Vestavia Hills Magazine, February/March 2020

THE ART OF NEEDLEPOINT IS BACK • INSIDE DREAD RIVER DISTILLING CO. • THE DISH ON NEW PUBLIXES

2020

WEDDINGS COLOR INSPIRATION GUIDE 9 REAL WEDDINGS BRIDESMAID & GROOMSMAN GIFTS

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 VestaviaHillsMagazine.com Volume Four | Issue One $4.95

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 1

If your new business opened, or your new home closed on time, you may have Kim Ray to thank.

Our Builder Services representative helps keep you on track.

There are countless details that go into ensuring a new home closes on time, or a business is able to open. But, for SouthWest Water Company customers, construction can’t begin until Kim Ray, in our Builder Services department, has done her job.

She is here to make sure builders have the support they need to establish sewer service for a new home or business.

“I’m always trying to make sure I get things out on time, because I know the builder is waiting on it. A builder cannot start construction until our job is done,” Kim said.

“We believe in providing excellent service.

It’s not just a slogan with us. So, for example, when you call our main line during business hours, you will get a human—not an endless automated menu.”

2 February/March 2020

Coordinating installations, arranging inspections, and documenting every new customer’s configuration can be a challenge.

Thankfully, Kim is highly organized. And she’s always mindful that her efforts can make the difference in whether a family can move into a new home on time.

Every day, Kim is working hard behind the scenes to make life a little bit easier for our customers. And we’re thankful for that.

To learn more, visit CleanerCahaba.info.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 3

4 February/March 2020

When you know your risks of heart disease and you feel supported YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE At Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, our team of cardiology specialists is committed to using some of the most advanced technology available. And in addition to clinical expertise to diagnose and treat heart conditions, our compassionate staff is here to treat you well.

To find a specialist, call 888-577-2545 or visit BrookwoodBaptistMedicalCenter.com

WEDDINGS 58

ASKINS & HUGHES

60

SARCONE & MIMS

62

KENNEDY & ARMOUR

64

LANGLEY & CURENTON

66

MITCHELL & BISSET

68

FRAZIER & HAYNES

70

72

ALLEN & JENNINGS

74

HAMRIC & WALKER

6 February/March 2020

PHOTO BY KATIE & ALEC PHOTOGRAPHY

CARTER & HELMS

74

17

PHOTO BY MARY FEHR

arts & culture

17 Stitch by Stitch: The Pastime & Profession of Needlepoint 24 Read This Book: Leading Ladies Recs from Joi Mahand

food

& drink

25 Sweet & Smooth: Dr. Jeff Dugas’ Dread River Distilling Co. 34 Five Questions For: Publix Supermarkets’ Brenda Reid

weddings 36 Find Your Favorite Color Palette

in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 9 #VestaviaHillsMag 10 The Question 11 The Guide 76 Out & About 86 Marketplace 88 My Vestavia Hills

40 To Do Before I Do: A Wedding Checklist 42 Setting the Scene: Urban Spring + Country Elegance 49 Sweet Slices: Cake Samples from Local Bakeries 51 What to Gift Your Bridesmaids & Groomsmen

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 7

contributors EDITORIAL

Graham Brooks Stephen Dawkins Alec Etheredge Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Scott Mims Emily Sparacino Briana H. Wilson

CONTRIBUTORS Kaitlyn Baker Mallory Barry Mary Fehr Emma Simmons Lauren Ustad

DESIGN

Angela Caver Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan Green Connor Martin-Lively

MARKETING

Darniqua Bowen Kristy Brown Kari George Caroline Hairston Nick Heady Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Viridiana Romero Briana Sanders Lisa Shapiro Jessica Steelman Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Stacey Meadows Tim Prince

Mallory Barry, Photographer

Mallory is a Vestavia Hills High School student who has avidly enjoyed photography since she first got her camera in 2012. She also enjoys being a part of her high school’s track and field team, going on adventures with friends, and traveling with family.

Mary Fehr, Photographer

Mary is a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Birmingham.

She studied art and art history at University of Montevallo. She likes to teach and plans on getting her MFA in order to do so. Mary also loves to travel and has a goal of photographing a wedding in every state! She enjoys reading non-fiction, going to concerts and spending time with her family.

Emma Simmons, Writer & Photographer

As a wanderluster with a serious addiction to her parents’ cooking, Emma is thrilled to be in the ‘Ham, only a short drive away from their dinner table in Vestavia Hills. When she’s not plugging away as the digital executive producer at CBS42, she’s probably scheming up ways to turn her black thumb green or make her dog Mazzy Insta-famous. Some of her favorite things include: sunshine, long baths, fuzzy socks and conversations with strangers.

Lauren Ustad, Photographer

Lauren lives in Birmingham with her husband, Joe, their three daughters, and their 2-pound Yorkie they refer to as “Boobie.” She spends her professional time posing itty bitties and chasing little munchkins. In her free time you can probably find her slaving away at their most current renovation project or building Legos with her self-proclaimed super heroes.

Vestavia Hills Magazine is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Vestavia Hills Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Vestavia Hills Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Vestavia Hills Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Vestavia Hills, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit VestaviaHillsMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $16.30 for one year by visiting VestaviaHillsMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@vestaviahillsmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

8 February/March 2020

from the editor

Madoline with one of her favorite brides.

ON THE COVER

A

As we were wrapping up this issue, I clicked a few buttons to put a mulberry A-line chiffon dress in my online “cart” that I’ll save for August. In January, I donned a white one (a trend for bridesmaids, I’ve learned) as I witnessed my only sibling say “I do.” Last June the color was teal, and in the years before that they’ve been cabernet and Barbie pink, champagne and slate grey—not quite 27 in all, none worn again.

I’ll gladly don any color or style I’m asked to, but let’s be real, I’m more likely to get pumped for the floral palette, the elegant script that comes in the mail and the intricacies of THE dress—the bride’s that is.

It’s all a delight to the eyes and makes for a stunning set of magazines pages in our wedding issue each year.

The times you’ll find me wearing a color of the bride’s choosing, more than anything I am there quite simply for the marriage—isn’t that why we plan these elaborate occasions after all? There’s a certain intimacy each time I stand just a few feet behind the bride’s gown with my gaze toward her and the groom that says, “I’ve been here as this story of yours came to be, I’m here as you are opening a new chapter committing to one another, and I’ll be there months and years from now as the plot twists of life come to help hold you to it.” Witnessing a wedding, as it turns out, is no small thing, as I am reminded as friends’ marriages start to span years and decades now.

I might not have that kind of relationship with most of the couples we feature in the pages to follow, but I sure am glad they have let us in on their stories, of the chemistry that bubbled up with a stranger or friend, of the details and moments that are now engraved in their memories, of the significance of having THEIR closest friends and family to witness the vows they are making.

Also be sure to check out Emma Simmons’ feast of words capturing Dread River Distilling Company and Liberty Park resident Jeff Dugas’ role in bringing it to life, and our Samford intern Kaitlyn Baker’s account of how needlepoint is growing in popularity with all generations and a new Rocky Ridge store for just that.

Cheers to celebrating marriage in this issue and in each of our lives!

And thanks, as always, for reading!

madoline.markham@vestaviahillsmagazine.com

ALLEN & JENNINGS WEDDING

Mary Coleman Allen and Payne Jennings’ dog, Sully, was an important part of their wedding day.

Photo by Be Light Photography Design by Jamie Dawkins

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 9

10 February/March 2020

#VestaviaHillsMag

@vjonesphoto

Tag us in your Vestavia Hills photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.

Backstage. @magiccitynutcracker #ballet #balletdancer #balletphotography #virginiasamfordtheatre @vestaviadanceco @stephiefran #backstage #backstagelife #ballerina #ballerinasofinstagram #virginiajonesphotography

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“ ” THE QUESTION

What was the most memorable detail at your wedding or your son or daughter’s wedding?

My grandmother’s sapphire cocktail ring was my old, borrowed, and blue. It has been worn by sisters, nieces, and friends in multiple weddings.

When the ceremony was over, we and the wedding party released balloons to the sky and sent them to heaven in memory of my dad who passed away when I was 15.

We got married on June 8, 2013, and my parents were married the same date 33 year earlier on June 8, 1980. I wore my mom’s wedding dress that we had repurposed!

My daughter wore some satin shoes that my mother wore in her wedding during WW2. Her dress did not survive but the shoes did.

My dad made a playlist for our father/daughter dance with the theme song to my favorite TV show when I was little and all of the silly children’s songs we used to sing together!!

My maternal grandmothers cameo broach that was her mother’s was my “something old.” I loved the history and meaning behind it!

I wore the same dress my mother wore when she married my father and my sister wore it at her wedding 8 months after mine.

Our mother turned her wedding dress from 1975 into our wedding cake tablecloth! Both daughters used it. So special!

-Hayes Williamson Johnson

-Nicole Thomason Hardekopf

-Gracie Jones Kilcoyne

-Button Lovoy Smith

12 February/March 2020

-Libba Oakes Lambert

-Christy Kimbrell

-Sarah Elizabeth Durnya Stevens

-Maggie Goff Bolin

THE GUIDE

REBEL 5K & FUN RUN COLOR RUN MARCH 14 Vestavia Hills High School 9 a.m.

Get your preparty on for this year’s VHHS RISE (Rebels Impact through Service and Engagement) event on April 16 with a new color at every mile. Vestavia Hills High School students organize this run each year to support the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Register on the RISE website by March 1.

