4.16.20

OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020

Stand in SOLIDARITY OTM Residents Come Together to Fight Coronavirus, Support Each Other

V

Journal photo by Lee Walls

ULCAN IS LIGHTING THE NIGHT OVER THE BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY as it battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives of the Vulcan Park & Museum said starting at dusk, Vulcan will appear slightly different. The pedestal will stay dark and Vulcan will be lit in his signature white to give a message of hope. “Vulcan stands a constant reminder of who we were, who we are and who we will be,” Vulcan Park & Museum President and CEO Darlene Negrotto said. “The stories of members in our community helping each other in the wake of this adversity can serve as an inspiration for us all. It is our hope that the lighting of Vulcan will inspire others to join us in the spirit of community.”

People in the community have been reaching out to help others during this time of crisis.

Schools are working to feed children while the lunchroom doors are closed with help from groups such as Leadership Vestavia Hills.

Also trying to get food to those who need it are groups such as the Food For Our Journey food truck, which continues to serve meals to the homeless and now has recruited even more restaurants to help feed health care workers.

Many restaurants continue to operate and feed people during the crisis even though they’ve had to close their dining rooms. But the restaurant industry is among those hardest hit by shelter-in-place regulations, spurring the creation of the Birmingham Nom Nom website to support patronage of local restaurants and their workers.

Meanwhile, artists and entertainers sidelined by social distancing are taking their acts to the internet to enrich and entertain people who are staying at home to protect themselves and others. The Alabama Symphony Ochestra is providing online performances, as are Positively Funny and the Birmingham Improv Theatre. Even the Birmingham Museum of Art is providing virtual tours along with other online programming for children and adults.

Details about these and other signs of the community coming together can be found inside this edition of the Over The Mountain Journal.

2 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OPINION/CONTENTS

Inside

Murphy’s Law

F ARE WE THERE YET? UAB Provides Updates on Flattening the Curve, Stresses Continued Social Distance PAGE 8

YOU SHOULD BE DANCING Ballerina Club Hosts Saturday Night Fever-Themed Ball PAGE 12

AT HOME IN HOLLYWOOD Couple Downsizing but Admit Leaving Their Tudor Revival House Will Be Hard PAGE 16

‘NOW, MORE THAN EVER’ Birmingham Originals, Birmingham Restaurant Week Launch Bham Nom Nom PAGE 20

ABOUT TOWN 4 PEOPLE 6 NEWS 8 LIFE 10 SOCIAL 12

HOME 16 FOOD 20 SCHOOLS 21 SPORTS 24

otmj.com With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter.

Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.

To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.

We Could Use a Hug or Two

orget the Tooth Fairy. What we Mostly, what I needed to do was need now is a Toilet Paper Fairy. nothing – no shopping, no going out to I wasn’t going to write about lunch, no traveling to visit my grandthe COVID-19 pandemic, not just yet. children. With our last few outside There’s so much that’s scary about it hours, we were told to lay in a store of already and I was afraid that some supplies in case we found ourselves truly terrible development might occur homebound for…nobody knew how in between my writing and your readlong…and then go home and wait for the all-clear. ing and that my words might seem hollow at best. Still, COVID-19 is the And here I sit. Since I am both stabig, looming elephant in the room and tistically elderly and quasi-immune it seemed wrong to gloss over it while compromised, I know it makes sense attending to some of the other thouto stay put. And truly, I’m not worried Sue Murphy about myself. Thanks to my lifelong sands of things going on in the world OCD status, I have enough stores laid while we sit and worry and wait. in, even toilet paper. (Don’t be I don’t know about you, but my day now looks like this: Wake up, mad.) Still, I worry. I worry about And here I sit. Since I am my daughters all those miles away check the news for new COVID developments (send up a prayer), both statistically elderly from me. While I know in my heart then begin scanning the universe for of hearts that they are high-funcand quasi-immune more toilet paper. Before my agetioning adults, I keep having flashrelated self-incarceration, I made compromised, I know backs of their less-than-organized daily trips to the store, not even daryears. I check in with them it makes sense to stay teenage daily. Do you have enough food? ing to hope, and ended up at the register with a cartful of whatever put. And truly, I’m not How are the children? What restricare you under now? Are the was still on the shelves that seemed worried about myself. tions remotely edible or useful – a couchildren okay? Each time, they ple of potatoes, a bag of paper napassure me that everything is fine, kins, a can of black eyed peas. but I went online and sent them Then I’d go home and make soup. I made pea soup boxes of steaks and pears and English muffin breads. I and tomato soup, lentil and Irish potato, and one mishdon’t know what else to do. I didn’t even try for toilet mash of all the leftover bits and pieces that turned out paper. surprisingly delicious. Soup was already one of my Other people have bigger worries, I know, children favorite foods, not just because it’s a one bowl nightly dependent on school lunch programs, parents in nursing cleanup, but because the act of making soup is soothing care facilities. It’s terrible and horrible and we have to for me. There’s something about stirring a big pot on be separated from each other, just when we could use a the stove that speaks of comfort and plenty instead of hug or two. scarcity and fear.

So consider these words a virtual hug. By the time Making soup helped ease some of the tension in my you read this, I’m hoping you don’t need it anymore, but then you can file it away for another sad day. Hugs shoulders, temporarily suspended all those nagging lithave a long shelf life. tle worries in my brain. I could chop and stir and think about what I logically needed to do next.

I wish I could send you toilet paper.

Over the Mountain Views

April 16, 2020 JOU RNAL Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Emily Williams, Sam Prickett Photographer: Jordan Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch, Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd Vol. 29, No. 16

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 mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2020 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.

Journal photo by Maury Wald

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

‘Reach People Where They Are’

Though Trinity United Methodist Church is closed to parishioners due to the coronavirus pandemic, paintings conceptualized by Senior Pastor Brian Erickson and painted by David Thompson (above) were displayed on the front lawn throughout Holy Week.

“There are so many great traditions that happen at church during this holy season that we wouldn’t be able to do

inside the church building together, so we tried to come up with a powerful way to express Christ’s love through a few different ways of worship,” Thompson said.

Church staff were pleased to see people stop to take photos of the paintings, Thompson said, and see their photos shared on social media.

“Those photographs will be great reminders to us all of the year we

rejoiced over Jesus’ resurrection more outside the walls of the church than inside. And, it gives us all hope as we continue to navigate the uncertainty of a pandemic and life, in general,” Thompson said. “The paintings are just one way Trinity, and the Church as a whole, is trying to adjust to the current situation, and reach people where they are and meet as many needs as possible.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 3

$ 25 g ift ca

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ABOUT TOWN

Rehab Reality...

by Judy Butler

After sharing 10 videos with the public, Boettcher said the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The video tours had received about 12,000 views, as of April 8.

Bayshore Retreat is a Safer Rehab

consistently empty; the coronavirus pandemic forced the BMA to close its doors to much of the public and staff.

Despite social distancing, Boettcher has found a way to share the BMA’s collections via a new Facebook Live video series, “Director’s Cut.” Each video provides an in-depth discussion focused on one work of art or a specific collection of works. The videos are posted on the BMA’s website, artsbma.org.

“We have a talented team of collection and education curators and a dedicated corps of docents who are normally the ones who bring the works of art to life for the public

through tours, gallery talks and lectures,” Boettcher said. “But the current situation is anything but normal, and I’m the only content expert working in the building at present.”

Boettcher has been director of the Birmingham Museum of Art for the past 2½ years, but before that he spent more than a decade as the museum’s curator of American art.

“As an administrator, I don’t have nearly the number of opportunities to speak to the public about art as I used to, and that’s something I’ve really missed, though I never imagined that my return to my curatorial roots would be occasioned by these dire

The runaway hit “Hamilton” will be produced in Birmingham as part of the 2021-22 Broadway in Birmingham Series.

Theatergoers who renew their memberships for the 2020-21 season will be guaranteed tickets to “Hamilton” the following season, the American Theatre Guild announced recently.

It also set its schedule for the upcoming season, which kicks off in November with the classic “Cats.”

“Come From Away” follows in December with “An Officer and a Gentleman” in January, “Dear Evan

Hansen” in February and “Fiddler on the Roof” in March.

Next season’s add on/swap show will be “The Simon & Garfunkel Story,” to be produced in October.

Season tickets start at $180 for all five shows and are available at BroadwayInBirmingham.com or patronservicesrep@americantheatreguild.org.

Photo courtesy Birmingham Museum of Art

Despite social distancing, Birmingham Museum of Art Director Graham Boettcher, above, has found a way to share the BMA’s collections via a new Facebook Live video series, “Director’s Cut.”

Virtual Reality BMA Director Creates Video Series to Share Popular Works with Socially Distant Visitors

By Emily Williams As a child, Birmingham Museum of Art Director Graham Boettcher read a book that stuck with him, “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.”

The story’s protagonists spend a night in the Metropolitan Museum of Art after eluding security at closing.

Inspired by the story, he often imagined how cool it would be to spend a night in a museum all by himself.

“As an adult, I can tell you that an empty museum is better left to the world of the imagination,” he said.

The halls of the museum are now

‘Hamilton’ Headed to Birmingham

‘Cats,’ ‘Come From Away,’ Other New and Loved Musicals Set for 2020-21 Season

americantheatreguild.com

Think about it… with only 6 clients at a time, we can control who comes to Bayshore Retreat. It’s not about filling beds. We only have 6 at a time, not hundreds. The entire world is stressing out with the Coronavirus Pandemic and rightfully so. It’s affecting so many lives, both physically and financially. News like this is especially tough on people with addiction. How do they break the cycle of addiction in times like these?

Clients come to Bayshore Retreat from all over the country. We recently had one come from New Jersey. Rather than flying, one of her sisters chose to drive her down to avoid any exposure to the virus. If someone comes from Birmingham, I will often drive them to help avoid the uncomfortable 4 plus hours with a family member. This is part of what we do – everything possible to help our clients. The way I see it, when someone reaches out, they are halfway there. It’s our job to get them the rest of the way.

We do this through counseling about 30 hours weekly, with individual counseling at least twice a week and group everyday except Saturdays.

In addition, Life Skills, which covers at least 8 areas of life from irrational thinking to relapse prevention and coping methods, is a vital part of our recovery plan.

This Coronavirus thing will pass. Getting sober and starting anew will not, unless someone is sick and tired of being sick and tired. In times like these, Bayshore Retreat is the perfect choice to begin the healing process. Bayshore Retreat is different and can make a difference.

circumstances,” he said.

