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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

1 in 10,000

Homewood Resident Taking Part in 2024 Transplant Games of America

By Rubin E. Grant

K Inspiration Starts Here

aren Tishler Weinrib had heard about the Transplant Games of America for a quarter century, but she didn’t consider being a participant until this year.

That’s because the 2024 Transplant Games of America is coming to Birmingham July 5-10. The games is a national, festival-style, multi-sport event that brings together about

Journal photo by Maury Wald

Scott Underwood stands in the stair tower of the house in The Preserve that his company, Centennial Homes, is building for this year’s Parade of Homes.

Once complete, the twostory, statement-making tower will feature a rod iron railing and a chandelier hanging from its cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling.

Home section begins on page 18.

Courtesy

Parade of Homes Showcases the Latest Home Trends

Karen Tishler Weinrib received a heart transplant in December 1991 at UAB.

10,000 members of the transplant community.

Held every two years, the games is a celebration of life for transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, individuals on the waiting list, caregivers and transplant professionals. The games honors the legacy of donors, highlights the need for and importance of organ, eye and tissue donations, celebrates the success of transplantation and encourages others to register to be donors.

“I was extremely excited when I heard that the games were coming to Birmingham,” Weinrib said. “I had heard about them in the late See GAMES, page 9

2 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

OPINION/CONTENTS

Inside

Guest Column

T A TASTE OF LEBANON Birmingham church celebrates Lebanese food and culture PAGE 7

CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE End Addiction Walk to raise awareness about substance use PAGE 10

STAR TURN Historic Hollywood homes and legendary gardens to be featured in upcoming events PAGE 14

KEEPING KOSHER Expert makes sure food at the JCC’s Jewish Food and Culture Fest follows the laws PAGE 24

ABOUT TOWN LIFE SOCIAL HOME

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

4 10 12 18

FOOD SCHOOLS SPORTS

ell people you are planning to build Who knew we’d be so excited about our a house, and you’ll get all kinds of brass door knobs and how well cabinet reactions. Some say, “Making drawers slide open?

17,000 decisions sounds daunting.” Others And it’s not just any designs either – say, “Picking everything out yourself will it’s the ones that brought to life our be so much fun.” Still others say, “Your dreams of creating a home that was dismarriage might not survive it.” tinctly ours. For us, that meant planning With dreams of a bigger house on a lot for an abundance of built-in bookshelves we didn’t want to leave, that’s just what to accommodate our ever-growing collecmy husband, Jeff, and I set out to do last tion of good stories; a nook for a piano for summer as newlyweds. my professional musician husband and Looking ahead at construction loans and amateur self; and an open floor plan for sharMADOLINE MARKHAM blueprints felt overwhelming at first, but we ing meals, conversations and quality time with KOONCE quickly learned that hiring a good contractor groups of friends and family. who deeply understood all the details of Looking back on our decisions now, the building process and how to do it Walking into a store we realized while I was writing this colwell would save us who knows how umn that much of what we designed with millions of many headaches. were modern takes on 1920s and ‘30s We also can’t imagine heading into homes. A spacious front porch harkens pieces of hardware the project without our contractor’s proback to days when houses were built is daunting, but fessional design team to guide us through more deep than wide and architecturally making more decisions than we ever encouraged more neighbor connection it turns out it can individual privacy. Bookshelves on thought we’d have to make about everyindeed be “so much than either side of the living room fireplace thing from exterior paint to grout color fun,” as the people remind me of Craftsman bungalows while helping us stay on budget. Walking where we’ve spent so much time with into a store with millions of pieces of say, with the right friends. Ten-foot ceilings make any space hardware is daunting, but it turns out it team. feel bigger and more grand, and we hope can indeed be “so much fun,” as the peothat tiles and light fixtures with a historic ple say, with the right team. vibe stand the test of time instead of Even with talented professionals on looking distinctly 2024. our side, the building process did fill our heads with an endAs we get ready to move into our house this month – less litany of stress-inducing questions. If we can design a ahead of schedule, no less (thanks Ketcham and Co.!) – I’m house any way you want, are we picking the most perfect happy to report that Jeff and I are not only still happily marway to do it? Is this space going to function like we think it ried but that we’re also grateful we built a home that we now will? Does it matter if the handles of our kitchen appliances get to share. And we’re also very grateful it’s all over. match? Does anyone even look at the handles? Is the power company ever going to connect our power? Are we crazy to Madoline Markham Koonce is a writer and editor who be doing this? has worked for several Birmingham-based local and Along with the stress, though, came the magic. Each time national publications. Most recently, she’s enjoyed freewe went by the construction site, it was like watching an lance writing about local people and homes for the Over infant learn to do new things as you see walls go up, counterthe Mountain Journal. tops and tile be installed, and cabinets and walls be painted.

24 25 28

otmj.com With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter.

Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.

To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.

Over the Mountain Views Hunt and Play in the Easter Way Shades Mountain Baptist Holds Easter Egg Hunt and Offers Other Games

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

April 4, 2024 JOU RNAL Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: June Mathews, Anne Ruisi Photographer: Jordan Wald Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Evelyn Byrne, Solomon Crenshaw Jr., Madoline Markham Koonce, Susan Swagler Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Gail Kidd

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Vol. 34, No. 12

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2024 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.

The Joys of Home Building

People with disabilities and their families participated in the Easter Egg Hunt at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills on March 30. Eggs were hidden in ways that accommodated varying levels of ability.

Participants who attended the event the morning before Easter also could take part in games, crafts and door prize raffles, with options among treat bags with different types of candy or trinkets. Dessert trucks also were on hand to round out the day. Left, Lawson and Whitney Lugo enjoying the hunt.

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Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 3

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

APR 4 - APR 18 Thurs., April 4

Spring into Fun! The Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival is a celebration all of the incredible things Vestavia Hills has to offer!

The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation invites you to an elegant evening of Acts of Kindness, an event celebrating the limitless potential of Alabama’s children who are deaf, blind, deaf and blind, and multi-disabled. The fundraising event will feature dinner, a live auction and a performance of “Sister Act.” When: 5 p.m. Where: Red Mountain Theatre

Fri., April 5 Space Prom

There is something for everyone during the Dogwood Festival!

Dress to impress in your shiny, spacey best and be sure to bring your dancing shoes to celebrate the last visible solar eclipse in the country for the next 20 years! Those attending will receive free eclipse glasses and enjoy games, food and drinks. This event is limited to adults 21 and older. Register at oneallibrary. org/evet/9881603. When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: O’Neal Library

April EVENTS 6: Dogwood Dink: Cahaba Heights Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 8am 6: Dogwood Days: Cahaba Heights 10am-8pm

Heroes & Villains: After Hours

6: Battle of the Bands Rocky Ridge Plaza, 5-9pm (Rain date: April 7)

Immerse yourself in the magic of Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume at the BMA. This evening event is ideal for families, filled with art-making, music, refreshments, and more. With special guests from Recycled Runway by Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, this special program will also feature a runway show of upcycled Disney-inspired fashion by local teens.

When: 5 - 9 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art

7: Spring Yard Judging Concludes!

12: Spring Fling Family Day Wald Park, 4pm 13: VHHS RISE Day VHHS, 4-10pm 15: Historical Society Presentation: Vestavia Hills Methodist Church Vestavia Hills City Hall, 2pm

April 5-6 Masters of the Silver Screen

16: Dogwood Prayer Breakfast Vestavia Country Club, 7-9am 18: Dogwood Days Farmer’s Market: Liberty Park 4-7pm

Violinist Charles Yang and Alabama Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet Ryan Beach are the featured performers when the ASO presents this program of excerpts from popular

21: Library in the Forest Concert: Miles College Golden Voices Choir Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 3pm 27: Wing Ding Vestavia Hills City Hall Lawn, 4-7pm 28: Heights Hangout The Heights Village, 2-7pm Connect on social!

VHDogwoodFestival

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Acts of Kindness Gala

BBG SPRING PLANT SALE | APRIL 12-13

The nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host its annual Spring Plant Sale. Hundreds of plants—many of which have been nurtured at the Gardens by the Friends’ dedicated volunteer growing groups— will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale will support the Friends’ mission: to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. When: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Where: BBG Formal Lawn and Hill Garden movie scores. When: April 5, 11 a.m., Coffee Concert, & 7 p.m. April 6, 7 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center

April 5-7 Alabama Ballet

An Evening of Twyla Tharp featuring the music of Frank Sinatra will include two iconic pieces by the legendary American choreographer that you won’t want to miss. When: Various times Where: Alabama School of Fine Arts, Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre

April 5-21 Sister Act

After witnessing a murder, disco diva Deloris Van Cartier must hide in a convent disguised as a nun in this feelgood musical comedy. When: Various times Where: Red Mountain Theatre

Sat., April 6 Walk MS 2024

Ending multiple sclerosis for good will take all of us. Walk MS helps us team up with friends, loved ones and

co-workers to change the world for everyone affected by MS. Includes a 1 mile route and a 3 mile route.

When: Program starts at 8:45 a.m.

Where: Homewood Central Park

Dogwood Dink Pickleball Tournament

The Dogwood Dink brings pickleball enthusiasts together for a day of fun and enthusiastic game play.

Sponsored by the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board. When: 8 a.m.

Where: Vestavia Hills Civic Center

Rocky Ridge Battle of the Bands Don’t miss the 5th annual Rocky Ridge Battle of the Bands, where middle and high school musicians compete to see whose band or solo act is tops. The event, sponsored

by Mason Music, features VIP guest judges who decide the winners in different categories. When: 5 p.m.

