Where the Wild Things Are
RadIo Ways John ed Willoughby was one of a kind. PeoPle PAge 8
Honoring Andrews
Dr. James R. Andrews will be honored for his dedication and contributions to sports medicine, injury prevention and research April 26 at The Club.
The orthopaedic sports medicine pioneer will receive the Lord Wedgwood Award at the 2015 Wedgwood Blue Dinner Party.
Andrews is a founding member of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham. He also is founder, chairman and medical director of the American Sports Medicine Institute, a nonprofit institute dedicated to injury prevention, education and research in orthopaedic and sports medicine.
Emcee for the event is Tim Brando, national sports commentator for Fox Sports.
Among national and local sport celebrities expected to attend are Roger and Debbie Clemens, Rachel Baribeau, Tony Barnhardt, Taylor Hicks, Condredge Holloway, Bobby Humphrey, Jon Lieber and former Atlanta Braves players Brian Jordan and John Rocker.
Sports Medicine
Pioneer Will Receive Wedgwood Award
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction. The dinner program and a live auction start at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the dinner party and an April 27 golf tournament will support the Lord Wedgwood Charity, which has placed more than 325 Automatic External Defibrillators in Alabama and eight other states.
Last year, the charity formed a relationship with the American Sports Medicine Institute to expand the charity’s mission. The expanded mission is to advance athletic heart research and to raise awareness of the importance of heart health and implementation of community programs to prescreen student athletes to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest harm, injury and/or death.
Tickets to the Wedgwood Blue Dinner are $125 per person, $250 per couple and $1,000 per table.
For tickets, contact Lance Evans at 256-452-2900 or lance@ LWCharity.com. For more information, including a list of invited celebrities and auction items, visit www.LWCharity.com.
murphy’s law
Siriously Happy
Irecently bought a new car. My old car was so old (how old was it?) that it still featured a cassette tape deck. I could live with that, but when the cup holder broke, it was time for a replacement. I’m sorry, but Mama needs her tea.
I’d been dragging my feet because I really, really (really) hate the car buying process. I am not a haggler. If I ruled the world, every retailer would simply set a reasonable price for their car/house/airline ticket and buyers would decide if they could reasonably afford it. Apparently, I am alone in this thought because it’s a BOGO, coupon, cut-a-deal market out there. My adaptive solution is to make my selection, then tag in my husband Harold, who is a horse trader from way back.
We set out on a cloudy Tuesday morning with the promise that I would select the car and then excuse myself to the service lounge where I could have a soda until the deal was done. I already knew which car I wanted but promised not to sound too eager and nix Harold’s juju.
Sue Murphy
Harold sent me a text message that came up, too, and was read to me by a kind but disembodied voice, a situation that
I’ll
admit has comic potential.
When I sat behind the wheel of my intended, the salesman got in on the passenger side and handed me a fancy key doodad that is not really a key at all but a switch that telepathically tells the car that I am close by and thereby entitled to push all the buttons. I started the engine (button number one), and the salesperson asked to see my phone. A few clicks later, my stored music was playing on the surround sound audio system. The multipurpose display screen told me which song was playing, the artist and the album. I could also switch songs from a button on the steering wheel. (Job one: draw up a button/doodad cheat sheet.)
There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.
Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald
Features Writer & Copy Editor Donna Cornelius
Staff Writers: Kaitlin Candelaria, Emily Williams
Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith
Sports: Lee Davis
Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch, Liz Ellaby
Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald
Intern: Jacob Fuqua
Next, the salesperson had Harold call my phone from his perch in the back seat. The call appeared on the magic screen, asking whether I wanted to accept or decline the call. I declined. We could talk later. Harold sent me a text message that came up, too, and was read to me by a kind but disembodied voice, a situation that I’ll admit has comic potential.
A half hour later, we finally took the car out on the open road, where the salesperson demonstrated how I could push yet another button, ask the car a question like, “Where is the nearest coffee shop?” and the disembodied voice would not only locate one on the display map but direct me how to get there, turn by turn. Nifty, but all I wanted to do was go back to the dealership, and I already knew where that was. Moving on.
We rolled back into the parking lot, and I gave my previously rehearsed tepid approval. I could adjust the driver’s seat to accommodate my short legs and the cup holder was operational. Two thumbs up. Then I got out of the car and headed to the service lounge so the haggling could begin.
As I sat there eating my complimentary granola bar, it dawned on me…the salesperson had never once mentioned the engine, the tires, the brake system or the gas mileage. Apparently, actually driving the car is soooo last week, which may explain all of the fender-benders during rush hour.
I like my new car. The driving mechanisms, while not heavily advertised, work just fine. I have yet to use any of the nifty audio/GPS features, but that’s OK. Mama has her tea, and once again all is right with the world. ❖
over the Mountain views
What’s your favorite thing about about the zoo?
“My favorite part is that you get to feed the lorikeets.”
Ashdyn Gamble North Shelby County
“The elephants because they’re huge and interesting.”
Owen Harrell Homewood
“My favorite part is the reptiles because they’re gross.”
Henry Harrell Homewood
“My favorite part of the zoo is when I get to see the sea lions and they get really close to me.”
Grace Avila North Shelby County
By Donna Cornelius
Serious competitors in Episcopal Place’s Gumbo Gala might want to heed this advice from a longtime judge: Don’t get too jiggy with it.
“You want to find a balance in gumbo,” said Chef Clif Holt of Birmingham’s Little Savannah restaurant. “I look for a consistency in texture and a good flavor profile. You don’t want to get too far out there with the ingredients.”
Lamb leaps immediately to mind as one unsuccessful add-in, he said.
Those who attend this year’s Gumbo Gala, set for April 18 at Regions Field, should find plenty of palatable versions of the popular concoction to sample.
The fundraiser for Episcopal Place, an affordable housing community for almost 150 low-income senior citizens and disabled younger adults, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The event started in Caldwell Park and later moved to Sloss Furnaces. But it’s become so popular that it’s had to find an even larger home.
“Gumbo Gala was such a huge success last year we felt we needed to find a venue that was more accessible and had more space to accommodate the many competing teams,” said Tim Blanton, Episcopal Place’s executive director. “This year, we are extremely excited to be moving the Gumbo Gala to Regions Field to celebrate our 10th anniversary cook-off.”
More than 40 teams already have signed up to compete. Prizes are awarded in backyard and professional divisions. Other categories are Chef’s Choice for seafood, chicken and sausage, and specialty gumbos; Most Divine Gumbo, given to a church team; the Spirit Award for friendliness, enthusiasm and tent décor and theme; and the People’s Choice award, chosen by a popular vote
SouPED-uP LunCH: MAgiC CiT y HArvEST PLAnS EMPT y BowLS FunDrAiSEr
Those who attend the Empty Bowls Soup and Bread Lunch April 10 can take home a colorful reminder about helping the hungry.
Rouxing the Day
Gumbo Gala Set to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
among those who attend the event.
K.C. Hayes said her team from First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham will be participating in the Gumbo Gala for the third year.
“We’re all chancel choir members, so we call ourselves the Choir Croux,” she said. Their gumbo formula came from team member David Berdeaux, she said.
“His grandmother had a recipe, and it was a huge hit,” Hayes said. “We won first place in the backyard division.”
Choir Croux’s gumbo has chicken and sausage, she said.
The Magic City Harvest fundraiser is from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Bruno Conference Center in Birmingham. Tickets are $15 and include a cup of potato leek or chicken tortilla soup from A Social Affair and a variety of breads from Birmingham area bakeries. Guests also get to choose one of more than 800 bowls created and donated by artists and students. For tickets and more information, visit www. magiccityharvest.org.
LEBAnESE TrEATS: ST ELiAS FESTivAL iS T wo-DAy EvEnT
Grilled lemon chicken, baked kibbee and spinach pies are among dishes on the menu at this year’s St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival.
The event is April 10-11 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 Eighth St. S., Birmingham. Festival activities include music, dancing, church tours and a silent auction.
For a list of foods available for purchase and a schedule of festival events, visit www.stelias.org/ festival.
“We cook at my house the day before, and it takes David and me five hours to stir the roux,” Hayes said. “We think the flavors marry better overnight.”
The work needed to provide enough gumbo for festival-goers and judges to sample is the most daunting part of participating in the cook-off, said Jennifer Boylan, who’s on the 15-member St. Luke’s Episcopal Church team.
“We chop everything the night before and then get there bright and early on the day of the gala,” she said. “The hardest thing is the prep work and setup, but it’s so much fun.”
Boylan said she, her husband,
To MArKET, To MArKET: PEPPEr PLACE oPEnS THiS wEEKEnD
Farmers, food purveyors, artists and craftsmen from around Alabama will again offer their wares at Pepper Place Market.
This season, the market opens April 11. Pepper Place is at 2829 Second Ave. S. in downtown Birmingham.
