Celebrating our over the mountain communities.
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INSIDE
| OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • OTMJ.COM | Thursday, September 3, 2026
Ashley Jones-Thompson
JOHN BURRUSS MAKES MUSIC PAGE 10
EMILY CAPILOUTO AND HER IVF JOURNEY PAGE 14
PHOTO BY JORDAN WALD
MB’S MAGICAL SEASON PAGE 20
ALABAMA’S FORMER POET LAUREATE TAKES ON A NEW ROLE AT ASFA STORY PAGE 15 »
OPINION
2 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
IN THIS
ISSUE
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
SOCIAL 4 | Down Syndrome Alabama Huddle Up for Down Syndrome Fashion Show
–EDGAR DEGAS
O
6 | Fifth Annual JMP Golf Classic 6 | Pooches on the Patio 7 | Otey’s to Otey’s Run 8 | Glenwood Power of Possibilities Gala 9 | Children’s Harbor Fork & Cork Chef’s Dinner Series
ARTS 14 | A new documentary highlights the rollercoaster of fertility medicine and the power of art to connect us. 15 | Ashley Jones-Thompson returns to ASFA. 16 | Arts Calendar
Library & Museum, not to mention Liberty and Ellis Islands. It was overwhelming to stand in a room and see so many priceless works of art by masters. I saw quite a few by Mr. Degas, the maker
In this—our arts issue—we take a look at one of the amazing documentary films PHOTO BY BRIT HUCKABAY
12 | Fall Prevention
time in museums—MoMa, The Frick Collection, and The Morgan
for me, I just love art and the people who are brave enough to create it.
10 | John Burruss on the parallels between art and ministry.
HEALTH
n a recent trip to New York City, my friend and I spent a lot of
of the astute quote above. They say art is subjective, and that is certainly true, but
COMMUNITY 10 | Linly Heflin 67th Fashion Show set for October.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
shown at Sidewalk Film Festival this year (page 14). The film is called Show Me The Line, and it highlights the rollercoaster of fertility medicine in Alabama and the power of art to connect us. Lee Hurley also profiles John Burruss, the rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and a talented musician who shares his views on music with OTMJ (page 10). Also, we celebrate Ashley Jones-Thompson’s return to her alma mater ASFA after serving as Alabama’s youngest ever Poet Laureate (page 15). And check out our Arts Roundup for all the exciting art events happening this fall on page 16. And whether you’re an art lover like me, or just a casual observer, seek something you find beautiful—a painting, a song, a stage production—and slow down and figure out what it makes you see. –BARRY WISE SMITH
| OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS |
SPORTS 19 | New era on the horizon for John Carroll. 20 | Keith Dunnavant’s documentary film highlights Mountain Brook’s 1975 football dominance.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL
Thursday, September 3, 2026 Publisher & Executive Editor: Lee Hurley Editor: Barry Wise Smith Editorial Assistants: Nausicaa Chu and Mary Clare Ingram Design Director: Claire Cormany Photography: Jordan Wald Contributors: Nausicaa Chu, Mary Clare Ingram, Loyd McIntosh, Naima Salvary Account Executives: Julie Trammell Edwards We would love to hear from you on any subject: lhurley@otmj.com
Down Syndrome Alabama (DSA) hosted its annual football-themed fashion show, Huddle Up for Down Syndrome at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center. This enthusiastic Auburn Tiger fan and model is ready for some football!
Vol. 35, No. 23
Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper celebrating the communities of Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at lhurley@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2024 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.
APOLOGY In our last issue, we inadvertently misidentified two talented Mountain Brook High School Spartan tight ends, Wallace Hunter and Bennett Jordan. We apologize and will be looking for lots of productivity from them both this season. We also misidentified an image on page 2 as Alec Lewis and Sam Harmon. The image was actually Alec Lewis and his brother Zachary. Sorry Zachary. We will try harder.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 3
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SOCIAL
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| SOCIAL |
Down Syndrome Alabama Huddle Up for Down Syndrome Fashion Show Down Syndrome Alabama (DSA) hosted its annual football-themed fashion show, Huddle Up for Down Syndrome on August 16 at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center. Children and teens with Down syndrome modeled their favorite college football team gear on the runway to kick off the football season. Guests also enjoyed a photo booth, balloon animals and complimentary tailgate bites from local favorites. More than just a fashion show, Huddle Up is an opportunity for each participant to be celebrated, build confidence and shine in the spotlight. Funds raised through Huddle Up directly support DSA’s statewide programs and services, including educational resources, self-advocate programming, family events, scholarships, grants and new parent support.
Felecia Price, Rebekah Tomlinson, Katie and Ella Dooley, Corrie Tipton, Tiffany Witherspoon and Skylar Gibbs
Haley Sly and Morgan and James Stephens
Jaiden, Jorean, William and Joan Henderson
Jenni and Karaline Kime
Mya Scott and Everleigh and Hudson Howard
Angela, Amelia and Phillip Ferentinos
Rebecca and Claire Haynie
Michelle, Edie and Scott Shunnarah
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6 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
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FIFTH ANNUAL JMP GOLF CLASSIC
On August 3, friends and supporters gathered at Highland Park Golf Course for the fifth annual JMP Golf Classic to raise money for the John Michael Pierce Foundation whose mission is to raise awareness in young adults about the early signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer and the importance of early detection. Golfers arrived at noon and enjoyed a Full Moon BBQ box lunch and range balls before a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Participants received a special ball cap designed for the occasion and could purchase raffle tickets for great prizes. Esophageal cancer is on the rise, surging over 700 percent in the past four decades. Since the symptoms are hard to recognize, most people discover it at a late stage which limits treatment success. OTMJ
Andrew Parker, Chase Elliott and Sonny Potter
Austin Maynard and Cason Fisher
Hunter Webb and Sam Cargo
Jay Shadday and Tripp Flournoy
Jimmy Massey, Matthew Giesler, Zachary Dyas and Robert Sorrell
Jojo and Jack Meineke
Thomas Fleischman and Eric Shugart
Winn Crowder and Taylor Bragg
Pooches on the Patio
On August 19, Vino, English Village’s staple Mediterranean restaurant, hosted its annual Pooches on the Patio event in celebration of the restaurant’s 15th anniversary. Patrons were invited to dine with their dogs on Vino’s patio, with proceeds from the event benefitting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS). Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the event featured specialty craft cocktails, giveaways and plenty of puppy fun! In addition to patrons’ pets attending the event, the GBHS was on-site with adoptable pups for attendees to meet and greet. Guests entered to win prizes like a $100 Vino gift card and exclusive Tito’s Vodka for Dog People merchandise. Guests also received a goody bag with Vino’s famous apple fritters and brownies to take home.
