04.09.2015

Otmj Thursday, April 9, 2015

social

over the mountain journal ❖ otmj.com

about town

Where the Wild Things Are For 60 Years, Birmingham Zoo Has Had Animal Magnetism

Journal photos by kaitlin Candelaria

life Page 15

inside

Radio Ways John Ed Willoughby was one of a kind. people Page 8

Drawn to Art MBAA Spring Festival showcases Birmingham area artists. people Page 9 Into the Woods Secluded Altadena Road home is this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse. home Page 22

2 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

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, Sports Medicine Rachel Baribeau, Tony Barnhardt, Taylor Hicks, Condredge Holloway, Bobby Pioneer Will Receive Humphrey, Jon Lieber and former Atlanta Wedgwood Award Braves players Brian Jordan and John Rocker.

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.

in this issue About Town 3 people 8 news 10 life 12 social 16

home 22 weddings 28 schools 29 business 32 sports 36

Opinion/Contents

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

murphy’s law

Siriously Happy

I

Next, the salesperson had Harold recently bought a new car. My old call my phone from his perch in the car was so old (how old was it?) back seat. The call appeared on the that it still featured a cassette tape magic screen, asking whether I wanted deck. I could live with that, but when to accept or decline the call. I declined. the cup holder broke, it was time for We could talk later. Harold sent me a a replacement. I’m sorry, but Mama text message that came up, too, and needs her tea. was read to me by a kind but disemI’d been dragging my feet because bodied voice, a situation that I’ll admit I really, really (really) hate the car has comic potential. buying process. I am not a haggler. If A half hour later, we finally took I ruled the world, every retailer would the car out on the open road, where the simply set a reasonable price for their salesperson demonstrated how I could car/house/airline ticket and buyers push yet another button, ask the car a would decide if they could reasonquestion like, “Where is the nearest ably afford it. Apparently, I am alone coffee shop?” and the disembodied in this thought because it’s a BOGO, Sue Murphy voice would not only locate one on coupon, cut-a-deal market out there. the display map but direct me how My adaptive solution is to make my to get there, turn by turn. Nifty, but selection, then tag in my husband all I wanted to do was go back to Harold, who is a horse trader from Harold sent me a text the dealership, and I already knew way back. message that came up, where that was. Moving on.

We set out on a cloudy Tuesday We rolled back into the parkmorning with the promise that I too, and was read to ing lot, and I gave my previously would select the car and then excuse me by a kind but disem- rehearsed tepid approval. I could myself to the service lounge where bodied voice, a situation adjust the driver’s seat to accomI could have a soda until the deal my short legs and the cup was done. I already knew which car that I’ll admit has comic modate holder was operational. Two thumbs I wanted but promised not to sound potential. up. Then I got out of the car and too eager and nix Harold’s juju. headed to the service lounge so the When I sat behind the wheel of haggling could begin. my intended, the salesman got in As I sat there eating my comon the passenger side and handed plimentary granola bar, it dawned me a fancy key doodad that is not on me…the salesperson had never once mentioned the really a key at all but a switch that telepathically tells engine, the tires, the brake system or the gas mileage. the car that I am close by and thereby entitled to push Apparently, actually driving the car is soooo last week, all the buttons. I started the engine (button number one), and the salesperson asked to see my phone. A few which may explain all of the fender-benders during rush hour. clicks later, my stored music was playing on the surI like my new car. The driving mechanisms, while round sound audio system. The multipurpose display not heavily advertised, work just fine. I have yet to screen told me which song was playing, the artist and use any of the nifty audio/GPS features, but that’s OK. the album. I could also switch songs from a button on Mama has her tea, and once again all is right with the the steering wheel. (Job one: draw up a button/doodad world. ❖ cheat sheet.)

On otmj.com

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.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

April 9, 2015

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 Vol. 25, No. 7

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at ads@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2015 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.

over the Mountain Views

What’s your favorite thing about about the zoo?

“My favorite part is that you get to feed the lorikeets.”

“The elephants because they’re huge and interesting.”

“My favorite part is the reptiles because they’re gross.”

Ashdyn Gamble North Shelby County

Owen Harrell Homewood

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

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

About Town

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 3

April 24-26, 2015

Linn Park, downtown Birmingham, Alabama MCAC Featured Artist & Juror presented by the Jennifer Harwell Commemorative Gift

fti

#MCACBham

www.magiccityart.com PLATINUM The City of Birmingham • Kinetic Communications GOLD Joe Piper, Inc. • BBVA Compass • Birmingham Mountain Radio Lincoln Luxury Uncovered Tour SILVER Al.com | The Birmingham News • Birmingham Magazine • Royal Cup Coffee BRONZE Alabama Power • BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama • Gale Force Productions • HealthSouth Corporation • Jennifer Harwell Commemorative Gift Miller Communications, Inc. • Publix Super Markets Charities STEEL Alabama Baby & Child Magazine • Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • BJCC & The Westin • Bell Media • Birmingham Business Journal Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company • CityVision – The Visitor’s Channel • Hoover’s Magazine • Over the Mountain Journal Regions Bank • Robins & Morton Shelby Living • Special Occasions • WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm • Weld for Birmingham Yarbrough Festival Food Services Ramiro Gomez, No Splash (after David Hockney's A Bigger Splash, 1967), 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 96 x 96 inches. Collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Image courtesy of the artist and Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo credit Osceola Refetoff.

4 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

About Town food fun events this month

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

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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

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.

Souped-up Lunch: Magic City Harvest Plans Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Those who attend the Empty Bowls Soup and Bread Lunch April 10 can take home a colorful reminder about helping the hungry.

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 Two-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.❖

April 10 - 24

This event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.events. stophungernow. org/VHUMC.

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.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Time To DownloaD.

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.

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.

It's tIme to

Grill!

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.

Searching for a home?

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.

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6 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Pediatric

ENT

Associates

From left: Meg Roebuck, Natalie Towery, Mary Glen Carlton, Clayton Walton, Shannon Wadlington, Melissa Oliver and Meg Lilly. Photo special to the Journal MOUNTAIN BROOK

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

Our five physicians have more than 60 years of combined Pediatric ENT experience with additional fellowship training in Pediatric ENT surgery.

We provide assessment, treatment and management for children with conditions such as: o o

Ear infections (ear tubes) Tonsil and adenoid problems

o o o o o

Sinus infections Complex sinus problems Hearing loss Facial and neck masses Airway obstruction and breathing disorders

o

Cosmetic issues such as prominent ears (otoplasty) and birthmarks of the face and neck

Appointments 205.638.4949 FAX 205.638.4983 Two Convenient Locations CHiLDreN’S ruSSeLL CAMPuS CHiLDreN’S SoutH CLiNiC 4, MCWANe BuiLDiNg CLiNiC F, 2ND FLoor 1600 7tH AveNue SoutH 1940 eLMer J. BiSSeLL roAD BirMiNgHAM, AL 35233 BirMiNgHAM, AL 35243

Healthcare as amazing as their potential

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

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

April 23

BIRMINGHAM Sunset and Song Red Mountain Theatre Cabaret Assistance League of Birmingham will present a cabaret evening starring Lonnie Parsons, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham and Jan Hunter (above) at 5:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 870-5555 or visit www.assistanceleaguebhm.org.

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.

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. and sconces Y com/corks-chefs.

her Glenn, Inc. April 26

VESTAVIA HILLS Casino Royale Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest P.A.L.S’ third annual fundraiser and silent auction is from 7-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the library’s mewood Hours: 10:00 - 5:00 • Tue. - Sat. children’s department. Tickets are $40 UPS/Gift Wrap in advance and $50 at the door. To topherglenninc.com purchase tickets, visit www.librarypals. org.

Gardens & Giving

lamps • terra cotta

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BIRMINGHAM Magic City Art Connection Linn Park The 32nd annual contemporary art festival’s spring infusion of fresh artistic talent, sights, sounds, tastes and aromas will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.MagicCityArt. com. $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

May 7

BIRMINGHAM 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. ❖

chandelier and sconces

Christopher Glenn, Inc.

Y

Antiques, Gardens & Giving

2713 19th Street South • Homewood 205-870-1236

Y

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.

Y

furniture • urns • planters • fountains

April 25

furniture • urns • planters • fountains

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

April 24-26

statuary • furniture • urns • planters

elier

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.

Save The date 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.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 7

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8 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

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remembrance

Radio Ways

Hardy Achieves Eagle Scout Rank 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 Scott L. Hardy 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

participated in the Order of the Arrow ceremony and drum team.

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

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.

Photo special to the Journal

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

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

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.

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 Karen Askins 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.

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. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

By Lee Davis

John Ed Willoughby Was One of a Kind

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.

Drawn to Art

MBAA Spring Festival Showcases Birmingham Area Artists

By Emily Williams

under wraps.