Photo by Mallory Barry VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 13

THE GUIDE WHAT TO DO IN VESTAVIA FEB. 22

Character Meet & Greet Vestavia Hills High School 8:30-10:30 a.m.

FEB. 11+25+MARCH 10 Zumba for Beginners Series Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Ages 18+ / No Fee or Registration 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Kids from all over the community are invited to see their favorite characters at this event held by Vestavia Hills High School students.

It’s part of a spring campaign

by VHHS RISE (Rebels Impact through Service and Engagement) to support the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB.

FEB. 18 Pocket Size Pixel Art For Teens Grades 6-12 Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest 4-5:30 p.m.

FEB. 20 OLLI Presents – The Peace Corps in Our 50s Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest 1:30-3 p.m.

FOOD

PIZZA PLEASE Slice Pizza & Brewhouse has a new menu item thanks to Kate Hurst. The Liberty Park Middle School seventh grader came up with the “Liberty Park Pie” combo of pesto, chicken, mozzarella cheese, onions, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, basil, olives and spinach as a part of Slice Showdown: The Search for the Vestavia Hills Pizza.

Here Katie is pictured with Principal Roger Dobnikar and teacher Linda Rummel.

KIDS

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALES Spring is (almost) in the air. Stock your kids’ spring and summer wardrobe at one (or all) of these sales. Better yet, consign some of their clothes from last year, and you can shop early to call dibs on the best items.

MARKET ON THE MOUNTAIN Mountaintop Community Church Feb. 28-29 Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. marketonthemountain.com 14 February/March 2020

FEB. 11 Vestavia Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon Vestavia Country Club 11:30 a.m.

WHALE OF A SALE Vestavia Hills United Methodist Feb. 20-21 Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. vhumc.org/event/whaleofasale/

FEB. 21 Harry Potter Horcrux Hunt Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Kids/Register in Advance 6:30-8 p.m.

FEB. 23 Winter Choral Concert Vestavia Hills High School 3 p.m.

FEB. 27 Friends of the Library - Local Author Debra Goldstein Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest 10-11:30 a.m.

MARCH 7 ACT Workshop Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Free/Registration Required 1-3 p.m.

MARCH 10 Vestavia Chamber of Commerce

THE GUIDE Monthly Luncheon Vestavia Country Club 11:30 a.m.

MARCH 17 Duct-Tape Mania Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest For Teens/Grades 6-12 4-6 p.m.

MARCH 17 Family Night- Magician Russell Davis Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest 6-7:15 p.m.

MARCH 23-27 Spring Break Vestavia City Schools Closed MARCH 26 Friends of the Library - Senior Planning with Jay Jones Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest 10-11:30 a.m.

CITY

TRAFFICKING FREE Vestavia Hills is officially the first “TraffickingFreeZone” in Alabama as of a proclamation on Nov. 25.

With this in place all city staff will take part in human trafficking training, and the city adopts a “zerotolerance” policy regarding purchasing commercial sex at work. “It’s not just a problem for Vestavia Hills, it’s the whole metro Birmingham area,” Mayor Ashley Curry says. “In fact, I-20 and I-65 happen to cross at Birmingham, those interstates are known as the superhighway for sex trafficking.” The proclamation is the first step in a master plan to establish these zones in every city in Jefferson County before the 2021 World Games.

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VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 15

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN FEB. 22

FEB. 13

Dinner and Diamonds

Legacy League Luncheon

Vestavia Country Club 7-11 p.m.

The evening is sure to shimmer and sparkle with dinner, entertainment, and silent and live auctions—all to benefit academic “extras” such as professional development, technology and classroom enhancements for Vestavia Hills City Schools. And props to Liberty Park Middle School student Mallory Smith for creating this year’s invitation art. Tickets are available at vestaviafoundation.org.

16 February/March 2020

11:30 a.m.

Come out to hear Whitney Capps, a national speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and writer for First 5 Bible app, at Samford Legacy League’s Scholarship Luncheon. Whitney is the author of Sick of Me: from Transparency to Transformation and co-host of a radio devotional aired on nearly 1,200 stations. The event benefits scholarships for students with significant financial needs and challenging circumstances, and will take place at a country club in Vestavia. Additional information may be found at samford.edu/legacyleague.

Reservations are required and cost $50.

FEB. 7-23 Porgy & Bess Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theater FEB. 15 Regions Superhero 5K Railroad Park FEB. 16 Mercedes Benz Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay FEB. 17 Rent Presented by Broadway in Birmingham BJCC Concert Hall FEB. 21-23 Birmingham Ballet Presents Sleeping Beauty Samford University Wright Center

THE GUIDE MARCH 7-8 Red Mountain Theatre Company Conservatory Showcase RMTC Cabaret Theatre MARCH 11-15 Tartuffe Virginia Samford Theatre

Music on the Mountain Mountaintop Community Church 7-9 p.m.

MARCH 13-15 Romeo & Juliet Alabama Ballet BJCC Concert Hall MARCH 20+22 Opera Birmingham Presents Cinderella Samford University Wright Center MARCH 20-22 Waitress Presented by Broadway in Birmingham BJCC Concert Hall MARCH 26-APRIL 5 The Fantasticks Virginia Samford Theatre

FEB. 29

He’s been on American Idol, and now he’s coming back home to Vestavia Hills to support his high school—and its efforts to support the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Come see Walker Burroughs with Emma Klein in concert at this VHHS RISE event.

BUSINESS

NEW IN TOWN Need a baseball gift? Romeo’s Sporting Goods has you covered and has moved to Highway 31 across from Mark’s Outdoors. Looking for a fun arts and crafts outing? New DIY wood decor studio Board & Brush is offering classes and more at 2017 Canyon Road.

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&CULTURE

ARTS

STITCH BY STITCH What’s the point of needlepoint? It’s a hobby, a pastime, a profession, all to stitch a legacy.

BY KAITLYN BAKER PHOTOS BY MARY FEHR VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 19

20 February/March 2020

Katie Howell with her daughter Franny at Magic City Needlepoint.

K

Katie Howell knew how much time, money and effort goes into creating needlepoint ornaments, so naturally, she freaked out a little when she thought she lost four that her mother-in-law Ty had made.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell Ty, so she decided she would try and replicate the ornaments herself. It would be her first attempt at needlepoint.

“I need to order these canvases and make these,” she said on the phone with Needleworks, a needlepoint shop open in Homewood at the time.

“I’m not telling my mother-in-law that…I’ve lost these ornaments.”

When the canvases arrived, the shop called her.

“Katie, you cannot do this,” they told her sympathetically. “Everybody’s needlepoint stitch looks different, so she will know if it wasn’t her stitch.”

That was it — Katie had to tell Ty what happened.

As it turns out, the ornaments weren’t lost after all.

Katie had given them to Ty and she had them all along. But by that point, Katie was already committed to learning how to needlepoint. Ty, who learned from her mom, began to teach her, and she got a lot of help from the ladies at the Needleworks shop. Little did either of them know that not too many years later Katie would be running a store for the craft called Magic City Needlepoint.

Katie’s first project was the front of a Christmas tree topper Ty’s mother had only finished the back of before she passed away in 2001. You can still see where Ty’s mom left off and where Katie started because the color blue is a slightly different shade. To this day, it’s her favorite piece she’s stitched because of the sentimental value it has.

Ever since she “kind of got obsessed” with needlepoint seven years ago, Katie has made tooth VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 21

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22 February/March 2020

Katie and Ty with Katie’s children Rogers (9), Frannie (7), and Bennett (5).

fairy pillows (which get used all the time, she says), belts, stockings for each of her kids and more. “I always have a project going,” Katie says. She likes to keep a smaller one in her purse to work on for 10 minutes here in the carpool line at Vestavia Hills Elementary East or 10 minutes there at the doctor’s office, and a bigger project at home to busy her hands while watching Netflix or an Auburn game or just chatting with her family.

Recently, though, her hobby has also become a profession of sorts. In November, Katie, along with Ty and three others, opened up Magic City Needlepoint. Located on Rocky Ridge Road, the shop fills the void Needleworks left after 20 years of business. “When it closed, nobody knew what to do,” Katie says. “So we decided this had to happen.”

The work leading up to opening was tedious, as they had to price and label everything by hand, but now they hear almost daily how much the shop means to the customers who come in. “The amount of people who came in [opening day] and said, ‘Thank you so much for opening this,’ …it honestly brought tears to my eyes,” Katie says. “There is a group of women in Birmingham that, this is their thing. When they didn’t have a place to go, it was a big deal.”

Magic City Needlepoint now hosts stitch clubs regularly, offering the community a place to grow together. “They sit around this table and they just stitch,” Katie says. “You learn a lot by just watching what they’re doing.” One woman will get creative and add beads to her project, another avid stitcher will try crazy different stitches, and others will just run with the traditional stitch. “It’s a really cool community because everybody has something different they’re bringing to the table,” she says.

And it’s not just one quintessential age that enjoys the craft. You’ll have a 70-year-old at one end of the table and a 20-year-old at the other. “People want things that they can keep and things that are made from the heart, and I don’t

NEEDLEPOINT LADIES Meet the owners of Magic City Needlepoint with a passion for the craft.

KATIE HOWELL You can tell how much Katie loves stitching in the way her eyes light up when she explains how it’s done.

A resident of Vestavia Hills and fulltime mom to her three kids, she’s also an active member of Stitch Club Birmingham.

