7.2.20

OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

Shining Through Conservative Business Plan Helps Bromberg’s Weather Economic Storms

FAMILY TRADITION Ricky Bromberg, above, is president of Bromberg & Co. the well-known Birmingham-based fine jewelry and gift store started by his great-great-great-grandfather Frederick W. Bromberg in Mobile in 1836.

By Donna Cornelius

F

acing economic adversity isn’t new to America’s oldest known family-owned retailer.

Founded in Mobile in 1836, Bromberg & Co. Inc. has survived the American Civil War, Great Depression, two World Wars, recessions – and now, the coronavirus pandemic.

Frederick W. Bromberg, who started the business, likely would approve of the way his great-great-great-grandson and namesake Ricky Bromberg, company president, has led the well-known Birmingham-based fine jewelry and gift store through the challenges

See BROMBERG’S, page 15

RETAIL THERAPY Read what local businesses are doing to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, beginning on page 14.

SPORTS FOURTH OF JULY

The Show Must Go On Thunder on the Mountain Dedicated in Honor of Heroes

On July 4, the night sky above Red Mountain will ignite with the sounds and colors of the annual Thunder on the Mountain fireworks display despite the ever-present threat from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event has been the culmination of the city’s Independence Day celebrations for decades, according to a OLS Celebrates release from Vulcan Park 71st Anniversary and Museum. of Fourth of July Festivities will begin at BBQ. PAGE 4.

9 p.m. and event officials encourage viewers from every vantage point to maintain a social distance from others.

Due to the size and popularity of the event, it was imperative for park officials to assess the current pandemic conditions to ensure public safety. For those who wish to stay at home, the show will be broadcast on WBRC Fox 6 News.

Park officials noted that this year’s show has been “dedicated in honor of those who have See THUNDER, page 6

Photo courtesy Vulcan Park and Museum

Journal photo by Maury Wald/Far photo courtesy Bromberg’s

SCHOOLS

2 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OPINION/CONTENTS

Inside

Murphy’s Law

I GENTLE GIANT United Ability CEO Dr. Gary Edwards touched the lives of thousands PAGE 10

MAKING A MENAGERIE McKinneys virtually reconstruct house and land on mountain in Mountain Brook PAGE 21

SAY CHEESE – BISCUITS, THAT IS JNN Retail puts Jim ’n Nick’s popular mixes, sauces on grocery store shelves PAGE 26

ABOUT TOWN 4 PEOPLE 8 NEWS 10 LIFE 12 SOCIAL 18

WEDDINGS 20 HOME 21 FOOD 26 SCHOOLS 28 SPORTS 32

NEXT ISSUE: Back to School and Home Improvement, Aug. 6

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.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

July 2, 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 Intern: Caroline Rice

soothing and just vulnerable enough cannot tell you how happy I was to that I would love to meet them for see live golf broadcast on TV last fish and chips in a pub in Midsomer weekend. It was like a cosmic sign or Northumbria, if they truly existed. that the universe had decided that life Each series has seven back seawould indeed go on. Sure, the golfers sons, and I have been doling them had to stand six feet apart and schlep out like fine Godiva chocolates. I’m their own bags, but they stood at a the same with actual Godiva when I real-time tee, took their swing, and a can get it; I allow myself one piece a real-time ball lifted heavenward to day, savoring each one, even when land on the fairway … or in the bunall that is left is the maple cream, ker. It really didn’t matter. The point which I dislike as much as I can diswas that it was happening right that like any kind of chocolate, which is moment and wasn’t simply a re-airing Sue Murphy minimal. of some tournament the network had I’m currently in the middle of seadug out of the vault. son four on both mystery series, so I We’ve relied heavily on our feel safe at the moment, but a part TV’s these past few months. They Each series has seven of me is already looking down the brought us news updates and Zoom road to their inevitable ends and talk shows and glittering specials back seasons, and I wondering where in the world I will where celebrities went to great have been doling them go next. The struggle, albeit petty, is lengths to make themselves look real. unglittery like us, their adoring pubout like fine Godiva lic. tried very hard not to chocolates. I’m the same thinkI have Friends of mine took the opporabout the loss of the 2020 tunity to binge-watch TV series they Summer Olympics, my only bingewith actual Godiva had missed the first time around or watch event. For two weeks every when I can get it. revisit ones they had loved before, two years, I sit glued to the TV, watching the episodes in straight happily watching skiing and luge in succession until they could proudly the winter years, swimming and (and breathlessly) announce that they had finished running and gymnastics in the summer. Now the whole every last one..

Olympics process is in suspended animation, the venNot me. I’m not a binge watcher. I’m more of a stin- ues empty, the vendors trying to figure out what to do with all that leftover popcorn. gy watcher. If I really, really like something, I want it It will all work out. It will. Already, they’re talking to last as long as possible, so I ration the episodes out, about going ahead with the fall college football schedone every few days, to make sure that I do not reach ule. With fans? Without fans? Players tackling each the end too quickly. I started the quarantine with a other from six feet apart? I’m not sure how they’re medicinal rewatching of my stash of funny movies, airgoing to manage it and I’m glad I’m not in charge. My ing one each night, and when I came to the end of the stack and a little bit of fear set in, I rented a few more. job is to sit and patiently wait.

After that, I moved on to my British mystery arseUntil then, there will be golf. One guy, one club, nal, which you’d think would undo those laughter one ball and the hole hundreds of yards away. Live. endorphins, but I find the main characters solid and And I’m so grateful.

Over the Mountain Views Back to the Garden

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

ACTIVE DUTY Vestavia Hills woman serves military spouses with education and advocacy PAGE 7

Stinge Watching

Vol. 29, No. 19

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.

After a three-month closure, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens reopened to the public on June 15. Access to the facility is limited to the front entrance gates and guests are required to wear masks when interacting with others or entering the Garden Center. At the time of publication, the gardens’ adjusted hours of operation were from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day of the week.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 3

ABOUT TOWN

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

It’s Been a Long, Long Time

By Emily Williams

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald/Below: Courtesy

For the past 71 years, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church has been celebrating its Independence Day with its annual Fourth of July Festival in Homewood. Or has it?

It turns out, the date of the first festival is in dispute, and it might not be helpful that the name and sponsorship of the festival has changed over the years.

OLS Knights of Columbus 4304 member Adam Morel says this actually is the 75th anniversary of the festival’s existence.

In his history of the festival, Morel writes that there was a festival held in Homewood in 1949 that was named the “First Annual 4th of July Festival.” It took place on land next to the property where the OLS Church would be built 10 years later, at 1728 Oxmoor Road.

“Actually, there is no OLS church as we know it, at the time,” Morel wrote. The congregation’s sanctuary, in Birmingham’s Southside, had burned to the ground four months prior.

Regardless, a 50th anniversary was celebrated in 1996, complete with T-shirts touting the founding of the festival in 1946.

“When your first festival is that old, when it pre-dates even your sanctuary, its true birthday becomes apocryphal,” Morel said. “Debates are had, dates are guessed at – and that’s OK.” Throughout the decades, the festival has experienced many additions and firsts, and this year is no different. It’s the first year the festival has been held during a pandemic.

At the “first annual” festival, a king and queen were selected by a vote. Each ballot cost a penny, and the king who collected the most votes that year was Walter Busehnlehner, who would later found Homewood Toy & Hobby.

Busehnlehner told Morel that, from his earliest memories of the festival, “We always needed volunteers and always got them.”

For 21 years, the event was coordinated by the OLS Holy Name Society and featured the Trash & Treasure rummage sale, a dunking booth and a variety of games.

“The most popular game featured kids shooting at cartons of cigarettes with Daisy BB guns loaded with corks instead of ammunition,” Morel

noted, clarifying that cigarettes were not given to the winning children as prizes.

The Knights of Columbus 4304 took over the organization of the festival in about 1970. The amount of barbecue served grew overtime. The rummage sale expanded.

“With all that change of the years, one thing has never changed – the

Above, OLS’s 40-ft smoking pit – built specifically to accommodate the enormous amount of barbecuing – will be fired up days before the event so that the church’s Knights of Columbus chapter members can smoke about 6,500 pounds of barbecue. Top, having fun at last year’s festival were, Brian, Leah, Hayes and Caroline Allen with Charlie and Casey Lassiter.

OLS Fourth of July Festival has always had the same goals,” Morel said.

Those goals include providing camaraderie and fellowship between parishioners and community members, and supporting the church’s mission to provide Catholic education and support the less fortunate.

“While many things have changed in the last few months, the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood will make sure that the show goes on just as it has for the last seven-plus decades,” said John Baldwin, festival chair and OLS Knights of Columbus 4304 member.

Throughout the nation, Independence Day feels a bit different this year. The coronavirus pandemic has placed a kibosh on large Fourth of July parties and celebrations.

“While having social gatherings of thousands of people on the OLS campus in a period of social distancing is not something that anyone is comfortable with nowadays, there will be adjustments made to ensure that his year’s edition of the tradition continues in a safe manner,” Baldwin said.

Over the years, activities and features have been continually added to the event, and last year consisted of the annual rummage sale, bingo, a doll booth, a cake booth, race cars and tours of OLS, among other activities. All of these features will be taking the year off, Baldwin noted.

Instead there will be a raffle, which will include a number of cash prizes, with a grand prize total of $5,000.

What will not change is the food that is served.

OLS’s 40-ft smoking pit – built specifically to accommodate the enormous amount of barbecuing – will be fired up days before the event so that the church’s Knights of Columbus chapter members can smoke about 6,500 pounds of barbecue.

“There will, of course, be the traditional lineup of Boston butts, whole and half chickens, as well as racks of ribs, which people have come to expect,” Baldwin said. The crew also has added smoked turkey breast to the menu, supported by popular demand.

Bulk sales of barbecue will be available for curbside pickup at the OLS school cafeteria on July 2 and July 3 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and July 4 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Pre-orders can be placed at olskoc. org and require a minimum of one day advance notice.

In addition, takeout lunch plates will be available at the Parish Hall on July 3 and July 4 from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Text or call-ahead orders can be made by contacting (205) 267-1116 and must be made by July 2 at 9 p.m.

For more information, visit ourladyofsorrows.com or the church’s Facebook page; search for Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Homewood, AL.

William Bennett Brown, of Hoover, is ready to celebrate Independence Day this Saturday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE SAM JULY 2 - AUG. 6 July 2-31 Run in 54 Virtual Race Challenge: Rocket Ride

What: Run in support of the one in 54 people who face the challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the first of a three-part race series consisting of 18 miles each during July, August and September. Website: runsignup. com

Fri., July 3 Babe Ruff’s Cinema Nights

What: Regions Field will host a summer movie lineup featuring family-friendly movies. Guests can choose to watch from the stands or bring a blanket and watch from the field. Films include “Toy Story 4,” July 3; “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” July 11; “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” July 18; and “Field of Dreams,” Aug. 1. When: 6:15 p.m., doors open; 7:15 p.m., film starts. Where: Regions Field Website: milb.com/birmingham.

Sat., July 4 The Market at Pepper Place

What: Continue to support Alabama farmers and makers at this drivethrough market every Saturday, featuring online pre-order/prepayment from 26 vendors. Pick up on Saturdays only. When: 7 a.m.-noon Where: 2829 2nd Avenue South Website: pepperplacemarket.com

Rick Melanson Peavine Falls Run What: This Fourth of July tradition features an 8.2 mile out-and-back run. There are some changes necessary to ensure the safety of all involved. Check the Safety Plan on the website for all details. When: 7 a.m. Where: Oak Mountain State Park Dogwood Pavilion Website: biriminghamtrackclub.com

Autism Speaks Virtual 5K/1 Mile Walk

What: Start the Fourth of July

holiday with this family-friendly virtual event designed to increase understanding and acceptance for the autism community. Website: act. autismspeaks.org

Tues., July 7 West Homewood Farmer’s Market

What: Attendees will enjoy music, 30-40 vendors representing the best local growers of Central Alabama, a wide variety of arts and crafts, as well as a rotation of Alabama’s favorite food trucks. When: Every Tuesday in June and July and the first Tuesday in August, 5-8 p.m. Where: 160 Oxmoor Road Website: westhomewood.com

Wed., July 8 Vestavia Hills Farmers Market

What: VHUMC continues its farmers market every Wednesday through Aug. 26. Monies obtained for the fees (paid by the farmers) are used to buy fruit and vegetables that are given to the VHUMC Food Pantry. When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Highway 31 in Scouts Square Website: vestaviahills. org

July 8 and 9 Suicide Prevention Training

What: Kierston Withrow, community outreach and educations specialist of Crisis Center, Inc., leads a free twohour course on how to identify signs of suicide and methods of helping people with suicidal behaviors.

When: July 8, 2-4 p.m.; July 9, 6-8 p.m. Website: “Crisis Center, Inc.” Facebook page

Fri., July 17 Women Veteran’s Health Expo

What: Leaders, health care workers and women veterans gather to share information, highlight best practices, identify gaps and engage in discussions to improve care delivery to women veterans. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium Website: va.alabama.gov

Photo courtesy Brown family

Beginning of OLS Knights of Columbus Fourth of July Festival Is Foggy

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

July 18 and 19 What: View new and antique firearms, historic weapons, knives, ammo, military memorabilia, western and cowboy firearms, products from security and defense, sporting goods, toys and games industries and more.

When: July 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: The Finley Center, Hoover Met Website: algca. org

Sat., July 18 Funkiest Funky Food Truck Festival

What: Enjoy food from Birmingham food truck vendors, while raising funds for AIDS Alabama’s services.

This year, the event will feature a scattered site for social distancing.

A $5 donation per person is encouraged. When: noon-10 p.m.

