8.23.18

OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

SOCIAL

SPORTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

2017 Mountain Brook vs Hoover game/Journal photo by Mark Almond

Game Time!

COMING TO A STADIUM NEAR YOU It’s a whole new ballgame starting this week: High school football is back, and every team has championship dreams. First up, Homewood kicks off against Hueytown Thursday night in Samford University’s Seibert Stadium. Briarwood visits Vestavia in a jamboree game Friday night. John Carroll welcomes St. Clair County to Lakeshore Parkway. Oak Mountain hosts Calera in a battle of two Shelby County schools. Spain Park is at home against Hillcrest. Mountain Brook travels to Tuscaloosa to take on Northridge, and it’s Hoover vs. Pinson in a nationally-televised game from the Hoover Met Saturday morning. But you don’t have to wait until game time to catch the team spirit – check out our 2018 OTM High School Football Preview inside this issue.

2018 OVER THE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW

FOOTBALL AUGUST 23, 2018 u OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

TOP PICKENS HOOVER SENIOR MIGHT BE BEST RECEIVER IN THE NATION

INSIDE TEAM PROFILES u KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH u SCHEDULES

‘... we could have an outstanding team that knocks the top of it off’ Fred Yancey

BRIARWOOD | 6

‘It comes down to dayto-day work ethic’ Chris Yeager

MOUNTAIN BROOK | 14

‘The expectations for us are really high ...’

Ben Berguson

HOMEWOOD | 8

‘We’ve got some kids who can play’ Cris Bell

OAK MOUNTAIN |16

u

ROSTERS u VESTAVIA PLANS TO HONOR 1978 AND 1998 TEAMS

‘It’s all about competiting.’

Josh Niblett

HOOVER | 10

‘Every week, we’ve got to bring it’ Shawn Raney

SPAIN PARK | 18

‘We’re excited about the move’ Logan Colafrancesco

JOHN CARROLL | 12

‘Real good leadership coming back’ Buddy Anderson

VESTAVIA HILLS HILLS | 20 Journal photos by Lee Walls, Jr., Marvin Gentry, Mark Almond and

Bryan Bunch

2 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OPINION/CONTENTS

Inside

Murphy’s Law

Gimme A Sign

T MANHATTAN MELODIES Homewood Band gears up for 40th anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance PAGE 25

FALL FASHION Local boutiques show off the latest fashions for cooler weather PAGE 22

ABOUT TOWN 4 NEWS 8 LIFE 10 SOCIAL 14 WEDINGS 21

FASHION BUSINESS SCHOOLS SPORTS

22 24 25 28

otmj.com There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Ingrid Schnader, Emily Williams Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Blake Ells, Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Susan Murphy, Jordan Wald, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch Sam Prickett Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Laura Lane, Tommy Wald, Suzanne Wald

Vol. 28, No. 2

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 2018 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.

and go charging down the field in the wrong he game is getting tense, the quarterback direction. is poised, and over on the sidelines we Maybe I’m over-thinking this. Maybe the see a guy frantically waving a giant sign Britney Spears poster is there just to get the featuring four pictures: Britney Spears, Argyle guys’ attention and the message is in the rest of socks, a garlic press and a lesser kudu. What do the pictures. Of course – and I don’t mean to these things have in common? I have no idea, sound cynical here – it’s always possible Britney but the players do. Or they’d better. has simply purchased some stadium-savvy It’s a code, I’m guessing, each card signaling advertising space to announce her new show in what coaches hope will be a game-saving play.

Las Vegas. If this is the direction we’re headed, It’s a fascinating tactic. For starters, I’d love to can a Doritos/Geico/BVD/ Chico’s Bail Bond know exactly how they settle on all those imagplay be far behind? es. “Let’s see … run up the middle … a scarlet Or maybe the signs mean nothing at all. merganser. What else? And how shall we cloak Maybe the play is really G4 or H 27 and the our signal bird? With a paper clip, a three of assistant is just goofing on gullible fans like me. clubs and an early spring pin oak.”

If so, well played.

So, the coaching staff meticulously chooses Sue Murphy I suppose if I really paid attention I could the pictures (I’ll bet it was a long night.) and figure out the system, counting cards, as it somebody prints up a pile of 11x13 glossies. were, but my game minutes already are dividThere’s a frantic rush to the Elmer’s Glue and Maybe I’m overamong completing the cheers as instructed, all that is left is to impart this brilliant code to thinking this. Maybe ed singing along appropriately with the teamthe players. “Men, when you see a picture of rousing snippets from the marching band and Britney Spears, fake left.” Or maybe the code the Britney Spears ready to stand when it’s my turn to has something to do with the first letter of poster is there just to being advance the wave. Since I cannot punt, pass each picture. The aforementioned Britney/ Argyle/garlic press/ lesser kudu play would get the guys’ attention or kick, it’s all I have to contribute to my success. mean Back And Go Long, unless it means and the message is in team’s Still, the sign puzzle is a challenge. If I Scramble, Screen play, Pass and Kick. The options boggle the mind. the rest of the pictures. could figure out the code, it might help me manage other areas of my life. Every day, it So much can go wrong with this system. seems I’m confronted with a hundred differSuppose a player is sick on animal day and ent images simultaneously, and it’s difficult to when crunch time comes, mistakes the lesser kudu for the greater one. Disaster! The signs are a cultural litera- decipher what it all means, what’s important and what is just distracting fluff. I know the answer is in there somewhere, but I’m cy minefield. Some players might be country music fans and never sure whether I’m supposed to follow the socks or the garhave no idea who Britney Spears is. (Sorry, Britney.) Even the lic press. burly linemen would have to be up on fashion trends (Are those Until I get some more input, I’ve decided to go with the lessjeans slim leg or boot cut?) and have some rudimentary culinary er kudu. I think he’s great. ❖ knowledge or they’d think the garlic press was a cheese grater

Over the Mountain Views We asked some experts at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society ...

What’s best advice for staying cool during the ‘Dog Days of Summer’?

“I can stand the heat for a couple of hours, as long as I have a lot of shade and a bowl full of ice water.”

Boss Hog

“Take your temperature whenever you feel overheated. If it’s over 104 degrees it’s probably time to go to the vet.”

Heifer

“I love a car ride as much as the next dog, but don’t make your dog wait there while you shop.”

Maggie

“Instead of pulling out a fan, I cool off with ice packs and a peanut butter popsicle when I get too hot.”

Rebecca

SEE STORY ON PAGE 4 FOR A FUN ‘DOG DAYS OF SUMMER’ EVENT THIS SATURDAY AT BROMBERG’S.

Next Issue: September 6 Celebrating the Arts.

Everything is F E REE E R F

FREE R EE E E Labor Day

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 3

OPINION/CONTENTS

A IMLIYL YO OWWNNEEDD AA N ND D LL OO CCAALLLLYY O O PP E RE ARTAETDE D F AFM

FA M I LY

OW N E D

DELIVERY!

A N D

L O C A L LY

PILLOW S!

FDERLIVEERETH Y!Our Our Biggest Biggest

for details *See store

Family Owned & Locally Operated

F R E E PILLOW

Our Biggest Labor Day 4 OF JULy SALE NOW! REE REE REE Day FLabor FREE REE *See store

4

for details

*

O P E R AT E D

OF JULy SALE NOW! Family Owned & Locally Operated

S!

BIG SAVINGS AND FREE GIFTS STOREWIDE!

TH

F Sale F Ever! F Sale Ever!

E E E E 0% FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS! E E E R R E E E F F R R R F F F Everything is SHEETS! SHEETS!

H! BIG SAVINGS AND FREE STOREWIDE! GS! RAME! ACKER!GIFTS F N R I D T R E P P B E S E L X S O BONUS CAS B *

Sale Ever!

0% FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS!

FREE RE EE E Everything is FREE

Everything is FREE ! ! by Orderest S CKER! G N I R P BEDFRAME S SLEEP TRA BOX THREE TOP MATTRESS BRANDS Freedom Pillowtop ONE LOW PRICE THREE TOP MATTRESS BRANDS Freedom Pillowtop ONE LOW PRICE Bamboo Cay Plush FULL OR QUEEN MATTRESS

H! BONUS CAS *

FREE R EE E E FREE REEEE *

399 $ 399

*

$

HEAD & FOOT ADJUSTABLE PLUS FREE BOX SPRING * BASE DAYPLUS LABOR SALE PRICES STOREWIDE! HEAD & FOOT FREE SEALYby Orderest With purchase of any set $699 Bamboo Cay Plush PILLOWFULL OR QUEEN MATTRESS and up, not valid with any Gardenview Plush ADJUSTABLE other offers. See store for details.

PLUS FREE BOX SPRING BASE E FRAME OR FREE SHEET SET FREEPLUS BOX SPRING F FREE REBED

FREE

A

FREE SEALY PILLOW EE

FREE

Express PerfectSleeper Gardenview Plush Delivery Financing ker Bo+xFREE BOX QUEEN MATTRESS + FREESBOX et UQUEEN QUEEN MATTRESS MATTRESS + FREE BOX p s Your Choice Foam or Spring Choice g FREESBOX FREE BED OR Triple FREE SHEET SET prin SPRING Triple FRAME Choice

FREE

With purchase of any set $699 and up, not valid with anySleep other details. bleSee store forTr ac djustaoffers.

Base

FREE

FR

LABOR DAY SALE PRICES STOREWIDE! Kirkville - Extra Firm, Plush, or Pillowtop Buttonwood Cushion Firm or Upbeat Firm Kayla

by Orderest

FREE ble

Adjusta Base

FREE

FREE

Sleep Tracker

Sheets

Firm, Plush or Pillowtop

PerfectSleeper

QUEEN MATTRESS + FREE BOX QUEEN EEMATTRESS + FREE BOX QUEEN MATTRESS + FREE BOX FR

FREE

Your Choice Foam or Spring Express Buttonwood Cushion Firm or Upbeat Firm Delivery

F

FREE Comforter Box

699

Eri$ngs Sp RE

Pillows

Queen Mattress + Free Box

Triple Choice

FR KaylaE E

Firm,tPlush $ FRSe or EPillowtop EUp

699 Bed

Queen Mattress + Free Box

Triple Choice

EEE ER FRFFin ancing

Kirkville - Extra Firm, Plush, or Pillowtop Up To

899

$300$

ss xpre BedzzzEQueen Mattress + Free Box Gift Card

49 Locations Across The Southeast Shop online 24/7 at bedzzzexpress.com *Free items with· select sets, see store for details.

FREE FREE $ Comforter FREE $ $ $300 FREE Sheets FREE BedzzzExpress

699 699 899

by Orderest 49 Locations Across The Southeast · Shop online 24/7 at bedzzzexpress.com LABOR DAY SALE PRICES STOREWIDE! Pillows

Greystone 408-0280

Homewood 802-8888

Hoover 982-8006 979-7274

Mtn Brook 956-8033

Queen Mattress + Free Box

BeMattress d + Free Box Queen

Up To

Gift Card Queen Mattress + Free Box

Vestavia 978-3068

STORE HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 10 AM TO 7 PM, SATURDAY 9 AM TO 6 PM, SUNDAY 1 TO 6 PM

4 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

AUG. 23 - SEPT.5

Dog Days of Summer

Saturday at Bromberg’s You Can Get Crystal, Jewelry and … Dogs?

Aug. 23-26

Bromberg’s lawn in Mountain Brook Village will be going to the dogs and cats Saturday when the Greater Birmingham Humane Society brings its Adoption Truck to the store’s lawn on the circle in Mountain Brook Village.

The event originally had been scheduled for Aug. 18 to coincide with National Clear the Shelter Day, but it was rescheduled because of weather concerns. Bromberg’s has been accepting donations of pet food for the shelter as well as offering pet-themed items for purchase, with proceeds going to the shelter.

The adoption event Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Besides the adoption truck, Hollywood Feed will have a tent with treats and goodie bags, along with discounted pet food for purchase for the pet food drive.

One of the pet-themed items being sold by Bromberg’s is Simon Pearce’s “Year of the Dog” handcrafted blown glass figurine. Bromberg’s crystal engraver, Harold Herglotz, will be on-hand Saturday offering complimentary hand engraving on the figurine.

Bromberg’s also is selling two dog photography books, “Old Timers” and “Mug Shots,” from local photographer Irene Gardner, who is donating her proceeds to the shelter.

For information, find the Greater Birmingham Humane Society on Facebook.

Sidewalk Fillm Festival

What: The 20th annual film festival continues this week with film screenings of movies from filmmakers across the country and around the world. Screenings will be held in 11 venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District, including the Alabama Theatre and the Lyric Theatre.

When: Check the website for times and venues Where: Birmingham’s Theatre District Website: sidewalkfest.com

Thurs., Aug. 23

Vino and Van Gogh

What: This United Ability’s Junior Board event offers guests a chance to taste wine from local wineries and vendors, enjoy tasty food and bid on auction items. Many of the original works of art featured for auction have been created by participants in the LINCPoint Adult Day and Hand in Hand Early Learning programs.

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Haven Website: unitedability.org

Fri., Aug. 24

Clays 4 Kids

What: The Junior Board for aTeam Ministries presents its annual sporting clays fundraising tournament, an outlet for families to enjoy time together away from the hospital. This event is a great for any skill level, from first-time shooters to advanced clay shooters. Festivities include prizes for top shooters, top shooting teams and for the lowest shooters. Proceeds benefit aTeam’s commitment to offer spiritual, financial and emotional support to children and their families coping with pediatric cancer.

When: Safety presentation 8:30 a.m., clay shoot begins at 8:45 a.m.

Where: Selwood Farm Website: ateamministries.org

An Evening With Friends

What: The Birmingham chapter of The Links Inc., a philanthropic organization of professional women, hosts a fundraiser, “An Evening with Friends: Heart & Soul” honoring the legacy of civic and cultural leader Dorothy Rogers Porter. Honorary chair for the event is Dr. Henry Panion, a Grammy award-winning composer, arranger, conductor and educator. Guests will enjoy artistic expressions, gourmet indulgences, a silent auction, a Links Boutique and dancing.

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: UAB Alys Stephens Center Website: bhamlinksinc.org

OHOH Gold Gala 2018

What: The Junior Board of Open Hands Overflowing Hearts hosts its third annual gala featuring food and drinks, live music and awesome chance drawing items. Proceeds benefit OHOH and its goal to help end childhood cancer. Make sure to wear something gold.

When: 7-11 p.m.

Where: B&A Warehouse Website: openhandsoverflowinghearts.org

Dinner in the Streets

Sat., Sept. 1

Labor Day Brunch Crawl

Photo courtesy Bromberg’s

What: Birmingham Salvation Army hosts an outdoor community dinner and live music under the stars. Guest will enjoy an appetizer and mocktail social hour. Dinner will be served at one long table with around 150 or more of your closest friends, creating a very unique dining experience.

Proceeds support Salvation Army’s daily feeding programs and their marketplace food pantry.

When: 6 p.m. appetizer and cocktail social hour, community dinner is from 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: 4th Ave. S. in Avondale, between 39th St. S. and 41st St. S. in front of Redeemer Community Church Website: “Birmingham Salvation Army” Facebook page

silent auction, interactive candy bar, activities for children, stilt walkers and more.

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Hyatt Regency Birmingham, The Wynfrey Hotel Website: ccr-bhm.org

Aug. 24-25

Twice as Nice Sale

What: Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples hosts a consignment sale featuring gently-used infant, children’s and maternity clothing; as well as equipment, toys, books, DVDs, housewares, electronics and more. No children under 10 and no strollers allowed on Fri. Baby wearing is allowed. No large bags or baskets allowed.

When: Fri. from 4-9 p.m. and Sat. from 8 a.m.-noon Where: Metropolitan Church of God Website: “Twice As Nice Sale (BAMOM)” Facebook page

Sat., Aug. 25

G.I.R.L. Leadership Summit 2018

What: Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama hosts its inaugural Leadership Summit allowing juniors, cadets, seniors and ambassadors to participate in several breakout sessions featuring engaging activities; TED-style talks; and keynote speakers focused on healthy living, STEM, physical

movement, civic engagement and mentorship and leadership development. Registration includes lunch, t-shirt and activities.

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Mountaintop Community Church Website: girlscoutsnca.org

Walk to Defeat ALS

What: The ALS Association’s premier event is an outlet for communities across the nation to demonstrate their concern for and the urgent need to find the cure for ALS while providing the best care for those who are currently battling the disease.

When: Check-in 10 a.m., walk start at 11 a.m.

Where: Railroad Park Website web.alsa.org

Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival

What: Urban Impact presents this free, one-day jazz festival featuring live jazz; blues and gospel music; dancing; spoken word and comedy; an exhibit on the history of the district; a kid zone; food vendors; and more.

When: noon-10 p.m.

Where: Birmingham’s Historic 4th Ave. District downtown Website: “Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival” Facebook page

Back 2 School Bash 18

What: This year’s Bash will again be combining Homewood Park’s event with the Patriot Park Street Festival summer/fall event, sponsored by the West Homewood Neighborhood Association. The event will kick off the new school year with an array of rides, bounce houses, food and live entertainment. Admission is free, but a $10 unlimited attractions wristband is required for rides.

Proceeds benefit the Homewood High School Band.

When: 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Homewood Patriot Park Website: homewoodparks.com

Fairy Tale Ball

What: Childcare Resources presents its 12th annual Fairy Tale Ball to benefit their mission to make quality child care happen in Central Alabama. The event features dancing, fairytale characters, a

What: iCrawl USA presents a Labor Day party featuring festive music at participating establishments and exclusive food and drink specials from Moe’s Original Bar & BBQ, Sky Castle, Tin Roof, Bird’s Bar and Pizza, Side Bar, Innisfree and more.

When: noon-8 p.m.

Where: Lakeview District Website: “ICrawl USA” Facebook page

Mon., Sept. 3

27th Annual Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest What: Participate in Alabama’s largest moon pie eating contest and compete for prize money in both children and adult categories.

Across the park the United Mine Workers holds its annual Birmingham District Labor Day celebration featuring BBQ, picking and singing.

When: Park hours are from sunrise to sunset Where: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Website: tannehill.org

Thurs., Sept. 6

Friends of Winnataska Centennial Gala

What: Event goers will enjoy a buffet supper and two tickets for drinks, along with singing, stories and live and silent auctions that

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SAVE THE DATE Sept. 7-8

Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale

What: Asbury United Methodist Church will hold its annual baby and child fall consignment sale featuring children’s clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and more. Proceeds benefit the church’s children and youth programs and various mission projects.

When: Fri. from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. from 8 a.m.-noon Where: Asbury United Methodist Church Website asburygigglesandgrace. com

Artwalk

What: This arts festival transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors and children’s activities.

When: Fri. from 5-10 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Birmingham’s Loft District Website birminghamartwalk.org

Sat., Sept. 8

Monkey C Monkey Run 5k What: Smile-A-Mile’s annual 5k and fun run features a dove release honoring SAM children, 5k individual and team awards, fun run prizes (14 and younger), postrace food, inflatables and a photo booth. Proceeds benefit SAM and its mission to aid famiies affected by childhood cancer.

When: 6:30 a.m. registration, 5K at 8 a.m. 5K and fun run at 9 a.m.

Where: Smile-A-Mile Place in downtown Birmingham Website: smileamile.com

R(un) for One 5K & Lifeline Family Reunion

What: Lifeline presents its seventh annual 5K, where 100 percent of the proceeds benefit (un)adopted, Lifeline’s international orphan care ministry.

When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Veterans Park Website: lifelinechild.org

Helping Hands in the Hills

What: Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and the city of Vestavia Hills presents a day of service to help Vestavia Hills residents (senior citizens, disabled, etc.) who need help with minor projects or yard work around their home.

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 5

When: Kick-off at 8:30 a.m., lunch will be provided Where: Wald Park pool pavilion Website: vestaviahills.org/helpinghands-in-the-hills/

Sun., Sept 9

Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival What: Community Grief Support hosts the second annual mac-andcheese tasting from a multitude of local restaurants, food trucks and caterers in Birmingham. The event will include music, vendors and more. Proceeds benefit Community Grief Support in its mission to provide free-of-charge grief counseling, grief support groups and community education in the Greater Birmingham area.

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Brookwood Village Website: “Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival” Facebook page Send About Town info to editorial@otmj.com

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

feature early registration slots for a selection of 2019 camp sessions, Winnataska memorabilia, dinner and theatre nights on the town, art, archival Winnataska photos and more.

When 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: The Club Website: winnataska.org

ABOUT TOWN

Sat., Aug. 25

The Bell Center Tailgate Challenge

What: Celebrate and anticipate the upcoming football season while supporting The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. Event goers will enjoy tastes of tailgating food at various team tents during an afternoon of music, kid friendly events and team rivalry. Celebrity

judges will be on hand to judge each of the teams on most team spirit, best tasting food and best all around.

Team tent boosters are responsible for providing their own tailgate tent and team decorations. No pets allowed.

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: On the streets in front of the Bell Center in Homewood Website: thebellcenter.org

6 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

‘Rays of Sunshine’

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Head Over Teal for Shay’s Rays

When Jacqueline DeMarco’s cousin Shay McNamee died from ovarian cancer, DeMarco said, she made sense of it by vowing not to let the loss to her family be in vain.

That’s why DeMarco and other people who were close to McNamee run in races such as the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation’s Head Over Teal run.

Their group, Shay’s Rays, is one of the biggest teams at every race they go to, she said. They usually have about 50 people in their group.

“We consider ourselves her rays of sunshine when she was going through all of this,” DeMarco said. “And any race that’s going on that has to do with ovarian cancer, we try to get involved in.”

DeMarco’s husband, Paul, is one of Shay’s Rays. He lost his mother to breast cancer, and he talks about the importance of races such as Head Over Teal.

“Those races are great, because not only do they raise money for research and … (publicize) the need for screenings, but it brings everybody together – survivors,

caretakers and family members,” he said. “They’re not in it alone.

It’s a team approach. Everyone’s working together.”

Just as Paul DeMarco runs with his wife’s family to honor McNamee, the duo also frequently participate in breast cancer runs.

“It’s a great way to keep someone’s memory alive,” DeMarco said.

McNamee’s Journey

McNamee was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and died in October 2016.

DeMarco still remembers what it was like the day they found out McNamee had cancer. She was having surgery to remove what the doctors thought were benign tumors.

“Her OB/GYN told her, ‘Look, there’s this small percentage of chance that we’re going to get in and it’s cancerous,’” DeMarco remembered. “But it was such a small risk.”

During the surgery, the doctor discovered the cancer and was able to remove it, DeMarco said.

DeMarco arrived at the hospital before her cousin came out of anesthesia.

“She didn’t know,” DeMarco

Photo courtesy Jacqueline DeMarco

By Ingrid Schnader

From left, Paul DeMarco, Shay McNamee, Shay’s mother, Marguerite McNamee and Jacqueline DeMarco and Zuzu in front. Shay lost her battle with cancer in 2016.

said. “She keeps asking us, ‘Did everything go OK? What did they tell you?’”

But doctors had said they wanted to tell McNamee about the developments.

“So, we had to wait and it was just hours and hours of her sitting there asking us questions,” DeMarco said. “It was horrible.”

The doctors finally gave McNamee the news, and she was in shock, DeMarco said. Although doctors originally gave her a good prognosis, they later realized she had clear cell cancer, which they told her typically came back.

In McNamee’s case, it did, six months later, and it had spread to other organs.

