Hooked on tradition
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA
When Alabama Tourism announced the state’s new Catfish Trail, featuring more than 50 destinations connected to one of Alabama’s most iconic foods, one Homewood restaurant made the list.
The long-celebrated Johnny’s Restaurant will be a featured stop.
For owner Tim Hontzas, the recognition is both an honor and a reflection of something he has believed for years: great Southern food begins with a deep respect for the people who grow, raise and produce it.
See JOHNNY’S
Homewood test drives microtransit
By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.
Most test drives begin at a car lot or dealership. A prospective buyer gets the feel of the vehicle, taking it around the block, perhaps on the highway, getting a sense of how ownership might feel.
In July, the city of Homewood began its test drive of microtransit, an on-demand option to move around the city. It works just
like ride sharing, with riders able to request a trip through the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority’s Max Connect app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low.
The service provides point-to-point transportation anywhere within the Homewood city limits for just $1.50 per trip. Someone ordering a ride can be joined by two more
Tevarius Foster, senior director of customer experience at BJCTA. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Chef Tim Hontzas with loyal customer Harold Hunt, who gets
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley
August feels like a beginning.
The calendar says January is the new year, but for families in our community, the real reset comes when backpacks get loaded and school hallways fill back up. For some students, that means the comfort of familiar faces. For others, it means a brand-new school and all the nerves and excitement that come with it.
will start filling up soon. The rhythms that define our towns from September through May are cranking back to life.
Let us know what’s going on in your part of town. Story ideas, events, new businesses — we want to hear from you. Feel free to shoot me an email at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
And then there is football. The sound of shoulder pads on a practice field means summer is winding down and those special Friday nights are almost here.
August has a way of pulling a community back together. Parents are at pickup lines and open houses. Stadiums
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CITY
Bugsy makes a comeback as Homewood’s chatbot
By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.
Bugsy’s back! The worm that had been the jungle gym apparatus at Homewood Central Park is coming back in a form more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It will be the chatbot tool that will guide Homewood residents in their pursuit of information on the city’s website — and beyond.
“Right now, we have a lot of information on our website,” said Brian Wallace, the city’s communications director. “This bot is … going to allow residents to come to our website and say, ‘Hey, I had a variance for my property at 123 Oxmoor Road.’ They don’t even have to have the date. The bot is going to go search all of our records, everything in there, and be able to give them an instant answer as to where it is.”
But you might even call Bugsy a bookworm because it can do more, accessing all of Homewood’s ordinances and other websites, including those for the Homewood Police Department and Homewood Parks and Recreation Department.
“If there’s information that can be gleaned from those other things, it will be able to provide that information in a split second,” Wallace said.
And don’t worry about not making your question clear to Bugsy. It speaks more than 70 languages.
“It’s going to provide a great opportunity for those who are struggling with the English language,” the communications director said.
For anyone unfamiliar with the original Bugsy, it was a brightly painted caterpillar that children used as a climbing apparatus at Homewood
Central Park dating back to the 1980s. It became a well-known fixture for generations of children, but when the city overhauled the playground recently, Bugsy was deemed unsafe because it didn’t meet modern playground codes.
Some people bemoaned the idea of losing Bugsy and all the memories that came with it, so city officials set it aside to be repurposed as an artistic or nonclimbing park feature.
But when it came time to find a name for the city’s new chatbot, they had a contest and put a call out to the public, Wallace said. “We posted
on social, and we had a focus group. There were two names that were at the top of the list, and we went with Bugsy.”
Bugsy will return as the chatbot around mid-August. And it will be even more userfriendly in the future, Wallace said. The chatbot also will guide users when the thing for which they’re looking isn’t on a city of Homewood site.
“Let’s say somebody’s coming on our site and they’re looking for something in Mountain Brook, but they don’t know the difference,” Wallace said. “Our bot will say, ‘I’m sorry. I
can’t find any information, but maybe check with Mountain Brook. Here is their website.’
“The hope is that people will be able to find things. Not just find things, but find things quickly,” Wallace said. “We, for a long time, have been able to grow our base of information, providing a way for people to find out a lot of things about the city. It has expanded exponentially with new leadership, with new ideas. … This is just a part of that growth. Personally, I think it’s necessary for anybody as AI becomes such an intricate part of our lives.”
Brian Wallace, Homewood’s communications director, believes the Bugsy chatbot will help people find information more quickly on the city’s website and elsewhere. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Mayor’s Minute
By Jennifer Andress
Reflecting on the last 100 years, I recall what makes Homewood the place we all know and love today: our schools, parks, downtown and beautiful neighborhoods.
These represent the people, decisions and hard work behind Homewood’s high rankings in citizen surveys and “best place to live” results (Niche.com).
One Homewood icon
will be receiving special recognition this year at our Centennial Gala: Miss Sims’ Garden. Maybe you have attended a special event here or picked a basket of fresh produce in summer or a pumpkin or mum in autumn.
Did you know the lady behind the legacy was one of Homewood’s most influential citizens? Catherine Anville Sims was the original Homewood Citizen of the Year in 2002. The award was created to honor her lifetime of civic engagement and support of local charities, and she left an enduring legacy through the transformation of her estate as a botanical park.
In the heart of Edgewood at 908 Highland Road is a lush, shady oasis for you to explore botanical treasures, forage for food among the foliage, swing in a hammock, spy wildlife and let imagination run wild. The Sims house is 120 years old and, together with the garden, is a time capsule of old Edgewood.
Each year, from mid-September to Halloween, Miss Sims’ Garden transforms into a pumpkin patch, where you can pick the perfect pumpkin or mum, vote for your favorite scarecrow, sample fall treats, complete a scavenger hunt and more!
It’s important to celebrate and care for historical icons where we can and to keep them relevant into the future, so for Homewood’s 100th year, Miss Sims’ Garden is the beneficiary of the City’s Centennial Gala on Oct. 15. All funds raised will support plans to realize Miss Sims’ vision of a teaching garden. You can learn more at: cityofhomewood. com/sims-garden
Join us as we celebrate Homewood’s 100th in style and secure Miss Sims’ legacy!
The Gala will recall Homewood glam of 1926 with a red-carpet experience on the plaza before dancing into Rosewood Hall to the tunes of Homewood Pops for a fun-filled soirée complete with Homewood memorabilia, storytelling and a live auction you won’t want to miss. I will be sharing emcee duties with local legend Chris Cooper. I am grateful for the people and places that have made Homewood the best place to live, and I am honored to serve you. I am always available at jennifer.andress@ homewoodal.org.
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CITY
US 31 pedestrian tunnel should be functional for school year
By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.
The pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 31 at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store should be partially reopened by the time school starts in Homewood on Aug. 12, City Engineer Amy Zari said.