Where: Cahaba Brewing Co. and about town Website: aidsalabama.org

July 24 and 25 Virtual Scifi Fantasy Fest

What: Hoover Public Library will host its festival entirely online including special guests, discussion panels, a costume contest, gaming, the Superfight bracket, virtual breakout room and vendors. Look forward to content all week leading up to the weekend. Website: hplscifi.com

Sat., July 25

HOMEWOOD NATIONAL NIGHT OUT | TUES., AUG. 4

Virtual Birmingham Freedom Fest

What: Join Homewood Police Department and Foundation as well as community partners for the final installment of the West Homewood Farmer’s Market. Enjoy vendors, police and fire department vehicles and get a look at the new watchtower. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: 160 Oxmoor Road Website: westhomewood.com

What: Streamed live throughout the day, enjoy thought-provoking discussions, interactive videos and interviews shining a light on issues of equality and civic engagement.

Included will be entertainment. When: 3-8 p.m. Website: “Freedom Fest BHM” Facebook page

Trak Shak Retro Run

What: Dig out your polyester shortshorts, tube socks, afro wigs and whatever else your can think of for this years run, featuring music, beer, cold non-alcoholic beverages and great deals on food. When: 4 p.m., registration; 7 p.m., race; 6 p.m., after party Where: 2839 18th Street South Website: runsignup.com

Fri., July 31, Aug. 7, 14 and 21 Free Friday Flicks

What: Grab a blanket and your family and friends and head to the park for a family-friendly movie. When: 6:30-10 p.m. Where: Veterans Park Website: hooveral.org

Sat., Aug. 1 Hoover Household Hazardous Waste Day

What: Safely dispose of household chemicals, pesticides, paints, batteries, automobile fluids, electronics, medications, guns, ammo

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

AGCA Gun Show

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 5

ABOUT TOWN

The Rich family at last year’s National Night Out event: Sarah, Abby, Micah and Matt.

and other hazardous items. Paper document shredding will be on-site.

When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Hoover Met parking lot Website: hooveral. org

Sun., Aug. 2 Grand Slam Sunday

What: Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation presents an evening of food, drink and live music. All proceeds support the Miracle League Field at Wald Park.

When: 5-8 p.m. Where: The Ridge Eat & Drink parking lot Website: “Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation” Facebook page

Tues., Aug. 4

language of graphic design. When: 10:30 a.m.-noon Where: Birmingham Museum of Art Website: artsbma.org

Hoover National Night Out

What: Enjoy Hoover Police and Fire Department displays, local business exhibits, food truck options and a car show at this event designed to increase crime and drug prevention awareness and more. When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Riverchase Galleria - Belk parking lot Website: hooveral.org

Roman BRantley aRt, antiques Gifts & DecoR

Thurs., Aug. 6 The Politics of Design

What: James Williams, Design Director at BMA leads a discussion on how we communicate beyond the art in our galleries. He will examine the

Open Tues. - Fri. 10:30-5:00 pm 2790 BM Montgomery Street Homewood, AL • 205.460.1224

SAME QUALITY CARE. NEW ADDRESS. Grandview Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider in Birmingham – quickly. Just call 205-831-3810.

Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner at one of our 13 primary care locations.

Adam Carroll, M.D., recently LEE BRANCH LOCATION To: Linda 201 Doug Baker Boulevard joined Grandview Medical From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 Treating patients 8 and older.

Group and is ready to see you.

FAX: 205-824-1246 If you have been a patient Date: ofApril Schedule an appointment This is your AD PROOF fromatthe OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOU online, anytime, Dr. Carroll, call us today so we April 19, 2018 issue.

Please fax approval or changes to 8 LeeBranchDocs.com . can assist in transferring your Adam Carroll, M.D. Board-Certified in Family Medicine

Telehealth appointments Please make sure all information is correc are also being accepted. also available. address and phone number! medical records. New patients

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Member of the Medical Staff at Grandview Medical Center.

Chelsea • Columbiana • Grandview Physicians Plaza • Greystone • Homewood Hoover • Lee Branch • Liberty Park • Springville • Trussville • Vestavia Hills

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Look Forward.

6/5/20 9:20 AM

6 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Overcome the Obstacles

Rehab Reality...

by Judy Butler

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Take Steps Fundraiser to Honor VHHS Junior and Briarwood Senior

A Testimonial That Came At The Right Time “Hey Judy, it’s Valerie from years past. I got to thinking about you and how absolutely grateful I recall you being after your son’s passing. You guys have always been very special to me and I wanted to take time to not only let you know that, but to thank you. I want to thank you and your staff/facility for your unbelievable part in me being able to celebrate 2 years sobriety in November I think of you guys often and know I wish you personally nothing but the best. Thank you again.”

Running a small business can be stressful any time and with the coronavirus going on it’s even tougher. Someone told me that it would probably be a boost for the rehab business and based on the increased number of calls I receive it must be true.

The juggling to vet those who want to go to Bayshore Retreat and dealing with the financial side of it can be challenging. One thing I must remind people when they call is ‘compare everything’.

We only have six clients at a time and this means they get the individual attention they need. Unlike most rehabs we have about 30 hours of counseling weekly, not 12 step meetings. This is comprised of individual counseling at least twice a week, group

counseling with professionals (not volunteers from AA) everyday except Saturdays, and finally Life Skills, which covers issues such as irrational thinking, relationships, self-awareness and discovery along with five other topics.

It’s also about physical health as well; starting with extensive blood tests followed by exercise, dry sauna therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, freshly chef prepared meals and vitamins. The transformation of clients is amazing in just two weeks of being there. Bayshore itself is a healing environment. People walk into my foyer, not a lobby with a receptionist sitting behind a glass barrier. We have a pool and a beautiful bay view from every room. Sunsets are amazing. We have a boat and kayaks. On the weekend we take clients fishing, to play golf and other activities. It’s not just about beating addiction; it’s about embracing life without substance.

Finally we are Joint Commission accredited.

This is huge when it comes to selecting a rehab center.

It basically means that not only do we pass the various inspections and requirement to receive our license, but we meet the highest standards in the industry. Before you or someone you love goes to one of the ‘big box’ rehabs, compare everything. Look for the Gold seal of approval. I know you will find that Bayshore Retreat will be the best option. Call me any time.

850-687-6831

www.bayshoreretreat.com

Drug & Alcohol Treatment in Destin, FL Licensed & Court Approved

Vestavia Hills High School junior Linden Cundiff and Briarwood Christian School senior John Wolf are spending the first months of their summer vacation motivating communities across north-central Alabama.

The two students have been recognized by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation as “honored heroes” for the July 25 Take Steps Birmingham fundraiser.

Both battle debilitating digestive diseases. Cundiff has Crohn’s disease and Wolf is living with ulcerative colitis.

According to the foundation, these two diseases affect more than 3.1 million people in the United States, including an estimated 80,000 patients who are under the age of 18.

Cundiff and her parents first noticed that something was wrong with her health when she was in sixth grade and her knee started to painfully swell.

Failing to find a diagnosis after meeting with a rheumatologist, she had further testing with a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

At the time, Cundiff had lost a lot of weight and was anemic. Though it took some time to find the right treatment, by eighth grade, she was finally in remission and feeling better.

“Remission hasn’t been a completely smooth road, as I have had ups and downs and gone in and out of remission over the last three years,” Cundiff said.

One of the most steadfast aspects of her journey with the disease, she said, has been her participation in the foundation’s Camp Oasis, one of the many aspects of the foundation that will benefit from funds raised by Take Steps.

“Camp Oasis is genuinely one of my favorite weeks of the year because not only is it a place to meet kids who have experienced the same things as I have but also to have a truly fun camp experience,” she said.

Unlike Cundiff, Wolf can’t recall a

THUNDER From page 1

fought for our country’s independence and for essential workers who have worked to keep us safe and healthy.”

Vulcan Park Foundation board Chairman Jason Eppenger said he believes that uncertain times provide the opportunity to persevere and reflect on the important things, which he listed as family, community and freedom.

“We have faced many adversities

Photos courtesy Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

By Emily Williams

‘... the most important accomplishment in my life was raising $5,000 for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Take Steps Birmingham walk last spring.’

‘Remission hasn’t been a completely smooth road, as I have had ups and downs and gone in and out of remission over the last three years.’

JOHN WOLF

LINDEN CUNDIFF

time when he did not have ulcerative colitis. He suffered from intestinal issues as a baby and was diagnosed by the age of 3.

After his diagnosis, Wolf received steroids and IV infusions of medications that provided little help. At age 5, he had his entire large intestine removed, the first of seven surgeries he has had in his 18 years of life.

Wolf has endured numerous trials beyond hospital visits and operating rooms, including having liver complications and spending much of his kindergarten year with an ileostomy bag. “(Ulcerative colitis) has motivated me to beat the odds, and I believe I have,” said Wolf. “I have made all A’s in the most rigorous curriculum available to me. I won the high school tennis state championship three times in a row and even set a state record. I was selected to the All-State tennis team, and I achieved the honor of

being a National Merit Qualifier.

However, the most important accomplishment in my life was raising $5,000 for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Take Steps Birmingham walk last spring.”

Wolf has set a goal this year to try to exceed his 2019 fundraising total.

Through the Take Steps fundraiser, rescheduled to July 25 at Sloss Furnaces, Cundiff, Wolf and their fellow participants will raise funds for the foundation’s mission to increase awareness for digestive diseases, support patients and fund research for better treatments and, ultimately, cures for inflammatory bowel diseases.

‘There is no better way to recognize the individuals who have put themselves at risk, not only for our liberties, but also for our health and safety during the pandemic.’ this year and invite all to join Vulcan, the longstanding symbol of our com-

For more information, visit cctakesteps.org/Birmingham or contact Emily Richter at (646) 3872149 or erichter@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

munity, to celebrate our resilience, potential and pride,” Eppenger said.

“There is no better way to recognize the individuals who have put themselves at risk, not only for our liberties, but also for our health and safety during the pandemic.”

Following the event there will be a photo contest. Participants will be able to submit photos of the fireworks on Vulcan Park’s website, and winners will receive a prize pack.

For more information, visit visitvulcan.com.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 7

PEOPLE November, she went to Washington, D.C., for the MOAA national board meeting.

Pandemic Spells Another Change

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

But the pandemic has cut down on her travel time in the past few months.

MOAA’s annual Storming of the Hill, in which Hartline has participated for the past five years, was canceled. At the end of March or beginning of April, MOAA usually sent a group of about 250 people to Washington.

“We cover probably 99% of the offices on the Hill,” Hartline said.

“They put us out there at 6 a.m. (east-

Anne Hartline is chairwoman of the Military Officers Association of America’s Surviving Spouses Advisory Council.

Active Duty

ern time), and my body knows that’s 5 a.m. We have a big picture made in front of the capital and then we break off.”

Hartline then would follow the state chapter president through the halls to call on the offices of representatives from Alabama.

MOAA, a nonpartisan organization, would send its representatives in with three topics of discussion, which include recurring topics such as military personnel and families’ health care benefits.

“It’s very sad to me that we have to continually talk to these elected folks about providing necessities for our

troops,” Hartline said. “We have an allvolunteer army, and who is going to volunteer if the benefits and the salary are not competitive?”

Hartline said she has been feeling the void with the rest of her 2020 trainings canceled because of the pandemic. Nevertheless, she has been able to stay in touch with her MOAA community locally and nationally.

“I have learned to use Zoom,” she said. It’s a great placeholder to connect with her fellow volunteers, but Hartline said she awaits the day she can hit the road again to continue training and giving back to the MOAA community.

Masks are not for you...

Vestavia Hills Woman Serves Military Spouses With Education and Advocacy

By Emily Williams Vestavia Hills resident Anne Hartline may not have served in the military, but she serves military families through the Military Officers Association of America’s Surviving Spouses Advisory Council.

In her sixth year on the council, Hartline is chairwoman, advocating ways to help spouses of military officers and veterans navigate life after the loss of their loved ones.

“We want to encourage, educate and engage,” she said.

Hartline retired from her education career with Hoover City Schools in 2004 to take care of her husband, Col. James “Red” Hartline.

An officer and a gentleman, according to Hartline, he spent 36 years in the military, primarily with the Alabama Army National Guard.

Following his retirement, he maintained a lifetime membership with the Military Officers Association of America as a way to remain connected to his military community.

“My husband was on renal dialysis for the last 13 years before he died,” she said. Over the last four years before his death in 2012, the dialysis treatments began to compromise his bones. Even as his health declined, Hartline said her husband was the icon for military discipline – always following the instructions of his doctors “He became more and more disabled,” she said. “I was fortunate to have some good help, but our MOAA chapter was so wonderful.”

Members of the organization called, visited and sent cards to offer support as the Hartlines bounced between home and hospital.

Suddenly Lost

After her husband’s death in 2012, she found herself without her husband and without a job to do for the first time in many years.

“I was pretty lost,” she said. “I had been involved in a lot of things, and my world got smaller as I took care of him.”

She immediately began attending MOAA chapter meetings again, wanting to give back to the group that gave her so much support and help other women struggling with the loss of their spouses.

“I learned that my way of coping was to get out and do things, to get involved,” she said.

Council programming reaches out to military spouses and surviving spouses to help them on multiple levels.

The council educates spouses on navigating finances before and after the loss of their spouses, as well as retirement planning. Surviving spouse liaisons in each chapter of the council reach out to ensure those women and men remain connected to the military community.

In addition, surviving spouses are encouraged to serve the council in whatever capacity they are able.

During her career in education, Hartline developed the nationally recognized Safe and Drug-Free Schools prevention program. She has been able to use skills she developed training other educators with her work in MOAA. Over the past year, she has helped develop workshops for surviving spouse chapter and state liaisons and employed those lessons at MOAA regional leadership conferences.