After sharing 10 videos with the public, he said the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The video tours had received about 12,000 views, as of April 8 – roughly equivalent to the BMA’s monthly attendance.

“I’ve gotten many expressions of appreciation from our local community, as well as from throughout the United States and as far away as Norway,” Boettcher said.

The BMA also has gained some new fans because of the success of the Director’s Cut. He noted that the museum recently received a donation from a development professional for a museum based in New York City with an accompanying note that read, “Director’s Cut brilliant!”

“This was especially meaningful coming from someone who knows the challenges art museums face during this uncertain time, both to connect with audiences who have been locked out and to raise funds needed to retain staff,” Boettcher said.

There is a void as he walks the empty halls without his colleagues and museum visitors.

“They are the lifeblood of our institution,” he said. “However, until we can safely be together again, I’m grateful to play a small role in continuing to connect people with our collection, alongside the work of our talented staff, who have produced many exciting ways to engage with the museum through the #BMAfromHome.”

In addition to Boettcher’s videos, the museum’s new #BMAfromHome initiative includes online art classes, kids’ art activities, puzzles, mini exhibitions by museum curators and more.

You can access that through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 5

ABOUT TOWN

Solutions at 205-202-6896.

– Emily Williams

While the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s season has come to an abrupt halt because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the organization is taking to social media to continue its mission.

The organization has created #TunefulTuesdays, presented by PNC Bank, to continue sharing symphonic music. Each Tuesday, select artists team up online to perform a selection of movements to be shared on ASO social media pages.

On April 7, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Trio Sonata in G major was performed by assistant principal clarinet Brad Whitfield, assistant principal bass Richard Cassation and section first violin Pei-Ju Wu. Students also can take advantage of a variety of educational resources on the ASO website, alabamasymphony. org. These offerings include links to ASO-approved music education resources, teaching guides created by the ASO and music education lesson plans developed by Alabama educators.

According to a release from the organization, the orchestra’s artists have dedicated their time and talent to the ASO, have prepared for concerts that have been sidelined and have been affected by the sudden loss of work.

While some performances, including the Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert performance, have been postponed, the rest of the

MCAC to Host Virtual Arts Festival, Join Moss Rock Festival This Fall

Each Tuesday, select artists team up online to perform a selection of movements to be shared on ASO social media pages. season’s performances have been canceled.

On the horizon, the symphony is looking toward its 100th anniversary season, to begin in October. The theme for the centennial set of performances is “out of this world.”

Tickets for the 2020-21 season are available online.

Those who wish to make a donation or donate money already spent on tickets for canceled performances can do so by calling the box office at 205314-6915.

– Emily Williams

Birmingham Improv Theatre Launches Virtual Performances Although the Birmingham Improv Theatre has closed its doors, the laughter continues online.

Positively Funny and BIT launched “Twitching for Laughs” on March 26, an improvisational comedy livestream that takes place every Thursday and

Saturday.

Each member participates from his or her home, and the full performance comes together for a broadcast on the BIT Twitch channel, twitch.tv/ bhamimprov. Audiences are able to interact with the cast through a commenting feature and submit suggestions in real time.

Shortly after celebrating its oneyear anniversary, the theater had to shut down performances because of the Jefferson County Department of Public Health’s mandate to close all non-essential businesses and the city of Birmingham’s later “shelter in place” mandate.

Chief Creative Officer David Grissom said in a released statement that after the theater shut down, the team got creative.

“We began looking for new approaches to delivering our services – entertainment and education – to our audiences,” he said.

Fans began reaching out to BIT

alabamasymphony.org

ASO Creates Online Opportunities to Watch, Learn

within a week of the theater’s closing, he said, asking for the theater to find a way to keep them laughing.

“Troupe members are meeting online to practice games for the show,” Grissom said. “Cast members have to get used to playing off of each other from miles apart rather than on the BIT’s 8 x 14 foot stage. The physicality of improv must be adjusted to what can occur sitting in front of a computer.”

“Through this horrific pandemic, there are only new opportunities for Positively Funny Improv and the Birmingham Improv Theatre,” Grissom said. “The new reality, streaming live shows, allows the Improv troupe (members, who have) performed weekly shows for over 10 years in the Birmingham market to expand their presence not only across the United States, but also globally. “ The shows are free to view, and there is an opportunity to make donations to help fund theater operations.

For more information, contact PFI

After announcing the cancellation of its 37th arts festival, Magic City Art Connection has created a virtual opportunity to continue its programming.

MCAC announced on April 10 that it will be hosting a virtual version of its annual arts festival, as well as teaming up with the Moss Rock Festival this fall.

According to organization officials, the artists participating in the festival have been creating new works of art in preparation for the event.

From April 24 until May 3, Magic City Art Connection Virtual will offer an online art marketplace for its 2020 exhibitors.

To be available on the MCAC website, magiccityart.com, the virtual festival will provide links to each artists’ online store, allowing visitors to shop as if they were at the physical event.

In addition, the festival has teamed up with organizers of the annual Moss Rock Festival to create a hybrid event to take place Nov. 7-8.

Dubbed the Moss-Magic Hybrid, the event will take place at The Preserve in Hoover and will blend the MCAC artfocused vendors and demonstrations with Moss Rock’s focus on all things eco-creative.

For more information and updates, visit magiccityart.com – Emily Williams

Thirteen Distinctive New Homes in Vestavia Hills On the crest of Shades Mountain overlooking Oxmoor Valley, Walnut Hill epitomizes a Wedgworth community: beautiful homes, great views, and energysmart construction. Minutes from I-65 and downtown Birmingham, these thirteen home sites surround a central park. With lots starting at $200,000, Walnut Hill provides a unique opportunity for you to create a custom home in one of Birmingham’s most desirable areas.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

PEOPLE

Father and Son Geese

By Sam Prickett

Ghignas Partner on a Book of Poems and Paintings Expressing Childlike Wonder

A Poetic Duo

Phtoso courtesy Chip Ghigna

Charles and Chip Ghigna joke that they’ve known each other “very well” for 31 years, but 2020 marks the first time the father-and-son duo have collaborated on a book.

Charles, who also goes by the pseudonym “Father Goose,” has been a nationally recognized poet for decades, having been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s and Rolling Stone. He has taught at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Samford University, and his 1989 poetry collection, Returning to Earth, was longlisted for the Pulitzer Prize.

Chip, meanwhile, is a visual artist whose paintings have appeared in galleries throughout the U.S. and France. He’s represented by the Homewood-based gallery Art Alley.

But despite their lifelong connection – lifelong for Chip, at least – the two only recently started to put their talents together.

“Chip’s art has been inspiring me since he could hold a crayon,” Charles said. “In recent years, I’ve been writing a few poems based on his art. I’m also always amazed to see him create paintings and drawings based on my poems.”

The two didn’t initially intend for that backand-forth dynamic to result in a book, but they started to notice a thematic thread running through each of their collaborations.

“It simply evolved when we kept seeing the theme of dreams and illusions appear in each other’s work,” Charles said. “Before long, to our surprise, we had a collection!”

Last month, that collection was published as “Illusions: Poetry & Art for the Young at Heart”, a 48-page book they described as “a dreamland where visions become reality and reality becomes an illusion.”

family and I have always enjoyed the arts.

Many of our friends are artists, writers and musicians. We collect art and have a house full of books. Chip grew up seeing lots of original art. The arts are a natural part of our lives and often the focus of our dinner conversations – art, poetry, music, movies. … He also sees us writing every day since he was born and hears us reading poetry.

“My wife, Debra, and I have written a couple of books together (“Barn Storm” and “Christmas Is Coming”). It was only a matter of time before Chip would join in with his art.”

The book is both a paean to childhood creativity and a celebration of nature’s wonder, sometimes simultaneously; “Aries Sideshow,” for instance, conjures the image of a swan being pulled across a lake by its reflection “like a magnet / under the magician’s table.”

The poem “Indigo,” meanwhile, is a loving portrait of creative-minded children “who sit by the window, / their thoughts / in the clouds Charles Ghigna, above right, who also goes high above … They paint and they play / the by the pseudonym “Father Goose,” has been a night into day. / They color the sky / orange nationally recognized poet for decades, having blue.” been published in The New Yorker, The New Illusions isn’t Charles’ first foray into York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s youth-centric poetry. He published his first pair and Rolling Stone. Chip, above left, is a visual of children’s books – Good Dog/Bad Dog and artist whose paintings have appeared in gallerGood Cat/Bad Cat – in 1992, and since then ies throughout the U.S. and France. he’s written more than 60 books for children, with three more scheduled to be published by 2021.

His work for children has been published in The book features 22 poems intended for also contributed the collection’s striking cover magazines such as Highlights and Cricket, and middle-graders, teens and young adults, though art. a few of his poems have even been the focus of Charles stresses that “anyone who’s •young at The collaboration was madeBathing, easier, CharlesGrooming, In-Home Care, Including Housekeeping, national SAT and ACT test questions. heart” can find resonance with the book. Each said, by Chip’s art-steeped upbringing.

Meal Preparation, Incontinence “It’s no wonder Chip’s been making art Care, Medication Charles describes Reminders writing for children as poem is accompanied by a stylized black-andsince he was a toddler,” he said. “Seriously, my See GHIGNAS, page 7 white painting or line drawing by Chip, who

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

GHIGNAS

Vestavia Hills War Hero Celebrates 100th Birthday With VA Medical Center Staff

“an honor and a privilege I never try to take for granted.

“There are many fine poets out there writing for children today,” Charles said. “The greatest reward for each of us is in knowing that our efforts might stir the minds and hearts of children with a vision and wonder of the world that may be new to them or reveal something already familiar in new and enlightening ways.

“I also love thinking and writing like a child,” he said. “I like entering the writing process each day with a childlike sense of wonder and discovery, not knowing what may appear on the page until I write it! I hope that feeling comes through to the young families and children who discover my books.”

Illusions ends with the poem “Final Lines,” a succinct summation of Charles and Chip’s creative relationship, drawing a connection between their two artistic disciplines.

“Artist. Poet. / Creative minds. / We spend our lives / Making lines,” the poem reads. “Lines connect. / Father.

Son. / Lines that bind / To make us one.”

