here is no better exa mple of that unwillingness to give in than Clay-Chalkville’s game against Pelham on March 8. T he Cougars found themselves down 7- 0 after a half-inning of play. I nstead of wilting, ClayChalkville cut the lead to 10-8 after three innings.

I n the bottom of the six th inning, the Cougars took a 15-13 lead, but surrendered it in the top of the seventh. However, the Cougars prevailed and won with a walk-off hit to win 16-15.

Another part of the adventure has been the e er ence of unior le is riffin as one of the ou ars’ top pla ers. The center fielder

25 Kristina Andrews has a group of girls who don’t ever give up” in her rst year as head coach.

Photo

by Kyle Parmley.

began the season batting right-handed, but got off to such a sluggish start at the plate that she switched to hitting from the left side of the dish. Ever since, she has played well. “ She has a lot of potential,” Kristina Andrews said. “ She didn’t start playing softball until the ninth grade. She could be something if she sticks with it.”

Kelsey English is a player who had no plans of pitching this season but was forced

into the action as Clay’s primary starting pitcher. Eighth-grader J ulia Petty and Lauren Wright also have shared the load on the mound.

I n all, there are just 12 girls in the ClayChalkville program, with catcher Kaitlyn Berry, shortstop J ewel Mealing, Rachel Smith, Shelby Morgan, Leah Piaz z a, Meliya T ucker, Rachel Wright and Alex is J enkins contributing this season.

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DYNAMIC

DUO Hannah, left, and Sara, right, Borden are attempting to make the most of their nal season laying so tball together. Photo courtesy of Sara Borden.

Sara and Hannah Borden using power and leadership to elevate their game in 2017

By CHRI S Y O W I t’s a sister thing. Others just wouldn’t understand.

Sara and Hannah Borden have always been sisters, but being teammates for the Hewitt-T russville High School softball team has really brought their relationship to a different level. “ T his season is very important. I ’m not planning on playing in college, so this is my last year playing softball,” Sara Borden said. “ Luckily, this has been our best year chemistry-wise. We’re just getting started, and we’ve looked better every game.”

One of the biggest reasons for the Huskies’ success is the strong showing Hannah Borden, a third baseman, has put forth at the plate.

T he sophomore has really come into her own this season, as she was hitting for a .420 average with eight home runs and 35 R BI s through April 17. S ara Borden is no slouch at the plate either, with a robust .356 a verage, ut her oun er sister is pacin the tea in i ies so far. “ Hannah has got serious power. She’s young and we don’t know what the future holds for her, but big things are ahead for her,” said Husky head coach J im Bailes.

Hannah Borden has come to see how important her bat really is to the team and its success, so this season has been a coming out party for her. What she has to guard against, however, is the highs and lows that come with softball.

When the bats are popping, she has learned to keep the same mentality as when she’s slumping.

“ I try to stay level-headed when we’re playing and when I am hitting well. I know that it helps us win, and that’s what matters to me,” Hannah Borden said.

Because of Sara and Hannah Borden’s leadership, the team is poised to make a run at the state tournament in Montgomery. “ Last year, as a team, we didn’t have the chemistry we needed, and this year has been much better,” Hannah Borden said. “ We have a chance to come back and show everybody how well we can play this year.”

As much as they do physically, their mental leadership has really been a key. “ Sara tries to keep everybody positive. She’s leading in the dugout when we’re hitting,” Hannah Borden said.

Bailes said the qua lities the sisters have shown the others have been positive for the team not only this year, but for the future. T he sisters, though, have a little more confidence in each other. “ T hey’re great teammates, and they hold each other to a higher standard,” he said.

T hat bar is set high because the two know what the other is capable of handling. “ I t’s great to play with Sara,” Hannah Borden said. “ She’ll do her job, and I know that, so it’s relaxi ng to know she’s there to keep things going.”

When Sara Borden throws the ball to third base, there’s no doubt in her mind her sister will be there. “ I trust her more when I throw the ball,” Sara Borden said.

For Hannah Borden, the sister connection is certainly a positive. I n fact, when she’s looking for the ball to come her way, she also has no doubt the ball will be where it should be. “ I can kind of tell what she’s about to do when she’s [ behind the plate] ,” Hannah Borden said.

