Local veterans find community and fellowship PAGE 20
A VERY Jelly YEAR
Smucker plant celebrates first anniversary PAGE 12
MAKING History
Pleasant Grove elects first African-American mayor PAGE 14
Smucker
On the Cover Staff
Veterans Day brings awareness of the sacrifice members of the Armed Forces make, but organizations like the American Legion keep the focus on them year round. Read about American Legion Post 1228 in Hueytown starting starting on page 20.
Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 883-1877 matthew@jbmcmedia.com
WestJeff Magazine serves the communities and people of West Jefferson County. Published every month, the magazine is available for free at more than 100 locations in Bessemer, Hueytown, McCalla, Pleasant Grove, Concord, Oak Grove, Sylvan Springs, and other areas.
Subscriptions are available for $40 per year.
Email subscribe@jbmcmedia.com for details on how to subscribe or send a gift subscription.
Does your business want to connect with West Jefferson County residents? Contact us: (205) 883-1877, advertise@jbmcmedia.com, and let’s talk!
All content in this magazine remains the property of JBMC Media, LLC. Any requests to reprint or republish should be directed to matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Michelle
Haynes
Brittany Kenny Graphic Designer
Emily VanderMey Listo
PHOTO BY BRITTNEY FIELDS
The West Beat
by JESSE CHAMBERS
I don’t know about you, but I love Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday, and there are lots of reasons why – some frivolous, some not.
For example, I start every Thanksgiving Day by watching the Macy’s Parade on TV, my ritual since I was a kid in the 1960s. I get glimpses of New York City – my favorite place in the world – and I enjoy seeing the floats.
The food on Thanksgiving is awesome, including turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes and cranberries, and the rich, brown gravy that goes good on almost everything. And don’t forget the desserts – especially the pecan, sweet potato and pumpkin pies. Perhaps best of all, most people make so much food that they can eat leftovers through the rest of the holiday.
You can watch lots of great college football games on TV over the Thanksgiving weekend, including the Alabama-Auburn game.
Thanksgiving is also relatively simple and doesn’t bring the stress and anxiety that often come with the busy Christmas holiday. After all, at Thanksgiving, you don’t have to go down your list and struggle to pick out gifts for a bunch of people – gifts they may not even like.
Thanksgiving is also a relaxed and inclusive holiday. Most people celebrate
Christmas mainly with their families, but at Thanksgiving, it’s not uncommon for dinner hosts to invite friends, coworkers or acquaintances – anyone who needs a place to go for the holiday where they’ll feel loved and appreciated.
In the big picture, Thanksgiving is a secular holiday celebrated by people of all faiths, but one that has a lot of meaning. It’s a time of reflection as we begin another holiday season and near the end of another year.
It’s a time for each of us to be grateful for our many blessings and appreciate the good things in our lives, including the friends and loved ones we care about. For many people, Thanksgiving is about expressing one’s gratitude by serving others. Many people donate meals or clothing to people in shelters, or even volunteer to help serve meals. For example, in Birmingham, many people donate to places like the Jimmie Hale Mission, Brother Bryan Mission and the Church of the Reconciler downtown.
Expressing gratitude is more than a pro forma exercise, something done by rote in church or when saying grace at the dinner table before we stuff ourselves with food. According to recent research, being grateful has many psychological and physical benefits. UCLA Health said at uclahealth.org in
2023 that practicing gratitude – defined as regularly focusing on positive aspects of your life – can become “a powerful health habit.” Practicing gratitude a few minutes a day can boost mental wellness and have a positive effect on your physical health – reducing stress, anxiety and depression, supporting heart health and improving sleep, the article states. You can keep a journal and count your blessings by writing down the good things that happen to you. You can share your gratitude by sending a note telling someone why you’re thankful for them.
“Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships," according to a 2021 article at health.harvard.edu.
Your positive behaviors can even change your biology, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Positive gestures benefit you by releasing oxytocin, a hormone that helps connect people,” according to an article in 2022 at mayoclinichealthsystem.org. “Some people call it the love hormone.”
So eat up. Hang out with the family. Watch some games. Take a break from the stresses of work and school. But also think of the holiday as a time to reflect on your life and deepen your appreciation of it.
Thanksgiving Arrives
The Cracker Barrel is slammed. And loud. Inside, there isn’t much in the way of elbow room. There are heaps of people. And I am trying to master the wooden Triangle Peg game.
The object of this game, of course, is simple. Leave the fewest pegs remaining on the triangle as possible. Finish a game with only one peg is left; you are a NASA-level genius. Two pegs; you are moderately clever. Four pegs; your parents are first cousins.
I love Cracker Barrel. But then, I have a long history with this institution. I’ve eaten at Cracker Barrels from Beaverton, Oregon, to Prattville, Alabama. I’ve eaten here on Thanksgiving, the day I graduated college, the morning after my wedding, and the day after my father died. The food suits me.
The overhead music always has steel guitar in it. The people in the giftshop always ask how you’re doing. And if you’re bored, you can always embarrass your wife by buying a Davy Crockett hat and wearing it into the dining room.
Today, an elderly couple is sitting next to me as I fiddle with the peg game. The old man is skinny. She is frail. They are shoulder to shoulder.
The man is wearing a hospital bracelet. His entire lower leg is in a medical brace. His face is bruised purple. There is dried blood on his forearms. He is resting his head onto the old woman’s shoulder because it looks like he’s been through hell itself.
She is helping him drink his Coke with a straw.
“Thank you, Judy,” he says between sips.
She just pats his head.
On the other side of the dining room is a table of paramedics. They are young, wearing buzz cuts, cargo pants, radios mounted on their shoulders. Their eyes are drooping, the coffee evidently isn’t helping. It looks like they’ve had a long night.
I eavesdrop on their conversation:
“What’re you doing for Thanksgiving?”
“Sleeping,” says the other.
“Yeah, well, I’m just gonna give my kids KFC and go back to bed, I’ve worked two ten-hour shifts. I’m about to start hallucinating.”
