OTMJ 8.8.24

OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM

SOCIAL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024

SPORTS

INSIDE

Journal photo by Anne Ruisi

LIFE Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Names 3 to the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame Class of ‘24 PAGE 6

Dr. Jimmie Harvey, left, talks with Daniel Creech on a recent visit to United Abilities 20-acre campus on Lakeshore Drive.

‘I Love This Place’

FOOD It’s All Greek: FOOD+Culture Celebrates a Flavorful Culinary Community PAGE 14

Retired Doctor to Be Honored at United Ability’s Journey of Hope Gala

By Anne Ruisi

L

ittle did Dr. Jimmie Harvey know when he traveled to Albany, New York, in 1986 to ask his future father-in-law for permission to marry his daughter that it would lead to not only a happy marriage and four children but also to decades of service to what was then known as United Cerebral Palsy.

“Fortunately, he said, ‘Yes,’” Harvey said, and after lunch, his soon-to-be father-in-law took him to the UCP center

in Albany, where he was involved in disability services.

“I got the impression that that was something that he would love for me to get involved in,” the retired Mountain Brook oncologist said.

Almost 40 years later, on Aug. 17, Harvey will be honored by United Ability for his decades of service to disabled people during the Journey of Hope gala at the Alys Stephens Center. United Ability was formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham.

See HARVEY, page 7

Journey of Hope United Ability’s 8th Journey of Hope gala fundraiser will be Aug. 17 at the Alys Stephens Center. Chris Biggins and Alie B. Gorrie are the hosts.

The doors open at 5 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers, followed by dinner, a program and a dessert reception. There is silent auction featuring items such as art, wine and jewelry, and experiences such as tickets to the SEC Championship game.

See JOURNEY, page 7

HOME Good Planning Means Good Results, Remodeler of the Year Says PAGE 16

2 • Thursday, August 8, 2024

OPINION/CONTENTS

THANK YOU! Readers and Advertisers

August is our anniversary month and this year marks our 34th year of serving the communities of Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County.

Our mission has always been to highlight the interesting people and exciting events that make Over the Mountain life so enjoyable.

Our message from the beginning was that we were “all about you.” We have stayed true to that focus over the last 34 years.

That’s been made possible thanks to the support of local advertisers interested in reaching the best readers in the state. Year after year, that’s the greatest birthday present we could possibly receive.

—Maury Wald, publisher Over The Mountain Journal

ABOUT TOWN LIFE SOCIAL

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FOOD FOOD SPORTS

Guest Column

J

The View From Abroad

une 6 was the 80th anniversary of how we ever got two “old men” as our D-Day. Only a few who actually best choices for the most powerful posiparticipated in that momentous tion in the world. event are still around. Just add 80 to • If they get a chance to come to the their age in 1944 and you understand USA, their top choices of cities are New why. The best guess is that about 4,400 York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Allied men died on that day alone.

Interestingly, we met one young man July 4 just passed and we ate a lot, who had been an exchange student in drank a lot and maybe shot off some Albertville his junior year of high school.

Roman candles or lit a few sparklers.

He loved the South.

Thank goodness we leave the “big stuff” • Some view us as a bit self-absorbed incendiaries to the professionals. I don’t and prideful in a not-so-flattering way.

RANDY ADAMY think I would like to work in a Chinese • We talk too much and too loudly, in fireworks factory. their view.

I mention these two events because • They still view our country as a land On the long trip we, in theory, should feel patriotic when of opportunity, and many would like to they come around each year. Where do back, it occurred to live here one day. They see their home you fall on the patriotic spectrum? Do you as stagnating. My Iranian friend me how much we countries radiate red, white and blue or do symbols falls into this group. of patriotism leave you unmoved?

On the long trip back, it occurred to take our country for Just last month, I was in the northeast me how much we take our country for granted. Much of granted. Much of the world longs for what corner of Italy for 10 days on a mission the world longs for we have. Some take arduous trips through trip. This was not like going to a third world country. No one who knew I was jungles and across deserts to be met with what we have. going felt sorry for me. The city, Trento, is the final barrier of barbed wire and high where the Council of Trent was held in the steel walls. I am not taking this as a stand mid 1500’s. It’s worth a Google search if you want a quick on immigration. It’s just a fact. dive into church history. Trento has roughly 100,000 people, Our system of government has flaws, as do our leaders. which is about the size of Hoover, and one Protestant At 248 years old, we are still a young nation by internationchurch. There are several Catholic churches, but they are al standards. Trento had residents 2,500 years ago. We pretty empty on Sunday mornings. In talking to residents remain an experiment in democracy. and students, we found that people were agnostic, atheists I’ve been a part of this experiment since Eisenhower or non-practicing Catholics pretty much in that order. This was president. Failure has been predicted regularly. Morals was not a scientific survey. and ethics have derailed at high political levels by the basWe worked most closely with students who were ket full. I do believe our system self-adjusts and self-reguenrolled in post-graduate work at the University of Trento. lates for the most part.

They know English but want to learn to speak “American Every year someone publishes the “Happiest countries English.” In fact, they want to know everything American. in the world” list. Iceland, Denmark and Norway often Talking about politics, religion, food, family life etc. make this list. Is it the climate? Is it the leadership? The came easy to them. These were not all Italians. Many came food? Visit one of these countries and you will see that most from other European countries and even the Middle East. of the population looks alike. We tend to get along well My longest conversation was with a 36-year-old from with people who look and act like we do. They are not the northern Iran. Here are some observations from him and melting pot America is. others I spoke with in no specific order of importance.

Our diversity is our strength. Contrasting opinions – 338 • They follow our political course, or discourse, closely. million of them – may create some friction; however, they They knew who was running on both tickets and the peralso create more options. In America we have lots of sonalities involved. Let me ask you, the reader, do you options. know who the president of Italy is?

Here’s to travel for expanding my view.

• Along that same line at that time, they wondered then I’m still a fan of the red, white and blue.

August 2, 1990

14 16 24

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.

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Over the Mountain Views

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

August 8, 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, Lee Hurley, Susan Swagler Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Gail Kidd

Back to School Festival Fun

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Vol. 35, No. 1

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.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Summer vacation is over but the return to school is just as much fun for students in Vestavia Hills as they enjoyed the Back to School Outdoor Festival on Aug. 3.

Left, Halle Vickers and Kimberly Martinez at the event at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex in Liberty Park featured field day games, kiddie pools, pizza, music and more, and was one of two planned this month. The next is Aug. 10 at Kelly Field in Cahaba Heights.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

AUG 8 - APR 22 Wednesdays through Sept. 11 Vestavia Hills Farmers Market

Live music, fresh produce, jewelry, baked goods and many other items will be on hand every Wednesday at the Vestavia Hills Farmers Market. The market is a mission of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, with funds from the market used to supply the church’s food pantry with fresh fruit and vegetables. When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Scout Square, 2061 Kentucky Avenue

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 3

ABOUT TOWN Sat., Aug. 10 Finish the Fight Against GI Cancer Run

Runners will race for a good cause with the Finish the Fight Against GI Cancer fundraiser, running from Otey’s Tavern in Homewood to Otey’s sister tavern in Mountain Brook.