For more information, visit www. pepperplacemarket.com.
SunDAy SuPPEr: FooD BAnK FunDrAiSEr oFFErS MEALS AT HoME
The Junior Board of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama will host the first Magic City Sunday Supper April 12.
For the first time, food lovers in Birmingham can have dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants in their own homes – and help end hunger, too.
“Birmingham is well known for great cuisine and generous philanthropic involvement, and this one-of-a-kind event celebrates both,” said Brian Hart Hoffman, junior board president. “Having the city’s finest cuisine delivered to your home, ready to eat, while helping to end hunger in central Alabama sounds like the perfect Sunday to me.”
A limited number of Magic City Sunday Suppers are available for pickup or home delivery in Birmingham. Each supper serves six.
On the menu are Bottle & Bone’s House
Rusty, and their son, Bob, first competed as a family team.
“My husband grew up in New Orleans and loves to cook,” she said. “Our son wanted us to do this together. We won third place in the backyard division. Now, we’re with the St. Luke’s team.”
Several team members are from Louisiana, she said.
“Last year, we won the Spirit award – Louisiana people know how to be loud,” she said.
Like some versions of gumbo, the competition can get a little heated, Chef Holt said.
“You get people who are very serious about what they’re doing,” he
Charcuterie Board, Galley and Garden’s Southern “Hot” Fried Chicken Bites, Avo’s Kale Caesar Salad, Little Savannah’s White Wine Braised Pork Shoulder, Bottega Café’s Mac and Cheese, Edgar’s Bakery’s Hummingbird Cake, and Magic City Macarons’ Orange Cream Macarons.
Two bottles of wine from Markham Vineyards also are included.
The meal package comes with notes from the chefs.
Each supper is $500 with two Super VIP packages available for $3,000.
Tickets and additional information are at www. magiccitysundaysupper.com. All proceeds benefit the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
SPECiAL BrEw: DArTEr FESTivAL FEATurES gooD PEoPLE LiMiTED EDiTion
Good People Brewing Co. will feature its limited edition Darter Spring Ale at Birmingham-Southern College’s Darter Festival April 18.
The event will benefit the Southern Environmental Center’s community education programs.
The fourth annual festival is at downtown Birmingham’s Railroad Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
A $50 Darter Pass includes priority food service, a meal from Jim ’N Nick’s festival menu, one complimentary Darter Ale and a swag bag.
Pass-holders also get reserved seating near the stage for entertainment featuring Banditos.
said. “Sometimes people will come up and ask why they didn’t win. I might say, ‘You tried to get a little crazy with it. You tried to go off the beaten path, and it didn’t quite fit.’ But it’s always a fun interaction.”
Gumbo is near and dear to the chef’s heart, he said.
“It was a staple item I started with in the restaurant,” he said. “Seafood isn’t necessarily the epitome of gumbo. I don’t use it. And if you put, say, oysters in at 5 a.m., they’re not going to be great later in the day.”
Real New Orleans-style gumbo has “a heavy roux base and more liquid than bits and pieces,” Holt said.
But even cooks in the state most known for the dish have their own ways of making it, he said.
“In Louisiana, you could travel from one town to the next, knock on a door and ask to taste their gumbo, and find a different version every time,” he said.
So why is a NOLA food favorite headlining an event in Alabama? Blanton thinks he has the answer.
“Legend has it that following Hurricane Katrina, Episcopal Place had some new residents move in that had been displaced,” Blanton said. “So in an effort to help raise money for assistance and to do something to engage and honor them, they decided to cook gumbo.”
Also, he added, at that time there were no outdoor fundraisers in Birmingham with a similar theme.
K.C. Hayes said the Gumbo Gala is “a great event and always wellplanned.”
“It’s family-friendly and petfriendly,” she said.
Tickets for the event, which will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. For tickets and more information about the gala, visit www.gumbogala. com. ❖
To buy tickets, visit www.bsc.edu/sec/darterfest. cfm.
ALL-STAr CHEFS: TASTE For A CurE iS AT oLD CAr HEAvEn
Chris Hastings and other top Birmingham chefs will come up with food, wine and beer pairings for this year’s Taste for a Cure April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Old Car Heaven.
The event also includes live and silent auctions.
Proceeds benefit Parkinson’s disease research programs.
Tickets are $75. To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.parkinsonalabama.org.
HoMEMADE iTALiAn: FEAST oF ST MArK iS FAMiLy-FriEnDLy EvEnT
An April 25 event offers a family-friendly experience with authentic Italian food.
The fourth annual Feast of St. Mark Italian Food Festival starts at 4 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road. Church volunteers are preparing for a large crowd. Last year, the event attracted some 3,000 people and was sold out.
A special feast Mass starts at 3 p.m. For more information about the menu and to buy tickets, visit www.feastofstmark.com.❖
From left: Pat Anderson, Director of Development of Episcopal Place, Cliff Holt, returning chef judge and Little Savannah owner, Tim Blanton, Executive Director of Episcopal Place, Keri Lane Hontzas, Event Coordinator and Maureen Holt, Little Savannah owner. Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria
April 10-11
VESTAVIA HILLS
Shades Mountain Women’s Conference
Shades Mountain Baptist Church
HGTV star Jen Hatmaker will speak at this annual conference at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.shades.org/ conference2015.
Sat., April 11
BIRMINGHAM
Boots and Black Tie Gala
Hillock Stables
Special Equestrians will host this fourth annual gala, which will include dinner provided by B&A Warehouse, the Larry Albright Band and a silent auction. For more information, visit www. smartpart.org/specialequestrians.
BIRMINGHAM
Cornhole Classic
Good People Brewery
The Bell Center Junior Board will host this third annual event at 1 p.m. The cost to participate in the tournament is $40 per two-person team. To register, visit www.alabamacornhole.com/ bellcentercornhole.html.
April 13-14
VESTAVIA HILLS
End World Hunger
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
Members of VHUMC and Liberty Crossing United Methodist Church will host a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event April 13 and 14. They will pack 250,000 meals in two days.
This event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.events. stophungernow. org/VHUMC.
Tues., April 14
VESTAVIA HILLS
Department 56 Housing Authority Vestavia Hills Board of Education
This club, which celebrates collectors of Department 56 Village houses, meets on the second Tuesday of every month. A covered dish dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Programs, demonstrations and games start at 7 p.m. For more information, call 822-6689.
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MOUNTAIN
Sweet Tea and Tablescapes
Canterbury UMC
The church’s United Methodist Women will host a silent auction and fashion show to benefit women and children through local and global charities on April 19. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for individuals and $225 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased at the UMC reception desk. For more information, call 871-4695.
Thurs., April 16
BIRMINGHAM
Rivals for Wishes
Regions Field
This Make-A-Wish Alabama fundraising event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a parody game show featuring Alabama and Auburn athletic greats. Tickets are $85 per person and $150 for a pair. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.alabama.wish. org/rivalsforwishes.
VESTAVIA HILLS
Dogwood Tablescapes Luncheon
Vestavia Hills Civic Center
The Vestavia Hills Beautification Board will host its annual luncheon in the Dogwood Room at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be Rebecca Walden. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. To buy tickets, call Casey O’Dell at 913-3367.
Sat., April 18
VESTAVIA HILLS
Art in the Hills
Vestavia City Center
The Vestavia Hills Beautification Board’s second annual art show is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will include local entertainment and the winners of the K-12 Vestavia Students Art Contest. For more information, visit www. vestaviabeautiful.com.
HOOVER
PurpleStride 5K
Veterans Park
UAB presents this 5K run and walk benefitting the Birmingham affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run/walk begins at 9 a.m. To register or learn more, visit www.purplestride.org/ birmingham.
BIRMINGHAM
4th Annual Faux-Lympics
Crestwood Park
Proceeds from this field day for grownups benefit Gateway’s social services. Four-person teams will compete in events like tug of war, pizza box relays, potato sack races and more
beginning at 4 p.m. Spectators are welcome at the event and after-party. For more information, visit www.gway. org.
BIRMINGHAM
Mutt Strut UAB
Hand in Paw’s sixth annual dogfriendly 5K and one-mile fun run will begin at 9 a.m. on the Campus Green. Registration for the 5K is $30 with a dog and $25 without. To register, visit www. imathlete.com/events/muttstrut.
BIRMINHGAM
2015 First Light Gala
Old Car Heaven
The theme for this year’s gala is “Here Comes the Sun” to celebrate how First Light brightens the lives of homeless women and children. The event will feature live music by Rock Candy, cocktails, food by Happy Catering and a silent auction. For more information, call 323-4277.
HOMEWOOD
Birmingham Kidney Walk
Samford Track and Soccer Stadium
This Alabama Kidney Foundation
April 23
signature event will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Participants may register as individuals or as teams and are required to raise a minimum of $30 in donations. Patients and children may attend for free. For more information, visit www. birminghamkidneywalk.kintera.org.