Where: Rocky Ridge Plaza

Bark and Wine

An evening of dining, cocktails, live music and dancing, along with a live and silent auction, all benefiting

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 5

ABOUT TOWN beer will be on hand to enjoy. When: Noon-4 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company

the Shelby County Humane Society.

When: 6 p.m. Where: Windwood Equestrian

April 11 - 21

Funky Fish Fry

Adapted from the classic musical cartoon series, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” Features top STARS students in VST’s mainstage Season for the first time! Directed by STARS Artistic Director Jenna Bellamy, this whimsical musical romp through America’s history will have you singing along to the simple joys of past Saturday mornings!

When: Thurs. - Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 2:30 p.m. Where: Virginia Samford Theatre

On Golden Pond

Heartwarming love story of a couple who have had many good years and, perhaps, another summer on Golden Pond still awaits. When: Showtimes vary Where: Homewood Theatre

Thurs., April 11 Alabama Symphony Orchestra

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra featuring Daniel Szasz on violin will perform Piazzolla’s “Libertango” and Grieg’s Holberg Suite among other pieces. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Avon Theatre

Fri., April 12 Spring Fling Family Day

Bring a chair or blanket and celebrate the arrival of spring with live music,

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL RISE DAY | APRIL 13 This free, family-family and communitywide festival celebrates the culmination of the high school’s RISE fundraising activities. Join us for food, games, live music by student bands and a luminary ceremony honoring those who have battled against cancer. When: 4-10 p.m.

Where: Vestavia Hills High School food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, vendors and more! Wrap up the fun with an all-ages outdoor concert. When: 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Wald Park

Sat., April 13 2024 Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K

This Rockin’ 5K, presented by McDonald’s, is an annual celebration of family, fundraising and awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. All money raised through the Red Shoe Run stays at the Ronald

Cancer survivor Sam Cunningham, center, with his parents Lisa and Patrick and brothers Zac and Luke at last year’s RISE Day luminary ceremony.

Held every April to celebrate Autism Acceptance month this event is hosted by the junior boards of Mitchell’s Place and the Autism Support of Alabama in support of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Birmingham and beyond. The 14th annual event features delicious food and fun activities for all ages and live music from The Drennen Brothers, Murph and Automatic Slim. When: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: Avondale Brewing Company

Magic Moments Golf Drawing

McDonald House in Birmingham to keep families together at a time when it’s needed most. When: 8 - 11 a.m.

Where: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama1700 4th Ave. So.

The Magic Moments Birmingham Junior Board is bringing more fun to Masters weekend this year!

Join us for a drawing to benefit Magic Moments, the wish-granting organization for Alabama children with chronic life-threatening or acute lifealtering medical conditions. Tickets for a chance to win start at $5. When: Noon-6 p.m. Where: Otey’s Tavern, Mountain Brook

CahabaQue

GBHS at Puppy Palooza

Support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama at CahabaQue, an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit organization that invests in cutting-edge breast cancer research within the state. All-youcan-eat barbecue samples prepared by cook teams, live music and craft

Prepare for an unforgettable day of tailwagging fun at Puppy Palooza! A pawsome event packed with excitement.

Groove to live music, explore our fido marketplace, and engage in fun doggy activities. This family and pet-friendly extravaganza promises something for everyone! GBHS will be showcasing

adorable dogs ready for adoption, along with GBHS swag available for purchase. When: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Lane Parke

Sun., April 14 Ballet in the Park

Ballet in the Park is the third annual production by Magic City Performing Arts, combining a free familyfriendly performance of ballet and contemporary dance. Excerpt from “The Sleeping Beauty” and original works will be performed. When: 3 p.m. Where: Railroad Park

Mon., April 15 Historical Society Presentation: Vestavia Hills Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Bill Brunson, senior pastor of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, will present a summary of the church’s history spanning 70-plus years, along with a description of what’s happening in the church today.

Musical entertainment will be provided

by Jim Frazier, pastor of Boomers & Beyond and Care & Support. When: 2 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall

Tues, April 16 Dogwood Prayer Breakfast

Anna Gualano will be this year’s guest speaker at the annual prayer breakfast that’s part of the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival. When: 7-9 a.m. Where: Vestavia Country Club

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6 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

ABOUT TOWN

SAVE THE DATE April 18- 20 Aldridge Gardens Plant Sale

April 11–13

AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS Our annual Spring Plant Sale is back at the Gardens.

Get ready for spring planting by shopping hard-to-find plants specially selected for our region by expert volunteer growers. Check or card only. Bring your own cart or wagon!

Member Priority Shopping: Thursday, April 11 Open to the Public: Friday, April 12 Saturday, April 13

bbgardens.org/spring A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a mission-driven membership organization that seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens.

26th Annual

Find the perfect plants for your container or garden spot! Volunteers and gardeners will be on hand to help with selections and to give advice about placement, care and maintenance. Customers can own “a little bit of Aldridge Gardens” when they buy a pass-along plant that lived there! We are going to have many plants with an Aldridge Gardens heritage. In addition, we’ll also have many more from members and friends of the gardens! When: Thurs. & Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. 8:30 a.m. - noon.

Where: Aldridge Gardens

Fri., April 19 Denim and Dining

Enjoy the casual atmosphere, a catered barbecue dinner provided

by Jim ‘n Nick’s, music by Jenna and Ben Kuykendall, and live and silent auctions at Denim and Dining, a fundraiser for the Hoover City Schools Foundation. Tickets are available at hoovercsf.org/events. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens

April 19-21 Don Quixote

Magic City Performing Arts presents “Don Quixote,” a vibrant and colorful family-friendly ballet based on the classic story of Don Quixote and his faithful friend, Sancho Panza. When: Various showtimes Where: Lyric Theatre

20thFOOD Annual Lebanese Food and CulturalSat., Festival LEBANESE & CULTURAL FESTIVAL April 20 Friday Saturday, 13 & 14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

April 12 &and 13, 10am April to 9pm Glenwood 5K Trail Run Free Admission

St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church 836 8th Street So., Birmingham

(Between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. So)

FOOD: Lebanese delicacies

Glenwood will hold the 2nd annual 5K Trail Run to support Autism Acceptance Month. It will take place on Glenwood’s 363-acre main campus, with moderate terrain and elevation challenges. When: 8:30 a.m.

Where: Glenwood, off Sicard Hollow Road at 150 Glenwood Lane

Homewood Library Foundation Block Party

including: Baked Kibbee, Come to support the Homewood Rolled Grape Leaves, Spinach Library, stay for all of the fun! The Pies, Baked Kibbee and Falafel ninth annual block party is a bookthemed carnival for the whole family.

Sandwiches, Tabouleh (Lebanese Enjoy live music, cold beverages Salad), Grilled Lebanese Lemon Established 1999of food and drink from and samples Chicken, Loobia (Green Beans), local sponsors, plus fun activities and Rice, Homous and Pita Bread. games for children.

When: 5:30-7:30 SILENT AUCTION: Features p.m. Where: Homewood Library Desserts include a variety of catered LEBANESE DELICACIES INCLUDING: Baked Kibbee, Lemon Lebanese dinners, Baklawa, Kaak (Lebanese Sugar collector Magic City Mimosa Festival Grilled Chicken, Grape Leaves, Tabouleh, Homous,vacation Spinach packages, Cookie), Lebanese Ice Cream.

Guests 21 and older are welcome to items, gift certificates to Pies and Desserts like Baklawa, Zlaybah and Ice Cream. enjoy an afternoon of bubbly mimosas restaurants and events in the and other refreshing beverages, 5K RUN: Saint Elias Cedar Birmingham area.

Closes 8 p.m. delicious bites, music, items by St. Elias Cedar 5K14 andatCedar Shake Fun Run 5K Run onRun April 8 a.m., on April 14. artisan vendors and more at the Silent Auction · Music & Dancing · Free followed

by Cedar Shake FunShuttle Parking Magic City Mimosa Festival. When: p.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces DANCING: Noon-4 Traditional Run at 9 a.m. Benefits The 25% of allExceptional festival proceeds go to local and national charities. dances by youth of the church Foundation, an Sun., April 21 on indoor stage starting 6 p.m. organization established to For more information www.stelias.org.

Friday and 12:30 Saturday. provide social and visit recreational Milesp.m.

College Golden Voices Choir This free concert features Miles New York-based Amin Sultan activities for individuals with Lebanese Band performing special needs. For route and under outdoor tent from 6 to registration, visit

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Backyard Bash

Fundraiser Set for Group for Couples Struggling With Infertility, Child Loss Tickets are on sale for the 4th Annual Backyard Bash on April 12 to benefit Carrywell, a nonprofit organization supporting couples struggling with infertility and child loss.

The family-friendly fundraiser will feature live music by Billy Gant and children’s activities, such as face painting, balloon twisting and yard games.

It also aims to raise awareness of infertility and the barriers couples face to expand their families.

Organizers said the event is being held in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week.

Backyard Bash will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at LadyBird Taco, 300

Rele Street in Mountain Brook’s Lane Parke.

Tickets are $15 for individuals and $40 for a Family Four Pack. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free.

Dinner, provided by LadyBird Taco, is included in the price of a ticket.

Tickets can be purchased online at carrywell.org. More information about Carrywell is available on the website.

All ticket sales and event sponsorship proceeds will help fund services such as grief therapy for families who have experienced late-term, infant or child loss; along with grants for fertility treatments, embryo adoption and community support groups.

History and Jazz

Hoover Historical Society Hosts Open House at The Preserve Town Hall The Hoover Historical Society is hosting an open house and membership drive April 14 during an afternoon of jazz and refreshments at the Preserve Town Hall.

The Bumpus Middle School jazz band will perform during the event, which runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. At 3 p.m., scholarship winners from the Hoover City School District will be announced.