These men are modern day saints. You can have your reality TV stars and your social media influencers. Show me an EMT, and I’ll show you the embodiment of all that is good in America.
Meantime, behind me is a young family with several kids. Four boys. Three boys healthy looking. One is not. One child is small
and slight, with a colostomy bag. He has another electronic device mounted on his head, just behind the ear. I believe it’s a neuroprosthetic implant for those with hearing problems.
The boy stares at his older brother’s plate and says, “Can I have some of your pancakes, J.D.?”
J.D. rolls his eyes. “You mean, you already finished your pancakes? You pig.”
“I was hungry, J.D.”
J.D. does something incredible. Although he is a teenager, and although he is at that age where kids are notoriously selfish, the teenage boy relinquishes his pancakes and places them onto his little brother’s plate. J.D. hasn’t even taken a bite of his pancakes yet, and still, he gives them away.
The little boy’s face glows like a landing strip. “Thanks, J.D!”
Across from me, I see the elderly woman is now feeding the elderly man. She is administering spoonfuls of grits to his mouth, blowing on them to cool them down, then dabbing his chin with a napkin. Occasionally, she kisses his forehead.
Then, the room fills with a loud beeping sound. Everyone’s heads turn to look at the EMTs, whose radios are squawking and hissing. The paramedics stand. They leave cash on the table. They slam their coffees.
They jog out of the restaurant, and we all see them through the windows. Off to save a life. They pile into their vehicles, sound the sirens, and speed toward hell itself.
As it happens, I’m not smart enough to conquer the peg game, but I know a few things. I know that people are beautiful. I know that life is a treat that does not last half as long as we expect. I know that the elderly couple beside me embodies the purest of love known to humans. I know that J.D. is a good brother.
And I know that this Thanksgiving, all EMTs should be granted a pay raise.
SEAN DIETRICH ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN DIETRICH
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
If your Thanksgiving table is looking a little smaller this year, skip the ginormous turkey and make my Air Fryer Whole Chicken instead. It’s juicy, golden and the perfect size for a cozy gathering or Friendsgiving. Plus, it leaves your oven wide open for casseroles, sides and all those pies waiting their turn.
I’m a big fan of those $5 rotisserie chickens from Sam’s and Costco, but sometimes you just want that same flavor without the drive. This air fryer version hits the spot— simple to season, quick to cook and every bit as good as storebought. Now, you can focus on the important things like choosing between pumpkin or pecan pie.
Ingredients
1 (4 pound) whole chicken (giblets removed)
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
In The Kitchen with Kathleen Phillips
Kathleen Phillips is a food blogger, food stylist, cookbook author and former Oxmoor House test kitchen director (Southern Living cookbooks). On her food blog, GritsAndGouda.com, she creates Southern shortcut recipes. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
TIP
Tie the chicken legs together with unflavored dental floss or kitchen twine to improve the appearance when serving the chicken whole.
Instructions
If you’re cooking the chicken strictly to chop or shred for other recipes, just go ahead and spread out the legs in the air fryer. It will actually cook it a little faster that way.
Preheat a 5 to 6.5-quart air fryer at 360º for 3 minutes.
SEASON CHICKEN
• Meanwhile, rub or brush the entire outside of the chicken with oil.
• Combine the garlic salt, onion powder and paprika, then sprinkle it over the entire chicken. (Or use your favorite seasoning blend.)
AIR FRY CHICKEN WHOLE
• Place the chicken, breast side down, in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360º for 30 minutes. Carefully turn over the chicken with tongs. Cook for another 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers 170ºin the thickest part of the thigh an 165º in the breast.
• Carefully transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let it rest 10 minutes before cutting for the juiciest chicken results.
Yield: One (4-pound) whole chicken, cooked, will equal approximately 3 to 3½ cups chopped or shredded chicken. It will serve 4 to 6 people cut into legs, thighs, and breasts.
At WestJeff Magazine, we seek to provide comprehensive coverage of business activity of all kinds in West Jefferson County – and not just the big projects. We want to hear news and updates about all of the businesses in the area, both large and small. We also report on real estate, construction and infrastructure projects. Please contact us with any tips, information or photos you have at jesse@jbmcmedia.com.
1st anniversary of McCalla Smucker plant
by JESSE CHAMBERS
November marks the first anniversary of the opening of a large industrial facility in McCalla that was big news for West Jefferson County and the entire Birmingham area. On Nov. 7, 2024, J.M. Smucker Co. held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of its new $1.1 billion manufacturing plant with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Mark Smucker, the company’s president and CEO, among the attendees.
The plant, located on more than 200 acres at 7351 Old Tuscaloosa Highway, was built to
help Smucker ramp up production and continue to build sales of its line of frozen sandwiches — Uncrustables, the company’s fastestgrowing brand. The product was launched about 20 years ago.
“We have grown Uncrustables from a $12 million brand to one delivering approximately $800 million in annual net sales last fiscal year,” Smucker said in a company news release in 2024. He said the company’s goal is $1 billion in annual net sales by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Uncrustables has continued to grow in popularity since the plant opened. According to tradingview.com on Sept. 19, sales for Uncrustables increased across several product segments in the U.S. and internationally in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
The growth of Uncrustables has allowed it to become more than “a household staple” or “niche lunchbox item,” tradingview.com said. “Management pointed to strong demand in convenience stores and institutional channels such as universities, alongside steady adoption from families and athletes.” Investments like the new plant in McCalla position Uncrustables “to sustain its growth trajectory over the long term,” the site says.
“Our Uncrustables brand is one of the fastest-growing brands in the food industry,” said Rebecca Scheidler, the company’s senior vice president. She cited such factors as the product’s quality, convenience and “delicious flavor combinations.”
“It's America's favorite sandwich at lunchtime,” Mark Smucker told WVTM-13 at the ribbon-cutting.
The $1.1 billion dollar Smucker plant opened in McCalla one year ago.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE J.M. SMUCKER CO.
