April 17, 2014

The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

inside

JOU RNAL otmj.com

th

ursd ay, April 17, 2014

V ol . 23 #8

Community Cross Walk

Food-themed Fundraiser: Top chefs headline Taste for a Cure

about town page 4

Participants in last year’s Way of the Cross procession cross the street near Sutherland Place in Homewood.

Photo special to the Journal

Homewood Churches Will Unite for Good Friday Procession

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

O

The churches of Homewood will host the 21st annual Way of the Cross procession on April 18. From left: The Rev. Jack Alvey of All Saints’ Episcopal, the Rev. Catherine Oliver of Edgewood Presbyterian and the Rev. Dan Dahl of Shades Valley Lutheran. Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

n Good Friday, members of Homewood churches will follow volunteers carrying a 7-foot wooden cross down Oxmoor Road in the annual Way of the Cross procession to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.

As the procession stops at four different Homewood churches for scripture readings, those gathered will not only be publicly stating their faith, they will also be demonstrating their unity, event organizers said.

“It is a statement to the power of the cross and the importance of setting aside theological differences,” said the Rev. Dan Dahl, pastor of Shades Valley Lutheran Church.

The Way of the Cross procession on April 18 will mark the 21st year members of different Christian traditions in Homewood have come together in one faith to remember what happened on Good Friday so long ago.

The procession will begin with scripture reading in the amphitheater at Homewood Park on Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m.

The procession along Oxmoor Road includes stops at See cross walk, page 17

The Bishop’s Life: Carpenter’s book strives for complete picture of his father

people page 10

Award for AIDS Work: Mountain Brook resident wins national honor

people page 11

Mediterranean Manor European Influences Accent This Year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse

By Donna Cornelius

Journal features writer

ter coats, getting out the gardening tools—and visiting the Decorators’ ShowHouse.

The annual Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser lets designers create one-of-a-kind rooms in splendid settings. This year’s 38th ShowHouse, which will be open April 26-May 11, is the 12,000-square-foot Villa D’Ambra (left) at 4021 St. Charles Drive in Hoover’s Greystone neighborhood.

See showhouse, page 41

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Springtime in Birmingham means putting away win-

Highlighting Homewood: Event spotlights schools, community, teachers

social page 22

artful addition to Dogwood festival p. 4 • Treasure hunt P. 6 • building bonds P. 16 • love-love challenge p. 20 • How to peg an egg p. 30

2 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Opinion/Contents

Mountain Brook Tops Revised List

Mountain Brook was named the smartest in the state and two others made the top 10 in a recently updated list of the smartest cities in the state.

Movoto Real Estate recently issued the rankings, at first naming Fairhope as the state’s smartest city but later revising the list to show Mountain Brook in the number one spot.

Both Homewood and Vestavia Hills made the top 10 list of the smartest cities, ranking fifth and seventh, respectively. Hoover finished in 16th place, according the revised rankings by Movoto Real Estate.

The Movoto Real Estate analysis examined the state’s 61 cities with populations of at least 10,000. The smartest cities determinations were based on colleges and universities, libraries and museums per capita; percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher; high school graduation size and average K-12 class size.

The report’s author said Mountain Brook’s high graduation rate at the high school level and the number of residents with bachelor’s degrees helped push the Over the Mountain city to the top of the smartest cities in Alabama list.

Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston said in an email to the Over the Mountain Journal that “almost 84 percent of adults over 25 have a least a college degree.” ❖

On otmj.com Check out our website for updates on news happening in the Over the Mountain area and see more photos and stories from the best parties in town.

Coming May 1

Mother’s Day is May 11 and in our next issue we’ll feature great gift ideas from local stores. We’ll also have the second part of our look inside the 2014 Decorators’ ShowHouse.

in this issue About Town People NEWS life

4 10 14 16

murphy’s law

N

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Bottlenecking

Even when it’s just Harold and me ew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie found himself in fuddling around the house, we knock big trouble a few weeks elbows in the kitchen, because for all back. Allegedly, some people on of the self-proclaimed work area, there his staff thought it would be really is only one three-foot section where clever to exact revenge on a nonany actual work can be done. It’s like supportive colleague by closing a sandwich sweet spot. It’s across from down some of his nearby toll lanes the sink, two steps from the refrigeraand creating traffic havoc for his tor, within easy reach of the silverware constituents. drawer, perfect in every way except that A vehicular version of musical only one person can use it at a time. If chairs.

Harold is making a sandwich, I can get It wasn’t nice, of course, but you creative and repeatedly do the bypass have to give them points for being loop around the center island, but it clever. Nothing makes your heart sink adds about 27 steps to the sandwich like seeing a sign that says “Two lanes process, and while I am trying to add Sue Murphy closed ahead.” healthy steps to my daily routine, I Or trying to check out in a bottlemuch rather those steps be Nothing makes your would neck store. You know what I mean. spent meandering through a sunlit Thousands of feet of attractively heart sink like seeing park or perusing bookstore shelves. arranged display areas, loads of I could just wait until Harold was a sign that says “Two finished wonderful things you would like to making his sandwich, of buy, but the whole process funnels lanes closed ahead.” course (Plan C), but waiting is not down to one or two harried cashiers, my strong suit. I usually just give up and one of them, poor thing, has just and grab a yogurt from the fridge. been forced to call in a price check on a spool of offWhen people ponder dream house blueprints, they white quilting thread. (Is it $1.09 or $1.29?) should give a lot of thought to these traffic patterns.

If the line is too long in those situations, I just replace Feng shui, two-way, whatever way suits your family, but my items and trudge out to the car, resigned to living out test it with a small to-scale walkthrough. Put your little the rest of my days without whatever wonders I had in Lego people in place and see how they would function in a regular day. Kitchens need multi-lane work areas, hand. hallways need two-shoulder passing width. And here’s The New Jersey drivers didn’t have that option, I another thing: you can have a master bathroom the size guess, unless they could figure out a Plan B way to of a New York apartment, but keep in mind that there are get home. Some bottlenecks can be circumvented with still going to be only a few critical square feet where all a little creativity. Take my kitchen, for example. Our of the actual use will take place. house boasts a decent amount of square footage. There Maybe that’s where the New Jersey folks got the are bedrooms for overnight visitors and a multitude of idea. Or maybe it was exiting a movie theater or trying couch cushions for those who want to sit a spell. When to make their way out of a church parking lot. Whatever. my family gets together, we can all physically fit in my Waiting is waiting, and we’re not good at it. It’s a bottlekitchen, but come lunchtime, only one person can make neck pain in the neck. ❖ a sandwich at a time.

Social 20 weddings 28 schools 30 Sports 44

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

April 17, 2014

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Keysha Drexel Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Intern: Taylor Burgess Vol. 23, No. 8

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

Copyright 2014 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.

over the Mountain Views

What is your favorite Easter or Passover tradition?

“My favorite tradition is going to my mom’s house for Easter and spending time with my family.”

Mike Walraven Vestavia Hills

“I think my favorite Passover tradition is the telling of the Passover story. It’s more than just a retelling of a story, it’s an integral part of the Passover Seder.”

Betzy Lynch Mountain Brook

“I love all of the (Easter) traditions--being with my family, going to church, going to Easter egg hunts. I guess my favorite part is watching my grandkids get so excited over finding Easter eggs.”

Deborah Bowles Greystone

“My favorite Passover tradition is eating charoset.

It’s an apple-walnut-honey salad. I wait all year to eat charoset.”

Greer Elkus Mountain Brook

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 3

About Town

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6 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Treasure Hunt

Junior League Gets Ready for Bargain Carousel

spring has sprung!

3022 3rd Ave. So. • 320-1900 Open Mon.- Sat. 10 - 5:30 www.fronterairon.com

The Junior League of Birmingham is offering Over the Mountain residents a chance to discover new treasures and help their community this month.

The Junior League will host its 33rd Bargain Carousel April 24-27 to raise money to support its programs in the Birmingham area.

This year Bargain Carousel will be back in the former J.C. Penney location at Century Plaza at 7580 Crestwood Blvd.

Organizers said this year’s event will feature more than 100,000 items, including adult clothing, appliances, art, books, music, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, heirloom items, holiday decorations, home décor, infant furniture and accessories, kitchen items, lighting, linens, office equipment and furniture, outdoor and sporting goods, rugs and toys.

The sale items will be grouped together by categories in different sections. There will be special shopping sections for heirloom merchandise, which includes antiques and handmade children’s clothes, and for brand new items donated by local businesses.

“Every year strollers and toys are some of our most sought-after items,” said Sarah Peinhardt, Bargain Carousel chairman. “This year we will have several highly desired, brand name strollers for sale starting at $15 and a variety of battery-operated kids’ vehicles.”

Junior League of Birmingham President Kara Myers said sale items are donated by Junior League members.

“Over 6,000 volunteer hours are committed to this fundraiser, and all proceeds raised at Bargain Carousel are returned to the community through the Junior League of Birmingham’s Community Projects,” Myers said.

Elizabeth Burgess, the JLB fund development director, said every trip to Bargain Carousel holds the promise of surprise and the opportunity to make a great find while helping the Birmingham community.

“Bargain Carousel is unique in that the reach goes beyond just those that attend,” Burgess said. “It provides an opportunity to purchase many of life’s necessities at greatly reduced prices, and it helps fund the many community projects that the Junior League of Birmingham supports through the revenue raised.”

Peinhardt said the JLB’s partner agencies depend on the funds raised at the event to support their missions.

“Bargain Carousel is the end result of teamwork and various contributions from many individuals,” she said.

Over the years, shoppers have found many treasures at Bargain Carousel, event organizers said.

JLB member Shelley Gentle said she was preparing to leave Bargain Bash 2013 when she made a lastminute decision to visit the heirloom department. There, she picked up a framed print that turned out to

Members of the Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel 2014 steering committee are getting ready for the 33rd event April 24-27. Front, from left: Marianne Gilchrist, Carrie Juliano, Sarah Peinhardt and Haley Holden.

Back: Jeri Tindal and Becky Holt. Photo special to the Journal

Bargain hunters can find deals on everything from infant strollers and toys to clothing, books and art at the 33rd Bargain Carousel hosted by the Junior League of Birmingham. Photo special to the Journal

be a piece by French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas entitled “Loges d’Actrices.” The black and white print, made from an etching by Degas, depicts two actresses in their dressing rooms.

When Gentle looked at the piece, she said, she immediately thought of her former art teacher and Altamont School Headmaster Martin Hames, who passed away several years ago.

After researching the piece’s history, Gentle learned that the print matches examples found on the websites for the Yale University Art Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Though the exact date of the print is unknown, a similar print was sold through the Christie Auction House for $3,000 in 2008.

In addition to her own research, Gentle had the print authenticated by a curator at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Bargain Bash Sneak Peek

Shoppers can get a sneak peek at the best the 2014 Bargain Carousel has to offer at the Bargain Bash from 7-10 p.m. April 24. A $40 VIP ticket gets shoppers in the door at 6 p.m. for an hour of early bird shopping privileges. VIP ticket holders will also get food, beverages, first dibs on cash and carry auction items and

a chance to bid on more than 150 items in live and silent auctions.

General admission tickets for the Bargain Bash are $30 and allow patrons to shop from 7-10 p.m.

Organizers said hundreds of people are known to line up for presale tickets, which will be available this year from 3-7 p.m. April 25.

Shoppers can purchase up to four tickets at $10 each for the Saturday sale.

“I always come to purchase holiday decorations whether it is for Christmas, Easter or Halloween,” said Ryan Graham of Vestavia Hills.

“I love having something new to add to my collection every year.”

Bargain Carousel 2014 will kick off at 8 a.m. April 26 and end at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 from 8-10 a.m. and $5 from 10 am.-5 p.m.

At the Saturday sale, all tickets will be numbered, and shoppers will enter the Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket numbers.

The sale continues from 1-5 p.m.

April 27 with free admission and half-price merchandise.

For more information on the 2014 Bargain Carousel, visit www. bargaincarousel.net, call 879-9861 or visit the Bargain Carousel Facebook page online.❖

a celebration of reading with music, characters and more on the mall’s main street. There will be a collection of new and gently used children’s books that will be donated to children in Birmingham City Schools. Participants are encouraged to bring or buy a book for the book drive. For more information, visit www.betterbasics.org.

Mountain Brook

Strike Out Ovarian Cancer April 19, 1-3 p.m.

Brunswick Riverview Lanes The Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation will host a bowling tournament from 1-3 p.m. April 19 at Riverview Lanes in Mountain Brook. The Strike Out Ovarian Cancer tournament will benefit the Foundation. The familyfriendly event will include cosmic bowling, official Strike Out T-shirts, swag bags and a chance to win prizes. For more information, contact Julie Lovell at j.lovell@thinkoflaura.org or 585-5857.

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

more information, visit aldridgegardens. com or call 682-8019.

Homewood

Tree Care Program April 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Homewood Public Library To celebrate Earth Day, Stan Pella will present a program at the Homewood Public Library on the proper care of trees. The free event

The Pantry A book release party for Jennie Cunnion’s “Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child’s Heart with God’s Extravagant Grace” will be held at The Pantry on Dexter Avenue in Mountain Brook from 6:308:30 p.m. April 22. Cunnion is the

is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 22 in the library’s large auditorium. Pella will teach participants how to care for trees that can add beauty and value to their property. For more information, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 3326620.

Mountain Brook

Homewood

Yom HaShoah Commemoration

See Save the date, page 7

Book Release Party April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

fashion Forward Fundraiser

523 park avenue

The One You've Been Waiting For!

Hoover

Caterpillars to Butterflies Program April 22, 6:30-8 p.m.

Aldridge Gardens Mike Howell, author, biologist and professor emeritus at Samford University, will present “Caterpillars to Butterflies: How These Insects Use Plants to Thrive” from 6:30-8 p.m. April 22 at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. Those attending will learn how a tiny egg the size of a grain of sand transforms into a butterfly. Each family that registers for this program will receive a butterfly host plant. Fees range from $5-$26. Space is limited, and pre-registration is suggested. For

sister of Mountain Brook resident and author Patti Callahan Henry. For more information, visit jenniecunnion.com.

Prestigious Park Avenue - Totally Updated $170's Walk to School & Shades Cliff Pool Fenced Backyard - Circular Drive

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Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary members are getting accessorized in preparation for Homewood the April 25 Spring Luncheon.

From left: Gail Wood, Jeanette Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Spring Luncheon Humes, Nancy Warden, Aletha Watley, Carol Meddars and Kathy April 25 Parker. Photo special to the Journal The Club The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host its Spring Luncheon April 25 at The Club in Homewood. The fundraising event will also include a silent auction, a “buy it now” booth and a fashion show by Chico’s. For more information or to make reservations, call Gail Wood at 591-1414. ❖

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4 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Artful Addition

About Town

This Year’s Dogwood Festival Includes Art Show

By Keysha Drexel

T

Journal editor

he Vestavia Hills Beautification Board is adding a celebration of art to its annual observance of the beauty of spring in the city.

The board is hosting the inaugural Art in The Hills art show April 19 as a part of the annual Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival.

The art show will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Vestavia City Center and will feature professional and amateur artists and artisans from Vestavia Hills and around the Southeast, said Ashley Nance, co-chairman of Art in The Artists and members of the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board are making plans for the Hills.

“We’ll have 43 artists and inaugural Art in The Hills art show, set for April 19 during the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival. Participating artists include, front, from left: Ashley Fitts, Sharon Brown and artisans at the show--it’s not Sandra Butler. Back: Event co-chairmen Cindy Bartlett and Ashley Nance. just about painters. We have Photo special to the Journal some people bringing threedimensional works of art, we have jewelry makers, metal Nance said her Art in The Hills works artists--it’s a pretty big variety,” Nance said. goal is to get as many When: April 19, 10 a.m.The beautification board wanted to do something differyoung people in 4 p.m. ent at this year’s Dogwood Festival, Nance said, so board Vestavia Hills involved Where: Vestavia City member Cindy Bartlett suggested an art show. with the Dogwood Center “She presented this idea in November, and everyone Festival and the art What: The Vestavia loved it,” Nance said. “We’ve been working like crazy to show as possible.

Hills Beautification Board get everything ready in such a short time period because “I really want to will host the inaugural Art in we think this is something that will really enhance the make this something The Hills art show featuring Dogwood Festival.” that is for the whole professional and amateur The Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival has been held community, something artists and artisans from every spring since the 1960s to herald the seasonal arrival of that people of all ages Vestavia Hills and around the blooms of the dogwood trees. can enjoy and look the Southeast.

For several years, the Miss Dogwood Pageant was a forward to each year,” For more highlight of the festival, Nance said. she said. “Some of information: Visit www.

“But for whatever reason, participation in the pageant the teens from Youth vestaviabeautiful.com has just dropped off over the past few years, so we thought Leadership Vestavia an art show would be a fresh, new event to add to the festiHills and from the val this year,” she said.

National Honor Society at the high school are coming out The art show will include a special program just for to volunteer at the art show, so it truly is going to be a comVestavia Hills students, Nance said. munity event.”

“We’re also having an art show for the children that will Nance said the Art in The Hills show would have never be judged for cash prizes in three age divisions,” she said. gotten off the ground if it weren’t for the support of its Students can submit any type of two-dimensional artsponsors and the hardworking members of the beautificawork in either the elementary, middle school or high school tion board. division for a chance to win $100 for first place, $50 for “We’ve had so many people step up and work to make second place and $25 for third place, Nance said. this art show a success, like Debra Pounds, who is in “We have some really talented young artists in Vestavia charge of entertainment, and Gina Henley, who is charge Hills, and they can use that prize money to buy new art of hospitality,” she said. “Everyone has really worked supplies and make Vestavia Hills even more beautiful,” she together to make sure everything is taken care of and we said. offer a great art show.”

The Art in The Hills event will also feature live enterNance said she and the other members of the beautifitainment by Over the Mountain and Birmingham-area music cation board hope that Art in The Hills becomes an annual groups, Nance said. tradition and something that those attending the Dogwood “The Pizitz Middle School Jazz Band will perform, and Festival can look forward to for years to come. they are fabulous,” she said. “I heard them perform a couple “We’re excited about it, and we’re really hoping for of months ago, and I completely forgot they were middle pretty weather that day so as many people as possible school kids because they were just so good.” can come out and see all that makes Vestavia Hills such a The Pizitz Middle School choirs and the Vestavia beautiful place to live,” she said.

Hills High School Show Choir will also perform at the art The Dogwood Festival will also include the annual show along with members of the Red Mountain Theatre Dogwood Luncheon April 17.

Youth Performing Ensemble, the Shades Mountain Baptist Each year, members of the Vestavia Hills Beautification Worship Band and Joann Little and Friends, Nance said.

Board design different tablescapes for the community to “It’s just going to be a fun way to celebrate all the wonenjoy with lunch provided by Cafe Iz. derful things about Vestavia Hills,” Nance said.

This year’s featured speaker at the Dogwood Luncheon Nance said she’s been encouraging folks to celebrate all will be storyteller Dolores Hydock. the wonderful things about Vestavia Hills since she was a Doors open at 11 a.m. for the luncheon, and lunch will member of the Vestavia Hills Belles back in the 1990s.

“I loved serving as a Belle, and it was so much fun,” she start at 11:30 a.m. Seating is limited. Tickets are $20 each.

For more information on the Art in The Hills art show, said. “When I got older and after I had my four kids, I was Dogwood Luncheon or the Vestavia Hills Dogwood the looking for a way to serve my community again, and that’s Festival, visit www.vestaviabeautiful.com and click on the how I got involved with the beautification board about five “Art in The Hills” tab. ❖ years ago.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Save the Date Homewood

Group Art Opening April 17, 5-8 p.m.

Four Seasons Gallery Four Seasons Art Gallery at 2910 18th St. South in Homewood will host a group art opening from 5-8 p.m.

April 17. Those attending can see the work of artists Carolyn McDonald, Mary White Sewell and Phyllis Gibson.

The event is free and open to the public. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The first 50 people to arrive at the opening can enter to win an original painting by one of the featured artists. For more information, visit www. fourseasonsantiquesandart.com or call 803-4059.

Mountain Brook

Aware Mountain Brook Town Talk April 17, 6 p.m.

Park Lane Aware Mountain Brook, a group formed in February to create an environment and forums for residents to speak freely about depression, substance abuse and other issues, will host a Town Talk at 6 p.m. April 17 at Park Lane, 2717 Cahaba Road in English Village. The event will feature Mountain Brook resident and author Sue W. Martin, who will talk about her new book, “Out of the Whirlpool.”

The book tells how she rebuilt her life after an impetuous act in her youth ended in traumatic blindness. For more information, call Julie White at 2222375.

Birmingham

Taste for a Cure April 17, 6:30 p.m.

Avon Theater The Parkinson Association of Alabama will present Taste for a Cure at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at Avon Theater, 2829 Seventh Ave. South, Birmingham.

The event will feature Chef Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club along with top chefs Chris Harrigan of Stones Throw Bar and Grill, Rob McDaniel of SpringHouse Restaurant, George McMillan III of FoodBar and Mauricio Papapietro of Brick and Tin. All proceeds will benefit the Parkinson Association of Alabama.

Tickets are $150 per couple and include food and wine/ beer pairings by each chef and live and Chris Hastings silent auctions.

For more information, email casey@ parkinsonalabama.org or call 871-9941.

Birmingham

International Peace Corps Party April 17, 6-8 p.m.

Cantina The Greater Birmingham Peace Corps Volunteers will host the International Peace Corps Party from 6-8 p.m. April 17 at Cantina, 2901 Second Ave. South in Birmingham.

Candidates nominated for and those recently invited to the Peace Corps will be present and recognized at the event.

Returned Peace Corps volunteers and Peace Corps staff members will also be on hand to discuss the Peace Corps and answer questions. For more information, contact Dan Frederick, publicity coordinator, at 631-4680 or email dfred4@bellsouth.net.

Birmingham

UAB Percussion Ensembles Performance April 17, 7 p.m.

Alys Stephens Center As part of UAB Music’s fourth annual Percussion Festival, UAB Percussion Ensembles will perform at 7 p.m. April 17 in the Jemison Concert Hall at the Alys Stephens Center. The free concert will feature guest artist Mark Ford, coordinator of percussion at the University of North Texas. UAB Percussion Ensembles I and II will perform in a wide variety of musical literature and styles. Ford will perform as a soloist as well as with the ensemble.

For more information, visit www.uab. edu/cas/music or call 934-7376.

Homewood

Painting in the Park Series April 19, 10-11:30 a.m.

Homewood Central Park Dori DeCamillis, artist and owner of Red Dot Gallery, is teaming up with her daughter, Annabelle DeCamillis, to teach free painting classes in Homewood Central Park as part of the Homewood Art Council’s Painting in the Park series.

The next class will be from 10-11:30 Dori DeCamillis a.m. April 19 in pavilions 6 and 7 at the park.

Classes will be taught each Saturday in April at different Homewood parks.

To reserve a spot in the class, email homewoodalartscouncil@gmail.com or call 886-5978.