The Hoover Historical Society, founded in 1989, is the official archivist for the city. It aims to increase knowledge of Hoover’s history as well as preserving historical objects and encouraging the study of history. The society works with national, state, regional and other local historical organizations. It also uses The Folklore Center to teach young students about pioneer life in 1840s Alabama.

The event is free and open to the public. Annual dues to join the society are $20 per person or $30 per couple. For more information, visit hooverhistoricalsociety.org College’s Golden Voices Choir, which has performed nationwide and exudes the message of culture, class and civility through many genres of music.

When: 3 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Civic Center

Celebrating 40 Years of Magic!

Magic Moments was established in 1984 with the sole purpose of bringing joy and happiness to children in Alabama with chronic life-threatening or acute life-altering medical conditions. All past Magic Moments recipients and families are invited to this event, as well as anyone who has volunteered or been part of the Magic Moments family over the years!

Please join us to honor and remember the children we have served as we celebrate 40 years of creating magic across Alabama! When: 2 - 4 p.m.

Where: Veterans Park

Fri., April 26 Blue Door Gala

A night of music and champagne to support Prescott House Child Advocacy Center. A champagne reception in the garden will be followed by dinner and live music. When: 6 p.m. Where: Grand Bohemian Hotel Ballroom

April 26 & 28 Opera Unveiled

Enjoy a concert of greatest hits at “Opera Unveiled,” featuring some of opera’s most beloved music. The magic and glory of the operatic voice will be on full display, with the Opera Birmingham Chorus and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra joining forces for powerful ensembles. When: April 26, 7:30 p.m., April 28, 2:30 p.m . Where: DJDT at Alabama School of Fine Arts

April 20-21 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

See “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” across the big screen in highdefinition and experience the music of The Alabama Symphony Orchestra performing Patrick Doyle’s unforgettable score. When: April 20, 7 p.m., April 21, 2:30 p.m. Where: BJCC Concert Hall

SEND ABOUT TOWN INFO TO: DITORIAL@OTMJ.COM

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

A Taste of Lebanon

Birmingham Church Celebrates Lebanese Food and Culture

By June Mathews

which are Lebanese doughnuts – round out the menu.

Foodies and friends from A takeout option will be on the Birmingham and beyond are invited south side of the church. Free delivto join St. Elias Maronite Catholic ery to downtown Birmingham or Church in celebrating its 26th Southside locations will be provided Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural on orders of $150 or more on Friday.

Festival.

“We suggest coordinating with Set for Friday and Saturday, your coworkers for an authentic April 12-13, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., the Lebanese Friday lunch delivered to festival will feature an array of your office,” said Adams. “You can Lebanese fare, order ahead online entertainment, at stelias.org startchurch tours and ing the Monday ‘We are excited other activities. before the festival to welcome back Proceeds will beneand ending that fit multiple organiThursday at 5 the New Yorkzations. p.m.” based Amin Sultan “Supporting us Entertainment, helps to support said Adams, will Lebanese Band.’ others as well,” include music and FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER said festival volundance.

MICHELLE ADAMS teer Michelle “We are excited Adams. “Since its to welcome back beginning in 1999, the New York25 percent of the festival’s proceeds based Amin Sultan Lebanese Band, have gone to charities other than St. which will play beginning at 6 p.m.

Elias, and that tradition continues. both nights,” said Adams. “We’ll To date, $709,000 has been donated also have the church’s youth perto local and national charities.” forming traditional Lebanese dances Lebanese delicacies offered duron an indoor stage beginning at 6 ing the two-day event include baked p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. kibbe, grilled lemon chicken, rolled Saturday.” grape leaves, spinach pies, meat pies For festivalgoers interested in and other treats. A variety of breads seeing the historic St. Elias church and sweets, including zlaybah – building, guided and self-guided

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 7

ABOUT TOWN tours will begin at 11 a.m. on both days. The exception to tour hours will be during Saturday liturgy, Adams said.

The St. Elias Booth will offer T-shirts, cups, cookbooks and other items for sale throughout the festival. The silent auction room will be open until 8 p.m. Saturday.

In conjunction with the festival, the 11th Annual St. Elias Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run will take place April 13. Proceeds from the runs will benefit Just Keep Smiling, an organization that assists families with children in medical crises. For information and online registration, visit steliascedarrun. org.

St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church is located at 836 8th Street South in Birmingham. Off-site parking is available Friday evening and Saturday at UAB Express 1 Parking at 608 8th Street South, with free shuttle service provided.

Admission to the festival is free.

Only credit or debit cards will be accepted for purchases.

For more information on the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival, visit stelias.org. Follow the event on Facebook and Instagram by searching for @steliasfestival.

SEND PEOPLE NEWS TO: EDITORIAL@OTMJ.COM

King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary to Host Tablescapes Event

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Ashley McMakin (right) of Ashley Mac’s Restaurants will be the guest speaker at the Tablescapes for King’s Home Luncheon on April 11.

The event, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, is an annual fundraiser for King’s Home of Shelby County. It’s hosted by King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary in support of the home, which serves at-risk women, mothers and children.

McMakin will share her story and her commitment to a Christ-centered business. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase her debut cookbook, “Ashley Mac’s Kitchen.”

About 23 decorated tables will be featured.

A silent auction will be held during the event, and bidders do not have to be present or buy a ticket to the luncheon to participate. Items will be previewed on April 7 and bids can be taken via GiveSmart from your phone. To learn how to bid, visit vimeo.com/322061296.

Organizers hope to raise more than

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OperaBirmingham.org | 205-322-6737 the $70,000 raised last year. They noted the women’s building at the King’s Home campus is always in need of upgrades, and last year, some of the money donated was used to purchase a much-needed new oven for the kitchen.

The mission of King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary is to provide support to the women and children of Kings Home Shelby who have been victims of domestic abuse, drug abuse or other violence.

The auxiliary provides support through fundraisers, projects and volunteer visits to the home.

April 26 | 7:30 pm April 28 | 2:30 pm Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at Alabama School of Fine Arts Featuring the Opera Birmingham Chorus and Alabama Symphony Orchestra

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8 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

ABOUT TOWN

Vocal Inspiration

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Ensemble Cantus Will Perform During Samford’s Legacy League Scholarship Ensemble System is the Gold Sponsor. Silver Sponsors are Altec, Environmental Biological Services, Hoar Construction, John 3:16, Johnson Controls, Marathon Electrical Contractors and Ronnie Watkins Ford.

Reservations are required and cost $125 per person, $50 of which is tax deductible. For more information and to make online reservations, visit samford.edu/legacyleague.

Courtesy

For fans of acapella and chamber music, Cantus, a mesmerizing, lowvoice, eight-member male group, will be performing during the Samford Legacy League’s Scholarship Celebration April 18.

Proceeds from the event, which is open to the public, will provide scholarships for students who have faced challenges including homelessness, inner-city violence, abandonment and the death or disability of a parent.

The evening will begin with a sponsor reception at 6 p.m. and seated dinner at 6:30 p.m. before the concert begins at 8 p.m. The event is being held at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Cantus, from Minneapolis, performs music ranging from Renaissance to Motown and has recorded 17 albums and performed on prestigious stages around the world.

The group has been widely applauded; The Washington Post has described the group’s timeless sound as having “exalting finesse” and “expressive power.”

The reception and dinner are presented by Samford Dining by Aramark. Vulcan Materials Company is the Presenting Sponsor for the concert. Dentons Sirote PC is the event’s Diamond Sponsor; Baptist Health

Members of the Scholarship Celebration Committee above are, front, Cheryl Landreth, Chair Jan Cobb, Julie Taylor, Rhonda Cantelow, Karon Bowdre, Karen Carlisle. Back, Nancy Golden, Shea Williams, Belinda Stroud, Sharon Smith, Amy Fenton Lee, Tricia Naro. Not pictured are Cindy Bembry, Lindsey Reed Curl, Kasey Fiscus and Maureen Hallman.

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GAMES From Page One

1990s and early 2000s, but this will be my first time taking part in the competition.

“It is my honor and pleasure to finally participate in the Transplant Games with Team Alabama after all these years. I’m not only a member of Team Alabama but also on the executive committee, which does a lot of fundraising and outreach.”

Team Alabama consists of transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, transplant professionals and caregivers or supporters.

Weinrib, 53, is a Mountain Brook High School graduate and former teacher at the school. She has been living in Homewood with her husband, Dan, and their son, Jack, for the past 21 years.

She received a heart transplant in December 1991 at UAB when she was a senior at Emory University in Atlanta. She is one of only a handful of UAB heart transplant recipients who have survived more than three decades past the procedure.

“UAB is one of the best heart transplant centers in the world, and I feel so very fortunate that it is in my hometown,” Weinrib said. “There is cutting-edge research, innovative care and world-class medical professionals who enabled me to continue to lead a healthy, active life.”

Because she is one of UAB’s longest-lived heart recipients, Weinrib

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 9

ABOUT TOWN refers to herself as a “dinosaur.” She also is a donor bone recipient and a cow valve recipient.

“I like to say that I’ve had a heart transplant and five other replacement parts,” Weinrib said. “I had the heart transplant at UAB unexpectedly during my senior year at Emory, then had three parts of my neck replaced because of a one-in-a-million benign tumor in 2010, followed seven months later by a tricuspid valve replacement. Most recently, I underwent a partial elbow replacement after I broke both elbows and had a “terrible triad” injury in my left elbow. Altogether, I feel like the Bionic Woman.”

Organ Donation Awareness

Weinrib speaks regularly about organ donation awareness for Legacy of Hope, formerly the Alabama Organ Center. April is National Donate Life Month.