City officials closed the tunnel on July 6 for a renovation project that includes new lighting, handrails, brick pavers and other enhancements designed to create a safe, bright, welcoming area.
The tunnel was constructed in 1954 after the widening of U.S. 31, then known as Montgomery Highway. At the time, many students who attended Shades Cahaba Elementary School lived on the west side of U.S. 31. Rather than requiring hundreds of children to cross a rapidly expanding highway at street level, community leaders pushed for a pedestrian underpass.
To help make room for the tunnel’s west entrance, Hill Food Store, the predecessor to today’s Piggly Wiggly, provided a portion of its parking lot.
The city engineer said the tunnel has been a key feature in the city ever since, especially for students and parents at Shades Cahaba Elementary.
“It’s heavily used by parents and students of the school just as a safe crossing under U.S. 31,” Zari said. “Of course, the community is going to embrace something like that. I think this project shows our commitment to improving such a staple of the city with the beautification of the walls of the tunnel, the landscaping, redoing the surface of it to have that nice stone finish. I think it’ll be a nice end product.”
Renovations to the tunnel will only be done on the west end of the passage. Murals that were painted in the tunnel and on the east end approaching the school during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 will remain.
“We’re not touching anything once it goes underground,” Zari said. “We’re just redoing all the surfaces leading up to the part that [is near the grocery store].”
Enhancements go beyond the tunnel itself,
including a new green space.
“We collaborated with the property owner on The Pig property to get an easement for some green space added as part of the tunnel project,” the city engineer said. “That basically just gave us permission to go in and do the landscaping as part of the tunnel project.”
The city will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping, she said.
“We’re having irrigation put in as part of this
project,” she continued. “That’ll definitely help make sure that plants continue to thrive, especially in the hot weather. I think that’s why this project was identified probably a couple years back, and finally we’re coming to construction. It’s been a long journey, but we’re here.”
While the tunnel should be partially reopened in time for the start of school, it’s hard to estimate the final completion date due to weather, Zari said.
The western end of the tunnel under U.S. 31 when it was closed for renovations in July 2026. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Rendering shows how the western end of the tunnel should look after renovation. Rendering courtesy of the city of Homewood.
BUSINESS
Business Happenings
NOW OPEN
Led by Dr. Stephen Pak, Lakeshore Dental opened at 511 Brookwood Blvd. near Target on Lakeshore. With 30 years of experience, Pak offers services like general dentistry, teeth whitening, fillings, dental implants and cosmetic dental services. It is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 205-941-7391, lakeshore-dental.com
COMING SOON
NY Deli and Juice Bar will be opening at 803 Green Springs Highway in the former SanPeggio’s Pizza spot. Specializing in authentic halal New York chopped cheese sandwiches and street-style cuisine, the deli will serve fresh sandwiches, juices, smoothies and breakfast dishes. nydelieats.com
RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS
Bryant Bank recently relocated its Homewood branch to a new location down the street at 1725 28th Ave. S. The new 3,100-square-foot facility replaced the bank’s previous branch. The location features updated amenities and a drive-thru service. The bank office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive-thru is open from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 205-912-2050, bryantbank.com
The three-story Vitalogy Wellness Center and MedSpa is under construction at 2714 20th St. S., and will replace the former Metcalf Realty building. The $7 million project is being developed by Crescent Real Estate Holdings and built by Pylon Building Group. Vitalogy Wellness Center and Med-Spa is a Homewood-based practice led by Dr. Farah Sultan and her team that focuses on holistic medicine, anti-aging, regenerative treatments and aesthetic services. It’s currently at 2704 20th St. S. The new facility is set to be completed by 2027 and will also accommodate other tenants. 205-859-2401, vitalogywellnessandmedspa.com
ANNIVERSARIES
The Collective hair salon is celebrating its second anniversary in its Homewood location at 169 Oxmoor Road, Suite 105. The salon offers haircuts, styling, color, hair treatments, hair removal and texture treatments. It also has a Pepper Place location at 2801 2nd Ave. S. Appointments can be made online or by calling the hair salon. 205-558-9541, thecollectivebham.com
Evolve Massage and Alternative Healing celebrated its fifth anniversary in Homewood at 2831 Linden Ave. It specializes in therapeutic massages to help people find relief from pain. Evolve offers deep tissue, relaxation, prenatal care, couples and pain therapy massages, along with alternative therapies like Reiki, sound baths and red-light therapy. Evolve opened its original location in 2014 on Highland Avenue before later moving to Homewood. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 205-855-9125, evolvebham.com
Johnny’s Restaurant, at 2902 18th St. S., Suite 200, is celebrating its 14th anniversary. The restaurant serves classic meat-and-three dishes, as well as Greek specialties. Its dishes include baked Greek chicken, fried catfish, chicken pot pie, 15-hour pot roast, fried green tomatoes, parmesan grit cake and Creole red beans. Johnny’s Restaurant is open Monday through Friday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 205-802-2711, johnnyshomewood.com
Do you have business news to share? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/
TherapySouth is celebrating 20 years of serving communities across the South with physical therapy care. What started as a single clinic in 2006 has grown to serve communities throughout Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. TherapySouth provides services including orthopedic physical therapy, hand therapy, pelvic health and wellness services. The Lakeshore location is at 1280 Columbiana Road and is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The SoHo location is at 2610 19th St. S. and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 205-968-1283 (Lakeshore), 205-558-6400 (SoHo), therapysouth.com
u4ic Yoga, at 2926 Central Ave., Suite 106, is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Homewood. u4ic (pronounced euphoric) is based on four core values from owner Tony Todd: community, culture, passion and presence. Classes offered at the studio include lit vinyasa flow, stretch + core flow, yin, all levels flow, HIIT yoga, yoga flow, beginners flow and private flow. People can book lessons online or request a private lesson. Everyone is welcome to attend, and it strives to make yoga accessible for all levels of experience. 205-874-9333, u4icyoga.com
CLOSINGS
After 23 years, Shoefly Boutique is closing at 2823 18th St. S., and it currently is looking for someone who is interested in acquiring the established boutique. The store sells women’s shoes, clothing, jewelry and other accessories. The owner and her team said they are thankful for the customers, employees, vendors, friends and family members who have supported them for more than two decades.
205-870-7131
Freddy’s Bistro and Bar closed after two years at 1706 Oxmoor Road in the former Nabeel’s Café location. Its location at 2251 Highland Ave. remains open and was recently remodeled to become a cocktail bar with a curated, limited menu. Freddy’s on Highland Avenue is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Friday 4-10 p.m. and Saturday 2-10 p.m. 205-962-8825, freddyswinebar.com
NY Deli and Juice Bar
The Collective
u4ic Yoga
Dr. Stephen Pak, Lakeshore Dental
After 28 years, Kelly Seibels believes in relationships over transactions
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA
At Seibels Cottage in downtown Homewood, the scent of cedar, leather and handcrafted wood greets visitors at the door. Sunlight spills across custom dining tables and rustic furnishings, while wildlife art and natural textures create the feeling of a well-loved cabin tucked deep in the woods.