“People become surviving spouse liaisons and say, ‘Now what do I do?’” she said. “We want to teach them, not only about the structure, but we share information about the things that we have done, for example, hosting luncheons, checking in, going to the funerals.”

She has spoken on the subject across the country, including presentations in South Carolina, Florida, Oregon and Pennsylvania. In

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8 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

PEOPLE

Indian Springs Animal Clinic Has a New Name and Is Now Solely Devoted to Dentistry for Animals Effective June 22, 2020, Dr. Bert Gaddis, owner of the former Indian Springs Animal Clinic, began doing only veterinary dentistry at his clinic, now named Animal Dental Specialists. Dr. Gaddis is the only veterinarian who is board certified to practice veterinary dentistry in Alabama. He earned his board certification in 2009.

“Dentistry for animals is now all I will be doing for clients at Animal Dental Specialists”, said Dr. Gaddis.

Dr. Gaddis, who lives in Homewood, earned his bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Auburn University. He is one of only about 200 veterinarians worldwide who are board certified by the American Veterinary Dental College to practice veterinary dentistry.

Dr. Gaddis invites veterinarians and their clients who would benefit from his services to see him at Animal Dental Specialists. Hours are by appointment Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information, call 205-988-8654. Animal Dental Specialists is located at 1583 Cahaba Valley Road Indian Springs, AL 35124 at off I-65 at Exit 246, and directly across from the entrance of Indian Springs School.

Tina E. Shaddix, Chief Operating Officer

“He was actually my boss for about 38 years. I have to describe him as a visionary. He had a heart and passion that clearly defined him and a never-ending desire to serve others.

That was his mission on Earth and he fulfilled it.

“United Ability would not be what it is if not for his vision. He was a tireless worker. We started in 1982 as

From left, Tina Shaddix, the late Dr. Gary Edwards, Allison Berman and Dr. Charley Law at a United Ability event in 2018.

Gentle Giant

United Ability CEO Dr. Gary Edwards Touched the Lives of Thousands United Cerebral Palsy with 25 members serving 200 participants, and he took it from 200 to almost 6,000 participants.

“He had a vision for the campus, as well. In 2001, we were in the aging Butler Building in Birmingham on the western side and moved to a beautiful facility (near Lakeshore Drive in Homewood) designed for people with disabilities. He dreamed that it could be one of the best facilities for individuals all over the world.

“He would work with anyone individually, including infants. His mantra was: babies can’t wait. He believed any delay could do them harm, so he took any referrals on newborns with disabilities. He wanted us to be an agency that provided them service throughout their lifetime.

“The passing of Dr. Edwards is an indescribable loss, for United Ability and people everywhere living with disabilities. His reach was far and wide. Our executive team and board

Matt Nelson, Junior Board Member

of directors will follow the example set by Dr. E and carry on his passion for creating a world where disability

“I knew him as a patient and as a friend. He was an incredible man and a great listener. He was the absolute best whether you had any kind of disability or not, and it didn’t matter your socioeconomic background. He understood the needs of those who came to United Ability and he would give you the resources and help to give you a hand up, to see a hope and a future. He helped many families for decades.

“Whether he was talking to people with disabilities or to corporate leaders, he could relate to any of them.

The world is a better place because of Dr. Edwards.”

‘What I’m going to miss most about him is his leadership. He was responsible for United Ability becoming what it is because of his drive and determination and kindness.’

RONNE HESS, UNITED ABILITY FOUNDATION MEMBER

Ronne Hess, United Ability Foundation Member

is neither defining nor limiting. His vision of empowering people to Dream New Dreams will forever live in our hearts and guide us as we move forward.”

Photo courtesy United Ability

Dr. Bert Gaddis is one of only about 200 veterinarians world-wide who are board certified by the American Veterinary Dental College to practice veterinary dentistry.

When Dr. Gary Edwards died on June 5 after an extended illness, United Ability didn’t lose just its chief executive officer; it lost a respected visionary, a true servantleader and a gentle giant.

Those were some of the descriptions of Edwards, who was CEO of United Ability, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, for 38 years. He influenced disability rights and advocacy in the Birmingham area, state, and nation, and he touched communities in a significant way while changing the lives of thousands of individuals and families.

Unique in the state of Alabama, United Ability provides a life-spectrum of programs designed to promote self-reliance, present choices and improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities. In 2019, United Ability served more than 5,700 children and adults with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, limb loss or deficiency, closed head injuries, and intellectual and developmental disabilities through its 10 programs.

“Dr. E.,” as he was affectionately known, also was instrumental in establishing the Project Search and Transition Services programs in the Birmingham, Mountain Brook and Hoover school systems.

He also served on numerous state and national boards and was a key figure in early intervention and employment service advocacy.

The Over The Mountain Journal reached out to a few United Ability board members and executive staff for their reflections about Edwards.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

“I was a part of UCP before he came. Gary Edwards was my dear friend. He was a true servant-leader.

He could never do enough for others.

He was never satisfied. He was always pushing himself and the organization to do more.

“He was more than nice. He was humble, a gentle giant. He was not one to seek fame or the limelight. He was about getting the job done.

“He was the type of man who was loved and respected by everyone. I never heard anyone say a bad thing about him.

“What I’m going to miss most about him is his leadership. He was responsible for United Ability becoming what it is because of his drive and determination and kindness.”

Edwards’ family asks that donations in his memory be made to United Ability at unitedability.org/ give or by mail to United Ability, 100 Oslo Circle, Birmingham, AL 35211.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 9

PEOPLE

UAB Burn Unit Given Annual Tweety Lasker Award for Work With Hand in Paw and it changes their perception of the whole night.

“We are very thankful for Hand in Paw and everything they do. It has

been such a morale booster for the trauma and burn intensive care unit, and we are very grateful and very honored,” Townsend said.

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Photo courtesy Hand in Paw

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Call 205-542-6094 From left, Margaret Stinnett, Kay Guess, Erin Townsend, Katie Lasker and Dr. Jim Lasker.

This year’s Tweety Lasker Award has been given to the UAB Trauma and Burn Intensive Care Unit for encouraging Hand in Paw therapy team visits.

The unit received a bronze statue by sculptor Brad Morton of a greyhound named Tweety, whose life and death inspired the annual award. The Hand in Paw organization also is given $10,000 each year as part of the award, established by Dr. Jim and Katie Lasker.

The Laskers were on hand for the presentation to the trauma and burn unit on June 22 along with their dogs, Real and Sister; Beth Franklin, found-

er of Hand in Paw; Kiersten Atkinson, director of volunteers for the group; therapy team member Kay Guess; and Oliver, a Bichon Frise who regularly visits the trauma and burn unit.

The Laskers created the award in 2007 to honor their beloved greyhound Tweety, who several times participated in the Picasso Pets annual fundraiser for Hand in Paw. “When Tweety passed away, I really thought a great way to memorialize her would be to have a gift made in her honor given to Hand in Paw, who provides so much comfort to many people across our community,” Jim Lasker said in a statement from

Hand in Paw. The medical staff has expressed gratitude for Hand in Paw teams and “the huge difference they make for patients and staff,” Brittany Jennings, To: director of communications for Hand in Paw, said in the statement. From: “Our patients and our staff love the visits. It’s a pretty demandingDate: unit and the nurses work so hard and they just light up when they see the dogs come,” Townsend said. “They could be having the worst night ever – super busy, haven’t sat down, haven’t eaten, haven’t gone to the bathroom – and they will see one of those dogs come down the hallway

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10 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

Masks Mandatory

NEWS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

By Emily Williams

plans.

The ordinance also does not apply in houses of worship, Wilson said, but he strongly recommended that congregants wear masks when in an environment where groups are singing, speaking and unable to maintain a proper social distance.

During the press conference, Wilson said the spread of the virus is getting worse in Jefferson County, and the order will remain in effect until he sees improvement.

“Unfortunately, it has become a controversial issue, and it really should not,” Wilson said. “This is public health. This is science. This is doing what is right for our community based on the best information we have about how to protect people from the spread of disease.”

Everyone in Jefferson County has been required to wear a face covering in public places since Monday at 5 p.m., and there’s no end date set for the order this time.

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson issued the face-covering order Friday. It requires that everyone in Jefferson County over the age of eight wear a face mask, scarf or other material that covers the nose and mouth when they are out in public.

His action was in response to rising coronavirus cases in Jefferson County.

“Things are moving in the wrong direction, and I am very concerned,” Wilson said.

People are required to wear facial coverings while in indoor spaces open to the general public, which Wilson said includes “stores, bars and restaurants – except when people are eating or drinking – entertainment venues, public meeting spaces, government buildings, civic centers, etc.”

The mandate also includes transportation services, such as buses and other forms of mass transit, as well as ride-sharing services such as Uber.

In addition, masks must be worn in outdoor public spaces where 10 or more people not from the same household are gathered and cannot maintain a six-foot distance from each other.

The ordinance does not apply to schools and day cares, Wilson noted.

Those organizations will work with local and state health officials to create

Why Mask Up?

Wearing a mask is less about protecting oneself than about protecting others, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases, said.

A person who wears a mask is protecting others from their own germs. If there are 20 people in a room and all are wearing masks, they have all protected each other. If one person is not wearing a mask and happens to be carrying the virus, that one individual has put everyone in the room at risk.

“It’s not just you we are talking about, it’s you as you affect and interact with every other member of your community and your family and your

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

Face Covering Required in Jefferson County Until COVID-19 Starts to Ease, Health Officer Says

SMART Mountain Brook High School graduation ceremonies on June 5 included lots of masks and social distancing.

For more on the event see page 28.

workplace,” Marrazzo said.

As far as assessing whether you are putting yourself at risk, she said the standard measure is 15 minutes spent within six feet of another individual without a mask. Within that timeframe, one can assume they would have contracted the virus if the other person is infected.

She also emphasized that people are contagious for several days before they start to experience symptoms, and others develop only mild symptoms they might mistake for allergies or a cold.

Marrazzo noted that the aversion some people have to the wearing of masks can be boiled down to a lack of understanding when it comes to the severity of critical COVID-19 cases.

She noted that a large number of people have never been admitted to or visited an intensive care unit before, and they haven’t seen someone fight for their life while on a ventilator.

“It’s really heartbreaking, especially when patients are dying alone,” Marrazzo said. “Remember, they are

In addition, masks must be worn in outdoor public spaces where 10 or more people not from the same household are gathered and cannot maintain a six-foot distance from each other. isolated. We don’t want staff and other people mixing with them. We don’t want their vulnerable family members going with them.”

The weight of a community failing to take measures to slow the pandemic

rests heavily on hospitals, she said.

While UAB has been managing, a rise in cases would mean a rise in critically ill patients in need of intensive care and the use of a ventilator. A dramatic increase would put a strain on hospital staff and medical professionals, and hospitals with fewer resources than UAB might not have the room or equipment to expand to care for more COVID-19 cases.

She also said rising COVID-19 cases limit other kinds of care that the hospital typically would provide. In other places more heavily affected by coronavirus outbreaks, Marrazzo said, care for other diseases just stopped.

“Heart attacks were happening, but people weren’t getting care,” she said.

“Strokes were happening, but people weren’t getting care.”

For more information on masks, tutorials and diagrams to make your own face coverings, visit uabmedicine.org/masking.

AWARD WINNING Henry Panion III of Hoover, is a professor of music at UAB.

and triumph, one that so parallels the story of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and its people, particularly the four little girls,” Panion said on the website for the film.

Panion composed the music and conducted the concert.

The documentary won 13 Telly Awards, including one Gold Telly in the Television Category for Education. It won one seven Silver Telly Awards and five Bronze Telly Awards.

The film was distributed by American Public Television.

“It has been amazing to see how so many people across the nation have embraced our film,” Panion said in a statement issued by UAB. “To have it receive multiple encore airings in markets such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago is just remarkable.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

A film documenting a Violins of Hope concert held at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, co-directed by two Birmingham-area filmmakers, has won 13 Telly Awards.

The film, “Dreams of Hope,” was directed by Henry Panion III, who is a professor of music at UAB, and David Macon of Day 22 Films, both Hoover residents.

It documents a concert performed in the church using restored violins, violas and cellos that had been used

by Jews during the Holocaust, bringing together memories of the civil rights movement and the Holocaust.

“The story of these violins and the Jewish people is of survival, hope

Photo courtesy UAB

Birmingham-Area Filmmakers Recognized With 13 Awards for ‘Dreams of Hope’

FILLING A NEED Southminster Presbyterian Church and the American Red Cross hosted a blood drive on June 23 in the Dogwood Room at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center. Blood supplies are critically short as coronavirus has affected donations. Donors, including Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce CEO Karen Odle (pictured above), made appointments in advance and practiced social distancing while giving blood.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Rotary Clubs Raise $7,500 for Emergency Repairs to Keep the Food Rolling From the Community Food Bank

Just when the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama was facing the extraordinary challenge to meet the growing needs for food assistance during the coronavirus crisis, one of its forklifts broke.

Considering the food bank in a normal year gathers and distributes about 16 million pounds of food throughout its 12-county service area, and this year it looks like the food bank will surpass that amount by fall, it was a big deal.

“The COIVD-19 pandemic has created a huge spike in requests for our services,” food bank CEO Brett Meredith said in a statement, “We’ve had to adapt quickly in order to meet the needs of our neighbors and get food out efficiently and safely.”

In a matter of days, seven Rotary Clubs in the area got together to raise $7,500 to cover the cost of the forklift repair and provide preventative maintenance on the other machines.

“The Rotary Clubs do so much for us and our community. We cannot thank them enough,” Elizabeth Wix, the food banks director of

partnerships, said in a statement.