“I was UAB heart transplant surgery No. 266,” Weinrib said. “That number is far above 1,000 now. When I started giving my transplant talk in the mid-1990s, around 60,000 people were on the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) list. Now, 103,575 people are waiting in the U.S. for some kind of organ, and over 17 of them a day will die while waiting.

“It is so important that one signs

one’s (driver’s) license or donor card and talk to one’s family about organ donation. Of the many causes I believe in, organ donation is the most important to me. I would not be here without the generosity of a 17-year-old African American and his family.”

Bill Ryan, president and CEO of the Transplant Games of America, also speaks to that need.

“In 2022, there were almost 44,000 organ transplants in the United States, setting a new record,” Ryan said. “This remarkable life-saving medical advancement is only possible through the selfless act of individuals who, in passing, gave others a chance to return to health.

“Living donors also help bring new life to others in need, and the Transplant Games help remind us that over 100,000 patients are on the waiting list for an organ, and dozens die every day because an organ was not available for them.”

Ryan is pleased that the games will be in Birmingham with events scheduled throughout the metro area at different venues, including the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham CrossPlex, Hoover Met Complex, Vestavia Bowl, Highland Park Golf Course and Birmingham-Southern College.

“We are thrilled to bring this event to the Birmingham community and

can’t wait for our teams and their families to experience the warmth and friendship that visitors to Alabama enjoy,” he said.

Trivia Anyone?

The games include more than 20 competitions for recipients and living donors along with 60-plus special events throughout the week that provide opportunities to celebrate donors, attend lectures and workshops, and interact with friends and associates.

“What I am most looking forward to is the extra activities, such as the opening ceremony when all the teams come in,” Weinrib said. “I think Team Alabama will be the last one to come in, being the home team. I’m also looking forward to the Quarter Century Club dinner and being with the other dinosaurs.”

Although Weinrib does a variety of fitness activities daily, including walking, weightlifting, elliptical, recumbent bike, PT exercises and yoga, she’s going for a low-key event in the Transplant Games.

“I can’t throw and I can’t catch, so I am not going to do a lot of the physical events,” she said. “I will do the 5K Run/Walk. I thought about doing badminton, but my shoulder won’t let me. I’ll do Trivia Challenge instead. I used to do Scholars Bowl when I was in school and I also was a Scholars Bowl coach, so that suits me.”

For more information about the Transplant Games visit transplantgamesofamerica.org.

Basketball and Good Works Auburn Head Coach to Speak During Salvation Army Fundraising Dinner

Bruce Pearl, head men’s basketball coach at Auburn University, is this year’s keynote speaker for the Salvation Army–Birmingham Area Commands’ Annual Dinner on May 2.

The dinner, the Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser of the year, will be at the Sheraton Hotel. It raises money for support programs and services for low-income citizens in the community.

Pearl joined Auburn for the 201415 basketball season and three times has been named SEC Coach of the Year. He led the Tigers to 173 wins in nine seasons, the program’s first No. 1 ranking in both national polls and a memorable run to the NCAA Final Four in 2019.

He and his wife through their family foundation support Children’s Harbor, and he has established a group to support cancer patients in the state.

A limited number of individual tickets are available, but mostly tables are being sold for sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

Those interested may contact Renae.Dismuke@uss.salvationarmy. org.

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Champion for the Cause End Addiction Walk to Raise Awareness About Substance Use

The Addiction Prevention Coalition has chosen Taylin McCarver, above with her husband and son, as its 2024 Champion for the Cause for its eighth annual End Addiction BHAM Walk.

in drug overdose deaths. With more than 109,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2022, the walk allows the community to remember those who have died and those who are in recovery.

You Are Not Alone

Wimberly said McCarver is a great representative for what APC does.

Posthumous Honor Rotarian Stan Sims, Multiple Paul Harris Fellow Winner, Honored After His Death Dec. 1

Longtime Rotarian Stan Sims was honored posthumously as a four-time Paul Harris Fellow during a recent ceremony that also honored retired Rear Admiral Jack Natter, whom Sims before his death had arranged to receive the same award.

The fellow award is given to Rotarians who donate $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Sims, also a Navy veteran, earned his first fellow

“An important part of Taylin’s mission is to let others know that they do not have to struggle alone,” Wimberly said. “One way that she demonstrates this mission is through her leadership of Team TJ in efforts to raise money annually for community programming to not only raise awareness about SUD and grief but also to encourage hope for others. Taylin’s

award in 1990. Rotarians also can honor others by donating in their name, which Sims did in November to honor Natter.

The presentation ceremony had been set for Dec. 5 at the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club’s annual Christmas party but was delayed after Sims died Dec. 1, at the age of 93. Last month, the Rotary group held the ceremony.

Rotarian Joe Perez presented Sims’ pin to his son, Tom Sims, as well as presenting Natter with his award.

From left: Tom Sims, son of Rotarian Stan Sims, Joe Perez, Rear Admiral Jack Natter, his wife Nancy Natter, Club President Dave Mason.

ple are impacted and to make it more ability to use her own personal experelatable and comfortable speaking rience with SUD to help guide others about it,” McCarver said. “The more is why she is our 2024 champion for it’s talked about, people realize there’s the End Addiction Walk.” not as big a stigma and what they are McCarver, who lives in Alabaster, going through others have experiis a career coach for Shelby County enced, too.”

Schools, after A festival previously following the working as an ‘The first year we walk will feaacademic adviswere expecting about ture a sober cirer at UAB. She 100 and almost 1,000 cle celebration, appreciates memory angel, being tabbed as came out, so we knew photo booth, the Champion this was something the free Narcan for the Cause. training provid“I’m supercommunity wanted.’ ed by the excited to be APC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jefferson recognized, but CARIE WIMBERLY County nothing’s Department of changed for Health, food me,” McCarver trucks, free HIV testing and other said. “I do everything a champion does already, so this is another chance activities.

DJ Floyd will provide the music, for me to speak on it and expand and guests can participate in line awareness. It’s not just me that is a dancing. Resource Row will include champion, it’s everyone involved more than 40 organizations and serevery day. APC and Carie do a good vices, offering interactions with a job of keeping people informed. diverse range of prevention, treat“I want to let others know that ment, recovery and health organizaaddiction is bound to happen and we tions. have a community and resources that “The EAB Walk has become a have rehabilitative services for them.”

Each year, McCarver and her fam- spring tradition for our community. It is an eclectic group of people who ily walk as “Team TJ” to honor his come together with a singular passion memory during the End Addiction to do all they can to save lives and BHAM Walk. They also create a new bring hope,” Wimberly said.

Team TJ T-shirt before each walk to “The first year we were expecting sell and raise money for APC. Proceeds from T-shirt sales go toward about 100 and almost 1,000 came out, so we knew this was something the financial assistance to those battling community wanted. In eight years due addiction and those in recovery to to our sponsors, we have increased attend rehab services. our offerings and participation.

The EAB Walk is APC’s biggest “This will be our second year at fundraising campaign, bringing thouCity Walk. We had it there last year sands together each year to spread and everybody loved it. We’re open awareness about the drug epidemic in Alabama. for 3,000. We had 2,500 last year, so To participate in the free event, we’re hoping to get there. I hope all check-in for the EAB Walk will be at will come and join us for this fun and 10 a.m., followed by a short program important event.” at 11 a.m. and the walk beginning at noon.

To register or learn more about “I think the main priority is to the End Addiction BHAM Walk, visit raise awareness about how many peo- endaddictionbham.org.

Journal photo by Maury Wal;d

Taylin McCarver isn’t shy about discussing substance use addiction, even though it has caused tremendous pain and grief for her and her family.

McCarver’s brother, T.J. McCarver, died in 2018 at the age of 27 after an eight-year struggle with substance use disorder. He was killed in a car accident while under the influence of numerous substances.

McCarver described her family’s experience with her brother’s battle with addiction as a roller coaster.

“We had people try to break into our house to get to (my brother’s) stash,” she said. “He wrecked numerous cars and I watched him get arrested. The list goes on.”

Since her brother’s death, McCarver has made it her mission to speak out and connect with families who have experienced similar struggles.

“We’ve always been pretty open about it,” McCarver said of her and her parents. “It’s something our family has gone through because we have a history of addiction on my dad’s side of the family. It can happen to anybody.”

The Addiction Prevention Coalition has chosen McCarver as its 2024 Champion for the Cause for its eighth annual End Addiction BHAM Walk, which will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Walk Amphitheater in Birmingham.

According to APC Executive Director Carie Wimberly, the event was organized to help raise awareness of the substance use epidemic taking place in communities across the state and nation.

Since its inception, APC has been on a mission to reduce the rate of death by overdose in Alabama and the stigma surrounding substance use disorder by educating the community about the dangers of all substance use.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the Centers for Disease Control reports that Alabama saw a 16.93% increase

Courtesy

By Rubin E. Grant

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Coming Home

Steve Skipper Art Exhibit to Be on Display at Homewood City Hall

Sample Baked Goods During Workshops Empowerment’s Annual Bake Off Event

The third annual Great Birmingham Bake Off will be held at Cahaba Brewing on April 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Patterned after The Great British Bake Off, the competition event is open to the public and is to include live music and a kids entertainment area. Guests can sample baked goods made by competing teams of local bakers.

There will be three awards given at the event. Local celebrity judges will determine the Grand Champion and

Team Spirit awards. Ticket holders will vote for the People’s Choice Awards.

The bake off is sponsored by Workshops Empowerment Inc. and helps fund its programs to provide jobs and job training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Bakers will begin their masterpieces using WE Made mixes, which include buttermilk biscuits, buttermilk cornbread, hummingbird cake and pound cake. The mixes are made at workshops through

a WE workforce development training program.

