DECEMBER 2023
FLYING Veteran makes jump from WWII-era plane PAGE 21
LIGHT UP
THE SEASON
Festive magic comes to Alabama Adventure PAGE 24
Nut-Free Class Holiday Treats Christmas List Nostalgia
Outfitting Birmingham’s Children since 1954 Sikes - (205) 879-3433 Jack N Jill - (205) 879-7681 2719 19th Place South, Downtown Homewood
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EDITOR’S NOTE ’Tis the season for fun, family, and festivities—and probably too much sugar, extra-late bedtimes, and all the elf magic you can handle. However you celebrate it, December is sure to be full. I hope you’ll find some quiet time to reflect on and enjoy the magic of this season and I hope this issue brings you a little extra joy! I have no doubt we’re all making our lists (and checking them twice!)—even though I am sure all of our kids have been extra nice, right? Kids love making their lists, too, and I appreciated reliving the nostalgia of crafting my Santa wish list as I read our Holy Moly Motherhood column (page 10). I’ll admit, I miss the days of mailboxes stuffed with heavy catalogs the thickness of an encyclopedia. This year, instead of tossing every
thin mailer directly into the recycling bin, I saved up a stack and introduced my 7-year-old daughter to the old tradition of “circling what you like.” Of course, this may have backfired a bit, as the entire American Girl Doll catalog is now dog-eared and marked up for Santa. But I guess that’s all part of the magic! I want to thank you all for a wonderful year of Bham Family. Thanks for reading in 2023. Cheers to the holidays and 2024!
Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com
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ON THE COVER Chris George, a veteran Marine, and Freddie Vocatura, a 90-yearold Army veteran who served in Special Forces/Airborne, paratrooped out of the WWIIera Tico Belle plane on Veterans Day last month. “During mockup drills, he was grinning ear-toear,” says Chris. Read more on page 21.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
19
30
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Just for Dads
Ward Williams gives advice p. 8 Holy Moly Motherhood
The Christmas List p. 10 Sean of the South
A Christmas Story p. 12 Medical
Improving state maternity care p. 14 Schoolhouse
Update from the Hoover School District p. 16
Education
News from local schools and college students p. 29 Kids Who Shine Ethan Hill p. 30
FEATURE STORIES A Mother-Daughter Journey
Duo takes on nursing school together p. 19 Flying High
Food
Nut-free class treats p. 17
Veteran makes big jump from WWII plane p. 21
Crafting
Light Up the Season!
Colorful, kid-friendly ornament how-to p. 27
Tour the festive displays at Alabama Adventure p. 24 Bham Family December 2023 7
JUST FOR DADS
Peace Two recent headlines on the Drudge Report seem to epitomize the current mood of our fellow man. The first headline read: “Christmas Activities in Bethlehem are Canceled Due to a Lack of Peace.” The second stated that the onslaught of negative world events is causing compassion fatigue. This holiday season, our world seems tired, anxious, and not at peace with themselves or each other. Earlier this month, I was at a church service where twentyish 20-year-old students were baptized. Most of those being baptized shared how they found purpose and peace after struggling with mental health, anxiety, and a lack of purpose. We must figure out how to bring peace, stability, and purpose to our homes and not grow weary in showing compassion. According to CDC statistics, the top three causes of deaths for 13- to 35-year-olds Ward are unintentional accidents, Williams suicide, and homicide. There is an undeniable crisis of instability, mental health, and anxiety in these age groups. I feel that these statistics show lack of peace and purpose in young men and women in our homes. According to an article by Camelot Care Centers, here are some tips to deal with foster care teens or teens in crisis. I think these are beneficial guidance for all children and teens in our care. Give them their own space. We all need stability and a place where we have a reasonable amount of ability to control a little of the chaos in our lives. We continually look for safe and stable spaces to retreat or use as a base before entering uncomfortable situations. Set clear and reasonable rules boundaries. There is comfort and stability in knowing routine, rules, and consequences. Clear boundaries also help us as parents have tools to not helicopter and hover over our kids. It is important to remain calm and follow 8 Bham Family December 2023
ILLUSTRATION BY DUSAN STANKOVIC
through and stay positive. We as parents need to set the temperature of the room by being the thermostat and not the thermometer. We are all too often reacting with intensity and anger to the chaos around us. It is hard stay positive. I am sure there is going to be stress and hard times in your home, but remaining calm, following through on clear expectations, and staying positive will help keep the peace in your home. Be honest and plan together. It is okay to not have all the answers to your kids’ problems. Teaching resilience is one of the most important skills we can pass on to our kids. In misunderstanding, we often lack all the needed information to clearly understand situation. If your kids or teens are communicating clearly with you, you will be an important tool to them in overcoming difficult situations. Display kindness and affection. I have seen T-shirts, memes, posters, commercials, and social media posts about kindness, but I feel there might be less kindness and grace than ever before. We need to show love and encouragement to our kids and family members first. Peace in the world is going to start with peace in our communities which is going to start with peace in our homes. I pray that the peace the surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and minds this season and that home is a place of peace. I hope that Christmas is never canceled again due to a lack of peace. Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@ vfsdads.com.