The race is a benefit for the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. When:

Vestavia Back to School Outdoor Festival

Enjoy field day games and activities, kiddie pools, giveaways of school

supplies, pizza, Kona ice, a musical performer and lots more as Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest holds this back-to-school party. When: 11 a.m.1 p.m. Where: Kelly Field in Cahaba Heights

Vestavia Cornhole Tournament

Vestavia Hills Rotary Clubs are sponsoring this cornhole competition to benefit Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport Team, Vestavia Hills student scholarships and programming, Vestavia Hills First Responders and Unless U. When: 2-5:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia City Center

Thurs., Aug. 15 “Southern Rivers” Book Discussion

Dr. R. Scot Duncan, an award-winning author, biologist and advocate with the Alabama Audubon Society, will talk about managing southeastern rivers and how river water quality affects the daily lives of the millions who hold these historic waterways dear. When: 2 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest

Vestavia Chamber Back to School Bash

Celebrate the new school year with

a Back-To-School Bash hosted by the Vestavia Hills Arts Council and Vestavia City Center. Enjoy live music by Plastic Gems, fun activities for kids, a variety of vendors and more. When: 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia City Center’s green space

Fri., Aug. 16 Don’t Make Me Sing! A Cabaret Featuring Sara James

Come for a night of songs and stories with the theater’s very own Sara James as she perform some of her favorite musical theatre songs, along

About Town continued on page 4

Aug. 8-Aug. 11 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Before she was a hit-maker and music legend, Carole King was Carole Klein, a teenage songwriter from Brooklyn. “Beautiful” is the story of her journey from a high school dreamer to a trailblazer in a male-dominated profession. When: Various showtimes Where: Red Mountain Theatre

Thurs., Aug. 8 The J’La Gala

The Levite Jewish Community Center will host its 3rd annual J’la Gala to benefit a wide range of programming for children and adults. The evening will include a cocktail hour with open bar, plated three-course kosher dinner and live and silent auctions.

When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Levite Jewish Community Center

Aug. 8-17 Birmingham Restaurant Week

Enjoy a variety of eateries during Birmingham Restaurant Week with, locally-owned businesses offering prix-fixe breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Visit bhamrestaurantweek. com/eat-drink for more information on participating businesses. When: Various business hours Where: Participating businesses

Aug. 9-11 Vestavia Hills Bargain Days

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce urges you to shop local with businesses all over the city!

Check out stores in Cahaba Heights, Liberty Park, Patchwork Farms, Highway 31 and Rocky Ridge for some great deals. When: During store hours Where: Businesses throughout Vestavia Hills

Fri., Aug. 9 Moonlight Movies

Take the family and enjoy a screening of “Legally Blonde” at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and treat yourself to a to-go dinner or drink from one of the shopping center’s restaurants. When: Movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Where: Lane Parke, on the green near Lady Bird and Jeni’s

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Book an appointment today to start your new garden, elevate your existing garden, or learn more with one-on-one garden coaching!

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Hail Maestro!

ASO’s Annual Ball Celebrates Maestro Izcaray’s 10th Season The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its season Sept. 20 with its Maestro’s Ball, the orchestra’s largest fundraiser.

This year’s ball, hosted by Catherine and Emmett McLean, celebrates the beginning of Music Director Carlos Izcaray’s 10th season with the ASO, the organization said in an announcement of the event. The ball will honor this milestone and launch a season-long recognition of Izcaray’s leadership.

The evening’s concert, conducted

by Izcaray, will preview several of the upcoming season’s performances and culminate with Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, the first symphony Izcaray ever conducted with the ASO. “Our full-time orchestra under Carlos’s direction will entertain us with an exciting concert to kick off the 2024-2025 season,” the

McLeans said in a statement. “The ASO is a vital component of our city’s landscape, enriching our community culturally, artistically, and economically, and we hope you will join us at the Alys Stephens Center for an exciting performance.”

The Maestro’s Ball each year supplies as much as 15% of the ASO’s operating budget through contributions from individual and corporate supporters. The ASO works to serve the public through frequent free community concerts, a substantial hospital outreach program called Music Meets Medicine, and education programs that reach at least 25,000 K-12 and college students a year in 48 of Alabama’s 67 counties.

Maestro’s Ball corporate chairs this year are J. David Brown III, Emily Wood Bowron Forehand and Charles D. Perry.

About Town continued from page 3

by Rotary District 6860. When: 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Crestline Village, in front of the O’Neal Library

with some unexpected favorites and a few surprises along the way. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Theatre

Sat., Aug. 17 Just a Call Away 5K

This year, participants have three options to participate: a live chipFEMA LOMR Public Notice timed 5K, an in-person fun run, or a The Cities of Mountain Brook and Birmingham, in accordance with National virtual 5K. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. enshaw Flood Insurance Program regulation 65.7(b)(1), hereby gives notice of the Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 When: 8 a.m. Where: Patriot Park

City’s intent to revise the flood hazard information for a portion of Watkins 23rd Annual Picasso Pets Gala Brook and Watkins Brook Tributary 2, ur AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL Grab your boots andfor bolothe ties for this generally located between South Lane year’s Wild, Woof, West-themed party July 11,and 2024 issue. and Montevallo Road extending west to Cahaba Road. Specifically, the to benefit Hand in Paw, which brings flood hazard information will be revised animal-assisted therapy to those who along Watkins Brook from a point apneed it most. A VIP cocktail reception, proximately 50 feet upstream of South seated dinner, wine pull, photo booth Lane to a point approximately 50 feet and live auction of pet paintings are downstream of Montevallo Road and for among the activities to enjoy. Also, Watkins Brook Tributary 2 from a point Hand in Paw therapy teams will approximately 300 feet downstream of Cahaba Road to the confluence with interact with guests. When: 6-9 p.m.

Watkins Brook.

Where: The Harbert Center

ase make sure all information is correct, ncluding address and phone number!

Crestline Tent Sale

Join us for the Crestline Tent Sale in Crestline Village on August 17th for a day of shopping, sales, and fun! Stop by the Village to stock up for the new school year! Retailers will be offering great prices and summer fun. When: During regular business hours Where: Crestline Village

Wed., Aug. 21 The Business of Food

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will be focusing on the restaurant industry featuring a panel discussion with Paul DeMarco

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Maps and detailed analysis of the revision can be reviewed at Mountain Brook City Hall at 56 Church Street, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213 or at the City of Birmingham Floodplain Management and Disaster Mitigation Services located at 710 North 20th Street Room 500, Birmingham Alabama 35203. Interested persons may call William Thomas at (205) 323-6166 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for additional information.

Boiling N’ Bragging

Wear your school colors and join us for the 15th Annual Boiling N’ Bragging football season kickoff party! This pre-season tailgate party includes a cookout and low country boil featuring drink specials, cornhole, live music and entertainment, hosted

The ball’s corporate committee this year is made up of Farra Alford, Gail Bayer, Jeffrey Bayer, Dell S. Brooke, F. Dixon Brooke Jr., John Carter, Douglas Croker, Emma Curtin, Peter Curtin, Jen Dent, Lori Dixon, Chris Harmon, Jonathan Hoffmann, Chuck Holmes, William

J. Long IV, Taylor McElroy, Maggie O’Connor, Tyler O’Connor, Zac Riddle, Robert Schoenvogel, Sanjay Singh, Ray L. Watts, Jared Weinstein, Nick Willis and Whitney Wright.

Danny McKinney is chairman of the ASO board of directors.

moderating and Jorge Castro of Sol Y Luna, Stacey Craig of Brightstar Restaurant, Frank Stitt of Bottega and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club speaking on issues and trends affecting the restaurant industry.

When: Networking begins at 11 a.m. with lunch and the presentation at 11:30 a.m. Where: Birmingham Country Club

in need in our area. When: Thurs., Aug. 22 – Presale ($5 cash at the door), 5-8 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 23 – Regular Sale – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 24 – Regular Sale (many items 1/2 off) – 8 a.m.noon. Where: Trinity United Methodist Church

Aug. 22 - 24 Lil Lambs Consignment Sale

Trinity’s favorite children’s clothing consignment sale returns. Lil Lambs is a consignment sale that provides gently worn clothing, toys, and furniture at reasonable prices. All unsold items marked “donate” will be shared with families and organizations

TAILGATE CHALLENGE | SAT., AUG. 24

Presented by The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, teams square off to see who can create the best tailgating experience. This family-friendly event invites football fans to sample delicious food and drinks from some of Birmingham’s best tailgaters. Hob-knob with celebrity judges as they determine the top winners (Best Food, Best Drink, Most Team Spirit, and Best All-Around), while you help us determine the People’s Choice award. When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, 1700 29th Ct. S., Homewood

Mitchell’s Place Dragon Boat Race

Friendly competition is the order of the day when Mitchell’s Place hosts its 4th Annual Mitchell’s Place Dragon Boat Race and Festival. There will be a kids zone, food trucks, merchant market, music, a Bloody Mary contest and more, along with information on autism. When: Event begins at 8 a.m. with the awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Where: East Lake Park and Pavilion

This year’s Maestro’s Ball will be hosted by Catherine and Emmett McLean.