Birmingham-based WE has been offering employment opportunities for disabled individuals for more than 120 years, and in more recent years it has added training and workforce development programs.

Tickets to the event are $20 per person, which covers samples of each of the competing baked goods and a drink ticket redeemable at Cahaba Brewery.

Kids 10 and under get in free. For more information or to buy tickets, visit bakeoff. swell.gives.

Courtesy

A six-week exhibition of awardAcademy among the 2023 Sports winning sports artist Steve Skipper’s Artists of the Year. In 2011, he was paintings will be on display in the selected to participate in an exhibition Homewood City Hall from April 19 at the National Art Museum of Sports through May 30. in Indianapolis, when he was named The exhibit, sponsored by the one of the Top 50 sports artists in the Homewood world. He Arts also has a Council, long list of will be on commisdisplay and sions from open to the sports figpublic in ures, but the city that isn’t his hall’s firstonly work. floor exhiHe has bition corbeen ridor from acclaimed 8 a.m. to 4 for his comp.m. memorative Mondays civil rights through paintings, Fridays including during that having been period. commisSkipper, sioned by who grew the city of up in the Birmingham Rosedale to do comneighbormemorative hood, said artwork celthe exhibit Skipper, who grew up in the Rosedale neighbor- ebrating the hood, said the exhibit being shown is called the being 50th anniComing Home Collection. shown is versary of called the the Civil Coming Home Collection. He said it Rights Movement. He’s also painted a “will be representative of my work commemorative for the 50th anniverover the decades that reflect my passary of Bloody Sunday and the sionate interests in American sports, Edmund Pettus Bridge, of which the civil right commemoratives and first reproduction hangs in the LBJ Christian art.”

Presidential Library.

Skipper is highly lauded for his A documentary about Skipper, work, most recently becoming the “Colors of Character,” details his first Black artist to be formally comstruggles as a young man in missioned by Buckingham Palace.

Homewood who later became a herHe’ll be doing a painting of Queen alded artist.

Elizabeth II and Princess Anne, Skipper credits his fourth grade according to a statement from the teacher at Rosedale Elementary for council. first seeing his promise and encourag“It’s been quite a ride with Christ ing him in art and so has dedicated the Coming Home Collection as a doing all the driving and a man with ‘Tribute to Vernell Saunders.’ miles yet to go,” Skipper said in “I believe Stever Skipper’s response.

Coming Home Collection exhibition He also was the first Black artist at City Hall will be one of the counto do sanctioned and officially cil’s most important, high-profile licensed sports paintings for the events ever,” Amber Allen-Parsons, University of Alabama, Auburn Arts Council chair, said.

University, Dallas Cowboys, An opening reception during NASCAR, Professional Bull Riders, which residents can meet Skipper and the PGA and Green Bay Packers, view his work will be held April 18, among others.

5:30-7:30 p.m., Allen-Parsons said.

He was named by the U.S. Sports

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 11

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FORMAL HOE DOWN Photos courtesy

Silhouettes Club Celebrates Annual Dance With ‘Boots and Bling’ Theme

Chris and Noelle Sheedy

S

ilhouettes members bootscooted their way through the club’s annual winter dance on March 2 at The Country Club of Birmingham.

The theme of the 2024 party was “Boots and Bling!” and guests donned “Western bling” and blacktie attire.

Dinner was served and music was provided by “Smokey Jones and the 3 Dollar Pistols.”

Silhouettes is Birmingham’s oldest women’s social club. It was founded in 1955, and the winter dance has been held at The Country Club of Birmingham since the first event in 1956.

Serving on the 2024 Silhouettes Winter Dance Committee were Chairwoman Candis Birchfield, Sara Collins, Lauren Keet, Gina Pickering, Alexis Douglas, Natalie Rula and Krista Robinson. ❖

Judy Collins and Bill Pitts

Front row: Ashley Norris, Shana Peagler, Krista Robinson, Bonnie Oakley, Marie Joseph, Charlotte Sizemore.

Back: Alexis Douglas, Erin Elliott, Kayla Hiatt, Natalie Rula, Jeana Lee Upton, Lauren Adams.

Candy Hacker, Bill Gray

Bobby Comer, Barbara and Robert Klyce, Jennifer Comer, Greg and Becky Keyes

Edie Sullivan, Gina Pickering, Mary Francis Osborn, Taylor Cocherell, Lauren Keet

Gayle and Bill Dunnill

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SOCIAL

Wobbly Rotations

Easter Eggs Roll at O’Neal Library The Easter Bunny stopped by Mountain Brook on March 30 as children participated in an Easter Egg Roll.

Held on the grassy field by the O’Neal Library, the egg roll, presented by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, is a well-loved annual event.

Children brought their own baskets as they collected eggs and posed for pictures with the celebrated bunny. ❖

Hyland, Christie and Lila Taylor

Pearce and Caroline Borders

Meredith Lusco, Sara Claire Ballard

Adelaide Clarke, Emily Estes, Regan Baldwin

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 13

14 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

Annual Spring Rites

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Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival Luncheon Held, More Events Continue in April

Events for the annual Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival continued this spring, including the always popular Dogwood Festival Luncheon held at the Vestavia Country Club on March 21.

Guests were treated to a silent auction and heard from Birmingham native Sophie Hudson, author of several books, including “A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet” and “Home Is Where My People Are.” More events continue throughout the month, including the Dogwood Dink Pickleball Tournament, Dogwood Days: Cahaba Heights and Battle of the Bands in Rocky Ridge, all on April 6; Spring Fling Family Day, April 12; Dogwood Prayer Breakfast, April 16; Dogwood Days Farmer’s Market, April 18; Miles College Golden Voices Choir Concert, April 21; Wing Ding on the City Hall lawn, April 27; and Heights Hangout, April 28. For more information on these and other Dogwood Festival events, visit vhal.org and click on the Community tab. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

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Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 15

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Order Up!

Breakfast Benefits the Exceptional Foundation

The Kiwanis Club of HomewoodMountain Brook hosted its annual Pancake Breakfast on March 9 and once again, according to club officials, the event was a “huge hit!”

Hoar Construction was the title sponsor with many other local businesses participating. Special thanks was given to sponsor emeritus Thomas Waters State Farm.

The primary beneficiary of the popular fundraiser is The Exceptional Foundation, which was the site of the event.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. ❖

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Journal photos by Jordan Wald

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Hearts for Service

Hoover Service Club Names Service Award Winner, Elects Officers Hoover Service Club members presented a service award and elected officers at their luncheon meeting March 14 at the Hoover County Club.

Cindy Bond, college and career specialist at Hoover High School, received the 2024 Flora Mae Pike Hoover Community Service Award. It is presented annually to a Hoover resident to recognize outstanding volunteer service in the community. It also recognizes their commitment to serving selflessly and with enthusiasm, joy, passion and dedication in honor of Flora Mae Pike, founder of the Hoover Service Club.

Officers elected to serve in leadership positions for 2024-2025 are president, Debra Taylor; first vice

president, Rachel Trowbridge; second vice president, Bernadette Beavers-Forrest; third vice president, Lori Callahan; recording secretary, Elaine Thompson, corresponding secretary, Heather Pierce and treasurer, Kacy Wood.

The new officers will be officially announced at the Annual Scholarship Luncheon at the Hoover Country Club on May 9.

The club’s Hands-on Act of Service Project for March consisted of assembling 100 Easter baskets for the Oak Mountain and Green Valley Food Banks.

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Drinking of the Green

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 17

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EJ and Diane Vetrano, Anne and Joe Pierce

St. Patrick’s Day Party Draws Friends to Hoover Home Pat Patrick’s home in Hoover was the setting for the 27th annual St. Pat Patrick’s Day Party on March 16.

A crowd of Over the Mountain friends partook of green Irish beer on tap, soft drinks and chili, while various musicians provided the entertainment at the party. ❖

Barbara Naccari, Pat Patrick

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Perfect Blend

Parade of Homes’ Ideal Home in Chelsea is a Serene Getaway

By Madoline Markham Koonce

N

Courtesy

estled below Double Oak Mountain on 2.5 wooded acres, you’ll find the star of this year’s Parade of Homes in its Ideal Home.

Located in The Highlands in Chelsea, its 5,500 square feet of Throughout the home, indoor and outdoor walls are painted finished spaces is a light shades of cream blend of modern atop light stained and traditional hardwoods, with black design built by painted accents in B&K Build. spaces like the scullery.

The “Noah” In the living room, a house plan by tongue and groove Frusterio Design, a ceiling slants overhead local architecture with a Dekton fireplace firm, starts with an climbing from the floor exterior featuring to ceiling that features natural stone and gas-powered fireballs. timber coated in an Accordion doors lead off-black paint to the covered deck. color. Walking over the gray slate on the front porch into the foyer, you’ll see how the home brings the outdoors in, starting with its expansive windows that open to views of Double Oak Mountain and natural materials used throughout its six bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.

One of the most notable spaces in the home is the master bathroom, with its dark glass tub that sits atop natural pebbles that add texture to the space and light up from underneath. Directly See IDEAL, page 20

Inspiration Starts Here

Scott Underwood, owner of Centennial Homes, is this year’s Parade of Homes chairman.

Parade of Homes Showcases the Latest Home Trends

W

ondering what the latest trends are in home design?

You can see them for yourself at this year’s Parade of Homes April 26-28 and May 3-5.

The tour will feature more than 56 homes built by 22 builders in 15 communities across Birmingham and at Lake Martin.