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HOLY MOLY MOTHERHOOD
The Art of the Christmas List
Alana Smith I vividly remember sprawling out on the carpet of our living room with a marker and a Sears toy catalog. Such excitement lived in those pages. And it was so thick! Every toy imaginable was in there. When I was young, I’d circle everything. Barbies, trolls, dollhouses, games—anything that remotely interested me was fair game. I’ll circle this! Oh, and this! Surely Santa will bring all of this. When I was a little older, I learned to be very strategic with my circling. That jewelry box. A Nintendo 64. A Furby. Mall Madness. I knew my odds of getting the best things were PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ALANA SMITH by asking for less. I would then get out some paper and neatly write down my list, then stick it to the front of the refrigerator. Oh, the anticipation! My youngest son has circled the entire Target Christmas catalog. I think he just likes circling. My oldest son has reserved his marker for Pokémon, Nintendo Switch, and all of the dirt bike toys. His strategy is sound. I think this is one of the most fun things about parenting—seeing ourselves in them. Seeing our kids enjoying the same things we did, 30 years ago. Seeing the magic in their eyes. The joy. So, here’s to kicking off a memory-filled holiday season. I hope your December days are filled with anticipation and joy and lots of hot chocolate. Oh, and everything from the toy catalog. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 8 and 3), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.
10 Bham Family December 2023
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SEAN OF THE SOUTH
A Christmas Story Granddaddy placed me on his knee, he fuzzed my hair and smoked his Bing Crosby pipe. The world smelled like Prince Albert in a can. “The year was 1862,” Granddaddy began his story. “The day was Christmas. The place was eastern Virginia.” East Virginia. God’s country. Where the Rappahannock River traverses the Blue Ridge Mountains, then dumps itself into the Chesapeake like a pitcher of ice tea. The War was on. The landscape was torn up from war. “And it was so cold,” said Granddaddy. Paralyzingly cold. The winter of 1862 was brutal. You could break a tooth eating a bowl of soup. Eighteen-year-old privates were sleeping on barren earth, huddled together like puppies beneath woolen blankets. Grown men—military men— spooned together, just to survive. But this cold snap was nothing compared to the hunger. Some soldiers were so hungry they were eating their tobacco. There are stories about soldiers eating their own shoe leather. Christmas morning came with fresh misery. A wet snow had fallen overnight. Gaggles of army boys awoke with frostbitten noses and frozen earlobes. Others were coughing themselves to death. The opposing armies were camped on opposite sides of the river. Gray coats on one side. Blues on the other. Before evening, these countrymen would probably be killing each other. “It was a hell of a time to be a soldier.” I interrupted my Baptist grandfather. “Grandaddy, you can’t say ‘hell.’” My grandfather, the grizzled veteran who spent his youth dodging shells in Anzio, Italy, said, “Son, there is no other word for war but hell.” That morning, a few young soldiers were on patrol near the banks of the Rappahannock. They stopped patrolling when they saw the enemy on the other side of the river, also patrolling. Both groups halted. Soldiers on both sides of the river were skin and bones, with sunken eyes and the pallor of cadavers. It was a stare down between adversaries. But nobody reached for their rifles. 12 Bham Family December 2023
Instead, in a moment of pure instinct, one patrol soldier waved at the enemy. His partner punched his shoulder. “What are you doing?” “What’s it look like I’m doing? I’m waving.” “At THEM?” “It’s Christmas,” said the man. At which point he cupped a hand to his mouth and shouted, “Hello, over there!” “Hello, yourself!” came the reply from across the river. “Merry Christmas to you!” “Same to you!” “Say, you got anything to trade over there?” “Not much! We got parched corn and tobacco— that’s about the size of our Christmas!” By now hundreds of privates from opposing armies had gathered on opposite shores. They were all eyeing each other. Grays and blues. Capulets and Montagues. Sharks and Jets. “Let’s trade gifts!” someone shouted. In a moment, the groups of men started gathering items to trade with the enemy. The men grew suddenly cheerful. There was even CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF SEAN DIETRICH
SEAN OF THE SOUTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