TY HOWELL A native of Vestavia Hills, Ty has been stitching for at least 20 years.

Her mom taught her, and she helped teach her daughter-in-law Katie.

MARY ELIZABETH MAYS An experienced stitcher, Mary Elizabeth is president of the Cahaba Lily Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. She travels worldwide to attend seminars and stitch-ins, so she’s the point-person for what’s on trend.

LEAH SCALISE A lawyer and an avid stitcher, Leah has a particular passion for projects with geometric patterns.

KAREN CARROLL When she’s not stitching, Karen works in public relations for the Birmingham Zoo. She learned embroidery and cross-stitch when she was a kid, and now she takes classes at national conferences of the American Needlepoint Guild to learn new stitches and techniques.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 23

think that’s lost on the younger generation,” Katie says.

Ginger Mayfield, who started Stitch Club Birmingham, says the younger generation of needlepointers have been called “Grand Millennials” by some. “There are a lot of younger people getting into it,” she says. “I think traditionally it’s something folks viewed as a thing that older women did, with more time on their hands, but millennials are getting into it because they want to get off their phones and

24 February/March 2020

make something meaningful.”

And that’s Katie’s favorite part about it—seeing her loved ones enjoy the finished products. “I love getting up in the morning, say we’re going to church, and my husband and son are wearing the belts that I made them. Or when it’s Christmas time and all of my kids cannot wait to get their needlepoint stockings out from the basement to put them up,” she says. “I’ve made that for them, and it’s going to be with them forever.”

“

I love getting up in the morning, say we’re going to church, and my husband and son are wearing the belts that I made them. Or when it’s Christmas time and all of my kids cannot wait to get their needlepoint stockings out from the basement to put them up. I’ve made that for them, and it’s going to be with them forever.

- Katie Howell

”

When Katie starts a needlepoint project, first she picks her canvas. In Magic City Needlepoint, the mesh canvases are sorted in baskets along the walls. Painted in color, there are many designs to choose from. Next, she picks her threads from the back of the store. There are velvets, wools, silks and cottons in all shades of color, and since the stitch is typically the same throughout, Katie says the thread is really what makes it.

Once she has her supplies and colors picked out, it’s time to start stitching. Unlike cross-stitch, which is two stitches combined to make an “X,” needlepoint is just one stitch—“from LA to New York,” Katie explains—over and over again. With needlepoint, you stitch by color until it’s all filled in. From there if you take it to Magic City Needlepoint, she will then send it off to the “finishers,” who turn your canvas into whatever you want it to be—a pillow, a brick cover, an ornament, stocking, etc.

“It looks harder than it really is,” Katie says. Many people look at a finished piece and think, ‘I could never do that,’ so they shy away. But Katie says anyone can do it, and for that reason, she is eager to get people started if they have any interest whatsoever.

It was her encouragement that prompted her friend Blair Moss to learn. Blair, a realtor in Vestavia, taught herself to needlepoint and frequently called Katie with questions. With her first project, a sleep mask, under her belt, she’s now well on her way to making stockings for each of her three kids, and she agrees with Katie that anyone can do it. She plans to teach her daughter when she gets older, and she’s been trying to convince her husband to learn, although he’s not on board quite yet.

If you have any interest in needlepoint, “just come in and let us show you,” Katie says, “and see if it’s your thing.”

The research we’re doing is making it possible for kids like Allie to survive, grow up and make things happen.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

Visit Magic City Needlepoint at 2531 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 121 or online at magiccityneedlepoint.com.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 25

READ THIS BOOK

Leading Ladies Recommendations from

Joi Mahand

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Adult Services Department

I am an avid reader and book lover and I LOVE connecting people with just the right book. My personal motto is, “Every reader a book, every book a reader.” For more great reads, come check out my book club, The 8th of March Book Group, which is focused on women writers telling women’s stories. We meet on the first Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. But until then, here’s some books on the same theme for you this winter (or any season).

The Testaments

by Margaret Atwood Set 15 years after the events of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, readers are swept back into the oppressive regime of Gilead and given a glimpse of a country on the brink of its demise through the explosive and harrowing testimony of three very different women whose lives and stories are intertwined based on decisions made, past and present.

The Right Swipe

by Alisha Rai Rhiannon is confident, sexy, smart and the creator of a dating app that has revolutionized dating.

While she is willing to swipe right on her career, her love life is another matter…until she spends a night with ex-football player and dating app rival, Samson Lima. But after being ghosted by Samson, Rhiannon is all the more sure that love is off limits for her. When Samson returns with sincere apologies and good intentions, Rhiannon is left to wonder if she should swipe right and give love a second chance.

Daisy Jones & the Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid Daisy Jones is fierce and unapologetic as she bombards the ’70s rock-n-roll scene with her wild red hair, ever-present gold hoops and iconic voice, ready to embrace sex, drugs and, most of all, rock-nroll. Told documentary-style with interviews from bandmates, producers, friends, and Daisy herself, readers will follow Daisy’s meteoric rise to fame from groupie to the lead singer of iconic band, Daisy Jones & the Six. Try the audiobook version of this book as it features a full cast of narrators and provides an immersive, VH1-style Behind the Music experience.

Red at the Bone

by Jacqueline Woodson Told in alternating narratives, readers are introduced to 16-year-old Melody and her family as she prepares for her coming-of-age party—a party that her mother, Iris, never had because of her pregnancy with Melody 16 years earlier. This beautifully written and emotionally gripping novel explores the history and ramifications of decisions made in youth and the far-reaching effects of those decisions for one Brooklyn family.

They All Fall Down

by Rachel Howzell Hall In this modern retelling of Agatha Christie’s, And Then There Were None, Miriam Macy escapes to an exclusive private island with six strangers to appear on a reality show, determined to win prize money that she believes will put her life back on track. Miriam and six other strangers soon discover that they are on the island for far more nefarious reasons, as secrets are exposed and accidents begin to happen.

26 February/March 2020

&DRINK

FOOD

SWEET & SMOOTH Dr. Jeff Dugas has brought his surgical precision to Dread River Distilling Co. PHOTOS AND STORY BY EMMA SIMMONS VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 27

S

Step away from the tonic—doctor’s orders.

Dread River Distilling Company’s vodka, crafted with 100 percent red winter wheat, is meant to be sipped straight, not desecrated with flavorless filler.

When on the premises, the distillery’s founder and board chairman, Vestavia Hills doctor Jeff Dugas, leads by example, vodka on the rocks in hand. It might seem a dodgy drink of choice to those unfamiliar with the fact that yes, there is vodka worth sipping, but it begs the leading question about the spirit’s quality.

It’s a discussion Dugas welcomes, seeing as he’s partially responsible for the manufacture of one of these rare varietals, among other smooth-sipping spirits. A managing partner at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, the nationally renowned surgeon approaches his other ventures with the same premeditated precision he brings to the operating table.

Dugas’ orthopaedic expertise has landed him a

28 February/March 2020

slew of side gigs, from WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Medical Director to Olympics team consultant to the Vestavia Hills High School team doctor. But it’s his chemical engineering background, knack for problem-solving and vacation preferences that propelled him to the historic undertaking of establishing Birmingham’s first—and the state’s largest—distillery.

In the early 2000s, Dugas and his wife, Tracie, built a home on a secluded, 10-square mile barrier island in South Carolina called Daufuskie. To their surprise about five years ago, their new neighbor, a retired Kentuckyan with family ties to the bourbon industry, Tony Chase, opened a rum distillery on the island.

While sharing a drink of Daufuskie Island Rum with his curious neighbor one night, Chase mused, “You know, Birmingham is the biggest city in North America that doesn’t have a distillery.”

Inspired by this intoxicating conversation, Dugas

picked up the phone the next day with full intent to fill that void. Soon thereafter, he met the acquaintance of Lisa Cooper, then-chief development officer for Birmingham Mayor William Bell’s administration, and Dugas says she “took the football and ran with it,” unconsciously sprinkling his speech with a copious amount of sports metaphors. No harm, no foul.

Cooper convinced the mayor and his entourage to join Dugas on a field trip to Nashville-area distilleries to see how it’s done. The trip culminated with Bell’s blessing, contingent on an event space as part of the grand business plan for Dread River, named after the mythical stream flowing underneath the city (a wellcirculated tale concocted by a 19th century con artist).

Having gotten the greenlight, Dugas lured his nowDread River co-founder John Cubelic away from the film industry in New York and back to Birmingham to spearhead the company’s creative vision and oversee everything he couldn’t. Cubelic, a former Auburn football player and jack-of-all-trades, boasts a background in experiential marketing and an upbringing in the wholesale alcohol industry. Having witnessed the proliferation of cool concepts in his hometown—cool in general, just not for Birmingham, he’ll clarify—Cubelic knew the time was ripe for bringing a distillery to the Magic City.

And so Dugas and Cubelic trotted across the country to pick the brains behind 50 different distilleries, in search of best—and worst—practices. “The collegiality that was afforded to us by other distilleries is nothing short of phenomenal,” Dugas says, tipping his glass

Dread River Brewmaster Michelle Piechowicz creates small-batch beers in these vats.

Independently

delighted

Something about Somerby sparks your appetite.

Sarah’s experience with Independent Living at Somerby has been totally fulfilling. She loves the dining experience on both a culinary and a social level. The activities she’s enjoying have given her a renewed taste for living, too.

Somerby is Full of Life. What will it spark in you?

Call us today to learn more or schedule a personal visit.

INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE S O M E R B Y S P A R K . C O M • 8 0 0 . 9 7 7. 1 0 1 7

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 29

THIS PHOTO: A couple enjoys drinks in one of the distillery’s five siderooms.

TOP LEFT: Dread River’s whiskey is Jeff Dugas’ favorite of the distillery’s spirits. BOTTOM LEFT: The Vulcan features vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, raspberry, tarragon and Topo Chico.

30 February/March 2020

back to savor the last few drops of Dread River vodka. “They rolled out the red carpet for us and opened their hearts, their minds and their histories.”

Before long, Dread River landed an event and distilling space in the former Peck & Hills Antiques building on Seventh Avenue South in Southside.

With the blueprint complete (thanks to Bill Segrest and Lauren Gwaltney of Williams Blackstock Architects), Dugas assembled quite the pack of power players—those he knew could move the project forward. He’ll take the credit only for recognizing and harnessing the talent of the allstar Dread River crew.

In his past life, Dread River CEO Brian Rodgers was a lawman-turned-chef whose selections graced the taste buds of wildlife enthusiasts at Five Star Preserve in Kellyton, Alabama. The sommelier’s buying power led to a cozy relationship and an eventual position with the ABC Board.

Hailed as one of the foremost spirits experts in the Southeast, Rodgers has selected over 2,000 barrels, designed programs for national distilleries, and given thousands of seminars on the topic. And while a dozen distilleries have sought out his advice, he’d never considered joining forces with one, until he tried distiller Carl White’s spirits.

“Was it worth moving my family from Auburn up here to leave a secured, vested job with the state? Absolutely yes,” Rodgers says, adamantly.

Dread River’s distilling savant Carl White began his spirits journey less than a decade ago at Asheville Distilling Company/Troy & Sons, founded by Troy Ball, the first woman to open a commercial distillery in North America since Prohibition times. After a chance encounter with Ball, White found himself at the distillery during its infancy, working alongside the ex-master distiller of Maker’s Mark and the ex-master distiller of Woodford Reserve. Since then he’s helped design and launch three labels for Doc Porter’s Distillery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

And now, Birmingham’s premier distillery is capitalizing on his talents.

White crafts each of his premium spirits on a hybrid, 5,000-liter German-made pot still, the largest in the U.S. at the time of its construction in 2012. According to Dugas, White has designed custom modifications to this “Ferrari of a still,” expanding the production capacity by more than 12 times since inheriting it from Asheville Brewing Company. Vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, agave Spirits—you name it—they can, and will, do it.

While each of the distillery’s spirits has a

4730 Chace Cir, Suite 124

205-777-5984

www.babajavacoffee.com

@babajavacoffee VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 31

distinctive personality, each inherited an admirable character trait from their maker: they don’t bite.

“Everything we make is very smooth, a lot of vanilla, caramel notes,” Dugas boasts. “Carl is a scientist at the highest level of manipulating alcohol. We told him what we want, and he made it to T.” White may be a relatively young distiller, but his spirits are bound to appeal to seasoned palates. The distillery’s flagship product, its whiskey, falls somewhere between a Weller and a Maker’s Mark, but it’s sweeter and smoother than both—per Dugas’ request.

Dread River takes pride in using only the “hearts” from the distillation process, meaning at least half of the alcohols produced, the “heads” (the dangerously alcoholic stuff of old Moonshiners) and the “tails” (the degenerative, dirty socksmelling, hangover-inducing alcohols the big boys use) are trashed.

“We’re not doing this for the novelty of it,” explains Dugas. “We could have put up a distillery and spent a tenth of what we did, and some would have bought it. But I wouldn’t have tied my name and reputation to this if I thought we couldn’t be in a conversation with the best in the world.”

32 February/March 2020

Distiller Carl White discusses his process for crafting spirits on a tour.

CURRENT CONCOCTIONS DISTILLER’S SELECT STRAIGHT WHISKEY – A vanilla, caramel flavor with a nice butterscotch and chocolate finish with a sweet and smoky aroma GIN – A predominately citrus flavor with hints of grapefruit, lemongrass, cucumber, with a While Dugas will have you know that Dread River is a distillery first and foremost, its supporting arms could operate as successful standalone businesses—they’re that good. Events Director Cyd Quick has been curating unforgettable guest experiences since the 1990s, when she managed front-of-house for Frank Stitt restaurants. Master Brewer Michelle Piechowicz’s small-batch brews are the stunning result of fresh and local ingredients. And Executive Chef Craig Olack, who worked with Chris Hastings for six years prior to his training at The Culinary Institute, makes a burger Dugas says he’ll stack up against anybody’s in town.

Unlike the 19th century charlatan behind their namesake, Dread River’s ambassadors are no snake oil salesmen. This stuff isn’t just good for Birmingham. It’s real good.

4th Annual

delightful juniper finish RUM – Tropical nose with melon and fruit notes and a finish of dark brown sugar molasses VODKA – Sweet, floral, with a hint of citrus—a lingering vanilla flavor with a smooth, clean finish Bourbon, rye and agave spirts are coming soon to Dread River. Find their spirits at the distillery at 2400 7th Avenue South in Southside or at your local ABC Select Spirits store.

JOIN US MONDAY, FEBRUARY AS WE CELEBRATE THE

17

20AmericanVillage th Anniversary OF THE

Opens February 17*

• Visit the only pick-your-own tulip field in the Southeast • 100,000 tulips to purchase and take home • A great Spring outing for your family, club, or oice

The Festival runs through March (depending on bloom time)* Open Monday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4*

*Weather permitting. Check our website or Facebook page for field conditions before your trip.

Visit www.americanvillage.org for a complete schedule.

AND

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY! • $5 ADMISSION • BIRTHDAY CAKE AT NOON • FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES THROUGH 3:00 P.M.

Visit www.americanvillage.org for a complete schedule.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 33

FOOD & DRINK

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Brenda Reid

Publix Supermarkets Media and Community Relations Manager PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The first Publix store to open in the Birmingham area was right here in the Vestavia Hills City Center on Montgomery Highway on Oct. 23, 2002, and now nearly two decades later it’s bringing its slogan “where shopping is a pleasure” to two new stores to Vestavia Hills. Over in Liberty Park, The Marketplace at The Bray Publix at 3201 Endeavor Lane is set to open this spring with a tentative although not confirmed opening date of March 18. In Rocky Ridge, a Publix was announced for Rocky Ridge Square when Western closed a year ago, but it’s too early for the grocery store to release details on that location just yet. For now, though, we chatted with Publix’s Brenda Reid about the Liberty Park store, the chain’s growing footprint in the streets around us and #PubSubs apparel.

What’s something shoppers might not know about the Publix brand?

Todd Jones, CEO of Publix Super Markets says, “Publix is in the customer What are a few of the most popular service business. We just happen to sell items in your stores? groceries.” We hang our hat on providing Publix Subs or #PubSubs have a excellent customer service. Our secret tremendous following. Customers speak sauce is our associates. of our subs with so much affection you would think it was a close friend rather How do you decide on these Vestavia than a sandwich. You can even buy Publix Hills locations?

Sub T-shirts or lounge pants with tiny People ask me all the time how or why little subs printed on them online. We we choose a location. There are so many also have socks, hoodies and fanny packs variables such as future growth, number What is Publix‘s footprint in the featuring the popular sandwich too. Also of rooftops, competition or a lack thereof. our decadent desserts are to die for, and We don’t share specific reasons due to Birmingham area?

We currently have 25 stores in the our fried chicken will make you stop the competitive nature of the retail Birmingham area, 77 stores in Alabama frying chicken at home forever. You have industry. to taste it to believe it.

What will The Bray location in Liberty Park offer?

The store will be 48,100 square feet and will have a unique layout with an expanded deli department located at the front of the store. It will feature traditional items as well as fresh deli smoked meats, sushi, fresh soups and a variety of prepared foods for easy pickup. It will have mezzanine seating for customers who want to enjoy their meal in the store, and free Wi-fi will be available.

36 February/March 2020

and a total of 1,241 stores throughout the Southeast. We have one distribution center in McCalla.

weddings v1estavia hills2

A GUIDE TO ALL THINGS WHITE, BRIGHT, & BEAUTIFUL PHOTO BY LESLEE MITCHELL

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 37

WEDDINGS

FIND YOUR PALETTE

A cohesive wedding aesthetic starts with colors, so here’s a guide to shades trending by season for inspiration.

Consider your setting, and pick a base color and accents that you gravitate toward.

ILLUSTRATED BY KATE SULLIVAN GREEN | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

spring DUSTY BLUE CAMEO NUDE PASTEL YELLOW WHITE AND GREEN WHITE AND BLUSH PASTELS (SEE PG. 38) NEUTRALS LIGHT BLUE CHAMPAGNE

fall BURGUNDY/RICH RED EMERALD GREEN MARIGOLD (SEE PG. 38) MAROON, PINK, IVORY AND GREEN MAUVE, PINK, IVORY AND GREEN CHARCOAL GREY

38 February/March 2020

WEDDINGS

summer PEACH SOFT BLUSH VIBRANT CORALS (SEE PG. 38) WHITE AND GREEN PINK AND GREEN DUSTY ROSE AND LIGHT PINK DUSTY / PALE BLUE

winter PLUM/LILAC (SEE PG. 38) TAUPE GREYS MAROON, RED + GREEN IVORY AND GREENS WHITE WITH GREENERY

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 39

WEDDINGS

fall

spring summer

winter Wedding planners Meghan Cease & Candice Henderson of M. Elizabeth Events, Courtney Bell of La Belle Vie Weddings and Brooke Kearbey of BKwed contributed their color expertise to this article.

