The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL otmj.com
th
ursd ay, June 26, 2014
V ol . 23 #13
inside
Mission Possible: Vestavia Rotary member helps build school in Africa
about town page 4
Bang-up Events: OTM area has variety of Independence Day celebrations
about town page 6
Walk to Remember Cathy Connor, center, with her children, Kelli Connor Cohen, left, and Tyler Connor at the Walk to Remember event on June 14 at Heardmont Park. Journal photo by Emil Wald
Enchanted Evening: BCT fundraiser has surprise performance
social page 18
Strength to Face Each Day
After Losing Her Husband, Cathy Connor Finds Comfort through Grief Support Group By Keysha Drexel Journal editor
When Cathy Connor released a white balloon into the air on June 14 at Community Grief Support Services’ first Walk to Remember event, the Hoover woman said she knew it was
a big step in coming to terms with the death of her husband. Connor said since her husband of 26 years, Scott, passed away in October, she’s struggled to face each day without the love of her life. “I have my good moments and my bad moments, but I think there will always be a part
of me that says that this must be a nightmare and that I will wake up someday,” she said. And just being able to say that–to acknowledge her feelings and to talk about her husband–is something Connor said she couldn’t have done without the support she has received
See strength, page 10
Space Jam: Dorm Cubby offers storage options for cramped quarters
business page 24
public people private places Opening Their Hearts—and Their Homes
Volunteer work is often as demanding as a full-time job, especially for those involved with large civic organizations and with special fundraising projects. Three women who share their skills to help their community also shared their homes with us. Margaret Shuttlesworth, this year’s chairman of the Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour, said she likes to reinvent rooms in her Salisbury Road home. Junior League President Alison Scott, who lives with her family on Rockhill Road, said Mountain Brook is a good place to put down roots. Lisbeth Cease, the Legacy League’s vice president for fundraising, loves welcoming and cooking for guests at her Shoal Creek house. Stories begin on page 29.
Designing Woman: Dana Wolter makes Traditional Home’s Top 10 list
home page 33
crestline pig plans unveiled p. 8 • Distinguished young women p. 12 • service guild salutes members p. 19 • hoover belles honored p. 22