Amy Adkins, Lizzie and Sue Quinn
Cathy, Lizzie and Chuck Cargal and Baeli Porter, Tilly and Sherwin Marashi
Christy King and Rob and Jennifer Garrison
Debbie McCune, Ruby, Beth Chambers and Lynn Dunn
Henley, Ashley and Philip White
Hunter Sartin, Karen Wood, Jamie Persall, Art Edge and Christina
Lyn and Toni Seales
Reese Daniel, Maddy Hays, Ashley Gooden, Riley Hays, Dandy and Grant Tatum
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Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 7
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Otey’s to Otey’s Run
On August 8, the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation Junior Board held the Otey’s to Otey’s Run presented by Cox Pools. The 5.46-mile course started at Otey’s in Homewood, wound through Homewood and Mountain Brook and finished at Otey’s in Crestline Village. The run raised money and awareness for some of the deadliest cancers such as stomach, pancreatic, liver, esophageal, colorectal, bile duct, appendix and gallbladder. Runners celebrated after the finish of the race at an afterparty in the green space near Otey’s Crestline with awards, refreshments and more. OTMJ
Austin Wood, Meredith Wickton and Stephen Jackson
David and Laine McCollum
Derek Estes and Mike Passarella
Jim and Amelia Callaway
Oliver and Teresa Staffeld and Anne Marie and Charlie Birmingham
Wilson and Anna Gray Mims
8 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| SOCIAL |
GLENWOOD POWER OF POSSIBILITIES GALA
On August 15, Glenwood treated guests to an evening of compassion and community at their Power of Possibilities Gala at The Club. Presented by Drummond Company, the evening started with a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner and live music. Guests enjoyed live and silent auctions and heard from a lineup of inspiring speakers. The Drummond family was honored for five decades of dedicated support of Glenwood, and guests were asked to help reach the goal of building a home for four of Glenwood’s adult residents. Glenwood is a nonprofit agency dedicated to serving children, adolescents and adults with autism and other behavioral health needs. Founded in 1974, Glenwood has for more than five decades fulfilled its mission to help individuals live life to their fullest potential. OTMJ
Brian and Wendy Schoonveld
Carlos and Carver Pearson
Laura and Rob Senn
Melinda and Henry King
Mike and Christine Lewter and Julia and Seth Green
Milind and Abani Patel
Paul and Erin Agostini
Susan and John Vawter and Thomas and Amanda Rice
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Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 9
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Children’s Harbor Fork & Cork Chef ’s Dinner Series Children’s Harbor hosted the first Chef’s Dinner in a series of three to kick off the annual Fork & Cork fundraiser, presented by Medical Properties Trust, on August 17. James Beard semifinalist Chef Rob McDaniel of Bayonet created a special menu for the Sports Dinner where guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and appetizers to start the evening, followed by a multi-course dinner with special guest Pat Smith—co-host of 3 Man Front on JOX 94.5, co-creator of The Paul Finebaum Show, accomplished college football author and longtime Alabama sports broadcaster. Now in its fourth year, Fork & Cork expanded to a three-part culinary experience to support Children’s Harbor’s mission to serve to families navigating serious childhood illnesses. On August 31, the Arts Dinner, sponsored by Alabama Power, celebrates Children’s Harbor’s Junior Board Artists of the Year—Lila Graves, Dirk Walker and Porter Rivers—who will paint live throughout the evening with prints available for purchase and a portion of proceeds benefiting Children’s Harbor. On September 14, the Music Dinner, sponsored by Regions Bank, will feature live music from Encore Strings Birmingham. All proceeds support programs and services provided through The Harbor Family Center in Birmingham. OTMJ
Bill Clark and Frank Bromberg
Billy and Lynette Chancellor
Cat Outzen and Pat Smith
David Hicks, Julia Riedel, Cat Outzen, Lauren Marino and Leann Crowe
EJ and Lauren Marino
Jar and Marcia Twitty
Patsy Graves, Jack Crowe and Stanley Graves
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COMMUNITY
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below, l to r: Kristin McPherson, Kathleen Doss and Susie Abbott
PHOTO BY JORDAN WALD
10 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
left: For Burruss, music and ministry are two sides of the same coin. above: A selection of Burruss’ stringed instruments.
Spirituality in the Key of D
John Burruss on the parallels between art and ministry.
T
BY LEE HURLEY PHOTOS BY JORDAN WALD
he Reverend John Burruss will tell you that his musical life is not merely a hobby or an interlude from his calling in the ministry. Music and ministry are not separate tracks in his life. They are different forms of the same calling. Burruss, rector of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal church in Mountain Brook, traces his musical roots back to his childhood in Memphis. His mother played piano, and when he was around seventh grade, she bought the grand piano that lives in his kitchen today. Piano became more than an instrument for him; it became an emotional outlet, especially through his high school years. Even when other expectations pressed in— his father, seeing his gift for math, nudged him toward engineering—Burruss felt pulled toward music, toward “playing rock and roll,” as he cheerfully puts it. That instinct followed him into college at Purdue, where he played in a band writing original music and spent Monday nights in a Grateful Dead cover band at the Wabash Yacht Club. The habit of making music, by necessity waxed and waned as Burruss moved on through school, seminary, marriage, children and ministry. Then the pandemic arrived, and with it came both isolation and a renewed sense of need. Burruss had come to Birmingham below: Father John tickling the ivories on his grand piano. He has had it since seventh grade.