“Illusions: Poetry & Art for the Young at Heart” was published March 25 by Resource Publications. For more information on Charles’ poetry, visit charlesghigna.com. For more information on Chip’s art, visit chipghigna.blogspot.com.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Carl Cooper of Vestavia Hills joined the centenarian club on March 18, celebrating his 100th birthday with a virtual celebration with staff at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

“Our leadership team was honored to recognize Col. Cooper today for his many years of military service and to celebrate his 100th birthday with him via FaceTime,” said Stacy Vasquez, director of the Birmingham VA. Cooper served in World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He has been receiving health services through the VA since 1980 and credits its health care workers with keeping him healthy.

“The Lord has been good to me and continues to bless me every day,” he shared.

The 100-year old Clanton native joined the Marines on April 1,1942, and became a member of the 6th Marine Division. By 1945, he was a 1st lieutenant and was stationed in Okinawa at both Mount Yae-Take and Sugar Loaf Hill.

For his service, he has been awarded two dozen medals, including a Presidential Unit Citation with One Star, Marine Corps Medal with Four Stars, the United Nations Medal and the coveted Legion of Merit Medal.

“I was only doing what my country needed me to do and I came home,”

teacher. Following the Korean War, he was the first principal of Mountain Brook Junior High School, a job he held for eight years until he was called to serve in the Vietnam War. After retiring with 38 years in the Marine Corps, he began working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which he did until he was 90 years old.

Cooper remains an active member of his church, arriving every Thursday morning at 6 a.m. to stuff inserts into 3,000 Sunday bulletins.

– Emily Williams

Skinner, of Mountain Brook, Earns Eagle Scout Rank Journal file photo

From page 6

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 7

PEOPLE

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Carl Cooper. For his service, he has been awarded two dozen medals, including a Presidential Unit Citation with One Star, Marine Corps Medal with Four Stars, the United Nations Medal and the coveted Legion of Merit Medal.

Cooper said.

Cooper received a bachelor’s degree from Samford University – formerly known as Howard College – as well as a master’s from Vanderbilt University and later a doctorate.

When he wasn’t serving overseas, Cooper served his community as a

Henry Moreau Skinner, a member of Boy Scout Troop 28 at Independent Presbyterian Church, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on March 12 after his final Board of Review. An official ceremony will take place at a later date.

As a member of Troop 28, Skinner earned 26 merit badges and served as assistant patrol leader and chaplain’s aide. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and received the God and Country Award. He also attended the high adventure camp Seabase, in the Abacos, Bahamas.

For his Eagle project, Skinner designed and built a large, raised planter box that helps enclose a play area at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church’s Early Learning Center. The project will allow the preschool students to plant and maintain an outdoor

garden of flowers and vegetables. In addition, the structure allows for a safer, more attractive outdoor play area for the preschoolers.

This project was particularly meaningful to Skinner, he said, because he is a life-long member of St. Francis Xavier Church and has worked in the nursery and has been an altar server for many years.

He also serves as a sacristan employee, washing and organizing the altar server Henry Skinner robes.

Skinner was able to complete the project with more than $500 left over, which he donated to the church.

A senior at Mountain Brook High School, Skinner played varsity football and is a member of the Interact and Investment clubs. He also was inducted into the National Business Honor Society, in which he was elected secretary.

Skinner is the son of Kathy and Jay Skinner of Mountain Brook. He is the grandson of Nancy Skinner of Birmingham, and Becky and Hanson Couvillon of Huntsville.

SEND PEOPLE NEWS TO: EDITORIAL@OTMJ.COM

The 2020 Census is coming and it's important that you respond.

The Census determines where more than $675 billion in federal funds are directed for schools, healthcare, roads and transportation.

You will receive an invitation to participate in mid-March. You can fill it out online, or by phone.

Your information is not shared with any other agency.

Brought to you by the Jefferson County Complete Count Committee

NEWS

8 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Are We There Yet?

UAB Provides Updates on Flattening the Curve, Stresses Continued Social Distance

As Easter weekend passed, the state of Alabama began March 13 with more than 3,600 confirmed cases and 95 deaths from COVID-19. Social distancing and a “stay at home” order has put the power in the hands of members of the community to flatten the curve locally.

The question remains: is this working?

Dr. Selwyn Vickers, senior vice president for medicine at UAB, on April 10 reiterated what many health care professionals have stated: only time will tell.

The state has seen the rate of deaths remain steady and, in some cases, Vickers noted that rate at times appears to decrease in comparison to the rise in overall cases. “However, this doesn’t indicate that the curve has flattened or that we have won this at all,” he said.

Vickers noted that the majority of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, including those who have died, either are elderly, have other diseases or are African American.

“We’ve made significant progress as a state and particularly as a region and county,” he said. “We can’t stop now, because as long as we stay vigilant, we have the chance to both potentially shorten this and beat this earlier than others have expected.”

With potential treatment options still in the beginning stages of clinical trials, the public’s main line of defense is to continue keeping to themselves “In slowing down the spread of disease by minimizing transmission opportunities through social distancing techniques, we aren’t overwhelming health systems as we are able to curb the spread of new infections,” said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases.

As April began, health care officials throughout the nation and world started to more clearly identify the asymptomatic spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, for about five days while you have the infection and you have no symptoms, you are infectious,” Marrazzo said. “You can trans-

Journal photo by Maury Wald

By Emily Williams

MODEL BEHAVIOR: Mannequins set a good example in the window of Village Sportswear in Mountain Brook Village.

UAB Health experts recommend wearing a mask or some kind of cloth covering over your nose and mouth when you do have to visit an enclosed space, such as a grocery store or another essential business.

mit it to people. That’s why the advice to just stay home if you’re sick or stay away from people if you’re sick is not enough. That’s why we continue to emphasize widespread social distancing.”

It’s also becoming clear that there are a number of people who may contract the virus and never develop any of its notable symptoms. Therefore, Marrazzo said, there won’t be a good way to figure out how many people have or have had the virus until an antibody test is developed and deployed.

In Iceland, where testing has been more widespread, early data released in late March suggested that nearly half of those who are infected have no symptoms at all but continue to transmit the virus.

“That’s probably one of the reasons that this has taken off like wildfire in so many communities,” Marrazzo said.

Virus Could Peak Soon

UAB experts have estimated that the peak of cases in Alabama could occur over the next couple of weeks.

“We have actually jumped on (social distancing efforts) faster in terms of where we are in the epidemic than many places, including New York City. So, if we have been able to blunt the slope or flatten the curve, that would be fantastic,” she said.

The only issue is, there isn’t a clear way to know that the peak has been reached until weeks later.

When looking at trends, she said, cities such as New York, Miami, Detroit and New Orleans are examples of crisis zones for the virus.

On the opposite end, Seattle began social distancing about Feb. 19; New York did not until mid-March.

Marrazzo noted that researchers believe Seattle may have reached its peak in early April, meaning it takes about six weeks before a community starts to see a change. Once that curve begins to trend downward, social distancing remains increasingly important as a means to combat a potential resurgence.

Therefore, Marrazzo stressed that everyone in the community continue to be vigilant, no matter what age you are. Social distancing is a bearable struggle for the first couple of weeks, but add on a few more weeks and people may start to slip.

For those who are going stir crazy inside, Marrazzo noted that a great option is getting outside, where there is good air circulation, a healthy dose of sunlight and plenty of room to distance yourself from others.

Marrazzo shared a tip to get a lengthy leash when walking a dog.

Her dog is quite social, and when she uses her 6-foot leash, it allows her pup to meet and greet others while she stays at a safe distance.

When you do have to visit an enclosed space, such as a grocery store or another essential business, she said that wearing a mask or some kind of cloth or covering over your nose and mouth couldn’t hurt.

“At this point, any little thing that people can do to protect themselves or to prevent them from shedding the virus through coughing or sneezing, if they are ill, (helps),” she said.

For more information and updates, visit uab.edu.

We’re All in This Together Chamber Officials Share Ways to Support Local Business While Sheltered in Place

By Emily Williams While shelter-in-place and social distancing orders do good work in fighting the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, these orders are frightening for local, small businesses who rely daily upon the foot traffic that leads people into their stores and restaurants.

While local chambers of commerce host web seminars and share information with their members regarding much-needed state and federal loans that are available, they also have developed ways that members of the community can help support local business while stuck at home or in the car.

“It is an unparalleled time for our community and our nation, one in which almost every phase of our lives has been transformed,” said Mountain

Brook Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Suzan Doidge. “For our local businesses and their employees, COVID-19 closures have had an immense impact. Many business owners are making extraordinary efforts to stay afloat, and we as a chamber are doing everything we can to support them.”

In addition, each chamber has established listings of local businesses that have remained open through adapted, socially distant services.

For example, the Hoover Chamber of Commerce has created eatshopplayhoover.com, a website that provides a list of stores where people can shop, as well as helpful information for both residents and store owners. It’s not alone.

“We have ramped up our social media offerings to get out information on each of our businesses to keep the community abreast of how to continue to support our local businesses, either by curbside pickup, Facetime purchasing, online ordering, updated hours and much other information,” said Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Karen Odle.

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce has similarly created a set of hashtags – #CurbsideHWD, #TakeoutHWD and #OnlineHWD – to provide an easy way for residents to search for places to shop.

Chamber officials noted that Homewood resident Dylan Spencer has created localdistancing.com to provide a directory of numerous local restaurants and businesses where gift cards can be purchased and online shopping is available, as well as providing links to GoFundMe accounts for staff.

In Mountain Brook, Doidge and fellow chamber officials have created a fundraising campaign where citizens can make non-tax-deductible donations that are distributed by the chamber.

“Through Phase I (of) Save Our Restaurants, 100% of funds have been distributed to restaurant owners with the specific aim of assisting wait and kitchen staff,” Doidge said.

In Phase II, “One Mountain Brook,” the chamber is challenging every household in the city to donate a minimum of $100 to support local merchants. The campaign website is onemb.swell.gives.

In addition, they have partnered with The Pants Store to create a “Choose Mountain Brook” T-shirt to benefit the campaign.

“Mountain Brook is a community that comes together in a crisis, and now it’s our turn to give back to the business owners who have supported our community throughout the years – through fundraisers, sports team sponsorships, community events and so many other things,” Doidge said.

This is true not only for Doidge’s city, but each one of the Over the See CORONAVIRUS, page 9

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

CORONARVIRUS From page 8

Mountain communities; Local restaurants and shops support the city, as well as local school systems and community organizations, through their tax dollars.

Ways to Aid

Beyond ordering takeout, having essential items delivered or pulling up to a curbside to grab some games to keep kids occupied while school is out, local chambers have other ideas for ways residents can support.

