The Trussville Tribune – August 2 - 8, 2023

al members of the Eastern Women’s Committee of Fifty

ACTA Jr. theater campers close out the summer with ‘Mary Poppins Jr.’ this weekend

By Crystal McGough

Editor

TRUSSVILLE – ACTA

Theater is set to wrap up another successful summer of ACTA Jr. theater camps with a full weekend of performances running from Friday,

Trussville resident soon to publish new book

‘Slaying the Giant of Depression’

By Crystal McGough Editor

TRUSSVILLE – Sharon Dickerson had no idea, even as recently as a couple years ago, that her traumatic childhood and lifelong struggles with depression would one

‘Dog Daze’ festival returns to Trussville Mall in September

By Crystal McGough Editor

TRUSSVILLE – Those who have been around the Trussville community for a while will likely remember the widely-popular “Dog Daze” festival held annually at the Historic Trussville Mall off North Chalkville Road. Named after the “dog days” of summer, which according to the Farmer’s Almanac is considered to be a 40-day period of excessive heat lasting from July 3 – Aug. 11, the festival was originally held each year in August.

Though not necessarily the intended purpose of the festival, due to the name, many people would also bring their dogs along with them to enjoy the music, booths, giveaways and other entertainment. There were even plenty of treats and giveaways for the pups.

In July 2012, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the name of the festival, which had been moved from August to May in recent years, would change to Trussville City Fest

beginning in 2013. The location of the event was also moved from the grassy Trussville Mall to stretching all the way down Parkway Drive from Main Street to Cahaba Elementary.

Now, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce has announced they are “Bringing it Back” to “Dog Daze.”

In a statement released on Thursday, July 27, 2023, the chamber not only said the name will be changing back from Trussville City Fest to Trussville Dog Daze, but the

festival will also be moving back to the Mall in Trussville’s Historic District.

“Trussville Dog Daze is a fun, family event … and the admission is free,” the chamber states on their website.

“So much going on including kids’ activities, vendors, food trucks, art walk, cornhole tournament and lots of entertainment. Make plans to visit Dog Daze on September 16, it is a day you will not want to miss!”

Throughout the day, patrons can plan to visit the

Fresh Farmer’s Market at Holy Cross Church, and then head over the the Mall where they will find various booths and vendors, in addition to a wellness area, food court, a car show, and the Bryant Bank Kid’s Area, featuring a foam dance party, balloon animals and face painting, and lots of other family activities.

Fun Source will also provide a Kid’s Zone with rides and inflatables. Tickets and armbands will be available for a minimal cost (cash only). Wristbands will grant access to unlimited rides and the cost will be $25. A portion of all wristbands sold will go back to the Trussville Chamber’s Scholarship fund. Pet Supplies Plus will be holding its annual “Pup Strut” dog show on the stage at the mall. Registration will be the morning of the event at the Cahaba Dog Park tent.

“You and your pup will not want to miss out on being a part of this year’s pup strut,” the chamber website states. “All money raised will benefit this great organization.”

Birmingham-based rock band Telluride to headline ‘Rockin’ For Restoration’ addiction recovery fundraiser at Trussville Entertainment District this Friday

By Crystal McGough Editor

Nationally-

renowned spine surgeon Dr. Daniel C. Kim joins Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center

From The Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center has an-

Foundations 4 Hope to hold annual 5K at Trussville Entertainment District

sitional center in Fayette, Alabama

See ARGO, Page 5

TRUSSVILLE – Paul Davis Restoration and Brown Automotive Repair, along with EXIT Realty, Energy Systems Southeast LLC, and The Trussville Tribune will be sponsoring a concert for a cause on the outdoor stage of the Trussville Entertainment District on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, from 6 – 10 p.m.

Rockin’ For Restoration will be a night of music and entertainment for the community that will also serve as a fundraiser benefitting local addiction recovery nonprofit, the Will Bright Foundation.

Birmingham-based rock band Telluride will headline the concert, following opening acts from local country band Deputy 5 and acoustic duet Karen Dickey and Keith Shannon.

While the concert itself is free, attendees are requested to make a $10 donation to the Will Bright Foundation if

possible, and there will also be opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for prizes. Additionally, guests will have the option to round-up their restaurant tabs, with those proceeds going directly to the Will Bright Foundation.

The Will Bright Foundation, founded by Bill and Lisa Bright in 2014, is a 501(c)(3)

addiction recovery nonprofit that serves in three areas: Offering scholarships to those unable to afford intake fees to recovery centers • Providing next step/transitional living, counseling, job readiness training and placement at the 127-acre Restoration Springs tran-

Extending awareness, legislation and educational information on the Opioid Crisis through their Washington D.C. Coalition Group, Voices for Non-Opioid Choices

By Chase Holmes News Reporter TRUSSVILLE — Foundations 4 Hope is

See BOOK, Page 6 See FOUNDATION, Page 4

According to willbrightfoundation.com, the organization’s mission statement is: “Breaking the barrier to recovery from addiction by bridging the gap between the bubble of recovery and taking that next step, through awareness, education and the provision of transitional living.”

Rockin’ for Restoration is a free public event that will not only provide a fun night out for the community, but help raise funds for the continued good work being done at the Will Bright Foundation and Restoration Springs.

Sponsors for the event include the Paul Davis Restoration, Brown Automotive

See

Page 3

See CONTEST, Page 6

Rockin’ for Restoration 2022 (Photo courtesy of the Will Bright Foundation)

Credit: trussvillechamber.com

L oca L / R egion

Carlee Russell charged with lying to Hoover Police in fraudulent kidnapping

By Chase Holmes News Reporter

HOOVER — Carlee Russell was booked into Hoover City Jail and freed on bond Friday afternoon, July 28. Russell is charged with false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident, both Class A misdemeanors.

Hoover Police Chief Dervis said Carlee was booked into their jail as of noon Friday within “the last hour.”

Chief Nick Derzis said he is disappointed that Russell is only being charged with two misdemeanors and said he will speak to legislators about

Rockin

From front page

Repair, EXIT Realty, Energy Systems Southeast LLC, and The Trussville Tribune.

For more information on this event and the Will Bright Foundation, please visit https://willbrightfoundation. com/event/rockin-for-restoration/

Daze

From front page

Patrons also should be sure to stop by the Central Hub to stay informed and make sure they don’t miss out on any of the exciting activities.

While admission to Dog Daze is free, the chamber said

elevating the level of legal recourse for false reporting.

Attorney General Steve Marshall later took the podium and said his department will “determine whether or not any additional charges need to be brought.” Marshall said it was not uncommon for his office to become involved in similar cases.

Chief Dervis said they have not yet been able to determine where Carlee was while she was reportedly missing.

Asked about next steps, Chief Derzis said that they will work with the attorney general’s office to bring the charges against Russell.

Awards

From front page

recently enjoyed an evening at The Club while celebrating two of the group’s members selected for the 2023 class of Positive Maturity’s annual Top 50 Over 50 Awards.

Judge Virginia Vinson and Realtor Bonnie Hicks, both of Trussville, were honored for their longtime commitments to community service and professional achievement, while consistently seeking and taking advantage of opportunities to make a difference.

A realtor for more than 30 years, Hicks is a past chair of the March of Dimes Walkathon and Save a Life Luncheon. She has participated in 14 charity golf tournaments, financially supported an orphanage in Nicaragua and hosted 80 German students. She is a former member of Blount County Chamber of Commerce, St. Vincent’s Foundation Board, and a current member of Trussville Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Women’s Committee of Fifty, Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club, First Baptist Church Trussville and the Trussville Downtown Merchants Association. Hicks attributes her successful career and positive community involvement to strong Christian beliefs and a commitment to honesty, loyalty and integrity.

Admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1981, Vinson enjoyed a 40-year career as a practicing attorney and a circuit judge in the criminal division of Jefferson County. She also served on legal-related committees and presented at conferences around Alabama and at Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham School of Law and UAB. During her time on the bench, Vinson presided over the first Mental Health Court in Alabama. Her community involvement includes serving as a member and board member of Eastern Women’s Committee of Fifty, St. Vincent’s Foundation, The Women’s Network, UAB’s Pre-Law Advisory Board, Samford University’s Lega-

cy League and the VACCA Advisory Board. A longtime member of Huffman Baptist Church, Vinson served for more than 30 years as a children’s Sunday School teacher.

The Top 50 Over 50 Awards were introduced in 2014 by Positive Maturity to honor individuals over the age of 50 who exemplify what it means to grow older while remaining active, contributing members of the community.

Founded in 1970, Positive Maturity seeks to “enhance the lives of older adults through social services and civic engagement.” For more information, visit www.positivematurity.org.

there will be minimal charges for the kid’s activities, Pet Supplies Plus Pup Strut, and items purchased from vendors. Dog Daze will be held on Sept. 16, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Brown Automotive is the presenting sponsor for Trussville Dog Daze. Other major

sponsors for this year’s festival include Courtesy Buick GMC, Bryant Bank, AmFirst Credit Union, Birmingham Coca-Cola, Ascension St. Vincent’s and Grandview Medical Center/Freestanding ER, Voigt-Abernathy Company, Pet Supplies Plus, Aire Serv, Jefferson Memorial

Funeral Home and Gardens, BBB of Central & South Alabama, and Wilbur’s.

Patrons can help kick off the festival at “Tune Up for Dog Daze” the Saturday before, Sept. 9, at the Trussville Entertainment District from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. There will be free kids’ activities from 6-8

p.m., and The Velcro Pygmies will be performing live on the Trussville Entertainment District stage from 8-10 p.m.