Thurs., Aug. 22 Mississippi Noir Night

THE double-billing of the summer: two award-winning Mississippi authors Ace Atkins and Snowden Wright present their new, exciting novels of treachery and intrigue! The event is free but you must register at thankyoubookshop.com/events When: 7 p.m. Where: Thank You Bookshop, Crestwood

Sat., Aug. 24 The Smile-A-Mile (SAM) 5K

Dove release honoring SAM Children, 5K individual awards, Fun Run Top Finisher Prizes (14 yrs and younger) Post-Race Food post-race activities.

When: 5k starts at 8 a.m., Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Where: SAM Place 1600 2nd Ave S.

Magic City Carnival

Enjoy an evening of carnival games and delicious fair foods and drinks at this benefit for Pathways, a nonprofit organization that supports homeless women and children with shelter and services. There will be live music, petfriendly activities and a silent auction.

When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

As a result of the revision, the floodway for Watkins Brook will widen and narrow, the 1-percent annual-chance water-surface elevations shall increase and decrease, and the 1-percentannual-chance floodplain will widen and narrow within the area of revision. The 1-percent annual-chance water-surface elevations for Watkins Brook Tributary 2 shall increase and decrease, and the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain will widen and narrow within the area of revision.

Courtesy

Edible Garden Design, Planting, and Coaching for Aspiring Home Growers

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

ABOUT TOWN

Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Fest

Kelly Hardwick, Mary Ryan, Mary Beth Farrell at last year’s event.

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy jazz in downtown Birmingham’s historic 4th Avenue Business District. This is the 21st year for the free festival, a familyfriendly event celebrating the city’s

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Back to School Bash

Rides, bounce houses, food and live entertainment will be on hand as Homewood students celebrate the beginning of the new school year.

Admission is free, with $10 wristbands on sale to play in the bounce houses and ride the mechanical attractions.

Wristband proceeds will benefit the Homewood High School band. When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Patriot Park

Fairy Tale Ball

Meet your favorite fairy tale characters, superheroes, and more while you dance the night away and make memories that will last a lifetime, all to benefit children and families served by the Childcare Resources mission. When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Grand Bohemian

Tues., Sept. 10 To Life – L’Chaim

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center presents “To Life – L’Chaim 2024: The Power of Conversation,” an evening of art, music and celebration with musician and activist Daryl Davis.

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Wright Center, Samford University

Safari Soiree

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 5

Zoo Gala Set in the Trails of Africa Zoo Gala ’24: A Safari Soiree is coming Sept.

13 to the Birmingham Zoo’s Trails of Africa section.

The blacktie optional event includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction, silent aucZoo Gala co-chairs Crystal Witherspoon and Lee McKinney tion, paddle raise and danc- feed Jalil, a reticulated giraffe at the Birmingham Zoo. Jalil ing to the band is one of the five giraffes at the zoo and is the father of Mopane (Mo-Paw-Nee) the baby giraffe born in April.

Second Coming.

The gala is the zoo’s largest funddirectors. raiser of the year and helps raise “I am thrilled to be co-chair of Zoo money that goes to animal care and Gala this year with Lee,” Witherspoon educational programs. This year it hon- said. “Along with the zoo team, we are ors the family of Tom and Julia working diligently to ensure this year’s Crawford, which is active in zoo phiSafari Soiree is an affair to remember. lanthropy. The event will run from 6 Tucked in the middle of the p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets and more infor- Birmingham metropolitan area, the zoo mation are available at birminghamzoo. is an oasis of natural beauty. We are com/events. taking advantage of that beautiful backTwo new co-chairs are heading this drop to make this year’s Safari Soiree a year’s gala. Lee McKinney has lived in fantastic party with a purpose.”

Birmingham for more than 40 years McKinney said he and his family and grew up going to the zoo. Crystal often visit the zoo.

Witherspoon moved to the “The Birmingham Zoo is the main Birmingham area two years ago and attraction in the Birmingham area and quickly fell in love with the zoo. Both is an important part of my life,” he also are members of the zoo’s board of said.

Courtesy

jazz heritage. The fest will feature a video game truck, face painting, balloon animals and food and merchandise vendors. When: 2-10 p.m. Where: Fourth Avenue North between 16th-18th Streets North.

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LIFE

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Leadership Matters

Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Names 3 to the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame Class of ‘24 A developer, insurance professional and infrastructure builder are soon to be the newest members of the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame.

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham each year inducts into the Hall of Fame business leaders who have “exemplified strong leadership and made extraordinary contributions to the Greater Birmingham area,” accordWilliam C. Hulsey ing to the club’s website.

This year’s inductees are Robert Earl Kelly, W. Stancil Starnes and William C. Hulsey.

Kelly is the founder of Kelly Road Builders, Kelly Natural Gas Pipeline and Kelly Underground.

The company was established in 1999 to specialize in milling and asphalt paving, and along the way it has diversified into directional drilling and fiber and gas transmission, among other specialties.

Kelly also is a trustee of Miles College and a board member of the Birmingham Airport Authority.

Photos Courtesy

By Lee M. Hurley

Starnes is the past executive chairman of ProAssurance Corp., having served as its chief executive officer from 2007 to 2019.

ProAssurance is an industry-leading specialty insurer with expertise in health care professional liability, products liability for medical technology and life sciences, legal professional liability and workers’ compensation insurance. He was named to the “Best Lawyers in America” list Robert Kelly for more than 20 consecutive years, among many other accolades.

Hulsey is the former chairman and CEO of Arlington Properties Inc., a development, construction and management company that has constructed or developed more than 15,000 multifamily units and manages more than 9,500 units in 10 states.

Hulsey also is a former director of SouthTrust Corp., Allied Products Co. and All Seasons Travel.

Hulsey’s son Duncan had this to say about his dad: “He is a true servant. He wants to take care of others, be it family members, close friends or

Naturally Dyed

Shades Valley Rotary Donation Supports Intern at Botanical Gardens

By Anne Ruisi

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Plants used to make natural dyes are growing in a special plot this summer at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, thanks to a Shades Valley Rotary Club $10,000 donation to sponsor the college intern who planted the plot.

Macy Hartsell, a rising senior studying ornamental horticulture at Mississippi State University, planned the natural dye garden as part of her internship at the Gardens. She attended the July 21 Rotary meeting in which club officials presented the check to the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens,

From left, Tom Underwood, executive director of the Friends; Macy Hartsell, BBG intern; John Feagin and William Wentowski, Shades Valley Rotary Club.

Induction Event

those who worked for his company.

He is someone who asks good questions and then listens. He spoiled us by giving the expectation that adults should be patient listeners.”

The three are joining 153 business leaders who already are members of the hall of fame. The hall, in the Harbert Center, contains portraits of leaders with famous names – Harbert, Gorrie, Styslinger, Gaston, Stephens and Stan Starnes Ireland – along with many more individuals who have had eclectic and significant business successes.

“For nearly three decades, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham has had the honor of recognizing and celebrating the dreamers, doers and innovators who have shaped our community,” Executive Director Honora Gathings wrote in a recent email. “The Birmingham Business Hall of Fame is not just a celebration of these remarkable leaders but also a way to share our history with a future generation of leaders to inspire them to dream big, invest in and take pride in our home.”