Sun., April 19
HOOVER
Annual Membership Tea
Hoover-Randle House
The Hoover Historical Society will meet from 2-4 p.m. The Hoover-Randle House is at 2255 Tyler Road. For more information, call Pam Thompson at 8229392.
VESTAVIA HILLS
Pancake Supper
Vestavia Hills Baptist Church
All proceeds from this event benefit the Amelia Center, which provides supportive services for grieving children, parents and their families. The supper is from 5:30-7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Thurs., April 23
MOUNTAIN BROOK
Family Night
Crestline Village
Crestline Village will hold store sales and activities from 4-9 p.m. benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Foundation in honor of Sid Ortis. Activities include Teen Night Trivia at Emmet O’Neal Library, live music, a silent auction and an after-party at Otey’s.
Fri., April 24
HOMEWOOD
Kickin’ It for A Cure
West Homewood Baseball Field
Homewood area dentists will trade in their toothbrushes for kick-balls to raise money for pediatric cancer research, specifically Developmental Therapeutics, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. To donate to the event, visit www.childrensal. kintera.org/centerforchildhoodcancer/ kickinitforacure.
From left: Brian Kulbersh, MD; Audie L. Woolley, MD, FACS; Brian J. Wiatrak, MD, FACS, FAAP; J. Scott Hill, MD, FACS, FAAP; and Nicholas Smith, MD
From left: Meg Roebuck, Natalie Towery, Mary Glen Carlton, Clayton Walton, Shannon Wadlington, Melissa Oliver and Meg Lilly. Photo special to the Journal
Save The daT e
Sat., April 25
VESTAVIA HILLS
First Responders Celebration
Mountaintop Church
The Vestavia Sunrise Rotary will host this event from 3-6 p.m. to raise funds for First Responders ATV and Vestavia High School’s We The People program. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. For more information, visit www.vestaviasunriserotary.com.
BIRMINGHAM
Bocce Bash
Kress Building
The Crisis Center junior board will host its first Bocce Bash benefiting the Michael K. Falligant Scholarship on the Kress Building rooftop at 2:30 p.m. Four-player teams can register for $25 per player. Tickets for spectators are $20. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
BIRMINGHAM
March for Babies
Uptown Entertainment District
This March of Dimes event will begin at 9 a.m. across from the Westin Hotel and next to the BJCC. The walk is two miles. There will be familyfriendly activities for all ages. For more information, contact Ashley Wheeler at awheeler@marchofdimes.org.
April 25-26
BIRMINGHAM
Corks and Chefs
Linn Park
Patrons can sample food and wine while experiencing guided tasting seminars led by experts from 1-4 p.m. both days. Proceeds benefit Magic City Art Connection. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.magiccityart. com/corks-chefs.
April
26
BIRMINGHAM
Red Trunk Riot
Avondale Brewery
The junior board of the Ronald McDonald House will host this second annual event from 1-5 p.m. Creature Camp will provide music. Tickets are
Homewood Central Park
As part of We Love Homewood Day, chalk artists of all ages can participate in a Sidewalk Chalk Art competition hosted by the Homewood Rotary Club. Each artist will be given an 8-foot section of sidewalk and can work from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Chalk will be provided. For more information, visit www. homewoodrotaryal.org.
HOOVER
Celebrate Hoover Day
Veterans Park
The annual citywide celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. features carnival rides, live entertainment and more. Parking and a shuttle service will be available at Spain Park High School. For more information, call Brittany Toole at 4447792 or visit www.hooveral.org.
May 7
BIRMINGHAM
$10 and include Insomnia Cookies, an event cup and access to food trucks. For more information, visit www.rmhca. org/event/red-trunk-riot/.
May
1
BIRMINGHAM Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
Temple Beth-El Rabbi Irwin Kula will visit Temple Beth-El May 1-3 as a scholar-inresidence. He said he hopes to share his message of hope and spiritual growth through a range of programs open to the community. For more information, visit www.templebeth-el.net.
May 2
HOMEWOOD
Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival
Rey of Hope
The Club
This third annual dinner and auction will benefit Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. The event begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by a seated dinner and silent auction. Tickets are $150. For more information, call 787-8530 or visit www.hfcristorey.org.
May 9
BIRMINGHAM
Garden Art Party
Iron City
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama will host this annual event from 7-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s patients and their families. Tickets are $95 per person or $180 for two. For more information, contact Vance Holder at vholder@alzca.org or call 871-7970. ❖
Radio Ways
John Ed Willoughby Was One of a Kind
By Lee Davis
Veteran sportscaster Matt Coulter can think of a thousand stories about his late mentor and friend, John Ed Willoughby.
But he isn’t comfortable telling a single one.
“I can’t tell his stories well enough to do him justice,” said Coulter of Willoughby, who died March 25 at age 80. “John Ed was the Bear Bryant of storytelling. Not only could he tell his stories better than you, he could tell your stories better than you. It was a gift. He loved to make people laugh.”
And for decades, nobody in Birmingham made more people laugh longer and louder than John Ed Willoughby.
“John Ed was Birmingham, and Birmingham was very much John Ed Willoughby,” Coulter said.
In the 1970s, Willoughby partnered with Tommy Charles, already a local media icon, to form arguably the most successful radio duo in Birmingham history. The pair came together almost by accident, as Willoughby began his presence on Charles’ show on WSGN as merely an audience member calling in.
But his popularity grew, and soon Charles asked station management to bring the newcomer on board full time. From there, “The T.C. and John Ed Show” spanned two decades and three radio stations, cleverly blending conservative political views, homespun humor and occasionally controversy as it dominated the early morning ratings. At the show’s peak, it was the primary local news source for many of its listeners.
Coulter said he was reporting sports news for the show at WERC in 1991 when he first became acquainted with Willoughby.
“Sometimes they would let me hang around in the studio for a few minutes after the sportscast was completed,” Coulter said. “John Ed and I clicked from the very beginning.”
A successful broadcaster himself, Coulter said he learned much from Willoughby, particularly from a practical commercial standpoint.
“John Ed taught me the value of client loyalty,” he said. “You can’t convincingly promote a product if you don’t believe in it and the people who produce it – and nobody had more loyal
Hardy Achieves Eagle Scout Rank
advertisers than John Ed.”
While there was always a fun side to T.C. and John Ed, they could be serious when events warranted it.
“I was at WERC with them during the winter storm of 1993 when so many people lost their power and ability to travel for days,” Coulter said. “We all worked together to get important information to our listeners. We didn’t go home during that time. They were a big part of our coverage.”
Doug Layton, another veteran Birmingham broadcaster, considered Willoughby to be among his closest friends.
“John Ed was the first person I met when I came to Birmingham in 1960,” Layton said. “He was the funniest person I’ve ever known. John Ed could embellish a story so well, you almost wouldn’t recognize the original event even if you happened to have been there. He had that knack for making the most mundane things sound funny.”
For a time, Layton and Willoughby were competitors, broadcasting in morning drive time for different stations.
“That resulted in some interesting battles in the ratings,” Layton said. “But it never interfered with our friendship.”
After Charles’ death in 1996, Layton joined Willoughby as his partner at WERC.
“At that time, talk radio was more about personalities than just people giving opinions,” Layton said. “John Ed was the master entertainer. He was truly an icon in the business.”
Willoughby later moved to WAPI, where he hosted “The Breakfast Club” with his son, J. Willoughby.
John Ed Willoughby retired from full-time broadcasting in 2005. He reunited with Layton shortly after that to host a Saturday morning sports show on several different stations until 2012.
“Everything about working with John Ed was a lot of fun,” Layton said.
J. Willoughby said his father probably didn’t realize how many lives he touched.
“I really don’t think my father had any idea how beloved he was,” he said. “He just had a charisma about him that not everyone has. He had that type of personality that could light up
participated in the Order of the Arrow ceremony and drum team.
a room.”
The younger Willoughby said his father had a unique way of connecting with people –whether it be friends, strangers or a radio audience.
“He was so unpretentious – what you heard on the air was who he really was,” J. Willoughby said. “My father was so kind to people, even the ones he only knew casually. He would bring Christmas cookies to the people who worked at the place where he took his dry cleaning. My father enjoyed making people smile. He was a character. The mold was broken when God made him.”
Growing up as the son of a natural comedian had an unusual side, Willoughby said.
“My father was funny even when he didn’t want to be,” he said. “Just like all fathers
Region, which includes the greater Birmingham area.
Whether John Ed Willoughby was behind a microphone, at a speaker’s podium or in front of a lunch counter, he spread his special brand of humor and goodwill.
do with their sons, he would get mad at me occasionally. But even when he was mad, he would say something funny and make me laugh. Sometimes that would get me into more trouble. But I couldn’t help it – he was just that funny.”
As talented as his father was on the radio, the banquet circuit may have been his real forte, J. Willoughby said.