“Come be a part of this great festival,” the chamber stated. “There will be plenty of food, fun, booth vendors, kids’ activities, live entertainment, car show, touch that

truck, pup strut and much, much more! And be sure to pick up one of the official Dog Daze T-shirts with this year’s great design for only $15!” Vendor spots are still available. For more information, visit www.trussvillechamber. com or call the chamber office at (205) 655-7535.

Members of the Eastern Women’s Committee of Fifty attending the 2023 Top 50 Over 50 Awards dinner at The Club are (L-R) Vicki Bailey, honoree Virginia Vinson, Lisa Dole, Wanda McKoy, Susan Conway, Pam Floyd, Janis Braue, and honoree Bonnie Hicks.

Carlee Russell (Hoover Police Department)

Rotary

From front page

Bishop Evans has been with Agape since August 2012, holds a bachelor’s degree in theology/theological studies from Covenant Bible College and Seminary, and is the Rotary Daybreak Club’s contact for a Foundation 4 Hope grant through Rotary International (RI) Services.

The Club is working in collaboration with Kitale Kenya Rotary F4H and AFC toward a goal of providing clean water for West Pokot, Kenya.

“The goal is to write a fiveyear $500,000 grant, which will be aimed at providing clean water in East Africa,” said Diane Poole, Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club.

Foundation 4 Hope will be holding a 5K race in Trussville on Oct. 7, to raise funds for the cause.

“The Rotary International motto is ‘Service above Self,’ and this club lives out this motto by serving the community in many ways,” Poole said. “Proceeds from fundraising events, including the coordination of a golf tournament for 30 years, go toward

the club’s many projects.”

Those projects include leadership opportunities for local high school students,

ribbons at City Hall in recognition of Veterans’ Day, lunch for campers and staff at Smile-a-Mile, trees planted at Civitan Park, and more.

The Club also funded the new clock tower in downtown Trussville, two solar benches at parks in downtown Trussville, benches at the walking track at Cahaba Elementary, and playground equipment

at The Mall in historic Trussville.

The Club meets on Wednesday mornings, at 7 a.m., at First Baptist Church Trussville.

For more information on the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club, or to help with one of their projects, please email Diane Poole at dlpoole1225@gmail.com.

The foundation is raising awareness and funds for clean water in East Africa, which includes the building of water wells.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 10 a.m. The sign-up fee is $35 per runner.

In addition to the run or walk 5K, a ‘Jerry Can Relay’ will also be held. Foundations 4 Hope describes it as a person relay with both men’s teams and women’s teams welcome. Each team will run/walk the 5K with a Jerry can provided by Foundations 4 Hope. The Jerry can will be filled with five gallons of water for men teams and three gallons of water for women teams. Time results end when the last person of each team crosses the finish line. More information on the Jerry Can relay can be found on their website linked below.

Kimberly Muir, Chiefof-Staff for Foundations 4 Hope, said their foundation is about helping those in need while spreading the Christian gospel.

“We are a faith-based non-profit,” Muir said. “One hundred percent of the donations we receive go directly to our projects. None of our donations from the public go to our overhead. It all goes to helping East Africa.”

Foundations 4 Hope was

started in Trussville by longtime business partners who came together for a great cause. “Our co-founders are from Trussville,” Muir said. “They ran a business together for 18 years prior to following the call to run this non-profit.”

Muir said that the foundation doesn’t only build wells but also builds houses of worship and provides medical care while they are working in a village. After their work is done, the facilities created are turned over to the care of the villagers.

“We will go into a village in need of clean water and in need of the gospel,” she said. “We will build a well and a church for the pastor. All of the money from the 5K will go to the well. Our foundation will set up a medical tent while we are there and provide things they don’t have regular access to. After we are done, we give the church over to the village. We do provide them with repairs for the well and discipleship training for the village.”

Runners can sign up at runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Trussville/Foundations4Hope5K. Information about current volunteer opportunities can be found there as well.

For more information about the foundation, please visit https://foundations4hope.org/

Kenyan Pastor Simon, Kenyan Bishop Evans, and Rotary Club President Kristi Marks Bradford, as she presents a small gift to Bishop Evans.

nounced their excitement to welcome Daniel C. Kim, MD, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, to The Spine Center at Andrews Sports Medicine.

Dr. Kim is a highly respected spine specialist who has gained a national reputation for his surgical skill and expertise. In 2022, Dr. Kim was recognized by the North American Spine Society’s (NASS) SpineLine “20 Under 40” list of the top spine surgeons in the country.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Daniel Kim to our team of surgeons,” said Lisa Warren, CEO at Andrews Sports Medicine. “Dr. Kim’s extensive knowledge, skill and research in the field of spine health is a key asset to our practice as we continue to build our reputation as one of the world’s industry-leaders in sports medicine and

Argo

From front page

Fitness, Beverly’s Dance Unlimited of Argo, and The Fifth Element coffee shop. The ribbon cutting will take place at 9 a.m.

Malachi Fanning, GM of Carbon Fitness, said the community has been waiting on this for a long time.

“Everything has been going smoothly,” he said. “We’re on track to open on the fifth, this Saturday. Everybody seems to be loving. They keep telling us Argo has been needing something like this for a long time now.”

Fanning said the grand opening will take place Saturday, Aug. 5, and it will be an evening worth attending.

“With the grand opening, we want to have everybody from the community as well as our members,” he said. “We’re gonna have a food truck and a bouncy house and

stuff like that to bring members of the community in.”

Jessica Tidwell, Choreographer for Beverly’s Dance Unlimited, said she is excited to get going.

“We are very excited to be working with everybody and excited to get going,” she said. “We have been in the business since 1964. Mrs. Beverly has been in the business since she was 16 years old. We are a Christian dance studio so we try and create a space for kids no matter what is going on at home or school they can forget all that

for a while and dance. We try and give them that creative space.”

Trisha Shockley, owner of The Fifth Element, said they are ready to offer their very best to Argo.

“We want to be the absolute best coffee and nutrition bar around,” Shockley said. “Customers can come in and pick their element and we will work until we get it right. We have coffee, protein shakes, smoothies and healthy things, as well as snowballs.”

As for the ribbon cutting, Shockley said snacks and drinks will be available for the ceremony, but they need a few more weeks to get everything ready for customers. The Fifth Element is looking to open the last week of August.

The respective businesses want to welcome everyone to the ribbon cutting ceremony to ring in a new era of businesses in Argo.

orthopaedic patient care, research and education.”

Dr. Kim is deeply committed to providing the most efficient and optimal quality of care for patients using innovative technology. He was the first spine surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama, to offer endoscopic spine surgery –an advanced, state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive surgery designed to provide patients with a quicker recovery and less recurring pain than traditional methods.

“I am thrilled and ready to embark on this new chapter in my career and honored to join the team at Andrews Sports Medicine, a practice that embraces cutting-edge technologies and fosters a collaborative environment,” said Dr. Kim. “Working

ACTA

From front page

Aug. 4 to Sunday, Aug. 6.

In preparation for four shows in three days, the cast and crew of ACTA Jr. have been working hard for two weeks to perfect their presentation of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins Jr.”

“Mary Poppins is a classic,” Director Lynne Long said. “We’re going to have all kinds of fun stuff. We’re going to have kites and magic umbrellas, chimney sweeps. It’s going to be awesome.”

All four performances are already sold out, but ACTA patrons are always encouraged to show up at the door to see if any extra seats come available. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with matinee showings on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Assistant director Jessica Lloyd, who directed “Finding Nemo Jr.” earlier in the summer, said working with the kids throughout these summer camps has been a blessing to her.

“Summer camp has been

alongside a talented team dedicated to optimizing sports medicine and orthopaedic health, I am eager to contribute my expertise to the practice and deliver exceptional patient care.

“I want my patients who drive an hour or more from rural Alabama to receive the same exact quality of care in my office and operating room as they would if they were in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles.”

Dr. Kim has always been fascinated with the intersection between the health care and technology fields. Growing up in Silicon Valley, he became drawn to the innovation technology offered in the surgical field, particularly in spine care. His early exposure traveling and studying

around the country cemented his desire to ensure more efficient and optimal quality care for his patients through the use of evolving technology.

Dr. Kim attended medical school at the University of Kentucky, completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of South Alabama, followed by a spine fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2021, Dr. Kim moved to Birmingham, Alabama to pursue a career in orthopaedic surgery.

Dr. Kim is now accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim, call (205) 939-3699, or visit AndrewsSportsMedicine. com/providers/daniel-c-kimmd

fabulous,” Lloyd said. “These kids at ACTA are incredibly talented. They are amazing.”

ACTA Jr. will resume its PREMIERE and ENCORE

Classes the week of Sept. 11, 2023, with classes ending the week of Nov. 13, 2023. The Students’ Showcase is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023.

ACTA’s PREMIERE class is for students in grades 2-5. This class will meet on Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., and students will learn basics

of theatre, audition preparation, character development and acting skills.

The ENCORE class is for students in grades 6-10. This class will be taught by Alex Wilson Cardwell on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students will learn performance skills, stage presence and character development through short plays, monologues and role play. For more information on ACTA and ACTA Jr., please visit www.actatheater.com

City of Argo Crest

Daniel C. Kim, MD

tion and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Tourism Department. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31, 2023.

The 2024 photo contest will focus on traditional photography techniques and the use of handheld cameras. No cellphone, smartphone, game camera or drone photography will be chosen as winning photos for nine of the 10 categories. Smartphone and tablet photos will be accepted in the Young Photographers category only.

The photo contest is open to state residents and visitors alike, but qualifying photos must have been taken in Alabama in the past two years.

Any amateur photographer not employed by ADCNR is encouraged to enter.