Kelly, Starnes and Hulsey will be inducted during an event Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Harbert Center. The event begins with a coffee reception at 11 a.m. and a luncheon and induction ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

For more information about the event, to learn about past honorees or to buy tickets and sponsorships, please visit kcob. org/events/bbhof.

Founded in 1917, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham is the oldest and largest Kiwanis club in the world with more than 500 business and nonprofit leaders.

Its members devote hundreds of hours of service to youth each year and invest more than a million dollars in the city.

“We want our contributions to make an impact, whether it’s the Vulcan Trail, the Giraffe Experience at the Birmingham Zoo or any of the other childrenoriented projects we take on,” said Billy Forbes, co-chair of the hall of fame event and senior vice president and wealth advisor for Regions. “You’ve got to have the volunteer spirit to be in Kiwanis because it’s timeconsuming. But I believe we help change our city.”

which coordinates the internship program.

Tom Underwood, executive director of the Friends, a nonprofit organization that supports the gardens, noted that this is the 17th year the Shades Valley club has made a donation to sponsor a summer intern. He said donations like this help train future leaders in the horticulture industry, and an intern offers practical help at the gardens as an extra set of hands.

“We appreciate the Rotary Club and your commitment to serving the community and education,” he told Rotarians.

Hartsell, who graduated from Vestavia Hills High School, was at the meeting and described how she researched and created the dye garden as her independent project.

She chose plants historically used to make dyes, such as madder (red), weld (yellow), woad (blue) and safflower (hues of yellow and red). She said she prepared existing planting beds for the dye garden and tended to it until the plants were ready to harvest.

The work involved a lot of trial and error, but Hartsell harvested the plants by midsummer. Using traditional compounds and processes, she extracted the compounds in the plants

to make dyes, often by boiling or simmering them in a pot.

To dye cloth, she added a mordant, a substance that fixes the color to the fabric. Mordant, like soda ash, can make the color last longer.

Hartsell showed the Rotarians the results of her summer project: several large squares of fabric dyed using the plants she grew this summer. She also mentioned that when she returns to college in the fall, she’ll leave seeds from the plants that can be used to plant a dye garden next summer.

“Overall, it was such a fun project,” she said.

Hartsell answered questions from the audience, including one from a business-minded club member who asked if she had plans to sell naturally dyed T-shirts and other items.

“That would certainly be interesting,” she responded. “It would take a lot more research for me, personally, and a lot more work, but that’s not something I’m opposed to.”

She also thanked the Rotarians for sponsoring her summer internship at the botanical gardens.

“I learned so much more than I could ever imagine this summer,” Hartsell said. “I also want to thank all of y’all for giving me this opportunity … . It’s been such a pleasure.”

Vestavia Hills Student Enters U.S. Naval Academy Vestavia Hills’ Hunter C. Carroll II recently was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2028, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training.

Carroll, a 2024 graduate of Vestavia Hills High, was among almost 1,200 candidates admitted June 27 into the academy’s “plebe,” or freshman, class. During Plebe Summer, students have no access to TV, movies, the internet or music and restricted access to cell phones.

Plebe Summer is designed to prepare students for their first academic year at the Naval Academy.

Students are taught basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft. They also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing and obstacle, endurance and confidence courses.

Training sessions also involve moral, mental, physical and professional development and teambuilding skills to prepare midshipmen for professional service.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-

Courtesy

6 • Thursday, August 8, 2024

Carroll, a 2024 graduate of Vestavia Hills High, was among almost 1,200 candidates admitted June 27 into the academy’s “plebe,” or freshman, class. year service academy. Students learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, military law and naval engineering and weapons.

Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a bachelor’s degree in one of 26 subject majors and go on to serve at least five years as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

HARVEY From Page One

“He definitely gives of his time and talents and has since day one,” said David Barry, United Ability’s director of marketing and communications.

United Ability provides comprehensive, innovative services connecting people of all ages with disabilities to their communities and empowering individuals to live full and meaningful lives, according to its website.

The site credits Harvey as a driving force behind the organization’s success, saying he has been a board member, past president and prolific fundraiser.

“What this place means to me is this is people with disabilities and turning that into abilities,” he said.

The organization has a 76-year history in Birmingham and was founded in 1948 by a group of citizens who wanted to provide services to medically fragile individuals with cerebral palsy, according to the nonprofit’s website. It was renamed United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham in 1972 and United Ability in early 2017 to better reflect its service to people of all types of disabilities.

For years it was based in downtown Birmingham, which was its location when Harvey got involved.

He saw the technology and services provided and the individuals gaining capability and purpose.

“You never forget the people. You never forget what you see,” he said.

“The next thing I know, I’m doing stuff with UCP of Greater Birmingham. I’m on the board and later became the board chair,” he said.

In 2001, UCP’s vision to offer multi-disciplinary, comprehensive services became a reality with its relocation to its 20-acre campus on Lakeshore Drive. The adult services building, Harvey said, was “a very old decrepit building,” which he jokingly described as “held together by duct tape.”

A new adult services building was going to cost $10 million. Although

Harvey had no experience in fundJourney of Hope Honors Family, raising, he agreed to lead the effort Former CEO when asked to do so.

United Ability’s Journey of Hope gala will be honoring people “I had never, ever done that, and who have shared their time and talents to further the group’s in my heart I said, ‘I’m going to do mission of helping improve the lives of people with disabilities. it.’” he said.

The Fleury Family (pictured) and the late Lynn Roebuck He found that people in are among them.

Birmingham were very generous.

Brian and Courtney Fleury will share the story of their son Harvey took off from work every Jamey and the progress he has made working with United Wednesday for about nine months to focus on fundraising, taking potential Ability, according to the group’s website.

Roebuck, who worked at United Ability for 24 years, will be donors to the adult center downtown honored with the Dr. Gary Edwards Award of Inspiration. The early in the morning so they could annual award is given to a direct care professional. Edwards have a tour and see “what was going was a longtime United Ability CEO who died in 2020. on,” he said.

He remembered a program participant at the time who used a wheelchair and sang the National Anthem every morning as the flag was raised for the day. Potential donors would see the man come out of the building and sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “that would just about seal the deal most of the time.”

It was important that potential donors toured the adult building so they could see in action the services United Ability provided to participants, including the language lab that pioneered computer augmented speech.

“People had not been able to express themselves,” until it was available, Harvey said.

“One of the freshest sounding, He recalled meeting a young woman who, when she was able to exuberant bands in all of the access the device, first said ‘thank known acoustic universe.” you.’

“The second thing she said was, – NPR’s Dave Higgs ‘Thank you, mother. I love you.’”

Harvey, who will be 73 on Aug. 24, remains a member of the United Ability Foundation board of directors, but his involvement goes beyond attending meetings and fundraising.

His strong personal connection to United Ability was obvious as he sang the praises of staff and warmly Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov interacted with participants by name during a recent visit, sharing handshakes and hugs, smiles and grins.

“I love this place. I love the people,” Harvey said. “This place, to me, is what love is all about.”

JOURNEY From Page One Magician Kevin Spencer will be the featured entertainer. Spencer is an award-winning illusionist and authority on therapeutic magic in special education and rehabilitation.

His show, “The Magic of Kevin Spencer: Magic for Everyone,” has been honed over his 25-year career and brings the transformative power of magic to the lives of children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities and autism.

The show combines storytelling, stage magic and audience participation and is a sensory-inclusive performance.

For more information and to buy a ticket, go to unitedability.org and find Journey of Hope under the Events tab.

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 7

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IN PIERCE’S NAME Zoo Party Raises Money for Esophageal Cancer Awareness

Susan and Steve Upton

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

he Birmingham Zoo’s outdoor plaza was the setting for a fundraising party to benefit the John Michael Pierce Foundation on Aug. 3.