“I wanted them to use my paintings because they were good, not The Mountain Brook Art because I worked for the same comAssociation will hold its 34th annual pany,” Crews said.

Spring Art Festival April 18 in “As a result, Southern Living comCrestline Village. missioned three paintings and mass The art show will feature original produced them and they sold prints artwork for sale by local artists. in their catalogs,” she said. “And that Amy Crews, an MBAA member was a huge break, espeand Hoover resident, has cially when you are just been a part of the Spring starting.”

Art Festival for 10 years.

Crews has come a “It’s a great commulong way since, receiving nity event,” Crews said. “It awards including the Best seems to be a tradition for of Flora Purchase Award some people. You will see for 2011 in the Alabama a lot of families and groups Flora and Fauna Arts of friends.”

Festival.

Crews began painting In 2014, Dianne professionally in 2001 and Bentley, wife of Gov. experienced one of her big Amy Crews Robert Bentley, commisbreaks due to the festival, sioned a painting to hang in she said. the Governor’s Mansion.

Crews, who worked for Southern Crews’ work is done in the style of Progress at the time, said she noticed modern realism and said she tends to a familiar face looking at her large focus on botanicals, birds and a few paintings of poppies. animals.

The woman, Crews said, was “I tend to focus on single objects,” interested in using the paintings in a photo shoot for a magazine and want- Crews said. “It’s funny -- even in college I did. I have a giant Reebok tened to borrow them and show them at nis shoe from the ’80s that I painted.” a meeting.

Crews said her most popular paintAs it turns out, Crews discovered ings tend to be her nest paintings, that the woman worked for Southern which feature a nest holding detailed Living at Home, but Crews kept her eggs. own employment with the company

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 9

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“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

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u Over the Mountain

Getting Acquainted

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.

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 Mountain Brook

u Homewood

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

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

Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

Shades Mountain Christian School Holds Open House at Future Home

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.

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.

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. ❖

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

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,

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

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

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 Mountain Brook

Police Chief Honored

u hoover

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

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

Cahaba River Walk Will Open

u hoover

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. ❖

‘There is a lot of help out there, and with the right diagnosis and the right medication, people can really overcome it.’

u Mountain Brook

Magazine Editor Will Speak at AWARE Program

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. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

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

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 11

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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

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To: From: Date:

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria

Autism Awareness Month

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

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 the autism spectrum. Photo special to the Journal

Raising Awareness About Autism Teen Inspires Mom to Create CrossFit Competition

By Kaitlin Candelaria

order spectrum. That same WOD is used each year for this event.

Dawn hosted the first WODism for Autism Seventeen-year-old Taylor South is the ‘Children in 2012 and was elated when she raised inspiration behind WODism for Autism, a $7,000, she said. and adults CrossFit competition that began four years Since then, the event has grown and has ago. with autism raised thousands of dollars for local autism His mother, Dawn South, a coach at have so many charities such as the Autism Society of CrossFit Over the Mountain, was inspired Alabama and KultureCity. needs that after attending another competition focused on This year’s event will take place at raising money for charity. are not being CrossFit Over the Mountain in Vestavia Hills Taylor, who was diagnosed as a child with met mostly on April 18 and will benefit KultureCity. autism, has never been able to participate in Competitors can win prizes such as a because the team sports. However, when his mother began GoPro. There is no specific cost to participate, doing CrossFit in 2010, Taylor finally found general public but donations are welcome. a physical activity that he was comfortable is unaware that “The mission for WODism for Autism doing. there is a need.’ is to raise awareness,” Dawn South “Taylor started CrossFit Kids not long after Dawn South said. “Awareness for the increase in autism I began CrossFit, and he did really, really well diagnoses. Awareness in how many parents at it,” Dawn South said. “He really seemed are just looking for someone to help them find to like it, and I felt like I had finally found answers. Awareness to how these children something for him that would keep him active want to be a part of our world but struggle to on a daily basis. and, more importantly to me, engaged with his peers. I want Children and adults with autism have so many needs that are to share that with other families.” not being met mostly because the general public is unaware CrossFit is a fitness regime that combines gymnastics, that there is a need.

Olympic lifting and high-intensity interval training among “CrossFit Over the Mountain has one main goal -- to other things. Taylor was especially attracted to the gymnasmake a difference.” tics movements. In 2012, Jeff Tucker of GSX CrossFit proTo register or for more information, visit www.facebook. grammed the WOD, or workout of the day, called “Taylor” to honor Taylor and other children who are on the autism dis- com/wodism. ❖

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.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 13

Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“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.” ❖

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Sue and Jimmy Johnson are avid supporters of Hand in Paw and hope to Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria train Charlie as a therapy dog for the organization.

Charlie in Charge

Rescue Dog Captures His Foster Family’s Heart

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-

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.

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This is your AD This is your AD PROOF from the OvER THE MOuNTAiN JOuRNAl forPrOOF the from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JO June 26, 2014 issue. Please fax approval or changes 4-9-15 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Behind-the-Scenes Boosters BCT Supporters Getting Set for Curtain Call Ball

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 she liked the performance,” Cain said.

Abigail suggested that Cain and his

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 live theatrical performances.

One of the major ways BCT reach-

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14 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

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 p.m.

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. ❖

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 15

Where the Wild Things Are Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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.

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 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

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.” ❖

16 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

social

Kelli and Robert McCullough.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From Left: Front: Kellie Box and Emily Bennett. Back: Stacy Ramirez, Patty Funkhauser and Jaime Baxley.

Live music was provided by OnLive.

A Roaring Good Time Charity League Event Has ‘Fire and Ice’ Theme

H

ear 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

Charissa and Stephen Porter.

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. ❖

The theme of the evening was “Fire and Ice.” Charity League members wore red or silver.

Photos special to the Journal

Charity League member Lindsay Arndt (center) enjoying the Colorbooth with family and friends.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 17

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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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KD Alums Get Together for Annual Party

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,

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18 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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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Raising Money for Reading Rotaract Celebrates Contributions at Foundation Ball

To: From: Date:

The Rotaract Club of Birmingham recently celebrated with members and friends at the club’s annual gala, the Rotaract Foundation Ball.

Jim The black tie affair at Iron City featured music from The Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 Schmohawks.

FAX: 205-824-1246 More than 500 young profesOct. 2010 sionals attended the event, which This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALcelebrated for the the raising of more Nov. 4 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.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.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra provided entertainment 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, during a VIP reception hosted before the event for area Rotarians, commuyour ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. nity leaders and Rotaract supporters.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

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. ❖

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

Ben Murchison, Vanessa Araiza, Katie Fox and Sean Peters.

Photos special to the Journal

ABOVE: Molly Murphy and Blair Clinton. RIGHT: Brooke Williams, Cassi Smola and Katie Wallace.

Global Meet and Greet

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

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. ❖

Social

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Rocking at Iron City

Cornerstone Schools Hosts 10th Annual Fundraiser Cornerstone Schools of Alabama’s 10th annual Schoolhouse Rock fundraiser was held March 6 at Iron City Birmingham.

Hosted by Cornerstone’s junior board, Schoolhouse Rock drew more than 800 guests.

The event included live music, live and silent auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres and an event giveaway.

All profits will directly benefit the students of Cornerstone School. ❖

From left: Sarah Pikal, Hunter Williams, India Bailey, Hannah Slamen and Vivi Tucker. Photos special to the Journal

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Caleb Yoder, Christian Schweers, David Snyder and Dedrick Agee. Judy Beatty, Allie Beatty and Craig Beatty.

Robert and Nita Carr.

Katherine Stone and Scott Stone.

for more information please Call mike wedgworth: 205.365.4344

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 19

20 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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, From Central Avenue in Homewood, turn on to 28th Avenue South. Take first right Carlos White and Alton Parker. on to BM Montgomery Street. We are located behind the Iron Tribe Fitness.

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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.

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

If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

A Gala 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

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 21

Social

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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. ❖

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22 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

2015 Decorators’ ShowHouse

Into the Woods

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Secluded Altadena Road Home Is This Year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse

Bill Aroosian, left, buddies up with silent butler “Oscar,” for whom the designer’s ShowHouse space is named.

Curly willow branches, above, fill a vase in front of the living room’s bay window. This settee, below, in the ShowHouse living room is covered with Sunbrella, a practical as well as pretty fabric that can be easily cleaned.

Warm Regards Bill Aroosian Designed ShowHouse Living Room as Gathering Place story By Donna Cornelius c photos by lee walls jr.

By Donna Cornelius Many who visit the 2015 Decorators’ ShowHouse may have driven past the house without even knowing it was there.

The sprawling Upton Estate is separated from Altadena Road in Vestavia Hills by woods and a winding driveway.