Moving food at the scale the food bank is used to requires heavy equipment and warehouse space. The loss of a forklift made

it difficult to pull and fill orders, load mobile pantry trucks and unload donations.

This is not the first time the Rotary Clubs have helped the food bank fulfill its mission. When expansion of programming caused a shortage in shelf space in the food bank’s warehouse, Rotary Clubs supplied a grant to buy a newer, larger racking system.

The Rotary Clubs that helped the food bank carry out repairs on its forklift were Anniston Noon, Trussville, Downtown Birmingham, Birmingham Sunrise, Shades Valley, Jasper and Vestavia Hills.

—Virginia Martin

‘The Rotary Clubs do so much for us and our community. We cannot thank them enough.’

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 11

NEWS

It’s Back-to-School Tax-free Shopping Time Alabama shoppers in two weeks will have the chance to go back-toschool shopping with a bit of a break.

The state’s annual back-toschool, tax-free weekend begins Friday morning, July 17, and runs through the end of the day Sunday.

During that period, the state waives its 4% sales tax on school-related supplies and clothing.

Local cities and counties also may choose to waive some or all of their taxes. In the Over the Mountain area, Birmingham, Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills also are waiving their sales taxes on approved items for the weekend, and Jefferson County is waiving 1% of its sales tax.

Items exempt from the taxes include:

• Clothing priced at $100 or less.

• School supplies valued at $50 or less.

• Books that cost $30 or less.

• Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.

You can find out more information about the sales tax holiday at alabamaretail.org/alabamasalestaxholidays.

Preserving Alabama’s natural resources starts in our backyard.

Did you know longleaf pines are home to roughly 120 endangered or threatened plant and animal species? That’s why Alabama Power is working hard to help them grow. We’ve teamed up with partners across our state to preserve the natural resources that make Alabama a great place to put down roots – especially if you’re a longleaf pine.

AlabamaPower.com/Environment

ELIZABETH WIX, FOOD BANK DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

Wald Park Updates Weather and pandemic delays took their toll on progress in finishing both the aquatic complex and baseball fields at Wald Park. The pool facility, in particular, had been projected to be complete by Memorial Day, but an uncommonly wet winter and shipping delays have set the project back.

TCU Consulting’s Raynor Boles, program manager for the project, noted in a May 12 City Council meeting that the project team was beginning to feel the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on supply chains throughout the country.

Materials that typically require two to four weeks for delivery now have an estimated delivery period of up to 12 weeks.

He mentioned that a special turf for the Miracle Field, required to obtain the Miracle Baseball League designation, is supplied and installed by a company operating out of New York City, which had been hit especially hard by COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown measures.

While there are no guarantees as far as when the facilities will be com-

pleted, Downes said he hopes the pool facility and ball fields will be finished in the late summer.

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12 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

LIFE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Peaceful Protests The Alabama Rally Against Injustice has hosted a number of peaceful protests against police brutality in each of the cities that make up the Over the Mountain area.

Each event drew hundreds of participants, bringing together community members for peaceful solidarity rallies in honor of the life of George Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis.

ARAI solidarity rallies were hosted at Homewood Central Park on June 2, on the Crestline Elementary field in Mountain Brook on June 4; at Vestavia Hills City Hall on June 6 and at Hoover City Hall on June 6.

While all four events were peaceful, more than 30 protestors were arrested as they stepped into the street following the Hoover rally, according to a press release.

e are battling a culture of systemic racism, meaning that what is happening right now has never not happened. From the moment this country was founded, we have been dying at the hands of leaders. This is nothing new. So, what we represent is the counterculture. …

We have to create a counterculture of love, truth, peace, freedom and justice.” — Arden Blackwell, who attended a rally in Homewood Central Park

lot of people, including myself, have asked, ‘What do I do as a white person right now? How do I support you?’ If you want to know how to break the cycle, you have to break the cycle of low socioeconomic experiences. It starts in childhood and, therefore, starts in the schools. Racism is not a universal staple of the human condition. Racism has not always existed. Racism is taught. And it is our responsibility to correct this behavior with younger generations.” — Nan Wagner, (right) who attended a rally in Mountain Brook

he Black Lives Matter movement has been trending since 2013, after George Zimmerman murdered an innocent black man, Trayvon Martin. I have been screaming ‘black lives matter!’ since 2013.

It’s just now that I am seeing coworkers, corporations, a lot of my white friends stand up for me and say something on my behalf, to tell their white family members Bridget needs a chance to be equal in America.”

— Bridget Harris, who attended a rally at Vestavia Hills City Hall

W

Crestline Elementary field, June 4

Vestavia Hills City Hall, June 6

A

T

Homewood Central Park, June 2

JOURNAL PHOTOS BY JORDAN WALD

Crestline Elementary field, June 4

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Flower Power

we missing to move forward?” said Chen.

As people found out about the flower arch, many went to the Rotary Trail to see it for themselves and document the decorated landmark.

“People driving by were waving and honking at us as we were building the arch,” said Pappas.

Chen said that the arch already has sparked the conversation she was hoping for in the community.

“The flowers came down Monday, but the message lives on in the hearts of Birminghamians,” said Chen.

Florists Send a Message of Hope with Rotary Trail Installation Birmingham was gifted with an arch of flowers on the Rotary Trail sign in the heart of the city June 5 after a group of local florists were determined to use their talents to show love to their hurting community.

After a week that had begun with protests and shattered glass, Carolyn Chen, florist at Wild Things in Homewood, wanted to end it with something beautiful that could reunite the community. Chen began messaging her florist friends to see if her idea of a flower arch on Rotary Trail could be possible.

Chen soon had more than 30 florists around Birmingham who were willing to donate flowers and supplies.

Cameron Pappas, owner of Norton’s Florist downtown and one of the flower contributors, said that, although the total cost of the flower arch probably was about $20,000, florists coming together to help the community was priceless to him.

“As a community, our hearts are hurting, and we know that flowers heal,” Pappas said.

“Each person participating had their own reason,” he said. We all wanted to make the city shine. We

wanted to give people beautiful flowers to look at, rather than broken glass and boarded up windows.” Protestors leaving a demonstration after attacking monuments in Linn Park had swept through downtown Birmingham, vandalizing storefronts along the way.

The florists used the flower arch project to express themselves in their own ways. However, one key element in the arch was planned from the beginning.

Pappas said that many people questioned whether the gap in the arch was created because they ran out of flowers. It was not.

“Originally, it was going to be a lot more prominent for design aesthetics. We kept getting more and more flowers, so the gap ended up being relatively small. The gap was left as a sign for how far the community has to go,” said Pappas.

Chen said the gap signifies the community being open to further conversation on race and justice.

“It presents another point of reflection and calls for questions like, ‘What’s missing here?’ ‘How far are we from effecting change?’ ‘Can we close the equality gaps that are so blatant?’ ‘What’s missing in our education system?’ ‘What other pieces are

‘As a community, our hearts are hurting, and we know that flowers heal.’

CAMERON PAPPAS

Photo courtesy Carolyn Chen

By Caroline Rice

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 13

LIFE

Chen said that the flower arch was her way of sharing her gift with the city and remembering those who have been victims of racism. Her goal was to bring the community together to reflect, inspire and learn from each other, as well as discussing how to move forward in a way that makes the community more just and equal.

Pappas said that he and other local florists already are talking about recIn-Home Care, Including Bathing, Grooming, Housekeeping, reating the flower arch on Rotary Trail in theReminders future and are considering Meal Preparation, Incontinence Care, Medication starting a GoFundMe account to help and Transportation fund it.

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Retail Therapy: Local Stores Share Stories of Coping with the Coronavirus Pandemic Attic Antiques

Attic Antiques owner Barbara Manning has been in business for 52 years. Her shop is located in Indian Springs and is best known for American antiques.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? Things can change overnight… all in God’s hands.

What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? Loyal customers have come back to support me.

Homewood Toy and Hobby Homewood Toy and Hobby has been in business since 1950 The circus tent awning is a familiar landmark in downtown Homewood. Owner Tricia McCain and store manager Julie Marix (pictured) say their favorite part of their job is the customers.

“We love meeting new people.”

What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? The economy is picking up!

Alabama Goods

Owners Sherry Hartley and Beth Staula (pictured) started alabamagoods.com 12 years ago and the brick and mortar store - known for selling a wide selection of Alabama-made products, such as pottery, jewelry, soaps, art, gourmet food and gift baskets - opened nine years ago in downtown Homewood. What have you learned about yourself/ business in dealing with the coronavirus? Our staff has been resilient and adapted well to the challenges, adjusting work schedules, cleaning constantly, wearing masks and offering curbside service. Our website sales have increased significantly.

JB&Co.

John Bromberg has been a jewelry professional for nearly four decades. He is a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and the American Gem Society, and is a member of the Diamond Dealers’ Club of New York. His jewelry boutique is a collection of fine antique, estate, wedding and contemporary jewelry.

What would you say you’re best known for? We offer personal service in fine jewelry, specifically wedding, estate, period antique and custom jewelry. What have you learned about yourself/ business in dealing with the coronavirus? JB & Company’s method of personal service was easy to adapt to during Coronavirus. Our customers are more comfortable making important purchases in a oneon-one environment.

Antiquities

Antiquities, owned by Nancy McClendon, will be celebrating 10 years in business this October. The store on Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook Village is known for beautiful things for the home, ranging from furniture to lamps to picture frames, as well as a pretty selection of gift items.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? I’ve learned that my customers appreciate that I take great care to keep them safe from the virus while they’re in my shop, even offering free masks to anyone who does not have one. I’ve also learned I can go without makeup since I’m always wearing a mask!

What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? People seem to be gradually getting out and shopping a bit more. Final thoughts? Coronavirus has been tough on everyone. If we can all stay safe and hang in there, hopefully it will be over soon.

JJ Eyes

Founded in 2002 by owner JJ Lamb, JJ Eyes began with the goal to provide ultimate customer service and quality merchandise with top-of-theline lenses. What would you

say you’re best known for? Customer service & exclusive lines.

Final thoughts?

We are so grateful for our customers that recognize how much we need their support right now. We wouldn’t be here today without them.

furniture.

Why do you like working in the retail industry? I love people. What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

That I would love retirement.

What encouraging signs have your noticed lately? I’m happy seeing lots of masked faces.

Final thoughts? I’m praying that we can find, healing and harmony in love, Amen...

Cookie Fix

B. Prince

B. Prince has been in business for 5 years, but owner Bezshan Dolatabadi was with the original Betsy Prince for 34 years, (pictured with sister Simin Regina). The store is located in Mountain Brook Village’s Lane Parke.

What would you say you’re best known for? We are best known for unique, original fashion from all over the world as well as our long term relationships with our customers. Many of them have shopped with us for over 30 years. What have you learned about yourself/ business in dealing with the coronavirus? We have learned that we are much more resilient than we even knew. At first, we did not know what to expect but we just made every day count and became as creative as we could be. We learned that with the relationships that we have formed with so many amazing, supportive people, we can survive. What encouraging signs have you noticed lately?

Lately, I have noticed that slowly people are venturing out. With masks and an environment that we are keeping as clean as possible, they seem to feel safe in our store. Many have told us that we were their first trip out of the house. Making them feel safe and seeing their spirits lift has brought us much joy.

Tricia’s Treasures

Tricia’s Treasures, owned by Tricia Thomas is an antiques and accessories shop. The store offers unique and unusual items, as well as traditional antiques. The shop, open for 39 years, is known for having a friendly staff, great prices, mirrors and beautiful

In 2016 Amy Jason opened Cookie Fix on Homewood’s busy 18th Street. The little shop is filled with warm cookies and big flavors.

What would you say you’re best known for? Our “crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside” cookies that are baked fresh all day long. Our warm, sincere customer service and our small, cozy space add to the personality of Cookie Fix as well.

What have you learned about yourself in dealing with the coronavirus? Our Cookie Fix team is up for any challenge, thrives on teamwork, and is determined to create and deliver the best product to the best customers around, regardless of the circumstances. Our team showed great energy, adaptability, creativity, and flexibility during these weeks as we figured out how to best do business online, curbside, door front, etc., all while being focused on customer, community, and team safety and well being. Final thoughts? The world needs a hug and a cookie right now; we are so blessed to at least provide the cookie! Cookies really do make everything better!

Second Hand Rose

Second Hand Rose has been in business for 36 years and was the first ladies consignment shop in the state of Alabama, according to owner Gina Saab.

What would you say you’re best known for? Quality merchandise at very low prices! We pride ourselves in having top quality merchandise. What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

I am not good at being idle for too long! Final thoughts? Thank

you to those who continue to support our little family owned business! YOU really do make a difference! Please continue to shop local!

same problem (or crisis). Final thoughts? Let’s bring back the golden rule, “do to others as you would have them do to you!”

Dande’ Lion

Shay’s Jewelers

Steve and Shay Morgan took ownership of Shay’s Jewelers in Hoover on February 1, 2007.

The store is best known for its unique custom designs, fine diamonds and superior customer service with a smile!

Why do you like working in the retail industry? More than our love for diamonds and gemstones, we enjoy the retail jewelry business because it gives us the opportunity to be a part of someone’s special occasion. Many times, it could be the biggest, most important occasion in that customer’s life! What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

These past few weeks have been inconceivable for businesses all over the world.

Personally, it has taught us just how valuable our customer relationships are. We are doing our best to pay it forward and support other small business industries because they are essential to thriving communities.

King Cotton

Janet and Bill Haas opened King Cotton, 53 years ago offering exceptional customer service (team members Annie Stellwagen, Janeene Snuggs and Lere Harper pictured) and a large variety of pretty fabrics in a historic location on Greensprings Hwy. What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

There are ways of getting around obstacles, learning new ways of doing things and making them work. “Making lemonade out of lemons.”