The foundation’s namesake, Pierce, was 25 when he died five months after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He loved to bring friends and family together, and in this spirit, the Zoo Party is one of several fundraising events throughout the year.

Net proceeds from this event will be used to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer and the importance of early detection. ❖

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Annual Otey’s Fest Returns for 15th Year

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook was the place to be for the 15th annual Otey’s Fest on July 27.

Live music from The Hurlers, T.U.B. and The Negotiators provided the entertainment at the evening event. Food and drinks were available as attendees met up with friends at Otey’s, a Mountain Brook mainstay for 35 years.

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Funky Summer

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 11

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Funk rapper Ric Wilson was the musical guest at the Birmingham Museum of Arts’ always popular summer party, Art on the Rocks, on Aug. 2.

Guests strolled through the museum for an evening of artistic entertainment, which included DJs, demonstrations by artists, interactive art installations, hands-on workshops for those at the event and pop-up performances. ❖

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FOOD

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It’s All Greek

Going Back for Seconds

FOOD+Culture Celebrates a Flavorful Culinary Community

O

ne of Birmingham’s most influential culinary communities will take center stage at this year’s edition of FOOD+Culture, set for Sept. 19-22.

The festival, a flavor-filled platform for Birmingham’s culinary scene and culture, is in its second year, and the FOOD+Heritage dinner is one of the most anticipated events. This year’s Heritage dinner honors the generations of Greek families who have become a vital and colorful part of the city’s food industry.

The evening starts with a welcome reception complete with passed bites, wine and a signature cocktail, followed by a seated, multicourse, family-style meal, paired wines and entertainment with a Greek flair. The dinner will be at Pepper Place on Sept. 20.

Those who have at least a nodding acquaintance with Birmingham’s culinary past are well aware of the Greek influence here. The first wave of Greeks arrived in Birmingham in the 1880s, when the city’s iron and steel industries were helping to make a thriving job market.

Since then, their contributions to the Birmingham area haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2004, the Southern Foodways Alliance – an Oxford, Mississippi-based organization that documents, studies and explores the diverse food cultures of the changing American South – collected oral histories of Greek restaurant owners in Birmingham and in 2017 updated the project.

Diners will see some familiar faces behind the food and drinks at the Greek event: Andreas Anastassakis of Bright Star; Andrew Collins, The Collins Bar and Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant; Fanoula Gulas, the Greek Kouzina; Timothy Hontzas, Johnny’s; Lee Pantazis, Gus’s Hot Dogs; Josh Schaff, Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant; Tasos and Beba Touloupis, Ted’s Restaurant; and Paul Yeck, Tasty Town.

Photos courtesy

By Donna Cornelius

‘Greek culture is a rich culture. It offers so much through history and food.’

FANOULA GULAS, OWNER OF GREEK KOUZINA

Hospitality and History

For one of the participants, the dinner isn’t just about focusing on Birmingham’s Greek community.

“We’re not just spotlighting Greek food and culture – we’re celebrating it,” said Lee Pantazis, the owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs.

Pantazis comes from a large Greek family, and he’s well aware of the rich history his relatives and other Greeks share with Birmingham.

“Greeks assimilated into Birmingham culture,” he said. “We came here to be a part of it; Birmingham was where the jobs were. It’s beautiful that Birmingham took us in.”

Pantazis said Greeks and Southerners are very similar.

“We try to welcome everyone,” he said.

“Greek and Southern culture go hand in hand.

The Greek version of hospitality is the same as the South’s – we both believe in treating people right, helping people and trying to spread good.”

Pantazis’ grandfather, George Pantazis, owned the Hickory Hut and Coffee Cup, and his uncle also was a restaurateur. But quite a few members of his family chose another field and became lawyers.

At a young age, Lee Pantazis worked for his

‘We’re not just spotlighting Greek food and culture – we’re celebrating it.’

LEE PANTAZIS, OWNER OF GUS’S HOT DOGS

father, Birmingham attorney Dennis Pantazis, in data entry.

“Two weeks into the job, I thought, this is killing me,” Lee Pantazis said, laughing. “My father suggested a job in a restaurant since my grandfather had owned restaurants.”

Pantazis went to work for George Sarris, one of the city’s most well-known Greek restaurateurs.

“I was a literal liability,” Pantazis said. “But through George’s kindness and the kindness of the people that worked for him, I fell in love with the job and the hard-working, decent people. I worked at the original location of the Fish Market.”

Pantazis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and then worked for Becky Satterfield at Satterfield’s restaurant.

“I went into the interview old school, with my resume in hand, and interviewed with the chef, Haller Magee,” he said. “He called me when I was on my way home and said one of their chefs had walked out, and I was hired.

They took a chance on me.”

He also worked in Florida with the Bud & Alley’s group and for the Pihakis group at Little Donkey and the Fatback Pig Project.

In 2017, Pantazis and his dad were on their way to watch the Crimson Tide football team play for the national championship in Tampa, Florida. Although Alabama lost to Clemson that year, something positive came out of the trip.

The two found out that the owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs at the time, George Nasiakos, wanted to sell the business, which opened in Birmingham in 1947.

“George was a close family friend, and my dad said to me, ‘You should look into this hot dog business,’” Pantazis said. “I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted to do, but my dad was very convincing – I guess that’s what lawyers do.”

The popular restaurant “was and is super important to Birmingham,” Pantazis said. “There was pressure to represent my family, people that I love, and Birmingham. But sometimes it’s a good thing to feel pressure to do well. I have a wonderful staff, and I’m happy that we are useful to our customers and our community. I love providing joy to people. I find value in that.”

Pantazis sees lots of positives from his decision to buy Gus’s.

“We survived COVID, and we just bought a food truck,” he said.

He’s looking forward to participating in FOOD+Culture. In addition to the Heritage event, Pantazis is doing a guest chef gig at The Kelly Birmingham with chef Jonathan Harris and is taking part in the FOOD+Fire event Sept.

21.

“We have a phenomenal group of chefs coming in for the festival,” Pantazis said. “It’s all about elevating Birmingham.”

Cooking With Love

Like Pantazis, Virginia native Fanoula Gulas grew up in a Greek household. She also married into one: Birmingham’s Gulas family.

“The Gulases have been in the food business for a long time,” she said.

Her husband’s grandfather had a hot dog stand, and her father-in-law, Aleck Gulas, had Dino’s Hot Dogs on 18th Street in Homewood.

“He also sold his mother-in-law’s baklava there, and I have her recipe,” Gulas said.

She first realized how much people enjoyed her own food when her son, who’s now 26, developed a blood disorder as a child. Friends

See GREEK, page 15

FOOD+Culture Festival Returns to Birmingham Next Month

By Donna Cornelius The best food makes diners eager for a second helping, and those who attended last year’s inaugural FOOD+Culture Festival are lining up for round two of this already-popular event.

Organizers of the four-day festival, set for Sept. 19-22, have put together an impressive and flavorful lineup of chefs, dishes and drinks.

They will be featured in cocktail receptions, sitdown dinners, pop-ups and open-air events.

As a celebration of the Year of Alabama Food, this year’s festival promises to share the state’s culinary heritage and diversity. It highlights Birmingham as a foodie’s dream destination.

Last year’s festival hosted visitors from 18 states, including Maine, Washington, New York and California, as well as visitors from Canada.

“The Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival is proud to continue showcasing the diverse culinary traditions and talent that make Birmingham such a unique and vibrant destination,” said Cathy Sloss Jones, Sloss Real Estate CEO/president and FOOD+ board president.

“We are thrilled to once again welcome food enthusiasts from near and far to join us for another unforgettable celebration of Birmingham’s culinary community,” she continued.