“Even when she was really sick, she would leave little gifts for (DeMarco’s son) on my doorstep,” DeMarco said. “She’s just that kind of person, a very thoughtful person.”

Sometimes McNamee was too sick to walk or run in the ovarian cancer races.

‘If you met her, you would remember her smile. She would always smile.’

“But it always meant something to her that we had the team,” DeMarco said.

McNamee died four years and one day after her diagnosis.

DeMarco said it really meant something to McNamee to make it to that four-year anniversary.

“She outlived anything the doctors said she would,” DeMarco said. “They said six months to a year, or something like that. … Those last years, you just cherish them. It’s like bor-

give Summer the BOOT!

Keeping it classy!

CUSTOM MONOGRAMS, ILLUSTRATIONS, PAPER GOODS AND MORE

!

205.870.1097

WEEZIEBDESIGNS.COM

4137 White Oak Drive, Cahaba Heights Mon.-Sat. 10am - 6pm www.flipflopsandwhatnots.com

205.967.7429

rowed time, you know? We’re getting that time back with her.”

At McNamee’s funeral, DeMarco said that one of the main things people said they remembered about her was her smile.

“If you met her, you would remember her smile. She would always smile,” DeMarco said.

“She could be the sickest she’s ever been, like barely able to get out of her house, and she would show up wherever she is with a big smile on and ask you how you were doing. That’s who she was.”

The ninth annual Head Over Teal race is scheduled for Sept.

22 at the Hoover Preserve Town Hall. DeMarco said she hopes the race will spread the word to women to advocate for themselves and go to their yearly GYN appointments.

“If one person participates in this race, if one person reads a brochure that gets them to their doctor sooner so that they know they need to get checked, it’s all worth it,” Paul DeMarco said.

Laura Crandall Brown Foundation Director Mary Anne King said that more than 800 runners participate in the race. The proceeds from the run help support the LCBF programs, which reach almost 10,000 Alabamians a year. “(It’s) an opportunity (to) pay tribute to all of the women we know and love who have been impacted by GYN cancers – from current patients and survivors to those we have lost,” she said.

Jam for a Cure

Annual Concert Honors Memory of Mountain Brook Student and LJCC Member Sam Lapidus

ABOUT TOWN member Matt Hamilton - this year’s Jam4Sam organizers - the opportunity to continue hosting the event has allowed Sam’s legacy to live on within the youth group.

Jam for Sam will feature a variety of local Birmingham bands and will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, visit the “Jam 4 Sam” Facebook page.

Martha Stewart Set to Appear During Antiques at The Gardens

Martha Stewart will be a headline speaker during this year’s Antiques at The Gardens. She, along with co-author Kevin Sharkey, will host two talks during the Red Diamond Lecture Series, according to a press release from Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Their talks will be Oct. 5, and a limited number of tickets will be available to the public on Sept. 4 for $150-$250, according

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 7 to The Gardens’ website. Stewart and Sharkey are co-authors of “Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying.”

The lecture series is part of the 13th annual Antiques at The Garden.

Tastemakers will be giving presentations during the event, and 22 dealers will be on hand with antiques, furniture, porcelain, fine art, silver, garden accessories and jewelry.

For more information and to purchase tickets to events, contact The Friends at 414-3950 or visit bbgardens.org/antiques.

By Emily Williams Though it has been nearly a decade since cancer took the life of Sam Lapidus at the age of 14, his memory lives on through the service work of others.

In addition to a yearly run, his name is immortalized through the annual Jam for Sam event, which will take place Aug. 26 at Red Hills Brewery in Homewood.

The event is organized by the Birmingham chapter of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, an international Jewish youth organization, of which Sam was a devoted member.

The organization’s Birmingham home is the Levite Jewish Community Center, a place that was like a second home to Sam. According to Sam’s father, Billy Lapidus, the event is the perfect representation of his son’s love of music, friends and family.

Through Jam for Sam, the organization raises funds for its yearly programming as well as for the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, where Sam received treatment.

“It means so much to us that the proceeds from this great celebration go toward finding a cure for childhood cancer,” Billy said.

“Children’s of Alabama means the world to the Lapidus family, and we are so thrilled and grateful that Children’s will benefit.”

Diagnosed at the age of nine, Sam battled Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of pediatric bone cancer, for almost six years.

“Sam could not have made it through his six years of living with cancer and all the treatments had it not been for the LJCC, where he spent as much time as he could, working out and hanging out with his many friends there,” Billy added.

Just before he turned 15, Lapidus passed away. To honor his life, one of his friends from the LJCC gym, Bruce Sokol, renamed its annual Montclair Run in his honor.

Jam for Sam became a way for Sam’s classmates and fellow youth group members to celebrate his life and support the organizations that did so much to support him throughout his illness.

According to Mesch AZA President Jack Steinmetz, Vicepresident Sam Estreicher and

D EN Y DOUBT. Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy.

And that’s when you need a teammate like Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center. Because our experts aggressively pursue victory over every injury.

Go to AndrewsSportsMedicine.com to start making your comeback.

Photo courtesy Birmingham Botanical Gardens

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

NEWS

8 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

event.

“The highlights of the event for everyone are when the helicopter does a flyover, and we meet the CCT team and tour the CCT ambulance on site,” Argo said. “This is how we know that our efforts have been validated.”

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Saving Kids Gets Expensive

Rotary Club members from District 6860 and Chidren’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport team at the Boiling N’ Bragging event last Saturday, from left: Lori Moler, Bo Porter, Mary Jean Sanspree, Carol Argo, Ted Burns, Sally Thomas, Jason Peterson and Benny Glaze.

By Air and Ground

Boiling N’ Bragging Event Nears the $1 Million Mark in Donations Generated for Children’s Critical Care Transport

By Emily Williams With funds raised at Saturday’s 10th annual Boiling N’ Bragging, a partnership between Rotary clubs and Children’s of Alabama’s Critical Care Transport is even closer to their goal of raising $1 million goal for the transporting of critically ill children to obtain medical care.

“We treat about 1,000 patients each year,” said Jason Peterson, Children’s CCT coordinator and flight nurse. “When you look at how many patients Children’s treats in a year, that doesn’t seem like very many, but we are treating those patients who are really really sick or really really injured. To their parents and families, each one counts for a whole lot.”

The idea for the event came up when a group of Rotarians in District 6860 got together to discuss ways the district could promote itself through one signature service project in which all the 50 participating clubs in North and Central Alabama could

take part.

“Children’s of Alabama is an organization that is widely respected for caring for children, and this seemed to be a good fit with the humanitarian efforts of Rotary, especially in the area of maternal and child health,” said District 6860 Gov. Carol Argo. “After discussing with staff of Children’s, Rotary District 6860 determined that we could make a significant impact by raising awareness and funds to support Critical Care Transport.”

Every county and club in the district, as well as the entire state, is touched by the CCT program, which was created 35 years ago to transport critically ill pediatric and neonatal patients who require the kind of specialized care that regular emergency medical services are not able to provide.

Peterson, who has been with the program for 24 years, said the Boiling N’ Bragging event and Rotary partnership has been a benefit to Rotary as well as his organization.

“It’s all about exposure,” he said.

“We’ve helped promote Rotary through this partnership and they help promote us, because a lot of people don’t realize that we are a part of Children’s of Alabama.”

The Boiling N’ Bragging event was born out of an effort to create a family-friendly fundraiser that wasn’t run-of-the-mill.

“We love football in the South, so a pre-season tailgate to kick off football season sounded like the ticket for a successful event. Add burgers and hotdogs and a low country boil, and it all makes for a great event,” Argo said.

In its first year, the tailgate was held inside Otey’s Tavern, with about 30 people participating.

“We quickly outgrew that venue and extended into the parking lot,” she said. “This year we have about 130 volunteers alone signed up to help with the event.”

In addition, Argo said, the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville chartered a bus to take its members to the

Among the crowd having fun at Boiling N’ Bragging last week were, left, Brooke Brown, Jennifer Bailey and Carrie Pittman. Right, Leesa, Holland and Adam Green.

Before this year’s event, the partnership had generated more than $760,000 of their $1 million goal.

According to Peterson, those funds are essential in covering the program’s operating costs, which gets quite pricey since they are not only traveling on the ground, but by air as well.

In the beginning, the team consisted of one mobile ICU ambulance and, when needed, UAB’s twinengine jet airplane for long-distance transport. Today, the program has tacked on a helicopter, which allows teams to fly directly to and from hospitals, and three more MICU ambulances, which allow the team to operate when the weather prevents safe helicopter flight.

“I ran the numbers the other day and, it’s interesting. There are 17 of us on the team - both full time and part time - and, collectively, we have 250 years of experience,” Peterson said. “So, we are a very tenured staff.

Not anybody can just hop on and do what we do, from an experience level, so everyone on our staff has greater than 15 years of experience.”

Outside of transporting critical patients to Children’s, the program sends its staff to treat high-risk patients across the state and throughout the Southeast, even taking on international flights on occasion. This takes Children’s of Alabama’s expertise to facilities throughout the state that may not otherwise have the knowledge or equipment needed.

“It’s known that, in most any clinical situations, one of the most important things to you at that time (of injury or illness) is that time is of the essence,” Peterson said. “What we are able to do is start time-sensitive treatments as soon as possible.

We are at those patients’ bedsides and we can get them into the operating rooms quicker.”

According to Argo, the transport service had a direct benefit for one of Rotary’s assistant governors when his child had to be airlifted to Children’s.

There are plans to add some ambulances in the near future; but farther out on the horizon, Peterson said, there may be the chance to transform a helicopter into an MICU, cutting down on the amount of equipment that needs to be loaded and unloaded for each trip.

Through the continued partnership with Rotary District 6860 and the funding from this year’s Boiling N’ Bragging, the CCT program can continue to work toward its goals near and far.

Red Mountain Park Welcomes New Executive Director

The Red Mountain Park Commission recently announced the hiring of T.C. McLemore as Red Mountain Park’s executive director.

In his new role, McLemore will manage park operations and fundraising for the 1,500-acre Birmingham greenspace.

He will work closely with his predecessor, Monica Romano, who recently was T.C. McLemore promoted to director of philanthropy for the park.

“Red Mountain Park sits squarely in the intersection of what keeps me committed to Birmingham – a beautiful greenspace dedicated to uncovering our city’s history while fostering public and civic health,” McLemore said. “I am excited to join a team of committed conservation, education, outdoor and nonprofit professionals.”

Before taking on his new position, McLemore had been employed with the Alabama Humanities Foundation, directing statewide educational programming. He has been a volunteer for Red Mountain Park for years and, most recently, served as the president of its junior board.

A native of Fort Payne, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UAB and was the university’s first graduate with honors in global and community leadership.

After serving in AmeriCorps Vista at Alabama Possible, he earned a master’s in history from UAB, receiving the David Hart White Prize in History.

“We are thrilled that T.C. is joining our team. His background in building dynamic community programs will prove tremendously beneficial for the work we have underway, and his energy and love for Red Mountain Park is evident,” said Mark Waggoner, park commissioner and chair of the executive director search.

McLemore noted that his role will be focused on the big goals in place for the park.

“I am energized by the fact that I share this great responsibility of stewardship and growth with passionate volunteer leadership and with the greater Birmingham community,” he said.

That volunteer leadership includes the Red Mountain Park Commission, 15 appointed members led by Chairman Steve Jones.

According to Jones, “T.C. is the right person at the right time, and the commission is delighted that he will be leading at an important time in the park’s history.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 9

NEWS

Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

naments every day, particularly at the Finley Center. And now we will have this venue to offer,” Brocato said.

“All the studies you read and all of the information that you gather from travel bureaus talk about the positive impact of youth sports on communities like Hoover,” he said.

“We consider ourselves now a major player in that area.” Southeastern Conference baseball holds its tournament at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Mayor Frank Brocato gets ready to cut the ribbon, officially opening the new baseball and softball fields at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

Metro Plex Fields Open

The mayor added that Hoover residents won’t be left out.

“We will incorporate our citizens into this, and our youth baseball and soccer teams into this complex as well. We want it to be something the community can use as well.”

On hand for the official opening of the fields were residents, Hoover High School cheerleaders and members of the Hoover soccer club, the Spain Park baseball team and Hoover High School girls’ softball team. The event featured inflat-

able games, face-painting artists, food vendors and a softball game featuring area celebrities.

Marina Gonzalez, 33, of Ross Bridge said she was excited about the new fields and hopes her son, 10-year-old Hector, gets to play baseball on them.

“I just love the way it looks,” she said. “It’s totally different from what he’s been playing on,” she said of the synthetic fields. “I actually want to come out and try it out.” ❖

A love of nature starts early.

Ours did too.

Phase Two Is in the Books, Phase Three Next on the Schedule

By William C. Singleton III The opening of the new Hoover Metropolitan Complex athletic fields will make Hoover a competitor for softball and baseball tournaments throughout the Southeast, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said.

“We’re looking forward to bringing people from across the United States, but particularly from the Southeastern United States, who will use this facility as well as the Finley Center so we can get an opportunity to showcase and let people know what a great city we live in,” he said.

Brocato and other city and parks and recreation officials and staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 11 to mark the official opening of the baseball and softball fields.

The fields include one grass field and four synthetic turf fields – all NCAA- regulation size – that can be converted to soccer and football fields as necessary, Brocato

said.

Completing the fields ends the second phase of the $80 million Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The Finley Center, a 155,000-squarefoot indoor events facility that features courts for basketball and volleyball tournaments, was completed last year.

The third phase of the project includes five football fields – which also will be used as soccer and lacrosse fields – 16 tennis courts, a splash park and a climbing adventure section in the Finley Center, said John Sparks, the newly hired general manager for the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

Brocato said the city amended its plans for the complex to include an all-inclusive 22,000-square-foot playground for children, including disabled children. The entire facility should be finished by the summer of 2019, he said.

“In addition to the SEC (baseball tournament) already using this complex, we are seeing youth tour-

Did you know that frogs are an indicator of the health of water systems? At Alabama Power, we’ve been helping manage and protect Alabama’s natural resources for more than a hundred years, partnering with organizations across the state to preserve the health of our river ecosystems. Plus, we work hard to care for wildlife habitats and give endangered species the chance for a future.

Because we love nature – and frogs – as much as you do.

AlabamaPower.com/Environment

© 2018 Alabama Power Company

Elyssa Simpson, 18, and Robin McCarty, 5, give their smiling approval to another successful face painting session.

LIFE

10 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Not the

Usual Fare

Savage’s Organizes Autistic Teen’s First Birthday Party

By Ingrid Schnader

‘Just through reaching out to the community, it’s been really great to see. We’ve had people walk in and just drop off gifts ...’

At her party, Bailey was surrounded by new friends.

Mothers of autistic children showed up and introduced their children to Bailey.

ELIZABETH SCOTT, SAVAGES BAKERY

party,” Scott recalled.

Scott had the idea to have Amy Bailey’s birthday party at the bakery, and Kirkpatrick agreed. They planned and put together her 13th birthday party within a day and a half.

“They didn’t have a lot of family or friends that might be able to come,” Scott said. “But I told her not to worry. We would make it extra special.”

Because Bailey is autistic, Scott reached out to KultureCity – an Alabama-based nonprofit – to see if there was anything specific she should do in the party room to help Bailey feel comfortable. KultureCity responded by bringing a bounce house, cornhole games and their brand-new Save vehicle.

“Just through reaching out to the community, it’s been really great to see,” Scott said.

“We’ve had people walk in and just drop off gifts out of nowhere and see what was happening and go next door to our neighbors, Jack and Jill and Sikes, and buy gifts and bring them for her. So it’s really been more than we ever thought it would be.”

Throughout the party, Kirkpatrick had a

smile on her face and her phone in her hand taking photos of Bailey at her very first birthday party.

“It’s hard to get autism kids in with regular kids during playtime,” she said. “So this is Amy’s first birthday party that she’s actually been invited to … . She doesn’t have any friends, except she has some that she talks to at school, but that’s it.”

At her party, Bailey was surrounded by new friends. Mothers of children with autism showed up and introduced their children to Bailey. Strangers wrapped up gifts and

dropped them off throughout the day. People showed Bailey how to play cornhole and hung out with her in the Save vehicle.

“It’s her first birthday (party), and she’s a teenager,” Scott said. “It’s kind of embarking on a really special time in her life. And from here on out, if she wants to have a party here every year for forever, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Amy didn’t know about the party until

they drove up to the bakery. She said that she was surprised and that her favorite part of the party was eating her flower-covered cake.

“We’ve been here since the ‘70s, Scott said. “It’s been a family business, and that’s really what we’re all about, community and family. If we can do little things like this every once in a while, then it really makes what we do all the more special and rewarding.”

Journal photos by Ingrid Schnader

Although the team at Savage’s Bakery has been creating birthday cakes for parties since it opened in the 1970s, they aren’t usually the people who throw the birthday parties.

However, when Elizabeth Scott – who owns the bakery with her father – received a call from Kim Kirkpatrick, her heart melted, she said.

“I was helping her on the phone, and she mentioned her daughter Amy was 13 and loved flowers and had never had a birthday

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 11

LIFE

Investing in the Indaba

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

2018 ZooGala Pitch Zoo as Community Investment

By Emily Williams In southern Africa, a gathering or meeting often is called an indaba.

Originally a term for a political conference between tribes, some of the largest indabas in southern Africa today range from conferences for tax professionals to cultural and tourism gatherings.

Throughout its existence, the Birmingham Zoo has been a place for children young and old to gather and spend time appreciating some of the most magical animals nature has to offer. That’s why this year’s ZooGala, presented by IBERIABANK has been dubbed “Indaba in Africa.” The event will be Sept. 14.

According to the 2018 ZooGala honorary chairs Roddy and Janice McKinney, the evening will celebrate the team of people running the zoo and the work they have done to improve the visitor experi-

Gearing up for the 2018 ZooGala on Sept. 14 is, from left, Lee McKinney, development committee co-chair; Roddy and Janice McKinney, honorary chairs; Candice McKinney, VIP pre-party chair; Leigh Davis, Sumner Rives and Amanda Davis, gala chairs; Britt Redden, gala advisor; Alex Morton, Birmingham market president of presenting sponsor IBERIABANK; Austin Davis, development committee chair; and Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo president and CEO.

ence.

“Right when you walk in, you see that the work on the new entrance has already started and a lot of changes are coming,” McKinney said.

Through continuous improvements – updates, new experiences, new animals and new locations such as the Trails of Africa and Henley Park event lawn – the zoo has been growing.

Officials at the zoo now are working on its Renew the Zoo capital campaign, which includes raising funds for the new entrance and welcome center, as well as the

forthcoming Asian Passage exhibit expansion.

In addition, McKinney noted that the zoo had a record attendance of more than 600,000 people last year and has set a goal to top one million visitors.

“We look at the zoo as one of the biggest assets for our youth in the community – not just in Birmingham, but in all of the 30-plus surrounding communities,” Roddy McKinney said.

McKinney said he believes having a place such as the zoo, where children from throughout the state are educationally entertained by the

natural world, is an investment in the future of the community as those children grow up and become professional leaders.

“Everything that is happening is because of the great team the zoo has in place,” he said. “It’s not just about the leaders. The people that make up the supporting staff do a wonderful job, and that’s what makes a good team – having great people all around you who are working together.”

Chairs for this year’s event are Amanda Davis, Leigh Davis and Sumner Rives, with Britt Redden serving as ZooGala adviser and

Candice McKinney chairing a VIP party.

The VIP party will begin at 6 p.m. in the Trails of Africa, where guests will get the chance to learn more about the zoo’s new conservation program.

The main event will be 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Children’s Zoo and will feature an online auction, a cocktail dinner created by Kathy G. & Company and dancing to music by The Main Attraction. The online auction opens Sept. 7.

For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.

11 PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. 205-971-DOCS.

Grandview Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider in Birmingham – quickly. Just call 205-971-DOCS. Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or a nurse practitioner at one of our 11 primary care locations. Walk-ins are welcome, too. If you or a family member age five or older needs to see a doctor fast, think Grandview Medical Group.

Schedule an appointment online, anytime, with select providers:

GrandviewMedicalGroup.com

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

101728_GRAN_GMG_10_375x6_25c.indd 1

Look Forward.

5/24/18 3:36 PM

12 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

LIFE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ALIMONY &

DIVORCE Author: Author : Kathryn Crawford Gentle Kathryn Crawford Gentle

ALIMONY

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

& Thingsthe to new Consider Under tax bill signed into law Creating byWhen Trump, alimonyapaid DIVORCE by one spouse Parenting Plan to the other will not be Author tax deductible, : Divorce is never easy, but it can Kathryn Crawford Gentle and the spouse receiving the alimony get even more difficult when there arelonger children involved.

Evento pay taxes on is no Under therequired new tax bill signed into law if you and your ex-spouse are alimony. amicable, it is essential you bothpaid by one spouse

by Trump, alimony

agree on a parenting plan in toany the other willaltered not be tax deductible, case of emergencies, To: Kathryn, Cameron and Hank In the system, it works the schedules, or changes in either andcurrent the spouse receiving the alimony one of your lives. You want the From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., opposite way, with the to payer deductis your no longer required pay taxes on best for child—and the best 205-824-1246, fax includes creating a parenting alimony. ing the full amount and the recipient Date: Aug. Clockwise from above, retired Hoover plan that covers all the important paying taxes This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN Police officer Mark Hearn with his JOURNAL for the issues whichincome may arise in the on the alimony grandson Baker; Anna Bell, Abbey future. best prevention is Aug. 23 issue InThe the current system, it works the received. preparation, and an experienced Ross and Julie Bentley; learing about Families enjoyed a night of fun on August 6 at opposite way, with deductdivorce attorney can create a the payer police work up close; Gregory and the Grove Shopping Center with members of the parenting all and ing plan the that fullinclude amount the recipient Eleni Schrieber; and Johnny, Fisher and Hoover Police Department. Children saw and Some Divorce lawyers say the current the necessary precautions you Cassidy DeBlieux. took part in demonstrations of police equipment paying income taxes onmore the alimony setup tends to preserve money should take. and had fun with moonwalks and face paintings.

Police Night Out

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

received.

overall toare allocate between spouses, The following things to consider when creating a parenting helping them afford living separately.

Some Divorce lawyers plan, including but not limited to: say the current

Others argue that the government will

• Schedules, setupincluding tends weekends to preserve more money • end Summer, winter, and spring of break up with more a divorcing pair’s overall to allocate between spouses, schedules income.

• combined Holidays helping them afford living separately.

• Vacations • YourOthers children’s argue birthdaysthat the government will new rules won’t affect anyone • The Overnight stays end up with more of a divorcing pair’s • Transportation divorcesincome. or signs a separation • who Child care combined • agreement Rules for meetingbefore new dating 2019. partners • Car seat Therequirements new rules won’t affect anyone • Critics Neutral drop-off locations fear that without deduction, whomethods divorces or signs athe separation • Discipline • higher-earning Vaccinations spouses won’t pay as agreement before 2019.

• Curfews their exes. Even though • much Sleeping to arrangements • Internet use fear that without the deduction, Critics alimony is just one of many factors in • Cell phone access higher-earning spouses won’t pay as • divorce, Expectations school itregarding is a highly contentious topic activities, sports, religion, etc. much to their exes.

Even though is changing drastically.