from Memphis and found himself longing for musical community. He reached out on Facebook, and a fellow musician, Tom Thagard, invited him over to play. What began as a Sunday night session became a regular outlet, and a smaller remnant of that group still gathers about once a month. Burruss credits that invitation with helping music become a regular part of his rhythm again. That return mattered for more than artistic reasons. For Burruss, music became a faithful response to a culture in which he tried to reason out why everyone seemed so angry with each other. Songwriting, by contrast, gave him a way to process what he was seeing and to make something constructive. One of his most meaningful songs, “Where Are the Days?” grew out of that impulse. It reflects on a changing world and asks whether we might learn to see it differently. Burruss draws a direct parallel between ordained ministry and making art. In pastoral life, he knows he cannot fix every problem people bring to him. What he can do is “listen and offer hope.” He sees music in much the same way: something that draws people together and reminds us that humanity still exists. That calling took concrete shape when Burruss met drummer Justin Aldridge at a Nickel Creek show at Avondale and shared the melody of “Where Are the Days?” The two worked on the song together, and that connection eventually led to the band “Sauce Furnace”. Burruss serves as the primary lyricist and songwriter, while his collaborators help shape and animate the music. He describes Chris Hills, one of his bandmates, as a conservatory-trained virtuoso who writes horn lines, while Justin adds space, energy and rhythm to the songs. The band released an album on Spotify called Songs for Humanity last November and is currently working on a second set of tunes. Perhaps the clearest sign of how fully Burruss integrates music and faith is an upcoming Americana Eucharist St. Stephen’s and All Saints are jointly planning at Avondale on September 30th. Performing songs by Brandi Carlile, Gillian Welch, Jason Isbell, the Avett Brothers and others, the service will weave music, readings and communion into a single act of worship. It is exactly the kind of event that makes sense in Burruss’ world—where songs can carry spiritual weight and where gathering around music can become a form of breaking bread together. OTMJ
LINLY HEFLIN 67th FASHION SHOW SET FOR OCTOBER
L
inly Heflin Unit will celebrate its 67th annual Scholarship Fashion Show on Wednesday, October 14th at The Club. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by the fashion show at 7 p.m. The annual fashion show is the primary fundraiser for Linly Heflin Unit and will be presented in partnership with Gus Mayer. The event will highlight featured designer L’AGENCE as well as the latest fall fashions from Gus Mayer. The show’s chair is Kathleen Doss, and Kristin McPherson is the co-chair. The President of Linly Heflin is Susie Abbott. For over 100 years, Linly Heflin has been awarding college scholarships to Alabama women. This year, 100 women will receive scholarships of $10,000 per year for up to four years to pursue an undergraduate degree at an Alabama college or university. Many of these women are the first in their family to attend college. Recipients of the Linly Heflin scholarships must demonstrate a strong academic foundation and a critical need for financial support. Visit Linlyheflin.org for more information or to purchase tickets to the show.
UPCOMING EVENTS
GUS MAYER AND LINLY HEFLIN FASHION SHOW LAUNCH PARTY
Thursday, September 10, 5–7 p.m. Gus Mayer at The Summit—Cocktails and Lite Bites The L’AGENCE Fall Collection will be available for preview. Free and Open to all
“STYLED BY MG” RAFFLE TICKETS
Closet Edit and a two-hour Gus Mayer Personal Shopping experience with Mary Glenn McElveen Available to purchase now for $50 each on the Linly Heflin website at linlyheflin.org.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
at linlyheflin.org on Wednesday, October 1, 2026
67th ANNUAL LINLY HEFLIN SCHOLARSHIP FASHION SHOW
Gus Mayer will feature the Fall 2026 collection from L’AGENCE and Gus Mayer’s Fall arrivals. Wednesday, October 14 Cocktails 5:30 p.m. Show 7 p.m. The Club Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased online at linlyheflin.org. Tickets are limited and have sold out in previous years. All proceeds from ticket and raffle sales are used to fund college scholarships for women in Alabama.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 11
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Discovering a cure for kids like Margaret Anne. Clinical trials play an essential role in the search for cures for childhood cancers and blood disorders. What we learn can inform new treatments and lead to groundbreaking discoveries. At Children’s, this research is helping advance care and create more hopeful tomorrows, so kids like Margaret Anne can live cancer-free.
Learn more at ChildrensAL.org
COA_Cancer_Ad-CURE_OTM_Journal_10.375x6.29.indd 1
8/24/26 9:28 AM
Where LEARNING and FRIENDSHIP come together
Fall Term Opening Day
Wed September 9, 9:30-12PM Please join us for intellectual stimulation and socializing. Enjoy a variety of speakers on art, science, music, storytelling, history and more!
Sherlock Holmes
Kel Laeger, professor emeritus Department of Theatre, University of Montevallo
Stay for lunch after the program! Valley Christian Church | 2600 Cherokee Place | www.newhorizonsuab.org
12 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
HEALTH | SOCIAL |
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Balance, strength and flexibility help us stay on our feet.
Fall Prevention
A safer home matters, but preventing falls also means looking at strength, medications, vision, footwear and daily habits.
I
n Birmingham, there are a number of excellent assisted and independent living facilities that provide community and levels of professional help for those in their twilight years. At the same time, many seniors are choosing to age in place, which offers a different type of comfort and control. Either way, fall prevention is a reality seniors can’t afford to ignore. When people hear “fall prevention,” they often picture grab bars in the shower, and while grab bars and handrails matter, they are only part of the picture. A home can be free of loose rugs and still not address dizziness, declining vision, leg weakness or shoes that don’t provide stable footing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say most falls result from a combination of risk factors including a person’s health, medications or the way everyday activities are performed.
That means effective prevention should be personal—not simply a standard list of products added to every house. The encouraging part is that falling is not an inevitable part of aging, and there are practical ways to reduce the risk.
START WITH STRENGTH AND BALANCE Staying active helps maintain the strength, balance and flexibility used in ordinary movements: rising from a chair, stepping over a threshold, reaching into a cabinet or recovering from a stumble. The CDC recommends activities that strengthen the legs and improve balance. The right activity depends on the individual. Someone who has fallen, feels unsteady or has experienced a recent change in mobility should discuss the right activity with a health care professional before starting a demanding exercise program.
REVIEW MEDICATIONS— NOT JUST PRESCRIPTIONS Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause dizziness, sleepiness or other effects that influence balance. The CDC recommends asking a doctor or pharmacist to review medications that may increase fall risk. This does not mean stopping medicine independently. It means making sure every provider knows what is being taken, including nonprescription products, and asking whether side effects or combinations could be contributing to unsteadiness.