What encouraging signs have you noticed lately?

People have become kinder, everyone is going through the

The Dande’ Lion celebrated its’ 51st anniversary in May. The shop on Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook Village is best know for lamps, home accessories, antiques, chest, mirrors and helping someone finds a special gift.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? I really missed seeing the customers.

Final houghts? As a retail store if you are not making sales, it is hard to pay the rent and other expenses - so come shop!

Aladdin Cleaners

Aladdin Cleaners was established in 1932 and is best known for attention to detail and customer service. “If it’s not right we’ll do everything we can to make it right” said owner Tim Barr.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? We were reminded that the customer is still top priority and communication with them is key. Are you open, what are your hours, how are our employees? Our customers love us as much as we love them.

Roman Brantley, Art and Antiques

Linda Brantley opened her antique shop in Homewood in Nov. of 2014 offering unique pieces and personal service.

Why do you like working in the retail industry? The art of finding something special.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? I enjoyed spending time with my family, but I missed the store.

What encouraging signs have your noticed lately? People saying how glad theory are to get back out!

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Marguerite’s Conceits

Marguerite Ray, owner of Marguerite’s Conceits, celebrating 28 years in Mountain Brook Village, says her shop is known for beautiful linens, great gifts and outstanding customer service. Why do you like working in the retail industry?

My customers have become my friends. It is a real blessing What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? My father taught me that “when things get tough, get excited and look at it as a new challenge.”

Best advice ever! What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? People have spent a lot of time at home and seem to be doing a lot of “refreshing” of bed linens.

Final thoughts? Just thank you to all my loyal customers! You are the reason I’m still here and love what I do, after all these years!

The Clotheshorse

The Happy Olive

The Happy Olive, located in Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village, is known for its large variety of international olive oils, both fused, infused and mono varietals, as well as flavored balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy. The store, owned by Vickie Bailey (above, right with, from left, Kari Hahn and Karla Self) is also well known throughout the state for its small-batch, gourmet mustards. The Happy Olive is one of only four gourmet stores in the U.S. to have hand-blended mustards on tap. Why do you like working in the retail industry? As a former school principal and director of instruction, I have enjoyed not only working with

BROMBERG’S From page one

parents and students - they were our customers. Education has been my life... . Through this store, I enjoy serving our customers and educating them on the health benefits of these wonderful international extra virgin olive oils. Practicing the Mediterranean Diet has allowed me to conquer joint pain from osteoarthritis and get my cholesterol levels under control. I personally love to tell the story. So, I suppose, this retail business has allowed me to continue on my journey of service and education, which is why I feel many customers benefit from their first step into our store!

that have come with COVID-19 restrictions.

“During the time our showrooms were closed, we were able to pay our employees,” Ricky Bromberg said.

“We had money saved for situations like this. It’s in our DNA.” He said his company’s long-time business philosophy is to operate very conservatively.

“This was reinforced and instilled in all of us,” he said. “My father was raised during the Depression, and my grandparents lived it. Their experiences had a profound effect on our attitudes.”

One major component of the Bromberg’s business plan is to be debt-adverse.

“We have relationships with our

The Clotheshorse in Vestavia Hills - owned by Becky and Tim Sager, who opened the consignment boutique in 1992 - is known for offering the latest styles in a pleasant, relaxing shopping experience.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? During the retail closure mandate (45 days), Tim and I asked ourselves a lot of questions. Tim is a CPA and we wondered, do we keep our store open and alive when it could be really hard to come back, or do we do something else with our lives? Our answer was an easy one. We feel led to serve our community and those customers that come from far and wide. They minister to us and hopefully we can minister to them in times of need. Final thoughts? Strangely, our busi-

banks, of course, but we try to pay for things as we go and not totally rely on banks,” Bromberg said.

Bromberg’s was closed to the public from March 18 until May 1 but continued to serve its customers via curbside service.

“We had a skeleton crew,” Bromberg said. “We reopened on May 1 and slowly, over the next five weeks, people became more comfortable getting out.”

Some customers needed more personal attention while the showrooms at the company’s stores in Mountain Brook Village and at The Summit were closed.

“In those cases, we could meet them outside the door or use FaceTime,” Bromberg said.

The store has put its own safety measures in place since reopening.

“Like most businesses, we have new protocols – social distancing,

ness is thriving and we feel blessed to have our doors open and inventory coming and going. People, with their struggles and blessings, are important to us. We hope we can make a positive difference in this society and community.

Mountain Brook, Homewood Merchants Prepare for Annual Sales

Journal file photos

Snoozy’s Kids

George Jones, owner of Snoozy’s Kids and george in Crestline Village (pictured with members of his team, form left: Candace Underwood, Lillian Falkenburg and Teresa Howell) will be celebrating 32 years in the toy business next month.

Why do you like working in the retail industry? For many reasons ... our relationships with our customers; every season brings in new products, so the stores merchandise is continually changing; or trying to be creative with social media and new ways to appeal to new customers.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? What we learned through the virus is that we have a very loyal customer base that made sure they were supporting us. We even had a friend/customer who called right when we were not allowing customers to shop inside the store and purchase a gift certificate for several hundred dollars.

When I asked him who the gift certificate was for he said he just wanted to support us and for me to donate the items to a charity of my choice. That’s when I knew we were going to make it through these crazy times!

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 15

RETAIL

Levy’s Fine Jewelry

Jared Nadler and Todd Denaburg (pictured) are excited to welcome customers back to Levy’s Fine Jewelry located in downtown Birmingham.

“It’s so great to be back and working with our customers in the store,” said Todd.

Levy’s was founded in 1922

by Joe Denaburg (Jared and Todd’s great grandfather).

After returning home from WWI in 1919 Denaburg went on to marry Ethel Levy and open up Levy’s with the help of a loan from his mother-in-law.

Joe’s children, Charles Denaburg and Rhoda Denaburg Link, as well as other family members, also work at the legendary jewelry store that has thrived on the practice of treating every customer like a member of the family.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

Everyone’s health is the most important thing, and business can adjust for the health of the country. What encouraging signs have you noticed lately?

That people are being safe, but they still need a little happy in their lives and what’s happier than a beautiful piece of jewelry!

See RETAIL, page 16

cleaning, sanitation,” Bromberg said.

“Our employees who interact with the public wear facemasks. We thoroughly clean the jewelry after anyone touches it before it’s put back into the case.”

While he’s understandably pleased with his company’s well-being, he’s sympathetic toward the owners of fledgling businesses that haven’t had the time to become securely established.

“I do think we’re in a unique position because we’ve been in business for so long,” Bromberg said. “It’s been more difficult for new businesses.

They weren’t counting on anything remotely like this, and my heart goes out to them. New businesses can adapt to trends, tastes and ideas quickly – but it’s been difficult for them to adjust to this.”

He’s familiar with two sources that can offer support to businesses that may be struggling. Bromberg is a past

ATTENTION SHOPPERS Market Day in Mountain Brook Village, above, and the Sidewalk Sale in Homewood, right, will look a little different this year.

A staple of late summer in the Over the Mountain area is Mountain Brook’s Market Day and Homewood’s Sidewalk Sale, chamber of commerceorganized events to boost sales for local retailers and small businesses.

Despite the pandemic, local sales will begin in mid-July with social distancing measures in place to keep customers and store staffers safe.

Masks will be required, in accordance with Jefferson County’s mask mandate that went into effect June 29.

Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook Village merchants are gearing up for this year’s Market Day event sponsored by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce scheduled for July 18.

Merchants participating in the European-style tent sale will offer sales, door prizes

president of the Alabama Retail Association and said the organization has helped members with informative emails and PPP – Paycheck Protection Program -- guidelines.

“Locally, the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce has been very pro-active during this time,” he said.

What does he see on the economic horizon for Bromberg’s and other family-owned businesses in Birmingham and all of Alabama?

“If I have learned anything from 2020, it’s not to make predictions,” he said. “For us, at least, we’re always searching for ways to remain relevant to our customers. If we take care of the things that are important to them, the rest will fall into place.”

The question, he said, is whether current conditions will be “the new normal or just a new wrinkle.”

Whatever happens, Bromberg’s goals won’t change.

and other shopping opportunities throughout the day.

For updates, visit mtnbrookchamber.org.

Homewood

The merchants of downtown Homewood have teamed up with the Homewood Chamber of Commerce to host the ninth annual Sidewalk Sale on July 25.

Throughout the day, merchants will line the sidewalks with merchandise discounted up to 75%.

For updates, visit business. homewoodchamber.org.

— Emily Williams

“Our mission statement is to provide an unforgettable and enjoyable luxury experience,” Bromberg said.

“Our tactics may change, but our mission will remain the same.”

He used a familiar fable to illustrate his company’s stability.

“Who won the race – the tortoise or the hare?” he said. “I hate to say our business model is based on a tortoise, but we’ve always tried to remain steady.”

About Bromberg & Co.: The business is known for its engagement rings, diamonds and statement pieces of jewelry made by exclusive, worldclass brands such as David Yurman, Rolex, Roberto Coin, and Mikimoto. The company also carries a large selection of china, crystal, sterling flatware, and other gifts and collectables. For more information, visit www.brombergs.com.

16 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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RETAIL

Christine’s on Canterbury

From page 15

The Cook Store

Mountain Brook Village’s 19th Annual

Market Day Saturday, July 18 Shop Lane Parke and the Village for Great Deals!

Check with individual merchants to see their sale operations.

Please shop safely by wearing a mask and social distancing!

To: Molly From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Date: July This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the July 2nd issue. Please email approval

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

Saturday, August 8th Check out the Tremendous Deals Under the Tents in Crestline Village!

Check with individual merchants to see their sale operations.

Please shop safely by wearing a mask and social distancing!

The Cook Store opened in Mountain Brook Village in 1975 and Wesley Lassen has owned the shop best known for functional pottery, gadgets, cookware and bakeware for the last 21 years.

What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus? That I can make this business work all alone but it is not near as much fun as when my people are here with me.

We have an awesome community that has really embraced all the “smalls.”

Also, social media is very important to my business. What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? For me everyone is still cooking at home.

Brides and grooms are figuring out how to get married and we are sending lot of wedding gifts.

People are trying hard to shop local and shop small. All of this is encouraging. Final thoughts?

Shop small, shop local, shop.

Beverly Ruff and The Village Poodle Beverly Ruff and Hillary Kent (pictured) inivite you to step inside and shop for a range of great merchandise from ladies clothing, jewelry and shoes to antiques, chandeliers, cool shades and, of course, standard poodles. August 2020 marks five years in business for The Village Poodle. “We have another special reason to celebrate in August as we will merge our sister store Bevely Ruff Antiques with The Village Poodle,” said owner Beverly Ruff. “Your favoirte items will soon be in one location! We can’t wait for everyone to enjoy our fresh new changes.” What have you learned about yourself/ business in dealing with the coronavirus? “We continue to work hard to provide a clean and safe environment for our customers and employees.

Wearing masks may be unconfortable, but respect for each others health is our first priority,” Ruff said.

Nestled just behind Gilchrist, Christine’s on Canterbury is filled with frames, paper products, card, MacKenzieChilds and more. Owner Jean Clayton has been in business for 48 years. Recently remodeled, Christine’s offers a small, European-style shopping experience. Color is abundant with options for all price ranges and free specialty gift wrapping.

Why do you like working in the retail industry? The people you meet, many of them become friends. What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? The loyalty of our customers, the reaction of people when they were allowed to shop was very encouraging. Also the support from city officials and others in the overall community has been tremendous. Final thoughts?

We’ll get through this together!

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Avani Rupa

“Many of our longtime customers have referred to us a ‘hiddengem,’ which we find endearing, but we would say that we are best known for being a go-to source for quality fine jewelry and good custom design for the last 28 years,” said Avani Patel, who co-owns the shop with her mother, Rupa Patel (pictured).

What would you say you’re

RETAIL

best known for? We carry an extensive selection of one-ofa-kind pieces, many of which have been designed by us, along with a few rare pieces that are sourced from all over the globe. What have you learned about yourself/business in dealing with the coronavirus?

As a small business owner, you are constantly focused on your business, no matter what is going on. When the Coronavirus hit, we simply took time to think through our day-to-day interactions with our customers and pivoted ourselves to be able to continue offering the best possible service in the most comfortable and safe setting.

What encouraging signs have you noticed lately? Our customers are still celebrating milestone events like anniversaries and graduations, and they want to mark those occasions with a special piece of fine jewelry. However, we are starting to see a lot of couples come in to design their wedding rings, along with our brides who are selecting their wedding day jewelry. Life is continuing on and with it, so are heirloom pieces of fine jewelry.

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To: (some exclusions apply - see store for details) From: To: Jean Date: From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: July 2019 Saturday, July 18th This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Limit 6 people in the store a time Masks required Julyat11, 2019• issue.

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From: Date:

2406 Canterbury road Mtn. brook Village 205.879.2730

Bezshan Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 June This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the • INSIDE Shop Many Great Sale Items July 2, 2020 issue.

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SALE AT BOTH STORES! The Dande Lion Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 July 2019 Canterbury RdOVER THE MOUNTAIN 2410 Canterbury This is your AD2417 PROOF from the JOURNALRoad for the Mountain Brook Village Mountain Brook Village July 11, 2019205-871-7872 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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18 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

IDEAL PARTY

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

GBAHB Kicks Off 2020 Home Tour with Open House

Matthew Banks and Letitia Means.

Dave and Loren Ashley.

From left, Morgan Walls, Petra Pryor, Darcie Plowden and Ellis Terry.

T

he Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders kicked off its 2020 Parade of Homes tour with a party June 18 at this year’s Ideal Home.

Located at 3832 Rock Creek Trail in Mountain Brook, the home was built by J. David Homes.