• that Third-party visitation • Legal and physical deci-of many factors in alimony is custody just one sions

is a highly contentious topic Duedivorce, to the itlength of time it takes to

Contact the Divorce Lawyers thatHave isa changing Who Seen It All finalize divorce indrastically.

Alabama and the Through years of experience and new law our taking knowledge, skilledeffect divorce January 1, 2019, Due to the length of time it takes to lawyers are equipped to handle anyone considering a divorce should finalize a divorce in Alabama and the the most complex of situations. contact usaspects today for an January immediate We handle all of divorce new law taking effect 1, 2019, and family law and our client’s consultation. needs always come first. anyone considering a divorce should To speak to a member of our firm, contact us today for an immediate 1629 Oxmoor Rd. contact our office by calling Lloyd and Hogan 205-969-6235.

Homewood consultation.

Attorneys at Law 871-STEP (7837)

Dancewear

Lloyd 2871 Actonand Road,Hogan #201 Birmingham, AttorneysALat35243 Law (205) 969-6235 2871 Acton Road, #201 www.lloydhoganlaw.com

Birmingham, AL 35243

Lloyd and Hogan Attorneys at Law

2871 Acton Road, #201 Birmingham, AL 35243 (205) 969-6235 www.lloydhoganlaw.com

(205) 969-6235 www.lloydhoganlaw.com

Mary Charles’ Doll House New, Collectible Antique Dolls 2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook Village 870-5544 Open Thur. - Sat. 10am - 4:30pm

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 13

LIFE

Special CD rates* when you open a new personal or business checking account.

Limited time offer.

12-Month CD

2.4O % 3.00

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

%

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

From left, Jabari Nix of Uptown Sheraton and Westin; Patrick McCown of Land and Sea; McCown’s sous chef for the cook-off, JSCC student Bridget Coleman; and Chef Joseph Mitchell, executive director of Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary and Hospitality School. Below, Greg Jeane talks about how the funds raised from Iron City Chef have been instrumental in the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club’s efforts to bring clean water and better living conditions to people living in the village of Sikuzu, Zambia. The Rotary Club also distributes money to Vestavia Hills City Schools’ debate and math teams.

Allez Cuisine!

Land and Sea’s McCown Named 2018 Iron City Chef Each summer, the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club brings chefs from some of the best restaurants in the area together for a night of friendly, but competitive, cooking.

This year’s Iron City Chef competition, held July 14 at Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary and Hospitality School, began with a tasting menu from four local chefs, including Patrick McCown of Land and Sea, Gary Jones of Root to Tail, Sean Butler of Five Star and Jabari Nix of Uptown Sheraton and Westin.

35-Month CD

WVTM’s Jerry Tracey served as master of ceremonies for the event, leading guests through tastings, as well as a silent auction and raffles.

McCown was named 2018 Iron City Chef Champion after facing off against Nix. Nix didn’t walk away empty-handed, taking home the People’s Choice title for the evening.

McCown’s sous chef for the cook-off, JSCC student Bridget Coleman, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for the win.

With the proceeds from the event, the Rotary Club anticipates being able to distribute approximately $18,000 to its international and local programs, which include supporting Vestavia Hills City Schools’ debate and math teams.

Students representing one of its beneficiaries, the Pizitz Middle School Math Team, helped with the festivities as hospitality ambassadors for guests.

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

*CD offer requires $10,000 minimum opening deposit and balance to obtain quoted APY. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.

Fees could reduce earnings from the account. CD offer expires 9/30/18 and only available at Pump House Plaza office.

FirstLink Gold or Platinum

Checking Account

2.27

%

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

on balances up to $20,000

Are you hungry for a church that still offers creative traditional worship services and sings the great hymns of the Christian faith with a 50-voice choir and wonderful pipe organ?

Come worship with us.

when qualifications are met‡

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church 2600 Vestavia Drive Birmingham, AL 35216 WWW.VHBC.COM

Hwy 280 at Pump House Road

205-582-1200 ‡

We are a intergenerational congregation big enough to offer the ministries of a larger church, and small enough to offer the intimacy of a church family that knows your name and loves each other.

When FirstLink Gold or Platinum Checking qualifications are met, the interest rate and corresponding annual percentage yield (APY) will be tiered. If the daily balance is $20,000 or less, the interest paid will be 2.25% with an APY of 2.27%.

An interest rate of .50% will be paid only for that portion of your daily balance that is greater than $20,000. The APY for this tier will range from 2.27% to .85% depending on the balance in the account. If qualifications are not met, the interest rate on your account will be .05% and the APY will be .05%. FirstLink Gold or Platinum Checking account is a variable rate account. The rate may change after the account is opened. The stated APY is accurate as of August 1, 2018. The minimum amount required to open the account is $100.00. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Member FDIC.

14 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

SOCIAL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

A POP OF COLOR Art Was on the Menu at Annual Picasso Pets Gala

Danielle and Christopher Tickell.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

G

uests donned their most colorful attire to attend Hand in Paw’s annual Picasso Pets on Aug. 11 at the Harbert Center.

The event was coordinated by Danielle Yancey. Morgan Murphy served as emcee, John M. Harbert II as sponsorship chair and Christie King as auctioneer.

Throughout the evening, attendees were able to mingle with therapy animals, peruse items in silent and live auctions, take photos on a step and repeat and pull a bottle of wine from a wine pull.

A seated dinner of salad, horseradishcrusted filet mignon, pan-seared salmon with a peach glaze, McEwan and Sons blue corn grit cakes and roasted asparagus was served.

The highlight of the evening was the debut of original works of art during dinner, created by special pets with help from local artists. The sale proceeds support the organization’s mission to train therapy animals and provide animal-assisted therapy throughout the metro area.

The paintings debuted at the event were created by Bob McKenna, with Cameron and Scott Vowell’s pet Elsa; Kristi Oelschlaeger, with Kim Morgan and Corbin Day’s pets Callie and Fhearghuis; Thomas Andrew, with Kathryn and Cody Ryder’s pet Murphy; Linda Ellen Price, with Cathy and Jack Stephenson’s pets Sadie and Braxton; Danielle Tickell, with Shelley Jone’s mini horse Pogo; and John Lytle Wilson, with Danielle and Bart Yancey’s pets Trooper, Sweet Pea and Willie. ❖

From left, Brooks and Ellen Proctor with David and Katie Gibert.

Above, Jennifer and Ernest Bates.

Left, the Stephenson family: Laura, Robert, Leyden, Lucy and Braxton with Brooke and John Comer with Jack and Cathy.

Ashley Guest

Emily Morrow and Rachel Ingram.

2018 OVER THE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW

FOOTBALL AUGUST 23, 2018 u OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

TOP PICKENS HOOVER SENIOR MIGHT BE BEST RECEIVER IN THE NATION

INSIDE TEAM PROFILES

u

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

‘... we could have an outstanding team that knocks the top of it off’ Fred Yancey

u

SCHEDULES

‘The expectations for us are really high ...’

Ben Berguson

BRIARWOOD | 6

‘It comes down to dayto-day work ethic’ Chris Yeager

MOUNTAIN BROOK | 14

HOMEWOOD | 8

‘We’ve got some kids who can play’ Cris Bell

OAK MOUNTAIN |16

u

ROSTERS

u

VESTAVIA PLANS TO HONOR 1978 AND 1998 TEAMS

‘It’s all about competiting.’

Josh Niblett

HOOVER | 10

‘We’re excited about the move’ Logan Colafrancesco

JOHN CARROLL | 12

‘Every week, we’ve got to bring it’ Shawn Raney

‘Real good leadership coming back’ Buddy Anderson

SPAIN PARK | 18

VESTAVIA HILLS HILLS | 20 Journal photos by Lee Walls, Jr., Marvin Gentry, Mark Almond and Bryan Bunch

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

REBEL REWIND

Vestavia Hills Plans to Honor Anderson’s First Season and 1998 Title Team

By Rubin E. Grant As he embarks on his 41st season as Vestavia Hills’ head football coach, Buddy Anderson remembers his first season as if it unfolded yesterday.

In 1978, Anderson was elevated to the head job after spending six seasons as a Rebels assistant.

Vestavia Hills reached the 1978 Class 4A championship game – the highest classification level then – but lost 21-7 to Jeff Davis in the final, finishing with a 10-4 record.

The outcome wasn’t as close as most of the Rebels’ games that year.

“They had a nickname, the ‘Cardiac Crew,’” Anderson recalled. “We had no blowouts the entire season. I was 28 years old at the time, but if I was 68 like I am now, I probably would have had a heart attack.”

The Rebels will honor Anderson’s first season and Vestavia Hills’ 1998 championship team this fall. Details were still being worked out at the time of publication. Both seasons will be commemorated in the Rebels’ all sports program that will be sold during home football games.

Vestavia Hills actually started the 1978 season 0-2, losing 3-0 to Mountain Brook in the opener.

“We fumbled on the two-inch line late in the game,” Anderson bemoaned all these years later.

The next week, the Rebels went to Jasper to play Walker and its high school AllAmerican tailback Linnie Patrick.

“We got inside the 20-yard line five times and we scored only once,” Anderson said.

“Linnie scored on two long runs, I believe one was 78 and the other 80, and we lost 14-7.”

In desperate need of a win, the Rebels visited Hewitt-Trussville in week 3 with both sporting 0-2 records. The Rebels shut out the Huskies 14-0, using two goal-line stands.

The next week they rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Minor 15-14, with tailback Scott Waggoner scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 30-yard run, following a Minor fumble.

“They were up 14-9 and were about to score,” Anderson said. “They ran a quarterback sneak and our defensive tackle reached up and knocked the ball loose. (Rebel defensive end) David Jordan caught it and started running. I was faster than him and I was running down the sideline yelling at him that he’s got to score, but they tackled him. But then Scott scored to put us up.”

With less than a minute to play, something peculiar happened.

“Our quarterback, John Murphy, came up to the line and called time out and came over to the sideline, and I said, ‘All you had to do was take a knee,’” Anderson said. “He said (center) John Simonetti’s pants were split from end to end and all that’s under there is his athletic supporter. I told him he better go back out there and take the snap,” Anderson added with a laugh.

Second-Hand Blues

The wardrobe malfunction was a product of some used uniforms. When the Birmingham Americans of the defunct World

Vestavia High School yearbook photos courtesy Buddy Anderson

n

2 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

‘EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE AND GUYS STARTED BELIEVING THEY COULD SUCCEED. THAT’S WHAT I REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THAT SEASON.’ Vestavia Hills’ head football coach, Buddy Anderson on his first team in 1978, above.

‘THAT WAS A REAL SPECIAL BUNCH. OVER THEIR THREE-YEAR PERIOD, THEY WERE 39-3.

THE CHEMISTRY OF THAT BUNCH WAS UNIQUE.’ Vestavia Hills’ head football coach, Buddy Anderson on the 1998 state championship team, above.

Football League folded, their uniforms were repossessed.

Anderson was working under a tight budget and had just enough funds to get their helmets and shoulder pads reconditioned, but not enough to buy new uniforms. Since the Americans’ colors were the same as Vestavia’s – red, white and blue – he was able to make a deal for those.

“We were using those pants and they were about 10 years old,” Anderson said, explaining the wardrobe malfunction.

After evening their record at 2-2, the Rebels lost the following week 21-14 to rival Berry, then reeled off eight consecutive wins, including playoff victories over Tuscaloosa County, Banks and powerful J.O Johnson.

The 27-25 victory against Johnson in Huntsville was a major upset since the Jaguars had two defensive players, Donnie

Humphrey and Chris Martin, who later played at Auburn and in the NFL. Plus, their tailback, Clarence Johnson, went on to become the University of North Alabama’s all-time leading rusher and career touchdown leader.

“We were outweighed across the front by about 60 pounds,” Anderson said. “We had a 20-19 lead and they scored to go up 25-20 and decided to go for two. They had Humphrey and Martin lined up in the backfield and Clarence Johnson behind them. We couldn’t see Clarence with those big guys in front of him, but for some reason they threw a pass and we knocked it down.

“Then we came back and scored. We threw a screen to Ry Oglivie and he made a great run and scored, and we kicked the extra point and won 27-25.”

Oglivie, a senior running back and defen-

sive back, was named All-State that season, as was end Jim Brown.

The Rebels’ hopes of their first state title ended against Jeff Davis.

“We got beat by Jeff Davis, but I remember every game was nip and tuck,” Anderson said. “Everything fell into place and guys started believing they could succeed. That’s what I remember most about that season.”

Record Streak

Since then, Anderson has gone on to become the winningest high school football coach in Alabama, with a record of 329-146 in 40 seasons.

He was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Association Hall of Fame on July 2 during a banquet in Chicago.

See VESTAVIA, page 4

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 3

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

$32,995*

$39,995*

EDWARDS CHEVROLET 280 5499 HIGHWAY 280 EAST BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 SALES: (205)-980-DEAL (3325) 280.chevyman.com

EDWARDS CHEVROLET DOWNTOWN 1400 THIRD AVE. NORTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203 SALES: (205)-716-3330 downtown.chevyman.com

Over the Mountain

2018 Football Schedule BRIARWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Date

Opponent

Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 25 (Thurs.)

Nov. 2

Vestavia Hills Chelsea Pleasant Grove Woodlawn Wenonah Hartselle John Carroll Parker (HC) Ramsay Fairfield Hueytown

Date

Opponent

Location AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME

JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL

Location

Aug. 24 St. Clair County Aug. 31 Leeds Sept. 7 Fairfield Sept. 13 (Thurs.) Parker Sept. 21 Woodlawn (HC) Sept. 28 Fultondale Oct. 5 Briarwood Oct. 12 Pleasant Grove Oct. 18 (Thurs.) Wenonah Oct. 25 (Thurs.) Ramsay

Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26

HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME AWAY HOME

SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL Opponent

Hillcrest Bessemer City Vestavia Hills Mountain Brook Hewitt-Trussville Thompson Hoover Oak Mountain Tuscaloosa Cty (HC)

Nov. 1 (Thurs.) Shades Valley

Location HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME

AWAY

Date

HOMEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Opponent

Aug. 23 (Thurs.) Hueytown Aug. 31 Vestavia Hills Sept. 7 Pelham Sept. 14 Helena Sept. 28 Center Point (HC) Oct. 5 Minor Oct. 12 Chelsea Oct. 19 Carver Oct. 25 (Thurs.) Jackson-Olin Nov. 2 Paul W. Bryant

Date

Location HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME

MTN BROOK HIGH SCHOOL Opponent

Aug. 24 Northridge Aug. 30 (Thurs.) Center Point Sept. 7 Tuscaloosa Cty Sept. 14 Spain Park Sept. 21 Vestavia Hills Oct. 4 (Thurs.) Oak Mountain Oct. 12 Hewitt-Trussville Oct. 19 Thompson Oct. 26 Hoover Nov. 2 Gardendale (HC)

Location AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME

Date

HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL Opponent

Aug. 25 (Sat., 11 a.m.) Pinson Valley Aug. 31 St. John’s Sept. 7 Thompson Sept. 14 Hewitt-Trussville Sept. 21 Oak Mountain Oct. 5 Tuscaloosa Cty (HC) Oct. 12 Spain Park Oct. 19 Vestavia Hills Oct. 26 Mountain Brook Nov. 2 IMG Academy

Date

Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26

Nov. 2

HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME

OAK MTN. HIGH SCHOOL

Aug. 24 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 4 (Thurs.)

Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2

Date

Location

Opponent

Location

Chelsea Hewitt-Trussville Thompson Hoover Pelham Mountain Brook Tuscaloosa Cty Spain Park (HC) Vestavia Hills Center Point

HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME HOME

VESTAVIA HIGH SCHOOL Opponent

Briarwood Homewood Spain Park Tuscaloosa Cty Mountain Brook Shades Valley Hewitt-Trussville Thompson Hoover Oak Mountain

Huffman (HC)

Location

HOME HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY

HOME

* Plus tax, title, and administrative fee. All rebates to dealer. Rebates subject to change without notice. 2018 Tahoe LS starting at $39,995. 2018 Silverado Double Cab Custom starting at $32,995

4 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

‘A DYNAMIC PLAYER’ Five-star Rating for Hoover Senior Headed to Auburn

By the time the 2018 season ends, Hoover senior George Pickens could be the No. 1 receiving recruit in the nation.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Pickens already has garnered a five-star rating from Rivals.com.

“Pickens’ size, speed, play-making ability and relentless competitiveness remind me of the best wide receivers I’ve seen since I’ve been doing this job,” Southast recruiting analyst Woody Wommack told Rivals. “By the time the season is played and we get to the All-American games, there is going to be quite the debate for the No. 1 wide receiver spot and Pickens will be in the discussion.”

Pickens, an Auburn commit, displayed his skills during four days of competition at The Opening recruiting showcase in Frisco, Texas, earlier this summer. It included a spectacular leaping one-handed catch, a la Odell Beckham of the NFL’s New York Giants.

In his first varsity season, in 2017, Pickens caught 46 ‘HE IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO IS CONSTANTLY passes for 735 yards and five TRYING TO MASTER HIS TRADE AND WHAT HE’S REALLY touchdowns while playing GOOD AT. HE HAS CONFIDENCE ABOUT WHAT HE’S alongside receiver Shedrick Jackson, who’s now at DOING AND KNOWS HE CAN MAKE A PLAY WHEN Auburn. Pickens also returned THE BALL IS IN THE AIR.’ two punts for touchdowns.

Hoover coach Josh Niblett raves about Pickens’ play-making ability and work ethic.

“He’s a dynamic player who can do things that other guys can’t do,” Niblett said. “He is one of those guys who is constantly trying to master his trade and what he’s really good at. He has confidence about what he’s doing and knows he can make a play when the ball is in the air.

“He gives us a chance to stretch the field vertically and horizontally.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pickens chose Auburn, despite offers from several SEC schools, including Alabama and Georgia.

His family has known Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey for several years. Malzahn coached Pickens’ brother, Chris Humes, at Arkansas State, and Lindsey coached Humes at Spain Park.

Humes starred as a defensive back at Spain Park, graduated in 2012 and played at Arkansas State before a short stint in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. He now plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.

If that wasn’t enough of an Auburn connection, during the summer, Pickens played on the same 7-on-7 team as Auburn quarterback commit Bo Nix. Nix is a senior at Pinson Valley, where his dad, former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, is the coach.

Pickens and Hoover open the 2018 season against defending Class 6A champion Pinson Valley and Nix on Aug. 25 in a made-for-TV doubleheader to be broadcast by ESPN.

VESTAVIA From page 2

In his second season, the Rebels finished as 1979 Class 4A runner-ups to Enterprise before Anderson won his first state title in 1980 against Parker.

1998 Champs

Anderson would have to wait another 18 years to get another, in 1998 when Vestavia Hills won the Class 6A championship with an unblemished 15-0 record. They defeated rivals Shades Valley and Mountain Brook twice, once in the regular season and again in the playoffs, and beat Vigor 10-7 in the championship game.

“That was a real special bunch,” Anderson said. “Over their three-year period, they were 39-3. The chemistry of that bunch was unique. Every Friday night, they came to play. You didn’t have to motivate them.”

Brent Speigner, a three-year starter, was the quarterback. He had experienced the Rebels losing in the 1996 quarterfinals to Jeff Davis as a sophomore and in the 1997 semifinals in a triple-overtime heartbreaker to Benjamin Russell as a junior.

Finally, his senior season, Speigner and the Rebels were able to clutch the blue championship trophy.

“We had a great group of guys,” Speigner said from Cumming, Georgia, where he lives his wife, Lindsey, and their two children, Addie and Bo. “We didn’t have anybody who was a superstar, but we had guys who were just great teammates, great high school football players. We loved each other and we made a bond to play for each other. We had a great group of coaches.

“We knew we were good enough to win and we kind of expected to. We had some close calls.”

The closest came in the semifinals against Shades Valley. The Rebels prevailed 42-35 in overtime.

“They had three great linebackers,” Anderson recalled, referring to the Mounties’ Saleem Rasheed, Mayo Sowell and Pierre Brown. Rasheed went to Alabama and played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, Sowell went to Auburn and Brown to Arkansas.

The Rebels didn’t have any lineman who weighed more than 235 pounds, but “they were scrappers and they knew how to block,” Anderson said.

In the finals against Vigor, the Rebels scored the winning touchdown on John Holloway’s 8-yard run with 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“That was a game that had a lot of hard licks,” Anderson said.

Safety Robert Evans made a big play with 1:52 remaining in the game to secure the win.

“They had a big receiver named Larry Howell, who was about 6-4, and they had the ball on fourth-and-four or five from about our 16-yard line,” Anderson said. “We

Journal file photo by Lee walls, Jr,

By Rubin E. Grant

George Pickens

called timeout and one of the coaches told me to move Robert over to cover Howell.

He figured they would throw the ball to him in the end zone.

“I didn’t want to put Robert over there. I said, ‘What if they throw it over the middle?’ Reluctantly I moved Robert over there, they threw it up and he knocked it down.”

Remembering the play, Evans, now the defensive coordinator at Mountain Brook, said he didn’t do anything special.

“Looking back, that play got a lot of notoriety, but it wasn’t that big,” said Evans, who was named the game’s MVP. “I just went up and knocked the ball down. In my honest opinion, there were several other plays in that game that meant more.”

That was typical of how Evans characterized the Rebels’ 1998 championship team.

“We had a lot of experienced guys who had been in big games in multiple sports,” he said. “We were not great in any one phase, but we played our best in big moments.”

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 5

NEW DECOR ATED MODEL S

NOW OPEN THE TOBE The 5 BR / 5 BA, 3-car-garage, 3,700 square foot Tobe has soaring 10’ ceilings and an abundance of windows. With the master suite on the main floor, you’ll have the convenience of a large laundry room off the master bedroom and you’ll enjoy an expansive master bathroom with his & hers vanities and an oversized shower.

THE CLAYTON A 5 BR / 4 BA, 3,411 square foot plan, The Clayton features a gourmet kitchen, island, and plentiful cabinet space and flows into a large Great Room. This open floor plan allows for a seamless transition between cooking, eating, and relaxing, bringing friends and family closer together.

(205) 945-6401 | libertypark.com @libertyparkcommunity @libertyparkal @libertypark

N E W H O M E S • H I G H LY R AT E D V E S TA V I A H I L L S S C H O O L S • S W I M C E N T E R • T E N N I S C E N T E R • P A R K S • P L AY G R O U N D S • W A L K I N G T R A I L S All information herein believed accurate but not warranted or guaranteed and subject to change without notice. Future additions and amenities subject to change without notice. Liberty Park Joint Venture, LLP and its affiliates, officers, employees and agents are not responsible for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any of the above information. All rights reserved.

664-874_OTMJ_August_Tobe&Clayton.indd 1

8/2/18 11:44 AM

6 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

BRIARWOOD FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Members of the 2018 Briarwood Christian School varsity football team include: Mark Hand, Cade Mango, Brooks Donnelly, Jonah Carroll, Cal Higdon, Chase Travis, Sam Hamner, Cade Dickinson, J R Tran-Reno, Andrew Jones, Parker Hutson, Cohen Luker, Matthew McKenna, Sam Gage, Luke Hand, Eli Steadman, Mason Algren, Bryce Perrien, Jacob Burr, Blake McKenna, Andrew Hill, Cal Reebals, Jay Kynerd, Alex Key, Tyler Smith, Reid Mays, Luke Prewett, Bailey Salmon, Michael Murphy, Alaster Harris, Christian Ferguson, Tyler Waugh, Noah Nall, Quaid Rasmussen, Cole Garner, Daniel Corbin, Turner Murphy, Noah Whatley, Knox Wolsoncroft, Clayton Rasmussen, Landon Berg, John Ashton PerryHeard, Carson McKeen, Cole Scordino, Ross Godbehere, Parker Will, Ian Davis, Alex Miller, Trent Howard, Carson Miller, Harris Smith, Colin Dorrill, Will Barnes, Chandler Key, Will Brewer, Dalton Brooks and Ian Sorrels.