“To see him as master of ceremonies of an event – be it the Touchdown Club or Red Elephant Club or whatever – was to see him at his very best,” he said.
Whether John Ed Willoughby was behind a microphone, at a speaker’s podium or in front of a lunch counter, he spread his special brand of humor and goodwill.
And that was no accident. ❖
Scott L. Hardy, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 21 of Bluff Park. The troop is chartered by Bluff Park United Methodist Church. For his Eagle Scout project, Hardy refurbished the old Lions Club building next to the Bluff Park Community Center.
Hardy is an active member of the Order of the Arrow, Coosa Lodge and attended OA Conclave at Michigan State University in 2012.
He held the position of chapter chief with the Order of the Arrow. He actively
Hardy has been senior patrol leader with Troop 21 and currently holds the rank of junior assistant scoutmaster with the troop.
He completed an 80-mile trek at Philmont High Adventure Base in New Mexico.
Hardy earned the highest attendance award in the troop for several years. The award is earned by attending the most meetings, activities and trips over the course of a year.
He is the son of Doug and Paula Hardy.
Askins Appointed to Auburn Board
Karen Askins of Vestavia Hills is among new members of the Auburn University Parents’ Association board of directors.
Askins will serve on the 15-member board throughout 2015.
She will represent the Orange
The AU Parents’ Association provides opportunities for parents and family members to connect with and support each other.
Board members are parent and family members of undergraduate students who provide feedback to Auburn’s Office of Parent and Family Programs on issues of particular interest to parents.
Members of the board plan events for Auburn families, compose newsletters for their geographic regions and are available to answer questions from parents and family members of Auburn students.
Photo special to the Journal
Scott L. Hardy
Karen Askins
A CApitol Spring breAk: Campbell Doidge and Beck Corley, students of MBJH and Katherine Wellington, student at Simmons Middle School served as legislative pages for House Representative David Faulkner of the 46th District during their Spring Break. The Alabama Legislature offers the page program to young adults ages 12-18. Page duties consist of performing errands as well as delivering messages to and from Members during committee meetings.
Photo special to the Journal
Drawn to Art
By Emily Williams
The Mountain Brook Art Association will hold its 34th annual Spring Art Festival April 18 in Crestline Village.
The art show will feature original artwork for sale by local artists.
Amy Crews, an MBAA member and Hoover resident, has been a part of the Spring Art Festival for 10 years.
“It’s a great community event,” Crews said. “It seems to be a tradition for some people. You will see a lot of families and groups of friends.”
Crews began painting professionally in 2001 and experienced one of her big breaks due to the festival, she said.
under wraps.
“I wanted them to use my paintings because they were good, not because I worked for the same company,” Crews said.
“As a result, Southern Living commissioned three paintings and mass produced them and they sold prints in their catalogs,” she said. “And that was a huge break, especially when you are just starting.”
Crews, who worked for Southern Progress at the time, said she noticed a familiar face looking at her large paintings of poppies.
The woman, Crews said, was interested in using the paintings in a photo shoot for a magazine and wanted to borrow them and show them at a meeting.
As it turns out, Crews discovered that the woman worked for Southern Living at Home, but Crews kept her own employment with the company
Crews has come a long way since, receiving awards including the Best of Flora Purchase Award for 2011 in the Alabama Flora and Fauna Arts Festival.
In 2014, Dianne Bentley, wife of Gov. Robert Bentley, commissioned a painting to hang in the Governor’s Mansion.
Crews’ work is done in the style of modern realism and said she tends to focus on botanicals, birds and a few animals.
“I tend to focus on single objects,” Crews said. “It’s funny -- even in college I did. I have a giant Reebok tennis shoe from the ’80s that I painted.”
Crews said her most popular paintings tend to be her nest paintings, which feature a nest holding detailed eggs.
“Like the eggs, I think we as humans are fragile and unique,” Crews said. “I have some (paintings of) feathers, too. Feathers to me are memories. They are what gets left behind.”
Crews said her advice to festival patrons is that once they have found a painting to purchase, they should ask what the painting meant to the artist as he or she created it.
“When you know the artist and you know the story, it adds value, I think,” she said.
Crews and other artists will display works of art for sale at the festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on the sports field on 25 Vine Street.
The Birmingham Belles will attend the event. Choko Aiken Band will perform jazz music.
The rain makeup day is April 19 from noon-5 p.m.
For more information, visit www. mountainbrookartassociation.com. ❖
Send people news to: editorial@otmj.com
POWER TO BE EFFICIENT
electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. For Wright Homes, it’s helping them build beautifully designed, highly efficient homes. With a little help from Alabama Power to envision the most efficient homes for their customers, Wright Homes is proving that beauty and function can go hand in hand. That’s power to imagine. That’s Power to Alabama.
Jeremy Wright Wright Homes
Amy Crews
u Over the MOuntain
Getting Acquainted
Shades Mountain Christian School Holds Open House at Future Home
By William C. Singleton iii
Parents of Shades Mountain Christian School students and the school’s staff members got a chance March 22 to tour Riverchase Middle School, the site of their future K3 through 12th grade school.
Overall, they were excited about the prospect of finally having a school building of their own and impressed by the space and the potential for growth.
“It’s a lot larger than what we have now,” said Zodia Hill, whose daughter and two sons attend Shades Mountain Christian School off Tyler Road in Hoover. “The kids will be able to stretch out a little bit more and have some space, especially for the arts with an art room and a band room. They’re kind of cramped now.”
Shades Mountain Christian School announced in February its plans to purchase from the Pelham city school system the 95,000 square-foot Riverchase Middle School, which sits on 40 acres and serves about 700 students in grades 6-8. Shades Mountain Christian School currently has about 350 students but expects enrollment to increase with the move to a new location.
u
MOuntain BrOOk
Country Club of Birmingham Will Host USGA Event
The United States Golf Association has selected the Country Club of Birmingham as the host site for the 2016 USGA Men’s State Team Championship.
The club’s second USGA championship will be contested Sept. 28-30.
“The Country Club of Birmingham is pleased to have the opportunity to host the 2016 USGA Men’s State Team Championship,” said Jack Brown, club president. “Our club has a long history of supporting amateur golf, and the chance to host another USGA championship is a real thrill for our membership.”
The club was founded in 1898 and relocated from its original site in north Birmingham to its current location at Shades Valley. The two 18-hole courses were designed in 1926 by architect Donald Ross.
The 2016 USGA Men’s State Team Championship, the sixth USGA championship contested in Alabama, will use the club’s West Course.
The USGA Men’s and Women’s State Team Championships began in 1995 and have since been contested biennially. The championships are open to players from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. -
—Kaitlin Candelaria
Pelham took over Riverchase Middle when it started its school system in 2014. It was ideal for Hoover students living in Shelby County when it was part of the county’s school system, Pelham City School Superintendent Scott Coefield said. But as a Pelham school, it doesn’t fit the system’s master plan to consolidate all its schools into a location more central to Pelham, Coefield added.
Pelham school officials plan to build new elementary and middle schools and renovate the high school, Coefield said.
The $4.25 million the system receives from the sale of Riverchase Middle will go towards the cost of its capital building projects, which total about $50 million, he said.
Meanwhile, Shades Mountain Christian School is scheduled to officially announce a capital campaign to raise funds to buy Riverchase Middle.
The school has hired a consultant from Montgomery to help with fundraising, said Bill Vandiver, Shades Mountain Christian School board president.
“We’re confident we’re going to be able to raise the money,” he said.
Pelham expects to move out of Riverchase Middle in 2017. Shades Mountain Christian, in turn, expects to
u hOMewOOd Police Department Gets Grant for Cameras
Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded a $8,340 grant to the Homewood Police Department.
Each county and municipality that submits crime data through the federal Uniform Crime Reporting Program is eligible for grant funding through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The Homewood Police Department, which uses the federal system, applied for the grant and expressed a need for in-car video systems in two of its patrol vehicles. The cameras ensure that officers follow proper procedures at the scene of an accident, officials said.
Bentley recently notified Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer that the department’s grant request has been approved.
—Kaitlin Candelaria
u hOOver
School Board Will Learn
Names Of Superintendent Finalists April 14
Hoover school board members are expected to receive the names of five finalists for the vacant superintendent job on April 14.
School Board President Donna Frazier said the board plans to hold a special called meeting at Spain Park High School to receive the names of
take the school over in June 2017 and open in August of that year, Vandiver said.
For Shades Mountain Christian School officials, Riverchase Middle being available is not only an answer to prayer but fills a huge need.
About four years ago, the school separated from the church, establishing itself as its own nonprofit, Vandiver said. Since then, school officials have earnestly sought a site independent of the church.
“We’ve looked at old schools, churches that aren’t being used, strip malls and vacant land,” Vandiver said.
At one point, school officials had considered building a school on property
the five finalists. She said the system is receiving a good deal of interest from people wanting to replace Andy Craig as the system’s new educational leader.