The company is also adding some new products to the Uncrustables line this fall, according to media reports. These new products are “higher protein" options that promise "a more balanced start to the day without compromising on taste or convenience,” according to USA Today on Sept. 30.
The new offerings include Higher Protein PB&Js, Uncrustables Bright-Eyed Berry Sandwich and Uncrustables Up & Apple Sandwich, each with 12 grams of protein per serving and the use of more fiber and whole grains, USA Today reports.
Renovated McDonalds
The Black Family Restaurants, based in Birmingham, are the long-time owners of the McDonalds at 3069 Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive in Hueytown. The family completely rebuilt the facility recently and is scheduled to host a grand opening in November.
“The original site was built over 40 years ago,” Jamie Black of the company told WestJeff Magazine. “We are rebuilding to update all the things that go into the building, like plumbing, electrical, heating and air – but also updating the customer experience with new decor, a bigger playplace and updated technology.”
Black, her brother and their parents run Black Family Restaurants. According to their website, they own 16 McDonald's stores, including two in Bessemer – one on Morgan Road and one on Academy Drive.
“I’m so glad they are reinvesting in the
Hueytown area,” said Debbie Kiker, director of the Hueytown Area Chamber of Commerce.
“They are good people and do a whole lot for every community they operate in.”
In Hueytown, the Blacks sponsor City Fest and Chamber events, help the Arts Council, and help support the cheerleaders and the band at Hueytown High School, Kiker said.
“We love being a part of the Hueytown community and hope to spend the next 40 years and more serving those guests who have been McDonalds fans for so many years,” Black said.
The renovated McDonalds had a soft opening and a regular opening in October, and a ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for November. At press time, the date was TBA. For updates, check the Facebook pages
for Hueytown Chamber and Black Family Restaurants. For more about Black Family Restaurants, go to bfrmcdonalds.com.
New Midfield eatery
Jaws Hot Chicken and Seafood opened its first Birmingham-area location in early September at 100 Weibel Drive in Midfield.
The fast-food chain offers chicken, wings, hamburgers, fish, shrimp and Philly cheese-steak sandwiches, as well as sides and desserts. The eatery has “whatever you want,” the eatery’s General Manager Courtney Prewitt told Bham Now. Jaws has five locations in Alabama, Louisiana and Florida, according to fromjaws.com. 205-834-8009.
PHOTO FROM JAWS CHICKEN & SEAFOOD FACEBOOK PAGE
LEFT: The McDonalds in Hueytown was recently rebuilt from the ground up. BELOW: Midfield has a new Jaws Chicken & Seafood location.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMIE BLACK
Pleasant Grove elects first Black mayor
by WESTJEFF MAGAZINE STAFF
Yolanda Lawson made history in Pleasant Grove during the municipal elections Aug. 26 when she became both the first woman and first Black person to be elected as the city's mayor, according to media outlets. In 2020, Lawson became one of the first three Black city councilors elected in Pleasant Grove, and she ran for mayor against fellow councilor Kevin “KD” Dunn. Lawson received 1,564 votes, or about 60% of the total, and Dunn received 1,079 votes, or about 50% of the total, according to bhamwiki.com. "I want to make sure that all of our citizens and all
of our neighbors are included in this process as much as they can be," she told AL.com on Aug. 14. A tax attorney who has lived in Pleasant Grove for 25 years, Lawson said her focus as mayor will be on accessibility, inclusivity and continuing the city's recovery from the EF-4 tornado that devastated parts of the city in April 2011, according to ABC 33/40 News on Aug. 29. "The big deal for me is having someone in leadership that is able to take Pleasant Grove to the next level," Lawson told the station. She’s to be sworn in as mayor Nov. 3.
Fun in the park
Kids and adults had a good time at the fifth annual Marvel City Family Fun Fest, a free event held at Debardeleben Park in Bessemer Sept. 21. Presented by the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fun Fest featured food trucks, local vendors and nonprofits, health information from Lawson State Community College and UAB Medical West and a vintage car show, according to ABC 33/40 News. “It’s a time for unity and family fun,” LaTasha Williams of the Bessemer Chamber told the station prior to the event on Sept. 17. The event serves as “a connector” for the community, said Tamala Briggins of the Bessemer Chamber. Sponsors included the Bessemer Police Department and Bessemer Recreation Center.
Keeping kids safe
The Midfield Police Department recently installed three fixed-speed traffic cameras to increase safety for students and other pedestrians in the 100, 200 and 1000 blocks of Woodward Road, the department announced in a Facebook post Aug. 2. These are “areas with high pedestrian traffic, including routes frequently used by students traveling to and from school and extracurricular activities,” according to the post. “Our goal is simple: to encourage safer driving habits and reduce speeding in critical zones.”
PHOTOS FROM THE BESSEMER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FACEBOOK PAGE
Adults and kids alike enjoyed the fifth annual Marvel City Family Fun Fest in Bessemer on Sept. 21.
Yolanda Lawson
PHOTO FROM PLEASANT GROVE FACEBOOK PAGE
Two Locations offering...
• Immunizations & Health Screenings • Convenient Dose Packaging
Wellness
Welcome to our Health & Wellness page at WestJeff Magazine. Each month, we share tips from a variety of sources showing you how to improve the quality of your life in simple, practical ways. Let us know if there’s a particular health or wellness topic you’d like to see us cover. Write to us at jesse@jbmcmedia.com.
by WESTJEFF MAGAZINE STAFF Health &
Don’t forget your feet
Doctors say to take good care of your feet to protect your overall health
Taking care of your feet is important to your overall health, according to experts at such sources as Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. A local expert – Dr. Brent Haverstock, a podiatrist and the co-director of the Advanced Limb Preservation Clinic at The University of Alabama at Birmingham –offered the following tips for foot health in a story at uab.edu/news on Aug. 21.
