Thursday, September 8, 2016 • 21
social
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Rehab Reality by Jeff Butler
Photo special to the Journal
Wood-Chapman
From left: Toby and Jennifer Bearden with Brian and Chrissy Schubert.
Shine On
ASA Hosts 19th Annual Gala Fundraiser The Autism Society of Alabama raised more than $100,000 at the annual Autism Shines Gala Fundraiser, held Aug. 20 at the Birmingham Marriott. JOX Roundtable emcees Ryan Brown and Jim Dunaway welcomed a crowd of more than 300. Guests spent the evening sipping complimentary beer and wine provided by Alabama Beverage and United Johnson Brothers while perusing a selection of 150 items up for silent auction. Featured items included a Lake Tahoe getaway, Pursell Farm Stay and Play package and a week-long stay at Tops’l Beach and Racquet Resort. Following dinner, attendees watched the organization’s “Year in Review” video, which highlighted the smiling faces of program participants and moments from programs such as First Responder Training, Camp FROG, conferences, workshops and other autism-friendly events. Board of directors President Nancy Barnes presented the annual President’s Award to Denise Gillespie, Alice Murdoch and Cindy Nelson, each having impacted the state during their careers in public special education. Additionallly, Kathy Lovell, Americans with Disabilities Act Manager at Regions Bank, accepted the Innovative Program award on behalf of the bank for its commitment to becoming autism-friendly. At the end of the evening a winning name was drawn for the Ultimate Roll Tide Package, which included two tickets to the Crimson Tide’s opening game against USC as well as airfare and hotel accommodations in Dallas. ❖ Above, Charisse and Brian Jennings with Jerry. Below, Kathy Lovell and Melanie Jones.
Jackson Dickson and Jennifer Dickson.
Mary Lassiter Wood and Andrew Ross Chapman were married May 7 at Mountain Brook Community Church. The Rev. Timothy Kallam officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wallace Wood of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ross Chapman of Birmingham. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a Monique Lhuillier full Alencon and Chantilly lace gown featuring a modified bateau neckline. Delicate buttons adorned the back of her gown as a cascading Cathedral veil trimmed in Alencon lace flowed behind her. Maid of honor was Lauren Taylor Wood, the sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Natalie Anderson Akin; Meghan Brown Amerson; Karen Marshall Barrow; Blayke Hanan Bearman; Allie Reynolds Chapman, Kalyn Elizabeth Chapman and Neeley Christine Chapman, sisters of the groom; Jordan Simmons Cobb; Courtney Patton DeShazo; Stephanie Geldzahler Ladden; Anna Templeton McDill; Madison Whatley Merrill; and Meagan Ballard Rhodes. Fletcher Madison Merrill was the flower girl. The father of the groom was best man. Groomsmen were Parker Boen Chapman, cousin of the groom; Charles Thomas Gibson; John Milner McCary Jr.; Scott Ryan McCaghren; Kevin Cornelius Partlow; David Walton Rader; Gregory Nolan Smith; Matthew Coles Tapley; Peter Owens Thompson; Thomas Glenwood Trott; and Wade Agerton Wood, brother of the bride. Thomas Lee Merrill IV was the ring bearer. Richard Reid DeShazo, Thomas Lee Merrill III, Jack Parker Morris and Bryan Montgomery Reynolds were ushers. After a honeymoon trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple live in Birmingham.
To have our wedding & engagement forms sent to you, call 823-9646.
Do You Want to Know What Drives Me Crazy? Well... crazier than usual. Going into stores and seeing holiday decorations already. Can we please get through Halloween first?
My main beef with stores pushing seasonal wares so far out is that I think it’s too indicative of our times. We’d much rather look to the future and hopefully happy times than to dear with what is going on right now in our lives. It’s much more enjoyable than thinking about what could be happening right in front of our eyes. Here’s a taste of reality. Someone in your life, whether a relative, a friend or even you, is struggling with some type of addiction right now. This isn’t hyperbole. This is sadly a fact. It is as much a sign of our times as much as those damn decorations for sale in September. The good news is that addiction and alcoholism treatment have evolved as the acknowledgement and acceptance of the prevalence of these two have become more acceptable. No longer does treatment mean hospitals, cabins in the woods or medications that create zombies. A homelike atmosphere, freshly prepared gourmet meals, exercise, meaningful grouptherapy and quality individual counseling are fast becoming the benchmarks of treatment and the results bear out the reason that is so. They give people the best opportunity to start and to enjoy a happy sober life. I’m proud to say that Bayshore Retreat was one of if not the first to start this modality of care. Anyway, if you or a loved one need some help, call my mom. If you don’t know anyone who needs help, congratulations. You’re a rare and lucky individual.
850-687-6831
www.bayshoreretreat.com Destin, FL Healing water front setting Licensed & court approved