Village Living June 2025

By SARAH OWENS

South Dallas Turf & Supply delivers top-quality sod to Birmingham

South Dallas Turf, founded in Selma in 1990, is a proud, family-owned enterprise that offers a great selection of top-quality sod and turf grass for every possible use – single-family homes, townhouses, apartment complexes, businesses of all sizes, high-end golf courses and athletic fields.

Our commercial clients include Red Diamond Tea, Barber Motorsports Park, Wind Creek Casino and the City of Hoover. We’ve provided the grass for such prestigious golf courses as Shoal Creek Country Club, Bent Brook Golf Course and Greystone Golf & Country Club, as well as three courses on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Our athletic fields include Regions Field in Birmingham, Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, the New Orleans Saints practice facility, and facilities at Auburn University and The University of Alabama.

South Dallas Turf & Supply can handle any job, be it large or small, including your home. We can transform your lawn into the green oasis you’ve always imagined, and our wide range of sod options ensure that you can find the perfect match for your needs.

“We have a true commitment to quality, and we offer exceptional customer service that is unheard of in today's world,” said the company’s co-owner and president, James S. “Tres” Wilkinson III.

In great news for local customers, South Dallas Turf & Supply recently expanded to the Birmingham area. The company first acquired Coshatt Sod & Supply in Hoover, then moved the facility to Irondale in April.

“The new location is much easier to access and much more convenient for our customers, and it allows us to give them even more personal service, Tres said. “We’re able to offer many more products, since we have a bigger location.”

The Irondale facility also allows South Dallas Turf & Supply to be “more centrally located to the new construction in the Birmingham area,” he said.

The company’s portfolio showcases five inspected, registered and certified grass varieties – Emerald Zoysia, Meyer Zoysia, Zeon Zoysia, Tifway 419 Bermuda and TifTuf, All of the sod varieties sold by South Dallas Turf & Supply are free of weeds, insects and disease, and the quality is guaranteed.

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

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

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

A cold-tolerant grass perfect for Southern winters, Meyer Zoysia spreads to create a dense, beautiful lawn with good traffic control. It’s good for homes, businesses and golf courses. Native to Japan, it features a dark green color with a slightly wider blade than other zoysia species.

Zeon Zoysia is a luxurious grass designed for elite landscapers, commercial installations and golf courses. It’s remarkable shade tolerance and soft texture make it an ideal fine-bladed zoysia grass. The extensive root system produces a thick, compact turf in various soil types. Zeon restricts weed growth and is easy to maintain.

Tifway 419 Bermuda is a dense, durable Bermuda grass with excellent traffic tolerance and quick recovery. It’s a great choice for residential and commercial uses, as well as sports

• Where: 4762 Overton Road, Irondale

• Call: 205-988-3197

• Web: southdallasturfandsupply.com

Reach out to South Dallas Turf & Supply today to arrange for a free estimate.

fields and golf courses.

TifTuf Bermuda is the gold standard for drought-tolerant turfgrass. Its delicate texture and density make it ideal for athletic fields, golf courses and commercial landscapes where durability and wear tolerance are crucial considerations. TifTuf offers early spring green-up, excellent fall color retention and rapid grow-in.

For commercial applications, the company offers sod and turf grasses that can thrive in full sun or shade and help a business make a great first impression. We offer quick, efficient delivery and installation referrals for busy contractors and property managers. Our experts also have the resources, knowledge and experience to overcome any obstacle to your sod installation, such as challenging terrain or environmentally sensitive areas.

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

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

South Dallas Turf & Supply can create top-qual-

ity athletic fields for any sport, including football, baseball and soccer, and at any level, from high school to college to the NFL. We offer customized services to meet the needs of each project, and we use the latest methods to manage your job, be it a tricky renovation or an entire sports complex.

In addition to Auburn and Alabama, we have completed projects for other SEC schools, including the football programs at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt as well as the Mississippi State baseball and football facilities.

Tres, who has been with South Dallas Turf for 23 years, represents the third generation of Wilkinsons to run the company. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, company founder James S. Wilkinson Sr., and his father, James S Wilkinson Jr.

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

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

“We take great satisfaction in seeing beautiful completed landscapes,” Tres said.

Reach out to South Dallas Turf & Supply today to arrange for a free estimate.

Editor’s Note By Sarah Owens

As we head into the summer season, that doesn’t mean its time to stop thinking about school. In fact, the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation is asking the community to support our schools now more than ever.

Read about their ongoing “Fund Our Future: Endowing Student Success” campaign on this month’s cover. We also take a look at how the changing landscape of college athletics — including NIL and the transfer portal — is impacting local high school athletes and their recruitment journeys.

In school news, we have one last piece celebrating our seniors. We also recognize the success of our Mountain Brook athletes this spring in the sports section, and the community section highlights a Mountain Brook family working to help others, as well as city native Isabella Maldia, who is preparing to make an impact with her global experience. You’ll also find a special story on Holocaust survivor Riva Hirsch.

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In the city section, you can find a feature on O’Neal Library Director Lindy Gardner, who recently received awards from the ALA, and another feature on Graham Smith, who plans to run for mayor.

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CITY

Graham Smith enters mayoral race with a vision rooted in service and stability

By SARAH OWENS

Mountain Brook City Councilor Graham Smith has officially announced her candidacy for mayor, leveraging her political background and community ties. Smith, who has served on the council since 2022, is running unopposed for now and says her decision to step forward is a natural extension of her long-standing commitment to public service.

“I've always been raised in a family that values service to one's community,” Smith said. “My parents have always served our community. My brother currently serves in his community — they live in New York right now — and that was just something that you did if you wanted to have a good quality of life.”

Smith grew up in Long Island before she met her husband, Harrison, while attending Washington and Lee University, where she earned a degree in journalism. Harrison is a Mountain Brook native, and the couple moved back to his hometown 14 years ago, where Smith has been an active part of the community ever since.

“I wasn’t born in Mountain Brook — I chose Mountain Brook,” Smith said in her campaign announcement. “I chose our city as home because of the incredible people that care for each other and care about each other.”

A former legislative director for U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, Smith draws on a wide array of civic and governmental experience. She has served as president of the Jefferson County City Councilors Coalition, PTO president for Cherokee Bend Elementary and a

board member for the Friends of Jemison Park, Alabama Trails Foundation and Mountain Brook PTO Council. She also holds an MBA from the University of Alabama.

During her tenure on the council, she has worked to streamline city operations and maintain a balanced $54 million budget. “To run Mountain Brook well, it needs to be run

like a business,” Smith said. That includes everything from pension obligations to sanitation contracts, and she emphasizes that financial stewardship remains at the core of her leadership philosophy.

Smith’s platform for mayor focuses on three primary pillars: keeping Mountain Brook families safe, fostering a vibrant business community and stewarding taxpayer dollars.

“Whether you're serving on the council or you're serving in the mayoral role, I can pretty much organize my decisions under those three categories,” she said.

As a mother of two school-aged boys and a former PTO president, Smith is also deeply invested in the school system and plans to continue supporting the success of Mountain Brook Schools if elected.

She’s also keenly aware of the logistical challenges the city faces after her time on the council. Projects like expanding the sidewalk system, improving athletic fields and addressing neighborhood flooding are high on her list.

Smith has expressed admiration for the leadership of outgoing Mayor Stewart Welch and acknowledges the expectations that come with following in his footsteps. “Stewart Welch has told me, and others have told me, basically, it comes down to don't mess it up,” Smith said. “This is such a lovely community that really, we just want to keep it as vibrant and thriving as it has been.”

Smith is currently uncontested in the mayoral race. June 24 is the last day to qualify to run for municipal office. Municipal elections will be held Aug. 26.

Graham Smith announced her bid for mayor in early April, following Mayor Stewart Welch’s retirement announcement. Photo courtesy of Graham Smith.

Mayor’s Minute

By Stewart Welch III

As your mayor, I want to speak directly to you about an important issue: the growing use of electric scooters by children in our city. While we are fortunate that we haven’t experienced any serious accidents to date, cities across the country are seeing a rise in injuries among kids using these fast, motorized devices. We have a responsibility to act now — before something happens here.

Electric scooters can reach speeds of 15 miles per hour or more, and younger riders often lack the judgment or experience to handle them safely. Without helmets or supervision, the risk of head injuries, broken bones and collisions becomes very real. Our goal is to get ahead of the problem by promoting a culture of safety and awareness. What the law says about scooters in Alabama:

► Sidewalks: Scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks.