40 February/March 2020

2024 Morris Ave Birmingham, AL 35203 www.heidielnoraatelier.com 205.250.5233

model: Hannah Brown

Designer Wedding Dresses

image: Juan Rodriguez

heidi elnora ATELIER

#heidibride @heidielnoraatelier @buildabride_official

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 41

WEDDINGS

TO DO BEFORE I DO

12 months out n Work on Your Budget

Figure out who is contributing and how much, think what items are the highest priority for you, and start your spreadsheet.

n Make a Guest List n Select the Venue n Hire a Wedding Planner n Determine Formality and Theme n Select the Caterer

11 months out

n Hire Essential Vendors Photographers, bands, DJs, florists and videographers book early, so do your research, ask good questions and get them booked.

n Buy the Dress

n Send Save-the-Dates

10 months out

8 months out

n Book Hotel Blocks

n Select Bridesmaids’ Dresses

n Create a Wedding Website

7 months out

n Dress Shopping

n Take Engagement Photos n Look at Invitations Start talking to a designer or stationer if you are wanting a custom suite, or wait until six months out if you are going a less involved route.

42 February/March 2020

9 months out

n Register for Gifts

n Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts this part of the weekend.

n Book Ceremony Musicians n Order Rental Items

WEDDINGS

6 months out n Hire an Officiant

5 months out

n Book Transportation n Book the Honeymoon n Secure the Groom’s Attire

4 months out n Taste Testings

n Buy Wedding Bands n Hair and Makeup Trial

3 months out

n Order the Invitations n Brainstorm Guest Favors and Gift Bags

n Write Your Vows n Work on the Ceremony Bible verses or quotes? What song to walk down the aisle to? Traditional vows or writeyour-own? Start talking through this lineup.

2 months out

n Send the Invitations Eight weeks out is the typical timeline, with RSVPs due one month before the wedding.

n Dress Fitting

n Buy Wedding Party Gifts + Small Items

Start with your bridesmaids and groomsmen and also consider buying table numbers, toasting flutes, a cake topper, guest book, ring bearer or flower girl accessories, a garter and a hanger for the wedding dress.

1 month out

n Assemble Gift Bags n Pay Vendors Get ahead of the game to make sure this is done in advance. Put cash in tip envelopes for your planner and delegate someone to distribute too.

n Create a Seating Chart n Break in the Wedding Shoes

n Get the Marriage License

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 43

SETTING THE SCENE

WEDDINGS

Are you a city girl? Or do you prefer the outdoors? We’ve got ideas for both landscapes with these styled shoots.

country elegance Tucked away in Alabama, these wedding vendors value the beauty and simple elegance found out in the country and captured the essence of “less is more” in this shoot.

44 February/March 2020

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 45

WEDDINGS

mama

loves

weddings...

Call Beka at 205-368-0964 or email: catering@tacomamaonline.com www.tacomamaonline.com/catering 46 February/March 2020

WEDDINGS

urban spring Springtime meets industrial in this wedding inspiration photo shoot, with the white bright aesthetic of The Theodore and puppies signaling the new life of the season.

CREATED FOR YOU WEEZI WEEZ IE B. DESI GNS SPEC I A LI ZES I N TU RNI N G YOU R VI SI O N I NTO C U S TO M WEDDI N G SU I TES A S U NI QU E AS YOU A RE. EX PA ND YOU R SU I TE WI TH PA RT Y GOODS, FAVO RS, GI FTS AND MO RE!

@WEEZ @WEEZII EBDESI GNS

•

WE EZII EBDESI GNS. CO M WEEZ COM

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 47

WEDDINGS

urban spring Workshop Host: Alisha Crossley Photography Venue: The Theodore

country elegance

Flowers: RoseGolden by Holly M. Carlisle

Photographer: Blythe Amber

Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes

Dresses: Carol Hannah

Photography

Hair and Makeup: Gypset Beauty Co.

Flowers: Windy Petal

Silk Ribbons: Cocoon Silk Ribbon

Hair: Elyse Kilgore

Cake: Bec’s Cakes

Venue: Douglas Manor

Invitations: Gracefully Made Art

Makeup: Macee Merriam

Ring Boxes: Levy’s Fine Jewelry

Cake: Trudy’s Table Bakery

Models: Katie Belle, Shea Jenkins

Dress: Bella Couture LLC

Invitations: Invitations by Whitney Calligraphy: Grey Lily Calligraphy Models: Emily and Brett Wolfe

48 February/March 2020

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 49

TRANSFORM TRADITION WITH A BOHEMIAN TWIST. With every open space adorned in layers of luxury, your ceremony is set to radiate an artful European ambiance. Inspire your guests with a unique experience, whether it’s Wine Tasting, Wine Blending, Cooking School or dining on the rooftop. Expect the celebration to last forever with a complimentary guest room every year through the Anniversary for Life program.

CALL 205.414.0505 OR VISIT GRANDBOHEMIANMOUNTAINBROOK.COM

50 February/March 2020

big spoon bakes

SWEET

Banana cake with dark chocolate chips and peanut butter cream cheese frosting, Homewood & Avondale

SLICES

STYLED BY KATE SULLIVAN GREEN PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD

edgar’s bakery

dreamcakes

Strawberry cake with strawberry icing, Pelham

Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, peanut butter buttercream filling and chocolate ganache drizzle, Homewood & Hoover

klingler’s Carrot cake with cream cheese icing, Vestavia Hills

c’s cake & coffee house Coconut cake with coconut cream cheese icing, Montevallo

k&j’s elegant pastries Vanilla cake with strawberry preserves filling and whipped buttercream icing, Alabaster

tee’s cakes and pastries Traditional white cake with buttercream icing, Chelsea

Vietri and Skyros Designs white plates from Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 51

Best Dental Practice

Fulton Dental www.vestaviadentist.com

Let Caliber help you get ready for your next Upland adventure 2822 Central Ave. Homewood. Al. 35209 Phone 987-5800 www.caliberxl.com 52 February/March 2020

WEDDINGS

WHAT TO GIFT YOUR

BRIDESMAIDS & GROOMSMEN They have been there for you as you head into your wedding day, now it’s time to put some thought into a special gift for each member of your bridal party. Here are some ideas from local shops to fit any personality.

BY MADOLINE MARKHAM & EMILY SPARACINO | PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD

1

2

3

4 1. MUD PIE MARBLE SERVING TRAY, SANSABA RIVER PECAN CO. JALAPENO PEACH AND PECAN PRESERVES Gifted, Pelham, $32 & $10, respectively 2. BIRDS OF A FEATHER EARRINGS Shea Davis Boutique, Homewood, $118 3. FLINT LEATHER CO. ALABAMA LUGGAGE TAG Alabama Goods, Homewood, $22 4. ANTIQUE CEILING TIN PHOTO FRAME At Home, Homewood, $46

5

5. 1818 FARMS SANDALWOOD BAR SOAP, METAL SHAVING BRUSH, WOODEN BEARD COMB The Farm Company, Columbiana, $7, $15, $5 respectively 6. DIBIANCO FLASK Shaia’s, Homewood, $345

6 VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 53

WEDDINGS

7

8

7. FIGUE D’ETE PROVENCE LIQUID HAND WASH & WAX CANDLE Illuminated, Mountain Brook, Hand Wash $36, Candle $69 8. OLD OAK FORGE WALLET WITH TOOL Caliber, Homewood, $75 9. SMALL MONOGRAMMED ALL PURPOSE POUCH The Blue Willow, Cahaba Heights, $24.95

9

54 February/March 2020

WEDDINGS 10. RED LEATHERMAN SQUIRT PS4 RED Alabama Outdoors, Homewood & Hoover, $34.95

10

11. BIRD’S NEST BLOCK PAINTINGS The Liv-N-Room, Chelsea, $10.99 (large) and $8.99 (small) 12. RAW EDGE CANOE CLUTCH Lamb’s Ears, Mountain Brook, $25

12

11

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 55

13. CANVAS TOTE BAG Monograms Plus, Vestavia Hills, $21.99 plus $10 for monogram 14. SWIG STEMLESS WINE TUMBLER Dear Prudence, Homewood & Hoover, $19 15. THERMOPOP POCKET MEAT THERMOMETER Alabama Gas Light & Grill, $24.95

13

A gift & clothing boutique specializing in home decor, seasonal giving, and jewelry.

14

SUSAN GORDON

CAPRI BLUE

RONALDO

1028 Marble Terrace, Suite 116 Hoover, AL 35244 | 205-989-7277 wrapsodyonline.com @shopwrapsody 56 February/March 2020

15

16

17

16. WRITTEN BRIDESMAID TEE The Ditsy Daisy, Chelsea, $46 17. YETI HOPPER FLIP 8 COOLER & CORKCICLE CANTEEN Mountain High Outfitters, Hoover, $199 & $37.95 respectively

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 57

WEDDINGS

18. NAVY SOFIA PAJAMAS MADE IN ITALY Hemline, Homewood, Top $98, Bottoms $105

19 18

19. LARGE BOGG BAGÂ Please Reply, Mountain Brook, $70 20. SOCIAL LIGHT REFILLABLE LIGHTER WITH LEATHER HANDLE The Cook Store, Mountain Brook, $40

20

58 February/March 2020

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 59

WEDDINGS

askins

hughes

JULY 20, 2019 PHOTOS BY LESLEE MITCHELL

60 February/March 2020

How We Met: When a friend introduced me (Devon) to Tristan, she told me that he modeled for Southern Shirt. Hearing that, I immediately judged that he could most certainly not be as smart as he was cute. Fast forward a year later, and we saw each other again, talked and exchanged phone numbers. I quickly learned how similar our paths in life were and how wrong I was about my judgment of him.