laughter heard on the banks of the Rappahannock. It felt like Christmas. The soldiers built makeshift toy sailboats, pieced together with sticks. They used handkerchiefs for sails, then placed the tiny boats into the river and sailed them to the opposite shore. Each boat was filled with whatever gifts the soldiers could find. Trinkets, pocket change, carved figurines, folding jackknives. Parched corn. Roasted persimmons. You name it. When the first fleet of boats arrived, the soldiers on the opposing side were thrilled with the gifts. They whooped and hollered. Then they refilled the boats and sent a return fleet to the opposite shore. The enemy rafts drifted across the current toward the starving soldiers, who chased the little boats along the banks like schoolchildren. Each boat was found packed with bags of coffee, sacks of sugar and salt pork. “You sent us REAL coffee, Yank!” said one soldier. “Thanks!” “We sent you sugar, too!”
“Thank you, Yank!” “Thank you, Johnny!” “Merry Christmas to you!” “Same to you, fellas!” They ate. They drank. They smoked their pipes. They offered thanks. They hollered jokes across the river. They sang songs of home. And one of the soldiers from that fateful day wrote this: “…We were brothers, not foes, waving salutations of goodwill in the name of the Babe of Bethlehem, on Christmas Day in ‘62. At the very front of the opposing armies, the Christ Child struck a truce of us, broke down the wall of partition, became our peace. We exchanged gifts. We shouted greetings back and forth. We kept Christmas and our hearts were lighter of it, and our shivering bodes were not quite so cold.” My grandfather finished telling the tale. Tapped his empty pipe against his thigh. And as he walked away, he said, “You can figure the moral of this story out for yourself, son.” And I pray I never forget it. Merry Christmas.
How Chamber membership works for me. “I made a decision to invest in the Shelby County Chamber a few years ago because of the networking and business services for small businesses. As a new business owner, the Chamber was a vital part in my growth as a leader.
Our highly trained doctors will work with you toward positive outcomes and the best treatment for your individual needs. For your convenience we have same day appointments as well as early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments.
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I felt fortunate when KATs Delivery was nominated to be Small Business of the Year in 2018 by my peers and then successful in clinching the award in 2019. I have continued to stay involved and support other small businesses as well.”
Maurice Mercer, owner, KATs Delivery (205) 624-0777 • katsdelivery.com
To learn how your business can benefit as a member, call Jordan Powell at (205) 6634542, or email jordan@shelbychamber.org. Bham Family December 2023 13
MEDICAL
PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANK COUCH
Established in 2017, the program partners pregnant and parenting mothers experiencing adversity related to economic or social barriers with their own personal nurse.
Partnership Increases Maternity Care in Alabama UAB awarded $8.8 million to increase access for expectant moms BY PAREASA RAHIMI
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Nurse-Family Partnership of Central Alabama has received an $8.8 million Integrated Maternal Health Services grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant will fund the expansion of the Nurse-Family 14 Bham Family December 2023
Partnership of Central Alabama to 27 additional counties in Alabama within the next five years. Established in 2017 as a branch of the national Nurse-Family Partnership, the program partners pregnant and parenting mothers experiencing adversity related to economic or social barriers with CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
MEDICAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
their own personal nurse. The grant will enhance NFP’s current services and increase access to maternity care in Alabama by fully integrating nurse-midwives into the care team and providing additional behavioral health and primary health care services. “The mothers who participate in our NFP program have better outcomes in preterm birth, breastfeeding and employment as compared to state and county averages,” said Candace Knight, Ph.D., director of the Nurse-Family Partnership of Central Alabama and associate professor in the UAB School of Nursing. “NFP moms also have quick access to mental health treatment should they need it and see improvement in mental health screening scores.” Program nurses connect mothers with vital resources ranging from prenatal care and nutrition to educational and career opportunities to achieve the best possible outcomes during pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. In addition to the original site in Jefferson County, NFP currently serves Walker, Winston, Fayette, Marion, Lamar, Shelby and Bibb counties. The program has graduated 194 moms since its first cohort completed the program in 2020.