Don’t walk barefoot: Your feet need the support and protection provided by shoes. Pick good footwear: “Wear well-fitting shoes that provide adequate arch support and a firm heel counter,” Haverstock said.
Practice good hygiene: “Wash your feet daily with warm water and antibacterial soap,” Haverstock said.
He also suggests you change socks daily, keep your nails trimmed and check your feet for cuts, sores, infections or other issues.
Get up and walk: “Walking can help improve circulation and maintain healthy feet,” Haverstock said.
Avoiding bad breath
Having bad breath — the medical term is halitosis — can be really embarrassing. The worst thing is that, if you have bad breath, you won’t necessarily even know it. It may require some well-meaning friend or loved one to tell you in hushed tones that you really need some mouthwash or a breath mint. The good news is that there are ways to understand the causes of bad breath and to help prevent it.
Your mouth is a “Garden of Eden” for bacteria, says a UAB expert. Hygiene is important.
Avoid sun damage: The skin on the feet is highly susceptible to skin cancer, including melanoma, so be sure to use sunscreen on your feet as needed, especially when barefoot or wearing sandals at the beach.
Bad breath can be caused by foods with strong smells, such as onions or garlic. In addition, decaying food can get trapped between teeth and on the tongue if not removed by flossing, contributing to bad breath.
However, a majority of halitosis is caused by bacteria in the mouth, according to Dr. Nicolaas Geurs, dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, who offered some advice about bad breath in a story at uab. edu/news on Aug.15. The mouth is a prime breeding ground – sort of “a Garden of Eden” – for bacteria, Geurs said. These bacteria can help cause gum disease and tooth decay.
“This is why it is so important to make sure that each of us is removing the bad bacteria from the mouth multiple times a day,” said Geurs, who recommends a daily oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing, and regular visits with a dentist.
Chronic bad breath can be a sign of other health problems, such as heartburn, diabetes, kidney failure and disease, he said.
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS USER ALESER. OWN WORK, PUBLIC DOMAIN
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS USER ARABELLA TANCRED. OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0
Keeping your memory
We all want to have a good memory, and we all want to sustain our memory and other cognitive functions for as long as we can. This is certainly a major concern for people who are middle-aged or over the age of 65. After all, we’ve all heard the grim statistics about the sharp rise in dementia cases in America, given the aging of our population.
And while there are no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, there are some simple things we can do each day to help preserve our cognitive functions.
The following tips come from the Mayo Clinic staff, in an article posted at mayoclinic. org/healthy-lifestyle.
Be active every day: Physical activity raises blood flow to the whole body, including the brain.
Stay mentally active: Read books, do puzzles, play games or learn a new hobby.
Spend time with other people: This helps prevent depression and stress, which contribute to memory loss.
Stay organized: You're more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered. One tip is to keep your wallet, keys and glasses in a set place in your house to make them easier to find.
Sleep well: Not getting enough sleep and restless sleep have been linked to memory loss. Adults typically require about seven to nine hours of sleep per night
Eat a healthy diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat proteins, and avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can lead to confusion and memory loss.
Manage chronic health problems: Follow your provider's advice. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be.
When to get help: Reach out to your doctor for help right away if memory loss affects your ability to do your daily activities or if you notice your memory getting worse.
Put first things first
We came across an entertaining essay recently by Madeline Holcombe of CNN. “I’m a wellness writer, and I get overwhelmed by health advice, too,” she says. She shares the way she prioritizes the best and most important things that she should do for
her own health and well-being. There are lots of wellness tips out there, “but the most important ones are simple,” Holcombe says in her story. She says that one of the best pieces of advice she has received regarding wellness is “first things first.” Is she eating and sleeping well, getting some exercise and spending time with loved ones? “If the answer to any of those
things is no, or even a not really, then nothing else is important to me,” Holcombe says. Once these basics are covered, you “can move on to fine-tuning” your diet, exercise and other wellness practice, she says.
To read her whole essay, which Holcombe published on July 27, go to cnn.com.
PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS BY SVEN SCHEUERMEIER, CC0
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS USER MARC-LAUTENBACHER. OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eating a healthy diet, including fresh food, is one tip to help preserve your memory.
Eating a healthy diet, including fresh food, is another tip to help preserve your memory.
A place for veterans
by JESSE
Freedom isn’t free. Preserving it requires sacrifices by the men and women of the U.S. military, and these sacrifices are honored annually on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. However, we must appreciate veterans year round – not just on a few holidays – and it’s important that veterans find local community support.
For generations, veterans have found some of the support they need at American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts. That includes American Legion Post 1228, the D.W. Segars Memorial Post, located in Hueytown.
To commemorate Veterans Day, we spoke to some of the officers of Post 1228, who said the post provides veterans with much-needed fun and fellowship, as well as advice and support when one of them is dealing with a health or life issue.
In addition, Post 1228 gives its members a chance to remain active in the community by volunteering for many causes and charities, according to Eric Frye, an U.S. Air Force veteran now in his sixth year
CHAMBERS photos by BRITTNEY FIELDS
American Legion Post 1228 in Hueytown is a place of fellowship and service for veterans. Some of the members gathered recently in their meeting room. L-R: Thom Perez, Eric Frye, James Prince, Patti Douglas, Darryl Barry, Joe Stroud and Dave Mosley.
as post commander. The members “love volunteering and doing stuff in the community,” Frye said.
Post 1228 was founded eight years ago, and has about 65 or 70 members, including about 45 or 50 Vietnam War vets, Frye said. “Most of our guys are Vietnam, and our younger guys – I have one or two who served in the Grenada era, and the rest of us are Desert Storm through Iraq.”
The post has four Korean War vets. “We've had two Korean War veterans pass away this year, but we also just had one that turned 100 years old, and we celebrated his birthday, so we’re very thankful to still have him around,” Frye said.
Frye said he would like to attract more female vets and more young vets. “I think if we get a core group of younger guys who are active and will start showing up it will draw younger vets,” he said. “We have to get those first. I'm one of the youngest and I'm 56.”