“The search is proceeding on target,” Frazier said at a recent board meeting. “We’re continuing to contact potential applicants. Others are responding to the posting and completing the application…We continue to receive inquiries.”
Craig resigned in December to take an administrative position with the State Board of Education.
The Hoover school board hopes to hire a new superintendent by July 1, Frazier said.
—William C. Singleton III
u hOOver
Board Certified Teachers Are Recognized
The Hoover school board recognized its 149 National Board Certified teachers at a recent meeting.
The recognition coincided with Alabama’s National Board Certified Teacher Week March 9-13.
Hoover has the highest percentage of National Board Certified Teachers in the state with nearly 15 percent of its 947 teachers having received the gold standard in teachers’ achievement.
Hoover’s percentage ranks high above the national average of 3 percent.
“We are an anomaly in the United States of America to have 947 certified teachers in K-12 and for (149) of them to own the title as National Board
and the library and media center are just phenomenal,” she said. “We’ve always just had a classroom we converted to a library, so to have a dedicated library facility is really nice. I love the way this is laid out. I can easily see how they can make the elementary school separate from the higher grades, but yet the elementary school students are still in the same building.
“I like all the property, too. It gives us a lot of opportunities to develop fields and develop even maybe a performing arts center. It’s just a great location.”
Hill said the gymnasium is within the school rather than across the street in a separate facility as it is at the current Christian school site.
“Kids won’t have to cross the street to go to the gym, so that’s a plus,” he said.
adjacent to the church, but that would have cost more and would have involved multiple phases, Vandiver said.
“This just fell into place at the right time,” he said. “It’s a ready-made school that we can move our whole school into.”
During the tour, families, parents, students and staff visited classrooms with computer labs, art rooms and the media center. Eyes grew wide at the possibilities and potential the building held for the future Shades Mountain Christian School.
Kelly Vandiver, Bill Vandiver’s wife, said Riverchase Middle seems perfect for the private Christian school’s needs.
“I think it has great common areas,
Certified teachers,” said Tammy Dunn, chief academic officer for mathematics and science for the Hoover school system. “We really have something to be proud of.”
The National Board Certification is an advanced teaching process which measures a teacher’s knowledge and understanding of the subjects he or she teaches and how well students are learning the subjects being taught them. It usually takes one to three years to complete.
—William C. Singleton III
u MOuntain BrOOk
Cahaba River Walk Will Open
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Cahaba River Walk will be held at 4 p.m. April 10.
Several city officials will speak at the event, which will also include refreshments.
Attendees can park in the business lots at River Run. A shuttle service will be available. The parking lot at the Cahaba River Walk is reserved for handicapped patrons and special guests.
The 4.7-acre property, previously known as Cahaba River Park, was acquired from Brookwood Baptist Church by the city of Mountain Brook in 2011.
Its renovation has cost approximately $650,000, with $450,000 allocated by the city’s Capital Projects Fund and the remaining funds raised by a private
Jeff Lindsey, a Shades Mountain Christian School board member, said the new school will provide a more secure environment.
“Here you have controlled entry points,” he said. “Everyone has to come through the front door.”
James and Elisabeth Bottom have two daughters who attend Shades Mountain Christian School and a twoyear-old son who will soon follow. They said moving to a new school building can only enhance the private school’s educational program, and they’re glad their kids will be a part of that experience.
“They’re just beginning, so this is the perfect time for us that they’re moving here,” Elisabeth Bottom said. ❖
sector committee led by Gerald Garner
“I think this park is special because of the diverse activities this park will offer our residents,” said Shanda Williams, parks and recreation director. “There is a 1/3-mile walking trail, a pavilion for social gatherings, an open space for playing around, and easy river access for swimming and rafting. This park is truly a unique gem in that it offers all these activities and still maintains a beautiful natural setting.”
—Kaitlin Candelaria
u hOOver
Police Chief Honored
Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis has been honored as “2014 Crime Stopper of the Year” by the Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.
Derzis, who has been chief of Hoover’s police department for 10 years, received the award at a recent Crime Stopper luncheon and was recognized during a recent city council meeting.
The organization awarded Derzis the honor for his safety efforts in a growing metropolitan city. Derzis said the award is more a tribute to the Hoover police officers who do their job fighting crime and do their very best to keep residents safe.
The Crime Stoppers program allows people to anonymously call, text or post online tips about a particular crime or suspect. If their tip leads to an arrest of a wanted suspect, they are eligible for a cash reward. ❖
David Carnley, left, facilities manager for Shades Mountain Christian School and Shades Mountain Christian Church, and Dave Scherbarth, operations manager for the Christian school, examine Riverchase Middle School’s gym.
Journal photo by William C. Singleton III
By Eimly Williams
AWARE Mountain Brook will hold its spring program April 21 with special guest and speaker Margot Shaw, founder and editor of Flower magazine.
AWARE first launched its Facebook page in February 2014, describing its use as a means for parents to “openly discuss the issues facing the children and families” in the Mountain Brook area.
According to the page, the network of concerned citizens encourages an open forum of conversation about suicide and mental health issues so that ‘not one more’ member of the community will be lost due to suicide.
The topics of discussion range from suicide to drug abuse, eating disorders and more.
“With drugs and mental health issues, there is so much overlap that you can hardly focus on one without the other,” Shaw said.
Before finding success with her magazine, Shaw struggled with drug
abuse and mental health issues, which led to a struggle with depression.
“I will tell the world about my experiences if it means I can help one person,” Shaw said. “There is a lot of help out there, and with the right diagnosis and the right medication, people can really overcome it.”
Shaw said she is not an expert on the subject but has her own personal experiences to share with others.
She said because she has been through the battle with mental health and has come out functioning, happy and productive, she hopes her audience will glean hope from her story.
“Everybody knows about drug addiction, and everybody talks about it,” Shaw said. “Celebrities have almost made it seem cool to go to
Margot Shaw
rehab. But mental illness is not widely talked about. It’s something that gets swept under the rug. We need to talk about it in order to wipe away some of the stigma.”
The AWARE spring program is at 6 p.m. at the Crestline Elementary Field. The event is free and open to the public. Shindigs Food Truck will be at the event.
For more information, visit the AWARE Facebook page. ❖
Charming Lookout Mountain Lake House on 2 1/2 Acres $178, 500 cjb@tennis.org for more info
the autism spectrum. Photo special to the Journal
Raising Awareness About Autism
Teen Inspires Mom to Create CrossFit Competition
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Seventeen-year-old Taylor South is the inspiration behind WODism for Autism, a CrossFit competition that began four years ago.
His mother, Dawn South, a coach at CrossFit Over the Mountain, was inspired after attending another competition focused on raising money for charity.
Taylor, who was diagnosed as a child with autism, has never been able to participate in team sports. However, when his mother began doing CrossFit in 2010, Taylor finally found a physical activity that he was comfortable doing.
‘Children and adults with autism have so many needs that are not being met mostly because the general public is unaware that there is a need.’
“Taylor started CrossFit Kids not long after I began CrossFit, and he did really, really well at it,” Dawn South said. “He really seemed to like it, and I felt like I had finally found something for him that would keep him active and, more importantly to me, engaged with his peers. I want to share that with other families.”
Dawn South
CrossFit is a fitness regime that combines gymnastics, Olympic lifting and high-intensity interval training among other things. Taylor was especially attracted to the gymnastics movements. In 2012, Jeff Tucker of GSX CrossFit programmed the WOD, or workout of the day, called “Taylor” to honor Taylor and other children who are on the autism dis-
order spectrum. That same WOD is used each year for this event.
Dawn hosted the first WODism for Autism in 2012 and was elated when she raised $7,000, she said.
Since then, the event has grown and has raised thousands of dollars for local autism charities such as the Autism Society of Alabama and KultureCity.
This year’s event will take place at CrossFit Over the Mountain in Vestavia Hills on April 18 and will benefit KultureCity.
Competitors can win prizes such as a GoPro. There is no specific cost to participate, but donations are welcome.
“The mission for WODism for Autism is to raise awareness,” Dawn South said. “Awareness for the increase in autism diagnoses. Awareness in how many parents are just looking for someone to help them find answers. Awareness to how these children want to be a part of our world but struggle to on a daily basis. Children and adults with autism have so many needs that are not being met mostly because the general public is unaware that there is a need.
“CrossFit Over the Mountain has one main goal -- to make a difference.”
To register or for more information, visit www.facebook. com/wodism. ❖
Vestavia Hills firefighters Corey Sumner and Alan Bates are two of many who have helped paint hydrants around the city blue.
Vestavia Hill Fire Department Answers Autism Awareness Challenge
Thirty years ago, the Autism Society declared April as Autism Awareness Month and designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. The organization challenged individuals, groups, businesses, schools and others to “light it up blue” in order to raise awareness of autism. Vestavia Hills Fire Department responded to their call in a very unique way.