The expansion of the program also provides training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate nursing students—including nurse midwifery students—as well as other health professions students. “The NFP program benefits families but also nursing and health care professions students by allowing them to see what barriers to health and wellness look like in a community setting,” Knight said. “I hope that, through clinical experiences with NFP, students are able to see health equity in a true light and it changes their future practice for the better.” The NFP program falls under the UAB School of Nursing Women and Children’s Health Initiative. WACHI’s vision is to ensure a future where women and children in Alabama are not only healthy but thriving and achieving their highest potential. The NFP program will also work with the UAB-led Alabama Maternal Health Task Force, an initiative aimed at centralizing efforts to improve maternal health across the state. Knight, who is part of the task force’s community engagement work group, and the NFP team will provide education for obstetricians and midwives to promote shared understanding and knowledge.
Bham Family December 2023 15
NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS
Gwin student lights city Christmas tree Jesse Humphryes, a student at Gwin Elementary, was chosen to turn on the lights for the city of Hoover’s Christmas tree on the evening of November 28. Humphryes received a kidney transplant at the end of the 202223 school year, after waiting for several years to receive one.
Hoover students collect food for charity For “Thankful to be a Buc Week,” Hoover High School students came together for a competitive school-wide food drive, collecting THOUSANDS of items to support the community! And the winners are... the JUNIORS! They rallied and donated approximately 3,000 items, showing incredible generosity.
16 Bham Family December 2023
All non-perishable items were donated to Green Valley Baptist Church and Bluff Park United Methodist Church food pantries for Hoover families. As promised, the winning grade level witnessed admins, teachers, and staff KISS A PIG on Friday! Principal Jennifer Hogan and Head Football Coach Wade Waldrop were among those puckering up to Skunk the Pig! Susan Norris with Hoover High’s Peer Helpers said, “The kids are learning to self-sacrifice and give back to the community. I’m overwhelmed at how giving and wonderful our student body has been for this initiative.”
FOOD
Festive
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF HOLLEY GRAINGER / HOLLEYGRAINGER.COM
& Nut-Free HOLIDAY CLASS SNACKS
Bring joy to school Christmas parties with these treats BY HOLLEY GRAINGER, MS, RD
My holiday classroom parties as a kid were full of nuts. Not my classmates—the treats! Remember the peanut butter cookies with the bonus Hershey’s Kiss in the middle? A whole gingerbread house thatched with slivered almonds? Nothing seems to inspire nut-filled treats like time-honored holiday recipes, and those favorites were go-to options for parents and class moms everywhere until the dawn
of nut-free classrooms. If you’re a parent or room mom charged with bringing snacks for a nut-free classroom, don’t stress. These recipes are cute, delicious, and safe for kiddos with nut allergies! I’ve also been tinkering with my girls to add new favorites to our nut-free holiday class party treat lineup, including some healthier options like adorable Bagel Snowmen and Celery Reindeer! CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Bham Family December 2023 17
FOOD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Seasoned room parents will probably also notice that many of these treats can do doubleduty as “snacktivities.” Get the kids happily building and assembling, add in a game or song, and then let them gobble up their creations! BAGEL SNOWMEN
Bring the bagels, cream cheese, and all the fixin’s and let the class make their own bagel snowman. This is a fun activity if you’re having a morning party, but my girls assure me that they would like to eat these any time of day. Whether you serve the at a class party or for breakfast on Christmas morning, they’re sure to bring many smiles! 4 whole-wheat bagels or mini bagels ½ cup cream cheese 16 pretzel sticks 3 packages fruit leather ¼ cup blueberries ¼ cup baby carrots Chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on each half of a bagel. Arrange with pretzels (arms), fruit leather (scarf), blueberries (eyes and buttons), a baby carrot (nose), and chocolate chips (mouth). SANTA MARSHMALLOW POPS
Say hello to the new holiday cake pop. This festive kid’s craft is fun to make and can also be used as a table centerpiece or in a guest goodie bag. 8 large marshmallows 8 cake pop sticks 1 jar white icing 16 strawberries, stems removed 16 candy eyes 8 cinnamon candies or red Mini M&Ms Place cake pop sticks into large marshmallows. Place icing in a sandwich-size plastic zip-top bag. Cut a small hole in the corner and squeeze icing in thin lines around the marshmallow to create Santa’s “beard.” Make sure to add icing to the top of the marshmallow—this will help the strawberry stick. Add strawberry to the top of the marshmallow, making sure the stick goes through both the strawberry and marshmallow. 18 Bham Family December 2023