A total of 10 photos per person may be entered in the following categories. Contestants may enter all 10 in one category or spread their photos among several categories.

2023 Outdoor Alabama

Photo Contest Categories

• Alabama State Parks

• Birds Bugs and Butterflies

Cold-blooded Critters

Nature-Based Recreation

Scenic

• Shoots and Roots

• Sweet Home Alabama

• Wildlife

• Young Photographers (ages 17 and under)

First, second, third and one honorable mention will be awarded in each category. Winning images will be featured online and in a traveling exhibit at various venues across the state during 2024.

If your organization or venue is interested in hosting the 2024 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit, please contact Kenny Johnson with ADCNR’s Communications and Marketing Section at kenny.johnson@dcnr.alabama.gov.

An exhibit of the 2023 winning photos is currently on display at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama, until Sept. 1, 2023. To view the complete exhibit schedule, visit www.outdooralabama. com/photo-exhibit.

Art teachers are encouraged to incorporate participation in the Young Photographers category into their art instruction this fall.

For complete 2024 category descriptions and contest rules, visit www.outdooralabama.com/photocontest.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www. outdooralabama.com.

day lead her to not only write a book, but publish that book as a ministry to help others.

Growing up with a biological father who was a drug-dealer and living through other traumas most would be hesitant to admit, Dickerson began suffering with suicidal ideology at an early age, in a time when such things were not so commonplace or easily talked about.

“By the age of 12, I decided if this is all I have to look forward to, I just don’t want to be here anymore,” she said. “Suicide ideation was not quite as common as now, so I was known as the weird kid, the crazy kid. But I was always the productive kid. I kept a job. I did good things, but I don’t think good things followed me, so I just decided I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

After graduating high school and having her first two children, Dickerson decided to go to college and pursue a degree in nursing, a career she has worked in for the last 30 years.

“I kept thinking to myself, if I could just obtain a house, or obtain a car, or travel, that all this would break the cycle of depression,” she said. “Everything I tried to obtain never fixed it.”

At the age of 40, Dickerson got married, had her third child, and had a home to call her own.

“I had everything in life that I could want,” she said. “There was nothing else I could want for, but I was still so sad that I thought if I could just stop breathing for just a few minutes to stop it from hurting, I would be OK.”

One day, while at the park with her youngest child, Dickerson said she had a sudden realization that her depression was spiritual. She called her mom, who along with her stepdad pastors a church in Eastlake, and her mother

agreed that this was, in fact, a matter of spiritual warfare.

“I started reading books on spiritual warfare and, literally, that was the only way I got over (the depression),” Dickerson said. “I stopped saying what the world said –anything that the world would say that didn’t align with the Bible, I stopped saying – and I started repeating what God says about me. I did that when I felt bad; I did that when I felt good. After a while, the depression went away. Some people say it only goes away for a little bit, but it really went away. I’ll still get sad, but I don’t get really depressed.”

Soon, Dickerson said she began to notice other people who were depressed and found herself drawn to helping them, especially while working at the hospital. She would share what she had learned about spiritual warfare and the power of words – and what helped her overcome her own battle with depression – and years later, those same people told

her that it worked for them, too, and that their depression never returned.

“I think the devil has convinced us, even through songs and through music, just to say bad things,” Dickerson said. “Now, it’s even become a thing to be cruel to one another; to say bad things in jest. The Bible says you eat the fruits of your mouth. Your words have power.”

Dickerson soon began to feel that God was calling her to mentor, but she didn’t know where that calling would lead. Eventually, her dad (stepdad), who was working security at Midfield High School at the time, told her the school was interested in starting a mentoring program.

“God has a sense of humor, because not only did I get Midfield High School, but I got the at-risk girls,” she said. “We talked about everything, and it was wonderful. We talked about what they wanted to be in life … how that looks. We talked about suicide ideation. The girls would open

up about molestation. We did code-switching: how you talk on your job verses how you talk to your family.”

When Covid shut down the country, including schools, the mentoring program ended.

At the beginning of this year, however, Dickerson said she felt God was telling her to write a book on how to overcome depression.

“I’m not a writer; I’m a nurse,” she said. “I really didn’t know anything about publishing a book, but I just made it a priority. I’ve finished it and now it’s being published.”

“Slaying the Giant of Depression” was accepted by The Publishing Legends and is expected to be released this fall, most likely sometime within the next six to eight weeks. It will be available through both Barnes and Noble and Amazon, including Kindle.

Dickerson said she’s hoping the book will plant a seed to show someone else how to break free from depression.

“I used to be so mad at God,” she said. “I was like, ‘God, I’m one of the kids that goes to church, and I really try to live.’ I didn’t get it right all the time, but I tried. I really wanted to live, and I couldn’t understand why He would put me through so much stuff.

“I was standing in class mentoring one day and it dawned on me. This is why God allowed me to go through this and come out on the other side. To help someone else.”

If you feel like you or a loved one could benefit from “Slaying the Giant of Depression,” be sure to keep an eye out for the book’s release, as well as for author events Dickerson will host around the community.

If you are feeling suicidal or are worried about someone, contact the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 or visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/suicide/ crisis-numbers.html for additional resources.

2023 Outdoor Alabama photo exhibit at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama (Photo courtesy of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

Sharon Dickerson

o pinion

Alabama leaders need to make state highway safety higher priority next legislative session

By Paul DeMarco

While Alabama lawmakers were in special session this past week, their agenda was set to address only one issue – redistricting. Other important legislation had to wait until the next regular session in February of 2024.

But it is not too early to discuss what legislators should consider next year. Considering the increasing number of drug impaired drivers causing traffic wrecks with serious injuries and fatalities on our state roads, the safety on Alabama state roads and highways should be a top priority. Tragically, a third of all Alabama traffic fatalities are from impaired drivers. And it is not just alcohol, as the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has reported, since 2019 marijuana has surpassed alcohol as the substance found in the majority of impaired drivers.

And with legislators recently legalizing the use of marijuana for some medical conditions there will be more users of the drug on the roads. Whether it is marijuana or alcohol, there are too many dangerous drivers on our public roads. There should be legislation that is debated and passed to address the increase in drug impaired driving to protect the innocent motoring public.

At least 10 states have led the way in addressing the increasing number of marijuana impaired drivers on the public roadways by passing a zero tolerance “per se” law that prohibits a driver operating a motor vehicle with any detectable amount of THC in their system. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Some of those states include Georgia, Oklahoma, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Other states including Illinois and Colorado have put legal limits of THC in the blood much like alcohol related DUI provisions. Over

L ifesty L e

Elder mediation can help families navigate thorny caregiving issues

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any services that you recommend that can help families resolve elder parent caregiving conflicts?

My 86-year-old father was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and to make matters worse, my sister and brother and I have been perpetually arguing about how to handle his future caregiving and financial needs.

Conflicted Siblings

Dear Conflicted, It’s not unusual when adult children disagree with each other regarding the care of an elder parent. If you and your siblings are willing, a good possible solution is to hire an “eldercare mediator” who can help you work through your disagreements peacefully. Here’s how it works.

the years, the state has taken steps to make it harder for those under the influence of alcohol to get behind a wheel and drive.

Alabama lawmakers should now be proactive in giving law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to keep drug impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and thereby enhance public safety for state citizens.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He can be found on Twitter at @Paul_DeMarco

Elder Mediation

While mediators have been used for years to help divorcing couples sort out legal and financial disagreements and avoid court battles, eldercare mediation is a relatively new and specialized service designed to help families resolve disputes that are related to aging parents or other elderly relatives.

Family disagreements over an ill or elderly parent’s caregiving needs, medical care, living arrangements, driving issues, legal and financial decisions are just some of the many issues that an elder care mediator can

help with. But don’t confuse this with family or group therapy. Mediation is only about decision-making, not feelings and emotions.

The job of an elder mediator is to step in as a neutral third party to help ease family tensions, listen to everyone’s concerns, hash out disagreements and misunderstandings, and help your family make decisions that are acceptable to everyone.

Good mediators can also assist your family in identifying experts such as estate-planners, geriatric care managers, or health care or financial professionals who can supply important information for family decision making.

Your family also needs to know that the mediation process is completely confidential and can take anywhere from a few hours to several meetings depending on the complexity of your issues. And if some family members live far away, a conference or video call can be used to bring everyone together.

If you’re interested in hiring a private eldercare mediator, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to more than $500 per hour depending on where you live and who you choose. Or, if available in your area, you may be able to get help through a community-based nonprofit program that offers free or low-cost services by volunteer mediators.

Finding a Mediator

To locate an elder mediator in your area, start by ask-

ing for referrals from health professionals or hospital social workers or search online at The Academy of Professional Family Mediators website (apfmnet.org) or Mediate. com. Both sites have searchable directories.

Or, to search for free/lowcost community-based mediation programs in your state, see the National Association for Community Mediation website (nafcm.org). Unfortunately, not all states offer them.

There is currently no universally accepted credential or professional standard for eldercare mediators, so make sure the person you choose has extensive experience with elder issues that are similar to what your family is dealing with. Also, be sure you ask for references and check them. Most elder mediators are attorneys, social workers, counselors or other professionals who are trained in mediation and conflict resolution.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He can be found on Twitter at @Paul_DeMarco

Recessionary Fears and the Magnificent Seven

By Seth Edgil, Financial Advisor Keystone Financial Group

As a financial firm dedicated to guiding our clients through the ever-changing economic landscape, we have been closely monitoring recent market trends and the performance of the S&P 500 index. While the overall growth of 18.91% in the index this year is promising, it is vital to recognize that economic challenges still loom large, and the threat of a recession persists.