That sense of warmth and authenticity is intentional.
“We’re not Restoration Hardware,” Seibels said with a laugh. “We want our customers to feel comfortable. A home ought to tell a story. It ought to feel lived in, not staged. When people walk in here, I want them to feel at home.”
Seibels opened his store in English Village in 1998 before relocating to downtown Homewood. Today, his business has become one of the region’s most distinctive furniture and home decor destinations.
But Seibels’ path into retail was anything but conventional.
Raised in Mountain Brook, Seibels developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age. He attended college while hunting and fishing in his spare time, eventually becoming a nationally recognized waterfowl taxidermist. In 1986, he won a world championship in waterfowl taxidermy, a career he pursued for 15 years.
His interest in wildlife naturally led to carving and painting and eventually to wildlife art shows across the country. Those experiences inspired him to launch a mail-order business called Sportsman’s Den, which sold outdoorthemed artwork and accessories.
“The outdoors was my happy place,” Seibels said. “Everything I’ve done, from the catalog
business to the furniture store, has grown out of my love for nature.”
Over time, the business expanded beyond art into home furnishings.
Today, Seibels Cottage specializes in upscale rustic and contemporary furniture, featuring handcrafted pieces, wildlife and landscape art, accessories and exclusive product lines unavailable elsewhere in Alabama.
Among its offerings is furniture from Old Hickory Furniture, which has been producing handcrafted pieces since 1898. The store also works with craftsmen who build custom bunk beds, dining tables, hutches, consoles and other specialty items.
“We’ve always tried to offer something
different,” Seibels said.
While the market has evolved over the years, Seibels has adapted. More shoppers are purchasing furniture for primary residences, seeking a casual but refined aesthetic that blends natural materials with modern design.
Interior designer Kathy Jones said the store’s focus is understanding customers rather than simply selling them furniture.
“We listen to what our customers like and help create a palette that fits their home,” Jones said.
That relationship-driven approach has earned Seibels recognition from the Alabama Retail Association, which nominated him for retailer of the year twice.
“I never went to business school,” Seibels
said. “Selling is secondary. Relationships with our customers come first.”
Longtime customer Sharon Ainsworth of Guntersville agrees.
“There is not another store like it,” Ainsworth said. “Whether you’re furnishing a lake house, a ranch home or your primary residence, you’re going to find something unique and perfect. I always have.”
After 28 years in business, Seibels has no plans to retire.
Instead, he continues doing what he has done since opening his doors in 1998: helping customers create homes with warmth, character and a connection to the outdoors he has loved his entire life.
Kelly Seibels owns and operates Seibels Cottage in downtown Homewood.
Seibels Cottage is known for its warm and authentic furnishings. Photos by Karim ShamsiBasha.
Raj and Nital Patel, a married couple who live near Homewood, care deeply about making a positive impact on our area.
“Being from Birmingham, my goal is to give back to the community I’m from,” says Raj, a Mohs micrographic surgeon and dermatologist and the founder of True Dermatology.
“Our giving pillars are education and accessibility,” says Nital, a PharmD MBA who worked in biotechnology before retiring in 2022 to focus on their children and philanthropy.
In 2025, the Patels found the perfect vehicle to help the community, setting up a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
A DAF allows donors to draw on the expertise and local knowledge of foundation staff while targeting their contributions to specific causes they care about. The Foundation works with the donor to honor their intent and philanthropic interest.
The DAF “allows us flexibility on grants to recommend over time, all the while allowing growth in the invested funds,” Raj says.
The participatory nature of the fund helps the Patels “foster a culture of philanthropy with our two sons,” Nital says.
After starting their fund, the Patels created two new endowments. The Nital and Raj Patel Faculty Endowment Fund empowers faculty to help shape the youth at Advent Episcopal School. A second endowment supports the Technical School at the Steam Plant Project with Kulture City.
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Donor Advised Fund helps Homewood-area couple target local causes
Raj and Nital Patel set up their Donor Advised Fund to target specific causes they care about: “Our giving pillars are education and accessibility.”
“Being from Birmingham, my goal is to give back to the community I’m from.”
“In the pipeline is a partnership with local foundations to increase accessibility for all in certain sports,” Raj says.
DAFs are easy to open, requiring little paperwork.
The Community Foundation staff “quickly put our concepts onto paper and brought the DAF and endowments live in very short order,” the couple says.
The staff are “great at listening, providing constructive feedback and sharing perspectives from their vast experience,” the Patels say.
Before being introduced to the Community Foundation by friend Sanjay Singh, the couple made donations without having a sense of their impact.
“We’re thrilled to partner with a foundation that has the experience to execute and protect our intentions and long-term vision,” the couple says.
While partnering with the Community Foundation, the Patels have discovered other great Birminghamarea organizations.
“We look forward to identifying and supporting even more organizations that fit our philanthropic strategy in Birmingham,” Nital says.
Founded in 1959, the Community Foundation pools contributions from individuals, families and businesses to support nonprofits and improve the quality of life in Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties.
For more information, call 205-327-3800 or go to cfbham.org.
To learn more about setting up a Donor Advised Fund through the foundation, contact Liz Edwards, VP of Philanthropy, at ledwards@cfbham.org
SCHOOLHOUSE
A culture of care: Homewood’s peer helping program
By APRIL COFFEEY
Whether they are welcoming a new student, mentoring a younger classmate or leading conversations about mental health and healthy decision making, Homewood Middle and High Schools’ peer helpers are making a difference in the lives of those around them. Through service, leadership and genuine connection, these students are helping shape a school culture where support comes not only from teachers and counselors but from peers who choose to lift one another up.
That spirit is at the heart of the peer helping programs in Homewood schools, where leadership is measured not by titles or accolades but by service. Through mentoring, advocacy and relationship building, peer helpers are creating a culture of care that extends far beyond the classroom.
At Homewood Middle School, peer helpers are selected through an application and interview process and receive training in mentoring, tutoring and peer support. Working closely with counselor and sponsor AnnaGrace Baldwin, students commit to serving as positive role models while actively supporting both their school and the broader community. The activities performed by the peer helpers support the middle school’s character education programs and were a component of Homewood Middle being selected as a 2026 National School of Character.
Their impact can be seen throughout the building. Peer helpers welcome new students, lead campus tours, support classrooms, mentor younger peers and spend time in specialized classrooms in which meaningful relationships are built through consistency and care. Seventh graders often serve as classroom buddies, while eighth graders extend their leadership into elementary schools by teaching lessons on friendship, healthy decision-making and mental health awareness.