► License: Operators must be age 14 or older and hold a Class M license.

► Helmet and shoes: Riders must wear both a helmet and shoes.

► Brakes: Scooters must have functioning brakes.

► Dusk and dawn: Scooters operated 30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset must have headlamps and tail lamps.

► Traffic laws: Riders must obey all regular traffic laws.

► Parents: Please make sure your child knows and follows the rules. The law holds parents responsible if minors operate scooters without proper safety gear or in violation of traffic laws.

The Mountain Brook Police Department encourages everyone to be informed and ride safely. These laws are in place to help protect riders and the community. Thanks for helping keep our streets safe and fun for everyone!

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CITY

O’Neal Library Director Lindsy Gardner honored with 2 statewide awards

By SARAH OWENS

Lindsy Gardner, director of the O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook, has been recognized with two prestigious awards from the Alabama Library Association: the Distinguished Service Award and the Intellectual Freedom Award, honoring her outstanding leadership and tireless advocacy for libraries across the state.

Gardner, who has served as O’Neal Library director since 2017, was nominated for the awards by peers from across Alabama, including Amanda Borden, director of the Hoover Public Library, with support from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative.

“I was nominated by fellow library directors for these awards,” Gardner said. “I deeply respect and admire the library directors around the state, and to be recognized and honored by them is very touching.”

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a librarian or an individual in a related field in recognition of leadership that has resulted in a significant contribution toward the development of library service within Alabama.

Gardner thinks her advocacy work for libraries in the legislature and around the state, combined with her efforts to strengthen collaboration among library directors statewide, contributed to her nomination for this award.

Gardner has been instrumental

“

” I deeply respect and admire the library directors around the state, and to be recognized and honored by them is very touching.

in fostering a stronger support network for library leaders, especially through her role as president of the Public Library Directors Association of Alabama. Under her leadership, the organization has hosted virtual roundtables, professional development sessions and increased communication among public libraries, including those in more rural and isolated regions.

“Before I came to Jefferson County, I worked in small rural libraries where the nearest library director was in the next county, which could easily be a 30- or 45-minute drive,” Gardner said. “So it was much harder to have that kind of support and is something that I really value about Jefferson County, and that I feel is achievable across the state. That's one of the things that I've worked really hard on with a lot of other people.”

The Intellectual Freedom Award acknowledges Gardner’s work

LINDSY GARDNER

defending access to information and promoting the role of libraries as vital community spaces for education and dialogue. In recent years, public libraries have found themselves at the center of political and social debates about book access and public funding. Gardner has helped lead advocacy efforts to inform local and state officials about the crucial role libraries play in civic life.

“Last year, there were over 9 million visits to Alabama libraries and there are about 220 public libraries in the state,” Gardner said. “So libraries play a really important role, but I think sometimes we need to be more vocal about what we do and so I have certainly supported those efforts to make our stakeholders and elected officials more aware of how important libraries are.”

This can be seen in her time at O’Neal Library, where Gardner

has maintained strong relationships with city leaders and kept the public engaged. Her leadership was especially crucial during the pandemic and a significant building closure caused by flooding — times when collaboration among county library directors helped ensure continued service.

While Gardner is honored by the personal recognition, she’s quick to point out that the awards reflect a larger community of professionals.

Lindsy Gardner, director of O’Neal Library, was honored with two awards at the 2025

“While I’m the beneficiary of this award, I myself have learned so much and gained so much from working with these other library directors, and that has had a direct influence on my leadership and what we’ve done here,” Gardner said. “So it's not just the moral support, it's hearing about all the cool things that other libraries are doing and getting new ideas — that’s all really benefited O’Neal Library as well.”

Alabama Library Association convention.

Photo courtesy of Lindsy Gardner

Many hospitals and medical clinics are owned by big companies who put profits ahead of patients, so it’s not surprising that many Americans are seeking out high-quality, patient-centered alternatives to corporate care. In many cases, they’re turning to smaller boutique or concierge medical practices like Cahaba Concierge Medicine in Vestavia Hills, a personalized alternative to traditional medicine founded by Dr. Katie Moore.

“We’re a concierge practice for the entire family, and with our faith-based, membership model, we’re able to provide compassionate, customized and efficient care,” Dr. Moore says. “Patients are tired of 15-minute visits with their provider in which only one problem can be addressed. Having a personalized health plan with a trusted provider is craved more today than ever.”

In addition, CCM is a one-stop shop with family care for all ages, meaning there's no need for patients to seek out separate clinics or providers.

A Mississippi native, Dr. Moore earned her medical degree at The University of Mississippi, completed a residency at St. Vincent’s East and worked at Trinity Family Medicine — now Grandview Medical Center — for 12 years before growing tired of insurance companies and corporate restraints. She opened CCC in 2021.

CCM doesn’t accept insurance. “By removing this third party, we’re able to concentrate on patient care instead of insurance barriers,” Dr. Moore says. Instead, patients pay membership fees that give them

easy, direct access to Dr. Moore and her staff with no appointment co-pays.

As CCM, patients enjoy same-day and next-day appointments and can contact Dr. Moore and her staff via cell, text, email or the patient portal. This is in contrast to the corporate clinics that force doctors to schedule as many patients each day as possible to maximize profits.

”Any patient who has spent 40-plus minutes in a waiting room, on an extended hold, or has had unanswered messages, will understand the value of accessibility,” Dr. Moore says. “We rarely have any

Cahaba Concierge Medicine

• Where: 8011 Liberty Parkway, Suite 101, Vestavia Hills

• Call: 205-255-4024

• Web: cahabaconcierge.com

waiting time, and calls and messages are answered promptly.”

CCM also avoids corporate red tape. ”Traditional medicine has become convoluted by insurance and corporate demands which interfere in the doctor-patient relationship,” says Dr. Elizabeth Carstensen, the other physician at CCM. “A concierge physician is the modernized country doctor. She knows you well and has the time and resources to provide excellent care that is customized to you.”

There’s a warm, welcoming atmosphere at CCM. ”Everyone in our clinic genuinely cares for our patients,” Dr. Moore. “Our smaller number of patients allow for closer relationships than is possible in a traditional medical practice.”

A Birmingham native, Dr. Carstensen graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, completed a residency at The University of Virginia and has known since childhood she wanted to be a doctor. She finds her work with patients to be very gratifying. ”It’s an incredible feeling to be trusted, and it’s so rewarding when I can help improve their daily lives,” she says.

To learn more about CCM, you can schedule a free 10-minute consultation. “We welcome anyone to schedule a visit with Dr. Carstensen, who will answer your questions and show you our clinic,” Dr. Moore says.

Katie Moore, M.D. and Lizzy Carstensen, M.D.

SCHOOLHOUSE

Mountain Brook Class of 2025 Senior Superlatives

By SARAH OWENS, Photos courtesy of HANK SPENCER/IMAGE ARTS

As Mountain Brook High School’s seniors celebrated graduation last month, each of them stepped into a new future filled with endless opportunities — and a few left behind a legacy.

That legacy was cemented through the Class of 2025 senior superlatives, recognizing students for their standout personalities, school spirit and lasting impact on their classmates.

► Most Dependable: Lewis Latimer, Ann Carter Brown

► Most Genuine: Frank Lee, Brooke Shook

► Best All-Around: Jack Abenoja, Lula Comer

► Most Likely to Succeed: Henry Maluff, Sophia Self

► Most Intellectual: Marco Ortiz, Sorina Shirley

► Most Active in the Community: Reed Warburton, Ruthie Armstrong

► Best Personality: Walker Webb, Anne Hayden Hitson

► Most Athletic: Hampton King, Libby Geisler

► Most School Spirit: Kevin Hughes, Adriana Sciara

► Best Looking: Jude Smith, Polly Johnson

► Most Talented in Writing: Becker Mayor, Jack Bakken, Addie Lott

► Most Talented in Art: Kaelen Gabriel, Maggie Skinner

► Most Talented in Music: Micah Goldis, Addison Hardee

► Most Talented in Drama: Emerson Holloway

► Friendliest: Jackson Skinner, Jack Chapman, Lizzie Meadows

► Cutest: Michael Garrison, Finley Mullins

► Wittiest: Grant Siegel, Maezie Gee

► Best Dressed: Stephen Springfield, Sarah Little

Most

Most Genuine: Frank Lee, Brooke Shook

Best All-Around: Jack Abenoja, Lula Comer

Most Athletic: Hampton King, Libby Geisler

Most Active in the Community: Reed Warburton, Ruthie Armstrong

Likely to Succeed: Henry Maluff, Sophia Self

Best Dressed: Stephen Springfield, Sarah Little

Home Instead leads the way

Helping Birmingham area seniors age in place with dignity and care

Home Instead is a long-established, locally owned business that offers the finest, most compassionate non-medical, in-home care services for seniors and their families in the Birmingham area.