DON’T OVERLOOK VISION, FEET AND FOOTWEAR A person cannot avoid a hazard that is difficult to see. Consider regular eye examinations and keeping eyeglass prescriptions current. Good lighting and strong contrast can also make steps, edges and changes in floor level easier to recognize. Foot pain and poor footwear are also among the risk factors identified by the CDC. Make sure shoes provide stable, nonslip support. Socks alone—especially on smooth flooring— may not provide dependable traction.
LOOK AT THE HOME Home safety remains essential. Loose rugs, cords, clutter, uneven transitions and furniture that narrows the path can cause issues. Check lighting at entrances, in hallways and at both ends of stairs. Repair loose handrails and consider handrails on both sides of stairways.
Bathrooms deserve special attention because water, hard surfaces and stepping movements come together in a small area. The National Institute on Aging recommends grab bars near toilets and both inside and outside tubs and showers, along with nonskid surfaces where floors may become wet. The placement and installation of support features matter. A towel bar is not designed to hold a person’s weight, and a grab bar mounted without proper backing or anchors may not provide the protection expected from it.
BUILD A PLAN AROUND THE PERSON A useful fall-prevention plan asks more than, “What should we install?” It asks: Has anything changed in balance, strength, vision or health? Has there been a fall or close call? Are daily tasks becoming more difficult? Could help be reached from anywhere in the home if a cellphone were not nearby? When would someone know if someone fell and remained on the floor? The best first step may be a medication review, an eye examination, a balance program, better shoes, improved lighting, a repaired handrail—or several of those working together. Fall prevention is not about making someone feel old or turning a home into a medical facility. It is about protecting confidence, independence and the freedom to keep participating in everyday life. OTMJ For more information on aging in place,visit TheAgingGuy.com.
OCTOBER 1ST - 3RD 10:30 am until 9:30 pm GreekFestBirmingham.com HOLY TRINITY-HOLY CROSS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 307 19th Street South Birmingham, AL 35233
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Enroll today! Creative Movement with live piano • Ballet • Pointe Modern • Musical Theatre • Jazz • Tap • Hip Hop •Classes for homeschool students, adults, and students with disabilities
Classes start Sept 8 a nonprofit since 1975 205.870.0073 | Downtown Homewood | thedancefoundation.org
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 13
ARTS
14 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
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Show Me The Line
A new documentary highlights the rollercoaster of fertility medicine and the power of art to connect us.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
BY NAUSICAA CHU
irmingham’s Emily Capilouto knows her way around the healthcare system. She worked in India on cervical cancer screening access, has two master’s degrees in epidemiology and medical anthropology and directs outreach initiatives for prostate cancer at the Mike Slive Foundation. But nothing could have prepared her for her quest to have a child. As a medical process, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is precisely understood. Treatments are timed down to the hour, risk rates can be calculated to two decimal places and every step is described in minute detail with a baffling array of terminology: “controlled ovarian stimulation,” “intracytoplasmic sperm injection,” “preimplantation genetic testing.” Yet IVF, at its core, is more than a step-by-step procedure—it is an unpredictable, often devastating and ultimately lived experience. “You can be prepared in a logical way and understand the steps it takes to do this process with hopes of eventually having a child through IVF, but on the other hand, you never really can be prepared for IVF,” says Capilouto. A new documentary, recently shown at Sidewalk Film Festival called Show Me the Line, produced by Stacey Davis and directed by Kelsey Ianuzzi, follows Capilouto and other IVF patients as an Alabama Supreme Court ruling disrupts their treatment. That ruling thrust Capilouto and fellow patients into the national spotlight as they advocated for IVF access. The documentary highlights the small moments in the midst of this larger reckoning: the women form friendships, go to hospital visits and connect with their families. “This is a beautiful intersection of storytelling and art and empowerment all in one documentary,” says Capilouto.
Capilouto’s IVF journey began five years ago. On May 28, 2021, Capilouto married Dr. James Harb. The New York Times featured their nuptials in its Mini-Vows section. After the wedding, the couple started trying for a child. That was when Capilouto went off birth control for the first time, which revealed a congenital heart defect that had not previously presented symptoms. UAB doctors cured the heart defect but warned it might be hereditary. The doctors recommended preconception screening, and Capilouto came back positive for a rare genetic mutation that could lead to a being child born without functioning bone marrow. “Until about age two, our child would seem pretty normal. And then they would effectively get cancer,” says Capilouto. Medical providers suggested screening Harb for the mutation, too. “The genetic counselors told me, ‘Oh, this is so rare. It’s highly unlikely your spouse will have this too because you’re just a carrier of it, but let’s get him screened just in case,’” says Capilouto. Harb had not only the same genetic mutation, but the exact same subtype of genetic mutation. “We had a really high chance of having a child born without functioning bone marrow,” says Capilouto. The couple decided to begin the IVF process, during which clinicians test embryos for genetic mutations. It took two and a half years before Capilouto had her first transfer, a period that included egg retrievals and genetic testing. “Not only the procedures, but the amount of time it takes for them to collect everything they need to even begin these processes takes the longest amount of waiting,” says Capilouto. The first transfer was unsuccessful. The second time, Capilouto had a miscarriage. “We were not prepared for that because on paper we looked like ideal candidates,” says Capilouto.