Peer helper and rising ninth grader Reese Elliott said the program is rooted in gratitude.
“Everybody has poured into me so much in Homewood,” she said. “I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to give back.”
For Elliott, peer helping is more than an extracurricular activity. It is an opportunity to invest in others the same way others have invested in her.
That commitment to service continues at Homewood High School, where peer helpers begin their journey with a video application and interview process before attending a two-day leadership retreat. From the beginning, students are challenged not only to participate but also to lead.
For new peer helper and rising 10th grade student Sloan Chewning, the opportunity carries both purpose and excitement.
“It feels great,” she said. “I like being a leader and showing my leadership skills to my fellow peers. I just want to support them.”
For Sloan, stepping into the role represents a chance to make a meaningful difference through encouragement and example.
Fellow peer helper and twin sister Hadley Chewning shares that same sense of purpose.
“It is a new opportunity for me that I can learn skills to help me serve my peers,” she said.
The selection process for peer helpers at Homewood High School encourages students to reflect on their personal journeys and the challenges they have overcome. For Sloan, that reflection included her experience with growth hormone deficiency. For Hadley, it involved learning to overcome challenges related to speech and confidence.
Those experiences now help shape how they support others. Both students are looking forward to participating in “study talks,” where peer helpers lead discussions with freshmen on topics such as peer pressure, bullying, substance awareness and mental health.
When asked what she was most excited about, Sloan pointed to those opportunities to
connect with younger students and turn personal growth into service.
Across both schools, peer helpers are involved in prevention lessons, freshman transition support, mentoring programs, community events and schoolwide wellness initiatives.
by sponsors
and
they help foster an environment where student voice, connection and care are valued.
Together, the middle and high school programs create a powerful pipeline of leadership.
Students learn early that service is not separate from school life — it’s central to it. Homewood’s peer helpers are building and supporting something lasting: a culture where students do not simply attend school together but actively encourage each other along the way.
Supported
Carissa Anthony, Kristin Clark, Zach Butler
Hannah Smith,
Homewood Middle School peer helpers serve as reading partners for elementary school students. Photos courtesy of AnnaGrace Baldwin.
Homewood Middle School peer helpers. Photo courtesy of AnnaGrace Baldwin.
Homewood High School peer helper Brooks Jackson with Principal Joel Henneke. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
Homewood City Schools announce administrative changes at Homewood Middle and Hall-Kent Elementary Schools
By APRIL COFFEEY
Both Homewood Middle School and HallKent Elementary School will welcome new assistant principals when the 2026-27 school year begins, with Lacy Shuman joining the district from Georgia and Taylor Bostany earning a promotion from within the Homewood school system.
Homewood Middle School has named Lacy Shuman as its new assistant principal for instruction, replacing Reba Hudson, who has obtained a principal position in another district. Shuman will join principal Mindy McBride and assistant principals Christi Martin and John Dorough.
Shuman brings extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional leadership and educational technology to the position. She previously served for 10 years as assistant head of school for curriculum and technology at Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville, Georgia.
School officials said they are excited to welcome Shuman to the administrative team and look forward to the leadership and expertise she will bring to students, faculty and families.
At Hall-Kent Elementary School, Taylor Bostany has been appointed assistant principal, joining principal Jill Walden and assistant principal Ellen Maple.
Bostany is a familiar face to the Hall-Kent community, having served at the school since
Lacy Shuman (left) is a new assistant principal at Homewood Middle School. Taylor Bostany has been appointed assistant principal at Hall-Kent Elementary. Photos courtesy of McCall Hardison.
2017. During her time there, she has held several leadership roles, including serving on the school’s leadership team and the Hope Leadership team. Most recently, she has worked as the school’s reading interventionist, supporting students and teachers in literacy
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instruction.
Bostany succeeds Ashley Paulk, who will remain with Homewood City Schools as she transitions to a new role as math coach at Shades Cahaba Elementary School. The appointments are part of Homewood
City Schools’ preparations for the upcoming academic year and reflect the district’s commitment to both recruiting experienced educational leaders and promoting talented educators from within its own schools. Both administrative changes take effect July 1.
SPORTS
UNDER THE LIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Patriots lean on program culture as new faces fill key roles
By KYLE PARMLEY
Homewood High School returns just four starters on offense and three on defense this season, but head coach Ben Berguson said the program’s culture and the repetitions many players picked up during last year’s deep playoff run give the Patriots a jolt heading into the fall.
“Our football culture is so good here that it creates a lot of confidence,” Berguson said. “Even though we’re replacing a lot, our kids will be very confident going into the season.”
Berguson called last season a great one, one he believes could have extended further had the Patriots not run into eventual state champion Clay-Chalkville. He pointed to a wild loss at rival Mountain Brook, a game that landed Homewood on SportsCenter, as the most memorable moment in a memorable season.
“It was just one of those special games between two great communities,” Berguson said.
The staff added several new pieces this offseason. Shawn Bostick joins to coach tight ends. Boo Smith, previously an offensive coordinator at Hueytown, takes over the receivers. Jaiquan Crook comes on to coach outside linebackers, and Jake Collins, a Homewood alum who spent time on staff at Mountain Brook, returns to coach cornerbacks.
Homewood opens the season on the road against John Carroll on Aug. 21, then travels to Briarwood the following week, a pair of nonregion rivalries Berguson said he intentionally kept on the schedule through the classification shakeup.
Region play begins Sept. 4 at home against Mountain Brook and continues on the road at Pelham and Helena. Homewood has an open date Sept. 25, then hosts Calera and Chelsea and travels to Chilton County within the region before closing the regular season at home against Ramsay and a nonregion matchup with Oak Mountain.
OFFENSE
A quarterback battle between senior Jack Myers and junior Timothy Roshell will carry into the season. Berguson said Myers, who has an extra year in the system, throws an accurate ball, while Roshell brings more of a dual-threat skill set.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Berguson said.
At running back, senior Chappy Chapleau
returns after leading the position group in touchdowns a year ago, with junior Tyler Betts and freshman Cyn’Mauree Debruce, pulled up to varsity this spring, also in the rotation. Junior Reid Goldstein, listed simply as an athlete, will get touches at both running back and receiver after running track this spring.
The offensive line returns three of Homewood’s four starters, led by senior Gray Keown at left tackle and senior Asher Ketcham, who moves inside after starting at right tackle a year ago. Senior Edwin McBride and junior Walker Bostick round out the returning group, while the left guard spot remains open, with junior Yael Hernandez, senior Antonio Williams, juniors Christian Rivas, Mario Hernandez, Edwin Petrey and Drew Berguson, and freshman J.W. Giardina all positioning for playing time along the line.