Place a dollop of icing on tip and rim of the strawberry to add the “fluff ” to Santa’s hat. Add eyes and red candy nose to Santa’s face. They should stick to the icing already on the marshmallow, but you can add extra icing to the back if needed. SHORTCUT WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BROWNIES
I love a shortcut recipe, which is why these brownie bites are just the thing to make for a last-minute dessert. They’re bite-size, making them ideal for little hands, plus they tie in all the festive colors and flavors of Christmas. (Be sure to check the label to ensure that store-bought brownies are nut-free.) 1 cup white chocolate chips ½ tsp. peppermint extract 12 (1-ounce) brownies ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies Melt white chocolate chips according to package directions. Stir in peppermint extract. Dip top of each brownie into melted white chocolate shaking gently to remove excess. Transfer to a cooling rack then sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon crushed peppermint candy while the white chocolate is still wet. Allow to dry before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. RUDOLPH CELERY REINDEER
For a festive and nut-free holiday snack, serve these adorably simple celery reindeer. Use sunflower seed butter or soy butter to make them a school-approved snack. 4 Tbsp. sunflower seed butter or nut butter 8 celery sticks 1/3 cup raspberries 2 Tbsp. chocolate chips ¼ cup pretzels, broken into pieces for “antlers” Spread ½ tablespoon seed or nut butter evenly over each celery stick. Arrange a raspberry as the nose, chocolate chips as eyes, and pretzels as antlers. Serve immediately.
FEATURE
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
A Mother-Daughter Journey This duo walked an educational path together all the way through nursing school. BY ERIC HOLSOMBACK
In the heart of Samford University, a mother-daughter duo, Dannelle and Emily Paz, are crafting their academic path. Their intertwined educational journeys, filled with shared passions, support and aspirations, offer a compelling story of growth and dedication. Dannelle, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) educator, finds joy in sharing knowledge and witnessing the success of others. As she CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Bham Family December 2023 19
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
approaches the empty nest stage, she eagerly anticipates expanding her role to teach at a college or university, either online or in person, alongside her clinical anesthesia, management and administration duties. Samford became more accessible for Dannelle with the invaluable assistance of her daughter, Emily. Emily, who was studying abroad in the London program when Dannelle embarked on her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program, provided game changing technological support. Dannelle fondly recalls how Emily, even from across the pond, helped her navigate the complexities of online learning platforms like Canvas. This mother-daughter tech collaboration not only made Dannelle’s transition to Samford smoother but also deepened their connection. Emily’s initial thoughts when her mother expressed her desire to enroll in Samford’s DNP nursing administration program were filled with happiness and excitement. She recognized that it was a long-cherished goal and the ideal timing for their family. Emily’s passion lies in women’s health, with potential career paths ranging from labor and delivery nursing to lactation consulting, hormone therapy, gynecology services and fertility services. She also discovered a newfound interest in public health outreach, especially in aiding underserved and uninsured populations. After graduation, Emily envisions working in a bedside nursing position, most likely in labor and delivery, where she can make a significant impact on the lives of women and their families. What makes their journey even more fascinating is the balance of commonalities and differences. Both Dannelle and Emily share a passion for leadership, advocacy and creating positive change. However, they differ in sensitivity and communication styles. Dannelle’s inclination to speak up contrasts with Emily’s more sensitive approach. This diversity enriches their perspectives and abilities, making them a dynamic team in their shared field of nursing. Their shared love of travel has influenced Emily’s decision to consider moving to San Diego after graduation. She is motivated by the desire to be closer to her extended family. Growing up in Alabama, Emily missed having extended family nearby, and living within driving distance of loved ones holds a unique appeal. Dannelle and Emily’s educational journeys reflect the transformative power of education, the enduring impact of mentors and supportive academic communities and the unique bond shared by a mother and daughter as they both pursue fulfilling careers in nursing and education. Their story serves as an inspiration for those seeking to balance personal growth, family and professional aspirations. Together, they demonstrate the profound impact that education and a strong support system can have on one’s journey to success.