The S&P 500, an index comprising 500 major companies listed on various stock exchanges, has undoubtedly seen positive growth in 2023. However, a deeper analysis reveals a striking disparity in performance among its components. According to market research firm YCharts, the S&P 500 had a total return of -18.11% in 2022, which contrasts with the current year’s significant growth (Source: YCharts, S&P Global).

The market’s current surge has been driven primarily by seven companies—Apple, Tesla, Meta, Alphabet, Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft— that have become known as the “magnificent seven.” Their combined market capitalization now accounts for approximately 26% of the entire S&P 500 index, showcasing the immense weight these companies hold (Source: Yahoo Finance).

Their success can be attributed to their involvement in the transformative field of artificial intelligence (AI). Although AI is a revolutionary technology with great potential, it is still in its infancy, and as with any emerging

technology, investing in AI carries inherent risks for investors.

A concerning trend that has emerged is the phenomenon of overweighting, where institutional money managers heavily concentrate their holdings in the “magnificent seven” stocks to ensure positive fund returns. This overreliance on a single sector can create vulnerabilities and potentially lead to market corrections if investor sentiment changes (Source: Yahoo Finance).

To further highlight the concentrated growth, if we were to remove the performance of the “magnificent seven” from the S&P 500 index, the return becomes relatively flat, with only a -0.8% total return (Source: Yahoo Finance). This reveals that the growth in the index is disproportionately reliant on these select companies while other components struggle to contribute significantly.

As we counsel our clients on protecting their retirement accounts, we emphasize the importance of diversified portfolios. Risk mitigation involves careful consideration of various factors, such as individual time horizons, liquidity needs, and risk tolerances. Diversification can help reduce exposure to the uncertainties of emerging technologies, including AI, while still allowing for potential growth opportunities

(Source: Investopedia).

Looking at the broader economic landscape, we are cautious about the possibility of a recession. Despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to raise interest rates and implement quantitative tightening, challenges persist. While the

Fed’s actions have controlled inflation to some extent, meet-

ing the 2% target remains a challenge

(Source: Federal Reserve). Additionally, geopolitical instability on a glob-

al scale and higher inflation in foreign markets contribute to the uncertainty surrounding economic recovery.

While a soft landing remains a possibility, historical trends reveal the difficulty of raising rates without triggering a recession. Therefore, we advocate for prudent investment decisions and urge our clients to consult with us, their fiduciary financial planners, to ensure their portfolios and financial plans align with their long-term goals.

It is essential to note that past performance of the index does not guarantee future results. As we navigate these uncertain economic waters, we must rely on informed decision-making based on facts and personalized financial planning. Our commitment to comprehensive financial strategies ensures that our clients can face potential economic challenges with resilience and confidence, safeguarding their financial future.

Seth J. Edgil and David Guttery offer products and services using the following business names: Keystone Financial Group– insurance and financial services | Ameritas Investment Company, LLC (AIC), Member FINRA/SIPC – securities and investments | Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC (AAS) –investment advisory services. AIC and AAS are not affiliated with Keystone Financial Group. Information is gathered from sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Data provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment product.

Seth Edgil, Financial Advisor – Keystone Financial Group

Potential record shark highlights 90th ADSFR

By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

What better way to start Shark Week than to see a potential state record tiger shark weighed in at last weekend’s 90th annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo at Dauphin Island.

Brett Rutledge brought a huge tiger shark to the scales on the first day of the rodeo, and the scales registered 1,019 pounds, eclipsing the current record of 988.5 pounds caught by Larry Eberly in 1990.

Almost as excited as Rutledge after the record-breaking weight was called was Dr. Marcus Drymon, assistant rodeo judge and professor at Mississippi State University, who was thrilled with the opportunity to examine the species. Drymon is considered an expert on this shark species that inhabits the Gulf of Mexico, and he has a team of researchers ready to collect data from any shark weighed in at the rodeo, which had separate categories for tiger sharks and bull sharks, both managed by NOAA Fisheries. In addition to Rutledge’s shark, Eric Van Driessche weighed in a 656.4-pound tiger, and Cody Crumbley landed a 601.5-pounder. In the bull shark category, Conner Blake weighed in a 354-pounder, followed by Chris Phelps at 330.5 pounds and Nicholas Jordan at 207 pounds.

“My team is taking samples, specifically vertebrae, which is what we use to tell how old these sharks are,” Drymon said. “When we do age-based stock assessments, the age structure of the population is critical. So, when we are able to perform research on these large individuals, it’s good for us to be able to determine the health of the stock.

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“But we will also take a host of other samples, like fin clips, muscle tissue and biopsies from the liver and spleen. We will look at stomach contents. Every sample that can possibly be used will be taken from these fish.”

Many anglers are reporting more shark encounters offshore when fishing for reef fish or trolling for big game species. The sharks are preying on the hooked fish, and anglers are reeling

in half-eaten target species. Drymon said it depends on how you look at it when it comes to shark populations.

“To me, it’s a perception issue,” he said. “Are there more sharks in the water than 10 years ago? The answer is yes. The more important question to me is are there more sharks in the water than 40 or 50 years ago? The answer is no. It’s what scientists call a shifting baseline. The farther we get removed

from a virgin biomass of a population, the less accurate we remember what that population originally looked like.

“As these sharks were overfished in the 70s and 80s, their populations really plummeted. The populations are recovering now, which is a blessing. But many of the species have still not reached their target rebuilding goals.”

Drymon said one example of a shark species that has been protected from harvest in recent years because of perceived low populations is the sandbar shark, which is one of the ridgeback species with a raised ridge of skin from the dorsal fin down its back. The dorsal fin is also very large and located closer to the nose than the tail.

“Everybody says there are a lot more sandbar sharks than 10 years ago, and that is the case,” he said. “That species has been under a harvest moratorium for many years. As a result, populations have increased. That’s really good. It’s now time for the next round of stock assessments of sandbar sharks to assess what that population is and if harvest of that population can resume. It’s important to remember that the goal of NOAA Fisheries is to maximize harvest of a population while ensuring its sustainable production.”

Although the great hammerhead shark was not a category in this year’s rodeo, Drymon was able to gain a great deal of data on a 14foot hammerhead that was found on the shore at Orange Beach earlier this year.

“A large female, gravid (pregnant), was found washed up on the beach,” Drymon said. “The folks

See OUTDOORS, Page 10

The team of Brett Rutledge, David Rogers, Derrick Rogers, Connor Blake and Joey Spiers weighed in a 1,019-pound tiger shark at last weekend's rodeo. Photo courtesy of ADSFR

From

there were nice enough to give us a call and see if we could make use of a sample like that, which of course we can.”

After Drymon and his team performed the necropsy, the hammerhead had 40 almost identical pups about 18 inches long.

“It’s unusual for us to see a female that is that big and gravid,” he said. “It’s incredible to see a female that size with that many pups. It’s an animal that we rarely have access to, so even basic information like how many pups can a gravid female have, that information is really, really useful. The size of those pups compared to the smallest free-swimming shark that we know of gives us valuable information when we go to assess the status of that shark population.”

The team examined, in

detail, the adult’s heart, liver, esophagus, stomach, scroll valve, spleen, kidneys and pancreas. None of the organs exhibited any signs of trauma or had abnormal lesions or unusual parasites. Muscle tissue from the adult was removed, which can be helpful in determining feeding habits as well as heavy metal and/or microplastic contamination.

“By process of elimination, the most likely cause of death was an interaction with a fisherman, either commercial or recreational,” Drymon said. “The reason we say that is we know hammerheads, specifically great hammerheads, have what we call a high post-release mortality. Even if you catch that fish and let it go and it swims off, there’s a pretty good chance it’s not going to make it. It has to do with their physiology, the size of their gills, blood chemistry, things like that. Inherently, they’re a vulnerable species

to capture stress.”

Finally, several fin clips were removed from the adult and the pups. The DNA extracted from the adult fin clips will be used in a current study examining genetic population structure, including the number of breeding individuals in the population.

Because the broods of many shark species are sired by more than one male, the fin clips from the pups will be used to determine relatedness of the siblings.

A video surfaced on social media earlier this year of a hammerhead in shallow water near the beach in the Florida Panhandle. Drymon said the likely scenario was the hammerhead was preying on a stingray.

“We know that hammerheads love to eat stingrays,” he said. “We suspect that one of the reasons they’ve evolved that head shape is because of that predator-prey interaction. Of course, stingrays are found in shallow coastal areas, so it’s not unusual for a hammerhead to be near the beach, swimming around, looking for a stingray.

“Seeing one like that is really special. My advice is to get out of the water and take pictures. Enjoy that like you would in a national park when you see a black bear from a distance. Hammerheads are one of nature’s fantastic animals. If you get to see one alive, that’s a healthy ecosystem.”

Dr. Marcus Drymon points out sensory organs on the snout of a tiger shark used to detect electrical fields.

Photo by David Rainer

The serrated teeth with notches help the tiger shark slice apart its prey.

Photo by David Rainer

c a L enda R

SSG Michael W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 7257 Old Springville Road, Pinson, AL.

Post Service Officer on Duty

every Monday, 1 – 5 PM.

Meets the second Monday of each month at the Clay Community Center on Old Palmerdale Road at 6 PM. Call 205-317-0948 for information.

M. W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 will be at Trussville City Fest 16 September 2023. Come join us and visit with fellow Veterans and share your experiences.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Thursday, August 03: 1:00pm - 6:00pm Trussville Public LibraryLBK Auditorium

Donna Washington

Friday, August 04: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Trussville Public LibraryLBK Auditorium

Every unit we donate at our blood drive can help save up to three lives.