Purchasing gift cards to use or give

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce is challenging every household in the city to donate a minimum of $100 to support local merchants. to friends or family is a popular way to support, with Doidge adding that these can be bought to use at a later date once social distancing orders have dissipated.

Odle also noted that these could be given to a frontline worker, for example a checker at the grocery store or wait staff working curbside pickup at a local restaurant.

For those essential businesses with employees who are working extended hours, Hoover chamber officials suggest ordering in meals for staff from a local restaurant.

In that same vein of sharing a meal, Odle said that community members could also buy meals for local first responders.

There also are a variety of ways that residents can help out each other.

“Call a senior and chat with them,” Odle said. “They are lonely, and some aren’t sure why they can’t have visitors.” Neighbors could also offer to run errands for seniors or others with underlying health issues that make them high risk for coronavirus.

For more information on how you can help, visit your local chamber’s website.

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 9

NEWS Program Offers Seniors Contact to Combat Isolation During the COVID-19 Lockdown Always Best Care Senior Services has begun a program to check in on Birmingham seniors and disabled adults through its telephone reassurance program Always In Touch.

Always In Touch is a free program and offers daily check-ins or weekly socialization calls, giving seniors and disabled adults some companionship and a sense of security while they are homebound during the coronavirus shelter-in-place order.

“As communities across the globe implement new protocols to combat the spread of COVID-19, our company is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our clients,” said Jennifer Mancuso, owner of Always Best Care of Birmingham. “The quality of life for the seniors we serve has always been a priority for us, but during this time of extreme social isolation, the need for companionship has never been higher. The Always In Touch program is an essential tool that loved ones can utilize – near or far – to check in and have a peace of mind that their most vulnerable family member is safe at home.”

Always Best Care is a service that works with families to provide care for senior or disabled adults such as nonmedical in-home care and skilled home health care.

For additional information, call 205-874-9730, email jmancuso@abcseniors.com and visit alwaysbestcare. com/al/birmingham/

It also has developed Stadium Trace Village in Hoover and The Landing in Opelika.

The Arbor Trace development will include more than 300,000 square feet of fully renovated buildings with all-new infrastructure, including highspeed elevators, advanced life-safety systems, modern architectural design features and 1,700 parking spaces in a covered lot. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Five graded building pads also are available for other developers

to buy or enter a joint venture with Birmingham Metro LLC. The development will include new and expanded nature trails, a private indoor golf range and an expansive central courtyard with green space for exclusive outdoor exercise and networking.

“It’s our mission to showcase the natural beauty, sophistication and inherent convenience that this one-ofa-kind area brings to the table,” said development director Will Kadish.

“Arbor Terrace will have something

for everyone – from enterprising executives, career-focused professionals, avid nature enthusiasts and high-end culture connoisseurs.”

Will Kadish is joined by a Birmingham-based team to lead this project: Schoel Engineering Co., Inc.; Sirote & Permutt, PC; Southpace Properties, Inc.; Williams Blackstock Architects; Stewart/Perry Builders; Bullock Environmental; Skipper Traffic Engineering; Summit Electric; Markstein; Edmonds Electric; and Baker Donelson.

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Multi-Use Development Planned for Old Trinity Property After sitting empty for five years, the former Trinity/Baptist Montclair medical center site will be redeveloped as Arbor Terrace, a multi-use complex including corporate headquarters, residential, medical and community-oriented retail and café spaces.

The property extends for 75 acres along Montclair Road, with easy access to Interstates 459 and 20.

Birmingham Metro LLC, a Lawrence Kadish and Will Kadish entity based in New York, announced the project.

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LIFE

10 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Living Hope in Cape Town Keims Journey to South Africa to Work With At-Risk Children

By Rubin E. Grant

What led you to Cape Town?

Austin: God opened the door for Kelsey and I to move to Cape Town in the summer of 2017.

We had been married for two months and were on a yearly mission trip with the Brookwood Baptist Church youth ministry. At the end of that trip, we were approached by the founders of the nonprofit we serve with, Living Hope, to come join them in South Africa full time. They had a dream to start a program for at-risk children ages 9-11 and were looking for a “mom” and “dad” to come alongside and serve these children.

We were intrigued but didn’t take it too seriously at the time. We were comfortable with where we were in Birmingham. I was the youth minister at Brookwood Baptist Church and Kelsey was a registered nurse at Children’s of Alabama. We both really loved our jobs, our home and our life we had made there.

We continued to serve in our jobs but always had Living Hope in our mind and in many of our personal conversations. We returned to Cape Town in 2018 to serve with Living Hope again.

On that trip, we were contemplating the idea of moving here, but were still not convinced that it was the right move or the right time. God continued to push us in that direction, but we weren’t sure how to listen.

When we returned to Birmingham, we were challenged on a Sunday morning at Brookwood to engage in 40 days of prayer: to simply ask God for an answer. We knew immediately what we needed to ask God about. We did just that. We decided to be obedient in this time of prayer and ask for clarity. To our surprise, we had our answer in the first two weeks.

All of the thoughts we had previously that had pointed us to an answer of “no” had just melted away. All that was left was an overwhelming feeling of peace. We asked for clarity and He said YES. We were both so certain that it felt as though we would blatantly be disobeying this call from God if we decided to stay where we were in our comforts of Birmingham. We sought wisdom and council from family members and mentors, asking them to finish the 40 days of prayer with us.

We were consistently reaffirmed that God wanted us to begin the journey to Cape Town. In November of 2018 we officially said “yes” to the call. This included telling all of our friends and family, quitting our jobs, selling our house and our cars, raising support from our churches and

Photos courtesy Austin Keim

A

ustin and Kelsey Keim spent Easter in Cape Town, South Africa.

But they were not on a vacation getaway for their third wedding anniversary, which will be April 22, or trying to escape the global coronavirus pandemic that’s sweeping Alabama and the United States.

Austin, a former Mountain Brook High School basketball player and youth pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church, and Kelsey, who’s from Trussville, have been in Cape Town since July 31 serving as missionaries.

The Over The Mountain Journal reached out to them to see how things were going after nine months.

Austin, a former Mountain Brook High School basketball player and youth pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church, and Kelsey, who’s from Trussville, have been in Cape Town since July 31 serving as missionaries.

communities, and beginning the transition to Cape Town. All God asked was for obedience, and He brought the joy and peace that came with such a big transition.

What exactly does your ministry entail?

Austin: Our role here is to help establish an after-school program for at-risk boys aged 9-11.

We have defined at-risk as boys who are using drugs and/or are on the verge of being kicked out of school. They are given a ride to and from Living Hope Monday through Friday after school from about 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. All the boys are dealing with very difficult circumstances at home and in school.

The program is designed to help the boys by helping with school work, teaching them life skills, helping with specific interventions to deal with childhood trauma, showing them opportunities outside of their community, and mostly by teaching them the hope that the gospel offers in the cross.

Our team feels passionately that, in order to have a lasting impact on the boys’ lives, we have to initiate change in the homes. For this reason, there is also a parenting/family side of the program so that the parents can be equipped to support their child.

We have a wonderful team that we work with.

Kelsey and I take on the role of “mom and dad,” being there each day with the boys to make their snack, teach lessons, play games and other group work activity. We have a group of professionals on our team, including a social worker, occupational therapist and psychologist. We also have volunteers who come in to help the boys prepare meals, teach farming, read stories, exercise, etc.

Our goal is to invest in 10 boys at a time for a 15-week period, and then to stay connected to the boys who’ve graduated from our program. On March 16, we graduated our first group of six boys. They were our pilot program, and we learned so much from our experience with them.

Not seeing them every day has been difficult, and we miss them very much. Our plan was to start

with a new group of boys in April, but obviously that was unable to take place due to the dynamic circumstances with COVID-19.

What have been some of the challenges and triumphs? What has been rewarding about it?

Austin: It felt as though every day with the boys presented a new and different challenge.

The group of boys we brought in first were all connected in one way or another, and they brought their “baggage” from school or home.

Oftentimes they would get in fights with each other or friends at school, and then they would bring that conflict into Living Hope. Finding how to discipline appropriately to make our program a safe place was difficult. We learned that structure is key, and we can show love to the boys by making this important.

When we look back on our time with our first group of boys, there were amazing triumphs that shined over the challenges. I’ll share two brief testimonies: First, we had one of our boys accept Jesus into his life as Savior. As a team we made sure to support him with prayer and were overwhelmed by the way God worked in his life.

Second, one of our boys was so impacted by our time daily that he would try to recreate our program at home. He would go home, where he lives with 10-plus relatives, would gather his young siblings and cousins, and he would teach them the Bible story/lessons that he learned that day.

He and his dad also made a garden outside their flat just like the one he had developed at Living Hope. It meant so much to hear the testimonies from their families that seeds had been planted and the boys were bringing lessons about Jesus into their homes.

What’s it like living in Cape Town?

Austin: Living here has been amazing, truly.

Overall, Cape Town is considered one of the

most economically diverse cities in the world.

The city and its surroundings have a lot of first world resources, but right around the corner are communities with immense poverty and suffocating gangsterism. There are still clear images of South Africa’s history. The country is still healing from the negative effects of the Apartheid. This was only lifted in 1994.

We have been blessed with a wonderful flat in a safe area. We have a nice garden in the back with a view of the ocean. Talk about some beautiful sunsets! The location where we live has access to wonderful resources and great health professionals who have already had to help us with my prescription glasses, stitches, cat bite, X-rays and MRIs. We have had a few injuries and illnesses so far.

We are fortunate to attend a church that makes us feel at home, and one we hope to become more involved in as we continue to get settled. We have developed some excellent relationships with people here that have helped us in so many ways. Over the past few months, we have felt more and more like this is our home, and it has brought so much excitement. Now that we are in lockdown in this flat, we are feeling more and more blessed by where we live.

How long do you think you will continue your work?

Austin: We have loved our time here and have not put a time frame on how long we will be here. We are currently committed to a 3-year time period because that is the length of the volunteer visa we are trying to obtain. We are leaving our return to the US open-ended and trying to continue following God’s calling for us. COVID19 could have a major effect on our timing, but God has brought us here, and we are trusting in His truth.

Do you miss home and how much?

Austin: Honestly, we haven’t been homesick yet, which is a major blessing. Of course, we miss our family and friends back home. There is a 7-hour time difference, so it is hard finding the right time to communicate. We have had siblings, and many close friends have babies since we have moved, so missing big events like that is tough, but truly God just blankets the sadness with peace. The food here is amazing, but we miss good Mexican food and Chick-fil-A. We also miss the accessibility to resources that you get at places such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Home Depot.