Owner Dan Pahos was inspired to open Home Instead by his personal experience – caring for his own aging parents in Minnesota. He quit his job selling industrial supplies and opened the Birmingham franchise of Home Instead – the first in Alabama – in 1997.

His driving purpose in running the business hasn’t changed in 28 years.

“Our mission is to enhance the lives of seniors and those who love them,” Pahos said. “We give families a way to allow an aging loved one to age in place, in the comfort of their own home, wherever that may be.”

Based in Vestavia Hills, Home Instead stands apart from its competition, in part due to its extensive employee training. “Each CAREGiver receives a two-day, in-person, instructor-led training on all the equipment used in a home, and we know of no other non-medical agency in town that provides that level of initial training, as well as ongoing training,” Pahos said.

Home Instead offers the best customer service, with highly trained client service managers, including a social worker, who develop detailed care plans and provide ongoing case management. “This is all included for free in our hourly rates,” Pahos said.

Home Instead also has loyal, dedicated employees.

“Our administrative staff have an average tenure of 11 years, and several have been with me for 20 years,” Pahos said. “Many of our CAREGivers stay with us for 10 or even 15 years. We have the expertise and experience to help you deal with your eldercare situation, be it short or long term.”

“We have the best staff,” said Director of Operations Andrea Martin, who joined Home Instead in 2009. “We wouldn’t be able to run an effective, caring business without them. Each staff member matters and is so vital to the success we have with each client.”

Home Instead offers a wide range of services for seniors, including personal care, home helper, transportation and companionship services, as well as hospice support. The company also cares for seniors with dementia, chronic illnesses, arthritis and diabetes.

For nearly three decades, Pahos has found great satisfaction in his work at Home Instead.

“I've met so many of our wonderful elderly clients who still have so much to offer but just need a little help, as well as their families,” he said. “We feel it’s truly a privilege and an honor to be able to help families who desire for their loved one to age in place

SPONSORED CONTENT

• Where: 2059 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills

• Call: 205-822-1915

• Web: homeinstead.com/bham

Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation to help you decide the best care plan for your family.

with our seasoned, responsive staff that is available 24/7, 365 days a year,” he said.

“It’s so rewarding to know we can make a difference for seniors and help them age in place in their home,” Martin said.

Home Instead in Birmingham won the Caring Star Award for excellence in home care in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.

This

Business Buzz

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

PERSONNEL MOVES

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham has named Chad Zaucha its new president and CEO. Zaucha brings more than 20 years of YMCA leadership experience and most recently served as CEO of the YMCA of Muncie, Indiana. He will succeed Dan Pile, who retired earlier this month. 205-324-4563, ymcabham. org

ANNIVERSARIES

The Curry Corner opened one year ago at 2037 Cahaba Road in English Village, in the former location of Chester’s Test Kitchen. The restaurant serves authentic Indian cuisine, including butter chicken and tandoori dishes, along with a full bar. It is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. currycornerbham.com

The Tribe Hair Co. is celebrating one year at 2412 Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook. The luxury salon offers hair color, highlights, cuts, extensions and makeup, and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 205-834-8274, instagram.com/thetribehairco

GET TO KNOW

By STAFF

Scott Terry is the owner of Laura Lane Salon, located in Mountain Brook Village.

Q: Tell us about your business.

A: Laura Lane Salon is a luxury boothrental salon nestled in the heart of Mountain Brook Village. We've created a space where independent stylists can thrive, where our guests will feel seen, pampered and truly at home.

Q: How did you get involved with the business?

A: Our salon is a dream that we built together. My husband brings over 20 years of experience behind the chair, and I come from a long background in business and marketing. We've combined our strengths to create a space that empowers both stylists and our clients.

Q: What sets you apart from your competitors?

A: We're more than just a salon. We're a boutique experience. From the aesthetics to the culture, every detail is intentional in this space. Our stylists have freedom without isolation, and our guests enjoy a personalized high-end experience they can't get anywhere else.

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

A: We hear all the time how warm and welcoming the environment feels. Clients love that one-on-one attention we give, and stylists love that they feel supported, not micromanaged. It's a balance of beauty, business and belonging.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

The mother-daughter duo of JoLeigh and Summer Payne opened Card My Yard one year ago in Mountain Brook. The business offers customized yard signs for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and more. 205-999-0529, cardmyyard.com

Frida’s Cocina & Cantina opened last year in the space previously occupied by Civitas at 2031 Cahaba Road. The restaurant serves authentic Tex-Mex cuisine in a lively atmosphere. mexicanrestaurantfridas.com, 205-201-4822

Home With Hechart is celebrating four years at 2003 Cahaba Road, Suite 101, in English Village. The home décor store offers interior design services and sells furniture, gifts, lighting, textiles and more. Open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment. 205-202-3133, homewithhechart.com

Davenport’s Pizza Palace has been family-owned and operated since 1964. This year marks the pizzeria’s 61st anniversary at 2837 Cahaba Road. The restaurant serves thin-crust pizzas and salads in an old-school setting with arcade games. Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., and Sunday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. 205-879-8603, davenportspizza.com

A: At Laura Lane, we believe beauty should feel like home. Whether you're an independent stylist, ready to thrive on your own terms, or you're a client craving that elevated self-care, you belong here.

Do you have news to share about a business in Mountain Brook or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings

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

The Fitness Center at 3900 Montclair Road #210 has been serving clients for 31 years. The gym offers personal training, cardio, mobility and strength classes, as well as nutritional coaching. Located above the Crestline Post Office. 205-870-1121, thefitnesscenter.org

Publix GreenWise Market has served shoppers at Lane Parke for six years at 1000 Jemison Lane. The store offers organic and specialty groceries and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 205-802-9189, greenwisemarket.com

Emmy Squared Pizza at The Summit has been open for two years. The restaurant offers Detroit-style pizza, sandwiches, brunch and more. Dine in Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends starting at 10 a.m. 205-994-8685, emmysquaredpizza.com

The Birmingham Boys Choir is celebrating 52 years of music education and performance in the Birmingham area. The nonprofit teaches music literacy, vocal technique and teamwork to boys across the region. 205-767-9219, birminghamboyschoir.org

SPOTLIGHT

The Cook Store celebrates 50 years of spoons, spatulas and something special

By STAFF

For 50 years, The Cook Store has been a staple in Mountain Brook Village, offering timeless kitchen essentials with a touch of Southern charm. Owned for the past 26 years by Wesley Lassen, the beloved shop has spent half a century equipping home cooks and professional chefs alike with the tools they need to stir up something delicious. Now, as it marks this golden anniversary, The Cook Store isn’t just celebrating its past — it’s honoring a legacy of culinary tradition, community and the joy of cooking. Founded by Sam Franks in 1975, The Cook Store was originally called The Kitchen Shoppe. Franks sold it to Betty Knight, who changed its name. Lassen, the third owner of the store, took over in 1999, turning a

childhood love of cooking and the entertainment industry into a career.

While she loves the industry, she also loves serving her customers and the sense of community surrounding the store.

“We strive to have the best customer service in town,” Lassen said. “We have a shop dog, Lucy, who is a star in the Village. I have owned the shop for 26 years and have loved being a part of the Village.”

The store is well known for its functional handmade pottery from local and national artists, but as the only privately owned kitchen shop in Birmingham, it also specializes in cookware, bakeware, knives and gadgets. Bridal registry is also available for couples looking to score some kitchen staples. To learn more, visit thecookstoremtnbrook. com.

Scott Terry is the owner of Laura Lane Salon, located in Mountain Brook Village. Photo courtesy of Scott Terry.

Scott Terry, owner of Laura Lane Salon

Wesley Lassen, owner of The Cook Store, with her dog, Lucy. Staff photo.

Zaucha

John Ambrose has a ‘passion’ for building great kitchens and baths

John Ambrose is a Birmingham cabinet expert with years of experience in top-quality remodels and new construction. In this Q&A, John discusses what sets Ambrose Kitchen & Bath apart.