“We decided that as part of Autism Awareness Day that we would paint fire hydrants around the city blue to raise public awareness of autism,” Jim St. John, Vestavia Hills Fire Chief said.
This is just one part of on ongoing effort by the Vestavia Hills Fire Department to better serve members of the community that are affected by autism.
“People who fall on the spectrum need special care when we arrive on the scene,” St. John said. “We’ve been able to prepare ourselves better to handle emergency calls that involve people who are affected by autism.”
Residents can find blue hydrants in front of any of the city’s five fire stations, in the business district and around both the new and old city hall sites on Hwy. 31.
April 11
BirminGhAm
2015 walk for Autism and 5K to solve the Puzzle
Veteran’s Park
Participants can choose to do a two-mile noncompetitive walk or run a 5K to raise funding and awareness for the Autism Society of Alabama. Afterwards, resource exhibitors, bounce houses, food, children’s activities and more will be available. The top fundraisers will be awarded prizes. For more information, visit www. walkforautismal.com.
BirminGhAm
Funky Fish Fry
trim tab Brewing Co.
The junior boards of the Autism Society of Alabama and Mitchell’s Place have combined to raise money and awareness through an afternoon at Trim Tab Brewing Co. From 12:30-8 p.m., music and fried catfish will be available. There are also family-friendly activities such as moonwalks and face painting. For more information, visit www.funkyfishfry.com.
Seventeen-year-old Taylor South is the inspiration behind WODism for Autism and competes each year. The workout, named “Taylor” was created to honor him and other children on
Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria
Charlie in Charge
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Sue Johnson never intended to fall in love with Charlie.
Johnson, who co-owns Dog Days of Birmingham with her husband, Jimmy, and the CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters, had signed up to be a “foster parent” for dogs through Cavalier Rescue of Birmingham. Her first assignment was to foster Charlie and his brother, both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
“These two puppies came from the Humane Society Animal Resource of
‘We want to go to hospitals and nursing homes and to help with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’m open to anything that Charlie can do to make a difference and heal people emotionally and physically.’ Sue Johnson
DeKalb County and had been rescued from a puppy mill,” Johnson said. “The breeder wanted to put them to sleep because they were ‘defective’ and couldn’t be sold.
“We got them, and I fostered them for a few days before giving them to a vet who was going to find a home for them. That’s when I became a foster failure. I told Jimmy I had to go back and get Charlie because he was mine.”
Charlie suffers from patella luxation, a condition that affects his knees and requires a series of expensive surgeries to correct. He also accrued many medical bills before his adoption.
“I talked it over with Jimmy, and I told him ‘If we don’t do it, who will?’” Johnson said.
Since his adoption at the end of 2014, Charlie has successfully under-
“The dog community has been so good to us by supporting our business,” Jimmy Johnson said. “We want to give back to that community. We support rescues as well, but with Hand in Paw it’s so easy to support them because it’s so easy to see the results of what they do.”
Sue Johnson said she agreed. “I think it’s important that people give back to their community, that they volunteer in some way,” she said. “This is just the way that I’ve chosen to provide my services.” ❖
“We
gone one surgery and will have another within the next few months. He has settled in nicely with the Johnsons and their other dogs, Jackson, Marley and Taylor, Sue Johnson said.
The Johnsons are avid supporters of Hand in Paw, and Jimmy serves as a board member. Through this connection, they decided to team up with Brad Strickland of Alabama Dog Trainers to begin training Charlie as a therapy dog for Hand in Paw.
Hand in Paw is a Birminghambased nonprofit that provides animal assisted therapy to children and adults with physical, emotional, educational or psychological needs.
“Personally, I think that animals can speak to the human soul,” Sue Johnson said. “They help you get through to people when humans can’t. With Charlie not being perfect himself, we decided we wanted to train him and invest in him to be a therapy dog.
“He’s got the nature to do it – he’s loving, smart and trainable. He wants to help other people and give back since he’s been so lucky.”
Charlie will begin his six weeks of training in April, and the Johnsons are excited to see where it goes, they said.
“My goals are for him and me to develop as a therapy team and serve as a Pet Partner team with Hand in Paw,” Sue Johnson said. “We want to go to hospitals and nursing homes and to help with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’m open to anything that Charlie can do to make a difference and heal people emotionally and physically.”
Next up for the Johnsons and Charlie is Hand in Paw’s sixth annual Mutt Strut, a dog-friendly 5K set for April 18 on the UAB Green.
The Mutt Strut usually draws over 1,000 participants and dog owners from all over the Birmingham area, according to event organizers.
Dog Days, which is a doggy daycare facility, is a sponsor and will have a vendor tent set up at the event.
When Eric O’Connor’s career moved him from Mississippi to Alabama, one of his first objectives was to find a Realtor. “With three kids, I knew we didn’t want to stay in an apartment for long,” says Eric. His company’s CFO referred him to Mechelle Wilder with ARC Realty. “It was a great fit.” Mechelle worked with Eric and his wife Montel to narrow their search. “We ended up in an area convenient for Eric’s work,” says Montel, “but we also love the schools and the fact that our neighborhood is unique.”
“Helping families learn the landscape in Birmingham is a fun part of my job,” says Mechelle. “Relocating means almost everything about your life is changing. I work hard to be that ‘go-to’ agent that helps families have a smooth transition to Birmingham and surrounding areas.”
Eric and Montel O'Connor with daughters Sadé Gabier (15), Vienne O'Connor (8), and Symone O'Connor (5).
Sue and Jimmy Johnson are avid supporters of Hand in Paw and hope to train Charlie as a therapy dog for the organization. Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria
From
and
Behind-the-Scenes Boosters BCT Supporters Getting
By Emily Williams
Chris Cain, a resident of Vestavia Hills, is a partner at Carr Riggs and Ingram LLC and one of Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40. But when he’s off the clock, he serves as president of the Patrons Board for Birmingham Children’s Theatre.
Cain said he finds his work with the BCT allows him to use a portion of his brain he doesn’t often utilize in his profession. Both Cain and his wife, Vanessa, are certified public accountants and rarely come into contact with the theater in their careers.
“I think why we have enjoyed (the ball) is because it is so different from what we do on a daily basis,” Cain said. “We wanted our daughter to be more well-rounded. I think that’s why we have embraced it.”
He said he owes his involvement in the program to his daughter, Abigail.
After seeing one of BCT’s school performances, Abigail fell in love with BCT, Cain said.
“She described it as very magical and exciting. She likes the dancing and
Set for Curtain Call Ball
wife, Vanessa, get more involved in BCT, he said.
“I immediately contacted the executive director and asked how we could get involved,” Cain said.
He has now served on the Patrons Board for over three years. Through the board, Cain serves a certain number of volunteer hours and said his whole family gets involved in the service.
“That has been a unique experience and something we’ve enjoyed as a family,” Cain said. “When we volunteer, it’s me, my daughter and my wife, and we can all go together. My daughter likes taking up tickets.”
Cain and the Patrons Board are now gearing up for the annual Curtain Call Ball April 18, a family-friendly gala that benefits the BCT in its efforts to serve the community.
“We hope to raise $70,000 with this event, and, right now, we’re almost at $60,000,” Cain said.
The money raised helps the BCT continue its community outreach programs, providing children from all backgrounds the opportunity to see
Abigail Cain suggested her parents Chris and Vanessa get more involved in Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Chris now serves as president of the Patrons Board for BCT.
es the community is through its Study Guide program, Cain said.
BCT provides reduced rates for school field trips and a study guide for teachers to utilize as a means to connect the performances to the core curriculum set by the state.
Cain said his daughter has visited BCT many times through school outings at Liberty Park Elementary in Vestavia Hills.
“I think it’s helped my daughter be more outgoing and has helped her as far as communication skills,” Cain said. “It also has helped her cultivate a love for reading, because she goes and sees performances and then she wants to learn more.”
The Patrons Board has been working on the ball all year through fundraising, publicity and more, which Cain said is a “huge undertaking.” But his daughter is already looking forward to the event, he said.
“She loves it,” Cain said. “She starts talking about it probably six to nine months ahead of time and starts to plan what she’s going to wear. Children can dress up. She and her friend went as City Mouse and Country Mouse last year.”
The event will include live music, live and silent auctions, art activities and food. BCT cast members will also be present, dressed as characters from popular performances.
“Curtain Call Ball is an event that you can take children to,” Cain said. “It’s a family-friendly event. Young professionals live such busy lives, it’s important to select things that you can do as a family. That is why Birmingham Children’s Theater has been appealing to us.”
The Curtain Call Ball will be on April 18 in the BCT’s Mainstage Theater Lobby at the BJCC from 5-8
Tickets are $50 per adult, $25 per child or $125 for a family of four and will be available for purchase at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bct123.org/ CurtainCallBall.html. ❖
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special
Where the Wild Things Are
For 60 Years, Birmingham Zoo Has Had Animal Magnetism
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Break out the cake and candles -the Birmingham Zoo is celebrating 60 years of wild fun in Birmingham.