We really just miss being with our family in person, for holidays, dinners, game nights or just to run a quick errand with someone. We know this is just a season though, and we look forward to embracing all the little moments we maybe took for granted before we moved.

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 11

LIFE

FIND ART.

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COVID-19 RESET! MCAC VIRTUAL: April 24 - May 3, 2020 A weeklong Festival art marketplace + MCAC @ MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL HYBRID: November 7-8, 2020 Artists, Kids workshops, Performances, Installations PLATINUM City of Birmingham • Starnes Media • This is Alabama GOLD Birmingham Magazine • Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • Hoover’s Magazine • Joe Piper SILVER Alabama Power • Bell Media • Kinetic Communications BRONZE Bham Now • BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama • Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau • Over the Mountain Journal STEEL Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • Babypalooza • Bancography • Birmingham Business Journal • B-Metro • Event Rentals Unlimited • EXCURSIONSgo.com • Jefferson County • Publix Super Markets Charities • Regions Bank • Royal Cup Coffee • Shipt • State Farm StyleBlueprint • Unclaimed Baggage • WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm • Yarbrough Festival Food Service Image: Ellie Ali

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12 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

YOU SHOULD BE DANCING Ballerina Club Hosts Saturday Night Fever-Themed Ball

Photos by Angie Holder

T Rufus and Beth Elliot.

he Ballerina Club of Birmingham held its annual ball Feb. 22 at the Mountain Brook Club.

The ball was hosted by club members Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smith. As guests arrived, they were greeted by club President Julie Crocker, Beth Elliott, Leigh Laser Collins and Carmen Morrow.

The theme of Saturday Night Fever inspired night club decor throughout the space, complete with professional disco dancers, party lights and an electric slide experience.

A mirrored moving disco ball scattered light as the famous movie soundtrack played and partygoers danced.

Guests included Ginger and David Ballard, Sally and Chip Bluhm, Stephanie and Russell Byrne, Leigh and Kevin Collins, Julie and Jimmy Crocker, Jamie and Ted Crockett, Martha Lee and Billy Culp, Beth and Rufus Elliott, Elizabeth and Mark Ezell, Ashley and Tod Ferguson, Anise and Jeff Friedman, Sherrie and Dell Futch, Pat and Perry Grant, Pam and Andrew Grayson, Ann and Fletcher Harvey, Lauren and Jeff Hayes, Angie and Allen Holder, Margaret and William Howell, Amy Tully, Carmen Morrow and Leigh Collins.

Ann and Thomas Lamkin, Lou Lanier, and Nell Larson and Russell Kilgore.

Also attending were Sahra and Roland Lee, Edith and David Lyon, Terry McBride and Olin Barnes, Catherine and Andy Meehan, Leslie and John Moore, Carmen and Randall Morrow, Paula and Mac Motes, Vicki and Don Smith, Maggie Somerall, Glenda and Jim Sparacio, Patsy and Bob Straka, Amy and Scott Tully, Carolyn and Richard Waguespack, Lisa and David Warnock, Cindy Wiley, and Susan and Mike Yarbro New members in attendance were Anne and John Durwood and Kelly and Kyle Echols. Guests attending were Stephanie and Rob Thelkeld. â?–

Stephanie and Russell Byrne.

Lauren and Jeff Hayes.

Sally and Chip Bluhm.

David and Edith Lyon with Susan and Mike Yarbro.

Catherine and Andy Meehan.

Ginger and David Ballard.

A mirrored moving disco ball scattered light as the famous movie soundtrack played and partygoers danced.

Jim and Glenda Spartacus with Carolyn and Jim Waguespak.

Elizabeth and Mark Ezell.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 13

SOCIAL

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Crenshaw.

Proceeds from this event benefit the individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions who take part in Easter Seals’ programming for children and adults. ❖

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @henhouseantiques Kelly Flanagan and Sean Faecaine.

Let it Reign

Ryan and Leah Colley with Cameron and Luke Iversen.

Easter Seals Crowns King and Queen at Annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser CBS42 morning anchors Art Franklin and Alissa Rothermich reigned as king and queen of Mardi Gras on the Mountain, hosted by Easter Seals of the Birmingham area on Feb. 15 at The Club.

Celebrating in New Orleansinspired style, the evening was filled with music, food, drinks and a silent auction.

Laura and Steven Price.

Scott and Brooke Weaver.

As guests arrived, masks and beads were offered as a drummer played. Louisiana cuisine was served throughout the evening, including

king cake, beignets and a coffee bar.

Attendees danced the night away to the sounds of Grammy award-winning musician and DJ Dave

English Village 1900 Cahaba Road • 918.0505 www.henhouseantiques.com

To: Libby and Laura 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 the April 16, 2020 issue.

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

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.

14 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

Photos courtesy Pickwick Dance Club

Raleigh and Dottie Kent with Rob and Fran Glendinning.

All About Friendship Pickwick Club Celebrates Spring

The Pickwick Dance Club’s annual open spring party celebrated the theme “long-time enduring friendships.”

Candy Lindley was the party chairwoman, with help from Mary Carmen as chairwoman of decorations, Dee Morgan, Jennie Owens, Jeanne Adair, Romona Shannon, Jean Woodward, Charlotte Powell and Elizabeth Meadows.

The theme celebrated the longstanding connections between mem-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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bers, some of whom have known each other since birth, high school or college.

The party at Mountain Brook Club began with an hour-long cocktail party in the living room.

Appetizers were served as friends visited and recounted recent events and fond memories.

Once the band began playing, the party moved to the ballroom for dancing and dining.

Ballroom and sunroom tables

were decorated with tall clear vases filled with gold and silver glitter balls and tall, curly golden stems.

Votives and gold and silver confetti completed the simple, yet elegant, look.

Centered on the serving table were large gold balloons and smaller silver balloons. The menu for the evening was tenderloin sliders and chicken tenders with a mashed potato bar, green beans, fried okra and corn pones. The dessert table contained a variety of brownies and squares.

The band for the evening was the Emerald Empire, along with enterMark and Charlotte Coggins with Allison Morgan and Merrill Stewart. tainment provided by Pickwick members and spouses.

The first performance was by the Three Pops – John Lindley, Jimmy Baker and Jim Adair – singing and performing “Reach Out.” Next, entering through the cheering crowd, were The Lollipops – Susan Nolen, Jeanne Adair and Barbara Jean Langston – performing “Aint No Mountain High Phil and Courtney Brown, John and Candy Lindley, and Romona and Jim Shannon.

Enough.” ❖

We Are Family

Photo courtesy Antiquarian Society of Birmingham

Antiquarians Celebrate 75th Year

Front, from left, Janis Zeanah, Margie Williams, Rosemary Jager, Gail Pugh, Judith Hand, Rhetta Tatum and Anne Gibbons. Back, Caroline Sparrow, Meredith Peeples, Annalisa Jager, Lucianne Pugh, Tobie Hand and Rebekah Taylor.

As part of the celebration of the Antiquarian Society of Birmingham’s Jubilee year, members gathered to honor familial connections within the group.

Honored were Anne Gibbons and daughter Melissa Whetstone, Judith Hand and daughter-in-law Tobie Hand, Rosemary Jager and daughter-in-law Annalisa Jager, Rusty Kirkpatrick and sister Aubrey Ross, Gail Pugh and sister-inlaw Lucianne Pugh, Carolyn Satterfield and sister-in-law Annie Green, Rhetta Tatum and daughter Rebekah Taylor, Margie Williams and daughter Meredith Peeples, and Janis Zeanah and daughter Caroline Sparrow.

Speakers in 2020 have been Tom Savage, director of external affairs for Winterthur Museum, Gardens, and Library in Wilmington, Delaware; and Jim Wooten, volunteer for research for the Birmingham Museum of Art. New officers for the 2020-21 year are President Becky Keyes, First Vice President for Programs Amy Tully, Second Vice President for Yearbooks Lucy Richardson, Corresponding Secretary Kay Wooten, Recording Secretary Janet Krueger, Treasurer Judy Long, Historian Carolyn Delk and past President Diana Turnipseed.

New member Susan Bell was introduced.

Members are Amanda Adams, Judy Anderson, Barbara Baird, Martha Bartlett, Emily Blount, Redonda Broom, Ellen Broome, Kirke Cater, Elaine Clark, Kay Clark, Florence Cole, Angela Comfort, Mary Lynda Crockett, Martha Lee Culp, Susan Dasher, Cece Dillard, Carolyn Drennen, Marsha Duell, Jane Ellis, Shirley Evans, Marjorie Forney, Joann Fox, Betty Gonder, Claire Goodhew, Kay Grayson, Charmion Hain, Judy Haise, Jean Hendrickson, Vera Henley, Sandra Holley, Dottie Hoover, Margaret Howell, Sara Jackson, Nancy Jones, Grace Key, Lena Knight, Barbara Klyce, Anne Lamkin, Sahra Lee, Lesley Lewis, Cookie Logan and Terri Lyon.

Also members are Rebecca Mason, Nancy Morrow, Mary Jean Myers, Betty Northern, Barbara Petzold, Beverly Phillips, Helen Pittman, Kathryn Porter, Margie Preston, Natasha Randolph, Carolyn Reich, Carla Roberson, Lynda Robertson, Donald Roth, Phyllis Russell, Patricia Scofield, Janeal Shannon, Nan Skier, Nancy Skinner, Jan Smith, Jane Paris Smith, Mary Carol Smith, Linda Stewart, Nan Teninbaum, Nancy Terrell, Carol Thomas, Jean Vaughan, Barbara Wall, Celeste Waller, Elizabeth Wallace, Laura Wallace, Celeste Waller, Liz Warren, Doris Wayman, Lynda Whitney and Elouise Williams. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 15

SOCIAL

Photos courtesy Tanner Foundation

From left, Ashley Powell, Elizabeth Tanner, Charles Powell, Laurie Harrington, Ashlyn Anderson, and Emily and John Riser.

Charles Powell, Sheila McKenna and Sonny Crumpler.

Hello to the Future

SUMMER 2020 @ BBG

Tanner Foundation Hosts Cocktail Dinner to Support MS Scholar Guests gathered at The Club on Feb. 19 to celebrate the Tanner Foundation’s inaugural Multiple Sclerosis Scholar.

Funds raised at the dinner benefit 2020 Tanner Foundation Multiple Sclerosis Scholar Ashlyn Anderson of the UAB Multiple Sclerosis Center.