Homewood

Historical Society Meeting April 19, 10 a.m.

Homewood Public Library A screening of a documentary on Miss Fancy, an elephant at the former Avondale Zoo, will be held at the April 19 meeting of the Homewood Historical Society. Bill Chitwood has written, produced and directed a documentary about Miss Fancy and her colorful handler, John Todd, and will present his work at the 10 a.m. meeting at the Homewood Public Library. The public is invited. Homemade refreshments will be served. Membership dues for the Homewood Historical Society are $10 per year and may be paid at the meeting.

Homewood

Birmingham Reads & Brookwood Celebrates April 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Colonial Brookwood Village Better Basics and the Junior League of Birmingham will present Birmingham Reads & Brookwood Celebrates from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 19 at Colonial Brookwood Village. The event will be

Bring on the Baklawa

Save the Date cont.

April 23, 7 p.m.

Brock Recital Hall The Birmingham Yom HaShoah Commemoration will be at 7 p.m. April 23 at Brock Recital Hall at Samford University. The event will include a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of those lost during the Holocaust and a special performance of “The Children of Willesden Lane” featuring Mona Golabek as she tells the story of her mother’s journey from Nazioccupied Austria to the concert stages of the world. For more information, visit information@bhamholocausteducation. org or call 795-4176.

Over the Mountain

Parishioners at Saint Elias Masonite Catholic Church in Birmingham are busy cooking up tasty treats for the 16th annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival April 25-26. Front, from left: Ghada Habeishi, Maggie Boohaker, Dora Bolus and Theresa Garnem. Back: John Henley, Joe Whitt and Ben Smith. Photo special to the Journal

Birmingham

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 7

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival April 25-26, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saint Elias Masonite Catholic Church Saint Elias Masonite Catholic Church in Birmingham will host the 16th annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival April 25-26 at the church at 836 Eighth St. South.

Admission is free. The festival will run from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. each day and will feature traditional Lebanese food, traditional dance and musical performances, hourly guided tours of the church and a silent auction. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of food at the event will benefit local charities. Food prices will range from $3 a la carte spinach pies to plates of food for $10 and up. Desserts include a variety of baklawa, kiak (Lebanese sugar cookies) and Lebanese ice cream. Prices will range from $2.50 for most desserts to $20 for a dessert sampler. Friday lunchtime delivery will be available by calling 252-3867. Place deliveries online at www.stelias.org for any delivery more than $75 to the Southside or downtown areas. Credit and debit cards will be accepted. The Saint Elias Cedar 5K Run will begin at 8 a.m.

April 26 followed by the Cedar Shake Fun Run at 9 a.m. The run will benefit the SUKI (Spreading Unconditional Kindness Intentionally) Foundation, which helps support children diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. To register, visit www. cedarrun5k.com. ❖

UCP Casual Day April 25 Various Locations United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham will host its largest annual fundraiser, Casual Day, April 25. For the event, employers allow their employees to purchase and wear T-shirts from UCP to demonstrate their support of people with disabilities. This year’s Casual

Day shirts were designed by Kathleen Camp. Participants can purchase a Casual Day T-shirt for $20 or spend $35 for a T-shirt and a $20 Belk gift card. For more information, visit upcbham.com.

Mountain Brook

An Evening With Lynda Randle April 25, 7 p.m.

Canterbury United Methodist Church Popular singer, songwriter and speaker Lynda Randle will be featured during a musical celebration at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook at 7 p.m. April 25. Country Gospel singer John Schmid will join Randle for the special performance.

The event will benefit the We Care program, which places Lynda Randle full-time and part-time chaplains in state prisons.

There is no charge for the family-friendly event but an offering for We Care will be

To: From: Date:

receiived. For more details, visit www. wecareprogram.org.

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8 • Thursday, April 17, 2014 Birmingham

Racing for Children’s Dinner April 25, 6:30 pm.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Racing fans will have the chance to meet some of the sport’s most famous drivers while helping Children’s of

About Town Alabama patients during the fourth annual Racing for Children’s Dinner April 25 at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Birmingham. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and a chance to mingle with drivers. Honorary

crew chiefs are Jaylen Smiley, 13, of Vestavia Hills and Kelsey Hunnicut, 17, of Brookwood, both former Children’s of Alabama patients. For ticket information and details about the event, visit www. racingforchildrens.org.

Birmingham

Corks & Chefs April 26-27 Linn Park Magic City Art Connection will present the Corks & Chefs food and wine tasting event April 26-27 at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. The event will feature samples of cuisine from many of Birmingham’s favorite restaurants, including some new additions to the culinary scene, plus wines and craft beers to taste. There will also be wine and beer seminars each half hour along with live music. Tickets are $30 through 5 p.m. on April 26 and $35 at the door. For more information, visit www. magiccityart.com or call 595-6306.

Homewood

Protective Life Food Truck Roundup April 26, 11-3 p.m.

Colonial Brookwood Village

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please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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Moody

Tour de Blue April 26 Red Diamond Campus The Urology Health Foundation’s seventh annual Tour de Blue bicycle ride will be held April 26. The Tour de Blue offers cyclists a springtime riding experience through St. Clair and nearby counties. The ride starts and finishes at the Red Diamond corporate campus in Moody. The $50 cost includes an event T-shirt and a post-ride meal provided by Jim ’N Nick’s BBQ. The ride benefits the Urology Health Foundation’s prostate cancer screening and awareness efforts.

For more information or to register, visit www.tourdeblue.com or contact Sherry Wilson at swilson@urologyal.com or 445-0117.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Birmingham

Artists are getting their work ready for the 31st annual Magic City Art Connection in downtown Birmingham April 25-27. From left: Kate Merritt Davis, Chad Moore, Beth Conklin and Nelson Grace. Photo special to the Journal

Magic City Art Connection April 25-27 Linn Park The 31st annual Magic City Art Connection will transform downtown Birmingham’s Linn Park into an art lover’s paradise April 25-27. The event will feature art from 200 juried artists from around the country, 20 interactive art workshops for kids, live music and cultural and dance performances on two stages, large scale art installations and food. Admission is free. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. For more information, visit MagicCityArt. com or call 595-6306. ❖ The third annual Protective Life Food Truck Roundup benefiting PreSchool Partners will be from 11-3 p.m. April 26 in the upper parking lot of Macy’s at Colonial Brookwood Village in Homewood. The family-friendly event will also include live music and radio remote from Birmingham Mountain Music. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door with kids 10 and younger admitted free. For tickets or more information, visit www. preschoolpartners.org.

Birmingham

Earth Day at The Gardens April 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host Earth Day at The Gardens, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26. The event will feature more than 40 earth-friendly exhibitors and plenty of family-friendly activities. For details, visit www. bbgardens.org or call 414-3950.

Hoover

2014 Hope for Autumn Foundation Crawfish Boil April 26, 3-9 p.m.

Main Green at Ross Bridge The 2014 Hope for Autumn Foundation Crawfish Boil will be April 26 from 3-9 p.m. on the Main Green of Ross Bridge. The event will include live music, crawfish, hamburgers and hotdogs. Proceeds benefit the families of local pediatric cancer patients and the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder’s Developmental Therapeutics Program.

Tickets are $25 online or $30 at the door. Children 12 and younger get in free. For more information, visit www. hopeforautumnfoundation.org.

North Shelby

Birmingham Dragon Boat Races April 26, 7 a.m.

Oak Mountain State Park Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama and High Five Dragon Boat will present the inaugural Birmingham Dragon Boat Races at Oak Mountain State Park at 7 a.m. April 26. No experience is necessary. Twenty paddlers and a drummer are needed to form a team. The event will help raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. Paddles, life vests, boats, drums and steer persons will be provided to each team at practice and on race day. Prizes will be given in each division. For more information, visit www.birminghamdragonboat.com.

Vestavia Hills

Rotary/First Responder Family Picnic April 26, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church The Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club and the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club will host the 2014 Rotary/First Responder Family Picnic from 4:307:30 p.m. April 26 at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 2600 Vestavia Drive.

All members of the Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Departments and their families and all members of the Vestavia Hills Rotary and Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary clubs and their families are invited to participate. The event will feature a low-country shrimp boil, hot dogs, popcorn and Red Neck Trifle for dessert. Entertainment is by the Steel City Ramblers Resurrection Band, a Cajun group. There will also be a game truck, an inflatable and face painting.

Birmingham

Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala April 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sloss Furnaces The ninth annual Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala will serve up 40 different kinds of gumbo as backyard cooks, Birmingham restaurants and Alabama seafood advocates and fans come together April 26 to raise funds for the residents of Episcopal Place. The event will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces. Cook teams will compete for 14 awards, including the best gumbo using Alabama Gulf seafood. Guests can sample gumbo, hear music from Rollin’ in the Hay and check out vendor products from around the state. There will also be children’s activities. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate.

Children 12 and younger get in free.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gumbogala.com or by calling 9390085.

Vestavia Hills

PALS Casino Royale April 26, 7-10 p.m.

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Richter Landscape LLC will present the third annual Casino Royale fundraiser to benefit Vestavia’s People Affecting Library Success, or PALS, April 26. The event will be from 7-10 p.m. at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest and will feature professional dealers in Vegas-style casino games provided

by Goodfellas Gaming. An auction will include a football autographed by Nick Saban, a beach getaway, jewelry and more. Money raised will fund library programs for children and tweens, including summer reading program activities. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at librarypals.org.

nonalcoholic beverages. There will also be home-baked cookies and cannolis along with gelato and Dippin’ Dots ice cream. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger get in free. To purchase tickets, visit www.feastofsaintmark.com.

Hoover

Historical Marker Dedication April 27, 1:45 p.m.

Monte D’Oro Drive Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey will join members of the Hoover Historical Society and the Monte D’Oro Neighborhood Association at 1:45 p.m.

April 27 for a dedication ceremony for the Hoover Historical Society marker in the Monte D’Oro neighborhood. For more information, email Judy Casey at jac46@bellsouth.net.

Shelby County

Links to Life Celebrity Golf Classic April 27-28, 8:30 a.m.

Shoal Creek National and local sports celebrities will be on hand for two days of dining, entertainment and golf April 27-28 for the Wedgwood Blue Dinner and Concert and the 12th annual Lord Wedgwood Links to Life Celebrity Golf Classic.

The event supports the efforts of the Lord Wedgwood Charity, Children’s of Alabama and Alabama LifeStart. This year’s event will be held in honor of the late Lord Wedgwood, who passed away in January. The Wedgwood Blue Dinner at WorkPlay is at 5:30 p.m.

April 27 and includes cocktails, dinner, auctions and a concert. Tickets are $140. The Celebrity Golf Classic tees off at Shoal Creek at 10 a.m. April 28.

The playing field is limited to 20 teams of four players. Golf tournament spots are $1,250 each and include two tickets to the Wedgwood Blue Dinner and two tickets to The Negotiators band concert on the evening before the golf tournament. For more information, visit lwcharity.com or contact Lance Evans at lance@lwcharity.com or 452-2900.

Homewood

Catch a Rising Star April 27, 2:30 p.m.

Brock Recital Hall Opera Birmingham will welcome baritone Nicholas Pallesen, winner of the 2013 Opera Competition, to Samford University’s Brock Recital Hall April 27 for a concert to close the Opera Birmingham season. Fresh from his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, Pallesen will perform at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. operabirmingham.org, email Justin@ operabirmingham.org or call 322-6737.

North Shelby

Cornelius Bennett Golf Challenge April 28 Greystone Country Club The fourth annual Cornelius Bennett/ Children’s Village Golf Challenge will be April 28 at Greystone Country Club. The cost is $400 per player or $1,200 per team, which will include a celebrity player. Corporate sponsorship opportunities from $200-$15,000 are available. The event will benefit Children’s Village. For more information, visit www.childrensvillagebham.com or email Sharon Bolden at village6@ bellsouth.net.

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Mountain Brook

Earth Month Party/Silent Auction April 29, 5 p.m.

Tonya Jones SalonSpa Tonya Jones SalonSpa will host the Earth Month Party and silent auction at 5 p.m. April 29 at its English Village location. The event will benefit the Cahaba River Society and Cahaba Riverkeeper. Those attending can stroll through the gallery of auction items while enjoying complimentary food along with wine and beer from Cahaba Brewing Company. The first 50 guests to arrive will receive an Aveda swag bag. Ticket holders will be entered for a chance to win an Aveda gift basket. For details, visit www.tonyajonessalon.com or the salon’s Facebook page. ❖

North Shelby

Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival April 26, 4-11 p.m.

St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church The third annual Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church will be from 4-11 p.m. April 26. The event will include dancing and live music from Ross Gagliano and SpellBound, Henry Lovoy and Razz Ma Tazz, the Dance South Dance Team, Frank Ranelli and Big Daddy’s New Band and Total A$$et$.

The festival will feature select Italian wines, limoncello and beer as well as

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 9

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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The Bishop’s Life

people

Carpenter’s Book Strives for Complete Picture of His Father

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

W

hen Douglas M. Carpenter of Mountain Brook set about to write his father’s biography, the retired minister of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills knew a part of that book would include how his father was the first of eight clergy members addressed in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” during Holy Week in 1963.

But while the moment was important in his father’s life, Carpenter knew he wanted the biography to tell the full story of Charles C.J. Carpenter.

“That year, 1963, was a tough year for my father, but I didn’t want him to be defined by that year or by King’s letter,” Carpenter, author of “A Powerful Blessing,” said. “I wanted to write a book for the people who knew him and loved him and for people to see him as a whole person.”

Charles C.J. Carpenter became the Episcopalian bishop of the state in 1938 and was serving in that capacity in 1963 when the Civil Rights movement erupted in Birmingham.

Carpenter was one of the eight white clergymen who wrote “A Call for Unity” in April 1963 in an effort to defuse the growing tension between blacks and white in Birmingham by asking King and his followers to stop holding demonstrations during Holy Week. King responded to the clergymen’s letter with his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

Carpenter said his father and other clergymen addressed in the letter experienced a backlash from the Birmingham community in the aftermath of King’s letter.

“My father was such a strong person, and he was able to weather all the criticism,” Carpenter said. “King saw the clergymen as moderate and slow and at the same time, some of them were run out of town because their congregations thought they were being too liberal.”

Carpenter said his father talked about how there was no real middle ground to stand on during the Civil Rights movement.

“I heard him say many times that if you try anything, you get hit from both sides,” he said.

Being one of the clergymen addressed in King’s letters was not the first time Carpenter had played a role in the Civil Rights movement, his son said.

“My father was already behind integration,” Carpenter said. “King’s letter didn’t change what he was doing because my father was already working in that direction.”

In 1951, Carpenter said, his father was involved with a large integrated meeting of the Interracial Division of the Community Chest, chaired by Arthur Shores, an attorney and Civil Rights pioneer who became the first black member of the Birmingham City Council.

Carpenter said his father’s office was the setting of planning meetings during the Civil Rights campaigns in Birmingham in 1963.

“When King asked Andrew Young to find a place where they could meet in Birmingham, my dad offered to let them meet in his office,” he said. “My father’s office at the headquarters of the Episcopal Church on 20th Street in Birmingham became a great meeting place.”

By holding the Civil Rights campaign meeting at his office, Carpenter said, his father put himself in a lot of danger.

“It was very dangerous and in some places illegal back in those days to hold integrated meetings like the ones they had all the time in

my father’s office,” Carpenter said.

In 1963, Carpenter, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became an Episcopal priest, had just taken the helm of a new church in Huntsville.

“I remember we talked about what was going on in Birmingham and I know he received some nasty calls during that time, but he just kept on with his work and it wasn’t something he brought up too much in our conversations,” Carpenter said. “Like I said, my memories of my father include so much more.”

In “A Powerful Blessing,” Carpenter shares those memories, including thinking from a very young age that his father was most interesting person in the world.

“We always had supper together and spent about an hour together as a family in the evening, and it was something we all looked forward to so much because we had a chance to hear about my father’s trips around Alabama,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter was 5 years old when his father was elected state bishop in 1938. The job took the elder Carpenter all around the state, inspiring him to sing “from the hills of Monte Sano to the shores of Bon Secour” to the tune of a military hymn.

“He would travel to two or three churches on a Sunday, seldom less than two. He loved going around the state and meeting everyone, and his excitement about it was infectious,” Carpenter said. “He had such a presence and he was a phenomenal storyteller, and I remember thinking that he always had the most interesting things to share with us.”

Carpenter said he was enthralled by his father’s stories and those told by the frequent visitors to his home.

“The most fascinating people would visit our house, and I can remember thinking they were larger than life,” he said.

Carpenter presided as the state’s bishop during the Baby Boom years following World War II. During his tenure, several Episcopalian parishes were added in the Birmingham area and in Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Tuskegee.

But Carpenter said he thinks one of his father’s most significant accomplishments was the founding of Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, near Jasper.

Situated on 1,140 acres of forest and fields, Camp McDowell has been a part of the lives of people of all faiths and backgrounds since it opened in 1948.

“Some of my favorite memories are of the summers spent working alongside my father to build Camp McDowell,” Carpenter said. “You really felt like you were doing something significant, and not many teenagers have that kind of opportunity,” Carpenter continued to spend his summers working at Camp McDowell when he was home from the prep school he attended in New Jersey and later during his summer vacations as a student at Princeton University, where he majored in English.

While he was in college, Carpenter said, he began to question the faith he was brought up in and everything he was taught by his father and all those wonderful storytellers who visited his house when he was a child.

“For about three years, I was very agnostic,” Carpenter said. “I just couldn’t wrap my mind around so many things at that point, and I had so many questions, so many questions.”

So one day while he was home from Princeton for Christmas break, Carpenter said, he finally confronted his father about his questions.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

we don’t find the answers to life’s big questions by asking but by doing.”

Carpenter knew he wanted to go to seminary after college and follow in his father’s footsteps, but he also knew he would likely be drafted after college for the Korean War. “I knew I would be drafted but I just didn’t know when, so after college, I went to the draft board in Birmingham and asked them if I could volunteer to be drafted,” Carpenter said. “They told me no one had really asked them that before, but it was all arranged and the next thing you know, I’m an infantry rifleman, crawling around in the mud, learning the handto-hand combat stuff you needed to know in Korea at that time.”

But with his renewed faith, Carpenter said, even crawling around in the mud wasn’t so bad.

“My life was a joy because I found out about the real meaning of faith and knew I This photo shows Charles C.J. Carpenter, left, and his son, wanted to go to seminary,” he Douglas M. Carpenter, during a confirmation at Saint Stephen’s said. “I had found such relief Episcopal Church in Huntsville shortly before the elder from all the questions and the Carpenter’s death in 1969. This was the last photo taken of the doubt, and I wanted to share father and son together. Photo special to the Journal that.”

So after his stint in the U.S. Army, Carpenter attended Virginia ‘My father was Theological Seminary in Alexandria. After graduating, he was assigned to his first churches known for his in Brewton, Andalusia and Monroeville. powerful blessAfter about three years of serving in the ings and his Brewton area, Bishop George Murray asked Carpenter to start a new church in Huntsville in powerful love 1963. for people.’

Carpenter was serving at Saint Stephen’s Douglas M. Episcopal Church in Huntsville when the Civil Carpenter Rights movement in Birmingham made national headlines.

“I don’t remember exactly what I asked him, “I remember being surprised about how it but it was some deep question about how can all happened in Birmingham because Huntsville there possibly be a God or something like that,” went through integration without those major he said. “And I’ll never forget his answer. He kinds of problems,” he said. said, ‘You know, I haven’t figured that one out Carpenter said his father was a diabetic and for myself.’” had heart problems, and his health problems At first, Carpenter said, he was disappointed coupled with the intense events of the 1960s in his father’s answer to his seemingly deep and took their toll. important question.

“About six months before he died, he came “After I got over that initial disappointment, to Huntsville to perform a confirmation cerI realized that here was a man who had invested emony with me, and I can remember wondering his entire life, all that he was, into the church if he needed my hand to steady him,” he said. and a life of faith, and even he didn’t have His father retired in December 1968 and all the answers,” he said. “It was a powerful died in June 1969. moment for me.”

Carpenter said he hopes his book helps peoCarpenter returned to his studies at Princeton ple who didn’t have a chance to meet his father still trying to figure out the implications of the learn more about him. conversation he had with his father.

“As a nation, we can be so judgmental of a “It was late one night back at school and I person without knowing the whole story, and was weary of studying all these subjects that that’s why it’s so important to learn where my didn’t have the answers to the questions I was father was coming from and to walk a mile asking, and I picked up Albert Schweitzer’s in someone’s shoes to truly try to understand ‘The Quest of the Historical Jesus’ and I them,” he said. skipped to the last chapter,” Carpenter said.

For those who knew his father, Carpenter There Carpenter said he read, “He comes said, his memory is as strong as ever. to us One unknown, without a name, as of old, “People who knew my father still talk about by the lakeside, He came to those men who him like he was here just yesterday,” he said. knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: “A few years ago, I met a woman who said ‘Follow thou me!’ and sets us to tasks which He to me that she can still clearly remember the has to fulfill in our time.” sound of his voice and his intensity when he Carpenter said the passage resonated deeply blessed her in 1938. My father was known for with him. his powerful blessings and his powerful love for “The passage goes on to say that God will people.” reveal himself in the toils and that as we perCarpenter’s “A Powerful Blessing” is form tasks in His name, we come to know from available at the Episcopal Book Store in our own experience the ineffable mystery of Birmingham or online at www.episcobooks.com or by emailing him at dough7436@att.net.❖ who He is,” Carpenter said. “I realized that

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 11

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

AIDS Researcher Earns National Award

“It’s clearly a huge honor to A noted AIDS researcher and receive this award from such a wellMountain Brook resident was one recognized and well-respected group, of only three doctors from the U.S. and it’s one that I feel to receive the Clinical compelled to share first Excellence Award at the with all of the providers National Physician of the at the 1917 Clinic,” Saag Year Awards ceremony in said. “It’s not a single New York City March 31. person who provides care Michael Saag, profesthat gets recognized; it’s sor of medicine at the an entire system and team.

University of Alabama at From my perspective, this Birmingham and director honor is for them as well.” of the Center for AIDS Castle Connolly Research, received the Medical Ltd. annually award at a ceremony at solicits special nominaThe Pierre Hotel. The Michael Saag tions from thousands of awards are given each physicians and the leaderyear by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. to recognize doctors and ship of more than 1,000 hospitals to identify physicians who have made researchers who demonstrate excelsignificant strides in their areas of lence in clinical medical practice.

medicine.

“I think this honor also is representative of all the people who provide HIV care around the country,” Saag said. “To my knowledge, this is the first time this organization has honored an HIV care provider, and my sense is that they could have picked any one of more than 100 equally qualified people within the HIV community of providers. I feel honored they chose me.”

Saag and his team at UAB are credited with leading efforts to help

transform a virus that in the early 1980s was the most deadly in human history to what is now a manageable chronic disease.