left: Emily Capilouto arranging flowers in her Mountain Brook home. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Show Me The Line below: Emily Capilouto and her mother, Mary Lynne Capilouto, also a resident of Mountain Brook, during an interview for Show Me The Line. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Show Me The Line
On February 16, 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos made through IVF should be considered children. Clinics across the state paused IVF treatments, citing concerns that doctors could face legal risk by providing care. Capilouto decided to speak out against the ruling. “I was quite literally fighting for my family,” she says. The ruling also upset her for another reason. “When all of this happened, it not only impacted me and my family, but it also impacted those that I work for every day,” says Capilouto. Some cancer patients freeze their eggs or sperm before treatment, as chemotherapy and radiation treatments can damage fertility. The ruling could prevent such patients from accessing fertility preservation procedures. “They in turn delay potentially life-saving treatments or surgeries as a result,” says Capilouto. The New York Times featured Capilouto again, but for a more somber story about the ruling’s impact on IVF patients. Capilouto described her hurt and despair. Capilouto also spoke to PBS, AL.com, Good Morning America, and the United Kingdom’s The Sunday Times. “IVF is already a very devastating place for the most part. And I wasn’t going to be silent and just allow that to happen to all of us,” says Capilouto. Amid the national uproar over the Alabama ruling, Capilouto relied on her mother, Mary Lynne Capilouto, for support. Her mother was in one of the first cohorts of Alabama women to receive IVF treatment. That treatment was unsuccessful, so the younger Capilouto was adopted. Mary Lynne would accompany her daughter to appointments and egg retrievals, offering encouragement when things went well and comfort when things did not. “It really strengthened our bond to be able to not only have my mom as my mother but also tap into this part of her who went through this and can guide me,” says Capilouto. As public backlash against the ruling continued, lawmakers scrambled to create legislation to resume IVF treatments. On March 6, 2024, Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill that granted civil and criminal immunity to
clinics providing, and patients using IVF treatment. Clinics reopened statewide. Throughout the turbulent process, Capilouto found solace in arranging flowers with her mother. The documentary shows them making colorful bouquets. “That’s something that I’ve come back to a lot when I am stressed out—the therapeutic approach of designing something, creating something, especially flowers, and then getting to give them to other people,” she says. “That brings me a lot of peace and joy.” Another source of joy was connecting with other women going through IVF. “Through this process, the women I met that are advocates and also the women that are featured in the documentary have quickly become lifelong friends,” says Capilouto. “We just truly have some of the most wonderful people here.” In 2025, almost four years after her IVF journey began, Capilouto’s third transfer was successful. She was pregnant. “IVF can be a very heartbreaking journey, so I spent nine months just worried every minute,” says Capilouto. But her pregnancy went smoothly, and in December 2025—four days after her birthday— Capilouto gave birth to her son. Her mother was in the delivery room. “To see her with her grandchild, it feels very full circle,” Capilouto says. IVF treatment in Alabama is not a resolved issue. The 2024 legislation was designed as a short-term measure to reopen clinics and did not address the core of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling—that embryos are children. “There’s still work to be done to protect access to IVF and fertility treatments in Alabama,” says Capilouto. But Capilouto’s personal IVF journey has ended. If she could travel back and speak to herself at the start of the process, Capilouto would say this: “It’s going to be a longer process than you can imagine, and that part is going to hurt more than you could ever anticipate. But there are people cheering for you that you may not even know, and their prayers and their support will hold you up during this time. So lean on them. Get out there. Don’t let this take away your joy, because through the difficulty, there is joy.” OTMJ Show Me the Line will be screened at the 37th Annual New Orleans Film Festival. For more information about the film, visit showmetheline.com.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| ARTS |
ASHLEY JONES-THOMPSON RETURNS TO ASFA
T
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 15
BY NAIMA SALVARY PHOTO BY JORDAN WALD
hree years ago in May 2023, Ashley Jones-Thompson hung up her cap and decided to leave her teaching position at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) to lead the UAB Honors college. Now she’s back, as the head of the creative writing department replacing long-time chair and former colleague, TJ Beitelman. Jones-Thompson, an ASFA alumnus of the creative writing department herself says, “I’ve dreamed of being the Chair of ASFA’s creative writing department since I was a student in the program.” ASFA, a tuition-free public school for grades seven-12 in downtown, serves students with exceptional talent from all over the state. Jones-Thompson, a Birmingham native, molded young writers at ASFA for eight years. In addition to her role at the school, she served as the poet laureate of Alabama from January 2022 to January 2026 and was the youngest recipient and first person of color to hold the position. Jones-Thompson is also a published author of four poetry collections, as well as an essay collection. “I plan to bring my energy and my excitement for writing and writing instruction, as well as my connections in the creative writing world back to my alma mater,” she says. ASFA’s creative writing department has roughly 45 students with five faculty members. The program helps educate some of Alabama’s best young writers, receiving a strong foundation in the literary arts and exploring form and genre. Jones-Thompson is looking forward to the school year ahead, making new connections and enjoying the familiar flow of the ASFA environment. ASFA’s vice president, Brad Hill, says he’s excited to have the creative writing students learn from one of the best: “She is the most compelling and dynamic poet in our state, a relentless advocate for literary arts, and a celebrator of being alive.” OTMJ
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16 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
ARTS CALENDAR
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| SOCIAL |
Thurs., Sept. 10-Sun., Sept. 27 THE COUNTER
Set in a smalltown diner in upstate New York, a deep, unexpected friendship forms between Paul and Katie. Paul, a retired firefighter, is a regular customer struggling with pain, and Katie, a waitress at the diner, has secrets of her own. terrificnewtheatre.com WHEN: Various show times WHERE: The Terrific New Theatre
August 20-September 21
RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE PRESENTS COME FROM AWAY
Based on a true story, the Tony-winning musical is onstage at RMT for the first time. On September 11, 2001, thirty-eight planes were diverted to the airstrip in Gander, Newfoundland, bringing thousands of scared international travelers to the tiny town. For several days of uncertainty, the local community came together to support the needs of the “Plane People.” Come From Away immortalizes the stories from townspeople and travelers who found common ground in abundant hospitality, music, and an open bar. Tickets and times: Tickets can be purchased online at redmountaintheatre.org.
and her dog on a fantastical journey through Dreamland where their nightly routine is thrown delightfully off-balance. bct123.org WHEN: Various show times WHERE: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Fri., Sept. 11-Sat., Sept. 12 BIRMINGHAM ARTWALK
Artwalk is a two-day arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s downtown neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100-plus visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors and children’s activities. ArtWalk is free to the public and has become an anticipated fall event, drawing more than 8,000 people to the streets of downtown Birmingham. birminghamartwalk.org WHEN: Sep 11 5-10 p.m. and Sep 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m. WHERE: 20th Street North from 2nd Ave. N. to 6th Ave. N.