To kick off the 60th anniversary birthday weekend, the facility reopened two of its existing exhibits after making updates and expansions. The Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary and Wildlife Show were both re-launched April 2 for guests to enjoy.
Festivities continued throughout the weekend. On April 4, the first 60 guests to arrive were treated to free 60th anniversary tote bags, buttons and Bud’s Best Cookies.
Attendees also got to experience a wide range of activities including an interactive drum circle, playing “Simon Says” with the elephants, feeding the giraffes and face painting.
On Sunday, all guests born in or before 1955 got free admission to the zoo.
Early Days
The idea for a zoo for the Birmingham community was born on the coattails of the second World War. The Junior Chamber of Commerce, Elton B. Stephens and Birmingham Mayor James Morgan were all instrumental in forming a zoo commission that set out to raise funds for the project.
Almost 10 years after the idea had originally been presented, the Jimmy Morgan Zoo opened on April 2, 1955.
The original zoo spanned 50 acres and was opened on a budget of $250,000. It included Monkey Island, an elephant house, a bear moat, a birdhouse, a snake pit and a seal pool.
In November of that same year, the Birmingham City Commission took control of the zoo and hammered out a $663,00 annual budget. As the facility began to grow and expand, the Birmingham Zoological Society was founded to raise money for the organization.
Over the next 45 years, the Birmingham Zoo received less and less support from the city as other priorities emerged. A lack of funding left the
Proud Moments
1955: Mona the elephant arrives, joining monkeys, seals, snakes and birds as the Birmingham Zoo’s first exhibited animals.
1966: The Birmingham Zoo became home to one of the first giraffes born in the United States.
1982: The zoo celebrated its first orangutan birth when it welcomed Daisy into the world.
2004: Babec, the zoo’s western lowland gorilla, was the first gorilla in the world to receive a successful cardiac resynchronization therapy device.
2011: Trails of Africa, featuring the nation’s only all-male African elephant herd, debuted at the Birmingham Zoo.
facility unable to operate at an acceptable standard, and no leaders emerged to save the crumbling facility.
In the 1990s, the zoo was dealt a major blow when it lost its accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums due to subpar standards.
In 1995, Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington took a stand for the future of one of Birmingham’s most treasured attractions. Arrington worked closely with community leaders to form a board of directors and generate government funding. In 1999, Birmingham Zoo, Inc. emerged as a privatized nonprofit organization and regained its accreditation through the AZA.
In 2004, Chief Executive Director Bill Foster came on board. Foster, who had been the executive director of the Louisville Zoo, brought to the table a zoo management authority that was respected at a national level by the zoo community.
“I’m humbled by being the director here at the Birmingham Zoo,” Foster said. “I’ve been here for about 11 years. I came on the shoulders of people who started the institution 60 years ago. They saw that this community needed
something very special. The zoo started with humble beginnings, and after 60 years, it’s got a new life.” high stanDarDs
The facility that was originally 50 acres has almost tripled in size over the past 60 years, with over 900 animals and more than 200 species calling the Birmingham Zoo home. Visitors can see animals from almost every continent.
“The mission is to inspire passion for the natural world,” Foster said. “I think that we’re one of the jewels of this community. We continue to reinvest in this facility by maintaining high standards.”
The zoo has enforced these high standards by consistently growing and evolving. It now features many unique exhibits, such as the Junior League of Birmingham-Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo, launched in 2005 to celebrate the zoo’s 50th anniversary, and the Sea Lion Splash Show, opened in 2007. There’s also a zip lining experience, a giant slide and a special kangaroo experience.
Conservation is also at the forefront of the zoo’s priorities. The zoo’s Passion into Conservation Action Program is a grant initiative that allows employees to submit research projects for funding.
Other conservation efforts include housing and caring for animals that are threatened or endangered.
One example of this is one of the zoo’s newest exhibits. Trails of Africa, introduced in 2011, put the zoo at the forefront of history for elephant conservation when it became the first accredited facility in history to recreate an all-male African elephant herd.
“Most people will never have the opportunity to visit around the beautiful places of the world, and those places are in need of help,” Foster said. “What we’re doing with all the species here today, from the birds to the elephants, is providing the human care that these animals are going to need to survive.”
Foster emphasized the importance of instilling empathy for these animals and places in children at an early age.
“In their future, they’ll have many questions,” Foster said. “They’ll have to act and vote over the next millennium in order for these species to survive. We’re encouraged that this will happen because of these small encounters with
these animals. That’s where it all starts.”
For Bill Foster, the survival of certain species may be a concern, but the survival of the Birmingham Zoo certainly is not. With over 575,000 visitors annually, the zoo is one of the largest tourist attractions in the state.
“Birmingham values this institution, and they’ve shown that by their attendance,” Foster said. “We’ll have another 60 years here very soon.” ❖
Left: Birmingham Zoo Chief Executive Director Bill Foster came on board in 2004. Above: Programs Manager Kelly Garrison works with a great horned owl during the Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show. Journal photos by Kaitlin Candelaria
In 2004 Babec, the zoo’s western lowland gorilla, was the first gorilla in the world to receive a successful cardiac resynchronization therapy device. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Zoo
A Roaring Good Time
Charity League Event Has ‘Fire and Ice’ Theme
Hear Me Roar 2015 was held at Birmingham’s Iron City to raise money to support Birmingham area children with hearing and speech impairments.
The Charity League, Inc. hosted the evening.
Guests enjoyed music from the band OnLive and shared props in the photo booth.
Most of the funding for the Charity League’s beneficiaries, including Children’s of Alabama, EPIC School and Virginia Cobb Scholarship recipients, came from ticket sales and live and silent auction items.
All proceeds from Hear Me Roar go toward the costs of hearing aids, speech therapy, parental guidance packets, FM systems so students can hear their teachers at school and other treatments.
The theme of the evening was “Fire and Ice.” Charity League members wore red or silver, and the décor included red roses and crystal cubes on the tables.
Charity League President Fran Howard and Charissa Porter, vice president of fundraising and event chairman, took the lead in planning the festivities.
The Charity League is made up of about 20 women
who are committed to serving their community with their extra time while continuing with their careers and raising their families. These women, with the help of Michelle Langdon, private events manager at Iron City, planned
everything from the food selections to the donated auction items.
Special guest Scarlotte Kilgore spoke to guests about her family’s experience with the Charity League and Children’s of Alabama when her daughter was diagnosed at age 3 with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Kilgore was accompanied by Dr. Audie L. Woolley, who has performed over 300 cochlear implant surgeries which allow children with deafness to hear, and Wendy Piazza, speech pathologist and supervisor for the Charity League’s Hearing and Speech Center at Children’s of Alabama.
Beer was donated by Back Forty Beers, United Johnson Brothers provided the wine and photography services were donated by Tommy Daspit Photography.
Charity League members Kelli McCullough and Kelli Gettinger hosted the live auction, selling items like autographed Auburn and Alabama footballs, tailgate packages, jewelry, and family events like a trip to New Orleans and dinner for eight cooked in the winner’s home by the Charity League’s Senior Sustainers. ❖
Charissa and Stephen Porter.
Kelli and Robert McCullough.
From Left: Front: Kellie Box and Emily Bennett. Back: Stacy Ramirez, Patty Funkhauser and Jaime Baxley.
Live music was provided by OnLive.
Charity League member Lindsay Arndt (center) enjoying the Colorbooth with family and friends.
The theme of the evening was “Fire and Ice.” Charity League members wore red or silver. Photos special to the Journal
Members of the Mountain Brook Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta gathered at the home of Ashley and Joel McMahon March 20 for the group’s annual Shamrock Party.
Dinner was planned by Lisa Flake and Adelaide Vandevelde The evening included a raffle and auction organized by Cynthia Shearer and Melissa Kenan to benefit Campfire Girls and Boys.