Just like last year, venues around the city will host festival events, many of which are at Pepper Place and Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. This year’s FOOD+ brings back well-attended events from last year while adding new programming and talent as well as new takes on last year’s themes.

High-profile chefs from Alabama and other states will be appearing at and participating in FOOD+Culture. Just a few of the notable folks on the list are Carla Hall, chef, author and TV host; Kelsey Barnard Clark, Alabama’s only winner of Bravo’s Top Chef; Chris, Andrew and Jacob Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q; Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ; Nick Wallace of Nick Wallace Culinary in Jackson, Mississippi; Texas’s Michele Wallace, a fan favorite during the most recent season of Top Chef.

Local favorites include Frank Stitt, whose Highlands Bar and Grill won the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant; Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood; Rob McDaniel of Helen; and Timothy Hontzas of Johnny’s.

Event highlights for the 2024 festival include: • FOOD+Frank: The Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence – Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:308 p.m. at Birmingham Museum of Art. This cocktail reception honors an industry leader and pays tribute to the 2024 honoree’s innovation and influence in the culinary industry. This year’s honoree is Glenn Roberts of Anson Mills, a South Carolina-based company that specializes in artisan mill goods from organic heirloom grains.

• FOOD+Heritage – Friday, Sept. 20, 6-10 See FOOD, page 15

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

FOOD

GREEK

From page 14

From page 14

p.m. at Pepper Place, 29th Street South. Experience the vibrant flavors of Birmingham’s Greek community with a multi-course, seated dinner celebrating Greek flavors and traditions.

• FOOD+Market Mix – Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 a.m.-noon at The Market at Pepper Place. Join the festival for a morning market mix of farmers, female chefs, storytellers and authors.

• Southern Living’s FOOD+Fire – Saturday, Sept. 21, noon-5 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces. This walk-around tasting event celebrates barbecue, live-fire cooking and Southern tailgate culture.

• FOOD+Funk: Grits and Grooves – Sunday, Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces. A Sunday brunch set to the tunes of the Grammy award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band and highlighting creative brunch dishes and Alabama’s love affair with grits.

• FOOD+Friends Dinner Series – Sept.13-21. Public dinners around Birmingham will feature pop-up menus from visiting guest chefs in participating restaurants and celebrate comradery in the culinary industry.

Tickets for the 2024 Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival are for sale now. For tickets and more information, visit bhamfoodplus.com and follow @bhamfoodplus on social media.

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 15

FOOD

and neighbors helped and supported the family, and to thank them, she presented them with her homemade baklava. The response was enthusiastic.

“I started realizing how much people love food and thought there was a need for more Greek food in Birmingham,” she said.

Gulas also was made aware of the city’s hunger for Greek dishes through helping with the annual Greek food festival hosted by Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Birmingham.

The 51st annual festival is set for Oct. 3-5.

Gulas said menu staples for the festival include pastichio, a Greek version of lasagna; souvlaki, which is small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer; and Greek chicken.

“The desserts are fantastic,” she said.

Gulas is the owner of the Greek Kouzina, selling her versions of Greek favorites. She started her business in 2015.

“I first went to Pepper Place to see if anyone liked my food,” Gulas said.

“I enjoy these kinds of outlets; I love talking to people and making new friends.

“Now, caterers call me, I have customers through Pepper Place, and my friend Joy Smith at Sorelle in Homewood has been a mentor who

Amazing happens

has helped me a bunch. She sells my food there, or you can order it. My commercial kitchen is there.”

Gulas is happy not only with her business but with her life in general.

“I love Birmingham – I can’t say enough about it,” she said.

She also enjoys cooking for her family.

“They love to eat my food but not cook it,” she said.

Her husband and children particularly like her pastichio, souvlaki,

spanakopita, Greek salad, and fish dishes with onions, tomatoes and feta cheese.

She’ll be sharing her love of all things Greek at the Heritage event.

“Greek culture is a rich culture,” she said. “It offers so much through history and food. People will say, I’ve never had Greek food before, and I’ll say, yes, you have! It’s all about the love you’re making the food with.”

In any culture, food is important – but maybe especially so for Greeks,

Gulas believes.

“It’s a traditional thing for us to pass recipes along,” she said. “It’s a comfort, a way of showing that you care. If you invite someone to dinner, you’re starting a friendship.”

If you go:

The FOOD+Heritage event is Sept. 20. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 29th Street South at Pepper Place.

Tickets are $150 and available at bhamfoodplus.com.

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Courtesy ELM Construction

Jill Edwards of Vestavia Hills worked with ELM Construction on her redesigned, reconfigured bathroom that was once a compartmentalized his-and-her space.

Remodeling Roadmap Good Planning Means Good Results, Remodeler of the Year Says

By June Mathews

W

hen Elliott Pike, owner of ELM Construction, was named 2023 Remodeler of the Year by the National Association of Homebuilders at its annual awards event in February, the honor was the culmination of hard work, dedication to quality and an overall commitment to excellence.

In other words, Pike said in a half-serious, half-tongue-in-cheek tone of voice, “My goal is to be the Chick-fil-A of remodeling. You can go to Chick-fil-A on any day of the week, and you will generally get the same consistency in

quality, no matter which location you go to and no matter what time of day. If you consistently do things right, everything else falls into place.”

Pike’s journey with his own remodeling business began in 2008. A company he worked for that specialized in remodeling apartment complexes went out of business, so he and his wife, LeArden, established ELM. Pike’s experience in remodeling multi-family housing carried through to the new company. But before long, ELM’s opportunities turned toward single-family residential, and Pike found he liked the new work better.

“Renovating houses is more personal than

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 17

HOME nent factors.

“Any anxiety associated with remodeling is usually due to the unknowns,” he said. “People may not know how to get started. They’re concerned about getting ripped off; they’re concerned about how much time it will take. But if you do your due diligence and plan well, it can be a fantastic experience. And once your project is finished, you’ll be glad you did it.”

Jill Edwards of Vestavia Hills is

This transformation of a typical Homewood “cottage” style home by ELM Construction, removed a load bearing wall where the “bar” seating area is.

This opened the main part of the house and let light into the the kitchen.

multi-housing renovation, and we tend to establish relationships with the people we work with,” he said. “So that’s part of it: I love working with people. I also enjoy the entrepreneurial side of remodeling, putting together the puzzle, if you will. Every day is different.”

The best clients, Pike said, are delegators.

“They don’t necessarily want to be involved in the day-to-day processes,” he said. “They don’t want to do their

one of those glad homeowners, and her remodeled bathroom is the reason.

“Oh, heavens, yes,” she replied when asked if she was happy with the results. “We are thrilled with it.

We’ve been in the house for 10 years, and we knew when we moved in that just about everything would have to be gutted or touched in some way, so it took a while to get around to the bathroom.”

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own demolition or painting or any other hands-on aspects of their remodel. They want what amounts to a boring construction project. Exciting designs, great results – but a boring project.”

The best clients, Pike said, also hate surprises, so they’re willing to take the time on the front end to work through the design and scope-of-work processes, putting everyone on the same page in terms of design, cost, estimated timetable and other perti-

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REMODEL From page 17

Edwards, the bathroom was compartmentalized into his-and-her sides with a separate section for the tub and toilet. Out-of-date, heavily patterned wallpaper dominated the scene.

Now a redesigned, reconfigured bathroom fills the space, and Edwards couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

“The project was a pretty seamless experience,” Edwards said. “It’s a pain to have workers in your house all the time, but, luckily, we were able to move to an upstairs bedroom, so we didn’t have to deal with it so much.

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Soon after starting ELM, Pike joined the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders to gain access to its workers comp program.

He hardly participated otherwise, thinking he was getting all he needed from the organization. He later had a change of heart.

“I figured I was paying all this money to be a member, so I might as well find out what it’s all about,” he said.