Fri., Sept. 11 and Sun., Sept. 13 THREE ON A STRING
Homewood Theatre presents Alabama Music Hall of Fame inductees Three on a String in concert. Come hear the band’s own brand of music and comedy. homewoodtheatre.com WHEN: Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Homewood Theatre
Sat., Sept. 12-Sat. Sept. 26 STAY AWAKE
What happens when bedtime becomes an adventure? Stay Awake invites children ages 0-5 to follow a child
Mary Badham and Cecilia Peck, daughter of Gregory Peck. Growing up With Atticus explores the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird and the power of art to effect change. Through personal stories, film clips and live conversation, Badham and Peck reflect on the man behind the role and the values that continue to resonate across generations. virginiasamfordtheatre.org WHEN: Various show times WHERE: Virginia Samford Theatre
Fri., Sept. 18
2026 ARTS BLOCK PARTY
Join the UAB Center for the Arts at their annual Arts Block Party. Enjoy local food trucks, vendors, live DJ music, giveaways and interactive experiences throughout the evening. The galleries at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) will be open for guests to explore, while ArtPlay and AEIVA will offer activities for kids and adults alike. Enjoy a free outdoor concert with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience. alysstephens.org WHEN: 5-9 p.m. WHERE: UAB Arts District
Sat., Sept. 19
LATIN AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Enjoy an afternoon of music, dance, art and delicious food at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s annual Latin American Heritage Festival! This vibrant celebration features live performances by Ballet Folklórico Corazón Sagrado and Mariachi Premier de América, bilingual tours of the Ancient American Gallery, family art activities, food trucks, a pastry tasting from Mi Pueblo and face painting by Masquerade Face Paint. artsbma.org WHEN: 1-5 p.m. WHERE: Birmingham Museum of Art
Thurs., Sept. 17-Sun., 27
Tues., Sept. 22-Sun., Sept. 27
Virginia Samford Theatre launches their centennial season with the world premiere of a new play by
Broadway in Birmingham brings the TonyAward-winning musical Hamilton back to
GROWING UP WITH ATTICUS
HAMILTON
AL ABAMA SCHOOL OF FI N E ARTS
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 2026
SESSIONS BEGIN AT 9 AM, 10 AM, & 11 AM
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Come take a tour, meet our award-winning faculty, and learn how you can apply! ASFA is a 7-12th grade public, tuition-free school for talented and passionate students. Located in Birmingham, AL with boarding available for grades 9-12.
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Birmingham. Hamilton is a groundbreaking, rap-and-hip-hop-infused biographical musical with book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Based on Ron Chernow’s biography, it traces the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. WHEN: Various show times WHERE: BJCC Concert Hall
Sat., Sept. 26-Sat., Oct. 17
THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS
He huffed. He puffed. And now he wants a fair trial. Based on Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s beloved picture book, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is a high-energy musical that turns a familiar fairy tale on its head. bct123.org WHEN: Various show times WHERE: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Sun., Sept. 27
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF RENT: ADAM PASCAL AND ANTHONY RAPP
Celebrate a milestone moment at the Alys Stephens Center as Broadway icons Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp take the stage for a special evening honoring the 30th Anniversary of Rent, as well as their friendship, and celebrating the 30th Anniversary of UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Best known for originating the roles of Roger and Mark in Rent on Broadway, Pascal and Rapp bring their unmistakable chemistry, powerhouse vocals and behind-the-scenes stories to this unforgettable concert experience. alysstephens.org WHEN: 7-9 p.m. WHERE: Alys Stephens Center
Tues., Sept. 29
SAMFORD ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Experience an evening of exceptional music with the Samford Orchestra. Featuring a diverse repertoire performed by talented student musicians and conducted by esteemed faculty, this concert celebrates artistry, collaboration and the power of live orchestral performance. WHEN: 7:30-8:30 p.m. WHERE: Brock Recital Hall
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 17
| ARTS CALENDAR | Grammy Award winner and 2019 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Marcus Hummon, two-time Grammy Award nominee and 14-time Dove Award winner, Cindy Morgan, and eight-time Grammy Award winner and 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Tommy Sims, come together for a night of music. thelibrarytheatre.com WHEN: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. WHERE: The Library Theatre, Hoover Public Library
International Piano Competition gold medalist, Kern is celebrated for her powerful technique and expressive brilliance. She is joined by rising star cellist Tommy Mesa, known for his compelling musicality and dynamic presence on the concert stage. samford.edu/arts/ WHEN: 7:30-9:30 p.m. WHERE: Brock Recital Hall
Flora Meets a Bee follows a young girl and the unlikely companion who helps her discover that belonging can be found in the most surprising places. bct123.org WHEN: Various show times WHERE: Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Sun., Oct. 18
Thurs., Oct. 8-Sun., Oct. 18
Black Violin—the Grammy-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus—invite audiences into a night of boundary-breaking music when they bring their Be Free Tour to Birmingham. This high-energy experience merges the duo’s classical training with the pulse of hip-hop, creating a powerful and inspiring performance. alysstephens.org WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
MOONLIGHT PRINCESSES: A TRIBUTE TO DEMON HUNTERS Designed for families with young children, this polished yet playful event invites kids to sing, dance and delight in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with anime-inspired storytelling and dynamic K‑pop energy. alysstephens.org WHEN: 3 p.m. WHERE: Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
Sat., Oct. 24
AFTER DARK: A SYMPHONY OF SHIVERS
BERLIN TO BROADWAY
This captivating musical revue celebrates the life and legacy of Kurt Weill, one of the 20th century’s most influential composers. Journey from the vibrant cabarets of 1920’s Berlin to the bright lights of Broadway through unforgettable songs from The Threepenny Opera, Lady in the Dark, Lost in the Stars and more. Woven together with engaging storytelling, this intimate production explores Weill’s remarkable career. virginiasamfordtheatre.org WHEN: Various show times WHERE: Virginia Samford Theatre
BLACK VIOLIN
ASFA MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS: FALL CELEBRATION ASFA Music Department presents their Fall Large Ensemble concert. It includes performances by our ASFA Choir, ASFA Singers, ASFA Jazz Ensemble and ASFA Orchestra. WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: DJD Theatre, ASFA
Thurs., Oct 15- Fri., Oct. 16- Sat., Oct. 17 HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
Winner of eight Tony Awards®, Hadestown intertwines the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice with Hades and Persephone in a breathtaking folk opera about love, hope, sacrifice and the resilience of the human spirit. WHEN: Thursday. 6 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. WHERE: DJD Theatre, ASFA
Sun., Oct. 25
Fri., Oct. 30
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chris Confessore, brings the dark and dramatic to life. From the haunting halls of Harry Potter and Wicked to the spine-tingling suspense of Psycho and Ghostbusters, plus classical favorites like “Night on Bald Mountain” and “Danse Macabre,” this symphony concert is packed with spooky favorites. alabamasymphony.org WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
Sat., Oct. 31-Sun., Nov., 1
ASFA DANCE PRESENTS: FALL REPERTORY
Sat., Oct. 24-Sat., Nov. 7 FLORA MEETS A BEE
Flora has never quite felt like she fits in—until an unexpected friendship changes everything.