Bailes knows their connection is important. T hen again, he also knows the two are sisters, and sometimes sisters fi ht. “ I t’s a great thing to have these two,” he said. “ As far as sisters, it’s obvious they care for each other. But being sisters, they’ll have little spats, and it usually happens on a daily basis, but when it’s over they are still helping to lead the others.” o atter what the a fi ht a out, at the end of the day, they are still leading the team with their physical and mental talents. “ Y ou can hear them cheering when the other is hitting; it’s a big help,” he said. “ We’re about accountability and team.”

As far as the future is concerned, Sara Borden said she knows this is her last season, and she said watching Hannah Borden become the team’s catcher and leader next season will be something she’s looking forward to seeing.

Hannah Borden, though, is just cherishing this season with her big sister. “ I t’s fun to play with your sister when you play the same sport,” she said. “ So I ’m not taking this last season for granted at all.”

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My South By Rick Watson

Planting seeds Planting seeds. T hat’s something I have done for most of my life. Before starting school, G randma Watson ( my great-grandmother) lived nex t door, and I visited almost every day. My mom would stand on the front porch sipping coffee while I meandered the few hundred feet to G randma Watson’s house.

During the last days of winter, G ranny studied the almanac almost as much as her Bible. And when the signs were right, and the danger of frost had passed, she began planting her garden in the side yard. She planted corn, butterbeans, peas, beets, onions and potatoes.

On every surface of her east-facing front porch, she had herbs, lettuce and owers that sent the hu in irds into a feeding frenz y.

By fall, every shelf in her kitchen and pantry was loaded with Mason jars filled with fruit, erries and ve eta les

that she’d canned. When first ears of our ar ital bliss. light from the autumn sun came through her T hese days, we get an early start planting seeds windows, it turned her kitchen wall into a kaleiin small containers on the doscope of color. oor our south facin I didn’t realiz e it at garden door. Even when the time, but in a sense, it’s too cold to sow outshe is one of the people side, we plant our seeds responsible for my love inside. of planting seeds.

I ’m convinced there J ilda’s childhood was is no better reward for much like mine, and her the backbreaking work it Watson grandmother Mamie was takes planting a garden, good at planting seeds, too. We have than bacon, lettuce and tomato sandowers in our ard toda that a ie wiches with mayo on toasted bread. planted more than 50 years ago.

I thought of this topic this past week urin the lean ears when we first when we told a friend about the scholmarried, we grew a lot of the food we arship we do each year for a Dora High ate in summer: tomatoes, onions, pep- School senior. We ex plained that we ask pers and potatoes. We ate like royalty the candidates who plan to attend college even when the money was thin. We often to answer several q uestions about what had enough to share with our neighbors they want to do when they grow up. We in the “ trailorhood” where we spent the make our selection based on their answers.

T he friend looked thoughtful for a long while before saying, in a sense, you are planting seeds. I t took a moment to make the connection, but I realiz ed what she was saying.

An investment in the education of a young person is investing in the future.

U nlike a garden, education sometimes takes years to take root. Sometimes it doesn’t, but often it does.

Some of the early recipients of our scholarship did well in college and landed meaningful jobs. Some are still in school.

But long after we’re gone, I ’d like to think the seeds we’ve planted were a kaleidoscope of talent that helped make this world a better place.

R ick W atson is a column ist an d author. H is latest book , “ L ife Chan g es, ” is available on Amaz on .com. Y ou can con tact him via email at rick @ homefolk media.com.