“It’s an opportunity for the builders and suppliers and tradespeople to showcase not only new homes but also trends and new features,” said Scott Underwood, this year’s Parade of Homes chairman and See PARADE, page 23

Journal photo by Maury Wald

By Madoline Markham Koonce

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 19

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IDEAL From page 18

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behind it is a luxurious full shower encapsulated by Dekton, a durable, new man-made product similar to quartz that comes in an array of colors and thicknesses. Outside the spacious bathroom’s windows is a 360-degree view of nature, but its windows become frosted when you enter it to provide full privacy. As an added touch, the vanity windows hang in front of the scenic window

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Another showstopper in the home views, and limestone floors comis the kitchen, set up perfectly for plete the look. entertaining, above. One of the most Another showstopper in the home is the kitchen, set up perfectly notable spaces in the home is the master bathroom, with its dark glass for entertaining. Its clean modern tub that sits atop natural pebbles that design showcases a cooktop, refrigadd texture to the space and light up erator and wine tower, but all other from underneath, below. appliances are hidden in a scullery area that allows you do prep work behind the scenes and features a deck. double oven, sink, dishwasher and The home also has a finished hidden pantry – all with high-end basement with living space, a kitch3920 enette Crosshaven Thermador appliances. and its Dr., ownVestavia entrance Hills, that isAlabama 352 205.518.5010 • ryan-reeve.com Throughout the home, walls are great for multigenerational living as painted light shades of cream atop well as a FEMA-approved storm light stained hardwoods, with black shelter. painted accents in spaces like the Outside the house, a large landscullery. In the living room, a scaped lawn has a natural rock tongue and groove ceiling slants retaining wall made using rocks overhead with a Dekton fireplace from the lot itself. It offers access to climbing from the floor to ceiling The Highlands community’s walkthat features gas-powered fireballs. ing trails, stocked fished ponds, Accordion doors lead to the covered pool and playground area.

Southern Sanctuaries

Four Gardens, Including Louise Agee Wrinkle’s, to Be Open During Garden Conservancy Tour

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 21

HOME

Visit the Roaring ‘20s

Journal photo by Maury Wald

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

The premier of the documentary “A and search under Alabama.

Garden in Conversation: Louise Agee See the Over The Mountain Wrinkle’s Southern Woodland Journal’s April 18 issue for more on the Sanctuary,” will be a highlight of The garden tour.

Garden Conservancy Celebrates Birmingham Gardens weekend May 4-5.

The weekend also offers tours of four selected gardens in Birmingham for people who want to look for inspiration or just enjoy the day.

Wrinkle has championed native gardening across the country, and she and her garden are well known throughout the Birmingham area.

Her gardening philosophy focuses on “letting plants develop as they will and tend to them in a way that highlights the subtle beauties of texture, rhythm, pattern, repetition,” according to a statement from The Garden Conservancy, which is sponsoring the two-day event.

The 25-minute film will be screened May 5 at 3 p.m. at the Virginia Samford Theatre, followed by a panel discussion on Southern gardens led by Garden Conservancy President & CEO James Brayton Hall. A book signing for Wrinkle’s “Listen to the Land: Creating a Southern Woodland Garden,” will follow.

Wrinkle’s garden will be open for visitors the day before, on May 4, along with three other gardens that showcase garden rooms, water features and more Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov displays.

The film premier is free but admission to the garden tours is $5 for Garden Conservancy members and $10 for non-members. Tickets are available at gardenconservancy.org/open-days.

Click on the Open Days Gardens link

Three Houses in Homewood’s Historic Hollywood to Be Open for Tours

Wrinkle’s garden, above, will be open for visitors along with three other gardens that showcase garden rooms, water features and more displays.

Three houses from the roaring ‘20s will be open for tours April 28 as the Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes returns to Homewood.

The tour will include two English Tudors and a Spanish-style home in

the quaint subdivision.

The houses on the tour are the Davidson House at 312 English Circle; the Nelson House at 205 Bonita Drive; and the A.V. Smith House at 220 La Prado Place. They each will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the tour are $40 and can be purchased online by following the links on hollywoodgardenclubbham. com, or they can be bought at the door of any of the houses. Parking is available at Shades Cabaha Elementary School.

Look in the Over The Mountain Journal’s April 18 edition for more on the tour.

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PARADE From page 18

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 23

HOME style and painted a warmer white tone.

“I got to see it a few days ago and it’s beautiful,” Underwood said.

In Centennial’s lake house, the cabinets feature blues, greens, grays and dark grays in different spaces.

owner of Centennial Homes.

In addition to new houses available for purchase, this year’s tour will also showcase at least one remodel and two Stand-Out Showers new houses available for rent.

Showers in new builds are also “Whether you are renting or buying or remodeling, this is an opportunity to about far more than functionality, although that’s certainly important, get out there and check it out,” too. Both of Centennials’ master bathUnderwood said. room showers feature two showerEach home will have at least one heads, one a rain innovative feature, be it trim work, an ‘We are so hectic and head and one a sprayer, outdoor living in a hurry all the time, body with hardware in space, or unusual kitchen or bathso people are looking to a mix of metals black. room features. have a place [outdoors] and“Hardware on As examples of to go and relax.’ these showers is what home building not just utility trends you will see anymore, it’s beautiful hardware,” on the Parade of Homes tour, Underwood said.

Underwood described features of his company’s two houses, one in The Accent Paints and Wallpaper Preserve in Hoover and one on Lake Darker, moodier paint colors are Martin. trending in home design and are often Outdoor Living Areas used on accent walls and other places Since the COVID-19 pandemic, to pop in the house. homeowners have been investing more For example, Centennial’s home at in outdoor living spaces with not only The Preserve has greenish gray paint porches but also outdoor kitchens, fire- on a feature wall with a window seat places and other amenities. in an upstairs bedroom. Their Lake “We are so hectic and in a hurry all Martin home features dark-painted shithe time, so people are looking to have plap walls in its basement as well as a powder bathroom with dark paint a place to go and relax,” Underwood below a chair wall and wallpaper said. “It’s great to be outside.” above it.

Underwood said he’s also seeing a Likewise, wallpaper is also trendlot more swimming pools as a part of ing as an accent in homes. Centennial’s new builds post-COVID. Centennial’s home in The Preserve, for example, Lake Martin build, for example, has a features wallpaper in the dining room custom splash pool with an infinity and in parts of the kitchen. edge and a waterfall, all with a sound system surrounding it. It has two outNatural Stone Fireplaces door fireplaces on its porches that Underwood said that Centennial is extend the outdoor season into cooler using stone for fireplaces in both weather.

Parade of Homes houses. The lake High-End Appliances house features a natural rock fireplace In kitchens, gas ranges that look with a limestone hearth, and in The more like commercial kitchen appliPreserve, the fireplace is a Texas ances are popular, and both of limestone fireplace with an Indian Centennial’s homes feature limestone hearth and mantle.

Thermador appliances in their kitch“We are doing a lot of limestone en, with the one at Lake Martin feanow,” Underwood said. “Now you turing a range with six burners, a don’t have to pick a fireplace surgriddle and two ovens. round out of a magazine that looks Underwood is also seeing more like everyone else’s. You can custom homes designed with full-size “coldesign it and and have it cut so each umn” freezers and refrigerators in kitchens.

“They look great and have a lot more space,” Underwood said.

one is unique.”

Innovative Technology

A new build isn’t complete without the right wiring for 2024, and Underwood said Centennial is wiring homes for what residents want, whether it’s whole house sound or security cameras.

“We are hard wiring in wireless internet access points,” Underwood said. “It looks more like a smoke detector on the ceiling.”

From kitchen appliances to hard wiring in the walls to paint colors, you’re sure to find thoughtful home design elements in this year’s Parade of Homes to inspire your current or future home.

Parade homes will be open April 26-28 and May 3-5. Fridays and Saturdays, they will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays they will be open noon-6 p.m. For more information, visit birminghamparadeofhomes.com.

Come See Our New Arrivals Tues.-Sat. 10-4:00 5620 Cahaba Valley Road

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In Centennial’s home at The Preserve, its lower kitchen cabinets, for example, are painted a shade of white with its upper cabinets a natural stained wood to add texture and interest to the design, and in the master bathroom, the cabinets are reeded

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FOOD

24 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

KEEPING KOSHER Expert Makes Sure Food at the JCC’s Jewish Food and Culture Fest Follows the Laws

By Anne Ruisi

Courtesy

F

LJCC staffers, from left, Robert Scott, Brooke Bowles, Nicole Kelley, Emma Herr and Dale Tadlock help prepare cabbage rolls for the Jewish Food and Culture Festival.

carried lard, which comes from pigs.

With so many regulations, how do you know if a food is kosher? Food certified as kosher through the Union of Orthodox Rabbis out of New York, for example, meet kosher requirements and are stamped with symbols on packaged food to let you know it’s acceptable.

There are hundreds of symbols for “kosher” found around the world on packaged food. In the United States, among the most recognizable is the letter U inside a circle.

“This is the most widespread, the biggest.

But it’s not the only one and therefore part of my job is to know which symbols are reliable,” Friedman said.

Unlike cities with larger Jewish populations, there are no Jewish food stores in Alabama, so that’s why shoppers looking for kosher foods need to check food packages for a trusted kosher symbol. Boxes of Cheerios at the supermarket have a trusted kosher symbol, but marshmallows aren’t kosher because the gelatin used to make them comes from nonkosher animals.

Kosher regulations extend to the equipment used to cook and prepare food. In the LJCC’s kosher kitchen, for example, utensils used on the dairy side are washed and kept separately from the meat side, and vice versa.

If somehow a kosher kitchen is rendered nonkosher, there’s a process to render it kosher that “usually requires a lot of boiling water, and in some cases, a blowtorch,” Friedman said, adding this doesn’t happen often.

Another major aspect of kosher regulations is that, by design, it creates a social bond in the Jewish community, which needs to depend on itself for kosher food.