ASFA Dance returns to the stage with excerpts from the great classic Don Quixote stage by Roger VanFleteren and Shawn Black. New Works by ASFA Dance faculty Margi Cole and Germaul Barnes with a World Premiere “Bolero” by Sara Sanford, music by Maurice Ravel. WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2:30 p.m. WHERE: DJD Theatre, ASFA OTMJ
Thurs., Oct 1- Fri., Oct. 2- Sat., Oct. 3 ANTIGONICK
Anne Carson’s bold and poetic adaptation of Antigone reimagines Sophocles’ timeless tragedy for a contemporary audience. Blending wit, striking imagery, and profound questions of justice, family and moral courage, Antigonick offers an unforgettable theatrical experience. WHEN: Thursday. 6 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. WHERE: DJD Theatre, ASFA
Fri., Oct. 2-Sat., Oct. 3
THIEF, POET, AND SONGS
Starting with the Coffee Concert, Christopher Confessore leads the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8—a work full of folk-inspired melodies and energy—paired with Rossini’s sparkling overture to La gazza ladra. Later, guest pianist Dina Kasman joins the ASO, and Confessore leads them in a program that moves from Rossini’s comic overture (La gazza ladra) to a beloved piano concerto. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 opens and builds to a sweeping orchestral climax—with Kasman at the center. Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony closes the evening. WHEN: Friday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, 7 p.m. WHERE: Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
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BÉLA FLECK: MY BLUEGRASS HEART
Béla Fleck returns with his My Bluegrass Heart tour for an evening that celebrates the roots of bluegrass while propelling the genre boldly into the future. Joined by an ensemble of master musicians and rising stars, Fleck delivers a spellbinding performance filled with precision, musical connection and rich acoustic sound. alysstephens.org When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
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TOMMY MESA, CELLIST + OLGA KERN, PIANIST
Experience an exceptional evening of artistry with guest performers Tommy Mesa, cello, and Olga Kern, piano. An internationally acclaimed pianist and Van Cliburn
Sat., Oct. 3
63rd ANNUAL BLUFF PARK ART SHOW
The Bluff Park Art Show—a juried art show presented by the Bluff Park Art Association, a 501(c)3 organization— has become a nationally recognized and acclaimed art show over the past 63 years. Each year, thousands of visitors experience hundreds of artists from Birmingham and across the country exhibiting art in a variety of mediums. bluffparkartassociation.org WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: Bluff Park, Hoover (designated parking lots with free shuttles provided)
Sun., Oct. 4
MARCUS HUMMON, CINDY MORGAN & TOMMY SIMS
The Heart Behind the Music brings together three great artists for a one-of-a-kind songwriter’s showcase.
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18 • Thursday, September 3, 2026
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
A PUBLIC MESSAGE FROM NEBIUS
NO. 002 - 09.03.26
Who is Nebius?
Will jobs be created?
Will my power bill go up?
Will my taxes increase?
How much water will it use?
When will it be completed?
Will it be noisy?
Is there someone I can speak to?
What will it do to air quality?
Why build it in Birmingham?
We’re answering every question publicly at NebiusBHM.com.
Visit NebiusBHM.com to ask yours. We’ll answer what we know, be transparent about what we don’t, and keep the conversation going.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| SPORTS |
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 19
NEW ERA ON THE HORIZON FOR JOHN CARROLL BY LOYD MCINTOSH PHOTOS BY JORDAN WALD
J
ohn Carroll Catholic High School may be coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign; however, head coach Will Mara is optimistic about the team’s prospects this season and beyond. While the Cavaliers went 3-9 in 2025, and the coaching staff will be replacing 20 seniors—including the entire defense— Mara says there is plenty to look forward to as the new season approaches. Mara says the incoming group of seniors is motivated with an intense sense of urgency and is focused on returning John Carroll to their winning ways. “This senior group doesn’t want to sit through a season like that again,” says Mara, adding that they were freshmen during the 2023 season in which the Cavaliers finished 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. In response, Mara says the seniors have stepped up in a huge way, creating an information group called the DHS Club (Do Hard Stuff). They have led non-mandatory 5:30 a.m. workouts every Friday since December, regardless of the weather, in addition to the regularly scheduled trainings. “They saw what it takes,” says Mara, “and they said, ‘That’s where we need to be, and we want to go further than that.’”
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
John Carroll returns a group of skill position players that Mara believes may be the deepest the program has ever had. At quarterback, junior Harrison White, the son of Auburn’s all-time leading passer and John Carroll assistant coach Stan White, appears to have the edge over senior Carson Lewis, a transfer by way of Thompson and Oak Mountain. At running back, Aubrey Coker returns after being the featured ball carrier last season. “He was our guy, every down, last year as a sophomore,” says Mara. “I’m expecting a big year out of him.” Behind him, sophomores Jeremiah Hubbard and Diesel Ephraim are still developing, but their explosiveness gives the John Carroll running game a depth it lacked a year ago. Senior Truman Vines, a sophomore and already one of the team’s vocal leaders, will line up at tight end and will also see time at wide receiver and on defense. Mara says this year’s group of receivers is the deepest he has had at John Carroll. They are led by seniors Kannon Hammock, Kieran Ford and Tucker Rice, along with Cameron Graham, who doubles at safety, and junior Manly Fleming. The name generating the most interest, though, is TJ Richardson, son of Alabama
legend Trent Richardson. An eighth grader, Richardson is already a beast, listed at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. The offensive line is still taking shape; however, Hugh Tighe, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound left tackle, is the anchor of the O-line. Senior Kyle Heberlein will return at center following a season-ending injury last year, while Colton Redmond and Caden Ballou compete for guard spots. Rounding out the offensive line are sophomore Luke Pilato and freshman Josh Styles, an early standout who will also see some action on the defensive line.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Since John Carroll graduated the starting defense from 2025, every defensive player starting in 2026 is a newbie, but talented. At linebacker, sophomore Aven McCall is creating a stir with his play on the field and some eye-popping numbers in the weight room. He is joined by juniors Jacob Varner and Liam Gill at the “bandit” position—a hybrid of linebacker and defensive end. Completing the linebacker corps are Judah Metcalf and Broden Elkins. The defensive line will lean on a rotation of players playing both ways with the offensive line; however, Connie Tripp, a sophomore,
Alex Manza and Connor Mitchell are expected to see the bulk of the reps, along with Caden Blue and freshman Joshua Davis, who Mara says made an impression in his first week of practice with the Cavaliers. In the secondary, Chris Collins, Aiden Van Matre and Noah Phillips join Graham at safety, while Skyler Carmichael and Ford anchor the cornerback spots. CL Mitchell will man the “star” position in John Carroll’s nickel packages.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mara says the kicking game is a potential difference-maker in 2026. Senior Max Sullivan is capable of landing kickoffs in the end zone—a valuable skill for controlling field position—and will also handle field goals. Punter Ryan Sweat has what Mara describes as a “cannon of a leg,” routinely giving opposing return units trouble fielding his kicks. Between the two, Mara believes John Carroll has the field-position weapons to flip games in close contests. Beginning in 2026, the AHSAA separated public and private schools into distinct divisions for the first time. John Carroll was placed in Class AA, the higher of the two private school classifications, grouped with the state’s largest private programs. Mara calls the change-up “a little surprising” but says the Cavaliers are “excited to see some other competition” and that “our goals don’t change” regardless of the new alignment. OTMJ
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BACK, L TO R: Truman Vines, Coach Will Mara, Aubrey Coker FRONT, L TO R: Kannon Hammock, Hugh Tighe
SPORTS | OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • OTMJ.COM | Thursday, September 3, 2026
GLORY BOUND
Keith Dunnavant’s documentary film highlights Mountain Brook’s 1975 football dominance. BY LEE HURLEY
left: QB Richard Burg (11) and HB Major Ogilvie (42) led the team to back-to-back state championships.