‘WE COULD HAVE AN OUTSTANDING TEAM’

Briarwood Faces a Tough Schedule but Aims for the Top With Position Switches

By Blake Ells It’s tough to find room for improvement when you’re coming off of a 14-1 season.

Briarwood Christian School fell in last season’s state championship game to St. Paul’s Episcopal 17-14 when the Saints scored on a fourth down with 1:54 remaining in the game.

After its third title in four years, St. Paul’s now moves to 6A because of the AHSAA’s new competitive balance rule.

“We were pretty doggone good last year at 14-1,” said coach Fred Yancey. “I wish we could have come out ahead in that last game, but you have to give St. Paul’s credit; they were in the same boat we were and we were in the same boat they were and they got the win. But I never looked back on that game and said, ‘If we had improved from that team, we would have been state champions.’

Our kids were as good as they could be and they played great.”

This is a new season, he assures, and a new gauntlet awaits. The Lions have a tough schedule; they’ll play up, with three nonregion, 6A contests this season. Chelsea, Hartselle and Hueytown promise to be formidable foes, while 2016 state champion Ramsay drops from 6A into Briarwood’s 5A Region 4. They’ll also face Wenonah, John Carroll, Woodlawn, Parker, Pleasant Grove and Fairfield in region play.

“I don’t anticipate that we’ll be able to go through the season undefeated like we did for so long,” Yancey said. “We’ll have difficulty

matching that record. But we could have an outstanding team that knocks the top of it off.

You don’t know.”

Change Places

If that happens, it will begin with a major

position change from Briarwood’s best athlete. Star running back J.R. Tran-Reno will move to quarterback, a move that comes after Tran-Reno verbally committed to Vanderbilt as a running back. He chose the Commodores over 28 other offers.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Briarwood key players with head coach Fred Yancey from left: Noah Whatley, Bryce Perrien, Sam Hamner and Dalton Brooks.

Briarwood

AT A GLANCE

Head coach: Fred Yancey 2017 record: 14-1 Region: Class 5A Region Five: Fairfield, Pleasant Grove, Wenonah, Woodlawn, John Carroll, Ramsay, Parker.

Stadium: Lion Pride Field (5,000)

“Honestly, I’ve seen him playing quarterback most of his life,” Yancey said. “We just loaned him out to the receivers and running backs anyway. He’s a natural quarterback, and he’s excited about getting this year going and leading our team in every way.”

Yancey and the Lions aren’t concerned about the 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound senior’s ability to roam between positions. They’re most concerned about putting him in the position that gives their team its greatest shot at victory.

“We’re going to try to win games,” Yancey laughed. “And if I needed to move him to right tackle to win games, J.R. would do it and so would I.” Tran-Reno will be backed up by sophomore Jonah Carroll, a rising young quarterback whom Yancey likes a lot. Coaches like Carroll so much, in fact, they expect him to see quality game action this season.

* Region Game J.R. Tran-Reno

‘WE’RE GOING TO TRY TO WIN

Peter Millar

Southern Tide

Southern Proper

Southern Point

OPPONENT @ Vestavia Hills @ Chelsea @ Pleasant Grove* @ Woodlawn* Wenonah* @ Hartselle @ John Carroll* Parker* (HC) @ Ramsay* Fairfield* Hueytown

Smathers & Branson

Barbour

DATE Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 25 (Thurs.)

Nov. 2

this season.

“They weren’t starters (at their positions) a year ago, but they’ve improved and they’re big enough and strong enough now to really do some good work,” said Yancey.

On the other side of the ball, the Lions welcome back many pieces of a defense that allowed no more than two touchdowns to any opponent during the regular season. Yancey expects his secondary to be a strength, led by senior Cade Dickinson. The returning starter and all-state safety offers experience and speed.

Sam Hamner moves from linebacker to start at the other safety position. Cade Mango will start at cornerback for the first season, and as camp winds down, competition

Barbour

BRIARWOOD 2018 SCHEDULE

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 7

BRIARWOOD FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

GAMES,’ YANCEY LAUGHED. ‘AND IF I

remains fierce at the other corner spot. Senior Michael Murphy and sophomores Alaster Harris and Cal Higdon are all competing for time, with each figuring to see playing time this year.

Senior Mark Hand is a three-year starter at linebacker. At 6 feet 2 inches, 210 pounds and with good speed, he’s the prototype, and Yancey expects even bigger things from him as a senior.

Briarwood will open its season with a jamboree at Vestavia Hills on Aug. 24. The regular season begins Aug. 31 at Chelsea.

To: From: Date:

Southern Point

Luke Prewett will get most of the reps at running back. The 5-foot-9-inch, 186-pound junior got a lot of playing time a year ago, and he’s improved quite a bit over the summer, participating in and taking advantage of all summer workouts.

The offensive line has some new faces. It also has some familiar faces in new positions, including Noah Whatley. Last season, Whatley spent time as a starter at tight end, but he’ll move inside to guard for the first time. Landon Berg was the backup center last season, and he’ll move into a starting role

Saturday, Game Day Ready THE SUMMIT • 123 SUMMIT BOULEVARD 977-5512 • REMONSCLOTHIER.COM

Smathers & Branson

Peter Millar

Southern Tide

Remon's Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 August

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the August 24, 2017 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Southern Proper

AND SO WOULD I.’

Barbour

TO RIGHT TACKLE TO WIN GAMES, J.R. WOULD DO IT

Barbour

NEEDED TO MOVE HIM (TRAN-RENO)

HOMEWOOD FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

8 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

Members of the 2018 Homewood High School varsity football team include: KeOnte Davis, Khardi Dalton, Len Irvine, Wesley Williams, Tre Roberson, Marcus McGhee, Kameron Gaines, Sam Dill, Trae Ausmer, Larkin Williams, Charlie Goode, Cameron Green, Stephon May, Alex Ray, Lane Gilchrist, Ky Burdeshaw, Pate Owen, Traveon Allen, Gabe Madden, Jaden Alexander, Blake Bunshaw, Roderick Coleman, Michael Kash, David Estrada, Hansin Dalton, Darrius Hentley, Cameron Humes, Dwayne Smith, Justin Towner, Pate McDaniel, Antoine Christian, J’veon Snow, Dashaun Cottrell, John Firnberg, Charlie Williams, Campbell Brabston, Jackson Lindsey, John Mark Crocker, Crawford Doyle, Justin Williams, Emmanuel Erhumwunsee, Nicholas Burczyk, Frank Studinka, Brody Butler, Antoine McGhee, Vincent Adams, Tobias Thomas, Levi Miller, Ryan Maxwell, D.J. Parker, Jalen Wright, Griffin Vail, Edrick Cunningham, Rene Briseno, Clark Snow, Will Strong, Anias Thomas, Johnny Moreno, Lucas Padgett, Jaheim Jackson, Jekobie Harris, Grayson Kelley, James Brooks, Foster Snow, Jed Stone, Caleb Walker, Keyante Rogers, Robert Wilkerson and Wilson McCraw.

‘THE EXPECTATIONS FOR US ARE REALLY HIGH’ Homewood Has Experience in the Right Positions

By Rubin E. Grant The Homewood Patriots enter the 2018 football season with designs on making a run at the Class 6A title.

In 2017, Homewood came within a minute of finishing the regular season unbeaten.

Then after a thrilling comeback first-round playoff win against Fort Payne, the Patriots were eliminated in the second round by ClayChalkville to finish the year 10-2.

Coach Ben Berguson understands fans are expecting more from the Patriots this fall and so does he, but he sounded a word of caution.

“The expectations for us are really high, but we have to replace 15 starters,” Berguson said. “But the starters returning off last year’s team are in the right positions.”

That begins with quarterback Larkin Williams, a three-year starter.

“He’s got a high football IQ and he processes things quickly,” Berguson said. “With all the experience he has, it’s like having another coach.”

Tre Roberson, the son of former Homewood quarterback and current Birmingham City Councilman Jay Roberson, is the backup.

“We experimented with him at receiver in the spring because he’s really athletic,” Berguson said. “He came out of spring as our top receiver. There’s a lot of hype surrounding him as a quarterback. He’s probably the best athlete in our school. We’re going to try to get him and Larkin on the field at the same time as much as possible.”

At running back, the Patriots will have juniors KeOnte Davis and Khardi Dalton.

“KeOnte is a real explosive runner and ‘K.D.’ has got great vision, so we’ll have a great one-two punch at tailback.”

Freshman Hanson Dalton, K.D.’s younger brother, has been pulled up from the junior

varsity to add depth.

“He’s been so impressive,” Berguson said.

The Patriots will employ an H-back this season with senior Wilson McCraw and junior Pate Owen splitting time.

“Both are hybrid players who can play in the backfield or tight end or we can flex them as wide receivers,” Berguson said.

In addition to Roberson, the Patriots will feature 6-foot-1-inch senior Marcus McGhee as a wide receiver.

“He’s someone you should keep your eye on,” Berguson said. “He played in the shadow of TyShawn Bucker (now at Navy) last

year. He’s got really soft hands.”

Senior Wesley Williams and junior Trae Ausmer, an ultra-quick 5-foot-5-inch speedster, will be used as slot receivers. Impressive sophomore Len Irvine also will be in the mix.

The offensive line has tremendous size, averaging 270 pounds.

“We haven’t been big across the front like that in a few years,” Berguson said.

Leading the way is 6-foot-7-inch, 330pound senior left tackle Grayson Kelley.

“He’s such a man,” Berguson said. “He’s being recruited, but he didn’t earn a starting

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Homewood

AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Ben Berguson 2017 Record: 5-6 Region: Class 6A Region 5 Pelham, Helena, Minor, Chelsea, Carver, Jackson-Olin, Paul W. Bryant.

Stadium: Waldrop Stadium (5,000)

role until toward the end of last season, so there’s not a lot of film on him. He’ll be evaluated (by college recruiters) early in the year to see what level of school he’ll go to.”

At right tackle, the Patriots will have 6-foot-4-inch, 290-pound junior Jekobie Harris. Senior Will Strong, at left guard, and sophomores Lucas Padgett, at center, and Clark Snow, at right guard, also will start.

“We don’t have any depth, so our biggest problem will be staying healthy,” Berguson said. “That’s the biggest problem for the whole team. We can’t catch the injury bug.”

The offense also has been bolstered by the addition of new offensive coordinator Heath Brunner, the former head coach at Jasper.

“He brings a different energy to our offense,” Berguson said.

Strong Defense Up Front

Homewood leaders with head coach Ben Berguson front, from left: Antoine McGhee, Larkin Williams and Crawford Doyle. Back, Grayson Kelley and Marcus McGhee.

Defensively, the Patriots are strong up front but inexperienced in the secondary.

“Our front seven on defense is as good as it’s ever been,” Berguson said.

Anchoring the defensive line is 5-foot-7inch, 240-pound senior nose tackle Antoine McGhee.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOMEWOOD 2018 SCHEDULE DATE Aug. 23 (Thurs.)

Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 25 (Thurs.)

Nov. 2

OPPONENT Hueytown** @ Vestavia Hills Pelham* @ Helena* Center Point (HC) Minor* Chelsea* @ Carver* @ Jackson-Olin* Paul W. Bryant*

* Region Game **@Samford University Larkin Williams

“He had 15 tackles for losses last year, and even when he’s not making tackles, he’s very disruptive,” Berguson said.

McGhee, who broke his ankle late last season, will be backed up by senior Rene Briseno.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 235-pound McCraw and fellow seniors Tobias Thomas and Vincent Adams will rotate at defensive end.

The linebacking corps will feature seniors Crawford Doyle and Charlie Williams on the inside and seniors John Firnberg and Traveon Allen on the outside. Doyle led the team with

HOMEWOOD FOOTBALL 100 tackles last year.

Berguson described the 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound Firnberg as “the best-looking kid on the team” from a physical standpoint because he spends plenty of time in the weight room.

The Patriots’ secondary took the biggest hit from last season. Not only did cornerback C.D. Daniels and strong safety Kris Wilkins graduate – Daniels is at UAB and Wilkins is at Faulkner University – but cornerback Jaden Alexander tore his ACL in a 7-on-7 tournament at Spain Park during the summer and will miss the season.

K.D. Dalton will start at one corner and senior Dwayne Smith will start at the other.

Seniors Michael Kash and Ky Burdeshaw will play safety and junior Gabe Madden will back up at each position in secondary and outside linebacker.

Junior Lane Gilchrist will handle all the kicking chores.

“He’s a weapon,” Berguson said. “He puts the ball in the end zone on kickoffs and he’s good from 50 yards in on field goals.”

Homewood will play its season-opener against Hueytown on Aug. 23 at Samford.

The following week the Patriots will travel to Vestavia Hills, which they defeated for the first time in 10 tries last fall.

The Patriots’ first Class 6A, Region 5 game will be against Pelham. Helena, Minor, Chelsea, Carver-Birmingham and Jackson-Olin are other region opponents.

Homewood’s other non-region game is against Center Point.

“We’ve had nine- and 10-win seasons in recent years,” Berguson said. “The thing that has eluded us is the quarterfinals.

That’s a big goal for us.”

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 9

BRACELETS

Celebrate life's special occassions.

Park South Plaza 1425 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 111 Next to Diplomat Deli in Vestavia Hills

Mon.-Fri. 9:30 - 5:30 • Sat. 10-3 • (205) 822-9173

2814 18th St. S., Homewood 205.703.8596

10 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Photo courtesy TCI Sports/Barry Stephenson

HOOVER FOOTBALL

Members of the 2018 Hoover High School varsity football team include: George Pickens, Kaulin Jackson, Will Reichard, Larry McCammon, Jabari Moore, Nick Curtis, Zach Elam, Omari Brown, Myles Spurling, MJ Rogers, Javion Underwood, Cooper Tullo, Ben Trulove, Jack Mayberry, Seth Parker, Connor Dubble, Robby Ashford, Xavier Long, Levi McCree, Josh Lundy, Matthew Palmer, Brian Porter, Codey Martin, Kory Chapman, Ladarius McCammon, Dylan Pauly, Simeon Palmore, Lloyd Hill Jr., Isaac Lovoy, Anthony Hayes, Messiah Tolen, Kobe Williams, Blaine Crook, Jalen Jones, Jesse Kelley, Kam Whitaker, Joseph Davis, Marcus Williams, Cedric Smith, Chris Mack, Tyler Jones, Nicholas Young, Constantine Hontzas, Vinze Moore, KeVunn McConnico, Xzaviah Horton, Josh Smith, Ben Hendrix, Ryan Caldbeck, Greg Russell, Brooks Brymer, Kam Robinson, Drew Tountasakis, Aarren Smith, Sam Suswam, Cameron Johnson, Jaylen Pippen, Jeppa Kilgore, Kristopher Shelley, Carter Short, Xavier Williams, Reed Watson, Nick Paradise, Brandon Goodwin, Harrison Ozgun, David Bodden, Tyler Chamblin, Ellis Adams, Luke Godwin, Garret Lepkowksi, Ryan Houston, Trey Reynolds, Michael Pettway, Jamari Buye, Jaeden Sankey, Colby Davis, Jonathan Martin, Ray Hampton, Jake Tucker, Kole Allen, Cameron Scott, Carlos Castelleja, Bryce Carnes, Stephen Robinson, Gabriel Pipkin and Alajujuan Sparks.

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT COMPETING’ Bucs Staying on the Prowl for Another State Championship

By Rubin E. Grant

Ashford’s primary backup.

“He had to take all the reps in the spring and summer,” Niblett said. “He did an unbelievable job learning what we’re doing.”

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

After winning two consecutive Class 7A football championships and five state titles in the past six years, the Hoover Bucs could be excused for allowing complacency to set in.

Except head coach Josh Niblett is not about to let that happen.

“The key for us is to continue to be the hunter and not the hunted,” Niblett said. “It’s all about competing.”

The competition begins on the practice field.

“It’s like a war every day in practice,” Niblett said. “Some days our offense makes our defense look bad and some days our defense makes our offense look bad. We’re trying to learn how to compete because, as someone once said, it’s harder to stay on top than getting on top.”

If the Bucs are going to stay on top, they will have to do it with a new starting quarterback and a rebuilt offensive line. Quarterback Jalen Parker, who led the Bucs to the 2017 title, has graduated and so have four of the starting offensive linemen who protected him.

Ultra-talented Robby Ashford, a 6-foot-4inch, 210-pound junior, is expected to take over at quarterback. He already has SEC offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State and Missouri, although he has yet to start a varsity game.

“He’s a dynamic athlete,” Niblett said.

“He’s got a great arm and can make all the throws, and he also runs well. We’re excited about what he brings to the table.”

Sophomore Josh Lundy will serve as

Hoover key players with head coach Josh Niblett front from left: Ellis Addams, Ryan Houston and Garrett Lepkowski. Back, Larry McCammon and George Pickens.

Hoover High

AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Josh Niblett 2017 record: 11-3 (Class 7A state champions) Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County. Vestavia Hills.

Stadium: Buccaneer Stadium (5,000) Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (9,000)

Junior Jack Mayberry is another backup quarterback.

At running back, 5-foot-10-inch, 198-pound senior Larry McCammon returns. He rushed for 1,498 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.

“He’s probably the best running back I’ve ever coached,” Niblett said.

Senior Kaulin Jackson, junior Anthony Hayes and sophomore Dylan Pauly will also get touches in the backfield. Niblett said Pauly “has a chance to be really good.”

At tight end, senior Kole Allen is back from last year along with senior Brooks Brymer.

Fullback Jesse Kelly also returns.

Senior George Pickens, an Auburn commit, will be the Bucs’ go-to receiver. “He’s a dynamic player who can do things that other

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HOOVER 2018 SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT Aug. 25 (Sat., 11 a.m.) Pinson Valley Aug. 31 St. John’s Sept. 7 Thompson* Sept. 14 @ Hewitt-Trussville* Sept. 21 @ Oak Mountain* Oct. 5 Tuscaloosa Cty* (HC) Oct. 12 @ Spain Park* Oct. 19 @ Vestavia Hills* Oct. 26 Mountain Brook* Nov. 2 IMG Academy * Region Game

Larry McCammon

guys can’t do,” Niblett said. “He gives us a chance to stretch the field vertically and horizontally.”

Seniors Zach Elam, Xavier Long and M.J. Rogers, a transfer from Spain Park, also are in the mix, as are Omari Brown, Jamari Buye, Jake Tucker and Cooper Tullo.

“We’ve got a lot of depth at receiver,” Niblett said. “We’re going to play as many as we can, especially early in the season, to keep fresh legs going.”

Center David Bodden, a 6-foot-3-inch, 271pound junior, will anchor the rebuilt offensive line. Both of his older brothers played for the

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 11

HOOVER FOOTBALL Bucs.

The guards will be 6-foot-3-inch, 320pound senior Ellis Adams and 6-foot-3-inch, 269-pound senior Ryan Houston. The tackles are 6-foot-3-inch, 276-pound senior Garrett Lepkowski and 6-foot-4-inch, 251-pound junior Harrison Ozgun.

Seniors Brandon Goodwin, Trey Reynolds and Reed Watson and junior Luke Godwin will serve as reserves.

“We’ve got a little depth, which I am excited about,” Niblett said. “They have actually grown as a unit.”

Good Luck, Birmingham-Metro Area Football!

On the D

On the defensive line, the Bucs will have senior nose guard Bryce Carnes and defensive ends Sam Suswam, a junior, Joseph Davis, a junior, and Ryan Caldbeck, a senior, in their 3-4 set.

The outside linebackers are seniors Greg Russell, Kam Robinson and Simeon Palmore and junior Aarren Smith. Russell recorded 18 sacks last season.

The inside linebackers are 6-foot-5-inch, 218-pound senior Nick Curtis, junior Jeptha Kilgore, and sophomores Marcus Williams and Josh Smith, the younger brother of Curtis, who Niblett said “is going to be a really special player.”

The secondary will have 6-foot-1-inch senior Jabari Moore at cornerback. Niblett describes him as a “ballhawking, physical cover guy.” The other corners are junior Codey Martin and Seth Parker.

The safeties are seniors Myles Spurling and Levi McCree and junior Kory Chapman.

“I feel good about the guys we have at the back of our defense,” Niblett said.

Senior Will Reichard will handle all the kicking chores. He’s an Alabama commit who

An investment firm where your financial goals are our financial plan.

We built it.

(205) 414-3332 | (888) 783-7631 800 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 750 | Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

See HOOVER, page 23

ARC Realty: Growing With the City of Hoover

Meet the ARC Hoover team and view their listings online at arcrealtyco.com.

12 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

JOHN CARROLL FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Members of the 2018 John Carroll Catholic High School varsity football team include: Isaiah Ambroise, Luke Harris, D’Wuan Williams, Spencer Drouin, Lawrence Johnson, Aaron Mason, Ethan Cull, Nicholas Sellers, Mauree Raby, Kaleb Bryant, Zach Elliott, Jonah Gibbs, Jharad Johnson, Daniel Boackle, Jackson Jeffery, Sam Reed, JT Balducci, Kameron Jackson, Jeremiah Gibbs, Oneal Mearchant, Bennett Flemming, Bryant Flemming, Donelley Tighe, Tre Chandler, Campbell McFadden, Brock Sanders, Mark Richard, DJ Dunklin, Nick Bodin, Pow Harrell, Mitchell Walker, John Crowe, Kingston Lampley, John Murray Hallman, Trey Grissett, Gabe Wood, Tyler McFadden, Chris Ohagwu, Greg Shunnarah, Davis Deason, Nathan Wright, Ethan Kelly, Sam Lynch, Jack Carlisle, Zane Boackle, Rich Connell, Graham Russell, Jack Horton, Dexter Nevett and Tyler Johnson.

‘WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVE’ Young Cavaliers Hope to Be More Competitive Moving Down to Class 5A

By Rubin E. Grant Entering his third season as John Carroll Catholic’s head football coach, Logan Colafrancesco is hoping a step down will be a step up.

The Cavaliers are moving down to Class 5A after going 4-36 in four years in Class 6A, including 3-7 in 2017.

John Carroll will compete in Class 5A, Area 4 along with Briarwood Christian, Fairfield, Parker, Pleasant Grove, Ramsay, Wenonah and Woodlawn.

“We’re excited about the move,” Colafrancesco said. “I feel like we can be more competitive in 5A, even though it’s a tough region.”

In his first two seasons, Colanfrancesco focused on developing relationships among coaches and players. This year, he said, he wants to win more football games and establish a winning culture.

“The kids understand the expectations and understand what we’re trying to do,” Colafrancesco said.

The Cavaliers have increased the number of players on their roster by nearly 20 athletes.

“I had to order eight new helmets,” Colafrancesco said as preseason practice opened. “We’ve got 55 players and may end up with close to 60, including freshmen. That will help us tremendously.”

The Cavaliers will feature plenty of youth. Sophomore Nicholas Sellers will be the starting quarterback. He played some last year and threw for more than 500 yards.