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Baker Lamps & Linens

Three generations have worked at Baker Lamp & Linens. Dianne, Rosie and Katie (above) like creating the lamp of your dreams.

Come to the shop with a lamp you would like to rework, along with pictures of your room, and let them go to work.

“First impressions are always important in the home,” said Katie. “When I go into a home with a beautiful entry way, it makes me want to see the entire home. Lamps and fixtures that welcome guests in the foyer and family rooms need to be thoughtful pieces. They can be very stylish, showing both practicality and personality. The trends I am seeing lately are lots of gold chandeliers, both antique and new, and vintage crystal chandeliers. As for ‘style’, I’m seeing lots of bold colors, used in an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary designs.”

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Lamplight can soften the atmosphere of a room while giving it style and personality. Since the requirement of LED bulbs, the right color (Kelvin temperature) is so important. Finding the right bulb color, usually in the 30000 K range, can make a big difference,” according to Katie.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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HOME remodelers out there.”

The more Pike got involved, the more people he met and the more he learned. So by the time he received the Remodeler of the Year award, Pike had earned his spot among the best.

The selection process for NAHB’s Remodeler of the Year Award involved an in-depth look at ELM’s business practices, client testimonials and references from industry professionals.

“That’s probably the coolest part about the award,” he said. You’re being recognized by people who are experts in the industry, and having your peers recognize what you do is one of the biggest honors you can get.

But, Pike emphasized, ELM is by no means a one-man show. The com-

The vanity area, in this award-wnning remodel in Homewood by ELM, boasts details from the custom cabinetry, marble countertops and a mixture of polished nickel and brass fixtures.

pany’s continued success, he said, is largely due to an exceptional team of experienced professionals.

“At ELM Construction, we’ve always believed in fulfilling our promises,” Pike said. “If we commit to something, whether it’s a timeline or a budget, that’s what we’re going to do.

Our clients appreciate that.”

All that makes his job that much more enjoyable.

“I’ve been blessed to do something that I love doing and to be able to make money doing it,” he said. “It’s a gift.”

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REMODEL From page 18

Remodelers Council, a subgroup of the association. There, he found mentors who taught him the finer points of the remodeling business.

“I didn’t have a history in construction except my previous jobs, and none of those were single-family residential work,” Pike said. “But it made me want to attend a state meeting, where I met people from across the state. Then I got invited to a national meeting, where I met people from across the country, including some of the best

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

SPORTS

Former Spartan Petro Lands Mountain Brook Tennis Coaching Job

Carlee Petro was wondering what she was going to do after Birmingham-Southern College closed at the end of May. Petro had been BSC’s women’s tennis coach for the past the six years.

About the same time BSC was closing, Susan Farlow was retiring as Mountain Brook High School’s tennis coach after 17 seasons.

Petro, a 2014 graduate of Mountain Brook, played for Farlow, so she was familiar with the Spartans’ program. When she found out Farlow was retiring, she looked into succeeding her.

In late June, Petro was hired as the Spartans’ new boys and girls tennis coach.

“MBHS tennis was always something that I thought about post my BSC career,” Petro said.

“I just never thought it would happen so soon in the way that it did. The timing of the MBHS position was such a gift. I would have been devastated to leave the team tennis world.”

Farlow won 18 state championships, 10 girls and eight boys, during her tenure, so it’s the second time Petro is following a legendary coach.

She played for Ann Dielen at BirminghamSouthern and took over as the Panthers’ women’s coach following Dielen’s 41-year coaching career.

The Mountain Brook girls have won the state championship seven consecutive seasons, and the boys have won it the past two years.

“It’s such an honor to be taking over after coach Farlow,” Petro said. “I am going to do

Courtesy

By Rubin E. Grant

Carlee Petro, a 2014 graduate of Mountain Brook, played for longtime Spartan tennis coach Susan Farlow.

Anthony Marino is taking over as the head coach for swimming and diving and assistant coach for boys and girls golf.

Brittany Vintson is the new softball head coach.

Vintson also will be an assistant with the Spartans’ girls flag football team.

everything in my power to continue to keep her winning legacy alive.”

Petro has worked for several years as an assistant tennis pro at Pine Tree Country Club, so she’s already familiar with several Mountain Brook players.

swimming and diving and assistant coach for boys and girls golf; and Jack Letson will serve as the director of golf and head boys golf coach.

“We are confident that these coaches will bring their expertise and passion to their respective sports, helping our student-athletes achieve their highest potential,” Mountain Brook Athletic Director Andy Urban said.

Vintson replaces Heather McGuirk, who resigned following the 2024 season after six seasons as head coach. Vintson also will be an

assistant with the Spartans’ girls flag football team. Joe Webb, the longtime Spartans boys soccer coach, will be the flag football team head coach.

Vintson has spent the past three years as an assistant softball coach at Austin High School in Decatur. She graduated from Sumiton Christian School in 2008 and played at Birmingham-Southern. Her first head coaching job was at Cordova High School, and she was later the head coach at James Clemens for two seasons.

More New Coaches

Petro is one of a flurry of recent new coaching hires at Mountain Brook. Brittany Vintson is the new softball head coach; Anthony Marino is taking over as the head coach for

NEWTON

worked as a replacement official in the National Football League in 2001.

“The only regular season NFL game I officiated was Detroit against Green Bay,” Newton said. “The higher the caliber of play the easier it is to officiate.”

From page 24

Watching From a Distance

Courtesy

officials. Nothing could be better that.

“I was surprised and humbled when I found out.”

Newton, 71, retired from officiating in 2021. He was a part of the Fox 6 Sideline Show for five years, providing a segment on high school rules, and was a referee state camp instructor with the AHSAA for many years.

Fellow camp instructor and current inductee Don English stole one of Newton’s teaching quotes that he used in each of his pre-game meetings, “Do not officiate air!”

Newton served on the initial mechanics manual committee when the AHSAA developed its own manual and held many administrative positions with the Birmingham Football Officials Association.

‘It was one of those type of journeys where it was not always smooth,” Newton said. “I remember the first flag I threw was in a B-team game and the flag went into the boy’s facemask. So, my flag, the ball and the player scored a touchdown.

“I officiated all of the OTM football teams for many years.”

In 1996, Newton received the Dick Burleson Outstanding Member Award, which is named for ASOF Hall of Fame inaugural class member Dick Burleson. The award recognizes an official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, good moral and ethical character, and a high level of service.

“One of the things I always

Steve Newton was a football official at the high school, college and professional levels 46 years.

encouraged my crews to do is to be a good example to young players,” he said.

Newton worked numerous state championship games, as well as several games televised on ESPN. He

also was a referee at the collegiate level in the Gulf South Conference and Southland Conference, and he

Newton attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, and Auburn. He and his wife, Dottie, live in Vestavia Hills and have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

One of those grandchildren, John David Livingston, is a three-year starter on the offensive line for Vestavia Hills. Newton’s son John Newton also played for the Rebels.

Getting a chance to watch his grandson on Friday nights is one reason Newton retired from officiating in 2021.

“I’ve gone through knee surgery, shoulder surgery and getting a pacemaker, so I knew it was time,” he said.

“One of the real benefits is I’ve been able to watch my grandson. Me and (my) wife enjoy watching him play.”

Newton still has a day job, working as a senior civil engineer and Birmingham office manager at TTL Inc., a full-service consulting engineering firm.

“It’s something I still enjoy so that’s why I continue doing it,” he said.

Reflecting on his career as a referee, Newton said, “Officiating was pretty much my life. I’m an engineer by trade, but I’ve got so many stories I tell from officiating and I really enjoy my friendships with other officials.”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Spain Park’s new volleyball coach Justin Kisor with his wife and assistant coach Ashley at a recent practice.

From page 24

From page 24

Gardner is cautiously optimistic about having such an experienced team.