Anderson was introduced by Dr. Etty Benveniste, co-director of the UAB MS center.

The evening was hosted by Tony and Elizabeth Tanner, as well as Ashley and Charles Powell, and Drs. John and Emily Riser.

Named in honor of Tony Tanner, who lives with multiple sclerosis, the foundation was created in 2003 to serve individuals with complex neurological diseases through patient services, education and research efforts to improve quality of life. ❖

GET READY TO ENJOY SUMMER AT THE GARDENS.

Children’s Summer Camps M A Y 2 6 –J U L Y 3 1

Tracy Tracy, Elizabeth Tanner, Gigi Weinacker and Bess Martin.

Offering half- and full-day camps that promote creativity and the joy of discovery for age 4 through rising 6th grade! Camps include explorations of the Gardens, a keepsake T-shirt, and plants to take home and grow. (Members receive a discount!) bbgardens.org/summercamps

Flicks Among the Flowers

J U N E 1 0 | F I L M ST A R TS A T S U NS ET Enjoy a showing of Grease in the Formal Garden. Admission is free, with a $5 suggested donation. bbgardens.org/flicks

Become a Friend of the Gardens!

N O W T H R O U G H M A Y 31: Receive 10% off personal and gift memberships! Enter SPRING2020 when making your purchase.

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bbgardens.org LocaLLy owned and operated

A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of a successful public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a mission-driven membership organization that seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens.

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Photos by Crimson Home Photography

16 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

At Home in Hollywood Couple Downsizing but Admit Leaving Their Tudor Revival House Will Be Hard

A

By June Mathews

desire to downsize recently prompted Mike and Farrar Murray to put their Malaga Avenue home on the market.

But even with the sweet prospect of freeing up some time and effort in favor of travel and play, leaving the charming Tudor Revival-style home in Homewood’s Hollywood Historic District, where they’ve lived for 18 years, is going to be tough, Farrar Murray said.

Built in 1927, the Murray’s one-story brick and stucco bungalow, above left, is topped with a terra cotta tile roof and cross gables. The arched front entrance, top right, is typical of the Tudor Revival style, as is the half-timbered facade beneath the eaves. Within handy proximity to the dining room, above, is the upgraded kitchen, top left, which has been redone in a sleek black-white-gray palette. Left, the property boasts a waterfall, two koi ponds and a bocce ball court.

“I love, love, love this house,” she said. “It’s my absolute favorite of the places I’ve lived, and it’s the most comfortable, at-home house ever. We’re excited about the future, but it’s going to be hard to leave.”

Built in 1927, the Murray’s brick and stucco bungalow is topped with a terra cotta tile roof and cross gables. The arched front entrance is typical of the Tudor Revival-style, as is the half-timbered facade beneath the eaves.

A series of renovations in recent years has trans-

formed the interior of the three-bedroom, 2½-bath house, as well as added outdoor amenities.

Stepping through the front entryway, guests enter a spacious living room offering a fireplace and lots of room to relax. An adjacent dining room forms a semiopen area that gives space for hosting gatherings, large and small.

Within handy proximity to the dining room is the upgraded kitchen, which has been redone in a sleek

See HOLLYWOOD HOME, page 18

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 17

HOME

The Homes of Hollywood COVID-19 May Have Postponed the Tour, but the Houses Remain

By June Mathews

Before COVID-19 came along, Homewood’s biennial Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes was scheduled for April 26. But the tour, along with many other area events, has been postponed due to social distancing restrictions. Plans for rescheduling have not been announced.

“There’s a lot to be considered before we can set another date,” said Cathy Whatley, co-chair of the 2020 tour along with Carolyn Neiswender.

“Our hot summers aren’t the best time for tours like this one, and a fall date would present any number of conflicts with school and football schedules.

We’ve also got the homeowners and their schedules to consider.”

While a 2021 home tour is a possibility, it’s not necessarily the popular option.

“We could easily reschedule for next spring, but that would throw us off our biennial track,” said Whatley.

“So, we’ve clearly got some people to talk with and thinking to do before a firm decision is made.”

But whenever it takes place, the next Hollywood Home Tour, like those before it, will showcase the timeless feel and historic character of the area.

Organized by the Hollywood Garden

Club and sponsored by local businesses, the tour is a nearly 50-year-old fundraising event to benefit neighborhood school Shades Cahaba Elementary and neighborhood beautification projects.

Historic Creation

Inspired by the timeless glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood, California, Homewood’s Hollywood is an upscale suburban neighborhood in a beautiful setting with lovely homes, good neighbors and an ultra-conve-

By no means a cookie-cutter kind of neighborhood, Hollywood is noted for a variety of home styles that come together in a pleasing blend. nient location between downtown Homewood to the west and Mountain Brook Village to the east.

The concept for Hollywood was conceived in the early 1920s by Clyde Nelson, president of the Nelson Real Estate Company of Birmingham. He

hired Harvard-trained landscape architect Rubee J. Pease to design the neighborhood and Birmingham architect George P. Turner to design most of the original residences. Lots were planned to be large, with 100-foot frontages and ranging in price from $1,800 to $3,700. Houses would range from $15,000 to $35,000. The first 75 to 100 homes were built between 1924 and 1926.

By no means a cookie-cutter kind of neighborhood, Hollywood is noted for a variety of home styles that come together in a pleasing blend. While Nelson’s plans initially called for only Spanish Mission and Tudor Revival to populate the neighborhood, other styles such as Modern Ranch, Minimal Traditional and Craftsman Bungalow eventually became part of the mix.

The oldest homes in the area reflect the Spanish Mission style and were built along the neighborhood’s first three streets: Bonita Drive, which was the first street to be paved; Poinciana Drive; and La Prado Place. To ensure the Mission style was accurately portrayed, Nelson sent his contractors to Miami for several months to study the Spanish-inspired architecture there before ground was even broken.

A freight carload of decorative

See HOLLYWOOD, page 19

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18 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOME

Photos by Crimson Home Photography

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A new two-bay brick carport with a roofline and terra cotta tiles to match the house now offers shelter to the family vehicles while also providing an upstairs bonus room and workshop.

From page 16

Renee Smith

Pride and responsibility drive us to be the best in everything we do.

black-white-gray palette. The nearby master suite is a light-filled retreat with practical touches such as builtins for books. It has been updated with a stunning new bathroom, full of beautiful marble, a double vanity, a large soaking tub, and separate shower. Also, tucked away in the master suite is a home office.

Wood floors and details such as crown molding and wood window casings impart continuity and understated style throughout the house.

Outdoor changes added two porches – one screened-in, the other covered – to the large, partially shaded porch on front of the house. And a new two-bay brick carport with a roofline and terra cotta tiles to match the house now offers shelter to the family vehicles while also providing

an upstairs bonus room and workshop.

And then there’s the yard, with meticulous landscaping, bocce ball court, a waterfall, two koi ponds and gardens.

“Indoors and out, this home is an absolute dream for entertaining family and friends,” said listing agent Brian Boehm of Boehm BrokersRealtySouth. “It’s the perfect blend of elegant yet casual living.”

While Murray gives major creds to the combined efforts of Betsy Brown for the interiors and Bill Meadows Homes on the construction aspects, a bit more was involved in achieving the spectacular results.

“My husband has great vision,” she said. “All this wouldn’t have happened the way it did without his input.”

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOLLYWOOD From page 17

wrought iron from a demolition project in the French Quarter of New Orleans reportedly provided detailing for some of those first homes. Other building materials such as terra cotta, stucco, slate, limestone and ceramic tile also were used and continue to give homes in

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 19

HOME Hollywood their distinctive flair.

By the 1940s and ‘50s, modern styles were being built in Hollywood. During the 1960s and ‘70s, a number of Ranch-style houses were built south of Windsor Drive to south of Shades Creek Parkway, which was Nelson Real Estate Company’s and the town of Hollywood’s original corporate boundary.

Originally formed as a separate

SINCE

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town in 1927, Hollywood was annexed into Homewood in 1929.

The Hollywood Historic District qualified for the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and is home to several American Institute of Architects-nominated houses.

For updates on the 2020 Hollywood Home Tour, visit Hollywood Garden Club on Facebook or follow Hollywood Home Tour on Instagram.

1947

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FOOD

20 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

‘Now, More than Ever’ Eat Local Birmingham Originals, Birmingham Restaurant Week Launch Bham Nom Nom

By Emily Williams

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

B

irmingham Restaurant Week and Birmingham Originals have announced the launch of Bham Nom Nom, a website dedicated to promoting Birmingham-area restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The website features a directory of independently owned restaurants, listing each restaurant’s website and to-go or delivery food and alcohol options. There also is a listing of each establishment’s Venmo or GoFundMe donation pages and a link to purchase gift cards, if available.

The website is bhamnomnom.com.

“Now, more than ever, by eating local, you’re supporting local, and these restaurants and their staff are dependent on the community’s patronage to get through this challenging time,” BRW co-founder Bill Stoeffhaas said in a statement. “Most are still here ready to keep you fed, so we wanted to create an all-encompassing list and easy way for people to find the information they want and encourage them to order takeout, buy gift cards and/or donate directly to the restaurants We want to keep these restau-

‘Birmingham Restaurant Week and Birmingham Originals both highlight the value of local and independently owned establishments that define our culinary scene, and it’s crucial to support them throughout this challenging time.’

Homewood Gourmet and Birmingham Originals President Chris Zapalowski

rants cooking.”

The Bham Nom Nom campaign, created by Style Advertising along with BRW and

Birmingham Originals, has partnered with Instagift and Birmingham Mountain Radio and has received support from Tito’s Handmade

Vodka.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this initiative that benefits local restaurants during this time.

Birmingham Restaurant Week and Birmingham Originals both highlight the value of local and independently owned establishments that define our culinary scene, and it’s crucial to support them throughout this challenging time,” Homewood Gourmet and Birmingham Originals President Chris Zapalowski said.

BRW and Birmingham Originals provide year-round support for the city’s restaurateurs, and local chefs and have banded together to help restaurants create revenue to support their wait staff, chefs and kitchen help, as well as their families.

“These hardworking, talented and dedicated people are now suffering the brunt of this crisis,” said George Reis, owner of Ocean and Five Point Public House.

Restaurants can be added to the website by emailing info@bhamrestaurantweek.com or filling out a form from the website’s home page.

For more information, follow Birmingham Originals on social media @bhamoriginals, and Birmingham Restaurant Week @bhamrestweek.