Favorite Moment: During the ceremony, our long-time family friends Michael and Linda Adler officiated and

sang “The Prayer.�

Favorite Details: My Nana grew up in Devon, England. A few years ago Nana and her children had High Tea at Bovey Castle back in Devon, and she sent me a lighthearted text joking about how she had found my wedding venue.

A few months later Tristan proposed and the more we talked about Bovey, the more we knew this venue was for us since we wanted a very small wedding and both of us had extended families in England. Embroidery by Linda provided us with monogrammed linen napkins

WEDDINGS for each of our guests to use—and that Tristan and I now have to use whenever we entertain. Anne Corhern provided us with a watercolor of Bovey Castle used in several ways and now framed in our home.

Our friend Leslie Nunnelly created the hand-dyed silk ribbons that wrapped my bridal bouquet. My shoes were a robin egg blue silk heel designed by Jimmy Choo that had tiaras on them. Lastly, the Cathedral Room in which Tristan and I wed featured a wall of leaded windows and an intricately carved ivory fireplace that extended to the 40-foot ceiling.

the details Wedding Venue: Bovey Castle Wedding Planner: M. Elizabeth Events Florist: Emma Hewlett Floral Design Caterer: Bovey Castle’s The Great Western Cake: Jen’s Edible Essences Videographer: Holloway Productions Invitations: Annabelle’s Wedding Dress: Ivory & White and Bella’s Bridal

Hair and Makeup: Danielle Ivy Chipiepalich Groom/Groomsmen: Mr Burch Formal Wear and Shaia’s Music: Exeter Valley String Quartet and Your Big Event Engagement & Wedding Rings: Steed’s Jewelers Bridal Bouquet Ribbon: Cocoon Silk Ribbon

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 61

WEDDINGS

sarcone mims OCTOBER 5, 2019

PHOTOS BY MADALYNN YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

62 February/March 2020

Favorite Moment: It had not rained in Alabama for six weeks, and the radar looked clear, so, as it started to fall, I (Anna Gray) just knew it must have been meant to be. A sort of cleansing, leading us into our new life. This divine moment paired with the realization that all of our guests stayed, in the pouring rain, to see us become husband and wife is a great picture of love. After the ceremony though, one of Daniel’s first acts as my husband was to deliver the news that our reception would have to be moved inside. I naively thought, since the rain

stopped, we could still be outside on the golf patio as we’d been picturing for months. Daniel knew this wasn’t my ideal scenario, and the way he delivered the news, with all his usual sweetness, was the perfect picture of marriage.

Things in our life won’t always go as planned, but with him by my side, even the unexpected can be redeemed, and beautiful in its own way.

Favorite Details: The girls got ready at my grandmother’s house, where I had been living for the last three years, and where Daniel picked me up for our

WEDDINGS

second date. The boys got ready at Daniel’s parents’ house, which is the center of so many memories for us. Our best friends performed our ceremony, one of Daniel’s childhood friends played the music, while another helped build the arbor we were married under. Our photographer was in my sorority, and our hair and make-up was done by the same girl who did my hair in college, and who listened to our love story evolve. There was something about these places and people that made the event feel more intimate to us. It created a gathering rather than an event.

the details Venue: Vestavia Country Club Florist: Susan Reynolds and Wild Honey Flower Truck Cakes: Dreamcakes Invitations: Madison Lee

Wedding Dress: White Dresses Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Emily Summerville Groom/Groomsmen Attire: JoS. A. Bank Music: Heart to Heart

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 63

WEDDINGS

kennedy armour OCTOBER 20, 2019 PHOTOS BY ELEANOR STENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

64 February/March 2020

How We Met: Joseph and I (Emily) met our freshman year at Auburn University. Joseph introduced himself to me at church after realizing we had biology together. Our relationship started with lunch every Tuesday and Thursday at Chick-n-Grill after biology class. Later that semester, we went on our official first date to Cracker Barrel.

The Proposal: After graduating from college, Joseph lived in Auburn, and I lived in Birmingham. Joseph was coming to Birmingham to spend the weekend, and he wanted to go to

Jemison Park to walk. This was normal for us, as our favorite weekend activity was getting outside and walking. For whatever reason on this particular weekend, I did not want to go on a walk, but he convinced me we needed to go to Jemison as soon as he got to Birmingham. We walked for 30 minutes before he found a nice private spot, and he got down on one knee and proposed. We were the only people around, and it was perfect. He then called my sisters who were waiting at the entrance of Jemison to come take

WEDDINGS pictures.

Favorite Moment: Our favorite moment was in between the ceremony and reception. Joseph and I got some alone time, and we both got to celebrate and reflect on a beautiful ceremony and the fact that we were finally married!

Favorite Details: The topper on my wedding cake was from grandparents’ wedding in 1957.

What We Are Doing Now: I am in my last year of medical school at UAB, and Joseph is a math teacher and basketball coach at VHHS.

the details Ceremony Venue: Brookwood Baptist Church Reception Venue: Vestavia Country Club Florist: Susan Milner Caterer: Vestavia Country Club Cakes: Magic Muffins Videographer: Oak Hill Films

Wedding Dress: The White Room Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Abby Moorer Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse Music: Nationwide Coverage

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 65

WEDDINGS

langley curenton MARCH 30, 2019

PHOTOS BY PIPER VINE PHOTOGRAPHY

66 February/March 2020

The Proposal: Alex proposed on June 2, 2018. We just returned from his stepbrother’s wedding in New York, and I (Caroline) definitely did not see it coming that weekend! He asked me to marry him that morning over coffee and then surprised me with celebrations throughout the day with family and friends. June 2 also happens to be my dad’s birthday, and he selflessly shared his day with us, which made it even more special.

Favorite Moment: My favorite moment was seeing Alex for the first

time. We did a first look, and we really enjoyed having that time together to talk about how our day had been so far and to share in our excitement for the ceremony and reception. Alex’s favorite moment was when the ceremony concluded— walking down the aisle and receiving the wedding party in front of the church before hopping on the bus and heading to our reception. It was so joyful!

Favorite Details: We have so many details that meant the world to us! Our first dance song was by Anderson East, who was also the first artist we saw in

WEDDINGS

concert together. Our wedding paper was designed by Alex’s sister, and it meant so much to us to have her create unique details for us that we can cherish forever. I borrowed my sister’s veil, and I wore a beautiful bracelet from my mom that my dad gave her for an anniversary. Their marriage is an amazing example to us, so it was really special to have a little symbol of their love to wear on our big day.

What We Are Doing Now: Alex and I live and work in downtown Birmingham and love it! I am a nurse at UAB Hospital and Alex works for BBVA.

the details Ceremony Venue: Independent Presbyterian Church Reception Venue: Sloss Furnaces Wedding Planner: Jayna Goedecke Events LLC Florist: FlowerArt Designs LLC Caterer: Magic Muffins Cakes: Magic Muffins Invitations: Adriene Simon Wedding Dress: Carriage House

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Hair & Makeup: Hair and Makeup by Caroline Overmyer Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr Burch Formal Wear Music: Heart to Heart, Music Garden Transportation: Rare Transportation and Coats Classic Cars Lighting and Draping: Chris Amerson

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WEDDINGS

mitchell

bisset

MARCH 23, 2019 PHOTOS BY SPARK & ARROW

68 February/March 2020

The Proposal: Chris wanted to involve Laura Beth’s piano, lovingly known as “Sam.” He asked her to play something for him and asked her to be his wife as she lifted Sam’s fallboard to find the ring perched on the keys.

Laura Beth’s Favorite Moment: I’m not much of a “flowers” girl, and Chris pointed me toward his friend Mary who made paper flowers for her wedding. Many of the papers used had significance such as sheet music in my bouquet. We spent the morning decorating with our attendants.

Chris’s Favorite Moment: The final dance—we had just completed the send-off and had made our way unnoticed back to the reception area.

The reception area was void of guests except for us and our photographer. It was wonderful to just quietly dance alone under the lights.

Favorite Details: The centerpieces had paper flowers and special items like Chris’s LEGOs and Laura Beth’s Tower of Terror memorabilia. Laura Beth’s bouquet was made using invitations from Chris’s parents’ wedding and his

WEDDINGS grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary party and vintage buttons from Laura Beth’s great-grandmother’s collection. As to music, pianist Becky Thornton performed arrangements of John Williams’s “March of the Resistance,” Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (arranged by the bride), and Earl Wild’s arrangement of “One Song” from Reminiscences of Snow White. The wedding cake was a scavenger hunt of images that held significance their relationship (such as Godzilla to represent the first movie seen together in a theater).

the details Venue: Anderson Gail Farms Caterer: Iz Café Cakes: Magnificent Cakes Invitations: Fine Paperwork Wedding Dress: Bella’s Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Hair: Sha’ Wilson Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Azazie and Combat Gentleman Music: Becky Thornton and Ellis Piano Cake Topper: Jessichu Creations Lighting/Draping: OnSite Productions

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 69

WEDDINGS

frazier haynes JUNE 8, 2019

PHOTOS BY LESLIE HOLLINGSWORTH

70 February/March 2020

How We Met: Jason and I (Emily) have known each other since we were 10 years old since his cousin, Lindy, is one of my best friends. Apparently we always had a crush on each other but never acted on it. We didn’t start dating until Jason moved 5,000 miles away to Hawaii for work—talk about a longdistance relationship!

