Thursday, August 27, 2015 • 15
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Photo special to the Journal
From left: Kelley Olis, Mindy Wald, Shelly McCarty, Santa, Emily Bridges and Abby Poole.
Yuletide Giving
Devotion for Friends, Children and Love for Christmas Inspiration for Event Santa traded in his red suit for a Hawaiian shirt for the inaugural “Sturrock’s Christmas in July” at Old Car Heaven July 25. The event, benefitting Children’s of Alabama’s Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, honored Emily Sturrock who, at the age of 37, suffered a fatal heart attack caused by an undetected congenital heart defect. “(Sturrock’s) devotion to her friends, children and love for
Running to Retirement Mattingly Says Farewell to VCC Fitness
Members and staff of Vestavia Country Club gathered July 30 to give a proper goodbye to Mary Remke Mattingly as she retired her position as childcare and fitness director. Thirty years ago, Mary was hired by Robert Carr, VCC Chief Operating Officer, because they both agreed that fitness was not a passing
Christmas is what drove me to create the event Sturrock’s Christmas in July,” Long-time friend Carla Lagace said. “I know without a doubt that she would have loved it.” Dr. Robert Dabal, chief of the section of neonatal cardiac surgery at UAB, spoke to the crowd on congenital heart defects. Amongst the Christmas-themed decor, guests enjoyed a photo booth where guests posed with Santa and a trend but a lifestyle that was here to stay. They built the department from scratch, and created one of the strongest amenities Vestavia Country Club has to offer. Those who helped plan the event include: Carr, Clubhouse Manager Michael Murray, Special Events Coordinator Eve Toomey, member relations director Katy Williams and Club president Robert Cook. Carr gave a speech in honor of Mattingly and their journey in creating the VCC’s fitness program. “We are indebted to her vision and commitment for propelling us to our present, commanding and cuttingedge position in the country club industry,” Carr said. Though his main reason for origi-
selection of Yuletide props. A silent auction included offerings such as a sailing weekend on the Alabama coast, jewelry from Diamonds Direct and various date nights around Birmingham. Dinner was provided by Ashley Mac’s, Babalu, Bar 31, Little Italy Pies and Pints, Magic City Sweet Ice and NOLA Bloody Mary Mix Company. Tables were decorated with glass cylinders filled with Christmas ornaments, resting on a bed of sand. The event concluded with musical performances by the Beavers Brothers, Justin Gannon and Kendrick Wallace, Suburban Love Junkies and the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band. ❖ nally joining the club was golf, Cook credited Mary for being a large part of why he and his wife joined. Since Mattingly and her husband Gary are planning on traveling during her retirement, VCC presented her with a set of Club Glove travel luggage, including a large duffle, a carry-on and an organizer, along with brass nametags for each. The three items represented each decade of her VCC career. The following week after the party, Carr and his wife Nita held a dinner at their home and invited Mattingly, her husband and the VCC senior staff and their spouses. They all pitched in to give Mary a Yeti cooler to take with her on her travels. They made sure the cooler was her favorite color, ice blue. After the dinner, the VCC senior staff spent the rest of the night telling stories about Mattingly, VCC, fitness and anecdotes from their weekly Thursday morning meetings. ❖ Robert Carr with Mary and Gary Mattingly.
Tracey Alvey, Artistic Director
AT HOME
Alabama Ballet Center for Dance September 25 - October 4, 2015
AMERICAN HORROR STORIES Alabama School of Fine Arts October 29 - November 1, 2015
SNOW WHITE
Alabama School of Fine Arts October 30, 2015
GEORGE BALANCHINE’S
THE NUTCRACKERTM
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University December 11 - December 20, 2015
DON QUIXOTE
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University February 19 - February 21, 2016
COPPÉLIA AND THE TOYMAKER
Photo special to the Journal
Alabama School of Fine Arts April 8 - April 10, 2016
Same day Ring Sizing!
next day Ring Sizing!
CuStom deSign!
205-769-6930 619 Montgomery hwy, vestavia hills
205-769-6930 619 Montgomery hwy, vestavia hills
205-769-6930 619 Montgomery hwy, vestavia hills
2015 2016
Tickets can be purchased by calling 205-202-8142 or visiting alabamaballet.org. Photo Credit: Arik Sokol Alabama Ballet is a 501(c)(3) organization