“He’s a student of the game and he wants to do well,” Colafrancesco said.

Sophomore Jharad Johnson will serve as Sellers’ backup.

“He’s got a good arm,” Colafrancesco said. “He hasn’t learned the system as well as Nicholas, but we feel comfortable that he will be able to do the things we need him to

do to help us win a game. He’ll play some free safety, too.”

The Cavaliers will employ a committee of running backs with senior Zach Elliott heading the group.

“He’s a great kid who does whatever we ask him to do,” Colafrancesco said. “He’s a typical hard-nosed high school player. He’ll

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

John Carroll key players with head coach Logan Colafrancesco front, from left: Jackson Jeffery, Mark Richard and Zach Elliott. Back, Sam Reed and Gabe Wood.

John Carroll

AT A GLANCE

2017 record: 3-7 Head coach: Logan Colafrancesco Region: Class 5A, Region 4 Fairfield, Parker, Woodlawn, Briarwood, Pleasant Grove, Wenonah and Ramsay Stadium: Carroll Field (4,000)

play some linebacker, too.”

Senior Mark Richard will be more like an H-back. Sophomore Spencer Drouin also will get some time in the backfield.

“This is (Drouin’s) first year playing for us,” Colafrancesco said. “He plays hard.

He’ll play some defense as well.”

Talented freshman Aaron Mason and sophomore Jeremiah Gibbs also will get some touches.

The Cavaliers have a bevy of receivers, led by senior Sam Reed.

“He’s an explosive receiver,” Colafrancesco said. “He runs great routes, has great speed and good hands. He’ll also start at outside linebacker and play some safety.”

Sophomore Ethan Cull will split time at receiver and defensive back.

The outside receivers are sophomore O’Neal Merchant, senior Jackson Jeffery,

JOHN CARROLL 2018 SCHEDULE DATE Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 13 (Thurs.)

Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 18 (Thurs.)

Oct. 25 (Thurs.)

OPPONENT St. Clair County @ Leeds @ Fairfield* @ Parker* Woodlawn* (HC) @ Fultondale Briarwood* Pleasant Grove* @ Wenonah* Ramsay*

* Region Game

Zach Elliot

juniors Isaiah Ambroise and Brock Sanders, freshmen Campbell McFadden and Bryant Flemming, and Luke Harris, who played basketball and decided to come out and play football this fall.

Junior center Graham Russell anchors the offensive line.

“He’s solid and does a great job coming off the ball,” Colafrancesco said.

Assessing the rest of the starters on the line, Colafrancesco said junior guard Jack Horton has played soccer and has good feet; senior tackle Gabe Wood is tough, hardnosed and country strong; freshman guard

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 13

JOHN CARROLL FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Chris Ohagwu is an excellent athlete; and junior tackle Kingston Lampley is a smart, tough player.

Junior John Crowe at tackle, freshman Nathan Wright at tackle and sophomore John Murray Hallman at center will provide depth.

Young Defense

On defense, the Cavaliers will employ a 3-4 alignment with junior Sam Lynch and sophomore Trey Grissett playing defensive end and 250-pound freshman Tyler McFadden playing nose tackle.

“He’s a wide body who looks like a nose tackle,” Colafrancesco said.

Freshmen Zane Boackle, Jack Carlisle and 6-foot-4-inch Dexter Nevett will serve as backups at defensive end.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids who will be getting playing time,” Colafrancesco said.

The linebacking corps will include Reed, Elliott, Drouin, Wood, Richard, sophomore Mitchell Walker, junior D.J. Dunklin and freshman Greg Shunnarah.

In the secondary, Ambroise, sophomore Mauree Raby and sophomore Kaleb Bryant will play cornerback.

Multiple guys will play safety, including Johnson, Cull and Harris.

Junior Nick Bodin will handle the placekicking and punting duties.

“He transferred from Hoover and had to sit out last year,” Colafrancesco said. “He’s got a very strong leg.”

John Carroll will play host to St. Clair County in its season opener on Aug. 24, visit Leeds Aug. 31 and travel to Fairfield for its first region game Sept. 7.

“We’re a very young football team,” Colafrancesco said. “We hope to continue to build this season and for the future.”

P R E V I E W D AY S

STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER

KNOW what to do in case of

suspected concussion.

A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion: n n

n n

Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY Should be evaluated right away by a doctor/healthcare professional Should not be left alone Should not drive a motor vehicle

Concussion Clinic JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Come and see what John Carroll has to offer. Plan your vist to one of our Preview Days starting this September.

Visit www.jcchs.org to register!

Lowder Building, Suite 402 1600 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233

For a clinic appointment, call 205.934.1041 Fax 205.975.6109

SPORTS MEDICINE

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion SPORTS MEDICINE

300 Lakeshore Parkway | jcchs.org | 205-940-2400

In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER

14 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Photo by Hank Spencer

MOUNTAIN BROOK FOOTBALL

Members of the 2018 Mountain Brook High School varsity football team include: Hamp Greene, Duncan Bicksler, Alex Washington, Logan Brewer, Brendan Brogan, Edward Cain, AJ Gates, Daniel Wilbanks, Crawford Golden, Pierce Rodrigues, Bennett Johnston, Atkins Roberts, Strother Gibbs, Aidan Hood, Jackson Tew, Robert Reed, Ben Savage, James Burkett, Blake Roth, William Miller, Huston Crommelin, Jay Rucker, Sam Higgins, William O’Leary, Baynes Autrey, Grant Griffin, Will Yarbro, Will Baynes, Edward Reed, John Decker, Blake Pugh, James Nichols, Michael Brogan, Jack Walters, Collin Bussman, Paul McMinn, Kamp McMinn, John McKimmon, Rhyne Hogue, Mark Smith, Clark Griffin, Calvin Wilbanks, Matthew Holloway, Jarret Harrison, Colton Yeager, Alden Chaney, Reid Manley, James Hufhmam, Pearson Bedingfield, Hugh Lawson Joy, Michael Mancuso, Colledge Elliott, Chip Porter, Charles Regan, Jacob Lucas, Drew Elliott, Braxton Wetzler, Will Grant, Charles Law Schilleci, Beau Hubbard, Rob Gunn, Trey Gory, Hayden McDonald, Grayson Chew, Andrew Fleming, Jackson Allison, Sam Somerville, Austin Sikora, Ryan Kampakis, Henry Skinner, Alex Stokes, Ian Hall, Braden Allemand, Will Christopher, Ford Kelly, Eli Pappas, Miles Waldrop, Boyd McWhorter, Colten Niemann, Paulson Wright, Corbin Peterson, Zach Bass, Jay Barze, Turner Welsh, Gavin Lee, Matthew Gray, Mason Brint, Wheeler Bowron, Jack Smith, Preston Horsley, Win Horn, Cade Holmes and Campbell Pickard.

‘IT COMES DOWN TO DAY-TO-DAY WORK ETHIC’ Mountain Brook Starts With an Experienced Defense, Looks to Fill the Offensive Line

By Blake Ells

Sisson and departing running back Harold Joiner. Sophomore Strother Gibbs and junior Bennet Johnston will each get a shot at quarterback, while seniors A.J. Gates and Daniel Wilbanks hope to fill Joiner’s very large shoes. Joiner is now at Auburn.

There’s some experience at wide receiver in senior Hamp Greene. He’ll be complemented by Blake Roth, Pierce Rodrigues, Jay Rucker, Eli Pappas and Paulson Wright.

While some new faces will see more time on the field this season – especially on the offensive side of the ball – a bounty of expe-

Defense will be a strength for Mountain Brook in 2018. Coming off an 8-4 season that concluded with a loss to Thompson in the second round of the state playoffs, the Spartans return nine players from a unit that lost just two 7A Region 3 regular season games.

“Most of the urgency is on offense,” said coach Chris Yeager. “We have a lot of positions up front that need to be filled. The line has been a revolving door, and we’re going to need guys to step up.”

That line will be anchored by seniors Michael Mancuso at tackle and Hayden McDonald at guard. But the other spots are up for grabs. Hugh Lawson Joy, Beau Hubbard, Chip Porter, Braxton Wetzler, Will Christopher, Braden Allemand and Sam Somerville have spent spring and summer working to fill those other positions.

The team also will be looking to replace two important pieces of the backfield in departing quarterback Hamp

rience helps make that transition much easier.

The 2018 Spartan squad boasts 35 seniors.

“They’ve had groups before them with great leadership,” Yeager said. “I think they know that if they do the same things, they can be successful. Leadership starts with internal desires within. You hope that internally, they want to elevate each other. We lost two guys that were excellent football players. These guys have to keep working to get better every day.”

But Yeager doesn’t hold each team to the standard of the team before it. When compet-

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

DATE Aug. 24 Aug. 30 (Thurs.)

Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 4 (Thurs.)

Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2

OPPONENT @ Northridge Center Point @ Tuscaloosa Cty* Spain Park* Vestavia Hills* @ Oak Mountain* @ Hewitt-Trussville* Thompson* @ Hoover* Gardendale (HC)

* Region Game Hamp Greene

Mountain Brook

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Chris Yeager 2017 Record: 8-4 Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills Stadium: Spartan Stadium (5,000)

MOUNTAIN BROOK 2018 SCHEDULE

Spartan key players with Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager front, from left: Gavin Lee, Trey Gory and James Burkett. Back, Hayden McDonald and Michael Mancuso.

ing in a region as difficult as what the Spartans face each season, he said, the priority is focusing on themselves and what they know that they can control. He said that improving on last year’s 8-4 mark can’t be the focus for the team.

“It comes down to day-to-day work ethic.

I’ve made that mistake in the past. You’ve got to set goals to match you. Your focus has to be developing yourself each day to maximize your own potential,” Yeager said.

Obviously, the Spartans will face stiff

See MOUNTAIN BROOK, page 23

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 15

MOUNTAIN BROOK FOOTBALL

JUST IN TIME FOR KICKOFF THE ULTIMATE FOOD TRUCK IS READY FOR CATERING & PRIVATE EVENTS.

Perfect for tailgates; it’s like having your own Full Moon location.

ion.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Your source for fine architectural and decorative hardware from

9

2828 Linden Ave. • Homewood • 870-4060 alabamagaslightandgrill.com

and more

9

40th St. S. off 2nd Ave. S. HGH Hardware Supply Showroom Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

205.510.4232 avondalespecialtyhardware.com

OAK MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

16 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

Members of the 2018 Oak Mountain High School varsity football team include: Xzavier Brown, Zane Nelson, Hasani Burns, Jonathan Bennett, Kyle Percer, Dylan Hoye, Sam West, Evan Smith, Jimmy Harris, Luke Percer, Eli Hackbarth, Tyler Do-Bui, Gerald Austin, Trey Allen, Christian Hood, Jacob Fitzgerald, Zach Paisley, Cole Thomas, Jalen Thomas, Hogan Morton, Zach Taylor, Juston Taylor, Garrison Frisch, Zach Hagedorn, Nic Randle, Josh Ferguson, Amar McIntosh, Tucker Boswell, Judah Tait, Colton Johnson, Forrest Hardy, Colin Herring, Jaqeh McFadden, Dean Null, JD Davis, Bay Hughes, Chase Schwender, Andrew Bearden, Brandon Stephens, Nik Heino, Landon Holcomb, Reynolds Jones, Rayshawn Wilbert, Clay Collins, Zach Brown, Zach Hollington, Drew Rowland, Tyler Martin, Nolan Fuqua, Christopher Mattox, Will Pfaffman, Jacob Payne, Alex Burns, Austin Smith, Cass Hansford, Andrew Lee, Russell Autry, Zach Bailey, Drew Padgett, Nathan Gordon, Elijah Perdue, Alex Mathis, Sam Johnson, Harrison Miller, Noah Young, Ryan Hall, Ryan Reuse, Tyler McWilliams, Patrick Woods, Jacob Goldfon, Travis Thomasson, Braxton O’Brien, Micai George, Cole Forbes, Carter Owens and Zykeius Strong.

‘WE’VE GOT SOME KIDS WHO CAN PLAY’ Eagles Aren’t Flashy, but They Have Talent to Compete

By Rubin E. Grant Fans attending Oak Mountain football games this fall probably won’t see any stars, at least on the Eagles’ side of the ball.

That’s because the Eagles don’t have any big-time recruits lining up for them.

“We’re not as flashy as some other spots,” Oak Mountain coach Cris Bell said. “We don’t have the four- and five-star players. In fact, some of our guys can’t spell star.”

That doesn’t mean the Eagles are devoid of talent. They return five starters on offense and six on defense from a team that finished 5-5 in 2017.

“We’ve got some kids who can play,” Bell said. “We’ve got overall good team speed, a lot of guys who can run. We’re going to be bigger up front on both sides of the ball than we have been in the last years. We’ve got size and athleticism. Defensively, we have got a chance to be really good.”

Oak Mountain has two players working at quarterback, senior Luke Percer and freshman Evan Smith. Bell is leaning toward starting Smith.

“It might put us at a disadvantage in our region, throwing a freshman out there as the starter, but Luke does so many things for us that we need him on the field all the time,” Bell said.

Percer and junior Jonathan Bennett will carry the bulk of the load at running back with sophomore Judah Tait and junior Gerald Austin serving as reserves. Percer also will line up some at slot receiver.

“Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do,” Percer said. “I’m here to help the team succeed and play to the best of my ability.”

On the offensive line, 6-foot-2-inch, 295pound senior Clay Collins returns at right guard. Russell Autry returns at tackle, but he’s moving from the left side to the right.

Seniors Zach Brown and Tyler Martin are battling for the starting center spot with Martin also serving as the long snapper.

Senior Alex Burns and sophomore Alex Mathis are competing to start at left guard, while 6-foot-7-inch, 250-pound junior Drew Padgett and senior Nathan Gordon will share

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Oak Mountain leaders with head coach, Cris Bell from left, front: Xzavier Brown and Dylan Hoye. Back, Trey Allen and Clay Collins.

Oak Mountain

AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Cris Bell 2017 Record: 5-5 Region: Class 7A, Region 3 Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Spain Park, Vestavia Hills.

Stadium: Heardmont Park (5,000)

time at left tackle.

“We’ve got eight guys who can play and we’re not missing anything with any of them in there,” Bell said.

At wide receiver, the Eagles will start senior Trey Allen and talented sophomore Noah Young. Senior Cole Thomas returns as a slot receiver.

Defensively, the Eagles have plenty of experience on the line with seniors Carter Owens as nose tackle, Travis Thomasson at end and Zykeius Strong, who can play nose tackle or defensive end. Juniors Jake Goldfon and Jacob Payne will provide depth.

Oak Mountain will have two experienced inside linebackers in seniors Jacob Fitzgerald and junior Will Pfaffman. Martin and senior Nik Heino will serve as backups.

Both outside linebackers, seniors Xzavier Brown and Jalen Thomas, are returning start-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OAK MOUNTAIN 2018 SCHEDULE DATE Aug. 24 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 4 (Thurs.)

Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2

OPPONENT Chelsea @ Hewitt-Trussville* @ Thompson* Hoover* @ Pelham Mountain Brook* @ Tuscaloosa Cty* Spain Park* (HC) Vestavia Hills* Center Point

* Region Game

Luke Percer

ers. Payne could also see some time there.

In the secondary, safeties Garrison Frisch and Dylan Hoye return with sophomores Jaqeh McFadden and Dean Null backing them up.

The cornerbacks will be inexperienced.

Senior Christian Hood, juniors Zane Nelson and Aaron Brook, and sophomores Zach Taylor and Jimmy Harris are competing for playing time.

“It’s wide open,” Bell said. “All of them

OAK MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL will play.”

Junior Sam Johnson will be the Eagles’ punter.

“He’s got a big-time leg,” Bell said. “He has chance to be real special as a punter.

Hood will be the place-kicker.

“He’s real steady inside the 30 on field goals and he’s gotten much stronger on kickoffs,” Bell said.

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 17

CARING CARING FOR FOR ALL ALL YOUR YOUR CARING FOR ALL YOUR CARING FOR ALL YOUR ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS ORTHOPEDIC ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS NEEDS ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS

Competitive Lineup

CARING FOR ALL YOUR ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS

Oak Mountain will compete in rugged Class 7A, Region 3, which includes two-time Daryl Dykes, M.D. Michael C. Gerhardt, M.D. Lloyd Johnson III, M.D. defending state champion Hoover, highly Daryl Dykes, M.D. M.D. Michael C. Gerhardt, C.M.D. Gerhardt, M.D. M.D. Lloyd Johnson Ill, M.D. Ill, M.D. Daryl Daryl Dykes, M.D.Dykes, Michael C. Michael Gerhardt, LloydLloyd Johnson Ill,Johnson M.D. ranked Thompson, Hewitt-Trussville and Spain Park as well as Mountain Brook, Alabama Bone & Joint is committed to Alabama Alabama Bone & Joint &isJoint is committed is committed to medical to medical excellence excellence and pledges pledges the highest highest Bone &Bone Joint committed to medical excellence andand pledges the the highest Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County. Alabama medical excellence and pledges the highest Even so, Bell expects the Eagles to be Daryl Dykes, M.D.andand Michael C. Gerhardt, M.D. Lloydprovide Johnson Ill, M.D. quality quality of orthopedic of orthopedic care available. available.

Our physicians physicians and support support staff staff provide all of allour of our quality of orthopedic carecare available.

OurOur physicians support staff provide all of our quality of orthopedic care available. Our physicians and competitive and contend for a playoff spot. patients patients with professional professional orthopedic orthopedic care care delivered delivered effi ciently effipatients ciently and and aon personal a personal level. level. patients withwith professional orthopedic care delivered effi ciently andand onpledges aonpersonal level.

“There’s nothing we can’t do if we have support staff provide all of our with professional Alabama Bone & Joint is committed to medical excellence the highest everybody together working toward the same quality of orthopedic care Our and support staff our orthopedic efficiently and on a provide personal level.

Workers’ Workers’ Compensation Compensation •available.

Fracture •care Fracture Care •physicians Joint • Joint Replacement• Replacement• Sports Sports Medicine Medicine • all Digital •of Digital Imaging Imaging Workers’ Compensation • Fracture CareCare •delivered Joint Replacement• Sports Medicine • Digital Imaging goal,” he said. patients with professional orthopedic care delivered effi ciently and on a personal level.

Arthroscopy Arthroscopy & Minimally & Minimally Invasive Invasive Procedures Procedures • Orthopedic • Orthopedic Spine Spine • Physical • Physical and Occupational and Occupational Therapy Arthroscopy & Minimally Invasive Procedures • Orthopedic Spine • Physical and Occupational Therapy Therapy Oak Mountain opens the season at home Workers’ Compensation • Fracture Care • Joint Replacement • Sports ‘WHATEVER THE TEAM NEEDS ME TO DO, I’LL DO,” PERCER SAID. “I’M HERE TO HELP THE TEAM SUCCEED AND PLAY TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.’

Hand, Wrist Wrist Upper & Upper Extremity Foot, • Foot, Ankle Ankle &&Lower & Lower Extremity Extremity • General •Procedures General Orthopedics Orthopedics Workers’ •Extremity Fracture Care •Ankle Joint Replacement• Sports Medicine • Digital Imaging Hand,Hand, Wrist &Compensation Upper Extremity • Foot, & Lower Extremity • General Orthopedics Medicine •&Digital Imaging ••Arthroscopy Minimally Invasive Arthroscopy & Minimally Spine Invasive•Procedures Orthopedic Spine • Physical and Occupational Therapy& Orthopedic Physical• and Occupational Therapy • Hand, Wrist Wrist & •Upper Extremity AnkleExtremity & Lower Extremity • General Orthopedics Upper Hand, Extremity Foot, Ankle•&Foot, Lower • General Orthopedics

CALL CALL 205-621-3778 205-621-3778 OR FAX FAX 205-621-4835 205-621-4835 CALL 205-621-3778 OROR FAX 205-621-4835

OR FAX 205-621-4835 against Chelsea on Aug. 24.CALL After 205-621-3778 a week off, OR OR VISIT VISIT ALABAMABONEANDJOINT.COM ALABAMABONEANDJOINT.COM ALABAMABONEANDJOINT.COM OR VISIT the OR EaglesVISIT play consecutive region games ALABAMABONEANDJOINT.COM against Hewitt, Thompson and Hoover.

120120 Cahaba 120 Cahaba Valley Valley Pkwy, Pkwy, Suite Suite 100 Pelham, 100AL Pelham, AL 35124 AL 35124 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, Suite Pelham, AL 35124 120 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, Suite 100100 Pelham, 35124 “We’ve got to come out of the gates with a sense of purpose and play with a chip on CALL 205-621-3778 OR FAX 205-621-4835 our shoulders,” Bell said. “We’re really OR VISIT ALABAMABONEANDJOINT.COM focusing on the little things that can make a difference in close games. How we handle 120 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, Suite 100 Pelham, AL 35124 the close games will determine how many games we win.”

18 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photos by Ingrid Schnader

SPAIN PARK FOOTBALL

Members of the 2018 Spain Park High School varsity football team include: Jaylen Ward, Cedric Tooson, Jalen Henderson, Trever Bernier, David Moultry, Manny Austin, Jacob Jenkins, Johnathan Williams, Mason Pronk, Josh Cheatham, Chris Mancill, Brodi Susce, Demillion Simms, Harrison Barker, Braxton Hall, Patrick Davis, Micheal Neal, Michael Ogletree, Josh Wallace, Kenyon Hines, Joshua Stanton, Dolan Wilson, Neal Partin, Colton Ledbetter, George Hill, Kam Beckham, Ben Rice, Kameron McDaniel, Zach Rushing, Kishawn Dawsey, Richard Moses, Paul Wiggins, Khaleb Simmons, Braxton Harrelson, Marcellus Payne, Zachary Graham, Keon Handley, Jariun Mott, Braden Brock, Scott Moates, Steven Pate, Josh Burks, Jackson Major, Logan Edwards, Alex Morton, Micah Moore, Sam Moates, Dre Robinson, Gage Hughes, Creel Richardson, Ben Hill, Rodney Scott, Jaquaylon Gipson, William Mote, Jack Guthrie, Jayst Dorion, Zac Shaw, Ethan Prolsdorfer, Ben Franks, William Harper, Goodwin Tidwell, Chaz Bounds, Austin Pronk, Colton Punzel, Baylor Black, Joseph Heatherly, Josh Mullins, Zach Smith, Stephen Olsen, Zach McPeters, Cameron Young, William Vinson, James Broderick, Michael Callens, Cooper Kelley, Larry Ford, Jake Horton, Layth Abusuad, Drake Tabor, DeQarius Hill, Kendarius Cunningham, Jay Tibbs, Ashanti Carter, Clifford Robinson and Tai Smith.

‘EVERY WEEK, WE’VE GOT TO BRING IT’ Spain Park Filling in Its Roster in Bid to Excel

By Blake Ells Spain Park will have some key positions to fill in 2018, but coach Shawn Raney feels confident that he has enough “program kids” who are up to the task.

“Program kids” are what he affectionately calls the athletes who have been a part of his program from the moment they could be but who often are inexperienced and undersized before their arrival, who work hard and patiently wait on their turn to play on Friday nights.

Raney said he’s pleased with the way his players have been preparing for the season during spring and fall practice.

“We’ve had some kids come along defensively and I think we’ll be more athletic,” he said.