“When you come down that long driveway, you don’t know what you’re going to see,” said Nan Teninbaum, the ShowHouse’s publicity and marketing chairman.

What those who see the house, open from April 18-May 3, will discover is a 7,778 square-feet structure with an English country home style. Its 10.5 acres include gardens, a pool and terrace and plenty of trees.

Built in 1988, the house is owned by David Upton and is for sale for $1.4 million.

“David has just been so nice to work with,” said Cheree Carlton, who is co-chairing the ShowHouse with Charlotte Clarkson.

This is the 39th year that the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser has been held. The first ShowHouse, Mt. Vernon in Mountain Brook, was in 1976.

Symphony Volunteer Council members See showhouse, page 27

One of the things Bill Aroosian likes hearing about the spaces he creates isn’t a comment on a striking sofa, his color combinations or an eye-catching accessory. “People often say my rooms are warm,” the designer said. “I try to make my rooms places where people can feel comfortable, and they tend to congregate there.”

Aroosian designed the living room in this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse. His business, Habitation and Bill Aroosian Designs, is at 2856 18th St. S. in Homewood.

See living room, page 24

The Best-laid Plans

Home Designer Gets a Surprise when He Visits ShowHouse Page 26

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

home

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 23

24 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

home

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Narrows on Lake Martin Move in ready cabin located on the ''Birmingham side of the lake." The cabin has been well maintained and is ready for new owners.

The main level offers an updated kitchen, a family room & a bedroom w/ bath. The lower level offers an open living area/bedroom along with a bath & laundry room. Great outdoor spaces on both levels, easy access to deep water and great swimming. Spacious lot with a garage and privacy!

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To: From: Date:

Becky Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 living room, March From page 22 This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAlWhile for the the living room is stylish April 9, 2015 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. enough to entertain guests, it’s also a place where family members can

unwind, he said.

Please make sure all information is correct, “Everyone can gather here and be including address and phone number! together as a family,” Aroosian said.

That’s one reason ShowHouse visitors will see an inviting stack of cushy pillows on the floor in front of if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, the fireplace. your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

I was kid, we all had our Thank you for your prompt attention. own“When pillows,” he said.

Making the room user-friendly Kathy’s Designer Kitchens, Inc. was the thinking behind Aroosian’s 1831 29th Ave. S. • Homewood, AL 35209 choice of an unexpected fabric for 205-871-9880 • Kathy Owens, CKD, President some of the furniture and pillows.

Sunbrella is often used for outdoor furnishings but can work well inside a house, too, he said.

“I use lots of Sunbrella fabrics inside homes because it’s so easy to clean,” Aroosian said. “You can clean it with bleach, even with those Clorox wipes. The color can’t be removed from the fabric.”

While one settee in the room is covered in an Ikat-print Sunbrella selection, another has straightforward cotton fabric in a golden oatmeal color.

Aroosian bought two chairs from an estate sale recently held at the house, he said.

“There were two pairs of chairs that I wanted, and I got these,” he said. “They were covered in a purple plaid, and I replaced that with a more tailored plaid.”

Aroosian’s playful name for his ShowHouse space is “Salon de Oscar.” Oscar is an imposing wooden butler that stands at the ready near the fireplace.

“He came from Macy’s, and I once worked in Macy’s corporate store design department,” Aroosian said.

“If you see Oscar sitting down on the job, please let me know.”

A pine display cabinet from Wales was built about 1890, he said.

“We’d probably call it an antique, but the definition of an antique is

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

different in England,” Aroosian said.

“There, people probably would say that it’s just a piece of old furniture.”

The designer chose unconventional coffee tables, including garden stools and glass-topped metal tables.

“They can easily be moved around to be where you need them,” he said.

He borrowed a handsome Oushak rug from Paige Drennen at Eighteenth Street Oriental Rugs in Homewood, he said.

“I love the way its colors have faded over time,” Aroosian said.

He also pointed out a red streak

“You may see me at the ShowHouse in a T-shirt that reads ‘Good Art Doesn’t Match the Sofa.’” in the rug’s design. Deliberate mistakes like this one are often found in Persian rugs because of the cultural belief that only God can create perfection, he said.

A bright abstract landscape painting in the room is from Aroosian’s own home, he said, and was a bargain find at a yard sale in Hoover.

While he isn’t sure of the painting’s provenance, he was told that

Aroosian said he designed the ShowHouse living room, above, as a place where family members could gather and unwind. Doves perch on these etched-glass cloches, below, in Bill Aroosian’s ShowHouse living room. Cloches traditionally are used for protecting or forcing indoor plants, he said. Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.

its frame was made of a pricey wood called pecky cypress, he said.

Although that might mean the painting is worth more than its yard sale price tag, the important thing is to buy art that you like, Aroosian said.

“You may see me at the ShowHouse in a T-shirt that reads ‘Good Art Doesn’t Match the Sofa,’” he said.

Aroosian said he encourages clients to express their opinions.

“Of course I can do a room for you, but you need to be involved,” he said. “When someone says a room ‘looks just like you,’ that’s a great compliment.”

He’s participated in the Decorators’ ShowHouse several times. It’s an opportunity not just to showcase his work but to help bring attention to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, he said.

“My parents raised me to pay my civic rent,” Aroosian said. “The ShowHouse gets the symphony in front of a lot of people.” ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 25

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26 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

home

The Best-laid Plans

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To: From: Date:

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Home Designer Gets a Surprise when He Visits ShowHouse

By Donna Cornelius

Barry DeLozier of Vestavia Hills has a distinct connection to this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse. But he didn’t realize it until a few weeks ago.

Parents - Don’t let your kids know that BRIDGE DeLozier is a custom home designer. He’s also a busiimproves math, logic and problem solving skills! ness strategist and marketing communications consultant, Limited to 24 Students ages 11-15 and that was why he was visiting the Altadena Road house Reserve by May 15th - Payment due May 30th recently with a real estate agent. The house is for sale for $1.4 million.

Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club “The realtor asked me to meet her at the house to help 144 Business Center Drive, Birmingham, Al 35244 with marketing,” he said. “When I saw it, I said, ‘I’m (205) 560-0706 • www.bridgewebs.com/birmingham almost positive I drew the plans for this house.’”

The story starts in 1987, he said.

“I was so young and was just getting started in residential design,” DeLozier said. “Judy and Charlie White hired me to draw the plans for a house they were building on 10 acres. It was the first really big house I designed. But I never saw it after it was finished.”

The house, now owned by David Upton, officially became the 2015 Decorators’ ShowHouse a few days after DeLozier visited it with the real estate agent, he said.

“The ShowHouse people asked me if I still had the original plans for the house so they could use them for the guidebook,” he said. “I told them I had no idea. It was so long ago.”

He agreed to search for the plans -- a daunting task, he said.

“We have this big old attic in our house, and there are lots of plans rolled up and stored in buckets there,” Barbara DeLozier said. “My wife started pulling buckets out, and Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., the plans were the fourth ones I unrolled. They were from 205-824-1246, fax February 1987 and were pretty yellowed.”

March 2014 DeLozier said computer programs have changed and This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the streamlined the way house plans are drawn. march 20, 2014 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

“I took the old plans, spread them out, and drew them into my computer,” he said. “When I took the plans to the ShowHouse, I found a few changes. The attic had been please make sure all information is correct, expanded, and the basement had been finished a little difincluding address and phone number! ferently.”

HANNA ANTiquES DeLozier said he remembers his experiences with the MAll as positive ones. please initial and fax back withinWhites 24 hours.

“I learned sodate, much from working with people like If we have not• heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press 2424 7th Ave. So. • (205) 323-6036 MON-SAT 10:00-5:00 your ad will run as is. We print the paper Judy,” Monday. he said. “Women often have a clear vision and the best articulation of what they want.”

Thank you for your prompt attention.

The Whites described the heavily-wooded lot and the style of house they wanted, he said.

“What we built was that era’s version of an English country house,” he said. “It’s not Tudor, because it doesn’t have the timbering. But it does have an English style with

Metal Retro Vintage Patio Furniture and Other Cool Stuff for Your Home!

Barry DeLozier designed the Decorators’ ShowHouse in 1987 but hadn’t seen the finished structure until recently.

He’s standing under deep barrel arches that he’s since used in a number of houses, including one he built for his family, he said. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

the steepness of the roof pitch and the bay windows and prominent chimneys on the front. These were elements that the Whites particularly wanted.”

DeLozier said he enjoyed attending the recent Decorators’ ShowHouse preview party and meeting some of the participating designers.

“Some of them would ask, ‘Which room did you do?’ and I’d say, ‘Well, I designed the house,’” he said. “I’ve drawn a lot of houses since that one, but it’s been fun to actually see the house I did so long ago.” ❖

Direct

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Hanna Antique Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 September This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the September 18, 2014 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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recruit designers and decorators to create rooms in the ShowHouse, giving visitors ideas and inspiration for their own homes.