CAMARADERIE AND SUPPORT
Places like Post 1228 allow veterans to spend time with people who can truly empathize with their experiences. “Vets need to be with other vets because they can relate to them and talk to them and understand what they've been through,” Frye said. “We have a great group of core guys and officers.”
“Only veterans know what it’s like to be a veteran,” said Post 1228 member Joe Stroud. “I mean, the camaraderie that we have, and it doesn’t matter what branch of the service you were in, it's an automatic brotherhood. You really don't understand that unless you’ve been in the military.”
A Hueytown resident, Stroud served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and in the Persian Gulf War. A Chief Petty Officer, he retired with over 20 years of active duty. He serves as a building committee member and flag etiquette program director at Post 1228.
“I'm extremely proud that I'm a veteran, and I like to meet other veterans,” Stroud said. “It’s the camaraderie – being around people that understand what the military's like.”
“Every one of us that are veterans, regardless of the branch of the military we served in, have a bunch of brothers and sisters out there that we want to make sure that we take care of,” said Dave Mosley, a Vance resident who serves as the post’s Vice Commander. Mosley served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-71, serving as a crew chief for F-4 fighters, with several duty posts, including Danang in Vietnam. His last rank was Sgt. E-4.
Mosley said that Post 1228 is available to help when a veteran needs to solve an issue or problem – even if that veteran isn’t a member. For example, the vet may need to get something done at the Veterans Administration. “We’re all about the veterans and their families, so it’s a matter of taking care of both,” he said.
I mean, the camaraderie that we have, and it doesn’t matter what branch of the service you were in, it's an automatic brotherhood. You really don't understand that unless you’ve been in the military.”
—JOE
STROUD, U.S. Navy veteran, American Legion Post 1228 member
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
The members of Post 1228 have continued their service to others beyond their hitches in the military. “A lot of people think when someone is discharged, their time in the service is over, and it’s really not,” Mosley said. For example, members go to the National Veterans Cemetery in Montevallo and place flags twice a year and wreaths on all the graves once a year, he said.
The post helps support such programs as Boy’s State, Girl’s State and Toys for Tots, as well as Garrett’s Place, a non-profit in Bessemer that helps foster children and families. The post is also a member of the Hueytown Chamber. “We do basically every event that the Chamber puts on,” Frye said.
“They are super important to us here,” said Debbie Kiker, Chamber director, citing Post 1228’s support for Chamber events and numerous other causes, adding that “our veterans are invaluable members of our community, bringing a wealth of experience, resilience and dedication.”
Post 1228
members Eric Frye, U.S. Air Force veteran, and Darryl Barry, U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Frye serves as the post’s commander.
In 2024, Frye started a scrap metal program to help support the post’s children and youth programs. “I collect any type of scrap metal, and I put it on Facebook with a little video and a mission statement, and it’s been taking off like wildfire,” Frye said. “The first part of the year, I use the money for our children’s programs, like Boy’s State and Girl’s State, junior leadership camp and American Legion baseball. From June through November, I take whatever we have and spread it between
Toys for Tot’s and Garrett’s Place – our two annual charities that we support every year.”
KEEPING PATRIOTISM ALIVE
One of the most important continuing service projects for the members of Post 1228 involves teaching young people about the importance of patriotism. “It’s a really active post in the community with the children and youth,” Mosley said.
The members of Post 1228 do a flag class each year for the fourth graders at several local schools. They will do the program this year at Hueytown Intermediate School, Concord Elementary School, Oak Grove Elementary and Pleasant Grove Elementary, Frye said. The members of Post 1228 will also take part in the Veterans Day program at Hueytown Intermediate School on Nov. 10, he said.
“We target fourth graders because they’re old enough to retain some of the information and they are willing to learn and they ask a ton of questions,” Mosley said. “It's a lot of fun. We teach them flag etiquette – what the stripes mean, everything about the flag, and how you fold it and how you present it.”
“We also support the Spartan Battalion at Pleasant Grove High School – their Army R.O.T.C. program,” Frye said. “We sit on their promotion board.”
The members are committed to helping keep patriotism alive in America and want to make sure that young people take pride in their country and pride in serving in the military, “These kids are going to be our future leaders,” Frye said.
A “FOREVER HOME”
Post 1228 bought its current building about four years ago from an Alcoholics Anonymous group and is has made numerous improvements to the facility with the goal of opening it to the public for events.
“We’ve been in the process of renovating it and getting it ready to be our forever home,” Frye said. “We have approximately two-thirds of our building done, and we’ve still
The
got one main room left to go, and we’ll be able to open it to the public.”
“I’ve been able to do a little bit of all kinds of construction, so we were able to do a whole bunch of that building ourselves,” Stroud said. “We have a ways to go, and it will take a lot of volunteer work to get there.”
The post also received a grant from the Home Depot Foundation and has submitted a second grant, Frye said.
“We’re going to open it to the public three or four nights a week for events,” Frye said. “We’ll be able to rent it out for parties. We’ll be able to host movie nights. We’ll be able to have, hopefully, bingo – the paper-type bingo where you throw balls and stuff.”
American Legion Post 1228 is located at 217 Nabors Ave. in Hueytown. Find them on Facebook at “American Legion Post 1228, Hueytown, AL, D. W. Segars” For more about the scrap metal program, go to “American Legion Post 1228 Scrap for Vets” on Facebook.
The veterans at Post
educate
people in
area about patriotism and flag etiquette. A simple but touching memorial to the U.S.S. Arizona, which was sunk in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
1228 work hard to
young
the
majority of the members of Post 1228 are veterans of the Vietnam War and have not forgotten their military brothers and sisters who served there.
Hueytown Hometown Heroes
The Hueytown Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors Hueytown Hometown Heroes, a program in which families can honor an active or former service member with a personalized pole banner around City Park for two months each year – in May, for Memorial Day, and in November, for Veterans Day – for a three-year period. The fee is $300. The program has struck a chord because “it gives them a chance to celebrate their own hero from the service,” said Debbie Kiker, Chamber director. “It just touches my heart when I see the banners all around, especially when I see the banners for the veterans who have served and are no longer with us,” Kiker said. For information, call 205-491-7010 or go to hueytownchamber.com.