“Coffee is kosher, almost universally, but it’s not too easy to go for dinner,” if you are keeping kosher in areas without large Jewish communities, like New York City has, Friedman

Jewish Food and Culture Fest Set for April 14

Count on great kosher food and lively music at the Jewish Food and Culture Festival at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham on April 14.

Rabbi Yossi Friedman, an LJCC volunteer who ensures the festival’s food is properly prepared according to kosher regulations, said there usually is a good turnout for the festival.

“I think last year they had almost 3,000 people.”

The festival, which will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature a wide variety of tasty fare representing Jewish food traditions. Many of the recipes are family favorites passed down from generation to generation.

Beef brisket, Persian chicken, stuffed cabbage rolls, falafels, pickles, noodle kugel casserole, corned beef sandwiches, couscous, matzah ball soup and pickles are among the savory dishes on the menu. For your sweet tooth, try the rugelach pastry and mandelbrot, a twicebaked loaf that’s cut in slices resembling Italian biscotti.

Festivalgoers can enjoy Jewish music, Israeli dance performances and Israeli art and culture. Area synagogues will have presentations or booths on Jewish culture.

said.

The LJCC has the only kosher restaurant in Alabama, the rabbi said. Jews traveling through Birmingham rely on it to keep kosher.

Jews are not required to keep kosher and many in America don’t, Friedman said.

“It is strictly a question of how loyal you are to Jewish tradition,” he said, estimating that perhaps 1 million of the 5.5 million Jews in the U.S. follow kosher dietary laws.

And you don’t have to be Jewish to follow Jewish dietary laws. There are some Christians who will only eat kosher food, and other nonJews believe keeping kosher is better for their health, Friedman said.

“There’s actually many, many more than just traditional Jews who are looking for the kosher symbol,” the rabbi said.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

estivalgoers can rely on the Persian chicken, brisket, falafels, mandelbrot and other foods served at the Levite Jewish Community Center’s Jewish Food and Culture Fest on April 14 being kosher. The center has an expert who ensures that it is.

“I am a rabbi. So, I know about kosher. And so, when the JCC needs help with kosher, I help,” said Rabbi Yossi Friedman, program director of Chabad of Alabama and an LJCC volunteer who supervises the center’s kosher kitchen.

There are many kosher foods, all biblically grounded in Jewish teaching or the Torah – which Christians know as the first five books of the Bible. These complicated dietary rules are the technical aspect of kosher, but the prohibition against pork is probably the most recognizable. Another is the kosher regulation against mixing meat and dairy.

“The Torah uses the phrase, ‘do not boil the kid in its mother’s milk,’” referring to a young goat, a traditional meat in Middle Eastern culture, Friedman said.

Among the acceptable land animals for kosher cooking are cow, sheep, deer, chicken, turkey and duck. Eggs are fine if they come from a kosher animal and do not have any blood spots, while cow’s milk and certified kosher cheeses are fine.

Regarding seafood, the water animal must have fins and scales to be kosher. Southern favorites like shrimp, oysters and catfish are out, but salmon, tuna, cod and mahi-mahi are in.

Among the non-kosher foods besides pork are rabbit, eel, caviar from nonkosher fish, bread products that include dairy, cheeseburgers and other foods mixing meat and cheese and amphibian-related food, such as frog legs.

Pickles are kosher, as are most fruits and vegetables, but how they are prepared can render them non-kosher. A baked potato can be fine, unless it’s served loaded with sour cream, cheese and bacon bits.

Food deemed as kosher isn’t defined only by the type of food. It refers to food that has been specifically prepared and cooked in certain ways.

“Our grandmothers went to the farm … and then went to the butcher and had it cleaned, and so on. And so we knew what we were eating,” he said. “Nowadays, we have no idea where this happens, so how do you know if it’s kosher? So … it’s a much more complicated process and therefore requires a kosher supervisor.”

Kosher also means you know what you’re getting. For meat to be kosher, the animal must be from a species that is kosher, then it must be slaughtered and processed in certain ways that render the meat kosher, the rabbi said.

Ingredient production and preparation aren’t the only concerns regarding whether food is kosher, Friedman said. Trucks, for example, that carry kosher food need to be approved and certified as kosher. For example, someone keeping kosher wouldn’t want to consume a cooking oil that’s been transported in a truck or tanker that

Martin Klinger and Jax Gordon at last year’s Jewish Food and Culture Fest.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Matthew Thomson

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 25

Duncan Earl

Journal photo by Maury Wald

Misbah Meghani

SCHOOLS/SPORTS

4 Indian Springs Students Named National Merit Finalists

Among the dozens of Over the Mountain high school seniors who have attained finalist status in the competition for National Merit Scholarships are four students from Indian Springs School.

Misbah Meghani, Matthew Thomson, Duncan Earl and Mason Forman have qualified for finalist status.

About 15,000 finalists nationwide are in the running for 7,140 scholarships, according to the scholarship program’s website. Scholarships consist of $2,500 National Merit Scholarships and corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored scholarships.

The nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corp. has conducted the prestigious scholarship program since 1955.

PATE From page 28

Mason Forman

Once he got to Hoover, he soared to new heights. He credited the coaching he has received.

“My pole vault coach at Hoover, Billy Lamb, gives you a great foundation, not only the techniques, but the mental aspect,” Pate said. “You have to be mentally tough and mentally push through.”

Pate competed in the New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston on March 10. He finished 22nd, clearing 14 feet, nine inches.

“I did all right,” he said. “My leg was hurting and I had to push through it. I strained it a little.”

Program and 52 in the Bryant-Jordan Student Achievement Program, have advanced from area nominations. All will be recognized at the 37th annual Bryant-Jordan Awards Banquet on April 15 at the Birmingham-Sheraton Hotel.

Each regional recipient will receive a $3,000 scholarship. From the regional recipients, the BryantJordan Selection Committee will select class winners and the overall recipients of the Larry D. Striplin Jr. Medical Interests Scholar-Athlete state award and the Pate excels in the classroom as Ken & Betty Joy Blankenship well as he does on the track, taking Achievement state award. classes in the Hoover City Schools The class award recipients will International Baccalaureate Program. receive an additional $3,500 scholarHe has a 4.45 grade-point average and ship, and the two individuals named scored 32 on the ACT the state award with a demanding recipients will ‘My mom said class load. He’s taking receive an additional $4,000 in when I was little I AP physics and AP calculus BC this year. scholarship funds. used to run around “I’m really interPate is a multiested in science and ple-time state pole and do flips, mathematics,” he vault champion, acrobatic stuff.’ said. including earlier Pate plans on this year in the COLLIN PATE majoring in nursing in AHSAA Indoor college with designs Track & Field on becoming a certified nurse anesChampionships when he cleared 16 thetist. feet, 2 inches to win the Class 7A “Since I was little I wanted to do title. Last spring, he cleared 16-09.00 something medical,” Pate said. “I to win the 2023 Class 7A title in the don’t want to be a doctor because state outdoor meet. He also won the some doctors are not as involved with outdoor title in 2022. their patients. Nurses are more attenFlipping Toddler tive to their patients’ needs. I want to Pate has been competing in the help people.” pole vault since the seventh grade.

Pate has signed a track scholarship “My mom said when I was little I with Tennessee. used to run around and do flips, acro“The main reason I’m going to batic stuff,” he said. “So, when I got Tennessee is I love the pole vault to middle school and they needed coach, Kyle Ellis, and the head coach, someone to do the pole vault, she said Duane Ross,” Pate said. “They are you would be good for that. I didn’t really rebuilding the program and want to do it, but she said, ‘You’re they want to build it in a certain doing that.’ And I fell in love with direction, and they told me I would be it.” a great fit.”

Front row, from left: Erika Ponder, Kristen Kovarik, Jennifer Burns, Debbie Bowman, Melissa McIntyre Back: Vestavia Hills Rotary Club President, Dave Mason; Vestavia Hills Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Freeman; Holly Robinson, Becca Poe, Kira Aaron, Mary Wyers and Vestavia Hills Rotary Club member, Ted Strong.

The Best of the Best in Vestavia Hills Schools The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club recently honored Teachers of the Year selected from among educators in the Vestavia Hills City Schools. Two of them – Melissa McIntyre from Liberty Park Elementary and Kira Aaron from the Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus – were selected as teachers of the year from their schools but also have been nominated to the top award, Alabama State Teacher of The Year. The additional winners were Kristen Kovarik from East Elementary, Jennifer Burns from West Elementary, Erika Ponder from Cahaba Heights Elementary, Debbie Bowman, Dolly Ridge Elementary, Becca Poe from Pizitz Middle School andHolly Robinson from VHHS Main Campus.

‘Tiny but Mighty’

26 • Thursday, April 4, 2024

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Oak Mountain’s Hawkins Takes After Her Mom on Softball Field

“She’s always been at practices and shagging balls. She loves comOak Mountain senior Emma peting at everything.”

Hawkins couldn’t help but become Emma Hawkins started competan athlete and, in particular, a softing almost from the time she could ball player. walk. Her competitive spirit comes Her mother, C.J. Urse Hawkins, from her mother. played softball at Ohio State and “My mom has definitely been the won more than biggest influ900 games as a ence on me as high school an athlete,” coach at ClayEmma said.

‘Softball is a sport Chalkville and I was 5 where you don’t have “When Spain Park. years old, she But coach to be a certain size and would throw me Hawkins didn’t and weight. Maybe, if she aI’dfootball insist that her dive and daughter was taller, she could catch it on the become a softhave played something couch. ball player. It “I wanted to else, but at 5-3, you’re beat her in just naturally happened. everything – kind of limited.’

“She’s got pingpong, basthe Urse genes,” ketball, whatevC.J. URSE HAWKINS coach Hawkins er. With my cracked. “There mom going to are a lot of athOhio State and letes in our family.” playing softball, I wanted to be like “Emma was catching the ball her one day.” while she was still in the womb,” Emma’s small stature – she’s coach Hawkins said. “I was preg5-foot-3, while her mom is 5-1 – nant with her when I was at Clayplayed a role in her becoming a Chalkville and was coaching three softball player. months before she was born.

“Softball is a sport where you

don’t have to be a certain size and weight,” coach Hawkins said.

“Maybe, if she was taller, she could have played something else, but at 5-3, you’re kind of limited.”

Emma said, “I definitely got my height from my mom, but like she always says, ‘tiny but mighty.’”

Emma played varsity softball at Spain Park while her mother was still the coach there. After her mom was let go at Spain Park after the 2022 season, she transferred to Oak Mountain for her junior year.

“I had a great time at Spain Park,” Emma said. “We got to state there. When I came over to Oak Mountain, I got to play with some of my best friends since birth.

Changing schools was a good help to get me ready for college.”

A Line in the Sand

Coach Hawkins has retired from teaching but is an assistant coach at Oak Mountain. Emma, an only child, doesn’t have any problems playing for her mother.

“At Spain Park, she obviously was the head coach,” Emma said. “I believe she had a great impact on me, but I didn’t talk to her, I talked to one of the other assistants. And I never called her mom on the field.”

Coach Hawkins said that’s part of their agreement.

“We have something like a code,” coach Hawkins said. “When we’re in the car going to a game or practice and I put on my hat, then I’m ‘coach.’ But when I take my hat off, I’m ‘mom.’’’

The two enjoy a close motherdaughter relationship. “She’s like my best friend,” coach Hawkins said.

“She’s my biggest supporter,” Emma said. “I don’t ever remember a sporting event when she wasn’t there.”

Emma plays center field for the Eagles (10-9-1) and has been an All-State player. Before spring break last week, she was hitting .418 (23 for 55) and had a .492 onbase percentage in 20 games. She

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By Rubin E. Grant

Emma Hawkins, right, started competing almost from the time she could walk.

Her competitive spirit comes from her mother C.J. Urse Hawkins, left.

also had scored 14 runs.

“She’s a great player,” Oak Mountain head coach Jordan Burson said. “She’s our centerfielder and she’s solid out there, and she’s so consistent at the plate.”

Burson was overjoyed when Emma transferred to Oak Mountain.

“I’ve known Emma her whole life,” he said. “She’s the same age as my little sister.” His sister, Jenna Burson, is a senior utility player for the Eagles.

“Emma is a great leader for our team. She’s a super competitor and wants to win. I hated playing against her when she was at Spain Park and I love having her at Oak Mountain.”

Emma is a three-sport athlete for the Eagles, also playing volleyball and bowling. As a setter, she helped Oak Mountain reach the Class 7A regionals last fall and finish with a 27-16 record. Twice she has been named first-team All-State in bowling by the Alabama High School Athletic Association bowling coaches.

“I love playing multiple sports,” Emma said. “It’s fun to get out and play with my best friends.

“I like starting off the school year with volleyball. It is so differ-

ent from softball. It’s a fast-paced game, which is definitely fun. The ball is always coming back at you.

“You go straight into bowling from volleyball. At Spain Park, we had all the softball girls bowling.

When I came to Oak Mountain, I started recruiting volleyball and softball players. We came in third four years in a row at state, twice at Spain Park and twice at Oak Mountain.”

Montevallo-Bound

Emma’s future is in softball. She is headed to the University of Montevallo to play for one of her mom’s best friends, coach Beth Wade.

“I love coach Wade,” Emma said. “I toured the campus and it’s a cute college town. A lot of my teammates from travel ball are going there. I think it’s a loving community, kind of like Oak Mountain.”

Plus, Montevallo is close to home, so her mom won’t have to travel far to see her play in college, but it will be different than having her mom around most of the time.

“It’s only 20 minutes driving time,” Emma said, “but I’ll still probably miss her.”

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • 27

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Altamont School Dedicates New Tennis Complex to Longtime Coach

Birmingham University School to create The Altamont School in 1975. Keith joined the school’s tennis team as a sophomore.

“She put something on my heart right then that made me want to teach PE,” Keith said. “The reason I’m still at Altamont has to do with that PE teacher.”

The tennis complex features new and refinished courts, backboards, landscaping, seating, lighting, signage and bathrooms.

The work was made possible by donors, including Deshazo Foundation; Shannon (1996) and Bret (1993) Connor; Lyons Family Foundation; James L. North Jr. (1992); Altec/Styslinger Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Haskell; Mr. and Mrs. Drayton Nabers Jr.; Jimmy (1945), Jim (1983) and James (2020) Shepherd

REBELS From page 28

solid,” Harris said. “But if they are not good, then we’re not good.”

The Rebels open Class 7A, Area 5 play this week with three games against Thompson. The area also includes Hoover and Tuscaloosa County.

“I think the area is up for grabs,” Harris said. “I don’t think it’s as good as it has been and it’s reflected in the records.”

Through the middle of last week, Thompson was 19-7, Hoover 11-12 and Tuscaloosa County 11-11.

“Every team in our area has more losses going into area play than they had at this time last year,” Harris said.

“Everybody is trying to find themselves.

“Getting out of our area is always tough, but I think it’s a little different this year.”

Courtesy

Bluff Park WindoW Works Ceremony guests included, from left, Eric and Kat Rogers, Altamont Head of School Cecil Stodghill, Susan Keith, Shannon and Bret Connor and Jim North.

The Altamont School recently dedicated an expanded and refreshed tennis complex to honor a longtime teacher and coach at the school.

More than 100 guests gathered

March 17 for the dedication and ribbon-cutting on the Susan W. Keith ’79 Tennis Complex. School officials, alumni, students and friends talked about the influence of Keith, who joined the faculty of her alma

mater in 1988.

For her part, Keith recalled the mentorship of coach Melinda Whitt, who introduced her to tennis in the seventh grade at Brooke Hill School, which merged with

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‘Tiny but Mighty’ Oak Mountain’s Hawkins Takes After Her Mom on Softball Field Page 31

SPORTS Thursday, April 4, 2024 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Altamont School Dedicates New Tennis Complex to Coach Page 27

‘Validated’ Hoover’s Pate Earns Regional Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Award

H

By Rubin E. Grant

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

oover senior pole vaulter Collin Pate felt a sense of accomplishment when the 2024 regional winners were announced for the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program in March.

Pate was selected as the Class 7A, Region 3 Scholar-Athlete.

“I was really excited,” Pate said. “I didn’t know what to expect cause there were so many people nominated. I felt very validated. There are lot of athletes who spend a lot of time at school and at the track, so it’s good to represent both of those.”

Pate was one of four student-athletes from Over the Mountain schools who were chosen as regional winners.

Homewood’s Kayla Warren was the Class 6A, Region 5 Scholar-Athlete recipient; Westminster-Oak Mountain’s Alex Montgomery was tabbed as the Class 2A, Region 4 ScholarAthlete winner; and Oak Mountain’s Aniyah McCaslin was chosen as the Class 7A, Region 3 Student Achievement recipient.

The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program regional winners were selected from school nominations for this year’s scholarship distribution. More than $1 million in scholarships is available this year.

A total of 104 high school senior student-athletes, 52 in the Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete

The Rebels have a few experienced players with senior John Paul Head, above, being chief among them. He has signed with UAB as a catcher.

See PATE, page 25

‘A DIFFERENT DEAL’

By Rubin E. Grant

V

estavia Hills captured the 2023 Class 7A state baseball championship, ending a 23-year drought without a title for the Rebels, but please don’t call them defending champions this season.

At least that’s the viewpoint of Vestavia Hills coach Jamie Harris.

“I’m not sure you can say we’re defending champs,” Harris said. “If we had all the guys from last year’s team back, then we would be defending champs. But they’re in college now.

“This is a different deal. We lost 80 percent of our innings (on the mound) and 80 percent of our at-bats. That’s not to say we don’t have good players, but we’re a new team, a young and inexperienced team.

“We’re the epitome of a young team with a lot of ups and downs. We can beat anybody in the state and we can lose to anybody in the state.”

The Rebels’ record reflects that. They base, and he’s hitting at the top of the were 12-11 after splitting a doubleheader order.” with Grissom last Saturday.

Senior outfielder Caden Taylor, who has Harris said he’s had to learn to be committed to Northwest Shoals patient during the first month of the season. Community College, and junior outfielder “You can’t simulate William Tonsmeire, a experience,” he said.

Miss commit, ‘We’re the epitome Southern “It’s not like you can are two other players of a young team speed up the process of with some experience. growing. Young players “They played a good with a lot of ups make mistakes that bit last year, even and downs. We can though they weren’t young players do. The only way to get better is beat anybody in the everyday starters,” to play games.”

Harris said. state and we can lose The Rebels have a The Rebels’ most few experienced players glaring lack of experito anybody in the with senior John Paul ence is pitching, where, state.’

Head being chief among Harris said, “We had them. He has signed nothing coming back.” with UAB as a catcher.

The team is leaning heavily on junior “John Paul is the one guy with a ton of left-handers Chase Rafferty and Colin experience,” Harris said. “He’s been there, Jones to carry the load on the mound. done that. We have played him at first base, “Both of those guys have been really See REBELS, page 27 DH (designated hitter), catcher and third

Courtesy

Young Vestavia Hills Baseball Team Searching for Consistency

Collin Pate is a multiple-time state pole vault champion, has a 4.45 grade-point average and scored 32 on the ACT.