At the party were Martha and John DeBuys, Betsy Dumas, Katie and Ben Patrick, Lori and Dan Barber, Mary Ruth and Gene Caldwell, Anna and Chris Carson, Francie and Ogden Deaton, Elizabeth and James Outland, Lori and Peter Reich, Ellen and Warren Rhett, Jennifer DeBruge, Emily and Walter
Dunn, CeCe and Kenny Hartley, and Libba and Turner Williams
Others in attendance were Melissa and Jim Kenan, Nancy and Jack Kimberly, Hallie and Bruce Rawls, Robin and Scott Reed, Cynthia and John Shearer, Lucie and Brad Haynes, Isabelle and Hank Lawson, Adelaide and Russell Vandevelde, Beaty and John Coleman, Leigh and Pat Sullivan, Leah and Chris Abele, Susan and Mark Waggoner,
Mary Ann Grammas, Tracy and Stephen Lewis, Bebe and Robert Sprain, Laura Susan and Tommy Roberts, Betsy and Lawrence Dumas, Lisa and Jared Flake, Amy and Sid Knight, Murray and Jim Priester, Kitty and Tryg Hoff, Ann Neighbors, Bonnie and Mike Battle, Torrey and Armand DeKeyser, Nancy and Bill Stetler, Alice Womack and Julia and Charles Willcox ❖
from top, far left: From left: Anna Carson, Mary Ann Grammas and Tracy Simmons. Melissa Kenan, Susan Waggoner and Cynthia Shearer. Beaty Coleman, Emily Dunn, Garner Thompson, Mary Ruth Caldwell and Leigh Sullivan. Ashely McMahon, Leigh Abele and Meredith Waldrop. Photos special to the Journal
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From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246
Raising Money for Reading
Rotaract Celebrates Contributions at Foundation Ball
The Rotaract Club of Birmingham recently celebrated with members and friends at the club’s annual gala, the Rotaract Foundation Ball.
The black tie affair at Iron City featured music from The Schmohawks.
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More than 500 young professionals attended the event, which celebrated the raising of more than $100,000 for the Rotaract Foundation. The foundation supports the group’s service work, including the two signature service projects, Ready 2 Read and Ready 2 Succeed.
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The Alabama Symphony Orchestra provided entertainment during a VIP reception hosted before the event for area Rotarians, community leaders and Rotaract supporters.
Dr. Martin Nalls, executive director of College Admissions Made Possible, spoke to attendees about the success of the first year of Ready 2 Succeed.
Karen Kapp, executive director of Better Basics, spoke about the continued impact Rotaractors provide to the Ready 2 Read program.
After walking the red carpet and stopping for the paparazzi photo line, guests enjoyed complimentary drinks from Back Forty Beer, United Johnson Brothers and Alabama Crown.
A special cigar bar from Vitola Fine Cigars was a popular addition to the event. ❖
Global Meet and Greet
The Friendship Force of Birmingham hosted a meet and greet at Greystone Farms Clubhouse on Farmhouse Road.
Friendship Force members shared their experiences traveling the world and being immersed in local cultures. They also told those who attended about the rewards of showcasing their home state and city by hosting domestic and foreign travelers. Guests learned about Friendship Force International and the Birmingham club, especially about future events and travel exchanges.
During 2015, the club has an outgoing exchange to Japan and a domestic exchange to Sacramento. The club also will host ambassadors from Tashkent, Uzbekistan in April and an Open World delegation from Kazakhstan in June.
Friendship Force International is a global network of citizen ambassadors who travel the world in the name of friendship and goodwill. For more information, visit www.friendshipforce.org. ❖
Ben Murchison, Vanessa Araiza, Katie Fox and Sean Peters. Photos special to the Journal
From left: Event presenters Charlotte George, Ann Taylor, Betty Morgan, Tom Laggy, Charlotte Laggy, Vicki Smith and Callie Waldrop. Not pictured: Laverne Ramsey. Photo special to the Journal
ABOVE: Molly Murphy and Blair Clinton. RIGHT: Brooke Williams, Cassi Smola and Katie Wallace.
From left: Rotaract Club of Birmingham Officers Ben Foster, Allison Westlake, Sarah Beth Combs, Sarah Graffeo, Amanda B. Martin, Lora Terry, John Smola, Starr Drum, Henry Long and Barbara Blackburn.
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Lighting up the Night Charades Gather for Star-studded Party
It was a “Starry Night” for the Charades Dance Club Feb. 21 at the Country Club of Birmingham.
Diane and Allen Weatherford were member hosts of the open party for members and guests.
Carol Corvin, party chairman, and committee members Karen Lloyd, Sallie White and George Ann Parker planned the dinner and dance. Attending with the committee members were Jerry Corvin, Keith Lloyd, Carlos White and Alton Parker.
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Socializing during the cocktail hour were Judy and Adrian Bewley, Susan Bowman, Jeannie and Harry Bradford, Evelyn and Steve Bradley, Patsy and Stanley Burns, Gayle and Mike Byrne, Anne Carey, Judy and Jim Carns, Caroline Clayton, Ellen and Russell Cunningham, Naomi and Kirk Cunningham, Judy and Andy Daniel, Barclay and Dick Darden, Deanna and Tim Davis, Anne and Ken Dawson, Katie and Brad Dunn, Sara Lynn and Fox DeFuniak, Louise and Durham Ellis, Carolyn Featheringill, Anne and Rick Finch, Claire and Pat Goodhew, Annie and Maurice Green, Loretta and Hugh Hood and Anne and Tom Lamkin
This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the april 9th, 2015 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date,
were the dining table centerpieces.
The dinner menu included a field green salad with bacon, pecans and blue cheese; filet; twice-baked potatoes, grilled asparagus and apple tart a la mode.
The decorations, created by Robert Logan of Backstage Florist, provided a magical ambiance during the party. Silver material draping between columns was secured at the top of each column with a large illuminated star.
Tall mirrored vases of small branches covered with miniature twinkling lights
A Gala
After dinner, Charades members and guests enjoying the band, Rock Candy, were Carolyn and Walter LaGroue, Barbara and Cliff Lynch, Verna and John Lyons, Pat and Wimberly Miree, Milner and Allen Phillips, Mary and David Putman, Helen and Ty Robin, Becky and Doug Rollins, Sara and Eladio Ruiz de Molina, Susan and Lee Reeves, Karen and Brant Sanders, Carolyn Satterfield, Emily Scarbrough, Katy and Rick Sexton, Lou Ann and George
with Glitz
Dance Club Members, Guests Attend Ballerina Ball
Ballerina Ball Chairman Sue Trammel chose “Puttin’ on the Glitz” as the theme for the dance club’s 69th ball Feb. 27.
Robert Logan decorated the East Room of Birmingham Country Club for the annual winter event.
A color scheme of silver, black and white was carried out in silver satin crushed over black cloths on the round dining tables, gossamer swags hung with crystals from the ceiling and white lights. A revolving mirror ball in the ceiling reflected the scene.
A focal point of the decor was a life-sized replica of a ballerina, the club’s logo, which twirled throughout the evening on the East Room stage.
Just Friends’ music brought members and guests to the dance floor after a dinner of steak and salmon entrees. Emily Herren was the vocalist.
Trammel welcomed guests and introduced her committee. Assisting with the event were Jean Liles, Cathy Miller, Patsy Straka, Connie Bishop, Nancy Walburn, Barbara Morgan and Janis Zeanah
Club president is Irene Blaylock
Among those at the ball were Olivia Alison and Buddy Palmer, Renee Blalock, Jean Shanks, Carolyn and Whit King, Gerry Dunham and Walt Stone, Corinne Greer, Fay Hart, Preston Trammel, Margaret and Bill Howell, Rusty and Don Kirkpatrick, Joanne and Art McConnell, Maria and Bill Casey, Peggi and Jim Davis, Bill Morgan, and Mary Jim and Mike Quillen
Others were Charlie Bearden, Barbara and George Eisenhart, Harriet and John Maloof, Anne and Tom Lamkin, Curtis Liles, Nell and Sam Williams, Sara and Tommy Moody, Chris and Alton Ray, Patricia and Cal Clark, Elizabeth and Merrill Compton, Judy and
Sherling, Rita and Burr Spencer, Patsy and Bob Straka, Nancy Stetler, Harry and Lana Thompson, Janie and Bud Trammell, Rae and Steve Trimmier, Karen and Charlie Watkins, and Kathleen and Ray Watkins ❖
❖
David Long, Nancy Stetler, Bob Straka, Janie and Jim Henderson, Lou Lanier, Vicki and Mat Lukens, and Mary and Mike Rooney.
LEFT: Chris and Ashton Ray. BELOW: Mike Quillen, Bill Morgan, Bill Casey and Jim Davis.
Photos special to the Journal
ABOVE: From left: Deanna and Tim Davis, Emily Scarbrough, Jerry Corvin and Susan Bowman. BELOW: Karen and Charlie Watkins. Photos special to the Journal
Joseph Braswell
Recital and Reception
Piano Instructor is Guest at Alliance Francaise Gathering
The Alliance Francaise, also known as the French Club of Birmingham, met Feb. 28 at UAB’s Hulsey Recital Hall.
The group’s lectures are free and open to the public.
Jody Combs, a piano instructor at the Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts at Birmingham-Southern College, gave the lecture and recital.
After the event, a reception was held at the home of John and Katherine Sechrist in Mountain Brook.
Among those attending were Regina Smith, Marie Claude and Alan Freeland, Ines and Norbert Schormann, Fiona Shattuck, Patty Hieles, Scott Brown, Kim Thomas, Bernard and Nancy Moore, Leigh Noble, David Blake, Bob Burns, Genevieve Blaudeau, Georgette Hanks, Annie McCarter, Jody and David Combs and Bernard Bongul ❖