If you are able, please consider donating with us! https://www.redcrossblood. org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=TrussvilleLib

Teens can give at the age of 16 with a parental consent form, 17 with out a consent form. For more information about teen donation: https:// www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/ info-for-student-donors. html.

If you have never donated before and are nervous to try it we totally understand. Some answers to concerns may be found here: https:// www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/ common-concerns.html

Yarn Manglers - Knit & crochet group

Thursday, August 03: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Monday, August 07: 9:30am - 10:30am Trussville Public LibraryCahaba Room

Join us for a night of stories with Donna Washington. She will share a wide range of fairytales & folktales as well as and a large selection of personal narratives and original stories.

Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple award-winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author.

A highly animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics, elastic face, and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over thirty years.

Donna has been called a “Walking Disney Movie”, and told she was “better than television”.

Meditation with Anita

Theart

Monday, August 07: 9:30am - 10:30am

Trussville Public LibraryLBK Auditorium

health to financial security. As we get older, we typically shift our focus from how long we will live to how well we live. For some people this causes them to start considering how they connect their financial retirement plan with a health and wellness plan to maximize quality of life. At M3 we have created a platform to help clients do just that. Join us this six week series as we unpack our five pillars of health and wellness. We will help you develop your personalized plan to move well, live well and do amazing things.

Tech Tuesdays

Tue Aug 8th 10:00am12:00pm Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson, AL 35126

HEALTH/BEAUTY

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THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.

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Burial Plots for Sale: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCA-

TION! Four burial plots for sale at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Plots are located in the highly coveted Twin Addition Garden. The neighborhood is super quiet! If purchased from Jefferson Memorial plots are $4,095.00 each. Will sell for $3,275.00 each OBO. Seller will pay transfer fees. Call today! (205)229-8756

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-809-9165. Ask about our specials!

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-683-2005

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home

Knit & crochet meetup group (aka The Yarn Manglers). Bring any projects you are working on; join us for fellowship and creativity. This is a great way to check in, catch up, see what everyone is working on, and get help if you are stuck. Please join us - newcomers are welcome! Join our Facebook group: YARN MANGLERS ANONYMOUS

Breath work and Meditation class for beginners with Anita Theart. This will be a six week series with the overall intention to offer the beginner the tools and inspiration to practice. Each class will be building on the previous one. We will be using breath work to set the foundation for meditative practice. Appropriate breath awareness is the doorway to the inner. Regular breath practice creates respiratory fitness, lowers heart rate and blood pressure and increases vitality. Appropriate practice consistently over a long period of time expands the breath capacity and reduces the stress response to life. Participants will sit in chairs; no equipment is necessary.

This class will be taught by Anita Theart, Yoga Therapist, Holistic Wellness practitioner, Meditation teacher. More about Anita: https:// atholisticwellness.com/

Wellness: Five Pillars to Living your Best Life6-part series

Monday, August 07: 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Trussville Public LibraryLBK Auditorium

Strive towards a healthier lifestyle in this 6-part series led by Kendell Jno-Finn of M3Endeavors (https://m3endeavors.com/). He will share his commitment to helping us move well, live well and do amazing things! Quality of life has many aspects from

(Adults)

Need help with your tablet, smartphone, or computer?

Mr. Keith is here to help!

Drop in on Tuesday, August 8th from 10 AM to 12 PM for helpful tech tips & tricks, Please bring your device with you if you are able to do so. No registration is required.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Meeting

Tue Aug 8th 6:00pm7:00pm

Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson, AL 35126

& Families! To learn more, call 866-4751014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

ready so very spoiled! Socks would love for you to please consider making a donation to Kitty Kat Haven through their Amazon Wish-

2 Burial Plots - Jefferson Memorial Gardens located in the Garden of Love section. List price is $3795 per plot asking $3000 per and $5800 for both. Contact John Chisholm at 205500-3101

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(Teens, 6th-12th graders)

Want to help make decisions about teen events at the library? Interested in volunteering at the library? Join our Teen Advisory Board (TAB)! TAB is open to 6th12th grade students. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 8th at 6 PM. Want to join TAB? Find out more info here: http://www. pinsonlibrary.com/tab

Happy Birthday, Socks!

Thu Aug 10th 4:00pm5:00pm Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson, AL 35126

(All ages)

Help us celebrate as Socks turns eight years old on Thursday, August 10th! Stop in anytime between 4 to 5 PM. You don’t have to bring a present for Socks, he is al-

o bitua R y

Bobbie Faye Hallmark

february 24, 1931 — july 19, 2023

Bobbie Faye Hallmark, age 92, of Birmingham, AL passed away on July 19, 2023. Bobbie was born on February 24, 1931. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard Hallmark; sister, Dorothy Gast; son-in-law, Michael Wood.

Bobbie is survived by her daughter, Pamela Wood; sons, Mark (Cheryl) Hallmark and Eric (Lisa) Hallmark; grandchildren, Jennifer, Sallie, Luke (Julie), Linley Roberts (Andrew), Tucker, Evan, Payton, and Jill Tatum (Taylor). She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren.

Bobbie was a member of Riverchase Baptist Church. Bobbie’s best memories were through her love of golf and all the wonderful friends she made along the way. She was an avid golfer throughout the state of Alabama where she was active in the Women’s Alabama Golf Association and junior girls’ golf programs. She was a past member of Riverchase Country Club where she held the ladies golf club championship for seventeen years and won the Ladies Birmingham Golf Association championship two years in a row.

The family received friends on Tuesday, July 25 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a service in her honor immediately following at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.

Rebecca Vann Woo

october 1, 1951 — july 21, 2023

Rebecca Vann Woo, age 71, of Trussville, passed away on July 21, 2023. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Donald B. Vann and Virginia Lee Vann, affectionately known as Buddaddy and Gigi. She graduated from Tarrant High School in 1970 and was then employed at South Central Bell for thirteen years before she began raising her family.

Becky was blessed with three children – Hilary (Taylor Self), Jordan (Michelle) and Amelia. She was the very proud BeckBeck of Watson, Liam, Evelyn, J.T., and Cole. Becky is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Burrell and nephew, Matthew Vann Burrell. Becky loved plants, antiques, birds and was an avid researcher of many things. Becky will be remembered on Thursday, July 27, 2023 with a private graveside ceremony followed by a visitation for friends and family at Wilson Chapel United Methodist Church in Roebuck Springs from 1:00-3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trussville Young Life, P.O. Box 345, Trussville, Alabama 35173 or to Wilson Chapel UMC, 412 Cumberland Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35206.

Meghann Laney

october 16, 1983 — july 25, 2023

Meghann Cook Laney, age 39 passed away on Tuesday July 25, 2023. She was preceded in death by her mother Beth Burroughs Cook. Meg was an avid lover of Art and was a graduate from the Birmingham Southern Art program. She enjoyed painting and creating beautiful pieces of Art for others to enjoy, she also had a talented eye for decorating homes and creating new environments for her clients. Music was always a huge part of her life and she enjoyed many types of music, but her very favorite group was the Beatles. Meg was an advocate for individuals with special needs and spent countless hours working to better the lives of others less fortunate.

Meg was also an Alabama football fan and huge lover of all animals and her favorite of all was her beloved Yorkie (Blanche). Survivors include her devoted father Perry Hugh (Elaine) Cook, her two sisters Cindy Claire Cook and Caroline (Kevin) Stone, her brother Ryan Cook, her two nieces Claire Stone and Margaret Stone, and one nephew David Stone. She is also survived by numerous extended family members and a host of friends. The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Foundry Women’s Ministry or to the Celebrate Recovery Ministry at the First Methodist Church in Trussville, Al.

AskEddie

Jefferson Memorial is a full-service funeral home and perpetual care cemetery dedicated to serving our community with dignity and compassion.

We Make it Personal® , one family at a time.

Eddie

General Manager

What Exactly Does a Funeral Director Do?

A funeral director’s job is to arrange all aspects of your loved one’s service in a way that honors your loved one’s legacy, but there are many other things that a funeral director will take care of for you in addition to simply planning the service.

A funeral director is there to listen and comfort families during the start of their grief journey.

A funeral director will arrange for transportation of the deceased if necessary. Funeral directors know whom to contact to help transport your loved one as well as what paperwork is involved.

If you choose to have a burial, your funeral director will prepare the body of your loved one for viewing and burial. They will also aide with the necessary legal paperwork and be present at the burial, as required by law.

Please Scan for the Full Article!

Abbie Speer

november 9, 1956 — july 21, 2023

Abbie Renae Pannell Speer, 66, of Ashville, AL, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Abbie was born November 9, 1956, to Howard and Pat Pannell, and she grew up in Trussville. She graduated from Hewitt Trussville High School in 1975. She worked in the dental field for the majority of her life making dentures and partials. She loved horses and all things Native American. She collected turquoise and loved showing off her jewelry whenever she got a chance. She loved camping, boating and fishing, although her health made it difficult to do these activities in these last several years. She was so happy being around her grandchildren.

Abbie was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Howard Pannell; Jack Speer, the father of Neal and Ashley; and her granddaughter, Macee Jo Armstrong.

She is survived by her mother, Pat Pannell Harding (Edwin “Bill”); sons James “Neal” Speer Jr. (Tracie); Austin Lazar, and daughter Ashley Armstrong; loving grandchildren, Peyton and Nealey Armstrong, Sadie Speer, Gavin Lazar, and Elijah Chamblee; her sisters Rhonda (Gary) Piper, Gayle (William) Lopez, and Julie Sadler; her brothers Tom Pannell, and Kenny (Linda) Pannell; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at Jefferson Memorial funeral home on Thursday, July 27. Family visitation at 10:30; other relatives and friends visitation at 11:00; with service starting at 12:00 in the Chapel. Burial to follow in the cemetery.