Saag, who came to UAB in 1981, made important discoveries in the genetic evolution of HIV. He directed the first inpatient studies of seven of the first 25 antiretroviral drugs for HIV. He also helped start the 1917 Clinic, an HIV outpatient clinic that combines patient care with clinical trials and other research.

Saag’s first book, “Positive,” was published this month and tells about his life of studying HIV and treating

patients with AIDS. But the book is more than a memoir, Saag said.

He said the book also shines a light on what he describes as the dysfunctional U.S. healthcare system. In the book, Saag proposes optimistic yet realistic remedies drawing from his own career experience.

Saag had a book signing for “Positive” in March at Alabama Booksmith. The book is published by Greenleaf Book Group.

For more information on Saag’s book, visit www.positivethebook. com. ❖

People Notes

Four members of Boy Scout Troop 97 were recently recognized for achieving the Eagle Scout rank. From left: Chase Kelly, Justin Fletcher, Nick Anderson and John Bailey. Photo special to the Journal

Troop 97 Scouts Earn Eagle Scout Rank Friends and family members of four members of Boy Scout Troop 97 gathered on March 2 to recognize their achievement of the Eagle Scout rank.

Nick Anderson, John Bailey, Chase Kelly and Justin Fletcher have all earned the Eagle Scout rank as members of Troop 97, sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood.

Together, the young men earned 121 merit badges, spent about 321 nights camping, served in various leadership positions and received several prestigious scouting awards.

All four of the young men also completed an Eagle Scout project to benefit the community.

A member of Boy Scout Troop 28 recently achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Parker A. Hartline was recognized for earning the Eagle Scout Parker Hartline rank at a Court of Honor ceremony at Independent Presbyterian Church.

© 2014 Alabama Power Company

Hartline Achieves Eagle Scout Rank with Troop 28

Troop 28 is under the leadership of Allen Sydnor.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Hartline built and installed a picnic area for the Dale Head Playground at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm in Bluff Park.

He and other members of the troop completed the project in time for it to be used by Independent Presbyterian Church for the SAIL Summer Learning Program and other summer activities hosted by CFAF. In addition to raising funds for his project, Hartline was able to contribute $750 toward the playground fund.

Hartline earned 26 merit badges on his path to achieving the Eagle Scout rank. He was awarded the Order of the Arrow and God and Country designations.

He attended scouting camps in Alabama, Georgia and Seattle. Hartline completed two High Adventure trips, the Philmont Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M., and Sea Base Adventure Crew in Abacos, Bahamas.

He served in several leadership roles during his six years as an active member of Troop 28. He logged more than 305 hiking miles, 68 nights of camping and more than 200 service hours.

Hartline is a junior at Mountain Brook High School, where he is on the soccer team. He is an active member of Independent Presbyterian Church.

He is the son of Penney and Roger Hartline, brother of Merrill Grace and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Parker and Mr. and Mrs. Foster Hartline.

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2/18/14 10:38 AM

Full info and tickets available at www.spafer.org 12 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

ANNOUNCEMENT NYTimes Best Selling Author, Thomas Moore, will be speaking in Birmingham on his newest book:

A Religion of One’s Own Friday night, May 2nd and Saturday Morning, May 3rd Full info and tickets available at www.spafer.org

www.friendsofjungsouth.org

To: From: Date:

Jim High Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 March. 2013

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Wood Chosen for Prestigious Internship

For most students, the summer is a time to relax and recharge, maybe take a class or two. But one Over the Mountain resident will spend her summer working at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country.

Elizabeth Wood of Vestavia Hills, a second-year pharmacy student at Auburn University, will spend the summer in Rochester, Minn., at Mayo Clinic. She was selected as one of four students nationwide to work in the clinic’s outpatient pharmacy program.

“When I found out I was selected for the program, I was so excited and in absolute awe,” Wood said. “Mayo Clinic has such a wealth of opportunities, and I can’t wait to see what experiences I’ll have this summer.”

While internships are not required for Auburn pharmacy students, Wood said she saw the opportunity as an important one for helping her reach her long-term goals.

“I applied to two programs, Johns Hopkins and Mayo. I was not sure if I was going to be competitive for them or not, but I thought, why not go for it?” Wood said. “I am interested in doing a residency eventually, so I thought it would be good to get clinical experience beyond working in a retail setting over the summer.”

Wood said she was particularly attracted to the outpatient setting because she wants to work in ambulatory care or in a clinic.

“This program is going to allow me to shadow an ambulatory care pharmacist, work in all the different outpatient pharmacies they have at the Mayo Clinic and I will get to do a project and learn from the preceptors that are there,” she said.

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the april 3, 2014 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

The Pharmacy Internship Clinic/ Outpatient program provides a number of experiences related to the unique practice of each outpatient pharmacy Elizabeth Wood on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester. The program provides a variety of experiences, including providing patient counseling on medication, working with a pharmacist preceptor to gain hands-on experience with reviewing doctors’ orders, entering orders and participating in pharmacists’ interventions, providing drug information to health care providers and medical writers, training in the pharmacy compounding department and preparing a presentation for staff pharmacists on a topic related to outpatient pharmacy.

“I have shadowed a lot of clinical pharmacists and that has really shown me that I am interested in ambulatory care, and I thought the outpatient program would be a good fit for me,” Wood said. “Another big thing is that Minnesota is one of the more progressive states for pharmacists. They have more responsibilities, including the opportunity to offer clinical services. I thought it would be good to go off far away and get some experiences that I could not necessarily get as of now in Alabama.”

The application process for the internship runs from November until January. Wood said she had a phone interview with Mayo Clinic officials

People Notes cont.

Hoover, Mountain Brook please make sure all information is correct, You are cordially invited to the Residents Win in Pageant including address and phone number!

Two Over the Mountain residents

recently won titles in the Miss Alabama Plus America Pageant.

If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date,Shartwaina A. Lester of Hoover was your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. crowned Mrs. Alabama Plus America Thank you for your prompt attention. 2014 and Tiara Turner of Mountain Brook was crowned Miss Alabama Plus America 2014 at the event held at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex.

As winners of the Royal Court, Lester and Turner, along with Ms. Alabama Plus America 2014 Sharmiah Woods of Tuscaloosa, will represent the state at the National Miss Plus America Pageant July 1-5 in Atlanta.

1 Robert S. Smith Drive, Birmingham Lester is the chief executive officer of Sisters in TEAL, which helps women Business Attire with polycystic ovary syndrome. She also works as a tax consultant.

SILENT AUCTION 5:30 PM Turner is a minister and a member of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation junior DINNER 7:15 PM board. She also heads up Operation Feed Birmingham.

LIVE AUCTION 7:45 PM Phillip Bailey and Vilmer Marcella For more information, please contact Denise Michard at Meyer directed the pageant.

on Jan. 28, Auburn’s first snow day of the year. By the following Friday, she had an offer.

Along with the traditional application, phone interview and recommendation letters, Wood also had to submit a letter of intent telling why she should be selected for the internship.

She outlined her accomplishments at Auburn but also discussed how the clinical work offered at Mayo Clinic plays into her future plans, she said.

“I talked about my five-year career goal, which is basically to pursue a postgraduate year one residency and a post-graduate year two residency, potentially specializing in ambulatory care, though I am not exactly sure what specialty area beyond that at this point,” Wood said. “Eventually, I would like to work in a clinic setting, maybe also for a school of pharmacy as a professor and precept students but also see patients at the same time.”

Wood has been a standout student in her two years at the Harrison School of Pharmacy. She is a supplemental instruction leader for Drugs and Diseases I and II, an HSOP Ambassador, president-elect of the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy and a member of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists and Auburn University Student Society of HealthSystem Pharmacy.

Additionally, Wood earned the Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding First Professional Year Award last year and is a recipient of the Harrison School of Pharmacy Golf Tournament Scholarship. ❖

Shartwaina Lester, left, of Hoover and Tiara Turner, right, of Mountain Brook were recently crowned winners in the 2014 Miss Alabama Plus America Pageant.

please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Photo special to the Journal

Thursday, May 1st at The Club

dmichard@hfcristorey.org or 205.263.0137

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL: HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IS PART OF THE CRISTO REY NETWORK COMPRISED OF 26 HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHOSE MISSION IS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS FROM UNDERSERVED LOWER-INCOME COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR MINDS AND BECOME LIFELONG CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY.

OTM Resident Researches Student Burnout at UM A Vestavia Hills resident was among students participating in the University of Montevallo’s 17th annual Undergraduate

Research Day recently.

Sally Wammack of Vestavia Hills presented her research on the topic of “Burnout and Students at the University of Montevallo: Correlation Between Work Patterns, Personality Variants and Burnout.”

The event was held at Harmon Hall on the UM campus. Students from all four colleges were invited to participate.

Students Inducted into Honor Society at UAB Several college students from the Over the Mountain area were recently

inducted into the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Over the Mountain residents attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham selected for the Phi Kappa Phi honor society include Kevin Shrestha of Homewood; Connor Brown, Rebecca Ellison, Shelby Brown, Austin Farmer, Robert Clifton and Steven Johnson, Hoover; Rebecca Egeland and Luke McClintock, Mountain Brook; and Daniel Lee, Ameen Barghi, Shannon Herring, Andrew Fennell and Diana Cerice, Birmingham.

Vestavia Native Joins Sports Video Network A Vestavia Hills native has joined the staff of a new live streaming sports video network.

Laura Britt will be one of the update reporters at 120 Sports, which will offer original sports programming in two-minute segments.

Britt will help integrate social commentary into the new, 24-hour live Laura Britt linear network that will be driven by a video-centric, 360-degree look across all sports.

“We searched long and hard to handselect the right team of talent to bring a new style of sports conversation to fans

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 13

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

on all of their favorite digital platforms,” said Jason Coyle, president of 120 Sports. “Each of our talent brings not only skills, experience and credibility but their passion as sports fans to the audience every day. We’re excited to introduce new faces to sports fans along with new angles of some veterans of the sports world.”

Britt attended the University of Alabama and worked as a sports anchor and reporter in Mississippi before joining the 120 Sports team in Chicago.

Bolen Appointed to Board of Trustees at Trinity Joseph B. Bolen III of Homewood has been appointed to the Trinity Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Bolen retired in 2008 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama after serving as senior vice president of Health Care Networks. Prior to that appointment, he was vice president of provider affairs.

During his 40 years in the health care industry, Bolen also worked for the University of Alabama Hospitals, where he was director of admissions before being promoted to assistant administrator.

Bolen serves Joseph Bolen III on the Legacy Community Federal Credit Union board of directors, is active with the University of Alabama Commerce Executive Society and the University of Alabama Alumni Association and serves on the Trinity United Methodist Church finance committee.

A native of Selma, Bolen has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Alabama.

To: From: Date:

930-9495 Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Reading • Writing • April 17, 2014 Study Skills • Basic

This is your AD prOOF from the Over The MOunTAin JOurnA Math • High Math • April 21, 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1 High Science • SAT/ACT Prep

please make sure all information is corre including address and phone number! please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Inverness: 5291 Valleydale Road Cahaba Heights: 3106 Cahaba Hts Plaza if we have not heard from you by 968-5151 5 pm of the Friday before the press dat 981-7155 (1/2 mile from 280) Starbucks) your ad will run as(near is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

The sixth-grade Confirmation Class at Canterbury UMC recently visited St. Simons Island, Ga. Photo special to the Journal

Canterbury Confirmation Class Travels to Georgia The sixth-grade Confirmation Class at Canterbury United Methodist Church

in Mountain Brook traveled to Epworthby-the-Sea on St. Simons Island, Ga., in February.

The confirmands visited a John Wesley museum, went to the beach and

lighthouse and spent time in song and worship.

The students were led by Susan Wilborn, director of children’s ministries at Canterbury UMC.

To: From: Date:

David Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax April 2014

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the april 17, 2014 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approv 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.

Father Angelus Shaughnessy, national director of the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers, center, with members of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers Birmingham Chapter and their guests at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood. Photo special to the Journal

Christian Mothers Group Hosts National Director Members of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers Birmingham Chapter hosted the organization’s national director, Father Angelus Shaughnessy of Pittsburg, at the group’s February meeting at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood.

Shaughnessy celebrated the Holy Mass on Feb. 26 at the church. The

evening also included adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and a presentation by Shaughnessy.

The CCM is an international society that brings women of all ages together-especially mothers--for prayers, support and learning. The goal is the Christian education of children by uniting practicing Catholic Christian women, married or widowed, under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of Sorrows, their chief

patroness. Unmarried women may join as associate members.

Members attend a monthly Mass, listen to a lecture by a Father Director or guest speaker after the Mass, pray for the intentions of the members and their families and encourage each other to learn more about their faith so that they may teach their children.

The CCM Birmingham Chapter meets at Our Lady of Sorrows from 6-8:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

news

14 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u over the mountain

Self-defense Classes Are Geared to Women

By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Deborah Godfrey of Vestavia Hills said she emerged from an hour-long self-defense class hardly a karate expert but with enough knowledge to reduce her chances of becoming a crime victim.

“One thing I was not sure about was when I’m out walking and I see people, I didn’t know whether to look at them or avoid eye contact,” she said. “And he (Vestavia Hills Sgt. Robbie Watts) made the point that you should have that eye-to-eye contact.”

Police officers from Vestavia Hills and Homewood recently sponsored separate selfdefense courses for residents wanting to know how not to become a crime victim and how to defend themselves if they do. Hoover and Mountain Brook police departments were not offering similar classes at this time, officials said. Homewood’s Det. Sgt. Juan Rodriquez tailored his self-defense class to females and showed them a few moves they could use if they find themselves victims of an assault.

Rodriquez’ class was held at the Homewood Public Library in March.

The class taught by Watts at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest in April was open to both men and women, although only one of the 25 participants was a male. Watts was assisted

by Vestavia Hills Police Cpl. Renee Reaves.

Both classes focused on making people aware of their surroundings and how to reduce their chances of becoming crime victims.

“What we’re trying to do is prevent a crime before it ever takes place,” Rodriquez said.

“A lot of it has to do with awareness and what criminals are looking for in victims and what potential victims should be looking for in perpetrators.”

For example, a woman walking alone in a parking lot talking on her cellphone or texting is more likely to become a crime victim than a woman scanning her surroundings, making eye contact with a potential perpetrator and entering her vehicle that she parked in a well-lighted

Kaily Hill, 11, strikes punching mitts worn by Homewood Police Det. Juan Rodriquez. Rodriquez taught a self-defense class for teen girls March 22 at the Homewood Public Library. Area police departments occasionally teach self-defense courses to women to give them some knowledge about how to get away from an attacker. Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

area, police officials said.

“A lot of it is just basic common sense,” Watts said.

Watts said crime perpetrators are usually looking for victims who aren’t paying attention.

Being aware of one’s surroundings goes a long way towards preventing someone from becoming a crime victim, he said.

But if a perpetrator is intent on assaulting someone, the courses also taught simple ways to escape an attack. The moves range from breaking away from a wrist grab to what part of the body you should target if you need to make a quick getaway. The goal should not be engaging the perpetrator but to escape, officers said.

“If you can run, run. Don’t stand there and fight them,” Reaves said. “If you break their hold on your arm, the first thing you need to do is run that way (pointing in the opposite direction) and get into a building or run up to somebody else and yell ‘Help me! Help me!

Help me!’”

Rodriquez preferred not to reveal specific moves, saying he didn’t want to arm potential perpetrators with the same knowledge he shares

with his class.

“The object is not to make a Kung Fu expert out of anybody,” he said. “A lot of techniques we teach police officers on how to survive on the street.”

Watts showed a few basic techniques, including how a victim should position herself on the ground to prevent a perpetrator from overpowering her and the direction you move your hand to escape a wrist grab.

“This class is only an hour. And there’s not a lot you can do when it comes to getting people involved with the actual physical contact,” Watts said. “So I keep it very basic.”

Many perpetrators, particularly those after your property, aren’t looking to engage their victims in a protracted struggle, so a little resistance may be enough to send them fleeing, police said.

But if a weapon is involved, it’s best to hand over your property and not fight for it, police said.

Instead, always be ready to give a good description of the perpetrator, the vehicle he leaves in if he doesn’t flee on foot and the direc-

u birmingham

UAB Will Emphasize Innovation, Research, New President Tells Chamber Members

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

The new president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham last week told a group of Vestavia Hills business leaders and residents that he is honored and privileged to represent the great people who work at UAB during such an exciting time for the one of the state’s largest employers and key economic engines of the Birmingham metro area.

Ray Watts, who was named the seventh president of UAB last year, was the guest speaker at the April 8 Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Vestavia Country Club.

“There has never been a more exciting time for our community and

for UAB than now,” Watts said. “We are placing a new emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship to drive new revenue sources and to create new knowledge-based businesses and jobs in Birmingham.”

Watts replaced UAB’s sixth president, Carol Garrison, who retired in August 2013.

Watts and his wife, Nancy, a retired UAB nurse, have five grown children and lived in Mountain Brook before Watts was named the new UAB president and moved to the president’s residence in Redmont.

A graduate of West End High School and alumnus of UAB, Watts was named the dean of the UAB School of Medicine in 2010. He also has degrees from Washington

University in St. Louis and did his residency and fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

As the new UAB president, Watts is charged with leading the university into the future. He talked about his vision last week at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce event.

“We are working to put together a comprehensive plan that is all about providing great patient care, education and research,” he said. “We also want to work with our partners to create new high-tech jobs in Alabama.”

Watts has a background in neurology and played a key role in accelerating neuroscience research at UAB by helping establish the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, which has supported research that

tion he is headed.

Rodriquez said he has been teaching selfdefense courses since 1998. Occasionally, he’ll hear from a participant who tells him what she learned in his class actually works.

Rodriquez said his classes have included students from ages 8 to 80.

“The techniques are very easy to learn and very easy to remember. But the object here is not to stay there and fight it out with some person. The object is to break away and escape from them,” he said.

Watts, who teaches self-defense courses for police officers, said he has taught a self-defense class to Girl Scouts.

Vestavia Hills Lt. Brian Gilham said his department offers self-defense classes based on requests from the community.

“Our goal is to offer a self-defense course on a consistent basis, at least quarterly,” he said.

To that end, the Vestavia Hills Police Department is sending Reaves to Biloxi, Miss., to be trained and certified to teach self-defense courses for women. The course she’s being trained to teach will provide more in-depth instruction on self-defense maneuvers, she said.

“You heard in the class the ladies asking, ‘Well, I’m little. What if my attacker is bigger than me?’ The course I’ll be teaching is supposed to teach some fighting tactics,” Reaves said.

Interest in self-defense courses doesn’t mean attacks on women have increased, Reaves said.

“It’s not like there’s a huge crime wave of women getting attacked,” she said. “But most people aren’t going to attack a man. They’re not going to grab your wallet because it’s in your back pocket. You might get stuck up with a gun and they’ll say ‘Give me your stuff,’ and you’re going to give it up.”

But there are certain attacks, such as purse snatchings and rape, that are more common to women, and they need to be prepared for that eventuality.

“It’s all about being prepared for anything that could come up,” Reaves said. “And that’s what the class is geared toward.” ❖

Ray Watts, president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was the guest speaker at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.

could lead to commercialized products.

“We want to grow our new research areas that will bring new jobs and will also bring tremendous new NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding to UAB,” Watts said.

Watts said the added emphasis on research and innovation will ensure that UAB is at the forefront of exciting advances in medicine.

“In the next few years, you will be able to have your genome sequenced, and we will be able to make diagnosis and prescribe treatments much earlier,” Watts said. “That’s really

going to revolutionize medicine,” he said.

Watts talked about UAB’s “Give something, change everything” fundraising campaign launched late last year. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 billion.

It is the university’s largest fundraising campaign ever and will run through 2018.

Watts said the campaign will help UAB’s goal to strengthen its position as one of the nation’s most productive and dynamic universities.

“The Campaign for UAB, the largest and most comprehensive philanthropic campaign in our university’s history, will focus on the gifts that make a difference because we aim to have a truly transformational impact--revolutionary advances in research and patient care, innovative academic programs for 21st century fields, enriched arts and cultural opportunities and robust economic growth,” Watts said in his President’s Message on the UAB website. ❖

A crew from Twin Construction erected a new building for AMBUCS in Vestavia Hills in a single day last week. From left: David Seigel and William Seigel of Twin Construction, Dave Upton of AMBUCS and Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

u Vestavia Hills

New AMBUCS Building Goes Up in One Day

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

In just one day last week, a crew from a Homewood-based construction company built a new building to benefit an organization that helps children with disabilities.

Twin brothers David and William Seigel, owners of Twin Construction Companies, and their crew constructed the 12-by-20 building at the Greater

Birmingham AMBUCS headquarters on Canyon Road in Vestavia Hills April 11.

“We take it as a challenge for a good cause,” David Seigel said. “We have a strong belief in giving back to the community we’re blessed to work in.”

Greater Birmingham AMBUCS is a nonprofit organization that reaches out to children and others with disabilities to help with mobility independence through AmTryke therapeutic tricycles

u otm

Cities Plan Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Events

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

Two Over the Mountain cities will host special faith-based events in April and May in an effort to bring dignitaries and local residents together.

Vestavia Hills and Hoover will host their Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast events to gather city and elected officials, religious leaders, business leaders and members of the community together to offer prayers for the world, the country, the state and the cities.

The 24th annual Vestavia Hills Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is set for April 29 at Vestavia Country Club.

This year, Lisa “Roxanne” Richardson, a longtime radio and television personality in the Birmingham area, will be the keynote speaker at the Vestavia event.

Richardson is the co-host of 93.7 WDJC-FM’s morning talk show. She is also the founding board member of The Wellhouse Inc., the state’s only 24-hour shelter for women seeking refuge from human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The faith-based nonprofit agency has received the FBI’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

Tickets to the Vestavia Hills Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast are $20 and must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit vestaviahills.org.

On May 6, the Hoover Beautification Board will sponsor the 32nd annual Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 15

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Doors will open at 7 a.m., and the program will begin at 7:30 a.m.

This year’s speaker will be Gen. Dick Burleson, a retired Southeastern Conference referee and vice president of Neel Schaffer, one of the leading engineering and aviation firms in the country.

A native of Alabama, Burleson was inducted into the Alabama Hall of Fame and rose to the rank of major general in the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated from the Army War College and was the commanding general of the largest Army Reserve Command in the world.

Burleson was an SEC football official for 25 years and served as the chief referee and president of the SEC. He wrote a book about his years as a referee in a book called “You Better Be Right!”

Tickets to the Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast are $25 per person or $250 to sponsor a table for 10. Seating is limited, and reservations are due by April 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hooveral. org.

Several mayors of Jefferson County cities will attend the 50th annual Greater Birmingham Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast May 1 at the Sheraton Hotel Grand Ballroom on Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard in Birmingham.

Since the first Birmingham Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast in 1964, the scope of the event has been widened to include mayors from cities in Jefferson and Shelby counties.

Tickets are $25 per person and be purchased at www.mbtsal.org. ❖

and wheelchair ramps.