K
eith Dunnavant has spent a career moving across media without ever really leaving the same mission: telling interesting stories about interesting people and events. He started young, working in north Alabama journalism as a teenager, then built a reputation as a sportswriter, magazine entrepreneur, author and, eventually, documentary filmmaker. Along the way he wrote definitive football books, covered major programs and national sports trends, launched his own magazines and broadened his reach into film. But in his latest project, Dunnavant has turned his attention to something smaller in scale but not in significance: the story of Mountain Brook High School’s 1975 state football championship team. The film—Every Hill Is a Step—is the focus of his work now and part of a larger effort began about three years ago with Prep Legends Media, a company devoted to documentary films about the history of championship high school sports teams. For Dunnavant, the attraction is not just football itself, but what football reveals about a town, a school and a shared identity. Dunnavant understands that world well. He grew up in Athens, Alabama, in a family steeped in media. His father and grandfather were in radio, and he was doing professional work by age 14. He later attended the University of Alabama on what he described as an athletic department writing and media scholarship made possible by an interview with Paul “Bear” Bryant. As an author, Dunnavant became known for books on Coach Bryant, Joe Montana and
Bart Starr, then widened his scope with works such as Spy Pilot and Speed, showing an ability to move beyond sports into national history, espionage and aviation. In film, too, he has worked on larger productions, including ESPN documentaries on Starr and other subjects. Yet Dunnavant speaks about the Prep Legends films with a particular kind of passion. The budgets are smaller and the settings more local, but that seems to be part of the appeal. He is deeply interested in the “connective tissue” between a small community and its football team, especially when that bond culminates in a championship. Those stories, he believes, carry built-in emotional stakes, narrative tension and,
at the end, a shared sense of pride. That framework made the 1975 Mountain Brook team an ideal subject. Dunnavant had been aware of that team for years, having grown up in Alabama during that era. Mountain Brook was then still a relatively young football program, and under head coach Robert Higginbotham it rose quickly from struggle to dominance. The 1975 Spartans finished 13-0 and won the school’s first state football championship, a breakthrough achievement that still carries meaning nearly five decades later. The school repeated this feat in 1976. In Dunnavant’s telling, Every Hill Is a Step is not simply a victory lap. It is a character-driven story about a demanding coach, a group of players pushed beyond what they thought were their limits, and a community transformed by the result. It explores the arrival of star running back Major Ogilvie in the summer of 1975, along with the rapid building of a contender under
Higginbotham and the symbolic importance of Mountain Brook’s rivalry with Berry High School whom they had never beaten. Interviewees in the film include players Ogilvie, quarterback Richard Burg, Matt Whatley, Dan Tourtellotte, Scott Cardwell, Robbie Thomas, Charlie Speake and Higginbotham himself. Dunnavant says Ogilvie was especially important to the film, both because of his talent and because his arrival helped elevate an already strong team. But just as important, he adds, was the bond formed among players who endured Higginbotham’s demanding standards together— a bond that has lasted half a century. Dunnavant’s four-person documentary team includes director of photography Jonathan W. Hickman, editor Maggie Hickman and digital media coordinator Joe Beamon. According to Dunnavant each film begins as a blank canvas and requires both reporting and invention. He and his collaborators dig through newspaper archives, conduct extensive interviews and shape the material with the goal of not just preserving history, but creating an emotional experience. The film itself runs approximately 30 to 45 minutes and will premiere in a single showing at 7 p.m. on September 17 at Mountain Brook High School. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Mountain Brook Quarterback Club’s charity. OTMJ Tickets are available for $20 at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/mb-spartans1975-state-champions-premier.
1975 STATE CHAMPIONS: FIRST ROW: Billy Morris, Rem Miller, John Whitehead, Gil Rush, Greg Ellis, Stuart Scott, Carl Moss, Ed Bowron, Joe Abbott, Bebo Cole, Ronnie Cofield, Tommy Lister, Mgr. George Bell and Mgr. Richard Rickart. • SECOND ROW: John Pasker, Richard Burg, Major Ogilvie, Lang Burroughs, Dale Phillips, Dan Tourtellotte, Pip Mason, Charlie Speake, Rob Thomas, Mat Whatley, Chris Christie, Max Niemann, Bill Kreis and Bob Shoulders. • THIRD ROW: Coach Higginbotham, Mike Hilton, Don Smith, Charlie Sharp, Rich Lipscomb, David Kinsey, Scot Cardwell, Doug Walker, Greg McCormick, Keith Bouchillon, George Nakos, Allan Hughes, Sam Price, Mike Mathews, Coach Bradley and Coach Brenner. Photo special to the Journal