The Jaguars fell in the first round of the state playoffs a year ago, a 33-21 loss at Hewitt-Trussville. Raney decided then that, if the Jaguars were going to improve while playing in Alabama’s toughest region of high school football, they needed to begin on defense.

“After last year, I felt like we had to get better in space defensively,” Raney said. “We moved some kids around – moved some line-

Spain Park

AT A GLANCE

Head coach: Shawn Raney 2017 Record: 6-5 Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills Stadium: Finley Stadium (5,000)

backers to defensive end, some secondary kids down to linebacker – and I think that has made us more athletic.”

Braxton Hall has played cornerback for the Jaguars for the past two seasons, and while he’ll continue to see some time at his old position, he’ll also play some at outside linebacker. Kenyon Hines will continue to take some snaps at wide receiver, but he’ll also split some time at the same outside linebacker position.

“Those are two of the best athletes we have in school, and they’ve adjusted really well,” said Raney. “Kenyon is a kid that I think will have a huge impact on both sides of the ball.

We’ve been practicing him on defense since the spring. I think playing defense has helped his knowledge of the game. He’ll play with the defense one day and the defense will dominate and he’ll play with the offense the next day; he swings the pendulum depending on what side of the ball he’s on.”

Colton Ledbetter moves from linebacker to safety. Dre Robinson and Josh Wallace will also bring experience at linebacker.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

The front four has holes to fill, but with Cedric Tooson and Jake Horton on the ends, the

Jaguar leaders with head coach Shawn Raney, from left: William Mote, Jake Carver, Jalen Henderson, Kenyon Hines, Mason Pronk and Cedric Tooson.

Filling Holes

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

me a lot of Braxton (Barker). He’s a real humble kid. His teammates love him. He’s a great athlete that can run it and throw it. He came in last season against Gadsden when Braxton was DATE OPPONENT banged up a bit and we went right down the Aug. 24 Hillcrest field and scored. He’s just a winner.”

Aug. 31 @ Bessemer City Johnson split carries with Jalen Henderson Sept. 7 Vestavia Hills* last season, and Henderson will return to carry Sept. 14 @ Mountain Brook* the larger share of the load in 2018. He put on Sept. 21 Hewitt-Trussville* 5 to 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, and Oct. 5 @ Thompson* Raney is confident that he’ll have a breakout Oct. 12 Hoover* season. While he had just 10 fewer carries than Oct. 19 @ Oak Mountain* Johnson a year ago, Henderson figures to take Oct. 26 Tuscaloosa Cty* (HC) about 70 percent of the carries this season.

Nov. 1 (Thurs.) @ Shades Valley He’ll be spelled by Manny Austin.

Along with Hines, Kameron McDaniel will * Region Game see the majority of the time at wide receiver, while George Hill, Ben Rice and Jacob Jenkins BirminghamHeart.com will rotate in.

Three-year starter William Mote will move out from center to tackle and Josh Mullins will move in to center, while Cameron Young, Jack Guthrie and Zac Shaw will fill in the rest of the offensive line.

Kenyon “Our first goal is always to win the first Hines game,” Raney said. “I worry about us each day trying to get better, and that’s what I preach to these kids. We know what region we’re in.

Every week, we’ve got to bring it. But we don’t Jaguars have some experience and size. talk about how many we need to win to make Horton added 15 to 20 pounds to his 6-footthe playoffs. I want us to get better each day, 1-inch frame in the offseason. The rest of whether we’re playing Hoover or Hewitt. If the defensive line will be by committee, you make the playoffs in our region, that’s a led by Scott Moates and DQue Hill.

On offense, the Jaguars look to fill the shoes huge accomplishment. If we make it, we’ve been battle-tested, and hopefully we can make of quarterback Braxton Barker and running a run at it.” back D’Arie Johnson, who graduated last year.

The Jaguars will have a chance to accomMason Pronk, a junior, will get the first opporplish that first goal Aug. 24 when they host tunity at quarterback.

Hillcrest, of Tuscaloosa. They’ll hop into the “I feel really good about him,” said Raney.

7A Region 3 competition Sept. 7, when they “He’s a kid that’ll do everything he’s coached host Vestavia Hills. to do. He’s an outstanding leader that reminds SPAIN PARK 2018 SCHEDULE

GET THE PICTURE Award-winning photography for sale at otmjsports.com Lee Walls Jr. | Marvin Gentry | Bryan Bunch

otmjsports.com

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 19

SPAIN PARK FOOTBALL

Trust Your Heart & Veins to

Birmingham Heart Clinic Trust Your Heart & Veins t

Birmingham Heart Clin

LEADERS SPECIALIZING IN • Radial cardiac catheterization • Adult cardiovascular disease • Arterial and venous disease • Cardiac arrhythmia disorders

LEADERS SPECIALIZING IN

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDU

• Adult coronary, carotid & peripheral disease • Latest catheterization techniques Birmingham BHC at Northside • Treatment of AFIB & arrhythmia disorders Heart Clinic Medical Home • VenaSeal vein repair 100 Pilot Medical Dr cath lab74 Plaza Dr, Ste 2B • State-of-the-art, office-based Ste 300, Birmingham Pell City 205-815-4818 BirminghamHeart.com CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN205.856.2284 APPOINTMENT!

LP2189 / MR2453

BHC at St. Vincent's 119 Hoover 205.776.6330

BHC at St. Vincent's Birmingham 205.776.6330

BHC at St. Vincent's Gardendale 205.776.6330

BHC Pilot Trussville 205.856.2284

BHC at Northside Medical Pell City 205.815.4818

BHC at St. Vincent's Blount Oneonta 205.274.3323

To: Margaret Ann From: Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Date: Aug.

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Aug. 23,, 2018 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

YourThank wedding, Your you for yourstyle. prompt attention.

1 4 2 5 M o1425 ntgom ery Hwy, Vestav i a H i lVESTAVIA l s | 2 0 5 . 8 2HILLS 2 . 9 1 7 3 | |205.822.9173 steedsjewelers.com MONTGOMERY HWY.

steedsjewelers.com

20 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

VESTAVIA HILLS FOOTBALL

Members of the 2018 Vestavia Hills High School varsity football team include: AJ Powell, Caleb Huber, Dutch Freeman, Kade Cannon, AJ Sims, Wells Watts, Chatfield Webster, Walker Bunn, Peyton Walraven, Ferguson Smith, Braden Glenn, Taiyo Crawford, Wilson Owen, Greg Brown, Brock Payne, Sean Smyth, Cole Johnston, Eli Sawyer, Ben Jackson, Charlie Stoves, Evans Crane, Sam Willoughby, Joe Phifer, Kevin Cunningham, Ben Williams, Benjamin Murphree, Colton Horne, Will Brooks, Frankie Donze, Camren Lyka, Mac Jaynes, Gyasi Hill, Jermaine Harris, Josh Lyon, Gaines Berry, Charlie Hughes, Chandler Merrill, Bryce Littleton, Tripp Lowery, Owen Knight, Cooper Bishop, Josh Silverman, Brayden Duke, Jacob Levant, Leighton Reese, Sage Harrell, Jonathan Williams, Caleb Leak, Rob Barrentine, John King, Brennan Lightsey, Michael Weaver, Andrew Cross, Deven Jones, Conyers Webster, Cal Stubbs, Jay Cross, Andrew Sims, Andrew Manush, William Lott, Brayden Schick, Walker McCulley, Drew Ulch, Michael Lawrence, Chris Munger, Eli Bratton, Darren Gordon, Landon Neese, Oliver Gilbert, Cameron Monistere, John Bristle Douglass, Everett Thompson, Dawson Ray, Samuel Looney, Davian Tanniehill, Jaden Thompkins, Grant McLean, Will White, Nathan Bullock, Douglas Thompson, Hasting Sykes, Garrison Dabbs, Gavin Harvey, Michael Vice, Diego Melendez, John Winford, Andrew Bayham, Hunter Salmon, Bennett Whisenhunt, Jackson Trotman, Carter Tyus, Gunter Walburn, Tyler Moore, Aiden Robinson, Daniel Gaddy, Ryan Lockhart, C’Jay Parker, Matthew Gray, Caleb Uhlich, Matthew McMeans and Connor Knighten.

‘REAL GOOD LEADERSHIP COMING BACK’ Vestavia Hills Returns in 2018 With Experience at Most Positions

By Blake Ells

everything football,” he said. “We eat, drink and sleep football for three days.”

The Rebels look to improve on last season’s 4-6 mark in Alabama’s toughest high school

It was quite an off-season for Vestavia Hills head coach Buddy Anderson. The winningest high school football coach in Alabama was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Association Hall of Fame on July 2 during a banquet in Chicago.

“It was nice,” said Anderson, who is just the 12th individual from Alabama enshrined in the National Hall of Fame. “That was a very fun time and I’m very blessed. All of my family got to go. My brother and his wife got to go. It was a very humbling ceremony.”

He’ll enter his 41st season as head coach of the Rebels in 2018. He returns from fall camp, which he has held at Judson College in Marion since 1990, optimistic about his 2018 team.

“It’s a time to get away and concentrate on

V H

region. That team was young, which inherently gives Vestavia Hills the gift of experience this season.

“For the first time in a while, we’ve got five

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

DATE Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 * Region Game

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Head Coach: Buddy Anderson 2017 Record: 4-6 Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County.

Stadium: Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Buddy Anderson Field (5,000)

See VESTAVIA, page 22

VESTAVIA HILLS 2018 SCHEDULE

Vestavia Hills

AT A GLANCE

starters coming back,” Anderson said. “We’ve got some other kids coming back that have experience as starters. We’ve got real good leadership coming back in this class. I feel really good about this team. There are some shoes

Rob Barrentine

Rebel leaders with Vestavia head coach Buddy Anderson are, front, from left, Michael Vice, Rob Barrentine and Hunter Salmon. Back, Douglas Thompson and Cooper Bishop.

OPPONENT Briarwood Homewood @ Spain Park* Tuscaloosa Cty* @ Mountain Brook* @ Shades Valley Hewitt-Trussville* @ Thompson* Hoover* @ Oak Mountain* Huffman (HC)

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

VESTAVIA HILLS1 4FOOTBALL 25 Montgomery

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 21

Hwy, Vestavia Hills | 205.822.9173 | steedsjewelers.com

A Beautiful Bird House for Every Backyard.

We'll show you how to turn your yard into a bird feeding habitat that not only brings song, color and life to your home, but also benefits wild birds and the environment.

BIRDFOOD • FEEDERS GARDEN ACCENTS UNIQUE GIFTS

1580 Montgomery Hwy • Birmingham • 823-6500

1425 MONTGOMERY HWY. VESTAVIA HILLS | 205.822.9173

1425 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills | 205.822.9173 | steedsjewelers.com

steedsjewelers.com

www.wbu.com/birmingham • Joe Perez • Owner/Operator

To: From: Date:

Joe Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 August, 2018

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the August 23, 2018 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

Pure joy

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

is when you realize you’ve found the perfect house and your kids love the neighborhood!

We understand just how important it is to you and your family to find the perfect house. With decades of experience, we have the market knowledge to help you make it happen — even in a tight seller’s market.

Trust the over the mountain experts.

The right real estate agents can make all the difference.

Start your search now at FindThePerfectHouse.com

MIKE WALD 205.541.0940

2828 Linden Ave. • Homewood • 870-4060 alabamagaslightandgrill.com

HAYDEN WALD 205.919.5535

22 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW Announcing

Clayton Browne Orthodontics "We are a new practice in the area, convenient to Homewood, Vestavia, and Hoover. If you or someone you know might be in need of orthodontic treatment please don't hesitate to contact us."

Dr. Browne is a longtime Over the Mountain resident. He grew up in Homewood and now lives in Vestavia Hills with his wife Libby and their three children, Clark, Charlie and Martha.

He began his professional life as a financial analyst in the banking and investment industries but ultimately changed careers and could not be happier with that decision.

Dentistry allows Dr. Browne to do two of his favorite things...... meet new people and help them solve problems. After attending UAB Dental School, he was accepted into and completed the UAB Orthodontics residency program and is proud to be following in his father's footsteps as an orthodontist.

2816 COLUMBIANA ROAD, SUITE 102 | VESTAVIA HILLS | 293-2400 CLAYTONBROWNEORTHO.COM

VESTAVIA From page 20

to fill, but that’s one of the fun parts of coaching – getting to see how everybody is going to roll together, how everybody is going to fit together and what the chemistry is going to be and what these young ones are going to do.”

Those five key returning starters are Hunter Salmon, a 6-foot-5-inch, 231-pound defensive end; Douglas Thompson, a 6-foot-2-inch, 253pound defensive and offensive lineman who will take most of his 2018 snaps at center; Michael Vice, a 6-foot-4-inch, 243-pound tight end; Rob Barrentine, a 6-foot, 201-pound linebacker; and Cooper Bishop, a 6-foot-1-inch, 207-pound linebacker and tailback.

They’re all seniors and they’ve all got size.

It’s a group that has started since they were sophomores and why the Rebels “took some lumps,” according to Anderson.

“Now it’s their third year playing,” Anderson said. “Every now and then, we’d have just one sophomore starting for us or whatever. But I don’t think we’ll have any sophomores starting for us this year. We might have some play, but not starting for us, which is a good situation.”

He’ll expect those seniors to lead, but he’ll also expect the same out of the seniors he started a season ago as juniors.

“I feel good about the leadership in this class,” he said. “This class has some solid leaders. We’ve got to be ready to strap in on every Friday night, because if you’re not, you’ll get it handed to you.”

A Battle for Field Time

Anderson expects the competition on the defensive line to be tough, beyond Salmon’s

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

position. Jake Levant will likely be starting at the other defensive end, sharing time with Ryan Lockhart and Cal Stubbs, and on the inside, Andrew Sims, Diego Melendez, Deven Jones, Cam Monistere, Gaines Berry and Will White will fight for time. Grant McLean saw starting time a year ago, but an injury will keep him from the field for the first couple of weeks of 2018.

Alongside Barrentine at linebacker, Anderson expects A.J. Sims, Bennett Whisenhunt and Joh Winford to get most of the snaps. The defensive backfield will be led by Will Brooks, Cole Johnston and Sam Willoughby, while Gyasi Hill, Colton Horn, Brock Payne, Kevin Cunningham, Jermaine Harris and Joseph Sullivan will also compete for time.

Eli Sawyer will get the start at quarterback, and he’ll be backed up by Sean Smyth, the Rebels’ most experienced wide receiver. Josh Silverman will lead the running backs, along with Frankie Donze and Gaines Berry.

A large wide receiving corps is led by Sean Smyth and Chandler Merrill, but it also will see Ferguson Smith, Ben Williams, Jonathan Williams, Ben Murphree, Peyton Walraven and A.J. Powell split time.

At some point last year, this offensive line saw Andrew Manush, Andrew Cross, Douglas Thompson and Brayden Schick get starting snaps. It’s their most experienced position on the field. Nathan Bullock, Garrison Dabbs, William Lott, Sam Looney, Conyers Webster, Jay Cross and Drew Ulch will also compete for playing time among the experienced veterans.

Vestavia Hills opens with a jamboree at home against Briarwood Christian on Aug. 24. They’ll get the season underway in earnest Aug. 31, when they host Homewood.

Built On Legendary Traditions A legacy is often built from years of hard work, dedication, and pride.

To build this legacy, a team must aim for excellence and commit to serving those around them. In doing this, a legendary tradition is made.

At Bryant Bank, we’re proud to say you’ll also find just that.

Bryant Bank is Proud to Support Our Local Schools!

Cahaba Village | Homewood | Hoover | Greystone | Trussville | Columbiana | BryantBank.com

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

HOOVER From page 10

is rated as the top kicker in the country in his class by 247 Sports.

“We take a lot of pride in our special teams,” Niblett said. “We do whatever we can to change field position. We’re fortunate to be blessed with a kicker like Will in that regard.”

The Race Begins

The Bucs once again will compete in Class 7A, Region 3, always one of the toughest regions in the state. It includes Thompson, Hewitt-Trussville, Spain Park, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Oak

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 23

Mountain and Tuscaloosa County. Hoover also will play two out-of-state schools this season, hosting St. John’s College High School out of Washington, D.C., on Aug. 31 and IMG Academy out of Florida on Nov. 2.

Hoover opens the season Aug. 25 at the Hoover Met against defending Class 6A champion Pinson Valley. The game will be part of the nationally televised Geico ESPN High School Kickoff doubleheader.

Hoover and Pinson will kick off at 11 a.m., followed by Hewitt-Trussville against Cedar Grove (Ga.) at 2:30 p.m.

“We’ve been on TV before, so we don’t take it for granted,” Niblett said. “I think our guys can be more relaxed since they’ve done it before.”

MOUNTAIN BROOK From page 14

competition within their region, which includes Hoover, Spain Park, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Hewitt-Trussville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County. They’ll also travel to Northridge and host Center Point and Gardendale in out-of-region play.

The team’s opener is Aug. 24 against Northridge, which Yeager expects to be a tough test.

“They have 18 starters returning and a great quarterback,” Yeager said. “They’re a veteran team.”

High school teams have 11 weeks to play 10 games. Many opt for a jamboree in the first week, but the Spartans will opt for a mid-season bye week. They’ll likely need the rest on Sept. 28, as they work their way through that familiar gauntlet.

Diving headfirst into a difficult opponent is something Yeager believes ultimately will help his team learn more about themselves as they move forward.

“You’ve got to find out where your deficiencies are immediately,” he said. “If they don’t show up immediately, they’re going to get exposed quickly when you get into region play.”

THE EVOLUTION OF CHARCOAL GRILLING Summit® Charcoal Grilling Center 24"

Experience the evolution of the iconic Kettle where charcoal grilling meets low-and-slow smoking. With a push of a button, coals are lit and the smell of barbecue will soon embrace the neighborhood. Whether smoking, grilling, or even baking, the Summit® Charcoal Grilling Center is the answer to any craving and the ultimate backyard kitchen.

LITTLE HARDWARE ENGLISH VILLAGE 2117 CAHABA ROAD • 871-4616

Ray & Poynor Properties is proud to announce our top producers

Ray & Poynor Properties is proud to announce our top producers

raypoynor.com 2629 cahaba rd.

35223 205-879-3036 From left: Mary Evans, Jane Huston Crommelin, Juliebirmingham Harris, KatiealCrommelin, Mike McCraney, Blair Moss, Shelley Clark, Betsy French, Judy Horton and Tracy Patton. Not pictured Betsy Dreher.

raypoynor.com

2629 cahaba rd. birmingham al 35223 205-879-3036

24 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Each year Over The Mountain Journal asks the eight OTM area head football coaches to select our All OTM Team.

It's time to include one more vote from the fans! Look for details in our next issue on how you can take your participation to the next level!

THE 2018 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ALL OVER THE MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL TEAM PRESENTED BY

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 15

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

SOCIAL

From left, Norris, Molly and Phoebe Hasenfuss; Andrew McMahon and Katie Potts; and Rebekah and Blake Hamby.

PARTYING BY BOOK

Friends and Families Gather for Library Block Party Music and food were on the menu for the Homewood Library Foundation's annual Block Party at the library Aug. 11.

Guests were treated to food from Ashley Mac's, bartaco, Dave's Pizza, Demetri's BBQ, Farm Bowl &

Juice Co., Fresh Market, Homewood Gourmet, Mason Dixon, Nabeel's Cafe, Piggly Wiggly, Roly Poly, Ruth's Chris and Shiki.

As live music played, kids played on bounce houses, a climbing wall and more. ❖

Jack Gomme Purses The best French travel and everyday bag! available at

Whitney and Wes Durrwachter with Rebecca Graber and James Henderson.

271 Rele Street Lane Parke • Mountain Brook 871-1965 • shopbprince.com

Mac, Jessica, Ann Collins and Ashley Wright.

To: From: Date:

PROTECT YOUR SKIN THIS FALL

ON AND OFF

Betsy Prince Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1 August This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO August 23, 2018 issue. Please fax approval or changes

THE FIELD.

Please make sure all information is c Including address and phone num

School is back in full swing as well as fall outdoor sports. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, it’s important to make sun protection a daily habit. Always remember that the Please initial and fax back within 24 hours dangerous days aren’t just the hot sunny.

If we have not ones heardthat fromare you byand 5 pm of theUp Friday before the p your ad will run asYou is. We theget paper Monday. to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate clouds. canprint really burned on those overcast days when you you’re for not thinking about the attention Thank your prompt sun. Call us to schedule your annual skin check and to purchase all the best sun protection you will need this season!

GARY D. MONHEIT, MD MELANIE L. APPELL, MD

JAMES M. KRELL, MD A. MICHELE HILL, MD

MAIN OFFICE

TRUSSVILLE

2100 16th Ave. S. • Ste. 202 Ash Place • Birmingham, AL 35205

7274 Gadsden Hwy. • Ste. 100 Shoppes at Deerfoot • Trussville, Al 35173

205.933.0987

205.380.6161

FULTONDALE

TUSCALOOSA

339 Walker Chapel Plaza • Ste. 109 Fultondale, AL 35068

1800 McFarland Blvd N. • Ste. 150 Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

205.380.6162

205.380.6163

16 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOCIAL

TRADING Co UPSCALE THRIFT STORE QUALITY GENTLY USED DESIGNER CLOTHING AND EVERYDAY

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

THRIFT ITEMS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE!

From left, former MTV personality Alan Hunter with Teresa and Chris Pfefferkorn, Zoo president and CEO.

Time After Time

Birmingham Zoo Returns to the ‘80s for One Night Only

4 41ST STREET S MONDAY - SATURDAY | 10AM - 6PM SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF SOZO CHILDREN

DONATIONS WELCOME CALL 205-703-0553 FOR PICK-UP

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

As a life-long Over-the-Mountain resident and a third generation working at Guin, I feel great pride and responsibility in carrying on the legacy of honesty and hard work that my grandfather began 60 years ago. Family is very important to us, and we treat our customers with the same care and respect as members of our own family. It would be a privilege to serve you.

Henley Park at the Birmingham Zoo took a trip back in time on Aug. 11, inviting guests dressed in their ‘80s best and bands that played the sounds of the decade to join in for a Rewind the ‘80s fundraiser.

Music was provided by local 80s band Legal Limit, followed by Electric Avenue from Atlanta.

Former MTV star Alan Hunter VJed the event.

Festivities also included a video game Gaming Truck, a ride on the train, caricature artist, Hula Hoop artist, photo booth, lawn games and more.

Made-to-order food was served up by Wild Burger, alongside Blue Lagoons and Long Island Ice Teas for the adults, as guests laid out blankets and lawn chairs for picnics while the music played.

Proceeds will benefit the conservation, education and animal welfare efforts of the Birmingham Zoo. ❖

Above, Kristi Renneker, Alison Huang and Laree Hart. Below, Holly Cacciatore, Leslie Rittenhouse, Jeana Joganic and Ellie Light.

Joseph Braswell

Serving Birmingham since 1958

TJ Moore and Louie Hartley.

Member of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce

Mention this ad to receive a free diagnostic service call.

John and Robin Ennis with Caleb and Lauren Adair.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 17

SOCIAL

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Left, Scott and Anna Shinbaum with Joe Amari.

Right, Lauren Muncher and Doug Glover.

Above, from left, Cheryl and Adrian Blackmon, Nina and Doug Adair and Brittany Muncher. Below, Kristen Moore with Legacy.