Bartley “Allen” Moore

october 12, 1942 — july 21, 2023

Bartley Allen Moore, age 80, of Margaret, AL, went to spend eternity in Heaven on July 21st of 2023. Allen, better known as Granddaddy to his family, was born on October 12, 1942, to Joe & Marjorie Moore of Birmingham, AL. He grew up in Birmingham, AL, graduating from Woodlawn High School Class of ‘61, where he sang with The Warblers Club. He is an Eagle Scout recipient with the Boy Scouts of America. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1968 and was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego, CA. He met his wife, Ivadean Herndon at Livingston University where he graduated from in 1969. They married on August 30, 1969, and have two daughters. For 30 years, his family was a part of the National Campers & Hikers Association and was a member of “TNT” Campers of Birmingham, AL.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ivadean Herndon Moore; his daughters, Jennifer (Max) Bender and Angela (Rob) Gwin; his grandchildren, Rebecca Bender, Hallie Bender, Madison Gwin, and Annie Kate Gwin; his sister Robin (Tom) Daughtery, brother-in-law John Herndon, sister-in-law Nena Hall and sister-in-law Grace Herndon and many nieces and nephews. He loved all his family so much and he will be missed tremendously.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Marjorie Moore and brother, Bill Moore.

Special thanks to Compassus Hospice Services and Touching Hearts at Home giving our family such amazing care.

The family received friends on Wednesday, July 26th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home with a graveside in his honor immediately following at Jefferson Memorial Gardens.

Bobbie “Joyce” Davis

august 26, 1943

—

july 24, 2023

Bobbie “Joyce” Davis, age 79, of Pinson died on July 24, 2023. She was born in Jasper and lived in Oakman, Alabama. She later moved to the Birmingham area and graduated from Woodlawn High School.

Joyce spent most of her career in the transportation sales industry and is retired from AAA Cooper.

Joyce is predeceased by her parents, James Robert Christian and Lillian Hutchens Pope (JD). She is survived by her daughter, Denise Ferrell Chaney (Ken) of Pinson, God-daughter, Jennifer Glenn of Wedowee and grandchildren Austin Davis and Trista Davis. Joyce was blessed with many relatives and friends throughout her life and she worked hard to try to live by the values instilled in her at an early age by her grandparents, Luther and Reydonia.

Working in her flower garden was Joyce’s favorite hobby and she loved spending time with and being a mom to her pets.

Funeral services for Joyce were held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 12 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. Visitation was held in the Chapel with a funeral from 11 AM and services following at 12 PM. Joyce was laid to rest next to her mother, Lillian Pope, in the Garden of the Good Shepherd at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Pastor Jeremy Auvil, ClearBranch Methodist Church, will be officiating the service. Pall bearers: Bo Walker, Austin Davis, Dale Hutchens, Wallace Hutchens, Keith Norsworthy and Hoyt Sanders. Honorary pall bearer will be Jennifer Glenn.

Janet Collins

may 19, 1943 — july 26, 2023

Janet Collins Passed away July 26 at her home, Ms. Collins was a lifelong resident of Tarrant City where she raised her 3 boys and 1 daughter.

Ms. Collins was proceeded in death by her Father Foy E. Smith, Mother Mable Smith, brother Terry Smith, sons Alan Collins & Gerald Collins. Survivors include daughter Susan Collins (Mike Maddox) Fiancé of Cullman, son Jeff Collins (Christi) of Springville, 4 grandchildren, Andrew, Sophia, Cooper & Cason.

There will be a graveside Memorial Service honoring Ms. Collins on Thursday August 3 at 10 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Trussville, Mark Ryan will officiate the service.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to her caregivers Latonia Fluker, Christy Stinson, Jaylah McCadory & Yvonne Hardy. Special thanks to Hope Hospice for all their support.

205-322-0543

1591 Gadsden Hwy Birmingham, AL 35235

If you have any questions about funeral planning please email: askeddie@jmgardens.com

Seal,

Shades Valley’s Richardson returns to alma mater as Defensive Coordinator

By John Goolsby

For the Tribune

IRONDALE – The 2023

Shades Valley football team will have a former Mountie coordinating the defense this fall.

Richard Richardson, a 1987 graduate, returns for his second stint at Shades Valley and with Head Coach Rueben Nelson. Richardson‘s path back to Shades Valley has been an interesting one. It has taken him to the

U.S. Navy, Laney Community College in California, Cal-Berkeley, coaching high school, college, and pro football, to the business world, and founding, running, and coaching a prep school sports academy.

“Things are going well at Shades Valley, Richardson said. “I’ve only been back here since May so I’m trying to get acclimated.”

“I haven’t coached high school ball in seven years, but it is all the same.”

Richardson has had great

success the last seven years.

He has directed and coached the Birmingham Sports Academy, a postgraduate sports program. to seven consecutive championship games.

“I was very interested in returning to Shades Valley because, number one, it is my alma mater, and there is a need,” he said. Number two, after going to the championship game seven years in a row, I needed a new challenge.” Richardson will continue to coach the Birmingham

Sports Academy team in the mornings, and they will play their games on Sundays.

When Richard Richardson stepped off the football field in Mountie Stadium on November 7, 1986, he thought his playing days were over. Little did he know that almost a decade later, he would be playing on the west coast as a University of California Golden Bear.

Irondale’s Richardson was an extremely talented and explosive player at Shades Valley. He played running back,

wide receiver, and defensive back for the Mounties.

Richardson was a big-play threat for the Mounties whenever he touched the ball. He scored touchdowns in every way possible: kick returns, interception returns, pass receptions, and rushing. Richardson was named All-County and All-Over the Mountain

at the end of the 1986 season. Richardson was an integral part of the 1986 team that won a region championship for the first time since 1983 and brought the Mounties back to their winning ways after two losing seasons. Shades Valley’s resurgent

See RICHARDSON, Page 16

Shades Valley Alum and current Defensive Coordinator for the Mounties, Richard Richardson. Photo by: Richard Richardson

Richard Richardson from his playing days at Shades Valley.

Photo by: Richard Richardson

Shades Valley’s Richard Richardson during his collegiate playing days.

Photo by: Richard Richardson

By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor

SPRINGVILLE

– Recently, there has been a good bit of talk in the main stream, about small towns. In the Trussville Tribune coverage area, we have several small towns and one of those is Springville, Alabama. In a small town, you have your seasons. Fall is all about Friday night lights and football with volleyball mixed in. Winter into early spring means two or three nights per week in the gym for basketball games. Spring into early summer means ballpark days and nights with baseball and softball paired with soccer. However, in Springville, there is another sport that not many folks may think about when they think about a small town. That sport is tennis.

“When you say tennis in a small town, if you go back 30 years, you could be talking about Trussville,” said Springville’s Tennis Liaison Carol Edwards. “We did this in Trussville. I taught at Hewitt and Clay Chalkville. We only had a couple of courts. It was hard to convince the board to get more courts because people weren’t playing at the mall courts because there was no restroom. We kept working and we got the rquet club. I coached junior high tennis. We moved to Springville about 25 years ago. We had 2 broken down courts and a ball field. The mayor said there was no hope of getting new courts. Richard Harvey had some children who played for Springville and he did the most to get our current courts.”

In June, the Springville Parks and Recreation team hosted the very first events as a club and they were very successful. In June, they began with “Ready to Learn,” a program sanctioned by United States Tennis Association (UTSA). The idea behind this

Tennis is big in…Springville?

program was to help beginners learn the basics of tennis. The 35 participants (the largest group in the state of Alabama) enjoyed more than four hours of instruction with a UTSA pro. You may not know it, but there are many pros in Springville. The pros present at this first event were Meridith Land, Carol Edwards, Paul Bauman, Ken Lambert, Annah Hall, Brian Harbison, and Conner Calhoun. They taught the basics of ground strokes, volleys, and serves; and by the end of the 4-week event, players were able to play a full set.

After the first event, players were given the opportunity to sign up for the second level of Ready, Set Tennis.

The name of this level was Set To Play. 18 of the 35 previous participants continued to this level. They were able to have another four hours of instructions with a USTA Pro. This time consisted of game play and coaching opportunities. During this time, the players made great strides in their tennis game and were able to rally by the end of the 8 hours clinics.

Springville Parks and Recreation Director Rick Hopkins said, “What has really helped us is creating a tennis committee. We formed it 6 months ago and things really went quickly from there. We had people sign up and we have incredible people in the community. Our relationship with USTA has really helped us with the Ready, Set, Tennis program. We are really trying to create stakeholders in the community and move this thing forward. We have a waiting list now. Our numbers are the largest they’ve had so far for this program. This past Tuesday we had our junior clinic and we are at maximum capacity. Our courts have been full. We hope to continue to grow the tennis program. We are excit-

1.1 BID INFORMATION

ed to see an alternative sport that is not one of the common sports in our area grow like it is.”