20 Bham Family December 2023
FEATURE
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHRIS GEORGE
Flying High
A former Marine paratrooper honors his past with a big jump from a WWII plane on Veterans Day BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE
Chris George hadn’t jumped out of a plane in years until his Facebook feed served him a post about paratrooping. Suddenly, he was transported back to the early 1990s and his former life as a marine. “I saw the Phantom Airborne Brigade had a jump coming up in Tavares, Florida [“America’s Seaplane City”],” says Chris. “Social media is a crazy thing. How it came up in my feed, I have no idea.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Bham Family December 2023 21
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
Prior to that serendipitous post, Chris’s planejumping life was just a glory-days memory. He grew up in Birmingham but joined the Marines eight weeks after high school graduation when he was 17 years old. “I turned 18 at Paris Island. No one sang happy birthday to me, if you can believe that,” he says with a laugh. As a radio man, he carried wires and facilitated communication. “I was assigned to my unit, 1st Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group, Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) as a forward observer, which means I was placed ahead of the battle line in areas with vantage points to see what others could not.” In other words, Chris was the “eyes,” watching for attack jets and helicopters and then warning naval ships of impending danger. “Ships can’t see inside the battle area, so we find a vantage point on top of a hill and radio back to the ship to say, ‘Here’s where the bad guys are,.’ ” he says. “The ships would fire a
round, and we’d say, ‘Okay, go up 100 yards and to the left, etc.’ “We were the eyes of the guys shooting artillery.” To do this, it meant Chris had to get in to the battle area—either by fast roping from a helicopter or paratrooping. The next logical move was jump school, which he attended at Ft. Benning, Georgia (now Ft. Moore) in 1992. (The Marine Corp. doesn’t have a jump school.) He was subsequently deployed twice, once for four months and another time for seven months. “After I got out [of the Marines] in 1995, I didn’t know what to do. I just knew I wanted to stay in public service,” he says. Chris applied to the Shelby County sheriff ’s office, where he started working at the jail, working his way up to retire as a chief deputy in 2018. He then moved on to the US Marshal Service, where he is currently an admin officer. “I make sure the guys have what they need: beans, bullets, CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
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Biscuit Love Rises in Birmingham Serbian Exchange Student Experiences the Magic City Pottery with a Purpose
22 Bham Family December 2023
Contact us today, and let’s work together. Michelle Salem Haynes michelle@jbmcmedia.com (205) 381-1311
FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
and bandaids.” Never did he think he’d be paratrooping again—but then social media intervened. “Michael Wittman, who was also in ANGLICO, mentioned that 20 other guys [known as coneheads] were going to do this water jump [in Tavares],” says Chris. “They were going to have a little reunion. It was the first jump for many of us in decades. Michael got us all together and reignited the flame.” So, this past July Chris headed down to Lake Dora to suit up and relive a piece of his past. “It was really neat to see all those guys again. Some I hadn’t seen in 30 years and some I didn’t even recognize.” He says he wasn’t nervous. “Maybe I had a hint of anticipation a few weeks before, just because I hadn’t done it in so long,” says Chris. “But when I got there around likeminded guys and put that parachute on, it was like riding a bike—not an ounce of fear.” Initially, he viewed the summer jump as a bucket list item, especially given that he turned 50 just before the event. But, “as soon as I landed in the water and got in the boat, I said I’m probably going to keep on doing this,” he says. Fast-forward a few months from the adrenaline rush, and Chris saw another jump, this one scheduled for Veterans Day. “These jumps are hard to get into, but you have a better chance when you also sign up as a volunteer.” So another Marine buddy and Chris did just that. He notes that he thought about this second jump “a whole lot more” than the first. “I was really thinking about the what ifs. I wasn’t scared, but I’ve done this before and I know what all can go wrong,” he says, acknowledging that he also thought about his “always supportive” wife, Lisa, and their boys, Christopher (19), Andrew (16), and Luke (14). Nevertheless, on Veterans Day, Chris and Michael jumped from the Tico Belle, a World War II-era plane that was commissioned in 1941 and delivered paratroopers to Normandy on D Day. “That really made it special—it made the hair on my neck stand up,” says Chris. “Guys in that plane jumped into combat and were much better than me. Getting to share that experience
was really neat.” Describing it further, he says that Tico Belle is “an old girl.” “She’s a rattle trap—spitting and sputtering. You get in and it’s really tight; it’s not a huge plane. You’re squeezed in with your buddies, and as soon as the wheels got off the tarmac, everyone yelled “Airborne!” My adrenaline was pumping and I felt 19 again!” “Phantom Airborne Brigade runs a tight ship, and it’s really impressive. They have the logistics handled, volunteer boaters, the local sheriff, life flight, medics, Jr. ROTC cadets there to help get paratroopers out of the water… It’s a welloiled machine,” says Chris, who got to be a part of those extra-curricular duties as a volunteer during the Veterans Day event. After five jumps with Phantom, they pin a set of wings on you, so you can bet that Chris is up for another three. “My buddy Jason Paxman [who volunteered with Chris] and I were close 30 years ago back in the Marines. He lives in the Florida Keys and we finally reconnected a few years ago,” says Chris of his comrade who has done both jumps with him. “I asked all my Marine buddies and they said I was crazy. But Jason said yes, and we had a blast!” Now the two want to complete the fivejump requirement together. Their next jump will be in May 2024. “We’ll do that fifth jump in 2025 maybe, and I hope to take my boys down so they can watch Pax and me pin each other.” Bham Family December 2023 23
FEATURE
Birmingham Lights
A new drive-through holiday display debuts for families It’s best known as a summer destination but this holiday season, Alabama Adventure is transformed into a twinkling wonderland. The Magic of Lights event comes to town for the first time ever, brightening the normally closed for the summer theme park through the end of this month. No small undertaking, Magic of Lights includes: • 2-plus million lights • 6 miles of light cord • 3,750 staff setup hours • 10 miles of steel (for building displays) • 800 steel frames bent into various holiday displays • 10 miles of LED lighting inside the displays • 10 colors of LED bulbs CONTINUED ON PAGE 25
November 30 through December 17
Birmingham’s Holiday Tradition
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The drive-through experience’s vibrant scenes include a 32-foot-tall waving Christmas Barbie and giant elf welcoming guests as they enter the park. Riders then meander through other themed areas like Winter Wonderland, the lifesize Prehistoric Christmas, Toyland, Reindeer Road, Festive Elves, and the 12 Days of Christmas. The show culminates at a 200-footlong Tunnel of Lights followed by—what else—a giant Bigfoot Monster Truck. “This year marks our eighth season bringing Magic of Lights to families across the continent. We are an annual family tradition in so many communities, and we are very pleased to add many new locations this year,” says Ken
Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC. “Our innovative creative team has designed a drive-through holiday wonderland light experience that promises to dazzle and delight guests of all ages.” Alabama Adventure is the only Magic of Lights location in Alabama and one of only a few in the south. “We are absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with Magic of Lights for our Christmas light show. Their expertise in creating enchanting, immersive light displays is unparalleled, and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner to bring this vision to life,” says Dan Koch, president and owner of Alabama Adventure. “We can’t wait to see the magic they’ll weave into our park CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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to make this holiday season truly unforgettable!” New for all Magic of Lights events this year is Magic Vision, featuring interactive games and a social media sneak peak including fun photo filters. You can learn more at magicoflights. com/magicvision. Magic of Lights twinkles each night from 5:30 until 10 p.m. Tickets are priced per vehicle, so pour the hot chocolate and load up the SUV for a festive holiday family night. For more information, visit magicoflights.com or see their Instagram page @themagicoflights. 26 Bham Family December 2023
MAGIC OF LIGHTS Alabama Adventure 4599 Splash Adventure Pkwy Bessemer, AL 35022 • Nightly through December 31 from 5:30-10 p.m. • Pricing: $30 per vehicle (MondayThursday); $35 (Friday-Sunday). Online discounted rate is $22.50 per vehicle at tickets.magicoflights.com. • No vehicles taller or wider than 10 feet allowed and no limos.
CRAFTING
Melted Crayon Ornaments Grab these simple supplies and settle in for a morning of creativity with your kids!
These adorable crayon shavings ornaments are so easy to make and a fun craft to do with your kids in the weeks leading up to the holidays. These simple steps make them a snap, so gather your supplies and get ready for a little merrymaking! CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Bham Family December 2023 27
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Crayons Cheese grater Clear plastic or glass ornaments Hair dryer Ribbon Peel paper off crayons. Grate crayons to create piles of shavings in various colors. Remove the caps from ornaments and fill with shavings in desired colors. You can stick to a holiday color scheme, a single hue, or mix several colors in your favorite combo. Use about 1 teaspoon of shavings for a lighter, more spotty look, or 1 tablespoon of shavings for a richer,
full-color ornament. Repeat with desired number of ornaments and crayon shavings. Replace ornament caps. Place sealed ornaments in a box or bin. (Work with one ornament at a time if using glass.) Use a hair dryer to slowly melt the shavings. Crayons melt at about 120°F, which is typically the medium heat range on most hair dryers. Allow the ornaments to bounce around in the box, tumbling and melting the crayon wax. (Do not put hands in front of air flow.) Let the wax to cool before handling. Attach a ribbon for hanging, and finish each ornament with a bow, if desired.
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EDUCATION
Samford Freshman Receives Award Nada Almansoob, a freshman majoring in secondary education with a special focus in mathematics at Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education, was honored with the prestigious John Duren Scholarship. “Winning this scholarship is a special feeling,” says Nada. “I felt PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY overjoyed upon receiving the email that I had won the scholarship.” Nada will dedicate a substantial part of her academic journey at the Howard College of Arts and Sciences in addition to her secondary education requirements to transform her dream of teaching mathematics into a reality. Established in 1994 by John W. and Carol J. Duren, the scholarship assists students pursuing teaching careers in science and mathematics at the secondary education level.
School Named to AP Honor Roll Jefferson County International Baccalaureate was recently named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll as a Platinum member. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. JCIB had 100% of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 100% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 78% of seniors who took five or more AP exams.
21 MBHS Theatre Students Qualify for State Mountain Brook High School theatre students participated in the Walter Trumbauer District 6 Theatre Competition early last month. A total of 19 theatre students competed in 27 different individual events. Twenty-three out of the 27 events received superior scores and 21 events are eligible to advance to the Walter Trumbauer State Theatre Competition.
Vestavia Teachers Honored Melissa McIntyre, a teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Kira Aaron, a teacher at Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Both teachers are now in the running for Alabama Teacher of the Year, which will be announced this spring. Melissa McIntyre Kira Aaron Bham Family December 2023 29
KIDS WHO SHINE
ETHAN HILL, 12
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL
Ethan Hill and Kathryn W. Miree with awards from the Association of Fundraising Professionals
BY SEAN FLYNT Altamont School eighth-grade student Ethan Hill was among the nine individuals and organizations honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Alabama Chapter at its National Philanthropy Day event last month. Ethan earned the Bill Moran Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award in recognition of his six years of service to homeless people. What began as the simple, compassionate reaction of buying supplies with money he got for Christmas has grown to become Ethan’s Heart, a nonprofit organization that serves much of Birmingham with the help of volunteers and donors. The Altamont School nominated Ethan for the honor, noting that: “The story of Ethan’s Heart has captured the public imagination as a heartwarming and inspiring news item, but there is an unexpected intellectual and ethical depth to Ethan that makes anyone who meets him take a step back for a better look. “Is this kid for real?” He is. Adults see it. His peers see it. Ethan’s Heart is not a service project. Ethan is not satisfying an external requirement or expectation. He is not building a college application. 30 Bham Family December 2023
He is simply called to help, for the long term, with poise, commitment, and a deep, practical understanding of a complex problem.” “Ethan is the perfect representation of all that is Altamont, and Bill Moran would have been so pleased that he received this award in his name,” added Altamont Director of Advancement Stephanie Brooks. “Bill was a true believer in youth, education and philanthropy,” Stephanie said of the legendary Birmingham fundraiser who established the St. Vincent’s Foundation. “Ethan excels in all areas every day. We are very proud of him and his accomplishments.” While accepting his latest honor, Ethan acknowledged an audience of people who share his passion for philanthropy and who are helping him on his path. “I know this work is from people like you, my parents, the school I go to, friends,” he said. “It’s a collective effort from everyone around me.” We originally featured Ethan in our Kids Who Shine column in February 2020, highlighting the start of his survival buckets for downtown Birmingham’s homeless population. You can read it at bhamfunandfamily.com/kids-who-shine-ethan-hill.
205- 638-PIRC (7472)
Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children. Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such. Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources. PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.
The PIRC is generously supported by funding from the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope, United Way of Central Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the Walker Area Community Foundation.
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