ALABAMA LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGES FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO PROTECT THE UNBORN ALABAMA SENATE RESOLUTION 109, Condemning U.S. Senator Doug Jones’s vote against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act:

Taking Flight

WHEREAS, The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) which the United States Senate recently voted upon would have provided nationwide protection from abortion for unborn children who are capable of feeling pain, beginning at 20 weeks fetal age; and WHEREAS, only three months ago, the junior Senator from Alabama, when attempting to persuade conservative and moderate voters in Alabama to vote for him stated "the law for decades has been that late-term procedures are generally restricted except in the case of medical necessity. That's what I support"; and

AWC Raptor Force Hosts Casino Night for the Birds

WHEREAS, it was later revealed that pro-abortion individuals and political groups from out-of-state funneled enormous amounts of financial and other support into Alabama to influence the candidate's campaign; and WHEREAS, even though The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would have passed because a majority of Senators supported it, and President Trump said he would sign it, pro-abortion forces in the Senate used procedural tactics to stop the vote, with the junior senator from Alabama voting to kill this important bill; and WHEREAS, some Democratic Senators in the Senate refused to take the extreme position to kill such a common sense bill, and supported the passage of H.R. 36; and WHEREAS, The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act was fashioned from several states' bills, which passed by overwhelming margins, including a similar bill in Alabama; and WHEREAS, the abortions performed in the second half of pregnancy usually involve painfully dismembering babies, while also posing serious dangers to his or her mother; and WHEREAS, the junior senator from Alabama is from one of the strongest pro-life states, yet disregarded the clear wishes of the people of Alabama, and instead joined his vote with the most extreme pro-abortion Senators to allow this horrific practice; and

Heaven Jackson, Allie Winslett and Courtney Wilson.

An evening of casino games had guests betting on the birds at the annual Chirps and Chips fundraiser, hosted by Raptor Force, the junior board for the Alabama Wildlife Center.

Held Aug. 3 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, festivities featured games, live entertainment, a silent auction, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and more.

Among guests and Alabama Wildlife Center volunteers and staff were some of the center’s aviary ambassadors.

Proceeds from the seventh annual event benefit the center, which cares for almost 2,000 of Alabama’s native wild birds each year. ❖

Bluff Park WindoW Works f f f f

Wood window restoration and repair Sash replacement, rot repair Replace broken and fogged glass Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes

Call 205-542-6094

WHEREAS, a vote to allow the brutal killing of an unborn child at this stage is unmistakably revulsive to the values of a so-called civilized and compassionate society, is obviously violent to children, many of whom can survive outside the womb, and devalues the value of every life in America; and WHEREAS, the United States is one of only seven countries that allows abortions beyond 20 weeks; the other six nations include: North Korea, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada, and the Netherlands; and WHEREAS, opinion polls consistently show that an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose late-term abortions including a majority of those who self-identify as pro-choice; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the junior senator from Alabama's vote to block protection of countless thousands of lives from a terribly painful death is unacceptable and this body strongly disapproves his departure from the values of this state and his vote on this important issue.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members of this body who are representative of the overwhelming majority of the people of Alabama, call on our recently elected United States Senator to cast votes in the future to protect innocent human life from conception until natural death.

Alabama's Affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee LocaLLy owned and operated

Visit our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ Alabama-Citizens-for-Life-Mobile-152194608224842/

18 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

SOCIAL

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Rehab Reality...

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

By Judy Butler

FREE Bookmarks

I’d love to share my favorite poem with anyone who would like to have one. For years I’ve searched for a poem to replace the one below and have yet to find one that sums up my philosophy and/or that of Bayshore Retreat.

From left, Paul DeMarco, Bama Hager, Yi Pan, Catey Hall, Lisa Riley, Robert Caldwell and Greg Boyles with Sadie.

STAR BRIGHT

You Never Know

You never know when someone may catch a dream from you.

You never know when a little word or something you may do may open up the windows of a mind that seeks the light.

The way you live may not matter at all, but you never know • it might.

And just in case it could be that another’s life through you might possibly change for the better, with a broader and brighter view.

It seems it might be worth a try at pointing the way to right.

Of course, it may not matter at all, but then again, it might.

Author Unknown

This is not a catch. You won’t be put on a ‘junk mail’ list, I promise. I’d just like to share something that is kind of the mantra of what I believe and Bayshore Retreat is all about.

We won’t make promises of future success, only try to warn of the pitfalls and do an exit plan that will hopefully provide continued success. And, we’ll be there to help if he or she falters or fails.

The counseling and holistic approach we have with a limit of only 6 clients at a time proves we’re about Quality, not Quantity.

Email me at jbutler@bayshoreretreat.com with your home mailing address and I’ll send you a bookmark.

ASA’s Largest Fundraiser of the Year Turns 21 At the 21st annual Autism Shines Gala, held Aug. 11 at the Birmingham Marriott, eventgoers celebrated the more than $1 million dollars that the event has generated during the past two decades.

The event each year benefits the organization’s mission to support Alabama residents affected by autism spectrum disorders.

The evening was hosted by the board of directors, including Ben Carlisle, president; Caroline Gomez, vice president; Darryl Littleton, treasurer; Fran Heisner, secretary; Dothan Nancy Barnes, past-president; Angie Barber, Christy Boyles, McLean Bramlett, Robert Caldwell, Paul DeMarco, Travis Grantham, Pat Levine, Whitney Meade; Lauren Moseley; Jonathan Nelson; Andrea Plante; Thomas Powe; Jackson Register; Peggy Stevens; John Trawick; Jodie Smith; and Melanie Jones.

As music played, courtesy of the Bitter End Band, guests had the chance to win door prizes, taste signature cocktails, eat a variety of cuisines offered on food bars and bid on items in live and silent auctions.

In addition, individuals with autism shined as they showcased

Fall Items Coming In!

various talents for the audience.

The highlight of the live auction, led by members of The Jox Roundtable, was a vacation to Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, situated on the 7th fairway of a resort golf course.

Funds generated by the event support organization programs, including first responder training, a respite program and an autismfriendly initiative that advocates for the freedom and acceptance of all individuals with autism. ❖

Top, Gary and Caroline Gomez with Rod and Cathy Harbin. Above, Jim Dunnaway, Melanie Jones and Brian Brown. Left, Catey Hall with Paulette and Bill Pearson.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOCIAL

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 19

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

From left, Davidson Park, Mark Welch, Matthew Hogan, Kevin Sullivan, Blair Voltz, Shane Hill and Andy Lemons

Shelby County Alumni Host Round Table with Former Crimson Tide Quarterbacks Preparing for the upcoming football season, the Shelby County chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association hosted a special kick-off event Aug. 10 at the Pelham Civic Center.

Festivities began with a social hour, during which Alabama football stars took photos and signed autographs for fans, followed by a seated dinner and program.

The evening marked the first round table discussion among nine former Alabama quarterbacks: Scott Hunter, Gary Rutledge, Steadman Shealy, Walter Lewis, David Smith, Jay Barker, Tyler Watts, Andrew Zow and Jake Coker. The Bryant Museum filmed the discussion. ❖

Dana, David, Josh and Rod Tulloss.

“Vicki Warner sold our home in six hours.”

Mark Meadows and Ken Gaddy.

Alicia and Hans King know first-hand how competitive it can be to buy a home in popular close-in neighborhoods. “You basically have to know the minute you see it if you want to make an offer,” says Alicia. “Fortunately, we were referred by a friend to Vicki and Robert Warner, the most awesome real estate team.”

Hans says the Warners guided them through the process of buying their first home, and a few years later, when they decided to move closer to work, Vicki sold it in six hours. “She really listens,” says Hans. “Her first priority is getting to know you and what your family is all about. She’s like family. We’d gladly refer her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

Vicki Warner (205) 789-5114 vwarner@arcrealtyco.com vickipwarner.com

For more information, visit arcrealtyco.com or call (205) 969-8910.

Ray and Carol Lewis with Bill and Kathy Banks.

20 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

shoes

shoes

accessories accessories

accessories

apparel

apparel apparel Journal photos by Jordan Wald

shoes

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SOCIAL

From left, Tina Shaddix and Michael Semon with Charlie and Amy Law.

birmingham’s newest women’s boutique

birmingham’s newest boutique 3920 crosshaven drivewomen’s cahaba heights

birmingham’s newest women’s boutique 3920 crosshaven drive cahaba heights

3920 crosshaven drive

cahaba heights

celebrating years

www.mcwane.org

Song and Service

Journey of Hope Honors First Medical Director and Years of Service to the Disabled Arts and sciences collided Aug. 4 at United Ability’s annual Journey of Hope event, held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center in the Jemison Concert Hall.

This year’s fundraiser was held in honor of the organization’s first medical director, Dr. Mark Cohen, in recognition of his work as a medical professional and advocate over 41 years.

In addition to celebrating the honoree and a few of the families whose lives have been changed by United Ability’s programs, the evening’s festivities featured a performance by Mandy Harvey, America’s Got Talent “Golden Buzzer” winner and singer who happens to be deaf.

This year’s host committee was headed up by Mary White and Dr. Michael Saag, who also served as emcee, and included Lynne Cohen, Deanna Davis, Dr. Tim Davis, Larry Goldberg, Donald Hess, Ronne Hess, Dorothy McDaniel, Colin Mitchell, Margaret Ann Pyburn, Ed Robinson, David and Sherri Romanoff, Lana Royal, Steve Royal, Jason Ruha and Toby Siegel. ❖

Amanda Held and Erin Ostrow.

Becky Roberts and Lori Siegelman

Lenor Harrison, Ashlyn Marsh and Dusty Monk.

Roman BRantley aRt, antiques Gifts & DecoR

Open Tues. - Fri. 10:30-5:00 pm Sat. 10:30-2:30 pm 2790 BM Montgomery Street Homewood, AL • 205.460.1224

Amanda Bradley and Daniel Witteck.

Catie and Michael Bell.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Dowell-Daniel Clare Crawford Dowell and Troy Wesley Daniel were married February 24 at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham.

The 6 p.m. ceremony was officiated by James Lee Williams of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, godfather of the bride. A

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 21

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS reception followed at Iron City.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Andrew Balcke Dowell of Birmingham.

The groom is the son of Mrs. Margaret Frances Daniel and the late Mr. Derick Randall Daniel of Macon, Georgia.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a wedding dress designed by Heidi Elnora.

The custom-designed bodice featured a V-neck front with a sheer silk organza low V-back, and was covered in gathered French lace with French lace cap sleeves. She wore a family heirloom veil trimmed in Alencon lace that had been worn by her mother and sister.

Attending the bride as matron of honor was Logan Dowell Hiatt of Birmingham, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Megan Cara Canant, Katie Elkins Corley, Allison Joyce Holmes, Elise Jordan McKelvey, Elizabeth Marie Mills and Katherine Marie

Walls, all of Birmingham; Taylor Elizabeth Daniel of Macon; and Lauren Hennesy Kelly of London.

Flower girls were Aubrey Gene Jones of Lizella, Georgia, and Georgia Danielle Taylor of Byron, Georgia.

Robert Casey Wilson of Atlanta was best man.

Groomsmen were Phillip Chad Ennis, Harry Lee Lastinger, Samuel Ryder Meeks, Charles Kenneth Phillips Jr. and Chase Bradford Wilson, all of Macon; Zachery Yale Whigham of Dahlonega, Georgia; Brandon Derick Daniel of Kathleen Georgia; and Joseph Lawrence Hiatt, brother-in-law of the bride, of Birmingham.

Scriptures readers were Lande Chadwick Dowell of Austin, Texas, cousin of the bride, and Lauren Elizabeth Hornbuckle of Birmingham.

The couple honeymooned in Charleston, South Carolina, and live in Birmingham.

Share your good news with 82,500 of your closest friends!

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

Lunch and Learn Seminar Friday, September 14 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Grandview Medcal Center 3690 Grandview Parkway Conference room seating is limited.

Gustavo Morales, M.D. Board-Certified in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease

Register at 205-971-7474.

5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 111 980-9030 southeasternjewelers.net (1/4 mile off 280)

To: From: Date:

Renee Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax August

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the April 23, 2018 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AFIB) FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT Join board-certified cardiologist Gustavo Morales, M.D., to hear about the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular, often rapid, heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow.

Recognized by the American Heart Association for participation in Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Achievement Measures.

Accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology.

Accredited Facility for Cardiac Electrophysiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

Member of the Medical Staff at Grandview Medical Center

103081_GRAN_L&LSept_10_375x6_25c.indd 1

Look Forward.

8/9/18 4:45 PM

FASHION

22 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

A Wing and a Prayer

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Fall Fashion

JOURNAL PHOTOS BY MARSHA PERRY

Journal photos by Emily Williams

Pageant Winner Teams up With Local Artist to Create T-Shirt That is More Than Meets the Eye

Marissa Luna teamed up with local artist Marcus Fetch to design a T-shirt featuring her campaign message, “More Than Meets the Eye.”

By Emily Williams Just as her platform reads, there is “More Than Meets the Eye” when it comes to 2019 Miss Tennessee Valley Outstanding Teen Marissa Luna.

A bit of a newcomer to the pageant world, 14-year old Mountain Brook resident Luna and her mother, Misty Chitwood, had no idea that she would be earning a crown when she took the stage at the Miss Tennessee Valley Outstanding Teen pageant.

She left the event with her title, along with best talent, best on-stage interview and best evening wear. Luna updated a vintage gown her mother wore when she participated in preliminaries for Miss Alabama.

When it came time to form a campaign and raise money for her next pageant, Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen in March 2019, Luna teamed up with local artist Marcus Fetch to design a T-shirt featuring her campaign message, “More Than Meets the Eye.” Luna’s platform focuses on advocating for children with hidden disabilities, those disorders that cannot be seen, for example learning and hearing disabilities.

When choosing a design, Luna said, she knew she wanted to draw from a family tradition.

The back of the shirt includes the words “Psalms 91,” which describes God sending angels to protect his children underneath their wings.

“That is something that her great grandfather started. We never say goodbye in our family and instead we say Psalms 91,” Chitwood said. “I’ll say, ‘Have a great day,’ before I leave and (Marissa) will say, ‘Psalms 91.’ And we feel like we’re sending angels to watch over you.”

Inspired by the scripture, Luna wanted to have angel wings on the shirt like the ones she has seen in the mural at Melt, in Avondale.

“We knew that Marcus Fetch (who painted the mural) was a local artist,” Chitwood said. “She called him up and asked him to partner up with her.”

Fetch worked with Luna and designed pink, blue and white wings on the purple shirt – Luna’s favorite color.

“He did it all for free because all of the money is going to Children’s Miracle Network,” Chitwood said. “We found sponsors to sponsor the T-shirt, so literally all of that $20 you’re spending on the T-shirt goes directly to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals,” said Chitwood.

The Miss America system as a whole supports Children’s Miracle Network, which supports children’s hospitals around the country, including Children’s of Alabama.

Luna said she is hoping that the shirts will start a movement, that people will buy the shirts and go to the mural to take photos and will use her hashtag, #MoreThanMeetsTheEye, when posting their images on social media.

More Than Meets the Eye

With her T-shirts and her platform, Luna hopes to inspire people with hidden disabilities to find ways to build up their self-esteem.

“The reason I chose this was because it is something that I struggled with when I was younger,” Luna said. “In the second grade, I was diagnosed with ADD. I would always zone off in class and it was hard for me to (conceptualize) things – it was hard for me to take it in.”

Luna added that one out of every 10 students in a classroom has a learning disability and, though hers resolved when she was in about the fourth grade, the struggles stuck with her.

One of the main issues was the comments she received from other classmates when she was being pulled out of her regular classroom during the day to work with special instructors in individualized education classes.

“The learning disability takes down your confidence, but if you find something to invest in, it builds it back up,” Luna said.

For Luna, developing her love of singing and theater helped restore her confidence and is one of the reasons she decided to try her hand at pageantry.

“I did not want her to do pageants,” Chitwood said. “She came to me and said she wanted to do it because of the talent.”

After deciding to compete, Luna chose to participate in the Tennessee Valley pageant because music-Mecca Muscle Shoals is in the region.

When she has a speaking engagement at a school, Luna said, she likes to tell kids that, when they walk in a room, instead of walking straight to their friends, they should “Go and talk to that person in the room who needs support, needs a smile or needs a hug.

“If we all did that – did the thing that is sometimes not very cool to do – then there would be no bullying,” she said.

Outside of the speaking engagements and volunteer work at Mitchell’s Place that she participates in through her title, Luna spends much of her time in the theater and working on what she hopes will be a singing career.

She is currently in rehearsals for Virginia Samford Theatre’s production of “Hello Dolly,” and has signed for talent development with Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta, which is home to high-profile acts including Justin Bieber, Usher and The Band Perry..

To support Luna’s platform, T-shirts are available to purchase in small to extra-large at P2 Platform Pilates in Mountain Brook Village, or by contacting Luna through Instagram @marissaot8 or on Facebook at Marissa Luna.

In addition, Kendra Scott at The Summit will be hosting a “Gives Back Party” Aug. 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with T-shirts for sale and 20 percent of merchandise sales benefitting Children’s Miracle Network.

Claire Haley is wearing a grey Eileen Fisher jumpsuit, $278, paired with a black Eileen Fisher lightweight duster, $348. Her Sacha London ornate booties are perfect for fall, $180. Silver hoop earrings by local jewelry designer Louise Abroms, $40, and a Pans tweed purse, $105, finish her look.

B. Prince, 871-1965.

Left, Yellowbox’s Lynne wedge, $59.99, available in taupe, black and chocolate brown. Right, Boutique by Corky’s Emillee bootie, $69.99, available in taupe.

Flip Flops & What Nots, 967-7429.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 23

FALL FASHION

Jackson Pruitt sports Breaker pants in Anchor Gray, $98.50, with a Tuna Icon d-ring belt in Vineyard Navy, $49.50. His slim-fit shirt, by Murray Buttonbush in Moonshine, $98.50, is paired with a University of Alabama tie in red, $85. Baylee Edwards wears a Utility Tie Waist skirt in Sage Olive, $88, and a relaxed Oxford button down in White Cap, $78, under a striped crewneck sweatshirt in Moonshine, $98. vineyard vines, 892-4982.

Patrick Stanford is wearing a corduroy jacket from Gap, $12.95, with a blue and white checkered shirt, $6.95. Aggie Namuyomba is wearing tan dress, $7.95, with an orange sweater from free people is, $9.95.

Her earrings, $12, and necklace, $18, are both new and by Halo.

Sozo Trading Co. an upscale thrift marketplace, 703-0553.

Dior sunglasses, rose gold sun with rose mirror lenses, $595, and Prada sunglasses, mini cat eye, $440.

J J Eyes, 703-8596.

Emily Maye Eustice, left, is wearing Bloch’s Fall 2018 Fashion Diamond Mesh crop top, $35, with high waist brief, $25, both in Bordeaux. She is also wearing Capezio Footundeez, $24.

Kate Schneider, right, is wearing a Diamond Flock zip-front leotard in Imperiq, also from Bloch’s Fall 2018 Fashion collection, $48. Her black Bloch warm-up booties are $46.

Applause Dancewear, 871-7837.

Nancy Martin is wearing a Planet Sweater, $268, McGuire Jeans, $238, Keli Dagger Brooklyn shoes, $159, and Smile Moon gold earrings, $102.

Ryan Reeve, 518-5010.

BUSINESS

24 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Wyndy Wants to Grow Birmingham-Based Babysitting App Gains Seed Money to Spread to New Cities

Need Breeds Invention

Before the service was launched in March 2017, the Wyndy app started out as an idea to solve a growing problem for

Founder Tommy Mayfield, back row, center, with members of the Wyndy team.

Mayfield and his wife, Ginger: finding a dependable babysitter.

The Mountain Brook couple was in need of extra help at the time, with two children under the age of 3, Mayfield working as a lawyer for a large corporate firm and his wife getting her master’s degree at night.

“At some point we thought, ‘Apps like Amazon and Shipt have made it possible to have anything delivered at the press of a button. Why wasn’t there an app that could make getting a trusted babysitter just as

Mountain Brook’s Noles Publishes New Book “Undefeated”

Local lawyer and author James “Jim” L. Noles recently published a new book titled “Undefeated,” a true story about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s 1944 basketball team and its graduating seniors’ participation in World War II. The book will be released later

this fall and has been published by UK publishing house Casemate Publishers.

Noles graduated from West Point in 1990 with a degree in international history.

Commissioned in the Army’s Aviation Branch, he served at Fort Rucker and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he became a pilotin-command in UH-1H Huey helicopters.

Noles has written books covering a variety of non-fiction subjects. In addition, he has written articles that were in publications such as The New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smithsonian Air & Space, Preservation, Urban Land, Continental and Mental Floss.

A Mountain Brook resident and partner in his law firm, Noles is a member of the board of directors of the Mountain Brook Library Foundation and is on the board of trustees for the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

easy?’” Mayfield said. “The dream of solving this problem for ourselves and millions of other parents was the genesis for Wyndy.”

Currently, the app operates in seven cities in Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. It is a platform for parents to find, book and pay their babysitters – or “Wyndys” – in one convenient place. In addition, the app vets each of its babysitters with a background check before they are hired.

“Before Wyndy, many of our favorite

sitters were college students,” Mayfield said. “They were reliable, fun, and our daughters loved them. When we began work on Wyndy, we knew that in order to attract parent users, we’d have to build a platform that they could trust.”

In addition, the app allows parents to screen babysitters through a five-star rating system, shares social connections that enable parents to see the sitters their friends have used and offers detailed profiles so parents can view their qualifications.

Over the course of the past year and a half, Mayfield said, what has surprised him most about the app’s success has been the stories he hears from people who use it.

“One of my favorite stories involves a mom who accepted a job after previously turning it down multiple times because, with Wyndy, she now had a reliable way to manage childcare,” Mayfield said. “Another is of a sitter … who was able to avoid dropping out of college for financial reasons because of the extra income she was able to earn on Wyndy. Those are the kinds of stories that never get old.”

“This fall, as we grow these new markets, we will also be deciding where to go next, with the ultimate goal of making Wyndy available in cities across the country,” Mayfield said. “We encourage parents who want Wyndy in their city to let us know by downloading the app and signing up.”

Wyndy can be downloaded for free at the App Store, Google Play or getwyndy. com.

Vestavia Hills Chamber Hosts Annual Back to School Bash Families and community members gathered Aug. 10 at Fox Field at Cahaba Heights Elementary to celebrate a new school year during the annual Back to School in the Hills event.

The event included booths from local businesses, inflatables and rides for kids, tweens and teens; music; and a viewing of the movie “Coco.”

Hoover Chamber Golf Classic Next Week

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual golf tournament at Riverchase Country Club on Aug. 27 to help support the Chamber’s scholarship program and provide operational money for the chamber.

Putting contest begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit hooverchamber.org.

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

The babysitting service app Wyndy, which is based in Birmingham, recently raised $1 million in seed money to help launch the app in three new locations this fall.

Wyndy officials are trying to launch in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Atlanta.

According to Wyndy CEO and founder Tommy Mayfield, the team settled on those three areas for expansion because of the large numbers of young families there. In addition, each location is home to great academic institutions, which is important as the app service uses only babysitters who are fulltime students at a university.

“The money has allowed us to build out our team, accelerate our product development timeline and focus on expanding to new cities while continuing to drive growth in our existing markets,” Mayfield said.