At receiver, junior Kamryn Foster returns from a hip injury, and junior Beckham Newell has emerged as a vertical threat after adding size in the offseason. Senior Cornell Warren is back after tearing his ACL last season, with junior Preston Hill, senior Davis Litton and sophomore Mason Wearren rounding out the
group.
At tight end, junior Marcus McGee returns to football after two years focused solely on basketball, and junior Bennett Smith, who also handles long snapping duties, gives Homewood another flexible target. Senior Landon Pettus, working back from shoulder surgery, will also see snaps at tight end.
DEFENSE
Senior Major Moorer anchors the defensive front and has already drawn college interest, alongside sophomore Jakari Haynes and senior Dennis White at the other end spots. Junior Canon Tutor, senior Colton Gibbs and sophomore Ian Anderson provide depth up front.
At outside linebacker, senior Rodregus Lambert moves over from the defensive line to cover the field side, bringing rare athleticism for the position. Senior Luke Serotsky mans the boundary side, with juniors Cameron Clifton and Tyrek Mosley in the rotation behind them. Inside, seniors Ty Ford and Pate Lee and junior Liam Stack will rotate at the position.
The secondary returns junior Quincy McGhee and junior Michael Luckianow at
cornerback, with junior Ben Baguley, senior Bryon Long, who moved down from safety, and junior Christian Dorsey adding depth. At safety, junior Tate Burdeshaw returns after a breakout sophomore season, joined by senior Ollie Whitten, who is back after a concussion cut short his year, and junior Judah Pettus, who moves over from receiver.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior Gabriel Carlson returns as Homewood’s punter and is expected to handle placekicking duties as well, with sophomore Jozy Hicks also competing for kicks. Bennett Smith takes over at long snapper.
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Rodregus Lambert (21). Photo by Richard Force.
Major Moorer (95). Photo by Alex Millender.
Michael Luckianow (23). Photo by Alex Millender. Quincy McGhee (5). Photo by David Leong.
Chappy Chapleau (0). Photo by Richard Force.
UNDER THE LIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Cavaliers step into new facilities and new region
By KYLE PARMLEY
John Carroll Catholic High School enters Will Mara’s seventh season as head coach with a new home to go with a new region. The Cavaliers move from Class 5A into Private-AA, Region 2 this fall, after the AHSAA split public and private schools.
The Cavs will do all this in new facilities the current senior class watched rise from construction over the past two years.
“This senior group, it’s a great group of leaders, and they’ve kind of taken the reins on it within the transition,” Mara said. “They’ve embraced all that and decided that they were going to work through all of it.”
The Cavaliers graduated 20 seniors off last year’s roster and return 18 this fall. Mara said the group has taken ownership of the new building, down to drafting responsibility for different rooms inside it, from the hallways to the new weight room, which opened for the team for the first time this summer.
“Seeing them take responsibility and pride in it has been a fun part,” Mara said.
The renovation project has proceeded from turf and a new video scoreboard at the football stadium last fall, to the completion of an overhauled facility. The locker rooms, coaches’ offices and weight rooms are new, and the building has plenty of features that can be used beyond simply the football program as well.
“That facility, everything was done with all students in mind,” Mara said.
Mara pointed to the regular season finale as last year’s signature moment, a comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit against West Blocton that included an onside kick, a safety, a tying score and a walk-off touchdown in overtime.
“It was a great way to end the season, a great way to build momentum into the offseason,” Mara said.
Mara said the move to a new classification and region has added some logistical wrinkles, including chartering buses for road trips the Cavaliers haven’t taken before. But the games are the same.
“The preparation hasn’t changed,” Mara said. “We understood there’s a little bit more of a learning curve.”
John Carroll opens the season at home against Homewood on Aug. 21 in the Battle of Lakeshore, then travels to Talladega the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 against American Christian. The Cavaliers travel to St. John Paul II, Westminster Christian, Briarwood and Randolph and host
and has
Lee-Scott Academy and Madison Academy within the region. John Carroll has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season at home against Leeds.
OFFENSE
A quarterback battle is underway between junior Harry White, who started last season, and senior Carson Lewis, a transfer from Oak Mountain.
“Both of them are working hard, and I’m excited about both of them and their development,” Mara said.
At running back, junior Aubrey Coker returns as a two-year starter, with sophomore Jeremiah Hubbard, a transfer from Hoover, also in the mix. At receiver, junior Kannon Hammock returns as a three-year starter and has added speed in the offseason, while senior Tucker Rice also returns. Senior Cam Graham is back after tearing his rotator cuff two seasons ago and will play a hybrid role, capable of lining up at receiver or in the backfield.
Senior Truman Vines returns at tight end
emerged as one of the team’s clear leaders, alongside senior Hugh Tighe, who anchors the offensive line at left tackle. TJ Richardson will also help out at tight end and receiver this season. Senior Kyle Heberlein, senior Colton Redmond and sophomores Luke Pilato and Kaden Bellew round out a line Mara said may see some flipping of positions as fall camp continues.
“That whole unit has to be together,” Mara said of the offensive line. “If one of those guys doesn’t do their job correctly, it messes up the whole play.”
DEFENSE
John Carroll loses significant senior leadership on defense and will lean on a group that spent last season absorbing the system on JV. Up front, Connor Mitchell, sophomore Connie Tripp, sophomore Alex Maenza and sophomore Nick Garrido anchor the line.
At linebacker, sophomore Avon McCall, sophomore Broden Elkins and sophomore Ethan Duffy will rotate, with seniors Liam Gil
and Judah Metcalf, who both saw spot duty a year ago, at the star position. Jacob Varner is also in the mix at linebacker.
The secondary features senior Skyler Carmichael, senior Kieran Ford and senior Lucas Rankin at corner, with sophomore Manley Fleming, senior Aiden Van Matre and Chris Collins at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior Ryan Swetz returns at punter, and senior Max Sullivan returns at kicker. Hubbard and Graham are expected to handle kick return duties, with Collins also in the mix on both kicks and punts.
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Truman Vines (6). Photo by Richard Force.
Colton Redmond (55). Photo by Richard Force.
Aubrey Coker (25). Photo by David Leong.
Kannon Hammock (8). Photo by Richard Force.
EVENTS
Save the Date
LET’S GO FISHING!
► Where: Homewood Public Library
► When: Aug. 3, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Young anglers can learn the basics of fishing during this hands-on program presented by the Alabama Aquatic Education Program. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will discover fishing techniques, casting skills and outdoor safety while enjoying an interactive introduction to one of Alabama’s favorite outdoor pastimes.
► More Info: homewoodpubliclibrary.org
THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST
► Where: The Dance Foundation, 1715 27th Court S.
► When: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2:30 p.m.