Food Odyssey

POP Pastor Inspires Parishioners to Deliver Food to the Homeless

The phrase “food for our journey” is one that Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s the Rev. John Fallon uses consistently in reference to the Eucharist.

Those words are now emblazoned on the side of a van that delivers meals to the homeless population in Birmingham.

POP parishioner Kelly Harden Greene - who developed the food delivery service, Food For Our Journey - said she was sitting in the pews at Prince of Peace one Sunday when Fallon spoke about food insecurity and POP’s weekender backpack ministry, which serves hungry students. That’s when the idea came to Greene, who attends Mass every Sunday at 5 p.m. and sings in the praise band 33AD. Greene said she and her husband, Joe, had recently become empty nesters and were searching for their next vocation. The Greene family served food to the homeless at local shelters and soup kitchens, and she said she knew that many hungry people cannot get to these locations for food because the facilities are open limited hours.

In the initial planning stages, Greene thought she might cook the food on the truck. But she decided against that after some research. The ministry instead partners with local restaurants

Photo courtesy Prince of Peace catholic Church

By Emily Williams

The founders of the nonprofit Food For Our Journey, Kelly Harden Greene and Christine Golab, recently had their meal delivery truck blessed by Prince of Peace’s Rev. John Fallon, who inspired the organization’s name.

and caterers and serves their meals that otherwise would have been uneaten and thrown out.

Once the idea began to unfold and a business plan was constructed, she was able to obtain health department approval, nonprofit designation, money to purchase a truck and restaurant sponsors.

Greene said she was amazed at how the process unfolded.

“It has been humbling and overwhelming,” she said. If a door closed, a window opened in a different direction, showing her the way to proceed.

When it came time to begin operation, Greene reached out to her long-time friend

Christine Golab to help deliver meals two days a week.

Golab signed on, leaving her 16-year career teaching at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School to join Greene.

Golab said she had some worries about giving up her job and income, but she said, “The Lord has blessed us beyond measure.”

Service began in November with delivery two days a week, but it has grown to six days a week. The van’s route includes Brother Bryan Park, Five Points and the rainbow tunnels in downtown Birmingham, among other locations pointed out to them by the homeless people they serve.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry has partnered with Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato and Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila to add a new initiative, Food for the Front Lines, which delivers meals to health care workers and others operating at the front lines of the health care crisis.

Greene and Golab are looking for new restaurants to partner with and are accepting donations. Items that can be donated include bottled water, aluminum catering pans, to-go containers, utensil packets, socks and blankets.

To volunteer or donate, contact kelly@foodforourjourney. For more information, visit foodforourjourney.org.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SCHOOLS

Lunch Time

Leadership Vestavia Hills Project Helps Feed Students in Need

We work tirelessly to help kids get well because the world needs to see what Natalie dreams up.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

By Emily Williams When Vestavia Hills’ Shelley Gentle and members of her Leadership Vestavia Hills small group began working on their community service project in October, they had no idea what kind of impact it would have less than six months later.

“We chose to investigate hunger in Vestavia,” Gentle said, “see what is being done and can be done to help.”

In conducting its project, dubbed the Leadership Vestavia Hills Hunger Awareness Project, the team discovered that about 7% of Vestavia Hills students receive free or reduced-price lunches.

That amounts to almost 500 students in the school system, Gentle said. The school has had a “weekender backpack” program in the past, in which students in need were able to take home a food-filled pack for the weekend, but there is not a program in place now.

“There are also about 60 or so Meals on Wheels recipients,” she said, but the team could identify only one food bank in the city, at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools to close their doors, Vestavia Hills’ Child Nutrition Program continued to operate, handing out meals at Vestavia Hills Elementary West and Cahaba Heights schools, and the local Girl Scout troops organized snack bags for each person who picked up a lunch.

Gentle and her team reached out to Vestavia Hills Superintendent Todd Freeman, a fellow member of the 2019-20 LVH class, to see whether they could help out in any way. He asked whether they could provide food to students over spring break.

Her team quickly got to work, and Gentle saw a way to not only help students in need, but support local restaurants in need at the same time.

“My husband is in IT, and a lot of the businesses he works with are produce distributors,” she said. “A lot of their customers are restaurants.”

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 21

Helping distribute food at Vestavia Hills Elementary West last Friday were, from left, Chad Gay, Lauren Cooper and Anthony Krontiras.

Through her husband’s work, Gentle has seen how hard social distancing has hit businesses.

“He has one customer down in Tampa whose business is off by 97%, which is just crazy,” she said.

While raising money from the community and through a GoFundMe account, the project team members reached out to local restaurants with a goal to pay for the students’ meals in full. At that time, the schools were

Hoover Schools Free Meal Program for Children in Need

While classrooms will be empty for the remainder of the semester, local schools’ child nutrition programs have carried on, offering meals to children who depend on their daily school lunches.

These lunches are provided by curbside pickup at little or no cost to children ages 18 and younger, who must be present.

Hoover City Schools will provide curbside meal pickup at Green Valley Elementary and Rocky Ridge Elementary on weekdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Each meal includes breakfast and lunch.

averaging about 150 meals handed out per day.

“Our hope was to do this without asking anything from them, because it’s always the restaurants who support school fundraisers, athletic teams and everything else,” Gentle said.

“We don’t want to ask for their help, we just want to give them business.”

When spring break began March 23, the team handed out about 640 meals to students in need. Meals were provided by Ashley Mac’s, Slice, Moe’s Southwest, Diplomat Deli and The Ridge, and they were paid for in full by LVH. Extra meals were distributed to the Vestavia Hills Police and Fire departments as well as shelters in downtown Birmingham.

“We passed our initial goal, which was awesome,” Gentle said. It did so well that the schools asked us if we could do Fridays through the end of the school year, both to help the schools as well as continue to support the restaurants.”

By its second Friday handout on April 10, the team expected to serve around 250 meals.

The team is continuing to raise funds through its “VH School lunches during Coronavirus Closure” GoFundMe account, and larger donations can be made at leadershipvestaviahills.com.

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 3 3 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

Smart Guy

SPORTS

Homewood’s Massie Earns Bryant-Jordan Regional Scholar Athlete Award

Homewood senior Harrison Massie is a pretty smart guy. OK, a very smart guy.

He’s smart enough to know when to sidestep a question.

Massie and his older brother, Stanford, were soccer standouts for the Patriots. They were teammates on Homewood’s 2018 Class 6A boys state championship team.

But their younger sister, Maddie, has them both beat. She played on Homewood’s 2019 Class 6A girls state championship team as an eighth grader.

So when asked whether Maddie would be a better soccer player than he and Stanford, Harrison Massie replied, “I don’t want to answer that.” But then he added, “Probably.”

It takes a smart guy to admit that his younger sister probably will be a better soccer player before she’s done at Homewood.

Harrison Massie isn’t just smart when it comes to assessing the soccer talent in his family. He’s also smart academically. He carries a 4.5 grade-point and made a perfect score, 36, on the ACT. Massie’s academic prowess has earned him the Class 6A, Region 5 Scholar Athlete award in the 35th annual Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program.

“I am really excited about it,” Massie said.

“It’s a great honor because it took so much work

from my teachers and coaches in the process. It shows I made a difference there.”

Homewood senior distance runner Lainey Phelps was named the Class 6A, Region 5 Achievement division winner, earning that distinction because she and Claire Touliatos, her friend and fellow senior at Homewood, founded the Dream Team, a first-year campus club that partners students with Homewood classmates who have special needs.

All 102 regional winners in the Achievement and Scholar-Athlete divisions receive a $3,000 scholarship.

‘A Guy You Can Rely On’

Homewood’s first-year boys soccer head coach, Julian Kersh, raves about Massie’s genius in the classroom and on the soccer field. He played center back this spring after playing center midfielder as a sophomore and junior.

“Harrison obviously is a brilliant kid and he comes from a brilliant family,” Kersh said. “I coached him a couple of years on junior varsity and I got to coach him as a senior on varsity.

He’s a guy you can rely on. He was one of our captains. He was a vocal leader who commands respect from his teammates.

“He’s a big guy, about 6-foot-3, and a strong player. On the interior, he won every ball and he controlled the ball.”

The Patriots were off to a 7-2 start this season when their season ended because of the

Overcomer

Hoover’s Tullo Earns Bryant-Jordan Regional Achievement Award for Being Cancer Survivor

By Rubin E. Grant Cooper Tullo was too young to grasp the gravity of his condition.

When he was 11 years old, doctors at Children’s of Alabama diagnosed Tullo with Stage 3 Burkitt lymphoma, a rare but aggressive cancer marked by tumor growth in the jaw, central nervous system, bowels, kidneys and other organs.

“When I got the news, I didn’t understand how traumatic it was until I saw how distraught my parents were,” Tullo said. “It was tough on them seeing their son go through something like that at such a young age.”

Tullo already was into football,

following in the footsteps of older brother Landry Tullo, a standout linebacker at Hoover High School before playing in college at Delta State.

The rare form of lymphoma kept Cooper Tullo sidelined during his sixth grade season. The cancer consumed much of his abdomen and collapsed one of his lungs before he arrived at Children’s in July 2013.

Five days into his three-month hospital stay, he turned 12 and was fighting for his life. He underwent surgeries to repair his lung, remove part of his intestine and biopsy his tumors. He also endured five rounds of chemotherapy.

The treatments were successful and Tullo returned to football. The

PUBLIC NOTICE: Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to deploy one small cell communications antennae atop an individual pole located at 2045 Brookwood Medical Center Dr in Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL 35209 (33.464743N, 86.772109W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: T. Goehrig, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, 864-729-7034 or tori.goehrig@terracon.com.

Photo by Scott Butler

By Rubin E. Grant

Massie carries a 4.5 grade-point and made a perfect score, 36, on the ACT.

coronavirus pandemic. They were hoping to erase the disappointment of the 2019 season,

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

when they were eliminated in the Class 6A semifinals by Fort Payne.

“I’m really disappointed about the season ending early, especially after coming up short last year,” Massie said. “We were really working hard, trying to win another state championship.

“Hearing the season had been canceled was hard. I wish we could do something as a team. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my teammates.”

With schools closed because of the outbreak, Homewood has gone to online instruction for its students for the remainder of the school year.

But as a senior, Massie had the choice to opt out, and he did.

“I will still do the work because we have to take final exams, but I’ll do it on my own,” he said.