National Veterans Day Parade
On Nov. 11, the National Veterans Day Foundation in Birmingham will present the 78th National Veterans Day Parade – the oldest and largest in America – in downtown Birmingham. The parade takes place from 1-4:30 p.m. and features military units, school bands and other organizations. Many veterans from West Jefferson County participate.
Other area posts
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, POST 1762, BAILEY ROGERS POST 100 18th St. N., Bessemer 253-304-8799 facebook.com/VFWAuxiliary1762
AMERICAN LEGION, POST 347, BOOKER T. OLIVER POST 5021 Gary Ave., Fairfield 205-781-5244 post347.org
UAB Veterans Day 5K
In its third year, the UAB Veterans Day 5K – hosted by UAB Veterans Services – provides support for student veterans and their dependents for essentials like housing, books and emergency expenses. The event begins at Railroad Park downtown Nov. 8 at 8 a.m., according to UAB News. Runners, walkers, strollers and wheelchair racers are welcome. Registration is open until Nov. 5 at runsignup.com. Fees are $45 for adults; $35 for students; $40 for veterans and active-duty service members; and $20 for the 1-Mile Fun Run. Registration is free for children ages 12 or younger.
AMERICAN LEGION, POST 137 5210 Valley Road, Fairfield 205-788-1432 On Facebook at “American Legion Post 137 Fairfield Alabama”
KELLY INGRAM VFW 1801 11th Ave. N 205-252-2696 vfw668.org facebook.com/kellyingrampost668
Additional resources
The National Veterans Foundation offers lots of information on legal issues, benefits, housing, healthcare and other topics. Go to nvf.org/veteran-resources.
Disabled American Veterans offers assistance with benefits, transportation, employment and other issues. Call 877-426-2838 or go to dav.org/get-help-now.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers information on such topics as disability, healthcare, life insurance, pensions, and education and training. Go to va.gov/resources.
Hueytown High JAG Students Explore Trade Career Pathways
The JAG (Jobs for Alabama's Graduates) students at Hueytown High School recently had two good opportunities to explore their future career options. Some of the JAG students attended the Trade Expo hosted by UAB’s TRIO Educational Opportunity Center. They were able to connect directly with local vendors and employers while exploring a variety of trade career pathways available after high school.
In addition, Jeremiah Perry of the Alabama Workforce Training Center (AWTC) recently presented to the students. Perry discussed the pathways available for students interested in trade skills, career growth and leadership development offered through the AWTC, which is located in Hoover and provides training in the manufacturing and construction industries in Birmingham and Central Alabama. The presentation detailed the opportunities available to Hueytown High students following their graduation.
Janice Rogers as Grand Marshal of McAdory High School
Homecoming Parade
McAdory High School celebrated its homecoming with a parade in September. The Grand Marshal was a familiar face to those in attendance. Janice Rogers, an anchor for WBRC FOX6 News, returned to her alma mater to head up the event and cheer on the Yellowjackets.
Governor Kay Ivey visits
Pleasant Grove Elementary School, inspires students with message of hope and hard work
Pleasant Grove Elementary School recently welcomed a special guest, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who delivered a message that touched hearts and inspired minds. Speaking to a gymnasium filled with students, teachers and community members, Ivey said that success is built on three powerful values: hard work, kindness and respect. Her words resonated far beyond the walls of the school.
“You are the future of Alabama and the future of America,” she told the students, encouraging them to dream big and believe in their potential. The event began as a patriotic assembly and became a celebration of the strength and promise of Pleasant Grove. Ivey’s visit was a proud moment for the school and the city, a reminder that investing in our children is investing in our future.
Hueytown Primary second graders celebrate Fairy Tale and Tall Tale Unit
Hueytown Primary School's second-grade students recently embarked on a magical journey as they celebrated their unit on fairy tales and tall tales. The young learners learned all about the key differences between these two beloved forms of storytelling. To cap off the learning, they had a wonderful time dressing up as their favorite characters, bringing classic heroes, heroines, and larger-than-life figures right into the classrooms. It was a day of fun, learning and imagination.
HHS athletes and cheerleaders volunteer at Concord Elementary
Students and staff at Concord Elementary recently received a double dose of support from Hueytown High School's athletic programs. The HHS varsity cheerleaders and members of the HHS baseball team generously volunteered their time to help out the elementary school.
The baseball team and cheerleaders worked side-by-side helping with the annual Scholastic Book Fair. Their assistance was invaluable in setting up, running and managing the event, ensuring a successful fair for Concord's young readers.
In addition, the HHS Cheerleaders brightened the start of the day by assisting with the busy morning carline duty, greeting students and helping ensure a smooth drop-off. The cheerleaders also reminded students about their upcoming cheer clinic, inviting young Gophers to come learn new skills.
Western Area Events
Nov. 3: Pleasant Grove City Council. 6 p.m. Pleasant Grove City Hall, 501 Park Road. The Pleasant Grove City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-744-1723. cityofpg.com
Nov. 3: Fairfield City Council. 6-8 p.m. Fairfield City Hall, 4701 Gary Ave. The Fairfield City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-788-2492. cityoffairfieldal.org
Nov. 4: Hueytown Board Of Zoning Adjustments. 4:30-5 p.m. City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1318 Hueytown Road.The Board meets the first Tuesday of each month. 205-497-0522. hueytownal.gov
Nov. 4: Bessemer City Council. 6 p.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Nov. 4: Brighton City Council. 6 p.m. Brighton City Hall, 3700 Main Street. The Brighton City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. 205-428-9547.