“Rick has been super supportive as far as building our tennis program,” said Edwards. “In May, he got a tennis committee together. Just people who wanted to know why we didn’t have courts. We first did Ready, Set, Tennis. It was a big success. There were people

who wanted to play tennis but didn’t have a program. It turns out there are lots of people in this area and surrounding areas, who like the idea. At the end of May, we spoke with Jerrie Ciza Burns, director of USTA Alabama. She mentioned a Memorial Day coaches’ clinic. I had experience at the high school level but not with kids. We went to this clinic and learned a lot. We started our red ball and

SECTION 001116 INVITATION TO BID

A. Project: UV Disinfection for Springville Lagoon

B. Owner: City of Springville

C. Engineer: Canyon Engineering, LLC

1.2 ANNOUNCEMENT

orange ball clinics. Red ball is for ages 6-8 and orange ball 9–11-year-olds. One ball has less pressure than the other. USTA wrote a grant and gave us racquets and balls and throw down lines. Red ball was first and then orange ball. We meet on Tuesdays. We’ve had 38-40 kids sign up total. After 2 clinics, they are wanting to bring friends and we want that. I have some outstanding help. Volunteers

are Annah Hall, Sarah Colby, Mallory Knowles, Conner Calhoun, Wayne Edwards (Carol’s husband) helping us out. We’ve had outstanding help from volunteers who have helped teach. Next, we are going to have a middle school clinic that we hope will be free. The main thing is, we have backing from the city government and help from Rick Hopkins and he is really pushing and supporting it. That is how you have tennis in a small town. We owe a lot Jerrie Ciza Burns is executive director of USTA Alabama. Gave grant to buy raquets and balls and throw down lines. Children’s tennis today – take a 6-year-old and put in Yankee Stadium and tell him to play. We expect them to have adult equipment which makes no sense. But we’ve been able to create courts and equipment opportunities for them, thanks to the UTSA and that grant.”

In addition to these events, there were also Red Ball Clinics. These clinics were for 6 – 11-year-old kids interested in playing tennis. They were able to be coached by Carol Edwards, Conner Calhoun, Anna Hall and the Springville High School tennis team. The teachers taught the basics of tennis with age-appropriate equipment and smaller courts. The kids enjoyed games like ‘Simon Says’, Egg Drop Soup’, and ‘Walk the Dog’ while learning about showing respect to teammates and friends. These clinics focus on both the physical and behavioral aspect, specifically the R.E.S.T (respect, effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork) method. This was done during breaks before and after the events.

Remaining camps available are on July 25th, August 1st, and August 8th with 6-8-year-olds playing at 4:30 pm and 9-11-year-olds at 5:30 pm.

A. Your firm is invited to submit a sealed Bid for the project listed above. The owner will receive Bids at the Springville City Hall, located at 160 Walker Drive, Springville, Alabama, 35146, until 2:00 PM local time on the 29th day of August 2023, at which time and place the Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids not received by the indicated time will not be opened.

B. Project Description: Construction of a new 1.5 MGD Ultraviolet Disinfection Reactor, simplex feed pump, control panel, exposed ductile iron piping, flow meter, electrical service, and related appurtenances.

C. Owner requires the Project to be completed in 240 calendar days st

D. Bidding Documents for a Unit Price contract may be obtained from the office of the Canyon Engineering, LLC, 404 1 Street E., Fort Payne, Alabama, 35967. Electronic copies will be a free download to all potential bidders. Paper sets are available upon receipt of a $100.00 non- refundable amount per set.

E. Potential bidders may view the Bid Documents at the office of the Canyon Engineering by appointment only

F Bidders will be required to provide Bid security according to the requirements in Document 002113 - Instructions to Bidders and Document 003100 - Available Project Information.

G. Refer to other Bidding requirements as described in Document 002113 - Instructions to Bidders and Document 003100Available Project Information.

H. Submit your Bid on the Bid Form provided. Bidders are required to submit the bid form, bid bond, and the E-Verify documents at the time of the bid. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, the bidder's General Contractor's license number, the project name, and bid date. Bidders are asked not to submit the full contract documents and specifications book at the time of the bid.

I. Bidders must carry the Municipal and Utility construction classification as listed in the roster of the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors to be considered for the award of the project.

J. Your Bid will be required to be submitted under a condition of irrevocability for a period of 60 calendar days after submission.

K. Owner reserves the right to waive irregularities and to accept or reject any or all Bids.

Members of the Springville Tennis Committee pictured from left to right: Meredith Vinson, Rick Hopkins, Keith Wilson, Meg Edwards, Ken Lambert, Jerrie Burns, William Fain, Anna Hall, Kimberly Martin, Carol Edwards Photo by: Springville Tennis Committee

Fall Football Preview: Moody Blue Devils

By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor

MOODY – In 2022, the Moody Blue Devils experienced a record-breaking year in many ways. One thing that changed on and off the field was attitude. With Jake Ganus and his staff, the Blue Devils no longer go into games hoping to win. They go into their games knowing that they can win and expecting to do so. They have adopted the “411 Boys” name and it is branded all over the school and the city. All sports teams have caught onto the “411 Boys/ Girls” name and the attitude and expectation that comes with it. Most sports, boys and girls, made it to the playoffs in 2022. Not only is the excitement and the name contagious, but the winning ways have caught fire on 411 as well.

In his sophomore season at the helm, Jake Ganus looks to build on what he and his staff started last year. It will not be easy, however. Replacing names like Davion Dozier, Cole McCarty, Mason Myers, Carson Dillashaw and Kolby Seymour will certainly have its challenges, but the “next man up” attitude is part of the fabric of the 411 Boys football team.

“We’ve had a really good summer,” said Coach Ganus. “It’s about an 8-week program. Our strength and conditioning coach Cam Willis has done an amazing job getting our guys strong and fast. Our days are long. We go from about 7-11:30 every day. We are able to get a lot done being efficient with our time. We get in the meetings, lifts, runs and practices. We feel pretty good with where we are at. We still have some areas we need to grow up in really fast to do what we want

to do. From a year ago today, we don’t have playmakers at certain positions that we did last year, but I do feel better about the whole team today than I did last summer.”

“You do not replace a Davion Dozier. It will be by committee. I hope that I’m blessed enough in my career to coach another Davion. I have had multiple college coaches tell me he’s the best 50/50 deep ball guy they’ve ever seen. I agree. He’s amazing. To fill those shoes, we have 4 guys who are really good receivers. 2 of them are returning players from last year. Davion’s cousin, Josiah Dozier will be in Davion’s position and will wear his number too. Jacob Hadaway will be replacing Colby Seymour in that role. Aidan Robinson and Braden Wright played in every game and started. Other guys are Jacob Hatch and Bradley Blais and they will compete and get in the mix. We feel good about that room. It’s going to be different but it’s all about grass, numbers and matchups. Find the grass, count your numbers and take advantage of matchups.” As

Fall Football Preview: Shades Valley Mounties

By John Goolsby For the Tribune

IRONDALE-The Shades Valley Mounties recorded their first winning season in five years in 2022. The 2023 team is looking to take the program to the next level.

Coach Rueben Nelson enters his third year at Shades Valley with the expectation that his Mountie team will improve on last season’s 5-4 record.

“We are looking to play a hard-nosed brand of football,” said Nelson.

The Mounties will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball in 2023.

Quincy Crawford, who missed last season due to an injury, is expected to make an impact. “He will add a big punch to what we do,” said Nelson. “He’s a guy that can make plays on the ball real fast.” The Mounties added several receivers in the off-season. Look for Christian Gorman, Kendric Smith, Jayden Gilmore, Javien Williams, Laddarius Powell, and Dre’Shan Cook to see action.

of Thursday morning, the Blue Devils added Hewitt Trussville transfer wide receiver KD Barnes who had a big season for the Huskies and looks to do the same on Highway 411.

Blaine Burke returns for his senior season with Moody as not just the featured back in the offense, but as the featured player going into the 2023 season. “Blane Burke would be the best at any position we put him at. That’s not a shot at anyone else. He’s just that good of a football player. When #5 touches the ball, he has a chance to score. He’s a home run hitter. You don’t always have those. You might have one who will get you 5-6 yards consistently and break one for 20 sometimes. When Blane Touches it, he has a chance to score. What we’ve done this year is look for ways to get it into his hands. Not just in the backfield. He’s been at receiver, H-back…we’re going to find a way to get him the ball. He’s our guy and he’s a great leader for us. He’s that alpha on

Antwan Peake is the offensive coordinator, and Richard Richardson, a former Mountie under Robert Higginbotham, and Martee Pope will lead the defense.

Both Peake and Richardson were on Nelson’s staff that won the 2016 6A championship at Ramsay.

Peake’s offensive philosophy is “fast tempo, physical, balanced, spread them out, and gash them up the middle.”

Jacob Millhouse will coach quarterbacks, JaMarius Dismuke returns to coach the offensive line, and Kendric Cook will coach receivers and tight ends. Peake will handle the play calling along with coaching the running backs.

Robert Nelson, Jr. returns to coach the defensive line. Derek Slater will be coaching linebackers. Pope returns to coach corners, and Richardson will handle safeties.

At quarterback, Valley returns senior Steve Brown. Sophomore Zayden Bolden, who saw action last year, will back Brown up.

Brown scored 23 TDS and gained over 2,000 yards last

season. “We have got to get a lot out of Steve at quarterback,” said Nelson. “I think he’s one of the most talented guys in the metro and has a chance to have a really good year.”

Brown is looking forward to his senior season. “I want to elevate my game to the next level,” said Brown. “We want to do things that Shades Valley hasn’t accomplished in a long time.

The Mounties were extremely young on the offensive line last year. “We started two freshmen and two sophomores,” Nelson said. “Now they are a year older and stronger.”

Julian Maddox, Ajari Jones, Manuell “Aidan” Smith, V, Peyton Kid, Jadon Ford, and Will Looney are potential starters.

Maddox, a junior, will be returning at center. “What we want to accomplish as a line is to help the team make it to the playoffs,” he said.

At receiver, the Mounties will be looking to replace “Mr. Everything” Christian Thomas. Returning junior Ji’Quez Daniels saw significant playing time last year. Daniels had 25 receptions for 256 yards and 3 TDs last season.