“I think this year we’ve got a little bit of everything,” Teninbaum said. “If your interests are traditional, you’ve got that. If you like contemporary, you’ve got that, too. People can see new things, get new ideas and see what’s current.”

Some decorators participating in this year’s ShowHouse are veterans of the event, while others are firsttimers, Teninbaum said.

On the first floor, decorators and their rooms include Jay Howton and Associates, foyer; Bill Aroosian of Habitation, living room; Stan Nelson and Gena Toedte of Birmingham Wholesale Furniture, family room; Perry Umphrey of Umphrey Interiors, dining room; Virginia College School of Design, kitchen; Theresa Thornton of Scandinavian Design, breakfast room; Christopher Rankin and Barbara Williams of Stock and Trade Design, master sitting room and bath; Ginger Wood and Reb Baker of Urban Home Market, master bedroom and bath; and Laurl Self of Laurl Designs, back hall.

Upstairs, decorators and their rooms are Lynne Coker Interiors, bedroom No. 1 and bath; Jocelyn Palmer of Isabella Palmer Designs, bedroom No. 2 and bath; Stock and Trade Design, bedroom No. 3 and bath; and

Historic Hollywood House Tour Returns The Hollywood Garden Club’s house tour will take place May 3 from 1-4 p.m. This year’s tour features two Spanish-style homes and two Tudor houses.

Each home has been renovated and redesigned without compromising its historical integrity, tour officials said.

Proceeds from the tour will benefit the Hollywood Garden Club and

Rick and Dave Griffith of Griffith Art Gallery, second floor hall.

Allen Westbrook and Lisa Fritz of Summer Classics created places for entertaining and relaxing on the terrace and also provided entry seating.

Hollywood Pools and Spa has the swimming pool area.

Decorative planters and pots and seasonal plantings are from Daniel McCurry of Father Nature Landscapes. The grounds are maintained by Andy Entrekin of Entrekin Outdoors Maintenance.

New to the ShowHouse this year is a series of Decorator Seminars presented by three participating designers.

The seminars are “How to Create an Outdoor Room” by Bill Aroosian April 22, “Painting 101” by Lynne Coker April 27 and “Properly Displaying Art and Collectibles” by Perry Umphrey April 29.

There’s no extra charge to attend the seminars for those who buy ShowHouse tickets. But reservations are necessary, Teninbaum said, and can be made by calling 969-8033.

Another change this year is that the ShowHouse’s traditional lunch service will give way to boxed lunches provided by Café Iz, Klingler’s Café, Ousler Sandwiches, Pappas’ Grill, Subway and Zoe’s Kitchen.

“You can pick up your lunch and eat in the tent or outside,” Teninbaum said. “If you get to the ShowHouse at 10 a.m. and just want a muffin and coffee, you can get that, too.”

Boxed lunches are $10, desserts are $3, and baked treats and a drink Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Parking will be available at Shades Cahaba Elementary.

Presale tickets will be available online and at Sweet Peas Garden Shop, Hunter’s Cleaners, Four Seasons, King’s House Antiques, Chickadee and Table Matters.

For more information, visit www. historichollywoodtour.com.

Look for tour preview in April 23 issue of OTMJ. ❖

are $5. Food will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

ShowHouse staples returning this year are the Symphony Shop, stocked with artisan-made wares, antiques, and items donated by Symphony Volunteer Council members. Most of the furniture and decorative accessories displayed in the ShowHouse will be for sale in the Decorator Sales office.

Teninbaum said she encourages visitors to take their time when they tour the house.

“Don’t just walk quickly through a room,” she said. “Stand there and look at everything, take in the details.”

Serving as a room hostess and greeting ShowHouse visitors was one of Teninbaum’s favorite duties in past years, she said.

“I’d want to be in a different room every time,” she said. “It was fun to meet people and hear what they thought about the house.”

Decorators’ ShowHouse tickets are $15 through April 17 and $20 after that. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $15. For information on how to buy tickets and a list of ticket outlets, visit www.symphonyvolunteercouncil.org.

Tickets also will be available at the ShowHouse after it opens.

The house will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays.

There is no parking at the ShowHouse. Shuttle parking is at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, 2780 Altadena Road. The last shuttle leaves one hour before the house closes each day.

For more information, visit ShowHouse-Al.com or call 9698033. ❖

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please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thank you for your prompt attention.

To: Tricia From: Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Date: April This is your AD prOOF from the Over The MOunTAin JOurnAl for April 9, 2015 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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28 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

Roberts-Platte

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Roberts of Hoover announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Lauren Roberts, to Eric Charles Platte, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Platte of Saginaw, Mich.

The bride-elect is the grand-

Clark-Pugh

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Clark of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie Clark, to Austin Pugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Garland B. Pugh III of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the grand-

Howard-Yarbrough

Mr. and Mrs. Carey Elton Howard of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Patton Howard, to Dr. Christopher Peyton Yarbrough Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Peyton Yarbrough of Greenville, Miss.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Aubrey Elton Howard and the late Mr. Howard of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. David Boykin Patton of Eutaw.

Weddings & Engagements daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Spruiel of Detroit and Mr. and Mrs. Shelby G. Roberts of Sulligent.

Miss Roberts is a 2008 graduate of Hoover High School and a 2012 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Lambda Sigma Honor Society. She is employed with Momentum Worldwide in Atlanta.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Levi of Saginaw and Mrs. Mary Lou Platte and the late Mr. Donald Platte of Detroit.

Mr. Platte is a 2006 graduate of Swan Valley High School and a 2010 graduate of Michigan State University, where he was a member of Supply Chain Management Association. Mr. Platte is employed with the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta.

The wedding will be June 27 at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham. daughter of Mrs. Raymond Clark and the late Mr. Clark of Hopkinsville, Ky., and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Flynn of Birmingham.

Miss Clark is a cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a specialization in professional sales and was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She is employed with Post Properties in Atlanta.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clark of Birmingham and Mr. and Mrs. Garland B. Pugh Jr. of Gulf Breeze, Fla. Mr. Pugh is a graduate of Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in forestry and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He is employed with Edko in Shreveport, La. The wedding will be April 18.

Miss Howard is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a 2009 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She received a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2013. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and was presented at the Ball of Roses.

Miss Howard is employed by Warrior Medical Associates as a nurse practitioner.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Ms. Lydia Lorraine Ross of Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph Ross of Hot Springs, Ark., and the late Dr. and Mrs. William Claiborne Yarbrough of Greenville.

Dr. Yarbrough is a graduate of Washington School in Greenville and a 2009 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He received a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2014. Dr. Yarbrough is employed by Day Eye Care.

The wedding will be Aug. 1.

Smith-Sullivan

Woodrum-Perez

Mr. Charles Everett Woodrum of Charleston, W. Va., and Ms. Larette

Heacock-Vogelsang

Harriet Harrison Ann Heacock and Matthew David Vogelsang were married Nov. 22 at St. Mary’s-onthe-Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham. The 5 p.m. ceremony was officiated by Rev. Harry Huey Gardner and the Rev. Robert Hunter Blackwell. A reception followed in The Signature at The Club.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Heacock

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Anthony Smith of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Kendall Smith, to Christopher Andrew Sullivan, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Posey Cobb II and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hoke Sullivan of Montgomery.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Benjamin Culpepper and Mrs. Lorene Chandley Smith and the late Mr. Charles Ophus Smith, all of Pell City.

Miss Smith is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was a member of Phi Mu soror-

ity. Miss Smith is employed with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Birmingham.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Virginia Groff Schroeder and the late Mr. Gilbert Shaw Graves III of Evansville, Ind., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Thomas Sullivan of Montgomery.

Mr. Sullivan is a graduate of Trinity Presbyterian School and the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Mr. Sullivan is employed with BSR Trust in Montgomery.

The wedding is planned for May 23 in Birmingham.

Arlene Woodrum of Morgantown, W. Va., announce the engagement of their daughter, Christine Elizabeth Woodrum, to Matthew Joseph Perez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Perez Jr. of Vestavia Hills.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Woodrum of Charleston and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ed Yost of Edwardsburg, Mich.

Miss Woodrum is a 2002 graduate of Morgantown High School in Morgantown and a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of West Virginia University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. She received her master of business administration degree in 2009 from Kennesaw State University. Miss Woodrum was a

member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and Alpha Pi Mu industrial engineering honor society.

She is employed with Citibank in Jacksonville, Fla. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Charles G. Hurst Jr. of Birmingham and the late Mr. Hurst and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Perez of Mobile.

Mr. Perez is a 2000 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2005 graduate of Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He is employed with MetalPlate Galvanizing in Jacksonville.