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Trussville

3297 Barkwood Trace

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

780209

35173

3297 Barkwood Trace

New

$229,900

780184

35173

313 White Pine Street

New

$165,000

780124

35173

2017 Eastbrook Drive

New

$329,900

780116

35173

1380 Overlook Drive

New

$215,000

780110

35173

7169 Roper Road

New

$227,500

780108

35173

207 Wildwood Drive

New

$215,000

779935

35173

107 Dew Drive

New

$219,900

779913

35173

6398 Legacy Lane

New

$324,900

779908

35173

5254 Stockton Pass

New

$365,000

779893

35173

521 Davis Drive

New

$284,900

780463 35173

211 English Walnut Drive

New

$289,900

779892

35173

7569 Echo Lake Lane

New

$399,000

779873

35173

6521 Winslow Drive

New

$369,900

779811

35173

7629 Old Springville Road

New

$219,900

779790

35173

8063 Caldwell Drive

New

$290,000

779775

35173

116 Acrilane Drive

New

$239,900

779717

35173

3625 Forest Trace

New

$222,314

779697

35173

6237 Jonathans Way

New

$340,000

779654

35173

7017 Arbor Lane

New

$265,000

779629

35173

8746 Carrington Lake Ridge New

$565,000

779570

35173

7000 Chula Vista Way

New

$425,000

780604 35173

6021 Hidden Way Lane

New

$239,900

779471

35173

839 Vanessa Drive

New

$479,900

779463

35173

3205 Derbyshire Circle

New

$235,000

779455

35173

5135 Promenade Drive

New

$185,000

779407

35173

5917 Longview Lane

New

$240,000

779382

35173

311 Dawns Way

New

$269,900

779374

35173

7612 Roper Tunnel Road

New

$289,900

779347

35173

7028 Shady Oaks Lane

New

$334,900

779217

35173

111 Pamela Drive

New

$209,000

780589 35173

9690 Old Springville Road

New

$375,000

779082

35173

3046 Weatherford Drive

New

$232,900

779077

35173

504 Rockridge Avenue

New

$209,900

779044

35173

8415 Ledge Circle

New

$370,000

779042

35173

2648 Smith Sims Road

New

$309,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on April 17.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

211 English Walnut Drive

6021 Hidden Way Lane

9690 Old Springville Road

29

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CALENDAR TRUSSVILLE EVENTS Tuesdays: Storytime. 10 a.m. Clay Public Library.

May 4: City Council Workshop. 5:30 p.m. City Hall.

May 1: Trussville Baseball Association spring tournament.

May 6: Stories and More. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Trussville Civic Center. This program is primarily geared toward kids that are 18 months to 5 years of age. Each program will consist of a short story, read by Mrs. Dot, decorating an edible goody and the construction of a great craft.

May 1-7: Youth Summer Basketball registration.

Cost is $100 per child, with discounts for multiple children. Evaluations May 9 and 12, with practice beginning May 22. For more information call 6613777 or email zachmanning@hotmail.com.

May 6: City Fest. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The Mall, 225 Parkway Drive. This one-day festival features games, food, vendors and a fireworks show to close the event. $5 per person and kids 2 and under are free.

May 2: All About Medicare. 1 p.m. Trussville Public Library.

May 6: Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association Jamborees.

May 3: Adult Co-Ed Volleyball registration deadline. Trussville Civic Center. Cost is $150 per team. Matches begin May 9. Contact dfox@ trussville.org or 661-3777 for more information.

May 8: Lego Challenge. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library.

Thursdays: Storytime. 10 a.m. Trussville Public Library.

May 8: Planning and Zoning Meeting. 6 p.m.

City Hall.

May 9: Adult Craft Night. 6 p.m. Trussville Public Library.

May 17: Toddler Time. 10 a.m. Clay Public Library.

May 9: City Council. 6 p.m. City Hall.

May 17: Books to Movies Teen Book Club. 3:45 p.m. Trussville Public Library.

May 11: Homeschool Teen Book Club. 11 a.m.

Trussville Public Library. Pizza is included.

May 18: City Council Workshop. 5:30 p.m. City Hall.

May 13: Disney Day. 11 a.m. Clay Public Library. Celebrate Disney classics with pizza, cupcakes, games and crafts.

May 22: American Girl Club. 6:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Open to girls grades 5k-5.

This month’s American Girls are Josefina and Kaya. Registration required.

May 16: The Science Lady. 10 a.m. Clay Public Library.

May 23: City Council. 6 p.m. City Hall.

May 16: Dudes and Doughnuts. 4:30 p.m.

Trussville Public Library. Book club open to boys in grades 1-3.

May 25: Chips and Chapters. 4:30 p.m.

Trussville Public Library. Book club open to grades 4-6.

May 16: Adult Softball Summer League captains’ meeting. 7 p.m. Trussville Civic Center.

Summer league season begins May 30 and lasts through July 18.

May 27: Trussville City Pool opens.