Seniors David Ware and Ethan Johnson and sophomore Geordan Clarke saw considerable playing time at running back last year. Freshman Armon Goldsby will join the returning trio.

Defensively the Mounties should be much improved, Zion Cathey, Johnny Steele, and Justin Miller are potential starters. Terrance James, Kyle Deramus, Kayvian Riley-Stallings, and Carlos Ford will see action along the defensive front.

“Up front, defensively, we knew we would have to continue to get better,” Nelson said. “I think we have done that.”

Senior All-State linebacker Ethan Johnson will anchor one linebacker spot. As a junior, Johnson recorded 153 tackles in only nine games. “If Ethan has the same type of year that he had last year, he’ll go down as one of the best linebackers to ever come through Shades Valley,” said Nelson.

Johnson, who has nine offers, including Army, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, is looking to elevate his play on the field and his role in the locker room. “I want to play fast and be very explosive this year,” said Johnson. “I also accept the role of being the leader of the defense.”

Moody High School Head Coach Jake Ganus sporting a Pay The Bill t-shirt (Photo by Ron Burkett)

Shades Valley Quarterback Steve Brown. Photo by: Steve Brown

Richardson

From page 13

season ended with a loss in the playoffs to state runner-up Jesse Lanier. Richardson had this to say about the team’s success, “we were a winning team because we had great team effort, great leadership, and we had the mental aspects that a team needs to win.”

Much credit is given to the ’86 team for laying the foundation for the program’s incredible run from 1987 through 2000. During that period, the Mounties record was 123-48 (72%). They made the playoffs twelve times, won nine region championships, played in two state championship games, and advanced to two state semi-finals.

After Richardson graduated in 1987, he enlisted in the Navy for four years and was stationed in California. Six months before he was scheduled to leave the military, the itch to play football returned when he saw a junior college team, Laney College, practicing. “That got my juices flowing, and I ended up going over and talking to the coaches,” Richardson said. After he fulfilled his commitment to the Navy, Richardson enrolled at Laney College. Laney College has most recently been highlighted on NETFLIX’s Last Chance U series. He was a star defensive back for the Eagles during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. The decision to give football another shot paid off big time. Richardson left Oakland with forty offers to play football at the Division 1 level.

Shades Valley

From page 15

Look for Landy Saxon to start at the other linebacker position. Carterius Ford and Jared Brundidge will see action.

In the secondary, sophomore Jamie Small and junior

Richardson ultimately signed with the University of California, Berkeley. “I chose academics over sports,” he said. That decision allowed him to play big-time college football in the PAC-10 and get a degree from one of the top academic universities in the nation.

After sitting out a year, Richardson saw playing time for the Golden Bears in 1994. Unfortunately, an injury during his senior season in 1995 cut his playing career short. Richardson graduated in 1996 and remained with the Cal football program as a graduate assistant for the 1996 season.

Even though his playing days were over, Richardson knew he could stay close to the game he loved by going into coaching. He left Cal to coach at Berkeley High School in 1997 and 1998. Richardson then made the jump to the collegiate level. He returned to where it all started, Laney College, for the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

After an incredible 14 years on the west coast, it was time for Richardson to return home to Alabama. He first landed at his alma mater, coaching at Shades Valley for the 2001 season. Richardson then joined Bobby Humphrey’s Birmingham Steeldogs staff from 2002-2005.

After the 2005 season, Richardson stepped away from coaching and joined the business world for a number of years.

Because of Richardson’s outstanding play as a defensive back at Laney College,

Jacaryous Burrow return after seeing playing time last year.

Wide receiver Torez McCall moved to the secondary and expects to see time with Crawford and Myran Reed.

Senior Jair Aguilar will return as a kicker.

“We can’t make excuses; we have to get it done,” said

Blue Devils

he was inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Association’s (CCCFCA) Hall of Fame (Player-post 1975 category) in 2013. Richardson is one of 63 members of a highly decorated group that includes dozens of NFL players, including Keyshawn Johnson, Steve Smith, Isaac Bruce, Greg Townsend, Jeff Garcia, Jason Seahorn, and Steve Sarkisian, to name a few.

After his break from coaching, Richardson joined Nelson at Ramsay High School. Richardson was Nelson’s defensive coordinator when the Rams won the 6A State Championship in 2016.

The following year Richardson joined Birmingham Prep, a post-graduate prep football program. In 2018 Richardson started his own prep program, Birmingham Sports Academy.

There are few opportunities outside of NCAA Division I, II or III for players in this state to continue playing after high school. Football is not played at the junior college level in Alabama. Compare that to California that has 68 junior college teams playing football. These post-graduate prep programs act as a substitute for junior college football. Programs such as the Birmingham Sports Academy give players the opportunity to improve academically and athletically without losing a year of collegiate eligibility.

Richardson is glad to be back at his old school. “It is my school,” he said. “I want to give back.”

Nelson. “We have to live up to a standard of excellence that was established here years ago. We have to get back to where wearing the black helmets means something.”

Shades Valley opens the season at home in Frank Nix Stadium on August 25 against Stanhope Elmore.

From page 15

the offensive side of the ball. I’m looking forward to his senior year and I want him to go out as a champion.”

“On the offensive line. Mason Myers did a lot for our offensive line and our run game. You don’t replace him either, just like Davion. Mason didn’t just block, but he got movement, was a leader and was very smart. We feel really good with the guys we’ve got. We have 6-7 guys who are pushing for those 5 spots. We have 3 returners there in Brennann King at center, Jackson Huckeba at left tackle, and then Jackson Randall, a junior who started every game last year, at guard. We have experience and we are replacing 2 guys up there. That group is fun to watch. There’s not one senior in the group of 6-7. They are all juniors and sophomores. One thing about them is they work. They are banging down the doors of the weight room, here on weekends. They might not be the DB group with all the offers, but they are going to give us a chance to win on Friday nights because you’ve got to be able to run the ball.

Cole McCarty, Moody’s 2022 quarterback, put up video game numbers week in and week out. Replacing him will be hard, but Ganus is confident in his new signal caller, Charlie Johnston, a transfer from Mountain Brook. “Charlie is a great kid. Phenomenal character, hard worker. As soon as he got here he took a leadership role. He has taken it and run with it. He’s up here on the weekends throwing with our guys. As for ability, he’s 6’6” and he can spin it. He’s more of a pocket passer. He will fool you with his speed. He is quick. We went to Clay this week and he escaped some situations where I thought they had him dead to rights and he was able to get out and make plays and

get his eyes down field. He is 100% a Power 5 quarterback. He’s got 3 offers, but after his junior year when he shows what he can do, he’s going to blow up. Our backup is Bryton Usrey, a senior, he does a great job and he is a bit more mobile but he can also throw. They’ve both done a good job running the offense.

The defensive backfield has 3 D1 athletes in A’mon Lane, Sidney Walton, and CJ. “Our secondary is definitely going to be one of our strengths. A’mon plays star, that’s the nickel. He also plays corner. We’ve been using him more there lately.

At the other corner, you’ve got Sidney Walton, a rising junior with multiple SEC offers. Big 6’3” 190, Hercules looking guy. Then you’ve got Chase Jackson in the back, playing safety. He’s got some SEC offers as well. Besides those guys, the other 2 guys who don’t get mentioned as much. AJ Madison is one of the best players on our football team. He’s a phenomenal football player. He’s shorter, so that’s tough for recruiting. But someone will sign him. He will play college football. The other one, our star/WILL is Kaleb Goff. He has started every game at Moody since he’s been a freshman. We call him KG. He has worked his tail off this year to have a great junior year and get try to get some college offers. He works hard and he’s special. He’s fast, quick, can cover, can blitz. He’s able to do whatever we need him to do from that position. We have a lot of guys back there that we are confident in. It’s a deep room.”

“As for the defensive line, you lose Carson Dillashaw on that line. We have had a couple kids step up. One is Charlie Kitts. He played a good bit last year. He’s in the outside backer role but he can put his hand down if he wants. He’s on our 4×2 relay team so he can fly. He’s put on some weight and has a

motor that won’t stop. He’s a ball player. Simon Molay is going to step in at end. Those two along with Ba’Roc Willis is a freshman, who will be special. 6’3” 225. He’s a dude. Everyone else is pretty much back. Dewayne is gone but we moved Gavin (Baker) back and we will have him and Zane Smith back there at backer. They are about as good as it gets. We have two others behind them. All 4 will play. Cam Mallory, our nose, is back and our tackle Logan Hall is back. Brady Dodd played a lot last year and he’s had a great spring and summer. He’s hard to block. They Clay kids hated blocking Mallory and Doddy both. Dez Mobley is outside linebacker and he’s new and he will play a lot at that WILL. Overall, I feel really good about the defense. We have some kids that are not only D1 kids but selfless and put the team on their back.”

“At kicker, Junior Moreno was the starter last year and he will return for his senior season with the Blue Devils. “He is a phenomenal kid. He had to work last off season and was unable to come to workouts. He didn’t get much stronger. This year, we were able to work it out so he could come and work out and be part of the team. If I asked my strength coach who was going to be his MVP this year, it would be Junior. He’s put on weight and muscle and he’s now able to kick field goals. Last year we didn’t do that. We attempted one, got it blocked and I went for it after that. Now I feel confident that we have a field goal kicker. I’m very proud of him. Kaleb Goff is going to punt this year. He can play quarterback and is a great athlete so all of our fakes will still be in play.”

Ganus and his Blue Devils will kick off the season August 25 at The Bill against Rush Propst in his first game as Pell City’s head football coach.

Steve Brown – Quarterback – Shades Valley