The Proposal: I asked Jason to be my Sadie Hawkins dance date our sophomore year of high school. We went as friends with secret crushes on each other, but nothing more came from it.

We consider that night to be where our story started though, so Jason took me back to the Vestavia Hills High School old gym where the dance was and he proposed. After that he had all of our family and friends waiting at a small park in Liberty Park to celebrate. It was such a thought out, sweet, and special evening. I’ll never forget it!

Favorite Moment: I lost my father to a long battle with cancer in 2008, and the thought of him not getting to be there for my wedding broke my heart.

However, my mom surprised me with a

WEDDINGS

few special touches that allowed my dad to be a part of the day. My “something borrowed” was his wedding band, and my “something blue” was his Auburn ring, both tied to my bouquet so that he could walk down the aisle with us. For the father/daughter dance, my mom asked some of my dad’s close friends to step in for him. We laughed, cried and danced to mine and my dad’s song, “Brown Eyed Girl.” I could not be more thankful to my mom for arranging these moments. I know that my dad would have been so proud!

the details Ceremony Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church Reception Venue: Events at Haven Wedding Planner: Melanie Grace Events Florist: Bud & Blossom Caterer: Happy Catering Company Bride’s Cake: Pen & Pastry

Groom’s Cake: Magic Muffins Videographer: Resolute Films Invitations: Weezie B. Designs Wedding Dress: Bustle Hair & Makeup: Lindsey Glenn, GLOW Music: Norris Dates & Power Surge

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 71

WEDDINGS

carter

helms

OCTOBER 12, 2019 PHOTOS BY ELEANOR STENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

72 February/March 2020

How We Met: Tucker and I (Cameron) met at Auburn (War Eagle) at a date party while we were both with different dates. When I first saw him, I thought he was so cute and wanted him to be my date. After that night, we didn’t talk until he called me one random Saturday almost nine months later and asked if I wanted to go to Fiji Island with him. The rest is history!

The Proposal: We went ring shopping and since then I had been grilling him with questions. He told me to wait for April and all my questions would be

answered. We went on a beach trip with my family the last week in March, and little did I know that Tucker was planning on proposing there. The last morning we went for a walk to my grandparents’ beach house on a little lake overlooking the beach and down on the pier. I walked over to him and told him how thankful I was for him and this relaxing time we had together. He then turned to me and began to propose. I was so surprised and don’t remember anything he said besides, “Will you marry me?”

Favorite Details: We are both so

WEDDINGS blessed with wonderful families who have brought us up in the Christian faith, and it was important to both of us to have that evident during our ceremony. The musicians played traditional hymns “Amazing Grace” and “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and my younger cousin sang “My Jesus I Love Thee.” My sister and another cousin sang “Wonderful, Merciful, Savior,” which was just beautiful. I had the privilege of wearing my precious grandmother’s diamond necklace on the wedding day. She passed away earlier this year, and it was the perfect way to have her close to my heart on such a special day.

the details Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Church of Birmingham Reception Venue: Vestavia Country Club Wedding Planner: Bride & Her Mom, with help from Engaged Wedding Library Florist: Susan Milner Design Caterer: Vestavia Country Club Cakes: Magic Muffins

Invitations: Carlson Craft Wedding Dress: Bella’s Bridal & Formal Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Holly Craft Music: Just a Few Cats Band Bridal Bouquet & Groom Boutonniere Ribbon: Cocoon Silk Ribbon

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 73

WEDDINGS

allen jennings JUNE 15, 2019

PHOTOS BY BE LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

74 February/March 2020

How We Met: Payne and I (Mary Coleman) met our freshman year of college at Auburn University. We had lots of mutual friends, and he asked me to his fraternity date party, Old South, which felt like a big deal at the time. And we’ve been together ever since!

Favorite Moments: Once we got to the reception, we did our first dances and then went back outside to take a few more pictures with the beautiful sunset in the background. We got to smile, laugh and reflect on our first moments as husband and wife. Another one of my

favorite parts of our wedding day, and the weekend as a whole, was getting to spend quality time with all of my family and my best friends. Most of my bridesmaids live out of town, so it was so much fun getting to spend the weekend with them and have them stand alongside me as I married my best friend!

The Dress:Â My mom, sister, aunt and future mother-in-law went with me to look. I knew that I wanted a very simple and classic dress, and Ivory & White in Crestline Village had exactly

WEDDINGS

what I was looking for.

Favorite Details: One of my bridesmaids sang “What a Beautiful Name,” while Payne and I did communion during our ceremony. It was so beautiful and such a special memory that we will remember forever!

What We Are Doing Now: We are loving married life! Our schedules are very different, with Payne being in dental school and me working night shift as a neonatal nurse. But it makes us cherish the time we do get to spend together and makes it that much more special.

the details Ceremony Venue: Church of the Highlands Reception Venue: Old Overton Club Wedding Planner: Mary & Ellie Rembert Florist: Jerri Minor Caterer: Old Overton Club Bride’s Cake: Pen & Pastry Groom’s Cookies: Cookie Fix Invitations: Cotton & Pine, Montgomery, Alabama

Videographer: HI Productions Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: GLOW and Carter & Morgan Groom/Groomsmen Attire: JoS. A. Banks Music: Big Night Dynamite from Music Gardens Transportation: Rare Transportation

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 75

WEDDINGS

hamric

walker

MARCH 30, 2019 PHOTOS BY KATIE & ALEC PHOTOGRAPHY

76 February/March 2020

How We Met: I (Alan) always had a crush on Lindsay in high school, but we had never met. In fact she really didn’t remember me back then. After college friends were eager to introduce us, but it wasn’t until a couple years later that this happened. Honestly, I couldn’t believe Lindsay Hamric from high school liked me, I wasn’t letting her go!

The Proposal: I won free flights to Maui, Hawaii, when Lindsay and I had only been dating a few months, but I already knew I was going to marry her.

We planned to go a year later for her

birthday. The day of, I got Lindsay down to the beach for a “complimentary” photography shoot.

When our photographer gave me the code phrase and I dropped to one knee, she was the most surprised girl in the world. Lindsay says she felt like she was on The Bachelor, that’s how epic and romantic it was.

The Dress: I (Lindsay) knew I wanted something with a little sparkle, and I knew I had tried on my dress when my mom started crying.

Favorite Details: We had a glitzy balloon wall as the backdrop for a photo

WEDDINGS station with confetti. It felt so glamorous and the guests loved it. We wanted a PARTY, so we passed out LED gloves, huge foam hats and a Vestavia favorite, Donatos Pizza, at the end of the wedding. We also had a large round white bar in the middle of the ballroom with a chandelier of hanging flowers above it, I thought that was a showstopper. Alan didn’t want a groom’s cake so we had Steel City pops there instead. Everyone loved them!

What We Are Doing Now: We bought a midcentury house on Shades Crest Road in Vestavia that we are currently fixing up.

the details Ceremony Venue: Church of The Highlands Chapel Reception: Thomas Jefferson Tower Wedding Planner: Magnolia Vine Events Florist: Kelly Kirkland Caterer: Roots & Revelry Bride’s Cake: Magnificent Cakes Groom’s Dessert: Steel City Pops Videographer: four10films Invitations: Annabelle’s

Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Julia Sissa Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr Burch Formal Wear Music: Just A Few Cats Transportation: Rare Transportation Photo Station: Flashbar Balloon Wall: Rainbow Balloon Company Late Night Food: Donatos Pizza, Vestavia Hills

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 77

OUT & ABOUT

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DECK THE HEIGHTS

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PHOTOS BY MALLORY BARRY

Holiday shopping kicked off with festivities in Cahaba Heights shops on Nov. 14.

1. Ashley and Wade Merritt 2. Jim and Pat Conrad, and Catherine Conrad Waters 3. Adeline Owen 4. Jennifer, Roy and Elodie Fuqua 5. Kaitlyn Matheson and Ainsley Green 6. Samantha Snoddy 7. Tanya, Emmajean and Massey Bailey 8. Colt Kidwell with Santa 9. Gradie Lowery, Helen Herr and Ellie Robicheaux 10. Justin, Ashley, Connor and Powell Curry 11. Sydney Calamusa and Alex Gauld 12. Anna Alfano and Camille Cooper r

The Heart Knows

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OF THE SECRET Y • THE DYNAST STLING REBEL WRE

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VESTA VIA ZINE HILLS MAGA

There Is Only One Right Choice

NER KOOL KOR

• MAGIC CUBAN

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DREAM HOME E COFFEE

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OUT & ABOUT

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TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL

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Music from school choirs and Santa himself made the holidays all the more merry at this event on Dec. 3 at Vestavia Hills City Hall.

1. Patrick, Mercy and Julia Lloyd 2. Bill Brunson and Alice Collier Barrett 3. Aaron and Alice Wright 4. Greer Massey; Ginger Gambill; and Maribel, David, and Henry Massey 5. Roy Brook 6. Jose, Beatriz, Reina, Roberto and Martin Paula 7. Wendy and Adelynne Wilson 8. Randy McArthur, Nova Bengtson, John Miller and Melanie Miller 9. Emmy Boyd and Leia Isbell 10. Mary Claire Boughner and Anna Kate Boles 11. Beth, Ian and Colin Lauderdale 12. Miracle, Bronson and Roman Woertz 13. Pauline Parker, Annie Dodd and Claire Christie

80 February/March 2020

OUT & ABOUT

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BARIATRIC HEALTH & WELLNESS

Do you need to lose a little or a lot ?

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Bariatric Health and Wellness offers a non surgical weight loss program that is easy to follow, customized for you, and affordable.

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2017 Canyon Rd #17 Vestavia Hills 205-397-8856 bariatricdirect.com VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 81

OUT & ABOUT

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VESTAVIA HILLS CHRISTMAS PARADE

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Floats, the VHHS band and more all filled the streets of Liberty Park for this annual parade tradition on Dec. 8.

1. Barrett, Vera and Jennifer Destefano 2. Donato’s Pizza Team 3. Charlie, Blake and Branscomb Beavers 4. Sheila and Jack Fuller 5. Dhanush Sathish and Sathish Gnanam 6. Blakely and Christian Barber 7. Olivia and John Hay 8. Nicolas and Erica Sanchez 9. Paige and Patrick Gardner 10. Beau Bradford and Anna Brittan 11. Alison, Will and Wyatt Noble 12. Misty and Connor Smith 13. Julie, Lauren and Naomi Allen 14. Mike and Ella Pindzola 15. Donna Flanagan, and Roy and Paige Hockman

82 February/March 2020

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MAKING THE WORLD SAFER ONE EDUCATED FIREARM OWNER AT A TIME Serving Birmingham & Surrounding Areas Since 2009!

Our indoor range has 28 lanes and accommodates •pistols •bows •ries •shotguns

205-822-3600

1561 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35216 VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 83

OUT & ABOUT

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POINSETTIA BALL

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PHOTOS BY MADOLINE MARKHAM

Debutantes (in white dresses) and junior debutantes (in red dresses) were presented at the 52nd annual Poinsettia Ball held at Vestavia Country Club on Dec. 19.

1. Hannah Claire Hamric and Katie Genetti 2. Katie and Tom Genetti 3. Laura Reed Cunningham and Caroline Gilroy

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4. Davis, Malia, Emma, Charlie and Maggie Stewart 5. Liz and Sophie Losole 6. Jimmy and Morgan Anthom, and Shelley and Elaine 7. Damon and Abby Reed 8. Jack, Ann Martin, Suzanne and Chris Richardson 9. Carla, Sarah Frances, Caroline, Joseph and Michael Gilroy 10. Poinsettia Ball Board Members 11. Patrick, Barrett and Kerri Murphy 12. Tallulah DeMarco and Debby Richardson 13. Bo, Ansley, Will and Jan Kirkpatrick

84 February/March 2020

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OUT & ABOUT

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REINDEER DASH

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Holiday character costumers were welcome at this run held at Pure Fitness and benefitting the Grace Klein Community, which seeks to create authentic community by uniting diverse individuals, businesses, ministries and churches to work together to meet physical and spiritual needs both locally and globally.

1. Amy, Mike, Brady, Max and Adalynn Ryan 2. Sinae, Cara and Skylar Hughes 3. Robby, Rex and Emma Brumberg 4. Bryant and Evelyn Pirtle 5. Uta Wendland and Olivia Jones 6. Loren Traylor and Jonathan Gibson 7. Rosemary and Donald Beck, and Danny Park 8. Cory and Rhonda Truett 9. Cindy, Whitney, Russell and Rick Larson 10. Meagan and Michael Price, and Ann-Marie Freeman 11. Ike Gabriel and Casey Fliegel 12. Carolyn, Sam, Olivia and Joey Galgano 13. Laurie Dale and Amber Voss 14. Shannon and Stella Ross 15. Susanne Cox and Lynne Deshazo

86 February/March 2020

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Compassionate veterinary care, boarding & grooming

1471 Montgomery Hwy VestaviaAnimalClinic.com

(205) 823-7485

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 87

MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Vestavia Hills Magazine • 205.669.3131

Need appliance or air conditioner parts?

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Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry.

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88 February/March 2020

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Industrial Coatings Group, Inc. is hiring experienced -Sandblasters -Industrial Painters - Helpers. Must be able to pass drug test and e-verify check.

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Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Are you a motivated professional? Are you looking for a dynamic career? Are you ready to control your own level of success? See why McKinnons’ is an exciting place to work and grow. Now accepting applications for Sales, Service, and Detail Shop. Apply with the receptionist.

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For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-965-8657 Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquiries only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www.

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Alabaster/Pelham. Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al. com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327.

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$Cash Paid For Used RV’s!$ Motor Homes, Travel/Enclosed trailers, consignment welcome, Cars and Trucks, Pick up available, Mccluskey Auto and RV Sales, LLC 205-833-4575

White Oak Transportation is hiring CDL-A drivers in your area. Great Pay! Excellent Benefits!

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Construction Workers Needed for Local Construction Company.

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KELLY Educational Staffing WE’RE HIRING! • Substitute Teahers • Aides • Cafeteria • Clerical • Custodial Positions Shelby County School District, Pelham City Schools & Alabaster City Schools.

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Service Tech, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning AL Cert# 89282 Now Hiring Full-Time Certified Technician • Minimum 5 years experience • Residential, Commercial and Refrigeration • Ipad Experience • On-Call Rotation Apply at: www. servicetechhvac.com Sitting Angels Home Care, LLC NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Doctor Appointments, Bathing/Dressing Meal Preparation, Errands, Laundry,Light House Keeping and More.

Lenette Walls, Owner 205-405-6991 Shelby County Openings: Loaders: • 1st shift 7am4pm, Monday-Friday • 2nd Shift- 4:30pm Finish, Sunday–Thursday $11.00/hr Packers1st shift 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday $11.00/ hr Replenisher-1st Shift 6am-3:30pm $12.00/ hr Standup Forklift Operators 1st Shift-6am-

Experienced Termite Technician or someone experienced in routeservice work and wants to learn new profession.

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3:30pm $12.00/hr Apply online: www.mystaffmark.com The Harvest Place Christian Church Join us for worship every SUNDAY The Harvest Place Christian Church 14 Westside Ln, Columbiana, AL 35051 Bishop Wales Williams, Jr Chief Apostle •Morning Worship Sunday 11am •Life Enrichment Classes Sunday 10:15am •Join Us Every Tuesday Night at JOYFEST •Midweek WorshipBegins at 6:30pm www.getyourharvest.org

Brian’s Tree Service Trees cut from the top down! Safe tree removal in confined areas.

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The Salvation Army Birmingham is hiring Part-time and Full-time •Housing Monitors •Kitchen Assistants •Cooks Apply in Person The Salvation Army Center of Hope 2015 26th Avenue Birmingham, AL 35234 Land For Sale 51acres +/- Helena located on South Shades Crest Rd. Great development/investment potential or private estate location $17,500/ per acre Includes old farm house good frontage 205-587-3090 revcoltom@gmail.com Western International Gas & Cylinders, Inc $10,000 Sign-On-Bonus!

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VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 89

MY VESTAVIA HILLS LINDSEY LUTZ

Blogger at lifelutzurious.com + @lifelutzurious

To Get Our Sweat On

Orange Theory Fitness Vestavia I love heading over to OTF Vestavia for a good calorie burn with my bestie Lauren! The staff is great, the equipment is top notch, and the workout is brutal everything you could want and more. PS: Beating my hubs is always a plus.

For Family Weekend Lunch Those Views

Vestavia Drive + VCC Every 4th of July, we celebrate ‘Merica at our friends’ house over on Vestavia Drive. It’s one of my favorite days, and the view is absolutely breathtaking! On the weekends, we love driving around looking for houses with a view. So, if you are selling, please let me know, wink wink.

Speaking of views, is there anything better than the adult pool at Vestavia Country Club?

You feel like you are at a resort! Pro Tip: Get the skinny margarita. You can thank me later!

Fashion + Beauty Go-Tos

Manhattan South + La Bella Spa My fav place to shop in Vestavia is Manhattan South. I love how Lesley’s pieces are chic, yet accessible. One of a kind, yet simple to execute. Looking for a spray tan that is change your life awesome? Go see Kacie Donahoo at La Bella Spa in Liberty Park aka straight off the beaches of Saint Barths! The salon is gorgeous, and they offer so many wonderful services. You will love both Kacie and the owner.

To Burn Off Energy Before Naptime

All the Parks The park scene in Vestavia is too legit to quit! From Wald Park, to the park at Vestavia East, to Byrd Park, there are plenty of options for all ages.

And this is the perfect way to burn off some energy before the kiddos nap.

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Snapper Grabber’s Land & Sea Asher and Holden always get the Bama Baby Cat Basket (say that five times fast). My husband opts for the Daily Hook or the oyster poboy, and I always choose the fish tacos with a side of chips and onion dip. Pro Tip: They sell their onion dip and chips in the grab-and-go cooler, and you can also grab a pint of their pimento cheese and Jala Jala Strawberry Jalapeño Jelly.

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Comfortable Medical Waiting

Dedicated Spa Check-in Area

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Private Spa Lounge

Birmingham’s Only Float Pool