► Cost: $25, available online
► Details: The Cahaba Theatre Group brings Beth Henley’s beloved Southern comedy “The Miss Firecracker Contest” to The Dance Foundation this August. Set in a small Mississippi town, the story follows Carnelle Scott as she pursues a beauty pageant crown in hopes of reinventing herself and escaping her past. Filled with quirky characters, heartfelt moments and plenty of Southern charm, the production explores themes of self-worth, family and finding acceptance in unexpected places. Audiences can expect an evening of laughter, warmth and memorable performances from this award-winning theatrical favorite.
► More Info: cahabatheatregroup.org
HOMEWOOD LIBRARY
► For more events news, connect with the Homewood Star online by scanning the QR code.
► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
PETTING ZOO! — FARM & EXOTIC
► Where: Homewood Public Library
► When: Aug. 4, 10:30 a.m. to noon
► Cost: Free
► Details: Meet eight friendly farm and exotic animals during this family favorite at the Homewood Public Library. Visitors can get up close with an alpaca, llama, miniature Highland cow, goat, rabbit, Polish chicken, bearded dragon and hedgehog while learning about each animal from the team at Redbird Willow Farm.
► More Info: homewoodpubliclibrary.org
UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
► Where: Homewood Senior Center, 816 Oak Grove Road
► When: Aug. 22, 2-4 p.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with an afternoon of culture, music and community at the Homewood Senior Center. Guests can enjoy traditional Ukrainian folk music and dance, authentic cuisine, cultural exhibits and opportunities to learn more about Ukraine’s rich history and traditions. The family-friendly event welcomes community members of all ages and offers a meaningful way to celebrate Ukrainian heritage while connecting with neighbors.
► More Info: Alabama United Hearts for Ukraine on Facebook
Aug. 6: Dolores Hydock Presents Every Picture Tells a Story: The Storytelling of Norman Rockwell, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 7: First Friday Financial Education Workshop: Financing Your First Home, noon
Aug. 11: Masterpiece Makers — Rock Painting, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 18: Navigating the Art of Small Talk, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19: Leading From Any Seat with Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead, 1 p.m.
Aug. 27: Dynamic Science with The Science Lady, 4 p.m.
Aug. 27: Annah Conwell, author of the Rom-Com University Series, 6:30 p.m.
For a complete list of August events, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org.
FAMILY STEM DAY
► Where: Homewood Public Library
► When: Aug. 11, 9 a.m. to noon
► Cost: Free
► Details: Explore science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on activities during Family STEM Day. The library will transform into an interactive learning hub featuring STEM organizations, engaging exhibits and activities designed to inspire curiosity and introduce children to exciting STEM concepts and careers.
► More Info: homewoodpubliclibrary.org
THAT PUPPET GUY PRESENTS JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
► Where: Homewood Public Library
► When: Aug. 22, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
► Cost: Free
► Details: Experience the classic tale of “Jack and the Beanstalk” in a fun new way as That Puppet Guy brings the beloved story to life through colorful puppetry, humor and audience participation. Perfect for children and families, this lively performance combines imaginative storytelling with engaging characters to create a memorable morning of entertainment at the library.
► More Info: homewoodpubliclibrary.org
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Aug. 4: Planning Commission. City Hall, 6 p.m.
Aug. 6: Park Board. Homewood Community Center, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 6: Board of Zoning Adjustments. City Hall, 6 p.m.
Aug. 10: Beautification Board. Homewood Community Center, noon.
Aug. 10: Council Meeting. City Hall, 6 p.m.
Aug. 18: Library Board. Homewood Public Library, 5 p.m.
Aug. 18: Environmental Commission. Homewood Community Center, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 24: Council Meeting. City Hall, 6 p.m.
Back to School Bash celebrates end of summer
By EMILY REED
Homewood’s Back to School Bash will be held Aug. 29 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at Patriot Park.
The event will kick off the new school year with rides, bounce houses, food and live entertainment.
Rusty Holley, superintendent for Homewood Community Centers and Parks, said the event has been a Homewood tradition for more than 20 years.
“I have personally been involved with the event for the past 17 years, and it has become a great way for the community to come together as the summer comes to an end,” Holley said.
The event is open to everyone in the community, and admission is free. Those attending can enjoy a family-fun atmosphere with local food vendors and community spirit.
Unlimited ride and play wristbands are available for $10, with the proceeds from the wristband sales benefiting the Homewood High School Patriot Band.
“One of the things that makes the Back to School Bash unique is the partnership with the Homewood High School Patriot Band,” Holley said. “The event serves as a band fundraiser while also providing an affordable evening of entertainment for the community. This year’s event will feature several inflatable attractions, two mechanical rides and a pep rally performance by the Homewood High School Patriot Band. It is a fun way to celebrate the start of the school year while supporting one of our local school programs.”
Holley said it is also a good opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to come together before everyone settles into the school-year routines.
Back to School Bash
► Where: Patriot Park
► Hours: 4:30-8:30 p.m.
► Details: Admission is free; wristbands for unlimited ride and play are $10
► Web: homewoodparks.com/ special-events
The annual Back to School Bash will be held at Patriot Park. Staff photo.
Proceeds from the Back to School Bash benefit the Homewood High School Patriot Band.
Photo by Alex Millender.
LIFE
More than meals: Rosedale Food Pantry builds community
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA
Sunlight streams through the open doors of the fellowship hall at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Rosedale. Long folding tables stretch across the room, and metal chairs scrape softly against the floor. A small kitchen sits to one side, its serving window overlooking the room where volunteers sort canned vegetables, bread, cereal and bags of rice into plastic bags.
Beneath that humility lives something much larger: intention, devotion and sacrifice.
Back in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country and fear settled into daily life, friends Kelly Patrick and Cathy Hand began helping a few struggling residents in Rosedale with food. At the time, no one knew how long the pandemic would last or how deeply it would affect families already living paycheck to paycheck. Grocery shelves were emptying, jobs disappeared overnight, and anxiety spread almost as quickly as the virus itself.
What began as a small act of kindness slowly transformed into something far bigger.
Six years later, The Rosedale Food Pantry supplies around 50 households with food twice a week. Yet the pantry has evolved into more than a place to collect groceries. It has become a gathering place, a support system and, for many residents, a second family.
“Right when the pandemic started, we began by leaving canned goods on shelves by the side of the road to help the residents of Rosedale,” Patrick said. “Some came outside and started talking with us. Then we did it again the next day, and the next. We came six days in a row, and something extraordinary happened.”
Rosedale sits along the edge of Homewood, an older neighborhood marked by both hardship and resilience. Small homes line narrow streets shaded by trees. Front porches lean slightly with time. Some houses are neatly painted and decorated with flowerpots, while others show signs of strain.
But Patrick and Hand never focused only on what the neighborhood lacked. They saw the people first.