Why do you focus on kitchens and baths? Having worked on ground-up construction and full home remodels, I realized that kitchens and bathrooms are my passion. These are the most used and most challenging design features of the home—and as the youngest of four brothers, I like nothing more than to win a challenge! Getting the lighting, plumbing, tile, countertops, cabinets, hardware, appliances and paint to work together is like conducting a symphony. Every element has to be in harmony to achieve our clients’ vision.

Do you have a showroom to visit? Absolutely. In our showroom clients can get a hands-on look at working kitchens showcasing two of our top cabinet brands, Kith Kitchens and Mouser Custom Cabinetry. We also have lots of other samples to show. We see clients by appointment only because we believe that each client deserves our undivided attention.

What sets Ambrose Kitchen & Bath apart? We are committed to listening and collaborating with our clients to build spaces that work for them. Most customers come to us to solve problems in their existing space. We listen and create designs that ensure their new kitchen or bath will work for the way they live. We’re also a tight team of highly skilled professionals who have a passion for design and an eye toward the tiniest detail. We think through every aspect of our clients’ space and plan each component in advance.

Can you accommodate my busy schedule? Of course! Whether you’re a busy working parent, constantly on the road or retired and living your best life, we can work with you. We understand that not everyone can get to the design table during retail hours. In fact, we schedule most of our appointments after 4 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends.

What if I’ve never remodeled before and I’m feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through your entire project hand-in-hand. Before we ever started focusing solely on kitchens and baths, we did full remodels and built homes from the ground up. We understand every stage of the remodeling process and how to staff it, so we can guide you and answer all your questions. We’ll help make sure your project goes smoothly from rough-in to fluff-out.

I have no idea what a kitchen costs these days. What if my budget and dreams don’t align? We get it. We can break down costs in an easy-to-understand way and work with you to design the ideal kitchen or bath for your budget. We’ve hand-picked beautiful cabinet lines at every price point. Come take a look!

For more information, call us at 205-510-6961 or visit AmbroseKitchenandBath.com.

Recently sold homes in Mountain Brook

► ADDRESS: 10 Winthrop Ave.

► BED/BATH: 5/5.5

► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 7,166 sq. ft.

► NEIGHBORHOOD: Colonial Hills

► LIST PRICE: $2,950,000

► SALE PRICE: $3,575,000

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,279 sq. ft.

► NEIGHBORHOOD: Mountain Brook

► LIST PRICE: $1,120,000

► SALE PRICE: $1,120,000

► ADDRESS: 2769 Cherokee Road

► BED/BATH: 3/2

► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,097 sq. ft.

► NEIGHBORHOOD: Mountain Brook

► LIST PRICE: $549,000

► SALE PRICE: $581,000

SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE

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Community events guide

ZOO BREWS

► Where: Birmingham Zoo

► When: June 6, 6–9 p.m.

► Call: 205-879-0409

► Details: Experience breweries from all over Alabama and the Southeast while exploring the Zoo. Perfect for adults 21 and up, this event is a signature favorite. Attendees can enjoy bites from local food trucks, and the Flamingo Cart on Henley Lawn will be serving full-size beer and wine for an additional charge. Per ABC regulations, Zoo Brews will operate with a “Penny-A-Pour” system. All pennies collected will be donated to the Animals Fund. birminghamzoo. com/event/zoo-brews

SILVER & CEREMONY FROM SOUTHERN ASIA EXHIBIT

► Where: Birmingham Museum of Art

► When: June 21–November

► Call: 205-254-2565

► Details: This exhibition highlights the power of southern Asian silver through over 150 suites of silverwork, design drawings and decorative arts. From royal birth celebrations to sporting medals and military honors, silver’s role in life events is explored through a global lens. artsbma.org

ENCHANTED FOREST SUMMER CAMP

► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

► When: June 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon

► Call: 205-414-3950

► Details: Calling all forest friends for a fun-filled week of enchanted wonder through whimsical adventures in the Gardens. Hide and seek throughout forest habitats where fairies and gnomes may roam. Imagine, create and build a fairy/gnome house to take home. There will be three groups separated by age: one for ages 4–5, one for kindergarten and first grade, and one for grades 2–3. bbgardens.org/event/enchanted-forest

OFFICIAL

June 2: Planning Commission. 5:30 p.m.

June 9: Board of Education 3:30 p.m.

June 9 & 23: City Council. 7 p.m.

June 10: Board of Landscape Design. 5:15 p.m.

June 10: Parks and Recreation Board. 5 p.m.

June 16: Board of Zoning Adjustments. 5 p.m.

MOUNTAIN BROOK CHAMBER SUMMER MEMBER SOCIAL

► Where: Grand Bohemian Art Gallery & Outdoor Garden

► When: June 12, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

► Call: 205-871-3779

► Details: Join the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce for their annual Summer Member Social. This event offers an opportunity to network with local businesses while enjoying drinks and light bites. It is one of several hosted by the Chamber each year to support local commerce and strengthen Mountain Brook’s business community. Free for members, $10 for non-members. mtnbrookchamber.org

O’NEAL LIBRARY EVENTS

Mondays: Mahjong Meet-Up, Community Meeting Room. 10 a.m.–noon.

Tuesdays: Gentle Yoga with Marie Blair, Community Meeting Room. 10–11 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Open Maker Lab, Makerspace. 2–6 p.m.

Wednesdays: Movers and Makers, Storytelling Room. 1:30–2:15 p.m.

ANNUAL HARDY FERN SALE

► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

► When: June 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

► Call: 205-414-3950

► Details: The Birmingham Fern Society will host its annual sale of hardy ferns in the growing area above the Fern Glade. A shuttle will be available between the plaza and sale space. Shoppers are encouraged to bring wagons or rolling carts. Purchases must be made with cash or check only. Free admission; plant prices vary. bbgardens.org/event/ annual-hardy-fern-sale

June 7: Rug Tufting with Andrea Willis of Tuft Birmingham, Community Meeting Room. 2–5 p.m.

June 14: Crafterday, Community Meeting Room 10 a.m.–noon.

June 16: Illustrator Art Club, Community Meeting Room. 2:30–3:30 p.m. and 4:30–5:30 p.m.

June 26: Neurodivergent Community Group, Conference Room. 6–7 p.m.

EVENTS

Splash into summer

Explore ways to have fun and stay cool in Mountain Brook

By EMILY REED

Now that school is out and kids are home, the day-to-day question remains: “What are we going to do today?”

Luckily, Mountain Brook is packed with many low-effort ways to beat the summer lull — no registration, no packed schedule and no long drive required. Whether you are looking to cool off, burn energy, or simply leave the house, here are some simple ways to make the most of summer right here in town.

TAKE A DIP

When the heat settles in for good, nothing saves a summer afternoon faster than water. Whether you're chasing a full pool day or just need 30 minutes of splash time before dinner, these Mountain Brook spots deliver.

► Mountain Brook YMCA: The YMCA in Mountain Brook features a five-lane year-round outdoor recreational/lap pool. Swim lessons are also available for children and adults. Membership is required. For more information, visit ymcabham.org/locations/mountain-brook

► The Levite Jewish Community Center: The LJCC Aquatics Program offers both indoor and outdoor pools. The 25-yard heated indoor pool has six lanes and is open year-round. The 300,000-gallon outdoor pool is open from midMay to September. The LJCC also has a variety of water classes available including: lap swim, family swim, group swim lessons, private swim lessons, water exercise, and lifeguard training classes. Membership is required. For more information, visit bhamjcc.org

► The Birmingham Zoo Splash Pad: Located near the entrance of the Children’s Zoo, access to the splash pad is included with zoo admission. For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com

► Cahaba River Walk: The river is a great place to enjoy swimming or rafting. It also provides a short paved trail and a longer unpaved trail for hiking and biking. For more information, visit mtnbrook.org/parksrec/page/ cahaba-river-walk

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Mountain Brook is rich in green spaces that make it easy to stretch your legs, burn off some kid energy or take a morning walk before the heat rolls in.

► Visit the gardens: From beautiful blooms to wondrous woodlands to noteworthy natives, explore the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The gardens are free and open to the public every day of the year. They also host a wide variety of events throughout the year, including several children’s summer camps. Also on site are a gift shop, café, library and art gallery. Birmingham Botanical Gardens is located at 2612 Lane Park Road and is open to the public from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. For more information and to see a full calendar of events, visit bbgardens.org

► Explore the zoo: The Birmingham Zoo is located on roughly 122 acres of exhibits that feature a wide array of animals. There are several experiences to enjoy at the zoo including the train, the carousel, the splash pad, and giraffe feedings. The zoo also hosts a variety of summer camps and other events all summer long including Zoo Brews, where adults 21 and older can try beers from breweries all over Alabama and the southeast. For more information about the zoo and to see their full calendar of events, visit birminghamzoo.com

► Jemison Park: The park offers a 54-acre linear greenway that is a perfect spot for walking. The trail is paved and allows visitors to ride bikes, bring scooters, walk or run.