At the event, the GBAHB presented its 2020 awards to participating home builders as guests toured the Ideal House.

The Parade of Homes continued June 19-21 and June 26-28, with home builders opening up newly built homes for socially distant tours. ❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 19

SOCIAL interact with friends only via Zoom.

After reopening the facility for programming June 15, foundation staff decided it was time to celebrate.

Throughout the event, guests

maintained social distancing practices by wearing protective face coverings and staying 6 feet apart. The staff provided single servings of birthday cake with Doodles Italian Ice. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Anniversary!

From left, Ira Walker; Tricia Kirk, Exceptional Foundation president and CEO; and Sam and Yolanda Sullivan.

Exceptional Birthdays

Exceptional Foundation Hosts Drive-Thru Birthday Block Party A pandemic couldn’t dampen spirits as the Exceptional Foundation hosted a drive-thru and socially distanced birthday block party June 25.

The party celebrated the birthdays of each of the foundation’s participants and staff members who have had birthdays during quarantine.

According to a release, the quarantine has been hard on the children and adult participants. They typically spend their days at the facility, but recently they have been able to

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323-6014 Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824January 2011

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOU January 13, 2011 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 8

Please make sure all information is cor including address and phone numbe Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

20 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOCIAL

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The “Ultimutt” Date Night Hand in Paw to Host Takeout Fundraiser in Place of Canceled Gala

Before the pandemic, Hand in Paw was preparing for its annual Picasso Pets fundraiser. This year’s theme was to be Diamonds are Furever.

While the event has been canceled, a socially distant alternative has been created to take its place.

On Aug. 14, the organization will host Tail-Waggin’ Takeout in the Hand in Paw parking lot from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dubbed the “ultimutt” date night, couples are invited to drive by with their dogs and get carryout treats and sweets.

Each takeout order will come with an appetizer, a bottle of wine, gourmet cookies for both humans and dogs and a cocktail kit from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Premium ticket holders also will receive a chance to win an exclusive glass sculpture by Sherri Van Pelt, a special select wine and a gift from Hand in Paw. In addition, the organization will

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Let's Get Outside and Play!

SAVE THE NEW DATE

Dubbed the “ultimutt” date night, couples are invited to drive by with their dogs and get carryout treats and sweets.

be including some surprise entertainment for couples to enjoy while they eat.

Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 3 and funds raised will benefit Hand

Pandemic Planning

Making the Best of It

Smile-A-Mile Reschedules Annual Ride of Love, Funky Monkey

A typical spring at Smile-A-Mile is filled with programming and two of its signature fundraisers.

The Smile-A-Mile junior board’s signature fundraiser, Funky Monkey originally was to be held June 19 but has now been postponed. The new date has yet to be announced.

The event will feature silent and live auctions, a beer and wine raffle, music from The Toddfather and a crowd favorite, the silent disco.

In addition, the organization’s annual Ride of Love has been moved to Aug. 29, taking place in conjunction with a Smile-A-Mile reunion event for former participants.

The ride will start and end at Smile-A-Mile Place, where finishers will be greeted by a large group of Smile-A-Mile families, volunteers and board members.

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Funky Monkey, the Smile-A-Mile junior board’s signature fundraiser, originally was to be held June 19 but has now been postponed. The new date has yet to be announced. Smile-A-Mile CEO Bruce Hooper and his wife Beth, above, at last year’s event.

in Paw’s virtual care and connection to those they serve. Tickets are $100 per couple, or $200 for premium.

For more information, visit handinpaw.org. ❖

ACA Mother’s Day Campaign Raises $80,000

For Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, the annual Garden Art Party is a vital fundraiser that generates much needed funds for its mission to serve Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers and professionals in Central Alabama.

If organizers had just postponed the event, the organization would have lost funding. So, they came up with a socially distant way to make up for their losses.

In the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, the organization held a Mother’s Day Matching Campaign with a goal of $40,000. That amount was then matched by board President Pam Arenberg and her family, Anne and Mike Warren and two anonymous donors.

In a Facebook post celebrating the success of the campaign, Executive Director Miller Piggot noted that Bob Straka, who has served as a Garden Art Party auctioneer for many years, gave the final donation that pushed the organization to its goal. ❖

HOME

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 21

PUBLIC PEOPLE/PRIVATE PLACES

The interior of the McKinney home has a clean look. Lee noted that the large kitchen, left, that now opens to a den area used to be broken up into eight or nine smaller rooms.

Where the kitchen island now ends, there used to be a stairway. There are a few small pops of color in the furnishings but, for the most part, the walls and floors are clean and white with large windows leaving the focus on the home’s view and the nature that surrounds the property.

Making a Menagerie McKinneys Virtually Reconstruct House and Land on Mountain in Brookwood Forest STORY BY EMILY WILLIAMS u PHOTOS BY LEE WALLS

W

Lee McKinney is a lover of animals wild and tame. Led by the example of his father, Roddy McKinney, his love of the natural world has been a huge part of his life through his participation on the board of the Birmingham Zoo.

hen former Vestavia Hills residents Lee and Candice McKinney were talked into looking at a property in Mountain Brook, they weren’t planning for a big move, let alone a major project.

Nevertheless, the home, tucked in the Brookwood Forest area of Mountain Brook atop a mountain, drew them in with one thing you can’t get through renovation: location, specifically a private and expansive property.

“We’re on just under 5 acres here,” Lee said. In addition to the house itself and expansive front and back lawns, the property is bordered by thick wooded areas, which have been good for privacy as well as animal watching.

“We have coyotes here,” Lee said. “Last year, we had a bunch of pups playing in the backyard. We’ve seen as many as a dozen deer.

“I had a turkey hen block the driveway one day,” he said.

“So, we do get some wild turkey around here.”

Lee is a lover of animals wild and tame. Led by the example of his father, Roddy McKinney, his love of the natural world has been a huge part of his life through his participation on the board of the Birmingham Zoo. In addition to the wildlife outside, Lee jokes that the interior

of his home is a zoo of its own. The McKinneys and their 4and 7-year-old daughters share their home with a cat, a hamster and two Bernedoodles, LuLu and Max. While the property was perfect, the style and layout of the home and both front and back lawns needed some serious remodeling to best accommodate the family’s lifestyle.

The interior of the McKinney home has a clean look. There are a few small pops of color in the furnishings but, for the most part, the walls and floors are clean and white with large windows leaving the focus on the home’s view and the nature that surrounds the property.

When the couple first purchased the home, it was far from the open concept it is now.

The interior of the house was stuck in the past, a mixture of traditional architectural touches as well as dated finishings and numerous interior walls.

Lee noted that the large kitchen that now opens to a den area used to be broken up into eight or nine smaller rooms.

Where the kitchen island now ends, there used to be a stairway.

One of the only rooms in the home that the couple left almost untouched was the man cave. The room features a large wooden bar on one end of the room and a seating area.

See MCKINNEY, page 22

22 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOME

MCKINNEY From page 21

Christine’s

Canterbury

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2404 Canterbury Road • 205-871-8297

Antiques for Modern People

“When I saw it, I told the architects, ‘If you touch the bar, you’re gone,’” Lee joked.

The walls are covered with items that he has collected over the years, from sports memorabilia to model cars and a street sign that reads “Lee.” The couple does a lot of entertaining at home, and Candice noted that being able to accommodate a crowd without feeling as if the rooms were crowded was important.

“I’m 38 now, but I was about 35 when we first moved in and I wanted a younger, more modern feel to a home that is older,” Candice said. She admits she isn’t much of a decorator herself, so she relied on the expertise of a decorator to achieve a mixture of modern and vintage furnishings.

“It’s homey, because, of course, we have two little ones,” she said. “It couldn’t be like a museum.”

Meanwhile, the home’s original moldings highlight the home’s history and create a contrast with the decor.

In the dining room, furnishings are minimal – mainly a contemporary

One of the only rooms in the home that the couple left almost untouched was the man cave. The room features a large wooden bar on one end of the room and a seating area.

dining table surrounded by modern Lucite chairs – leaving the focus on an ornate chandelier that hangs from a concave oval medallion in the ceiling and is surrounded by ornate molding.

Though everything looks chic, as

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Candice describes, it isn’t so fussy that it can’t withstand playtime with 4- and 7-year-old girls and two large dogs.

“If you want to kick your shoes off and walk around in shorts and a T-shirt, I’m good,” Lee added.

Outdoor Living Space

Outside of opening up the interior, the McKinneys also added a screened-in porch and completely overhauled the backyard.

“The pool used to be in the front yard,” Lee said. “We moved it to the back and filled it in.” The area in the front yard formerly known as the pool is now a garden.

When figuring out how to create a pool in the backyard, the McKinneys had to keep in mind that the house is on a mountain. Therefore, the ground just beneath a layer of soil is solid rock.

Rather than go through the many hoops necessary to blast through the rock with dynamite to make a poolsized ditch, Lee was given another

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOME

In the dining room, furnishings are minimal – mainly a contemporary dining table surrounded by modern Lucite chairs – leaving the focus on an ornate chandelier that hangs from a concave oval medallion in the ceiling and is surrounded by ornate molding.

option.

“We were already doing a retaining wall,” he said. “The option came in to build a bigger retaining wall and build the pool like Noah’s ark.”

Thus, an in-ground pool was created where there was no ground to begin with. Land was built up to accommodate a concrete skeleton for the pool and was then filled in to meet the new retaining wall.

The pool area has been a favorite

portion of the home for the McKinney’s daughters, Candice said, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

“They have definitely been spending a lot of time outside, but especially in the pool.”

Embracing Nature

Before its transformation, the rest of the back lawn was a three-hole golf course that could be used to play a

round of nine holes. According to the McKinneys, the previous owners had two employees who worked full-time maintaining the yards on the property, mainly the golf course, Lee said.

“Lee and I don’t play golf,” Candice said. “So, one thing that I said was I don’t want our backyard to look like there had been a golf course.”

To get the job done, Lee leaned on

See MCKINNEY, page 24

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Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 23

24 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOME

MCKINNEY

Though everything looks chic, as Candice McKinney describes, it isn’t so fussy that it can’t withstand playtime with 4- and 7-year-old girls and two large dogs.

From page 23

work experience as well as his volunteer experience.

He is a founder of McKinney Capital, a family-owned investment firm where he works with his parents, Roddy and Janice, and his younger brother, Danny McKinney.

In 2012, McKinney Capital acquired the Vestavia Hills-based Landscape Workshop. As that company has expanded over the years, so has Lee’s landscaping knowledge.

The couple did install an artificial turf putting green in the place of an original green close to the house, in an homage of sorts. The remainder of the old course was turned into a sprawling greenspace, with sand traps replaced by an outdoor living space with a fire pit and a sprawling waterfall feature.

“I happened to be in Texas at the time and saw this little stream on a golf course, and I took a video,” he

said. When he returned, he showed the video to his landscaping archi-

tects, and they built upon his idea by having the stream spill into a Monet

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pond filled with water lilies.

“The cool thing is that about 70% of the rocks lining the water feature came from the property,” Lee said.

Pollinator Garden

Near the tree lines that surround the lawn, Lee saw an opportunity to create natural areas.

He wanted to create a space on the property that would help the environment and decided he would include a pollinator garden.

The idea was inspired by his work with the Birmingham Zoo, for which he has served on the board of directors for about seven years. To get the job done, he enlisted the help of his friend Chris Pfefferkorn, president and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. “We set up a certified Monarch weigh station at the zoo a while back,” Pfefferkorn said. “So, when

Lee was doing his backyard, I got to come out while they were doing a lot of the work. … That’s when he told me what he wanted to do with the pollinator garden.”

When it came time to choose what plants he wanted to use, Lee said he was shocked by the sheer amount of plant varieties he could choose from as well as the variations within each variety.

“There are about 40 different kinds of milkweed alone,” he said.

Pfefferkorn said they used a variety of plants that flower at different times of the year.

“If he put the same thing out there, it would flower once a year for a very short time and then the butterflies and birds, they wouldn’t have the food,” Pfefferkorn said.

According to Lee, he chose such a variety that he has at least one type of plant blooming in the garden from March through October.

The idea was perfectly in line with Pfefferkorn’s mission at the zoo, to inspire passion to conserve the natural world. He was able to provide Lee with information on what kinds of plants were a good food source for the pollinators he was hoping to attract – which are mainly butterflies.

“Lee took it upon himself to put all the pollinating plants he could out there,” Pfefferkorn said. That’s what we try to get people to do. It’s an easy and simple step. He had to put something out there, so why not something that is good for the environment?”

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 25

HOME

McKinney Supports Zoo Through Hard Times

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‘We can’t drop our level of animal care. It’s like a hospital, you don’t have doctors and nurses not come in.’

CHRIS PFEFFERKORN, BIRMINGHAM ZOO PRESIDENT AND CEO

zoo’s president and CEO five years ago.

“I moved here from Oregon and had no connection to Alabama,” he said. “I was very fortunate to meet and get to work with people like Lee, and we’ve developed a really great friendship.”

The camaraderie felt on the Birmingham Zoo board and throughout the staff has been especially important over the past few months.

“We’re used to closing the zoo for a couple of days due to bad weather,” Pfefferkorn said. “I’m from Oregon, where we used to shut down the zoo for four to five days because of snow.

But you don’t think about closing down for three months.”

While some businesses were able to shut down operations, the zoo doesn’t take a day off.

“We can’t drop our level of animal care,” Pfefferkorn said. “It’s like a hospital, you don’t have doctors and nurses not come in.”

While animal care staff and maintenance workers had to report to the zoo, staff members who could work remotely did so up until it was time to plan for the reopening. That included Pfefferkorn, who limited his time at the zoo to periodic check-ins.

He said it was hard to be away from the facility.