The wedding will be May 16 in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Jr. of Mountain Brook, formerly of Talladega. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Frances Cogswell Christenberry of Talladega and the late Mr. Thomas Edwin Christenberry Jr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Heacock of Talladega. The bride is a graduate of Auburn University and received a master’s degree in business administration from Samford University. She is employed by BBVA Compass in Birmingham.

The groom is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Elmer William Vogelsang of Newland, N.C., formerly of Vero Beach, Fla. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dewey Estep and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Robert Vogelsang.

The groom is a graduate of Samford University and is employed by Vulcan Materials in Birmingham.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Augusta Jones Deluxe Duchess satin ball gown with a three-quarter sleeve lace bolero and French Alencon lace belt adorned with seed pearls. She also wore a family cathedral-length wedding veil of Brussels lace which was first worn

by her mother.

Stella McGehee Tuten of Charleston, S.C., served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Kim King Tidwell of Homewood and cousin of the bride Frances Sullivan Mayhall of Vestavia Hills.

The father of the groom and Matthew Allen Buitron of Vestavia Hills served as the groom’s best men.

James Warren Heacock III, brother of the bride, of Dallas was the groomsman. The ushers were Todd Jonathon Borgmeier of Charlotte, N.C., Matthew David Brown of Pelham, Kenneth Ray Linder of Birmingham, Robert Matthew Love of Alabaster and Brian Allen Warwick of Vestavia Hills.

Charles Scribner IV of Mountain Brook was the acolyte. Soloist was cousin of the bride Stephen Gary Heacock of Tuscaloosa. Cousin of the bride Frances Moore Graham of Manhattan, Mont., and cousin of the groom Bruce Allen Wright of Fort Wayne, Ind., were the lectors.

Following a wedding trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, the couple live in Homewood.

To have our wedding & engagement forms sent to you, please call 823-9646.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 29

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Two teams from Mountain Brook’s robotics team and one team from Louis Pizitz Middle School will travel to Louiseville, Ky. for the VEX Robotics World Championship. Photo special to the Journal

Rise of the Machines

Over the Mountain Robotics Teams Head for World Competition

By Emily Williams Over the Mountain students prove that you don’t have to be a professional engineer to build a functioning robot.

Two teams from Mountain Brook’s robotics team will travel to Louisville, Ky., for the VEX Robotics World Championship April 15. While there, they will compete against more than 700 teams from around the world, including one team from Louis Pizitz Middle School.

After success at the state-level competition, John Shows and Caleb Summitt will represent Mountain Brook Junior High at the world competition.

The team is currently building a new robot and trying to perfect it before they head off to Kentucky.

“We will probably keep working on it until competition day,” Shows said. “If your robot malfunctions during the competition, they will let you stop and repair it.”

At the Alabama State Championship in Huntsville, the duo didn’t finish its robot until the night before, Summitt said.

“And then we worked on it the next day, because we were trying to work out some kinks,” Shows said.

“Sometimes, you see other teams’ robots and you get ideas from them.”

For VEX robotics competitions, each team makes a robot from plastic parts which they order from VEX. They build the robot and program its “brain” to move around a competition course, stack plastic blocks, and move to the scoring zone. The teams have one minute to stack as many boxes as they can.

“Our final score, when everything added up, was 432, which is 100 better than the second-place team,” said

Shows.

Both Shows and Summit said that the state win was stressful but felt great. They participated in a BEST competition at UAB that brought in a crowd of over 200, Shows said, which prepared the two for large audiences.

They estimate that they have made over 100 changes to the robot throughout their competition process.

“We had to gear up the motor,” Summitt said. “So when you have a smaller gear powering a bigger gear, you have more torque. When you have a bigger gear powering a smaller gear, that’s more speed.”

Shows said the pair made extensive adjustments.

“We changed the motor, we changed the gears, we changed the entire drive,” he said.

“It could be frustrating,” Shows said. “For a while, there was a programming issue where it would just keep on driving no matter what.”

“We had to go in and completely re-program the brain,” said Summitt, “It was screwed up.”

Though they said they find the process slightly frustrating, the two said they hope to continue their involvement with robotics and even pursue it as a future career.

“I would like to work for a company that invents things,” Shows said.

“I would like, if anything, to do aeronautical engineering,” Summit said.

Fellow Mountain Brook robotics team members Fletcher Nunnelley and Jack Brandt will be competing on the world competition’s elementary level.

As is the standard for each team, the two plan to build an entirely new robot for the championship.

“We’re keeping our old one in case we don’t finish our new robot in

time,” Nunnelley said.

Both Brandt and Nunnelley said they learned about programming in their math classes, but the Robotics Club has taken their knowledge to a new level.

“My favorite thing about this is designing something and seeing that idea come to life before your eyes,” Nunnelley said.

All the Mountain Brook team members said they are excited about the experiences they expect from competing in a worldwide competition, but they’re keeping an eye out for stiff competitors.

“We looked on the website, and the highest score in the United States was around 120,” Brandt said. “The highest in China was in the 300s, so we’ll have to watch out for them.”

Vestavia Hills will also be represented at the competition by Louis Pizitz Middle School. The school’s robotics team placed 12th overall at the state championship and won the best design award, sending it directly to the world championship.

In addition to designing a new robot, the Pizitz team is now raising money in order to travel to Louisville.

Like the Mountain Brook team, the Pizitz team has redesigned and reengineered after each competition in order to make their robot more efficient.

“It would be a real shame to get a berth to worlds and not be able to get there,” Bill McInnish, team coach said. “We’ve already heard from our PTO, state Sen. Jabo Waggoner, and our chamber of commerce, who have all helped us raise some funds. Some of our families are trying to help us as well.”

For more information on how to contribute to the team’s trip, call Louis Pizitz Middle School at 4025354. ❖

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30 • Thursday, April 9, 2015

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Kindergarten student Myca Banks helps package Stop Hunger Now meals in honor of her grandfather, George Smaha.

Photo special to the Journal

OLS Group Remembers Loved One by Helping the Hungry Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School students and teachers, along with family and friends, gathered to help those less fortunate in memory of a loved one.

The group packaged more than 13,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now in honor of George Smaha, who died last year.

Smaha’s widow, Rose Smaha, is a teacher at OLS, and his five grandchildren attend the school.

“He loved to bring people together for food, and what better way to honor Dad than to bring people together for a worthy cause,” his daughter, Karen Smaha, who works for the hunger relief agency, said.

In just a few hours, the volunteers put together thousands of nutritious meals in a well-organized assembly line. The small packaged meals contained rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix, including 23 essen-

tial vitamins and minerals.

The food has since been distributed to Madagascar through a partnering agency.

“The loss of our father was rather sudden for us,” Karen Smaha said. “As a family, we felt that Stop Hunger Now was a quick and effective way to help people all over the world. Dad had such a kind and generous spirit, and we felt this was a great way for him to live on in the lives of those we can help.” ❖

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Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 31

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

LPMS Sixth-graders Learn about Holocaust

by Jeff (Bonzo)

Photo special to the Journal

Sixth-grade students at Liberty Park Middle School heard the story of Roger Blum, whose life was impacted by the Holocaust, from his daughter, Denise Lewis.

Lewis is a Guardian of Remembrance with the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center.

The students studied the Holocaust during February. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of European Jews.

At age 19, Roger Blum moved to Alabama from Brumath, France. Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Hitler moved into more European countries, and

Rehab Reality

Blum’s family was forced from their home by the Nazis.

Lewis has been telling her father’s story to students, church groups and civic organizations for 17 years.

Lewis said she feels it is her privilege and honor to let students know that as horrible as the days of the Nazi regime were, there were some inspiring stories to share.

The students also participated in

an online tour of Anne Frank’s secret annex, visited Holocaust memorial sites using Google Earth and created their own Google Literature Tours using the website www.tourbuilder. withgoogle.com.

She also participates on Stonecreek’s award-winning robotics team, which won four trophies in competitions this year.

the school’s food drive and other community programs.

He also is an accomplished chess competitor and holds four state titles, Stephen Adams including Alabama State Chess Champion. In the past two years, he represented Alabama at the national Denker Tournament of High School Champions.

Adams said he plans to attend Auburn University to study chemical engineering. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

Hope Christian Senior Is National Merit Finalist

Shades Cahaba Hosts Winter Festival Shades Cahaba Elementary School’s Winter Festival raised more than $75,000.

The event included games, activities, an auction and food.

The festival is Shades Cahaba’s only fundraiser of the year. Proceeds provide grant money to fulfill academic enhancement requests from the teachers.

Reading Program Has March Madness Theme Third-grade students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights participated in March Madness – but in reading, not basketball.

A bracket displayed in the school’s third-grade hall listed books which made the program’s Sweet 16 list. The books represent different genres and reading levels. Included are classics such as “Shiloh” and “Charlotte’s Web,” the New York Times bestseller “Wonder” and Newbery Award Winner “The One and Only Ivan.”