► Veterans Memorial Park: This trail offers 22 hilly acres to explore on a paved walking trail. There is also a dog park. This trail is located at 459 Liberty Parkway. For more information, visit alabamaveterans.org

► Red Mountain Park: Located near Mountain Brook, Red Mountain Park is home to 1,500 acres of land along the Red Mountain Ridge. The land was once the site of extensive iron ore-mining that built Birmingham. Today, more than a generation removed from the closing of the last iron-ore mine on the property, the 1,500-acre park serves as a vital urban green space for a new generation of visitors. The park offers 16 miles of trails featuring two city overlooks, three breathtaking tree houses and a 6-acre off-leash Remy’s Dog Park. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day. The park is closed for Christmas but open regular seasonal hours on all other holidays. For more information, visit redmountainpark.org

► Boulder Canyon Nature Trail: A small trail located in neighboring Vestavia Hills. This trail sits hidden off of U.S. 31. There are two entrances, one located behind Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest and the other behind Vestavia Hills Elementary Central. It is a 0.9 mile loop leading to a creek and a waterfall. This trail is not stroller friendly and can be steep at times.

TAKE A SWING

Get active at one of Mountain Brook’s sporting locations.

► Golf clubs: Mountain Brook has two golf clubs for those looking to improve their swing. The Country Club of Birmingham (3325 Country Club Road) and Mountain Brook Club (19 Beechwood Road). Memberships are required for both. For more information, visit ccbham. org and mountainbrookclub.org

► Pickleball: Mountain Brook has several pickleball courts to supply the growing demand of the popular sport. Four pickleball courts and a public restroom are open by Crestline

Elementary (3785 W. Jackson Boulevard). Lights at the courts can be turned on with a button near one of the pickleball gates.

► Tennis: Overton Park (812 Oak St.) has two tennis courts that have pickleball lines painted on them. Courts are open from 7 a.m. to sunset.

INDOOR ESCAPES

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

► Color your world: The Emmet O’Neal Library, located at 50 Oak St., will have activities all summer to accompany the summer reading program. This year’s theme is “Color Your World” with activities and events designed for all ages. There will be storytimes, sensory play, book clubs and more. For more information about specific event details, visit oneallibrary.org

TASTY BREAKS

Need an easy win to cool down or sweeten the day? These local treats hit the spot.

► Church Street Coffee and Books: In Crestline Village, Church Street is a great place for an afternoon treat or a new book to read. A notable specialty is their break-up cookie, but they also offer a variety of coffee. For more information, visit churchstreetshop.com

► Mountain Brook Creamery: Offering a charming atmosphere for the perfect place to cool down with a summer treat. The shop has a long list of delicious flavors with each flavor description labeled clearly on the window. Mountain Brook Creamery is located at 2715 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook.

► Glichrist: An iconic stop in Mountain Brook, located at 2805 Cahaba Road. This hidden gem offers a hometown feel serving the community since 1928. The shop is an old-fashioned soda fountain offering limeades, shakes, sandwiches and chili. For more information, call 205-871-2181

► Dine with a view: Habitat Feed & Social, The Grand Bohemian Hotel’s rooftop, farm-totable restaurant and bar. Habitat is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as

a Sunday brunch. For more information, visit habitatfeedandsocial.com

JUST BEYOND

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

► Bear Mountain Blueberry Farm: Located near Clay, about 30 minutes away, this pick-your-own farm is open a few mornings a week. Pesticide-free and scenic but cash only — check their website or Facebook page before heading out.

► Lyon Blueberry Farm: About an hour from Mountain Brook in Wilsonville, this farm is family friendly with generous hours during peak season. Good for a day trip if you're up for the drive.

► Wadsworth Blueberry Farm: Located in Cropwell on Lake Logan Martin, this farm is scenic and open dawn to dusk daily. Bring cash or check and prepare for a peaceful, off-the-grid feel.

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

► Birmingham Museum of Art: Just a short drive from Mountain Brook, this offers a free activity indoors perfect for the whole family. The Birmingham Museum of Art has been deemed one of the finest regional museums in the United States, offering a diverse collection. With more than 29,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The museum has a hands-on gallery for kids, but they request that one adult comes for every four kids. There are also scavenger hunts available at both entrances to the museum which allows kids the ability to search through the Museum’s galleries. Snacks and drinks are allowed in the museum’s lobby areas or the sculpture garden, but any food or drink must be sealed and remain in bags while visiting the galleries. Restrooms are located on each floor and strollers are allowed. For more information visit artsbma.org

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

► Peach Park: Peach Park in Clanton is a family-friendly destination for peach ice cream, fried pies, fresh produce and a life-size barn to play inside that is a roughly 45-minute drive from Mountain Brook. This is a perfect spot to eat lunch and kids can enjoy the playground area behind the cafeteria-style restaurant. For more information, visit the business Facebook page at Peach Park Clanton

Explore the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Visit the animals at the Birmingham Zoo. Staff photos.

Take a walk around Jemison Park.

Spartans sweep tennis titles, surpass 200 state championships

By KYLE PARMLEY

Mountain Brook High School continued its dominance at the Class 6A state tennis tournament April 21-22, sweeping both the boys and girls titles in a commanding performance at the Mobile Tennis Center.

It was the girls’ eighth straight state title, with the boys winning their third in a row. The victories pushed Mountain Brook beyond 200 total state championships in the school’s storied athletic history.

“We were just taking it one match at a time, not focused so much on points, but each match at hand to finally get there,” Mountain Brook coach Carlee Petro said. “They worked so hard throughout the season.”

The titles marked the first for Petro, a Mountain Brook alum and first-year coach. She took over for longtime coach Susan Farlow this season — and the winning has continued.

“It’s so special,” Petro said.

The boys compiled an overwhelming 81 points — nearly 30 more than runner-up Jasper — and won all six singles titles. Thomas Austin led the way at No. 1 singles, cruising past Northridge’s Will Thorn, 6-1, 6-2, in the final. Quint Freeman posted a 6-0, 6-1 win over McGill-Toolen’s Charlie Kidder at No. 2.

Hews Goodson didn’t drop a game in the second set of his 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 3, while Max Gayden, Tony Sciara and Karna Palaniappan also rolled to straight-set victories. Sciara and Palaniappan each posted 6-0, 6-0 shutouts. In doubles, the Spartans captured two of three titles. Sciara and Austin blanked their opponents from Jasper at No. 2, while Freeman and Farley Nunnelley earned a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 3.

The wins were especially meaningful for Austin, who avenged last year’s tournament

loss by closing out his career with singles and doubles championships.

On the girls side, Mountain Brook totaled 69 points to finish ahead of UMS-Wright’s 48, thanks to strong performances across the lineup.

The team entered the season with only one returning player among the top six. Even with limited experience, the Spartans powered through doubts and delivered another title.

“They stepped up and were mentally tough and worked together,” Petro said.

Olivia Roberts earned the No. 2 singles crown with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Vivi Evans of Homewood. Leslie Mitchell dropped just one game in her No. 3 singles victory, and Mary Margaret Malatesta pulled away in a tight first set to win at No. 5. Sarah Still added another win at No. 6.

Ann Royal Goodson was a semifinalist at No. 1 singles, and Kelcie Dowling finished as runner-up at No. 4. Roberts and Goodson placed second at No. 1 doubles, while Dowling and Malatesta also reached the final at No. 2.

Although UMS-Wright claimed No. 1 singles and doubles, and Hartselle took No. 2 doubles, Mountain Brook clinched a key win in No. 3 doubles, as Mitchell and Still posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory. One of the tournament’s most dominant stretches came on Day 1, as both Spartan squads won every match and earned the maximum number of team points available.

“That is something that I’m very proud of, and how we could keep it rolling going into the second day,” Petro said.

The Mountain Brook High School boys and girls tennis teams swept the Class 6A state championships on April 22.

Photo courtesy of Carlee Petro.

Spartans fall in shootout, finish as state runner-up

By KYLE PARMLEY

The quest for a repeat came up just shy for the Spartans on May 10.