As of June 8, the zoo has reopened to the public with a variety of social distancing measures in place.

Birmingham Zoo president and CEO Chris Pfefferkorn, left, with board member Lee McKinney.

Guests follow a one-way path through the exhibits and leave the facility through a designated exit located in the Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. In addition, indoor exhibits and facilities including the gift shop and enclosed dining areas have remained closed.

“People have actually been following the changes we put into place very well,” Pfefferkorn said. “We do get some complaints on social media from people who don’t want to wear a mask — and that’s their choice — but

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While attendance has not come close to what it was before the pandemic, Pfefferkorn and McKinney said they both hope to see it pick up in the next few weeks.

“We generate about 90% of our total budget every year,” Pfefferkorn said. “The revenue is through people buying tickets, at the gift shop, the rides and restaurants and what have you.”

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Serving as the head of the development committee, Lee McKinney has been dubbed one of the Birmingham Zoo’s biggest cheerleaders.

It’s something the zoo has been in great need of over the past few months, support from community members as the zoo had to close because of the coronavirus.

“You can see with Lee and our other board members that everybody cares,” zoo executive Chris Pfefferkorn said. “The members are quick to check in on the zoo operations.”

McKinney was on the board when it hired Pfefferkorn to serve as the

Journal photo by Lee Walls

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26 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

FOOD

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Pay It Forward

Initiative to Feed Health Care Workers Was a Passion Project for Jimmy John’s Owner

By Caroline Rice

Joe Molay, above, at the Piggly Wiggly in Crestline, is president of JNN Retail. Since launching in 2011, the biscuit mix and three flavors of sauces are now on the shelves of 3,500 grocery stores.

Say Cheese – Biscuits, That Is

JNN Retail Puts Jim ’n Nick’s Popular Mixes, Sauces on Grocery Store Shelves

By Donna Cornelius Dinner at Jim ’n Nick’s Bar-B-Q wouldn’t be complete without two of the restaurant’s most popular products: its cheese biscuits and its barbecue sauce.

But those who love the taste of the sweet little muffins and the tang of the sauce can enjoy them at home, too, thanks to JNN Retail.

Since launching in 2011, the biscuit mix and three flavors of sauces are now on the shelves of 3,500 grocery stores.

Nick Pihakis and his father, the late Jim Pihakis, in 1985 started what’s now one of the Southeast’s biggest names in barbecue. Today, there are 41 Jim ’n Nick’s locations across the South and in Colorado.

The retail side of the Birmingham-based company came about through a friendship between Nick Pihakis and Joe Molay, who has been JNN Retail’s president from the start.

“Nick and I have been friends for a long time,” Molay said. “Our daughters went to school together.”

Both families happened to be at the beach at the same time one summer and had dinner together. The two men got to talking about a mutual passion for University of Alabama

football, which led to tailgating and going to games together for many years.

“We were traveling to Orlando for the 2011 Capital One Bowl, and I mentioned that I was burned out with my current job because I was traveling all the time, and Nick said he’d always wanted to get their barbecue sauce into

Jim ’n Nick’s reputation gave Molay a leg up when he first approached grocery stores about stocking the products. grocery stores,” Molay said. “I had a background in grocery store sales, so it seemed like a good fit.

“We got back together in the fall to discuss further opportunities, especially since the cheese biscuits were introduced for retail purchase in the restaurants, and we decided to go for it. The first thing we did was revamp our in-store marketing of the cheese biscuit mix, and that Christmas season they sold like crazy – through the roof.”

Molay had to meet several challenges before he felt confident about approaching grocery stores.

“Everything at Jim ’n Nick’s is made fresh every day, including the sauces served in the restaurants,” Molay said. “We worked for months to get the flavor profile right. When we got it right, we introduced our Original, Habanero and White Sauce in August of 2012.

Once we got the biscuit mix and our sauces out there, my plan was that if I can sell it in the restaurants, I can sell it to grocery stores.”

Jim ’n Nick’s reputation gave Molay a leg up when he first approached grocery stores about stocking the products.

“Almost everybody has something they make the best,” he said. “Let’s say you come up with a sauce, and you think it’s a winner.

You pitch it to a grocery store. But grocery stores get thousands of pitches, and they aren’t as likely to buy something people have never heard of. You need name recognition.”

One of the first JNN Retail customers was Winn-Dixie.

“It started selling well there, and everything snowballed,” Molay said. “I pitched it to Supervalu, which said no at first. But when I

See BISCUITS, page 27

‘It gives me an opportunity to bring awareness to all of (the) wonderful organizations we have in our community.’

Club of Birmingham, which served as a means to raise funds and provide meals for health care workers in Alabama. This to me, felt like the most meaningful way I could give back to my own community during a time of crisis,” said Stewart.

Stewart said that most organizations are eager to support and help out wherever they can.

“As a member of The Phoenix Club of Birmingham myself, it felt natural to align Pay It Forward Alabama with their efforts of supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama and our city’s youth. Support from these groups comes in a variety of ways – from fundraising to donation of time and resources and more,” said Stewart As a result of the campaign’s immediate success, Pay It Forward organizers have expanded the focus to help members of the community as needed, including raising funds for Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama and the Birmingham Zoo, which struggled to meet its financial needs because of COVID-19 closures. Kids also are given free lunches at select Jimmy John’s loca-

See PAY IT, page 27

Photo courtesy Brandon Stewart

Journal photo by Maury Wald

Brandon Stewart, a local Jimmy John’s franchisee and entrepreneur, began an initiative called Pay It Forward Alabama during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise money and donate Jimmy John’s meals to health care workers in Birmingham-area hospitals.

Since then, Pay It Forward has raised more than $10,000 and fed more than 1,500 medical personnel.

“In the midst of all that was going on, I saw that members of the Birmingham community were in need of special assistance,” Stewart said. “What came of that realization was the Pay It Forward Alabama initiative, in partnership with the Phoenix

Charity work with different organizations has always been important to Stewart.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

BISCUITS From page 26

could tell grocery stores that we had sold 200,000 packages of cheese biscuit mix, that gave me the entry I needed.”

In addition to Winn-Dixie, you can find Jim ’n Nick’s products at stores like Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Associated Grocers, Mitchell Grocery, Walmart and Kroger.

Having grocery store shoppers see the Jim ’n Nick’s name on the mixes and sauces gives the restaurants a boost, too.

“Stores like, say, Publix can have 200,000 people going through every week,” Molay said. “You multiply that out, and it’s great publicity for our restaurants.”

Molay also is responsible for internet sales through the company’s website, www.jimnnicks.com. In addition to the biscuit mix and sauces, you can go online to order shirts, hats, steak and burger seasoning and a barbecue dry rub seasoning. Those sales have extended JNN Retail’s reach even further.

“Every year, I pull up the orders and sort them by state,” Molay said.

“Our products are in all 50 states and are sold to people in Canada and overseas.”

Since the company started, sales have increased every year. Even the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t hurt JNN Retail sales – in fact, the opposite has been true for the internet. Molay said

Thursday, July 2, 2020 • 27

FOOD sales almost tripled in April and May. “We’ve seen an increase in sales for both the mix and the sauces so far this year,” Molay said. “It’s been similar to Christmas, when we always see a spike in sales.”

And in case you’re wondering, the company’s name isn’t an acronym for Jim ’n Nick’s.

“JNN actually stands for Joe and Nick,” Molay said.

Besides Jim ’n Nick’s high profile name and the solid sales figures of its products, Molay has another weapon in his arsenal when he meets with grocery store decision-makers.

“We make the biscuits, and I bring them in hot,” he said. “Then I show them the numbers.”

PAY IT From page 26

tions, an effort launched to ease the financial burden on local families.

A native of Atlanta, Stewart earned a degree in finance from the University of Georgia and began his professional career as an investment banking analyst, a job in which he moved around the country. His company invested in the Jimmy John’s brand, which sparked Stewart’s interest in becoming a franchisee.

Stewart and his family moved to Birmingham to open the first Jimmy John’s location in the city. He has now built nine franchises in the

Birmingham area and has bought one.

Charity work with different organizations has always been important to Stewart. He used the hashtag ‘Pay It Forward’ to explain how he was beginning to help health care workers in the area before he established an organization.

All donations given to Pay It Forward go to their mission, a statistic Stewart and the Pay It Forward initiative value.

Most recently, Pay It Forward held a Father’s Day weekend fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central

Alabama, raising more than $5,000.

Stewart said that, while he doesn’t know where the organization will go, he does know that he wants as much money as possible to go directly to people in need.

“My hope is that Pay It Forward Alabama is an initiative that leaves well beyond COVID-19 and has a direct and positive impact on the Birmingham community. It gives me an opportunity to bring awareness to all of (the) wonderful organizations we have in our community,” Stewart said.

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28 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

SCHOOLS/SPORTS

GRADUATION CEREMONIES GO ON

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Jags, Bucs Adjust to Summer Workout Guidelines

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Mountain Brook High School

Photo courtesy John Carroll Catholic High School

Members of Mountain Brook High School’s Class of 2020 celebrated their graduation on June 5, donning masks and seated at a social distance on the high school’s football field. As guest attendance was limited, the ceremony was livestreamed on social media for those who were not able to attend.

John Carroll Catholic High School

The Cavalier Class of 2020 celebrated the John Carroll Catholic High School’s 73rd commencement ceremony on May 30 at Pat Sullivan Field. To accommodate social distancing guidelines, graduates wore masks and a limited crowd of guests and family members watched while spaced throughout the stadium bleachers.

Cooper Kelley wasn’t sure whether Spain Park’s football team would have summer workouts because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jaguars had to cancel spring training when schools closed in March because of the coronavirus. After the Alabama High School Athletic Association gave high school football teams the go-ahead to hold summer workouts starting June 1, Kelley, a senior receiver, was more than elated.

He also hadn’t been able to be around his teammates and friends because of a since-lifted statewide stay-at-home order.

“I didn’t get to see much of them,” Kelley said. “I was really excited and happy to get back out there with them, to get a summer of workouts and hopefully get a season. I’m a little bit concerned about not playing in the fall, but I think there will be a season but with a lot of restrictions to it.”

Alabama State School Superintendent Eric Mackey doesn’t foresee a fall without football.

“We will have extracurricular activities,” Mackey said last week during a joint press conference with state Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “They will look different. We are still working through that.”

The Jags’ summer workouts also have looked different because of restrictions mandated by the AHSAA. • All student-athletes had to have a pre-participation physical and 2020-21 consent release and concussion form on file before participating in summer activities.

• Facial coverings must be worn when an activity requires a person to be closer than six feet and when entering common areas.

• Only school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers and student-athletes can be present during activities. Nonessential personnel cannot be present.

• All equipment and surfaces, including weights, benches, footballs, helmets, gloves and such have to be cleaned after each group activity, individual workout or skill development session. Players have to avoid sharing equipment or personal items – such as towels, cups, water bottles and gloves – when possible.

Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney and his staff put together a workable plan to follow the guidelines.

“It’s a learning experience for everybody, but it’s been awesome though,” Raney said. “They were in better shape than we expected and we’re pleased with that. We’ve got a lot of returning kids, so it’s been really smooth.

“We separated the players to keep them in small groups. We started with nine in a group and have stayed with it.

We bring the offense in at 6:30 a.m. and defense later on. We have 20 racks in our weight room. If one kid lifts weights, you have to sanitize it before the next boy lifts. So instead, we get a kid at a rack by himself and let him lift

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

A recent practice at Spain Park.

and clean up after him. With 20 racks, we can stay in groups of 20. It’s worked out well.

“When we finish our workouts, we walk them out to their cars and they go home. We try to keep large groups from happening, but with 16- and 17-yearolds, that’s hard since they hadn’t seen each other in a couple of months.”

Hoover head coach Josh Niblett said his team has adjusted well to the guidelines.

“We understand the importance of the guidelines,” Niblett said. “We want to keep everybody healthy, so safety comes first.

“The first couple of weeks, we went without helmets trying to get them acclimated following the guidelines and protocols, and learning how to do stuff with the mask on and how to be six feet apart. The last couple of weeks, we put the helmets on with the masks underneath so they can compete against each other with some 7-on-7 competition.

They love to compete.”

The Jags also have conducted some on-field competition, something Kelley was pleased about.

“The last two weeks, we’ve been able to do some 7-on-7 so that’s good,” Kelley said. “But it’s a little different not having the 7-on-7 tournament at Hoover and going against other teams.

It makes it harder to prepare for the season, but it’s not just us, it’s everybody.”

Avoiding Player Fatigue

Raney plans to give the Jags some time off for the Fourth of July, and he’s cautious about overworking his players because regular pre-season practice starts on July 27, a week earlier than it has been.

“It’s like spring training now, but there’s a fine line ‘cause you don’t want to work them too much before the start of fall workouts,” Raney said. “If we kept them working from July 4 to the end of the season, that would be a grind for the coaches and players.

“We hope to get done what we can and we hope school starts on time.”

The Bucs are also guarding against fatigue before pre-season workouts start. Niblett said they are taking off Fourth of July week, then will have 10 more workouts and take off four or five days before fall camp.

“We’ll have four weeks to get them prepared to play when fall camp starts, so we want to keep them as fresh as possible,” he said.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SPORTS

Coaching Changes

Ware Elevated to Head Coach of Hoover’s Boys Basketball Team

Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic OS1 Opens in Hoover

By Rubin E. Grant

It didn’t take long for Chip Vance to see the practicality of the new OS1 Sports Injury Clinic in Hoover.

A week after the OS1 clinic opened on June 15 in Hoover, a woman brought in her daughter for treatment.

“Her daughter had fallen in practice and bent her wrist and she thought it might be broken,” said Vance, OS1 president and CEO. “She had heard about us and seen the signs about our clinic. She called and came in around 6:30 p.m. and got it X-rayed and we braced it.