Just as those filling out NCAA tournament brackets choose teams they think will win, students vote for their favorite books in each matchup. In order to vote, students have to have read both books “playing” against each other in a “game.”

Stonecreek Student Wins Writing Award Stonecreek Montessori seventhgrade student Hannah Bray has earned a National Gold Medal in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Contest.

After winning a Gold Key in the

program’s Southern region at-large competition, Bray’s original work entitled “Why Do You Always Carry a Gun?” advanced to the national level competition, where it was reviewed against other entries from across the nation.

Less than 1 percent of this year’s 300,000 submissions earned a National Medal.

The Scholastic Awards, established in 1923, are the nation’s largest, longest-running scholarship and recognition program for creative teens.

The awards are presented to students in grades 7-12 by the Alliance for Hannah Bray Young Artists and Writers.

Prior winners of the awards include Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote and Joyce Carol Oates.

The National Gold Medal is one of many awards Bray has earned this year. In the fall, she won the “Call and Response” category in the 2014 Fall Contest of the Alabama State Poets Society. Her winning entry, “Haven,” took first place over poems from entrants as far away as Missouri and Utah.

Bray will travel to Duke University later this spring for the Duke TIP Grand Recognition Ceremony. She earned the honor by taking the ACT in seventh grade through the Duke Talent Identification Program and earning an ACT score greater than or equal to 30 on Reading and 29 on the English section.

Stephen Adams, a senior at Hope Christian School in Pelham, has been named a finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship program.

As a finalist, Adams joins a distinguished group of some 15,000 students representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school graduating seniors.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Adams is active in his school and community. He is an officer in Hope Christian School’s Honor Society and is involved with

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

business briefs

Jeffco Commission President Will Speak to Hoover Chamber Avadian Credit Union will sponsor a Hoover Chamber of Commerce luncheon April 16.

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens (pictured) will present the 2015 State of the County Address for Jefferson County.

Networking begins at 11:15 a.m. The meeting starts at noon.

The luncheon is $20 with reservations in advance or $22 for walk-ins without reservations.

To attend, make reservations no later than April 13 by calling 988-5672 or emailing lisa@ hooverchamber.org.

Vestavia Chamber Will Hear from Addiction Prevention Specialist

Above: Janet and Jeremy Hartmann are preparing to reopen The Model Box after a fire devestated their business last June. The plane shown is a model that Jeremy worked on for over two years before it was scorched in the fire. They plan to hang the plane in the front of their new store.

Below: Homewood Toy and Hobby co-owner Kevin McCain is passionate about drones. Journal photos by Kaitlin Candelaria

Model Businesses Hobby Shops Attract Customers of All Ages

By Kaitlin Candelaria Some may think of hobby shops as child’s play. But that’s simply not true, according to Tricia and Kevin McCain, co-owners of Homewood Toy and Hobby.

The McCains said people from ages 5 to 75 visit their store on a regular basis.

“We have all kinds,” Kevin McCain said.

“There’s a lot of creative folks and families obviously with toys and hobbies and everything from engineers and pilots to any other profession and lifestyle.”

Janet and Jeremy Hartmann of The Model Box 2.0 in Hoover echo that sentiment.

In the world of digital gadgets and gizmos, running a hobby shop is not without challenges.

“That’s tough because it’s anywhere from young adults with their own new money to men who have just recently retired who want to get into something new,” Janet Hartmann said.

Both shops, which sell almost everything from rockets to Pinewood Derby cars, serve a similar demographic in Homewood and Hoover but have very different roots.

Homewood Toy and Hobby was opened in 1950 by Tricia McCain’s grandparents at a location farther down 18th Street as a lawnmower part and repair shop. It later moved to the current Cahaba Cycles location on 18th Street, and bicycles were added to the inventory. Toys and dolls were introduced by her parents upon the birth of McCain’s sister before becoming the

store’s main focus, she said.

Janet and Jeremy started The Model Box in 1988 as newlyweds.

“He would shop at local hobby shops, but they never had what he wanted, and he wanted to open a shop that would carry parts for everything we carried and where people could take it home without having to order anything,” Janet Hartmann said. “It was ours, and it was new. We were so proud of that.”

In the world of digital gadgets and gizmos, running a hobby shop is not without challenges.

However, the owners of both stores said they are confident about their abilities to compete with modern technology.

“It really takes care of itself,” Tricia McCain said. “A lot of people do hobbies specifically to get away from that.”

The McCains also sell many modern hobby products in their store, including drones from $29.99 and up to highly sophisticated drones that sell for thousands of dollars.

The Model Box 2.0 also fights fire with fire.

“We stay current because a lot of the things we sell can be operated through your tablet,” Janet Hartmann said. “You can use your digital items to control the device.”

However, technology has challenged the hobby shop industry in more than one way.

Hobby pricing can be very competitive online, Tricia McCain said.

“We do match pricing,” she said. “A lot of people have a misconception that brick and mortar stores are more expensive, and we’re not.”

The Hartmanns said they agreed. Their prices range from $10 to $1,000, they said.

Technology isn’t the only challenge The Model Box 2.0 has come up against. Last June, the store was devastated by a fire. After being closed for over 10 months, the Hartmanns are ready to reopen towards the end of April.

“It was tough. It’s still tough,” Janet Hartmann said. “The insurance company estimated four to six weeks and we’d be back in business, and it’s been almost 10 months. You never expect for this to happen to you.”

The couple said they have big things planned for the reopening, including adding 2.0 to the See model, facing page

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon April 14 at the Vestavia Country Club.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with networking. The program starts at noon.

Guest speaker Danny Malloy, (pictured) program support specialist of the Addiction Prevention Coalition, will talk about his personal journey and the need for community support to counter the dramatic rise in drug use.

Reservations are required and must be made no later than April 10 by 4 p.m. The cost is $18.

To make reservations, visit www.vestaviahills. org or call 823-5011.

Lujano Will be Keynote Speaker at Prayer Breakfast The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce will hold the 25th annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast April 28.

The annual breakfast is one of the most well-attended events in the Vestavia Hills community, Chamber officials said.

Dignitaries and local citizens are invited to the event to come together and offer prayers for the world, country, state and city.

This year, Bob Lujano (pictured) will be the keynote speaker.

Lujano is a quadruple amputee due to meningococcemia. a rare form of meningitis, which he contracted in 1979. To save his life, all four of his limbs had to be amputated.

From that day on, Lujano said, his goal has been to live an independent life. He works at the Lakeshore Foundation, an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site which is also home to the Lima Foxtrot program for recently wounded veterans.

Lujano is an advocate for adaptive and competitive wheelchair sports and is president for the United States Quad Rugby Association.

In 2013, he was listed as one of the 20 Most Beautiful People in Birmingham.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Vestavia Country Club and includes a buffet breakfast.

Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. For more information and tickets, call 823-5011 or visit business.vestaviahills.org/events.

Homewood Chamber Meeting Set for April 21 The Homewood Chamber of Commerce will meet April 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Club.

The meeting will feature the Homewood City Schools Foundation.

For more information, visit www. homewoodchamber.org.

Reid Named Qualifying Broker for Liberty Park Joint Venture Liberty Park Joint Venture, LLP has named Vickie Reid (pictured) as its qualifying real estate broker.

Liberty Park, named one of the area’s finest new home communities last fall in the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders’ Community Showcase, encompasses 16 neighborhoods and has homes in six different communities.

Houses ranges from those priced in the mid-$300,000s to multimillion dollar estates.

Since its establishment in 1992, Liberty Park has attracted more than 1,300 families to the Over the Mountain area.

Reid is a 23-year-veteran of the

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 33

business

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

real estate industry and has extensive experience marketing new home communities in Birmingham and Nashville, company officials said.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of Liberty Park,” Reid said. “Our grand opening for our new model homes is planned for April 30, just in time for the Parade of Homes. We will showcase some of the latest trends and technologies, so the timing is perfect for us.”

Shawn Arterburn, vice president of development for Liberty Park Joint Venture, said he agreed.

“With interest rates this low, I believe spring 2015 is an ideal time to host a grand opening,” Arterburn said.

Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club.

“When we don’t use our pastry chef, we call Gia’s Cakes.”

Gia’s Cakes creates custom and sculptured cakes for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, corporate functions and special celebrations. Gia’s also serves classic mini-dessert recipes remade into innovative presentations.

For more information, visit www.

GiasCakes.com. ❖

model,

From previous page

name to signify a fresh start.

The business recently joined the Hoover Chamber of Commerce and will host a ribbon cutting with a cocktail reception for customers who have stuck with them through this transitory phase, the Hartmanns said.