The Mountain Brook High School girls soccer team had to settle for a state runner-up trophy after Briarwood won the Class 6A state title in a penalty shootout at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.

Briarwood tied the game with less than two minutes to play in regulation. After two scoreless five-minute overtimes, the Lions won a penalty shootout 4-1 to claim a 2-1 win and the program’s first state title since 2017.

The Spartans entered the season as one of the state’s top teams and navigated the schedule and playoffs nearly perfectly. They were aiming for consecutive blue map trophies. A red map — disappointing in the moment — is still impressive given the quality of play in Class 6A.

Senior Langston Lilly scored first for Mountain Brook, finishing off a set piece in the eighth minute. Mountain Brook outshot Briarwood 16-12 in the contest but was unable to get anything else past the net. Senior goalkeeper Laine Minich had three saves in the game.

The Spartans earned their way into the final with a 1-0 win over Southside on Thursday in the semifinals, as eighth grader Abby Brown scored with under four minutes to play.

Mountain Brook defeated Parker (12-0), Homewood (3-2) and Pell City (2-0) to reach the final four in Huntsville.

The Spartans finished the season with a record of 16-3-4. Seniors Lilly and Minich are headed to play college soccer, with Lilly playing at Samford and Minich going to Louisiana. Virginia Poe was also a senior defender.

Clockwise from left: Adele Palmer (9); June Turner (8); Langston Lilly (23). Photos by Sarah Owens.

COMMUNITY

A place at the table

Mountain Brook father-son duo serve free food

out of the Who’s

Hungry Food Truck

By EMILY REED

On any given weekend in Birmingham’s Lynn Park, father-and-son duo Will and Oliver Clark can be found cooking meals out of their food truck to feed those in need.

“We love making connections with others and treating people like people,” said Will Clark of Mountain Brook. “In our family, we love food. We have always loved cooking and feeding others. Having people over to eat the food we prepare has always been something we really enjoy in our family. With the food truck, we are able to cook for others and always have a spot at the table for someone who wants it.”

The idea to feed others originated years ago when Will and Oliver would load up their car on Saturday mornings with hot biscuits or warm cheeseburgers from Jack’s Restaurant and drive around downtown Birmingham looking for those who could use a free meal.

“We would just drive around under the overpasses and streets of downtown Birmingham and see someone walking on the sidewalk carrying all of their possessions in a backpack and yell out, ‘Hey man, you want a warm cheeseburger?’” said Oliver Clark, 17, who attends MBHS.

“We were dropping off biscuits one morning and we had grabbed some jelly packets and hot sauce from the restaurant to hand out with the biscuits. We were handing out the biscuits and this guy came up and we asked him what kind of jelly he wanted. It really shocked him that he had the choice of what jelly, and we were giving him the option to choose. My dad and I then started talking about how cool it would be to be able to have a food truck where you could cook food for those in need and allow them the opportunity to choose what they wanted to order.”

The two began discussing ways they could put their plan into action, and the concept evolved when the Clarks located a food truck owned by Canterbury United Methodist Church.

“We had a food truck that we were not using at the time that we had been using for various things since we first received it,” said Canterbury’s Director of Outreach, Rachel Estes. “To be honest, I had basically written to the Board of Canterbury in October saying we had tried to find a use for it and had given our best efforts for four years, but the truck had been used maybe 15 times. I then got an email from Amanda Story who told me that Will Clark had a vision for feeding people and he and his son were wanting to use it, if possible. It really could not have been more perfect timing because I had just written the board and here we found this family who was looking for something to be able to use.”

Estes said Canterbury loved the vision the Clarks had for feeding those in Birmingham, helping to further the mission of the church which uses the scripture reference Matthew 25 — “for I was hungry, and you fed me” — as a central focus to their food ministry.

“We are just thrilled that Will and Oliver share this vision and help those in our city who have a need,” Estes said.

PLANS INTO MOTION

Once Will and Oliver secured the food truck, they were able to put their plans into motion and watch their idea come to life.

Who’s Hungry Food Truck was born in December 2024, using the acronym of Will’s

three sons, William, Harry and Oliver, to complete the name.

The first meal prepped and served was cheeseburgers and hot dogs, allowing those living near Lynn Park and the surrounding areas to have the option of whatever they wanted — including a homemade sauce for the hot dogs that Will created — free of charge.

“We asked everyone to be patient with us because it was our first time doing something like that, but we had a lot of fun,” Oliver Clark said. “The first time was really just us finding our groove, but also getting to know everyone.”

Will and Oliver and several of Oliver’s high school friends spent many hours the first time shopping, prepping, cooking and serving the food.

“I think it has given me a huge respect for those who work in the food industry and those that work a food truck regularly,” Oliver Clark said. “It is a lot of work.”

Will Clark said it was enjoyable for him to watch his son put in so much effort for those they served that day.

“When you are taking people’s orders and putting the food together, you are becoming a short-order cook,” Will Clark said. “It was great being able to watch everyone come together and make it happen.”

Ideas for things to serve from the truck grew as customers partaking of the burgers and hot dogs offered a suggestion to the Clarks for Philly cheesesteaks in honor of the Super Bowl.

“We followed that idea and it was a huge hit,” Oliver Clark said. “Everyone really enjoyed that week. We then had a man come up to us the week we served the Philly cheesesteaks and say he would love to have some meatloaf one day.”

The Clarks decided to serve meatloaf from the truck, using Oliver’s grandmother’s recipe — a family favorite — and a soon-to-be-crowd favorite from the food truck customers.

“The week we served the meatloaf was a big hit,” Oliver said. “Everyone loved that.”

Some highlights of serving the food so far for Oliver have been spending time with his dad, friends from high school, and meeting the customers who visit the food truck each time.

“I think one thing that I have really appreciated is getting to meet those coming up and ordering and talking to them about things they like,” Oliver said. “I think conversations about sports teams or food are things that people love to talk about, and when you start talking to people, you learn that we are all more alike than we may realize.”

Will Clark said they want the concept to remain simple — feeding people and using the

food as an avenue to get to know those around them.

“We are not really a ministry,” Will Clark said. “We like to say we are just guys who love to cook and eat with people they like. This is more an opportunity for us to spend about two and a half hours of our time to go hang out and let people eat food from the food truck. We are learning more about the people we are cooking for, and they are getting to know us, and we enjoy sitting down and having a meal together.”

The Clarks have plans once they secure a frying apparatus to possibly begin offering fries and fried chicken, two highly requested items from their customers.

“I think once we are able to get a fryer we will be able to cook French fries, which is probably one of the most requested things we have right now,” Oliver said. “We are still brainstorming other meals we can offer and look forward to being able to offer some other things in the coming months.”

ALL HANDS ON DECK

While Will and Oliver spend the majority of the time at the food truck cooking and serving the food, Oliver’s mom helps distribute food and occasionally passes out leftovers to those in the community who are unable to make it to the food truck.

One of Oliver’s brothers, Harry, helps out with social media, using Instagram to let people know when they will be out serving the food.

Oliver said word has also spread with his friends who are often eager to go help serve on the food truck.

“I think seeing my friends step up in that way has been really neat for me to see,” Oliver said. “Just watching them really enjoy the aspect of service, and using their time to get to know people has been something I have really enjoyed. My friends all say they love doing it.”

Oliver credits his dad for helping him learn the value of service at an early age.

“My dad has always been really great about showing me ways to serve those around me,” Oliver said. “Having this opportunity with my dad has been a special moment. We are getting to do something we both love which is serving and we are bonding together while doing it. I will cherish these moments for a lifetime.”

For more information about Who’s Hungry Food Truck, visit their Instagram page at whos_foodtruck.

A customer holding a bowl of chili and a grilled cheese from the Who’s Hungry Food Truck.

Left: John Evans, left, and Oliver Clark make food for customers of the Who’s Hungry Food Truck. Above: From left, Ivey Patton, Easton Spotswood and Oliver Clark serve customers out of the truck. Photos courtesy of the Clarks.

Ms. Worldwide

Mountain Brook native embraces the world through USC’s prestigious global program

By SARAH OWENS

Mountain Brook native and 2021 Altamont graduate Isabella Maldia has spent the last four years globetrotting, traveling to more than 20 countries. She’s also earned three degrees from one of the most competitive business programs in the world — the World Bachelor in Business program.

Admitting only about 50 students annually, the WBB program is a global partnership between the University of Southern California, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Bocconi University in Milan. Students spend one year at each university — starting in Los Angeles, then Hong Kong, then Milan — before returning to USC for their final year, earning degrees from all three institutions and a global perspective on business.