“All of it took about 45 minutes.

That’s better than waiting in the emer-

‘If you have a child who has hurt his ankle or arm, the last place you want to go is to an emergency room and be exposed to people with other illnesses.’ gency room for a few hours to be seen,” Vance said.

That’s the whole idea behind OS1 Sports Injury Clinic, Alabama’s first full-service, orthopedic urgent care walk-in clinic. OS1 is in The Village at Brock’s Gap near the Hoover Met Complex.

The clinic offers urgent care from a fellowship-trained sports medicine professional. It is specifically for sportsrelated and orthopedic-related injuries ranging from fractures, dislocations, sprains and overuse injuries.

The business model for OS1 was developed through the collaboration of its founders, Bill Dexheimer, founder of several health care and health care IT businesses; Dr. Lyle Cain; Dr. Jeffrey Dugas; Dr. Bruce Irwin, founder of American Family Care; Randy Johansen, president of American Family Care; Dr. A.J. “Lonnie” Strickland, PhD and professor of strategic management at the University of Alabama Graduate School of Business; Dr. Kennie Bramlett; and several other

leading orthopedic physicians and executives.

“We spent a considerable amount of time with our founders refining our business model,” Vance said. “The overwhelming consensus was there is currently a gap in the marketplace when it comes to conveniently and cost-effectively treating acute, orthopedic injuries by providers expertly trained in sports medicine.

“Our OS1 business model includes our primary medical provider being fellowship-trained in sports medicine.

Fortunately, Birmingham is home to one of the world’s most-respected, accredited orthopedic fellowship programs – the American Sports Medicine Institute.”

Dr. Chris Williams is OS1’s primary medical provider. He is in the final weeks of his ASMI fellowship and clinical training at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center. As a non-surgical sports medicine physician, Williams treats all types of orthopedic medical issues, including sports-related and non-sports-related injuries.

Bryan Wimbish, a certified registered nurse practitioner with sports medicine training, also works at the clinic.

The clinic has comprehensive diagnostic imaging equipment on site – with state-of-the-art MRI and X-ray equipment – allowing clinicians to accurately diagnose patients.

“We’re really excited about opening,” Vance said. “We didn’t plan it that way, but we couldn’t have had better timing than opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a lot of people have no desire to go to the emergency room or a hospital clinic.

“If you have a child who has hurt his ankle or arm, the last place you want to go is to an emergency room and be exposed to people with other illnesses. They can come here and get a high level of care without worrying about that.”

The clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to come in and be seen,” Vance said.

the head coach of John Carroll Catholic’s girls basketball program. She had been an assistant under Ronald Steele for the past two seasons. During that time, Steele had been serving as the head coach of the boys and girls teams.

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve the current and future players in the John Carroll program,” Napolitano said. “The last two years working with Coach Steele have not only been a blessing, but they have been instrumental in preparing me for this role.”

Steele was happy to see Napolitano elevated to the head position. ”Coach Napolitano is a person of high character who has demonstrated an eagerness to invest in the lives of her student-athletes,” Steele said. “She has a passion for the game of basketball and her coaching philosophy is consistent with the values of John Carroll. I’m excited to officially turn the reins over to her and to see her continue to grow and develop our girls basketball program.”

Napolitano is a 2014 graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, where she played basketball, ran cross country, and competed in track and field. She holds a BA in secondary education from Samford University (2018), and is currently completing her masters degree in kinesiology and sports management through the University of Alabama.

Napolitano also teaches full-time in the English department at John Carroll and serves as an assistant on the track and field team.

with the Rebels.

“Mandy built a good foundation from the seventh grade all the way to varsity,” Mansell said. “I want to build on that and make it better.”

By Rubin E. Grant Mansell was a star player at Austin High School in Decatur and also at Scott Ware was wondering why he Millsaps College. stayed on as an assistant coach for the She previously coached three years Hoover boys basketball at Germantown in team for the past eight Madison, Miss., and was years when he had an assistant for two years opportunities to become at Austin. a head coach elsewhere.

Two other over OverWare received his the-Mountain schools answer in late May when also have new volleyball he was elevated to head coaches. Oak Mountain coach of the Bucs, hired Grace Burgess and replacing Charles Briarwood Christian Burkett, who left to take hired Hannah Josey. over the program at This will be Burgess’ Scott Ware joined the Athens after 14 seasons first high school head Hoover staff as an assisat Hoover. coaching job after servtant in August of 2013.

“I don’t know why I ing as an assistant at hung around and now I Thompson and Spain know,” Ware said. “I am really excited.

Park. The Homewood native has Charles and I had talked about it. I coached club volleyball for the past think the world of Coach Burkett. eight years and played college volleyWe’re more than friends. We’re like ball at LaGrange College. brothers.”

Josey was formerly the head coach Ware joined Burkett’s staff as an Edgewood Academy and Eastwood assistant in August of 2013 and helped Christian in the Alabama Independent lead the Bucs to the 2015 Class 7A state Schools Association. championship team and two other Final Napolitano Takes Over John Four appearances.

Hoover athletic director Andy Urban Carrol Girls Basketball Program Angela Napolitano has been hired as said Ware was the right choice to succeed Burkett.

“We had hundreds of applicants, but we knew we had what we felt like was the best coach we could get in our building,” Urban said.

Ware was the head coach at Walker High School, now Jasper, for 10 seasons, compiling a 172-26 record.

The Bucs began summer workouts on June 8 and plan to continue through the middle of July.

“It’s been good,” Ware said. “It’s been a little sloppy, but the kids are working hard, trying to become the best version we can be.”

The workouts have been affected by COVID-19 guidelines as stipulated by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

“The first week we didn’t get within six feet of each other and we keep our masks when we have closer contact drills,” Ware said. “We’re doing other things like cleaning the balls between groups. It’s different.”

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“Our style of play won’t look any different,” he said. “I try to tell them to play smart, play hard and have fun.

We’re going to get it up and down the court, play hard and play fast.”

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

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30 • Thursday, July 2, 2020

SPORTS

Spartans Promote Davis to Lead Boys Basketball Program

RESPECT From page 32

highest classification, and to 31 state playoff appearances, including last fall when Vestavia Hills finished 7-4.

He was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame in 2018 and is a member of the AHSAA Hall of Fame. He received the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame’s Frank ‘Pig’ House Award in 2014.

Anderson has been more than a coach to his players. His biggest impact has come off the field, especially when he’s held Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings at his home, sharing

ation of the responsibiliEducation, which ty the position holds and approved the promotion is committed to developMonday. ing our student-athletes, “I’m honored and not just athletically, but humbled to be a part of socially and emotionally and lead this program,” as well.”

Davis said. “I take this During the period responsibility seriously when Davis was coachand will continue to ing, Mountain Brook work hard as we strive to made seven state finals reach new heights.” and won five state cham- Tyler Davis was named Davis played on the Mountain Brook’s head pionships, from 2013Samford team from coach on June 11.

2020. In 2019, the team 1994-98, winning a full ended the season ranked basketball scholarship fifth nationally by USA Today, accordafter playing at Concord High School ing to a release from the city’s Board of in Elkhart. He holds a bachelor’s

degree in physical education from Samford and a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Montevallo.

Davis began his coaching career in 1999 at Vestavia Hills High School, where he led the junior varsity and assisted with the varsity program during his nine-year tenure. He joined Mountain Brook in 2008 and coached the junior high ninth grade team for one year before moving to the high school slot.

“He is the only coach that has been part of the coaching staff from the beginning of Coach McMillan’s tenure until his departure,” Eaves said.

his faith and helping turn boys into responsible adult men.

Anderson said he considered retiring at the end of the just-completed school year, but his wife, Linda, three daughters and Vestavia Hills school Superintendent Todd Freeman had an effect on his sticking around for the 2020 season. But the biggest impact might have come from one of his returning players.

After schools shutdown in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a player came to him with a question about the FCA meetings.

“I had prayed, but I didn’t have peace about going ahead and retiring,” Anderson said. “When one of my kids came up and asked me when we would

“I didn’t want them to find out that way. I wanted them to hear it from me,” Anderson said. “It was very emotional for me, my wife and my daughters.”

But not for his players? “Boys don’t say anything, they just sit there,” he said with a laugh.

A deliberate, thoughtful man, Anderson’s decision came after much soul-searching.

“I knew this day was going to come one day,” he said. “I had been thinking about it and praying about it for a while.

I’m at peace that this is going to be my last year.”

Anderson doesn’t know what to expect for his final season nor how the pandemic will affect it. But he knows one thing.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Tyler Davis has been named Mountain Brook High School’s varsity boys basketball coach after serving 11 seasons as assistant coach in the program.

Davis, who also has coached the junior varsity team, takes the place of Bucky McMillan, who left the school this year for a coaching job at Samford University.

“Coach Davis is a wonderful person and already has a great working relationship with everyone in our athletic department,” MBHS Athletics Director Benny Eaves said in a statement. “He is a loving and committed father and husband, someone with a great appreci-

restart our FCA meetings, that was nail No. 1 in me deciding to coach this season.”

His wife, daughters and Freeman had mentioned to Anderson that the pandemic had already interrupted enough of his players’ lives, and they didn’t need another major disruption.

So, as he’s done throughout his legendary career, Anderson decided to do what’s in the best interests of his players — even telling them on Monday after the Rebels held their first workouts since the COVID-19 shutdown that he was retiring.

He said it was going to come out Thursday during the Vestavia Hills Board of Education meeting that 2020 would be his final season.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

“During that time, Coach Davis has been a valued and respected part of the building of our current culture and program. He has helped create and implement change along the way. His insight into where we were as a program and how we arrived at this point is priceless.”

Davis plans to maintain and build on the team’s culture.

“We’re not going to change very much. We’re going to come in here, work hard, press, play fast on offense,” Davis said. “I think it will be a smooth transition.”

Davis also will teach PE at the school. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Mountain Brook with their three children: Ty, Trey and Avery.

—Rubin E. Grant “I don’t want it to be a parade about me,” he said forcefully. “I want it to be about the kids. Every season since I’ve been here has been about that particular team that season.

“I don’t know how much I can control that. I know it will be different, but this season needs to be about this team.”

As long as I have known him, Coach Anderson has always preferred that the spotlight shine elsewhere, so why would his final season be any different?

That’s the man I’ve come to admire and respect.

Rubin E. Grant covers high school sports for Over The Mountain Journal

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SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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Spartans Promote Davis to Lead Boys Basketball Program.

Page 30

SPORTS Thursday, July 2, 2020 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

FROM TOP: Journal file photo by Lee Walls; Courtesy Buddy Anderson

The Last Dance

Longtime Vestavia Hills football coach Buddy Anderson is planning to retire at the end of the 2020 season.

Anderson told his players on Monday after the Rebels held their first workouts since the COVID-19 shutdown.

Anderson, who recently turned 70, is the winningest coach in Alabama high school football history with a record of 342-154. The 2020 season will be his 43rd season as head coach of the Rebels. He was hired as an assistant at Vestavia Hills in 1972, then was elevated to head coach in 1978.

Anderson led the Rebels to state championships in 1980 and 1998, both coming in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s highest classification.

Anderson was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Hall of Fame in 2018 and is also a member of the AHSAA Hall of Fame. He

Respect and Admiration

Anderson’s Retirement Plans as Vestavia Hills Football Coach Catches Long-Time Sports Writing Friend Off Guard

Buddy Anderson Retiring Following 2020 Football Season

By Rubin E. Grant

Ware Elevated to Head Coach of Hoover’s Boys Basketball Team.

Page 29

received the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame’s Frank ‘Pig’ House Award in 2014 and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Herman L. “Bubba” Scott Award in 2016.

“Buddy Anderson is a man of faith and character who has been an important mentor to many others along the

Anderson was hired as an assistant at Vestavia Hills in 1972, then was elevated to head coach in 1978. He led the Rebels to state championships in 1980 and 1998.

Anderson, who recently turned 70, is the winningest coach in Alabama high school football history with a record of 342-154. way,” AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese said when Anderson was inducted into the NFHS Hall of Fame. “He is a shining example of the kind of positive impact coaches have on the lives of the student-athletes they serve.”

The news came out of nowhere for me when I heard it. My longtime friend Buddy Anderson is retiring as head football coach at Vestavia Hills High School at the end of the 2020 season.

And yes, I said friend. Anderson’s secRUBIN E. GRANT ond year as head coach, 1979, was the first year of my professional sports writing career in Birmingham.

At first it was a reporter-coach relationship, but it evolved over time into a friendship of mutual respect and admiration, although I did most of the admiring. I might have called him Buddy to other folks, but whenever I spoke with him it was always Coach Anderson.

I had no idea he was considering retirement.

I always figured he would coach until the Lord called him home. His relationship with Jesus Christ is what cemented our friendship because we are brothers in Christ.

When we finally talked by phone the day after his announcement, he told me once again, “God called me to be a coach on January 12, 1968. He spoke to me in my heart to be a high school Christian coach. It doesn’t mean I’ve been perfect, but that’s what I’ve tried to be.”

“I’ve had opportunities to go other places and even coach in college,” he added, “but I believe this is where God wanted me.”

As the years passed, Anderson, who recently turned 70, continued coaching at Vestavia Hills.

The 2020 season will be his 43rd season as the Rebels’ head coach. He arrived at the school in 1972 as an assistant before being elevated to head coach in 1978. His dad, Dovey Anderson, coached for 31 years at Thomasville High School.

Buddy Anderson is the winningest coach in Alabama high school football history, with a record of 342-154. He guided the Rebels to state championships in 1980 and 1998, both in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s See RESPECT, page 30

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