A model plane that Jeremy Hartmann spent almost two years

building will be displayed in the front of the store. Although the plane was scorched in the fire, it survived intact and will serve as a reminder of where the shop has been and where it hopes to go in the future.

“We want to be that hometown hobby shop that you think of,” Janet Hartmann said. “If you buy online, good luck if you have problems after you get it. We, on the other hand, are going to help you in any way we can.

We’re just tickled to be back.” ❖

Gia’s Cakes Moving to Montclair Road Gia’s Cakes will move from its Mountain Brook location to 972 Montclair Road this month.

After three years in business, new owner Lexi Ginsburg Mota said she thought the time was ripe to move in order to accommodate more customers beyond the Mountain Brook community.

Gia’s Cakes recently has been recognized nationally for its one-of-akind cake and dessert creations, ranking among the Top 50 Best Wedding Cakes in America by The Daily Meal.

Gia’s Cakes also was featured in JuneBug Weddings’ “10 Amazing Wedding Cakes.”

“They are 5-10 years ahead of anyone else with tremendous quality equivalent to the top cake makers in Europe,” said Chef Chris Hastings of

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Full Nelson

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

As the Barons open their third season at Regions Park April 9, the franchise has never been stronger. And team General Manager Jonathan Nelson, a Vestavia Hills resident, has never been more optimistic.

Three years ago, some people didn’t think moving the Birmingham Barons baseball franchise back to the downtown Birmingham area was such a good idea.

They admitted that the new stadium would be nice and might draw people to the games for a short time. But the skeptics contended that eventually the threat of crime and the relative inconvenience of parking would take its toll, and Regions Field would be the latest entry on a long list of disappointments for the city.

The skeptics could not have been more wrong.

As the Barons open their third season at Regions Park April 9, the franchise has never been stronger. And team General Manager

‘People will be impressed by the new construction that is going on within a four-to-six block radius of the ballpark, which includes the Negro Southern League Museum. What people are seeing is a revitalized area with new things popping up everywhere.’

Jonathan Nelson, a Vestavia Hills resident, has never been more optimistic.

“It was an amazing first two years,” Nelson said a few days before the 2015 season opener.

“In 2013, the brand-new ballpark gave people another reason to come downtown again – and we capped it off by winning the Southern League championship. Then last year, we didn’t have a great year on the field, but we still drew 437,000 fans. And we raise the bar each year.”

Nelson said he believes there have been mul-

Bonamy, From page 36

to have ups and downs. I’m pretty happy where I am right now, but I can always improve.”

Bonamy entered her senior season with a reputation for being at her best when the stakes were highest, and she has lived up to that in 2015. In mid-March, she shined in the pitcher’s circle, allowing one earned run while pitching a three-hitter to help the Lady Jags to a 4-3 win over Decatur in the James Clemens Tournament in Huntsville. She helped her own cause with a solo home run in the opening inning. Mary Katherine Tedder drove in the winning run.

Two weeks later, Bonamy hit the first grand slam of her career in a 10-9 win over Central of Phenix City.

Julianna Cross got the eventual gamewinning RBI in the eighth inning.

But the biggest win of all may have been a dramatic seventh-inning comeback against Class 7A Area 6 rival Vestavia Hills.

“We were down 7-2 going into the seventh inning and won 8-7,” Bonamy said. “Everyone just decided that we weren’t going to lose. If we can show that much focus all the time, nobody can stop us.”

Needless to say, Bonamy isn’t a

tiple factors in the Barons and Region Field’s stunning success in those inaugural seasons.

“We were part of the trend that was drawing people back to the downtown area,” he said.

“With Railroad Park and the new entertainment district with the hotels, downtown was on the upswing. On top of that, people could get excited about a brand new state-of-the-art ballpark in the middle of it all.”

The perceived issues of crime and lack of parking space were also effectively addressed, Nelson said.

“We had great cooperation from the Birmingham Police Department to establish a quiet but extensive presence on game nights,” he said. “And we addressed parking by coming up with a great plan. The use of shuttles and other ways to provide easy parking access have been positives.”

That sense of excitement and momentum should carry over in 2015, Nelson said.

“People will be impressed by the new construction that is going on within a four-to-six block radius of the ballpark, which includes the Negro Southern League Museum,” he said.

“What people are seeing is a revitalized area with new things popping up everywhere.”

And of course, Nelson – ever mindful of the competition for the entertainment dollar – promises more of the same inside the confines of Regions Field.

“Each year our goal is to offer great, affordable family fun,” he said. “We understand that people are not as emotionally connected if the Barons win or lose on a particular night as they are with Alabama, Auburn or UAB, so we want to provide a good time to everyone who comes out to the ballpark regardless of the outcome of the game.”

Popular promotions that will be offered again are Fifty-cent Hot Dog Night, Thirsty Thursday and weekend fireworks displays. New attrac-

one-girl show. Seven other Spain Park regulars are batting over .350. Jenna Olszewski, Destini England and Tedder are hitting in the .400 range. Kynadi Tipler, Marley Barnes, Caroline Parker and Cross are all .300-plus hitters.

Mallory McCarty has been outstanding in the pitcher’s circle.

“We’re still a work in progress,” Bonamy said. “And there’s still a long way to go. But April is always an important month, and we need to step up if we are going to reach our team goals.”

As one of only four upperclassmen on the Lady Jaguar roster, Mary Kathryn Bonamy doesn’t Bonamy see her leadership role as any different from previous years.

“We don’t have a lot of division between the seniors and the rest of the team,” she said. “I wouldn’t care to have a situation where the seniors were basically giving orders to everyone else.

We try to help everyone as best we can, regardless of what class they happen to be in.”

The key to leadership is being able to live in the moment, Bonamy said.

“It’s real easy for a player to get

tions such as an appearance by Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey -- a live monkey who performs rodeo tricks – are also on the schedule.

And then there’s always the baseball game.

The Barons are continuing their long relationship with their major league affiliate, the Chicago White Sox, which brought talents such as Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan and Robin Ventura to Birmingham.

Terry Francona, who managed the Barons from 1993-95, went on to manage the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships.

“We have a proud tradition for baseball in Birmingham, and we are doing our best to continue it,” Nelson said.

He added that one of the most enjoyable things about the Barons’ colorful history is the diversity of its fan base.

“It’s so great to see the older fans who followed the team during the Rickwood Field days and the younger ones who were part of the great 25 years that we had at the Hoover Met,” he said. “Now, we are seeing them come together with the new fans to enjoy the experience of Regions Field.”

Nelson, a Fairhope native and University of Montevallo graduate, could be rightly accused of having baseball in his blood, as he has worked in the sport for nearly 25 years.

Nelson’s career with the Barons began in 1993

down when she strikes out or makes an error or some other mistake,” she said.

“The sign of maturity is when you can put that mistake behind you immediately and start thinking about the next opportunity.”

Bonamy, who has already committed to the University of Notre Dame, said she has a personal goal for her senior year of maintaining solid individual statistics. As far as team objectives go, she covets the blue state championship hardware that Spain Park came so close to claiming for its trophy case a year ago.

“The fact we came so close to winning the championship last year still bothers us. It even still bothers my mom,” Bonamy said, laughing. “To come up short is not a good feeling.

The only way to fix that is to win it all this year.”

Spain Park took a short respite at the beginning of spring break – allowing time for Bonamy to get her dental work done – before resuming its schedule in the prestigious Bob Jones Tournament at the end of the week.

“As a senior, this is my last run, so I plan to make the most of it,” Bonamy said. “We have to close with a strong finish.”

M.K. Bonamy, the girl who chose wisdom teeth extraction over a beach towel for spring break, isn’t likely to settle for second best.

with an internship that developed into a full-time position in group sales. After a four-year stint in Birmingham, he joined the front office of the Detroit Tigers, where he worked selling season ticket packages.

Nelson came back to Birmingham as the Barons’ assistant general manager in 1998, a position he held until moving up to general manager in 2005. He has high praise for Don, Stan and Jeff Logan, the team owners.

“The Logans are great people to work with,” he said. “They are greatly committed not only to the Barons but to the Birmingham community at large.”

Nelson and his wife, Christy, and their two children are deeply rooted in the community with no plans to leave in the foreseeable future, he said.

“You don’t want to ever say never, because there’s no way to know what opportunities might arise,” he said. “But my family and I are very happy here. We have great fans, great owners and the nicest ballpark you’ll find anywhere.

There’s nowhere else I’d want to be right now.”

Jonathan Nelson can’t guarantee local baseball fans another Southern League title, but he can promise them an old-fashioned good time at the ballpark. And on a beautiful night in late spring or early summer, who could ask for anything more?

Photo special to the Journal

By Lee Davis

Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria

Barons GM Sees Another Big Year for Baseball

MBHS Fishing Team Wins Third Place in Tournament Reid Carter and Brother Swagler, members of Mountain Brook High School’s bass fishing team, placed third in the Airport Marine High School Team Trail tournament on Lake Mitchell Feb. 21.