Another casualty of the pandemic was the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Awards Banquet, which was scheduled for April 13 at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel and had been held annually since 1986.

“No banquet. That’s disappointing as well,” Massie said.

Instead of during a banquet, the BryantJordan Foundation recognized the regional recipients, the class and overall winners via television.

Massie is headed to the University of Virginia for college on an academic scholarship.

He doesn’t plan to play soccer in college.

His parents, both doctors, attended medical school at Virginia, and his mother also received her undergraduate degree there. His brother is a sophomore at Virginia.

“I tried not to let my brother being there influence my decision, or my parents,” Massie said, “but I am excited about being there with him.”

from a surgery I had. And past two seasons, the 5-footthey say, ‘It’s still so cool.’”

8-inch, 160-pound Tulllo The shark tale fits right in played slot receiver and with Hoover football coach returned punts for the Bucs.

Josh Niblett’s description of His first varsity touchdown Tullo. Niblett calls Tullo a reception helped Hoover beat fighter and believes that Central-Phenix City in the played a role in his battle 2019 season opener. with cancer.

Tullo will play college “He’s a special young football at Belhaven man,” Niblett said. “I’ve University, a NCAA Division known him for 12 years. He’s III school in Jackson, very hard working and Mississippi. respectful. He comes from a For all he has endured to competitive family and that’s continue his athletic career, what I think helped him beat Tullo is the Class 7A, Region cancer.”

3 recipient in the BryantThe cancer battle strengthJordan Scholarship Program’s ened Tullo’s faith.

Achievement category, which “It pushed me more honors senior athletes who toward God,” he said. “I have overcome personal adapted my life to work adversity to excel. through God.” “It’s definitely a great Because he is a cancer honor,” Tullo said. “A lot of survivor, Tullo is taking the kids have gone through some coronavirus pandemic guidesuper hard things. I’m not lines of social distancing serione to set myself apart, so it’s a blessing to win this award.” Tullo will play college football at Belhaven University, ously. a NCAA Division III school in Jackson, Mississippi.

“I wouldn’t say I am more Mountain Brook distance extra (cautious) than the averrunner Tate Record was the stomach, a permanent reminder of his age person, but I am playing it on the Class 7A, Region 3 Scholar-Athlete battle with cancer. It also has become safe side with COVID-19,” he said. winner. He will graduate in the top somewhat of a conversation-starter Tullo is looking forward to playing 5% of his class while taking all AP that he has a little fun with. football at Belhaven. He plans to classes and scored a perfect 36 on the “Random kids come up to me at major in sports management and comACT. munications.

All regional winners will receive a the pool and ask me about it,” Tullo said. “I tell when I was 11, I was He will take his fighting spirit $3,000 scholarship. The statewide swimming in the ocean and a big with him to college. winners were announced April 13.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I’m shark attacked me and I had to fight it Tall Tales ready for the challenge of playing at off. And they’ll go like, ‘Oh my God, Tullo has a 7-inch scar on his the next level.” are you serious?’ Then I tell them it’s Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

22 • Thursday, April 16, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

“I want to thank (Spain Park) coach (Mike) Chase, who started coaching me in the sixth grade and was the first person to tell me I could make a difference for Spain Park basketball. He kept pushing me to be the best player I could be.

“I want to thank my teammates. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my teammates. They see me every day, my lows and highs, and they always support me. We’re a sisterhood, so I honestly feel this is a team award. We did it together. It wasn’t just me.

“I also want to thank my trainer, Sarah Lynch, who was in there working with me every day. There’s nobody who’s a better trainer than her.”

This season, Barker led the Jaguars to their second Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A state championship in the past three seasons, averaging 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals as Spain Park finished with a 32-4 record.

She was named the Over The Mountain Journal Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. She also was tabbed as the Gatorade State Player of the Year, the MaxPreps State Player of the Year, and the ASWA Class 7A Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

“I’ve been coaching in

From page 24

Association Miss Basketball in a tweet on April 3.

“They had told us they would post who won it at 11 o’clock (in the morning) on April 3,” Barker said. “I saw it when people started texting me.”

It was a strange way to find out since Miss Basketball usually is announced during a banquet.

“It was very different,” Barker said, “not receiving it (at) a banquet when you have to do (a) speech. I didn’t get to do that.”

So, the Spain Park senior guard was thinking about posting her acceptance speech on Twitter.

“I’ll probably make a video and put it on Twitter,” she said.

Asked what she planned to say, Barker replied: “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because I can’t do anything if not for Him. “I want to thank my parents, my mom (Amy Best) and my dad (Jay Barker) for supporting me and loving me. They were never hard on me and even after a bad game, they never put any pressure on me. My mom is my hero because of everything she sacrificed for me.

‘I’ve been coaching in Birmingham for 22 years and there have been a lot of good players, but she is the best player I’ve ever coached and she’s the best player I’ve ever seen play.

MIKE CHASE, SPAIN PARK GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

Birmingham for 22 years and there have been a lot of good players,” Chase said, “but she is the best player I’ve ever coached and she’s the best player I’ve ever seen play.”

Barker is headed to Georgia to play in college. She was supposed to report to Athens on May 31, but that might change because of the pandemic.

Much of her spring already has been disrupted because of the outbreak.

“It’s definitely unfortunate that we have to miss prom and possibly graduation,” Barker said. “I’m trying to take the positives from it. God is in control.”

Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry

BARKER

Thursday, April 16, 2020 • 23

SPORTS

McMillan guided the Spartans to the state finals in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s highest classification seven times and won state championships in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

BUCKY From page 24

and won state championships in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. This season the Spartans were Class 7A runners-up, losing to Lee-Montgomery 40-38 in the championship game and finishing with a 32-3 record.

McMillan posted a 333-74 record at Mountain Brook, averaging nearly 28 wins per season.

He said this was the right time to leave.

“I can walk away from Mountain Brook and know it’s in great hands,” McMillan said. “We built a great program and it will continue to be a great program. This is an opportunity for me to be a Division I coach, straight from high school.

Somebody said there are only 450 players in the NBA, but there are only 353 head coaches in Division I, so you can say it’s tougher to have one of these jobs than it is to make it as a player in the NBA. It is something I couldn’t pass up.”

McMillan replaces Scott Padgett, who was fired March 16 after the Bulldogs finished this season with a 10-23 record. Padgett had just two winning seasons in six years with Samford, ending his tenure with an 84-115 record.

Samford Director of Athletics Martin Newton was pleased to land McMillan.

“When we set out to hire a new coach for our men’s basketball program, we had three main criteria,” Newton said. “We wanted someone with head coaching experience and a

Journal file photo by Lee Walls

A New Chapter

proven track record of winning championships, someone who could excite and engage the Birmingham and Samford communities and someone who understands and embraces the mission of our great university.

“Bucky McMillan quickly became the obvious choice. Bucky has a proven track record of winning championships, a tireless work ethic, a unique basketball mind and the energy and enthusiasm to bring championship basketball to Lakeshore Drive.”

Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats believes McMillan will be successful at Samford.

“As a former high school coach

myself, I am excited for both Bucky and Samford University,” Oats said in a media release announcing McMillan’s hiring. “Bucky is someone who has put his time in and climbed the ladder to earn this opportunity. I have only known him a short time but have seen first-hand that he has the unique ability to connect and motivate his players, the knowledge to evaluate and develop them and the drive and passion it takes to coach at a high level. I’m confident he will do some great things at Samford.”

UAB coach Andy Kennedy also praised the hiring.

“I was an assistant coach at UAB in the mid-1990’s when a young,

tough, smart little point guard came to our camp and led his team,” Kennedy said. “Bucky was a good player at BSC before embarking on

an incredibly successful high school coaching career at his alma mater.

I’m truly excited for him as he embarks on the tremendous opportunity provided to him by Samford University. I can’t wait to watch him do great things at that great university.”

McMillan’s departure from Mountain Brook comes during the global novel coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s wild,” McMillan said. “I had to tell my players I was leaving on Zoom.”

PUBLIC NOTICE: Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to deploy one small cell communications antennae atop an individual pole located at 3726 Veona Daniels Road in Hoover, Jefferson County, AL 35216 (33 22 46.86N / 86 47 12.47W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: T. Goehrig, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, 864-729-7034 or tori.goehrig@terracon.com.

Smart Guy: Homewood’s Massie Earns Bryant-Jordan Regional Scholar Athlete Award.

Page 22

Bucky McMillan spent 12 seasons as the Spartans’ head coach, leading Mountain Brook to unprecedented success.

SPORTS Thursday, April 16, 2020 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Overcomer: Hoover’s Tullo Earns BryantJordan Regional Achievement Award for Being Cancer Survivor. Page 22

The Right Time McMillan Leaves Mountain Brook for Samford

By Rubin E. Grant

T

Journal file photo by Lee Walls

he opportunity was just too good for Bucky McMillan to pass up.

On April 6, he was named the new men’s basketball coach at Samford University, leaving his job as boys basketball coach at Mountain Brook High School.

“I’ve always said I wouldn’t move anywhere else to be a high school coach,” McMillan said. “(Mountain Brook) was the job of a lifetime for me, being at a place I love. I had chances to be an assistant coach (at the college level), but this is the place I grew up loving and the only way I could leave would be for a (NCAA) Division I head coaching job. I don’t know how to be an assistant. I’ve never been an assistant.”

Samford fits the profile of a college job McMillan would accept.

“You can say there are better basketball jobs in the country,” he said. “Kentucky is a better job and North Carolina is a better job, but this is the best job for me. It’s right here in the city and only three miles from where I live.

“I know the values of the university and the high standards they have. I am ecstatic to be going to work for one of the top Christian universities in the country. I am excited to get to Samford and build relationships with the facul-

‘This is an opportunity for me to be a Division I coach, straight from high school.’ ty and staff and, most importantly, with the student-athletes.”

McMillan, 36, played high school basketball for Mountain Brook from 1999 to 2002 and college basketball at Birmingham-Southern College from 2002 to 2006.

He spent 12 seasons as the Spartans’ head coach, leading Mountain Brook to unprecedented success. He guided the Spartans to the state finals in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s highest classification seven times See BUCKY, page 23

MISS BASKETBALL

Spain Park’s Barker Receives Word of Prestigious Award Via Twitter Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry

By Rubin E. Grant With the state of Alabama on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sarah Ashlee Barker had to find out on Twitter that she had been awarded the most prestigious honor given to a girls basketball player in the state.

Barker was named the 2020 Alabama Sports Writers

See BARKER, page 23

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