“Once I got accepted into this program, I knew that this was exactly what I had to do,” she said. “It was a bit of a pivot, because it's actually focused on international business, not international relations. But what really drew me to the program was the opportunity to be able to study around the world and really immerse myself in other cultures.”

Maldia's love for international travel sparked early, when a foreign exchange trip to Slovakia and a Spanish immersion program in Spain revealed the power of global learning. “It was just a different experience, and I think it really opened my eyes to what it would be like to

study abroad,” she said.

During her freshman year at USC, Maldia juggled advanced business courses and a sixmonth consulting project for a Colombian entertainment company. She was also a member of the fashion industry club and was involved in debate — building off her time on the debate team in high school.

The next chapter unfolded in Hong Kong, where she dove deep into Asian markets, negotiation and business etiquette. As a student ambassador — the second American ever to hold the role at HKUST — Maldia also strengthened her leadership skills. Her summer internship in Seoul, South Korea, at a K-Pop company set the stage for her future aspirations: a career in artist management within the Korean entertainment industry.

As Maldia moved to Bocconi University in Milan for her junior year, she navigated a new academic system while studying EU business and immersing herself in Italian culture.

“Learning how the education is in a different country every year is very challenging,” Maldia said, “because in the U.S., it's more attendance, homework. There's a lot of assignments that make up your grade, whereas in Hong Kong, they care about whether or not you understand the material to a deeper level. And then in Italy, your grade is 100% counted on an exam.”

Her senior year took her back to USC, where she graduated after completing final requirements and writing a senior thesis on

the Korean entertainment industry. Maldia also earned a spot as a semifinalist for the prestigious Fulbright Award to teach debate in Taiwan, though defunding of the Department of Education has left the program's future unclear.

Regardless of what comes next, Maldia’s

experience has given her a global perspective that's rare among her peers. “I feel like it's just a really unparalleled experience that you can't get anywhere else,” she said.

As she eyes her next steps, whether in the music industry or through the Fulbright program, Maldia’s future is bright.

Isabella Maldia, a Mountain Brook native, graduated from the World Bachelor in Business program in May. Photo courtesy of Pam Maldia

COMMUNITY

A living testament: 91-year-old Holocaust survivor

Riva Hirsch on a mission to preserve history and humanity

By SARAH OWENS

When Mountain Brook Junior High student Hampton Doobrow stood in front of community members at the school’s TEDx event, he didn’t just deliver a school speech — he carried forward a legacy of survival, resilience and remembrance.

“When my great-grandparents were 13, they were both living a life unthinkable to you and I,” Doobrow told the audience. “While I was worried about Bar Mitzvah prep, they couldn't meet because they were focused on survival.”

Doobrow is the great-grandson of Riva Hirsch, a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor whose life has been marked by extraordinary hardship and enduring strength.

It was 1941 when seven-year-old Hirsch, then Riva Schuster, was startled by a pounding on her door. She waited anxiously as her father hesitated before opening it. On the other side stood a family friend, breathless and desperate to deliver a warning.

Hirsch remembers him saying, “I came to let you know that something bad is happening in our town, and I want you to be prepared.”

But nothing could have prepared them.

The Germans had reached Novaseletz, Romania — now modern-day Ukraine — where Hirsch lived with her parents, grandmother and two brothers. Acting on their friend’s warning, the family fled into the forest toward her grandparents’ home in Chotin. They never made it.

Captured by the Nazis, they were marched to Sukarein and crammed into cattle cars bound for a camp in Moghilev, near the border of Soviet Ukraine and the Romanian province of Bessarabia.

“While I was marching as a little girl, my feet stepped on babies smaller than seven,” Hirsch said. “They were laying dead, or they were still alive, but it was awful. Grown-ups, children, you could see the dogs ripping the bodies apart while I was walking.”

Hirsch would endure five years of starvation, disease and near-death experiences before she was liberated at age 12. Today, at 91, she fears that as Holocaust survivors grow fewer, their stories — and the horrors they endured — will fade from memory.

And evidence suggests her fears are well-founded.

A recent Anti-Defamation League study found that 20% of respondents worldwide have never heard of the Holocaust. Among those under age 35, that number is even higher. Incredibly, 4% of people surveyed believe the Holocaust never happened at all.

It’s why Hirsch shares her story, especially with young people.

“I just want the world to know, the future is in the youngsters,” she said. “Go to school, listen to your teachers. Make sure this never happens again.”

CHILDHOOD STOLEN

Hirsch was separated from her family after being thrown from the train headed to Moghilev. She was later ferried across the Dniester River to a camp in Luchinetz, arriving hungry, with frozen, bleeding feet and suffering from malaria, typhus and lice.

At the camp, she saw her mother again — only to witness her being beaten with a rifle while trying to protect her husband.

“I had to go into the camp, where they gave me a little chain and a little metal dish and they said, ‘Go to the kitchen outside and stay in line, get some water.’ There was nothing, no water,” Hirsch said. “You just saw bodies falling apart. You saw bodies killed. Bodies fell apart because there was no water, no nothing. So they died right there where they said you’re going to get some food or water. I crawled back into my camp, and I was laying there, more dead than alive. My eyes, I could see nothing. The lice were my breakfast, my lunch, my dinner.”

One night, partisans rescued some of the girls, including Hirsch. She was told to “play

dead” and was hidden in a wagon of hay, then taken to a Catholic convent in Tul’chin. For two years, she lived alone in a six-foot-square bunker, with rats and mice as her only company, eating bread and pork provided by the nuns every few days.

LIFE AFTER LIBERATION

In 1945, Hirsch was liberated, though she was barely alive. She had lost all her teeth and was suffering from typhus and malaria. The nuns carried her to the road and left her there, where survivors found her and took her to Chernovitz. There, she was handed over to the Red Cross and reunited with her father. In time, they also found her mother and two brothers.

In 1946, Hirsch boarded a boat to Palestine, but it was intercepted by the British. The passengers were sent to a refugee camp in Cyprus, where she spent two more years. She finally arrived in Israel in 1948 and was reunited with her family.

“I was that time already 15 years old, and I wanted to find out what was happening to my life, my own life, with no education,” Hirsch said. “I lost my teeth. I lost my vision, I lost my hearing, everything.”

In Israel, Hirsch met her husband, Aisic, also a Holocaust survivor. Aisic was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto with his family, and his mother eventually persuaded him to escape. He avoided Nazi capture by posing as a Catholic in another village. The pair married in 1950 and had two children, Harold and Sheryl.

In 1962, she and Aisic moved to New York, determined to give their children the education they never had.

This confidence and willingness to make the

decision to pursue a better life is exactly what Doobrow spoke of during his speech, encouraging others to make decisions with a purpose, knowing their choices will have an impact on future generations.

“Throughout their lives, they had to be really confident in everything that they did,” Doobrow said, “and if they weren't confident with a lot of their decisions, I might not be standing here today.”

Those decisions eventually led the couple to relocate to the Birmingham area in 1992 to be closer to their children and four grandchildren, creating the family’s close bond that is rooted in a story that spans continents and centuries.

A LEGACY REMEMBERED

Harold, who passed away in 2008, became a periodontist and maintained two thriving dental practices in Cullman and Jasper, as well as numerous Krystal restaurants around the state. He is survived by his wife, Felice; daughters, Jennifer Doobrow and Rachel Schneider; and sons-in-law, Todd Doobrow and Will Schneider. Grandchildren include Hampton and Max and Aya Schneider.

Sheryl is an account manager for Diversified Maintenance in Birmingham and is married to Jay Perlstein. They have two children, Kayla and Brendan.

Aisic passed away in 2014, and Hirsch now lives at Brookdale University Park in Homewood. She shared her story in the wake of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, concerned by rising Holocaust denial and the spread of misinformation.

An estimated 2.2 billion people — 46% of the world’s adult population — harbor antisemitic attitudes, according to the ADL. That’s more than double the number recorded a decade ago when the ADL introduced the Global 100 Index, which measures antisemitic beliefs worldwide.

The survey of respondents from 103 countries found that less than half (48%) recognize the Holocaust’s historical accuracy, a number that drops to 39% among 18- to 34-year-olds. This worrying demographic trend reinforces Hirsch’s belief that her story — and those of other survivors — must continue to be told.

“A dictator like Hitler, he did not kill just six million Jews or Gypsies,” Hirsch said. “He killed anybody that he could put a hand on — children and babies.