Nov. 5, 12, 19 & 26: District 8 Walking Group. Birmingham Crossplex, 2331 Bessemer Road. Each Wednesday at 8 a.m., meet at the CrossPlex Starbucks for a coffee and a casual 1.5 mile loop. Walkers of all abilities and speeds are welcome. Sponsored by the Freshwater Land Trust. freshwaterlandtrust.org/get-involved/events
Nov. 6: Jefferson County Commission. 9 a.m. 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Room 270, Birmingham. The Commission meets on the second floor of the County Courthouse downtown in the Commission Chambers. 205-325-5300. jccal.org
Nov. 10: Midfield City Council. 6 p.m. Midfield City Hall, 725 Bessemer Super Highway. The Midfield City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. 205-923-7578. cityofmidfield.com
Nov. 11: Bessemer City Council. 9 a.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. Council planning session on the second Tuesday of each month in the multi-purpose room on the first floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
An international cast will present Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Alabama Theatre on Nov. 16.
BY WIKIMEDIA AND FLICKR USER TERRI_BATEMAN, CC BY 2.0
ADGER / NORTH JOHNS
Kimbrel’s Grocery
North Johns Community Center
ALLIANCE / BIRMINGPORT
Buddy Vines Fish Camp
S&W Red Top Grocery
BESSEMER
Alex Barber & Style Shop
Bessemer Area Chamber
Bessemer City Hall
Bessemer Family Eye Care
Bessemer Hall of History
Bessemer Public Library
Bessemer Recreation Center
Bistro on 19th
Bob Sykes BBQ
Bright Star
Deb’s Hot Dogs
El Comal Mexican Restaurant
First Financial Bank
FMS Pharmacy
Hinkle Pharmacy
Lawson State Community College
Legacy YMCA
Los Sombreros Mexican Restaurant
BESSEMER (CONT.)
Pediatrics West
Roller Motion Skate Center
Simmons Sporting Goods
The Hangar Bar & Grill
Wagon Wheel Deli & Grill
BRIGHTON
Bre’s Gourmet Restaurant
Brighton Community School
CONCORD
Concord Community Center
Hill’s Carpet & Floor Coverings
Buckmaster Property Group - KW
Metro South
HUEYTOWN
American Pride Trophies & Awards
Cinco de Mayo Mexican Grill
Day Dreams Boutique
Fast Pace Urgent Care
First Financial Bank
Food Giant
Highlander Foodland
Hueytown Area Chamber
Hueytown City Hall
HUEYTOWN (CONT.)
Hueytown Hardware
Hueytown Public Library
Pharmacy Xpress
Piggly Wiggly
Speedy’s Mexican
The Leopard Lilly Boutique
Uncle Sam’s BBQ
Venue 3131
Virginia Mines Grocery
Weldon Pharmacy
McCALLA
Chick-fil-A
First Financial Bank
Pediatric Smiles
Pediatrics West
Piggly Wiggly
San Antonio Grill
MIDFIELD
ArchWell Health
MULGA
Mulga Town Hall
OAK GROVE
Warrior River Water Authority
PLEASANT GROVE
Dieguez Smiles Orthodontics
Hill’s Foodland
Jack’s Restaurant
Olipita Mediterranean Grill
Pleasant Grove Public Library
Union State Bank
Val’s Print and Copy Center
ROCK CREEK
All American Metal Components
Rock Creek Pharmacy
SYLVAN SPRINGS
Allstar Diner
Old Southern Feed and Hardware
Sylvan Springs Community Center
Sylvan Springs Town Hall
Events Calendar
Nov. 17: Fairfield City Council. 6-8 p.m. Fairfield City Hall, 4701 Gary Ave. The Fairfield City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-788-2492. cityoffairfieldal.org
Nov. 17: Pleasant Grove City Council. 6 p.m. Pleasant Grove City Hall, 501 Park Road. The Pleasant Grove City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-744-1723. cityofpg.com
Nov. 11: Hueytown City Council. Hueytown City Hall, 1318 Hueytown Road. The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The pre-meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., and the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. 205-491-7010. hueytownal.gov
Nov. 11: Bessemer Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For meeting times, call 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Nov. 15: Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Hueytown Family Recreation Center, 1348 Hueytown Road. Join the Hueytown Arts Council for the second annual Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market and get into the holiday spirit. Shop with local vendors for such items as clothing, jewelry, crafts, candles and soaps. Attendees can also sample sweet holiday treats. hueytownarts.org
Nov. 18: Brighton City Council. 6 p.m. Brighton City Hall, 3700 Main Street. The Brighton City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. 205-428-9547.
Nov. 18: Bessemer City Council. 9 a.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Nov. 18: Bessemer Planning and Zoning Commission. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. For meeting times, call 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Nov. 18: Hueytown Planning & Zoning Commission. 5-6 p.m. City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1318 Hueytown Road. The board meets on the third Tuesday of each month. 205-497-0522. hueytownal.gov
Nov. 20: Jefferson County Commission. 9 a.m. 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Room 270, Birmingham.
PHOTO BY AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox will bring their show to Iron City Nov. 30.
The nation’s oldest Veteran’s Day Parade will take place in downtown Birmingham on Nov. 11.