Dave Upton of Vestavia Hills reestablished the Greater Birmingham chapter of the national AMBUCS organization in 2007. In 2012 he arranged for the purchase of the building on Canyon Road to serve as the chapter’s headquarters.

Upton said the new building will be used to check and adjust the therapeutic tricycles before they are given to children. Members of the Vestavia Hills Fire Department help assemble the tricycles, he said.

“After the fire department assembles them, we tweak them. We make sure the tires have enough air and that kind of thing,” Upton said. “We also have a licensed physical therapist that helps to adjust each tricycle so that it is right for each child.”

Gray Murray, a member of the Greater AMBUCS board of directors, said other companies also helped make the new building a reality.

“Some of the materials were donated by Alpha Lumber and Cash and Carry Building Supply,” Murray said.

Additionally, foundation materials were donated by Kirkpatrick Concrete and Murray Building Company, Upton said.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza, on hand for the oneday build last week, said he was glad the generosity of the community will allow AMBUCS to serve even more people.

For more information on the Greater Birmingham AMBUCS chapter, visit birminghamambucs.org or call 8237800. ❖

life

16 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Building Bonds, Not Barriers Community Passover Seder Will Celebrate Jewish, Christian Roots

Journal editor

The couple came to Congregation Beth Hallel in November 2013 after leading Messianic congregations in Paris and the Ukraine for almost 20 years. Before that, the Schneiers were both lawyers in Washington, D.C. dipping vegetables in saltwater and eating bitter herbs. The seder also includes the reading of the Haggadah, an ancient text that chronicles the Passover story.

The Community Passover Seder will also give the Schneiers a chance to introduce themselves and their religious beliefs to the community.

The couple came to Congregation Beth Hallel in November 2013 after leading Messianic congregations in Paris and the Ukraine for almost 20 years. Before that, the Schneiers were both lawyers in Washington, D.C. It was while they were both law school students at George Washington University that the Schneiers first learned about Messianic Judaism.

“It was our last year in law school, and we were young and really had a lot of questions about life and faith.

It was the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the youth were questioning every-

Spring into Action

The Calendar’s Crowded with Easter, Passover Activities Birmingham

Lenten Lunches April 17 Cathedral Church of the Advent The Cathedral Church of the Advent has offered a Lenten Preaching series every weekday during Lent for more than 100 years and will continue the tradition April 17. This year’s sermon series will feature preachers from around the country and the world.

Lunches will also be served. For more information or to volunteer for the event, call Anne-Marie Brown at 879-8715 or Carla Reich at 601-5002. For tickets, visit www.adventbirmingham.org.

By Keysha Drexel This week, the Christian Holy Week and the eight-day Jewish Passover holidays overlap as followers of both faiths celebrate the deep structures and beliefs of their religions.

And while at first glance the holidays may seem to have little in common, the new rabbi of a Messianic Jewish congregation in Hoover said they are undeniably linked.

“The Last Supper was a Passover Seder, and people seem to forget that Jesus was Jewish,” Rabbi David Schneier said. “We want to celebrate the ancient roots that we all share and acknowledge that we are all one in Messiah.”

And to that end the rabbi and his wife, Rebbetzin Leslye Schneier, are hosting the Community Passover Seder at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center, 3660 Grandview Parkway in Birmingham at 6 p.m.

April 19.

During a traditional seder meal, family and community members commemorate the Jewish Exodus from Egypt in a custom that dates back nearly 3,400 years.

The seder is a full-course meal that includes many rituals, including eating Passover crackers, drinking four cups of wine or grape juice,

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Homewood

The Community Passover Seder will give the community a chance to meet Rabbi David Schneier and Rebbetzin Leslye Schneier, who came to Congregation Beth Hallel about four months ago. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

thing,” said Schneier, who grew up in a traditional Jewish family in New York.

During a trip to Colorado, the couple attended an event where a Messianic leader spoke about the one God shared by both Jews and nonJews.

“It was a truth that really struck a chord with me, so I started reading the New Testament, and the life in the words of Yeshua (Jesus) just sprang off the pages,” Schneier said.

The more Schneier learned about the Messianic Jewish movement, the more it resonated with him, he said.

“The first believers in Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah, were Jewish and believed as we do, that the Messiah prophesied about in the Old Covenant Scriptures had come and will return,” Schneier said.

Schneier said Messianic Judaism gives the Jewish person the opportunity to accept the Messiah while keeping his or her Jewish identity.

The congregation teaches the word of God “from a Jewish perspective and celebrates the Jewish holidays, but we are not only for Jewish believers but also for the non-Jewish person who wants to worship in a Jewish context,” Schneier said.

While the congregation observes the Sabbath on Saturday, along with traditional Jewish holy days like Passover and Sukkot, Messianic Jews hold many beliefs in common with evangelical Christians, Schneier said, including the virgin birth, atonement, the Trinity and the resurrection.

“We try to break down the walls of partition between Jew and non-Jew and recognize the oneness of the body of Messiah,” he said.

Events like this weekend’s Community Passover Seder have tremendous potential to break down those barriers, Schneier said.

“Churches everywhere are doing community seders and other events that cross those lines we use to

separate ourselves from each other.

There are all kinds of things like that happening that we would have never thought of 20 years ago,” he said. “I think people are realizing that there are benefits to returning to your roots.”

Schneier said he thinks the Messianic Jewish movement has an important role to play in unifying Christians and Jews.

“The Messianic Jewish movement is very unifying,” he said. “There’s a growing silence on both sides (Christians and Jews), and we can be the bridge.”

Schneier said Congregation Beth Hallel is partnering with others in the Birmingham area to help those in need.

“One of our main pillars is to serve the poor, so we recently helped Dawson Memorial Baptist with an event and hope to do more things like that in the future as we get to know our new neighbors,” he said.

Schneier said Congregation Beth Hallel now has about 200 members.

Those visiting on April 19 will get a good introduction to the Messianic Jewish movement--and to him and his wife.

The Schneiers have been married for 40 years and have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Leslye was born in New Orleans and has family from Bessemer.

“She’s also a professional artist and a very good one,” David said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of new faces (at the seder) and telling people about the joy we have discovered by realizing that yes, you can be Jewish and believe in Jesus,” Schneier said.

Tickets to the Community Passover Seder at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center are $25 and are available online at www.shalombirmingham.com. For more information on the event, email info@shalombirmingham.com. ❖

Prayer Labyrinth April 17-18 Shades Valley Lutheran Church Shades Valley Lutheran Church is celebrating Holy Week with a Prayer Labyrinth April 17-18 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. The church will also have an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. April 20. The church is at 720 Shades Creek Parkway.

For more information, visit www. shadesvalleylutheran.org or call 8713512.

Vestavia Hills

God and Man at Table April 17, 6:30 p.m.

Shades Mountain Baptist Church Shades Mountain Baptist Church will host God and Man at Table, an intimate night of acoustic worship that follows the theme of the traditional Maundy Thursday, at 6:30 p.m.

April 17. The evening will be a commemorative recap of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. Both the music and message will be centered around God’s ultimate act of love.

The church is at 2017 Columbiana Road. For more information, visit www. shades.org or call 822-1670.

Birmingham

Passover Family Shabbat Ruach and Dinner April 18, 5:45 p.m.

Temple Beth-El Temple Beth-El, 2179 Highland Ave. South in Birmingham, will host the Passover Family Shabbat Ruach and Dinner at 5:45 p.m. April 18. A kosher Passover Shabbat chicken dinner will be served following the services.

The cost is $18 for adults and $10 for ages 5-18. For more information, visit www.templebeth-el.net, email info@ templebeth-el.net or call 933-2740.

Homewood

Hispanic Good Friday Service April 18, 7 p.m.

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church As a part of its 2014 Holy Week services, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church will hold a Hispanic Good Friday service at 7 p.m. in the Chapel.

The church is at 1114 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. For more information, visit www.dawsonchurch.org or call 871-7324.

Mountain Brook

Choir and Orchestra Performance April 18, 7 p.m.

Canterbury United Methodist Church Canterbury United Methodist’s Dr. Bill Morgan will lead a choral-orchestral service in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. on Good Friday. For more information, visit www.canterburyumc.org.

Homewood

Service of Darkness April 18, 7 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood will continue its observation of Lent with a Good Friday Service of Darkness at 7 p.m. April 18. The service will include scripture, prayers, liturgy and special music by the Sanctuary Choir and Trinity Orchestra. Free valet parking will be available. For more information, visit www.trinitybirmingham.com or call 879-1737.

Birmingham

Egg-citing Eggs-periments April 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

McWane Science Center Join the McWane Science Center for an egg-citing, hands-on fun eggstravaganza from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

April 19. Participants will take their eggs to the flight prep area, where Science Center staffers have lots of items and eggs-pertise to help them construct vehicles that may or may not allow the eggs to survive a twostory fall. The egg drop is included in the price of admission to the museum and is free for members. For more information, visit mcwane.org.

Hoover

Community Easter Egg Hunt April 19, 10 a.m.

Green Valley Baptist Church Green Valley Baptist Church in Hoover will host the Community Easter Egg Hunt April 19. A light breakfast will be served before the hunt, which begins at 10 a.m. across the street from the church at 1815 Patton Chapel Road. This is a free event for children in the second grade and younger. For more information, visit www.gvbc.org or call 822-2173.

Vestavia Hills

Easter Egg Hunt April 19, 10 am.

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Vestavia Hills Baptist Church will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. April 19. The church is at 2600 Vestavia Drive. For more information, visit www.vhbc.com or call 979-5920.

Mountain Brook

Easter Egg Hunt April 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mountain Brook Community Church Mountain Brook Community Church at 3001 U.S. 280 East will host Easter

See Events, page 19

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church and we’ll have music, and it will be another way to gather the body of Christ,” she said.

The procession observes the Stations of the Cross, in which liturgical churches reflect on the suffering of Jesus as he carried his cross to Golgotha in Jerusalem, where he was crucified in about 33 A.D. by Roman soldiers.

To pause and reflect on that suffering is a crucial part of the Easter season, said the Rev. Jack Alvey of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.

“It’s easy to be distracted by the commercialization of Easter and even in the church, we can get distracted by the good news of Easter and we can forget to talk about the part of Easter where Jesus had to die,” Alvey said.

But without Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion, Alvey said, there would be no forgiveness and no hope for a new life.

“Before we really experience a new way of living, we have to die,” Alvey said. “You can’t have Easter without the cross, and if we don’t honor and remember that suffering by participating in events like the Way of the Cross procession, we cheapen Easter.”

Oliver said she, too, believes the Way of the Cross serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ suffering.

“We gloss over the suffering and the death part of it sometimes,” Oliver said. “So many people wear crosses shining with diamonds around their necks and what they’re really wearing is a symbol of a violent death, and this

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Trinity United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. It concludes at Edgewood Presbyterian Church. Other participating congregations include Bethel AME Church, Dawson Hispanic Congregation, Friendship Baptist, Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian, Oakmont United Methodist, Second Presbyterian, Shades Valley Lutheran and Union Missionary Baptist Church.

For those who have trouble walking, Edgewood Presbyterian’s sanctuary will be open throughout the procession, said the Rev. Catherine Oliver, the church’s transitional pastor.

“I fell and badly broke my leg at the end of November. I was on a walker and everything, and it got me to thinking about the people who want to participate in the procession but might not be able to, so we will go through the same scriptures here at our

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procession is a way to remember that.”

Dahl said since becoming pastor at Shades Valley Lutheran in the early 2000s, he has incorporated ways of remembering Jesus’ suffering into the church’s Holy Week services.

He has given his congregation mason nails during the Ash Wednesday service and then on Good Friday, they are given the opportunity to hammer the nails into the cross as a symbolic reminder of what the season leading up to Easter is all about.

“Jesus didn’t jump from Palm Sunday to Easter. We need to remember that he really did die on the cross.

The Way of the Cross gives us pause to remember the true cost of grace,” Dahl said.

Dahl said the Way of the Cross procession also reminds him that he is not just a representative of his congregation.

“It helps me to remember that I’m part of the body of Christ in Homewood and that together, we are walking the walk that Jesus walked and bearing the cross that He asked us to bear,” he said. “We’re bearing the burden of one another, and we walk in one step, in unison. It’s quite the day.”

Dahl said the churches of Homewood also get together each year for joint services on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

“That’s just another way for us to show our solidarity and to focus on what unites us--the knowledge that Jesus loves each and every one of us and died for our sins,” he said.

Oliver said she hopes the Way of the Cross procession spurs more discussion and gatherings between members of the different churches in Homewood.

“We have to talk about how we, as followers of Christ, carry this throughout the year and stay united as believers,” she said.

Alvey said he thinks more Christians are looking for ways to work together.

“I think there’s a general consensus among churches today that says we have a lot of things in common and that if we work together, we can do a lot of positive things in the world in terms of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.

And the promise offered in that gospel, Alvey said, is something the Way of the Cross procession makes him think about each year.

“For me, in a lot of ways, the Way of the Cross (procession) is a reminder that God meets us exactly where we are in our brokenness and weakness.

That’s the core of the gospel for me,” Alvey said. “It’s not about making yourself better or perfect so that God will love you or notice you. It’s about God meeting us at the foot of the cross. That’s where Jesus’ love will make us whole and complete.”

Those who would like to participate in the Way of the Cross procession can meet at the Homewood Park amphitheater at 2 p.m. on Good Friday or join the procession anywhere along the route. Shuttle service from Edgewood Presbyterian, where the procession ends, back to Homewood Park will be available.

In recent years, some 200 to 300 people have participated in the Way of the Cross procession in Homewood. ❖

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life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

New Rabbi at Temple Beth-El Konigsburg, Congregation Will Combine Passover Traditions

By Keysha Drexel

T

Journal editor

he new rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Birmingham is celebrating his first Passover season in Alabama by combining the congregation’s holiday traditions with one he has practiced at other synagogues.

This year, Temple Beth-El’s Passover observations will benefit Collat Jewish Family Services and the Birmingham Police Department’s athletic program, Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg said.

Konigsburg took over at Temple Beth-El July 15 after the first female rabbi in the congregation’s history, Rabbi Michelle Goldsmith, left in June.

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“Every local congregation has its own special thing they do for the holidays,” Konigsburg said. “A unique tradition that I’ve discovered here in Birmingham is that if we have a special program, we give the leftover food to the (Collat) Jewish Family Services for their food pantry.”

Members of the congregation will make a Passover donation to Collat Jewish Family Services, but they are also getting a hand from--and lending a hand to--the Birmingham Police Department this year, Konigsburg said.

“One of the Passover traditions that I’ve brought with me to this congregation involves a way to deal with the extra foodstuffs that we can’t own or eat during Passover,” Konigsburg said. “At the beginning of Passover, we sell that food to non-Jewish organizations or people and then at the end of the holiday, they can choose to complete the sale or give the food back. That way, we don’t own the food for the holiday and someone’s done us a favor.”

The Passover food sale practice dates to the fifth through 15th centuries, Konigsburg said.

“The whole thing started in the Middle Ages when people owned stores and had to get rid of all the food” during Passover, he said. “In our sale, I’m appointed by the congregation to sort of represent them in a sale, and they usually make a (monetary) donation to the synagogue.”

Those donations from the food sellers this year will go to the Birmingham Police Department, Konigsburg said.

“I asked Chief (A.C.) Roper where the department could use the money, and he said he thought it would be great way to help the department’s athletic program,” Konigsburg said.

Konigsburg said the Temple BethEl congregation members and the Birmingham community have been

“warm and welcoming” to him and his family since they moved here last summer from South Florida.

“This is a wonderful town, and it’s been a real pleasure to get to know everyone over the last few months,” he said.

Konigsburg comes to Birmingham with more than 30 years of rabbinic experience, serving synagogues in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida. He has also served as a chaplain for Hospice of Palm Beach County and for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

The rabbi said he’s been impressed with the friendly reception he’s received since moving to Birmingham.

“I came here from South Florida, which is like New York in a lot of ways, so it was so great when I

‘This is a wonderful town, and it’s been a real pleasure to get to know everyone over the last few months.’

Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg of Temple Beth-El in Birmingham

walked into a drugstore to get my prescription filled and they remembered me the second time I was there,” he said. “I think I had gone to the same pharmacy (in Florida) for 20 years, and they still didn’t know me.”

Konigsburg said members of the congregation and residents in the Birmingham community have been extremely helpful in helping him and his wife, Michelle, settle into their new hometown.

“Everyone knows everyone else, and they know the best places to eat, to get your car fixed or whatever you need,” he said.

Konigsburg and his wife have

Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg will celebrate his first Passover at Temple Beth-El in Birmingham at the April 18 Passover Family Shabbat Ruach and Dinner.

Photo special to the Journal

three children--Rabbi Ashira (Tim Bernard) Konigsburg, Eitan (Alexandra) Konigsburg and Hillel (Sarah) Konigsburg.

Konigsburg graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Florida Atlantic University and a degree from the University of Judaism, now American Jewish University, in Los Angeles. He received a master’s degree and ordination by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa in 2010. JTSA also awarded him the Simon Greenberg Award for Rabbinic Excellence.

Konigsburg has certificates in pastoral crisis counseling, Kashrut supervision and substance abuse pastoral care and has completed a residency in pastoral cancer care. He is also a certified fundraising executive and is certified in institutional management through the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

He is a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality seventh Rabbinic cohort.

In South Florida, Konigsburg was president of the Southeast Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, president of the Broward Board of Rabbis and

vice president of the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis.

Konigsburg said he has a longstanding commitment to interfaith activities. He was president of the Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association and the Inter-Faith Council of Hollywood, where he served as president and was awarded the David Keating Award for his interfaith work in South Broward County. He is a member of the Southside Interfaith Council in Birmingham.

Konigsburg said he’s hoping to meet even more people in the Birmingham community during Temple Beth-El’s Passover Family Shabbat Ruach and Dinner at 5:45 p.m. April 18. A kosher Passover Shabbat chicken dinner will be served following the services.

“We want to share our traditions and really make our Passover celebration a community event,” he said.

The cost of the Passover Family Shabbat Ruach and Dinner is $18 for adults and $10 for ages 5-18.

For more information on the Passover event or more information on Temple Beth-El, visit www. templebeth-el.net, email info@templebeth-el.net or call 933-2740. ❖

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events

From page 16 egg hunts for all ages on April 19. The preschool hunt will start at 10 a.m. in the church parking lot. The hunt for school-age children will start at 12:30 p.m. and the Preteen Progressive egg hunt will begin at 5 p.m. at the church.

For more information, visit mvcc.us or call 871-0331.

Hoover

Easter Egg Hunt April 19, 10 a.m.-noon Valleydale Church Valleydale Church at 2324 Valleydale Road in Hoover will host an Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m.-noon on April 19. The event is for children in the fifth grade and younger. For more information, visit valley dale.org or call 991-5282.

Shelby County

Cottontail Express April 19, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Hop aboard the Cottontail Express at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera April 19 for a ride to Peter Cottontail’s meadow. There will be an Easter egg hunt, jump station, temporary tattoos and a sandbox. Bring your camera to take photos with Peter Cottontail. Train rides are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $17 for ages 12 and older and $12 for ages 2-11.

Children 2 and younger ride free. For more information, visit www.hodrrm.org.

North Shelby

Easter Egg Hunt

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 19

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

April 19, 10:30 a.m.

North Shelby Library The North Shelby Library at 5521 Cahaba Valley Road will host an Easter egg hunt April 19. Children ages 4 and older will hunt eggs in the children’s department beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Children 3 and younger will hunt eggs in the meeting room beginning at 11 a.m.

The event will include refreshments, prizes and a visit from a furry guest.

For more information, visit www. northshelbylibrary.org or call 439-5500.

North Shelby

Easter Egg Hunt April 19, 11 a.m.

Oak Mountain State Park Oak Mountain State Park will host its seventh annual Easter Egg Hunt April 19. Ages 5 and younger will hunt eggs beginning at 11 a.m. Children ages 6 and older will hunt eggs starting at 1 p.m. There will be 10,000 eggs to find at this event. Other events include sack races, a cake hop, face painting and hayrides. Activities cost $1 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Dogwood Pavilion. Park admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children and senior citizens.

For more information, call 620-2520.

Homewood

Holy Saturday Drama April 19, 6:30 p.m.

Edgewood Presbyterian Church Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Homewood will present “Midnight Torches,” a Holy Saturday drama by Eugenia Gamble at 6:30 p.m. April 19.

The church is at 850 Oxmoor Road. For more information, visit www.edgewoodpc. org or call 871-4302.

Homewood

Easter Sunrise Service April 20, 6:15 a.m.

Vulcan Park and Museum Covenant Presbyterian Church of Homewood will hold an Easter sunrise service at 6:15 a.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum. The church will also have a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m.

April 17 and a Good Friday service at noon April 18. Easter Sunday services will be at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at the church at 65 Old Montgomery Highway.

For more information, visit www.covpres. com or call 871-7002.

Birmingham

GLAD Performance April 20, 8 a.m., 10:55 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Briarwood Presbyterian Church Christian recording artists GLAD will celebrate Easter at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. The group will perform at both the 8 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. services and will present a free concert at 6 p.m. The church is at Interstate 459 and Acton Road. For more information, visit briarwood.org.

Birmingham

Oscar’s Easter Sunday Brunch April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art The Birmingham Museum of Art will host Oscar’s Easter Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 20. Those attending can sample locally-grown dishes from Oscar’s seasonal brunch menu. Space is limited, and prices vary. To make reservations, call 3287850. For more information, visit www. artsbma.org/events. ❖

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20 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

social

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Love-Love Challenge

Tennis Event Raises Money for GI Research

A

week-long ladies’ doubles tennis tournament to benefit the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation culminated with a gala event on March 7.

The second annual Love-Love “Finish the Fight” Magic City Challenge Tennis Ball was held to honor and celebrate the 2014 tennis tournament champions.

Each champion was presented with an engraved mint julep cup compliments of Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers.

During the seated dinner, Dr. Martin J. Heslin gave an overview of the advancements being made in the GI cancer research laboratories at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Following Heslin’s speech, Jimmy Weinacker was recognized as Pro of the Year. The Pro of the Year winner was determined by an online vote conducted over six weeks.

After the dinner and program, guests enjoyed dancing to the sounds of The Undergrounders.

Tennis tournament chairmen were Suzie McCullough and Kristin Ritter. Tennis Ball chairmen were Lee Dawkins, Sullins Phelan and Courtney Stephens. The Forty-Love committee chairmen were Crawford Bumgarner and Lizzie Jeffcoat.

Also helping organize the event were committee members Neillie Butler, Leigh Ann Haas, Treasa Harrison, Tracy Rasco, Marcie Rodrigues, Robin Reed, and Annemarie Wilson. Advisory Board members were Dick Briggs, Tricia Holbrook, Wally Nall III, Jimmy Weinacker and Laura Willoughby.

The focus of the Reed Foundation is to raise funds to provide ongoing support for world class research at UAB, to find a cure for GI cancers and provide continued support for specialized patient care. ❖

Above: From left: Jack and Ensley Darnall. Left: Scott Reed, Bob Hynson, Lessley Hynson and Todd Sharley. Photos special to the Journal

Suzie McCullough and Kristin Ritter.

Edmund and Kathleen Doss.

Bridget and Steven Sikora.

School Ties

Baylor Alumni Hear from Headmaster Over the Mountain area alumni of Baylor School in Chattanooga gathered recently for a social event in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Alumni chapter welcomed Baylor School Headmaster Scott Wilson to an alumni social gathering at the Wine Loft March 13.

The host committee for the event included Gerry King, Class of 1965; Jimbo King, Class of 1980; Brad Haynes, Class of 1983; Ashley Randolph McMahon, Class of 1988; Jeff Davenport, Class of 1997; and Katie Fogo Terry, Class of 2003.

Others enjoying the festivities included Bill Ireland, Glenn Ireland, Sterling Edwards, Lee Edwards, Paul Freeman, Ashley and Trip Umbach, Jodi Benck, Lucie Haynes, Charlie Haney, Mary Alice Johnson, Christina and Sherman Center and Leland Hull. ❖

From left: Lee Edwards, Lauren Sims, Jim King, Glenn Drennon, Headmaster Scott Wilson, Ashley McMahon and Craft O’Neal.

Photos special to the Journal

e t th rs' a s o it u corat ! s i V De use o 4 201 how H S

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Post-wedding Party

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 21

social

Cocktail Dinner Honors Newlyweds The European-style Mountain Brook home of Joey Pierson was the setting for a recent cocktail dinner party honoring Over the Mountain newlyweds.

The party was held in honor of Morgan and Erica Murphy on March 8.

Other hosts were David and Mary Anna Malone and Scott and Lauren Ward.

More than 100 guests attended.

As they arrived, they saw the foyer center table adorned with white lilies, tulips, orchids and Lenten roses from the garden. The table also held a two-tiered cake of red velvet and a bound memory book for sharing special wishes and thoughts with the Murphys.

The bar area featured “Murph’s Tonic,” which included bourbon, grapefruit juice and a splash of spicy Above: Morgan and Erica ginger ale. Other choices were a vari- Murphy. Above right: From left: ety of wines, imported and domestic Joey Pierson, Lauren Ward and Judy Feagin. Photos special to the Journal beers and plenty of nonalcoholic beverages.

Friends and family members visited and enjoyed cocktails and appetizers of hot applewood-smoked bacon dip and tarts with caramelized onion and Gruyère while admiring the home’s European antiques, custom draperies and ornate collectible rugs. Tables with flowers extended from indoors to the many tiered terraces leading down to the pool area.

After toasts and best wishes, guests enjoyed grilled beef tenderloins, chicken tenderloins, grilled vegetables with Tzatziki sauce, mushroom risotto, shrimp Bretagne, country ham, cream cheese biscuits and the Murphys’ favorite signature red velvet cake. ❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From left: Felicia and Brett Noerager, Tom and Louisa Jeffries and Beth and Ben Taylor.

Photos special to the Journal

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Highlighting Homewood Event Spotlights Schools, Community, Teachers

2116 2nd Avenue North (205) 251-3381

Former and current students, teachers and friends of Homewood City Schools gathered at SoHo Square to celebrate the school system and To: Jennifer community and From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 recognize teachers who are making a FAX: 205-824-1246 difference in stuDate: Oct.. 2013 dents’ lives.

The Homewood City Schools Foundation celebrated its This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl 20th for anniversary at the first Homewood Grown event on the the Terrace at SoHo Square April 3.

Nov. 14, 2013 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

The 475 guests included local corporate sponsors, Homewood city officials, school administrators and teachers and Homewood families dedicated to supporting the Please make sure all information is correct, Foundation and its mission. including address and phone number! Trust Building Services was the title sponsor, while Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. Brasfield and Gorrie was the sponsor of two custom videos. if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad willThe runvideos showed how the Foundation supports the school system and shared the stories of students who are as is. We print the paper Monday.

“Homewood Grown,” including track and field standout Thank you for your prompt attention.

Aaron Ernest.

The dinner was catered by Café Dupont with assistance from Melt Food Truck and Piggly Wiggly and also Join us for the quintessential screwball musical comedy included soft drinks by Buffalo Rock, coffee by Royal Cup that turns propriety and convention on its ear.

Coffee and dessert cupcakes by Dreamcakes.

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La Cage aux Folles will make you laugh uproariously and shake your booty along with our hilarious cast. Show runs May 1-18. Get your tickets today at redmountaintheatre.org or by calling 205-324-2424. And bring your in-laws!

Clockwise from above left: From left: Jill Kimbrell, Buddy and Sacha Skinner; The Homewood City Schools Foundation hosted the Homewood Grown fundraiser on the terrace at SoHo Square; Amy and Carey McRae and David and Mary Lynn Warren; Mel and Alexa McElroy.

Ridlehoover provided music.

The Foundation recognized five outstanding teachers with the first annual Teacher Impact Awards. The awards were sponsored by the Samford University’s Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education.

The teachers receiving the awards this year were Nivada Spurlock, Kim Virciglio, Chris Cooper, Lisa Littlejohn and Lisa Lorino.

There was also a presentation of the Dr. Jodi Newton Scholarship to Homewood High School senior Madison Collins for showing leadership and character.

Those attending included Tyler Stone, Rachel Stone, Amy McRae, Carey McRae, David Warren, Mary Lynn Warren, Dawnelle Earnest, Tom Esslinger, Amanda Esslinger, Mel McElroy, Alexa McElroy, Ashley Condon, David Condon, Jill Kimbrell, Buddy Skinner, Sacha Skinner, Felicia Noerager, Brett Noerager, Tom Jeffries, Louisa Jeffries, Beth Taylor and Ben Taylor. ❖ The Teacher Impact Award winners were, from left: Nivada Spurlock, Kim Virciglio, Chris Cooper, Lisa Littlejohn and Lisa Lorino.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Italian Accent

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 23

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Opera Birmingham Supporters Gather at The Gardens The Birmingham Botanical Gardens came alive with the tastes and sounds of Italy for Opera Birmingham’s largest fundraiser of the season, Viva Italia! presented by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market and United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama on March 2.

The gala event was coordinated by longtime Opera Birmingham volunteers Amy Johnstone, chairman, and Kathy Emison, co-chairman.

Dorothy McDaniel, who was also in attendance, created the decor to reflect the Italian theme, with tables adorned with gold overlays atop chocolate satin cloths and candelabra centerpieces embellished with red roses, white hydrangeas and accents of greenery.

The evening began as guests enjoyed cocktails and a spread of hors d’oeuvres and antipasto. At a silent auction, guests placed bids on items such as fine jewelry, dining gift certificates and spa and fitness packages, all donated by local businesses and opera supporters.

Those who mingled more photos at around the tables included Jim Emison, John Smith, Janis Zeanah, Jane Paris and Chandler Smith, Fay Hart, Mimi Jackson, Annette and Robert Brady, Sue Watkins, Corinne Greer, Donna Reddinger, Charles Rountree, Ruth Beenken, Diane and Scott Selman, Andy Duxbury and Tommy Thompson, Susan and Lee Reeves, Marsha and John Markus and Lynn Ault.

General Director John D. Jones and Board President Dorinda Smith welcomed guests as they were seated to a dinner featuring roasted Cornish hens served with spinach and mushroom risotto with gorgonzola, baked parmesan-stuffed tomatoes and a salad of radicchio, tomato, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. Desserts included tiramisu, cannoli and Italian cookies.

As dinner was served by Imperial Catering, local celebrity auctioneer Ken Jackson conducted a live auction featuring jewels, including a sapphire and diamond necklace, excursion packages such as brunch and exhibit tickets for four at the Birmingham Museum of Art, a Kate Spade purse and private “Sip ’n’ Shop” party at the Summit, and artwork.

Some of the winning bidders were Karyn and Brent Uptain, who won “Dinner with the Diva,” a party for six at an Over the Mountain estate with acclaimed soprano Leah Partridge; Kim and Corbin Day, who won a rare package of collectible books from Alabama Booksmith that included signed works by Harper Lee and J.K. Rowling; and Martha Pezrow and Cleve Kinney, who each won an original Frank Fleming sculpture.

The evening concluded with special entertainment of Italian arias performed by the casts of I Pagliacci and Suor Angelica. The performances featured Inna Los, Corey McKern, Jennifer

From left: Dorothy McDaniel and Joan Parker. Photos special to the Journal

OTMJ.COM

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Scott and Diane Selman.

Diana Turnipseed and Cleve Kinney.

Bryant, Philippe Pierce, Stephen Mark Brown, Christopher Clayton and accompanist Elden Little.

Maestro Giovanni Reggioli and Kathleen Clawson, stage director, were also among the honored guests.

In attendance were Betty Healey, Jane Hinds, Robert Raiford and Zane Rhoades, Betty Ratliff, Christine Clark, Elizabeth and John Steiner, Mike White and Alex Boles, Julius Linn Jr., Sandra Gianturco and Bill Bradley, Jan and Jim Briley, Amy Carr, Pat Scofield, Patrick Cather, Joyce and Bill Billingsley, Antoinette and John Cipriano, Gerry Dunham, Mike and MaryAnne Freeman, Tallulah Hargrove, Bill Williams, Barbara Buchanan, Holly Massey, Lida Hill, Betty Loeb, Mary Wills and Tom LeCroy and Andrea and Goodloe White.

Other supporters at the event were Emily Omura, Tonie Bone, Virginia Cobb, Carleen Morin, Susanne and Josh Myers, Leslie and Lance Voytanovsky, Dr. and Mrs. Doug Clark, John Wideman, Karen and Brant Sanders, Tommie and Lewis Cummings, Elizabeth and Mike Goodrich, Elizabeth Holt and David Bowsher, Marjorie and Jim White, Marie and Art Freeman, Ellen and Houston Gillespy, Mary Steiner, Carol Anne Smith, Jean Shanks,

Caroline and Steve Reich, Vivian and Kelvin Terry, Diana Turnipseed, Kirke Cater, Rosemary Gregory, Celia Houston, Graham Boettcher, Ray Floyd, Joan Parker, Libby Cochrane, Turner Benoist and Sandy Burglund. ❖

To: Jean From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: April 2014

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Front from left: Emmie Stutts, Lucy Gardner, Evelyn Bargeron and Kaylor Kidd. Back: Walton Stivender, Ellie Mulvaney, Mazie Smalley and Mary Keller Greene. Photo special to the Journal by Dee Moore

Belles Take a Bow

Birmingham Belles Are Presented at Garden Party The Birmingham Belles 46th annual Garden Party Presentation was held April 6 at the Country Club of Birmingham.

The Birmingham Belles is a service organization that gives senior high school girls the opportunity and experience of volunteerism and civic responsibility as they gain knowledge about their community.

The young women presented will attend city functions throughout the year. This past year, the Birmingham Belles served more than 650 hours.

Their volunteer opportunities include helping at Arlington summer luncheons, delivering cookies baked from Belle recipes to assisted living homes and helping at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Christmas at Arlington, Big Oak Ranch, Decorators’ ShowHouse, Mystics Halloween Parade, Mountain Brook Art Association Art Show, Mountain Brook Christmas Parade, the Birmingham Zoo, Childcare Resources Fairy Tale Ball and the Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel.

This year, Rhea Fonde Nathan and Margaret Fischer Pitman were the recipients of the 2014 Scholarship Fund, established to honor the late Mrs. James Mallory Kidd Jr., Birmingham Belles founder.

The Belles presented for 20142015 were Emma Ann Abele, Mary Harper Alexander, Sydney Ann Allen, Mary Callaway Anderson, Mary Seldon Andrews, Elinor Clay Anthony, Mary Lucile Baker, Anne Lacey Ballard, Abigail Lynn Bals, Caroline Grace Barber, Evalyn LeBlanc Bargeron, Kelly Grace Bemis, Ellen Hunter Berryhill, Grace Evelyn Bertram, Anne Marie Birmingham, Kathryn Rebecca Bowers, Haley Elizabeth Bradford, Sarah Louise Bragg, Madison Jean Bussell, Sally Kale Bussman, Carter Anne Cheatham, Kendall Elizabeth Crumbaugh, Wimberly Anne Debono, Mary Rives Drake, Caroline Gilchrist Dunn, Katherine

Gail Durkee, Katherine Lake Fitzpatrick, Neely Ann Francis, Elizabeth Benton French, Lucy Elizabeth Gardner, Julia Grace Garrison, Anna Catherine Gillespy, Ellen Elizabeth deBerniere Given, Margaret Allyn Pratt Given, Leigh Hampton Gorham, Kara Nicole Gravlee, Margaret Ellison Gray, Mary Keller Greene, Caroline Carter Hancock, Catherine Brevard Harmon, Elizabeth Freret Harmon, Olivia August Harmon, Walters Leigh Haynes, Emily Ruffner Hillhouse, Margaret Elizabeth Howell, Elizabeth Britton Hurley, Courtney Elizabeth Hutchinson, Kathleen Ellen Jackson, Anna Marie Jeffcoat, Camille Elizabeth Jernigan, Claudia Rose Keating, Elizabeth Parris Keith, Caroline Frances Kennedy, Kaylor Elizabeth Kidd, Kensie Jaye Kile, Lillian Judith Kilgore, Marly Virginia King, Lindsey Anne Kirk, Stella Christine Kontos, Mariel Alison Kynerd, Anna Strong LaRussa, Chandler Thorogood Law, Sarah Grace Lindsey, Morgan Ann Dommerich Lineberry, Helen Oliver Little, Brook Elyse Littleton, Kathryn Toy Littleton, Mary Lee Bard Livingston, Caroline Elizabeth Logan, Mary Clark Logan, Sarah Hayden Logan, Caroline Goodwyn Luckie, Baily Antoinette Martin, Ella Stuart McAtee, Sallie Elizabeth McElroy, Emily Owen Nelson Mendelsohn, Mary Katherine Monson, Mary Katherine Moore, Katherine Jean Morris, Isabelle Walet Mulkin, Mary Elizabeth Mulvaney, Margaret Phillips Murray, Eleanor Elizabeth Naff, Mary Margaret Nanos, Margaret Lee Neal, Lowry Elizabeth Neil, Elizabeth Fairlie Outland, Anne Layton Oztekin, Abigail Wren Parks, Mary Kathryn Parrott, Laiken Elise Pearson, Hannah Louise Perkinson, Anne Genevieve Pickering, Carlin Gayle Pittman, Kelsey Morgan Platt, Sarah

Elizabeth Polhill, Erin Suzanne Rector, Caroline Sanders Reed, Ann Wilson Reich, Katherine Anna Reiss, Mary Patton Rodrigues, Chancellor Taylor Rogers, Alice Brantley Sanders, Susan Marie Sarcone, Bennett Daye Searcy, Dorsey Ann Shamblin, Louise Searcy Shearer, Mary Findlay Shelfer, Anne Kinsman Simmons, Lillian Harris Simpson, Caroline Elizabeth Sims, Emily Dean Sink, Jessica Elizabeth Sirkin, Josie Corinna Slaughter, Maizie Constance Smalley, Julia Wittichen Smith, Paley Robinson Smith, Anne Holloway Somerville, Katherine Lanning Speyer, Mary Evelyn Sprain, Gretchen Paige Steele, Walton Leigh Stivender, Mildred Eugenia Stutts, Elizabeth Rowland Summers, Margaret Elizabeth Tapscott, Margaret Hanna Tew, Ann Frances Thomas, Melanie Abbigale Thompson, Catherine Sullivan Toomey, Brooke Frances Tucker, Catherine Claire Turner, Mimi Elizabeth Waggoner, Vivian Jane Walsh, Kristin Joanna Walton, Virginia Scott White, Anne Douglass Williams, Lucy Barrett Wolter, Savannah Rose Wright and Antoinette Dunn Wyatt.

The Birmingham Belle presentation coordinators were Emily Christian, Britney Elliot, Mary Margaret Hendry, Leigh Anne Lambert, Mary McInnis, Meg Meadows, Margaret Pope, Donna Savage, Ashelynn Falkenburg Smith and Caroline Woods.

Also assisting were Janie Christian, Jane Ryland Elliott, Mary Winston Hendry, Mary Carlisle Jones, Betsy Lambert, Ellie Meadows, Caroline Savage and 2013 Birmingham Belles Georgia MuirTaylor, Sellers Mulvaney, Jacquie Schaffers, Olivia Whatley and Emmie Whorton.

Cooper Barnes, Sam Harmon, Parker Henley and Andrew King were also on hand to assist at the event. ❖

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 25

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Going Gaelic

Waldorf School Gala Has Irish Theme

Irish music set the tone for a recent fundraiser for the Alabama Waldorf School in Birmingham.

The school held its spring fundraiser, the Gaelic Gala, March 9 at Workplay. The event featured the music of Irish band Jasper Coal.

The fundraiser also included a silent auction and the Signature Health live auction. Those attending could bid on items including vacation packages to Asheville, N.C., and Vail, Colo., a year’s worth of homemade desserts, massage and styling services, jewelry and original artwork by local artists, clothing and gift items and handmade items such as quilts.

The event also featured complimentary food from local chefs and restaurants, beer from Avondale Brewery and wine from Piggly Wiggly.

The event honored Lynda Powell, who has served at the Alabama Waldorf School for 19 years.

Those attending the Gaelic Gala included Mira Vann, Stephanie Vann, Mark Vann, Judy Barber, Summer Aldrich, John Aldrich, Janine Mwenja, Cynthia Mwenja, Jennifer Robinson and Stephanie McDonald. ❖

Jennifer Robinson, left, and Stephanie McDonald dance to the live music provided by the Irish band Jasper Coal. Photow special to the Journal furnishings for the home & garden

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From left: Summer Aldrich, Lynda Powell and John Aldrich.

Hanna Antiques has gone to the birds!

Come See

To: From:

Date: Hanna Antiques has gone to the birds!

Come See

Peyton Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Feb. 2014

This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for March 6, 2014 issue. Please 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.

• Specialized Instruction for Dyslexia, ADD and other Learning Disabilities.

From left: Corinne Greer, Carolyn Edge and Nita Cox. Photo special to the Journal

Coronets Celebration

• Small Class Sizes with a 9:1 Student Ratio.

Dance Club Holds Annual Spring Luncheon The Coronets Dance Club welcomed the warmer weather with its annual spring luncheon.

The event was held recently at Vestavia Country Club.

Those attending included President Edna Alderman, Nancy Becker, Sue Belcher, Barbara Bell, Redonda Broom, Jean Burnett, Gerri Dunham, Virginia Cobb Golightly, Lynne Cohen, Nita Cox, Dorothy Crook, Bettie Davenport, Carolyn Delk, Carolyn Edge, Glenda Etheredge and Shirley Evans.

Also attending were Pat Garlikov, Clarice Rooms & Gibbs, Claire Gomperts, Linda Gooldrup, Corinne Greer, Betty Healey, Carolyn Hogan, Margaret Rooms of Lawrence, Betty Longshore, Howell, Gloria Hudson, Nell Larson, Nancye Joanne McConnell, Betty Meeks, Betty Miller, Antiques Cele Miller, Anne Nelson, Shirley Palmes, Dena Parker, Vera Shirley, Liz Slive, Susan Stofel, Shelley Watkins, Jackie Webb and Joy Curiosities Wilkes.

HANNA The club will host its spring dinner dance April 25. Friends and guests are ANTiquEs & Fun!! invited to the galaMAll event.

The Coronets 2424 Dance Club is celebrating its 59th year. This year, the club 7thnew Ave.members So. MON-SAT welcomed 10 and hosted fall and spring luncheons and a fall din10:00-5:00 ner dance at323-6036 Vestavia Country Club. ❖

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• Lower School Through 12th Grade Carlton Smith, Ed. D. Executive Director 205-423-8660

26 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Samford Supporters

Elouise Williams, left, receives the Lolla Wright Award from Jeanna Westmoreland.

Legacy League Presents Wright Award

The Samford Legacy League met in March to hear from local business owners and a scholarship recipient and to announce this year’s winner of the Lolla Wurtele Wright Award.

The March 13 meeting at the home of Executive Director Jeanna Westmoreland featured a talk from Kimberly and Brock Beiersdoerfer, owners of the Heavenly Donut Company on Cahaba River Road.

Before the Beiersdoerfers spoke, members and guests enjoyed hearing from scholarship recipient Samuel Brock Douglas, a junior from Macon, Ga. He told the group how he came to Samford and how much he appreciated the financial assistance provided by the Legacy League.

Elected to office at the meeting were Vice President for Membership Kathy Clay, Vice President for Fundraising Lisbeth Cease and Treasurer Jane Lewis.

These officers join President Karen Bergquist, Vice President for Programs Cindy Bartlett, Vice President for Communication Kathryn Woodruff and Vice President for Student Scholarship and Support Paula Gossett.

Cindy Bartlett introduced Kimberly Beiersdoerfer, a 2002 Samford graduate, and her husband

Photos special to the Journal by Caroline Summers

Scholarship recipient Samuel Brock Douglas speaks to the crowd.

Brock, an Auburn University graduate. The Beiersdoerfers talked about their vision for “a different kind of donut shop” and how that became a

Music and More

NSAL Meeting Includes Performance, Elections The Birmingham Chapter, National Society of Arts and Letters, heard a performance of songs from opera and musical theater by baritone Daniel Seigel, accompanied by his father, Dr. Lester Seigel, at its March 19 meeting.

Lester Seigel is a member of the chapter’s Advisory Council.

Following the program and luncheon at Country Club of Birmingham, Chapter President Mildred Allen Taub called the business meeting to order.

Elected as officers to serve twoyear terms were Taub, president; Edie Barnes, vice president; Nancy Whitt, recording secretary; Catherine Rogers, corresponding secretary; Ruth Jensen, treasurer; Jeannine McElroy, chaplain; and Nancy Jones, historian. Margie Denton chaired the nominating committee.

Mary-Noel Sellers was unanimously elected to membership.

Elected as voting delegates to the NSAL national convention set for May in Charleston, W.V., were Melva Jones, Ruth Jensen and Edie Barnes.

Edith Bauman reported that the national organization had selected soprano Crystal Vanrell to receive a Winston Scholarship. Longtime

Chapter member Helen Hudgens, now 100-plus years young, was named as an honorary member to recognize her enduring support of NSAL’s mission to encourage and assist young artists.

The Birmingham Chapter will host its annual banquet April 18 at Birmingham Country Club. A highlight of the event will be the announcement of the 2014 Rosamon Henderson Service Award to a member who has rendered outstanding service to the chapter.

reality after months of prayer, planning and advice from mentors.

Guests at the meeting were able to sample some of the donuts.

After the Beiersdoerfers answered questions from the audience, Legacy League members heard that this year’s winner of the Lolla Wurtele Wright Award is Elouise Williams.

The award is given each year to a member who has displayed the devotion to the university and the Legacy League exemplified by former Samford first lady Lolla Wright.

Williams served the Legacy League and formerly the Samford Auxiliary for many years in several capacities, including president and coordinator. She remains an active member.

Legacy League membership is open to anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of students through need-based scholarships. For more information, visit www.samford.edu/legacyleague. ❖ The next chapter meeting will be the annual picnic on June 1 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Among members at the March meeting were Edie Barnes, Edith and Robert Bauman, Peggy Carlisle, Zelda Covey, Margie Denton, Cindy Free, Tallulah Hargrove, Fay Hart, Ruth Jensen, Melva Jones, Dannette Ledbetter, Gail Ledbetter Hill, Patti Manning, Jeannine McElroy, Libby Odom, Mary Frances Reed, Mel Robinson, Barbara Shepherd, Chandler Smith, Sue Watkins, Nancy Whitt, Jessie Williams, Les Fillmer and Sara Vaughn. Guests were Michael Carlisle and Carl and Juanita Davis. ❖

From left: Baritone Daniel Seigel, Birmingham NSAL Chapter President Mildred Allen Taub, Vice President of Programs Cindy Free and Dr. Daniel Seigel, accompanist. Photo special to the Journal

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 27

...then your face will surely show it.

April 25-27, 2014

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Chaney-Walters

Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Chaney Jr. of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Dawn D. Chaney, to Mr. Eugenio G. Walters, son of Ms. Barbara Walters of Queens, N.Y., and Mr. Hugo Walters of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tyler Grant of Montgomery

Busbey-Deagon

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Busbey of Pinson announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Busbey, to Tyler Deagon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Deagon of Hoover.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stalnaker of Trussville and Mr. and Mrs. Howard

Cannon-Clay

Mr. and Mrs. John David Cannon of Mobile announce the engagement of their daughter, Leslie Suzanne Cannon, to Fred Harrigan Clay III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harrigan Clay Jr. of Vestavia Hills.

The bride-elect is the granddaugh-

Weddings & Engagements and the late Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Chaney Sr. of Birmingham.

Dr. Chaney is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in animal and poultry science and a graduate of Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Dr. Chaney is an active member of the Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is employed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a veterinary enforcement, investigations and analysis officer.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Ms. Irene Thomas and Ms. Elizabeth Walters of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Walters is a 2001 graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

He is employed by Intel Corporation as a senior software engineer.

The bride and groom met and live in Scottsdale, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, where they will be married on Oct.11 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort.

Busbey of Decatur.

Miss Busbey is a graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development. She is employed with St. Peter’s Child Development Center in Hoover.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Louise Burton and the late Mr. Dan T. Burton and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Deagon, all of Hoover.

Mr. Deagon is a graduate of Spain Park High School and a 2012 cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He served as engineering ambassador for the School of Engineering and played trumpet in the Million Dollar Band.

He was an Eagle Scout with Troop 69 in Vestavia Hills. Mr. Deagon is employed as a mechanical engineer at Honda in Lincoln.

The wedding will be May 10. ter of Mrs. Sue Collins Cannon and the late Mr. Fred Harold Cannon of Mobile and Mr. John Morie and the late Mrs. Marie Morie of Pascagoula, Miss.

Miss Cannon is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

She is a certified public accountant employed at the Birmingham firm of Sellers, Richardson, Holman and West.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harrigan Clay of Vestavia Hills and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Wendell Angel of Flomaton.

Mr. Clay is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in French and a master’s degree in business administration. He owns a marketing consulting company in Birmingham.

The wedding is planned for June 7 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood.

Taylor-Mills

Meredith Mills Taylor and Robert William Mills III were married March

Foster-Kinder

Heather Elaine Foster and Ryan David Kinder were married on Jan. 11 at The Grande Riviera in Ochos Rios, Jamaica.

The bride is the daughter of Mary and Greg Foster of Vestavia Hills and the granddaughter of Agnes

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

29 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Donna Gerold officiating.

A reception followed at Avondale Brewing Company.

The bride is the daughter of Ms. Rhonda Norman Taylor of Columbia, S.C., and Mr. P.M. “Skip” Taylor Jr. of Vestavia Hills.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert William Mills Jr. of Troy.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. Laura Elizabeth Latham of Inverness was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Marion Mills Winders of Tupelo, Miss., and Heather Vann Mills of Memphis, Tenn., sisters of the groom; and Jessica Jeanne Casey and Jordan Kristine Green of Birmingham. Mary

Dillard Winders, niece of the groom, of Tupelo was the flower girl.

The father of the groom was the best man. Groomsmen were the groom’s brother-in-law, Christopher Thad Winders of Tupelo; brother of the bride, Jeffrey Norman Taylor of Atlanta; and Matthew Wilson Vaughan, Stewart Andrew Taylor and Troy Thomas Weed, all of Troy. The groom’s nephew, Morgan Walker Winders of Tupelo, was the ring bearer. The groom’s nephews, Mills Christopher Winders and Robert Mason Winders of Tupelo, served as acolytes.

After a wedding trip to St. Lucia in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the couple live in Vestavia Hills.

Grainger of Homewood and the late John W. Grainger Sr. and Elsie Foster of Homewood and the late Victor Y. Foster of Tuscaloosa.

The groom is the son of Sally and David Kinder of Hoover and the grandson of the late Leonard and Evelyn Greene and the late Sonny and Betty Kinder, all of Knoxville, Tenn.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. The bride’s sisters, Carlin Everts of Vestavia Hills and Meredith Foster of Nashville, Tenn., were her honor attendants.

Bridesmaids were Emily Kinder of Nashville and Amanda Moreland and Leigh Parker Pross, both of Washington, D.C. The bride’s gown was a Nicole Miller modern romantic design of antique white double face satin. The deep V-neck and the two twisted straps across the open back added a modern flare to this classic silhouette.

The subtle shirring at the banded

waistline combined for the finishing touch to this gown. The bride wore a rhinestone headband. Her garter was made by her aunt with Alencon lace from her mother’s wedding gown and antique seed pearls that belonged to her great-aunt.

David Kinder, father of the groom, and Ross Kinder, brother of the groom, of Birmingham served as best men. Groomsmen were Ben Austin of Hoover and David McCool of Los Angeles.

Josh Everts of Vestavia Hills provided the prayers and readings.

Meredith Foster was the vocalist. The couple’s first dance was to a song written by the groom especially for their wedding day, entitled “Every Woman.”

The couple honeymooned in Ochos Rios. They live in Nashville where Ryan is an artist and a songwriter and Heather is an executive assistant and a professional cheerleader.

Jones-Lawson

master’s degree in communication management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Miss Jones is employed with the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Earl Wood Sr. and Mrs. Viva Lawson and the late Mr. James Olin Lawson, all of Birmingham.

Mr. Lawson is a graduate of Berry High School and the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in Sport Management. He is employed with Southern Arkansas University.

The wedding will be June 21.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bartley Jones Jr. of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Meredith Larson Jones, to Joshua Wood Lawson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Brady Lawson Sr. of Berry.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Richard Lundberg Sr. of Plano, Texas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bartley Jones Sr. of Birmingham.

Miss Jones is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She received a

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Weddings & Engagements

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 29

Cleveland Clark Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cleveland Clark Sr. of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Beeland Rogers Sr. of Demopolis and the late Dr. Mounger Duke Edwards of Ocala, Fla., and the late Mrs. Jeanne Hails Edwards of Montgomery.

Miss Rogers is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University, where she received a bachelor’s degree and was a member of Chi Omega sorority and Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she received a master’s degree in architecture and the AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificate. She was presented at

the Ball of Roses and the Heritage Ball in Birmingham. Miss Rogers is employed as an architectural intern in Atlanta.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Davis Guice of Ocean Springs, Miss., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Grover Cleveland Clark Jr. of Jackson, Miss.

Mr. Clark graduated from Mountain Brook High School and the University of Mississippi, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration majoring in banking and finance, was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. He is employed as a senior vice president at Synovus Bank in Atlanta.

The wedding will be June 21.

McNuttBraine-Bonnaire

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Curtiss McNutt of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Kali Martin McNutt, to François Alexis Braine-Bonnaire, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alain BraineBonnaire of Paris.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Ann Martin and the late Mr. Billy Charles Martin of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Curtiss McNutt of Sarasota, Fla. Miss McNutt is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and the University of Alabama’s New College, where she majored in cross-cultural communication and international relations and was a member of the Blount

Undergraduate Initiative. Miss McNutt is the director of External Affairs at the Foreign Policy Initiative, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. François Bonnaire and the late Mr. Henri Braine of Paris and the late Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Doutreloux of Bordeaux, France.

Mr. Braine-Bonnaire is a graduate of Saint-Jean de Passy and received a master’s degree in business administration from Ecole de Management de Lyon. He is an entrepreneur working in advertising and real estate investment.

The wedding is planned for June 28 in France.

Mr. and Mrs. Grover Lee Burchfield Jr. of Tuscaloosa.

Miss Burchfield is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor’s degree from the Culverhouse School of Accountancy and a master’s degree in family financial planning and was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

She was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball, the Heritage Ball and the Tuscaloosa Cotillion. Miss Burchfield is employed with Synovus Securities.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Lynette Davis Crawford of Thomasville, Ga., and the late Mr. Winston Lamar Davis and late Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Basil Cobb of Mobile.

Mr. Cobb is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. He is practicing law in Birmingham at Maury Cobb at Law LLC. The wedding will be May 10.

Veazey-Shepherd

Mrs. Diane Lewis Veazey of Hoover announces the engagement of her daughter, Carol Diane Veazey, to Michael Taylor Shepherd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Hassell Shepherd Jr. of Birmingham. Miss Veazey is the daughter of the late Mr. John Robert Veazey.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Harold Veazey Cosby and the late Mr. Roy P. Cosby of Selma and the late Mr. Fred L. Veazey of Birmingham as well as the late Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Lewis of Hoover.

Miss Veasey is a 2009 graduate of Hoover High School and will graduate in May from the University of Montevallo, where she was a W & C

Killion Student Scholarship Winner.

She is currently doing her student teaching at Gwin Elementary School in Hoover.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis Taylor of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Hassell Shepherd of Montevallo.

Mr. Shepherd is a 2005 graduate of Briarwood High School and attended Southern Union and Marion Military Academy. He is a client service representative at The Kennion Group.

The wedding is planned for June 28 at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham.

Evers-Phillips

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dwight Evers Jr. of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Caroline Brannon Evers, to Charles Mardis Phillips II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martis Ethan Phillips of Vestavia Hills.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dwight Evers of Dadeville and Mrs. Hulen Brannon of Abbeville and the late Mr. Hulen Brannon of Abbeville.

Miss Evers is a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2013 summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. She was a University Honors Scholar and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi soror-

ity. Miss Evers attends the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Royce Faulkner of Talladega and Mrs. Mary Faye Phillips of Talladega and the late Mr. Charles Mardis Phillips of Birmingham.

Mr. Phillips is a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2013 summa cum laude graduate with university and computer-based honors of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a minor in environmental and water resources engineering. He is employed with Alabama Power Company.

The wedding will be June 21.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Rogers-Clark

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mabry Rogers of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Coleman Rogers, to Charles

Burchfield-Cobb

Mr. Grover Lee Burchfield III and Mrs. Sarah Eagan Burchfield, both of Tuscaloosa, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Walton Burchfield, to Richard Maury Cobb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wilmer Cobb of Fairhope.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Thomas Eagan of Birmingham and the late

Duncan-Turman

Mr. and Mrs. Brace Duncan of Falls Church, Va., announce the engagement of their daughter, AnneMarie Duncan, to Adam Hatch Turman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rick Turman of Hoover.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Anna Fish and the late Mr. John Fish of Alexandria, Va., and Mrs. and Mrs. William Edward Duncan of Alexandria.

Miss Duncan is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s

degree in finance. She was a member of the Auburn University Women’s Chorus and was professional director for the Auburn University Business School’s Financial Management Association. Miss Duncan is a trader/ analyst in the mortgage sales and trading division at Navy Federal Credit Union headquarters in Vienna, Va. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Lyndon Leslie Pearson of Mountain Brook and Mrs. Martha Turman and the late Mr. Joe Turman of Fairfield.

Mr. Turman is a cum laude graduate of Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. He is a member is Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Mr. Turman is an MICU nurse at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and will attend Georgetown University in August to become a nurse anesthetist.

The wedding is planned for May 25 in Alexandria at George Washington’s River Farm.

30 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Schools

By Taylor Burgess

Oak Mountain Intermediate School’s Stephanie HardwickGoldblatt, left, and Rachel Hyche help construct the beeping Easter eggs in March at the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research in Huntsville.

O

Journal Intern

ak Mountain Intermediate School fourth-grader Rachel Hyche admits she is independent.

“The first words I ever said were ‘I want to do it by myself,’” she said.

Hyche is also a visually impaired student, but if anything, this has made her more determined to do things herself, she said.

On April 5, the annual Beeping Easter Egg Hunt at Triple S Farms in Wilsonville gave Hyche an opportunity to do just that. At the hunt, Hyche and other visually impaired children search for electronic eggs that emit sounds so the children can find them.

“Having that egg hunt means that I can find the eggs on my own without having to ask, ‘Hey, can anyone help me find these?’” she said.

This year’s hunt is not the first Hyche has attended.

“I’ve been going since I was 3,” she said.

David Hyche, Rachel’s father and the Region IV representative for the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, is one of the hunt’s main supporters and founders.

“The first year we did a hunt, Rachel was about 18 months old, and I was at church helping plan Easter events for the kids,” he said. “I thought, ‘Rachel’s not going to enjoy searching for eggs and finding them with her hands.’”

So that his daughter could participate in holiday events with other children, David began to look for alternatives.

“I started searching on the Internet,” he said.

“I found a gentleman in Los Angeles who was making beeping eggs, and that’s how we got started.”

As a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, David is involved with the construction of the beeping eggs and helped spread the idea nationally.

“I’m the president of the Alabama Chapter of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators,” he said. “I was at a regional conference, and during the break I showed slides of kids doing the beeping egg hunt. A man from the audience approached me and offered for the IABTI to take on the project.”

The annual beeping egg construction project, named “The Rachel Project” in honor of Rachel Hyche, will supply eggs for hunts in four different Alabama locations this year. This includes the Wilsonville hunt, which was held in support of the Alabama Association for the Deaf and Blind and the Alabama Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.

“The IABTI voted to sponsor the construction of the eggs for $10,000 a year,” David

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Photos special to the Journal

How to Peg an Egg

Beeps Guide Visually Impaired Kids at Shelby County Hunt

A beeping Easter egg is assembled at the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research in Huntsville before the Easter egg hunt in Shelby County.

said. “It’s spread all over the country. This year we added the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts and schools in Pennsylvania. We add new schools every year.”

This year on March 7, Rachel and David took advantage of a special opportunity. Rachel and her teacher, Stephanie Hardwick-Goldblatt, visited the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research in Huntsville to help construct the beeping eggs.

“We had an Alabama chapter meeting of the IABTI and, after the meeting, any of the participants that wanted to could construct a beeping egg,” David said. “We had classrooms and tables set up with soldering irons and all the tools you need.”

During the visit, Rachel had an opportunity to speak to the volunteers.

“Rachel spoke a little bit about what it means to be blind,” David said. “She demonstrated

her Braille writer and electronic accessibility devices.”

Rachel said she enjoyed the chance to show the devices she uses every day to communicate.

“When I made the speech, I typed something on my Braille writer and then gave it to my teacher, who started grading it,” she said.

Hardwick-Goldblatt said she also saw the visit as an educational opportunity for Rachel.

“When she’s in science class, we talk about circuits and build them hand over hand,” Hardwick-Goldblatt said. “Rachel now says, ‘I know how to do this because I built my Easter eggs.’ She basically taught me herself.”

Hardwick-Goldblatt, an orientation mobility specialist, works with Rachel daily to improve her student’s access to education.

“I teach her to travel independently in her school environment and community,” HardwickGoldblatt said. “We also work on Braille for math and science.”

Hardwick-Goldblatt said she feels the Shelby County school system is especially wellequipped to help students like Rachel.

“We’re lucky to have four vision teachers on staff in Shelby County, as a lot of other counties don’t have that,” Hardwick-Goldblatt said.

During the NCETR visit, Hardwick-Goldblatt watched Rachel assert her independence.

“She was quality control,” HardwickGoldblatt said. “She wasn’t afraid to tell someone if the wiring was incorrect or if they were building it wrong.”

The student and teacher were also able to take advantage of the facility for Rachel’s per-

sonal development, Hardwick-Goldblatt said.

“We did some orientation mobility work in the building,” Hardwick-Goldblatt said. “When she enters a new place, she has the skills to find her way around, as there won’t always be someone there she can ask for help.”

Her father said the trip to the facility was great for Rachel in many ways.

“The building up there is enormous,” David said. “She was able to use her cane to travel around, which was good for her mobility training.”

At the egg hunts, the independent mobility Rachel practiced at the NCETR facility is encouraged.

“The whole point is to allow them to do it independently,” David said. “We cordon off an area of about 100 square yards at the farm and put out about 50 or 60 eggs.”

After the eggs are placed, volunteers turn the sound on and release the children into the area.

“The kids who are partially sighted have to wear blindfolds,” David said. “Their sighted siblings can participate, too, but they also have to wear blindfolds. This gives them an idea of what their sibling deals with.”

According to David, families who attend the egg hunts come for the fellowship.

“It’s just a fun day for the families and not a fundraiser or anything like that,” he said. “We also have a cookout.”

With the food and the rest of the hunt, the Shelby County community has been strongly supportive, he said. “(Shelby County) Sheriff (Chris) Curry and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department have always supported us,” David said. “They put a car on the road for us, and Sheriff Curry and his wife come out and serve food.”

The North Shelby Baptist Church has supported the event from the start, David said.

“They provide a lot of the labor and the candy—we exchange beeping eggs for candy eggs with them,” he said.

Rachel said she is also thankful for the community’s support.

“Our church did a really good job helping us with the hunt, and Sheriff Curry was also a big help,” she said.

While the beeping eggs help create an enjoyable day for families and the community, the eggs may continue to serve visually impaired children in different ways, David said.

“Teachers for the blind around the country are using the eggs to teach children location skills year-round, not just for Easter,” he said.

“With the help of independent volunteers, I hope the project will continue to grow.”

For more information about the Alabama Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, call David Hyche at 583-5972. ❖

School Notes Vestavia East Chess Team Wins State Championship

Homewood High Named CLAS Banner School

The Vestavia Hills Elementary East Chess Team was recently named the top elementary school chess team in the state.

Team members competed in the 2014 Alabama Primary Scholastic Team Championships at the University of Montevallo and won the title.

Team members study chess at The Knight School, founded by David Brooks. Brooks is also the team’s coach.

Championship team members from Vestavia Hills Elementary East were Hartwell Forstman, Shane Kau, Harrison Walley and Samuel Johnson, team captain.

Following their win, the championship team posed for photos with the trophy.

The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools recently named Homewood High School a CLAS Banner School.

The CLAS Banner School program was created in 2001 to recognize Alabama schools that demonstrate outstanding programs and service to students.

The school was recognized for initiating an Incorporated Course as part of its wellness policy. Homewood High’s wellness initiative includes driver’s education, a life course and a health curriculum. The Incorporated Course is designed to allow students the opportunity to earn two complete credits at its culmination.

As part of the health and wellness curriculum, “flipped” classrooms are

The Vestavia Hills Elementary East Chess Team was recently named the Alabama Primary Scholastic Team Champion. From left: Hartwell Forstman, Shane Kau, Samuel Johnson, team captain, and Harrison Walley.

Photo special to the Journal

utilized. These classrooms require students to complete assignments outside of the physical education class, allowing for time in class to be focused on fitness. Taking advantage of this class time for planned fitness is the cornerstone of the physical education program, which is divided into three major areas: cardio fitness, strength training and recreation.

The goal of the program is to not only impact change for childhood obesity but also create an atmosphere encouraging students to continue to be fit for life.

The inclusion of parents in the before-school Zero Period Incorporated Class and after-school fitness classes has produced a valuable partnership between parents, students and faculty, CLAS officials said.

The program ends with the community-wide Spirit Scamper 5K.

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 31

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Hoover Teacher, Students Earn Finley Awards

Two Hoover City Schools students and a faculty member were recently honored for exhibiting exceptional character.

The school district honored its 2014 Finley Awards winners March 20 at the Finley Awards Banquet at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on U.S. 280.

Michael Zelwak, a teacher at Spain Park High School, won the faculty Finley Award. Student Finley Award winners were Chandler Fullman of Hoover High School and Will Freeman of Spain Park High School.

The Finley Committee for Character Education was created in 1996. Its current chairman is Jeff Dance. The committee hosts events throughout the year to recognize K-12 students who exhibit exceptional character, in the spirit of Coach Bob Finley, the committee and banquet’s namesake. Finley, a longtime coach and educator at W.A. Berry High School, led by example and was known for his calm demeanor, integrity and strong faith, program officials said.

Zelwak, a New Jersey native, teaches 11th-grade English at Spain Park High School. He also coaches the school’s cross country team and indoor and outdoor track teams.

Zelwak said in his 10 years teaching at Spain Park High School, he’s learned a lot about Finley’s legacy.

“Mr. Finley was a great man from what I know. Being a part of the Hoover City Schools, you hear about him and the history he left and the legacy,” Zelwak said.

Zelwak learned he was the 2014 faculty award winner in a surprise ceremony attended by his wife, Anne, daughter, Leighton, family members, friends and colleagues.

“Just to be considered (for the Finley Award) is an honor,” Zelwak

From left: Assistant Superintendent Melody Green, Will Freeman, Michael Zelwak, Chandler Fullman and Superintendent Andy Craig. Photos special to the Journal

said. “To win it is actually probably one of the highlights of my teaching career.”

Hoover High School senior Fullman said winning the Finley Award also meant a lot to him.

Fullman said Finley’s name is one he’s “only heard mentioned with good stuff. For me to win this, words can’t really describe it.”

Fullman is better known as “Superfan” around Hoover High School. The self-proclaimed fan said he’s an avid supporter of anything to do with the Bucs.

“I love Hoover,” Fullman said. “I especially love athletics, and when you combine Hoover and athletics, you just love it.”

Fullman has overcome many obstacles to get to this moment in his senior year. During his freshman year in September 2010, he suffered an aneurysm while on campus and was rushed to the hospital. He and his family later found out that he had Arteriovenous Malformation, or AVM, a condition best characterized as an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system and only

VHEC Student Competes in State Geography Bee

Cherokee Bend Students Get Dental Hygiene Tips

Cavalier Camp Coming in May at John Carroll High

Students at Cherokee Bend Elementary School recently got some help brushing up on their dental hygiene knowledge.

Dr. Stephanie Steinmetz, a dentist who has practiced pediatric dentistry in the Over the Mountain area for more than 20 years, visited the first-graders at the school to talk to them about dental health.

Steinmetz brought along Lil’ Darlin, a clown, to help with her presentation about proper brushing techniques.

John Carroll Catholic High School is offering a summer camp for students in the third through the eighth grades.

Cavalier Camp will offer both academic and athletic enrichment programs starting in May. Athletic camps begin the week of May 27 and academic camps start the week of June 9.