“The gracious people of Rosedale have taken us in, and we have taken them in. It’s not them and us anymore,” Patrick said.
Patrick speaks passionately as she describes how the tiny ministry she started with a friend gradually became what it is today. As more residents arrived for food, conversations began, and those conversations turned into enduring relationships. Soon, what began with canned goods evolved into something deeply personal.
“Now food is only one part of it,” Cathy Hand said with a warm laugh. “The first two months, we were bringing food three times a week to more and more families, and we were doing it all on the side of the road.”
That was when Reverend Michael Steele of Union Missionary Baptist Church suggested they begin meeting inside the church. Soon afterward, Reverend Tom Franklin of Homewood Community Church offered financial assistance. Then members of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church stepped in to help as well.
“We were so blessed to have this church as our home, right here in the heart of Rosedale,” Patrick said. “Now, we talk about who is sick, who needs surgery, what somebody’s grandchildren are doing. We help when someone’s roof is leaking or their lights are about to be shut off.”
Over the years, the pantry continued growing. What started with canned food and bread expanded into help with home repairs, electrical work and emergency needs that many struggling families simply could not afford.
On this particular afternoon at Missionary Baptist Church, volunteers moved quickly through the fellowship hall preparing for residents to arrive. Plastic bags were filled with dry foods. Someone carried frozen meat into coolers while another volunteer stacked cartons of milk.
Outside, residents began arriving one by one,
then in small groups. There were hugs before there were groceries. Smiles before food. Questions about children, health and aging parents filled the room.
“How’s your granddaughter doing in school?”
“Did your doctor’s appointment go alright?”
“Is your son feeling any better?”
The conversations flowed naturally, less like a charity event and more like an extended family reunion.
Then everyone gathered in a circle for fellowship and a short Bible study. The room gradually grew quiet. Heads bowed. Hands clasped. They spoke about love, grace, compassion. Then came the prayer requests.
Someone’s father had lost his job.
Someone’s aunt was battling illness.
Someone’s son had made the honor roll at school.
The requests ranged from painful to joyful and everything in between, reflecting the complicated realities of ordinary life.
At one point, a woman quietly shared a difficult family situation. No one rushed the moment.
Patrick and Hand later explained why they continue dedicating so much of their lives to the pantry.
“I feel joyful when I see their faces brighten,” Hand said. “These women have become much more than friends. They have become family. I feel invested in their lives spiritually, yes, but also personally.”
As Hand spoke, Patrick stood quietly beside her, tears gathering in her eyes before one slowly slipped down her cheek.
“It feels so humbling to be connected to this ministry,” Patrick said. “A few years ago, I experienced deep pain in my own family. We are all broken in some way, and walking together helps.”
Volunteer Catherine Shearer echoed those feelings.
“This is a very special community,” Shearer said. “We hear about people’s struggles, their love for their families. We hear it all.”
Near the end of the afternoon, residents slowly gathered their grocery bags and prepared to leave. Laughter drifted through the fellowship hall again as people hugged goodbye.
Then, just before walking out the door, Rosedale resident Josephine Jerald stopped and embraced Cathy Hand tightly. Their faces were
only inches apart.
“You’re feeding a lot of hungry people,” Jerald told her softly. “So many hungry people. Thank you. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
For a moment, neither woman moved.
Then Jerald smiled, picked up her bags and walked out.
After everyone left, the volunteers quietly cleaned the fellowship hall. Folding chairs were pushed back into place. Empty boxes disappeared into trash bins. Counters were wiped down until they shined. Within an hour, the
room looked spotless again, as though nothing had happened there at all.
But something had happened. People were seen. Heard. Fed. Loved.
People were loved.
Kelly Patrick and Cathy Hand carried the last supplies toward their cars, while golden sunlight settled across the small church. The old building glowed warmly against a crisp sky, standing quietly like a refuge built from fellowship, love, and an absurdly ample amount of compassion.
Kelly Patrick and Cathy Hand with Rosedale Food Pantry volunteers. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Volunteer Catherine Shearer fills bags with fresh produce.
Cathy Hand (right) hugs volunteer Catherine Shearer.
Kelly Patrick leads a Bible study.
JOHNNY’S CONTINUED from page A1
“We’re flattered to be included,” Hontzas said. “The Catfish Trail celebrates something uniquely Alabama. We’re proud to be part of a tradition that supports local farmers, local communities and some of the best food you’ll find anywhere.”
Launched statewide on National Catfish Day, June 25, the Alabama Catfish Trail highlights restaurants, lakes, rivers, markets and attractions tied to the state’s catfish industry. The goal is to tell the larger story of catfish in Alabama, from its role at the table to its importance in the state’s economy and heritage.
Alabama ranks as the nation’s secondlargest producer of farm-raised catfish, generating approximately $113 million annually and nearly 30% of the country’s supply. The industry supports more than 2,400 jobs across farming, processing and distribution.
For restaurants on the trail, legacy is a common theme. Most are family-owned establishments that have served generations of customers.
Johnny’s certainly fits that description.
The restaurant has earned a loyal following for elevated Southern cooking prepared entirely from scratch. Guests can watch cooks working behind the open kitchen while plates of meatloaf, catfish, vegetables and seasonal specialties make their way to the dining room.
“We make every single thing from scratch, and all of our ingredients come from local suppliers,” Hontzas said. “You can buy it frozen from Vietnam for half the price, but why would you do that when you have farmers right here? Why would you serve frozen products when you have people producing great food in your own backyard?”
The commitment requires extraordinary effort, and even seemingly simple dishes require remarkable attention.
“Our meatloaf has 32 ingredients,” Hontzas said. “It takes us days to make it. But it’s worth it, especially when I hear feedback from my loyal customers.”
And just like the meatloaf, the catfish receives rapt attention.
Johnny’s serves catfish daily, moving approximately 240 pounds each week when demand peaks, and the preparation is intentional. The fish is soaked in whole buttermilk and hot sauce, dredged in seasoned selfrising cornmeal and fried in vegetable oil until golden brown.
It’s a method rooted in Southern tradition.
“We’re not trying to reinvent catfish,” Hontzas said. “We just want to do it right for our loyal customers.”
Doing it right begins long before the fish reaches the fryer.
Hontzas is passionate about sourcing ingredients close to home whenever possible. The restaurant purchases seafood, produce and other ingredients from local farmers and suppliers throughout Alabama and neighboring states.
Supporting local producers has become part of Johnny’s identity as well as the personal story of Hontzas.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Hontzas
comes from a family whose roots stretch from Greece to the Deep South. His grandfather, Johnny Hontzas, immigrated from Greece in the early 20th century, arriving in New Orleans by boat before eventually settling in Mississippi and helping bring family members to America.
The family spread throughout the South.
Relatives eventually established roots in Birmingham, including connections to Niki’s West, the legendary Birmingham meat-andthree restaurant.