“So we want to make sure it’s never going to happen to you kids, to your grandchildren, to my grandchildren, what happened to me. Because there is a lot of denial going on that the Holocaust didn’t happen — and it did happen.”

Above: Riva Schuster, now Riva Hirsch, age 15, circa 1949. Below: Riva and Aisic Hirsch at their wedding in 1950. Photos courtesy of Alabama Holocaust Education Center

Riva Hirsch, 91, is a Holocaust survivor. She was captured by Nazis at the age of 7 and endured unimaginable horrors while in a concentration camp. After surviving the war, Riva moved to the United States with her husband and two children and now lives at Brookdale University Park in Homewood. Photo by Sarah Owens.

Riva Hirsch hugs her great-grandson, Hampton Doobrow, at a Mountain Brook Junior High TEDx event in February 2025. Doobrow spoke about how Hirsch and his great-grandfather, Aisic, survived the Holocaust. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.

By TIM STEPHENS

Let’s get this out of the way:

Yes, I titled this one “Time to sprint, Fatboy.”

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

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

This month, I finally recognized why. It wasn’t just fatigue. It wasn’t just burnout. It was ADHD.

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

THE CYCLE NO ONE SEES

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

And then… it vanishes.

Not the goal. The interest.

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

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

A NEW WAY TO TRAIN

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

But the bigger battle is inside my head.

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

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

THE STATS NO ONE TALKS ABOUT

It works — until they crash.

PROGRESS WORTH KEEPING

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

to sprint, Fatboy

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

Know someone making an amazing personal transformation? Nominate them for the Transformation Project here: https://forms. gle/6CCxjcv3Rt7bEsvGA 56-for-56:

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

This month: show up anyway. Not chasing perfection — just a pattern I can sustain. I’m working to change patterns. I’ve dropped 10 lbs. It’s real. I’m behind pace, but it’s still reachable if I stay consistent and manage the dialogue inside my head.

Dalila said: “It’s about building something that lasts.” I didn’t choose ADHD — but I’m responsible for managing it. That’s the real transformation.

JOIN THE MISSION

Starnes Media General Manager

CONTINUED from page 1

By KYLE PARMLEY

Caleb Barnett is grateful to be in his current position.

Barnett established himself as one of the top baseball players in his class many years ago, even before his family moved to Alabama two years ago.

Following his freshman year, Barnett received an offer from Alabama and committed to playing college ball for the Crimson Tide. He knows that his reality could have been much different if he had delayed his decision.

“I was fortunate enough to commit early and not have to deal with being recruited against the transfer portal,” said Barnett, acknowledging that athletes in today’s landscape of college athletics are dealing with a challenging set of circumstances.

The recent Mountain Brook High School graduate enjoyed the recruiting process, he said. It was the realization of a future goal and allowed him to continue striving to be better.

“After committing, I mainly focused on improving myself,” the 2024 Starnes Media All-South Metro Hitter of the Year said.

Standing out above the crowd has remained necessary, particularly in an age where high school prospects have less numerous opportunities.

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

SHIFTING SAND

Coaches are no longer building around potential. They’re buying certainty.

Between the rise of the transfer portal, the explosion of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) dollars, and the impending House v. NCAA court settlement — which could allow direct revenue-sharing paychecks from schools to athletes — the entire scholarship model has changed.

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

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

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

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

THE PORTAL JAM

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

That world is gone.

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

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

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

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

“Unless you’ve been tampered with or have significant production, you’re either transferring down or walking on somewhere,” Luginbill said. “The math doesn’t add up. There just aren’t enough roster spots. There is a false level

How We Got Here

How the recruiting model unraveled in just four years:

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

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

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

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

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

of value that the kids place on themselves or the people around them place on them. We’re talking about thousands of kids.”

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

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

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

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

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

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

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

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

“High school kids now believe they’re entitled to compensation,” Luginbill said. “But the

original intent was that if a college athlete… became a marketable commodity, they could earn income. That’s light years from what we’re doing.”

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

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

If it looks a bit familiar to Barnett, it’s because it has evolved very much like minor-league baseball.

“Worrying about playing time in your first two years at college is a legitimate concern now due to the transfer portal where teams can simply get a more experienced and older player instantly,” he said. “That fact alone has caused recruits to switch schools or choose carefully…”

“I’ve known kids who have committed to schools that would be considered ‘below their level’ simply due to guaranteed playing time freshman year with the plan to transfer out to a higher level school the next year.”

BACK-END FALLOUT

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

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

Whatever happens next — roster limits, direct pay, new NIL rules — the path for high school athletes is narrowing fast. And for players like Barnett, that means more than just navigating offers. It means trying to stay in the game.

Barnett will potentially have a decision to make this summer on whether to attend Alabama or, depending on where he is drafted, to pursue professional baseball immediately.

“I’m excited for the future either way,” he said. “I’m blessed to be in such a good position where I’m choosing between professional baseball or an excellent SEC collegiate team.”

Advice for the Recruits

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a pitcher and hitter, Mountain Brook graduate Caleb Barnett has options: He is signed to play at the University of Alabama but also could be a draft pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball amateur draft. He hasn’t been impacted by the changing landscape of college sports in the way many prospects have been, but also recognizes how others are trying to adjust to new realities. Staff photos.

SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

After early success, the committee expanded its goal to $5 million to align with the foundation’s strategic vision: building a $20 million endowment capable of generating $1 million in grants each year.

That revised target was reached even faster. By June 2025, the campaign had already neared $5.5 million in total giving.

Still, Foundation leaders stress that fundraising continues.

“I think it's important to note, the sooner we can get the million dollars to the school system, the better,” said MBCSF Board President Kristin Ritter. “That's why we keep raising money.”

The $1 million benchmark is based on a distribution model that allocates 5% of the endowment’s 12-quarter average. With the endowment currently near $15 million, leaders say closing the gap now will accelerate the foundation’s ability to make the

full annual grant.

“Public schools just don't have the discretionary spending that private schools do, because every item is line itemed,” Ritter said. “So this helps us be more forward thinking.”

The campaign’s success is largely thanks to grassroots organizing. More than a dozen small-group gatherings were hosted throughout the community, giving families a clearer understanding of the foundation’s mission.

“It has just been so wonderful to see the generosity of the community and people really understanding the importance of what the foundation is doing in ways that I don't think people really grasped before this campaign was launched,” Pritchett said.

Founded in 1992, the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation has granted more than $11 million to the school system, with funding exclusively directed toward academic programs and enhancements. Its five annual fundraisers — Give 180, the Grandparents Club, Every Dollar Counts (for teacher giving), the Class Gift and the Track Meet — cover

operating expenses and help grow the endowment beyond campaign targets.

In 2024, Mountain Brook Schools requested $720,000 in foundation funding. The foundation was able to grant just under $600,000, supporting academic assistance, technology, library improvements and teacher development. Recent projects include virtual reality software and new math and writing labs that support individualized learning — the type of innovation the foundation hopes to fund more consistently with a $1 million annual grant.

“I will shout from the rooftops how grateful I am for the foundation,” said Mountain Brook High School teacher Morgan Chatham. “To know that they listened to my idea, thought it was valuable, and trusted me to run with it — that is just an incredible indication of support.”

Chatham’s vision for an interactive math classroom led to the installation of wall-to-wall whiteboards, now used in every high school math class.

One of the campaign’s most visible community moments came during the elementary

school track meet, where students wore shirts bearing the campaign’s slogan: “Fund Our Future.”

Looking ahead, the foundation plans to launch a major gifts campaign every 10 years and continue building a culture of giving across generations.

“We just live in such a generous community, and we've been so blessed by having a public school system where we don't have to pay to go to school,” Pritchett said. “However, we have people in this community that understand the value of having the private school standard in a public school. I’m just so grateful for those people who had the foresight 33 years ago to think about that — and for the next generation to also see that and give. It’s been just extremely powerful. I think it's going to help our school system in ways that we aren't even capable of really understanding right now.”

As the campaign enters its public phase, the foundation is encouraging individual donors to help close the gap. Visit mbgives.org/ fundfuture to learn more or make a donation.

Above: The Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation’s annual Track Meet event brings together Mountain Brook elementary school students to compete in the fundraising event. The 2025 track meet raised $87,000. Right: MBCSF Board President Kristin Ritter, Kathryn Harbert, Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow, Lisa Miller and MBCSF Rachel Weingartner at a fundraising event for the Fund our Future campaign. Photo courtesy of the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation.