February 6, 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, Febr uar y 6, 2014

V ol . 23 #3

Art Lovers: Riverchase Women’s Club plans annual show

about town page 5

Heart-to-Heart Connection: Mom supports daughter dealing with heart disease

life page 14

King for a Night: Millhouse will reign at Krewe Ball

sno w do wn

social page 18

Mother-Daughter Moment: Alums gather for Rosebud Tea social page 20

Unexpected Storm Sweeps through O ver the Mountain Cities

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

What was forecasted to be a light dusting of snow last week turned into a scene of

crippling chaos as a rare winter storm left Over the Mountain residents stranded in their cars, at schools or anywhere they could find shelter.

And while the severity of the storm stunned everyone--including meteorologists--Over the Mountain city officials said they were not at all surprised about how their employees and residents responded in the storm’s aftermath.

“The way everyone pulled together, the way our first responders went above and beyond in their jobs, See Snow, page 12

Cold Mountain Cars still lined Columbiana Road on Jan. 29, the morning after an unexpected winter storm blew through the Over the Mountain area and other parts of Alabama. Hazardous road conditions left some drivers stranded for hours, while others had to leave their vehicles to seek safety. City officials said many employees and residents contributed to rescue and relief efforts in the storm’s aftermath.

Journal photo by Gary Holder

AMEA honors Homewood City Schools Superintendent

schools page 29

sue murphy: have a heart p. 2 • better basics birthday bash p. 4 • diane Zaragoza talks radio p. 10 • bart starr shares his special day p. 24

2 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

Opinion/Contents

inside

murphy’s law

A Plugged-in Plot

I

Teachers’ Book Illustrates Digital Age Dilemma schools Page 27

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide life Page 16

On otmj.com See more photos from the best parties and keep up with the latest Over the Mountain events online.

Coming Feb. 20

We’ll offer some tips on how to keep the kids busy this summer in our annual Camp Guide in the next issue. Plus, get a sneak peak at Spring fashions from area retailers.

in this issue About Town 4 People 10 News 12 life 14

social 18 weddings 26 Schools 27 Sports 32

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

February 6, 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 Staff Writer: Ginny Cooper Vol. 23, No. 3

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 Journal

Have a Heart

her memoirs and gone on a speaking watched “The Wizard of Oz” tour, maybe even have been declared last week for the gazillionth the Wizardess of Munchkinland. That’s time. It’s a great movie, and how the Great and Powerful Oz got his it takes me back to my younger job, right? dinosaur-era days when my sister Of course, if Dorothy had stayed in and I would try and finagle an Munchkinland, she would never have invitation to watch the telecast met the Scarecrow or the Tin Man or with a friend who had one of those the Cowardly Lion, and that would newfangled color TVs so we could have been a loss. The four of them catch the transformation when made a great team--five if you count Dorothy opened the door into Toto, and I think you should. He was Munchkinland. the reason Dorothy ran away in the first The movie has held up through place, and in the end, they all supported Technicolor and LCD and plasma and each other, pooled their strengths and Blu-ray, but watching it as a semi-jaded overcame their weaknesses. adult, I couldn’t help but notice a few Sue Murphy But of course, Dorothy had to go holes in the plot. Maybe it’s just me, back. She thought Aunt Em was but if I had been bamboozled into In today’s world, sick, and love is stronger than all the doing battle with a wicked witch monkeys in the world. by what turned out to be a powerDorothy would have flying During the adventure, Dorothy less phony behind a techno mask, I returned to Kansas discovered that she had brains and would not have taken it very well. In courage as well as heart. She met today’s world, Dorothy would have and hauled the talking trees, for heaven’s sakes. returned to Kansas and hauled the Wizard into court, So how is it that her conclusion at Wizard into court, sued for damages end of the movie was that if she for the pain and suffering experienced sued for damages for the couldn’t find happiness in her own by a person who is hoisted over the the pain and suffer- backyard then it didn’t really exist trees by flying monkeys. And when her in the first place?

Dorothy found out that Glinda, Miss ing experienced by a for Which brings me to another Pink and Perfect, knew the ruby slippers possessed the power to two-click person who is hoist- important point. When Dorothy got to Kansas, we see Aunt Em Dorothy home before she ever hit the ed over the trees by back and Uncle Henry and the friendly first yellow brick and didn’t tell her, (and bumbling and cowardly) farmwell, there’s not a jury in this world flying monkeys. hands, but where was Elvira Gulch? that would convict Dorothy if she Did she survive the twister? Would pulled Glinda’s big old spikey tiara right down around her crunchy crinolines. “You wouldn’t she be storming back into the farmyard any minute with her dog basket in her hand? have believed me, my dear”? Yeah, well, tell it to the I hope not. I hope the cyclone softened Miss Gulch a judge.

Personally, I might have stayed in Munchkinland any- little, melted her heart, if you will. If not, I hope Uncle Henry and Aunt Em got their gumption up and told Miss way. The Wicked Witch of the West had no power there.

Gulch to pedal (and peddle) her fear somewhere else.

The people seemed friendly, and Dorothy had already Life is not all black and white, my friends. been accorded a bust in the hall of fame. If she had I worry about these things, even in Blu-ray. ❖ stayed on, she would have been a national hero, written

over the Mountain Views

What’s your favorite winter Olympic sport to watch?

“I like the luge. It’s very exciting to me because it has to do with locomotion.”

Jacob Bedian Homewood

“I like to watch ice skating. I grew up watching it with my mother and my sister so it’s always something I look forward to watching during the Olympics.”

Danielle Williams Hoover

“I like to watch the men’s long jump. It goes back to the Eddie the Eagle days.

There’s an excitement and danger involved.”

Doug Cole U.S. 280 Corridor

“I like to watch ski jumping.

I like the risk and excitement of it. My favorite is either that or downhill racing.”

John Seier Vestavia Hills

UP TO

F

IN LO L V AL WITH

E

Liberty Park

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 3

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

is Celebrating

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4 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

By Ginny Cooper

A

Journal staff writer

nonprofit group dedicated to improving literacy in Birmingham area students will celebrate its 20th year in February.

Better Basics, a nonprofit United Way agency, is hosting the Celebrate 20 in ‘14 dinner event on Feb. 20 at The Club in Homewood and will honor those who have been integral in its mission.

“It’s our 20th anniversary, and we’re honoring 20 individuals, businesses and foundations that have helped grow Better Basics over the years,” said Kym Prewitt of Vestavia Hills, a member of the board of directors and chairman of the event.

Former NBA and University of Alabama basketball star Ennis Whatley will be the featured speaker at the event honoring the partners who have made a significant impact on the organization’s growth and sustainability.

A graduate of Phillips High School in Birmingham, Whatley led the University of Alabama’s basketball team to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 1982 NCAA Tournament before playing 10 seasons in the NBA. Now an inspirational speaker, he struggled through school until college, he said, when he discovered the importance of reading and education.

His message truly resonates with the mission of Better Basics, Prewitt said.

“He has a really powerful story about growing up and struggling with illiteracy. His story is really incredible,” Prewitt said.

Prewitt said proceeds from the event will support Better Basics’ full range of literacy programs in Birmingham area public schools.

Organizers are getting ready to celebrate Better Basics’ 20th year of serving children in the Birmingham area.

Members of the planning committee are, from left: Kym Prewitt, Krista Dennis, Nancy Corona and Jeanne Walls.

Photo special to the Journal

Better Basics’ Birthday

Former NBA Star Headlines 20th Anniversary Event Better Basics has a variety of programs designed to eradicate illiteracy in Alabama, including school-day, afterschool and summer learning programs, she said.

“We have so many wonderful, wonderful programs,” Prewitt said.

Last year, Better Basics served more than 19,000 students and gave away almost 40,000 books to Birmingham area schoolchildren who might not otherwise have books in their homes.

Better Basics hosts the Birmingham Reads book drive each year and through that program alone helped provide almost 32,000 books to children in 2013, Prewitt said.

The organization’s programs empower students as they progress along the learning continuum, from reading to comprehension to retention, while infusing literature into their homes and exposing them to multicultural arts and enrichment programs, said Executive Director Karen Kapp of

Vestavia Hills.

“Better Basics is honored to have the support of people who are truly concerned about furthering literacy in our community,” Kapp said. “By helping children develop a lifelong love of reading, we truly can increase the high school graduation rate in Alabama, create a well-educated workforce and decrease both the number of inmates in Alabama prisons and the number of welfare recipients.”

Those being honored at the Feb. 20 event include John and Jane Glasser, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Doug Shook, Sue Seay, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Junior League of Birmingham, United Way of Central Alabama, Daniel Foundation, Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust, Robert R Meyer Foundation, Jemison Investments, Joseph S. Bruno Foundation, Alabama Power, Protective Life, Vulcan Materials, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Jim Stephens, Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Bruce and Ida Dunbar, Eldridge Turner, Alabama State Department of Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children’s Literacy Guild, Comer Foundation, Hugh Kaul Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission, Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation, Belk Foundation, Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation, John Brown, William Porter, Kym Prewitt, Malcolm Miller, Casey Thompson, Fay Fontenot and Trenton Ellison.

The Celebrate 20 in ‘14 event will kick off with a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program with Whatley at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each or $1,000 for a table of eight.

For tickets and more information about the event, visit www.betterbasics.org, send an email to events@betterbasics.org or call 944-2928. ❖

Save the Date Homewood

Dock & Donate Benefit Feb. 6, 5:30-8 p.m.

Seibels Seibels of Homewood will host a silent auction fundraiser benefiting Children’s Harbor from 5:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 6. The Dock & Donate Benefit and Silent Auction will be held at Seibels, 2917 18th St. South in Homewood.

Auction items include a swinging bed from Seibels, a Lake Martin getaway weekend and a date package that includes a skyline helicopter tour of Birmingham. The event will raise money to help Children’s Harbor, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to children with serious illnesses and their families. For more information, contact Paige Patterson at paige@ paigepatterson.com or at 616-8046.

Birmingham

Religious Arts Festival Feb. 6-9 Independent Presbyterian Church Independent Presbyterian Church will host its 43rd annual Religious Arts Festival Feb. 6-9. All of the events are free and require no advance reservations with the exception of the 5:30 p.m. banquet on Feb. 6 with guest speaker Wayne Flynt. The festival includes a tour of Oak Hill Cemetery, lectures by Arthur Honegger, children’s program and puppet shows, two concerts and more. For more information, visit www.ipc-usa.org or call 933-3700.

Hoover/North Shelby

Valentines for Children’s of Alabama Feb. 6-11 Hoover and North Shelby Libraries The Hoover Public Library and North Shelby Library will be collecting

Valentine’s Day cards for patients at Children’s of Alabama Feb. 6-11.

Patrons can bring homemade and store-bought cards to the preschool desk at the Hoover Library and receive a holiday prize. The Hoover Public Library is at 200 Municipal Drive. For more information, call 444-7833. The North Shelby Library is at 5521 Cahaba Valley Road. Neither library will accept Valentine’s Day candy. For more information, call 439-5504.

Vestavia Hills

“War Horse--Horses of War” Feb. 6, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest OLLI will host Bill Rambo of the Alabama Historical Commission for a program at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest on Feb. 6. Rambo will present “War Horse--Horses of War” from 1:30-2:30 p.m., tracing the use of horses in wars through the ages with an emphasis on the American Civil War. The event is free. For more information, call 978-4678.

Homewood

Romantic and Healthy Bedrooms Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.

Homewood Public Library The Homewood Public Library will present Feng Shui for Life Improvement with Katie Rogers: Romantic and Healthy Bedrooms at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 6. Rogers, a certified feng shui Katie Rogers consultant, will

teach participants how to perfect the energy in the most intimate room in the house and why that’s important. Her presentation will also include tips on promoting a good night’s sleep through feng shui. For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6600.

Birmingham

Milburn and Vigoda Feb. 6-9 RMTC Cabaret Theatre Red Mountain Theatre Company presents Milburn and Vigoda, a duo from New York band GrooveLily, at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre Feb. 6-9. With backgrounds in classical music, musical theater, jazz and rock, this bicoastal pair will present music billed as a mix of rock, folk, jazz and pop. For more information, visit www. redmountaintheatre.org.

The Summit Club On National Wear Red Day on Feb. 7, local American Heart Association volunteers will host the Taste of Life celebration at the Summit Club in downtown Birmingham. The event will run from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. with local chefs from DoDiYos, La Dolce Vita and other local restaurants preparing samples of their signature dishes. The Summit Club’s restaurant will be offering heart-healthy menu options and St. Vincent’s Health System

will be conduction basic heart health screenings. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.heart.org.

Mountain Brook

Sweet Repeats Children’s Consignment Sale Feb. 7-8 Mountain Brook Community Church Mountain Brook Community Church will host the Sweet Repeats Children’s Consignment Sale Feb. 7-8. The sale

tom and huck are back!

Birmingham

Author Event with Scot Duncan Feb. 6, 6-8 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host an author event with Scot Duncan on Feb. 6 from 6-8 p.m.

Duncan, author of “Southern Wonder,” will talk about the book, which was published in November by the University of Alabama Press and has received critical acclaim. Duncan will sign copies of his book at this free author event.

Duncan is an associate professor of biology and urban environmental studies at Birmingham-Southern College. For more information, visit bbgardens.org or call 414-3950.

Birmingham

Taste of Life Celebration Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Birmingham

The Birmingham Children’s Theatre will present “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” on Feb. 8 and 15. Front, from left: Shelby Sessler and Zach Clemons. Back: Tyrell Scott, Matthew Cale and Wes Milton.

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” Feb. 8 and 15, 2-3 p.m.

Photo special to the Journal Birmingham Children’s Theatre The Birmingham Children’s Theatre will present “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” on Feb. 8 and 15. Show times will be 2-3 p.m. each day. Tickets are $9 for children and $11 for adults. The show is based on the classic story by Mark Twain and is recommended for ages 6-12. For more information, visit www. bct123.org or call 458-8181.

at 3001 U.S. 280 will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 7 and from 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 8. Several items will be reduced to half price on Feb. 8. Proceeds will support the church’s missions.

To register as a volunteer or for sale guidelines or more information, visit www.mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal Homewood

Murder in the Magic City Feb. 8, 9 a.m.

Homewood Public Library Murder in the Magic City, a mystery conference, is set for 9 a.m. on Feb. 8 at the Homewood Public Library.

The conference, presented by Sisters

Riverchase loves artists

in Crime, is for fans of all subgenres of mystery novels. The conference includes panel discussions and presentations by Robert Dugoni and Julia Spencer-Fleming. Other mystery-genre authors, including Kaye Wilkinson Barley, Paula Benson and Susan Boyer, will attend. Lunch, coffee and doughnuts, soft drinks and goody bags are included in the registration fee. Registration is required.

For more information, visit www. murderinthemagiccity2014.com.

Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m.

Alabama Wildlife Center The Alabama Wildlife Center and the Birmingham Audubon Society will present an Audubon Teaches Nature program about the creatures found in vernal pools on Feb. 9 at the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State

Park. Refreshments will be offered at 1:30 p.m. followed by the program at 2 p.m. The event is free after paid admission to Oak Mountain State Park.

Hoover

Spiritual Foundations Workshop Feb. 9 and 16, 2-5 p.m.

Hoover

Presidential Party Feb. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Hoover Public Library Hoover Public Library will host a Presidential Party to celebrate President’s Day from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 8. There will be stories, crafts, and food fit for future presidential hopefuls. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, call 444-7833.

Hoover

Getting ready for the Feb. 8 Riverchase Loves Artists art show to benefit Alzheimer’s of Alabama, the Amelia Center and the Exceptional Foundation are, front, from left: Beverly Stine, Lynne Cooper and Mindy Estep. Back: Susan Atwood and Liesa Pitts. Photo special to the Journal

Riverchase Loves Artists Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Riverchase Country Club Head to Riverchase Country Club for the Riverchase Women’s Club’s annual art show, Riverchase Loves Artists, on Feb. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Many artists, both new talent and returning favorites, will exhibit and sell their work. Mediums include oil and watercolor paintings, jewelry, wood, pottery, glass, and photography and fiber art. Admission is free and open to the public.

Proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, the Amelia Center and the Exceptional Foundation. For more information, call Liesa Pitts at 612-3654 or visit www.riverchaselovesartists.com. ❖

Birmingham

Chinese New Year Festival Feb. 9, 10 a.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art Celebrate Chinese New Year: The Year of the Snake at the Birmingham Museum of Art at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9. There will be art activities, a kidfriendly tour of the museum, a student artwork reception and a screening of the film “Kung Fu Panda 2.” The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit www.artsbma.org.

North Shelby

Audubon Teaches Nature Program

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6 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

About Town Congregation Beth Hallel All women are invited to a two-part workshop on spiritual foundations at Congregation Beth Hallel on Feb. 9 and 16. The workshop will be led by Jessica Massey from 2-5 p.m. on both days.

Congregation Beth Hallel is at 2230 Sumpter Street. For more information, email info@shalombirmingham.com.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Chocolates gone wild

Birmingham

THIS VALENTINE'S DAY, GIVE HER SOMETHING THAT WILL LAST LONGER THAN FLOWERS

VSA Acoustic Soup Feb. 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

WorkPlay The VSA Alabama Junior Patrons will host the eighth annual Acoustic Soup fundraiser from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at WorkPlay. The fundraiser was rescheduled from Jan. 30 due to the winter storm. The event will feature live music by the Big Tasties, drinks, delicious soups, breads and desserts prepared by some of Birmingham’s most popular chefs. The event will also include a silent auction including jewelry, art and gift certificates. All proceeds benefit VSA Alabama and its programs serving children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses through the arts. Tickets are $35 each or $60 for a pair. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 307-6300, extension 3.

Mountain Brook

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“Everything That Remains” Tour Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Church Street Coffee and Books Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, authors of “The Minimalists-Everything That Remains,” will talk about their new book, take audience questions and sign copies of the book at Church Street Coffee and Books in Mountain Brook on Feb. 11. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Church Street Coffee and Books is at 81 Church Street. For more information, call 8701117.

Vestavia Hills

Kids’ Korner Children’s Consignment Sale Feb. 12, 9 a.m.

Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church will host the annual Kids’ Korner Children’s Consignment Sale on Feb. 12. Registration for the event closes on Feb. 7. The event is from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. with selected items discounted to half price from 5-8 p.m. The church is at 2541 Rocky Ridge Road. For more information, visit www.mckidskorner.org or call 822-0049.

Homewood

Pet Loss Support Group Feb. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Homewood Public Library The Greater Birmingham Humane Society will host a Pet Loss Support Group meeting at the Homewood Public Library from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Feb. 11.

The group will meet every Tuesday in the library’s Room 108 through March 4. Participation is free, but reservations are requested due to limited space. For more information, contact Mary-Grace Wilson, GBHS volunteer coordinator, at mawilson@gbhs.org or 942-1211.

Hoover

Presidents’ Month Celebration Feb. 13, 11 a.m.

Hoover Country Club

Birmingham

Helping plan the10th annual Wild About Chocolate gala to benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center are, from left: Keith Feinman, Linda Miller, Anna Morris and Scott Mauldin. Photo special to the Journal

Wild About Chocolate Fundraiser Feb. 14, 6-9 p.m.

Harbert Center Wild About Chocolate, the 10th annual Valentine’s Day gala benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Center, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Ave. North, Birmingham. The event will feature chocolate concoctions from Birmingham restaurants, caterers and bakeries. Also included are savory appetizers and beverages, including complimentary wine, silent and live auctions and music. The buffet and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. The program and live auction will start at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www. awrc.org or call 663-7930. ❖ The Hoover Service Club presents the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, interpreted

by Johnny Curry, special projects coordinator at the American Village, on Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. The event will be held at the Hoover Country Club.

Lunch is $18. For reservations and more information, send an email to hscinformation-HSC@yahoo.com.

Hoover

Love Stinks Teen Program Feb. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Hoover Public Library Teens are invited to come to the Hoover Public Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 for an anti-Valentine’s Day celebration. The Love Stinks event will include lots of chocolate, games and more. The free event is for those in grades 7-12. For more information, visit www.hooverpubliclibrary.org or call 444-7826.

Birmingham

Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend Feb. 14-16 Linn Park The 13th annual Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend will be Feb. 14-16 at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham.

On Feb. 14 from noon until 7 p.m., St. Vincent’s Health Systems will hold a free health and fitness expo at Boutwell Auditorium where race participants can pick up their packets. The Regions Superhero 5K is at 8 a.m. on Feb. 15, followed by The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs Children’s Run at 10 a.m. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon will start at 11 a.m. on Feb. 15. At 7:03 a.m. on Feb. 16, the Mercedes Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay will begin in front of Boutwell Auditorium. All events on Feb. 16 benefit The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. The post-race party and awards ceremony will be held at Boutwell Auditorium.

The half marathon awards ceremony will start at 11 a.m and the marathon

awards ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.

Onsite registration fees are $115 for the marathon, $105 for the half marathon, $225 for the marathon relay and $40 for the 5K. Meal tickets for nonrunners for the post-race party are $7 each. For more information, visit www. mercedesmarathon.com or call 8707771.

Hoover

Hearts and Harmony Gala Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Embassy Suites Hotel The Hoover Service Club’s second annual Hearts and Harmony Gala will be at the Embassy Suites Hotel on John Hawkins Parkway at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The gala will include a steak dinner and live and silent auctions. Ain’t Misbehavin’ will provide music. Proceeds will go to the charities supported by the Hoover Service Club. Tickets are $100. For tickets or more information, call Lynda Wasden at 981-1242 or send an email to hscinformation-HSC@yahoo.com.

Birmingham

Hearts for Horizons Feb. 14-16 Linn Park For the fifth year, the Horizons School will enter a team in the Mercedes Marathon, Feb. 14-16 at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. Registration to join the Hearts for Horizons Team is now open. Team members will not be required to register or go to Boutwell Auditorium to pick up race packets and goody bags. Team members will meet Feb. 14 after 2 p.m. at the school to get their packets and goody bags. At 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, Taziki’s will prepare a free pasta dinner for team members.

The marathon begins at 8 a.m. on Feb. 15. Other races will begin at 7 a.m. on Feb. 16. Registration fees for the Hearts for Horizons Team are $80 for the 5K, $125 for the half marathon, $135 for the full marathon and $250 for the relay team. For more information, call 3226606.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 7

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

2014 Annual

Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Taste of

Homewood

The best food and beverage Homewood has to offer!

Thursday, February 20, 2014 Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $30 per person prior to event purchase tickets online at www.homewoodchamber.com $35 at the door day of event

Title Sponsor

The Homewood Star Supporting Sponsors

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8 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Homewood

Valentine’s Dinner Theatre Feb. 14-15, 6:30 p.m.

Homewood Public Library South City Theatre presents “Born Yesterday,” a romantic comedy written

by Garson Kanin, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14-15 at the Homewood Public Library.

A buffet starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance.

To make a reservation, visit the Adult Services Desk at the library or call 3326625.

Hoover

Dancing with the Stars Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Riverchase Country Club The Shelby County Women’s Connection will host Dancing with the Stars from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Riverchase Country Club. The event will include a buffet and a program featuring guest speaker Dr. Frank Barker. The cost is $17.75. Business attire is appropriate. Reservations are due by Feb. 7. To make reservations or for more information, call Barbara at 789-2912.

Birmingham

Woo at the Zoo Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Birmingham Zoo Auditorium The Birmingham Zoo will host Woo at the Zoo from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 14.

The Valentine’s Day event will feature dessert, wines and exclusive animal greetings as guests arrive at the zoo’s auditorium. Dr. William Foster, the zoo’s chief executive officer and president, will welcome guests and open the event. Dr. Clay Hilton, the zoo’s lead veterinarian, and his staff will talk about courtship in different species and other love-themed factoids. Tickets are $50 and $75 for zoo member individuals and couples, respectively, $65 for non-member individuals and $90 for non-member couples. All proceeds will benefit conservation efforts at the Birmingham Zoo. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets and reserve seats, visit birminghamzoo.com.

Homewood

Relationship Workshop Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity United Methodist Church in

Homewood will host a free relationship workshop from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 15 in the Fellowship Hall. Led by staff members at Impact Family Counseling, the event will include a free meal.

Nursery care will be available. To register, call Rev. Drew Holland at 8791737 or visit www.impactal.org/eventregistration.html.

Birmingham

Heart 2 HeART Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m.

Ted’s Garage aTeam Ministries presents Heart 2 HeART, a program designed to support children with pediatric cancer by pairing them with well-known and talented professional artists to celebrate and inspire them. Pediatric cancer patients will arrive by limo and walk through the crowd to their art pieces in the main auction room, where there will be a photo shoot with the patients and their artists. The Feb. 15 event will be at Ted’s Garage in Birmingham from 6-9 p.m. Slade Anderson of Mountain Brook will be among patients participating as artists. Anderson will team up with artist Tom Findlay of Birmingham. For more information, visit www.ateamministries. org.

Library at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 17. Rajesh Kana, associate professor and principal investigator of the Cognition, Brain and Autism Laboratory, will present “The Reading Brain: Its Function, Dysfunction and Autism” in relation to the bestselling book “The Reason I Jump.” This is a free event. For more information, visit www.hooverpubliclibary.org or call 4447840.

Homewood

Book Signing with John Wright Jr. Feb. 20, 6 p.m.

Homewood Public Library Birmingham native, veteran actor and writer John Wright Jr. will discuss his book of original short stories and “My Dearest Grandchildren,” a reflection about Civil Rights events in Birmingham, at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20. Both books will be available for purchase and signing at the event at the Homewood Public Library. For more information, visit www. homewoodlibrary.org.

Birmingham

Alabama Youth Ballet Fundraiser Feb. 16, 2-5 p.m.

Grebel Dance The Alabama Youth Ballet Guild will hold its sixth annual Dessertissements fundraiser from 2-5 p.m. on Feb. 16 at Grebel Dance in North Shelby. The event will feature romantic desserts and wine, a silent auction, a performance by the Alabama Youth Ballet Company, live music by Fiddlin’ in the Parlor and a free tango lesson. Door prizes will be given away, and there will also be a children’s area. The cost is $20 per couple or $12 per person. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www. alabamayouthballet.info. For corporate sponsorship information, call 987-7234.

Opening Night Lecture and Preview Party Feb. 21, 6-9 p.m.

Birmingham Museum of Art On Feb. 21, the Birmingham Museum of Art will host an opening night lecture and preview party celebrating the first Eugène Delacroix exhibition in the U.S. in more than a decade. Delacroix and the Matter of Finish will feature the dramatic work of the leader of the French Romantic Movement, who was often heralded as “the father of impressionism.” The BMA is one of only two venues to host this exhibition, representing works from around the world. At 6 p.m. on Feb. 21, Robert Schindler, curator of European Art, will lecture on Eugene Delacroix: The Last of the Great Artists of the Renaissance and the First Modern. Galleries open at 6 p.m. A reception will follow in the cafe at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 for nonmembers. For more information, visit www.artsbma.org or call 254-2565.

Hoover

Homewood

North Shelby

Neuroscience Café Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Hoover Public Library The University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Neuroscience Center will present Neuroscience Café at the Hoover Public

A Night Under the Big Top Feb. 21, 8 p.m.-midnight The Club Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center’s Junior Board will present the 10th annual A Night Under the Big Top from 8 p.m.-midnight on

a touch of mardi gras with a Taste of Homewood

Homewood

Organizers are preparing for the annual Taste of Homewood on Feb. 20. From left: Kent O’Rear and Stuart O’Rear, Which Wich; Bill Bouloukos, The Happy Catering Co.; Sarah Portella, O’Henry’s Coffees; Chris Zapalowski, Homewood Gourmet; Madoline Markham, The Homewood Star; John Krontiras, Nabeel’s Cafe & Gourmet and Michael Waters, Chili’s. Journal photo by Maury Wald

Taste of Homewood Feb. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Rosewood Hall The Homewood Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Taste of Homewood on Feb. 20. The Mardi Gras themed event will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Rosewood Hall in SoHo and will feature more than 30 Homewood restaurants, caterers, bakeries, coffee shops and beverage merchants. Tickets are $30 per person in advance or $35 on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.homewoodchamber.org or call 871-5631. ❖

Feb. 21 at The Club in Homewood. The event will feature a silent auction, casino fun, music by The Undergrounders, food and drinks to benefit children with autism. Advance tickets are $60 per person or $110 per pair. Tickets will be $75 each at the door. Those interested can join Friends of Glenwood for a $175 donation and receive two free tickets to

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 9

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

the event. Cocktail attire is appropriate.

For more information, visit glenwood.org or call 795-3251.

Birmingham

Red Nose Ball 2014 Feb. 22 Cahaba Grand Conference Center Camp Smile-A-Mile will host the 22nd

book sale with benefits

annual Red Nose Ball on Feb. 22. The event will be held at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Those attending will enjoy a seated dinner with a live auction, followed by dancing a music.

There will also be a silent auction during the cocktail hour before dinner.

Tickets are $300 each and sponsorship levels range from $2,000-$20,000. The Red Nose Ball is Camp SAM’s largest annual fundraising event. For more information, contact Savannah Lanier at savannah.lanier@campsam.org or visit www.campsam.org. ❖

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Organizers are gearing up for the Friends of Emmet O’Neal Library Sale on Feb. 21-23. From left: Shaun Gray, Leigh Fullington, Kathy Pearce and Tzena Gauldin. Photo special to the Journal

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Friends of EOL Book Sale Feb. 21-23 Emmet O’Neal Library The Friends of Emmet O’Neal Library will host its annual book sale Feb. 21-23. The sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22 and from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 23. John C. Hones, a broker of fine art and appraiser for “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS, is helping appraise items donated for the sale.

There will be a book sale preview party from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 20 for members of the Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library, and $25 memberships will be available at the door. Those attending the preview party will get the first chance at buying the best books, including beautiful art and coffee table books, collectible items and rare titles. The library is at 50 Oak Street in Mountain Brook. For more information, email info@eolib.org or call 879-0459. ❖

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Something to Talk About New Radio Show Aims to Encourage, Inform Women

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

T

he First Lady of Vestavia Hills has launched a new radio talk show aimed at providing women with information and encouragement to empower them to realize their potential.

Diane Zaragoza, the wife of Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza, is the executive producer of Women Reaching Out, which aired its first show in January on WHPH 97.7 The Peach. The talk show for women airs from 7-8 a.m. each Sunday.

The idea for Women Reaching Out came to Zaragoza in January 2013, shortly after she retired from a more than 40-year career in health care.

“After I retired, I took a 14-day cruise to New Zealand, and the idea came to me to start a radio show,” Zaragoza said. “I wanted to do something to reach people on a deeper level, and I thought a radio talk show would be a good way to do that.”

Zaragoza returned home from her cruise energized by the idea of creating an outlet for women to talk to and help each other.

“I came home and started talking to other women in high positions and presented them with my vision for the talk show, and everyone liked the idea and recognized that there’s a need there. Women need to talk about the challenging times we’re facing, and they need a resource when they don’t know what to do. We want to be that resource.”

Zaragoza then went about assembling a team for the talk show and

secured air time on the family-owned The Peach radio station in Pelham.

During her search for on-air anchors, Zaragoza sought the advice of her longtime friend Edie Hand, a business woman, speaker, television personality and author.

Hand has written several inspirational cookbooks and novellas and has been the chief executive officer of Hand N’ Hand Advertising since 1976. She has also been involved in the Alliance for Women in Media for more than 30 years.

“Initially, I didn’t think Edie would have the time to be an anchor on the show, so I was just calling her for advice and to kind of vent about not being able to find an anchor right away,” Zaragoza said. “I was overjoyed when she said she would help and be the anchor.”

Hand said the talk show idea was “right up her alley” and that she was immediately intrigued when she heard Zaragoza’s idea.

“Women Reaching Out is about giving hope to people in hopeless situations,” Hand said. “The point is to share our stories and experiences and bring in people on the show who can share their wisdom.”

Next, Zaragoza met Susan Flowers, the show’s co-host.

“I knew when I met Susan that she would be perfect for the show,” Zaragoza said.

Flowers is married to Birmingham native Robert Flowers. The couple lived in Hawaii for 32 years before moving to Birmingham.

Flowers has more than 25 years of experience in both radio and televi-

sion production and has worked on air and behind the scenes as host, producer and voice-over actor.

“When I started talking to Diane about what she wanted to do with the show, I knew this was the opportunity to help other people that I had been praying for,” Flowers said.

To round out the talk show’s staff, Zaragoza contacted her friend Susan Vawter about being a co-host.

“Diane and I share the same point of view on so many things, and I was looking for a philanthropic outlet and a way to really start some conversations between women in our community,” Vawter said.

A native of Birmingham, Mich., Vawter has worked as a real estate agent, a model and an industrial designer specializing in automotive design. She is now a physical fitness instructor.

“I felt like I had a lot of life experiences to bring to the table and to share with our listeners,” she said. “I wanted a way to really connect with people and be a public servant.”

In the age of emails, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Vawter said she was attracted to the idea of the radio talk show because it offers a chance to engage people in meaningful conversations.

“Even though we are more connected than ever in some ways through social media, in some ways, we are really more disconnected than ever,” she said. “I think there’s a real need for people to listen to each other deeply, and I hope that’s what we can accomplish with this show.”

Vawter said the show is about

The ladies of Women Reaching Out get ready to tape their radio show at the Pelham studio of WHPH 97.7 The Peach. Diane Zaragoza is seated. Standing, from left: Susan Flowers, Edie Hand and Susan Vawter. The show airs on Sundays from 7-8 a.m. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

much more than talking, however.

“What makes it unique is that we are giving our listeners resources as well as really listening to their concerns,” she said.

Guests on Women Reaching Out so far have included Lauren E. Miller, author of “99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Stressing Out,” and Christy Swaid, a former professional athlete and world champion in extreme sports and founder of Healthy Eating Active Living, or HEAL, an early disease prevention program for children.

George Schofield, the author of “After 50 It’s Up to Us,” talked about the transitions of life on the show on Jan. 26.

“We want to continue to bring in these wonderful guests who have so much to offer our listeners,” Zaragoza

said. “If we don’t have an answer, we can point our listeners in the right direction to get the help they need.”

While the goal of the show is to empower women so that they can make decisions to change their lives and the lives of others for the better, Zaragoza said that Women Reaching Out can offer pearls of wisdom to anyone.

“Men can gain a lot from our conversations, too,” she said. “If nothing else, it will give them an idea of all the challenges women face and how they can also offer encouragement to the women in their lives. This show is for everyone.”

All of the Women Reaching Out shows are archived and can be heard at www.womenreachingout.com. For more information, email info@womenreachingout.net. ❖

earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Berry Middle School sixth-graders MaryAlyce Cornett, Heather Darcey and Saleena Jan, along with Hemphill Elementary fifth-grader Aaliyah Johnson and Riverchase Elementary fifth-grader Capra Lockridge were recognized with the award for their flag ceremony and etiquette project.

The girls said they wanted to teach others about flag ceremonies so they make a booklet for Girl Scout Brownies and other Girl Scout Juniors. They also performed a flag ceremony for the younger Girl Scouts and taught them the proper care for the flag.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior in the fourth and fifth grades can earn.

The award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Birmingham metro area bookstores.

A graduate of Tulane University and the University of Alabama School of Law, Drennan has been an attorney since 1996 and has practiced in Birmingham, Montgomery and Alexander City. Her firm, Kirk.Drennan PC is licensed in both Alabama and Florida.

Drennan dedicated the Jessica Drennan book to her mentor, John Tom Radney and said she wrote the book to offer support and guidance to those going through the major emotional and financial changes associated with divorce.

She had her first book signing for “Divorce in Alabama” at the Alabama Booksmith in Homewood in late November.

People Notes

Susie Kelley, left, passes the gavel to John Dedrick, the new president of the Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook. Photo special to the Journal

Dedrick Named New Kiwanis Club President John Dedrick recently took the reins as the new president of the Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook.

Dedrick retired from Homewood City Schools in 2010 after 35 years of service. He served as assistant principal, principal and director of special programs during his tenure with Homewood City Schools.

Outgoing president Susie Kelley passed the gavel to Dedrick at a recent meeting to kick off the organization’s

new year.

The club serves the Birmingham area by providing volunteer and financial support to nonprofit organizations that seek to improve the lives of children.

The group meets each Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road.

Vestavia Hills Girl Scouts Earn Silver Award Five Vestavia Hills residents recently earned the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette in the sixth through the eighth

grades can earn.

Cecily Anderson, Jamie Burke, Cayla Sexton, Charlotte Baker and Claire Scott earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for their room makeover project at the Lovelady Center in Birmingham.

The girls are all students at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills and are members of Girl Scout Troop 30136.

For their project, the girls worked together to redo the room of a resident at the center. The resident has four children but only had three beds in the room they share at the Lovelady Center. The Girl Scouts reorganized the room with an additional bed, added new bedding and curtains and painted and repaired the room’s ceiling. They also made some improvements to the bathroom as part of the project.

The girls said the project taught them how to manage money for the project, to work together as a team and to work with adults.

The Girl Scout Silver Award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Girl Scouts Earn Bronze Award with Troop 372 Girl Scouts with Troop 372 have

Mountain Brook Lawyer Pens Book on Divorce A Mountain Brook lawyer recently penned a book that has been published

by Atticus Press.

Jessica Kirk Drennan’s “Divorce in Alabama” is a self-help book specifically dedicated to Alabama divorce law.

It is available online and in several

Distinguished Young Women Program Accepting Applications The Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County is

accepting applications from high school girls graduating in 2015 and residing in Jefferson County.

The deadline for receiving applications is March 10.

The program, formerly Jefferson County’s Junior Miss, will take place July 18-19 at Samford University.

There is no entry fee. Participants compete in the categories of fitness, self-expression, interview, scholastics and talent.

Last year, more than $13,000 in cash tuition scholarships was awarded. Any participant in the program may qualify for a full tuition and a full tuition, room and board scholarship with a qualifying grade point average and test score.

The Jefferson County representative will advance to the Distinguished Young Women Program of Alabama in Montgomery, where she will compete for more than $40,000 in cash tuition scholarships and more than $1 million in college-granted scholarships.

The current Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County is Sarah Grace McDuff, a senior at Homewood High School.

All state winners will travel to Mobile to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2015 and for a share of more than $125,000 in cash scholarships.

Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Distinguished Young Women is among the largest and oldest national scholarship programs for high school girls. During its 55 years of operation,

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 11

PEOPLE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

the program has awarded more than $93 million in cash scholarships to young women across the nation.

For more information, visit www.

DistinguishedYW.org and click on the “Participate” icon to receive an application, or contact Chairman Eddie Macksoud at jefferson@ distinguishedYW.org or at 907-0210.

Hawk Achieves Eagle Scout Rank with Project Stewart Hawk of Mountain Brook has achieved the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

He is a member of Troop 86 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, under the leadership of David Millhouse.

For his Eagle Scout project, Hawk designed and built a crossshaped, aboveground stone garden at St. Luke’s.

As a Boy Scout, Hawk has held the positions of quartermaster, assistant patrol Stewart Hawk leader and senior patrol leader. He earned 22 merit badges.

A senior at Mountain Brook High School, Hawk is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams.

He is the son of Alison and Jett Hawk. His grandparents are Elaine Smith, the late Dr. Lamar Smith Jr., Janis Zeanah and Jim Hawk.

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OTM Residents Chosen for Honor Society at Auburn Two Over the Mountain residents were recently initiated into the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Austin Spain of Hoover and Gabrielle Bates of Vestavia Hills were selected to join Phi Kappa Phi honor society at Auburn University where they are both students.

Spain and Bates are among

approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership.

Vestavia Author Speaks on Memoir at Church Peter Kirchikov of Vestavia Hills,

author of the memoir “Walnuts on my Bookshelf,” spoke at the Jan. 6 luncheon of the Episcopal Council of Women at St. Stephens in Cahaba Heights.

A member of the Vestavia Rotary Club, Kirchikov told the group about his experiences of survival under the dictatorial regime of Communist Russia.

Kirchikov said he wrote his memoir as a response to interest in his life story of growing up in Russia and his journey to the U.S. He is also a paralegal. ❖

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12 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u HOMEWOOD

City Salutes Employees

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

Homewood Police Chief Jim Roberson, left, and Ted Springfield. Journal photos by Keysha Drexel

Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan, right, and Adam Ashworth.

Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer, right, and Don Evans.

snow,

From page 1

no, none of that was a surprise,” said Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden.

“That’s the way we operate over here-we work together to make a bad situation better.”

Thousands of students had to shelter overnight at schools, separated from their families, as hundreds of abandoned and disabled vehicles clogged the interstates and almost every road in the Over the Mountain area. Motorists were stranded on Birmingham metro roadways for hours--some without food or the medications they needed--and employees were stuck at their offices.

Emergency personnel had trouble getting to stranded motorists and answering the thousands of calls for assistance they received in the aftermath of the storm because of the icecoated roadways.

But the bleak scene had several bright spots, city officials said, with countless stories of Good Samaritans helping strangers, teachers easing the fears of worried children separated from their parents and businesses opening their doors to shelter and feed those stranded by the storm.

“This could have been a whole lot worse, but our citizens jumped in, our employees did an outstanding job

The city of Homewood recognized its 2013 Employees of the Year on Jan. 21 at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce luncheon at The Club.

Ted Springfield was named Police Officer of the Year, Adam Ashworth was named Firefighter of the Year and the City Employee of the Year Award went to Don Evans, a security guard at the Homewood Public Library.

Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer said he believes Homewood has “the finest police department and fire department in the country” and that he’s always amazed when he looks at the statistics each year to see how many calls each department answered.

“Every day, these brave men and women put their lives on the line for us,” he said.

The Homewood Police Department answered more than 33,000 calls in 2013, McBrayer said, and stopped more than 10,000 vehicles.

“The police department issued 6,889 tickets last year, an 8 percent increase in the tickets issued,” he said. “Every time they do that, they potentially save lives.”

In presenting the Police Officer of the Year Award, Police Chief Jim Roberson said selecting the award winner each year is a difficult task.

“It’s really difficult to determine just one person that distinguishes themselves because they all do such a great job,” Roberson said.

Roberson said he selected Springfield as the 2013 winner because of his dedication to helping the department in any way he can.

“He has been with us for almost 12 years

and we all worked together to make it through,” said Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza.

The stories of working together streamed in through social media throughout the storm and during its aftermath.

Kelly Garner of Vestavia Hills went missing after the storm on Jan. 28 after he was seen helping stranded motorists for hours on U.S. 31 near the Walmart Marketplace. Neighbors organized a search party and found Garner unconscious in a wooded area behind the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.

Michael Kurz, an emergency room physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, treated patients at a makeshift ER set up at Green Valley Baptist Church off Patton Chapel Road in Hoover. Three nurses who sought shelter at the church pitched in and helped Kurz treat patients who needed emergency care.

In Homewood, Zenko Hyrn, a neurosurgeon, walked six miles in the snow and ice from Brookwood Medical Center to Trinity Medical Center to perform a lifesaving brain surgery.

Across the area, residents opened their doors to those stranded by the storm, offering coffee, food and a warm place to stay.

“I’m sure that was a scene that played out in the entire Over the

and has led the department in arrests and citations,” Roberson said. “He has worked in patrol, the honor guard, on the tactical team and anywhere else we needed him.”

In accepting the award, Springfield said he previously served on the police force in Bessemer and was glad to be in Homewood.

“The experience has been like night and day,” he said. “I really appreciate this award, and I enjoy working in Homewood.”

Springfield thanked his colleagues and friends during his acceptance speech.

“I want to thank my wife, Molly,” he said.

“She’s been with me through it all and has had to deal with the constant fear of what we do.”

The Homewood Fire Department last year responded to more than 3,000 fire calls, McBrayer said.

“Thank you for all you do to protect our city,” the mayor said.

In making the presentation of the Firefighter of the Year Award, Fire Chief John Bresnan said he was happy to bestow the award on a firefighter who “has dedicated his life to learning about the fire service.”

Ashworth was born and raised in Homewood, Bresnan said, and continues to make his hometown proud with his service and dedication.

“He has a number of specialties he works in, including rope rescue, trench rescue, and he also helped develop one of our classes to teach the guys how to use the Bobcat,” he said.

Ashworth said he was deeply honored by the award and thanked his colleagues and his family for their support.

“I would also like to thank my wife,” he said. “Our families provide a lot of support so

Mountain community, not just in Homewood,” Mayor Scott McBrayer said. “That kind of generosity and hospitality doesn’t surprise me at all.”

And it wasn’t just residents who pitched in during the storm, McBrayer said.

“We had businesses staying open just so they could give people somewhere to go,” he said. “Brookwood Mall had their doors open. Target stayed open until 10 p.m. Tuesday night and then left their lobby open as a warming station. The folks at Piggly Wiggly were incredible and came in and worked to take care of people who were stranded for I don’t know how long. Our businesses owners are real neighbors in Homewood.”

Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said while the city’s first responders were inundated with calls for help from people stuck on the roads and interstates, the city received just as many calls from people who were looking for ways to help.

“There were so many stories of human kindness, of good neighbors or people stepping up and doing whatever they could to help each other,” Ivey said. “We got caught off guard by this whole thing--everybody was-but it really brought the community together.”

All of the mayors of the Over the Mountain cities praised not only their fire and police personnel but also

that we can do what we do.”

Before he presented the City Employee of the Year Award, the mayor praised all of the city employees and elected and appointed officials.

He said Linda Cook is “one of the best city clerks in the state” and thanked John Morgan, the city’s magistrate; James Jakes with the IT department; Jim Wyatt, the chief building inspector; Hunter Simmons in the 911 call center; Gordon James of fleet maintenance; Berkley Squires, the director of the public works department, and Melody Salter, the finance director.

He also thanked Mike Kendrick, city attorney, and J.J. Bischoff, chief of staff.

McBrayer said he was having a hard time deciding which employee would win the 2013 award until he read the letter nominating Evans for the honor from Debbie Faught, library director.

In the fall of 2013, one of the library’s regular patrons became ill, and Evans, on his own time, visited the patron and went to get groceries and run errands for him while he convalesced, Faught said.

“Back in October, Don went to check on the patron and couldn’t get him to the door, so he called the police,” Faught said. “The patron had fallen and had been in his tub for several days, and Don is credited with saving his life.

We know libraries change lives every day, but we usually leave the lifesaving to the police and fire departments.”

In accepting the City Employee of the Year Award, Evans said he is blessed to work with Faught and the rest of the library staff and said his tenure at the library has been anything but dull.

“I think it was the second month I was there and I was watching one of the monitors in one of the children’s rooms, and these three women started fighting and hair was flying everywhere, and I remember thinking, ‘Lord, am I going to be able to do this?’ I feel very fortunate to be here,” Evans said. ❖

other city employees for going above and beyond the call of duty during the winter weather crisis.

“They never complained about getting out and getting to the work that needed to be done. They stayed on extra shifts and were away from their families so they could help the residents of Mountain Brook,” Oden said.

“Most of them don’t even live here, but they have a great feeling for this community and they put that first, and we appreciate that very much.”

In Hoover, Ivey said, employees stranded at Hoover City Hall overnight manned the phones and helped divert noncritical emergency calls.

“You can’t say enough about the efforts of our first responders, of the folks in the Public Works Department, of everyone who stayed on past their shifts,” Ivey said.

Zaragoza said Vestavia Hills immediately activated its weather plan and got good use out of the surplus military Humvees it acquired through a government program last year.

McBrayer said Homewood, too, has plans for emergency situations like the freak winter storm that were put into place as soon as officials realized the weather forecast was wrong.

“The first thing I did was to call (Homewood City Schools Superintendent) Bill Cleveland, because when we realized that this was going to be a lot worse than we

thought, our first thought was to make sure our students were safe,” he said.

All of the mayors said they were touched and impressed by the level of care and dedication the teachers and staff members of Over the Mountain schools showed during the storm.

“Our teachers, the cafeteria staffs in the schools, they were all just incredible during this. They are devoted to our kids, and that showed,” Ivey said.

McBrayer said he doesn’t think the people of Homewood acted all that differently during the storm than they do every day.

“We don’t need a storm to show us that there are random acts of kindness in Homewood on any given day,” he said.

Ivey said the winter storm showed him what he has always known about Hoover and the Over the Mountain community.

“We’re neighbors and friends here, and this whole thing really reminded of us of that,” he said.

As for what they’ve learned from winter storm 2014, the mayors said they will probably be watching the weather a little more closely in the future.

“I think we’ll be paying attention to the weather more and being ready to make decisions really fast in case something like this happens again,” Zaragoza said. ❖

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 13

news

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u Mountain Brook

Chamber Honors Katherine McTyeire

The life and work of a pioneering Mountain Brook businesswoman were honored last month at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual luncheon.

Family members of the late Katherine McTyeire were on hand at the January event to accept the Robert S. Jemison Visionary Award on her behalf.

The Jemison Award is given by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce each year to recognize those who have made significant con-

tributions to the community.

McTyeire passed away at home on Dec. 18 at the age of 94.

Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s and Bagatelle in Mountain Brook, presented the award.

Clayton said she first knew McTyeire as the founder of Iron Arts, Inc. The business started out in Southside before relocating to Mountain Brook Village.

“For 35 years, I would drive to work under the canopy of trees, and my eyes would wander over to Iron

Family members of the late Katherine McTyeire accepted the Jemison Visionary Award on her behalf at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual luncheon in January.

From left: Helen Drennan and Kate Millhouse accept the award from Terry Chapman with the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

Photo special to the Journal

by Harry Long

u north shelby

ALDOT Will Add Turn Lanes At Alabama 119, U.S. 280 Intersection The Alabama Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to add turn lanes on the north and south sides of Alabama 119 at the intersection of U.S. 280.

Brian Davis, an ALDOT engineer in the Birmingham division, said the transportation department is ready to

bid out the project for construction, a process that should be completed in time for an April construction date.

ALDOT plans to add a left turn lane on the north side of Alabama 119–also known as Cahaba Valley Road–giving the state road two left turn lanes as motorists travel east on U.S. 280 towards Double Oak Mountain.

The department also plans to extend the right turn lane on the north side of Alabama 119, Davis said.

“A lot of people want to make that right turn to go into Birmingham, but

Art,” Clayton said. “During the time I knew Katherine, she was my go-to person for tough questions.”

Clayton said she and other Mountain Brook businesswomen often came to McTyeire for advice.

And McTyeire had plenty of experience to share with others, Clayton said.

McTyeire was the first woman to serve as a director for the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of Alabama and First National Bank of Birmingham, later AmSouth. She also was the first woman inducted into the Birmingham Kiwanis Club Business Hall of Fame and to join the Birmingham Rotary Club.

McTyeire was selected as a trustee at Birmingham-Southern College, where she was awarded an honorary law degree. She was appointed by the city of Mountain Brook to organize and chair the Emmet O’Neal Library board.

She served as co-chairman of the General Campaign of United Way of Central Alabama. She was president of the Women’s Committee of 100, the Junior League of Birmingham and Mercy Home, now Gateway.

McTyeire also helped organize the first merchants association of they get blocked and can’t get up there,” he said. “So we’re going to extend the right turn lane back far enough so those people can flow freely into that right turn lane.”

The improvement project will also include building a left turn lane on the south side of Alabama 119 onto U.S. 280 westbound. ALDOT estimates the cost of the project to be between $5 and $6 million.

At the latest, the project should be complete by the end of 2015, ALDOT officials say. —William C. Singleton III

Mountain Brook.

“She led the way for women entrepreneurs and was a stalwart supporter of women in business,” Clayton said.

“Thank you, Katherine, for showing us the way.”

McTyeire’s family members accepted the award on her behalf at the

chamber event.

Kate Millhouse, McTyeire’s daughter, said her mother knew she had been chosen for the chamber honor and was “very honored she was receiving the award.”

“She’s here in spirit,” Millhouse said.

—Keysha Drexel

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Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone numb Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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14 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Heart-to-Heart Connection Mom Supports Daughter Dealing with Heart Disease

By Keysha Drexel

W

Journal editor

hile 26-year-old Lura Fuller Denson of Mountain Brook doesn’t have a clear memory of it, her mother, Vickie Fuller of Redmont, said there’s one night in her daughter’s struggle with heart disease that she will never forget.

Just before her third birthday, Denson had to have open heart surgery to correct a problem with the structure of her heart that was discovered shortly after she was born in 1987.

“She was in ICU the night before the surgery, and we had to leave her there at the hospital overnight. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It’s a night that I’ll never forget,” Fuller said.

It was a night Fuller said she never imagined in the first few hours after her seemingly healthy, 8-pound, 9-ounce baby girl was born in Savannah, Ga. “I thought everything was fine, and we were getting ready to take our baby home,” Fuller said. “But on the day she was supposed to go home, the doctor came in and told me she couldn’t leave because she had turned blue and they had to monitor her.”

Fuller said the doctor told her that her daughter was a “blue baby” and explained little else about the condition.

“I was hysterical. I had no idea what that meant, but my mother was there with me when they told me that Lura was a blue baby, and I could tell by the look on her face that it wasn’t good,” Fuller said.

Denson was in the ICU for a week before she was allowed to go home and had to wear a heart monitor.

“That thing went off every two seconds, and I was in a constant state of panic,” Fuller said.

“I would basically just hold her or stand over her day and night to make sure she was breathing. Every time that monitor made a sound, I wondered if my baby was going to die.”

After a month of living on pins and needles, Fuller was able to get her daughter an appointment with a cardiologist in Augusta, Ga., who inserted a heart catheter that was only a temporary solution until surgery could be scheduled the following week at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

At UAB, doctors placed a tube called a vortex shunt between the arteries in Denson’s heart, and Fuller finally learned the name of what was making her infant daughter’s first few weeks of life so difficult.

“It’s called Tetralogy of Fallot, and the doctors told me that it was a congenital heart defect that probably happened around the eighth week of pregnancy,” Fuller said. “There was some relief in having someone explain to me what was going on, but of course, I also felt guilt, because as a mother, your first thought is that you’ve done something wrong to cause this.”

Any relief Fuller felt at having her daughter’s condition explained to her was quickly overshadowed when the doctors started talking about how to treat the defect.

“They told us that the shunt was just a temporary fix until her body grew and she got stronger,” Fuller said. “That’s when we found out that our baby would have to have open heart

Lura Fuller Denson, left, and her mother, Vickie Fuller, stand in front of a quilt at the American Heart Association office in Birmingham. The quilt honors those struggling with heart disease and memorializes those who have lost their lives. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

surgery. I was just terrified.”

But from the beginning, Fuller said, she was determined not to let her own fears about Denson’s heart condition cloud her daughter’s childhood.

“We took our baby home and tried to be as normal as possible,” Fuller said. “I had all this anxiety about her health, but I never made a big deal out of it in front of Lura because I didn’t want her to think she was hindered by anything.”

When she was almost 3, Denson had her first open heart surgery. She astounded her doctors Birmingham Heart Ball March 1, 6:30 p.m.

Cahaba Grand Conference Center The Birmingham Heart Guild will present the 2014 Birmingham Heart Ball on March 1 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center.

The celebration of life will benefit the American Heart Association. Tickets are $350 per person or $600 per couple, For more information or to purchase tickets, call 510-1500.

and her parents with her speedy recovery.

“The morning after she had open heart surgery, she was sitting up in the hospital bed asking me when she could go to the playroom,” Fuller said. “She always had that kind of an energy. Lura never stopped going, going, going as a child, and she still doesn’t stop.”

Denson said as a young child, she doesn’t remember feeling any different than other children.

“My mother never wanted me to feel limited in any way because of my condition, and I never did, really,” Denson said.

But still, Denson and her family got plenty of reminders that Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare

and complex heart defect that affects only about five out of every 10,000 babies.

“I was on a skiing trip with my church one time and thought I was just coming down with the flu, but Kelly Morrison, a mother on the trip who had just lost her daughter to heart disease, recognized my symptoms and rushed me to the hospital,” Denson said.

Morrison is the one who told Fuller about the Birmingham branch of the American Heart Association and its efforts to raise awareness and fund research for cardiovascular diseases and strokes, the top cause of death in Alabama, Denson said.

“I got involved with the American Heart Association when I was a freshman at Vestavia Hills High with the Sweethearts program,” Denson said.

The Sweethearts program is affiliated with the American Heart Association and helps connect students with community service opportunities associated with heart diseases.

While in the Sweethearts program, she met C.D. Denson, who’s now her husband.

“We’ve been together since we were in high school, for 10 years now, and we’ve been married for three years,” she said.

The couple has a 2-year-old daughter, Martha Mae. Denson said she got a whole new perspective on heart disease when she found out she was expecting her daughter.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I called my cardiologist because I knew that my child would probably be at a higher risk for heart disease, and that really worried me,” she said. “I got a little glimpse of what my mother has gone through.”

No defects could be detected, and Denson gave birth to a healthy baby girl. It wasn’t until four months later that the young mother was horrified with the news that history might be repeating itself.

“Martha Mae was about four months old, and I took her into the pediatrician because I thought she had an ear infection,” Denson said. “During the exam, the doctor thought he detected a heart murmur.”

But while subsequent tests gave Martha Mae a clean bill of health, Denson was reminded that her struggle with heart disease wasn’t over.

“The pregnancy took a toll, and my heart was very enlarged. I had to have a second open heart surgery,” Denson said.

Denson needed a valve replacement. Her surgery was scheduled for December 2012.

“It was just a crazy time. My baby was celebrating her first birthday, my grandmother had just died and the doctor who did my first surgery had retired, so I was in a panic,” Denson said.

Fuller said it was difficult to watch her daughter prepare for her second open heart surgery, especially knowing that if something went wrong, she could lose her daughter and her granddaughter could lose her mother.

“I thought it was a hard thing to face as a mother, but it’s really tough as a grandmother, too,” she said. “I was worried for them both.”

But in typical Denson fashion, Fuller said, her daughter emerged from her second open heart surgery with as much energy as she had as a toddler.

“There she was, sitting up in the bed again, calling me and asking me to bring her makeup, her hairbrush and her phone to the hospital,” Fuller said. “During her recovery, I would go and walk laps with her in the halls of UAB, and I was the one who had to sit down and rest from time to time.”

Denson and Fuller recently shared their story at the Birmingham Heart Guild’s annual Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show and are making plans to attend the 2014 Birmingham Heart Ball on March 1.

“When we got Lura’s diagnosis, we learned that there was a big chance she wouldn’t live past a certain age. No parent should have to hear that. That’s what the money raised by events like the Heart Ball goes to--to pay for research so that we can learn to prevent heart diseases in the first place,” Fuller said.

Denson isn’t the only one in the family touched by heart disease, Fuller said.

“I lost my dad when he was just 57 to a stroke and heart disease. My husband has a defibrillator that keeps him alive and has had two massive heart attacks,” she said. “And we’re not the only ones. At some point, almost every person will be affected by heart disease in one way or another. That’s why I believe so strongly in the work the American Heart Association does.”

Both Fuller and Denson said they are thankful that advances are being made to better detect and treat heart diseases through the efforts of the American Heart Association but said they know there’s much more to do.

“I know my struggle with heart disease is not over, and I know so many people who are dealing with it every single day,” Denson said.

“I just count my blessings and keep moving forward.”

Proceeds from the Birmingham Heart Ball on March 1 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center will benefit the American Heart Association. ❖

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 15

Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Guidelines for Good Health

For Valentine’s Day...

One of a Kind Jewelry

Brookwood Wins Heart Association Award

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

Brookwood Medical Center was recently recognized by the American Heart Association for its efforts to improve the lives of heart failure patients.

The hospital received the Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Quality Award in January.

The recognition shows that Brookwood Medical Center has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients according to the guidelines of care recommended by the American Heart Association/ American College of Cardiology, said Dr. Barry K. Rayburn of Mountain Brook, a cardiologist at Cardiovascular Associates.

“It’s really a public recognition that Brookwood has focused on an area with proven measures to improve the health of its patients,” Rayburn said.

That improvement is aimed at keeping heart failure patients out of the hospital, Rayburn said.

“We want them out of the hospital but back in our offices,” Rayburn said.

“The goal is to make sure that they know what they need to do to avoid further complications.”

Under the American Heart Association guidelines, heart failure patients at Brookwood are started on aggressive risk-reduction therapies if needed while they are in the hospital, Rayburn said. This includes starting patients on cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretic and anticoagulants, if needed.

Before discharge, patients also receive information and education on managing their heart failure and overall health, including lifestyle modifications and follow-up care.

The follow-up care, Rayburn said, is crucial for heart failure patients.

“Sometimes, when they are in the hospital, all the information on heart failure and the changes they need to make can be a bit head-spinning,” he said. “So it’s very important to get them in the cardiologist’s office within one to two weeks of their discharge from the hospital so that we can make sure they understand everything they need to be doing.”

The follow-up visits also allow doctors to make sure patients understand why they are taking certain medications and being asked to make certain lifestyle changes, Rayburn said.

“It’s one thing to tell a patient to do this and not do this, but it’s another thing to tell them the ‘because’ and to make sure they really understand why they have to make these changes,” he said.

Rayburn said it is also important for heart failure patients to have family members present with them at their follow-up appointments.

“Oftentimes, the lifestyle changes, especially when it comes to diet, are things that are going to affect the entire family,” Rayburn said. “If we can get the other family members to buy into the treatment process and

‘Tips one through five would be don’t smoke. That’s always, always at the top of the list.That’s followed closely by exercising or getting moving with any kind of activity.’

Dr. Barry K. Rayburn

embrace the lifestyle changes, the chances are the heart failure patients will be more successful in implementing those changes. It gives us an ally in the patient’s home.”

According the American Heart Association, about 5.7 million people suffer from heart failure. Statistics also show that each year, 670,000 new cases are diagnosed and more than 277,000 people will die of heart failure.

To help people avoid becoming one of those statistics, Rayburn said he has a few tips worth repeating even though many people have heard them before.

“Tips one through five would be don’t smoke. That’s always, always at the top of the list,” he said. “That’s followed closely by exercising or getting moving with any kind of activity.”

Rayburn said Over the Mountain residents don’t have to become marathon runners or champion weightlifters to keep their hearts healthy.

“For any given group of people, no matter their age or anything else, the group that is more active is going to be healthier,” he said.

Rayburn said he also recommends a sensible diet to those looking to avoid heart problems.

“I’m not saying that everyone has to eat like a monk, but you should just try to use common sense and save some things for special occasions instead of making them part of every meal,” he said.

Managing high blood pressure and diabetes is also crucial to heart health, Rayburn said.

“These are the same big recommendations that you hear all the time, but the reason you hear them repeated is because if we could just do those things, it would make an enormous impact on heart disease in this country,” he said.

For more information on the Get with the Guidelines Gold Award, visit heart.org/quality. ❖

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16 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

otmj 2014

Valentine’s day

Gift Guide

A sweet surprise for that special someone is a Full Moon Half Moon Cookie Tin. Each tin has 20 cookies and is $21.99, plus shipping and handling. Your Valentine will love a gift as sweet as they are.

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Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers, 871-7060.

All you need is love, but a cute bag and perfume sure would be nice!

Mademoiselle Amour Perfume gift set comes with a cute zippered bag, perfume and mirror compact, $52.50.

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Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 17

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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18 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

social

By Donna Cornelius

King

Journal features writer

D

for a

Night David Millhouse Will Reign at This Year’s Krewe Ball

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr

avid Millhouse’s volunteer duties at the annual Beaux Arts Krewe Ball usually are behind the scenes.

But this year, he’ll be front and center when he reigns as king at the Krewe’s 47th annual event, set for Feb. 28 at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium.

Like most other Krewe members, Millhouse is accustomed to pitching in to transform Boutwell into a glittering setting for the ball.

“Over the years, I’ve sort of taken on a self-imposed role of building a lot,” Millhouse said. “The Krewe has five different scenes that we rotate every year. I’ve built carts to transport all the scenery.”

The Krewe traditionally announces its king, who is selected by Krewe members, before the event. This year, the announcement was made Feb. 3 at a luncheon at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Also in keeping with tradition, the Krewe queen is selected from among the young women who will be presented at the ball. The queen’s identity is kept secret until it’s revealed at the event.

Millhouse, who serves on the Krewe’s board of directors, learned he would be swapping his hammer for a scepter when some fellow members invited him to lunch at Birmingham Country Club.

“They called and said they needed to have a meeting with me to talk about the Krewe activities,” Millhouse said.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

‘But the main purpose of the Krewe is to provide funds for the Birmingham Museum of Art. It’s a fun way to raise money.’

He didn’t realize the true purpose of the meeting until one of the men mentioned “dukes,” Millhouse said.

“They really pulled the wool over my eyes—it took me a while to catch on,” he said, laughing.

Millhouse is a Birmingham native who’s lived all his life “in a small radius,” he said.

“I was raised in Homewood. My parents moved to Cherokee Bend in the mid-60s,” he said.

He and his wife, Kate, have lived in their Old Leeds Circle home for about 16 years, Millhouse said.

The Auburn University graduate also considers Auburn a “second home,” he said.

Millhouse was an AU sophomore when he met Kate McTyeire. He was involved in the school’s cooperative education program that semester, he said.

“It was the winter quarter, and I went to a basketball game,” he said.

“I saw Kate across the way and asked my friends, ‘Who is that?’ We got married five years later, in 1978.”

Millhouse is a senior estimator at Robins & Morton, a construction and engineering company. Building also is a hobby for him.

“My father cut my teeth on construction,” Millhouse said. “He was an engineer and built the houses I grew up in. I got my exposure to that, and it never went away.”

While he likes to work on projects at home, Millhouse has been happy to help with Krewe construction duties, too. The carts he’s built make it easier to transport the scenes used for the ball, he said. This year, the carts will carry the scenes for the 2014 theme,

Mardi Gras.

“I have enjoyed being behind the scenes,” Millhouse said. “Being the king is kind of atypical for me. I’m not an out-front kind of guy.”

Millhouse said he and other Krewe members enjoy working together to make the ball a success.

“What’s fun is that Boutwell Auditorium transforms in a matter of five to six hours from start to finish,” he said. “We start on Thursday, early, about 7 a.m. By noon, about 90 percent is done.”

When the ball ends, Krewe members have to dismantle the room.

“About 1 a.m., all that stuff comes down. We’re out by 3:30 or 4,” Millhouse said.

Krewe members willingly shoulder their assigned duties, he said.

“We all buy into this,” he said.

“Everyone knows what to do, so you’re not teaching the process all over again every year. Everybody is enthusiastic. It’s a well-greased machine.”

The event is primarily a debutante ball, Millhouse said. Thirty-five young women will be presented this year.

“But the main purpose of the

Krewe is to provide funds for the Birmingham Museum of Art,” he said. “It’s a fun way to raise money.”

Millhouse said he loves the “teamwork and camaraderie” of Krewe members.

“I’ve met a lot of great guys I wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise,” he said.

In addition to the Krewe, Millhouse has another passion—the Boy Scouts, he said.

“I was an Eagle Scout, and I’m the scoutmaster for Troop 86 at St. Luke’s Episcopal,” he said. “I was a scout in Troop 86 when I was younger. Both my sons were in 86 and were Eagle Scouts, too.”

The impact scouting has on kids is “incredible,” he said And for adult leaders, he added, the organization offers opportunities to learn.

“Scouts are big into training for adults, and I did my Wood Badge training through the Black Warrior Council,” Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts’ highest level of adult leader training.

Millhouse, a track team member when he was a student at Mountain Brook High School, still runs, he said.

“I’m a big runner,” he said. “I used to run competitively in races around town. I run now because it’s in my blood. I get up early and put my six to seven miles in.”

He’s been in 12 marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and also competed in some triathlons, he said.

The Millhouses have three children. Robert, 31, is an Auburn University graduate now working for Maxus Construction in Birmingham.

Katherine, 26, is an AU veterinary student who’s married to Dr. Michael Roeder, a veterinarian in Albertville.

Adam, 19, is a freshman at Auburn.

“Our daughter was Krewe queen in 2008,” Millhouse said. “Since we have that experience, we think being king is a lot easier. The queen has a lot more to do.”

His wife agreed.

“The king doesn’t have to have a dress made or have his hair or makeup done,” his wife said, smiling.

To reign over the ball, Millhouse will wear the Krewe king’s costume made by pageant director Deborah Fleischman of Huntsville.

“She’s been associated with the Krewe for about 30 years now,” Millhouse said. “She has made all the costumes.”

The costumes are designed to fit almost anybody, Millhouse said.

“They’re made to be adjustable,” he said, “and I’m using the crown that belongs to the Krewe.”

Millhouse will have a large royal retinue at the ball. The king’s dukes are always Krewe members, while his trainbearers are customarily the children or grandchildren of family members and friends.

Millhouse’s dukes include his brother-in-law Richard Drennen, Frank Ager, Bill Bowron, Guerry Denson, Lee Jackson, Jeff Stone, Ed Thomas and Meade Whitaker.

His trainbearers are his great-niece Anna Catherine Carr and greatnephew Sam Carr, Sarah Welles Edwards, Jack Allison and Kara Leigh Whitaker, the granddaughter of duke Meade Whitaker. ❖

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Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 19

Holiday Honorees

Annual Assembly Recognizes 39 Young Women

Front, from left: Mildred Eugenia Stutts, Mary Evelyn Sprain, Brooke Frances Tucker and Elinor Clay Anthony. Back: Mary Boyd Crosier, Anne Kinsman Simmons, Catherine Brevard Harmon, Anna Catherine Gillespy and Mary Lucile Baker. Photos special to the Journal

F

or the 71st year, young women from the Birmingham metro area were honored at the Holiday Assembly.

Thirty-nine honorees were presented in the East Room of the Country Club of Birmingham at the Dec. 20 event.

The young women enjoyed a seated dinner with their dates in the dining room before the presentation ceremony and then were escorted by their fathers during the presentation ceremony.

Family members and friends joined the honorees on the dance floor to the music of Familiar Faces.

Those presented at the 2013 Holiday Assembly were Eleanor Elizabeth Naff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Blevins Naff; Alice Brantley Sanders, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gillis Sanders Jr.; Anne Kinsman Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Winn Simmons; Lillian Harris Simpson, daughter of Mrs. Leslie Byars Simpson and Dr. John Rembert Simpson; Paley Robinson Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henley Jordan Smith III; Anne Holloway Somerville, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Quincey Somerville; Mary Evelyn Sprain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henry Sprain Jr.; Mildred Eugenia Stutts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Gillis Stutts; Margaret McGinley Swain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Matthew Swain; Brooke Frances Tucker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Craig Tucker; Anne Douglass Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Douglass Williams; Antoinette Dunn Wyatt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hunt Wyatt; Samantha Earle Yates, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Earle Yates; Sarah Walker Alford, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Wiley Alford; Elinor Clay Anthony, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eland Anthony Jr.; Mary Lucile Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kenneth Baker; Evalyn LeBlanc Bargeron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Charlton Bargeron Jr.; Chaise Taylor Belt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Thomson Belt Jr.; Amanda Delight Carmichael, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Donald Carmichael Jr.; Mary Boyd Crosier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ray Crosier; Kendall Elizabeth Crumbaugh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chalmers Crumbaugh III; Katherine Gail Durkee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rucker Agee Durkee; Julia Grace Garrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Michael Garrison and Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Jackson Elmore III; Anna Catherine Gillespy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Palfery Gillespy; Ellen Elizabeth deBerniére Given, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sommerville Wilkerson Given; Margaret Allyn Pratt Given, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Perry Given Jr.; Margaret Ellison Gray, daughter of Mrs. Daniel Edward Henderson and Mr. Robert Charles Gray Jr.; Mary Keller Greene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Keller Greene; Catherine Brevard Harmon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Brame Harmon; Margaret Elizabeth Howell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Allan Howell; Kaylor Elizabeth Kidd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bradford Kidd; Sarah Grace Lindsey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cooper Lindsey; Morgan Ann Dommerich Lineberry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Dice Lineberry; Helen Oliver Little, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Brawner Little III; Brooke Elyse Littleton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Winfield Littleton Jr.; Mary Lee Bard Livingston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hartridge Livingston II; Caroline Goodwyn Luckie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas George Luckie; Baily Antoinette Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gallalee Martin; and Ann Hollon Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Taylor Morris. ❖

Front, from left: Amanda Delight Carmichael, Brooke Elyse Littleton, Mary Lee Bard Livingston and Julia Grace Garrison. Back: Morgan Ann Dommerich Lineberry, Margaret Ellison Gray, Chaise Taylor Belt, Margaret Elizabeth Howell and Kendall Elizabeth Crumbaugh.

Front, from left: Ann Hollon Morris, Sarah Walker Alford, Anne Holloway Somerville and Antoinette Dunn Wyatt. Back: Caroline Goodwyn Luckie, Lillian Harris Simpson, Baily Antoinette Martin, Kaylor Elizabeth Kidd and Eleanor Elizabeth Naff.

Front, from left: Margaret Allyn Pratt Given, Paley Robinson Smith, Alice Brantley Sanders, Anne Douglass Williams and Mary Keller Greene. Back: Ellen Elizabeth deBerniére Given, Sarah Grace Lindsey, Helen Oliver Little, Evalyn LeBlanc Bargeron, Margaret McGinley Swain and Samantha Earle Yates.

20 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

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Mother-Daughter Moment Alums Gather for Rosebud Tea

The annual Alpha Gamma Delta Rosebud Holiday Mallie and Caroline; Jennifer Black Gray; Tea was held on Dec. 22 at the Rockledge Road Judith Hayes Hand, permanent secretary and home of Jan Langston Ware. editor; Kim Rains Hardwick and daughter Attending were alumnae and their daughters, Emily; Dana Flynt Hill and niece Meredith Hill along with collegiate members and their mothers. of Demopolis; Jerry Nelson Johnson, daughCoordinating the event was Elizabeth Estess ter Linda Johnson Stone, granddaughters Wilson, first vice president of the Greater Mollie Stone and Callie Stone Nash, and greatBirmingham Alumnae Chapter. President Amy granddaughter Ann Harper Nash; Kim Dunkin Nichols McCain welcomed members and guests.

Kinsaul and daughter Elizabeth; Margaret Greeters were Annie Newton, collegiate president Lee and daughter Maggie; Susan Logan and at the University of AL Psi Chapter, and Taylor daughters Douglas and Margaret; Ashley Bannister.

McCarty Luke and daughter Catherine.

Among those gathering around the festive Others gathered around the beautifully decoliving room tree were: Katherine rated dining room table were Dianne McDavid Allen and daughter Anna more photos at Haney Matheson and niece Ann Brooks; Mary Kathryn Pitts Allen Balkovetz; Leslie Matheson and and daughter Mary Coleman; daughters Frances and Janet; LaBella Stewart Alvis; Mary Dean Karen DeVenney McCollum and Hudgins Gray, daughter Laura daughters Karly and Kelly; Dede Gray Barron and granddaughMcDanal Moore, second vice president, and ter Madeline; Caroline Beauchaine; Lana McGeever Benner and daughter Maggie; Greer daughter Anne Neal, Amy Jackson Nunneley and daughter Ella; Lucy Owen Parker and Wright Bisignani and daughters Kathryn and daughters Sarah Sims and Maye Morgan; Madison; Katie Briley, collegiate president at Auburn University Gamma Delta Chapter; Rachel Kym Haas Prewitt and daughter Addie; Jan Roberts and daughter Julia Leonard; Kimberly Burchfield, advisor at the UAB Gamma Omega Porter Rodgers and daughter Abbie; Tracy Chapter; Anna Morgan Butler; Jan Caradine; Sheehy; Kaitie Sneed; Juliet Vascocu Stewart Jennifer Barnett Childs and daughter Kate; and daughters Georgia, Emmaline, and Mary Caroline Collier; Hannon Sharley Davidson Colin; Kelle Summerlin; Katherine Mellen and daughter Margaret; Hannah Holcomb Trammell and daughter Mary McLaurine; Davis, advisor at the UAB Gamma Omega Aimee LeCroy Turner and daughter Anderson; Chapter; Baylee Edwards; Emily Putman Britt, Anne Adams and Louise Ware; Angie Fulton and daughters Millie and Ella Clae; Webb; Meagan Willis; Mallory Wilson; Nancy Runyan Gaston and daughter Alison; Margaret Alexander Wiygul; Jeanne Rogers Caroline and Joanna Gaylord; Rosemary Buntin Gillespy and daughters Anna Catherine Wamack; Hayley Hammock Young and daughand Elizabeth; Roxanne Given and daughters ters Lillie and Stella. ❖

OTMJ.COM

From left: Catherine Barnhart Pewitt, Peggy Barnhart and Margaret Pewitt.

Pin Presentation

Tri-Deltas Host Mother-Daughter Tea The Birmingham area alumni of Delta Delta Delta gathered for a mother-daughter tea in December.

Mary Elaine Jolly hosted the event on Dec. 15.

The highlight of the tea was a 50-year pin presentation.

Recipients included Peggy Pate Barnhart, Kirke White Cater, Patty Camp Faulkner, Miriam Jackson McClung, Sue Aldridge Newton, Bette Reed Owen, Joyce Aker Ratliff and Bitsy Douglas Williams.

Guests attending the tea included Ruthie Jolly, daughter of Mary Elaine Jolly; Patty Faulkner and her daughters, Genie Stutts, Tricia Drew and Laurie Hereford and granddaughters, Patricia Stutts, incoming chapter president at the University of Alabama, and Emmie Stutts, Carolyn Drew and Madelyn Hereford.

From left: Mary Coleman and Mary Kathryn Pitts Allen and Kim Haas Prewitt and Addie Prewitt. Photos special to the Journal

Sloane Bell, Mallie Given, Caroline Given and Katie Briley.

Anne Sherrod and Callen Sherrod.

Others enjoying the afternoon event included Happy Anthony, Martha Grizzle, Tricia Abele, Elizabeth Lynn, Margaret Ann Webb, Kimberly Bean, Jenny Culp and Peggy Barnhart with her daughter Catherine Pewitt and granddaughter, Margaret Pewitt.

Other guests were Mary Leci Morris, Mary Claire Hunter, Cece more photos at Sparrow, Elizabeth Sparrow, Caroline Lee, Anna Wynn Rodgers, Carol de la Torre, Lee Sewell, Jane Newton, Gina Gardner, Cheryl Crane, Ginger Hollingsworth, Miriam McClung, Elizabeth Jernigan and Susan Waldrop.

Also attending the tea were Anne Sherrod with Callen Sherrod, the current chapter president at the University of Alabama; Jeannie Dodson with Sarah Dodson; Jayne Ogilvie with Collier Ogilvie; Elizabeth Wyatt with Annie Wyatt and niece Katie Lupton Godwin; Kelly Hargrove with Madelyn and Elizabeth Hargrove; Anne Spurlock with Mary Kyle

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Front: Patty Faulkner and Caroline Drew. Back: Genie Faulkner Stutts and Patricia Stutts. Photos special to the Journal

Spurlock; Argie McDonald with Elaine McDonald; Heather Anthony with Elinor Anthony; Elizabeth Limbaugh with Betsy Limbaugh; Julie Edwards with Baylee Edwards; Mandy Poe with Walker Poe; Allison Ingram with Anna Ingram; Tanya Stutts and Ebbie Stutts; Sue Watkins with Eugenia Watkins and Donne Toomey with Sullins Toomey. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 21

social

Katherine Cox, Michele Smith, Cindy Daily, Leslie Naff and Marcie Rodrigues.

From left: Val Holman, Leslie Naff, Elizabeth Broughton and Andrea Hawkins. Photos special to the Journal

Reaching out for Reading Kappas Contribute Books at Christmas Party

Members of the Birmingham Area Alumnae of Kappa Kappa Gamma raised money for a reading program at their annual Christmas party.

The December event was held at the home of George and Val Holman.

Alumnae brought children’s books to the holiday party to help the Reading Is Fundamental program.

Those attending included Mary Margaret Hendry, Elizabeth Broughton, Leslie Naff, Caroline Bailey, Val Holman, Lauren Conner and Katherine Cox. Other alumnae present were Jane Huston Crommelin, Cindy Daily, Andrea Hawkins, Henrietta Emack, Michele Smith and Ginny Hutchinson.

Also attending were Angie Letzer, Audrey Lindquist, Lois Razek, Jeannie Walston, Lillian Laughlin, Susan Nolen, Donna Read, Julie Nesbitt, Susan Reeves, Nell Koopman, Catherine Carnes, Laurie Thompson and Susan Webster. ❖

22nd Annual

RED NOSE BA L L

S aturday, Febr uar y 22, 2014 • 6 P.M. benefiting Alabama’s Program for Children with Cancer

Cahaba Grand Conference Center Jane Huston Crommelin, Elizabeth Broughton and Mary Margaret Hendry.

Hosted by MIKE ROYER • Auctioneer KEN JACKSON Music by THE EXPANDABLES

campsam.org 205.323.8427

22 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

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Real Help with Drug & Alcohol Addiction

Psychology Today lists Bayshore Retreat as one of the BEST rehabs in the US for 2014.

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From left: Walter Pittman and Helen, Terry and Sandra Oden, Hettie and Howard Hall and Margie and Sid Davis. Photo special to the Journal

Holidays with the Harlequins Club Members Welcome Guests to Christmas Dinner

Kathy’s Designer Kitchens, Inc. 1831 29th Ave. S. • Homewood, AL 35209 205-871-9880 • Kathy Owens, CKD, President

Christmas music and cocktails were part of the festivities when the Harlequins Club celebrated the holidays at the Country Club of Birmingham.

Members and guests were welcomed to the traditional Christmas dinner party by President Doris White with Joe McCracken and Vice President and Party Chairman Betty Jo Cowin.

Doug and Linda McCullough played Christmas music during the cocktail hour and at dinner.

Edith Medley planned the menu of baby lettuces with dried cranberries, spiced pecans and feta cheese along with rosemary crusted pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, spinach casserole and warm white chocolate and raspberry bread pudding with bourbon sauce.

Members and guests dined at round tables centered with tall glass vases filled with white branches sparkling with white lights.

Among those attending were Sue and Buddy Alford,

Lyn Ault, Win and Barbara Baird, Susan and Robert Barrett, Dee Dee and Earl Bloom, Helen Bolvig and Lella and Frank Bromberg.

Also spotted were Ann Bunn, Mary Carolyn Cleveland, Ann and Jim Cox, Mollie and John Cox, Jane Crow, Nina Crumbaugh, Eleanor and Gene Cushman, Betty Drennen, Punky and Pete Eastwood, Betsy Elliott, Marjorie Forney, Ann and Marshall Garrett, Gerry and James Gillespy, Betty Higgins, Anne Hightower and R.B. Kent and Joanie and Carey Hollinsworth.

Others at the event included Eve Holloway and Ralph Livingston, Susie and Eddie Kissel, Marcia and Ken Little, Betsy Marbury, Jeanie and George Matthews, Isabel Maynard and Ivy Jackson, Elizabeth and Charles Miller and Bee and Walter Morris.

Members and guests attending also included Dot and Al Naughton, Valerie and Tom Pankey, Ruth and Lyndy Pearson, Ruth Pitts, Lois Poe, Joyce Ratliff and Bayard Tynes, Elberta Reid, Kitty and Gordon Robinson, Ann and Goodloe Rutland, Carol Sandner, Gail and Charles Sharp, Bev Silver, Elaine Smith, Bitsy and Joe Windsor and Janie and Walter Wilson.

New members at the holiday event were Sid and Margie Davis, Hettie and Howard Hall, Helen and Walter Pittman and Sandra and Terry Oden.

Connie Wagnon is the club’s secretary/treasurer, and Cheryl Williams is the yearbook and publicity chairman. ❖

Magical Evening

Left, from left: Catherine Barnhart Pewitt, Peggy Barnhart and Margaret Pewitt. Below, Kathy and Ted Miller. Photos special

Amulets Gather for Black Tie Affair The magic of the Christmas season was in the air when the Amulet Dance Club gathered for its Black Tie Christmas Dinner and Dance in December.

The Vestavia Country Club sparkled with Christmas lights as guests arrived for the event.

Robert Logan of Backstage Florists created holiday centerpieces for the event, and those attending danced to the music of the Max Groove Trio.

Sue Trammel was the chairman of the Black Tie Christmas Dinner and Dance.

Those attending included Connie Bishop and Charles Beardon, Jean and Terry Chase, Dot Crook and John Creel, Virginia and John Golightly and Ann and Fletcher

to the Journal

Harvey.

Others spotted enjoying the evening of food, music and fun were Margaret and William Howell, Beverly and George Jackson, Barbara and Bobby Jones, Elizabeth Judd, Nell Larson, Jennie and Jim Lewis, Kathy and Ted Miller, Joanne and Art McConnell, Betsy McGrath, Sue Patrick, Sue and Preston Trammel, Olivia and Eugene Weingarten and Janis Zeanah. ❖

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Beer-themed Bash McWane’s New Element Has First Event

McWane Science Center’s New Element kicked off the new year with its inaugural event on Jan. 9.

Members of New Element gathered at the McWane Science Center in downtown Birmingham for exBEERiment, The Science of Beer. Hop City and Cahaba Brewing Company representatives were on hand for the evening of fun and suds as New Element members learned the mechanics behind the favorite adult beverage.

New Element was established in 2013 to identify a select group of professionals who recognize and appreciate McWane Science Center’s importance to the state and region and who are committed to ensuring McWane’s continued success.

Those attending the January event included Art Freeman, Marie Freeman, Nick Willis, Charles Goodrich, Amber Scanlan, John Scanlan, Kaira Catenacci, Mike Catenacci, Kate Mather and Zack Mather. ❖

From left: Kaira Catenacci, Zack Mather, Kate Mather and Mike Catenacci.

Photos special to the Journal

Art Freeman, Marie Freeman and Nick Willis.

Charles Goodrich, Amber Scanlan and John Scanlan.

for more information please Call mike wedgworth: 205.365.4344

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 23

24 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Annual February

Sale!

All month long

Cherry Starr, far left, looks on as Bart Starr is presented with his birthday cake. Above, from left: Gary Palmer, Ann Palmer, Marcia Strickland and Nancy Kolen. Photos special to the Journal

Sharing His Special Day Bart Starr Celebrates Birthday with Cornerstone Fundraiser A national football legend recently spent his birthday helping raise money for a nonprofit Christian school in Woodlawn.

Bart Starr, who played football at the University of Alabama and was quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, celebrated his 80th birthday at a fundraiser party hosted by Cornerstone Schools of Alabama.

The school hosted the birthday party on Jan. 10 to honor Starr, a longtime supporter of Cornerstone School.

Guests gathered at a private club in Vestavia

To: From: Date:

Hills to extend their birthday wishes to Starr. The event included a reception, seated dinner and a host of speakers, including Bart Starr Jr., Paul Finebaum, Brian Skelton and Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey.

Cherry Starr, wife of the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, also spoke at the party.

Those who sponsored a table at the event had the opportunity to have their photos taken with Cherry and Bart Starr.

More than 140 guests attended the birthday bash, school officials said.

“The evening was a special night for more photos at all involved, and 100 percent of the night’s proceeds directly benefit the students of Cornerstone School,” said India Bailey, the school’s development associate.

Those attending the birthday party fundraiser included Sarah Pikal, Nita Carr, Hannah Slamen, Carolyn Ivey, Gary Palmer, Ann Palmer, Andrea Snyder and David Snyder.

Also spotted at the event were Hunter Williams, Hope Williams, Marcia Strickland, Nancy Kolen and Ryan McIntire.

For more information on Cornerstone School, visit www.csalabama.org. ❖

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hooverantiques@bellsouth.net 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 the Feb/ 4, 2014 ssue. 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.

From left: Sue Trammel, Carolyn King, Nancy Walburn, Jean Liles and Ann Lampkin. Photo special to the Journal

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Meeting New Members Ballerina Club Hosts Winter Coffee

Hoover Antique GAllery 3411 old Columbiana road, Hoover 822-9500

urbAn SuburbAn AntiqueS 5514 Crestwood blvd, 592-0777

The Ballerina Club recently met at the home of Sue Trammel to welcome its new members.

The club’s annual Winter Coffee was held on Jan. 23 with President Vicki Lukens welcoming the new members to the club.

Sharon Thomas, ball chairman, shared some of the plans she and her committee are working on for the club’s ball on Feb. 14.

A floral arrangement drew guests into the dining room, where they enjoyed an array of sweets and savories arranged by Hospitality Chairman Carolyn King.

Ballerina members at the coffee included Barbara Lynch, Chris Ray, Sue Trammel, Merry Lewis, Patsy Straka, Nancy Walburn, Janice Henderson, Anne Lamkin, Nell Williams and Patricia Clark.

Also attending the annual event were Fay Hart, Barbara Morgan, Sharon Thomas, Lou Lanier, Jean Liles, Kathy Miller, Connie Bishop, Vicki Lukens, Mary Rooney, Harriet Maloof, Barbara Eisenhart, Jane Morris, Mary Jim Quillen, Elouise Williams, Judy Long, Mary Wills LeCroy, Ginny Baxley, Carolyn King, Janis Zeanah and Tricia Ponder. ❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 25

Always Best Care Senior Services

From left: Julia Meyers, Mary Moore, Meredith Pelton, Kathryn Head and Madeline Adams.

Photos special to the Journal

Foundation Fete Paul Meyers Group Celebrates Its Beginning The Paul Meyers Foundation hosted a party on Dec. 10 to celebrate the nonprofit group’s formation in 2013.

The event was held at Avondale Brewery with an 11-piece band called Power Play entertaining family, friends and supporters with hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

The foundation was established to remember Paul Meyers, an inspirational lawyer who at age 33 collapsed while running a half marathon.

Founded by Meyer’s three sisters-Laura Ann Meyers Daly, Margie Meyers Davidson and Julia Meyers, all Vestavia Hills natives--the foundation awards grants to support issues that Meyer supported in life.

The Paul Meyers Foundation aims to fund medical treatment for severely underprivileged people, provide

safety and rehabilitation to victims of human trafficking and educate the public on the importance of early and continual screening for heart disease in an effort to prevent sudden deaths in young adults.

Guests at the party included Pamela and Basim Ajlouny, Madeline Adams and Pete Bine, Liz and Joseph Bolen, Claire Butler, Laura Ann and Joey Daly, Kate Daniels and Margie, Michael and Van Allen Davidson.

Also attending were Judy and Pat Davis, Rachel and Jeff Gentry, Libba Hardwick, Kathryn and Chris Head, Alexa LikisJames, Aimee and Joseph Julian, Samantha and Brian Kelly, Trip Kinard, Gayle Meyers and Julia Meyers.

Above, Julia Meyers and Joey and Laura Ann Daly. Below, Libba Hardwick, Julia Meyers and Ginny Tucker.

Others at the party included Matthew Michael, Lyndsey and Sam Mooney, Mary Moore, Thanasis Nicolau, Meredith Pelton, Susan Poole, Stephen Prevatte, Becky and Jack Smith, Ginny and Mike Tucker, Mimi and Andy Virciglio, Todd Wood and Melissa and Sean Yan. For more information about the foundation, visit www.Golf4Paul.com. ❖

Come In and Get a Sweetheart of a Deal!

One Day Only Sale Wednesday, Feb. 12 Sewing Machine Sale

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2720 19th place south • homewood, al. 35209 tue-fri 10:30-5 • sat 10:30-4 peckandhills@gmail.com phone 870-1264

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Licensed Certified Nursing Aides who are bonded and insured provide an extensive array of services including vital sign monitoring, medication reminders, meal preparation, companionship, transportation and assistance with daily living activities. Also offered are free care consultations, direct telephone access to physicians, Lifeline Emergency Medical Alert program, discounted prescription card, veterans assistance program and free assisted living placement services.

Always Best Care is locally owned and operated by Jennifer Mancuso, a long-time resident of Birmingham with over 20 years of professional experience in the healthcare arena. She is a volunteer at Mountain Brook Elementary and is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent.

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Please contact me to learn more about our compassionate care and services.”

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26 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

Jacobson-Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Arlen Jacobson of Paradise, Calif., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly Suzanne Jacobson, to Christopher Owen Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Wayne Thomas of Vestavia Hills.

Weddings & Engagements The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Brasel of Paradise and Mr. and Mrs. Doug Morrison of Chico, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. David Arlen of Chatsworth, Calif.

Miss Jacobson is a 2007 graduate of Paradise High School in Paradise, a 2011 graduate of California State University, Chico in Chico and a 2012 graduate of Texas Woman’s University in Houston. She is employed with Katy VA Outpatient Clinic in Katy, Texas.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. John Wayne Thomas of Cropwell and the late Mrs. John Wayne Thomas and the late Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eustace Owen of Butler.

Mr. Thomas is a 2007 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2011 graduate of Auburn University, where he was a member of Farmhouse fraternity. He is employed with Quorum Business Solutions in Houston.

The wedding is planned for March 22.

Thomas-Wilson

Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Wayne Thomas of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison Grace Thomas, to Samuel Hayes Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Ray Wilson of Vestavia Hills.

The bride-elect is the grand-

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

daughter of Mr. John Wayne Thomas of Cropwell and the late Mrs. John Wayne Thomas and the late Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eustace Owen of Butler.

Miss Thomas is a 2010 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School. She will be a 2014 summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education. Miss Thomas is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Simuel Ray Wilson and the late Mr. Simuel Ray Wilson of Montgomery and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lawson Hayes of Birmingham.

Mr. Wilson is a 2010 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School. He will graduate summa cum laude from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2014. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and is a member of War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen.

The wedding will be May 10.

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Maybe it’s just knowing when to help. Here in Alabama, some people are having trouble paying their bills. You can help us help them. Just make a small donation to Project SHARE on your next Alabama Power bill. Or give online at AlabamaPower.com/ProjectSHARE. Together with the American Red Cross we can show everyone what makes us different here.

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Mr. and Mrs. Luther Barner Lanier of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Dorothy Barton Lanier, to Andrew Robert Russell, son of Dr. Julia Arndt Russell and Dr. William Atkins Crunk of Birmingham and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Irving Russell of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Andrew Corbett Scott and the late John Henderson Lanier of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Clifton Barton of Birmingham.

Miss Lanier is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Millsaps College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority and was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in business administration and is currently employed with Georgia Pacific in Baton Rouge, La. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles John Arndt III of Birmingham and Dr. and Mrs. Edward Samuel Russell of Birmingham.

Mr. Russell is a graduate of Saint Bernard Preparatory School and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. He is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in urban and regional planning at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. The wedding is planned for May 17 at Independent Presbyterian Church.

Johnson-Denton

Mrs. Donna Clements Johnson of Homewood announces the engagement of her daughter, Jessica Lynn Johnson, to William Jeffrey Denton Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Jeffrey Denton of Vestavia Hills.

Miss Johnson is the daughter of the late Mr. Kenneth Lee Johnson of Homewood.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Francis Clements of Tuscaloosa and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Ernest Johnson of Talladega.

Miss Johnson is a 2006 graduate of Homewood High School and a 2010 graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

She was a volunteer coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House and served as president of Order of Omega. She received her master’s degree in genetic counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in May 2013 and received the award for most outstanding genetic counseling student. Miss Johnson is employed with Emory University as a genetic counselor for the JScreen program.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Harley Crain Jr. of Lincolnton, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Olin Reed, also of Lincolnton.

Mr. Denton is a 2006 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2011 graduate of Samford University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of the track and field and cross country teams for four years. During his college years, he worked at the Trak Shak in Homewood. Mr. Denton is a medical sales representative specifically focused in orthopedic trauma for Acumed.

Both the bride and groom live in Atlanta, where they enjoy spending time with friends, their dog, Arya, and their new puppy, Dempsey.

The wedding will be March 8 in Birmingham.

To have our wedding and engagement forms sent to you, call 823-9646.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 27

SCHOOLS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

By Keysha Drexel

Erin and Blake Gilchrist with their book “T.J. Put Your Phone Away” at a recent book signing event at Riverchase Elementary School in Hoover.

A

Journal editor

Hoover teacher and his wife have penned a book about what children might be missing because they are glued to their digital devices.

Blake Gilchrist, a physical education teacher at Riverchase Elementary School, and Erin Gilchrist, a teacher in Trussville, recently held a book signing for their book “T.J. Put Your Phone Away.”

Scores of students, faculty, staff and parents turned out to meet the authors and learn about the book’s message at a book signing at Riverchase Elementary School.

“My wife and I talked about writing a children’s book for a while, but we wanted to write about something relevant and original. So we came up with the idea about a boy who misses out on the real world because he is always playing on his phone,” Blake said. “Then we just started throwing ideas and different scenarios around until we came up with a good storyline and characters.”

The Gilchrists said the book was written in response to a generation of kids and adults that revolves around digital technology. Through

Photo special to the Journal

A Plugged-in Plot

Teachers’ Book Illustrates Digital Age Dilemma

T.J.’s journey, a family learns that it’s important to remember to live life and experience things rather than staying “plugged in” all the time, according to a synopsis of the book on Amazon.

Though the book is geared toward a younger audience, the authors said its message resonates just as much with adults.

“The book is a great lesson for all ages,” Blake said. “We thought it would be a fun way to teach a lesson about personal interactions for parents and children.”

The Gilchrists spent about a year writing and illustrating the book, which was published by Crest Publishers.

Erin said the book offers important lessons for parents and their children in this digital age.

“It’s for people, like us, so overwhelmingly consumed with our handheld devices, social media and communications via the Internet that we often forget human interaction and what it’s like to live off-screen,” Erin said. “The small lessons that can be taught to a child about manners, paying attention to the people you love, the respect of personal interactions and the importance of relationships are lessons that we all need to be reminded of, no matter the age.”

“T.J. Put Your Phone Away” is available at http://crestpublishers.com. ❖

School Notes Day Program in the school’s gym.

Students were encouraged to invite family members, friends and neighbors who have served or are currently enlisted in the armed forces to the commemorative ceremony.

Gwin Ovation, the school’s awardwinning musical group, sang each armed forces song as the honorees followed their respective military flags into the gym. The school’s unicycle club also performed.

A slideshow presentation featured military personnel and veterans who have connections to Gwin.

The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club recently honored teachers from each school in Vestavia Hills by presenting its annual Teacher of the Year Awards. Front, from left: Susan Galloway, VHECH; Lynn Sullivan, VHEE; Racheal Luccasen, VHEC, and Susan Brooks, Pizitz Middle. Back: Ted Strong, Vestavia Rotary Club; Lisa Kearney, VHEW; Joy Bragan, Liberty Park Middle; Ben Davis, Vestavia Hills High; Krista Bender, VHELP, and Greg Jeane, Vestavia Rotary Club. Journal photo by Maury Wald

Vestavia Rotary Names Teachers of the Year

Highlands Teacher Named to Committee at Judson

The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club recently recognized Vestavia Hills teachers who go above and beyond in service to their students, faculty colleagues and administration.

For nearly 15 years, the club has worked with the schools in the city to recognize these educators. More than 100 teachers have been honored through the club’s recognition program.

The Vestavia Hills Elementary East Teacher of the Year is Lynn Sullivan, and Lisa Kearney is the Teacher of the Year from Vestavia Hills Elementary West.

The Vestavia Hills Elementary Central Teacher of the Year is Racheal Luccasen, and Susan Galloway is the Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Teacher of the Year.

The Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Teacher of the Year is Krista Bender. Joy Bragan is the Teacher of the Year from Liberty Park Middle School.

The Pizitz Middle School Teacher of the Year is Susan Brooks, and Ben Davis is the Vestavia Hills High School Teacher of the Year.

A Highlands School teacher was recently named to a committee at Judson College.

Beth Lang, a second grade teacher at Highlands, has been asked to serve as a member of the Judson College Teacher Advisory Committee for the 2013-15 school years.

As a member of the Beth Lang committee, Lang will advise the Judson College Department of Education as it reviews its teacher education handbook and other documents used to evaluate students in the education department.

Gwin Elementary Honors Veterans, Current Soldiers Gwin Elementary School honored military veterans and current service personnel during its annual Veterans

Students Go on Parade The hallways of Hall-Kent Elementary were filled with pilgrims and Native Americans as kindergarten students at the school put on a Thanksgiving parade.

Before the parade, the students learned about the first Thanksgiving and talked about differentiating the past and present in their social studies curriculum. They talked about the pilgrims traveling on the Mayflower and how Native Americans showed them ways of survival. The students also learned about the chores and everyday lives of the pilgrim children.

To close out their unit of study, the students held the parade for staff and other students at the school.

The parade featured more than 100 students dressed as pilgrims and Native Americans and included a replica of the Mayflower.

Vestavia Hills Elementary West Fundraiser is Feb. 7 Those looking for deals on vacations, jewelry, artwork and dozens of other items can help support Vestavia Hills Elementary West at a Feb. 7 event.

The school’s Backyard Bids & Burgers fundraiser will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Vestavia Hills Plaza shopping center behind Red Lobster. There is no admission charge.

The annual event will include live and silent auctions and complimentary burgers from Mugshots Grill.

Organizers are gearing up for a Feb. 7 fundraiser to benefit Vestavia Hills Elementary West. From left: Principal Kim Hauser, event co-chairman Shannon Raley and Carolyn Jordan and PTO President Melissa Kaiser show off a few items that will be up for bid at the event. Photo special to the Journal Among the auction items are several vacations and travel-related extras, including a vacation to Mexico, Disney World Fast Passes and weeklong beach and lake house vacations.

Parents can bid on weeklong sessions at Camp Cosby and RiverView Camp for Girls, $1,000 gift certificates toward Leon Loard oil portraits, orthodontic gift certificates, Birmingham Barons box seats, tutoring services, iPads and a

vintage collectible doll.

Fitness memberships, cosmetic surgery, dermatology services, a Yeti cooler and lawn care equipment will be on the auction block, too.

VHEW families can also bid on firstin-line carpool passes and front row seats at VHEW music programs.

For more information, call fundraiser chairmen Shannon Raley at 790-3442 or Carolyn Jordan at 914-1574.

28 • Thursday, February 6, 2014

SCHOOLS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

about the lives of their GrandPals.

GrandPals is an educational program at the school that seeks to bridge the generations by offering older adults the opportunity to read and do classroom activities with fourth and fifth-graders.

The GrandPals visit the classrooms and talk to the students about their experiences, skills and interests.

Teachers at the school said they enjoy the GrandPals program because it gives the students a chance to listen to realworld stories and ask questions.

Bluff Park Run Honors Student with Cancer The Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook PTO Councils recently held a Joint PTO Legislative Forum. Front, from left: Katherine Taylor, Jennifer McMahon and Tricia Golden. Back: Rep. Paul DeMarco, Rep. Jim Carnes, Superintendent Jamie Blair, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Superintendent Dicky Barlow, Tzena Gauldin and Rep. Jack Williams. Photo special to the Journal

Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills Team Up for Forum

Students at Bluff Park Elementary School in Hoover recently hosted a run to honor one of their classmates.

The run was held to recognize Bluff Park fourth-grader Devin Cherry, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in September.

In conjunction with the run, Bluff Park students raised $4,500 and presented it to Cherry’s family to help with his medical bills.

The Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook Parent Teacher Councils recently teamed up with local legislators for a legislative forum.

During the event, Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Representatives Paul DeMarco, Jim Carns and Jack Williams answered questions about the next legislative session and issues impacting education.

Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Jamie Blair and Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow attended the forum to provide input and to ask and answer questions specific to the school systems.

Both superintendents expressed concern over education funding, the impact of the Alabama Accountability Act on the Education Trust Fund and local control over school calendars and curriculum.

DeMarco explained the sources of state funding for education in Alabama, discussed the swings in funding related to changes in the economy and highlighted the importance of local taxes and other local funding initiatives.

A study is now being conducted to examine Alabama’s education funding mechanism, and legislators and school officials will begin discussing study recommendations in the next several months. No legislation relating to education funding is expected in this legislative session, officials said. ❖

Advent Episcopal Hosts Reading Night In an effort to reinforce the joys of reading, Advent Episcopal School celebrated its inaugural Reading Night recently.

Held at the Homewood Public Library, the event was expected to draw about 60 people. When some 200 Advent students, parents, and grandparents showed up, the library staff had to open up additional room for the gathering.

The pre-kindergarten through third-grade students not only read to themselves but read aloud to each other. Their parents, grandparents and siblings joined in.

Jack Owens reads to his granddaughter Mary Helen Grayson, a second-grader at Advent Episcopal School during Reading Night.

Photo special to the Journal

When not reading, the students recharged with refreshments brought by the school. They were also recharged by the fact that it was a “no homework” night.

Officials with Advent Episcopal School, a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school in downtown Birmingham, said they were very pleased with the results and planning more Reading Night events for the future.

Riverchase Fifth-graders Travel to Camp McDowell The fifth grade class of Riverchase Elementary moved its classroom outside to the Environmental Learning Center at Camp McDowell.

Students explored life in a pond and stream, learning about animal adaptions, food chains and ecosystems.

Students participated in long hikes to gain a better understanding of the rock cycle and were able to observe natural habitats.

The students also went on a night hike, where they were able to appreciate nature from a different perspective while learning about nocturnal animals.

VHEC Students Learn from GrandPals Students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central are getting the chance to learn

Bluff Park Elementary School students held a benefit run for their classmate, Devin Cherry. Photo special to the Journal scarves on Colonial Day and donated them to a local women and children’s shelter.

The Colonial Day festivities also included a visit to a trapper’s tent set up on campus and manned by Butch Fuller, an Alabama Creek Indian.

Greystone Students Take Powerful Field Trip Students at Greystone Elementary School in Hoover recently had the opportunity to learn about the sources of electricity.

Greystone fifth-grade students and their teachers visited the Gaston Steam Plant run by Alabama Power in Wilsonville in Shelby County to learn how the electricity that powers their favorite devices is generated.

Students had the chance to see firsthand the process of using coal to run the generators to create electricity.

The students also learned about natural resources, transportation and career opportunities during the field trip.

Melissa Allphin brought a chicken to Colonial Day at Southminster Day School. Front, from left: Margaret Mason Trammell, Melissa Allphin and Lilli Ann Kolb. Back: Sigourney Bell, Ella Reed and Dalton Dismukes.

Photo special to the Journal

Southminster Day School Goes Colonial for a Day Students at Southminster Day School recently took a step back in time to explore life in Colonial America.

The students learned about writing with a feather quill and ink, playing early American games and raising chickens at the event.

Melissa Allphin, the owner of Coop and Caboodle, brought along a chicken-and a new persona--to the event.

Allphin presented herself as “Clara McClucky,” an early Scottish immigrant.

She talked about the role chickens played in early America and about feeding the chickens and gathering, washing and selling their eggs.

Allphin brought along several large chickens and six baby chicks for the students to see and pet.

The students also got a lesson in knitting, crocheting and stitching from instructor Amy Splawn during Colonial Day. Splawn, a Southminster Day School mom, shared her knitting talents with the children and taught them how to tie strands of yarn together to make a scarf. The students made more than 50

ISS Math Team Wins First Place at UA Tournament The Indian Springs School Math Team recently won first place in the Division 3 team competition at the University of Alabama Math Tournament in Tuscaloosa.

The team of six students competed by solving problems that require not only knowledge of high school mathematics but ingenuity and teamwork.

Team members include senior Christine Zheng, juniors Jingyu He, Mike Jin and Claire Tang and sophomores Claire Chen and Yuzhao Pan. In the individual problem-solving portion of the tournament, Tang, Zheng and Jin each scored in the top 15 percent of the nearly 200 competitors from across the state.

“This is a great showing for first-time participants,” said Dr. Tom Barr, a math teacher at ISS and the math team coach. “The team members are excited about the results and look forward to preparing for upcoming events, this year and in the future.”

In February, ISS students will compete in two international events, the American Mathematics Competition and Moody’s Megamath Challenge.

N.E. Miles Jewish Day School students Ilan Goldfarb, left, and Shalom Friedman show the Astro-Venture projects they created.

Photo special to the Journal

N.E. Miles Students Team Up with NASA Students at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School have teamed up with NASA to student astrobiology, geology and atmospheric sciences.

The students are participating in the Astro-Venture program, an interactive Web-based learning program.

Students in the sixth and seventh grades have been researching and developing their own robotic arms, core samples, space rovers and magnetic field detectors.

Members of the math team at Indian Springs School recently won first place at a math tournament.

From left: Christine Zheng, Jingyu He, Mike Jin, Claire Tang, Yuzhao Pan and Claire Chen Photo special to the Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

AMEA Honors Homewood City Schools Superintendent Homewood City School Superintendent Bill Cleveland was recently presented with the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Alabama Music Educators Association.

AMEA honors outstanding administrators who have shown a special interest and dedication to music education in Alabama.

Cleveland was selected for the award based on his commitment and support of music education, according to association officials.

Homewood High School Band Director Ron Pence said he is thankful for Cleveland’s support of music education.

“Dr. Cleveland is a strong supporter of music education and has demonstrated his commitment to the education of all students in Homewood City Schools. He is truly deserving of this award through his continuous support of music in our schools,” Pence said.

Cleveland was presented with the award during the annual AMEA In-Service Conference on Jan. 24 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. He was also recognized in the AMEA conference program and

Homewood City School Superintendent Bill Cleveland won the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Alabama Music Educators Association. Photo special to the Journal

Ala Breve magazine.

For eight years, Homewood City Schools has been designated one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. NAMM acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment to and support for music education in schools.

Last year, Homewood was one of only three communities in Alabama selected as one of the nation’s best school districts for music education. ❖

Stonecreek Montessori Students Honor Veterans Students at Stonecreek Montessori Academy in North Shelby honored veterans during the holiday season.

In November, students held a Bowling for Veterans event with the goal of raising money to provide Thanksgiving meals to veterans and others in need in the Birmingham metro area. The school partnered with Enjoy the City, which supplemented the money raised by the students, to help feed 1,000 people on Thanksgiving.

Stonecreek students helped deliver the meals to families designated by Oak Mountain Missions. The high school students picked up the meals from Publix and delivered them to the families.

“We want to create a culture of appreciation and respect among our students and families for veterans,” said Melinda Bray, the school’s executive director.

The school’s salute to veterans culminated with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. On Dec. 14, Stonecreek students participated in the Wreaths Across America event at the cemetery and placed wreaths on the veterans’ grave markers.

Enjoy the City donated $10,000,

Airman Visits Green Valley First-graders at Green Valley Elementary School recently had a chance to meet the U.S. Air Force airman they have been corresponding with through letters, emails and photos.

Wes Cobb, a member of the U.S. Air Force who recently returned from serving overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, visited Jenny Smith’s classroom at the Hoover school.

Cobb presented the class with an American flag that was flown in their honor onboard a special operations aircraft on a combat mission over Yemen, Lebanon and Djibouti.

Smith said her students were enthralled with the stories and

information Cobb shared during his visit.

She said they have proudly displayed the flag Cobb presented to them in their classroom.

Mountain Brook Debaters Win at Tournament Members of the Mountain Brook High School Debate Team won several awards at a recent debate tournament at Samford University.

The debate team competed in the Bishop Guild Debate Tournament.

In the Lincoln-Douglas debate, the Mountain Brook students won medals for high speaker points and plaques for their performance in the quarter and semifinal founds. ❖

Stonecreek Montessori Academy students placed wreaths on veterans’ graves at the Alabama National Cemetery during the holiday season.

From left: Nikole Hardy, Katelyn Robinson, Bradley Edwards and Caleb Edwards. Photo special to the Journal

enough to purchase 650 wreaths, on behalf of the school.

Junior Katelyn Robinson called the experience of participating in the Wreaths Across America ceremony

“important and humbling.”

Junior Bradley Edwards said the ceremony made him feel “pride, honor and respect for the men and women” of the U.S. military.

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School Notes Cont.

First-graders at Green Valley Elementary School in Hoover recently welcomed a member of the U.S. Air Force to their classroom. Front, from left: Omar Jimenez, Skylar Wilkerson and Conrad Feng. Middle: Zion Randall, Michelle Olalde-Reyes, Jakobe Hutchins, Kevin Juarez, Dalton Weaver, Maddi Silva, Cadence Ford, Kingston Washington, Kaitlyn Cox and Will Cummings. Back: Teacher Jenny Smith and Airman Wes Cobb. Photo special to the Journal

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 29

SCHOOLS

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Dr. Mike Keller, friends & staff are happy to recognize JanuaryLinda members of the NO SUGAR BUG CLUB To: Braylon Garrett

Jack Kyle

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sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Spartans’ Casey Signs With Emmanuel College

Matthew Casey, a standout player at the attack position on the Mountain Brook High School and the Bamalax Club team has signed with Emmanuel College in Georgia to play Division II lacrosse for the 20142015 year. Casey has been playing lacrosse for eight years and led his class in points last year with 23 goals and nine assists. Emmanuel will be part of Conference Carolinas which includes schools such as Limestone, Pfeiffer and Lees-McRae. With Matthew at his signing are Mountain Brook High School coaches Matt Aken and Brent Yarborough.

Photo special to the Journal

Grasshoppers Make Some Noise at Disney Tournament

Share your good news!

The Grasshoppers, members of the Birmingham United Soccer Club, traveled to Orlando to compete in the Disney 3v3 Soccer Championships last month in the U11 Invitational Division and brought home a third place overall finish.

Grasshoppers team member are, from left: Kaylee Dressback, Grace Ellis, Keeley Jones, Haley Duca, Madeline Bunch and Kaleigh Rice. Coaches are Kevin Rice and Shane Dressback. Photo special to the Journal

Send your signing day pics to mwald@otmj.com Simmons Seventh-grade Completes Pefect Season

The Simmons Middle School seventh-grade volleyball team went undefeated winning 11 games on its way to claiming the Metro South Championship. Team members are Savanna Akins, Gracie Alspach, Audrey Colabrese, Maggie Ethridge, Ashlee Frier, Mikhaila Hampton, Brooke Hoven, Mackenzie Martin, Evalynn Ngamau, Olivia Rand, Hannah Sanders, Anne Stewart, Mattie Test, and Reece Vaughan.

Team coaches are Beverly Bean and AK Johnson. Photo special to the Journal

Hoover White Wins Jingle Bell Jam Championship

The fifth-grade Hoover White Over the Mountain basketball team recently won the Jingle Bell Jam Tournament hosted by Mountain Brook. Hoover White team members include, form left, front: D. J. Fairley, Brody Moss and Zach Tucker;. Middle: Chip Culpepper, Marcus Williams, Josh Lundy, Jamal Denson, and Colby Carter; Back: Coaches Dwayne Fairley and Brent Carter (head). Photo special to the Journal

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Mountian Brook Eighthgrade Team Wins Metro Volleyball Championship

The eighth-grade Spartans finished first in the Magic City Classic Tournament and Homewood Round Robin. Mountain Brook completed the season by winning the Metro Tournament and compiling a record of 28-1. Team members include Hannah Bartels, KayKay Benck, Sydney Carlson, Shalini Chatterji, Mary Tynes Flake, Libby Grace Gann, Lucy Harrison, Mary Louise Howland, Anna Hufham, Lacey Jeffcoat, Ellie Martin, Mimi Meadows, Katherine Grace McMinn, Mary Frances Robertson, Addy Parker Spees, and Layne Stone.

Photo special to the Journal

Seventh-grade Volleyball All Metro Players of the Year

To: From: Date:

Seventh-grade volleyball players named All Metro Players of the year were Maddie Dease and Mallory Smith I Z L I NG CIA from Berry; Jade Skelton and E I N P Grace Harris from Bumpus; S Savannah Pennington and Jim Karlee Mayfield from Bragg; Convertible Tops Taylor Burrell and Tori Pitts Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 from Clay; Anna Virginia Sunroofs FAX: 205-824-1246 Fagan and Molly Cobb from Oct. 2010 Leather Interiors Hewitt-Trussville; Amelia Davis Nabors from This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALand for Audrey the Grace Uldrich Nov. 4 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.Homewood; and Annabelle Bridges from Liberty Park; Caroline facebook.com/AlabamaAutoTop Decker and Ellen Dulin of Mountain Brook; Kirsty Mullaly and Maddie Moss of Oak Mountain; Mary Quinn 1201 3RD AVENUE SOUTH . BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 Carter and Hannah Vines from Pizitz; Brooke Hoven and PHONE: 205-251-0684 . WWW.ALABAMAAUTOTOP.COM

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Mackenzie Martin from Simmons; and Mikayla Touhey and Kiara Booker of Thompson. Becky Boykin from Pizitz was named Coach of the Year.

Photo special to the Journal

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

spartans, From page 32

praise for Peters and his teammates.

“Alex is the most improved player I’ve coached,” he said. “He’s a year young for his grade. He came in this summer and worked every single day to get better.”

Although Mountain Brook won the Class 6A title last season, many considered the Spartans to be underdogs to the Dragons. But McMillan hinted that there is a new order in high school basketball in Alabama, and his Spartans may well be the masters and commanders of the Class 6A world.

“To be honest, I think the better team won the game,” the coach said. “We did the things we had to do to be successful.”

Grant also had 15 points for Mountain Brook.

Marcus Williams paced Wenonah with 18 points.

The win was impressive, but the way the Spartans did it was even more remarkable. They struggled well into the third quarter, even enduring an 8-0 run by the Dragons. Mountain Brook never lost its poise and controlled the pace the rest of the way. In short, the Spartans played like a team that expected to win, which comes from the confidence only success can bring.

Anything can happen in February, but for now Mountain Brook is the team to beat.

In other weekend games, Vestavia Hills turned back a determined charge from Homewood to edge the Patriots 52-50. Landon Crowder led the Rebels with 14 points, and Michael Morton scored 10.

Malik Cook led Homewood with 23, and Owen Ferguson added 17. The Patriots utilized four three-point baskets in the fourth quarter to come close before falling short.

In girls’ play, Vestavia defeated Homewood 52-47. Brittany Nkashama scored 18 points and grabbed four rebounds to spark the Lady Rebels.

Peyton Blalock scored 14 points for the winners, while Jessica Compton scored 13.

Hannah Barber led Homewood with 16 points.

Briarwood crushed Vincent 54-29 behind Molly McKenzie’s 12 points. Hannah Brown contributed nine points for the Lady Lions.

Hoover lost to Pontotoc, Miss., 55-51. Janae Simpson topped the Lady Bucs’ scoring with 11 points. Shannon Watkins and Valencia Johnson each scored 10 as Hoover dropped to 13-12 for the year.

Hoover’s Sam Bowman drives to the basket as Mountain Brook’s Matt Creighton defends. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

davis,

From page 32

The new arrangement will certainly improve attendance and gate receipts as well. From a fan interest standpoint, for instance, a Mountain Brook-Spain Park game is an infinite improvement over Mountain BrookWoodlawn.

Former 5A schools in the area will move up to the new Class 6A, where Briarwood, Homewood and John Carroll Catholic will share Region 5 with Hueytown, JacksonOlin, Minor, Pelham and Walker.

The bad news for all of the new Class 6A schools is that they will have to compete with programs that previously were powers in the largeschool classification. If a Briarwood or Homewood were to win a state championship, they would likely have to play perennially-strong Clay-Chalkville or Oxford, two schools with much higher enrollments.

Briarwood coach Fred Yancey admitted he’s not a fan of the new alignment.

“I don’t really like it,” he said.

“Like everyone else, I don’t really know how it’s going to look at the end. We’ve got plenty of tough games in our region and, looking down the road, we may have to face some schools that were in the highest classification if we go far enough in the playoffs.”

Yancey, who coached in Tennessee for years before coming

to Briarwood nearly 25 years ago, said he much preferred the old sixclassification arrangement.

“It always seemed unusual to me that we had six classifications in Alabama,” he said. “There are states with larger populations that don’t have that many (classifications.) But it seemed to work so well, I would have left it alone.”

Nobody could fairly accuse Yancey of ducking tough games. His Lions had a home-and-home series with Class 6A’s Vestavia for years and faces Oak Mountain next fall.

“This is just going to be one of those things that will be better for some schools and worse for others,” Yancey said.

The AHSAA Central Board of Control also voted to allow football teams to have 11 weeks to play 10 games. Schools may choose to play a non-region opponent Aug. 21-23 and then have 10 weeks to play the remaining nine regular season games.

Oak Mountain coach Cris Bell said he won’t take that option.

“We’re going to play our jamboree and then play 10 weeks in a row,” he said. “If anything, I wish they had pushed the start of the season back a week. Something just doesn’t seem right about starting the season in late August. But I know they (the AHSAA) have contracts with Auburn and Tuscaloosa about when to play the championship games at the end of the season.”

Next year’s arrangement means Oak Mountain will be adding

Flip Side

Jags Lose Home Court On Coin Toss–Again

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

In three years, Neal Barker has proven himself a successful coach of the Spain Park boys’ basketball team.

But he still might need a little work in the luck department.

For the third consecutive season, Barker found himself having to resort to the last tiebreaker in determining which school hosts the Class 6A Area 8 Tournament, scheduled to begin Feb. 7.

The Jaguars’ 71-50 loss to Pelham on Jan. 24 forced Spain Park into a tie with the Panthers for first place in the four-team area. Barker’s team had won its first meeting with Pelham, and both teams finished league play with identical 5-1 records.

So in the age of sophisticated computer calculations, the top seed in the tournament was determined by the lowest-tech method possible: a good old-fashioned coin flip.

“You’d think in this day and age there would be a better way to do determine tie-breakers,” Barker said. “But this is the way we do it.”

Barker and Pelham coach Joel Floyd held a breakfast meeting at Pelham on Jan 27. As a half dollar was tossed in the air, Floyd called “tails.”

And as luck would have it, that’s how the coin came up.

“After losing (the flip) two years in a row, the odds are we’d be due the third time,” said Barker, who was philosophical about the result.

the likes of Hoover, Vestavia and Mountain Brook to its region worksheet, but Bell said his Eagles won’t back down from the challenge.

“There are two ways to look at it,” Bell said. “One is that we have to play those guys. The other way is that we get the opportunity to play them. We’re going to look at it the second way. It’s kind of like being in the Southeastern Conference.

Everybody wants to join it because the SEC plays the best college football in America. We’re looking forward to seeing where we are in relation to these schools that have been successful for a long time.”

Yeager’s biggest concern with the new Class 7A format is that only the top four teams of each region will qualify for postseason play.

“That’s 16 teams out of 32,” he said. “That means some very good football teams are going to be staying home.”

As Yancey points out, the sevenclassification format is not perfect.

From a local perspective, the best positive tradeoff is the return of close community rivalries, complete with the media and fan interest—and higher ticket sales--they attract. For that reason alone, the new setup is worth a try.

The AHSAA made alignment changes in other sports as well, and the impact of those is a topic for another column. Suffice it to say that Alabama high school sports’ governing body is rolling the proverbial dice and hoping it will come up with a Lucky Seven.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 • 31

“We’ve never used any good luck charms before the flip, but maybe we’d better find one in case this ever happens again.”

As a result of the flip, Pelham will face Chelsea, who didn’t win an area game, in Friday’s opening round. Spain Park will face longtime rival Oak Mountain in the first game at 6 p.m. The Jaguars took two easy victories from the Eagles in the regular season.

Friday’s winners will advance to the next round of the state tournament regardless of who wins the area tournament title the following Monday.

The Jaguars enter the postseason with a strong 17-8 record.

Ironically, Spain Park’s most impressive effort of the season may have come in a 65-36

‘You’d think in this day and age there would be a better way to do determine tiebreakers. But this is the way we do it.

Neal Barker, Spain Park High School Boys’ Basketball coach

rout of Pelham on Jan. 14. Freshman sensation Austin Wiley scored 17 points and blocked six shots while John Segrest scored 17 points with five assists and four steals. The stingy Spain Park defense held the Panthers to just 14 points in the second half.

“If we play our best, we’ve got a chance to go far,” Barker said. “But you can never afford an off night. Oak Mountain has a fine basketball team. If we don’t take care of business, the season could be over for us very quickly.”

Spain Park has plenty of ammunition to make a strong playoff run. Now if only Barker can find that lucky charm for coin flips.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Sports

Grasshoppers make some noise at Disney Tournament See page 30

Lee Davis

Class Action

New Realignment Might Be Good for Area Schools

O Hoover’s Walter McDole blocks the shot of Mountain Brook‚‘s Alex Peters. Peters led the Spartans with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Top-Ranked Spartans Turn Back Bucs 66-54

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

F

or outdoor types, the first Saturday following an epic snowstorm was a chance to enjoy some fresh air without risking frostbite.

For pro football devotees, the day was for stocking up for Sunday’s Super Bowl party.

And for high school basketball fans, Saturday was a chance to watch the state’s top-ranked boys’ team take on another 20-game winner.

The walkers and party-planners may have filled their goals for the day, but they probably didn’t have as much fun as the basketball fans.

Mountain Brook, the No. 1 team in Class 6A, looked solid if not spectacular in a 66-54 win over Hoover at the Spartans’ home gym. The hosts overcame a 30-28 deficit to dominate the second half.

Senior Alex Peters led Mountain Brook with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots as the Spartans took the lead in the third quarter and never looked back. Teammate Ben Shearer also scored 14 points. TaWarren Grant and Patrick Keim each added 12 to highlight a balanced scoring attack.

Mountain Brook ensured its grip on the top spot by running this season’s worksheet to 26-3.

The victory also marked the team’s 15th consecutive win.

Austin Cherry, Walter McDole and Andrew Strickland each scored 10 points for the Bucs, who saw their record dip to 21-8.

Saturday Showdown Mountain Brook’s Jack Kline drives to the basket as Hoover’s Andrew Strickland defends in the Spartans win over the Bucs last Saturday. More photos at otmj.com Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

But if the Spartans ratified their lofty ranking with the win over Hoover, they likely had secured it the previous Monday with a 77-68 victory over three-time defending Class 5A

‘Our team has great chemistry. It’s great to beat good teams like Wenonah, but it’s important to use it as a steppingstone to get better so we don’t lose in the playoffs.’

Mountain Brook Senior Alex Peters

champ Wenonah at the Birmingham Tip-Off Club Classic at Battle Coliseum at BirminghamSouthern College.

Mountain Brook broke open a close game with a 28-19 run in the third period. The Spartans raised their advantage to 69-58 to essentially put the game away with just over two minutes to play.

Peters was the key catalyst, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds and a whopping nine blocked shots. He connected on 11 of 17 shots from the field for a sizzling 65 percent. Shearer scored 10 of his 15 points in the third quarter to fuel the third quarter surge.

“Our team has great chemistry,” Peters said.

“It’s great to beat good teams like Wenonah, but it’s important to use it as a steppingstone to get better so we don’t lose in the playoffs.”

Spartan coach Bucky McMillan had high See spartans, page 31

nly days before an epic winter storm played havoc with most of the state, the Alabama High School Athletic Association did some shuffling around of its own.

But unlike Mother Nature, most of the AHSAA’s January work may have been an overall positive event.

The biggest story coming out of Executive Director Steve Savarese’s office was the expansion of the state’s overall classifications from six to seven. That’s the first increase since the old 1A-4A classifications went to 1A-6A in 1984.

The new Class 7A looks a lot like the much hyped “super-classification,” which had been discussed by AHSAA officials and coaches for years. Class 7A will feature the 32 largest schools in enrollment, aligned in four regions. The largest school in the class is–of course–Hoover with 1,978 students enrolled in grades 10-12. The smallest is James Clemens with barely more than 1,000 enrollees.

Smaller classifications were divided more equally. There are 60 schools in Class 6A, 61 in 5A, 60 in 3A, 58 in 2A and 58 in 1A. All the new divisions will take effect in the 2014-15 academic year.

The best news for Over the Mountain fans is that all of the larger area schools are once again grouped in the same region. Class 7A’s Region 3 will include Hoover, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia Hills in addition to HewittTrussville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County.

The new setup will end oddities of recent seasons where, for example, Spain Park and Oak Mountain were playing long-distance opponents such as Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore as region games while not playing neighborhood rivals. This was the college equivalent of Alabama playing Oregon or Pittsburgh in a conference game but not Auburn or Tennessee.

“Our new region is going to give coaches gray hair, but it’s going to be great for the media,” said Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager. “You guys are going to have a great game to cover every week.”

See Davis, page 31