Food has always been central to family life.
“As a Greek kid, I didn’t really have a choice,” Hontzas said with a laugh. “That’s how we celebrated life, how we connected and how we showed people we cared about them. Being around restaurants and family
meals from such an early age made it feel natural to go into the business.”
Although he earned a degree in psychology, he always found himself passionate about restaurants, and that passion was what brought him to Birmingham in 2005. He opened Johnny’s in Homewood in 2012, and he has spent the years since building a restaurant known for both quality and consistency.
The hours are long, but Hontzas would not have it any other way. “I don’t really have much of a life,” he said with a laugh. “I’m aware of that, but I love it. If I didn’t love it, there is no way I could keep doing this week after week, year after year.”
What keeps him motivated is watching customers take their first bite.
“One of my favorite things is watching people’s faces when they take their first bite,” he said. “You see that smile appear, and then you hear that one word: ‘Wow.’ Those moments make all the long hours worth it.”
The compliment he values most is when guests compare his food to meals prepared by their mothers or grandmothers. “That’s the highest compliment you can get,” he said.
That commitment has helped build a loyal staff as well. Chef Horus Guevara has been Johnny’s sous chef for years. “I have learned a lot about what makes good food, and Tim has been like a dad to me,” Guevara said.
Hontzas acknowledged that staffing remains one of the industry’s greatest challenges. Yet he credits his team for helping maintain the standards customers have come to expect.
The restaurant has also become known for memorable moments beyond the food.
Hontzas recalled when Chris Hastings, owner of the renowned Hot and Hot Fish Club, ran into the kitchen choking on a chicken bone. Without hesitation, Hontzas performed the Heimlich maneuver.
“It was scary for a minute, but the bone
flew from his mouth,” Hontzas said. “Just another day in the restaurant business.”
The story has become part of Johnny’s lore, one of countless moments shared between Hontzas and his customers.
Courtney King, a banker with Trustmark, is a frequent diner. He believes Johnny’s stands apart because of its attention to detail.
“The meat-and-three concept is familiar in the South, but what Tim does with it is unlike anywhere else. And he does it every day,” King said.
Harold Hunt, 93, agrees. “The catfish here is better than anywhere else. I can’t say it’s better than my wife’s,” he said with a mischievous grin.
“But it is.”
Beyond the food, Hontzas says Homewood itself is part of the restaurant’s success.
“Homewood feels like home,” he said.
“The community supported us from the beginning. They welcomed us in and have stuck with us, even through the pandemic.”
That connection mirrors the broader purpose of the Alabama Catfish Trail. The initiative celebrates not only catfish but also the people and communities that sustain Alabama’s food traditions.
For Hontzas, being selected as Homewood’s lone trail representative validates years of hard work, local sourcing and devotion to Southern cooking.
Yet he insists the recognition belongs to more than just Johnny’s.
“The recognition is about the farmers who supply us with fresh ingredients,” he said.
As Alabama Tourism shines a spotlight on one of the state’s most beloved foods, visitors traveling the Catfish Trail will discover what Homewood diners have known for years: at Johnny’s, catfish is not simply a menu item.
It is a tradition, a craft and a connection to the people who make Alabama’s food culture one of a kind.
Patrons at Johnny’s can see the kitchen from the dining room. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
The catfish at Johnny’s is among their popular offerings.
Chef Tim Hontzas works alongside his sous chef, Horus Guevara.
Chef Tim Hontzas chats with Courtney King during lunch.
MICROTRANSIT
CONTINUED from page A1
“It’s a win-win,” Mayor Jennifer Andress said. “We literally get to find out if this is something that is going to benefit Homewood and something our citizens can use and want us to invest in once this trial is over. Thanks to the grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, it’s really just a no-lose proposition.”
The Community Foundation is footing the bill for this test drive, paying about $792,000 for a year and three months of microtransit service. After the trial period, the projected annual costs are around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted over time, with as many as three vehicles operating during the aforementioned service hours.
Foundation President and CEO Chris Nanni said the foundation’s role is to take on issues in the community “that are holding us back from reaching our potential and doing things that not necessarily an individual or an
organization can do on their own.
“We’re doing it with mental health; we’re doing it with affordable housing; we’re doing it with regional cooperation, some economic development stuff,” he said. “But transportation is a perfect example of this. There’s nobody that would have written a grant to us to do this. It was us identifying the models and getting people interested, funding it and having a sustainable piece where people could carry it on.”
Foundation leaders spoke with officials in Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia Hills. They found the greatest need in Homewood.
“We’ve been in conversations for over two years with Homewood,” Nanni said. “It [the microtransit project] got caught up a little bit because there was a change in government. We made a grant to fund the entire city for 1.25 years. They know what it’s going to cost at the end of that 1.25 years. It’s timed to their budget. If it doesn’t work well, they don’t have to do anything.”
But if citizens do want the service to continue, Andress and the City Council will have to determine how the city can pay for it.
“A year from now we’ll be working on the next year’s budget,” Andress said. “We will have a year’s worth of data on if this is being used, and we’ll know what trade-offs we have to make. We’ve got Walmart, we’ve got the vocational rehab, we’ve got areas that are heavily used, and the Magic City Connector. But are there other areas where we can trim a little bit here or there to make our microtransit budget more robust? We’ll find out.”
The community foundation, BirminghamJefferson County Transit Authority and Via, an international rideshare company, made their most recent presentation to the Homewood City Council in April.
Julius Bryant is Via’s partner success manager, working with all of the company’s microtransit and paratransit services in the Southeast.
“My job is to make sure that our partners are successful, but there’s a million different things that kind of fall under that,” Bryant said. “We have many, many microtransit, paratransit, different types of transit services all across the country and the world. We do everything in a public mobility space.
“This is something that they have made
very clear that they want,” he continued, “and they think there’s a need for it.”
Tevarius Foster, the transit authority’s senior director of customer experience, is confident Homewood users of the microtransit service will soon grow to love it.
“Once you use it that one time, you realize how simple and how easy it is,” he said. “For those that are tech savvy, it’s just downloading the app, saying your location and telling the app where you want to go. Once you hit go, it will find the ride for you, and you book that ride. It’ll tell you where that ride’s gonna pick you up at. It’s just that simple.”
City Engineer Amy Zari said microtransit could definitely help address parking problems.
“We’re hoping this will kind of ease the pressure on private parking, on-street parking, and just the demand for parking in Homewood,” she said, adding that the expertise of the entities bringing microtransit to the city is comforting. “We are lucky to be working with all the groups that have done this before. They’re the experts on this topic, and we have trust that they’ll help us deliver a good product.”
Julius Bryant of Via. Screenshot of Google Meet call by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
BJCTA microtransit vehicle. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