The investors who helped raise the seed funding are all Birmingham-based, including Chad Trull, president and CEO of Hospicelink Inc. and winner of Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Southeast.

Wyndy also was awarded $100,000 from the Velocity Fund after completing Innovation Depot’s Velocity Accelerator Program in May.

Photo courtesy Wyndy

By Emily Williams

Above, Brody and Abby Hicks. Below, left, Beverly and Carly McKee. Below, right, Will and Shea Hunn.

SCHOOLS

Manhattan Melodies

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 25

Journal photo by Ingrid Schnader

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

The Homewood Patriot Band at a recent practice.

Homewood Band Gears up for 40th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance

By Ingrid Schnader At 412 members, the largest band in Alabama calls an Over the Mountain community home.

It’s the most-seen high school band in the South, and it has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more than any other high school band in the country — the Homewood Patriot Band.

Band director Ron Pence is gearing up for the band’s ninth performance at the Macy’s parade in New York City. The band first went to the parade in 1978, making this year the 40th anniversary of Homewood’s involvement in the parade.

“To take a band four times is just a miracle and a blessing, and it’s very exciting that we’ve been able to keep the tradition of the Homewood band going for so long,” Pence said. “Seventy-eight to now is a long time of excellence.

Some bands may get to go once.

That might be it. But to go nine times is just fantastic.”

Band members will start the commute to New York City on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. They will arrive on Monday and spend the next two days touring the city, watching the School of Rock on Broadway and seeing the Radio

City Rockettes. That Wednesday night, the students will be asked to go to sleep by about 9 p.m.; they’ll have to wake up early the next morning.

A Grueling Schedule

“The day of the parade is a very challenging day for the kids,” Pence said. “We usually get up about 1 a.m. on the day of the parade, and we head into Manhattan and rehearse for the producers of the show.”

The rehearsals give the videographers a chance to figure out the best angles for when the band is broadcast on national television.

These rehearsals usually last until 4 a.m., and then the group will go to breakfast at the Hard Rock Cafe. At about 7 a.m., buses will take the students to Central Park.

“Being at Central Park right when the sunrise is coming up – it is just a surreal experience,” Pence said. “You’re in Central Park in the greatest city in our country and one of the most beautiful places there is. And on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, it’s just a bustle of people, thousands and thousands of people.

“It’s just so exciting because one of the greatest American traditions is about to start. And when

you’re with the band, you’re getting off the bus and you know this is about to start,” Pence said. “All these years of planning, because for this event, it’s been about 2½ or three years in planning, probably for me as a band director, 20 years of planning.”

All 400-plus members of the Homewood band will pile into the sidewalks of Central Park with trumpets, tubas and other instruments in hand. They aren’t told where they will be in the lineup, so they must wait for a couple of hours and listen for their name to be called.

“So you’re sitting in this mass of humanity waiting for everything to start,” he said. “Everybody’s buzzing.”

When the announcer says, “Homewood Patriot Band, let’s have a parade!” the band will start its 2.5-mile trek from Central Park to Macy’s.

“When we play, our first note is in the street, heading down to Columbus Circle,” Pence said. “So we’ll make that turn. And the kids are just on fire. They’re ready to go. We probably play our music just a little too fast and with a little too much energy. The crowd is just cheering you on and screaming.”

Pence said he can hear people

screaming, “Roll Tide!” “War Eagle!” and “Yay Alabama!” as band members march their route.

The event is rain or shine, and Pence said band members had to march once in a storm that resembled a monsoon.

“We still played,” he said.

“Kids’ hats were flying, and we were catching them. By the end of the parade, the water was a foot deep to the side of the road. We were soaked to the bone. But when we got to the camera, we were spot-on. The kids still performed.”

When they get to Macy’s, there is a giant star painted on the street where band members will stand for their one minute and 30 seconds of TV time.

After the parade, the group will go on a Thanksgiving dinner cruise with family members who have made the trip.

The Aftermath

Once it’s all over, Pence said it takes a while to recover from the exhilaration.

“It’s such a great challenge to put it all together and to see it come to an end – and hopefully successfully to an end,” Pence said.

“I won’t lie, it takes a long time to recover from it emotionally and physically, because it drains you so

much. I’m not getting a lot of sleep now thinking about it and trying to get ready for the football season and make sure our band is our band when it shows up.”

Pence said the performance this year is a family event. His youngest son, Sam, will be marching in the parade this year. The assistant band director, Chris Cooper, will have two children in the parade.

“It’s exciting because we’ve been to New York so many times, and I’ve seen the band go through it and march in it,” said Mason Cooper. “It’s fun to be a part of it now, especially with (my sister) and my dad and the Pence family.”

Mason’s sister, Molly Kathryn, has been a Star Spangled Girl for the past three years. She agreed that it’s exciting, but she said she’s a little bit nervous, too.

“Because it’s going to be on TV,” she said. “And there’s a lot of people. I think it’s going to be really fun though.”

For other kids, this will be their first time to New York. Pence said he is doing everything he can to help every student who wants to go.

“The balloons are as big as buildings. It’s just unbelievable,” he said.

“Put it on your bucket list, because it is just magical.”

26 • Thursday, August 23, 2018

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SPORTS

‘We Are Still Climbing’

By Blake Ells Spain Park’s volleyball team got a little closer to where they want to be in 2017, but coach Kellye Bowen said the Jaguars can achieve greater heights.

“We are still climbing,” she said. “We haven’t reached our full potential. Each year, we’ve gotten better. We were a top seven team last year, and we didn’t get out of our area because of one match.”

It’s a tough region, and the Jaguars managed a victory last season over Oak Mountain, which eventually fell in the state semifinal. Bowen’s plan has never been about reaching new heights over-

night.

“Getting better every day is the goal,” she said. “We’re leaps and bounds beyond where we were when I took over five years ago, because of these girls – not me. My older girls have been great mentors.

I think this group can be fun to watch for the next few months.

They’re not scared of anyone that walks on the floor. They’re not afraid of anyone across the net. But we struggle with how good our potential could be. We struggle with the results of the past.”

As they look forward, they’ll be led by a group that includes Allie DeSantis and Jessica Veal.

“There are big roles to fill,” said

DeSantis. “The floor can’t be quiet.

There always has to be a leader, not just one, but six.”

Bowen tries to make each of her practices more difficult than anything she can anticipate her players seeing in game action. Her goal is to make her team as competitive as possible, to improve upon the culture at Spain Park by making sure that her players are buying in every day.

“The kids show a lot of resiliency every day, whether that’s conditioning or weight lifting or a tough drill,” Bowen said. “I try to make practice harder than games. This is one of the best and tallest teams we’ve ever had. The ball is in their

court.”

Veal also will be crucial to this team’s success, and she feels confident in her ability to lead.

“I’m more comfortable running plays,” she said. “I can run the floor as good as anyone else.”

Bowen also said she expects big things from Sha’Kevia Hogan this season, as Marlee Johnson moves on to play at the collegiate level.

“Sha’Kevia has been kind of hidden behind Marlee,” she said.

“She’s aggressive. She hits hard.

Her stepping up into Marlee’s role from last year will be crucial to how we do this season.”

Spain Park opens its 2018 campaign Aug. 23 at Oak Mountain.

Journal file photo by Mark Almond

Spain Park Volleyball Coach Aims for Improvement Every Year

Allie DeSantis

Briarwood Looks to Build a Team on Base of Two Returning Players

Briarwood Christian’s 2018 volleyball team faces an uphill battle.

The Lions return just two players from last year’s squad, and as they typically have, they’ll play up to a lot of 6A and 7A competition in the Birmingham area, including their opening match against 6A Pelham.

But the latter is something to which they’ve grown accustomed.

“I’ve been on the varsity team since I was a freshman,” said setter Kaley Bruce. “So the competition

level isn’t different, but the girls are different because we’re the only ones left.”

She was speaking of herself and outside hitter Anna Grace Pattillo.

“We’ve got a great group of sophomores,” said coach Jeff Robertson. “A lot of our girls play club, so they may not have the varsity experience, but they have playing experience. They’re just going to have to adjust to the speed of the game.”

Among that young talent are middle blockers Caroline Mays and

Peruvian Import Homewood Senior Loo is Right at Home on the Volleyball Court

By Rubin E. Grant As a young girl growing up in Lima, Peru, Alejandra Loo would look out the window of her family’s apartment at the volleyball players practicing on the court outside.

She was fixated.

“It looked like so much fun and when I saw the players mash the ball, I told myself I wanted to be able to do that,” Loo said.

Loo told her mother she wanted to play, especially since the court was so nearby. Her mother, Veronica Guerrero de Luna, signed her up and Loo began playing volleyball when she was 8 years old and in the second grade.

She could serve and pass the ball immediately, but it wasn’t until the sixth grade she was able to “mash” – better known as spike – the ball.

“It made me happy and that’s when I realized I really wanted to be a volleyball player,” Loo said.

Coming to America

A few years later, Loo, her mother and her older brother Sebastian moved to the United States to be closer to her mother’s family, who had made the move several years earlier.

“When my grandma came, my mother was

Emma Crawford. Robertson also expects big things from a young setter named Maddie Vaughn. Mays and Vaughn played varsity basketball for the Lions as freshmen, and Crawford ran track. Robertson and his seniors expect Crawford to make a name for herself on the court this season.

“She’s got a lot of drive,” Pattillo said. “(Younger players will) have to take responsibility and learn to be accountable for things. They don’t understand the hard work that goes into varsity.”

Robertson has turned over much

already 18 and was considered an adult,” Loo said.

“She wasn’t able to come with my grandma and my mother’s sisters. I wasn’t born yet.”

After Loo was born, her parents eventually divorced and, other than her dad’s side of the family, it was just her mom and her two brothers, Sebastian and Christian, still in Peru. Her mother decided to come to America too.

“She thought Alejandra Loo the process would be quicker, but it took 10 years,” Loo said.

Though Sebastian made the trip, Christian was 19 and had to remain in Peru.

Loo and her family settled in Homewood during the middle of her seventh-grade year.

She spoke only Spanish.

“All I could say was ‘Hi, my name is Alejandra.’” Her given name actually is Maria Guerrero de Luna, but it was easier to go by Alejandra. “I prefer short and simple,” she said.

Loo quickly learned English, thanks to her Homewood Middle School ESL teacher, Georgia Miller, whom Loo said was an “amazing teacher,” members of her family who

of his coaching to his two seniors. As they prepare for the new season, Bruce and Pattillo lead not just by example, but vocally.

“We have given them the authority to stop a practice and take control,” he said. “To take leadership; to say, ‘That ball can’t hit the floor. Do some pushups.’”

In 13 years with Briarwood’s program and three with the varsity program, this may be Robertson’s most inexperienced team. But he’s confident that, with leadership from girls such as Bruce and Pattillo, the Lions

already were living in Birmingham and her brother.

“We studied English in our school in Peru and Sebastian paid attention,” Loo said. “I did not pay attention,” she added with a laugh, “because I said, ‘what for, I was not going to use it.’ It’s not like I was going to go to the United States, and the next thing you know, I’m in the United States.”

Journal photo file photo by Mark Almond

By Blake Ells

Volleyball Smooths Transition

Once she started attending Homewood Middle School, Loo joined the volleyball team.

It helped ease her transition to a new country.

“I was able to make friends,” she said. “The thing I like about Homewood is the way they integrate you into the school and community.

It’s a great atmosphere.”

Now a senior on the Homewood High volleyball team, the 5-foot-8-inch Loo is counted on for leadership on and off the court.

“I want to set a good example for my teammates,” Loo said. “I don’t want to say I want them to look up to me, but I want them to follow my example. The coach relies on me a lot.”

“She’s definitely a player you want on your side,” Homewood coach Krimson Revis said.

“She’s tenacious and athletic, and she’s very vocal. The only problem is she wants to do it all by herself. As good as she is … we want her to be more concerned about her teammates and depend more on them. But she is the glue that makes the team stick together.”

This will be Loo’s second season at middle hitter after being an outside hitter since she was in middle school.

“They put me in the middle because they

can have success in 2018. It won’t always be easy, though.

“We’re stressing buying in,” he said. “We play a fairly tough schedule and there’s going to be some rough nights. We’ll take that and build on it so come area tournament time, we’ll be firing on all cylinders.”

This season, they’ll travel to tournaments at Brooks and Guntersville in North Alabama in addition to playing familiar 5A foes such as Ramsay and Woodlawn. They’ll get underway Aug. 23, when they host Pelham.

expected me to be a good athlete,” Loo said.

“I’m used to playing everything.”

The Patriots will open their 2018 season Aug. 28 at Vestavia Hills. They advanced to the North Super Regional in 2017 and finished with a 19-22 record.

Loo said the Patriots have high expectations.

“I think we can go far this season,” she said.

“Our goal is to get to regional and then go to state.”

Loo plans to continue her volleyball career in college.

“I definitely want to get a scholarship,” she said.

“We have a couple of colleges interested in her,” Revis said. “Alejandra is a high-achieving kid academically and athletically. We’re concerned that she goes somewhere that challenges her academically as well as athletically because we’re all about the student-athlete.”

One option is Birmingham-Southern.

“I want to play close to home,” Loo said, “but if I get good offers far away I’ll have to consider those.”

Wherever she attends college, Loo plans to study nursing.

“Sebastian is a sophomore at Alabama and he’s studying engineering,” Loo said. “I thought about engineering since I like math and numbers and all that stuff. But I like helping people, so I think I’ll study nursing.”

Loo also hopes to become a U.S. citizen one day.

“I think I’ll try to do that in five or six years, about the time I’ll be done with college,” she said.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 23, 2018 • 27

SPORTS

Football Has Long Been a Part of Renowned Artist Skipper’s Life

Internationally renowned artist Steve Skipper was once a standout high school football player.

Skipper played linebacker for the Homewood Patriots in the mid1970s, starting his junior and senior seasons. He patterned his game after two of the NFL’s most vicious hitters, Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears.

“I was physical,” said Skipper, who grew up in the Rosedale community. “There wasn’t any of that finesse stuff.”

What Skipper really enjoyed was being around his teammates.

“It was great playing on the team,” he said. “We had a lot of great athletes. The best one was probably Murray Legg.” Legg starred at quarterback and defensive back before an outstanding career at the University of Alabama.

“He was awesome,” Skipper said. “We had some other guys who could have gone on to college, like (running back) Jimmy Lee Edwards from Rosedale. I think he could have gone to the NFL.” Legg and Edwards were part of Homewood’s 1974 state championship team. Skipper was a sophomore that season and wasn’t on the varsity.

Skipper graduated from Homewood in 1977 and had an opportunity to play college football.

“I had a few scholarships for football and art,” he said. “The Lord told me not to take the scholarship, that he would teach me everything I needed to know (about art). And He did.”

Skipper has been making art since he was in elementary school at the encouragement of his late brother, Don. “I idolized my older brother, and when he started sketching and drawing, I picked up a pencil and did the same thing,” Skipper said.

Skipper didn’t pursue any formal training, and if he had listened to his late mother, Elnora, he never would have become famous.

“My mom was real reluctant about me going into the art business full time,” Skipper said. “I had an uncle, her brother, who wanted to be an artist and he faced a tre-

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

Steve Skipper played linebacker for the Homewood Patriots in the mid-1970s, starting his junior and senior seasons. In June, Skipper unveiled his latest limited-edition oil painting, “Hands of Gold,” at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

mendous amount of racism because people weren’t open to a black man being an artist.

“It discouraged him tremendously. It broke him. And she didn’t want the same thing to happen to me.”

His mother knew Skipper was artistically talented.

“When I was in the fourth grade, one of my teachers told her I had the gift,” he said.

Even so, she had her reservations, especially since he was a starving artist and would come by her house to eat.

“She told me to get a real job,” Skipper said with a laugh.

Finally, Skipper convinced his mother he could make a living as an artist when late University of Alabama football player Derrick Thomas had Skipper do a painting of Thomas and Thomas’ late father, an Air Force pilot who was killed during the Vietnam War. Thomas handed Skipper a $10,000 check for the piece.

“I took the check to my mom, she looked at it, and then she got real quiet,” Skipper said. “Then, she looked at it again, and said, ‘You’ve got a real job.’”

Skipper has been operating his own Anointed Homes Art business

since 1982. He also has become the first African-American artist to be commissioned to do paintings for a number of sports institutions. He is known for his officially licensed, sports-themed oil paintings that depict major football moments at colleges such as Alabama and Auburn. He also does NFL and NASCAR paintings, along with religious- and civil rights-themed paintings.

His works have hung in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the U.S. Capitol, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Paul W. “Bear” Bryant Museum, among others.

Skipper, 59, also has had a long association with Alabama football coaches, beginning with Ray Perkins and continuing to Nick Saban. “Coach Saban has been very good to me,” Skipper said.

Skipper presently is working on “Resilience in Crimson,” two original paintings of Alabama’s gamewinning, 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to beat Georgia in the 2017 national championship game.

He’s doing one painting of freshman receiver DeVonta Smith’s catch and the other of freshman

Hoover High School head football coach Josh Niblett has been tapped to lead the Alabama team in the 32nd annual AlabamaMississippi All-Star game in December.

Niblett also served as head coach of the Alabama All-Stars in 2009.

“It was a great experience when I coached in the game in 2009,” Niblett said in a press release issued by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity

again. It is very important to high school football in this state.”

Jamie Lee, director of the association, said, “Coach Niblett is one of our most outstanding high school head coaches in the nation.”

Niblett has coached six Hoover teams to AHSAA state championships and Oneonta to one title. He owns a 129-16 record at Hoover and an overall record of 194-48.

The rest of the Alabama All-Star staff for

Journal photo file photo by Marvin Gentry

Hoover Coach Niblett Will Lead Alabama Squad in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game

quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s pass.

In June, Skipper unveiled his latest limited-edition oil painting, “Hands of Gold” at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. It depicts former Alabama defensive lineman DaRon Payne’s famed touchdown catch against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Proofs and prints of Skipper’s works are available at his website, anointedhomesartllc.com.

Following the Steps of King

Finishing the two national championship paintings is part of a busy late summer and fall schedule for Skipper, with much of it centered on his civil Rights artwork.

On Aug. 24, Skipper is traveling to Bimini and Nassau, in the Bahamas, to deliver art reproductions of a painting commissioned by the government of Bimini in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit there in 1964. It was in the mangroves of Bimini that King wrote his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

The original was unveiled in February. The painting took

Skipper more than 1,000 hours of easel work to complete. It features the green groves of Bimini with the image of Dr. King in the clouds, lost in thought and seemingly looking down over the small island.

Skipper will be accompanied on his Bahamas trip by Ambassador Andrew J. Young, a civil rights icon, and former Alabama and Miami Dolphin legend Bob Baumhower.

“The reproductions will be hung on permanent display in the Bimini airport and House of Parliament in Nassau,” Skipper said.

In September, Skipper will be traveling to Washington along with Young for a celebration of Young’s life. Ford Motor Company executives will announce the formal commission of Skipper paintings featuring Young and George Washington Carver and Carver’s relationship with Henry Ford.

In October, Skipper will be presenting a donation of one of the art reproductions of King’s Bahamian visit at a formal event at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

On Nov. 9, Skipper will be presenting the original painting at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta.

“This unveiling will be hosted by ambassador Young and attended by dignitaries from the Bahamas, among many others,” Skipper said.

A year ago, a book, “Dream On: A Journey to Deliverance,” was released about Skipper’s life. It is a story about him overcoming personal, professional and spiritual barriers. He talks about his growth from an impoverished childhood as a teenaged gang member to a prolific and honored painter and sketch artist.

Throughout the book, Skipper shares his spiritual faith and how God transformed his life.

“What has impacted me the most as an artist is learning my creativity came from the creator.”

Skipper said.

Skipper doesn’t have a personal favorite among all the artwork he has done.

“All of my artwork is different and they all bring something different to the table and they all came from God,” he said. “I can’t say which one is better. I thank God for each of them.”

Niblett has coached six Hoover teams to AHSAA state championships and Oneonta to one title. He owns a 129-16 record at Hoover and an overall record of 194-48.

the game will be announced later, Lee said.

The game will be played at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl on Dec. 17 with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. This will be the first game of the series played on a Monday night.

Alabama lost 42-7 last year in Hattiesburg but holds a 22-9 edge in the annual game that has pitted the top high school senior players from Alabama and Mississippi against each other since 1988.

Football has long been a part of renowned artist Steve Skipper’s life.

Page 27

SPORTS Thursday, August 23, 2018 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

INSIDE 2018 OTM High School Football Preview

OTM VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

The Juniors Have It on Mountain Brook’s Volleyball Squad

By Blake Ells

ways,” said outside hitter Grace Carr. “Some of us are louder than others. Some of us are quieter, but they speak through their actions.”

It’s personality that will define their season and how each girl plays an important role in their success.

“We’re all seven completely different people, and we’re each bringing something different to practice,” said Vandevelde.

Ann’s twin sister, Liz, also is a part of this junior class as libero, along with Ellie Dayhuff as middle blocker. Ann will move to setter for the first time.

“My whole club season, I set,” she said.

“It’s a little different, but having spent time at club and seeing Libby Grace (Gann) last year, not a lot has to change.”

Vandevelde and Carr are also both expecting early contributions from freshman middle blocker Greer Golden. “Sometimes we forget she’s 13-years-old,” Nichols said.

Carr is going to be counted on. While all seven juniors will play an important role, Nichols is hoping Carr will lead.

“She has to be depended upon. She can’t have a bad day,” Nichols said.

“One of our words is to be resilient,” Carr said of the Spartans’ quest to better last season’s finish. “I need to bounce back fast because if I don’t, it’s going to hurt my team.”

Mountain Brook will open its season Aug. 28 at Bob Jones.

Just one senior – Libby Grace Gann – departed Mountain Brook last season, and this year, the Spartans’ volleyball team will have none.

But a large junior class is moving in to help the Spartans surpass last year’s season, in which the team fell in the state semifinals to McGill-Toolen 3-0.

“Every day we come in, we know how last year ended,” said junior setter Ann Vandevelde. “That we ended in three sets.

We have a big junior class and our class tries to lead practice every day to make this team the best that it can be.”

Coach Vickie Nichols took over the squad on short notice last season upon the departure of former coach Haven O’Quinn. O’Quinn took the head coaching job at Birmingham-

‘We’re all seven (juniors) completely different people, and we’re each bringing something different to practice.’

ANN VANDEVELDE

Spain Park volleyball coach aims for improvement every year. PAGE 26

Journal file photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Southern College after capturing three consecutive state championships with the Spartans. That transition created a bit of turnover on the squad, but after a year together and a successful run, Nichols and her players have grown to know each other well.

“We now understand each other,” she said. “I was new to them and they were new to me. They’ve matured mentally and emotionally, and I think we realize what we want to do together. You can’t have seven leaders, but when one is having a bad day, someone else always steps up. We’ve got a lot of talent and we’re having a lot of fun.”

Those seven leaders are the seven juniors on the team, a massive class that Vandevelde assures “takes up the whole court.”

“Everybody is stepping up in different

Briarwood looks to build a team on base of two returning payers. PAGE 26

Ellie Dayhuff (7) is a member of a strong junior class expected to lead Mountain Brook this season.

BIRMINGHAM THE SUMMIT | 209 SUMMIT BLVD. | BIRMINGHAM, AL | P: 205-970-9758

MONDAY–SATURDAY 10AM – 8PM SUNDAY 12 – 6PM