“It’s a mixture of excitement and anxiety,” she said. “We’ve got several players who are new to varsity, but they’ve been in the program. It’s just a matter of them adjusting to the expectations and the pacing on varsity.

“It’s going to be so much fun to see what we become.”

Then, she added, “Do not underestimate us.”

Even so, Gardner understands

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

there will be growing pains.

“I know we’ve got to be patient and we might start the season slower, and it might take us longer to click,” she said. “I’m not concerned about what our record will be in August and September as long as we continue to grow and are firing on all cylinders come October.”

The Spartans officially opened preseason practice on Monday, although they have been working out most of the summer.

“There are going to be so many things we’re going to be working on, but I really just want them form good relationships, focus on communicating on the court and getting to know each

other,” Gardner said. “It’s about team building and team bonding. That’s not just player to player, but also player to coaching staff, communicating to them what we’re like and what we expect.”

Mountain Brook will compete in Class 6A, Area 10 along with Huffman and Woodlawn. The Spartans will open the season on Aug. 22 at home against Spanish Fort, which reached the Class 6A semifinals in 2023 and finished with a 61-10 record.

“We always want to start the season with a superstrong team,” Gardner said. “It’s good for us to be challenged right away.”

Pelham.

“Class 6A is a different challenge ‘cause it’s so deep with a lot of good schools,” Kisor said. “Our main goal is to get better every day and be playing our best in late September and October.”

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SPARTANS

Kyes had 865 assists, 153 digs and 52 aces.

The Jags also have two key juniors returning in middle hitter Ja’Niyan Mosley and right side/setter Bea Wiggins. Camdyn Kyes, an eighth grade defensive specialist, also figures prominently in the rotation.

“I love the girls we have here,” Kisor said. “The players who played last year have had a pretty good summer. The main thing is building relationships and them learning our way of thinking.

“I am not trying to redo what Kellye was doing, but I want to take

what she was doing and keep it going.”

Spain Park opens the season on Aug. 22 against McGill-Toolen. The Jags have dropped down to Class 6A this year and will compete in Area 8 along with Chelsea, Helena and

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JAGUARS In Spain Park, Kisor takes over a team that finished 21-21 in 2023 but reached the Class 7A state tournament.

The Jaguars return several talented players, including seniors Reagan Gilbert, an outside hitter; Alexa Benda, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter; and Grayson Hyde, an outside/middle hitter.

Gilbert recorded 316 kills, 264 digs and 92 aces last year and was one of three Spain Park players to make the All-OTM team. The others were outside hitter Megan Ingersoll and setter Cailyn Kyes, who are juniors this year.

Ingeroll had 536 kills to lead Class 7A for the 2023 season and 286 digs.

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • 23

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Former Spartan Petro lands Mountain Brook tennis coaching job Page 22

‘Whole New Team’

SPORTS Thursday, August 8, 2024 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

DON’T MISS AUG. 22 OTMJ The 2024 OTM High School Football Special Issue!

Spartans Embarking on Volleyball Title Defense With New Faces

A REF FOR LIFE

Newton Humbled by Officiating Hall of Fame Induction

By Rubin E. Grant

Mattie Gardner is in uncharted territory as she enters her fourth season as Mountain Brook’s volleyball coach.

With the graduations of Hannah and Paige Paran and Mae Mae and Annie Lacey, the Spartans don’t have any twins on their roster.

They do have two sisters, Ava Ruth Borland, a junior right side hitter, and Naomi Borland, a freshman outside hitter/setter.

The biggest change is the eight newcomers on the team. The Spartans have only five returning players from their 2023 AHSAA Class 6A state championship team that finished with a 46-5 record.

“I don’t know if people will recognize us,” Gardner quipped. “We’re a whole new team.”

Gardner, who led Mountain Brook to state championships in two of her first three seasons, will have only three seniors, albeit talented ones in outside hitter Mae Mae Beatty, libero Ella Kate Wright and setter Grace Stewart.

Beatty and Wright were All-OTM selections last year. Beatty, who has committed to

Steve Newton didn’t have any plans to become a referee when he was a graduate student at Auburn University.

But that all changed when one of his civil engineering professors asked him if he liked football.

Of course, Newton answered yes, and what followed changed the course of his life.

The professor told Newton he would be officiating high school ‘One of the football games with him and his crew. things I always “That’s how and encouraged where I got started,” Newton said. my crews to It was the fall of do is to be a 1975, and for the next 46 years, good example Newton was a footto young ball official at the high school, college players.’ and professional levSTEVE NEWTON els.

On Aug. 3, he was one of 10 individuals who were inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame class for 2024 during a banquet at the Oxford Civic Center.

The group included two former Alabama mayors, former president of the Amateur Softball Association, professional football officials, college supervisors of officials, SEC officials and Alabama High School Athletic Association district directors. Each of the 10 worked multiple AHSAA sports championships.

“It means the world to me,” Newton said.

“It’s one of those coveted awards because you’re being recognized by your peers, fellow

Spartan seniors, from left, Grace Stewart, Ella Kate Wright and Mae Mae Beatty return from last year’s AHSAA Class 6A state championship team.

Montevallo, posted 331 kills and 316 digs in 2023 and Wright had 500 digs and 106 assists.

Stewart, meanwhile, is tasked with filling the huge void at setter left by Hannah Parant, the 2023 OTM Player of the Year and Gatorade Alabama Volleyball Player of the Year. Parant is now at Alabama.

Gardner is eager to see how Stewart takes on the challenge.

‘Keep It Going’

New Coach Kisor Plans to Keep Spain Park Volleyball Competing at a High Level

By Rubin E. Grant

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Justin Kisor wasn’t just dealing with heat this summer but also a whirlwind.

That’s how he described what his life has

been like since early April, when he was named Spain Park’s new volleyball coach.

Kisor spent almost four months traveling back and forth between Hoover and Fort Payne, where he had been head volleyball coach the

The Jaguars return several talented players, including, from left, seniors Reagan Gilbert, an outside hitter; Alexa Benda, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter; and Grayson Hyde, an outside/middle hitter.

“I’m so excited for Grace,” Gardner said.

“She’s been in our program for four years and she has learned playing behind Hannah. She’s committed to Wofford, so she’s got (NCAA) Division I talent.”

The other two returning players are Ava Ruth Borland and junior middle hitter Samantha Settle.

See SPARTANS, page 23

past four years, until his wife, Ashley, and their 1-year daughter, Millie, found a home in the Birmingham area the next-to-last week of July.

“It was a lot of driving,” Kisor said.

But trips were well worth it, considering Kisor and his wife are taking over a program they admired. Ashley Kisor will be an assistant coach, a role she also had at Fort Payne.

“As a coach it’s certainly one of those schools that catch your eye,” Justin Kisor said.

“It’s one of those schools that if they call, you have to listen.

“It was a very tough decision to leave Fort Payne. I loved the area, the players and the people, but it felt like (this was) the right move for us. We’re at peace about coming here.”

Kisor replaces Kellye Bowen, who left Spain Park following the 2023 season to take over as head coach at Jasper High School in her hometown. In 10 seasons with the Jags, Bowen led Spain Park to its first volleyball state championship in 2021 after finishing as the runner-up in 2020.

“Kellye and I are very close,” Kisor said.

“We talk all the time. It’s going to be tough to follow her because she made it into the one of the premier programs in the state.”

In his four seasons at Fort Payne, Kisor turned the Wildcats into contenders. He inherited a team in 2020 that had a 9-21 record the previous year and led them to consecutive 30-win seasons in 2022 and 2023. Fort Payne reached the Class 6A Elite Eight state tournament in 2023 and finished with a 38-17 record.

See JAGUARS, page 23

See NEWTON, page 22

Courtesy

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

By Rubin E. Grant

Steve Newton, above with wife Dottie, at the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame class for 2024 banquet at the Oxford Civic Center on Aug. 3.