The two caught their limit of five fish and had a 14.73-pound bag.

Carter, 18, and Swagler, 17, are seniors at Mountain Brook High School.

“We were fishing a school of spotted bass on a bluff wall half a mile from the launch,” Swagler said. “We stayed there pretty much the whole day. We figured that we were on some fish, so we should just stay where we were.”

Carter said the pair got off to a good start in the tournament.

“We caught our limit by 8:30 in the morning, so we thought we were going to have a very, very good day after that,” Carter said.

All the fish were spotted bass.

“We actually caught four limits,” Swagler said. “We caught 20 fish altogether and kept culling the smallest ones.”

Until the tournament, the two had never fished on Lake Mitchell, they said.

“We drove down the night before and fished for about 20 minutes,” Carter said.

“We caught a four-pound spot on the bluff, and we decided to fish there the next day.”

Carter, the son of Amy and Britton Carter, and Swagler, the son of Susan and Rick Swagler, both said they are looking forward to the event.

Thursday, April 9, 2015 • 35

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Vestavia 10U Girls Win State Championship

Grizzlies Are Hoover Rec League Champs

The fourth grade Grizzlies finished first in regular season play and won the tournament championship.

Team members are, from left, front: Elijah Herron, Griffin Lyda and Stone Kendrick. Back: Jackson Barnes, Carter Faircloth, Jack Kendrickand Evan Smallwood. Head coach: Ward Smallwood. Assistant coaches: Brian Faircloth and Blake Kendrick.

Spartans, From page 36

Other seniors down the middle are second baseman Andrew Autrey and centerfielder Drew Odum.

“Both of them are reliable about making the routine plays and sometimes make the spectacular plays,” Gann said. “They also have a good knack for getting on base.”

Autrey has an on-base percentage of .444, while Odom bats .315 with 20 RBIs. Also providing offensive punch in the Mountain Brook batting order are first baseman J.D. Kubiszyn, a senior, and outfielder Luke Hartman, a junior.

“They are the heart of our lineup and are great contact hitters,” Gann said. “Kubiszyn is hitting at a .464 pace with 32 RBIs. Hartman is batting .433 with 22 RBIs.”

Perhaps the Spartans’ greatest asset is a pitching staff that is talented and deep. Seniors Hunter Holcomb and Alan Hale along with junior Burt Bellande – all left-handers – often make up the starting rotation.

Holcomb is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.833 and 33 strikeouts. Hale has a 4-1 record with a microscopic ERA of .733 and has fanned 22 batters.

Bellande is 4-1 with an ERA of 1.833.

“They are all similar and different at the same time,” Gann said. “There are plenty of things they all do well, but they are a little different in how they focus. Each of them is doing a great job.”

The starting trio aren’t the only quality arms on the team. Joe Donald – a three-sport athlete – is outstanding coming out of the bullpen. Bailey Shelfer, Parks Shoulders, John Eagan, Jeb Brown John Sisson and Kubiszyn can also do quality work on the mound. Mountain Brook’s team ERA

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

Photos special to the Journal

The Vestavia 10U girls basketball team recently won the state championship by dominating the competition with convincing wins, beating Trussville 40-5, Gadsden 35-13, Geneva 38-18, and Morgan County 32-14. Team members are, from left, front: Ally Smith, Carley Smith, Rachel DeFore, D’yona Jones, Ashby Thomas, Jordan Gunter, and Emma Smith. Back: Coach Mark Smith, Blakely Berryhill, Coach Bill Smith, Kate Kaiser and Coach Kathleen Smith.

is a strong 1.606.

Shoulders can also hit when called upon, chalking up an average of .323 when playing in the Hunter Holcomb infield.

“As Billy Martin once said, ‘You can’t have too many pitchers,’” Gann said, quoting the late New York Yankees manager. “We feel very good about our depth on the mound.

We can put any of these guys on the mound, and they can throw strikes.”

Perhaps Mountain Brook’s most impressive performance of the season came in an 11-1 rout of Ragland in the finals of the Spring Break Tournament. Kubiszyn had three hits

and four RBIs, while Holcomb had three hits and two RBIs. McPhearson added two hits and three RBIs. Odum had two triples as Hartman and Autrey contributed two hits.

Hale earned the victory on the mound, striking out five as the game ended in the sixth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule.

While the Spartans may seem invincible now, Gann and his players understand it’s far too early to make playoff plans. Mountain Brook competes in Class 7A’s rugged Area 7, which includes Spain Park, Vestavia Hills and Hewitt-Trussville. Mountain Brook has already taken two wins over the Jaguars, but difficult tests with the Rebels and Huskies come in early April.

“There’s no question that we are probably in one of the toughest areas in Alabama,” Gann said. “We have yet to play our best baseball of the season.”

And while a gaudy win-loss record and a high ranking in the state polls may be hot conversation topics for fans and members of the media, Gann said he thinks his team has the maturity to understand what’s important.

“We tell our players all the time that the only rankings that matter are the ones at the end of the season,” he said. “It’s true that some teams may be gunning for us because of our ranking, but we can’t worry about them. All we can do is worry about Mountain Brook and do everything we can to be a better baseball team.”

So for now, nobody on Bethune Drive is talking about the post-season.

“We are only thinking about the next game,” Gann said. “Actually, all we’re thinking about is the next pitch.”

Gann’s day-at-a-time approach might be good enough to give Mountain Brook the season of a lifetime.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Sports

Full Nelson: Barons GM Sees Another Big Year for Baseball Page 34 Lee Davis

Knowledge and Wisdom: Jaguars’ Bonamy Is Always Looking to Improve

Catcher Jack McPherson is a force with his bat hitting a robust .453 with 32 RBIs and five home runs.

Senior Alan Hale has a 4-1 record with a microscopic ERA of .733 and has fanned 22 batters.

First baseman J.D. Kubiszyn is hitting at a .464 pace with 32 RBIs. Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Senior Moments Strong Upper Class Keys Top-ranked Spartans

By Lee Davis When a baseball team starts its season with a 23-3 record, most coaches like to talk about pitching, hitting and defense. That’s understandable, because those fundamentals are keys to success in the sport at any level.

But they aren’t the first thing Mountain Brook coach Lee Gann mentions when discussing his Spartans, who are 23-3 and hold a No. 1 ranking in the latest Class 7A polls.

“We have guys that look after each other every day,” said Gann, fresh off a victory in the Spartans Sports Corporation Spring Break Tournament last week. “This is one of the most unselfish teams I’ve ever been around.

The character of each individual is what makes this team special.”

Mountain Brook’s impressive beginning is showing itself in more tangible ways as well.

“We’re playing better defense and producing runs when

we have the opportunities,” Gann said. “Our base running has also been a bright spot.”

A mainstay for the Spartans has been a strong senior class.

“When a team has a lot of experienced seniors, it’s easier to get a grasp on what we can do,” Gann said. “With a team that is less seasoned, it’s harder to tell. The best thing about these seniors is that many of them are like having coaches on the field.”

One of the most important seniors is catcher Jack McPherson, a three-year starter who has already signed with Auburn University.

“Jack does a great job of handling our pitchers,” Gann said. “It’s rare to find a high school catcher who can do as many things as well as he does.”

McPherson is a force with his bat as well. He’s hitting a robust .453 with 32 RBIs and five home runs.

‘The best thing about these seniors is that many of them are like having coaches on the field.’

Lee Gann Mountain Brook coach

While many of her peers were spending spring break at the beach, Mary Kathryn Bonamy was engaging in a much more practical – if infinitely less enjoyable – activity.

She was having her wisdom teeth extracted.

“I was supposed to get it done last summer, but I was playing so much travel ball, there just wasn’t enough time,” Bonamy said. “So the first part of spring break was the best time to do it.”

Staying busy is nothing out of character for the intense Bonamy, the outstanding senior infielder/pitcher for the Spain Park softball team. Last season, she led the Jaguars to the state Class 6A semifinals while batting .425 on the way to being named the 2013-14 Over the Mountain Journal Girl Athlete of the Year.

The new season has Spain Park entering April with an impressive 15-32 record, and Bonamy is connecting at a hefty .500 pace with 29 RBIs and six home runs. But as an admitted type A personality, she isn’t satisfied.

“We’re playing well, but we could be doing even better,” said Bonamy, known as M.K. to her teammates and friends. “We’ve had some close games.

If everyone was focused at the same time, I’m convinced that nobody in the state could beat us. We have an unbelievable amount of talent on this team.”

When it comes to improvement, Bonamy is hardest on herself.

“I can always do better,” she said.

“During a long season, anyone is going

See spartans, page 35

See Bonamy, page 34

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