May 22: HTHS Spring Choral Concert. 7-8 p.m.

HTHS performing arts center.

May 29: Memorial Day. City offices closed.

TRUSSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS May 1-5: Magnolia Elementary book fair.

Magnolia Elementary.

p.m. HTHS Theater.

May 1-12: AP Testing. HTHS.

May 8: Marching Band parent meeting. 7 p.m.

HTHS performing arts wing band rooms.

May 15-16: AHSAA Decathlon State Championships. HTHS Stadium.

May 13: Prom. Regions Field.

May 16: HTMS Spring Band Concert. 5-9 p.m.

HTHS performing arts center.

May 2: Pastries with Parents. 7 a.m. Magnolia Elementary.

May 29: Memorial Day. Schools and offices closed.

June 1: Graduation.

May 3: ACT + Writing makeup test. HTHS.

May 15: Poetry Festival. HTHS Auditorium.

May 4: Family Night at the book fair. 5-7 p.m.

May 15: Summer School ACCESS Meeting. 6

May 18: HTHS Spring Band Concert. 5-9 p.m.

HTHS performing arts center.

June 2: Last day for students.

3 p.m. Sunday. $7-$14. Visit barons.com.

Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit uabsports.com.

May 4: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

113 22nd St. N. Meet local artists and performers and buy their work. Visit birminghamartcrawl. com.

May 5: Live at the Lyric: Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $29$50. Visit lyricbham.com.

May 6: Big Green Eggs in the ‘Ham. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. Fundraiser for Easter Seals. $20 per person, $35 per couple, $55 for family four pack.

AREA EVENTS May 1: BAO Bingo. 7 p.m. Birmingham AIDS Outreach. $15-$25. Visit birminghamaidsoutreach.org.

May 1: BSC Symphonic Band Presents: Vacations Around the World. 7 p.m. Hill Amphitheater.

Free. Visit bsc.edu.

May 2: Spend the Night with Alice Cooper.

Alabama Theatre. 8 p.m. $49.50-$74.50. Visit ticketmaster.com.

May 4-14: Oak Mountain Spring State Fair.

5:30 p.m. weeknights, 12 p.m. weekends. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $8 admission, $5 parking. Visit oakmountainstatefair.com.

May 5-7: GEICO 500 Weekend. Talladega Superspeedway. ARCA Racing Series 5 p.m.

Friday, NASCAR Xfinity Series 12 p.m. Saturday, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit talladegasuperspeedway.com.

May 3-7: Birmingham Barons vs. Montgomery Biscuits. 7:05 p.m. Wed-Fri, 6:30 p.m. Saturday,

May 5-6: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 7:30 p.m. $25-$74.

May 5-7: UAB vs. Old Dominion baseball. Jerry D. Young Memorial Field. 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m.

May 6: 39th annual Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition (semifinals). 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. 20 singers from around the nation compete for a chance to sing in the finals. Students $10, Adults $25. Visit operabirmingham.org.

MAY 2017

CAHABA SUN

CAHABASUN.COM

May 6: Mudbugs & Music. 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Caha a rewing Company. enefiting the Arthritis Foundation. $15 adults, children 12 and under, $5. Visit arthritis.org mud ugsmusic.

May 6, 13, 20 and 27: The Market at epper lace. a.m.-12 p.m. Visit pepperplacemarket.com.

May 7: 2 th annual Arty arty. 3 p.m. A arehouse. enefitting irmingham A DS utreach. ive art auction, hors d’oeuvres and wine.

Visit irminghamaidsoutreach.org.

May 7: Southeastern utings Sunday Stroll along the ellow eaf Creek. Depart 1:30 p.m. from DVG T trail head on Shel y County ighway 1. For information, call Dan Frederick 205- 31- 0. Visit seoutings.org.

May 8: Southeastern utings icycle Ride. orse Creek Trail, Dora. Depart a.m. from mart Green Springs or :30 a.m. in lo y of Sumiton almart. For information, call Dan Frederick 205- 31- 0. Visit seoutings.org.

May 9: rian ilson presents et Sounds- The Final erformances. :30 p.m. JCC Concert all. $ 3 and $ 3. Visit rianwilson.com tour.

May 9: Southeastern utings eekday Caha a ily alk. argrove Shoals along the Caha a River in i County. Depart a.m. from McDonald’s y Riverchase Galleria. For information, call Dan Frederick 205- 31- 0. Visit seoutings. org.

May 10: Decorators’ Show ouse Fashion Show uncheon. Seating at 11 a.m. and noon. $15 per person. Call Char onsack for reservations, 1 - 0 .

May 10: Decades Rewind. :30 p.m. JCC Theatre. Featuring hits from the 0s to 0s. $3 .50 and $ .50. Visit decadesrewind.com.

May 11: Ala ama Symphony rchestra Classical Masters Series. yric Theatre. :30 p.m. $30-$50. Visit ala amasymphony.org.

May 11: The utcry Tour 201 . p.m. egacy Arena at the JCC. Featuring Jesus Culture, auren Daigle, levation orship and evi usko. $33. 5 $2 . 5 group rate. Visit outcrytour.com.

May 11-13: M M X. :30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. erformance y dancer-illusionists. $2 $ 5. Visit alysstephenscenter.org.

May 12-28: Dreamgirls. Red Mountain Theatre Company. :30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. and :30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $1 and up.

Visit redmountaintheatre.org.

May 12-13: Supra oats ro ake oard Tour.

10 a.m.- p.m. ak Mountain State ark. $5 park admission fee. Visit wake oardingmag.com.

May 13: Second Saturday at Sloss alk and Talk.10:30 a.m. Garden at Sloss uarters. resented y irmingham istorical Society. Visit historical.org.

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May 17: Julianne and Derek ough- Move eyond- ive on Tour. :30 p.m. JCC Concert all. $51.50-$ 1.50. Visit moveliveontour.com.

May 17-21: Regions Tradition - GA Champions Golf Tournament. Greystone Country Clu . egins at a.m. each day. Visit regionstradition. com.

May 18-20: A ase all vs. Rice. Regions Field. :30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday. $5 adults, $3 children. Visit ua sports.com.

May 18-22: Birmingham Barons vs. Tennessee Smokies. :05 p.m. Thursday-Friday :30 p.m. Saturday 3 p.m. Sunday :05 p.m.

Monday. $ -$1 . Visit arons.com.

May 19: Ala ama Symphony rchestra Coffee Concerts. 11 a.m. Alys Stephens Center. $1 , $2 and $3 . Visit ala amasymphony.org.

May 19-20: Ala ama Symphony rchestra SC Masterworks Series. p.m. $25-$ .

Visit ala amasymphony.org.

May 19-21: ar er istorics. a.m.- p.m. ar er Motorsports ark, eeds. n-track action, cars on display and more. $10-$ . Visit ar erracingevents.com.

May 20: th annual o Sykes and lues Festival. Noon- p.m. De ardele en ark in Downtown istoric essemer. General admission $15, children 12 and under free. Visit o sykes lues.com.

May 20: Ala ama Symphony outh rchestra Spring Concert. 2 p.m. Alys Stephens Center.

Free. Visit ala amasymphony.org.

May 20: Do Dah Day. 11 a.m.- p.m. Caldwell ark. et parade, arts and crats, kid’s activities and music. Visit dodahday.org.

May 20-21: Tannehill Trade Days. a.m.p.m. Tannehill ronworks istorical State ark. $3-$5. Visit tannehill.org.

May 21: 201 V VA ealth Starlight Gala featuring t hak erlman. p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $150. Visit alysstephens.org.

May 21: Dierks entley. p.m. ak Mountain Amphitheatre. $32-$ 2.Visit livenation.com.

May 24: Train with .A.R. and Natasha edingfield. p.m. ak Mountain Amphitheatre. $33-$250. Visit savemesanfrancisco.com.

May 25: Ala ama Symphony rchestra Classical Masters Series. yric Theatre. :30 p.m. $30-$50. Visit ala amasymphony.org.

May 30-June 3: Birmingham Barons vs. Tennessee Smokies. :05 p.m. Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. ednesday, :05 p.m. Thursday-Friday, :30 p.m. Saturday. $ -$1 . Visit arons.com.

May 31: 22nd Annual Rickwood Classic. 12:30 p.m. irmingham arons vs. Chattanooga ookouts. Rickwood Field. $10. Visit arons.com.

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