“We are very excited about our enrichment camps this summer,” said Assistant Principal Brian Connell.

“They are designed to be fun, first and

events and is an eight-time high school state swim champion and sixtime National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) High School All-American.

Despite his accomplishments, Freeman said he was surprised to be named his school’s Finley Award winner this year.

“I honestly never thought I would be here–be the winner. I used to see other kids get this award, and I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is a bar I can never get to,’” Freeman said.

“Now that I’m here, it’s like ‘people are looking up to me.’ That’s interesting.” ❖

Open their world to the Arts!

Enroll them in Birmingham-Southern College’s Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts

detectable through brain scans.

The irony of that day for the Hoover superfan was that it was the same day he was set to try out for a spot on the school’s golf team. That dream never fully materialized, as Fullman spent the following 56 days in Children’s Hospital of Alabama, 17 of those days in a comatose state.

“I kinda realized I was just going to have to be a fan and support my team,” Fullman said “I mean, if that’s what God wants me to do I am going to do it.”

Fullman has since been on a long road to recovery. He is active on campus in service organizations, honor societies and student government organizations.

Fullman said he plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a career in athletics, possibly as an athletics director.

Fullman’s counterpart at Spain Park High School is no stranger to the2011 tenth-page BSC ad_OTMJ.indd 1 spotlight.

Freeman, also a senior, is a nationally-ranked swimmer and has both academic and athletic scholarship offers to foremost, but also to keep students physically and mentally active during the summer months. The goal of Cavalier Camp is to provide fulfilling experiences-athletic and academic--while preventing summertime sloth and idleness.”

There will also be a junior camp in June. For information and registration, visit www.jcchs.org.

First-graders in Frances Gaut’s class at Cherokee Bend Elementary School recently got lessons on taking care of their teeth from Dr. Stephanie Steinmetz and clown Lil’ Darlin. Photo special to the Journal

the University of Alabama.

He’s received numerous academic and athletic accolades during his high school career, most recently being named a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman.

Freeman is a six-year varsity letter winner and during his junior year joined the Spain Park High School Honor Council. “(Our council) actually drafted a code of academic integrity this past summer, and we have been trying to implement it throughout the school,” Freeman said.

Freeman holds school, league and state records in several swimming

A fifth-grader represented Vestavia Hills Elementary Central in the state level National Geographic Bee April 4 at Samford University in Homewood.

Jason DiRusso participated in the state competition. The event included the top 100 students who were given screening exams after winning their school geography bee events.

DiRusso said he was supported in Jason DiRusso his studies by his teacher, Shannon Fulton, and VHEC’s principal, Marion Humphries.

Lessons are available in piano, voice, violin, guitar, band and much more. Preschool Music Classes are available for 18-month to 5-year-olds.

www.bsc.edu | 205/226-4960

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Birmingham-Southern College

Shades Mountain Christian School

7/18/2011 1:26:22 PM

▪K3 - 12th Grades ▪Student/Teacher Ratio 12:1 ▪AHSAA Sports ▪Band, Theatre, Choir & Art

smcs.org Call to arrange a tour

205-978-6001

32 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Homewood Schools Spotlight Career Tech Classes To mark National Career and Technical Education Month, Homewood City Schools put the spotlight on its Career and Technical Education programs, which serve students in the sixth through 12th grades.

Homewood Middle School offers the career technologies, teen connections and teen discovery programs.

Homewood High School offers the food and consumer sciences and the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs.

Mary Gardner, a seventh-grader at Homewood Middle, said she selected the communication and engineering courses taught by Lovie Crawford to learn more about technology, to have fun making things like signs, bridges and air-brushed T-shirts and to be able to take video production.

“I learned that technology is

not just using electronic devices; it is using all types of tools to create things we need and want. I also learned about different careers and what skills and attitudes you need to get the job you want,” Gardner said.

Luciano Villa, an eighth-grader at Homewood Middle, said he learned employability skills in Briana Morton’s family and consumer sciences class.

“She really drilled those into our head and how those skills are necessary for any job. She also taught us that we have to be more responsible-responsible in school, in our personal lives and as future employees,” Villa said.

Jenna Sakawi, a sophomore at Homewood High, is a student of Master Sgt. Vincent Simmons.

Sakawi said the AFJROTC program has taught her about discipline,

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Jenna Sakawi is a student in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Homewood High School. Photos special to the Journal

Luciano Villa is an eighth-grader taking the family and consumer sciences courses at Homewood Middle School.

Mary Gardner is a seventh-grader taking the communication and engineering courses at Homewood Middle School.

respect and how to maintain a positive attitude.

“It has taught me how to be responsible and how it’s important to be able to work with others. We would not be able to complete a marching routine without working together,” Sakawi said.

She selected the course because she wanted to know more about the

military, she said.

Jawan Jackson, a Homewood High senior, said he has been inspired

by Meagan Malone’s fashion class.

“I have learned how the fashion industry works and all the requirements it will take to be successful. By taking fashion, I know what to expect and have prepared myself for great success,” Jackson said.

School officials said the purpose of Career and Technical Education is to help students identify their career interests, aid them in the development of employability skills that will serve them in any career and support them in academic planning for the secondary and post-secondary levels that will equip them with the credentials they need for their career choices. ❖

Prince of Peace School Hosts Einstein Expo

Winners in Prince of Peace Catholic School’s Einstein Expo were, front, from left: Meghan Mooney, Jeries Lutfi, Katherine Smith, Courtney Evans, Gregory Shunnarah and Cecilia Brewer. Middle: Samantha Teta, Miriam Abikhaled, Carley Rickman, A.J. Kingsmore, Stanley Stoutamire, Hope Lacy, Abbie Bateh, Jacob Talyor, Margaret Ann Payne and Emma Muscato. Back: Mia Gerson, KaiLian Davis, Christian Wolf, Kome Ubogu, Matthias Rathbun, Lacy Wallace, Caroline Anthony and Evvy Lusco. Jaason Wedin is not pictured.

Photo special to the Journal

Highlands Student Writers Named Finalists Several students at Highlands School were recently recognized for their writing skills.

Five fifth-grade students and one fourth-grade student have been selected as Level I semifinalists in the Letters About Literature Competition. These students will move on to the final state round for judging in their group.

Grey Battle was recognized for her letter to Jeff Kinney, the author of the

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. Lilla Carroll was named a semifinalist for her letter to John Green about his book, “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Liliana Chambless, Emma Lembke and Mary Catherine Touloupis were named semifinalists for their letters to Sharon Draper about Draper’s book, “Out of My Mind.

Anja Trierweiler was named a semifinalist for her letter to Mike Lupica about his book, “Hero.”

The students were invited to a recognition ceremony April 12.

Students at Highlands School were recently named semifinalists in a literature and writing competition. From left: Lilla Carroll, Mary Catherine Touloupis, Emma Lembke, Liliana Chambless, Grey Battle and Anja Trierweiler.

Photo special to the Journal

Prince of Peace Catholic School recently hosted its Einstein Expo.

The school’s earth, physical and life sciences fair is open to students in the third through eighth grades and showcases their imagination, ingenuity and experimental skills.

Winning projects included “The Germ Buster,” “The Hairspray Face Shield,” “Sugar Versus Stevia,” “Self-inflating Balloons” and many others.

The young scientists made oral presentations on their projects to a panel of judges during the school day.

That evening, the students returned to the school with their parents to learn which projects had been awarded ribbons.

This year’s Einstein Expo winners included Meghan Mooney, Jeries Lutfi, Katherine Smith, Courtney Evans, Gregory Shunnarah, Cecilia Brewer, Samantha Teta, Miriam Abikhaled, Carley Rickman, A.J. Kingsmore, Stanley Stoutamire, Hope Lacy, Abbie Bateh, Jacob Talyor, Margaret Ann Payne, Emma Muscato, Mia Gerson, KaiLian Davis, Christian Wolf, Kome Ubogu, Matthias Rathbun, Lacy Wallace, Caroline Anthony, Evvy Lusco and Jaason Wedin.

OLS students Fletcher Hughey, left, and Georgia Thornton show off the prehistoric creatures they created for the school’s Dino Day. Photo special to the Journal

OLS Goes Prehistoric Second-graders at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Homewood recently celebrated Dino Day. The fun-filled prehistoric-themed day was part of the students’ science curriculum, which includes the study of dinosaurs and fossils.

On Dino Day, students held a parade in the school’s hallways to show off their homemade dinosaur creations. The students made the prehistoric creatures using recycled materials, clothes, paper, clay and other items.

For the parade, students wore Dino Day T-shirts they had painted and paper-mâché dinosaur masks they

VHEC Students Practice Random Acts of Kindness Students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central topped off a month-long emphasis on kindness by packing inspiring notecards inside hygiene kits for students at a Jefferson County school.

The students packed 400 hygiene kits and included their handwritten notes as part of the school’s Random Acts of Kindness service project.

The school’s counselor, Sara K. Goodwin, spent the month talking to the students about how they can make a difference in lives of others through acts of kindness. Parents and teachers donated the supplies for the kits.

Mary Alex Maluff, left, and Emma Smith, right, packed hygienic kits for the Vestavia Hills Elementary Central Random Acts of Kindness service project. Photo special to the Journal

made in art class.

With the help of teachers and parent volunteers, the second-graders continued their Dino Day celebration with educational activities, including individual PowerPoint presentations of dinosaurs that each student researched and presented to the class.

They also took part in fossil cleanings, crafting imprints, polishing amber, skeleton construction, dinosaur arts and crafts and more.

N.E. Miles Students Send Cards to Soldiers in Israel Students at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School on Montclair Road recently worked together to send sweet treats and greetings to Israeli soldiers stationed at checkpoints far from their bases.

The students created personal Chanukah cards for the soldiers and raised enough money to send the soldiers sufganiyot, the sweet jelly doughnuts Israelis look forward to all year. The students sent the cards and sweets to soldiers at the Golani base.

With the help of Israel Connection, the sufganiyot, cards and menorahs were delivered to a group of soldiers that included Birmingham native Asaf Stein, son of N.E. Miles Jewish Day School Hebrew teacher Susan Stein.

Stein reported that the soldiers were very happy to receive the gifts from the students at the school.

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 33

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

St. Rose Academy Breaks Ground on New Addition

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new addition at St. Rose Academy was held recently. From left: Sister Mary Andrew, Sister Mary George, Sister Mary Louis, Mother Ann Marie, Bishop Robert Baker and Sister Mary Elizabeth. Photo special to the Journal

A private Catholic school for students in preschool through the eighth grade recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new addition to its campus.

The groundbreaking for the new building at St. Rose Academy was held Feb. 27 with Bishop Robert Baker, Mother Ann Marie Sister Mary Andrews, Sister Mary George, Sister Mary Louis and Sister Mary Elizabeth doing the ceremonial shoveling.

The new building, which will connect two existing buildings on the St. Rose campus, will include a new library, science lab and additional classrooms.

St. Rose Academy is located at 1401 22nd Street South in Birmingham. The school was founded in 1956 and is under the direction of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation.

St. Rose Academy currently has about 180 students.❖

Mountain Brook Debate Team Honors Gunn The Mountain Brook High School Debate Team recently honored its longtime coach, Betty Gunn.

The team hosted an alumni lunch in Gunn’s honor Feb. 8 at the 2014 Betty Gunn Invitational Debate Tournament at Mountain Brook High School.

Officials said the tournament continues to thrive and is a testament to Gunn’s successful career. Donations from the Butrus family allow the school to offer a low-cost tournament with catered food and a panel of highlyqualified judges, officials said.

Those attending the debate tournament luncheon included Gunn, Pat Kammerer, Annie Butrus, Julie Butrus, Kate Butrus, John Butrus, Annika Mishra, Adesh Mishra, Lane Thomas Brown, Skip Coulter, Anoop Mishra, the National Lincoln-Douglas debate champion, and Greg Wald, debate team coach at Mountain Brook High School.

LPM Marks Read Across America with Contest Liberty Park Middle School recently celebrated the Read Across America program by holding a contest for students.

Jean Deal, the school’s librarian, encouraged all LPM students to participate in a bookmark drawing

The Mountain Brook High School Debate Team recently held an alumni lunch to honor longtime coach Betty Gunn. From left: Anoop Mishra, Pat Kammerer, Annie Butrus, Julie Butrus, Kate Butrus, John Butrus, Gunn, Annika Mishra, Adesh Mishra, Lane Thomas Brown, Skip Coulter and Greg Wald.

Photo special to the Journal

contest to observe the program, which annually celebrates reading across the country. Read Across America, initiated by a small task force at the National Education Association in 1997, is held each year on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

The winner of Liberty Park’s bookmark drawing contest was eighthgrader Lexie Durick. Sixth-grader Alex Ricketts was the runner-up.

St. Francis Celebrates Catholic Schools Week St. Francis Xavier School celebrated Catholic Schools Week with the theme “How sweet it is...to attend a Catholic school.”

Candy always gets children’s attention and is an appropriate metaphor to express the excitement, joy and love for the Catholic school life at St. Francis Xavier, school officials said.

The week began with sweet treats for parents in the carpool line. Teachers and priests were also given treats during

the week to remind them of the special sweetness they bring to the school, officials said.

On Wednesday, Carolyn Romano gave students a special presentation about her visit to Rome and her encounter with Pope Francis. The students enjoyed seeing Pope Francis’ zucchetto, a small, round skullcap worn

by Catholic clergy, school officials said.

On Thursday, students had treats made by the school’s Student Council at a Sweet Shoppe.

Catholic School Week activities ended Friday with the annual Jump Rope for Hearts to benefit the American Heart Association. Students clapped and cheered as the classes presented original jump rope routines.

Jeh Jeh Pruitt from Fox 6 energized the students as the event emcee. The Home and School Association provided refreshments.

The school’s Student Council also held a Jeans for Teens clothing drive to collect jeans for homeless youth across the country. ❖

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Alex Ricketts, left, was the runner-up and Lexie Durick, right, was the winner in the bookmark drawing contest at Liberty Park Middle School.

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SMCS Donates Race Proceeds

Officials from Shades Mountain Christian School recently donated the proceeds of its first annual Sole to Soul 5K and Fun Run to help children with cancer and blood disorders.

In March, the school presented 100 percent of the October event’s proceeds--$3,000--to Sharon Likos, community development director at the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. The center is a partnership between Children’s Hospital of Alabama

and the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Kim Kugler was the race’s marketing and publicity chairman, and Mindy Barber, thirdgrade teacher, was race chairman.

Danette Samford was the first aid and refreshments chairman. Cheryl Bailey of Children’s of Alabama was the accounting and registration chairman for the event. Joel Smith was the SMCS school board representative at the donation presentation. ❖

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34 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

designed to delight Decorators Get Creative with ShowHouse Rooms Stories by Donna Cornelius • Photos by Lee Walls Jr. Most of the time, designers have to tailor

their own ideas to fit clients’ wishes and needs.

But when the designers brainstorm ideas for their rooms in the Decorators’ ShowHouse, they can get creative while showcasing their best work—and for a good cause, too.

The ShowHouse benefits the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

“Doing this is a passion for me more than anything,” said Summer Classics designer Allen Westbrook. “It makes me smile.”

In this issue, we’re spotlighting three talented

Butterflies with Breakfast

Loggia Living

page 36

page 38

Jean Clayton Christine’s + Bagetelle, Mountain Brook

Allen Westbrook Summer Classics, Birmingham

designers. Read about more ShowHouse participants and their rooms in our May 1 issue.

This year’s ShowHouse is Villa D’Ambra in Greystone, which opens April 26. For more information, visit ShowHouse-Al.com or call 980-7242.

Mini Man Cave

Roberta Griffin G&G Interior Design, Bessemer page 37

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Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 35

36 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

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MacKenzie-Childs’ Butterfly Garden pattern sent Jean Clayton’s imagination flying when she was designing the Decorators’ ShowHouse breakfast room. Clayton, who owns Christine’s + Bagatelle in Mountain Brook Village, is sitting in one of the French chairs she found at Tricia’s Treasures in Homewood.

Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.

Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246

s your AD prOOF from the Over The MOunTAin JOurnAl for the ril 17th, 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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Butterflies with Breakfast The breakfast room, created by Jean Clayton and her team at Christine’s + Bagatelle in Mountain Brook Village, is so bright and cheerful that even waking up to a plain bowl of Cheerios could turn into a pleasant experience.

Clayton said a new line by a well-known company was behind her decision to choose the breakfast room as her ShowHouse space.

“What really prompted me is that MacKenzie-Childs was introducing its Butterfly Garden line,” she said.

The design on the plates and other decorative items in the room features butterflies in jaunty colors—and in MacKenzieChild’s trademark black and white checks.

The butterfly motif also fit well into Clayton’s desire to take advantage of the room’s setting.

“I wanted to bring the outdoors in,” she said. “The room has such a fabulous view with the lake outside.”

Finding the right table for the breakfast room was crucial, too.

Clayton said she loves the work of Ben Smith, who owns Welded Wood in Birmingham, and found that one of his creations, a table base shaped like a tree trunk, was the perfect piece.

“When I saw that table base, I thought, ‘That’s it,’” she said.

“It had an old wooden top, which I thought would make the room look smaller and darker.

I asked Ben to replace it with More MacKenziea glass top. He’ll do whatever you want. He’s so adaptChilds accents are able.” a pilsner glass and a vase in the Also just right for the room were French chairs company’s popuClayton discovered at Tricia’s Treasures in Homewood. lar black-and-white “We needed something substantial, and I loved the pattern. hand-carved shells on the chairs,” she said.

A Kilim rug from Paige Albright Orientals, also in

See, Breakfast, page 40

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 37

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mini Man Cave

When Roberta Griffin of G&G

Interior Design participated in the ShowHouse for the first time last year, she created with a girl’s bedroom full of flounces and other feminine touches.

This year, her ShowHouse space is decidedly different. A boy’s bedroom upstairs in the house was inspired by the great outdoors.

“I did my son’s room last year when he turned 15,” Griffin said. “It was fun.”

The Bessemer-based designer said she wanted the room to be well put together “but not too decorated.”

“I wanted to make this a really cool space without spending a fortune,” she said.

With the goal of showing ShowHouse visitors do-it-yourself ideas, Griffin stenciled the wall behind the room’s twin beds with a birch forest motif. She also made the beds’ headboards out of wooden pallets.

The framed pictures over each bed are Griffin’s handiwork, too. One is a silhouette of a deer’s head on a background of red and gray stripes, while the other has a leaping fish against blue and silver stripes.

“Duck Dynasty” fans will recog-

From far left: Ramona Griffin of G&G Interior Design said she wanted the boy’s bedroom to have an outdoorsy theme—and to provide do-it-yourself ideas for ShowHouse visitors. Griffin stenciled the birch forest pattern on the walls behind the bed and made the headboards from wooden pallets. Boys— and maybe girls, too--can gather for a game beneath hunting and fishingthemed signs. Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.

Beautiful Decor.... to make your house a home At

nize the TV show’s Uncle Si as the figure on the bedside alarm clock, one of the fun accessories Griffin chose for the room.

Instead of hanging actual animal heads on the walls, Griffin put up a mounted silver resin deer head.

She chose plaid coverlets for the beds and brightened window panels with chevron-print inserts.

For a natural touch in the adjoining bathroom, she found a bowl handmade from wormy cottonwood.

Throughout the space, Griffin tried for a low-key look that’s both boyand mom-friendly.

“This room is for an outdoors-type boy who likes things like hunting and fishing,” Griffin said.

—Donna Cornelius

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home

Loggia Living Allen Westbrook, designer and outdoor specialist at Summer Classics, said the house’s loggia “spoke to me.

It’s the one space I really wanted to do.”

ShowHouse officials ask decorators to bid on several rooms, he said.

“But I didn’t bid on any others,” Westbrook said. “I really wanted that one.”

The loggia, which stretches across the back of the house, looks out on the rear garden and a lake.

Designing an outdoor space can be a challenge, since the furniture, accessories and materials used have to stand up to all kinds of weather.

“We want people to realize they can create this look themselves, in their own spaces,” Westbrook said.

Many Summer Classics customers say they use their outdoor spaces more than their indoor ones, he said.

While Westbrook brought in lots of furniture and accessories from Summer Classics, one piece he’s using belongs to the homeowners. It’s a heavy granite-topped table large

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Oversized plates and enough to accommodate a lanterns top the massive crowd of casual diners. granite dining table on “We didn’t want to move the loggia. the table, and I thought, I can Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr. make that look spectacular,” he said.

Around the table, he added eight Royan chairs. On the table are oversized lanterns, which give depth and height, he said, and large ceramic plates with blue and gold tones.

The space also includes a seating area with a sofa and chairs from Summer Classics’ Maltese line.

“Royan and Maltese are two of my favorite lines in our new collection,” Westbrook said.

Sofa and chair cushions are covered in gray and earthtoned Sunbrella, a fabric hardy enough for outdoor use— but still stylish, he said.

“You can submerge Sunbrella in bleach, and it won’t hurt it,” he said.

An outdoor acrylic painting of sailboats on the seating area wall has been treated with a sealing procedure, making it safe for outdoor display, Westbrook said.

On the floor is a large rug from Stanton Carpet.

“We have tons of mesh-backed rugs for outdoors,”

for more information please Call mike wedgworth: 205.365.4344

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 39

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

much out front. It would draw attention away from the beauty of the home.”

Westbrook said Summer Classics is a longtime ShowHouse participant.

He’s been involved in the event since he joined Summer Classics four years ago, he said.

“It’s a great cause. I’m all about supporting the arts and creative efforts. Having involvement in the community is important,” Westbrook said.

—Donna Cornelius

artistic flair,” Westbrook said.

Periwinkle accents—glass bottles on the coffee table, ribbons on the curtains and bands on a pair of oars propped in the corner—catch the eye with pops of blue.

Summer Classics is also providing woven benches for the entrance to the house and a dining table and chairs for volunteer ticket takers.

“People can sit on the benches while they wait for the shuttle,” Westbrook said. “We went for functionality. We didn’t want to put too

Your Over the Mountain Real Estate and Lending Experts

Excellent Communication

Clockwise from above: Sunbrella cushions on the sofa and chairs, the meshbacked rug and even the sailboat painting stand up to all kinds of weather, said Allen Westbrook of Summer Classics. Some of the striking blue accents throughout the loggia are these handsome bottles on the coffee table. Allen Westbrook and Lisa Fritz of Summer Classics made the ShowHouse’s loggia as stylish as the house’s interior rooms.

Effective Negotiation

Westbrook said. “They can get wet.

You can pick different bandings. This one is chocolate brown.”

Topping the rug is a smaller one in cowhide.

“It shows my Bohemian side and warms up the space and gives it some

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Mountain Brook Village, “picked up on the colors I was using,” Clayton said.

MacKenzie-Childs products dress up the fireplace Dinnerware as well as the and a childtable. ShowHouse sized chair, left, visitors who look add vibrant closely at the colors to the breakfast room. forged iron fire screen will find a little girl on a swing, and boxwood topiaries are topped with black-andwhite checked finials.

A sense of fun comes into play with a child-sized MacKenzie-Childs table and chairs. Ready to have tea with a stuffed monkey is a lifesized—and very realistic-looking— doll, which Clayton said she bought years ago from Mary Charles Doll House in Mountain Brook.

“It looks like a child,” she said.

“When I put her and other dolls like her in our store windows at Christmas, some people think they’re actually children.”

Another playful—but useful— resident of the breakfast room is a MacKenzie-Childs pig-shaped grill.

Made of terra cotta, the portly fellow sits on an iron stand.

“You can cook in it or use it to serve, too,” Clayton said. “It could even sit on a kitchen island.”

—Donna Cornelius

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showhouse, From Page One

Nan Teninbaum, ShowHouse publicity and marketing chairman for the Symphony Volunteer Council, said the ShowHouse has become a seasonal tradition for many who mark their calendars to attend year after year.

“This is the number one fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony, and it has a lot of history,” Teninbaum said. “It’s a tradition. When spring comes, people think about ShowHouse.”

Those who attend can look forward to a few hours of fun while supporting the symphony, she said.

“It’s an escape. You can have lunch and spend some leisurely time here,” Teninbaum said. “You see something new and different and get ideas. You can dream and wish.”

You can also buy some of the ShowHouse’s furniture and accessories from the designers—or you can buy the house itself.

Owned by Michael and Michelle D’Ambra, the house is now on the market.

“This is a magnificent structure,” Teninbaum said. “It’s very Mediterranean, and the architectural details are very reminiscent of Europe.”

There’s a good reason for that. The D’Ambras built the house in 1994 when Michael D’Ambra was president of Time Warner’s Birmingham division. The couple spent four years abroad when he became Time Warner’s CEO and president in France. They kept their Greystone home during that time and, when they returned to Birmingham in 2003, made changes that reflected French and other European architectural styles and influences.

The D’Ambras replaced the house’s existing exterior with limestone. At the front entrance is a limestone arch that weighs more than 3,000 pounds and a pair of stone lions. Also added was an

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 41

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

expansive loggia across the back of the house.

While landscape designers often participate in the ShowHouse by grooming the grounds, that wasn’t necessary this year. The 4 ½-acre property’s gardens already had been thoughtfully designed and carefully tended, with Italian cypress trees and crape myrtle and other native trees as well as steps that lead to the lake. A pergola covered in the spring with yellow jessamine vines shades an inviting hammock.

Inside, the house’s open design allows views of the living room, dining room, loggia and library from the foyer.

In the foyer, a sparkling 64-light Bohemian crystal chandelier hangs from the 28-foot ceiling. Tiles in the main level common areas are Italian, and walls are Venetian plaster.

“There are so many curves and archways in the windows, hallways and walkways,” Teninbaum said. “So much was imported from Europe.”

The house has four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms and four fireplaces.

Know Before You Go:

While seeing the house and the designers’ work are the main attractions, other Decorators’ ShowHouse features are popular, too, Nan Teninbaum said. One of these is the Symphony Shop, where visitors can buy items to take home.

“People love the Symphony Shop,” she said. “They find crafts, antiques, jewelry and some of the newest trends in decorative items.”

This year, B&A Warehouse is providing lunch in the Margaret Alford Tea Room Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The price is $13, and reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.

Those who can’t resist dessert can visit Bailey’s Sweet Shoppe stocked with $3 treats that are homemade and

donated by Birmingham area bakeries.

The Sweet Shoppe is open MondaySaturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays from 2-5:30 p.m.

ShowHouse hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2-6 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are $15 until April 25.

Once the house opens on April 26, tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. Groups of 20 or more can get tickets for $15 each.

For a list of ticket outlets and more information about group reservations, visit ShowHouse-Al.com or call 9807242.

There’s no parking allowed at the ShowHouse. Shuttle parking is at the Church at Brook Hills, 3145 Brook Highland Parkway. The last shuttle leaves one hour before the house closes each day.

Children under 8 years old aren’t allowed in the ShowHouse, and visitors may not bring backpacks, umbrellas, large tote bags, purses or cameras, according to ShowHouse officials.

If you can’t wait until the house’s official opening day, you can attend the Sneak Peek party April 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The dressy-casual event with door prizes includes dinner by B&A Warehouse, wine and a tour of the house. Guests also receive a 15 percent discount in the Symphony Shop.

Entertainment will include music by Eric Carlton.

Tickets are $70, and reservations are required. For more information, contact Liz Warren at 979-0311 or LizWWarren@aol.com.

The ShowHouse’s opening day ribbon-cutting ceremony is April 25 at 7 p.m. ❖

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42 • Thursday, April 17, 2014

Spartan Wrestlers Set School Win Record

The Mountain Brook High School wrestling team finished the year 24-13 in dual meets, setting a school record for most team wins in a season.

The Spartans, who returned only one state qualifier from last year’s team, started the season with a 4-9 record.

“These kids worked hard all year long, and around Christmas break, they really began to buy into a new coaching and wrestling style,” said Justin Ransom, varsity coach.

Mountain Brook finished the Alabama High School Athletic Association sectional wrestling tournament with seven state qualifiers out of 11 weight classes. The Spartan

state qualifiers were Drew Reed, Evan Nipper, Josh Anders, James Perkinson, Austin Gandler, Logan Skinner and Reed Adams.

At the state 6A tournament, Skinner finished fifth and Reed finished sixth.

Out of seven wrestlers at the state tournament, six scored points for their team by winning matches.

This was Ransom’s first year as Mountain Brook’s head coach, and Laura Louise Perkinson, mother of a senior wrestler, praised his efforts.

“Early on we wondered what kind of coach Ransom would be because he had such big shoes to fill, but he was just what our boys needed,” Perkinson

sports

Members of the Mountain Brook High School wrestling team are, from left, front: Josh Anders, McKee Brown, Evan Nipper, James Perkinson, Will Jackson, Reed Adams and Logan Skinner. Middle: Coach Justin Ransom, Alex Pankey, Cole Holmes, Robert Randolph, Ryan Nipper, Austin Gandler, Drew Reed, Thomas Byrne, Ethan Fasking and coach Bill Strickland. Back: Stav Pappas, Will Pitman and Brandon Martinez. Photo special to the Journal

said. “He’s become more than a coach-he’s a stabilizer, a mentor. His background in counseling has been such a bonus. Ransom is an enormous asset to the growing team.”

Mountain Brook will return eight

Standing, from left: Will Hunt, Terry James, Ronald Claiborne, Austin Patterson, Jake Birdeshaw, Toby Taylor, Derrick Underwood, Alec Marsh, Griffin Gentry, Lawton Dorough, Peyton Brown, Will Mizerany and Rick Baguley, coach. John Yarbrough is on the front. Photo special to the Journal

Homewood JV Basketball Team Goes Undefeated The Homewood junior varsity basketball team went undefeated this season--a first in the junior varsity program’s history, officials said.

The team finished the 2014 season with a 25-0 record.

The team played in three tournaments, including the Metro, Jag Classic and Hewitt Invitational tourna-

ments and won all three.

Members of the team were Will Hunt, Terry James, John Yarbrough, Ronald Caliborne, Austin Patterson, Jake Birdeshaw, Toby Taylor, Derrick Underwood, Alec Marsh, Griffin Gentry, Lawton Dorough, Peyton Brown and Will Mizerany.

The team was coached by Rick Baguley.

Hoover Blue Thunder Rolls at Regional Championship Swim Meet in Nashville The Hoover Blue Thunder Swim Team wrapped up their Short Course season with favorable results at the Southeastern Championship Meet in Nashville, Tenn. Twenty-one swimmers made 126 Short Course Southeastern Championship qualifying times this season. Of the 21 swimmers who qualified to attend the meet, 16 of them represented HBT at the four-day swim meet.

Sam Steele, 16, became the first male swimmer from HBT to garner two Junior National Summer qualifying times and swam to second-place finishes in both the 200- and 500Freestyle. Steele also qualified for two Junior National Winter qualifying times in the 1000 Freestyle and the 200-Fly. He also broke team records in these four events. Steele scored in six out of seven of his events, stealing

the spotlight at the meet.

Luke Huffstutler, 18, also turned in an outstanding peformance scoring in six of his seven events and broke team records in the 100- and 200-breaststroke, 400-IM and the 50 freestyle.

Jakob Icimsoy, 13, placed in the top five in six of his seven events, ranking top three in the 500-, 1000and 1650-Freestyle, and the 400 IM. Jakob also swam away with a new Senior Sectional cut in the 1000-Freestyle and new team records in the 400-IM and the 1650- Freestyle.

Other noteworthy swims were: Erin Finn, 17, winning the “B” final of the senior girl 100- Fly; Caitlin Bullard, 15, scored in the 1000- and 1650-Freestyle; E.J. Moses, 13, scored in the 1000- and 1650-Freestyle; Molly Steele, 14, scored in the 500-, 1000-, and 1650- Freestyle; Ross

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Tolbert, 10, scored in the 50- and 100-Backstroke.

The boys’ age 13-14 Freestyle Relay team of Amick, Fineburg, Moses and Icimsoy scored an eighthplace finish. Kathryn Chambers, 10, came home with improved times

of its 12 starters next season. Mountain Brook Junior High wrestlers, coached

by Derek Jones and Kevin Molloy, will move up to the varsity level next fall and are expected to contribute to the team, according to Ransom.

“I am excited to see where Mountain Brook wrestling can be in the next two years as long as the kids put in the time in the spring and summer both on and off the mat” Ransom said.

Team members are, from left, front: Ben Savage, Alex Belt, Tripp Law and Logan Brewer. Back: Crawford Golden, William O’Leary, Holt Bashinsky, Peyton Haley and Paulie Stramaglia. Spartans sixth-grade OTM basketball coaches are Chris Boehm and Justin Strong. Photo special to the Journal

Spartans Sixth-grade Basketball Winning Big In the last two years, the Spartans have enjoyed an incredible run with a record of 52 - 2 and winning a total of nine titles: The Jingle Bell Jam, in the sixth-grade, (runner up in fifth-grade), the North Shelby regular season and tournament in both the fifth and sixth-grades and OTM regular season and tournament in both the fifth and sixth-grades. in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke events. Drake Amick, age 13, had a remarkable improvement in six of his events. Micah Fineburg, 13, and Arlan Fan, 17, both improved in their 200- Breaststroke. Erica Han, 11, and Samantha Davis, 12, swam to three

best times.

Hoover Blue Thunder is now focusing on the long course season ahead and the upcoming Vulcan Thunder swim meet which the team will host at the Birmingham Crossplex in late April.

The Hoover Blue Thunder Swim Team turned in a strong showing at the Southeastern Championship Meet recently.

Photo special to the Journal

131 points to outdistance second-place Pelham’s 112.5 score and third-place Homewood’s 98 total.

Rachel Reddy won the two-mile run for the Lady Spartans. Julia Leonard claimed first place in the high jump, and Mary Glenn Waldrop won the javelin throw. Mountain Brook also claimed top prize in the 4X800 relay.

Homewood’s Kiara Williams won the 100 hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump.

key wins, From page 44

The Spartans’ record improved to 22-10 for the season.

In track and field, the Homewood boys and Mountain Brook girls’ teams claimed victories in the prestigious Mountain Brook Invitational Meet.

The Patriots edged runner-up Thompson by the narrow margin of 105-104.

Alex Ngei helped the Homewood cause with a victory in the two-mile run while Alazae Hester-Taylor won the triple jump.

The Patriots also won the 4X800 meter relay.

Mountain Brook’s girls chalked up

Park’s new place, From page 44

began to spend their summers playing travel ball and attending camps. An increasing number of the school’s best girl athletes were choosing softball as their top sport. Eventually, talented players caught in a numbers game at schools with more softball tradition started coming over to be a part of something new at Spain Park.

“The kids at Clay-Chalkville lived and breathed softball,” said Hawkins.

“They played literally all year long.

When we got to Spain Park, a lot of kids were flipping the switch and multi-tasking from one to another.

Then we got kids who were picking softball first.”

In Hawkins’ third year, the Lady Jaguars went 26-24, marking the school’s first-ever winning season

Thursday, April 17, 2014 • 43

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Spain Park’s Dalton Brown slides in to home as Hoover catcher Billy Reed gets set to make the tag. Spain Park raised its record to 28-15 for the year while Hoover dropped to 33-11.

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

in the sport. “In my first year, we told our sophomores that we could have a winning season by the time they were seniors,” she said. “Some people didn’t believe it, but we did it.”

Thirty-five wins and an area title came the following season.

Now fast forward to 2014, where Hawkins has the Jaguar program at the height of its power. Spain Park entered the week with a 38-8 record and number five ranking in latest Class 6A poll.

“It’s really all about our coaches, our school and most of all our kids,” said Hawkins, attempting to deflect credit for the Jags’ astonishing rise.

“It took a tremendous commitment in time, effort and money to get to where we are, but everyone was willing to do it.”

And now Hawkins doesn’t have to spend much time cleaning out the dugout. “We have great facilities and

davis,

From page 44

Shades Mountain Christian also landed a top 10 spot.

Softball is a comparatively weak spot. While Hoover and Vestavia are traditional powers, only Spain Park cracks the Class 6A rankings in 2014. Coach C.J. Hawkins’ Lady Jaguars are rated fifth in the polls.

In the state track and field meet coming up in a few weeks, you can expect Over the Mountain teams in all classifications to come home with a boatload of blue trophies. And you can certainly expect local squads to dominate in golf and tennis as well.

But possibly there’s no brighter jewel in the Over the Mountain crown than soccer, where schools in the South Jefferson and North Shelby county areas dominate the way the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball in the 1940s and 1950s.

Vestavia boys’ soccer coach Rick Grammer was recently honored for his 600th career victory, and the Rebels are living up to that milestone with a No. 1 ranking in the latest Class 6A poll.

Oak Mountain is right behind in second place, with Hoover and Mountain Brook listed fourth and fifth respectively.

In Class 5A boys’ soccer, John Carroll Catholic’s Cavaliers enjoy the top perch, with Homewood second and Briarwood coming in seventh. In small school classification Class 1A-4A, Indian Springs sits on top, with the Altamont School ranked sixth.

In Class 6A girls’ soccer, Oak Mountain has the No. 1 ranking, with Vestavia placing fifth

a beautiful field,” she said. “Teams from other parts of the state come here and think they are playing in a college

‘We have great facilities and a beautiful field. Teams from other parts of the state come here and think they are playing in a college environment. Again, it’s a testament to the commitment we have had from parents, kids, and the school.’ environment. Again, it’s a testament to the commitment we have had from parents, kids, and the school.”

and Mountain Brook coming in sixth. John Carroll leads in Class 5A, with rival Briarwood in second place and Homewood in sixth. In Class 1A-4A, the Altamont girls hold down the No. 8 spot.

For an overview, consider that in the state’s so-called soccer “super poll” of all classes for boys, seven Over the Mountain schools are ranked in the top 15, and seven local programs are among the top 15 in the girls’ version of the poll.

As impressive as all of this is, it also may be a little difficult to process. There are lots of reasons for this unprecedented success, including quality coaches, first class facilities and active administrative and parental involvement.

All these ingredients are critical, but none of this would generate winning at this magnitude without quality athletes. So the question is--how do these athletes develop into top-quality varsity players?

The answer begins long before any of today’s players set foot on a high school campus. With the explosion in the growth of youth sports in this area and elsewhere, children often kick their first soccer ball or take a first swing at a baseball or softball before they begin kindergarten. While attrition due to early burnout is always a concern, many athletes today have been playing their chosen sports under the direction of good coaching for nearly a decade before graduating from middle school. So by the time they reach high school, many are already comparatively well-versed in the fundamentals of their game. That gives them a huge head start over athletes who–no matter how talented–don’t have the opportunity to play organized sports until they reach high school.

Another testament to the rise of the program is that Spain Park has become a favorite stop of college recruiters. Senior pitcher Haleigh Sisson, with an 11-2 record to date, has committed to UAB. Catcher Brittany Anderson and outfielder Marisa Osga are headed to Central Alabama Community College. Pitcher Julie Knight, with a 19-3 record, has yet to choose a school but is being highly recruited. Junior pitcher/third baseman MaryKatherine Bonamy has already chosen the University of North Carolina.

With so much talent on hand, it’s understandable why Lady Jaguar fans are dreaming of a state championship.

Hawkins is realistic when assessing her team’s chances of bringing home the big blue trophy.

“There are a lot of good teams out there, including in our own Area 8,” she said. “It’s all about getting hits

Another reason for the success in soccer is an increased emphasis on the game since it was officially sanctioned as a championship sport by the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 1991. For years, soccer was seen as the ideal entry-level sport for youngsters, largely because of relatively simple rules and little physical contact. In those days, kids would play soccer to hone hand-eye coordination and other skills before moving on to more traditional football or baseball. Now young soccer participants are more likely to stay with the sport until the end of their high school careers. Football at all levels will be king in Alabama–but soccer has earned its own niche of respect.

Another key for the overall success in spring and other sports comes from lessons that aren’t confined to an athletic field. By and large, Over the Mountain athletes come from an environment where they not only are expected to participate–they are expected to excel. The high expectation level carries from academics to outside activities. And that mindset carries over to athletics.

So as the spring sports season comes toward a conclusion, you might get worn out keeping up with how many local schools claim state championships. And remember that the road to the top didn’t start in high school.

Bucky Day…

Does the city of Mountain Brook love its basketball Spartans? No doubt about it, particularly after the boys’ team claimed its second consecutive state 6A title in February.

That love manifested itself last week when Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden declared

Golf Tournament Will Benefit Vestavia Youth Lacrosse Program

The first Vestavia Lacrosse Charity Golf Tournament is set for May 5 from 2-7 p.m. at Altadena Valley Country Club.

The tournament will help raise funds for Vestavia Hills LAX youth programs.

The event will have prizes for closest to the pin and straightest off the tee. Prizes include a $250 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card and gift cards to the country club pro shop.

To register for the tournament or for more information, visit www. gbyla.org or www.vestavialax.com.

at the right time, having good pitching and playing defense. It’s really a simple game.”

Regardless of whether Spain Park grabs the top prize in 2014, the program’s future looks bright. “We’ve got a good junior varsity group coming up and good kids in our feeder middle school,” said Hawkins. “We have the foundation to be solid for quite a while.”

The Lady Jags’ rivals might be disappointed to learn that Hawkins – with more than 600 career victories on her ledger --has no plans to hang up her whistle. “I don’t consider coaching at Spain Park to be a job – it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “These kids are a pleasure to coach and my staff makes it easy. I want to coach my daughter in high school and she’s in second grade now – so I’m not going anywhere.”

And Spain Park may be going all the way to the top.

April 11 Bucky McMillan Day in honor of the Spartans’ head coach.

McMillan was a standout at Mountain Brook before playing college basketball at Birmingham-Southern College. He took the reins of the Mountain Brook basketball program six seasons ago.

McMillan was typically humble about the honor, eager as always to toss the credit in other directions. But McMillan introduced the blue collar, team-first concept to Spartan basketball that brought it to the level of an elite program.

To Mountain Brook fans, that might be worth even more than a special day.

Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden, left, declared April 11 Bucky McMillan Day in honor of Spartan head basketball coach Bucky McMillan, right. The ceremony took place at the home of Danielle and Ed Welden during a campaign party for David Faulkner, who is a candidate for state House District 46.

Photo special to the Journal by Harry Long

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Sports

Jaguars and Spartans Earn Key Baseball Wins; Pats, Spartans Claim Invitational Titles

Spain Park’s Jon Sumner makes contact in the Jags 4-2 win over Hoover last week.

More photos at otmj.com Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

Any time Hoover and Spain Park get together on an athletic field, you can count on a first-class battle.

And that’s exactly what happened when the fourth-ranked Bucs met the 10th-ranked Jaguars in a key baseball matchup Saturday.

Spain Park used the pitching of Tristan Widra and clutch hitting to take a 4-2 victory.

Hoover took a 2-0 lead after RBI singles by Brooks Haley and Josh Vines in the first inning, but the Jaguars responded with a run in the fourth and three in the fifth to seal the victory.

Spain Park’s big inning came on the strength of RBIs by Austin Haight and Josh Rich. Matt Berler also singled and scored.

Widra yielded two runs on

Park’s New Place

New Attitude Sparked Jag Softball Rise

Spartan Wrestlers Set School Win Record P. 42 Homewood JV Basketball Team Makes History P. 42

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

C.J. Hawkins had already built a reputation as one of Alabama’s top high school softball coaches when she left Clay-Chalkville for Spain Park seven years ago.

But maybe it took a routine housekeeping chore at her new school for her to realize how challenging the assignment would be.

“My husband and I were cleaning out the dugout,” Hawkins recalled.

“And I found an award they had been giving to players who dived for a ball in the outfield. I couldn’t believe it -- an award just for diving for a ball.

I knew at that moment that we were going have to change the mindset here.”

At first, progress was slow.

Hawkins’ first season harvested only nine victories against 36 losses. But the ship was gradually beginning to turn.

“We had to make softball important to the kids,” said Hawkins.

“Soccer, golf, tennis and other sports were getting more love. We were participating but we weren’t really competing.”

The new coach’s passion for the game became contagious. More players in Spain Park’s feeder system

See park’s new place, page 43

three hits while striking out four Buccaneer batters.

Spain Park raised its record to 28-15 for the year while Hoover dropped to 33-11.

Earlier in the week, Mountain Brook clinched the Class 6A Area 11 championship with a 6-3 win over Vestavia Hills. The Spartans exploded for five runs in the third inning to produce the winning margin.

Andrew Autrey paced the Spartans with three hits, including a double, and two runs. John Eagan had a two-run double for Mountain Brook, and Hunter Holcombe added an RBI single.

Robert Morgan led the Rebels with a triple and RBI single.

Alan Hale earned the victory for Mountain Brook, pitching five and two-thirds innings. Davis McDougal got the save.

See key wins, page 43

Spain Park softball coach C.J. Hawkins has led the Jags to a 38-8 record and number five ranking in latest Class 6A poll.

Lee Davis

Spring Thrills

This Time of Year, OTM Teams Dominate Even More than Usual

A

s the winter sports season melted into spring, it was easy to believe Over the Mountain schools had already had their peak periods.

And to the untrained observer, why not? After all, Hoover won its second consecutive state Class 6A football championship, and Mountain Brook pulled a repeat as the king of Class 6A basketball. Additionally, area teams dominated cross country and indoor track.

Mountain But as impresBrook Mayor sive as that sounds, Oden spring is traditionally Terry declared when this area takes April 11 excellence to the Bucky next level.

McMillan Day in Start with basehonor of the ball. In the latest Spartans’ Alabama Sports head coach.

Writers Association Page 43 Class 6A poll, Hoover is ranked fourth and Spain Park is 10th. Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are listed among other schools receiving votes.

In Class 5A, Homewood is ranked seventh and Briarwood is ninth. Even Class 1A reflects an area influence as

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

See Davis, page 43

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