The Commission meets on the second floor of the County Courthouse downtown in the Commission Chambers. 205-325-5300. jccal.org
Nov. 20: Fairfield City School Board. 6 p.m. Fairfield Board of Education, Gladys T. Coleman Boardroom, 6405 Avenue D. Fairfield. The five-member school board meets on the third Thursday of each month. 205-783-6850. fairfieldschoolsystem.com
Nov. 20-23: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Showtimes vary. Hueytown Community Theatre, 1348 Hueytown Road. The HCT will present a heartwarming, hilarious and familyfriendly holiday play. hueytownarts.org
Nov 24: Midfield City Council. 6 p.m. Midfield City Hall, 725 Bessemer Super Highway. The Midfield City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. 205-923-7578. cityofmidfield.com
Nov. 25: Hueytown City Council. Hueytown City Hall, 1318 Hueytown Road. The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The pre-meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. 205-491-7010. hueytownal.gov
Nov. 25: Bessemer Historic Preservation Commission. 5:30 p.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Historic Preservation Commission, established by city ordinance, helps
identify, protect and preserve Bessemer’s historic properties and districts. The Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. bessemeral.org/bessemer-historic-preservationcommission
Ongoing: Exercise classes. Legacy YMCA, 1501 Fourth Ave S.W., Bessemer. Legacy presents a wide variety of exercise classes for members year round, including swimming, aerobics, aquacise, yoga, cycling, Zumba and Power HITT. Legacy also offers lots of youth sports, camps and health and wellness programs. For details, call 205-426-1211 or go to legacyymca.org
Ongoing: Classes and workshops. Bessemer Public Library, 400 19th St. N. Bessemer. The library presents a wide range of classes, workshops and other activities for children, teens and adults. Adult classes include nutrition, computers and selfpublishing. Activities for children include a toddler playgroup and Pre-K storytimes. 205-428-7882. bessemerlibrary.com
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA USER PASI VÄLKKYNEN
PHOTO FROM HIMALAYAS FACEBOOK PAGE
Joe Williams of Welsh rock band Himalayas, playing Workplay on Nov. 2.
Other Area Events
Oct. 30-Nov. 2: Disney on Ice. Showtimes vary. Legacy Arena. 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Join Mickey and friends for “Mickey’s Search Party,” a magical adventure filled with world-class skating, acrobatics and stunts. Help search for Tinker Bell as you explore the immersive worlds of Disney stories like “Coco,” “Moana” and “Frozen.” 205-458-8400. bjcc.org
Nov. 1-2: Moss Rock Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hoover Met Complex, 5500 Stadium Trace Parkway, Hoover. The annual festival brings a colorful celebration of art and nature featuring local vendors, a beer garden, live music, delicious food and more. 205-595-6306. mossrockfestival.com
Nov. 2: Himalayas. 7 p.m. Workplay, 500 23rd St. S., Birmingham. A rock group from Cardiff, Wales, formed in 2015, Himalayas are a popular indie-rock act in the midst of an American tour to promote their album “Bad Star.” Tickets are $29.35. 205-529-0271. workplay.com
Nov. 5-9: Christmas Village Festival. Times vary. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd. N. Enjoy a festive holiday market featuring handmade crafts, seasonal décor, unique gifts and a cheerful atmosphere perfect for family shopping. christmasvillagefestival.org
Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day Parade. 1 p.m. Downtown Birmingham. This 78th annual event – the nation’s oldest and largest Veteran’s Day parade – will be held on the streets of downtown Birmingham. For more information about the parade, as well as the National Veterans Day Awards Dinner to be held Nov. 10, go to nationalveteransday.org/parade.
Nov. 13: Joan Osbourne & Lisa Loeb. 7 p.m. UAB Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave S. The ASC presents two iconic American singer-songwriters, eight-time Grammy Award nominee Joan Osborne and Grammy Award-winner Lisa Loeb. Osborne is known for her soulful vocals and powerful songwriting. Loeb is known for her introspective songwriting. Tickets are $45, $65, $75 and $105. 205-975-2787. alysstephens.org
Nov. 16: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. 4 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N., Birmingham. Share the joy of Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet with family and friends and enjoy Tchaikovsky's timeless score. The show has an international cast. He It also features puppets and opulent costumes and sets hand crafted by Europe’s finest artisans. 843-272-1111. alabamatheatre.com
Nov. 19: Whose Live Anyway? 7:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N., Birmingham. The current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” are in the midst of their new improv tour. The show features improvised comedy and songs all based on audience suggestions. 843-272-1111. alabamatheatre.com
Nov. 19-22: Market Noel. Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Finley Center, 5500 Stadium Trace Parkway,, Hoover. Don’t miss this festive annual holiday market that features local vendors, unique gifts and family-friendly events, all benefiting the Junior League of Birmingham’s community initiatives. marketnoel.net
Nov. 22: Glow Wild at Birmingham Zoo. Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham. Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo is a dazzling nighttime event featuring massive, glowing lantern displays that light up the zoo with vibrant colors and magical scenes for all ages to enjoy. The event will continue on select nights until Jan. 4, 2026. 205-879-0409. birminghamzoo.com
Nov. 30: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. 8 p.m. Iron City, 513 22nd St. S., Birmingham. The Postmodern Jukebox presents its “Magic, Moonlight & Mistletoe Tour,” bringing a festive, vintage spin on modern hits to Birmingham. A rotating musical collective founded by New York pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011, Postmodern Jukebox is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th-century forms such as swing and jazz. Tickets from $51$205. ironcitybham.com
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA USER MICHAEL STOKES, CC BY 2.0
Singer-songwriter
Joan Osbourne will appear with Lisa Loeb at UAB on Nov. 13.
And Countless More to Come.
One year ago, Baptist Health made our community a promise: to bring a new day in healthcare to Central Alabama, built upon a faith-based foundation. Already, that commitment has meant more advanced care, stronger connections and more ways to keep our community healthy — and our journey together has only begun. Thank you for welcoming us and trusting us with your future. See how far we’ve come at BaptistHealthAL.com
Back
pain holding you back?
Our team of orthopedic specialists are here to help.
Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon Welcoming Jay Fitts, MD
At UAB Medical West, our team of orthopedic specialists are dedicated to helping patients restore mobility and enhance their quality of life. We are committed to bringing quality, stateof-the-art orthopedic care to the residents of West Jefferson County, AL and are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jay Fitts to our team. Dr. Fitts specializes in spine surgery and is now accepting new patients at both our brand new main hospital location and our Hoover location. To schedule an appointment with a UAB Medical West Orthopedic surgeon, call us today at (205) 481-8570. For more information about UAB Medical West and all of our services, visit us online at medicalwesthospital.org.
J. Dory Curtis, MD | Erika Issis-Vasha, PA-C | Patrick Rowan, MD | Scott Seibert, MD | Jay Fitts, MD
